Dark Forest
By Anarithilien

Part I: Into Fangorn
Chapter Six: A Needed Rest

"So what does one wear to an Entmoot?" Gimli asked.

They had walked the better part of the day, the odd encounter with the strange Ent almost forgotten as the forest had settled into a lazy calm. How strange, Legolas thought, that the mood of the wood could change so dramatically in such a short time, especially since the Ents professed a disdain for rashness. The agitation of the trees did not seem to heed to this restriction though. It was as if they had walked from one jurisdiction into another, almost like traversing the various levels of Minas Tirith. Each region had a personality all its own, and as they had walked, the elf could feel the mood lightening.

The peace of their journey ended abruptly and Legolas found himself blinking with surprise. He had not seen this encounter coming. All the same, he was pleased to come upon the arrival of the Ents, or more accurately his and Gimli's arrival amongst them. He had expected that they would meet one or two. He had not thought that they would come into contact with so many, and especially in one place at one time.

For a response to the dwarf's question in regards to attire and Ent meetings, he could think of many clever remarks to make, all of them rather comical if only Gimli spoke Sindarin. But as they did not translate well into Westron, and as all attempts he might make to joke about boughing, trunks, or fig leaves were falling dismally short in his mind, he gave up, shrugging and simply saying, "In your case, Gimli, anything that your axe does not accessorize would be fitting." And then the elf chuckled. It was a laugh made for his own joy and not so much his joke.

"They were just there," Gimli said, and Legolas completely understood what his friend meant. So treelike in appearance were the Ents that Legolas had not realized that they stood amongst a whole crowd of them until they were in the thick of them. Yet despite the elf's jubilation, Gimli did not look quite so pleased, and Legolas could sense the wariness emanating from the dwarf. Fortunately, Gimli stilled once he realized how overwhelming the number of Ents was, and though he seemed to bristle under the stares of the great creatures, he did not make any reckless movements.

"All will be well, my friend," Legolas whispered, and he indeed felt it would be so. After their initial encounter with the strange Ent the trees' whispering and murmurs faded. The air had seemed to ease as well, and his initial concerns about an ill mood in the forest seemed to have drifted away as the day progressed. The good will feelings persisted, even in their new company.

One great cedar then lumbered forward, and since Treebeard was yet in Isengard, Legolas took him to be a leader in this gathering. "Hooomhooomhooom and what have we here? Hoomonooom, you must be the elf and dwarf that were announced at the entrance to the wood," the Ent said in a very slow, deep rumble.

"That was an announcement?" Gimli asked. "It seemed more a warning telling us to go away."

"Hooooom? Go away? Go away? Nay and no, Ainur forbid, we do not wish you to go away!" the Ent replied. Then bending as best he could to almost bow to the pair, he said, "Hoom. Welcome, little ones though I doubt you consider yourselves all that little, now do you? Let me rephrase then if you will allow me to say it so. Welcome to you, friends of the wood, defenders of the good, destroyers of the darkness, companions of the Hobbits. We, the Ents of Fangorn Forest, have been expecting you. Hmmmmm. Hooomhoom. Welcome-welcome-welcome!"

Gimli spoke again. "You knew then that we would be coming? The announcement at the edge of the wood did not surprise you?"

"Hroomroomloom," the Ent said, and many other Ents repeated the phrase. "Of course and of course not, in that order, as you will. Word reached us Ents before you even entered the forest, and we have had the news of the world besides. It came on the birdsong and the wind. All the Ents know who you are and why you come. We have come together to greet you. Well not all, but almost all. Treebeard sends his good tidings, of course. But the rest of us are together, or the rest of us as best we could gather." And then turning and gazing at his companions, the Ent was met with many nods and gazes of approval. He then redirected his gaze at the pair. "Treebeard wishes you to be made comfortable in our wood, and we Ents," the Ent gestured to all and rumbled a deep chuckle, "are here to do just that!"

The gathering chorused the creaking laughter.

But the dwarf raised a brow and softly muttered, "Not all Ents." Legolas frowned at him knowing Gimli was obviously referring to the one odd Ent, and he wondered if he would be able to move past that one bad event.

"What is that? What is that? Oh no, no, of course, not all the Ents could be here," the cedarish Ent said, misunderstanding the comment. "But those that could be spared have come. And those that come have been spared. We owe you our debt of thanks, you see."

