This amazing chapter is provided by  MonsterCupcake61176 , who wrote it beautifully. This would not have been possible without her. Thank you so much, Mellon nin. 😊

Darkness loomed above and around him. The shadows weaved through the trees, whispering words of evil and malice. Legolas stared at the fortress of Dol Guldur, a foul place long thought abandoned, but he knew better. Something was dwelling within its depths and spreading its shadows throughout the forest, his home. Legolas had pleaded with his father to take action but his words had fallen on dead ears. Thranduil would do nothing, but Legolas would not stand by as Mirkwood, once called the Greenwood, fell further into darkness.

"My Lord Legolas?" A young ellon appeared behind him with a bow grasped tightly in his hands.
"What is it Casdir?" Legolas gestured for him to come closer.
"I mean no disrespect my lord, but I'm not so sure about this." Casdir was fiddling with his bow, unable to meet his prince's gaze.
"Are you nervous? It's alright if you are, no warrior is without fear or worry."
"It's not only that Prince Legolas." Casdir shook his head and lifted his green eyes towards Dol Guldur. "I have felt uneasy since leaving the Woodland Realm. I-I am afraid that we've made a mistake in coming here."

Legolas gripped Casdir's shoulder causing the younger elf to look at him. He could see the fear in his eyes and did not blame him for being afraid.
"We cannot turn back now Casdir, not when our goal is in sight. I told you what we would be facing and you readily agreed to accompany us. If you felt such doubts after we left why didn't you tell me?"
Casdir bit his lip and lowered his eyes again. Legolas sighed glanced once more at the looming fortress. Tomorrow they would enter Dol Guldur and seek out the source of the evil infesting their home. Once they found it, Legolas would destroy it.

"I don't want you feeling as if you cannot approach me Casdir," Legolas continued turning back to the young elf, "if there is something you need to tell me then please, do not hesitate. It is my duty to watch over my warriors and you are no exception. I would not have held it against you if you wanted to return in the beginning."
Casdir shook his head.
"I couldn't have done that Prince Legolas. Our king requested warriors to accompany you to Dol Guldur, if he wants this evil destroyed then I will do what I can to see it done."

Legolas stiffened slightly but Casdir didn't notice as the prince quickly hid his discomfort behind a smile.
"You are a brave warrior Casdir, I'm glad to have you here with us."
Casdir's eyes lit up and he beamed as he accepted the praise.
"I will make you proud Prince Legolas." The elf bowed before returning to where the rest of Legolas' warriors were camped in the trees, hiding until the time came for the attack on the fortress.

Legolas watched him go before setting his sights once again on Dol Guldur. Was this truly the right thing for him to do? A dark sense of foreboding fell over him. What if Casdir was right? What if this was a mistake? Legolas shook himself. He couldn't afford to let doubt creep in, not when he was so close to reaching his goal.

Turning his back to the fortress Legolas went to rejoin his warriors and go over the plan one more time. He'd hardly taken a few steps forward when his body suddenly tensed, his instincts screaming in warning. A black arrow slammed into the bark of a nearby tree passing inches from Legolas' face. The elf dropped to his knees to avoid a second arrow that passed harmless over his head.

A cry of alarm sounded from where the rest of his warriors were camped, the roars of orcs and the crashing of steel against steel flooded Legolas' ears. He sprang to his feet and drew his knives just as the first wave of orcs appeared from the trees. Legolas knew he was hopelessly outnumbered, the only chance he had at survival was to regroup with the others. He started to run only to come face to face with a large orc. Legolas narrowly missed having his head cleaved off by a scimitar as the beast swung at him.

Legolas slashed his knives across its chest and the orc went down howling in pain and rage. Legolas wasted no time and sprang forward only to have another orc blocking his path, he was surrounded. The orcs converged on him at once with their weapons raised. Legolas gripped his knives and prepared himself for battle. A screech sounded from one of the orcs as it fell over, an arrow embedded in its back.

