Disclaimer: Imagination is something we do not own. It is free and awaits our visit. The world of Middle-Earth and all it contains is owned however and not by me. What would this world be without J.R.R. Tolkien? I do not want to know.



A/N: Everybody: thanks for all the kind reviews I got. I would like to especially thank The Black Ninja and Forest Elfin. Glad you guys like it!

9. Meeting with the generals.



Legolas was on the road again. This time on horseback, on a steed from Aragorn's stable. He was on his way to the capital of Ithilien. The messenger that came to Mirkwood, asked his father to send an envoy to a counsel of some very high and skilled generals, near the city of Minas Ithil. The subject of the meeting was the remaining foul creatures after the fall of Sauron. Since they still had trouble with orcs in Mirkwood, Thranduil was rather interested in this meeting and Legolas was sent. Aragorn had already sent some of his own generals, but was interested in a personal account of the meeting by Legolas. So Legolas would visit Minas Tirith once more on his return from the counsel and could return his horse.



Legolas left the morning of his conversation with Arwen. He passed the river Anduin and journeyed through Emyn Arnen, a range of hills in the central regions of Ithilien. After his coronation, Aragorn asked Faramir, son of Denethor II, Steward of Gondor and brother to Boromir, to rule Ithilien for him as his Steward. The land had been cleared from most of the dreadful creatures that lived there when Sauron reigned and Minas Morgul was re-renamed to Minas Ithil again. It was now a flourishing trade city. It also was the residence of Faramir as Prince of Ithilien and Lord of Emyn Arnen and his White Lady of Rohan, Éowyn, who he married after the War of the Rings.



Some fifteen miles from Minas Ithil there was a large army camp, where the meeting would take place. Legolas stated his name, title and business at the entrance and was let to the middle of the camp. There was a tent with the flags of Ithilien, Gondor and Rohan in front of it. Two guards were standing at the entrance. The soldier who had accompanied him had a quick word with one of them. The guard directed them to a nearby smaller tent. The soldier went in and came out again with a man clothed in the war-uniform of the Rohirrim.

"Greetings Prince Legolas of Greenwood the Great" the man bowed and then continued:

"I'm lieutenant Aldor I'm one of the éored [one hundred and twenty riders that formed the main military division of the people of Rohan] and at this moment responsible for the course of the meetings. I'm at your service Your Highness Prince Legolas of Greenwood the Great. I suppose that Your Highness wants to speak with the generals?" Legolas confirmed that he was the envoy from his father. The man continued: "Well, I'm sorry to inform Your Highness that the generals are in a conversation at this moment with another highly esteemed visitor and I do have specific orders not to let anyone disturb this conversation." "Well, I'll just wait then," with that, Legolas let himself down on a wooden bench by a table outside the tent. "Can I get you anything to eat perhaps, sir, it might take a while before they can receive you" "Yes, I would appreciate some bread and soup or so"

The lieutenant beckoned a soldier to go and fetch the food.

"Would you like me to let somebody take care of your horse, while you wait here sir?" "Yes, please, I would, again, appreciate that" Another soldier was beckoned and after Legolas had taken some letters from his father out of his bags, the horse was let away. "If you do not mind sir, I have some work to do..." "No, by all means, please continue your work" Legolas answered. The lieutenant returned to his tent. Soon the bread and some thick soup arrived and Legolas started to eat.



He could hear some noises coming from the big tent. It sounded more like a quarrel then a conversation. The generals appeared to disagree completely. Now and then there was the voice of a more sensible one, trying to calm the others down and make them listen to each other. Finally, Legolas had finished his meal almost an hour ago, this voice was heard saying rather loud: "Well if you are finished fighting amongst each other and have reached an agreement: I'll be on the training field practicing. Don't take too much time though, time is still on our site, but I do not know for how long."



First there was a shocked silence and then he could hear someone say: "We should pay attention; this is our most valuable source." And another one: "Never has there been a more valuable scout and insider..." But others disagreed and soon the quarrelling started again. Legolas was curious to see who would leave the tent, but nobody came out. Maybe this tent had two entries? It was a good opportunity to stretch his legs, so he got up and went around the big tent. He had been right. There was another, smaller, entrance, again with two guards beside it. He completed his little stroll and approached one of the guards at the main entrance.



"Excuse me, but can you tell me when the generals will be ready to receive another visitor?" "I'm sorry sir, I don't know" the man replied to his question. "However," he continued, "this has been going on for a week already and they are not to be disturbed. The arrival this morning of the esteemed guest was hoped to bring a chance, but as you've heard..." "I see..." Legolas said, and then imitating the voice they had all heard: "Well, if they are finished fighting amongst each other and have reached an agreement: I'll be on the training field practicing. Let them not take too much time though... for I'll get less- mannered in time!" Both guards laughed. "Good idea sir, you'll find the training field about three rows of tents from the other exit of this tent!"



A/N: 22 feb 2003: just replacing this chapter because of some minor not-so-well paragraph endings.

13 September 2003: the last(?) spelling errors are gone now??????