Author: Mirrordance

Title: Return

Summary: Post-LOTR. Legolas always felt at odds with his home kingdom. Though it's King by birthright, he fled it, building a prosperous colony in Ithilien. Just when all seems well at last, great dangers in Mirkwood call for the return of THIS King home.

* * *

PART FOUR

* * *

Minas Tirith

3023

* * *

      The once-celebrated Lothlorien soldier Sari frankly looked more like one of the edain than an elf by now.  Once betrothed to Arwen Undomiel, he became a friend to Estel in darker times, and yielded his rights upon the Evenstar when he fell in love with the human Teresa, the wife who now accompanied him as he strode towards the main hall of the King.

      Estel's smile widened at the sight of the hardy elf, whose long golden hair was tied loosely behind his back, rebellious tendrils framing his sculpted face.  The elegance of his features was sharply contrasted by a confident swagger of a very human walk, and his fingers were twined protectively and possessively about his wife's hand.

      "Hello, Sari, Teresa," Estel greeted them warmly, stepping forward and taking their hands in his.

      "When we took you in," Teresa said in awe, looking about the impressive hall, "We did not know we were harboring our King."

      Estel laughed, "Well I hope it has only improved your opinion of me.  How fares Cecilia? Damien? Biggles? The children?"

      "We are well," replied Sari, "They eagerly await your visit, one of these days, perhaps.  The children are all grown, you would not believe it.  It has been nine years after all, since we've last seen each other."

      "Nine years," murmured Estel, "It seems to have passed me by completely.  I learned so much to live my life day by day that I lost count."

      "Well," smiled Teresa, "There is little else we can do in our house but count time."

      "Aside from getting married," Sari beamed at the King.

      Estel laughed, "I should have guessed.  Well.  So have I!"

      "Where is Arwen?" Sari asked, looking around.

      "She is always about," replied Estel, "She loves the people, and she is well-loved by them."

      "What of Haldir?" asked Teresa, "Sari told me he was supposed to come to our wedding, but we realized we did not know how to reach him at all and well…" she looked at her husband wryly, "The elf could not wait."

      "Haldir was injured in the course of the war," replied Estel somberly, "In Helm's Deep, 3019.  It was a bad strike that left him justly incapacitated for some years after… he should not even have survived at all, but for the fact that he's stubborn, and infinitely strong-willed.  I believe he stayed in Rohan for awhile to heal before he could travel at length.  I've heard he is now back on his feet, in his home, bounding around as usual."

      "We should come to visit him," murmured Sari thoughtfully, "And my wife ought to see my old home anyways."

      "The Lady Galadriel has left for the Undying Lands," Estel told him, "Some years ago, along with the other Keepers of the Rings.  You may return to find Lothlorien much diminished, but I would wager it is still very beautiful.  As it always will be."

      Sari's eyes dimmed somewhat.  "The turn of the ages can be cruel.  It is unfortunate for such grand things to fade."

      Teresa's grip upon her husband's hand tightened in support.  Estel watched the play with acute understanding... it was not only to Lothlorien did Sari refer, but also to hias human wife, who admittedly looked older than the last time Estel set eyes upon her, even if no less beautiful.

      "We came here with some sad news as well," Teresa said, taking her hand from her husband's and fishing for a necklace beneath her collar, "Do you remember that boy you folk rescued one evening? The one who would not speak?"

      "Of course," replied Estel, staring at the mithril key about a chain that Teresa removed from her neck and handed to him.  He remembered that the owner of that necklace was a sweet-looking child, brave but muted by the violent death of his parents at the hands of the orcs.  The key led to a treasure trove, one that they decided not to open until the boy comes of age… it was more his than anyone else, they decided, by virtue of what it had cost him, paid by his family's blood.

      "He died fighting during the war," Teresa said softly, "And this was left with me."

      "I'm sorry," Estel told her sincerely, for he remembered that nameless little boy had trailed her everywhere she went.

      "I admit we do not know what to do with it," said Teresa wistfully, "What could simple folk do with such great treasures? But a King… And the right kind… you could do wonders, Dalsegno.  You can build schools, and homes, and futures."

      Estel's brows furrowed as he stared at the trinket, and then at her.  "Are you certain?"

      "Absolutely," she breathed.

      "Then We shall accept," Aragorn told her, bowing slightly in gratitude, easily becoming the King, and accepting the offering for his people, and not for himself.

