Hello hello, it's me :P I'm at school now (a fact which interests no one), and I've decided to upload another chapter. This chapter is quite light, I mean, no angst, no visual pain etc. But don't worry fans of Legolas' suffering. Pain and fear will come soon ;)

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

~~~ Chapter 12 ~~~

It was the time of dinner. Sam couldn't stop shaking of excitement. He has been to Rivendell, also he has got an elf in the fellowship, but he wanted to spend most of his free time here with elves. More elves, more stories, more adventures. It is what he thought.

Legolas was walking, looking around the place, admiring views. Boromir came up to him with Aragorn by his side. He looked at them curiously.

"How are you?" asked him Gondorian.

"I'm good I think. What about you?" he asked after he had flinched.

"I'm fine as well. I was wondering what elvish dinners are. Is your kitchen more special than others?"

"Well, it is a shame to admit, but I don't really know. I've eaten only few traditional elven meals."

"What?"

"Yeah, in Mirkwood our cooks do normal meals, sometimes on meetings or some important days there is a typical elven stuff."

"I thought the Elvenking is more of, uh, traditional guy, you know." now said Aragorn who didn't know this.

"I do. And he is. But mostly we hadn't got enough supplies to do elven kitchen. We eat there all what is edible and found in woods."

"Oh, I understand." broke in Boromir.

"You do?"

"Yes, my father is also a traditional guy, but he often orders cooks to do something... normal. Me and my younger brother had got actually enough of his stupid activities."

"What do you mean?" asked again Aragorn.

"My father is not exactly a kind person. He treats my brother like rubbish, he doesn't love him as much as he loves me. And we both cannot stand it, I love my brother more than anything in my life. And when he suffers, I suffer as well."

Legolas nodded in understanding. He perfectly knew the feeling. His father seemed like he doesn't love him at all, and it hurts him very much.

He looked into Boromir's eyes. This man wasn't bad, he started liking him, maybe not every human is evil...

But what if it is only his stupid and naive feeling? What if this man hurt him in his sleep? He couldn't trust him too much. He hesitated when Aragorn approached him and placed a gently hand on his shoulder, smiling lightly. Legolas responded with the same and looked at Boromir, who didn't want to came closer to him and scared the elf too much. His behaviour intrigued him. Seeing a strong bound between Legolas and Aragorn, he was wondering if someone could have better friendship than them. They seemed to be like brothers, who know each other since they've been born.

"Better go on dinner now. Haldir won't be happy if we are late." said the elf finally.

Everyone nodded.

"Lead the way, Legolas, please." said Frodo gently and quietly.

The elf nodded and smiled. He lead them into big, white tent. The torches were lightening up the place and flowers were decorating the floor and tablecloth.

"Mae govannen, mellyn!" said smiled Haldir.

"Haldir." answered him with a bow Aragorn, so did the rest.

"Oh please, this is not necessary. I'm actually happy you've come. Lady Galadriel wish to speak with you." he smiled and cleared their path.

At the end of the tent, there was standing a light, tall person with blonde hair. When the shining light disappeared, Lady Of Lórien smiled and came up to them. Everyone bowed lowly.

"My Lady..." whispered Haldir. "Our guests have arrived, as you can see. Should I leave you alone?"

"No Haldir. Stay. We are about

to eat dinner together, are we not?"

"As you wish, My Lady."

"Come closer, my friends. Come and sit next to me. You must be hungry."

"It is really kind of you, My Lady. We do not belong with you and your grace." said Legolas as quiet as he could.

She grabbed his chin gently, forcing him to look at her. His eyes, covered in tears which he was trying to hide all the time, met her light gaze. And then, he heard a voice in his mind.

'Legolas, son of Thranduil. Don't let the loss of Gandalf taint your heart.'

Legolas, afraid that his weakness could be noticed, quickly looked at the floor. And then again, the same voice of hers has been heard.

'Smile to life, penneth. Your wounds and pains will disappear only if you are able to forgive yourself. And if you understand it is not your fault.' his eyes went wide and on his light face appeared grimace of hidden pain.

'You know?' he asked.

Everyone seemed to look at them with questionable gaze, and only Aragorn knew what was going on.

'I do, my young prince. And I am telling you, do not put a blame on yourself for something what they did to you. You have no reason to hate yourself' she gave him a small, light smile but he didn't answer. How did she know? Of course, he could guess, she is very powerful and wise. But not wise enough it seems. Why shouldn't he be putting the blame on himself if it was his fault. His, only his. Not anyone else's.

