DISCLAIMER: These characters: Legolas, etc., do not belong to me. They are the property of J.R.R. Tolkien, and I am using them for no money-making purposes.
~~~~~~ CHAPTER 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'' -- means thought
"" -- means spoken words
* -- means that there's a translation or explanation at the end
Someone was coming at a slow pace. He was sure he could hear low humming from the figure. It was not at all a stranger, but the old Istari, Gandalf the Grey; or Mithrandir, as elves call him. A sparkle went on in his grey eyes at this, and he jumped down from the tree that had been his watch post until now. Landing with a cat like movement, he rushed to greet his wandering friend.
The wizard was wearing his usual light-grey robe and hat, the last covering almost all of his face. The staff, ever present, seemed to be a mere support for his long years, and he carried himself in a greatly deceiving way, so that only the wise or the friends would know of its true power.
But the elf that now silently followed him was aware of the old man's identity and ability, so he was not fooled. Besides, Mithrandir was singing an old elvish song about ents, that spoke of the first of the race and how filled with joy their life was before Sauron realest all evil upon them; a song that only a hand-full of people in Middle-earth knew.
"It is very rude to come unannounced." the elf plainly stated, perched in a tree under which the wizard was passing. The words weren't spoken very loud, but they accomplished their goal, and made him stop dead in his tracks.
Seeing that Mithrandir was waiting, the elf continued, without revealing himself. Due to the large branches that created a cave around them, his melodious voice was sent in an echo, leaving the one who heard to guess where he was.
"Not to mention that you could have gotten yourself killed, or worse. There are not a very few in Mirkwood that would turn away from knocking an arrow in your head and then blame it on not revealing your identity. You should know better than this, Mithrandir. Or were we not good enough teachers, and failed in making you understand?"
The last statement caused the traveler to stir and shake his head slowly.
"It is not that, Master, you have done your job admirably. It is I who am hard-headed, and seem not to heed your wise council." Then he lifted his head to look in the branches of the tree he stood under but could not distinguish the elf.
"I believe you. Were you more open to our teachings, you would not be facing my arrow's point right now"
Mithrandir turned and found that he was indeed facing the very sharp point of an elvish arrow. A little startled and a lot ticked off that he had not heard the approach, he raised a defensive hand. "I beg of you, kind elfling, spare my miserable life" The tone was obviously mocking, but also irritated, maybe even angry, so the elf was surprised. This kind of game was normal on such visits, so what was so troubling that the fun had to be spoiled?
Still, he hoped for a return of the wizard's morale, and pushed on, letting a little worry slip into his voice. "What could be so miserable about your life, Master Istari? Perhaps I could be of some assistance, since it seems you are in need of protection"
To that he received a more eased reply, as a soft sigh escaped the Istari. "Forgive me, my friend. It is the long way that I have come" Then he lifted his eyes so they could meet those of the elf.
Legolas Greenleaf, prince of Mirkwood, youngest of King Thranduil's children, had known Mithrandir for almost 3000 years, and had come to care a great deal for him, as though he was a father. But not ever in that long time, has he seen such despair in his pale blue eyes.
"Legolas?" The wizard asked cautiously, noticing that the elf had a distant look on his fair face.
Bringing his eyes back to the Istari, he pursued a thought, using the nickname that he and his twin sister, Losseas, had given: „Have you found it, *Eskil?"
"Found what?"
"Whatever it is that you are looking for" Legolas put his bow on his back, and the arrow in his quiver. He started walking between the trees.
Not receiving any reply from behind, he stopped, and asked without turning "Is it Gollum that which you seek?"
Mithrandir was surprised, to say the least. "How do you know?"
"These are dark times, my friend. One only concern could you have in these times. Were it the One Ring itself, you would not have come. Were it something of less importance, I would not be seeing so much worry in your eyes"
The wizard did not answer the earlier question, but added one of his own "So, you have solved my riddle, Legolas?"
"Tell me, do you sense any change in the forest?" the elf asked, calmly.
He stood and considered his answer. Finally: "Much, indeed. I believe the trees are happy as they have never been, and it is not dark as it used to be. I encountered no foul creatures." He paused to look around one more time. "So you did"
Legolas turned and met the tired eyes of the Istari with a mesmerizing pair of his own, flashing with youth, relief, joy, strength, courage, and something new, that Mithrandir had not seem to notice until then: age.
The twin children of Thranduil were the last born of the Eldars. It was only natural that the Elven Rings of Power, those not touched by Sauron, would come in their possession. Of course, that had to be discovered by Losseas and Legolas themselves, not to be told. And, from what he could see, they have done just that.
Although generally good news, as Middle-earth needed them, it still worried the wizard. He cared for the two and did not like the idea of sending them off to face Sauron.
'But is shall happen, whether I agree or not. Perhaps it is not even up to them', he thought, with dismay.
