Legolas ran back to his room as the others went about their own business.
They would meet in Elrond's Council Chamber within the hour, and then they
would be on their way. It couldn't be too soon to Legolas' way of
thinking. Aldan and whoever was helping him had a twelve hour head start
at least, more if they did not care if they lamed their horses. Somehow, he
doubted they would care.
His shirt was already half stripped off when he ran through the door. Throwing it on the floor he dug out his traveling clothes, kicked off his shoes, and began to strip off his trousers. That was when he saw the braided length of gold and silver chains wound through a long lock of dark hair.
Anger flaring through him, he reached down, scooping up the long braid and holding it tightly in his clenched fist. The thought of a dagger so close to Tinuviel's throat sent rivulets of rage down every nerve ending in his body. Aldan would pay for this.
Beneath the braid lay a folded paper. Before he even picked it up he knew what it was. It was a note from Aldan. Unfolding the paper, he read the carefully scripted hand. "Come home. Come alone or I will kill her. You know where to find me."
Legolas crumpled the paper in his fist, holding it so tightly his fist shook from the effort. He forced his fingers to release their hold and dropped the ball onto the bed. He didn't hesitate long enough to think, he knew what he had to do. Dressing quickly in his traveling clothes, he tied the braid onto his belt and wrapped his cloak around his shoulders, fastening the leaf broach at his throat. His bow, quiver, and knives were standing, ever at the ready, in the corner. He strapped them onto his back, the weight almost a comfort.
There was no time for niceties. No journeybread, water or wineskins. Not even a flask of miruvor to ease his weary body. He'd have to eat and drink whatever he could find along the way. That was no great hardship, though. The road from Rivendell to Mirkwood had many springs and the journey was not so long that if he did not eat it would harm him, being an Elf did have advantages in that they could go for long periods of time with no food, but clean water was a necessity to every living thing.
There was so much confusion between stopping the search for Tinuviel along the river bank and through Rivendell and learning what had truly happened that Legolas had no trouble slipping unnoticed down to the paddock where the horses were left to run free. There was a natural cave that had been widened until it made a safe, warm, and secure stable for them when it was needed and there was always someone to check on them throughout the day and night, but for the most part they were left alone.
Moving quietly to the gate, Legolas called Arod to him. The beautiful white stallion had been a gift to him from Eomer many years ago now and he had become a dear friend to Legolas. He knew and served his master well and when he heard the sound of Legolas' whistle, he came trotting up to the gate.
Legolas opened the gate and Arod nuzzled the Elf's cheek as he came to stand beside him. Laying a hand on the horse's muzzle, Legolas spoke softly to him. "I need you to carry me as quickly as you are able, my friend." Arod nickered answering him in his own way. Every living thing could speak if only you listened, Elves listened and Legolas knew Arod could feel his desperation. "Thank you, my friend." Grabbing hold of the silver mane, he swung himself lightly onto the horse's back. As soon as he had his seat, Arod was off, moving quickly through the trees that would take them to the path out of Rivendell. His old horse was not as young as many of the stallions in the paddock, but he was swift and knew the road between Rivendell and Mirkwood better than any. Even though Legolas was not willing to harm him, he knew Arod would carry him as fast as his feet would fly.
*******************
Aragorn had never seen his friend so upset, it was odd to see the normally calm, cool Elf struggling to keep control of his emotions. But he knew how Legolas felt. The difference was that Legolas knew where to find Tinuviel. Aragorn wasn't sure if that was better than not knowing.
"Aragorn, I need to go with you to the meeting." Arien burst into Aragorn's room as he was dressing, but the king did nothing to hide his state of undress, if she was offended she could leave. Unfortunately, she wasn't offended. Closing the door behind her, she moved into the room. "I think I should be with you on the search for Tinuviel."
Fastening his leather riding pants, he pulled his shirt on over his head, sending his mane of dark hair into disarray. "You cannot go. Stay here with Elrond and you will be safe." He hastily tucked in his shirt and sat down on the bed to pull on his boots.
Arien raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest. "If that came from a concern for my well being, I might be tempted to listen to it."
He stood and pulled the leather jerkin on over his shirt, belting it tightly at the waist and hanging his scabbard at his hip. "You cannot go. That is final." He grabbed his cloak and bow and quiver then brushed past her, heading to the Elrond's chambers.
