Chapter 1 - Unexpected Visitors

The morning air was stale and frigid. The overcast sky lay as a thick blanket over Mirkwood; dark and gloomy shielding the earth from any warmth the sun may have had to offer that morning. The trees relinquished the last of their autumn colored leaves to the forest floor, becoming barren dark skeletons of nature. The smell of forthcoming snow lingered in the air.

Outside the Elvenking's palace nestled in the highest branch of one the tallest trees, blending in with the soft moss-covered bark sat a curious elfling with inquisitive bright blue eyes. He wore a dark green overtunic paired with dark leggings. Around his neck, hidden beneath layers of clothing was the elfling's most important possession, he wore an emerald pendant resembling that of a leaf, hanging delicately on a mithril chain.

The elfling made to reach for his pendant, then stopped remembering his training. He had to sit there still and unmoving. His teacher had taught him that the slightest movement could give his position away. He was determined not to let that happen. For just below him one of the King's patrol units was passing by oblivious to the fact they were privy to the watchful eyes of an elfling.

The elfling recognized the patrol unit as his cousin's. A flutter of excitement flew though him as he fought the urge to jump down from the tree and greet him. It had been a full moon cycle since he had last seen Noron and could not wait to hear his stories.

His eyes widened as he noticed his cousin was flanked between two strangely hooded figures. They did not appear to be messengers. Messengers did not hide their appearance beneath tattered weatherworn dark cloaks. These figures seemed too suspicious to be one of his father's visitors. Any visitors of late who dare enter the dark forest normally arrived with an escort numbering along the lines of a small army. Precautions were always made when one chose to enter Mirkwood.

So the elfling reasoned they must be humans or rather human prisoners. Maybe his cousin's patrol had caught humans trespassing? The thought of seeing humans excited the elfling, he longed to rest his eyes upon the second born, such strange creatures, but his father had told him he was far too young. Though he had never before seen a human he knew much of them having been told many stories of them from Mithrandir. All of his knowledge of humans either came from Mithrandir's stories or his father's history books.

If the humans were prisoners then his only chance to see a them would be in his father's receiving chambers, for he was not allowed anywhere near the dungeons where the prisoners would be kept. The elfling had to get a closer look before they disappeared forever. He had to find a way to sneak into the King's receiving room. Another flutter of excitement this time mixed with anticipation soared through him as he realized that his newly learned skills would finally be put to a proper test.

The Elvenking sat on his throne awaiting the announcement of his sudden unexpected visitors. He had received word from his nephew that the Son's of Elrond had been found roaming through his forest. He was curious as to why they were in Mirkwood unannounced, having not received any official notice from Elrond.

In fact he had not heard from Elrond since Celebrían's departure to the Undying Lands, which was some time ago. He had no issues with his friend's sons entering his realm. He just wished to be informed when they chose to do so. Though Elrond was a good friend of his, Thranduil did not like the idea of his children roaming through Mirkwood without his knowledge. In these dark times trust was privilege not a courtesy.

Thranduil sensed the presence of another; he frowned as he carefully eyed a marble pillar to his left. Legolas. He sighed shaking is head. He would deal with that later. He snapped back into attention as the giant stone doors opened. Two cloaked figures entered the receiving room, led by his nephew. Simultaneously they drew down their hoods revealing their travel worn faces as they knelt to bow before the King.

Smothering laughter, Legolas sat hidden behind a large marble pillar; thick vines of leafy ivy were wrapped up and around the sturdy column. He was proud of his accomplishment, sneaking in had been far easier than he had expected.

Legolas smothered a gasp as the cloaked figures entered the room and drew down their hoods. They were both elves, mere images of each other. Forgetting to be disappointed by the fact that they were not humans, he gazed upon them in awe and wonder. Never before had he seen two elves that looked exactly the same. This revelation was far more interesting than humans. They were identical in every way. Legolas was not sure what to think. Why did they look the same? Were one real and the other fake? He rubbed his eyes, a trick of the light? He frowned as he saw their faces, their eyes held no trace of happiness, no smile. More importantly, why did they look so sad?

"Your Majesty King Thranduil may I present Lords Elladan and Elrohir."

Thranduil stood from his throne and approached the Peredhil twins, clasping their arms in greeting. Thranduil frowned slightly. The twins did not look well. They both had dark circles underneath their eyes and one of them was deathly pale. They both were marred with cuts and bruises. They looked as if they had travelled long and hard with little rest. From their appearance they appeared to be more human than elfkind. Thranduil could only make out a faint trace of light around them. He vowed at that moment he would do whatever he could to help the sons of Elrond.

"My Lords Welcome," greeted the ElvenKing. "It has been many centuries since you have last graced the Halls of Mirkwood."

"An star shines upon the hour of our meeting," the less pale of them spoke. Thranduil always had trouble telling them apparent. At the moment he was not actually sure which brother he was speaking to.

"What brings you to my Woodland Realm?" Thranduil asked getting straight to the point.

"We were tracking a small band of orcs that had slaughtered a human settlement up in the North. We were waiting for them to drop their guard in hopes of ambushing them. Just before we had the chance they had met up with another larger band warg riders. The two of us alone did not have the means to eliminate such a large group. So we set out to follow them instead. They lead us here into Mirkwood, where we unfortunately lost track of them."

This news disturbed Thranduil. He had not received word from any of his messengers or bird spies that orcs or wargs had been spotted within his trees. He would definitely have to look into this and send out warning to the outer Elven villages to be on guard. He wished to question the twins further but his fatherly impulses told him the Peredhil were in dire need of rest.

Elladan stood there in a clouded daze barely comprehending what his brother was discussing with the King. There was a sharp pain in his chest that was growing more agonizing by the second. His brow creased with a thin sheen of sweat. He would soon no longer be able to hide the pain from his brother both physically through his actions and mentally through the bond they shared.

Some time ago Elladan had chosen closed off their bond, unwilling to cause Elrohir to suffer through his own emotional turmoil. He could feel his will weakening. Elladan felt himself loosing strength inadvertently releasing his pain, as he heard Elrohir gasp. Through his peripheral vision he saw his twin bring his arm up to his chest in a show of pain. A sense of guilt shot through Elladan. He had failed; he had unwillingly shared his pain with his dear brother, causing him unnecessary suffering.

"My Lord are you well?" one of Thranduil's councilors asked Elrohir, noticing his sudden distress. The room grew silent at the sudden interruption.

Elrohir ignored the question turning to his brother, "Elladan why did you not tell me?" His voice shook, riddled with concern, in turn confusing Thranduil's councilor.

Elrohir grasped Elladan's arm, he could feel is twin trembling beneath his touch. Why would Elladan not say anything? Though Elladan tried to hide it, his face was contorted with pain. His complexion had lost all trace of color. His breathing came in small gasps. More importantly how could he have not noticed? Was he so consumed with himself that he failed to notice Elladan had been injured? Waves of shame and guilt washed through Elrohir.

Elladan tried to answer his brother but instead brought his hand up to his mouth, falling into a fit of painful coughs that brought tears to his eyes. The pain he felt was unbearable. He could feel every pair of eyes in the room watching him with interest and concern. His head felt extremely heavy. Darkness swam into his vision as his body swayed dangerously before his knees gave way unable to support him. Darkness took over as he felt himself falling to the ground.

"Elladan!" Elrohir cried out, catching his brother before he hit the marble floor.