Cheating Darkness: Part III

by Roseblade22

Legolas already lost his wife-he'll do anything to protect his son Ithildor now, even hide his own past. The rebellious young half-elf yearns for the outside world, but what Ithildor doesn't know is that the outside world could yield more than he realized.

1. Default Chapter

Disclaimer: I don't own any of Tolkien's characters or places. I do own Ithildor, however. Not to be confused with Isildur.

((((((((((((((((((((((((CHEATING DARKNESS: PART III))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

AN: I'm trying a different approach to beginning chapters, as you will soon see. All chapters will begin with an entry in Ithildor's, Legolas's son's diary. I do this because it will help the time pass faster and to help the story tie in with Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, and also to help readers better understand Ithildor's character.

This story also takes place in the years 3018-3019, the same as the original Lord of the Rings. Don't worry, Tolkien's story will be untouched, because now, even though I listed Legolas as the main character, Ithildor's journey is the one we'll be following instead of his father's. BUT the journey will have a lot to do with Legolas, Eressa, and other aspects of Ithildor's hidden past. Ithildor is also about 41 years old at the time, making him a teenager in elf terms (I read somewhere that elves read physical maturity at the age of 50, but are not considered adults until the age of 100—in human terms, this can make Ithildor anywhere between 15 and 16 years old). I realize that this seems sort of impossible if you look at Orlando Bloom and try to imagine his character of Legolas having a teenage kid, but lets just forget that for a bit, eh?

I hope you guys enjoy this story. It's quite different than my others.

(((((((((((((((((((((o Chapter 1 o))))))))))))))))))))))))

October 12, 3018

I hate my life. Today Ada (AN: elvish for "Dad") wouldn't let me go on a ride in the forest with Rothas and Earedol. He said it's too dangerous for me to go out without a royal guard. Ever since we were attacked and that Gollum creature escaped he's been so paranoid. No…he's been that way always. Never letting me do anything. I spoke to Grandfather, and he said it's only because Ada loves me. But if he does, than why can't he give me a chance to be on my own once in a while? I'm 41, for Valar's sake. He treats me as if I'm still an elfling.

There's been word of war growing too. People say that Sauron has come back and will stop at nothing to control all of middle earth. Some even say that the One Ring has been found! I asked Ada if there is a war, would I be able to fight in it. He said no, I'm not yet old enough. Of course.

I'm getting sick of being told that. I'm going to dinner now. Namarie'.

Ithildor

o))))))))))))))))))))))

Ithildor stared at his dessert as it was served to him. Honey cake—it had always been his favorite, ever since he was small. Looking up, he watched as the servants placed a slice of cake on his father's plate, and then his grandfather's. The King quickly picked up his fork and began eating…it seemed that the love for sweets ran in the family.

Ithildor looked at his father, who was seated across from him, at his grandfather's right side. He didn't seem to notice the food on his plate. He seemed deep in thought. As Ithildor took his own forkful of honey cake, he wondered what his father could be thinking about so seriously.

The King must have been thinking the same thing.

"Legolas…you haven't touched your dessert." He said quietly.

Legolas's head shot up, the King's statement catching him by surprise. "I'm sorry, father."

"What's on your mind?" The King asked.

Legolas didn't answer. He just shook his head.

Ithildor frowned and put down his fork. His father normally didn't act like this. "Ada?" He asked.

Legolas looked up and met the eyes of his son. Blue eyes looked into green eyes. Ithildor had green eyes so alike to those of his mother's. Finally the Prince spoke.

"A messenger from Rivendell arrived today." He confessed.

Ithildor smiled brightly. "Was it Elrohir? Or Elladan?"

"No, I'm sorry, Ithildor." Legolas answered. "But they had urgent news…and I'm…" Legolas stopped.

The King blinked, concerned. "What has happened?"

Legolas sighed. "It's been confirmed that the One Ring survives. It's being brought to Rivendell as we speak. I've been given orders from Lord Elrond that I'm to come to Rivendell by the 25th. There is to be a Council."

"Of what?" Ithildor asked curiously.

"Of all races. The fate of the Ring will be decided."

Ithildor's eyes went wide. "Can I come?" He asked.

