Disclaimer: Just a poor student here. Don't own anything, except unknown characters.

Thanks for the reviews!! I actually have review, yah =)

Chapter is set two days after Legolas sets off to Lothlorien. Focus will be switching quite a bit between Lucien, Lazarus, Legolas and plain narration. Let me know if that gets confusing. Finally some action, yah!!

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Chapter 3: Beautiful Stranger

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Lucien had been pursuing Lazarus for over ten years now, ever since the dark sorcerer killed Mikael, Darius' younger brother. While most hunters prefer solitude, Lucien and Mikael were almost inseparable since they first met. Others never understood how the two could be so close. Mikael was charming and out-going, the beloved hero of their people. Lucien was guarded and brooding, all eyes and silence, inspiring fear even among his own kind. They were so different, like day and night. Yet, they traveled together, practice their combat skills with each other and hunt together. And now Mikael is gone..

How Lucien wished that the dark sorcerer had taken his heart instead. But wishes could not change reality. He lived now only to avenge Mikael. Tonight, in the darkness of Mirkwood, his time had finally come. His trap was set. He smiled at the thought of neither hunter nor dark sorcerer leaving Mirkwood alive.

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It was entertaining at first, playing cat-and-mouse with the young hunter. But after ten years, the novelty had worn off and Lucien's endless attempts to kill him had become bothersome. But Lazarus did not need another heart yet; killing the high witch now would be a waste. That was why he had spared Lucien ten years ago. If only, he could find some way to trap a witch's energy within the heart after it was taken. Suddenly, he remembered the black ice spell he had newly mastered. Perhaps that would do the trick, allowing him the kill Lucien now, yet saving the witch's essence for later use. The dark one smiled, he could not think of a better time to test his new theory as tonight. He headed deeper into Mirkwood, where he knew the young one awaited him.

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Legolas woke with a start. Their journey to Lothlorien for the past two days was uneventful; but at this moment, he was overwhelmed by a sense of danger and imminent doom. Using his keen sense, he searched for the cause of his uneasiness. His gaze rested on Elenor. The guard made him feel ill at ease, as he could sense the older elf's aggressiveness and lust. Assured that the guard was asleep, he turned his attention away from their camp and focused deeper into the forest. The forest was eerily silent; though Legolas could not hear or see anything out of the ordinary, he was certain that something was wrong. He was considering waking Haldir when the thought hit him. He is not far, in glade south of our camp. He needs my help now.

Before Legolas realized what he is doing, he was rushing into the forest with his bow, quiver and twin knives in hand.

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The battle was fierce. Both the hunter and the dark sorcerer had scored numerous blows on each other with their daggers, but neither managed to land a fatal wound. Lazarus had underestimated Lucien; he did not expect Lucien to know a spell that trapped his dark powers temporarily, forcing him to fight without magic. Lucien, of course, was in the same position; he spent all his magic on the trap.

"His essence was sweet, you know. Like none I've ever tasted, I think he can still feel and see colors when I killed him." Lazarus taunted.

Lucien's eyes darkened as he charged Lazarus. Lazarus merely smiled as he spun to the right, easily sidestepping Lucien's outstretch blade. He brought his dagger up, prepared to slit Lucien's throat when the hunter charged pass. But, instead of continuing his charge, Lucien ducked and spun left, swinging his dagger to score a deep gash across Lazarus' lower back. Lazarus let out a howl of pain, as he stumbled forward and fell.

He turned to face Lucien, confusion and fear clearly written on his face, "How?"

"I expected you to use Mikael to distract me. I have been waiting for you to make your move so I can use your over-confidence against you," Lucien said, with a sardonic smile. "And now, we finish this."

As Lucien moved in for the kill, he sensed another presence approaching them in the forest. He could feel this stranger's fear and urgency. But how? I have lost my feelings more than five centuries ago. If possible, the emotions were growing more intense. A wave of panic hit him full force, followed by pain and darkness.

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Lazarus could not believe his good fortune. He was certain that his life was about to end when something distracted the hunter. It was all he needed. He plunged his dagger deep into the witch's chest. Satisfied that Lucien was unconscious, Lazarus knelt beside the witch and pulled his dagger free. And now, it was time for his little experiment.

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Legolas heard the scream of pain. He knew it is from the glade where he was headed. He hurried towards his destination with a growing sense of dread and urgency. What if I am too late? A wave of panic coursed through him, taking him by surprise.

Why do I feel this way? Before Legolas could continue with his musing, his destination came in sight.

The pale light of a waning moon illuminated the glade, giving it an unearthly quality. In the center, an ashen-haired man knelt with his dagger in hand, over the body of a dark-haired man. Somehow, Legolas knew that man intended on cutting the other's heart out. The knowledge made Legolas sick. Without a second thought, Legolas notched an arrow and fired.

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As always, his aim was true. The arrow hit the ashen-haired man in chest, felling him instantly. Legolas ran into the glade, hoping he was not too late. When he finally reached the dark-haired stranger's side, he found himself unable to move, captivated by the stranger's beauty.

Sweat and blood could not mar the harsh, masculine beauty of the man's face. His angular features spoke of a great inner strength in character. Even as he lay gravely wounded on the ground, an aura of nobility and authority emanated from him. The stranger might have been frightening if not for the strands of dark hair that lay carelessly over his face, softening the solemnity of his dark beauty.

What do you think you are doing, Legolas? Legolas chided himself, forcing his gaze from the stranger's face. You are here to save him, and instead you gawk at him while he bleeds to death.

Legolas began to check the stranger's injuries. The stranger was covered with small cuts, but it was the deep chest wound that worried him. Legolas wished that he had taken his herbs with him before setting out. Where they were, there was not much Legolas could do. He tore some fabric from the cleanest part of his shirt and pressed them against the wound to slow the bleeding. Strange tingles originated from his hands where he was connected to the stranger and coursed through him; but he quickly pushed those feeling aside. When the bleeding slowed, Legolas tore off more of his shirt to bind the man's chest. Satisfied at the temporary treatment, Legolas gently placed the man's arm around his shoulder. With his arm around the stranger's waist, he started back to camp.

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Legolas never thought he would be glad to see his keepers on his trail, but he was wrong. He was beginning to get tired from carrying the wounded stranger since the man is much taller and bigger than he was.

"Where did you go?" Haldir demanded. "What happened to your shirt and who is the man with you?"

"I am sorry to worry you, Haldir. I sensed something and thought to investigate. I found this wounded man. I do not know who he is." Legolas explained, careful to leave out his strange premonitions and attraction to the man.

"Remember to wake me next time. I know you are capable, but I am still your protector," Haldir said with a sigh.

"Let us carry him to camp for you, my prince. Do not worry, Arana is quite a good healer and I am sure he will live." Lehnirer said as he moved to take the stranger from Legolas.

When they return to camp, Legolas changed into his spare green shirt as the guards set out to help the wounded stranger. Only Elenor stood alone at the edge of camp with watchful eyes. He had a feeling that this stranger would be competition.

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Legolas could not sleep; his thoughts kept drifting back to the wounded stranger.

What draws me to him? It cannot be just his beauty. I do not fall for someone for his or her outward appearance; I am not that shallow, considering how I dislike people wanting me for my looks. Yet, I am attracted to him when I do not even know him. I cannot deny that. this feeling, it's almost magical. That's it!! This power that I supposedly possess is causing this. And that man is more than what he seems. Tomorrow, I will confront him. Tomorrow, when he awakens.

With that resolution, Legolas glanced one last time at the beautiful stranger before drifting into his dreams.

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