Amystika

Title: Amystika

Author: Aithilin

Rating: R

Pairing:

Summary: Legolas is pulled into an alternate Middle-Earth.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, even the title comes from someone else. "Amystika" belongs to the amazing Criss Angel, and I encourage everyone to at least look into this guy. The characters belong to the Tolkien estates, and so does Middle-Earth.

Warnings: post-RotK AU, heh, it gets a little complicated from there on. Maybe slash.

A/N: Uhm... I think this might be the most complex story I've written to date. This is really a plot line I was planning on using for an upcoming story I want to write, but this deals with less of an internal conflict and more external. Enjoy!

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Legolas Greenleaf looked around, confused. This wasn't where he had set up his camp last night. It looked vaguely like his home forest, but everything was far darker, too overgrown, and had a deffinate air of malice. Frowning, Legolas wondered if he was still sleeping, but this was a far cry from his peaceful dreams.

The trees, thick and old, were near black with the tainted environment. Shrubs and strange plants filled most of the spaces between the trees, creating an almost wall-like barrier for the tiny clearing Legolas had found himself in. There were surprisingly few sounds, even in Eryn Lasgalen, during the darkest times he had seen, there were birds and creatures adding life to the forest. This forest seemed dead, dark, and filled with hatred. Legolas shuddered, starting to gather his things to leave. He did not want to stay in this place any longer than he had to.

There was a sudden sound and the Elf spun, daggers at the ready. Sharp eyes scanned the underbrush and trees for any sign of danger, not seeing any, but Legolas' hearing picking up the sound of something approaching. Replacing his daggers, the archer drew and strung his bow, notching an arrow. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the sounds, whatever was approaching was too big to be even an orc, let alone a forrest animal or another Elf.

He loosed the arrow and jumped back with a cry as an enourmous creature broke through the 'wall' of the clearing, Legolas' arrown protruding from an angular head. The creature was dark, and looked furless. All angles and sharpness, it didn't look natural to the Wood-Elf. And the creature was angry.

Having seen the surprised Elf, the creature stopped and looked like it was preparing to charge. Unsure what to do, Legolas replaced his bow and took his daggers to hand. Leaping from the creature's path, he brought a blade down on the flank of the beast. Shocked to see only a tiny scratch where there should have been a gash.

Unprepared to fight such a creature, Legolas contemplated running. Just as another attack came, two arrows struck the creature, followed by two more. Another Elf appeared in the trees.

"Strike the eyes!"

Legolas looked back to the creature, unsure of where the eyes were on the angular head. Dodging another charge, Legolas turned and threw a dagger to where he assumed an eye would be. Striking true, the creature shook it's head furiously, causing the knife to dislodge and fall. Stumbling slightly, the creature ran off into the woods.

"You should know how dangerous it is out here," the other Elf said, sounding a little more than frustrated. "What were you doing so far out?"

Legolas' eyes narrowed, he didn't recognize where he was, but he did recognize the Elf before him. "Haldir?"

The Elf started, it was Haldir, but far more pale, and battle-worn. No aura of arrogance reached Legolas, and the latter wondered what happened. He had just seen his friend, little less than a week ago.

There was an uneasy silence before Haldir spoke. "L-Legolas? But... No... That's imposible!"

Legolas suddenly found an arrow pointed at him. Haldir seemed furious, "Your name demon. Or has the Dark Lord's power grown so that this new trickery comes from the depths of his sick mind?"

"Dark Lord?" Legolas shook his head. "Haldir, mellon, the Dark Lord was defeated. I just saw you last week. What has happened?"

"Who are you?"

"I am Legolas Thranduillion. You know me!"

Haldir snorted, his aim never wavering. "Prince Legolas Thranduillion is dead. I saw him take his last breath, and his body burn on the funeral pyre."

Legolas was getting frustrated, "Haldir, what are you talking about? What game is this?"

The bow lowered slightly as Haldir stared in confusion at Legolas. Seeing that he had some effect, Legolas took a careful step forward.

"Where are we, Haldir? Please, I do not recognize this place."

A sound from the woods around them caused both Elves to remember that there was danger around them. Haldir frowned, considering what to do.

"I know you are an Elf, but I cannot believe that you are Legolas..."

Las sas sighed and Haldir continued. "I will let Lord Elrond decide. Come."

Legolas grabbed his dagger from the ground and what else he had before following Haldir into the trees. There were no ground paths to be seen.

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The clearing had not been as deep into the forest as Legolas had thought. By nightfall, the two were out of the forest and far enough away to set up a camp. Haldir had explained that he had been on patrol, and several others would be returning along the same path within the next few days. Other than those few words, little had been spoken.

Legolas was shocked by the land, it looked burnt. As if a great fire had passed over it. Everything seemed dead or dying. What grew was small and struggling. Haldir had given Legolas an odd look when the latter asked what had happened.

Still having no answer to any of his questions, and deciding that he would recieve none, Legolas remained quiet. He silently mourned the land, and prayed that he was in nothing more than a bad dream.

It was a restless night, and neither Elf had gotten any sleep. But by morning, neither spoke as camp was broken and they moved on. The Mountains no longer held a clean air; they smelled of soot and ash.

Legolas found himself missing the clean air and waters he was used to and had again tried to ask Haldir what had happened. When he had no answer, Legolas decided that this was not his world.

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So, what do you think? It's actually a bastardized version of a story that came to me while listening to music. Uhm... And on that note, if anyone already knows who Criss Angel is, listen to 'Nexus' while reading this.'s w's what gave me the inspiration.

The original was far more complex, and not a fanfic. So, I'm posting this version to pass the time while I contemplate the other.

Anyone like it? Want to see any more?