Note: None of these characters belong to me, except Aradia, the shadow creatures, and the still unnamed foe. The rest are all J.R.R. Tolkien's work. Legolas is majorly OOC in this chapter. Elvish words are in ' '. Most of the words that Legolas says to Aragorn in Elvish when Aragorn's asleep were written by Nora Roberts, in her novel 'Spellbound'.

Return of the Fellowship,

Part 8

A.J. Matthews

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Shadowy Fortress

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The dark leader looked at his minions. "The time is right to remove Lothlorien and its people. Their only hopes lies with the Elven King, and he will soon be mine." His red eyes shone with sheer coldness as they narrowed. "Bring him to me! Take the rest of his friends prisoner if need be to force him to surrender, but that Legolas must come to me unharmed."

The shadows writhed and hissed softly.

"What of the prisoner we obtained, Gandalf the White? Shall we kill him?"

"I do not care for the lives of the others in the Fellowship- I want that elf! Release them if he surrenders. To make certain of it, take my pet with you. Legolas will be mine."

Sam heard what the dark lord said and shivered. "I wonder what his pet is," he whispered to Merry.

"Whatever it is, it must be pretty fierce," Merry whispered back.

Pippin piped up. "Especially if he thinks that it can defeat Legolas and the others."

"They're doomed," Frodo said despairingly.

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Misty Forest

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Legolas Greenleaf looked at his sleeping friends as he stood there. Aragorn had drifted off to sleep, finally. It gave Legolas more time to think on their relationship.

Aragorn still needed a little more time to mourn Arwen, and Legolas knew he was not certain of where their rapport would go, especially during this dark times.

Legolas had been having troubling dreams lately. Always the same, too. He knew in his heart that the dream was a warning.

'I cannot run away, even with the warning. The battle between light and dark must be fought,' he murmured softly in Elvish. 'And I was chosen to fight. But I do not know if I want this responsibility any more.'

Aragorn was listening, unknown to Legolas. His dark, grey eyes watched Legolas. The mysterious aura was shining in him again.

'I know it's coming for me. I've felt it all day, as the shadows grow longer. I will not fall easily,' Legolas whispered, still speaking in Elvish. "Though I am afraid, I must go.' Legolas walked away silently, as only an elf could.

Aragorn's hand reached out and caught his arm. "Where do you think you're going, Legolas?" he asked.

"I didn't know you were awake," Legolas said quietly. "And the answer is, wherever I want."

Aragorn stood up and looked at the elf. Once more, the elf looked ethereal to him. The Ring shone on his finger. "Legolas, I will not let you face the dark forces alone."

"You cannot stop me, Aragorn. It is my fate," Legolas said. "My fate to break the darkness and release the light." Moonlight shone on him, and he seemed to draw strength from it.

Aragorn stared at the one he loved. "Legolas?" he asked, more than a little confused. "My friend, are you lost again?"

Legolas tried to continue walking. Aragorn refused to let him go.

"It's calling to me, Aragorn. I have to go," Legolas pleaded.

"Snap out of it, Legolas," Aragorn said. Then he looked at the ground beneath Legolas's feet. It was turning, changing into something that Aragorn didn't recognize. But a warning rushed through him.

Aragorn tackled the elf hard. Legolas hit the ground, and had dropped an arrow. They turned to look at the arrow, which faded from sight. They jumped to their feet and looked at each other.

"Gimli!" Aragorn shouted. "A strange attack is upon us!"

Gimli didn't answer. Aragorn looked over at where the dwarf had been, and saw only a black circle.

"It has taken him," Legolas said. He held up the hand with the Ring on it, which was glowing brightly.

Aragorn grabbed Legolas by the waist and jumped again, as another dark circle appeared beneath him.

"What is it?" Aragorn asked, as he dodged a few more circles.

"A teleportation spell, a whirlpool to evil," Legolas whispered. "It is warping the forest."

Indeed, the trees were stooping. The grass and flowers now looked dead. Aragorn looked horrified.

"What can we do to stop this?" he asked.

"Take me to one of the-" Shadowy creatures jumped upon Legolas and Aragorn.

Aragorn drew Anduril and started attacking them immediately.

Legolas grabbed for his short sword, but it was thrown away by a dark elf. They touched his bare skin, trying only to weaken him.

Legolas's anguished cry drew Aragorn's attention. But before he could get over to his friend, a bright, piercing light surrounded Legolas.

All of the dark elves and shadows backed off, as Legolas stood.

"Leave now, creatures of darkness!" he shouted. "For in my hands the power of light grows!" A ball of light was between Legolas's hands. Gusts of winds plucked at his blond hair.

We will return, the shadows hissed in anger. They retreated quietly.

Aragorn struggled to reach Legolas, for the wind pushed him backwards. He managed to reach the elf and grabbed onto his shoulders. Aragorn looked into Legolas's eyes and swore softly.

Light burned in them, offsetting the emerald color.

"Legolas!" he shouted.

Legolas looked at Aragorn, and his eyes returned to normal. The light faded from around him.

"Help me," he whispered, as he fainted. Aragorn caught him and held him close.

"Legolas?" Aragorn asked quietly.

Legolas groaned and opened his eyes. "Look out," he said. "Behind you!"

Aragorn dodged, holding Legolas.

