And I'm back! I really wasn't supposed to come back yet, but my email keeps telling me a bunch of other people still follow this story so thank you very much! Also, the trailer for The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies just came out so I thought I post this to celebrate the much awaited trailer :-) I'm not really sure if I'm allowed to suddenly post a new chapter in this story, but this isn't really like a test run thing, this is the official first chapter of the new and improved Touch Me Not. It just came a bit early ;)

I hope you enjoy this new version of it!

She impatiently tapped her fingers on the wooden window ledge.

Miniel couldn't remember the last time she had been this anxious, probably because that moment never existed. She couldn't think of any other moment except for this one. Her memories were now clouded by the one sentence she never thought she'd hear her father say.

"You must leave home."

It still pained her to replay that moment in her head over and over. It had been an ordinary day for her. She had woken up with the promise of routine and normalcy. She specifically remembered being excited that day because her brother had agreed to let her drop her bow and arrows in exchange for a fine, elven sword. Well, a wooden practice sword, that is. She was still happy nonetheless. It took a great deal of persuading and begging for her father and brother to let her use a sword.

After her training, she was excited for supper that night. She told her father all about how fast she was learning and what a great swordsman her brother was. She couldn't think of anything that could break the high she was on that moment—all she could think about was how blessed she was for having received a wonderful life, despite of some misfortunes.

She was glad to see the proud smile on her father's face, the smile that always propelled her to do everything she could do keep it on his face, which is why she couldn't believe the words that were coming out of his mouth when he told her she had to leave.

"It is for your own good, muinnín."

She would be lying if she said her father didn't aggravate her after what happened. Who wouldn't be, after all? You are told to leave your home—the only place you've ever really known—without a clear explanation other than, "It is for your own good." For a very wise and straightforward man, she didn't expect her father to give a rather vague reason for her sudden departure. If she had to leave because Greenwood—or rather Mirkwood—was getting even sicker, why is she the only one leaving? If this sickness would be a threat to all Wood-elves, wouldn't they all be ordered to leave?

Hearing faint footsteps approaching her chambers, Miniel pushed herself up off her window seat and started pacing around her room. Her gloved hands had clasped themselves tightly behind her back and her eyebrows furrowed rather intensely, forming the infamous crease she had inherited from her father. Her breaths were now erratic, and in that short amount of time she had to wait for the guards to get her, she actually wished all the air would leave her lungs and take her life.

While she was still trying to get to grips with what was about to happen, a soft knock sounded from her door. She immediately halted, her head shooting up and her back straightening unnaturally.

"C-come in," Miniel stammered.

An elf guard emerged from behind the door and bowed sympathetically. "The king is requesting for your presence."

Miniel sighed deeply and nodded for the guard to leave, but what she did not expect was for him to just stand straight and wait for her to leave the room first. She had never needed the guards to escort her around their own halls before. Well, not until she was going through her adolescence. From then on, she thought she didn't need guards walking her around her own home. To see the elf guard just staring straight ahead, waiting for her to walk first, felt strange and out of the ordinary, and it just reminded her that today was no ordinary day.

She took a deep breath and walked ahead of him, her head held up high and her eyebrows now somehow permanently creased. As she walked passed other Silvan elves going about their day, she looked straight ahead, her eyes glistening as she heard numerous farewells from her people. While her hard expression made her look ignorant, inside she wanted to tell them how badly she wanted to stay and serve them for the rest of her life. Even if she didn't know them all personally, seeing them and greeting them daily had become a part of her routine, and she couldn't imagine her day going about without them.

Even at a distance, her father's pacing figure came in to view. He had his hands held firmly behind his back and his shoulders hunched forward with just as much anxiety she had at the moment. This was the most nervous she had seen him all her life, which was saying a lot because she never saw her father nervous. He always stood proud and tall, his robes swaying with elegance every time he moved. Now he just looked like a mess, not even bothering to wear his crown and look polished.

"Ada," Miniel said as she ascended up the stairs.

King Thranduil's head snapped towards her, his big blue eyes wider (and more worried) than usual. As she stood before him, he composed himself and nodded to the guards to leave before plastering a gentle smile on his face. "Are you ready for your journey, lellig?"

Miniel wasn't sure how to answer his question. She was not one for lying, especially not to her father. She didn't know the point of lying to her father because he was always bound to find out much sooner rather than later.

