Chapter Eight: A Moment in the Sun

Legolas slept uneasily, tossing and turning in his dreams. Abruptly, he awoke with a thud and realized blearily that he had fallen out of his chair. Wondering what had awoken him, he groaned and dug his fists into his eyes to rub the sleep from them. He blinked and glanced around his room, his heart pounding in the darkness and silence. He shakily got to his feet, wincing as his legs and back creaked in complaint from the long hours spent in such a cramped position.

The darkness loomed before him, pressing upon his eyes. Even the comforting fire in the hearth had faded to cold ashes long ago. With hands trembling slightly, Legolas turned up the lantern that rested on his bedside table and raised it, the golden light washing over his pale face and sparkling in his blue eyes.

His room was empty and still. His cloak lay draped over the back of his chair and his long-untouched books still lay on the table. He swallowed hard and tried not to jump as he turned towards the window and heard the trees scraping against the glass. He shivered then, his eyes widened and he leapt back, scarcely suppressing a cry of terror.

Eyes.

Eyes were staring at him from out of the darkness of the corner but before the prince could master himself and peer closer, they blinked and were gone into the shadows. Legolas fumbled for his bow but it was too clumsy to wield one-handed and he would either have to set down his light or approach weaponless. He opted for the former and set the lantern carefully on the table where it would light the corners of his room and gripped his bow and a green-feathered arrow in his hands.

The window was latched tight though and there was nothing outside- save for the tormented trees swaying in the wind that howled through the chinks in the stone. Legolas looked around quickly but there was nothing- no shadow could hide in his room illuminated as it was by the lantern, however faintly.

But Legolas could have sworn he had seen those eyes inside his room.


A small corner of the garden was devoted to a shady elm tree beneath which white snow flowers bloomed, ankle high. A rippling stream splashed into a shallow stone basin, carved from the living stone. It did not snow near the elven palace though in the darker parts of the forest, snow would lay deep by now. The thin sunlight filtered down through the bare branches but the wind stole away its warmth, chill and biting this morning as it tossed golden tresses across the young face.

Legolas peered into the deep pool, the water inconstantly reflecting his ghostly image as he watched the water fall softly, trickling and burbling into the small pond. He tried not to think of anything in particular- just the clear, streaming water and the soft murmur of the ripples.

He should have been at his lessons but he pushed such thoughts aside. What good did his lessons do him? They did not distract him from his pain or his thoughts and they did not prevent his uncle from punishing him for one reason or another. It was useless… And he was so tired, having been unable to get back to sleep last nightSo he watched thecrystalline water and allowed his thoughts to be carried along with the ripples and cluttered leaves.

Unbidden, his mind whirled with what had occurred last night. He shivered and looked up at the sun as though to reassure himself of the bright light that chased away the dark shadows. He did not understand what he had seen in that portrait room… his uncle's words he had seen in the journal reverberated through his head ceaselessly no matter how hard he tried to block them out.

Finally I will have my revenge.

Something was very wrong and Legolas knew he should tell his father of what he had seen but he felt far too shaken right now to actually confront his father. His uncle would be terribly angry if he found out…

He sensed more than heard the presence of another and looked up sharply.

Haldir stared down at him, a small frown on his fair face as he cocked his head slightly, scrutinizing the young prince, noting the shadows beneath his eyes, the troubled line between the young elf's brows.

"Are you all right?" The young prince looked away with a vague reply.

"I'm fine." He had forgotten to meet the older elf that morning for their usual bout of sparring and Haldir had come looking for him. The elf captain let the matter drop however and glanced up at the clear sky overhead.

"What say you to a ride this afternoon?" he asked, still staring up at the cloudless sky and white sun. Legolas glanced at Haldir uneasily.

"I don't know… I have lessons… do you not have business to attend to with my father?" Haldir glanced at Ancadal who stood impatiently in the dim entrance to the gardens, awaiting his commander. The older elf motioned him over and he came, a puzzled frown on his face.

