Until Hope Awakes Me
Chapter 9: There and Back Again

A final ripple went through the water and nothing more was shown. Legolas stepped back from the mirror and looked up at Galadriel. The lady of light watched him calmly.

"Hannon le brennil nin," Legolas said quietly. "I saw…"

"I know what you saw, for it was in my mind as well," she told him. Legolas nodded, he had heard of Galadriel's gift of sight. He had also heard rumors that Elrond possessed this gift but had never seen it.

"Will all there things happen as I saw them?" Legolas questioned.

"Perhaps," Galadriel told him. "Events can always be changed. The path your heart chooses and the involvement of others may change things." Legolas was quiet as he listened and then thought. Galadriel watched him content for him to make his own decisions.

Legolas looked up from where he had been staring at the grass. He met Galadriel's eyes and did something she was not expecting. Legolas smiled.

"Hannon le brennil nin. You have given me much insight to what is to come." Legolas bowed and then turned to leave her. Galadriel watched him walk and begin to climb the steps before he stopped and looked back at her. "Brennil nin?"

"Yes Legolas?" She questioned.

"I do not know if it is my place to ask but… Estel?"

"Estel has his own clouded path to find." Legolas frowned. "However, with friendship, Estel shall perhaps surprise us all." Galadriel gave him a secretive sort of smile. Legolas watched her for a moment but then gave her his own smile. He turned and continued up the steps leaving Galadriel to her own thoughts.

Galadriel waited until she knew Legolas was gone before she poured some new water into her fountain. She waited for the ripples to fade and then watched the scenes play. When the water went blank once more she smiled to herself.

"I thought so," she mused and then left the fountain. "It is time things be set into motion."

---

"It is time…" Those words echoed in Tithenaraf's mind. He stared up at the moon through one of the few openings of Mirkwood Forest's thick canopy. "Time… time for what?" He thought in confusion. An image of Legolas's smiling face flashed through his mind. Tithenaraf's eyes widened, it was time… time for Legolas to return to Mirkwood.

Turning quickly he walks back into the palace. Hurrying through the dimly lit hallways to Thranduil's study. Although it was late Tithenaraf knew that Thranduil would not be sleeping yet. He knocked and waited for some sort of acknowledgement from the other side before he opened the door and stepped inside.

Thranduil looked up from the paper's he was reading. He gave Tithenaraf a nod. This small action gave Tithenaraf the permission to speak.

"Suilad hir nin," Tithenaraf stated with a bow.

"Suilad Tithenaraf. What brings you here at this hour?" Thranduil questioned.

"I seek your permission to travel to Imladris hir nin," Tithenaraf answered.

"Imladris? For what reason?" Thranduil asked.

"I wish to speak with Lord Elrond," Tithenaraf lied, not sure how to explain the words about time that had been in his head. Thranduil stared at him for a moment before he nodded.

"You have my permission to go at first light," Thranduil told him. Tithenaraf gave him a small smile and bowed once more before he turned and left the room to pack. First light would come quickly.

When first light came the patrol escorted him to the edge of the forest. Tithenaraf had to blink at the brightness of the land outside of the darkness of Mirkwood. The captain of the patrol cleared his throat to get Tithenaraf's attention.

"You know the time it takes our patrol. It would be advised that when you return to wait for our patrol to escort you back. To find out where we are just make a bird call and should you hear a reply we are close," Captain Elyon explained. Tithenaraf nodded.

"Hannon le Captain," Tithenaraf told him. "Namarie." With that final word said Tithenaraf urged his horse forward. Once he was out of sight the patrol went on their way.

---

The time in Lothlorien passed quickly and before Estel know it the time had come for them to return to Imladris. Everything had been packed and secured to the horses for their return trip. The elves said their farewells, everyone but Estel mounting up. Elrond held his hand down to help his son up. Estel bit his lip and looked back at Galadriel.

"Estel?" Elrond questioned. Estel looked up at him.

"Just a minute ada," he said quickly and ran towards Galadriel. The lady of light kneeled down catching him as he gave her a big hug. She smiled as she wrapped her arms around him.

"Lothron Elbereth berio le neth Estel," she whispered. Estel smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Hannon le brennil nin," he said quietly. She let him go and he ran back to Elrond. His ada smiled at him as he helped Estel into the saddle in front of himself.

"Tenna' ento lye omenta," Elrond said before he turned his horse, letting it take the first steps of their return journey. Legolas gave Galadriel a smile of his own before he turned his horse and followed Elrond.

"Lothron Elbereth berio le sui mae mell Legolas," Galadriel thought.

---

8 Days Later…

They all breathed a sigh of relief as they reached the top of the hill that overlooked Imladris. Estel cheered, happy to finally be home.

-Seylin-

A/N: I'm very unsatisfied with how long this chapter turned out to be but my plans for the next three chapters refused to allow me to make this longer. Please forgive me.

Elvish Translation
Hannon le brennil nin – Thank you my lady
Suilad hir nin – Greetings my lord
Namarie – Farewell
Ada – Dad
Lothron Elbereth berio le neth Estel – May Elbereth protect you young Hope.
Tenna' ento lye omenta – Until we meet again
Lothron Elbereth berio le sui mae mell Legolas – May Elbereth protect you as well dear Legolas