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how the story goes.
Disclaimer- I don't own anything but I'm trying to keep everyone in character (its kind of hard but I'm trying my best)
~*Chapter 10*~ Departures
Legolas went quickly down the stairs from Tirifea's flet. He was glad he would never see that elf again. As he walked towards Leuthil's flet he saw Gimli.
"Hello Gimli" he said.
"Hello Legolas, did you get the book?"
"Yes, yes I did. I am on my way to take it back now." Legolas told him hurriedly.
"Do not do that elf."
"Why not?" Legolas asked bemused.
"I have gone to speak with her. It seems she does love you."
"Well all the more reason to go."
"Do not go. If she truly loves you she will come to you. At least that is what I am expecting her to do. Trust me elf she will come to you."
Legolas did not know what to do. Should he listen to Gimli? Or go and find Leuthil before it was too late?
"Legolas" the dwarf said waking Legolas from his thoughts, "take my advice."
Then it was decided Legolas would wait for Leuthil to come to him. In his heart he knew she would.
~*~*~*~*
Leuthil practically ran back to her flet. 'How could he be so unfeeling?' she thought to herself, 'I should have never listened to that dwarf!' she was truly in a horrible state.
She needed to find something to occupy herself with, but what? Only thoughts of Legolas came to mind. The rest of that day went by slowly, almost too slowly for her.
~*~*~*~*
Legolas walked back to camp with Gimli. There all of the fellowship was preparing for their departure the following morning.
"Come Legolas help us load the boats." Aragorn told Legolas.
Legolas went to where the boats were waiting. There were many elves there already helping. He began to pick up small packs of Lembas and load them onto the small boats. There were many of the small packs.
Legolas was distressed the rest of that day. Time seemed to be flying by without any sign of Leuthil. Before he knew it Tilion was already high in sky.
He went back to the pavilion with the fellowship.
"Legolas", he heard Aragorn address him once more, "will you not say your farewells to your friends of the Galadhrim? You must rest. Tomorrow there will be much work to be done. We shall travel as far as we can."
"Yes, I shall. Until tomorrow morn then." he then left the small group and went to his flet. All his friends who lived in Lothlorien were on guard but he knew they would be at the fellowships departure tomorrow to bid him farewell.
His mind was troubled and his heart ached. Why had Leuthil not gone to him yet? Just thinking of her made his heart suffer. As he lie on the large bed he contemplated going to see her. Maybe he should try to speak to her again. But Gimli's words came into his mind every time.
He finally found sleep even if it was somewhat uneasy.
~*~*~*~*
The next morning finally came. The day of the fellowships departure was upon them. Leuthil still had not gone to Legolas. She had decided she would not go to him. He apparently did not think his love for her that important if he had gone to see the elf Tirifea right after speaking with her.
What angered her most was that he had not returned her poems. 'What is he thinking? He cannot keep my poems.' but she would rather he keep the small book then to have to see him again.
She dressed quickly and went down to the small white tent as she did every morning. Voronwer was there as usual.
"Hello Leuthil! What is the problem? You look dismal." She said as she examined Leuthil.
"It is nothing Voronwer. What will you have me do today?"
"You shall be folding blankets with some of the other elves. I have just changed all the sheets so the others have been washed and now they must be folded."
"Very well Voronwer." Leuthil walked to the back of the tent where there were already many elves at work folding, washing, and hanging to dry the large white sheets. There was another opening to the tent on this side also.
There was a large table where the dry sheets were laying, ready to be folded. The smell of fresh leaves and other herbs that elves used to clean with came to her where she stood. She was to busy thinking of other things to notice who else was at the table folding.
Then she heard a very melodic voice speak to her, "So, shall you not be saying fare well to your beloved Prince charming this morning?" Leuthil looked up and saw it was Tirifea.
"Hello Tirifea. Of what do you speak?"
"Well are you not going to say goodbye to Legolas?" she said as she stopped folding and turned to stare at her.
"No, of course not. I thought you would be doing that. Did not you have fun with him while he was here? I am sure you kept him warm." Leuthil said without even glancing over at Tirifea.
"I wish you spoke the truth, but unfortunately he did not even let me lay a hand on him, I thought you were his fun in Lothlorien."
