This one may be a bit short compared to the previous 2-3 chaps.

WELCOME HOME II

The halls of the Woodland realm were a strange impossible maze, built for a sharp and curious mind. Azriel found navigating it a good distraction from all else that weighed heavily on her mind. It was quite burdensome, but the propinquity she had shared with the Prince had made her suddenly unsure of herself.

She could not fathom, for one, how he had so easily forgiven her. Of course, she had also been the bearer of many wounds - but a large number of those were not caused directly by him. This strange and abrupt forgiveness had somehow shaken her and made her more vulnerable than any battle ever would - though the last thing she would do was reveal this to him.

So many intriguing games he's pulling me into... Surely he cannot condone my actions with such little care? Or was it his mother that prevailed over both the Prince and the King... He seemed resigned to his fate, after all. Perhaps that Queen did us more good than not.

She shook her head to clear her thoughts and continued on her way. She was not running, more like, briskly walking to her chambers. Hopefully Evanna would notice she'd left and come to see her before she fell asleep. Falling asleep alone... that wouldn't end well for anybody at all.

Thranduil saw her turn a corner, skirts flying behind her. He thought of giving up and letting her go, after all, it was not like she showed any signs of knowing that she was being followed, although at this point Thranduil was not going to underestimate her ability to surprise him.

His mind kept telling him to turn around and return to the celebration, lest anyone suspect anything about the returned elves, but his body continued to disobey him. He hurried to the corner so as not to lose her if she turned another, and was just in time to see her entering the door at the end of the hall.

These rooms were located in a particularly elite part of the palace, which was not surprising considering Vestele's and Nithroel's high rank. The doors were beautifully embellished and had a baroque style which Thranduil himself found appealing, although he couldn't say the same for all his friends' opinions. They thought his tastes were 'archaic' and 'too pomp'. Thranduil wasn't bothered by this though.

When he finally reached the door, his hand reflexively motioned to knock, but he suddenly stopped himself.

He didn't know why he was doing it, but before he knew it his hand had turned the knob and he'd stepped into the room.

The room was shrouded in darkness, save for two small candles on the windowsill. Azriel stood by the open window opposite the door. The breeze ruffled a stray lock of hair that had come undone from her bun, probably because of her enthusiastic dance with Evanna earlier in the evening.

The sound of the door knob turning made her ears prick like a cat's, and without any hesitation she reached for the nearest weapon at arms length - her hair pin.

With all the grace of a dancing peacock she spun around, and at the same time her hair unravelled in a shimmering golden wave.

By the time her hair had settled against her shoulders the hair pin had embedded itself in the wall just next to the door.

Just next to someone's head.

Just my luck. Of course he came after me...

"Tch. I missed" She grumbled and turned back to the window, completely ignoring the Prince.

"Not by much..."

She heard him pull the hairpin out of the wall - honestly, she was surprised it went through. Her throw hadn't been that powerful. Maybe it was just residual frustration that had manifested physically. That made the most sense.

His footsteps brought him closer and closer to her until he was right beside her. He proffered the hairpin to her, but Azriel's gaze remained affixed forward. She felt rather than saw him shrug and close his fist around the pin.

"So...," he began awkwardly, "...Why did you run off?"

"You were chasing me" She turned her chin up, back to her usual deflection.

"That's a lie! You ran away first and then I chased after you." He muttered, but it was clearly heard in the still and silent room.

"Isn't that what happens in children's tales? The Prince runs after his Princess"

"You are not my Princess" He scoffed defensively, making Azriel smile, although he couldn't see it since she had turned away from him.

"No, I'm not. But who is... I am interested to know..." She turned her head to see him glancing nervously at the wall. She chuckled.

"Nevermind that. Unimportant"

"You shouldn't say that so easily, you know" Her tone was light but her words were serious. "A Prince needs to choose his bride wisely, else the whole kingdom can fall to ruin"

Thranduil cocked an eyebrow. "Who told you that?"

"It's a bit obvious, don't you think"

She turned around and leaned her elbows against the window sill, tilting her head back so her hair tumbled out of the window into the open air. She looked comical, but beautiful in the moonlight. Thranduil bit his lip and tried to think of something to say.

