Hi! Remember me?

I'm back after my hiatus with a long, nice chapter! I have had a slight case of writer's block, school work and I've focused a lot more on my original works than fanfiction. But now I've returned and hopefully I still have some readers left! :)

A big 'thank you' to all who read, follow, have the story as a favourite or have left a review! Your support means a lot and I hope this chapter will be worth the terrible wait!

I do not own any characters (except a couple OCs) or places; J.R.R Tolkien or Peter Jackson & Co do.

The italics in the beginning and the end of a chapter come from either one of the Lord of the Rings books/movies or from one of The Hobbit Movies/book. All of them will have some connection to the Elves, so I don't own them as well!

Enjoy!

Chapter 12: Into the woods

"This is not the Greenwood of old. The very air of the forest is heavy with illusion."

Tauriel was there before him the next morning. He had been the tiniest bit of late after having to return the key to one of Tatharon's cottages to the Guardian himself. Tatharon had offered him words of good luck and a sad smile tinted with regret.

The red-haired Elf was dressed in plain garbs of battered leather and wool in earthy colors. Strapped to her hip was a curved, dangerous-looking dagger in a brown sheath. A bag was slung across her shoulder. She did not smile as he approached her.

"You are late", she said, not looking impressed. "I thought you might have gotten second thoughts, my Lord."

"The sun has not yet shone", replied Legolas calmly, adjusting his own bag.

It was true. The sky was a bluish grey that did not look promising. Tauriel snorted, but the spark had come back in her green eyes. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, becoming serious.

"You are certain that you want to do this?"

"Yes." Legolas ignored the slight sinking of his heart. "Should I find myself another guide?"

Vehemently, Tauriel shook her head, which was braided into a long braid down her back. Her jaw was set in determination. Legolas allowed himself a small smile, feeling slightly better. He turned to look at the cloudy sky.

"We should get going", he said. "Before the storm breaks loose."

"All in good time", said Tauriel, but straightened up and came to stand beside him. "But first, what have you packed?"

Legolas blinked, raised one eyebrow in a gesture silently asking: 'Are you serious?' Tauriel replied to his question with a just as equally pointed look. The tone of voice she had used reminded Legolas of how the few ladies at court who had children would talk to them. It was done in a particular sort of motherly way, but Legolas thought Tauriel looked at him with too much of resemblance to those women. It bothered him, just like a fly might do an animal.

"The same as I packed when I was journeying here. Food, blankets, a tinderbox." He absentmindedly fingered on the end of his bow. "My bow." He raised an eyebrow at her. "You think it will do?"

"I believe so", she said and for the first time since he had arrived, he thought he saw a hint of a smile upon her face. "If not, I think I have packed enough for both of us."

Legolas noticed how her bag looked to be heavy.

"Have you travelled this way before?" he asked.

"More or less", Tauriel replied and did not elaborate. "I know these parts of the forest well, which is why I believe I was recommended to you. You do not need to worry, you are in safe hands."

The last words were spoken with a trace of humor and her eyes twinkled merrily. Legolas smiled back.

"I do not doubt that." He gestured towards the gate and the thick, green lands beyond. "Shall we?"

. . . .

Travelling with Tauriel proved to be an interesting experience. Even though she was now aware of his position as prince, she was still the best travelling companion he had ever had, because while she sometimes seemed to remember his title, it did not stop her from treating him like she had done before.

The sound of the river was pleasant to their ears as the two Elves walked on. Their pace was brisk, their steps never faltering and Legolas let Tauriel guide him over stones and uneven ground. He had not been to these parts of the forest in a very long time. It filled him with a sort of excitement and a deep longing in his soul that he had not been aware of that he possessed at the thought of venturing beyond the borders of the kingdom. He did not spare many thoughts to his father, having written him a letter which would be delivered to the palace by one of Tatharon's tame birds, explaining his whereabouts. Legolas was certain that his father would have disapproved of his choice, but he would not be able to rest until he had investigated the mysterious crystal caves.

. . . .

