Okay here is chapter one. Please review!! I am sorry it is short but I
wanted to get a chapter out as soon as possible to give you all a taster!!!
**
Legolas, youngest Prince of Mirkwood stood on a balcony outside the banqueting hall of his father's palace. The gentle breeze ran through his hair like soft fingers. Gazing up he watched the stars slowly move across the sky. The silver stars soothed his turbulent mind. He could hear the trees cries echoing through the forest and the tales of darkness they told. The foul creatures were getting closer to the palace. The war parties would have to begin more patrols. He would lead them as it was his duty but he was tired. He wished to see Aragorn again and Arwen. To trade insults with Gimli and to see the joyful young hobbits again but he would not see them for a while. Sighing he reached up to readjust the silver leaf band that he wore in his hair.
"It's a bit stifling in there is it not my prince." Silen said softly joining his ward on the balcony.
"You know me too well." Legolas replied with a smile not turning his attention from the stars.
The two elves, one old by elven standards and one young stood side by side in silence for a while. Silen studied his ward. The little mischievous blonde terror that he was known as when he was younger had grown and matured into a proud warrior. He had fought valiantly in the war of the ring and brought great honour to the name of Mirkwood. Legolas had served the light well but he would serve his master just as well.
"You seem troubled." Silen stated.
"The trees cry. I feel darkness approaching." Legolas sighed.
"Darkness has been descending on our realm for many generations my prince. Let us for tonight forget our worries and partake in the festivals." Legolas allowed Silen to turn him back to the hall.
Stepping back inside the festivities hit him. The lively chatter and the clinking of goblets. A small group of musicians played merry music in the corner and few couples were dancing. Azian, the brother closest to his own age, was dancing with a boisterous maiden who was practically dragging his brother around. Azian's facial expression told Legolas that his brother would rather be fighting a legion of orcs. Azian shot Legolas a desperate look, begging for him to save him. Legolas returned his pleas with a large grin, Azian's desperate look changed, it now promised revenge. Laughing quietly to himself Legolas sat down in his place next to another of his brothers Kahari.
"More wine Legolas?" Kahari asked smiling as he filled the goblet to the brim.
Legolas shrugged knowing that he had no choice in the matter. Kahari loved his wine and expected everyone else to enjoy it too. He was following in his father's footsteps but that did not bother Legolas, as Kahari was quite amusing when inebriated. The last time he had had a lively debate with a marble column as to the best dancing technique. It had taken a lot to convince the Prince that it could not dance with him. Highly amusing in Legolas's opinion. Sipping his wine he watched the festivities. Azian had finally managed to break free of the maiden, who had thrown herself at a shocked warrior captain. Legolas snorted in laughter as he watched the captain awkwardly hold the slightly intoxicated maiden at bay.
"Something amusing little brother?" Azian asked as he took an empty seat by Legolas.
"No. Nothing at all." He said with a smirk. Azian cuffed him over the head.
** Triyn clutched the wound in his side panting as he ran as fast as he could to the palace. The orcs had given up the pursuit but there had been many casualties from the war party, the orcs had hit hard and with more numbers than any could have predicted. They could easily have overwhelmed the war party but after inflicting the casualties they had retreated. It had been disturbing. He needed to inform the King.
Running past the startled guards he burst into the main hall. The bang of the doors echoed around the room and everything stopped. Quickly finding the main table he staggered towards it.
"My King." He gasped as he knelt. Looking up he meant up the concerned gaze of Legolas, a warrior who often served with him in the war parties.
"What is it?" the King asked pushing his plate away and standing up, all signs of mirth replaced by concern and worry.
"Orcs my lord. A great host, at least fifty in number ambushed us. We lost five of our party quickly and a further two died before we could reach the safety of the outer palace."
The hall broke into chaos as questions were fired at the elf.
"Silence!" King Thranduil roared. The elf King turned his attention back to Triyn who was being supported by Legolas.
"Where are the orcs now?" the King asked
"That is the strange thing my lord. They retreated even though they could have easily have taken us. I came here straight away to inform you." Triyn breathed as he felt darkness encroaching on his mind as his strength faded. Legolas cried out for a healer.