"I think it is you who should be thanked," Legolas spoke for the first time, doing so with a deep bow as one might do in showing his respect. He was rather bothered by Gimli's discourtesy as the dwarf did not follow suit, but he also knew the dwarf had not grown up in the courts as Legolas had to know proper etiquette and actions. "Our battles would have come to unfavorable ends, and our enemies would have held their power greater still if not for the part that the Ents played in the war. We are indebted to you, sirs."

The Ent's expression became molded into something of surprise. "Oh, little elf, you must not bow to me, for I am not of royal status. A simple Onodrim is all that you see before you."

"Far greater than that, I would suspect," Legolas countered, putting forth his highest praise.

The Ent's eyes went wide then. "But where are my manners, friend elf, friend dwarf? Too long have I lived in the solitude of the wood. The forest creatures do not require so much so you will forgive me my poor comportment. I must introduce myself, for you know not my name. I am Lendglad, and I am to be your host on this evening," the Ent said with a show of amicable charm, bowing again. "Or you may call me Sweettree. Neither is my correct name, you know, but were I to tell you that you might be here for the remainder of the eve just learning the sounds. Nay, Sweettree am I."

"Host you say?" Gimli queried, eyes lighting up. "Might that mean we might take some refreshment?"

"Hush, Gimli," Legolas urged, suspecting his friend was about to launch into one of his infamous diatribes about the fey ways of elves and how they lived off the air. It was true Gimli had wanted to stop for a break and a meal some time back, but it was Legolas' experience that whenever Gimli was in a place he did not want to be he typically lobbied for a change in venue.

"My companion does not believe in resting and taking leisure," Gimli stated. Legolas scowled, hoping that might halt anything else the dwarf might say against him.

"Hoohoom, master dwarf, indeed, indeed, again I must apologize, for I had not said our intentions. Oh yes, indeed I am out of practice in my mannerly behaviors. Yes. I assure you, we would not just offer refreshment … but a feast." Lendglad pointed then to a clearing they had not yet noticed and in the center of it was a massive, low table of stone that was laden with fruits, berries, and nuts of every imaginable kind. "And a feast it shall be, for we have foods of all varieties and varieties of all foods. Pears, plums, grapes, apples, walnuts, pinecones, acorns, pumpkins, squashes, and melons. And much, much more. All things that grow in our wood. You should want for nothing as we come to want nothing but to celebrate your visit. It is a feast, a feast, a feast done in an Entish fashion, and we would have you, if you please, as our guests of honor."

Gimli's smiled brightly then as they were led, slowly, to the vast assortment of foods. "Guests of honor?" Gimli said as his short legs scurried past their host to look upon the vegetation-laden table. He chuckled in appreciation though Legolas knew he would have preferred meat. The elf guessed then that the dwarf was at last showing some manners. "Indeed this is grand! No dwarf would turn down a good meal such as the one you offer. It could only be bested were you to offer drink as well."

"Hoohooom," Lendglad laughed loudly. "Drink do you say? Hoomhooom, We Ents would be short on our good will were we not to offer you drink. In fact, we would offer nothing else but our best, for that is the thing enjoyed most by Ents of all kinds," the Ent said.

With that another Ent stepped forward and produced a smallish-looking bowl; by comparison to Gimli though, it seemed rather large. He laid the vessel on the stone before the dwarf.

On later reflection, Legolas would recognize this as the moment when Gimli's attitude toward the Ents would dramatically change. Gimli lifted the bowl to his lips and drank a tentative sip. And then his eyes showed his pleasure as he came to taste the liquid more fully. He gulped greedily of the bowl then until he had drained it. Wiping his lips with the back of his hand, he announced. "Aye, Sweettree, now that is a good drink! I could make a meal of that alone."

The Ent's eyes shone with mirth. Gimli's eyes reflected much the same, and Legolas was gladdened to see his companion's turn to good spirits. He had feared Gimli would enjoy nothing of this journey but that did not seem the case any longer.

"There is plenty more for you," Lendglad said courteously.

"With this, a fire, and a good smoke, I could be quite content," Gimli said, watching as more of the drink was delivered to him. Legolas smiled because the dwarf was obviously feeling the generosity of his mood.

"Ah, but then we might ask indeed, for word did come of adventures you had undertaken in the days on the Helm's Vale. Would you share your stories of the war with we Ents who know nothing of the outside world?" Lendglad slowly asked.

Legolas almost laughed, for he knew Gimli would enjoy nothing more. He gave his friend a nod and a knowing look to halt the words that might come, then smiled and said, "We thank you for your hospitality. But let me make a request of you. Being an elf, any occasion is one worth celebrating as far as my customs go. So let us celebrate all of our victories and share all of our tales, dwarf, Ent, and elf together, for I would like to hear of those dangers you encountered as well."

