Arwen and Gimli had told Thranduil and Elladan everything that had befallen them, Gimli starting with Aragorn taking the Ring and Arwen finishing with what happened in Minas Tirith. Yet there was one topic both elf and dwarf were purposefully trying to avoid for as long as possible, which was only adding to Thranduil's rapidly growing anger.

"I will ask you one more time," he said in low voice, "what happened to my son?"

Arwen swallowed a lump in her throat and looked down at the leaf littered ground. The four had come to stand away from the other elves to hear Arwen's and Gimli's story, there was no one else around to see the blind rage that had entered the elvenking's eyes.

Elladan put his hand on her shoulder, offering a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "It will be alright Arwen, please tell us what happened."

She wanted to return her brother's smile, but her stare remained cold. Not angry like Thranduil's eyes, but sorrowful. There was no joy left to be found in the Evenstar.

"I will tell him lass," Gimli said stepping forward. Arwen shook her head.

"No Gimli, what happened was my fault," ignoring Gimli's protest she turned to Thranduil, "I will tell you."

Thranduil's eyes narrowed but he said nothing. Briefly, she wondered how anyone could bear to look the elvenking in the eyes without turning into ice. Gathering her courage she began.

"Legolas came into my chambers one evening, he wanted to see how I was faring." She paused for a moment to see what Thranduil's reaction would be, but he only nodded for her to continue.

"He began to comfort me when he saw I was distraught, then Aragorn came in and found us. He was furious accused Legolas of trying to turn me against him, Legolas defended me and convinced Aragorn to leave me alone. But then…"

Her eyes began to fill with tears as she remembered Legolas being dragged from the room, without a struggle, and a smile on his face. The last thing he ever did; smile. If he had known what Aragorn was going to do to him, would he have still gone willingly?

"Aragorn took him," she continued, "for three days he was imprisoned in the dungeons. Then he vanished, neither Gimli nor I knew where he'd been taken. Three more days passed before we saw him again, but I-I couldn't recognize him."

Thranduil's eyes widened, and once again she saw fear enter his eyes. It hurt her, knowing that the only thing that could cause this strong, powerful elvenking to feel fear, was his son.

He nodded for her to continue, and she forced herself to relieve that terrible moment.
"Aragorn called us to his throne room, there his guards brought Legolas, but he was not the same as we knew him. His hair had been cut, just as I did mine. His ears have been deformed, carved to be as round as a mortal's are. His eyes… they are dead. There is nothing left in them, no light, no life."

Arwen stopped when she saw Thranduil trembling. From anger or grief she did not know, but she was afraid to go on. Elladan squeezed her shoulder yet it did nothing to comfort her. How was the elvenking going to react to what he heard next? Perhaps she shouldn't tell him, it would spare him the grief of knowing.

"You have not finished." Thranduil's voice made her jump and she found herself pressing against Elladan. His eyes were chilling her, freezing her to the bone. How could anyone stand before the wrath of Thranduil? In the back of her mind, she thought it strange how different Legolas was from his father.

"Arwen, please continue." Elladan whispered. Shaking herself from her thoughts, Arwen once again mustered whatever strength she had left, and finished her terrible description of Legolas.

"Aragorn had burned him, all over his chest and arms and back there are words written in the Black Speech that he branded into Legolas' skin. He forces him to go about bare-chested so all can see what was done to him. Legolas follows Aragorn everywhere, only responding to his voice."

The wrath that had entered Thranduil's gaze instantly, his face paled and his eyes became wide with fear. He looked as if he were about to faint at any moment.

"There was something else that Aragorn did to him," Gimli said taking over for Arwen, "a silver collar was placed around Legolas' neck. When I had a chance to study it further I found strange engravings in the metal, and it appeared to have been welded together in a way that prevented it from ever being removed. I do not understand its purpose or why Aragorn had it put on him, yet if it were in my power to do so I would tear that accursed thing off of Legolas and free him from it. I sensed something dark about it the moment I laid eyes on it, and I fear for what it is doing to Legolas."

"You are right to fear for him Gimli," Elladan glanced nervously at Thranduil, "Can you tell us what the words said? The ones on Legolas?"

Gimli nodded, "Broken, Dead, Slave."
"And they were written in the Black Speech? Over and over again?"
"Yes, all over him."

All three jumped at the roar of grief that came from Thranduil. The elvenking staggered blindly over to the nearest tree and collapsed against it, his head bowed as sobs began to rack his body.

