Ellenya was dreaming that she was sure of, for she was an elfling again, surrounded by a magical forest, one that she did not recognise as her home or even the Golden Wood. It was almost like a scene from a painting, everything was so vivid and perfect. The trees were tall and dramatic, the leaves were all sorts of hues of gold and amber, and they danced about her like sprites, as they fell from the high canopies. It was like something she used to dream up as a child.

Ellenya spun in circles, catching the pretty leaves as they fell, the brightness and playful tones of this wood brought her great joy, and she felt free and alive, the traumas of her real life did not reach her in this secret place. Suddenly the cascading leaves began to slow, until only a few brushed her shoulders and fell to the ground, the wood became quiet, and Ellenya stopped her spinning to listen.

"Ellenya," a familiar voice whispered, it sounded like music, and made her heart stop, she knew that voice. The voice laughed softly and called her again and again; until Ellenya ascertained the direction it came from, and began to follow it.

"My little star, come I am waiting in the glade," The voice came like the wind rustling the leaves, light and airy.

"Nana?" Ellenya heard herself ask in her high soprano, elfling voice, "Nana where are you?"

"In the glade," her Naneth sang out.

Ellenya began running, it was her Naneth, she was here, she was in the glade, but where was the glade?

"I do not know where I am, Nana I am lost," Ellenya called out, panic beginning to enter her voice, suddenly there was a chill in the air that had not been there before, a sinister vibe seemed to slink into the wood. Its bright colours beginning to fade,

"Hurry my darling do not tarry the darkness is coming, quickly come to Nana I will keep you safe," The voice of her Mother was anxious, but kept its soothing edge.

The wood was slowly dying around her, the falling leaves became falling ash and the stench of smoke and tar filled her lungs. Ellenya heard herself cry, aching sobs as she became lost and disorientated in the winding paths of the now ominous wood. The bed of leaves was now a bed of ash at her feet, and the trees were scorched black. On the blackened, bark, there was a symbol, a solitary hand print of white, Ellenya knew this symbol, the was the mark of the Wizard Saruman the White, the highest of the Istari, her brows furrowed in confusion, but why would he mark the trees and curse them with death? With a thrill of fear, Ellenya hurtled into a sprint, calling breathlessly for her Naneth to come find her.

In her panic the elfling Ellenya, stumbled into a glade, tripping over her feet and into a pile of soft leaves. The glade was untouched just like the part of the wood she had played in earlier, and she sighed in relief, as she drank up the soothing atmosphere. Sitting up she observed her surroundings, and stared in wonder at the tree's that lined the glade, these trees were strange, with branch like limbs, and faces! These tress had faces, and ancient eyes, that appeared glazed over and sleeping, these were Onodrim, tree-hosts, ent beings! Ellenya gasped, she had never seen these beings before, only read about them, this was a magical place, the Onodrim had fallen asleep long before her time, they had passed into lore and were a forgotten race. But here they were, and she could see them, this was a strange dream indeed!

"Ellenya, daughter, look," her Naneth's voice commanded.

Ellenya jumped to the sound and searched the clearing for her Nana; the voice was so loud like she had been standing beside her the whole time;

"Ellenya you must see!" Lairiel's voice was crystal clear and almost pleading with her child.

"I do not see you Nana, where are you?" Ellenya cried in confusion

"I am here with you," her nana soothed, "Ellenya watch and listen!"

"Nana I am confused?" Ellenya felt the presence of her Naneth surround her but had no face to go with the voice, and what was she supposed to watch for? What must she listen too?

"Watch for there is more to come, listen for the instructions," came her Naneths reply.

"I do not understand?" Ellenya was beginning to get frustrated, "What is the white hand of Saruman doing on the dead trees, is this what I must watch for?"

"In time the schemes of evil will be revealed...be ready my daughter...find the light of the forest...Legolas will show you" Lairiels voice answered, but was becoming airy and light, like it was retreating.

Ellenya panicked, "What else Nana? What evil will come? What of Legolas?" she called out to her Nana's fading voice.