'Promise me you will love yourself as much as your best friend do.' hearing these words, he turned to Aragorn who glanced at him with a light smile but also with grief.

Then, he turned again to the Lady and nodded, but he couldn't force a smile.

Galadriel placed a hand on his shoulder and turned to the others.

"Feel free to fill your appetite. Feel like in your own home, for it belongs to you."

"Thank you, My Lady. We appreciate your kindness very much." bowed Aragorn again.

Galadriel smiled and pointed to the table, because she desired them to sit. They understood and fulfilled her will.

Legolas sat next to Aragorn and Haldir, the hobbits had seats next to Lady Galadriel, Boromir and Gimli were at the end of the table. Gimli, in spite of feeling, at least, odd among all these elves, didn't hesitate to eat, he was hungry. He felt like he was under the spell of Galadriel, she was an elf, but her glory was causing him feel helpless and in so much love.

After dinner, they all came back to their sleeping bags. Sam looked very happy, never before he has heard about such adventures. He finds elves now even more brave, graceful and powerful.

Legolas was again walking around, looking into the distance when he felt a presence behind him.

"I'm willing to go for a small walk in the forest. Want to go with me?" asked known for him voice. He turned around and saw Aragorn standing a few meters away.

Legolas stared into his grey eyes and nodded after a while.

"If you don't mind my presence, I will go." he smiled and came up to him.

"Good. I've heard of amazing place nearby."

"Just ask me if I want to talk." he laughed and Aragorn chuckled.

"Well, I wouldn't mind it, but it's not only one reason why I want you to go with me." he said smiling.

"It isn't? Well, now, I'm even more curious. Let's go, I feel like walking only with my loneliness."

"You know you won't be alone." he smiled.

"I do. But I don't mind your presence."

"Great. Come." he placed a hand on his back and started walking.

There was so quiet in the forest. Birds were chirping happily and sometimes colourful leaves fell on the ground. Legolas felt peace inside him, what noticed Aragorn. And it pleased him, because he hoped that on this walk he will find a moment of peace.

"Where are we going?" asked the elf.

"You will see."

"Can't you just tell me now?"

"Mellon nîn, I want you to feel better, why are you making this difficult?" they smiled to each other.

"I'm not making this difficult, I just want to know. And I'm fine Aragorn."

"Sure you are. Those tears on dinner were only an allergic reaction?" he looked at him, half amused, half serious and their eyes met.

"So you've noticed." the smile immediately disappeared from his face.

"How could I not? Legolas, you know you can't hide anything. Not from me."

"I know. It was foolish of me to think so. I'm sorry I jus-"

"No, don't be sorry again. Just tell me what burdens your heart." he stopped.

Legolas looked at him.

"I don't want to bore you or give you an extra worry. You have too much on your head now. I also wouldn't like to make you feel worse, you have such a good mood today."

"Legolas, don't be silly. I know you're hurt deep inside after this dinner and I will not be happy if you don't tell me what bothers you."

"It is not necessary Estel. I am fine and, as I've just said, I don't want to make your mood worse than it really is."

"Yeah, you know, I would be more happy if you let me help you. And, I definitely will not be, if you don't tell me what makes you suffer."

"You know what may be a reason of me suffering." his voice broke and he looked straight into his friend's eyes.

"I know." he whispered seriously. "And that's why I won't give up so easily. You either will tell me, or I will have to ask you to do so until you break."

Legolas stopped walking and again looked at his friend knowing that what he is saying is true.

"Estel please, I just need to be alone for a moment." his voice lowered and he looked at his feet.

"No. I, of course, respect your wish, but I cannot let you be alone here. I know you don't need a moment of loneliness, and you know this too."

Now, the prince wasn't sure of anything. Was he that predictable? Or it's just Aragorn who knows him too well?

"You... you're right." he turned to him. "I'm sorry for snapping at you like that. You know I didn't mean to."

"Yes I know. Fear not, I'll never get offended on you." he smiled and the elf smiled back widely.

He felt now like when he was younger, and together with Elrond's children they used to walk and explore all Middle-Earth and places where none man, nor elf, was. It had been amazing experience but then happened this traumatic accident and he has never explored the forest again.

