The following morning, Avalain rousted Legolas at the crack of dawn. He was not surprised in the slightest to hear of her determination to find Gollum. Because he had been expecting it, he was ready in only a few minutes with his bow, a quiver, and his hunting knives by his side.

Hours passed, and there was absolutely no sign of anything passing close to the Elven kingdom, much less Gollum exclusively. Avalain could tell that Legolas, although he was enjoying recalling previous adventures, was beginning to lose faith in the grey wizard's warning.

When at last it was noon, the Prince of Mirkwood said, "Perhaps Gandalf was wrong. Gollum may not have passed this way."

Although Avalain felt very dearly for Legolas, she was slightly affronted by his assumption that Gandalf was wrong. She looked up to Gandalf like she looked up to no other—not even her father. And so she retorted, "I do not doubt him at all. You must remember that the wood is quite vast. Perhaps he just has not come near this portion of the trees."

"What would you suggest then, Avalain? Would you recommend that we split up? That we progress to another sector of the forest?"

"I would suggest the latter," the She-Elf serenely returned. She was not inclined to be parted from Legolas, but she was also not inclined to give up so easily. "It is only noon, after all. It would speak poorly of us to disregard what could be an important warning."

Legolas sighed, but walked forward with a smile on his face all the same. "Then let us proceed," he relented, waving as if to gesture her on.

Avalain smirked and did so.

Another few hours passed, and the sun's light grew warmer through the trees. Despite the light's aid, there was little to be found of any tracks on the ground. The two elves persistently kicked aside fallen leaves to see if they overlooked anything, still to no avail. By the time sunset was nearing, Avalain was beginning to wonder if Gollum had fled to the north instead of the south…

Just as she was about to speak, however, Legolas remarked, "Avalain, it shall be dark soon. We should return to the palace."

"I don't understand," she mused, choosing to ignore her friend's suggestion. She glanced around the forest floor and the orange, red, and brown leaves that littered it. Kicking some aside with her foot, she persisted, "We've checked the ground wherever we could. This is close to where I entered the forest—we are almost straight along the Elven road."

"A creature such as Gollum may not care for roads."

Avalain sighed. "No one can navigate these trees without guidance."

With these words, she gazed along the trees, searching for another ray of helpful light. As she perused the treetops, however, she froze.

"There!" she exclaimed, pointing to the branches of a tall tree. Dropping her bow and quiver, she reached upward for a sturdy branch to grab.

Legolas was bemused. "What are you doing?"

Not deterred from her task, Avalain grunted as she pushed herself to the next ledge, "Climbing! I saw something."

Her friend merely laughed and called, "You are thinking wishfully, Avalain! Please come back down."

"No!" she answered, reaching her destination. She crawled across the branches of the tree and gazed at the messy bird's nest she had laid eyes on… It was a very sad sight. Eggs were smashed, the yolks of what would have been baby birds splattered across the nest. A corpse of a dismembered bird lay atop the eggs. The bird's blood mixed with the yolks, forming a sickly orange paste.

Legolas seemed to notice the paleness to her face. Concerned, he asked, "What is it? What do you see?"

Avalain swallowed. "This bird's nest has been ravaged."

"It might have been a spider," he suggested.

The She-Elf shook her head. "No, Legolas," she replied softly. "This is not the work of a spider. A spider would not destroy the eggs like this. It would not mutilate a bird like this. This was… something else. And you know as well as I that there are no woodland creatures here capable of such savagery."

There was a short silence as Legolas seemed to ponder her words. After a moment, he locked eyes with her—seeing the spark of worry and determination in her gaze, he declared, "Alright, I'm coming up."

And after grabbing Avalain's weapons on the ground, he did. Before long, he joined her, perched in the tree. His eyes narrowed as he noticed the bird's nest, and how brutally it had been treated.

"I… You might be right, Avalain," he murmured. He reached out and closed the bird's lifeless eyes. "But how are we to find him without tracks?"

In answer, Avalain pointed behind him. Seeing this, Legolas turned. The branches of the trees were parted, some torn directly off the trees from which they had grown. There was a clear direction of the mess: southward. "He's left a path… He's been traversing through the trees. We can follow him from here."

Legolas looked like he wished to protest, but before he could speak, Avalain added, "Please, mellon. I hunted Bolg with you. Will you hunt Gollum with me?"

