Disclaimer: (In the spirit of Crimson Starlight)

Shana: Here we are! The long-awaited companion fic to The Crux of the Problem.

Corvis: Who are you talking to?

Shana: Well, you the reader of course.

Corvis: ….

Shana: I own nothing other than my own original character and the plot of course. All else belongs to the god that is JRR Tolkien.

Corvis: NRTY.

Haldir: sticks head in Someone say "NRTY?"

Corvis: waves hand in air NRTY!

Glorfindel: shoves Haldir into room I thought I heard "NRTY!"

Corvis: now jumping up and down waving hand in air NRTY NRTY NRTY!

Shana: ahem Hon, that would be NERTY with them involved.

Corvis: stops, wide-eyed NERTY? grins NERTY! drags Haldir out door, clothes flying everywhere

Glorfindel: to Shana NERTY?

Shana: Naked Elf Run Through Yard as opposed to Naked Run Through Yard. looks suspicious You haven't been eating chocolate again have you?

Glorfindel: smirks No, but I gave some to him points out window at naked Haldir being drug through yard by Corvis

Shana: Oh dear.

Chapter 1: If You Love Something…

Trying to head this off Legolas went looking for Janessa. With the way the music was throbbing in his head she had to be extremely angry with him. Their link resulted in a kind of touch telepathy, sharing their thoughts with physical contact. For him to be hearing this particular song over and over she had to be actively broadcasting it as she was currently nowhere within sight.

She must have figured that Stabbing Westward's Save Yourself was just obnoxious enough to irritate him while conveying some message she wasn't willing or ready to talk to him about.

I know your life is empty
And you hate to face this world alone

Janessa literally stomped around her room, collecting all her belongings and packing them away in her saddlebags. She moved with swift efficiency, knowing the twins would be awaiting her arrival by the front entrance, having gone ahead to prep the horses.

So you're searching for an angel
Someone who can make you whole

Legolas veritably stalked through the halls of the Last Homely House, heading toward the wing Janessa had requested to be moved to, away from his rooms.

I can not save you

Unconsciously the Prince was registering the automatically translated words of her choice in "Soundtracks." That was one advantage of their link, that directly communicated thoughts were simply understood in each of their own languages. Janessa had been having a time of it adjusting to hearing and translating Sindarin.

I can't even save myself
So just save yourself

Valar! Are we back on THIS again? Can I do nothing right in this blasted woman's eyes? I offer her the moon and the stars and she SLAPS me! The blonde archer did not even register the myriad of elves dodging out of his way as he stormed his way toward Janessa, he was so focused on his goal. What has set her off this time? Have I not given her enough time, space, understanding and Valar know what else she needs?

I know that you've been damaged
Your soul has suffered such abuse

Done packing, Janessa shouldered her weapons, giving her bow an affectionate stroke before swinging it around her body. She gave one final glance around the room, making sure she hadn't missed anything. I don't know who's gonna be more surprised to see me, Rumil or Haldir. I guess I will just have to wait and see. With that she swept out of the room, not bothering with a backward glance.

But I am not your savior
I am just as fucked as you
(I am just as fucked as you)

Janessa hadn't made it very far when she, almost literally, ran into Legolas.

I can not save you

Fed up and emotionally strung out Legolas caught hold of her arm and tried to pull her back to the room she had just vacated.

I can't even save myself
So just save yourself

Janessa pulled back. "Let GO of me or I WILL scream!"

"What is your problem?" the Prince demanded, still grasping her arm, his grip getting tighter by the moment.

"Let GO of me or I WILL scream!"

Beyond frustrated and only now spotting the saddlebags slung over her other arm Legolas made as if to take the burdens from her.

Please don't take pity on me
Please don't take pity on me

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" Janessa cried, trying to escape the visibly disturbed elf. When that didn't work she made good on her threat, opening her mouth and lungs to emit a shriek that would have made a banshee proud.

Please don't take pity on me
Please don't take pity on me

Legolas' reaction was immediate, the Prince dropping her arm to cover both of his ringing ears. She had angled her face for maximum effect, his left ear taking the brunt of the auditory impact.

Enough is enough! Now free, the woman stalked away from the elf before he could regain his senses and give chase.

