On the 31st day of October, the year 3017, Avalain Nightshade was happily visiting her best friend, Legolas Greenleaf, in Mirkwood. Agonizingly long years had passed since last the two had met, and Avalain was exceptionally glad to be reunited with him now. It had taken a fair amount of pleading with her father, Lord Elrond of Rivendell, for her to be allowed to travel to Mirkwood all on her own… but eventually, she wore down her poor father and finally received his blessing to traverse to the Greenwood.
October 31st was the tenth day of Avalain's visit, and she and Legolas were spending it perched in a tree, eating from a knapsack of apples and oranges that they had stolen from the kitchens. It was a peaceful afternoon. The sun shone through the branches of the trees and poured onto Avalain's face, which she loved, and she was spending the time with her best friend since childhood. Needless to say, Avalain's happiness was quite complete.
"Today has been one of the best days I've had in a long time," crooned Avalain, grinning in elation.
Legolas laughed shortly and held up an orange wedge as if to toast her words. "You've said that every day for the past ten days," he reminded her.
Avalain shrugged. "It is worth reiterating. Besides, I would not say as much if it were not true."
Legolas said nothing to that, but all his thoughts were displayed in his face. Avalain could read him quite clearly; he was immensely joyful, just as she was. It was obvious that he had missed her just as much as she had missed him.
"I have also missed this woodland," sighed Avalain, leaning against one of the tree's branches. She didn't mind that her dress snagged onto the thorns of a vine. Rare moments of carefreeness were worth a dress or two. "Despite what occurred last here, I still have an overwhelming amount of good memories from childhood."
She was rewarded with another laugh. "The bog," was all he said, but it was enough to set them both to helpless giggling.
"Never again will I step foot in that bog," wheezed Avalain, dropping her apple with sheer mirth. Her face began to hurt from her consistent smiling, but of course she couldn't just stop. Legolas seemed to notice her conundrum and only laughed harder as well, which didn't help.
"Oh, stop it!" she exclaimed, coughing. "You can be cruel sometimes, Legolas."
"Avalain, if I wanted to be cruel to you, I would dare you to jump off another waterfall."
Avalain smiled, recalling how she'd earned Legolas's respect all those years ago… she'd leapt off a waterfall as he had dared her to, and thus won the right to his friendship. That had been the deal.
And so she replied, "That is hardly cruel. Look what your dare brought me. It has brought me more joy than I ever dared hope my life would have, and the best friend that I cannot live without. We've been through so much together. If I had to jump off another waterfall for you, I would, Legolas."
The smile upon Legolas's face warmed Avalain's heart.
"I am glad to hear it," murmured Legolas, his sky-blue eyes boring into her own. "And of course, the reverse has always been true—and so it shall always be."
To hide the silly grin that threatened to break over Avalain's face, she seized another apple from the knapsack and bit into it.
For a while, it was silent, each of them taking pleasure in the other's company. Avalain could hardly get enough of the peace, even though she was granted six months in Mirkwood. Although six months was relatively short a time, she was grateful for it. After all, it was six months she'd be spending with her best friend, so she was hardly upset about the restrictions.
An hour later, however, the two decided to climb down the tree and return to the palace. It was nearing dusk when Legolas said, "Come, Avalain. Certainly my father shall be expecting you home soon."
"I find it odd that your father is so concerned for my well-being," mused Avalain, glancing at Legolas sideways. She had sensed something off ever since her arrival… she figured it had to do with what happened the last time she had been in Mirkwood.
Without her realizing it, Avalain found herself thinking about Fili and the Company of Thorin Oakenshield. Her heart grew heavy as her mind pictured her Dwarf's face—it had been nearly sixty years since the adventure, and Avalain had healed quite well over the time… but it still hurt her greatly to remember her lost first love.
Legolas was quiet, but Avalain saw that his lips were pursed slightly. She knew that look. He was restraining from saying something. While normally Avalain would've inquired what was on his mind, she did not wish to spark an argument about the past or resurface faded memories, whether they were good or painful.
After a moment, Legolas spoke anyway. "It is because my father cares for you greatly, Avalain. Your father would never forgive him if something were to happen to you, either… you are not only a daughter to Elrond of Rivendell, but to Thranduíl of Mirkwood."
Avalain laughed. "And to Gandalf the Grey too, it appears. I suppose I am shared amongst the powers of Middle-Earth!"
Legolas's lips twisted into a smirk, and he opened his mouth as if to say something—but then he closed it again.
"What is it?" pestered Avalain, a grin at her lips. "You were going to speak."
But Legolas shook his head and answered, "I will tell you when you're older."
Avalain gaped at her friend, disbelief filling her. "When I'm older?" she repeated, wondering if perhaps she'd heard incorrectly. "You must be joking, Legolas. I am nearly two thousand years old!"
Legolas smirked. "Excellent. Then I am your elder by only seven-hundred years."
"So you're going to tell me in seven-hundred years?" gasped Avalain.
"Oh, well, hopefully not that long," murmured Legolas softly. His response triggered an astonishing number of questions in Avalain's mind, but of course when she asked them aloud, she received no solid answers.
