See 1st chapter for disclaimer

A/N: Thanks for the reviews again.

Mornflower: I'm not going to hurt the twins or Estel...not a lot anyway. It's mainly Legolas angst.

Lyn: Thanks for pointing that out, I have changed it now. Thanks anyway.


Chapter 3

"Get up Little Prince!" Sannyn's cruel mocking voice sounded in Legolas' ear. "We are breaking camp today – and you are coming with us" Legolas looked up fixing Sannyn with a deep harsh glare; Sannyn simply snarled and kicked Legolas in the stomach-hard, the elf Prince let out a gasp of pain as he struggled to regain his breath, Sannyn sighed with annoyance and reaching down, grabbed the prince by the hair and pulled him to his feet; it was then Legolas realized his feet were free, he struggled against Sannyn's strong grip; to no avail. "Stop that, elf!" snapped Sannyn spitting out the last word with some venom. "Tándil, have you got it!" he snapped looking across the camp "Yes my Lord" Legolas span around to see a man-who Legolas was sure he had seen before walking across the ground in his hands he carried a large metal ring. When Tándil reached them Sannyn roughly snatched the ring and unclasped it before fastening it around Legolas' neck and taking hold of the long chain that held from it "You don't like this do you?" he laughed as he saw Legolas' face pale. He tugged at the chain and laughed when Legolas staggered forward "She will be most pleased with our gift!" he said half to himself, before once more fixing his eyes on Legolas, smirking he handed the chain to Tándil before turning and walking off. Tándil looked at Legolas before pulling away the gag. "Did you know I hate elves? Them scum from Mirkwood killed the only girl I ever loved" he snarled. Legolas looked back at him a look of pure hatred for this man and all others in his eyes- he knew the girl he spoke of-he remembered her from a long time ago

FLASHBACK

The girl had leapt at the Warrior as if she had just appeared from the air .It was his first time in Mirkwood in a patrol and somehow he had been separated from the rest of the patrol-but he was not alone-this was a routine test in the Mirkwood army-all new recruits had to take it-Rusco Ithilion was no exception-but then he had the best of the examiners-the elf who had taught him everything he knew in the art of Warfare-The Prince of Mirkwood himself had tutored the elf after the youngster had saved his life. But the elf did not want to think of his time with Analton-that was behind him-over five-hundred years had passed since that time-and many other adventures had befallen the Prince since then-all of which he had been in someway injured. The Prince smiled to himself as he watched the elf below him "Hello! Is anyone there" the elf called looking around "Prince Legolas?" Legolas shifted on the branch and watched as the elf shrugged and headed back to the halls of Thranduil- Legolas smiled-the test was just a simple one to see if the elf could find their way back to the halls-or if necessary to be able to fend for themselves in the wild-he himself had taken it and passed successfully the first time-well- he remembered that his examiner had been Alcarnor-who had once been the best archer in Mirkwood-and the second best swordsman-(the best was King Thranduil himself)-and Legolas tutor in the subjects-well that had been until Legolas simply surpassed him in both areas-yet the elder elf bore no grudges against his Prince. Smiling the elf brought his attention back to Rusco.
The elf simply entered a clearing when the female leapt on him, throwing him to the ground she leant over him and raised a knife in the air- Rusco threw her off and stopped unsure of whether to attack the maiden- a swift kick in the stomach answered this question. Rusco fell to the ground his long sword falling from his grasp- as he struggled to his feet Legolas saw the girl produce a knife- he realised then Rusco stood no chance against the deadly blade-pulling an arrow from his quiver he fired it at the female-it flew towards her and she turned at the last moment-it hit her in the breast and she fell to the ground. Legolas leapt to the forest floor "Rusco, are you alright?" he asked the young elf "I'm fine thanks to you Prince Legolas-but..." Rusco started but stopped as he heard Legolas gasp "She's dead-I never meant to kill her" the Prince whispered, "She turned-it was her own fault," Rusco said laying a hand on the Prince's shoulder- "Don't blame yourself" Legolas head snapped up in answer "Quick into the trees" he said- leaping to his feet and dragging a startled Rusco into the bushes, they watched in silence as a large man walked into the clearing- seeing the body he gasped and ran over to it-seeing she was dead he cursed and began to search the surrounding area-looking for the killer. "Let's go" Legolas said disappearing into the forest.

