"…Why me?" Legolas heard Elhadril ask as Eldandil and he quietly entered the cottage. From the sound of it, Mist and Elhadril had been talking for a while. Legolas entered the kitchen in time to hear the older she-elf reply, "I suppose it is because the orcs love torture, and you would not survive much more of it. Your kin, however, was relatively unscathed, so she was probably their prime target for torturing, which began by watching her sister being injured and nearly slain."

"I suppose… Oh, hello Legolas and Eldandil. How do you fare?" Elhadril asked, fixing her eyes on the pair as they entered the room. Mist whirled around, startled, but quickly regained her composure. Legolas wasn't entirely sure why their presence had startled her, but he supposed that she had been caught up in the conversation.

"Uh, Legolas? What troubles you?" Elhadril asked, a cautious look on her face. He sighed, knowing that no one would believe him if he told her that nothing was amiss, especially after he told Eldandil and because Mist probably already knew. He stayed silent for a time, trying to gather his voice. Elhadril grew increasingly worried at his silence, "Legolas?"

"My-" Legolas's voice cracked, and he struggled to control it.

"My nana… She is-" he tried again, failing a second time. He took some deep breaths, determined not to mourn in front of his friends. Elhadril gave him an encouraging smile, "Yes?"

"She is gone. Forever," Legolas finally managed to spit out. Elhadril stared at him earnestly now, "Are you certain? How did you receive this information? You surely did not receive this news from a lying orc."

"I told him," Mist spoke up, hanging her head. Legolas barely heard her because all of his grief was coming back. He stared at the floor, determined to appear strong and emotionless like his father, but he couldn't help it. He had failed. He had one job, one real task that he had strived to complete all his life, and he failed. How would he tell Thranduil?

"Oh, Legolas, I am grieved by this news. You have my complete sympathy," Elhadril told him. He could only nod and at length voiced his sorrows, "I have failed. I have failed Ada. I have failed Mirkwood. I have failed myself. But most of all, I failed to bring my nana home. Now she is gone."

"It's not your fault," Eldandil comforted, but to no avail. Legolas was deeply and emotionally affected by this. Up until this point, there had always been the possibility that his mother was alive. There had always been some sliver of reasonable hope, but now there was nothing. He shook his hope, "It does not matter who is at fault. She is gone."

Everyone was silent for a long time, partly to grieve or reflect this new tiding and partly because everyone wanted to give Legolas some peace. Finally, Mist spoke, "Noon is nigh. We must journey to the village to buy more herbs."

"What of Elhadril? She must rest," Legolas told her firmly. There was no way he was going to lose his friends, not after this.

"Then stay and guard the house," Mist replied simply, grabbing a small sack of wool from a cabinet. "Eldandil may accompany me."

"No. Eldandil will stay. I will come," Legolas argued. He felt that they were safer here, and he wasn't sure if he trusted Mist now that he knew she had initially lied to him. But she wouldn't hear of it, "If you seek to behead orcs, you will not do it in the village. If they are as close as you tell me, then you have a better chance of meeting them here."

Well, in that case, Legolas would stay here to protect one of his friends instead of leaving them both unguarded. Besides, Mist seemed to be able to do more than hold her own against hordes of those fell beings. Eldandil would be safe, right?

"I need a weapon," Legolas pointed out, realizing that a knife would not help much against a large-scale attack. Mist looked around and grabbed a sword and a bow, giving him the latter. She then handed Eldandil a cloak, putting her own on and asking Legolas, "Have you been practicing?"

"Every day," Legolas nodded, again remembering his mother. He had practiced for her, so he could save her and make her proud. He quickly shook his head, clearing away the threat of crying again. Now was not the time.

"Are you prepared?" Mist asked Eldandil, who nodded her response. Then the older elf, sack of wool slung over her shoulder and sword tied to her belt, left the cottage with one of Legolas's best friends, leaving him to wonder if he had made the right decision.

I know, I know, short chapter. Just remember that this was a continuation of last week, and at least I posted it on time! I really meant to make this longer, but this was the best place to stop, so I'm sorry!

Also, I have a poll on my profile page asking which fanfic I should do next. You can select up to two fandoms, and right now the poll is tied. Thanks!

Well, my gratitude goes to Shadow of Mirkwood, Roxanne, and Uruviel Pheonix for reviewing! Really, the support means a lot, guys!

To Roxanne: I think that I was on top of that. In fact, I was so on top of that that I posted the chapter before you asked. :) I think that you need your phone checked on, though...

To Roxanne: Hahaha, yes, I figured. :) Did you really like it? And hate it, too? Yay, that moment when you cause conflict within your readers! Oh, you cried? Uh... there, there... it will be ok... maybe... I think... probably... Anyway, I'm glad that you hate Glawardes a little less. I didn't want her to be unlikable. A bit confused, maybe, but not unlikable. Me, too. It wouldn't have ended well for Legolas if he had kept going. At best, he would be tortured until Glawardes came and saved him, giving up her life in the process and with her dying breath admitting that she was his mother, leaving Legolas and Thranduil to grieve all over again. *wraps Legolas in bubble wrap* Let's not let that happen. Hm, what made Elhadril talking more pleasant? Just curious. Ok, let's not make you crazier than you already are. :) I like reading long reviews, so that works out great. Maybe she will, maybe she won't. :) Really? Good, my first phase of world domination is complete... :D Yes, we shall see...

To Roxanne: Yes. Oh my goodness, yes he does! Thranduil: But then who would respect me? Me: Probably a lot of people. Oh, you don't think so? ... Yep, that sounds like him! :D Same! I keep drawing a blank when I try to find the appropriate words to use! It's so frustrating! Yeah, I have a feeling that if my characters were real, they would hunt me down and murder me. That's not a happy thought, actually... Anyway, I'm glad that you love it!

To Roxanne: Thank you!

To Roxanne: You have a very, very valid point. I think that our characters need it more, though!

Well, thanks for reading this far! See you next Monday!