The entire trek back to the palace was like this: Avalain ceaselessly pestering him about his connotation behind his words, Legolas avoiding her questions and accusations as best as he could. By the time they returned, Legolas was both amused and annoyed by the game. Avalain, meanwhile, was laughing so hard that tears were filming in her eyes.
Seeing the expression on her dearest friend's face, she exclaimed, "Do you yield to me now, my friend?"
"No!" he retorted, whirling around and staring at her in the eyes. There was a smile on his face as he answered, but there was also a serious look in his eyes as he added, "You shall learn in time, Avalain. This I promise you."
Avalain laughed and lightly shoved Legolas to the side. "You know I am only bantering, Legolas. I meant nothing by it. I hope you are not angry with me."
"I could never be angry with you, Avalain," said Legolas, his normal smile again on his face. "I just cannot have you spoiling this surprise I have for you."
Avalain raised an eyebrow, but for the sake of the surprise, did not inquire further.
At that time, the two were walking through the hallways of the palace. Before much longer, they were passing the throne room. As always, King Thranduíl was lounging upon his throne. He was speaking to one of his guards, but seeing Avalain and Legolas enter, the King cut the conversation short and summoned the two over.
Once his son and Avalain were in front of them, King Thranduíl held a letter out to Avalain and explained, "My dear, this letter has arrived for you from a certain wizard. I was told it was urgent, but knowing the nature of wizards, I would not be too concerned. You should be enjoying your time here with us, not worrying over another storm of the Istari."
Avalain could not help but laugh at Thranduíl's flippantness. He never took the matters of wizards seriously, despite the fact that Gandalf's true warning saved the lives of Mirkwood Elves the last time they had all been together.
Nonetheless, the Rivendell Elf took the letter and said, "Thank you, my King. Don't worry about the contents of this; Gandalf might only be writing to say hello."
King Thranduíl raised an eyebrow and smirked slightly. "Whatever you say, Avalain," he mused, his usually piercing eyes quite warm. His gaze then traveled to Legolas. "My son, please remain here for a moment. I must speak with you alone."
Avalain tried not to feel petulant. Usually, King Thranduíl included her in everything… but she knew that she could not be informed of everything, and so she bowed and exited the room, the letter between her fingers.
Once she was alone, she carefully used a knife to open the envelope. Now that the letter was free, Avalain smoothed it out and began to read:
My dear Avalain,
I have heard that you are traveling to the Greenwood. I must ask that you do me a favor. These past few weeks, I have been hunting a creature named Gollum. He is an emaciated being who suffered from the effects of a ring of power, but he no longer has it, and it is integral that I discover where he has gone. The last he was seen, he was heading toward the Greenwood. If you ever locate him, please inform me immediately and follow him as best as you can.
I wish I did not have to impose this upon you, but alas, this is an urgent matter. Answers are necessary. I apologize for being unable to write more, but I must set off immediately for the Greenwood myself. If all goes well, perhaps I shall see you there soon.
Gandalf
After reading the letter, Avalain frowned. She had heard before of the creature Gollum, though she had no idea what he looked like, or what importance he held. She looked again at the section of the letter that explained Gollum's association with a ring of power…
This made her uneasy. The three Elven rings were all hidden. Avalain only knew where one of them was—with her father, Lord Elrond. She was certain that the Mortal rings had all been taken by Sauron. The Dwarvish rings, she had no clue where they lay.
"Which ring could he have possessed?" she whispered to herself. She did not doubt Gandalf's knowledge… she only wondered how it was possible.
After a moment of thought, Avalain figured that perhaps it was one of the Dwarvish rings. Not all of them were accounted for, after all—yes, she decided. Gollum must have possessed a Dwarvish ring for a time.
Five minutes passed before Avalain was rejoined by Legolas. As her friend neared, she attempted to smile at him; Legolas, however, seemed to see right through her façade.
"What is it?" he questioned.
In answer, Avalain held out the letter.
Legolas took it from her outstretched hand and began to read. Avalain watched his expression as he read… she recognized every nuance of his face. The way his eyebrows furrowed together, the slight scrunch of his nose. It was all very familiar to her, all Legolas. She could still read him perfectly despite all the years they'd spent apart.
It wasn't until Legolas said her name that Avalain realized she was completely lost in thought. Flushing, she retook the letter that he held out to her.
"What do you make of it?" she asked softly, looking back at the letter.
"I think we should keep an eye out for Gollum," replied Legolas. "I shall inform the guards to keep an intense watch for the creature. With luck, someone shall spot him soon."
Avalain frowned somewhat. She trusted the guards of Mirkwood, but she also felt that Legolas, like his father, was underestimating the importance of Gandalf's request. And so she remarked, "Do you think we should explore the woods ourselves to look for him?"
"It is dark now, Avalain," answered Legolas, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It would be most unwise to return to the forest. Although the Necromancer in Dol Goldur has been banished, the woods are still filled with remnants of dark magic. We can search for him tomorrow, when dawn's light can guide us."
And before she could speak again, Legolas ushered her towards the kitchen, where King Thranduíl would be waiting for them for dinner.
Greetings, everyone! I hope everyone's had a good day so far. I wanted to take this little opportunity to say thank you for reading this chapter, and if you have any comments, concerns, or questions, feel free to leave them in the little review box down below!
Have a good one!