My apologies for my lateness of updating this chapter. Many reasons as to why due the holidays, college work, employment, family, illness, someone taken to hospital seriously ill and the fact that my computer have crashed for good. It taken me a long while just to retrieve this story from the computer.
Sorry, do forgive me but please be understanding as well!
I did have a case of writer's block as well, It taken me four attempts at this particular chapter using various scenarios that I may later reveal to you what they were but this one I felt gets you straight to the point and out of your misery.
For the first few chapters of the second half of this story are going to be restrained as Legolas struggles to find his answers from a court silenced in more than one way. Bare with me but I can assure you that it will re-bloom once again.
Legolas is now our main character and its with him we discover what happened in his absence, so if its all confusing…….its meant to be and written for that effect. You're sharing this with Legolas.
My apologies for leaving you hanging but here you go……and as you may notice…..we have anew set of rules to follow….tee hee!
Warrior's Code Number One – Always be prepared.
The sky threatened to rain as thick, dark clouds rolled over the sun, temporarily darkening the land. Ahead, at the tips of the mountain range that framed Mirkwood rumbled the threat of thunder. Legolas's ever seeing eye, saw even this far that there was rain upon his homeland and a smile born onto his face. The purple stain that jagged into the skyline, protruding above the expansive tree line that was his home, was the lonely Mountain. The one landmark, he and Gimli have been riding towards for the past few days.
After the long war of the ring, the elven prince has finally taken time to look upon the land he rode upon and cherish such beauty he seen. To his right were the lowlands that lead into the lands of Rohan, their skyline bleached with a wash of pastel hues, untouched by rain and thunder. Behind him was Gondor, where the new city was being reborn. Mist was hovering upon the grass where grazed a few wild horses, beasts that escaped from battlefields and lived in their newly, regained freedom.
Darkness was gone, and the land was the better without it. Birds sang where there wasn't any before, life grew upon ground where previously stained by Orcs and……Legolas inhaled a deep breath……….the smell of nature replaced the smell of spilt blood and war.
"Look ahead, Gimli. See the great expanse of trees?" Legolas pointed out, Arod stopping beneath his silent command upon the reign.
"You can't miss it laddy, what's so different from the last lot of tree you made me stop by and admire?" The rough voice of his dwarf friend, Gimli broke the tranquil quietness that stretched across the land before them and Legolas had to grin at that. Even in the direst of situations, His friend could never manage to lower the tone of his voice.
"Those trees are my homeland, we are near. My very veins tremble at being so." Legolas's voice held a note of warm praise as his eyes took in the land that was his by rule, after his father.
"By tonight, it's not going to be just your veins trembling is it?" Gimli laughed a bellowing laugh that made Arod snicker as if to make fun of his owner. Legolas grinned, "Aye, it has been too long."
"What's her name again lad?" Gimli enquired.
"Isil." Was his simple reply and Gimli smiled, he have seen many faces upon his friend's face but the goofy one that adorned it now was almost too comical to ignore. For several minutes he teased and Legolas took it all, good naturedly as he urged Arod to walk towards the tree line that loomed above them.
Several days after Aragorn was made king did Legolas receive his first bit of news for all those long years about Mirkwood. There has been a great attack upon the kingdom, whilst Gondor was under siege. Sauron wanted to take as much land as he could in one go but he underestimated the elven forces. Mirkwood formed an alliance with Lothlorien and in the aftermaths of the great and long war, Thranduil and Celeborn stepped forth and together renamed the vast forest, Eryn Lasgalen.
In previous towns and villages they pasted through, they heard of the tales concerning Legolas's kingdom. Of the lives lost, legends born and songs sung, he was curious regarding a few things he wished to seek further information.
One was of a legend of the White Wraith. A being that hunts down those who dare struck foul deeds upon elven grounds, a new enemy of the few armies of Orcs and Urks still found roaming the lands. The Wraith is linked to some secret society amid Thranduil's court, their deeds upholding justice and truth upon the land.