      "I will ensure that this goes towards where it is needed," said Aragorn, "And that a sizeable part reaches the orphanage in regular intervals for all of your needs."

      "Thank you," Teresa beamed at him, and she seemed rather relieved to be released from the treasure paid in blood.

      "You must stay here in the City for awhile," said Estel, "I will summon Legolas, he lives nearby.  And I will have Haldir commandeered from Lothlorien.  You can rest here and see the City.  And then perhaps, if our duties permit it, we can escort you back to the orphanage, and we can all venture out to see precisely what this cave contains together."

* * *

      Haldir of Lothlorien arrived with his usual unabashed pomp, making Legolas grin.  The sight was surely a welcome one, for not only had he not seen Haldir in years, the last time he saw the other elf, Haldir was wobbling on unsteady legs after a terrible injury acquired during the battle of Helm's Deep.  Now, clad in his warrior's best, his back straight, his chin high… he was, well, he was Haldir.

      "Hello, mellon," Legolas greeted him warmly from the entry halls of the King of Gondor's glorious palace-fortress, "It's been awhile."

      "No use for you to be pretending you are glad to see me, Legolas," Haldir told him wryly, "When you've not come to visit me in years."

      "I apologize," said Legolas sincerely, "I was otherwise occupied."

      "So I heard," Haldir said, removing his cloak and handing it to one of the servants, "I've heard of your incredible little Ithilien.  You've only taken some of my people away, after all."

      Legolas' lips quirked in suppressed mirth, "I'm sorry Haldir, I believe they ought to go wherever they wish."

      "You're not sorry at all," Haldir pointed out.

      "No," laughed Legolas, "I'm not."

      Haldir frowned, looked at him with narrowed eyes, saying dryly, "Would you by chance have any space in Ithilien for a fading March Warden, Legolas? My infernal injuries have kept me from marching for very long, and since Lothlorien is much diminished, I do not have very much people to actually ward.  In short, my purposes are hurriedly being defunct and I am running out of options."

      Legolas laughed again, "I think you can color our courts, Haldir.  I do miss that non-humor of yours."

      "So Sari is here with the gracious Teresa?" Haldir inquired.

      "Yes," replied Legolas, "Married too."

      "He said it would not be a party without me," Haldir scowled, "The traitor.  Where is the King?"

      "Closeted in business," Legolas replied, "He summons us all here and then ignores us!"

      "Aren't you by now supposed to be some kind of a snobbish King yourself?" Haldir asked him.

      "I've had a change of plans," Legolas replied, his smile dimming somewhat.

      "Old scars," Haldir commented, the look of the other not lost on him, "I will wager an ear you still bear that abomination of a scar on your back."

      "I've not looked," Legolas lied quickly, changing the subject altogether, "You know this new adventure Estel has planned for us? We will use that boy's mithril key at last.  What treasures that cave holds, I wonder."

      "You are deathly fascinated of caves and treasures," said Haldir dryly, "You are spending too much time with the dwarf."

      "Hardly enough," Legolas admitted, "He has forsaken my company in favor of the Glittering Caves! He will hear from me when he comes to join us tomorrow."

      Sudden, busy shuffling caught their attention, and the two elves soon found themselves looking upon the faces of the twin sons of Elrond.

      ~Estel seems to have called for a party to which you and I are not invited,~ Elrohir said to his brother, shaking his head in mock disappointment.

      ~I do not think it's a party,~ commented Elladan, ~I think this spells trouble.  I mean, Legolas is here, isn't he? And who said something about a dwarf? Good thing we decided to visit our little dissident of a brother in times like these.~

      ~I am hardly the precursor of trouble,~ retorted Legolas, ~Although I am relatively sure by now that we will encounter some, it being that the pair of you are here and will probably join us.~

      ~Join you where?~ Elladan asked.

      ~We will be opening that mithril-locked cave at last,~ replied Haldir, ~Remember? The one from years ago? I must admit I am curious, but not particularly pleased.~

      ~Why not?~ asked Legolas.

