ForeverTeamEdaward13 - Thanks. What do you think? Do you prefer how I'm rewriting this or how it was? I must say, I am enjoying throwing little hints into all these chapters leading to what is to come.
silverwolfighter00 - Thank you, I know just what you mean! I really should do some work! Glad you are enjoying it. To Rohan! Well, you know, after Gandalf appears and all. Happy reading.
WickedGreene13 - This is just a random message for you: oh my freaking gosh I'm auditioning for Wicked on Sunday and have currently been belting out Defying Gravity! I actually gave myself a headache from all the singing practice! :D
"This stream must hail from somewhere beyond that waterfall." Aragorn mused, as Aerlaer came to stand beside him. She looked the way the water flowed, quietly nodding. She still felt a little embarrassed over the waterfall incident with Legolas.
No harm had been done, but she nearly had been about to leave the water when he appeared. Although, she supposed, it was better he than some enemy! She didn't particularly like the feeling of being compromised near enemies. Legolas was no threat though, he had been as embarrassed as she had been, perhaps more?
"Aerlaer?" Aragorn spoke and quickly she turned from her thoughts, to him. "Were you listening?"
"No?" She murmured, realising she had missed something. He gave her a strange look and she held in a grimace. She never forgot the task at hand!
"Should we continue along the stream?"
"Aren't you the tracker?" She tilted her head with a half smirk. He frowned again, studying her as Gimli gave a quiet snort of laughter. "It's worth following; I still think they would have remained near water." He nodded and they continued.
They had been wandering the forest for the past three hours and the trees and foliage bellow were close and grew wildly. The trees accepted their presence though and the forest fascinated Aerlaer. Birdlife was abundant and here and there, large butterflies graced them with their presence. It was a forest untouched by Man and, even Elf. It was beautiful. She longed to climb the trees or go off exploring but the Hobbits had to be found.
"Look!" Aragorn halted and called out to the others excitedly as she gazed down to see a perfect set of small footprints.
"This is good tidings!" Gimli said happily as he came to stand at her other side. Aerlaer glanced towards Legolas as Aragorn knelt to examine the footprints. The Elf had been very quiet but he flashed her a small smile of relief by Aragorn's findings.
"The tracks are two days old." Aragorn declared, standing and walking away from the stream, eyes intently on the ground. "It appears it is here that the Hobbits left the stream."
"Let us go on." Said Legolas and, with Aragorn leading the way once more, they left the stream. Although the tracks were two days old, it did not dishearten Aerlaer, the Hobbits were surely alive and close!
She walked, completely focused again, listening intently for any noise and, every now and then, Aragorn would call out the Hobbits names but no answers came. Still there was a track to follow and for now, it was enough.
At length, they came to a ridge which had moss covered rocks, resembling large steps. There was a platform near to the top and without waiting, Aerlaer leapt up the rocks, surprised to find Legolas following closely behind. The ridge was high and it reached higher than the trees in that area which meant Aerlaer had a full view about her. It was the disturbed earth and moss atop the flat rock which intrigued her more.
"I am almost certain Merry and Pippin have been up here. There are marks but there are strange marks also, like those we saw yesterday." She moved about, intently scanning the ground. "Here is a Hobbit print." She exclaimed, turning to Legolas. The other Elf was busy surveying the land beyond the tree line, towards the plains. He was frowning wistfully.
"We have journeyed a long way around. We could have arrived here safer if we had left the great river on the second or third day and struck west." He said with a tinge of bitterness in his voice. "We could have avoided Boromir's death." She felt her heart twist as she looked too where he did.
"Few can see where their road will lead them until they come to its end." Aerlaer murmured, remembering Gandalf saying those very words to Frodo, not so long ago. She looked in the direction of Mordor, wondering just how Sam and Frodo fared.
"And we did not wish to come to Fangorn originally." Gimli spoke up from below and she gazed back to Legolas who merely nodded, still seeming bitter. He whipped his head suddenly towards the trees in which they had come, dark eyes widening. Aerlaer followed his gaze, catching movement, a shadow of grey among the darker trees.
"Yet here we are and nicely caught in the net." He said just loud for Aragon and Gimli to hear from below the ledge. "Look." He gestured to the trees from the way they had just come.
"Look at what?" Gimli grumbled, failing to see what the elves saw.
"There in the trees." Aerlaer replied, her eyes growing wide, a feeling of unease stirring.
