None of the original characters such as Legolas, Thranduil and Elrond am I trying to steal. They all belong to John Ronald Reul Tolkien, and I think his son Christopher Tolkien also. The only characters that are mine and mine alone are the ones that I have completely made up, such as Legolas's lover (who is coming soon because I have not gotten that far and I do not know her name but I think it might be Evine with a long I) and others that I will make up and have made up. Bear with me here, because you simply must understand that I am not yet finished reading the Trilogy, so if I get something wrong or inaccurate, please tell me. Thank you. DO NOT COPY THIS!! First of all, you do not want the wrath of Sauron unleashed upon you, and besides, it is bad karma.
IV
Many Meetings
"Elrond, sir, there is someone here to see you," said an Elvish servant.
"Yes, let the boy in," replied a deep voice. It was Elrond, son of Galadriel. From his feet clad in Elvish leather boots to his dark brown hair adorned with many Elvish braids, he was a man of great strength and wisdom. Elrond was in his prime, as were all Elves of that great age, and he wore a diadem of gleaming Elvish gold. His aura was that of power, wisdom, and humanity.
They were inside an enormous hall of white granite, with great arched doorways and breathtaking views of the Rivendell valley. Though Rivendell may look small, it is really a large city, with hundreds of Elves living there.
Elrond walked towards the door taking long strides that echoed inside the vast atrium. The very atrium where so many Elves had been, and where the Fellowship would meet someday.
The graceful servant opened the giant white doors and in stepped Celebrían, followed by Legolas.
"Dearest, there is a young Elf prince here to see you," said Celebrían in her alluring voice.
"Yes, I know," Elrond turned to Legolas. "Your name is Legolas, and you are sent by...your father?"
"Yes, how did you know?" asked Legolas, completely baffled.
"I know many things," said Elrond. "But I do not know why you have come. Pray, do explain your purpose."
"I have come to ask permission to speak on behalf of all the Elvish peoples in the area of Mirkwood," replied the Elf prince.
"Mirkwood? Is that the Greenwood I am thinking of?" asked Elrond. Celebrían raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, yes the very same."
"Well why are you now referring to it as Mirkwood?," Elrond grimaced.
"Well you see, great Elrond," Legolas replied, "just recently Greenwood was invaded by the evil peoples of Mordor. I fear that Sauron is once again rising to power, and I have come to ask for your help and the help of any and all Elves and armies that may help the Elves of Mirkwood fight this dreadful war against Sauron and his ministers of Evil."
Elrond was silent, deep in thought, and rubbing his chin. He looked off into the river valley, seeming very distressed.
Legolas looked at him and then at Celebrían who comforted him. "Dear Prince, do not fret, for you will indeed be aided and relieved from your troubles. While we wait for tomorrow's Council, and while Elrond ponders this, I shall get you a satisfying supper and you shall sleep well tonight." Celebrían looked over at Elrond, looking at him as if to urge him to think faster.
They left the giant receiving hall and headed for the dining hall now. As Legolas walked, he looked at all of the beautiful sights of Rivendell. They were on an open pathway made out of white polished marble that glistened as if it was wet. Above them was the canopy to the walkway, and it was of a light pastel blue color. To Legolas's left was the river valley, that made one wish to jump right in and swim in it, though it was running rather fast in some areas, making a soothing sound. The water was the clearest blue Legolas had ever beheld, and above that was a large canopy of trees, about one hundred feet above the river.
The supper turned out to be better than satisfactory, which was expected, and many things in Rivendell would turn out that way. It consisted of freshly steamed fowl and the traditional Elvish foods for weary travellers. Legolas ate heartily, though gracefully, for he was grateful for such a meal, for after he left Mirkwood he had not a supper of such a size or quality. Since Greenwood all he had eaten were the Elven-cakes lembas, or waybread, which was more strengthening than any food made by Men, and it is more pleasant than cram, the Dwarvish version of lembas by all accounts. Legolas was on Celebrían's left, and Elrond was on her right. To Elrond's right sat his sons, Elladan and Elrohir. They were seated at a very long and narrow longtable, of which Elrond was at the head, and Legolas was seated in one of the honorary positions, for he was an Elf-prince and a kinsman there. There were many others seated at other longtables, some of authority, some of lesser positions,
but all were honored and respected.
