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Time travels quickly when a trial is approaching. Elves are keen to note such things as variances in the passage of time, especially since they have near-infinite amounts of it to spend. As such, Legolas found himself packing his traveling bag for the journey north what seemed like only days after the conversation with Strider and Beringil. The prince traveled light, and so the preparations did not take long at all. By the time the sun set on the eve of their departure he had everything he would need strapped to the harness of his quiver. With nothing left to do but wait, the night seemed very long indeed.

Legolas rose early the next morning, earlier even than Strider. The young Dunedain chieftain's senses were so sharply attuned though that the slight noises of motions Legolas made were enough to wake him. The two of them set about getting breakfast silently, their shadows long on the walls against the candlelight. Both had much to mull over; Strider, his frustration at not being able to accompany the party into Angmar, and Legolas his reticence to see that cursed place again at all. Sitting across the small table from one another, both elf and man were almost too lost in their private thoughts to register each other's presence as they ate.

Ducking outside, Legolas wrapped his cloak more tightly around his shoulders. Most of the village had turned out to see the rangers off, and their breath rose as a multitude of white puffs in the chilly morning air. All spoke in low voices, and the mood in the square was distinctly somber. Even the children knew that this foray was no small amount of dangerous.

Elladan and Elrohir were already present, their voices one of the few carrying cheerful tones as they bantered with a pair of teenage girls. The young women stood tall and dignified under the watchful eyes of their parents, but even so their dark eyes twinkled as they giggled at the Peredhil twins' jests.

"Are you certain you wouldn't want one of those giant bats they breed up there for a pet? Elladan and I could surely bring back a few of the young ones."

Elladan jumped aboard the only half-joking offer. "Surely one of those would make an even better mouser than that tabby you have there."

The shorter of the girls looked down at the grey cat winding between her heels and turned pink, vehemently shaking her head.

"Oh no my lords! A giant bat would carry off not just the mice but the cats and dogs too!"

The spot of merriment between Elrond's sons and the daughters of the village farrier faded into the background as more and more of the rangers emerged from their homes. Not all would be going north on this expedition, but even those remaining behind seemed to be present. Legolas exchanged a sideways glance with Strider. The Dunedain were skilled woodsmen and brave fighters, but simply not the physical equivalent of elves. However Legolas might feel about venturing into the lands of Angmar, these folk had even more cause for a small share of anxiety.

A door squeaked as it opened nearby, and Legolas was almost surprised to see Andris step out into the rising sunlight dressed to travel. The young man's father had apparently been dead for some years, now leaving just Andris and his mother Delia in the household. Sure enough, Delia appeared behind her son on the threshold, her patchwork shawl drawn nearly as tightly as her expression. Andris turned and bent to embrace his mother, hiding her rapidly-graying hair from view behind a broad shoulder. After a moment they broke apart, and Andris strode purposefully out to join the silent ranks of rangers where they stood mingling with their families.

Beringil was also there with his wife, the round faced Enid. Although she was not by any stretch of the imagination an attractive woman, Beringil stood speaking quietly to her with all the deference one might show a queen. Enid inclined her head, acknowledging some parting thing her husband had said. Then, with a swift motion, she stuffed a long braid of shorn-off chestnut hair into Beringil's hands. The older ranger looked up with surprise, then lifted a hand to touch the scarf that covered Enid's head. It was a tender moment, one that Legolas almost found himself surprised to have seen featuring the gruff mortal.

"Legolas. Might I have a moment?"

Nerwen's firm voice was unmistakable, and Legolas turned to greet her with a nod. To be honest, he half-expected to find her standing there in the pale morning sunlight with a bow on her back, ready to depart with them. The Dunedain woman wore her usual dark gray kirtle and shawl though, and at her side was a pleasant faced man with a salt-and-pepper beard and hair.

"Certainly. What is it?" he asked, his eyes travelling over the pair. He was surprised not to have seen this man with the rangers before, or even around the village for that matter.

Nerwen looked Legolas steadily in the eye, her clean bold gaze reminding Legolas a great deal of Strider. "This is my husband, Radanir. He has a request to make of you." She subtly dropped a long-fingered, callused hand to clasp with her husband as they stood beside one another.

"Well met, Legolas of the Woodland Realm." Radanir offered an arm in greeting, which Legolas was quick to take. There was a quiet, distinct sort of dignity about the man which made him a memorable sort.

