Chapter 2

The next morning was full of beginnings...at least for the elf. Gimli, himself, had woken with a knot in his back and stiffness in his legs, and the most irritable voice imaginable.

"Come Gimli! The day is new and the birds sing brightly in the trees. We must cover ground today if we are to arrive in the next few days." Legolas shouted merrily, leaping from one tree to the next, like an annoying squirrel as Gimli reflected. While he did not particularly wish to awake so early, his wish for a warm feather bed was greater, as well as a well cooked meal and highly acclaimed Dorwinion.

Grabbing what little provisions they had, the two set off towards the halls of Thranduil.

The next few days went by quickly. This area of the forest was known well by Legolas though a few noticeable changes were noted. The first was the much thinner underbrush and fewer trees. The enemy's fires were not completely blocked by the river, and although much of the battles were fought in the south, the northern stronghold of the elves was not left unharmed. Smaller trees were burned as well as the underbrush. Still, the forest was thick and...lively… It had not felt so alive, so restless, so glad, since perhaps when Legolas was an elfling. He felt the bark of the trees and smiled at them knowingly.

"Tell me, master elf, how does one understand trees," Gimli inquired. Much to his dismay Legolas only answered,

"I just do".

"Unhelpful. Clearly you must speak there tongue or know their behaviors. Like the Rohirrim and there horses."

Legolas walked for a moment in silence collecting his thoughts. "The forest has lungs. You breathe as it does, gathering air to live just as it does. It pulses through the ground like a heartbeat. It dances, not just in the wind, but through the dirt in the ground the air around it. When I touch them I feel their life and for a moment we are one. We understand each other, I suppose, as the horse lords do their steeds. They are happy now. The shadow is gone and they can breathe the light once more".

Satisfied with his answer, Gimli walked on humming a mining tune in his head.

At last, they came upon the kingdom of Mirkwood. The change was dramatic! It was nearly dusk and lights were strung around grande beech trees. Wild flowers grew about the ground and ivy draped along all it could find. Elven homes were in trees and along the ground blending with the landscape around. Similar to Lorien, platforms were set up as sleeping quarters, while cooking was done on the ground. It was not long before they were noticed. A great feast was being prepared, though Legolas could not think of why.

"My father must have a thirst for wine," he laughed.

Gimil noticed most elves to be slimmer and darker than those he had seen before. They had the light build of the prince, but with tanner faces, darker hair, and greener eyes. They sang with harps and lutes and flutes in a circle while others dances warily as they carried dishes to a stone table.

When the two arrived at the clearing, the musicians looked up from their music, while the singer continued. Suddenly becoming aware of the pause, the singer looked away from his music.

"Cellinor! Alas, your song has been gone far too long," Legolas cried, running to his friend and bringing him to a warm embrace. The rest in the circle bowed around him but Legolas did not notice.

"Tell me where you have run off to all these years. Your absence has been felt greatly throughout this land." Cellinor answered. Then, looking around, he saw Gimli standing awkwardly. He gave Legolas a questioning glance, to which Legolas replied,

"This is Gimli, son of Gloin. One of the Nine who set out from Rivendell, and my most trusted companion. And friend," He added.

"A star shines upon the hour of our meeting" Cellinor said somewhat hesitantly. "Now, the two of you must reach the halls as soon as you can or else I fear the punishment I shall receive for keeping you to myself. There are many who need you more than I. Now go! I shall see you at the feast."

"The feast," Legolas asked. Cellinor only laughed, mischief in his mossy eyes.

One of the elves serving got up from his work and bowed at Legolas' feet. He seemed confused at first than straightened.

"If I may hir vuin, accompany you to your father's halls."

Legolas nodded and Gimli followed suit.

A minute or so later, Gmli worked up so nerve to ask the elf, in Silvan which he had been learning, "What is these feast?"

The elf laughed and looked at Legolas knowingly, but Legolas did not return the look. Slowly his answer, "It is your friends begetting day"

"No it isn't!" Legolas exclaimed. "That certainly has passed. The weather is far too fair to be early spring."

"Since the shadow lifted, it appears spring will come a bit earlier." The elf extended a hand at a large green, grey, door at the end of a large bridge over a raging river, "with all due respect, hir vuin there seems to be much you have missed. To Gimli he said, "may I present to you, the halls of Eryn Lasgalen, the heart of the forest."

The halls of what?! Legolas mouthed.