Frodo and Sam had gone across the river Andun to continue the quest to Mordor alone. I would have gone with them, but I had been right when I told Lord Elrond that I did not fear Mordor. I did not fear it because I needn't go there.
Gandalf was lost to us, I finally accepted this now. And now Boromir had fallen, he had fallen defending Merry and Pippin, but in the end, the Uruk-Hai had taken them. I knew that they were looking for Frodo, but Sarumon had not told them what exactly they were looking for.

Frodo and Sam were out of our hands now, but that left us free to rescue Merry and Pippin.
Aragorn picked up the trail of the Uruk-Hai and we followed them through the wood and out across the mountainous terrain.
We ran on, following their trail for three days, and yet I still could not see them ahead of us, however hard I tried. They were moving very fast.
"Legolas! Hold a moment," Aragorn called.
I turned back to see Aragorn had stopped, and, as had become usual for the last few days, Gimli was some ways behind.
"What is it?" I asked.
"We are getting closer," Aragorn said, "These tracks were made this morning."
I climbed a top one of the rocks and shaded my eyes against the sun-glare to see further. And then, I saw them.
"They are far," I reported, "But I can see them."
"Are they still running or have they stopped to rest?" Gimli asked.
"I cannot tell," I answered.
"Hmm…" Aragorn sank down to the ground and lay his head against it, listening.

After a moment he lifted his head and frowned, "They have quickened their pace. They must have caught our scent."
He stood up, "We have no time to waste."
Aragorn ran onwards again.
"Come on Gimli," I called back to the Dwarf before running after Aragorn.
I watched the distant figures of the Uruk-Hai as we chased them. I could see that they were indeed running faster.
"They run as if the very whips of their masters were behind them," I commented with a sinking heart. The over-grown Orcs were going to make things difficult.

After we had reached the valley, Aragorn stopped again, looking at the ground. I spotted something glimmering on the ground just as he did.
He bent to pick up a small leaf-shaped pin. A very familiar pin, I thought, seeing Aragorn's own glimmering at his neck.
"Not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall," Aragorn said softly.
"Then they are still alive," I said happily. The pins that Galadriel had given us would not fall off, they would only fall when taken off, which meant that one of the Hobbits had left it to mark the trail.

We rested that night at Aragorn's insistence. I was not so willing. Any time that we spend resting we would become further behind. Aragorn and Gimli slept, but I could not. I remained watchful, sitting upright, staring off into the darkness.
I did not doubt that we would eventually catch the Orcs, but I worried about when that would be. For Merry and Pippin, it might have been too late.
Something drew my attention upwards and I saw a great eagle, looking small at his great height. I watched the bird pass across the sky flying in the direction we had just come. I briefly wondered why an eagle was flying at night, but not many things made sense now.

The next morning the sun rose blood-red against the pale blue sky, turning all of the world red. "The sun rises red in the East," I murmured, "Blood has been spilt this night."
I looked to Aragorn, "Something has happened this night, but I do not know what."
Something indeed had happened, but for good or for evil I did not know, "But I fear for the Hobbits."
"We will not give up on them, Legolas," Aragorn said to me.
I nodded, "Then we must move on."

We were nearly out of the mountains. I paused, looking off into the distance.
"What do your Elf-eyes see?" Aragorn asked.
"No Orcs anywhere that I can see," I answered sadly, "I fear they have gone far in the night."

"What's that?" Gimli asked, pointing in the other direction.
I turned and blinked in surprise at what I saw.
"What is it?" Aragorn asked.
"Riders of Men," I answered, "With fair hair and armed with spears. There are more then one hundred and black smoke floats in the air behind them."
"Can you see anything of a banner?" Aragorn asked.
"There's not enough wind to unfurl it," I answered, "But the standards are black."
"They are likely to be the Riders of Rohan," Aragorn said, "They could bring news."
"But until we are sure…" I suggested, indicating an outcropping of rock that would shield us from sight, with the help of our Lorien cloaks.

