Title: I remember

Author: Faith

Email: lotr_redwall@yahoo.com

Rating: PG (for a bit of angst)

Summery: A cry is heard in the night, Legolas is missing, Estel is worried, will he find Legolas before it's too late? References used: Cassia's Mellon Chronicles; Captive in Darkness and characters from various other stories.

Disclaimer: I don't own any part of LOTR or Tolkien's works. This story has been written for enjoyment purposes.

Additional disclaimer: This story has references to Cassia's Mellon Chronicles. Inparticular, Captive of Darkness. * Prince Imrahil met Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli at the Battle of the Pelennor fields. Imrahil's sister Finduilas married Denethor II. Before she died she gave Denethor two sons, Boromir and Faramir. I believe Aragorn and Imrahil were born about the same time, but I have in this story that Aragorn is about 20, while Imrahil is about 2.

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Legolas woke with a start. He heard something, but what? He lay completely still on his bed, wide awake, every sense flung out trying to find out what he had heard. He slowly sat up, there it was again! Legolas flung aside the covers and ran to the nearest window. He peered out, trying to see something in the blackness of the night. All he could see was the moon and stars.

He heard it again. It was a cry, one induced from pain and fear. Legolas whirled around, snatching up his weapons, tunic and boots. He had already been wearing leggings and a shirt. He quickly finished dressing and started for the door but changed his mind, not wanting to disturb anyone's rest. He climbed out the window and onto the nearest tree. He frowned. He would probably need bandages, food and water. He quickly snuck into the kitchen and gathered what he needed. He gently shut the door. Every noise seemed so much louder than usual.

At last in the courtyard, Legolas quickly crossed it and climbed over the gates surrounding the palace. His father never knew that he had found a secret and easy way to climb over the gate. His father always demanded that the gates be opened, not climbed over. Legolas grinned. If Thranduil could only see him now. He shook his head. Now wasn't the time to think of that. His senses out flung once more, he continued to follow the sound.

Legolas deciding the best approach was probably in a tree, stared at the carnage below him in horror. What used to be a traveling party of men and women was now ripped, torn, broken bodies, strewn all over. Red blood mixed in with the black blood of orcs. Legolas dropped down silently and began checking for any signs of life. Who had cried out? Was he to late to save them?

The cry came again, startling the prince, who was intent on searching for a living breath. Legolas stood and listened for the sound. When it came again, he could pinpoint the location. He quickly walked over, and gently moving the body of a young woman, found a baby under her. Startled the prince nearly let the body drop back on the baby, but caught himself in time.

The baby was covered in the black blood of the orcs and the bright red blood of his mother. Legolas gently unwrapped the baby and froze. The baby was elvish! Legolas gently touched the soft cheek. Though the pointed ears were not there, it was easy to see that the child was of elf decent.

Legolas stood with the baby, his senses alerting him to danger. Grabbing a nearby bag he gently arranged the baby in it, secured it and quickly left the scene of carnage.

*~*~*~* Estel was woken rudely by pounding hands on his door.

"What?! What?!"

Alarmed Estel ran to the door and yanked it open, and suddenly he was drenched in freezing cold water. He could hear the unmistakable laughter of his brothers. Furious he ran after them, ignoring the wet shirt, damp pants and bare feet. He crashed into them.

"What is your problem!?" He yelled "Why can't I every get up one morning and not get wet!?!?!?"

Laughter shook the twins to the power that neither could speak.

"Ellendan, Elrohir, Estel," A quiet but commanding voice from the door turned them around. "Get off the floor, it is time to eat." Three answers came as one. "Yes, father."

Elrond shook his head as he walked away. Why the Valar thought he needed three sons was beyond him.

As they sat down to eat, Celboril came in with a messenger from Mirkwood. Estel looked up, curious as to what the message contained.

"Lord Elrond, I am Galador. I have a message from King Thranduil." He gave a slight bow and handed the message to Elrond, who took it and motioned for the elf to sit and eat. The elf sat next to Estel, who immediately began asking questions about Legolas.

None were answered.

The elf sat in silence, chewing on his lip, his gaze darting to Elrond as he read the message. "Estel," Elrond gained his attention. "Legolas seems to be... Well, missing." "What to you mean?" Estel cried out "Missing? How could he be missing?" He turned to the elf next to him. "What is this message, Legolas is missing?"

Galador sighed. "Prince Legolas left sometime during the night, he left to note or any indication of where he was going. He took his weapons, food, water and bandages. That was 10 days ago. No one has seen even a hair from Prince Legolas."

"No one can just disappear!" Estel yelled.

Galador flinched, he had a pounding headache, he had not stopped a single moment in his rush to get here and all that Legolas' friend could do was yell at him.

"What about search parties? What have they found? How far have they looked?"

Ellendan rolled his eyes "Estel! Galador is obviously tired, hungry and probably has a headache from you yelling at him! Leave him alone! The answer isn't going to be found here, Estel, but in Mirkwood." He turned to Elrond "Should we all go father?"

Elrond looked at each face. Elrohir had been silent through the exchange, shock still played about his features. Ellendan was a bit angry but worried for the missing prince. Shock and fear stood out easily on Estel's face. Elrond looked at Galador, he was obviously tired and aching from the journey but hope was stamped upon his face.