"My friends," boomed Master Elrond, lifting his wine into the air, readying to toast. The entire hall stood up, in a great wave. "Today we are quite fortunate to behold such a guest of high honor - an Elf-prince from what was once Greenwood," he took a sip of the precious wine, but then as he looked up from the cup, his face turned solemn. "But now the Greenwood that some of you may know as the peaceful sister land to Rivendell is beginning to vanish. For it has been invaded by evil, and orcs have now overrun the land." Legolas stiffened, and kept his eyes cast down. "Sauron is stirring once again in the East, and with his next rise to power, I know not of the fate of Middle-Earth. For with Sauron's every rise, he grows stronger. And when Sauron strengthens, the powers of the forces of Middle-Earth weaken. The Last Alliance of Elves and Men can only hold for so long. After a time we will be defeated. But not if we fight now. We must not dally any longer," Elrond searched the
faces and eyes of the people in the Hall. "Who will fight alongside the Elves of Mirkwood and I?" The people looked at each other and back at Elrond, and at Legolas, who was now scanning their faces.
A bold human by the name of Arathir stepped forward before any other. "I will fight. Though I am not an Elf, I recognize that one must defend others if one expects others to defend him." He walked forward to Legolas, and reached out his arm. Legolas returned the gesture, yet he was unsure of what to do. Arathir clasped his arm in a friendly but masculine way and said, "I bind myself to you and your people, for we are now all for the same cause." Arathir wore a cape of dark earthly brown heavy linen, and it was slung around his shoulder. His long brown hair was down to his shoulders and his icy blue eyes pierced one's soul. Arathir was a very strong and brave man, the perfect soldier. He was quite attractive as well, which only gained him more popularity.
"Well we shall need more than three people to fight the minions of Sauron," said Elrond, lifting his gaze from Legolas and Arathir. "Whom else will be brave enough to fight alongside such legends as Arathir and I?" The audience was silent. The bowed their heads in cowardice and averted their eyes from Master Elrond's. "If none will fight, shall I volunteer someone?" Again, no one answered.
In the back of the Hall a grand door burst open, and in came a fair and royal-looking Elf, and a proud and tall kingly Human. They walked toward Elrond and introduced themselves and their purpose. "We volunteer ourselves and our armies in the fight against Sauron and his Ring," said the Elf. He was tall and fair, similar to Legolas, but he was obviously older and in his prime. "I am Galadmîr, representative of the Elves of Lothlórien. The Lord and Lady are in favor of this mission, for they know that if the Power is not defeated now, it might never be."
"And I am Imrahil, Lord of Ered Luin, the Northwesternmost lands of Middle-Earth. My people's dwellings stretch all the way from the Gulf of Lhûn to the Forindon to the Icebay of Forochel and beyond to the Forodwaith. We have heard tales of evil doings beyond Eriador, and have expressed our deepest sympathies and concerns for the people that have been disturbed by the Power that is once again rising in Mordor," said Imrahil, raising his voice out of anger of Sauron. How he hated Sauron, for no evil ever was in Ered Luin, and he was quite unaccustomed to such things. `Twas a sacred and pure land, with many people scattered about, across great distances, and was in the coldest parts of Middle-Earth. During the Forelithe and Afterlithe it was yet still cold there.
Imrahil was clad in the most beautiful armor that any had ever set eyes upon. Silver and Blue thread embroidered it with delicate designs, almost something that an Elf might wear, for it was just as beautiful as any of the Elven-armor.
"Well, now that we have four armies at the ready, I think we are ready to fight," Elrond looked back at the people. "And as for the rest of you, you ought to be ashamed for how cowardly you all are. Get out of my Hall!" They did as Elrond said and scrambled out of the great Dining Hall. Embarrassed and angered, Elrond turned back towards Legolas, Imrahil, Galadmîr, and Arathir. "Well unfortunately I will not be going with you to command the army of Rivendell. I must stay here and protect this city here. I am leaving the commanding of my army up to Legolas." Legolas's face flushed whiter that it normally was.
"Me, command an entire army? But I have no commanding skills whatsoever," Legolas protested. "I only just engaged in my first battle!" The others looked astonished that Elrond would have put a task so great and difficult into Legolas's hands.
"I have immense faith in you, Legolas. Though you have not it in yourself, I can see through you to your core and I know that you are a strong and brave young lad, perhaps braver than any that I have ever known. I know you will prove well. Do not deny yourself of self-confidence. You will do extraordinarily, dear Legolas," he turned back to the others. "You all will go to Ered Luin, homeland of Imrahil, brave elven-friend. There you will gather armies of humans and prepare them for battle. Then you will trek across Middle-Earth once again to Lothlórien to prepare the army of the Elves. Galadmîr will go with you to Ered Luin because you need his experience with armies. Set out tomorrow at first light. Worry not about provisions, for I will provide you with quite a suitable amount. Go on to your chambers now and rest easy. Take advantage of the lulling sounds of the River Bruinen. The name means Loudwater, but do not let that fool you, for it is gentle as a babbling brook. You
will sleep very well, perhaps better than you ever have on our feather mattresses and attended by servants at all hours. Go, and rest well!"
