Disclaimer- I own nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello everybody! I know I know- you're fed up with excuses- but I've already written a couple more chapters for this fic- but you guys have to review before I'll post them!
And as always- thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I apologise for my lack of words to all of my wonderful reviewers- you know who you are- but I don't have time as I'm at work
"Legolas please, you must stop this"
Eloria pleaded with her son as he readied himself to march out to battle
for his family.
"Legolas, don't do this"
The prince spun round to meet the queen, his blue eyes cold and empty,
"And what would you have me do?"
His voice rose to a deafening rumble and she flinched,
"What would you have me do?... Leave my wife and child to die in tourtue, they do not deserve that"
He turned away from her before the emotion could creep back into his eyes. Sensing his sudden change Eloria stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on her sons shoulder,
"Thalia will not survive this nana. She will die. I have seen it, she will die in my arms, as will the child that lives within her. Eleni will live but she will never be the same again. She will always carry the scars. She will never laugh again...and she will never look at me again with the love that she once had"
"Legolas, do not think such things. All will be well"
"No mother, it will not. I felt their pain, such a small child, my daughter...every sting of the whip of her back felt like fire against my skin and my heart. Even at this very moment I can feel my wife's pain and fear as if it were my own"
"Legolas, we must make haste"
Haldir's powerful but gentle voice sounded from behind him, breaking the moment of uncertainty and anger between mother and son. Giving the marchwarden a nod he stepped forward and placed a kiss on his mothers cheek.
The Haldir looked at Legolas with a mixture of worry and comradere. It was rare to see the usually stoic elf acting upon such strong feelings and he felt a closeness with him that he not felt in recent years.
Together the two of them made their way outside.
The leather of their boots echoed menacingly around the stone hallways as the tension mounted.
"Haldir, wait...please"
The two elves turned to see Ardana running down the hallway, Niall held tightly within her arms as she made her hurried towards them.
Her curls bounced and her face lit up at the sight of them as she whispered to the elfling.
Seeing the hurt on Legolas' face Ardana hugged the little elf tightly and whispered something in his ear, making him sit up and stretch his arms towards his adar with a sob.
Haldir and Ardana watched the father and son as they hugged each other trying to comfort the other in different ways.
Niall in all his innocence, understood that his adar might not come back with his nana and 'Leni.
Whereas Legolas was saying goodbye, he was saying goodbye to the elfling that his son was, because once he saw his mother and sister he would never be the same again.
Ardana studied Haldir closely, from the tight braid that tied his hair back to the high cheekbones and the dark eyes and the full lips.
Shaking her head she averted her eyes to the painting before them.
Haldir looked on amused at her behaviour.
"What is it that you wish to tell me?"
She blushed and looked down at the floor,
"Come back marchwarden"
She steeled herself and looked up at him, not at all fazed by Haldir's stern expression.
"My father...he is...he is a dangerous man. He will stop at nothing. I have seen it in my dreams, he has taken a wizard captive, though I do not know how. But with that magic he has a powerful instrument that will allow him to take his revenge swiftly"
Her eyes darkened and she pursed her lips.
"I love my father...but...he is not himself"
Haldir nodded, he was well aware of the power that he elven lord held, but to hear the words come from the mouth of the elf whom he felt that he could love was another thing altogether.
"Haldir"
He lifted his head to meet the equally torn expression of Legolas. The prince tearfully handed his son to Ardana before kissing both of them on the cheek, one in love and one in thanks.
Haldir smiled and nodded his head, not quiet sure how to say his goodbye.
Ardana cradled the elfling to her chest as she watched the two make their way to their army. Holding the knowledge that when they returned she would have lost the one member of family that she had left.
---
Mirkwood's army stood loyal and unmoving, awaiting their captains, both of whom stood with pride and awe in their eyes.
Thranduil surveyed the scene with a sombre and respectful attitude. His daughter in law would not return alive and his granddaughter would be traumatized, this was not something to be celebrated.
Yet a small glimmer of hope remained, a cleverly engineered plan had been carefully constructed, and if it worked they stood a very good chance of bring both females back alive.
The King turned to his son with a grave smile,
"Make haste Legolas, but be careful"
Legolas nodded, feeling comforted but agitated. He could not return without them. He could not face the grief nor the disappointment of his people.
Yet as he looked at the readied elves a sense of pride and encouragement filled him and he felt ready to do everything that he would have to in order to save his family.
---
The elves surveyed their sullen captains with encouraged eyes. They were loyal to their king but they felt for their price and princess. As the years had passed Thalia had healed almost each and every one of them. She had spoken with them on numerous occasions during training sessions. Her attitude towards them was warm and she welcomed them into her life, sharing little secrets and telling them about what she had done that day and asking about their families.
Such small things had such a large impact.
They had donned their armour and picked up their weapons with a passion for they were about to do, not one elf felt that their actions were wrong.
Rumours had circulated that Lord Olanis was responsible, this was not news that was welcomed, those who remember years past also remembered the terrible event that his actions had caused. Many had lost their lives, it had been a time of chaos and grief. There were none who wished to repeat that.
Each one knew that this was not a battle that would be easily won. But it was a battle worth fighting.
Their prince stepped forward to address them and they listened to every detail,
"My fellow elves. I do not order you to follow me on my search. But I am asking you. I wish for the support and the courage of each and every one of you. We have trained and fought side by side and there is nobody that I do not trust. So I ask this of you with a care in my heart"
The morale of the group grew to fever pitch and there was a surge of energy as they rallied each other.
"We are no longer a divided kingdom, we are a whole, and as such we are responsible for everything and everybody"
Old eyes looked upon him with a new perspective.
Without words they turned and bowed to their king before following their leaders out of the gates and into the beyond- where they knew nothing, for Mirkwood was beyond their guidance. The trees had turned against them.
Only the spilt blood of their princess would guide them now.