The Raven [A Legolas Fanfiction]

Chapter One

*Silmarwen's POV*

It had been three years since I was last in the forest of Mirkwood, and as I stared into the fire I could not help but long for the times I spent there. My dark grey cloak fluttered on my shoulders, and the black cloth that covered half of my face slipped down to my chin. I readjusted the cloth and myself, leaning back against a log, stretching my tired legs. The clothes I wore were relatively dirty for a human but to an elf like myself, they looked filthy and old. I had not changed from the dark green leggings and black leather boots I was issued as Captain of the King's Elite Guard since I received them a decade ago. My infamous black mask that was never removed hid my face and showed only my eyes that never were the same hue. The dark overcoat I wore hid me from all eyes.

A sigh escaped my lips, unchecked. I had been traveling like this for almost eleven years. I channeled my grief when I was younger into training and became the best of the best. The king of Mirkwood, my home, King Thranduil, used my skills and unfortunate circumstances to his advantage; he formed The Elite Guard that no one ever saw or heard from to protect the forest and do his bidding. As the most skilled, I was made the Captain, but that also meant he sent me out as a scout and assassin. More often than not, he gave me a long list of things that would take months or years to complete and told me to only come back when I was finished. When I did come back, I was hidden and secret. Everyone but two thought I had died years ago. Only the accident I was believed to had died in was a fake. It was all a scheme of the king's: everyone would believe I was dead which would free me from another obligations.

As I thought to my self, I drifted back to a memory I had almost forgotten.

*Her Flashback*
The wind and trees danced in the sunlight, leaving an ever-changing mosaic of light on the forest floor. My long blonde locks flew out behind me as I ran through the forest, jumping from the ground to low hanging branches and higher into the trees before hitting the ground again, never slowing my fluid movements. I laughed for the sheer joy and bliss I was feeling.

"Silmarwen! Slow down!" a familiar and friendly voice called out from behind me.

"Why should I? Has the prince of Mirkwood grown that slow?" I teased back, knowing that my close friend would catch up soon. I skidded to a halt when I reached the edge of the cliff to which I had been running.

"It is not myself I worry for but our dear friend Tauriel, who has yet to reach our speed," Legolas replied, finally reaching my side.

I laughed and called out, "Tauriel! Are you coming?"

"Yes! It's just that," gasp "I'm not as fleet-footed as you and the prince!" the red-haired elf replied from behind us.

I laughed yet again as I looked over to Prince Legolas. His light blonde hair was in his usual style with small braids holding it behind his ears and a small braid at the back of his head. Light armor glinted in the sunlight off his shoulder- it seemed to be the only metal on him except for that of his delicate and yet deadly white knives and the points of his arrows. A full quiver and longbow were strung over his shoulder. Dressed in his typical Mirkwood guard uniform, he managed to look regal and yet plain, graceful and yet gracious, handsome and yet.... My thoughts trailed off as he turned to look at me. Legolas raised one of his thin, dark eyebrows at me as he caught me staring into his crystal blue orbs. Embarrassed, I blushed and looked to the ground.

At that moment, Tauriel burst from the trees behind us and looked out at the scene in front of us. "Ëa," she breathed. I looked up as the sun began to set over the horizon, basking us in a soft orange glow.

"It's beauty is beyond words," I echoed the elleth's thoughts. Gazing over the landscape, it seemed as if all Middle-Earth and the Sky itself was at our fingertips. "Now I see why you wished to bring me here."

"I first found this view when I was a young elfling and became lost in the woods. I brought Tauriel here a few years ago, and she thought the view might just lift your spirits," the prince replied. I could feel his gaze on me, but I could not bring myself to meet it.

"Thank you." The quiet words barely seemed to escape my mouth. I had grown up in Mirkwood but was rather shy and distant from other elflings that I never made many friends in my adolescent years. Instead, I spent my time training with my father to fight. Upon joining the King's guard, I quickly gained the trust and friendship of those around me, including Tauriel and the prince himself. The three of us became very close over the years. It was because of our close bond that they knew how much I was suffering over my young sister's death. Elves are immortal and not supposed to die, but my sister, Feiarwen, did. She was taken by a spider. Her young innocence lead her for a walk unarmed in our forest which had been growing steadily darker. The spiders took her and left nothing, save the pendant she wore around her neck. I blamed myself for her death. As my thoughts wandered I muttered under my breath, "I should have been there."

Legolas heard due to his sharp ears. "You cannot continue to blame yourself. It was not your fault."

"But it was! I should have stopped her! I could have saved her!" Try as I might, I was not able to stop a sob from escaping my lips. "She did not even make it to her 80th birthday." The tears flowed fast now and I had no intention of letting them stop.

Comforting arms wrapped around me as Tauriel tried to console me. "Hush now, it's not your fault. The only one who blames you is yourself. You need to stop torturing yourself like this because all it is accomplishing is hurting you. Look at me." When I didn't she held my chin up and forced me to look into her eyes. "She would not want you to wallow in your grief. It does her memory no good."

"Oh, Tauriel!" I sobbed and held her back. "It's just so hard! Why must the Valar make us immortal if it is still possible to die!"

I heard her sigh and motion to Legolas to continue where she could not. "I do not know, Silmarwen, but I do know this: we are still here and so we must make our time worthwhile. Yes, we grieve for those who fall along the way, but our lives are a long journey, and I believe you are strong enough to make it through." I looked up at him and smiled a small smile.

Swiping at a few tears, in a small voice I replied, "thank you. I'm sorry for this." I gasped as Legolas walked over and gripped my shoulders.
    
"Do not apologize. There is nothing to forgive." A timid nod was all he got in return. As we made our way back to the palace, I realized in my heart that I could forgive myself. Not only did I acknowledge that, but also that I was in love with the prince of Mirkwood.

*End Flashback*

Tears began to roll down my cheeks. I felt awful for I left the one I loved behind without admitting my feelings or telling him I was alive. I wanted to see him but was also scared that by now he had found another.
      
I stood, put out the fire, and began to make ready to travel. I was going back to Mirkwood and I did not plan on seeing anyone.

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A/N
The picture at the top is Feiarwen's pendant.
I hope this is ok, feedback anyone?