The Days of Old (LOTR- Book One)

Chapter 3: Many Meetings

Chapter 3: Many Meetings

I jolted awake awake, Legolas was standing in the doorway arching his eyebrows. He was clad in brown and green cloth with his daggers on his back as well as his bow and quiver placed, I grumbled something in elvish and rolled out of the bed. Quickly grabbed my bow and daggers and stumbling out of the room.

"I forgot you aren't a morning person," Legolas chuckled, I rubbed my eyes and shot a glare over at him, only making him laugh more. 

We walked up the stairs to the entry-hall near the narrow bridge that led to Thranduils throne, I looked over at Legolas when I saw Thranduil watching us closely. "Have you said your goodbyes?" I asked quietly, Legolas frowned and nodded then turned on his heel and walked towards the gates.

 Beridan walked towards us with our horses in tow, a stern look was on his face, a look of sadness and worry. The elves of Mirkwood would not remain in Middle Earth much longer, the time of the elves was ending and some were under the belief that with them the rest of the people of Middle Earth would fall into ruin, but I didn't believe that.

I breathed in the cool air that surrounded the city and peered into the dark forest that was ahead of them, it would only take a few hours to navigate back through the forest and through the way-shrine and back to Rivendell, hopefully it would be as easy a travel back as it was to Mirkwood.

Legolas grimaced and pushed ahead towards the forest. He through the woods silently, pricking up at the slightest sound, the horses were nervous; Arroch's ears remained pinned back on the journey. 

"How have things been here?" I broke the silence and Legolas looked over at me, but still remained focused on the surroundings. "We drove most of the darkness that crept out of Dol Guldur back, at least out of our realm." He sighed and adjusted his pack. 

"How are things in Rivendell?" He arched his eyebrows, I shrugged. "Most of the elves have moved on, to the Grey Havens, the rest will leave soon." I absentmindedly rubbed her eyes, "The valley is fading.. The trees do not bloom like they used to and a heaviness lies in the air." I met his bright blue eyes that were filled with sadness. "I am sorry," He sighed and laid his hand on my shoulder.

"I know our time is ending, but.. I do not want to leave." I looked away and down at my feet that softly padded the worn stone.

The rest of the journey through the forest was in silence and eventually we crossed back through the gate and into the open world. The green grass was fading, autumn was falling and a cool wind blew from the Misty Mountains. 

I smiled and breathed in deep, glad to be rid of the darkness that had loomed over me and Legolas in the woods. Legolas hopped on his horse, which stirred and bounced with anxiety, I grinned and quickly did the same and they bolted off back towards Rivendell.

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Dark storm clouds boiled overhead as they cross the Bruinin and charged over the narrow bridge into the small courtyard that marked the entry into Rivendell. Lord Elrond was standing at the top of a flight of stairs frowning down at them.

He walked elegantly down the stairs and spoke hushed words with Legolas while I hopped off Arroch, gave Elrond a small nod and I walked our horses to the stables. 

A tall elder man was sitting in a wicker chair overlook the valley, smoking his pipe slowly and solemnly. I furrowed my  eyebrows and quickly handed the horses off to another elf and stalked up the stairs silently, studying the man as he sat in silence.

"I know you're there." His gravelly voice pierced the silence held between the two, I froze and straightened her back. "Sorry," I said nervously as I ran my fingers through my thick blonde hair. "Don't apologize, sit!" The man laughed, he was clad in all different shades of grey and a pointed hat lay on the ground beside him.

My eyes widened in realization and I quickly ran over to him. "Gandalf!" I wrapped my arms around his neck and grinned wide. Gandalf chuckled and hugged me back, "How long have you been here?" I pressed as I plopped into the chair beside him, "Only a few days, others are here as well and more will come." He said, I raised an eyebrow. 

"Others?" I asked, Gandalf smiled and puffed out a ring of smoke.

"There is to be a council with envoys from every race to explain the things that have been occurring," He said quietly, "I've heard rumours," I said after some silence, Gandalf raised one of his thick, frayed eyebrows. 

"That the one of whom we do not speak has returned." I breathed, Gandalf puffed out another smoke. "We will talk of this when the time comes," He smiled weakly, "Aragorn has returned as well," He looked past me to Elrond's chambers were Aragorn and Arwen were laughing quietly.

I smiled and pushed out of the chair, "He seems occupied at the moment," I laughed and pulled my bow off my back, Gandalf chuckled deeply and nodded. 

I walked out of the room and back to my own, throwing my things on the ground and flopping into the wicker chair on my balcony, I stared out into the valley as the sun began setting and red, and orange rays flooded overhead.

"Nice view." Legolas's voice called from behind me, I jumped and sat up, scoffing when I realized who it was. Legolas threw himself down in the other wicker chair on the balcony and I crossed my arms.

"Is there something you need?" I asked jokingly Legolas chuckled warmly and folded his arms behind his head. "We haven't had time to catch up!" He said loudly, smiling at me. I laughed and sat down in the other chair beside him.

"You're right, everything has been so serious." I laughed and pulled my hair away from my face in a loose bun with loose stranding dripping down my neck. "How has everything been?" I asked softly, Legolas shrugged, "After the evil was driven for Dol Guldur everything settled down for a while." He explained, I nodded. 

"There is to be a council?" I raised an eyebrow, Legolas nodded, "So it seems," He said, I sighed. "I saw Gandalf," I smiled after some time, Legolas looked outside, "Really?" He asked, "Yes, he says others are here as well but I have not found any others yet." I explained and stood up, leaning on the railing that overlooked the water flowing gently 

"Hobbits were up in Elrond's study," Legolas leaned on the railing beside me, I arched my eyebrows. "Hobbits.. Here?" She laughed, the only one I had ever saw here was Bilbo and he was quite unlike other hobbits and had just wandered here on his last journey and decided to remain here due to his age. I had stayed up many nights with him, listening to his stories, he was quite fascinating.

"Four of them." Legolas continued, "But Elrond wouldn't tell me anything about them until the council." He sighed and his bright eyes met mine, "But how are you? You haven't said anything about yourself." He asked, I puffed out air. "I've been better, I miss when this valley was lively and sadness didn't seem to hang in the air and darkness didn't cover us." I looked at the dying trees, "I hate that our time here is ending," My voice trailed off as I looked back into Legolas's eyes.

Legolas laid his hand on my shoulder softly, "We aren't through yet," He smiled and pushed away from the railing at out of my room.

The sun had faded over the horizon and the moon had begun to rise, glimmering off the flowing waters. I sighed and pushed off the ladder and walked briskly to Elrond's study.

Elrond was sitting in a velvet couch still reading a book silently, "Lord Elrond," I said softly, Elrond peered over his book and smiled at her, "Anairë!" He said loudly as he closed the book and walked over to me.

"I've been wanting to speak to you, I have need of you at the council tomorrow." He said quietly, "You do?" I arched my eyebrows, I was rarely invited to such things, Elrond always thought I was too young and naive before, what changed? "I will come if that is what you wish." I smiled weakly, Elrond patted my shoulder.

"There is something that everyone needs to be told and we need to move quickly, before the enemy does." He sighed and sat down back on the couch, "Gandalf told me you saw him." He laughed, I blushed but nodded. "I hadn't saw him in so long that I hardly recognized him!" I laughed, Elrond chuckled but his smile quickly faded, a sadness had settled on him over the years, he hardly ever smiled and only briefly when he did.

"Tomorrow will be a long day, you will want to rest." He sighed as he opened the book and I quickly did as he said, who knew the next day would change my life.