Thanks to those who reviewed. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Even if you don't like it, please review and tell me why. That way I won't make the same mistakes in the future. Feel free to flame me. I'll bet I taste like chicken. J

Disclaimer: None of this is mine. Frodo: not mine. Gimli: not mine. Legolas: not mine as much as I wish he was. I'm a poor musician/student. So all you would get is my car. But since it quit running I'll give it to you for free.

The Silent Prince

Chapter 2: Unexpected Visitor

The first rays of sunlight that crept over the hill first lit the wooden bow that lay on the ground, then the slender hands with deft fingers, then the golden blond hair. It wasn't until the sun kissed the silent Elf's face and made his blue eyes sparkle like sapphires did he stir.

His body felt tense, not relaxed and rested as it should have. Legolas climbed to his feet, a slight frown on his face. His dream was still vivid. This was not uncommon of Elves for, when they did dream, it stayed with them. Yet this dream stirred something in Legolas, especially when he thought of the Elf-maiden and her warning. It wasn't necessarily fear, but it couldn't have been described as good either.

Gandalf was once again the first one up. He and Aragorn were sitting by a large fire, smoking and talking in low voices so as not to disturb the others. Silent as a cat so as not to bother them Legolas walked up and took a seat nearby.

i"Legolas, you must tell him."i

The haunting voice of his dream visitor echoed through the Elf's mind. He looked up at the wizard and Man, opened his mouth, and then thought better of it. iWhy should I add to their worries? Besides she ididi say she'd be joining us today. Let her tell him. If she even exists.i

The feeling of foreboding in him rose and his brows came together, the only change to come over his impassionate face.

Aragorn, however, had been raised by Elves and was able to detect even the slightest changes in their facial features. Especially in Legolas, whom he considered to be his closest friend.

"Legolas?" he asked softly, reaching out to gently touch the Elf's shoulder. "What troubles you, my friend?"

Legolas shook his head. "It is nothing. Nothing at all."

Aragorn didn't look convinced, but he knew better than to pry when Legolas obviously didn't want to share his burden. He simply sat back, his eyes glancing over his friend every once in awhile in silent watchfulness.

Legolas could still remember the Ranger's words of the other night. i"And never once in all these long years have I had trouble talking to you."i And it was true. The Elven prince had found that he could confide in the young mortal easier than he could in his own kind. And Aragorn had always confided in Legolas, telling him off his childhood pranks, his choosing exile, his growing love of Arwen… He never had said it aloud, but Legolas knew that Estel had trusted in him more than he ever had his foster-brothers. And that had made the prince feel proud.

And that was what made him feel the smallest sliver of guilt at not telling his friend of the warning he had received, both from his heart and his Dream-maiden, even if she wasn't real. But Aragorn had many worries heaped upon his shoulders and Legolas refused to add to those. Especially when he himself was not exactly sure what the worry was for.

iThe danger, it appears, is for myself only. I will handle it on my own. Only if it becomes a threat o the others will I share.i

"…and we should reach Bur Maur by nightfall." Gandalf was speaking, commanding Legolas's attention. "An old ruin, once a great meeting hall of the Elves and Dwarves, back when the two races got along."

"I have heard tales told of that place," came Gimli's voice, surprising Legolas. HE had not noticed that the others had awakened and joined them. iStay alert, Elf. That is what you are here for, is it not? You have been daydreaming far too much.i

'What kind of stories?" asked Pippin, who Legolas had come to realize as the most curious of the four hobbits.

Gimli leaned forward and did his best to look menacing, which wasn't difficult. "Stories of Elves who caught spies sneaking around the hall, and of the Dwarves who roasted those spies and feasted on them along with their Elven companions."

All four hobbits gasped and stared at the Dwarf with wide eyes.

Legolas had to smile and found it hard not to laugh. He too had grown up on stories of the barbaric Dwarves and Elves who frequented the ancient hall. The he had discovered that the stories were just that. Stories.