"All right, I was kidding. In truth I was taught about the working of monarchies when I was a child" She craned her neck up to look at him, still leaning against the sill nonchalantly.

"By whom?" Thranduil leaned against one of the bedposts and crossed his arms, trying to be casually curious rather than aggressively interrogative.

Azriel saw right through it.

"You won't catch me off guard that easily, silly Prince" She said it with humour rather than spite this time, which made Thranduil annoyed.

How can she act so guarded and then SUDDENLY act so familiar, as if we have known one another for decades?

Thranduil tried hard to prevent any uneasiness from showing up on his face.

He succeeded.

The party continued as if nothing had happened. Barely anyone noticed Azriel's and Thranduil's absence. It had been a long time since a celebration this grand had been held for any occasion, and the Woodland elves were taking this opportunity to enjoy with enthusiasm and zeal.

The only people who felt something odd were Evanna and Verona. Naturally.

They both glanced from side to side, scanning the crowds for the prettiest elf in the room. As if written by Fate, their eyes met, and in their bones they felt that neither Thranduil nor Azriel was present in the room. They pushed through the crowds with a slight abundance of urgency towards one another.

"Where are they?!" They both said simultaneously, surprising each other.

"I'm not sure. I saw them leave the dance floor, but then I lost sight of them..." Evanna sighed, a worried look crossing her face.

She must not sleep...

"Me too. Maybe we should ask someone..." Verona scanned the crowd for someone who'd be able to help, but Evanna shook her head.

"No point. Listen, you can-"

A hand closed around Evanna's arm and jerked her away from Verona. Evanna was nearly about to throw a punch in defence, when she saw that it was just her mother.

"Evanna, my dear, Nithroel is arriving soon! We must meet her! Where is Lianna?"

"Az-Lianna," She corrected herself. She was a bit befuddled, but the rest of the lie came to her naturally and fluidly: "... was quite exhausted, and has retired to her chambers"

"Oh! A pity! I was hoping she and Nithroel would be reunited this very night!"

Evanna quickly deduced that Nithroel was Azriel's - technically Lianna's - mother.

"I may meet her in Lianna's stead, for the time being"

"Yes, of course! This way..." Vestele guided Evanna through the vast hall and towards one of the many antechambers.

Once the door was closed behind them the sounds of the party droned out. A petite she-elf with light brown hair sat on an armchair. She wore a suede bodice and a simple cotton skirt - clearly not crafted by Elven hands.

Clearly not dressed for a party... Evanna thought.

"Vestele, is this...?" The elf perked up and rose from her chair, extending her hands towards Evanna.

"Yes. Evanna, this is Lady Nithroel. Lianna's mother"

Nithroel clasped Evannas hands and smiled with pure joy.

"The Holy Valar have blessed us. Truly, we can ask for nothing more than our daughters returning home safe"

Evanna noticed how Nithroel's face looked visibly old and withered. Signs of ageing were extremely rare in most elves, especially ones of noble birth. Evanna made note of this small detail.

"I'm sorry, Lianna was so tired..."

"I understand. I've waited a century, one more day won't kill me" She chuckled, and Evanna smiled.

"I will change and join the party soon" She let go of Evanna's hands and bowed to both her and Vestele.

Evanna curtsied and smiled at Nithroel as she left the room. Unfortunately, since her mother was here, she couldn't sneak off to look for Azriel.

No matter. Azriel could take care of herself well enough.

"Shall we return to the party?" Vestele held her daughter's hand and Evanna nodded.

The door of the antechamber opened and the buzz of elves became louder and louder until it was all Evanna could hear.

Azriel ran a hand through her hair and sighed. The fatigue was finally catching up to her. She hadn't had even a morsel at the banquet - which was ironic since the whole thing was in honour of her and Evanna.

"I think you were lying when you said you didn't know who poisoned you" Thranduil blurted.

Azriel took a moment to construct the best possible reply.

Should I tell him the truth? If only Evanna were here. She's much better at this that I am. I always let down my guard. Curse this prying bastard...

But... Evanna herself said that for the time being we will take shelter with these elves... Would it not be better to at least tell them who our enemy is? That would make it easier to defend us... then again, he may just throw us back into the woods... Why is this so DIFFICULT!

Her expression remained placid while her mind went through an endless number of possible answers.