      ~We are talking about treasure paid in blood,~ replied Haldir, ~A potent mix, that is.  I do not like the makings of this.  But then again… it is a lock.  And hence will eventually be opened anyway.  Such is life.  It might as well be opened by our able hands.~

      ~You're right,~ Elrohir told Elladan, ~This isn't a party after all.~

      Serafin appeared by one of the doors lining the hall, and subtly bowed before Legolas.  ~The dining hall is ready for you, my lord.~

      ~Thank you,~ Legolas said, smiling at him, ~Serafin.  You know Haldir of Lothlorien and the twin sons of Elrond?~

      ~Loosely,~ Serafin replied, nodding at the new arrivals, ~Hello.~

      ~We were friends in childhood,~ Legolas told the others wryly, ~And though he claims he is my servant and guard, his cunning machinations have a peculiarly powerful bearing on my life.~

      ~I like him already,~ Elrohir laughed, ~You do need some reins on you, Legolas.~

      ~But I do not need a nanny,~ Legolas said wryly.

      ~I'm not your nanny,~ Sari told him, bowing them towards the dining hall, ~I believe I'm your better conscience long-divorced, my lord.  Supper?~

* * *

      Curious, how it was that this particular set had seen meals together upon the shabbiest of houses and the grandest of halls, and little had changed of how they treated each other wherever they went.

      Elessar deigned from heading the long table, relaxing formalities with his circle of old friends.  Elrohir laughed and said the place ought to belong to Arwen instead, because it was rather clear to him that it was his sister who was the true ruler here.

      "Which brings me to a new idea altogether," said Sari, looking at Legolas, "When might we be meeting your queen, mister?"

      "Not any time soon, I'm afraid," Legolas laughed, "I think even ada has given up on me."

      "Is it true," Elrohir began, his eyes twinkling and Legolas knew and dreaded the coming mischief, "that most of your Ithilien immigrants are of the particularly cunning female kind, my lord?"

      "The recent census does reflect that the most recent of newcomers are females, yes," replied Legolas warily, "Why?"

      Elrohir shrugged at him, "Nothing really.  I suppose they are all coming to the conclusion that the elusive Prince should find the desire to marry at last."

      "I think it's coincidental," Legolas muttered, though his cheeks shone red.

      "You are a shame to me, mellon!" Estel laughed, "Oh, what a pathetic defeat!"

      "You should have told the clever leering little Rivendell elf that you aren't the only one lacking of a wife here," Haldir advised Legolas coolly, "And he happens to be the older one."

      "But that would be vastly unfair to Elladan," Arwen laughed, "For he shares the general description, even if he is the more behaved one."

      "Oh Estel," breathed Elrohir, "You are teaching her to be too clever," to his sister, he said, "Do not spend too much time with him!"

      "It is too late!" Teresa laughed, "You let them get married!"

      "That," said Elrohir, "Is why I never will.  I might find myself similarly unfortunate."

      "At least you would spare the woman from being unfortunate as well," laughed Legolas.

      "We all jest," said Elrohir, taking on a more serious tone, "But I do worry for you, Legolas.  Truly.  One of the more infamous elf-maidens has made the move to Ithilien from our own Rivendell, you know."

      Elladan winced, "You speak of Lady Delia."

      "She's been trying to get married for the better part of the century," explained Elrohir, "And I think she has given up on Elladan at last and has her sights set on you."

      "A shame, really," sighed Elladan, "She is very beautiful.  But entirely too… wily."

      "I remember her," laughed Estel, "She was very kind to me."

      Arwen's head shot up, but her voice was even as she asked, "Oh was she?"

      "I think she was trying Estel on for size," said Elladan.

      "Were you letting her?" the Evenstar asked her husband.

      "No!" Estel replied, his eyes laughing.  It was interesting to see Arwen challenged.

      "And she gave up right quick," added Elrohir, "The moment she realized the adan had the Evenstar's heart."

      "Because everyone knows the Evenstar always gets what she wants," Estel said wryly.

      "Just be wary," Arwen told Legolas.

      "I'll be wary," Legolas promised, mock-gravely with his blue eyes dancing.

* * *

      After the arrival of Gimli the dwarf early the next morning, the entire group set out towards Bree.  Gimli, Elessar, Arwen, Legolas, Elladan, Elrohir, Haldir, Sari, Teresa and Serafin made an impressive band of laughing, cloaked travelers upon their majestic horses.

