Legolas stepped forward and gave a bow and suddenly a glow began and the bird began to elongate and shift slowly. Once brown wings were slowly were replaced by slender arms, feathers gone to be replaced with skin that shimmered and before they could breathe there lay a naked she-elf.
"By my beard," Gimli mumbled watching her lift her head. So engrossed watching her transform that he had not noticed Legolas go below for a cloak.
"Have you forgotten so soon that we live in a world of wonders?" Legolas gave him a ghost of a smile as he put the cloak around her. It seemed during their isolation they had forgot the beauty of the elves and the magic they could possess. Galadriel's mirror, enchantments they were taught to help Frodo escape the ringwraiths or even how Elrond controlled the water of Rivendell.
Watching Gimli he realized how he had forgotten how some she-elves would seem to enrapture the dwarf. Truly he had seen the Lady Galadriel in a beauty none would compare to in Gimli's eyes. Gimli bent to one knee as the elf stood and he seemed too shy to raise his head to meet her eyes even through he did peer up through his hair.
She was lovely indeed with auburn hair that slide over the cloak Legolas had placed around her and her eyes shone like emeralds. Standing nearly as tall as Legolas she towered over the dwarf. She looked at Gimli and acknowledged him with a slight nod but her eye was set on Legolas.
"I bring word for the Prince of Mirkwood," she said in Elvish through lips that hardly seem to part to speak. Her straight hair began to blow gently as the storm seem to approach faster now. She seemed not to notice the weather and oncoming storm or it did not worry her enough to notice it.
"Yes, Lady Elwing?" Legolas said as he urged Gimli to stand again and notice she glanced at him with a bored glance.
"Elwing?" Gimli echoed as he began to fuss with his appearance now by knocking debris from his beard. It felt Legolas had done him a grand favor with that whale now.
She now looked between them as she noticed the dwarf's nervous gestures too suddenly primp before her then looked to Legolas for explanation.
"This is Gimli, Lady Elwing. One of the fellowship," Legolas said slowly and hoped she would not receive him as just any dwarf but with the respect Gimli did deserve. Smelly and stubborn were pure characteristics of any common dwarf but that was something Gimli was not. "Gimli, this is Elwing. Mother to Lord Elrond and Lord Elros. I have long heard of her talent."
She stil kept her stoic posture and seemed be remembering herself since she stood as elf but at mention of affiliation her eyes consider the dwarf again. She put her fingers lightly over her heart and gave him a nod, "Master Dwarf," she said in a breath that was not much more than a whisper.
"He has not the ears of an elf," Legolas said with a small tease. When she looked back to him he nodded, "what message do you bring?"
"Your father bids you home, Prince Legolas," she said simply and did not seem to notice the small splatters of rain that began to speckle them.
Gimli began to bring the boat to the port and as they guided to the dock he was surprised to see both elves helping to quickly tie the boat and toss the anchor. Truly he missed watching the elves and could hardly take his eyes off her graceful figure, until the mast came around knocking his head.
Both elves looked at him expectantly, "nothing tis nothing." He mumbled hoping it would be forgot. "maybe we should get below for now."
Legolas raise an eyebrow, "are you afraid of two baths in one day?"
Elwing watched the nature between them curiously but followed as Gimli trundled down below with Legolas in tow. Soon she found the dwarf offering her their wine and cheese and gesturing for her to sit.
Legolas hid a smile behind his hand and watched her take a seat then sat across from her, "what of my father?" He looked at eyes very different than he had known. She was nothing like Arwen, Arri, Galadriel but she held a stare that was almost as deep as the sea. She was not of Mirkwood, or Rivendell but of an Elven Realm he had only visited a few times. Her beauty was where Arwen's had begun.
"He bids you home," she repeated simply and set down her untouched wine glass. When Legolas narrowed his eyes at her she took a breath, "I only know it is a task you must perform."
"Task?" He mused to nobody in particular.
Gimli came to life at the idea, "a quest?" He jumped up as if ready to leave then.
"It was said that Mirkwood's future would at risk soon," she cocked her head gently. "We do not wander far from home," she looked down, "after the fellowship accomplished it's great feat other threats began to ring in our ears. small but still threats." She picked her head up with a hint of smile and looked between both. "There was also a request to attend the coronation of Gondor."
"ARAGORN?" Gimli bellowed both shocked but happy at the idea.
"He awaits you," she confirmed but Legolas' silence did not pass her.
"Mirkwood is at risk? What has happened?" Legolas asked evenly
"It is not at risk yet, young prince," Elwing said softly, "your father looks to ensure it's future is prosperous, long and happy."
Legolas nodded knowing his father would not send for him unless it was dire and to send somebody as close to the Valar as Elwing meant more than he expressed to Gimli. With a nod he stood, "then we depart."