"Absolutely not." Legolas answered. "You were not invited. This is a very private affair."

"But I'm you're son!" Ithildor argued. "Doesn't that count?"

"Ithildor, you should listen to your father." The King warned.

Ithildor looked at his grandfather, then at his Ada. They both handed him stern looks. He slumped back in his chair and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Fine."

"Ithildor, under any other circumstances, I would bring you." Legolas said after a few minutes.

"You would not." Ithildor replied grumpily.

"I would…but I might not return for a long time. I cannot afford to take you with me." Legolas cocked his head as his son looked stubbornly away. "Do you understand me?"

"I do." Groaned the youth. "May I be excused?"

Legolas looked at the King and the King nodded. No sooner was the action complete did Ithildor rise up from the table and storm off towards his room. Legolas sighed and held his head in his hands.

"I'm a terrible father." He half-laughed.

"You were just as stubborn as he was when you were younger, and you know it, Legolas." The King answered.

"I know it."

"He is a growing youth, Legolas. He needs space. I've noticed that you haven't been letting him out alone anymore." The King cocked his head. "In fact, Ithildor told me so."

Legolas nodded grimly. "What else can I do? The spiders and wargs have become more numerous than ever…I don't want Ithildor without a guard accompanying him."

"I understand that." The King replied. He took a deep breath and paused. "Legolas, don't you think Ithildor is old enough to know?"

Legolas looked up, a glimmer in his eyes. A memory. "Know what?" He asked.

The King narrowed his eyes. "You know what about. About his mother. About you. About himself."

Legolas sat up and shook his head. "I can't tell him that now."

"Yes, I know." The King said. "But maybe you should think about explaining it to him when you return from Rivendell."

Legolas closed his eyes for a moment and thought of his son. "I know you are right, Father. I will think about it."

Legolas got up from the table.

"You haven't eaten you're cake yet." The King told him.

The Prince frowned. "I'm not hungry."

Legolas walked away from the table and his father. He walked until he found himself in a familiar, sad place. His wife's gravestone, a simple marble statue, stood as his feet. He knelt down and traced the letters of her name with his fingertips.

But the letters on the gravestone didn't spell out his wife's true name. It spelt out the name Vanuiel…not Eressa. Legolas tried to shed his guilt caused by telling his son years of lies about his mother, but not even the greatest pardon could calm his sorrowful soul. He wanted to believe he was protecting Ithildor in this way, but in all reality…he was also pitifully trying to protect himself from his own enormous grief.

"Oh, Eressa." He whispered. "I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do about anything…anymore."

Eressa's gravestone didn't offer Legolas anything except silence. He was used to that.

"I have a bad feeling about leaving, Eressa." He continued. "I fear there will be war. I fear there will be great tragedy, great bloodshed. Sauron has returned."

A cool burst of wind blew Legola's long blonde hair into his face. It had finally grown back to it's original length. He closed his eyes as he remembered back to the time when he had cut it. When Eressa was still alive…when they were happy.

"Why did you leave me?" He asked her. "I can't raise Ithildor on my own. He hates me. He hates that I don't let him follow me on my travels…he hates that I…" He paused and wiped a tear away. "Eressa…I hate myself too. I hate that I have to hide you from him. Ithildor should have known you."

Legolas sobbed. "I only do it to protect him…to keep him from making the same mistake I did."

He pressed his hand over the fake name carved into the marble. "Someday, I promise you, Eressa…your son will know you. And you're real name will be carved in a gravestone far more marvelous than this one and…"

Legolas broke down. He felt himself slump, all his body collapsing, except for his one hand that stayed tightly pressed to the words on the stone. He didn't know how long he sat there, crying like a child. He only hoped that his son would never see him like this.

o)))))))))))))))))

Upstairs in his room, Ithildor watched out the window as his father limply leaned against his mother's gravestone. Why was he crying? Ithildor watched him kneel in front of the grave nearly every night and speak quietly to his mother, but never did he see him cry. Ithildor backed away. It frightened him that his father so suddenly could become like this. Ithildor knew his father had heard the rumors of evil rising again in the east. Was the world really coming to an end this time? He had studied the history of Middle Earth in his schooling—all the wars between good and evil…good always seemed to overcome—what made it that way? And would it be the same this time around?