      The more time Estel spent with his friends, the younger and more carefree he felt; the King has had so little rest from his duties—nay, from himself—for quite some time now.  It was strange, how his multitude of names marked stages in his life.  Estel—hope, was the embodiment of yet-to-be-realized potential.  Strider was the soldier of life, marching along its course towards who he was, in the middle of a journey.  Then there was Aragorn son of Arathorn, but an heir to a fledging kingdom.  And then there was King Elessar, the stone, the foundation of great things to come.  How could one hope to be any more than that, more than a beginning? Who was he to become, this time?

      Either way, much as he loved his kingdom, it was a relief to be away from it, at least for awhile.  To rediscover himself, divorced from the burden of caring for things that transcended him.  The further they moved from Gondor, and the further they moved from people who held him in reverence (his present company were a rather impertinent bunch!), the more he felt at ease.

      Faramir, to whom he had left the ruling of the kingdom for awhile, was loathe to release the King unprotected into the wild (not to mention left to his wily own devices!), but he was easily overruled by the man in question, and was assured by Estel's illustrious elven companions that the King was very much safe with them.

      Estel glanced at Legolas, who was riding beside him as always, with Gimli sharing his steed.  The handsome elf had a peculiar smile on his face, wistful and deceptively lighthearted, but also undoubtedly weighed by similar thoughts of the past and the future.

      The feel of the wind on his hair, a horse thundering madly beneath him, towards a treasure trove.  Estel beside him, Gimli behind him… it was an adventure unlike any he's had in years, and it was invigorating to say the least.

      Legolas glanced at Estel, caught his stare.  Mischievously, Estel's lips curled as their eyes met.  He turned away from Legolas to look towards a narrow creek that was quite a few strides away.  Legolas followed his gaze, then looked back at Estel, eyes glinting at the challenge.

      "It wouldn't be fair," Legolas pointed out, as his grip tightened upon the reins of his horse, urging it forward faster by just a little, "There's two of us upon Arod."

      "Then why are you picking up the pace?" Estel asked him wryly, beginning to do the same.

      "Only because you are!" Legolas retorted with a guilty laugh, pressing his horse forward some more.

      "I don't like what I think is happening!" Gimli exclaimed, and his arms tightened about Legolas' waist.

      "First to the creek!" Estel exclaimed.

      At the same instant, the two crazed friends pulled upon their reins and raced to pass the creek, the dwarf bellowing in his strange tongue as they all sped away.

      "Fantastic!" Elrohir muttered, urging his horse forward, "Did we or did we not promise Faramir that the crazy adan's neck will remain properly intact?"

      "I think it's the wheels in his demented mind that you should worry about instead," Haldir commented.

* * *

Outskirts of Bree

3023

* * *

      The traveling party reached the mouth of the cave at nightfall.  The interior was cavernous, and a rock door with a mithril lock was looking rather imposing at the deepest part of the cave.

      "A cave within a cave," Teresa marveled, "I wonder what treasures could be inside to merit such protection."

      "The years of the war have a ton of plunder yet to be accounted for," Gimli said, his eyes glinting, "I cannot wait to see what lies inside!"

      "I suggest we wait to explore 'til the morn," Estel said, "To gather our strength, not to mention the fact that we need the light.  It would be dark enough inside even at the highest noon, after all, and we must take what little we can get."

      The group made camp near the cave's mouth, building a fire and merrily talking over a simmering broth for supper.

      "We wouldn't be running across perhaps some old ancient evil in there, will we?" asked Gimli.

      "Now you think to ask these things," said Elladan wryly, "When we are already at the very breadth of the door."

      "I don't know," muttered Gimli, pointing towards Estel, "It's his fault.  He talks of caves and treasure with crazy eyes that will not allow for discouragement."

      Legolas frowned, "I think there is cause for some worry.  In aftertjought, I don't think I've ever come across a cave with these two in my company, without some strange event occuring.  Perhaps this latest time would be a charm, and we shall emerge luckier.  But then again, perhaps," he chuckled, "I should know better at the last and turn away altogether."

      "But it is a door," Haldir pointed out, "Sooner or later it must be opened and…"

      "It might as well be by us," Legolas finished for him, glancing at the door in question with some suspicion, "We know.  What I do not know is why you find us particularly credentialed for such a task."

      "Because we're all fools," Haldir replied offhandedly, "and incidentally very hardy ones who will probably survive whatever comes out that door."

      "Good to know," Estel laughed, "That there is much faith to go on around here."