Legolas couldn't hide his relief as Casdir appeared with the rest of the elven warriors. The young elf was with three other archers who were picking off as many orcs as they could while the rest drew their blades and rushed to the aid of their prince. The elves fought with nearly the same ferociousness of the beasts they slaughtered, the elves of Mirkwood held no compassion towards the orcs.

Legolas was fighting alongside two elves, his knives were a blur as he sliced and hacked at the orcs. His tunic was stained with their dark blood and he himself was sporting a deep gash on his forehead. He could feel the warm substance flowing down the side of his face but refused to let it hinder him. He heard a scream on his left and watched in horror as one of the elves was stabbed through the chest with a sword.

Legolas knew that there was nothing he could do, but it wasn't long before another heart wrenching cry flooded his ears. The orcs did not give their opponents quick, painless deaths. Their weapons struck places that would cause the elves the most pain, then left them to slowly bleed to death while other orcs continued to harass them.

Legolas quickly scanned the area, everywhere he looked he saw his warriors fighting for their lives, and the tide of orcs never ended. More and more flooded the small clearing, it was a bloodbath. The remaining elves gathered together in a circle as the orcs continued to advance. Legolas was grieved to find that out of the twenty elves he'd brought with him, only seven remained.

The orcs were slowly moving forward, Legolas could see the sick grins on their twisted faces. No doubt they were enjoying the helplessness of their victims. Legolas knew that there was no way out. He looked at the faces of the elves who were left and his eyes met Casdir's. The young elf was trembling and there were traces of tears in his eyes, it broke Legolas' heart.

He was the one who led these elves here, he was responsible for their deaths.
"Goheno nin," he whispered softly. Legolas raised his knives and glared at the orcs. If we was going to die then he would die fighting. He braced himself for the attack and could sense the other elves doing the same. The orcs looked ready to kill, so it came as a complete shock when a gruff voice called out to them.

"Drop your weapons or we'll kill you all!" A large orc stepped forward brandishing a large sword. Legolas trembled in anger upon seeing the red blood staining the orc's weapon.
"What do we do?" Casdir had moved closer to Legolas, looking up at him with wide, green eyes. Legolas shook his head slightly before turning back to the orc who had spoken.
"This is your last chance elf," he growled, "drop your weapons and you'll live, for now."

"Do not listen to him." An older elf, Amaron, whispered into Legolas' ear.
"They will kill us no matter what we do. Let us hold them off so you can escape, the Woodland Realm needs her prince."
Legolas' hands tightened around the hilts of his knives. He saw the truth in Amaron's words and knew that he was right. The orcs would kill them no matter what, they simply had to choose between a slow and painful death or a quick, painless one.

And yet, Legolas could not bring himself to abandon his warriors. Seven elves wouldn't stand a chance against countless orcs, leaving them behind while he himself fled would be nothing short of murder in Legolas' eyes. Besides, he wouldn't get far even if he did flee. The orcs would overcome him and he'd be killed, or worse taken alive to be tortured to death.

I already have the blood of thirteen elves on my hands.
Ignoring his warriors cries of protest Legolas threw his weapons onto the ground, the orcs jeered and hollered in glee.
Whatever they have to face, I will endure it with them.

The elves reluctantly followed their prince's lead and discarded their weapons. As soon as they were unarmed the orcs surged forward and grabbed them, howling in sick delight. Legolas was manhandled roughly as he was forced through the crowd of orcs. He searched for his warriors and saw that they were being treated in the same manner. Gnarled hands yanked his hair and tore at his clothes but so far no harm had come to him yet.

The orcs didn't bother to tie up their prisoners, there were too many orcs gathered for the elves to even consider running away. Legolas managed to look over his shoulder and saw Casdir being harassed by two large orcs. Amaron was struggling against the orcs that held him and received a blow to the face as a result. An orc grabbed Legolas' head and forced it back to the front. He hissed as the orc jabbed its finger into the wound on his forehead, the beast took pleasure in the pain it was causing and grinned.

Legolas tried to ignore the orc, but couldn't help the bile that rose in his throat when he saw it licking his blood off of its finger. Legolas was brought to the front of the orc pack and was able to see where they were being brought to. His heart sank when he saw the narrow bridge that led to Dul Guldur.

