Disclaimer: I do not own Mirkwood, Legolas, Orcs, Gollum, or any other thing that J. R. R. Tolkien himself created.  (I do own Echiril! *feels special because she actually does own something*)

Yay!  New chapter!  Go me!!

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"I do not wish to go in there, Estel," Legolas whispered to Aragorn as they neared Moria's gates. 

"Take no fear, Legolas," the man answered back.  "Gimli is assured of his cousin's presence, we will be fine."

Legolas halted and slammed Aragorn backwards into the stone.  "Gimli's cousin is not in there," he hissed.  "Do not attempt to fill me with a false hope that I already know to be untrue."

Aragorn sighed.  He knew that Balin and his Company were gone; he had been in Moria once—the Dwarves were all but dead, most likely.  Gandalf also knew, yet the wizard led them forth regardless, because of the Ringbearer's decision.  "Then I will be there with you," the man said quietly. 

Legolas faltered and pulled away.  "The presence of companions has never made a difference before."

"Then whoever it was before was surely not a true friend," Aragorn said heatedly, then halted, mentally strangling himself as Legolas's eyes flashed with pain.  Echiril.  Echiril had been the one with him before. 

Or I was not a true enough friend to Echiril, Legolas thought, then said dryly, "So it would seem."  The Elf turned on his heel and walked away. 

Aragorn watched him, aghast.  He cursed himself for his actions again and again, but also watched with interest as Legolas's moods changed.  The Firstborn had now donned his mask, the cold exterior that kept his true self inside.  Elrond had once compared the prince to a freshly unearthed diamond: The treasure sought is the beauty within, but it cannot be seen under the layers of stone that surround it.  It takes gentle care and supervision, as well as time, to expose the priceless jewel inside.  Aragorn thought of these words now and knew them to be true.  He only hoped he could expose the naked diamond before it shattered under the pressure.  Diamonds did that sometimes, if they were not uncovered quickly enough; years of pressure could cause one to crack, never again being able to return to its once stunning beauty. 

Legolas was a rare diamond indeed; for that beauty to be lost would be tragic.

The Elf was talking to Boromir, now. 

"What do the Elves believe of this new crisis upon Middle Earth?" the man asked. 

Legolas thought for a moment.  "Some of them wish to help, to end it.  Others wish to leave Arda to her fate and sail to the West."

Boromir frowned.  "But it has been seen before, has it not?"

"Aye," Legolas replied, "though shortly before my memory begins."

Boromir's eyes widened.  "That would make you two thousand years old!" he laughed.  "'Tis not possible!"

"It is," Legolas said sharply.  "I am nearing three thousand."

Boromir whistled lowly.  "I knew that Elves lived for a long time, but I didn't know that long…"

"Immortality," Legolas said simply. 

"So I see," said the man, gazing at the fair creature.  "And the Elves keep it to themselves?"

"It is not a gift that can be shared," Legolas replied, "for it were possible, there are many mortals who would still be living…" He glanced at Aragorn for a brief moment; no one noticed the motion.  "And several more besides who would be looking forward to a longer life, as well." 

Boromir nodded, then fell silent as they approached the doors.  Legolas walked to Gandalf, who had muttered something about moonlight, and the words on the door were revealed. 

"Speak friend and enter?" Legolas asked, his mind switching from reading the elvish to speaking in common with ease. 

"Aye," Gandalf replied cheerfully.  "We need only to find the password!"

Legolas smiled fondly.  "We'll be in shortly then, I hope?"

Gandalf's eyebrows rose sharply at this and he shot a startled look at the prince, but Legolas just smiled again, walking over to where Pippin sat by the water and beginning to laugh with him. 

Aragorn came over to Gandalf, a troubled look on his face.  "He is acting happy again," he commented. 

"Aye," the wizard agreed, "though under circumstances that I would almost rather he had stayed melancholy." 

Aragorn nodded.  "Found a way in?"

Gandalf shook his head.  "I have yet to speak the password…" He turned and shouted something in an unknown language, and the door did nothing.  He tried another word, and another…until the night drew on to hours of the morning and the Fellowship was still standing outside. 

Merry walked up.  "Gandalf," he questioned, "what's the elvish word for friend?"

Mellon, Legolas immediately thought, but kept his tongue. 

"Mellon," Gandalf said slowly, the word rolling in his mouth as he spoke it. He turned in surprise as the door opened behind him.  Legolas's head shot up, despair on his features as he viewed the open mouth.  Pippin put a questioning hand on his arm and the mask was re-forged. 

The Fellowship entered Moria and Gandalf lit the end of his staff apprehensively.  Legolas lingered near the back, not wanting to go in.  He could hear the Dwarf proudly boasting about the feast they would soon enjoy, then Boromir's hushed whisper, "This is a tomb," then his voice became panicked.  "Get out, all of you, get out!"

Legolas took a hesitant step backwards, then heard a shrill cry from behind him and turned quickly, only to see Frodo dangling in the air, held by a giant tentacle.

"Frodo!" Sam cried, rushing forward, followed by the rest, but the Elf was the closest and quickest.  He leapt up and caught the Halfling, pulling him away, then holding him close to his chest and crying out in pain as the creature's arm knocked them both aside before picking them up.  Legolas kept a tight hold on Frodo, meeting Aragorn's terrified gaze. 

"Estel!" he cried, struggling violently so he could release Frodo.  Aragorn saw what he was doing and ran forward to stand under them, and Legolas dropped the Hobbit into his arms.  Aragorn set him down and commanded him to run, and Frodo did so, to Gandalf. 

