Here is chapter twelve! I know you guys like this story, so it inspires me to write more! I am a little surprised that you guys like to read this so much, considering I write such long chapters. But since you guys love it so much I will keep writing the way I always have.


Shout outs!

Silver Butterfly 111 who's now following!


Anyway, here's the chapter. Who even reads the author's notes anyway? Either way, I'm glad you guys like the story so much! :D Again, I changed the sequence of events up a little bit within Fangorn forest because I wanted to add a little something extra. I'm adding in something a little extra with Eowyn as well, because I find it amusing.


Legolas could smell the rotting, burned carcasses though he couldn't see them. They were piled high, and still smoking from what he could tell. It was disheartening. The elf swung down from the horse and helped the dwarf down. Gimli quickly set about digging through the pile with his axe to find some sign of the two hobbits. Legolas and Aragorn were soon lost in thought of what had happened, though the elf decided that if they had died, it would be a much better fate than to be tortured at the hands of Saruman. Then suddenly Gimli let out a choked little sob and pulled something out of the pile.

"It's one of their wee belts," he said.

The silence was heavy. They had lost two more! That was four now! How much more heartache could they take? They had set out as just a group of travelers with nothing in common, but each loss was harder than the next, because their bond was strong. The elf placed his hand on his chest in a show of both respect and loss.

"May they find peace in death," the elf said softly in elvish.

There was silence a moment, and the horses seemed to sense the anguish of their new masters. They waited patiently to the side. Suddenly, Aragorn gave out a yell and kicked at an Uruk head that lay on the ground, sending it flying. Then he sank to his knees, his heart heavy with defeat and the loss of two more of the Fellowhsip.

"We failed them," the dwarf said sadly.

Then however the dwarf fell silent at something he had seen, and the elf paused as well, listening. He heard Aragorn shift slightly and touch the ground.

"A hobbit lay here, and the other," he said. Suddenly he stood, his careful eyes scanning the ground as he began to move a little faster. The dwarf and the elf followed. "Their wrists were bound. Their bonds were cut." he held up a rope for Gimli to see. "They ran over here. They were followed. The tracks lead away from the battle." the man paused and looked up. "Into Fangorn forest."

"Fangorn forest?" the dwarf gulped. "What madness drove them in there?"

They all knew though that they had to go in, for there was a hope that they were still alive. Legolas begged the horses in elvish to stay, and then they all went inside. Within moments they found the trees dense and the trees began to moan.

"These trees are old," the elf said. "Very old. So old that I feel young again. These trees are full of memory, and anger. Listen they speak to one another!"

"Gimli," Aragorn warned. "Lower your axe."

The dwarf quickly did as he had been told, and the trees seemed to settle down a little bit. They traveled onward a little, and though Angrod showed Legolas the way he still found it hard to move on. He nearly tripped a moment when he found his fall broken by the root of a tree. He stood and quietly thanked the old tree in elvish before moving on and finding the root back in its place under ground. The trees bore the elf no ill will at least. He paused a moment as he heart Gimli brush his hand against some leaves, and then he heard as the dwarf spat something out.

"Orc blood," the dwarf announced.

"These are strange tracks," Aragorn said. Legolas came over and felt the ground. His eyes widened.

"I have never come across tracks like these," the elf said. "They are so large!"

"And here is the orc that was following our hobbits," the dwarf said. "He's been crushed. They couldn't do such a thing!"

There was a few seconds of silence and of confusion among the Fellowship. Then the elf looked up. He had seen a flash of light, and he knew it was light because it appeared dark to his eyes, a momentary flash of blackness darker than the rest of the blackness that surrounded him. Whatever was approaching was a being of great light and a pure spirit. The elf stepped forward however, feeling somewhat nervous.

"Aragorn something is out there," The elf said in elvish. The man and dwarf looked at him.

"What do you see?" the man asked. The elf froze suddenly as he caught a glimpse of a figure.

"The White Wizard approaches," the elf said quietly, nodding slightly towards the right. The man closed his eyes in resignation, knowing that they could not fight this foe, but that they could not give up either.

