Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story other than Raven and Ravenhooves. All are the work of the fantastic J.R.R. Tolkien who wrote LOTR and gave us the chance to experience different things and for me to write fan fics. Please no one sue me! P.S. the poem in this section also belongs to Tolkien, I just changed the names to suit the story. Again, no one sue me!

Flashback 5

Legolas and Raven began life together both happy and content. They had decided on Lothlórien as their homeland, for Galadriel planned for them to take over once she had gone to the havens. Everything seemed to be going well for them, especially when Raven found that she was with child. Some may say things went too well for the pair, for they had encountered no problems since the day they met but for Legolas and Raven, it was how love should be, or so they thought. Their first child, a prince named Ravenhooves was born. They named him so for from a very early age, he was able to control horses and deer just as Raven did the birds. Another five hundred years passed and they had seven more children, three princes and four maidens. All were healthy and all possessed talents that their parents too had inherited. All of the children were good with a bow and arrow as well as a sword, whilst at the same time; all could control one or more breed of animals. Legolas was a proud father and Raven was the happiest of mother's.

But it should be noted, that whilst Legolas and Raven were happily living their lives together, the shadow over middle earth had begun to become darker. The night began to get cold and Mordor was becoming more active as time went on. Orcs could be seen roaming the hills at night, although none entered Lothlórien for they feared Galadriel. There were stories of villages and cities being attacked by Sauron's every increasing army as his ringwraiths intensified their search for the ring. It got to a time when even the elves could no longer ignore what was happening. Legolas received word from his Father that it seemed Mirkwood was next on in line to bare the brunt of Sauron's rage. Legolas did not want to leave Raven of his children, but she insisted, telling him that his other family needed him and that she and their children would be safe in Lothlórien for no orcs would enter this sacred land. So, Legolas left Raven and went to the aid of his people and family in Mirkwood. 

A battle was fought for Mirkwood and the elves defeated Sauron's army quickly and effectively. Legolas stayed in Mirkwood for a while and it seemed that the threat, for now had gone and that beings in middle earth could again breath easy, if only for a while. So he sent word to Raven, asking for her and the children to journey to Mirkwood so they could spend time with his mother and father whilst the world was safe. No thought of danger entered Legolas' mind, for not only did he think that trouble had been averted for now, but also that everyone from Raven to their youngest child was competent with a bow and arrow and a sword, so if trouble should appear, they would be safe. But even the greatest warriors are defeated at some stage.

Legolas began to worry when after two months; his family had still not arrived in Mirkwood. The journey from Lothlórien to Mirkwood only took a month on horseback, maybe slightly more by foot. However it was they travelled, they should have arrived in Mirkwood. One day Legolas received a call from his father, asking him to go to his hall. Legolas followed his father's orders.

'What is it you want father?'

'One of our guards was out checking our borders for any signs of the enemies. He brought this back with him.' Legolas took the dark blue scarf and felt fear flow through him like it never had done before.

'This is Raven's scarf. Was she anywhere near it? Have they found my family?'

'No Legolas. I told the guards to start a search, to see if anything else could be found. One did find this.' Legolas felt sick as he watched his father pass him the bow and quiver of arrows that had been made especially for Ravenhooves when he was born.

'I must leave you father.' Legolas ran from his father's chambers and to the stables where his horse was kept. Without even thinking about what he might find, Legolas called on some of the guards and they rode off into the forest, Legolas determined to find his family whilst he still had hope for them. Days passed by and still there was no sign of them until one day one of the guards saw a pure white horse.

'Legolas, sir? There is a horse near by. I have never seen such a magnificent beast in all my life. It is pure white in colour and it seems to have a saddle and bridle, but no rider.' Legolas turned his horse around and galloped towards Angel, Raven's loyal horse. The horse started when he heard Legolas approach but calmed when Legolas spoke.