Ithildor backed into his bed and sat upon it, feeling the satin covers with his palms. He wondered if his father's tears were his fault.

It's because of Mother…he thought. He'll never forgive me for being born.

Ever since he was a child, Ithildor was told that his mother had died giving birth to him. Ithildor had never been sure if his father had truly forgiven him.

A loud screech interrupted Ithildor's thoughts. He looked over to the corner of the room, where his pet hawk, Gilandor, was perched.

Ithildor raised his forearm. "Here, Gilandor."

The hawk screeched again and flew across the room, landing on Ithildor's arm. The young elf smiled at the bird as he stroked its soft feathers.

"I hope everything will be alright, Gilandor." He whispered. "Wouldn't want anything to happen to you."

The bird cocked its head to the side and stared at the young elf through it's round, golden eye. Ithildor sighed. "You wouldn't understand though, would you?" He asked.

The bird screeched once more and then began to preen its feathers.

Ithildor chuckled darkly and walked the bird back over to its perch. He began to carefully clasp a little leather band on the hawk's right leg, so he couldn't fly away into the night. Gilandor had a tendency to do that and not return until late the next morning. Ithildor stopped and paused just as he was about to fasten the last clasp around the bird's leg.

"No…maybe you do understand, Gilandor." He continued. He looked up at the bird. "Do you feel the way I do? Do you want to be let out, without any ties to bind you?"

Gilandor stopped preening and cocked his head to the side again, ruffling his dark feathers. Ithildor sighed and took off the band from around the bird's leg. He took him onto his arm again and approached the window.

"Well, if that's how you feel, you can go." He told the bird. "You'll fly away and be free."

Ithildor stuck his arm and the bird out the window and shook both of them lightly, to encourage the bird to fly off. But Gilandor just dug his talons into the fabric of Ithildor's tunic and held on. He let out a few loud screeches.

"Well, come on. Go!" Ithildor urged and shook his arm harder.

"Ithildor…what in Valar's name are you doing?" Came a voice.

Ithildor gasped and spun around, quickly pulling in his arm and his pet as he did. His grandfather Thranduil stood before him, a strange look on his face. "Grandfather…I didn't here you come in."

"Obviously." The King chuckled before becoming serious. "Just what were you doing?"

Ithildor felt it was best to tell the truth for now and not lie. "I thought Gilandor wasn't happy with being restrained at night. I thought he'd be happier free…I mean…" There was a long pause before the young elf continued. "…that's the way I feel."

Thranduil sighed and took the bird off of his grandchild's arm, stroking the soft feather's of its chest. "Well, clearly, Gilandor is happy staying with you."

Ithildor exhaled, and watched as the King silently walked the hawk over to its perch and fastened the band around it's leg. Then he approached him again.

Ithildor watched as his grandfather placed a gentle but strong hand on his shoulder. I'm going to get one of those 'coming of age' lectures again…He predicted.

"Ithildor…I think you and I had better have a talk." Thranduil said, as if on cue. "I know it's hard for you to believe, but I understand that you are feeling a bit trapped in your own skin right now. It's normal for an elf of your age."

"I'm not trapped in my own skin, Grandfather." Ithildor disagreed. "I'm comfortable with myself. I'm trapped in my own house…that's what."

"Your father told me that you have been asking more and more often to go out alone lately." Thranduil told.

"Yes…he doesn't let me do any of it though." Ithildor answered. "But I am almost an adult. Why doesn't he let me? I'm sick of it."

"You're father loves you, Ithildor, as do we all. We just want to keep you safe, and these are dangerous times." The King replied.

"I know, but I've heard that excuse a thousand times!" Ithildor said, his frustration growing. "All I'm asking is one chance to prove to Ada that I'm old enough to go out on my own. I won't get hurt. I promise."

The King offered his grandson a warm, reassuring smile. "You will only have to wait a little while longer, Ithildor…"

"I'm sick of waiting!" Ithildor shouted. "I've been waiting all my life!"

Ithidor suddenly realized he had raised his voice and backed up a step, out of his grandfather's grasp. "I'm sorry." He said meekly, turning away.

"Ithildor, you're father…I will talk to him." The King offered. "You know, he was once like you too."

