THE SPACE BETWEEN

Authror's note :

Hi guys! So sorry for taking forever to post this thing... I guess I've been spending a bit of time outside in the pretty sunshine that suddenly dissapeared on Thursday... and then I had to work on sending the invitations for my parents 25th wedding aniversary. (itsa surprise, don't tell them!) So sorry for the delay, I hope you still like me.. :(

Well again I'd like to thank Treehugger for reviewing! ;) Thank you so much! And also thank you goes to those who emailed me!

Some of the dialogue in this chapter comes from the book itself and a bit of the movie too, its not too hard to find them...

Chapter Two

Whispers in the Wind

Legolas peered into the vast scenery before him. Snow. All he saw was that white glittery fluff that felt just as soft clouds when one would fall into it. Of course, to Legolas snow was often a source of amusement, but at this time it was a source of hardship. The Fellowship had chosen, under Gandalf's leadership, to pass over the Misty Mountains, Caradhras. Legolas pranced lightly on the snow, barely leaving any footprints behind, while the others, especially the hobbits, struggled to pave their way through the merciless fluff. On many occasions the poor little hobbits fell backwards, to them climbing Caradhras was an eternal struggle.

And so the turmoil continued. Staring at the great white expanse, Legolas was again reminded of a happier time. Right before him, in his mind's eye, he recalled a distant memory of a young Prince and a beautiful Elf maiden strutting on the crystal snowflakes of Caradhras.

They were on their way to Rivendell, Legolas and Willow enjoyed the occasional voyage. It was to them a refreshing change of scenery. As they started up the Misty Mountains they had smelled the pure fresh scent of new fallen snow. As they strutted up the cloudlike substance, a sudden urge to form a sphere with the snow and project it at each other's direction was a temptation too difficult to resist. And so, without being noticed, Legolas scooped up a large amount of snow in his hands and hurled it in Willow's direction. Just so happened it was at that moment, she decided to turn around to speak to him, the snow hit her right in the face at full spead. Terribly surprised she fell face first in the snow like a limp doll. Her face hit the snow quite hard, she barely had the time to spread her hands to break the fall. At the sight of her falling Legolas, could not control his laughter. It was hilarious to see her fall in such a way. Willow attempted to shake off the excess snow off her as she looked up to Legolas, her visage frosty white. The expression of surprise and frustration as she got up and shook off more snow, only made Legolas' laugther even louder. Feeling utterly ridiculous, Willow did not share the Prince's amusement.

Legolas helped Willow to her feet. They both agreed to continue their way to Rivendell. Of course, silently they knew better, the war wasn't over. It wasn't a moment that they had started to walk again that Willow plotted her revenge. After all, revenge is a dish served best when cold.The Prince ignored that Willow aslo succombed to that irresistible temptation. Before he knew it, she flung a snow ball at him. Surprised for he did not expect this sudden attack, although knowing Willow, he should have expected it, he lost his balance and fell into the snow beneath him.

"Ah!" Was his respons as he was sheepishly thrusted in the snow, tears of laughter rolling down his face. He glanced towards Willow who was twisting in a shower of laughter, preparing to launch another snowball. This one hit the Prince squarrely in the face where he then suddenly stood up and charged for the Elf and threw her in the snow. However this one was cunning enough to drag the Prince down with her so they both fell flatly. Laughter was followed by more laughter. Legolas filled his hand with snow and covered Willow's face.

"There!" He said as he smothered her face. "That'll teach you for attacking in such a ..." He did not have time to finish his sentence when Willow also shoved snow in his face.

"Ha! I would not speak if I were you! Maybe next time you shouldn't keep your guard down! Especially after initiating a war such as this one!" She replied with a maniacle laugh. Legolas stared at her apprehensively.

"You believe we are at war?"

"Oh yes" She replied softly, in mock seriousness. Legolas smirked then softened his gaze and his face was drawn towards hers. However Willow was not ready to give in just yet, she grabbed him by the nape of the neck as if to pull him closer for that inevitable kiss. Then with lightening speed, she pushed him back into the snow, drowning his face in it. Willow then ran off deeper into the mountain, laughing insanely as the dumbfounded prince stared at her in disbelief.

"Oh don't you worry my little one. This is not over yet. I'll return the curtersy one of these days oh yes I will." Of course Willow ran swiftly and they reached the end of the Misty Mountains with much laugther and much covered in snow.

Legolas remembered that day, it was as clear to him as it was cold on the Misty Mountains. He smirked as these warm thoughts flickered in his heart. That was all that was left, flickered random thoughts here and there, and the soft echoes of laughter echoing deep inside his heart.

The wind grew stronger and the Fellowship found it more and more impossible to continue on this path. A halt was called for and Gimli the dwarf took yet another occasion to to suggest passage through the caves of Moria. Legolas hoped and prayed that this suggestion would not be taken seriously.

"I hate caves!" whined Legolas. "I hate them." He told himself repeatedly. Back in Caradhras, the Fellowship had discussed coming to Moria or not. Gimli was the only one in favour of going, the others where very reluctant. Boromir had asked Legolas of his thoughts. "I do not wish to go to Moria." Had replied the Elf. The others, safe for the dwarf, shared his opinion.

Legolas wondered why they had chosen to come here in the first place. Oh yes! He remembered their passage through Caradhras was incredibly difficult. It did not bother Legolas, who could have continued with ease, but the others were struggling. To add to that, Saruman had noted their passing and attempted to worsen the situation. And so despite the fact that no one wanted to go, Frodo the ringbearer chose to pass under the Misty Mountains, through the mines of Moria, and Legolas was silently cursing that decision.