"Of course not! I do not take joy in bedding visitors of Lothlorien. If you have not had relations with him as you claim then why was he in your flet yesterday morning?"
"Because he wanted some boring book back. As a matter of fact it was yours. He had accidentally forgotten it one night by the lake when he ran off without so much as touching me. I swear, I would have thought prince's had more fun. Anyways I was not going to give it back but he got so angry. Thanks to you I did not have my fun with our little prince."
Leuthil simply looked at Tirifea. So then it was true, he did love her or at least had feelings for her, or else he would have done something with Tirifea. She wasn't exactly easy to resist.
"So, are you going to say farewell to him?" Tirifea asked her.
"I cannot, they have already left." Leuthil said as something wet rolled down her cheek. She moved her hand up to wipe it away not knowing what it was. She soon realized it was a tear. She had let the only elf who had ever truly loved her slip through her fingers.
~*~*~*~*
Legolas awoke and went down to where the fellowship was waiting. They ate breakfast earlier than they usually did that day. The whole while Legolas was looking out for Leuthil. She still had not come to him.
"Do not worry Legolas she will come." He heard Gimli whisper to him as they ate.
After the short breakfast they went to the waters edge where Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel were awaiting them. They stood in line as 8 elves clothed them in cloaks of Lothlorien. Each cloak was fastened at the neck with a brooch like a green leaf veined with silver.
"Never before have we clothed strangers in the garb of out people. May they help shield you from unfriendly eyes." Lord Celeborn told them. He had spoken privately with Aragorn before this, Legolas did not know of what though.
Then Galadriel came to them, granting them each a gift of the land of Lothlorien. "For you little gardener and lover of trees," she said to Sam, "I have only a small gift." She gave him a small box of gray wood. The only decoration on it was a silver rune. It said G for Galadriel.
She gave to Boromir a belt of gold and to Merry and Pippin she gave two small silver belts.
She then came to Legolas and looked into his eyes. "To you Legolas I give a bow of the Galadhrim, along with these arrows." Legolas took the bow and examined it. It was beautiful. It was stronger and larger than those of Mirkwood. She then looked into his mind and spoke to him there, "I am sorry Legolas, I know you have suffered much pain here in Lothlorien but I am sorry to say it is still not over."
He stayed silent and watched as she went to Gimli. He did not listen to what they said, he was too busy thinking of Leuthil and why she had not come to him. He later found out that the Lady of Light had given Gimli 3 golden hairs from her head.
After Gimli she came to Aragorn. She gave him a sheathe for his sword Anduril, saying the sword taken from this sheathe would not be broken or stained even in defeat. She then told him to take the name that was foretold to him, Elessar, the Elfstone of the house of Elendil.
He then took the gem she handed to him and placed it on his breast and all who saw him noticed how tall and kingly he truly was.
Finally Galadriel came to the ring bearer, Frodo. "To you I give the light of Earendil, our most beloved star." She handed him the small phial, which captured the light of the elves most beloved star, "May it be a light to you in dark places when all other lights go out." She then bowed low and kissed him on his brow.
The time was now to a few seconds before they would depart from Lothlorien and Legolas still did not see Leuthil coming. As Legolas had suspected all those he knew went to bid him farewell. He was saddened at the thought of maybe never seeing any of them again.
They all got into the small boats, Gimli and Legolas in one, Aragorn and Frodo in another, and Boromir, Merry and Pippin in the last.
"I am sorry Legolas. I suppose now either way it is over." Gimli told Legolas.
"Yes, I suppose so." Legolas said looking away from the dwarf.
"We have both taken our worst wounds at this parting." After Gimli said this they did not speak for much time.
~*~*~*~*
Realization was finally dawning on Leuthil, but she was still heartbroken. She had found out too late. The fellowship had left a long while ago.
This pain was way more immense than any Leuthil had ever felt before. She wanted it to stop immediately. She could not find a way to do so though.
Tirifea, who was still standing right next to her saw the elf's distress, "are you alright Leuthil?" she asked.
"Y-Yes, I am fine." Leuthil told her, even though it was so far from the truth. 'Well that's it, he is gone, FOREVER' a voice kept telling her. 'Do you think I do not know?!' she would argue with the small nagging voice. 'Yes, I know you know, but will you leave it at that? I suppose your love was not strong or good enough... like always.'
