Thanks to all who reviewed! Responses are at the end.

FYI: The delay for this chapter was more because of a problem with Mircrosoft Word than anything else. My writer's block is improving, but my program has begun writing words over top of preceding words. I have to go through and manually fix any problems I spot. If anyone knows what might cause such a thing, please let me know.

With no further delay

Encroaching Darkness part 29

By Ecri

The company of elves, and one human ranger, had traveled swiftly towards Lothlorien, but Thranduil had seen little of the scenery as they rode. Not one to leave his own realm often, he usually savored the sights when he did, though this time, his attention was riveted to his sons. Legolas had improved slowly to his mind, but Elrond and Estel assured him it was a normal recovery rate for a human.

He knew his son was trying to hide things from him, and he did understand that the Ranger was better suited to help him in these instances, but he also felt that Legolas was underestimating what comfort he could offer. He was also willing to admit that his son likely suspected that he was uncomfortable around him because of the change.

Thranduil understood why Legolas would think such a thing. While Mirkwood often had dealings with men, no Mirkwood elf looked kindly upon the Secondborn. The King of Mirkwood was certainly no fan of the Race of Men blaming them for the continued taint of the Shadow that threatened their realm and indeed all of Middle-earth. Thranduil had never been kindly in his remarks about men in general, and, when Legolas had befriended a man, Thranduil had noticed a defensiveness in his son when discussing the friendship, which he showed a great reticence to do in front of his father.

Thranduil realized it had taken him some time to accept both the friendship and the man, but he had eventually done it. Estel was a good man. He was a good friend to Legolas, and Thranduil neither resented nor regretted his son's decision to embrace such a friendship. It was just beginning to occur to Mirkwood's monarch that he had never told Legolas this.

He was no fool. He had noted his son's uneasy sleep, even if he had had a difficult time adjusting to the notion of human dreams and nightmares. He had kept his distance reading embarrassment in his son's face at the mention of the uneasy nights.

It was as he cast another uneasy glance of his own at his son, trying not to be caught assessing his physical or mental condition, that something inside Thranduil shifted. He recognized his own stupidity and in angered him. The rage he directed at himself was unrelenting and in sharp contrast to the love he felt for his son. How could he have behaved so poorly? He had told himself he was acting in Legolas' best interests, but he could see now that it wasn't so.

Impulsive was not a word most would use to describe the ages old elf, but whatever you chose to call it, Thranduil made the hastiest decision of his life and urged his horse to draw up even with Legolas'. He waited patiently for Legolas' to notice, which did not take long.

"Ada?" Legolas asked softly, his voice still sweet and clear, though it no longer sounded as elven as once it had.

"My son" Words failed him. Putting the plea into his eyes, he reached out a tentative hand watching Legolas for some response.

Legolas seemed to stiffen momentarily, but then it melted away as he nodded almost imperceptibly and reached out his own hand to grasp his father's.

Thranduil smiled. He was certain that when they stopped their travels for the day, they would talk.

Gandalf had much on his mind as he watched Thranduil reach out for his youngest son, and much of that had to do with Legolas himself. He had, of course, been apprised of everything that had happened to Aragorn and Legolas before they had reached the haven of Rivendell and before they had decided to wait through the long winter and set out for Lothlorien with Spring. He had learned every detail of the unnatural sleep that had befallen most of the group, and he had discussed with Galadriel the visions that had told her to ride out from Lorien to meet the Rivendell party.

One thing Gandalf had never worried much about was coincidence. It would be wrong to declare that there was no such thing, and yet when you found yourself surrounded by nothing but coincidence, it was time to examine things much more closely.

Saruman's departure, as Gandalf had noted, had greatly lightened the mood of the elves. What about the other Wizard, he wondered, had so troubled them?

He snapped himself from such a reverie realizing that the more pressing need was Legolas' and Aragorn's safety for he was uncertain they were not even now under scrutiny. Gandalf could not–would not–swear to it, but he sensed a malevolent attention focused upon them. Watching for now, he was certain, but when might such passivity pass over into aggression?

Gandalf urged his own steed closer to Elrond and Aragorn, who seemed to be deep in debate once again. He had witnessed many an exchange between the two, sometimes joined by Elladan or Elrohir, but his own observations impelled him to intervene.