"Eskil, are you alright, my friend?"
"Yes, it is nothing..."
The distance of his mind's trail was obvious to Legolas, and he soon found the need to change the subject. This was not the way he wanted to spend the little time he had with his friend.
"Come! Loose any dark thoughts; there is no place for them under our trees. Will you allow me to escort you to my father?"
Mithrandir jumped at the sudden merriment in the young elf's voice, but he could not push out the hope at seeing Legolas smile. "Of course." Now he truly felt enlivened, and able to send away the danger of the nearby future. "Perhaps on our way you might be so kind as to share with me the whereabouts of your twin sister. I do so dislike being spied, and I am certain she is lurking in these trees, somewhere, laughing at me"
Legolas could not choke back the small laughter, and his voice soothed the wizard's heavy heart. "For once, my friend, you are mistaking."
At that, he stared in disbelief at the fair face, and considered this to be part of a bigger plan to make fun of him. The truth was that he enjoyed this type of antics, and he usually responded to them well, not being shy at throwing a good one at the twins, from time to time. So, now, he had every right to be suspicious.
Legolas recognized the look immediately and hurried his explanation "She truly is not here, Eskil. I see how disappointed you are to be greeted only by me, but Losseas is visiting in Lorien. It has been long since she left."
"She has left alone?" The doubt, mixed with happiness --a very odd combination-- had not left Mithrandir's eyes. He walked to Legolas's side, and both started towards the great kingdom of Thranduil of Mirkwood.
"If by that you mean has she left without me, then the answer is obviously yes, but not out of spite. If you ask whether she departed unguarded, then you should be at ease: 4 of our best warriors are accompanying her. Besides, she is going to see **Altariel; her road will be eventless and safe."
"I pray that it is so, my friend."
"Do not be so concerned. Not even Sauron himself could keep her from reaching her destination" A soft chuckle escaped him, and was cause for the wizard to look at him with a new light of curiosity.
"Oh, really? And what would be attracting our Losseas there so much that is worth everything?"
"Haldir" he simply stated, turning his bright grey eyes at his friend. A light flickered in them.
Mithrandir genuinely smiled. "And who might that be?"
"One of the Lady's warriors. A few years ago, when we were visiting grandmother and grandfather, they met. I believe it was instant love, though she denies even knowing him."
"Ah, I do remember him! You also told me of the boy, some time ago, did you not?"
"Yes, I did. I am pleased to see that your memory still serves you well."
"Why shouldn't it? I am not that old!" The wizard was faking indignation in a manner that deserves praising, but Legolas saw through it, to the source of the attitude: fun. How could he let escape such an opportunity to mock the wizard?
"Oh, no, I did not mean that. It is simply that some time ago, you forgot where you were, and nearly put all our lives in mortal danger." he reminded, innocently.
"'Nearly' is the right way to put it. Eventually I remembered and got all of you out of that situation!"
"And what an embarrassing situation it was! To be left in a place you once knew but no longer remember, in front of a king --king Denethor, to make matters worse-- and have him badgering you for that. Tell me, how did you feel?"
"I had the situation under control!!!" Calming a little, he said "Although some help from the two of you or Aragorn would not have been refused."
Legolas could only laugh at the memory of that trip the four of them --Mithrandir, Aragorn, Losseas and himself-- had taken, through Lothlorien, Fangorn, over the Misty Mountains, through the Gap of Rohan, and then all the way to Anfalas. It had taken them many years to accomplish this audacious feat, but they survived. Even if that was almost a dream instead of reality.
At a point, when near Eked, Mithrandir lost his way. King Denethor, who was then a young prince, joined their trail earlier, and proved to be a good companion. At least until that moment, when the Istari calmly stated, "I do not recognize this place". It would not have been a very big problem, were it not for the freezing cold of the place, in the middle of an unexpected winter. The conditions were so bad that a very long argument began between the human prince and the wizard, fact that was uncommon, for the two seemed to be quite good friends. Legolas always believed that since that moment the extreme dislike, that was still present, had started to form, never to be repaired.
After that, the two old friends talked about things that passed and things that they wish would come or could be avoided. Time slipped by and soon they reached the gates of the fortress.
"Here we are, my friend"
"Greater then I remembered... Don't you dare comment or you'll be spending eternity as a fair faced toad!" Mithrandir threatened, seeing that Legolas was opening his mouth to surely make some more jokes on his behalf. Not that the wizard didn't deserve them: the way to the gates was filled with such playful arguments, none taking seriously what the other was saying.
The elf chuckled and lifted his hands in an obeying manner.
"That was not my intention, Eskil." His face grew severe and Mithrandir lost thought of merrymaking. It was clear that the discussion that was to fallow was one of great gravity.
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*Eskil -- winter one (in Quenya)
**Altariel -- Galadriel's name (in Quenya)