"Where? I have not Elf eyes." The dwarf called up to them gruffly, his voice loud, too loud.
"Hush! Speak more softly!" Legolas warned quietly and motioned to Aerlaer to descent the platform after him. She followed closely, clutching her bow.
"Do you not see him passing between the trees?" Legolas murmured warily as he pointed to where the grey cloaked figure meandered.
"I see him now." Gimli said, his voice now hushed. "He is clad in grey rags which is why I did not see him before."
"Eomer said he roamed, clad as an old man, a begger." Aragorn murmured as with dread, they realised who it was.
"The white wizard approaches." Legolas confirmed in a low whisper. "Aerlaer, you should hide, if it were his Uraks who set upon your herd-"
"I'm not hiding." She hissed and as he drew an arrow, he glared at her.
"This is no time for heroics." He replied with a fierceness which surprised her. "Hide behind those rocks." She narrowed her eyes at him and drew her own arrow.
"We are all a part of this." She whispered as the figure came closer. The other Elf gazed at her a moment, not looking particularly happy, but he nodded. "Stay beside me." He muttered lowly and she found herself nodding.
"Do not let him speak; he will put a spell on us." Aragorn whispered to them as he quietly withdrew his sword. Gimli already held his axe at the ready. At that moment, the stooped figure quickened his walk, coming directly at them, arriving with surprising speed to stand upon a low, flat rock before them.
"Now!" Cried Gimli. "Stop him Legolas!" The Elf made to release his arrow but it fell short, without any momentum. Quickly Aerlaer aimed and released her own but the grey cloaked figures blue eyes caught her and her arrow simply disintegrated. Before she could grab another, her arm was grasped and she was pulled with force, behind Legolas as the Wizard produced his staff, white light flaring before them.
Aragorn raised his sword and ran forward but stopped with a cry of pain and shock, dropping his weapon quickly as Gimli suddenly dropped his axe, his arms seeming limp. They were no match for the Wizard and Aerlaer's heart pounded, unsure what would come next, feeling Legolas's hand tighten around hers.
…
"You are tracking the footsteps of two young Hobbits?" He gazed curiously down at the four wary companions. Their gazes became slightly baffled as they stared up at him, blinking at the light emitting from his staff. "Don't stare as if you have never heard such a name before. You have, as have I." He continued, noting how the four unconsciously moved nearer to one another. They have grown close. "They climbed up here the day before yesterday and they met someone they did not expect." He tilted his head sideways at them. "Does that comfort you?" Still they stared up at him, no trust in their eyes. Ah yes, they likely think I am Saruman, no wonder the early hostility. "And now you would like to know where your companions have been taken? I assure you they are quite safe." He placed a hand over the staff and the glow slowly dimmed until it was gone. Blinking, the four companions stared now in utter shock. It was slightly amusing, especially to see Elves so very stunned.
"It cannot be?" Muttered the Ranger, more to himself as the Greenwood Prince let go of the Edhelroch Princess's hand and sank to one knee, head bowed.
"Mithrandir, forgive me! I mistook you for Saruman." His voice was filled with anguish and remorse and he felt a tug of his own remorse at startling the four.
"I am Saruman, or rather Saruman as he should have been. He answered just before the elleth leapt forward, enveloping him in an accepting embrace. A smile twitched at his mouth. Impulsive creature she was.
"You truly are invincible, old friend." There was joy in her voice. "Please forgive me for shooting at you." She let go, quickly stepping back towards the others.
"You fell." Aragorn uttered, still in shock.
"Through fire and water, yes." He nodded. "From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought him, the balrog of Morgoth. Until at last, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside." He paused as he recalled the battle he'd had with the demon creature. It had been vicious, terrifying but, he had slain his foe.
"Darkness took me. And I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead, and every day was as long as the life age of the earth." He smiled at the four figures who were staring at him in wonder. "But it was not the end. I felt light in me again. He stepped down from the low rock. "I've been sent back until my task is done and I come back to you now, at the turn of the tide." He gave them all a small smile.
"Gandalf " Aragorn said reverently.
"Gandalf?" He played with the name on his tongue. "That is what they used to call me, Gandalf the Grey." He smiled again. "I am Gandalf the White. Now come, let us sit, I have not yet heard tidings of how you have fared since I last saw you. Do fill me in." He sat upon the rock he had stood upon and, like the youngsters they all were to him, the Ranger, Dwarf and two Elves sat before him, their eyes bright with a joy which warmed his heart.
