An Arrow or Two || Legolas/LotR

SIX

NOTE: any extra Elvish translations are at the end of the chapters. i've been shortening the chapters as i add more extra content in so i hope you OG readers don't mind that! all the content will be there in the end though, just more than the original 18 chapters! i also really appreciate the comments and feedback you leave very much so keep it coming ♥♥

Rewritten 22nd June 2020

Chapter Six. Into Lórien

The weight of Gandalf's death sat heavy on the hearts of the Fellowship as we trudged in the direction of the realm of Lórien. The burning images of flames and shadows seared in my mind, and I suspected they burned bright in the minds of my comrades. After Aragorn's treatment, the pain from the wounds I had received in Moria had subsided to a mere dull ache I could tolerate; it gave me something to focus on besides the pain of Gandalf's fall into the dark abyss which haunted us all.

After the death of Gandalf, walking through the forest was harder than the hike through Caradhras, or the journey in the dark of the Mines.  It was harder because of the grief that hung over everybody's heads. The sadness and pain everyone felt at losing Gandalf kept us all silent and sombre. I walked on my own, at the back of the group, my head hung low and sadness overpowering me as we ploughed forwards. My shoulder had started to hurt again and I didn't feel like walking with the rest of the Fellowship. I kept tripping over my feet and my head was spinning. 

"Why don't you join the rest of the group?" I heard from beside me. It was Legolas. I wasn't in the mood for walking with anyone else right now. I was in too much pain. My heart hurt and my wound hurt.

"I don't want to talk to anyone right now." I said, not meeting his eye. Legolas gave me a sympathetic look. He looked as if he was going to put a hand on my arm, but seemed to think better of it and just carried on walking next to me.

"I'll join you, then. And I will stay quiet." There was no changing his mind. He stayed next to me and my body naturally fell into the same rhythm of his steps, and due to his long Elf strides, we had sped up considerably, now among the others. As Legolas helped me navigate over a root I spotted his blade sticking out from behind his quiver, and remembered I still had the other. 

"Legolas?" I said.

"Yes?" He asked, looking across at me.

"I forgot about it, but I still have this. I figured you would want it back." I reached over into my quiver with my good arm, pulling out his white knife.

"I threw it down to you in Moria." He whispered, taking back the blade. The Orc blood had dried and had started to chip off, revealing the beautiful silvery metal beneath. The blade of his knife flashed like a diamond in the sunlight pouring through the gaps in the tree branches as he skilfully sheathed it back behind is quiver in one fast motion, "You used it well." 

"Really? It was my first time with a blade like that." I said, slightly excited. Legolas's eyebrows raised upwards, "I liked it very much."

"The skilled way you used it did not indicate that. Not in the slightest." He said, slightly bewildered. I thanked him and smiled, turning back to face forwards as we walked through the forest. 

We kept walking slowly for quite a long time, the forest getting deeper and ever more mystical. I could feel the magic and power within these woods. I could hear the gentle wind rustling the leaves up above in the canopy of branches. All of the leaves were a bright and healthy green, the Sun shining through the gaps in the trees. The forest was magical and bright, healthy and powerful. Much the opposite of myself, as I could barely walk in a straight line anymore.