Without realizing she had been silent for too long, Miniel heard her father sigh and start pacing again. "This is for your own good, Miniel—"

"But how is this for my own good, Ada?" Miniel interjected bitterly. She hadn't meant to answer back to him, especially not in an agitated tone, but hearing that sentence again—that sentence that made no sense to her whatsoever—made it impossible to hide her true feelings from him. "You keep telling me it is for my own good without even giving me a reasonable explanation."

Thranduil turned to her with wide eyes again, his face surprised and guilty at the same time. He didn't expect for his daughter to answer back to him. In fact, she never had, not even when he told her she had to leave Mirkwood, but she was right. He had not given her any clear reason as to why she had to leave. As much as he wanted to reveal everything to her, he just felt like now was not the perfect time to do it.

"Mirkwood is sick, Miniel, you know that—"

"Everyone knows that, ada, so why am I the only one leaving? If this sickness poses a threat to me, then shouldn't it pose a threat to everyone else as well?" Miniel countered, trying to keep her voice low and leveled.

"But everyone else is not like you, my dear," Thranduil said coolly. His pace had slowed down, and the elegance in which he always moved now returned.

Her whole body shivered upon hearing her father's words. Of all the things he could say to get her to leave, she didn't think he would ever use this on her.

"You told me I wasn't any different," Miniel shot back defensively.

"You and I both know that is not true, my dear."

Tears started to form in her eyes as she tried to process what her father was trying to tell her. It had never occurred to her that her powers had anything to do with her departure. Not having to use them for the last hundred years or so, she had completely forgotten she had them. Aside from that, her father did an excellent job at making her feel like a normal, Silvan elf, which is why she trusted him never to use her powers against her.

"If this is all because of my powers, I am not leaving—"

"You will not disobey me, Miniel. I have given you the normalcy you have craved, and all I ask in return is for you to realize you are not normal at all at this moment."

Miniel couldn't stop the sob she had previously tried to choke back to escape her lips. Yes, she agreed, her father was somewhat greedy and his good deeds always came with a price, but she did not realize that notion applied to her, his own daughter.

"But you promised—"

"But this is a promise I must break," Thranduil said as he stopped in front of his daughter. He bent down to her level and held her face in his hands, wiping away the steady flow of her tears with his thumb. It pained him to see her hurt like this, especially since it was his own doing. "Trust me, my dear. I do not want to see you go—"

"Then don't, ada!"

"You are too important for the race of elves, Miniel," Thranduil said sternly, hoping one last time for his intentions to get across. "Whatever's causing Mirkwood's sickness is not just some natural calamity. I feel a dark power lingering in the shadows, and it would be best to get you as far away from it as possible. Do you understand?"

He already had her by his first sentence. Even if she hadn't used her powers in the last hundred years, she knew the sacredness of it. She knew she must be protected at all costs. She knew why her father never allowed her to leave their borders, even just to hunt. And now that a dark power could be a possible danger to her, she had no choice but to respect her father's wishes.

Miniel nodded slowly, letting out a resigned sigh as she looked away from her father.

"Miniel," her father said, more tender this time. "I've already lost your mother. I do not want to lose you as well."

At the mention of her mother, she was undeniably taken aback. The last time he ever spoke of her was when she discovered her powers, but even then he kept that conversation brief and concise. Ever since their mother's death, she could only turn to her brother whenever she wondered about her. Now seeing the pain and desperation in his eyes, she knew she had to do this. If not for her, then for him.

"I'm ready for my journey, ada," Miniel announced, a ghost of a smile on her lips.

Hearing those words from her daughter, the corners of Thranduil's mouth went as high as they could possibly go. She had to leave against her will, but when she did leave, he didn't want her to feel like her departure had no purpose. Now that she was willingly going to leave, he only hoped she would take the next bit of news somewhat well.

Before saying another word, he pulled her in for a tight embrace, something he never gave away to just anybody. Only a few could boast of getting the chance to put their arms around the Elvenking, and his children were two of them. Miniel buried her head in his chest and wrapped her arms around him, allowing herself to be engulfed by his robe. She loved hugging her father while he wore his lavish robes. She always buried herself in them because it made her feel safe—the safest she'd ever been, and she didn't know how she would survive without getting to feel this safe again.