"Did you let him do what he wanted?"

"Well, yes I did, but Legolas had Uncle Ithilion to look after him then. You're an only child." Thranduil added with a smile. "And because I let those two run amuck, you would not believe the trouble they caused."

Ithildor smiled meekly. "Like the story you told me about when Ada fell off his horse and broke his arm just an hour after he received it for his birthday?"

"Yes." The King laughed.

"Wasn't he a little younger than I am now when that happened?"

The King thought a moment. "I believe he had just turned 34, so yes."

"Tell me the story when Uncle Ithilion dared Ada to go and catch a spider hatchling." Ithildor said, cheering up completely now and sitting on his bed.

Thranduil rolled his eyes. "Ithildor, you must know that story better than I do by now."

"So, I still like hearing it." Ithildor said. "Tell me, Grandfather, please?"

"Alright…" The King gave in. "…but only if you promise to go right to sleep afterward. Remember, you have an archery lesson in the morning and you should be well rested."

Ithildor groaned. "I hate archery lessons."

The King frowned. "You have to take them. Don't you want to become as good of an archer as you father?"

Ithildor threw his hands up. "Ada is the best archer in all of Middle Earth. I can't be that good."

"You are also much younger than he is. It took Legolas many hard years to finally perfect his skill. It will take you just as long." The King explained.

"Yippee." The young elf replied enthusiastically. "Will you tell the story now?"

Thranduil smiled at his grandson's pleading face. He looked so alike to his father, yet his eyes were the striking green that he had inherited from his mother. His hair was put up half-way, as all the elven males did, and it was a slightly darker shade compared to Legolas's.

Like his uncle…Thranduil thought fondly of his eldest son. He opened his mouth and began the story.

((((((((o Flashback o))))))))))

"Well? Are you going to go our there? Or are you going to just loiter about like a measly old orc?" Ithilion laughed terribly at his own joke.

For his younger brother, Legolas, it was the worst torture. His elder sibling and his friends making fun of him, daring him to go alone into the forest at night to do the seemingly impossible: Catch a spider hatchling.

"If I catch one of them, I'll be the one laughing." He shot back after only a moment.

"That is, if you catch one and bring it back here." Ithilion said playfully.

"I'll bring one back." Legolas promised. "And when I do, you'll be sorry."

Ragardol, a friend of Ithilion's that Legolas particularly disliked, snorted. "Oh, my heart clenches in fear!"

"Yes, spare us, Legolas!" Piped in another.

Legolas gave both his brother's friend a good, hard glare and then spun around in a huff. His feet stomped there way towards a clamp on the stable wall that held a torch. He carefully lifted the heavy torch and held it ahead of him, aiming at the black oblivion that was the forest.

"Watch me!" He cried defiantly as he made his way forward.

The young Prince heard more snickers behind him. "Just don't get eaten!" His brother's voice taunted one last time. Legolas tried to drown out the remark with his own thoughts.

They'll be sorry when I come back…he thought stubbornly. And I do have a spider hatchling! That will show them.

As he walked deeper and deeper into the forest, Legolas daydreamed about catching one of the hatchlings. He figured it wouldn't be all that difficult a task, for newly-hatched spiders were only about the size of an adult elf's hand—but they could bite, and although the venom wouldn't be enough to kill or paralyze him, it would be painful. Legolas decided that taking off his cloak and springing upon one of the creatures would be the easiest way to seize one.

The little Prince's daydream continued. He'd bring the hatchling home and first show his brother and his friends, who then would have to take back all their cruel remarks and respect him for doing such a brave thing. And then he would show his Father, and perhaps he'd let Legolas keep the spider as a pet.

At least until it grows too large...the elf thought.

Legolas paused and looked around, the light from his torch flickering upon the dark leaves and branches of the trees around him. It was very quiet, and there was not even a sound from the many birds that lived in the woods.

I must be getting closer. He decided, and walked on.

After only a few more steps, the light from Legolas's torch shone against a large white ball that hung in the heavy branches of a tree not far away, directly in front of the lone elf. The ball, Legolas could see, was made from finely spun silk, and it was so large, that if Legolas stretched out his arms and legs as far as he could, he would still be able to fit inside it comfortably.

