Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 1

What happens when we fade? When all semblance of life is gone from Arda and we are the last inhabitants. The curse of the Elf, watching those who die leave this place forever. We fade with this knowledge and so we lock ourselves in our high towers, peering down on Men. We do not interfere, do not love, and do not see what they do. Our lives never end and yet there's do.

The darkness of the world does not phase us and yet it eats at our souls until we are no more. I will fade, I am fading. I am a child of Ilúvatar and yet do not feel his love. I feel the love of my child, my husband, my friends. But they are gone, I am not.

I am Iasbelin, Princess of the Greenwood, Lady of the Land of the Moon. I am fading but Arda will not let me go.

"We have been sent to attend the Council of Elrond to discuss the escape of Gollum. We ride for Rivendell at midday" Legolas told his wife as he walked out of a meeting with his father. Iasbelin knew exactly what that meant: the One Ring had been found. This terrified her, rightfully so. She had seen the devastation, heartbreak, and turmoil the ring caused. She was an elf; the curse of her immortality was to watch mortals die.

"You wish for me to come?" lasbelin asked. She was trying to keep up with Legolas as he walked down the long hallways of the Mirkwood palace. He hardly even turned his head around when she spoke. Lately she was a ghost, a shell of her former self. Legolas could not see her soul any longer and it terrified her. But she lengthened her stride to keep up with him.

"Yes, you have not seen Arwen in quite some time and I think it wise to bring my wife to a meeting with the esteemed Lord Elrond." Legolas explained, haughtily. He really did not care if she came with him. He would rather she stay at home in the Greenwood. Alas, Elrond would expect to see her with him. They had to keep up the façade somehow.

"You are not going to leave me at home again while you go gallivanting across Middle Earth?" Iasbelin asked sarcastically.

She knew the answer to that, though. It happened five years ago and would happen again. He got to have adventures and she got to stay at home. This never really bothered her, however. She was raised to be a scholar, not a fighter. Her father had stressed this identity and hope for her to become a great thinker one day. Iasbelin thought back to her father, her dear brother. Halchon, her brother, died years ago and a part of her always blamed Legolas for his death. She had dreams that her a Halchon would sail to the West together, dreams the royal family had ripped away.

"Every time I leave something awful seems to happen. Might as well take you with me this time and try to contain the destruction." Legolas declared.

"We have been over this hundreds of times, Legolas." Iasbelin told him. She never lost her courtly charm as she talked to her husband. Over the years she learned how to control her emotions, tone, and appearance. A member of the royal family was under constant scrutiny. It ate at her, however. What happened all those years ago

"You're right, we have. Go to your rooms and inform your ladies that we are leaving. I will meet you in the stable in two hours." Legolas commanded. It was a bit harsh. He cared not, however.

"I shall go ready myself, milord." lasbelin replied coldly. She knew he hated being reminded of his position. She knew it got under his skin when she called him 'milord'.

Legolas sighed and turned the next corner towards chambers. Over two thousand years of marriage and it had come to this. Elves did not go through rough patches in their marriages. It was a union of partners. Love was never in the equation because Elves loved all their people. For Elves marriage was about a deeply caring union. Two souls that could not be apart from one another. It was different with Iasbelin, though. She was incredibly intelligent and critical. One of the most learned ladies of Mirkwood and with such knowledge came great sorrow for her. She had been his strength but now found that she was his weakness.

lasbelin returned to her chambers and found her ladies sitting in the drawing room. She busied them with packing her things and readying her for the journey. Luin, her chief lady and a Silvan elf like herself, was directing her others around the room. Iasbelin hadn't anything to do so she sat down and waited for her dress to be set out. Iasbelin looked at her bed and remembered the first night she had seen that bed. It had been so inviting and comforting. She was young, impressionable, and full of hope. That bed was her solace and she retreated there whenever she felt the need. Lately, it became a cold, dead space where she rarely visited.

"Milady your dress is ready." Luin informed her.

Isabelin walked over to her bed and grabbed the tan gown. Her ladies helped her in the dress and did her hair. She placed her simple circlet on her head. Iasbelin put her travel cloak around her shoulders, laced her riding boots and stared at her reflection. Luin came and stood behind her and put her hands on her shoulders.

"You'll be fine. You are just going to Rivendell and then coming back. How much trouble could you possibly get into?" Luin soothed.

Luin knew her lady was troubled. No one really understood the Princess but they all cared deeply for her. She was rude, brash, and uninviting on most occasions. However, Luin stuck around to help her because of their shared lineage. Silvan Elves were unwelcomed in the palace. Her and Iasbelin were some of the few inside the walls. Legolas presented himself as a Silvan, but he knew what he really was.

"You would be surprised. I truly just want to stay here and continue my studies. I grow weary, Luin. This life was not meant for me." Iasbelin said sadly.

"I do not think you give yourself enough credit. You saved this family from certain ruin. You are wildly popular with the Wood Elves." Luin told her

"I am one of them. And as time passes I fear I must return to them. The Greenwood fades, as I do." Iasbelin told her friend. Luin, of course, knew the real reason for her lady's sorrow. But she was sworn to secrecy.

Once dressed, lasbelin gathered her things and made her way to the stables. She was excited for the ride, ahead. She had not seen her gelding, Cain in a few months. Iasbelin loved horses, as all Elves did. However, she knew they were the only race to truly understand her.

She peered over the stable yard and caught a glimpse of Legolas talking with the others in their party. A wave of disgust and trouble ran over her. It was eating at her: what happened those years ago. Unluckily though this was a royal progress and such she needed to be there. She adjusted the circlet on her head and walked into the stables.

Legolas came up to Iasbelin and kissed her on the cheek. He could feel her cold skin under his lips. She had not been warm for so long. He offered her his arm they formally bid farewell to the King and the rest of the court. Iasbelin let go of Legolas' hand at the end of the line and turned to one of the Elves next to her.

"Would you be ever so kind as to help me onto my horse?" she asked.

The young Elf smiled and quickly helped Iasbelin onto Cain. Legolas simply rolled his eyes, mounted his steed. He was in no mood for her or her overt power plays. If she wanted to be angry with him, that was fine. But she was deliberately undermining his role as Prince and husband. Legolas could feel his father's stare and it scorched him. His father was a brash and rude man, much like Iasbelin. They got along very well but he could never truly live up to his father's title.

Iasbelin nudged Cain along and he gave a snort in response. She rode up next to Legolas.

"Well, this should be a fine journey don't you think?" Iasbelin stated trying to strike up a conversation with him.

"Yes" Legolas reverted simply. He kept his eyes on the road. Iasbelin looked at her husband and sighed. He was not in a good mood. She tried with him, but nothing could truly get through. Of course, she suspected why he had turned so cold. He must know.

"Well I will leave you to your riding, husband. " She stated as she turned her horse to the back of the company. She trotted back and fell into line behind the guard.

Legolas scowled at the sound of her horse trotting away. One of his friends, Hûrnor, came to ride next to him.

"People are beginning to ask questions." Hûrnor told him.

"Let them." Legolas snapped.

"My Prince, some do not find it wise to walk the path you are taking," Hûrnor advised "Never has there been such tension in the royal family. The whole realm sees it."

"I will do what I wish." Legolas answered bitterly.

"Very well my Prince. Have it your way."Hûrnor sighed and looked back to the princess who was riding silently, her eyes fixed on the road ahead. He could see the sorrow and intense anger in her eyes. The council would not be a good place for this fight to spill over to. Hûrnor knew what was coming and shuttered at the thought of what was to meet them in Rivendell.