AN: I have decided that my chapters deserved names and to be honest it does make them easier to navigate.
I am trying to stay true to the words of Tolkien and the scripts of the wonderful films in the scenes that are familiar.
Messages, comments, reviews, follows are all wonderful please.
Legolas POV
The fellowship, lacking one of their members and fleeing for their lives rushed out of the Mines of Moria, onto an expanse of rocky terrain at the footfalls of the edge of the forest of Lothlorien.
They did not make it far before the company stopped in grief, for Gandalf had fallen in shadow to the last flick of the Balrog's flaming whip. The hobbits and Boromir had collapsed in anguish, the terror of what they had seen evident on their faces, whilst Frodo's large blue eyes were now haunted by sorrow. Gimli stood near the hobbits, bowing his head and leaning his weight heavily upon his axe as if it were the only thing keeping him upright.
Legolas himself still stood but he looked unseeing towards the ground with a frown marring his features as his chest heaved with the loss of someone he had known for so many hundreds of years.
How can Mithrandir be gone? Although one could walk through decades in between his visits, he was a constant presence. He was an ally and guide through our life in Arda but now he is no more! May his spirit find peace in the Halls of Mandos.
Servant of Morgoth, I curse you! May your spirit never be released from the void!
Only Aragorn remained moving, his long sword still drawn as his eyes scanned behind and in front of the company, looking for danger that would likely attempt to follow. It was clear that Isildur's heir would now rightfully guide them and none of the company could find the will to object for they needed the reassurance of a strong leader.
Although I am a Prince, it is not my part to play on this quest.
'Legolas…get them up.' Aragorn poured forth comfort and reassurance when he spoke the elf's name.
Legolas looked up in confusion at his friend's words for his very soul felt too heavy to move.
'Give them a moment, for pity's sake!' Boromir glared at Aragorn, who whirled around before replying.
'By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs! We must reach the woods of Lothlorien. Come, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, get them up. On your feet, Sam.'
True to his word, by sundown the company had reached the wood and after a brief time found themselves being hosted in safety by Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel in the heart of Caras Galadhon. The Lord and Lady had been shocked at the news of the death of Gandalf and a haunting melody could be heard throughout the forest that night in lament to Mithrandir.
The rest of the fellowship had drifted off into a deep and peaceful sleep by the soothing beauty of the wood but Legolas could not find such rest. For him the grief was still too near and the sudden loss of someone so steadfast in his life made his heart shudder in fear as to the fate of Tauriel.
If only I could have held her, one last time.
Legolas found himself walking aimlessly under the tall trees, as being back under a forest did comfort him somewhat and he paused to place his palm against one of the great mallorns standing proudly amidst its neighbours.
A voice like a silver bell sounded behind him.
'I think I shall gift a mallorn seed to Samwise. Never before has a tree of the Golden Wood grown in the Shire yet I think it would please him.'
Legolas turned around and was faced by Galadriel herself, resplendent in her raiment of white. With her golden crown of hair, ethereal beauty and her bare feet, she could have been mistaken for one of the Maiar.
'Hiril vuin.' Legolas bowed respectfully and Galadriel smiled warmly at him.
'Arwen was correct, you have matured gracefully into your Father's image.' She stepped forward and maternally cupped his cheek in her elegant hand, causing the corners of the Prince's mouth to curl upwards at the attention.
'Your kind smile is that of your Mother's though.'
'You knew of my Mother?' Legolas' heart twisted in his chest and his eyes crinkled with sadness, for he had been too young to remember the elleth that had given life to him.
'Indeed, for she was friend to Celebrían.' This time, Galadriel's startling azure gaze looked deep into Legolas' cool blue eyes and he saw the grief reflected there.
'Know that you were the light of her world, Legolas. She loved you and Thranduil more than life itself. In some ways, a part of Thranduil also died on the same day that your Mother did but he fought to live for the love that he holds for you. She would have been so proud at the elf you have become.'