He rode silently next the Elf Lord and his son waiting for his presence to be noticed. He did not have to wait long.

"Mithrandir," Elrond whispered the name, but the Maiar had no trouble hearing it.

"Elrond, you and Estel seem to have quite a lot to discuss of late." He allowed his seemingly random gaze to find Legolas as he continued. "I don't suppose you could be debating the fate of our young friend."

Elrond smiled, and Estel, after confusedly following the Wizard's gaze, allowed a small grin.

"Once again, you seem to know all that goes on around you, Mithrandir." Elrond said no more, but neither did he suggest Gandalf leave him alone with his son.

"Not all, for none but Iluvatar can know all. I am, however, not oblivious to my surroundings. Tell me what causes such heated dispute."

Aragorn shook his head. "Not dispute, really, Gandalf. II have a notionI think I can help Legolas."

Gandalf feigned surprise. "Do you?"

Elrond waved a hand before the Wizard could continue. "He is not ready for what he suggests, Mithrandir. He is blinded by his desire to help his friend"

Gandalf made a sign with one hand, tracing a pattern in the air but a few alive would recognize. The warding away of unwanted attention would not last long, but they would reach Lothlorien in a few days. This might buy them a reprieve.

"Ada!" Aragorn spoke louder than he'd intended and hastily lowered his voice. "Ada, you said yourself I would have need to explore such things if I am to follow my de"

Gandalf cleared his throat and spoke before the Elf Lord could. "Do not be hasty about where you speak of such things, Estel. Secrecy should not be abandoned simply because you worry for your friend."

"There is no one here but close friends" Aragorn began.

Narrowed eyes behind bushy brows turned to glare at the human. "You know naught of what you speak, Ranger. You would do well to practice caution. It is not you alone I mean to safeguard, though that alone should be incentive enough for you to keep your tongue behind your teeth."

Aragorn swallowed his words.

Gandalf turned to Elrond. "We should discuss this in detail, for if I am right in my guess, the young one may be right." He held up a hand to forestall any argument. "We should discuss this, as I said, but in safer surroundingsand perhaps with an Elf Lord devoted to Iluvatar's will and not of with a father seeking to protect his youngest son."

When Elrond reluctantly acquiesced, Gandalf smiled. "You speak with the heart of a father knowing you may lose your sonbut you knew that you would lose him when first you took it upon yourself to protect him. Do not now seek to hide him even from his fate."

Gandalf could see Elrond was shaken by his words, and would likely have much to say when they reached Lothlorien. No matter. They would likely all have a lot to say, not least of all Estel.

The Grey Wizard smiled. Things were now coming to fruition that had been set in motion when Isildur had refused to destroy the One Ring. A foreboding shivered through him as his thought touched upon such a thing, and he hastily drove it from his mind. Saruman had assured them all that it was likely lost to the depths of the sea itself. There was little chance it might be found.

Why, then, he wondered, did he feel as though he'd seen the end of the world?

Celeborn was glad to dismount when a halt was called for the day. They would likely reach Lothlorien by the day after tomorrow, and he was in high spirits at the thought of returning to the Golden Wood. He had much to discuss with his wife. She had spoken little to him throughout the day, and he knew her well enough to realize what that meant.

She'd been lost in thought, driven by some vision or perhaps just by some notionsome answer to their questions. He knew she would have as much to discuss with him as he had to discuss with her.

He had been long in thought himself, and his musings led him along paths he had not before seriously considered. His concern centered on Saruman. The White Wizard had seemed reluctant to leave, though had, in the end, accepted Celeborn's strong suggestion. He had seen Gandalf speak to Saruman, and then he had noted Saruman's few moments by Legolas' side. He could not explain why, but the sight had given him pause. It was as though the sight unnerved him, yet he could not say why.

Saruman's short visit to the Prince had seemed to cause no harm, yet Celeborn had watched the young one carefully in the intervening days. Legolas had grown sullen and withdrawn, but Celeborn did not know if that were simply a reaction to his own slowly healing injuries, to the still troublesome notion that those to whom he had come for help had, as yet, found no way to restore his elvish nature, or to some human malady entirely beyond his experience.