The Riders rode past us without seeing us, but I could see a white horse on their flags.
Aragorn looked at Gimli and I and then stepped out.
"What news from the North, Riders of Rohan?" he shouted.
"I'm not sure I like this," Gimli said softly.
"Me neither," I answered, "But Aragorn knows what he is doing." I hope, I added silently.
The Riders did not seem to hear Aragorn at first, and then the lead rider moved his spear. It must have been a signal, for the Riders smoothly turned back towards us… and then they circled around us, moving in closer…
I slowly reached for an arrow, but Aragorn spoke: "~ No, Legolas. ~"
A bit reluctantly, I let my hand at my side, but I did not like this one bit.
As far as I was concerned, Aragorn (Elf-raised) was the exception rather then the rule. I did not like the look of these Riders.

As we crossed the borders of Fangorn Forest in search of Merry and Pippin, I looked upwards at the tall trees. Aragorn was occupied in searching for signs that the Hobbits had passed through and Gimli… Gimli did not understand growing things as well.
Fangorn was very much alive, but old. If trees were as Elf-kind I would have said that these trees must certainly be the Eldest of their kind.

As we entered I felt the attention of the forest upon us. It was not that someone was watching us, the forest itself was watching us. I could tell by Aragorn and Gimli's expressions that they felt it as well, but neither of them heard what I did, I am sure of that.

What are business have you in this forest Elf-child? Elves do not dwell here. They have not for much time.

~~ I am sorry ~~ I said reverently, ~~ We mean no harm. ~~

Yes, so you say. So many have said. They have said this many times. Yes, many have said. But saying is not the same as doing. No, not at all. Take care Elf-child. Long has this forest been here. Much has been learned. Much indeed. Much has been learned about the outside world. It would be best for the outside world to remain outside!

~~ I am sorry ~~ I said again, ~~ Our actions will match my words not to cause harm. I swear it. ~~

Hmm… Much has been learned about the outside world. Elf-children do not swear to things lightly. Not lightly at all. We will trust you… but your companions… a Man and a Dwarf. Hmm… hmm…

~~ I will vouch for them. ~~ I said, ~~ In your knowledge about Elves, have you learned about their dealings with Men and Dwarves? ~~

Hmm. Hmm. Yes. Most unusual. We will see Elf-Child. We will see. If you do as you say, you shall be able to pass through.

Aragorn was looking at me oddly.
"This Forest is old," I explained, "Very old. Full of memory. And anger."
"Not at us," Gimli said, "We haven't done anything."
"No," I agreed, "Not at us."

Elf-Child. Do not harm the trees!

"Gimli!" I hissed, "Put down your axe!"
He looked at me blankly for a moment and then lowered his axe.

"Their tracks end here," Aragorn said, "And…"
"Yes?" Gimli asked, following me over to Aragorn, where we both stopped at the sight of a very squished orc, already mostly overgrown with weeds and vines.

That is what we do with outsiders that come to destroy.

~~ What of the little ones that were being chased? ~~ I questioned, but received no answer.
"These tracks are unfamiliar to me," Aragorn said, looking at several large round indentations in the ground.

Now we shall see who you are.

~~ Pardon? ~~

The White Wizard will know if you are who you say you are, will do what you promise to do.
The White Wizard? Sarumon!

"Someone approaches," I said to Aragron, "The White Wizard."
"The White Wizard?" Gimli repeated.
"Sarumon," Aragorn hissed, pulling out his sword. He turned to us, "Do not let him speak. He'll put a spell on us."
I already had an arrow out. Gimli had one of his axes ready.