Elrond nodded slowly "Yes, go with my blessing. I will write to Thranduil. Galador, you must eat and rest. Ellendan, Elrohir, Estel get your things packed. I will make sure the horses will be ready."

*~*~*~*

Legolas sighed. He was tired. He had been trying for several days to get back to the palace. Each time however had been blocked. As darkness settled once more upon Mirkwood, Legolas gently cradled the elfling baby in his arms.

"Gil-Estel shines brightly tonight." He whispered to the sleeping baby. "I hope my father isn't to worried." Legolas grinned in the darkness, thinking on what he just said. His father never stopped worrying over him. The baby woke suddenly with a small cry, from the tear that ran down the baby's smooth cheek, Legolas knew that the baby had a nightmare. Legolas remembered all to well the nightmares that had plagued him for months after Dorolyn. Legolas tilted his head back and began to sing the Song of E(rendil.

Earendil was a mariner
that tarried in Arvernien;
he built a boad of timber felled in
Nimbrethil to journey in;
her sails he wove of silver fair,
of silver were her lanterns made,
her prow was fashioned like a swan,
and light upon her banners laid.

Legolas wondered as he sang, the child he held in his arms had dark brown hair yet had the palest blue eyes that Legolas had ever seen. It was unusual for anyone elf or human to have dark hair yet light eyes. Legolas finished the Song of E(rendil. The babe was still not asleep but watched Legolas solemnly. Legolas smiled at his young charge.

"Another song?" He laughed softly when utter delight spread across the child's face. "I will tell you the tale of Beren and Luthien, in brief - for none know of the end." With another smile Legolas began to sing.

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 shadow shimmering.
Tinuviel was dancing there
To music of a pipe unseen,
And light of stars was in her hair,
And in her raiment glimmering.

Estel stood in Legolas room. Laughter and tears had once lived in this room, now it was dark and still. Not a single thing had been moved since Legolas' disappearance.

"Where are you Legolas?" Estel sighed. He remembered the many times he had come in the room, this was the first time he had stood alone.

"Estel?" Ellendan spoke from the doorway. Estel turned looking at Ellendan "King Thranduil is holding a meeting and requests your presence."

Estel nodded as he turned and walked to the door, then turned suddenly, he heard something. He rushed to the window, glancing franticly around, but only the wind answered his silent prayer. Estel rested his hands on the sill and bowed his head.

A hand was placed gently on his back. "E(rendil shines brightly this night."

Estel whirled, it was Thranduil.

He gave Estel a small smile. "When Legolas brought you home, battered and bruised," He confessed, "I was worried. It had taken months after Dorolyn for Legolas to let another elf besides me to touch him. And I worried when I saw the hate against the humans. How he hated humans for so long." He sighed "I worried that he hated you and was going to kill you." He smiled sadly "I even had elves secretly watch over you. But as your friendship grew, I saw Legolas become more at ease with you. And when Legolas stood up for you the first few days you were here, it greatly eased my heart. I knew that Legolas was starting to let the past really and truly bury itself." Thranduil stared out at the stars, then turned and pierced Estel with eyes so much like Legolas'. "Thank you Estel, for giving my son back to me."

On impulse Estel stepped forward and embraced the king. And together they stared at the stars that Legolas loved so much. Each praying that he was safe.

*~*~*~* Legolas sighed, at last the baby was asleep. What to do? Every time he tried to get to the palace his way was blocked. They were always searching, for what Legolas didn't know, but he did know the baby must be kept safe at all costs. He sighed again, and tilting his head back, fell asleep looking at E(rendil.

The sound of splitting wood woke Legolas. They as usual had sent the night in a tree, it being the safer than the ground. He looked down. Orcs swarmed beneath him, chopping down trees. Horror slammed threw Legolas, he must have been so tired that he never heard a single sound.

"We know you're up there, elf!"

Legolas ignored the voice, he was to busy looking for an escape. Securing the baby he began to jump from tree to tree, the orcs seeing his attempt to escape followed him. Soon some ran ahead and began climbing trees to block off the elf. Legolas felt despair hit him, they would be surrounded with in seconds. He climbed to the top of the tree, hid the baby, gave him a sleeping potion, and reached for his bow and arrows.

"We have searched everywhere, King Thranduil, we have seen nothing."

Thranduil rubbed his forehead. The same report had been given at least 10 times. All the search parties had come back, all empty handed. King Thranduil sighed what to do.

"King Thranduil?"

He looked up, it was Estel. "I ask that Raienan, Trelan, Ellendan, Elrohir and I be permitted to try and find Legolas."

An elf pushed his way to the front. "Why do you think you will have anymore luck that the rest of us?" He demanded.

King Thranduil held his hand up to still the angry mummers in the crowd. "These 5 are the closest to Legolas." Thranduil replied "I will allow this, for I know that I will not hear of anything if I don't." He gave the five a small smile, obviously remembering the various times they had went out together with Legolas. "May Valar protect you." He said quietly and watched as they filed out. "And please find my son." He whispered.