* * *

      Serafin was first to the front of the rock door even before the first rays of the sun lit up the skies, knowing that if he didn't push his way forward, his overeager liege would happily put himself in the face of possible danger before subjecting it to any of his friends.  Which was just as well, really… because if it wasn't the Prince of Mirkwood at the head of the group, it would have been the much-prized Elessar.  Or the pair of them in an unglamorous squeeze, trying to edge out the other to keep him safe.  It was almost ridiculous, if not so enviably brotherly.

      The loyal Mirkwood guard raised up his hand, wordlessly asking for the key.  Behind him, he heard weapons being drawn, and the mithril key was put in his palm, cold and almost ominous.  Or perhaps it was just this entire arrangement, this infernal dark and all of its possibilities, the blood shed for this treasure, that cast doubts and suspicions into his head.

      Nevertheless

      He slid the key into the lock, twisted it.  The door was heavy, solid rock, and ages old.  It looked as if it would take sweat and muscle to open, but it slid forward rather easily, and deceptively smoothly.

      The air released from within was dank and old, almost ancient.  It made Serafin's eyes close with the weight of strange memories that were surely not his own, and made him catch his breath.

      "Serafin!" Legolas exclaimed suddenly, pulling back Searfin's shoulder and aiming his bow at some perceived danger from within.  The other elf's eyes snapped open to a dumbfounding sight.

      The rays of the sun gracing the cave's mouth lent some light into the newly opened space, and Serafin found himself staring down the face of a particularly pallid, and just-as-stunned-looking elf.

      A taut silence encompassed them. 

      The elf from within the cave was very old, and had robes of silk and velvet that were opulent but disconcertingly ancient and… and almost… decaying.  He was adorned in mithril and jewels here and there, and he was spectacularly thin and gaunt.  He looked like… like… a dead king, Serafin thought as his mind raced, buried with all his earthly possessions.  Or with those rusted, tattered robes, he looked like a rose flower fading, and dying.  His bright eyes held a manic fire.

      ~Who are you?~ Haldir asked at last.

      The old elf glanced at him, and then beyond him, towards the light of the sun at the cave's mouth.  His eyes welled up in tears.  ~Light!~ he exclaimed, shouting behind him, ~Light! Light!~

      Laughing and crying madly, he pushed his way past the party gathered by the door and ran outside.  He fell to his knees upon the grass, and turned his face up to the warmth of the sun, opening his arms towards it in indulgence. 

      Estel took Arwen by the forearm, guarding her protectively and instinctively as he pulled her towards him.  She was watching the mysterious elf with awe, and seemed to want to move towards him.

      "Step away from the door," Elrohir suddenly said, looking at the opening with furrowed brows and turbulent eyes. 

      "But what's inside?" Gimli asked, craning his neck into the dark of the opening.

      "Best listen to what he says," Legolas murmured, as he took Gimli by the shoulder and moved back himself.  Step by step, the group cautiously inched their way out the cave and into the light of the sun. 

      They were barely clear of the cave's mouth when a surge of even more pallid, gaunt, and jewel and silk-clad elves rushed from the newly-opened door, crying, ~Light! Light!~

      Group after group of elves rushed forward, and they seemed to stream out innumerably, oblivious to Estel and his company, just basking in the sun and its warmth.

      It wasn't merely their sickly yet strangely, stubbornly resonating ethereal beauty that set them apart from elves as they typically looked, but… their eyes, and their skin… they looked… dulled.  They did not glow as elves did, and save for the first elf they saw at the door, their eyes did not shine.  Their eyes…

      Oh for the love of the Valar, Legolas thought, watching the strange group bask in the sun with their dull, dark, manic eyes.  He glanced at Estel, whose brows were furrowed in thought.

      "Who are they?" Gimli asked Legolas.

      "I don't know, mellon," Legolas murmured, shaking his head, "They are unlike any elves I've ever come across before." 

      Just when the stream of elves that came forth from the once-locked door trickled to none at last, a strange, forbidding presence appeared.  He seemed just as enamored of the light, but he held a calm grace about it, and he surveyed the scene before him with his dark, dull eyes.  With his appearance, the other elves fell to a silence, and looked towards him.

      ~We are free at last,~ he said to his people.  He looked up at the sun, and then slowly turned towards those who opened the door… His eyes raked through them one by one.  Estel, and his beautiful Arwen.  Teresa and Sari.  Elrohir and Elladan.  Haldir.  The curious Dwarf.  Legolas and Serafin.

