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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True Identity II

"He is my brother?" Arastor asked incredulously as he stared at the elf kneeling beside his mother, and then to the Queen herself.

"Yes," Edlothiad confirmed.

The metallic clank of a sword falling to the ground echoed loudly within the silent chamber as the second son of the Queen struggled to contemplate what was going on. While his mind was in a bewildered state, Legolas stood up with the help of the Queen and pulled his hood back over his head again. The poultice finally succeeded in taking away the pain.

"No...this cannot be. Our brother died...he was taken by the darkness..."

"He is standing before you. Why can you not accept the truth my son?" Edlothiad asked tearfully.

"Aradhel was seduced by the darkness because of him naneth! I cannot just...I cannot accept him as my eldest brother! I only have one, and that is Aradhel!"

Turning on his heels after picking up his sword, Arastor stormed out of the throne room in fury, the giant doors swinging shut with a loud bang as he departed. Edlothiad stared after her son's fading silhouette wordlessly, her lips pressed into a thin line of worry. Legolas did not blame Arastor for his reaction, since he'd probably react the same way if he found out his long lost brother was suddenly alive and happened to be his enemy.

"Forgive that child. He has been through a lot lately. With what happened to Aradhel...and Thranduil not within Mirkwood, much responsibilities have fallen upon his shoulders."

"I understand."

There was another knock at the door to the throne room, but this time it was Arodeth and Lalaith who announced themselves. Edlothiad bade her daughters entry and the two princesses of Mirkwood walked in along with Arwen. The three Elves seemed to sense the tension hanging in the air from earlier, for they started looking at one another cautiously.

"Naneth, did something happen earlier?" Arodeth inquired softly, her brows furrowing together in worry.

Edlothiad cast a quick glance at Legolas and the two shared a silent conversation, ending with the latter nodding his head in permission, having realized what the Queen of Mirkwood wished to reveal. It would do no good to keep his identity hidden now that Arastor was aware. He would most likely reveal the truth to his siblings later himself.

"Arodeth and Lalaith, my daughters, come up here."

The two princesses walked over to where their mother stood while Arwen remained respectfully behind.

Taking their hands in hers, Edlothiad reached out and grasped onto one of Legolas' own and brought them together.

"This is Legolas Thranduilion, your eldest brother, the first son of Rívis and your father."

Instead of shock and confusion, Legolas was surprised to find the two princesses smiling warmly at him in return. They gently squeezed his hands, as if welcoming him into their home.

"You saved me that day," Arodeth revealed with a knowing smile.

"I always believed my eldest brother was alive," Lalaith added.

"You...you are not upset with me?" Legolas asked hesitantly, his hands slightly trembling in their warm touches.

The princesses cocked their heads to the side at his question.

"Should we be?" Arodeth responded, speaking for the both of them.

"I...was raised in Dol Guldur, I fight for the Ringwraiths as their champion, I am the opposite of what an Elf should be."

Lalaith raised her hand and gently laid it against Legolas' cheek.

"You did not ask to be raised in darkness. You did not ask to become the Ringwraiths' champion. Why would we be upset with you?"

"But what happened with your brother...I am responsible as well..."

"We believe you will bring Aradhel back to us," Lalaith said.

Arastor nocked another arrow into his bow and released it, watching as the projectile pierced through the center of the target he was aiming at. Grabbing another one, he aimed and released, then another and another. Soon the target was full of arrows sticking out, yet Arastor still continued firing. As he drew the string back for the fiftieth time, a hand suddenly grasped his wrist, jolting him out of his trance.

"Easy there. You will break the target at this rate," Glorfindel mused.

"Lord Glorfindel," Arastor greeted with a bow of his head.

The Balrog-Slayer smiled and patted the young prince on the shoulders. He could sense the latter was full of pent-up energy that needed to be released. Perhaps a sparring session could help him release some of the anger boiling within. Indicating to the sparring field, Glorfindel walked towards it with Arastor running to catch up to him.

"What is on your mind?"

"My lord...can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"You knew all along about the identity of Esgal, am I correct?"

The sudden question caught the Vanyar off-guard as he paused momentarily in his steps. Arastor was staring at him intently, waiting for an answer to the question posed. Realizing something must have happened within the palace while he was gone, Glorfindel knew there was no point in hiding the truth from the prince if Arastor was already aware of Esgal's true identity.

"Yes. I knew, but Legolas bade me keep quiet."

"How could you become friends with...with someone like him? Does it not bother you that he's the champion of the Ringwraiths!? Aradhel's downfall is also his fault!"

Glorfindel held a hand up to stop the latter before he could say something further. As an outsider, he truly shouldn't meddle with the affairs of the royal family of Mirkwood, yet as Legolas' friend he also had to defend the latter.

"What happened to Legolas is not his fault. He did not ask to be taken to Dol Guldur. He did not ask to become the champion, and he definitely did not ask the Ringwraiths to kidnap your brother and brainwash him. Try seeing things from his perspective, young Arastor. For over two hundred years he has lived alone in the darkness, to the point where his light has nearly diminished. He grew up believing himself an orphan, with no family, and was taught nothing but battle. Try to understand how Legolas is feeling currently, for both your sake and his."'

Seeing the struggle the young prince was having, Glorfindel drew his sword and grasped it with both hands.

"Come. Let us spar and not think of anything else for now."

Though Arwen could not hear what was being said between the strange Elf and the others, she had a feeling it wasn't something malicious, judging from their body language and gestures used. Since it was not her place to interrupt such a private conversation, she was just about to excuse herself when the Queen beckoned for her to join them.

"My queen," Arwen said when she was beside the four.

"Lady Arwen, there is something we wish to share with you, but at the same time we would appreciate if you kept this a secret between us."

"Yes, of course."

Edlothiad gestured to the hooded Elf and Arwen turned her attention to him.

"This is the son of Queen Rívis and my lord Thranduil."

Arwen's eyes widened slightly at the revelation upon hearing what the Queen just said. Though she did not live in Mirkwood, Arwen was aware of the missing prince. Her father told her about Thranduil's lost son when she was young, and how the first Queen of Mirkwood passed away not long after the young prince was missing.

"He is the lost prince?" Arwen asked.

"Yes, Legolas Thranduilion."

Legolas.

So that was the lost prince's name.

"I am Arwen, the daughter of Elrond of Rivendell."

"Lady Arwen, I implore you to keep my true identity a secret from your father."

She nodded her head and gave him a warm smile, then excused herself from the throne room afterwards. Edlothiad did not stop her this time, but invited her to join them for the evening meal.

"I must return. I cannot stay here much longer or the Ringwraiths will become suspicious."

Edlothiad embraced the young Elf alongside her two daughters.

"Please be careful and come back to us."

"I will try my best," Legolas promised.

Then he vanished within the shadows in the blink of an eye, stunning the Queen and the two princesses as they barely had time to react.

To be continued...

Review?

Life has caught up to me. A lot of things has happened over the course of two years.

I got married and adulting has kicked me in the ass repeatedly lol.

I'm truly grateful to my readers who have waited patiently for 2 years for me to update this story.

I truly love and appreciate you all!

I'll update when I can!

Next chapter will have Legolas fighting against his father at Erebor, and Aradhel will join the fray.

See you all next time!

Celsius Fate~