Chapter 13

"So...why did you never want to learn our language, Lady Gilraen?"

Captain Beluriel sat next to Gilraen in a marble terrace in Imladris. They sat there, sharing a bowl of fresh peaches and with the afternoon sun shining down on them. Down below, novices were sparring each other with blunted swords and Beluriel watched them with faint interest. She was obviously not used to the leisurable, slow style of living in Imladris and if she had been training those novices, she would be training them to the maximum...just as she had been taught.

Beluriel really just wanted to find Legolas. However, Lord Elrond had insisted for her to calm down and that he'd take over the situation, to find both Legolas and Estel, his foster son. When he and his patrols (ones Beluriel had wanted to participate in, but had been denied) received anything, he assured her he'd tell her.

Which is why she now sat with Gilraen eating peaches. She found Gilraen to be ever so pleasant as she got to know her and even though she was human, Beluriel found out she was much different than all those tales she had heard. Gilraen was pretty and shy but she held quite a prominently big heart, full of kindness and wisdom. Besides, it was interesting to hear about her life before Imladris.

"I don't know. It always did seem quite beautiful to me...but quite difficult. I am already quite old and I knew it would be hard for me to learn another language other than my own. Estel, in the other hand," she shook her head, but with a smile in her face. "He learned everything in a flash...well, other than the grammar and whatnot. He always struggled in that."

Beluriel smiled. "I did as well. I never did inherit my father's brains. I was much more tomboy. I prefered going outdoors and climbing rocks, falling out of rocks and sneaking into the farmers' farms to steal their crops, that kind of thing."

"That's not very nice."

"I know," she grinned mischievously. "Everybody did it at least once when they were elflings though. And I did get caught a couple of times, much to my mother's annoyance...I suppose that told me when to stop." Then, Beluriel coughed and waved her hand around in mimicry. "Beluriel, you filthy little creature! How many times have I told you not to go into Farmer Palyr's property? That poor elf feeds his family with those crops! And no young elleth, don't tell me it was 'fun' because it isn't! Why can't you be all nice and quiet like your sisters?"

They both laughed and Gilraen turned around grinning fondly. "You have sisters?"

"Yes, two of them actually. And one brother. I'm the oldest one of them all," explained Beluriel, leaning back in her chair. "Mother expected me to be the 'example' but that did not work out all right. My two little sisters are really lady-like and shy and all quiet...I ended up quite the opposite."

Gilraen sighed, with a bit of longing. "My husband and I...we wanted to have at least two. He said he didn't want our Estel to play alone. The circumstances though..." And she trailed off, a sudden sadness evident. It was obvious she hadn't spoken to anybody about her husband for a long time. Beluriel understood what she meant though.

"Oh, my apologies. It's a shame it couldn't happen. I bet though, that you see a lot of him inside your little boy," said Beluriel quietly. All Gilraen responded with it was a foreign nod, her eyes pasted across the landscape of Imladris and to make her feel better, Beluriel continued. "I think I would have ended up shy and dull though."

"Then how come you didn't?"

"Well, I do suppose Legolas is to blame-" And then, her words faded into thin air as she realized she'd said his name...Silence reigned between them until suddenly, Gilraen responded, with a curious but hesitant, not wanting to intrude kind of voice: "Legolas? Wasn't he the person you're looking for?"

"Yes," said Beluriel slowly. "He is."

"Oh..." said Gilraen looking down. "Sorry. I-I didn't want to be nosy-"

Beluriel smiled at the woman. She could tell that the mortal lady had nothing but good intentions. For a while, she knew Prince Thalos would kill her for speaking out...but she couldn't help it. There was no way a person this nice would want to harm anyone. "No, it doesn't matter. He's just very dear to me."

"Dear?" said Gilraen looking up at her, a mischievous smile on her face and her eyebrow curled up in a suspiciously smug face.

"What are you-? No! No!" Beluriel insisted, waving her hands much to Gilraen's amusement. "Not like that! No, no, no...or well, at least I think it's not-no, it is not. I mean, I suppose he is very dear to all of us."