And another legend, Legolas knew to be accurate, which was that the three last elven realms of Middle Earth have put forward their best warriors to make up a small but elite force of elves that were the safe guard of Middle Earth whilst the kingdoms healed from their wounds sustained under Sauron and Saruman's long and dark reign. This force was called Estolian meaning Warriors of Hope. Or to their kind as the Knights of the Three Leaves, as represented by the combined unity of the leaf of Lorien, of Mirkwood and Rivendell.
Legolas saw them at Aragron's coronation, the king's own brothers Elladan and Elorhir were members as so were Haldir and Glorfindel. And much to Legolas's amazement, so to was Cleborn. Though they didn't have long to talk. Legolas was assured his kingdom was well and so was his father.
Legolas knew he had much ground to cover in his absence and eager to see his home, gleefully let Arod take the reign and gallop free across the land towards the trees, as Gimli cursed and bellowed his dislike of the ride.
The horse slowed at they approached the shadows cast by the trees and Legolas dismounted, leading Gimli atop of Arod into the forest. Almost immediately, Legolas could sense the change within the forests, the trees were talking whereas before they were silent. Dappled rays of sun flickered on the ground, whereas before they were obscured by giant webs of the huge spiders that nested in this domain.
He could smell the earth he walked upon, see the forest he ruled and touch the bark and feel at peace and at all this, Legolas marvelled. Whatever had happened, it had been for the good.
But before he could look upon his land any further, an arrow was aimed at his face and he halted. The war has taught him to be alert and his senses have sharpened for it but these elves were good…….very good.
The lone elf's arm never shook from pulling back the string, he wore a black cloak that had its hood up and upon his back, held twin red knives, the scarlet pummel of each blade clear to see. Their craft was rare and highly skilled. Whoever this was must be a superb warrior.
"Legolas?!" the elf exclaimed and at his outburst, several more elves landed upon the forest floor soundlessly, causing Gimli to yelp in surprise.
"Legolas!" the voice of the hooded stranger cried and in one motion, the elf threw back his hood and Legolas saw upon his fair face those similarities he left behind in Gondor.
"Cleborn!" Legolas hugged his friend and at that, noticed the other elves about them were too, lowering their hoods and smiling at the return of their prince.
"Well met, son of Thranduil!" Glorfindel grinned and he too was embraced in a brotherly fashion.
Amongst the small group revealed other faces, Hildir smiled broadly as so did his brothers and more surprisingly was Arkle, who seemed more regal in his wares of a knight of the three leaves. All elves wore a brooch at their breast, three leaves sheltering a small white flower of Hope and all wore a smile for Legolas who introduced Gimli in turn to each elf.
"Gave us fright you lads did, I warned Legolas you were in the trees." Gimli gruffly retorted, still getting over his own surprise. Legolas rolled his eyes and lead Arod along the small path as he fell beside Glorfindel and Cleborn.
"What news of my kingdom?" he asked.
"All is well. There have been skirmishes near the lake men's dwellings hence why we are here. We forced the batch of orcs out the forest but no doubt they'll return." Glorfindel replied he smiled as he looked over at the younger elf beside him. Of all the legends born in the siege that fell upon Middle Earth, Legolas was amongst the brightest.
"How fare you?" he asked as Legolas smiled, his wide blue eyes looked about him once more as he marvelled at the trees, "My heart rejoices to see this land once again but I'm at awe at how this forest have been cleanse. How was it so?"
"That is a long story and one that'll be best explained once you see the bigger picture." Glorfindel replied.
"Is this all of the Estolians?" Legolas asked once more, his curiosity unquenchable.
"Nay, the sons of Elrond are riding back with the lady Nerwen. They've been called to Lothlorien by Galadriel and should be back by sunset." Glorfindel's replied.
"Lady Nerwen? Pray do tell me of her." Legolas ears perked up at the foreign name, he doesn't recall meeting a lady of that name in his time amongst the court.
"She's a warrior who rose fast within the ranks of Eryn Lasgalen, at Thranduil's insistence for she is a remarkable soldier and much loved by her people. You'll like her I can assure." Cleborn told him; at his voice Legolas turned his head to his friend and smiled.
