Note: All unknown characters are mine! The rest are J.R.R. Tolkien's creation! I'm adding a new language in this story. There's a translation of the Japanese phrases for the ones used in each chapter at the end, to make it easier to understand.

Prologue:

Legolas Greenleaf had been missing for over three years now. The beautiful, blond Prince of Mirkwood had been returning to his home for a visit when he'd simply vanished. The mutilated bodies of the other two elves that had been accompanying Legolas, at Aragorn's insistence, had been found several weeks later, along with the slain Elvish horses. But of the Prince there was no sign.

Many believed Legolas to be dead, including his father, King Thranduil. Soon after, the Elven king had departed for the West, his heart aching from the loss of his youngest child. As time went on, only the remaining Fellowship members believed that Legolas might still be alive. His body had never been found.

It was curious, indeed, considering that the other two elves had been grievously tortured before death. Usually, only grief could kill an elf, but the expressions of terror on the faces of the two that had been found said that it had not been grief that had killed them, but something far worse. That was why it was a common belief that the youngest Prince of Mirkwood had died and his body carried off to be mutilated or used for nourishment.

As months and years went by, hoped died in the former Fellowship, who had reunited to find their missing friend. Soon, only Gimli, Frodo, and Aragorn believed Legolas to be alive. Those three faithfully continued their search, never ceasing, and following any rumors of a found or rescued elf.

They refused to believe that the strong and dependable Prince of Mirkwood had perished at the hands of unknown enemies. Their searching led them deep into unknown forests, and lands which none knew. Everywhere they traveled, Frodo, Aragorn, and Gimli asked questions, needing an answer of what had happened to their friend. But they never found one.

Their hope was beginning to fade as well, however, for no signs had yet been found in the three years of searching. The only thing that Galadriel had told them was that Legolas was alive… but he did not exist. It contradicted itself, and even the three most loyal were ready to give up hope.

But then another rumor reached their ears. Rumors of an elf living in an isolated and treacherous land, with blue eyes and blond hair. So Aragorn, Gimli, and Frodo set off once more. If they did not find Legolas this time, they would search no further.

False leads had broken their hearts too many times before. They could not bear it any longer, and would concede that Legolas must be dead if they could not find him in this barren wasteland. So the three set off once more, hoping against hope that this time, things would be different.

Maybe this time, they would find him and bring him home at last.

To be continued