I know, such a quick update, right? Well, I am making the most of my break. From this chapter onwards I will begin to write based on suggestions some of my lovely reviewers have requested to read about. This chapter is a bit longer as well ;) So without further ado… here we go!

(Oh and this is set slightly before the last few chapters, so it is not in complete order after all lol).


Of Dreams and Elf-friends

"Legolas? Legolas!"

The elf prince snapped out of his reverie and vaulted into a seating position, gripping his blades tightly in his hand. His eyes darted about looking for any sign of danger, but his ears were met with the soothing sound of leaves rustling in the breeze and droplets of water streaming down the waterfall nearby. Remembering that he was safe with the Fellowship in Lothlorien, he sighed with a mixture of relief and exasperation at seeing his newly made dwarf friend staring down at him over his auburn beard.

Legolas sheathed his blades and glared at the dwarf. "You did not have to wake me so urgently if there are no orcs about, son of Gloin. I was resting," he muttered, resuming his previous position of resting his back against the tree trunk. Gimli rolled his eyes and grumbled, plopping himself on the lush grass beside his elven friend.

"How could you rest if you were tossing about so much?" the dwarf retorted, squinting at the elf.

Legolas' shoulders tensed and he eyed Gimli carefully. "I was not tossing," he defended. "Mayhap dwarves do so in their restful state."

"Dwarves do not toss!" Gimli growled. "Nobody tosses a dwarf!"

The prince was about to reply when he saw Aragorn walk past them and raise a finger to his lips. "I know how much you like to bicker, my friends," the ranger said calmly, "but the hobbits need their sleep." Once the human saw both his friends nod in affirmation, he turned and walked in the direction of the lake nearby, disappearing through the trees.

Gimli cleared his throat, his voice rough but gentle. "Laddie," he began hesitantly. "What did you see in your dreams that made your face turn to fear?" Legolas snapped his gaze to his stout friend as Gimli continued. "I have seen you in battle, but not once did I ever see such upon your face. What is it, elf?"

Legolas regarded his friend for a moment and replayed his dreams of that night over in his mind, his eyes glassy and distant. It was not the first time he had experienced such a vision. The first time was the night he arrived in Rivendell before Elrond had held his council. It was in that moment that he knew he had to do everything he was able to aid Middle-earth in defeating Sauron.

He closed his eyes tightly as he recalled shouting out for Lasneth before an orc arrow pierced through his brother's heart. He saw Lalaith weeping as she ran through a burning forest, dress torn with a scratch across her pale cheek, her hands clutching a bloody wound above her left hip. He saw his father in battle against a dozen orcs within his own palace – the walls cracking down around him, crumbling to dust as the loathsome creatures scurried through the halls, slaughtering any living thing in their path. The cries of innocent elves filled his ears and engulfed his mind. The images flashed rapidly through his vision – first Lasneth, lying face down in the dirt, being trampled by orcs. Next he saw his father receive a blow to the chest and fall to the stone floor beneath his throne, eyes misting over. Just when Legolas thought he could not bear any more, he saw Lalaith kneeling on the ground, wrists bound as an orc raised its blade towards her neck, her scream of anguish ringing through the dark forest…

"Legolas! Laddie!"

The prince was jolted from his thoughts, panting heavily, face pale. He inhaled deeply through his nose and balled his hands into fists in an attempt to cease their trembling. He took a shaky breath and confessed to Gimli what he had dreamt.

"It was full of darkness and destruction, Gimli," the elf whispered, clearly traumatised. Gimli, unsure at first, reached over to pat his forearm in comfort.

"I did not know you had a brother and sister," the dwarf said tersely.

Legolas chuckled weakly. "I do have a brother. He is younger and more risky than I am -"

"You mean irrational," Gimli interrupted.

Legolas smiled slightly. "Whatever you say, master dwarf."

"And the girl, lad?"

"Nay, she is not my sister," Legolas smirked at Gimli's perplexed expression. "She is my mate."

"You're married?" Gimli bellowed, his eyes crossing inwards towards his nose. He huffed when the elf nodded his head. "For how long?"

"Longer than you have been alive, my friend," Legolas said, his mood brightening at seeing disbelief cross his friend's features.

Gimli narrowed his eyes. "You jest."

Legolas raised his palms up in the air. "Alright I confess, I have not been bonded longer than you have walked this earth," he paused. "Indeed, it has been almost a decade, or it will be in a few months. Though no doubt we will probably be in Mordor by then."

"Do not tell me you have left behind elflings as well in that forest of yours."

"Nay, I have not."

Gimli noticed his friend's sense of despondency and coughed, squaring his shoulders. "You'll see them again, laddie, including that blasted father of yours."

Legolas' lips quirked upwards and he grinned at his friend. "Hannon le, elvellon," he said quietly, placing his right hand over his heart. "May you endure to see your kin and that we may travel together after this war has ended, this darkness defeated, to explore what beauty is left in this world."

Gimli's gaze softened and he cleared his throat. Instead of choosing to reply, the dwarf extended his hand and gave his elf friend a reassuring pat on the arm once more. The two companions stared at the starlit sky through the mallorn trees towering above them, bequeathing their minds with a semblance of peace.

xxx

Lalaith gasped as she sat up in bed, sweat mopping her brow. She stared at the empty spot on the bed beside her. She could feel Legolas' uncertainty through their bond, as well as his determination. She knew the Fellowship would do anything in their power to prevent the shadow from succeeding. The trance was finally broken when she saw a white ball of fur pounce onto the sheets, meowing at her. Lalaith pulled the cat into her arms and cradled her to her chest. "Hannon le, mellon nin." Isil snuggled up into the princess' embrace and purred, offering the elleth what little comfort she could bestow as the clouds veiled the sky over Mirkwood, enveloping the chamber in darkness.