"STOP!" she screamed, making all the elves in the small tent turn to look at her. Voronwer walked over to her.
"Leuthil perhaps you should take leave home for the day?" Voronwer told her sincerely.
"Yes, maybe I should. Thank you Voronwer." She then left the tent followed by many stares from the other elves.
She went up to her flet and contemplated what to do. 'Should I follow him?' she thought. 'Yes, no, yes, no. Do not think so much! Just go.' She quickly put on the too large tunic and grabbed her weapons. She put many fruits into her small pack.
She then sprinted down the steps and came to the waters edge. She knew they were to travel to the Falls of Rauros but from there she did not know. How would she follow them? Surely they would see her by boat, and she had to wait for the right time to first show herself to him. She would have to travel on land but first she would have to cross the wide river.
She looked at all the small boats that were there. She saw a small one, which she knew would not be noticed was gone as easily as the larger ones. She quickly went to it and got in. She rowed the boat down the small river, which led to the larger Anduin.
She checked to see if anyone was watching her. She damned her poor hearing and eyesight. Well it wasn't poor, but not as good as a regular elf's either.
She rowed as quickly as her arms allowed. As soon as she got on land she would be quicker. She was rowing against the current of the swift river and it was not an easy task. She rowed for many long hours until at last she was too tired. She knew they would be a lot further down the river as they had left Lothlorien many hours before her.
She stopped and made camp. She did not build a fire, for she knew there were many things in this forest and something might see it and come to investigate. The night went by slowly, as she felt lonelier now than she ever had before. She stayed up, keeping watch for herself. She had reached the western shore and tomorrow she would travel on foot rather than by boat. The long run would give her much time to think of all she left behind and that which she was hoping to obtain.
~*~*~*~*
Legolas and the fellowship had been rowing now for many long hours. All of their legs were cramping in the small boats.
The hours seemed to pass by slower though for Legolas. Only thoughts of Leuthil seemed to come to him, her huge smile and humorous manner of doing things. Even though his mind was occupied with Leuthil he still kept watch on the borders of the wide river. He could feel danger approaching, even if it was still far off.
After what seemed like an eternity they made camp on the border of the great river Anduin, which they had reached that day. They had gotten farther than Aragorn had originally expected.
They built a small fire and Legolas kept watch. He was unsure of this western shore on which they camped. He knew orcs patrolled the eastern shore but still it seemed to him that choice would be safer.
The next day they awoke early and packed everything once more. They then got in the small boats and once again rowed their way along the great Anduin.
They went for 8 days without much interference of anything. The only thing, which was disturbing to the hobbits, was Gollum. He had been following them for some time now. Aragorn informed them one night that Gollum was a clever waterman and he was aware of the creature's presence.
On the ninth day Legolas was feeling more than the obvious danger that was right behind them and gaining. He knew something else besides the orcs and Gollum was trying to reach them. It was a faint trace of whatever it was though, and he could not even begin to tell what it might be. So far he was the only one whom had felt it. He continued to keep watch on all the borders of the river, for he could feel the evil as if it were slapping him in the face.
~*~*~*~*
Leuthil awoke that morning unaware that she had fallen asleep. She was on land now so she would travel by foot. It would be difficult, as she would have to run quickly to catch up and keep up with the fellowship.
She quickly packed up the small amount of possessions she had and quickly ate some bread (Lembas) and a small peace of fruit. She then began at a slow pace to run in the direction she knew they would be going. She had studied many maps and on many occasions gone much farther than this with Haldir and his brothers.
As she went she gained speed. She was light on her feet and left no tracks as she went. She knew orcs would more than likely also be going after the fellowship. That had been why they were traveling by river.
She went on for 9 days much the same. Only resting very short hours at night. She would rather keep moving at night then stay in one place and be easy prey. She still had not seen any trace of the fellowship and was beginning to worry
She was becoming weary. She had brought enough supplies and all for the journey, but the thought of not coming to Legolas, not reaching him in time, seemed to slowly be eating away at her heart and soul. She knew orcs were not far behind at all. The trees were becoming less and less dense. It was hard to find a spot to rest safely for the night. There were too many clearings in this barren part of the forest.
