Chapter 8 – Meeting Galadriel

That night, Legolas' sleep was filled with dreams, troubling him from their lack of meaning. When he had been immortal, he had rarely dreamt anything, and when he had, it had always meant something. But now, it was obvious that they meant nothing at all. One minute he would be running through an endless tunnel, then would suddenly appear on the top of a mountain the next. Only one dream stuck out to him. Not because it had meaning, but because it summed up his new life far too well.

He had traveled to the western shore, where a grey ship waited his arrival. All his Elven friends were there: his father, his mother, his brother and sister, his best friend in all of Mirkwood, and many more, and they were all smiling as he came. "We had feared you would not come," they seemed to say.

Legolas ran to them and let their presence soothe him. "But I have come," he told them, "and I mean never to leave you again."

The others beamed with joy, and together they all boarded the ship. The ship left the harbor, and everyone stood at the Western end, looking forward as if the shores might appear at any moment. Legolas ran to join them, but the ship suddenly began to grow longer and longer, never letting him come any closer to the others. He cried out, but it was as if they could no longer hear them. He ran harder, and finally drew near to them, could almost touch them.

Suddenly he was surrounded by something dark and cold. He gasped for air, but his mouth only found water. He was surrounded by it, and the ship seemed to have disappeared. He struggled frantically against the water, but his movements were slowed, as if the ocean itself was pulling him down. He fought to break loose, and was at last able to break to the surface. But the ship was nearly out of sight. He called to them, and when the ship did not turn, he took a huge gasp and let out a long, desperate scream. But it did nothing. The ship had disappeared over the horizon, and he was left to the mercy of the waves. They tossed him about like a stick thrown into the harshest of rapids, then he was sinking, drowning into the terrible depths.

"Legolas! Legolas!"

Legolas quickly sat up, gulping for air. He tasted salt, and knew instantly that it came from his own tears.

"Legolas, are you all right?" asked the voice again.

Legolas used all his strength to gain what control he could, then opened his eyes to look at the speaker. It was the leader from the night before. Legolas steadied his breath down to gasps, and nodded shakily. The Elf looked unconvinced, but Legolas would not let him ask any more questions. "What time is it?" he asked.

"It will soon be dawn. You must get up now if you want time to eat before we leave."

Legolas shook his head. "No, I do not wish to eat."

"Are you sure that is-"

"Yes, that is what I wish," Legolas replied shortly. "Please tell me when it is time to leave." The Elf nodded and returned to the others who were already pulling out their breakfasts.

Legolas lay back and closed his eyes again. He shivered as images from his dream washed over him. He knew it meant nothing, but he hated it all the same.

At last, the Elf returned. "It is now time to leave, Legolas," he said. Legolas nodded and rose to follow.

The journey lasted nearly the entire day, and this time it seemed even longer to Legolas. He spent the time tortured by his thoughts, and scarcely noticed the sights that normally would have delighted him. Perhaps his dream really did tell him something, that he was never to see his family or his friends again. Perhaps his choice had doomed him to be alone for the rest of his shortened life. And perhaps his death would not be painless at all. It was late in the afternoon when he finally scolded himself for thinking so much about himself. He was here for a purpose, and he was not that purpose. Aragorn lay dying back in Gondor, and here he was, thinking about his own eventual death! Simply remembering Aragorn made his own problems seem so silly and insignificant, and he could at last easily put them out of his mind.

The sun was beginning to set when they reached Caras Galadhon. Both Legolas and Gimli bowed as Galadriel entered, and Legolas couldn't help but notice the enraptured expression on Gimli's face.

"Greetings, Legolas Thranduilion and Gimli son of Gloin," Galadriel said. "You are welcome guests here. But you have come for a purpose?"

"Yes, hiril nin my lady," Legolas replied. "I have come on behalf of a friend, Aragorn. He is dying, and… and no one knows the cause or the cure."

When he had spoken, Galadriel was silent. She was looking steadily at Legolas, and he felt as if her gaze was burning into his thoughts. At last, she spoke. You have given your life for him, she seemed to say, and somehow Legolas knew Gimli could not hear. I can see it in you. Your immortal life has left you. Legolas nodded slightly, but could not look away. The life you gave him must have been too much for him to bear.

But surely there is something I can do?

There is. Your willingness to risk your life in coming on this quest will accomplish much. You have done well. She smiled and looked at both of them in turn. "I could foresee your coming," she said, "and I have a cure that will help him," She drew out a small phial and gave it to Legolas, who looked at it with wondering eyes. "You must be sure that he is given this. Even the smallest drop will be enough, but you must be sure that he receives it."

Legolas looked back at her and nodded. "I will do exactly as you say," he said.

Galadriel smiled again. "Good." She stood silently for a few moments, then spoke again. "Now you must go. If you leave quickly, you will still be able to make it in time."

"Thank you, my lady," Legolas said. He tucked the phial into his pouch and turned to go.

"May it go well with you," Galadriel said as he and Gimli left.