"Okay.." Hal said, sighing, "It all started 342 years ago and 76 days.. no, 77 days. Anyway, I was flying around here. I was scared because I knew I was not supposed to dwell on the lands of Mirkwood. I was looking for refuge, a place to hide, or just to rest so I could rest my.. wings," he paused and rubbed his winglessback, with a distant look in his eye. After a moment he brought himself back and continued.
"I flew over this area, and I was pleased to see this house, all lit up with smoke coming out of the chimney. It looked nice, so I flew up to the window and banged on it as hard as I could. I called as loud as I could to the person inside. He finally saw me and opened his door to me. He seemed to be a mix of an elf and a human. He was tall, like you Sir Greenleaf, and his hair was black, though, and braided down to his mid back. His ears were not pointed, nor was his skin so pale. Something about him seemed... magical. He smiled upon me when he opened the door. He let me cleans myself, gave me some food. he even let me use a whole bedroom! a whole bedroom for this tiny fairy. I felt rather retched, taking all of these offerings from this generous.. being. The next day, I prepared for flight again, but he insisted that I stay, his reason being that he was quite lonely, and had built the house to attract friends. He told me he had not seen another being for almost seven centuries. He offered me everything, in turn for friendship. I obviously accepted. I had no home to go to anyway, and it had been long since I had a friend as well. One of the reasons I was flying away was because my best friend, Gwathelioarn, or G as I called him, was killed.. I will not say how for just the very thought of it.." he paused and took a breath. He dabbed his eye quickly, hoping Legolas had not seen his tear.
"Anyway, so I told him I would stay. At first it was marvelous! Pure heaven. We did nothing but laugh and talk all day. He made me the most delicious meals, he gave me the softest bed. He gave me friendship, and I could not have been more happy. But then something happened. One day, he went out to get water for a bath. He was gone for quite some time, and by the time he had come home, it was mid-night. 'Where were you?' I would ask him, only to be ignored. He did not have even one bucket of water. I was confused but obviously he was in no mood to discuss anything. I thought I he would be back to normal the next day, but when I greeted him in the morning he did not even give me a glance. We sat in silence for the rest of the day. It was the most dreadful silence. I decided to go to bed early, I did not know what else to do. I could not sleep that night. I laid there, in my bed, with only dark thoughts in my mind. Soon I heard voices. Three voices. I was a bit confused, since he had never entertained guests before. I got out of bed and I dressed myself. I slipped under the door crack and I began to walk towards the room in which they were speaking.. this room, actually.. I stopped, though, when I heard the matter of their discussion. 'Its a perfect plan, the elves of Mirkwood will pay.' said one voice. I leaned against the wall, listening more closely.
'I have already sent Orcs to the mountain. They are training up there, for battle. Soon, their army will be big enough to take over Mirkwood, or the scraps that are left of it,' said another voice. He laughed and the laugh sunk deep into my bones... like ice. I can not get it free from my head, it haunts me in my sleep. They went on though.
'We shall go to the mountain, in a weeks time, to join the nasty little things. They need structure and authority.'
'Well, the most important thing in my mind is the fountain,' I heard my friend speak, 'have they found it?' something in his tone made me very scared. He was obviously very desperate to find this so called fountain.
'Yes my friend, they have. the Fountain of Power.. imortality, weath, beauty. they have found it and it is with the fountain we shall gain our strength and take over Mirkwood. We will get rid of all the elves, the little sniveling snobs that they are. We will show middle-earth that us Milftors can do more than be different than everybody else. We will show them what power we have. We will smite anyone who tries to stop us.' And at this my heart stopped. A plot to take over Mirkwood? The very thought of such evil voices ruling over a kingdom made me feel weak in the knees." Hal paused when he saw Legolas's eyes burning with the most insense anger. He was a bit scared of the elf's disposition.
"Go on," the elf ordered.
"I kept listening. 'If all goes well, and the Orcs continue to multiply witht he strength of the Fountain, we shall be able to follow through with out plan in a century or so.' I felt more sick. A century was not too far off. I felt my face get hot as he devised a plan to kill all the horses of Mirkwood. There was no need to drag the horses into their stupid plan. Everyone knows the relationship between the Elf and his steed. I stood their listening for the rest of the night, shaking with anger after everytime they insulted the kingdom of Mirkwood and its inhabitants. Finally, it got to me. Actually I don't know if it was the lack of sleep or the anger, or maybe a mixture both. Anyway, I flew into that room, probably looking like a demon.
'You will not triumph in your evil plot, for elves are much better than you dirty excuse for living creatures. you will not go through with this and I do whatever I can to stop you!' I would say to them. My anger grew as they laughed at me.
