Look at me, posting much faster than normal. Go me! Next chapter, as usual, will be posted at the same time as this one.

Legolas

Arriving in Ithilien was much like arriving in my own realm. The Elves our little assemblage trotted past nodded respectfully at me, a few from Mirkwood bowed, which was as tiring as it always was. My second-in-command, Canaliel, who had been a friend of mine back home, approached the three of us as we dismounted as if he had been expecting us and I concluded that he must have been alerted to my presence.

"Your Highness," he began, stepping in front of me.

I sighed, exasperated. How many times had I asked him not to employ the title? He turned and began walking and I automatically followed him, leaving Arquen and Faramir behind us, speaking in hushed tones. "Man ná ta?" (What is it?) I asked, sensing that he had something to tell me.

He hesitated. "Another faction left for the Havens today, just this morning."

"A ship awaits them there?" I guessed.

He nodded gravely. "They grow tired of fighting, Legolas." He halted and turned to face me.

"As do we all," I agreed, clasping my hands behind my back.

"They have abandoned Middle-earth," he reminded me. "And at this rate, it will not be long before the rest of the colony and all the other Elven kingdoms follow suit. The Lord and Lady have sailed, Imladris has been almost entirely evacuated-"

"I realize that," I cut him off, frustrated. I glanced at the other Elves milling around us.

"Your father sent word," he said suddenly, changing the subject. I returned my gaze to him. "He talks of voyaging to Valinor; he wishes you to be by his side when he does."

I was rather taken aback by that. So it had finally happened. King Thranduil of Mirkwood had decided to leave the woods in favor of the sea.

Now the only question was whether or not I would go with him.


The announcement had been made. Gondor's situation and Aragorn's request had been revealed. And as I had predicted, no Elf seemed especially pleased to hear it.

All able-bodied males, especially any with combat experience were to travel with me back to the world of Men.

"We depart tomorrow?" Canaliel asked, standing just in front of the desk I sat behind, bent over papers.

"Yes," I clarified, not even bothering to look up.

"And the she-Elves?" he urged. "If they don't stay behind, Ithilien will be completely empty. I do not wish to find Orc squatters upon our return."

I lifted my head. "Would you prefer to find the remains of a massacre?" I questioned. He shifted uncomfortably. "The females can defend themselves, yes. But only so much without us. I will not leave them to die."

"But you will bring them to die?" he practically yelled.

I arched an emphatic dark eyebrow at him.

He lowered his gaze immediately. "Forgive me, nin  cundu(my prince), I did not mean to shout," he said sheepishly.

I sighed and set down my quill, then rose to my feet abandoning my chair. "Gondor has sufficient protection. They will never be near the battle. And there are enough of us to protect them on the journey."

He paused, then nodded his understanding. "Very well, My Lord, I trust your judgment."

I smirked at him, my expression now mirthful. "No, you don't."

He grinned as well. "Not much I can do about it if I don't, is there?" he laughed.

I placed a hand on his shoulder. "You fear for Tindómë?" I inquired, referring to his originally Lórien fiancée.

He let out a breath. "I cannot decide which place I think safer for her."

"Gondor is best for the time being," I promised. "At least there she will not be alone."

"Lle nar téra, ávan ista," (You're right, I know) he conceded. He sighed and looked up at me. "Tomorrow then."

I nodded. "Tomorrow."


"There ahead lies the World of Men," I informed Arquen and Canaliel, who had only seen it once before, lifting a hand to point at the Gates in the distance that lead into the White City from behind.

Canaliel, who sat on the horse to my right, was the first to speak. "The citadel stands tall even from here," he observed, gazing at it, slightly in awe, even for all the Elvish constructions he had seen. I briefly wondered what his reaction would have been to the Arganoth, had he ever seen it.

"Aye," I agreed, noticing Faramir's chest swell with pride at my second's comment. I twisted around on Arod to make sure that the large group of Elves following us was keeping up. Most had horses, others chose to walk half the time, carrying some of their belongings they did not wish to leave unattended in Ithilien. For the most part, it was the females and children that were mounted. I couldn't see to the end of the thick line, but I had posted guards to follow behind and ensure no one fell behind on the trail.

I turned back around, kicking gently at Arod's side to start him trotting again.


It will be Legolas' pov for a while to come guys, spanning several chapters. I kinda liked the flow when it alternated the both of them, but this is he way it came out when I wrote it. I even have one chapter coming up that's in Aragorn's perspective.

The interesting stuff (a.k.a apolitical, less to do with Middle-earth's problems, more to do with Legolas and Elwyn's) will begin again when he returns to Minas Tirith!