A sound that he took as one of approval went up with that, and the feast began. For a while, there was a shared exchange of tales just as Legolas had suggested. But as more Ents arrived and the party around the two travelers grew, distractions arose and some wandered away until the festivities grew into a mass of gatherings. After several hours the assembly took on the appearance of a huge social event, and Legolas at one point or another came to see that it was a celebration for the Ents as much as it was for the paired elf and dwarf.

To his wonder, Legolas had never conceived that so many Ents could be in one place at the same time. It gave him a new sense of assurance that the woods were indeed whole, knowing that there were so many to attend to it, even though his confidence had been shaken with that initial Ent encounter. He had looked for that one all through the evening, and though he thought he saw fleeting glances of that oak-like being, he never came to another face-to-face meeting that evening.

And so the night went on.

As an elf, time had little meaning to Legolas. That is to say that the endless pursuit of life meant each day was a blessing, and with that came a certain amount of respect. It was verily taken for granted that all things occurred in their time, and so Legolas, like any other elf, had learned to be patient and to find joy in the slow methodology of life. It was often an indicator of an elf's age how meticulously they could allow themselves to wait. For though their outward appearance changed little, the inner tranquility of an elf did. Many elves became quite adept at their talent to pause and consider. All could find wonder in the simplest things, and the wisest among them could sit and ponder the opening of a blossom for the life of the bloom, never moving from their spot in the gardens if need did not take them. And so it was with that preparation that Legolas joined the Entish festivities.

However, as could be perceived by the eagerness and swift whims he displayed when in the company of the Fellowship, Legolas was considered a rather young elf. That did not mean he was light in the count of years, for he was older than any living man by many hundreds of years. But when it came to hearing and being heard in the patient plowing of words the Ents brought forth, Legolas was not so wizened and thoughtful as to totally lose himself in their converse. After a time he grew weary and anxious. Perhaps it was his time in the Fellowship and among Men that had done this. It seemed that he was now concerned with the speed of progress and of keeping things moving so that he might pursue whatever was next. He had an agenda. He knew Men's lives ended. To an elf they ended soon, and although he would have loved to dissect the life and loves of this wood bit by bit, there was not time in this journey for that. The Ents just moved far too slow in giving answer to any queries he might put to them for Legolas to fully immerse himself in them. He had thought it might be otherwise.

There too, through the course of the evening, he kept watching to see that Gimli was content, for this was Gimli's journey too, and though Legolas had not initially been thrilled to visit the Aglarond caves, he had been shown great hospitality in the venture by the dwarf. He would give Gimli the same in return if he could. However, Gimli seemed to be deft at eluding the elf on this night. In the few times he did see his friend, Legolas realized he need not worry, for the dwarf appeared to be having a grand time. He could hear Gimli's rumbling laughter mixing with the creaking of the wood. Giving credit to their hosts, Gimli seemed not notice the slow pressings of the Ents. They plied him with drink and questions. Thus he was an unending stream of words whereas they were the quiet calm of … trees. Further, none seemed bothered when he pulled out his pipe and began to smoke. The dwarf truly was in his element.

To Legolas' irritation though, Gimli seemed not to notice any of these attentions were done for his pleasure. Such self-absorption would not do when the dwarf was presented in Mirkwood's courts, Legolas knew, but there would be time to work on Gimli's etiquette before they arrived in Legolas' homeland. Besides, the Ents appeared not to care or even notice. It would be different when they were at Legolas' home. By reputation, Legolas' king was carefree and jovial. But the truth of the matter was that Thranduil regarded the skills of mannerly behavior and propriety quite highly. Though he might appear to be the lord of an easy society, Thranduil truly was enamored with courtly ways. A dwarf who did not bow at the proper time, say the right words at the proper time, offer the right courtesies at the proper time would face rebuke. At least, Legolas thought, the king only locked dwarves in the dungeon for such crimes. The few higher blooded elves in the court, Legolas amongst them, had to endure greater punishments. Legolas would be sure to guard Gimli and instruct him on the ways to avoid Thranduil's contempt.

