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Disclaimer: I only own the characters that you do not recognize.

In a cool fall night a scream pierced the air and carried itself on the wings of the wind. Time froze and the scream was amplified in the odd stillness of the night.

A young elf no older then in human years of age 6 lay down upon the ground with his hands and feet bound tightly with the cruel rope digging into his bare skin. Every part of his body was covered in welts, burn marks, various broken bones, and deep gashes that bled freely covering his body in crimson.

The hooded figure that had inflicted this damage disappeared into the night as a guard appeared and rescued the young prince, and brought him back to the palace.

Elrond and Thranduil at once went to the room and did what they could for the young prince.

Legolas's face was deathly pale and in his unconscious form his body struggled against their hands upon him.

" Legolas you must calm down... we will not hurt you." Thranduil spoke softly in elven t o his youngest son, his voice was laced with worry and concern.

Legolas's body shudders and it grows still.

Elrond's face darkens and he exhausted his healing abilities in caring for the little prince.

Hours later eyes opened and Legolas cast a nervous glance around the room. His body was covered in bandages. He groans in pain and half closes his eyes to draw away from the intense pain he was in.

" Legolas what happened?" Thranduil's soft voice filled the darkness.

Legolas visibly tensed up and flinched away from the voice causing him to moan in pain.

Thranduil frowned and repeated the question softly in elven. " " Your safe now Legolas please tell me what happened."

Legolas sniffed and looked over at his father and what Thranduil saw in his son's eyes made his heart break. His eyes were lifeless and filled only with terror and fear.

" Please Legolas you must tell us." Thranduil didn't know that he was only adding to his fears because his attacker was an elf. Elrond noticed this and drew Thranduil away.

Elhoir walked hesitantly towards Legolas's bedside and sat down in the chair Thranduil just left. " Legolas will you not tell your friend at least what hurt fell upon you, and who inflicted it upon you?" Elhoir asked quietly

Legolas shudders thinking of the threat that was spoken to him. " It.. doesn't matter what was done... or who he was that did it..." Legolas finally spoke quietly in a dry hoarse voice.

" Not important?! Look what he did to you!" Elhoir shouted.

Legolas flinched away from the loud voice and stared at Elhoir in horror.

Elhoir silenced at once at the look on Legolas's face. He lowered his voice. " I'm sorry Legolas... I need to know so I can help you..."

" It's ok..." Legolas says in a shaken voice as he rested his gaze upon the floor. " I can't tell you..."

Thranduil sighed and sat in the throne room. Valin, the oldest son of Thranduil and next in line for the crown is the human equivalant of 24 years old. He had on a light blue robe, which accented his eyes and blonde hair like his brother. He walked into the room and sits down next to his father. " Ada?" He asks softly. " What is troubling you?"

" Your brother is what troubles me." Thranduil replies with a sigh. Concern and worry laced his voice.

" Is he all right? What happened?" Valin asks slowly.

Thranduil sighed again and said. " Someone attacked him, and yes he will be all right."

" Who attacked him?" Valin asks suddenly at the information gained.

" I don't know. He refuses to tell anyone." Thranduil answered.

Later on in the day Valin went into the room Legolas was in to check on his little brother. He sat down and glanced around to make sure the room was empty.

Legolas had his eyes closed and he slept in a troubled sleep. His face was still pale and when his eyes were open they had an empty haunted look to them along with a hint of fear upon his face.