Chapter 18 reviews:
Rebell: Yes, I hate writers-block. It's like hell. Well, Mirkwood is overrun by evil, isn't it? But don't worry, I'm sure that when Sauron is destroyed, the woods go back to normal. That won't happen till the war of the ring, but who cares. I can't tell you what Legolas will do, it would ruin the story!
Crecy: It probably says that because you reviews the Authors note, which, at that time, was chapter 18. Of course they're always fighting, that's what siblings do. It's their job.
Kel: Hmm...this is strange. First people tell me that I make Elrond worry to much, and now you say that making him worry is cute. What am I to do now?
Redleef: Hurray! Let's all dance! (Music in background)
IwishChan: To me, the twins and Estel are always enjoying themselves, except when they're being attacked and things like that. I wonder which size does burn better...I have to go find out someday!
TheAmazingTecnoColorRingWraith: Glad you like my description. I had no idea how to write this, seeing as they never showed it in the movies and I haven't read the books, but I think that I did a good job. Well duh! I mean which would you rather have? Rings of power or evil enemy strongholds? Your going to have to read if you want to find out what Leggy wants.
Elven Kitten: Thank you very much!
Chapter 19
Elrond, Talan, and the other Mirkwood elves continued walking throughout the night and the next day. On the way, they had to walk over a river, where Elrond's horse bent down to get a drink. If it wasn't for the fact that Elrond gave the horse a sharp tug on the reins, the thirsty animal would have bent dead.
The water, Elrond noticed, also had a green tint to it.
More than once, the group hear sounds coming from the surrounding woods, even from the tree tops. At one point during their travel, the branches above began to shake, as if something were moving above them. One of the soldiers that were traveling in the group pulled out his bow and an arrow. Elrond watched as the arrow flew into the branches and almost immediately hit something. A shriek of pain was heard before whatever the arrow hit ran off.
The group ate and drank as they walked, seeing as they weren't going to stop.
"Darkness approaches." Talan whispered. They have been walking for what felt like forever.
Elrond raised an eyebrow. He looked up at the branches above his head, then back down to Talan. "How can you tell? I can't tell the difference between night and day in these woods!" Elrond whispered back with curiosity.
Talan gave Elrond a smile. "When you have lived in these woods for as long as I have," Talan said, "you can tell the difference between night and day." He stayed quiet for awhile before speaking again. "We should reach the palace sometime tomorrow. Most likely by noon, but earlier if we move faster."
Elrond nodded his head. They could move faster if it meant getting out of the woods. Though he would never admit it out loud, the woods and noises that he heard where beginning to freak him out.
The nigh passed uneventfully as did the next morning. At around an hour before noon, the trees began to let more sunlight filter though, making the darkness from the deeper woods seem even darker, not that any from the group cared, they just wanted to get back as fast as they could.
After getting pass the watch at the gates, they made it inside. A pair of young elves came running and took the thirsty horses to the stable, where they would be feed and watered, as well as brushed down.
It was at this time that Thranduil came out to greet the returning elves.
He looked a bit tired, as if he didn't get enough sleep, or if he did, his sleep was troubled. Other than that, he looked fine. He walked up to the group and greeted Talan with a friendly hug, then dismissed the soldiers so that they could go and rest, then he turned his attention to Elrond. "My dear friend, it has been so long."
Elrond smiled and chuckled. "True, it has been awhile since we have last met. How do you fare?" He asked with a touch of concern in his voice. Thranduil caught that.
"I will tell you all in due time, but first, let us head inside. I am sure that you would prefer sitting instead of standing." With that, Thranduil led them inside.
As they made their way to Thranduil's study, Thranduil turned to Talan. "Where is Raindul?"
"He headed towards Lothlorien," Talan said, "while I traveled here with Lord Elrond. The rest of the group is with him as well."
Thranduil nodded his head until a thought came to him. "Elrond, if you're here, who is running Rivendell? Are your sons running it?" The thought of the twins left in charge of a whole realm made Thranduil shake his head. He had met the twins when he had traveled to Rivendell when they were younger. He could remember some of the pranks that they pulled. He had wished that he could leave sooner or later.