The young Prince had seemed today to begin to open up to his father and brother. Celeborn did not know of what they spoke, but he had seen the trio of Mirkwood's royalty deep in conversation. He imagined some bridges were being built.

Celeborn's careful attention to Legolas over the days of their journey had shown him more than simply a more somber attitude. He had also seen the wistful expressions that seemed to appear more regularly on his face. Just that very afternoon, he'd approached Legolas hoping to offer some way to ease his obviously troubled heart.

"Your eyes hold a pain too intense for your years, young one." Celeborn's musical voice drifted over to the Prince where he sat trying to keep up a pretense of eating his midday meal.

Legolas looked up at him, a guilty expression fixed upon his face.

Celeborn smiled. "It is well, Greenleaf. I am here only to offer what help I may. I have lived through much, and would gladly assist you." He sat beside Legolas, and leaned slightly closer to him. "This must be a difficult time for you, and there is no one to whom you may speak who has gone through anything similar. The last elf who became human was Elros, and he did so of his own free will."

Legolas nodded as he looked away though he did not speak.

Celeborn leaned closer until his head almost touched Legolas'. Silver hair and gold nearly blended together as Celeborn whispered in Legolas' ear. "There may be none who know what you feel, Young One, but all wish to help. Tell me what troubles you."

The Lord of the Golden Wood sensed Legolas' reluctance, but his patience was rewarded a few moments later when Legolas took a steadying breath and began to speak. "I am losing memories. II can no longer recall the details of my mother's life–what little I ever knew of it. I no longer recall her voiceher face" He stopped speaking as a solitary tear slipped from his eyes and he clenched then shut against the deluge to come.

Celeborn placed a hand on Legolas' fiercely clenched fist and sent a surge of peace and understanding through the touch. When Legolas looked up at him, he offered a small smile. "Your remember her love for you. For now that will be enough. Your father and brother are here for you and they will not let you walk this path alone."

The simple statement compelled more of a response than a question would have, and Legolas spoke with a look of determination–even stubbornness in his eyes. "I would not share this burden with them, for to tell them I am forgetting my past" He looked away, and Celeborn saw him swallow twice before continuing. "I would not have them think I might forget them."

Celeborn's heart bled for the anguish the Prince sought to hide from those who might best help him bear it. "Ah, Greenleaf, your thought is noble. You would protect them while you may and yet you deny them the chance to do as much for you. You will not forget they who stand before you. You may forget moments or perhaps years, but you will not forget them anymore than you have truly forgotten your mother."

It had taken a few minutes of coaxing before Celeborn had been able to calm the prince. Looking back on it, the Lord of the Golden Wood could not help but wonder if Saruman might have caused the discomfort. Not intentionally, surely, but perhaps, less sensitive to the things that might upset an elf in so unusual a condition, something the Wizard might have said could have set the young Prince to considering things it would be best not to consider just yet. It had been after the White Wizard's brief moments with Legolas that he'd become so silent and sullen.

This was one of the things he wished to discuss with Galadriel. His wife, he knew, would have insights he would not partly from her gift of foresight and partly because, whether human or elfkind, male and female perspectives differed widely.

He watched her as she settled herself against the base of a tree, still watching all that took place around her. Her beauty still astonished him as did the fact that she loved him. He had never stopped thanking Eru for her presence in his life.

She seemed to feel his gaze upon her and smiled the slightest of smiles. "We have much to discuss." She turned and looked up at him, and her smile broadened. He took that as an invitation to sit by her.

Claiming his customary position to her right, Celeborn wondered if he should speak first or wait for her. His thoughts were interrupted when she spoke. "The Greenleaf is troubled, but it is Hope that will prevail."

Celeborn did not respond immediately, but when he did he mimicked her careful phrasing. "The White One spoke to the Greenleaf before he left us."

"He does not always tell us all he could."

Celeborn smiled. That statement applied well to both Saruman and Legolas, but he knew she meant the former. "We will be safe enough when we reach Lothlorien."

"We must hurry."

This surprised him. "We will be there the day after tomorrow."

She shook her head sadly. "We must be there tomorrow, or it may be too late."

