Bjarte coughed and rubbed his aching chest. He was feeling weak throughout the whole weeks, ever since they've abandoned the cove. However, he managed to keep both Legolas and Haldir calm and make them not to worry about his odd health swings. His recovery was slow, but visible. He swallowed dryly as he casted his eyes on the two tireless elves that were peacefully riding their horses and talking. And even Elessar. He remained to look stoic, almost bored. He hurried towards the man.
Dawn was glistening and it was indeed a beautiful view, to see the waking sun as it was lancing through the thin, misty clouds and falling down on the damp grass under their horses' hoofs. Everything around them was either green or kindly yellow as the wet steam was rising above the earth. Thick fern and trees were standing before them and they were slowly reaching the forest. The air was almost green, fresh. The boy could even smell the water somewhere near.
Haldir carefully watched the elf. Legolas was curiosuly looking around himself, with a small smile on his lips. Nothing unusual. He caught Haldir's strange gaze.
"What is it, Haldir? You seem bemused."- he asked and turned his head away from the blond elf as another wave of damp air hit his face. Haldir shook his head slowly.
"It's nothing."- he sucked the air deep in his lungs, truly enjoyning this green area. Legolas followed his example and shuddered as he felt small tickles all over his chest.
"It's so strange here, mellon. Everything is so alive."- he said in wonder. Haldir laughed.
"Of course. No human dwell in this forest. Nature is just perfect without them. They can only do harm. You've seen their cities."- the elf said with a chuckle and looked before himself. Legolas slowly nodded his head.
"No plants, no trees. Only raw metal and stone. And fire. It never ceases to amaze me how you endure your living in firelands."- and Legolas looked at Haldir's profile with obvious confusion in his keen eyes.
"Firelands? I've never heard anyone calling the Lands of Men such."- he laughed and shook his head.
"Well, don't you agree? There is a hiatus between any elven land and any land that is ruled by the Men. They are ablaze, arid. Can you hear whispering of those trees?"- he pointed at the old trunks. Legolas was silent.
"You cannot hear them speaking in the firelands, Legolas."- Haldir said slowly and carefully watched the young elf's face. It was indifferent.
"They are alive, just like you and me. And they understand life better than any human."- he said and Legolas wondered if he heard a hint of bitterness in the elf's tone.
"Firelands or not, at least we don't have the honor of meeting with any of Shelob's wicked children."- Aragorn came behind them and patted Haldir's shoulder friendly. The elf nodded his head knowingly.
"Aye, well said. But I am sure that there are no spiders in our way. The elven king takes good care when it comes to that matter."
"Thranduil.. Oddly enough, I know both lord Elrond and lady Galadriel, many elven soldiers and fair elven maidens, but I cannot recall any of Mirkwood's folk. They seem to be isolated."- Aragorn said aloud but Legolas paid no attention. His eyes grew wide as they slowly entered the dark, cold forest.
"I cannot say I don't agree with you, Estel, for I myself know little about the way of living in here. I guess that those elves are familiar to us, we are akin, after all. But Eryn Lasgalen seems to be.. a little too cold and dark for the likings of the Elves that grew up under the constant sun. Besides, there are still some Orcs and spiders left."- the elf uttered peacefully but his eyes carefully watched Legolas' back as he drifted somewhat farther from them.
"On the contrary, I find this area most pleasant."- Legolas suddenly spoke, a little bit too harsh. Aragorn curiously noticed the change it the elf's voice. Haldir crooked his head on the side.
When Legolas noticed their odd expressions, he blinked but continued to gaze around himself. There was a strange feeling in his chest. Haldir found this very interesting, but Aragorn narrowed his eyes for he was barely capable of keeping the pace with Legolas for he was rapidly changing. Bjarte was following them lazily, staring at the trees at the same time, not really interested.
Legolas couldn't ever hear them anymore. His heart wasn't beating, it was striking his chest from the inside with all of its force. He was silly excited, eager, curious. Under the tall trees, he felt safe like never before, wet air inside of his lungs seemed so right, almost normal. Clothing felt like a coffin that wanted to stop his body from breathing and his skin was screaming in need of being exposed to the coldness of the marble stones on the ground.