Gandalf chuckled as he rose to his feet while putting his pipe away. "Well, now that you've been introduced to a bit of the history of the hall, it's time we be off."

Legolas continued to smile as he helped the others pack their few belongings. The tone was lighthearted and the members of the Fellowship traded idle banter with one another. HE nearly forgot the warning of his heart in the sense of camaraderie the Company was experiencing.

Yet as they continued, he could feel it rise and grow once again, no matter how hard he tried to push it away. It grew and grew until it threatened to consume him. He found it increasingly harder to concentrate on his surroundings.

Aragorn had noticed the turmoil in his friend from behind, seeing how tense his body was and the way his eyes darted to and fro. Knowing how much the Elf hated speaking about his own problems in front of many people---especially those he knew---Aragorn gently grasped his elbow and tugged him to the back of the line where they could talk confidently.

"Something is troubling you deeply, imelloni," he said softly so that the others could not hear them. (1) "I've been watching you struggle with yourself all the morning long and can keep quiet not longer. What ails you? For I wish to help."

Legolas sighed. He had tried to hide his worries from the Man. Now, it seemed, he could do that no longer.

"It is true that a warning has been growing stronger and stronger within me," Legolas answered and Aragorn couldn't help but marvel at the sound of his voice. It was rarely heard and the musical quality of it was a treat to Aragorn's ears. "Yet I know not what this warning is against."

Aragorn looked troubled and Legolas silently reprimanded himself for being the one to cause the look. He had promised not to burden his friend, and then had broken his own promise.

With a sigh, Aragorn smiled and placed a hand on the Elf's shoulder. "Do not let your heart be troubled for my sake, dear prince. I know how you loathe casting a burden on someone else, wishing you could take them all upon yourself. I assure you it is no burden. I was only worried for you. Your silences seem to grow longer each hour."

Legolas nodded but, as was quickly becoming characteristic of him, remained silent. The warm look of thanks and relief he gave his companion told the Ranger all that he needed to know.

They continued the day's journey side by side. They rarely spoke, simply enjoyed each other's company. Legolas was able to keep his dark feelings in check so that they did not rise and engulf him, strip him of his senses and leave him blind.

Finally the time came to stop for midday meal. The hobbits gratefully got to work, Merry and Pippin kindling the fire while Sam and Frodo prepared the food. The two Men, Dwarf and wizard pulled out their pipes for a smoke. Legolas, unable to either sit or stand still, took up a patrol around the area, his heightened senses on the alert for anything out of the ordinary.

As the food was cooking, the others gathered around Gimli who was mesmerizing them with tales of Bur Maur. Legolas tried to keep one ear tuned in on the conversation, but found that he couldn't. Something was close by. He could feel it…

Suddenly, a snapped twig to his left startled him. Moving so fast his actions were a mere blur, he pulled out an arrow, put it to his bow and was ready to let it fly at as second's notice.

Aragron, who had been watching the apprehensive Elf, rose to his feet, his hand going to the hilt of Anduril, startling the others. "Legolas?" he called out softly. 'What is it?"

"I'm not sure," was the terse reply. 'But there's something out there."

Anduril was unsheathed as Aragorn moved to stand by his friend. The others stood back, watching warily. They had not drawn their weapons, but would be able to quickly should the need arise.

The brush in front of them moved, signifying that something was in there.

A slight tensing of the muscle and an arrow went singing forward, disappearing into the greenery.

Not a cry rose from the foliage, much to Legolas's surprise. It had been only a warning shot, yet no surprised cry of chitter of an animal reached hi ears. He quickly pulled out another arrow, tense and ready, knowing that this shot wouldn't miss.

It moved again. This time, Legolas stayed his hand, waiting to see what it was that had come upon them. They all watched with apprehension as it shook once more, then with baited breath as out stepped…

…A female Elf?!

1--iMellon----friend