*NOTE: there is a line from The Two Towers.

Chapter Fifteen: Avathar

Legolas felt better knowing that he had told Aerandir. He was surprised that the captain had not punished him. Yet in his heart, the Prince of northern Eryn Lasgalen still desired Míriel. He did not prolong his stay in Gil-celeb's realm, and after several days he went to the King.

"Hîr nín, I appreciate the warm and courteous welcome you have given me. I am afraid that I must be on my way home. It has been nigh a year since my departure, and I am anxious to return." he said.

Gil-celeb nodded his head.

"I was expecting you to say this. I am glad that you have had an enjoyable stay here. I cannot keep you from going." the King said.

"Then, with your leave, I will go, and my people are anxious to return as well." Legolas said, bowing low.

"May you have a safe trip home. And give my regards to your sire."

Legolas smiled, then left the throne room. He made his way through the halls when he saw Míriel coming towards him. A smile crept over his face which he did not try to suppress.

"Suilaid, ernil." she told him.

"Suilaid, Míriel." Legolas replied.

There was an odd moment of silence between them.

"Mas bedich?" she asked.

"I am going home today. I have just taken leave from your sire. My people who have remained here are coming with me." Legolas told her.

Míriel glanced up at Legolas quickly.

"You are going…" she said. "I wish you a safe return to your home."

Hesitantly, she kissed him on his cheek, then turned and went away. Legolas caressed the spot where she had kissed him, a dazed look in his eyes. Míriel did love him! Or, was it a kiss from his mother's dearest friend only? Did she think of him only as Celebrindal's son?

'She is Aerandir's wife, and so long as she remains married, I cannot hope that she will love me.' he reminded himself.

He went to the stables, where he found his horse, Arod, being led outside. His people were already gathered by the palace gate, waiting patiently. Just as Legolas mounted his horse, he saw Aerandir, Gil-celeb, and Míriel emerging from the palace. The Prince quickly dismounted.

"Míriel tells me that you are leaving this day." Aerandir told him.

"Indeed I am. It has been a very pleasurable stay here, but I long to return home. It has been a year since I left." Legolas said.

Aerandir smiled a little.

"I know well the feeling. I am pleased that at least I had the chance to see you, though I wish your stay was longer." he said.

Legolas smiled in return.

"I promise to visit. And you as well." the Prince said.

"Indeed we will, ernil. It has been awhile since last I was in the northern region of Eryn Lasgalen." Míriel said warmly.

Legolas looked into Míriel's eyes momentarily before remounting Arod. His people were already riding out of the gates.

"Na-den ad govadem!" he called.

"Navaer, a no i Melian na le!" Míriel told him.

"May your journey homeward be safe!" Gil-celeb cried.

Aerandir held Míriel close as they watched Legolas and his people ride out. At last, they turned away and returned to the palace.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Legolas felt grieved leaving King Gil-celeb's palace. He wanted to spend more time with his friend Aerandir, whom he had not seen in hundreds of years. Aerandir was Legolas' mentor, and the younger Elf wanted to show him his highly developed and perfected skills in battle. Yet the main reason he wanted to stay was Míriel. Since their kiss, the Prince desired her ever more strongly. Whenever he closed his eyes, he could feel her in his arms. If he attempted to rest, he would be haunted with visions of her. Legolas was constantly thinking of her.

"What was it she told me the eve of my arrival? 'Be wary of whom you love, for it may ruin you utterly'. Truly, Míriel is wise." he thought. "If I continue to think about her, I will drive myself mad!"

Fortunately, Legolas was saved from thinking about the Princess. His people drew in around him, and began to converse with their Prince. They asked him detailed questions about his journey, his Companions, and the various lands he saw. Legolas looked upon their fair faces, seeing happiness in them, and he was touched. He wept softly.

"Why do you weep?" his people asked in amazement.

"My people, you know not what this means to me. To come home and find peace and happiness after the many long months of fighting and turmoil is quite a change. I envy you, for you did not experience what I have experienced. When I left for Imladris, I was of age, but not fully developed in mind. This Quest has forced me to face many grim and unpleasant realities. I am wholly changed. I have matured." he replied.

They silently exchanged glances amongst each other. Legolas gave a small laugh, and his people were put at ease.

It took them several days before they neared the border of Gil-celeb's realm. Legolas looked back in the direction of the palace. Each step Arod took led him further and further away from the lady he loved. Yet, at the same time, he was nearing his home.