He opened his mouth as if to refuse; but the recollection of their chase for Bolg made him smile and mumble, "That you did." Then, louder, he said, "Of course, Avalain. I have a suspicion that you would have continued with or without me, anyway."

Avalain giggled at this and stood as best as she was able, crouching along the branches of the trees. Legolas quickly followed, always ensuring that she was steady on her feet.

For thirty minutes this continued, the two elves making their way south. As they progressed, the sun sunk lower in the sky, turning what leaves were on the trees yellow and orange. But Avalain could not help noticing how ominous the woods were feeling… And when the trees ended, both she and Legolas were able to see the source of the darkness.

"Dol Goldur," whispered Legolas, instinctively pulling Avalain backward. "We should not get any closer."

"We've come this far, Legolas," she insisted. "I cannot let Gandalf down now, not while we are so close. Besides, you are the greatest archer in Mirkwood, and I have had my fair share of training. Together, we can overcome any enemy."

Legolas slowly released the air in his lungs, glaring halfheartedly at Avalain as he did. She returned his glare with pleading; he knew why she was so determined. Gandalf was the first father Avalain had ever had, and she would do anything to help or protect him.

At last, he held his hands in surrender. "Very well, Avalain," he said, shaking his head. "It looks as if you and I shall be having yet another adventure in these woods."

Avalain laughed and descended the tree they were crouched in. Legolas joined her; once they were together, they each drew their bows, seized an arrow, and moved toward the black stone bridge of Dol Goldur.

As they got closer, Avalain felt an irritating buzzing in the back of her head. She tried to hone her senses to look ahead, but the fortress was covered in so much shadow that she could see nothing. It was eerily silent as well, giving her no insight on what might be awaiting them.

When the two entered the fortress, they were surrounded by black brick. The fortress was half demolished, so the fading light of day was clearly visible. Ahead of them were multiple doorways leading to different chambers.

"This must be where Bolg escaped to when we chased him," mused Legolas, inching forward. He peered into one of the corridors before scoffing, "It is no wonder we could not find him."

"Indeed," replied Avalain, nearing the same corridor. Still, she could not see. "No wonder at all. But you bested him, my friend."

With these words, Avalain entered the doorway. Legolas rushed in front of her, holding a hand as if to hold her back. The gesture made the She-Elf smile. She had a most protective friend.

As Legolas scoured the hallway, however, the buzzing in her ears escalated into a piercing headache. She winced and shied away from advancing further.

This was not unnoticed by Legolas. Concernedly, he placed a hand on her arm and inquired, "Avalain, are you well? We do not have to do this."

"If you are with me, I will be fine." She knew that if she gave any sign of weakness from here on out, Legolas would force her to desist from tracking Gollum. Seeing his doubt, she added, "Please come with me. I must do this for Gandalf."

Legolas nodded. Standing beside her, he moved forward toward the next hallway.

The next thirty minutes were spent with Avalain and Legolas exploring Dol Goldur. The farther they went in, however, the more prominent Avalain's discomfort became. Her head pounded, her ears rang, and her legs and arms were weak. She couldn't even hold her sword by the time they ascended to the topmost balcony of the fortress.

Despite their thorough search, nothing was found—not even a track of Gollum, much less the cretin himself.

Once they reached the top of the tower, Legolas sighed. The two elves gazed over the darkened trees that surrounded the forest and noticed how dark it was becoming… Full night would be upon them in only a few minutes.

"It appears my father was right," exhaled Legolas disappointedly. "There's nothing but a fruitless storm of the Istari."

Though Avalain knew otherwise and was somewhat offended on Gandalf's behalf, she could not answer. Her lips were extremely dry, and her vision was failing.

"Avalain?" asked Legolas. He turned around; his eyes widened. He ran toward her and gasped. "Avalain!"

"Shhh," was all she could think to say. She didn't want him to worry about her. She felt terrible, it was true, but if anything, her deteriorating state proved that there was something wrong about the fortress.

"No. Don't you dare shush me," snapped Legolas, his bright eyes swimming with panic. Before Avalain's legs could give out, he gently grabbed her and laid her to rest upon his knee. "You're pale and cold. You're—you're... going to be fine. I'm going to get you out of here."

Avalain wished she could respond, but the pain in her head prevented any comprehensible thought. She could feel her heartbeat crashing like an iron pendulum against her tight ribs. She tried to mouth her friend's name, but everything began swirling in blinding colors of black and gray and white.