We moved cautiously into the clearing and I saw a flash of white, intensely bright light that I could barely look at. What sort of mischief was Sarumon up to now? I did not wish to give him a chance to explain, and I could see from the expressions on the others that they thought the same.
"Now!" Aragorn shouted, charging.
I let an arrow fly as Gimli threw an axe.
My arrow was deflected upwards. Gimli's axe bounced back towards us.
I reached for another arrow, but suddenly my arm had grown heavy, too heavy to move. My other arm holding my bow dropped limply at my side. I struggled to move, but could not. I was frozen. Spell-stopped.
I heard a clang and looked to see Aragorn drop his sword. He and Gimli were fairing no better then I was.

The White Wizard glowed bright white, so intense that I could not see past the light to the figure.
"Well met," he said.
I did not know how Sarumon sounded, for I had never met the Wizard, but there was something oddly familiar about this voice. Then I remembered what Aragorn had said about the voice of Sarumon. It was just a trick.
"And what might you be doing in these parts? An Elf, a Man and a Dwarf. A strange sight in these parts. No doubt there is a tale worth hearing behind all of this."
"You speak as one who knows Fangron well," Aragorn said.
"Not well," the Wizard said, "For that would be the work of many life times, but I come here now and again."
"Might we know your name?" Aragorn asked, struggling against the hold that was on him.
"My name?" the Wizard said, and then laughed. As he did so he tightened the hold that he had on all of us. That really wasn't fair. Aragron had been the only one fighting.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two young Hobbits."
I looked blank, giving the impression that I did not know what he was talking about. We certainly did not want our tale to be spread into the wrong ears.
"Do not stare as if you have never heard that word," he said, "You have, and so have I. They passed through here the day before yesterday. And they met with someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?"
No, it did not comfort me in the slightest.

Aragorn's eyes narrowed as he looked at the Wizard, "Who are you?"
The light faded, giving us a clear view of the Wizard.
"Mithrandir," I whispered. For it was. I sank to my knees. He was alive.
"Gandalf?" Aragorn questioned.
"Gandalf," he repeated as if that name were unfamiliar, "Yes. That's what they used to call me. Gandalf the Gray." He smiled, "I am Gandalf the White."
"But you fell," Aragorn said.
I thought likewise, but I did not say as much. Mithrandir - Gandalf - had indeed fallen. I would have been upset with him for making me so upset, but it would not do to be upset at one who had managed to escape from such a terrible situation.
"Yes," Gandalf said, "I fell, through fire and water, battling the Balrog. We fought from the lowest depth to the highest peak, and then finally when I was at the end of my strength, I threw down my enemy. But then I lay atop that mountain for forever. I drifted to places where each day is as long as a million life times. But my task was not finished. I was sent back. For a long time I lay atop that mountain until Gwaihir the Windlord found me."
"~ I thoron ~" I murmured, "The eagle."
"Ah so you did see me then," Gandalf said with a smile, "Gimli, Legolas, rise."
I did as I was bid, looking at Gandalf shyly. It was the same manner of speech that Gandalf had always used, and yet to die and be sent back… I was not able to think of him the same.

"But what of Merry and Pippin?" Gimli asked, "Who did they meet?"
"Treebeard."
"Treebeard?" Aragorn repeated.
"That is just Fangorn in the common speech," I said, puzzled as well.
"Treebeard is Fangorn," Gandalf said, "He is the Eldest of the Ents."
"The Ents?" Aragorn said, "Then there is truth to the old legends."
"Legends?" I repeated, amazed at how foolish Men (not Aragorn of course) could be to let so much degenerate into 'legends.' "The Ents still dwell here?" I smiled, "I would give me joy to meet one."

The Ents were the ancient tree-headers, guardians of the forest, well before the Elves had even come to Middle Earth. From the Ents many of the Eldest learned many things about the forests, and it has been passed down. The Ents called my people… Elf-Children. The voice that I had heard before. Things were starting to make sense.