The evil emanating from the fortress was unbearable. All of the elves felt nausea creeping in and one or two almost fainted. Legolas kept his head up and tried not to stumble as the orcs pushed him through the entrance. The smell of death hung thick in the air making Legolas gag. The remains of those who had attempted escape could be seen out of the corner of Legolas' eye. A hand on the back of his neck prevented him from taking in his surroundings, an action which irked the elf as he hated having the orcs' hands on him.

They were led deeper into the fortress, the shadows pressed down on the elves who were already weakened from the evil that dwelled within the stone walls. Legolas could sense their fear and wanted nothing more than to comfort them but he couldn't. All he could do for them now was to remain strong and not show fear in front of their captors. Whatever the orcs had planned for him, he would endure as a prince and a warrior.

The orcs eventually led them to what appeared to be an atrium. Legolas glanced upward and saw a dark sky overhead. A few torches were lit but they did little to bring light into the darkness. Legolas and the rest of his warriors were forced to their knees in a semicircle while the orcs surrounded them. An orc grabbed Legolas by the shoulders to hold him in place and the same was done to the other elves. He was finally able to look at his warriors and managed to meet Amaron's gaze.

The older elf's grey eyes were filled with sorrow as he stared at the young prince. Amaron had been Legolas' mentor and close friend for as long as he could remember. While Legolas' title as crown prince placed him at a higher rank, Amaron would always see him as the innocent, bright-eyed elfling he'd mentored all those years ago. Seeing him now, helpless and at the mercy of orcs, filled him with grief.

Legolas could not bear to look at him for a moment longer and quickly averted his gaze. A low growl sounded from the orcs and the one holding Legolas suddenly tightened its grip. Legolas looked around warily as some of the orcs started cowering while others trembled in excitement. Something was making its way to the atrium, something ancient, evil.

Legolas' heart hammered in his chest as a dark mass flooded the atrium. The fire from the torches was extinguished by the blackness and the air became cold. The darkness hovered over them for a moment, then it spoke.
"What is this? Elves who have strayed from the borders of their realm? Why are you in the southern part of the forest?" As the voice spoke the darkness moved through the air, Legolas didn't know for sure but he believed that it was studying them.

"We found them lurking outside the fortress master," Legolas' captor growled giving the elf a rough shake.
"Was I talking to you?" The darkness hissed causing the orc to shrink away. Legolas paid the orc no mind as a dark shadow suddenly appeared in front of him. His blood ran cold as it began to weave around him. He could not move as the shadow invaded his mind. His mouth was open in a silent scream and his eyes were dark, black.

The elves looked on in horror, helpless to do anything for their prince. Legolas tried to keep the shadow out but all his attempts at resisting only seemed to amuse it. The shadow saw everything; his memories, thoughts, fears, nothing was hidden from it. Once it was satisfied the shadow withdrew from Legolas' mind, and it watched as the elf collapsed into a trembling heap on the floor.

"You are a long way from home," the shadow hissed, "Thranduilion."

Legolas remained on the floor, struggling to catch his breath. He'd never had his mind, his soul, invaded in such a way. The shadow had been everywhere, he couldn't stop shaking.
"What were you hoping to accomplish elfling?" The shadow continued as it circled the prone elf. "That you would defeat the evil? Liberate your home? Become a hero in the eyes of your people?"

Its tone was mocking, laced with contempt. Legolas closed his eyes and curled in on himself. Every word was like a blow to his body. The shadow had seen everything, there was nothing about Legolas that it didn't know.

"I expected more from the son of Thranduil," the shadow spat, "pathetic."

Legolas looked up at the darkness. His pride had been broken, but his spirit had not.

"Do whatever you want to me but I beg you let the others go. They have done nothing, I am the one who led them here so I will bear whatever torment you should plan for me."
Legolas ignored the protests from his warriors and kept his eyes locked on the shadow.
"Yes, you are the one who led them here," the shadow said slowly, "which is why it is only fitting that they should suffer because of your arrogance."

