"What did my father say of your mission?" Elrohir had joined them from his hunting trip and was intrigued by their journey.

"He did not explicitly reveal his opinion, but he seemed to give his support," Legolas said, pulling the small silver box from his bag.

"Maglor's brooch," Elladan choked, "He never spoke about Maedhros and Maglor to us, only in passing, however, we know about the brooch."

Legolas put it back in his bag. "He gave it to me, to prove to Maglor that we do not have dark intentions."

"I hope you find him. I think it would do him well to finally emerge from the shadows. My father as well."

Legolas nodded. Elrond had spoken with his mother about Maglor, and he had always regret the way they parted, and it haunted him. Peace of mind would reach so many if they succeeded.

They all retired after dinner, and Legolas was staying in the room he always stayed in when he visited Elrond in the past. It felt strange to be back. He lay down and closed his eyes. He imagined he was young again visiting Elrond with his mother, when he did not yet know war or suffering or death. When he bathed happily in the sunshine, when the stars twinkled joyfully as he chased fireflies. He thought of the time he skinned his knee and spent the afternoon with Elrond in his garden after he patched him up. He smiled at the memory. He had grown up surrounded by so much love. He had been so incredibly lucky.

He woke early the next morning, the sun streaming onto his face through the window. It was too early for breakfast, so he crawled from the satin sheets, and pulled on lightweight cotton robes that Elladan had put out for him. He braided his hair high and away from his face, and decided to go for a walk. He pulled on his tattered boots and decided to make new boots while he was there. He closed his door and padded down the hallway slowly, the painting of Isildur and Sauron glaring at him eerily from behind chipping paint. He glanced at the podium that was once home to the shards of narsil, and ignored the twinge in his heart.

He continued down the hall, and could not stop himself from leaning against a column and staring at the council room. He had not looked at it since, and he wandered over to the chair he once sat in. What if something had gone differently that day? What if he had not agreed to the fellowship? Would it have been more successful if Glorfindel had gone instead after all?

Legolas looked up as Voronwë wandered into view. He was wearing new robes as well. His face was unreadable. "How do you like Imladris?"

"You were right, it is beautiful here," Voronwë said with a small smile, "did you spend a lot of time here as an elfling?"

"I did. My mother and Elrond are very close, and Elrond and I grew close as well."

"Glorfindel is beside himself with joy," Voronwë smirked, sitting at the foot of Legolas' bed.

"He is incredibly loyal to Rivendell, as well as Elrond and his boys."

"You should have seen him in Gondolin," Voronwë nodded, "he held a remarkably high position in the guard. He was nearly untouchable."

Legolas grinned, "it is strange, how time goes by as it does. Where is he now?"

"With the twins."

Legolas nodded, "this is where the council of Elrond was. The one in which I decided to join the fellowship."

Voronwë sat in Erestor's seat beside Elrond's, his face thoughtful. "I was jealous because you and Glorfindel got to return home, not only to your homes but to Middle Earth, a place you once loved. The places you knew. I now understand that is not entirely a blessing, especially not for you."

Legolas stared at a spot on the floor, and then his eyes fell on the seat in which Aragorn sat. "Death is a part of life, do not mourn for me" Legolas recited, a statement Aragorn pressed on Legolas more frequently as he grew older. His eyes found Voronwë's sympathetic ones, colorless and bright in the rising sun. "I was going for a walk, would you like to join me?"

The next morning the twins were seeing them off. They had supplied them with enough lembas for several more months, as well as a few pairs of leggings and robes. They were saying goodbye at the same location that Elrond had when Legolas was going off with the fellowship. Elladan was embracing Glorfindel and speaking to him quietly, and Leoglas embraced Elrohir.

"We already told Glorfindel we will return to Valinor with you when you return."

Legolas stared at him, "you mean that?"

"I do. When you return, we shall go to Valinor with you."

Legolas grinned, "your father will be overjoyed."

Elrohir nodded sadly, "I regret not going to him sooner."

"Regardless. He will never let you out of his sight again."

Elrohir smiled, "be safe, mellon nin."

Legolas embraced Elladan, and they said a kind goodbye to Voronwë as well before they left. Glorfindel was between them, a new spring in his step.

"I think we should simply push through the high pass and rest on the other side. What do you think?"

Legolas looked at Voronwë, who shrugged. "I do not mind."

"Alright," Legolas agreed.

The hike over the high pass was grueling, and it was was once known only for its incredibly high population of orcs, and travelers often disappeared here. But now it was clear, and many traveled back and forth, according to the twins. Although the walk was rough, the weather remained fair, and they managed the pass in one day and one night. They rested on the opposite side for a time, on the border of the forest.

"I will build a fire, and unpack some lembas," Legolas said, excited to be home.

"Alright, I will go and find water," Glorfindel said.

"There is a river not far to the north east." Glorfindel nodded and Legolas began to build the fire.

"How big is this forest?" Voronwë asked, dropping to his knees next to him.

"Big." Legolas smiled, "people disappear inside. Why?" He looked up and Voronwë's face was fearful. "Does the forest scare you?"

He looked over at the woods, and back at Legolas. "I will feel trapped, I am already feeling anxious."

"It will be alright. I promise." Legolas said, standing. "I know this forest better than I know anything else. It is impossible for us to become lost, you will not be trapped. I swear to you."

Voronwë stared at him and nodded sharply. "I trust you, Legolas."

He put his hands on his shoulders. "I am glad. Come, rest. We shall be incredibly busy tomorrow."

Voronwë nodded and sat on the ground near where Legolas was building the fire. Glorfindel returned and gave them each their water skins back.

