He smiled bright as the first rays of sun shone upon his face. Blue eyes sparkled and a soft breeze played with his hair. He stood in the tops of the trees watching the other treetops in the east. The tops of the trees weren't as green as they would be in the spring or summer, but they were taking the beautiful other colors as autumn slowly was setting. He would go and pack soon so he would be on his destination before winter would be there. It would not take him more than a week if he would be traveling with a horse. He climbed down to the lower and bigger branches of the tree and sat down with his back against the tree and with his left leg dangling next to the branch. He could not wait until he would be back, he was longing the whole summer for it already. Tomorrow before the sun would rise again he would leave his home.
He drew a deep breath and enjoyed the songs of the trees that him almost made him fall asleep. He loved the trees almost more than his friends did. When he realized the sun was up, he made his way on the ground and rushed his way home.
"You're late, Legolas." His father's voice sounded as he made his way to a little hall that they used to eat.
"Sorry, adar." Legolas said while he bowed before he took his seat on the other side of the table. They both ate in silence and Thranduil left as soon as he was finished while Legolas just started his breakfast. He shook his head and left his barely touched food. He really hated how his father treated him, maybe the only good thing about this was; he never had known him in another way. Lord Elrond had told him when he just was little elfling about his mother and how wonderful she was. When he grew older, he had told him more things that were not fit for the ears of a little elfling at that time. His father one was a loving man with a big heart and a smile that made others smile. Everything changed when his wife lost her life and his heart grew cold. Himself was too young to remember most of this. Now he was planning to go back to The Last Homely House without his father's approval.
He walked up to his room and started to pack his bag. Two blankets and extra sets of clothing went in the bag. With the bag in his hands, he went down to the kitchens that also were something he was forbidden to go as a prince would not belong there because he had servants who did all the necessary down there. He put five lembas breads besides normal bread and some pieces of fruit in his bag. That gave him more than enough for more than a week. He filled three bags with water. He probably would have to refill somewhere in his trip but that would not be his biggest concern. Back in his room, he lay the bag on the chair that stood against the wall next to his bow and quiver. He picked out his warmest and best cloak out of his closet and laid it on top of his bag. He sat himself in the open window with his knees pulled almost to his chest and watched the trees and sky from where he was seated.
He loved the Greenwoods because it still was his home and everywhere he looked, there were trees, but he also loved Imladris because his friends were there and everything was so calm and peaceful there. Legolas watched the leaves play in the wind and high up in the sky he could see big birds fly with his bright eyes. There weren't many animals living in these woods after those gigantic spiders but he thought that very slowly the animals were returning here, to make these woods home again like it was before all the stuff and things happen with The One. That danger was luckily gone but there were still other dangers that roomed Middle-Earth. He let his mind run all his thoughts and wondering and slowly a few hours ticked away.
Would he miss me when I would be away without saying anything? How long would it take him to notice I'm gone? He wondered. Would he care enough to come looking for me when he discovers? Would he be mad when he discovers? Of course he would be mad when he discovers, He is always mad or sarcastic. I've never seen any worry on his face. Would everything be true Lord Elrond told me, because I cannot imagine my adar as a warm and loving person. I could not imagine Elrond was lying to me, he would never do that, he is way too good and nice for that.
It was around noon that Legolas got up from his place and headed for a walk around the corridors from his home. Someday he would be king too, but he was going to be a good king, so he would be loved by the elves that lived in his lands. Legolas had some lunch before he continued wandering around. After some time he sat down outside on a stone bench. In his mind, he said goodbye to almost everything because he had not planned to return anytime soon when he left.
When it was almost dinnertime, he went inside and walked to the little hall where they usually ate and took his place at the table. Now he was early. After some time his father took also place at the table and they served dinner. They ate in silence and when they were finished they both greeted each other with a 'good night' before they both headed to their own quarters. Legolas bathed himself and went to bed when he was finished. He had to rise early so it was better if he had rested well.