While I was thinking about this, Gandalf was speaking again.
"… But now the tide will turn against Isengard and Sarumon. The Ents may discover how strong they are."
"The Ents will take action?" I asked in amazement.
"We shall see," Gandalf said, "But we must leave here now."
"We are not to follow Merry and Pippin?" I asked, a bit disappointed, for I had grown fond of the Hobbits.
"No," Gandalf said, "They are safe enough with the Ents." He looked at me, "~ Do not worry Greenleaf. You shall see them again. ~ But my path takes me to Rohan. There is trouble there."
"I know," Aragorn said, "We met with Eomer, nephew of the King and he spoke of the troubles of Rohan, how the King is ill, and in his madness, had banished Eomer and many of the other Riders."
"That is grave news indeed," Gandalf said, "but I hope that I can help. Rohan has a part to play in this tale yet."
Aragorn nodded, "I will come with you."
"And I," Gimli said.
"I will as well," I said, for I trusted Aragorn to lead us, "But I would like to return here again."

It was decided and so we started off to the borders of the forest.
"~ Legolas ~" Gandalf said, walking next to me, "~ Speak your mind. ~"
"~ I am so happy to see you again Mithrandir, ~" I said, "~ After we… departed, in Moria everything seemed to fall apart. ~"
"~ I know ~" Gandalf said, "~ But there is something else. ~"
I did not answer, almost embarrassed to say so, but then I finally did speak.
"~ What can I say? Even as an Elf, I do not know what to say… how to think… of one who has gone through what you have. ~"
"~ Oh I see, ~" Gandalf said.
"~ Mithrandir ~" I said softly, "~ Nimandir. ~"
"~ I have changed Legolas, it is true. ~" Gandalf said gently, "~ But as the Grey I had your trust and respect… ~"
"~ Of course ~" I said quickly.
"~ I am the White now, ~" Gandalf said, "~ But I have not changed so much as you might fear. ~"
He smiled at me and I felt better… Well, I felt a bit foolish for my feelings, but Gandalf had set me at ease.

~~ Fangorn ~~ I called ~~ The White Wizard has approved of us. The Elf-Child Greenleaf thanks you for allowing us passage…~~

Greenleaf hmm? A nice name for an Elf-Child.

I smiled as we made our way out of the forest to where we had left our horses.

Gandalf looked across the fields ahead of us and whistled three times.
I heard a sound of hoofbeats and then saw a great white horse running towards us.
"Hirouch," I murmured.
"What?" Gimli questioned.
"Yes," Gandalf said, going up and stroking the horse's mane, "This is Shadowfax, the Lord of Horses."
I jumped aboard my horse and then Aragorn helped Gimli up in front of me. Aragorn mounted his own horse and Gandalf mounted Shadowfax.

We followed Gandalf across the Riddermark for the next day and night and approached Edoras, the home of the king of Rohan.
"Take care," Gandalf said to us before we entered the city, "Sarumon has a foothold here, expect no welcome here."
I would not expect one, not from the courts of Men for our company. We would probably be regarded with the same sort of suspicion we had gotten from Eomer.

As we entered the gates of the city I was well aware that we were being stared at. All of the people of the city stopped what they were doing to watch us. This made me sit up a bit straighter. Let them stare. It only made sense for them to, all of my company was a bit unusual as far as these people would think. But all was silent.
"You'd fine more cheer in a graveyard," Gimli murmured.
I couldn't agree more.