Her Naneths presence momentarily became stronger, as if clinging onto the dream for a moment longer than it was allowed to, her voice was suddenly saturated with pain and sadness, "Legolas will take the journey south, watch, Ellenya, watch your brother!"

xXx

Ellenya roused from her dream, doused in sweat, face down in her pillow, her coverings twisted around her legs and body, like restraints pinning her to the bedframe. Her fingers were making crescent moon shapes on the mattress were she had visibly clawed during her nightmare. This was the third time in one week she had the same dream, but this evening had been the first her Naneth had said her brother's name, and with such emotion. Ellenya rolled onto her back and rubbed her face with her hands;

"It is just a dream, you are too stressed, you need to relax and stop going for naps in the afternoon!" Ellenya chastised herself, as she tried to ascertain what time of the evening it was. Before the woodland princess could come to a conclusion the door of her bed chamber was knocked loudly;

"My Lady, I have drawn a bath for you, would you like me to assist you in preparation for tonight's party?" the bright voice of one of Ellenya's hand maiden's chirped.

Ellenya bolted upright, and clutched her forehead, the party, she had forgotten all about the party! Untangling herself with little grace, still drowsy from her not so pleasant dreams, Ellenya got to her feet and pulled a deep red gown around herself, fastening at her waist she made for the door and pulled it open, to face the startled servant.

"My thanks Leyla, but it is fine I can manage myself, I will call you if I need you," Ellenya answered the dark haired elleth, who curtsied in respect, "You may leave my clothes in the bathing room, I will change myself."

"I have already done so my lady, His Majesty has sent you a new dress for the festivities, it is his hope you will wear it," The elleth answered.

Ellenya smiled fondly, "How very thoughtful of my Adar, I shall indeed wear it, please Leyla see that I am not disturbed while I bathe." With that Ellenya strode off in the direction of her beckoning bath, she felt like a soak in warm water would revive her senses.

Ellenya entered the bathing room, were a grand marble pool had been designed in the centre, to its left a roaring fire heated the water in a large pan, and to the far side a small, natural waterfall, poured through the rocks, and wound its way through a trough which collected the water used for the bath. The natural underground water system that wound its way through the caves of the Woodland King's Halls, had many great uses, and had allowed the designing of this magnificent bathing room.

Ellenya stood in front of a beautiful mirror and examined her weary expression, her tousled hair, and shiny skin, yes a bath was absolutely necessary. Slowly she shed her clothing, and wrapped a white towel around her, as she went to check the temperature of the water. Ellenya did not allow any of the servants to assist her to bathe or dress, not because she was prudish, but because she was ashamed.

As the princess lent over the pool of water, the towel slid down to the small of her back, revealing a strange pattern of silvery, purplish vein like lines. With her eyes firmly avoiding the mirror, Ellenya discarded the towel, revealing the extent of the strange markings that stretched from the small of her back, over hip and waist, cutting across her middle and ending just shy of her chest, the lines were shaped loosely like a fluid 'S.' It was a scar, the silvery veins, a network of deep scratches. Over her hip and waist the skin was mottled and pinched, the remains of a burn, instinctively Ellenya covered her side and hip with her hand, as it disgusted her to look at.

This set of scars, were the physical remains of the torture she had endured as an elfling. When she was taken from her bed chamber, she had struggled against her captors, and tried to escape many times from their grasp. Eventually a particularly cruel beast of an orc, with a set of sharp claw like weapons, fashioned to his fingers, had dug them into the small of her back, hoping to keep her in place, but even as an elfling Ellenya did not fear pain, and ripped away from the orc, but it was a strong monster, and held on, thus she was left with the trailing scar.

Later the beasts had taken great joy in kicking her about and pushing her over, as they trailed her through the woods of her home. One particular cruel game had gone awry when, as the orc's threw her against tree trunks and off hard rocks, she had caught her food and landed in the embers of their campfire. Shrieking in agony and trying to pull her already torn side, from the flames, the beasts delighting in her pain, held her against the hot coals briefly, until their commander reminded them she was needed alive and as bait. Reluctantly they freed her and had to carry her for a further few miles, as she had almost passed out from the trauma. However Ellenya had been determined to not give her captors the satisfaction, and with a mixture of the quick healing of elves and her mighty determination she had soon found her feet and fought back as best she could.

She was even able to hide the extent of her wounds from her Naneth when she had found her. It was only when Legolas had carried her through the woods that the jostling had caused the wound to begin to bleed again. Ellenya could still remember the utter horror on her brother's face when he peeled back the ripped clothing of her side, they were not serious wounds, not to an elf, they had already begun to heal, it was just the shock of seeing them on an elfiing, it was the last thing she remembered clearly before she retreated into the depths of her mind.

