Chapter 5
Goldir filled in Legolas of her trip during the two day journey to the central city of Greenwood. He was impressed by her steadfastness, even after following the wrong group for a day. She did, however, leave out a few parts, as they were rather more embarrassing than a good decision gone wrong.
They arrived at the home of the Greenwood Elves by mid afternoon of the second day. The area surrounding a cave entrance was populated by stands and wooden buildings, but was also heavily guarded. A sturdy bridge was set across a swift river, the crossing just before the great open doors.
Legolas answered her unspoken question, "Evil things have been attacking the Elves here. We have been keeping a close watch over the borders, but these creatures come from within. Greenwood is a very large place, and it would not be difficult to hide for many years. Tell me of Dol Guldûr. You spoke little of it."
Glancing away nervously, Goldir said, "I wish not to speak of it. It is not a place to visit lightly, and it was not at all as it was in my vision. I thought of it... without emotion. The real place was..."
"Was what? What did you see, or feel?" Legolas stopped, and faced her to ask.
The Elf faced away for a long while before turning, fear evident on her face, "A sense of disquiet. Brooding patience, as if it were a faithful servant awaiting the return of his master. Darkness. Death."
"This news is dire indeed. Your coming is useful still. My Lord will want to hear your tale," Legolas said.
The Prince led her though the trading market and into the corridors of Greenwood. They were not dark or damp as Goldir had expected, but brightly lit by torches whose light reflected dazzlingly off of tiny gems and veins of gold in the rock.
He stopped by a wooden door, "You may rest here during your stay in Greenwood. My father will send for you when he is ready to see you."
Goldir started, "Can I see him soon? You must understand that I have come a long way."
Legolas smiled softly, "I do understand," he leaned close, "Perhaps you would want to make yourself more presentable. You wear many days of travel."
The elleth blushed furiously. Indeed she smelled of days of travel, her hair was a mess and her clothes stained. Legolas walked away and Goldir stormed into the room. She removed the travel worn clothes and washed using a basin of water on a stand. She found a robe hanging by the bed and put it on while trying to decide what to do with her dirty clothes.
A knock sounded and a dark-haired elleth entered after a moment, "I was sent to bring you proper clothing until your own can be cleaned."
The elleth held out a plain white linen, long-sleeved dress. Smiling gratefully, Goldir accepted the dress. After the elleth left with her clothes, the Elf dressed and then lay on the bed, having nothing to do but rest. One last thought noted how soft the bedding was compared to tree branches and ground.
(OoO)
A firm knock on the door roused Goldir from her reverie. Opening the door, Goldir found an ellon waiting patiently.
"The King will see you now," he said.
Nodding gratefully, Goldir followed the Elf down corridors that grew even more decorative and grand. They came at last to a great hall lit by red torches. Huge pillars were carved into the rock, and they led to a chair where Thranduil sat, crowned by a ring of leaves. The Elf led Goldir to within meters of the King before taking his leave.
Thranduil gazed at Goldir for a long moment, trying to place her in his memory. Finally, he said, "Fanadîn. Yes, I remember you now. You are among the few good memories during a time of despair and war. What brings you to my realm?"
Bowing respectfully, Goldir answered, "I pursued a band of Orcs for months, Orcs who had killed Elven villagers and stolen an item of value. I wish to return it."
Smiling softly, the only emotion he had shown so far, he leaned back, "You speak of a trinket. It is not of any value, except perhaps, to farmers. Tell me, I have heard you chanced Dol Guldûr alone."
She said nothing, but Thranduil read the answer in her eyes, "Foolhardy. I would not send my best bowman or spearman alone on such a reckless adventure. The place may be empty, but it is not welcome to Sauron's enemies."
"It is empty," Goldir said, playing right into Thranduil's hand. She knew he was trying to maneuver her, but she had nothing to gain by hiding valuable information, and perhaps it would be exchanged for the ring.