"Us? Who are you referring to?"

"I am referring to the kingdom, Lady Gilraen," the captain of the cavalry said and then continued, after seeing the shocked look in her face, "Legolas is the son of our king and our prince. That is but one of the reasons why finding him is so important."

"H-He is a prince?" asked Gilraen, almost as if she were musing. "So he is going...to be a king one day?"

"King? No, I don't think so. He is the youngest of our king's three children," explained Beluriel, leaning back in his chair. She found it strange how easily she could speak to the mortal lady when she found it so hard to speak to her own family...maybe that was because Gilraen was such a good listener. Nobody bothered listening to her back at Mirkwood, except maybe her brother and Legolas, but Legolas was always busy and her little brother asked too many questions. "He is also my mentor. Or well, was. He still insists that he has to take care of me though...it is annoying but it is often very nice. I'm the little sister he never had and he's the older brother I never had in return."

Gilraen smiled fondly. "That sounds quite pleasant. When my husband was still...here and my son was young, I used to worry about how much he'd run around. I was afraid he'd crash into a tree or fall into a pit but my husband was all smiles. He said the time to pamper him would be when he was grown up and went on his own adventures..." She sighed. "I suppose right now is an example of that."

Beluriel nodded, grabbing another peach and biting into it. She swallowed the juice and then she continued, trying to get into a cheerier topic, "Did they get along, your husband and your son?"

"Oh, magnificently. I knew my Estel was his father's son when he came out. The first thing he touched when we cleaned him and everything was not me, or my hair or my touch. He yearned to hear his father's voice and curled his hands tightly around one of my husband's fingers. He was delighted," said Gilraen smiling. "He also made a wooden sword for him and he'd bring it everywhere. I swear I had to rip it out of his hands so that he wouldn't poke himself or bleed."

"How about you and your son, my lady? Do you two get along very well?" asked Beluriel.

Gilraen's grin faltered. "That...is a bit more complicated. I worry for Estel. He is reckless and has that rebellious streak from his father. He loves exploring, he loves discovering new things and going into the unknown...but he does this without thinking. He has a good heart, my boy, but he is not old enough to see some of the world's horrors yet. We clash sometimes, disagree on some topics and there are fights. He is careless and sometimes over-confident...a trait he inherited from his father and which got him killed."

Silence. Beluriel gulped down another bite of peach, which suddenly tasted bland and dull. "I-I am sure that is just part of his growth. I, myself, was very rebellious when I was young and I often did things without thinking. I am still quite reckless, but I have learned from my past mistakes. I am sure your Estel will too."

"I can only hope...but Estel will not listen. He is stubborn by nature," explained Gilraen and then went into a full-scale explanation. "You see, he is proud and full of dignity. I suppose that is good to some measure...self-confidence is very important I think. But sometimes this makes him reckless. Makes him foolish. He gets into fights a lot, with the elflings around here. He doesn't get to play with them much, Lord Elrond fears for his safety. And even if he did let him...I don't think they would want to be with him."

"What? That's terrible. I am sure Estel's a decent little boy," said Beluriel, popping another peach. "Why wouldn't they want to play with him? I would certainly have, he seems like quite a handful...and you say he loves horses?"

"Yes, he is a wonderful equestrian. No wonder he would get well with a captain of the cavalry," smiled Gilraen but then as quickly as it was formed, it subsided. "Although...not everybody thinks the same." A sigh. "My boy's been through a lot, Captain...he just wants to have a true identity. Just wants to fit in with everybody here. To know who his father is."

"He doesn't know who his father is? Why?" asked Beluriel, her curiosity rising as she popped a peach into her mouth in order to try to stop asking any more questions.

Gilraen opened her mouth and then shut it. After a while of thought, she asked her, "Do you know how to keep a good secret, Captain Beluriel?"

"Sure I do, Lady Gilraen. All warriors in my kingdom swear oaths of truth and honor. Speak and if you command it, I shall speak to it to no one," said Beluriel nodding.

"All right...but you must promise to say what I am about to tell you to nobody. No creature. No living thing. Do you promise?"

