Part 1: Flee of the Fallen

Chapter 16: Foes in the Valley

The journey to Rivendell was a peaceful one, a rare reprieve in their ongoing patrol back home. The winding path through the dense forest was quiet, save for the occasional rustling of leaves and distant calls of nocturnal creatures. Their group, fortunate enough to avoid any bands of orcs, encountered only a small herd of spiders near their border. The October weather was mild, with a gentle breeze that carried the scent of pine and earth. There was no sudden rain or unbearable heat, making their travel all the more pleasant.

As the majestic valley of Rivendell came into view, Legolas felt a wave of relief wash over him. The sight of the sprawling elven sanctuary, with its elegant architecture seamlessly blending into the natural landscape, was a welcome sight after days on the road. He nodded at the guards stationed by the bridge leading to the realm's gate.

Upon dismounting, Legolas immediately spotted a familiar figure standing by the entrance.

"Estel! It's good to see you again!" he called, a genuine smile spreading across his face.

Aragorn hurried forward, embracing him warmly. "Legolas, it's been too long."

Hearing the soft flutter of a dress, Legolas turned and approached Arwen, who stood nearby with a graceful air. He offered her a respectful nod. "Lady Arwen, it is always a pleasure to see you."

Aragorn couldn't resist a tease. "Oh, so it's just 'good' to see me, but 'always' a pleasure for Arwen?"

Legolas chuckled, patting his friend on the back. "I'll 'always' be pleased to see you, Estel—especially if you're wearing a dress."

Arwen laughed softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "It seems some things never change."

After leading the horses to the stable, where they were tended to by attentive hands, Legolas made his way to the dining hall. He found it sparsely populated, as the elves of Rivendell typically dined earlier in the evening. The hall was illuminated by the warm glow of candlelight, casting gentle shadows on the intricately carved wooden walls. Not feeling particularly hungry despite the journey, Legolas only took a small portion of steamed vegetables, savoring the simplicity of the meal.

He was just finishing the last carrot when Lindir entered the hall and approached him with a bow. "Prince Legolas, Lord Elrond requests your presence in his study."

Nodding, Legolas pushed away his plate. "Thank you, Lindir. I will go to him immediately."

Lord Elrond was seated at his usual chair in the study, a room filled with ancient tomes and maps that spoke of countless years of wisdom and history. Upon hearing a knock, he looked up, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Legolas, I see you're well." The Lord of Rivendell was familiar enough with the Mirkwood prince that he often dispensed with formal titles, especially in the absence of King Thranduil.

Legolas gave a tight smile. "Aye, the journey was without incident."

"How fares your father? He accepts the invitation, I presume,"Lord Elrond inquired, his tone courteous yet filled with genuine curiosity.

Legolas grimaced. "Not at all pleased. He sent me to inform you that Gollum has escaped."

Elrond's face grew grave. "This is troubling indeed. His knowledge of the Ring and its whereabouts cannot be underestimated."

"Yes, unfortunately, the creature is now beyond our reach," Legolas replied solemnly.

Elrond cleared his throat, his expression reflecting the weight of the news. "I recall the letter addressed to your father also mentioned a council to be held in a few days' time, correct?"

"Of course, I will attend and relay all that I know."

Elrond's expression softened slightly as he gave a reassuring nod. "Thank you, Legolas. I believe your usual chamber has been prepared. I trust you can find your way there?"

Riding a horse for two weeks does the thigh no good, of that Legolas was sure.

Even a hot bath and a cup of wine didn't improve the state of his soreness. Perhaps a walk in the garden would help, Legolas thought, and no sleeping on the bed either.

Five summers ago, he still remembered the tree that he had befriended during his last stay in Rivendell. He had sung to it and taken naps on its branches while it swayed gently. It would only be fair to visit his friend.

The garden of Rivendell is a place of ethereal beauty, even more enchanting by night. The gentle illumination from the moon weaves through the leaves, casting dappled shadows upon the lush foliage below, where every leaf and petal glistens with an almost otherworldly luminescence.

However, something soon disturbed his merry feeling. There was someone on his favorite tree.

The person was sitting on one of the branches, one long blue leg dangling freely while the other was drawn up, providing her a place to rest her arm. Her long, braided hair, adorned with feathers and beads, swayed gently with the breeze. In her hand, she was weaving something.

Her blue hand.

Ra'evani, the prisoner who had escaped from his realm's dungeon.

How did she get here?

"What are you doing here?" Legolas demanded.

Eyes, a striking shade of gold, gazed into his; if not for the cup of wine he had downed, he was sure he would have swayed. The girl's expression darkened. "Trying to find some peace. What's it to you?"

"That tree is my nook. What are you doing there?" Legolas scowled, refusing to look directly into her gaze.

Ra'evani's eyes narrowed as she leaned against the trunk. "Your nook? Last I checked, trees didn't belong to anyone. And what I am doing has nothing to do with you or your precious guards."

"What have my guards done to earn such a statement?" Legolas fumed.

"You and your guard," the girl corrected, "get your hearing checked, elf scum!"

Legolas felt his blood boil. "How dare you call me that!"

"What? Are you going to call your guards and throw the innocent in the dungeon again? Last time I checked, you're not the prince of Rivendell." Ra'evani snorted.

"Innocent?" Legolas scoffed. "You were trespassing in our land and caused chaos. We had every right to capture you."

"That's a damn forest! I landed there, do you expect everyone to just float through it?" the girl sneered.

"You endangered my people! That's why we captured you!" Legolas all but yelled.

"Endangered? By my mere existence?" Ra'evani asked incredulously.

He bit back a comment. Who on Middle-Earth would not be alarmed at the appearance of a ten-foot-tall blue girl? He took a step back. "If you're seeking pity, you won't find it here."

"It's not pity I seek, prince. I seek peace, and you're disturbing my peace!"

"That's because you're sitting on my nook!" Legolas growled.

"This. Is. Not. Your. Private. Property!" she shouted, crossing her arms.

"Then I'm not disturbing your peace!" Legolas snapped back.

"You are! Because I'm the first one to arrive! And you act as if this tree is your possession!" Ra'evani snarled.

"I. Did. Not. Say. That!" Legolas bellowed.

"You did! Elf scum!" she erupted.

He pointed a finger at her. "You dare call me that one more time, I'll—"

"You'll what? Throw me in the dungeon? Call your guards? Or tell your father? I'm sure he will give you a kiss on the forehead and spank me to death."

"You know nothing about my father. How dare you make such assumptions!" Legolas hissed.

"And you know nothing about me. How dare you make such assumptions and throw someone you don't know into the dungeon!" Ra'evani bit back.

"I did not!" Legolas ranted, though he knew fully well that he had done both.

"Which part?" the girl asked smugly.

"Even if I did, I did it out of duty!" Legolas barked.

"Duty? Don't you have a mind at all?"

"Well, I do."

"Then you can always choose!"

"Choose? Why would anyone choose your kind?"

Your kind.

Legolas realized his mistake too late.

Slap.

The girl was gone into the night even before his cheek stung.

Legolas looked down. No one had ever touched him like that—not even his own parents and mentors, and certainly not in battle, where it was considered the most useless and ungraceful move.

Something lay at his feet.

Picking it up, Legolas realized it was a half-finished bracelet. Crafted from thin, flexible vines and delicate leaves, two small beads, one of polished wood and the other a glimmering stone, were threaded onto the bracelet. Upon closer inspection, he saw that a tiny flower was embedded in the stone bead, while the wooden bead was left blank.

Legolas stood for a moment longer, holding the bracelet.

He did not linger in the garden that night.