Ellenya lay in the bath and traced the slim pattern of the silvery lines, if these were the only scars she had received from that day she would have taken them and been glad. It was the trauma of how they had been received, the cruelty of her captors, and the vile curses in black speech they spewed upon her. The elaborate ways they described how they had or how they would, murder her parents, painting terrible images in her young mind. Pulling at her hair, running their blackened, cold fingers along her neck and arms, leering at her with vicious eyes, taunting her with the evil they could inflict upon her, things that at the time she was too young to understand the meaning of.

Abruptly Ellenya pulled her knees up to her chest and buried her face in them, wrapping her arms around herself, she rocked gently. Trying to dispel the memories from her mind, she shuddered at the thought of what they could have, what they would have done to her if her Naneth had not saved her! In the subconscious crevices of her mind, Ellenya knew that was why she feared emotional contact from anyone, the slightest touch, sent her reeling at the memories. It was not that she wanted a mate, or that it was even a possibility for her, it was the fear the thought brought her, how could any ellon love her? The scars flawed her body, and the trauma left her unable to accept even the smallest gestures of intimacy. How would they understand, could they be patient enough for her, would she ever truly recover enough to trust someone not to turn away in disgust? Ellenya had resigned herself to life alone, it was safer that way, and no one could hurt her if she was in control of herself and her emotions.

With that thought, Ellenya took a deep breath and submerged herself in the water, it was a pleasant sensation, she enjoyed it. Through her eyes the world was distorted and rippling, the water in her ears muffled the outside sounds, and closing off her lungs to the sensation of drawing breath, felt unnatural, she liked that. In her watery cocoon, she let the memories go, following through the motions that Lord Elrond and the Lady Galadriel had taught her, to help to dispel the torment. Just like that Ellenya, tucked away the memories and locked them up tight somewhere in the darker part of her mind, she re-emerged from the water and took a deep breath to fill her lungs, she painted a smile on her face, and pretended that all was well again, after all she had a party to attend and she loved parties.

xXx

King Thranduil sat on his glorious, carven, throne; looking out at a lively congregation of merry elves, all engaged in preparations for the feast he had commanded. It was an amusing sight; the musicians were banging away at their various instruments intent on perfecting their melodies, servants scuttled backwards and forwards carrying bottles of wine, plates and various baskets of bread. Decorators were stuffing every square space available, with wild flowers and more lanterns, and somewhere to his left, Arystor, his chief advisor and long suffering friend, prattled on dully about things of little interest to him.

"So sire, would you believe they were complaining? Complaining about having to guard that creature Gollum, instead of going to the party! Well I just told them they had no sense of duty or responsibility that it is an honour and privilege to do their King's bidding! I mean My Lord, what boldness, why back in our day you would have been flogged for such behaviour, youngsters these days; they do not know how fortunate they are!"

Arystor finished his complaint and huffed loudly, crossing his arms across his chest, before launching to another long winded whinge, about how young elves are so full of ego and irresponsible. Thranduil rolled his eyes and drummed his long, fingers on the edge of the fine, golden, goblet he drank from. Truthfully Thranduil was very proud of the young elves of his Kingdom, they were exceptional warriors, skilled in many crafts, and so full of life and energy, they were loyal to him and their home, and that was all he could ever ask of them, as their King.

Thinking of the younger subjects his mind drifted to his own pair of youngsters, as it often did periodically throughout the day. Absently Thranduil felt out the bond he shared firstly with his daughter, for he worried the most over her, he observed her fae and felt it had twinge of excitement, Ellenya loved parties, and he echoed her happiness. He switched his mind to Legolas, and was abruptly concerned when his son's usually joyful spirit seemed pensive and distracted, any attempts Thranduil made to commune spiritually with his son were blocked. So without hesitation and no warning to Arystor, Thranduil rose from his chair and left the stunned elf mid rant, the advisor realising he had been talking to himself the whole time, grumbled and stalked off in the direction of a free bottle of wine, sometimes serving his King was a thankless job.

xXx

"Legolas, it is me, may I come in?" Thranduil spoke calmly to the walnut door of his son's chambers; he had knocked it a few times and was growing impatient waiting on a reply, when again his presence was ignored, Thranduil yanked the door open and walked briskly in.

"Legolas it is still considered rude to ignore your Adar, sometimes I feel I am still dealing with a youth!"

