Chapter Two

Legolas awoke early that morning feeling well rested. The weariness from the previous week had been replaced with a determination to complete his father's request to attend the council in Rivendell. Crawling out of bed, Legolas stood and stretched his long frame, shrugging away all traces of sleep. Last night before going to bed, he had packed everything that was needed for the journey. Like most elves, he packed light, bringing only the necessities. Extra clothing, weapons, and a few healing supplies should they need them, but it was unlikely they would. He liked to be prepared as a precaution.

Having awoken early, Legolas took his time in going through his morning routine. He dressed, braided his hair, re-checked his pack and when the sky began to shows signs of grey early morning light, he decided he better go check on Tauriel.

Her chambers were just down the hall from his. It had been that way since they were young elflings. Young Legolas and an even younger Tauriel used to sneak out the window of his room and climb down the tree to explore the gardens, the training grounds, and other locations. For a child, it was quite the thrilling adventure when one was supposed to be in bed sleeping.

Smiling at the fond memories, Legolas approached the door to her chambers. Gently he knocked on the wooden door and walked into her entrance room. Similar to his own, her rooms were kept very neat and tidy. The colors she had decorated her room with resembled that of the forest. Greens and browns made up most of the furniture and wall decorations. There were a few plants she had kept to bring part of the forest inside wither her. She had a fireplace similar to his, only hers looked like it had been used more and in need of cleaning. She had papers and maps of Mirkwood scattered around her table along with an empty tea cup. Her bookshelf was filled with books about Middle Earth's history and different realms that she had desired to see. One thing he admired about Tauriel was her desire to understand more of the outside world. She had an ambition to explore what lay beyond the borders of Mirkwood, something that did not bode well with his father.

Legolas scanned the room and did not see her. Knocking upon her bedroom door, he was greeted by the sound of Tauriel's voice, "Legolas, is that you mellon nin? I am nearly ready, just-" The door opened to show Tauriel finishing up the last braids in her hair, "…just finishing up with this and I'll be ready to make preparations for our departure. She was standing in front of her mirror finishing up her braids as he walked into her room.

"I assume that the task of braiding it is much easier now that the length is shorter," he chuckled as he entered her room. He sat upon her neatly made bed and watched her finish.

"Aye! I am glad for it too. The job gets completed quicker as well….There, all finished. Let us go!" She grabbed her overcoat and shrugged it on.

As she was tying the laces, Legolas grabbed her pack from the bed and located her bow and quiver, "We will need to stop at the armory before we leave and restock on arrows for the both of us." He noted.

After gathering her things, they stopped at his chambers once more to pick up his pack. He grabbed his twin knives and his bow and quiver and they set off for the armory. After picking up the arrows, they went to the stables where they were met with the elven guard that would be joining them for the journey to Rivendell. Most of them were from Thranduil's council and there were a few others who were from the guard. Thranduil was standing just outside the stables. His large elk was drinking from the river nearby and the King was gently stroking its neck. Thranduil turned upon hearing his son speaking to the company of elves that were traveling with them.

"Legolas, ion nin." Thranduil summoned. Legolas set his things down and went to meet his father by the stream. "You look well rested. I trust you are ready to depart soon?" Thranduil looked at his son noticing he seemed in better spirits today.

"Aye Ada, we leave as soon as everybody has their horse ready. Tauriel is checking that everything is in order as well." Legolas went to pat the elk that took an interest in the appearance of the younger elf.

"I am not surprised you have chosen Tauriel to accompany you on this quest." Thranduil pointed out as he glanced at the red haired elleth.

"Tauriel has volunteered to accompany me to Rivendell. As you know, she is a remarkable warrior and there are few more adept than she. I am glad to have her company and her friendship." Legolas responded confidently. He was prepared to defend Tauriel should his father speak unkindly against her. Legolas had known that ever since the events of the battle of the five armies, Thranduil had less of a tolerance for Tauriel and her defiance towards the king.

"And she yearns to see what lies outside of Mirkwood's boarders. It is understandable, but unnecessary. Thranduil paused and glanced back at Tauriel, she was patting her horse and inspecting the bridle. "I want to remind you that while in Rivendell, you are representing Mirkwood royalty, and I expect you to represent us well. I do not want to hear of any mischief you and the sons of Elrond have created."

Legolas chuckled recalling a few times he and Elladan and Elrohir had been in Rivendell causing trouble with a young Estel, or Aragorn as his is now known. "I assure you Ada, I shall behave accordingly."

Thranduil smiled fondly. He knew very well that is was not Legolas, but those twins of Elrond's that always started the mischief, "Very well. Now this council that Elrond has arranged…I was not informed of what it pertained to, which means it is a meeting of upmost importance and secrecy."

