I FINALLY got the 6th chapter up! Sorry it took so long but writers block, a book, and twelve other stories just aren't helpful when it comes down to it. I hope you are enjoying watching Rhov's story as much as I have writing it. Please PLEASE read and review and tell what you think of it. Just so you all knowI'm beginning to toy with the idea of putting a romance inbut it's still on the drawing boards.
The mountains had been traversed with little difficulty and now Legolas and Rhov were arguing at the foot of the Misty Mountains facing the setting sun.
"I daresay it's been a lovely journey, my friend. Will you be toddling off to Mirkwood now or will you accompany me all the way to Imladris?" Rhov asked of his tired companion. "Or are you going to run off to Lothlorien to see the mallorn trees like you've been threatening to do since that vile salamander episode, or perhaps trot over to the Grey Havens?"
Legolas didn't even bother to reply to this ridiculous question. Rhov for some unknown reason had been unusually cheerful ever since leaving Mirkwood and even after Legolas whipped him black and blue after the incorrigible dark-elf had put a nasty green salamander down Legolas's shirt while he was watching for the wolves Rhov had sworn he'd heard. Of course he was going to Rivendell! Rhov had been there when Thranduil had given Legolas the message to bring Elrond.
A frog flew past Legolas' cheek, spread-eagled looking petrified. "Wake up! This is no time for sleeping! A few more days and we will have reached the hidden valley! Up!" Rhov shouted and pulled back his arm to throw another amphibious reptile at Legolas' head.
"I'm not going a foot further and that's final!" Although elves rarely tire fast, Rhov had driven them along at a rate even Legolas could not take for long and besides Legolas refused to be swayed when frogs were thrown at him. "Besides, look at your wolf. He looks nearly dead with fatigue."
Rhov groaned inwardly but sat down next to his friend, taking off his pack, stroking Lath. A desire to see something new and finally meeting Elrond Half-Elven was always on Rhov's mind and he could barely call up the self-control to not run off leaving his friend to camp by himself!
"Couldn't we just keep going? I'll go slower, I promise!" Rhov pleaded. Legolas frowned and couldn't help but think I wish he would have a little more pride! Begging like a human is NOT what elves do! However, Legolas shook his head and Rhov leaned against a boulder, defeated.
What a rotten life! Being shoved and bossed about by a pointy-eared, blond, elven princeling! Thus, Rhov went on in this strain, whispering into his wolf's ear until Legolas poked him.
"Wake up, sleepy! And you complain about me being tired!" Legolas gave a very un-elfish snort and continued, "I have some supper prepared and I hope it will keep your everlastingly empty stomach full!"
Rhov sniggered and then sat up and warmed his hands in front of the fire. Legolas had caught several fish from the nearby stream and they were frying nicely on two sticks. Well, you couldn't say much for Legolas' sense of humor but at least his cooking was not lacking when traveling.
The next morning (if you could call it that), Rhov shook his friend awake. "Come, I very much want to see Rivendell as soon as possible. Something told me last night that we must hasten, for someone is there that I must see."
Grumbling and yawning, Legolas pushed himself up from his cloak and strapped it on, noticing that Rhov had apparently stayed awake all night. Hitching his small pack onto his back, Legolas threw dirt on the fire smothering it. A soft life in the Elvenking's palace had spoiled Legolas more than he had thought, but at the same time why couldn't Rhov have waited for at least a little bit of gray to show on the horizon?
Rhov was nearly dancing as the two friends jogged along, the ground flying away underneath their light, quick feet. Lath ran about dodging around their legs, threatening to trip them, or chasing the odd rabbit or mouse into the brush. After a while, the sun finally peeked over the rim of the Misty Mountains warming their backs as they traveled through the land of Holly, where elves walked long ago.
Three days Rhov and Legolas jogged along until they spotted a small, almost invisible path running toward the West. Legolas stopped and held up his hand to stop Rhov who had been lingering behind to look at a bird that was riding on Lath's back.
"Here is our trail, my friend. Hurry or else I will arrive before you!" And with that the woodland elf charged off with Rhov hot on his heels calling to him, "Fie you cheater! Fie on you and tremble in your pretty boots, for I am the fastest runner in Middle-Earth!"
It did not take long for Rhov to catch up and pass Legolas and then suddenly, without a word, Rhov ground to a halt and stared over the edge of a ravine. Legolas did his best to stop but it was no use. In his wild charge, he slammed into Rhov and the dark-elf fell face first onto the beginning of the downward path then began to roll down the trail with Lath barking and Legolas running behind. With a thump, Rhov ran into an embankment of dirt and lay there dazed while Lath licked his face. Legolas finally caught up and then sat down on Rhov's back powerless to do anything but laugh.
Rhov growled, "Get off me you lump! All this traveling and yet you feel like you have spent four days feasting!"
"Very well! It was your fault, you know, and you did insult me; I'm not so sure I will get up." However, Legolas feeling slightly mollified at his friend's embarrassment, complied.
Rhov groaned as his merciful friend stood up, allowing him to breathe again. He picked himself up as well and stared around him while straightening his back. He could see the waterfall better now and the cliffs were glowing in the evening light, bird fluttered in and out of the trees that ringed the cliff sides. A soft breeze was flowing through the branches making a peaceful rustling sound that permeated the deep valley giving the listener peace of heart and mind. Rhov breathed in the air, suddenly feeling like he had arrived home for the first time in his life.
