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 3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

'' -- means thought

"" -- means spoken words

* -- means that there's a translation or explanation at the end

[] -- means translation from elvish to English

Back in Mirkwood...

'This will not be easy, my old friend. I must warn you of what you are to face' thought Legolas as he stopped at the gates, Mithrandir at his side.

But before he had the chance to speak, a loud whinny was heard, close to them.

"What was that?" the wizard asked, curiosity coloring his voice.

Legolas let out a small sigh 'It will only delay the inevitable, princeling. Though I am grateful. I know not how to say this...' A white blaze passed before his eyes, far behind Mithrandir, and caused him to snap back out of thought.

"Please, tell me that it is not who I think it is..." implored the Istari. At that, the elf could only chuckle, judging by the look in his friend's eyes that the earlier threat, about being turned into a toad, would come true, were he to push deeper.

"I fear it is, if you think of Shadowfax. I found him at the outer gates of the forest, admiring its fresh beauty. He has confessed to never seeing these woods in such a state. He even asked if he could come and stay here, at least for some years, with his mare"

"And what did you say?" The wizard was literally holding his breath for the answer.

"Of course I said yes"

"What! Have I not warned you of this creature!?!" His words were slightly above a whisper, but angry none the less.

"I am convinced that he regrets his doings of the past century, or so. Here, let me call him, and then you will hear it in his own words!" Without waiting for an answer, though it was clear that one such was prepared, the prince shouted to Shadowfax, who was lurking in the trees, some distance from them.

"Your Highness, we would be much honored if you were to join us!"

The white horse stomped his foot, and flicked his tail in response, starting towards them in a fast pace.

"Maer ceny chin, mellon nin" [Good to see you, my friend] Legolas said in Sindarin, barely audible, while rubbing the horse's muzzle. Mithrandir had to admit that he had never seen Shadowfax act like this with anyone. He was completely tame, allowing the elf to pet him freely. Even the fact that he joined them on mere words was amazing, for the flattering was obviously mocking, and addressed to the Istari.

"How are you, prince? Feeling any better?" the horse asked in his *native tongue, which Mithrandir also understood.

"Much better, Shadowfax, much indeed. Now that Mithrandir has arrived, there seems to be new hope at the horizon" Only then, at the mention of him, did the wizard come into his focus. The King of horses sent a rather blank greeting his way "Well met, Master Istari"

"Well met, King" came the answer, just as dry.

'Ai! I can not stand this!' "Come, let us go deeper. My father will be pleased to see you, Eskil" 'Not...' they thought at the same time. It was clear to all that the Elven king did not hold Mithrandir in high esteem. Now was not going to be an exception to that rule, just because grave news was to be heard.

Still, reassured that Legolas was at his side, the old Istari silently walked on.

"Edro!" [Open!] Legolas shouted and the large gates opened with a long, humble shriek. They revealed the edge of the kingdom, for it spread for many miles, wider then even Lothlorien.  

The three friends entered and the gates closed behind them, with the same sound.

Silence fell over them. Legolas was determined to make one of the others talk, preferably among themselves, but they kept admiring the trees, flowers and even the blades of grass, not sharing one glance. 'Ai, you shall be the death of me! How can two such good friends not speak to each other after so long a time apart!?! Though, I have seen it before, it must not happen to them' He mentally sighed, admitting to himself the fact that this task might just be the hardest he would ever face.

"Tell us of your journeys, Mithrandir. What have you seen that has touched your heart?"

"I fear that I've seen too much pain, Legolas..."

"Forgive me, I did not mean to open a subject of heavy memories."

"No, no, don't be silly. Like always, you are curious. Mayhap too so for en elf. I shall tell you, but later, that I promise. For now, we must have a long, tiresome talk with your father"

'With my father, not with king Thranduil. You expect me to rescue you from a future argument, my friend? You could have just asked!'

Some more time passed, and Legolas found his nerves to be reaching that safety line, beyond which was only madness. 'They will hate me for this, and I will surely regret it, but there seems not to be another choice' with that in mind, he jumped up a tree.

His movement was so unexpected and silent, that neither companion realized he was gone until a few more steps.

"Now, where has that foolish elf gone off to!?! He's not leaving me here, alone!"

"But you are not alone. I can easily guide to your destination" Shadowfax said proudly, taking on a very king-like position.

"I know the way!!"

"Fine, then go by it!"

A sudden remorse went through the wizard, and made him change his mind. With a heavy sigh, he called out for the horse to stop "Wait, Shadowfax. Forgive my words; I am weary of the journey and of my news. You have done nothing to offended me, and I was angered at you without reason"

"It is good to hear that you repent for such disregard of rank. Were it someone else rather than you, he would not be standing" Then he stomped his foot "I accept your apologies"

'Ah, how I wish I could slash your throat open... But as big as your ego is without reason, you are still a creature, and thus worthy of my mercy. This time you are spared'

"Then let us continue our road, for I do not suspect our friend shall return soon" the wizard said, trying hard to bury the thought of murder 'though it would be, at some level, in the defense of my sanity'.

"No, I do not believe. I think our silence has driven him slowly to this. It is your fault and ---"

"I am to blame for this!?!"

"I was going to continue, would I not have been so rudely interrupted, that you are to blame... as much as I am" each final word was pressed, to make clear his intension.

