Chapter 9
Legolas and Tirinvo rode north for several days after the first day of riding north-east to the border. They often saw signs of recent orc passage outside of the Elves' land. None dared cross the invisible line demarking Lord Elrond's keep. But that did not mean they would not cross in the future. Luckily, the Elves saw none of the foul creatures themselves.
Legolas was troubled by the closeness of the orc tracks and at one point commented on it.
"I cannot believe orcs dare come so close to Imladris," he said after they had re-mounted and rode away from the tracks.
Tirinvo shook his head. "It is disturbing, Legolas. I have been going on border patrols for centuries. It is only recently that these foul creatures have dared come so close."
"Very disturbing, indeed. I have grown accustomed to seeing orcs and spiders in Mirkwood, but never thought..." he trailed off, his blue eyes troubled.
"Alas, I know."
"Especially with the strength Lord Elrond commands," Legolas mused.
Tirinvo looked sharply at him, but the prince wisely did not complete his thought.
"Has there been any difference in the past few years?" the blond Elf questioned.
"Since the Battle of the Five Armies and the fight at Dol Guldor?" Tirinvo replied with his own question.
"Yes," was the simple response.
The Imladris Elf sighed deeply. "It has not gotten better, as many of us hoped it would. Worse?" he stopped his horse and shrugged. "It has slowly gotten worse for many years. I do not think it has increased."
"That is something to be thankful for," Legolas replied in a tone that was decidedly neutral. Tirinvo understood completely.
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The two quickly became good friends. They had known each other by sight, but had not spent a great deal of time together previously. They spent most of the long hours exchanging stories and singing songs, as well as watching for orcs. Tirinvo also enjoyed giving Legolas orders as the prince had requested. Many were simply for fun and the Elves enjoyed friendly arguments whether Legolas should do them or not.
After the one conversation about orcs encroaching on Imladris' borders, they did not discuss it in detail again. They merely noted all of the signs of the creatures.
Tirinvo told Legolas about his wife and children, both of whom were now grown and married. "Hopefully I will be a grandfather before long," Tirinvo told Legolas one afternoon. "They have both been married long enough."
Legolas laughed. "My father felt the same way for a long time before Sorontor and Melime had my nephew. My brother married Melime late and then they waited even longer before having Narcalimo. He is only 34 years now."
"Your poor father. And you still are not married. Shame on you!" Tirinvo said jokingly.
"You do sound like my father. And Melime. We were friends growing up, but never loved each other as mates. She has now decided she needs to find me a wife. I have told her she should not meddle, but she just grins and continues."
Tirinvo started laughing and Legolas joined him. When they stopped, Legolas smiled. "Melime thinks that I have found an Elf here and that is the reason for recent visits."
"Have you?" Tirinvo regarded him seriously, but the twinkle in his green eyes belied the expression.
"What? Are you going to start play matchmaker too?" Legolas mocked growled.
"No. I will leave that to my wife," he replied innocently.
Legolas laughed softly and responded. "But, just maybe, you might mention to her that a certain Elf from Mirkwood is single?"
Tirinvo grinned but did not reply.
After a long silence, Tirinvo breached it with a question. "So why have you come so often recently?"
"I have had a valid reason each time," Legolas said defensively.
"Peace. I meant no harm or insult." Tirinvo held a hand up in a placating gesture and stopped his horse. Legolas' horse stopped on its own accord.
Legolas sighed and looked at his companion steadily. "I am sorry, Tirinvo." He shook his head and his eyes went distant with memory. With an effort, he brought himself back to the present. "You did not deserve that reply." He paused again. "The first was at my father's request. The darkness at Dol Guldor was so evil and growing stronger, he needed to make sure Lord Elrond was aware."
Tirinvo nodded as Legolas continued.
"The second, we heard of the White Council's decision to finally fight and we wanted to offer our support." Legolas stopped.
"But Mithrandir told you it was not needed." Tirinvo supplied when Legolas did not speak.
Legolas' mouth tightened as he remembered the slight, or the perceived slight, he amended. Obviously Mithrandir and Elrond knew about the Dwarves and that Mirkwood's army would be needed elsewhere. Still, the dismissal had originally enraged both him and his family.
