Don’t look for trouble, it will come to you

Chapter 4

Legolas jumped to his feet unsure of what happened he tried to focus and clear his muddled head. “Mani marte?” (What happened?)

Aragorn steadied his friend, “You were injured by the Orc. The blade tore your lung and they healed you.” He pointed to the two people regaining conscious on the ground.

He studied his side looking for any clue that a wound had been there; only the blood remained. Angel and Willow were helped to their feet, “I cannot repay you for what you did nor do I know why you did it. I have never met a human, less Aragorn that would do such a noble and selfless thing. Thank you,” Legolas said as he extended his hand to Angel and bowed his head.

Angel took the offered hand and gave it an extra squeeze. “Where we’re from friends help each other no matter what. If there is one thing I have learned in my 249 years it’s that a person with a noble heart is not an easy thing to find. It was my pleasure Prince Legolas.” Angel gave a small bow hoping to relieve the man of some of his uneasiness.

Legolas turned to Willow and gently kissed the back of her hand, “I have never met such a person as you, such beauty and valor for but one soul. Thank you for sparing me pain.”

Willow blushed, “I do want something in return.”

The blond looked unsure for a moment but asked, “What would that be my lady?”

“Teach me to speak Elvish?”

He smiled, “It would be my pleasure.”

Gandalf stood and looked at Legolas, Angel and Willow, “Are you well enough to travel? We have many miles to cover and many dangers ahead.”

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Three horrid days had passed, three days since Gandalf the gray had lost his life to the shadows fire. A sad cloud hung over them all but they kept trudging ahead because of the damn ring. They had all come to hate it and the evil it caused, all but Boromir. He wanted the ring badly, in his mind he could use the rings powers for good, to help his people but it did not work that way. Whoever wore the ring became a servant of the Dark Lord. Only the pure of heart could be near it without trying to take it because its powers called out to you. Powers that got into your head and drove you mad.

They had stopped to camp for the day, planning a safer journey across the river at night when there were less Orcs. Aragorn looked at the sad and haggard faces, “Rest now, you will all need your strength when we cross the river.”

Sam opened his pack and took out the food he had so he could make their meal. Boromir went to gather wood for a fire while Angel and Legolas scouted the area to be sure it was safe. Aragorn sat his weary body down; he was exhausted mentally and physically just as everyone else was. His eyes heavy with sleep he took one last visual scan of the camp and jumped to his feet. Frodo was gone! “Sam, where is Frodo?”

“Said he was going for a walk to clear his head,” Pippin offered.

Willow saw the worry on his face “Is something wrong?”

“No,” he smiled trying to fool her. “I just don’t want him wondering alone. I’ll go get him. The rest of you stay here.” As soon as Aragorn left the camp Willow and the hobbits went looking for berries and fruit.

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Frodo found the woods a peaceful place to think. He’d lost his dear friend Gandalf and had no time to grieve. He also felt evil near although he had no clue as to what. He sat beneath a huge tree and sighed, ‘so tired’ he thought. He heard a twig snap and his eyes popped open, “Boromir, are you trying to scare me to death?” he asked teasingly.

Boromir dropped the firewood he held and knelt in front of Frodo, “You aren’t safe out here Frodo. Anyone could be in these woods; maybe someone who wants that ring,” he sneered. His eyes fixed on the gold circle that the hobbit wore on a necklace for safety.

Frodo scurried to his feet. He did not like the look in Boromir’s eyes, “Your right, I should get back to the safety of the camp.” Before he could move, Boromir attacked knocking him to the ground. The hobbit fought with all his strength but was no match for a human. Suddenly Boromir was pulled off of him and thrown to the side.

Legolas pulled Frodo to his feet, “Run!”

Frodo did so without question as fast as his short legs would take him. He ran so fast he crashed into Aragorn. “Frodo, are you alright?”

“Boromir tried to take the ring,” he panted.

“Where is he?” Aragorn seethed. Frodo’s eyes were wide, “I’m sorry Frodo,” he said and reached to touch his shoulder. The hobbit pulled away and the ranger understood why his heart felt so heavy.