A little more relaxed, Mithrandir started walking down a path in the woods.

"So! It has been a long time since our last encounter"

"Yes, it has"

"What have you been up to?"

"What do you mean?"

"Legolas was saying something about a mare..."

"Oh, that... Yes, well..."

"Come on, out with it! I am dieing of curiosity as to what kind of creature would-"A tense glare from the horse stopped Mithrandir, who had been very close of opening another argument. He hurried to correct himself "I mean, I am interested in how you met, and of her spirit."

"Good" Shadowfax said, suspicious of his walking-companion's true intentions.

'Legolas, my dear elf, were you to jump out of a tree right now, my promise about a certain fair faced toad would surely be brought to fact!' Amused annoyance was beginning to well up in the wizard, but he was grateful for having this chance to catch-up on things with an old friend. It will be moments like this that will be greatly mist in the darkness that was to fall.

'They speak!!! In that long silence I almost forgot what their voices sounded like!' Legolas was carefully fallowing them, so he could hear every word. As much as he wanted his friends to have the chance to speak, he wanted to know what it was they spoke of.

Shadowfax started talking about **Silamirl. She was indeed a mare that the King of horses encountered some time ago in Rivendell. She was a beautiful creature, golden in the sunlight, with yellow mane, and dark brown eyes.

"Silamirl is beautiful..." Legolas started saying aloud, when he was well out of earshot from the two, deciding that nothing fascinating was being discussed. But he was stopped by the sight of his mare, sitting in the light. She was looking at him stunned 'She must have heard my words about Silamirl. Ai, I am in no mood for her arguments...'

"... but not even close to the brilliance of lady ***Ithildin!" he said gallantly, taking a bow in front of the mare, who's name was Ithildin. In truth, there was a war of opinions in the kingdom: some thought that Silamirl was a splendid creation of the Valar, and thus had no equal among Middle-earth creatures; others considered that Ithildin was not, in fact, of Middle-earth, but descendent of a mare that was born and lived in Valinor, a long, long time ago, and her grey coat, silver mane and lightning colored eyes were proof to many that this was true. He himself found to be torn between the two. But when it came down to war, to long miles running, to saving lives, or simply to having a nice conversation, he would always choose Ithildin. Legolas could think of no other horse he could trust more than this one.

"I like to believe so, my Prince" she said proudly. "Besides, I can not say I envy her"

He came closer and sat in the long grass, by Ithildin's side. "And why not?"

"To be around Shadowfax all day, perhaps even all eternity! How could I ever desire THAT!?!"

"You are right! Your King does have a rather gigantic ego, doesn't he?"

"Gigantic is not a great enough word!"

Both laughed.

"Im valinin ceny le glandhach, cund nin" [I am happy to see you laugh, my prince], the mare said, falling into Sindarin, their birth-language.

"Nan' ha albronatha, im groga" [But it will not last, I fear] Sadness was evident in his voice.

"I siniath tanya Mithrandir tôg presta le?" [The tidings that Mithrandir brings trouble you?] Ithildin was beginning to get concerned. 'What could be so terrible? It is not as though Sauron has risen!'

"Uma, mellon nin. În peth a man tôl abhain torthatha I manadh uin ennorath." [Yes, my friend. His word and what will come after will control the fate of the middle-lands.]

Ithildin was walking on very dangerous territory. Not because her rider would not tell her his heart, but because she was not sure she wanted to hear it. Still, the look on his face determined her 'Perhaps I could help if I knew what the matter is'

"Aa' im ista man I siniath nara?" [May I know what the tidings tell?]

"Sai, nan' sal'ere en min, nad niben. Nad min niben, anirner na adanath o I lũ ten agor; an man gwennin ar-amdir. San thia ar-val, nan' ta um mad i fea uin kolindo, a sautha ha o innas, echadel ho ta tuar." [Much, and still only of one, small thing. One small thing, desired by men from the time it was made; for which many died without hope. It seems without power, but its evil takes the spirit of the bearer, and drains it of will, making him its servant.] He paused, searching the mare's eyes, but she had not seen what he meant.  

"I siniath  nara uin Min Korma; o ---" [The tidings tell of the One Ring; of ---]

"Sauron" Ithildin hissed, hatred and dread mixed in her voice.

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*I do not know the tongue of the horses, but I presumed that Mithrandir would also speak this, since he does most other languages, and Legolas obviously does. If you guys have any thoughts you would like to share on this subject, REVIEW right away or E-MAIL me. I'm open for suggestions!

**Silamir -- the name means 'shining jewel' in Sindarin

***Ithildin -- the name means 'silver' in Sindarin

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To my ONLY reviewer

XxDragon Princess NikkixX: Hey, you, thank's A LOT for reviewing even if you only saw the author's note! And, about that, my computer went crrrrrazy after I posted that chapter, and only worked proparly some days after. It's all explained in the true Chapter 1 of my tale. Thank's, angain, for wanting to read it. Regarding the posible complains of others about Galadriel and Celeborn: I DON'T CARE WHAT THEY SAY!!!  This is my freaky little world, and I get to make the rules here! Though, any other criticism is very wellcomed. Please fallow my progress, don't have mercy when reviewing. But PLEASE review!!!!!!