Forest of Whispers

Chapter 5

It is past midday by the time Legolas and I stop for lunch in a little wooded glade. A small waterfall trickles from its rocky beginning above us to feed a gently flowing stream that runs through the centre of the glade. The sound of the water is soothing to the soul and is a good accompaniment to our lunch. We have hardly spoken to one another as we’ve followed a great many trails through the woodlands of Imaldris. Some of them we have happened across by chance and others we know like the backs of our hands having played along them as children. Over the past morning I have felt the calm wash back into Legolas’ troubled mind through our bond and have felt the revitalised strength Legolas has gained from the forest around him. It has been a long time since Legolas has had the freedom to roam an elvan forest and I believe, guiltily, that I am to blame. He has been forced by the very nature of bond to remain in Minas Tirith by my side, which distinctively lacks any substantial forest such as the elvan realms. It pleases me thought that he will enjoy the forest’s pleasures for an entire season before he departs from the shores. As I have already decided I will not refuse him anything this coming winter if only to increase the pleasure of his remaining time in Middle Earth.

During our ride we have occasionally sprinted at full pace along long open pathways silently challenging each other in a race that’s rules are already understood and at other times we have leisurely trotted among the trees taking small pleasure in the harmony of nature around us. Legolas sung for a little while his voice as sweet as the birds that joined in on the tune. Now however as we stop for lunch our conversation has resumed.

“The water is refreshing Aragorn it will do you good to take a few sips before eating.” Placing my bags down under a tree next to Legolas’ own things I move easily over to the edge of the water and kneel down next to Legolas. He is washing his face and hands in the cooling spring and I take delight in watching as the beads of water run down his skin and pool at his neck. I smile despite myself as I watch one of the braids I awkwardly made this morning in his hair fall forward and into his face. Unaware that I am watching him so closely Legolas scrunches his face up in disgust and flicks the untangling braid from his face. During our riding the braids that I had twisted into Legolas hair this morning have begun to come undone and I am sure he is annoyed with them although he makes no effort to retie them less he insults my feelings. Turning to the water I cup my hands beneath the flow of clear liquid and lift a few handfuls of water to my mouth. Legolas is right, the water is very refreshing and I take the opportunity, as he had to wash my face and exposed arms. “Do you think the babe has been born yet? I feel the tension in my chest ease which suggests that it has happened.” I follow Legolas back to our things under the large shady tree and sit down beside him.

“Yes I think it may be so as I feel it too. You are a grandfather Legolas, congratulations.” The tension that Legolas speaks of is familiar to me also and over the past few hours I have felt it lift from my body like a mist in the early morning. As my heart told me all is well with Arrionetta and no doubt we will find ourself being interrupted by a messenger sooner rather than later. For now however Legolas and I sit in palatable silence as we inspect the contents of our hampers. Glendowin has thought of every possible treat we could have imagined and has put them into our hampers. We both share a cheeky smile at finding one of the berry pies Legolas had earlier put his fingers into. “Do you think it is a boy? Elladan told me of his wish for his first born to be a son.” Leaning back against the soft wood of the tree trunk I snack quietly on a sample of the sandwiches Glendowin has provided, each squared partition with a different filling of sorts. I watch a gleam sparkle from Legolas’ eye as he turns from his assortment of pies to smile at me fondly.

“I had wished for a boy for my first as well but it was not so and I would not change Arrionetta for my life. I will be content which ever sex it is.” Legolas sighs heavily and turns back to his pies each of them seeming to take his attention momentarily as he eats each of them in turn, appreciating the tastes as he goes. I have always been fascinated by watching Legolas eat and although I am embarrassed to consider it I have found it at times quite erotic to watch how Legolas swallows each mouthful and pauses momentarily to savour the taste before moving on to the next mouthful. My eyes involuntarily follow the slow rise and fall of the lump in Legolas’ throat as he pauses in his lunch to take a few sips of water from the water skins we brought with us. I think he knows I’m watching him but we have become so familiar with each other now that he accepts that occasionally I stare at him like he is the most precious thing in the world. “Aragorn? Will you ever marry again?” The question catches me off guard and draws my attention back to Legolas’ face. I blush lightly having been caught so blatantly staring at him but swallow the mouthful I was chewing before pensively thinking for a moment about what Legolas has just asked of me.