"I promise," said Beluriel solemnly.

"My son does not know who his father because he is not old enough to know. I want to give him a childhood, a few years of happiness, a few years of worriless laughter," explained Gilraen. "You see, Estel's real name is Aragorn. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, my husband."

"Arathorn?" frowned Beluriel sitting up straight and frowning as she munched on her peach. "Why...that does sound familiar. Is he from the north?"

"Yes, but he was much more than just a man in the north. Arathorn was the Chieftain of the Dunédain and... the Heir of Isildur. Now that my husband is gone though, I am afraid someone else will have to take his place," said Gilraen, looking out into the orange horizon, her eyes glazing and her voice trailing off into a thin whisper.

Revelation surged into her body and Beluriel put the blocks together. Shock overwhelmed her and she did the most terrible thing one could do in such a situation.

She choked on her peach.

O-O-O

"You're being dramatic!"

Aurell shot a glare behind her. Out of all elves, why did she have feelings for the only one who seemed to know everything she was thinking? She had already prepared a bag full of surprise, her spear and shield, she'd already put on her mail and was about to saddle her horse when he had just stood there waiting for her, his arms crossed and with a disapproved frown in his emotionless poker face.

"Would you have done any different?" she snapped turning around, crossing her own arms. "What if that idiot had told you that Rumil was dead when he wasn't? Or maybe sweet Orophin?"

"Of course I would. Except I would've waited until after the dinner to beat him up, not in it. Do you realize what a terrible mistake you did? It was shameful behavior of yours and you shouldn't have done it," he said sternly. "Your actions will spread like fireflies. The farmer will tell the commoners. The advisor is one of the court's highest ranking nobles. I'll have to pull even more strings to get you out of this one-"

"'Pull some more strings?' Don't speak to me as if I were some kind of child!" said Aurell. "Let them speak for all I care. Their words mean rubble to me."

"Words have more power than you think," Haldir's attractive drawl came closer as the Marchwarden stepped forward, cupping her chin with one hand and putting another hand on her shoulder. "All of this I've done to protect you."

Aurell's shoulder softened. "I know. And I appreciate it...but I couldn't control myself back there. I just couldn't. I was missing for one thousand years of Legolas' childhood and I feel that...I have to fill in those centuries somehow. I was never there for him, Haldir. It was always Thalos. My little brother didn't even know I existed until...you know."

"I understand," he said and then a smile cracked in his face. "How I wish though, that out of all ellyths, I'd chosen one with less recklesness and more sense. But no, the only one Varda wants me to fall in love with is a daughter of Thranduil."

She smiled mischievously back. "Well then, Marchwarden, it seems you're stuck with me for now."

"I wouldn't want it any other way," he said and soon, they were leaning close to each other, some strands of their golden hairs curling with each other and their noses were brushing against each other so ever slightly. She held one of his hands tightly and Haldir used one of his hands to cup her chin and there was only a few inches between-

"EW! THE OOGIES!"

Scowling, they both turned sharply, returning into their previous positions after they heard the incredibly familiar but annoying voices. The twins stood there, snickering but with their noses wrinkled up in disgust.

"Get a room you two!" said Elladan. "You know...this is a public area! You're lucky we came in and not somebody else or you two would have been so busted!"

"True, true...even horses deserve their respect. Wouldn't want all of the horses in Lórien to suddenly go blind, wouldn't we?" asked Elrohir. Elladan burst out laughing next to him and slapped his twin's back in agreement.

"Besides," continued Elrohir, "talking about getting things, what you need, Marchwarden, is some guts to finally tell King Thranduil about this thing you're having with his daughter. Wouldn't want to face his wrath when something happens to his pretty, delicate princess?"

The twins laughed once again and the Marchwarden fumed, holding a fist out saying. "Well, after I get my hands on you two, those faces of yours won't be the only things that aren't pretty!"

The twins understood it from there and they quickly vanished, laughing.

