Author's notes: Things are about to include a lot more action.
Disclaimer: On first chapter if needed.
Dreams of a young one. Chapter Three.
Legolas continued to kick, punch, scratch and bite every inch of flesh he could. They were all pressing upon him, forcing him to the ground. He struggled against his captives, knowing he had to break free and rescue Ranawen. There was a sound of ringing metal, and a sword sliced through the air striking one of the men in the back. Legolas got a glimpse of his father's face before it vanished as a man picked him up. Legolas cried out and bit his ear, kicking him in the stomach. He was dropped to the floor and a hand dragged him out of the fray and behind them, he clung to his father's robes as the elf fought against the men. They were all dead in a few seconds. Thranduil turned round and bent down scoping Legolas up into his arms, holding the child close.
"Are you alright my Little Greenleaf?"
"I . . . I . . Ranawen!" He wailed out, tears coursing down his dirty cheeks. He clung to his father's clothes and sobbed.
"Save her! You have to save her! Do something."
"Shhhhhhhh Little one. Elerossë has gone to get people to ride after them. We will get Ranawen back."
"Will they kill her?"
"No, they went to a lot of trouble to get her, I doubt they would do such a thing."
Legolas nodded and peered over his father's shoulder at Gandalf and Elrond. There was the sound of hurried footsteps, and Elerossë appeared riding a horse, some of the soldiers were with him. Thranduil nodded and the six set off into the forest, tracking the young child. Thranduil turned and slowly walked back to the palace, holding the crying Legolas tightly to his chest.
Legolas's tears had dried up and he was now just sitting on his bed staring into space. Elerossë hadn't returned yet, it had been two hours. Legolas's bottom lip trembled, he wished she was there. By his side, telling him he was silly for crying. Because no one in his family cried, never ever! He moaned and scrambled under his covers, and lay there. His eyes became glassy as he slowly drifted into sleep.
Mist surrounded him like a blanket, Legolas glared and batted at it with his hands. Nothing.
'Ouch! Let me go!'
'No, no. I don't think so.'
The mist started to part, and it showed Ranawen. The man that had taken her away was standing above her, a smirk playing a cross his features. Ranawen's hands were behind her back and tied up with rope, her feet were also bound.
'What do you want with me?'
'You? Nothing. But the ones that will rescue you, we have plans for them.'
The picture which was becoming clearer each second started to get swallowed up by the mist. Legolas yelled and reached out but he was pulled back. Further and further away from his friend.
Poke, Poke.
"Go away."
Poke, Poke Poke.
Legolas growled and threw back the covers to see Lúthien and Beren sitting on the end of his bed.
"Elerossë is back."
Legolas looked at his siblings faces. He was going to ask but he already knew the answer.
"He hasn't got her has he?"
They shook their heads, Legolas blinked back the tears. Fighting the overwhelming sorrow that now took hold of his body. How was he going to help Ranawen? How? How? HOW? Legolas found that his sister had pulled him into her arms and she was gently rocking him back and forwards. Just like their mother used to. He suppressed a sob. Why must the people around him get hurt? Did he do something wrong that made the Valar want to punish those close to him? He buried his face in his sisters shoulder, refusing to allow the tears to come.
Two days later and there had been no word of Ranawen. Legolas lay in his bed, slowly playing with his braid. A bad habit, Ranawen would always tell him off for doing it. She said that he looked sweet when he did it, just to get him to stop. The only times he wanted to look sweet were when he was trying to get off being punished. He looked up when Elrond and Gandalf entered, the wizard placing a tray of food by his bed. The pair's sympathetic gazes fell on him. He glared, he didn't want their sympathy. He wanted Ranawen back! He just stared at the wall behind them, not even bothering to acknowledge their words. They sighed and left the room, leaving Legolas to sleep.
He was once again seeing Ranawen and her captor, he saw them every time he slept. Mind you this time seemed clearer, more in focus. Legolas could smell the scents in the air. Yuck, there was that nasty flower smell that they made you drink when you had a cold.
'When do we set off?'
More men had joined the first and they had set up camp, the fire glowing in the darkness. The flames flickering light landed on Ranawen, who had now been gagged. Legolas looked over at the mountains surrounding them, they were oddly shaped.
'When we see the one.'
Legolas's gaze snapped back to the two men.
'Who?'
'He will come, they cannot find us. The Master put a barrier up, only the one could see past it. Maybe the other higher elves but they will not come looking. He will.'
'How can you be sure?'
The leader, the one that had taken Ranawen, smirked.
'Because he has a heart.'
'And the longer he waits, the more pain she will suffer.'
He declared, jerking a thumb over his shoulder at the small she-elf.
Legolas sat bolt upright, Ranawen had to be rescued. He climbed out of his bed. His feet touching the cold floor, he moved quietly over to his closet. Rummaging through it he pulled out a tunic and cloak, he quickly dressed. Grabbing a bag he quickly ran down the corridors to the kitchen, he flung the cupboards open pulling out some Lembas and other items. He filled a couple of flasks of water and put them inside. He stepped out back into the corridor and came face to face with Lólindir and Tanya. The pair were both dressed like himself, Tanya smiled at the look on Legolas's face.
"Come on. Did you really expect us to let you go and rescue Ranawen by yourself?"
"You're going to need help and were the ones to do that."
"How?" Legolas whispered, his mouth still an 'O' of surprise.
"We've known you long enough Legolas. We knew you wouldn't sit by and let Ranawen be taken by some silly humans. So we waited for you to move out. Then follow you."
"How did you know I was going tonight?"
"We asked Fluffy to tell us. We explained that he couldn't come and protect you, but we could."
"So he came and licked Tanya's face when you left your room."
"Not a nice wake up call." Tanya murmured rubbing his cheek. Legolas smiled, of course his friends would do something like this. Sometimes they really could read him like a book. He gestured over his shoulder and the trio followed him down the corridors. They came to the library. Tanya pulled a face.
"I thought you knew how much I hated this place."
"So what are we looking for?"
"A set of mountains." Legolas replied as he pulled another dusty book down and began to flick through it.
"There are a lot of mountains Legolas." Lólindir said, as he fingered another book from his position on the floor. Tanya jumped from the top of a book case to another and pulled a book from the top shelf and sat down.
"They look odd. Rather like a flower that's had it bottom half chomped off."
"Like this?" Lólindir asked, turning his book round for Legolas to see.
"Yes that's them!"
The picture was very lifelike, a huge mountain that had been weathered away to look like it had petals sticking out of it.
"Brilliant Lólindir!"
"Er, where is it exactly?"
"Um" The brunette flicked scanned the page, in order to answer Tanya's question.
"Oh dear."
"What?"
"It's out the South gate, many a mile to our west."
"Well" Legolas said standing up, and brushing the dust from his tunic, "Let's get going."
Thranduil woke that morning to hear the pattering of three horse's running from the gates.
"Funny, I swear there is no patrol today."
I know it's short and I'm sorry.
To be continued . . . .
Characters guide.
King Thranduil: Legolas's father.
Queen Máraran: Legolas's mother, deceased.
Crown prince Beren: Legolas's brother. First born.
Princess Lúthien: Legolas's sister. Third born.
Prince Orophin: Legolas's brother. Second born, deceased.
Ranawen: Friend of Legolas. (Female.)
Lólindir: Friend of Legolas. (Male.)
Tanya: Friend of Legolas. (Male.)
Elerossë: Captain of Mirkwood. Good friend of Thranduil.
Marya: Head cook. Second mother to Legolas.
Fluffy: Cub of Lanta, friend of Legolas.
Lanta: She-wolf, saved
Fara: Evil creature that killed Legolas's mother
