Darkness fled from the dim candle light to the open arms of silence in the blackened corners of the palace. Ominous shadows loomed, as night had fallen not two hours ago. Yet all who dwelled in the palace had drifted into their individual dreams. Aragorn Ellesar slept in the room next to Legolas, and the room on the other side of Legolas, housed the hot tempered Dwarf, Gimli Gloin. None of them would have been here if it were not for Legolas father, the Elven King, Thranduil Greenleaf. He had requested not only the assistance, or more, the presence of Legolas, but of Aragorn as well. But Gimli was an exception that Thranduil had to make. Unwillingly. But nonetheless, everyone was here. Autumn's last leaves were falling, and Winter would soon be upon the Woodland Realm. The annual Winter Celebration of the elves would take place here, in Mirkwood. Elves from all over Middle-Earth would come. This festival was a royal pain in the neck to prepare for anyone involved. It was suggested that they all get a minimum of 8 hours bed rest before the next day, and it was so.

The night dragged on for only a time, and morning's softest light seeped like liquid gold through cracked curtains. Legolas awoke far before the others had a chance to realize the night had passed. The sun barely peeked over the horizon, and some parts of the kingdom were still shrouded in the dark. The palace was on the highest elevation, and the sunlight reflected off the golden-red tree leaves damp with dew, shimmering outside the tall windows. Legolas walked the halls, unsure of whether he should wake his friends or not. The dawn had just arrived, and even King Thranduil, his father, was not awake yet.

Legolas listened to the sound of his bare feet against the polished wood floors as he walked. He was dressed still in his silver silken sleep wear. His hair, unbraided. All was quiet. He rather enjoyed the silence. There had been so few moments of peace in the past week. There had been so many things to do, things to plan, situations to resolve. There was more to come, of course. The day would lead them into many arguments, he was sure. With Gimli here, there was bound to be trouble. Legolas' thoughts of the annual Winter Celebration came and went within the next hour. Fluttering by, and mixing with all the thoughts that followed him through his mind. Soon, he heard the sound of boots behind him. The footsteps were slow, and gentle. Aragorn.

"Legolas." Aragorn's voice was tired.

Legolas turned to see him, a small smile on his lips. "Aragorn. How did you sleep?"

"Well, my friend. What does the day bring?" He smiled in return.

"We are to discuss it when everyone is awake, by order of the King."

"Of course. Should you not be dressed?" Aragorn gestured to his sleeping wear, and unbraided hair. Which was a bit unusual to see. Legolas always had a braid in.

"Oh. Yes, I forgot." He ran his fingers through the golden strands that laid across his shoulders. He had indeed, forgotten.

"I will see to waking the others, while you dress." Aragorn walked past Legolas to do as he had said, and Legolas in the direction of his bedroom.

Time flew by quickly as hours passed, and the four of them, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and King Thranduil, were all standing around a table in yet another room in the palace. It was now mid morning, but the kingdom was quiet as ever. The only sounds to be heard, were the disagreeable voices of the men. The planning of the annual Winter Celebration proved to be as stressful as they had predicted. Morning turned to noon as the discussion finally ended, and King Thranduil retired to his throne room. Gimli was engulfed in a silent fit, due to his suggestions being completely ignored. He refused to leave the table in protest. But Legolas persuaded him to return to his quarters after only a few minutes. Legolas went to check with his father, that everything they had planned, was indeed, how he wished it to be, and it was.

Legolas left the throne room, and was startled to find Aragorn leaning outside of it.

"Aragorn. Why are you loitering here?" His face didn't seem to show any signs of surprise. Only the ever slight irritation.

"I was waiting for you. We have much to do."

"I'm aware of that. My father- he has a habit of changing his mind with these things."

"Yes, and speaking of King Thranduil," Aragorn raised an eye brow, and tilted his head slightly. "Why did he ask Gimli and I to assist him in this celebration? It is most strange to think that he would allow a Dwarf within a mile of Mirkwood, and I've no purpose here either. The King has servants to plan such events for him. Why are we all here?"

Aragorn gestured around him, with a questioning stare. This was all indeed quite strange. Although, he knew that Thranduil had no quarrel with him. In fact, he had a fondness for him. But they never had any social visits. It was especially strange that Gimli was here, and residing temporarily in the palace. Elves had no liking for Dwarves. The King of the Woodland Realm, held quite strongly to this.

Aragorn did not mean to pry, but knew that Legolas didn't mind. So he asked, "Why did he ask our presence? Why did he ask our aid?"

Legolas did not, infact, mind the questions. He answered simply, "Because I asked him to. However, now that the planning is over, you may leave if you so desire."

Aragorn had been somewhat worried that the reason had been something more serious. He was relieved to hear that it was only that his company was wanted. The first day they had spent here, was supposed to have been the day of planning. But the King postponed it for whatever reason. Now Gimli was free to leave, and so was he. Having the choice, Aragorn decided to stay.

"I think it is best if I stay awhile longer." Aragorn smiled warmly, and Legolas returned the smile.

Gimli stared up at them in frustration. He huffed angrily as usual, and the two men finally noticed him.

"I could have left yesterday!" He huffed once more before throwing his hands on his hips. "None of my suggestions were acceptable!"

Legolas attempted to calm him down. "I'm sorry my friend, but the ways of the Dwarves, are not the ways of the Elves." He added a pat on the shoulder. "Besides, I think you would have stayed anyway." He wasn't wrong.

Gimli did leave that day, guided back home by a few Elves from the Mirkwood Guard. He would have left sooner, due to troubles involving his own Kingdom. But stayed as long as he could, knowing that however useless his input was to Elven Kings and little Princlings, Legolas both appreciated and welcomed his company. This was comfort to him, as the Dwarves had entered into a time of distress. In an effort to keep this news from reaching King Thranduil's mocking ears, he had told not even his closest friends of his unfortunate circumstances. Legolas and Aragorn only watched him go.

Autumn was fading fast, and Winter was on the gentle winds of the North. It would be upon Mirkwood in only three days time. The Annual Winter Celebration would take place on that third day. A merry day of the Elves, to celebrate the passing of Autumn, and the coming of Winter. It represented an end, a beginning, and soon a new year. Immortality was a thing that no elf thought much about. It was a common thing. Every year, for the rest of their forevers, they would celebrate it. To think, they celebrated ends and beginnings when once they had begun, they had no end.