The last stars of the night still stood proud on the night sky when he awoke. He dressed himself and swung his bag and quiver around his shoulder and attached a dagger to his belt. He tied the cloak around his neck and picked up his bow before he made his way down the stables. He whispered every single horse a goodbye before he picked his favorite horse Arod and gently sat on his back when they were outside. When they were out of sight of the palace, Legolas urged Arod in gallop. Slowly the dark colored sky turned lighter and when the sun stood high in a blue sky Legolas halted for a break.
Legolas fetched an apple from his bag and when he was finished, he took a few sips of the bag with water before he continued traveling. When he halted the next time the sun was already setting. He ate a piece of bread and got one of his blankets out of his bag. He spread one on the ground between the roots of a gigantic tree. He laid his bag upon the blanket and lay down next to it. It took just a few little moments before he went in his elvish sleep; arms crossed over his chest and eyes open staring at the leaves of the tree and the rising stars of the night.
The last stars of the night were still to be seen when Legolas awoke. He ate a piece of fruit and piece of bread before he got on the horse again. When it was almost noon, Legolas stopped riding and climbed a tree to see where he was. There blew a cold wind from North-West. Winter would be there sooner than normal, hopeful there was no snow in the clouds he could see far above the mountains. He had already traveled some miles over the elf-path and if he would ride like this, it maybe would just take him a long ten days for him to reach Imladris. He drew some deep breaths and climbed down again and after a few sips of water, he rode further.
It was still a half-day riding when Legolas stopped again. The rest of the other nine days went as he had planned them. However, in the middle of the night Legolas awoke from strange sounds surrounding him. With his elfeyes he could see dark creatures but more he couldn't see because it was really dark. The moon hid behind the thick clouds that hung above him. Legolas defended himself as best as he could. He killed a few creatures before one of those creatures bit him in his left arm that forced him to flee. He climbed in the tree he had slept beneath earlier that night. He had to bite his lip and he ripped a piece of his robes and wrapped the cloth around his arm. Soon it was drenched from his blood. It felt like ages but finally dawn came. Legolas looked at the place where he had fought. It looked like wolves he had fought but there was something strange about them. There never have been wolves at this area. Their fur was totally black, that's why they were so hard to see. Their fangs were even bigger than the fangs of the wolves the orcs had at that time.
He looked around and none of the wolves that were alive seemed to have stayed. Arod was not to be seen anywhere too, it probably had fled when it had smelled the danger. He carefully took the cloth of his arm and trough the dry blood there were two big holes in his arms. He climbed out of the tree and looked for his bag. He found it a few feet away but not much had survived the wolves. He picked up the filthy blanket that still was on the ground. With his bow and quiver on his back and the ruined bag and blanket, he started walking.
Two days later Legolas was exhausted but he finally had reached The Last Homely House.
Elladan and Elrohir greeted his friend with a good hug when they had saw their friend approaching.
"Legolas! What a pleasant surprise!" One of the two exclaimed. Legolas smiled and started walking inside. It would not take long for Lord Elrond to notice something would be wrong, he always seems to know, even if I would do my best to hide it. He thought. He hated the fussing around him, all the worrying. While he had walked, he had covered up his arm with strips of his blanket.
"Legolas?" A male voice sounded behind them.
"Hir Elrond!" Legolas said and putted up his brightest smile.
"Why haven't you sent something you were coming?"
"I wanted to surprise you." He answered, not sure if he could tell the whole story on this moment.
"Tell me, how was your trip?" He asked while he laid his hand on Legolas shoulder. They walked together to Lord Elrond's workroom where they both sat down.
"I traveled pretty fast. It was not too bad." Legolas said.
"That is good to hear, but you look tired."
"I tried to get here as fast as possible. I haven't slept much while traveling." Legolas said as excuse. Elrond was still scanning him on things that were not right.