This is it…The young Prince thought. This is the spider's nest.

The elf ducked into the foliage and put out his torch in the dirt. If there were any adult spiders nearby he could not let them know of his presence. Slowly, and on his hands and knees, Legolas crept towards the tree. His adrenaline was pumping into his veins, and he felt like he would be able to take on anything.

Legolas paused when he was directly underneath the nest. It hovered above him like a large white orb, and he looked up to wonder about it once more. Then he saw what he had missed: carcasses of animals hung close to the nest, strung up like gruesome holiday ornaments. Legolas glanced back down and found more bones lying in front of him.

The young Prince gulped. He would not become too frightened now, not after he had gone this far. He would catch a spider hatchling.

The young elf slowly stood up. He was very careful not to make a sound, for even the smallest disturbance could alert the spiders of his presence. He looked up once more, and realized that now he could actually reach out and graze the skin of the giant cocoon above his head. He briefly wondered how the tree could hold such an enormous weight.

Legolas suddenly heard a scuttling sound from inside the nest. He crouched down to the ground as quick as a bolt of lightning, and waited and watched. What immerged from the nest surprised him.

He saw the legs first. They peeked out and felt around, no larger than a twig. Then after them came a small head and body, with eight tiny eyes flashing.

A hatchling! Legolas thought, delighted.

The small creature paused for a moment, then quickly scurried from the entrance of the nest across a thread of silk. It paused again while balancing on the thread, and Legolas got a better looked at it. It was true, this spider was only as large as his Father's hand, and instead of an ugly festering black, it's color was more of a pale yellow. It had thousands of tiny hairs growing everywhere on it's body, and it's eyes darted about with a fierce curiosity.

The creature moved again, this time settling on one of the dangling carcasses above Legolas's head. It began to eat.

Legolas watched the thing for a moment or two before removing his cloak. If he made his move now, while the his prey was distracted, he could seize the little spider. And then his brother would have to hold his tongue the next time he tried to put down Legolas.

A smile formed on the Prince's face as he slowly stood up again. The carcass the hatchling was feeding off of was a large deer, and it hung low to the ground. Legolas rose up to his full height, and he was eye to eye with the hatchling.

The little spiderling caught sight of his movement and turned quickly to face him, it's front legs raised defensivly. It seemed confused, however, when it finally saw what was in front of it, and paused. Legolas grinned like a maniac at the creature.

"Got you!" He whispered defiantly as he flung his thick cloak upon the thing. The Prince bundled it up, and felt the thing struggling under the fabric and his fingers. He had it. The elf turned to run back towards the palace, but suddenly, something hit him in the back, knocking him forward…and into the spider's nest.

Legolas fell to the ground with a thud, his cloak rolling out from under his arm. He reached to close the gap in the fabric as quickly as he could, but with a yellow flash the hatchling—his catch—scurried out.

Legolas looked above his head, angrily wondering what could have caused him to fall. He saw the deer carcass the spiderling had been sitting on swaying back and forth.

I did that…the young elf realized. When I threw my cloak it caused the carcass to swing and come back and hit me.

Another movement caught the Prince's eye. The Nest.

Like a festering wound about to burst, out of the nest exploded hundreds of tiny spiders, exactly alike to the one he had tried to catch. And they swarmed, covering the branches of the trees and the carcasses, spilling out onto the ground. And they came right towards him.

Poor Legolas did the only thing he could do. He screamed.

o)))))))))))))))))))))

"I wonder how long it will take before your brother comes back weeping, Ithilion." Ragardol thought aloud.

"He has been gone for some time." The elder Prince stated. There was a tremble in his voice.

"Oh, you aren't starting to worry about him, are you?" Ragardol laughed.

Meadros, the other young elf piped in. "Aw, that's touching."

The three youths had abandoned the ground and climbed a tall oak near the edge of the forest. There they said they would wait until young Prince Legolas would return. But now, after nearly an hour had passed, there was no sign of him. For Ithilion it was nerve-racking.

The older Prince said nothing in reply to his friends. He simply slipped down gracefully to the ground.

"Hey!" Cried Ragardol. "What are you doing?"