Frodo held the ring out to Aragorn, “Do you want it? Take it if you will! I want to be done with it!”

Aragorn looked at the ring for a moment then reached for his hand. Closing Frodo’s hand around the ring he took the hobbits hand in his own, “I would have gone with you to the end my friend. All the way to the fires of Mordor.”

Tears fell from Frodo’s eyes, “I know but this is a journey I must do alone. How long before the others go as mad as Boromir?”

Aragorn sighed, “I understand. Please be careful.” Aragorn heard someone approaching and turned to Frodo, “Go now! Quickly!” When he knew the hobbit was safely out of range he drew his sword and followed the noises in the woods. He crept quietly with the agility of an elf until he saw the fight. Legolas and Angel were being attacked by humans. An army of Boromir’s people!

“What is going on here?” he demanded.

Boromir held his hand up to his troops signaling them to stop, “Walk away from this Ranger, while you can. My trouble is not with you but with this one,” he snarled and pointed to Legolas.

“You weren’t able to get the ring Boromir,” Angel snapped. “It’s over. Accept failure gracefully and leave.” Angel received a hard punch to the stomach with a steel-covered fist for his out burst.

“Enough!” Aragorn shouted! “You do not want to do this Boromir.”

Before Aragorn could react, Boromir picked up a discarded piece of firewood and struck Legolas across the head with it knocking him unconscious.

Angel and Aragorn fought for what seemed like hours as wave after wave of men attacked. They tired to stay beside of Legolas but they could not. In midst of the fight they heard Boromir order his men to chain Legolas and take him away. Both men fought with all they had and were unable to stop them.

Aragorn’s screams of pain and betrayal could be heard throughout the woods.
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Chapter 5

Willow, Merry and Pippin were looking for fruit and berries when they heard the pained cries of Aragorn and Angel. They ran toward the sounds and found an all out war. The hobbits pulled their swords and began to fight as best they could. Willow started chanting and knocking men left and right with electric shocks. That mixed with the metal armor was not a good combination. When the call of retreat sounded Willow ran to Angel, “What happened?”

“Boromir,” Angel growled. He rushed to Aragorn, who was lying on the ground and offered his hand. “They took Legolas.”

Merry’s eyes cast downward, “Frodo and Sam left as well. We could not stop them.”

“I know,” Aragorn said, his voice laced with sadness. “He had to do this himself, the ring gave him no other choice. I have failed. Failed the fellowship, Lord Elrond, my people and most of all I have failed my friend.”

“No, it is not your fault! You had no way of knowing that Boromir would betray us,” Willow demanded.

Rage burned in the ranger’s eyes, “You know nothing of this!”

Willow jumped at his sharp tone and tears trickled down her cheek. Angel kissed her softly on the head and gave her a reassuring smile. He turned to his saddened friend, “You have not failed him Aragorn.”

He turned quickly toward Angel, “I promised to protect him! To never let another human have him,” Aragorn screamed! “He is the only brother I’ve ever known and I failed him!” Unshed tears shon hin his eyes.

Angel put both hands on his shoulders, “You only fail him if you leave him there.” Aragorn’s green eyes locked with Angel’s brown ones. “Let’s go get Legolas.”

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Legolas groaned, his head was pounding and he had no idea where he was. Forcing his eyes open all he could see was the rocky ground below and a horse’s legs. He tried to right himself but realized his hands and feet were bound. Suddenly a gruff voice broke the silence, “He’s awake My Lord.”
The horses came to a halt and Legolas was thrown forcefully to the rocks below. He felt the flesh tear on his face and arms. He managed to get himself into a kneeling position, that’s when he got the first look at his capture, “Boromir?”

Boromir circled his new acquisition then kicked him had in the ribs with his big black boot. “You elves have always thought yourselves better then humans haven’t you?”

Legolas took note of all the men surrounding him and weighed his answer carefully, “Some men yes.”

