"Legolas, should we check in the direction that the smoke was coming from a
few days ago?" Namario asked as they sat around a large campfire.
"That would be our best option, for Rohan lies in that direction, if memory
serves me correctly."
"It does indeed my lord."
"Then at first light we depart for Rohan." Legolas concluded. Over the last
few nights, sleep had not come easily to him, for his mind was filled with
thoughts of Lilly. To try and clear his mind, Legolas decided to go for a
walk, and since they had camped in the forest he saw no reason to be
accompanied by anyone.
Getting up quietly so as not to wake anyone, Legolas slipped away into the
woods. He loved the forest. It reminded him so much of his childhood home,
Mirkwood. It gave him a sense of peace and security. For a while Legolas
just stood there, closed his eyes and breathed deeply. All was silent as
though respecting his moment. After a few more seconds he slowly began to
walk towards a place where he knew a small pond lay.
"There it is." He murmured unexpectedly cheerfully.
The pond was nestled so secretly, overgrown with vines hanging all around,
acting like a wall, and hiding it from view of passers by. But, Legolas
knew the place well, so he knew where to find it. Velana it was called,
meaning the untarnished land, and so it had stayed all the years that
Legolas had come there. There was a path of small stones going across the
pond with a small stream flowing into it. Fireflies danced around the
ripples on the water making it look enchanted and almost alive. Huge
weeping willows hung all around, draping their branches a few feet out onto
the pond. Crickets chirped happily among the willows, while birds and other
animals settled down for the night.
"Velana, I have returned once again." He whispered into the night.
Almost in response, a soft breeze blew through the willows causing ripples
on the water and the falling of a few leaves. Legolas decided to settle
down beneath one of the willows for just a short while and rest but as soon
as his head touched the ground sleep claimed him.