"You know where your own room is. I'll send someone when it is dinnertime." Lord Elrond said with a little nod.
"Hannon-le." Legolas said and he made a little bow before he left the room and headed for his own room. I'm sure he had found something he is going to ask me about after dinner or with some luck next morning. Legolas thought while he laid down on his bed and fell asleep.
When Legolas awoke, he saw the pretty face of Arwen who was sitting at the side of his bed. "Dinner will start in a couple of minutes." Legolas nodded and quick changed his traveling clothes in a fresh dark green tunic and white leggings before he walked together with Arwen to the dining hall. Legolas took the spare place at the table. He put up a little smile and after a few words of Lord Elrond, they started to eat. Legolas ate a little bit before he started to play with his fork.
"Legolas? Are you all right?" Glorfindel asked who looked at concern at the elf.
"Aye, I'm okay. I'm just not hungry." He said absently. Glorfindel shared the same look with Elrond.
"Excuse me. I'm done with my dinner." Legolas excused himself and stood.
"You are excused." Elrond said with a formal nod, giving Legolas permission to leave the table. Back at his room, Legolas took a long and hot bath that made him feel some better. He looked at his left arm. It looked already much better, it had healed well as far as he could say; the wounds were less deep and was less swollen. When he was done bathing, he dressed for bed. As he entered his bedroom, he heard a soft knock. After a moment, lord Elrond softly opened the door and stepped inside.
"Legolas." Lord Elrond started. "I had a little talk with Glorfindel and we both agreed that you looked slightly pale. I could understand you did not want to startle us but you have to tell me if something is wrong."
"I'm just still tired from the trip. That's all." Legolas said and he sat down on his bed. Elrond stepped some closer, taking another good look at Legolas.
"Let me at least take a look at your arm, Legolas." Legolas was immediately alarmed. He sighed and nodded. The strips of cloth were visible. He had replaced them with fresh ones after he was done bathing.
"Your arm will be in a week as good as new. Tomorrow I'll hear the whole story of your trip. Sleep well, penneth." Lord Elrond said after he had a good look at Legolas arm. Elrond gave him a little smile before he left Legolas alone in his room. He crawled underneath the blankets and fell asleep soon enough.
"His arm is wounded." Elrond said to Glorfindel when they met again in his study.
"He had no horse with him when he arrived." Elladan said now he actually took note of it.
"When you sent me to wake him he looked peaceful but he slept with his eyes half closed." Arwen said with slight concern in her voice. Normally her father would never speak of this so open, so something really must have bothered him.
"He had told me he traveled fast, so if that is true he had a horse. I think the horse had fled when something had attacked Legolas." Elrond said.
"He got attacked? By what, or who?" Elrohir asked.
"I don't know, he has to tell it himself." Elrond answered. "Go to your rooms. The new day will give us new answers. Good night." They all left to their rooms.
It was just after nine when Legolas awoke and slowly got up. He dressed himself before he went to the rest who where finishing their breakfasts. "Good morning." Legolas said cheerful when everyone looked him. A several 'good mornings' followed as answers.
"Good morning, Legolas. How are you feeling?" Elrond asked.
"Already some better than yesterday, Hannon-le." Legolas said and picked up some piece of fruit.
"That's nice to hear, but I still wish to speak to you." Elrond replied with a little nod. Legolas looked at him before he nodded. When he was finished Legolas stood and looked at Elrond. Elrond understood the look and stood himself. "Excuse us." He said before he walked away with Legolas. They went in to Elrond's study, where they sat yesterday. "Now tell me, Legolas, what exactly happened on your trip to us."
"Nine days I have traveled with Arod but in the night of the ninth day some wolves attacked me. Arod fled and I had to walk two more days." Legolas told him in a nutshell.
"Is that everything?" Elrond asked.
"Aye I think so, through I thought that those wolves were very strange."
"Strange wolves? Did those wolves looked different than others?"