Tirinvo saw the play of emotions across Legolas' face and after a few moments spoke again to draw the prince back into the present. "And it was a good thing. Otherwise the orcs would have overrun the Dwarves and have possession of Erebor and who knows what else."
The Mirkwood Elf flashed his companion a grateful smile. "Thank you, my friend."
Tirinvo inclined his head in acknowledgment.
"And this time," Legolas began again, picking up the thread of his reasons for visiting, "I used the excuse to see what effect the fight had."
"But that was not the real reason?"
"No. I have grown fond of Estel and it has been much too long since Elrohir, Elladan and I have spent time together. I enjoy seeing them."
Legolas' horse snorted and shifted its weight impatiently. "Alright, Cordof, we will continue moving." At his words, both Elves urged their horses forward. Legolas continued speaking as if no pause had ever occurred. "It had been over three centuries since we last got together until recently. And all of these recent visits have been short."
Tirinvo nodded as he scanned the forest around them. "Elladan and Elrohir have always enjoyed visiting with you. That I know."
"And I them."
"Why so long then?"
Legolas flashed a quick look at Tirinvo but the other Elf's face betrayed nothing. He snorted rudely and then grinned. It seemed he had picked up a habit of Estel's.
"As if you did not know."
Tirinvo grinned slightly. "There are rumors of an incident that happened the last time they visited you."
Legolas flexed an eyebrow as he flushed guiltily. "Rumors?"
"Rumors – you three did something that made your father furious. The twins left on less than good terms and have not dared to visit since." The Elf shrugged. "That is all I know and all anyone else does also."
"That is enough." Legolas replied. When Tirinvo tried to question him further, the Elf become tight-lipped and would say no more. Eventually, Tirinvo gave up.
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One evening at dusk, the two rode onto an open hill. The forest they had been riding through had gradually given way to rolling plain over the last half-day. From the hill, they could see in every direction. After dismounting and caring for the horses, the Elves stood and enjoyed the panoramic view.
"This is the last point we travel to, Legolas."
"It is beautiful," he replied, turning to the east to view the Misty Mountains.
"Yes. I never tire of it."
They camped and stayed awake late into the night watching the stars. Legolas rose early the next morning and stood silently watching the sun rise over the mountains. First, a sliver of sky lightened to a pale blue. Then the sliver widened and gradually pink crept into the sky. Finally, the sun's ray streamed around the taller peaks. Only then, did Legolas stir and look at Tirinvo, who had watched the latter part of the sun's rising, with a smile.
"That was," he stopped searching for the right word. He shook his head when he could not find it.
"I know. It defies description," Tirinvo said.
"I do not think I have ever seen anything more beautiful."
"It is difficult to find something to match that."
With an effort, Legolas shook off his awe. "Time to head back, I suppose."
"Yes, it is."
After a quick breakfast, the Elves mounted and headed down the hill. Soon they were back in the trees. It was after noon when Legolas reined Cordof to a stop. He stared into the trees. A small clearing lay directly ahead. Tirinvo stopped also and glanced back at Legolas. Both horses shook their heads and snorted. Orchal, Tirinvo's mare, danced slightly.
"Do you see something?" Tirinvo asked quietly.
"No, but something does not feel right."
"I agree. As does Orchal." The brown-haired Elf patted the horse on the neck trying to calm it.
"What should we do?" Legolas asked as he reached behind him and grabbed his bow and an arrow. Tirinvo smiled grimly and echoed his movements.
"We find out what we sense." He slowly urged the mare forward staying in the shadow of the trees. Legolas followed, straining his senses to detect something.
Suddenly, a foul smell reached him. Before he could say anything, Cordof and Orchal reared in fright. Both Elves slipped off the horses' backs, but before they could regain their balance, arrows came flying at them.
"Orcs!" Tirinvo said with disgust.
With dawning horror, Legolas looked around and saw more orcs than he and Tirinvo could hope to defeat. The horses had disappeared, leaving them stranded and surrounded.
TBC…
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A/N: Er, cliffie? C'mon, you can't tell me you didn't expect them to run into a problem at some point. This is Legolas after all. Reviews are greatly appreciated.
