I was fascinated by the way Legolas handled the parchment. He turned it over and over, his lips forming each word as he read it. His reverence was reasonable, of course--it had just fully sunk in that this parchment was thousands of years old, written on by the noblest and heroic of elves, from even before Middle Earth was established.

He had been reading it for hours, scanning the twenty two entries, his focus unsurpassed.

"Anything else?" I asked softly.

He shook his head. "No," he sighed. He gingerly rolled up the scroll and tied it with a leather cord, before placing it in his quiver.

"You can't imagine how helpful it is to have this," he admitted, "Not only for the purpose of discovering anything of the weapon, but anything thereafter. All these entries could explain so many other things before and after our time."

"I am relieved to have been able to find it," I said. "Falcon was...persistent."

"But--" Legolas said sharply, looking at me intently.

"Oh, he kept his oath, he had no choice," I reassured him.

Legolas looked visibly relieved. "I thank the stars you are safe at last," he said. "He has no reason to threaten you again."

"No, he does not," I agreed, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders at the prospect of being free of Falcon's wiles permanently.

"Have you ever heard of this?" he asked, indicating the entry that read "Sunstone of Arien".

"Lamentably, no," I said. "But it makes sense that there is an opposite to this moonstone I wear. It always is so, especially with the Sun and Moon."

"Do you know the story of how Arien and Tilion came to be the sun and moon?" Legolas inquired, looking at me.

"I only know that they were chosen or the task, and forever after guided the vessels of the moon and sun on their course," I replied.

"After the fall of the trees there was nothing," he began, his voice low. "Devastation. Ruin. Yavanna was inconsolable, and Nienna shed her tears on the remains of the trees and from their grief, the two trees, Laurelin and Telperion, put forth their last light. From Laurelin came a golden fruit shining with immeasurable radiance, and from Telperion was borne a silver blossom with all the light of the stars. At last the Valar were glad, and hallowed the beloved lights, thus placing them in two vessels so that they might be sent into the heavens and light the world anew.

"To guide them, the Valar chose those which most revered the lights and would hold them true to their course. For the sun, Arien, one of the last Maia of light. Morgoth feared her beyond all reason and thus she would keep this new sun safe for all eternity. For the moon, Tilion was chosen, from the dusky halls and woods of Lórien, where he dwelt. Thus the two sailed the vessels of the sun and moon into the sky every night and day, and for a time, Middle-earth was at peace."

When his voice stopped, it almost felt as if I had lost something.

"That was beautiful," I told him softly. "The Elder Days are so wracked with ruin, it is heartening to hear of the joyous arrival of the sun and moon in such a way."

He nodded thoughtfully. "I feel as if this tale has something to do with the two stones."

"But you are sure we need both of them?" I asked, skeptically.

"They are linked in this document," he reminded me. "Did you notice the script connecting them?"

I had nearly forgotten the words inked in faded Tengwar beside both lines. "'Together are those who conquer the darkness,'" I recited, understanding filling me. "They must be together."

"Like the sun and moon," Legolas said wryly, recalling the story previous.

"But why? What is accomplished with both that cannot happen when only one stone is present?"

"I do not know," Legolas admitted, "but it must be significant if it is so written."

"Perhaps they are a part of the fabled weapon of the Valar," I said suddenly. "Otherwise it is too much of a coincidence if we find them both listed in a document that should have mentioned it."

He stood up abruptly. "Gia, I just realised something. We have a long overdue visit to pay."

I scrambled to my feet hurriedly and followed after him, tightening my belt with resolute force.

"Where must we go?" I asked, as we approached the camp were the others were gathered.

"To see the one who was there when much of this occurred," he said cryptically.

"Faewyn, you and Maldor must leave for Greenwood," Legolas said, striding towards them. "Tell my father to meet us in Lothlorien in half a fortnight."

Galadriel. Of course--as the youngest daughter of Finarfin, she was the last of the Noldor on Middle-earth and was an immense fountain of knowledge, provided she was willing to help us. It was quite likely that she would know the power or at least the connotation of the supposed sunstone.

Faewyn looked confused for a moment before she nodded and inclined her head slightly. "Yes, my Lord. What shall I tell him?"

Legolas hesitated briefly before speaking. "Inform him of all the previous events. He must see this scroll as well, but we cannot go to both places. By the time you approach Rhovanion, we should be a few days from Caras Galadhon, in which case we all should meet."