Haldir sighed, rubbing his temples. "Ugh...and I thought Rumil was bad enough. I have no idea how the grandchildren of somebody as glorious, beautiful, elegant and kind as our Lady Galadriel and our Lord Celeborn could ever be like...that."

"Who knows? Maybe it's the Noldo genes."

"Damn Noldo genes."

O-O-O

"Tell me how in the world you agreed for me to show you to the place?"

The bright, mid-afternoon sun shone in the sky but it was already dimming, turning into a deeper, darker orange. The three of them walked through the forest, like shadows in the dark, creeping through the thick foliage of the trees and scurrying through the rocky paths. Silad, naturally knowing the way better, led them with Estel in the middle and Legolas, since he had a pretty good connection with the trees, guarded their backs.

Legolas turned and smirked at him. "I happen to be very persuasive, Leaf-Eater."

"Leaf-Eater? We're both vegetarians, Legolas," snorted Silad, shaking his head but with a thin smile. It was obvious he missed speaking with someone. "Anyways, how did I even let you bring the boy along?"

Surprisingly, Estel found the elf speaking for him. "He's good. You know, he's got a lot of abilities already. Surviving the Misty Mountains isn't done by many, you know, some of our kin have tried and many have failed, elves much older than he is. Besides, he's got a good sense of survival, can do some pretty good stabbing with that sword of his when he isn't an annoying little idiot and he can throw pretty good lembas."

Estel scowled at the archer. "Look who's talking, wood-elf who got lost in a forest."

Legolas glared back at the boy. He now regretted telling him of what had happened in Fangorn when he had gone to seek his antidote. However, Silad, who had stoically been leading them suddenly turn around and then...burst out laughing. It was obvious he hadn't laughed with anybody for centuries, for all he made was an awkward noise, but it was a laugh all right and Estel knew it was impolite to make fun of others.

"Y-You-" laughter, "G-Got-" more laughter "L-Lost-" laughter "In A Forest?" asked Silad laughing. "You are so lucky I am banished or I would totally be telling this to everybody!"

"Valar Silad, you can laugh, just don't choke yourself to death," said Legolas, rolling his eyes.

This caused all three of them to laugh and they continued through the path Silad was guiding them in. The sky was now a beautiful painting, splatters of red and orange and salmon pink were smeared across the sky and Estel did not know if he could've seen anything as beautiful back in Imladris. He gave a sigh. He wondered how his family was doing. An entire ton of regret still hung around on his shoulders. He sighed as his mother's disappointed face appeared in his memory and looked at Silad.

"So, why did you decide to stay around Fangorn?"

Silad shrugged and his bright gray eyes gleamed with a sort of nostalgic light. "I dunno. When I was young, I had been told wonders about Fangorn. All kinds of things, like wild stories and fantastic tales! Talking trees, ancient magic...it really caught my attention and I said to myself 'I am going to go there one day, whatever it takes.'"

"Did you meet the Ents?"

"In the end...yes. Not the way I expected though." And Estel could've swore he saw a smile creeping from the corner of Silad's usually serious mouth. The silver swordself cut it off and then sobered up. "So, how did Bulgan's second in command look like?"

"Um...not much," shrugged Estel. "Like most orcs look like. Ugly, uglier and even more ugly."

Silad looked behind and shot Legolas a smirk. "The boy's got humour, you have to give him that."

"It sounds funny now," said Legolas back. "Once you start hearing it for weeks, then it starts to sound like an annoying fly fluttering against your ear that you want to squash against a tree."

The elves laughed and the boy scowled and they continued on. Now, it was Legolas' time to pose some questions. He asked Silad about Bulgan and soon Estel learned the entire orc's biography...although his life wasn't exactly interesting. He was one of the head generals of the orc forces of Mordor and was powerful and bulky. He had a wide reputation and he had many orcs who would gladly lay their lives for him, which is exactly why he has lived so long. He had meaty arms that could crush your head like a pineapple and a wicked use of his poisoned blade. He kept prisoners for amusement and often made them servants, working for him until the very brink of exhaustion. Then, he'd push their dead bodies into a lake without caring. He was just that cruel and ruthless. He had no mercy...he'd even burned one of his own soldiers with his own hands.

