SHADOW IN THE TREES
By : mirkwood-elf-2931 & Thala


CHAPTER 3


Many long years have passed and it is now early November 3018, still of the Third Age.

During these times, a great shadow passed over the peaceful timber of Greenwood, one thousand nine hundred sixty-eight years before, in 1050.

A Necromancer, built a secret fortress on the hill, Amon Lanc and the region was renamed, Dol Guldur. Rumors spread; some thought it to be somehow beneficial while others thought it to be a source of darkness, perhaps one of the Nazgul. Until the Wise found it to be none other than the Dark Lord Sauron himself, merely in a fair guise, attempting to fool those who appeared not as knowledgeable as others seemed to be, much to his disadvantage. Afterward, he immediately fled his black tower for Mordor, where he would find a new stronghold.

This growing power of Sauron had caused Thranduil and his kingdom to move farther and farther northeast from the enemy, until settling down into safer land protected by magic. For all of this and then on, its people and the other races of Middle-earth began calling the mighty forest, Mirkwood.

Rivendell, however, stayed much the same as it had for thousands of years. Most things going undisturbed, with its beautiful flowing waterfalls out of crisp cool rivers and streams, the buildings gleaming in the rays of sunlight bathing the city and the leaves in an array of colors, various browns, reds and golds; autumn colors.

Arwen and Thalawen, two great friends for life and now adopted sisters, sat upon the banks of the River Bruinen, tossing pebbles into its waters. They laughed and giggled like small children do.

Skipping rocks and swimming took up much of the Elven maidens' time. Even though Arwen was a princess, she could still get out from under her father's ever watchful and all-seeing eye.

Thalawen, who seemed to spend every waking minute training and being warrior, huntress, and maiden all at the same time, was often interrupted by Arwen, demanding her to stop what she was doing to make her come and play.

Today was one of those days. But Thalawen got the feeling that today was different somehow. Arwen seemed happier than usual, was smiling and staring at Thalawen, as though expecting her to catch on to what was happening, but as far as Thalawen could see, her friend was just acting weird. Then the light dawned on her.

Every year Arwen acted in the same manner as she did now. Every year, of the same exact month, on the same exact day. Thalawen mentally groaned. It was her birthday today. And she had forgotten it.

Almost made herself forget it.

Today was her two thousand eight hundred ninety-fourth birthday. This day meant less than nothing to her, as it should to any Elf, she thought. Why must one celebrate one day out of the year when every other day had just as much significance?

Lost in her thoughts, she was unaware that Arwen was sitting next to her, glancing at her from time to time.

"Thala," said Arwen, getting Thalawen's attention. She turned her head to look at Arwen, and saw a twinkling in the dark depths of her brown eyes. "You know what today is, don't you?"

"Yes," She replied, almost sadly, knowing what was to come.

As if she didn't hear the sadness in Thalawen's voice, or just chose not to hear it, Arwen threw her arms around an unwilling Thalawen and rocked her from side to side. With a final squeeze, she let go. "So, do you feel any older yet?"

"No."

"It's okay. Guess what I have for you!" An excited Arwen said.

Thalawen gave Arwen an empty stare, waiting for her to get on with it. From behind Arwen's back she pulled out a wreath of flowers. What Thalawen saw was a circle of green stems with blooming dots of yellow, white, and pink.

With a little smile, Arwen placed it upon Thalawen's head.

Looking at her reflection in the water, Thalawen grinned dreamily. She suddenly felt like a princess. A beautiful princess, and it didn't embarrass her in the least. In fact, she suddenly had a huge desire to be a princess and have a handsome prince one day.

Seeing Thalawen's happy smile, Arwen kissed her lightly on her cheek. "Happy birthday, Thala."


* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *


"Father, I really think she should be the one."

"Well, if that is indeed who you pick, then so be it. I have no doubts that she will not fulfill the duty." Thranduil smiled at his only child. "Let her know and I'll have the proper items awaiting her, if she accepts."

Legolas grinned. "Thank you."

The king nodded and left the room.

Legolas sat on his bed, imagining how she was going to react to his news. Then sighed, getting back up, realizing that before it got too late he needed to send someone out to tell her. He would go himself, but had to inform a few others of what would be happening later that day.

With light steps, Landailyn Windsong passed through two large, heavy gates and into the courtyard of Mirkwood forest's only Elven palace. Why was she going there? For some unknown reason its prince wished to see her.

A messenger had been sent to her own home earlier that day, insisting that she come to the royal house before nightfall. So here she was, just a few hours before darkness was to descend, wondering to herself what she had been called upon for.

Entering the palace itself, with acceptance from the outside guards, the front doors led her into a large echoing room, the Great Assembly Hall.

Standing near the thrones, was a figure about her height, the same blonde hair and pale color to their skin. Though it was a male and he looked over as the doors were opened. He stood watching, as she made her way forward, her dark green cloak dragging along behind her.

"So," She stopped in front of him. "What is it that's so important I was called here from my practices to listen." Putting her hands on her hips, looking thoroughly annoyed with him, then broke into a wide smile.

"Do you really wish to know why I summoned you into my presence?" Legolas teased, knowing this was going to make her the happiest Elf from here to the Grey Havens.

She raised both brows, waiting for his answer.

"Well then, I as Prince of Mirkwood," He paused for a dramatic effect. "Am dubbing you, 'Captain of our Royal Guard'."

Landailyn's dark brows dropped and her eyes grew wider with each passing second. "Legolas, you are not serious? You want me to be the captain of Mirkwood's entire guard?"

He smiled, at how she could turn earnest so suddenly.

"Out of all your warriors?! A woman at that?!"

