Disclaimer: Please see the Prologue

A/N: Wow, I actually got reviews…and good ones at that for the prologue. Thanks.

Deana Thanks or the suggestion, I took your advice, and it does look at lot better now. J

Astalder27 Yeah, Talider is evil. And more torture. You really are mistaking me for some other writer ;)

Tonianne Um…thanks, that was a really nice review, and I never considered my writing 'beautiful' before.

Coolio02 Legolas' life is never easy.That poor elf is always in trouble ;)

Well, On to the next chapter…

Chapter 1

Three months later Thranduil stood looking out over Mirkwood, Edhel-Naur had not been found and this troubled the elven king. He remembered the day he had received it.

FLASHBACK

"Adar! Adar!" Prince Thranduil cried as he searched for his Father in the fray of The Last Alliance, as he beheaded another Orc he saw his father struggling to fight off hoards of Orcs, Thranduil hurried forward to aid the King of Mirkwood, but he was too late, he could only watch as an orc sank his sword into Oropher's back. Thranduil cried out one word "Adar!" as his path was blocked by orcs, as he pushed past them he saw a second orc plunge his sword into the kings back. The king fell forward; Thranduil ran forward killing or scattering all of the orcs, before kneeling at his father's side. "Adar!" he gasped "We must get you out of here!"
"No. No ion-nin, my time is ending. Lead your people wisely Ion Nin" he paused-his breathing laboured. "Take the crown and my sword use them wisely Ion Nin." With that King Oropher of Mirkwood died. Thranduil stared at the limp body not heeding the cries that came around him
"Prince Thranduil!" Tirinvo captain of the guard cried hurrying over to his side "Are you injured?" He looked down at the body of the former ruler and whispered a prayer for his spirit. "You are our King now. He would not want Mirkwood to fall."
"He would not." Thranduil replied taking up his father's sword "He will be avenged"

FLASHBACK ENDS

"Adar," Thranduil turned at the sound of his son's voice. Legolas was stood alone in the doorway to the king's room "Are you sure you do not wish to accompany me?" Legolas was journeying to Rivendell to ask the aid of the sons of Elrond in finding the sword, the Prince had asked his Father to accompany him, but the King had declined, saying that he had work to do in Mirkwood.
"I am sure" Thranduil replied placing a hand on Legolas' shoulder, the king's face became dark "Legolas, I have lost one treasure already this year. I do no want to lose you tooLegolas smiled and placed his own hand on his father's shoulder in return.
"Father, I will return I promise, and I will bring Edhel-Naur with me" Legolas said "I will not be gone too long"
"Legolas, all I ask of you is that you are careful" the king replied seriously
"You say that to me every time I venture outside the palace walls" Legolas replied
"But many times you come back injured, I worry Legolas, I worry every time you leave me you will not return"
"I will return. I swear" Legolas replied. "I will be leaving in an hour or so" with that he smiled and headed to the door.


An hour later many elves were gathered in the courtyard to farewell their Prince, who – along with the king – had yet to arrive. The Prince's horse stood ready waiting for the Prince, the crowds had not long to wait for presently the two royals came down the steps deep in conversation, the royals reached the waiting mare and stopped. The Prince smiled at the waiting crowds "I go to return Edhel-Naur to its rightful place" He called out; this was met by cheers from the gathered Elves and many elves came up to him to wish him well. Ilyanna handed him a pack of medical supplies,
"It's very likely you'll need them" she laughed. Legolas smiled
"I most likely will" he replied smiling at the woman who seemed to him like a second mother, as she had been to Thranduil when his mother had died in childbirth. She had always been there for him throughout the years, and he knew that behind her strict exterior was a gentle kind woman who he could tell things he would never dream of telling his Father-and with Ilyanna he knew it would stay confidential. Finally the Prince turned to his Father.
"Legolas, Ion Nin, stay safe. Please, for my sake. I do not ask for the sword back if it means you cannot come back"
"Adar," Legolas laughed in return "and I will return."
"Namaarie, Ion Nin." Thranduil replied embracing his son, and fearing as always it might be the last time he did so.
"Namaarie Adar." Legolas replied mounting his horse. "Namaarie" he said louder to the gathered elves. "I shall return" with a last look at his Father he turned "Noro lim Taltrost," he whispered to his horse, as he rode away from the halls of Thranduil. The elven King remained watching him ride off long after all the elves had left.

