Authors Note: Hey folks sorry about the delay in updating! It is just getting a bit hectic around now with exams and assignments. Hope you enjoy the following chapter.

Ciunas.

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The lone archer did not notice the cloaked figure seated on the knoll watching him from afar. All that moved were the animals beyond the target in the wood, the crumpled grass straining beneath his feet, strands of his hair swaying lightly in the faint wind as he rested his vision on the centre of the target.

Without hesitating, he drew another arrow from his quiver and fired it with a skill that bespoke years of dedicated practice. An audible thud sounded as it found its way to the centre of the target that was already bristling with arrows.

Trees surrounded the archery fields except for the entrance, which led back towards the brook and gardens. Twenty round boards stood at different distances along the lengthiest wooded edge of the field while opposite rolling mounds provided comfortable seating for spectators.

The lush grass was soft and comfortable beneath Indil as she regarded the figure intently. The wind was quite still, the birds' song distant as he drew yet another arrow.

Like all silvan elves his hair appeared to be woven of the finest gold while his eyes were the colour of the deepest spring. He stood tall and upright, dressed in the greens and browns of Mirkwood.

'Young, young by elven standards . . . but wise as well.' She thought to herself.

He was as handsome as his father, King Thranduil, maybe even more so. The Prince, a beloved son of a mighty Elven Lord, was not lacking in tuition or training from what she could see or had heard about him.

Rising silently Indil moved forward until she was quite close to the Prince and waited for him to release his last arrow before stepping into his field of vision.

"Mae govannen Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood, son to King Thranduil."

The archer swiftly turned towards his company, only his eyes showed his momentary surprise. Placing his bow on his back the Prince bowed gracefully, hand over his heart to the woman before him.

"Mae govannen, forgive me my lady I did not realise I had company."

Indil smiled at the young ellons' inference to her noiseless approach. Well mannered and well taught in the ways of the court this ellon had much more to him than she had first assumed.

"Forgive me I did not mean to disturb your practice my Lord but long has it been since I have seen such a display of skill."

His fair face smiled politely at her compliment but remained detached as he studied her face.

"My apologies Lady I cannot place your lovely face among the courtiers of Mirkwood nor those of Rivendell."

Laughing inwardly at his probing question, Indil admired the young ellons' ability to both compliment her and raise a question at the same time. Yes, this is definitely the son of Thranduil, ever watchful until fully informed.

"Forgive me for my ignorance my Lord. My name is Indil and I am, in the simplest of terms, an associate of Mithrandir. I have not attended the courts of Rivendell or Mirkwood for many years now so I would not dare to presume that you should know me."

The young Prince took her revelation remarkably well; his face maintained a pleasant but curious set. His only failing was the myriad of emotions that flashed in his cerulean eyes. In all but a few seconds they resumed their calm appearance but not quickly enough to go unnoticed by Indil who stood regarding him amusedly.

It was known to all that the Elves of Northern Mirkwood were guarded in their manner and much cause did they have to be so but relations between Mithrandir and King Thranduil could have been described, even at the best of times, as tenuous.

"Ah I see. You are here on a matter of business then I take it with Mithrandir?"

Studying the Prince Indil admired the manner in which Legolas posed such a question without making her feel as if she were under scrutiny. He was relaxed, not tense or harsh in his attitude.

"Yes. Mithrandir requested that I come to Rivendell to talk of a forthcoming event."

'If Legolas wants answers he shall have to work for them. Should he be anything like his father then this shall be amusing.' She thought to herself.

Legolas had never encountered another of Mithrandir's order before and truly he was astonished. The woman before him had the countenance of one who was only beginning to discover life but to be an Istar she must have a wealth of knowledge beyond anything he could comprehend.

'If she is anything like Mithrandir then straightforward answers are going to be sparse.' He supposed privately.

"When did you arrive in Rivendell my Lady? I have been here a full month and a half myself."

Indil could tell he was patiently seeking out answers, a talent his father lacked which made King Thranduil eternally difficult to deal with. Already this young Prince is showing himself to be a capable ruler.

"Yesterday evening, my Lord. It was quite a long journey so I retired immediately to my room."

After a slight delay Legolas offered Indil his arm and began to walk in the direction of the target punctured by his dozen arrows.

"How long was your journey to Rivendell my Lady?" he inquired softly.

Indils' hand tensed slightly upon his forearm as they walked slowly, after a slight pause she answered.

"From a place many leagues from here. Near the Sea of Rhun if you must know."

Legolas glanced quickly at her profile as she disclosed this information. Nothing in her demeanour suggested anything traumatising but he was curious as to whether she had had any protection or company.

"A journey of great distance then and perilous as well for one such as you."

"No more dangerous than for any elf or man my Lord."

"Nay my Lady for to cross the Wilderland so close to Mordor and past Dol Guldur would be considered by many to be a dangerous passage."

"Well I found it to be quite uneventful my Lord" replied Indil secretively.

Realising this approach would lead him nowhere Legolas quickly changed his line of questioning.

"We must thank the Valar for your safe arrival. Have you encountered the Halflings or Hobbits, as they call themselves, yet my Lady?"