For three days they followed the river, never straying from the banks or stopping to rest. By the time of the fourth day, they had put a good distance between them and Bendaenorod. Legolas was pleased to find out that Tauriel possessed a similar spirit to his own when it came to travelling. Their conversations never died out during their journey, but both of them could just as easily fall into comfortable silence and not speak for hours, only admiring their surroundings. Legolas had never appreciated a travelling companion more than he did Tauriel.

As dusk fell on the fourth day, they decided to stop for a night of rest. They made a fire out of fallen twigs and sat long into the night staring at the golden flames, neither of them wanting to fall asleep.

"What is it you hope to find in the mountains?" Tauriel wondered where she sat with her chin resting upon her drawn knees.

Legolas met her gaze over the fire and he looked thoughtful.

"I wish to find some sort of sign of the thief. My heart is telling me that it is something in the caves that will be of value." He smiled to himself. "It is infuriating", he told Tauriel. "How the thief manages to trick us again and again. I cannot say if I admire his cunning more than I despise it."

"But why the crystal caves so far away?"

"It would be the perfect hideout. No one goes there often and the mountains provide many good hiding places. From there, it would be easy to take the stolen goods away to sell them to Men, Elves or Dwarves."

"You think the thief sells the taken things?"

"Yes", Legolas answered immediately. Then he thought of the returned flowers. "No." He sighed. "I do not know, but why else would he steal, if not to still his own greed?"

"There are many things you do not understand", said Tauriel with her gaze focused on the dancing flames. "There are many things I do not understand. The world is a strange place and the people living in it even stranger."

"True", Legolas said and bowed his blond head in her direction, acknowledging her words.

They sat in silence, accompanied only by the music of the night. The fire's low muttering, the crickets' common playing and the owls' deep hooting made a fine song together. Even though Legolas was deep in thought, he could not escape from noticing so much of what was around him. His focus was on the thoughts of the thief and the crystal caves and if he was doing the right thing, but reality was always flickering in the outskirts of his mind. Every noise, every smell and every movement…. There was nothing his senses did not miss. It was a useful gift, but also one that could resemble a burden, for it made him aware of the world and its changes and that was not always well. After a while, he could not stand it anymore.

"It is an odd game we are playing", he said suddenly, breaking the silence with soft, velvet like tones.

"A game." One of the corners of Tauriel's mouth turned upwards. "A fitting way of describing it…."

She sounded a bit exhausted. Legolas turned to look at her and caught sight of her yawning ever so slightly.

"Go to sleep", he gently told her. "I can take the first watch, since I dare say that sleep is the last thing on my mind now."

"Are you sure? I can stay up with you", Tauriel offered.

Legolas shook his head and told her it was no need for it and that she should try getting some sleep. He had thought she had started to look tired and wondered when she had last rested from her weary days. Eventually, Tauriel gave in and after assuring him that he could wake her at any moment, she laid down and closed her eyes. Legolas stayed up nearly the whole night, deep in thought with his eyes straying towards Tauriel's peaceful form curled up under a blanket once in a while.

. . . .

For two more days they travelled alongside the Forest River before they stopped and had to make a decision. They could continue travelling alongside the river or they could take a detour through the woods, crossing the swamp, to get to the mountains.

"I thought you said that we had to cross the swamp to get to the mountains", said Legolas when Tauriel proposed the dilemma.

She had the grace to look sheepish.

"I might have exaggerated", she admitted. "I wanted to see how determined you really were to go on this journey. But it is true that it will save us some time by passing through the swamp."

"Will it be dangerous?" Legolas asked.

Tauriel's expression was difficult to read. A shadow appeared to be lurking behind her eyes. Legolas did not find that reassuring. It caused him to frown.

"The further down south, the stranger the forest becomes", was Tauriel's answer. "There are rumors about sprites living in the swamp, but I while I would be weary of them, it would not stop me from going. I have crossed the swamp before, though the times were lighter then. It is your choice, my Prince."

Legolas thought of correcting her to use his name instead, but that thought was fleeting and disappeared behind the rising feeling of the need to make a decision. He wondered if this was how his father felt whenever he had to decide something for the best of the kingdom. The decision Legolas had to make suddenly seemed very insignificant compared to those he would have to make when he would be the King of the Woodland Realm.

