Disclaimer: I don't own Tolkien's masterpieces, I wish I did but I don't. I I don't own anything, not even this computer, it's my dad's, so please don't sue me. Thanks.

a/n: K well, first off I would like to thank my betas Rebecca and Chloe. You guys are awesome! And secondly I would just like to thank Evanescence for inspiration. I saw their music video for "My Immortal" and then sort of sat down and started writing this. So thank you to you all! I know that this chapter is short, and the chapters will get longer so hang tight- *Luthien*

Thranduil shivered as a cool, winter breeze blew silently across the pond. The mist that hung in the air danced with the wind and then stopped, only to begin again. Thranduil sighed and let out a cloud of air as he gently dipped his hand into the water. The elf sat in a tree branch that bent over the pond, just enough to touch the water. It was his secret spot, the place that no one else knew about and the place he came to be alone.

However life in Greenwood was not troubling, but rather full of happiness and light. But somehow Thranduil felt a sense of longing, especially during the dark days of winter when most elves locked themselves indoors and dreamt of the coming days of the coming days of spring. But he stayed outdoors, wrapped in his evergreen cloak, searching. Searching for something that he could not lay a finger on, for he was not sure what it was.

Aside from his duties as the royal prince of Greenwood, Thranduil spent most of his time away from the palace and explored the forest as much he could. Sometimes he would bring a book or two with him and sit up in the trees and read. Thranduil felt as if there were two sides to him: Thranduil the Prince and Thranduil the Wanderer.

The elf dipped his hand back into the silver water of the pond, and watched the ripples travel to the other side. But across the pond he saw a fair, silver, figure kneeling towards the water. Careful not to startle whoever it was, Thranduil held his breath and tried to move to get a better look. There was an elven-maid standing there, clad in silver robes with a circlet of moonstones set upon here head. She had long black hair that flew around loosely in the wind and covered most of her face. She, too, dipped her hand in the water and drank from it, for the water of the pond did not make one drowsy like the rest of the water around Greenwood. Quickly and quietly, Thranduil scooted over on the branch. He could see her perfectly now. Suddenly the branch began to creak and Thranduil twisted and turned, trying to find a way back to shore. Then, all of a sudden the branch snapped and he and the branch were thrown down into the water.

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Thranduil plunged down with the branch into the ice cold water. His clothes weighed him down as he struggled to reach the surface. His cloak was snagged in the branch that pulled him further and further towards the bottom. He twisted and turned trying to break free but it was no use. Thranduil gave up began to let himself sink. Suddenly, he was yanked by his shoulders and was pulled up towards the surface. With his cloak still attached to branch, he tugged at it again harder than before until it at last ripped free. He let himself be pulled towards the surface and fell into a daze.

At last he reached the shore and he was laid down on the frozen ground and began to sputter and cough up water. Thranduil slowly began to open his eyes and immediately seized his coughing. For kneeling over him was the silvery elf-maid he had seen before. Her dark-brown eyes stared at him, as if she was looking upon an old friend and yet it was almost as if she was looking upon him for the very first time, memorizing every strand of his golden hair and every curve upon his fair face.

"So," she said. "We finally meet."

Her voice was deep and haunting, yet it seemed gentle and good-natured. Thranduil didn't understand, but continued to stare into her beautiful eyes.

"I foresaw you." said staring back into his blue eyes.

"Foresaw me?" Thranduil coughed.

"Yes, I foresaw your death." she paused. "I foresaw that you would freeze to death."

Thranduil shivered at that thought. Elves did not like to speak of death, but they were not naive to it. Who was this women?

"You must be freezing!" she exclaimed breaking free from their gaze. She pulled off her cloak and wrapped it around him. He sat up and smiled at her, pulling the cloak tight around him.

"What is your name?" Thranduil asked quietly.

"I'm called Lárien by most." she said. "You are the King's son are you not?"

"Yes." Thranduil responded. "How did you know?"

"By the circlet you are wearing your highness."

Thranduil blushed. We had he forgotten to take it off? When he normally left the palace he would take it off and store it in his room but for some reason tonight he had left it on.

Both of them were silent for a moment. The wind blew around the forest making the leafless trees rustle in its wake. Thranduil no longer shivered with Lárien's cloak around him and he tried to think of what to say next.

"It's... it's fairly late," he began. "Would you like to come back to the palace with me?

Lárien smiled and shook her head.

"No I can't. I must go. Perhaps another time." She stood up. "Will you be all right?"

"I think so." said Thranduil standing up slowly.

"Excellent." she said. "Then I must bid thee farewell."

Thranduil frowned.

"But I have a feeling we will meet again Thranduil son of Oropher." she said seeing his disappointment.

"Farewell. And thank you!" he quickly added.

"You are most welcome!" Lárien said as she disappeared into the forest.

And Thranduil was left by the pond all by himself wrapped in Lárien's cloak and sighed. "Farewell sweet Lárien!" he said to himself and began to make his way back home.