The King huffed as he strode into the chambers, and found his son leaning over a round desk, covered in papers, maps and other bits and bobs, pertaining to military strategy. Legolas' shoulders were taught, and his jaw clenched, all his weight was distributed through his strong arms, the muscles standing out through the silk fabric of his tunic, Thranduil wondered how the beech, table had not snapped in two, by the sheer force his son was putting through it!

"Boy, do you hear me or am I speaking to thin air?" Thranduil asked, but his son continued to stare pensively at the piece of parchment in front of him.

"LEGOLAS!" Thranduil roared, annoyance evident in his tone, the King was not used to raising his voice, it was usually menacing enough at a normal level, but his son was testing his patience.

Legolas leapt this time, spinning in shock to meet his Adar's peeved expression;

"Adar?" he managed to squeak, "I did not hear you come in, I am sorry!"

Thranduil shook his head and groaned, "Do you still live in your head my son? What is troubling you? There are guests already gathering for the festivities, why are you not-"

Legolas pushed the parchment under his Adar's nose, and Thranduil silenced his questions, when he recognized the familiar seal of the House of Elrond.

"What is this?" Thranduil murmured as he unfolded the letter and gazed at Elrond's scrawling script, looking up questioningly to his son.

"Just read it Ada," Legolas answered and waved his hand dismissively, before turning to lean his weight back on the table again, staring at the map of his home, and the various areas owned or occupied by orc, their numbers were growing, the woodland Prince sighed heavily.

Thranduil watched in alarm as his son's shoulder buckled under some tremendous weight, whatever the contents of this letter, it was not desirable tidings. Reluctantly Thranduil began to read the letter, and Legolas waited patiently for his Adar's reaction, as he continued to frown at the table before him.

The King folded up the letter and placed it back, when he was through reading it, and the King sighed a small, knowing, sigh, before turning to his son. Their gazes met and both pair of eyes, held the same level of anxiety and concern;

"It was as I predicted Legolas, in time all foul things come fourth, I admit though, it is a deep betrayal!" Thranduil was the first to speak.

"It is a crime before the Valar Adar, he was chosen, the highest of his order, we trusted him to keep the laws of our world, to defend the innocent against the darkness, it is more than a deep betrayal! It is blasphemy!" Legolas spat angrily.

"Saruman was too proud Legolas, his fall from grace was inevitable, I never trusted him and neither did your Naneth. It is a blessing Mithrandir escaped, at least now we are no longer blinded by ignorance," Thranduil responded coolly, "What is more troubling is the emergence of the ring, I do not like this Legolas, if the ring falls to the care of Elrond, which I believe is the cryptic subtext of his letter, then they are more concerning decisions to make!"

"He wishes to hold a council Adar, he has summoned our presence," Legolas added.

"No son, he has summoned me to this meeting, this letter was meant for my eyes, why did you open it without consulting me first?" Thranduil's tone was not angry, it was concerned, and for a moment the King held a look of panic.

Thranduil knew his son well, he was usually honest and free with his thoughts and emotions, he barely hid anything, the fact he was now evidently keeping something from his Adar, left the King feeling very uneasy. Legolas did not answer his Adar straight away; instead he stared pensively ahead, focusing on nothing in particular, his bright eyes, glistening with a hundred thoughts, most of them he knew his Adar would not like.

"Legolas?" Thranduil questioned, and placed a hand on his son's arm, a terrible fear beginning to grow and twist in his gut.

"Send me," Legolas finally replied, his voice barely a whisper.

"What?" the alarm in Thranduil's voice evident.

Legolas turned to meet his Adar's shocked gaze, and more firmly answered, "Send me to the council Adar, in your place, as an ambassador of the elves."

Thranduil tightened his jaw, and his eyes became cool and distant, he lifted the letter from the table and placed it in the pocket of his robe, before settling his son with an authoritative look;

"You do not know what you are asking to be a part of Legolas; this could very well be a prelude to war! We will discuss this at a later date, and I will make the final judgment on if, or even who will attend Elrond's council."

"Adar, if it is a prelude to war then I should go," Legolas answered sharply, defiantly squaring up to his Father, and with a steely look added; "I will go!"

"Do you not think I already know that!" Thranduil spat and stepped menacingly into his son's space, but Legolas did not flinch. Thranduil felt his temper flare and he turned his head away from his son, trying to hide the panic in his voice; he waited a few moments until his breathing settled before continuing;

"I know you would go Legolas, it is your desire and your fate to go to war, that is why you opened the letter before I did, you were expecting this were you not? Thranduil asked, and watched his son's gaze drop giving away his guilt. "Your abilities have made for you a tremendous reputation, which I am proud of! But forgive me, my son, if I am selfish enough to want to keep you alive."