"Do not let him speak," he said. "He will cast a spell on us."

There was a tensed silence now. Aragorn gripped his sword, and Legolas strung his bow slightly, fingering the feathered tip of the arrow nervously. Gimli gripped his axe tightly.

"We must be quick," the man said.

Then they all whirled around to face the wizard. A bright light suddenly illuminated from his upraised staff. The dwarf threw his axe, which was deflected. Legolas unleashed an arrow, which was swallowed in light and disappeared. Aragorn's sword grew too hot too touch and he dropped it. Now they were unarmed and at the mercy at the White Wizard, blinded by such bright light! Wait light? The elf paused a moment, confused. He had been reaching for another arrow, but now he stopped.

"You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits," came a voice. It sounded like the voice of Saruman, but the elf could hear another voice as well, and concentrated hard now.

"Where are they?" Aragorn demanded boldly.

"They passed this way the day before yesterday," the voice said. Legolas' jaw dropped as he recognized the voice. He fell to his knees into a kneel, much to the surprise of his two companions, and stared at the wizard. They turned angrily back to the wizard, suspecting some trick. "They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?"

"Who are you?" Aragorn demanded, angry. "Show yourself!"

"Mithrandir," the elf gasped in surprise and relief. Aragorn and Gimli fell silent.

Slowly, the bright light faded and the wizard became visible to the man and dwarf. Silently, Gimli knelt before the wizard as well with the elf. Aragorn took a tentative step forward, staring at the wizard. The fear had left their hearts though, and they were amazed.

"It cannot be," Aragorn said. "You fell."

Gandalf smiled and told of his long battle against the Balrog, of how he had fought him past the lowest and highest points of Middle Earth, and had at last defeated him. He told them of how he had died, but had been sent back to help them, for the Valar were behind their quest. The elf felt so much better than he had in a long time, knowing that they were being watched over. The Valar wanted them to succeed! What other reason should he need to fight? Then the wizard told them that the hobbits were safe now in the care of Treebeard, and Ent.

Then however came the sad time to tell the wizard all that had happened. They told him that Legolas had nearly become a Wraith, to be saved by the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien, and they had found the wolf that was Angrod. They then told of how Boromir had died at Amon Hen trying to help both the elf and the hobbits, and the elf had met Oropher and Saeros. The wizard was very interested in the fact that the Nazgul wanted Legolas, and that now he had two Wraiths willing to fight under his command. They told that Frodo and Sam had left on their own to Mordor, and that Saruman had taken Lordship over Rohan. Then they told how they had found their way into Fangorn. The wizard was silent a moment, taking it all in. Then he turned and walked back the way he had just come. The group leaped up and followed him.

"One stage of your journey is over," the wizard said. "another begins. War has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed."

They came to the edge of the forest, and the wizard let out a long whistle. It was magnified perhaps by magic, and so it echoed loudly over the plains. The whinny of a horse could clearly be heard in response, and it came running towards them. Even Legolas felt surprise, for the horse was so full of beautiful light that it pierced the veil that hung over his eyes and though all else was black he clearly saw the beautiful white horse. He recognized it.

"That is one of the Mearas," he said in a soft voice. "unless my eyes are cheated by some spell."

"Shadowfax," the wizard said fondly. "He's the lord of all horses, and he's been my friend through many dangers."

The elf and man quickly went to retrieve Hasufel and Arod, and then they all mounted. They rode with all speed towards Edoras, and Arod ran on quicker now that he was sure that the elf on his back would do well with the faster pace. Angrod ran along side the white horse, somehow managing to keep stride. But this did not surprise anyone, for he was a creature of strange magic as well.

