Bound by the Forest

Epilogue

It is entirely conceivable that life's splendor lies in wait about each one of us in all its fullness, but veiled from view, deep down, invisible, far off. It is there, though, not hostile, not reluctant, not deaf. If you summon it by the right word, by its right name, it will come. This is the essence of magic, which does not create, but summons.

- Franz Kafka

Legolas stood on the balcony, arms leaning against the cold rail, as he looked up at the stars. It had been a routine that the had done every night since his stay at Minas Tirith. He knew not what drew him from his slumber, to the glittering sky night after night, only that something was calling to him and he tried his best to answer.

"Is it the dreams again that keep you from your bed?"Aragorn asked as he walked out onto the balcony. Legolas did not reply until the man was standing next to him, arms crossed and back against the banister.

"I fear there is something I have forgotten," the elf told him. "Something that deserves remembering. It comes to me in my sleep every night, but it is gone as soon as I wake."

Aragorn smiled softly. "It is a woman," he said. "What else could trouble a man so?"

Legolas stared down at the orange leaf that he held in his hands. He did not remember how he came about owning it, but he kept it with him throughout his journey, taking it out of his tunic pocket whenever sleep denied him. It was a wonder that it held up through travel and battles, but it did. It was still supple and waxy, the veins full and color bright.

"It is life that I am living as I dream and when I wake, this world is menial in comparison," the elf said.

"You're merely restless," the man told him. "Soon you will be off with Gimli, traveling to Fangorn forest and visiting the Glittering Caves of Helm's Deep as you once promised."

"As I promised," Legolas repeated. "A man's word is his worth."

He shook his head, trying to remember, but could not. He had promised someone something. He had promised to return -

"A wise observation," Aragorn said, breaking through the elf's recollection. He patted the blonde's shoulder and made to leave. "Try to get some rest."

Legolas looked back to the stars as the king retreated from the balcony. He would not sleep that night.

"What is her name?" Aragorn said before he went back inside. "The woman in your dreams, what is she called?"

And in that moment Legolas could remember neither the sound of her voice nor even the color of her hair, only that she was there with him once, a dream fading into his thoughts where she will stay, locked up tight, until he could close his eyes and see her once more.

"She is the daughter of the trees," the elf said with a faint smile. "Galadhiell."

-X-x-X-

Under the cloak of night, far away from Minas Tirith, a spirit was leaving her forest -

Finished!

Sorry about the two short chapters. I'm going to change some things around and add more for later viewing.

Thank you all for reading and sticking with me through this story! I love you all!