Within Dreams [A Legolas love story]

Hope Renewed

It had been six days of light riding when we saw the woods--the trees in the distance shone a silvery green in the morning sun.

We rode mostly at night, although we often continued into the afternoon before stopping. It was safer, against most intuition, because we would not be spotted or questioned by anyone we might meet on the road, regardless of their intentions.

"It will be spring soon," Legolas thoughtfully commented, glancing over at me briefly. "Mallorn trees bloom early and drop their leaves early in the fall."

"I can imagine it is beautiful," I replied. "I have never seen a mallorn tree in person."

"Even if we had not had a motive to come here, it would still be worth the trip," Legolas commented. "Greenwood is only three days from here."

"How, then, will Faewyn and Maldor meet us here by the morrow?" I asked, confused.

"They are not bound by night travel," he pointed out.

I had forgotten at this point that not everyone was obliged to travel in secrecy.

"It is near noon, we can be there by then if we ride faster," Legolas said, looking piercingly at the forest. It was little more than a long, silver-green smudge that stretched from one side of the landscape and disappeared near the river.

"Onwards, then," I said with a glint in my eye, spurring on Earlin.

When we reached the tree line, both of us halted uncertainly. I heard Legolas inhale sharply. "I pray that here we will find answers at last."

As soon as we entered through the trees, a hush descended upon us, as pristine as a morning dewdrop and as clear and unsullied as the first light of dawn. I breathed in the scent of dusky trees, warmed with the caress of the sun and fragrant with the promise of the oncoming spring.

"No wood ever surpassed that of Lothlorien in beauty or in wonder," I heard Legolas say softly, looking into the silvery branches above. "Even in the Undying Lands it is well-known."

"The Lady of the Wood keeps it well," I replied.

"Indeed she does," said a tall elf from in front of us, bowing slightly.

My eyes widened briefly in surprise.

"Well met," I said, recovering from the momentary shock of the unexpected presence of the elf.

"And you both indeed as well," he replied. "Hail, Prince of the Woodland Realm, and welcome, my lady."

Legolas inclined his head courteously--not at all fussed that a random guard just appeared--and spoke. "I expect the Lady has been waiting for us?"

"Indeed," he returned, "She has much to speak with you of."

I had heard that Galadriel was gifted in many ways, including foretelling of future events and a sense of people's truest thoughts. My stomach did a little turn at considering the upcoming meeting.

"Lead the way, Rúmil," Legolas said, nodding decisively.

With another slight bow, the elf that was named Rúmil set off through the trees, his fallow coloured boots making no sound on the yet bare path.

As we neared Caras Galadhon, the great centre of the forest and where Galadriel (and her husband, Lord Celeborn) resided, the trees grew noticeably larger and further apart, and occasionally a peal of laughter or a myriad of voices would drift on the pale breeze to our ears.

We were close, now, to the heart of the city, and before long, Rúmil turned and said, "Come this way."

We ascended the steep staircase that was seemingly carved out of delicate wood and yet effortlessly held our weight. The shimmering light of fountains above and below was cast upon the branches of the mallorn trees.