With that said Thranduil turned away from Legolas, and began to walk towards the exit, his expression a mixture of grief and anxiety.

"Ada? I am not doing this to hurt you; I am doing this for you."" Legolas responded, moved by the rare emotion his Father and shared with him, he was always under the impression Thranduil wanted him to be a skilled warrior, he had always pushed him in his abilities wanting him to succeed.

Thranduil stopped at the doorway and whispered a barely audible, "I know," before rearranging his features into a mask of calmness and impassivity;

"We do not yet know the severity of the situation, there is no clear identification of any threat, and Elrond's council may just be a wise foresight on his behalf, to ensure we are prepared. But I will speak no more of it tonight, come I have put on a grand feast, this is a night to be young and carefree," Thranduil gave a small smile and gestured for his son to exit first, with a defeated sigh Legolas obliged.

xXx

The festivities were in full swing, the lively music of drums and horns filled the air, elves danced and sang with vigour, enjoying the fine wine and comforts of their home. Thranduil reclined on a carven couch, clapping his hands to the beat of the music, and laughing, engaging in merry conversation with different elves that surrounded him. His silvery, blue, eyes, watched with amusement as his daughter dramatically held the attention of the entire room, as her presence as she danced was unavoidable.

Ellenya owned the floor, moving from partner to partner with the same amount of energy and confidence, never faltering in her steps, always remaining graceful and flawless in her movements. Her face a mask of cool sophistication, she was instantly dismissive to any ellon that stayed to long in her presence, moving on leaving the poor soul lost and deflated.

As Ellenya tired of another dance partner she spun gracefully into the waiting arms of the next, only these happened to be her brothers and her icy exterior melted, she could indulge her brother for a few more melodies. Legolas was not the best dancing partner, but he was not the worst, mainly because he did not take the art of dancing seriously enough for Ellenya, he just enjoyed the energy and thus his footwork was sloppy to her standards.

"Well are you just the most beautiful elleth in the room this evening!" Legolas complimented, as they spun in elaborate circles.

"Thank you!" Ellenya exclaimed before smirking, "I was going to say the same about you."

"Charming," Legolas muttered, as he deliberately mistimed a few steps just to irritate his little sister.

"As always," Ellenya breathed, as she quickly countered her brother's errors, regaining her standard of perfection.

"You know most ellyn your age are married and settled by now, it concerns me how uninterested you are," Ellenya mused, "if you had a wife and a family to come home too, maybe you would spend less time running after that ranger friend of yours, and sleeping in trees!"

Legolas laughed at his sisters back handed insult, "Maybe I have just not found the right one, maybe I am old fashioned and believe you are fated to fall in love with just one individual, like Adar and Naneth," he replied knowing well the topic of love, would be ignored by his sister.

True enough Ellenya snorted in disbelief, "You really are an elleth Legolas, what whimsical fantasies you have of love, no wonder you are alone."

"Ah yes that it true, coming from one so knowledgeable in the domain of romance?" Legolas raised an eyebrow questioningly, "Tell me little sister, how is Elladan?"

Ellenya frowned, and rolled her eyes, "I have not the faintest notion what you are implying Legolas, Elladan is a friend."

"Does he know that?" Legolas pushed, and chuckled when Ellenya glared angrily at him.

"You are intolerable, and so immature!" Ellenya huffed.

"Oh come I was only jesting," Legolas scoffed, "besides Elladan is a wise one, he knows to keep away from trouble."

Ellenya playfully punched her brother, and as the music slowed the two exited the dance floor, neither of them interested in being surrounded by doe eyed couples.

"Alright Legolas, what is it you really want to discuss?" Ellenya asked as the two walked arm and arm through the pathways and out into their Naneth's gardens. Legolas felt his mouth twitch into a smile, his sister was always acutely aware of when he wished to discuss something of importance with her;

"A letter has arrived from Rivendell, The Lord Elrond is summoning a council, I fear it has something to do with grave tidings concerning Sauron and the ring of power," Legolas said, and watched as Ellenya's expressions changed subtly, her mouth turned down at the corners, but she continued to keep her voice light;

"This is nothing new you have been expecting this have you not?" she responded, turning to look questioningly at her brother, her brows furrowing, "there is more?"

Legolas nodded, "Yes, Saruman the White, has betrayed us he has sided with the enemy."

