Darkness Of The Mind
By: karushna5

Disclaimer: I own nothing and no one. (Drat) Only the plot and story line and even that I technically don't own. They belong to my muse. Dude it's not fair.

Summary: Death is ever present. Day and night he stalks the shadows. His prey are many, mortal and immortal. He knows everything and everyone. Only those who see his eyes and survive remain alive, but they shall forever be enslaved by the Darkness of the Mind. (NON-Slash)

A/N: Yay, the story's finally ready to be posted (most of it anyway) The rating for now is PG-13(T by fiction rating)but that might later change because of the gore details in later chapters might be too much for some. At least they looked that way in my head, however if it turns out not to be that bad the rating may stay. Then again I may change to cover my own tail. I'll think on it before any final decisions are made.

P.S. Sorry for grammar, spelling, wording, ect... mistakes my beta seems to have dropped off the face of the planet. So please pardon the problems, if you see any major mistake inform me and I'll fix 'em. Thanks much.

Anyway enough of my ramblings...

On With The Fic!

Chapter 1: Light before Dark

It was dark, very dark, not even the shadows can be seen in the cell where I sleep. I hear voices in the not too far distance along with the sharp clanging sounds of metal clashing with metal.

'What is going on?' I ask myself, 'Why can I not see that which surrounds me?'

A cry is heard. Someone is hurt, but who? Is it my captor or my savior? I can't tell.

It all started with what feels like years to me, but maybe a few days or only hours, I do not know how much time has passed. There is nothing in this bleak darkness to give me a way to tell time. No matter for I can still tell you what happened, answers for time can come later. I was traveling through the woods of my home, I can still hear the thundering of my horse's hooves as they connected with the dry, hard ground; the Peredhil family from Rivendell were visiting and I wanted to be there when they arrived.

I remember hearing the sounds of other horses approaching, they are coming closer. I look over to my left and see a mane of unruly dark hair riding beside me. I smile as I recognize the face of my human friend Aragorn or Estel to the elves riding up behind him. I recognize them to be Lord Elrond's twin sons, my seniors by only two hundred years, my long time friends Elladan and Elrohir.

Forgive me, I forget the rest of the detail here, but we raced all the way home each horse neck and neck. When we reached the enchanted gates of my home I was tempted to pull ahead and run through the large doors saying the magic words as I pass through, resulting in the thick double doors slamming shut on their noses. But I'm not that cruel, besides my father would have my hide for shutting the doors on our guests.

I did, however, pull ahead anyway winning the race. We argued over who won, and the rules of cheating and fair play while we wait for Elrond and the rest of Elrond's guard to arrive. No one went anywhere alone anymore because of the darkness that was growing day by day. It was, and still is, unwise to travel without some form of a guard. Of course that never stopped me and my friends. We constantly went off on our own. Exploring new lands, trying new things, or simply enjoying each others company.

Another scream is heard in the darkness. Those were constant here. I have heard them every waking moment, but never found out who or where they came from, but this one is different from the others. A second voice joins it; both are calling out my name. I try to answer, maybe I do, I'm not sure. Soon one voice disappears leaving the other to look for me.

I sigh and return to my story of how I got here, help is on its way I know it. There isn't much left of the tale, but I shall finish. The next day we went out for hunt, and it rained. My memories are fuzzy as to what happened next, all I know is that I woke up in this pit of darkness with a man, I think, hovering over me. He whispers some ancient words of a forgotten tongue and that was it. He never harmed me; at least I don't think he did. Why can I not remember anything?

I hear the creaking of rusted metal as a door opens up in front of me. 'I didn't know a door was in here.' I think stupidly as a bright light enters, blinding me. Who knew the sunlight could hurt so much. I must have been down here a long time for the sun to hurt me so.

A shadow steps through shielding my eyes from the harsh light. The figure releases my hands that were shackled to the wall and helps me to my feet. My arms fall slack to my side. 'Why had I not noticed they were up against a wall?' I ask myself. My hands and lower arms tingle as the blood flow return to them. I move to rub them but only my fingers twitch. I guess that was all the strength I possessed at that moment. The figure steps back and the sunlight blinds me again. Taking notice on how the sun hurts my eyes the shadow covers them with his free hand and helps me outside. I feel the warm sunlight touch my cool skin, it feels nice. Fresh air enters my lungs as I inhale they felt relieved to be rid of the stale, thick air that surrounded me while I was incarcerated. The figure removes his hand from my eyes, he moves slowly so as not to hurt them again.

At first everything is blurred but soon I see a face it's one I recognize instantly. He had dark hair and bright eyes. His face slowly aged by time and yet never betraying his true age. His bright silvery eyes shown in happiness and relief that I am there. Why is he happy? Nothing had happened to me; at least I don't think so. He says something, but I don't hear it, though his lips I easily read. He is asking me if I'm alright and if the other men had hurt me any?

I try to answer, but I can't find my voice. I must have said something because the man laughs. However his smile quickly fades to a frown as a startled, confused, and scared look (I rarely, if ever see) replaces it.

'What is wrong?' My mind asks seeing the almost instant change. What has happened now? Strider what is wrong? I try to say, but my mouth no longer cooperates.

He slowly backs away and tries talking to me again. His lips are moving too fast for me to read, but judging by the look of panic and fear I know it is not good.

My vision fades to darkness as I hear a scream.

"LEGOLAS!"