When night came, they made camp just beyond Gil-celeb's border. They were in the land of the Woodmen and Beornings. Legolas rested under a tree while his tent was erected. The moon was not visible, hidden behind a thick veil of clouds. For a reason they could not explain, the Elves were not comfortable. Something felt suspicious to them. They assumed that, because none of them had ever been here before, they were feeling suspicious of their surroundings. Even Legolas was cautious.

"We should post watches during the night." he told his people. "And keep in companies of three, just in case."

No sooner had he spoken than two Elves called out to him. A hooded and cloaked figure had been caught lurking around the camp. Guards encircled their Prince, and bows were pointed at the figure.

"Who are you?" Legolas said sternly.

The figure lifted its head; a pair of dark eyes stared coldly at him.

"My name is Avathar, ernil."

'Avathar means the shadows. Who would choose such a name?' the Prince thought. 'There is something strange at work here.'

"How do you know who I am?" Legolas asked.

"There are none who know you not." came the reply.

Avathar removed his hood, and Legolas was reminded of Aerandir.

"Why where you lurking about our camp?" Legolas asked.

Avathar did not reply at once. He first peered at Legolas strangely.

"I have been travelling and was weary." he replied.

Legolas stared at him, unsure of whether or not to believe him.

"Very well. You may remain with us tonight." the Prince said.

Avathar bowed low. He was led to a spare tent. Food and drink were brought to him, and he received them silently.

'Aerandir think not that I am vanquished. For I am not. Your end draws near. You will pay dearly, very dearly!' he thought to himself with a smile. 'Legolas will aid me, unknowingly.'

Meanwhile, Legolas was busy in thought in his tent. He called to him several Elves whom he knew to be wise courtiers and advisors to his sire. They gathered around him as he spoke to them quietly.

"I sense something is not right." he began.

They exchanged glances amongst themselves.

"Hîr, we feel the same way as well. It is the old abandoned castle that makes us most uneasy." they told him.

"The old abandoned castle?" Legolas repeated.

"It lies not far from us, atop a large hill."

"We saw the stranger, who calls himself Avathar, come from its direction." two Elves said. "We feel he was watching us."

Legolas was quiet as he thought everything over. Avathar was making him feel exceedingly uncomfortable.

"I feel that, despite the fact that we feel uncomfortable and very leery of Avathar, there is nothing we can prove. Perhaps he took shelter there and came down to inspect our camp. Then again, perhaps not. Yet, I will do nothing to him. He has harmed us not. Only this I say to you: be very wary. Try to keep a hidden watch on him tonight." he said at last. "When day comes, we shall see what will happen. Be on your guard."

The advisors rose and bowed deeply before leaving. Legolas lay down to rest, dreaming of Míriel. His heart ached terribly for her.

The following morning, Avathar was up very early. He smiled to himself as he saw the watch Legolas had set upon him. Of course, he expected the young Prince would not trust him. The name he had given was enough to make anyone cautious. He had debated with himself about whether or not to give his true name. He was not sure if Gil-celeb informed Thranduil about him, though he suspected Gil-celeb had not. Yet, because he was unsure, he gave the name of Avathar to Legolas.

"I see you are up early." Legolas told him, emerging from his tent.

"I am accustomed to rising early." Avathar said.

"Then you are a slave?"

Avathar nodded. The initial part of his plan he hoped to work.

"I have been wandering aimlessly ever since Dol Guldur's last assault. My home is destroyed. My grief is so great that I cannot return and serve Gil-celeb. I have been following you ever since you left in hopes that I may offer myself to you as a servant." he said, feigning sadness.

Avathar watched Legolas' face.

"You have been following us since we left to offer yourself as my servant? I know not if I need a servant." Legolas said.

"You will find that I am a very trustworthy servant. Not only will I serve you faithfully, but I will also keep your secrets safe within me."

Legolas looked at Avathar quickly.

"Very well. I know how it feels to be without a home. My heart grieves for you. You have touched me. This is the least I can do. However, anything I do not like, and you will be released." he told him.

Avathar bowed. He watched Legolas rise. A cold smile crept over his face. The first step in his plan had worked.

'Falathar is forever indebted to you, oh Prince Legolas!' he thought.

Sindarin Translations:

Mas bedich: where are you going

Na-den ad govadem: until next we meet

Navaer, a no i Melian na le: farewell, and may the Valar be with you