Legolas' POV

I've lost the battle, the war I waged within myself, I have been been beaten.

Now I am blind to the monster that I have become.

I should have opened my eyes sooner, then this could have been prevented.

But now I am too afraid to see what I have become.

So I will keep my eyes closed.

And hide myself from the shadow.

»»»»

"Legolas!"
Thalion ran after his brother as he made his way to the front gate. He was about to go out again and Thalion was detirmined to find out what he had been doing for the last few days.

"Legolas!"
He finally turned around and drilled Thalion with a cold stare.
The sight threw Thalion off guard and for a moment he forgot what he was doing.

"What do you want?"
Legolas demanded impatiently.
"I just wanted to know if you would like me to accopmany you today."
Thalion could already tell what Legolas' answer would be.

"I would rather go alone."
Legolas turned on his heel and left Thalion standing alone.
His brother had his bow in his hands and a sword at his side.

Why does he always carry his weapons with him?

Thalion shook his head and walked away. Perhaps Legolas carried them with him because he was afraid of getting caught again.

Then why do I let him go out alone?

Thalion was about to turn around and go after Legolas when two guards ran up to him.
"My Lord Thalion!"
One of the guards addressed him, his eyes were wide and he was breathing heavily.

"What is it?"
Thalion studied the two guards as he waited for an answer.
"There has been news from the eastern border, there has been reports of men being slaughtered outside of Dale and near our borders."

Thalion's heart skipped a beat. The last time he had heard about men being slaughtered had been when....

Oh no.

"Inform my father at once."
Thalion told one of the guards, he turned to the other one and said,
"Send a message to my Captain of the Guard, tell him to double the watches on our borders and report to either me or my father if there is anything suspicious going on."

The guard nodded and disappeared down a hall. Thalion turned his gaze towards the front gate.

He didn't want to think about the dark feeling that was creeping in on his mind, but if there was even a small chance that his fears were true...

Oh Valar let me be wrong.

Holding his sword at his side Thalion raced out of the gates.

»»»»

Every step Thalion took sent another pang of fear into his heart.

He had been tracking Legolas for several hours, and his trail led him to the eastern border.

Please, please let this only be a coincidence.

Thalion was coming to the edge of the forest. He looked out and his eyes searched for any sign of Legolas, or anything else.

His eyes caught sight of a small group of men making their way towards Dale. They were traders from what Thalion could tell, just simple men trying to make a living.

Thalion hadn't even noticed the arrow that took the first man's life, it was the cry from his traveling companion's that alerted Thalion.

He watched in horror as another man fell, there were seven men in total, two were now dead and the remaining men were searching frantically for their assailent.

He came out of the trees like a shadow, his sword drawn and his hair whipping behind him like white flames.

Dear Eru no....

The being killed the remaining men without mercy. Thrusting his sword into their hearts, cutting off their heads, the sight made Thalion sick.

But what nearly killed him was when he finally saw the men's killer, who was retrieving his arrows without a second glance towards his victims.

Legolas looked up and Thalion darted behind a tree. Trying not to fall over from shock and terror.

When Thalion dared a glance back at the scene, Legolas was gone.

In that moment he knew exactly who was behind the murders, and the truth hurt him more than any wound he had ever received before.

Tears began to fall from his eyes. How could Legolas, little Legolas be capable of so much death?

What was he supposed to do now?

You have to tell adar. He has to know.

Cautiously, and reluctantly, Thalion made his way back to the palace. The image of Legolas murdering those men burned in his mind.

»»»»

Inwë was waiting for Thalion when he returned, worry for her husband consumed her as she ran to meet him.

"Thalion? Are you alright? What happened?"
"Where is my father?"
"Thalion, please tell me what's wrong."
"I need to see my father!"

Thalion regretted his harsh tone but he didn't have time to apologize. Inwë understood that something was bothering him, and even though she was a little hurt she led Thalion to his father's study.

Elrond was in there with him. Both were speaking quietly to each other about a subject that was all too familiar to Thalion.

"The killings have been going on for weeks now Thranduil. Something or someone is responsible for these deaths and very soon they may start attacking your people as well."

"Whoever this killer is, they have been smart in staying away from our borders."
Thranduil replied, almost sounding bored with Elrond's report.

"They would not dare to attack us."
"You may be wrong about that adar."
Thalion entered the conversation to the surprise of Elrond and Thranduil.

"What do you mean Thalion?"
Elrond asked staring at him intently.
Thalion sighed and met both his father and Elrond's gaze with undisguised grief.

"Legolas is the killer, he is responsible for all the deaths."
Stunned silence filled the room. Inwë covered her hand with her mouth and she was on the verge of tears.

Elrond's face was unreadable as he took in Thalion's words. Thranduil stood up from his desk and immediately took action.

"Where is Legolas now?"
"I do not know."
"Find him, bring him back here at once. He cannot be allowed to roam free any more."

Thalion felt numb, he couldn't respond to his father's order.
"What are you going to do with him?"
Inwë asked, her voice trembling.

Thranduil met her gaze with cold, blue eyes.
"I will do what needs to be done."
"And that is?"
Elrond inquired.
"I will make sure that this does not happen again."
"That does not answer my question Thranduil."

The elvenking moved away from the elf lord and made his way towards Thalion.
"You have to listen to me Thalion. If word reaches the king of Dale that one of my people is responsible for these killings it could mean war for us."

"We have to prevent that from happening in anyway possible. I need you to take your best warriors, find Legolas, and bring him back here."

"What will you do to him?"
Thalion searched his father's eyes for an answer but found none.
"I will do what needs to be done. Now go."

Thalion nodded; and left the room. Inwë ran after him and grabbed his shoulder.

"Thalion, what is your father going to do to Legolas?"
"I do not know."
"Yes you do. If you did not know you wouldn't be going after him now."

Thalion sighed in defeat. Without meeting Inwë's gaze he answered her question.

Inwë gasped and her eyes widened in horror.
"Thalion, you cannot let him do that!"

Thalion ignored her and resumed walking.
"He is your brother Thalion!"
Inwë was crying, she couldn't believe what Thranduil planned on doing to his son.
"Legolas needs you! Please! Thalion? THALION!"

Thalion blocked out her voice and focused on holding back his own tears.

Oh Legolas, I'm so sorry....