Finally she decided to let slip a smidge of useful information. Not too much, but just enough to keep her and Evanna in a safe spot for the time being.

"You're right"

Thranduil couldn't stop his eyes from widening.

How easily she revealed herself! What game is she playing? Is it a ploy of sorts? I must be on guard...

"As surprising as it may seem to the likes of you," She gave him an icy look, "there are certain people out there who are after us."

This was not entirely correct. The truth was that 'certain people' wanted them dead. Well, to be specific, they wanted only one of them dead. It was a strange and elaborate condition that had to be met - one part of a grand scheme of events - and it was the primary reason that they had fled from their home, and into the Woodland realm.

But at the moment, that information did not have to be revealed. She gauged his reaction carefully, trying to discern how he would react.

"It doesn't seem surprising"

"Oh? And why is that?" She gave him a pointed look.

Thranduil shrugged. "You are intelligent, beautiful, and well trained. Obviously valuable to someone"

Azriel smiled sardonically. "If only they valued beauty as much as skill"

"And who are 'they'?" Thranduil hazarded another question.

He didn't fail to notice the shadow that passed over Azriel's face when he asked.

"Powerful people" Her voice was soft and resonated with something Thranduil didn't think possible for her.

Fear.

Thranduil was at a loss for words - something that seemed to be a frequent occurrence whenever he conversed with Azriel. Lianna, Azriel, he still didn't know her true name. But at this point he assumed it was not a good question to ask.

So many mysteries surrounding these two... Their true names, where they were taken, where they have returned from... who they are running from.

Powerful people... If they can make her fearful, then I must be weary. No doubt they will venture into this land, and it will become our war as well as theirs...

Thranduil's jaw dropped at the thought of them fighting side by side against a common enemy. Fate itself would laugh at the irony.

Suddenly he felt like his presence was disturbing the silence somehow. He stood up straight and cleared his throat slightly. Azriel turned to the window again and sighed. She leaned against the side of the window frame and closed her eyes.

Thranduil looked down at his hand which still held her jewel embellished hairpin. He opened his fist and the gems caught the dull moonlight, glittering as he moved his hand slightly. He looked back up at Azriel, and was rendered speechless - yet again. Now, she was nothing like the woman he saw at the top of the staircase in the banquet hall - fierce, powerful. From this angle, her shoulders looked so small, and her waist so narrow. She looked like a delicate porcelain flower that would shatter if it was touched the wrong way.

Thranduil was afraid that if he uttered even a single word, she would turn to dust.

He took a step towards the door. The sound made her jump.

She shook her head to get rid of the sleep that was washing over her in waves.

I can't sleep... not yet... not alone...

She pressed her palm against her forehead. "Don't leave" It nearly sounded like a whimper.

Thranduil stopped in his tracks.

"What?"

"Don't leave until Evanna comes back"

"That could be hours!" He grumbled.

"Then you'll stay for hours!" She snapped, pressing her palm harder against her head.

"Are you that afraid of being alone for a while?" Thranduil joked.

"Fine. Leave. But find Evanna and tell her to come quickly. I can't stay awake for much longer" Now her voice was softer than a mumble.

Thranduil was growing slightly concerned - which irked him slightly. He had no reason to concern himself with Azriel's well-being, yet here he was, being concerned about her.

"I'll tell her, if it's really that important" He said.

"Thank you" She whispered. She stumbled slightly and put her hand on the sill to support herself.

Thranduil opened the door and stood motionless for a second. He looked over his shoulder at her and then down at the floor. He bit his lip, considering his words carefully.

"Listen, Azriel... don't worry. You are safe"

Azriel felt suddenly wide awake. Her eyes met his and they held each other's gazes for a moment too long.

Why... Why do you show me such a kindness? I do not deserve it...

"I promise that you will be protected here, in this palace, in my palace"

He smiled with one half of his mouth and the look in his eyes softened. She felt herself blushing at his words; his grand gesture.

"Your protection is not something I asked for, pompous Prince" She smirked to hide her gratitude.

"I know" He smirked back.

He closed the door gently behind him and she was left in deafening silence. Finally, she let out the breath she didn't even know she was holding.

Thank you...

A wee bit short, but eh whatcha gonna do about it :3