"The wolves looked like the orc wolves or wargs, but I could be mistaking that it looked like their fangs were bigger than normal, and their fur was as black as night" Legolas said while he was trying to remember all the details from that night. Elrond nodded thoughtful.
"It could be indeed you were mistaking but it also could be that it was just a bit different than we normally see them." Legolas nodded and rose on his feet.
"I'm going to have a walk around if you would needing me." he said and walked out of the room for the walk around. Elrond went to search for some books and looked at them but found nothing about the wolves Legolas described. He stopped searching when it was already time for dinner.
Legolas had walked all morning and had eaten some fruit at lunch before he went outside and climbed in a tree. He sat there for an hour or two before he got down again. He went to the library himself to see if he could find something about those strange wolves. He managed to read for a half hour before he fell asleep.
All of them noticed Legolas was not present at the dinner. It was very silent everyone in their own thoughts and minds.
"I don't hope Legolas is still outside." Elrohir said at a sudden shaking everyone back to the present.
"He went outside and has yet to return inside?" Elrond asked.
"Aye, I think so. He wanted some time to think so we let him be. Besides, why would that be a problem?" Elladan looked up to his father.
"Go and look for him." Elrond said calmly. Elladan and Elrohir jumped up and went outside looking for Legolas. Arwen, Elrond and Glorfindel joined them.
"I don't see him anywhere. He couldn't have gone very far." Elladan said to his twin brother.
"I cannot even hear him, or see him." He replied while they got further through the valley. After two hours, it was almost dark and they all came back to the Last homely House.
"Any of you found him?" Elrond asked his two sons, Glorfindel, and Arwen.
"Nay..." They all said in defeat as they sank down on some chairs. Elrond nodded and sighed. "Maybe he has come back inside." Elrond said and stood.
"Aye, we will go and look." Ellandan and Elrohir said.
"We will stay here." Arwen said and looked from her adar to Glorfindel who nodded.
"Then we will meet here again, as soon as possible." He said and left collected the books from his desk before he left his study. Elladan and Elrohir also left the study to go and look for Legolas. Elrond put them back on their place in the library when he at last saw him asleep in a chair in the corner. A sigh of relieve escaped his lips and kneeled down by the sleeping form. He felt and noticed his pulse was calm and his breathing even. His skin was still pale and his eyes where yet half closed. He still must have been very tired. Elrond thought when he picked up the book that lay on Legolas lap. He gave the title of the book a look before he put it away on the table next to where Legolas was sitting. Elrond carefully lifted the elf in his arms and walked to Legolas' room. He laid him in his bed and covered him up. He quickly made his way to the others when he was sure Legolas was save.
"I found Legolas." Elrond spoke calmly when he entered the room they all were sitting again. Everyone looked like they didn't believe what he told them.
"I found him asleep in the library; he still must have been really tired. He is save in his bed now. Get yourself some rest too after the worry we had." They all nodded and with their thoughts, they made their way to their own rooms.
"You really found him in the library?" Glorfindel asked when the others were out of the room.
"Aye, he was reading some book about ancient creatures." Elrond told his friend.
"I never have known Legolas would be interested in such books."
"He talked about orc wolves or possibly wargs with black fur and possibly bigger fangs. I started my research and looked for that sort of wolves but have not found anything." Elrond informed him. "I have to ask Legolas about some more things, or he got attacked by a new sort of wolf."Glorfindel nodded.
"I'll help you tomorrow for your search for those wolves. Good night." Glorfindel promised before he left to go to his own room.
"Good night." Elrond said his friend goodbye.
When everything came in focus, he saw the face of Elrond and a lot of bright light.
"Good morning Legolas, I hoped you slept well?" Elrond asked him in a soft voice.
"Aye, I did." Legolas sat up while he tried to keep his face from looking puzzled. "How long did I sleep that you came to wake me up?" He asked.