"What would you advise me to do?" he asked Tauriel, half-distracted by going through all the ups and downs of the two different paths.

Tauriel looked momentarily surprised, but that look was soon replaced by a smile looking more like a teasing smirk.

"I am only a humble servant", she said. "A lowly Silvan Elf."

"Perhaps", acknowledged Legolas. "But you are my guide and if you would grant me your counsel, I would listen without hesitating." He gave her a rather lopsided smile. "I would not make a very fine ruler someday if I did not listen to others."

"Though if you do as if you are advised, that it is another matter", said Tauriel, but her expression was relaxed and there was no real bite to her voice. "Very well. I say we should cross the swamp. Time is running short and I know the way through the swamp, which should not be too difficult."

Her confidence was admirable, but Legolas felt a nagging feeling of doubt in the corners of his mind.

"And the sprites?" he could not help but ask.

Tauriel's green eyes glittered adventurously.

"If we travel by day, before the sun has gone to sleep, I dare say we will be fine." She reached out to touch his arm, a gentle gesture. Her touch was surprising, but Legolas did not shake her off. The warmth of her skin could be felt even through the layers of his clothes. When he met her eyes, she wore the most honest smile he had ever seen upon her fair face before. "Besides, if trouble should arise, you do not need to worry. I will guard your back, Legolas, that I promise."

He believed her.

. . . .

Legolas could smell the swamp before he saw it. There was a thick, sour and poisonous odor hanging in the air. He wrinkled his nose as they moved between the thick trees. Tauriel led the way and her flaming hair was like a beacon of fire amongst the green and dark colors of the forest.

"It is not very far now", said Tauriel softly, without turning to look at him.

She had lowered her voice to a whisper, almost as if she was afraid of disturbing the trees or the creatures residing there. This part of the woods was new to Legolas and he could feel the change from the trees which grew at the castle. These trees were more wild and sly, had not been treated by the Elven people's kindness for years.

They arrived at the swamp and Legolas had not seen such a sorry sight in a long time. Gnarled roots from massive oaks went up and down the water, creating a strange looking pattern and shapes. The water was dark and covered with floating, dead leaves. Above the surface laid a thin layer of what looked to be pale green fog. Many of the trees were bent across the wide waters, their branches almost touching the surface, looking very sad. Others grew right up from the thick, murky water or on the outskirts of the swamp like an unbreakable wall. Legolas drew a deep breath as they got close.

"Follow me", Tauriel whispered and took a step out one of the massive, crooked roots.

She was a picture of calm, but Legolas noticed how her hand never strayed from the hilt of her dagger. Legolas felt his shoulders tense, but he followed her without hesitation, something that was a bit foolish on his part, perhaps, but it felt natural. He did not dare to think of what words his father would say should the King ever find out that he had traveled in the company of a mysterious Silvan Elf unguarded.

They moved slowly, but steadily across the swamp. The stench made Legolas clench his jaw and his head to spin. They did not speak. It was eerily quiet and the far end of the bank seemed to be miles away. When the root suddenly disappeared down the murky water, Tauriel gracefully leapt over to another root. She looked over her shoulder to see if he could keep up. Legolas readjusted his bow before jumping after her. He landed just as smoothly as she had on the other twisted root. Tauriel graced him with a small smile before taking off again.

Suddenly, a gleam of gold caught his gaze. They had managed to cross more than half of the swamp and the few beams of sun that managed to sneak through the leafy crowns of the trees had barely changed position. First he thought it was only the light of the sun reflecting the water, but then he noticed that the gold moved above the water. He stopped and stared. His reflection looked menacing.

The golden lights were not fireflies. They were bigger and resembled Elves except for their sharp teeth, glowing eyes and cruel faces. The creatures' wings fluttered excitedly as they danced across his reflection. In their wake, his reflection changed and turned unrecognizable.

Legolas drew back before he got lost in the hypnotizing movement of the sprites. He turned and began to walk to catch up with Tauriel. She was a few steps ahead, but she had stopped to watch him. She had turned pale and a shadow fell across her face.

He could hear the sprites before they caught up with him. Their voices were shrill and filled with wickedness. They closed up around his face so all that he could see was hundreds of fluttering, golden wings and tiny faces.

