Chapter 19

Legolas was searching for Viridis. The elf Prince had decided to tell Viridis about his feelings for him. He didn't want to go to battle having not shared them as he loved Viridis and he was even ready to renounce his title as Prince of Mirkwood in favour of Draco in order not to be separated from Viridis. He exited the castle of Minas Tirith and saw the elf he was searching for in the courtyard with Artemis. The white dragon looked as if she had absorbed the moonlight. Both rider and dragon gaze was turned toward where Legolas knew was Lothlorien.

-Viridis,is everything ok?
-Hey Legolas, why are you not asleep?
-I was searching for you...
-How may I help you?
-Viridis, please look at me- Legolas gently asked- You are worried, tell me about it.
-It's my mother, I can feel her powers dwindling.
-How bad is it?- Legolas asked worriedly
-Each day I can feel her less and less, I need to go to Lothlorien, however I am also needed here...Artemis skills may be needed in the battle which is to come
-What is the thing that you really want- Legolas asked
-I want to return home, to look at my mother.
-Then it is what we are going to do?
-Are you sure, but the battle that's coming...
-Aragorn, has enough supporters for the battle. The Fellowship has surrounded him. Draco, Sirius and Severus will be the elf representatives and Draco has Salazar,Murthag and Thorn to back him up. The fact that you feel change in Lothlorien here so far from the forest tells me that things there are serious and that Lady Galadriel power is fading.
-There is something else also, Legolas, if my mother power fades, then one of the three presence will be detected by Sauron.
-Then we need to go to the Golden Woods at all cost.
Legolas, thank you- Viridis said and slowly approached the Mirkwood prince before kissing him on the lips.

Legolas opened his eyes when he felt another presence in his mind and he slowly touched it. The presence was Viridis. He could feel everything that his partner was feeling and he slowly touched his One mind and sent soothing feeling toward him. He felt Viridis relaxing and soon the kiss was broken and both of them were returned into the real world.

Artemis smiled at her rider and his one before gently lowering herself to the ground to permit to both of them to mount her. As Legolas was mounting her, his hand brushed against one of the bags of he saddle and something happened. In the bag there were two eggs from the four that were hidden in the citadel that Viridis and Draco found. Now one of the dragonet inside had sensed his rider and he became active right away. Just as Viridis and Legolas sat on Artemis back, the two elfs heard multiple cracks and soon they saw the head of a baby dragon pocking up from the saddle bag. The dragonet looked at the two elfs that looked at him with big eyes before starting screeching toward Legolas. The Mirkwood elf gently touched the egg, a bright light engulfed the yard and on Legolas right palm there was a silver star.

-What is this?
-The symbol of the Dragon Riders, are you ready?
-Let's go- Legolas looked at Viridis

With a sign from her rider Artemis launched herself in the sky, before passing by the place where Salazar and Thorn were resting and telling them her rider plans. The two males wished her good lick and reassured her that they will tell they riders where she was gone

Lothlorien 3 days later by dragon flight

Artemis flew over the Lothlorien woods, and her and her riders keen sight saw right away the difference. For a dwarf, man or hobbit the woods appeared as vibrant as usual however for the elven eyes the woods had lost some of its colours. Viridis stirred her toward the clearing that he used to land his previous dragon. The Lothlorien elfs knew that if a dragon landed in that clearing then it was their prince on it and the dragon was friendly. Artemis was noticed by many elven eyes due to her brilliant colouring and each elf was worried about the dragon intentions, that worry however vanished as they saw the dragon going toward the clearing and knew that their prince was back. One of them even went to notify the Lord and Lady of the Forest.

Artemis gently landed in the clearing and Viridis and Legolas dismounted from her. The dragonet having enough of being in the saddle bag, jumped and clumsily used his wing to land on Legolas to Artemis and Viridis amusement. The leafs moved and both elfs and the dragons looked at two regal elfs arriving in the clearing.