"I'm sure I will. And what of my servants? Do they fare well?"
"Arkle and Keay are now married and one elfling on the way." Cleborn smiled over at Arkle who beamed upon over hearing the news.
"Finally! What took you so long?" Legolas laughed and Arkle grinned, "Nerves."
A chuckle reverberated within the group
"And what of Isil?" Legolas asked, there was a heavy silence then and Clebron halted. He looked helplessly over at Glorfindel who placed a hand upon Legolas's shoulder.
The prince's heart skipped a beat…then another as he jerked his head back and forth between Glorfindel and Cleborn.
"It is not our news to bare Legolas and we don't speak her name here no more. Lady Nerwen is the one you must speak to. Failing that, your father." Glorfindel quietly spoke.
"What is this? Have some foul fate befell upon her?" Legolas panicked but a strong hand upon his shoulder calmed him. He looked up at Gimli who spoke, "Calm lad, no fate has befallen Isil. Just wait till we're back at the kingdom eh? Now isn't the time and place to talk about it."
"Master Gimli is correct, for there are some guards ahead that will escort you back to your palace, we must leave you to patrol the borders and await the return of our lady. Farewell Prince and fear not what your heart fears." Glorfindel smiled but a shrill cry made him look upwards to the sky. From the trees flew a kestrel, a bird of prey with bright eyes, sharp talons and large wings it folded once it perched on Glorfindel's outstretched hand.
"Kes…what news you bring?" The elf mused as he unravelled a message from Kes's leg, he read it and sent Kes flying by a jerk of his hand as he shrilly whistled and shouted, "To the horses!"
From the trees came their rides as Legolas looked at his friends all mounting, "The Lady Nerwen calls for help, she and the sons of Elrond have been ambushed by orcs near the lake men's town and we must ride to their aid. Legolas? Master Gimli? Would you join us in this fight?" Glorfindel shouted.
"Need you ask?" Gimli roared and without waiting for Legolas, he rather boldly for someone who dislikes horses, spurred Arod on, much to Legolas's protest. He caught the reins in time and swung himself up as the Estolians rode out to their comrade's aid.
Kes flying ahead, leading the way but he need not for the shrill sound of blades upon blades echoed far into the forest. They broke from the tree line to look down in the valley to see the orcs like an army of ants spilling into the small wooden village but they were held off by the many armed men that attacked with the venom of one angry snake.
Even this far, they could see Elladan and Elorhir due to the black cloak and scarlet blades they wielded.
"Deeeeeeath!" Glorfindel yelled, and the Estolians kicked their horses and yelled as they wielded their swords and rode down the valley at a furious pace. Arod took off without waiting for a command; his pace was one unrivalled as he charged ahead of the charge. Legolas, squeezing his knees to grip onto his ride, reached back with his arms and pulled out his knives and with one slice, it cleaved an orcs head and maimed another.
He felt Gimli jump from Arod's back behind him, smiling at his friend's eagerness to join the battle. The cries of several dying orcs confirmed this as Gimli roared and Legolas heard his axe cutting through armour, flesh and bone.
Not to be outdone by a dwarf, he dismounted on one leapt and attacked a small cluster of orcs, his knives singing as they sliced through the air, like the razor sharp blades they were, making the air hum its fatal tune.
"They're fleeing!" cried a man, and a cheer went up from the lake men as they watched the orcs scurry off into the surrounding forest in retreat.
"My, what a day for surprises….first this and then you." Elladan smiled as he walked up to Legolas whilst cleaning his blade. "How fare you my kin?"
"Well, especially after this fight." Legolas grinned and received a hug from one half of the twins.
"I make my count twenty seven." Cried Elorhir to his brother but Gimli snorted, "Thirty three and I arrived late." he received a stunned stare from Elorhir, "I've been outdone by a dwarf!"
"This is master Gimli, he travelled by my side during my time in the fellowship."