For the moment though, he chose not to be burdened by the social slights the dwarf was committing. Instead Legolas focused on partaking in his own amusements. That entailed alternating between fascination, impatience, speaking, singing and … weariness. The realization that he grew tired came as a surprise to the elf. He had not realized just how fatigued he was, but now that he was safely ensconced in the woods, his stifled yawns were making it abundantly clear. He thought about that. All these many months he had been in the city. Though there was peace, sleeping in the abode of men was not so easy a thing for an elf of the woods. Even on the plains, traveling with the entourage that surrounded the king and Lothlorien's lord and lady, Legolas had not been at full ease, always kept at alert by the need to maintain propriety in such noble company. Certainly he had not been comfortable in Aglarond, or Helms Deep for that matter, and of course when the war raged there had been no rest at all for the elf. Legolas then came to realize that the last time he had taken rest in the fullest of elven reverie was when the Fellowship had taken respite in Lothlorien. That had been many long months back, and even for an elf that was a long time to go without real rest. Perhaps here, at last, under the canopy of trees, Legolas might truly find some calm. Still, it would not do to appear fatigued so Legolas tried to squelch his yawns and to forestall his need to retire.

Per the dwarf's request, a bonfire had been lit. It was made with boughs and branches that had littered the forest floor. No tree was harmed for their benefit. Still, it was a tremendous consideration on the Ents' part, for fire was dangerous to these beings. For that, Legolas did not stray far from it. He would be kind in return and be sure the fire never grew out of control, even if it meant the night passed without sleep.

With the fire going, the Ents tossed several large fruits into the coals and showed Legolas how to prod and turn them. When the husks were completely blackened on all sides, the fruit was pulled away and allowed to cool. After a time, the fruit was broken open, and Legolas was astonished to find the inner hull filled with something almost bread-like in taste and texture. It was a pleasure to mix this with much of the more succulent and exotic fruits and nuts laid out on the table, though what one was to do with the pine cones Legolas was unsure.

Beyond the circle of fire, there was great merriment about and it went on through the night. Weary though he had claimed to be earlier, Gimli was completely invigorated. Legolas gave the credit to the draught, for the dwarf had drunk heartily of the bowl, which was constantly being refilled each time Legolas saw him. Legolas, however, had not imbibed.

"Drink, Legolas! You will hurt our hosts' feelings!" Gimli reprimanded, pulling the elf aside.

The elf laughed, "I am watching to see what changes it might bring about in you. I had heard the Hobbits' tales of this drink, and the small increase in their size is evidence of its effect."

"I can see how a gangly creature like you would prefer no more length than what you were born to, but I assure you it is quite safe." Gimli replied with a snort.

"It is true at least that you look quite hale," Legolas confirmed. Indeed, Gimli's color and vitality were visibly increased.

"I will tell you, Legolas, that I have never felt better!" Gimli chuckled as he rocked back on his heels. "If you should choose to make Fangorn your habitat, you must allow me a few barrels of this elixir whenever I might visit. And I can assure you, that would be often," he added as an aside.

"Alas for you then, Gimli, for I feel I will not be making Fangorn my home," the elf replied, whispering this as an aside.

"Why not?" the dwarf asked, looking rather surprised by the suddenness of this decision.

"It was the thought that the forest might need what help I could provide that was rash. I see now that there is nothing wrong with these woods."

"There was something wrong with that Ent we saw today," Gimli answered.

"One can always find flaws, but I think that Ent was more the exception than the rule. Look at how many Ents we have met tonight. Have any of them struck you in the same way as that one Ent?"

"No, but…"

"There will always be some oddities in this world. In fact, I have met an elf or two in my time that were much like that Ent," Legolas argued.

"You jest," Gimli dismissed.

"Oh? I will have you meet Golarithon when we come to Mirkwood. He was my third learning master, and I think you will find he is much like that odd Ent."

"I cannot imagine such a thing. All elves are collected and wise, not scattered and prone to gibberish." Then the dwarf's face went bright red. "I cannot believe I just said that! It must be this drink!"

Legolas laughed. "You mean truths are forced from the mouth of the drinker? I wish it were so. I would bottle it myself as I know many who withhold the truths. But nay, Gimli, I think it not. It was a slight of the tongue initiated by the pleasantness of your mood. Worry not for I will tell no one that you passed a compliment on to the elves. Still Golarithon was none of the 'collected and wise,' and definitely prone to being scattered and uttering gibberish. Why I could tell you tales…"

"Save there," the dwarf interrupted. "I'm sure these trees would love to hear it, but I would pass. This drink is headier than I thought, as my behavior has thus shown. I have spent too much time in your presence already and I fear if I get caught up in your tale I will find myself directing another compliment your way. One compliment is more than sufficient I think, and I feel I have satisfied my quota for a time, so if you will forgive me, I will now resume my part in these festivities."