"Tell Cálivien to handle the negotiations today, Ancadal," Haldir instructed. "I have business elsewhere- he'll understand." Nonplussed, the younger elf merely nodded. Legolas raised his eyebrows in astonishment, unable to believe that the serious elf could shirk his duties so easily.

"What say you now, Legolas? Would you like to have some fun today?" The young prince still looked unsure. Haldir smiled slightly, his hand extended in invitation.

"If you do not wish to, I'll understand. I would not otherwise-" Haldir said softly, looking into his young friend's shadowed eyes. "But something tells me that today, I have need of it." And so do you. The unspoken words hung on the air, unvoiced. Legolas nodded slowly- he could use a good laugh, some time away from his heavy cares.

"All right," he said finally, a small smile brightening his fair features. "Let's go!"

The two marched to the stables and rode along one of the winding forest paths beneath an arch of interlacing branches and wavering sunlight.

"So, where would you like to go?" Haldir asked, reining his bay horse astride the prince's white mare. "Anywhere outside the palace- within reason of course." Legolas found himself smiling.

"Outside of the palace…" he mused, a playful smile lit his face. "I'll race you there!" With that, he nudged his horse into a gallop, laughing as he felt the wind in his hair for what felt like the first time in a very long time.


"My brothers and I would go fishing out on the banks of the Nimrodel in the summer," Haldir said, balancing carefully on a rock in midstream as he stared down at the glittering silvery fish darting in a small eddy. He smiled in fond memory.

"My younger brother, Rúmil, attempted to catch a silverfish- notoriously difficult to catch, you understand." Legolas nodded, a small smile lifting his features as he gazed around at the trees, shapely in their nakedness, to the thundering waterfall several yards away. It was a beautiful place and Legolas' haven from the palace where he and his friends had often swam in what seemed a lifetime ago.

"Well," Haldir continued, hopping lightly from one stepping stone to another across the river and back again. "He thrust a hand in after this monster of a fish. The thing leapt out of the water and startled him so badly he fell into the river…. Sopping wet and crosser than a hungry warg- we haven't let him forget it yet."

He faltered on the last rock, laughing, and quickly threw himself forward, still managing to land gracefully in the shallows, soaking his boots up to the ankles in the frigid water. Unable to contain his laughter, Legolas burst out into ringing mirth. The indignant, mock-glare from his companion doubled him over as he reclined against the wind-chilled rocks.

"Shh," Haldir cautioned him quietly, bending over slightly. Legolas stiffened, his laughter abruptly stilled.

"What is it?"

Haldir crouched beside the bole of a tree which the rocks sprawled against, creating a low overhang.

"Look at this," he said softly and the young prince came over and knelt beside him, peering into the little hole.

Bright eyes peered back at them from the darkness. Three little fox kits shifted slightly, startled by the appearance of these strangers. Haldir smiled as he reached slowly in and stroked the baby soft fur. The little creature nudged his hand, comforted by the presence of the elf. He carefully pulled one out and placed it in Legolas' lap who patted the kit delightedly.

Haldir's eyes lingered past the prince and he smiled gently, nodding his head. Legolas turned and met the cautious, amber gaze of the vixen, staring at them from the cover of the brake and moss-draped branches. The young prince slowly replaced the little kit and backed respectfully away.

"Come on," Legolas whispered, beckoning the other elf towards him. "I want to show you something." Willingly, Haldir followed, glad to see a spark of life return to those blue eyes. The prince led him across a narrow makeshift bridge of stepping stones spaced unevenly out into the middle of the river. The waterfall splashed along a rolling passageway embedded in the very rocks before thundering into a roiling, churning foam at their feet.

"It's a little cold," the young prince warned before leaping through. Haldir followed. The water pressed briefly on his shoulders before he realized that he stood in a narrow niche in the rock, crouching to keep from hitting his head on the low ceiling.