My life has been a nightmare
My soul is fractured to the bone

It took several beats for the Prince to regain his senses, shaking his head to clear the remaining ringing. That damn song still throbbed in the back of his mind, the redhead obviously still broadcasting her displeasure to him.

And if I must be lonely,

I think I'd rather be alone
(I think I'd rather be alone)

Janessa was just about to exit the edifice when Legolas caught up to her. The confrontation moved outside as she refused to stop until he juxtaposed himself between her and the waiting Peredhil twins.

"Where are you going?" the blonde archer demanded.

You can not save me

"Away from you," the redhead answered flippantly, trying to go around the agitated elf.

Legolas got in her way again. "Where are you going?" he persisted.

You can't even save yourself

Rolling her eyes the woman exhaled an audible sigh. Finally meeting his gaze she responded, "Lothlorien. Can I go now?"

The Prince's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "You are going to find him."

That was it. Something in Jan snapped her right hand coming up so fast Legolas had no chance to block or dodge as the open palm slapped into the side of his face with a resounding, "SMACK!"

The woman made no attempt to feign ignorance of who the Sinda was referring to. Teeth bared Janessa snarled, "You PIG! You dare accuse me of cheating when it was you who brought him to our bed!"

I can not save you

Shocked and wide-eyed Legolas stood there rather dumbly, rubbing the offended side of his face as Janessa continued to rage at him. Well I did in a manner ask for this.

"All I wanted was some time and space to think, get my head clear, figure things out. I'm going to see Rumil! Being the Marchwarden, Haldir will most likely be on the borders! Paranoid much?" The woman relented, but only slightly. "And you say I have confidence issues."

Meeting the elf's gaze directly she continued, "You know more about me than anyone. You understand what I have suffered through, the betrayals in particular and you dare accuse me of infidelity?"

Legolas had the presence of mind to look appropriately chagrined. Her next words made his blood run cold.

"We. Are. Not. Married. I have made you no promises and broached no expectations. I have made no commitment to you and did not ask for this infernal connection we share. You assumed that I am meant to be yours. Assumed. To use a euphemism from my home, 'You know what happens when you assume. You make an ass out of you and me.' Think about that while I'm gone." With that she swept past him, proceeding down the steps to where Elrohir and Elladan awaited her.

I can't even save myself
Save yourself
So just save yourself

Elladan took the redhead's saddlebags from her, turning to secure them to her saddle.

Legolas turned to watch her go in silence, the music that had been throbbing in the back of his mind suddenly gone.

Elrohir stepped forward to the woman's side as she reached up to stroke the forelock of the midnight black stallion the twins had talked their father into giving her. Ebony, as she'd named him, tossed his head, nudging the woman's shoulder. "Spoiled brat," she muttered, producing a small red apple from a pocket and offering it to the magnificent animal. The horse graciously accepted the gift, noisily crunching it.

"Are you sure of this?" Elrohir asked gently, throwing a wary glance over the woman's shoulder at the blonde archer still hovering in the entranceway.

Refusing to look, Janessa simply nodded her eyes and hands focused on scratching an itchy spot on Ebony's neck.

Satisfied that the bundles were secure Elladan moved past the redhead and his brother, pausing only long enough to place a chaste kiss in the top of the woman's head and murmur, "Let's go."

Janessa waved Elrohir off as she struggled to mount her much taller steed, finally managing to haul herself into the saddle.

The twins turned identical stormy glares at Legolas, their disappointment in his handling of the situation more than evident, before turning and mounting their own steeds, heading out of Imladris, Elladan in the lead, Elrohir to the rear and Janessa between them.

The fiery redhead did not bother to look back even once at the lonely figure standing at the top of the flight of stairs, resolve keeping her head up and back straight.

Legolas refused to let the despair he was feeling well up as he watched the human woman ride out of sight with two of his most trusted friends. He knew Elrohir and Elladan had no machinations on her. They'd already tried to lure her and found the affection shared was that of siblings, not lovers. Haldir on the other hand… The Prince pushed the unwanted thought away, as his lover disappeared from view.

--------

A/N: The story title comes from the quote, "If you love something, let it go. If it is meant to be yours, it will return. If it does not return, it was never yours." -unknown