Chapter 7
Mylea and Legolas entered the forest quietly. Mylea had no fear of the trees in this forest, she had heard many stories about how they would talk and move, but she was not going to let that get in her way.
"Stay close behind me." Legolas spoke.
"I do not need your protection. I can take care of myself."
With that Mylea charged ahead and began to try to lose Legolas in an act of defiance. She would every so often look behind her and see Legolas shaking his head in amusement. Suddenly he was not there to be seen any longer. Mylea turned in circles but did not see one sign of his presence.
"Legolas?" She called quietly among the trees.
There came no answer. Mylea stayed calm for a few moments, but soon could not take it any longer. She started yelling louder and louder. What if he had gotten into trouble? She needed to find him.
"LEGOLAS!"
"I'm right here Mylea."
Legolas emerged from behind a gigantic stocky tree, carrying black berries. He looked quizzically at her and then a smirk crept into his lips.
"So you do care, do you?"
Mylea turned away and tried to hide the relief on her face.
"I…I just needed to know if…"
Legolas started to laugh and Mylea went red. She was embarrassed by this sudden attack of affection she had for Legolas.
"Just don't do that again."
"I won't as long as you do not try to run from me." Legolas answered and held out his handful of berries.
"Are you sure these aren't poisonous?"
"Yes."
She took a few and slowly let them melt in her mouth.
"You're doing it again." She spoke.
"What?"
"That look."
"There's no look." Legolas lied.
Legolas had been looking at her quite frequently since the moment they crossed paths in the woods far back. They stood for a moment just facing one another in what looked like a petty showdown.
"What are two elves such as yourselves doing in Fangorn forest?" A voice boomed from behind them.
Legolas and Mylea turned at the same time and saw an elderly man. He held a long black pipe in one hand and a staff in the other. His mass of gray hair was hidden under a huge pointed hat.
Aragorn had awoken once more and forced himself off of the soiled dungeon floor. He walked slowly to a barred window and saw two small orcs hustling around busily. One held an ax; the other held a pair of keys.
"What am I doing here?" Aragorn asked the bewildered orcs.
"Oh you are awake Lord Aragorn!" One of the orcs spoke and hurried himself to Aragorn's cell.
"Who are you?"
"I am Bimley, and over there is Nortil. We shall be looking after you while you wait for him to come."
"Who?"
"The white wizard."
"Saruman." Aragorn spoke firmly.
"Oh yes Lord Aragorn, now can we get you something to eat while you wait?"
"Bimley! We are supposed to scare him, not comfort him!" Nortil yelled.
"Oh…oh yes." Bimley mumbled and walked back to Nortil.
Aragorn propped himself against a wall and observed the creatures again. He did not fear the orcs they were helpless. He did need to know what Saruman wanted with him though. He cursed himself for not being more alert; he would not have to be in this situation.
"Gandalf!" Legolas cheered.
"Hello my dear boy."
He grinned at Legolas and then noticed that Mylea was standing there staring him with wide eyes. He recognized her face, and walked towards her for an embrace.
"Little Mylea, dear child."
"I know you Gandalf, I remember!"
"Well you should child, I was there the day you were brought to the house of Elrond."
"You cradled me in your arms and I remember opening my eyes and seeing your face."
"Yes, it was I."
Mylea embraced him and felt so happy that she had remembered something from her past.
"So you are traveling with Legolas? Did you plan it?"
"No, I had never met him until yesterday."
"Yes you have child, one of the first people you met in Lord Elrond's home."
Mylea looked confusedly at Gandalf then began to think hard. She stretched her memory and tried to think back when she could have seen Legolas before. Legolas watched her, hoping Gandalf's words would make it all come back.
"Legolas…you were taller than the other boy, Haldir. You reached out to me…I remember you." Mylea slowly poured out.
"Yes Mylea."
"But how did you remember me so well?" Mylea questioned.
"I remember your…" Legolas stammered, not wanting to tell her he thought she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.
"Eyes…he remembered your eyes." Gandalf finished his sentence and laughed.
Legolas shot a dirty look to Gandalf and Mylea looked away. She tried to hide her amusement with the new situation.
"On a more serious note, we must wait here you two." Gandalf said and took a seat on the ground.
"Wait? And you are joining us?" Legolas asked.
"Yes I will be joining you until I must move on. And we must wait for Haldir and Gimli." Gandalf answered matter-of-factly.
"Haldir is coming? Well I shall be glad to see him again, it has been quite too long." Legolas said and leaned against a tree.
"Who is Gimli?" Mylea asked.
"A dwarf, and do not be offended by any remarks he makes about elves. The dwarves are known for being adverse to your kind. But Gimli does have a good heart." Gandalf warned.
Mylea took a seat next to Gandalf and they waited. Gandalf was very curious to learn everything about Mylea. Legolas watched intently while Mylea explained everything that Gandalf questioned, which he was sure that she had shared to very few before them.
