Chapter 4

Celetur led Goldir and the five other Elves along a series of single rope bridges strung along the trees. They traveled deeper into the forest than Goldir would have liked, and he had only the word of safety from the Greenwood Elf who had confronted him.

Eventually, Celetur halted on a small platform and slid down a rope to the ground. Goldir followed. The two Elves had been quiet thus far, and the silence was starting to bother Goldir.

"I have heard little of the Greenwood Elves. Tell me, how do your people fare?" he asked.

Celetur held his answer for a moment, "We are doing well. Many years my Lord has been here, and many more we will remain."

"You have never heard the cry of gulls or the sound of waves," he murmured.

Always, thoughts of the sea distracted him something terrible. It was only when Celetur stopped that Goldir noticed they had arrived at some type of campsite. Three ragged packs lay on the ground next to a recently used fire pit.

The Elf knelt by the packs and went through them. While searching the second pack, he found a familiar item. The leather pouch. Goldir fingered it lightly, but found the ring gone. With much distress, difficultly hidden, he dropped the pouch as if it meant nothing. His hands returned to the search, but his mind focused on Celetur.

The light-haired Elf was no ordinary soldier. He brought him deep into the woods while making sure he had backup. Goldir had no doubt that Celetur had found the ring. The ring was in safe possession now, and that was what ultimately mattered, but the Elf wanted to return it to the rightful owners.

Goldir rose and glanced around at the six Elves, "I have found none of the missing items. Perhaps they were dropped along the way, or simply lost. I thank you for bringing me this far."

"It is unfortunate that you have come so far only to find nothing," Celetur said coyly, "You must be weary. Join us this night, rest and recover in Elven company."

Goldir was incensed at the remark. Shortly, an idea formed in his head. Perhaps he could find out from Celetur where the ring had gone from there. He would go further, if he must, to return the ring.

"I admit that Gwaedh is not the most... entertaining companion. Your offer is gratefully accepted," he said as he bowed.

Signaling the group to follow, Celetur lead them along a path that seemed to go further into the thick woods, but Goldir was rather disoriented in the darkening light, both from heavy overgrowth and dusk. The walk was easy, over flat terrain, with leafy bushes and large-leaf plants lining the path. In the distance, the Elf could see dots of firelight, in what he assumed was the main camp of the Greenwood guards.

Several Elves were sitting around campfires, singing or eating or quietly chatting. Goldir received curious looks from most, to which he turned his face and chose a fire away from others. Celetur joined him shortly, with offerings of food and wine.

Goldir ate and drank, taking delight in the simple things he had missed during the past weeks. One of the things he had missed most was Elven company, yet he was quite self-conscious among the Greenwood guards. The two Elves had been quiet for a long while. The noise had grown somewhat when Celetur spoke.

"What is your name?" he asked.

"I am known as Goldir," the Elf answered plainly.

"Very well. Perhaps if I give my true name, you will offer yours. I am Legolas Thranduilion," he said, grey eyes searching his.

Silence answered Legolas' confession.

Goldir finally spoke, "You hide behind a false name for different reasons than I. Still, I will not give my true name because it is not your concern."

Legolas leaned back slightly, "Your secrecy is not necessary. You are among your kin, your people. Why do you hide your most unveiling title?"

"I can hide very little before Elves, and I will hide what I can until I desire to reveal it, whether by need of safe passage or a matter of convenience," he finally glanced up at Legolas.

The Sinda Prince met Goldir's gaze, "The ring has been taken to my father. Its power was nearly useless. A trinket likely wrought by Celebrimbor on a whim, it grows fruit and vegetable plants."

A small sigh escaped the Elf, "I had a feeling that it was not a powerful ring. Perhaps the Orcs had word that it was... one of more power. I still do not know where they could have been taking it, or what they would have done with it."

"Orcs have been passing along the Anduin for a few seasons now. They go north for a distance before crossing the Anduin again. Their destination is beyond our eyesight."

"Beyond your eyesight or your concern," Goldir challenged.

"Perhaps both," Legolas said with a gleam in his eyes, "Now, a fair trade. Your name for what I knew you wanted."

"My father-name is Aeredhel, though I use it never. My true name is Fanadîn," Goldir said quietly.

Legolas was silent a moment as he contemplated Goldir's names and their implications.

"I shall be blunt, for the situation seems to call for it. Your names are rather feminine and your face is too fair to be an ellon, but you do not seem like a typical elleth. I solve one mystery only to open another," Legolas sounded more amused than bewildered.

Goldir sighed deeply, "I am an elleth. I hide behind my name because it is much easier to pretend I am an ellon and be accepted as one than try to win the respect I would have if I were instead. Call it false; it is. But I accomplish what I set out to do. The Orcs are dead and the ring is in safe hands."

"My respect would be no less had you been open in the first place," Legolas said, and he seemed hurt by her assumption, "There are often elleth who wish to serve the borders. They are assessed closer than ellon, perhaps, but no less respected than any other Elf in Greenwood."

Legolas refilled their cups with wine and tipped it to her, "I will take you to my Lord tomorrow, and you may try your hand at convincing him to let free the ring. Do not expect an easy conversation, however, he is loath to release what he believes is rightly his."

Goldir nodded softly as she sipped at the wine. It would be... interesting to see Thranduil again.

A/N - Okay, I may or may not have pissed you off by the twist in this chapter. But really, do give the rest a chance. I promise it isn't a Legomance.