Chapter Two
Slowly the Fellowship made its way to the small pass that they all hoped would guide them thru the mountains, Legolas in front. The elf's eyes had proved true, for the path did appear to lead a clear path to the other side. The path was not an easy one, however. It was narrow and often the Fellowship had to scale great walls of rock, but fortunately someone had thought to bring rope, and it made the traveling a bit easier than it would have been. Still, the Fellowship was glad to have a change of scenery, and to be away from the weary plain of rocks.
Legolas was now working on climbing up the latest scale of rock, he always went first up for he was steady and graceful, as was the gift of the elves, and he had no need for rope. His hands and feet found the most hidden crevices in the wall, and he soon was able to look over the rock wall and down into the valley in between the two peaks.
What he saw then almost made him lose his grip and he had to pause to steady himself.
"Legolas!" Aragorn called up to him, noticing the pause in the elf's movement. "What is it?"
Legolas answered not but slowly climbed up the rest of the way, his eyes still glued to what he saw.
"It's…beautiful!" He exclaimed suddenly. "Come up and see for yourselves!"
The others all looked at each other with question, but they obeyed and climbed up the rope that Legolas cast down. To each of their eyes as they cleared the wall came the most beautiful and wondrous sight any of them had ever seen.
Before them, in the valley below, there stood a magnificent wood. Not just any wood, for all the trees were of the palest variety. So pale, in fact, that they were….white.
"A white forest?" Gandalf mumbled to himself. "This is strange indeed."
"How could such an amazing forest come to be here?" Boromir wondered aloud, his eyes filled with awe.
"And just to think I thought Greenwood was the greatest of forests in Middle Earth," Legolas said quietly. "Nimeryn…" he whispered. "There are songs my people sing about a white forest."
"I thought they were only legends?" Aragorn said.
"Many are." Legolas replied. "But this one is true. Nimeryn! I have never seen such a sight!"
The hobbits exchanged confused glances. "What does Nimeryn mean?" Sam asked.
Legolas now had a great smile upon his fair face. "It means The White Wood. It was said to be forever peaceful, undisturbed. A fair sight it is to behold."
Gandalf stepped forward. "Indeed it is all of those things. But we must not let our awe get the best of us. We must move on, thru the White Wood. It is the shortest way."
No argument was made at this request, and the Fellowship made their way towards the white forest. They crossed a large meadow, with pure white butterflies fluttering to and fro, and entered the wood. A leaf separated itself from a tree high above their heads, and landed at Legolas's feet. He bent down to pick it up and examined it. Indeed, the leaf was extremely pale, but not all white. The veins of the leaf were a calm spring green color, and the color continued to fade until the outer edges, where the leaf was snow white. Legolas smiled. A little thing of beauty it was.
"I've never even imagined a place like this could exist!" Marveled Frodo, as he looked up into the canopy of the trees.
"Just wait until we tell our folks!" Merry beamed. "They will never believe it!"
"What's the point in telling them if they won't believe us?" asked Sam.
The hobbits continued their chatter as Aragorn went and stood next to Legolas.
Do your songs tell of any creatures that inhabit these woods? He asked Legolas in Sindarin.
Not that I know of. They just tell of the trees and their beauty. Legolas answered.
Suddenly, all the members of the Fellowship heard a soft thud behind them. Before they could turn and see what it was, each of their arms was twisted behind their backs, bound, their weapons were ripped away from them, and blindfolds were forced over their eyes. All within five seconds.
Legolas struggled fiercely. He was both frightened and angry, with himself. How could he not hear or see his foe before they ambushed? How could they have overwhelmed him so swiftly and silently? He had no idea what or who they were, but they were strong. He heard the others struggling next him as he was forced to his knees. He felt the cold edge of a blade at his throat, and his fear escalated.
The blade slid lightly up to the side of his face, and Legolas held very still. There was pressure on the blade now, forcing his head to turn.
The blade slide again, this time pausing under his ear, and it stayed there. So far there attackers had not muttered a single word, but now one spoke.
A voice cried out a word, in a language Legolas could not understand. It oddly enough sounded like the Sindarin word for ear, just with an extreme accent. He had no more time to think, however, as he was dragged back up to his feet, and the blade removed. Only now did he hear footfalls and other voices. They were too light and quiet to be of dwarves or orcs. But these creatures seemed too strong to be anything else.
The voices continued in the unknown tongue. They spoke so fast and soft that Legolas couldn't interpret anything, but by their tone, they seemed to be arguing. He stood fast as the strong hands held him, but suddenly he was pushed forward, and forced to walk.
Legolas could hear the others marching behind him, but he could not see anything. Without a doubt they knew that he was an elf, and somehow that must have been significant. He only hoped that if he was the interest in this manner, they would let the others go, so they might finish the task to destroy the ring. He only hoped.