Legolas nodded in understanding, "I had gathered that."

Thranduil nodded in response, "Then I suppose there is nothing more to say on the matter." Thranduil turned and walked toward the stables with Legolas following at his side. "It appears that they are nearly ready to depart."

The council members and guards were all mounting their horses and awaiting the Prince's command. Tauriel came out of the stables leading two horses by their reigns. One was a white stallion that belonged to Legolas. The other was a brown mare that belonged to Tauriel. Both horses were prepared and ready to serve their riders.

Legolas turned to face his father, "Then I suppose this is farewell."

Thranduil nodded and felt a slight prickling of sadness at seeing his son leave yet again so soon. It is not the he didn't have faith in his son's return, but Thranduil would rather have his son be safely within the borders of his realm rather than far across the mountains where he couldn't watch over him. Legolas was the only family he had left, and it often times got quite lonely without the cheerful prince around. Thranduil pulled his son in an embrace and held him.

Legolas responded to his father's embrace and returned the affection, "Do not worry Ada, it is just a quick journey to Rivendell. I have travelled there many times before. "

Thranduil let out a small chuckle, "I know you have, just promise me that you will come back home safely." They broke apart and Thranduil placed his hand on his son's shoulder, "I fear that things will be changing soon, Legolas. Middle Earth is growing darker. A shadow is spreading throughout the lands faster than ever before. Lord Elrond will explain further, but I want you to be prepared."

"Yes Ada, I understand." Legolas nodded.

"Very well, then I bid you farewell ion nin."

"Namarie Ada, I will return home soon." Legolas looked at his father one last time before he took his leave and mounted his horse. With Tauriel at his side on her mare, together they lead the group of elven riders.

Thranduil stood at the entrance of the stables and watched his son lead the party of elves down the forest road. He watched them until he could no longer hear the pounding of the hoof beats or see the backs of the riders. Then there was nothing, only the songs of the birds and the rushing of the river left to keep him company. The king bowed his head and prayed that his son would return home soon.

The journey to Rivendell had begun. Fortunately for them, the rains had stopped and the weather had turned pleasant. They kept their horses at slower pace so as to not tire them out too quickly. The sun shone through the branches of the tall trees and brought warmth to their hearts. It was a good day to be under the trees, listening to the songs of the birds, the rustling of the leaves in the wind, and the roaring of the rushing river not far away. Legolas could sense the trees bidding them farewell as they passed through the Woodland realm. The trees spoke to them with a language that had no words, but a connection that was from the very essence of the trees themselves. All those of the firstborn had this spiritual connection with nature. It was a difficult sensation to explain to those who were not of the firstborn.

He looked over at Tauriel who was riding silently beside him. Her firely locks seemed to glow in the sunlight. He recalled how soft her hair felt when he was cutting it for her last night in his chambers. He enjoyed those moments with her when it was just the two of them. Whether they were going over battle strategies or sparring with weapons or just simply chatting long into the night while gazing at the stars. He felt most like himself when he was with her. He felt comfortable to show her his true colors. Just in the same way that she was comfortable with him.

Tauriel sensed that she was being watched and discovered that it was Legolas observing her. He had a small smile upon his face that caused her heart to flutter. She couldn't hold back her own grin as she looked into his ice blue eyes. Those eyes were like a frozen sky in an autumn night. Yet they held such emotion when he expressed it, right now he appeared very much at peace.

"Something on your mind mellon nin?" Tauriel questioned him.

Legolas realized that he was staring and quickly moved his gaze to wander from her. "I was just admiring the beauty of the forest."

"Is that so, the forest is beautiful indeed, especially after it rains. Do you agree?" Tauriel returned her gaze to the forest around them and noted the dew drops on the leaves and the way they shined after it rained.

Legolas looked back at her, "Aye, beautiful indeed."

He wasn't referring to the forest this time, but to the red haired elleth beside him. He dropped his gaze and continued his gaze on the path.

They continued their journey; it would take them three weeks at the most to reach Rivendell. After crossing the Forest River, they would follow the elven path to the Great River of Wilderland. The elves stayed close to the river, keeping a good distance away from the skinchanger Beorn's cottage. He was not their enemy, but the beast could be unpredictable at times and it was best just to avoid him. They followed the river until they arrived at the Old Ford Bridge. Once they crossed it, they followed the path that leads them to the slopes of the Misty Mountains. Nearing the end of their journey, they traveled through the High Pass, keeping as close to the bottom as they could. After they had put the mountains behind them, they followed the River Loudwater. After a few hours of following the river, they would have reached the hidden valley of Rivendell.

Elvish Translations:

Ada: Dad/Father

Ion nin: my son

Mellon nin: my friend

Namarie: Farewell