Authors notes: - Thank you for all the reviews. I hope you enjoy this...or not :-) !

OOO

Legolas peered at the wall with an expression of confusion and irritation. It was this way; he could feel it and his body itched at the halt in movement towards his goal. Running his hands across the wall he tried to feel for a hidden door or something to indicate that there was anything beyond this wall. The stone was cold beneath his fingers; he could feel every bump and crack; the imperfections that marred its smooth surface, but nothing that felt like a door.

"Damn it!" he cried striking his fist into the wall in frustration. "I know its there!" he exclaimed. For a few moments he stopped, struggling to decide his next course of action. The wall was in the way that was all that his mind would tell him and with an increasing desperation he began clawing at the stone trying to break through it with his bare hands. After a few minutes only a slight hole had appeared and his nails were cracked and bleeding. Tears of anger and panic streamed down his face and he looked around wildly for another way past the wall. With actions that suited more a wounded and trapped animal, Legolas scrambled, sometimes on his hands and knees, to try and find a way past the immovable obstacle.

His actions moved him further down the passage to a place that looked as if no one had entered it since it was built by his ancestors. Cobwebs lined the wall and hung across the passage, some with exceptionally large spiders with black bodies waiting for some unfortunate creature to fall into their clutches. If Legolas was thinking rationally this alone would tell his that there must be a way out near there to provide the spiders with food, however this was not the case and Legolas thrashed through the cobwebs covering himself in their sticky strands, looking more and more like a wild faerie than an elven prince or for that matter an elf of any rank.

A glimmer of light caught his eye and he turned to see the golden leaf of Mirkwood imprinted on the wall. Stopping all movement for an instant he stepped towards the symbol with a nervous caution, delighted but afraid at the same time. Brushing his fingers over the burnished gold he watched as it glowed for a second, then a panel revealed itself and moved aside to reveal a stone. Of all the things Legolas had expected to find a rounded emerald stone was not it. He reached tentatively for the stone and the moment his fingers touched it he was flung backwards. Hitting the wall hard he sat dazed for a few moments trying to regain his bearings.

"Why have I been summoned?" a voice commanded and Legolas looked up from his position on the ground to see a shimmering cloaked figure stood in front of him. For an instance Legolas just sat there with his mouth open in shock. His first thought was that he was not dead. The advisor had been killed the instant he had touched the stone. He was still alive so that was one step in the right direction.

Clearing his throat he pulled himself up.

"I am Prince Legolas fourth son of King Thranduil."

The figure shifted slightly. "I already know that you are of royal blood or you would be dead and I would not have been disturbed. Why have you summoned me?"

"Mirkwood is under attack and about to fall to darkness."

"And you wish for aid?"

"Yes." Legolas studied the figure and narrowed his eyes as he swore the figure laughed. He is not alive therefore he cannot laugh. What is it exactly? He wondered. Is the figure speaking from somewhere else or is it a message left behind.

"Do you understand the terms of the agreement?" the figure demanded.

"Yes" Legolas stated although he couldn't recall any terms. Death would be the worst outcome and would that really be such a terrible thing, he mused.

"Good. Step forward and place both hands on the stone."

Taking a deep breath he stepped forward and did as he was told.

OO

The sun dipped below the horizon and the last beams of light, one by one, disappeared, darkness descended on the forest and it began to fall eerily quiet. The normal nocturnal sounds were non-existent as the night creatures had taken the example of those that dwelled in the day and remained hidden in their holes. The sounds of battle that had been so prevalent during the day had also shuddered into silence. Elves, men and dwarfs all recognising that now was the time to hide as the night was the dark creatures favourite domain. Despite this a small group of elves, men and dwarfs wound their way through the forest trying despite the darkness to follow the tracks of those that had taken their friends and commanders hostage. One of the elves in particular looked to be severely wounded or exhausted and was staggering along using the trees as a support.

Azian tripped over the tree root and sprawled upon the ground with a pained moan. A frustrated cry burst from his lips and he hit the ground hard over and over again, tears blurring his vision and a sob emerging from his throat. He felt Elrond kneel beside him and rub his back soothingly.

"Azian." He whispered gently. Azian shrugged him off and hauled himself to his feet.

