Thalion searched for any sign of Gandalf or Elrond. It had been almost two weeks since his encounter with Legolas, and for Thalion that was too long to wait going after him.

He finally found them talking with Celeborn and Galadriel, he quickened his pace and interupted their conversation.

"You are planning to find Legolas, right?"
The four of them turned towards Thalion. Their faces revealed no traces of what they were thinking.

"Thalion we know that you fear for Legolas, and that you want him back home and safe as soon as possible. But we do not know where he is or if he would come with us willingly."

Thalion nearly exploded at Gandalf's words.
"Do you believe that he wants to be with those monsters? I saw the fear in his eyes Gandalf! He begged me to help him and I cannot stand by and leave him to suffer!"

Gandalf exchanged a look with Celeborn who shook his head. Thalion had told them all about what had happened with Legolas.

"Thalion this is going to be hard for you to accept."
Celeborn began,
"But after hearing what you and Gandalf had to say about your encounter with Legolas, it seems as though Legolas is being controlled somehow."

"Someone is forcing him to kill and lead orcs into battle. We are not sure who it is but we have a theory."
"What is it?"
Thalion demanded.

Celeborn sighed and allowed Gandalf to take over.
"They say that a being of terrible power lives near the borders of Mordor. Someone who almost posses the power of the Maiar, yet it only a man."

"Who is he?"
Thalion didn't bother to hide the impatience in his voice.
"He is known as Kanor, he disappeared many years ago but there is evidence that he is stirring again."

Thalion snorted. Surely his younger brother getting captured by orcs, disappearing for almost three hundred years, suddenly reappearing, and being forced to kill people against his will seemed to be enough evidence to confirm that this "Kanor" was stirring again.

"Where can we find him?"
Thalion crossed his arms and waited for a reply.
"As I said, near Mordor."
Gandalf replied shortly.

"Then what are we waiting for? We know where he is, why can't we-"
"Thalion you must calm yourself. We are not certain if it is Kanor, for all we know he is dead and ther is another being responsible for Legolas' capture."

Thalion narrowed his eyes at the grey wizard.
"Who else could be responsible?"
Elrond glanced at Gandalf who nodded. The Lord of Rivendell turned towards Thalion.
"Sauron."

The elf reeled back in shock.
Sauron? How could that be possible? He was dead!

"If it is Sauron, then I fear that there is no hope for Legolas. Even without his Ring he still has some power. Although why he would use his power on a single elf is unknown to me."

Elrond then turned his gaze back to Gandalf.
"Whether it is Sauron or Kanor we cannot wait to act if we are to try and save Legolas."

Thalion recovered from his initial shock and looked at Elrond hopefully.
They were finally going to do something!

"Very well then."
Gandalf announced.
"Thalion and I will go search for Legolas, and if possible bring him back here."

Thalion had expected Gandalf to forbid him to come but the wizard had known that it would be pointless to convince Thalion to stay.

"You will not be going alone."
Galadriel spoke for the first time since they had gathered.
"I will send Haldir to accompany you. He will aid you in finding Legolas."

Thalion didn't care who came or what they did, he just needed to go and get his brother.

I'm coming Legolas, and I swear that I will not leave you this time.

»»»»

The three of them rode to the village where Legolas had last been seen. The village was now deserted, where the people had gone was unknown to Thalion.

They dismounted and began to search for any sign as to where Legolas could have gone.
Haldir hadn't said much to either Gandalf or Thalion.

He remained silent as they walked through the damage caused by Legolas and the orcs.

Thalion had always possesed a talent for tracking things. Almost nothing could escape him. He was confident that he would find his brother.

Which will not be hard, considering he is traveling with a band of orcs.

Thalion led Haldir and Gandalf to the area where he and Legolas had fought. The grass had been trampled by the orcs, who had left a perfect trail for Thalion to follow.

Thank the Valar that is has not rained since our encounter.

"They went east."
Thalion announced.
He whistled for his horse and the chesnut mare he had been given ran up to meet him.

Haldir and Gandalf summoned their horses as well and they mounted. Seeing that they were ready Thalion spurred his horse onward.

"Thalion."
Gandalf rode up beside him.
"Remember, we do not know what Legolas has gone through since you last saw him. He may have almost recognized you then, but he might not again."

Thalion nodded and continued to urge his horse forward. They were almost there, he could feel it.

He only prayed that they would be able to get Legolas to Lothlorien safely.

»»»»

They were coming, just as his master had said.
Legolas darted behind a tree and waited. He pulled out his bow and waited for them to come closer.

There they were, they had rode right past him. Legolas pulled back the bowstring, ready to let it fly.

He would kill the elf he had confronted in the village last, first he would kill the old man and then the other elf.

Legolas released the string and let the arrow fly.

»»»»

Thalion's senses screamed in warning, he spun around and shouted a warning at Haldir.

The elf quickly dropped off of his horse and rolled onto the ground, the arrow missed the elf but hit his horse instead.

The horse reared onto its hind legs and let out a shrill cry of pain. Then it ran off, leaving its rider on the ground.

Another arrow flew at Gandalf, narrowly missing the wizards head. Haldir got to his feet and drew his own bow, his eyes searching for their attacker.

Thalion dismounted and drew his sword, just as a figure cloaked in black entered the clearing, armed with two long knives.

Haldir was about to let loose his arrow when Thalion stopped him.
"Do not harm him!"
The elf shouted desperately.

"He is trying to kill us Thalion! We cannot hope to detain him if we do not attack!"
Thalion knew he was right, but the thought of hurting Legolas sickened him.

Roaring filled Thalion's ears and he spun around to see orcs crashing into the clearing. Haldir let loose his arrow at the first orc he saw.

"Get Legolas! Gandalf and I will take care of them!"
Thalion nodded and faced Legolas. His hood covered his face but Thalion knew that it was him.

The two elves flew at eachother like two arrows shot from a bow. They met in the center of the clearing with a deafening crash of steel against steel.

Thalion blocked the two knives and thrust Legolas back. His brother stumbled but quickly regained his balance.

Legolas flew at Thalion again, this time bringing only a single knife down onto Thalion's sword and thrusting the other one forward.

Thalion was just able to feint left before the knife stabbed him.
He used his free hand to grab Legolas' wrist and hold Legolas in place.

Now both elves were stuck, if Thalion released Legolas or lost his grip on his sword; Legolas would kill him.

Legolas could not wrench his wrist free from Thalion's grasp, and he couldn't force his knife down on Thalion any further.

He had one chance to free himself, but it would be risky and he would only get one chance.

Without warning he swiftly removed his knife from Thalion's sword and prepared to stab Thalion in the heart.

Just before he could deal the fatal blow Thalion released Legolas' wrist and quickly moved himself out of harm's way.

But he hadn't been able to prevent Legolas from stabbing him in the shoulder. Thalion cried out in pain and horror when he realized the the knife was now embedded in his shoulder.

Legolas still had his other knife and prepared himself to finish the elf off. He dropped his knife and switched to his sword, he killed almost everything with it.

Thalion was on his back and trying desperately to get back onto his feet, but Legolas kicked him in the chest, sending him onto his back.

Legolas placed his foot onto Thalion's chest, pinning him onto the ground. He lifted his sword and had it aimed right at Thalion's heart.

He would kill this elf, and then he would wait to receive new orders from his master.

A brilliant, white light exploded throughout the clearing. Legolas dropped his sword and fell onto his back. He brought his hands up to his face and covered his eyes.

A terrible scream came from him as he lay on the ground. He never saw the grey figure running towards him, he did not see him raise his staff, he did not feel the blow to his head that sent him into peaceful oblivion.