CHAPTER 1
Seeking Council
The great gates of Rivendell opened, and Legolas, prince of Mirkwood came riding through on his elegant white horse. Just as he dismounted the gates closed, he looked around.
The last of the fall leaves were drifting to the ground and being blown around by the breeze, there were few birds around, and the ones that were, sat high up in the trees. The breeze, along with the tranquil sound of water running over rocks carried faint singing.
Legolas ran with great speed through the courtyard and up a path to the main house to find the lord of Rivendell. He made his way through the house to Lord Elrond's main study area, where he usually worked. He ran up to the door, but was stopped by two guards.
They were both dressed similarly, wearing the burnt orange and Red Guard robes, of the house of Elrond. The orange robes flowed down to the ground. Legolas never really liked the robes, because he thought that they looked like dresses, but he would never reveal his opinion. The guards wore shiny golden helms, that had a water splash pattern running across the side. They did not carry bows as most of the other elves did; instead they had long spear like knives, that could be very deadly when used.
"I'm sorry, but Lord Elrond is in a private council meeting and wishes not to be disturbed." Legolas looked at the guards, his bright blue eyes flashed wildly as he looked around, he stood calmly holding his bow;
"I must see Lord Elrond, this is very important!"
Urgency crept into Legolas's voice; usually he would have been embarrassed, because he had shown vulnerability, but he didn't care now. He needed to see Lord Elrond and he hoped that the guards would recognize the importance of what he was saying.
"Look, you can see Lord Elrond when his council session is over. You might even have to come back another day because he needs to be informed if he is having visitors from afar."
Legolas was not amused at the guard's smugness, yes, he knew that there had been disputes between Rivendell and Mirkwood in the past, but he did not like the fact that the guard had had the nerve to talk to him in this fashion.
(A.N- now the story goes from third person to first, this happens on the odd occasion, then it will go back to third person again (The characters first person thoughts are indicated with the following ))
This is just great, I come all this way to see Lord Elrond, and for what? I told father, but would he listen, no. "Oh, it's ok son Lord Elrond will help, He likes you and you get along with his son's and daughter so well." Yeah right, the only reason I get along with them so well is because of Aragorn and Arwen. It's not my fault that, um, well I don't really know his name, but anyway, Arwen's younger brother is a brat and that he can't handle the fact that I can fight and use a bow better than him. Oh well I will find another way to see Lord Elrond.
Legolas turned away, then back to the guards; "Fine I will try again later." Then he turned and walked back in the direction he had come.
When Legolas was sure that he was far enough away from the guards, he stopped for a minute. In his heart Legolas knew that he couldn't just leave with out even seeing the Lord of Rivendell, because he knew what would happen. King Thranduil, his father, was very proud and sometimes his pride got the better of him. Legolas shuddered at the memories of his father shouting at him for doing something wrong, or not being on time and it was even worse after his mother passed away. His father sometimes drank himself senseless and then would lash out verbally and physically, and all ways at him and never at his older brother Longeaire.
Anger began to swell from in him, his brother and father had all ways been close, and Legolas had all ways been close with his mother. No matter how hard he tried nothing was ever good enough for the king, but deep in his heart Legolas, loved and pitied his father.
He set his mind back to the task at hand and looked around, he remembered a secret way through the brush to get to where Lord Elrond was. He hoped that he wouldn't get angry, but he knew it was better than going back to Mirkwood with no reply.
Legolas pushed a bush aside and made his was through the dense shrubs, twigs and branches pulled at his cloths and the copper fall leaves fell in his hair. He climbed up the steep rocky cliff and finally reached the balcony. It would have been perilous for even the best climbers, but Legolas had scaled the rocky ledge so many times when he was small, it was easy.
The marble balcony overlooked a rocky ravine that spread out into a sea of golden leaves. The sound of the waterfall could be heard clearly, and in the summer a nice breeze would blow in the council chamber.
Legolas pulled himself up over the marble railing, and silently stepped to the floor. He straightened out his clothes, pulled the leaves from his hair and made sure he looked presentable. Lord Elrond's strong, voice could be heard clearly through the thin mesh door. Legolas paid no particular attention to the conversation going on. He waited patiently until Lord Elrond was finished talking then went and knocked on the door.
Lord Elrond turned from the table, went to the door and opened it.
"Legolas!?" shock and anger were in the Rivendell Lords tone. "Did you know that this was a private council meeting?"
"Yes my lord, I am very sorry to disturb you, but I must speak with you. This is very important."
Lord Elrond shot a quick glance back to where the other elves were waiting.
" I will be with you in a minute," he went back into the room, his long crimson red and burnt orange robes trailing after him. After a brief conversation with the other council members, he returned.
Elrond was taller than Legolas, and much older. A few lines had formed on his face over the many thousands of years of his life, and through the many battles he had fought in, he had sustained few injuries. His long dark brown hair was hung loosely over his shoulders. Part of his hair was pulled back in to a twisted ponytail, he wore a silver head band that was twisted to look like vines that went round his head, (this shows that he is the lord of Rivendell)
"Thank you for seeing me my lord. I'm very sorry that I interrupted your busy schedule, but this could not wait."
