Thalion checked once again to make sure that he had everything that he would need.
Satisfied that everything was in order, he left his room and made his way to where Gandalf was waiting.

On his way out he ran into Inwë in the hall. He pulled her into a hug and she put her arms around his neck.

"Promise me that you will come back soon."
She said softly.
"I will, and when I do we will finally be wed."

Inwë smiled sadly.
"Legolas used to tease you about getting married."
Thalion chuckled.
"Yes he did."
"I told him that I had been waiting for you to ask me."

Thalion looked at her in surprise.
"You had?"
"Yes. He was very excited about it, he told me that he looked forward to it."

Thalion felt a pang of sadness pierce his heart. What were they supposed to do without Legolas?

"I have to go now. I will be bacl soon."
Thalion kissed her gently and went to join Gandalf.
Inwë watched him go sadly.
Be safe my love.

»»»»

"Gandalf?"
"Yes Thalion?"
"What exactly are the White Council going to discuss?"

Gandalf shifted on his horse as they rode on through towards Lothlorien. They had left Mirkwood several days ago and were almost to their destination.

"There has been some strange activity going on near Lothlorien's borders. Although before I left for Mirkwood I was informed that the same thing was also happening near
Gondor."

Thalion tensed.
"What do you think it is?"
"I do not know. I can only hope that Lord Celeborn has been able to find out something while I was away."

They fell silent after that. Thalion had always been curious about the White Council. He knew thatvhis father used to be on it, but had left many years ago.

Thalion still didn't know why. He did know that Lord Celeborn and the Lady Galadriel were on it, though he had never seen the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood in person before.

Elrond was on the council as well and Thalion was familiar with him. But he also knew that Saruman the White was the head of the council.

Would the wizard be there?
He wanted to ask Gandalf but just then they arrived at the border of Lothlorien.

Thalion had never been to Lorien before, and he was immediately drawn by the beauty of the wood.

"Soon Thalion, you shall meet the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien. Remember, you are representing your father in this meeting. I trust that you know how to handle yourself?"
Gandalf's voice hinted the tiniest trace of humor.

"I will be fine Gandalf. It is only a small meeting is it not?"
When Gandalf didn't reply Thalion fell silent again.

»»»»

Thalion followed Gandalf silently as they made there way towards the meeting place.
Standing in front of a great building that seemed to glow in the silver light of the moon.

Standing outside were Lord Elrond, Lord Celeborn, and Lady Galadriel. Thalion suddenly felt very nervous as they neared the three elves.

"Welcome Gandalf. I am glad that you returned safely."
Elrond greeted his friend with a dip of his head.
"I am glad to have not run into any trouble."
Gandalf replied.

Thalion waited for Gandalf to introduce him, but was instead noticed by Celeborn.

"Welcome Thalion, son of Thranduil. I am honored to meet the son of the King of
Mirkwood."

Thalion dipped his head.
"And I am honored to meet the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood. I have heard much about you and your realm and I am thankful that I was able to see it with my own eyes."

He wondered if he had said the right thing. Was it too much? Not enough? Why was he so nervous?

You have nothing to fear Thalion. You are safe here.

Who said that?
Thalion searched for the source of the voice, only to have his gaze rest on Galadriel.

She was beautiful, clad in white and with long golden hair. There was wisdom and kindness in her eyes. There was something else too, but Thalion could not tell what it was.

Had she been the one speaking to him?
"Is Saruman here?"
Gandalf asked snapping Thalion from his thoughts.
"We recieved word from him saying that he could not come. Although what he is doing is beyond me."
Celeborn replied.
"Come now, let us begin. We have much to discuss."
He led them into the hall in silence.

»»»»

"I was not certain before but I am now. Whatever is attacking these villages of men is not an orc, or a man."

Thalion listened to Celeborn's words in stunned silence.
He had been informed that for the last few years the southern borders of Lothlorien had been under attack by orcs.

Many elves had been killed during those attacks, but the number of elves that had been slain had been far more than when the elves had been attacked before.

