I know, I know. This is super late and I really apologize for that. My internet was not installed until yesterday, and I had to have them come back out because about two hours later it wasn't working at all. But anyway! Here it is. However, on a somewhat sadder note. I am in the middle of job interviews and unpacking, so I have not had any real time to sit and write out any chapters. I do hope that you will be patient with me and this story is I am late again. I'm still trying to adjust to life here in Texas and so far it's kind of been a shit-storm. BUTTT I will try my hardest to keep ahead of chapters so that you guys are not left hanging and I have nothing to give you until I hastily and very crappily pump out a chapter.

On that note. Huge thank you to all those who have favorited/followed/reviewed! lem00066, Jovie Black, ZabuzasGirl, alleycat023, amariabt, DarkAngelLinda, page88, lunatic4eva, aprildaisy6234, Winthrop1888, Tibblets, Marianne 16, WMaldonado89, tori333lynn, Xtremesparkles, FrlBarth,lili316

DarkAngelLinda: Oh react to Thranduil, you'll be seeing a lot more of him to come in the future chapters!

TA: 3009

The lull of a soft breeze blew across her cheeks, stirring her awake. Bright lights invaded her sight, making the world turn. Her stomach betrayed her, and whatever contents it held were soon emptied onto the stone floor. With a heave, Annalynn laid back down. The warmth of the blanket and the comfort of her bed tried to take her back to sleep. The dull ache between her legs brought back memories of this morning, or was it yesterday?

She struggled to sat up, ignoring the pain in her hips and legs. Her head swam causing her vision to blur even further. Her head indeed hurt, but nothing compared to that of her sex. The salty tears forming in her eyes stung. With her fingers she could feel the welt and cuts along her brow and eye.

"You're awake." Turning her head, a gentle looking man walked into the room. Placing a small carafe on the bedside table, he inspected her head. "The swelling has gone down, and there does not seem to be much more inflammation." With a small smile, he patted her hand. "Shall I inform your mother of your awakening?"

Giving him a nod, fear took hold of her as he left the room. It was not long after the old man left, a storm of pounding feet came into the room. Cyndol ran to her daughters side and held her close. Wrapping her arms around her mothers neck, she tried her hardest to keep her tears from falling. "It is okay, you are okay." Her mothers words did not soothe her at all. Her cousin stood behind her mother with his arms behind his back. A dark look fell over his face as he continued to stare at her. Shying away from him, she concealed her face in her mother neck.

Another entered the room, someone that Annalynn had not expected. He slowly walked towards her bed. Sitting on the edge, his body turned from her, looking straight ahead. A new guilt filled her, he was not supposed to be here. Why was he here? Her father did not say a word as he continued to stared across the room.

The silence they held did nothing for calm her raging nerves and guilt. Not looking at anyone, she pulled back from her mother. "May I take a bath?" She barely said above a whisper.

Her mother squeezed her shoulder and gave a nod. Grabbing a rather large robe from a hook on the wall, she draped it over her shoulders. Annalynn cocooned herself within it. The scent of wood and earth wafted through her senses again. Pushing the blankets off, she used the robe to hid herself. Every inch of her body was encompassed in the dark blue fabric. Lifting it ever so slightly, as to not trip, she followed her mother. Her arm wrapped around her daughter as she took her back to her own room. Passing a maid along the way, the young girl hurried ahead to prepare the bath.

Turning the corner, a new body made its presence. His form seemed to tense as he turned from speaking with his son. "Lady Annalynn." Leoglas gave her a small bow, grief taking over his delicate features. She had not the energy nor the will to extend any courtesy towards the elf. All she wanted to was get to her room and scrub herself free of the filth. Thranduil gave her a small nod of his head as they passed by. His icy cold eyes held something akin to sorrow. Had they heard about what happened? Something in her mind said that Thranduil was there, that he witnessed it all, but her mind refused to call upon the memory. Tightening her grip on her mothers arm, she sped passed them. Their mix of grief and sorrow only worsened her guilt.

By the time they had reached the room, several people had given her mournful stares, all Annalynn wanted to do was curl up onto her bed and stay there until time took her. Cyndol gave her daughter a kiss on her uninjured brow and left the room.

