Trees and Stone

Chapter 10

Disclaimer

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It was a year and a half since Legolas returned to Mirkwood from Rivendell. In that time, he had visited Rivendell many times, and he had also traveled to Loríen one last time before Galadriel and Celeborn sailed away, he had gone to Minis Tirith in request of Aragorn to attend his wedding. He heard the story of the destruction of the ring many, many times as well. He became friends with those he would have anyway. He loved the hobbits, but he was sad when he heard that Frodo was crossing the sea. Although, it made him happy to know that he would see him someday anyway.

Thranduil was happy that Legolas was leaving and getting out in the world, but was still made him sad was that Legolas's silence remained with him. He said no a single word. Thranduil never even heard him talk to himself. But his walls were covered in pictures. Thranduil still could not understand them.

Legolas walked through the forest every single day. He noticed that every day, Mirkwood got brighter and brighter. With the darkness gone, Mirkwood was returning to how it used to be.

One after noon, he was walking, and he heard something. He walked through a line of trees and saw a young elf-maiden sitting beside a small creek that ran through the forest. She had her hands in the water, watching the small fish swim. She had long dark hair and brilliant green eyes. She was dressed in a simple dressed of green. The sleeves were long and opened up at the end. She was barefoot. In human years, she was about 12

She heard something and she turned. She saw Legolas step through the trees. She quickly stood and bowed to the Prince. Legolas shook his head and motioned for her to rise. She smiled at him. Legolas looked into her eyes. They were innocent and lively, as a child's should be. The elf-maiden knew full well about Legolas's vow of silence, so she spoke. "Good afternoon Prince Legolas. My name is Fiathna. I live not too far from the palace." She told him. Legolas nodded and watched her as she dipped her hands back in the creek. "I love being the forest. It's so pretty now that the darkness is gone." She told him. Legolas nodded once again. She returned her gaze back to the creek. "I have heard about your pictures that you draw. I heard that they are beautiful." She said, looking at him once again. Legolas smiled and shrugged his shoulder.

Fiathna took a long look at Legolas. The scar on his face was still evident. She didn't mind though. Some of the elves didn't like it, but she did not mind it. Legolas was dressed in green leggings, a blue undershirt and a brown tunic over it. There was a belt around his waist, and on it hung a dagger. He did not carry his bow and arrows. On his feet were thin boots. His long blond hair was braided on the sides as it always was. He had forgotten to take of his crown like he usually did before going out into the forest. It was just a fancy circlet of silver with vines and leaves engraved into it. She smiled at him and stood up. "I have also heard many stories about why you stopped talking. Some of them are not very nice, but others are that you are protest against your father or something like that." She said. Legolas gave her a look that said "I have no idea what you are talking about." She laughed. "Yeah, I figured they weren't true. I'd like to know what happened though. I love to hear stories. My Ada tells me stories all the time." She said. Legolas sat down, his back against a tree. He motioned for Fiathna to sit beside him. She did, and he opened his mouth. 'He's going to speak!' She thought to herself.

"I won't tell you why I chose not to talk, but I will tell you a story." Legolas said. Fiathna smiled at him and nodded.

"Ok." She said.

"It happened like this…"

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Thranduil was walking through the forest, looking for Legolas. He wanted to know if Legolas would like to go down to the archery fields. As he walked, he heard female laughter. He squinted, but the trees were too dense in one area. He walked closer, and looked through some trees. He heard a voice that he hadn't heard in a long time. When he was able to see despite the trees, he saw Legolas sitting on the ground, a young elf-maiden leaning against his arm, while he was telling her a story. Her eyes were closed. Legolas was using great description and she was trying to get the picture in his mind. Thranduil's eyes filled with tears. Legolas was talking. He was telling a story. He wiped the tears away and turned. He would ask him later.

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Later indeed. It was late before Legolas returned to the palace. He had been telling Fiathna stories for a long time. When Legolas came into the palace, Thranduil looked up at him hopefully. Legolas smiled at his father. He just stood there for a few moments, but then he ran to Thranduil. Thranduil stood and received his son in his arms. Legolas buried his face in his father's robes. "I love you Ada." Legolas whispered. Tears streamed down Thranduil's cheeks.

"I love you too Legolas…" He said. Legolas looked up at his father.

"I'm sorry for being silent." Legolas said. Thranduil shook his head, wiping his eyes.

"It's alright, my son." He said. He pulled Legolas closer and hugged him, almost feeling the sadness, depression and then the happiness that Legolas had experienced throughout the year.

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Soon, Legolas sat with groups of elflings in the forest in the spot where he met Fiathna and told them stories. The parents would stand by and watch, happy that their prince was speaking again, and that their children would be out of their hair for a little while. The elflings always listened to his stories with their eyes closed, for he told in great detail. He took the things he saw while he was silent and worked them into the story. Everything was in beautiful color when the elflings listened to his stories.

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And now you know my story. Of how I was forced to stay behind, thinking that I missed my destiny. But I see now that I did not, and that going to Rivendell was just one step to self-improvement. I continue to tell stories, even now, to the elves here in the lands across the sea. All the elves like to hear the stories. But one evening, an elfling suggested I write them. So here is the first of many tales that I have told.

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THE END!

That's my "awesome" ending! Hehe. I liked it so there! Hehe. Love you all! Thanks for actually getting here! You rock! HAVE SOME MORE CANDY! Hehe. Review this chapter, and make me happy! Hehehe!

Peace In~

Banana Nut Muffin

Until next time… ALWAYS REBEL!!!!