"What does it mean?" Arwen demanded grabbing her brother by the arm. "What do the words and the collar mean? I know they mean more than just humiliating Legolas, tell me what they mean!" She screamed those last words, startling both Elladan and Gimli.

"Arwen, do you know if Aragorn was the one who burned Legolas and put the collar on him?" Elladan asked trying to keep his voice calm.

"He must have! He did not deny it when we asked him, what difference does it make?!"

Elladan took a deep breath, his eyes filling with tears. "Arwen, what Aragorn did to Legolas has happened before. During the age where Sauron was in power, he began searching for a way to control the minds and thoughts of others. He first destroyed his victim, not their bodies but their minds. Then he branded three words into them, always three, these words defined that person. How they lived and how they thought. To seal these commands a collar was placed around them, the name of the one who branded their body was engraved into the metal which cannot be removed save by the one who put it there. It is a dark, evil practice. Once the soul has been bound to its master, there is nothing that can free it."

Arwen's heart stopped, for just a moment it stopped. When it started to beat again, the pain was more than she could bear. She cried out and fell to her knees, her hand clutching at her heart. Elladan was at her side immediately, but when he tried to hold her she pushed him away.

Broken; Legolas' body was broken.

Dead; Legolas' soul was dead.

Slave; Legolas was a slave.

And Aragorn…

Aragorn…

He'd done this to him.

Arwen screamed again when she thought about him; when she'd first laid eyes on Aragorn in Lothlorien, back when he was young. She'd fallen in love with him immediately, as taken with him as he had been with her.

They'd pledged themselves to each other, promising that they would love no other.

She remembered the love that was in his eyes, the way his smile made the entire world glow brighter. His voice never failed to comfort her, his strength of will and mind, his desire to protect her, all taken away.

And it had been his choice, he had chosen this!

Arwen screamed again, her face lifted towards the trees, her eyes shut as tears ran down her face.

Pain, betrayal, anger.

Her heart was broken, twisting inside of her chest, and the pain…

The pain would never heal.

"What's wrong with her?" Gimli demanded, glaring at Elladan.

"I-I don't know!" Elladan looked helplessly at his sister, he didn't know what to do!
"Her heart has been broken." Both Elladan and Gimli turned to see Thranduil walking towards them. He looked nothing like the strong elvenking he had been before, now he was but a shadow of what he was.

He knelt down beside Arwen and gathered her in his arms. She tensed at first, her cries abruptly cutting off, only to resume again after collapsing in Thranduil's arms.
"Is there anything we can do for her?" Gimli asked.
"The only thing she can do is sail west." Thranduil did not meet either of their gazes, his eyes remaining focused on Arwen. "She would be able to find healing in Valinor, and she would be safe from Aragorn. He could not harm her there."

He glanced up Elladan, who had his brow furrowed. "Do you disagree with this?"
Elladan shook his head, "No, I would rather her sail than remain here, but I do not know if she can."
"What do you mean?" Gimli demanded.
"She may have given up her immortality, for Aragorn. If she did then there is no ship that can take her to Valinor."

Gimli's eyes widened, he was about to say something when Arwen spoke.

"No," she whispered, "I did not give it up. Ada warned me that I shouldn't, he was right…"

Arwen straightened herself and Thranduil released her, helping her to her feet. "There is nothing left for me here," she continued, "I will sail and leave this world behind, though I fear that not even Valinor can heal me of these wounds I now bear."

"I will ensure that you reach the Havens safely." Thranduil turned to Elladan who nodded. He would be accompanying his sister as well, whether he would sail with her was yet to be known.

"Master Dwarf," Thranduil said now facing Gimli, "I thank you for bringing me news of my son, though it has broken me to hear what has been done to him. I myself wonder how long I will be able to remain in Middle Earth before my own grief claims me. However, if you wish to return to your kin I will send a group of elves to escort you to Erebor. It would be safer than traveling alone."

"I thank you for your offer, but I am not returning to Erebor." His statement surprised the three elves, all who had assumed Gimli would wish to return home as soon as possible, especially now that he was so close. "The only thing Legolas ever asked of me was to ensure Arwen's safety. If she is going to the Havens then I shall travel with her until she arrives. Only after she is safe will I return to my kin."

Arwen was both grateful and reluctant to have Gimli come with them. Having him with her filled her with strength and courage, but she also feared what would happen to him if Aragorn were to catch up with them.

He would kill him, or worse, turn him into a slave as Legolas was.