And to that Legolas laughed as he watched the dwarf stroll into the crowd, and the elf turned to look with a longer eye upon the group.

It appeared that the Ents who were not gathered around the dwarf or elf were finding pleasures involved in the making of music and dance. There was much of it though Legolas would have hardly associated the motion and noise of the trees to those things at first. But as he came to realize that the droning rumble of horns and the percussionist tapping of wood against wood was music and song, he also came to see the slightly rhythmic bending and bowing was dance. It was a strange thing to observe, for the Ents did not necessarily dance in the way one might anticipate other creatures to dance. They did so with slow gestures, done in a synchronized pattern, swaying left and right, then bending as a wind might take them. A step in a circular direction would take them all further out, spiraling as if caught in the tide of a whirlpool, and then the movements would start again, braiding into a new assortment of patterns. Were Legolas alone and not pressed by time, he could have spent days watching just this.

As it was, he did so until the sun rose, and then he and the dwarf reunited. To Legolas' relief Gimli remained hale and whole, despite his lack of sleep, and with no discernible change in his stature. It was then that Legolas decided perhaps he might try the pale brew.

"You will drink then?" the dwarf asked.

"I will try it," Legolas agreed. "Just a small amount though." To that the dwarf delivered a large bowl of the clear liquid and put it before the elf. Tentatively did Legolas lift it and put it to his lips. And then he drank.

He had not thought the effect would be so great or so quick. He swayed under its power, stunned by the sudden weakening he felt in his knees. He was dismayed by his reaction, but also stunned to realize that the drink was more sensation than flavor. He could feel the liquid sliding down his throat, and as it did, he felt the heat of it roll through him, working from the inside outward. It was almost like the sensation of drinking a fine cordial, but different in that it soothed in a gentler and greater way, like the effect of a song. The drink worked over him and he felt infinitely brightened as the moment passed, though there had been nothing dim in his mood before. That would have been enough to tell him the full of its effects, but he noticed then something else. It was quite astonishing.

"It is gone," he gasped.

"Legolas?" Gimli asked as he came quickly to the elf's side.

"It is gone! Gimli!"

"What? What is gone?" the dwarf asked, his brow creasing and worry plainly visible within his eyes.

"The sea. I cannot… hear it -- feel it," Legolas incredulously whispered. The sea, which was almost a constant drone in his mind, was muted under the draught's effect. Legolas almost lost his legs in the relief of it.

"Because of the drink?"

"Aye!"

Gimli's laughter sounded loud in the elf's ears. "Then drink more!" he exclaimed.

Laughing as well, Legolas closed his eyes with his second sip, savoring the mellowing calm it gave him. With an effect like this, he wished to drink only the tonic. Finding enough wit about him to speak, he turned to Lendglad and asked, "This is truly magical!"

"It does you good, does it not, little elf?"

"I should say so! You are practically glowing, Legolas," Gimli commented.

"I feel wonderful," the elf agreed, "but I would know the ingredients of this beverage if you would tell me," Legolas said to Lendglad.

"I would tell. Indeed I would, if I had the ingredients to give, that is. Alas, hoomhoom, all I can tell you is that this draught draws forth from the springs of the earth. Our roots do not touch it for it delves deep into the rock," Lendglad said.

"From the ground?" Gimli asked. "Nonsense! I have drunk many draughts in my life before this, but never one that made me quite so merry. I believe I know what you hint at and I will tell you this is not simply water."

"No, no, I think not, hoohooooooooooom. But I will say that each Ent builds his home around these springs. It is what makes our homes 'home', to an Ent at least," Lendglad slowly said.

"A gift from Yavanna," Legolas sighed. "And perhaps Irmo as well. So that is why the forest stays so contained and has not spread in all its millennia." Then he looked with clearer eyes on the Ent. "May I see where you draw this drink?"

"Of course, of course, of course." And so he was shown the place where water poured from the cracks of a stone wall and into a basin at the foot of it, spilling out and creating a brook. He tasted it, and indeed found it still to be the magical elixir.

"Perhaps my jest from earlier was not so much a jest. Can you imagine the fortune to be made if one could bottle this brew?" Gimli asked.

"Somehow I do not believe the magic would hold once it was removed from its source," Legolas replied thinking about that.

"Still, with this I can imagine no tree in these lands to wish to venture far from here," Gimli said.