"I don't know for how long you have slept but it's just past ten."
"How have I ended up in bed? The last thing I remember is being in the library." Legolas wondered before he took note he spoke aloud.
"I found you sleeping there and put you back here." Elrond told him while he hide the little bit of amusement he found that Legolas was not on his guard. "You have really worried us when you did not show up on dinner, and then stayed away without you told anyone you were at the library."
"You worried about me?" He asked as he felt being joked on, although he knew Elrond never joked about such things.
"Aye, the last thing we knew was that you were outside. We looked for you over two hours in the valley. When we got back, it was already dark. I went to my study to return the books were I got them and there I found you asleep." Legolas nodded and looked at him.
"What are you going to do to me now?" He asked as if he just confirmed a crime.
"Do to you?" Elrond asked. "I make sure you eat something, and I'd hoped you remembered some more about those wolves." Elrond sat a tray with some broth and bread on his lap.
"The only thing I can remember is that I did not hear them coming and that they were really hard to see in the dark. There were thick clouds covering the sky so I had no light from the stars and the moon." Legolas started to eat. Elrond nodded.
"Are you feeling better today?" He asked again.
"Aye, hannon-le." He said with a little smile.
"Very well then, but I still want you to stay inside and take it calm. If your arm is totally healed you can join Elladan en Elrohir with their expeditions." Elrond looked at the elf.
"I'll do as you say." Legolas replied and watched Elrond when he got up and left. Legolas sighed and putted the tray with the half-empty bowl aside. He rose and looked out of the window where now almost of all the leaves from the trees had brown golden colors. I'm not feeling any better at all, or maybe I just slept to much that I'm still tired, but elves who sleep to much? Legolas shook those thoughts out if his head. He dressed himself before he got down to the library to go further in the book he was busy before he fell asleep. He sat down in the same chair he sat the previous night and found his book at the little table next to it. He opened the book and went to the pages where he thought he stopped reading previous night. There he started reading again.
"Legolas?" Legolas looked up from the book when he felt a hand on his knee.
"Aye, what's wrong?" He asked to Glorfindel who sat kneeled down so he would be on eye height for Legolas.
"Nothing is wrong. I only wanted to ask you if you where coming for lunch?"
"Nay, I would like to go further reading in the hope I can find something about those wolves."
"I'll get you something brought down here." Glorfindel said as he stood again. Legolas nodded and returned to his book. An elf brought him a tray but Legolas was too busy with the book he did not care to look for the food. It was almost dinnertime when Legolas got distributed again. Lord Elrond stood in front of him.
"Legolas, are you coming with me for dinner?" He asked. The boy had not eaten as his lunch still stood there untouched at the tray. Legolas nodded and closed his book. Together with Elrond, he walked up the dining hall. Legolas took his spot at the table. After dinner, Legolas decided he would go to his room. As he did, he took a bath and made himself ready for bed. Elrond did not speak about his thoughts with Glorfindel but he was going to look to Legolas much carefully. He had to find something about those wolves and quick, because he had the feeling that something was not right. Elves did not sleep twelve hours a day and as little as Legolas had eaten. Elves eat not much; they eat less than humans do while hobbits eat twice as much. Lord Elrond went back to his study when he was finished and after a while, Arwen joined him and started to search for those wolves as well. Elrond had told her about how Legolas told him how they looked and she thought it was as strange as Elrond thought too.
"I've never heard of wolves that looked like that. I've heard about grey wolves that lived high up in the mountains but never about black wolves with giant fangs." Arwen said while she picked up the book that Legolas had been reading in to see if she could find something in there. "How many books have you had by now?" She asked her father.
"I'm going to get started in my third book, but I haven't found anything so far about those creatures." He answered but did not look up from the last pages of the book.
"This book said something about those grey wolves and that they indeed live high up in the mountains like I remembered. It also said when these wolves would be at the foot of the mountains that there would come a very bad and cold winter. I can't say if it's true or something that you have to believe in." Arwen said after some time.