The elves who had survived the attacks had described a being entirely cloaked in black, they hadn't seen his face or what he was, but he had been deadly.

Recently he had moved onto villages near Rohan and Gondor, leaving nothing but death and destruction in his wake.

"All the survivors of the attacks, when there were any, always described a single being, cloaked in black, leading the attack alone, killing all who apposed him, and then everyone else he could
find."
Celeborn reported grimly.
"Women, children, no one was safe from him."

"If he is not an orc, or a man, then who or what is it?"
Thalion asked.
The idea of an unknown and possibly unstoppable warrior startled him.

"We do not know. Yet we may have a theory."
Elrond glanced at Gandalf who in turn glanced at Celeborn.
Galadriel remained silent.

"What is it?"
Thalion asked trying to keep from sounding too demanding.
"We fear that an ancient enemy has reawakened. We do not know for certain but it is possible."

An ancient enemy? Who would that be?
"We do not know for certain whether it is him or not."
Gandalf pointed out.
"Yet, we cannot be sure until we have seen this enemy for ourselves."

Thalion tensed. What was Gandalf planning?
"By your leave Lord Celeborn, I will head for one of the villages that was atatcked recently and see if I can find this cloaked figure. Then perhaps we can become one step closer to finding out who he is."

Thalion looked over at Celeborn.
"If he goes I want to come with him."
Celeborn narrowed his eyes.
"I do not think that is wise. We do not know how strong this enemy is or what he is fully capable of. I doubt that your father would want me to send you into unknown danger."

"I can defend myself, and I would not be alone. Gandalf would be with me."
Thalion waited for a reply. Celeborn shook his head and sighed.
"Very well, you both may go. But whatever you do, do not engage him. You only need to find out who it is."
Gandalf nodded.
"Very well then. We shall leave in the morning."

»»»»

"Is that one of the villages up ahead?"
"Yes it is Thalion, and one that has already been attacked."

The two riders rode up to burnt remains of the village. Men and women were digging through the wreckage, trying to salvage whatever they could.

"One being caused all of this?"
Thalion couldn't believe it.
"No, the first attack by the cloaked figure was always followed by an attack by orcs. Yet it was always the first attack that caused the most destruction."

Thalion's mind struggled to comprehend what could possibly be strong enough to slaughter almost an entire village single handedly.

A scream suddenly broke through the air. Thalion's horse reared up on its hind legs while Thaliom struggled to hang on.

Once his horse settled he watched in horror as orcs poured into the village. Killing any man or woman that got in their way.

Thalion was about to ride in and help when a flash of black caught his eye.

He watched as a figured, cloaked in black disappeared behind a damaged building. Thalion spurred his horse forward and ran after the figure.

Ignoring Gandalf's orders for him to stop Thalion kept going. He lost sight of the figure several times before he saw him again.
This time he was standing over a man.

Thalion watched in horror as the man was brutally stabbed in the heart. The cloaked being drew out his sword and turned to face Thalion.

The elf dismounted and drew his sword, forgetting what Celeborn had said about not engaging the being.

The cloaked being raised his own sword and charged towards Thalion. Their swords clashed together sending sparks flying

Thalion couldn't believe the strength that his opponent possesed. How was anyone supposed to stand against him?

The being continued to attack Thalion, all the elf could do was block the blows coming from his attacker's sword. He was soon backed up against a wall, trapped.

As the sword came towards his neck Thalion rolled onto the ground and kicked his opponent's legs out from under him.

Thalion quickly drew his sword and went in for the attack. Just before he could deal the killing blow a hand shot up and grabbed his wrist.

The being grabbed Thalion's other wrist and twisted both cruelly. Thalion dropped his sword and gritted his teeth, trying not to cry out.

In one last, desperate attempt to save himself Thalion brought his head forward, smashing it against his opponent.

The cloaked being released him and stumbled backwards, before he could recover Thalion went in to deliever a blow to his face.

At the last minute he dodged Thalion's attack, but not before the elf could pull off the being's hood.

Thalion's world froze. He could hear his heart pounding inside of his chest.

It cannot be...

Standing before him was Legolas.