Chapter 1
Mirkwood Visitor
The sun arose and the mist shifted away, revealing the magnificent surrounding forests and gardens of Rivendell. The intertwining branches created the magnificent ceilings of the House of Elrond. Leaves fluttered and tossed in the light breeze. The night before it had rained and every blossom and stem was coated in beads of dew that sparkled like jewels. To Estel's eyes no blossom or bead shone brighter then the lady Arwen.
'You gaze at her like she is a landscape of unmentionable beauty.' Estel started at the whisper in his ear and looked over his shoulder. He was face-to-face with a tall elf with blonde locks and brightly shining eyes. 'If it were my place I would complement her on her stunning aura.' Estel was startled with the visitor. He had appeared from nowhere and was a stranger to the human's wide eyes.
'Who are you?' he asked. The elf smiled and leaned back against the statue.
'I am Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thranduil, king of Mirkwood.' Aragorn's eyes bulged.
'Prince Legolas...' he stared in amazement. Looking the elf up and down he noticed how differently he dressed. His robes were of olive and brown, forest colors, and he had a deep sea-green cloak that hid a quiver of arrows on his back. He was very tall and his face was carved to match the looks of a lord.
'Please, Estel, don't call me "prince".' Aragorn bowed and apologized. The elf prince rolled his eyes.
'How do you know my name?' he asked, stuttering.
'You are known to my realm, Estel.' said Legolas politely. 'I have been tied up in matters concerning the realm of Mirkwood and have not found time to meet you. After a fifteen-year-tie-up I have finally made it to Rivendell to meet the adopted son of Elrond.' Estel flushed.
'May I ask about the concerns of Mirkwood?' Estel bowed again, waiting in tensity for the response.
'You may ask, and I may give you the answer!' laughed Legolas. 'My home is being slowly covered by the veil of the shadow. I fear that the Dark Lord stirs and that our forest will soon be taken over by the dark.' Estel could the shine in the elf's magnificent eyes be shaded over. He knew the realm of Mirkwood was in danger, but he never thought of how the elves must feel with this threat.
'I will pray for the realm, Legolas Greenleaf.' Legolas slowly nodded and looked at him.
'We should not trouble ourselves with grim events.' he stated, straightening up. 'Elrond has set up the mid-day meal in his house. We will discuss much then.' With that, he turned and left. Estel was left stunned and stupefied. The prince of Mirkwood had just spoken to him as though they were long friends. He felt highly honored at the invited to a med-day meal. He looked over his shoulder to see Arwen one last time, sitting in her golden gown by the sparkling fountain reading her novel.
Grinning, Estel left the garden and prepared for the meal.
*
Elrond and Legolas exchanged a happy conversation. Estel listened carefully, catching every word but not adding any of his own. He ate in revered silence and watched the graceful hand movements of the elves.
'Estel, how did you find the meal?' asked Elrond. Estel smiled and answered:
'Most magnificent, father.' he made sure he sat up straight and was careful to mind his manners most precisely.
'The food in Rivendell is a constant pleasure, Elrond.' agreed Legolas, placing his napkin among the leftovers on his plate. 'Now that our bodies are filled, may we discuss the matter you and I agreed on?' Elrond nodded.
'Quite right, Legolas.' the lord turned to Estel and shifted in his seat. Estel stared at him, attempting to be polite at it. 'Estel, Legolas has told me of the horrendous troubles they've been having in Mirkwood. He's asked for our assistance to battle against the wargs and trolls and other such creatures to the south of their wood. I have agreed to send a company of ten men along with you.'
'Pardon?' asked Estel.
'Legolas has asked me personally if I thought you were fit to go.' Estel gazed at Legolas, mouth opened. 'We came upon an agreement that it was about time you received your first experience in real battle. You have accomplished necessary training and exceeded requirements needed even in the out army.'
'I hope you agree with us, Estel.' said Legolas, leaning closer. 'I've heard of few with such skills as you, even in the elven world.' Estel felt his face grew hot as Elrond and Legolas listened intently for a response.
