For many ongoing days, the Fellowship travelled beside the towering peaks of the Misty Mountains in peace from the dangers lurking in Middle Earth. Gradually during these unobtrusive days of traveling, Legolas grew to be more at ease with his new companions.
He had known Gandalf since he was a small Elfling and Aragorn was like family to him. The Ranger, just as a boy, had taken Legolas in when he had first found the Rangers after leaving the Woodland. The Hobbits he found curious and amusing but the Dwarf, he chose not to converse with. He was not entirely sure his kin could be trusted. The man of Gondor, Boromir, he was well spoken and seemingly kind enough but; Legolas was not entirely sure of him either.
Aerlaer was a curiosity of sorts to him. He knew of the Edhelroch from books and tales, but he had rarely seen them although they had dwelt alongside his father's realm. He had never had dealing either with any of her kin, save her brother, once or twice. Legolas had never laid eyes before on Aerlaer, before the day he had found her near Imladris. He only knew of tales of adventure and mischief told from Elladan or Elrohir. He was certainly glad to have her also on this quest; although he enjoyed the time he spent with Aragorn and the Ranger's, he did miss the company of Elven kin.
On the first very first day, as they left the safety of the Elven realm behind them, Gandalf had called to Aerlaer who was walking ahead of Gimli and behind Boromir to ask her to scout ahead. To Legolas's amusement, she had answered him by simply shifting quickly to her horse form and leapt away at a swift gallop. Boromir had been more than startled, cursing under his breath.
"Aragorn, pray tell me, what ethereal creature is she?" The man had asked imploringly. Aragorn had taken a moment to answer the younger man; a smile half playing on the Ranger's lips.
"I think Legolas would tell this history better for he is the one who once told me." Aragorn turned to him with a warm smile which Legolas returned.
"You have heard of the Mearas?" He asked the Gondor man. "History dictates their ancestors were brought by Béma from the West. They would not bear any man, only those King's or Princess of the Mark of the Rohirrim."
"Aye I know of this already." Boromir had answered in confusion.
"The Meara's however were already dwelling in Middle Earth during the First Age. Their herd number was small and they roamed through the hills and valleys of Anfalas or galloped upon the white shores of the Anfalas Sea. It was here on the shores, a small clan of Falathrin Elves, who had ventured from the rule of Círdan of West Beleriand. These Teleri descendants befriended the intelligent Meara and they learned one another's language and traits.
Silaear, a prince of the Falathrim and leader of the small clan and his lifemate, the Lady Aranaur; consorted with the Meara and made their desire to be as horses known. The Meara loved their Elven friends and wished them to be horse too, so they lead the small group of Elves who wished to be as they were, deep into the Green Hills of Pinnath Gelin, where folk rarely dwelt. They came upon a secret, hidden valley and the Meara's beckoned the Elves to drink with them from a small spring, flowing upon crystal rocks. As the Elves drank in the crystal waters, their reflections on the water rippled and where their Elven selves had been, there were now horses, akin to the Meara's in beauty and stature.
The Elves were overjoyed and discovered they could shift from horse to Elf form at their own will. They stayed in the secret valley for a time with the Meara's but, eventually wished to return to the shores of Anfalas. The Meara remained in the hills and the Elves who were now also horses returned to the shores. They became known as the Edhelroch or Elfhorses as is the Western translation and, Prince Silaear and Lady Aranaur who had been the first to drink from the crystal spring became King and Queen of the Edhelroch.
They bore a son, Gaear, and he was unique to both horse and Elves, his Elven skin was creamy like most Noldor Elves but, his hair was of many different shades of browns. As a horse, he bore the same colours, a creamy coat and a mane and tail of many colours. Gaear, in time, bore his own son, Falas, who was a mirror image of his father."
"He is, or was Aerlaer's father and her linage is marked by her hair." Aragorn added. "She is the last of her kin and of her line." He spoke quieter, his words saddening Legolas.
"No wonder she looks so desolate sometimes; she has the weight of her entire kin upon her shoulders." Gimli said, surprisingly sounding as sad as Legolas felt. He had noticed how Aerlaer would sometimes speak with the Dwarf and listen to his stories and descriptions of her homeland. It admittedly did not endear him any more towards the short, copper-bearded creature.
"It is entirely up to Aerlaer if the line ends with her. Her lifemate does not need to be of the Edhelroch. She can take any Elf as a lifemate and their child would be an Elfhorse. It is a dominant gene. Aerlaer's mother was a Sindar-Noldor Elf from Lórien." Aragorn finished explaining as they all watched the Elfhorse cantering in a relaxed manner, back to them. Legolas briefly wondered at Glorfindel. In Imladris, he had not missed the affection the Balrog Slayer had shown towards the elleth and, she had seemed equally to return it.