"Pretty, pretty", they cooed and reached out sharp, brittle fingers to feel his face and tug at his hair. "Pretty, pretty…."

Their voices blended together, almost taking the tune of a wild wind. Legolas waved his arms, desperately trying to make them go away. But sprites were stubborn creatures and they were prone to mischief that could get out of hand should they continue with it for a long time.

Legolas stumbled forwards, blinded by golden light and malicious faces. The sprites cut tiny red marks onto his pale skin, came close with long claw-like nails and nearly took out his eyes, making him see red for a moment. They were chanting 'pretty, pretty' and shrieked with laughter.

He had fought Orcs and he had trained with the best Elven warriors Middle Earth could offer. Yet he was nearly helpless against the tiny sprites that did not need any weapons when they had their claws and shrill, wicked voices.

With his eyes blinded by the sprites' glowing light and their never-ending torture of pinching, jabbing and biting, his movements became less graceful and not far from the bank did he take one tiny step wrong. The Elven Prince waved his arms around, trying to steady himself in the last second, but to no use. His ears rang with the screeching laughter of the sprites as he fell down the water and he thought he could hear Tauriel call out for him, but she sounded far away.

The water was not cold, but it was not pleasantly warm either. It felt more like mud than water and it was difficult for him to see anything else but a blurry picture. He kept his lips tightly pressed shut as he tried to swim towards the surface. His bow and arrows dragged him down and the travelling bags suddenly seemed to weigh thrice what they had done before. Legolas felt how blood pounded in his ears; how his heart's usually steady rhythm rapidly rose. He could hold his breath longer than both Men and Dwarves, but eventually he would need air. Therefore, he fought with all his might, tried to claw his way up to the surface. It promised a world of green and gold above and it was as if looking through a strange glass. He kicked and waved his arms, but he was locked in the same position as before. Had he not been so desperate to reach the surface he would have been disturbed by the simple fact that he had not touched the bottom of the swamp. It was not natural for it to be that deep.

Something snared itself around his ankles and began to pull him further down. His heart leapt to his throat and his chest felt tight. With his sight covered by a layer of dirt and water, there was little he saw, but he fought all the same. Somehow he managed to reach for a hidden knife he had packed to be on the safe side. His arms felt heavy as lead as he viciously slashed and stabbed the water, praying that he would kill whatever was holding him. This was not the way he was going to die. He was Legolas Thranduilion of Greenwood; he would not meet his end by the hand of a couple of wicked sprites, drowning in a swamp. What an awful death to die.

A pair of hands reached down to him from the surface above, from the light that had seemed so far away. Desperately he clung to the friendly hands outstretched. With the last of his strength, he slashed with his knife at the dark deep below. The blade touched something slimy and soft and disposed of it with deadly precision. He was free.

The thick, smelly air of the swamp was welcomed and now, it was one of the loveliest thing Legolas had ever been aware of. He breathed it in as Tauriel dragged him up on the bank. Her clothes were dirty, stained, and she looked frightened, but she did not let go of Legolas. She had red marks upon her face where the sprites had scratched her. Legolas was no better. His appearance was a mess, covered from head to toe in muddy water.

"Are you hurt?" Tauriel asked, her face worried as her green eyes frantically searched his for any sign of life-threatening discomfort.

"No", he said in a strained voice. "I am well."

Tauriel let out a sigh of relief.

"Good. For a moment, I feared the worst."

Neither of them seemed to care that they were still holding each other's hands in a tight grip, drawing strength from the touch.

"It will seek to enter your mind and lead you astray."

So, that was chapter 12!

What did you think? Good? Bad? Worth the wait? Have you gotten any new theories of who the thief is?

*Note: I'm not 100% certain that sprites are a part of Tolkien's universe, but this is fanfiction after all. I'm allowed a few liberties. Besides, if something as magnificently weird as wereworms can exsist, sprites are not that far fetched...

I cannot promise when the next chapter will be up, but I'll try to have it up within two months. School's started again, but hopefully the inspiration will stay with me. Should everything go as planned, there will be seven chapters left of the story.

Thank you for reading! :)