"The Return of the Light"
by AndromedaM13Titan

disclaimer: j.r.r tolkien is one of the best authors, his books are best, and all his characters are great. this fan fiction is about legolas, though i do not own him, anyo f the characters, or half of the places in this story. the only characters new to this tale is Adriel, also called Erimas, the daughter of the Elven-Warlord Eldroln; and the other is the Elvenprincess Halardrin, also called Aletia, daughter of Colodrin; Sagorim son of Bafrog-Him; Bafrog-him and his council; and Deowar.

a/n: yes, it is another legolas fan fiction. BUT, fear not LOTR fans! it is not ONLY about him. it is mostly about the new person of their company, and of each separate journey (not so much frodo and sam's, for i do not want to meddle with what tolkien had already... any more than i already have anyways). the only reason it is a legolas fan fiction is because in the background is a story of his life, journeys, and sadly... love. but a little of that, mind you! and this is a PG fan fic so none of that over-mushy-wet-only-in-dreams-of-disgusting-men crap! muahaha! it is categorized thusly: action/adventure/angst/mystical/romance.

lord of the rings is NOT a trilogy, according to tolkien, it is ONE book with 6 books in it.

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Part I: Return to Rivendell

"Frodo..." said a voice, well off in the distance. Frodo could see no one, but he could hear a great deal. The voice was echoing, it was beautiful and soft, like an elf's. "Frodo Baggins..."

"Yes," Frodo said. "I answer to that name. Who is calling me? Where are you? Why can I not see you?" He was furious that he could not see whom he was speaking to. Suddenly, a light shone in the clearing in which he stood. A light that he had not seen before, and inside the light, a tall elf with bright blue eyes and blonde hair. She looked like Lady Galadriel.

"When you awaken, you shall be in Rivendell," said the elflady ."You had fought the Orcs on the border of Mordor, but you and Samwise Gamgee did not make it. You were knocked unconscious, and you are floating in a pool of deep, dark water. But, fear not, you shall return to the world and you shall see Samwise again." The elflady smiled. "When you find yourself at Rivendell, you will meet with the Council of Elrond, and you shall confront the broken Fellowship. There will be a new aquaintence there, and from there you will remember distant memories, and the rest shall be made known to you. Heed these words:

'Quick as the fox when daring escape,
The agility of the deer when leaving in haste,
Intelligent as the wizards that watch in the sky,
Wise as the evil which floats you on by.'

"A new ally will come of these words. You must trust this person, for they will be nothing but loyal to you and your cause."

"Lady Galadriel warned me of trusting too many people." Frodo said uneasily. "Why should I trust this person? The lust for the Power of the Ring will be too powerful to have them loyal to me. I don't believe you, lady, and I beg your pardon, but please, let me go back to Mordor. It took me at least three fortnights to get there, and I do not want to have to start over."

"The person is highly noted in Rivendell," said the elf. "And is somebody who is trusted by all. The power of the Ring will tempt this person, but they will not submit. This person is an elf. Elven folk are not so easily swayed by the powers of darkness. As for your trip to Mordor, take this, and it will get you quickly to Mordor; more quickly than it had to get you there the first time." In the palm of Frodo, the elf took her necklace and placed it. It was a crystal necklace with some strange liquid inside, that seemed not to move for a long period of time. The elf kissed Frodo's brow, then disappeared into the darkness Frodo was dwelling in before.

"It is good to see you again, Frodo Baggins." A voice said in the distance. "If you were curious, you are in Rivendell, and it is someday in mid-October, and it is half past eight, with the sun down, and the stars and moon high. We found you in the caverns deep below the rivers of Rivendell, with your friend Samwise Gamgee. The two of you were unconscious for a very long time and did not come to until recently. Your friend here has been watching over you all the while he has been conscious."

Frodo opened his eyes quickly. "Elrond!" He shouted. He then turned to his left, "Sam! Oh how fortunate we are to be alive and well! Certainly I thought the Orcs were going to destroy us! Elrond... how did we get here?"

