A big, happy shout-out to: x Candy Cunt x, jonelle and band, longivity101, Butterfly-pink-14, simplyelena, irishelf, Crecy, oliverlover, Allison Mervis, SofiaB, Jutey, madrone, Black Lumina Enchantress, Marisa, Bigglesworth, TopazOwl, loveroflegolas, Muireall, Myri78, Elvnchic9, Sebstar, Hypersquishy, Legolaslover77, TypicallyAznGurl, brownie24, ChirikoFan, and Arialas

Thanks to you all for reviewing to my first chappie. I was kind of disappointed with it. It was too short and not that well written compared with my other stuff (in part because it was hastily posted). I am sorry for that. Unfortunantly, in order to fix this problem, I will not be able to update every weekend (as teachers and homework have taken over my life and refuse to give). I will keep them relatively close together, however (like not waiting for a month - hehe). I hope you enjoy this chappie, which I am significantly happier with. Thanks!

For Sebstar: It's been about 200-300 years since the end of "The World Forgotten". Good question, and I forgot to mention it!

For Bigglesworth and Elvnchic9: Hehe! Your reviews made me laugh! Thanks!

For Marisa: I just reviewed to your story and explained my email in the review. Sorry bout the mix up.

For Jutey and irishelf: Um, well. I kinda don't want to say, cuz that would ruin the story. If you really want to know (like if it's a life or death situation) tell me, and I'll email the plot to you.

For longivity101 and Black Lumina Enchantress: Yes! A sequel! Amazing, huh? Welcome to the story BLE! And no, longivity101, I am not flaking (hehe!).


Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to LOTR or the Tolkien Estate. I wish I did, because all of his stuff is wonderful work. If I did own it, though, I think I would keep Legolas all to myself...just kidding! I'd share. Maybe. Hmmm...


Chapter 2

Elenayave was brooding. Again. It seemed to her she was doing a lot more of that recently. She closed the book in her lap and sighed. Glancing out the window, she noted the dark cloud that seemed to hang over the palace today. It didn't seem to be in any hurry of leaving. In fact, it appeared as if it would start to pour any second. It was rarely ever sunny in the Wood any more. And if it was, the growth of the trees blocked out much of the available light. Mirkwood was truly beginning to live up to the name humans had given it. Lightning flashed in the sky, momentarily lighting the vaulted room, and a rumble of thunder echoed deeply in the stone walls.

She scowled as she remembered what she was in the library for in the first place. Mithrandir was undoubtedly arriving today with his human friend in tow, and whatever charge that he surely had with him. She had the perfect vantage point to see exactly who was going in and out of the gates from the library window. A few drops of rain sprinkled down harmlessly, followed quickly by what appeared to be a deluge. Whenever Mithrandir and his companion arrived, they would enter the Great Hall soaking wet. No doubt Thranduil would be thrilled about that. The floors in there had just been cleaned and polished.

Horns blared, announcing the appearance of their awaited guests, and she jumped up from her seat and bounded out of the library. This was one meeting she was not about to miss.


"And you brought that mangy creature in here because…" Thranduil trailed off, raising his eyebrow questioningly at the old wizard. His was trying very hard to keep his voice level and calm, but the King's annoyance was clear.

Gandalf merely ignored Thranduil's impatience and displeasure. "He is the one we have been seeking for a while now. He has vital information that the enemy has been seeking. The Dark Lord must not know or find him."

Thranduil scoffed at this. "So you bring him here? This is madness, Mithrandir. You must know that the Shadow in this forest is barely contained. Our guards are stretched thin enough as it is. I cannot spare extra Elves to watch this…this filthy beast."

Legolas stood next to his father, who was currently seated precariously on his throne. The King looked ready to jump up and throttle the wizard. Legolas, however, remained calm, though his face showed doubt. His father was right. They were having a hard enough time protecting themselves. This Gollum creature would prove to be an unwanted source of frustration.

"If you could merely keep him for a while…"

"I will not have it kept here, Mithrandir. I won't."

"He needs to be kept somewhere," the human broke in.