Maldor stepped in. "The trip from Mordor on foot is almost three weeks, provided little rest is taken," he pointed out. "On horse it may be possible, in the case we had horses, which at the time, we do not."

Legolas assented to this and assured him, "I have already taken care of that."

"How?" Faewyn asked curiously.

"I sent Bern to Gondor for horses when Gianna was taken by Falcon, since I figured the need for a more rapid pace was imminent. Fortunately, Gondor is not far and surely will arrive within the day."

Indeed, one of the men was missing, and I had not noticed until now.

"At the moment, I believe it to be best if we begin towards Minas Tirith on foot to intercept the company." Legolas finished.

Hardly had he ceased speaking that the men were gathering their few items and tightening straps and belts. There was no doubt that they were trained to always be ready, a welcome situation.

In hardly time at all considering the suddenly change of plans, we were walking briskly away from the land of shadows.

*****
Nobody spoke much as we continued; there was altogether too much and too little to say. I could see that Legolas was filled with renewed purpose now that there was a more clearly defined path. I hated to see how this whole business with Falcon had exhausted him to no end, truly.

I was certain that we would find answers again in Lothlorien.

As things began to settle into a rhythm of walking, I was overcome with a wave of exhaustion, previously forgetting that I had not slept for almost twenty four hours. I stumbled and he noticed instantly.

"You need sleep." It was not a question.

"Legolas, I will be fine," I assured him, blinking into the sun in an effort to clear my head.

"I wish I could carry you," he murmured gently.

"And I wish you were a pillow," I said jestingly, in an effort to stop the pain in my chest every time he spoke in that manner.

He smiled faintly and continued walking.

I tried to focus on anything but the gravel and the chill wind and instead realised that the moonstone around my neck was faintly cold, even next to my body. I acquired the sudden feeling of the ebb and flow of energy through myself and vaguely felt as un-tired as I would be in a normal day.

Lórien, guardian of the weary--and the giver of that which would take weariness away.

I smiled to myself and quickened my pace.

It was before noon still when we first saw the horses coming towards us. A helmeted figure rode at the front, on his bay stallion, and hailed us all as he approached.

I frowned at the horse. "Isn't that--"

"Aragorn!" Legolas exclaimed suddenly. "Mellon nin, there was no reason to come yourself."

"There was every reason to," King Aragorn proclaimed grandly, dismounting and coming to where we were standing. He nodded his head in the direction of Faewyn and Maldor, and then the rest of his men. In the background, Bern was leading the other horses to his comrades.

"Well met indeed," Legolas acknowledged courteously, before turning to his friend. "What news or tidings?"

"None and none," Aragorn answered. "Fortunately things have been quiet in the White City."

"That is well, then, considering this company's past few weeks," Legolas admitted.

"Just your stare has said much," Aragorn pointed out. "What happened?"

"It is not a tale for shallow ears, and would likely take a significant time to tell, so I will save it," Legolas told him. He lowered his voice. "However, the long and short of it is this: By some grace Gianna found the scroll we spoke of, the record of the Valar's gifts. It points to a second stone linked to the one Gianna already wears, and we believe they are related in more significance than they are. With our steeds now, the agreement was for me and Gianna to ride to Lothlorien. Galadriel would have more information on this, and besides, I imagine, would like to see this document herself. Faewyn and Maldor would ride to Eryn Lasgslen to inform my father and request his presence at Caras Galadhon. I have no doubt it would be of great help."

"It is a relatively sound plan," Aragorn agreed. "However, who will ride with you and Gianna? Surely not alone will both of you venture out."

"We must," Legolas said firmly. "It will take less time with fewer riders needing to rest. Both of us are well protected and armed."

"Then you must leave tonight, under the cover of darkness,"
the King replied in a low voice. "It's imperative you do not attract a reputation as a common target."

Legolas looked rather amused and then nodded briskly.

"Well then, we rest now," he announced, turning to the others.

"Come, let us eat, for I have brought with me plenty of food in the saddlebags that thirteen horses could carry!" Aragon said with a wide smile.

Legolas rolled his eyes laughingly.

We all sat around a small fire and broke bread, passed around jerky, and even tossed some apples around to everyone. The horses nickered softly in the background of the descending dusk.