'Angel, where is your mistress, where is Raven and my children? He has not eaten in a long while. I fear the worst, for Raven looked after her horse and I have never seen him so thin.' Legolas stopped talking when he watched Angel walk off into the distance and followed until Angel would not go on any more. Legolas looked around but could not see anything.

'Angel, you must show me!' Legolas watched the horse as it lay down, refusing to move on any further. Just as he lay down, Legolas felt a raindrop hit his forehead. Soon the drops intensified and the way ahead became blurred. Legolas dropped down from his horse and walked forward, looking around him for signs of his family. The first thing he saw was an orc with an arrow through its head. Suddenly more and more dead orcs appeared, some killed by arrows, others by what seemed to be the tip of a sword. Legolas thought that there must have been at least one hundred and fear filled his very heart. He pushed his wet hair out of his face and wished he had not, for there he saw them, his family, laying on the ground, not one of them moving an inch. Legolas approached and first saw Ravenhooves and was quite aware that his first-born was dead; for his throat was cut and dry blood stained the ground he lay on. His eyes darted around him, looking at his children, all killed in a similar way. Then, just a few yards away from them, Legolas saw Raven. She lay on her stomach, her face on the ground. Legolas inched slowly over and saw the numerous slash marks on her legs and arms. Just by looking at her, he could tell that she had taken the brunt of the orcs brutality, trying to protect their children with everything she had. Slowly Legolas bent down and he carefully rolled Raven on to her back. Her stomach too was covered with stab wounds, with the fatal one being delivered straight through her heart. Her blood stained her deep blue dress, a dress that Legolas had loved to see her in. But what amazed him was that the orcs had left her face as it was, not a single cut or bruise could be seen. Legolas wiped her hair clear from her face and looked into her eyes, which were black now and no light could be seen shining brightly from them. Legolas cradled her in his arms and began to cry heavily, his body shaking from his grief. He rocked backwards and forwards, holding Raven close to his chest and stroking her long black hair. Legolas felt as if his whole world had fallen apart, everything he lived for had been taken in an instant and he was not there to protect his family as a husband and father should. He heard a stick break behind him but did not turn, for he did not care if danger was still lurking in these woods. Legolas no longer wished to live, not without the love of Raven or his children.

'Legolas, one of the guards has gone to tell your father of the situation. What would you have us do?'

'Leave me in peace! I cannot think of anything at this moment!' The guard stepped away, leaving Legolas alone to grieve for his family. It was by Raven's side that he stayed until his mother and father appeared the next day. By this time he was unrecognisable. His eyes were red from his many tears and his face had become paler than ever before. He shook with cold for he had stayed in the rain and his hair had begun to lose its colour. He could hear his father telling the guards to leave them whilst they grieved and it was only when he felt his mothers hand that he acknowledged them at all.

'I have no words that can heal your pain, for I cannot imagine what it is you are feeling but both your father and I are here to grieve with you.'

'I should have been here mother. I should have protected them, or died by their sides. The loss of my children is hard enough, but the loss of Raven grieves me more. My life means nothing now.' Legolas fell into his mothers' arms, crying hard as he listened to her sobs.

'You must not think that way Legolas, this is your chance to avenge their deaths, to help defeat Sauron and his plagues for good so that others do not have to feel the pain you are feeling now.'

'Why is it that everyone thinks that you can justify death with even more deaths. I have seen enough death and blood already and now it is the blood of my family that has been spilt. I do not want this war and I do not wish to think of any war!'

'Leave him be, you cannot plague his thoughts with war whilst he is grieving! You should be comforting him like a father should.' With these words, Legolas' father knelt at his side and too comforted Legolas. They stayed this way for quite some time, until his father regain his composure.

'We must carry them to Lothlórien and they must be laid to rest. They will be peaceful there.' Legolas did not speak, but he took up Raven's body and carried her in his arms all the way to Lothlórien. His mother, father and their guards, carried his sons and daughters but Legolas would not let Raven go, even when he was becoming weary from his grief.

