Life or Death
Day (44) of the Fourth Age:
This is the diary of the current Prince of Mirkwood, Legolas Greenleaf, keeping an account of events and occurrences as one of the Nine Walkers.
It has been many months since I was last able to make a note of my thoughts. My last free moment was during a period of time in the Golden Hall of Meduseld in Edoras in the country of Rohan after the terrible siege of Helm's Deep, where we had a few days to spare before riding off to battle once more. Much has come to pass since then, and now that peace has been restored, I finally have more time to write.
I shall not here give an account of all that has happened to bring about the destruction of the One Ring, the fall of the Dark Lord Sauron and the coming of a new age of peace, for that will be the task of many a bard and historian to do for me (though perhaps I may later write a version of my own), but all I will say is that now the seemingly impenetrable darkness has been dispelled, my heart is overflowing with joy as I look around and see smiling bright faces and trees which now grow and live.
Recently the eight remaining members of the Fellowship met together for a final time, said our farewells and went our separate ways. Although it saddens me greatly that we may never meet again, my heart is glad indeed that Aragorn has finally taken his place on the throne of Gondor, and who knows indeed what the future may hold for us…
Day 231 of the Fourth Age:
It has been six months since the wedding of King Aragorn and Queen Arwen and our departure from Minas Tirith. In that time, I have spent time with Gimli the Dwarf, who has grown very dear to me in my heart as a friend, travelling across lands of our personal preferences, as we promised now that we live in an age of peace.
We too soon made our farewells and settled in our own lands – I left him in the caverns of Helm's Deep and unless he has moved since I last saw him, I believe he is dwelling there happily with some of his other kin. I have dwelt for the last few months in Ithilien, not far from Aragorn's stronghold, a beautiful corner of this mighty country of stone where Nature has preserved its beauty and life, untouched and uncorrupted. There are few of my own kindred left now, but this place has become a haven for those wanderers who still remain since the emptying of Rivendell, and it truly has become a perfect place of calm and tranquility.
However, since I heard that terrible yet longing cry of the gulls, I have felt painful pangs in my heart of its yearning for the Sea, and I fear that my time on this Middle Earth will soon come to an end. But before I depart forever, I have decided to visit my homeland one last time. I have been riding on horseback for the last couple of weeks and have now reached the borders of the immense forest which was for countless mortal years my home. If I ride throughout the night and ride at a good speed, I should arrive at my father's palace later tomorrow. I do not know what will await me there, but the southern area seems deserted and the great darkness seems to have been lifted – these signs fill me with hope.
What a joy it will be to see my father again, to tell him of all the things I've done and seen; to rejoice with my people as the news of Sauron's destruction is proclaimed throughout the land from one who saw it; and of course, my beautiful Anié, who has been in my heart and mind throughout this quest. What a joy it will be to see them all again.
Day 232 of the Fourth Age: No Entry.
Legolas could not write an entry, for words failed him at what he saw. After expecting to return home to a forest renewed with lifend glowing with lush green light, nothing met his stunned and horrified gaze but devastation. As he dismounted his horse and walked aghast through the forest in the direction of his father's underground palace, he saw that the earth floor was burnt and charred, slash marks everywhere, blood-stained barks, he couldn't find any trees that had been removed or chopped down but there was little sunlight and no green, only shadow.
The three enormous trees that stood as security posts stood solemn and silent, and Legolas saw not a soul, not in the forest nor as he entered the Palace, only the occasional eyes of hiding figures, too fearful to emerge from the shadows.
He called out in a loud clear voice, hoping that one of his people may respond; he put on his most formal voice and announced that their Prince had returned; he called for his father, but the only voice that echoed his cry was his own.
Standing in the Great Hall of his father's once vibrant and glorious palace and with a great sadness hanging in his heart, Legolas was completely alone, surrounded by silence. Or so he thought. A voice filled with wonder suddenly broke his thoughts:
"Legolas? Can it truly be you?"
Legolas turned and saw a man, plainly yet relatively well-dressed, emerge from one of the corridors that led to the Great Hall in which the two men both stood. The man's mouth was slightly agape as he gazed at the Prince almost in disbelief. Legolas recognized the man instantly and smiles broke out on both of their faces.
The man was called Beridhren - he was the chief healer of the Mirkwood Palace and had become good friends with Legolas and Anié over the years. The two men approached each other and shook hands warmly. Beridhren seemed delighted to see the Prince again, and it seemed to Legolas that a new look of hope was born in the doctor's eyes.
"I can hardly believe it is you!" Beridhren exclaimed.
"I feared you dead!"
"Nay" replied Legolas, "I have returned. But not to the sight I wished to see – where is everyone?"
Beridhren's face dropped a little and showed an expression of one who did not know where to start: "Oh Legolas, my Prince…much has happened since you departed to Rivendell".