'You?? A pitiful.. fairy? Stop us?' one of the things said. I did not say anything more but charged at the man. Of course, my effort was useless and he caught me in his hands. When he opened his hands I saw his evil face grinning down at me. I spit in his eye and threw a handful of my useless fairydust into his eye. Though it had no magic, it could still sting like hot ash. He screached in pain and in anger he brought his hand down on me hard, squishing me in his palm. I had never felt such pain, for it is a crime to attack a fairy, as you know. He dug his palm into my back, and I felt as though I was breaking in two. My wings were crushed and broken, the pain was unimaginable. Barely still concious, I heard him speak to me.
'You are going to keep this little meeting secret now, aren't you?' he said above me. I looked up at my oldfriend, asking him with my eyes if he really intended on doing such evil. His eyes spoke yes, and I felt such hatred towards him.
'Never,' I growled, biting his finger. He screamed in pain.
'Have it your way then,' he growled back to me. I felt his dirty fingers on my left wing. He began to pull. I cried in pain. It was so intense, so intense that I could hardly keep control of my thoughts. All I knew at that moment was pain. then.. ," he stopped and rubbed his left sholder blade again. he heard sniffling above him and looked up to see Grace's eyes watering. He continued.
"I felt half dead. I could not concentrate, I saw the blood on his fingers, as he cruely held the detached wing infront of my face. He laughed evily.
'Now, you aren't going to tell, right? I'll give you a moment to think about it this time,' he whispered, grabbing my other wing in his dirty grubby fingers. I could not speak. Pain lived within every inch of my body.
'You have 3 seconds to give me the right answer,' he said, '1..' I sputtured, trying to speak, '2..' with the last strength I had, I lifted my head and looked into his eyes. 'You will pay,' I said to him, plopping back down into the palm of his hand. I knew those were not the words that would set spare my right wing, but that did not matter. A fairy's wings are nothing compared to a whole kingdom of divine creatures such as elves. I cried outloud as I felt him begin to pull," Hal stopped, whiping his tears away, but only to find more streaming down his cheeks, "He pulled slowly, torturing me. I felt and heard my skin and tendons ripping. For 30 more seconds he twisted and pulled my wing. I felt blackness come over me, and I knew it was gone.." he sobbed loudly now, Grace was also crying. Legolas sat with an angy face. Hal sniffled, and took a moments to catch his breath, "When I woke up, I found myself in a dark, small space. I later figured out that I was under the floor. I do not know how long I stayed unconcious. I know it was days after I woke up before I could move with only a slight pain. I felt helpless. I have had only nightmares. Well, Galadriel sent me a dream. A dream to tell me not to fear, for my fate was not to die underneath a floor board, and that my existense was crucial in the world. She told me that someone would find me. The dream kept me alive, filling me with enough hope. I am afraid to say, though, all of these years under the floor, in darkness, I have grown bitter, and less trusting. I apologize, maiden, for my behavior earlier," Grace just smiled down on Hal through her tears.
"Now I am out, and I feel now that I owe anything and everything to you both. I feel now I have to fulfill my destiny, as Galadriel has told me. I just do not know what to do."
"Hal," Legolas said, "it has been 200 years since the date of which the attack was supposed to take place.. do you suppose that they failed?"
"I do not think they have failed completely, my prince, for Galadriel also sent images of their Orcs being drivin off the mountain, but of them still sitting on their thrones," Hal answered. Legolas's eyes flashed. "These must be the Orcs that are planning on attacking us," he thought to himself. His heart raced.
"Hal, if it is not of too much trouble, I am going to ask you to repeat your story to my father. He would like to know of this information, for there has been evidence of an attack on Mirkwood by Orcs. Apparently they are going to fight to gain back their mountain."
Grace gasped and looked at Legolas with stunned eyes. Legolas tried to ignore her and continued on.
"If we could pass some of this information on to others, perhaps we will gain stronger allies. I insure you that your security and privacy will be kept. We will gaurd your life at Mirkwood."
"I will do anything you need me to, sir," Hal said, bowing politely.
"Come, then. Let us go back to the town, and you may speak with my father." Legolas put his hand near Hal, and Hal jumped on. Grace still sat in shock on the ground. Her brow began to furrow.
"Grace, I am sorry, we will have to continue with this another time. I hope you understand," Legolas said softly to her. Grace stood up and nodded silently. He kissed her cheek and took her hand with his other free one. The walk home was silent, and dark. No one spoke. When they reached the gates, Legolas gave Hal to one of the gaurds.
"Take this fairy to my father. Let no one know of his presence, and treat him with the respect you bestow upon me, for he is a friend to Mirkwood," Legolas whispered. the guard nodded and took Hal in his hands. He walked away towards the Kings quarters. Legolas sighed to himself, wathcing the Guard walk off.
"Why did you not tell me?" Grace finally said.
"I did not want to frighten you," Legolas said, turning around to her. He grabbed her hands.
"You lied," she said softly, looking down at their hands.
"I did it with good intensions, Love, please do not be cross," he replied, kissing her knuckles. Grace looked up at him.
