Three days later Legolas and I began our journey to Lόrien. We were in high spirits despite the growing danger in the forest, and even the guards that accompanied us began to crack smiles by the time the woods began to sink behind us. I was able to amuse all by telling riddles that Thranduil and I had been told during our schooling days, which were almost all beyond the ken of all present, myself excluded. We made it to the borders of Lόrien within a week with few stops, and once we entered the densely wooded track, I rode ahead – not to scout, but to arrange a new way to test Legolas's burgeoning skills.
I had brought several small, wooden targets with me, and I had hidden them so the challenges would be unexpected. I climbed trees and hung them, out of sight, where hitting them would be difficult. A few also made their way into bushes or hidden in a swift stream. I felt quite triumphant with my scheme as I returned to the party.
"You have a new task," I announced to Legolas, who sat up on his horse eagerly. "I have hidden thirty targets on our path to the city, and you are to hit each one."
"What if I fail?" he asked, ever the worrier.
I thought for a moment. "For each one that you miss, you must run two laps around Caras Galadhon."
He turned a bit pale around the ears, but nodded anyway.
"And Legolas," I called to him as he began to gallop forward, pulling his bow from where it had been strung to his saddle. "You have already missed one." At his confused look, I pointed directly above us, where the first of the targets had been hung from a great oak tree. This one had not been heavily disguised, but still rested where none would think to look. The paleness on Legolas's features spread.
"A clever idea, my lady," one of the guards told me after Legolas had disappeared from sight, intent on winning the game. Knowing Thranduil would have my hide if I did not comply, I had sent a pair of guards with the boy to keep him from trouble.
"Thank you," I said. "The prince might as well increase in what skill he can, owing to the circumstances."
It was only a further two days to reach the city, and it was not until we were stopped at the border that I saw Legolas again. He had apparently arrived hours earlier, and happily bounded down the ladder from the flet where he had been waiting when I came into view.
"I hit almost every one, Mother!" he told me. "They are all up here – I'll show you! My arrows never struck further than the eye than two fingerspans!"
"Excellent work," I commended him. "But how many did you miss?"
His face tightened, and I had a feeling he had not wanted to give me the exact number. I did not know if it was his pride, or a distaste for the prescribed punishment.
"I missed four," he told me.
"Hail, Lady of our northern kin!" a voice called down from the flet. "We have been watching for your party. Come and refresh yourselves, and we will escort you into the city at dusk."
My guards and I dismounted and began to climb up to the flet, trailing after Legolas.
We were served a honey cordial and thin wafers flavored with lavender, both of which I enjoyed immensely despite Legolas's bubbly excitement at the new surroundings, and his success at my task. I decided that I should take him out of our forest more often. His energy was making me feel exhausted.
True to the warden's words, we arrived at the flet where Galadriel had arranged for us to stay just as the sun disappeared behind faraway mountains. I was grateful that soon I would be experiencing real rest, and I knew our guards shared the sentiments. Legolas was yawning as our luggage began to be hauled up the white ladder, but I stopped him from ascending.
"Eight laps," I said.
"But –"
"Evil does not rest, and so you shall become accustomed to such."
He cast a longing look to the made up beds, which were visible from our vantage on the ground, and sighed before jogging back down the hill.
"A ruthless duty for a youngling," a mild voice said behind me.
"Galadriel," I said with relief, and turned to see her smiling benevolently at me. We embraced, and I felt ashamed at my disheveled hair and no doubt general smelliness.
"What did he do to deserve such a punishment?" the Lady asked, winding her arm with mine and pulling me away from the bustle.
"I had him practicing his archery," I informed her. "He hit all the targets but four, and the penalty was two laps for every target missed."
"Ah."
"He has had no war to teach him strength in his adolescence," I said, suddenly feeling that I had to defend my actions. "But that is not to say there will not be a war by the world's end."
"Very perceptive. You come with many burdens that you wish to share."
Much of the same blood flowed in my veins as the powerful Lady of Lόrien, and yet few of our abilities overlapped. Her awareness of my thoughts always left me disconcerted.
"You will find some of the answers you seek soon enough." After walking for a few moments, Galadriel directed me back to our flet and left me. I shook my head doggedly, hoping my thoughts were solely mine once more, and soon fell into my bed, my mind retreating into the escape of dreaming.
