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100 years later

Fighting.
That was all he did now.
It was all he knew.
And he enjoyed it.

He let his another arrow fly from his bow, it hit an orc in the head, right between the eyes.

He glanced behind his shoulder and noticed that he was out of arrows, not a problem.

He quickly dropped his bow and pulled out a long, black sword. He brutally hacked into any orc that came close. He took off arms and heads and relished the screams of agony coming from his victims.

They thought I was weak.
He placed the sword back into its sheeth and curled his hands into fists.
Now they are the weak ones.

His fist slammed into an orc's head, he smiled in grim satisfaction when he heard its neck snap.

He fought without his weapons for the pure joy of it. He loved watching the orcs cower away from him, knowing that even without a sword or bow he was far from defenseless.

He continued to kill the orcs until there was only one left. It cowered against a wall and waited for him to finish him off.

He drew a small dagger and threw it at the orc. It embedded itself into the orc's chest, not killing it right away, but definitley causing pain.

He smiled as he watched the orc writhe in pain. He walked over and ripped the dagger out, and then stabbed the pathetic creature in the throat.

"Well done."
Kanor narrowed his eyes in approval.
"Your skills have improved greatly Alkar."

Alkar nodded his head.
Kanor rarely praised him and he accepted his approval with silence.

"I believe that your training is finally complete. It is time for you to meet your master."

Alkar felt a shiver run down his spine. He still hadn't met this "master" Kanor spoke about, every time he mentioned him his blood ran cold.

"Come."
Kanor led him out of the room he had training in for more years than he could count.
He had trained until his hands bled, his bones broke, and until he could no longer stand.

He followed Kanor through the dark hallway, Alkar remembered a time when he hadn't been able to see in the darkness, but now he could navigate it easily.

Kanor led him into a dark room that he had never seen before. His eyes could barely make out the dark shape that snaked throughout the room.

Welcome Alkar, we meet at last.

The voice seemed to fill the entire room, Alkar had to force himself to not shake or tremble at the sound.

It is time you began serving me. You have but one task left to complete before you are truly ready.

"What do you want me to do?"
Alkar's eyes darted around the room, trying to find the source of the voice.

All you have to do is kill something.

Kill something? That wouldn't be a problem, he'd been killing orcs for years.

Bring in the prisoner.

Alkar watched as a door that he hadn't noticed before opened and two orcs came out, dragging something between them.

They threw whatever it was down at Alkar's feet. It wasn't an orc, it was something else.

Alkar's eyes widened as the being looked up at him with terror in his eyes. It was a man, a young one. His hands were bound behind him and he looked up at Alkar fearfully.

Kill him, and then we can move on.

Alkar looked down at the man. He could kill him easily, all he had to do was take his sword and stab him in the heart.

He pictured it in his mind, slowly twisting the sword so that it ripped into the man's heart, causing as much pain as possible.

But when he imagined the screams, instead of filling him with pleasure like those of the orcs, it filled him with horror.

What have they turned me into?

In that moment he remembered everything. His capture by orcs, his torture at the hands of them, and Kanor's words of darkness that had filled his mind day and night.

Legolas felt as if he had just been slapped. He staggered away from the man in front of him, his entire body was shaking in fear.

What did I let them do to me?

Is there a problem Alkar?

Alkar, that was not his name.
He was not the monster they were trying to turn him into.

"I will not kill him."
Legolas glared at Kanor, the man's face was expressionless.

Do you think that you can refuse me elf?

The darkness seemed to close in around him, cutting off his air and choking him.

He couldn't see, he couldn't breathe, the voice continued to speak softly into his ear.

You have been killing orcs for years without any problem, but now that I want you to kill a man you suddenly refuse. Why is that?

The darkness released him and Legolas fell onto his hands and knees, coughing and fighting to breathe.

Meanwhile, the shadow waited for an answer.
"I- will not- kill- an innocent- man."

The voice laughed as it once again wrapped itself around Legolas.

Who are you to think that you can defy me? You are only an elf, a pathetic one at that.

He was released once again, collapsing onto the floor.
Legolas tried to focus on the shadow in front of him, but it was impossible.

"Nothing you say or do will make me kill him."
Legolas struggled back to his feet.
Even if I was to let you go free?

Legolas froze.
Let him go?
Why would he do that?

If you kill the man, I will let you go. You can return to your home, and your family.

A memory flashed through Legolas' mind.
His home, his father, his brother.
He wanted to see them again, he wanted to be with them.

Did they even know that he was still alive? Or did they believe that he was dead?

"I would take his offer."
Legolas turned towards Kanor.
"He is mortal, he will die anyway. All you would be doing is bringing his death early, and what would it matter? You will live forever, and wouldn't you rather spend your life with your father and brother instead of being here?"

Legolas considered his words. He was right, the man was mortal and would die. What would be so terrible about killing him now?

Legolas placed a hand on the hilt of his sword. It would be so easy, just a quick thrust of his sword and he would be free.

Legolas walked back over to the man, he drew his sword as he approached.

Just kill him. That's all you have to do.

Legolas raised his sword, he prepared to strike the man and froze. The man's eyes met his, they pleading- no begging for him to spare his life.

Legolas' hands shook, he had never felt this way when killing orcs, what was it about killing this man that made him so afraid?

Kill him Legolas.

"No, I can't."
Legolas backed away from the man.
"I will not kill him."

The darkness once again grabbed him, this time it seemed to rip into him. Clawing and strangling his entire body.

YOU WILL NOT DEFY ME

Legolas screamed as the pain continued to grow. Whenever he opened his eyes the shadow around him turned into hundreds of dark beings who laughed at his suffering.

He clasped his hands over his ears and tried to block out the sound, he fell onto the floor and tried to crawl away but it was no use.

Legolas' hand gripped the hilt of his sword, he stood onto his feet and swung it at the beings that surrounded him.

They would vanish as the sword hit them, only to reappear in an instant.
He was trapped, he had to escape, he couldn't escape.

Legolas shouted and swung his sword, the sound of the blade cutting through flesh filled his ears.

Immediately the darkness vanished. The pain was gone and the laughter ceased.
Legolas looked down at his sword, blood was dripping from the blade.

He noticed that the man was no longer kneeling in front of him, now he was laying motionless on the floor.
A few feet away laid the man's head.

What have I done?

The shadow wrapped around him again, only this time it was gentle, the voice whispered softly into his ears.

Very good Legolas, very good.

Legolas shuddered, he shouldn't have killed the man, and he hated being praised for it.

"I did what you said."
Legolas turned away from the body.
"Let me go."

His heart sank when the room filled with cruel, mocking laughter. Legolas couldn't deny that he had expected this, of course he wouldn't be set free!

Why would I release you now? After you have proven that you can follow orders?

Silence hung in the air for a moment. Legolas waited for the voice to speak again.

All you need is a little persuasion. I'm afraid that your "training" is not complete yet.

Legolas felt all of his strength leave him at once. What more could they do to him?

You are stronger than I thought you were Legolas. It seems as though I need to break you before you can begin serving me.

"I will not break."
Legolas clenched his hands into fists and glared at the shadow.

You are brave, but you will break Legolas.
And then you will know what true darkness is.