Mae Govannen once again!

Since we're on our fourth snow day here in the north of Scotland, I thought I'd get my lazy self in gear and FINALLY get round to chapter three...voila!

I would imagine that Chapter 4 won't be far behind. The snow isn't letting up so I don't think I'll be going far these next few days, lol.

Tinnuial: Thanks so much for reviewing! This chapter isn't that great, but I hope you like it.

Yemi Hikari: Well, actually Aranwe is the only one who has no confidence in the rest of the fellowship. Thranduil doesn't complain about Estel being there, and Lindon stands up for Mithrandir when Aranwe condemns him. The only thing making Thranduil and his other sons unhappy is that Legolas is risking his life. Oh, that and the fact there is a DWARF with him! And they're going to find out in the next chapter that Legolas is friends with the dward! I predict a riot, to quote a certain British band!


Chapter 3 - Bad Tidings

Saeros fired arrow after arrow into the targets at the other end of the archery field. He was deep in concentration, and most of the arrows had hit the dead centre. Like his youngest brother, Saeros was a flawless archer, and his skill outstripped even Legolas. In fact, he was so wrapped up in his task, he did not hear the footsteps approaching.

"Mae govannen, Prince Saeros!"

Saeros swung round, lowering his bow, to see a group of six blond elves, garbed in the cloth of Lorien, standing behind him. Their leader had a very familiar face – one he was pleased to see again.

"Mae govannen, Haldir!" cried Saeros delightedly, running to clasp arms with the Lorien elf, before turning to his companions. "Orophin, Elwin, Ohtar, Tiarnon; you are most welcome! What brings you all to Mirkwood?"

"A missive from Lord Celeborn to your Adar. It's rather urgent." said Haldir solemnly, though the warmth of friendship shone in his eyes. He and Saeros had been close friends, despite the distance between their homes, since they were elflings. "What with all the orc activity lately, we thought it best to travel in numbers."

"Very wise." nodded Saeros. "We have doubled our patrols here, too. I will take you to Ada, Haldir. He is not occupied at present. I shall have chambers found for the rest of you. Valien!"

A laughing young Mirkwood archer appeared at Saeros's side. He had a mischievous grin and a merry face, and the way he clapped the prince on the shoulder was a sign of the depth of their friendship.

"What help can I be, mellon-nin?" he asked Saeros.

"Would you be so kind as to find chambers for our guests from Lorien?" asked Saeros. "I shall return directly; I will bring Haldir to my father first."

"As you wish, my prince." Valien used the formality only as a means to tease his friend. He bowed with a flourish, and Saeros rolled his eyes. "Come, follow me." Haldir's companions followed him down the path and into the left wing of the palace.

Saeros and Haldir headed off in the same direction, but proceeded up a flight of stairs and turned to the right instead.

"I hope there has been no trouble in Lorien." said Saeros, wondering why Celeborn had decided to send Haldir, his most trusted guard, when a simple messenger could have sufficed to deliver a missive.

"Well, I'm afraid there has." Haldir was unsure how to break the gargantuan news of the fellowship's decision to his friend. "Much has happened since the fellowship departed…"

"The fellowship?" Saeros exclaimed incredulously. "You mean that Legolas was in Lothlorien?"

"Yes, he and the rest of the company…" began Haldir again before Saeros cut him off.

"How was he?" he asked desperately. "Was he well? Was he wounded?"

"Let me finish, mellon-nin." reprimanded Haldir softly. "He was well in body, though he heart was pained with grief. His usual exuberance was diminished and he was overcome by sadness. As were all of the company for that matter, what with Mithrandir's death in Moria…"

"Mithrandir? Dead?" Saeros stopped in his tracks, outside his father's study door. "That cannot be true, Haldir! It simply cannot be!"

"By the Valar, you haven't heard?" Haldir was amazed. Saeros shook his head, his mouth hanging open, his eyes dazed with pain as he knocked on the door. His head was beginning to swim, and his eyes were stinging. His knees felt weak and he shook his head again, as if trying to get water out of his ears; to convince himself he had heard wrong.

"I'm sorry you had to find out like this, Saeros." Haldir said remorsefully. "If I'd known that you had not heard…

"What happened?" Saeros whispered.

"He was taken by Shadow and Flame." said Haldir, unconsciously echoing Legolas. "A balrog of Morgoth."

"No!" Saeros paled, tears swimming in his eyes. He leaned on the door post for support, just as it swung open to reveal Thranduil.

The Elvenking was surprised to see Haldir, and no less surprised to see his son looking so heart-broken. Saeros was weeping! By the Valar, please let it not be Legolas!

"Saeros, what is the matter ion-nin?" he asked urgently, guiding his son inside and sitting him down. Saeros let out a strangled sob.

"He…I mean…Ada…Mithrandir…" he stuttered incoherently, his distress only causing Thranduil more alarm. Haldir could not bear to watch.

"It is my doing, King Thranduil." he said quietly. "I passed on some grievous news, without realising that he had not previously heard."

"What news is this, Haldir?" asked Thranduil apprehensively, his heart beginning to quicken. Haldir sighed sadly; he'd had no idea that news of Mithrandir's death had not reached Mirkwood. The grey wizard had always been welcome in Thranduil's halls, and the Marchwarden knew that the royal family would take this sad news hard.

"Your majesty," he began. "Perhaps you had best sit down. I have much to tell you."