Echoes Beyond

Forgotten

Only the forgotten are truly dead

As Legolas journeyed towards Lothlórien, his heart weighed heavy with apprehension. The prospect of returning to the golden woods filled him with a sense of dread, for it meant that the time of his betrothal was fast approaching. He scoffed bitterly at the thought, a bitter reminder of the duty that awaited him.

Beside him rode Faranel, a trusted companion and fellow warrior of Mirkwood. They were accompanied by a band of other elves from their realm, their solemn faces reflecting the gravity of their mission. Back at the Elvenking's palace, Legolas had entrusted the command to his second-in-command, Calessus.

Calessus was a young elf, barely four hundred years old, yet his skill in combat was unmatched. Legolas had chosen him to lead in his absence, recognizing his potential as a leader and warrior. In return, Calessus had proven himself to be a loyal friend and steadfast ally. Their bond had strengthened over the years, forged in battle and tempered by shared experiences.

As Legolas contemplated the road ahead, he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for leaving the burden of command on Calessus' shoulders. Yet, he knew that his duty to his people outweighed his misgivings. Thranduil had also expressed his confidence in Calessus' abilities, recognizing him as a valuable asset to their army.

Exhaling deeply, Legolas turned his gaze towards the horizon. As he rode onward, his mind drifted back to the tumultuous events surrounding the destruction of the One Ring. He vividly recalled the harrowing journey undertaken by the fellowship forged from the unlikeliest of allies.

He remembered the stalwart determination of Frodo Baggins, the hobbit burdened with the task of destroying the Ring. Alongside him, the loyal Samwise Gamgee had stood as a beacon of unwavering loyalty and courage.

Then there was Gandalf the Grey, the wise wizard whose guidance and wisdom had been instrumental in guiding the Fellowship through countless trials. Aragorn, the true heir to the throne of Gondor, had emerged as a valiant leader and protector, earning Legolas' respect with each passing day.

Together, they had traversed treacherous lands, faced unimaginable foes, and forged unbreakable bonds of friendship. Legolas remembered the camaraderie shared around the campfire, the laughter that rang through the night despite the looming shadow of Sauron's malice.

And in the end, it was Frodo and Sam who had braved the fiery depths of Mount Doom, where the Ring was finally unmade, bringing an end to Sauron's reign of terror. 

As Legolas sifted through the memories of the Ring's destruction, he couldn't shake the frustration that gnawed at him. The events were recent, yet the true heroes remained unsung, their names lost amidst the currents of history. It was a deliberate erasure, orchestrated by those who sought to control the narrative for their own ends.

Despite their monumental feats, Frodo, Sam, Aragorn, and Gimli found themselves relegated to the shadows, their contributions downplayed or outright ignored. Legolas recalled the countless battles fought, the lives sacrificed, and the unyielding courage displayed by his companions. Yet, to the outside world, their efforts had been overshadowed by the machinations of power-hungry figures.

In the aftermath of the Ring's destruction, a concerted effort had been made to suppress the truth. Those in positions of authority sought to maintain their hold on the masses, crafting a narrative that painted them as the saviors of Middle-earth. Meanwhile, the true heroes languished in obscurity, their deeds relegated to whispers and half-truths.

Legolas felt a surge of indignation at the injustice of it all. These were not distant legends of a bygone era; they were recent events, fresh in the memories of those who had lived through them. Yet, even in the wake of victory, the truth had been twisted and distorted to serve the interests of the powerful.