| Part 3 Go one to part 4 |
Legolas did indeed fare better on the back of his horse than on his own two feet. The three companions rode for miles in silence. The old forest of Tarduain�s realm turned into an open valley. Rivers crisscrossed at various points. Within four days, the forests of Mirkwood were within sight. �Looks like we�re home, Legolas.� The prince nodded at Elrohir, his eyes on the trees still a day ahead of them. Something was horribly wrong; he could feel it. The other two felt it as well. �What do you think it is, Legolas?� �My grandfather,� Legolas replied to Elladan, and he and Elrohir shared a doubtful glance as the prince spurred his horse on. They followed, but at a safe distance so that they could talk. �He�s in no shape to face his grandfather.� �I know, Elrohir. He can�t even stand by himself.� Elladan was quiet for a moment. He wondered how best to ask his next question. �What is it that Legolas fears about Lord Orophir?� �Everything, Dan. Everything.� Elladan knew better than to challenge his brother�s cryptic answers, but today he could not help himself. �What caused the fear? Why, Elrohir? I don�t understand it.� Elrohir paused. �Remember when we were captives at the hands of the orcs?� Elladan shuddered slightly. �All too well.� �What was the first thing you thought every morning when you woke up?� Elladan raised an eyebrow. Then he said slowly, �I was scared to die.� Elrohir nodded. �Now imagine what it would have been like if you had woken up every morning scared to live.� It was still cryptic, but it was enough for Elladan. �I�m sorry,� he said quietly. �Don�t be so apologetic. It�s not like you could have stopped it. Besides, it wasn�t as bad for me. Legolas made sure of that, and it cost him a great deal.� They made wonderful time; by nightfall the had entered Mirkwood. Elrohir let his eyes grow accustomed to the darkness. The woods were near pitch black, for even the moon did not penetrate through. The Rivendell elf shuddered as yellow eyes followed them down the trail. Forgetting everything he had once known about his friend�s home, he suggested a fire, and that they stop until morning. Legolas reluctantly agreed to the stop, but he refused to light a fire. When Elrohir questioned this, he simply answered, �The eyes.� �Oh.� Elrohir and Elladan said at once, remember how the light of a fire seemed to attract every creature in the forest. A few minutes passed in uneasy silence. It was too silent for Legolas� taste. He knew the were still very far west of where they needed to be, so he tried not to think too much of it. �Take your ease, Legolas. This is your home, no harm will fall unto you.� Legolas looked sideways at Elrohir. He knew the Noldor elf felt the tension in the woods as well. �I can�t sleep, Elrohir. It�s no use.� Elrohir nodded. �Me either.� They shared a meaningful glance. �I found a river,� Elladan said, walking back towards their campsite. �You fool,� Elrohir muttered. Legolas laughed at this, then turned back to the twin. �I can see you didn�t drink from it.� Elladan raised his eyebrows. �Have you forgotten everything about my home?� �I was only here once. And that was how many centuries ago?� Elladan began to get a little defensive. He hated being laughed at and not knowing why. �The river is magic, you idiot. It puts you to sleep.� Elrohir explain. Legolas only smiled at the bantering. �Forgive me, all knowing one.� �Shhh,� Legolas hissed suddenly, fully alert of his surroundings. The other two elves fell silent. �I hear voices.� Indeed he had. The voices were too far away however for even elven ears to hear what was being said. �I�m going to investigate.� He paused. He knew it wasn�t smart to separate from the other two in this forest. �Are you two coming?� They both nodded, following the prince closely. After a few seconds hesitation, the three strayed from the path. Legolas knew his way well enough that he could get them back to the path if needed. Before long, they could see warm lights in the next clearing. At first, Legolas was relieved, but worry overtook him again when he heard no singing. �Follow me,� Legolas mouthed. He straightened himself, and walked into the circle of lights. In an instant, the lights went out, but Legolas was already speaking. Only a second later, the lights re-lit themselves. There were a few seconds of stunned silence before the small group of elves dropped to their knees in a show of respect. �Meletyalda, my lord,� one elf said. �Where have you been?� �Rise, please.� Legolas said to the elves. Elrohir and Elladan stood behind Legolas, watching the exchange between the Mirkwood natives. Legolas turned to the elf that addressed him. �Aldarion, it is good to see you again.� �My lord,� another elf interrupted, �now is not the time for talk.� Legolas studied him. There was fear behind his eyes. �I think this is the best time for talk, Telemnar. It may be the only time we have for it.� �My lord, where have you been?� The elf called Aldarion repeated himself. �My grandfather did not give you the message?� Telemnar replied. �Your grandfather hasn�t given us much good news. He told us you were dead.� Elrohir and Elladan exchanged glances. That didn�t make sense. He had requested that Legolas should be sent home immediately, and yet he told the people of Mirkwood that their prince was dead? Legolas was amazingly calm under the circumstances. �Tell me what he has done.� The elves were silent. �Dar,� Legolas addressed Aldarion. If they wouldn�t answer him as their prince, Aldarion would answer him as his friend. �Tell me what he has done to my father. To my people.� Aldarion looked very uncomfortable, but he answered Legolas just the same. �Lord Orophir told us that your father went with a search party to find you.� Legolas shook his head. �My father would not leave Mirkwood in the care of another. Especially not my grandfather.� �We know, Legolas.� It was the first time the prince had been addressed informally. Dar continued. �Lord Orophir has put all of Mirkwood into a terrible fright. No one dares speak against him. He had someone killed for asking where Lord Thranduil was.� Legolas grimaced. �Who?� �Cadeyrn, my lord. Lord Orophir-� Legolas raised a hand to stop his friend. �You will not call my grandfather lord while in my presence. Is that understood?� �Yes, my lord.� The elves replied as one. �Legolas,� Aldarion said, his voice low, �you should get home.� �Thank you, Dar.� Legolas turned back to his Rivendell friends. �Elladan, go home. Tell your father what has transpired.� He paused, turning to Elrohir. �I do not ask you to come with me. Indeed, I rather ask you to return with your brother.� �I know Legolas. Let�s hurry and get this over with. Lead the way.� The prince couldn�t help but smile. �Thank you.� And they were on their way. |