AN: Heya, sorry about howlong it took to update. i have found that it's nearly impossible to update whilst school is on, so i promise as soon as the holidays come (2 weeks) i will post a couple of chapters. sorry! anyway, thats to all my reviewers! I love the feedback, and thank you so much for all the support :P
Nessa
Chapter 3
"Legolas!"
Legolas grinned, "Welcome Gimli."
Gimli stood, "Come here laddie!"
Legolas walked gracefully towards Gimli.
"Good to see you my friend."
Legolas rested his hand on Gimli's shoulder, his grin lighting his face up.
"Aye, and you."
Legolas' grin widened.
"As much as I am enjoying this I have some important news to tell Ada. It is regarding the orcs."
"Orcs? What are those foul creatures up to?"
Thranduil sighed. Gimli had exactly the same ideas as Legolas it seemed.
"What is it you wished to tell me?"
"Through my recent scouting expeditions I have noticed something. All the orcs seem to be going in a South-East direction. Towards the Sea of Rhûn. It may be nothing, but I feel we should scout it out."
"My son, if they are going away form us I see no reason to follow them. There is no issue. If they are leaving, then so be it."
"Ada. There could be villages there that need our help!"
"Legolas, our time is ending, it is not our duty to risk our lives for some humans."
Gimli looked between father and son. He could see the tension building.
"Ah, I'm starving, when's the food arriving?"
Both Legolas and Thranduil looked at Gimli, clearly having forgotten him.
Thranduil rose. "I shall go and see to it that some is brought to you shortly."
He turned to face Legolas, "We shall continue this conversation later."
Legolas' face turned to marble. Perfect and still, showing no sign of the annoyance he was feeling. "Yes Ada." He said with a small bow.
Thranduil nodded and left the room.
"So... What has happened since I last saw you?"
Legolas laughed. "Really Gimli, I could swear that you were trying to distract me!"
Gimli looked at the floor, his face colouring.
Legolas sighed. "I am fine Gimli. Truly. I just wish to wipe this scourge from the land once and for all. Father does not share my views. He feels that it is none of our business, that it is the matter of men. I disagree. It is as much our problem as theirs. So I have been hunting them down."
Gimli frowned, "Is that all you've been doing? Hunting orcs? Have you had any rest?"
A look passed across Legolas' face for the briefest of seconds, but was soon replaced with the marble mask. "I have. I have a few days break in between hunting."
"Ach, laddie. It is not healthy. You need to relax. The war is over."
"Gimli, do you not understand, it has only just begun. Sauron may have been defeated and the ring destroyed, but there are still thousands of orcs out there. There is something going on. I can feel it. The trees are restless. Something is coming."
Gimli frowned. He knew that the war had scarred Legolas so much so that he could never fully heal, but he had not realised the full extent of it. "Laddie. I am worried about you. You seem so burdened. Are you truly alright?"
Legolas frowned, confused. "I am unhurt."
"Unscarred, but not unhurt."
"Gimli, I am fine."
Gimli had never heard Legolas speak in the tone that he had just used. Gimli opened his mouth to speak, but a servant came into the room, carrying a platter of food.
Gimli decided to leave the matter lie for the moment, but he was still worried. Something was wrong. Something major. And he was going to find out what it was.
