Part Three

The journey to the Shire took many days. Legna, who had never traveled farther than to the Brown Lands to visit sick family, had badly rationed the food she had brought. Legolas and Legna were down to their last piece of Lemba's bread by the 17th day into Thrimridge.

"Legolas, you are an elf of wisdom and experience. How will we live the journey with but one piece of Lemba's bread left?" Legna asked. But all the blonde prince did is shake his head.

"I know not what to do. I've never been approached by such a situation like this one." he said. Legna scanned his face. It was darkened with the truth. The cold hard truth that told Legna he had not the faintest idea of what to do. Legna scanned the horizon, using her elf eyes to guide her.

"A farm is close. Maybe the farmer will spare us some food for the journey." Legna said, her brow narrowed in thought. Legolas followed her gaze. He too, saw the farm. It looked abandoned.

The two of them set off, just as the sun started to set. When they got close enough to make out the details of the farm, they were greatly disappointed.

The farm's window had been smashed from the outside and glass littered the carpets. A horse chained up nearby was pawing the ground nervously as if something dreadful had just happened. The roof was charred and a chasm the size of a fully-grown great Dane was burned into the wood. The open door swayed off its hinges with the help of the
breeze.

"Just as I thought. Deserted." Legolas sighed.

"But it just can't be!" Legna cried. Her stomach growled.
Suddenly, a gallop erupted and the chained horse started to neigh insanely. The two confused elves turned. Three of the strangest creatures were galloping towards them. They had the face of a lion, body of a tiger, and hooves like a horse. It's wild and long teeth were bared. Stone spikes were lined along its back and long malicious nails sprouted from it's tail. It had the bark of a dog, but the growl of a bear.

"Oh my word!" Legna exclaimed. At exactly the wrong moment, she fainted.

" Just perfect." Legolas moaned. He whipped out his bow and arrow and shot it at the creature in the lead. It moaned like a Nazgul and fell. The other two growl and galloped faster towards Legolas.
Legolas shot the two remaining creatures. The smallest of them took two steps before collapsing.

"Those darn letwins!" Legolas cursed, referring to the odd creatures. He bent down, examining the unconscious Legna. He poked her.

"Legna, wake up!" he said loudly.

He slapped her across the face.

"Wakeup!" he shouted.

He shook her shoulders a bit, but still Legna lay there.

"Wake up you filthy beast!" Legolas said, purely out of anger.

"Wake---OUCH!" Legolas whipped around. Somebody had punched him from the back. But all he saw was the disturbed horse. He looked back at Legna--or at least where Legna had been. She was gone!

"Wha--?" He said, clueless. He turned around again. Someone had punched him again! Legna looked back at him, smirking.

"How did you---when did you? Huh?" he stammered. Legna's gray eyes were locked into his icy blue eyes.

"We should get going. I'm hungry and Rivendell is right past the Misty Mountains. I have family there that will supply us with enough food." Legna said coolly. She mounted her fiery horse, tightened her corset and rode off. Legolas sighed and galloped after her on his white steed.

They soon approached the Misty Mountains. Snow whirled around them and it stinged their sensitive eyes.

"I can't see a thing!" Legna exclaimed.

"I'm guessing you've never been near the Misty Mountains during a snow storm?" Legolas asked, trying to keep the hood of the green cloak he wore atop his head. Legna shook her head.

"We have to go over the mountains and leave our horses." Legolas said, studying the way the mountains curved at certain angles, the edges looking flimsy and most definitely not strong enough to hold a couple of fully grown horses.

"Leave Magna? Most definitely not!" Legna said angrily. She had gotten Magna for her 1,000th Birthday, when Magna was a little foal.

"Trust me, they will know their way home!" Legolas protested.

"I'd trust Sauroman before trusting you, Legolas Greenleaf." Legna spat darkly. Legolas sighed grumpily.

"Do you want your best friend to die?" Legolas said madly.

"Of course not! What kind of sick mind do you think I possess!" Legna sneered.

"A very queer mind if you seriously think we'll survive if our horses have too much weight between them and the trails give out!" Legolas yelled. Legna pouted and gracefully slipped off her horse. Magna looked at her pitifully.

"Adu sleyt arout neth, Magna." Legna said sadly. Translated, that means, "I'll be back soon, Magna." Legolas slid off his steed and bowed his head. In return, the intelligent horse kneeled down. Together, the two horses trotted off in the opposite direction, leaving their masters alone.

Legna glared at Legolas and started to walk up the trail. Legolas followed, taking one last look at the horses. They were already a mile away, galloping at full speed.

"What is this girl's name?" Legolas asked, referring to Bianica.

"Bianica, Bianica Baggins. She's a hobbit of the Shire." Legna said, not looking at the Prince.

"As in Frodo Baggins?" Legolas said abruptly, remembering his friend from the Fellowship.

"Yes, that is her husband. They were married last December." Legna said knowledgably.

"Yes, I know. I was at the Wedding." Legolas said.

"Well, so was I." Legna said dully. "The funny thing is--" the elf was cut off.

"Shush! do you hear it?" Legolas interrupted. Legna shut her mouth and strained her ears to listen. Footsteps… someone was walking in the snow, each step crunching lightly. By the sound of it, a horse trotted beside the mysterious person… or creature. The two wood elves looked at eachother. Who could it be? They both seemed to be thinking the same thing: creep forward quietly.

The two of them crept forward, drawn by the soft pitter-patter of the constant walking of whatever lingered in front of them. The sound became more intense as they drew closer. The sound called to them, making the two entranced elves creep faster, louder. They turned a sharp turn---

The noise was gone. No pitter-patter of feet stepping in and out of the snow in front of them.

"What was-- how did--?" Legna stammered.

Suddenly, the noise started up again. But it was coming from behind, not front. Legna turned around worriedly. Legolas stood there, lightly jogging in place, reenacting the entrancing pitter-patter. He laughed at Legna's confused facial expression. Then, she seemed to understand.

"You jerk! It was you all along! How?" Legna asked, pouting.

"The same way you magically punched me in the back without making a single move." Legolas said cleverly.

"Fine. Don't tell me. See if I care." Legna said through gritted teeth.

The two of them continued onward, Legna not looking at Legolas at all. Not even a glance. The next day they finally reached Rivendell. A glorious waterfall welcomed them, shooting clear, glistening water ten feet in the air. Evergreens, elms, oaks, birch trees were scattered around the land. Below the enormous trees were clusters of various flowers such as petunias, pansy, daisies and other beautiful sights. Numerous elves ran out and about, tending to their orders. Some clipping the roses, others heading into the woods to find dinner for their families. A stout elf came up to them, dressed in green silk and bringing the atmosphere of being hurried.

"Prince Legolas! And malady?" the chubby elf said enthusiastically.

"Legna Warkanott of Mirkwood. I'm here to visit family." Legna said, gazing around the beautiful village.

"Ah, and is the Prince your spouse?" the elf continued curiously.

"Absolutely not. My sister is the one to marry this piece of orc scum." Legna said coldly.

She glared at Legolas. Seeing he touched a nerve, the elf did not press the situation.

"Well, welcome to the village of Rivendell. Who is it you wish to see?" he asked.

"My aunt and grandmother, Helenae Warkanott and Mestlanea Warkanott." Legna said shortly.

"Take the path called "Greenwich Road."' the elf said smartly. "If you need any more assistance, my name is Bernardo Helkswag."

Legna smiled at the stout elf and walked side by side with Legolas into the glorious city.