FLASHBACK ENDS

"Do not speak of them in that way. Had your lover not been attempting to kill one of Mirkwood's warriors I would not have shot her-yet I did not mean to kill her" He looked at Tándil knowing from where he remembered the man. "I don't care what you meant to do! I'm going to make you're life hell for that, elf!" he snapped yanking on the chain forcing Legolas to the ground, he then pulled from his belt a long leather whip, raising it in the air he brought it down on the elf prince's back. "It takes more than that to make my life hell!" Legolas replied his voice dangerously low "I don't care!" Tándil hissed raising the whip for a second time; Legolas braced himself for the pain. It never came. Instead he heard Talider's voice "Stop that" the Elven Prince turned his head and saw Talider holding Tándil's wrist the whip hanging harmlessly in the mans arm. "What is the meaning of this? He needs to be fit enough to travel!" "It was him!" Tándil hissed "He killed Moilia!" Talider's eyes narrowed "Then you shall get your revenge; once I am ruler of Mirkwood and he is our slave you shall have all the revenge you wish!" "You will never be ruler of Mirkwood! My Father shall never yield!" Legolas snapped glaring at Talider. "You are wrong little elf!" Talider replied "He will yield for your sake" He watched as Legolas looked away, knowing Talider's words to be correct. Of course his Father would give Mirkwood to them if his son's life was at stake. Of course he would tell all the elves in Mirkwood to leave first not wanting to sell their lives-but Thranduil would give anything-even his own life-to protect his only son. "I am right" the elven prince heard Talider say "answer me! He would give anything to save you! That shall be his downfall." Legolas stayed quiet, not prepared to answer Talider. The man frowned and grabbed Legolas' golden hair and pulled him up to eye level "answer me" he hissed. Legolas recoiled from his foul breath. Talider then lost his temper "Answer Me" he roared , hitting Legolas and throwing him to the ground before kicking him again and again in the stomach and ribs. When he finally stopped he looked down at Legolas, who was still desperately trying to shield himself from the blows. Shaking his head the man turned on his heel and stormed away.

It was not long after when Tándil snatched up the chain attached to Legolas' 'collar' "Don't think I'll make this easy for you elf!" he spat, yanking Legolas to his feet. "Because I'm not" he pulled the chain hard across to were several horses were waiting. He strained against the chain trying to pull away, but Tándil held on. Eventually the man reached the horses and tied Legolas' chain to the saddle of Talider's horse, before climbing up onto one behind it. Legolas' eyes filled with hatred as he realised the two who would be riding directly behind their leader would be Sannyn and Tándil. They would be behind him, and if he fell back...Legolas did not wish to think of their punishment.



"Bar,
Haer orod, celon a Amon
Bar,
Ennas, emel-nin turo idh"

"Shut up elf!" Tándil snapped raising his long whip and striking Legolas with it "No singing!" Legolas staggered forward, such was the force of the blow. They had been walking for two days now with only short breaks. To rest the horses Talider said. Legolas, being an elf, was able to go long distances with little rest but even he needed much more than he had received in the past few days. "The elf needs to be able to walk Tándil" Sannyn replied, unconcernedly, he flashed a look at the other man "tonight" he hissed too quiet for anyone but each other to hear it, or so they thought. The elf too heard the quiet word that passed between the men and it chilled him. He wondered if today was to be his last or maybe. No he did not want to think of that possibility-his spirit had healed long ago. But yet he still did not feel at ease around men. Especially when made as vulnerable as this, and this scared him more than anything-his vulnerability.


Thranduil paced up and down in the large study the letter in his hand he glanced over it again:

Thranduil,
I write with news on your son. Just this morning his horse, Taltrost arrived at Rivendell alone. I have bid my sons search for him, however I know not his fate and I fear that not all is well.
Elrond


It was short, yet much to the point. Thranduil felt a sudden pang of regret. He had been given the chance to accompany his son. Yet he had declined, maybe if he had accepted his son's invitation this would not have happened. The elf king sank down into his chair and closed his eyes. "I have to go to Rivendell" he muttered, standing again and walking to the door, he placed his hand on the door handle and paused, fearing that on reaching Rivendell he would hear the four words he did not wish to hear. The four words which plagued his dreams; the words that were "Your son is dead". Shaking his head to expel he thoughts from his mind he walked out into the corridor.
"Tirinvo!" the king called as he walked into the guardroom; the captain of the guard looked up "Yes my Lord?" he replied as he stood and walked over to the king "I must leave Mirkwood for a number of days. I am leaving both you and Arnarmo in charge of the realm. I do not know how long I shall be gone." "Has something happened My Lord?" The captain of the guard asked "I do not know. Taltrost arrived at Rivendell alone. Elrond is worried about Legolas. He feels something is wrong" Thranduil replied "There is probably a logical explanation" Tirinvo said, not quite believing his own words "I do not think that can be possible" Thranduil replied turning around and walking out of the room.
Not long after the black stallion cantered out of the gates of Mirkwood, its black tail flowing in the wind. "Noro Lim Nedhdú" its rider cried his blonde hair streaming behind him in the wind. "Mín garolimb baur an hortho"


