Chapter 2


Alea shrugged her bag back over her shoulder along with her bow and quiver, glancing around at the surroundings Alea found she had mixed feelings. She was both glad to step through the vast trees of Mirkwood again though they brought back memories of Legolas, someone she didn't want to have to think about.

Taking one last deep breath Alea walked forward pulling out the letter from Thranduil handing it to the guards posted at the Great Gates. They nodded, handing the parchment back before pulling open the doors though Alea never missed their unmistakable sneers and glares as she past.

The day passed slowly, Alea tried to stay hidden and run into as few people as possible while she waited for the time to come to meet the King. Though Alea tried her plan didn't quite go as planned. Alea figured Legolas would be angry for her sudden departure without even a good-bye, what she didn't account for was every single faithful elf who loved him so.

Alea walked one of the vast halls when her path was suddenly blocked by a dozen elves armed to their teeth.

"Alea," the supposed leader of the group growled, brandishing a dagger in her face.

Alea sighed, another death threat today.

"So, it is true. You have returned to Mirkwood." Marin sneered in the elleth's face.

"Clearly," Alea breathed out about to step around him when a hand grasped her arm throwing her back into the wall.

"We are not through here, why have you returned." He snarled gnashing his teeth.

"I do not believe that concerns the likes of you." Alea sneered back just as hatefully, tugging her body away from his own.

"Oh I think it does, you broke his heart. Left him alone, he could have died for what you so selfishly did," Marin sneered brandishing hid dagger he pushed it close to Alea's throat.

His words hurt deep in Alea's heart, she knew leaving Mirkwood hurt Legolas for it hurt her to, but what choice did she have in the matter?

"He is obviously not that broken, if he is still alive." Alea growled trying to hide her own feelings on the matter.

Alea couldn't say she was surprised, she didn't expect any another response from many of these elves, most of them were so faith, loyal, and devoted to Legolas. And then there was Alea, the one who just up and left him without so much as a 'goodbye' in the middle of the night.

"If you take one single step towards him, we will not hesitate to see you to your end," Marin threatened pushing the dagger harder against her neck leaving a pale white pressure mark.

"I have not returned for him, nor will I step to him." Alea snapped, "Legolas and I are no more and it will stay that way. Now if you will excuse me I must meet with the King." Alea growled forcing back the tears as they began to creep up, shoving the elf out of her way she whipped out her own daggers ensuring that he would stay back.

"Thranduil," Alea smiled, stepping outside upon the balcony to stand by his side beneath the moonlight, she admittedly was happy to see him once more.

"Alea, how have you been?" he smiled down at his old friend, his heart warming at seeing her back in his realm.

"Lonely," Alea snapped bitterly, unable to refrain from the honest, blunt answer despite her happiness at being back. Thranduil's face fell crestfallen, he had never truly wanted to send her away, he would have been happy to let her stay, still he knew there larger things at hand. Thranduil looked away from Alea, knowing that she was just in her sorrow and pain.

"I am sorry," Thranduil whispered, his back still turned unable to look her in the eye.

"Sorry doesn't give me answers," Alea growled out impatiently.

"You are right, " Thranduil replied.

"So, you will tell me than," Alea called out hopeful.

"No," Thranduil's voice was clipped and definite in his answer.

Alea sighed in frustration, rolling her eyes, "Than why am I here?"

"I am sending you with Legolas, you must go to Rivendell with him...attend a council Lord Elrond is holding accept what it beholds and in this journey you will find your answers," Thranduil answered still keeping his back turned.

"Why can you not tell me?" She pleaded, tired of the games, hoping for the answer if only to avoid such a long trip with Legolas.

"I cannot..."

"What if I do not want to travel with Legolas," Alea snapped playing every card she had in her power, still wanting to avoid Legolas the pain is still too near.

"You no longer love him?" Thranduil questioned with raised eyebrows an all knowing look upon his face, only now did he turn back around to give Alea his full attention.

Alea sighed, knowing that she could not lie to him, "I do, but I try not to. I will not delve so deep into those feelings again, waiting, wondering when the day will come when I am to be ripped away from everything again one day."

Thranduil only nodded in understanding, he could not blame her in having hesitation of letting one so near her heart once more even if it was his own son.

"Go you leave at daybreak," The King ordered, heading back inside to pour himself another glass of wine.

"So soon..." Alea breathed out in disbelief, she had thought, hoped that they could have got an opportunity to speak longer.

"Yes, go prepare."

Alea was about to walk out of his halls when a thought struck her, pausing in the doorway, she turned to look at him, "Does Legolas know I have returned to go with him?"

"No, he does not," Thranduil answered his voice emotionless.s

Alea sighed leaving his halls, already prepared to leave, like she always waited outside by the stables thinking everything over wondering how things were going to play out with Legolas. Alea went over what to tell him, but in the end there was nothing to really say, when she herself knew so little. Dropping her head back Alea let her mind be at rest till the sun rejoined in the sky.


Author's Note; Sorry it took so long and that it is a little short. Hope you guys enjoyed this second chapter.

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