Hello after a long break. Forgive me, I hope you are still here. Christmas are coming! I love it, what about you? ;) I'm inviting you to read this chapter although I'm not really satisfied with it. But judging I'm leaving for you. :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

~~~Chapter 4~~~

The person in front of them amazed them, they could find no words to describe their feelings.

"Gandalf..." whispered Aragorn.

The wizard smiled to them, nodding lightly. He was alive, he was here with them.

"Forgive me!" said Legolas and immediately bowed. Gimli did the same. "I mistook you for Saruman..." he said, in his eyes formed tears.

"I am Saruman. Or rather, Saruman as he should have been." he smiled and approached them.

He looked at their faces silently, he was bright, he was white. He wasn't Gandalf The Grey any longer.

"You fell..." whispered Aragorn, still amazed as well as them all.

They couldn't believe he's real, or was this only a dream? Nothing seemed very real, nothing could be real. Because how Gandalf would survive?

"Through fire, and water. On the lowest dungeon, on the highest peak I fought with him, the Balrog Of Morgoth." he said and his face turned serious. "Until at last I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside." he stopped for a momemt to take a breath. "Darkness took me and I strayed out of thought and time. The stars field of end, and everyday was as long as a life age on the earth."

They looked at each other.

"But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done." he smiled again.

"Gandalf." said Aragorn.

"Gandalf? Yes. That was what they used to call me..." Aragorn nodded at these words, smiled as well. "Gandalf The Grey. That was my name." he said as if he forgot.

"Gandalf." agreed Gimli smiling.

"I am Gandalf The White. And I come back to you now, at the turn of the tide."

They were so happy, not even to descirbe. Legolas didn't say a word since Gandalf had appeared. He was amazed and glad. His friend is alive, everyone's alive. Pippin, Merry, Gandalf, they all live.

But no, not every of his friends is. Boromir hadn't got the chance to reborn again. Although he would love to talk to him. Why he had trusted him that late? He was good, he was trying to convince him. And he, stupid elf, was just refusing his helpful hand all the time. He wandered off but the voices brought him back.

"One stage of your journey is over, another begins. War has come to Rohan, we must ride to Edoras with all speed." said the wizard.

"Edoras?" asked Legolas, his voice seemed for a moment to be broken, but he remained strong. "That's the region of Men..."

They turned to him. He saw Aragorn and Gandalf staring into his eyes with grief.

"Of course that is! What a statement!" snorted Gimli quietly but he heard it.

Aragorn came up to him, nodding to Gandalf understandably. The wizard turned around and continued.

"I'm sorry, Legolas. We must go there." whispered the ranger gently.

The elf looked at him but didn't answer. He have to fight it. He must do it.

"It's fine." he lied.

Aragorn, of course, didn't believe him, but he also didn't want to talk about it next to Gimli and Gandalf. It was going to be a private converastion. So he only smiled supportively and nodded lightly.

"Edoras is not a short distance." said Gimli suddenly.

"We hear of trouble in Rohan. It goes ill with the king." now, it was Aragorn who spoke.

"Yes. And it will not be easily cured." responded Gandalf.

How much they all missed him and his voice. Even if he comes and changes the whole plan.

"Then we have run all this way for nothing? Are we to leave those poor Hobbits here in this horrid, dank, tree-infested"

The angry groan interrupted him and he jumped with fear.

"I mean charming, quite charming forest." he laughed nervously looking around.

Legolas, despite his fear and worry, smirked under his nose, so did Gandalf and Aragorn. But they all knew, the faster they will leave this forest, the better.

"It was more than mere chance that brought Merry and Pippin to Fangorn. A great power has been sleeping here for many long years. The coming of Merry and Pippin will be like the falling of small stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains." the wizard answered not slowing down.

"In one thing you have not changed, dear friend." smiled Aragorn.

"What thing?" he looked at him.

"You still speak in riddles." they laughed quietly.

The forest again fell silent and his steps were only one thing to be heard in echo. Even the wind has stopped.

Legolas, however, didn't feel very calm. He knew what task is standing in front of him. Something he has been avoiding as he could - meeting Men. Being there, with them. On this thought he became nervous and stressed. In his head he had words of his friend, who was used to cheer him up by them.

'Not every human is evil, Legolas. Forget them, forget everything. You must live your life, a peaceful life' he has been always saying.

