Chapter 5, everyone!

An update rather in time this time! On another note; have you heard that Billy Boyd will be performing the song that will end BOTFA?! That will surely be incredible!

Thanks to all readers, followers, favourites and reviewers! I really enjoy reading all your theories and in time, all shall be revealed. It makes me so happy that there are people enjoying this story! :)

I do not own any characters (except some OCs) or bigger places; J.R.R Tolkien or Peter Jackson and Co do.

The italics in the beginning and the end of a chapter comes from either one of the Lord of the Rings-books/movies or from any of The Hobbit-movies/book. All of them will have some sort of connection to Elves. So I do not own them as well.

Elvish is also in italics.

Enjoy!

Kapitel 5: You again

"Your coming to us is as the footsteps of doom."

It took a couple of days, nearing a week, before he arrived at the village called Bendaeenorod. It had been a good journey and Legolas felt very content as he got to see more of his kingdom than he had done in years. Traveling along the river had been a joy and he thought he would recommend it to his father when he returned to the castle. He didn't know when Thranduil last had visited other parts of the kingdom than the castle grounds.

Bendaeenorod was a simple town, with houses built around trees and below them. They were well-built and Legolas would barely have taken them for houses had it not been for a window now and then reflecting light from the inside. The town was separated from the rest of the forest by a large gate of trees and twigs, woven together in perfect collaboration.

He passed through the gates and ducked so that the twigs wouldn't get stuck in his hair. The sight that met his eyes was one of life. Even though the forest had turned darker over the years, it was difficult to believe when he looked out over the village before him. It simply looked fresh and lively, with Elves walking around on the narrow paths and the leaves and bushes were green, greener than Legolas thought it could have been possible. It brought a smile to his face and the motion felt uncommon, which was sad. The river could be heard in the distance, a clear sound.

The Prince was rewarded with curious and suspicious looks when he walked through the village. He did not think that he looked different from them; he had chosen his traveling clothes for his journey and even though they were made of fine materials, they had gotten dirtier and torn during his journey. His bow – while unique in its own way – was not an extraordinary sight since many of the inhabitants walked around with bows casually strapped across their backs.

"Veduil'!" someone called out and Legolas followed the sound of the voice, as did many others.

A tall Elf was approaching him with a wide smile upon his face, a rare sight amongst their kin. It showed off pearly white teeth and his eyes glittered like suns. He seemed to be a shade from a better time, from a time when the Elves' power was at its strongest.

The man approached him and Legolas waited. He was surprised when the other took him by his arm and gently steered him away down a path that led away from the main road of the village.

"Tula, heru en amin, lye innas pedo manke ennas naa ú lhaw an hlar."

Legolas frowned, but accepted the other man's suggestion and let himself be led away. As they walked, they were greeted by cool smiles and polite nods. At first, Legolas thought they were for him, but as further they walked, it became clear that it was the other Elf that held the peoples respect. He kept his bright smile plastered on his face and Legolas felt a spark of curiosity. Who were this Elf and which player was he in the big game the whole realm was currently playing?

They reached a grand cottage eventually. It was seated beneath an enormous oak and its roots grew thick, forming walls with only slits for windows. Moss and wildflowers grew under the roots, peaked up between them. Grey stones covered in yellow moss were also a part of the house of nature. From them poured small waterfalls, creating a nice melody.

"In here, my Prince", said the other and held open the beautifully carved door. "Here we shall speak in peace."

"I appreciate the gesture", Legolas replied, but did not make a move to step inside. "And I would appreciate it even more if you told me who you are."

"Forgive me", said the other Elf, still smiling, though without showing any teeth now. "How rude of me. My name is Tatharon Forestspirit. I am the guardian of this village."

"A pleasure", said Legolas politely. "And how is it that you know who I am when others clearly do not?"

"Simple; I knew you would come, others did not."

Legolas watched him closely, trying to read his character. He was met with a picture of friendliness and wisdom, something that made him calm and filled him with a sense of trust for Tatharon.

"How did you know of my arrival?" asked Legolas as he accepted the open door and entered the house.

"A message from the King", answered Tatharon. "A raven flying day and night to deliver it and trees whispering."

The inside of the house was homely. Oak, stones and copper made the room feel safe and warm, while different colored fabrics lightened it up. There were two doors that led to other rooms and Legolas couldn't help but wonder how far underground the rooms were. Tatharon offered him a seat with a quick bow and took out two well-crafted goblets of copper with golden details from a wooden cabinet. He poured up a golden liquid and handed one of the goblets to Legolas.

"To the King's good health and to the realm! May the leaves on the trees ever stay green!" toasted Tatharon and Legolas raised his goblet to drink to his father's health and the kingdom's future.

The drink was sweet, with a hint of something sour. It tasted fresh and it was welcoming with something different after having lived on water for almost a week. Tatharon explained that it was apple juice and Legolas then knew why he didn't recognize its taste. At the castle, red wine was the most common drink.

"Do you know why I am here?"

Tatharon sipped his drink, a hint of a smile still visible and Legolas wondered how one could be that happy or see something amusing in every situation.

"Actually, that knowledge has escaped me", the dark-haired Elf admitted. "Would you be so kind to enlighten me?"

