Disclaimer: I do not claim to own any of these characters (except for Anyana, Irinwë, and any other characters not recognised). I am making no money off this what so ever, and would be eternally grateful if you didn't sue me!
i don't have anyone to Beta this story for me yet (although Panneth has kindly offered, should she have the time...thanx!), so all mistakes are mine.

And without further ado, here is the first chapter of my first LotR FF: Alone.

Alone

Chapter 1

The only noises that could be heard in the cold night air were those of crickets chirping quietly, and the constant trickle of the stream as it flowed over the rocks on its bed. These, and the shallow breathing of a lone Elf that sat on the bank of the stream. His face was serene, and gave away none of the thoughts going through his mind; gave no indication of the turmoil that he felt inside his soul.

Legolas Greenleaf had returned from the War of the Ring a little over two months ago, and even though he was happy to be home once again, his heart was restless.

This feeling began just after he left Minas Tirith where he, and those that remained of the Fellowship, had parted and gone their separate ways after the Coronation of Aragorn, now King Ellessar of Gondor. He and Gimli the Dwarf had traveled together for a fair way during the return journey, until they, too, had parted so that Gimli could go to the Glittering Caves.

Legolas had made light of the situation during his farewell to Gimli, saying that he needed the time to his self after spending almost a year with a Dwarf, Humans, an Istari, and four Hobbits as his only company. And so it was that when Gimli left him, he left with a lightened heart, thinking that his Elven friend was truly okay, as was Legolas' want. And then, Legolas was left on his own. Now, sitting alone on the riverbank in the forest in which he had resided all of his life, Legolas pondered why he felt so empty, and had the worst case of homesickness he had ever experienced.
Finally, after realizing that he was getting nowhere with his inner demons, he sighed wearily as he stood up, and began to walk back toward the Palace.

As he walked, he looked about the forest, becoming reacquainted with the tall Beech and Oak trees of Mirkwood. Mirkwood...the forest was no longer called that. The shadow that had transformed Greenwood the Great into Mirkwood was now gone, due to the defeat of Sauron. And so his father, King Thranduil, had re-named it Eryn Lasgalen. The Forest of the Greenleaves.

So in effect, Legolas was left with nothing but the memory of friends, dead and alive, and a home was not home anymore.

In that moment, he realized that he truly was alone. And for the first time in his 2,932 years, he did not welcome the solitude.

As Legolas entered the Palace, his mind wondered and he let his instincts take over, his feet sub-consciously finding the way to his chambers. Once there, he found that a bath had been prepared for him, and that his nightclothes were laid out on his bed. He smiled softly at this; his maid, Anyana, had a knack for knowing exactly what he wanted, without him having to ask. He made his way over to the bath, and began to undress. Just as he was untying the laces on his trousers, there was a soft knock at the door. He went back into the chamber proper, and opened the door, to find none other than Anyana herself.

Anyana was a bit shorter that Legolas, had long, wavy hair the colour of rich earth. She was beautiful, like all Elves, yet her eyes held a wisdom that any other Elf of 3,859 years could only dream to possess. He smiled widely at his friend as he opened the door wider to allow her access.
"My Lord," she greeted him, as she bowed her head slightly in respect, "I hope this evening finds you well?"
Legolas sighed, almost inaudibly, before he replied, "As well as can be expected, Anyana. However, the bath you had made ready for me should help a great deal."
She smiled at this, and then moved to pick up the tunic that he had put on the floor whilst getting undressed. She spoke to him whilst folding the item of clothing.
"Would you like something to eat, or perhaps drink, Lord?"
"No thank you, Anyana. And how many times must I ask you to call me Legolas? You know how much I hate titles." He said, putting his hands over his face as he sat down on his bed.
Instead of answering him, she walked over to his dressing table and picked up a comb. As she returned to the bed, she found that Legolas was still sat, head in hands, and shoulders slumped as if he bore the weight of all Middle Earth on his shoulders. She softly sat on the bed, just behind him, and began to unbraid his hair.

Legolas lifted his head as he felt her hands working through his hair. Once she had undone the braids, she began to gently comb his hair. His eyes fell shut as he began to feel more relaxed under Anyana's ministrations. This had become a ritual of sorts, ever since he was an Elfling. If ever he was worried, upset or under a lot of stress, Anyana would sit and softly brush his long golden locks. Legolas had often wondered if she could use magic, for it never failed to calm him, no matter how bad things seemed. After sitting like that for perhaps five minutes, Anyana spoke.

"What troubles you, mellon nin [my friend]? I would have thought you would be happy to have things return to normal, and yet you seem the opposite."
"I am happy to be back, but...I no longer feel at home here. Peace seems to have deserted me." He said sadly, his head once again dropping to his chest. Anyana stood and went to kneel in front of him. Speaking so quietly that he had to strain to hear her, she voiced her revelation. "You miss them, don't you?"
"Is it that apparent?" He answered, the expression on his face one of an Elfling who had just been caught doing something he ought not to be.
"Only to me, Legolas. But after spending two and a half millennia with another, one gets used to reading their expressions and moods. Which is why I am worried. You have been back in Eryn Lasgalen for over two months, and just recently have I discovered that something was wrong." She said, sadly.

Legolas picked up on her pain at not being able to help him, immediately explaining, "Oh, Anya," He began softly, using the nickname he had given her when he was an Elfling and unable to say her full name properly, "the only reason that you did not know is because I did not wish for you to. I did not want to burden you with something that I do not understand completely myself...but now I know that it was folly," He said as he lifted her face up to meet his, "for you are the one person who can help me to understand it."
Anyana smiled at him, knowing he was telling her the truth.
"Oh, Legolas. You have indeed grown well as I forsaw you would...but know this; 'tis more a burden for me when you hide your troubles from me than when you would share them. But I feel gladdened that you could share them now, and I will do all I can to help. Sleep well, young one." "That I shall. Hannon lle [Thank you], Anyana."

And with those words of farewell, Legolas found himself alone once again, and the walls he had tried so hard to maintain in Anyana's presence crumled once more.

He found sleep to be elusive that night.

So, what do you think?
The next chapter will be up in a couple of days. Since this is my first fan fic, I would really appreciate feedback, so please review!

Torielle