“Some men,” he repeated as he came to stop in front of the kneeling elf. “I want to hear you say it Prince. Say what is in your heart,” he sneered. “Or do you fear what you might get in return?” Cold chills rushed down Legolas’s spine as Boromir continued. “Are you afraid of me?” he asked, his fingers gliding over the elf’s soft face.

Refusing to show the terror he felt in his heart Legolas stilled his face, “I fear little Sir and I assure you I do not fear you. As for your question, my answer is still the same. I do not think we are above all humans only the ones such as yourself.”

His bold words earned him a hard backhand. “You have spirit boy, but in time it will diminish.” Turning back to his men, “latch him to a horse, he walks the rest of the way.” He was yanked to his feet as they threaded a thick rope through the chains on his hands then tied it to a saddle on one of the guards’ horses.

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They had kept a brisk pace trying to track Boromir but it was futile, they had horses and moved at a much faster pace then they could on foot. The hobbits struggled to keep up with the long strides of the men. Merry fell to the ground and Pippin collapsed next to him, “Wait!”

Angel spun around, “What?”

“We have to rest,” Pippin said between gasping breaths.
The vampire growled and rolled his eyes, “We don’t have time for this!” Grabbing both hobbits by the nape of the neck, he unceremoniously yanked them to their feet. “Keep up or be left behind!”

“Angel!” Willow snapped incredulously.

“Don’t start Willow,” he growled.

“They are right,” Aragorn interjected. “We all need to rest. Finding Boromir and the others like this will only result in our deaths if we continue this way.”

“Fine,” Angel sighed. “You rest. I’ll scout the area.”

Willow and Aragorn shared a look as they all sat on the forest floor. “What’s his problem?” Merry asked.

“He is in a strange land full of strange things,” Aragorn answered. “We have asked he and Willow to take a lot on mere faith. They do not know of us, this fellowship or even of the ring. They come from a place where our existence is nothing but myth yet they willingly offered to help us. How would you react?” He asked the hobbits.

They both looked shameful, “You are right Strider, we are as strange to them as they are to us,” Merry agreed.

Angel returned to the group, he looked paler then normal and collapsed to the ground in a heap.

“Angel!” Willow gasped as she and Aragorn rushed to his side.

Angel’s eyes opened. “Are you alright?” Aragorn asked worriedly.

Angel didn’t reply so Willow answered for him, “No he’s not! He is starving and if he doesn’t eat soon he will die,” sadness evident in her voice.

Aragorn turned to Merry and Pippin, “Fix what you can find for him quickly!”
“No,” Angel said slowly getting to his feet. “I don’t eat,” he paused, “That kind of food.”

A look of understanding washed over Aragorn’s face, “What can I do? How can I help?”

Angel smiled, “A red cross would be great about now.” He chuckled as he as on a stump.

Willow shook her head as she walked to him, “You always did have a demented sense of humor.”

“It’s why you love me,” he assured her.

She sat on his lap and bared her neck “Feed.”

He pushed her away, “No!”

“Why not?” she demanded. “You have to eat Angel.”

“Willow your not going to be able to replenish your system, not in an environment like this. If I feed from you there is a good chance you will die. I will not let that happen!”


Pippin approached Angel trying to help his new friend any way he could. “Um, Mr. Angel I don’t have a red one but I do have a wooden one.”

Angel cried out as the sharp pain burned through his arm. His game face slamming forward he growled causing the small hobbit to drop the cross in fear and stumble backwards.

“It’s ok small ones,” Aragorn assured them. “He will not harm you.”

“He’s hungry!” Pippin yelled.
“Yeah!” Merry agreed. “We may be small but when a man is starving he’ll take any lil’ bit he can get!”

Angel laughed, “I don’t eat people,” he assured.

“We aren’t people,” Pippin noted, “We are hobbits.”

“You don’t eat hobbits do you?” Merry inquired.

Willow shook her head, “He doesn’t eat hobbits either.”

“If you are not evil then why does the cross hurt you so?” Merry asked.