As Thranduil pulled away, he smiled down at his daughter for one lingering moment, fixing her now crooked tiara and kissing her forehead. He then stepped away and ascended up the stairs to his throne, sitting down gracefully and crossing his legs.

"Oh, before you go, there is a slight change of plans," he started, already preparing himself for the worst. "You will not be staying in Rivendell."

Miniel furrowed her brows in confusion. "What do you mean, ada?"

"You will only be staying there for a few days, and then you will leave for the Grey Havens."

As a moment of silence passed them, Thranduil closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He had always hoped she inherited his calm and cool demeanor, like Legolas did. Unfortunately for him, she was more like her mother—loud and very outspoken when she wanted to be.

"Ada, you cannot be serious—"

"I have already spoken to Lord Elrond about it. He will give your company enough supplies to reach Lindon—"

"I am not going to Valinor, ada. I'm staying in Rivendell," Miniel said firmly. Her father stared down at her with irritation visible in his big blue eyes. His eyes have always been very expressive, even when he tried to hide his true feelings and intentions. Only Miniel had mastered the art of reading her father; how he managed to get this past her was something that would bother her until she could figure it out.

"This not negotiable. I knew if I told you earlier on, you would never agree to go—"

"How could I agree to this, ada! If I go to Valinor, I am never coming back!"

"Do not worry, Miniel. I promise you will return," Thranduil assured her with a bow, just like he always did with his promises. But after breaking the most important promise he had kept, Miniel wasn't sure whether she could trust her father or not.

"And when will that be?" Miniel demanded with a cock of her eyebrow.

"As soon as I learn that this sickness is not a danger to us all. The Valar would never let you stay in Valinor forever, Miniel. Not as long as there are elves still living in Middle-Earth."

"Wonderful," Miniel muttered as she rolled her eyes. Only her father could turn her from a respectable princess into an impolite, stubborn elfling.

"Speak up, dear. You know I hate it when you mumble," Thranduil requested.

"Nothing, ada. I will escort myself to the stables," Miniel bowed reluctantly. Without another word, she turned around swiftly, her silvery blond hair fanning out and falling back into place as graceful as her movements were. Before she could make it to the steps, her father stood and requested for her to wait. Instead of turning, she stopped on the top step and waited for her father's last words, which were hopefully just as loving and caring before he ruined the moment with his announcement.

"Remember, keep your gloves on at all times, and do not trust anyone but your own kin. I expect to hear from you when you arrive in Rivendell, and send my regards to your Lord Elrond," Thranduil concluded, his deep voice coming out regal as it always had. "Now you may go."

Miniel sighed deeply at her father's final words. She knew he was never one for very emotional situations, but considering today's significance, she thought he would set aside his regality and tautness for today. She was glad he did, until he decided to stomp all over that moment with his polished, heeled boots.

Bowing her head once more to the king's orders, she made her way down the stairs of the Elvenking's throne room and walked alone to the stables where her brother was waiting. While she walked, it was clear the other elves had heard their final conversation. None of them said a word and only bowed at her presence before continuing their duties. As she reached the stables, she spotted her brother preparing her horse while barking orders at the other elves preparing for their journey.

"Gorondir, take over while I fetch my sister," he ordered to one of the guards.

"Oh, don't worry, Legolas. That won't be necessary," Miniel said with a weak grin on her face. When she caught sight of the pity in her brother's face, she shot him back with a warning look. If there was one thing all three blond elves had in common, it was the fact that they were never pitied, only feared and revered.

Just like how Miniel could read her father, Legolas could read her sister better than anyone else in Middle-Earth. Some may have dismissed her smile as just any normal smile, but he knew better. "He told you, didn't he?"

She couldn't help but sneer at her brother's question instead. "Of course he would tell you. He tells you everything."

Legolas, in turn, chuckled at her response. "He only tells me everything because you always figure out his plans before I do—before he could even tell you, muinthel nín."

"How could I not know any of his plans? In just one sentence, he always manages to tell me everything," Miniel said in amusement. "I think that's why he barely spoke to me these past two weeks."

"If only he could actually have anyone to interrogate, I'm positive he would use you to his advantage," Legolas joked as he saddled up her horse. Even as a joke, they both knew it was true. Legolas and their father interrogated people by instilling fear into the hearts of those who would not speak. Miniel, on the other hand, chose a more relaxed approach, befriending the creature until it divulged everything to her.