"No!" Legolas tried to get up but was seized by two orcs who hauled him to his feet. He was held securely in between them, unable to move as one of his warriors was dragged forward and dropped in front of the shadow.
"Every day, you will watch one of these elves die. And I can assure you young prince, their deaths will not be painless."

As if a silent signal was given the orcs suddenly charged the defenseless elf who quickly disappeared under the mass of dark bodies. Seconds later the elf started screaming, but it was drowned out by the crazed howls of the orcs.

It didn't take long for Legolas to realize what was happening, and it took all of his remaining strength not to empty his stomach on the cold floor. The other elves had also come to the same realization as Legolas and they quickly averted their gazes, retreating into themselves to block out the horror of what was happening.

Legolas tried to look away but the orcs forced his head forward. He could faintly hear the screams of the elf, and could catch glimpses of him as the pack of orcs tore at his flesh.
The elf's screams gradually faded to nothing, but the orcs were far from finished.
"Enough," the shadow ordered, "let the princeling see the cost of his actions."

Grudgingly, the orcs backed away from the fallen elf, or what was left of him. Legolas' could no longer stand as his legs gave out. The two orcs let him fall onto the floor where the elf began to retch violently. Never before had he been so terribly ill. The remaining elf warriors were frozen in fear, none of them dared to look at what the orcs had done to their companion.

The shadow waited until Legolas had settled before ordering two orcs to grab him. He could hardly stand and was forced to rely on the beasts who held him upright.
"Every day will be something different Legolas." A dark hand reached out and turned Legolas' face in the direction of the dead elf. The orcs had left hardly anything behind of him, a few were still lingering around licking their bloodstained mouths, gnawing on bones...

"One by one your poor elves will die." The shadow forced him to face his warriors, six pairs of frightened eyes met his.
"I will make them curse your name ere the end. They will hate you and scream for your death."
Legolas trembled as the shadow released him, at the same time ordering his orcs to imprison the elves. As Legolas was dragged away his eyes slid closed, and the first of many tears began to fall.

********

The next four days were a nightmare. True to his word one elf was killed every day, and every death was even more horrific than the last. Legolas' warriors had vowed that they wouldn't break, that they would rather die than curse their prince's name.

In the end, the shadow triumphed.

Through means of unspeakable tortures the shadow had fulfilled his oath. The elves were not granted death unless they cursed Legolas, and though they had been strong, their strength had failed in the end. Legolas was always forced to watch with the shadow at his side, preventing him from turning away or even closing his eyes to the horrors he wrought.

The prince (though he no longer thought of himself as one) had just witnessed the merciless death of another warrior, he could not bring himself to speak of what had befallen him. Once the elf had reached the end of his endurance he'd screamed with all the remaining strength he could muster, not in pain, but in rage.

Legolas shuddered and drew his knees closer to his chest. He was back in the cell that had been the elves' prison since their arrival. Legolas refused to let himself be comforted, not even by Amaron whose heart grieved for his prince.

Legolas, Amaron, and Casdir were the only elves left. The youngest of the elves was terrified, his sharp ears had been able to hear the screams of the tortured elves and he spent every living moment in fear that he would be next. The elves had all agreed to keep their youngest member spared for as long as possible. Casdir had been placed in the farthest corner of the cell and surrounded by the other elves. When the orcs came to select an elf for torture one would always step forward.

Now there were only two warriors left. Everyone else was dead. It wasn't just those who had been imprisoned, but thirteen more had been slain outside of Dol Guldur.
Legolas blamed himself for all of it.

"It's my fault, all of this is my fault."
Amaron heard his words and wanted to assure Legolas that it wasn't true, but he knew that the prince wouldn't listen to him. The older elf instead focused his time on comforting Casdir, who was so pale that he could be mistaken for dead.

Legolas had withdrawn from the world around him. His mind was constantly plagued by the images of his warriors dying.
I killed them, I killed them all.

Night came and went all too quickly for the elves, they knew it was only a matter of time before the orcs came for them. Soon the heavy footsteps and harsh voices flooded the silence of their prison. Casdir shrank against the wall, his eyes practically bulging out of their sockets.

