The next morning the travellers mounted their horses. Astor took the
chestnut packhorse, as he was unable to fly for his wing was broken. They
stepped onto the road and crossed the bridge. They now faced the looming
woods of Mirkwood, and could see why it was called Mirkwood.
"It is so foreboding." Anánia said.
"The hospitality is not so bad." Legolas said. "We will reach my father's country in two days, if we cut through the woodland. If we continue along the forest path it will take us longer." He paused and looked at the others. "I do not think it would be such a good idea to stop in Rhosgobel." He said. "I am no longer sure of the reception we would get there. In days of old it was a warm and welcoming place, but to the inhabitants now we are strangers, and stranger strangers have never been seen in Mirkwood." He glanced at Astor as if said this, not sure how well the inhabitants of Rhosgobel would take to this unknown being.
"Then we will pass by Rhosgobel." Gandalf said. "We will follow the forest path for now Legolas, and then decide whether to risk cutting through the woods."
"Risk?" Anánia asked. Legolas turned to her and smiled warmly.
"It is not so bad." He said kindly. "If you know the lay of the land as I do, and are known to the friendly forest creatures, then you are safe. Outsiders however, are not so safe in these forests."
They rode on quickly, not pausing near Rhosgobel. Now they were on the road they moved faster, but the forest seemed to be pressing in on their sides. Soon enough they left the woodland road and entered the dense woodland. The mountains of Mirkwood loomed near them, but Legolas led them fleetly and surely on a path as if it were marked out. Their horses found it hard going.
For four days they rode, stopping only late evening to rest. Even then Legolas insisted that they placed someone on guard, for the forest beings were not to be trusted at night. However, they all seemed to sense that their prince was returning, for nothing hindered them. And on the fifth day of travel they suddenly saw the edge of the trees. They emerged into brilliant sunlight on the eastern side of the forest they saw the great dwelling place of Mirkwood, the Kingdom of Thranduil. It was fenced in by the lonely mountain to the east, a great lake and rivers to the south, the forest in the west and far in the distance, the grey mountains to the north.
(AN – I don't think Tolkien ever really described the City of Mirkwood in the Lord of the Rings, and I have not yet read The Simarillion, so I'm going to make it up. If I'm wrong don't shoot me, just believe that what I say is right! ^-* )
Around the city ran a great wall made of white marble, and now they approached the main gate. It was wrought of oak wood, with ornate gold elven runes inscribed on it. An elf looked at them from above the gate. Legolas looked up and greeted the watcher.
'Ruduin, let us enter.' He called up. 'We are all friends.'
'Yes Prince Legolas!' The guard jumped to attention and shouted down to people the other side of the gate. Instantly the gates began to open, and the fellowship entered. They were in a large open space with one cobbled road leading towards the town, and ultimately upwards to the great palace of Mirkwood, which glistened like silver in the morning light.
"Welcome to my kingdom." Legolas said, "You are all the guests of Mirkwood."
"Prince Legolas." An elf came up and bowed. "Shall I send word to your father that you have returned?"
"No, I wish to surprise him." Legolas replied. "But please, take these horses and have them stabled and fed." The elf nodded and waved over a host of other elves. They took the horses and led them away. Shadowfax went reluctantly, after some reassurance from Gandalf. "Please, follow me." Legolas said, leading them proudly along the road.
As they passed through the village elves stopped to watch the strange sight. Many greeted Legolas and bowed as he passed. Giggling young elf maidens blushed when he looked at them and swooned as he passed. Just as many looked with interest towards Aragorn, but a few recognised him as the King of Gondor, and wife of Arwen. A few even looked towards Astor with an evident interest, and he blushed with embarrassment.
Legolas led them to the palace doors. The guards bowed and parted as he walked regally into the palace and led them through the passages. The ceilings were high, and supported by marble pillars. The walls were hung with age-old tapestries, but enchanted so that the pictures and stories told seemed to move and change.
Suddenly they turned off the main passages. Legolas threw open a set of double doors and strode inside, the others following, noticeably less relaxed.
'Father!' Legolas said loudly. A man sitting at a table at the end of the room stood up. Other elves, evidently his advisers, looked up also.
'Legolas.' His father held out his arms. They strode to meet each other and met, enveloping in a warm embrace. 'My son, you have returned.' His father said happily. They broke apart and Thranduil broke into common tongue. "But who are your guests?"