Legolas faced him a few paces away, almost kneeling in the ankle-deep water. Shaking the silver beads from his face and hair, he rose slightly, balancing on the slippery rocks. Rivulets of water cascaded down the sides of the small cut cave and washed over his hands as he led the way in deeper. Haldir looked around in wonder and amazement. It was not unlike the palace as it may once have been- uncut and unpolished but breathtaking in its natural beauty- the glimmering walls that seemed to flicker and reflect any small point of light that pierced through overhead through small pinpricks through which water poured.

They stepped carefully on the stones that were not completely submerged in the icy water and at last the cave opened up before them at least to a bigger space than had been previously. The two elves were able to straighten and look around. Legolas touched the elder elf's sleeve and pointed upwards. Haldir followed his indication and his mouth dropped open in amazement.

The walls of the cavern glimmered with every color of the rainbow in an ever-shifting spiral. The red of coral reefs, the deepest blue of the darkest sea and the stunning green of a forest day beneath the trees. They wove and danced, entwining with each other as they moved about the chamber, shifting in an ever wheeling cadence that only the colors seemed to understand.

Directly before them was a small pool though very deep as he peered into it and could not define the dark bottom, disappearing into blackness.

"This is amazing," Haldir whispered, afraid to break the almost sacred silence that seemed to hug the very chamber. He peered into the pool with wonder.

"My mother brought me here once, a long time ago. She said if I looked carefully, I could see the bright stars of Elbereth glimmering there like diamonds," Legolas said quietly. He bent over the pool and shook his head slowly.

"But I don't see them now." Haldir glanced at him, bending over the pool himself.

A myriad of tiny pinpricks peppered the surface, glittering there as innocently as any star. Haldir sighed, his innate love of beauty welling within him.

"Worthy of the beauty of the Silmarils," he said softly.

"It is said that the water has healing powers and can ease the suffering of the soul if needed," the prince said quietly, sounding suddenly old before his years. Haldir regarded him, puzzled by the unusually troubled look on his young friend's face.

Gently, he placed a hand on his shoulder, removing it as Legolas pulled back slightly as though startled. Haldir did not reach for him again but instead pointed wordlessly across the pool where something glimmered in the shadows.

"Luin Sarn- the Blue Stone," Legolas quickly explained, slightly embarrassed at his skittish behavior; his eyes reflected the myriad of blue hues, splintering them into a thousand shimmering azure pieces. Aquamarine, topaz and deep royal blue sparked in his eyes as he turned his head towards the beautiful jewel nestled in the rock.

"My mother told me, it protects Mirkwood," he said softly. The prince looked up at him with an expression unreadable but a small smile edged across his face. Haldir smiled back but he glanced upwards as the shadows suddenly encroached around them, wrapping them in their dark embrace.

"We should go," he said quietly.

The sun was falling swiftly and it was already dim beneath the trees. Haldir looked up at the failing sun and untethered the horses from where they lay contentedly on the still warm grass beside the river.

"Come, Legolas. You will be missed- as will I." Haldir smiled wryly, thinking on the harangue he was likely to receive from Cálivien when he returned so late. The young prince straightened, stretching arms and legs stiff from sitting crouched for so long. He paused as a sharp glint caught his eyes. Haldir followed his gaze.

Their earlier merriment abruptly vanished as they peered across the river. It was almost too dark to see but their elven eyes gazed across the river, narrowed against the night. Something shadowy shifted under the dark trees. Haldir rose slowly to his full height and squinted across the river, glimmering in the inconstant light of the clouded moon.

Starlight lingered on pale skin, creating a disconcerting sense of disembodiment. Dark eyes watched them from across the river but it was impossible to tell who or what it was for the deep night under the trees hindered their vision without the moon.

Without a sound, it glissaded away into nothingness.

"Haldir, what was that?" Legolas asked softly, his blue eyes wide as the starlight shimmered in them. The older elf shook his head.

"I don't know."

Haldir's eyes whipped around to face the dark trees behind them as a low growl pierced the silence of the night. Even the wind was still and a bone-chilling howl suddenly rent the air, terribly close.

Being so near to the palace, Legolas had not brought his bow though Haldir, as always, carried his saber with him. He unsheathed it now, a glimmer in his dark eyes as they pierced the night beneath the trees and discerned the glimmer of sharp slitted eyes peering back at him from the brake.