We dismounted and made our way up to the keep of the castle where we were stopped by several guards.
"Hello," Gandalf greeted the man pleasantly, "Some of King Theodin's friends wish to speak with him."
The man nodded, "but you'll have to leave your weapons here… by order of… Grima Wormtongue."
The guard did not seem to be pleased by these orders, something that I gave him credit for. I was not eager to follow these.
Gandalf looked back at us and nodded. I frowned slightly, but I would do as Gandalf said.
One of the guards came over to me and I started to place my bow in his hands, then hesitated. "This was a gift to me by the Lady of the Golden Forest," I said, "I expect that you will take good care of it."
The man paled slightly and I could tell that, like in many places, the Lady Galadirel was wrongly thought of as a witch. "Yes I will," was all the man said.
I handed him my bow and quiver. Then I pulled out my knives, whirling them neatly through the air before placing them in his hands. Just because I was meekly following these ridiculous conditions did not mean that I would always be so meek.
Then we were fully disarmed, but the guard still would not let us pass.
"Your staff," he said to Gandalf.
"Oh," Gandalf said, looking disappointed, "Surely you would not deny an old man the use of his walking stick."
"Well…" the guard said, looking uncertain, "Alright then."
Gandalf winked at us as we started into the castle.
I did not like how these men were treating us, I would have liked to show them a thing or two about the proper way to treat guests.

Gandalf took hold of my arm as we walked into the castle.
"~ Peace Legolas. A fight is not what we need. Besides, I need you to help the old man keep his footing. ~" He winked at me.
I held my tongue, and kept my thoughts from my face as we made our way into the throne room.

The guards regarded us suspiciously as we entered, but I kept my eyes forward. I assumed the man on the throne was the king, and I did not think much of him. He was an elderly man, with long snow white hair and a beard, he was pale, very pale. His eyes were blue, but they seemed glazed over. Behind him stood a young woman with long blonde hair, she was pretty enough I supposed, for being of the race of Men.
Another man, thin and dressed in black, also with very pale skin was at the side of the king. (why did all of these men seem deathly pale?) He rose when he saw us and I noticed his eyes widened slightly as he looked at Gandalf.
"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden, son of Thengel," Gandalf said.
"W-why should I welcome you Gandalf Stormcrow?" the king asked, in a voice that reminded me of a door that was not often opened.
"A just question my lord," the pale man said, leaning close to the king, he looked up at Gandalf, "Why should you welcome the bearer of such ill-news, and ill news is an ill guest they said."

He stood and walked toward us, where it not for Gandalf's hand on my arm, I think that I would have done something that would not have helped relations with Rohan, "He should be cast out, and his companions, and Elf and a Dwarf, surely they come for some enchantment."
Theoden looked as though he started to agree.
"I have not passed through fire and death to match wits with you, Grima son of Galmod," Gandalf said sternly, "Be silent and keep your forked tongue behind your teeth!"
Girma's eyes fell on Gandalf's staff and he looked accusingly at the guards, "I told you to take the Wizard's Staff!"
I let go of Gandalf's arm as the guards started to converge on us.
Gandalf walked calmly towards Theoden, however, Gimli, Aragorn and I were a bit occupied in making sure that Gandalf was able to walk calmly towards Theoden.

The guards of Rohan were not too difficult to deal with, I did not want to hurt any of them, just to allow Gandalf to pass. Because I was occupied in this, I did not hear exactly what Gandalf said as he approached the throne.
I looked up at Gimli's voice and saw that he had Grima floored and was holding tightly on to his cape. I smiled at Gimli approvingly and knocked out one of the guards coming at me from behind.
Seeing that their leader was down, the guards backed off, allowing me to watch Gandalf.

He raised his staff over Theoden and the man went into several sort of spasms, then collapsed for a moment before getting up. Theoden blinked a few times and I could see the glazed look leaving his eyes.
Aragorn had restrained the woman, who had wanted to run over to the king.
As I watched him, his hair and beard grew shorter and from white to blonde. It seemed that years had dropped from him.

The woman broke away from Aragorn and ran over to the king. He looked at her for a moment, "I know your face…" he said softly.
She smiled at him as a few tears fell from her eyes.
"Breathe the free air again my friend," Gandalf said.

Were it not for Gimli, I would have felt entirely out of place. With Aragorn gone now, there seemed no reason to stay. And yet, Gandalf had said that the defenses of Helm's Deep must hold, and I would abide by that. I kept Elessar, the Elven-Stone that Arwen Evenstar had given to Aragorn.

