Moonbreeze (Legolas x OC)

Part 11

Aragorn has them continue their travels quickly. Night is approaching and with it comes more peril. He makes them run, right towards the fast woods that lies ahead: Lothlorien.

The hobbits stick close by Ithilae, knowing they are approaching her home and the lightness in her step makes it easier for them to set aside their sorrow for a moment as they flee from the oncoming darkness towards the safety of the woods. They quickly rush across the last open field before the shadows of the trees submerge them.

They slow down their pace to a walk, their feet crunching the dry leaves and distance themselves from the border. The atmosphere is rather tense. Even Ithilae feels slightly uncomfortable. Weariness seems to have grown over the forest since she last came here.

Gimli beckons the hobbits closer. "Stay close young hobbits. They say there's a great sorceress that lives in these woods; an Elf-witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell... and are never seen again." he warns.

Boromir throws Ithilae a meaningful glance, slightly humorous. She raises a brow in reply, recalling what he once questioned her to be. It was all rather silly now that they think back on it. Somewhere along the way they have reached an understanding and have forgiven each other.

Her silent conversation with the man is interrupted when a voice calls to her in her head, "Iston i nîf gîn. Gi nathlam hí. (I know your face. You are welcome here)."

"Well! Here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily! I have the eyes of a hawk, and ears of a fox!" Gimli exclaims, only to be met with an arrow pointing at his face. "Oh."

Legolas strings his own arrow as they are now surrounded, but Ithilae doesn't bother as a familiar Elf steps forward. "The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark." he states.

"Haldir." she breathes, making him nod at her, a smile playing at the corner of his lips.

"Gi suilon, Ithilae. Tolo ar nin (I greet you. Come with me). " he orders, turning around as the elves put away their bows. Legolas puts his away hesitantly, looking to Ithilae questioningly as she follows after Haldir.

Pippin looks around confused before being the first to follow, Aragorn right behind him. Soon they all file after the elves.

"Where are we going?" Pippin doesn't hesitate to ask.

Haldir glances at him over his shoulder. "For shelter." he merely answers, guiding them towards a place near the borders and up to a flet on a Mallorn tree, a post for guarding.

Darkness has fallen and Haldir turns to the weary travelers, greeting Legolas next, "Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion (Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil)." He bows his head slightly towards the Prince.

Legolas returns the gesture. "Govannas vn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien (Our Fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lórien)."

Next, Haldir turns to Aragorn, "A, Aragorn in Dûnedain istannen le amen (Oh, Aragorn of the Dûnedain, you are known to us)."

"Haldir." Aragorn greets with a respectful bow.

Gimli huffs. "So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can also understand!" he complains gruffly.

Haldir eyes him scathingly. "We have not had dealings with the Dwarves, since the dark days." he tells Gimli with a raised brow.

Gimli huffs once more indignantly. "And do you know what this Dwarf says to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul (I spit upon your grave)!" she cusses, causing Aragorn to smack his shoulder in reprimand.