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


CHAPTER 7


She had never been to Mirkwood. Thalawen had heard much about it from Legolas, as he'd spoken of it often with great fondness. He'd told her of the palace and its surroundings.

Of its people, his family and friends. It sounded as wonderful as Rivendell, but she reminded herself, no place was as marvelous as home.

Speaking of home, she missed it exceedingly. The sound of the waterfalls below her room as she awoke in the morning. How she would get up, still dressed for bed and open those glass-less balcony doors and lean against the wide railing and look to the east to see the sun rise. To watch its warm rays stretch forth over the land, reaching its way toward her, it seemed, specifically.

She had an immense love for the sun, for light just as her grandmother had.

She lived in her grandmother's home, it had been passed to her down the family line. Her grandmother, for whom she had been named, absolutely adored being awoken and bathed in the bright light of the sun. The whole house was filled with open windows, so that wherever you went you were showered with the joy that was light.

Almost drowned in her thoughts, she didn't feel the sharp elbow stabbing into her ribs, or the voice that spoke her name, annoyed.

"Thalawen!" said Arwen, irritated. "Snap out of it. We're almost there."

The dark clouds faded from Thalawen's green eyes. "Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts," she said sheepishly, trying to apologize.

"Its alright. It's a little vexing having only my father to talk to while my friend walks beside me like a zombie, but its okay," Arwen said scathingly, making Thalawen's eyes widened.

"Are you okay, Arwen?"

"Yes, I'm fine! Why shouldn't I be fine?" she asked Thalawen so sharply, they winced together. "I'm sorry, Thala. I'm just very nervous. Its been awhile since I've been to Mirkwood and seen the people there." Or perhaps she was more worried about Aragorn and the Company than she had told herself before, for that is why they were going to Mirkwood, to tell King Thranduil personally what had taken place nearly two weeks before.

"Don't worry, Arwen. I'm right here with you, if ever you need me," said Thalawen, reassuring her friend.

"Thank you, Thala. That means a lot to me, knowing that." She looked down at her feet while she walked on, in shame of herself.

Arwen knew Thalawen wouldn't hold her temper against her, so she too forgot this incident.

Breaking the silence, Thalawen asked about Mirkwood. Her questions took Arwen's mind off of her nervousness and made her remember the beautiful city.

Crossing a long, sturdy bridge over the Forest River, the three travelers now stood in front of two large doors serving as gates, where on the other side stood the palace.

Four guards, two on either side, had realized who it was coming from afar on the path and now greeted Elrond and his company properly. Then one was sent to find the king and two others to take Elrond and Arwen's mounts.

The call to open the gates was chorused throughout the city.

Creaking and groaning, they opened wide to let the new guests pass through. On the other side was Thranduil to greet the lord of Rivendell, along with his daughter and adopted daughter. He came forth and shook hands with each, welcoming them warmly into his home.

Then as realization hit, he noticed that one of whom should have returned with them and been able to open the gates himself, was nowhere to be seen.

"What of my son and his companion? I have not heard from them since the morning they left, over a fortnight ago." Thranduil looked slightly confused at Elrond.

"That is partly why I have come." He answered grimly.

This alarmed the king more than he truly displayed, but tried to be as calm as possible. "What has happened? Nothing ill has become of them...?"

"No," The Half-Elf quickly replied. "They were fine, when we saw the Company off. Silinde just decided to stay in Rivendell for awhile longer."

"Company? Who did he leave with now?"

Elrond smiled at the slightly frustrated Elf. "Perhaps we should go inside to talk of this. I will then tell you everything I know on the matter."

Thranduil nodded and composed himself to his earlier warm welcoming mood. Then the four began walking toward tall round topped doors at the front of the building that was the palace. Indeed it was a beautiful city, as it was described to her, thought the only who was not of royalty.

"I see, Lady Arwen, that you have brought your sister."

Thalawen looked up at this. She had no idea the king even knew of her. But he had, Elrond had told him long ago that he had adopted her, much like he had the young Human many years after that.

He chuckled at her expression. "Yes, I have heard about you, Thalawen."

She nodded, smiling and looked down.

"The two of you are free to roam, if you would wish to see around. Perhaps you can find Landailyn, she's the guard captain here now."

Arwen emitted surprise, raising her brows. "Is she? When was that?"

"Legolas just decided that she should be the one to take over at the first of last month. We lost our other in a long battle with Orcs in mid Ivanneth." [September.]

Thalawen was also surprised, she didn't know Arwen even knew Landailyn. She remembered what Legolas had told her though, about the girl he trusted and had known what seemed like forever and she had to wonder what this she-Elf would be like.

Soon, she would find out exactly.

"If you'll excuse us then, my lord, Father." She heard Arwen say, then felt a hand on her wrist tugging her off to the left of the doors. "Come on, Thala, I think you will find she is much like yourself. She always did remind me much of you."

"How do you know Landailyn anyway?"

Arwen glanced at her. "She would visit Rivendell with Legolas sometimes, though she has not been there in a long time, as the same that I have not been here."

Thalawen gave a simple nod. "How come we've never met ere this then? If she used to come to our home."

She shrugged. "You weren't around as often at those times I guess. Too busy practicing those skills of yours I have no doubt."

She figured Arwen was right. She had only in more recent years been spending more time at her second home, the House of Elrond.

To their far left were the palace's wooden stables of many horses, all of either white and gray, or both. "There, that should be her." Arwen pointed to someone with their back turned, who appeared to be working on one of the stall gates.

It must be her, Thalawen thought. For the few things she could tell at the moment, resembled what the prince had described to her. She was clothed in the exact apparel that he had been, she was almost the same height as she herself was and had the same pale blonde hair as Legolas, though if compared hers would pass his up by a good seven inches.