Angel looked at the shaken people in front of him, “It’s ok. When I feel pain sometimes my game face, as Willow and I call it, appears as a form of defense. It’s still me only the scary part of me.”

“Why is it different then the other monsters we’ve encountered? Aren’t you over taken by its powers?” Merry asked.

”That’s where the soul comes in. I was a demon, just like the ones you are thinking of and I did horrible things but I was later cursed with a soul.” They were looking at him funny so he tried a different approach. “When a person is made into a vampire, they are killed and their soul leaves their body making room for the evil to take over. That evil has no soul, no conscious to make it stop what it’s doing because it feels no pain or remorse. When my soul was thrust back into my body, I was taken from my resting place and put back into my body. I know everything the evil ‘me’ had done and I felt pain and remorse for all of it. I still do. Now I spend the rest of my immortal life trying to make amends for the things I’ve done.”

“But you didn’t do them,” Aragorn said, confused as why his friend thought he should be punished like that.

Angel started to answer but was alerted to something in the woods, “Stay here.”

Willow was frightened as Angel went into the woods alone and Aragorn tired to comfort her, “It’s an Orc.”

“How do you know?” She asked.

“It’s been trailing us for a while.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I knew he had not eaten and thought it would be useful soon.”

About that time Angel walked back to the group, “It was an Orc.”

The others laughed and stood. Aragorn knew that Angel was uncomfortable talking about his past so decided not to push any more today, “Ok, lets be on our way now.” Once again sat out on their way.

“What’s so funny?” Angel asked following them.

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Legolas had been walking for days now and while his Elvin energy had sustained him thus far he was growing weak from exhaustion and starvation. He was thankful that he was light on his feet but still they were covered in cuts and blisters from the rocks and jagged stones. He faltered in his steps and fell gashing his head open and gouging a deep hole in his leg on a sharp stone. The men were ruthless and did not stop or slowdown so he could get back on his feet, instead they dragged him, reveling in the pain he experienced. Much to everyone’s surprise he regained his footing and marched on.

Legolas had lost count of the days he’d traveled and had no idea where he was or what direction he had traveled. His exhaustion was getting the best of him. As they drew closer to their destination, a cloth sack was put over his head. He fought this of course earning himself another hard backhand. As if walking wasn’t hard enough for him before now he could not see making for many tedious moments but finally they came to a stop.

Legolas was shoved to the ground and heard a large door shut behind him. He managed to yank the sack from his head and his eyes attempted to adjust to the dark atmosphere. He managed to make out shadows in the dark room, prisoners he suspected. “Where am I?” No one answered. “Please, what land are we in?”

“Minas Tirith,” a shaky voice replied.

‘Minas Tirith’ the elf thought to himself. Boromir was arrogant to bring him to his father’s homeland. This would be the first place Aragorn and Lord Elrond will search for him. Either that or he was genius because it would be the last place they’d think he would bring him. Either way he hoped they didn’t come, he could not be the cause of any more misery for the elves. He would not allow it. As his body gave into sleep he said a silent prayer that no one would find him.

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Ch 6


Three days had passed for Angel, Willow, Aragorn and the hobbits, three very treacherous days. They had done battle with Orcs, Urks, a cave troll and the men of Nazqul (The dark Lord) many times. Not only were they battle weary als also they were losing faith. Losing faith in their reason for battling, doubting their abilities, even their strengths and weaknesses. They were so affected by this that Willow and Angel could no longer use magic. Their power was drawn from the light and they were so dishearten and broken that they could only draw from the evil.

It seemed as though with each strike of a sword, with each monster that fell it took a piece of their heart with it. With each kill their hearts blackened with despair.

Willow was so weak that during their last battle, with the Wraiths she was almost abducted. Angel and Aragorn were both injured badly and the hobbits were exhausted. As they made camp and rested for the night, they had all made a silent pact that they did not want to wake. Angel and Willow held each other close as they fell asleep. As Aragorn, the last one to sleep began to doze he uttered, “I am sorry I failed my friends.”