"Any advantage is the best advantage, after all," Miniel said, mimicking her father's deep voice. She and Legolas chuckled softly as they fastened the saddle around her horse.

As they worked there in silence, her mind rushed with random memories of her and her brother. She remembered the time he first taught her how to shoot a bow, and the first time he snuck her out into the forest to hunt. She even remembered all those times Legolas mocked their father behind his back while he scolded her when she was just a little elfling. Every time she remembered a random event in her life, her brother was always there with her. She had never dared to imagine what life would be like without him, and now she was forced to do just that unfairly. If she had known she was going to sail to the Undying Lands, she would have done everything she could to show her brother just how much she appreciated him.

"I wish you were coming with me," she whispered suddenly as he fastened her cloak around her.

Legolas looked down at her sadly, the ends of his eyebrows shooting upward as his eyebrows wrinkled. "You know one of us has to stay with ada. If I could take your place, I would—"

Miniel scoffed at his words. "Ada would never let you go to Valinor. You are too precious to him, as all princes to their kings."

"Do not say that, Miniel," Legolas scolded. "Our father loves us both equally. He just worries more for your safety than mine, and we both know the reason for that."

"Ah, yes. My gifts," she said bitterly. "They don't even feel like gifts. They feel like a curse. Just one enormous burden on my shoulders."

"I don't know what you want me to say here," Legolas retorted. "I don't want you to leave here with ill feelings towards our father. This isn't just painful for you. This is painful for all us. We all never asked for this. Ada would never send you away to Valinor unless it was absolutely necessary. He's just trying to look out for you, Miniel. Why could you not see that?"

Miniel looked up at his brother in shock. Legolas rarely ever raised his voice at her, and nor did they ever fight. It was strange to see her brother's eyes full of anger and frustration, when all they've ever shown her were love and kindness. But she didn't dwell on this any further when her brother's words had pierced her heart and made her close her eyes in guilt.

She had never once thought of this whole ordeal in their perspectives, especially not her brother's. It had never occurred to her to think that their lives would be different without her around. Even if they had a whole plethora of elf servants to look after them, none of them could ever care for the king and the prince the way Miniel did. No one would be there to remind his brother that he had other duties and tasks to do other than archery training, and no one would especially be there to remind her father not to drink too much of his wine. These were little things only Miniel could do, and without her around, she worried no one would be there to take on her responsibilities.

"I'm sorry, brother," she whispered remorsefully.

"There is nothing to be sorry for—"

"I've been selfish, Legolas. I've spent all this time being angry at ada and not enough time worrying about how this could affect you both. I mean, who's going to stop you from doing something dangerous? Or ada from doing something…somewhat immoral—No, who's going to stop ada from drinking wine until he turns into a drunken mess? Because that really worries me, Legolas—"

Legolas laughed heartily at his little sister's concerns. They were very menial, but it was clear to him she enjoyed doing these little things for them. As a princess with very little royal duties, he was sure that doing these things meant a lot to her, and he was definitely certain this meant a whole lot to him and their father.

"Do not worry. It would take days for ada to get drunk, no matter what he drinks," he assured her softly, but this did nothing to wash away the anxiety attack that was currently building in her chest.

"It's just…I wish I had spent more time looking after you and ada. Who's going to do that while I'm gone?"

"I will," Legolas affirmed with the most reassuring smile he could muster. "I will take care of us both the way you've always taken care of us."

Miniel hesitated for a moment. If there's one thing her brother was famous for, it was his inability to remember any of his duties. She would always keep a tiny notebook of things he needed to do and made sure he did them. Without her little notebook, she was afraid Legolas would never remember this. But she had no choice.

"Do your promise?" she asked him seriously.

It amused Legolas that a simple thing like this would cause a great deal of stress for his sister. But this would just be one of the many reasons why he would miss her dearly. "I promise."

"You can't break this promise, okay?"

"Trust me, I won't."

With one last lingering look, Miniel finally let a smile grace her lips and she engulfed her brother in a hug. She held onto him as tight as she can, and as long as she can. She didn't know when she would be able to feel safe in his brother's arms again, but she hoped and prayed it would be sooner rather than later.

As they pulled away from each other, an elf guard approached the two and bowed courteously. "I'm sorry to interrupt, my lord, but the princess must now depart."