"Elladan! Estel" Elrohir's voice carried on the wind to where the brothers were standing. Almost instantly the brothers set off running to where their brother was. Elladan soon lost his younger brother behind him as he ran into the clearing and stopped dead when he saw what his twin held. "He was here" Elrohir whispered, "He was captured by mortal men. That is plain to see. I do not know if he is still with them, there are hoof prints leaving this area, and what looks like signs of a body being dragged. "He has to be alive" Elladan replied taking Legolas' weapons from his brother, the Mirkwood bow, the quiver containing all the arrows and the twin blades. "What possessed him to come here!" he yelled kicking the remains of a fire. Elrohir placed a comforting hand on his twins shoulder. "I don't know, but stay calm. We are Legolas' only hope" he said "Was he here?" they heard a voice ask. They span to see Estel standing there, taking the packs from the horses, after loosing sight of Elladan he had gone back for the horses and now he had found his brothers, he stood holding the reins of his horse with one hand and placing a comforting hand on one of his brother's horses. He had no fear of the other bolting, for his brother's horses – which were also co-incidentally twins shared a bond such as their owner's shared and the twins had named them Toron and Seron. Though no-one save the twins could tell them apart-as it was with the horses it was with the twins. So alike in appearance that only a few could tell them apart, the twins enjoyed the confusion they caused, and were often responsible for chaos in Rivendell, Estel had heard of many of the adventures they had gotten into-often along with Prince Legolas of Mirkwood, who was one of the twins closest friends. Though beyond their carefree exterior there were two caring young elves. This was another little known fact about the twins-indeed a day rarely went by without a cry of "Elladan, Elrohir" being heard echoing down the corridors of Rivendell.
But it was at times like this when Estel could see their true feelings; his brothers were worried about their friend and afraid too. They feared finding Legolas dead-he had once heard a tale of them having to tell Thranduil his son was missing-though the Prince had not been far the twins did not wish to have to tell the King of Mirkwood that his son was dead a second time.
Estel snapped up from his thoughts as he felt the horses pull away from him, he turned to see them dart off into the forest back towards Rivendell. "Estel, What in Middle Earth happened then!" he heard Elladan snap "We need the horses! We'll have to go on foot now! And that could be Legolas' downfall!" he continued, before pausing, his eyes filling with guilt suddenly "I'm sorry Estel, I am not angry with you. I should not have snapped at you then" "We are simply worried about Legolas. He has been our friend for-I cannot remember much of the time before he was our friend" Elrohir agreed "Elladan do you remember the day we met him?" "I do, that was the first time we realised how much trouble he was" Elladan replied

FLASHBACK

"Legolas! Legolas!" the dark-haired elf leapt down from the tree landing in front of his brother, "Elrohir, we are in more trouble than ever! Adar trusted us to look after Legolas while they had the council meeting!" The twins had arrived in Mirkwood for a meeting between the royal family of Mirkwood and the Lord of Rivendell. The twins had been instructed to care for Mirkwood's 400 year old Prince. The twins had been very much taken with the Prince and had enjoyed their time with him-until now. They were worried for the Little Prince whom they had grown to like. For in a seemingly harmless game of 'hide and go seek' the Prince had disappeared without a trace-leaving the twins in fear. They had heard of Mirkwood's many dangers, and images of the Prince backed up against a tree, surrounded by some evil, would not leave their young minds. Elladan bit his lip "I think we should go and tell Adar and the King and Queen" he said nervously "Yes." Elrohir replied reaching for his brother's hand and squeezing it, hand in hand the twins walked back to Mirkwood.
A quiet knock at the door made King Thranduil's head snap up "Come in" he said. The door opened to show the twins stood there. "Elladan, Elrohir?" Elrond asked confused standing up, "King Thranduil, we are very sorry. We were playing hide and go seek in the forest and we couldn't find Legolas" Elrohir gushed, staring at the floor as was his twin. Both looked up at the sound of Thranduil laughing quietly. "Come with me" the Elven king said gently leading the twins out of the room and through the palace, their Father following them, a smile upon his face. Thranduil beckoned for them to come closer as he reached a door, before pushing it open, seated on the bed was a young elf-Legolas. A book lay open on the Prince's lap, he looked up as the door opened. "Elladan, Elrohir!" the Prince exclaimed leaping of the bed and coming to stand in front of them-with his arms folded and an annoyed look on his face- the look his father used on the prince when the king was annoyed with him- the prince looked amusing, especially as he was the smallest figure in the room. "Where were you?" he asked "I waited for hours and hours up a tree for you but you didn't find me so I came home" he looked slightly hurt by their leaving of him. "We are sorry Legolas" Elladan replied striving to keep a straight face" You are obviously so much better than us at hide and go seek. We could not find you anywhere" "And now, my Little Greenleaf, It is time for us to have dinner" Thranduil chuckled, picking up the elfling "Come Mellon-nin" he said turning to Elrond "let us go to the great hall . Ailin has prepared a feast in your honour"

FLASHBACK ENDS

The elves looked up and their eyes met-they knew only one thing. They had to find Legolas before it was too late

TBC...

Translations

Elvish (All Sindarin unless stated) English


Bar, Home
Haer orod, celon a Amon. Beyond Mountain, River and Hill
Bar, Home
Ennas, emel-nin turo idh. There my heart shall rest.

Noro lim (Q) Ride Hard

Mín garolimb baur an hortho We have much need of haste

Ailin (Q) Lake-Translation of Lynn

Toron (Q) Brother

Seron (Q) Friend

Taltrost Falling Rain

Nedhd Midnight

Rusco Fox-translation of the name Todd

Ithilion Son of Ithil (Ithil means moon)

Alcarnor fameland-translation of Roland or Orlando

Analton greatest-translation of Maximilian

Anyway please review. Aranel