'I do admit that I would find a real battle a very good lesson in fighting, but am I really ready?' he asked. 'I mean, I've only been training for five years and-'
'But that is it, Estel!' said Elrond. 'You have been training for five years and you skills are impeccable! Elrohir and Elladen even cannot find a single flaw in your swordsmanship and your archery is worthy of sport!' Aragorn felt immensely embarrassed with these overwhelming comments. Indeed, battle would bring great expierence for future events meant to come. However, he wasn't sure how he would feel battling against these creatures with little knowledge of them. He knew that they wouldn't let him get hurt, no matter what, but he felt a strange pang of fear from the offer.
'Very well.' he said finally. 'I will join the company and fight for Mirkwood.'
*
Over the next few days, Estel and Legolas grew to know each other very well. He was a friendly elf with much to say that was very interesting to hear. He was surprised to find some humor in him as well. Estel found he had an odd respect for trees. Whenever they walked into the forest he would be silent and stare up at the leaves. They shared many similarities, including the loving attraction to Arwen.
'Why don't you approach her?' asked Estel.
'It is not my place to tell her how I feel. Besides, we are not the only love struck ones. She has possessed the hearts of many and they have all gotten over their infatuation. I believe mine will pass as well.'
'How long?' pressed Estel. 'When did you begin to find her attractive?'
'For two years now.' replied Legolas. 'When did you first see her beauty?' Estel sighed.
'All my life.'
In a week's time, Elrond had put together a company and they were prepared for taking leave. The elves and human would lead the horses across the High Pass over the Misty Mountains and head along the edge of Mirkwood and enter in the south. Twelve grand steeds and two powerful mules had been taken from the Rivendell Royal Stable for the voyage. Legolas guessed that it would take perhaps a month to arrive at the south end of the forest and ten days to arrive at the battle destination.
'We must use stealth. The enemy may have sent spies out for us. As long as we don't run into trouble, everything should go as smooth as heartwood.'
Little did they know that trouble with Wargs and Trolls should have been the least of their worries.
Mirkwood Visitor
The sun arose and the mist shifted away, revealing the magnificent surrounding forests and gardens of Rivendell. The intertwining branches created the magnificent ceilings of the House of Elrond. Leaves fluttered and tossed in the light breeze. The night before it had rained and every blossom and stem was coated in beads of dew that sparkled like jewels. To Estel's eyes no blossom or bead shone brighter then the lady Arwen.
'You gaze at her like she is a landscape of unmentionable beauty.' Estel started at the whisper in his ear and looked over his shoulder. He was face-to-face with a tall elf with blonde locks and brightly shining eyes. 'If it were my place I would complement her on her stunning aura.' Estel was startled with the visitor. He had appeared from nowhere and was a stranger to the human's wide eyes.
'Who are you?' he asked. The elf smiled and leaned back against the statue.
'I am Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thranduil, king of Mirkwood.' Aragorn's eyes bulged.
'Prince Legolas...' he stared in amazement. Looking the elf up and down he noticed how differently he dressed. His robes were of olive and brown, forest colors, and he had a deep sea-green cloak that hid a quiver of arrows on his back. He was very tall and his face was carved to match the looks of a lord.
'Please, Estel, don't call me "prince".' Aragorn bowed and apologized. The elf prince rolled his eyes.
'How do you know my name?' he asked, stuttering.
'You are known to my realm, Estel.' said Legolas politely. 'I have been tied up in matters concerning the realm of Mirkwood and have not found time to meet you. After a fifteen-year-tie-up I have finally made it to Rivendell to meet the adopted son of Elrond.' Estel flushed.
'May I ask about the concerns of Mirkwood?' Estel bowed again, waiting in tensity for the response.
'You may ask, and I may give you the answer!' laughed Legolas. 'My home is being slowly covered by the veil of the shadow. I fear that the Dark Lord stirs and that our forest will soon be taken over by the dark.' Estel could the shine in the elf's magnificent eyes be shaded over. He knew the realm of Mirkwood was in danger, but he never thought of how the elves must feel with this threat.