Elrond let out a loud laugh. "Precisely what we wanted to know!" He said. "Come, get dressed and break your fast, for today I've assembled an urgent meeting with my Council (in regards to your return, of course). We've a few special friends we would like you to meet, as well as some you may have seen before. By this I mean that your fellowship has found its way here, and they are anxiously awaiting you." As he left, Frodo got out of bed to put on his vest.

"Isn't it great," said Sam, "to see the elves of Rivendell again? And Elrond, and Arwen?"

"Yes, Sam." said Frodo, with slight distress in his voice. "But also no. If Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli are here... well, I've got an itch about their loyalty to this cause. A while back, in Lothlorien, the Lady Galadriel warned me that the fellowship would break by cause of the Ring of Power. She forsaw, as I did, that each man would be tempted by the Ring's awesome power, and that eventually, they would all betray me. With the exception of the elf, I think. She said he would think about betrayal, but as elves are true to their word, he will never do anything to dishonor me.

"But also, if I am here Rivendell is in great danger. The Naz-Gul and the Ringwraiths are after the Ring and will seek me to the end of the world if they must."

Sam nodded. "I see..." he said. "Well, let's not worry now. You have just returned from a horrible journey and so we must be off to the Council of Elrond!"

"Right, Sam." said Frodo. "But do not worry if I should fall silent. It is probably the haunting vision of all three betraying me that has returned." And so the two walked out of the familiar room, down the stairs, and onto the porch where the beautiful rivers bubbled and foamed, rising up to greet them. Everything was, as always, beautiful in Rivendell, no matter the dark and evil wars going on outside its borders.

To Frodo's surprise, the Council was unusually large that evening. Elrond stood to greet the hobbit, motioning to all the others who stood about him. As always there was Gloin, Glorfindel, Galdor, and Erestor. Then, to Frodo's great fear, was Gimli son of Gloin, Legolas son of Thranduil and Prince of Mirkwood, and lastly Aragorn son of Arathorn and Isildur's heir. On Elrond's right was the beautiful elven princess Arwen also known as Undomiel, and Elrond's sons Elladan and Elrohir. To Elrond's left was someone unfamiliar to Frodo and Sam. She looked much like one of the Mirkwood Elves, for she looked similar to Legolas and had that same air about her. She had the same long hair, though hers was light brown and two small braids tied together in the back of her head. Here eyes were crystal blue, like the woman in Frodo's dream, and she wore the same strange, brown and green outfit as Legolas. She stood as well.

"Here, Frodo, and good members of the Council," Elrond began as he stepped aside, "is the daughter of Elven-Warlord Eldroln, and her name is Adriel also known as Erimas. She is honored highly in the East of Mirkwood, where she once resided. The good lady has blessed us with her presence, and we are greatly honored by her return here."

"Return?" questioned Frodo. "I thought she was of Mirkwood."

Elrond chuckled. "True, that she is, Frodo." he said. "However her father and I have been friends for many long years. When the borders of Mirkwood were not so peaceful in the far past, and when Thranduil and Eldroln were threatened, I saw it as my duty to open my arms to the people of Mirkwood. Eldroln was anxious for battle and for his daughter's safety, and thus sent her here to live safely behind my walls. This, you must understand, was many years ago, before your birth, and when Adriel was but a young elf. Adriel is honored highly here, and we look to her almost as another of my children. I love Adriel as I love Arwen, and all love her as if she were elvenprincess."

Adriel bowed. "Good e'en," she said, "Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee. I am Adriel Woodleaf, and I hail from a hidden city that matches the beauty of Rivendell and Lothlorien. I am pleased to meet you at last, for I have heard much of the Bagginses of the Shire, and of Bilbo Baggins. I have heard much of your fellowship and of your journey." Adriel paused for a few moments. "Pardon my departure," she said at last, "but I must take leave now, Master Elrond. I shall speak with the hobbits later of their journey, but at this moment I wish to walk about these walls, and remember days now far into my memory." Bowing, Adriel left the porch on which the council met, and following her rather hastily was Legolas son of Thranduil.

