I LOVE TROY, TROY RULES!!!!!!

ORLI IS SUPER FIT!!!!!!

Ahh, that's better…

Yay, you all still love it! Goody goody gumdrops!

I'm happy, cos on Saturday I went to London shopping, and saw Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the theatre! It was well cool. I recommend it to all with a childish attitude. (Like me!)

Thank you for all my marvellous reviews, and replies are below.

Lainfaer

Elerrina – Of course I already have loads typed up! This is me we're talking about! I like to be prepared. Thanks for reviewing.

Deana – Glad you liked it. Thanks for reviewing.

Mayrana - takes Leggy plushie Read on, and you will find out what happens next! Thanks for reviewing.

Chapter 3: Sunrises and Secrets.

The next morning, Legolas rose first. He stretched, cat-like, and yawned. The sun had only just risen, and the room was lit with an eerie orange glow. The fire had burnt itself out last night, but it was now relatively warm. He looked at his companions.

Aragorn lay on the bed opposite, feet crossed, one arm slung carelessly above his head, the other lying across his chest. Gimli on the other hand, lay out flat on his back, issuing short, but loud snores every now and then. Legolas grinned to himself. His two best friends, both how he would expect them to look. He got to his feet, and walked over to the window. It had a ledge running all along the edge, and he sat on it, bringing his knees up to his chest. He rested his chin on them, and stared out into the main street below.

The town was already alive with traders and stallholders. Here and there stood a horse, shivering in the cold, steam coming from its coat, munching on a carrot or oats. Carts were being driven up and down the road, and people walked along, huddled into their coats. It was a crisp, cold morning, and people stamped their boots to keep themselves warm. Their breath could be seen in the air, and condensation hung everywhere. The sun lay just above the rooftops of the houses opposite, and her warm rays just touched Legolas' face. He welcomed her warmth, and sighed happily. Soon he would be home, and with his family once again.

He sat there for over an hour, watching the sun rise higher, and more and more people emerging from their houses. He sat in silence, going over old memories of home.

He remembered the time of Aenils' birth, and how many celebration parties were held in honour of her. He could picture his fathers' ecstatic face still to this day. His mother was so pleased to have a daughter, and a son. There was about 350 years difference between him and his sister, but they were as close as twins. He could still see the look of disappointment on her face when he told her he was going to Rivendell, and that he would be gone for a long time. But the look he got when he returned home after the War was well worth the wait. She was overjoyed to have him back, and would not let her arms fall from round his neck for a good five minutes. She had sobbed her heart out, but they were tears of joy that had fallen, not tears of sorrow. More parties had been held, and it was the perfect welcome home.

But then he had left again, and yet again, she had been flooding tears. Thranduil would not let her go with him, and so she sulked for days. She even grovelled to him on her knees, a thing she had never attempted before. But it had all been to no avail. Thranduil would not have both his children out 'wandering the wilds, getting into goodness knows what danger, and mixing with humans.' He didn't dislike humans; he just felt that is was bad for his son to constantly be with them. Any mortals in fact. He knew that when Aragorn and Gimli died, his son would be heartbroken. And then he would go over the Sea to Valinor.

Ah, the Sea,Legolas thought blissfully, leaning his head against the windowpane. Ever since he had seen the gulls, and heard their cries, his most desperate desire was to sail. He longed for the Sea, and could always hear her calling to him. He could still find peace under the trees that he lived with, but he knew that peace would not last must longer. But he would stay in Middle-Earth as long as he needed to.

He gazed back down into the street. It was alive with activity now, and the Sun lit up the entire road. Horses and carts were trundling up and down, people were rushing around, dodging out of the way, and trying to sell their goods. He smiled.

Humans. Always in such a rush.

"Whassa time?" Aragorn asked drearily from behind, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

"About 6.30," Legolas replied, still looking out the window.