"Race you to the bridge!" shouted Legolas who had already sped ahead, breaking Rhov's reverie and sending the dark-elf hurtling after his friend.
They raced over the bridge with Rhov yelling something unintelligible behind Legolas. Unbeknownst to the two merry elves, Elrond had already been informed of their imminent arrival and was watching their approach over the bridge, his hand resting on a keen-eyed hawk. Elrond eyes rested mainly on Rhov who he had already been told about by Galadriel and Celeborn during the Meeting. Arwen had also been informed and now she was standing in the entrance of the door with shining eyes and a laugh darting around her mouth. The Elf-Friend smiled to himself as he thought of the many tales of woe that Thranduil had sent him, information that would have had a less brave elf quailing at the thought of having such a little (or big) devil in his home. Elrond was of a completely different mind; a little cheerfulness and mischief would make a nice difference in the slightly stilted joy that had followed the defeat of Sauron's shadow in Mirkwood. The fact that the Ring had been found but no more information than that, had set gloominess over everyone who heard or had any knowledge of the Ring's existence.
Legolas slowed down considerably as they neared the entrance of Imladris, Rhov on the other hand sprinted right through calling to his friend over his shoulder, "Hurry up you slowcoach or you'll miss dinner!" As the prince of Mirkwood, Legolas knew it just wouldn't look dignified to be seen running into your host's home like a wild vagabond. Rhov had no such inhibitions and careered in the courtyard with not a look to the left or the right, bearing down on the front door that was directly in front of him. Legolas had never heard that much about Arwen when Rhov spoke about his elflet years so it was with great shock, embarrassment, and downright jealousy that the elf watched his friend dive into the arms of Arwen Undomiel who had thrown open the door before Rhov could knock.
For the first time in 550 years, Rhov cried, not a loud or passionate crying, but it was quiet tears that slid down the dark-elf's cheeks as he felt his sister's arms around him. No longer did Rhov feel homeless, unloved, or unwanted; home had suddenly appeared out of thin air to greet him and he was heartily grateful for it. Legolas, of course, was so shocked to see his seemingly stoic friend crying that he forgot that the beautiful Arwen was holding his friend and ran up to give what comfort he could. Lath, for she was a smart canine, merely lay down, out of the way of walking feet, and waited for it all to end so she could be introduced. Rhov wiped his eyes and cheeks roughly, and looked up at the three faces staring at him (Elrond was behind his daughter), wondering why there was water all over his face.
No one said anything until Elrond spoke the words that were balm to Rhov's soul, "Welcome home, Rilian Rhovanion. I dare not say your full title or else we will be here all night." He turned to Legolas who was now looking slightly out of place. "I am glad you have come, my friend. Long is it since I have seen in my domain. You are truly welcome." Elrond then motioned them all inside and they stepped over the threshold, Lath trailing in their wake, his tale slowly wagging.
The next morning, Rhov woke up to birdsong right outside his window. His room wasn't dark but bright with the light of the sun as it rose on a new day. No, thought Rhov, Mirkwood may have been one a wonderful place but the black gloom of it is not what I like. Sunrays are just what I need. He was about to lay his head back on his pillow when it hit him like a thunderbolt. Rivendell! I'm in Rivendell! Arwen is here and so is Legolas, Lath, Elrond, Haldir, everyone! Rhov hopped out of bed and ran over to the washbasin against the far wall. Following his usual daily washing, Rhov dunked his entire head underwater and stayed in that position for about 10 seconds. Whipping his head out, he shook like a dog, thus finishing his morning wash. Legolas had often pointed out it was not quite right to merely stick ones head in water that had stood for who knows how long, then not even bother drying your face or hair with a towel.Rhov had then mention the fact that he really didn't need to clean every day, considering he only got really dirty once a week. The argument had taken place the day of the salamander episode and it had not ended (as we all know) with Rhov shouting, "WOLF!" and the slippery, slimly reptile slithering down Legolas's recently cleaned back.
"Come now lazy, breakfast was ready half an hour ago and your wolf has already terrorized the majority of the population. Lady Arwen wants a word with you." Legolas stood in the doorway leaning against the doorframe, grinning slightly.
"Ah, yes… I remember her mentioning something at dinner about a tour."
"Well? What in Middle-Earth are you waiting for? Your," Legolas faltered slightly as he said, "sister" but recovered and continued, "has been waiting downstairs for half-an-hour."
Rhov chuckled, "I shall be down presently, my friend. Perhaps I shall be able to talk with Haldir about the conditions in Lothlorien, I have been wanting to for some time now."
Legolas smiled once more then disappeared down the hallway. Rhov dressed as fast as he could then followed the hall to a small balcony where Arwen was waiting. Next to her were Haldir, Elrond, a strange looking man, and to Rhov's great joy, Orophin. He embraced the two elven brothers then sat down between the two. Arwen smiled as only she could and Rhov once again the powerful feeling of home. She spoke with what could only be amusement, "You have not changed your ways in the least, little brother; at least I did not have to send Orophin to tip you out of bed. Before we go on our walk, there are several things that must be explained to you before Gandalf and Bilbo arrive here, they will arrive very soon."