Disclaimer: Same disclaimers as before apply here.

A/N: i am NOT attempting to write a story soley based on Tolkien's world. i'm making my own characters that would be losely based on Tolkien's own so i hope this AN would remove all reviews that tell me that my story is inconsistent to Tolkien's cause it is MEANT to be inconsistent.


Chapter 01 – Brush with Death

Gimli, son of Groin, walked next to his companions as they entered the dense forest which was the only path that would lead them to Mirkwood. "How far are we from your kingdom Master Elf?" he inquired at the silent elf next to him.

"A little more that five leagues from here," he answered quietly, grasping the dagger on his waist unconsciously. "Though I cannot be sure for if we were less than ten leagues from the palace, the palace guards would have been escorting us already, and yet, I cannot feel their presence," he added with a frown. "And something smells foul in the horizon," he thought to himself.

"They may be here Legolas, you of all elves know that your own guards are highly trained in the art of silence," Aragorn said with a slight grin, but nonetheless grasping his sword securely to his side. "Thranduil would not be so careless as to no have his son unprotected even after the destruction of the ring. Especially since this homecoming will mean the passing of the crown already."

"Don't remind me Aragorn. It's something I wish not to go through with but have to," Legolas answered heavily, briskly walking in front of the trio of travelers. "Father has been most insistent ever since the ring had been destroyed."

"But I thought you were ready to take the crown for you have come back at Lord Thranduil's wishes," Gimli asked. "Don't you like the idea of ruling this magnificent kingdom?"

"Oh I love this kingdom alright, 'tis the responsibilities I cannot take," he answered wryly at his friend. "Father is ready to pass on the crown for he knows that his time is past. But there are still too many things to experience and I have little interest in managing a kingdom. There's so much more than kingdom accounts, balls and parties and economic responsibilities," Legolas shuddered slightly at the job that lay before him.

Even as a child, Legolas found ways to miss his responsibilities, wanting more to traipse through the forest and wander with his other friends who shared his love of complete freedom. He was at his happiest when he was in the forest, unbound by duties, parties and gatherings as well as maiden elves that fawned over him. I find my horses more appealing than they are, he thought irritatedly.

"That sounds a lot like someone we know," Gimli chuckled before grinning at Aragorn who rolled his eyes in response. "Glad I don't have that kind of responsibility, rather I'd be just visiting your splendid kingdoms to enjoy the delicious food and ale," he said jokingly.

"I'll make sure these skilled guards will shoot you before you even step foot in my kingdom," Legolas said straight-faced at his vertically-challenged friend. "Don't tell me you actually enjoy the company of elves now Master Gimli," he teased before abruptly stopping in front of them. "Quiet," he commanded softly, looking ahead intensely.

All three companions had their grips on their weapons immediately. Though the ring had been destroyed a few months back, they hadn't been completely free from the dangers that still lurked Middle Earth. Legolas heard the distant crumpling of leaves a couple of hundred paces from where they were. It dawned upon him that the chirping of the birds as well as the humming of the cicadas had stopped. They had their backs to each other, ready to do battle.

The ominous wind blew the dried leaves at their direction along with a distinct growl. Uruk-hai. They'd know that sound anywhere. Unsheathing their weapons, the Uruk-Hai charged out of the dense coverings of the forest. Their growls emitting heathen breaths at the three companions.

"567 for me, 498 for you Master Dwarf," Legolas reminded Gimli with a grin, before releasing his arrow to the nearest orc. "568!"

"Not for long you arrogant, cheating elf!" Gimli roared, kicking the orc on his chest and embedding his axe on its chest. "499!"

Contorted faces charged from all directions with steel clashing upon steel. Aragorn deftly lopped off the orc's head and straight to the next one's chest heaving the sword to the direction of the sudden invasion. Gimli emitted off a cry as he lumbered with his great axe at the orc. Five more jumped on top of him but he heaved them off him, chopping off arms and other orc parts.

Then a loud rumbling came down the path like gray balls of lumpy parts. "Trolls! Aragorn!" Legolas shouted at his friend's way. Two massive trolls crushed every bush that was in their way as well as the fallen orcs to the direction where Gimli and Aragorn were. Three successive arrows pierced the first troll making it growl. It stood up and swung its arms.

Aragorn and Legolas battled the trolls while Gimli continued his fight with the Uruk-Hai. Legolas jumped up a tree to have a better view of the battle ground and shoot his arrows accurately at the slimy orcs. Unbeknownst to him an orc followed him up and before the Elven prince could defend himself, the orc slashed his midsection with its filthy hands, removing a large portion of flesh, blood flowing out of his body.

Legolas' eyes glazed over in pain but not before he planted his dagger on the orc's chest. Losing consciousness, Legolas, prince of Mirkwood, fell from the tree he was on moments before.

Minutes later, Aragorn and Gimli subdued their enemies and surveyed the battle ground. "Where did those Uruk-hai surface from Aragorn?" Gimli asked, wiping orc blood from his arms.

Aragorn surveyed the area that they were in and smiled thinly. "I should have known sooner. We are near a powerful healer's dwelling. Orcs love to visit her home once in a while, how could I forget that," he asked himself, remembering his own visit in the healer's home.

"Her?" Gimli inquired, pulling his axe from a fallen orc's body.

"Her—Where is Legolas?" Aragorn asked, urgently scanning the ground before resting at the base of a tree.

"Legolas!" Gimli shouted before running towards their fallen friend. Thick blood oozed from the elf's temple. Gimli gave off a shocked gasped as they both saw the exposed ribcage of the prince, blood coagulating on the rough clothing. "Oh dear spirits," he gasped.

Aragorn shook himself from the shock that he was in and touched the elf's wrist for a pulse. "He still has a pulse."