Legolas rounded many corners before finding Adriel. She was leaning on the balcony and staring up at the moon with her piercing blue eyes. The water beneath her bubbled and foamed, as if greeting her after many many years. Legolas was hesitant to walk closer, for she seemed deep in though and thinking of much. At last, he spoke: "Adriel Woodleaf of Mirkwood, it is good to see the likes of you again. I never knew that the daugher of Eldroln was returned to Rivendell. What brings you here?"

Adriel turned and glared at Legolas. "I've affairs that belong to me," she said, "and not to others. I come hither on a quest called by only my father. I came hither also to seek counsel with Lord Elrond, for he is wise and has lived many years more than I. I would have gone to the Golden Wood and sought help from Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn; however, I felt that Elrond would welcome Rivendell to be graced by my presence. I did not expect to see you here, Legolas Greenleaf, and I must say that I am quite shocked you deserted Mirkwood to join a hobbit on his quest; a hobbit with a destructive weapon in his breast pocket."

"We are to destroy the Ring," said Legolas. "I am to protect Master Frodo, and perhaps aid in the destruction of the One Ring. What quest brings you hither and thither? Shall you be off to Mordor? For if you are, I wish for you not to do so. There are very few elves of our kind left in the world, and even one being felled is enough to destroy the hearts of a people. Where now are you off to?"

Adriel looked back at the moon. "The quest shall not be described here, Legolas," she said. "I wish to join Frodo to Mordor, my heart goes with him, and I believe my quest has much to do with travelling with him. I was departed by Eldroln, my father, to seek Frodo. I must ask him to allow me a spot in the fellowship. If all does not go well, I shall depart on my own and go forth into the world. Eventually I must find my way to Mordor and destroy the Mountain of Doom. It was my original mission to destroy the Ring and its Master, but Frodo is too blessed. I could never kill a hobbit; they are too precious."

"No!" cried Legolas. "You must stay in Rivendell!"

"Whatever for?" replied Adriel. "Do you not know me, Legolas? I am Adriel Woodleaf and I am like an animal that must run wild and outside of borders! My heart lies in the woods and in the mountains; not in Rivendell or in Lothlorien. I daresay that it does lie in Mirkwood, but the recent events there make me turn from it. I will not stay; I cannot!"

Legolas shook his head. "No, Adriel," he said, his fair voice becoming stern and cold. "I could not bear to see Rivendell destroyed, nor you for that matter! Rivendell needs a protector, and I see one in your eyes; I see a guardian in you, so guard Rivendell as you had Mirkwood for the peaceful years of your life! Not only do they need such a guardian, you do as well! Let Rivendell be your walls, let it be your safehouse!"

"I shall go," said Adriel, her own beautiful face becoming cross. "and none can stop me... not even you, nor Elrond, nor Frodo. I shall go as my father wishes."

"What of your will?" asked Legolas. "Where do you wish to go?"

"Wherever my heart leads," replied Adriel, as she rounded the corner and left. Legolas looked after her, weeping in his heart that it would be the last he would see of his good friend.


Dinner came swiftly and soon the company stood about the fire, listening to the music. Adriel sat alone by the fire, gazing deep into it, her blue eyes becoming red as she stared. The fire continued to flicker, as if telling her something. Legolas and Aragorn looked at her strangely.

"She is an elf of mystery," said Aragorn after a long and drawn out silence. "Much like all of your kindred. Do you know this Adriel, Legolas? It seems you do for you chased after her before the breaking of the council. Did you once befriend her?"

"I suppose you could say that," replied Legolas. "Lord Eldroln was a good friend of my father the king. He fought alongside Thranduil and Elrond in the days of the first age, and is one of the great warlords of all history. In the days when I was a young elf, I had met Adriel here in the House of Elrond, when father was paying a long awaited visit, following the first war. 'I am Adriel Woodleaf,' said the brown haired girl, when I first set my eyes upon her. 'I am Lord Eldroln's daughter, and I hear you are the prince of Mirkwood.' I remember laughing and telling her that I was."

"Were the two of you good friends?" asked Aragorn.

