Well, I'm back. So sorry for not updating yesterday, see, I've been banned from the computer for a week, but I can still use these ones at school to update! And I can still use my home one for schoolwork. So that's how I managed to save this as an e-mail attachment. So forgive me if I don't get time to update in this week.

Anyway, lovely reviews. You people are all so nice!

Elven Kitten: He is rather confuddled. Poor Elf.

MCross: Lots more angst before they make up…heh…and Thranduil would like me to inform you that if you ever thought he didn't love him…actually, I don't think I will tell you precisely what he's saying ;) I didn't think he knew words like that!

Caunoiech: What to do with a doctor Pepper…and the Thranduil romance section wasn't mushy, just very suggestive.

Anyway, here you are, you're probably more interested in this anyway…

Chapter 4

Estel glanced over at Legolas; his friend had said barely a word since the pair had left Mirkwood's halls for a second time, and the man was becoming increasingly worried about his friend. He could tell there was something more than his Father's words bothering him, something he would not tell Estel. "Legolas?" he ventured, there was no answer, "Legolas?" he tried again. This time the Elf looked over at him, and for the first time Estel noticed his friends tear streaked face, and loosened hair. The Prince had been crying, and had loosened his braid so the mortal could not see. Reaching out Estel laid a hand on the Prince's shoulder "Legolas? Do you want to stop?"

The Prince shook his head, not wishing to talk, lest his voice should break. He knew the mortal was simply concerned, and would be prepared to listen. But Legolas could not trust himself to speak of the events.

Estel sighed "Legolas, I would not think any less of you if you were to show your tears. After what your Father has said, I think anybody would be saddened, especially if they had shared a bond as strong as yours. Now let us rest, please Legolas"

Numbly the Prince nodded, and dismounted, patting his horses' neck, then he turned to face Estel, who was looking at him "Have I grown an Extra head?" he asked the mortal.

Estel stepped forward and steered Legolas towards a tree, he knew what was happening, Legolas was blocking out his true feelings, putting on a calm face, when inside his emotions would be in turmoil. "Legolas, do you want to talk?"

"No" mumbled the Prince

"Are you sure? Legolas I think you should, It…"

"Did you not hear me? Or do I speak in some tongue that is foreign to you?" Legolas snapped, pulling away from Estel "I do not wish to talk, I am fine!" then the elf leapt into a tree and disappeared. Estel sat below the tree, sinking to the ground Damn elf! I wish he wasn't so stubborn! He closed his eyes briefly before being startled by a soft singing, it took him a moment to realise it was Legolas' voice. Rising to his feet, Estel climbed into the tree, and followed the sound of the singing to where Legolas sat, in a large tree, his chin resting atop his knees, "I'm sorry, I should not have tried to make you talk" he said,

The elf prince turned to him, and smiled weakly, "Estel," he said "I am the one who is sorry, you are right, I should talk, but do not make me yet, maybe tomorrow, I shall be prepared to talk about the days happenings, but not today, not right now. Not when his words echo at the back of my mind"

Estel nodded and squeezed Legolas hand "Come back to the camp," he urged the Prince, it shall be safer." The mortal was afraid that Legolas may endanger himself out here; after all, the elf Prince was not in a clear state of mind.

Legolas nodded and let the mortal lead him back to their camp, where he sank down to the ground.

"What were you singing back there?"

Legolas looked away "It was an old lullaby, my…" his voice caught in his throat, "My Father sang to me when I was young"

"Legolas, you can't keep living in the past. Why do you not return and speak of this with your Father. He does love you, whatever he said he does love you, and he is probably feeling guilty and wanting you to return, so that he can wrap his arms around you and tell you he is sorry and that he loves you."

Legolas looked up at Estel "As does your Father, I shall return someday perhaps"

Estel rose to his feet "You may well return as King!"

"Do not speak of such things" Legolas snapped "Just, leave me be, Estel," The mortal nodded and settled down beside a tree, he party closed his eyes, watching his friend for a brief moment, before sleep finally overcame him.

Estel woke as the sun broke the horizon; he glanced around the camp, Legolas was still sat in the same position, at first Estel thought he was sleeping, but as Legolas turned towards him, he realised it was not the case. Legolas turned towards him and smiled before rising to his feet "We should be out of Mirkwood soon" he informed the man, "Shall we go into the Grey Mountains for a few days? I hear there are orcs a plenty there!" he smiled devilishly at Estel.

The mortal looked over at the Prince, "Legolas…I don't…" he sighed, knowing it impossible to argue with the Prince, perhaps this excursion would take the Prince's - and his own - mind of recent happenings, he nodded slowly "Well, I am ready if you are!" he replied, with a sly grin.

"As ever!" the Prince confirmed as he leapt onto his horse, and grinned down at Estel, "I was born ready!" he looked up through the boughs in the trees, at the rising sun. It's light spread across the land, giving everything an ethereal beauty. Without a word he rode away towards the edge of Mirkwood, Estel sighed and followed after him. He at least was relieved that the Prince was more his normal state, despite knowing that the prince was shielding his true feelings, wearing the mask that Estel had seen many a time before.