He smiled suddenly and spurred his horse.
Deeper and deeper they were going and Legolas' amazment was still powerful. He unconsciously left his companions behind and hurried forward, in search of something but not yet sure of what.
He was able to see every single leaf in the bushes or trees, he could hear birds somewhere far above. Those birds were singing differently than those in Gondor.
"Legolas, slow down."- he heard Aragorn saying, but the man's voice, it seemed, was coming from afar.
Legolas nodded his head and moved his lips lazily, as if he tried to assure him that everything was fine, ever more than that. His heart was strangely singing in joy and his legs wanted to hurry, to run. The forest became thicker and the horse couldn't walk as fast as Legolas wanted, so he jumped off him and grabbed the reins. He was leading him through the tall bushes and low branches, until the horse neighed in discomfort, not eager to yield to its master who was going deeper into the darkness. Legolas suddenly released the leather strips and left the horse behind.
The elf heard weak voices behind him, calling out his name and he shook his head absently and whispered back.
"I'm right here, don't worry."- and he continued forward.
He was touching stones, old tree trunks and wet fern with his fingers with a smile on his lips. He moved under the green arcades made of long leaves and wild ivy, heading towards the source of moisture that was present all around him.
And finally he made through the shrubbery. Legolas found himself in a small gulch filled with clean, cold water that was leaking down the mossy stones. Easy breeze was blowing and lifting fallen leaves from the ground. Some were floating on the surface and the elf sat down on a rock. He looked down into the water and he realized that he was able to see the bottom. Haldir was right- nature was indeed beautiful without humans.
The elf was sitting like that for some time when a deer came out of the bushes. At first, Legolas stilled himself, assuming that he will scare the animal away, but the deer calmly moved towards him and leaned over the rock in order to drink some water. Legolas was staring in confusion. It seemed that the deer was not apalled with his presence, like any other animal would. Even in Gondor, it took a great deal of time to tame wild animals and make them feel comfortable around him for they were not used on the Elves there.
Legolas was quiet, astonished and in wonder. After all, he was about to approach an elven land so it seemed logical that animals won't be scared of him. They were used on him.
With that thought, Legolas woke up. He remembered their task and goal, and he remembered his companions. He aburptly stood up and looked behind. He couldn't hear anyone anymore. The forest was quiet.
With a wave of shock he realized that he was all alone
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"Where is he.."- Haldir whispered heavily and sighed. He desperately shook his silver head and looked around himself once again.
"I cannot undestand how he managed to get away from us."- Aragorn hissed when he appeared behind the tree.
"Nothing. I couldn't find him."- he explained to the boy's worried gaze.
"I think we shouldn't stray any deeper into the woods."- Haldir mumbled when the man mounted his horse.
"Why? We could try again and maybe we.."- Bjarte started to speak but Aragorn shook his head.
"You have to be out of your mind if you decide to roam around this forest. Every stone, every tree.. All the same."- he was grim. The boy lowered his head.
"He can't be far away from us."- Haldir assured the boy. Aragorn sighed.
"And what should we do now? It's getting dark."- Bjarte asked but heard no answer. He, too, understood their ill situation.
They were walking the unfamiliar path, in the strange forest in which dwelled Orcs and giant spiders. And they couldn't continue without the elf. They heard a thunder and clouds turned dark.
"Great."- Bjarte uttered dryly. The man's face was almost black from worry.
"We cannot leave him here, all by himself."- he started to curse silently, half-blaming himself for this. He could have stopped the elf when he noticed how recklessly he was walking through the woods. He could.
Sensing the man's thoughts, Haldir stared at him.
"Do not blame yourself, Estel. He shall be fine, he is not a child."- he said but he was worrying too for he wasn't able to guess what can happen to the elf if he get caught either by the Orcs or Mirkwood's soldiers. He wasn't sure which was a worse option. Aragorn was right- they had to find him.
He was about to speak again, but they suddenly heard a horse approching them. The man heard it too. They looked at each other and their faces went slightly brighter. Bjarte stiffened.