Legolas rode on, nearing the edge of Mirkwood. A smile on his lips, it meant a lot to him to be riding alone, free from the burdens of royalty, of the many Mirkwood elves wanting to attend to every whim. He did not need that. He had learned many years ago never to announce himself as 'Prince Legolas' but he did not wish to, for showing you were royalty either led to trouble or fuss. So when outside Mirkwood he was known simply as Legolas, or Legolas Greenleaf. Only in the house of Elrond was he known as Legolas Thranduilion. But his errand was not to spend time relaxing – as his heart truly desired- in The Fair House of Elrond. It was to find Edhel-Naur. But to do that he would need aid from his closest of friends Elladan and Elrohir, The sons of Elrond. He left the cover of the tall trees of Mirkwood and saw the tall mountains looming up ahead of him, the sun slowly sinking behind them. "We shall rest shortly Taltrost" the elf Prince said slowing to a trot and looking back at Mirkwood, the tall trees standing tall and erect, in front of him, green leaves on the branches, a sight that always looked beautiful to the Prince. It was his home. It would forever be the place his heart rested. He then moved Taltrost on towards a small copse he knew of, where he could rest for one night, it would take him little over an three hours to reach 'Noro lim Taltrost' he said urging his horse on towards the horizon.

The copse was beautiful, tall trees stood on the outside and the centre was a large clearing, this is where the Elven Prince stopped, letting Taltrost roam free he sat down beside a tree and took some Lembas from his pack, looking up into the trees he noticed a small bird watching him from her nest, "come Mellon nin" he said softly throwing a few crumbs away from him. The bird fluttered softly down and began her feast, hopping closer to the stranger who had entered her home. She sensed no danger on him and fluttered up to his shoulder, Legolas laughed lightly, feeding the bird more bread, when the bread was gone the bird flew back to her nest. Smiling the Prince leaned back against the tree and fell into the world of dreams.

The days went swiftly by and Legolas found himself enjoying his time in the wild, it was not as enjoyable had Elladan and Elrohir been there-he had not seen them for 15 years now-which he regretted-but as he would see them shortly that did not bother him. He had still to reach the pass that led to Rivendell, but that posed some problem as Orcs were converging on the path ahead of him. Had there been less he would have risked a fight, but their number was great and Legolas knew to do so would cost him his life. He had two choices, to stay hidden risking them finding him or to return down the side track he had come from and make for the longer route, which would add more days to his journey. After deciding the former was too risky, he turned Taltrost and rode away silently.

The path he had to take was much more beauteous than the mountain pass, and Legolas was surprised he had never thought to travel this way. Legolas smiled to himself as he made his way through the soft shrubbery, the sound of birds trilling could be heard and even the crickets could be heard chirping in the long grass. Legolas was at piece with nature and himself. "Why can all times not be like these?" Legolas mused aloud as he stopped atop a small knoll and scanned the horizon. Save the birds and other sounds of nature all was quiet, too quiet some would have said. But not the Elven Prince, for he felt no evil nearby, he closed his eyes as a soft wind blew caressing his face, tugging at his braids and cloak, he smiled once more as he rode down the knoll onto leveler ground. Then he set off at a gallop the wind tugging at his hair as he raced across the plain, there could have been a thousand orcs ahead but the Prince would not have cared. He was free, like a bird in the skies, Palace life seemed a distant memory, not that he detested being a Prince of Mirkwood, he loved Mirkwood, and his people, and of course his Father. He would not trade his life for that of anyone, but he needed freedom, some of the Warriors and other people could be rather too…watchful of him. But there were no prying eyes here, and for that Legolas was glad. Too many times in his home had a Palace guard come across the Prince in the forest, especially when the Prince was alone and had been gone for quite a while, Legolas suspected some of these were sent by his Father, or one of the other high-ranking elves in Mirkwood, the Prince found this rather tiresome, and had already spoken to his Father on the matter, the King understood his sons feelings but had replied that if he did not sometimes take extreme measures he would be consumed by worry every time the Prince ventured out alone. The Prince smiled at the thought of the King pacing up and down his study wondering about his son's welfare, and the King had many a reason to worry. Legolas rarely escaped from any escapade unhurt, and the King's largest fear was loosing his only son. "Noro Lim Taltrost!" the prince cried urging his horse forward; as he rode an old song came to his mind:

The winds of time bring you thoughts of home,
A place you left behind,
Though return is sure, your journey is long,
And many years may pass,
Ere once again you sleep in peace,
'Neath peaceful verdant trees.

