A/N: So this is another all Legolas chapter. Lemme know what ya'll think =D there is some slightly mature themes in this one… mostly just minor violence. Also if anyone knows a good editor on this sight please let me know… I edit my own stuff… and that honestly takes longer then writing it for me XD (also on that note… please lemme know if there are any big mistakes in this one… I was super tired while editing but I REALLY wanted to get it up so I and work on the next one lol)

Nearly four weeks had passed before Legolas was able to seek out the old wizard. He had changed up his pattern since last the two had crossed paths, though not so much that the elf was not eventually able to catch on to the change. When he did meet the old wizard he was met with a welcome smile and lead to one of his many small homes.

"Welcome young elf. Come , the days grow cold and though elves are heartier then most you are still likely to catch a chill if you do not find shelter this night." They had not been more than an hour's walk from the makeshift home of fallen wood, mud, and plants that strung out from any unattended gaps. It was a wonder to Legolas that something that seemed so rough in make could be so sturdy inside, and as cozy as the best made cottage.

Once settled the wizard turned to him. "So then, what brings you so far west? These days it is rare for me to see elves straying so far from the greenwood." Legolas nodded, sitting across the other.

"Actually I was in search of you. I wanted to ask you if you could share some knowledge with me."

"Ah! Of course I can. It has been a while since I've had company to speak with. So what is it you are curious about?"

"I was wanting to know more about how the evil set in at mirkwood… or rather, what could mimic the effects?" The wizard eyed him curiously.

"It is well known, especially to the elves what caused the darkness in mirkwood. And nothing could be similar without being the same. A dark soul settled near the greenwood and its darkness and poison choked the plants and animals that grew near it… but you need not worry, young elf. I travel to all the forests from the ocean to the Sea or Rhun and I have seen no such concerns." Legolas pursed his lips, his eyes heavy with concern.

"It is past the inland sea that my worries lie?" The wizards brow furrowed as he looked over the elf before him.

"Why set your sights so far? And what warrants your concern?"

"A young woman travelled here from far away, passed the Sea of Rhun. Her home has been growing sick over the past decade… she claims it to feel like Mirkwood." Some alarm entered the face of the other as he muttered something to himself.

"I am unsure what may cause her forests illness… and I am sorry but I will not travel so far to find out. There were two other wizards who ventured over the sea to help defeat the reaches of Sauron. I am sure that was before you were even a gleam in your father's eye, Elfling, and they have never returned. I cannot risk the same; the forests here need much tending still."

"Do you know anything about what happened to them? The two other wizards" Radagast shook his head.

"It is uncertain if they succeeded or Failed all that I know is that they never returned… they were blue wizards, the both of them. Their names…" He paused as he tried to recall. "Ah yes.. I believe they were Alatar and Pallando… Though they may go by other names if still they walk the land. I do not know any more about them… though perhaps you can ask your lady? If she is from the east perhaps she has heard stories of them. If so they may be able to help her further.

It was soon after that the wizard retired for the night. That night was the night of the first snow. Still Legolas set out at first light. He had, after all, said he would do all he could to be back by the time six weeks came to pass. He took a bit of a detour however, travelling towards the lake town. He was certain to be late back for taking the detour… though he was likely to be a few days late regardless… and if he were going to worry her he could at least return with a small gift as an apology.

He had thought a lot about the ellith since he had left... and a lot about their last meeting before his departure. Indeed the thought was what had warmed him on the colder nights since leaving minas tirith. He had given in and allowed himself to show her the affection he had been hiding, and she returned it zealously. He still feared what that meant when it came to traveling beside her, but he would face the challenges as they came at him, and at least he would have the distraction of hiding his affections removed.

… … … … …

It had been nearly a week since leaving the Wizards cottage, and he was less than a day's travel from Lake town. But night had fallen and he did not want to arrive in the dark so he had decided to set up camp. With the night so cold he had decided to light a fire, but as he was tending to it be head something; Tromping boots through the thick grass of the fields. He searched about but the fire was too low to see much, and the moon, though high in the sky was little more than a sliver, and its light was dull.

The prince drew out his twin knives skulking silently away from the fire and out towards the noise. He hoped it was just a traveler or two, and that he would not have to use the blades, though it was safer to have them out just in case.

He cursed silently though, as his eyes caught four large shapes trudging his way, and a hand full or smaller silhouettes fallowing alongside the large ones. He had not seen a group of orcs with even half as many in the past few years, much less ones that traveled with goblins. And if he saw them then they saw-or at least smelled- him. Though elves needed little light to see, they needed some. Orcs and goblins were far more accustomed to the dark.