“I do not think so Legolas, my heart is already filled full by my friends and family that I do not seek another wife. With Kahual ready to succeed the throne I also have no need of a wife either, so I am content with the company of my friends.” I am careful of my reply, while it seems like only yesterday to me that Legolas confessed his love to me before the great battle at Isengard, it is all to clear his reasons for rejecting that love. The reason for this trip to Rivendell is also in the back of my mind and any confessions of love I might think of professing would only make matters difficult when it came for Legolas to leave these shores. Legolas regards me with his usual emotionless expression as I continue to eat from my hamper. I am curious to know what he is thinking but it seems he has shut off his mind from me momentarily for some reason. We have never truly talked about what happened before the Great War just as we have never truly talked about our relationship and the unbreakable bond we now share. In someway I think it has been easier for us to ignore it and stay as if none of it had ever happened.

“But what of the needs of your body Aragorn? You have not taken a single lover to your bed since I have been sharing your chambers and that has been many years since Arwen’s passing? Surely you desire intimacy as we all do?” I find myself inadequately disguising the shock that registers on my face and I can only linger a moment upon Legolas’ unreadable stare before I become uncomfortable and am forced to look away. I do not now how to answer his question and I can not see myself telling him at any rthe the real reason behind my cecy. cy. My heart has long been lost to Legolas Greenleaf and I deny myself the simple pleasures other men take freely so that I may greater appreciated a love that I can never have. When I make no move to answer Legolas question I hear the elf next to me sigh regrettably. “I apologise Aragorn it was wrong of me to question you about such private matters, I believe I scalded you once for doing the same of me. I am sorry please forgive me.” Sadly I close my eyes the memories of the time in the fellowship coming back to me in a wash of emotion. Instinctively I reach my hand up and clutch my shoulder, the pain I once felt from the point of Legolas arrow, searing through me again as it does so often at my troubled memories. I squeeze my eyes shut tightly to quell the dull throb and when I open them again I become instantly aware of the sudden closeness of Legolas. His face is merely inches from mine although he is not looking at my face directly but rather he is inspecting my shoulder from where he has tugged my tunic down a little to expose the scars. I swallow hard around a lump that forms in my throat as the intoxicating woodland scent that only Legolas possesses surrounds me as he moves closer, still inspecting my shoulder. There is a thick silence and I dare not even to breath as his fingers ghost across the milky scars on my shoulder. It is at his touch that I feel the shiver move through my body and up the length of my spine culminating at my lips where I’m forced to breath out raggedly and onto Legolas’ neck.

Legolas instantly sits back from me a frown knitted upon his forehead and I fear that he has read every one of my thoughts, as I was so careless as not to conceal them in his close proximity to me.

“It pains you still after all these years, yet there are no physical signs that point to pain, save from the single scars which mark the spot. Truly I am sorry it has been a cause of pain for you on many occasion has it not?” I will myself to be calm as Legolas re laces the top of my tunic so that it covers my shoulder again before he sits back on his knees in front of me his face sadly guilty.

“No, it was not your fault you acted as you should. I was foolish and stupid I should have known better than to spy on you.” Gently I brush myd ovd over Legolas’ on his knee before slowly releasing my shoulder feeling the dull throb subside to a bearable level.

“Tell me Aragorn what did you hear when you sat watching us that day?” Legolas cocks his head mischievously to the side and I do not miss the smug smile that plays on the corners of his lips as he questions me. I am somewhat relieved that he has changed the subject slightly and his temperament is more in jest than anything but it is still not an ideal topic to discuss.

“I heard naught but childish elves enjoying each others company and saw nothing but naked young elves splashing in the crystal pool.” I lie and I doubt very much that Legolas believes me considering the events that came to pass after that fateful day but he smiles warmly at me. The tension that had built over the previous conversation dissipates as Legolas’ rich laughter rings around the glade as he tugs on my hand and gestures to the shallow pool at the base of the waterfall.