-Hello, my son, how are you?- Galadriel smiled as she saw him
-Mother!- Viridis jumped to meet her and hugged her
-And who is this?- Celeborn asked while looking at the dragons
-Our first dragons didn't survive the battle of Helm's Deep but Artemis and Salazar called me and Draco from far away and then bonded with us.
-She is like a jewel, a sky jewel- Galadriel looked at her sons Many of the Nine fell beasts fell to her, Salazar and Thorn, another dragon rider So the Nine...
-Are only 5 now my Lady- Legolas bowed to her- Your warning was spot on I am happy however...
-Viridis why are you here?- Celeborn asked I fell it, mother, your power- he didn't know how to finish
-My power, yes it almost gone, I don't think that I will have enough strength to see the ending of the Shadow.
-But that means...- Viridis blanched
-Yes...
-Viridis what are you talking about?- asked Legolas
- not to be rude, but- Celeborn started
-He is my One- Viridis said to his father quickly
-You sure?- His father asked
-Yes
-Then he must know- Galadriel looked at her husband and he bowed to her
- Legolas what do you know of the Three.
-They are the only ones who had not felt to the powers of the Ones. Their location are hidden
-Not exactly true Legolas- Viridis said while looking at him
- you see, the Three are hidden under wards generated by the power of their welders. This means that the Three can be in the presence of the One and if its wielder is powerful enough, the One may not even sense them.
-So where are they,?-Legolas asked
-One is with Elrond, another is with Gandalf, and the third Nenya is with...- Galadriel started
-my mother
-With the ruler of the Golden Woods- Celeborn looked at his son
-What?- Viridis looked at his father startled
-It is time, my son, for you to take over my role- Galadriel looked at Viridis as he looked at her and nodded
-I understand
-This means that you wont be able to...
-Rejoin, the battle with Sauron.I Know, I made that choice 3 days ago when I left Minas Tirith.
-We made that decision- Legolas looked at Viridis
-Legolas, this means that if you are serious about Viridis, you must...
-Draco will become the Prince of Mirkwood, I will stand next to Viridis But your father Viri, the difference between my Father and Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel is that they want their children happiness, since my mother death and Draco disappearance, he has kept me at arm length.
-Mom when do you want...
-In two night. We need time to make the preparation.

Two night later, all the Galadrims where in the centre of the forest waiting for the ceremony that would mark the transferring of power between the Lady and the Prince. First to enter the room were Galadriel and Celeborn. They were dressed in clothes so white and bright that they looked as if they were clothed in light. Next to enter was the Prince of Mirkwood, who was dressed in light green clothes. He walked toward the altar and stood at the left of it mirroring Celeborn who stood at its right with Galadriel at the centre. The elfs then as one turned toward the entrance of the clearing where Viridis appeared. His clothes were a mixture of colours that mirrored the colours of the Golden Woods. He slowly and regally approached his parents before kneeling in front of his mother.

-Do you Viridis accept to be the protector of the Golden Woods?- she asked him
-I accept
-Do you accept to shoulder all responsibilities that come as a protector of the Realm?
-I accept
-Do you promise to be a just ruler?
-I promise
-Then rise, my son, not as prince, but as the Lord of the Golden Woods.- Galadriel finished

The Galadrims looked in awed when a tiara made of mithril appeared in their Lady hands and she gently put it on her son head. Then she took off one of her numerous rings and she put it on Viridis finger. Then something that no one could imagine happened. His magic became visible, and took the form of a giant white dragon. The beast rose over the woods and roared toward the east. Not long after that the shadow in the east disappeared and light could be seen for the first time in eons.

-What was that, mother?
-That was the power of Nenya, my son, but why there is a light in the east I don't know...
-Viridis, it can mean only one thing- Legolas said with a smile
-Frodo has destroyed the ring, Sauron is dead- Viridis said with a smile
-This is a good news, my son- Galadriel smiled- Your reign will be filled with light, Nenya has bonded with your magic and you will be a fine wielded of it.

Only two more chapters to go and the prince of the golden woods is finished.