Legolas could not reply, for his throat was strangled with tears at the bittersweet comfort the Lady's words brought to him.
After a pause, the Lady turned and started to elegantly weave her way along the paths through the tall trees.
'Are you coming, Legolas?' She called over her delicate shoulder in a soft voice that his keen hearing picked up on.
Slightly confused and still saddened, the Prince followed Galadriel into a small clearing, in the centre of which stood a tall stone basin in front of a bubbling stream. The Lady moved to fill a silver jug with the water and then poured it into the stone basin, her eyes fixed upon the Prince.
Tauriel POV
When she rose, Tauriel glanced at her reflection in the small oval mirror that hung on the wall in her chambers. Thanks to Serilla's skill as a healer; her face had indeed mended by the morning. Only a faint pink mark resembled where the spider had bitten her cheek and even that would fade quickly with time.
The Captain's nervous energy continued to build as the forces of Mirkwood kept a watchful eye on their enemies massing around Dol Guldur. The King had wisely decided to wait for the Enemy to attack first so that the elves could draw the orcs deep into their forest and gain the upper hand. There was a detectable anxiety resonating throughout the Kingdom, as all were well aware that they were to face their greatest challenge sooner or later. In the few hours of freedom Tauriel managed to find each week between constant training and patrolling, she would spend time with Ranadir and Serilla eating dinner together and reminiscing of older and safer times. She found the normality comforting and tried not to think about how it could all end in a single moment.
Serilla often asked to hear tales of her youth and the time she had spent growing up with Legolas and under the King's protection. Tauriel gladly recounted various adventures she had experienced as she and the Prince had chased each other down the elven paths and climbed up to the tops of the great trees.
Often Ranadir would accompany her story with a light-hearted anecdote about the misadventures of Tauriel before she had become appointed Captain of the Guard.
Ranadir was currently recalling one of Tauriel's more embarrassing moments as an elfling. 'One time, the King had asked Tauriel to groom his elk, Beleg, I think because he knew that the animal gave comfort to her. Anyhow, I was on duty in the stables the same day and that is how I heard that two young elves covered in hay had been seen running through the courtyard, chasing after the King's elk that was stumbling around blindly with a bucket stuck on his head!'
Ranadir chuckled and the warmth of his smile reached his chestnut eyes. 'Can you imagine the look on Thranduil's face when he found out that his son the Prince, his mighty elk and little Tauriel were found running rampant through the Kingdom?' Serilla laughed heartily behind her hand, whilst aiming sympathetic looks at the auburn-haired elleth.
Tauriel groaned and her cheeks turned pink. 'That is not fair, Ranadir! We were both so young and Legolas had boosted me up onto his shoulders as I was trying to clean the leaves caught in Beleg's great antlers. I was holding a bucket that contained grooming brushes and, well, Legolas had wobbled when I reached up and we fell down onto the hay! As we toppled over, I dropped the bucket and it got caught on Beleg's ears and over his eyes making him panic and barge out of the stable…and well you know the rest. Thranduil was not happy! He even made us go and apologise to Beleg after!'
Ranadir and Serilla were now making no attempt to hide their hysterical laughter. Tauriel frowned at them for a moment before she too felt herself laughing at the memory.
Legolas POV
Galadriel raised her pale arm and indicated to the basin. Legolas saw that a glint of brightest silver adorned one of her fingers. 'Would you like to know of Tauriel?'
Legolas involuntarily stepped forward, his heart yearning for the opportunity that the Lady freely offered to him. A thousand thoughts rushed through his mind.
I could see Tauriel! I could see how she is?! Is she safe? Does her heart grieve? How is my Father?
As if sensing his thoughts, Galadriel replied. 'Alae! The mirror shows many things. You may see the present but you may also see images of what was and glimpses of futures yet to pass. No dirweg! You may not be comforted by what you see.'
Legolas nodded, for he could not decline the opportunity to see those that he missed and loved so dearly.
Galadriel watched him intensely as he approached the mirror. At first he saw only his own hopeful image reflected back at him but then the water's surface rippled and changed.