Estel was not looking forward to meeting him anymore.

"So, w-what's the plan?" asked Estel. Silad looked behind them at the archer expectantly and after watching Legolas' embarrassed face, added, "You have a plan...right?"

"Erm, not a plan really but-" Legolas sighed. "I do these kinds of things alone and I just do what I am supposed to do and improvise from there. But with you along, things are much complicated. My technique usually gets things done-"

"Usually?" exclaimed Estel. "So you were just planning to storm in there and have them squash us like oranges? Like pigs in slaughter?"

Screams echoed out at once. Insults were shouted by Silad, calling Legolas a thick-headed idiot and Estel, yelled out with logical remarks and some insults as well. Legolas counterattacked, snapping back and soon, they were a heat of gestures and increasingly rising voices. Finally, Silad sighed, pulling them away from each other and gathering calm once again.

"Fine. Since you apparently forgot your military skills, Thranduilion, let's start from zero," he said, grabbing a stick and sitting down in the grass...gently, so that he didn't hurt their feelings. He beckoned them to do the same and for the first time, they didn't argue.

"All right, so this is the stronghold. Two hundred strong, although some of them might be outside in their patrols," said Silad, drawing a circle with many X's inside and a few of them outside. "The map you're looking for is probably where Bulgan is. Find him or his office and get out safetly. You two need to go there right now to scout to see if-"

"Wait, the two of us? Aren't you coming as well?" asked Estel surprised.

Silad looked uncomfortable. "I...Erm...Well, no. I can't. The thing is, Bulgan and I already know each other. And it wasn't from a good experience. You see, I...kind of killed his brother. I don't think it'd be wise to take me along."

"Of course you did," said Legolas rolling his eyes. "You just had to kill the brother."

"Anyways," continued Silad ignoring the prince. "You two need to find a weak spot in the fortress so that you can infiltrate it. It'll be difficult but I have been observing the spot for a few days now. They have intervals in each patrol change, so maybe you might want to use that time wisely. And at night. They have very poor eyesight."

"Do you by chance know some of their schedules?" asked Legolas sobering up. "Or how long each interval is?"

Silad shook his head. "Unfortunately not. I am sorry. You are on your own."

"Don't be. This is not your job," said Legolas, standing up, shaking his head. "I have been on this quest for weeks now...if I'd only come more prepared, more ready, more confident-"

"Don't be so hard on yourself," said Silad gently, getting up along with Estel.

"What would you know about it?" snorted Legolas and watching a hurt look flash quickly across Silad's face sighed. "I'm sorry, all right? I'm just angry and frustrated and hopeless and-" Then, suddenly his eyes brightened and he looked at Estel. "Hope! Hope! Hope!" And then he started jumping, whooping and hooting madly around Estel until Silad had to quiet him down.

"You have a plan?" asked Estel excitedly.

"It's just an idea, really..." said Legolas already darting down the path. "But I am certain it will work."

O-O-O

"There's nothing, I hope you're happy. I already told you, my elves and I already scouted this area. There's no proof or evidence whatsoever."

"I know," said Aurell sighing. "But there should be something! There must be! I am sure of it! I feel this...presence."

Haldir snorted. "Don't tell me you're a psychic now."

Aurell glared at him.

Both of them had gone from the stables, riding their horses and Haldir had decided, for Valar's sake, to re-scout the areas his team had already searched. The wardens of Lórien, being elite trackers and warriors, had searched the woods clean and were more than sure that the elf prince had not walked through here. The Mirkwood princess was not so sure.

"Anyways...maybe they weren't here but maybe they passed near! That's clever, don't you think? Legolas never likes meddling with others when he's on these quests," said Aurell. "He likes to go alone."

"In this case though, he has taken a 'sidekick.'"

"Yes, which is strange. This is my brother we're talking about, though, so I guess it kind of makes sense," said Aurell, standing up after kneeling next to a clump of suspicious looking leaves. "All right Haldir, are there any other travel routes near Lórien?"

