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 pre 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.
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For Whose Sake
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Origins II
Arwen was grinding up various medicinal herbs into a fine powder as per her grandmother's instructions when she heard the familiar horn of Rivendell blowing in the distance. Tasking an attendant to finish the grinding, she went towards the entrance to find Haldir greeting her father and Lord Glorfindel. Upon seeing his daughter running towards him, Elrond opened his arms to embrace her.
"Ada!"
"I have arrived like you requested," Elrond said with a chuckle.
"Please, you must help save the ellon who rescued Daernaneth from Dol Guldur."
Elrond gave a nod of his head.
"Show me to him."
She began walking towards one of the rooms typically reserved for guests. Opening the door gently so as not to disturb the resting Elf within, Arwen walked inside with her father trailing behind. Esgal had settled down after being given the medicine from his vial earlier, though his breathing was still somewhat ragged and uneven. A pool of cold sweat had formed on his forehead, alerting the Peredhel to the signs of a failed healing sleep.
"Please help him," Arwen gestured towards the bed.
Elrond walked over to the bedside and placed a hand on the Elf's forehead. Immediately he sensed a strong wave of darkness swirling within his body, one that was clashing with the natural light that Elves possessed.
"This spell he is under...it is a powerful curse," Elrond finally said when he opened his eyes.
"Can you break it?" Arwen asked worriedly.
"I can try to halt the progress, but this is something I must look into. Arwen, was there anything on his body that gave you a clue to holding the spell back?"
The Elleth went over to the table and picked up the empty vial.
"He took medicine earlier from this vial and that stopped the curse from spreading," she explained, placing the vial in her father's palm.
Bringing the vial up to his nose to smell the contents, Elrond recognized the scent of juniper and a rare herb known as the 'Silent Star', a precious plant that only grows within the confounds of Mirkwood and is renowned for its healing abilities. However the plant was extremely hard to come by thanks to Thranduil's unwillingness to trade the herb for other goods.
"This medicine is composed of juniper and a plant known as the Silent Star. I can recreate this medicine but currently I am out of the second herb. My dear daughter, perhaps you will be willing to help your father with a certain task," Elrond said.
"What would that be?"
"Travel to Mirkwood and convince Thranduil Elvenking to give some Silent Star herbs so I can create the necessary medicine."
Arwen furrowed her brows together in concern. Thranduil was notorious for not opening his borders to the other Elven realms, much less invite others over for a congregation. Though the ruler of Mirkwood holds a grudge against her father, Arwen knew Thranduil always held a soft spot for her. Perhaps she would be able to convince him to hand over some herbs.
"Alright. I will go," she said.
"I will send Glorfindel to escort you."
The Balrog-Slayer used this chance to speak with Haldir, the two of them walking through Lothlórien while reminiscing about the battles they experienced together. Naturally the topic of the twins came up, and both laughed merrily at the thought of the twins wearing make-up and women clothing, running through Imladris with terrified expressions.
"Have the twins bothered you since that day?" Haldir inquired through a laugh.
"They seemed to have learn their lesson and stopped playing pranks on the others. I have not received a single complaint from the servants nor guards about their childish behaviour in quite some time now," Glorfindel responded cheerfully.
"Next time we should make them parade through the village for others to see."
The Vanyar grinned wickedly at the suggestion.
"Lord Glorfindel!"
Said Elf-Lord turned to spy Arwen beckoning towards him. He bid Haldir a brief farewell and went over to her, wondering what she could want with him.
"Yes Lady Arwen?"
"Ada has asked for you to escort me to Mirkwood."
"For what purpose?" Glorfindel was perplexed by this sudden request from Elrond.
"To request Thranduil Elvenking to give over some herbs needed to save an Ellon."
Though he was confused about this, Glorfindel nonetheless gave a nod of his head and ordered some of the guards to prepare two horses for them to travel to Mirkwood as soon as possible.
"Forgive us, we have not been able to locate Prince Aradhel at all."
Thranduil narrowed his eyes in anger and ordered the guards out of the room. That was the fifth squad to report back with no signs of his eldest son ever since Aradhel broke free of his bonds and ran off. He was beginning to lose his patience and his normally dim light was starting to flare brighter with each passing day.