She slept in the branches of the highest tree she could find that night. She stayed alert but her thoughts went to Legolas always. She could not help but sing something.
The loneliness was too much for her to bear. She was not afraid of the dark or the creatures in the forest but for some reason she felt vulnerable and apparently she was, a she elf, alone, following a group of travelers secretly, who were also being pursued, by most likely, all the evil that existed on Middle-Earth. Words came to her though and she sang them as they came:
The trees are lofty
As the waters plunge
I walk in bliss
Among these steep cliffs
Hand in hand we will walk
Under silver light gleaming and over green grass sleeping
A song for you and a song for me
It is silent
Can you hear it?
It comes from the leaves of our beloved trees
Rustling and whistling these words come to me
Waves I hear far off
Like the cry of our hearts entwined into a single melody
You and I will walk forever with our gift of life
Let the silver light keep shining evermore as long as we are together
~*~*~*~*
She sang into the night. She kept her voice to barely a whisper so that none would hear. Little did she know there was one who did.
Legolas and the group had made camp once more. It was the night of the ninth day. This night Gimli would be keeping watch. Legolas lie on the ground as all the others dozed off. It was late and naught could be heard.
He stayed awake and knew Gimli could not tell whether he was awake or sleeping. He pondered many things. He wondered if he would ever see Leuthil again, if he would complete the journey, if he would live to search for his love. He did not know.
It was late at night and not even Gimli's loud footsteps could be heard anymore. Legolas wondered if he had dozed off, and as if Gimli were trying to answer his question Legolas heard the dwarfs snoring. He sat up and looked to the stars. He wondered what Leuthil was doing at that very moment.
Then as if carried by the gentle breeze he heard something. A voice, not one of evil, but one so beautiful Legolas had not heard the like, the words softly came to him. Only in whispers that tickled his elvin senses. He picked up the words though.
The trees are lofty, as the waters plunge, I walk in bliss among these steep cliffs, hand in hand we will walk, under silver light gleaming and over green grass sleeping....
The words were cut off. What horrible horrible thing could have stopped such a beautiful melody? Only one thing came to mind, orcs. Orcs were disturbing his song. They were disturbing the forest and smashing all things beautiful that were in their way.
He recognized the words. He immediately knew the words came from Leuthil, but how? Surely they did not reach him all the way from Lothlorien.
"What is disturbing you my friend?" Legolas heard Aragorn say.
"Did you not hear it?" Legolas told him as he tried to listen and catch the melody once more, but it did not come.
"Hear what?" Aragorn told him.
"Orcs are near. Too near, we must travel swiftly at sunrise Aragorn. It is unmistakable. This evil I feel is as a knife being plunged into my body."
"Yes, we shall travel hastily tomorrow. Get some rest." Aragorn then left him.
Legolas did not get rest. ' She must have been close' thought Legolas ' I hope whatever disturbed her song does not harm her, for that evil is now between us.'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Leuthil did not sleep that night in the tree. She stayed awake simply resting on a large branch. She continued to sing her song, over and over.
It was the dead of night and nothing could be heard, save for her soft singing. She lowered her voice even more now. Barely to a mumble, you would not have been able to hear it a foot away from her.
Suddenly something made her jump out of the positing she was in. Something was coming close. She could feel the trees groaning as whatever it was passed by them. It was a very large group. Their steps became louder and louder. They were pounding the earth in and it rotted beneath their foul feet.
The leader was now only a few feet from the tree she was in. A few moments passed and they were beneath her. The tree shook with the force of their loud feet falling with each step they took. She held on tightly. She was high up in the tree so they surely would not see her. She camouflaged well with the tunic she was wearing.
Their foul voices drifted up to her. The middle of the group was passing now. It seemed there were many leaders separated in between the large group making sure all were cooperating.
She then heard on of the unpleasant creatures say, "When are we going to rest?! We have been running for days on end."
Another that was ahead yelled back to him, "Stop your wining!! We will stop a little farther ahead, but only for some food and drink. I do not like the feel of this spot."
She continued to watch them as they passed.