They ran on quickly, looking to reach the city as if war had already come crashing down upon the very gates of Rohan. Slowly, Legolas leaned forward into the horse's stride, trusting his horse to run on and carry him to his destination. It was a lot of trust to put onto the horse, for the elf was blind, and it was a little unnerving to be moving so quickly through Rohan and unable to feel his own way across the ground. He could trust his own body, but that of a strange horse? Arod was loyal however, and he sought out the easiest path for his blind rider and ran on quickly. He would never drop the elf, and he found himself fond of the elf already, for the elf trusted him and did not restrict the freedom the horse so desired. The dwarf he liked too, for though his voice was rougher like those of the men, it was often full of mirth and his hands were gentle as well. So the white horse of Rohan was very careful and well behaved for his new owners, though none could deny that the horse was more fond of the elf. That suited Gimli fine though, for he did not generally like even a pony.

Soon the miles melted away, and Legolas could tell that they were growing close at last to Edoras. He heard as overhead, a flag suddenly ripped from its pole in the wind and floated down to the Fellowship. Upon seeing the strangers, the gate guards were nervous. A man, an elf, a dwarf and a wizard? But Gandalf had covered his white robes and they recognized him, so they opened the gates. The horses stepped carefully inside, walking at an even pace now. The people looked out at them with sad and distrustful faces. Even Legolas could sense it.

"You'd find more cheer in a graveyard," Gimli said quietly.

They rode on in silence towards the king's palace, which was not as grand as others, but grand still for the Horse Lords. A stable boy met them at the long steps that led up to the king's palace. They dismounted their horses, and Gandalf paid the boy a few gold coins to stable the horses and kept them well cared for. The wizard then turned and led them up the long steps towards the king's palace. At the top, they were met by guards.

"No one may enter to see the king so armed," the guard said. "By order of Grima Wormtongue."

The wizard nodded and they all began to hand the guards their weapons so that it would appear that they were aggressors. The weapons were all handed over, and the guard looked down at the wolf, and seemed nervous, but Gandalf assured him he was well trained. He looked instead at the wizard's staff, which he then told the man was his walking stick. He leaned into Legolas, who took his arm to "help" him inside. The guards opened the door, and suddenly a woman came out. She saw the elf and spotted his bow and arrows. She quickly grabbed them and then leaned over to the elf, whispering into his ear.

"The man inside," she said. "Wormtongue..." she paused a moment and then continued. "He is evil. You must help me."

The elf nodded, and the woman turned and ran inside. The guards watched her with perplexed looks, and the Fellowship turned to Legolas with just as confused looks. But the elf showed no indication about the woman either way, so they made their way inside. The doors were closed behind them, and Gandalf let go of Legolas and stepped forward, and they let him go past.

"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late," Gandalf said. "Theoden King."

The man called Grima whispered to the king. Legolas found that he took an instant disliking to him. He was full of darkness, and clearly visible to his eyes. Theoden was sickly looking and barely visible to the elf's eyes as well.

"Why should I welcome you," the king asked, his voice sounding like a ghost's. "Gandalf Stomcrow?"

"A just question my liege," Grima said, standing and turning to the wizard. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Ill news is an ill guest."

"Be silent," Gandalf cried. "Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm!" Grima saw Gandalf's staff and suddenly grew afraid.

"His staff," he cried. "I told you to take the wizard's staff!"

Guards suddenly leaped forward. Legolas could tell that they didn't like Wormtongue one bit, but they wanted to protect their king. They leaped forward to protect him, and the Fellowship quickly dispatched them. Gimli caught Grima and warned him to be still. Then they all watched with amazement as there was a silent battle between the two white wizards, for Gandalf had revealed himself at last. But at last Gandalf cast Saruman from the halls and stepped back with a gentle smile.

"Breath the free air again," he told him.

The king returned to normal, and Legolas watched as the darkness left him. The woman ran forward, and he could hear that there were tears in his eyes. There was silence as he looked at her.

"I know your face," he breathed. "Eowyn..."

There was silence again, but then Legolas felt rage from the king as he turned to look at Grima. The man tried to run, but then the woman, Eowyn, turned and threw the elf's bow and arrows back to him.

"Here," she cried.