He came back to that day, to the day, a few weeks later.

~~o*o~~

He sat in the chair at the courtyard, where the wind was calmly blowing. He didn't wish to see any of people, even his friends. His heart has been filled with endless pain and fear. But he couldn't be alone. He didn't know how he feels. Once, he wants to cry all day and night alone, only with himself, but another day he needed someone close to him. He was feeling empty and terrible. Hopeless. That was the word describing him. Hopeless.

He heard footsteps getting closer. He felt the presence of his friends. They were trying their best to make him feel better. Suddenly, footsteps disappeared and he turned around. He saw Aragorn and twins with their father. He still hasn't told them about everything, about what happened to him. He didn't have to, it wasn't hard to guess. They understood him without words.

"Legolas, mellon nîn." said Aragorn as the first one.

He didn't answer. His blue, full of tears and grief eyes were staring at him, making the ranger feel terrible.

"Can we... you know... talk?"

"Please, Legolas, you haven't spoken a word. We are worried." said Elladan.

Aragorn saw how the elf flinched when he made a step to him. He was fearing him. He was really afraid. His heart was breaking.

"Legolas, I won't hurt you, I swear." whispered Aragorn.

The prince blinked and stood up, approaching them all.

"You want something to eat? You must eat, penneth." spoke Elrond.

He shook his head. He had a feeling that his stomach will explode if he takes a bite of anything.

"Could you leave us alone for a minute?" asked Aragorn turning to his family.

Lord Elrond nodded and his sons walked away after him, they all felt sorry for the prince, and they all knew only Estel can make him feel better now.

He sat with him on stairs and sighed.

"Will you talk to me?"

The archer looked at him with tears but nodded after a while.

"Good. Listen, I am here to help you, mellon nîn. We all are." the prince still remained silent.

Aragorn was truly worried, since he has found him passed a few days, even weeks, but he hasn't spoken even for a minute. Only words he could sob were 'Take me home'. Sometimes he was also calling his name. But nothing more. He hasn't eaten, hasn't even drunk.

"Please, Legolas, talk, shout, cry, do whatever you want. Just... say something." he looked at him and their eyes met. "Please..." his whisper was filled with pain, as if he was crying. He wanted to hear his voice more than anything.

The elf opened his mouth, but the only sound he was able to make was another sob. Without a word he hid his face in the ranger's chest.

"Es-Estel..." he whispered as quiet as never so far.

"Shh, it is alright, it is over. You're safe now. Nobody will hurt you, we won't let it happen, ever." he petted his head and hair gently, what might've seemed a little strange.

"I-I'm s-sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

"F-for being... hopeless..." he cried strongly.

~~o*o~~

"Legolas!" he heard a voice. He turned his attention to the source and saw Aragorn staring at him concerned. "Are you alright?" he asked but perfectly knew the answer.

Why did he even ask? It was obvious he isn't.

He was worried about him, he may be not ready for such challenges.

The elf forced a smile and nodded.

"I'm fine."

Aragorn glanced at him not sure, but again he has decided not to ask in front of their friends, even if Gandalf knows the truth and wants to help him as well. The forest looked so huge, it was huge.

"Our horses have escaped some time ago. I don't think we'll manage to take new ones, we will slow you down." said Aragorn.

"No, they haven't escaped. They are closer than you all think." the wizard smiled.

They looked at each other exchanging gazes silently.

"A thing is about to happen that has not happened since the Elder Days. The ents are going to wake up... and find that they are strong..." whispered the wizard.

"Strong?!" panicked Gimli and looked at the groaning trees. "Oh, that's good..."

"So stop your fretting, Master Dwarf. Merry and Pippin are quite safe. In fact, they're far safer than you are about to be."

"The new Gandalf's more grumpy than the old one..." snorted very quietly Gimli.

Finally, after some time, they got out of the woods.

"Oh, finally! I don't want to come back to this evil forest ever." sighed Gimli.

"Fangorn Forest isn't evil." whispered Legolas. Gimli turned to him.

"How so?"

"It is tired of evil and madness, full of anger, maybe dangerous. But surely not evil. The trees have survived many. Seen many, heard many... they have rights to be angry at us and others." he looked around, staring at the dark trees.

"I still don't understand how trees can be alive."