He whispered a quiet apology then, He was already nearly late… but he could not avoid the fight now, and such a group was too suspicious for him to dispatch without getting answers from at least one.

One. Two, Three four. Five. His blades gleamed with what little light the moon provided digging into to orc flesh, slashing through in between him ducking and dodging to avoid finding himself on the end of any weapons himself. He had managed to take down about half of them before he felt a sharp pain at the back of his head, just above his neck. Light flashed in his eyes then before everything faded to black.

When next he awoke he was bound tightly. His wrists were cut from the Corse twine that wove around them; his weapons were in a pile out of his reach beside a large orc. Legolas kept his eyes narrowed, gazing out between his dark lashes to hide that he was conscious. A second or approached the first.

"Why is it still alive?" He grunted in a low voice. The next replied, his voice dark and vile, like poison spilled from his mouth each time he opened it.

"A gift. Better to be given fresh." Legolas worked his wrists slightly, wincing at the pain of the sharp, loose strands sawing into his flesh.

"Why not keep him. It has been so long since any of us have tasted elf flesh." The other grunted. Legolas could not tell if it was meant as a laugh or a threat to the one asking the questions.

"There will be more elf flesh where we are headed. This one will be a gift." Legolas tried to look around to see where they were, but it seemed they were inside. There was hay strewn about so it was likely a stable.

"How long till we leave?" The first voice was beginning to sound impatient. The second let out a low growl.

"When it is safe to do so! This is a human town, and for now they outnumber us too much. Quiet yourself now! Or I will quiet you." He heard other mutters break out around him, though all were low. Too low even for his ears to discern.

The elf prince laid away for as long as he could, trying to hear more that may be of use to him, but to no avail, and though he struggled from time to time against his binds it seemed that he only succeeded tearing more small cuts into his skin. Finally, he slipped back into unconsciousness.

He was unsure how long it had been before his eyes opened again. This time though was less pleasant even than the last. A sharp yank to his hair, as he was lifted from the ground by it shocked him awake. His eyes meeting with two yellow orbs that peered down at him.

"Pretty thing. Is it female?" another one huffed

"Does it matter? It tastes the same" It let out a guttural laugh. The elf swung his body, using it to ram against the large creature, grimacing as he felt his hair tearing at his scalp from his struggle. The hit was effective though, causing the beast to let out a huff of air, and to loose his grip enough for the elf to break free of it. He nearly made it to his blades before he was tackled, his head slammed roughly against ground. He felt a fresh cut burst open across his brow; Warm blood trickling down his face and into his eye. He felt dizzy from the hit, but still he tried to maneuver his slender form free of the orcs grip.

One of the orcs let out an aggravated snarl "Perhaps we will just eat this one… too much trouble to keep it. And it will be all bruised meat if we let it keep on like this." Fear entered the prince then. He had rarely felt fear when facing creatures such as orcs, but this time it was not looking good. He swallowed hard, A familiar face flashing across his mind then, for only a second. The kind and worried face of Calemirai.

His fists clenched tightly. If he were to get out of this he would kiss her the moment he saw her again. He wouldn't care who saw. He went slack for a moment, as if he had fainted. It was enough of a bluff for the large beast above him to lift its body off of his. As soon as there was room between his form and the other he darted, wrapping his fingers around the hilt of one of his knives, rolling onto his back so that when he was tackled again the blade would be buried into the beast's chest.

To his surprise it worked… of course that complicated things slightly. He had been winded by the hilt as it dug in under his ribs, and he was sure he heard a crack as it did so…. Whether it was one of his own ribs or something on the orc he was not certain. Adrenaline had kicked, so the feeling of pain was dulled… for the moment. He was also stuck below the orc that had charged him;Which both shielded him, and hindered him from fighting the others.

A second orc lifted the first however, and the elf plucked his blade free, rolling to his feet and holding the knife out defensively. He backed himself to the wall, only now being able to survey the danger surrounding him. There were three still alive, all of which had locked onto him.

Three would not have been an issue if he had his bow… or even both his blades… but as it was his wrists were bound. The ropes so tight that his fingers were swelling, and he had only one blade, and limited movement due to his bindings.

He stared down the Orcs, taking a deep breath before throwing his knife in the air with a slight spin. He held his writs as far apart as he could, aiming to catch the blade between them to carve the ropes, and though the ropes were severed, he managed to get a rather nice gash as well, though at least he would be able to move freely. He grabbed the blade back up, watching as the orcs charged at him.

He spun about, guiding his blade into the shoulder of the first orc that reached him, pulling it out and slashing at the second. Neither wound would be fatal, but they would slow the two at least. He ducked below a hit from the third before stiking at the first again, jamming his knife deep into place between where the creatures head and neck met, dropping him. He then twirled into the third, slashing it across the chest, before parrying a blow from the second.