Amaron stood to his feet, his face cold and unreadable. Legolas did not move. The orcs threw open the cell door and grabbed Legolas and Amaron. Casdir watched them leave before burying his face into his arms, then he began to weep.

Legolas did not fight the orcs as they led him and Amaron back to the atrium. The older elf was walking beside Legolas and in a voice too quiet for the orcs to hear he said, "You must not let them break you Legolas, for all of our sakes you must remain strong."

There was no response.
"I will not let them win their sick game, so you must not allow them to either."

An orc noticed Amaron whispering and forced him away from Legolas. As they were led out of the dungeon and into the atrium Amaron gave one final message to his prince, no longer caring if the orcs heard.
"It was an honor to serve you, hir nin Legolas. Please forgive me for what I am about to do."
Legolas flinched as if he had been struck. To hear any of the elves cry out their hate at him had wounded him as a blow from an arrow would. Now, he would have to hear Amaron, the one who had practically raised him, scream his own curses towards the prince.

Suddenly the shadow arrived. Amaron's eyes flashed with uncontainable rage at the dark being, who appeared to be staring back at the elf.
"Are you ready to curse your prince, elf?" The shadow sneered.
Amaron's eyes narrowed and his hands curled into fists, but he did not answer. His gaze turned back to Legolas, and the anger was replaced with sorrow.

"Namarie."
Legolas' eyes widened in horror as Amaron's body suddenly crumbled onto the floor. The orcs leapt back shrieking in fright and anger.

"He's dead! The elf is dead!" One of the orc's cried. Legolas stared at Amaron's lifeless form, knowing perfectly well what he had done. He'd given his spirit up, allowing it to flee his body. Legolas dropped to his knees, his vision blurry and unfocused. Amaron had sworn that he would die before cursing his prince, and he had kept his word. The shadow was furious at the turn of events. The possibility of one of the elves releasing their spirits to the Halls of Mandos had not occurred to him.

The shadow fixed his dark stare on Legolas, who remained immobile. Amaron's death had been intended to be the most painful for both himself and Legolas, and now it was ruined! The shadow would have to ensure that this didn't happen again.

"Bring him back to his cell."
Two orcs grabbed Legolas by the arms and dragged him away, the elf would never know what had become of Amaron's body.

He was thrown back into his cell where Casdir sat, watching him in silence. Amaron was gone, that meant he was next. The young elf didn't even dwell on the fact that he hadn't heard any screams, all he could think about was that his death would come on the morrow. He didn't even bother trying to imagine what horrors awaited him knowing that they would be a hundred times worse than anything he could dream up.

Legolas remained motionless on the floor, his eyes staring blankly at the cell door. Why hadn't the others done what Amaron had? Why didn't they surrender their spirits to the Halls of Mandos? Then they wouldn't have had to suffer for his mistake, for his arrogance, his pride...

"P-Prince Legolas? Are you alright?" Casdir waited, hoping for a reply, but Legolas remained trapped in his own thoughts. Casdir shivered and wrapped his arms tighter around himself. Tomorrow he would die, just as the others had.

There was no hope for him, no escape.

But after he was dead, what would happen to Legolas?
Perhaps his father will come for him, Casdir thought to himself, then he can rescue him from this horrid place and bring him home. The king knows that we came here so surely he'll notice that we've been gone for too long, right?

"The king is coming for you, isn't he?" Casdir's question remained unanswered, but he couldn't sit in in this silence for a second longer.
"He's bound to have noticed that our mission has taken too long, he would have sent warriors to come to your rescue, right?"

Casdir held his breath, hoping against hope for an answer.

Silence.

Sighing in defeat, Casdir laid down on his side and curled in on himself. He closed his eyes and cried throughout the night, knowing that death awaited him in the morning. Unbeknownst to the young elf, Legolas wept also.

*******

The orcs came with the morning, barging into the cell and grabbing both elves cruelly by the arms and dragging them out of the dungeon. Legolas remained cut off from the world, oblivious to his surroundings. Casdir could barely stand and had to be supported by the orcs who received great pleasure at seeing the young elf's fear.