Haldir frowned. "Not many. Only three...One of them is in some caves near here. That is a very dangerous option though, because of the constant creation of stalagmites and stalactites. The other one is through some wheat fields belonging to some adan farmers, although we choose not to bother them and the other one is through this river."

"Hmm...caves aren't Legolas' thing. And he hates water, or so Thalos says to me. Maybe we should check out the wheat fields. Legolas is a very friendly person. I don't think some farmers wouldn't have minded if he had passed through."

"Yes, but think about it," said Haldir. "What if he doesn't want to be found?"

"Oh, please. Not you too. Of course he wants to be found. He-"

"And if he does not want to be found, then what? Your brother is very clever...don't underestimate him. He looks all nice and angelic but he's just as bad as the twins, no offense," said Haldir. "My instincts say that he went with the river. Why? Because first of all, it's unexpected and second of all, it is much faster than the others. I bet that whatever he's doing, he's doing it in a hurry."

"Haldir, you can't really be-"

"Please, do you not trust my instincts?" asked Haldir, his gray eyes melting her insides.

"FINE. We look there. If we find nothing though, it is not my fault," said Aurell, trotting off and Haldir, smugly, trailed from behind.

The two of them trekked through the woods, Haldir leading the way. They maneuvered swiftly through the trees, whispering to them kind words in order to gain their trust and after half an hour of walking, they could see the faint outline of the stream. The water gushing and rushing like a gurgling child. Jumping over the rocks, they were soon close enough to get a close look and before Aurell could jump forward and start examining, Haldir pulled her back.

"I'll go first. The shores of the river can be very muddy sometimes. If you fell inside the river, chances are that you might become prisoner to its powerful currents," he advised. "I would not want you to get hurt. Besides, I am the better tracker, I can make a quick scan of the zone quickly."

Aurell snorted, brushing a bewildered-looking Haldir away. "Please, I'm not some kind of precious china. Step aside, then we'll talk about who is the best tracker."

Aurell jumped down into the shore sniffing the fresh mud. Haldir followed not so far behind and they split up. Haldir gracefully jumped over a few rocks to get to the other side of the river and in lightning speed, landed on his feet with much prowess than what she could've done. After all, he had been named Marchwarden for a reason. She snorted. What a show off.

She turned to her side of the river and sighed. Most footprints, if there were any, would've been washed away by the amount of mud and water. She knelt around, sniffing. The tracking lessons came towards her head and she remembered that all her senses were critical. So she continued to look around, touching, smelling, hearing, watching and yes...tasting.

She remembered when she, Thalos and her father would go down into a half-safe prairie for hunting. Those were happier days and she'd even seen their father laugh a couple of times. She remembered the bright sun, the light she barely got the priviledge of seeing, much less feeling and the merry moods that surrounded her. She remembered the fresh smell of meat and accomplishment as they came back, full of game. Their mother would always be waiting for them all, glasses of milk and buttered bread ready in the table, teasing that if the three of them continued hunting, they would have meat worth for many lifetimes. They'd just laugh. Aurell would also pick some flowers in the way for her mother-lilacs, since she liked them best-and she'd be delighted, hugging her close despite the terrible stench of dirt and sweat.

Aurell sighed, grunting to her and shaking her head. While Thalos had always been his father's son, she and Legolas had always been their mother's. It was no use remembering the past, though, it only brought more pain to your present.

She scanned the terrain and found close to nothing. The faint rim of footsteps could be seen, but they were long changed by the wild river water and could hardly count as proof. She sighed, but continued on. She checked everywhere after that, the very shoreline where the large ripples of the river met the dry earth, she checked under bushes, she checked under the thick clumps of vines and weeds and she was even desperate to climb up the trees, something which apparently was pretty hilarious to Haldir.

She slipped down and leaned against the bark. Why was her brother so difficult to track? I mean, sure, he wasn't a stag and his ability to blend into the environment was outstanding but couldn't he have left one tiny clue behind? And slowly, Haldir's idea went into her head...What if Legolas didn't want to be found? What if he'd grown tired and angry of their lifestyle and just decided to abandon them?