"Orcs?"- he whispered, remembering the episode from the cove.
"No, Orcs don't ride horses."- Haldir said absently and stared in front of himself, but his hope died the moment he heard another hose. And another.
Aragorn narrowed his eyes again and his hand instinctively grabbed the hilt of his sword.
Both the elf and the man blanched when they captured a small group of elven riders. They saw them approaching and their faces were everything but friendly.
"Bjarte, step back."- Aragorn quietly whispered, his eyes never leaving the sight of furious elves, and moved his horse before the boy.
"I'll try to speak with them."- Haldir feverishly spoke.
A cloud of dust was formed when five elves on wild horses made a circle around them, with thin and long lances in their hands. They weren't shouting or hisssing, they were deadly quiet and calm.
Bjarte uncomfortably shifted when he felt a sharp blade in the small of his back but he was silent, sensing that the last needed thing is to make a scene.
Five pairs of eyes were tensely staring at them. Each of them had a long, dark hair that was ably braided and left to hang over their backs. They had no armor on their bodies- only easy tunics and dark leggings. Same like Legolas or Haldir, their faces were utterly beautiful and clean, they were all lean and tall and they had a majestic elegance that no human possesed.
Haldir took a deep breath and spoke something in elvish that Bjarte didn't understand. He was staring at the Elves, disarmed by their beauty and calmness. Aragorn seemed untouched by it. His face showed no sympathy or admiration.
One elf lowered his spear and moved his horse back on Haldir's word, but others didn't even glance at him.
He had a sharp jaw and gimlet, brown eyes. He was staring at Haldir suspiciously. His pose was hostile.
"You are threatening to cross our borders."- he said in low tone but he wasn't looking at the elf- he was staring at the man.
"With two humans, Haldir of the Golden Woods."- he added and his eyes grew dark.
"You are right, Taurvantian, my mellon."- Haldir said calmly but his eyes were uncertain.
The spoken elf narrowed his eyebrows when he heard the word „mellon".
"I am not certain if we are friends or not. I do not know if your intentions are as friendly as your words. What do you seek for?"- he asked sternly.
"We have no hidden motives or desires. We simply want to enter Eryn Lasgalen."- Aragorn finally spoke and a one or two elves shuddered.
"And who are you to speak thus, Man?"- Taurvantian said the last word as if it was a curse.
"Aragorn, son of Arathron, Isildur's heir."- he said in annoyed tone but his back was as straight as an arrow.
An elf behind Bjarte whispered something.
Taurvantian seemed impressed for a moment.
"That might be a high rank among the Men, but your titles mean nothing to us. You are of a different race."- he said calmly and relaxed a bit for he held the man for a noble one.
"I am lord Elrond's foster son and we have been sent here by lady Galadriel."- Aragorn's words were blistering and he slowly started to lose his patience with the elf, thinking about Legolas.
Galadriel's name was enough for the elves to glare at Taurvantian with suspicion.
"Gwanur, stop this madness."- Taurvantian's brother hissed and lowered his spear. He swiftly moved his horse and approached his brother so he can look at the man.
"Different race or not, honor is appreciated in Eryn Lasgalen. Welcome, my name is Raunien."- he said in hurried tone and his brother shook his head, as if this was a scene he had witnessed many times before.
Haldir breathed out in relief.
"But my brother is right. We cannot let you pass. Not until we have something that proves purity of your words. I shall repeat my borther's words: what do you seek for?"- he asked and it seemed that he paid no attention to the loud sky that threatened to fall down on their heads.
The man nearly screamed in desperation. This story could last.
"It's not that simple. We must speak with the elvenking, with Thranduil. We have to ask.."- Haldir desperately started, but Raunien lifted his white palm.
"Hold on.. To speak with the woodland king?"- he nearly laughed.
"I do understand your concern and hostility, but we have to find our friend, another elf. He's lost somewhere in the woods and.."- it was obvious that Haldir has said something very wrong.
Taurvantian shrieked.