The elf quickly caught one arrow and his bow, turning it to face the man and stringing it quickly. There was a loud twang, and a dull thud, accompanied by the yelp of Grima. The arrow had burried itself into the wood inches in front of the man's face. Aragorn caught the arrows before they hit the ground, and the elf pulled out another, stringing it as Grima looked towards him in alarm.

"You get one warning," the elf said. "The next shot takes that foul tongue out of your skull once and for all." But Grima let out a nervous laugh.

"See the company my king prefers?" the man said. "This is no elf! Look, he is blind, yet he still sees me! This creature is more Wraith than he is elf, full of such evil and darkness." The elf felt his face pale a little. They knew already! There was a shocked silence, though no change in expression touched the elf's face. "So, how long has it been since the darkness took you?"

"The darkness has not taken me," the elf said in a level tone. "And that is the only reason you have lived so long when you have angered me." the truth in the elf's words seemed to make the man nervous. He turned instead to try and talk to the elf and calm him. No one else moved, unsure of what to do at this point.

"Perhaps it has not," he said. "I can see that you are strong of mind. I know your kind. Such fair people the elves are. You would not shoot me. I can see the purity in your eyes."

"You are blind," the elf said. "You think you can convince me to put down my bow, but I will not. You are thinking perhaps of the fairer of my race. But I am not fair, nor am I kind. It is because your master has haunted my home for many years. I fear the darkness and I hate it, and you are filled with this darkness. Should I show you how wrong you truly are? I have no pity for men like you." The silence was even deeper, but the Fellowship could tell that the elf was deeply hurt by the man's words.

"Where do you hail from?" Grima asked in a soft and terrified voice, for the elf had not moved an inch.

"Mirkwood," the elf replied.

After that the man fell silent and said no more. He knew that the training of the elves of Mirkwood was strict, and the elves there were quick to draw and asked questions later because they had to become that way. He didn't speak for fear of angering the elf further. Gandalf walked up and gently lowered the elf's bow, and Legolas let his arms relax. The wizard spoke quietly, but there was anger at Grima in his voice as well.

"I think you should go outside a while," the wizard said.

Legolas didn't respond, and instead handed Aragorn his bow and the arrow. Then he turned without another word and strode quickly from the halls of the king. He had no destination in mind, and was only slightly aware that Angrod followed him silently. He strode forward, and suddenly found himself in the stables. The stable boy had gone away, so the elf walked inside. The soft muzzle of Arod reached out to touch his shoulder, and the horse understood that the elf was upset. The elf and the wolf slipped into the stable box with the horse, and the elf sat down with his back against the wall. The horse stood there beside the elf, nuzzling him once or twice, but mostly standing guard over the distressed elf more. Angrod laid his head in the elf's lap.

Legolas stroked the wolf's head quietly. Grima had known and told his darkest secret! The one he had kept hidden for so long! Saruman must have heard of him and told Grima about him, though obviously not much, because he hadn't know that the elf was from Mirkwood. They all knew now, and the thought pained him. They would surely fear him before they even truly knew him, and the fear of those around him had always made him feel so lonely. But worse still was the fact that the man had known. To have his worst secret told was a heavy blow to the elf, and the fear of those first days came back to him. It didn't help either that he had let his anger control him, and no matter how badly they all thought of Grima, it would only make him look bad to their eyes.

He sat there for a long time, and no one came after him. He could hear them calling for him, but they did not think to look for him here, and no one had seen him enter here. However as the light faded at last, he heard feet at the door. Instantly, Arod's head came up and he snorted aggressively, acting very protective over the disturbed elf. Whoever it was stopped, and the elf looked up as he heard Eowyn speak.

"This is Arod," she said. "I remember him. Always so fiery and restive! He seems to think highly of you though, and if he is so willing to guard you, then I know that Grima was false and you have not fallen to darkness, for he is a cautious beast."

The elf looked up at her, and Arod calmed a little. She leaned down and reached into the box, laying her hand on the side of his face. He felt sadness from her when she saw that his careful expression did not change.

