Disclaimer: I created some characters, but I don't own the main characters: the Fellowship, Legolas, Thranduil, and Galadriel. The events I wrote were purely fictional. None of them really happened in Middle Earth, at least not in Tolkien's book.

Thoughts are in (')

"As memory may be a paradise from which we cannot be driven, it may also be a hell from which we cannot escape." –Spaulding

Prologue

Legolas stood tall and proud; his eyes bravely met Galadriel's. 'We meet again, yondo*,' her voice echoing in Legolas' mind, while her all knowing eyes searched into the depth of his soul.

'We do, my lady, as you have prophesied before. And it is my pleasure that we do, ' his thought answered the greeting. No word was needed, for his mind was exposed to the Lady as if an open book. A moment passed and Galadriel's eyes moved to other members of the Fellowship, testing the inner intention of their hearts.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now, and rest, for you are weary with toil and much sorrow. Tonight you shall sleep in peace." Galadriel dismissed the Fellowship. They gladly accepted the order and went to find rest in the pavilion, which had built for them to rest.

"A lament for Gandalf." Legolas heard the sad voices as Elves of Lorien sung the lament. It was almost unbearable for him.

"What do they say about him?"

"I have not the heart to tell you. For me the grief is still too near." With these words, Legolas excused himself from the rest; arguing that he needed less sleep than mortals. His grief for Gandalf pierced his gentle heart and he needed solitude to mourn.

Mellyrn leaves whispered a song as the wind blew softly. Rays of moonlight showered Arda with bright but melancholic light, as if she knew the turmoil that raged inside Legolas' heart.

"You are grieving," an enchanting voice called to him from behind. Legolas turned and saw the Lady of Light was approaching him. She was even more beautiful than he remembered, crowned by her shining golden hair, her deep blue eyes containing more wisdom and understanding. Ageless was her beauty, but it was by Time her wisdom could be gained.

"I am. Mithrandir was a great friend of mine."

"He will not surrender easily to the shadow, onya. Rest assured in this. Grieve not, for you shall see him again." Her melodic words seemed to mesmerize him as hope arose within.

"Is this another prophecy, my Lady?"

"Prophecies are tested by Time, Legolas. Hope is the only thing I can offer to comfort your grief."

"Thank you."

Galadriel smiled as her eyes rose to meet his. There was deep silence before she spoke, "Do you remember our first meeting?"

Legolas nodded. For few moments they exchanged their words in silence as they both saw each other's minds in deep understanding. Memories of the past flashed in their minds. Memories which could not be erased by any power. Memories of the time when their bond was forged under the fire of hate and pain.

That time took place when Legolas was young and hasty, when wisdom and understanding were not yet his virtue.

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*yondo means son in Quenya.

The quotation is by John Lancaster Spalding, in Aphorism and Reflections.