Disclaimer: Do I look like Tolkien??
AN: All text in the sideways V thingies ( ) are supposed to represent Sindarin, one of the Elvish languages. I don't know very much Sindarin yet, but I tried my best on the names. Enjoy!!!
Chapter Three
They walked on, and every so often Legolas heard his captor speak. He still couldn't understand the language. But then there were other noises. Gasps of awe and horror. Cries of small children. Footfall of various sizes. The Fellowship was led up a small stairs onto what Legolas guessed to be a platform, and forced to their knees. The strong hands left them, but none of them dared to try and make an escape. And they stayed there, awaiting their fates. The sounds around them ceased, and all was silent. Then a voice.
"You are trespassers in this land. The penalty for entering the White Wood is death." It said to them in the Common tongue. It was a male's voice, strong and commanding. "It is only by the presence of one that you still live."
The voice then spoke in the unknown tongue, and the strong hands took Legolas by the hair and dragged him up. The voice spoke again, and the blindfold was removed. Legolas looked around swiftly, in fear that the blindfold would be put back on. What he saw amazed him.
They were in a city. A beautiful one as well. The buildings were as white as the trees that surrounded them. And there were people. Tall they were, and fair of face. They stared back at him with various shades of blue eyes, from a light sky blue to a blue deeper than the color of the sea. Their long, straight hair was very pale, as was their clothing, mostly blues and whites and silvers. And they had pointed ears.
"You are elves!" He exclaimed in surprise.
"And you are intruders." Answered the voice that had spoken to them earlier. Legolas looked up, and saw an elf, dressed in blue and silver robes. Probably the lord of the city. His eyes met those of Legolas. They were the color of silver, and although they shone as brightly as the blade of a knife, they were worn in the depths of his eyes. This elf had seen much sorrow.
The lord stepped lightly over to were Legolas was standing. He was still bound, or else he would have inched away. There was something in this elf's eyes that unnerved him. He was very tall, and he looked down upon the younger elf.
"Tell us, who are you and where do you hail from? Speak quickly. I have not much patience." He said.
Legolas knew that if he lied the silver eyes would search him and discover the truth, and he didn't want to think about what would happen after that.
"I am Legolas, son of Thranduil, I hail from Mirkwood." He answered quickly, as the elf lord had ordered.
"Mirkwood." Replied the lord. "I do not know of such a place." His eyes surveyed Legolas, and the elf prince felt a chill run down his spine. The elf lord continued. "But the name Thranduil is familiar to me. He is king of the woodland realm. If you are his son, you must be from Greenwood the Great."
Legolas blinked. "Our home hasn't been called by that name in over a thousand years."
The silver eyes narrowed, but the elf lord nodded and seemed to accept his answer. "Well, then Legolas of Mirkwood. Tell me what are you doing so far from home?"
"Traveling." Legolas answered simply.
The elf lord looked at the others, who were still kneeling, and his eyes glittered with amusement. "Do you usually travel with three men, four halflings, and a dwarf?" The lord spat out the last word hastily, as it was a foul taste to his tongue.
Legolas stared at the elf lord, pondering whether to tell him the truth or not. If he was an enemy and discovered who they were, their task to destroy the ring would fail. But if he was a friend he might help them.
"Speak!" The elf lord commanded. "I am very old, and I grow tired of waiting."
Legolas looked down. "I cannot tell, for I know not if you are friend or foe."
The silver eyes glittered. "That is what you must tell me." The lord said.
Legolas looked back up. "We came into this forest with no intentions but to pass through. We did not wish to disturb you, or your people. We are not foe."
"Then we are indeed not." The lord said. "But you must tell me, why must you travel?"
Legolas swallowed. "We are a Fellowship, sent by Elrond Half-elven to complete a task."
The elf lord's eyes flickered with a memory. "Elrond? What has he bid you to do?"
Legolas averted his eyes once more. "The One Ring has been found. It is our duty to take it to Mordor to be destroyed."
As this statement fell upon the ears of the crowd, they began to whisper. The elf lord silenced them with a raised hand.
"The Ring of Sauron. These are evil tidings you bring here, Legolas of Mirkwood." He let out a gentle sigh. "I have already told you, it is our law to execute those who enter our wood."
Legolas stiffened, and the older elf saw a flicker of fear in his eyes. He continued.
"But long have I felt that the world beneath my feet was unrest. It will never be peaceful again unless your task is completed." He said, then turning to the guards. "Release them."