   When they reached Lothlórien, the whole world seemed silent. No song could be heard floating through the trees as the wind sailed passed. There was no scent from the flowers and the trees seemed paler. There was no sound of the river and no elves could be seen wondering peacefully through the woods that once seemed so beautiful. Legolas wondered if they knew of what had happened, but as they entered the city, it was clear that they did not, for as they passed all the elves fell silent, watching as Legolas rode passed, Raven cradled in his arms. When he reached Galadriel and Celeborn's palace, their guard took one look at Raven and ran up the steps and disappeared through the doors. It seemed like mere seconds before Galadriel and Celeborn appeared at Legolas' side.

'What devilry has come to pass?' Galadriel an elf who was so good at hiding emotions had suddenly been overcome with emotion and her words faltered as they left her mouth.

'A company of orcs, just inside Mirkwood must have ambushed them. I found at least one hundred dead orcs. They did not stand a chance, not on their own. I should have been with them. I am sorry.'

'Do not blame yourself for the works of Sauron. You did not know what would happen. This is indeed a sad day for the elves, but you must be in more than pain at this dreadful loss. I usually have words for every occasion, but words fail me now.' Celeborn helped Legolas down from his horse but Legolas still refused to let Raven go. They were led into the great palace and to a secret chamber where they could be laid until Legolas was ready to lay them to rest properly. The palace now seemed dark and cold, when at one time it was filled with light and warmth and Legolas remembered the happiness that flowed through the very walls, for this was where he and Raven had married and it was where all their children had been born. Now his family laid here, no longer a part of this world. No longer would any here Raven's wonderful songs, no longer would they here the laughter of his children. Legolas began to cry once more and he was left alone to do so for no one could attempt to know how deep his hurt was.

Galadriel called all the elves of Lothlórien to the palace gates to tell them of the fate that had come to Raven and her children.

'Tonight is the darkest night our kind will ever see and never again will our days be filled with colour or happiness. Nine of our kin were killed by a company of orcs whilst on their way to Mirkwood. One of these was a daughter of Lothlórien, one loved by any who knew her for the rejoiced when they heard her sing and she brought life back to us when it was announced that she would marry an elf and they would have children. I never thought this would day would come, but it has. Raven, one of the dearest elves we have had the honour to know, and all her eight children were killed by the company of orcs. Whilst our pain is deep, I wish that you would spare a thought for Legolas; for he dared to love Raven when so many said it could not be done. Raven accepted and returned his love with everything she had and I, as well as many others saw this as a chance to continue the line of elves. Legolas has lost his whole family and the one he loved with all his heart.' Galadriel stopped for she could feel the tears rolling down her cheeks. One of the elves in the crowd began a song and every other elf joined the chorus. It was a sad song, a very sad song about love and death and it was evident that every elf that had come to the palace had been hit hard by this news.

The sad songs continued and Legolas still did not feel ready to lay his family to rest. It was only with the appearance of Arwen that he knew he must, although it took many words from her before he would listen.

'You must let them go Legolas. Lay them to rest and grieve for them. Let them be peaceful now or they will become ghosts that haunt you for all time.'

'I cannot let them go.'

'Do you wish to sit here and watch them become skeletons before your very eyes? Raven at least will not rest until she is peaceful. You can still love her with all your heart and let the memory of all your many happy years together stay with you. But you must let them slip from this world in peace for you will never forgive yourself otherwise.'

'But where shall I bury them?'

'You know of the place very well. Think hard for it will come to you. Be strong Legolas.' Arwen left and Legolas thought hard. It did not take him long and finally, he was ready to announce the funerals of his wife and children.

