A Promise- a LOTR Fanfiction (Legolas) ❤︎ ✓

Chapter 3: The Council of Elrond

EDITED 01/06/16

"A council," I repeat slowly. Gandalf nods, bowing his head deeply. I'm surprised his hat doesn't fall off. "What for?"

"You will see." He pauses. "I was, in fact, going to ask you to join us after our conversation, but since you are here, you may as well know now." Elrond smiles at me. "There is a council at noon today, and you are invited to attend, Vivienne, if you should like to join us."

I hesitate, thinking. It has been rather slow around here recently, and I need some excitment in my life. I don't have centuries to live like the rest of the elves- who knows when I'll get another chance like this.

"Thank you!" I grin, nodding. "I'll be there." He nods and turns back to the wizard, continuing their conversation.

I hastily walk down the corridors and down another flight of stairs before emerging into the sunlight my eyes squinting in the sudden change of brightness. Legolas is looking around the courtyard beneath my room, the man from Gondor has gone inside, and who knows where those dwarves have gone.

"Legolas!" I cry, running towards him. He hugs me and smiles.

"How long did you plan on staying in Rivendell before visiting again?" He asks me, blue eyes sparkling. "We missed you."

"It's changed, Legolas, and not for the better. The forest is haunting and although I know I have you, I feel much more at peace here in Rivendell."

Legolas nods in understanding.

"So, what are you doing here? Attending the council?" I whisper the last sentence in case someone overhears.

"There is also another reason I am here- my father has asked me to deliver a message to Lord Elrond."

"What's the message?" I raise my eyebrows. He hesitates. "Please?" I probe him, lips turning up in a pleading smile.

"Gollum escaped." He answers softly, gaging my reaction. My jaw drops.

"Gollum?" 

Legolas nods, and I suck in a deep breath.

"Something tells me that's a very, very bad thing..." I worry a little, knowing the trouble that thing can cause. He must be smart, if he escaped from the well-guarded dungeons of Mirkwood. 

"I should go get ready, it's almost midday. I don't want to wear this-" I gesture to my battered training gear- "to an all important council. Namárië. (farewell.)"

I wave goodbye to Legolas, who's still sitting on the stone bench, and walk back inside. I change into a simple, light blue evening gown and leave my feet bare. I throw on a dark cloak for good measure, and pull my wavy red hair into a messy braid, letting it hang loosely on my back.

It's almost time for the council, but I have a few minutes to spare.

I walk over to my bed and sit on the edge, the frame creaking like it always does, and I lift my feathery pillow to reveal a tattered piece of paper. I have read this many, many times, but never enough to understand it fully.

I'll never understand why my mother left me.

When my memory was messed up so many years ago, and then I returned to Mirkwood, Thranduil and told me that a letter had been sent for me, and since I was missing, they kept it safe if I were to return. And when I finally did, I read the small, tiny words and tears slid down my face, cutting through a few days worth of sweat and dirt, leaving behind a small trail.

I open the folded piece of paper in my hands and read it once more, the memory of reading it the first time in Mirkwood popping up in my memory.

**flashback**