~Author's Note - Hey all! The last few weeks I've been going through all the chapters that I've written for this story so far and I've updated them and fixed any mistakes. I've got the next five chapters already written out, and thanks to a new work situation, am now able to work on this story in any down time I have during the day. So hopefully that'll mean that I'll have this story completed soon and be able to move on to the sequel. Thank you all for your support!~

Chapter 21

When Annelise finally came to, she found herself lying in a soft bed. For a moment, she simply burrowed back into the blankets wrapped around her before she suddenly sat up, wondering where she was. Her eyes darted around a room with walls made of dark brown stone. It reminded her greatly of the room that she left behind to go on this journey, although there were some obvious difference. The furniture, for instance, was of elvish make, instead of the rougher dwarfish quality she was used to.

At the sight of the flowing leaves and vines adorning that face of a tall wardrobe across from the large bed where she currently resided, the events prior to her collapse finally rose to the front of her mind. The memory that stuck out most though was the face of a blonde elf that had caught her as she fainted.

"Legolas...," she said quietly, remembering the face of the elf who had been her near constant playmate during her stay in this land as a child.

Before she could think anymore on the elf, the door to the left of the bed opened to reveal a female elf with long flowing auburn hair. Annelise recognized her as the elleth that had been standing with the prince when she had lost consciousness.

"Ah, you are awake! His Majesty will be very pleased," she said as she moved to a vanity on Annelise's right and set down what looked like a gown on the seat in front of it.

She then moved to the small bedside table sitting next to the bed and grabbed a cloth out of the bowl filled with water that was sitting on top of it.

"I hope you did not tear out any of the stitches that our healers closed your wounds with by sitting up. Would you mind if checked?" she asked looking down into Annelise's eyes.

Annelise, being a bit startled by the entrance of the woman, was baffled for a moment at the question before shaking her head to bring herself back to the present. "Yes, of course," she said, turning her back to the woman.

"My name is Tauriel, by the way," the woman said as she lifted the soft white shirt that Annelise had just realized she'd been changed into.

"I am Annelise. What happened?" she asked, trying to make sense of her situation.

"Prince Legolas and I were leading a squad of our Guard through the forest, trying to clear it of spiders when we happened upon you and your...companions. The Prince was very concerned to learn of your injuries and ordered that we rush you back here to the palace as quickly as possible."

Annelise noticed Tauriel's hesitation at mentioning her friends, but decided to focus on another part of what she had told her.

"You said the Prince?"

"Yes, he was the one that carried you back here. Although I thought that you knew him?"

At these words, Annelise was transported back into her memories and saw her younger self playing with Legolas. Annelise quickly recalled the many games of hide-and-seek played in the trees near the kingdom with her friend 'Ego while her parents and the King stood nearby observing the two. She recalled many nights where, after dinner, she would crawl into the arms of the Woodland King, or as she called him then, 'Dil before slowly falling asleep. Only to then be passed over to his son, who carried her to her room before telling her a story and placing his hand on her head and telling her goodnight.

As these memories were flashing through Annelise's mind, Tauriel finished checking the girl's back before moving around to face the young woman. As she watched, she saw tears slowly starting to build in the girl's eyes, and felt a twinge of sadness pierce her heart.

Although Tauriel had never met Annelise when she was in Mirkwood all those years ago, she knew of her from Legolas. She understood what it meant to the Prince for this girl to be sitting in one of the bedrooms in the guest wing of the palace.

As she had known the Woodland King and his son for so long, Tauriel had seen the change that the grief at the loss of Annelise and her parents had brought out in both elves. Neither were as quick to smile or laugh, and the Elvenking had grown even colder. Yet each year, on the anniversary of Gandalf returning to Mirkwood with the news of what had befallen their friends, both elves would rarely be seen outside of their rooms except in the evening where the two of them would sit down to dinner alone, and eat in silence.

All the elves residing in the palace knew to not disturb either of them on that day, and usually took the day to quietly spend time with their families.

"I did," Annelise answered the elleth's previous question softly, and Tauriel could hear the tears in the girl's throat that were preventing her from speaking any louder.

Tauriel watched as Annelise shook her head slightly, as if trying to push the memories away before she tried to discreetly wipe at the small tears that had escaped from her eyes.

"Where are my companions?" she asked suddenly.

At this, Tauriel instantly tensed and Annelise looked over at the gesture and wrinkled her brow in confusion.