"Everything's alive Gimli, son of Glóin. Every stone, every river and every tree. When something cannot speak, it doesn't mean it has no feelings. And no life in it."

"Is every elf a weirdo? Or only you, huh?" asked the dwarf.

Legolas couldn't help it and chuckled, not paying attention on fact that these words were supposed to offend him.

"A little, perhaps." he joked.

Gimli surprised of this reaction firstly was staring at him questionably but then, he laughed quietly. He shook his head and looked at the ground.

"More than a little, I would say."

They all smiled a little and Gandalf went on a hill, looking somewhere far away.

"How are we supposed to come back? I will hate it if we have to go by feet." said the dwarf.

"You needn't be worried, dear friends. I think I can calm you down." he said and whistled. The sound was long and kinda eerie.

Suddenly, a white, big horse appeared, running up to them. He was far, but they could see his graceful steps and moves.

"That is one of the mearas unless my eyes are cheated by some spell." spoke Legolas, staring at the approaching white horse.

"Shadowfax." said Gandalf when the animal finally get closer. "He's the lord of all horses and has been my friend through many dangers." he whispered petting him.

The horse nodded calmly. And then, another two horses appeared on the hill. They looked at them in amazement.

"Hasufel. Arod..." said Aragorn. "Now, everythig is clear. Our horses heard Shadowfax and ran to him to greet him."

"Yes. But he lead them to you, they are yours again." he smiled and turned to them. "And Gimli, you will ride with me. Shadowfax has enough strength to run very fast with both of us. At least more than these horses for sure."

Gimli agreed with him and sat on the white horse after Gandalf. Legolas and Aragorn mounted their horses as well and they all started running as fast as they could.

~~o*o~~

They arrived to Lothlórien in the evening. Their horses were tired but they wanted to be there as soon as possible, so they stopped only for a moment. When they got to the realm of light, they've been greeted by Haldir and two others servants.

"Lord Elrond, mae govannen." he bowed.

"Haldir, Galadriel called us, can you lead us to her?" asked immediately Elladan.

The blonde elf looked at him and nodded with a smile.

"Of course. Follow me. The Lady is waiting."

They all looked at one another and went after Haldir silently. Lady Galadriel was indeed waiting together with her husband.

"My friends, welcome. I am pleased you come that fast." she greeted them.

"You made us worry, Galadriel. Tell me, what do you know about fellowship and fates of its members?" asked Elrond.

"I looked into my mirror and saw them all. The Fellowship is broken. Frodo and Sam are safe for now. They are lead by Gollum."

"Gollum? I have heard that this beast escaped from Mirkwood dungeons. But what does he want from Frodo?" asked Arwen.

"Isn't that obvious, my fair Arwen?" spoke Celeborn. "He desires The Ring. And he will get it sooner or later."

"No! Frodo won't let him!"

"Ai! Hope is lost." said Elrohir.

"Do not lose your hope, my friends. For I know there is still hope. They had been here for a few days. Friendship of Frodo and Sam is really strong. Although it is not seen, Sam will not leave his companion behind. He will stay with him. To death." smiled Galadriel lightly.

"What about Estel? And Legolas? Are they in Rohan, aren't they?" asked Elladan.

"Yes, they are. Peregrin and Meriadoc had been captured by orcs with white hand on their bodies. And they have gone to rescue them from our foe's hands."

"Are they safe?" asked Arwen.

"Yes. Although I sense something is wrong there. I do not know what it is, but there are no good things happening in Golden Hall. Saruman is getting stronger." she whispered quietly, her voice was low and full of mystery.

"They cannot fight Saruman alone."

"Well-spoken. But we can help them."

"How?"

"I fear Saruman will attack Edoras. And none will be spared. The war is upon them, if they want it or not." said now Celeborn.

"Do you consider helping them in battle? Do you think they will accept it? After all these years? Old allegiances are broken. They have right to refuse it."

"I know. But they will have no choice if they want to live. Saruman will destroy them all, leaving no one and nothing."

"Fine, then. But I think we should wait with that. We don't even know if the war is really about to begin."

"Oh, it is, my friend. It is..." the Lady whispered and looked at the realm, full of white lights and happy laugh of children...

T.B.C

*Do you mind this scene in Lórien? Because I wrote it because I didn't want this chapter to be too short. And I don't know if it is good or rather not. :)