"Empty, at least, of the evil creatures known by me. I was attacked by a wretched spider, but I managed to kill it. I spent no more time there before leaving," she said.
"Fleeing," Thranduil said with a gleam in his eye.
Goldir's face burned red, and she whispered, "Indeed. I fled. With the last motion of the spider, when I at last stopped, the deadly silence returned, and I feared more spiders would come. Something... something waits there. The air was hostile and brooding, as if the very place recognized its enemy.
"I wish to speak of it no more," she finished firmly.
Thranduil nodded once, "You have said more than enough. Tell me more of your journey. How did you escape with the knowledge of your village's ring being stolen?"
Goldir told her tale, from the vision to the end in Greenwood. Thranduil listened quietly, saying nothing until the end.
"Then you do not even know where this village is located? Somewhere in Eriador is not good enough. The trinket is safer here."
"But it does not belong here," Goldir cried, the frustration of the past months finally getting the better of her, "I have come through hell and high water to hunt down these Orcs and I will not leave without the ring. The villagers need it."
Frowning, the king said, "The villagers may very well be gone from this world. I will not leave you the ring to return to a village you do not know. My word is law here and I will not repeal this."
The two Elves stared long at the other, but Goldir knew she had to back down. Like it or not, Thranduil was King and she was a visitor, a guest, who could easily be left by the borders with nothing but the pack she had come with.
Bowing just long enough to be respectful, Goldir bid the king farewell and retreated down the hall. Glancing to the right, she noticed Legolas standing in an attaching corridor. He didn't move and Goldir returned her gaze to the open doors.
After a few wrong turns, Goldir finally found her room. Her clothes had been cleaned and were laying on the bed. The elleth reached for the lacings on the back of her dress, intent on changing and leaving, when someone cleared their throat.
Whipping around, hand going automatically to her side where no sword belt was, Goldir noticed the Prince standing in the corner of the dimly-lit room. The mild embarrassment at being caught unawares was replaced by fury at being caught unawares.
She held her tongue long enough to not disrespect the Elf, who moved from his hiding spot and approached her.
"The conversation did not go well," he said, "Just as I thought. What will you do now?"
"Simple," she said bitingly, "I will leave and find the village myself and tell any surviving Elves what has happened to their ring."
"Elves can manage plants without a magic ring. We are working with torch-grown plants, raised in the tunnels of the palace. Many kinds have taken to this, and we no longer must rely on outside plants. It has eased the fears of my people. Elves will adapt. Your villagers will be fine."
Sighing, Goldir dropped on the bed, letting out a frustrated groan, "That is not the point. I may have angered the King by being short with him, but I have come so far only to be told to go away. My efforts were all in vain. It is... very depressing."
"Let us replenish your supplies before you go," Legolas said, accepting her resolve, "If you will, stay one night and rest. Your horse is being brought here as we speak."
Goldir nodded after a moment of deliberation, "That is a welcome suggestion. Tomorrow, I will set out for Eriador. By the Valar, I will find that village."
(OoO)
The next morning found Goldir true to her word. Gwaedh seemed anxious to be out of the dark woods, and the Elf felt nearly the same. She leapt to Gwaedh's back and settled her pack and weapons. The pack was heavy with the graciously given food and supplies.
Goldir glanced back at Legolas, who had organized a small escort to guide her along the path and for added security. She was grateful for this; she had no desire to run into spiders alone. At the edge of Greenwood, they would part, and Goldir would be alone again.
"Farewell, My Lord. I thank you for your hospitality," Goldir said and bowed her head.
Legolas returned the bow, "Should your travels ever return you here, you will be most welcome."
With that, the eight mounted Elves departed down a well beaten path, heading west. Legolas admired Goldir's convictions, but he envied her freedom to pursue them. Smiling softly, the Prince returned to the stone palace, and to his duties as Border Captain.
Yeah, the end. Thanks for reading, leave your comments at the door. :)