      The first elf who appeared by the door, the only one whose eyes shone as his kin's normally did, pushed his way past the other elves and stood before Legolas, his frenzied eyes devouring the Mirkwood Prince's face.

      ~King Thranduil!~ he exclaimed, and he fell to a knee in a deep, graceless bow, ~You've found us at last! You've saved us at last!~

      Legolas' breath hitched, as the other elves swiveled to face him as well.  He knew he resembled his ada, but this… this was crazy!

      Estel watched Legolas, who was understandably confused and uncertain.  He was just beginning to truly find himself and find peace in Ithilien, and now, he was once again burdened by the mere fact of being his father's son.

      The other elves fell to their knees as well, and bowed to him, to Legolas' great horror and mortification.

      Panicked, he fell to his knees as well, and grasped the first elf's shoulders, ~No.  No, rise.  Please.  Please.  I'm not who you think I am.  I'm not Thranduil.~

      But you forgot to say you're his son, Haldir thought wryly, admiring the elf's clever little avoidance of any further reverence from these crazed, strange cave-elves.

      ~Truly?~ the mysterious elf asked Legolas, his skepticism lending some sanity to his wild eyes.

      ~Yes, I promise,~ Legolas said, helping the elf to his feet.

      ~You're warm,~ the elf said to Legolas, ~I can feel the heat of your hands to my skin, beneath my robes.  Everything is warm here on the outside.~

      ~Who are you?~ Legolas asked him.

      ~My name is Elias,~ he replied.

      ~Yes but I mean,~ said Legolas, ~Who are all of you.~

      ~Oh I see,~ replied Elias, ~Well, I--~

      The elf-leader from earlier sauntered towards them and silenced Elias.  ~I shall speak for us,~ he said.

      But I don't want to be the one speaking for us, Legolas thought miserably, looking at Estel who was smirking at him with knowing.

      ~We are the Forgotten Elves,~ he said, ~We never knew light, or warmth, or much joy.  I am Torres, and I am their leader.~

* * *

King Thranduil,

      In the second age, a group of elves streamed from Lindon to make the move towards Greenwood the Great, towards your realm.  Towards you.  They bore treasures and jewels to offer, and to be in your protection during those uncertain days.  Along this road, they were accosted by a large host of orcs and other evils arising from Angmar.

      A lot of them perished, but many were captured intact.  Such a great number of captured elves created vast opportunities for experimentation and drastic mutations that we can only imagine as plans so horrible they must be akin to the same black magic that had once made elves into orcs, perhaps…

      But the fall of the Witch-king left these Forgotten Elves in their dark prison for all these ages.  Kin from Lindon thought they must have reached Greenwood, while the elves of Greenwood never knew they were supposed to be coming at all.  No search was ever made, for they were never truly considered lost.

      Some days ago, we freed these elves, and they still wish to finish the journey towards you.  You may find them somewhat… distraught, and different.  But we could hardly keep them from a journey that, in a sense, took them ages upon ages. 

      We took a count, and there are four hundred and fifty-seven of them upon this host determinedly headed towards your Realm, which is all of the Forgotten Elves save for one of them who has decided to stay in Ithilien with me (he prefers my company, ha!).  I hope your newest subjects will be worthy of the protection I know you will give them.

Yours Always,

Legolas of Ithilien

(who is also incidentally your loving son)

* * *

Eryn Lasgalen

3023

* * *

      The letter spoke of serious matters, which Thranduil knew from the very moment he read the formality of his son's greeting.  Legolas being Legolas, of course, still ended it with affection and wry humor, which still made Thranduil smile despite the situation.

      ~These new elves must be properly situated,~ Thranduil said to his assistant, ~The forest is large, there is always room for more of our kin, especially with many moving to the Undying Lands.  But be sure to orient them with our way of life, and to educate them of the other inhabitants of the southern parts of the forest, whom they must respect.~

      ~Of course, sire,~ said the assistant, ~Their leader Torres, he is awaiting you in the hall with his wife Yasmina.~

      Thranduil nodded, laid down Legolas' letter, ~Remind our people that these new arrivals will be treated well.  They've traveled far through time and places, and a bitter history, just to get here.  They must be shown nothing other than the very best of us.  Has the count been made?~

      ~Yes sire,~ replied the aide, ~We counted four hundred and twenty-seven of them,~

      ~I was told there would be thirty more than that,~ said Thranduil, ~Has anyone been reported as missing or lost along the road?~

      ~No one seems to be distressed,~ replied the aide, ~But we shall do the count again, and further inquire if we yield the same number.  If needed, we shall do a search.~

      Thranduil nodded his approval, and stepped towards the door to meet with the leader of this mysterious people.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Original Character Guide:

Lesandro was the much-beloved heir to Mirkwood and Legolas' older brother, until he was murdered in the 2800's. 

