CHAPTER 9

Gandalf set out towards the mountain early the following morning, just as the first rays of sunlight fought their way through hill and valley. He was pensive, moving along with a brisk pace while brooding in his own thoughts. He had decided to leave his horse behind and walk all the way to the mountain instead, for he needed to clear, if somewhat slightly, the thoughts that had kept him awake for most of the previous night.

It was in his nature to brood and delve deeply into things, however small or trivial they might seem. He never overlooked anything, no detail escaped his scrutiny. Due to this it was not the first time that he was accused of making a mountain out of a molehill. His thoughts wandered to both Saruman the White and Thranduil…well, he had been right all along for Sauron and the forces of darkness had really returned to power as he had foretold!

But his self-satisfied grin slowly faded from his face as soon as the image of the Elvenking crossed his mind. His thoughts travelled to the bizarre events that had occurred the day before and once again Gandalf felt this strange feeling which he couldn't quite explain.

Or perhaps he could! A thought…as impossible and unbelievable as it may seem…took form in the light of yesterday's strange tale. Gandalf had tried to dismiss it as completely insane at first; yet it lingered there, at the back of his mind, tugging at his more common sense, until further evidence and the others' comments made it seem more of an idea that he could actually consider.

He had kept his mouth shut, hadn't said a word to anyone about what was going on in his mind. He did not want to raise anybody's hopes before he was certain…absolutely sure about all this!

The wizard put his hand in his pocket and felt the necklace safely tucked in there. He gulped down and inhaled deeply in his excitement. He knew that once he reached the mountain, the dwarves will confirm what he already felt was the truth. In spite of himself, his lips curled up into a joyous grin only to chide himself the next moment, call himself a fool and double up his pace, eager to hear what the dwarves had to say.

Entering Erebor was a sight to behold. Gandalf hadn't been inside the mountain for many months now and he took note immediately of all the changes and improvements that had taken place since then. No sign of the dragon remained, for all the parts, corridors and rooms that had been destroyed by that foul serpent had been rebuilt and made opulent, to dwarfish standards of course. For one can still not compare their building techniques to those of the elves, the latter being much fonder to the use of light and brighter colours, even when they built their dwellings inside mountains. Dwarves, on the other hand, still preferred the darker shades.

No sooner had he started to follow the dwarf who had opened the gates for him, than he was greeted by a very familiar and most welcoming voice.

"Gandalf! My dear friend, welcome! Welcome to Erebor!" this other dwarf exclaimed, his arms outstretched, white beard reaching almost to his knees.

"Balin! It is so good to see you again!" replied the wizard warmly at the sight of his old friend who was very well dressed and looking to be in the best of health. "You look well, and how are the others faring?"

Balin quickly recounted what each one of the other nine dwarves who had set out on that adventure more than a year ago, was doing at that precise moment. Gandalf couldn't help notice how his warm smile slowly faded at the end, most probably as he remembered the other three who should have been with them, partaking in the rebirth of Erebor. But alas, it was not to be!

The clouded look quickly cleared again as Balin turned to face the wizard once more. "So, what can the dwarves do for you today Master Gandalf? For I do not believe you simply stopped by for greetings!"

"You know me all too well Balin!" Gandalf answered with a twinkle in his eye. "I came here on some urgent business and I need to see your king. I also believe that you both might help us find some answers to our questions."

"Us? Who is us if I may ask?" replied the dwarf perplexed. But his questions were abruptly cut short. "Excuse me my friend, but this story is by far too long and complicated to be told half way down a corridor, and I also have no time to recount it twice! So, if you don't mind, I would like to meet Dain as soon as possible!"

Balin was clearly taken by surprise at Gandalf's sudden serious and urgent tone so, without further delay, he led him quickly down the corridors leading directly to King Dain's study.

The king under the mountain was not quite what one would call a very welcoming fellow. Gruff and unreasonable would have fit his description much better. Like with the rest, war had changed men, elves and dwarves alike, and King Dain was no exception. Well, gruff he remained still yet to a much lesser extent than before.

"Come in!" he bellowed from inside and then showing his surprise at seeing Gandalf at the door. "And what brings the wise wizard back to the mountain, if you don't mind me askin'?" he questioned bluntly hands on hips. Gandalf grinned. There was no beating around the bush with Dain and, considering the business he had at hand, he didn't mind in the least.