Then the men and Dwarf took out their arms and started to attack the beast, and Legolas drew his knife and tried to hack his way free.  Suddenly the creature screamed in pain and Legolas was dropped a good fifty feet before he landed on the stone, gasping as the air was completely forced from his chest.  He staggered up, Aragorn's arm around his waist, and the Fellowship ran into the darkness of Moria as the rocks fell over the door and sealed them in. 

There was a moment of complete silence before everyone started to cough against the dust, with Legolas and Frodo gasping for breath.  Gandalf lit his staff again and stood heavily, surveying the damage.  "Is everyone all right?"

Merry and Pippin scrambled to their feet, followed closely by Boromir and Gimli.  Boromir stood slightly slower, and Frodo and Legolas both were hard-strained to stand, their vision swirling. 

"Yes," Frodo said after a minute.  "I'm fine."  He looked over at the Elf, who had nodded, and added quietly, "thanks to Legolas."

Legolas smiled at him.  "I swore my bow to your services, Master Frodo."  He paused and looked around, laughing sheepishly.  "It is a four day journey, perhaps we should begin?"

Gandalf nodded.  "Aye, it is.  We must tread carefully—to be noticed could be our downfall."  He glanced around at all of them, then turned around and started walking. 

That night when they stopped to rest and bids for watches were being taken, Gimli approached Legolas, clearing his throat.  "Master Elf," he began gruffly, "would you care to take your watch with me?"

Legolas raised his eyebrows in slight amusement and knelt to be at the Dwarf's height.  "What have I done to gain your respect?"

"Saving Frodo was a brave thing," Gimli mumbled, looking down, his beard hiding his blush. 

Legolas smiled.  "Aye, to take watch with you would please me."

Gimli grinned shyly.  "Great!" he rumbled. 

The Elf laughed cheerfully, the crystal sound and the Dwarf's low guffaw contrasting severely yet seeming to mix perfectly at the same time. 

As the rest of the Fellowship fell asleep, the two on first watch sat down on a large rock that looked into one of the mithril gullies. 

"What do you think of the caves, Master Elf?  I know they have deteriorated…"

A shadow crossed Legolas's face.  "I have been here before, and the experience was not a pleasant one.  Though…" He glanced around, not wishing to offend the Dwarf.  "I can see how one might find beauty within these confines."  He shrugged.  "My people are not one that relish time spent underground."

Gimli grunted.  "Foolish Elves, nancing about under the trees…the beauty of the caves and their priceless jewels are more substantial than any green plant." 

Legolas laughed.  "It is apparent that the long life of the Elves does indeed give them more wisdom than the other races." 

Gimli spluttered indignantly.  "Well," he said in mock fury, "I think your heads are a little too high in the clouds, and this leaves your thinking to be airy and unorganized."  He paused and then muttered as an afterthought, "Stargazers, all of 'em."  

Gandalf listened to their friendly bickering contentedly.  It seemed that not all hope was lost for the Elves and Dwarves, after all.  The proud Thranduil's son and Gimli, son of Gloin, one of those who had been imprisoned by the Elvenking—friends.  It was an encouraging thought.  

*~*~*~*~*~*

Sorry that took so long!  I've been busy and lazy and…yeah.  Exams are coming up…uggish…

Heeheehee…next chapter has a very crucial plot point and baaad stuff will then follow…muahahahaha….

I'm sorry, guys!  I'm just being really lazy and don't want to do reviews…next chapter, I swear!  And I promise to try and get one out before Christmas, because I'll be leaving for a week on that day, and then exams are the week after. 

*feels really bad*

Jarlaxle: *pats her on the back* There, there, Lady V.  It's okay. 

It: *snort* No it's not!  She's a lazy whore authoress who doesn't even have the decency to reply to her reviewers. 

Lady V: *cry*

Jarlaxle: *flashes dagger at It and tries to comfort Lady V* Shh, they'll understand, you've apologized…

Lady V: *wail!*

It: *snicker*

Jarlaxle: *mutter* That's it…*pulls out his dagger and lunges at It, tackling him and holding the knife to his throat* Shut up, will you? 

It: ^-^; Um, heh, yes, Sir Jarlaxle, whatever you say, Sir Jarlaxle…AUGH HELP ME!

Lady V: *sniffle* Leave him alone, Jarlaxle. 

Jarlaxle: But…but…

Lady V: Hey, I need all of my muses, right?  Without them I'm kind of screwed.

Paul: :-D

Lady V: Yes, you too, Paul…

Hey, guys!  Announcement!  I'm thinking of doing a Harry Potter ficlet based upon a fic called "Without Moony."  It's part of a Sirius/Remus series called "Lovers For Tonight."  *gasp!* Yes, yes, I know…it's slash…normally I don't ever read slash (there are exceptions, I will admit…but they have to be good ones! *glare*) but somehow this caught my eye and kept it through all of the great stories.  They're by Mystid.  Anyways, I got a little plot bunny from that fic and might be expanding upon it sometime.  Any of you guys out there into Harry Potter and might be willing to read it?  And by the way, this does not in the LEAST mean that I'm a Sirius/Remus shipper.  I'm NOT.  By no means.  Absolutely not. 

But the series was really good…so…

So, until then, ta!

And happy Return of the Kings comes out tomorrow day!!!!!!

*wail* Except Elladan and Elrohir aren't there! Waaaaa!