* Disclaimer: I own nothing, Tolkien is God, please don't sue, blah blah blah….

**Okay, this is the chapter where I REALLY start twisting the books and movie to suit my own evil needs. I simply want to forewarn those of you who are strict Tolkien fans and don't like it when writers like myself change stuff and make crap up. Then again, if any of you were like that, you wouldn't be reading my fic, now would you? As a side note, Legolas and Amariell have been together for a little over 6 months at this point. I don't think I explained that in the LAST chapter, so I'm putting it at the beginning of this one. Hope you enjoy!

Disturbing News

The sun had just disappeared for the day as Pellen and Legolas came upon the palace. Pellen gestured for his friend to hand him his bow, quiver, and pack. Legolas did so and then entered the front courtyard of his home. The instant he walked into the palace, he knew something was amiss. He could feel the tension that hung like a cloud over his home and immediately set off to find his father.

Legolas knew that his father would be in his study so that was the first place he looked. Coming upon large doors to his father's study, Legolas knocked and called out. "Father?" His sharp elven ears picked up more than one voice inside, all of which ceased as he called out.

"Come in Legolas." Legolas pushed open the heavy doors as soon as he got his reply and entered his fathers gigantic study. Growing up, Legolas knew that if his father was no where else to be found in the palace, he was inside his study. The younger elf supposed it was a retreat of a sort for his father, although Legolas could never guess why the older elf chose to stay cooped up indoors. Thranduil's study held all his texts, maps, and various other prized possessions. Great tapestries hung from the walls, jewels and other rarities were encased in displays all throughout the huge room, and there was only one key that unlocked all of the elf lord's riches. Thranduil wore that key around his neck, tucked inside whatever tunic or robe he happened to be wearing, and to Legolas's knowledge had never once taken it off.

Inside his fathers study now stood Elladan and Elrohir, twin sons of Elrond, half-elven of Rivendell. It had been a while since Legolas had last seen the twins, at least five hundred years or so. The brothers resembled their father in that they had long, flowing, brown hair, but their eyes were a deep emerald, like their mothers. Their faces were very young looking, despite the fact that they were nearly a thousand years older than Legolas. The brothers stood before Thranduil's large desk, dressed still in their riding clothes of thin leggings, loose tunics and tall boots.

The twins regarded Legolas, exchanged greetings and Legolas joined them before his fathers desk. Legolas regarded his father with concern. He did, indeed, look distressed.

"Father, what is this troubling news?"

Thranduil sighed faintly and clasped his hands together in front of him on the desk. He did not answer his son, rather he looked over to where Elladan and Elrohir stood. At their look, he nodded, gravely. Taking this as his cue, Elladan stepped forward and regarded Legolas. "There comes troubling news from Rivendell, Legolas. My father has received word from Gandalf the Grey that the ring of power has been found. It moves to Rivendell as we speak." Legolas simply stared at Elladan as he spoke. When he finished, Legolas shook his head in disbelief. He was told by his father, many years ago, that this day might come.

Lord Elrond had been at the last alliance of elves and men three thousand years ago where Sauron himself had been slain, but not destroyed. The One Ring was taken by the foolish mortal, Isildur and had gone missing, a very long time ago, after his death. If the ring got back to Mordor, then Sauron would be able to use its power to build a stronger army than the one he had before. If that were to happen, Legolas knew that all of Middle Earth would be lost to the Dark Lord. For quite a while now, Legolas had felt a shadow pass over his home, his beautiful Mirkwood. A shadow that threatened to obliterate all it came in contact with. He knew for certain now that the shadow was from Mordor.

"Where was it found?" Was Legolas's simple question.

It was Elrohir who answered. "Among the Halflings, in the Shire. It has been there for quite some time, unbeknownst to any of us. Alas, the only creature who knew of its whereabouts was captured by the Dark Lord and, under unimaginable torture I am sure, has told where it lies. Sauron has sent the Nazgul to bring it back to Mordor."

Legolas closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "This is most distressing, indeed. Is this terrible news the only reason you have come to Mirkwood?" Legolas knew there was more to the twins visit.

The brothers shook their heads and spoke in unison. "No."

Elladan replied. "My father has called a meeting of the Council to discuss what must be done. Action must be taken to prevent the ring from getting into Sauron's hands again. It must be destroyed, Legolas."

