Lost & Found

Summary; Does enough light still shine into the darkness of the Mirkwood forest to save Legolas and Estel or is all hope lost? A simple journey from Mirkwood to Rivendell starts out well but can it stay that way when a certain elf and ranger travel together?

Disclaimer; I do not own anything Tolkien. I get no money for any of this.

Rating: K+

Author note; I would like to thank Celebdil-Galad and Tinlaure for their help in tracking down the rightful characters that I have barrowed and the owner. I would like to thank Nili for forgiving my mistakes and allowing me to use her characters. I also claim no expertise in the Tolkien world or absolutely any expertise as an author so forgive any mistakes that I may have made.

And now on to the story!

Chapter 1

One Step Behind

Their departure from Mirkwood seemed to be an extremely happy event for most of the royal household they even appeared to be relieved for some reason. Neither Legolas nor Estel could ever quite escape the feeling that everybody looked forward to this time. They just could not understand the reason behind all the smiles they saw peeking out from under the usual sour expressions that the household had anytime that they were around. As they passed by many even waved happily as they said their goodbyes.

As they rode out passed the gate all goodbyes having been said they turned their horses towards Estel's home.

Estel took one more look back and broached the subject with his companion. "Legolas is it my imagination or are your people happy to be rid of you?" he asked a grin breaking out upon his face.

Legolas looked at him for second and then launched into his triad. "Me? My friend? Nay, I think that it was you that they are eager to see gone. I do not have these problems when you are not here." As he spoke his smile matched the one that decorated Estel's own features.

Estel face become puzzled as he absorbed his friend's reasoning his head tilted to the side as he thought.

"Problems, what problems would that be? Compared to a stay at my home I do not think that we have had any real problems" The Ranger pointed out.

Legolas laughed out loud the forest echoing with its musical sound. "Yes, I do believe that you are right. Maybe we should invite your brothers to return with us next time. Then when we visit on our own they will be relieved."

The sounds of their conversation drifted up to the guards that surrounded the Prince's home. Their faces paled at the thought of having to deal with the twin sons of Elrond in the palace with Legolas and Estel! It would be a very long visit next time. They looked at each other with dread Mirkwood would never survive. They knew that it was their duty to warn the household so that they may be prepared before the prince's return.

Both Estel's and Legolas' laughter increased as they distanced themselves from the guards above they had no intentions of bringing the twins with them on the next visit but the guards would not know that and the news of the twins impending visit would spread through the house of Mirkwood like wildfire filling them with fear over the possibilities therefore getting even with all the smiling faces that were so eager to see them leave.

The day drifted quietly away from the two as they talked enjoying each others company. Soon they were out of the inner circle of the Mirkwood realm. The safety of his father's kingdom left behind as they now traveled the areas of the forest that were no longer safe. The patrols did not frequent this outer area now concentrating only on the areas closer to home. The guards would be spread out too thin to cover the entire area.

The travelers spoke quieter here as the forest contained many creatures who were not friends of the elves that dwelled here. The evil had been growing here taking over the forest that the elves fought so hard to save.

Legolas felt the growth of this evil more then the rest of the elves and was affected by the loss of the trees and forest creatures that he loved. The king never refused his son's travels to Rivendell because it gave him a break from the ever encroaching darkness that grew like moss on a tree always there but never really seen until one looked closely to see its thick lush carpet smothering the bark.

Today was no different; the forest looked beautiful and inviting on the surface its multicolored hues of green seemed warm and comforting as they pass beneath their branches. To anyone else the forest would seem safe there was no obvious sign of the danger that was hidden underneath sucking the vibrant life from the forest and anything that made its home there. The forest leaned towards the strength that emanated from the single elf that now traveled its path.

Breathing deeply Legolas took in the smells of his forest loving the scent as it engulfed him.

"Are you done?" Estel inquired of the elf as he had stopped talking and was engrossed in his surroundings.

"The trees all love you and are sad to see you go! Can we travel a little faster now because I could walk this fast!" Estel teased.

Rejoining the conversation they talked of their plans. The main topic being the twins, as they were to be the object of the next prank that they had been working on. It was their turn to retaliate since the twins had struck before they left leaving them no opportunity to get even. Elrond had seen to that.

Estel went on about his ideas when he suddenly realized he was talking to himself again!

Stopping his horse he twisted around in his saddle to see what had captured the wood elf's attention this time.

"Legolas!" He spoke louder then usual. The rest of his words died on his lips as he saw the elf poised listening to more then just the forest around them, his word seemingly spoken very loud in the suddenly still forest.

The only response he received from the prince was the slow raising of his finger to his lips.

The prince sat unmoving upon his horse like an arrow pulled taunt ready for its release his whole body straining to hear through the silence. One minute he had been enjoying the beauty of the forest now it screamed to him to run trying to protect the wood elf from what it knew was coming.

A gentle breeze stirred the leaves blowing his hair into his face as he tried to hear what his eyes could not see.

Finally there is was a light sound of contact made between a tree branch and something heavy walking softly upon its limbs. Looking to the trees he saw nothing, but he knew it had to be there.

The trees trembled from its presence walking among its limbs stalking the elf upon the ground. They whispered their fears to the elf encouraging him to flee.

His voiced lowered just for Legolas' ears Estel questioned "What do you hear?"

His sharp eyes never leaving the trees he answered in a low steady tone. "We are surrounded"

Slowly moving into action Legolas dismounting his ride and instructed her to run. Estel followed suit never questioning his friend.

"Our options?" he asked pulling his sword slowly from its scabbard his eyes scanning the trees trying to see what Legolas saw. He need not ask what they faced for he already knew.

"Fight, we will never make it if we run. It is too late" Legolas aimed his bow into the trees above them searching through the limbs waiting for one to make a mistake and show itself. His thoughts criticized his lack of attention as he wondering just how long they had been followed. How had he not noticed such a disturbance behind them?

But this group was better then most and no mistake was made. As they got closer Legolas could feel their oppressive evil enveloping him like a thick fog on a misty evening it was enough to steal his breath away.

Appearing from the top of a giant oak that stood directly in front of the elf a large black spider slowly made its way down from the tree top it was one of the largest spiders he had ever seen its massive bulk making it difficult to maneuver down the trunk.

It was bold and deliberately made itself known to the elf drawing the prince's attention it kept its many eyes upon him as if enjoying the drama of the moment.

Legolas followed its path with his arrow as it descended slowly towards them eager to end its life in one shot.

It froze half way down the tree with one click of its jaws the rest of the group appeared and the trees were filled with eyes and legs from many beings. With an almost human like smirk on its face the spider watched for the elf's reaction to his impressive army as if daring the immortal to strike.

Legolas could not stop the quick intake of breath at the shear number of spiders that now surrounded them. Next to him he heard Estel's muttered under his breath shocked at the adversaries they now faced. They practically blocked out the light from sun filtering through the forest as their large dark bodies filled the trees making the day appear to wane. He could feel the tree's fear at their touch upon its bark. The forest had grown silent even the breeze had stopped it's gently stirrings as if it too was holding its breath.

Legolas noted the spark of intelligence in the depth of its soulless black eyes that he had never seen in a Mirkwood Spider before. Legolas almost thought the spider was pleased with himself if that was possible. What did not escape the wood elf's attention was the fact that it focused solely on him making no effort to hide its desire from the elf. Legolas fought the feeling of uneasiness that grew within him as the spider seemed to smile with anticipation.

Breaking the stale mate the spider spoke its voice dripping with malevolence its sound shocking both the human and the elf. "Mirkwood prince, we have been waiting for you"