Author: Mirrordance

Title: Return

Summary: Post-LOTR. Legolas always felt at odds with his home kingdom. Though it's King by birthright, he fled it, building a prosperous colony in Ithilien. Just when all seems well at last, great dangers in Mirkwood call for the return of THIS King home.

NOTE TO READERS: While I fervently tried to keep this story friendly and understandable to those who have not read the two previous stories that precede this one, it would be advisable for you to take a look at "Exile," and then "Escape."  For those who do not wish to, and for those who have read it before but need a few reminders, below is a synopsis of what happened so far, and where "Return" begins.

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SYNOPSIS: THE "EXILE" TRILOGY SO FAR

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Exile.      The story begins in Mirkwood of the 2800's.  The heir to the throne of Thranduil, the well-loved Lesandro, is murdered by an elf.  Suspicion quickly rests upon Lesandro's younger brother Legolas, the charmed warrior-prince. 

      Lord Sala, Mirkwood's most opportunistic politician, uses Thranduil's hesitation to persecute his most beloved son Legolas to further his own ambitions towards the crown.    

      Fearing instability in the already war-threatened Kingdom, loyalists to Thranduil use a secret potion that simulates death to stage the demise of Legolas.  Thranduil keeps his crown, but has lost two sons, not knowing Legolas was still alive.

      For centuries, Legolas lingers in the forests of Mirkwood, a lonely exile.  In 3011, he runs across the disguised human King Strider and the Istari Gandalf, who were passing along Mirkwood in search of the creature Gollum.  They strike up a friendship, and return to the elf prince's kingdom to redeem his name, along with the twin sons of Elrond.

      They succeed in proving Legolas' innocence, and in catching the real killer: Legolas' youngest brother, the jealous and hateful Legardo.  Legardo is incarcerated, and Legolas is left to try to reclaim his people's trust and respect, after being regarded as a villain for centuries.

Escape.     Just as things settle for the hesitant Prince in Mirkwood, his life-debt to the man who helped him, Estel, intermittently takes him from his newly reclaimed kingdom to various adventures, as well as because of his desire to be regarded by his people as a hero worthy of their loyalty.  Their years of adventures strengthen their bonds of friendship and brotherhood, through to the War of the Ring.

The Lord of the Rings.  In 3018, Legolas travels to Rivendell as a messenger from Mirkwood, to relay the news of Gollum's escape.  It is here, in the famed Council of Elrond that he becomes a part of the Fellowship of the Ring, alongside his dear friend Estel and seven others.  He travels as one of the nine, and fights in the greatest battles of the war, emerging a hero.  In the meantime, Mirkwood faces a different front of the war, and also emerges victorious, even without its legendary warrior prince.  Estel is crowned King in Gondor and marries the Evenstar.  The Fellowship break apart towards their own homes or, in the case of Legolas and companion Gimli the Dwarf, towards more adventures.  "Return" begins with the pair of adventurers entering the re-named and evil-freed Mirkwood in 3020.