"He needs no introduction, we heard of him and it pleasure us to finally meet the dwarf in question. I'm Elladan and that stunned poppet over there is my brother Elorhir." (Poppet is an old word of a doll…need I say no more?!)Elladan introduced himself with a bow of his head.
"It a pleasure to hear you has heard of my fine reputation. Pleased to meet you." Gimli chuckled.
"Your reputation is upheld by your deeds you done today. I fear no elf have outdone you." Elorhir smiled.
"Thirty four." Legolas spoke up; he ignored Gimli's hostile stare and the stifled giggles of the twins, "That one was twitching." He kicked a dead orc's body which was impaled by his knife.
"Legolas! Not this again!" Gimli roared as aLegolas argued back, "Hey! I was fair!"
"Fair? My ar……" Gimli's roar was interrupted by the hushed voices of the lake men. The elves turned with interest to see a hooded figure emerging from the tree line.
"The white wraith!" came the cry of one man and Legolas could see that even from this far, he couldn't miss the startling whiteness of the elf's hair that hung free and blew in the wind from under the cloak's hood.
The lake men bowed their heads in respect as the elf walked past them towards the Estolians as Haldir cried, "What's your final tally?"
"Thirty Four." Came the voice and Legolas stared curiously at the hooded figure. Was this Nerwen?
"That puts you at evens with Legolas." Haldir smiled as the elf joined the group. The elf turned his head towards Legolas but the hood was too far down for him to see the elf's face who said nothing.
"Your sword, I retrieved it from your victims you slain." Glofindel spoke up and held out a sword.
"My thanks Glorfindel." The elf spoke and Legolas's watched the elf's hand reach out and take it, his eyes widened as he swore he recognised the sword from somewhere.
"It's too late; I've already spotted your wound." Glorfindel rolled his eyes as the elf sighed, "I am fine and in no need of your hospitality. I will ride ahead to inform Thranduil of this attack."
"Allow Elladan and Elorhir to escort you." Glorfindel reached out to pull down the hood but the stranger grabbed his hand. Glorfindel stared at the elf who so refused his nursing, his eyes narrowed as his silent threat hung heavy in the air.
The stranger knew he couldn't win and took Glorfindel aside where a quiet argument, too quiet for Legolas's ears pursued. He had a feeling they were discussing himself and whatever point the stranger made to Glorfindel, the taller elf relented and gently smiled. Without taking the hood down, Glorfindel looked at the stranger's wound, where he clucked his tongue and administered some basic first aid before being waved away by the stranger who turned and mounted his ride.
"Elladan. Elorhir." Glorfindel simply instructed and the twins bade their goodbyes and mounted their rides to ride alongside the hooded stranger. The noise of their horses' hooves faded away, leaving Legolas to stare after the strange spectacle he witnessed.
"Was that Lady Nerwen?" he asked, his voice silencing the quiet gossip between Haldir and his brothers.
"Nay, Lady Nerwen have been fortunate and ridden ahead of the twins, she's at the kingdom as we speak." Glorfindel smiled as he mounted his ride.
"Then who was that?" Legolas asked, wanting to find out more.
"That was a powerful elf that prefers to keep his face a secret. Good thing too for he carries out much of Thranduil's undercover work. To reveal his face is to blow his cover. You must forgive us for seeming rude to you, proper introductions will be made later at a better time." Glorfindel swung his mount to face Legolas who looked up.
"I understand that I've much to catch up on." Legolas smiled as he climbed upon Arod who waited patiently, reaching down, he gave Gimli a hand to clamber upon the horse whilst the rest of the Estolians mounted and waited for the order to move out.
"Tell us of your tales Legolas, for we are in dire need of a fresh new legend to spread amongst your people." Arkle grinned; his suggestion was greeted by a mass approval as Gimli looked up to see Legolas smiled, "That I will."
The tales that fared Legolas and Gimli ended when they saw the kingdom of Eryn Lasgalen. Awed by its rebuilt supremacy, Legolas looked around to see beautiful buildings of the finest craft, some complete amongst others in early stages of construction. The trees were lighter, and the air was clearer as elves carried out their busy lives, talans above their heads where babes cried, parents scurried and laughed and below was a market day.
