As the sun rose above the trees of Lothlorien, Fëawen walked briskly around the city, searching for Lómadia. She had looked everywhere, until she finally saw her, walking back to the centre of the city.

'Lómadia!' Fëawen called after her. 'Lady Galadriel wishes to see you. As soon as possible.'

'Right, thank-you.' Lómadia thanked Fëawen and stood still. 'Erm….where can I find her?'

'by the fountain I will lead you there.' At that, Fëawen began to lead Lómadia to the fountain.

'How long have you lived in Lorien, Fëawen?'

'All my life. I know the way around the whole forest like the back of my hand.'

'Wow. That's a lot of knowledge.' By this time, the two came to steps, leading down to a small fountain.

'The Lady is just down there. See you around Lómadia.'

'Thank-you.' Carefully walking down the steps, Lómadia looked at her surroundings. Trees, trees and more trees. Down in the clearing, stood a small basin, next to this basin stood a very tall elf. She was Galadriel, the Lady of light. Her hair was exceptionally long and pure gold in colour. Her brilliant blue eyes shone in the morning light, she wore her usual long, pure white gown.

'Welcome to Cara Galadhon, Lómadia of Esgaroth.' Galadriel spoke lightly as she turned to face Lómadia.

'Your city is wonderful, my Lady.'

'Thank-you. You will be grieved to know that the Dark Lord Sauron, knows of your presence here.'

'What?' a shocked look spread across Lómadia's face.

'You father knows you have joined the fellowship and the quest to destroy the Ring of Power.'

'Oh no,' Lómadia closed her eyes as tears welled up inside her. 'What must I do? How can I avoid him?'

'You cannot hide from the eye of Sauron. No one can. You must leave, as soon as possible.'

'Of course, but where will I go?'

'Make for Mirkwood. Thranduil's realm is not being watched. Take a company of three with you. One of which will be a female, Todia. She wishes to return back to her home land.'

'I will be honoured to have Todia come with me. How am I to find two others?'

'You are great friends with Legolas, ask him.' With that Galadriel placed a hand on Lómadia's shoulder. 'You must leave tonight, take Elensis, Tarran, Saome and Carand the horses with you. They will be hear ready with provisions at dusk. Todia will also be here.'

'Alright, thank-you.' Lómadia slowly made her way back towards her room. Where she found Legolas sitting on her bed. 'I have some bad news.'

'What do you mean?' Legolas stood up and wrapped his arms around her waist.

'I have to leave. Tonight. My father knows I'm here with you. I must travel to Mirkwood, with three others. Todia, and two I have yet to find.'

'I will go with you.' Legolas blurted out.

'You cant. Your already with the fellowship, you cant leave Frodo now, he needs you. You've already come this far, why give up now?'

'I'll accompany you to Mirkwood, then rejoin the fellowship, when I know your safe.' Legolas pleaded with Lómadia to let him go with her. Until she finally agreed.

'As long as you promise to rejoin the fellowship afterwards.'

'Yes, I promise!' A wide smile spread across his face, and a bright light shone in his deep blue eyes.'

'There's no need to get excited. It could be a dangerous journey. You never know in these dark times. Anything could happen.'

* * * * *

That afternoon, Lómadia sat with the hobbits in Frodo's room.

'Why do you have to leave?' Pippin asked, a sorrowful look on his face.

'It's not safe for me around here anymore. I'm going to Mirkwood, where I'll be safe.'

'But we don't want you to go.' Merry said wrapping his arms around Lómadia.

'We'll miss you.' A lone tear ran down Sam's cheek.

'And I'll miss you. I want you to remember, in some way, I'll always be with you.' Lómadia gave each hobbit a huge before getting up to leave.

'What if we never see you again?'

'Frodo, we will meet again. I can feel it.' Tears streamed down Frodo's face. 'Don't cry Frodo. You'll do fine. Legolas will return to you after accompanying me to Mirkwood. Good luck.' Lómadia left the room, tears filling up inside her. She made her way back to the fountain, not looking back.

