[LúthienTinúviel]

Tinuiel was walking in the woods, letting her mind wander over many things, as was her custom, when she heard unfamiliar noises in the woods. So often did she wander in the Greenwood, that she knew every sound and smell. She was certain that the harsh sounds that now came to her ears were foreign, and she sprang silently toward them. Parting some branches with her hands, she saw a group of strange, vulgar men trespassing in Thranduil’s realm. Angered, she was about to step out of the foliage and confront the men alone when she saw Legolas Greenleaf drop from a tree right in front of the band of men. She smiled as she watched him reprimand the trespassers and make them all prisoners of Thranduil. She watched as Rinurion volunteered to take the prisoners to the King. She was not surprised. Rinurion was always eager to please the Prince, and she could not blame him.

She remained hidden until the prisoners had been taken away, and all the elves had vanished, save Legolas. Then she stepped out from behind a tree. Legolas turned his fair head towards her and smiled.“Tinuiel Mithrilas, I am hardly surprised,” he said. “Ever the silent and watchful, you are.”

“Yes, my lord,” replied Tinuiel. I shouldn’t be talking to him, she thought, but he is one of the few who do not act as if I am some strange outsider. “Who were those men?” she said aloud.

“As of yet, I do not know,” he replied. “But they are trespassers, nonetheless, and my Father will see to their punishment. “Come, Tinuiel, let us go to the Hall. We shall discover more of interest there.”

Tinuiel nodded and followed Legolas through the trees towards the hall. She inwardly thanked him for sparing her the task of challenging those strange men alone and for showing her kindness. As they walked under the trees in the dying light, Tinuiel's thought drifted back the the days when all of Middle-earth called the wood Greenwood, and thought it fair. Now, as here eyes wandered among the trees, she saw many trees that were fell looking and dark, leering at her in the growing darkness. "Ai, Greenwood," she sighed, and forced her thoughts to happier times.

[ March 14, 2002: Message edited by: LúthienTinúviel ]