"Where are the rest of your party Triyn?"
"They are a.all wounded.they are on the way back" Triyn passed out. The healers took the warrior from Legolas's arms. Legolas stared at the blood of his friend covering his silver tunic.
"Form warrior parties. Legolas you will be leading one as will you Aeolian. Azian I want you and Kahari to prepare the healers. I fear that their will be more wounded before the night is over."
Legolas nodded and got up and rushed towards his room to collect his knives and bow. Dashing around the corner he collided with another elf knocking both of them to the floor.
"For Valor's sake Legolas." An amused voice cried from its position on the floor. Legolas scrambled to his feet to see his best friend Balian on the ground looking up at him.
Balian's smile faded as he saw the blood on Legolas's tunic.
"What happened?" he cried climbing to his feet.
"A war party was attacked. The orcs killed seven elves. Triyn was badly wounded. Father's organising war parties. I am leading one of them." Legolas took off again.
"I'll meet you in the stables." Balian cried as he hurried to get his own weapons.
Legolas grabbed his knives and secured them to his back. As he secured the bow he caught sight of himself in the mirror. His hair was a mess and Triyn's blood covered his silver tunic. Legolas sighed and brushed an errant bit of hair behind a delicately pointed ear. Breathing in a deep breath he ran towards the stables. There he met Balian who was holding the reins to his horse and Legolas's.
"Getting old my friend!" Balian exclaimed impatiently tapping his foot as he handed across the reins.
Voronwer the white stallion of Legolas's butted his head against the elf's chest.
"If I'm old, you are positively ancient oh Yaaraer [ancient one]" Legolas retorted climbing onboard Voronwer. Trotting out of the stable he joined the assembled warriors.
"Ten warriors with me!" Legolas called and immediately ten warriors formed a column behind him. Balian moved his own stallion to Legolas's side.
"Find the orcs and destroy them if you can. I fear this is a much larger problem than is apparent at the moment" Thranduil said coming to his son's side. Legolas nodded.
"Yes Father."
"Be well. Come back safely."
Legolas nudged Voronwer into a gallop and his party set out from the safety of the palace and into the night.
**
Legolas, youngest Prince of Mirkwood stood on a balcony outside the banqueting hall of his father's palace. The gentle breeze ran through his hair like soft fingers. Gazing up he watched the stars slowly move across the sky. The silver stars soothed his turbulent mind. He could hear the trees cries echoing through the forest and the tales of darkness they told. The foul creatures were getting closer to the palace. The war parties would have to begin more patrols. He would lead them as it was his duty but he was tired. He wished to see Aragorn again and Arwen. To trade insults with Gimli and to see the joyful young hobbits again but he would not see them for a while. Sighing he reached up to readjust the silver leaf band that he wore in his hair.
"It's a bit stifling in there is it not my prince." Silen said softly joining his ward on the balcony.
"You know me too well." Legolas replied with a smile not turning his attention from the stars.
The two elves, one old by elven standards and one young stood side by side in silence for a while. Silen studied his ward. The little mischievous blonde terror that he was known as when he was younger had grown and matured into a proud warrior. He had fought valiantly in the war of the ring and brought great honour to the name of Mirkwood. Legolas had served the light well but he would serve his master just as well.
"You seem troubled." Silen stated.
"The trees cry. I feel darkness approaching." Legolas sighed.
"Darkness has been descending on our realm for many generations my prince. Let us for tonight forget our worries and partake in the festivals." Legolas allowed Silen to turn him back to the hall.
Stepping back inside the festivities hit him. The lively chatter and the clinking of goblets. A small group of musicians played merry music in the corner and few couples were dancing. Azian, the brother closest to his own age, was dancing with a boisterous maiden who was practically dragging his brother around. Azian's facial expression told Legolas that his brother would rather be fighting a legion of orcs. Azian shot Legolas a desperate look, begging for him to save him. Legolas returned his pleas with a large grin, Azian's desperate look changed, it now promised revenge. Laughing quietly to himself Legolas sat down in his place next to another of his brothers Kahari.
"More wine Legolas?" Kahari asked smiling as he filled the goblet to the brim.
