A/N: Hello, everyone, how are you? A new chapter is up and things are starting to go well :) :) I hope you'll like it.

ZabuzasGirl- New update is here :) Hope you will enjoy it

Arwen Undomiel- To be honest, I didn't know that and thanks a lot for telling me :) "Fallen from grace" suits to Castiel as well, if you know what I mean. I'm really happy you like the story and I'm sure that you have talent too.

bntjammer-Thank you for your kind words :) Well, one of the two things will happen, tehehehehehe ;)

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

At the beginning, Castiel thought that someone had casted a spell upon her eyes and she was hallucinating. She had stopped communicating with everyone, even Maeron, and therefore no one knew where she was. After a whole year, Veryan had appeared at her doorstep in a sudden, as if it was a simple visit. First, she wanted to close the door and pretend that she had only dreamed this, but then more logical thoughts sank in her mind. Veryan had nothing to do with all this and exchanging news would help her. And so, she dropped her shocked expression and wore her smile, which the male Elf willingly returned.

'It seems that we meet again, Lady Castiel' he said politely. 'After such a long time and you still remember my name'

'I never forget friends, Veryan' Castiel spoke honestly. 'And, please, do not call me "Lady". I erased that title since I came here'

'As you wish'

It could be only her imagination, but the young half-elf sensed a coldness and an irony coming from Veryan's side. Something is his voice was giving her the impression that he was blaming her for leaving and she could only give him right.

'Please, come in' she made a few steps inside to allow him entrance, attempting to ease the light tension. 'You must be tired from your journey'

'Thank you'

She led in a large room that had comfortable seats, a nice view on the garden outside, where Beleg was eating, and a fireplace at a corner. After a small hesitation, Veryan sat down and looked around, while Castiel was searching amongst some glasses and pitchers.

'Would you like something to drink, Veryan?' she asked him. 'I have fresh water or do you prefer wine?'

'A cup of water would be alright, thank you' he answered kindly.

She handed him a cup and then filled another for herself. A few moments of awkward silence passed, during of which Castiel was staring at the ground and Veryan out of the window. He thought that, since he had come here and had obviously accepted her, it was his duty to open the conversation.

'It very nice here, in Elmwood' he commented. 'Everything is so simple and peaceful and the habitants seem to be close friends with each other'

'Yes, I do love it here' Castiel answered. 'No one had anything against me staying here, when I arrived a year ago. This house was emptied for months and so they told me that they would not mind if I settled in'

'Your home is very warm and comfortable' Veryan agreed. 'I hope that you have found your happiness here'

Castiel understood at once why he had said that and the known guilt came to overwhelm her again. When she arrived in the Woodland Realm, she was always crying or hiding from her fears, her past and her father and she had transferred that mood to everyone who lived there. She had not lived carefree and happy, as she should. King Thranduil and Legolas had offered her a true home and she had paid them back with her father and Daechir searching for her and a severe poisoning that fell upon the wrong person.

'Lady…I mean, Castiel' Veryan's voice was uncertain, as if he was afraid to say what he had in his mind 'may I ask…Why did you leave last year? You did not contact anyone, not even Maeron'

'Maeron!' Castiel exclaimed startled at the sound of her friend's name. 'Is Maeron alright, Veryan? Did anything happen to him?'

'No, do not worry' the Mirkwood Elf quickly comforted her. 'Maeron is fine, but he misses you, like all of us do'

"All of us"? Castiel's green-brown eyes met Veryan's hazel ones, not daring to ask the question she wanted to ask at his phrase. Did he truly mean that all of them missed her? Even…

NO! she chased away the thought. Do not even dare to think about it. You have no right to ask about him!

But it was too late, because Veryan had read her thoughts in her eyes. After all, he had understood the feelings the prince and the young woman that was sitting across from him were bearing for each other. Maeron had confided in him Castiel's suspicions that her kinsmen were behind Legolas's poisoning and that Legolas had drunk the poison deliberately in order to save her. If this was true, then everything was much worse than he had thought.

'Castiel' he said softly 'I mean what I say. We all miss you. Even him'

Castiel shook her head and his heart sank. Was she so strongly influenced by what had happened that she needed proof? He felt angry and he did not know at whom: at Castiel's father, who had raised her with violence and insults, or at Castiel herself, who was hiding behind her weakness and did not defend everything she believed in?

'Stop it, Veryan' she whispered. 'Do you not understand how much this hurts? Please, if you consider me your friend, do not talk to me about this matter'

'I do understand and I do consider you a friend' he assured her. 'I am very sorry, but I can not help but speak about this, especially if I see how much both of you suffer'

Her gaze remained locked in his, still full of doubt. Veryan took the courage to continue speaking, hoping that he could awaken her courage and he would persuade her to return, for the good of all of them.

'He is not the man we knew. No' he added, seeing her startled expression 'it has nothing to do with the poison that tortured him. It has to do with his mood. He is not laughing anymore, Castiel, and he spends many hours on his own. Let alone that he wants to know very often if our borders are safe'

Castiel was listening carefully to him and each word was a thorn in her heart. In the end, she had caused more pain than she had thought. She never wanted this but it seemed that her ill fate wanted everyone she truly loved to suffer because of her.

