Chapter 7

The party continued on its journey now travelling more swiftly since they knew that the Galadriel's elves would regroup and come after them. However they were now very close to Gondor, only a day or two's journey away.

"We must remain vigilant," Gandalf reminded the group for the umpteenth time.

Their vigilance was to rewarded on this fine day for Gondor had sent a scouting patrol out that stumbled across the party in their travels. The group was not standard soldiers but were the Ithilien rangers of Gondor, skilled in stealth and movement under cover.

"Greetings," the Leader of the rangers said after determining that these elves were not a threat. "Why are you traversing through the lands of Gondor?"

"We are heading to Minas Tirith, on a diplomatic mission from King Thranduil of Mirkwood." Gandalf replied.

The man's eyes glanced over the party. Gandalf could tell that he was trying to determine what to make of this. "I am Faramir, son of Denethor ruling Steward of Gondor," he told them. "I know that Thranduil's son is currently residing in Minas Tirith. I believe that Thranduil is operating in good faith. My men and I shall accompany you back to Minas Tirith."

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Legolas and the Hobbits had been in Minas Tirith for a very long time. They were unsure of what to do now that their quest to destroy the ring had been brought to an abrupt halt. The hobbits were enjoying the comforts of Minas Tirith that Denethor the Steward of Gondor was providing them. Legolas however, was restless. He heard the news of what was happening outside the city's gates and he longed to do something. Whenever he left the house that was provide to him and the hobbits he received many suspicious and accusing glares from the people of Minas Tirith. Legolas couldn't really blame them for being suspicious, even he was suspicious of his own people after what he heard had happened. Legolas longed to return to Mirkwood to speak with his father. Whatever the case Legolas was longing to get out of the city for it was making him restless.

He often wondered what had happened to Aragorn, Gimli and the other hobbits. He knew about Boromir's fate and had been the one to break the news to Denethor. The Steward of Gondor had not taken the news of his eldest son's death very well at first. However given time he had come to accept his son's fate and had become a much more cordial host to the elf and hobbits that had been his son's travelling companions.

As Legolas sat in the front window the house looking out at the massive gates of Minas Tirith and the Pelennor Fields that lay beyond them. They were dull fields of brown-green that matched against the grey sky. Legolas' keen hearing noticed that there seemed to be a commotion down at the gates. He quickly hopped to his feet and rushed outside to see what was going on ignoring the two hobbits who were happily feasting on their second breakfast. Legolas reached the gates to see two human's come in, one male the other female, along with five elves and a man that Legolas thought was dead.

"Gandalf?" Legolas asked in amazement.

Gandalf noticed the elf looking at him and smiled. Legolas ran forth touch Gandalf and see if he was real or if it was just a hallucination caused by being locked up in Minas Tirith for so long.

"It is good to see you Legolas," Gandalf greeted his former travelling companion.

"I thought you died after you fell at the bridge in Khazad-dûm." Legolas said.

"It was not yet my time," Gandalf told him simply. "What news do you have about the other members of the Fellowship?"

"I'm afraid I know little," Legolas replied sadly. "Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee are here safe in Minas Tirith. Boromir died in combat at Amon Hen. After that out Fellowship was split up. What became of the others; I do not know."

"I have heard rumour in my travels," Gandalf said. "Of the Uruk-Hai of Isengard feasting upon the flesh of hobbits that were captured at Amon Hen."

"That is possible," Legolas admitted. "Merry and Pippin were kidnapped by Sarumon's forces. So why have you come to Minas Tirith?"

"Your father is looking to establish an alliance with the Men of Gondor against the Lady Galadriel," Gandalf explained. "I have also brought the last two members of the Rohan Royal House with me."

Legolas looked over at the two humans who were gazing about at the many sights and splendours of Minas Tirith in awe and amazement.

"All of Rohan has been destroyed?" Legolas asked.

"We must act swiftly to create an alliance against Galadriel." Gandalf said. "If we do not unite than all of middle earth shall under her control."

Legolas thought on this for a moment, "And what of the Dwarves?" He asked.

"Your father is attempting negotiations with them but you know of the long standing rivalry between the Dwarves and the Elves." Gandalf answered. "Besides this new development has made them very untrusting of Elves."

"I can understand why," Legolas admitted. "If I'm guessing correctly you will use the alliance with Gondor to prove to the Dwarves that the Elves of Mirkwood can be trusted in an alliance against Galadriel."

"Your father was, you are wise beyond your years," Gandalf said.

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Denethor was quick to accept the alliance with the Elves of Mirkwood after Gandalf had explained the situation to him. However he insisted that Legolas remain in Minas Tirith, just in case Thranduil had any ideas. Gandalf was able to convince Denethor that it would be better to allow Legolas to accompany him in a diplomatic envoy to the Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain. Denethor agreed and travelling group was quickly readied to send to the Realm of the Dwarves.

The group consisted of Gandalf, Eomer, Faramir, Legolas, Anaranë Míriel, Dínendal and Beregond, who was a loyal friend of Faramir and a fellow Ithilien Ranger. Eowyn remained behind as the Rohan diplomat to Gondor, and Eärendur, Elrohir and Maeglin remained behind as the representatives of the elves of Mirkwood. Frodo and Sam both felt that this adventure was well beyond that of hobbits and asked to be allowed to return to the shire. However, not knowing the geography of Middle Earth very well; neither of the two hobbits realized that they would have to pass through either Isengard or Lothlorien, both of Galadriel's realms, to return to the Shire. Instead they chose to remain in Minas Tirith, hoping that eventually they'd be able to return to the Shire.

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Galadriel had returned to her realm of Lothlorien. No longer was in the beautiful woods that it had been before. Now it was dark and fearsome place. The birds no longer sang happy melodies and no animals could be seen. Anything that had once dwelt in these woods had either fled or become warped and tainted by the evil that now lived here. Galadriel was about to use her mirror to see what outcomes lay in the future when she was interrupted.

"Milady," Arwen said as she descended the stairs.

"I hope that whatever you have to tell me pleases me," Galadriel threatened. "I do not take kindly to being interrupted."

"Forgive me Milady," Arwen apologized. "But the news I bear is of great importance."

"Very well," Galadriel muttered. "Speak."

"The party from Mirkwood was intercepted by Haldir," Arwen said. "They were able to kill Haldir and several of his soldiers before they escaped. They have since forged an alliance with the Men of Gondor."

"Haldir was weak if he was able to fall in battle so easily," Galadriel grumbled more to herself than to Arwen.

"There is more my Queen," Arwen continued. "According to the surviving elves the group was accompanied by a white wizard; a white wizard that resemble Gandalf the Grey."

"So the old Istari has returned." Galadriel mused. "This does not affect our plans though. We will carry out the assault on Mirkwood immediately. Our enemy's next move will be to ally with the Dwarves. We need to take Mirkwood to use as a spearhead for attacking the Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain. It will drive a wedge the Dwarves and the Gondorians allowing us to deal with them separately."

"But don't you think they will have anticipated such a move?" Arwen asked.

"Of course they have," Galadriel said. "But they will not expect it to come so soon. Now come, we must prepare to march out."