"Bravery without forethought, causes a man to fight blindly and desperately like a mad bull. Such an opponent, must not be encountered with brute force, but may be lured into an ambush and slain." ― Sun Tzu

Blood, it was everywhere, it slicked his armor and drenched his sword. Black and red intermingled as he parried a blow sweeping his sword and taking another head with it. He was hot; the metallic smell of battle was overwhelming intermixed with the poison of the Umai and their darkness. It took all he had not to retch where he stood.

He blocked another blow as an orcish hammer bore down upon him. Nimbly he rolled to the side taking its feet off then slashing at the torso. Not many fought this way but when you were fighting to live you hacked at every inch of flesh exposed and stayed only long enough to strike before moving. This was Glorfindel's style and though the Elder held had more finesse about him when he fought the younger elf had learned it well.

Darkness and light blurs encased in flesh he hacked left and right making sure he only cut at the darkness. Something gripped his hands as he nearly slipped over blood that he saw but had not realized the depth. It was Captain Galion his dark blue eyes narrowed in concern. "Captain?"

Galion's eyes studied the elf soaked from head to toe in blood and darkness the expression too old for the youthful face making Arrai seem older then he really was. His eyes flickered, to the orcs that kept coming several elves surrounding them so they could briefly have a word. "They come in droves we must finish this ere night falls."

"What does Orek say?" The title was dropped for urgency and nodded as Arrai likely assumed he had consulted the more experienced elf first and though Galion himself had experience he knew Orek had more in this area. "He does not know their numbers are greater than ours by many and the Umai…" Arrai's lips twitched into a frown. "Not as many as we feared Captain but enough."

Galion nodded. "Orek believes it best we take out their leader, he seems to be the only one holding the enemies' legions together." Arrai shoved Galion out of the way as he parried a blow, Galion readied himself as they spun around shielding each other's backs. An elf had fallen and several moved leaving them exposed. "Why hasn't he been slain yet?" Arrai yelled over the battlefield as guttural cries filled the sky and moans of elven wounded.

"Our arrows can't strike him well enough his armor is too thick, we hit a flesh spot an hour or so ago but that is as close as we were able to reach."

Arrai frowned as an orcish arrow barely missed his face whirling out of the way with only moments to spare. "Tell the Captain to get your best archers to set a perimeter and call your best swordsmen. We need a final push."

"Orek believes this should be done as well. But archers should be used as a distraction." Galion sliced an arm clean off as a sword suddenly hit his midriff. "Galion!" He was shoved as the younger elf stabbed the orc through the neck. Galion hissed as he yanked the sword out clutching at his side. It was fortunately a shallow wound; the younger elf's speed had saved him. "Go! I will call the men." The princess worried eyes lingered but he pulled away when he saw an elf on the ground about to be finished off by an orc.

Galion still clutching his side in pain shoved through two orcs slashing and hacking as he did so making his way towards the left where the fighting was thickest. "Orek!" The Captains eyes met his then flitted over to his bleeding side.

"What sais he?"

"He believes it best the elves create a perimeter but did not argue against your insight…rally the men you need, I can lead the assault no longer." Captain Orek nodded his great voice giving several orders as bowmen and foot warriors allied around him. The prince as well hearing the cry made his way hacking and slashing as he did so. "Orek!"

"My prince we need to push forward the legions come, take twelve of the men, I have seven bowmen at the ready we could spare no more." Arrai's eyes flitted to the men then at the battlefield and the brute whose guttural growls and curses were louder then all his kin, blocking and slashing through an orc as he did so.

"It's a death trap, even if we slay their General some may still rally." Orek's face was grim as his eyes gauged the distance. "Yes my prince, that is why I want you to continue leading this battle without me." The dark blue eyes widened, "What! No, if anyone has a chance to reach that beast it would be me!"

"Are you doubting my abilities my prince?"

"I'm doubting my own abilities to lead these men Captain! And yes I am doubting your ability to emerge with your life!" The eyes narrowed at his arm that had itself been fractured to a near break. He must have heard him cry out in pain earlier. "You don't understand my prince I can't risk you."