It was a song long sung to warriors riding off to battle, Legolas had only heard it sung once in his life, but the words had remained in his mind since, his Father did not allow the song sung in his presence, for he said it reminded him of the Last Alliance where the words of the first verse had not rang true for many an elf, including the King's own Father, and the song-the last song Thranduil had ever heard as Prince brought back evil memories for the Elven King.
"I should not be King; I should not have had to see the sights I saw." Thranduil had said to the Prince once, and this thought had made the Prince realize how hard his Father's death would hit him if ever the worst happened. The second verse to the song however was one sung once the warriors had returned to battle, at the funerals of the fallen warriors.

The sands of time are calling you,
To return to a place you knew
Do not fear, if you return not.
You shall be safe in Elbereth's care.

These words pained Legolas' heart. They were sung by those who were closest to the dead, most usually a lover, or parent, or child. They were the words he would hate to sing, for to do so would mean his Father's death. It was for this reason that Legolas wished not for the crown. But he was not riding off to battle, nor was his Father dead. He was simply enjoying his short break in the wild, alone and free, even if only for a short time, for now there were no restrictions on his everyday life; he could do whatever he wished. This freedom was what he dreamt of during his Father's council meetings, what he knew his Father dreamed of too. "He would enjoy this if only he were here!" Legolas laughed, "It is more exciting than court business. Do not worry Mellon Nin; one day he will accompany us on a wild adventure! That I swear!" riding to the top of a small hill, he looked up at the skies and realized how late it had become, searching his surroundings for a place to spend the night. Sighting a small oak grove directly ahead he urged Taltrost into a trot and rode towards it.

The glade was surrounded by an eerie silence where not even the evening song of birds sound be heard. This worried Legolas slightly, even though he heard; nor saw any sign of danger. Looking around scanning the brush for any signs of danger he saw none. Shaking his head, as if to expel any thoughts of danger he carried on weaving his way through the tall grass, it was then that Taltrost reared up, kicking her front legs and emitting a shrill scream of pain, Legolas surprised by this swift movement fell back and landed on the ground in an unelven-like heap. Quickly he leapt to his feet and hurried to the calm the horse, whispering soothing words in her ear, this seemed to comfort the horse and Legolas knelt by the horses side to tend to any wounds that may have made the horse throw her rider, his sharp eyes caught sight of the wound almost immediately, the mare had been bitten by a snake! Fortunately the wound was not poisoned, and Legolas stood to find his medical supply in his pack, he found the herbs to treat the wound but as he knelt the horse reared up once more and bolted, Legolas reacted immediately leaping to his feet and pursuing the Mare; to no avail. He stopped watching as the horse ran off through the grove; the Prince knew she would find her way to Rivendell eventually, more likely before him, what worried him was the cause of the horse's distress. Legolas walked silently back to where he had left his pack, and stood in silence. A sudden crack-as if someone had stood on a fallen branch-alerted the Prince's attention, he looked around swiftly fitting an arrow to his bow and pulled the string taught "Who is there?" he called out spinning around, nervously he leapt up into the tree, and rested there for a second, looking around, he started as an arrow hit the tree only inches from his head, and leapt from the tree carefully, walking backwards heading away from the clearing. He reached a gap in the trees and looked around once more unsure of where to fire.

He sensed the presence behind him too late, the dart hit him between the shoulders and he staggered forward, falling to his knees as the drug spread through his body forcing him into unconsciousness.

TBC…

A/N: Um…Poor Legolas…he has the worst luck ever

Anyway, bye,

Aranel

;)