Before I start this new story I want to make something clear so I will capitalize and underscore for emphasis. THIS IS NOT A PLAGIARIZED VERSION OF SkyleafAlchemist19'S All That Remains! I have already spoken to her prior to posting this, and she has given me permission to use the assassin aspect of her story for mine! DO NOT I repeat DO NOT review this only to flame and accuse me of plagiarizing her story! She is ready to speak out on this issue if it does happen, and I thank her so much for doing so! The ONLY aspects of this story that will be the same is the assassin theme, and the use of the name Esgal as Legolas' alias, which she has also given me permission to use! So please dear readers, DO NOT POST REVIEWS ACCUSING ME OF PLAGIARIZING WHEN I HAVE CLEARLY EXPLAINED MYSELF IN THIS LITTLE SECTION!
Inspired by: SkyleafAlchemist19's All That Remains and Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.
Summary: Legolas does not know how he came to be at Dol Guldur. He has no recollections of his past. Trained by the Witch-King of Angmar, the Elf becomes the Nazgûl Lord's personal champion. The assassin known as Esgal...
Esgal: Sindarin Elvish for Hidden.
This story is dedicated to SkyleafAlchemist19. Thanks for writing such an awesome story of All That Remains! And for allowing me to use the assassin theme and Esgal alias! This is for you!
Reviews are welcome.
I also appreciate constructive criticism as well.
This story will be post WotR but I will try to keep it as canon as possible.
OCs will also appear in this story as well!
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or anything associated with it, aside from my own plot and OCs.
Note: Edited 6/23/2015, added some more details to certain scenes.
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For Whose Sake
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The Paths We Walk II
Dol Guldur.
It was indeed a place of great evil.
Both Gandalf and Radagast could feel the heaviness in the air, pressing down on them thickly, threatening to take the very air from their bodies. It was a struggle just to even breathe within the desolate grounds that was called the Black Fortress, or the Hill of Sorcery to others.
Even the trees were angry at their Light being stolen.
The Brown Wizard felt the trees crying out in agony, begging for someone to restore their stolen Light. Walking over to one of the twisted trees, Radagast placed a flat palm against its trunk. Closing his eyes to concentrate, the Istari sent some of his powers into the tree, which served to relieve some of the agony it was suffering from. When he opened his eyes again, Radagast turned to face Gandalf with a sorrowful expression.
"The trees are in pain," he whispered.
"The Elves do not call this the Hill of Sorcery for no reason," Gandalf said.
Pressing onward the two Istari slowly made their way towards the looming black fortress in the distance. Whilst Radagast was preoccupied with the condition of the trees around them, Gandalf was formulating a plan that will allow them to infiltrate Dol Guldur without being noticed. The Grey Pilgrim knew this was the domain of the Witch-King, and there have been reports of an army amassing at the black fortress. If this was indeed true then both Mirkwood and Minas Morgul are in grave danger.
"Up ahead," Gandalf pointed towards a hill with the black fortress sitting atop.
The closer they drew, the more sinister the air became.
"The Nazgûl are missing," the Brown Wizard pointed out.
The two paused in their steps and listened intently for signs of crying. Like Radagast pointed out, the cries of Fell Beasts were indeed absent from the air. Gandalf knew there could only be one reason why the Ringwraiths would leave Dol Guldur. They had gone to Minas Morgul. If that was the case, then why would the Ringwraiths leave Dol Guldur unguarded?
"Radagast stop," Gandalf suddenly put a hand on the Maia's shoulder.
"What's the matter?"
"Look," the Grey Pilgrim pointed his staff towards a distant shadow.
Radagast squinted his eyes in hopes of trying to see what Gandalf was pointing out. Slowly his eyes adjusted to the darkness of the Hill of Sorcery, enabling him to see a silhouette in the distance. It was not one of the Ringwraiths, nor was it any Elf that Gandalf had spoken about. Instead Radagast could see the silhouette resembled more of an Orc than anything.
"Who is that?" he finally murmured.
"It is Azog the Defiler."
The Brown Wizard widened his eyes in shock. "Azog? The Orc Chieftain? What is he doing in Dol Guldur?" Radagast certainly wasn't expecting Azog to be inhabiting the black fortress.
"I do not know Radagast...but we must hurry to Dol Guldur. If Thranduil Elvenking's lost son really is within the black fortress, I am afraid his Light may have been corrupted by the darkness that is here."
Now that a place for the evening to stay was out of the question, Legolas resorted to sleeping amongst the trees like he often did back in Dol Guldur. It just felt right to the assassin. And the trees were more than welcoming of his presence. Once he made sure his horse was securely tied and would not be in danger, the Elf effortlessly hauled himself up the tallest tree, settling comfortably on a middle branch.
Who dares to rest on me?
Legolas opened his eyes and mind, allowing the tree to probe within.
I am a friend. My name is Legolas, and I merely seek a place to rest for the evening.
You. You bear the scent of a Wood-Elf.
The assassin blinked several times.
This was not the first time he has heard a tree call him a Wood-Elf. The trees back in Dol Guldur also recognized him as one, from the very first moment he opened up his mind to the forest.
