A Clasp of Hands
Prologue
"Stand forth, Legolas."
The Child Prince of the Greenwood, son of Thranduil, stepped hesitantly forward and gave a shy smile to Lord Celeborn, who returned it reassuringly.
The Lady Galadriel, his wife, said, "Do not fear, youngling. Say your piece."
"Yes, my Lady. I come to convey greetings to your court from the Lords and Folk of the Greenwood. I beg you will accept this small token of our friendship and long alliance." He gravely proffered a basket of luscious tree-fruit, decorated extravagantly with leaves of many colours. As Galadriel took it, Legolas felt the brief cool touch of her fingers.
"I thank you, Prince Legolas. May our alliance long continue."
Thranduil caught her eye and smiled. "First steps in diplomacy," he remarked proudly. "And now, Prince Legolas, I think it is past your bedtime."
"One moment," Galadriel said. "Thranduil, I … felt something just now. Would you permit me to take Legolas to my Mirror before he leaves?"
"Of course," replied Thranduil graciously. "Go with the Lady, my son. You will find this fascinating."
Legolas put his hand trustingly in Galadriel's as she led him out of the council hall and through a little wood of mallorn trees to where a small spring ran pure and clear. Filling the bowl of her mirror with the water, Galadriel grew quiet and distant for a while.
"Look in the mirror, Legolas," she said at last. "Have no fear: nothing you see there can hurt you. But do not touch the water."
Obediently, Legolas looked at the reflections in the water, but saw little but the trees above.
"Aha," said Galadriel, "There it is." There was a misty shape of some two-legged being. "It is a mortal man; that much can I tell, but little more. His image is unformed. Likely he is not born yet."
Legolas looked at her quizzically, but she was lost in concentration. "He has great power, and will change many things for many people," she said in a distant voice. "You and he will take a mighty journey together." She paused, and swirled the water slightly. "But beyond that journey, you will encounter each other several times. I see five meetings, each in a different place. After the fifth, all is dim. There may be an ending. Or a beginning. Or both at once." She sank into silence.
At length, Galadriel roused herself, emptied the mirror suddenly, and turned with a smile to Legolas. "Time for bed now," she told him. "Do not worry about anything I said. It will all unfold as it must."