Miniel smirked at the dark-haired elleth standing before them. She didn't know why there was a need for formalities, but she was happy she going to be with her in her journey. If she couldn't have her own brother escort her to the Undying Lands, better her best friend do it then.

For a fleeting moment, she caught a glimpse of a playful smirk on her lips before Legolas nodded and sent her away to her duties.

"Why do you hate Lothwen?" Miniel suddenly blurted as they watched the elf-maid walk to her horse. She knew now was not the time to tease her brother, but she also knew she needed to do it one last time before she left.

"I do not hate Lothwen. Any friends of my sister's is a friend of mine," Legolas protested, feeling the heat creep up on his neck. He knew where this was going. He wouldn't usually let his little sister tease him mercilessly, but he needed to hear the mischief in her voice one last time.

"It's because she teaches me archery, isn't it?" Miniel smirked with a cock of her eyebrow. "You think it hinders me from becoming a great archer like yourself."

Legolas playfully rolled his eyes at her, but for the nth time, he wasn't denying these claims. "For the last time, I have no ill feelings towards her."

"Oh, this won't be the last time brother, that I'm sure of," Miniel snorted as she moved to her own horse.

"Wait, before you leave, I have a surprise for you." Legolas reached into his coat and pulled out a rectangular object wrapped in leaves.

"Ooh, a gift," Miniel said excitedly as he took the little object from his brother's hands and started unwrapping it. Just as the leather peeked through the green leaves, she instantly knew what was hidden beneath it. "My notebook? You're giving me a notebook of your duties—"

"Before you question the sentimentality of it," Legolas interjected before she had a chance to tease him again. "Open it to the last page,"

Miniel did what she was told and flicked through its pages, smiling every so often as memories of following her brother around flooded in her mind. Each page reminded her of a different day, and remembering the joy she always felt whenever he completed his responsibilities in time, she immediately felt silly for questioning his brother's token. As she reached the last page, she couldn't help but feel her heart swell with gratitude and sorrow. Written down, in very familiar Sindarin letters, read: "Take care of ada and myself."

Miniel gasped silently as she ran her fingers over her brother's handwriting. "But how did you—"

"I knew you were angry at ada, but it was only a matter of time before you worried about his drinking habits," Legolas joked.

"And your apparent recklessness," Miniel said pointedly as she smiled gratefully at him. She closed the notebook and held it close to her heart. "Hannon le, muindor."

"Oh, don't thank me just yet," Legolas said as he reached into his coat once again to pull out a small silver clasp. He reached for one of her hands and gently placed it on her palm. "Our father believes this should belong to you."

Miniel stared down at it in disbelief. She had only ever seen this clasp on her father's dresser in his chambers, and though nobody ever wore it, she knew fully well whom it belonged to. Tucking the notebook under her arm, she slowly removed the current clasp holding her cloak together and replaced it with her mother's.

"Ada would've given it to you himself, but you know how he is when he talks about our mother."

Miniel didn't care for any of her brother's excuses. This clasp was the only other thing their father kept of their mother's belongings, aside from her crown, and she couldn't imagine how difficult it must've been for him to even just hand it to Legolas. It didn't matter to her that he wasn't here to give it away himself. She felt content knowing her father trusted her with one of his prized possessions, and finally, after a brutal two weeks of anger and resentment, Miniel could finally say she understood and accepted her father's wishes.

Just as they were both about to engage in another tight hug, a horn blared through the stables, which signaled her whole company to mount their horses and ready themselves for departure.

Smiling sadly at her brother, she secured her belt and her sword around her waist, as well as tucking the notebook, before she mounted her horse and waited for the second horn to blare.

"Be safe, Miniel," Legolas said, just in time for the horn to sound and their horses to gallop out of the stables and into the forest Miniel would always call her home.

As the sunlight hit her face that mid-afternoon, Miniel would be lying if she said she did not enjoy travelling outside of Mirkwood. She marveled at how healthy and natural everything was; how vibrant it all looked and felt and she loved every moment of it. Since she was old enough to wander the forest (well, to sneak out and wander), all she ever saw was the sickness and darkness that inhabited their once beloved Greenwood, and she was determined to return it to its former glory. But for now, she just couldn't wait to see what else lay ahead of them.