~*~*~*~Review if you like*~*~*~(I would appreciate if you did. Tell me what you think and give me SUGGESTIONS! I would like to get some longer reviews. lol)
Disclaimer- I don't own anything but I'm trying to keep everyone in character (its kind of hard but I'm trying my best)
~*Chapter 10*~ Departures
Legolas went quickly down the stairs from Tirifea's flet. He was glad he would never see that elf again. As he walked towards Leuthil's flet he saw Gimli.
"Hello Gimli" he said.
"Hello Legolas, did you get the book?"
"Yes, yes I did. I am on my way to take it back now." Legolas told him hurriedly.
"Do not do that elf."
"Why not?" Legolas asked bemused.
"I have gone to speak with her. It seems she does love you."
"Well all the more reason to go."
"Do not go. If she truly loves you she will come to you. At least that is what I am expecting her to do. Trust me elf she will come to you."
Legolas did not know what to do. Should he listen to Gimli? Or go and find Leuthil before it was too late?
"Legolas" the dwarf said waking Legolas from his thoughts, "take my advice."
Then it was decided Legolas would wait for Leuthil to come to him. In his heart he knew she would.
~*~*~*~*
Leuthil practically ran back to her flet. 'How could he be so unfeeling?' she thought to herself, 'I should have never listened to that dwarf!' she was truly in a horrible state.
She needed to find something to occupy herself with, but what? Only thoughts of Legolas came to mind. The rest of that day went by slowly, almost too slowly for her.
~*~*~*~*
Legolas walked back to camp with Gimli. There all of the fellowship was preparing for their departure the following morning.
"Come Legolas help us load the boats." Aragorn told Legolas.
Legolas went to where the boats were waiting. There were many elves there already helping. He began to pick up small packs of Lembas and load them onto the small boats. There were many of the small packs.
Legolas was distressed the rest of that day. Time seemed to be flying by without any sign of Leuthil. Before he knew it Tilion was already high in sky.
He went back to the pavilion with the fellowship.
"Legolas", he heard Aragorn address him once more, "will you not say your farewells to your friends of the Galadhrim? You must rest. Tomorrow there will be much work to be done. We shall travel as far as we can."
"Yes, I shall. Until tomorrow morn then." he then left the small group and went to his flet. All his friends who lived in Lothlorien were on guard but he knew they would be at the fellowships departure tomorrow to bid him farewell.
His mind was troubled and his heart ached. Why had Leuthil not gone to him yet? Just thinking of her made his heart suffer. As he lie on the large bed he contemplated going to see her. Maybe he should try to speak to her again. But Gimli's words came into his mind every time.
He finally found sleep even if it was somewhat uneasy.
~*~*~*~*
The next morning finally came. The day of the fellowships departure was upon them. Leuthil still had not gone to Legolas. She had decided she would not go to him. He apparently did not think his love for her that important if he had gone to see the elf Tirifea right after speaking with her.
What angered her most was that he had not returned her poems. 'What is he thinking? He cannot keep my poems.' but she would rather he keep the small book then to have to see him again.
She dressed quickly and went down to the small white tent as she did every morning. Voronwer was there as usual.
"Hello Leuthil! What is the problem? You look dismal." She said as she examined Leuthil.
"It is nothing Voronwer. What will you have me do today?"
"You shall be folding blankets with some of the other elves. I have just changed all the sheets so the others have been washed and now they must be folded."
"Very well Voronwer." Leuthil walked to the back of the tent where there were already many elves at work folding, washing, and hanging to dry the large white sheets. There was another opening to the tent on this side also.
There was a large table where the dry sheets were laying, ready to be folded. The smell of fresh leaves and other herbs that elves used to clean with came to her where she stood. She was to busy thinking of other things to notice who else was at the table folding.
Then she heard a very melodic voice speak to her, "So, shall you not be saying fare well to your beloved Prince charming this morning?" Leuthil looked up and saw it was Tirifea.
"Hello Tirifea. Of what do you speak?"
"Well are you not going to say goodbye to Legolas?" she said as she stopped folding and turned to stare at her.
"No, of course not. I thought you would be doing that. Did not you have fun with him while he was here? I am sure you kept him warm." Leuthil said without even glancing over at Tirifea.
