An- Hey everybody! Sorry it's taken so long to get this chapter out! But between midterms, musicals, Easter weekend trip to New York City (OMG I (Niori) loves that place!!!), and having about a billion projects due all at once, we've been a bit busy. Not to mention that I (yet again Niori) have been totally ingoring this for the past month in order to finish writing her own book (number 6 actually), but since that, and some other time time consuming things, are slowing down, we'll hopefully be able to update a lot sooner! Enjoy!

Chapter 35

Five days journey from the very edges of the plains back to the village at such a rapid pace seemed to be exhausting…even if it really wasn't. At least, Legolas felt as though he had been drained of all energy, and he knew that it had more to do with mental and emotional health than it did physical.

He had never been so miserable in his life.

If it wasn't for the fact that he had sworn loyalty to Eldarion and fighting this war, Legolas wouldn't have gone back at all.

It would have been so much easier if he could have just disappeared and never came back; he wouldn't have to see Niori day after day and know that he had ruined everything and hurt her so much. She would like it better is he was gone.

And the worst part of it all? He wasn't sure what would be worse; seeing her haunted or seeing her being happy without him.

When they were less than half an hour from the village, Legolas told the others to go on and that he would catch up shortly. The ones who had yet to find out what had happened with Niori went ahead without a word, but Aldor and Gimli had refused to leave. Legolas had told them, but he wished that they would just leave; he didn't need advice or council anymore. He just wanted to take more time because he wasn't ready to face her yet.

"You know lad," Gimli spoke up softly, "she'll still be there, no matter how long you stay away."

Legolas didn't reply, just stood there beside his horse, looking across the open plain and considering, for the millionth time, just turning around and leaving them all.

"We are much needed back at the village," Aldor reminded, seeing his brother's face and knowing that all he wanted to do was run, "and with due haste."

"I…" Legolas stated, but just didn't know what to say. They couldn't understand; this just wasn't heartbreak, but guilt.

Had he not been fool enough to let Lillianna near him, Niori would never have run into the forest that night. She would never have been captured. He may have not been the one to physically done this to her, but he shared some of the blame.

"You have to go back…no matter what lies between the two of you."

"I know that!" Legolas snapped, "I fully understand my obligation!"

And he did…but that didn't mean he had to like it.

Without another word, he re-mounted and they continued on their way. He was angry, but he didn't know if it was at them or himself.

"Give her time…" Gimli started in a comforting tone, but Legolas cut him off.

"No she won't," he replied miserably, "I don't deserve to be forgiven; Niori has been somehow betrayed by nearly every person who has ever been in her life, and I've known that nearly as long as I've known her. I promised her the first night that we…that we were together that I'd never hurt her the way others did. And I broke that oath in the most horrible of ways, no matter how unintentionally it may have been. The hurt in her eyes in that moment was about more than me kissing Lillianna; it was being betrayed by the person she loved the most…the one person who she thought would never do this to her."

"Ahh…" Gimli replied after a moments worth of silence, "it is not only your betrayal that plagues her, but the question of what fault could be found within herself that would cause you to do it."

"I wish that I didn't know her so well," Legolas mumbled as the village came into his view and his stomach seemed to seize up and then plummet, "I wish that I could be ignorant to her pain…oblivious that she's not only hating me, but herself…"

Silence fell as they finally rode into the village. Legolas's heart filled with dread as they dismounted and he stood there. He couldn't help but look for her, and both relief and sadness went through him at the same time.

Mere weeks ago, Niori would have been rushing towards him, excited by his return and pulling him towards a bed the moment he dismounted.

Instead of Niori, Eldarion was waiting for him, his face pitying and yet grateful at the same time. He knew that Legolas would rather be anywhere but there.

"Thank you for returning," Eldarion spoke.

Legolas nodded vaguely, and then looked at Eldarion for the first time in a whole new light. There were many men who desired Niori, but Eldarion was the only one who cared for her anywhere near how much Legolas cared for. Maybe he even loved her.

Would she turn to him for comfort just as she would Carla, Erin and Jane? As she would Silmarwen and Arien? Would she let Eldarion help her get past all this…to get past him?

If Legolas had to resign to the fact that Niori would eventually move on, it would be Eldarion that he'd want her to go to (though the thought of that actually happening made his world seem to go black). The young king would do all in his power to make her happy, and no matter how much it hurt him, Legolas would not begrudge her happiness. And if that was to come to pass, there was one other thing that Legolas could be assured of; Niori would make an amazing queen.

"There are some things you should know," Eldarion continued, his voice grave, "know about her…about what happened to her…"

Legolas felt his horror and self-loathing grow as Eldarion described, in great detail, what had happened since he had left five days ago. He learned of the nightmares that continued into waking…the uncontrolled fear that had made her see a monster where Jane had stood and attacked.

"And…" Eldarion's voice faltered for a moment, and Legolas knew that he was going to give him the worst news ('what could be worse than what he has already told me?' Legolas asked himself as his stomach tightened painfully).

"I cannot say if this is true or not," Eldarion continued, his voice almost warning, "but Niori has levelled charges against Lady Lillianna and I've arrested her as a precaution; Niori claims that Lady Lillianna traded secrets with the enemy king so that he would have Niori 'taken care off'."

Legolas froze as Eldarion's words sunk in; at first he truly couldn't believe that Lillianna could do this. She may have hated Niori, but the Lillianna Legolas had known since childhood could never be so cold…so cruel…

But this was no longer childhood, and Niori would not throw a charge of treason around carelessly. Then Legolas went from frozen to seeing red.