Legolas stood next to his father and instantly the fellowship could see the likeness between them. Thranduil, although showing a little more age than Legolas, looked remarkably like him. They had the same shining blue eyes and their faces were uncannily similar. Only Thranduil's hair differed from that of his son, although tinged with grey they could see that in his prime the King had had deep brown hair.
"Of course." Legolas said. "This is Gandalf, and of course you know him."
"Of course." Thranduil said, shaking Gandalf's hand. "It is a pleasure to welcome you back to Mirkwood."
"And it is a pleasure to be back." Gandalf replied. Then he stood aside to allow Thranduil to be introduced to the others.
"And this must be Aragorn of Gondor." Thranduil guessed, clasping Aragorn's hand and bowing to the King. Aragorn returned the bow.
"I am glad to meet you." He said.
"These are the hobbits of the Shire of whom I have spoken." Legolas said, introducing the hobbits one by one. "And of course you know Gimli."
"It is nice to see you back here so soon Gimli." Thranduil nodded. "We were surprised when Legolas brought you back here the first time, but we are glad to see that you will become a frequent visitor."
"This is Anánia of Lothlorien." Legolas said, indicating the young elf maiden. She curtseyed, admittedly awkwardly because she was holding Eldarion in her arms. Thranduil noticed that Legolas's voice and eyes softened when he introduced Anánia. He smiled as he welcomed her.
"Welcome Anánia." He said. "Is this your son?"
"What? Oh, no, this is Aragorn's son, Eldarion." Anánia said quickly. "I am only his nursemaid."
"Indeed." Thranduil nodded, glad to see that the woman his son had apparently fallen head over heels for was not already a mother or even married.
"And this is Astor, the Prince of the Bird-Men of Avion." Legolas said finally.
"Interesting." Thranduil said, shaking Astor's hand. "You certainly have a lot of explaining to do Legolas. And I can think of no better time to do it, my meeting is finished for the day. Why don't you sit down and explain why you appear back so unexpectedly with strangers."
So Legolas sat down and explained everything from beginning to end, which wasn't really the end but merely a pause in the story, as the end would be when they reached the grey mountains and brought back Arwen.
AN – not much really happened in this chapter, but I had to fill a gap. More action to follow, soon enough! Read and review please, sorry about the slightly late update, I've been ill recently and also had a lot of work to be doing. And by the way, this fanfiction is turning out to be looooooong, I reckon it will be about 25 chapters, so there is still loads more to come!
Response to Reviewers
Lilwhitelighter – it will all happen soon now, I promise. Thanks for your review, again!
Terreis – I was quite proud of my new character actually, especially because I found a way to conceal the fact that he had never appeared in Tolkien's books, because those who he doesn't want to see him can't see him! I hope I reach 200 reviews, we shall see!
Queen Arwen – awww, thanks for nominating me. What category did you nominate me in? I've been going around nominating so many fictions, I'll have to take a look at yours!
Alasse – Thank you!
Cerridwen – again, I laughed out loud at your review. I don't think there will be any certain peril kind of danger, but there is an unseen danger lurking that will be revealed in the next chapter I think, but we shall see!
Ciel Undomiel – your review made me laugh too. Yes, there will be some Legomance in this story, and I agree that some Legomances can be absolutely terrible, with blatant Mary-Sues getting with him and being all fluffy and stupid. I'm trying to work this romance so that once it has peaked it kind of fades into the background, it certainly isn't the main thrust of the story, although it may be prominent in the next few chapters. Anyway, all may turn sour...we shall see!
Ringmarciel – I had to include this totally new character, but I tried to weave him in so that he doesn't seem too out of place. That is why I gave him wings, so that no one has the chance of bumping into him in the books, because none of the characters can fly, unless they ride the eagles, and only Gandalf does that on a couple of occasions. And the fact that when they fly they look like a flock of birds in the sky, so it is possible that they would have never be seen before! Hope you liked the new character though!
Rose – I never knew that athelas only worked when used by a king. Oh well, lets just gloss over that little fact! Thanks for your review, its always nice to see new reviewers in quite a long story, after while you just get a select few reviews (and I love them all) who are committed enough to follow a story to the end!
TotallyobsessedwithLOTR – yes, I suppose he is a bird man really. Do you like this new character?
The True Evenstar – yeah, Aragorn is nice now. I read some of your stories and I loved them, unfortunately my really temperamental computer won't let me place reviews at the moment, it really is a bugger sometimes. Anyway, I nominated your story Always and Forever for Best Drama (I think, can't remember now) because it made me cry! Keep reviewing!