"What do you believe we should do first?" Glorfindel asked Legolas, and he sat next to Voronwë on the ground.

"I do not think we should go to the palace, as much as I would like to for personal reasons. At least not immediately. I think we should just enter the forest, and follow what the forest tells us."

That is what they did, and Glorfindel allowed Legolas to take charge of their journey in the forest. Once dusk began to fall they stopped for the evening. Something was definitely off about the forest and its balance and Legolas was confident that he was in the forest, but finding him was another story.

They pulled out their bedrolls and started a fire, and Legolas listened to the midnight wind in the trees. He could sense a patrol coming toward them. Legolas stood as they approached, bows drawn.

"Hands up," they barked, and Voronwëlooked at Legolas and slowly raised his hands. Legolas lowered his hood and the patrol's leader dropped to his knees, followed by the rest of the patrol. He looked back up at him, stunned. "My lord Legolas." He shook his head. "You departed-"

"Centuries ago, I know. I have returned temporarily, searching for a dark haired elf wandering this forest."

"Hir nin, we felt a strange presence a few weeks ago and followed it, resulting in a strange discovery."

"What was that?"

"A small encampment with remnants of a fire and food."

"Fantastic, thank you, Captain." The Captain stood, and put his hand on his chest.

"My Lord Faroth, he would wish to see you."

Legolas nodded, "I wish to see him as well, we are headed in that direction. If you could not tell Faroth, and I could see him myself, that would be fantastic."

"Of course, my lord," The captain paused with a smile. "It was wonderful to see you again."

Legolas smiled, "and you. Thank you."

The patrol left them and Voronwe sat down, staring at Legolas. "They have much respect for you."

"Yes," Legolas said quietly, "my people were, and still are, very important to me."

"Legolas is too humble to admit," Glorfindel smiled, "He and his family are revered by their people. Their departure was a great loss to them, I am sure."

"For us as well," Legolas said quietly.

The next day, Legolas woke with an overwhelimg sense of presence. He felt as if every tree and stone was watching him, crying for him. He was alarmed by it and knew that it was the trees. The trees reflected any extreme emotion that a being within radiated. There was someone close to them, and he was terrified and defiant of their presence.

"I think we should split up, but remain within communicative distance of each other. We're less threatening as a group, and we'll sense him better."

"He is here, isn't he?" Glorfindel asked. "That is why you want to split up."

"Yes," Legolas admitted. He is here, I am sure of it."

Glorfindel and Voronwë nodded and jogged in opposite directions. Legolas walked along for an hour or so, Voronwe and Glorfindel's consciousness steady in his mind. Suddenly, Voronwe was nervous, and Legolas could sense it.

"Voronwe?"

"I've fallen!" He was shaky, even in Legolas' head.

"Where?" Legolas asked, turning and running the opposite way.

"Into a hole, I am bleeding-"

"I'm coming."

Legolas dashed through the forest. He knew exactly where he was.

"Help me," Voronwë cried, hoping Legolas would hear him. His palms were clutching his bleeding side. He'd lost his connection with Legolas, and Glorfindel could not navigate the forest as Legolas could. It was getting dark, and Voronwe tried to keep his worry at bay. Legolas had promised. Suddenly a rope fell down the ditch, and Voronwë looked up. Long black hair fell over a shadowed face. The figure had the rope wrapped around his wrists.

"Maglor!" Voronwë cried.

"Hold on," Maglor called, his voice strained and hoarse. Voronwë wrapped the rope around his waist and held on with both hands as tight as he could. Voronwë was halfway up before Legolas crashed through the trees. Maglor flinched violently and the rope slipped a few inches from his grasp. Voronwë screamed and Legolas put out his hands in surrender.

"I do not wish to hurt you. Please. I shall help you."

Maglor shook his head.

"Ok, I will not move," Legolas said, fearful for Voronwë. Maglor began to pull him up again, watching Legolas hesitantly. Once Voronwë's hands were over the edge of the ditch Maglor backed away from them.

"Maglor, please." Voronwë pleaded as he pulled himself up out of the ditch. He groaned and collapsed holding his side.

"Why are you here?" Maglor asked sharply.

"The valar, they've asked us to come bring you home," Voronwë said from the ground.

His eyes widened, "No."

"Yes. They said it's time for you to come home. It's been so long. It's time." Voronwë pleaded softly.

"I do not wish to see them, their faces-" Maglor said in a heavy accent.

"you cannot hide forever. Even you tire of hiding. Elrond wants to see you, as well."

His face softened, "Elrond?"

"Yes," Legolas said, pulling the box from his bag. Maglor gasped quietly, and Legolas opened it slowly, removing the brooch. He held it out to Maglor. "He gave it to me to show you. To show you that's it's ok, and he wishes to see you." Maglor stared at him, gaping. "Come with us." He took a step toward Legolas, his face nervous. "I have no intention of hurting you. I've come a long way to take you home to your family."

Maglor approached Legolas cautiously and reached out to touch the brooch gently in Legolas hand. His hand was shaking and was scorched black. Legolas held back his shock and looked at Maglor. His light blue eyes were bloodshot and full of tears. His black hair was matted and torn, as were his clothes. He had a severe cut on his calf that was covered in blood and a shard of a sword hanging at his waist. His forearms were torn and angry red from the rope. He saw the relation between Voronwë and Maglor now and felt the power that radiated off of him. He could snap Legolas like a twig, and he swallowed.

"Alright."

Thanks so much for reading as always! He's finally here! Now just to get him to Valinor... The references to Legolas' childhood/mother/etc are from my story, Son of Stars.

Thanks so much to whilewewereyetsinners for the review! I'm happy you're enjoying it!