As the men of Gondor began to pull away and retire for the night, Aragorn approached Legolas and I.

"What happened?"

*******
It was a few hours into the night, I presumed, when Aragorn called my name.
"Gianna?"

I snapped to attention, having been previously lost in gazing at the small flickering fire we had made earlier. "Yes?"

"I am...sorry to know of all that has befallen you. I am completely disappointed in Gondor for failing to recognise the threat of Falcon."

"I doubt you could have known, my Lord," I said quietly. "He uses every darkness inside himself to his advantage, always in the shadows and always hidden."

"Even so, what he did to you is monstrous." Legolas said bitterly, looking at me.

"In the end, he will lose," I affirmed, rising to one knee as I prepared to saddle Earlin. "Against all that is good in the world, he does not stand a chance."

With that, and few other pleasantries, we were preparing to go.

"I will stay and ride with your company to Eryn Lasgalen," Aragorn told Faewyn. "I have been meaning to meet Thranduil for some time now, and this is the perfect chance."

"My lord, will your kingdom not need you?" Faewyn asked, concerned.

"My queen is more capable than myself in most things," Aragorn laughed, fondly smiling at the thought of Arwen. "I doubt that my absence would cause strife."

Faewyn laughed easily. "We shall be glad of your company, then," she assured him.

"Very well, we leave tomorrow," he nodded briskly.

"And we leave now," I said softly, staring into the darkness. The moon was at its half, and shone faintly over the hills, fortunately with no threat of clouds.

"Do you have all you need?" Aragorn asked.

"And more," I said wryly. "Thank you for your aid."

"May Varda light your path," Aragorn said to Legolas and I, touching his hand to his heart briefly in farewell.

"And yours, mellon," Legolas replied, returning the gesture. "In seven days we will meet again."

Aragorn stepped back and both of us mounted, staring into the faint starlight with leagues before us.

It was a still night. Not one breath of breeze stirred the grass that slowly began to appear, covering the landscape more as we headed west towards the Anduin river.

Neither of us spoke. It was sacred, the silence, and so many questions would arise if either of us said anything that we simply didn't speak.

One hour or so had passed when Legolas stopped. Arod snorted at the change in pace and flicked his ears.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Do you hear it?"

"What?"

"The Anduin river. We are near."

I strained my ears, trying to hear past the rustle of grass and my own breathing. Far in the distance, there was a whisper, nothing more, a whisper as faint as a breeze through a feather.

"We will be there before long, and it will be easy then," he said confidently, urging Arod on again.

"What will Galadriel have to say on the matter?" I asked, pulling up next to him.

"Much, I expect," he said with a furrowed brow. "She was alive when it all happened."

"Are you ever--" I hesitated "In awe, at all?"

"Of what?" His eyes glittered dark in the moonlight.

"The Eldar, and even those such as your father and Lord Elrond who are ages old. It is incredible how much they have suffered to get to this day, and all they have seen."

"Yes," he said softly, "That is true. It is not strange to me, to know they are so old, but it is humbling. My age is nothing compared to theirs, and their lives. Someday when the sea calls me home I will walk among them."

We continued towards the Anduin, the stars lighting our path as if Varda herself smiled down upon us.

*****
With great relief, I can say that nothing of incident happened that night. The sound of the horses hooves on the grass eventually became as familiar as a heartbeat and when we got to the river, the great silver waters welcomed us with gladness.

Occasionally Legolas would mention something, else I would, but there was too much to avoid speaking of to be much use in a conversation.

As we continued, side by side, an unimaginable feeling stole over me. Pity, for Falcon. It was a pity he was so twisted and had forsaken his life. It was a pity he was such a coward to inflict pain upon others to bolster his superiority complex. Most of all, however, I felt pity that he would never know the sharp bite of heartache, not really. He claimed he felt cheated and broken from not being able to seduce me, but I doubted it was anything of that magnitude.

He could never know true pain with the evil inside him. The funny thing about pain is that the more you hurt, the more you love, and that is a treasure in itself.

I felt it all the time now. The guilt that Legolas trusted me with his heart and I could not give him anything. It was crippling to be so near him and lack the connection we had always had, a playful tap on the shoulder, a light shove, an embrace.

I would not fulfill this life until I had righted the grievous wrong against us.