Thorn among the Roses
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or its characters the only characters I have made up I own, exe… Phoenix Star and Natalia.
Chapter Four: The Vision
Legolas knew they were being followed, to the east he sensed them drawing near, warning his guards quietly they were ready for the attack. Orcs came streaming out of the woods onto the path in front of him. Screaming an elfish curse he attacked the Orcs as they came to him. Slicing and hacking away at the Orcs he barely noticed help arrive, for right alongside him on horseback was Estel himself. Legolas nodded at his friend and continued to fight until the Orcs retreated. Two of Legolas's guards had fallen but many more Orcs died. Estel greeted him and helped him carry the men onto the horses for proper burial in Rivendell.
"It is a shame that you have to travel into Rivendell in such a manner," Aragorn frowned, "I am sorry that we did not get here in time to save your friends."
"That is all right," Legolas looked over at him, "they are in Valinor with their families, and they wanted to die fighting."
"I still feel bad," Aragorn nodded, "these brave men should not have died, Orcs should not have been in these woods, I wish I knew what was going on here."
"I am sure that we will find out soon enough," Legolas nodded towards Elrond's palace, which they were approaching, "I am sure Lord Elrond will know; the old man seems to know everything."
"You think me old?" Elrond announced as he walked down the front of the steps to the palace, "am I really that old?"
"My lord, I am just jesting," Legolas smiled, "you know I have great respect for you, remember when we fought in the Great War?"
"Yes, those were dark days," Elrond nodded as Legolas and Aragorn dismounted and followed him into the palace, "and I fear that there are dark days ahead, but enough of this, back to the task at hand."
"Yes my lord," Legolas nodded, "you require my help with your mother- in-law?"
"Yes, she has decided to visit and bring with her the court of Lothlorien, " Elrond frowned, "though her guard is the best in the land I would rest easier knowing that she was being escorted by the two people that I trust the most."
"It will be an honor my lord," Legolas bowed, "when do we depart for Lorien?"
"I need you to depart immediately, you can freshen your mounts and eat and then I need you to go," Elrond smiled, "Galadriel can be mighty stubborn and I know she wishes to leave within two weeks, that gives you time if you hurry."
"We will set out as soon as my horse is ready," Legolas nodded and left with Aragorn to the kitchens to eat and grab supplies.
They ate a hardy meal consisting of roast boar and potatoes; they filled their packs with lembas bread and wineskins filled with water. After they ate Aragorn slipped away to say farewell to his love, Arwen. He found her on the bridge next to their waterfall where they spent countless hours with each other.
"I must leave now love," Aragorn took Arwens' hands in his own. "I shall miss you but I will return soon, at most I shall be gone a month."
"I knew you would not leave without saying farewell," her blue eyes misting as she hid her face behind her raven hair, "when you return we have much to discuss."
"Do not cry," he gathered her into his arms in a fierce embrace, "what is troubling you so?"
"Nothing that I can say for now," she held him tighter, "just go and know that you have my love with you always."
"Yes I shall go now," nodding he wiped her face free of tears, "and know that you have my love always while I am gone as well."
They embraced once more and he tenderly kissed her red lips, they slowly parted and he turned and started down the path. She called his name softly and he turned to see her blow him a kiss and vanish into the forest behind her. Aragorn smiled to himself and picked up the pace, walking quickly to the stables where Legolas was tightening his packs.
"Ready old friend?" Legolas looked over to Aragorn, "I trust Arwen is well?"
"Yes she is fine," Aragorn mounted his horse, "is it selfish of me to love her so?"
"No my friend, love is never selfish," he shook his head sad for his friends plight, "she knew when she met you that you were mortal and will not live like she will, do not doubt your love and let us go on this journey in good spirit."
"I am sorry friend," Aragorn glanced sideways at Legolas as the trotted through Rivendell to the road that led to Lorien. "I speak of my love freely when I know you wish to find it so."
"I will find it," Legolas rode faster ahead of Aragorn, "and before my father forces me to wed!"
