As we approach a familiar sight my heart leaps... I find myself breathing deeply as we near the fortress of Mirkwood. We are again surrounded by orange trees, the smell of maple and pine, the touch of soft leaves and grass against our skin. We are home.
We walk to the gate and once the two elves see Legolas they let us in without an escort. We are inside the mighty walls again, wood and stone surrounds us. The pleasant smell of flowers in the air. I see my kin, the wondering and working elves walking about the kingdom under the mountain. I can't help but let a smile stretch on my lips.
As we near the throne room my heart rate quickens... I feel Legolas become nervous as well. It gets significantly quieter as we walk, the inner rooms being completely vacant. Wonder where everyone is...
All I can hear are my footsteps on the stone floor... then as we approach the doorway to the inner sanctum I decide to slip to the side, letting Legolas and his father have some alone time.
I peer around the antlers on the pillar to see the king sitting in his chair. But as Legolas enters the room and stops, he sees his son, and his face turns from boredom to shock. He sits up straight and then steps off his throne, walking slowly to where Legolas has stopped.
There is silence and stillness in the air... as the two stand there without a word.
Come on Thranduil do something. Can I not say I have brought out some sensitivity in him?
But just then he pulls his son into an embrace. Finally. I smile as I watch the two hug. But when they part I can hear a whisper from the king, "You're alive..." he seems overjoyed a bit. I can see relief in his eyes that his son is back... well for now.
"Thanks to Vilora," Legolas responds. Me? Crap that's a lot of pressure.
"You went off the help the others destroy the One Ring... where is it now?"
He looks down. "It is in the property of one whom I trust. It is no longer in my hands."
"Are you alone?"
"No..."
He waits.
I breathe and step into the entrance nervously. But when the king's eyes meet mine I see only a friend, a dear friend whom I missed. I smile and run forward, throwing my arms around King Thranduil joyfully. Any other king would have my head probably if I did this but not him.
Legolas holds his breath.
I part from the king as he holds back a smile. He laughs. "I have missed you too dear one."
I smile at him widely then let go of his waist.
"You two have returned?" Thranduil asks.
Legolas and I exchange a look.
I look down. "...For a night... My king I ask you a favor."
"...And what would that be, arwenamin?" (my lady)
"...A friend of mine has had a glimpse of the fires to come," I look down. "He has seen what Sauron is up to... And we have learned that he has indeed become more powerful than any one nation alone. He plans to strike out Middle Earth once and for all."
"And to what would you have me do?"
I swallow.
"The armies of Mordor move east," Legolas says. "They will destroy the kingdom of Gondor first. Because he fears Aragorn, the heir to the throne of men. He will claim victory over them and soon all of us... there will be only darkness left."
"We ask you to send the wood elves down to Pelennor Fields... before the siege of Minas Tirith begins," I say humbly.
"And leave my lands unprotected?" he seems unwilling to listen.
YOU ARE READING
Between Two Worlds
Fanfiction"Where is the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? They have passed like rain on the mountains. Like wind in the meadow. The days have gone down in the west, behind the hills, into shadow. How did it come to this?" _____________...