Animals brayed as they were bartered for, the clang of the distance hammer upon an anvil provided the tempo as life carried on, watching the horsed riders rode through the fray.
"Much has changed Legolas, peace rules the land and your people rejoice for it." Glorfindel spoke, but words weren't needed for Legolas could feel it, see it and even touch it.
A distant horn blew and Legolas looked over to the palace where he could see many elves upon its steps.
"They are calling you home." Glorfindel smiled.
"And I shall heed them." Legolas urged Arod to trot, his hooves clattering upon the courtyard as he entered the palace grounds to the cheer of soldiers welcoming their finest warrior home.
He halted Arod and turned to climb the steps to where his father waited with a smile, he hugged his only son with tears upon his eyes as he whispered for his ears only, "Welcome home son, my heart grieved until this moment."
"My heart rejoices to be home ada." Legolas grinned where he received another hug.
"Come, your arrival interrupted our lunch, join us……your friend too." Thranduil looked down to stare into the eyes of the dwarf who looked dis-trustingly up at the king.
"Gimli, I have the unfortunate pleasure of knowing your family name, for I placed your father within one of my own dungeons. But I can assure you that you are made welcome to my kingdom and the only room that awaits you is the finest guest room." Thranduil smiled and bowed to the dwarf who looked for a moment stunned then bowed in return.
"Come. You too Estolians." Thranduil waved Glorfindel and his comrades into the hall laughing and chattering, humour was high as the court welcomed their prince home.
Legolas looked at the long dinning table were evidence laid of a disturbed meal. Several lords and ladies who remained behind stood to their feet and bowed low in respect for the king and his son who was given a chair at his father's side.
More chairs were brought in for the unexpected guests who wearily shook their cloaks and shrugged off their daggers and quivers to drink their wine with eagerness.
"Legolas, we have a state visitor from Lothlorien, Celeborn is here to discuss matters of security that our alliance requires. You are more than welcome to join us in these talks tomorrow." Thranduil smiled, he turned his attention to Glorfindel, "You are required to attend the council chamber at noon tomorrow."
"That will be so ." Glorfindel bowed his head and resumed drinking.
Legolas eyes fell upon the empty seat by Celeborn's side and looked down the table. All other seats were full with occupants he recognised, they acknowledge his interest with a nod or a smile, his curiosity was replaced by hunger when a plate of food was put before him. Remembering Isil, he looked up at the maid who served him to see it was the face of a stranger. As quick as hope rose, disappointment fell and Legolas soothed his beating heart with the wine he so missed.
Somewhere the door opened in the hall behind him and without warning, the Estolians rose to their feet and bowed their heads to the person walking towards the table.
"I've doubled sentry and let patrol two begin their rounds. I'm expecting a report from the Estolains on the northern border by sunset today regarding the orcs." Came the voice and his ears perked up, he looked up from drinking his wine to splutter upon it instead.
"Lady Nerwen." Celeborn smiled and pulled back her seat. The elleth clad in the same clothes as Glorfindel seated herself, her radiant snow white hair crowned her soft face and cold grey eyes as she looked across the table and smiled, "Glorfindel, I thank you for your assistance at Lake Town."
"My honour milady." Glorfindel smiled as he seated himself along with the rest of the Estolians who resumed their chatter.
"Lady Nerwen, my son has returned to us after years of war, he does not need to hear of yet more battles local to us." Thranduil spoke, at his voice the elleth halted in her actions of drinking and turned her piercing eyes to the head of the table where Legolas sucked in his breath.
He must have visibly paled for Gimli asked if he was alright.
He didn't answer except stare at the lady who lips twitched with annoyance. For all those years he had dreamed of laying his eyes upon her again, reclaiming the love he was forced to abandon and those memories came rushing back.
He was staring at Isil, his maid who was wearing the garbs of the finest warriors in the land and sitting near the head of the table by Celeborn and many lords of high respect. And for once in his long life, Legolas was confused and surprised.