Aragorn looked over at him. He was still hugging his knees to his chest, his head against the window. The old Ranger smiled, and half-walked, half-stumbled over to his friend. He sat down opposite him. "Are you ok Legolas?" he asked.

Legolas looked at him, smiling faintly. "I'm fine, do not worry. I've been watching the Sun rise for over an hour." He looked back out the window. "Even in this grotty little place, She still warms my heart when She lights everything up. She even makes this place look reasonably nice."

Aragorn laughed. "Aye, I know what you mean. She is a beautiful thing, the Sun." He followed Legolas' gaze, to where the Sun now lay high above the rooftops, shining in all Her glory.

A slight mumbling behind them told them that Gimli was in the process of waking up.

"In the past 10 years, both you and Gimli have become more and more lazy," Legolas told Aragorn, grinning at him. Aragorn scowled.

"We are getting older Legolas. It is natural for us." Legolas just laughed.

"Very well, if you say so."

They went down to the bar for breakfast, and once again, Legolas had to keep his hood up. "Why must I wear it up?" he complained as they made their way down. "It's ridiculous. I thought you humans and Elves got on well nowadays."
"Better than we used to, but this is one of those villages in the middle of nowhere that haven't really caught up with the rest of the modern world yet," Aragorn answered quietly as one of the barmaids walked past, flashing a smile as she went. "Some might not take too kindly to an Elf."

Legolas just snorted. He hated wearing his hood up when he didn't really have to. If anyone wanted to pick a fight, he was ready for them. Though of course, he would try to settle it peacefully first.

They entered the bar, and were pleased to find it reasonably empty, as it was so early. They sat down at a table, and Aragorn went to the bar.

"I bet, the real reason you don't want to wear your hood up, is because you don't want to mess up your hair, right?" Gimli asked, grinning at Legolas.

Legolas chose to ignore this comment, as he was so used to it. He just raised one eyebrow to himself, and waited for Aragorn to come back.

Chalibeth saw to them again. She was a bit dubious of Legolas by now, as he still wore his hood up. "Master Guryn, you don't have to wear your hood up all the time you know," she told him as she bought them drinks. "Surely you must be boiling under there."

"No, I am quite alright, thank you," he replied, smiling at her. Aragorn and Gimli shared a glance over their tankards.

"He would rather keep his identity secret," Aragorn quickly answered for him. "It's from a past experience, which he does not want to re-live, isn't that right Guryn?"

"Yes, a rather unfortunate incident. So for now, I will keep my hood up, as long as it ok with you Chalibeth." She smiled.
"Of course it is. It would just be nice to see your face. You are all so polite, and I would like to see the man I am speaking to. I am sure your looks match your manners." She smiled again.

Legolas was slightly taken aback. "Your words are kind my Lady. Thank you." He smiled back, and she walked back behind the bar.

"Flirt," Gimli muttered from behind his tankard. Legolas shot a glare at him. It was something he had been called before by the Dwarf, following a similar incident in anther inn. "Don't start that again Gimli."
"Start what?" Aragorn asked. He did not know of this tale.

"Well, when me and Legolas were travelling together one time, we went into an inn like this one, and there was a girl similar to that Chalibeth, and…"

"…and the rest is history," Legolas interrupted. "Gimli, that was so long ago. Can't you give it up now?"
"No, just as I can't give up the time I beat you at killing Orcs at Helms Deep," he grinned. Legolas scowled, but did not reply.

Aragorn smiled to himself. This was the Legolas and Gimli he knew. Always sniping at each other at every possible moment, always trying to get one better than the other. Gimli would never let Legolas live that incident at Helms Deep down.

From her position behind the bar, Chalibeths' eyes widened in surprise. These men had been in a battle? The battle of Helms Deep? She had heard about this great battle, and the hundreds that had lost their lives. These were obviously great warriors. She wished to know more.

She walked over when they had downed their drinks. "Is there anything else I can get you gents?" she asked politely, smiling.

Aragorn smiled back at her. "No, we are fine thank you Chalibeth."