Laughing aloud Indil answered Legolas' question before she had even spoken. Looking at his face, which was gazing fixedly at the target ahead, she could not help but grin playfully.

"I have never come across such inquisitive, joyful and ravenous little beings in all my years! If I had known they were so sociable I might have been persuaded to accompany Mithrandir on one of his many visits to the Shire."

"Indeed they are delightful company, especially when one is weighed down by responsibility. They lighten the atmosphere of any room in which they reside."

"I quite agree my Lord. I wonder how they manage to keep such cheerful manners in light of the future?"

"That is a riddle we all wish we knew the answer to. Even Elves find it difficult not to be disheartened in such times as these. . . Please excuse me for a moment. . ."

Indil smiled graciously and nodded her head as Legolas released her arm to retrieve his arrows from their resting place. Methodically he pulled each one free, examined it for damage and replaced in the quiver upon his back. Indil smirked at Legolas' preoccupation with his arrows, specifically one that seemed to have damaged fletching. 'Now would be an ideal time for some questions of my own.'

"These are dark times as you mentioned. Even the most welcoming of places feel the growth of the shadow in the South."

Legolas grimaced during his focussed analysis of an arrows' fletching but Indil fancied it was not only that which caused the Prince to frown.

"Certainly. There are few places untouched, even parts of Mirkwood are overrun with dark animals and places we dare not venture anymore."

"It must be a trying time for your people." Indil encouraged soothingly allowing her voice to comfort the disturbed elf.

"Each new dawn brings new attacks on our borders; orcs have penetrated the southernmost edge of the wood."

She could tell this issue was a sensitive one, his back muscles tensed underneath his tunic; there was an undercurrent to his tone, which had not been there before.

"Still you have not been overrun yet. Do not fail to hope for all is not as lost as it seems."

"I have watched good friends; good soldiers fall in the skirmishes on the border with the spiders. Too many have fallen, we do not have an endless supply of warriors to protect our kingdom. If it should become encircled . . . we would be cut off from any aid sent to us." He sighed resignedly.

Indil moved to the opposite side of the target. Capturing his eyes she held his gaze trying to draw him out of the place within himself to which his mind had retreated.

"Most realms in Middle-Earth are faced with the same dilemma and many rulers have the same hopes and fears as you. Thus it is important that the quest succeed, not just for elves but for men and dwarves as well."

"I will do the utmost to ensure that it succeeds." He growled uncharacteristically.

While they had been talking Legolas' grip on the arrow had tightened considerable. Carefully Indil moved to his side and placed her hand his whitening knuckles. Slowly but surely the elf regained the calm that he had briefly lost. When he faced her Legolas' eyes had returned to their former shade of cobalt blue to her relief.

"May I see your arrow?"

Mutely the Prince handed over the damaged object embarrassed at his loss of restraint. Gently Indil held the shaft of the arrow between her fingers while she examined it allowing the Prince time to settle himself.

The fletching had been crushed in the Princes' fist while the shaft was faintly warped but the expertise with which it had been made was still evident.

"I am afraid this shall have to be replaced." She surmised sympathetically.

The young Prince took it without any complaint and returned it to his quiver. Silently he offered her his arm again as they walked back.

"Forgive me for my outburst. It is not something you should have had to endure." Legolas apologised.

"We all need to reveal that which troubles us at one time or another Prince Legolas. You need not be ashamed of it." Answered Indil, thinking of Aragorn and his mother.

Legolas could not understand what had come over him. In all honesty he had been troubled with thoughts of his father and his people of late. If his father had witnessed his lack of composure he would not have been pleased.

Indil saw that her companion was weighed down with many thoughts, hopes and fears. She used the time she had to examine him more closely. Of a similar height as she, he was a little taller than Aragorn, but slighter in stature. He could not be taken for a lesser fighter though. His body was toned and revealed the training he had endured over the years, his hands bore the calluses of an archer and sword master. Above his pointed ears warrior braids of an intricate design pulled back his hair.

When his companion stopped walking Legolas suddenly realised that they had returned in silence from where they had begun.

"My apologies Lady I was lost in my thoughts."

"As was I milord." Smiled Indil.

A noise from the farther end of the field captured their attention. A group of elves were cresting the hill that led onto the practice fields from the gardens.

"I will leave you now Prince Legolas to your practice. Thank you for your company. Namaarie."

"It was a pleasure Lady Indil. Namaarie." answered Legolas.

Bowing slightly he watched her leave before returning to his target practice.

Walking away from the once again occupied Prince, Indil was lost in her thoughts.

Although he hides them it behind a cool exterior that young ellon is troubled by many thoughts. He is a skilled warrior and shall be needed on the quest but will he be able to deal with what lies ahead? A lot rests upon his shoulders, as a Prince of his people and a representative of the elves on this journey.

The sounds of arrows finding their mark faded behind her as she walked back towards the gardens. She had been gone long enough for the sun was now high in the sky.

"Pippin will probably be wondering where I am." She laughed at the thought.

I may as well join the hobbits and Gandalf in the hall for lunch. Chance may have it that one or two of the Fellowship I have yet to meet will be there.

With that Indil moved decidedly to the main buildings of the Last Homely House.