The thought filled her with terror and she opened her mouth to protest, but one look from Gimli silenced her. He wasn't just doing this for her, he was doing is for Legolas.

If she denied him this, he would never be able to live with himself.

"If that is your wish Gimli, then you may accompany us." Elladan dipped his head respectfully towards the dwarf, who only nodded in return.

"We will rest here for the night," Thranduil announced stepping forward, "at first light we will set out for the Havens. I will inform those who do not wish to accompany us that they can return to the Woodland Realm."
"You are coming with us?" Arwen asked, somewhat surprised that he would leave his kingdom for her sake.

"I had already planned on leaving, though it was not to go to the Havens." Thranduil gave her no other explanation and guided the three back to where the elves waited. After informing the elves of their new plans, more than half of the company returned home, though none knew why their king had suddenly changed his course for Thranduil had not told them about Legolas.

After eating a quick meal Arwen settled for the night, trying to find rest, but her grief kept her awake all through the night. Elladan stood watch over his sister, determined to protect the only family he had left. Gimli appeared to be sleeping, yet he was fully awake, his mind fearing that Aragorn would suddenly appear and slay everyone in this forest.

For a brief moment Gimli wondered; could Aragorn be saved? What if the man they once knew, the one he would have willingly given his life for, was still there? If he was could there be a way to free him?

Then another thought entered the dwarf's mind, one that made him shiver. If Aragorn could be saved, would anyone be able to forgive him? He'd left their friends' to their deaths, killed Elrond and one of his children, imprisoned himself and Arwen, and Legolas…

If Aragorn gave up the Ring, if he returned to us, would I have the strength to forgive him?

That was a question Gimli hoped he would never have to answer.

Thranduil was making his way out of their makeshift camp, looking over his shoulder he made sure that no one was following. Once he'd gone far enough out of hearing range he knelt down beside one of the many trees and took something out from the folds of his cloak.

A single, golden braid covered in blood.

Silently he dug out a small hole in the earth with his free hand, then he laid the braid inside, covering it until it was hidden. He stared at the ground in silence, his mind flooding with memories of his son.

His little Greenleaf…

He thought of when his son had been born, how his whole world had seemed to flood with light. He remembered when Legolas had gone out into the forest for the first time, ready to defend his home from the shadow. He remembered how terrified he'd been when Legolas had been brought back after an ambush by orcs, hanging onto life by a thread. He'd stayed by his son's side until he had healed.

He thought of all those times Legolas had encouraged him with nothing more than a smile, all those times Thranduil had been on the verge of giving up, Legolas had smiled. It was that smile, the one that said everything would be alright, the one that told him not to give up hope. That smile had been the last thing Thranduil saw his son do.

Just before Legolas had left for Rivendell to report the news of Gollum's escape, he had embraced his father, telling him that he would be back in a few weeks. Then he had walked away and mounted his horse, looking over his shoulder he smiled at his father.

It'll be alright.

"No…" Thranduil whispered, "It won't be alright, nothing will ever be right again." A single tear fell from his eye, unable to hold back his grief Thranduil bowed his head. His body shook violently as tears ran down his face, his hands twisted themselves in his hair.

"I'm sorry Legolas, I'm sorry!"

But his words would never reach his son's ears. Never again would Thranduil hold Legolas in his arms, and never again would he see Legolas' smile.

His son was gone, and there was nothing he could do to get him back.

The company of elves made their way west, heading for the Misty Mountains. It was undecided yet whether they would stop in Rivendell; Aragorn had undoubtedly discovered Arwen's and Gimli's disappearance by now. He would not stop until they were found.

Arwen rode atop the horse they had been given, Elladan and Gimli walking beside her. She'd grown weaker since their arrival in Mirkwood, she could hardly stand on her own and she rarely ate. Elladan could only pray that they would reach the Havens in time to save his sister.

Thranduil remained at the front of the procession, his eyes and ears constantly alert for any sign of danger. They were three days from the mountain pass they would be traveling through, if they could reach that pass it would be harder for Aragorn to follow them, depending on how many men he had with him.

Thranduil himself only had fifteen of those who had originally been with him in the forest. He'd encouraged more to return home, assuring them that a smaller group would be less detectable.

Suddenly his ears picked up the sound of hooves thundering towards them, along with the shouts of men.

He shouted a command at his warriors who immediately grouped around Arwen, he'd made it clear that her safety was their first priority. Quickly Elladan helped her dismount and the horse was released, an elf ordering it to run far from here.