"All safe ahead, there is a clear stream a little way further we can stop and refill at." Aerlaer reported back to the group as she slotted back into line, this time just ahead of him, resuming Elven form in a swirl of dress material and he caught the light scent of violets.
The days passed in a similar fashion; either Aerlaer or himself would scout ahead while the others walked on. The going was slow; the Hobbits had trouble keeping up with their shorter legs so, to Legolas's surprise, Aerlaer had graciously taken to carrying two at a time to give them rest. Despite seeing no danger, it was too risky to travel at night.
As each evening drew near; both he and Aerlaer would run on ahead to find a suitable camping area and then carefully scout the area around it to ensure it was safe and then light a camp fire and wait while the rest of the company arrived. It was beginning to become his favorite part of their days journeying.
On the eighth day, they had just finished securing the area of the night's camp grounds and Aerlaer was perched on a rock, watching as he started a small campfire. "Mmm, that should do it." He murmured as the flames started to grow. He fed the fire more wood and then, standing, noted Aerlaer was now gazing off into the sunset in her own thoughts. He could not yet hear the approach of the others so sat on a rock a little way from her to also watch the setting sun.
There was something clearly on the other Elf's mind. "What are you thinking?" He quietly hedged. Slowly she turned her face to him and he was struck by how the last rays of the sun lit up her hair like fire. She was truly as Boromir had described two days' prior; ethereal. He noted her bright grey-indigo eyes had a touch of green in them and they were barely masking untold sorrows which surprised him.
"Do you think we will defeat him, Sauron?" She asked quietly.
Legolas didn't answer right away. It had been on his mind too. Like her, he'd witnessed and been a part of the desolation caused by the darkness taking over Middle Earth.
"I wonder the same thing. All we can do is hope and do what we can to end him, and his forces. It will only become more treacherous the further we go. We have an advantage though, Sauron is unaware we have his ring and we've the finest fighters in you, Aragorn, Boromir, Gimli and myself. Do not forget, we also have a Wizard." Legolas smiled. "I think we will be okay."
Aerlaer, nodded, a small smile playing on her lips at his last remark and he felt relieved to see his words had eased her mind. Her eyes did not hold so much worry in them and, the hint of green had vanished. Voices and footsteps alerted him the others approached and Legolas stood as Gimli appeared over the rise, grumbling how sore his legs were. He gazed up at the Dwarf.
"What's this? We've been trudging along for miles and here you two are lounging about resting!"
Legolas smirked. "I'll take first watch." He turned around and leapt up the rocks and towards the area he had decided would serve as a watch post and settled quietly for what would be the next three hours.
Sam had earned the position of unofficial cook and on this night, he was brewing a delicious smelling soup. Aerlaer sat quietly watching alongside the two younger Hobbits, Merry and Pippin. Thrice she had heard the loud protests of Pippin's hungry stomach and smirked to herself. When Sam had served up the soup in dishes, he had politely handed her the first dish. "Thank you, Sam, I do think this should go to Pippin." She laughed as she handed the dish to the curly haired Hobbit.
"Are you sure?" He asked incredulously with wide green eyes and she nodded.
"Of course Pippin, eat up." Without any further questions, the youngest Hobbit had all but dove into the dish of soup. Soon they were all tucking into their meals and Aerlaer was grateful it was a meal she too could eat as well as Legolas. She knew Aragorn had left to find the other Elf to take his own meal to him.
Once they had all eaten and the Hobbits had finished their second helpings; Aerlaer and Merry helped Sam clean up. They left the remaining soup to stay warm overnight on the coals for the morning's meal. The company then settled for the evening to rest. Aerlaer sat quietly for an hour, not yet concerned with sleep as she gazed up at the stars. When the full hour had passed, she rose from her sleep roll and made her way from the enclosed shelter of the camp to relieve Legolas of his watch.
As she stepped up and out onto the rocky ledge to stand beside the other Elf, the cold winter wind hit her and she involuntarily shivered.
"Aerlaer, are you cold?" Legolas asked quietly, turning briefly to her.
"A little," She admitted. "We draw closer to the mountains and I forgot to bring my cloak with me. It is bearable, I shall be alright." She reassured him, gazing out over land and darkness stretching out before them.