Once again they were brought to the atrium where the shadow was already waiting. Casdir's feet slipped on something wet and he nearly fell over. He managed to catch his footing and looked down to see what he had slipped on, blood.

The entire floor was covered in blood, elf blood.

Whether it was a trick of the shadow or not Casdir didn't know. What he did know was that his friends had been murdered here, that this blood was theirs, and soon his would be spilt upon the same floor.

He looked once more to Legolas, hoping to receive some kind of assurance from his prince, but there was nothing. All of his strength fled him and Casdir allowed himself to cry. He didn't want to die this way. He didn't want to be tortured. He thought of his family, his father and mother, who were both waiting for him back home. Who would tell them about their son's fate? Would they ever know what had happened to him?

He was still so young, only a century old. He'd had an eternity ahead of him and it was about to be snatched away. Again Casdir turned to Legolas but his prince remained lost in his own conscious. Never before had Casdir desired the calm, reassuring presence that always surrounded Legolas more than he did now.

But there was nothing left of his prince, only a hollow shell.

"Are you afraid elfling?"
Casdir jumped as the shadow's voice filled his ears. It was a terrible, grating sound that made the elf wish he were already dead.
"It seems that your prince no longer cares about the fates of his warriors," the shadow spat, "then again, he must not have cared at all if he willingly led all of you here to your deaths."

Casdir trembled in both fear and anger. Yes, he was afraid of the death that awaited him, but he would not stand by and let this creature disgrace his prince.
"You are wrong! He did not lead us here, we chose to follow him!" Casdir's voice shook too much for anyone to take his words seriously, and the orcs laughed at his attempts to be brave.

"Is that so? Tell me elfling, why did you choose to follow Legolas on a mission that could only end in disaster?"

"It's my duty as a warrior of the Woodland Realm to serve my prince and my king." Casdir was feeling a bit more confident than before and he stood up straighter.

"Your prince and your king? Do you honestly believe that Thranduil would ever allow such an attack on my fortress? He is no fool, a king would never send his only son and his own warriors on a mission such as the one your prince decided to embark on."

Casdir faltered, his forehead wrinkled as he tried to make sense of the shadow's words.
"Tell me elfling, what lies did Legolas fill your naive head to convince you and nineteen other elves to launch an attack on Dol Guldur? What tales of glory and honor did he sow in your mind to make you follow him blindly to your death?"

His breath caught in his throat.
No, it can't be true...
Legolas would never do such a thing!

Then again, hadn't the prince become uncomfortable any time the king had been mentioned throughout their journey south? Hadn't he avoided any questions concerning the details of their mission?

"Legolas deceived you elfling, he deceived all of you. Your friends are dead, because of him."
Casdir fixed his eyes on Legolas, who even now refused to respond to anything that was happening. Would he not defend himself? Would he not speak against these accusations?

"Legolas? Is it true?"
The prince hung his head, it was the only confession that Casdir needed.

He staggered away from Legolas, shaking his head.
"No..."
It was all the young elf could manage to say.

His prince, the one he had followed blindly and without question, had betrayed him.

Casdir's shock was soon replaced with anger. His hands curled into fists, and without warning he ran forward and slammed Legolas onto the floor.
The young elf screamed in rage as he beat his former prince. His fists struck Legolas' face and chest, and there was nothing he could do to protect himself from the blows.

"Murderer!" Cadir screamed it over and over again. He did not stop his attack, his senses were clouded by rage.
Finally, Casdir grew weary and his blows lessened. He looked down at the prince, eager to see what had become of him. His face paled and his hands shook as he raised them to his face. They were covered in blood.

What have I done?
Casdir was not given a chance to dwell on his actions as a sword was plunged into his back. He gasped as the blade was pulled from his body and he collapsed onto the floor. His bright green eyes became dull and grey, he took his last breath, and he moved no more.

Legolas remained on the floor, his face was bruised and bloody and his chest was sore, but those were not the reasons for his distress. Echoing in his mind was the word Casdir had screamed over and over again, a word that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

Murderer.

