Chapter 3- Mirkwood and Erebor

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Your Grace, I bring news from the mouth of Mithrandir himself! He has bid me ask for leave to come and see you. He says his news is urgent and if you are as committed getting rid of the shadow and not departing as you say, that his news will be a relief to you." A young elf maid finished. She was the royal prince's messenger at the moment. His usual messenger was injured in the last battle these elves had a part in. Her Lord sat on a cliff over looking a small river. He had blue eyes and long blonde hair. This was the prince of Mirkwood, Legolas. No, she reminded herself, he was King now. His father had died in the last battle this company of elves had fought in; the former king had fallen at the feet of a Nazgul.

"Mithrandir? He is here? Let him come and see me," Legolas answered, still looking down at the stream below. The maiden left and soon returned with an old man dressed in dirty gray robes and a wizard hat on his head. He looked tired and weather beaten, but his eyes were shining.

"Gandalf! What brings you to search out a man grieving for his father?" Legolas asked questioningly. Legolas sighed, he knew Gandalf was here for good reason, but he still wished privacy. Did no one understand that the King Thranduil had died? The whole of the Woodland Wanderers had lost a part of their lives, but Legolas had also lost a father. And with that loss, he also inherited a great responsibility, Legolas now had to take on the role of King.

"I come to bear an invitation," Gandalf replied. Legolas looked at him, astonished. Could this man think he could prance in here and invite Legolas to some sort of gathering? How could he! This was a time of war, and death. Legolas had duties to fulfill; he had his people to look after. "The Lord Elrond himself has urged a member of the Wandering Elf Kingdom to join him in his haven, for a short time only." Legolas looked up from the ground. If Gandalf was telling the truth, a matter of grave importance was at hand. Elrond would not open his haven to anyone, no matter the cause.

"Why does the Lord open his gates now? Why does he choose this group of elves and not another?" Legolas replied, almost reluctantly. Legolas had never had to deal with making large decisions before now and he had a feeling that this was leading up to him making one.

"A council shall be held," Gandalf continued, more quietly now so that no other might hear. Not even the messenger standing a few feet away could hear their words. "There shall a great decision be made which shall involve all the enemies of Sauron. Elrond wishes all groups be represented; Elves, Men, and Dwarves."

"Dwarves! Why should a great lord such as Elrond trust a Dwarf to any decision! They are useless, war-loving creatures who care for nothing more than their precious jewels and stones," Legolas retorted angrily. This strife with the Dwarves was ages old and was getting worse all the time. The elves and dwarves were too different. The elves loved their woods, trees, earth and the peace with everything around them. The dwarves cut the wood and mined the earth. They dug deeper all the time, hoping eventually to reach a place far from Sauron's reach. But it was impossible; nowhere was wholly safe from the Dark Lord.

"Everyone will be represented in this matter. And the Lord Elrond has requested that you, Legolas, be present at this council."

"Me, I cannot leave my father's people! They need a leader at the moment and I am the only one left to guide!"

"The fate of this kingdom will be placed in good hands, no doubt, while you are away. See to it that you reach the Valley of Imladris before the frosts sets. If your people are indeed as committed to keeping the enemy at bay, the news at this council will bring you much. I council you to not miss this." The old man finished and leaned onto his staff for support. He looked tire and worn. But the elf sitting there could see that this was a very important matter to him.

"I will come. But, give me a hint, a clue per se, at what this meeting is about. I don't wish to leave my people for a petty problem," Legolas attempted the prod at Gandalf's thoughts, though he doubted it would be to much avail.

"The matter is the most dire of the moment. It could mean life or death if the enemy heard news of it. Lord Elrond does not open his gates to hold councils for 'petty' problems. Come, and all your questions should be answered."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"An old man is riding to our gates, Gloin. We know not who he is, yet there is rumor that Gandalf is about. It may be him; the rider is clad in gray," the guard finished his report on the day. Gloin seemed interested in this man and prompted him to say more, but he knew no more. The rider rode swiftly and none had yet a good glimpse of him.

"If it be Gandalf, show him to me at once when he arrives. His news must be great if he rides in such haste." Gloin said walking away as he spoke, to take some much needed rest.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"My dear old friend, Gandalf! What brings you to Erebor? Your errand must be great, unless you journeyed out here just for a short chat?" Gloin called to the wizard approaching his chair.

"My errand is great. I have come to summon you to a council of the enemies of Sauron. The Elven Lord, Elrond, shall harbor all who attend for a time," Gandalf was impatient. He had many more people to pay a visit to before his journeys were up; and he was already growing weary.

"Elf? Ha! I do not need the protection of an elf. They cannot protect themselves, much less others." Gloin groaned. He didn't need this wizard telling him what to do; problems within his own people were taking his attention at the moment, not some council.

"This council will be necessary if we plan to keep the power of Sauron at bay. The Lord Elrond himself has invited you to attend. It is not because he himself wishes to renew a friendship, but to unite against the Dark Lord. No one can hold forever against the power of Mordor alone. You must unite. Take my council and go to the Valley of Imladris, do not take more than needed. The number of travelers in your group must be small, or some will be turned away."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~