"You forget the Ent-wives, Gimli," Legolas reminded. The thought of their departure and the Ents' loneliness saddened him suddenly.

But Lendglad interjected, "Do not fear for them, Master Legolas, for Ents and Ent-wives survive rather well when they put a mind to it. I cannot say for sure, for I am not an Ent-wife, but from my own experience I can guess that the magic may have followed them."

"You mean they brought water with them?" Gimli asked in confusion.

"What I mean, Master Dwarf, is that the magic is hroohoom within them, just the same as it is within all the elves," the Ent replied.

The comment appeared to make little sense to Gimli. "I have yet to see elves turn water into wine," he mumbled.

"Nonono, but elves indeed have the power to enchant a land," Lendglad said, but his mood had grown slow and somber.

Legolas felt distressed. "I am sorry, Lendglad, if mention of the Ent-wives saddens you," Legolas said.

"Hoommmm. Sorrow is a part of how we live as Ents. We will always have our regrets, I am afraid. Not all of us are as spirited and friendly as you saw last night," the Ent said.

"Indeed," Gimli confirmed, and Legolas knew the dwarf was again speaking of the strange Ent they had encountered, but the elf directed his next question to the Ent.

"Are these the ones with the 'blackened hearts' as Treebeard had said? What would cause trees to go so afoul?" Legolas asked.

"Who can say? Who can say? Perhaps it is a chink left unattended and allowed to rot. Hoooom. Perhaps it is a bad spell of weather that dries up or muddies one's roots. Perhaps it is just in the nature of the creature to have some bad within them. There are those in Fangorn that fit these ills, yes, but such exists in all kingdoms, or at least I would guess it so. Surely little elf, little dwarf, you can think of some among your people that you might say had 'blackened hearts'?" Lendglad asked.

Nodding his head as in agreement, Legolas said, "Still, it sets me to despair to think more trees had gone dark over the last many years. Do you think they might find a cure?"

The Ent leaned back then and seemed to grow taller in that moment, like a teacher looking pleased with the reply of a student. "Hoohooooooooom. All things can be healed, I believe, I believe. Of course, the body must be cured first, but sometimes all it takes is forgiveness."

Legolas did not have time to really consider that as Gimli asked, "I suppose then we should try to forgive the Ent who tried to make us leave upon our arrival."

"Upon your arrival? Arrival you say? An Ent tried to keep you out?" The tree-like creature seemed to be upset to hear this news.

Sensing a deep brooding from Lendglad, Legolas replied, "It was more like he was trying to get us to stay hidden, as if he was concerned that we not make our presence known. He said he did not want Treebeard to know we were here."

The old cedar cocked his head as if in thought about this revelation, "And what did he look like, vrhoomhooom, I wonder?"

Legolas thought for a moment before answering. "He was rather oak-like in appearance, I think. And his top branches were bare, as if they had been damaged by a blight or fire."

Lendglad's mood seemed to grow cheerless then, his brow relaxing into a strained expression. "Ah, ah, that would be Mithtaur. Hooooooooooom. Hoooooooooom. Greywood, you would call him, Master Dwarf. I apologize for anything he might have said to you. His story is a sad one and he has his reasons for acting odd."

"It is said there are many peculiarities of the wood," Legolas replied.

"Truetrue, and much history as well." Lendglad nodded.

"And history is what we came to know. But we will not press for Greywood's story. It would not be seemly to share it, I think. Just tell us what we might say to him to avoid ire should we meet again in the forest," the elf replied.

"Humhoom Hoom. Though Greywood may have given the impression otherwise, he would hurt no one or nothing. He tends a grove of sickly trees and a swale that was sent to ruin in darker days. At heart, he is not black though his story is a regrettable one. He was too caring to remove himself from his task and the harm that came to him in those days lives still in these."

"It sounds to be a compelling tale. I would love to hear it," Gimli replied. The dwarf had found a comfortable spot at the base of a gnarly willow, and he settled in as if he were a child about to get a bedtime story.

Legolas gave a scornful look to his companion. Again the dwarf was showing poor manners, but again the dwarf seemed not to care. He frowned at Legolas then, as if he had taken notice of the elf's expression, but he was obviously not about to apologize leaving Legolas only to sigh in his exasperation. Then turning to Lendglad he said, "My stout friend seems to have lost his manners. We would not intrude on private matters."