Lord Elrond folded his arms across his chest, "Well continue Legolas."
"There have been several strange reports coming from my scouts."
"What kind of reports?"
"There have been several accounts of strange beings in the hills near my home of Mirkwood. Each account has been very similar."
Lord Elrond's brow furrowed, "Well what's so important about this" his voice was uneasy and this did not make Legolas feel better. He turned and looked over the balcony; a slight breeze blew up from the ravine. Legolas took a deep breath of the cool, sweet smelling air, and pushed loose strands of his pail blonde hair behind a pointed ear. He turned back to face Lord Elrond.
"Ever since the scouts have spotted the beings, a dark cloud looms ever closer to the elves of Mirkwood." Legolas's voice dropped almost to a whisper and there was a hidden sadness that Lord Elrond could sense. "There is an even stranger twist to this riddle. When I sent scouts to go investigate, they did not return for several months. Finally when they did return, only six out of the fifteen scouts came back alive."
Legolas sat down on the balcony rail and looked at his polished brown leather boots then back at Elrond. The Lord of Rivendell's face was expressionless to any one but an elf, Legolas knew that this was difficult for Lord Elrond to hear, and it was even harder for him to tell.
"Continue, please" he said calmly, Legolas took another deep breath.
"The scouts that returned alive were ill, some of their wounds were infected. We are facing something new; we were lucky that we could treat our people. But this is a threat that the elves of Mirkwood can not overcome alone."
" What do you think the elves of Rivendell can do?"
" I only ask for your assistance, no more." Legolas's tone turned bitter. He stood up again; Lord Elrond turned back to face the council chamber and opened the door.
" I will discuss it with the others, if we do not help it would be tragic if the elves of Mirkwood fell. And truth be known, if Mirkwood falls then I have know doubt in my mind or heart that many others would follow. I will form another council meeting in four days time, please return then and we will talk more."
Legolas bowed his head, placed a hand on his chest then out stretched his arm, the palm of his hand facing up as a sign of respect and thanks.
Legolas made his way through the council chamber, quickly bowing his head to the others in the room. He made his way past the guards, who gave each other a confused look but quickly shrugged it off and returned back to their normal posture.
Legolas made his way back to the main gates where his horse was waiting; he had two days before he had to return. He knew he would need help on his mission to defend his home, even though he was one of the most skilled elves in Mirkwood. This would not be an easy mission so he would seek help from the ranger known as Strider, and a very wise and powerful wizard.
The great gates of Rivendell opened, and Legolas, prince of Mirkwood came riding through on his elegant white horse. Just as he dismounted the gates closed, he looked around.
The last of the fall leaves were drifting to the ground and being blown around by the breeze, there were few birds around, and the ones that were, sat high up in the trees. The breeze, along with the tranquil sound of water running over rocks carried faint singing.
Legolas ran with great speed through the courtyard and up a path to the main house to find the lord of Rivendell. He made his way through the house to Lord Elrond's main study area, where he usually worked. He ran up to the door, but was stopped by two guards.
They were both dressed similarly, wearing the burnt orange and Red Guard robes, of the house of Elrond. The orange robes flowed down to the ground. Legolas never really liked the robes, because he thought that they looked like dresses, but he would never reveal his opinion. The guards wore shiny golden helms, that had a water splash pattern running across the side. They did not carry bows as most of the other elves did; instead they had long spear like knives, that could be very deadly when used.
"I'm sorry, but Lord Elrond is in a private council meeting and wishes not to be disturbed." Legolas looked at the guards, his bright blue eyes flashed wildly as he looked around, he stood calmly holding his bow;
"I must see Lord Elrond, this is very important!"
Urgency crept into Legolas's voice; usually he would have been embarrassed, because he had shown vulnerability, but he didn't care now. He needed to see Lord Elrond and he hoped that the guards would recognize the importance of what he was saying.
"Look, you can see Lord Elrond when his council session is over. You might even have to come back another day because he needs to be informed if he is having visitors from afar."
Legolas was not amused at the guard's smugness, yes, he knew that there had been disputes between Rivendell and Mirkwood in the past, but he did not like the fact that the guard had had the nerve to talk to him in this fashion.
(A.N- now the story goes from third person to first, this happens on the odd occasion, then it will go back to third person again (The characters first person thoughts are indicated with the following ))
This is just great, I come all this way to see Lord Elrond, and for what? I told father, but would he listen, no. "Oh, it's ok son Lord Elrond will help, He likes you and you get along with his son's and daughter so well." Yeah right, the only reason I get along with them so well is because of Aragorn and Arwen. It's not my fault that, um, well I don't really know his name, but anyway, Arwen's younger brother is a brat and that he can't handle the fact that I can fight and use a bow better than him. Oh well I will find another way to see Lord Elrond.
Legolas turned away, then back to the guards; "Fine I will try again later." Then he turned and walked back in the direction he had come.