Ithilion looked up into the leaves with a stern stare. "I'm going to find him and bring him back." He said simply.

"Come on, Ithilion, I'm sure he's fine." Meadros suggested. "He's probably just hiding out in the woods, trying to make you worry."

"I don't think so." Said Ithilion quietly. He quickly fetched his horse from the nearby stables, then rejoined his friends by the tree. "I'm going now." He announced. "You can follow, if you like."

Ragardol snorted in amusement, and Meadros didn't move. Ithilion nodded. "Very well." He hopped on his horse and started off into the forest.

It was very quiet in the darkness under the trees. Ithilion rode his horse bareback, and his hands held fast a bow. An arrow was always cocked, ready to fire at his enemies. He began to wonder what sort of stupidity made him pressure Legolas to come out here without any weapons at all.

The wind blew back his dark blonde locks, and the Prince shivered. But the breeze brought something more to him other than cold. He heard a high-pitched voice float by, unlike that of any bird or animal. Ithilion's breath caught in his throat. Was it a scream?

With a stab of fear and a kick of his heels, Ithilion ordered his horse to trot forward faster. He prayed that he was headed in the same direction as Legolas had.

It was not long until he came upon it. It was huge, round, and white. The Spider's Nest. Ithilion was astounded by the sight of it, but soon became aware of the growing danger and held his bow aloft, scanning the ground and branches for any sign of either his brother or the spiders.

"Pst!" He whispered harshly, leaping off his horse and approaching the scene. "Pst! Legolas! Are you here!"

There was a strange, strangled sound to his left, and a tiny movement. Instantly Ithilion whipped his weapon around to face whatever creature had caused it. His eyes widened in terror.

"Legolas?" He asked, and he hopped off his horse and rushed foreward.

The body of his little brother hung upside-down from the branches of the tree, caked and covered in the silken stickiness of the spider's web. For a moment Ithilion feared the worst, but then he saw the bundle tremble once more, and another whimper escaped from it. Quickly he ripped open the webs covering Legolas's face so that he could breath.

The young elf coughed and gasped when he saw his brother standing in front of him. "Ithilion!" He whispered.

Instantly the elder Prince was angry. "Legolas, you fool!" He cried as quietly as he could muster. "How could you get yourself in such trouble?

"It's not all my fault!" Retorted the younger, and the words hit Ithilion like a blow between the eyes. It was true…Legolas wouldn't have gotten into this had he and his friends not pressured him to.

"Be quiet." He ordered, lowing his voice to a whisper once again. "I'll get you out."

The older youth whipped out a knife from his belt and hastily began cutting away at the threads that held his brother aloft. Legolas continued whining.

"I'm going to tell Father," He threatened. "You won't be allowed out for weeks!"

"Hold still hush up!" Answered Ithilion. "You do that and you know as well as I do you'll be punished as well."

Legolas furrowed his brow and gave his brother an upside-down frown. "Hmph." He muttered stubbornly. "I'm still going to tell Fath—AHH!"

Ithilion's knife struck the last thread of silk that held his brother up, and the younger Prince fell in a heap on the ground. His small cry echoed through the trees, and Ithilion looked up and around in fear.

"Shh!" He scolded Legolas, who hopped up and began hastily tearing the remainder of the spider webs off his clothing. "Come on," The elder brother ordered.

He took his younger brother's hand and led him to the horse. Ithilion noticed that she was sweating and acting nervous. Again he turned his head and looked everywhere he could—in the tree branches, in the shadows—and he listened as hard as his elven ears could hear…but there was nothing.

He reached out a hand to his horse and whispered to her. "There, there…steady…" He offered softly, then looked at Legolas, who was still standing next to him, hunched over and obviously grumpy. "Legolas, get on." He said with a harder tone.

The little elf Prince gave another snort of disgust to his brother, but didn't hesitate to swing onto the back of the horse. For some reason, Legolas felt suddenly safer on top of the large animal, even though she herself seemed to be nervous.

Legolas glanced at Ithilion, who was peering thoughfully into the trees again. His eyes were wide. He turned back to Legolas. "We need to leave this place." He said hastily.