“It is a beautiful day Aragorn come and swim with me in the pool.” When I resist Legolas’ insistent tugs on my hand he huffs in mock disgust and all but bounds over to the edge of the pool. I watch with mild amusement as Legolas begins to undress pulling his tunic over his head and toeing off his shoes. I feel myself shift a little uncomfortably as Legolas pulls off his undershirt to reveal the beautifully creamy skin of his upper body. The sun radiates off his glowing skin almost blindingly and I shield my eyes a little as I watch Legolas begin to undo his leggings. I know it will be awkward to just sit here and watch Legolas swim naked and I instantly set about rectifying a possibly uncomfortable situation. Jumping up from the ground I move swiftly over to where Legolas is just lifting one foot to pull off his leggings. He lets out a startled gasp as I take him by surprise and all but push him into the pool. He is helpless to keep his balance and with a splash he disappears into the depths of the pool leaving me in hysterics on the bank. I watch with delight as Legolas surfaces from the water spluttering a little as he shakes the water from his hair. At the shake of his head what remains of the braids I plaited this morning come loose so that his golden tresses float around him like blonde water grass in the stream.

With a disgruntled grunt of disapproval and a mock expression of anger on his face Legolas all but throws his now soaking leggings at me from the pool. They hit me square in the face causing me to over balance on the rock I stand on so that I fall in a helpless failing mess of arms and legs into the pool as well. Legolas’ high-pitched giggles seem to make the wood around the glade sing with laughter as well as I surface in the pool next to him my clothes soaked to the core.

“Not funny Legolas, they’ll never dry before we have to leave.” Legolas continues to laugh as he swims over to the base of the waterfall and stands up on a rock underneath it so that the waterfall hits his body and trickles down over him. I can’t avert my gaze from his nakedness as I quickly strip myself of my own clothes and lay them out on the warm rocks around the pool hoping they will dry. I watch in awe as Legolas stretches his arms up and tilts his head towards the water that is rushing down on top of him from the rocks above. He is beautiful and in that moment I find myself falling in love with him all over again. The vision he portrays is like the sweetest sight a man could ever look upon and it is with painful regret that I force myself to look away as he dives back into the pool itself. He surfaces next to me and with slender fingers he brushes his hair from his face so that he can look at me. I cannot hide the look of sadness in my eyes as he smiles cheekily at me misinterpreting my sadness as sulking.

“Come on Estel I did not know you were going to fall in, there is no need to sulk I will have to ride back to the house with wet leggings also.” I force a smile on my face and roll my eyes as if in jest as I swim over to the edge of the pool and slide out of the water to sit on a warm rock. Legolas floats at my feet and occasionally his legs touch mine where they dangle in the water. My body longs to have him wrapped intimately in my arms but luckily for me I have learnt to control my urging so that my body does not betray my thoughts.

“Tell me Legolas do you think that Haldir would make a worthy life partner for yourself?” My question is somewhat out of the blue but I am determined again to refocus my attention to what my original mission was in bringing Legolas to Rivendell this winter. Legolas laughs throatily and shakes his head in amusement.

“Haldir is one of my dearest friends. I am sure he would make anyone a worthy life partner as he is strong willed, patient and very much understanding but he will never be my life partner I regard him to much as a friend.” I watch as Legolas dips his head under the water again before surfacing and beginning to braid his hair again in front of me. “Why would you ever ask such a question Estel? He and I have shared each other’s beds but it is respect that keeps as us friends. Why has he said something to you?” Legolas laughs in jest but I catch him unawares with my curt reply.

”Yes he has.” Legolas’ laugh falls abruptly silent and the tension in our conversation returns, only this time it is on Legolas half. In curiosity of how my little white lie is taken I watch as Legolas shifts awkwardly in the water. Deliberately he avoids eye contact with me as he lifts himself out of the water and comes to sit next to me on the large flat rock. I avoid looking at his body too much less I let my thoughts slip again and I forget what I had just said. “He is in love with you Legolas anyone who has seen you two together can not doubt it. It is in the way he looks at you and the way he unconditionally looks after your well-being and that of Mirkwood’s in your absence. Truly he has lost his heart to you Legolas Greenleaf, even from the very beginnings of your friendship.” I watch as Legolas stands sharply from the edge of the pool his mood suddenly sharper than it has been all afternoon.

“Then he is foolish because I do not love him in return, in that way. I have told him before my heart belongs to only one other yet he refuses to listen. It is on his head then that I should break his heart because he did not heed the truth.” I am shocked as Legolas hastily begins to dress, the distress I have caused clearly evident on his face as he struggles to pull on his wet leggings. I stand quickly and move over to Legolas forgetting about my state of undress as I slowly encircle Legolas waist from behind causing him to stop in his actions.