"And you won't." The dark grim eyes met his own evenly. "I've done this before, do not doubt me." Orek gave a curt nod, he had seen Legolas himself do such things before but he was skilled and highly trained by Thranduil but this younger elf had been trained as well. It was just so easy to forget that though he was young he had trained under a Legend himself.

"I understand, I will hold the line. May Eru watch over you." The prince turned to give orders as Orek returned to the front line gripping his shield arm with his sword arm as he did so. The sun was still high but it would set in several hours or so, and something like that he wished to avoid.

"Captain!" It was Lysanthir, his face was drawn in worry as he descended nimbly from a tree his arrows and spares finally exhausted. He drew two daggers as he made his way through several orcs his eyes never leaving the Captains.

"What is it?"

"We're holding with minimal casualties thus far but an hour more and our losses will increase." Orek shifted from an orc allowing Lysanthir to slay it as several more took the orcs place, as he himself leaned heavily on a tree from the pain, wherever the break it was close to several sensitive nerves and his arm was periodically sending painful flashes shuddering through his body. "Something is in motion," his face motioned towards the Prince reading his small platoon. "Tell Tauriel to take command of the archers I need you here on the ground." Lysanthir nodded ascending nimbly to pass on several messages as Orek himself slipped several leaves under his tongue and gripped his sword with both arms the pain beginning to dull. He would regret doing this later but at least he would survive to see this later. With a loud yell he rallied a spearhead push through the legions as his eyes fell to the prince who as well flitted up a tree. One more hour huh…well he'd fought against worst odds…

Legolas shuddered as he gasped for air his mind still not fully comprehending his transition. His body shuddered involuntarily as he curled into himself shocks and shudders of light and darkness racking through his thinner frame at the feet of the Nazgul. Thinner for lack of food and substances thinner for the lack of light and air, nature that elves so loved and held dear. He cursed at his weakness but his mind was so chaosed that he could little fight against the tendrils of ice crawling up his spine.

The shadow lingered and appeared as if it were about to speak but had thought better of it. It shifted away leaving the elf curled into himself as he was to do other evils that needed done no doubt.

Legolas himself could not understand what had happened, why had it happened? He had made no pacts no deals he had agreed to nothing and yet he had turned. How was this possible? His blood curdled in his veins like it did not belong but his appearance said otherwise. Ada, how could he face him now? Mirkwood, Tauriel his Captains…where were they? How were they? Valar how was his father? His mind burned at the use of Valar so he willed the thought away. He was in enough pain and it was not as if the blessed one's ever answered. Why didn't they ever answer? What had he done what had the elves done to deserve this? He shook his head moaning in pain. It hurt to think. Ada…was he alive? He remembered his father after her passing…his Naneth…he had not been the same for well over a decade…and what of his own capture? Why was no elf searching for him? Did they think him dead?

He struggled against the pain uncurling himself but that only had more agony cascading down his back so he shuddered hugging the dead earth attempting to fight the waves of night in his eyes. Why couldn't he return to Mirkwood what would stop him? He was strong now…he could sense it even as his soul and spirit rejected the darkness his body thrived, he could feel the muscles of his arms thickening into something more then what he had as if it were steel and not blood. He lifted himself slowly once more as pain caused his entire body to shudder as he did so. He grasped the edges of the well refusing to peer at himself as he lapped from it unable to even spare a hand to scoop up the water so utterly spent was he. The water did him good and though it was black and cold it receded the night in his eyes and he was able to stand. His eyes raked the high wooden walls of the encampment then to the dark towers only several stories tall. A stray thought crossed his mind and he followed it for though he was still weak his limbs screamed for motion. Nimbly and uncaring at the possibility of a fall he made his way to the side of the towers his eyes catching the rock ledges that jutted out indicating sloppy craftsmanship. With little to no thought of the danger he grasped at the stones lifting himself up as he flitted from rock to rock so quickly he could scarcely believe it himself as he knew himself to be in a weakened state but he had done it. He crouched in a kneel as he reached the peak his eyes straining at the distant grey horizon. Mirkwood, he needed to go back there…but how? His eyes widened as he saw commotion at the front gate. Another orcish patrol no doubt. He readied himself for battle as he nimbly descended landing on a balcony on the second floor. His eyes widened as two fair haired beings were dragged in with the small squadron of orc and goblin. Landing on the ground from the high jump he made his way to the prisoners running as he did so.