Yes. I am a Wood-Elf, a friend of yours, I mean you no harm.
The tree rustled its leaves as if agreeing with what he said.
A Wood-Elf is a friend, and I will protect my friends. Rest well little Wood-Elf, you will be safe within my embrace.
Thank you my friend, Legolas leaned back and closed his eyes.
The gentle swaying of leaves in the wind soon lulled him into a dreamless sleep.
"Where are we going to stay now Thorin?" Dwalin asked as the group hurriedly made their exit out of the tavern.
Thanks to the Elf— who disappeared without a trace— they had to clean up the aftermath of the bloody battle. It wasn't easy hauling dead bodies out of the tavern without being seen, but after much pulling and tugging, the Dwarves managed to get all the bodies into one pile, then buried them in a hole. As soon as that was taken care of, Thorin went back in and placed the unconscious barkeep on a bed upstairs, along with a small bag of coins as compensation for the mess that was left.
Now they were faced with the same question of where to lodge for the evening.
"We'll make camp in the forest," Thorin said as they made their way towards the tall trees.
The rest of his company groaned simultaneously.
"We are Dwarves! We spend most of our lives living within mountains, surely a night in the forest will not kill you all."
"We have been camping in the forest since we left on this ridiculous journey to the Shire!" Nori huffed.
"If you cannot keep up with the harshness of the elements, then you are all free to go! I will not stand by any longer and let Smaug desolate the home that my grandfather worked hard to build," Thorin's rage was flying off him in a murderous aura.
Fíli and Kíli were the first to stand with their uncle.
"You are the only relative we have left uncle Thorin, we will go where you go."
One by one the rest of the company resolved to follow Thorin through until the very end. Turning back towards the forest, Thorin led them deep within until they came across a clearing. Half of the group volunteered to go find wood to start a fire, and the others ventured out in hopes of catching some wild game for food. Now that Thorin was left alone, he made to secure the perimeter from any enemies. Holding his axe in hand as a precaution, the Dwarf slowly walked around the length of the camp. A rustling sound caught his attention several meters ahead, Thorin walked as calmly as possible towards the source of the noise. Just as he was about to swing his axe, his eyes made out the shape of a horse and he exhaled a low breath.
"Why is there a horse here in the middle of the woods?" Thorin walked over to the tall beast, noting how its reigns were tied around a tree trunk.
"Where is your rider?" he asked, reaching a hand up to stroke its velvet muzzle.
The horse snorted softly in his face, raising strands of his hair in the process.
A dagger flew out of nowhere from the darkness, landing mere inches from where Thorin stood. Without hesitation the Dwarf lifted up his axe in alarm, eyes scouring the nearby area for signs of danger. Then a figure jumped down from the trees, landing softly next to the mare with a hand on its mane. Thorin's eyes narrowed in anger as he recognized who it was.
The same Elf from earlier.
When Legolas heard footsteps from below approaching his horse, his first instinct was to reach for his blades and jump down to fight off the attacker. However his ears picked up the same voice from the tavern talking to his mare, and Legolas decided to remain still for the time being. Peering over the edge of the limb, his sharp eyes were able to make out the silhouette of Thorin Oakenshield.
"Where is your rider?" he heard the Dwarf ask.
Retrieving a dagger from within his tunic and holding it in his right hand, the assassin took careful aim and hurled it through the air right in between his mare and the unsuspecting Dwarf. The reaction was instantaneous. Thorin swung his axe around in a circle, searching for where the dagger had come from. Legolas gracefully swung himself down from the branch, landing softly on his feet to face the Dwarf.
"You," Thorin hissed in contempt.
"Is it your goal to follow where I go?" Legolas asked calmly, patting Hagalith on his silky mane.
"Had I known this was your horse, I would have ended its life so it wouldn't be so miserable."
Hagalith reared up on his hind legs at this, scaring Thorin into backing away several feet. Legolas patted his steed on the side to calm it down, then turned his eyes onto the shorter Dwarf.
"Be careful what you say. Hagalith has a short temper," he warned.
Thorin stood his ground. "I do not have to watch my tone around a Elf."
"I am not your typical Elf, Thorin Oakenshield."
To prove his point Legolas closed his eyes in concentration, then vanished from sight. Thorin spun around wildly in circles, pausing every so often to see if he could catch glimpses of the Elf. When he spun back around, he was startled to find Legolas standing in front of him. How did the Elf do that? And without so much as uttering a sound? That's when Thorin noticed the assassin's eyes were glowing red, more so than they were back in the tavern.
"I revealed I was an assassin back at the tavern Thorin, do not make lightly of me. I have no orders to kill you, but if threatened, I will strike back."
"All Elves lie to defend their own kind! They abandon their supposed friends in times of need! You may be an assassin but you are still a Elf, the same race as Thranduil Elvenking when him and his army abandoned us during the fight for Erebor!" Thorin seethed angrily.
"What Thranduil Elvenking has done does not concern me. I do not wish to spill unnecessary blood, leave me be before I force you to."
