Disclaimer - No one from Lord of the Rings belongs to me. No way, no how. Nanaylia's mine and any others you don't recognize.
Sunmmary - Haldir decides to take a walk in the Mirkwood forest while his lord and lady talk to the king. It proves to be a fatal mistake when he is ambushed by several strange figures and taken prisoner. (Takes place after 'War of the Pranks')
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An Elf's Discovery
Haldir walked through the gardens near the Mirkwood palace. Celeborn and Galadriel were waiting to talk to Thranduil in his study so he decided to head outside. He soon heard giggling coming from nearby and he turned his head to see who it was. Once he saw Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas crouching behind a bush, hehad a reason to worry. They appeared to be looking at something and once he followed their gaze, his fears were confirmed.
"There they are again, setting up traps against Arwen and Nanaylia," Haldir muttered. "If it isn't the Mayhem of Mirkwood against the Winless Wonders, it's the brother versus sister. If not either of those scenarios, something totally different."
He soon gave an evil smile as he headed over to Arwen and Nanaylia, pretending as if he never noticed the twins and Legolas.
"Arwen, I have a question for you," Haldir called over to them.
"Certainly Haldir. What would you like to know?" Arwen replied.
"It's something I need to show you so please, come with me," Haldir replied.
He motioned for her to follow him, to which she did. Nanaylia stayed behind for a moment, wondering what that was all about before she hurried after Arwen and Haldir. Once she caught up with them, Haldir gave a wide grin. He didn't bother to turn around to see Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir move out into the open and groan.
"That Haldir. He ruined our fun," Elladan said.
"You think he saw us or something like that?" wondered Elrohir.
The three glanced at each other and shook their heads.
"No," the three said in unison.
They soon found they spoke too soon when Haldir twirled around and notched an arrow. He released it, hitting the rope that held up the bag of mud. It splattered all over the three and they stared at Haldir in disbelief. Nanaylia and Arwen both looked over them and started to laugh.
"What was that for?" demanded Legolas.
"Why are you asking me that now? You were about to do the same thing to the two young ladies standing next to me," Haldir protested.
"Good thinking Haldir. They deserved that for all they've done to us," Arwen told him, a laugh still in her voice.
Haldir nodded in agreement, a smile still on his face but it soon disappeared once he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around to see Celeborn, Galadriel and Thranduil standing there, angry looks on their faces.
"What is going on here?" Celeborn demanded to know. "Why is one of my best elves doing something like this?"
"It wasn't his fault Grandfather. Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir planned it all. Haldir just stopped it," Arwen explained.
Galadriel slightly laughed as she glanced over at her husband.
"We should know these 'children' by now Celeborn. They love playing pranks against each other. We shouldn't really complain that Haldir stepped in before someone got hurt," Galadriel asked him.
"As much as I'm used to this type of thing, I still don't like the idea sometimes. All of you have gotten hurt to some degree before," Thranduil told them.
"Sorry," the three apologized at once.
Haldir gave a small smirk as he watched the three grumble. Elrohir crossed his arms and snorted.
"Hope the gargoyles find him. He'd fit right it with them," Elrohir absently said.
Legolas looked horrifed at the statement. Elrohir held his breath for a second, realizing why Legolas was so scared.
"Sorry Legolas. I shouldn't have said that," Elrohir apologized.
"That's right, you shouldn't have. No one should joke about the gargoyles. No elf should be told the gargoyles should find them," Legolas said with anger in his voice. "I hate them for what they did to her, my father and to myself."
Elrohir backed away from the growling Legolas, not wanting to be in his path if he did decide to do something. Haldir laughed at the scene. He turned towards Thranduil, Galadriel and Celeborn and bowed slightly.
"If I may, I would like to take some time to marvel the forests of Mirkwood while you continue your talks," Haldir told them.
Celeborn and Thranduil glanced at each other, each giving a nod in reply.
"Yes, you may," Celeborn replied.
"Just be warned. You know there are dangerous creatures out there. I don't know if there are anymore gargyoles out there but you should be careful of them just the same. Would you like to have someone accompany you?" Thranduil warned him.
"No, thank you. I am fine. I do not intend to go far or be very long," Haldir replied.
"All right then, take care," Celeborn said.
Haldir nodded before heading out towards the trees. Legolas carefully watched him with a worried look. Inwardly, he hoped there were no more gargoyles in the forest.
'I wish he wanted to have someone with him,' Legolas thought.
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Haldir gave a deep breath as he walked past the trees. He felt that he needed some alone time after the most recent events and dealing with the twins and their antics.
"Sometimes, it feels good to get away from those two. They give me more stress than anyone else," Haldir quietly said.
He walked into a small clearing and saw there was a pond nearby. He walked up to pond and knelt beside it. He placed a hand into the water and splashed his face. Haldir thought about the king's warning about the gargoyles.
'Maybe I should have brought someone with me. Either that or not come out here at all but I wanted to see the forest,' Haldir thought. "I'm heading back before anything does happen."
The elf stood up and started to turn around when he thought he saw movement reflectedin the water. That worried him greatly so he started to head back but someone stopped him before he could head any further. Haldir gasped once he saw what it was.
"What's the rush, elf? Are you in a hurry?" he wondered.
"Who are you?" Haldir asked.
He pulled out his bow and an arrow, aiming it at the gargoyle who stopped him. He stepped towards the elf and snickered.
"You should know that it's totally useless at the moment," he said.
With a snap of the fingers, Haldir soon found himself surrounded by gargoyles and restrained, his bow and quiver thrown into a heap nearby.
"We're going to have some fun with you. Allow me to officially welcome you to the forests of Mirkwood. Particularly the Dark Forest," the lead gargoyle said as he walked up to Haldir.
The gargoyle balled up his fist and the next thing Haldir knew was darkness.
TBC...