"Avalain." The whisper was desperate and hoarse, but it was still a promise. "I'm going to get you out of here. On my life, I'm getting you out of here."

"Legolas!"

For a moment, Avalain was confused. She hadn't said his name... but she recognized the voice that had. That was Gandalf's voice… she would know it anywhere.

"Legolas, what has happened?" asked a second voice—King Thranduíl's. It's normally calm demeanor was abandoned as he slowly inhaled and felt the aura of the fortress. "Why is Avalain... I—I feel... she's—she's fading. Legolas!"

Avalain concentrated as hard as she could to focus on the sight above her. She blinked and suddenly, finally, saw three figures gazing down at her. She was surprised to actually see them. Half of her still believed she was hallucinating.

"There are remnants of the Necromancer's power still in this fortress," murmured Gandalf, as if to prevent Avalain from hearing. His efforts were unsuccessful. "Even the fragments of his formidability are dark enough to weaken Avalain, a descendant of the Lady of Light. He is growing in strength, King Thranduíl. If this does not convince you of the growing danger to the south, I fear nothing will."

A brief silence dominated the conversation. Avalain inhaled sharply, wishing she could speak, if only to apologize for causing everyone trouble.

Hearing this, Legolas whispered, "She can hear us. She is conscious still!"

"Yes," agreed King Thranduíl. His silver stare grew worried as he added, "Legolas, carry her out of here as swiftly as you can. When you return to the palace, find her a healer. Gandalf and I have a few matters to discuss before we follow you."

Legolas nodded and picked Avalain up in his arms. Avalain felt weightless and dizzy as she watched the stars in the night sky pass above her. As she was brought further and further out from the fortress, her pain slowly began to subside. Her chest was no longer tight: her legs and arms began to prick, letting her know the feeling within them was returning. Eventually, she could see and hear properly. Her voice was the next thing to follow.

"Legolas…"

Her friend was so startled he almost stumbled over himself. Seeing her eyes trained unmistakably on his face, Legolas laughed in relief. "Thank the Eldar. Avalain, you were frighteningly close to death upon that balcony."

She nodded. She had felt it with each second they had lingered in the shadow of Dol Goldur. And so she said, "I know. Thank you for bringing me out of that place."

"We are not going back in there," exclaimed Legolas, quite off topic. Avalain was shocked by the viciousness in his voice as he stated, "I do not care if we did not find a single print of that creature Gollum, I will not watch you die again. I will not."

"Legolas, I do not want to go back," whispered Avalain, burying her head in the crook of his arm.

This time, Legolas actually did freeze where he stood. Avalain could feel his eyes upon the back of her head as he exclaimed, "You do not?"

"No. I do not. I felt myself dying. And Gandalf is here now… perhaps he can finish what we could not."

Another silence reigned after this, but at last, Legolas sighed, "I am glad to hear this, Avalain. It is about time you gained some sense for your own safety…"

Avalain wished to protest, but she knew she would not have many good arguments. And so she only smiled crookedly and emerged from the crook of Legolas's arm—she was comforted to see she was met with the same smirk.

"So now what do we do?" she asked softly.

Legolas thought for a moment before resuming his walk towards the elven palace of Mirkwood. Finally, he answered, "We wait and see what Mithrandir and my father have for us. Then we take it as it comes… hopefully, that shall be together."

The thought of remaining with her best friend comforted Avalain beyond words. Satisfied, she put a hand on Legolas's arm and said, "I can stand now. Thank you for helping me."

Her friend was doubtful, but at her plead, he let her stand. He was always on guard, however, ready to assist in case she should fall.

Eventually, the She-Elf stood steady. She began walking, albeit a little slowly, toward the Mirkwood palace. Legolas matched her pace, although he kept an arm around her shoulder just in case.

Once they reached the palace, Avalain looked back at Legolas and said, "Thank you for coming with me. I do not know what I would have done without you."

"I would not have missed it for anything. Just remember, Avalain, that if you need me, I shall always come for you."

She smiled; it was a smile that reflected all her admiration and appreciation for her best friend. Legolas saw it and returned one before gesturing her into the elven palace, where he immediately escorted Avalain to her room and sat beside her until she fell asleep.

Greetings, my dear readers! I just wanted to again state my thanks for you all having read this far; if you like what you've read so far, feel free to leave comments, concerns, or constructive critiques in that little box below! I hope you all have had a wonderful day.

Until next time!