Slowly she peeled off the safety of the large robe and removed the white gown she had been dressed it. With tears in her eyes, she almost wanted to tear the gown til it was nothing but slivers of fabric. White was meant for the pure, and pure she was not.

The hot water soothed her aching skin, but it did nothing for her. Grabbing the nearest rag, she scrubbed her skin til it was red and raw. She had reopened some of the minor cuts on her thighs, the blood mixing in with the dark black and purple bruises. The worst pain though came as she tried to cleanse whatever purity still remained.

Her body shook as tears sprang from her eyes. With her back against the basin, she pulled her knees to her chest and cried.

It was nearly night by the time Annalynn gathered enough courage to welcome anyone into her room. Her mother and grandmother stopped by several times to check on her, but each time she feigned sleep. As she sat on her bed, taking small bites out of a bread roll, a soft knock echoed throughout her room. With great effort, she moved from her bed and to the door. Cracking it open, the Elvenking stood on the other side of the door.

"King Thranduil." Clearing her voice to make remove the harshness of her raw throat.

"This is for you." He held out a small vial that held a viscous gold liquid. "It will help."

Cautiously eyeing the liquid, "What is it for?"

Thranduil placed IT in her hands, his larger hands fully engulfing her own, "To prevent anything from growing within you." Her face paled at the idea. Those sorts of thoughts never entered her own mind. Surly she wouldn't become pregnant after just one time, could she? With shaking hands, she took the vial from him. "Just a small amount will be sufficient."

Popping the cork, she raised the vial to her lips and took a small swig. The thick fluid ran down her throat. It was not all that unpleasant, it almost reminded her of honey. Licking her lips, she replaced the topper and gave it back to the king. He took it from her and hid it within his robes. Seeing the red fabric reminded her of the blue one she had in her armoire. With a finger in the air, she asked him to stay. Walking over to the closet, she pulled the blue robes from its hook. Folding it over her arm, she walked back to him. "I believe this is yours." He grabbed the robe and draped it over his own arm. Giving her a silent thank you, he made his leave.

"You were there, weren't you?" She asked leaning her face into the doorframe. He turned back towards her, "Yes."

"Why did you help me?" Stretching his arm out, he ran his fingers through her hair. "No one deserves such a fate. I just wish that I had not gotten there so late."

Grabbing her chin, he forced her to look at him. "You are not to blame, you did nothing to garner that despicable act. With his thumb, he wiped away the stray tear from her cheek. "Should you ever need anything, all you need is ask." Annalynn did not know why he was being so kind to her. She almost crumbled to the floor after he lightly kissed the top of her head. "My home is open to you should you ever seek refuge." Thranduil gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze before he turned on his heel and left her standing in the doorway.

She was still in the doorway when her mother came with a tray of dinner. Letting her in, Cyndol placed it on the table and motioned for her daughter to join her. Sitting down at the table, she stomach turned at the sight of the heavy food. Meat, potatoes, and bread. Grabbing hold of the latter, she slowly tore into the baked good. Taking sip of water when she needed to.

The silence was welcoming for she did not have the heart to speak. There were so many things left unanswered, so many questions. The worst was not knowing if she would return home. Would Eomer welcome her back with open arms if he knew what happened to her? Would he still want to marry her? What if Eowyn looked at her differently; her own father could not look at her, why would the girl she had come to love as a sister.

"Speak your mind." Cyndol gazed at her daughter, the look that swam in her eyes made Annalynn uneasy at best.

"What….what if I am not welcomed back?" Her throat began to close, she could not bear it if she were shunned from those she held dear to her.

Cyndol sat her wine glass down, staring at her daughter with a hard glare. "If Eomer can not accept you as you are, then he has no business holding your heart."

For the umpteenth time that day, tears flew from her eyes. Falling to the floor, she buried her face in her mothers skirts. "I'm scared Mama."

"Shh. It will be alright my dear. You will see." She softly brushed through her daughters hair, humming a light melody that Annalynn heard many times as a child. "I want to go home." She cried, praying to Eru and all that Valar that would be listening that her love would be there when she returned.