Warm material suddenly fell lightly about her shoulders, surprising her and she immediately turned to protest, but Legolas had already gone. Sighing, she gratefully wrapped the cloak around her and settled to begin her watch. It was a kind gesture Legolas had made but, the next evening she would be sure to remember her own cloak. She did not like that she had taken his own source of warmth and comfort.
Three hours later, Aragorn emerged from the darkness and Aerlaer turned and gave him a small smile. The moon had come out from behind the clouds and she noticed Aragorn's gaze flicker to the cloak around her shoulders and a wry smile played on his lips. She gave him an imploring look but he only shook his head and gestured for her to return to the camp.
Unclasping the cloak, Aerlaer located the other Elf and carefully laid the cloak over his sleeping form. He started half-awake by the movement. "Shhh, sleep now." She whispered and he seemed to mutter something incoherent before drifting back into slumber. She found her own cloak and curled up under it in the hollowed sleeping spot she'd picked out for herself earlier and soon fell into a dreamless sleep.
By day twelve, Legolas was secretly tiresome of the slow, grueling pace and he knew Aerlaer was too. Having much energy in reserve, they had taken to scouting ahead together. As they settled from a run to a fast, swinging walk, Aerlaer turned curiously to him. "Why did you leave Mirkwood?"
Legolas breathed in sharply, surprised by the question. Aragorn and Gandalf were the only two who knew and even then, Aragorn the only one to know the full reason for his actions. Slowly he exhaled the breath he realized he'd been holding on to and, looking straight ahead, spoke.
"I grew tired of living under the rule of a king who selfishly hid away from the world and helped only his own kin and did not treat all Elves equally, no matter their rank." He deliberately left the part out about being unable to remain in the presence of another who did not love him back.
Aerlaer seemed to ponder his words in silence as they continued their zig zag scouting. "Will you go back?" She asked eventually, glancing up to him.
"I do not know, maybe once this is all over. No. There's nothing to go back to. I don't think I will." He sighed. It was a question which plagued him often. He was not needed in the Woodland. He was happier away from his father's rule. He did miss the trees though.
"Come, I'll race you back to the others." Aerlaer suddenly challenged. He smiled at her, glad for the distraction. The earlier conversation had started to bring his spirits down.
"Very well but one rule, as Elves, no cheating."
With that, they raced back to the rest of the Fellowship. The Hobbits soon realizing they were racing one another, started cheering them on. Legolas was quite sure he would not have a chance but, he was in the lead. Perhaps in Elf form, he was faster? Aerlaer suddenly overtook him, dashing that thought away and reached the cheering and laughing Hobbits, but a moment before him.
Gimli chortled at him in glee clapping his hands. "Ah ha! Beaten by a lass!"
"Oh, I'll never hear the end of this will I." He sighed heavily as Aragorn and Gandalf simply smirked at him and Aerlaer looked to be incredibly smug with herself. He mockingly shot her a disdainful glare and she only laughed at him and he could not help his own smile from spreading across his face as he settled to walk beside her.
The next day, Aragorn, along with the others, looked up as Aerlaer came galloping back from scouting alone. She didn't bother shifting back to Elf; excitedly declaring Hollin was just ahead. To his amusement, she beckoned to Legolas to come see and, not waiting, wheeled around and galloped back the way she had come, Legolas trailing behind.
"Why is she so excited?" Grumbled Boromir who had made it known twice already he wastired and looking forward to a break.
"Hollin or Eregion, was an old Elven settlement once ruled by Aerlaer's grandparents until they moved to Lórien." Gandalf spoke up in explanation. "It was then ruled by Celebrimbor. Celebrimbor became a friend of the lord of gifts, Annatar. It was Annatar who created the rings of power. When the Elves discovered Annatar was indeed Sauron and that he was truly evil; they endeavored to keep the rings of power from him. Angered, Sauron and his army destroyed Eregion. Most of the rings were claimed by the Dark Lord but, the elves were lucky to secure Narya, Nenya and Vilya. After the destruction, the surviving Elves fled to Lórien and Rivendell." Explained Gandalf. "Many ruins remain in Hollin; I dare say the Elves want to go exploring." The Wizard chuckled. Aragorn nodded in agreement.
Aerlaer was curious in nature and Legolas would surely be intrigued by the destroyed settlement, it made sense she would wish to explore the area with another Elf. It seemed also Elladan and Elrohir had been right in their conspiring over the years; both Legolas and Aerlaer seemed to get along very well and had easily become good friends. It admittedly warmed his heart.
