Chapter3: Feanor and Haldir

The fellowship stood outside the exit to the mines, panting for breath. Off in the distance the sound of thunder could be heard. Suddenly, Frodo straitened, " That's not another trick from the evil wizard Sarumon is it?" Gandalf said nothing at first but looked up and studied the sky. Lowering his head he looked at the hobbit, a small smile on his face.

" No my dear hobbit, it is no trick."

The four other hobbits all sighed in relief. " Where are we to go now Gandalf?" questioned Merry. Gandalf looked to the east where the dark storm clouds were forming. " To Lothlorien." He sighed inwardly, they were going to have to move quickly or they will get caught in the rain. Silently, he glanced at Legolas. He was standing closest to the mouth of the mines, still as a statue.

"Legolas?"

The elf jumped slightly and then looked over at Gandalf and the others. Slowly he walked over to were everyone was standing, waiting for Gandalf to tell them what to do next. The wizard studied the elf closely for a few seconds before turning to the others. " Well, what are we waiting for. Follow me." With that Gandalf led the way to Lorien. They moved swiftly, even Gimli was making a good pace. There was one, however, who hung back about 30 yards.

Legolas followed, though he was going a little slower than the others. His mind was racing with questions that had no answers. Why was all this happening now? First Ssuron, now Belroth. He sighed. This was turning out worse than he had thought it would be. Legolas was still keeping the same pace when a voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Legolas, are you alright?"

When he looked up he came face to face with Aragorn. He smiled slightly, though it didn't show in his eyes. " I fine Estel." He said in a soft voice that the ranger could hardly hear. He looked at the elf with concern. He definitely wasn't fine, but decided not to press the matter. Once they reached the safety of the Golden Woods they slowed their pace, but kept moving. The hobbits, Boromir, and Gimli looked around them in awe.

" Stay close young hobbit's. They say this is the home of an elf-witch, and men who have journeyed here, are never seen again," whispered Gimli. Aragorn, who had been to these woods many times and knew these were just myths, laughed to himself.

"And what might I ask is so funny Aragorn?" questioned Gimli.

Aragorn opened his mouth to answer, but Pippin spoke up before him. " What's wrong with Legolas?" Aragorn turned around and saw the elf standing with his head tilted slightly, listening to something the rest of the fellowship could not hear. The others, upon hearing Pippins question, had stopped as well and were now looking at the elf. Suddenly a smile appeared on Legolas' face.

" We have company." He said simply.

Gimli was about to question the elf when there came a faint sound of hoof beats. The others turned just in time to see a most magnificent sight. A unicorn had come through the trees in front of them, prancing around them. It was a beautiful sight. Its coat was pure silver with a hint of gold. It's horn was a soft sky blue with gold at the tip, as if someone had let it drop onto it. Its mane and tail were of pure gold as well and its hooves seemed to be made of diamonds. It seemed to be looking at all of them one at a time, but when its dark blue eyes fell upon Legolas it let out a neigh (sp?) of welcome, tossed its head into the air and then came to stand beside the elf, who greeted it just as warmly.

" And who might I ask is this?" asked Gimli.

Legolas did not bother to look away from the creature when he answered. " An old friend that I have not seen for a long time." " Does the horse have a name?" The unicorn stamped its foot in irritation at being called a horse and turned its gaze to Gimli then back to Legolas. The elf smiled. " First you don't call her a horse. She hates that. And secondly her name is Feanor. It means Spirit of Fire in Elvish." The hobbits gazed at Feanor in wonder, for they had never seen a creature so beautiful and strong as this.

Suddenly the unicorn neighed again and took some of Legolas' sleeve, pulling him forward gently. " Shall we carry on?" asked Gandalf, though it really wasn't a question that needed an answer. The hobbit, however, let out exhausted groans. " Do we have to Gandalf?" whined Pippin. " Don't worry little ones, Feanor will allow you to travel on her," said Legolas. The hobbits looked as if they thought that would offend her, but the unicorn merely tossed her mane and kneeled down so they could climb on. Once the hobbits were secure the fellowship set out on the rest of their journey to the heart of Lothlorien. After a few minutes Gimli carried on about the myths of the Golden Woods and of the Lady of the Woods.

" Well here's one dwarf she wont ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox." No sooner had he said this when the fellowship became surrounded by elves, bows ready. One stepped out from the others, surveying the two men, dwarf, and wizard. Legolas and the hobbits were farther back on the trail, though the others hoped not to far.

" That dwarf breaths so loudly we could have shot him in the dark," said the elf that had stepped forward. Gandalf stepped forward to speak. " We come with no harm. We only seek shelter. I am Gandalf and these are my companions Boromir of Gondor, Gimli the dwarf, and Aragorn." The elf studied them for a moment. " And how do I know this is not some trick from Sauron, I way to get inside Lothlorien. Give me a reason as to why I should not kill you now?"

" Haldir, is that any way to greet friends?" came a voice from behind Gandalf and the others. Haldir looked in the direction of the voice and a smile came across his face. " Well if it isn't Legolas the Brave. Have you done anything else lately to upset your father young elfling?" Haldir laughed a shrewd glint in his eyes. Legolas blushed slightly, " That wasn't my fault, Feanor bushed me in that water. And will you ever let that go?" Haldir laughed. " Not anytime soon young one." Haldir then looked at the others.

" I am sorry my friends. I have to be careful. Darkness has been growing high. A few hours ago I could have sworn I heard that wolf. Not the nicest thing to imagine." He looked over at Legolas and a look of concern passed over his features.

" Is something wrong Legolas?" Haldir questioned. Legolas sighed.

"Actually Haldir, that is one of the reasons we are here." Haldir gave him a puzzled look. Legolas closed his eyes and then slowly he opened them again, and Haldir noticed a look in the young elf's eyes that had not been there for over 100 years.

" He's back Haldir. Belroth is back."