Helm's Deep seemed secure enough to me, although not as well-defended as it might have been. These Men had no sort of power to protect this place, as my people would have done. There are spells that can make certain places incredibly difficult to find. That combined with many trained fighters, ever watchful, was the best way to defend those that could not fight. Not that there were many of those among my people.

I was up on the walls, I did not fear falling, for I saw no reason why I would. Then I saw something out in the distance, a single rider, a man. A man with dark hair in rough clothing riding up to the castle. As he came closer I recognized him and smiled. I looked down at Elessar, "~ You don't belong to me ~" I said softly to it, "~ It is time you were returned. ~"
I jumped down from the wall and ran lightly down the stairs to the keep, where Gimli was having a pipe.
"Gimli," I called, "Get up, there's a rider approaching."
"A rider?" Gimli asked.
"A Ranger," I said with a smile.
"Aragorn?" Gimli breathed.
I nodded.

"Rider approaching!" one of the watchmen yelled.
"Let him in," I called to the gatemen, "It is Lord Aragorn!" then I went to spread the news. My heart felt light. I knew that Aragorn would not have been able to keep away from this.
I waited for him inside the keep, for I knew that he would want to see Theodin.

I kept a straight face as Aragorn walked in. He was covered in dried blood and dirt, his clothes were torn and dirty, and he was wet.
"~ You're late. ~" I informed him as he approached me. I looked him over carefully, "You look terrible."
Aragorn looked at me, a bit reproachfully, and then smiled.
I silently held out the Elf-stone and place it in his hand.
"~ I did not think that it should be lost ~" I said.
Aragorn smiled his thanks and lightly set a hand on my shoulder.

We had been inside of Helm's Deep for several days now and I did not like it any more then I had when we had arrived. Everything was too close together, too enclosed. It reminded me of Moria, and I was not entirely sure that things here would go differently. Although I hoped that these men had enough sense to choose a safe place to live. Not that many places would be safe against a horde of ten-thousand Uruk-Hai. Rivendell perhaps, or Lothlorien, but not here.
I spoke with Gimli on my feelings of this place, but it seemed to be lost on him. The Dwarf said something about how beautiful the internal caves were. I told him that, beautiful the caves may be, but I would never be comfortable in one for very long. Never. I needed green growing things.
We did not see Aragorn very much and many of the Men here were suspicious of "the Elf." But some of the others have more sense then that. As a result of this, I have spent most of my time in the company of Gimli.
While I am still not fond of the Dwarf-race, I take Gimli to be an exception, just as Aragorn is one of the few Men that I can respect. The King of Rohan, Theoden, is brave enough, but incredibly stubborn. He is not entirely to blame, but his plan… surely there could be some other way. There must be some other way. But I have only spoken of this to Gimli and Aragorn. Neither of them seem to feel as strongly about this as I do.

Aragorn, Gimli and myself watched as some of the Men of Rohan prepared for battle. Battle? I suppose that it could be called that, but three hundred men, only about a third of them trained fighters against ten-thousand killing machines? For that is all that the Orcs were. Nothing but that.
Aragorn sighed, looking around at the 'army'.
"Farmers, farriers, blacksmiths," he said, "These are no soldiers."
"Most of them have seen too many winters," Gimli said.
"Or too few," I added, having seen some of the boys that had joined.
Aragorn sighed again and I could not help but agree. This was… impossible. I blinked. Impossible? Yes. I had to admit it. This truly was impossible.

"The men are frightened," I said to Aragorn, "I can see it in their eyes."
Aragorn shot me a hushing look. He had told me before that whatever I may think of this, it was vital that the hopes of the people of Rohan remained firm. Hopes? What hopes?
Suddenly I did not see Aragorn standing in front of me. Instead I saw the outside of Helm's Deep. One of the walls was completely destroyed. There was blood everywhere and the stench of death, and of Uruk-Hai.
Then it was gone, and I was inside of Helm's Deep again.