"This is terrible news!" Ellenya gasped and stopped to stare at her brother, her mind began to work quickly, visions of her dream came to the surface, the scorched tree with the white hand, this was a fore warning, she already knew this would happen. Her Naneth said to 'watch,' Legolas, she had said that he would take the south road, but that would lead him to Mordor?

"Are you alright?" Legolas asked, as he regarded the stunned look on his sibling's face, like she had just realized something terrible.

Ellenya turned away from her brother and went to lean against the edge of a fountain; she gripped the stone edges and stared into the clear water, as the images of her dream flashed before her eyes;

"I am fine," she managed to murmur, "you said something about a council, do you intend to go?"

"Yes, I do," Legolas responded warily, still concerned about the look in his sisters eyes.

"Why?" was all Ellenya found herself asking, she turned to look at her brother, "You know what it will lead too, it will lead to war, is this what you want, to go to war?"

"No-one wants war Ellenya, I want restoration, I want peace for you, for our people, for the people of middle earth, I believe it is possible."

Ellenya snorted and shook her head, "Aragorn the wandering ranger? He gives you hope?" she was beginning to see the connection in her mind, Legolas had only become more convicted and more involved in the business of middle earth since he met Estel.

"Aragorn is much more than a wandering ranger Ellenya, even you cannot deny that" Legolas warned, he never understood how his sister ignored Aragorn, it was written in prophesy he could very well mend the line of Kings, justice could be brought to Arda, there was hope.

Ellenya rolled her eyes, "Legolas he is an exile, and rightly so, men are weak, they would only reject him, too caught up in their own sorrows to see the light."

Legolas was furious now and turned angrily on his sister, "Ellenya! Our people are too caught up in sorrow to see hope, you can only battle despair with hope and that is what I fight for, I will see Greenwood restored, Father's rule strengthened and before I leave here I will know I have left some goodness behind!"

The fury in his stance made Ellenya shrink back, and she turned mournfully away from him, wrapping her arms tightly around herself, she felt ill, very ill. If her dream proved to be a fore warning of the future then she was going to lose her brother, her mother's voice had been full of pain, there was very little chance he would survive;

"You sound like Nanneth," Ellenya murmured, "Always compassionate, going beyond call and duty, wanting to heal the hurts of world" she shook her head and turned to give Legolas a sorrowful look, "It is your greatest skill and your stumbling block."

"Ellenya," Legolas tried to soothe, feeling guilty for his angry outburst, "war is inevitable, all of Arda will be covered in it, even our home."

"Then you should stay at home, fight for your people, not the rest of the world!" It was Ellenya's turn to snap, she was growing tired of Legolas' sense of morality and justice, since when did the concerns of men become so important to him! She felt tears sting the corners of her eyes, and scowled furiously at the ground trying to ignore them.

A painful look of uncertainty crossed Legolas' face, by rights he should stay and defend his home, but he could not ignore the growing sense of duty he felt within himself. If he was being truthful he wanted to see justice done upon the dark lord, he wanted blood for his Naneth's murder and he wanted retribution for his family and his people, he was not going to achieve that if he remained in Mirkwood. Since he had grown fond of Aragorn, he was filled with a new desire to truly rewrite the wrongs of the past, he believed in his friend, the boy he knew as Estel would sit upon the throne of Gondor once again, bringing hope to the race of men, giving them courage maybe even enough to stand against the lines of Mordor;

"Do not cry little sister, nothing is decided, please, I do not want to see you give up hope, I could not bear it if you left these shores, it is too soon for you, there is hope yet, I know you feel that too."

"I do not know what I feel Legolas, I miss Nanneth, the world is dark, hope is hidden from me."

Legolas hated to see his younger sister upset, he hated to see the sorrow in her eyes grow day by day, it worried him that soon it would all be too much for her, that she would give in and flee these shores. Outstretching his hand he rubbed her shoulder, and she flinched automatically, but he persevered and embraced her warmly, "It Is not that dark yet, Naneth used to say that if a little good can be done, then all is not lost," he whispered soothingly.

Ellenya's tense stance relaxed a little and she accepted the embrace from her brother, pulling away with tears in her eyes, she replied, "this is true brother, but I wish I could see the light you do, it is all just dark shadows to me."

"In time and with some faith you will see it," Legolas answered, "Whatever happens you know I will come home to you and Ada, I promised Nana I would look after you and that is what I will do."

