Chapter 2

The Shadow

A/N:: Here is the second chapter. No, my story isn't based on that of the Fellowship… just on it's characters. I don't own LOTR.

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Many centuries passed and Laera grew. She believed she would never become as beautiful and as beloved as her sister Arwen, as she had vowed many a century ago, but she did think that she was on her way. Laera was still as fanciful as ever (although she had stopped talking to herself in the woods). How she longed to catch a glimpse of the world beyond the borders of Rivendell… to leave behind her sheltered life and explore the ends of Middle-Earth. Oh, what she would give to speak to a hobbit or lay her eyes just once on an orc (she had heard they could be quite terrible). Dwarves, she had no particular desire to see… not liking their dirtiness and mannerisms.

Her father had told her that many people were once again arriving at Rivendell. She supposed… (for her father never told her about his affairs) that it had something to do with the arrival of the old man the night before. She did not know much, but she did manage to hear that the man was not an elf. Could he be a human? She thought excitedly. But all Laera got for her questioning and prying were scoldings and many "…why couldn't you be more like your sister?" 's.

For one thing, Arwen was told far more about the dealings outside of Rivendell. Perhaps it was because of her correspondence with a certain roguishly handsome ranger; a very handsome ranger who happened to be a human. Laera loved her sister more than anybody else in her little world; she would have died for her if it would have done her any good; but how she envied Arwen.

She paced about the palace restlessly… waiting for the council to begin. The guests had arrived the night before. She knew of the council only because Arwen had told her. Apparently it was a secret council… not meant for Laera's ears. She hatched what she perceived as 'a brilliant scheme' to sneak into the council room and listen in anyways. She was tired of being left out of things.

After a while, she saw the dwarves leaving their quarters and heading to the council room. Trying to look as casual as possible, she hastily followed them and slipped through the doors. She then dove into a nearby bush where she landed not-too-gracefully on her behind. Rubbing her bruised back quarters Laera sat back on her haunches and waited for the council to begin.

She peeked over the bush as the council began. Looking at the council members, Laera saw her father… dressed in his best robes, a band adorning his head. He looked very serious and important, she thought proudly. Her eyes roamed around the strange faces, not interested in what was being said in the moment although that had been the reason for her intrusion.

She looked at the young hobbits… sitting just near her father. Why they were small! She then caught sight of Aragorn. She was glad to see a face she recognized. He was just as roguishly handsome as ever. No wonder she had seen Arwen brushing her hair very carefully that morning. Another man stood next to Aragorn… also very handsome. His eyes shifted uneasily… Laera didn't trust him. Her gaze was lowered to the dwarves- trying to look as equally important as every other being… small as they were. She shuddered when she caught sight of one picking his nose.

She then came to where the elves sat. Her breath caught in her chest when she recognized the elf sitting in front of all the others. "Roly-poly Prince Legolas…" she whispered. Roly-poly he was no more. He had shed his baby-fat and had grown to a tall, lean, and handsome (she admitted grudgingly) elf. The only thing that had remained the same were his eyes, which were the same intense blue she had admired when she was a little girl.

Laera stifled a gasp when prince Legolas eyes met hers. Her eyes pleaded that he not say a word. His head nodded slightly in understanding… his eyelid briefly dropping in a wink. Her father was saying something… perhaps she should listen. "A great danger is upon us. It may not effect the dwarves nor the hobbits immediately… perhaps even the humans may not wake to the coming shadow right away, but it is surely there."

"This great shadow… what is it?" spoke a dwarf. "If it is only the elves that are suffering why should us dwarves pay any heed?"

"Because the danger will eventually reach you," broke in Aragorn. "Lord Elrond… tell the dwarf what the danger is."

"We are not certain; a great peril sweeping over our lands… destroying the beauty of Middle-Earth. It cannot be escaped. Soon the world we hold dear will be no more and not one shall remain standing."

"There is no hope?" gasped a hobbit… color drained from his face.

"There does not seem to be a chance…" Lord Elrond said quietly, his eyes filled with sadness. "However, the great wizard Gandalf may aid us in our need."

"Gandalf the Grey? Why hasn't he come to our council?"

"The wizard is very sick… recovering from a battle he had with an orc he had the displeasure of running into."

"What can be done? You said there was hope?"