The group left and tired as they were, decided to stop for about an hour in the Hall of Fire, where they heard many songs and tales - and they kept quite awake through it all. It was not a high day so it was loud and noisy, with many people there, singing and dancing to Elvish minstrels that made sweet music. Slowly the hall filled as it grew late, and they all forgot how important a night of good rest was. They stayed up many hours, and delighted in the parties that occurred throughout the night. But when the night grew old, they grew weary. Suddenly they remembered what they were there to do, and left, regretting coming there in the first place. A least they had grown comfortable with each other, they thought.
As Legolas retreated to his chambers, he felt a presence he had not felt since the days he was still with his father. He sensed that his father was present, and as he prepared for bed, the presence grew stronger. As the Elf drifted off to sleep, he no longer just felt that his father was there, but he could see him as well. In Legolas's dreams he reunited with his father in the setting of his old home, and they talked for a very long time as Thranduil told Legolas of what happened to him after death. He told him his story, and then stated his purpose. "I am here to guide you through this War of the Ring, dear Legolas. There will not be a moment that you are without me."
They talked for many more hours, when Thranduil left, and Legolas awakened. The sun was shining outside, and the River Bruinen gurgled on. He rose out of bed, dressed and went to the Dining Hall expecting a feast for breakfast. But there was no one there. Legolas looked around, puzzled.
"We are ready to set off, and we will have to skip the feast," said a voice behind Legolas. We have lembas for when you grow hungry and fatigued," It was Arathir, the brave Human who bound his life to the will of Legolas.
"My dear Arathir, you are too kind to provide me with yourself on this journey. I cannot thank you enough," Legolas said, putting his hand on Arathir's shoulder.
"The fact that I will be contributing myself to the war against Sauron and the evils of Mordor is more than enough satisfaction for me," Arathir smiled and clapped Legolas on the back.
Even as Legolas and Arathir turned and walked out of the Hall, Sauron's forces were growing stronger. Just days after the Battle of Dol Guldur, Mordor began preparing for an invasion of all places left untouched by evil in Midgard. Including Ered Luin, the homeland of Imrahil. Sauron was planning a massive attack on Middle-earth and was repopulating his forces while the Company prepared to journey to Ered Luin. Though they knew not of his plans, they all sensed that something was about.
IV
Many Meetings
"Elrond, sir, there is someone here to see you," said an Elvish servant.
"Yes, let the boy in," replied a deep voice. It was Elrond, son of Galadriel. From his feet clad in Elvish leather boots to his dark brown hair adorned with many Elvish braids, he was a man of great strength and wisdom. Elrond was in his prime, as were all Elves of that great age, and he wore a diadem of gleaming Elvish gold. His aura was that of power, wisdom, and humanity.
They were inside an enormous hall of white granite, with great arched doorways and breathtaking views of the Rivendell valley. Though Rivendell may look small, it is really a large city, with hundreds of Elves living there.
Elrond walked towards the door taking long strides that echoed inside the vast atrium. The very atrium where so many Elves had been, and where the Fellowship would meet someday.
The graceful servant opened the giant white doors and in stepped Celebrían, followed by Legolas.
"Dearest, there is a young Elf prince here to see you," said Celebrían in her alluring voice.
"Yes, I know," Elrond turned to Legolas. "Your name is Legolas, and you are sent by...your father?"
"Yes, how did you know?" asked Legolas, completely baffled.
"I know many things," said Elrond. "But I do not know why you have come. Pray, do explain your purpose."
"I have come to ask permission to speak on behalf of all the Elvish peoples in the area of Mirkwood," replied the Elf prince.
"Mirkwood? Is that the Greenwood I am thinking of?" asked Elrond. Celebrían raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, yes the very same."
"Well why are you now referring to it as Mirkwood?," Elrond grimaced.
"Well you see, great Elrond," Legolas replied, "just recently Greenwood was invaded by the evil peoples of Mordor. I fear that Sauron is once again rising to power, and I have come to ask for your help and the help of any and all Elves and armies that may help the Elves of Mirkwood fight this dreadful war against Sauron and his ministers of Evil."
Elrond was silent, deep in thought, and rubbing his chin. He looked off into the river valley, seeming very distressed.
