Legolas' POV

What have I done?

This isn't me, it's something else, a creature that lives inside of me.

I cannot control it.

It's trying to break free.

I have to contain it, but I'm not strong enough.

It's too late for me now, I cannot be saved.

And no one can be saved from
me....

»»»»

Two weeks later....

"Have you seen Legolas?"
Thalion approached the two guards stationed at the gate.

"He went out into the forest at dawn my lord."
One of the guards informed him.
"He was armed with his bow, and he has not returned yet."

Thalion looked into the forest grimly. After him and Inwë's wedding Legolas had become...
Strange.

It was the only word he could use to describe Legolas' behavior.
He never wanted anyone to be with him, including Inwë, and everyday he went out into the forest alone.

He would be gone all day and return at night. He never said where he went or what he had been doing, he would go straight to his room and stay there until morning.

Thalion looked up at the sky. It would be dark in a couple of hours. Legolas would be back soon and he would be there when he returned.

He was worried about his brother. Elrond had remained in Mirkwood longer than he had originally planned to, which Thalion was greatful for.

The Lord of Rivendell was just as concerned for Legolas as Thalion was.

Please Eru, let him be alright. I lost him once and I could not bear to lose him again.

»»»»

Legolas put another arrow into the eye of a large spider. The creature shrieked in pain and tried to scramble away from the elf, only to have another arrow embedded in its back.

Legolas dropped his bow and switched to his sword, he leapt onto the spider's back and thrust the sword into its head.

The spider's body trembled and collapsed. Legolas stepped off of the beast and yanked his arrows out of its back and eye.

He gazed around the clearing and counted all of the spiders he had killed.

Thirty....
Still not enough.

Legolas retrieved his fallen bow and placed his arrow's back into their quiver. He cleaned the spider blood off of his sword and placed it back into its sheeth.

As he turned to head back home he staggered and almost fell onto his knees. Legolas stumbled over to a nearby tree and leaned against it, gasping for breath.

Was I wounded?

No, he would have noticed if he had been bitten or stung.

What is wrong with me?

Why do you continue to fight? You know that you have no power to resist me.

Sauron?

Sauron is gone, he no longer has any power over you.
I am something else, the monster that lives inside of you.

The one that you are trying to fight.

No...
Get away from me!

Legolas pushed away from the tree, he took a few steps forward before collapsing onto the ground.

He clutched his stomach with both hands and tried to hold back a scream. Something had taken hold of him, something was trying to get out.

You are weak.

Pitiful.

But I could make you stronger, powerful, no one could ever harm you again.

Legolas knew that he had to fight this, whatever it was, that was trying to take control of him.

But the thought of never having to suffer, or ever deal with pain ever again, it was too loud for him to ignore.

You have fear inside of you, but I know how to get rid of it.

Trust me Legolas, I can help you.

Just give in.

No...
He had to fight back!
He couldn't let this madness take hold of him.

You are tired of fighting, you just want to rest.

I can give you the peace you so desperately desire.

What was wrong with him wanting peace? And he was tired of fighting, so tired....

Yes...

Give in Legolas.
You know that is the right thing to do.

Don't listen to him Legolas!

What was happening to him...

Stop fighting elfling.

He will kill you!

There were too many voices....

I can give you peace, and more power than any other being that walks this earth.

Fight him Legolas! He's lying to you!

He couldn't fight anymore....

All will tremble at your name. You will have complete power over Middle Earth.

Legolas please! Listen to me!

He was slipping away, falling into darkness.

He is mine now. You have lost him to the shadow.
He has made his choice.

Oh Legolas....
What have you done?

»»»»

Legolas opened his eyes and looked up at the sky. It was dark, how long had he been asleep?

He stood shakily onto his feet and began to make his way back home.

Somethig stopped him.
No, he didn't need to go back, that wasn't his home, those were not his people.

Legolas turned and walked eastwards towards the edge of the forest. He didn't know where he was going or why he was going there, but he didn't stop.

He left the borders of Mirkwood and continued walking, he kept going until he noticed a small fire up ahead.

Legolas crept forward silently, ge found a small group of men sitting around a fire.

Eating, drinking, laughing, not having a care in the world.

Why should they get to be so carefree? Why are their lives simple and filled with peace while you have been through torments that they cannot even fathom?

Legolas glared at the men sitting around their fire, they were just about to put it out and retire for the night.

He felt a burning hatred for those men, as if they were to blame for his suffering.

It is not their fault Legolas! It is the enemy's! You have to fight him Legolas! You must-

Kill them Legolas! They do not deserve to live!
After all, you have already killed countless men, women, and children.

Their blood is already on your hands; what is so bad about having a little more?

It wasn't their fault, he knew it wasn't. But Legolas also knew that he did have blood on his hands, blood that couldn't be washed off.

You can be forgiven Legolas! Please, you do not have to do this!

He has already made his choice. You have lost him.

Yes...
He had made his choice.
Legolas took out his bow and held it tightly.

There was no going back now.
He took an arrow and set it in the bowstring, he aimed it the man farthest from the fire.

He let the arrow fly, the man fell onto the ground, his friends shouted in horror and anger.

Legolas didn't hesitate to fire again, killing another man.
He didn't stop until he had killed all of them.

Once they were all dead Legolas approached their now lifeless bodies. He felt nothing, no remorse, no horror at what he had done.

He simply reached down and retrieved his arrows from each of the men he had shot. His eyes wandered towards the fire, casting eerie, dancing flames in his eyes.

There was no going back now.
This was what he was.
He had unleashed a monster,
and there was nothing he could do to stop it.