Part 70

They went on wordlessly, not mentioning what had happened again. Aragorn did not question Legolas but the Elf knew the ranger had not ceased to think about what had previously transpired. The prince of Mirkwood rode upon Arod at a steady pace, letting his blue eyes wander so that he looked melancholy again, almost sullen. Elladan walked rode behind him,carrying a torch and being the last of their company. They could only see ahead and what they left behind was drowned out in a darkness no light could reach.

After some time, Elladan murmured,

" We walk not alone."

Gimli did not know if the Elf had been talking to himself or informing Legolas and he. But the dwarf was curious as to what the eldest son of Elrond meant.

" Nay, the Dead are following ", said Legolas almost inaudibly. His eyes seemed darkened,shadowed. They were slightly glazed over in concealed thought as he stared ahead of him at nothing.

" They follow us silently. Whether the Men of the world know it or not, I do not know. But the spirits do not go unnoticed by the Elves. "

Elladan said this almost proudly, yet grimly at the same time.

" Perhaps they want to be noticed ", said Legolas.

And to this, neither Elladan nor Gimli could answer. But one of them silently agreed.

After some time of quiet, Elladan questioned Legolas.


" What happened before? What did they speak of? "

Legolas did not answer at once. And he had no intention of what the voices had told him when no one else had heard.

" The Dead speak of many things. Some are meant only for the ears of the listener. And their words were too dark for me to utter them here. "

" It seems to me that you are in danger,mellonin. You should keep the evil tales of the Dead to yourself and let them feed on your mind ", said Elladan darkly.

Legolas only gave a faint grin. " You were always one to try and save the world and protect me, Elladan. Not to mention take responsibility for every evil things that has transpired."


Elladan frowned in mock offense.

" I might be overprotective and highly ambitious, but you, my friend, do tend to need looking out for from time to time."

Legolas only chuckled lightly.

" Were you saying I'm incompetent? I resent that ", he teased playfully.

" I said no such thing, Legolas Greenleaf. You furtive

little liar ", replied Elladan in good spirits to have his old friend in his old playful mood again.Gimli smiled unnoticed in the dark. This was the Legolas he remembered. And the friend he missed.

" Did you just call the heir to the throne of Mirkwood a liar? I'll have your head for that when I am king ", Legolas retorted haughtily.

Elladan snorted. " King? You have very far fetched expectations ", he said.

Legolas pulled a face that looked even more appalled then he had before.

" Are you saying I'll never be king? " he inquired melodramatically.

Elladan laughed and Legolas tried not smile and keep his mock expression of ghastliness.

" Would you really want to be? " he answered a question with another question, as was famous of the Elves and quite annoying to Gimli when Legolas often did so in their conversations.


Legolas was no longer solemn and looked pensive with a smile. He thought about it for a moment and then faced Elladan.

" Hell no ", he blurted. And both the Elves started laughing whole- hearted as they had years before they carried such burdens as the rising of Sauron and spent many afternoons in Rivendell under the sun.


Laughter felt good to Legolas' heart and much lighter as well. His eyes were ablaze with the bright azure flame that had always been there up until recently, when depression had blown it out.


They laughter soon died down and they only continued to smile to themselves in silence. And for a brief moment, they had almost forgotten the shadows that followed them.


And follow they did. Not only to haunt the company that trespassed on their road, but also to pursue the soul of one particular Elf that possessed an unearthly light.