"No one could ever take your place, Auriella, NO ONE. Gi melin, I love you and only you…" his voice trailed off as tears started streaming down her rosy cheeks. He rushed over, confusion and anxiety clouding his seemingly flawless complexion, and gently caressed her face as he kissed her tears away. Slowly, he lowered himself onto his hind legs so that they were face to face. "Meleth, why do you cry?" It took all the strength she had to look him in the eye and as soon as she did she instantly regretted it. Her sobbing became more audible, as tears started to violently sting and blur her vision.
"Meleth?" Panic encasing his voice.
"I cannot stand to see you like this ..." he whispered. His beautiful blue eyes marred by the pain he was beginning to feel.
She knew what had to be done even though, the thought alone sent a sharp, unbearable pain through her heart. She had to protect him…even if that meant forsaking the one, the only one that would truly have her heart.
"Meleth, talk to me" he pleaded with a whisper.
She mustered what little courage she had left and stood up, untangling her hands and heart that had become entwined with his , as she helped him to his feet. He tried to pull her into an embrace but you pulled away, leaving him with an expression similar to that of a wounded dog. She tried to regain as much composure as she possibly could.
"Thranduil, my king…" her voice was high-pitched as she tried to mask her sobs from resurfacing, as began climbing down the steps that would ultimately lead her to her downfall.
"Y-you have s-shown me more kindness and love in these past few weeks that we have spent together..."her voice started cracking as tears streaked Thranduil's fair cheeks.
"…than I have ever known in my entire life...b-but I…"her courage had begun to falter and she could no longer restrain her tears.
"Meleth, please…"Tears were now violently running down his face, his voice barely audible.
"I…I can't do this anymore" she managed before she ran. She ran as fast as her twig-like legs and dainty feet would allow. She didn't know where she was headed and she didn't bother to look back…not even when her scream her voice with such anguish that it sent a stab of pain straight through her heart. Her vision blurred, she ran and ran and ran until she passed the Gates of Greenwood and into the vastness of Middle Earth. Only then did she allow herself a glimpse back and when she did…the dam walls broke, her weeping nearing the point of hysterical and her heart aching as if someone had removed it, shredded it and put it back.
Suddenly, bent over, hands on her knees, trying to breathe, Auriella realised that she could never, never return to Greenwood…even if she wanted. Her heart had been shattered into a thousand pieces and not even a thousand pieces seemed to adequately describe the soul-rendering pain she felt.