Legardo is Legolas' younger brother, and was the murderer of Lesandro, as Legolas finds out in "Exile."  He tries to kill Legolas too, but fails and is imprisoned.

Lord Sala is the cowardly but opportunistic Mirkwood politician who tried to take the throne from King Thranduil by accusing Legolas of Lesandro's murder.

Lady Andrada is an old elf woman who fell in love with Thranduil but staged her own death to escape her unreturned love and subsequent despair in Mirkwood.  She staged Legolas' death as well, to keep him from being a pawn in Sala's ambitions.

Dalsegno is actually Estel/Aragorn.  In "Escape" he loses his memory and is given a new name after an orphanage gives him shelter.  Once in awhile, those who knew him under this name still refer to him in this way.

Cecilia is the old woman in charge of the "Escape" orphanage.  Biggles and Damien are her aides.  These three characters will not be appearing in "Return."

Sari is an elf of Lothlorien and was Arwen's betrothed centuries before she met Estel.  He was a celebrated soldier, until he was captured by orcs and was a slave to them for hundreds of years.  In 3014, he is found and complicates Estel and Arwen's life in "Escape."  He eventually falls in love with a human woman named Teresa.

Teresa is Sari's wife, and was also an occupant of Cecilia's orphanage, another character of "Escape."

Serafin is the loyal Mirkwood soldier who follows Legolas to Ithilien.  He makes his debut in "Return."

Esse and Mical are Mirkwood brothers and eccentric geniuses who followed Legolas to Ithilien, also introduced in "Return."  Esse is the Royal Gardener and Mical is the Royal City Planner.

Elias – one of the Forgotten elves, the first one whom Legolas and company find.

Torres – the leader of the Forgotten elves

Yasmina – Torres' beloved wife, also one of the Forgotten elves

SOME NOTES REPLIES AND THANKS…

To my reviewers: kit cloudkicker, gershwen, gwyn, koriaena, lady of the twilight woods, starlit hope, MSL, sodalite, stoneage woman, tychen, platy, jenzy and dragonfly, MASSIVE THANKS!!!

On my slothful updating.  I know you guys might be disappointed in that I've been a slow-updater lately.  It's just all the rest of life catching up with me, you see, and I want you guys to know that I'm very sorry, and that I'm doing the very very best that I possibly can.  If you notice though, my posts are at about ten MSWord pages at a time, so at least that makes up for the slow posts, even just a bit.

On my OC's.  I hope it isn't getting confusing.  And if you haven't guessed it yet, the 'great dangers' that calls for Legolas' return to Mirkwood are those elves whom they have just freed.  Stick around to see exactly why, although I bet you have some pretty good guesses…

On the Links with Exile and Escape.  I hope "Return" is still reader-friendly to those who've not read the previous two, although it is still advisable for anyone who reads "Return" to read the others as well :)

To dragonfly and jenzy: yup, the drama is coming, you've just seen more of the calm before the storm, and it will definitely arrive in chapter five, I'll try to make all the chaos come down on our heroes like a hurricane!!! :)

To Platy:  Legolas could build a colony in Mordor and we'd all move there, lol.  You can also see this idea in the supper conversation of all the women flocking to Ithilien.  The story won't come to a romance, of course, it's just a happy little table conversation and teasing between friends.

To Tychen: well I hope the fun/adventure/friendship parts of this fic give you that warm and fuzzy feeling as well :)

To Stoneage Woman: hope I keep improving :) am grateful for your help, as always :)

To sodalite: I think you're very perceptive :) every time I use Estel's different names, they're each for a different purpose.  And he is very much 'Estel' in this fic, though you'll see elements of the different facets of his character too.  This idea of mine was also reflected in Estel's musings about his name early in this chapter, if you noticed :)

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO READ!!! See you at the next post!