”I am sorry Legolas I did not mean to cause you distress, I sought only to inquire after your thoughts on the matter.” I feel Legolas relax under my hands as he shifts back against my chest so that his wet locks stick to my skin. My breath catches in my throat but I refuse to let it take a hold despite the feel of Legolas taunt rear pressed back against my manhood. “If it is true that your heart still belongs to Elrond then it is not my place to question it. You have a right to love who you will and Haldir must accept that……..” I am abruptly cut off as Legolas spins around to face me. His face holds a thousand emotions and not one of them I can tell apart from the next. His steely blue eyes lock with mine and I feel my heart constrict and leap to my throat as his hands come up to gently cup my face. The slender fingers feel like a gentle breeze on my face as he drags them down through my beard before bringing them to rest on the corners of my lips. It’s as if he is memorising my face with his hands and eyes which both independently roam my facial features with such intense scrutiny. I can see him waging war with himself internally and I wait with hardly a single breath of air as he straightens himself a little and cocks his head to the side, in the innocent, confused look I love to see upon his face.

“I told you once Aragorn a long time ago that you alone held my heart.” My knees shake visibly and I force myself to keep my eyes focused with Legolas’ as he gently raises his hand from my cheek and pushes a stray wet lock of hair back from my forehead. “And now I will tell you again.” I feel light headed as Legolas smiles gently his eyes radiating sincerity and of all things love. “I love you Estel I always will. You stole my heart the moment you rode through Mirkwood when you were just a boy.” Legolas slips easily into elvish the lyrical notes of the language adding to the light-headedness and elated joy I suddenly feel. “Duty and tradition has kept us apart this long but I can not go another year pretending that we are just friends. Now that we have done our duty we are free Estel, to do what we wish. I give you my heart Estel.” I feel the tears glisten in the corners of my eyes as I watch Legolas’ internal struggle continue. For the first time I see fear in his eyes, raw emotion that he has never shown to anyone. “Don’t you see Estel? I have waited for so long for you realise how I felt but every time I tried to show you, you turned away. I gave my life to you that day to save yours because if you had died I too would have died with a broken heart. We are bound to each other Estel and I do not have the strength to continue to hide my feelings from you as I have done for so long. Please put me out of my suffering and tell me how you feel?” I can feel Legolas hands shaking against my cheeks and I reach up and gently cover them with my own so that our fingers interlink as I pull them from my face to my bear chest. I am sure Legolas can feel the rapid beating of my heart as I press his hands over my chest but he remains silent staring fearfully into my eyes.

“Legolas, you do not know the half of how I have suffered these past years. I too love you, as much as I did the first time I laid eyes on you at the council. Every moment I have spent in your company has been torture not being able to touch you, hold you, and kiss you as a lover.” My original meaning for our visit to Rivendell becomes irrelevant as I see the smile break across Legolas lips his face lighting up like the stars in the heavens. I cannot help but grin to myself as I block out everything else around us except for Legolas’ skin pressed flush against mine. The world stops into a deathly silence as I lean towards Legolas and brush my lips across his. It seems a lifetime ago that we stood in Minas Tirith and briefly kissed goodbye. This kiss however is not the same, it doesn’t hold guilt, regret or fear it holds only promise, tenderness and love. I watch as Legolas’ eyelids flutter closed so that his pretty eyelashes spread lavishly across to top of his cheeks before I to surrender to the kiss and close my eyes. Involuntarily my hands move to his bear waist my fingers collecting the last remaining droplets of water on his hips as I tighten my hold on him and pull him close. Legolas’ lips against mine are like honey and I hungrily slip my tongue between the plump lips to gain access to his mouth. At the first flick of his tongue against mine it’s like the floodgates open and our kiss becomes almost brutal in its intensity. I hear someone moan into my mouth and I only realise that it was me it came from as Legolas hands slip down my back to come to rest on my rear pulling me impossibly closer. I have longed to feel Legolas’ naked skin pressed along mine, each soft and subtle curve is even better than I imagined it would be and my body’s reaction is immediate. My cock twitches up in delight but the body pressed against mine does not react how I had imagined it would. Before I can protest Legolas is pulling away from my grip leaving me panting like a horse after a sprint. Confusion must show clearly on my face as Legolas’ keen eyes scan the woods behind me and it’s then that I hear the sound around the arousal clouding my mind. Horse hoofs on scrub undergrowth drawing closer at speed.

