A huge thanks to all my reviewers. This chapter is for you.

Chapter three: Duets

The prince did not realise that he had an audience as he wandered through the garden.

The night was now dark and only the stars lit the sky. Legolas lifted his head up and his hair tumbled over his shoulders in its plaits and small braids. The mask had gone seeing as the feast had ended a couple of hours ago. He was dressed ready for bed in a silken robe that fastened around his waist and wore moss green satin trousers that flopped over his bare feet.

He walked through the garden, murmuring quiet words of elvish to the trees as he passed by them. At the end of the garden was the tallest tree whose trunk was too thick for Legolas to put his arms around. He sat cross-legged at the base of it and started serenading the night.

"Sing all ye joyful, now sing all together! The wind's in the tree-tops, the wind's in the heather; The stars are in blossom, the moon is in flower, And bright are the windows of Night in her tower.

Dance all ye joyful, now dance all together! Soft is the grass, and let foot be like feather! The river is silver, the shadows are fleeting; Merry is May-time, and merry our meeting."

At this moment Legolas stopped as a dark figure walked towards him. "Prince Eldarion?" he asked.

The prince raised one finger to his lips and silently shushed the elf. Then in a deeper and richer voice he sang the next verse:

"Sing we now softly, and dreams let us weave him! Wind him in slumber and there let us leave him! The wanderer sleepeth. Now soft be his pillow!"

After his initial shock, Legolas joined in, his higher voice in perfect harmony with the man.

"Lullaby! Lullaby! Alder and Willow! Sigh no more Pine, till the wind of the morn! Fall Moon! Dark by the land! Hush! Hush! Oak, Ash and Thorn! Hushed be all water, until dawn is at hand!"

There was silence before Eldarion finally spoke. "I have visited Imladris before. The elves were singing that while they left. It was strange, some were happy, so very happy. But most of them were mourning the end of the Age of the Elves. How is Mirkwood?"

"The same. My father, the King, is preparing to leave with the last of our people." Legolas wished dearly to speak at greater lengths with the man, but something prevented him.

"Carry on," Eldarion prompted. "I can see you want to say more."

Legolas chuckled softly and looked up at the stars again, his eyes misty with sorrow. "Mirkwood is slowly returning to Greenwood the Great"-

"Sorry," the man interrupted him. "Greenwood the Great?"

"Aye. Or Eryn Lasgalen, as it is in my tongue. You have not been told of this in your history lessons?"

Eldarion shook his head regretfully.

"Then you shall have a history lesson now.

"When the world was fair and Sauron's reign was not in its most powerful, Mirkwood was called Greenwood the Great. It was the most beautiful forest in the whole of Middle-earth. The trees were tall and green, the animals that dwelt in it were friendly and peaceful. But then.... no one actually knows when..... but in the Southern reaches of Greenwood, upon a hill was fashioned a dwelling. It belonged to a Sorcerer of terrible power. He was named Sauron. The building was called Dol Guldur.

"Greenwood slowly began to darken and all but the Northern parts of Greenwood that are inhabited and defended by my kin, were into darkness. The beasts changed, so did the trees. Awful reaching and twisted branches that allowed no sunlight to penetrate the canopy. Thus Greenwood the Great was named Mirkwood."

"I never knew that," Eldarion revealed. "What an awful tale! Did Sauron remain in Dol Guldur?"

"No, he was driven out by an Istari. One of the Wizards. Mithrandir, Pilgrim Grey, Gandalf the Grey as he was known then. It was Gandalf originally. But then Sauron returned and Gandalf discovered that he had taken shape. Finally, aided by the White Council they drove Sauron from Dol Guldur. But alas, they were too late. Sauron fled with his minions to Barad- dûr. From there, you know the rest of the story."

Eldarion nodded his head and sat next to Legolas who unusually did not move away. "Are you going with the rest of your folk?" he asked.

Legolas shook his head. "I do not think I can yet."

"Why not? I thought once the elves heard the call of the sea, they had to go to the Undying Lands."

Again Legolas shook his head. "They normally do. But.... something is making me stay here. Part of me wishes to travel across the sea. That part is so strong. But part of me also wishes to remain here. In Gondor, in Fangorn, in Rohan, in Mirkwood. It is a vast world and I wish to travel all of it before submitting to the call of the gulls. My heart lies over the sea, but my soul will ever dwell under these trees and this sky, I think. I- I don't suppose you understand," he quickly added when he saw the interest in the man's eyes.

"No. I do understand. Well at least, I think I do," Eldarion said earnestly. "It is fascinating- the elves I mean. So many stories that I would wish to hear about. I've heard plenty about the Rivendell elves, mother used to tell them to me, so did grandfather. But I haven't heard about the wood-elves. You're all leaving though. I will have to badger mother and father to see if they know any."

"Once we are gone, then the Eldar will no longer will be heard of in story or song. We will be erased from the minds of Men forever. Remembered just as one remembers the fall of leaves or the setting of the sun. No longer will our voices be heard in song. And that day will set for the elves, and rise for men," Legolas said.

Eldarion yawned and stood up, stretching his arms high above him.

"I'm sorry, have I kept you up?" Legolas asked in a slightly mocking tone.

"No, well yes," Eldarion grinned sheepishly. "But it was a pleasure to talk to you Legolas."

He held out his hand and Legolas wondered whether he should take it. In the past Legolas had disliked men intensely, that was until he had met Estel and the other noble men. Yes, they had faults. They were weak, you knew that in making a friendship, it would be brief. But because of this disability, most of them were immensely reliable and trustworthy. There was exceptions, there always is. There is no reason however, to judge a whole race on the actions of a few.

He took the hand and shook it with a slight smile. "You also. Estel has raised a good son."

Eldarion smiled widely, he had heard from his father that compliments were rare from Legolas and he prided himself on modesty. "Thank you." He bowed and walked away.

Legolas leant back against the tree and quietly began singing to the sky again.

~

Nina: They are an interesting pair.

Update soon.

Anna