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Lord Elrond had seen a vision of the present and what was to come and his heart ached for his friends. He set them out on this quest not knowing everything and he felt it was his fault that they were made to suffer. He took a deep breath and exhaled loudly, there was nothing he could have done to stop this, it was meant to be. Now was time to start the fourth stage. He turned to one of his servants, “Bring Arwen to me.”

A wal walked into the lovely palace wondering why she had been summoned. She hoped her father had word of Aragorn and the others. As she entered his chambers, he was telling two smiths to prepare horses. “Are we going somewhere father?”

He turned and smiled, “My lovely daughter.” They hugged. “I fear it is not ‘we’ who are to go but you. You must ride through the forest of Barrow Downs then to the Cirith Ungol where Aragorn and the others lay.”

“Lay?” she panicked. “They.. they are dead?”

“No my child, not yet. They are off course and in the land of Cirith Ungol where they are losing the light for which they battle.”

“Cirith Ungol? Isn’t that in the mountain of shadow? The one that has The Path of The Spider where the Witch Kind of Nazgul resides?”

“The same. It is because they are doing battle with the witch king that they are losing the light, their very goodness that makes them what they are. You are to go to them daughter and tell them that they must leave the forest now! Once out they will return to normal. You are also to bring the hobbits and the witch back here to Rivendell with you.”

“As you wish father,” she said, unsure of all she was told but she knew he would not cause any of them undo harm.

He handed her a heavy water bag “Give this to Angel. Tell him it will make his journey easier and that the bag is enchanted and will never empty.”

She hugged her father and was off to find her beloved.

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Legolas didn’t know how long he’d been asleep when he felt the sharp tug at his chains. His muscles ached and his feet screamed as he stood with the other prisoners and was led, unwillingly, out the door. Relief washed over him when he realized they were going outside. His eyes squinted at the bight morning sun as he breathed in deep lungs full of the fresh air. A shovel was pushed into his hands as the guard yelled, “Dig!” Legolas hesitated unsure of what was going on and not liking his imprisoned state he wanted to talk to Boromir. Before he could speak one of the guards hit him with a flogger. The elf, which was light on his feet was pushed forward by the blows but managed to stay standing. “Get to work boy!” The guard shouted.


Legolas and the others had been worked then entire day in the hot summer sun with no break and no water. His hands were blistered and bloody but he was the healthiest prisoner there. Some of the men were too old to stand much less to work. He felt sorry for them but in his current position could not help them any more then he could help himself.

His mind wondered whil sal salved, back to the days of Mirkwood. To days of growing up, all his adventures in the woods. His father’s happiness when he mastered the bow and his happy yet angry look when he killed his first Orc by himself. He wanted those feelings again, to have his father proud of him. To be in his good graces as he once was would be impossible after the shame Legolas had brought his people. He was pulled from his silent reverie when the elderly man next to him fell from exhaustion.

Legolas dropped his shovel and knelt next to the man, “Sir, are you all right?” The old man saw two guards coming and forced himself to stand. Legolas stood as well still supporting the man.

“What do you think your doing slave?” The guard demanded.

“So sorry sir,” the old one groveled and quickly went back to work. The guard gave him a sharp slash with the whip to stress the hierarchy of things. That caused the man to fall painfully to the ground.

Legolas had taken all he could, “Stop!”

The guard’s head snapped around, “What did you say boy?”

“I said stop you idiot! He’s to weak to work like this, he’ll be no good to anyone dead!”

“You need to learn your place boy!”

“I am no boy I assure you. Why don’t you get off your steed, unchain me and show me my place, if you can!”

Anger flared in the guard’s eyes as his whip lashed out at the unruly salve. Legolas ducked it with ease. After a few more attempts and misses the guard lashed out at the old man who had been cheering the elf on. As the whip went toward the man a second time Legolas grabbed it and yanked the guard from his horse. Six more guards came running to the scene and converged on the elf, kicking and beating him into submission.