As Aragorn gave an account of all that had happened, Gandalf quietly observed the four companions before him, noting their friendships and bonds had strengthened greatly. He noted, when Aragorn mentioned the fight near Rauros falls, they bowed their heads sadly and even the two Elves slumped from their usually perfect posture. Aragorn finished speaking and Gandalf looked at them all appraisingly. They had travelled hard and with sorrow and fear in their hearts.
"You have left out the fate of Boromir, but I will not press you to speak those words for the Lady Galadriel has already told me of Boromir's end and I see the loss is still too close to you." He said gently.
"You have spoken with Galadriel?" Aerlaer looked up, hopefully.
"Indeed, I have." He replied, smiling to her. "She sends you her love and said to tell you, ah let me think..." What had Galadriel bid him pass on to her youngest granddaughter? "Oh yes, she said to tell you; 'It is sometimes those who have only lived the equivalent of a moment compared to the life of an Elf who speak the wisest words.'"
"Yet another puzzle and I still have not figured out her first one from when we departed her realm." The elleth sighed, chewing at her bottom lip, a habit Gandalf recalled the Princess having from her Elfling days. He chuckled at her before turning his gaze to Legolas who sat closely beside her. This message he was reluctant to give but it was a warning the Elf needed to know.
"The Lady also sends a message for you, Legolas." He said quietly and the Elf gazed back curiously waiting. Gandalf took a breath.
" 'Legolas Greenleaf long under tree,
In joy thou has lived, Beware of the sea!
If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore,
Thy heart shall then rest in the forest no more.' "
Gandalf closed his eyes once he had given the message for they were foreboding words.
"Then she sent me no message?" Gimli piped up, disappointment evident in his voice.
"Dark are her words and little do they mean to those who receive them." Legolas said quietly, looking to the leaf strewn earth before him.
"That is no comfort." Gimli muttered at the Elf who shot him a fierce glare. Gandalf caught the tinge of fear and confusion in his brown eyes.
"What then? Legolas snapped at the Dwarf. "Would you have her speak openly of your death?" He asked bitterly.
"Do not speak such words!" Aerlaer suddenly growled, glaring at the other Elf, anger flashing in her eyes. There was fear there too, Gandalf realised as she leapt to her feet and stalked away to stand, facing away from them, beneath a nearby tree. Legolas, gazing in her direction in shock, made to go after her but Aragorn placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Let her be for now." The Ranger said gently and Gandalf nodded. Aerlaer in a mood was not something Legolas should broach when he himself were in his own mood. The wood-Elf nodded, staring broodily down again at the ground before him.
Gandalf had no words of comfort for him and it pulled at his heart to think the kind Elf might die on this quest. He'd chosen to speak the Lady's words to his companions too in the hope one of them could prevent the worst happening or, keep the Elf from the sea. With an inward sigh, he turned now to Aragorn.
"Aragorn, the Lady bid me say this;
'Where now are the Dúnedain, Elessar, Elessar?
Why do thy kinsfolk wander afar?
Near is the hour when the Lost should come forth,
And the Grey Company ride from the North.
But dark is the path appointed for thee:
The Dead watch the road that leads to the sea.' "
Aragorn nodded his head but remained quiet, contemplating the meaning of the Lady's words. The very idea that Aragorn's message spoke of leading to the sea when the Elf had been warned from it, did not bode well with Gandalf. Legolas would follow Aragorn anywhere, even into death. Still, the Lady had revealed other information to him and, for all involved, he did not know what final road they would take.
He stood, gesturing to the three before him. "Come, we must now make haste to the hall of King Théoden, for Saruman has hold over him and in Edoras, we will all be of use." Aragorn slowly stood but Gimli remained planted firmly where he was.
"What about the Hobbits?"
"The Hobbits are quite safe, indeed safer than even we are. They are with Treebeard the Ent."
"An Ent?" He smiled as Aerlaer piped up curiously from where she still stood away from the others. "They have awoken?"
"They are awakening yes. I do not think they will take lightly to Saruman's presence in their forest." He gestured to them. "Come now, we must head back to the plains." Turning, he proceeded in that very direction and the others followed obediently, a weight seeming to be lifted from their shoulders for the knowledge their companions were safe but, perhaps now all carrying another weight which were the words of the Lady. They had five miles to walk and so, he chose to fill them in on the goings on of Edoras and their task ahead.