"Hum hum," the tree erupted with laughter. "Oh no need for manners here, dear, little elf. The nibenthavron-ned-gathrod are all this way. They speak their minds. There is something in that that we Ents find refreshing. Yet Dwarves do not wander in their thoughts like us. Dwarves are abrupt and purposeful. And so it has been for past generations, though I know of no recent dwarf visits. Still, I recall the likes of Narvi, and the others, and they were much like him."

"Narvi, the dwarf? You knew of him?" Gimli said with newly piqued curiosity. Legolas could practically see the dwarf's beard twitching with excitement.

"Indeed I did, though our acquaintance was brief. And because his companion was as your companion, he always came with Celebrimbor, and he I knew as well."

"Celebrimbor and Narvi wandered these woods?" Legolas asked, his voice sounding as brightened as Gimli's. He was suddenly feeling that the forest was made that much the greater with this information. "What brought them here?"

"What indeed! Indeed! Indeed! Ah, but those were wandering days, and many elves came and left these woods then. Some even went so far as to try to settle here."

"Elves in Fangorn Forest?" Legolas asked in astonishment. "I cannot imagine a more wondrous thing! But why do none live here now?"

"Hummm hoom, and there we find ourselves where we began, for this tale and the one of Mithtaur are the same," Lendglad replied. "It happened in those times when Celebrimbor and Narvi wandered and openly worked together. They came, and so did many others from their realms."

"Hold there. Dwarves of Moria came here as well?" inquired Gimli.

Lendglad truly seemed to smile, and with a look much like a parent to a child, he said, "Settle in then, friends, and I will tell all. You are weary, and you must feel it by now. The festivities will continue for many days yet, so better to find your rest if you are to join in. Find your comfort, and I will speak all."

As if by suggestion, Legolas yawned. It had been a long time since he had yawned. Perhaps it was not so wrong to delve into the life of one Ent. That is, if it promised a tale of history as well. He then climbed into one of the lower branches of the tree. His position gave him the opportunity to recline. The relief from the sea-longing eased him tremendously and he was truly feeling his fatigue now. And so, reclining in the low branch, the elf followed Lendglad's direction and made a place of comfort for himself. It felt almost as if the tree wrapped arms around him and he felt restful and at ease. And then Lendglad's voice started to drone softly, telling a tale of an Entish past.

"It was not such a long time ago by an Ent's reckoning, but to a dwarf or a man or a tree, or for that matter to anyone who feels age, it was a great distance of time past," Lendglad began. "Many trees have parted since, and I dare think even a greater number of men and dwarves have parted too hooomhooomhooom. But what is most tragic is that those who should not have parted have, and that those who remain live on with damaged lives.

"But you see, the forest was a different place then. The trees were far more alive and active in those days than now. A good many trees had voices full and strong. Perhaps that is why no elf deemed ever to live in these woods. There was no need. We Ents had done our job well at advancing what was here. We had tamed them and made them safe and whole, and the forest was a good place, not sleepy and dark as it is now, hooooooom. That came later.

"But at the time of this tale the wood was a fair place to visit and the enchantment of the elves was not needed to make it thrive.

"That is not to say that elves did not come here. Hooom. In the wandering times, many elves came to the wood. Nandor, Sindar, Noldor, and Silvan. Even the Vanyar were here in the ancient days. The green elves came, but the voices of the trees worried them, and they feared the freedom of the roaming wilderness. The Noldor respected us too much, and worried their presence would hurt us. Oooohoom. The Sindarin elves seemed a merry lot, but they were a wayward folk and did not seem to settle easily. And so on. There was always a reason that the forest was not right for an elven home.

"It was Celebrimbor who led Narvi and the dwarves into this land and it was Treebeard who greeted and hosted them. They walked many miles through these woods, and the tongues of the dwarves were much like the tongue of you, Master Gimli. They were sharp and ready and round with laughter and cheer. They brought us much amusement, and for a time, many of us Ents thought they might remain. But it was not so destined."

Lendglad's voice was rich and somber as he began the tale and Legolas found his mind drifting with the words, as if he could envision the events occurring within his mind's eye. This was the way of reverie, both aware of the real world, and living in a place where thought came to life.

"The first time Celebrimbor came to these woods, he was alone. He had been traveling between Moria and Lothlorien, visiting those realms and finishing tasks of one sort or another. I confess to know little of his business. But he had met with Treebeard then, and together they talked of future visits. He had been moved in his journey by the wonders of this wood, and he said that he had come because he had been told of the great beauty in these lands." The Ent chuckled. "He was right in this, of course." And to this, Legolas could see the forest as it was in those days.

