The Company was about to pass into the kingdom of Mirkwood when Gimli suddenly stopped.
"I will not go a step further." he said, planting his feet into the ground.
"Gimli, now is not the time for grudges against the Elves." Legolas replied.
"My father was imprisoned here. I will not go further." the dwarf insisted, his eyes flashing.
"It would be unwise to try and force a dwarf to enter Mirkwood. He would be most unwelcome here." a cultured voice spoke softly.
The Company turned around to see an Elf-lord behind them, holding the body of an Elf in his arms. The Lord's blond hair shone lightly in the sunlight and his white robes were unstained by the blood of the dead Elf in his arms. His clear eyes glanced at each of the Company in turn. With him was another Elf, who was holding the reins of two horses.
"Come home again, Legolas?"
"For a while." Legolas answered. "We have another reason for coming."
The Elf-lord's eyes dropped to the body he held. "It is about a shape-shifter. A shape-shifter that seeks to destroy Mirkwood."
Legolas nodded, glancing at the body. "Yes. And he has already begun."
The Elf-lord smiled wanly. "He will lose this battle." Then he shook his head slightly, and a warmth seemed to spread over them, chasing away the anticipation of Forngor's attack.
"But enough of talk of fighting to come. Welcome to Mirkwood."
Legolas replied in kind, and the others pushed thoughts of Forngor from their minds. "Glorfindel, we should inform my father."
Glorfindel nodded. "Come, all of you. Yes, even you Gimli." he added. As they passed him, he greeted each in turn, pausing when Frodo walked by.
"Frodo Baggins, it has been a while since Asfloth bore you across the Ford."
"And I thank you still for your timely arrival." Frodo returned.
The other Elf came forward, and a look of recognition came into Frodo's face.
"Haldir! But why are you so far from Lothlorien?"
"The Lord and Lady have granted me leave to travel with Lord Glorfindel, as a friend and not as a guard." Haldir, a soldier of Lothlorien, replied.
"Why, hello, Sir Haldir." Sam said as he saw the Elf.
"Still trying to breathe quietly, Master Gamgee?" Haldir said, with a faint smile.
"Come now, Haldir. We should not keep our guests waiting." Glorfindel called to him.
"Our guests?" Legolas laughed. "It is I who should be saying that."
Haldir beckoned for Frodo and the others to go in front of him. The white stallion nickered impatiently for the Hobbits to pass, and Frodo laughed.
"Asfaloth, be patient. You do not need to save me again." The stallion tossed his head in reply, making the silver bells on his halter ring. Haldir shook his reins gently, chiding the horse.
"Asfaloth, calm yourself."
"I thought we were going to the king." Pippin said.
"Trust a Hobbit to put us back on track." Gandalf said kindly. "Lead the way, Glorfindel."
Mirkwood was different from the open air of Rivendell and the mystery of Lothlorien. It had both qualities, but Mirkwood was darker, more troubled. In the past years, it had been plagued by evil forces, but the king and his armies had finally defeated them.
"The Prince of Mirkwood has returned!" an Elf-woman said as they passed her home under the trees. Then she saw the dead Elf and let out a soft cry of sorrow. "Ai, it is my son whose body you bear, Lord."
Glorfindel looked at her with compassionate eyes. "If you wish it, lady, I will leave the body with you."
She nodded. "I do. His siblings and father will be saddened to see this, but he would like to rest at home."
Glorfindel gently laid the body down. Then he removed his white robe and covered the Elf with it. Glorfindel was dressed for riding, and the robe was merely to give a sense of his power, but without it, anyone could tell that he was an Elf-lord.
"Glorfindel, we must continue." Haldir urged him quietly.
The Lord nodded and continued the walk through Mirkwood. Soon they had reached the Even-king's palace. A worried-looking Elf greeted them.
"Prince Legolas, you must come quickly. Your father has been attacked."