Disclaimer: I own nothing, Tlkein, genius that he was, owns everything.
A/N: Yay! New story. This is for those of you that have waited so long for updates on my other fics that I'm finally getting around to updating tonight. Hope you enjoy my newest fic, which has actually been on my pc for quite some time, but anyways: Review at least once to let me know what you think, otherwise I may think you hate it and tha would make me depressed...
A handsome blonde Elven prince wandered aimlessly through the trees of his home, listening to the voices of nature and laughing happily at the beauty of it all. He knew the woodland's secrets and they knew his. He was one with his surroundings and he loved his home very much.
The laughter died upon his lips as he came abruptly upon the Darkness. The woods were so silent in this place that it was deafening. The air was stale and heavy. He found it hard to breathe and he could sense evil with every breath he took. He fitted an arrow onto his bow and crept forward cautiously. "It was many leagues south of this area the last time I was here." He muttered to himself, making no sound as he inched towards the dark, hunched trees. Just as he placed one foot into the Dark a voice called him back.
"Legolas!" Thranduil's deep, clear voice rang through the trees. The King of Mirkwood raced towards his son. "What do you think you are doing? How many times must I tell you: DO NOT GO INTO SHADOW! You know that it is dangerous! You could get lost or kidnapped by Orcs! These parts of the woodlands are a treacherous place in these darker days! You must be more careful!"
"Amin hiraetha Ada. But I was only going to go in a few feet. And the Shadow has moved forward almost 10 leagues in less than a week! It is destroying my home! Our home! And the beauty of the woods and the streams! How can you simply sit here and watch our home be taken from us!" Legolas's voice grew louder with every word until he was shouting at his father as loud as his music-like Elven voice could go. Thranduil looked taken aback; it was unusual for his son to get so angry, especially with him. Legolas was usually very calm and soft-spoken. He always had been, even when he was a small child. Nary a cry had ever passed those beautiful Elven lips.
"Sîdh, ion nin." The king said soothingly. Legolas looked as if he could kill something or someone...whichever decided to move first. Thranduil placed his hand gently on his son's shoulder. Legolas started, and the dark cloud that had passed over his eyes disappeared and returned to their normal sky blue. "I do not like this either, Legolas. But what would you propose I do? Walk blindly into the Darkness and bring all of our people to ruin? I cannot do that; you know I can't. Otherwise I would have done so already if I thought we had even a slight chance of driving this evil from our land."
"I know father. I overreacted and took my blame out on the wrong person." Legolas looked at his feet in shame. "Nin gohenam, I should not have yelled at you. I understand that you cannot stop this, it's just so frustrating; knowing that I cannot stop this thing from taking over my home."
"It angers me as well. I often find myself overcome with the desire to stride straight into Shadow and fight it myself. But I cannot, we do not have the strength to overcome this evil by our forces alone and our kin in Lothlorien are too far away to be of much help to us here."
"Then let me ride to Rivendell! Or to Bree! Aragorn would help us, father! I know he would!" Legolas said eagerly.
"A Man, Legolas? Adanath are weak. What use can they be to us? Even this Aragorn of which you always speak." Thranduil responded uncertainly, unwilling to put the fate of his people in the hands of a Man. "Besides, he is the heir of Isildur, and you know what became of him."
"Father, do you not think that I am a good judge of character?"
"Of course I think you are a good judge of character, but..."
"But nothing! Trust me Father! Aragorn is a good man and an extraordinary fighter. He can help us; I know it." Legolas gave his father his famous 'You-cannot-say-no-to-me-and-you-know-it' puppy-dog face; eyes wide and lower lip quivering. "Please, father?"
"Do not give me that look, Legolas!" Thranduil said defiantly, trying hard not to look at his son's face. "No...I will not allow it. No Legolas!" Legolas stuck his lower lip our further and his eyes filled with forced tears.
"Pleeeaaase! Come on, Father; pleeeaaaseee!!!??? Trust me Father." Legolas pleaded with him.
Thranduil made an irritated groaning noise deep in his throat, "Fine! Just stop giving me the Look!" Legolas grinned happily and hugged his father quickly.
"Thank you Father. You will not regret this! I promise! I shall leave at once." With that he dashed home with all the speed of the elves.
The handsome elven prince was ready to head out less than a half an hour after his father had given him leave to go. He had packed clothing and lembas; put his packs and weaponry onto his snow-white horse. Well, not his horse. He had actually borrowed it from Glorfindel, and he was named Asfaloth. He was a beautiful steed; tall, muscular, and strong. He ran faster than any horse Legolas had ever seen, save Shadowfax.
Legolas hugged and kissed his mother gently and wiped her tears away with the hem of his sleeve. "Fear not, Mother. I shall be home soon with help to lift this curse from our lands. The Shadow shall soon be driven from our home. This I promise you Mother. The time of the Elves is not over. It has only just begun." With that he kissed her cheek, gave his father a quick hug then leaped up on his horse. He smiled at his parents and with a final promise to bring help to his people he leaned forward and whispered in his horses' ear.
"I will ride first to Bree; if Aragorn is not there I will ride to Rivendell. I shall not fail you. Noro lim, Asfaloth." He waved good-bye and rode forward into the setting sun.
He rode first east into the sunrise towards Bree. He figured if he could not find Aragorn on his way to Bree or at Bree itself then he would ride west to Rivendell and hopefully find him there. But when Legolas found the Ranger he was sure that Aragorn would help him and his people. Aragorn was kind and gentle and caring; always fighting for the greater good of the world, not caring whether he died or not, so long as good people were free.
Legolas rode throughout the night and all the next day; he went like this, without sleep, for nearly a week until he reached Bree. He strode purposefully into the Inn and found Mr. Butterbur, the owner.
"Good even' to you laddie, how can I help you?" Recognition flashed across his face, "Dear lord...Legolas? What are you doing here? I haven't seen you in these parts for nigh on ten years." Butterbur rambled on, as he had a tendency to do when he got excited.
"Hello, friend of old. Too long has it been since last we crossed paths!" Legolas bent down and embraced the stout bartender. "But my errand is urgent; dark are my tidings from Mirkwood. Is there any hope that I may find he whom you call Strider here?"
Butterbur frowned, concentrating hard, "No," he said slowly, "Strider was here going on 2 days ago, but he left for Rivendell at dawn yesterday morn'."
"Alas! I have just missed him then! I am sorry, old friend, I must leave at once. I must catch up with Aragorn!" He gave Butterbur a last one-armed hug, and leaving a slightly confused Butterbur behind him, dashed out the door, blonde hair streaming out behind him. He whistled and called out to his horse, "Asfaloth!" Asfaloth came charging out of the bar straight at Legolas and halted before him. "Ride hard Asfaloth, we must catch Aragorn!" Asfaloth reared, neighing, then took off like a shot, rider and horse's hair flying about them on the wind.
Translations
Amin hiraetha Ada- I'm sorry, Father
Sîdh, ion nin-peace, my son
Nin gohenam-Forgive me
Adanath- Men
TO BE CONTINUED...
A/N:How do you like it so far? I know this chapter is rather uneventful, but it gets better, this chap is just to set up the plot. ANd no, I'm not sure if he knows that dude from Bree, yes, I know he had a name but I'm tired and Im too lazy to scroll back up to see what it is. Also, no I don't know if this takes place before or after the trilogy...I think it's before...you'll have to ask my plotmuse/bunny/person/thing.. whatever... Please don't flame b/c of these holes in my plot. Many thanks.