When Legolas was sure that he was far enough away from the guards, he stopped for a minute. In his heart Legolas knew that he couldn't just leave with out even seeing the Lord of Rivendell, because he knew what would happen. King Thranduil, his father, was very proud and sometimes his pride got the better of him. Legolas shuddered at the memories of his father shouting at him for doing something wrong, or not being on time and it was even worse after his mother passed away. His father sometimes drank himself senseless and then would lash out verbally and physically, and all ways at him and never at his older brother Longeaire.
Anger began to swell from in him, his brother and father had all ways been close, and Legolas had all ways been close with his mother. No matter how hard he tried nothing was ever good enough for the king, but deep in his heart Legolas, loved and pitied his father.
He set his mind back to the task at hand and looked around, he remembered a secret way through the brush to get to where Lord Elrond was. He hoped that he wouldn't get angry, but he knew it was better than going back to Mirkwood with no reply.
Legolas pushed a bush aside and made his was through the dense shrubs, twigs and branches pulled at his cloths and the copper fall leaves fell in his hair. He climbed up the steep rocky cliff and finally reached the balcony. It would have been perilous for even the best climbers, but Legolas had scaled the rocky ledge so many times when he was small, it was easy.
The marble balcony overlooked a rocky ravine that spread out into a sea of golden leaves. The sound of the waterfall could be heard clearly, and in the summer a nice breeze would blow in the council chamber.
Legolas pulled himself up over the marble railing, and silently stepped to the floor. He straightened out his clothes, pulled the leaves from his hair and made sure he looked presentable. Lord Elrond's strong, voice could be heard clearly through the thin mesh door. Legolas paid no particular attention to the conversation going on. He waited patiently until Lord Elrond was finished talking then went and knocked on the door.
Lord Elrond turned from the table, went to the door and opened it.
"Legolas!?" shock and anger were in the Rivendell Lords tone. "Did you know that this was a private council meeting?"
"Yes my lord, I am very sorry to disturb you, but I must speak with you. This is very important."
Lord Elrond shot a quick glance back to where the other elves were waiting.
" I will be with you in a minute," he went back into the room, his long crimson red and burnt orange robes trailing after him. After a brief conversation with the other council members, he returned.
Elrond was taller than Legolas, and much older. A few lines had formed on his face over the many thousands of years of his life, and through the many battles he had fought in, he had sustained few injuries. His long dark brown hair was hung loosely over his shoulders. Part of his hair was pulled back in to a twisted ponytail, he wore a silver head band that was twisted to look like vines that went round his head, (this shows that he is the lord of Rivendell)
"Thank you for seeing me my lord. I'm very sorry that I interrupted your busy schedule, but this could not wait."
Lord Elrond folded his arms across his chest, "Well continue Legolas."
"There have been several strange reports coming from my scouts."
"What kind of reports?"
"There have been several accounts of strange beings in the hills near my home of Mirkwood. Each account has been very similar."
Lord Elrond's brow furrowed, "Well what's so important about this" his voice was uneasy and this did not make Legolas feel better. He turned and looked over the balcony; a slight breeze blew up from the ravine. Legolas took a deep breath of the cool, sweet smelling air, and pushed loose strands of his pail blonde hair behind a pointed ear. He turned back to face Lord Elrond.
"Ever since the scouts have spotted the beings, a dark cloud looms ever closer to the elves of Mirkwood." Legolas's voice dropped almost to a whisper and there was a hidden sadness that Lord Elrond could sense. "There is an even stranger twist to this riddle. When I sent scouts to go investigate, they did not return for several months. Finally when they did return, only six out of the fifteen scouts came back alive."
Legolas sat down on the balcony rail and looked at his polished brown leather boots then back at Elrond. The Lord of Rivendell's face was expressionless to any one but an elf, Legolas knew that this was difficult for Lord Elrond to hear, and it was even harder for him to tell.
"Continue, please" he said calmly, Legolas took another deep breath.
"The scouts that returned alive were ill, some of their wounds were infected. We are facing something new; we were lucky that we could treat our people. But this is a threat that the elves of Mirkwood can not overcome alone."
" What do you think the elves of Rivendell can do?"
" I only ask for your assistance, no more." Legolas's tone turned bitter. He stood up again; Lord Elrond turned back to face the council chamber and opened the door.
" I will discuss it with the others, if we do not help it would be tragic if the elves of Mirkwood fell. And truth be known, if Mirkwood falls then I have know doubt in my mind or heart that many others would follow. I will form another council meeting in four days time, please return then and we will talk more."
Legolas bowed his head, placed a hand on his chest then out stretched his arm, the palm of his hand facing up as a sign of respect and thanks.
Legolas made his way through the council chamber, quickly bowing his head to the others in the room. He made his way past the guards, who gave each other a confused look but quickly shrugged it off and returned back to their normal posture.
Legolas made his way back to the main gates where his horse was waiting; he had two days before he had to return. He knew he would need help on his mission to defend his home, even though he was one of the most skilled elves in Mirkwood. This would not be an easy mission so he would seek help from the ranger known as Strider, and a very wise and powerful wizard.