At the request, Legolas told him about the thief and how he had come to the conclusion that there could be people here that knew something about the latest theft or – Legolas did not rule it out – that one of them could be the thief. Tatharon listened as the Prince talked, his face serious and smile gone. It seemed as no one liked the fact that the thief was one of their own kin and Legolas suspected that Tatharon would be most displeased if the thief was one from his village. That would not be a good association.

"I see", Tatharon eventually said when Legolas was finished. "Of course I will aid you in this. Your informant is right; Master Haeronor is in charge of the study of the plants, along with his wife. I shall arrange a meeting with them so that you can ask them your questions."

"That is kind of you, but I would like to explore the village before starting with the inquiries. I need to get a better picture of your lives here."

Both of them were standing up now, their drinks gone. Tatharon nodded and bowed, once again a peaceful smile upon his fair face.

"That sounds reasonable, my Lord."

Those words reminded Legolas of something and stopped from leaving the guardian's house.

"One last thing. I would like if we could not mention my position", said Legolas and smiled thinly. "It would be for the best during this investigation."

"Of course", nodded Tatharon. "Whatever you wish, my Lord."

"Good."

Tatharon followed him to the door and Legolas thanked him for his cooperation and hospitality. They had come to an arrangement that Legolas was to stay in one of Tathron's many cottages which he owned around the village. And if someone asked, they would say that Legolas was here in an errand for the King, which was technically the truth.

Legolas started his exploring of the village with a map of it safely tucked into his pocket and his bow ready, should he come across something foul. Just like before, he attracted a lot of curious glances, but no one approached him. He guessed that his mysterious arrival and the fact that the first thing he had done was following the highest ranking Elf in the whole village to his home. The people of the Woodland Realm were a suspicious kind, even to their own race and not only outsiders.

The blond Elf had walked around for a while, inspecting houses and workshops, having small talk with older Elves that were not afraid to ask questions, when he caught a glimpse of her. It was the unusual flash of red in the corner of his eyes that grabbed his attention, almost unwillingly so. He turned to look at was met with the red-haired Elf from many days before staring at him. He thought he could detect surprise in her eyes. She was wearing a dress now and a basket slung across one of her arms while her long hair was braided, not a single hair out of place. It was a strange sight to his eyes after having seen her as someone close to being a warrior, dangerous and cunning. Now she just looked sweet and innocent and he did not know why he felt almost like a pang of disappointment.

She was together with another Ellf maid and the other looked between the two of them with confusion written across her face. She said something to the red-haired woman, who shook her head, never breaking eye contact with him once. He stood completely still, did not move a muscle, barely raising an eyebrow at her. He thought he could detect a slight curl of her lips now and it sent off annoying sparks inside his chest.

The red-haired woman said something to her companion and handed her the basket. Legolas couldn't make out what it was they spoke of. The other Elven woman – with light-brown hair and creamy skin, with big blue eyes – gave Legolas one last look and a frown before leaving, hurrying down a path and disappeared around a corner. The red-haired elleth approached him with determined steps. Still, he did not move. She stopped right in front of him and looked him up and down, almost as if she assured herself that he was truly there. Yet he was the one who spoke first, unable to keep quiet:

"You again", he said with a hint of a smile, a very small hint.

"Yes", answered the woman and her smile was wider, her lips full and pink. "Me."

"You look surprised."

"Maybe. I confess that I did not think that we should see each other again so soon or at all."

She didn't sound too disappointed however and she was still smiling that cursed smile that made him flush and annoyed with himself for finding irresistible. He tried to appear nonchalant, giving nothing away.

"It seems you were wrong. We've met again and I will be staying here for a while."

If it was possible, her smile got even more alluring and she leaned closer, almost as if she was telling him a secret. Legolas forced himself not to take a step back at this sudden invasion of his personal space.

"Is it about the mysterious thief?" she whispered in a low voice, looking at him with eyes that barely concealed a bit of annoyance. "I do hope that you will not accuse me of stealing again."

Legolas swallowed and tried to find his voice again.

"I will do everything to find the guilty part, no matter who it is."

Even though he felt perhaps a slightly bit intimidating by the woman at the moment, his voice came out strong and chilly. The woman smiled a crooked smile and leaned back, putting an appropriate distance between them. She titled her head to the side and watched him.

"You know?" she said and it sounded as if she was thinking out loud. "I am quite glad that you are here."

With those last words, she gave him one last smile and turned to walk away. Legolas blinked and awoke from the momentarily daze he had felt. He loathed the way this woman made him feel; torn, uncomfortable, annoyed, curious and at the same time a feeling of want with her secretive ways and smiles.

"What is your name?" he asked her and tried to keep his voice even. "We have crossed paths twice now. I believe it's fit to exchange them now."

The red-haired woman shook her head and now Legolas had decided – no matter what feelings she might wake in him – that her smile was something of the worst things in this world.

"When our paths cross a third time, I will tell you. For now, I chose to keep it a secret."

"For I much desire to speak with him."

Veduil' - Greetings

Tula, heru en amin, lye innas pedo manke ennas naa ú lhaw an hlar - Come, my Lord, we will speak where there are no ears to hear

So, that was that! What did you think? Any new theories or guesses? They are really interesting to hear!

If everything goes as I hope, I should have the next chapter up within a week or perhaps even sooner.

Thanks for reading!