As her journey progressed from days to weeks to a full month, Miniel had allowed herself to leave her sorrows behind and think positively for their journey ahead.

Having only travelled for a handful of times in her life, she was amazed by the speed at which they were travelling. They had reached Rivendell in a matter of weeks, and as much as she wanted to stay for a longer period of time, they had left on the fourth day and managed to cross River Mitheithel in three days. They were now venturing across the Great East Road, and for once, Miniel had hoped they would slow down so she could enjoy the healthy nature around her.

"Are you sure Legolas does not hate me?" Lothwen asked for the umpteenth time.

"Trust me, mellon. Legolas doesn't have it in him to hate," Miniel assured her with an amused smile. "Well, except for dwarves, but I still don't understand why."

"And all elves still don't understand why you don't have any hatred for dwarves whatsoever," Lothwen teased.

"Well, I do not see any reason for us to hate one another," Miniel answered calmly and chose to ignore the eye roll her best friend had just given her.

"We're a thousand miles away from Mirkwood, Miniel. You can drop the princess act," Lothwen joked as she playfully kicked her blond friend's leg.

"Oh, trust me, I want to," Miniel snickered. "But I can't. It's just innate in me."

"Once a royal, always a royal," Lothwen shrugged and smiled at her best friend.

"Unfortunately," Miniel muttered as a comfortable silence fell upon them.

If there's one other person aside from her family who could keep her sadness at bay, it had to be her best friend.

She had first met Lothwen when she helped her sneak back into their palace after disappearing to venture into the forest. She had not expected her father to know of her disappearance that night, but Lothwen had helped her play it off as if she had been there the whole time. The moment she had pretended to find her "wandering near the dungeons" was exactly the moment she knew she had a friend in her, and she was not surprised to find out she would eventually become her best friend.

"If you think Legolas doesn't hate me, what do you think he thinks of me then?" Lothwen suddenly piped up.

Miniel chuckled under her breath and turned to her companion. "Do you want to know what I think he thinks of you?

"I was not asking for your opinion, but go on."

"I think he feels threatened by you."

Lothwen turned to her skeptically. "Threatened? Why would he be threatened by me?"

"Because he doesn't want other great archers teaching me archery," Miniel said with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

"Please," Lothwen snorted. "No one's as great an archer as your brother."

"I think Tauriel's just as great as him," Miniel teased, not even having to look at her friend to see the sudden tautness of her demeanor.

"Well, of course." Lothwen's voice was more forced now, and Miniel held back her laughter as her friend spoke. "She would not be Captain of the Guard if she wasn't."

"As much as I love my brother, I don't really know what you see in him."

"What do you mean? I don't see anything in him."

"Oh, Lothwen, I have seen how you look at him, and I don't even understand why you would look at him like that. It's not like his hair is as lovely as mine," Miniel joked as she flicked her silvery blond hair behind her.

"I swear, one day I will chop all your hair off even if it's punishable by banishment," Lothwen warned jestingly as she watched her friend's hair flow in the breeze. There was no denying Miniel had the most beautiful hair in all of Mirkwood, and unfortunately even Miniel knew that. She didn't boast about it, but she had always made this known by always putting emphasis in her long, silvery locks. Lothwen always found this amusing, mostly because she could not find any fault in her friend other than her hair vanity.

"Oh, please Lothwen. You'd be too mesmerized by my hair just in time for me to stop you," Miniel quipped, but Lothwen had to agree.

"Ah, I love how our conversations about your brother always turn into me threatening to cut your hair off," Lothwen said, somewhat charmed by her new discovery.

Miniel giggled at her thoughtful face, but all her laughing ceased when a rancid smell wafted into her nose. She made a guttural sound, alerting her friend and all the other elves in their company. "What is that putrid smell?"

Lothwen noisily sniffed out the air around them, but she had found nothing wrong with its odor. "I don't smell anything."

Miniel's head jerked back in surprise. "Are you sure? It smells like decaying orc in here."

"How do you even know what orc smells like?" Lothwen asked. "You've never even smelled one, let alone seen one."

"I don't know. It just feels like the scent belonged to an orc," Miniel answered. As their company moved forward, the stench grew stronger and stronger. At some point, it had grown to be too much for her, causing her to suddenly pull on her horse's reigns and command it to stop. The sudden whinny of her horse panicked her whole company, and ordered all of their own horses to stop.