"His staff is very powerful, as he is very powerful. Its magic comes from a gem that rests at the top. The great evil can be banished by Gandalf if he uses his wizardry. The gem, sadly, is not of the right form needed to destroy it. There is but one buried deep within the Fehn mountains. It is heavily guarded. We need someone to retrieve the stone. They must, of course, go at it alone. This quest is filled with danger and I must warn anybody willing to volunteer that there is a chance they may not come back alive." Laera's eyes widened in fear. Middle-Earth was in trouble? No wonder her father kept her from knowing such things. Who would give their life like that? …she wondered. She soon got her answer.

"I will go, Lord Elrond," spoke Legolas.

Aragorn rose in protest. "My Lord, send me. I know the ways of the mountain."

"My friend, this is a quest that will most likely fail. You are needed here… she needs you here," Legolas replied softly. Aragorn placed a hand on Legolas's shoulder, remembering, and sat back down.

Lord Elrond nodded in satisfaction. "Very well. But before you confirm your decision, I must warn you of the beast that will haunt your steps."

"Beast, my lord?"

"The legendary Arioc. Banished centuries ago by the elfin people for his misdeeds. He feels it his duty to aid the shadow in any way meaning he will stop at nothing to kill the one chosen to save Middle-Earth. You must always be aware and alert."

Legolas nodded solemnly. "Of course, I will do my best." The council went on, but Laera could no longer listen. When the council finally ended, she fled to her clearing where she flung herself face down among the flowers and wept bitterly. Was her beautiful world doomed? Could this 'shadow' really destroy all she held dear? Her thoughts were interrupted when the sound of a twig snapping reverberated throughout the quiet forest.

"History repeats itself," Legolas said standing a few feet away. Hastily wiping away her tears, Laera looked at him with a smile.

"Prince Legolas, it has been a while," she greeted. Perhaps she can put her hate in the past where it should and rightfully belong.

The prince nodded. "Yes, Laerin, a while." Laera stiffened as she heard the old nickname. So he hadn't changed. "You look different when I saw you last. I almost did not recognize you." He gazed at his old playmate… she certainly wasn't the same scrawny, whiny, little girl elf he remembered. No, she had grown… very nicely, he reflected.

"Of course… I was nearly nine when last you saw me. You hit me in the eye with your arrow."

Legolas threw back his head and laughed. "Oh yes! That was a great shot…"

"Yes, wasn't it? Too bad you never had the thrill of nearly becoming blind at the age of nine," she replied icily. "It is also unfortunate that I cannot say the same for you, however. You're still the rude little elf of yore… shooting your arrows of spite straight at my pride."

"Ah… but you are wrong, Laerin, she who stumbles. I am now one of the best archers in Mirkwood. I believe that I told you that I would be a long time ago."

"Did you? I don't ever recall you saying that," she lied. "I was more preoccupied with avoiding your arrows and your insults."

"Did I insult you?" he asked, a little shocked that he had been that much of a terror as a boy. Laera rolled her eyes. Must he act so stupid? Slowly she turned to leave. No, even now as a grown elf, she could not bring herself to be friends with him.

Legolas rushed up and overtook her. Wow… she thought… history does repeat itself. She looked up at him impatiently, expectantly. "You say I have not changed? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. You are still the same snobbish little girl who always followed me around as a boy."

"Followed you around?!" she cried. Without another word, she strode away.

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Night descended upon Rivendell and Laera leant over her balcony lost in thought. Legolas was going to be killed. Somehow, she disliked the thought. After all, he was a friend… in a way. She did not hear the footfalls of somebody approaching and she jumped when she a familiar voice.

"Lovely night…" Legolas said, peering at the moon.

"Yes, quite lovely," she responded.

"I have to say something, Laera," he began. He called me by my actual name! "I want to apologize for being so insolent. Yes, I was only a boy… but that does not excuse my remarks and actions. I want to resolve things before I leave."

Laera studied his features, wondering if he was sincere. He was gazing up at the moon, with eyes lost in thoughts of the coming day. She reflected on the things he had said as a child and suddenly the old anger flared up again.

"Prince Legolas, I'll forgive you for past wrongs, but I cannot not fathom myself ever being your friend." Was that disappointment that dawned on his face? "I wish you good luck on your venture and that you return safely," she concluded coldly.

He sighed and took an object from his pocket. "That's very disheartening to hear," he mumbled. "But I was sincere in my apologies. I've been carrying this around for years and I realize now that it had been in vain. You left it in the clearing when we first met. I know I should have given it to you… but I wanted something to remember you by." He placed the object in her hand and closed her fingers around it. She shut her eyes and waited until he had gone before she allowed herself to look at what he had given her. In her hand he had placed a little teacup with pink daisies.

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