…
Aerlaer was angry. As Gandalf spoke of Edoras, she quietly seethed. How dare her grandmother send Legolas such a cryptic yet devastating message. It was unfair. It could mean anything! It scared her for, no matter how she tried to twist the meaning in her head, it came back to one, horrifying outcome; it was about dying. Legolas dying.
She refused to believe it. Legolas could not die. She did not want him too. No one in their right mind would want him dead. Perhaps the enemy, but that was said for them all. No, Legolas could not die. No matter where their journey now took them, they needed to avoid the sea. Perhaps even large, salty lakes, just as a precaution.
Yet Aragorn's message spoke of the sea. Did the lady wish him to take a path to the sea? Legolas simply would not be going. That was that. But what if they simply had to journey to the sea? What then? She supposed if they all kept a watchful eye on the Elf, he might be fine but it was still a very scary thought.
Aerlaer glanced back to the other Elf. He walked behind them all and she saw how dejected his gaze was, staring at the ground before him. She fell back, to walk closely by his side, hoping to keep him company, to let him know he was not alone. She would help him, she would not let him fall.
He, like the others, had become dear to her, but it was different. It was as if she had found someone like her although she did not quite understand just why she thought that. All she knew was, if something happened to him, she would miss him deeply. She shook that thought away. No, he was not going anywhere. Not while she was around.
…
"The horses are gone." Legolas commented, speaking for the first time as they reached the edge of the forest to find their steeds had vanished.
"They cannot be far." Aerlaer finally spoke too, casting around, frowning. She'd remained by his side as they had journeyed back and, although she was quiet and, looked to still be discontented, he was glad for her familiar company.
"I think I might know where they may be." Gandalf chuckled and let out a long and piercing whistle. A moment passed and then a loud, deep neigh sounded from out of sight. Beside him, Aerlaer suddenly shifted and bounded away, calling back to the other horse. Legolas started forward in confusion but Gandalf merely chuckled again as she disappeared, over a rise.
"She greets an old friend." Gandalf explained and sure enough, Aerlaer appeared back over the rise by the side of a proud, strong and elegant, white-grey stallion. Legolas blinked and then looked closely at the bright grey creature.
"That is one of the Meara, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell." He breathed out in wonder, thoughts of foreboding words fleeing his mind as he watched the Elfhorse and Meara fight in play. Their front legs raised in the air as they feigned to bite at one another before Aerlaer broke away and kicked her heels up under the Meara's nose.
She sped off the larger Meara chasing after her. She stopped and spun to meet him and he reared up playfully and, landing all four feet upon the ground, they touched noses gently and then together they trotted with fluent strides towards them. Legolas now noticed behind them, Arod and Hasufel were galloping to catch up.
"Shadowfax." Gandalf said in welcome as the majestic creature placed his nose affectionately into the Wizard's hands. "He's the lord of all horses, and has been my friend through many dangers."
"Hello my friend." Legolas welcomed Arod as he slid to a halt before him, the grey waffling into his shoulder.
"Let us make haste, we ride to Edoras." Gandalf spoke as he mounted the tall Meara with more grace and ease than Legolas had ever seen in the Wizard. He truly was renewed, even in body and vigor. The Maia within kept him strong, Legolas supposed, checking Arod's tack and fixing his girth before leaping up and turning to Gimli.
"More riding, just wonderful." The Dwarf muttered.
"Would you prefer to walk to Edoras?" Gandalf asked mildly and with a huff, Gimli let Legolas help him up onto Arod who deliberately shook, almost unseating the Dwarf. He grimaced as Gimli clung on tightly to his back.
"Please release your death grip." He instructed curtly and was glad when the Dwarf did just that as Gandalf lead them off at a canter and then a gallop, back across the plains.
Many miles still lay between them and Edoras as the sun finally began to set. Arod and Hasufel had run valiantly beside the seemingly tireless Aerlaer and Shadowfax but as Gandalf signaled them to stop for the eve, he could see that even Aerlaer seemed gladdened for the rest.
They had no food but had found a little in the way of berries and mushrooms while searching for the Hobbits. It had not been much though and he had forgone the small finds to both Aragorn and Gimli. Aerlaer, it seemed, did not particularly enjoy grass but had forced herself to eat a couple mouthfuls while still in her horse form when they had stopped two hours earlier at a vale to rest the horses.