They set off leaving Rivendell behind and their woes. They rode like the wind stopping to make camp before the pass of Caradhras. The evening was chilly but not as bad as it could be, Legolas dreamed of an elfin maiden crying in his arms, she had red hair deep and dark but bright and she bore a sword; her clothes bloodstained and torn as if from battle. The sounds of swords clashing and an inhuman snarling surrounding them as elves, men and Orcs fought around them. He woke up abruptly at dawn contemplating what he saw; Aragorn was awake as well and was preparing to depart. He told his friend of his dream before preparing his own things and mounting his horse. Aragorn frowned and passed him a piece of lembas bread offering his opinion that it might have been a premonition. Elrond and Arwen both had received visions in his presence before.
Aragorn grew more worried for his friend as the day and miles passed by. Legolas seemed to be haunted by the dream. It was a strange dream indeed and it haunted him all day. Legolas stole a glance at Aragorn and smiled trying to lighten the mood again as they neared the borders of Lothlorien. When they reached Lorien that evening well after dark they were surprised to be greeted by the captain of the guard, Haldir.
"My lords, welcome," Haldir spoke, the lady of light is awaiting you, he turned and ushered them to the throne room.
"Ah, Aragorn," Galadriel smiled, "I see Elrond sent you to escort me."
"Yes my lady," Aragorn bowed and then stood, "your granddaughter is most pleased that you will be visiting them."
"Yes Arwen is why I am coming," Galadriel frowned, "she will need me and my daughters help in the weeks to come."
"Your daughter my lady?" Legolas questioned, "Is she not in the Undying Lands?"
"That she is," Galadriel nodded, "but I refer to my adopted daughter who is to be wed on within a fortnight, she would greet you but I fear she has retired for the evening."
"Ah, well I am sure we will meet her tomorrow," Legolas smiled, "who is she to wed?"
"That would be my fortunate bride," Haldir chuckled, "the Lady Star is a beautiful little warrior who has had my heart for a thousand years; she only consented to be my bride yesterday."
"So soon you will be wed," Aragorn laughed, "But why a thousand years have you waited?"
"Well my bride is stubborn and she is a fierce warrior as well as a member of my guard," Haldir began, "but she does not want to be tied down, she does not like not being able to fight."
"She is a member of the guard?" Legolas gasped, "Surely you jest? I have never heard of a noble maiden being a warrior, she must have a very hard will."
"You have no idea," Haldir laughed, "now if you would please follow me, I would like to show you to your chambers and then seek my own bed, we train at dawn and I have many preparations to attend to on the morrow."
"Of course," Legolas nodded, "my Lady, I bid you goodnight."
"Yes, we shall see you at the morning meal," Galadriel smiled, "Goodnight, Prince Legolas, Lord Aragorn."
Galadriel left the room and Legolas sighed, she was still an enchantress, but his mind thought of the maiden from his dream, 'who is she? When will I meet her?' he wondered. Shaking his head he realized that Haldir was moving out of the room and Aragorn following behind. He quickly followed suit.
"My men train at dawn as I said, if you wish to join them," Haldir mentioned offhand when they reached the guest chambers, "it would be a treat if you did."
"I would love to," Legolas nodded and then went into his chamber.
"Does he always act this strange?" Haldir questioned Aragorn, "or is something troubling him?"
"Something troubles him," Aragorn shook his head, "a vision he had on our journey of a women, an elf of remarkable beauty, but she was crying and he wishes to know why."
"Well I hope he figures it out," Haldir nodded slightly, "these will be your quarters, will you be joining us on the field as well?"
"Of course," Aragorn opened his door and walked in, "I would not miss this opportunity."
Haldir smiled as Aragorn shut his door, strolling back the way he came his mind drifted to the Mirkwood Prince. 'The poor lad, I wonder who it is as well he saw' he silently pondered to himself, 'whoever she was he would find her, I know that.' Walking to his own chamber and dressing for bed he kept wondering, then he thought of the future and what joys it would bring, Legolas will be shocked when he realizes just how tough Phoenix is, especially for her size. Chuckling he lied down in bed, shutting his eyes he pictured his bride, his Venimaer as he drifted to sleep.
In his chamber Legolas paced back and forth pondering his dream over and over again. This warrior maiden in his vision, could it be Haldir's betrothed? How many females fought in battles? Not many, but then again the land were not at war so what was the battle? Perhaps the encounter is not meant for now but far into the future; maybe it was just a dream. He wished he could speak to Lord Elrond; he was wise and experienced in these matters. After pacing for another hour Legolas exhausted finally gave up and collapsed into the bed.
Authors Notes: I know I added a lot more to this chapter but I thought it was lacking some depth, do you like the changes?