Once he was subdued, he was forced on his knees in front of the wronged guard, “Forty lashes for you boy,” he snarled as he punched the kneeling elf in the face.

Legolas’s arms were tied to a wooden arch and were stretched painfully apart forcing him to stand on his toes. A guard ripped the tunic from his body exposing his smooth pale back.

Behind him the guard laughed, “This will be a pleasure boy.” The first lash with the salt cured horsewhip cut a deep gash across his back causing him to gasp. The next four came rapidly allowing him no time to recover. His face became a mask of steel; showing no emotion as he fought to hold back his tears. He could hear the guards laughing and taunting him but he kept his face blank, he would not show them weakness. One after another the blows rained down and by the time the fortieth lash etched a path in his bloodied skin Legolas hung limply in his restraints.

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Ch 7

“Aragorn,” a soft voice called out. “Nae sian luume’ melanim” (It has been too long my love.)

The ranger stirred, “Vanimle sila tiri melanim, (Your beauty shines bright my love) sadly you are but a dream.

“Nay Aragorn I am not a dream but real. Father sent me to put you back on course.” She realized that she was not getting through his exhausted haze and lightly smacked him. When he still didn’t rouse, she smacked him harder.

His eyes snapped open and he reached for his sword in preparation for battle, “What is the meaning of this?” he snapped waking Willow and Angel.

“You are a hard man to wake ranger,” the Elvin maiden smiled.

“Arwen,” he smiled lowering his sword. “How did you find us?” he asked while embracing her.

“Father sent me, he knew you were trapped in this lifeless Black Forest.”

“Then he knows I have failed,” the dark one said sadly.

“Nay, you have failed no one. Aragorn it is this forest that is sucking the very life essence from your bodies making you give up on even life itself! You have not yet failed your friend but you must make haste! I fear if you do not leave these woods this day you will never leave them.”

Angel approached, “Then it is an essence in the forest who calls to my dark side?”

“Yes Agrayulnaer (Blood-sucker), it is the evil that calls to you. It wants you to embrace your darkness and become one with it. That is why you must not tarry.” Arwen handed him the bladder her father had sent, “Father said to tell you this would help you on your journey and to assure you it was enchanted and would never empty.”

He took the gift from her and opened it; sniffing carefully he realized it was blood. He drank greedily then turned toward her, “Thank him for me please.”

Arwen then turned to Willow, “You must be the white witch.”

“I am Willow, it’s a pleasure to meet you Arwen.”

“Father has requested you and the Hobbits to accompany me back to Rivendell while the men continue on. There is urgent business he must discuss with you.”

“No way!” Willow snapped. “I’m going with them. They might need my help in rescuing Legolas.”

“He said this was of the most urgency my lady, please.”

“Lord Elrond would not have sequestered you if it were not important Willow,” Aragorn added.

She turned to Angel for support but found only resistance, “I don’t want you to leave my side but Arwen is right, you need to return with her. I have a feeling about this place that I can’t explain. I feel that we are meant to do something here, something with a purpose. This is something you need to do. Besides,” he smiled, “It will put me at ease to know you are safe.”

“But,” she protested in vain.

After a few intense moments of arguing he kissed her passionately affirming both his love for her and his concern. Reluctantly she agreed to go. The hobbits put up no resistance to returning to the sanctuary of Rivendell they were ready to leave. Arwen looked to Willow, “Do you know how to ride?”

Willow petted her stead, whispering a few magic words to ease its tension then mounted it easily, “Yes I have ridden before.” Angel lifted Pippin onto the back of Willows horse as Aragorn done the same with Merry for Arwen.

Aragorn kissed his lady, “Must you go so soon and take away the least bit of sunshine my tired eyes have seen in weeks?”

“You know I must go and you must get on with your journey. I will be awaiting your return in Rivendell.” After gracefully mounting her stead she turned to Aragorn, “All will come to you in time but beware not all is as it seems.”

