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Disclaimer: I do not own anything except for the plot.

A/N: Thank you for the sweet reviews. I've been vacationing at Hilton Head and entertaining my relatives so I've been pretty busy. Sorry if you were waiting patiently for my next chapter. I tried to finish it but I was so busy with relatives, airports, and the beach.

I hope you enjoy this chapter and tell me what you think!

-Chapter Three-

The Awakening

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Estel felt a summer breeze play across his face. From the corner of his eye, the sun flickered like fire, licking wood in the hearth. The sky was pale, colorless, streaked with strips of flames, speckled with clouds, slowly disappearing into darkness.

Glorfindel's grim voice echoed inside his head as he slowly stared at the threatening woods. They were dark as night but restless. The dark branches shook with no wind and groans echoed deep within them.

"If one had stepped inside the forest, they would be killed though none had dared."

"None have dared!" Estel said aloud. "None have dared..." His surprised tone changed to thoughtful as he stared at the woods with mischief burning in his eyes.

* * *

The dark, inky sky hovered above Legolas's head splattered with white stars. The moon glared down at him with its milky glow and a soft wind rustled the dark treetops of the woods lying in the distance.

His Elven ears heard the soft groaning of the trees and his eyes pierced the darkness. Beneath him, the gardens of Elrond were glowing in the moonlight. The white flowers amid the tall blades of grass glowed with such radiance and the song of crickets echoed from the grass.

Legolas was quite fond of the gardens though he couldn't stand Estel who seemed to always be sitting amid the flowers and bushes, chewing on a blade of grass. As days flew by, their hate for one another became stronger.

Estel often challenged Legolas to pointless contests such as archery and racing. Both Legolas had won; he was an excellent archer and Elves naturally ran quickly and gracefully than Men. But the only challenge Estel did win was sword fighting. He managed to knock Legolas's sword out of his hand with one swipe.

Something suddenly caught his eye and broke his thoughts. For a fleeting second, Legolas thought he saw a shadow run through the gardens.

The prince watched the shadow flee towards the dark woods. Who was he and what business did he have in the woods?

He thirsted to answer his questions quickly. Before he realized what he was doing, Legolas jumped from the balcony with the grace of an Elf and landed on his feet lightly.

Without a second glance at the balcony, he ran toward the forest, after the shadow.

* * *

Estel ran towards the forest, fear erupting inside him. The dark branches swayed dangerously and the soft groaning of the trees became louder in his ears. But still curious as ever, he approached the woods, his feet patting lightly on the grass.

He tottered cautiously at the edge of the forest, his foot hovering inside, about to land in the darkness of the wood.

"W-who are you and what business do you have here?" someone squeaked.

Estel let out a frightened yelp, overbalanced, and fell backward on his back, facing the person who had spoke.

Legolas's frightened face peered down at Estel and suddenly a look of dislike flashed across it and his eyes flickered in recognition. "You!" he hissed. "What are you doing here?"

"My business is my own," growled Estel as he picked himself up from the ground. "What are you doing here? You aren't allowed here."

"I don't think you are either," Legolas pointed out smugly. Estel rolled his eyes and under his breath, mimicked Legolas.

"I heard that," the Elf said superior.

"You were meant to, fool," snapped Estel. "Now, please leave." His patience was growing thin and the Elf's smug look remained on his face.

"What are you doing here?" Legolas asked. "I shall leave silently if you tell me." He folded his arms and started tapping his foot. "We have until morning and I'm not tired."

Estel rolled his eyes and stared into the forest cautiously. Without a word, he carefully walked underneath the treetops, the ghostly moonlight shining upon his face. Darkness lay ahead and his eyes could not penetrate it.

"What are you doing?" hissed Legolas. Estel whirled around and growled at the pair of glowing Elven eyes, staring unblinkingly at him.

"Nothing of your business! Go back!" Estel hissed back quietly. Legolas's eyes flashed at him angrily. "I am not going anywhere until you tell me what you are doing!"

"Fine," Estel said walking toward the darkness, staring at the ground, expecting the shimmer of a Silmaril to catch his eye.

"Hey!" Legolas yelled loudly. His voice echoed through the wood and the trees swayed uneasily.

* * *

Amid the darkness as the yell echoed, he was awakened. His eyes shot open, revealing the endless pools of red, the color of blood. They were dull with no emotion filled with anger and greed.

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A/N: Thank you for all the reviews! I really appreciate all the compliments. To answer the question, if the Silmaril burned in his hand, wouldn't it burn through his pocket? Silmarils hurt a person who had unclean hands, evil, or had no good intention. My opinion of hurt would be burning so I don't think it would've burned through his pocket. Well, at least, I think so. Correct me if I'm wrong.

For those who have not read The Silmarillarion, please tell me and I'll gladly explain.

R&R!