'I will pray for the realm, Legolas Greenleaf.' Legolas slowly nodded and looked at him.
'We should not trouble ourselves with grim events.' he stated, straightening up. 'Elrond has set up the mid-day meal in his house. We will discuss much then.' With that, he turned and left. Estel was left stunned and stupefied. The prince of Mirkwood had just spoken to him as though they were long friends. He felt highly honored at the invited to a med-day meal. He looked over his shoulder to see Arwen one last time, sitting in her golden gown by the sparkling fountain reading her novel.
Grinning, Estel left the garden and prepared for the meal.
*
Elrond and Legolas exchanged a happy conversation. Estel listened carefully, catching every word but not adding any of his own. He ate in revered silence and watched the graceful hand movements of the elves.
'Estel, how did you find the meal?' asked Elrond. Estel smiled and answered:
'Most magnificent, father.' he made sure he sat up straight and was careful to mind his manners most precisely.
'The food in Rivendell is a constant pleasure, Elrond.' agreed Legolas, placing his napkin among the leftovers on his plate. 'Now that our bodies are filled, may we discuss the matter you and I agreed on?' Elrond nodded.
'Quite right, Legolas.' the lord turned to Estel and shifted in his seat. Estel stared at him, attempting to be polite at it. 'Estel, Legolas has told me of the horrendous troubles they've been having in Mirkwood. He's asked for our assistance to battle against the wargs and trolls and other such creatures to the south of their wood. I have agreed to send a company of ten men along with you.'
'Pardon?' asked Estel.
'Legolas has asked me personally if I thought you were fit to go.' Estel gazed at Legolas, mouth opened. 'We came upon an agreement that it was about time you received your first experience in real battle. You have accomplished necessary training and exceeded requirements needed even in the out army.'
'I hope you agree with us, Estel.' said Legolas, leaning closer. 'I've heard of few with such skills as you, even in the elven world.' Estel felt his face grew hot as Elrond and Legolas listened intently for a response.
'I do admit that I would find a real battle a very good lesson in fighting, but am I really ready?' he asked. 'I mean, I've only been training for five years and-'
'But that is it, Estel!' said Elrond. 'You have been training for five years and you skills are impeccable! Elrohir and Elladen even cannot find a single flaw in your swordsmanship and your archery is worthy of sport!' Aragorn felt immensely embarrassed with these overwhelming comments. Indeed, battle would bring great expierence for future events meant to come. However, he wasn't sure how he would feel battling against these creatures with little knowledge of them. He knew that they wouldn't let him get hurt, no matter what, but he felt a strange pang of fear from the offer.
'Very well.' he said finally. 'I will join the company and fight for Mirkwood.'
*
Over the next few days, Estel and Legolas grew to know each other very well. He was a friendly elf with much to say that was very interesting to hear. He was surprised to find some humor in him as well. Estel found he had an odd respect for trees. Whenever they walked into the forest he would be silent and stare up at the leaves. They shared many similarities, including the loving attraction to Arwen.
'Why don't you approach her?' asked Estel.
'It is not my place to tell her how I feel. Besides, we are not the only love struck ones. She has possessed the hearts of many and they have all gotten over their infatuation. I believe mine will pass as well.'
'How long?' pressed Estel. 'When did you begin to find her attractive?'
'For two years now.' replied Legolas. 'When did you first see her beauty?' Estel sighed.
'All my life.'
In a week's time, Elrond had put together a company and they were prepared for taking leave. The elves and human would lead the horses across the High Pass over the Misty Mountains and head along the edge of Mirkwood and enter in the south. Twelve grand steeds and two powerful mules had been taken from the Rivendell Royal Stable for the voyage. Legolas guessed that it would take perhaps a month to arrive at the south end of the forest and ten days to arrive at the battle destination.
'We must use stealth. The enemy may have sent spies out for us. As long as we don't run into trouble, everything should go as smooth as heartwood.'
Little did they know that trouble with Wargs and Trolls should have been the least of their worries.