Legolas smiled and nodded. "From then on the ties between Eldroln and Thranduil were stronger. Though I cannot say I have looked at Adriel as more than a sister-friend. I have only met her thrice before this time, and those meetings were many many years ago; long before the rising of the company, and long before Frodo's birth. However my heart weeps silently now, for she tells me she shall be embarking upon a journey close behind us. She asked Frodo all ready if she could go along, and when he said 'no' she was satisfied; she will be going to Mordor to destroy the Mountain of Doom forever."

Aragorn suddenly wiped off his smile and became grave and worried. "Truly this is a sad burden and these are unhappy tidings. Will she not stay here in Rivendell?"

Legolas shook his head. "I pleaded with her," said Legolas remorsefully: "'For the sake of Rivendell, and your safety!' I said. It does not matter to her; she will risk her life for her father and for the sake of Mirkwood; and through Mirkwood... the sake of me." He suddenly became very quiet, and he hung his head low. It was true; the more Adriel stood up for Mirkwood, the more it meant she was protecting Thranduil and Legolas. He looked at her, and she was still about the fire, thinking deeply and wondering things. Legolas had the constant thought of leaving the company to aid Adriel in her journey, for he would lose a good friend and the hope of his kingdom.


Weeks went by and at last the company was beginning to set off. Adriel woke early that morn to speak with Elrond, who sent her with Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Pippin, and Gandalf the White, who had yet to meet them in Rivendell; he was to greet them at the borders, upon taunting Saruman at Orthanc. They bid fare well to Frodo and Sam, who set off quickly with the stone Frodo was given by the elf in his dream. The stone called a great elven horse and this Frodo and Sam rode.

"How shall we depart to Mordor?" asked Adriel. "Have we any steeds?"

"I have given you all the horses you need," said Elrond. "And for you, Adriel, I give you Demril the horse from the House of Elrond. He shall guide you well and last many hours into the night. Demril answers to only you, and shall run speedily to the domain of our enemy. Fare thee well, good company, and I bid you safely. Return if you must, but be wary, for it will delay the destruction of the Mountain. Farewell! I shall tell Thranduil and Eldroln of your departures!" They saw Elrond disappear into the distance as they trotted off with Demril and the beautiful horses of Rohan.

Aragorn rode with Pippin in the front, Adriel behind, Gimli, and next to him was Legolas. Gandalf eventually arrived and took with him Pippin in the front next to Aragorn.

"You must be Adriel Woodleaf," said Gandalf the White. "Hail the daughter of Eldroln! It has been many years since we have met, and I must say this is a grand meeting. How goes the Mirkwood, the king, and your father?"

Adriel smiled. "Still the borders do not rest, but Thranduil and my father fare well in these harsh times," she said. "I see you have changed and are no longer Gandalf the Grey. A stunning marvel, I must say, that now you look as Saurman and could have fooled me. But alas, you are Gandalf, for you speak with his tone; caring, devoted, and a wizard that meddles in the affairs of all lesser races! I am glad for your company, Gandalf; I have sought wise wizards for much of my life and have now seized one!"

"In the company of one," said Gandalf, "you are; but to say you have seized one is immoral and wrong. Come now, Adriel daughter of Eldroln, I hear you are accompanying us on the journey to Mordor. For what purpose do you come hither?"

Adriel looked foward to the North. "For my father's and for mine: to destroy Oroduin the Mountain of Doom. Elrond sent me with the broken fellowship, for our destinations are the same-" suddenly, Adriel heart shouting in the far distance- "Orcs! On the borders of Mirkwood! Come, Gandalf! We must ride thither if we wish to save the far away cities! Onward! we shall ride through the night to the Great River. There we must retrieve boats from my people! Ach, Demril!" Adriel shouted to the horse, and it reared its head and blasted off like light. Immediately following her was Gandalf with Pippin on Shadowfax, and behind them the other riders with the horses of Rohan.

continue to part II!

-how do you like it? legolas is myf avorite character, and yes this is how he is in the book. he is very sarcastic and funny, not nearly as quiet as in the movie. *confound it!* incase you don't get it, they're going to Mirkwood next. Thranduil is in the North of Mirkwood (Legolas' father), and I have no idea what he's like. I don't want to meddle with the idea, so they're going to the farthest south of Mirkwood, where they find Elvenking Colodrin and his daughter Haladrin.