"There is a stranger in our woods?!"- he shouted but his voice wasn't as loud as was another thunder that shook the ground.
"He is not a stranger! Legolas is not a stranger!"- Haldir shouted back, trying to overpower the sound of the storm. He wanted so bad to explain to them that he had a prince with himself, but he knew he couldn't. Raunien's face went confused when he heard the name, but his brother only gritted his teeth.
"What did you say.. His name..?"- the elf asked and closely eyed the blond elf. Aragorn, too, stared at Haldir when he heard the way he said the word „stranger".
But Raunien got no answer- the boy jumped when he saw a figure on a horse behind the elves.
"Legolas!"- he cried out and everybody looked at the elf.
Legolas was looking at them with the strangest expression on his face. He let out no sound as he carefully studied the newcomers. His fair face was indifferent, but his eyes were burning when he noticed weapon in the elven hands. Weapon pointed at Haldir, at Aragorn. Weapon that was too close to the boy's vulnerable skin. His face darkened with rage and he slowly took the bow in his hands.
Raunien stared at the lean figure and at the white face that was dangerously familiar to him. Same cold, frozen blue eyes that spoke instead of words, noble pose and icy pale hair. And then he caught the ring on his long finger. He swallowed.
"Gwanur.. We must take them to the King."- he whispered and rain started to pour.
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All wet and uncertain, they entered a long hall.
Legolas walked by Aragorn's side but his eyes were fixed on Raunien's and Taurvantian's slender backs. They were few steps ahead of them.
"Legolas, calm down. They won't do any harm."- Aragorn whispered and soothed the nervous elf by caressing his wet hands.
"They had a spear under your throat, Aragorn."- Legolas hissed and glared at Raunien who looked back, for the fifth time, and took a look at the elf. But his eyes weren't hostile- he looked as if he tired to apologize.
When he looked before himself, Raunien wondered about the closeness of the man and the elf.
"You would do the same to any stranger if you knew you have Orcs in your neighbourhood."- Aragorn sighed and squeezed the gentle palm. Legolas only narrowed his eyes.
"Where have you been? I thought I would die from worry."- the man continued quietly their conversation but he was well aware of the fact that, except of Bjarte, he had three Elves around him and everyone could hear them.
"I simply walked through the woods."- Legolas spoke honestly and peeked shyly at the man's shocked face with a corner of his eye.
Aragorn was aback.
"You simply what?!"- he hissed and forced the elf to look at his face properly. Legolas gave a shaky and apologetic smile.
"Forgive me, meleth."- he said in small voice and caressed Aragorn's clenched jaw.
The man batted the lean hands from his face. Worry drifted away- there was only anger in his eyes.
"I cannot even imagine what could have happened to you! How did you even.. What has gotten into you?"- Aragorn wanted to shout at him.
"I am not a child!"- he hissed back, all regret gone.
"Of course you are not! At least I would have known how to deal with a reckless child, but with you.. You are out of all sorts! First you run away from me and nearly get killed back in Gondor, then with no explanation start to act oddly and hide in the palace, then you want to kill my necromancer, then Karnil and now you simply walk a foreign forest! And you have even tried to throw an arrow at the elven soldiers!"- Aragorn was effusive. His constant worry for Legolas' strange behaviours stressed him to the core and he broke down.
"The first thing... That was your fault. And what do you want for me, Aragorn? To keep me on an eye day and night? That's just fine with me. Here, take reins and chains, tie me up and make me follow you in step, just like Brego. Do you want to check what I'm eating? When I'm taking a bath?"- Legolas was losing his grip slowly. Aragorn shook his head forcefully.
"That's not what I.."- but he never finished that sentence.
"Do you want to count hair on my head?!"- the elf continued and he completely ignored lines of water that were leaking down his cloak which made him look like a nearly drowned cat, same like Haldir and Bjarte.
Aragorn lanced him with a cold gaze. Legolas returned it.
"Don't fight now. You are guilty and no one and nothing could prove me wrong."- Aragorn said in order to close this stressing topic.