"Come on," Arwen locked onto her wrist again.

They stepped silently up behind her, but there was not much need, for she was concentrating hard on fixing the latch upon the short door.

A light tap on the shoulder spun her to greet them and when the Elf turned around, even more was revealed the same. Thalawen saw his piercing blue eyes, his beautiful fair skin, but where his masculine lips would have been, were full feminine ones.

"Arwen!" Landailyn exclaimed.

She grinned, pulling the Elf into a hug. "It has been too long!"

"Indeed, first a surprising visit from Strider and your brothers and now you! How are you, Princess?"

"I am well." She replied. "And it looks as though you are doing very well yourself, captain of the royal guard and all."

Landailyn laughed. "I do try. Speaking of that, where is Legolas and Silinde? Did they come back with you?"

She sighed. "There's something I have to tell you about that, but perhaps it should wait until later tonight. Though my father is telling Lord Thranduil now."

Thalawen took note of the reaction in her at Arwen's tone of bad news.

"They're fine," Arwen assured her. "It's just that Silinde decided to stay at our house with my brothers and Legolas and Aragorn had to leave with Gandalf and some others on important business."

This was nothing new to the Elf, the Maiar was always tending to important business elsewhere. But, could that important business involve the Ring?

"Oh," Arwen remembered something and moved aside. "Landailyn, this is someone I want you to meet." Bringing Thalawen up more beside her. "Remember hearing about my father adopting another daughter long ago?"

Landailyn's face began to stretch into a smile. "Aye,"

"Well this, is my sister and long time friend Thalawen."

The woman thrust out a hand nearly the same time Landailyn did. "Hello, Thalawen. I have heard about you and I'm surprised we never met ere this."

"Same here." She replied in a soft, husky voice. "Good to meet you, Landy."

Landy? She had never heard herself called this before. Not even by her parents or close friends, but it made her stop and half smile, before she answered. "You too."

Thalawen eyed the woman before her. All feelings of Legolas aside, she liked Landailyn so far and couldn't wait to get to know her. She secretly hoped Legolas would not invade her thoughts and shadow her feelings for her 'new friend to be'.


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


"Aragorn and my brothers told you about the Ring, did they not?"

"They did." Landailyn said simply, not at all liking where their conversation was leading.

The three were sitting in Arwen's guestroom, it was night and they had been discussing various subjects, with Landailyn and Thalawen getting more acquainted and now the princess was finally telling where those who had left with Gandalf the Grey went.

"Well, at the Council there was a debate over what should be done with it and my father advised everyone the only alternative, that it must be destroyed in the fires of Orodruin. Three Hobbits, a Man from Gondor, Gimli the Dwarf, Gandalf, Aragorn and Legolas all vowed that they would protect and help Bilbo's nephew, Frodo, in seeking the mountain in Mordor. The Company of nine set out eight days ago this night." Her voice grew almost a whisper with the last sentence.

Landailyn's smile had faded long ago at the mere mention of the Ring. She knew it, nothing good had come out of the matter. And to this, she didn't know what to say, so it was nothing that she said. Knowing well the perils the Nine would surely be facing with those powerful who desired the Ring.

"Let us hope they make it safely to Mt. Doom and return to us in the same shape as whence they left." Thalawen said this barely above a whisper.

"Indeed." Agreed Arwen and Landailyn.

Silence spread over them for a few minutes, each having their own thoughts about the Nine's difficult task.

"It's getting late," Landailyn soon commented out of nowhere, turning to stare back at the open windows as a breeze fluttered their long dark curtains. "My mother and father will be wondering where I am." She finished with slight annoyance, rising from the edge of the bed. "It was certainly good to see you again, Arwen. And it really was nice to finally meet you, Thalawen. I'll see you on the morrow?"

Both Elves gave her nods of their own agreement and returned the goodnight, watching as she quietly shut the door.

Outside of it, Landailyn stood a moment, pondering over the news she'd been told that day. Though there was something out of place, something she couldn't put her finger on, though perhaps she would think of it later.

Shrugging to herself, she started down the hall. On the way, she stopped to say her goodnight to the king and let him know she was heading home.

Besides that, other thoughts ran their course, of chores and things that needed to be done at the palace and around home. But she didn't quite forget what it was she didn't know.

She was nearly to her house, when it finally crossed her mind and almost caused her to stop mid step. It was now that she realized what had been different.

The beautiful jewel that Arwen had always worn around her neck, was gone.


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


"So," Began Arwen, pausing.

"So what?" Thalawen asked, when she wasn't quick enough to continue.

"So what do you think of Landailyn? Do you like her?"

Thalawen laughed softly. "Well, I think you were right, that she is much like me."

Arwen sighed. She wasn't sure whether to classify that as a 'yes' or a 'no'. She turned to give Thalawen an impatient stare, slitting her eyes and looking up at her friend.

Thalawen glanced quickly at Arwen, assessed her mood, and looked away again, trying not to laugh.

"Thalawen!" exclaimed Arwen.

"What?" mocked Thalawen.

"Answer me true!"

This time she could not hold back the laughter. "Yes, Arwen, I really enjoy Landailyn's company. She seems to be a very good friend." But deep inside, no matter how hard she tried to ignore it, Thalawen still felt that emotion, the one that she would never admit to.

As they each walked back to where they were sleeping for the night, they spoke of the days events and what they would do tomorrow.

Arwen spoke of Aragorn and what she hoped and dreamed for, while Thalawen listened to her friend's worries, hugging her tightly before going to her own bed.


TBC …