She forced herself to shake her head. Legolas would never do that...

Or would he? asked an ominously taunting voice in her head. She sighed. Aurell had been missing for around one thousand years of Legolas' life. She had become a ranger, searching for the orcs who had killed her mother and wanting to seek revenge. She also, however, wanted to protect others and to help them avoid her situation. As a sacrifice though, she had missed Legolas childhood and he had barely recognized her when they'd first reunited. Thank the Valar for his good character, or else he might have never even accepted her.

Making a fist, she banged it against the tree's bark in frustration, growling. The tree shook with the impact and then it growled at her, telling her to be more careful and muttering about how disrespectful young ones could be these days. She'd responded with a few muffled apologies, although right now she couldn't care less.

Suddenly, some fruit dropped from the tree and clashed into the bushes, shaking them. She frowned, as the bush shook violently and out of a sudden, a tiny glimmer came from inside. She knelt close to it and realized it was a long shiny dark brown hair. With her slender muddy fingers and a wide smile, she grabbed the hair carefully and called Haldir over.

In the same graceful manner, the Marchwarden hopped over and they sat in the mud, looking at the hair. She had no idea how in the world she would be this happy about a piece of hair but...evidence is evidence.

"It's too short for an elven hair," stated Haldir after an initial discussion. "Besides, it does not shine with immortal splendor. See? When the sunlight touches it, it only shines a bit but not as much as our hair would."

"You're right," she stated and then, watching his smug look spread, she sighed. "Yes, don't look so smug, Haldir. Anyways, if it isn't elven...then it is a man's hair, right?"

"Right. Although it is strange. There have been no human caravans near Lórien recently...or else my wardens would have known. I have also observed humans for many years, I am sure that a full-grown man's hair isn't that short-" He paused, suddenly entranced, as if something got into his mind.

Aurell ended the sentence for him. "-Unless, it is a child's hair! But a child? Why would a child pass through here? And alone? Does he want to become an orc beacon?"

"Perhaps he wasn't alone," whispered Haldir, although his mind was far away.

"Hm and if he wasn't alone...he must have some kind of companion. That's it! This is how he is linked to Legolas. This is Legolas' mystery companion! But...how? And why would my brother choose an adan boy, out of all people, to-hey, where are you going?"

Haldir had stood up, dusting the mud away and was slowly making his way back up the shore, back to Caras Galadhon. His face was still entranced and his eyes shone with a strange sort of splendor. She quickly followed him, walking two steps to catch up with his large ones and soon, they were walking in the same, quick pace.

"I am going back. To the mail room to be exact. I have a letter to write...and it has to go right to Imladris."

O-O-O

"There! I think they're changing now."

Legolas looked up from his mud drawing and crouched next to Estel. The elf and human were hidden behind a clump of bushes. They were completely covered, except for a slight image of their eyes. They were a few meters away from the compound and Legolas had run around skillfully around the perimeter to get a look. Then he'd sketched a small mud drawing with a stick. The compound was surrounded by four massive torches, twenty orcs guarding each one and deep in the compound, where wooden towers and tents and they'd even dug holes to go in and mine from.

"Where?" whispered Legolas, poking the boy.

Estel pointed towards a few orcs, who were growling to each other. Some quickly went away into the compound, disappearing into some of the tents and the ones that took their place grumbled, obviously annoyed. "I thought your friend said that there were intervals."

Legolas snorted. "I thought so to. Looks more instantaneous though."

"How are we going to be able to intercept them and sneak in?" asked Estel. "It's obvious that like, half of them will spot us as soon as we reach the clearing."

"You're right. They will..." said Legolas. "That is, if they aren't focused on something else."

"Go on."

"Well, as my plan goes-"

"Yes, yes, your so very infamous plan. Just go ahead and tell me what it is!"

"Well, I was going to...if you didn't interrupt me."

"Sorry, go ahead."

"Anyways, as my plan goes, we'll need a distraction. It'll have to be very precise and we have to catch the orcs in mid patrol change. It'll be very risky...but it might just work."

