Disclaimer: Once upon a time, Tolkien wrote Lord of the Rings. Am I Tolkien? Noooo!

Author's Note: Ok, for those who are sorta lost on the curse, it works like this: The person who is cursed, Legolas, wants to go back to Sauron. It will make him want to return to his 'master' and will it torture him until he either gives in or end his own life. Very nasty business. Anyways, read on!

Twilight of the Elves

Dreaming Awake

He could see it so clearly. A blazing red eye, wreathed in flames, searching in vain for his precious. The one who was bound it him and would always belong to him. The light fell on him, searching through his very soul. 'I see you,' whispered a voice in his head. 'Come back to me. You cannot hide forever.'

~*~*~*~*~*~

Legolas sat up in his bed, dripping with cold sweat. His clear azure eyes searched the room with a frantic sweep and finally fell on the slim form beside him. He allowed a small smile to grace his features as they fell upon the sleeping Haldir. His breathing slowed as he regained control of himself. Lately, he's been plagued by those nightmares everyday, each one more real then the other. Even when he was awake, he felt as it someone was watching him and an invisible force was at pulling him. He had caught himself staring aimlessly into the east many times towards the Dark Lands.

He ran a hand through his silken strands, trying to clear his thoughts and fell back into Haldir's warm embrace. Smiling, he inhaled his lover's scent, sweet and piney like the Golden Woods he protected. The slight movement awoke the handsome Guardian. His long lashes parted revealing dark stormy eyes. They fell on the golden Elf who was grinning impishly in front of him. "What?" he asked confused.

"Nothing," replied Legolas in his enchanting voice. He flashed a mysterious grin at the taller Elf before leaping gracefully out of the bed towards the bathroom.

"Legolas," pleaded Haldir pitifully.

Hearing the weakness in his voice, he returned. Legolas grinned and brushed his lips gently across the Guardian's flawless features. "See you at breakfast."

"Alright," he replied reluctantly. He could see that something wasn't right. The clear blue eyes that he loved so much were clouded and dull. He pushed that thought aside and melted beneath those perfect lips.

He gently slipped himself away from Haldir and locked himself up in the bathroom. The impish smile that he had earlier was just a mask for show. It slipped away like a curtain, revealing the troubled Prince. If Haldir ever found out that he was bound to Sauron, he was sure that the Guardian will reject him. Legolas already knew that he could not live without Haldir. He was the only thing that kept him sane when the curse plagued him day and night, offering no peace.

Earlier, when he kissed Haldir, instead of seeing his lover, he saw Him. Haldir's face changed into Sauron. The golden hair turned pitch black and the stormy eyes burned red. The pale Elven complexion turned dark and filthy. He shuddered as he recalled the eyes, the burning red eyes wreathed in flames just like his dreams.

Legolas gazed into the mirror, at the regal Prince staring back at him. The image was perfect for Legolas was flawless. He was perfection. The golden hair fell about his shoulders like molten gold. The bright azure eyes shone brighter than the stars like sapphires. He knew, without being vain, that he was perfection. But beneath it all, he knew he was nothing but a lie. He was not the pure Elf that everyone thought he was. He was cursed, with the fires of Sauron burning within him. It burned brighter with each passing day, drawing him closer to him. He felt dirty, tainted, and covered with some invisible filth that would never come off.

A sharp rap on the door made him tear his eyes away from the hated reflection. "Are you done yet?"

"Yes, yes I'm coming." Slipping on his mask, he opened the door, ready to live another day as a lie.

Strong arms encircled his waist as he stepped out into his bedchamber. He felt Haldir bury his head within his golden locks. This time, he truly smiled. His heart filled with love for the Guardian. "What troubles you, Melamin?" muttered Haldir into his golden mane.

Legolas froze for a second. His mind unwilling to register what he just heard. How could Haldir know? He can't know about it! "What do you mean?" he asked trying to sound nonchalant.

Haldir pulled away, his eyes locking onto the startling blue. "Don't lie. I know something is wrong," he said. "I care for you, Legolas. Tell me if something is amiss. I can help."

Legolas knew that Haldir cared for him but he couldn't bring himself to tell him. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course!"

"Then trust me," he said, avoiding the piercing gaze of the Guardian. "You wouldn't want to know."

He brushed past the Guardian and out the door, his heart pounding painfully. He could feel the accusing eyes boring into his back as he left towards the Great Hall. The servants bowed down to him from both sides as he approached the banquet table. Thranduil, his father, sat at the very end and beamed proudly at his only son but Legolas could not help but notice there was a trace of sadness within those stormy depth.

He took his usual seat, next to his father. "What news, Ada?"

Thranduil gestured gracefully to a man sitting beside him. "Legolas, this is Boromir of Gondor." Legolas inclined his head towards the Man. "He will be staying with us for a while so I suggest you make him feel at ease."

"Yes, Ada," he answered. His clear eyes fixed on the man. He was a tall and broad in the shoulders. Brownish hair fell down to his shoulders. "What news of Gondor?"

The hooded eyes bored into Legolas with such intensity, it almost made him feel like he was the intruder. "My father sent me here because he heard you had dealings with Sauron's forces before. Is that true?"

Legolas got nervous at the sound of Sauron's name but replied just the same. "Yes, we once fought with him but that was the past. We are now friends of all those who oppose him."

"Gondor is weak. Sauron's forces are attacking our borders more frequently than ever now. Since Mirkwood once sided with them, surely they know how their forces move. We need to know the ways of the enemy. That's why I have come."

"We know nothing about the Enemy, Boromir of Gondor. That was the past. After almost three thousand years, surely they would've changed." Legolas turned to his father. "May I take my leave?"

After a nod from his Ada, he stood up and bowed once more to the visitor. He turned and strolled out the hall. Behind him, Boromir gazed into his back. A strange gleam came into his eyes as he watched the perfect Elf walk gracefully away. He unconsciously wetted his lips and turned towards the King. "I will go too."

Boromir slid out of the chair and silently followed the lovely Elf down the hallways, into his bedchamber.

Author's Note: Blah blah blah REVIEW!!!