Author's Note
Hello, again! Thanks for deciding that Ithilienesse was interesting enough to venture into the second chapter. I appreciate it. It means that I am at least a decent writer.
I'd just like to add my disclaimer that I foolishly forgot to say in the first post: I have no ownership over The Lord of the Rings or anything else Tolkien has written. I would also like to add that I base my story on both the books and the Peter Jackson movies. In case you were wondering.
Legolas had the highest of hopes when he and his elf-horse Norië entered the mithril encased gates of Minas Tirith the next morning. The night before, he had little else to do but make further plans regarding his self-appointed task; it had been his decision to go to the White City and ask Aragorn for some assistance. They were close companions, having endured the War together, and Aragorn knew of Legolas's struggles.
The Elf's confidence in his friend's help waned as he climbed to the higher levels. There had always been something about Minas Tirith that made Legolas feel cold. He did not deny that the White City was beautiful, but he could not help but feel glared at by the people of the city. He encouraged his horse to move onwards, ignoring their unfriendly gazes. Was their opinion of him important at all? Was his concern unnecessary? Part of Legolas felt it was not so; he was to ask Aragorn for these people's help. Would they come? As an Elf, was Legolas too foreign to them? He had not yet asked the King for service and he felt alienated already.
Legolas welcomed his arrival at the seventh level of the city. The Tower of Ecthelion, tall and magnificent, pierced the greying sky. Legolas could feel that it would soon rain. He dismounted Norië and glanced around the citadel field for a nearby stablehand. He heard a fair voice in the distance call his name. His heart was warmed when he saw Éowyn approaching him with a wide smile.
"This is such a surprise!" the shieldmaiden exclaimed. "I had come out to read in the sun, only to find instead that the sun has disappeared and left behind a rather forlorn-looking Elf!"
"I am not forlorn," Legolas replied, smiling at her. "Not when I am blessed to be in the presence of such a delightful Lady of Gondor."
Éowyn laughed. "And I am blessed to be in the presence of such a lordly and courteous Elf!" She gestured towards one of the citadel towers, and a stablehand soon came to their sides.
He took Norië's reigns and led her towards the stables on the level below; Legolas walked with Éowyn towards the citadel.
"It would not have been wise to read outside today," Legolas told the shieldmaiden. "Rain will be coming soon."
"Can you tell by your Elvish senses?" Éowyn asked cheekily, "or is this information simply devised from gazing skyward?"
"A little of both," Legolas laughed. He had forgotten how much he enjoyed the company of Éowyn. The Elf feared that his reclusiveness from so much solitude in Ithilien would be reflected towards others. He did not enjoy being pitied.
They entered the citadel, where Arwen was happily attending to a small boy. The child, noticing the new occupants of the room, squawked and pointed at them. Arwen looked up, and her delicate face split into a wide and genuine smile.
"Legolas!" She stood and embraced him warmly. "Welcome!" The small boy stumbled to their side, his ability to walk still very new, and clung to Arwen's gown. The child babbled wildly upon his arrival, most of what he said meaning nothing. Legolas could comprehend a couple of Elvish words, but they did not make any sense. As Legolas tried to understand, the boy rapped him sharply on the shin with a toy wooden horse and squealed.
"Eldarion!" Arwen scolded, scooping up the child. She cuddled him in her arms and laughed as he babbled and squirmed. "I am sorry, Legolas. He is bold, like his father."
"It is not a bother," Legolas replied with a smile. "Speaking of whom, where is Aragorn? I must speak with him."
"I know he has asked Legolas often to visit the citadel," Éowyn added. "It would be most disappointing for Legolas to come here only to have Aragorn not witness it." She and Arwen shared a laugh.
"They are in council," Arwen answered; she referred to Faramir as well. "Imrahil just arrived from Dol Amroth with urgent news." She saw the subtle look of disappointment in Legolas's eyes and added, "I am sure they would have included you in their meeting, should they have known you were coming."
Legolas nodded but said nothing, having no intention to go further into the matter. He resorted to waiting patiently for his friends to come out of council, finding amusement in playing with Eldarion. The small prince of Gondor was intelligent for his tiny age, and entertained Legolas tirelessly with the presentation of all of his toys.
Aragorn, Faramir and Imrahil swiftly arrived in the citadel hall, speaking in hushed tones. Legolas left Eldarion with Arwen and Éowyn; his presence was somewhat of a surprise to the three men of Gondor.
"Legolas!" Imrahil exclaimed. He gave a short bow before embracing the Elven prince. "What a pleasure, we have not spoken nor seen one another in months."
"Imrahil," Legolas nodded, smiling. "A pleasure. And what, may I ask, is your urgent purpose here? Lady Éowyn informed me of your sudden arrival."
"Something may be brewing in the West," Aragorn murmured.
"War?" Legolas wondered. His thoughts went immediately to Eriador, fearing for the Hobbits in the Shire.
"Not quite," Imrahil answered. "Some of my men who were travelling through Arnor claim to have glimpsed inhabitants in Eryn Vorn. Elves, they said; or, what appeared to be Elves."
"Eryn Vorn?" Legolas repeated with a slight frown. "It was my understanding that Eryn Vorn was long deserted after the Great Plague."
"That was our understanding as well," the lord of Dol Amroth replied. "But if there are Elves living in the forests there, we must pay a visit. We cannot have anyone living there unchecked."
This confused Legolas. "Have the people there made any commotion? I do not see why we must keep so close an eye on them. If they are Elves then they will have no malice in their hearts, no evil intent."
"And what if they are not Elves?" Faramir asked.
There was a short silence following this. Legolas did not believe that the people supposedly residing in Eryn Vorn were orcs or goblins, because that would be a major misinterpretation on the part of Imrahil's men. His brow furrowed, Legolas glanced at all three of his companions. "Will there be a party travelling to Eryn Vorn?"
"We leave tomorrow," Aragorn told him. "I ask you to join us. However, it will be a long journey. You will have to put Ithilien's repair on hiatus."
"I suggest we take the ships," Imrahil put in immediately. "It would be a quicker route, and less treacherous."
"Less treacherous?" Faramir repeated, glaring at Imrahil. "You dare suggest that a voyage along the coast of Andrast is less treacherous than riding horseback? It is more perilous than sailing the Falls of Rauros during stormy weather!
Imrahil frowned defiantly at his nephew. "Faramir, you are exaggerating stand by my decision."
"You cannot guarantee a port to dock at!" Faramir argued. "Horseback may take longer, but we can more easily guarantee advantage in battle, should we be attacked."
"But by ship we will not have to take that risk."
"Should we be attacked by those in Eryn Vorn, is what I meant."
"I do not see why taking the ships is a worse idea. We can cut the trip by at least a week, most likely more."
"What of Éomer? Should he not be a part of this? He is King of Rohan, he should be involved. If we travel by horseback we will pass through Rohan and may rest in Edoras."
"A quicker route would be to pass through Pinnath Gelin."
"But that would completely bypass Rohan!"
"It is a quicker route!"
"Why must you insist on making the journey so quick?"
"Why must you insist on making the journey so long? This is not a leisurely vacation, Faramir."
"I did not say anything of the sort!"
"You may visit your brother-in-law at any time you please. This is not the time for social engagements."
"I-" Faramir threw his hands up in exasperation. "Aragorn, would you please explain to him that Éomer should be a part of this as well? You know yourself that he would be furious to be left out."
Aragorn looked at Legolas and smirked.