The horse obeyed immediately and the elves successfully hid Arwen from view. Elladan grasped his sister's hand as the riders appeared, how did they get so close without any of them noticing? Thranduil came to stand in front of them, watching with cold eyes as the riders approached, and at their head was Aragorn.

"Mae Govannen!" Aragorn called out after bringing his horse to a stop. His men (which greatly outnumbered the elves) surrounded the small party, cutting off any escape. The Mirkwood elves quickly drew their weapons, their dark eyes alight with a dangerous fire as they glared at the men.

Aragorn was the only one present with a smile on his face. He dismounted his horse and walked forward, his hands held up in a gesture of peace, but Thranduil was not fooled.

"What business brings you here Aragorn son of Arathorn?" Thranduil demanded, his voice low and dangerous as he fingered the hilt of his sword.

"I could ask you the same thing my friend, what is the reclusive king Thranduil doing so far from his realm?" Aragorn looked to not have a care in the world. His gaze turned towards the elves and hunger filled his eyes, Thranduil noticed and his wrath intensified.

"I was expecting you in Gondor," Aragorn continued without taking his eyes off the elves, "did you lose your way? Perhaps my men and I can guide you to my kingdom, it would make things much easier for everyone."

"You think me blind Aragorn?" Thranduil's voice was like thunder as he stepped forward, his hand wrapped around his sword hilt. "I know what it is you seek, and I swear that as long as I live you shall not lay a hand on any of my people. They are mine to protect and I will die before I see them enslaved by you."

"I understand completely my friend!" Aragorn finally tore his gaze away from the elves, clapping his hands together. "I only wish to protect those I care about as well, but I cannot do that if they run away from me."

Aragorn searched the elvenking's eyes for a reaction, but all he received was a cold glare.

"I shall give you a deal Thranduil," he continued, "return what belongs to me, and I will return what belongs to you."

A single rider emerged from the others, a hood was drawn over his head and a cloak was draped over his shoulders. He dismounted and walked over to Aragorn, stopping at his side.

Smirking at Thranduil, Aragorn reached up and pulled back the being's cloak, revealing the dead eyes of Legolas. Not even Thranduil could hide his horror when Aragorn tore the cloak from Legolas' shoulders, revealing the ugly words that had been branded into his skin.

"Legolas…" His father whispered his name, but Legolas was unaware of his father's presence. He stared blankly ahead, unaware, dead to the world around him.

"What a touching reunion," Aragorn moved to stand behind Legolas, "it may not have been what you were expecting Thranduil, still it is better than nothing I suppose."

The elvenking struggled to regain his composure, he wanted nothing more to kill the man standing behind his son, but he forced himself to remain still.

"I will give you a deal Thranduil," Aragorn continued, "return my wife to me, and do not try to hide her from me I know she is here, and I shall give you your son back." He placed a hand on Legolas' shoulder, "If you refuse, I will kill your son where he stands."

Aragorn pulled out a knife and pressed it against Legolas' neck, the action causing everyone to stiffen, Aragorn only smiled.

"Perhaps I may even free him, just long enough for him to lay eyes on his father." The knife bit into Legolas' skin, causing blood to trickle down his neck, yet the elf did not respond. Looking up at Thranduil, he growled his last words, "I'll let him wake long enough to see you, I'll let his heart be filled with hope, then I will kill him. He will die knowing that you did nothing to save him, that while I stood here with a knife pressed against his neck, his father did nothing. Now choose!"

Silence filled the air.

The elves looked to their king, waiting for orders while the men of Gondor did likewise. Thranduil's eyes remained locked on Legolas, he was frozen in place.

Out of all those gathered, only one moved.

"Release him Aragorn," Arwen gently pushed her way through the crowd of elves to stand before her husband, "he has done nothing to deserve this. Free his spirit and let him return to his father, end this madness and come back to us."

Arwen stopped just in front of him, her eyes brimming with tears. "Come back to me."

Aragorn laughed, pushing Legolas aside, not even looking as he fell onto the ground. "I see you have lost your sense of pride. What did you think cutting your own hair would prove? Perhaps you wish to share Legolas' fate? Because I assure you Arwen, I can make that happen."

"Aragorn open your eyes! Can you not see what you are doing? This isn't you Aragorn!"

Aragorn narrowed his eyes and turned away from her. "Who are you to think you can stop me? Sauron was no match for me, not even Gandalf or your father could oppose me. What makes you any different?"