Hurriedly the eldest prince leapt on to the sweating horses back and took hold of the reins. The horse reared as he did this, almost causing Legolas to fall off the back and to the ground. But the younger elf's reflexes were fast and he was able to grip his brother around the waist before he tumbled.

"Ithilion…what it is?" He asked, feeling a little less safe now. "What's making her so frightened?"

Ithilion didn't answer at first, but he yanked on the reins and pulled the horse around. His eyes stayed fixated on a spot in the trees, just to the right of the hatchling's nest. Finally Ithilion saw what the horse was so nervous about.

"Legolas…" He said quietly. "…I think you disturbed more than just the spider hatchlings."

"What?" inquired the younger, who peered out from behind his brother's shoulder.

Suddenly, there was a loud shriek from within the black oblivion. It was a sound that neither of the brother's could identify, but they weren't sticking around to find out.

"Vista, noro lim!" Ithilion shouted, and the horse bucked and reared and then finally sped off and away. Both Legolas and Ithilion didn't dare look back.

((((((((((((o End Flashback o)))))))))))))))

By the time Thranduilwas almost done withthe tale, his grandson's eyes were sparkling.

"And to this day, Legolas still doesn't know what it was that he and your uncle heard in the forest that night." The King finished.

"Did you punish them?" Ithildor asked, even though he'd heard the answer a thousand times.

Thranduil laughed. "Actually, I didn't. I thought the whole situation was a great learning experience for both of them. Just a scolding and that's all they recieved. You know that I didn't punish them, Ithildor."

"Yes, but I like to pretend like I don't know." The younger elf replied. "I like hearing this story from you." The young Prince's eyes became downcast and angry. "But…but why doesn't Father let me have any 'learning experiences' like that?"

The King sighed and gave his grandson a gentle embrace, which the boy half-heartedly returned. "You will have your own adventures, Ithildor. You just have to wait until your time is up."

Ithildor let out an exasperated sigh, but didn't say anything in return. Thranduil looked out the window, where the fading sun and given way to night.

"It is late." He exclaimed. "Ithildor, you should be going to bed."

The youth looked at his grandfather and then at the window. Thranduil could see him open his mouth to argue, but then in a split second Ithildor snapped it back shut again.

"Yes, Grandfather." He said obediently.

The King got up and nodded in approval. "I will leave you then." He said, warm and kind as always. He offered his grandson a smile and turned for the door, but then paused.

"Ithildor…remember that it's not always the things you do, but the things you feel, that make you great."

Ithildor knotted his eyebrows for a moment but then nodded. "Yes, Grandfather. Thank you." He said politely, and then watched as the King turned back towards the door, opened it, and disappeared.

Ithildor's frown was quick to return. He hadn't exactly understood what his grandfather had meant by that last comment.

At least…the young elf thought as he flopped limply onto his bed…I will have the night to think about it.

A small squawk from across the room caused Ithildor to turn his attention. He looked at his pet hawk and smiled.

"Good night, Gilandor. Sleep will, mellon nin."

((((((((((((((((o Personal thing o)))))))))))))))))))

WHEW! That was a long chapter! I hope you enjoyed it, and especially the flash-back. I wanted to give you all a taste of Ithilion and Legolas in their youth, before what happened in the previous stories. Thank you all for reviewing Cheating Darkness II and I hope you continue supporting me!

PS: I can't wait until after March 15 because after that date, I'll have nothing to do except take my college placement tests, prom, and graduation! So bear with me until then, if I happen to update more slowly! Right now I'm preparing for both Solo Ensomble and my college Music auditions, so I'm a little busy. But thank god for Saturday, cuz I finally got this done! Yippee!

Luv ya all!

Reader Responses!

Legolasgurl88: Thank you very much! And yeah, this story is the last one. Number three in my trilogy! Yay! I expect this story to be just as long or longer than the last one. Something like that…I seriously doubt it will be as long as the first installment though! LOL. Thanks for reviewing! Love you!

arkel83: I think you've reviewed before…you're screen name seems familiar. But hey! Thanks for reviewing anyway! I'm flattered by your comments and hope you will like this story as much as my others. I look forward to writing this story as much as the other, and I hope you look forward to writing and reviewing! Thanks ever so much!

