A/N: Hi, everyone, what's up? Sorry for not updating lately, but I was writing on my other story. But here we are again, Castiel decides to give Legolas some information about herself. Legolas, on the other hand, realizing that Castiel has faced many hardships, comes with an idea to help her ;)

Gotta Dance 88- Thanks a lot, my friend, I'm happy you liked it :) I hope you will like this chapter too.

Disclaimer: I don't own 'Lord of the Rings', only the characters I create.

The warm water had helped her to calm down. She was feeling clean and pure, maybe for the first time in her life. Until now, nobody had pressured her to talk, something she was very grateful for. Her room had a beautiful view at the forest. It was different from her homeland, where she could see the lake, and because of this she had the impression of leaving everything behind, even if she would not stay for long.

Melima, a young maid with auburn hair, had prepared a bath for her and then she had helped her to wear a simple, violet dress. The maiden thought she would be a good friend, for she was gentle and joyful as she was narrating stories of her childhood.

'You look beautiful, my lady' she commented while combing the girl's hair.

'Thank you, Melima' she answered and the maid smiled.

'My lady, pardon me for my courage. I do understand that you may not wish to speak yet, but I would like to know your name'

'It is alright, Melima, I do not have a problem. Sooner or later I have to reveal it. Well, I am called Castiel'

'Your name is very nice, my lady'

'Your king was very kind to allow me to stay here for now' she changed the subject quickly.

'Yes, king Thranduil is a very just ruler and always willing to help those who are in need' Melima told her. 'When I came here, he did everything he could to make me feel welcome. I am very lucky he is my master'

'And…' Castiel hesitated for a few moments 'the prince? I have not heard anything negative about him, on the contrary, but your opinion would be very valuable for me'

'Prince Legolas is most gentle and solicitous, like his father' Melima said. 'He is always there for those he loves and can give his life for them. Do not fear to open your heart to him, my lady, for I am sure he will do anything he can to help you'

Castiel was not so sure about this. If the truth was revealed, the royal family of Mirkwood would be so ashamed, that she could not see them in the eyes anymore. She closed her eyes to prevent the tears from running down her face.

Someone knocked lightly at the door and Sidhion came in. He smiled when he saw that their unknown guest seemed calmer and bowed to her.

'My lady, Prince Legolas awaits you, if you feel ready. I will escort you'

Castiel, with her nervousness becoming bigger, nodded and stood up to follow the guard. Melima smiled towards her to encourage her and she tried to return the smile. Sidhion led her in a nice and simply decorated library with comfortable seats. Legolas was there alone and Castiel felt a sudden relief. It was not her intention, but something in his presence was making her feel safe.

'My Prince, I brought our guest' he announced.

'Hannon le, Sidhion' Legolas answered and, with a quick bow, Sidhion left, closing the door behind him. Castiel looked at Legolas and they bowed to each other.

'My lady'

'My Prince'

'Please, take a seat' Legolas invited her, pointing to a seat in front of the window. Castiel, after a small hesitation, sat down with uncertainty, afraid of what she would hear. Legolas sat opposite to her and smiled.

'My lady, first of all, I would like to welcome you officially in the Woodland Realm and I hope you will feel comfortable here. It is my pleasure to meet you and I am only sad about the conditions of our meeting'

His voice was so gentle and his words so kind and sincere, that Castiel lowered her head. The last time someone, except Gondien, treated her with kindness, was before her mother's death and it was a change she was unprepared for.

'Thank you, my Prince' she answered. 'I am very grateful to you for your help and I do recognize that the least I can do is to tell you my name'

'I assure you that we will not pressure you to say anything unpleasant for you' Legolas smiled. 'Although, I would really like to know your name'

'My name is Castiel' the half-elven maiden replied, trying to sound calm. 'I come from the small realm of Almaarea, the ruler of which is my father, Alarois'

'Castiel…That is a wonderful name, my lady, and it suits you very well' Legolas commented in an attempt to make her feel better. At his words, her pale cheeks took a shade of light pink, something that transfigured her upset and scared expression. The Mirkwood prince wanted to ask her about her homeland, but something made him stop. He had noticed that Castiel had suddered while mentioning the name of her realm. Maybe the memories she was carrying with her were not very happy.

Castiel raised her head and when her impressive, green-brown eyes, met his blue ones, she realized what he was thinking about. Although she would not say anything specific, she felt she could give him a clue.

'I came here with many sorrows in my heart. I left my home with the hope to leave everything behind' she mumbled.

Legolas could only nod at this statement, with his worry about this girl becoming bigger inside him. She was a stranger, but he could not leave her.

'Lady Castiel, there is no need to say anything more if you do not wish to' he quickly said, taking a decision immediately. 'From now on, and if you want, you are considered a permanent habitant of this castle, as long as you wish'

Castiel gasped when she heard his suggestion. This was something she was not expecting.

'My Prince, I do not know how to thank you. When I left I had no plans at all and I will never forget your help'

'The pleasure is all mine' Legolas answered with a gentle laugh. 'You may feel free to go around the castle and the grounds as you please. Also, since I saw that you were armed with a bow, know that the archery field is also open to you. Even though, do you have a special wish, something you want us to do for you?'

'To be honest, and pardon my courage, there is something' Castiel admitted, her mind travelling to Gondien. 'In my realm, there is a young guard called Gondien. He was my only friend and I am afraid for his safety. I would like to go there secretly to see if he is well, but I am afraid I will be caught'

'As for that, there is no need to worry' Legolas comforted her. 'We often send messengers to bring us news and they know very well how to hide. If you agree, I will sent two messengers to Almaarea to ask for your friend'

'That is very kind, thank you' Castiel said, but she could not be happy. She only hoped that Gondien would be still alive.

The same afternoon, Legolas had informed his father, King Thranduil, about everything he had learned from their unexpected guest. Thranduil had listened very carefully to his son, shaking his head with sympathy.

'Surely something serious must have happened to her' he concluded. 'So serious, that she left everything, her home, her family, to an unknown destiny and at a young age. I believe you did very well to invite her to stay with us, ion nin. Here she will calm down'

'I am happy you agree with me, ada' Legolas said, for he was afraid that his father would be against Castiel's staying.

'I wish to meet her' Thranduil told him. 'Please, go and escort her here'

'Of course'

Legolas walked to Castiel's room and knocked discreetly at the door, but there was no answer and he knocked for one more time. When nobody opened the door again, he entered quietly into the room, only to find Castiel sleeping. She was so peaceful, so innocent, that Legolas could not wake her up. He covered her with a blanket he found in a wardrobe, removing gently a lock from her face.

'Who are you, Castiel?' he whispered. 'What burdens do you hide in your heart?'

Castiel moved in her sleep and the young Elf was afraid she would awake, so he left the room and went to his father again.

'Excuse me, ada, but she is sleeping and I did not find it proper to wake her after everything that happened to her today'

'No, of course not' Thranduil agreed. 'I will see her tomorrow and I hope she will find her peace here. And I trust you to help her with that'

'I would be more than pleased to do that' Legolas promised with a small smile, sharing his father's opinion and praying that he would be able to vanish the shade of sadness he had seen in Castiel's eyes.

Elvish words/phrases used:

Hannon le- Thank you

Ion nin- My son

Ada- Father

A/N: Ok, guys, that was it for now, hope you liked it :) The next chapter will show how Castiel tried to get used in her new life- something that is not very easy.