Chapter 8 The Journey Back Legolas traveled many days, with Eomer's company, returning to Rohan's capital, Edoras. Legolas from there planned to travel up through Fangorn to Lorien, where he would collect Gimli, and, as they had previously planned before Legolas was called to Minis Tirith, go out to sea. Legolas had calmed down quite a bit, but he was still cheerless. He rode up front with Eomer most of the time, but on occasion he ventured to the back and rode alone. When they stopped for camp the second night of their travels, Legolas could not sleep. Madai was too much on his mind, and not even an elf could sleep with her in their head. So Legolas was up and walking about. He found a small stream in the woods they were camping by, and he followed it, as if by some instinct he could not ascertain. He walked and listened, and heard the stream laughing, and the trees whispering. Yet, for a moment he could have sworn it was not the stream laughing.and the trees do not whisper about such things as he heard. Trees do not care at all what he was doing. The trees only care if you are going to chop them into pieces or not. Then he heard it again. Laughing. It was not laughing as if out of some witty joke, but it was joyous laughter. His sharp elf ears could hardly make out what was being whispered, though he did catch his name in it. "Legolas.." It whispered. Suddenly a bright light shone in front of him. He shielded his eyes, for it was more vivid white than the sun. He gasped at the striking woman attired in white, pure white, with her hair braided into fiery red tresses. She had a pale but exceedingly beautiful face, and her grey eyes shone. Legolas knew it was Madai, but she was dead. How could she be here? As if reading his mind, Madai said: "I am a spirit. I am about to depart to the land of Methlea. Go there and seek me in Calea, on the island of Colsingard. I will be waiting there for you." She said, and she started to fade. "Wait!" yelled Legolas, and she halted long enough to say: "I love you." Then she faded into the darkness. "That's all I needed to know." He whispered, and walked back to camp. ********* They had gained many miles the next day, and by nightfall they were close enough to Edoras that Legolas could see the city lights. They stopped to make camp and Legolas went out strolling in the darkness, hoping to see Madai again. But she didn't come. By morning he was tired as could be, and in no high mood. He had to delay his departure from Edoras a day to regain his lost sleep. The golden halls of Rohan's capital did cheer his mood a bit, but he was still in a hurry to leave for the Forest of Fangorn. He made it to the very edge of Fangorn that night with no delays. He was still suffering loss of sleep, so he took a peaceful nights rest and the edge of the wood, and in the morning set out through it. Birds and other strange creatures screamed seeing him walking through their forest, but Legolas did not fear, for he was friends of the master inhabitants, the Ents. He greatly wished to see old Treebeard again, so he felt it would be worth hindrance. He sought for him in many of his homes, but could not find him. When he was going to give up and get back on the trail, he heard far off singing, coming closer by the minute. A great figure moved into view, and Legolas smiled at the very tall Ent he called Treebeard. "Ho hum! Very good to see you again Legolas. I always thought you had a very hasty name.but no matter. I do not see it worth the time of saying your Entish name, Lishoabeithdakmoedjfcexkedfeckokadujesiwjis-oh, I will forget the rest, since it is not worth the time, as I said before. I suppose you need a guide through the forest, because you seek the way to Laurelindoyenan, or um, Lothlorien as you would call it. Boom Boom Rumboom Boorar Boom Boom Dahrar Boom Boom Dahrar Boom." He sang as they walked through the forest together. Gradually Legolas grew somewhat weary, but Treebeard did not tire, for he has only taken a step with Legolas's every seventh step. When Treebeard offered to carry him, he didn't decline, so Legolas rode through the Fangorn forest on the shoulders of the Ent called Treebeard. Very soon Legolas found that he could see faint light ahead of them. They had come to the edge of the forest, and it was time for them to part. They said their farewells and Legolas departed. He could see barley on the edge of his view the grand forest of Lothlorien. Legolas rode his white horse Arod for a few hours, and stopped to rest around noon. After a lunch of lembas and some cool water, and an apple for Arod, he set off again. His desire to see his dear friend Gimli kept him going, but he also had to fight thoughts of Madai, for if he did not, he would never make it to Lorien. He did not know of this place she mentioned, Methlea, but Legolas was sure he would get a quick response from