As the sun set on the horizon, Lómadia descended the steps towards the fountain. There was a heavy weight in her heart. There, by the fountain stood four beautiful horses. Two were chestnut in colour, one black and the other grey. By the grey horse, stood a tall, black haired elf, who Lómadia guessed was Todia.

'Lómadia.' The elf smiled. 'I am Todia, thank you very much for letting me travel with you.'

'It's my pleasure. Which horse is mine?'

'Elensis, the black stallion. He used to be my brothers.' Lómadia stroked the stallion neck.

'He's gorgeous.'

'Yes, and very faithful. Who else is coming with us?'

'My friend Legolas.' Lómadia told Todia that she hadn't been able to find a fourth traveller.

'Well, could my friend Aen come? I promised him I would show him Mirkwood one day.'

'Yes of course. We leave as soon as they get here.' Just then, Legolas appeared at the bottom of the steps. Following him were Aragorn, Boromir, Gimli and the hobbits. 'Legolas?'

Everyone wanted to see us off.' Legolas beamed.

'I'm so glad you survived Moria. We will miss you terribly. Did you really think we were going to let you leave without saying good-bye?' Aragorn stepped forward and placed a hand on Lómadia's cheek. 'Hopefully, we will meet again.'

'I know we never really got to know each other. However, Lómadia of Esgaroth, you have the blessing of Gondor.'

'thank-you Boromir.' Lómadia gave Aragorn and Boromir a quick hug before hugging Gimli. 'Keep well master Dwarf. You four again?' the hobbits joined a huge hug from Lómadia.

'We love you.' They said in unison.

'I love you too.' After standing up, Lómadia turned to look at her friends. 'Please go, or I'll never be able to leave.'

'Beiest-lin ~as you wish~ Lómadia.' Aragorn led the others away from the clearing. None of them turned back, for which Lómadia was thankful for. She didn't know it, but it was the last time she saw any of them.

'Your past tears aren't you?' Todia spoke from the shadow.

'They were the closest thing I had to a family.'

'Well, I'll be your friend. That is if you want to be friends?.'

'I would like that very much, Todia.' Lómadia said this as another elf came down into the clearing.'

'Aen! You can come with us.' Todia blurted out, rushing over to the male elf.

'Really?'

'Aen, welcome. I am Lómadia, this is Legolas. I would love to stay and chat, but night is here. We must leave.' Lómadia hopped onto her horse as did the others. At the top of the stairs, Galadriel stood, waving good-bye. The four elves set off on their journey to Mirkwood, Legolas leading the way.

Silent tears ran down Lómadia's cheeks as they neared the edge of the city. The physical part of destroying the Ring was over, but she would always be in the minds of the fellowship. Her heart would go out to all of them.

'I'm sorry your father left you.' Todia said, slowing her horse to walk next to Lómadia's.

'How did you…..? oh, I suppose Galadriel told you? As soon as we get out of the forest we have to ride fast.' Lómadia spoke to all three of the members. 'For our safety, we must ravel all the way to Mirkwood. Non-stop if we can.'

'It should only take a few days if we gallop.'

'In that case, when we leave the forest, we gallop. Is that ok?' all nodded. There was not much of the forest left to travel through, for that distance, neither of the company spoke. Though in the open, out of the forest, the sun shone brightly, Lómadia's world dimmed. With the forest behind them, they galloped away, into the open. Where her father would find them.

The next day the company had to stop for the horses to rest. During that time, the members got to know each other. Lómadia was cautious about stopping. She kept looking around at very sound she heard. Calming down a bit, she wrapped her arms around Legolas. When she touched her, he felt a sharp pain spread across his forehead. Seconds later, Lómadia heard a distant voice call.

'You cannot hide from me. I will find you.'

