Hello! Tis I, back to haunt fanfiction.net for a little while longer.  This is really a bit of an 'establish a course of action' chapter, things'll really get going next time. I don't how they'll go coz I'm not sure yet how I'm going to end this yet. As always thanks for the reviews, my days are enlightened and I grin like a happy bunny. I had to take a break from writing for a couple of days because I got a Legolas action figure for my birthday and so I had hours of endless entertainment looking at it. Last chapter I attempted h/c fic…(hurt/comfort) now I delve into the realm of the poets. Fairly unsuccessfully. It rhymes. Just. Feel free to nitpick. And another query for all you Elven speakers, what is Elf of Hope or The Warrior of the Light, or something like that in Elvish. I might need it in a coupla chapters time. If I ever get that far.

As always only Duredhel and Gilgolas are mine *sigh*  asked for them for my birthday but alas Tolkien beat me to it obviously J.

***

The next morning Aragorn, Gimli and Elrond assembled in the meeting room. About an hour later Legolas entered the room. The dark green of his attire made him seem paler than usual but his blue eyes shone and his hair was brushed into its customary braids.

'I apologise for my lateness, I overslept this morning.'

Aragorn smiled and nodded him to a seat, however Gimli could not pass up the opportunity for comment.

'You do not need to lie to us Master Elf, we are all aware you were re-braiding your hair.'

Amused, Legolas raised an eyebrow at his friend and when Elrond looked away he nodded with a smile. Gimli laughed aloud.

'Legolas,' Elrond began bringing the meeting back to a more serious note, 'tell us what happened the night of your attack.'

Legolas nodded and thought for a moment, trying to recall every important detail.

'I was only the battlements when I saw a small patrol of men arriving at the city. They were some distance off but I was able to see that they wore the armour of the Uruk Hai, I guessed they must be the men Aragorn had spoken of,' He looked to Aragorn for confirmation who nodded.

'Yes, they meet the description of the cult.'

Legolas continued, 'Their numbers were small so I took my bow and Arod and went to waylay them before they arrived here. They did not fight with the skill of warriors and were easily vanquished, however in the skirmish, another individual approached me from behind.'

Legolas paused again here and his eyes were troubled, he looked at Elrond alone, trying hard to convince him of what he had seen.

'Behind me was an elf he stood taller and broader than Aragorn and we was dressed all in black. His face was not fair but ruined and terrible to behold. He spoke and his voice was low and gravelled, he matched the appearance of the myth of Duredhel, he did not introduce himself but assumed I knew his identity. He said that I would make an admirable, 'demonstration' as prince of Mirkwood and he admitted to the murder of Gilgolas the messenger from Thranduil.  Before I could drop my knife and draw my bow, he felled me with his arrow.'

At this Gimli looked terribly angry. Legolas looked over at him,

'He did not succeed, Gimli.' He pointed out gently.

'Fortunately,' the dwarf growled, 'but still he shall pay for his attempt.'

'Go on Legolas,' encouraged Elrond.

'There is not much more to tell, my lord. He rode off laughing. I remember little else but the dark. Then I woke at Minas Tirith.'

'Tell me Legolas, do you believe this to be Duredhel?' asked Elrond his face intent.

'I know little of the Dark One, other than that passed down in myth and legend, however when he was near I did not feel the light presence of an elf, though he had that appearance, there was just a feeling of darkness and shadow.'

Elrond nodded sagely.

'When Aragorn told me you believed your assailant to be Duredhel I was originally disbelieving, however I spent last night in the libraries of Mina Tirith and found old Elven scripts of interest, though how they came to be at Minas Tirith I am unsure.'

He looked at Aragorn.

'I do not know either.' The King of Gondor said, 'You're welcome to take them if you wish, Lord Elrond.'

'Thank you Lord Aragorn. I am sure my people will wish to study some of these particular scripts most carefully.

'Why my Lord Elrond? Of what do these scripts speak?' Legolas's innate curiosity was aroused.

'It appeared to be prophecy telling of a meeting between the Elf of Darkness and another Elf, called the Elf –child of light. I have encountered such a prophecy before but it was dismissed as foolish ramblings. Of course at the time the Elf Lords and all of the free people were concerned with the war of the Rings. The gravity of this prophecy was evidently overlooked.'

Legolas was eager to hear more, so too were Gimli and Aragorn.

'It was written in the form of a rhyme, speaking of two sides, Dark and Light.

Those that fight for truth and right,

Will think the battle lost,

Dark has victory in his sight,

The light shall count the cost.

But one who's life is near to end,

Shall rise and lead them on.

Other's their courage to him will lend,

Which he shall depend upon.

One of these comes from halls of stone,

Brave and loyal and true,

Another sits upon his throne,

But shall see the deed through.

Two more of these are unlooked for,

Though valiant and steadfast both,

But still the company need one more,

To protect her, shall be their oath.

The shadow thinks it holdeth sway,

In the battle which must be waged.

But he of light shall make him pay,

Though how, cannot be gauged.

Each of the five shall play their part,

But still all shall seem bleak,

The light is found within the heart,

As the battle shall reach its peak.

'But does the light win?' asked Gimli, keen to hear the rhyme's end.

'I do not know Master Dwarf, for that is all the rhyme says. But one thing is clear, the battle is far from over.'

'But what does it mean?' asked Aragorn, 'Other than a company has to follow an elf of the light. Who are they? And who is he?'

'I think that is obvious Aragorn,' Elrond began his interpretation of the rhyme, 'But one who's life is near to end, Shall rise and lead them on. So assuming this is the events of the current time, the Warrior of Light who has nearly died, and since the light are counting the cost I suspect he must know someone who has fallen to the power of the dark.'

All eyes in the room swivelled to Legolas. He looked round at them grimly.

'I think we all know who fits that description,' he said quietly.

At this point Arwen entered the room. Quickly Aragorn filled her in on the rhyme, she took a seat beside him and thought for a moment,

'Then Gimli is he from the hall of stone, and you Aragorn are the man from on his throne, but who are the two unlooked for?'

'We do not know,' Elrond answered his daughter, 'but since they are to come unlooked for I think they shall fall into place.'

'Who are we to protect?' asked Legolas.

'That,' Aragorn added, 'Would appear to be quite important.'

There was a light tap on the door.

'Come,' called Aragorn. At his command one of the soldier's of the tower entered.

'My Lady, ' he bowed low to Arwen, 'a message has been delivered for you to the gates of the city.' He handed over a piece of parchment and quickly exited, uncomfortable in front of the King and his auspicious company.

'What does it say?' asked Gimli when Arwen was quiet for several moments.

'It is from Duredhel,' she began to read quietly, ' "Arwen Undomiel, Lady of Gondor, No doubt, the city of Minas Tirith and its liege mourn the death of a here today. Legolas Greenleaf, Elf of Mirkwood has fallen into shadow and our kin mourn his passage I am sure. However, all it not lost. I am willing to barter with you alone for the freedom of our people if you will come to meet me at the Glittering Caves of Helm's Deep. I will wait for three days. If you choose not to attend our meeting I will be forced to make another demonstration. Possibly Haldir of Lothlorien, it is in your interests to hurry, Evenstar." There the message ends,' Arwen looked to her husband for his support. 'I believe,' Legolas spoke quietly, 'We have found who we need to protect, for if Arwen goes he will surely kill her. He wishes to bring shadow upon all the Elves who still dwell in Middle Earth. The death of the Evenstar will drive our people to despair.' *** Well that's me done for a while longer, let me know what you think. I'm off towrite the next chapter. Please R+R you know you want to….