"That question will be answered by the King. As you seem to be healing well and have not ripped any of the stitches, I will help you dress and take you to him. He and his son are very anxious to see you."

Tauriel then stood quickly from the bed before walking back over to the vanity and picking up the gown she had set down on the stool.

She unfolded the dress and laid it across the foot of the bed where Annelise was able to see it properly. The forest green color of the fabric was unsurprising for the realm that she was currently in, and she saw that the long sleeves and bodice were cut quite similarly to dresses she had seen Arwen wear while she was in Rivendell. The rounded neck was deep, but still remained modest, and was lined with silver leaves embroidered into the fabric. The same pattern was lining the ends of the flowing sleeves and Annelise found that she really liked it.

Tauriel then motioned for Annelise to take a seat in front of the mirror on the vanity. Annelise rose from the bed carefully, not wanting to irritate her wounds but found that aside from slight soreness, she was not in pain anymore.

Tauriel smiled slightly at the shock on Annelise's face. "Our physicians were able to sew up your wounds quickly and the infection was not as bad as originally feared. I can only assume that is from the care they received from you and Gandalf."

Annelise simply smiled in acknowledgement of the elleth's statement before taking a seat at the vanity. Tauriel quickly grabbed up a brush from the wooden surface and ran it through Annelise's long hair, before braiding it away from her face and down her back.

Sitting in front of the mirror while the elleth worked on her hair took Annelise back to Rivendell when Arwen had done the same for her. Thinking of Arwen made her think of the family she had left behind, and she began missing her uncle and his children.

Of course thinking of Arwen turned into thinking of the elleth's adopted son somewhere in the wilderness, ignorant of the fact that his childhood friend had returned. Annelise mentally shook the sad thoughts from her mind and focused on remembering the happy memories she had from her time in Rivendell.

Once finished with her hair, Tauriel turned back to the bed and helped Annelise change into the dress without pulling her stitches or messing up her hair. As soon as this was accomplished Tauriel moved over the wardrobe and pulled out a pair of tan flats for Annelise to slip on before guiding her out of the room.

The hallway outside was made of the same stone that comprised the walls in her room. There was not much else in the long hallway, though she did see many doors leading to other rooms and a few tapestries scattered along the walls.

"This is the guest wing," Tauriel explained seeing Annelise looking around curiously. "Ahead is another hallway that leads to the Royal Wing. There you will find the King and Prince's rooms and private studies. This hallway will eventually lead to the throne room, which is where we are going now."

Annelise nodded, absorbing Tauriel's words in the hopes that she could find her way around if she was ever alone. They passed the entrance to another hallway and Annelise instantly knew based on the higher quality decor and tapestries that it led to the Royal Wing as Tauriel had said.

As they continued walking, the hallway suddenly opened up into a large cavern and Annelise instantly recognized the way to the throne room that she had spent so much time in as a child. Now, instead of simply following behind Tauriel, Annelise was walking next to her, confident in the direction that she was going.

Turning onto one of the suspended walkways that had terrified her so much as a child, Annelise looked ahead and saw two blond elves standing together in front of the tall throne pacing back and forth, not looking up from their feet.

At the sound of the two women's footsteps both men stopped and looked up at them. Annelise instantly recognized King Thranduil and Prince Legolas and saw as both of their eyes opened just a bit wider, as if they didn't really believe she was there until she was standing in front of them.

Legolas was the first to shake himself from his shock and moved quickly towards Annelise, before gently but firmly pulling her into his chest and and wrapping his arms tightly around her.

"How is this possible?" he asked, though it seemed he was more asking himself out of disbelief than expecting an answer. After a moment of hesitation, Annelise wrapped her arms around him and he responded by holding her even tighter.

He then pulled away slightly, leaving his hands on her shoulders. "I couldn't believe that it was you, but then I saw your necklace," at this he glanced down at the pendant that was on display around her neck because of her dress, "and I knew it had to be you." Annelise was shocked to the Prince's eyes begin to shine slightly as tears began to slowly build.

Before she could respond, a hand appeared on the elf prince's shoulder and then the King was standing before her.

Unsure of what to do, Annelise dropped into a curtsy and quietly said, "Your Majesty," before she was suddenly swept up into another tight hug. With her head turned to lay on his chest Annelise was able to see Tauriel still standing next to her, looking completely shocked by her King's reaction.