He looked into her eyes noting the emotions flitting about deep within them, which anyone else would not have seen. "What have you seen?"

She was silent for some time, but when she spoke, her voice was so soft that even among elves, only Celeborn could hear her. "There is one chance to save the Prince, and once chance only. I fear it is not in my hands."

He had suspected she might claim to be unable to help Legolas, but he had not expected her to declare this to be so before they reached the Golden Wood. He thought it might be appropriate to speak to her and assuage her concerns, but, finding no words, he merely took her hand and sat holding it most of the night.

Galadriel rose early enjoying the early hours of the day as the first hint of dawn barely touched the sky. She and Celeborn had spoken to Elrond, Thranduil, Gandalf the night before. Gandalf had mentioned how he had from time to time used a small spell to ward off unwanted attention that he had sensed. He had mentioned that could not keep this up for more than a brief time, and he was still unsure what danger there might be.

She knew they were close enough to their destination to push through. If they shortened their breaks, if the nearly healed among their wounded would bear the strain, they could make Lothlorien before the next dawn.

Elrond's distraction had surprised her. He was generally attentive when others spoke, but she had known him long and was aware when he was distracted. She also knew it was usually concern for his children that troubled him.

In this case she hadn't been surprised to learn that he worried over Estel. He would not speak of it before they were safely within the Golden Wood, but his young son–she smiled at that thought, remembering Elros from whom this youngster actually descended–had some thought about how to heal Legolas. She had suspected he would. During the headlong flight from Lothlorien all done at little more than her word that 'an elf Prince of Mirkwood was in danger' she has sensed that a corner would be turned, a path opened where before it had been blocked, a road chosen where before it had been feared. She could not have said whose corner, path, or road it would be, but now, seeing the worry on Elrond's face and the determination on Estel's it was apparent.

Estel was choosing his destiny, and for some reason, this frightened Elrond. Was it the idea that he could lose his son? He had known that when he had adopted the child. An elf did not take in a human child without knowing he would, one day, watch that child die. Prophetic destinies concerning the reunification of human kingdom's aside, regardless of whether Estel chose to accept such a destiny, he would die. Accepting it did not alter his ultimate fatethe fate of all Men.

Perhaps Elrond was concerned about Estel calling attention to himself. She and all who knew his true identity referred to him publicly as Estel. One day, that would be unnecessary. One day, when the time came for him to claim his birthright, Estel would adopt his true name. Later, he would be called Elessar. She knew this was so, but she also knew the mercurial nature of the future. Even the wisest cannot tell which path would lead to which end.

Abandoning such thought until she could discuss them with Elrond in the privacy of her home, she thought again of Saruman. Celeborn had mentioned to her the other evening that Saruman had been alone with Legolas before his departure. The thought unsettled her, though she could not yet say why. In Lothlorien, when she felt free to speak, she would discuss that visit with the young Prince. She would know what Saruman said. She would search for some hint that the Wizard's words might have held a meaning aside from that which the forlorn Elf Prince would discern. It was not a lack of intelligence on Legolas' part that would cause such a misunderstanding, but a lack of experienceof years dealing with duplicity. In Mirkwood, the Shadow was not so subtle.

She mused over that thought. Why had her mind connected thoughts of Saruman with thoughts of the Shadow? The encroaching darkness of the Enemy could not hold sway over a Maiar? Though it had. It had indeed apparently held the Ithryn Luin in its grasp. Would Saruman be strong enough to turn from whatever had lured the Blue Wizards to abandon their directive from the Valar?

If he were not, the final battle, when it came, as surely it must, would be that much harder to win.

Haldir had set the perimeter guards the night before and he and Tauron had taken it upon themselves to walk that perimeter all night. "Tor," he called softly to his friend. "Do you sense"

Before he could ask the question, Tor's eyes widened. "Comewe should get a better perspective." In an instant the other elf had leaped into the nearest tree. Haldir watched after him for a moment before following his example.

Settled in the treetop, it wasn't difficult to locate what Haldir had sensed.

"Yrch!" Tor hissed between clenched teeth, adjusting his grip on his bow.

Haldir nodded. "Not many. Fifteen at best, unless my eyes deceive me."

Tor nodded. "They do not, my friend, but we must raise an alert. A small group of us will be enough to take them out."