"Are you alright, Miniel?" Lothwen asked as she approached her friend.

"Yes, I'm fine. It's just…do you not smell that?" Miniel asked frantically as the smell of orc suddenly mixed with the smell of elf. "Do any of you not smell that?"

"My lady, we smell nothing but fresh air and nature," one of the elf guards answered her.

Miniel furrowed her eyebrows as she tried to make sense of the situation. Yes, she may be an unusual elf, but never in her life had she experience anything like this. She could not pinpoint the exact location of the smell, and even if she tried to find it, she wouldn't know where to start.

"Miniel, are you sure nothing's wrong?" Lothwen asked sternly.

"I'm…not sure," Miniel muttered as she circled her horse around her spot to try and locate the awful smell. As she completed one whole rotation, her ears suddenly perked up at the sound of leaves rustling. In fact, all elves were now on high alert when the rustling of leaves was now accompanied by the sound of heavy footsteps.

"Arm yourselves," one of the guards warned.

Each and every elven guard produced a bow and an arrow, ready to shoot any threat that will harm the company. Although reluctantly, Miniel did the same, loading her bow and aiming it at any untargeted direction. She had not anticipated this part of their journey—well, she didn't have any reason to. Her father hadn't warned her about potential threats that may come their way, and she hoped he had. That way, she would've had the time to prepare herself if any ambush were to happen. Now, all she could do was hope this wasn't an ambush at all.

The closer the sounds came, the more the elves composed themselves, ready to release their arrows into any potential attacker. They waited patiently, focusing on the nearest sound they could hear. As the rustling grew prominently louder, Miniel's anxiety reached her peak, only to be let down by a small group of rabbits emerging from a bush and scampering off in fear.

Miniel sighed with relief, but the other elves knew better. There would be no reason for them to scamper off like that unless there was someone, or something, scaring them away.

And that's when it happened. Miniel released the only arrow she would draw at this battle, before she was knocked off her horse and fell side ways on the ground. The impact of the fall left her motionless and disoriented.

What was happening? Her mind continued to race with this question as she heard multiple shrieks of pain. Her heart beat faster than ever before and tears started to form around her eyes. But then she realized, that shrill, grotesque shriek could not have come from an elf. No, it couldn't have. If it wasn't an elf, then what was it—

As if her mind was being read, a disgusting figure dropped beside her, an arrow shot right into its forehead. Her eyes went wide with fear as she realized what was attacking them.

Orcs.

The sight of black liquid trickling down the side of the orc's face was enough to get her on her feet and start moving. Unfortunately for her, her bow had been split in half by the orc that landed beside her, and she was forced to pull out her sword and aim at the nearest disgusting creature that dared to attack her. But before she could even start wielding her sword, she was pushed out of the carnage by Lothwen and was led deeper into the woods.

"Lothwen, what are you doing?" Miniel asked breathlessly. She did not want to be that princess, but without her bow, she definitely was that princess.

"You have to keep running, Miniel. Orcs would never venture this far west unless they were after something, and judging by their numbers, they are clearly after you," Lothwen warned as she pushed her forward to run. "Please, just set your pride and integrity aside for this once and run."

"But what about you?"

"I'll be fine, mellon. Now go—"

"Wait," Miniel protested as she pushed her friend's hands off her. She pulled her quiver off arrows over her body and shoved them in Lothwen's hands. "Promise I'll see you again?"

Lothwen squeezed her friend's hands gently. "I promise. Now go! Run!"

Without another word, Miniel darted deeper into the forest, only looking back to catch a glimpse of her best friend climbing up into a tree. She ran as fast as her long, Elven legs would take her. Lothwen had never told her when to stop, or even where to stop, so she just kept running. She ran until the sounds of death were nothing but faint whispers in her ears, and even when all she could hear now were her erratic breaths and her soft sobs against the whistling trees, she still never stopped running.

Soooooooo? How was it? I read this a hundred times and edited it before I posted so I'm really dying to know what you guys think of it! I'm not going to lie, I'm not even halfway through chapter 2, but schoolwork let up a bit so I'm hoping to finish it by this week, but I'll probably post it way later, when I'm done with other chapters, so I wouldn't run out of things to post. ;) I really hoped you enjoyed because I'm so excited for this one!