King Thranduil then released her quickly and began speaking. "The entire kingdom rejoices at your return. There will be a feast tonight so that we can celebrate properly, but first I wish to hear your story." While speaking, Thranduil led Annelise over to the foot of his throne and gestured for her to take a seat in a chair that she had not previously noticed.

"I would be happy to tell you everything, sire, but first could you tell me where my father and other companions are?"

Annelise instantly knew she had asked the wrong question because Tauriel and Legolas, who had moved to stand on either side of her, instantly straightened and the King's back tensed. Instead of answering immediately, King Thranduil climbed the stairs up to his throne and Annelise got the feeling that it said a lot about how he ran his kingdom. Sitting on his throne, looking down upon everyone in his kingdom while he ordered others about.

"The dwarves are currently residing in my dungeons for trespassing on my lands," he responded coldly, a huge change from the tone he had used to speak to her just minutes before. "I offered them a deal for their freedom, but Thorin Oakenshield foolishly refused."

Aside from the anger at hearing her family's treatment, Annelise couldn't help but wonder what happened to Bilbo, as King Thranduil had only mentioned dwarves, but she chose to remain silent on that matter. She, however, was not going to remain silent on the matter of her family's imprisonment.

"We were not trespassing. We were trying to escape a pack of wargs that have been hunting our party for days. Gandalf the Grey told us to use the Elven Road to pass through the forest to make it to the Lonely Mountain. Please just le-"

"I know very well the errand of this dwarvish company. Unless your father," Thranduil all but spat this word, in disapproval of the title, "chooses to meet my conditions, they will reside in my dungeons. I will not tolerate anything more being said on the subject."

At this Annelise quickly stood from her chair before storming out of the King's presence in anger.

When she finally calmed down enough, she realized she had been walking through hallways that she didn't recognize and was extremely lost. Before she could panic however, she noticed the sound of footsteps a few feet behind her and turned to see Legolas walking with her, looking at her in concern and sadness.

"Annelise, I-"

"Prince Legolas, while I am glad to see you again, I am not in the mood to talk right now. If you would be so kind as to show me the way to the room I am staying in, I would appreciate it, seeing as I have lost my way."

The prince seemed quite shocked at Annelise's interruption and abrupt speech.

"Annelise, please-," he began, only to be cut off quickly again.

"Your Highness, I am very tired from my journey and injuries. Once I have received more rest, I will be happy to answer any and all questions that you may have for me," Annelise answered sternly, turned her back to the prince so he could not see the tears of frustration and tiredness that had begun building in the corners of her eyes.

When an arm suddenly appeared in her peripheral view to her left, she took that as his acceptance not to ask her any more questions for the time being.

She gently placed her arm through his, and he guided them back the way that she had come before turning right, down a hallway she had passed in her anger.

They walked for a few minutes in silence and Annelise was able to calm herself enough to begin to feel guilty for how she had treated the young prince. She knew they had once been close, and for her to treat him so coldly upon returning after he had mourned for her the last twenty years had likely hurt him.

Annelise was quickly pulled out of her thoughts, though, when the prince finally spoke.

"Legolas," he said quietly. Annelise waited a moment, puzzled, to see if he would say anything else. When he did not, she responded.

"I beg your pardon?"

"My name is Legolas, not Prince Legolas or Your Highness. I do not normally like to be addressed so formally, especially not by you," he said, looking straight ahead, as though he was afraid to look into her eyes. Annelise then realized that her manner of speaking to him earlier had hurt him more than she had thought.

"Of course, Legolas," she said softly, and noticed the corner of his lips twitch slightly upwards at the sound of her saying his name. "I also want to apologize for how I spoke to you earlier. I was distressed at the news of my father and companions, but that is no excuse for treating a friend so coldly."

When she called him 'friend', Legolas finally turned to look down at her, and the small grin on his face quickly turned into a full smile.

"There is nothing to forgive, my friend," he replied, laying his hand over her hand that was resting on his arm.

"Is there nothing that can be done to convince your father to release my family? Can I at least speak with them?," she asked quietly, not wanting to upset Legolas like she had her father.

The smile on Legolas' face slowly turned into more of a grimace as she spoke.

"My father will not change his mind on this matter. There is too much history between the Elves of Mirkwood and the Dwarves of Erebor. I am sorry that I cannot be of more help. I can, however, escort you to where they are being held. I'm afraid you will not be able to speak with them long though."

Annelise was disheartened to hear that she could not secure the release of her companions, but squeezed Legolas' hand firmly before speaking.

"Will you take me to them? Please?"