When he entered the room he found Gandalf and Elrond already seated by the fire, heads bent in discussion. Elrond smiled a bit when he saw Aragorn. "Come in and sit by the fire while we await the others."
Aragorn sat his cloak, bow, and quiver beside the door and crossed the room to join the elder Wizard and Elf. "Did no one see anything Elrond? "The dark Elf shook his head, a frown settling on his brow. "Nothing. But they are Elves, they could easily have evaded everyone. Even with Tinuviel. I'm certain they were incredibly cautious."
Aragorn heaved a frustrated sigh. "I cannot help but think on what happened this morning with Arien. What happened, why was she able to see those things?"
Gandalf held back the smile that threatened. "Arien is more than she seems, Aragorn. I think she would be helpful on the search for Tinuviel."
"I cannot take her with us, we are going into a dangerous situation without any clear view of what we are getting into. She would be a liability to us, I do not need another female to worry over." He looked up as Boromir came into the room, dressed in his travel clothes, and moved over to the small group of men gathered by the fire.
Boromir sat down beside Aragorn, the look on his face was grave. He was anxious to get on with this and get Tinuviel back where she belonged. It hurt him to see his Elf friend in pain. "Where is Legolas? I would have thought he would have been the first to arrive."
The frown on Elrond's face deepened. "Yes. I would have thought so as well."
********************
Storming away from Aragorn's room, Arien marched quickly toward Legolas' chamber, muttering to herself. "The high and mighty king has spoken, has he? Well, I wonder what the grieving husband would think? I must go, Tinuviel's life depends on it, I'm certain." She rounded the corner and strode up to Legolas' door, knocking heavily on the burnished wood.
To her surprise, the door swung free into the room, having not been latched when the last person left. "Legolas?" she called as she walked slowly through the door. But once she was inside she knew he was not there. The clothes he had worn, still wet from the search, lay strewn about the floor showing how quickly the Elf had changed. It occurred to her that she must have missed him on his way to the meeting. "Well, I'll just have to invite myself to the meeting," she said aloud to no one as she turned to leave the room.
She did not know what caused her to look at the bed, still perfectly made and turned back for the bride and groom. In the center of the forest green coverlet was a ball of paper. It drew her back into the room and she crossed the distance to the bed in an almost trancelike state. Reaching out, she picked up the ball of paper and began to carefully unwind it.
It took some effort not to tear the parchment as she pulled it away from itself but she soon had it open and was flattening it against the coverlet, smoothing it with the side of her hand, trying not to smudge the dark ink any more than it had already been smeared. The words on it were written in Elvish, a language she was just learning to speak. It took a bit to decipher what they said. It might have been easier to take it to someone, but she wanted to know what it said first. "Come home. Come alone, or I will kill her. You know where to find me." The meaning of the note and Legolas' hasty departure did not immediately present itself, but then she realized that he had gone ahead, alone. Clutching the paper in her hand, she ran as swiftly as she could to Elrond's chambers.
**************************
Thranduil had received news of his nephew's treachery as he was searching the river's bank for his new daughter's body. He was relieved to know that she still lived, but it was a hollow victory. If Aldan had taken her into the darker reaches of Mirkwood, they may never see the beautiful young girl again. He went straight to Elrond's chambers, followed closely by Gimli, who had been searching with him.
The two entered Elrond's chamber, still dirty and wet from their search of the farther banks, but willing to do anything needed to help find Tinuviel. The question of the hour, however, was 'Where is Legolas?'
As the men sat to await the bridegroom, they were startled when a breathless Arien burst into the room. "He's gone," she announced. "He has gone alone."
"What?" Aragorn was out of his chair and across the floor in an instant, grabbing the girl by the shoulders. "What do you mean he has gone?"
Arien held out the paper and he took it, reading the elegant Elven script. His face was unreadable, but she could tell he was very displeased. "It seems he has gone on without us." Aragorn crossed the room and handed the paper to Elrond.