…
Sensing Legolas's quick friendship with the march-wardens whom we had already met, I assigned him to scope out the posts surrounding this city. A few of the older elves laughed at his curiosity but still answered his flow of questions, and I smiled at their instant camaraderie before retreating to the Lord and Lady's dwelling to counsel.
I explained to them during the next few hours of the tightening of the forests' borders, of my encounters with the monstrous spiders, and of the darkness emitting from the old city and the infectious disease. As I finished my spiel on the last subject, my aunt and uncle exchanged glances.
"You knew of this?" I asked, surprised.
"Aye," Celeborn said, his face grave. "A friend of ours, Radagast, lives in the southern part of the forest. He often sends reports of his findings."
"Radagast?"
"You know him as Aiwendil," Galadriel explained.
At this next pronouncement, Celeborn appeared extremely awkward and a mite guilty. "You are now one of the few that calls the forest Greenwood. It is better known now as Mirkwood."
I was dumbfounded.
"The dark influence that dwells at Dol Guldur – that is, Amon Lanc – is felt by all who pass in the vicinity. Many reports of missing caravans or individuals surface, and the sullying of the forest's reputation is only meant to save unwary travelers," Galadriel was patting my hand, no doubt to lend comfort, but I still felt mild betrayal for my beloved home.
"Well then," I choked out. "Perhaps you might help me to convince Thranduil that swift action should be taken against the enemy."
Another look passed between them, this time more amused. "The king hardly heeds your words, Caradel. He certainly will not give ours any more regard," Celeborn said.
I sighed, leaning back into my chair. "So I am alone in this," I said in a low voice.
"Hardly," Galadriel said. "We are always happy to lend what help we can, and I know the Lords Elrond and Círdan share your concerns. You might alone hold the king's ear, but your own will be filled with help, if you will it."
…
It took many more days below the mallorn trees, discussing what was to be done with Galadriel and Celeborn before I felt any degree of confidence. Legolas spent all of his time with the wardens, competing with the fine archers as he continued to improve. The last night before we were to depart back to Mirkwood – I hated calling my home by such a name, but I felt that I had no choice – a feast was held in our honor. Still many of the elves I had known as a small child dwelt there, and it was a strange experience to be met with so many acquaintances that could hardly believe that such an unconventional young girl had become a queen.
Legolas sat quietly as I was greeted by such a friend, and once my attention was no longer held and the noise of the feast would cover any whispered conversation, he turned to me.
"I did not know that you once lived here," he said.
I silently chided myself for not better guarding my words. "I did," I said aloud. "For a time." To avoid further questioning, I delved deep into a dish of fresh, chewy fish and filled my mouth. Thankfully, Legolas got the hint, and returned his attention to his own meal.
"You hide your heritage from those that would help you heal," Galadriel murmured in my ear, from my other side.
"I hide it to spare them the same pain that has haunted me these years," I told her, keeping my features level. But her attention was already diverted elsewhere, and my eyes followed hers. The Lady cleared her throat, and those feasting quieted as she stood, towering over all present.
"Tonight we celebrate the return of our dear kinswoman and her royal son. Long may the line of kings in Mirkwood prevail!" Galadriel drank deeply from her goblet.
"Hail!" The voices of the onlookers rose as one, and they drank as well. I flushed, and Legolas squirmed in his seat.
"I give you now a token that may help you to guard your realm from the southern shadows. Protect it well!"A long, thin wrapped package was pulled from underneath the table, and I stood to accept it.
"Unwrap it," Galadriel whispered to me, a twinkle in her eyes.
I complied, tearing the paper easily to unearth a lithe bow and a leather quiver of arrows. I could only gape, as the bows made by the hands of the Galadrim easily overshadowed those of my own people. My gaze trailed along the simple carvings, and I was surprised to see that the top and bottoms tips of the bow had to filed to form into lethal spear-like heads, with jagged points that would kill a foe from any angle. What a death instrument!
Galadriel rested a pale, slender finger on the spearhead. "Never be limited, Caradel. Not by arrows, not by your heritage, and not by your king's inflexibility."
I smiled then, more open with my feelings with my aunt than I had been the past days. "I cannot find the words to thank you properly, Lady."
She merely returned the grin and patted my shoulder, as we sat down and the general clamor of the feast returned. "Thank me by protecting your lands."
The remainder of the night passed more pleasantly, and with a sleepy Legolas and bleary guards, the next morning we turned our horses towards home.