Legolas looked at him and then at Celebrían who comforted him. "Dear Prince, do not fret, for you will indeed be aided and relieved from your troubles. While we wait for tomorrow's Council, and while Elrond ponders this, I shall get you a satisfying supper and you shall sleep well tonight." Celebrían looked over at Elrond, looking at him as if to urge him to think faster.
They left the giant receiving hall and headed for the dining hall now. As Legolas walked, he looked at all of the beautiful sights of Rivendell. They were on an open pathway made out of white polished marble that glistened as if it was wet. Above them was the canopy to the walkway, and it was of a light pastel blue color. To Legolas's left was the river valley, that made one wish to jump right in and swim in it, though it was running rather fast in some areas, making a soothing sound. The water was the clearest blue Legolas had ever beheld, and above that was a large canopy of trees, about one hundred feet above the river.
The supper turned out to be better than satisfactory, which was expected, and many things in Rivendell would turn out that way. It consisted of freshly steamed fowl and the traditional Elvish foods for weary travellers. Legolas ate heartily, though gracefully, for he was grateful for such a meal, for after he left Mirkwood he had not a supper of such a size or quality. Since Greenwood all he had eaten were the Elven-cakes lembas, or waybread, which was more strengthening than any food made by Men, and it is more pleasant than cram, the Dwarvish version of lembas by all accounts. Legolas was on Celebrían's left, and Elrond was on her right. To Elrond's right sat his sons, Elladan and Elrohir. They were seated at a very long and narrow longtable, of which Elrond was at the head, and Legolas was seated in one of the honorary positions, for he was an Elf-prince and a kinsman there. There were many others seated at other longtables, some of authority, some of lesser positions,
but all were honored and respected.
"My friends," boomed Master Elrond, lifting his wine into the air, readying to toast. The entire hall stood up, in a great wave. "Today we are quite fortunate to behold such a guest of high honor - an Elf-prince from what was once Greenwood," he took a sip of the precious wine, but then as he looked up from the cup, his face turned solemn. "But now the Greenwood that some of you may know as the peaceful sister land to Rivendell is beginning to vanish. For it has been invaded by evil, and orcs have now overrun the land." Legolas stiffened, and kept his eyes cast down. "Sauron is stirring once again in the East, and with his next rise to power, I know not of the fate of Middle-Earth. For with Sauron's every rise, he grows stronger. And when Sauron strengthens, the powers of the forces of Middle-Earth weaken. The Last Alliance of Elves and Men can only hold for so long. After a time we will be defeated. But not if we fight now. We must not dally any longer," Elrond searched the
faces and eyes of the people in the Hall. "Who will fight alongside the Elves of Mirkwood and I?" The people looked at each other and back at Elrond, and at Legolas, who was now scanning their faces.
A bold human by the name of Arathir stepped forward before any other. "I will fight. Though I am not an Elf, I recognize that one must defend others if one expects others to defend him." He walked forward to Legolas, and reached out his arm. Legolas returned the gesture, yet he was unsure of what to do. Arathir clasped his arm in a friendly but masculine way and said, "I bind myself to you and your people, for we are now all for the same cause." Arathir wore a cape of dark earthly brown heavy linen, and it was slung around his shoulder. His long brown hair was down to his shoulders and his icy blue eyes pierced one's soul. Arathir was a very strong and brave man, the perfect soldier. He was quite attractive as well, which only gained him more popularity.
"Well we shall need more than three people to fight the minions of Sauron," said Elrond, lifting his gaze from Legolas and Arathir. "Whom else will be brave enough to fight alongside such legends as Arathir and I?" The audience was silent. The bowed their heads in cowardice and averted their eyes from Master Elrond's. "If none will fight, shall I volunteer someone?" Again, no one answered.
In the back of the Hall a grand door burst open, and in came a fair and royal-looking Elf, and a proud and tall kingly Human. They walked toward Elrond and introduced themselves and their purpose. "We volunteer ourselves and our armies in the fight against Sauron and his Ring," said the Elf. He was tall and fair, similar to Legolas, but he was obviously older and in his prime. "I am Galadmîr, representative of the Elves of Lothlórien. The Lord and Lady are in favor of this mission, for they know that if the Power is not defeated now, it might never be."