Elrond read the paper aloud. "Come home. Come alone, or I will kill her. You know where to find me." He looked over at Thranduil. "Legolas cannot take the chance that he will do exactly that, but I fear he is in grave danger. Come home, we knew Aldan had taken Tinuviel to Mirkwood from the information Arien gave us while she was sleepwalking, but what does he mean by 'You know where to find me'?"
Thranduil frowned. "When Aldan and Legolas were young boys, they often ventured into the farthest reaches of Mirkwood. Before the darkness crawled into the forest. But Legolas does not know what he will face now, it is long since he has been home. A darkness once again stains our beautiful forest and I fear that his quest will be hopeless."
Gimli stood, his hand on his axe. "Then we shall make certain it is not hopeless."
Aragorn smiled down at the now Dwarf King that had been befriended by Legolas those many years ago. "My friend, Gimli, we have great need for speed and I know your dislike of horses."
The Dwarf squared his shoulders. "If Legolas is in need I will ride, on my own horse if necessary."
Boromir clapped him on the shoulder. "My horse can carry two, he is strong and swift." He turned to Gandalf. "What of you, friend Wizard?"
Gandalf turned away from the fire he had been gazing into. "I will not ride with you, but I will be there."
They had all fought beside Gandalf, more than once. If he said he would be there, then he would be there."
"Then it is settled," Elrond nodded. "The three of you must ride as quickly as you can after Legolas. He will not stop to rest until his horse needs to so you may only be a few hours to a day behind him, but you must leave now."
Arien stood there, hands on hips, as she watched the three of them walk out the door. "What about me?"
Aragorn turned back to her, his face a stony mask. "I told you that you will not be going and that is final. Stay here and pray that we might not be too late to save both Legolas and Tinuviel." He did not wait for her to answer, instead walking out the door, closing it behind him.
It was not long before the three of them were on their way out of Rivendell. They had wine and waterskins enough, some waybread, hard cheese, and cured meat, and Elrond had given each of them a flask of Miruvor, with two more flasks for Legolas and Tinuviel when they found them. Tucking their cloaks back to allow for the warmness of the early afternoon, they set off down the road as quickly as their horses would carry them.
Arien watched from the cover of the trees as the men departed, leaving her behind. There was something in her mind, in her very heart, that told her she must go with them, she had to help Tinuviel in any way she could. She wondered why it would weigh so heavily on her soul to help someone she had never even met, but she just knew deep within herself that Tinuviel's life depended on her.
Slipping as quietly as she could to the paddock, she found her saddle and called the horse she had been riding since Rohan to her. It was a beautiful gray mare named Graydawn. Holding her hand out, she let the gentle animal nuzzle at her hand.
Just as she was about to open the gate, she heard footsteps behind her. Turning quickly she saw Gandalf and Elrond emerging from the woods. "Well, now. It seems we have a runaway." Elrond's mouth curled into a smile."
"Rather a tag-along, I believe," Gandalf joked as they moved closer to her.
Arien steeled herself. She was going and no one was going to stop her. "I have to go. I don't care if I have to go by myself."
Gandalf nodded, a serious look on his face. "Yes. I quite agree."
"No!" She protested. "You don't understand. I know that I have never even met this woman but I know I have to protect her." Then she realized what Gandalf had said. "What?"
Ignoring her question, Elrond frowned. "I thought as much." He handed her a pack. "You may need this." Then handed her a scabbard on a finely crafted leather belt. "I assume you know how to use a sword?"
Arien nodded silently, not quite certain she wasn't losing her mind. "So you think my going is a good idea?"
Calling Shadowfax to him, Gandalf let the spirited stallion out of the paddock. "Yes. You must go, just as I must go for it is the way it is supposed to be." Grabbing Shadowfax's mane, he swung himself up onto his back and held his hand out for Arien. "But we have a different road to travel, the way is long and if we are to get there in time we must let Shadofax lead the way. Will you trust me?"
Arien knew instinctively that she could trust this man. "I trust you." Grabbing on to his hand, she swung up behind him on the large stallion.
"Be careful, my friends," Elrond stepped back, holding his hand up in farewell, "and bring everyone back safe." But even as he spoke there was a shadow on his heart and he knew that not everyone would come back unscathed.
