Shadow of the Forest

Prologue

Posted: June2003
Title: Shadows of the Forest
Type: FCS
Author: Estella Greenleaf
Rating: NC-17
Characters: Aragorn/Legolas
Disclaimer: Don't own anything except unknown characters.
Warning 1: This is an Alternate Universe Slash!! Yes, Tolkien history got altered to give the story proper setting, my apologies. Purists out there - please don't flame.
Major WARNING: Legolas is NOT beautiful in this story, well, for most of the story anyways.

*****

Prologue:

It was the year 880 of the Second Age. Sarous, a dark sorcerer, had conquered the World of Man. He was once head advisor of the King of Numenor until he betrayed the royal family and murdered them all. The great Elven king, Gil-galad, had foreseen his treachery and was able to save the youngest Prince from his evil grasp. The Elf then brought the last heir to the throne of Numenor to Greenwood the Great, the Royal Halls of Thranduil, where he would be raised in the ways of the wood-elves.

Though Gil-galad wished to raise the child in his own realm, he knew the future king of Numenor would be safest in Greenwood. Greenwood was guarded by the magic of Legolas, their Crown Prince, an Elf mage of unprecedented powers. It was believed that he was the Star of Earendil reborn on Middle Earth, a light in the looming darkness. However, a prophecy foretold that great ill would befall the Prince if he were to use his magic to tip the balance of powers. Being a protective father, Thranduil demanded his son to vow to only use his powers in defense, never to attack or become directly involved in the struggle of darkness and light.

*****

Night was upon Greenwood. Like a mirror, the lake glistened in the darkness of the woods, reflecting the pale silvery light of a full moon. A lone figure stood by the lake, amidst the tranquility of the forest. He was dressed in the manner of a wood Elf, a simple grey shirt and dark green breeches. A gentle wind blew softly at him, embracing his short brown hair and muscular form. Yet, stormy grey eyes looked out into the lake, betraying an inner struggle at odds with the peacefulness of his surroundings.

"What is wrong, my love? My heart aches from the sadness in your face," remarked a soft, melodic voice from behind the Man.

"Why do you ask me such a question? My people suffer under Sarous while I hide here, unable to do anything. What kind of heir to the throne am I if I do not even feel grief," exclaimed the Man, turning to face the newcomer, venting all his anger onto the poor creature.

If it were any other Man, their anger would have vanished the moment they lay eyes on the Elven Prince. Hair spun of golden silk, deep sparkling sapphire eyes and full rosy red lips; a perfect face that is both delicate and undeniably male. His dark blue shirt and leggings enhanced his exquisite azure eyes as the soft glow of moonlight graced his porcelain skin, adding an ethereal quality to his beauty. One would have thought they had strayed into a dream for no one would expect such stunning beauty to walk Middle Earth.

"Arameius, you are the finest warrior in the history of Men, but you are still young. As you grow older and wiser, you will gain allies that will aid you on your quest. Please be patient; your time to liberate your people will come," Legolas said, trying to comfort the Man he loved with all his heart.

Ever since the child was brought to Greenwood, the Elven Prince had taken him under his protection. Legolas had personally instructed the boy on the art of war, training him into a warrior that could rival any wood Elf. As Arameius grew into a very handsome young Man, with soft dark hair and strong masculine features, the Elf's feelings metamorphosed from the protectiveness of a mentor to the love of an equal.

When the Prince revealed his true feelings to Arameius, he found that his love was returned, with an ardor that surprised him. On more than one occasion, the Man had wanted to consummate their bond even though they were not yet officially bound as one. Legolas wished to make the Man happy more than anything in the world. But as the star of Earendil reborn, he could not give his innocence away without a proper exchange of vows and hearts; for in his love and innocence lay the power to give a mortal life-everlasting or an immortal magic second only to the Prince's own.

When the kingdom of Numenor was restored, Legolas had hoped to give Arameius the gift of immortality and stay forever by the Man's side. Though the future was shrouded in mystery, the Elf mage had sensed Arameius would one day be a great king of Man and until then, they must wait.

"Do not tell me to be patient. I am a mere Man, Legolas. I do not have eternity. You speak of allies, and what good will they do against Sarous' magic? Only you are his match; but because of your stupid selfish vow, you will not help me retake my throne; you'd rather let my people suffer. You speak of undying love, yet you will not even do this one small thing for me, when I ask only for the strength to defend my people. I cannot not bare the sight of a hypocrite like you any longer." That said, Arameius turned and stalked away.

The venom in the Man's voice made Legolas flinch. He had wanted so much to help his love, but a vow was a vow; as the Crown Prince of Greenwood, he must keep his word.
"I'm sorry." was all that the Elf could say as he watched the Man vanished into the darkness of the forest.

*****

"Where is Arameius?" Legolas asked Ramses, a Guardian of Greenwood and one of the Man's closest friends.

The Prince was worried for his love, as he had not seen him in three days. At first, he had thought the Man sought to avoid him; so out of respect, the Elf stayed away. But last night, he had a vision of Arameius in danger. Ehen he reached out with his magic, he could not sense the Man anywhere in Greenwood. He had a very bad premonition about this.

"I do not know, your Highness," answered Ramses, without looking into the Prince's eyes.

