In the woodland realm, Legolas, Tauriel, and Elbereth l have brought their captured orc to Thranduil's throneroom. As Legolas stands with his knife pressed to the orc's neck, Thranduil paces around it.

"Such is the nature of evil. Out there in the vast ignorance of the world, it festers and spreads, a shadow that grows in the dark. A sleepless malice as black as the oncoming wall of night. So it ever was; so will it always be. In time, all foul things come forth." The king says calmly. His son then asks the orc pressing his blade to its throat, "You were tracking a company of thirteen dwarves and an elf. Why? The orc snorts and gurgles. Not thirteen; not anymore. The young one, the black-haired archer, we stuck him with a Morgul shaft. And for that man, he was no elf. he was a creature of old days."

The orc speaks this while facing Tauriel and her next in command, Elbereth. They both look worried. "The poison is in his blood. Hell, be choking on it soon. The orc hisses, then going out of his way not to talk about you. he knows his master wants to take you to his own. You are a valuable ally if you line yourself with the darkness.  Answer the question, filth. Tauriel snaps. The orcs hiss and snarl out in the black tongue. " I do not answer to dogs, She-Elves!" Legolas pushes the orc a bit as Tauriel and Elebereth whip their knives.

"I would not antagonize them," Legolas warns. Elebereth then speaks up, her face cold. "You like killing things, orc? Do you like death? Then let me give it to you!" she rushes forward with her knife, but Thranduil speaks. "Enough! Elbereth, leave! Go now." The orc snarls at her, but the brunette manages to regain her composure and leaves with Tauriel.

Which leaves the king and her son.

"I do not care about one dead dwarf. Answer the question. You have nothing to fear. Tell us what you know, and I will set you free." Thranduil says. The orc sneers and licks his teeth.  You had orders to kill them - Why? What is Thorin Oakenshield to you? Legolas pressed, and the orc snorted. The dwarf runt will never be king.

legoals frowns. King? There is no king under the mountain, nor will there ever be. None would dare enter Erebor while the dragon lives. he says, but the orc taunts him nonetheless. You know nothing! Your world will burn! Legolas presses his sword to the orc's throat. What are you talking about? Speak!

Our time has come again. My master serves the One. Do you understand now, Elfling? Death is upon you. The flames of war are upon you- before his sentence is finished, his head is severed from his body, and his body falls to the ground. legoals secures his nose at the head and drops it, addressing his father.  Why did you do that? You promised to set him free.

Thranduil walks to his son's side, saying calmly, And I did. I freed his wretched head from his miserable shoulders.

The orcs body, although separated from its head, shakes violently. Thranduil stomps on its leg to stop the shaking. There was more the orc could tell us, Legolas says, but his father gives him a look. There was nothing more he could tell me.

The elf king turns and walks away, sheathing his sword.  What did he mean by the flames of war? his son asks, and Thranduil sighs, explaining in a brief sentence, It means they intend to unleash a weapon so great it will destroy all before it.

He then addresses the elven guards. I want the watch doubled at all our borders. All roads, all rivers. Nothing moves, but I hear of it. No one enters this kingdom, and no one leaves it.

Legolas approaches the elves guarding the entrance to the Woodland Realm. " Close the gate! Keep it sealed by order of the King," he says. Legolas turns to walk away, but one of the guards calls out. "What about Tauriel and Elbereth?" Legolas stops short. " What about them?"

"they went into the forest armed with their bow and blade. They have not returned." the guard answerss. As Legolas walks toward the gate, the guard points out toward the forest in the direction Tauriel, and her freind went. Legolas looks anxious.

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