Gandalf went in, followed by Balin who closed the doors behind them. "I have come because I need your expert advice, and yours too Balin," said the wizard turning to face the other dwarf, "on a piece of jewellery. I was hoping that you might shed some light on its origin."

Gandalf approached the desk behind which Dain had sat down and, taking out the necklace from his pocket, placed it delicately in front of the dwarf, watching carefully for the king's first reaction.

Dain's eyes opened wide as he held it and examined it thoroughly. Balin as well didn't take his eyes off it for a moment. Gandalf knew immediately that they both had something to say about it.

"You came to the wrong place!" barked Dain, in his normal tone of voice.

"What do you mean?" Gandalf was puzzled at this statement.

"I mean that this doesn't belong to us. Not any more to be exact. The handwork, the rays of the star and the rest of the chain is mithril and it was made here in this mountain. Yet the bright white gem in the centre is not one of those found here. It is too clear."

"So…?" Gandalf looked at them, too eager to let Dain finish what he had to say.

"I've seen gems like these before. I'm so sure I'd wager the Arkenstone that this is part of the same set of jewellery."

"What set of jewellery?" repeated Gandalf, who by now could not hide his excitement any longer.

"The ones Bard gave to the pretty princess."

"What princess?" said the wizard now confused.

"Thranduil, who else?" laughed Dain irreverently. Balin giggled and Gandalf, ignoring the last remark, felt definitely very pleased with himself.

Gandalf wasn't the only one who hadn't been able to sleep the previous night. Although he tried not to show that it had troubled him so much, the sight of the sword had not only taken Legolas by surprise, but it had shocked him greatly.

It was for this reason that he also set off at sunrise in the direction of the woods. He needed some time alone…needed time to think. And what better place other than in the comfort of the familiar trees? Not long after following the main path he found himself in an open space and it was there, on the soft grass, that he sat down resting his back against an old oak tree.

Looking up towards the sky he couldn't help but admire the beautiful hues created by the early morning sun. It was so calm and serene over here, in complete contrast with the turmoil going on inside his head. He smiled to himself as he remembered the carefree days of when he was younger, hunting in the woods, fishing with his friends, riding his horse, patrolling the borders with Tauriel.

Tauriel. He drew in a deep breath. He never knew exactly when feelings of friendship had changed into deeper ones of love and longing. He was only certain of one thing. Her interest in that dwarf had made his worst emotions come to the surface. He still could not understand the jealousy he had felt whenever he had seen her talking to Kili. She had seemed so much at ease, as if opening her heart to a complete stranger (and a dwarf at that!) was one of the most natural things to do.

She had never acted like that with him. Always stopped short from opening her heart too much. Thinking again of what Gandalf had told him on his way to Dale, Legolas knew that he was right. Tauriel was no fool. Although he wasn't of the same opinion, she knew that it was inconceivable for a Sindar prince to pledge himself to a Silvan elf. She must have been told that innumerable times. His father could have had something to do with it as well. Valar! How could he have been so blind?

He bit his lip and clutched at the grass around him. Thinking about it, he had never kept back from praising Tauriel's skills as a warrior, especially in front of his father. His true feelings were laid out as clear as crystal under the scrutiny of the Elvenking. He wouldn't be surprised if Ada had mentioned it to her.

It was then that he understood that he needed to act more cautiously, especially if he is to be given a second chance. This thought made him smile to himself, for he had never for a single moment stopped thinking about her all these months that he had been away. If this was meant to be, he promised himself that this time no elf, dwarf or man was going to come between them.

It was the sound of her laughter that jolted him back to reality. She was approaching the glade where he was resting and she was not alone. It was strange. It had been ages since he had heard that sweet, merry laughter. But who was she talking to?

His question was soon answered as they stepped into the open space from the density of the trees and foliage. Sharing her joke was none other than the mysterious elleth they had met yesterday…the reason why he had sought for some privacy here in the first place. The sword flashed again across his mind. How had she come in its possession? Had it been a gift or had it been stolen? And what about the elleth herself? The way she spoke…the way she looked at him made him feel so uneasy…a feeling he was definitely not accustomed to. Who was she? There was something almost familiar in her…but what? For he was certain that they had never met before! By Eru, he needed answers and he couldn't wait until they returned to the Palace where he was sure that his father would shed some light on the matter.