Shadowfax found his way through to the road and then took off like the wind. Air rushed past them and Arien clung ever more tightly to Gandalf's waist. The Wizard chuckled and patted her hand. "Fear not, Arien," he said over the whistling of the wind. "Shadowfax will not allow any harm to come to you, nor will I."
His shirt was already half stripped off when he ran through the door. Throwing it on the floor he dug out his traveling clothes, kicked off his shoes, and began to strip off his trousers. That was when he saw the braided length of gold and silver chains wound through a long lock of dark hair.
Anger flaring through him, he reached down, scooping up the long braid and holding it tightly in his clenched fist. The thought of a dagger so close to Tinuviel's throat sent rivulets of rage down every nerve ending in his body. Aldan would pay for this.
Beneath the braid lay a folded paper. Before he even picked it up he knew what it was. It was a note from Aldan. Unfolding the paper, he read the carefully scripted hand. "Come home. Come alone or I will kill her. You know where to find me."
Legolas crumpled the paper in his fist, holding it so tightly his fist shook from the effort. He forced his fingers to release their hold and dropped the ball onto the bed. He didn't hesitate long enough to think, he knew what he had to do. Dressing quickly in his traveling clothes, he tied the braid onto his belt and wrapped his cloak around his shoulders, fastening the leaf broach at his throat. His bow, quiver, and knives were standing, ever at the ready, in the corner. He strapped them onto his back, the weight almost a comfort.
There was no time for niceties. No journeybread, water or wineskins. Not even a flask of miruvor to ease his weary body. He'd have to eat and drink whatever he could find along the way. That was no great hardship, though. The road from Rivendell to Mirkwood had many springs and the journey was not so long that if he did not eat it would harm him, being an Elf did have advantages in that they could go for long periods of time with no food, but clean water was a necessity to every living thing.
There was so much confusion between stopping the search for Tinuviel along the river bank and through Rivendell and learning what had truly happened that Legolas had no trouble slipping unnoticed down to the paddock where the horses were left to run free. There was a natural cave that had been widened until it made a safe, warm, and secure stable for them when it was needed and there was always someone to check on them throughout the day and night, but for the most part they were left alone.
Moving quietly to the gate, Legolas called Arod to him. The beautiful white stallion had been a gift to him from Eomer many years ago now and he had become a dear friend to Legolas. He knew and served his master well and when he heard the sound of Legolas' whistle, he came trotting up to the gate.
Legolas opened the gate and Arod nuzzled the Elf's cheek as he came to stand beside him. Laying a hand on the horse's muzzle, Legolas spoke softly to him. "I need you to carry me as quickly as you are able, my friend." Arod nickered answering him in his own way. Every living thing could speak if only you listened, Elves listened and Legolas knew Arod could feel his desperation. "Thank you, my friend." Grabbing hold of the silver mane, he swung himself lightly onto the horse's back. As soon as he had his seat, Arod was off, moving quickly through the trees that would take them to the path out of Rivendell. His old horse was not as young as many of the stallions in the paddock, but he was swift and knew the road between Rivendell and Mirkwood better than any. Even though Legolas was not willing to harm him, he knew Arod would carry him as fast as his feet would fly.
*******************
Aragorn had never seen his friend so upset, it was odd to see the normally calm, cool Elf struggling to keep control of his emotions. But he knew how Legolas felt. The difference was that Legolas knew where to find Tinuviel. Aragorn wasn't sure if that was better than not knowing.
"Aragorn, I need to go with you to the meeting." Arien burst into Aragorn's room as he was dressing, but the king did nothing to hide his state of undress, if she was offended she could leave. Unfortunately, she wasn't offended. Closing the door behind her, she moved into the room. "I think I should be with you on the search for Tinuviel."
Fastening his leather riding pants, he pulled his shirt on over his head, sending his mane of dark hair into disarray. "You cannot go. Stay here with Elrond and you will be safe." He hastily tucked in his shirt and sat down on the bed to pull on his boots.
Arien raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest. "If that came from a concern for my well being, I might be tempted to listen to it."
He stood and pulled the leather jerkin on over his shirt, belting it tightly at the waist and hanging his scabbard at his hip. "You cannot go. That is final." He grabbed his cloak and bow and quiver then brushed past her, heading to the Elrond's chambers.