'I am making everyone's life miserable, Veryan' she turned away from him to hide her tears. 'He is in such a situation because of me, as if the fact that I poisoned him is not enough'

'You did not poison him!' Veryan raised his voice a little. 'I am saying the truth, Castiel. Nobody, not even Legolas himself blames you. And all this will come to an end if you…if you come back'

'I can not go back, Veryan. I disappeared a whole year ago and I can not return as if it is the simplest thing in the world. It sounds wrong and childish and…'

'…and it will bring happiness to many people who care for you' Veryan ended her sentence. 'Castiel, I understand why you are thinking all this, but it is time for you to do what your heart tells you and live in peace. You deserve it more than anyone, because you are gentle and compassionate'

'I do not know' Castiel admitted and looked out of the window. 'There were many times where I wanted to mount Beleg, return to Mirkwood and apologize for everything, but, in the end, there was always something to hold me back'

'I do not say that it will not be difficult' Veryan nodded. 'The absence of a year and the lack of communication need time for explanations from both sides, but it is your willingness that is important. You still care for Legolas and he still cares about you. You may live here, but you are not indifferent and you still are not carefree'

'How do you know that?' Castiel asked and Veryan smiled sadly at her.

'I see it in your expression and at how much you have changed. You give the impression of someone who has been through many hardships. Besides, Saeleth told me that, when you fell ill, you were not trying to get over your sickness'

Saeleth, her good friend, who was reminding her of her beloved mother. She truly cared for her well-being and Castiel appreciated that. But, right now, many thoughts were flooding her mind and she did not know what she should do. Should she follow her heart, like Veryan had said?

Seeing her so confused, Veryan decided to leave her alone. He was not angry at her anymore, but he was sad for her, for how she wanted to do the right thing and yet she hurt herself and her loved ones.

'I will leave you now, for I have to visit more people and ask them about the plague' he excused himself. 'I have to depart tomorrow for my homeland'

'Alright' Castiel nodded. 'Thank you for speaking with honesty and, after all, I was happy to see an old friend again'

'So am I' he told her. 'What are your plans for the future, if you do not mind the question?'

'First of all, I will stay here for a while' she declared. 'I will think calmly about everything that happened and everything you told me and I will take a decision on my own'

'I have faith in you that you will take the right one'

Castiel escorted him to the door, where they said their farewells like two old friends who had not met for a long time, with respect and the hope to see each other again.

'Come back, Castiel' Veryan pleaded her for one more time before leaving. 'Come back to us'

Castiel kept looking at him, even when he took a road and she could no longer see him. She was not a fool and she knew what Veryan would do when he would go to the Woodland Realm. At this thought, a sweet smile appeared on her face and, although she did not want it, her heart filled with joy she had not felt before.

'What are your plans for the day, my son?' King Thranduil asked Legolas, who was sitting next to him in the throne hall, focused in a book.

'It is a beautiful day outside, so maybe I will go for a ride with Arod' Legolas answered and forced a smile. 'He needs some training. And then I plan to go to the archery field and watch the younger Elves at their practice'

'They are improving very quickly' Sidhion told him. 'I went to see them yesterday and they are much better than the last time'

'I am delighted to hear that, mellon nin' Legolas replied and, for the first time in a year, Sidhion saw in the prince's eyes his known love for archery and adventure.

He wanted to say something else, but, suddenly, running steps were heard from outside and the three male Elves jumped on their feet, startled that they were under attack. In the end, it proved only to be Veryan, still wearing the cloak he wore at his journey and his sword hanging in its sheath around his waist. Before anyone could ask him why he was so upset or welcome him, he cut them off.

'My Prince, I found her!' he shouted, smiling widely and startling those who were present. 'I found her, I give you my word!'

Legolas exchanged worried looks with his father and his closest friend and then turned to the young messenger again, curious and surprised at the same time. Therefore, he did not see Sidhion smiling as well, who, apparently, had understood at once Veryan's words.

'My apologies, Veryan, but I am afraid I do not know what you can be referring to' Legolas said. 'Whom did you find and why do you sound so happy about it?'

'Because the person I found is no other than Lady Castiel herself!'

Legolas's eyes widened in shock when he heard this. Castiel, the girl he missed for one year, who had not written to him and for whose safety he was praying every day. How was it possible?

'But…Where…How…' he stuttered and Veryan laughed.

'She lives in Elmwood since she left Mirkwood, my Prince' he replied. 'I met someone who is acquainted to her and I visited her'

'Is she well?' Sidhion asked, for Legolas was still very shocked to say anything.

'She is well, at least considering her health. The plague fell over her, but now she has fully recovered. Although, I can not say that she is in a very good mood, for I saw her very toughed and confused'

He looked straight towards Legolas and, despite Castiel's cautiousness, he decided to do what he had planned. If they would meet again, then everything would go the way it was meant to go.

'She is very unhappy and does not know what to do. She still considers herself responsible for Prince Legolas's poisoning and fears what may happen, shall she return'

'But she does wish to return, does she not?' Sidhion spoke again, with hope in his voice.

'She did not tell me that exactly, but I presume that she does' Veryan nodded. 'I tried everything to convince her to come back, but she said she wants to stay for a while in Elmwood and think with a clear mind'

'How did she react when she saw you?' this time, it was Legolas's turn to speak and he sounded impatient to hear the answer.

'Lady Castiel was shocked, as you may think, but then she was very welcoming and wanted to learn news. I have the impression that she has missed Mirkwood and, if she was sure that she is welcome here, she would return at once'

That was everything Legolas needed to know. He looked secretly at his father, who nodded in encouragement. The next second, he rushed out of the throne hall, ignoring Sidhion's pleas to be careful and not do something reckless. Some would think that his journey to Elmwood was reckless indeed, but he was seeing this as a message from the Valar that everything would be alright. This was his opportunity to close all the wounds that had opened the past year and nothing would stand in his way now.

A/N: So, that was it for now, my friends :) I can't wait for your reviews and sorry for the cliffie, but they're needed ;) xx