Without using magic, Legolas knew the guard was lying. He considered questioning the other Elf harder, but he knew how close the two friends were; Ramses would not betray the Man's secret. If he wanted to find out what his love's plans were, he had but one choice - to use the one power that he loathed more than anything else, to read another's mind. The Elf mage felt it disrespectful to intrude into any other person's private thoughts. It was each being's right to share their reasons and feelings with only those they chose to trust. But his need to assurance of Arameius' safety was imperative; with a mental note that he must apologize to Ramses later, Legolas delved into the guard's mind.

*****

He had waited long enough. After his three days journey, he had finally reached the gates of Gondor's castle. His training with the wood Elves had served him well, for Arameius was able to avoid detection by the foul creatures that were servants of the evil sorcerer. He hid in the shadows and watched for his opportunity. When the gates opened, he would slip in and confront his family's murderer.

*****

Legolas rode harder than he ever had in his frenzy to save his beloved's life. His oath to never use his powers to attack was forgotten as he slay all creatures of darkness in his path to reach Gondor. All that filled his mind was the thought, Please, do not let me be too late.

*****

The Elf mage burst into the throne room of Gondor's castle at the sight of his love writhing on the floor, screaming in pain. Sarous had cast a spell on the young Man to make him felt as if he was being eaten alive by maggots from within. Other than their zest for ever-greater power, Sarous had one more thing in common with his brother Sauron - their delight in seeing others in pain. Without magic, Arameius was no match for the evil sorcerer. Sarous had been taking his time in torturing the young Man, enjoying his screams of agony. He would not give the last rightful heir of Numenor an easy death; he wished to make this a lesson for all that opposed him.

Appalled and enraged at the scene before him, before he even realized it, Legolas was chanting a spell, " Spirits of the earth, spirits of light, obey my voice and come forth from the lands of Middle Earth. Become my sword and smite my enemy."

Light exploded from the Elf mage as the earth shook, causing part of the throne room to collapse upon the dark sorcerer. The evil one uttered a protection spell against the falling debris, but the spell was not strong enough to shield him from the sheer energy of the Elf's light. As the light hit Sarous, he began to burn. Pungent smell of burning flesh arose from the evil mage as his skin disintegrated into a mess of bubbles and boils, exposing charred muscles. The sorcerer knew he was about to die, but he would not go quietly. Mustering the last of his strength, Sarous placed a curse on the Elven Prince. "Powers of darkness, grant your servant this last boon. Wither his beauty with your smoldering touch."

Legolas was too preoccupied with maintaining his spell to realize the dark one's intentions until the curse was laid. His face started to burn, but he pushed the agony of his injuries from his mind. He could not allow himself to be distracted until Sarous was destroyed completely. When the evil sorcerer was nothing more than a pile of ashes, the Elven Prince lifted his hand to touch his aching, disfigured face. He knew how he looked but he was not overly concerned. After all, he knew something Sarous did not. The curse would be broken with his true love's first kiss. Such were the power of the Star Earendil reborn.

He went and knelt by his true love's side. The young Man was now lying still and breathing normally again. Legolas was glad he no longer appeared to be in pain. Even if he were to be exiled from all Elven realms for breaking his oath, seeing Arameius alive and safe was worth it all. He smiled, despite the pain in his face, as he stroke the Man's hair and sang softly of eternal love.

*****

Arameius awoke to find himself in the arms of the most hideous creature he had ever seen. The features of the face were burnt beyond recognition and the skin was red and raw. The only thing that was not repulsive about the creature were its eyes; soulful azure eyes regarded him with concern and love.

"Get away from me!!" screamed Arameius as he leapt to his feet, out of the creature's embrace.

"Arameius, it is me… Legolas. I was injured during my battle with Sarous. He is defeated and soon you will be King of Numenor," Legolas smiled, moving closer to the Man. The Man retreated further; to him, the Prince's smile looked more disgusting than an Orc's grimace.

"Do not come any closer. Leave now. I do not wish to see you again," spoke the new King of Numenor adamantly.

"But I love you. I did this for you." Legolas had never cried in his life, but now tears flooded his eyes and he could not hold them back. He did not want to tell Arameius that a simple kiss would break the curse; he needed to know if the Man's feelings for him were true.

"Do not blame me for your folly, Legolas. You are hideous and the King of Numenor will not be seen with repulsive creature like you. Leave my kingdom now and never return. You will be killed on sight if you were to ever come near me again."

The new King then turned and walked towards his throne. He smiled smugly as he sat on it and continued, "You are still here. With a face like yours now, I do not blame you for wishing death. Let me send for the guards and end your pain. It will be my last gift to you for all your years of caring."

Legolas could not believe his ears. Arameius did not love him at all. The Man had only desired him for his beauty and powers. He had always thought of his beloved's eagerness to mate was born out of love, but it was nothing more than lust.

Legolas stood in the shadows of the throne room, weeping, allowing grief to overcome him. The Elf no longer cared whether he died by the hands of the guards of Gondor or his own grief. As he awaited his doom, a clear, lilting voice rang in his head. "Do not seek to end your life so soon, Star of Earendil. Your duty is to the Peoples of Middle Earth. You will be needed again."

A sudden flash of light blinded Arameius and the approaching guards. When their sights returned, the Elf mage was gone.

*****

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