When he entered the room he found Gandalf and Elrond already seated by the fire, heads bent in discussion. Elrond smiled a bit when he saw Aragorn. "Come in and sit by the fire while we await the others."
Aragorn sat his cloak, bow, and quiver beside the door and crossed the room to join the elder Wizard and Elf. "Did no one see anything Elrond? "The dark Elf shook his head, a frown settling on his brow. "Nothing. But they are Elves, they could easily have evaded everyone. Even with Tinuviel. I'm certain they were incredibly cautious."
Aragorn heaved a frustrated sigh. "I cannot help but think on what happened this morning with Arien. What happened, why was she able to see those things?"
Gandalf held back the smile that threatened. "Arien is more than she seems, Aragorn. I think she would be helpful on the search for Tinuviel."
"I cannot take her with us, we are going into a dangerous situation without any clear view of what we are getting into. She would be a liability to us, I do not need another female to worry over." He looked up as Boromir came into the room, dressed in his travel clothes, and moved over to the small group of men gathered by the fire.
Boromir sat down beside Aragorn, the look on his face was grave. He was anxious to get on with this and get Tinuviel back where she belonged. It hurt him to see his Elf friend in pain. "Where is Legolas? I would have thought he would have been the first to arrive."
The frown on Elrond's face deepened. "Yes. I would have thought so as well."
********************
Storming away from Aragorn's room, Arien marched quickly toward Legolas' chamber, muttering to herself. "The high and mighty king has spoken, has he? Well, I wonder what the grieving husband would think? I must go, Tinuviel's life depends on it, I'm certain." She rounded the corner and strode up to Legolas' door, knocking heavily on the burnished wood.
To her surprise, the door swung free into the room, having not been latched when the last person left. "Legolas?" she called as she walked slowly through the door. But once she was inside she knew he was not there. The clothes he had worn, still wet from the search, lay strewn about the floor showing how quickly the Elf had changed. It occurred to her that she must have missed him on his way to the meeting. "Well, I'll just have to invite myself to the meeting," she said aloud to no one as she turned to leave the room.
She did not know what caused her to look at the bed, still perfectly made and turned back for the bride and groom. In the center of the forest green coverlet was a ball of paper. It drew her back into the room and she crossed the distance to the bed in an almost trancelike state. Reaching out, she picked up the ball of paper and began to carefully unwind it.
It took some effort not to tear the parchment as she pulled it away from itself but she soon had it open and was flattening it against the coverlet, smoothing it with the side of her hand, trying not to smudge the dark ink any more than it had already been smeared. The words on it were written in Elvish, a language she was just learning to speak. It took a bit to decipher what they said. It might have been easier to take it to someone, but she wanted to know what it said first. "Come home. Come alone, or I will kill her. You know where to find me." The meaning of the note and Legolas' hasty departure did not immediately present itself, but then she realized that he had gone ahead, alone. Clutching the paper in her hand, she ran as swiftly as she could to Elrond's chambers.
**************************
Thranduil had received news of his nephew's treachery as he was searching the river's bank for his new daughter's body. He was relieved to know that she still lived, but it was a hollow victory. If Aldan had taken her into the darker reaches of Mirkwood, they may never see the beautiful young girl again. He went straight to Elrond's chambers, followed closely by Gimli, who had been searching with him.
The two entered Elrond's chamber, still dirty and wet from their search of the farther banks, but willing to do anything needed to help find Tinuviel. The question of the hour, however, was 'Where is Legolas?'
As the men sat to await the bridegroom, they were startled when a breathless Arien burst into the room. "He's gone," she announced. "He has gone alone."
"What?" Aragorn was out of his chair and across the floor in an instant, grabbing the girl by the shoulders. "What do you mean he has gone?"
Arien held out the paper and he took it, reading the elegant Elven script. His face was unreadable, but she could tell he was very displeased. "It seems he has gone on without us." Aragorn crossed the room and handed the paper to Elrond.
Elrond read the paper aloud. "Come home. Come alone, or I will kill her. You know where to find me." He looked over at Thranduil. "Legolas cannot take the chance that he will do exactly that, but I fear he is in grave danger. Come home, we knew Aldan had taken Tinuviel to Mirkwood from the information Arien gave us while she was sleepwalking, but what does he mean by 'You know where to find me'?"