No one knew of the Elf's passionately intense hatred for caves. The feeling of being away from the graceful trees, confined in a small, stuffy dwarf rodent infested cave for four days tormented him, made him sick to his stomach. It was a wonder the Elf had not thrown up at the sight of the only entrance crumbling right before his eyes, courtesy of the Watcher in the water that had attacked Frodo."Do not be so selfish Legolas. The others could not have survived any longer on the Misty Mountains." Legolas listened to the wise little voice speaking from within the Elf's head. He sighed.

As they wandered in darkness, through the mines, the Elf wandered in his thoughts in the hope to forget where he was. His mind riverted once again to the only thoughts that brought him any joy whatsoever, to his beloved Willow."Well being trapped in the depths of hell is nothing compared to not having Willow. Oh how I would wander through ten thousand caves just to see her smile again." To one this would seem like an exageration, but in Legolas' heart, he truly meant it. He would do anything just to feel her presence. His fingers ached at the thought of stroking her hair, touching her face. His lips burned, urged to feel hers against his. Everyday was for him an eternal struggle, it was worse that any burden he ever suffered through. Not even all the years of malice and unkindliness his father had bestowed upon him would equal the pain he felt in his heart. He would rather feel physical pain than the residue of the cowardly tortuous acte his father committed.

As Legolas raced out of Khazad-Dûm, thousands of thoughts twirled in his mind. The Balrog, one of the very few things that terrified the Elf, had crept from the shadow and had taken away his dear friend Mithrandir. As the Fellowship reached the other side of Moria, the Elf prince stared in disbelief, helplessly hoping that somehow Gandalf the Grey would be following. He did not.

Mithrandir. Legolas could not believe he was truly gone. He did his best to hide his grief and show strength to help the others cope, especially the hobbits, they were particularly fragile. He glared at those grieving, he could hear Aragorn ordering everyone about, comanding the Prince and Boromir to help the hobbits to their feet.

"Give them a moment!" Had retorted Boromir, his voice grief-stricken and shaky. Legolas silently aggreed with him. Just a moment that's all they need. Aragorn's voice was stern, his sorrow well hidden.

"We cannot stay here."

With a sweeping glance, over the scene before him, Legolas could see far beyond them the Golden Wood. A surge of relief-filled comfort ran through his body.

"Lothlórien! Lothlórien! he cried

"We must make for Lothlórien." Agreed the Ranger.

Momentarily forgetting the recent tragedy, Legolas enthusiastically let the way towards a land he had not set foot in, in well over one thousand years. To the others, he simply seemed a little more than anxious to arrive.

As they headed for Lórien, the Fellowship could barely keep up with Legolas, who had found new strength that sent him surging through. Once they penetrated the Golden Wood, a sudden sense of peace surrounded them, all was silent safe for the wind whispering words of wisdom.

However most of the Fellowship felt uneasy in the woods, save for Aragorn and Legolas, who allowed the power of the Lórien Elves to seep through them.

"He said dwarfs breath so loud they could have shot them in the dark." Bemused, Legolas looked at the insulted dwarf, who grumble some inaudible nonsense.

Haldir turned his angry eyes away from Gimli and glared at the unusual formation of individuals, keeping his stare onto his kin. "Come, the Lady is waiting." He said and lead them through the forest, Legolas walking silently besides him.

"Long has it been since you have passed in these woods, young prince." He spoke tp Legolas, in Quenya, the exquisite tongue of the High Elves.

"Yes, it has. Long have I desired to return. It is very surreal." Safe for the other Elves and Aragorn, who was fluent in Elvish, no one understood the conversation between the two friends. "Being so close, I do not know how to react. It has been so long."

"Do not worry my young friend, in time you shall find yourself again. Your presence here is a relief for I fear the worst for our little one."

"Now you shall rest, and we will not speak of your further road for a while." The Fellowship stood before the great Lord and Lady of the Lothlórien

Celeborn had just finished welcoming them, when Galadriel spoke one final word that no one could comprehend except for one. "What your heart desires still remains. You know where to go. Please hurry for time is slipping away."

After she finished her words, Legolas heard the Lord's voice in his mind. "It is good to see you again, Son of Thranduil. Long have we awaited your return. Her spirit has weakened, her soul is breaking."Vaguely confused by the Lady's elusive words, the Fellowship left the Hall, stunned and amazed by the Lord and Lady's glorious presence. Haldir let them down the great flet towards their camping grounds where they were to stay.

They passed before the Garden of Earthy Delights, the place where Legolas had spent many a night with his beloved Willow. His heart sank as he noticed how it had grown dark and uninviting over the past millenia.

Gimli looked at Legolas in amazement. "That Lady Galadriel was something truly impressive." The Prince did not acknowledge the dwarf's attempt at conversation.

"I don't suppose you know what she meant by what we desire, do you?" Pippin glared at the Elf, hoping to get him to speak. He looked at Gimli and shrugged.

"Legolas? Are you well?" Asked Gimli, his voice sounding a little more concerned.

Legolas did not hear the dwarf's words, he was saddened by the Garden's darkened state. Once it was a beautiful garden of delight, filled with the sound of laughter. Now it was a desolate lonely place, mourning the loss of a loved one.

As the Elf peered into the garden a warm breeze surrounded him. Suddenly he heard a faint voice calling out to, him. So faint a voice he could barely hear it, surely the others noticed nothing. The wind spoke to him in a voice he had not heard in one thousand years."Legolas... come ... to ... me..."

Well I hope that wasn't too bad. I hope you enjoyed it! And please drop me a line to let me know what you think, I could sure use your input!

Ciao,

Karina :)