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Legolas was cut down from his restraints and his bloody, battered body was drugged ruthlessly back to the castle. He was not thrown in the dungeon this time; instead he was placed in a small dark room. The Captain of the guand and two of his men entered as well closing the door behind them. Throwing the elf hard to the ground he snarled, “You have yet begun to pay for your actions slave!” The guard laughed an evil laugh, “You will willingly bow to the Steward of Gondor and his son and you will learn to call them master! By the time we are through with you, you will pray for death!” Haredared down at the elf while his men forced the prince to his knees. “Let’s start with something simple you will no doubt perform many times a day during your service here.” The guard freed himself from his breeches and approached Legolas with his dripping length, “Open your mouth!”

The two other guards laughed as the grabbed handfuls of the Prince’s blonde hair and forced his head up. Legolas’s heart was pounding so hard he thought it would burst from his chest as fear and loathing flowed through him. He struggled to break free from the men’s grasp and they began to beat him down.

Two hours had passed before the guards grew tired of beating the elf; it seemed like days to Legolas. He was half aware that the guards had finally left him and allowed himself the leeway to cry. Silent tears streamed from his eyes as he said a quiet thank you to Elbereth for giving him strength. He had been able to keep the guards from taking him but he paid dearly. His jaw was dislocated, a few ribs broken and his wrist hurt like mad. The men had kicked and punched him relentlessly focusing mostly on his back with kidney punches. He assumed it was so he wouldn’t be able to slave in the trenches and they would have another reason to beat him again. He redressed himself the best he could and curled on the ground in hope of resting before it all started over.

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Boromir paced the thrown room. “Sit!” his father yelled.

“Father,” he pleaded, “I know we are doing what we must to assure your kingship of Gondor and our thrown but I am fearful. It is not wise to anger elves much less an entire tribe of them.”

“There is nothing to fear my son. We have an ally that will assure no war with the elves over Mirkwood’s fall.”

“That’s right,” King Thranduil said as he took a seat next to the thrown. He smiled down at Boromir then looked back to Denethor, “If only my son was like yours the elves would not be made to suffer so,” he laughed.

The three continued to discuss their plan. Thranduil had struck a deal with Denethor, steward of Gondor many months ago to surrender the forests of Mirkwood forcing the elves into slavery. For this Thranduil would receive great fortune of course but he would also get to punish his son, The Prince of Mirkwood for his mothers’ indiscretions. He knew he could not hurt his wife but he would find more pleasure in destroying Legolas. Yes he would be made to suffer greatly for the fall of Mirkwood and the King would be the one doing the punishing leaving the people to believe that his son was the one who caused the fall of the great wood elves.

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The horses made it to Rivendell quickly as if a force was pulling them home. When they arrived, the Hobbits were taken to their rooms to freshen up and rest while Arwen and Willow were rushed straight to the King.

“Father,” Arwen smiled embracing him. “This is the white witch Willow.”

Lord Elrond kissed her hand, “Thank you for coming so quickly. I am sorry to push you like this but we must get to work straight away. You are the only one who can help me.”

“How can I help you?” she asked stunned. “I should be out there with Angel and Aragorn looking for Legolas!”

“If I am correct in my assumptions this could save us all.”

“Father?” Arwen questioned, unsettled by his concerned look. “What is going on?”

“There is a foul voice on the air daughter. I have to find the truth or all elves could perish.” The look of concern on his chiseled features spoke a thousand words.

“Good, no pressure then,” Willow breathed in an attempt to ease the tension. Elrond looked at her. “What can I do to help?”

“I have enchanted water from Lothlorien’ but I need you to cast upon it.”

“Cast what?” she asked nervously.

He handed her a piece of crumpled paper, ”Here are the spells and all the ingredients you will need are on the table. If this is successful I will be able to see my past and get the answers I need to make things right and to find Legolas. He wrung his hands worriedly as Willow checked the spells.

“I can do this but it will be very dangerous for you. If you are too taken by what you see you could lapse into an incoherent state and not be able to come out.”

“I am aware of the dangers dear one, but they are dangers I must accept.”