Amystika

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Though there was no longer a cut path through the woods, the group found a small, narrow strip of ground that was unobstructed. The thick mist that had been shrouding the forest on their last visit was still present, but sd tod to be foring a wall in between the trees. The mist did not touch where they were walking, and seemed to form the edges of a path itself. Dark shapes, some familiar and others not, could be seen moving through but not coming any closer. The tension seemed almost unbearable to the Elves.

That is, until Legolas started singing. It was a soft song, one he had heard his brother, Rhiernil, sing when he was nervous. Elrohir smiled and started humming along with the tune. Bognorgnored the strange looks they recieved from their companions.

A camp was set up when the entire group was tired. Daylight could not be seen through the thick canopy of twisted branches and black leaves and left the group rather disoriented. Even Legolas was unsure of the proper path. The mist was the only thing keeping the group from wandering into the depths of the wood.

Tales of the darkness were told by the warriors while they sat around the fire and waited for their meal to cook. Though Legolas took most of the attention with tales of the Elder Days and the great heros of his world. They seemed particularily interested in the tale of Aragorn, for the thought of a human with the strength to resist the Dark Lord was something unheard of to them.

"If only such a day would come to our home," one of the warriors said. "Such a time of peace would equal the paradise of the Blessed Realm."

"Perhaps the Trials will reveal how the way West may be re-opened," another said. "I would much love to see the sea once more."

Legolas smiled at the memories the mention of the sea stirred. "Aye. I would like to see it again, as well."

"You have seen the sea?" Elladan asked.

The young blonde nodded, "Yes. After Aragorn took command of the Oathbreakers, we attacked a number of ships that were to carry orcs and men to war against Gondor. I heard the gull call, and felt the spray of the water. Ai! I miss such sensations."

"You would go West then, Prince?" a warrior asked.

Legolas smiled and saw how Elrohir was trying to not look as interested as he was in the conversation. "Perhaps. That decision would truely rest on what company could come with me."

Elrohir shared a small smile with Legolas and Haldir began to pass out the bowls of soup that was to be their meal. While talk continued, the tension and disorientation did not dissipate any.

"I wish we could tell what time of day it is," Legolas said. "Even though the forest is thick in my world, the difference between night and day is still obvious."

"The days have long since grown dark," said Haldir. "Let us hold hope that the dragon of the mountain has not taken flight. For that would surely cast a far greater shadow over this forest."

There was a slight silence among the group before Legolas put down his empty bowl and stood, stretching slightly as he did. He walked over to one of the trees and looked up into the branches. "I assume that we will be resting here, at least for a few hours?" he said without turning to look at the Elves that were watching him curiously.

Elladan nodded slowly, "Aye..."

Legolas jumped and grabbed the lowest branch. He quickly pulled himself up and moved to the next branch. Elrohir quickly got up and tried to follow the movements of the Wood-Elf with his eyes. "Legolas! You cannot! 'Tis dangerous. We do not know of all of the creatures that may lurk within the trees. It is far safer to rest closer to the fire."

There was a light laugh and Legolas hooked his legs over the branch that had been his seat before letting himself hang upside down to peer at Elrohir. "Have you lost touch with nature so much that you cannot hear what the forest is saying? There is no danger to us, my friends. And I for one do not wish to spend another night on the hard ground."

There was a frustrated sigh from Elrohir as Legolas pulled himself back to a sitting position and settled against the tree. All could see that there was no point in argueing with Legolas, as the Wood-Elf seemed to have made himself quite comfortable. Rather, the warriors all settled to rest, some muttering about the odd Prince; Haldir moved across the clearing to where he could clearly see Legolas, in case something should happen; Elrohir settled at the base of the tree Legolas had chosen to serve as his bed; and Elladan took first watch on the edge of the little encampment.

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When the Elves rose several hours later, the forest seemed to have lightened. The Darkness was still a dominant element, but it no longer affected their moods as much. One warrior seemed to think that it was due to Legolas' 'magic'. Legolas laughed at that and seemed pleased to lead them further into the forest.

Several more days passed in the same manner. Though, after the fourth day, the mist began to turn and the tension began to return. As they neared the destination, the reality of the danger that was withing the forest began to take shape. Figures moved through the mist, though none broke through to the Elves. Many figures were distinctly human, loud and seeming to move through the woods in blindness.

The Elves hesitated as they suddenly reached a wall of mist, so thick that they could not see beyond it. The group stopped and looked around, but saw no other way than to go through the mist itself. As Legolas reached out a hand to touch the mist, a figure formed in it. Not the form of a Man, but one of an Elf. As the group watched, the figure lifted an arm to point to its right. Where the figure pointed, a new path opened, and the crumbling remains of Thranduil's palace came into view.

Looking around, the group saw that the mist was slowly beginning to close in on the other three sides. Elladan drew his sword.

"It would seem that the mist would choose our path for us."

There was no response as the group began to move. They were forced ahead by their own fear of the darkness of the mist and the strange noises coming from the woods around them. But for all the eeriness of the forest, the path to the ruins seemed empty of enemies.

"There would not happen to be any accounts of any of these Trials written in detail, would there?" Legolas asked, trying in vain to find some indication of threat in the silent yard.

Elrohir shook his head, "Nay. What our Legolas went through, he kept to himself."

Legolas sighed and the group moved into the palace. The mist seemed to dissipate slightly as it moved to follow the Elves. Glowing slightly, the mist moved before the group and soft lights began to form in the passageway. One of the soldiers muttered that perhaps Legolas had been right about the forest not being totally lost to Shadow.

Looking around, Elladan ordered the warriors to remain at the entrance to guard them against attack while he, Elrohir, Legolas, and Haldir began to follow the soft lights.

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I'm ending the chapter here because my cat just got really sick. He's at the vet right now for IV, blood tests, x-rays, and monitoring. For anyone that cares, it seems my little Binks has swallowed something he shouldn't have, and I'm just hoping it passes through easily without being a block.

Any Wiccans out there reading this, or any neo-pagans in general, I'd really appreciate any support or wishes for my kitten's health. I'll be doing something myself, as all physical means are being taken care of.

Anyone reading this, but doesn't care; the next chapter will be up later.