*Finally, another chapter. It has been like a year since I updated last time. I hope you are still with me, our awesome Fellowship has finally arrived to Lothlórien. Who has been waiting for this moment? :D

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

~~~ Chapter 8 ~~~

They all were now awake, surrounding the fireplace, which Boromir and Aragorn were trying to hide.

"What about breakfast?" asked Merry.

"Sorry little ones, not this time." he heard Aragorn.

Legolas felt something. It was evil. His mind was distracted by an odd presence. He was listening to trees and wind. They warned him. He saw Aragorn nearby so he came up.

Seeing a panic look on his friend's face he started worrying.

"What is it?" he asked picking up his sword.

Hobbits were ready, so was Boromir. Gimli also was already waiting for them.

"I feel something. An evil. Trees and wind tell me orcs are coming." they looked at each other.

"... How many?" he drew out his sword.

"Not many. About 40. Small group, full armed, they will be here in a minute." he whispered hearing them.

Aragorn looked at his companions and came up to them leaving him behind.

"Hide yourselves." he ordered the hobbits. "Boromir, Gimli, I need you."

"What's happened?" asked the man.

"Orcs are on their way here." he said and Boromir also drew out his sword and looked around.

"Let's play with them then!" laughed Gimli.

"Carefully. They can be strong." said Legolas after a second, ready with his bow.

They nodded and heard their enemies. After a while, the first one appeared, but immediately Legolas killed him shooting his eye. The beast fell onto the ground with screech. The next ones quickly ran out of the forest. They were lucky that those from Moria didn't find them. He saw Aragorn glancing at the hobbits every now and then. They vowed to protect Frodo, so they will be. To death.

He was fighting with three orcs, they were strong. One of them grabbed his arm hard, but he kicked him in a stomach and the beast fell on its back. Then, he attacked the second one with his dagger, but the orc was fast enough to block it. He wasn't wasting time on looking for help, he could handle it and if not, he doesn't need someone who always saves him. He is a warrior. He heard Boromir's shouts and Aragorn's sword.

Finally, he killed one. Two left, but the stronger one was attacking in rage. He pivoted and pushed his knife hard into monster's back. The beast screeched and fell. The next hit was strong but not strong enough. Orc kicked him and pushed on the tree. He hit his head, but only blinked and avoided the blow. He rolled under the monster and pushed his dagger into its back twisting it. Breathing fast, he looked around. Only 10 orcs left. Aragorn already killed two and Gimli one. Boromir was protecting the hobbits' hideout. Suddenly, an orc wrapped its arms around him and squeezed him tightly. He moaned but was trying to free himself. The squeeze was really strong, like something was about to smash him. Then, another one came up and wanted to grab his legs. He was now scared, his memories came back. But he didn't give up, he kicked one of them and the second one he pushed on the tree. The beast let him loose and wanted to hit him. But he was faster, he picked up his dagger and slashed it. The one who got up from the ground, rushed to him but again, he was faster and hid his daggers, taking his bow. An arrow landed in the beast's forehead. Then, he noticed none orc left so he fell on his knees so tired. His body was in pain from the strong squeeze. His leggings were low, because the orc who wanted to grab him, pulled it down when he was falling. He trembled but it left as soon as it appeared. His hands were blocking his fall, the battle was so exhausting.

"Legolas!" he heard a voice, but it wasn't Aragorn. A human, but not him.

He looked up to see Boromir next to him.

"Do you need some help?" he gave him a hand but the elf didn't react.

Why could he trust a human? His scared, blue eyes looked into his and seeing his fear, Boromir took a hand away.

"Aragorn, come here!" he shouted for his best friend.

He knew that the elf trusted the ranger.

"What has happened?" he ran up, but when he saw his friend kneeling he started worrying. "Legolas!" he crouched next to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine." he looked at his friend, but his eyes were scared.

Aragorn glanced at Boromir.

"Boromir, can you go to the rest and check if we didn't leave any tracks?"

The man understood and only nodded leaving them. Aragorn quickly saw his friend leggings dangerously low.

"Did they harm you?" he asked with a huge concern.

He shook his head, looking down.

"I'm just.. tired, that's all." his trembling hands were still blocking him from falling.

His breath was fast but normal for someone tired.

"Let me help you." the ranger said, giving him a hand to help him stand up.

The elf squeezed it and got up.

"How many attacked you?" he asked.

He was holding him by his arm for a while, but when the blonde archer pushed away gently, he nodded knowing that he's alright.

"About.. 5 or.. 7, I don't know, there were too many." he whispered looking around.

"You really aren't hurt?"

"No, I'm fine. Don't worry."

"If you say so.. now come, everyone's waiting." he placed a hand on his back gently.

His memories still haunt him, and Aragorn knew it, but he does everything he can. He's been blaming himself since the day he disappeared. It was his fault. Not Legolas', not his brothers', nor anyone else's.