His eyes widened these were from a Lothlórien patrol no doubt. Or perhaps messengers. He did not recognize them but as he drew closer he could feel fire. He shuddered thinking nothing of it but the closer he came the brighter it burned his lips twisted at the pain his eyes narrowing. Why was he feeling like this? Why did their presence burn? The orcs were to drag them into the hold but he stopped them.

"Release them at once!" the orcs stared at him but one pushed him aside. "Move maggot de's are to be taken to de dark one."

"No." His hand was pulling out the sword from the hideous goblins sheath but an arm of ice clamped down on his shoulder dragging him away as the elves looked confusedly between the orcs themselves in a daze. "Let them go!" He snarled but his arm was twisted even as he struggled the darkness suddenly breathing down his face and peering into his eyes and his very being. He shuddered as tendrils of fear and ice entered his blood his body shuddering failing him. How had he not felt the darkness?

"I see you still retain some will Commander. Perhaps I have given you too much freedom." He spat at it as it kneed him sharply in the gut himself keeling over as the darkness did so all air nearly dragged from his lungs as he wheezed. "Insolence and disobedience…it appears I was too hasty in my experiment." The darkness raged as it dragged him once more this time down other steps. Opening a door it threw him against a wall where to brutes sat and spoke in their foul tongue. "Chain this one." It demanded its even deep voice full of controlled rage. "We will make an orc out of him yet." And as Legolas struggled and slipped hither and there against their grasp his body shuddered in pain once more at the negligence of his body. His legs heavy he sank to the ground darkness took him.

He kept a hand over his sheathed blade as they he flitted through the trees encircling the battlefield here and their more orcs fell in droves as did those in the elven army. He motioned with a hand as the archers shifted. The assault would begin now! He descended down the foliage that surrounded the orc Commander. Gularzob as he heard the name, a foul name like any other. The orc towered above his brethren a good several feet the armor as well making him appear far larger. His eyes sought openings but even the helm was shuttered in a netted design.

His eyes narrowed as they discerned the arrow at the back in between the helm and the armor, there was enough expense of flesh to land a mortal blow. Landing atop an orcish shield he alighted to another cutting spear tips as he went thus. He could see the others that had accompanied him do likewise. But they were the distraction. He landed abruptly no more shields to be seen and cut several heads shuddering at the foul stench as he did so drenching himself in even more blood. The Orc General himself seemed to laugh in glee as he made his way towards the elves who had landed before him. He cursed as one was thrown against a tree with a mace alighting a shield once more he flipped landing before the beast as his own orcs scattered before its wielder who paid little heed to whether he slayed friend or foe. Circling around he rolled as the mace crushed an elf and several goblins with it. Sensing his presence the orc bellowed a guttural growl. "Coe'm hither elfling so I could soak my blade in you'r blood."

He gritted his teeth as the mace fell down before him nearly grazing his side as he shifted cursing at the lack of trees. He rolled between its feet as it attempted to crush him under foot. Finding several connections in the armor he attempted to climb it only to have the orc seek him out with a hand as he did so. Abandoning all self-preservation he unsheathe two daggers driving them into the armor as he climbed moving as quickly as his body allowed landing on a shoulder. The orc would have grasped him but several of the elves shot at it causing it to move its arm involuntarily to shield its face and eyes though they were already shielded. But as he lifted his sword two striking having sheathe his daggers he found himself flying through the air the orc having thrown him off regardless. He flipped twice midair landing against a tree and rolled to relieve the momentum of the throw. Cursing under his breath at the moaning of his previously fractured ribs. He needed a better strategy. His eyes lingered on the dirt and then at the trees and then at the orc who was had beat an elf to death the bones crunching sickeningly in Arrai's ears.

And though his face drained of its color his mind spurred him to action. Dirt would work but he needed something better. Something that would cause the orc to tear of its helmet, he would have preferred fire but he had no flints on hand. His eyes suddenly stilled as they landed on his water flask. A thin smile graced his lips, perhaps they were unaffected by water or less so but this would still work…. Descending from the tree he rolled away from the mace.