Again the elf grew dizzy from his head wound, though he knew that if he stopped it would be his end. He heard a gate opening, but he could not turn to see who, or what was coming… instead he had to finish with the two he was fighting. Before he could make his next connect however he heard the sweet, familiar 'Thwack' of an arrow piercing orc flesh. He continued his knife-dance however, making sure that the putrid creatures were no more, before allowing himself fall against the wall, looking to see who had come to his aid.

He was met by a charming smile, and dark eyes.

"You really are a royal pain in the ass!" The other elf said. Legolas grinned (the best he could at least… though he was sure it looked more a grimace).

"You should not talk to your prince that way, Ethiron."

"Better I talk to him that way, than the corpse he would be if not for me." Even in his sorry state Legolas managed to let out a small laugh. The other elf made his way to his friend's side, checking the wound on the princes head. "Come now… let's get you patched up. We can talk once you're done bleeding all over the place."

The two retreated to Ethirons room, where he patched Legolas' head and wrists, looking over the more minor wounds with less care.

"So… did you find her?" He asked as he finished. "They didn't…" There was obvious concern on his face and for the second time, Legolas could not fight away a slight feeling of jealousy towards the other male.

"She is fine." He said sharply. Ethiron Quirked his brow and grinned.

"Am I not even to show concern for her without angering you?" He asked, though he meant it more a light hearted jab. Still Legolas blushed slightly at his abrasive behavior .

"Forgive me… I… am sure it is just the head wound. My thoughts are not coming through clearly. She is fine. In Minas Tirith… though I am unsure just how much longer she will wait for me there. And what of you? How did you find me?"

"Well I was on my way back from Lake Town when I caught site of goblin tracks. It seems there have been many such tracks leading to Lake Town over the past month. And when talking to some of the locals I was told that there had been many more signs of orcs coming in from the north and south as well, though aside from the occasional dead one… none have been seen. It seemed suspicious to me so I 'got lost'… at least that will be my excuse… or I can say I heard information regarding you… that could buy me a few days without your father getting too alarmed."

Legolas thought for a moment. The news was rather unsettling. "Have you found anything else out?" Ethiron shrugged.

"I assume it means something that there were orcs hiding out in stables… Didn't Calemirai see some across the sea of rhun? Could they be using the to get there?" Legolas shook his head.

"Not unnoticed… even the smartest orcs are far from subtle."

"Not even with help? What if someone is smuggling them?" The prince glared up at the other.

"Who would help such creatures?!" Again the other shrugged.

"It is just a theory… I was actually planning to watch the docks over the next couple of days… but then I heard the ruckus in the stables and now who knows what kind of alarms we have raised." Legolas rubbed the bandages over one of his wrists as he thought to himself for a long moment.

"It may slow whatever is happening… but it will not halt it. As I said before, orcs are not subtle. And they are hardly willing to slow their plans of a few fallen kin… Go back to the mountains. I will wait here a week or two to see what I can find. Just… if you get a chance… send word to Minas Tirith that I will be a few more weeks."

Ethiron tilted his head curiously. "Are you sure? You're a little worse for wear right now…" before he could object any more Legolas broke in.

"That is one of the reasons I should stay…" He smiled to the other. "I am sure that if I showed up like this she would be more concerned than if I show up behind schedule." Ethiron gave a wide grin before patting the other on the shoulder.

"You sure about this? She may want to kiss your wounds better." Legolas blushed, forcing back the urge to strike his friend just for the tone of voice he used, much less the words. He was left speechless though, unsure just how to counter his teasing.

"I am staying!" He said finally.

Ethiron finally agreed, saying that he would stay the night, and would return as soon as he was able. Once he had left the room however the prince lifted his tunic and his shirt, looking at the sore spot where his knives hilt had been jammed into him. The area was tender and already bruised rather harshly. He was sure then that the snapping he had heard had been within his own chest.

He hoped now, that his friend was right that activity would be low ( if they were correct in assuming there was something out of the ordinary happening) at least until his chest healed to a dull ache.

… … … … …

Weeks had passed with little happening to catch his ear. It had been nearly a month since he had been dragged into lake town before he had finally caught wind of a smuggler who had been paid handsomely to take goblins and orcs along with his shipments to Dorwinion. He had not found the smuggler though, nor had he been able to find out who it was that paid him. Ethiron had taken over his search however, as Legolas knew he needed to return to Minas tirith with as much haste as he could muster. He had only one more stop in Lake Town before setting off…

He had spoken with a local craftsmen about a specially made trinket and I was time for it to be ready…