Ellenya sniffed, and with a forlorn look added. "Do you promise?"

"I never break a promise!" Legolas replied in mock horror, and Ellenya chuckled, "Now please stop crying you only make me feel guilty when you do."

"That is the point," Ellenya muttered and ran her fingers along the rim of her eyes, swiping stray, tears away. Her brother's softer approach had helped calm her emotions and now she was feeling a little embarrassed, it was not like he had announced he was going to war in the morning, but something inside warned her it may not be long until he did.

As they stood in the gardens, listening to the sounds of the riotous elves enjoying their party, a new sound cut through the night, Legolas turned his head to the animalistic howl, concern filling his eyes;

"Did you hear that?" Ellenya murmured.

Legolas nodded, and gripped his sister's arm uncomfortably, "That was s warg howl," he hissed, "quick get inside, warn Ada."

Ellenya nodded and picked up her hems, but before she could get more than a few feet from her brother, blasts of warning horns echoed through the night, she froze and shot Legolas a panicked look. Noting the concern Legolas joined his sister, there was something more foul at play here than just a band of warg causing chaos. The two siblings ran through the corridor at lightning speed, until they reached the grand hall.

The festivities had been halted, and ellith and elflings were being escorted to a safer place, the guard were rallying and orders were being barked in every direction. King Thranduil stood in the middle of the commotion, frantically searching the crowd, he sighed with relief when two familiar golden heads appeared to be making their way towards him;

"Adar what is wrong?" Ellenya shouted above the din.

"An ambush, in the woods close to the border, there was a small patrol they did not stand a chance," Thranduil answered painfully, reaching out to protectively take his daughters arm.

"I did not commission a patrol so close to the border, I had most of the interior guard on the walls, why where they-" Legolas stopped mid question, a sickening realization hitting him.

"What? Legolas speak?" Thranduil ordered losing patience.

"Gollum," Legolas growled in answer.

"What about Gollum?" Ellenya gasped, but she did not have to wait long for an answer, the doors to the great hall flew open and the Captain of Guard flanked by two warriors strode into view. The captain was a fiery haired elleth named Tauriel, she was a formidable character, and her expression was steely and cold.

"Your Majesties," she began dropping into a graceful bow, then straightening almost instantaneously she continued; "The creature Gollum has escaped, my intelligence suggests the ambush was a diversion, the creature was planning this."

The elven King, threw his hand to his forehead and rubbed his temple, whilst Legolas turned away punching air and launching into a tirade of elvish curses. Ellenya was the only who remained still, meeting Tauriel's eyes, before quietly uttering;

"I knew this would happen, I warned you all, now innocent elves are dead," Ellenya turned away from the scene shaking her head, suddenly feeling a rush of grief and hurt for her people and the loved ones lost.

"How many Tauriel?" Thranduil asked.

The elleth moved uncomfortably, "Fifteen, maybe more sire, the dead have not all been accounted for."

"Fifteen!" The King did not try and hide his anguish.

"How did he get away Tauriel, I left the finest guards in charge of the felon, explain this to me?" Legolas angrily interjected and began to pace.

"We took the creature for a walk, as agreed, he was climbing the trees and refused to come down, we thought it was a game at first and left him, we thought hunger would drive him down, so myself and the others made the call to just wait him out." Tauriel answered but her voice faltered, Legolas could be highly intimidating when he wanted to be, right now the Prince was as tense as a loaded bow, someone was going to pay this evening.

"You let him go for walks?" Ellenya joined the heated discussion again, "You fools!"

"Ellenya enough," Thranduil warned, meeting his daughters incensed gaze, "I allowed this, do not blame the guard."

Legolas stopped mid stride and locked eyes with his sister and Adar, "Yes Ellenya, it appears we are fools now, we lost his wicked little game," sighing he turned to Tauriel, "Ready my horse, I will take a group of us on horseback, see if I can intercept the warg riders, I might be able to wring some information from them. Meanwhile send others by foot and by tree, we have a lot of ground to cover, Gollum is swift and hard to track, it will be a miracle if we can catch him."

Tauriel nodded and exited the hall without another word, whilst Legolas with one last apologetic look to his Adar and sister, left to ready himself for the chase ahead of him. It would be a long night, even if they did catch the creatures tracks, they could be trailing him for weeks, he could just as easily have them running in circles. With a deepening sense of defeat, Legolas was certain that he would have to present himself at Elrond's council now, if only to explain how they lost Gollum!