He and Aragorn untacked the horses and, like the eve before, they dropped down to roll gratefully on the scratchy, dry grass.
"I am sure you all would do well with a full eves rest. I shall keep a watch until dawn." Gandalf spoke, his tone offering no argument to his decision. Glad for such an offer and exhausted from all which had plagued his mind since learning of the Lady's words, Legolas stripped away his weapons and vambraces, leaving them in a small pile where Aerlaer had shed her own.
She had rested beside him the eve before and he hoped she would not mind if he chose to do the same. He also wished to apologize for ignoring her, although he was glad for her presence as they had walked from the forest. Gimli already snored and, Aragorn had removed his weapons too but had wandered, pipe in hand, over to Gandalf who sat on a slight rise, a few paces away.
Plucking up a little courage, for he suddenly felt awkward, Legolas approached Aerlaer who already had settled, her cloak pulled half over her. "Aerlaer?" He asked gently.
"Mm?" She replied from where she lay upon her back, her eyes opening to gaze up brightly at him, catching the starlight above. He found himself sinking down to sit beside her.
"I'm sorry for my reaction today. It was unkind and rash. I cannot truly know what The Lady means by her words." He apologized quietly and waited for her to reply. She sighed, rolling a little to face him.
"I should not have become so mad, I am sorry too. Her words are infuriating. I've grown up with various puzzles to work out from her words. I currently have two to figure out as you do. The first is her most difficult yet but it is yours I worry over." He momentarily stopped breathing, the fierceness in her words conveying just how mad she had been, perhaps still was. He did not realize it had affected her so.
Slowly he drew in air. "Yours are likely important too. The first one, what did she tell you?" He asked, wondering if it were as strange as the first puzzling words the Lady had given him in Lórien.
She rolled back onto her back and gazed at the stars, her gaze thoughtful. "That I cannot tell you, I must work it out for myself." Instantly he was curious but it was an answer he would respect.
"That is fair, I do not think I could share mine either. It is my riddle to discover the meaning of." She nodded.
"In time, you will. As for the other, you are safe, we'll just keep you from the sea to make sure you stay safe." He agreed fully with her decision, feeling more content for it. "Sleep Legolas, her words will make sense when they need too." Trusting her, he nodded and saw a hint of a smile touch the corner of her mouth before she closed her eyes. Realizing he was welcome to remain, he laid down, keeping a respectful space of just over two feet between them, and closed his own eyes.
…
Aragorn sat beside Gandalf, silently observing the faint red glow, far on the horizon that was Mordor.
"The veiling shadow that glowers in the East takes shape. Sauron will suffer no rival. From the summit of Barad-Dûr his Eye watches ceaselessly but he is not so mighty yet that he is above fear. Doubt ever gnaws at him. The rumor has reached him; the heir of Númenor still lives. Sauron fears you, Aragorn. He fears what you may become." Aragorn shifted uneasily. "And so, he'll strike hard and fast at the world of men." The Wizard inhaled a puff from his pipe. Aragorn's had long gone out.
"He will use his puppet, Saruman, to destroy Rohan. War is coming. Rohan must defend itself and therein lies our first challenge, for Rohan is weak and ready to fall. The King's mind is enslaved. It's an old device of Saruman's. His hold over King Théoden is now very strong. Sauron and Saruman are tightening the noose." Gandalf turned to Aragorn. "But for all Saruman's cunning, if the line of Kings of Rohan should fall, we have Aerlaer, a being the Rohirrim would follow and, they have you." Aragorn nodded as something fell into place.
"That is why the Edhelroch were taken out of the picture. It was by Saruman's hand?" Gandalf nodded slowly. Aragorn felt sickened. All war was a ploy for power but what had befallen the herd, what Elrond had recounted to him, which was Aerlaer's recount, left him feeling cold.
"Yes. It is a sad business what fate befell the Edhelroch. We are blessed Aerlaer has survived and with that, her line. If Saruman knew she lived, which he may well do, her life is in danger for she would give hope to the Rohirrim. Hope he wishes to quash, along with their lives."
"Is she in danger of entering Edoras, if Saruman controls Théoden?"
"In no more danger than Legolas shall be if he walks the shores of the sea, provided friends are close at hand." Aragorn stared at him but he only spoke on of the enemy at hand. "We must remember that although Saruman seeks his own power, it is Sauron who's will he obeys, whose hand he follows." He nodded slowly, gazing at the foreboding, unnatural glow, many miles away.