The Fellowship was unbound and unblended, and they all gazed in wonder upon the fair city. The elf lord turned to them.
"I am Celebhen, lord of the Nimar, my people." He stepped back, and an elven woman, with long silver hair stepped to his side. "This is my wife, the Lady Maegluin."
Maegluin meant Piercing Blue in Sindarin, Legolas knew. The Lady's eyes turned to his and he immediately knew why she was named such. Her eyes were the purest blue he could have imagined. They seemed to glow in the dim light around them. She gazed at him, but the gaze was not kind. It was full of suspicion and wariness. Legolas turned his head away from the pure blue eyes. They were frightening.
"My eyes see that you are weary and tired." Celebhen continued. "If you wish, you may stay here as our guests."
This being said brought some whispering to the crowd once more. Legolas observed the elves. Nimar, Celebhen had called them. That meant the White Ones. Legolas had to admit, these elves were of the palest variety he'd ever seen. But while they were unusual and strange, they were illuminated with a great beauty.
Celebhen turned to Legolas. "Please, tell me your companions names, so that I may address them properly."
Aragorn heard this and stepped over. "With all due respect, Lord Celebhen, we are fully capable of introducing ourselves."
Legolas stared at the ranger in shock. That was truly a daring, not to mention dangerous move to make in this situation. His eyes shifted to Celebhen, who regarded the human.
Ah, I like this one. He said to Legolas quietly in clear Sindarin. He obviously did not know that Aragorn knew the same language. But Aragorn did not let that be evident for very long.
I am glad to hear that, Lord. He answered, and Celebhen looked back at him in surprise, before lightly chuckling.
"Oh, yes. A ranger. I should have known you would know Sindarin." Celebhen said, effortlessly switching back to the Common Speech. "Very clever. And who might you be?"
"I am known by many names, Lord Celebhen. But my birth name is Aragorn, Son of Arathorn." Answered the ranger.
Celebhen nodded before turning his sights toward Boromir.
"Boromir of Gondor," the man said briefly, bowing low.
Celebhen smiled. "Well met, Boromir of Gondor. But you need not bow. You are guests." he then turned to the hobbits, who looked up at the tall elf in awe.
"And who might you all be?" Celebhen asked, when none of the hobbits came forward.
The hobbits looked at each other for a moment before shoving Pippen to the front. The young hobbit wasn't able to look at the elf lord as he spoke.
"Peregrin Took of the Shire, at your service and you family's." he said shyly.
Merry bravely stepped forward next. "Meriadoc Brandybuck, at your service."
Next was Sam. "Samwise Gamgee is my name, uh…your highness." He stuttered, earning another laugh from Celebhen. Then came Frodo.
"Frodo Baggins of the Shire at your service, my Lord." He said rather coolly.
Celebhen smiled at Frodo, his silver eyes surveying the hobbit. His eyes rested on the Ring.
"So you are the Ringbearer," He murmured, and Frodo jerked his head up to stare at him. "Your burden is great." Celebhen continued. "But so is the strength of your heart. Hold to that, Frodo Baggins, and you will not fail."
With that the elf lord turned to Gimli, and the dwarf stared up at him. "Uh, Gimli, son of Gloin, at your service." He said nervously.
Celebhen smiled despite his dislike of dwarves. "Well met, Gimli. I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself here in our fair land."
That was intended to be the end of the conversation between them, but Gimli spoke once more. "I will indeed, Lord Celebhen. For my eyes have seen many a great sight, but your forest is by far the greatest."
This pleased Celebhen, and his smile widened. He nodded in thanks to the dwarf before turning to the last member of the Fellowship, Gandalf.
"Gandalf the Grey, Lord Celebhen." Gandalf said, standing straight and looking the elf in the eyes. "We are very grateful of your kind offer."
Celebhen nodded, observing Gandalf. "You are a wizard, is that not right?" He asked.
Gandalf blinked and nodded. "I am. Is there anything I might be able to do for you?"
Celebhen smiled. "No, but many thanks, Gandalf. I've heard of you. You're called Mithrander by our kind in many places. You are a friend of elves. You are welcome here."
"My deepest thanks, Lord Celebhen." Answered the wizard.
Celebhen turned back to face the rest of the Fellowship. "You have already met my wife, Meagluin. But there are a few others you must meet. Calendol! Fetch my daughters."
*************************************Personal Thingy*********************
Whew!