Legolas Greenleaf of the woodland realm was always considered a good being who would go out of his way to help a friend. But when he carried a young battered and bruised woman into his fathers kingdom talk spread about the woods of what exactly had come to pass in this moment of solitary hunting.
For the prince insisted that he be alone during these hunts of his (against his father's wishes).
"And who is she, do you even know the girl Legolas?" Demanded his father softly.
"No father, I am guessing that she is a maiden of Gondor, the men who were..." He trailed off and swallowed uncomfortably. "attacking her wore the armour of the Gondor army...I feel ashamed that men posess such an evil nature. I have never seen..." He trailed off again at the rememberance of what he had seen. The true evil essence within men...he had witnessed it.
"I will not risk any of the elven maidens touching her...she may be infected by something"
"With all due respect father...she is human and has been beaten almost to death not diseased"
"Son, have you any idea the kinds of things you can catch from them...they are dirty and-"
"I'm sorry father but I will not stay here just to listen to you speak ill of mortals especially of one who has been put through that much torment."
Thranduil said nothing as he watched his son leave his sight, hew only returned to reading the leather bound book he normally immersed himself within.
Legolas rested on his bed with his arms behind his head on the pillow. His keen lightning coloured eyes sharp even in dreams. For an elven maid could enter his room as silent as the gentle breeze and he would know about it. His eyes remained open during sleep...he dozed only for a little while due to his weary travels and then woke suddenly.
He shuffled into the bath house outside his room and removed his clothes. The warm water was a blessing...he tried to remember a song the hobbits had taught him about hot water...the bath song was what they called it. He hummed the tune quietly to himself and then ducked his head under the surface washing the dirt and blood from his long, blond hair.
He wondered about the girl that he found and the men he had taken captive. no doubt she remained unconcious. He thought perhaps he would question the two men who were still alive about their actions...their identities. He mused and rubbed the scented water deep into the pores of his pale flesh trying to clean his arms.
The wounds stung a little...but it did not matter. He couldn't imagine the emotional wounds the girl he found would be nursing at the moment.
"perhaps I should visit her"
he spoke aloud and rose from the bath. The air about him chilled his flesh and caused goosebumps to spill across his naked chest,
"Yes, I shall visit her"
He said, thinking back on the very recent argument he had with his father. And so Legolas dressed appropriatly and found himself wandering about looking for the room she was kept in.
"She is in the next room my Prince" Said an elf when he had inquired. he bowed and thanked the elf and slowly pushed open the door which led to that room. It opened with a creak but his footsteps were as soft and silent as if he were walking upon pillows.
She was within dreams, stirring and whimpering. He looked upon her in sorrow and reached out to stroke her hair.
"So fragile..."
He whispered as he looked over her curled up body.
"I wonder why humans must be made so destructive when they are the most fragile creatures known to us." Continued the elf.
She awoke then, gasping for air and sweat had broken across her forehead. She shrunk away from Legolas' fingertips
"W-who are you?" Stammered the girl, tears had immediately fallen from her beautiful eyes.
Her hair was as dark as shadows and flesh as pale as the snow. Legolas grimaced when he noticed the burning bruise about her throat where the noose had been tightened.
"I will not hurt you my Lady. I am Legolas Greenleaf, prince of the woodland realm. You are safe here in my father's kingdom."
She looked as though she tried to stay alert, but the exaustion of what had come to pass overcame her and she fell back into a deep slumber. Still troubled by nightmares no doubt.
He kissed her forehead affectionately and lay back in the chair.
And there in the chair beside her bed he remained until the next morning.