He saw Tauriel, her auburn hair braided back from her determined forest green eyes as she trained the Guard with Ranadir by her side. He saw her smile proudly at the deadly yet precise movements the soldiers gave on her command, moving together in one fluid motion at her words.
The scene changed and he saw Tauriel sitting down being embraced by Serilla. The Captain's face was hidden behind the healer's honey tresses although he could see her back was shaking with sobs.
Again the water rippled. This time the image was darkened lit only by the flames of burning trees under a night sky filled with stars obscured by smoke. He saw not Tauriel but a fully armoured Thranduil, twin swords gleaming by his sides. He glimpsed his Father turn in fear and mouth a single word before the vision darkened.
The mirror was just a mirror once more. Legolas staggered backwards from the vision, breathing heavily and his heart hammering in his chest.
What was that?
Galadriel looked at him with a level gaze. Her eyes seemed to look into his fëa and he knew that she had also seen the images in the mirror.
You saw the Captain as she is now and how the future may unfold around her yet the visions are not set in stone. Have hope, young Greenleaf.
He felt alarmed by the vision of his Father. He knew the name that Thranduil mouthed for Legolas had always enjoyed the way it rolled off his tongue, almost as a caress.
Galadriel moved forward and tilted his chin up to meet her gaze. 'I too, care for Tauriel for we grew close during her time here. For the moment, she is safe and trains her Guard well in preparation. A force of Lothlorien soldiers moves to stand beside your Father and his Captain for the upcoming battle Mirkwood will undoubtedly face. Nothing is certain in these dark times but you must have faith in her abilities as a warrior.'
The lady lowered her hand and placed it over his heart. 'Estelio han.'
Legolas almost felt empathy radiating from Galadriel's hand and it filled his heart with hope. 'Tauriel is near unmatched in close combat, of that I am confident. Yet my heart yearns to stand by her side and fight for those that we love. I wish also that my Father could see the light that surrounds Tauriel for he does not approve of our being together.'
The Lady seemed to consider his words. 'Tauriel also spoke of the King. She will have a chance to prove herself to him and erase the hurt that has grown between them. Nae, I sense however that it will not be easy.'
Legolas looked into the Lady's eyes and saw that a light not of this world glimmered in their blue depths. Her voice inside his head rang clear with the power of her words.
Legolas Greenleaf long under tree
In joy thou hast lived. Beware of the Sea!
If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore,
Thy heart shall rest in the forest no more.
Legolas was unsure how to reply for a wise elf does not dismiss the words of the Lady of Light. 'Hannon le, hiril vuin.' Legolas bowed before leaving to re-join the sleeping fellowship.
She is safe at the moment but for how long? I will not sail without Tauriel. As long as the forest is home to her, it is home to me.
Too soon he felt, they were leaving the sanctuary of Lothlorien to sail down the Anduin in gifted elven boats. Before they had departed, Legolas noted that Aragorn had spent a fair amount of time deep in council with Lord Celeborn. Lady Galadriel had followed the company to the river's edge and approached each member of the fellowship to bestow upon them a parting gift. To Legolas, she had given a silver wooden bow of the Galadhrim, intricately carved and it felt very strong in his hands. Legolas was honoured by such a mighty gift for it meant that Galadriel considered him worthy of her legendary archers.
'I will send your old bow back to Mirkwood when the road is safe once again.' She had kindly considered saying.
In his mind, the Golden Lady whispered.
Perhaps one day a young elfling might be taught with such a bow.
Legolas had outright stared in disbelief at Galadriel, who simply gave a small elegant laugh causing lights to twinkle in her eyes before she moved on. None of the other companions noticed the blush on the tips of the Prince of Mirkwood's pointed ears.
Elvish
Hiril vuin –My Lady
Alae –Behold
No dirweg –Beware
Estelio han –Trust this
Nae –Alas
Hannon le –Thank you
This one is for PerfectPolish, thank you for your review, hope to hear more from you!