This time the preparations were not happy. They were full of sorrow and pain and the only songs sung were those of lost love. Legolas made an issue of no one wearing black as his family were laid to rest, for Raven hated black. Instead they were to wear blue, for Raven had achieved one of her dreams, she would now be a part of the sky forever. Legolas had promised her that he would think of her every time he looked at the sun and moon and the stars would remind him of his children. They were gone and nothing Legolas thought about would bring them back. He had not yet accepted this fact, but he knew he must say goodbye, before his grief ate him alive.

They were buried at the place where he and Raven first met when he had followed her voice to the clearing in the woods. They had spent many happy days here and they had taught their children about the world here, telling them stories of far off lands that they would one day visit. The sun shone on this day, making the clearing bright with colour and the occasion a little less painful. Once they had been buried, all the elves left Legolas alone so he could say his final goodbye. He made his way to Raven's grave and knelt down, reading the tombstone above it, an elven love poem calved into the stone, a poem that Legolas felt was particularly appropriate for Raven, especially due to the love they shared for each other. It read:

'The leaves were long, the grass was green, the hemlock-umbels tall and fair, and in the glade a light was seen of stars in shadows shimmering.

Raven was dancing there to music of pipe unseen, and light of stars was in her hair, and in her raiment glimmering.

There Legolas came from mountains cold, and lost he wondered under leaves, and where the Elven-river rolled he walked alone and sorrowing. He peered between the hemlock-leaves and saw in wonder flowers of gold upon her mantle and her sleeves, and her hair like shadow following.

Enchantment healed his weary feet that over hills were doomed to roam; and forth he hastened, strong and fleet, and grasped at moonbeams glistening. Through woven woods in Elvenhome she lightly fled on dancing feet, and left him lonely still to roam in the silent forest listening.

He heard there oft the flying sound of feet as light as linden-leaves, or music welling underground, in hidden hollows quivering. Now withered lay the hemlock-sheaves, and one by one with sighing sound whispering fell the beechen leaves in the wintry woodland wavering.

He sought her ever, wandering far where leaves of years were thickly strewn, by light of moon and ray of star in frosty heavens shivering. Her mantle glinted in the moon, as on a hill-top high and far she danced, and her feet was strewn a mist of silver quivering.

When winter passed, she came again, and her song released the sudden spring, like rising lark, and falling rain, and melting water bubbling. He saw the elven-flowers spring about her feet, and healed again he longed by her to dance and sing upon the grass untroubling.

Again she fled, but swift he came. Raven! Raven! He called her by her name; and there she halted listening. One moment stood she, and a spell his voice laid on her: Legolas came, and doom fell on Raven that in his arms lay glistening.

As Legolas looked into her eyes within the shadows of her hair, the trembling starlight of the skies he saw there mirrored shimmering. Raven the elven-fair, immortal maiden elven-wise, about him cast her shadowy hair and arms like silver glimmering.

Long was the way that fate them bore, O'er stony mountains cold and grey, through halls of iron and darkling door, and woods of nightshade morrowless. The Sundering Seas between them lay, and yet at last they met once more, and long ago they passed away in the forest singing sorrowless.'

'I do not know how to carry on without you. It seems I am merely floating along, not caring where I am taken. My life will be empty without you, for you and our children were the only beings I truly loved and I will never love another as I have loved you. I am sorry I could not protect you and I will see you again one day, I am sure of that for I hope to see you again.' Legolas turned to each of his children's graves and spoke to them in turn before walking away. He only stopped when he saw Raven's horse Angel trotting passed. He entered the clearing and Legolas watched as he lay by Raven's grave. It was here that her horse would stay until the day he died. It was Legolas who found the horses dead body and he had him buried near to Raven, for he had shown loyalty and love to her and Raven also loved her horse more than any other that had lived.

So Legolas finally left Lothlórien, but he never truly healed and every day the pain of his loss was with him. So, to deal with it he became an active part of the war against Sauron, fighting in battles and helping all those who wished to see Sauron destroyed. This was how he ended up at the council of Elrond and so a member of the fellowship.

End of flashback 5