"And to you as well, Radanir." Legolas replied. "What might you have to ask of me?"

Radanir drew in a slow breath, as though gathering himself. Then, he reached for his belt and unhooked a knife from where it hung. "This blade has been handed down through my family for generations, down from my great-grandfather who was a skilled blacksmith. He made it himself, re-forged from steel saved from the armories of Numenor. All in our family have carried it in their turn...it is a blade meant for missions such as this." The man indicated the gathering of rangers where it swelled in the town's midst. "I would ask that you take it, and use it while north in the wilds of Angmar."

Seeing the handle of the proffered dagger was enough to know that it was a weapon of quality. Not a sword, meant for naming and prominence at the side of a hero, but a symbol of a family's pride. Before reaching out to touch the hilt though, Legolas's eyes flickered upward at Radanir and Nerwen in a questioning look.

It seemed Nerwen knew him well, or at least knew the situation. Laying a hand on her husband's arm, she squeezed. "Radanir would have gone with you and the others on this journey, once. As might have I. An orc raid five years ago changed our courses though..."

Radanir shifted slightly, hiking the leg of his trousers just above the cuff of his boot. Rather than flesh, Legolas saw wood. He wondered just how much of the limb had been lost in the fateful attack.

"Our places have been exchanged somewhat." Rather than self-pity or resentment, there was only calm in Radanir's eyes. "I see mostly to the running of our household, and my strong wife tends to the hunting and gathering." The corner of his mouth twitched in what might have been a smile. "My mending is tidier than hers ever was, and she is a better shot with a bow than I am. It is an arrangement that suits us both well."

The murmuring of the rangers behind them was going silent; the time must be drawing near for them to leave. In recognition of humbling gesture being bestowed upon him by Nerwen and Radanir, Legolas bowed to the couple.

"I would be honored to carry your family's blade north with me. You can be guaranteed, it will see adventure worthy of the ancestors who made and bore it." Extending his hand, Legolas accepted the dagger and in its fine sheath.

Radanir smiled, his dark blue eyes crinkling at the seams. "You have my thanks." Letting go of the knife, he instead found a berth for his hand atop that of Nerwen's on his arm.

"Valar protect you, you and all the others." Nerwen said, dipping her chin gratefully. Then, her step measured to ease Radanir's way, she and her husband turned to seek out other friends in the crowd.

Tying the knife to his belt, Legolas scanned the gathering to assess their numbers. According to Strider, twenty-five had agreed to go on this expedition. He had proposed the idea of ridding the northern lands of as many nests of foul beasts as possible at an assembly in the main hall. All capable rangers had then been free to volunteer, rather than assigned. In the end, Strider had had to put a stop to recruitment at twenty-five. It was a party small enough to move quickly and without undue attention, but large enough to fight.

There was no need for farewell speeches. Everyone knew exactly what this mission meant. It could either buy them a summertime of relative peace, or grief. Every passing minute seemed to put the divide between the two in greater prominence. Spotting Strider standing near the road upon which they would depart, Legolas made his way toward him. Elladan and Elrohir were already at his side, watching all those assembled. Finally, Elladan looked to Strider.

"Everyone is here Estel, we are ready..."

Strider gazed out over the faces of the rangers and their families, the regret that he was not among them plain for all to see.

"I suppose there is no sense in delaying then." He blew out a long breath and turned to the elves. "Travel by day as much as possible, and keep to the ridges. I will look for your return by the first week of summer. If trouble should arise..."

Elrohir cut the young chieftain off. "Just how old do you think we are, gwador-nin? Are you more worried about us, or that we might somehow lead your rangers into disaster?"

"Honestly, you would think this was our first foray!" Elladan chuckled, unstringing his bow for travel and setting it into his harness.

Strider managed a small grin that looked more like a grimace. "That is why I am sending Legolas with the both of you. He at least might be able to keep order." A quick wink passed between Strider and Legolas. They all knew that as a prince he had more than his fair share of experience with leadership.

"We will return upon the eve of summertime, Strider." Legolas assured him. "Valar permitting, with good tidings."

"And if all else fails at least know I said 'I told you so'!" Beringil broke in, stepping forward out of the crowd of rangers. "Now, are we leaving today or not?!"

"Go!" Strider called, waving an arm out to the road. "And Eru guard your steps, my friends."

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