Avadis - A legolas story (slow moving!)

Chapter 54 - Enjoy it while you can

Everyone gathered along the edges of the roads, women and children laying down cloaks and waving branches in the air as the procession of horses and riders took off down the winding and sloping streets of Gondor. At the head of the procession rode Aragorn, no longer the ranger Avadis had met but a changed man, his head held high and the Gondorian crest proudly worn across his chest. Behind him rode Eomer with Merri and Gandalf, riding Shadowfax as his steed with Pippin sat in front of him, sheltered slightly by his long white cloak. Behind them were Legolas and Gimli, once again sharing a horse, with the elf seeming to have finally come to terms with the annoying constraints of constantly carrying a dwarf with him when they ride. Legolas glanced around at the crowds, nodding politely to them as they rode by in very polite elven fashion, however his eyes darted up to the skies every now and then, looking for the last missing member of their party. 

At the entrance to the city, Avadis sat with her legs hanging over the stone wall attop the large wooden gates, still battered from the invasion weeks before. She sighed as she waited for her friends to show, hearing the cheering grow louder and louder as they continued their descent of the city. In one hand she casually tossed her small dagger in circles in the air, catching it each time before throwing it again. Infront of her, Mordor's fires lept up over the high cliffs that separated her from Sauron's gaze. She looked out to them, watching the orange glow over the horizon and thinking of the two hobbits who were somewhere inside the walls. How they had managed it, she did not know. But she had learnt that hobbits had a remarkable abilities to achieve things she did not scarecely believe possible by someone so small. 

"Be safe" she whispered, half to them and half to herself, taking a big breath hand turning around to greet the oncoming procession with a smile. Pippin's face lit up the instant he saw her, and he shot his hand up to wave hello which she returned with a small laugh. Aragorn gave her a civil nod of his head with a cheeky smile before he lead the procession through the gateway and down the path towards Mordor. Avadis however waited until Legolas finally spotted her on her perch before soaring downwards and landing neatly besides their horse. 

"You missed the walk" Gimli grunted down to her, "so I got you this branch just in case you needed it." He threw a twig towards her face, which Avadis caught before it could do any damage. 

"Why thank you, this just happens to be my favourite kind of twig. You are too kind" She chuckled and tucked it somewhat awkwardly in her pocket, making the dwarf laugh. She looked past Gimli and up to Legolas, who had still not said anything. His face was stern and his eyes never wavered from looking forwards to Aragorn's silhouette as he lead them forwards. Even with Avadis there next to him, he did not dare let his eyes fall on her.

"I reckon he has the pre-battle nerves settling in, poor lad. Haven't heard a peep all morning." Gimli leant down with a whisper to Avadis, who looked to the elf with concern. 

"I am simply trying to savour this moment without the memory of a certain dwarf's helmet constantly bobbing up and down infront of me" Legolas muttered, quiet enough that Gimli did not hear over the noise of the crowd, but loud enough for Avadis to shoot a small frown of disapproval up to him. Even still, he did not make eye contact and his face remained in a frown as they rode forwards.

"You don't mind if I walk with you for a while, do you?" Avadis asked the pair, looking especially hopefully towards Legolas. Gimli too turned around slightly, expecting the elf to reply, however when nothing came he grunted and gave Avadis a smile and nod.

"Aye, of course we don't lassie. The more company the better, especially considering where we're going..." His words stopped as he became aware of the soldiers around him. "Best enjoy it while we can is all I'm saying" he finished quieter with a small grunt.