"I wish you spoke the truth, but unfortunately he did not even let me lay a hand on him, I thought you were his fun in Lothlorien."
"Of course not! I do not take joy in bedding visitors of Lothlorien. If you have not had relations with him as you claim then why was he in your flet yesterday morning?"
"Because he wanted some boring book back. As a matter of fact it was yours. He had accidentally forgotten it one night by the lake when he ran off without so much as touching me. I swear, I would have thought prince's had more fun. Anyways I was not going to give it back but he got so angry. Thanks to you I did not have my fun with our little prince."
Leuthil simply looked at Tirifea. So then it was true, he did love her or at least had feelings for her, or else he would have done something with Tirifea. She wasn't exactly easy to resist.
"So, are you going to say farewell to him?" Tirifea asked her.
"I cannot, they have already left." Leuthil said as something wet rolled down her cheek. She moved her hand up to wipe it away not knowing what it was. She soon realized it was a tear. She had let the only elf who had ever truly loved her slip through her fingers.
~*~*~*~*
Legolas awoke and went down to where the fellowship was waiting. They ate breakfast earlier than they usually did that day. The whole while Legolas was looking out for Leuthil. She still had not come to him.
"Do not worry Legolas she will come." He heard Gimli whisper to him as they ate.
After the short breakfast they went to the waters edge where Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel were awaiting them. They stood in line as 8 elves clothed them in cloaks of Lothlorien. Each cloak was fastened at the neck with a brooch like a green leaf veined with silver.
"Never before have we clothed strangers in the garb of out people. May they help shield you from unfriendly eyes." Lord Celeborn told them. He had spoken privately with Aragorn before this, Legolas did not know of what though.
Then Galadriel came to them, granting them each a gift of the land of Lothlorien. "For you little gardener and lover of trees," she said to Sam, "I have only a small gift." She gave him a small box of gray wood. The only decoration on it was a silver rune. It said G for Galadriel.
She gave to Boromir a belt of gold and to Merry and Pippin she gave two small silver belts.
She then came to Legolas and looked into his eyes. "To you Legolas I give a bow of the Galadhrim, along with these arrows." Legolas took the bow and examined it. It was beautiful. It was stronger and larger than those of Mirkwood. She then looked into his mind and spoke to him there, "I am sorry Legolas, I know you have suffered much pain here in Lothlorien but I am sorry to say it is still not over."
He stayed silent and watched as she went to Gimli. He did not listen to what they said, he was too busy thinking of Leuthil and why she had not come to him. He later found out that the Lady of Light had given Gimli 3 golden hairs from her head.
After Gimli she came to Aragorn. She gave him a sheathe for his sword Anduril, saying the sword taken from this sheathe would not be broken or stained even in defeat. She then told him to take the name that was foretold to him, Elessar, the Elfstone of the house of Elendil.
He then took the gem she handed to him and placed it on his breast and all who saw him noticed how tall and kingly he truly was.
Finally Galadriel came to the ring bearer, Frodo. "To you I give the light of Earendil, our most beloved star." She handed him the small phial, which captured the light of the elves most beloved star, "May it be a light to you in dark places when all other lights go out." She then bowed low and kissed him on his brow.
The time was now to a few seconds before they would depart from Lothlorien and Legolas still did not see Leuthil coming. As Legolas had suspected all those he knew went to bid him farewell. He was saddened at the thought of maybe never seeing any of them again.
They all got into the small boats, Gimli and Legolas in one, Aragorn and Frodo in another, and Boromir, Merry and Pippin in the last.
"I am sorry Legolas. I suppose now either way it is over." Gimli told Legolas.
"Yes, I suppose so." Legolas said looking away from the dwarf.
"We have both taken our worst wounds at this parting." After Gimli said this they did not speak for much time.
~*~*~*~*
Realization was finally dawning on Leuthil, but she was still heartbroken. She had found out too late. The fellowship had left a long while ago.
This pain was way more immense than any Leuthil had ever felt before. She wanted it to stop immediately. She could not find a way to do so though.
Tirifea, who was still standing right next to her saw the elf's distress, "are you alright Leuthil?" she asked.