"~ And well they should be, ~" I continued in Elvish, for none of the Rohrrians understood that, "~ Three hundred against ten-thousand? ~"
Aragorn gave me a patronizing look. What made him so smart anyway? What right did Aragorn this… this Man… have to tell me what to think of my situation? I did not have to answer to his authority! Not when he was about to lead so many people to their deaths because of some arrogant Man who thought that he knew more then to take the council of an Elf and a Dwarf who had seen this before!
"~ They are all going to die! ~" I exclaimed.
"Then I shall die as one of them!" Aragorn snapped, turning and leaving.
Aragorn's sharp tone stung as if he had hit me across the face. I moved to follow him, but Gimli stayed me.
"Let him be lad," the Dwarf said softly.
I shook off Gimli's hand and stormed away.

I left the caves, driven by a sudden desire to go up. And upwards I went until I had climbed a top one of the towers, (literally on top of it).
I sat there for a few moments, brooding on the stupidity of men. As far as I could see was grays and browns, but not a bit of green.
Then the wind shifted and I caught the scent from some garden somewhere inside. I felt the warm sunlight beaming down on me and I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the green smell and the warmth of the sun calm me.
Then I heard a sound, and opened my eyes to see Gimli looking up at me from the platform below.

"Would you mind coming down here?" he asked, "I can't exactly get up there."
"Not now," I said, then I looked at him, "How did you find me?"
"Seein' that you're the only Elf here, it wasn't that hard," he said, "Although you're pretty good at not being seen."
I sighed, "What did you want?"
"To talk to you," Gimli said, "About you and Aragorn, but if you'd rather that I shouted this up to you for everyone to - "
I did not let him finish, landing neatly in front of him.

"I don't know why I said all that to him," I said softly, "But, Gimli, you cannot tell me that you are not worried about this as well."
"I am," Gimli said, "But you undertook the task to take the Ring of Power into Mordor - and that was certainly an impossible task."
I did not answer right away, thinking about this. "That… did not seem so impossible."
"I wonder," Gimli said, "What if ten-thousand Uruk-Hai were marching on Lothlorien?"
"What if ten-thousand Uruk-Hai marched on the Lonely Mountain," I asked, "Or on Gondor? I would not despair then."
"And why not?"
"Because Lothlorien, the Lonely Mountain and Gondor are well defended," I said, "Even with three-hundred well-trained fighters I would feel better."
"Perhaps Gandalf will return in time," Gimli said.
"Perhaps…" I said.
"Do you think that, were it completely hopeless, Gandalf would have sent us here? And for that matter, would Aragorn stay?"
Gandalf would not have left us here to perish. Gimli was right.
"And anyway, if we do not think that we can win, we will not try as hard - so we will have condemned ourselves to losing. If you despair, you will be helping the Uruk-Hai."
"I am not about to help them," I said automatically, a bit crossly. Then I smiled, "You are right my friend. I was wrong to despair."
"Also," Gimli said, "It is not a good idea to go into battle like this with an argument with friends weighing on your mind."
I nodded, "I will talk to Aragorn."

I found Aragorn in the private room given to us. He was preparing to fight. I watched him silently as he dressed in chain-mail and sheathed the knife that Celeborn had given him. He was not aware of my presence.
I picked up his sword and held it out to him. He was surprised to see me, and he took the sword uncertainly from me.
"You have never led us wrong before," I said, "I was wrong to despair. I am sorry."
Aragorn smiled at me, "~ There is nothing to forgive, Legolas. ~"
I smiled as well as Aragorn set a hand on my shoulder. Now that I had apologized for my behavior before I felt much lighter.

My attention was drawn to Gimli, who was holding up a chain mail shirt of his own. He let it fall, and several feet of it landed on the ground.
"It's a little tight around the chest," he said.
I smiled and held back a laugh.