"It is not your fault that this darkness is upon you," Eowyn said. "just as we cannot stop the darkness in this world. The wizard told us everything. It must have been so hard on you! It still is, I can see it haunts your face. My uncle does not fault you, and the men think very highly of you. They find it amusing to see such terror on Grima's face, after everything he put us through. Some of them men may not think it right, but you will not be thrown out. They will have to go through me first." the elf watched her face a moment.

"You are a strange woman," he said. "The women of the race of Man do not always show such heart."

"That is because they live in a cage," the woman said with a small smile. "Now come, and bring your wolf. The night is upon us, and you should be inside with the others. The horse stable is for brave beasts like Arod, but you belong with the men. Your friends are looking for you, so come inside and enjoy the food and drink and a bed for once. Mirkwood! That is a far journey for the path you have taken!"

"Thank you," the elf said with a small smile.

"For what?" the woman asked. The elf paused and turned his eyes towards her face.

"For reminding me that there are still people who can accept what has happened to me," he said. "Without me having to save them about ten or so times." The woman sounded grave.

"Such a hard life you have led," she cried. "nothing that a little bit of ale can't fix."

The elf laughed and let the woman pull him to his feet. He patted Arod goodbye and thanked him in elvish for being there for him when he needed him. The horse nuzzled the elf's hand and returned to eating hay. The elf and wolf followed the woman as she tugged the elf by the hand back to the large front steps, and the elf couldn't help but smile. She released his wrist and smoothed back down the skirt of her dress, smiling to the guards.

"You will each get a separate room," she said. "And plenty to eat. That is my job as a hostess. Your weapons have already been placed there, and no one will disturb you tonight, so you may rest in peace. Now come inside."

She led the elf inside the main hall, and turned down another hallway. The elf followed her footsteps silently, the smile falling from his face, though the mirth did not fall from his eyes. She led the elf to the dinning hall, where the rest of the Fellowship was now enjoying a meal and some rest. They looked up when they saw the elf renter, but they saw that he was now in a much better mood. The woman soon insisted that the elf sit and brought him a plate filled with food as well. Then she brought another that had a large leg bone of a deer and laid it down on the floor for Angrod. The wolf wagged his tail and seemed to think highly of the woman then, which amused the elf.

True to her promise the woman brought the elf some ale and set about her duties as a hostess. Soon a light banter had begun between the elf and the dwarf at the table, which seemed to worry some of the men from other tables. But they soon realized that the talk was playful and full of no malice, and they were amazed that the elf and the dwarf seemed to be friends, for such friendships were very rare. Aragorn and the wizard laughed along with the two friends.

The elf was told that the king had not joined them because he was mourning the death of his son and heir, as well as upset that Eomer, Eowyn's brother and the man who had given them Hasufel and Arod, had been banished. Grima had been banished as well, and sent away, and no one seemed upset at all about it. Life was beginning to return to Edoras, and the people had been told of the elf and his actions. Some were terrified to have a Wraith within their walls, but others were amazed that he was still so full of light, and so no one would dare try and throw him out.

Finally though, long after the sun had gone down, the Fellowship was then escorted to their separate rooms to rest during the night. The elf couldn't deny that he was exhausted, because he hadn't slept in at least several days. He went in the room and found it small but comfortable, with a bath off in a small room to the side. Gratefully he washed and dried himself, combing out his hair as well but letting it hang down for a while. Then he changed into something that was clean. Exhausted but feeling more refreshed than he had in a while, the elf laid down in the bed, and Angrod leaped up and curled up beside the elf. The elf soon fell asleep, and the dreams that came to him were more pleasant than they had been in a long time. The words of Grima that had so hurt the elf earlier, now faded away in the silence.


I like Eowyn, so I wanted to expand a little on her brave but very kind nature. I also hate Grima so I wanted to make him seem even more evil and despicable than he already was. XD Anyway, tell me what you thought of this chapter below if you feel like it. I love to hear from you guys, even if it's to correct my spelling. Though, I ask you say it in a nice way please. Criticism is also acceptable if you feel that is necessary.