"Have you forgotten the storm out there?" Gimli complained and gestured to the rain sprayed windows. Then he looked to Elwing with a kinder expression, "shall you be joining us milady?"
Elwing looked about the boat and gave a nod, "I would see the prince safely to his father and to attend the coronation."
Legolas did all but pace watching Gimli's enthralled face as he watched the other elf's every gesture. Making his way to the deck he began to untie the boat until he heard Gimli fussing behind him.
"What about this storm?" Gimli demanded as Elwing joined them in the down pouring rain.
Both elves began to guide the boat out of dock and under Elwing's directions they plotted along and in moments they were out of the storm. Only for Legolas to raise a brow to Gimli with a knowing look.
"Never trust an elf!" Gimli stammered loudly but it was Elwing that was taken by surprise.
Hearing the dwarf's outburst she was take aback and looked at him with eye that looked almost hurt, "Pardon?"
"no no nooooo" Gimli stammered. "I did not mean you, my lady." He looked to Legolas for help and found him smiling broadly.
"You ask of me to help after you refer to me as elf all these years?" Legolas caught Elwing's eye with a wink, "Might you be good to remember I am not the only elf in middle earth."
Elwing gave a nod as they sailed on gaining speed now.
Many an elf had spoke of the mighty King Thranduil and most knew he was strong because he must be and not because he was cruel but the rest just assumed he was misunderstood. Considering he seemed to long for his son now, his ill temper only seemed to become worse now. Sitting there with his crown of fine twig and branches he warmed his throne while deep in thought of his realm and his son.
Mirkwood's future depended on Legolas now and he needed to speak with him but their talks would have to be sweeter than anything the dwarf could offer his son. He was not so fast to sail and leave everything to men... yet. Elves would sail but they knew they were still needed in Middle Earth much like Elwing and Earendil. Peredhils that had long chosen an Elvish existance over that of men but they did not sail, instead she dwelt in her tower staying ever near.
Ripped from his thoughts he saw one of his guards moving slowing with elves he had sent for. A smile crept to his lips seeing Galadriel among them and it gave him a feeling of power to see Elrond, Celeborn and Aine among them for his beckon.
As he stood to great them he bowed head and greeted them with fingers touching his head and heart. "I extend to you all the courtesy of Mirkwood and I expect Legolas soon."
Elrond raised a brow knowing how he had requested his son by asking Elwing to fetch him and he wondered why she would help Thranduil in this way.
Aine stood aside of Galadriel knowing he had beseech this powerful lady for such a reason and meeting her eye she was growing certain of what it was. "Why is it you have asked for us?" Aine said quietly with a narrowing gaze.
Thranduil smiled joining their sides, "Also I have sent for Mithrandir. I have found my realm in the need for great Elvish magic." He looked between them knowingly then gave them a slight smile. He began to leading them down the long halls.
Aine stepped sighed speaking clearly, "Celeborn and myself are hardly known for our skill in Elvish spells..." He nodded in silent agreement only to see Thranduil whip around at the both so quickly his robe cut the wind.
Cocking an eyebrow at them in mere challenge he scoffed, "what of your aid to the dwarves, Aine. You expect us to think that was all perchance?" Glancing away she confirmed what he thought and the other elves seemed quite surprised. "I know of your true lineage, Aine," he looked to Galadriel he raised her head almost if to challenge his claim but Thranduil only smiled. "I think we all know it very well," he sighed deeply as if to show his regret in his next words, "I know what we have all seen but it was not the truth... was it." He began to walk again. "As for Celeborn, who aided Galadriel along the fellowship's touch of luck." He turned slightly and raised an eyebrow, "I know of much more than you think."
Elrond stopped his stride, "enough of your riddles, All of us have performed deeds for the better of Middle Earth, even you..." He found the others agreeing with him and looking expectantly at the haughty king. "Do you think to tell us we have done wrong and to make it correct?"
Thranduil turned with a smile, "hardly my point, old friends. I have also done my part for the dwarves, hobbits and fellowship but my point is that you are all regaled for a reason." He sighed, "No matter how you hid," He looked at Celeborn and Aine who both raised their chin as if to meet his words without fault. "Aine and Celeborn may both hide behind other's celebrated names but we all know..." He gestured his arms to the air as the entire hall lit up, "what I ask from you old friends is a favor..." He waved his right hand down a corridor where a vivid blue light shone. He knew he was skilled in such spells, magic and enchantments but for his task he would need their talents. He watched them begin to file down the hall with the blue light beckoning them as he followed them. He looked to Aine with a smile as she was the last to walk on and his hand touched her back, "you and the lady Galadriel should appreciate this..." He whispered as the light engulfed them all slowly.