Elenayave eyed him dubiously from her seated position next to her husband. He was tall and rugged looking with wavy brown hair and an unkempt short beard. Clothed in the traditional garb of the Rangers of the North, he seemed no different from any other mortal man. But there was a strange light in his blue eyes and a bearing of nobility about him, despite the fact that he was covered in dirt and mud.

Thranduil also noted the human and narrowed his eyes. "And who are you?"

The man spared a cautious glance at Gandalf before taking a deep breath and answering. "Aragorn, son of Arathorn, my lord."

A silence hung over the room. Legolas looked surprised for a moment and Thranduil looked taken aback. Elenayave grimly smiled. This man…this was the heir to the throne of Gondor?

"Isildur's heir…" she whispered. "What in all of Arda are you doing way out here?"

He gave her a charming grin (as charming as one could be when one was a human covered in filth). "Tracking this little monster down. Not as easy as it looks, I assure you."

"I imagine," she replied, giving him one more sweeping glance before turning her eyes to the crouching figure next to him. She wasn't quite sure what it was, but she could see that it used to resemble some form of mortal, periannath, perhaps. Almost all its hair was missing and what was left was dirty and scraggly. Its skin had turned a greenish gray color and its eyes had grown large and luminous, she assumed from being in the dark. The creature breathed harshly and laboriously, its ribs plainly visible as its chest heaved. He wore nothing but a small, grimy loincloth. Slightly repulsed, Elenayave fixed her gaze on the stones in the floor pattern and said nothing further.

"Thranduil, he must be kept hidden away. We cannot afford the Dark Lord ever finding him," Mithrandir insisted, gripping his wooden staff tightly.

Thranduil's eyes narrowed once again. "Why? What does he know?"

The old wizard regarded the Elven King solemnly for a moment. "I'm not sure I should disclose such information at the moment until I know more of what is going on."

"So you wish to keep this thing here with us, knowing nothing as we do, open and vulnerable to attack for reasons unbeknownst to us?" Legolas asked, finally joining the conversation.

Mithrandir gave a small smile. "Yes," he said, nodding.

"What you say makes no sense, old man!" the King cried.

"I am simply doing what is best for all of us by keeping him out of harm's way!"

"Then keep him in Rivendell or Lorien. Surely those realms are far safer than here!"

A sudden wail split through the raised voices, the creature finally making itself known. The noise was earsplitting, and Elenayave quickly put her hands to her ears to cover them.

"Elfses and wizards argue over us, they do! Make it stop, precious! Make it stop!"

"SILENCE!" Thranduil bellowed at the mangy figure huddled at Aragorn's feet. "I have had enough of this jabber. He will not stay here, Gandalf. My word is final!"

"We hates Elfses, we do, precious. Always so mean to us. Never treats us nice. Ah! Ah! It burns us, it does!" Gollum's hands gripped at the rope around his neck that Aragorn had yanked on to cease his wailing.

"Thranduil…"

"NO!"


The Elven King drummed his fingers on his desk, irately listening to the wailing of the pitiful creature down in the dungeons. It was mightily difficult to concentrate on petitions with all that racket below.

"Is there nothing that can be done with him?"

"Nay, Ada. The guards have done all they can to sedate and quiet him. He bit Armereth twice, badly enough to merit stitches and left a deep gash in Morthalinion's arm. He will not settle."

Thranduil looked up at his son, the weariness clearly showing in his eyes. "How are people to sleep with him howling like that?"

"I know not, Ada."

"Why did I ever even let that wizard in here? He always gets his way…" he continued to mutter beneath his breath, his words unheard by Legolas.

Legolas grinned bleakly. "He is a Maia, Ada. He has his ways and he backs you into corners. And besides that, he is an old man and is wily in his years. You forget that he is older than you."

Thranduil rested his head in his hand and sighed. "We have not the resources to keep him. I know it. You know it. Mithrandir knows it. Removing extra guards from the patrols to watch him will weaken us on the borders. Efforts must be redoubled. I will not let the Greenwood fall to the Shadow. And even Mithrandir cannot move me on this."


thanks for reading! now, push that little purpley-blue button down there and let me know how i did!

linilya elf