Chapter 3

Flight to the Ford

It was morning and I was riding as fast as I could. I soon heard the hooves of other horses. I looked around and saw the wraiths were catching up to me. I was scared but I was more worried for Frodo. I rode faster but soon all of the Nazgûl were chasing me.

As I raced past a pine tree it cut my cheek. I ignored the stinging pain and kept going. One of them rode up along side me and reached its hand towards Frodo.

"Noro lim Asfaloth!" I cried.

He rode faster and soon got in front of the wraiths. Soon we crossed the ford. The wraiths stopped.

"Give up the Halfling! Half-breed!" one said.

I drew my sword.

"If you want him, come and claim him!" I said.

They drew theirs and came forward.

"Nin o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer, Rimmo nin Bruinen, dan in Ulair! Nin o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer, Rimmo nin Bruinen, dan in Ulair!" I said.

The river swelled and a flash flood came. However I had lingered too long. Frodo began to make strange noises and I lay him on the ground.

"Frodo! No! Frodo don't give in! Not now!" I said.

But I was too late. I hugged him.

"What grace has given me, let it pass to him. Let him be spared. Save him." I said.

Thankfully other elves came and found me. They rushed Frodo back and I followed. My mother came out and smiled at me. She hugged me and then I went inside. From my window I saw my father and the hobbits arrive. I was wearing my favorite black and red dress. I saw my mother run out to my father. She kissed him and I shook my head. How could she so easily forgive him?

"Gilraen! Come down!" My mother called out.

I sighed and went down.

"Gilraen your father has come home." She said.

"I have already seen him. I found him at the Prancing Pony in Bree. He didn't even know who I was until I showed him the Evenstar. I have nothing more to say to him." I said.

I turned and walked away. No one pursued me. I slammed the door to my room. The only people I let in were Merry and Pippin. They had been my best friends for several years. However when Frodo woke up they wanted to be with him and I understood. I wondered outside in a glittering white dress. I did not know that other people had arrived. I was sitting in the gardens when someone came up to me.

"~I am looking for the Lady Gilraen. Do you know where I might find her?~"

I looked up and saw another elf. Although he did not look like he was from Rivendell. I stood and smiled at him.

"~I am she. May I ask who you are?~"

The elf's eyes widened.

"~I have not seen you since you were a child. You look like your mother. I am Prince Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood. I was hoping I would see you. I used to play with you when you were a child. How old are you now?~" he asked.

"~17.~" I answered.

He bowed and kissed my hand.

"~I had this made for you Lady Gilraen.~" he said.

He handed me a circlet. It was beautiful.

I smiled and allowed him to put it on me. He smiled and nodded.

"~It suits you.~" he said.

"~Thank you for this beautiful gift. I am afraid I have nothing for you Lord Legolas.~" I said.

Then I picked a beautiful red rose from the garden and handed it to him. He smiled and took it. However my father came over.

"Gilraen I…."

However I would not hear it. Tears came and I said goodbye to Legolas and left. I hated my father for leaving us. He had left for 14 years and now he thought he could just come back and everything would be alright. I walked through the halls and soon I found myself back in the gardens. I was near the small river. I fell to my knees.

"Lady Gilraen?"

I looked up and saw Legolas. He came running to me. He dropped down next to me.

"~Are you alright?~" he asked.

"~My father is Aragorn. He left for 14 years! I found him at the inn at Bree. He didn't know who was until I told him! He didn't know his own daughter!~" I cried.

He hugged me.

"~I'm sorry. I must seem like a child to you.~" I said.

He pulled away and looked at me.

"~No…..I knew Aragorn was your father. But I knew not he had been away for that long. I am so sorry Gilraen.~" he said.

I smiled and stood up. He smiled and stood as well. He wiped the tears from my face.

"~Thank you. I'm glad I met you again. Although I must say I really don't remember you.~" I said.

He smiled and leaned closer to me and whispered in my ear.

"~Try looking in that supposed secret drawer of yours.~" He said.

I smiled and turned red.

"~It is getting quite late. Perhaps I should take you back to your room.~" he said.

I took his arm and he escorted me back to my room. Once we said good-night I immediately opened the secret drawer that I had completely forgotten about for 6 years. Inside I found portraits of Legolas and I when I was a child. Inside I found a note from him to me.

Lady Gilraen,

You are only six now but I know you shall grow to be a beautiful elven princess. I know you shall forget about this drawer that we made but I know you will find it again. When you were born…we were betrothed. But your father did not want to force you into anything. Even though he is my very best friend he wanted you to be happy. I know you may not be comfortable with this and I understand. I will not force you to do anything you do not wish to do. It is your choice. But know this. I have always loved you. Since I first saw you, met you, spoke with you I loved you. Forgive my boldness, but I must speak my heart. Now that you know it is your decision.

Love from,

Prince Legolas Greenleaf

I put the letter down and smiled. So Legolas had been in love with me from the moment he saw me. I knew what I had to do. But I was afraid to do it.

"~I'll tell him when I know he still feels the same.~" I said.

I folded the letter and carefully put it in my rucksack. I the laid down and went to sleep.