"Let me guess, you want Silad to be that distraction?"

"Valar! You are getting the hang of this! Yes. We'll call Silad back and hopefully we'll persuade him to distract the orcs. With that stupid silver hair of his, he'll have tens of orcs seeking to rip it out from the roots."

"What if something happens to him?" asked Estel.

"NAH, he'll be fine," insisted Legolas, waving a hand carelessly. "As I was saying, when this happens, it'll be at night. Nobody will barely be able to see anything. So we sneak up behind some poor, unsuspecting orc and I slit his throat out-"

"Great plan," said Estel sarcastically. "Because stabbing him just didn't work out as well."

"Fine. Have it your way you little annoying adan. Anyways, we kill the orc and we drag him across the bushes and we hide him. We strip him off his armour and dispose him."

"So what are we going to do with the armour?"

"Ah! You see, we already have a clear map of the outside. Now, we need to know how the inside of this fortress works so that when we have an entrance, we don't end up wasting time searching for the place. That could be a life or death issue. Anyways, this means we'll need a scout to look ahead. Now, I hope your acting skills are decent, dear Estel," said Legolas smiling evilly, "because you are going to be an orc for a day!"

O-O-O

AN: An orc for a day? Haha...let's see if Estel likes that idea!

Anyways, the story is starting to heat up! Beluriel discovers Estel's real identity, Haldir and Aurell find evidence of a mortal hair (oh dear, I wonder whose hair it can be? *heavy sarcasm and obviousness*) and Legolas and Estel finally have their plan to go into the fortress! Although not the best plan, if you ask Estel.

Pardon me by the way, about Haldir and Aurell's scene in the stables. I'm just SO NOT used to lovey dovey scenes. I'm that kind of person who prefers the sassy commentary while doing a badass display of orc-killing scene. So yeah, it sucks.

But still...I LOVE MY NOLDO GENES JOKE! Hahaha, I must totally be a weirdo, laughing at my own jokes but still!

Whoop, whoop! :D Now some awesome reviews! The more of them I have, the more I am inspired to write more quickly!

Masked Man 2: First of all, thanks for all your compliments! Haha...it must be so fun to have a German AP European History teacher! That must be really awesome! Also, yes, Bulgan is definitely important and Estel does seem to have a much better memory than I do. I don't even know my own cellphone number! Anyways, I know the Lothlórien section was terrible. I was actually going to put the full version in that chapter but it was too long, so I chopped it in half and put some here! Which, hopefully, made up for its more boring counterpart in Ch.12.

Horsegirl01: Thanks! :) I'll try!

Emi the Ninja: Haha, thanks! And I am making an epilogue, so including it in it would definitely be a great idea! And don't worry, you will know how the twins might react soon...

Saphira: Sorry for the updating! School is being worse than ever. It simply seems we have some kind of large thing (test, project, essay, quiz, etc) due at least once every week! Frankly, it's a bit chaotic. Anyways, haha, Legolas does make queer friends. And I will write more! Or try... Namarie, mellon!

Luin: Yes I did! :) Aww, don't worry. I might not post in a long time but I don't leave my stories hanging. About the Spring Festival, yes, I will continue it. However, you must realize that I am quite busy and that the more reviews I receive, the faster I update. And haha, yes, Thalos is under a lot of pressure. He is the crown prince after all. And hahah, I get you. Angsty and hurt Thranduil is awesome! Actually, you've given me a good idea...

Guest: Aw, thanks! :) That's very kind of you! Although I do believe 'perfect' is a bit of an overstatement.

Schattenjagd: What, are you kidding me? 'Not as funny?' You are awesome! You have a great sense of logic and humour...you should be a comedian! You always crack a smile in my face, no matter what an idiot school has been! Anyways, since your reviews are long and amazing: thank you! And I know these two words can't be used to completely describe how great your reviews are but truly...I SO look forward to yours everyday! Keep being the fantastic reader you are and reviewing!

Guest: Thanks a lot! I am so glad that you are! :D