"Let me go. I do not need your help!" the elf pulled himself to his feet and continued down the path. Elrond watched him go and didn't move to follow. After a few moments Azian realised he was alone and he turned to see the others stood watching him.

"Well?" he said indicating the path ahead of them.

"Well what Azian?" Elrond replied. "It is almost dark, an extremely dangerous time for us to be wondering through the forest. We cannot see the tracks to follow them and we risk getting lost in our quest."

"I can follow it!" Azian snapped.

"You are doing a fantastic job so far as the trail leads that way not the way you are going." Elrond pointed out with exasperation.

Azian frowned and moved to where Elrond had pointed, the elf lord was correct and with a deep shuddering sigh the younger elf moved back to the group. Elrond watched the elf but Azian avoided his gaze and instead found his feet very interesting. With a sigh himself he moved the group off the trail. Azian quickly disappeared into a tree and after a few minutes a quiet sobbing could be heard. There was no talking among the group and a miserable atmosphere prevailed. No fire could be lit so any morsels of food that could be eaten cold were shared; unfortunately the meagre supplies meant that the hunger that weakened them did not abate. Water was also at very low levels and if some untainted supplies were not found soon then the group could not continue. As all these thoughts crossed his mind he realised the hopelessness of the situation, Mirkwood was lost unless a miracle happened. They needed to retreat and try to make a stand on the plains beyond the borders but he feared that their attempt to save Mirkwood had proved to be a fatal mistake on their parts. If it was at all possible he needed to get a messenger out and summon the remaining armies of Middle Earth. How stupid we were to allow our emotions to control our decisions!

He abruptly jarred himself from his thoughts as Azian moved down from the tree. He sat next to Elrond.

"I am sorry." He whispered. "My behaviour is inexcusable for one of my position."

Elrond frowned at the formal tones. "Do not apologise Azian it is unnecessary, as for positions I hardly think now is the time for rank to be important, in fact it should be I who defer to you as I am in your realm."

Azian snorted. "It is hardly a realm now is it? My father and Aeolian have been captured. Kahari is dead and Valor knows about Legolas. Our people are dead or scattered throughout. Even if this fight is won, we can no longer sustain this realm."

"Maybe but a smaller, more contained realm would be able to flourish. Do not despair." Azian smiled slightly and curled up intending to sleep. Elrond had to look away as a wave of guilt swept over him. He was such a hypocrite trying to reassure the prince when at the same time he was planning how to retreat and abandon Mirkwood.

A terrible crash of thunder made all of them jump and Azian curled tighter in an attempt to protect his body from the imminent onslaught of torrential rain. The others too huddled together to try and conserve heat.

"Maybe the rain will drive the dark creatures into their burrows." One of the men commented as the first of the large rain drops fell.

"Or wash them away." An elf replied with a wistful note to his voice. As the rain increased Azian shifted slightly placing his hand on one of the ancient trees that surrounded them. A quiet stream of elvish emerged from the tired elf and with a creak that made those who were not wood elves jump; the trees moved their branches to provide a shelter over the group. Soon after Azian thanked the trees and fell asleep.

"What was that?" one of the men asked in awe. Elrond smiled slightly at the stunned expressions of the men and dwarfs.

"Did you think it myth that the wood elves could talk to trees? Their connection with nature is something that no one can explain even the great wizards like Gandalf." Elrond said himself slightly awed at the ease at which the wood elves could communicate with nature.

The trees' shelter worked well and only a few drops entered the area. Slightly cheered at the prospect of sleeping and remaining dry the group assigned watches and sleep quickly claimed them.

O

Elrond was awoken from his sleep by a whimper next to him and he turned to see Azian's face contorted as if in terrible pain. The young elf whispered his brother's name and shifted slightly. Not wanting to wake the elf but at the same time wanting to sooth him he reached out and smoothed Azian's hair. For a brief instance Azian tensed but then Elrond felt his body relax and the lines on his forehead smooth out as he settled into a deeper sleep. Good he thought he needed the sleep. The rain had abated somewhat but the clearing was still dry as were those in it. Just as Elrond had settled down to return to sleep for a few more hours a terrific boom trembled through the ground and the air trembled with static. Azian sat bolt upright with a gasp.

"Legolas!"

OOO