"It is so foreboding." Anánia said.
"The hospitality is not so bad." Legolas said. "We will reach my father's country in two days, if we cut through the woodland. If we continue along the forest path it will take us longer." He paused and looked at the others. "I do not think it would be such a good idea to stop in Rhosgobel." He said. "I am no longer sure of the reception we would get there. In days of old it was a warm and welcoming place, but to the inhabitants now we are strangers, and stranger strangers have never been seen in Mirkwood." He glanced at Astor as if said this, not sure how well the inhabitants of Rhosgobel would take to this unknown being.
"Then we will pass by Rhosgobel." Gandalf said. "We will follow the forest path for now Legolas, and then decide whether to risk cutting through the woods."
"Risk?" Anánia asked. Legolas turned to her and smiled warmly.
"It is not so bad." He said kindly. "If you know the lay of the land as I do, and are known to the friendly forest creatures, then you are safe. Outsiders however, are not so safe in these forests."
They rode on quickly, not pausing near Rhosgobel. Now they were on the road they moved faster, but the forest seemed to be pressing in on their sides. Soon enough they left the woodland road and entered the dense woodland. The mountains of Mirkwood loomed near them, but Legolas led them fleetly and surely on a path as if it were marked out. Their horses found it hard going.
For four days they rode, stopping only late evening to rest. Even then Legolas insisted that they placed someone on guard, for the forest beings were not to be trusted at night. However, they all seemed to sense that their prince was returning, for nothing hindered them. And on the fifth day of travel they suddenly saw the edge of the trees. They emerged into brilliant sunlight on the eastern side of the forest they saw the great dwelling place of Mirkwood, the Kingdom of Thranduil. It was fenced in by the lonely mountain to the east, a great lake and rivers to the south, the forest in the west and far in the distance, the grey mountains to the north.
(AN – I don't think Tolkien ever really described the City of Mirkwood in the Lord of the Rings, and I have not yet read The Simarillion, so I'm going to make it up. If I'm wrong don't shoot me, just believe that what I say is right! ^-* )
Around the city ran a great wall made of white marble, and now they approached the main gate. It was wrought of oak wood, with ornate gold elven runes inscribed on it. An elf looked at them from above the gate. Legolas looked up and greeted the watcher.
'Ruduin, let us enter.' He called up. 'We are all friends.'
'Yes Prince Legolas!' The guard jumped to attention and shouted down to people the other side of the gate. Instantly the gates began to open, and the fellowship entered. They were in a large open space with one cobbled road leading towards the town, and ultimately upwards to the great palace of Mirkwood, which glistened like silver in the morning light.
"Welcome to my kingdom." Legolas said, "You are all the guests of Mirkwood."
"Prince Legolas." An elf came up and bowed. "Shall I send word to your father that you have returned?"
"No, I wish to surprise him." Legolas replied. "But please, take these horses and have them stabled and fed." The elf nodded and waved over a host of other elves. They took the horses and led them away. Shadowfax went reluctantly, after some reassurance from Gandalf. "Please, follow me." Legolas said, leading them proudly along the road.
As they passed through the village elves stopped to watch the strange sight. Many greeted Legolas and bowed as he passed. Giggling young elf maidens blushed when he looked at them and swooned as he passed. Just as many looked with interest towards Aragorn, but a few recognised him as the King of Gondor, and wife of Arwen. A few even looked towards Astor with an evident interest, and he blushed with embarrassment.
Legolas led them to the palace doors. The guards bowed and parted as he walked regally into the palace and led them through the passages. The ceilings were high, and supported by marble pillars. The walls were hung with age-old tapestries, but enchanted so that the pictures and stories told seemed to move and change.
Suddenly they turned off the main passages. Legolas threw open a set of double doors and strode inside, the others following, noticeably less relaxed.
'Father!' Legolas said loudly. A man sitting at a table at the end of the room stood up. Other elves, evidently his advisers, looked up also.
'Legolas.' His father held out his arms. They strode to meet each other and met, enveloping in a warm embrace. 'My son, you have returned.' His father said happily. They broke apart and Thranduil broke into common tongue. "But who are your guests?"
Legolas stood next to his father and instantly the fellowship could see the likeness between them. Thranduil, although showing a little more age than Legolas, looked remarkably like him. They had the same shining blue eyes and their faces were uncannily similar. Only Thranduil's hair differed from that of his son, although tinged with grey they could see that in his prime the King had had deep brown hair.