Haldir did not agree. "Nay, my friend. They are even now disappearing into the caverns and holes to hide away from the sun's glory. We will not find them unless we venture within those dark places. I would not choose to enter another cavern for so little reason."

"It seems reason enough. We are only a day or so from the Golden Wood, and I do not like the thought of those foul creatures so near our borders." Tor's insistence was not lost on Haldir, nor did the March Warden disagree. The thought of orcs hiding so near their home, of them perhaps creeping closer within the confined secrecy of their stone passages was enough to flood him with a sort of fearful indignation.

"Come." Haldir shifted position in preparation for slipping down to the ground. "We must report this to our Lord. It is likely he will want the company to ride out swiftly while we dispatch these foul creatures. We will meet them after we have see to it."

Together the duo returned to the ground, and Tor followed Haldir to Celeborn's side.

Haldir bowed to his Lord and Lady. "I would wish a chance for a more formal greeting, but I must report. We spotted a band of orcs, 15 at most, taking cover from the rising son. There is every chance they do not know we are near. I do not believe they could have tracked us from the other caverns, so these must be a different group."

Celeborn listened to the report and nodded in silent agreement. He turned to his wife, and, after a silent communication, turned back to Haldir. "We will keep alert on our journey. If we need to camp again tonight, we will send a group to deal with them, but we should reach Lothlorien before the next dawn."

Haldir had expected such a response. Knowing their proximity to Lorien, he had assumed news of the orcs would have some effect on their plans, but he had also felt over the days recently past that the urgency to reach home was increasing.

Such urgency could conceivably have made him more sensitive to the proximity of orcs to the Golden Wood, but he could not help but feel that perhaps Tor was right. The orcs could not be allowed to linger so close to Caras Galdthon.

To Be Continued

Deana: Thanks.

Linuvial Greenleaf: Glad to see you're not lurking anymore. Isn't it better to be out here in the sunshine with the other elves? Thanks for reading and reviewing.

AM: Sorry!

Elven Kitten: Yes, Aragorn seems to know even more than I do.

Silvertoekee: Aragorn's plan will be revealed in or near Lothlorien depending on what I decide to dowell, you'll just have to wait and see. Good thing we're almost there.

Sirithiriel: Thanks. More soon, I hope.

Tychen: I'm never upset by follow up emails or an extra shove in the right direction to get me going again. I don't know exactly what I'm going to do with Saruman, but I'm working on it. I hope not to have so long a wait between chapters.

Mystical Panther: Sorry for the delay. I hope you enjoy this. Yes, he suspects something. Most of them do, even if they don't realize it yet!

Grumpy: Thanks for reading and reviewing. I'm not quite finished with Saruman yet.

Alariel: I love your suppositions. I won't say what's right or wrong as far as the next few chapters, but I will say you are insightful. What Saruman has done and how will be revealed, and there will still be several more chapters to go. BTW, thanks for your extra email. You prompted me to hurry up with this chapter.

Leggylover03: Estel has to agree with you on that!

Beling: Ooops! Sorry! He's got more to say and will say it soon. I promise.

Catherinexxix: Thanks! I'm thrilled that Aglarelen seems so real to you, and that you like what I've done with Celeborn, Galadriel, and Gandalf. I really love those characters, and I like Celeborn to be more than just an extension of Galadriel if you take my meaning. More to come soon. So, you like a curious Gandalf? Heee! Me too! You seem taken with the Ranger as well. Aragorn seeking Elrond's thoughts on his plan was inevitable, and I wanted to show a bit more of Elrond's fatherly concern.

WhiteWolf1: Legolas angst! Ya gotta love it! I just thought Legolas' memory had to be addressed. That would be one of the more intriguing changes in going from elf to human. It's got to be a surprise to him at the very least. Yes, Aragorn is pretty sure he can do this, but Elrond is gonna take some convincing.

Chloe Amethyst: Thanks! I'm glad Celeborn and Galadriel are coming across as I intend. I love those characters. The elves are so intriguing to me, and Celeborn and Galadrielwell there's so much history between the two. We're getting closer to discovering how Legolas will be restored to himselfif it works that is(cue evil laughter!)