"I understand you are travellers," she pressed, looking at each of them.

"Yes, that is correct," Aragorn answered.

"If you don't mind me asking, where have you travelled from?"

The three friends looked at each other. How much could they tell her?

"We have travelled many miles," Legolas finally said. "And have seen many places. But now, I think we are slowing down, you might call it."

"I understand." Chalibeth said. "What sort of places have you been?"

"Well lassie, why don't you sit down, and we'll tell you what we can," Gimli answered. She smiled, and took a seat next to Legolas. Gimli grinned, but did not say anything.

"Well, where can we start?" Aragorn asked. "How old do you think we all are?"

"I do not wish to be offensive sirs, so I will not answer that," she replied, smiling a little.

They laughed. "Well, Guryn here is the oldest, and he has seen more wonderful, and terrible things than we have, I can assure you of that." Her face turned to Legolas, who was blushing slightly under his hood.

"Have you?" she asked softly. "What sort of things have you seen?"

"Things I am sure a young lady like yourself does not wish to know about," he answered softly.

"Have you been in any fights?" she continued.

"Many, some much worse than others," he replied.

"Have you heard of the great Battle at Helms Deep? And the Pelennor Fields?" she asked, her eyes shining.

They looked at each other uneasily. "You have," she said slowly.

"We were in them," Legolas said softly, looking down at the floor.

"Both of them?" she asked, slightly shocked. All three nodded.

"My goodness," she said softly. "That must have been awful."

"It was lassie, very terrible indeed," Gimli told her.

"What was it like, if you don't mind me asking. I understand there were thousands of those Uruk-Hai things, and it rained, and there was fire, and Elves…oh I would like to meet an Elf someday!" Her eyes were shining brightly now, the deep blue orbs glittering like stars.

"Why would you like to meet an Elf?" Legolas asked, the smile evident in his voice.

"Because they are such wonderful, magical creatures," she replied. "Everything about them is so magical, and mysterious."

"What would you do if you did ever get the chance to meet one?" Legolas asked.

She thought about it for a while. "I have no idea. I'd probably faint!" They all laughed. "No, I would try to act as calm and normal as possible. I wouldn't want to make a total fool of myself."

"I'm sure you wouldn't," Legolas assured her.

"Have you met Elves yourselves?" she asked.

"Yes, many times," Legolas told her. He gave a sly wink to Aragorn who smiled. "They are very mysterious creatures, I must agree with you on that. Very quiet, and only speak when they have to. Generally, they didn't used to get on with other races, especially Dwarves," here, he shot a sideways glance at Gimli, who grinned, "but humans they got on with ok. Now that the War is over, they are much friendlier towards both races. Do you know Ithilien?"

"Yes. I have heard it has become beautiful once again after being ravaged by the Dark Side."

"Well, it is beautiful because Elves and Men both dwell there now. There is an Elf I know, Legolas his name is, who is the Elf-Lord. He and I met a long time ago, back I was far younger, and travelling through his fathers' realm."

"His father is a King?" she asked, eyes wide with curiosity. Legolas nodded. "King of Mirkwood, and Legolas is heir to the throne."

"Wow," she whispered. Legolas smiled. This was easy, but he was starting to run out of ideas. Perhaps she had better not know any more. He looked at Aragorn.

"Well my Lady, it has been a pleasure talking with you, but I am afraid my friends and I have to be off now," Aragorn said, setting down his empty tankard. "We shall see you later perhaps?"
"Oh yes, I'm here all day," she informed them.

"We will see you later then," he said, then they left.

She smiled at their retreating backs. They were nice gentlemen, and she really wanted to get to know them a lot better.

"Chalibeth, get over here, start working, and stop day-dreaming!" she heard her boss shout.

She sighed, picked up her cloth, and went back behind the bar to start the days work.

So, how was that chapter then? Hope you enjoyed it, and chapter 4 will be up in about a week's time.

Lainfaer