"Legolas," he said softly, a note of urgency in his voice. "-climb the nearest tree you can get to. And stay there."

"What about you?" the prince asked, eyeing the saber in the older elf's hand.

"Do it!" Haldir commanded sternly, all traces of earlier merriment and laughter gone from his face. Swiftly, he drew a knife from his sheath and pressed it into the younger elf's hand.

"I hope those hours of sparring lessons stuck," he said quietly. Then he was gone with a whirling of his cloak. The young prince quickly clambered up onto the rocky overhang, brandishing the knife before him.

His heart pounded in his breast and he swallowed against the dryness in his throat. Fear spiked through him as he shot a glance over his shoulder and discerned the gleam of yellow eyes, ever-shifting and multiplying as the wolves inched closer. The knife felt strange and unfamiliar in his hand. He looked down at it.

The blade was curved slightly and the razor edge glittered in the moonlight stabbing starkly down through the bare branches of the trees. He inhaled a deep breath, trying to calm his trembling nerves. He had fought wolves before certainly but not like this. Not in the night. Not alone. But, he was not alone… His gaze returned to his companion who stood alert and watchful near the river, his head raised to the moon, every muscle in his body tense and ready.

With a low growl, one of the wolves exploded out of the brush and lunged at Haldir with fangs bared and glistening. The elf swung his saber around in a swift circle and deftly cleaved the wolf's head from its body. Others quickly sprang forward, scenting the anticipation of a kill. Their terrifying snarls were the only sounds breaking the silent night aside from the hiss and thud of steel piercing furry bodies.

"Haldir, look out!" Legolas shouted in warning as the large chieftain circled around behind the other elf, his hind legs bunched for a spring that would bring his teeth within reach of the elf's throat.

Haldir spun around and caught the wolf in the chest but the beast's weight bore him to the ground and in that moment, they were upon him. Legolas leapt forward with the knife clenched in his fist. He drove it down like a nail into the back of one of the wolves who howled in agony before dropping dead upon the leaves. Haldir struggled to his feet, flinching in pain. A wolf had torn his shoulder open with its fangs and already hot blood stained his grey tunic.

Aching muscles hefted the saber in his hand as he drove the length of it into another wolf body that snapped once at him as scarlet blood gushed from the wound in its chest before it slid heavily to the ground. Haldir's stormy eyes caught Legolas' frightened blue ones and he nodded once, falling into place at the prince's back. The wolves backed away, their tongues lolling out of their mouths and their gleaming eyes fixed upon their prey.

Powerful jaws split into wide grins and a rallying howl rent the air.

The signal of attack.

As though from far away, Legolas heard his horse scream and saw her paw the air wildly as she thumped down onto the body of a wolf beneath her hooves then twisted sideways as another tried to leap onto her back.

An elbow to his ribs caused him to stagger sideways as a wolf lunged at him. Legolas felt the brush of hot, smelly breath on his face and then a dying howl screamed so loudly in his ears, he thought his head would burst. He staggered to his feet with his ears ringing and quickly thrust at the next beast that tried to leap at him.

The knife was nearly wrenched from his hand as the wolf fell with a strangled yelp.

The wolves were slowly being beaten back, their numbers falling to the blades and hooves of their prey. With their tails tucked between their legs, the wolves fled into the mists of the night until even their mournful calls were lost in darkness.

"Are you all right?" Haldir asked sharply, his breathing ragged as he wiped his blade on his cloak. Legolas nodded shakily, releasing a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding as he glanced up half in awe, half in fear at the older elf. His blue eyes narrowed as he spied the dark patch spreading slowly over the older elf's tunic.

"You're-"

"Come on," Haldir said shortly, retrieving the bridle of his restive steed. Legolas quickly checked his mare over who seemed eager to take on more of the wolves. Patting her neck, he swung up into the saddle, glancing over his shoulder uneasily as they sped away on the hard-packed earth leading back towards the elven palace.