"Y-Yes, I am fine." Leuthil told her, even though it was so far from the truth. 'Well that's it, he is gone, FOREVER' a voice kept telling her. 'Do you think I do not know?!' she would argue with the small nagging voice. 'Yes, I know you know, but will you leave it at that? I suppose your love was not strong or good enough... like always.'
"STOP!" she screamed, making all the elves in the small tent turn to look at her. Voronwer walked over to her.
"Leuthil perhaps you should take leave home for the day?" Voronwer told her sincerely.
"Yes, maybe I should. Thank you Voronwer." She then left the tent followed by many stares from the other elves.
She went up to her flet and contemplated what to do. 'Should I follow him?' she thought. 'Yes, no, yes, no. Do not think so much! Just go.' She quickly put on the too large tunic and grabbed her weapons. She put many fruits into her small pack.
She then sprinted down the steps and came to the waters edge. She knew they were to travel to the Falls of Rauros but from there she did not know. How would she follow them? Surely they would see her by boat, and she had to wait for the right time to first show herself to him. She would have to travel on land but first she would have to cross the wide river.
She looked at all the small boats that were there. She saw a small one, which she knew would not be noticed was gone as easily as the larger ones. She quickly went to it and got in. She rowed the boat down the small river, which led to the larger Anduin.
She checked to see if anyone was watching her. She damned her poor hearing and eyesight. Well it wasn't poor, but not as good as a regular elf's either.
She rowed as quickly as her arms allowed. As soon as she got on land she would be quicker. She was rowing against the current of the swift river and it was not an easy task. She rowed for many long hours until at last she was too tired. She knew they would be a lot further down the river as they had left Lothlorien many hours before her.
She stopped and made camp. She did not build a fire, for she knew there were many things in this forest and something might see it and come to investigate. The night went by slowly, as she felt lonelier now than she ever had before. She stayed up, keeping watch for herself. She had reached the western shore and tomorrow she would travel on foot rather than by boat. The long run would give her much time to think of all she left behind and that which she was hoping to obtain.
~*~*~*~*
Legolas and the fellowship had been rowing now for many long hours. All of their legs were cramping in the small boats.
The hours seemed to pass by slower though for Legolas. Only thoughts of Leuthil seemed to come to him, her huge smile and humorous manner of doing things. Even though his mind was occupied with Leuthil he still kept watch on the borders of the wide river. He could feel danger approaching, even if it was still far off.
After what seemed like an eternity they made camp on the border of the great river Anduin, which they had reached that day. They had gotten farther than Aragorn had originally expected.
They built a small fire and Legolas kept watch. He was unsure of this western shore on which they camped. He knew orcs patrolled the eastern shore but still it seemed to him that choice would be safer.
The next day they awoke early and packed everything once more. They then got in the small boats and once again rowed their way along the great Anduin.
They went for 8 days without much interference of anything. The only thing, which was disturbing to the hobbits, was Gollum. He had been following them for some time now. Aragorn informed them one night that Gollum was a clever waterman and he was aware of the creature's presence.
On the ninth day Legolas was feeling more than the obvious danger that was right behind them and gaining. He knew something else besides the orcs and Gollum was trying to reach them. It was a faint trace of whatever it was though, and he could not even begin to tell what it might be. So far he was the only one whom had felt it. He continued to keep watch on all the borders of the river, for he could feel the evil as if it were slapping him in the face.
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Leuthil awoke that morning unaware that she had fallen asleep. She was on land now so she would travel by foot. It would be difficult, as she would have to run quickly to catch up and keep up with the fellowship.
She quickly packed up the small amount of possessions she had and quickly ate some bread (Lembas) and a small peace of fruit. She then began at a slow pace to run in the direction she knew they would be going. She had studied many maps and on many occasions gone much farther than this with Haldir and his brothers.
As she went she gained speed. She was light on her feet and left no tracks as she went. She knew orcs would more than likely also be going after the fellowship. That had been why they were traveling by river.
She went on for 9 days much the same. Only resting very short hours at night. She would rather keep moving at night then stay in one place and be easy prey. She still had not seen any trace of the fellowship and was beginning to worry
She was becoming weary. She had brought enough supplies and all for the journey, but the thought of not coming to Legolas, not reaching him in time, seemed to slowly be eating away at her heart and soul. She knew orcs were not far behind at all. The trees were becoming less and less dense. It was hard to find a spot to rest safely for the night. There were too many clearings in this barren part of the forest.