"Of course." Legolas said. "This is Gandalf, and of course you know him."
"Of course." Thranduil said, shaking Gandalf's hand. "It is a pleasure to welcome you back to Mirkwood."
"And it is a pleasure to be back." Gandalf replied. Then he stood aside to allow Thranduil to be introduced to the others.
"And this must be Aragorn of Gondor." Thranduil guessed, clasping Aragorn's hand and bowing to the King. Aragorn returned the bow.
"I am glad to meet you." He said.
"These are the hobbits of the Shire of whom I have spoken." Legolas said, introducing the hobbits one by one. "And of course you know Gimli."
"It is nice to see you back here so soon Gimli." Thranduil nodded. "We were surprised when Legolas brought you back here the first time, but we are glad to see that you will become a frequent visitor."
"This is Anánia of Lothlorien." Legolas said, indicating the young elf maiden. She curtseyed, admittedly awkwardly because she was holding Eldarion in her arms. Thranduil noticed that Legolas's voice and eyes softened when he introduced Anánia. He smiled as he welcomed her.
"Welcome Anánia." He said. "Is this your son?"
"What? Oh, no, this is Aragorn's son, Eldarion." Anánia said quickly. "I am only his nursemaid."
"Indeed." Thranduil nodded, glad to see that the woman his son had apparently fallen head over heels for was not already a mother or even married.
"And this is Astor, the Prince of the Bird-Men of Avion." Legolas said finally.
"Interesting." Thranduil said, shaking Astor's hand. "You certainly have a lot of explaining to do Legolas. And I can think of no better time to do it, my meeting is finished for the day. Why don't you sit down and explain why you appear back so unexpectedly with strangers."
So Legolas sat down and explained everything from beginning to end, which wasn't really the end but merely a pause in the story, as the end would be when they reached the grey mountains and brought back Arwen.
AN – not much really happened in this chapter, but I had to fill a gap. More action to follow, soon enough! Read and review please, sorry about the slightly late update, I've been ill recently and also had a lot of work to be doing. And by the way, this fanfiction is turning out to be looooooong, I reckon it will be about 25 chapters, so there is still loads more to come!
Response to Reviewers
Lilwhitelighter – it will all happen soon now, I promise. Thanks for your review, again!
Terreis – I was quite proud of my new character actually, especially because I found a way to conceal the fact that he had never appeared in Tolkien's books, because those who he doesn't want to see him can't see him! I hope I reach 200 reviews, we shall see!
Queen Arwen – awww, thanks for nominating me. What category did you nominate me in? I've been going around nominating so many fictions, I'll have to take a look at yours!
Alasse – Thank you!
Cerridwen – again, I laughed out loud at your review. I don't think there will be any certain peril kind of danger, but there is an unseen danger lurking that will be revealed in the next chapter I think, but we shall see!
Ciel Undomiel – your review made me laugh too. Yes, there will be some Legomance in this story, and I agree that some Legomances can be absolutely terrible, with blatant Mary-Sues getting with him and being all fluffy and stupid. I'm trying to work this romance so that once it has peaked it kind of fades into the background, it certainly isn't the main thrust of the story, although it may be prominent in the next few chapters. Anyway, all may turn sour...we shall see!
Ringmarciel – I had to include this totally new character, but I tried to weave him in so that he doesn't seem too out of place. That is why I gave him wings, so that no one has the chance of bumping into him in the books, because none of the characters can fly, unless they ride the eagles, and only Gandalf does that on a couple of occasions. And the fact that when they fly they look like a flock of birds in the sky, so it is possible that they would have never be seen before! Hope you liked the new character though!
Rose – I never knew that athelas only worked when used by a king. Oh well, lets just gloss over that little fact! Thanks for your review, its always nice to see new reviewers in quite a long story, after while you just get a select few reviews (and I love them all) who are committed enough to follow a story to the end!
TotallyobsessedwithLOTR – yes, I suppose he is a bird man really. Do you like this new character?
The True Evenstar – yeah, Aragorn is nice now. I read some of your stories and I loved them, unfortunately my really temperamental computer won't let me place reviews at the moment, it really is a bugger sometimes. Anyway, I nominated your story Always and Forever for Best Drama (I think, can't remember now) because it made me cry! Keep reviewing!