“Someone’s coming it will be the messenger.” I relax heavily as Legolas beams at me conspiratorially as he quickly pecks me on my lips and moves over to where he dropped his wet leggings earlier and begins to get dressed. “Quickly get dressed.” Cheekily I cock my head to the side in mock confusion as Legolas throws me my damp clothes from a rock on the edge of the stream. Legolas is already buttoning up his tunic and is re-braiding his hair when he stops and looks back at me confused at why I am still naked as the messenger draws closer still. “Aragorn dress yourself, what will the messenger think if he sees you unclothed?”

“What will he think Legolas? That I have seduced the great king of Mirkwood? Or that I have merely been for swim?” Legolas expression darkens a little as I turn and wander back over to where the contents of my hamper are still strewn from the saddle bag under the tree, my clothes forgotten. I cannot help but smirk to myself as I hear Legolas pick up my clothes from the floor behind me. Purposely I bend at the waist as I reach down and pick up an apple from my saddlebag, giving Legolas the perfect view of my rear. I have waited nearly a century for Legolas to confess his love and for myself to admit it as well, so I will not hide it now…from anyone. I feel a shadow fall over my body as I stand up straight again and bite into the plump red apple.

“You are doing this on purpose aren’t you Estel? You wish the world to know how we feel?” A soft hand comes to rest upon my shoulder and I cannot help but shudder with anticipation as the light finger tips qui quickly down my arm to take the apple from my grip. Slowly I turn around and face Legolas and watch with amusement as he too takes a bite from the apple and chews thoroughly as he stares deep into my eyes.

“You do not know how long I have loved you Legolas. I have deprived myself of every pleasure of the mind and body just to have you touch my hand on the briefest occasions these past years. And now when we have so little time left together since confessing this love, do wish me to hide it from the world.” Sadly I shake my head as he swallows the apple piece and licks the juice from his perfect lips. “I will not do that Legolas. I have hidden my feelings for you since the moment you walked into Elrond council that day I do not want to live a lie any more.” Legolas smiles gently his hand reaching up to brush away the stray tear I have carelessly let flow from the corner of my eye.

“You are right it was foolish of me to ask you to dress. Let the messenger think what he will and let us secretly pray that he tells Glorfindel of what he has seen, then we will not have to tell many people for Glorfindel will do it for us with his silver cheeky tongue.” I chuckle quietly as Legolas leans forward and brushes his lips against mine. It feels like silk being pulled across my body as Legolas pushes me firmly back against the tree trunk before dragging me down to the floor. I do not have time to breath as Legolas straddles my legs and lowers himself down into my lap. His hair looks funny being only half braided but I grip the back of his head firmly as he leans in to continue our kiss. I’m frustrated by his clothing and curse his ability to swiftly dress but I take advantage of his still open tunic and what little skin it reveals as I run my hand over his smooth, muscular chest. I have seen this chest more often than most, in our chambers, at night when he undresses or in the morning when he eats breakfast in only his leggings. I have longed to run my fingers down it’s expanse feeling the tension riddled muscles ripple under my fingertips as I gently caress it. Legolas sighs into my mouth at the touch of my hand on his chest and I delight in the way he shifts forward towards me desperate almost to increase our contact.

“Arhem!” The clearing of a voice above us startles us from our embrace and Legolas pulls back from me swiftly obviously having been to preoccupied to notice the arrival of the messenger.

“Haldir?” The shock in Legolas’ voice would be almost charming if I wasn’t so shocked to see the blonde haired guardian myself. I had expected one of the stewards to be sent to fetch us but it seems Haldir has taken up the call of duty instead. Legolas blushes a deep shade of crimson from the very tips of his ears down to his neck as he attempts to stand from my lap to address Haldir. However considering my state of undress I hold Legolas’ waist firm so that he can only squirm and turn to glare back at me in contempt. He relaxes however when I throw him an equally concerning glare reminding him quietly of why we were in this position in the first place.

“What news do you bring of Arrionetta Haldir? I hope it is joyous.” When it is obvious that Legolas will not address Haldir I turn and smile as politely as I can to the older elf. My smile is not returned however and I watch as Haldir merely stares at me with a steely cold regard. Quite arrogantly Haldir does not address my question and shifts his attention to Legolas who has regained much of his normal facial colourings despite the continuing situation.

“Your daughter my lord has given birth at last.” I feel Legolas relax into my body the remaining tension in his body melting away like ice from the tree leaves in spring. Legolas smiles at Haldir with a radiant pride, which emanates from his beautiful blue eyes.

