Echoes Beyond

Outsider

Some of us aren't meant to belong. Some of us have to turn the world upside down and shake the hell out of it until we make our own place in it

The dawn broke over the horizon, casting a warm glow over the camp as the dwarves took down their tents. Gimli's group gave Legolas and Neerin new horses, a generous gesture from old friends. Legolas and Gimli exchanged a heartfelt goodbye, embracing tightly.

     "Take care, my friend," Gimli said, his voice gruff with emotion. "And remember, if you ever need help, you know where to find me."

     "Thank you, Gimli. For everything," Legolas replied, clapping him on the back.

Neerin and Legolas mounted their horses, ready to continue their journey. As they rode away, the dwarves waved them off, their sturdy figures slowly fading into the distance.

The day passed in a blur of green and brown as they traveled through the forest. Legolas had a sense of familiarity guiding him. He instinctively knew they were heading towards Mirkwood, even though they had wandered since leaving Lothlórien. As the sun began to dip in the sky, he realized they were only a day's ride away from the borders of his homeland.

Neerin, riding beside him, broke the silence with a tentative question. 

     "What is going to happen when we get there? Where exactly are we going?"

Legolas glanced at her, noticing the fear in her eyes. He didn't even realize he hadn't mentioned to her where they were headed.

     "We're heading to Mirkwood. I will speak with my father and explain everything. We'll figure it out from there."

She nodded, patting her horse nervously. The calluses on her fingers, a result of archery training, made holding the reins painful. She remembered how gentle her hands once were, hands that no man would likely admire now. She looked down the path, her thoughts swirling. She was leaving everything behind, venturing into the unknown.

Mirkwood. She had heard stories, and all of them were frightening.

     "Is Mirkwood really as dark and dangerous as they say?" she asked quietly.

Legolas gave a small smile. 

     "It has its dangers, yes. But it's also a place of great beauty and strength. You'll see."

They continued in silence for a while, the rhythmic sound of hooves the only noise. Neerin's mind was a tumult of emotions. She was scared, leaving behind everything she knew to step into a world filled with uncertainty. Her thoughts drifted to her father. What would he do when he discovered she had run away? Would he send his soldiers after her? Or would he wage war on Mirkwood?

The path ahead seemed daunting, but there was no turning back now. She had made her choice, and she would face the consequences.

As the sun set, they made camp in a small clearing. Legolas set up a simple campfire, and they shared a quiet meal. Neerin couldn't help but feel the weight of their journey pressing down on her, but the warmth of the fire and the presence of Legolas provided some comfort.

     "Get some rest," Legolas said softly, seeing the fatigue in her eyes. "We'll need our strength for tomorrow."

Neerin nodded, lying down on the makeshift bedroll. As she drifted off to sleep, her mind was filled with a mixture of fear and anticipation for what awaited them in Mirkwood.

And so was Legolas's. He spent the whole night contemplating whether should he bring his companion to his homeland or not. The night breeze caressed his face, playing with a few wild strands of his hair. He exhaled, not too loud, afraid he might wake Neerin.