A/N: I'm sorry it took me so long to update this story. I'm trying to stay ahead in chapters that I write to chapters that I post so that I always have a new chapter to post. Unfortunately, I fell behind. So I had planned on playing catch up and... well let's just say life got in the way and leave it at that. I'll try to be better about updating in the future but life is pretty busy at the moment and takes up a lot of my time. I just want to let you all know that no matter how long it has been since I've updated, I will NEVER give up on this story and leave it incomplete. I promise to finish it. And on that note on with the tales of Raina (I hate saying story all the time. Decided to change it up). Please continue to review because I love reading them!

I sat and watched as the young Hobbits fell asleep accompanied by the sound of your own tears. Boromir and Gimli sat with me while we watched helplessly our young companions falling prey to their sadness. Once I was sure they were asleep, I went around covering them with their blankets as they had been strewn around the room in the Hobbit's anger.

"If they react this way to one death," Boromir mused as I returned to where he and Gimli sat, "how will they react to thousands?"

"Their reactions were only this severe towards the death of a friend" I answered as I sat next to Gimli. "They will be alright in battle. Merry and Pippin saved me from my death in the mines as well. If they had not stepped in to help me I would have fallen as Gandalf had."

"I did not know you were in much danger, Lass," Gimli's shocked face looked up at my own.

"Nor did I," I admitted as I let my mind wander back to the battle within the mine. "I was battling one Orc while another snuck up on me from behind. If Pippin had not stepped in I would have been stabbed through the back." I sighed as my mind returned to the mines once more. Immediately, I thought of what Gandalf, my Ada, had said. I was lost to the world as thoughts consumed me and memories of myself with my Ada when I was young formed in my mind.

"Lúthien," Boromir called out to me. "Lady Lúthien are you alright?"

"I am alright, Boromir," I calmly stated as I continued to stare off into the abyss of dark before us.

"That tear drop on yer cheek tells a different tale, Lassie," confused by Gimli's statement, I raised a hand to my cheek and felt a wetness on them. Ashamed I got up and excused myself running into the sanctuary that was the Golden Forest. I ran until I tripped on a tree root which I had failed to notice while distracted by other thought and emotions. I stopped once I got myself off the ground and found a good tree and climbed up to almost the top.

I sat for a long while lost to my thoughts once more. Most of the thoughts were of old memories rather than the recurring vision of Gandalf falling into the darkness. I didn't realize how much I would miss him until he was truly gone. Lost in my thoughts, I did not notice my name being called out.

"Lúthien," It was the voice of a male, "Lúthien, where are you?"

"I do not believe she is over here, Legolas," another male voice called. "We should look elsewhere."

"Then you look elsewhere," the first voice, Legolas's voice, called back. "I will continue my search here." I faintly heard Estel's footsteps retreat and a bitter silence that followed.

I wiped my eyes as I heard Legolas speak again. "I know you are here, Lúthien," he called out as he searched the trees above. "I can sense your presence. Please, come down."

Ashamed of my previous actions, I jumped down from where I sat and landed lightly on my feet behind him. I keep my head bowed as I whispered, "I apologize, Legolas. I did not mean to worry you in such a way."

He placed two fingers under my chin and lifted my head slightly trying to get me to look him in the eye; I would not. "Lúthien, what is the matter?"

"It is unimportant," I responded as I tried to look somewhere than at his face. I had caught a glimpse of it when he first lifted my face to look at his. It was etched with worry and fear for something I did not know of. "As I have said, there is no need for you to worry about my own state of being. I can take care of myself." And have for a long time, I added as an afterthought in my mind. I took a moment to attempt to harshly wipe away the tears that remained on my cheeks and in my eyes. But as I brought up my hand to do so, Legolas latched onto my wrist and stopped me. I felt panic rise within myself as his action brought back horrible memories of the Eglarest King grabbing me in the same manner which made tears rise in my eyes once more.

It seemed as though Legolas sensed my panic as he released my wrist almost as quickly as he had grabbed it. "Lúthien," he whispered as though afraid to startle me more than he had. "Please, just tell me what pains you so. I will not tell another would if you wish it. I only wish to help you."

"What bothers me now is a part of a life I wish not to share," I answered honestly. "As I have said, not only is it unimportant, but it is also meaningless." Even I could hear the tears that arose behind the lies I spoke. Legolas must have heard them to, for he lightly placed a hand upon my shoulder and then around it pulling me into his chest and enveloping me in a warm embrace. I did not respond to his actions; although, I was thankful for them.

"I understand if you do not wish to share, Lúthien," I heard him whisper as he stroked the back of my head. "But if the day comes that you will share, I am prepared and willing to listen."

I nodded against his chest as I could no longer speak. His kindness was something rarely shown to me and, in a sense, I was touched by his actions. I slowly wrapped my own hand around his waist and returned his embraces towards me. He held me closer as I began to let the tears I had held back for so long fall and let him comfort me through all of them.

I do not know how long we stood there for, but we only pulled apart when we faintly heard light footsteps coming towards us.

"Legolas," Estel called from behind us as we began to separate ourselves. "I could not find her. She seems to have run off."

"It is alright, Aragorn," Legolas called back but did not turn away from looking at my tear stained face. "I have found her."

"Thank Valar," He called back as his pace quickened to meet up with us. I continued to wipe away tear stains as he came upon us. "It is good to see you are alright, Lady Lúthien," he sounded angry as he looked down at me. "Where were you hiding?"

"She was in a tree above us," Legolas responded for me knowing that I still could not speak. He did not know that I could definitely not speak to Estel when I sounded this way. "I told you it was a good idea to keep looking for her here."

"Aye, that you did," Estel still would not part his gaze from mine as he stared down upon my face. "You have been crying," he turned and stated rather then asked. "Are you alright, Lúthien?"

"I am alright, Aragorn," I responded truthfully. "I apologize for running off and worrying you and more than likely everyone else. It was not the right thing to do and I am sorry for it."

"I am glad to hear that," Aragorn nodded but still seemed wary of the words I spoke. He seemed to be trying to decide of what I was saying was true or not. "Gandalf asked to us to watch over you if anything were to go wrong. I do not wish to break a passed man's will."

"Gandalf asked you to look out for me?"

"Aye, he asked us both to bear that task," Legolas nodded as he kept a watchful eye on my reactions. "Not an easy task to be sure," he teased, "but one we were both willing to take."

I nodded which they could interpret as an acknowledgment or a thank you. Estel put his hand on more shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly before he began to lead me back towards the quarters in Lothlorien where we would be staying.