Legolas felt himself being grabbed but did not struggle. Perhaps now the shadow would finally kill him.
No, he would not do something so kind.
Legolas welcomed death with open arms, but he knew that he would not receive it.
"Have you learned your lesson princeling?" The shadow hissed. Without waiting for a response two orcs approached Casdir's body. One had a rope in his hand and the other held a knife.

His stomach churned as the orc cut deep into Casdir's flesh, blood began to pour from the wound and onto the floor. Legolas watched, confused as the orc dipped the rope into Casdir's blood, soaking it. The orcs holding Legolas pulled his arms behind his back, grinning as the one holding the blood-soaked rope carried it towards Legolas. Without warning they used the rope to bind Legolas' hands together.

He struggled once he realized what they were doing, but six days without food or water, and his recent beating had weakened him. The orcs secured his hands with the blood rope, but that wasn't the end of it. The orc who had previously been wielding the knife now held a cloth in his hand and was dipping it in Casdir's blood, drenching it.

Panic set in as Legolas realized what was about to happen. He fought desperately to free himself but it was useless. The orcs shoved the cloth, soaked through with elf blood, into Legolas' mouth. Before he could try to remove the cloth another rope was tied around his head, securing the gag tightly in his mouth.

Legolas had never tasted blood, now he felt as if he was bathing in it. Blood was all he could taste, all he could smell.
He thrashed his body and tore himself from the hands of the orcs, the action causing him to fall into the pool of blood that was flowing from Casdir's corpse.

"Their blood is on your hands Legolas." The shadow's voice thundered in Legolas' ears. He tried frantically to escape the blood, but it was everywhere. Something black was placed over his eyes, blinding him.
The his head was struck, and he knew no more.

******

Thranduil was past worried, he was terrified. His son and twenty warriors had been missing for almost three weeks with no sign of them anywhere within the Woodland Realm. He had moved the search beyond their borders, praying day and night that his son would be found alive.

The sound of branches snapping caught the Elvenking's attention. Grasping the hilt of his sword he turned towards the direction of the sound, only to cry out in horror when he saw his son staggering blindly through the forest, blindfolded and gagged with his hands bound.
"Legolas!" Thranduil ran to him, his cry alerting the nearby elves who had been aiding in the search for the missing elves.

Thranduil grabbed Legolas in his arms and immediately tore off the blindfold, only to met by two wild eyes. Legolas' screams were muffled by the gag in his mouth which Thranduil quickly set to remove. He grabbed a knife from his belt and cut the rope keeping the gag in place and pulled it from Legolas' mouth.

The second it was gone Legolas began screaming, "Water! Give me water!"
"Legolas you must calm yourself!" Thranduil's words went unheeded and his son continued to scream.
"What is wrong with him my king?" One of the elf's asked while another was in the process of handing a waterskin to the prince.
Thranduil could only shake his head as Legolas snatched the waterskin and proceeded to pour its contents into his mouth.

Once it was emptied Legolas fell onto his side and vomited causing the surrounding elves to step back. Thranduil stared at his son in horror, mortified at the amount of red that his son was coughing up. When he'd finally emptied his stomach of all its contents Legolas collapsed onto the ground, his entire body shaking.

"Legolas," Thranduil breathed, "what happened?"

There was no response.

********

"Only those who knew him well and were near to him saw the pain that he bore"

--J.R.R. Tolkien, Return of the King

Again, many thanks to MonsterCupcake61176 for writing this masterpiece of pain!!
*literally sweating from all that horror* my poor wittle babbyyyyy
Nooowww do you understand why Leggy Dear was throwing up that one time after he relived this in his dream??? He wasn't overreacting or being weak

So I'm sure that if you've been a lotr fan long enough on wattpad you've probably already read the amazing spinoff trilogy written by MonsterCupcake61176 where The Fellowship is betrayed and the Ring is stolen. In case you haven't, I highly recommend it. Just make sure you have a tissue box at the ready.

Hope your emotions aren't too damaged,
Novaer, mellyn!

~await~