They joined the group. His companions were waiting.

"Lead us on Aragorn." whispered Boromir.

Aragorn nodded and looked at his friend. The elf gave him an understandable gaze and smiled lightly. He sighed but went to the top of the fellowship. After some time, Boromir came up to him.

"Aragorn..." he began whispering.

The ranger turned his gaze to him waiting for the warrior to continue.

"What's wrong with Legolas? Why is he still afraid of me?" he asked quietly but nicely.

"He's.. he's not afraid of you Boromir."

"But he is! I can see it in the way he looks at me, he is afraid even to speak to me. I know it Aragorn. Tell me, why?"

"There's nothing to tell you, son of Gondor. He isn't afraid of you, if he was, he wouldn't accept your apologies."

"So that's why he is scared? Because I shouted at him?"

"N.. no, Boromir. It's not like that. He forgave you. It's not because of it."

"Someone has hurt him, didn't they?"

"I... cannot tell you. You must understand, this is his own life."

"Of course I understand. I just... don't like seeing fear in his eyes when he looks at me."

They both glanced at him, who was looking around.

"Me either, my friend."

"He trusts you very much."

"I know. And I can say the same. I also trust him for my life."

"But you're a human like me."

"Yes, I am."

"And he doesn't fear when you're near him. Moreover, he feels the safest when you're near him."

"We know each other very well and for very long time. He knows he has no reasons to be scared of me."

"I think I get it. Friendship is magic sometimes. At least, some people call it like that." he smiled but didn't wait for Aragorn's response. He turned away and went on the end of the group, where he was always.

Legolas knew they are close, he feels elves nearby. They came into the Woods of Lórien. Colourful leaves were falling from trees and a warm wind was touching his skin.

"Stay close young Hobbits! They say there's a great sorceress lives in these woods. An Elf-witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell…" he whispered and Frodo startled as like something haunted him. Legolas sighed, seeing the beauty of these woods. He wandered off for a minute.

He woke up when Gimli ended his story.

"...And are never seen again."

Now, all hobbits were startled, looking around with fear.

"Have you ever been here, mr. Legolas?" asked Sam.

"Yes. I know Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel quite well. And I can assure you, she's not a witch." he smiled lightly.

"Says an elf about another elf." snorted Gimli.

"Legolas is right, Gimli. Lady Galadriel is not a witch, nor is she dangerous in any other way." interrupted Aragorn.

"You also know her?" asked Frodo.

"Yes, sometimes when we were younger, Lord Elrond used to take us for council meetings."

"Us? Who was with you?" asked Pippin.

"Legolas and Elrond's sons."

"Lord Elrond has got sons?" asked Merry.

"Yes, twins. Elladan and Elrohir."

"Were they those elves you were talking with in Rivendell?" he heard voice of Boromir.

"Yes, it was them."

"I don't understand one thing." said Pippin.

"Well, it isn't something new." chuckled Merry.

"What thing?" asked Strider.

"What was Legolas doing in Lord Elrond's palace? Have you lived there?" he asked directly to him.

He looked at him with a hidden sadness.

"Yes. I have lived there. And I hope I will still be." he smiled lightly looking at Aragorn.

"Of course my friend you will." the ranger smiled back.

"But why have you lived there? I heard you're from Mirkwood. Mirkwood is not Rivendell.. or is it?" asked Pippin again now confused.

"N.. no, it's not. But I.. I wanted to live there."

"Why?"

"Now, now, we're running away from our main subject." interrupted Aragorn seeing nervous look and painful expression on his friend's face.

The prince sighed and looked at him thankfully. Aragorn smiled softly and nodded.

"What was our main subject?" asked Merry.

"The Brightest Lady isn't a witch. Do not fear." said Aragorn. "It's only a dwarvish story. She isn't dangerous."

"Well, here's one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!"

Suddenly, in front of the fellowship appeared a big group of elves. Arrows were pointed to everyone, except for Legolas.

"The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark." whispered one of elves, it was Haldir, the servant of Lothlórien.

Gimli mumbled something as his answer, definitely not satisfied. The evening has set, and Haldir lead the fellowship to the stairs and ruins nearby, where he's finally spoken.

"Mae govannen Legolas Thranduilion..." he said with a hand on his heart bowing with his head.

"Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien." he whispered quickly. He knew Haldir too, once he saved him.

The blonde elf turned to Aragorn standing next to his friend.

"A Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen."

"Haldir." he bowed as well as Legolas.

"So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can all understand!"

Haldir looked at him.

"You are in our land, so it is you who should adjust to our tongue and habits." he stopped for a moment to take a breath. "We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days." his voice was calm and a little cold.

"And do you know what this Dwarf says to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!" he hissed angrily. How much he hates elves he cannot describe.