Thorin knew where his abilities stood at.
After what he witnessed back at the tavern, deep down the Dwarf knew that even with the rest of his company, they still would not be able to injure or bring down this Elf. The fact that he killed those Men back there with ease and flawlessly served to persuade Thorin even more. Reluctantly the Dwarf lowered his axe, though his face still bore traces of contempt.
"If you come near me or my company, I will not hesitate to kill you."
"I have no wish of coming near your company," Legolas replied.
"The next time we meet Elf, will be the last time I talk before my axe."
Then he departed, leaving Legolas alone to his thoughts. Heaving a loud sigh the Elf pulled himself back up onto the tree, allowing the comforts of the leaves to lure him back into dream.
"Ada? Ada please open the door," Arodeth called softly, knocking on the ancient wood for added measure.
The four reunited siblings were standing outside the door to their father's chambers. Since the confrontation in the woods with the Necromancer and Ringwraith, Thranduil had shut himself in his room, refusing to let even his children inside. Lalaith reported to her siblings she could hear crying from behind, grieving and sorrowful crying unlike any she's heard. It pained them to see their father like this, especially after what had happened.
"Ada please, let us in," Aradhel implored.
The eldest of the four leaned on Arastor for support, his injuries having not yet been fully recovered since the encounter with Esgal. A deep, burning hatred for the assassin boiled deep within the Crown Prince's blood. He personally laid Aeneth to rest after that little scene, sending prayers up to the Valar to watch over her spirit. Aradhel loved Aeneth and had asked for her hand in marriage, which the Elleth accepted without hesitation. When he heard she was captured by Goblins during her patrol shift, he was the first to lead a band of guards into Dol Guldur to rescue her.
Little did he expect their reunion would be so short.
He could still remember the look on her face as she pushed him out of the way, taking the dagger that was meant for him. His heart ached. Though he wanted proper time to grieve her passing, Aradhel understood he had to be strong for his siblings sake, as well as their father. The only thing that bothered him was their father asking the assassin if he was Legolas.
Why would he ask if Esgal was their lost sibling?
There was no way in Arda that Esgal was Legolas.
No.
Even if he was, Aradhel wasn't sure if he would be able to accept the fact and forgive the Elf for murdering his beloved.
Finally the door to their father's chamber opened, revealing a pale and exhausted Thranduil. The four siblings rushed to their father, with the twins throwing themselves into his arms. They were relieved to find their father standing tall, even if he was grieving for his missing son.
"Aradhel," Thranduil spoke to his eldest son.
"Yes Ada?"
"When you were held in Dol Guldur, you encountered the Elf named Esgal didn't you? What did he look like?" the Elvenking inquired.
Aradhel furrowed his brows together in thought. "His hair was always concealed by a hood, but I did catch a glimpse of silver hair when he let it down to allow Aeneth in to see me. His eyes are not blue like ours, but crimson like blood instead. Also another strange fact is he does not glow like the rest of us."
"An Elf that does not glow?" Arastor looked at his brother.
"He said he learned to suppress it to live in Dol Guldur," Aradhel simply said.
For a while Thranduil did not speak.
"Close off our borders to the outside world. No one enters or leaves Mirkwood without my permission. Double the guards on patrol, and make sure we are well-armed in case of another Spider or Goblin attack," Thranduil finally said.
The brothers nodded and walked off to do their duties.
Next the Elvenking faced his two daughters. "Why don't you two go down to the kitchen and make a nice meal? It has been a while since I last enjoyed a meal with my children," he said with a smile.
Arodeth and Lalaith ran off with smiles on their faces.
Only then did Thranduil close the door to his chambers.
Now that he was away from the prying eyes of his children, Thranduil walked over to a dresser table and sat in the chair just as his knees gave out. Shakily he reached for a small box hidden in the corner, his hands curling around the top as he opened it up. Nestled within was an ornate necklace housing a beautiful sapphire. The chain was crafted out of Elven metal, intertwined with images of leaves and twigs. A slender finger gently stroked the smooth surface of the gem, a wistful smile appearing on Thranduil's face as he did so.
The necklace belonged to his deceased wife Rívis, the mother of Legolas and the one who truly held his heart.
She had died of a broken heart when she learned her beloved son was taken by the darkness.
Since that day Thranduil's life was never the same.
Though he married Edlothiad later on and sired four children with her, the Elvenking could never forget his love for Rívis. Edlothiad understood and never blamed her husband for not loving her the same way. She was already satisfied by the love he showed their four children after all. Though she was currently not in Mirkwood, Edlothiad was always there in spirit for her husband.
"My beloved Rívis...I believe our son... our little Greenleaf is alive."
To be continued...
Review?
Next chapter: Legolas reaches the Shire first and encounters Bilbo.
Bilbo is shocked to be saved by an Elf.
Thorin and his company closes in on the Shire.
Radagast and Gandalf explore Dol Guldur.
Elrond decides to pay a visit to Thranduil.
See you all next chapter!
Celsius Fate~
Rívis means Crown
Edlothiad will make an appearance soon!