A/N: After this chapter, hopefully, I'll be getting to the part that truly made me want to write this story. Yes, it's true, none of these chapters were actually in my plans, but I thought "Que se dane!", er... *AHEM!*... "To hell with it!", so instead of writing a nice line like "The journey across the mountains was uneventful", I decided to put up five extra chapters, practice my writing a bit and make Legolas' life somewhat miserable before I got to what I wanted! =D You have no idea of all the twists and turns this story has already suffered! Tell me something: is this going too slow? 'cause I can't help having that feeling when I'm reading it...

Review!!... please?... I hate to say this, but if I don't get more reviews, I'll stop updating chapters and keep writing this just to myself, since I am unable of leaving something like this unfinished... If no one's interested, then it's not worth the trouble of coming here and post new stuff! I started writing another story, but I definitely won't post that one unless I'm asked to... If anyone's curious on what it's about you can go read the notes I left on my new project here. It's called "Fallen Leaves".

Originally, I had Radagast be with Gandalf, but that kinda messed up the story, and so I changed it to this.

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Chapter V - Tying Loose Ends

When next he awoke, Legolas found two identical faces directly above him, one on each side. He smiled and groaned, before turning around, not wanting at all to see them.

"Well, good morning to you too, mellon nin [my friend]! How are you feeling? I must say, you look awful! Not only for your wounds, but your face! It has cuts all over it! And your hair..." Legolas faced the twins again.

"I'd be much better if not for you two!", he teased. "How did you get here? Where's Mithrandir?" They laughed.

"I see by your words that your mind's still a bit cloudy... Of course we're here! You didn't think we'd desert you, did you? Mithrandir's off to find more wood and some herbs for you. He asked us to stay and never leave your side. And so we have!"

"I have my doubts about that last part, whether it was really Mithrandir who said that, but thank you anyway." They all grinned knowingly at each other, and the two sons of Elrond held Legolas in greeting.

"Welcome to this side of the mountains! Now, seriously, how are you feeling?"

"I've been better. But it's mostly my side that's hurting, not to mention my leg. You two were with Mithrandir?"

"Yes, we were. Let us see to that side of yours, then." They carefully turned Legolas, so that they could have better access to the injury. Mithrandir had already bandaged it, but it needed to be changed. Blood soaked it, both dry and fresh, from the still healing wound. Elrohir went to fetch cloth to bandage it and water to clean it.

While they were both tending to Legolas, Elladan started telling the wood-elf of what had happened the night before. Legolas heard them intently, for he was both eager to hear the tale of the goblins' disappearance, and to learn as much as he could that would tell anything about that voice. He still could not forget it, so serene, and yet so full of confidence at the same time.

"We were heading North, with Mithrandir, from Lothlórien, back to Rivendell. Though, I think Mithrandir's going to the lands of the Little People, further West of the Misty Mountains. We'd been walking for a good part of the day, and had stopped for some rest, when this distressed mare came to us. It was Mornië, as you can guess, and she bore a pack along her back. We could not figure out what had happened, nor why this mare was there, riderless. And, to top it all, she would not let us close either! It was most strange, for she was there to get us, beyond any doubt, but at the same time, wished to keep her distance.

"Finally, Elrohir here convinced her that we were friends, who wished no harm, and to help in what we could. Only then did she let us close enough to see the things she carried. Both Elrohir and I recognised them at once as yours.

"Just then, we started hearing screams and, shortly afterwards, sounds of a fight. Judging by the growls and cries, they were surely mountain goblins. We feared, then, for your sake. By the time we reached you, light had just faded and the stars had begun to shine, 'twas already aduial [nightfall].

"Apparently, the goblins were fighting amongst themselves, for many of them lay dead on the ground. I do not know what could have caused such, but these creatures are not known for their social skills anyway. Maybe one of them felt it was time to rearrange the leadership of the group, who can tell? Therefore, Elrohir and myself started making loud sounds to scare them off, and we still killed a good many of them, before the end. Mithrandir, of course, contributed with his shows of light and fire, which made him famous throughout Arda. We were able to slay their leader, apparently, for as we hit him, the rest just ran off.

"Anyway, when it was over and everyone had fled, we finally came upon you laying on the ground, unmoving. I must say, you gave us quite the fright, for one would call you dead. We left the spot then, and went to this little clearing. Mornië was more than happy to carry you.