Great vales and terraced slopes were green with life. These were happy days. The realm was different, not so ancient and thick as it was now. He could see the figure of an elf, a Noldor who was not of the woods, walking stiffly and regally through the lands. He knew just by silhouette that this was how Celebrimbor would be.

"In his second visit he brought Narvi the dwarf with him, and on subsequent visits the dwarf brought other dwarves." And here Legolas imagined the heavy traipse of dwarven boots rattling in the thickets and figures stooping to sniff the soil and stomp the ground. Lendglad went on. "They went searching for caves in these lands, you see," and Legolas laughed for the comment fit so well with how he would have imagined it.

"Did they find any?" Legolas heard Gimli ask, excitement evident in the dwarf's voice. The query roused the elf from the beginnings of his reverie. If Gimli would cease speaking, he might re-attain it, for the Ent's voice was melodic in its deep sound, and Legolas found it pleasant to hear.

"Caves? Indeed, they did, they did. It was in the northern lands, in Mithtaur's part of the wood," Lendglad replied.

"Mithtaur!"

"Aye, yes, aye, But if you suspect that is the reason for his troubles you would be wrong. His troubles were from other sources."

"What did they find in the caves?" Gimli asked, quickly changing the topic, and that irritated Legolas. They might never get to the beginning of this tale if the dwarf persisted in asking questions.

"Naught. There was naught for their labors. Some green clay, they brought forth, but not enough to make its delving worth the effort, or so they said."

"Copper. I see," Gimli said. He sounded disappointed.

"Copper! Yes, that was the name of the orange metal they made from what they melted. They did not appear happy."

"No, they would not be."

"The dwarves did not come back, save Narvi. He came with Celebrimbor. And there was that other elf, the one from the -- hoomhoom -- guild. Yes, guild -- that is what they called it. He followed the golden elf closely. And for a few years after, more elves appeared."

"Tell me more," Gimli said, and Legolas could tell the dwarf's interest was piqued despite the fact that great gems were not prevalent in these lands.

"Of the other elves or of the dwarf?" Lendglad asked.

"All. And Celebrimbor too. You said they all fit in the tale." Now, Legolas thought, we resume the tale.

"I did. I did. Oh dear, but I am being cryptic, am I not? So unlike an Ent. But the tale is long, master dwarf, and I try to tell it in haste. Mortals are so frail. I would not wish you to expire in the time it might take to tell in its full."

Gimli snorted. "Whilst I appreciate that, I'm certain I would grow impatient were the story to go on so long. Perhaps if you told me of the elves that came to settle here. Why did they come?"

"Why? Why? That is a question only they could answer, for every one had a reason all their own. But it might be that they fell in love with Mithtaur's lands. I will tell you of that, if you like. I will tell you of the day when the guild elf and Celebrimbor and Narvi came. It was a first for the elf of the guild. He had never accompanied the other two on a journey before, and he was astonished by the sight of what was presented to him."

"Will this explain what occurred with Mithtaur?"

"In a way, yes, yes, it will."

It was enough. They might never get to the story at this rate and the discussion was doing nothing to aid Legolas in attaining rest!

"Perhaps if you waited and just heard what was said, your answers would come, Gimli," Legolas scolded. The annoyance in his voice was quite clear. Legolas knew he was as eager to hear the story as the dwarf, but the constant search for more was only slowing its progress.

"Very well. Peace, Legolas. Peace then … carry on, Sweettree. I will be silent," the dwarf said. To give in so easily made it clear that the dwarf truly was in a pleasant mood and Legolas immediately felt guilty for speaking so curtly. On the other hand, Gimli could be heard leaning back and growing silent. Legolas knew then that the tale would be allowed to be told as it should. He would take that.

Thus, Legolas let go. He let what was natural take him to his ease of full restfulness. His body needed this peace, as did his mind.

The distant treesong that accompanied Lendglad's tale then had a tranquilizing effect. The timbre of the multitude of voices made them seem as if they were all about him and uttered only for his ear. "Rest. Rest is what you need. Lay back. Hear our voices, little elf. Let us sing and tell you our tales. We will help you to heal. Restrestrest. Sleeeeep…"

And Legolas found himself wishing for nothing more. Sleep. How comforting it was. How healing. He understood then just how damaged he was. The sea plagued him in ways he had not realized, and this relief showed him how deeply he had been wounded. But with the drink and with Lendglad's words, he was free. He could sleep -- and dream -- as he had not done for quite a long time.

TBC

nibenthavron-ned-gathrod - small builders of the caves