He nodded to show he was telling the truth; he was being completely serious. "You accept then?"

She blinked, staring back at him. "Do I accept?! Of course I do!"

His smile turned into a grin that grew to be as wide as hers. "Now, was that important enough to be called away from your practices?"

Her expression changed to form a mocking glare. "Of course it was and you know it." The corners of her lips quivered, trying hard not to form a smile, but she couldn't help it, she was simply too happy. "Thank you!" She threw her long sleeved arms around him.

This took the prince by surprise for a second, but he regained his composure and returned the gesture. As long as they had been friends, he could never recall her ever making such a move of affection before.

"I see Legolas has told you of your new position here?" They parted and she turned to the new voice from behind.

"Yes, my lord and it is an honor."

He smiled and nodded. "Indeed, I see you are most happy with it." Thranduil also smiled.

"I am."

"Well then, you should follow me."

Landailyn looked back at Legolas, who nodded, encouraging her to go with his father.

She obeyed, with the prince close behind. They followed down a winding hall off the Great Hall and into a smaller room filled with armor and weaponry.

"These, my dear, I think will help you out." He held an outstretched hand before them, pointing to a long table in the middle of the room.

On it, sat a line of several items she would be needing to become an official captain.

The first, a neatly folded tunic of a shimmering light blue; tiny pale golden clasps lining the front for its closure. A two-toned suede jerkin of brown and green, which throughout the green had embroidered tangling vine designs. Next to that, long dark gray leggings and a pair of vambraces and knee high boots, both made of soft black leather.

For weapons, a long curve tipped bow with more vines and leaves hand-painted in gold here and there along its dark shaft. A dark leather quiver, its straps held together by a leaf shaped buckle and Elven abstract designs on the back at its rounded top, filled to capacity with finely crafted red and black feathered arrows. On the left side, two hard platted sheaths held two curved, silver blades of white bone handled long-knives, engraved with golden Elvish runes.

There were only some who wore or carried such fine apparel, royalty and those associated. Landailyn gasped. It was everything that Legolas wore. Members of the guard wore similar attire, but the captain usually wore the same as the prince.

"Please, try them on." Thranduil motioned for her to take the gifts.

"Really? I mean, of course, thank you, my lord."

"Aye," Legolas stepped forward to help her gather the articles of wear. "You must change, your men shall be needing you today."

His father saw them off down the hall; then returned to his study.

"Thank you." Said Landailyn, as the prince laid the rest of her things on a bed. She was using a guestroom to dress for the new roll.

"I'll be in the Hall, when you're done." He called, going out the door.

After it shut, Landailyn turned back to the set of warrior garments. Excitedly, she slid out of her own cloak and original gear, laying them neatly across the width of the bed. Then set to work, buckling, clasping, lacing and tying. At last, she was ready. Ready to take on whatever responsibilities and difficulties came with a job that she'd always wished for and didn't think would ever happen.

To the Assembly Hall, she made haste. Her strides long, the air brushing back her long, loose and braided hair.

Once there, she found Legolas standing in the same spot as before, waiting; once again smiling at her appearance. He knew she would make a fine captain. "Ready to go out and meet your troop? Well, there are some you do know."

"Have they been informed about me being...?" She gestured down at her new outfit.

"Not yet." He replied.

"Well, how do you think they are going to take a woman being in charge of them?" There was not a single soldier of her gender in the whole legion that she could recall.

He gave a one-shouldered shrug. "If they give you any problems, they will have to take it up with me. Albeit, you can handle situations quite well yourself, can't you? Weapons or no."

Her face brightened. "You had better believe it."

Waiting for them outside, was the entire military of Mirkwood. All four hundred eighty-six of them.

Landailyn had rarely, if ever, been nervous in her life. Though as of now, she was a little worried of how the others were going to be treating her. But nonetheless she followed close behind, as Legolas stepped out a side door and into the crowded side courtyard.

The men stood talking amongst themselves. They had been told by the prince that a new captain for them would be appointed that day. They wondered which one of them it would be, but so far none had been taken aside and were all told to meet in a certain place at a certain time and there, the person would be revealed.

Suddenly, many heads turned to see Prince Legolas exiting the palace and another that trailed after him. Who it was, not a one of them had expected at all. Some expressed their surprise at her appearance, for she was dressed as he, meaning only that she was their new leader.

Legolas stepped up onto a short rock ledge, a few feet from the ground; he motioned for Landailyn to join him, standing to his left.

"As you can see, my father and I have decided to give the position of captain, to Landailyn Windsong. And I know that quite a few of you do not know her yet, so let us not beat around the bush, if you have a problem with that fact that she is a woman, you shall come forward and answer to myself or my father." He lectured, in a serious and slight warning tone. "Do I make myself clear?"

Most everyone nodded quickly and some responded verbally.

"Good, I expect each and every one of you to treat her no different from your last leader, with regard as a great warrior like yourselves and most of all, respect and obedience, if you are to remain a part of this group."

Landailyn listened just as they did. She had never witnessed Legolas give a speech or command with his duty as prince, but anyone could see he was very good at it. And now she would be giving orders just the same.

In all of Mirkwood's history, there had been several female warriors, but none ever appointed as captain, until now.

And over the next several days, the job took some getting used to. Having to report everyday at the palace in the early hours and not usually leaving until late in the evening. Where most all of the staff and guard either lived there or took shifts, Landailyn did not, but was either given the gate password, or the guards taking post there would let her in.

And to her surprise, the warriors seemed to treat her with all the respect they did Legolas and Thranduil.

So she was quite happy, living with the new responsibility and was glad to know the two royals trusted her with it.


TBC …