Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four

Chapter 1

The sun shone brightly through the leaves casting patterned shadows on the forest floor. Legolas Greenleaf walked out of his room and down a corridor. Birdsong drifted in through one of the full length windows. He stopped to admire the scene that stretched away in front of him. The different colours and smells of the forest almost sent him into a world of his own.

Pulling himself out of his daze, Legolas continued down towards the dinning room. He stopped now and then to greet other elves that passed him by. Reaching the end of the corridor, he pulled open the door and walked in.

"Legolas. You have risen at last"

"Yes father. I hope you don't mind my late arrival?"

"Of course not. Come, sit hear. I have some important business to remind you of" Thranduil allowed his son to be seated before continuing with the conversation. "Now then, you do remember that the Lady Galadriel is coming tomorrow don't you?"

"Yes father. She seeks your council?"

"Yes. She has a very important matter to discuss with me, although I haven't the faintest clue what it is about! Please Legolas, can you make sure that every thing is planned and prepared ready for her arrival."

"As you wish."

Legolas removed himself from his father's presence once he had finished eating. He decided to go and help his friends on guard duty. As he reached them, Elviondel turned

"Hey! What is a prince doing out here with us peasants?"

"Oh shut up! You know very well that my father admires you along with everyone else, and thinks of you as an equal."

"If you say so, your highness" Elviondel replied, bowing

Legolas' friends loved to tease him about the fact that he was Prince of Mirkwood and that he was the heir to his father's throne.

Seating himself upon a rock, Legolas gazed around him at what he considered to be the most beautiful forest ever. But something strange was happening in another part of the world. Something that felt familiar, an evil closing in. He could not place its whereabouts. "Elviondel, do you feel that something isn't quite right? There are strange things happening in the world" Legolas asked,

"I know what you mean. There is defiantly something wrong. But I can not place it"

"That's how I feel." Legolas answered. He continued to ponder the subject in his mind, but didn't ask anyone else about it. "Anyway" Legolas broke the long silence "How are things going with you and your lady at the moment?" he raised his eyebrows

"Oh you mean Sáwen? It's great, I've never been more content" Elviondel replied

"Good, I'm happy for you"

"Don't you think it's time you found yourself someone?"

"Nobody would like me, I'm just your average guy"

"Yeah right!" Elviondel laughed "If that ever happens, where nobody likes you, then I'll turn into a hobbit!"

"But it's true" Legolas protested

"Okay, so we have a single elf, who is prince of Mirkwood, the best bloody archer that I've ever seen who has the best looks out of us all and he thinks that no-one is interested! Like that's realistic, the girls are queuing to be with you!" Legolas punched his friend, playfully

"Quit it, you do this to me every time!" Elviondel simply shook his head,

"You want to go hunting tomorrow?"

"I can't, sorry. Queen Galadriel is coming; father wants me around all day"

"Of course" Elviondel said, tapping his head "My memory is getting worse." The conversation continued in the way that it always did, until Legolas' watch was over.

The next morning Legolas made sure that he rose early. He jumped out of bed and pulled on his tunic and leggings. The palace was full of activity. Elves hurrying around preparing things before the king's guest arrived. Legolas observed the other elves for a while, like his father had instructed him. "Legolas!" a voice called from the end of the passage. Legolas turned to see who it was. Thranduil was approaching him. "Come Legolas. Messengers have arrived to say that Galadriel approaches." The two of them walked outside and stood waiting on the stone steps. The sound of trotting hooves drifted through the air as a large, grey, beautiful horse entered the gates of the city.

Galadriel dismounted herself from her steed and walked towards the two of them. Bowing before her, Legolas said "It is a pleasure to welcome you to our city"

"I'm very glad to be here" Galadriel answered.

"If you will follow me, my lady, then I shall escort you to my study" Thranduil said, offering her his arm.

After Thranduil and Galadriel had disappeared inside the palace, Legolas hurried off to the stables to check that the horses had been properly fed and watered. As he approached Nildur, his favourite horse, he stroked him gently down the neck and patted his shoulder. "Shhhh" Legolas whispered as Nildur neighed quietly. "I shall take you out tomorrow. Look for me as the sun rises. Be ready" Almost as though the horse had understood Legolas, it bobbed its head in agreement. Legolas exited the stable without looking back.

Legolas made his way along corridors, allowing his mind to wander freely. His thoughts turned, as they often did, to his mother. Everyday he thought of her, he had never really got to know her properly and had always wished that she had been around to see him grow up. Legolas loved his father, but he needed a mother - especially when he was young. He needed someone that he could turn to for advice, someone who wasn't always involved with royal duties. Legolas never blamed his father for not being around as much as he would have liked.

Pulling himself out of his thoughts, Legolas found himself looking out over his beloved forest. Looking down he saw Elviondel sitting on a bench humming to himself. "Elviondel! Is anything wrong in the forest today?" Legolas called

"No sire, everything is as it should be" and then he added "I should know, I've just come off guard duty"

"Thank you. Will I see you later at the feast?" Legolas asked

"Yes, I think I shall make an appearance!" Elviondel said, grinning broadly

"Good, see you later then" Legolas turned to go but Elviondel called after him.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Your father wants to see you as soon as possible." Chuckling to himself at his friend's forgetfulness, Legolas made his way to Thranduil's study. As he reached the door he knocked briskly a few times and waited to be acknowledged.

"Come in" a voice called from inside. Legolas pushed the door open and stepped across the threshold.