The climb was easier the second time, indents from the previous climb of his knives already there and while there were only two elven archers as opposed to six he was able to ascend with such speed that it was only halfway that the orc realized what he had done. But by that time it was too late. Uncorking his flask the he poured the mud water into the eyes. The orc yelled more in anger then in pain as it attempted to grab him while look passed the mud water and even blood that now covered most of his vision. In a fluid motion Arrai's sword was out and he stabbed between the armor. But he wasn't fast enough. The arm descended and he sliced to the right his sword so sharp it took most of the arm from the shoulder with it. The yell was so hideous it had him shuddering as the orc bellowed in agony kicking him against a tree as he did so. Gasping for air he struggled as several orcs bore down on him.

They were stopped however when a sword and a shield rammed them through a hand grasping him to pull him up. It was Orek. "You have my thanks…" He all but gasped.

Orek nodded and though his face was grim amusement tugged at the corners of his lips. "A good thing I wasn't about to risk you."

Arrai nodded and would have ran a hand through his hair sheepishly at how his plan nearly failed but the sword in his arms and the now disorganized army prevented that though his face at the moment though under layers of dirt an blood had appeared so young that Orek nearly backtracked at the sulking elf. "No matter." He muttered. "It appears this battle is ours." His eyes flitted to the orc that was now tearing in agony through his own army as he retreated his orcs falling into a disarray as they did so.

"I only wish we had thought of this sooner." Orek studied the battlefield as more of their own elves came to shield them as they recovered from the push. "Any earlier my prince and I doubt it would have worked, you were on the right offensive so perhaps you did not see how well guarded he himself was.

Arrai bowed his head in assent as his own eyes studied the lifeless corpse of an elf at their feet his bow broken and his sword covered in black blood. "Some victory…" The lips twisted into a wry frown. Orek sighed. "Such is the nature of battle…"

"We save who we can do we not?" The prince asked his head now raised and turning to see Galion approach them. And as the Commanders regrouped Orek himself took a last glance at the battlefield and the orc's that were being killed himself smile wistfully at the sun that had set and the moon that was now seen. "Indeed we do," he whispered near silently… "Indeed we do…"

Another update so soon? I'm Patting myself on the back here:)

Note: Alright for those of you who thought Legolas is completely lost….Right now yes he is fading and the darkness is taking over however it's only been two weeks. Him completely fading is just not physically possible at this point. Don't forget Ingwe's mother was turned to the darkness by Sauron and that took weeks even months and twisting her people took just as long. And we're not talking about Sauron doing the corrupting here this is one of his underlings and it's not even the King of the Nazgûl. Khamul is strong but he just doesn't have that sort of power to twist an elf that quickly.

HTitan, FP3 thanks for your reviews love them!

Crazy, normally I would pm you a response but as you don't have an account I will answer your comment here. Firstly yes I felt that Saruman being seduced by power just would not happen, not the way the LOTR showed it anyway. This is because someone like Denethor was fooled by the Palantir's strength how could someone like Saruman get seduced without even realizing it, and anyway isn't he a wizard? I'm decently sure wizards are warned about this kind of stuff on arrogance and the like and come on he was the leader of the white council. I'm rather sure that while elves can't read minds their pretty good at judgment of character. I just don't think they would just place someone with a tendency towards power and arrogance as the main leader against someone who seeks power and is arrogant.

Now for your other stuff. I think you misunderstand my intentions. The orcs aren't evil because they lost the war of the rings. They're not even disliked because of their freakish appearance. Their disliked because they want to kill everyone in sight that is not orc or convert them to the darkness. I think I made it decently clear that although they don't always win their battles their evil that's why they are considered dark and hated by all in middle earth. That being said yes they were once good but they were twisted and even let's say now they were by turned back elf, so many years and centuries have passed that they would remember none of their heritage. They would look elf but their culture would be orc. Alright I hope I cleared things up for you and by the way theirs a recent LOTR game that's out where you play for orcs so if you want something of the sort just play that.

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