LegyLuva: I know it's so sad…I'm so mean to Legolas…kill his brother, his best friend, now his wife. You are so right. I'm mean. But that's the way the story's gotta be! Thanks a bunch for reviewing for like, forever, LegyLuva! I certainly hope you get the time to read Part III! Thanks again!

Andmetwen: Well, first of all, NO, Legolas isn't going to die! I could never bare to kill him, just everone around him. (Eesh…that was awfully cruel of me, wasn't it?) But to answer your question, Ithildor is more elvish than human. But you must know that it's because he doesn't know that his mom was mortal that he's stayed that way. He's kind of like Arwen…he was born with both human and elf in him, but he was raised and appears as an elf…but if he chooses, he can become human. The catch is that Legolas hid Ithildor's past, including the fact that his mother was a human from him…so Ithildor really has no clue. It's hard to explain, I hope I didn't confuse you. But Ithildor will uncover some pretty earth-shaking secrets as the story goes on…stay tuned, and thanks!

frodofreak88: OH, the story can continue in a million ways! As I said before in this chapter, this story will follow Ithildor's journey more than his parents (even Legolas—sorry Legolas lovers). But maybe I should add this small snippet: What Ithildor discovers during his little adventures will have to do a lot with his parents, and you'll find out we haven't seen the last of a lot of characters from the first story! Thank you very much and I look forward to hearing from you again!

Anonymous: (the one that's an emotional 12-year-old): Wow…I've never seen someone so passionate about a story. I guess I can understand you not wanting to read a sad story…I personally favor happy endings myself…but the point is that Eressa had to die in order for this story to continue. I'm not mad at you, and I'm not gonna call you names. (Heck, I was twelve once too, and I was equally emotional, if not more—so I can relate.) But if you don't like the fact that Eressa died in my story it than you don't have to continue reading it, but thanks anyway for your reviews!

PS: I don't know if this will make up for the loss of Eressa, but here's another spoiler that I think will interest you in particular: One of the new characters I'm creating is about your age (if not a little older) and will play a very large role in the story! And I promise I won't kill them. There is absolutely no character death in this story! Rejoice happy ending fans!

Nirobie: Thanks a bunch! I'm glad you liked the last chaper even though it made you sad! Thank for being a great reviewer, Nirobie! I look forward to writing some more and hearing more from you! Thanks again!

The Noble Platypus: EEP! dodges thrown objects PLEASE DON'T HURT ME! Eressa had to die! It was necessary! It had to be done! LOL.Thank you for all you're unending compliments, Platy! I'm glad you thought the overall story was great, even though you thought Eressa's death 'sucked'. LOL. I hope you'll like this story as much as the others…but I must warn you…you're going to be reading more about Ithildor than anybody else…but I promise it will be good! In fact, I think out of the whole trilogy, this story will be my favorite! I hope you'll like it too!

Oh…and by the way, don't worry about my fingers. They've healed just right! I can even play piano again. It's my elbow that really still bothers me. When I fell I split it open, even the muscle, and it still hurts too much for me to lean on! Argh! But thanks for your concern, and I hope to hear from you again soon! Love you girl!

darkangelgep: GAH! DON'T KILL ME! Have mercy on a poor fanfic writer…I had it in mind for Eressa to die from the beginning. Sounds terrible of me to have her and Legolas go through all that just to have her die, but you yourself said it was nicely done, eh? She had to die, or otherwise I couldn't write this story! Personally, I think this story will be my favorite! I hope you will like it too! Thanks for the review (and the forgiveness!) Love you!

Kitsune Kida: Hey! Nice to hear from you again! Thanks for your compliments. I'm flattered to hear that you thought it was awesome. Thanks a lot. I will continue with the next story…and I hope you liked this chapter and I hope you will like the rest of it! Thanks again!

Deana: Er…yeah…I killed Eressa. I know it was mean (and apparently unexpected), but it was also necessary for this story to be written. This story will be about Ithildor more than anyone else. But I hope you continue reading and reviewing, and I'm very grateful for all your support! Thanks ever so much, Deana! I love you! (But I'm sorry to make you cry…here, have a tissue.) LOL. Thanks again!

MY LAST STORY RECEIVED 230 REVEIWS! THANKS GUYS! I LOVE YOU!