“And the sex, what is it’s gender Haldir?” Legolas presses for information and I briefly catch the indecision, which wavers on Haldir’s features before he straightens himself and slowly replies to Legolas’ urgings.

“They are boys my lord.” Confused now by Haldir’s reply both Legolas and I sit up from one another and fully turn to face Haldir unsure of his meaning.

“They? What do you mean Haldir?” Understanding Legolas need to rise from me I grab my leggings and turn away from Haldir as Legolas stands from my lap leaving me free to dress to a respectable level.

“It was very unexpected my lord but it would explain the lengthy birth and the early labour.” Haldir hesitates as I turn around now clothed in my leggings and just pulling on my tunic. He glares at me again but I ignore it and merely continue to get dressed as Legolas continues to question the messenger.

“What is going on Haldir? Tell me so at once and cease your procrastination!” Worry taints Legolas’ tone as he snaps abruptly at Haldir. Sensing the uneasiness of Legolas I move over to him and rest a comforting hand upon his waist allowing him to take strength from my body as Haldir once again address the question.

“Your daughter my lord has given birth to twins.” The only sound Legolas makes is a choked whimpers before his body goes slack in my arms and I’m forced to catch him before he falls to the floor in a quite unnatural faint. I myself am clearly shocked at Arrionetta giving birth to twins and so I am under no illusions to how Legolas must feel. Haldir kneels beside me and attempts to awaken Legolas with a gentle shake of the shoulder but protectively I push Haldir away with a firm hand. Haldir glares at me in contempt as I bundle Legolas into my arms and gently sooth his head against my chest.

“You may return to the house Haldir your assistance isn’t required. Tell Lord Elrond we will arrive shortly.” With no regard for my position Haldir merely turns and moves back to his horses, his blonde hair flicking dramatically as he easily mounts his horse and turns briefly back at me. There is hatred that reflects from his eyes that I have never seen before as he glares at me. I half expect him to say something but he merely shakes his head and swiftly rides off without even a backward glance towards me. In my heart I know that I have just broken Haldir’s love and that love of Legolas has now turned to cold hatred for me. I stare into the forest until I can no longer see Haldir’s shining blonde hair before I return my gaze to the elf in my arms. Legolas’ eyes flutter open after a short while and I sooth a hand gently across his cheek as he panics a little and sits up from me to scan his surroundings.

“Tell me Estel was it just a dream or did Haldir tell me I am a grandfather of two?” I chuckle lightly at Legolas’ confused expression and merely nod in reply.

“Aye, it is true Arrionetta it seems does not do things in half. You are indeed a grandfather of two little male elflings.” I watch as Legolas sighs heavily before a smile breaks across his face as he stares into my eyes.

“We better be getting back, I want to see them and my daughter.” I nod understandingly and stand from the ground offering my hand in support as Legolas rises with me.

“I will ready the horses.” I go to move towards the horses but I am forced back to Legolas by his insistent tug on my hand. Before I can protest his lips are on mine in a deeply sensuous kiss that lasts only a fraction of a second before Legolas pulls smugly away.

“After dinner tonight may we go for a walk together?” I find the request a little strange but I nod enthusiastically. Legolas may walk with me at any time even though things seem to have changed between us now we are still bonded friends. “Good I will spend time with Arrionetta this afternoon but I wish to spend the night with you my love.” There are implications far beyond the simple meaning of Legolas spoken words and I feel an anticipatory shiver run the length of my spine. Legolas’ eyes sparkle with innocents as he smiles and turns to continue to gather our things. I have so much to discuss with Lord Elrond this afternoon as well and the time apart from Legolas will give me ample time before dinner. Saddling the horses again our picnic is swiftly packed up until both Legolas and I sit astride out horses ready for the return journey. Legolas is eager to return to see his daughter and the two new elflings and I am more than a little excited myself to be returning to Imaldris in the hope of telling Lord Elrond of the news of Legolas and myself. Spuring our horses we take the shortest and quickest route back to Imaldis, Legolas leading the way and I trailing close at his heals. There is joy in my heart for the first time in years yet there is also still sorrow. While my time with Legolas will be happy but it will also be cruelly short, as he still will have to travel west with his people.

TBC...........................Thank-you to the few reviewers of this little story it's great to hear what you think. I shall leave my own replies to the feedback until I've finished the trillogy and then I'll take the time to explain some stuff. Thanks again

Riff Raff