She grabbed his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her.

"Please, forget about all of this! Remember who you are; you are not cruel nor a tyrant. You are a healer, a protector, you can fight this I know you can! Please Aragorn, I love you."

She held his face in her shaking hands, tears running freely down her face. Aragorn met her gaze, and his eyes softened, time stood still as they stared at each other. The very earth seemed to be holding its breath. He reached up and cupped her face in his hand, something he had not done for years.

"Arwen…" he choked on her name, his eyes starting to water. "Forgive me…"

His other hand shot forward. Arwen's body jerked, her lips parted in a silent scream. Aragorn shoved her body away, the blood soaked knife grasped tightly in his hand.

A scream came from behind him. Someone grabbed his arm and threw him aside, he landed hard on his shoulder. He shook his head and saw a figure running towards Arwen, catching her just before her body hit the ground.

Legolas?!

Legolas caught her just before she fell. Carefully he lowered her onto the ground, kneeling with her in his arms.

"Arwen? Arwen please, please don't."

She looked up at him, their eyes meeting. Tears were running down Legolas' face, he looked down and placed his hand over the wound on her stomach, trying to stop the bleeding.

A cold hand pressed against his cheek. He forced himself to look at her again, the color was leaving her face and her breathing began to slow.

"Legolas…" she smiled.

Her hand fell from his face.

Her heart stopped beating.

Her eyes closed.

Legolas shook his head. "No, no no no Arwen, please Arwen no…" He held her against him, unable to cry out as he pressed his head against hers.

She was gone.

A hand suddenly grabbed him by the arm, yanking him backwards, Arwen's body fell onto to cold ground.

He was spun around to where he was facing Aragorn, the man's eyes were ablaze with fury,

"Oh! Does that upset you Legolas?! Did you care about poor Arwen?! THEN YOU CAN DIE WITH HER!"

His knife plunged deep into Legolas' chest, the elf's eyes widened in shock, the color fled from his eyes and skin.

Aragorn threw the body onto the ground in disgust, watching in contempt as it fell. It landed beside Arwen's body, Legolas' now grey eyes stared blankly at her pale face. Their hands were inches apart, their fingertips brushing together.

Aragorn did not notice the knife that stabbed him in the back until he saw the blade sticking out of his chest. His own knife fell from his hand, the blade still red with blood. He dropped to his knees, looking down he watched as red poured out of his chest. Slowly he turned his head, his eyes landing on his killer, a dwarf with a knife in his hand.

Gimli… my friend…

Aragorn looked away from him only to have his eyes land on the two he had just killed. He turned back to Gimli, a single tear falling from his eye. Without a word he fell onto the unforgiving earth, his eyes staring blankly at the grey sky above him.

He was dead; Aragorn son of Arathorn, the last of the line of Elendil, was dead.

Epilogue

The fates of the Nine Walkers are dark and cruel. The Ringbearer was slain by one he called friend, one whom he had given his trust to. Four of their companions were killed mercilessly at the hands of orcs, never to know what would become of the quest they had set out on.

Yet the cruelest death had to be that of Aragorn; the one who would have reunited the kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor, the one who was killed by the last remaining member of the Fellowship.

Gimli son of Gloin, the last surviving member of the Fellowship of the Ring, had been forced to slay Aragorn, his deed causing him to swear an oath that he would never wield another weapon ever again. For every time he laid hands on one, he would see the dead faces of his companions.

The fate of Gimli is unknown, just as the fate of the Ring has yet to be found. Some believe that the dwarf took the Ring and set out to complete the quest on his own, taking no one with him.

Whether this is true remains unknown, and perhaps will be for many years to come. Those who live near Mordor keep a close eye on the dark mountains that surround the land, ever watchful for Sauron's return, which would be the only proof that Gimli failed in his quest to destroy the Ring.

Many of the elves departed Middle Earth, those who remained went into hiding. Among those who left were Elladan, the only remaining child of Elrond half-elven, and Thranduil king of the Woodland Realm.

Those they held dear to them, Legolas and Arwen, were buried under the boughs of Mirkwood. Those who seek out the graves of the two elves return from the wood with tales of moving trees and a song of lament in the air, as if the forest itself still mourned the passing of Legolas and Arwen.

No one dares to disturb their graves, and even fewer dare to enter the forest.

So that is where they lay: Prince and Evenstar, alone in the dark, and left to the cold.

The End