Elrond shook his head. "No, they went with Estel and Raindul to Lothlorien. I left Erestor and Glorfindel in charge while I am away."
"Those two? Last time I went to your home, I got the impression that those two annoy each other." Thranduil said, thinking back.
Elrond shook his head. "No, I think that it's Glorfindel that likes to annoy Erestor. Said that Erestor works to much and should loosen up and take some breaks."
At that point, they reached the door that led to Thranduil's study, and after opening the door, they went inside.
It was a cozy room, with plenty of space, seeing as sometime Thranduil had small meetings in the room. The room was also nicely light because of three large windows on the side of the room, meant to catch the sunlight. Pretty much everything in the room was made of wood, and it was a light colored wood, too. There was a large desk with a large chair behind it, where Thranduil sat, and in front of the desk, there were plenty of chairs. Talan and Elrond grabbed their own chair and took a seat facing Thranduil, who was now sitting in his own seat.
Thranduil folded his hands and put them under his chin, then looked at Elrond. "Tell me, what brought you to my fair realm?"
Elrond pointed with his head to Talan. "Your advisor told me that you were having trouble sleeping and that at some points, you would seem lost in thought and such. I came by to see what I can do to help, seeing as I'm a healer." He paused for a moment. "Tell me, what is wrong?"
Thranduil didn't say anything for a while. After a few minutes, Elrond was beginning to think that the king would never speak. "My sleep is haunted." Thranduil spoke in a soft voice.
"Haunted by what?" Elrond said, trying to get Thranduil to speak some more. He always believed that talking about ones problems helped one overcome them and face them head on. It also gave on a sense of relief knowing that he or she does not have to be alone. (A/N: I should know, it happened to me!)
"By my family." Seeing Elrond's confused expression, Thranduil continued. "I keep seeing my wife and child. Always seeing their death, knowing that I can do nothing, just watch. It started happening about a month ago. Why? I do not know. Recently, they have become more vivid and have come almost every night."
Elrond looked a bit concern. "You do not know why?" He leaned back in the chair he was sitting on and looked up at the ceiling, lost in thought. Thranduil seemed to be lost in his own thoughts as well.
They were both startled when Talan cleared his voice. "I don't know if this has anything to do with the subject, but the prince's birthday is approaching. In fact, its next week."
Elrond raised his brows. What does that have to do with anything? He looked over to Thranduil, who was looking extremely sad. "Thranduil? Are you ok?" Ugh, what a stupid question!
"My son died on his birthday. My wife and him were returning from their visit to your realm, remember?" Thranduil asked.
"Ah yes, I do remember that visit now that you mention it." Elrond said. The prince was such an adorable child. To bad that the twins were on a camping trip with Glorfindel. Their visit was a surprise.
They continued to talk after that, but about different subjects. Mostly it had to do with how Elrond was doing and about Estel, who, he told Thranduil, was his adopted human son. Thranduil seemed a bit surprised by this, but it passed.
They continued this until late at night and they would have probably continued had it not been for Talan, who said that they should head to bed, seeing as they could continue this the next day.
"True." Thranduil said. "Very well. Talan, I believe you would like to take Elrond to his room?" When he got a nod, he continued. "Good night then, until tomorrow." Thranduil left the study and went to his room, to get ready for bed and hopefully a good nights rest.
Once they left the study, Talan motioned for Elrond to follow. They walked down the hall, took about two turns, and walked down another hall before stopping in front of door.
"I hope that you find this room to your liking Lord Elrond. A servant will come to in the morning to fetch you for breakfast. Until then, I bid you a good night." That being said, Talan gave Elrond a smile before heading off to his own room.
The first thing that Elrond saw was the bed, waiting for someone to sleep on it. Next to the bed was his travel bag. How it got there he didn't know or care. Quickly changing, he practically jumped on the bed and was asleep before you could say "boo".
I know, I know. Very, very short chapter. But I wanted this chapter to be just about Elrond's visit to Mirkwood and also to give you a bit more information about Legolas's "death". Next chapter will be longer, so don't worry. Bye!