Aragorn grabbed his arm unhappy.

"That was not so courteous." he whispered.

Haldir looked at them and walked up to Frodo and other hobbits.

"You bring great evil with you." then, he went back to the place where he was standing a minute ago. "You can go no farther." he said calmly.

Hobbits and Boromir sighed, sitting on a rock. Gimli mumbled something, supposing, not nice, and followed his companions. Aragorn started arguing with Haldir in elvish, only Legolas could understand them. He turned back when he felt Aragorn's gaze upon him.

"It's the end. The fellowship has failed." said Boromir.

"Yeah... we shouldn't have left Shire, Merry. Now, we are nothing but losers."

"Do not say it, friends." spoke Legolas leaving Aragorn and Haldir behind.

They looked at him.

"We have failed, and it's only because elves. Your kins." hissed Gimli but Legolas ignored him.

"There's still hope. We will get to Lothlórien."

"How?" asked Sam.

He looked at Aragorn, smiling lightly.

"Because I believe in it. And you should do it too..." he said calmly.

And indeed, after a few minutes Haldir came up to them with Aragorn behind.

"You will follow me." he said coldly.

Everyone looked at each other and Legolas exchanged gazes with his friend. He smiled and nodded. They followed the elf silently. Nobody's spoken until they've arrived to the heart of the realm. He felt safer among the elves.

"Caras Galadhon. The heart of Elvendom on earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light." told them Haldir quietly with pride in his voice.

His face was so peaceful. Everyone was looking around, admiring views. It's been already dark, but the light of all elves and their home was shining very bright, adding amazing feelings in their heart. Suddenly, a big amount of white light filled the neighbourhood and they had to cover their eyes. Finally, a pair of bright elves appeared, hand in hand with each other. Haldir bowed low, so did Aragorn and Legolas. The rest looked in awe. When the light faded, they saw face of Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel.

"The Enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Eight that are here yet nine there were set out from Rivendell." Celeborn began and looked at everyone carefully. "Tell me where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him. I can no longer see him from afar."

There was silence. Galadriel glanced at Aragorn, and knew the answer already.

"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into Shadow..." she whispered and her husband gazed at her.

On faces of everyone, appeared grief and empty sadness.

"He was taken by both Shadow and flame. A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria." said finally Legolas.

"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his full purpose." she said and turned to Gimli.

"Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart, Gimli, son of Glóin. For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands love is now mingled with grief."

Her gaze was very intense and bright. Nobody except for Legolas and Aragorn, couldn't help but closed his eyes with shame.

"What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost." spoke Celeborn sadly.

Galadriel looked at him smiling lightly.

"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the Company is true." she said looking at Sam.

The hobbit didn't know how to react so only stared at her with awe.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace…"

She smiled and together with Celeborn went back to their kingdom leaving the Fellowship behind.

"I guess we will stay here for a while." said Boromir.

"Do not let Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn be angry with us." the ranger looked at Merry and Pippin. "With that, I mean, don't destroy anything." he turned to the rest. "And don't use too much kindness of elves of Lórien."

"Golden words Aragorn." interrupted Haldir. "Let me lead you to your place of sleep tonight."

Aragorn agreed lightly and followed Haldir. They went on the top of the stairs and got up under a few, great and bright trees. Legolas was walking around, hearing laments for Gandalf. It was so deep and sad, what didn't make him feel better. Aragorn, understanding their language, came up to his friend.

"They're lamenting Gandalf.." he said so everyone heard him.

"What do they say about him?" asked Pippin.

He turned around and looked at three hobbits, Frodo was gone, but he didn't fear, here, in Lothlórien he is protected, so is the One Ring.

"I have not the heart to tell you. For me the grief is still too near.." he whispered hiding his sadness.

He then noticed Aragorn next to him, staring at him with concern.

"How are you feeling?"

He looked at him.

"... I'm fine." he lied quietly. The talk with Gimli in the morning disheartened him a little. But he wasn't sure he want to tell Aragorn about it so he remained silent. So, of course, it was the first sign for the ranger that he is down.

"Legolas." he said and the elf looked at him without a word. "Talk to me."

"I.. don't need to talk to you..."

"Mellon nîn, we both know it isn't true."

Legolas looked down but Aragorn lifted his head gently, forcing him to look into his grey eyes, filled with worry. Will it be a moment of truth? He didn't know, but he was sure he wants to help his friend as much as possible.

T.B.C

Dictionary:

mellon nîn - my friend

Mae govannen Legolas Thranduilion - Welcome Legolas son of Thranduil

Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien - Our Fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lórien

A Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen - And Aragorn of the Dúnedain, you are known to us

Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul - I spit upon your grave

And traditionally, I have no idea when I update another chapter, but I hope you won't have to wait for too long. Have a nice weekend ;)