"And I am Imrahil, Lord of Ered Luin, the Northwesternmost lands of Middle-Earth. My people's dwellings stretch all the way from the Gulf of Lhûn to the Forindon to the Icebay of Forochel and beyond to the Forodwaith. We have heard tales of evil doings beyond Eriador, and have expressed our deepest sympathies and concerns for the people that have been disturbed by the Power that is once again rising in Mordor," said Imrahil, raising his voice out of anger of Sauron. How he hated Sauron, for no evil ever was in Ered Luin, and he was quite unaccustomed to such things. `Twas a sacred and pure land, with many people scattered about, across great distances, and was in the coldest parts of Middle-Earth. During the Forelithe and Afterlithe it was yet still cold there.
Imrahil was clad in the most beautiful armor that any had ever set eyes upon. Silver and Blue thread embroidered it with delicate designs, almost something that an Elf might wear, for it was just as beautiful as any of the Elven-armor.
"Well, now that we have four armies at the ready, I think we are ready to fight," Elrond looked back at the people. "And as for the rest of you, you ought to be ashamed for how cowardly you all are. Get out of my Hall!" They did as Elrond said and scrambled out of the great Dining Hall. Embarrassed and angered, Elrond turned back towards Legolas, Imrahil, Galadmîr, and Arathir. "Well unfortunately I will not be going with you to command the army of Rivendell. I must stay here and protect this city here. I am leaving the commanding of my army up to Legolas." Legolas's face flushed whiter that it normally was.
"Me, command an entire army? But I have no commanding skills whatsoever," Legolas protested. "I only just engaged in my first battle!" The others looked astonished that Elrond would have put a task so great and difficult into Legolas's hands.
"I have immense faith in you, Legolas. Though you have not it in yourself, I can see through you to your core and I know that you are a strong and brave young lad, perhaps braver than any that I have ever known. I know you will prove well. Do not deny yourself of self-confidence. You will do extraordinarily, dear Legolas," he turned back to the others. "You all will go to Ered Luin, homeland of Imrahil, brave elven-friend. There you will gather armies of humans and prepare them for battle. Then you will trek across Middle-Earth once again to Lothlórien to prepare the army of the Elves. Galadmîr will go with you to Ered Luin because you need his experience with armies. Set out tomorrow at first light. Worry not about provisions, for I will provide you with quite a suitable amount. Go on to your chambers now and rest easy. Take advantage of the lulling sounds of the River Bruinen. The name means Loudwater, but do not let that fool you, for it is gentle as a babbling brook. You
will sleep very well, perhaps better than you ever have on our feather mattresses and attended by servants at all hours. Go, and rest well!"
The group left and tired as they were, decided to stop for about an hour in the Hall of Fire, where they heard many songs and tales - and they kept quite awake through it all. It was not a high day so it was loud and noisy, with many people there, singing and dancing to Elvish minstrels that made sweet music. Slowly the hall filled as it grew late, and they all forgot how important a night of good rest was. They stayed up many hours, and delighted in the parties that occurred throughout the night. But when the night grew old, they grew weary. Suddenly they remembered what they were there to do, and left, regretting coming there in the first place. A least they had grown comfortable with each other, they thought.
As Legolas retreated to his chambers, he felt a presence he had not felt since the days he was still with his father. He sensed that his father was present, and as he prepared for bed, the presence grew stronger. As the Elf drifted off to sleep, he no longer just felt that his father was there, but he could see him as well. In Legolas's dreams he reunited with his father in the setting of his old home, and they talked for a very long time as Thranduil told Legolas of what happened to him after death. He told him his story, and then stated his purpose. "I am here to guide you through this War of the Ring, dear Legolas. There will not be a moment that you are without me."
They talked for many more hours, when Thranduil left, and Legolas awakened. The sun was shining outside, and the River Bruinen gurgled on. He rose out of bed, dressed and went to the Dining Hall expecting a feast for breakfast. But there was no one there. Legolas looked around, puzzled.
"We are ready to set off, and we will have to skip the feast," said a voice behind Legolas. We have lembas for when you grow hungry and fatigued," It was Arathir, the brave Human who bound his life to the will of Legolas.
"My dear Arathir, you are too kind to provide me with yourself on this journey. I cannot thank you enough," Legolas said, putting his hand on Arathir's shoulder.
"The fact that I will be contributing myself to the war against Sauron and the evils of Mordor is more than enough satisfaction for me," Arathir smiled and clapped Legolas on the back.
Even as Legolas and Arathir turned and walked out of the Hall, Sauron's forces were growing stronger. Just days after the Battle of Dol Guldur, Mordor began preparing for an invasion of all places left untouched by evil in Midgard. Including Ered Luin, the homeland of Imrahil. Sauron was planning a massive attack on Middle-earth and was repopulating his forces while the Company prepared to journey to Ered Luin. Though they knew not of his plans, they all sensed that something was about.