"I don't know if I would believe that either. It's a very long time since the winters were so cold, but I cannot remember anything about wolves who would bother us, here in Imladris at least. However, it still could be true, as it even gets too cold for them. Maybe those black wolves could be family from those grey wolves or wargs and from orc wolves that had survived." Elrond looked up from the book and closed it. "It's going to take me at least two weeks to go to all the books we have and the chance I find something is minimal."
"I'll help you searching, and if we do not find anything in those books I could still ask Aragorn if he has books or knows something about them. We also could ask Elladan and Elrohir if they also would like to help us search."
"That is a very good idea about asking Estel, if he is not too busy to help of course."
"Tomorrow I will send him an owl. I ask him if he has time to look in all those books, otherwise I will ride to Minas Tirith and go search for it myself." Arwen decided.
"If you have to ride, I do not hope so, you will not ride alone." Elrond agreed with her. Arwen picked up a quill and picked up some parchment.
My dear King Elessar,
I, Arwen ask you, if you have time to look for me in the library for black wolves with big fangs. Here in Rivendell I'm searching for the same thing with my father. If you are too busy to search please send me a letter back, because then I will come myself to Gondor to collect books and search for those creatures.
Thank you.
With love, Arwen.
When Arwen finished her letter, she rolled it up and with a little piece of rope she attached it to the foot of a little falcon and opened the window. "Go to Aragorn, king of Gondor." She whispered to the bird before it unfolded its wings and flew in the darkness of the night.
"Hannon-le, Arwen. Go to bed, tomorrow is another day we can search for those beasts."
"I will, adar but why are you searching so badly on those wolves? Legolas is still alive and well with us."
"He indeed is but something is worrying me, I can't lay my finger on it. That is why I'm searching as also the meeting of Legolas with those strange creatures is worrying me."
"Is it Legolas you're worried for?" Arwen asked and for a second worry married her fair face.
"I think it is." Elrond confessed.
"He looked indeed some pale, and he normally loves the food that's served here."
"But we all know he is too stubborn to tell us he does not feel all right."
"You think those wolves did something more than hurt his arm?" Arwen asked concerned.
"I don't know yet, that's why I'm looking for more information." Elrond sighed and got on his feet. "I hope we hear soon enough from Estel. I bid you a good night, tomorrow we will continue." He said and took his leave to his private quarters.
"I do hope so. Good night adar." She said and also took her leave to her own rooms to get some rest.
-So hi everyone! I hope you liked it so far... I hope you'll going to give me a review if there are any defaults I'd like to know, and also other things like ideas! I've seen all the movies and read two of the three books of the One. The Hobbit is also on the planning, but my book is actually way to pretty to read cause it's a collector's edition. I also would love to use more elvish words in it, but it's really hard to find good transcriptions. Then you have grammar to look for... (It would be so useful if a translating device like google would recognize Tengwar as an official language!) Before I forget: I'm a dutchy soooo sorry for spelling and grammar defaults.
Characters are from J. R.R. Tolkien (Beren) so I do not owe anything. Updates will come slow if they come because I'm really busy with my school and being fanatic on my flute! Ps. I love facts, so hope I can tell you some you didn't know already! This chapter may be updated a few times if reviews come along. words in italic is either a dream or a letter. I'd also note that I tried my best to make it fit as best in the story's although it might not be...-
06/28/2016 completed updating, so far. I can proudly announce that without all my way to long autor notes my story is 50.000 words long! yay!
12/09/2017 I did another check in spelling and making little adjustments.
Dictionary:
Hir - Lord
Adar/ada - father
Hannon-le - thank you
Penneth - Younger one
Imladris - Rivendell
Estel = Aragorn, these are two of the many names he has like Elessar and Strider. This name he got as a young boy when he lived in Rivendell and Elrond took him as foster son.