"Before you woke, however, the two of us left to check the area, and see if those creatures were still around. We returned while you were resting. You know the story from there."

"Thank you Elladan, thank you Elrohir. This small tale of yours has truly cleared my mind!" ~Not as much as I would like to though... but if they thought me dead, then the Lady who spoke to me must have surely been one of the Valier! Perhaps Lady Nienna, giving me strength, or even Elbereth! Ai!, I shall hold the memory dearly in my heart, even if I have not true knowledge of her identity, nor understandment of the words... I shall call thee Thuriniel, or Lindómawen since you have spoken to me in Quenya, the Lady of Secrets or the Lady of the Beautiful Voice.~

~*~

A few days later, the group set out from the mountains, for Legolas was capable of journeying again. He and Mithrandir were walking side by side, Mornië abreast them as well, and the twins wandered from either the back of the group to the front, scouting ahead. They were now leaving the mountains, but still following in its steep slopes, down rarely used paths full of loose rocks.

Legolas' leg was splintered and he walked with Mornië supporting him. For many times did he loose his footing and balance with it, in a most unelven manner. He refused to ride and leave the istar on foot, but, when offered, Mithrandir too had said no. Therefore, they both walked, even if one with more ease than the other. The elf's side, too, was heavily bandaged, but now it did not disturb him more than an overly tight tunic would. Mithrandir and Elladan had tended to it well, and elven healing was making justice to its fame.

They journeyed in amicable silence, now and then singing a few short songs or exchanging stories, especially between the three elves. Legolas noted that the wizard was too silent and decided to change that.

"Mithrandir, would you tell us one of your stories? They are always wonderful and full of adventure! What have you been up to lately?" The istar could not help to jest.

"Why, Legolas!... it's not like Princes to show so much curiosity! And it was only one question! One would say you were but a child!"

"Ah, Mithrandir, pray tell! For I am eager to hear!" The wizard chuckled softly.

"You woodelves don't really get the credit you should! You are unlike any other of your kin, more noble in your own way and sometimes best counsellors than the High Elves, even though you are said to be lesser in knowledge and considered inferior to the Calaquendi [Elves of the Light, who have seen Valinor]!" Legolas was confused at this, and Mithrandir saw it, even though the istar chose to ignore it. He then started telling about one adventure he'd had, when travelling in the far southern lands of men. All the elves listened to it with full ears, for Mithrandir's tales were truly fantastic.

"When will we be arriving at Imladris, do you think?", Legolas asked some time after it was over.

"I'd say around midday, by tomorrow. And now it is my turn to be curious, my Prince. Would you care to enlighten me as to the reasons that would make Thranduil send his own kin to the land of Elrond Peredhel? I assume that is why you are here, is it not?"

"Aye, indeed." Legolas smiled. "And you, my old friend, who would say that you are one of the mighty Istari? By your eagerness, one would call you nothing but a child!" They both laughed, and then Legolas turned serious again and continued. "You assume correctly, Mithrandir, it is on my father's behalf that I come to this land, but it is not with a light heart. My homeland is under constant attacks by the foul creatures of Dol Guldur. Something must be done, my folk cannot hold them back forever. We are growing weary and weaker with each passing strike. We still have the strength to hold, but we fear that in future times we might not."

"I see, I agree that something must be done about that ill tower and I too shall make council with the Heren Istarion, my Order, to decide what must be done, for now."

"Once again, I thank you Mithrandir!"

"No need, my friend, for this peril belongs to all of Ennor, not to the Sylvan Elves alone. You have stood thus for too long!"

No more words were spoken and they did arrive to Imladris the following day. The Prince's injuries were almost fully mended, they did not trouble him too much anymore. And even if they did, the sight before them was too breath-taking to be spoiled by such small things. The sun shone and reflected on the green leaves of Imladris' fine and exuberant trees, their colour in a silent and peaceful duel against the blue of the sky and the grey of the stony cliffs around them, to see which one was fairest. Birds sang happily, fine pure tunes, and jumped from branch to branch in their silly games.

Legolas would have found it somewhat amusing, that everything seemed to invite him, so unlike his own home, were he not too busy standing perplexed by all the beauty of that blessed region. Evil had not touched it and a sense of calm was all around them. ~The stories do not do it justice!~ The twins were smiling at him.

"Glad to see you like our home, mellon!"