Disclaimer: I don't own anything, except Raenthír and a few other random characters.

A/N: Hello again, I'm back, with another story from the mind I call my own, yet even I don't understand it sometimes. Basically this is the fic I said I was writing 6month ago, definitely a New Year resolution. Stick to deadlines. Or make ones I can keep to.

Anyway…This may still contain mistakes, but I'll update a new version as soon as possible. And I will update quickly. Though I can't promise how quickly. I have my GCSE Mocks these next two weeks so I don't know if I'll have the time. But you won't have to wait too long for new chapters.

Unfortunately, I can't promise there will be no cliffies. Sorry.

I'll shut up now and let you read on…

Dangerous Games

Aranel of Mirkwood

Chapter 1

Once again the whip fell on the Prince's already scarred unprotected back. It curled around his body, leaving a thin, cruel line of blood in its wake. Blood as red as it had always been, the same blood all the other lashings had drawn, and he had suffered many lashings, each one as painful as the one before. This time was no different, fresh waves of pain washed over his body as the beating continued. The lash each time seeming to find a place it had never been to before, tearing a fresh piece of skin. He looked up into the eyes of the one who had ordered this, the one who was gazing at him, willing him to scream. A task he would never succeed in. Not as long as he lived would the Elven Prince allow him the pleasure of hearing him scream.

"You are strong, young one." the being stated, his voice melodious and tempting to all who heard it. "But not strong enough. I will make you scream and beg for mercy before the end," he said a vicious smile on his lips. He held up a hand, and the whipping ceased, the Prince watched as the large Southron moved to stand out of sight in the dark shadows of the cell. "And I will enjoy watching you do so" he added

"I will never beg for my life!" the Prince replied stonily

A cold laugh answered him "I never said for your life" replied the figure as a door opened and two more Southron warriors dragged a figure into the cell, golden hair covering the beings faces.

They dropped the body at their leader's feet "We got 'im, Me Lord" said the taller of the two "We got the one you wanted, we got the Elf-King"

The figure laughed aloud "Chain him up near his Son, won't it be fun to see them beg for each other's lives"

Legolas' face was suddenly pale "Leave my Father out of this! He was never part of this!" the Prince cried. The taller man stepped forward and threw his fist into the Prince's face.

"No one talks to the Master that way, Elven Scum!" he yelled, raising his fist again as the elven Prince felt the coppery taste of blood in his mouth

The dark figure stepped forward "Peace Arvon!" the dark figure said, catching the man's hand in one swift movement "A time will come when he will cry in pain at your feet, but not today."

Legolas woke with a start the taste of blood in his mouth, raising his hand he found he was bleeding. Blinking in confusion the Prince rose and walked into the bathroom. Looking in the mirror above the washbasin he found that the blood was from a split lip. Taking a towel he began to still the bleeding. "It was a dream" he muttered confused as to why a wound he had received in a dream was present in real life, and as to why the split lip was the only wound that was present, for his back was not on fire from the whipping in the dream. Shaking his head in wonder he stared into the mirror, though the bleeding had ceased there was a large cut on his lower lip. Scooping water from the basin Legolas washed his face clean of any remnants of blood.

Some time later Legolas left his chambers almost colliding with his Father. "Good Morning, Adar" he said with a smile.

The King smiled as he looked at his son, his eyes taking in the cut on his son's lip. "Legolas, I asked you not to leave the grounds at night without my knowledge. Mirkwood is not a safe place at night. You know that"

"I didn't leave the grounds" Legolas protested, not sure if he wanted to tell his Father the truth. "I…"

Thranduil glared at his son "Legolas, I do not mean to sound harsh but Mirkwood is getting a darker place as the years pass. I know that you find it difficult to avoid trouble, and I just don't want you getting injured."

"Adar, I swear I did not leave the grounds. I acquired this in a dream" Legolas replied

"You have thought up some good lies in the past Legolas but that is not one of them" Thranduil replied with a slight smile

A frown appeared on the prince's face "Adar, it is not a lie" he insisted,.

"Legolas, how can a wound you acquire in a dream be present in real life?" Thranduil asked before turning and walking down the corridor leaving his son in the corridor alone.

Legolas was not alone for long however. He was shortly joined by the twin sons of Elrond, and his friends; Elladan and Elrohir.

"Legolas!" exclaimed Elladan "What are our plans for today?" for the past few days the sky had been darkened by rain clouds and the four friends had been kept inside the halls of Thranduil by rain and a strict healer who had insisted they stayed inside because she 'was not prepared to heal any injuries and treat and mortal maladies they returned with', today however the sky had brightened and a warm sun shone down on Mirkwood.

"Well," Legolas paused "We could stay here again. Or we could go out into Mirkwood"

"I would much prefer the second idea" Elrohir replied "When do we leave"

"Allow me to get my weapons and then we can find Estel and leave as soon as we are all ready" Legolas replied, the nights events rapidly leaving his mind at the thought of a day out in Mirkwood alongside his three closest friends.

How any being can call you a friend I do not know! Look at what you did to me!

Legolas looked around in shock as the voice entered his mind" Who said that?" Legolas asked, the question gaining looks of confusion from the twins

"No one said anything Legolas" Elladan replied glancing at his twin. "You must be hearing things"

He shook his head "But I…" Legolas stopped deciding not to press the issue. Hearing things no-one else is -after all- not a good sign. Turning around he headed back to his chamber.

