They did have a good long talk; in fact, they had many.  All conversations with Ents are naturally long, even when there really isn't much to say.  So much had happened to Nori since she and Treebeard had last seen each other, that they spent the first two days after her return simply talking together.  The two Elves were not forgotten, for Treebeard's respect for the First Children was as strong as it had ever been.  Special attention was given to Glamren, who soon felt quite at home among the trees and waters of Fangorn.

They planned to devote two weeks to the forest.  About half way through their stay, Legolas became worried and anxious.  Nori was obviously not as happy in Fangorn as they had both expected she would be.  On their fourth morning in Wellinghall she did not appear for breakfast, and when her friends looked for her she could not be found.  She finally reappeared around noon, tired and disheveled, coming from the deep forest to the east.  This was repeated the next morning.  When it happened again for the third straight day, Legolas resolved to speak to his friend, and help her if he could.

He searched for two hours and finally found her sitting high among the branches of an ancient oak.  He climbed nimbly up and sat beside her in silence, considering how best to begin.

"Norusell," he said finally, "you are not happy.  I have seen how tired and sad you are when you return from your nightly excursions.  We all have.  We are worried about you," he said gently, and briefly touched her shoulder.

"There is no need for you to worry," Nori said, without looking at him.  "I've just had so many things to think about.  To remember."  She sighed, but said nothing more.

Legolas considered her words.

"Have you slept at all these past three nights?," he asked.

She finally looked at him, but only for a moment before looking away again.

"A little," she answered, and bit her lip.

Legolas again thought over what she had said.  She clearly was not telling him everything.  He had no right to push her, but how could he sit back and do nothing when his best friend was in pain?  On impulse he reached out, grasping her chin gently and turning her face to him.  He waited until she raised her eyes to his before he spoke.

"I could not force your confidence, even if I wished to do so.  But I'm sure you would find speaking to someone, anyone, of your troubles a great relief to your heart and mind."

Several emotions flickered across Nori's face, and Legolas was sure he had reached her.  Then her face hardened and her eyes flashed with anger.  She jerked her chin from his grasp and stood.

"You can't know that!  You have no idea of my troubles, as you call them.  You may think yourself very wise, but you really don't know me as well as you think you do!"

With that she turned, and in a flash dropped to the ground.

She began to run.  Legolas stood but did not follow, thinking it best to leave her be, at least for now.

As suddenly as she had begun, Nori stopped running and stood among the trees.  Legolas watched her warily.  She turned slowly and walked back to the oak, her shoulders drooping as if under a heavy burden.  When she reached the tree and looked up at him, the sadness in her face made Legolas flinch.

"I am so sorry," she whispered.  "I did not mean what I said.  To behave so horribly, when you have been nothing but kind to me…."

Her voice broke on the last word and she stopped.  Before she could continue, Legolas dropped to the ground and stood before her.

"Perhaps it was wrong of you to speak so, but I must share the blame.  I thought to help you, but if you had desired my counsel, you would have asked for it.  I will accept your apology if you will accept mine."

The tone in which he spoke prevented any arguments Nori might have offered.  She had to be content with a nod of agreement, and a promise to herself that she would never again forget how lucky she was to have such a friend.

"I have wanted to speak to someone – to you."

She ran a hand over her eyes, and Legolas saw that it was trembling.

"There's a place, the lake that I told you about where I learned to swim.  It's about a day's journey from here.  Will you go there with me?," she asked suddenly.

The answer, without hesitation: "When do you wish to leave?"