A/N: Hey, mellon nins, I'm back! I would update much sooner, but I had the damn writer's block. Special thanks to ashley44, who gave me huge help to create the new chapter :) Ok, it is settled a year after the previous one, hope you'll like it.

Seriya Silvermist- Thanks a lot, my friend, I'm glad you like it :)

legolas-jj- Hannon le, my friend :D

Shippments4ever0725- Thank you so much :) I'm happy you love Castiel/Legolas, although they have to suffer so much. I hope you'll like the new chapter as well.

Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR, only the characters I create.

This summer was unnatural warm. Not even a light breeze was blowing and the slightest movement was causing feelings of exhaustion. The sweat was running down Sidhion's face as he was walking around the courtyard of the Mirkwood palace, searching for Legolas. He had left in the morning and he was nowhere to be found since then, although his horse's presence in the stables was enough to comfort everyone that he had not gone very far.
The young Elf left a loud sigh, for he was feeling extremely worried for his closest friend. For one year now he was another man, he seemed elder and more mature, he had given up his restless and adventurous side and nobody had heard his laughter, despite everyone's attempts. Sidhion was sad for him, knowing very well the reason behind the change in the prince's behavior.

After another hour of searching, he found Legolas sitting under a tree, staring in front of him, lost in his thoughts.

'There you are!' Sidhion exclaimed, making him turn towards him. 'I was searching for you!'

'Why?' Legolas asked startled. 'Is anything wrong? Did anything happen to my father or anyone else?'

Sidhion shook his head. It was always in Legolas's nature to be worried about those important to him, but since one year this worry had increased in a level that was almost scaring. He always wanted to know where everybody was and if there was anything they needed, while he was spending many hours talking with the guards, reassuring that there were no dangers threatening his homeland.

I need to help him, Sidhion thought. He needs to be distracted. This situation is not good for him and it will develop into madness if he continues like this.

'Everyone is fine, Legolas' he answered to his friend's question with a serious voice and an even more serious look. 'It is you we are all worried about!'

'Why?' Legolas repeated, turning away again, looking in front of him.

Sidhion sighed and sat next to him. Only then he noticed how pale and tired Legolas was. Nestaron had saved him from the poison, but with a terrible cost. Sidhion's heart was full with sadness, so he could imagine how Legolas would feel. Even though, it was his duty to stand next to him and help him to move on.

'Legolas, it has been a whole year' he stated carefully, knowing he was talking about a very sensitive issure.

'I know' Legolas nodded. 'Yet I can not forget it. Where can she be, Sidhion? Not even Maeron has news from her. And, most important, why did she leave in first place?'

There was no need for Sidhion to respond, for both of them knew the answer, although they did not agree. Sidhion prayed that, wherever Castiel was, she was healthy and safe, because she deserved it after everything she had been through. Without a word, he patted Legolas's shoulder in an attempt to console him and a shade of darkness passed over his dark eyes.

Another day had come in the small village of Elmwood and its habitants went to their usual work, some of them talking happily with their families and their friends. The young woman envied them for their happiness, for the fact that they had their loved ones next to them.
She was in the small garden of her house, brushing her stallion. The previous habitant of the house, an old man, had passed away a few months before she arrived and nobody in the village had any problem with her to settle in. It took a while, but in the end she got used to it. She liked the comfort her home was reflecting, especially in the cold nights she was sitting next to the fire. She liked her garden, which was blossoming. She liked talking with Saeleth, an old woman who was something like a mother and advisor for her. Elmwood would be the safe sanctuary she was wishing for, if only the ghosts of her past would stop haunting her.

As she was brushing Beleg's dark brown fur, she could not help but remember what had happened only a year ago. Sometimes she had the impression that it was only yesterday, but there were also moments she thought ten years had passed. She remembered how happy she was when Nestaron had found the cure for the poison that was killing Legolas, the poison, as she kept reminding herself, that was destined for her. When Legolas opened his eyes and smiled to his father and her, relief had packed her. But only days later, she decided to follow her plan and leave the Woodland Realm, to save Legolas and his family.

King Thranduil was sad when she told him that she would leave. He had tried everything in order to make her change her mind, reassuring her that he was not blaming her for his son's poisoning and that Mirkwood was her home. When he saw, though, that she insisted, he had sighed and wished her good luck. Castiel had begged him to allow Maeron to stay in the realm, for she did not want to drag him into an unknown fate as well, after everything he had been through, and the Elvenking had agreed willingly.

The most painful memory, the memory that was making her cry in her sleep, was the day of her departure. Legolas had come into the stables while she was preparing her horse, wanting to spend a few moments with her.

" 'So, it seems that you are leaving indeed' he commented bitterly, but looking her bravely in the eyes. Her voice was stuck inside her and she could only nod.

'Do you remember' he went on 'the last time you wanted to go away? It was when Maeron arrived and told you that your father and Daechir would search for you. I had told you that I would always be there for you. And you agreed to stay here and face them'

'That was' she managed to speak 'before you were poisoned because of me. Do not try to console me, Legolas, for you know very well that I should suffer what you suffered'

'I think you suffered long enough in the hands of your father, Castiel' Legolas disagreed. Noticing her confusion, he left a small, sad laughter. 'I know. I know what he was doing to you. I know he was beating you and that this is the reason you ran away from Almaarea'

Castiel gasped hearing these words. He could not know the truth. She had tried very hard to hide any proof of what she had been through.

'The night you had that nightmare and begged me to stay with you' the Mirkwood Elf calmly explained 'I discovered a bruise on your arm and connected everything. How long...'

'Years' Castiel interrupted him. 'Years and years. This is why I will leave. If I stay, you and your kin will be in permanent danger. I will go to live in a small village, to keep both you and myself safe'

'Alright' Legolas nodded and suddenly his voice raised. 'What if I do not care for my safety?'

'I do! And there is nothing you can do to stop me! I will leave, although I know that it will hurt me'

Some minutes passed in silence, when Legolas made a step towards her, wanting to hug her for one last time, but Castiel stretched her hands and gently pushed him away.

'It would make things worse' she said softly, her voice being only a whisper. 'Trust me'

'Will I ever see you again?'

'Maybe one day, when I will be sure that there is no danger and we have moved on with our lives' she answered randomly.

She could say from his look that she had hurt him. It broke her heart, for it was not easy for her either. But she had learned to live with her wounds and she could endure another one. Slowly she leaned in and gave him a very gentle kiss, as the final farewell, before quickly leaving the stables, holding Beleg by his reins. "

The horse nudged her with his nose and Castiel caressed him, thanking him silently for returning her to reality. The memory had brought tears in her eyes and she quickly wiped them away. But only then she noticed that the horse had also a sad expression, as if he could read her thoughts. He turned his head towards his saddle, which was laying on a small bench, together with his reins. Castiel laughed sadly.

'No, my boy' she said. 'We can not return. It is better for us all that way'

A/N: Alright, everyone, that was it for now, hope you liked it. Everything looks dark for our friends, right? Well, don't lose your hope, mellon nins, because there is always light ;)