Aerlaer, Elf again, wandered through the ruins of Hollin, running her hands along remaining stone pillars. Time had worn down the old Elven kingdom. She looked at home within the fallen settlement, Legolas decided as he stood nearby on watch while she continued to explore.
Deeming it safe, he too began walking through the ruins. She glanced back at him as he too marveled at the ancient stone and the holly trees which gave the land its namesake. There was a light breeze which whispered through the broken pillars mixed with sweet musical words. He looked up. Aerlaer, ahead of him, stood on a cracked stone platform, her hand resting on the crumbling remains of a balcony.
He recognized the lament of Celebrimbor she was softly singing and closed his eyes, letting her musical voice wash over him in this kingdom of old. Not long after the rest of the company arrived and Gandalf addressed them all.
"We cannot look too far ahead. I think we will rest here. Not only today but, tonight as well." The others sighed in relief and Legolas too was glad by this decision. "There is a wholesome air about Hollin. Much evil must befall a country before it wholly forgets the Elves if once they dwelt there." The Wizard murmured as he walked to stand a few paces from Legolas.
"That is true" Legolas replied softly as he walked up to the Wizard. "But the Elves of this land were of a strange race strange to us of the Silvan folk. The trees and grass do not now remember them. Only I hear the stones lament them. "They are gone. They sought the Havens long ago." Gandalf nodded to him, a wistful look in his ageless blue eyes. Before Legolas could ask his thoughts, he turned away and towards Aragorn and Boromir to start a fire and unpack Bill, the pony.
Not long after the rest of the Fellowship had arrived, Sam was dexterously frying up food for the hungry party while Aerlaer sat with Aragorn, trying not to laugh at Merry and Pippin's antics. A few days prior, Boromir and Aragorn had begun teaching the hobbits how to sword fight. Boromir was now instructing the pair with their small but sharp blades.
"Move your feet." Aragorn encouraged as Pippin blocked Boromir's sword and the man swung the blade again and this time Pippin did as Aragorn advised.
Nearby Gimli and Gandalf were disputing which way to continue traveling, the Dwarf keen on passing through the mines of Moria. Aerlaer was not at all interested in such a change in their path and she knew neither was Gandalf for his discouraging answer. She glanced up briefly to see Legolas, a tall, figure in the distance, keeping watch, as still as stone.
"That looked good Pippen." Complimented Merry, bringing Aerlaer back to the practicing before her. Both Hobbits switched places and Merry began to parry with Boromir.
"Keep your posture." Aerlaer reminded the Hobbit as Boromir though playful taunts at them, only riling them up. Not long after the Hobbits ganged up on Boromir and the man fell to the ground as the hobbits pounced victoriously on him. "For the shire!" One yelled out in the commotion. Aerlaer, Sam and Frodo all laughed loudly at the scene before them as Aragorn attempted to pry the Hobbits off Boromir. The two hobbits grabbed the Rangers legs from under him, flipping him onto his back.
"Aww" the Ranger groaned, as he got to his feet
Sam was looking at the sky. "What is that?"
"Nothing, it's just a whiff of clouds." Dismissed Gimli, seeing where the blonde Hobbit gestured. Aerlaer looked to the sky to where Sam gestured with worry. Whatever it was, it moved against the breeze. As if reading her thoughts Boromir interjected.
"It's moving fast, against the wind."
"Legolas what do you see?" Aerlaer called, feeling uneasy as she stood. He was quiet a moment in concentration and then suddenly whipped around to ace them.
"Crebein from Dudland!" The Elf shouted in warning, leaping down from the high stones he had been standing on.
"Hide!" Yelled Aragorn and everyone sprang into action to cover up their presence before hiding under the surrounding Holly trees and bushes. Aerlaer held her breath as she held onto Bill the pony, her cloak barely covering the two of them under the biggest holly tree. The Crebein descended over their campsite, their squawks loud and harsh. She did not dare move or breathe for fear of giving them away and neither did Bill, the pony standing stock still, head lowered next to her. Once the cries of the Crebein were far away; she and the others scrambled from their hiding places.
"Spies of Saruman." Exclaimed Gandalf irritably. "The passage south is being watched." He looked to a tall snow laden peak, and she too turned to eye the mountain warily. "We must take the pass of Caradhras."
"Well if that is not a plague and a nuisance." Stated Pippen angrily, voicing all their feelings and thoughts as Gandalf beckoned for them to pack their belongings and move on. As she helped Aragorn re load a patient Bill, Legolas passed by her and caught her eye. He was as wary of the new path they would take as she.