Text in italics is Sindarin

Quietly, she looked over the pool. It's still waters, perfectly reflecting the stars in the night sky above. Tomorrow, she and the rest of the Fellowship would leave the relative safety of Imladris. They would take their first steps to returning the one Ring to the fires from which it had been forged. To finish what was started, three thousand years ago.

Try as she might, she couldn't help but feel a terrible sense of foreboding. A sense that not all of them would see the end of the journey. But it would be foolish to believe that all of them would survive something like this. She had fought this war before; fought it for twelve long years so that good could triumph over evil, and she had lost so many that she had come to care for during that time. So many, that she had promised herself that this time, she would not care; but after meeting some of the others, after meeting the four darling hobbits, and Isildur's heir, it had become clear to her that she would not be able to do anything but care. The Black Witch believing that she would approve as much of the elven prince and the dwarf, as she did the others, after they had had time to speak. Though when it came to the man from Gondor, she was not so sure. The female Maiar not liking how he had reacted to the Ring at Elrond's council; how he had wanted to take it to the white city, believing that it could be used against Sauron. (Y/n) not sure whether the man was just foolish, or completely ignorant, to what poor Frodo carried. Though it was obvious that he had been affected by the Ring. That he had heard its call; the voice, the Black speech that had gripped her mind, was doing all it could to call to him. He, just like all other men, the easiest to corrupt. So, she would keep a close eye on him. Though she had a feeling that she would not be the only one.

"You could not sleep, prince..........?" (Y/n) called out, as she heard the slightest movement from behind her.

"I may not be an elf, son of Thranduil; but my senses are as keen as any of your kind. Please, come and join me. It would be nice to learn a little more about you, before we begin our journey on the morrow." She continued, as she turned her gaze. A small smile coming to her lips as the light of the moon caught his long pale hair; and then his bright blue eyes, as he appeared from out of the shadows.

"Forgive me, my lady; I did not mean to intrude........."

"There is nothing to forgive, Legolas, for you have intruded nothing. Please sit........" (Y/n) interrupted, patting the seat next to her on the stone bench. Legolas nodding respectfully, before taking a seat.

"I knew your grandfather and father, you know. I met them during the War of the Last Alliance. Oropher was a fine elf, and a great and brave king. I was there at the Battle of Dagorlad alongside Gil-galad. I had done my best to speak with Oropher before the battle; to make him see that it was best for him to wait for Gil-galad's order, but he would not listen, and he rushed forward, only to be cut down by the followers of the Dark Lord, before I could get to him. I mourned him that day, along with your father. I mourned for all of your people that were cut down. I just wish I could have done more........."

"I am sure that you did all you could, my lady. You are not to blame for the decision of the father of my father. Oropher made his own choices, he did what he did. I blame no one for his death, least of all, you." Legolas told her. The prince turning his attention from the pool in front of them, to the witch by his side.

"I remember my father talking about you when I was young. His tales of the battles that (Y/n) the Black fought, were some of my favourites. He would tell me of the female Istar, that he had seen fighting alongside men and elves; that Gil-galad and Elendil would look to for council. How he had seen you fight alone, from dawn to dusk and from dusk to dawn, for day upon day; never resting, never sleeping. Not stopping until all those that the Dark Lord had sent to bring you to him, were vanquished." The prince of Mirkwood continued. Legolas allowing the slightest of smiles to pull up the very corners of his lip, as the witches eyes looked into his.

"I do not know what we are to face on our journey. What foes will attempt to stop us from meeting our goal; but no matter what may befall us, it will be my honour to fight what may come, right by your side. My bow is yours, my lady, just as it is Frodo's. I will protect you with my life........."

"And I will do the same for you, Legolas, son of Thranduil, son of Oropher; prince of the Mirkwood realm. I owe your grandfather that........" (Y/n) replied. The witch finding it much harder to believe that the elvenking had told his son about her, than she had that Elrond had spoken of her to Aragorn; but glad that he had. Glad that the elf and the Ranger knew that there was more to her than might meet the eye. That they would not see having a female along on their quest, as some kind of burden.

"Now, I know elves like it to seem that they never sleep; but perhaps it is time for you to rest, my dear prince. I am sure that it will be a long day for all of us, tomorrow........." She added. Legolas nodding slowly in agreement, before rising to his feet.

"Good night, my lady........." The prince said as he got to his feet; his hand placed over his heart, as her bowed, before he turned to leave. The witch returning her gaze to the pool before her; waiting for the new day sun to rise, and for their long journey to begin.