'What?' Lómadia said startled. 'No'

'I know what happened.' Legolas looked at Lómadia's shocked face, the other two elves watching them with interest. 'What did he say?'

'We have to leave.' Lómadia picked up her bow and hopped lightly onto her horse. 'Now'

'What did he say, Lómadia?' there was an urgency in Legolas' voice, while Todia and Aen stood up and walked over to Legolas.

'He will find us. Kill us.'

'Mirkwood is only a day away.' Aen said softly, walking his horse Saome, to level with Lómadia.

'We can't stop again.' That was the last they spoke until they reached the outskirts of Mirkwood. As the forest loomed ever closer, a wide smile spread across Legolas' face. The riders slowed their horses down to a gentle trot. 'your back home you three.'

'So are you.' Legolas said jumping off his horse and walking towards the trees. The others followed him into the forest. 'The city is just through the trees. But, of course, you already know that.' He put his arms around Lómadia's waist, kissing her jaw gently. 'Finally my dream has come true, I'll be back home. Where I belong.' Todia nodded in agreement. All of a sudden through the trees, the city came into view. This was the elven kings gate, where Legolas' father, King Thranduil live's. Beyond the tall buildings that made up the city was a hill raising was above the trees. To enter the city the company had to cross a fast flowing stream. Luckily there was a bridge so neither elves nor horses got the slightest bit wet. Before the four stepped off the bridge, Lómadia held her hand out to stop Legolas. 'what if I'm not welcome back, Legolas?'

'Don't worry, of course you'll be welcome. Your father was banned, not you.' Legolas grabbed hold of Lómadia's hand and pulled her up to the gate. 'Relax, my father is very understanding.'

'I hope so.' Lómadia took a deep breath and followed Legolas through the gates. The company walked straight for the kings hall. They came to a large wooden door, guarded by two disciplined elves. Thought the guards stood next to each other, they parted to let Legolas pass, along with Lómadia, Todia and Aen.

'Welcome back, Prince Legolas.' One of the guards said as they passed. Without even knocking, Legolas walked straight through the door, holding it open for the others to walk past him. Inside, the hall had long tables on either side. At the far end of the hall, sat a wise elf, long blonde hair, blue eyes. He looked remarkably like Legolas. He sat in a tall chair, his cloak wrapped around him.

'Legolas, my son. Welcome back.' He cried standing up.

'Father.' Legolas and the King had a huge embrace as Todia and Aen followed Lómadia towards the king.

'And who is this beautiful woman?' The king asked taking Lómadia's hand.

'Lómadia, my lord.' Going slightly red, Lómadia bowed her head. 'these are my companions, Todia and Aen.'

'Ah! Todia, welcome back, what business brings you here? Aren't you supposed to be destroying the Ring Legolas?'

'Yes father, Todia, Aen would leave us alone for a while, please?' both nodded and left the hall. Legolas waited for the wooden door to close before continuing. 'I will rejoin the fellowship, shortly. I am just accompanying Lómadia here.'

'May I explain, please?' Legolas nodded and stood back. 'I was born here, my lord. 3'492 years ago. When I turned 500 my father crossed to the dark side, for which you banned him. So we left. Years later the fellowship set out to destroy the ring. I joined them, though my father found out and now he's trying to find me. I was told by Galadriel that I could go no further with the fellowship, she advised me to travel here, for which Legolas agreed to come with me. Believe me, Lord, I made him promise that he would return.'

'I will.' Legolas placed his hand on Lómadia's waist. The king listened intently.

'My I stay here, until the risk in this world is over?'

'You may Lómadia. Normally I wouldn't let you as your father was banned, however, I can tell my son trusts you, therefore I trust you. Todia, I'm sure, will let you stay with her, until I find you a room of your own. You may stay as long as you want.'

'Thank-you, my Lord. Words cant express how grateful I am.' Lómadia hugged Legolas, the light back in her eyes. The light Legolas had missed so much.