Out of Sight, Out of Mind//Legolas

Chapter 7; Fellowship Falls

"Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes." Lord Celeborn said as the elves handed them the soft and warm cloaks.

"What do they look like?" Gilan whispered to Legolas next to him.

"Well, they're a bit of gray, a bit of green... something in between. Like your eyes." The elf responded.

"I see." Hummed Gilan, holding back a chuckle. He felt Legolas stare at him.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" The elf said in an unimpressed tone.

"Maybe." Aragorn snorted next to them and quickly covered it up with coughs.

"Ha ha, very funny." Gilan heard Legolas's long hair swish.

"Would you be so kind, my prince, and remind me what else has, uh, those colors?" Legolas looked back at him, studying him for a moment.

"Oh, oh." The second 'oh' gained a different sound and Aragorn burst out laughing.

"Shut up, shut up! He won't tell me if you keep laughing!" Gilan hissed at the ranger with humor and repeatedly hit him on the shoulder.

"You two are the worst." Legolas groaned and turned away from them again.

"No, Legolas!" Whined Gilan. "Tell me, please."

"No, get someone else to do it." Legolas huffed.

"Every league you travel south, the danger will increase. Mordor Orcs now hold the eastern shore of the Anduin. Nor will you find safety on the western bank." Lord Celeborn told them and handed Aragorn a dagger. "Strange creatures bearing the White Hand have been seen on our borders." The Lord warns them. "You are being tracked. By river you have the chance of outrunning the enemy to the Falls of Rauros."

"My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim. Worthy of the skill of our woodland kin." Lady Galadriel said as she started handing out more gifts. "These are the daggers of the Noldorin. They have already seen service in war. Do not fear, young Peregrin Took. You will find your courage." She gifts them to Merry and Pippin and Gilan hopes they never have to use them. "And for you, Samwise Gamgee, Elven rope made of hithlain."

"Thank you, my lady." Then he hesitantly adds. "Have you run out of those nice, shiny daggers?" Lady Galadriel just smiles.

"And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?"

"Nothing. Except to look upon the lady of the Galadhrim one last time for she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the earth." Gilan and Legolas both don't manage to conceal their surprised faces. "Actually... There was one thing. No, no, I couldn't. It's quite impossible. Stupid to ask." There is a beat of silence and Gilan guesses the Lady encouraged Gimli to speak. "Perhaps... one shiny hair from her golden head to remember her by." Galadriel laughed and gave his three.

"I have nothing greater to give than the gift you already bear. For her love, I fear the grace of Arwen Evenstar... will diminish."

"I would have her leave these shores, and be with her people. I would have her take the ship to Valinor."

"That choice is yet before her. You have your own choice to make, Aragorn. To rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil or to fall into darkness with all that is left of your kin." Aragorn straightens before her. The Lady then turns to Gilan. "For you, Gilan, I am simply a messenger of a dying wish of your parents. Their last words begged me to deliver this into your hands along with their sincere apologies. Whether you wish to accept them is up to you." And she placed the simple knife into his hand. His finger ran over the leather covering the blade, up to the carved wooden handle that had clearly been his father's work.