AN: Well er, I revised this chapter and took out a few typos.

Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR or any of its characters or places or anything else… So don't sue me.

(I'm sorry 'bout all the grammar and/or spelling mistakes)

Too much darkness in a day...

No ray of light dared to show itself, it was a dark day, many evil creatures that inhabited the forest of Mirkwood had been showing themselves a little too much lately. The depressed atmosphere was clearly readable on each and every warrior's face. the terrible weather didn't really lift their moods, in fact, it did the opposite. Orcs made their appearance and big black spiders also made their presence clear, crawling and looming in the darkness of the forest that surrounded them. Waiting for the opportune moment to attack the brave warriors, when they least suspected it.

In front of the group rode Legolas Thranduillion, the oldest son of Thranduil, king of Mirkwood and heir to the throne. The slender blonde-haired archer suddenly halted and ordered the other elves to do the same. "We stop here for a while and then we head back" he announced while getting of his white mare, as white as the snow under his feet. His dark-haired second in command, Arandur, walked up to him.

"My prince, I try not to question your decisions, but do you think it's wise to stop here?"

"I would've decided otherwise if I saw another option, Arandur. But right now, I don't see any other possibilities. We are all exhausted and many of us are wounded, I think stopping here is the best decision I can make at the moment." Legolas reasoned.

"I trust your judgement your highness..." Arandur bowed and started helping the injured elves.

"You want my opinion?" He suddenly heard a voice coming from behind him "I think you saved a few lives by stopping here."

Legolas turned around to face his brother "Eleiden brother, always there to support me whenever I need it."

Eleiden chuckled despite the situation "Do not worry my brother, not always!"

Legolas smiled back at him, one second forgetting the whole day. Eleiden patted his brother's shoulder and sighed "Many paid with their lives today, but they will always be remembered for the good they did."

Legolas echoed the sigh "I know... how long before those creatures attack again, how many lives will be lost in the future? ... I'm going to help the others, we should leave as soon as possible."

"Hold it" Eleiden frowned "Why are you limping, what's with your leg?"

Legolas halted and turned around again "Nothing, I'm fine,..." at his brother questioning gaze he added "An orc sort of stabbed me there, but I'm fine" Eleiden didn't look like he believed him "Honestly!" Legolas tried again walking in the direction of the wounded.

"Legolas Thranduillion, get back here and let me have a look" Eleiden threatened "Or you won't be walking at all, when I'm finished with you!" He exclaimed teasingly.

"Alright, but let us first help the others, and then you can have a look." Legolas gave in.

"Very well, I agree" Eleiden glanced one more time at his older brother and then ran to the others to lend a hand.

Legolas did the same. He knelt down beside one of the wounded, who was stabbed in the left side of his midsection. Though he wasn't a healer he still knew what had to be done most of the time. He carefully removed the bandage that was soaked with blood and replaced it with a clean one. Legolas was glad that the wound wasn't too deep and had stopped bleeding by now.

"How's the pain?" he asked concerned "Do you need something to dull it a bit more?"

"Don't worry, your highness I'm fine, thank you." the warrior replied.

'I wish I didn't have to worry' he added in thoughts looking around suspiciously.

After a while most of the wounded were treated again and Legolas was ready to give the order to leave.

"Aren't you forgetting something, my brother?" When Eleiden didn't immediately receive an answer he just nodded knowingly." You never change?"

"There's no chance you can tell me you're fine, it can wait, we don't have time for this or anything else you can possibly come up with. so for the Valar's sake, let me have a look!"

Legolas obeyed his younger brother, making a few mental notes before letting himself carefully drop to the ground.

"So how did you manage it this time?"

Legolas winced at his brother's touch "er..."