"We came to Mirkwood to gather representatives to sit at the meeting of the Council." Elrohir spoke up.

For the first time since Legolas entered the study, his father spoke. "Legolas, you will accompany Elladan and Elrohir to Rivendell in the morning. I can trust no other with this task. You will represent Mirkwood at Elrond's meeting." Legolas looked at his father and nodded reluctantly. He was proud that his father had chosen him, but at the same time, all he could think about was Amariell.

As if reading his mind, Thranduil continued. "You will gather a party of no more than four riders to accompany you to Rivendell. They will be for your protection and will also represent Mirkwood at the meeting of the Council. Choose wisely."

Legolas cleared his throat as his father finished. Choose wisely? Was his father trying to tell him something? "Father? May I speak to you for a moment please?"

Thranduil nodded and got out of his chair. Elladan and Elrohir took Legolas's tone to mean that son wanted to be alone with father for this talk. The two bowed to Lord Thranduil and then to Legolas.

"Lord Thranduil, thank you for your time. My brother and I will return to our chambers and freshen up for supper." Thranduil nodded as the brothers turned and left the study.

Legolas looked at his father, not saying anything until Thranduil turned to him and raised his eyebrow. "If you think she is ready than take her with you, Legolas. You do not need to ask for my permission."

Legolas couldn't say he was entirely shocked that his father had known exactly what he was going to ask. With a small smile, he sighed his relief. "I have been training Amariell for a while now, father. I think she is ready to handle what this trip may entail. Besides, she has never been outside of Mirkwood and I would like to be the one who introduces her to the outside world."

At this, Thranduil shook his head. His voice was a gentle warning as he spoke. "Legolas, dark times approach. The outside world is not safe anymore. The journey to Rivendell is strenuous enough as it is. Now, Elladan and Elrohir report orc movement throughout this region. Do not take Amariell with you if it is scenery you wish to show her. She must be up to the long, difficult, and now dangerous journey. I know you would hate to see anything bad happen to her."

"Yes, I know that father. I think she's ready." Legolas sat on the edge of his father's desk and followed him as he walked around the room. "I will ask her when I go to meet her tonight. If she says she would rather not come, than I will respect her wishes. But I think she will be very anxious to accompany me to Rivendell. Allon, her brother, is still there. I know she wants to see him."

Thranduil walked over to one of his many shelves of texts and absently ran his long, slender fingers over their leather bound spines. "That is fine, Legolas. Just as long as she is made aware of the danger." He turned back to his son and regarded him with satisfaction. "I think she will make an excellent addition to your party."

Thranduil came to stand next to his son. As Legolas stood, a thought suddenly occurred to him. "What shall I tell her is our purpose in journeying to Rivendell? I do not think she knows about the ring of power or of Sauron."

Thranduil considered his options before answering. "Tell her the truth, Legolas. She will find out eventually. Better to hear it from you, if the world as she knows it is in danger of ending." The last bit he added with a subtle smirk.

Legolas didn't know whether to laugh or scold his father for such negative thinking. He did neither. Instead he faced his father and placed his hands on his shoulders. "I will tell her all I can without worrying her. I do not want her to fret over matters that she cannot change."

"She may not be able to change them, but we must, Legolas. If we do not…" Thranduil trailed off as his son raised his hands to stop him. He did not need to continue because they both knew what would happen if the One Ring was not destroyed.

"Father, I do not want you worrying about this, either. We will prevail, we must. We have no other option. The Council will know what to do." He smiled assuredly and added. "I will see you at supper."

Thranduil nodded, but said nothing. Legolas bowed slightly and left the study. Thranduil wondered if he was ever going to see his son again. He feared the upcoming meeting of the Council and what it would mean. He knew that whatever decisions they made would be in the best interests of all concerned, but he couldn't shake the feeling of anxiety that rose within him. Finally, Thranduil decided that it would be better if he heeded his son's advice and didn't think about the disturbing news until he had to. With one last look around his study, Thranduil opened the doors, stepped out, and locked them behind him. He had a feast to attend. The time for worrying is not over, he told himself, but it must be placed aside for now. With a weary and burdened sigh, Thranduil walked off toward the music and the voices he heard rising in the night.

*Clicky, clicky…….