The mist clung to the great citadel, carved out of living rock that stood in the heart of the Grey Mountains. In the throne room sat a beautiful elven Lady, hair as black as ebony, and pure white skin. She sat on a throne, beauteously carved, to the untrained eye; she was a being of power and beauty. But in her eyes nestled darkness, darkness from long ago. She was the Lady Morévende, long ago she had been a kindly elven maiden, but she had been captured by Melkor, who intended to make her an orc. But after much torture he had seen her beauty, and desired not to make her a being of evil, instead he turned her against those she had loved, the elves, and the Lady Elbereth. At first she had resisted, but slowly she began to believe him, he had gifted her with power, and she had become one of his most powerful servants. But then everything had gone wrong. Her master was gone, and she harboured a hatred for all that was good.

She did not care for Melkor now; she wished to rule the rest of Middle Earth herself. And that would start with Mirkwood…and Dol Guldur.

The glint in her eye deepened as a knock sounded at the door. "Enter" she said sweetly

A man strode in, limping slightly and bowed before her, "My Lady" he said in manner of greeting "You wished to see me"

"That I did, that I did…" she said slyly

"What would you have me do, My Lady?"

"I would have you not fail me again" she said "Not like last time, I want him!" she glared at the man "I gave you a second chance, but you shall not get a third."

The man nodded "My Lady, I will not fail you again. I swear"

"You had better not" her voice was as beautiful as her being he noted. "If you succeed, you shall have power. And eventually I shall rule all Middle earth, and have much more power than Elbereth. For I shall own all the rings of Power!" she laughed coldly "Do not fail me my servant. My spies tells me that he heads here as we speak"

"I shall bring him to you" the man replied, nodding "He shall pay for what he did to me!"

"You will need your full strength," she sent a trail of the power Melkor had given her out to him; it circled his leg, removing the last of his remaining wounds.

The man gasped, "It is gone! The pain!" he smiled evilly "My Lady I thank you, I shall bring him to you. I swear I shall"

"You shall, yes you shall. And you shall then be rewarded; you shall be a King, and you will be gifted one of the rings of power when I own them. All shall fear you"

the man grinned "I will do as you ask"

Legolas stopped at the edge of Mirkwood and glanced back at Estel, the mortal rode up to his side and gazed up at the mountains, shrouded in mist, they stood proud and tall. Legolas heard the mortal gasp with wonder. "They are wonderful aren't they" Legolas said "I haven't been here for many, many years" he told the mortal, "in some places, on a clear day; you can see the fringes of Lothlorien." He smiled "It is a beautiful sight, come. We should reach the foothills before dark" the elf sped off then away from the borders of Mirkwood. Estel following in his wake, but a few metres out Legolas stopped and glanced back, "Namarie" he whispered, too quiet for human hearing.

Estel caught up to him and smiled "Legolas don't ride off like that again!" he scolded

Legolas grinned back "I wouldn't lose you if you were not so slow" he replied with a short laugh, riding off again, a little slower this time, so that his friend could keep pace with him. The two rode towards the foothills of the Grey Mountains, talking softly between themselves.

Sure enough, the sun was setting by the time they reached a small forest in the foothills of the Mountains, Legolas dismounted swiftly and landed on the ground. He glanced around, listening for signs of danger, when he was sure there was nothing present, he motioned to Estel. The mortal leapt down beside his friend, and removed his mount's saddle, and tossed it to the ground, beside his pack. Legolas sank to the ground, and removed his quiver, placing it next to his pack, and leaning against a tree. Estel sat beside Legolas and shuddered, this movement did not go unnoticed "It is a cold night" the Prince stated "If you are cold, find some kindling" he stated

Estel nodded "I think I will," he rose and picked up his sword "I will be back soon"

"Be careful" his friend said "Maybe I should go with you"

Estel shook his head "No, you look after the packs and the horses." He said walking off into the surrounding forest.

Legolas leant back, relieved to have a little privacy. Estel was one of his closest friends, but at the moment the Elf Prince was in turmoil. He wanted sometime to think, to be alone.

Estel had not been gone long when Legolas heard hoof beats coming towards him. Quickly he snatched up his bow and fitted an arrow to it, he half expected the newcomer to be elves from Mirkwood, sent by his Father to take him home. He was not expecting the man to ride into the clearing. The bow fell from Legolas' hands, as he looked upon the face of this man. He did not realise the other men were surrounding him, blocking off all routes of escape. All he could see was the one man.

"Hello, Prince Legolas. Remember me?" the man said, a sarcastic grin on his face.

The Prince stared at the man, whispering the mans name in shock "Sannyn"

TBC…

Note: Sannyn features in 'Web of Lies' which is also posted on this site, reading this is not necessary, but some things may make slightly more sense if you have read that…

…I still don't understand what Sannyn's doing here. So don't ask me.

Aranel