"What a surprise! As if I expected you to say something else. I don't care if you think you can end every discussion when you feel like you're losing it."- the elf said furiously.
"I am not losing anything. You must accept the fact that you cannot disappear whenever you want to."- Aragorn said calmly and it drove the elf insane. He hated this calmness.
"And you must accept the fact that you cannot have me under your wing whenever you want to."- and Aragorn lifted his gaze, dazed, but Legolas didn't flinch at the pain he saw in his steel eyes. He was too angry.
The man pulled himself together qucikly. His eyes went cold again.
"Fine, Legolas. As you wish."- he said in plain voice and let the elf to take few steps and get away from him a little bit. Legolas did that eagerly and followed their silent leaders, not even bothering to notice the majestic beauty of the hall.
"You two are so childish.."- Haldir sighed.
Finally, they stopped before the huge, old wooden door.
Raunien pushed the door wings and they flung open. They silently entered the king's royal hall but Legolas wasn't looking neither at the throne nor at the silent elven maiden with icy blond hair that was standing next to the window.
He expected Haldir or Raunien to start speaking, then Aragorn asking if they knew anything about his family and other common things. He was simply staring down at the shining floor while he was listening to the wild storm outside.
The king slowly stood up and made few uncertain steps.
Raunien spoke few ragged words in elvish and the room went silent again.
"Legolas.."- he heard Bjarte whispering in a fearful voice. He lifted his head and looked at the boy who was standing next to Haldir, on his left side.
Bjarte and Aragorn were staring at him. Shock, fear and pure disbelief were only emotions on their wet faces. No words. Just looks.
Legolas started to feel uneasy. He searched for Haldir and the elf was peaceful. He was even smiling. Legolas gulped. He could even hear his heartbeats. He wanted to ask what was wrong, why they looked so scared, so appalled.
Then he looked before himself, with a shivering heart.
The king was standing before his throne. His long, noble robe was touching the marble stone and he seemed nailed to the ground, more like a statue than like a living being.
Legolas barely noticed the looking of the hall.
Long, blond hair, slightly darker than his, but still shimmering and bright, forzen, blue eyes and even his face lines.. It was as if he was looking in a mirror, apart from his reflexion that looked wiser, older.
Legolas caught a swift figure behind the highborn elf and he feared that his heart might crack.
Familiar, kind eyes were looking at him with a doze of disbelief. Soft, blond hair that hung down her shoulders was just as his, same color. Her lips were fuller, and she was leaner than him, smaller. But it was her. He knew it.
She grasped the king's arm, searching for support. Legolas could see tears in her beautiful eyes. A grimace of pain disformed her celestial, painfully beautiful face.
She parted her lips and sobbed.
Legolas was only slightly aware of what was happening before him.
"Naneth?"- he fearfully called out and the king's eyes grew wide. He came into life again.
He wanted to run to her, to hug her so bad, so aching bad. To rest his head on her soft breast, to ask her why did she leave him, where was she when he needed her the most. To ask if she was for real.
He looked at the elf next to her. It didn't take him long to understand.
Legolas took a shy step forward, the two back. He started to shiver.
Haldir moved towards him and placed his hand on his back.
"Don't be scared, Legolas. You are safe now. You are home."- Haldir whispered and gently pushed him forward, urging him to walk, his numb, broken limbs to move.
He couldn't do it.
"Legolas? Legolas.."- Thranduil whispered in awe, ignoring burning tears in his eyes.
Thranduil started to move, with the beautiful elleth next to his side who was clutching onto his arm and crying. Her hands were stretched at the elf, silently calling for him.
Legolas took another step back, unsure of what he was doing. There was no heart inside of him- it exploded. He knew it when he felt a sudden pain in his chest and strange warmness.
"Legolas, come here.. Please.. No w-words.. Just come here!"- the blond maiden sobbed and opened her lean arms.
Rain was still pouring. Pouring and pouring.
"My son, my child."- the elvenking was whispering as he was approaching Legolas who looked more like a scared, stressed animal than an elf.
"Naneth? Adar?"- he choked on his words and let out a weak sob of pain.
And he was indeed home.