"Legolas, are you alright?" Elrohir asked noting his friend's strange behaviour.

"I…I am fine" Legolas replied, with that he re-entered his chamber, as he picked up his knives and quiver the voice returned

Are you really fine? You always wanted to be like your Father He was your hero! But he isn't as weak as you is he? It was your Mother your weakness is from! She was weak!

"Stop it!" snapped Legolas spinning around "that isn't true!"

But she is dead-isn't she! Whereas I am alive-even after what I've been through, and now I am powerful.

Legolas looked around with narrowed eyes "Who are you?" he muttered

That you will find out soon enough

"Legolas, are you ready?" Elladan asked looking into the room.

The elf Prince looked over dazedly "What? Oh, yes I am ready" he replied, fastening the quiver onto his back and grabbing his bow "Let's go"

"Are you sure you are well Legolas" Elladan asked "You seem very distant today"

"I am fine" Legolas assured him with a smile as he walked to the door "Let us find Estel"

They found Estel in the kitchen eating an apple; the mortal looked up as they entered the room "Ailin has given us food. I presume we are going out today" the mortal said. Though he had only met Legolas a few weeks ago, the pair shared a great friendship that had only been gained after a period of distrust.

"I must thank her" Legolas replied as he looked over at the food the cook had provided, she always kept the younger elves well fed and like all the other elves in Mirkwood, loved the young prince. "She has once again given us more than we need" he laughed and looked at the twins "but these two eat more than enough anyway"

"We do not!" replied Elrohir with feigned indignity.

The four elves left the kitchens carrying their food and headed towards the stables.

The sun shone through the trees bathing the four elves in sunlight, a welcome relief from the recent storms that had plagued the area. The dark passages of Mirkwood seemed eerily quiet for the time of year; no birds sang their peaceful songs and no forest creatures ran across the path. The forest seemed empty, as if it was waiting for something to occur. Legolas at home in the forest of Mirkwood and knowledgeable to its many dangers rode slightly ahead, his eyes darting warily from side to side, fully aware that something was not quite right. He brought his horse to a halt and looked around; half expecting orcs to burst out of the bushes at any moment-it was not unlikely in Mirkwood, where it seemed like evil was lurking around every bend of the winding pathways, and many an elf had fallen foul of a lurking spider or a party of orcs, often with disastrous results. Legolas, therefore could not be accused of being over wary, for he had been one of the unwary victims many a time-too many times if you asked his Father who according to the elf-prince worried too much, yet both Father and Son agreed that their realm was a dangerous place to live. This time was no different. Everything seemed to suggest danger was near, even the rustling of the leaves screamed out warnings of danger. The four friends suspected something was amiss and Legolas and the twins would have placed a lot on the chance that something would happen-it usually did.

The trees then opened up into a large clearing containing a shallow pool and a waterfall that tumbled from an outcrop of rocks. It was a secluded place that Legolas and the twins often visited. It was peaceful there and somewhere they could relax. For Legolas it was a place he could abandon the title of prince for a few hours. But there was also another reason for his love of this place. His Father had once told him it was where he had met Legolas' mother, and where they had continued to meet, it was also one of the few places they had often visited together. He was ever at peace here, even though he knew if some problem came up one of Mirkwood's warriors could easily find him, they were near here at all times, keeping a watchful eye on the King's son.

Estel, on his first visit here, stared wide eyed at everything he saw, shocked that a land that had sounded so dark and gloomy from the tales in books, and yet so exciting from the tales of his brother's adventures could contain a place so beautiful and peaceful. The forest was different from anything he had ever imagined. The whole realm was very different from Rivendell.

"By the valar" he whispered as he dismounted, gazing around the clearing, taking in all its beauty. Watching the leaves move in the gentle breeze, and listening to the melodious song of the water cascading into the small pool

"It's wonderful isn't it" Legolas said coming up behind him

"It is" Estel agreed "I never expected Mirkwood to be so beautiful"

Legolas laughed merrily "Everyplace is beautiful-even if only to those who live there, many people just don't take time to see things though the eyes of the inhabitants"

"What do you mean?" Estel asked facing the young elf Prince

"People are always rushing around on their daily tasks. I myself am guilty of that many a day, they don't stop to see the more beautiful sights that surround them" the Prince smiled wryly "I wish I had more time to do just that"

Estel nodded, knowing the Prince spoke the truth. In the week that he had been in Mirkwood, Legolas had often had to leave his friends to help his Father solve some problem or other. Always described by the king's advisors as crucial and often described by Legolas as unimportant

"I think everyone needs more time to do that" Estel said

"Yes" replied Legolas "even many elves have too little time to relax. Despite the fact we are immortal"

"So what precisely are you doing?" called Elladan called from by the pool "Come help us prepare the lunch!"

Legolas laughed "Very well, at least we can then move on down river"

"We are not staying here?" Estel asked

A smile appeared on the Prince's face "No, we shall show you more of Mirkwood. And down river shall be more secluded, less guards" he replied

After a short lunch they stood and carried on down the path. Legolas feeling particularly relieved that the voice had not trouble him for a while.

Yet another problem was arising…

The four friends did not notice the darkening skies

Another storm was on the horizon…

TBC…

Well tune in tomorrow for the next instalment of 'Dangerous Games'

Aranel