the Lady Galadriel, for her mirror saw.his mind drifted in to memory of his last visit there, and he could hear Galadriel's voice almost loud and clear. ".many things. Things that have past, things that are, and some things, which have not yet come to be." Legolas scowled remembering her dark prediction to him. "Legolas Greenleaf long under tree In joy thou hast lived. Beware of the Sea! If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore, Thy heart shall rest in the forest no more." He still remembered all her dark predictions, but when one is in need of counsel, Galadriel is one to see. She could bring up a piece of history and tell all that happened. She was rather strange in Legolas's opinion, but almost all Ringbearers are. He remembered how peculiar Frodo Baggins had been. He had to stop thinking about Frodo. Frodo was dead, and death brings him memories about Madai.he had just reached the edge of the Golden Wood, and a horde of elves had just ran to greet him. "Your horse is not aloud in our wood. We have a stable for him, but it is not as close as some would like. We cannot have anyone spoiling her wood." Said a solemn looking elf. "The Lady is waiting for you, Legolas Greenleaf." He said. Legolas followed him though the woods after an elf took away Arod to the stables, and after a while, they came to the great city. Legolas was directed to a great tree, and he climbed its many steps, and when at last he had reached the top, he was completely winded. He entered the chamber at the top of the tree, and before him stood Galadriel. He bowed in front of her, and she smiled. Out from behind him stepped Gimli. He smiled and waved at Legolas. Legolas longed to run and embrace him, but he could not without the Lady's permission. Galadriel nodded, still smiling, and Legolas ran to Gimli, and pulled him in a tight hug. They had not seen each other for almost three fortnights, and they missed each other dearly. Gimli asked how his trip was, and the smile disappeared from his face, and he looked apprehensively at Galadriel. She turned her eyes to the ground, feeling sorrowful for him. She, of course, knew what had happened to him, but she could not tell the story to Gimli as full as he could, for she did not know his feelings during this tragic time, she only knew what one stranger could see from the outside of his heart. Legolas bid Gimli to come upstairs in a private chamber, and told him all that had happened up to his leaving Minis Tirith. He did not wish to tell him about seeing her ghost, for even for an elf, seeing spirits was no thing to brag about. After the story was finished, Gimli napped, and Legolas ventured around, seeking Galadriel. He was going to ask about Methlea. He found her by her mirror, gazing as usual. When she heard Legolas coming, she turned around and said: "Follow the Anduin. You will find the entrance to Methlea on the island of Tolfalas, by the sea. You will have three days and three nights to find the one you seek. But beware of the gulls, Legolas Greenleaf!" Legolas wandered out. So he now knew where it was, but he did not know what it was. Galadriel offered him the mirror to gaze in, and he accepted. He looked within, and saw his flaming-haired princess. She was walking along a beach, looking into the sky. She had a sad look on her face. Then the vision faded, and a great shape came into view. It was a eagle, sweeping fields and forests with it's great wings. Then the mirror went black. Legolas saw himself walking on an island, and it started raining. Then he fell into a shape, he could not make out quite well, and then the mirror went back to reflecting the night sky above. Legolas was confused, because the mirror did not make sense. "What does this mean? Will I be able to see my love again?" he asked Galadriel. Galadriel hesitated to answer. "I do not know." Legolas looked somewhat crushed, but Galadriel knew just what would cheer him up. "If you delay your leave a day or two, Mithrandir is coming. He could possibly answer your questions of Methlea. I only know the dark rumors about the Black Land of the Dead." "You know that it is dark?" questioned Legolas, fearful of where he may have to go to see Madai. "Yes. The Elseves live there, the ones that are heard of in the old songs. 'In the land of darkness Once they were good but are not hence Fear them with their poison bows, That kills even the immortal heart.' That is one of the many songs sung about them. Alas, we have no proof of any such creatures. But careful we must be." Legolas nodded, and walked away to leave Galadriel to her meditation. She gazed into the mirror. She saw Legolas and Madai holding hands in front of a large crowd, with soldiers dressed in Gondor green. They wore crowns on their heads, and people were cheering for them. She smiled. She left her mirror-side, and walked back in her chamber to rest.