DISCLAIMER:

See chapter six

SERIES:

None.

SPOILERS:

See chapter one

A/N: Hum dee dum…if anyone knows how to make asterisks appear when I upload documents, I would greatly appreciate someone mentioning it in a review. You know, the little star thingies above the number 8 on a keyboard. The ones we writer's use when we want to denote the passing of time in a story (or, as I affectionately refer to them "the little dotdotdots that mean time is passing"). USED to upload them with a document, but now I can't get them to work. Which is frustrating. So if anyone knows how, do review and let me know. Much appreciated!

Three Rings for the Elven-Kings

Chapter Thirteen

Rain Upon the Mallorn Trees

Legolas was enjoying his first restful night in many weeks. The burden of the Ring, which still hung heavily about his pale throat, was somewhat lightened. Three days after their arrival, the sky darkened as clouds covered the sky. As nightfall approached and most of the Lórien elves took shelter in their talans, Legolas made it a point to climb to the top of a nearby mallorn tree just to feel the drops roll across his skin. The stars were hidden from sight, and the night was almost crushingly dark. Normally this would have bothered Legolas; he was, after all, an elf, and nothing gave him greater pleasure than standing under the stars and singing. Tonight, however, the steady rain washed away his troubled thoughts, bringing some comfort to a mind weary from resisting the Ring's temptations. Leaning his back against the high, thin branches, Legolas closed his eyes, feeling calm settle into his skin as the water settled into his clothes, and swayed gently with the light wind.

"What are you doing up here?" Sealbeth's voice, somewhat irritated, shattered Legolas' reverie. "You're soaked."

" 'Tis a warm night," Legolas murmured, without opening his eyes. "This rain is good for the forest. The streams continue to run, and life will grow."

"And it will cover our tracks from the Northern Pass."

"Yes, that as well."

"Meaning our enemies will have trouble following us. Assuming, of course, they are unaware of to where we have escaped."

Legolas opened his eyes, and turned towards Sealbeth's voice. In the darkness of the cloudy night, even his sharp elven eyes had difficulty perceiving Sealbeth's expression. What he did note, however, was that the other elf was worried.

"Sealbeth, come, speak to me of what troubles you." Legolas shifted his position, letting one leg drape over the edge of his branch.

Sealbeth sat silently for a long moment, gathering his thoughts. When he finally spoke, his voice was so quiet that sound of falling rain on mallorn leaves seemed to all but drown him out. "Legolas, we cannot linger. I spoke with Haldir today, and the forest is all but besieged. If we do not leave soon, we may not be able to escape Lothlórien, and it may be here that the battle to save Middle Earth is lost. We cannot wait for the others to catch up with us. Humans and dwarves are not as swift of foot as we, and even running light of foot as we did, it took us nearly two days to reach Lothlórien. It has now been nigh on three nights since we arrived; five days since we parted company with our companions. If the Enemy did not already know we were here, He certainly does now. I fear that at best we will bring about the destruction of Lothlórien, if we stay. At worse, the Weapon will return to its master." He leaned forward, his naturally dark eyes nearly black with worry. "If we remain, we risk destroying the last elven haven east of the Misty Mountains, and the last hope of Middle-Earth."

Legolas sighed. "Hantor is still too ill."

"Hantor was too ill to join this quest in the first place; I am surprised that Lord Elrond allowed him to accompany us. And if Lord Elrond was too polite to say something, then Aragorn should have." Sealbeth blew out his breath in frustration. "Legolas, we cannot stay."

"I know, Sealbeth. But we also cannot leave the others behind; we promised we'd wait at the end of the Pass. Do to Hantor and the orcs, we could not tarry. Now, however, we are safe, if but for a few days. I will not leave my friends behind again. Not Mithrandir, not Aragorn, and certainly not Endara."

"They are safer without us." Legolas said nothing. "Did you never consider how likely it is that we will die in this journey? Do you so desperately want your friends by your side that you would risk their death simply for your comfort?"

Legolas' voice slashed through the cool air. "Do not belittle me, Sealbeth. I have spent much of the journey thinking about just that."

"Then you must understand me when I say, as your friend and fellow elf, we can travel faster and farther alone than if we stay with the company. We can accomplish this on our own. And if we die in the process, our friends will not perish with us."

Troubled, Legolas replied, "If we fail, they will die anyway. This fate is not just of the elves, Sealbeth. It belongs to all Middle-Earth. Should not all of Middle-Earth represent those who would destroy this evil?"

Sealbeth never got a chance to reply. At that moment, both elves tensed as a head popped up between the leaves.

"The Lady wishes to speak with you," said the elf.

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Legolas desperately wished he had had time to change out of his drenched clothes. As much as he wished to appear as the Ring Bearer, a Sindarin Prince, heir to the Kingdom of Greenwood, and representative of the Free People of Middle-Earth, all he could think about was his dark hair hanging limp over his shoulders, and the tiny rivulets of water that were running over his ears. Sealbeth, somehow, had managed to stay mostly dry; aside from some dampness to his clothes, the weather seemed to have left him alone. Legolas, on the other hand, was sodden and dripping in the presence of two of the oldest and most powerful elves remaining in Middle-Earth.

While her face remained impassive, Galadriel's eyes smiled at him; but there was no humor in her voice when she spoke.

"As I know Haldir has told you, Lothlórien has been under attack for several hours now; many of our people have flocked to our northern border to hold back the orcs. Scouts have seen yet more orcs marching towards our southern border, to cut off your escape. You are elves, and as such are always welcome to the forests of Lothlórien. Yet, for the sake of your journey and quest, I believe it would be wise for you to leave before the southern reinforcements reach our forests."

"Lady." Legolas met Galadriel's gaze firmly, though it took no small effort to stare into those blue eyes. "What of the Company?"

"You cannot wait, Legolas," she said, gravely. "If your quest has any chance of success, your friends will have to catch up with you; you cannot tarry any longer. And I know, by the skill of my art, that they are less than a day behind. If you leave now, they may well catch up with you once you are beyond the borders of Lothlórien."

"I am sorry, my Lady," Legolas said, quietly.

Galadriel approached them, and lay a cool hand across Legolas' cheek. Son of Thranduil, you of all creatures, have nothing to be sorry for.

Many will die because of my coming here.

Galadriel released her touch. Many would have died had you not.

"If you are dedicated to this quest, you must leave tonight," she continued aloud. "Our wardens will supply you with food for your journey, and cloaks that will help keep you from the sight of evil creatures."

"Thank you, my lady," both elves murmured, and bowed.

"Farewell, Legolas son of Thranduil." Galadriel raised her hand, and for a moment Legolas caught sight of a ring upon her finger. "The blessings of all go with you."

Legolas found he could not speak; he bowed once, and turned away, following Haldir into the silent, dark, rainy night.

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I think I'm as excited as anyone to see how this is going to turn out…comments? Suggestions? Anything you'd wish I'd put in/leave out? We'll return to the rest of the Company in Chapter 14…