"Good morning Prince Legolas," greeted him Star whilst giving him a warm smile.

"Good morning, my Lady, hope you rested well," he replied. He then turned his attention towards the other elleth. "Good morning Tauriel."

"Good morning, my Lord," was her brisk reply, avoiding all eye contact. This abrupt and cold exchange didn't go unnoticed in Star's eyes who immediately felt some sort of anguish going on between the two, which was a pity for, according to her, they seemed to make a nice couple. And from what she had gathered last night, they also had many a thing in common.

"We came looking for you as Star wanted to have a word with you," continued Tauriel in the same flat tone as before, quite in contrast with the relaxed and serene elleth she had been on her way here when she was describing enthusiastically the Palace and the caves in Mirkwood with sparkling eyes.

"Yes, and luckily for me Tauriel had noticed you making your way towards the woods, so we knew exactly where to come and look," added Star, making Tauriel's cheeks blush slightly and her eyes dart towards the other elleth, brow furrowed in confusion, not knowing what Star was actually aiming at.

Legolas got the hint and just managed to catch Star's half smirk before she continued with what she had come here for.

"I know that my sword took you by surprise," she said. "Here," removing it slowly from its sheath she handed it carefully to him. "I thought that maybe you might want to take another close look at it."

Legolas was taken by surprise at this gesture. Were his thoughts so transparent, in front of this elleth? But his mind went quickly back to the beauty of the weapon he was holding…so new yet so alarmingly familiar. An idea suddenly took form in his head. "Do you want to practice some sword fighting?" he suddenly proposed.

But his seemingly innocent suggestion hid an ulterior motive. He wanted to see her moves and how she was going to wield it. That would certainly say a lot about whether the sword actually belonged to her or not.

Star agreed without hesitation, sensing that something was amiss yet accepting the dare, also because there was an inner warrior deep within her that was yearning to find an equal match to her fighting abilities. Taking back the sword, she moved a few paces away, turning the weapon round in her hand with an agility and dexterity that were immediate proof that she definitely knew how to handle it. Not only that, but her stance and the way she held it as she slowly turned round to face him, as if it was in truth an extension of her own hand…well, only his father had a similar sword and held it like that! Valar! Instead of answers, his mind was gradually becoming more unclear and confused.

She attacked him then…and he was taken completely by surprise! Barely had he had any time to draw his own sword then she was all over the place, swift yet strong and, if it hadn't been a mere practice, deadly. Blow upon blow he held back in stupor also because the technique she was using was very similar to his own. He tried to put her in difficulty and corner her a couple of times but she held her own quite effectively and always managed to turn the tables round.

All these thoughts going on through his head were enough to distract him for at one point she managed to disarm him by sliding sideways and almost getting hit in the process.

"You are without doubt a woodland elf," said Legolas regaining his breath.

"And how did you come to that conclusion?" she inquired, still holding the sword to his chest.

"Because we are known as being less wise and more dangerous," put in Tauriel, impressed by what she had just witnessed.

Star seemed thoughtful as she was putting the sword back into its sheath. "So this means that there are different kinds of elves I presume?"

"Yes," answered Tauriel.

"And what about Mirkwood? Are there different kinds of elves there as well?"

This time Tauriel didn't answer. She looked at Legolas who seemed uncomfortable. "Yes," he finally said, "in our realm there are Sindar elves and Silvan elves."

Star was visibly confused and she looked at Legolas demanding more explanation. "The Silvan elves have lived in these lands since the beginning of time. The Sindar elves descend from the High Elves of Lindon and constitute the nobility in our realm… I am a Sindar elf." He said this hesitatingly and for the first time ever the words echoed hollow in his ears.

"While I am a Silvan elf," Tauriel was standing straight, jaw clenched, eyes betraying a mixture of emotions that was difficult to decipher. Her eyes were defiant yet Legolas could perceive the hurt underneath the bold surface.

Meanwhile Star stood there, looking calmly from one elf to the other until she finally said, "You have to excuse my frankness but what, may I ask, is the difference? For I see none!"