"No matter their cunning, we have one advantage. The Ring remains hidden, and that we should seek to destroy it has not yet entered their darkest dreams. And so, the weapon of the enemy is moving towards Mordor in the hands of a Hobbit. Each day brings it closer to the fires of Mount Doom. We must trust now in Frodo. Everything depends upon speed and the secrecy of his quest."
Aragorn swallowed, feeling that heavy guilt once again creep up at him. "Do not regret your decision to leave him." Gandalf spoke as if knowing his thoughts. "Frodo must finish this task alone."
"He is not alone, Sam went with him." Aragorn replied with a small smile which Gandalf returned.
"Indeed, he did."
They both remained silent for a while and at length, Aragorn turned towards his sleeping companions a few paces behind where he stood and laughed quietly. Gandalf turned around curiously to see what amused him.
"Ah I see relationships truly have grown stronger since Moria." He chuckled. "Galadriel did mention the son of Thranduil danced with her granddaughter in the Golden Wood. Have they confessed their hearts, as is the way of their kin?" Aragorn snorted to repress more laughter at Gandalf's question.
"I do not think so." He shook his head. "It appears Aerlaer is quite oblivious and Legolas, I do not fully know just where either his heart or mind are for he has said nor shown nothing. I know him well enough and, there are hints but, as for this," He indicated to the two Elves whose hands were entwined as they slept. "I noticed it too last eve. They have no idea of it, I do not think."
"To subconsciously seek the other out, a curious thing indeed." Gandalf mused. "A recognition of souls, perhaps?" Aragorn turned questioning to the Wizard but he merely shook his head but his eyes twinkled. Did he know something? Likely, Gandalf always knew something or other. "Or the feeling of being among kin, perhaps that is what draws them so." Aragorn nodded. That made a little more sense, he had found himself closer to Boromir, a fellow man, and he missed him sorely now he was gone.
"Legolas has been among the Rangers for many years, perhaps he has missed being with his own kind, more than I realized." He murmured.
"Perhaps." Gandalf murmured and Aragorn still felt as if he were missing an important clue. "I suppose I can guess why, if it were more, it is not. What with Aerlaer, with her ridiculous expectations on love and the consequences of just what happened to Legolas during the battle at Erabor."
"I would think so, if it is anything at all." Aragorn now had his doubts, of course Legolas would be happier being near another Elf, any Elf. Still, he had chosen to remain more so with the Dunedin than in Imladris where Elrond had offered him refuge if he wished it. He was conflicted. He would have to ask him, when he had him alone.
There was no doubt, he and Aerlaer got along superbly. He had not even managed to stir her temper and she had quite the temper when stirred. Now he really thought about it, Legolas had been hardly broody either, as he sometimes became. Even in the mines, which Aragorn knew he had hated passing through.
"He does not know this but before the council, I rode to the Woodland realm. I had business with the King, but I thought he should know of where his son was going. Aragorn looked at the Wizard, surprised.
"You knew he would go on this quest before it had even been spoken of?"
"I knew he would follow you and I knew you would want to help finish what Isildur could not." The Gandalf explained, a hint of a twinkle in his eyes.
"What of Thranduil?" He implored.
"He would rather his son had remained safe from such perils, but he accepted long ago, he could not keep him locked up in the woods."
"And the elleth guard, Tauriel, what of her?" He whispered even quieter, saying the name he most certainly did not wish Legolas to hear for the pain it may cause. He glanced towards the Elf to ensure he still slept, noting he was possibly lying closer to Aerlaer, his hand now resting just above her elbow, her own seeming entwined about his forearm.
"Tauriel is now commander of the guard and doing a fine job in the Prince's absence. She did ask how he fared when the King was not present. I have gleaned from our conversation, she wishes he would return. If he should, I think she will find he will no longer be the same Elf which left. I relayed he was well and had been spending time with the Dúnedain and in Rivendell. I did not tell her of the quest. Thranduil may if he wishes."
"I see." Aragorn murmured. "Did she mention the Dwarf?"
"No. there was no sorrow in her eyes but for the loss of the Woodland Prince." Unsure what that meant, he nodded.
"I am sure Legolas will return when he is ready, however many decades that may be from now." But, as Aragorn bid the Wizard goodnight, Galadriel's warning played in his mind. Would Legolas ever return to the woods again?
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