She slept in the branches of the highest tree she could find that night. She stayed alert but her thoughts went to Legolas always. She could not help but sing something.
The loneliness was too much for her to bear. She was not afraid of the dark or the creatures in the forest but for some reason she felt vulnerable and apparently she was, a she elf, alone, following a group of travelers secretly, who were also being pursued, by most likely, all the evil that existed on Middle-Earth. Words came to her though and she sang them as they came:
The trees are lofty
As the waters plunge
I walk in bliss
Among these steep cliffs
Hand in hand we will walk
Under silver light gleaming and over green grass sleeping
A song for you and a song for me
It is silent
Can you hear it?
It comes from the leaves of our beloved trees
Rustling and whistling these words come to me
Waves I hear far off
Like the cry of our hearts entwined into a single melody
You and I will walk forever with our gift of life
Let the silver light keep shining evermore as long as we are together
~*~*~*~*
She sang into the night. She kept her voice to barely a whisper so that none would hear. Little did she know there was one who did.
Legolas and the group had made camp once more. It was the night of the ninth day. This night Gimli would be keeping watch. Legolas lie on the ground as all the others dozed off. It was late and naught could be heard.
He stayed awake and knew Gimli could not tell whether he was awake or sleeping. He pondered many things. He wondered if he would ever see Leuthil again, if he would complete the journey, if he would live to search for his love. He did not know.
It was late at night and not even Gimli's loud footsteps could be heard anymore. Legolas wondered if he had dozed off, and as if Gimli were trying to answer his question Legolas heard the dwarfs snoring. He sat up and looked to the stars. He wondered what Leuthil was doing at that very moment.
Then as if carried by the gentle breeze he heard something. A voice, not one of evil, but one so beautiful Legolas had not heard the like, the words softly came to him. Only in whispers that tickled his elvin senses. He picked up the words though.
The trees are lofty, as the waters plunge, I walk in bliss among these steep cliffs, hand in hand we will walk, under silver light gleaming and over green grass sleeping....
The words were cut off. What horrible horrible thing could have stopped such a beautiful melody? Only one thing came to mind, orcs. Orcs were disturbing his song. They were disturbing the forest and smashing all things beautiful that were in their way.
He recognized the words. He immediately knew the words came from Leuthil, but how? Surely they did not reach him all the way from Lothlorien.
"What is disturbing you my friend?" Legolas heard Aragorn say.
"Did you not hear it?" Legolas told him as he tried to listen and catch the melody once more, but it did not come.
"Hear what?" Aragorn told him.
"Orcs are near. Too near, we must travel swiftly at sunrise Aragorn. It is unmistakable. This evil I feel is as a knife being plunged into my body."
"Yes, we shall travel hastily tomorrow. Get some rest." Aragorn then left him.
Legolas did not get rest. ' She must have been close' thought Legolas ' I hope whatever disturbed her song does not harm her, for that evil is now between us.'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Leuthil did not sleep that night in the tree. She stayed awake simply resting on a large branch. She continued to sing her song, over and over.
It was the dead of night and nothing could be heard, save for her soft singing. She lowered her voice even more now. Barely to a mumble, you would not have been able to hear it a foot away from her.
Suddenly something made her jump out of the positing she was in. Something was coming close. She could feel the trees groaning as whatever it was passed by them. It was a very large group. Their steps became louder and louder. They were pounding the earth in and it rotted beneath their foul feet.
The leader was now only a few feet from the tree she was in. A few moments passed and they were beneath her. The tree shook with the force of their loud feet falling with each step they took. She held on tightly. She was high up in the tree so they surely would not see her. She camouflaged well with the tunic she was wearing.
Their foul voices drifted up to her. The middle of the group was passing now. It seemed there were many leaders separated in between the large group making sure all were cooperating.
She then heard on of the unpleasant creatures say, "When are we going to rest?! We have been running for days on end."
Another that was ahead yelled back to him, "Stop your wining!! We will stop a little farther ahead, but only for some food and drink. I do not like the feel of this spot."
She continued to watch them as they passed.
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