"You see now?" he heard Aragorn.

"See what?"

"See how woods can be beautiful?"

They looked around. It was really breathtaking here. Aragorn was right, and Legolas had a feeling that he took him only to show and prove this.

"Maybe when we are back in Rivendell, we'll go explore woods around the realm?"

"Okay, I see your point now. But Aragorn I-"

"No, I know what you want to tell me. And it's not like I don't understand you or your feelings. I do, and that's why I asked you to come with me."

"I appreciate your effort in making me forget. But this what has happened was in forest. I'm afraid that-"

"That you will go there and get captured again?" he asked with gently tone and volume of his voice was really low and sad.

"... Exactly."

"Mellon nîn, they are no danger for you, nor for anyone else now. They are all dead, I killed them by myself."

"But.. what if are there more of them? Somewhere in woods? What if they wait for me?"

"Legolas... please, don't say that. I'm sure there aren't any."

"And what if so?"

"And if so, you'll be with me or someone else, never alone until you are ready."

Aragorn wanted to cheer him up, to make him feel less afraid. He needs to be in woods sometimes, he is a Wood Elf after all. Trees are his comforters.

"We're here. Look at the beauty of woods." whispered Aragorn.

Legolas looked around. He saw a pond, and the breeze was warm. Golden leaves were everywhere what gave this view even more grace. Birds were chirping, and in the distance, a white deer was walking and eating green grass.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" asked the ranger.

Legolas only nodded, he saw many of amazing places in this world, but has never been here.

"Thank you for taking me here, I guess I needed this."

"See? Woods aren't that scary, are they?" he asked approaching him.

Legolas shook his head still smiling lightly, looking around.

"Ai, Elbereth! How much I miss our walks in the forest near Imladris!"

"You know we don't have to abandon it. I would gladly go with you there when we come back." he smiled and their eyes met.

"But what if-"

"Legolas, please, stop with "ifs" for a moment. You know I won't let anybody to touch you, you will not be suffering again. I'm going to protect you, my friend."

"Thanks Estel. It means a lot, really." he smiled looking straight into his eyes.

Aragorn saw happiness on Legolas' face, it was honest, finally. His plan got succeed.

"Don't thank me."

"I'd love to stay here for a bit longer, but I fear our friends will be worried."

"No, don't fear. They will understand, besides, we are safe, we are resting here, as we should be. They probably won't even notice our absence."

"Do you really think so?"

"Yes, I do. Enjoy your time Legolas. I want your heart to be in peace just for a few moments."

The elf looked at him, and smiled after a while. Aragorn was truly worried and his friend's smile makes his smile. He doesn't want to think about anything else than the beauty of this place. Here, all of his worries disappear.

"Aragorn..." he began quietly when a shot of worry got through his body.

"Yes, my friend?"

"You think we'll come back?" he looked at the water in the pond sitting on a rock near it.

"Why, of course we will. Don't you have a hope?"

"I have. But... it's extremely dangerous. We risk everything now. Including our lives."

"I know." he whispered and sat next to him.

"But I believe we are strong enough to survive everything. Until we're together."

"You know, if I shall die, I shall die by your side." they looked at each other like a brother to brother.

"I can say the same. I can't imagine my life without you."

"Do you think sometimes that.. we made a mistake leaving Rivendell?" he asked.

"I do. But then, I think about something that keeps me here."

"And what is it?"

"A hope, for Middle-Earth. We do something what is right. We risk everything, we risk our lives but... we risk them due to other lives. Lives of children, women, men, elves, dwarves, lives of everyone. We do right things by trying to rescue our realms from the great evil."

Legolas smiled under his nose knowing his friend is right.

"Yeah, it's true. Sometimes there are more important things than a life of one being."

He felt Aragorn patting his back gently, sighing quietly.

"But I wouldn't be worried if I were you. We are going to come back. And we will." he smiled and his friend after him.

They fell silent and started thinking about the future of these lands. Of lands in entire Middle-Earth.

T.B.C

Dictionary:

Mae govannen mellyn - Welcome friends

Imladris - Rivendell

And I have an important question! I consider writing another book with continuation of this story. I mean, the first part of trilogy ends and I would write another book with second part and then with third. Because I don't want it to be that long. But I don't know yet, what do you think of my idea? Please, tell me in a review :)