"Legolas, how long before we get attacked?" Legolas did not respond.
"Legolas.. tell me." Legolas looked into her eyes and sighed.
"in a months time," he whispered, lowering his head. Grace breathed heavily.
"A month?" she repeated. Legolas looked at her. She knew he was being truthful.
"What are we to do?" she whispered, almost in panic. Legolas stroked her face.
"Do not worry, you and the other lady-elves are going to be transported to a safe place, out of harms way," he said softly, with a smile. His words did not coax her, though.
"Away? from you?" she cried, "Legolas I am not letting you leave me again!" She began to cry.
"No, no please, don't cry," he said, kissing her forhead and wrapping his arms around her, "Everything will be okay! I promise," he whispered into her ear. There they stood under the waning moon, Legolas holding his lover as she cried silver tears or worry and despair.
Knock Knock Knock, came a tapping on Legolas's door. He was already up, in fact he had not slept that night.
"Come in," he said, sullenly. His face brightened when he saw Grace walk through the door. He sat up in his bed and smiled at her.
"No! no no don't get up!" she said, jumping into his bed and wrapping the covers around herself. Legolas chuckled and kissed her ears.
"Everytime I see you my heart swells with such love," he said softly. Grace smiled up at him and pulled him down for a kiss. The two elves layed in bed for the rest of the morning. The sun shone down on them and the bed seemed to glow. Perhaps it was just love.
Suddenly the door burst open. Grace dove under the covers to hide herself, giggling.
"Lego- Oh! sorry I didn't- oh man- sorry," said the elf who had entered the room. It was the same elf that had escorted him to the council the day before. The elf quickly turned around and shut the door. Legolas and Grace went into a fit of laughter.
"I think they know now," Legolas tried to say through his laughter. Grace was squealing.
"I think so!"
Legolas kissed her nose and got out of bed.
"No.." Grace said, reaching for him as he walked across the room. Legolas looked sympathetic.
"I'm so sorry my love, but I think my father wishes to speak with me. That elf escorts me to him, so I think thats why he came here." Grace pouted and plopped back down on the soft bed. She watched Legolas dress himself. He pulled on a silver-blue tunic and pulled on some white/creme leggings. He pulled his hair back half way, tying it with a piece of ribbon. He turned around to Grace and smiled at her. She smiled back and he walked over to the bed and knealed down next to it.
"I'll be back soon I promise, don't move," he said, kissing her forehead and giving her a mischievous smile.
"Okay I wont," Grace whispered, putting her hand on Legolas's strong cheek bones. Legolas gave her another kiss on the the cheek and then her lips. He gave her one last smile and got up to leave. When he opened his door, he saw the elf waiting for him.
"I am truly sorry, I-" he started to apoloize.
"Pray do not worry yourself about it!" Legolas told him with a kind smile. Grace had sent him off in a good mood. The elf sighed in relief.
"Your father wishes you to go to his quarters," the elf said. Legolas nodded and began to follow the elf. When they got to the kings door, Legolas sent the elf away. He knocked twice on the door.
"Come in!" a grand voice came behind the door. Legolas pushed opent he door to see his father sitting in a chair, Hal sitting upon the table, and a cloaked figure standing infront of the fireplace, with his back towards Legolas. Legolas eyed the figure as he walked into the room and shut the door behind him.
"Legolas, I would like you to meet-" The figure turned around and pulled his hood down. "Gandalf," the king finished. Legolas looked at the wizard. His grey scraggly hair was knotted and fell to his shoulders, and his long unkept beard fell to his chest. His face was worn and old, with many wrinkles, particularly around his eyes. His eyes which were a magnificent shade of blue. Legolas could not help but trust the stranger. He stood silently.
"Ah.. Prince Greenleaf," Gandalf's bold voice boomed, "It is so good to finally meet you." The wizard took out a pipe and lit it up, pukering his lips around it.
"Aye, and it is a pleasure to meet a Wizard such as yourself," Legolas said, bowing. Gandalf laughed, seating himself at the table.
"Have a seat my boy," Gandalf said, gesturing to the empty seat across from him. Legolas did what he was told.
"Are you here to help us?" Legolas asked.
"Jumping right into things, are we?" Gandalf said, blowing a smoke ring.
"Yes, I am here to aide in whatever way possible," Gandalf said finally, "I hear you are in charge of this defense. How do you feel about that." Legolas looked at his father, then back at Gandalf.
"I hate to admit it, but I am scared. I have never done this before, and the circumstances seem quite dangerous. These Orcs have been living off of some type of magic fountain, who knows how deadly they are, or if they can even be stopped or killed," he blurted out. He was ashamed of being scared.
"Ah yes," Gandalf said sliently, "The Fountain of Uragora. Such a powerful source. Saruman and I have been looking for it for years. The truth is, its powers are somewhat unknown.

Un-Titled part 6