"No one sleeps nor rests until Aradhel is found! Do you understand me?" Thranduil barked at the guard nearest the door.
The poor guard gave a shaky bow and hurried off before he could incur the wrath of his ruler any longer.
Arodeth and Lalaith saw the poor guard scramble out in fear and decided to see if they could soothe their father's wrath. The two Elleths knew their father had been upset over the escape of their eldest brother. Arastor was doing his best as well, organizing more and more search parties to scour every part of Mirkwood for signs of their sibling.
Yet none were able to return with positive news.
"Ada?" Lalaith called softly.
"Do not disturb me right now my daughters," Thranduil said wearily, sinking into his throne with a heavy sigh.
The two walked up to their father and began to massage his head gently. Lalaith removed the crown of leaves from her father's head, and began to brush his hair with a comb she kept on herself all the time. Doing this brought back memories of when she was but an Elfling, she used to do the same as well. The massage and brushing of his hair seemed to help the Elvenking relax significantly as he smiled at his two daughters.
"I thank the Valar for blessing me with you two," he said, patting them on the head.
"Arastor and the others are doing their best to bring Aradhel back. In the meantime, you must take care of yourself."
The Elvenking motioned for his daughters to sit in their own thrones, which they did obediently. Thranduil had thought about this for a long time, whether or not to tell his other children about Legolas' survival and him being Esgal. Arodeth and Lalaith were more level-headed and understanding than their brothers, something he was well aware of.
"My daughters..."
"Is something the matter Ada?" Lalaith immediately asked.
"What I am about to tell you...you cannot tell anyone else, especially your brothers."
The twins looked at one another and nodded.
"Your eldest brother Legolas is alive."
Legolas sat up sharply in alarm after dreaming of his mother. Confused to his current location, the assassin surveyed the room carefully, and only then remembered that he was currently in Lothlórien, having saved Galadriel from Dol Guldur. A sharp throb of pain originating from his head prompted him to press a hand against his eye. The last thing he remembered was the Witch-King's curse activating, and then darkness consumed him.
"You are awake?" a male voice called out.
"Who goes there?!" he demanded sharply.
"Do not be afraid. I am Elrond, and you are in Lothlórien."
Elrond.
The lord of Imladris.
One of the bearers of the Rings of Power crafted by Celebrimbor long ago.
"What happened to me?" Legolas noticed a goblet of water being handed to him, which he took gratefully for a few sips.
"I must thank you for saving Lady Galadriel from Dol Guldur. She has told me what happened, and it was thanks your bravery that she is alive."
The cool liquid gave Legolas an excuse not to answer Elrond.
"Tell me something young Ellon...are you the lost son of Thranduil Oropherion?"
The goblet fell to the ground as Legolas froze upon hearing Elrond speak of his true heritage.
"Legolas is...alive?" Arodeth asked in shock.
Thranduil nodded.
"But I thought he was taken by the darkness over two thousand years ago Ada..." Lalaith added.
"Arodeth you should know very well I speak the truth. It was Legolas who saved you from the raging rapids that day."
Arodeth gasped.
So she had been correct.
It was Legolas who saved her!
Lalaith, being the sharper of the two, slowly began to piece the truth together and her own orbs enlarged in shock.
"Esgal is Legolas..."
"Yes," Thranduil confirmed.
"Then...Aradhel has been trying to kill our brother the entire time!"
"That is why we must bring him back before this can happen."
The Elvenking got up from his throne to pick up his crown. The two princesses of Mirkwood slowly stood, both seemingly still in shock from the news their father just revealed.
"Time is running out. The darkness from Dol Guldur grows ever stronger and will soon threaten our home. We must band together if we are to stop the evil from spreading to the rest of Middle-Earth. It is imperative we find Aradhel and bring him back to the light before it is too late. I fear...if he is indeed in Dol Guldur, he will become shadowed."
"Then I will be the one to bring our brother back," Arastor declared, striding into the throne room upon hearing the conversation.
He stopped in front of his father and bowed.
"I will bring Aradhel back no matter the cost."
To be continued...
Review?
I'm still alive.
I've just been busy this past year because I started a new job, so that didn't leave me much time to update this story.
Don't worry.
I promise I'll finish this!
We're almost at the finish line!
Celsius Fate~