----Flashback----

Legolas quickly stabbed the orc in front of him and ducked, escaping a deadly blow from the orc behind him. He pulled his twin blade free and let it penetrate the other one's throat. The orc immediately sank to his knees clutching his throat, but Legolas didn't stick around to watch as another one of the creatures came dangerously close to him. One of them lashed out with his sword, but he didn't exactly hit the target he aimed for. Legolas had ducked again and its sword had killed one of the other beasts surrounding him. Coming up, he stabbed another orc in the chest, he tried to pull his twin blade free, but it got stuck somewhere 'along the way'. One of the orcs took the opportunity to try and kill its enemy, Legolas had to release his blade and use the other twin blade to rob the orc of its life.

Only a few were left, Legolas ducked again and concentrated on the remaining number. What he didn't know was that one of the orcs he had previously killed wasn't actually dead yet. the orc painfully pulled Legolas' blade out of his chest and with his last bit of strength threw it into Legolas direction so it could penetrate Legolas' left thigh. his knee buckled but he regained himself and continued fighting off the remaining orcs.

----End Flashback----

"So you had this injury since our first orc-encounter, and you didn't tell me?" Eleiden blamed his brother.

Legolas laughed "Eleiden it's nothing, not even a scratch"

Eleiden started laughing too "Right, nothing brother, right" he said as he put pressure on his brother's wound, Legolas winced again glaring at his brother. "All done, we can leave if you wish"

Legolas slowly got to his feet and groaned 'brothers!'

"So, does that mean you would tell me?" he asked already knowing the answer.

"Of course I would!" Eleiden replied sarcastically.

'At least he knows himself a little'

Prepare to leave!" he told the elves around him. "We should reach the palace in three days if we ride at a steady pace and don't encounter any more evil." which was easier said than done. And Legolas knew this... He glanced at the warriors once more and then started riding.

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The next 6 days were hard for almost all of the elves in the group. Instead of three it took them six days to reach Mirkwood again. When they almost reached the gates Eleiden came to ride beside Legolas "What are you thinking of? You seem to be somewhere else."

Legolas was surprised Eleiden had caught him unaware. A small grin crept on Eleiden's face "I get it, it's your turn to explain our delay. Adar has the temperament of a wild bear sometimes, but I think we can easily handle him" he comforted.

Legolas couldn't hide the smile on his face when he heard that "Sometimes, brother, but if he's made up his mind about something, there's no way of changing it though."

"I will take care of the other things, you should go report as soon as we arrive."

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Legolas hesitated in front of his father's study, he knocked softly and waited for an answer… 'Busy as always' When he finally did receive an answer from behind the door, he quietly entered. King Thranduil looked up from his work and stared at his son. "So you've decided to return" he started "…and you're still on your feet, what a pleasant surprise."

Legolas swallowed the lump he didn't know was situated in his throat "I know we're late adar…"

"Only three days" Thranduil added sarcastically.

"Six are mortally wounded, three lightly an four of our warriors died, it were fierce battles, father." Legolas sighed and locked eyes with his father.

Thranduil nodded sadly "I understand… where's Eleiden? Was he one of the wounded?" he didn't dare to think of the alternative.

"No, father, he went to help the others, he doesn't have a scratch on him…"

Thranduil was relieved "You should rest up too, ion-nin, I can see you are tired. I will come down in a minute I have some important matters to take care of at the moment."

Legolas nodded and turned to leave but when he reached the door his father's voice stopped him. "Orc scimitar?"

"Not exactly…"

"Let somebody check the wound for signs of poison…" Thranduil said sternly leaving no place for arguing.

"There's no need, the blade wasn't poisoned…"

"How can you be so sure, you of all people should know that…"

"It was my blade, adar"

Thranduil was surprised at this but didn't push for more information. "I almost didn't notice… you shouldn't hide it, last time you did…"

"I know, father…"

Legolas was about to leave the study when he turned around again "I limped a little too much?"

Thranduil looked up again and smiled warmly "A father knows such things Legolas… but yes, it made it pretty obvious."

Legolas left the room and softly closed the door behind him 'Brothers! And fathers!'

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