Legolas shrugged knowing that he had no choice in the matter. Kahari loved his wine and expected everyone else to enjoy it too. He was following in his father's footsteps but that did not bother Legolas, as Kahari was quite amusing when inebriated. The last time he had had a lively debate with a marble column as to the best dancing technique. It had taken a lot to convince the Prince that it could not dance with him. Highly amusing in Legolas's opinion. Sipping his wine he watched the festivities. Azian had finally managed to break free of the maiden, who had thrown herself at a shocked warrior captain. Legolas snorted in laughter as he watched the captain awkwardly hold the slightly intoxicated maiden at bay.
"Something amusing little brother?" Azian asked as he took an empty seat by Legolas.
"No. Nothing at all." He said with a smirk. Azian cuffed him over the head.
** Triyn clutched the wound in his side panting as he ran as fast as he could to the palace. The orcs had given up the pursuit but there had been many casualties from the war party, the orcs had hit hard and with more numbers than any could have predicted. They could easily have overwhelmed the war party but after inflicting the casualties they had retreated. It had been disturbing. He needed to inform the King.
Running past the startled guards he burst into the main hall. The bang of the doors echoed around the room and everything stopped. Quickly finding the main table he staggered towards it.
"My King." He gasped as he knelt. Looking up he meant up the concerned gaze of Legolas, a warrior who often served with him in the war parties.
"What is it?" the King asked pushing his plate away and standing up, all signs of mirth replaced by concern and worry.
"Orcs my lord. A great host, at least fifty in number ambushed us. We lost five of our party quickly and a further two died before we could reach the safety of the outer palace."
The hall broke into chaos as questions were fired at the elf.
"Silence!" King Thranduil roared. The elf King turned his attention back to Triyn who was being supported by Legolas.
"Where are the orcs now?" the King asked
"That is the strange thing my lord. They retreated even though they could have easily have taken us. I came here straight away to inform you." Triyn breathed as he felt darkness encroaching on his mind as his strength faded. Legolas cried out for a healer.
"Where are the rest of your party Triyn?"
"They are a.all wounded.they are on the way back" Triyn passed out. The healers took the warrior from Legolas's arms. Legolas stared at the blood of his friend covering his silver tunic.
"Form warrior parties. Legolas you will be leading one as will you Aeolian. Azian I want you and Kahari to prepare the healers. I fear that their will be more wounded before the night is over."
Legolas nodded and got up and rushed towards his room to collect his knives and bow. Dashing around the corner he collided with another elf knocking both of them to the floor.
"For Valor's sake Legolas." An amused voice cried from its position on the floor. Legolas scrambled to his feet to see his best friend Balian on the ground looking up at him.
Balian's smile faded as he saw the blood on Legolas's tunic.
"What happened?" he cried climbing to his feet.
"A war party was attacked. The orcs killed seven elves. Triyn was badly wounded. Father's organising war parties. I am leading one of them." Legolas took off again.
"I'll meet you in the stables." Balian cried as he hurried to get his own weapons.
Legolas grabbed his knives and secured them to his back. As he secured the bow he caught sight of himself in the mirror. His hair was a mess and Triyn's blood covered his silver tunic. Legolas sighed and brushed an errant bit of hair behind a delicately pointed ear. Breathing in a deep breath he ran towards the stables. There he met Balian who was holding the reins to his horse and Legolas's.
"Getting old my friend!" Balian exclaimed impatiently tapping his foot as he handed across the reins.
Voronwer the white stallion of Legolas's butted his head against the elf's chest.
"If I'm old, you are positively ancient oh Yaaraer [ancient one]" Legolas retorted climbing onboard Voronwer. Trotting out of the stable he joined the assembled warriors.
"Ten warriors with me!" Legolas called and immediately ten warriors formed a column behind him. Balian moved his own stallion to Legolas's side.
"Find the orcs and destroy them if you can. I fear this is a much larger problem than is apparent at the moment" Thranduil said coming to his son's side. Legolas nodded.
"Yes Father."
"Be well. Come back safely."
Legolas nudged Voronwer into a gallop and his party set out from the safety of the palace and into the night.
**