A dark bird swooped down upon them, snatching at Legolas.

A single dark elf stepped forward from the shadows. 'Surrender, King of Mirkwood. Surrender and your friends will be released.' The dark elf spoke in Elvish.

Aragorn looked at Legolas. "It's a trap," he said aloud.

'What proof do I have that you would keep your word after I surrendered?' Legolas countered.

'Our Dark Master himself guarantees it. He only wants one thing now. You. The rest are inconsequential to him,' the dark elf told them.

'I need time to think,' Legolas said. 'Call off the attacks and give me two days to decide.'

'The Master will not be happy with that,' the evil elf hissed.

'If he grows angry, ask him how long he takes to decide which town he attacks next,' Aragorn shot back. He stepped in front of Legolas protectively.

'It shall be done.' The cruel dark bird flew off, and the shadow creatures retreated.

Legolas leaned against Aragorn's back, breathing hard.

Aragorn turned to face him. "Are you all right?"

"I am myself again, Aragorn." Legolas's eyes were troubled.

"Why did you say that to them, Legolas?" Aragorn asked, horror in his eyes. "You sounded as if you meant to give yourself up."

"Aragorn, if I had outright refused, they would have taken me by force. As it is, I have bought us some time to come up with a plan." Legolas's green eyes met Aragorn's grey ones.

"You already have a plan, don't you?" Aragorn inquired.

"Yes, though I fear you may not like it." Legolas looked at Aragorn. "I will surrender in two days. The others will be freed- should this dark lord keep his word. Follow where they take me," Legolas said earnestly. "The rest of you can free me."

"I don't like that plan," Aragorn admitted. He ran his hand over Legolas's face. "But I know you'd do it anyway, Legolas."

"You know me too well then, old friend." Legolas claimed Aragorn's mouth and sparks flew.

Aragorn kissed him back hard, as their hands began running over the other's clothing. Shirts and cloaks were quickly tossed aside.

"Are you sure, Legolas?" Aragorn whispered against his warm lips.

"No regrets, Aragorn," Legolas said softly, sincerity shining in his eyes.

Legolas was lowered to the ground by Aragorn, who rolled on top of him, running his hands down the elf's smooth, young body. He moaned softly as his hands began unbuckling Aragorn's belt.

Everything else was forgotten for a while. They shared the joy of being together for a day and a half, until night fell on the second day. Legolas eagerly took Aragorn in his arms once more.

Hours later, Legolas opened his eyes and looked at the man sleeping next to him. Aragorn was truly asleep, this time. A warm and heady glow surrounded Legolas as he brushed the bangs off of Aragorn's face.

Legolas knew that the dark lord sought to possess him, body and soul. Aragorn didn't yet realize it, which is what he had wished. That was why Legolas had gone off alone for a few hours. If Aragorn and the others did not come for him in time, Legolas would be gone.

He whispered softly to his lover in Elvish, saying a spell, as he first touched the necklace around Aragorn's neck.

'This spell of protection I give unto you.

As long as it lasts, it will see you through.'

The necklace flashed brightly. A few tears dripped down Legolas's face, as he prepared his second spell. He touched Aragorn's forehead softly.

'You will be safe, you will be free.

There is nothing, my love, that you cannot ask of me.

Should I fall within the towers of the night

I ask this boon from the power of light.

Live, and be well, and remember me not.

What cannot be held is best forgot.

What I choose to do I do free.

As I will, so mote it be.'

Aragorn stirred in his sleep, as light flashed in Legolas's hand.

"Legolas?" he murmured.

The light faded from around Legolas as Aragorn opened his eyes.

"I'm here, Aragorn," Legolas reassured him. Dawn had come over the land, and he saw the bird coming in for a landing.

"It's time, isn't it?" Aragorn asked.

"Yes," Legolas whispered.

Aragorn and Legolas put their clothes on before the bird landed. The dark elves and the shadow creatures approached, as well.

They stood together, and looked at the dark elves.

'What is your answer?' the dark elves hissed.

'I will trade myself for the others- but I want them to be brought here. Aragorn can lead them home, for they will never make it on their own," Legolas said quietly.

'The Master thought you'd feel that way.' The dark elf that had spoken to Legolas two days ago gestured.

Gimli, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, and an unconscious Gandalf were brought forward. All except Gandalf had bindings on their arms and legs. Gags were on them as well.

Frodo mumbled and shook his head, trying to tell Legolas not to.

'Release them,' the dark elf said. The hobbits, Gimli, and Gandalf were shoved forward. Aragorn helped them sit down and began to remove their bindings.

Legolas stepped forward, his eyes flashing with light. 'I am ready.' He looked at his friends and loved one as his hands were bound behind his back by the dark elves, who gestured to the bird. Horror shone in all of their eyes.

The giant bird stepped forward and grasped Legolas's upper arms in its talons.

The bird took off. Legolas looked back as long as he could, before he closed his eyes.

The shadowy creatures whispered among each other, as they all drifted away slowly.

The one who had spoken to Legolas looked at Aragorn. 'He truly is a King among elves. Not many would have sacrificed themselves like that.'

Aragorn nodded. 'That is why I love him so,' he said quietly.

The dark elf looked at him, with a little pity in his eyes, before following the other shadow creatures, as they returned to their home.

To be continued