Thranduil frowned. "When Aldan and Legolas were young boys, they often ventured into the farthest reaches of Mirkwood. Before the darkness crawled into the forest. But Legolas does not know what he will face now, it is long since he has been home. A darkness once again stains our beautiful forest and I fear that his quest will be hopeless."
Gimli stood, his hand on his axe. "Then we shall make certain it is not hopeless."
Aragorn smiled down at the now Dwarf King that had been befriended by Legolas those many years ago. "My friend, Gimli, we have great need for speed and I know your dislike of horses."
The Dwarf squared his shoulders. "If Legolas is in need I will ride, on my own horse if necessary."
Boromir clapped him on the shoulder. "My horse can carry two, he is strong and swift." He turned to Gandalf. "What of you, friend Wizard?"
Gandalf turned away from the fire he had been gazing into. "I will not ride with you, but I will be there."
They had all fought beside Gandalf, more than once. If he said he would be there, then he would be there."
"Then it is settled," Elrond nodded. "The three of you must ride as quickly as you can after Legolas. He will not stop to rest until his horse needs to so you may only be a few hours to a day behind him, but you must leave now."
Arien stood there, hands on hips, as she watched the three of them walk out the door. "What about me?"
Aragorn turned back to her, his face a stony mask. "I told you that you will not be going and that is final. Stay here and pray that we might not be too late to save both Legolas and Tinuviel." He did not wait for her to answer, instead walking out the door, closing it behind him.
It was not long before the three of them were on their way out of Rivendell. They had wine and waterskins enough, some waybread, hard cheese, and cured meat, and Elrond had given each of them a flask of Miruvor, with two more flasks for Legolas and Tinuviel when they found them. Tucking their cloaks back to allow for the warmness of the early afternoon, they set off down the road as quickly as their horses would carry them.
Arien watched from the cover of the trees as the men departed, leaving her behind. There was something in her mind, in her very heart, that told her she must go with them, she had to help Tinuviel in any way she could. She wondered why it would weigh so heavily on her soul to help someone she had never even met, but she just knew deep within herself that Tinuviel's life depended on her.
Slipping as quietly as she could to the paddock, she found her saddle and called the horse she had been riding since Rohan to her. It was a beautiful gray mare named Graydawn. Holding her hand out, she let the gentle animal nuzzle at her hand.
Just as she was about to open the gate, she heard footsteps behind her. Turning quickly she saw Gandalf and Elrond emerging from the woods. "Well, now. It seems we have a runaway." Elrond's mouth curled into a smile."
"Rather a tag-along, I believe," Gandalf joked as they moved closer to her.
Arien steeled herself. She was going and no one was going to stop her. "I have to go. I don't care if I have to go by myself."
Gandalf nodded, a serious look on his face. "Yes. I quite agree."
"No!" She protested. "You don't understand. I know that I have never even met this woman but I know I have to protect her." Then she realized what Gandalf had said. "What?"
Ignoring her question, Elrond frowned. "I thought as much." He handed her a pack. "You may need this." Then handed her a scabbard on a finely crafted leather belt. "I assume you know how to use a sword?"
Arien nodded silently, not quite certain she wasn't losing her mind. "So you think my going is a good idea?"
Calling Shadowfax to him, Gandalf let the spirited stallion out of the paddock. "Yes. You must go, just as I must go for it is the way it is supposed to be." Grabbing Shadowfax's mane, he swung himself up onto his back and held his hand out for Arien. "But we have a different road to travel, the way is long and if we are to get there in time we must let Shadofax lead the way. Will you trust me?"
Arien knew instinctively that she could trust this man. "I trust you." Grabbing on to his hand, she swung up behind him on the large stallion.
"Be careful, my friends," Elrond stepped back, holding his hand up in farewell, "and bring everyone back safe." But even as he spoke there was a shadow on his heart and he knew that not everyone would come back unscathed.
Shadowfax found his way through to the road and then took off like the wind. Air rushed past them and Arien clung ever more tightly to Gandalf's waist. The Wizard chuckled and patted her hand. "Fear not, Arien," he said over the whistling of the wind. "Shadowfax will not allow any harm to come to you, nor will I."
