An Ocean of Trees

Legolas walked out of the house with mixed emotions. For the first time in his life he actually found someone that truly interested him, and a mortal no less. His father would have him locked up for even considering to marry a human. Although Arwen had married a man, paving the way for marriages of mixed races, Thranduil was of mind that his bloodline should remain pure. However Rachel was what his mother called ‘Love at first sight.’ She told him of a rare love that he would do anything for, but he never expected to find it. His intentions with Rachel were not of marriage but a relationship a real one that both benefited from emotionally and physically. Most maidens pursued him for his status and title all of which Rachel had no interest in.

“Love” he thought to himself, “or maybe lust? I wish Aragorn were here, he’d know what to do in this situation.” legolas sighed as he walked further into the forest. The night sky was hauntingly dark and the stars weren’t shinning as bright as they did in middle earth. Looking up into the sky Legolas thought of home just as a strong gust of wind nearly knocked the well-balanced elf down. Leaves circled around him blurring his vision.

“Mani uma lle merna? (What do you want?)” Legolas shouted into the wind.

All of a sudden the wind died down into a gentle breeze; but his surroundings weren’t the same, he found himself back in his Mirkwood garden. The beautiful oak trees encircled the entire area isolating it from the palace‘s labyrinth. Soft blankets of leaves covered the forest floor; the clashing colors of green and yellow mingled well with the mini waterfall that fell at the foot of two large evergreens. A variety of wild flowers lay in perfect unison resembling a picture of the sunset. The few sunrays that broke through the high branches and leaves portrayed a blessed quality that made the land seem holy in a sense.

For a moment Legolas smiled hearing the familiar bird song that awoke him every morning. Closing his eyes he absorbed his surroundings as he always did in his garden. A sound barely audible from behind broke his concentration causing him to spin around reaching for his daggers. Surprisingly they weren’t there, he’d forgotten them, in his attempt to find privacy.

“las,las,” A woman’s voice called out “you were born to privilege in Middle Earth, given everything you could possibly want, nothing interested you, and you were never satisfied. Now I have given you a second chance at happiness and you run away at the first obstacle you encounter.” a raspy tone contained an unearthly power in its depths as she continued, “ Amin sinta thaliolle e dagor (I know your strength in battle) now I test matters concerning your heart and you are weak. N'dela no he mela ten' lle Legolas. (Do not worry about her love for you Legolas) concentrate on your love for her.” Tarmuril said finally appearing in the form of an old maiden.

Her long gray hair flowed endlessly blending into the environment as if it were a part of the earth itself; her flawless skin glowed in the shadows yet faded in the light. A curse seemed to be upon her yet her presentation was unaffected. Stepping towards the elf she motioned for him to sit on the intricately stone carved bench that was placed at the foot of an oak tree.

“Mani lle irma sint? (What do you want to know?)” Legolas asked skeptically.

“Why is it that you have given up so easily? This Carter is not who you think he is, Rachel is torn between the both of you but you possess the quality to win her heart.” Tamuril replied, disbelief present in her voice, as she could not believe the elf’s ignorance.

“You cannot possibly expect me to embrace this situation, I’ve been thrown into a strange land and the only I’ve ever desired in my life, is the one thing I cannot have. This is some form of sick torture that I do not wish to endure.” Legolas responded impatience coursing through him. He wanted to know the purpose in which he was sent here but he knew she would not give him an answer.

“When the time c you you will find the answer to your question. My main purpose today is to warn you. Things aren’t what they seem, conspiracy follows you and Haldir, stay alert, or history will repeat itself. This world is filled with things that even you cannot imagine and time is against you. Heed my warnings Legolas Greenleaf and you might succeed in the task for which you were sent.” Tamuril said disappearing as her voice trailed off, the Mirkwood garden fading into the dark gloomy forest in Montana.

Legolas spun around in attempts to re-appear in his garden but it was useless. He could not understand what she meant by history repeating itself; he was not in middle earth so what relevance could there be to this world? Whatever it was it seemed imperative that he prevent it.

Haldir called for Legolas as he searched the outskirts of the forest. Yet he received no answer, he knew his friend was in no immediate danger but he still felt Legolas shouldn’t wander alone in this strange land. Finally spotting legolas in the middle of a clearing he decided to give a warning making his presence known as to not frighten his friend. Focusing on Legolas’ peculiar behavior Haldir did not see the hole that lie hidden a few feet in front of him.

All of a sudden Legolas heard a masculine cry in the forest, springing into action he headed in the direction of the noise, unprepared for the sight that lie before him. Anger, anticipation, disappointment and humor flooded his emotions as he saw Haldir crawling out of a hole. Cursing in his native tongue Haldir spat out leaves and dirt as he raised his muddy face to Legolas.

"Haldir, What mess have you gotten into now?" Legolas asked barely controlling his laughter as he extended a hand out to help him up.

"In the name of the Valar, how did this hole get here? I did not see it, Son of a wench!” Haldir stated, “I bet its Tamuril and her evil spells again." Haldir expressed as he looked down at ope opening of the hole.

"I am not sure, my friend. However, you are muddy from head to toe." Legolas snickered at his friend's appearance.

Looking at his clothes Haldir could not contain the anger that coursed through him, “Shit!” he spat out picking up a few modern words from Shannon. “I am an elf! I don’t know how this has happened. When I get my hands on that witch-”

Legolas cut him off, “Haldir do not provoke her, she is very powerful and whether you’d like to believe it or not I think she is trying to help us. About that hole, we cannot be certain if she did that or not, lets just get you back to the Lady Rachel and Lady Shannon’s house to get you cleaned up. It is un elf like to walk around dirty.” Legolas said with a smirk. “Besides what are you doing out here anyway?”

Haldir looked at Legolas and said, "I was coming out to speak to you. I know you have been in deep confusion about Rachel. I can see that you like her a great deal, mm maybe we can resume this conversation later this filth is taking its toll and I must rid myself of it immediately.” Haldir replied with disgust in his voice.

A.N: please leave feedback