He practically flew across the village, his fury blocking out everyone and everything he passed. When he reached the 'prison', he ripped open the door.

Lillianna was sitting on a small cot and she looked up, startled at his sudden, loud entrance. She rose to her feet, her mouth parting to speak…

And then he backhanded her.

Lillianna tumbled to the ground, a cry of both pain and shock coming out of her. When she landed, she turned back to look up at him, eyes wide and mouth, which was now trickling blood, hanging open.

"Traitor," Legolas hissed, and then realization dawned in Lillianna's sea coloured eyes.

Lillianna, for but a moment, was speechless, but then she launched into the story she had been repeating for two days.

"She lies…" she started, but cut herself off when it looked as though Legolas was going to strike her again.

"Don't you dare label her liar when it is you who betrayed us all!" Legolas growled, "Damnit Lillianna! You were willing to trade her life…for what? Even if she were gone, I would not turn to you! You knew what he would do to her…you knew what she was going through and yet you said nothing! You deserve to be executed as a traitor."

The way Legolas's voice grew so cold as he spoke those last words sent fear rushing through her. Lillianna wanted to believe he could never do it, but something in his voice told her he would; Legolas would take her life in an instant because she had tried to trade away Niori's.

"Legolas," Eldarion's stern voice broke out, "she has not be proven guilty of any crime; if it turns out that Niori was somehow mistaken, you would be guilty of her murder."

Eldarion's words made sense, but Legolas didn't want to hear them. Eldarion knew as much as he did that Niori didn't get 'mistaken'. But the young king had to play diplomat…couldn't choose sides without proof either way.

"Come Legolas," Eldarion spoke again, his voice less harsh than before, "we have many things to discuss."

Legolas went with him without a word, turning away from the crying Lillianna. He could not pity her, no matter how pathetic she looked. In regards to her, his heart had turned to stone.

l.l.l.l

Carla sat at the table listening to the idle chatter all around her as the other residents ate their dinner without a care in the world. Eomer wasn't sitting beside her, and as sappy as it sounded, she missed him. He had been spending most of his time in the past two days with his son. She wasn't going to complain; she still had his nights and that was all that mattered.

The other three girls were there too, but as far as Carla was concerned, most of them couldn't be any further apart.

Jane was sitting by herself, picking at her food and looking miserable. She could have come sit by Carla had Jane at least wanted to keep up the pretence of being fine, but Jane wouldn't forgive her for lying about Niori…probably despised her as much as Erin.

Carla couldn't blame her there.

Only Erin and Niori sat beside each other, but it looked as though only Erin was talking. Niori looked as though she was extremely ill…and over all, she was still ignoring Carla's existence. Erin sent looks of venomous hate whenever Jane or Carla came into her view.

They had all been friends since they were little kids, and now their friendship was reduced to this.

The only two relationships left were Niori and Erin and then Niori and Jane. And that was about to change.

"Get over it Erin."

Niori's cold voice stopped all other sound. All eyes were drawn to where Niori and Erin sat, and then they watched the vicious scene unfold.

"She slept with him," Niori's cold voice continued as Erin's face grew angrier, "yes, they fucked up by hiding it, but it happened. Get over it."

Carla couldn't help but gap from the other side of the room. She couldn't believe that Niori had said that…and when she cast a brief glance over at Jane, she realized that Jane looked even more startled.

"You self-righteous bitch!" Erin cried in disgust as her rage mounted, "Legolas betrays you and it's the end of the world, but if anyone else gets betrayed by someone, it's no big deal!"

This time it was Niori's eyes that flashed.

"Those situations are entirely different and you know it!" Niori hissed, "Legolas cheated on me; you're pissed of because two other people had sex! Jane's sex life, and especially Elijah's sex life, should be none of your concern!"

Erin looked exactly like she had when she had been flipping out at Carla. And then Carla realized that this fight was going to get much, much worse.

"Why doesn't it surprise me that you'd stick up for her," Erin sneered, "whores must stick together right?"

The claws had come out.

"Do you want to know why people tend to sneak around behind your back?" Niori fired back, "Because you're an over emotional bitch who takes everything as a personal attack. Or at least, that's why I found it important to hide the fact that I was sleeping with Alex, Ben, Coby and Will –especially Will- after they broke up with you!"

The claws had really come out.

Stop it guys, Carla begged in her mind but could not form the words to speak it, stop it before you hate each other too…

But Carla knew they had already passed that point.

"Just because you're not strong enough to keep yourself from going insane," Erin hissed into Niori's face, "doesn't mean I'm going to let you say whatever the fuck you want."

Erin had taken it too far.

And from the look on her face, Carla could tell that Erin knew damn well that she had taken it beyond. Erin knew that she had just called on something that should never be called on to hurt someone, especially Niori.

Hate –pure, unadulterated hate- rose up in Niori's eyes; a hate that Carla had never seen before and looked stronger than any emotion she had ever seen pass over Niori's face. She gave no indication of it, but Carla knew that Niori was about ten seconds from pulling a weapon…pulling a weapon and killing Erin with it without a second thought nor an ounce of immediate guilt.

"Enough!"

Eldarion's booming voice broke out through the dead silence. He stepped in between them, shifting so that he blocked Erin.

Apparently Carla wasn't the only one who knew Niori well enough to know she was about to attack.

"I need to speak with you," he told the two girls and then turned to them all, "I need to speak with all of you. Fifteen minutes hence near the fireside."

Chatter started again as Eldarion led Niori one way and Frodo led Erin the other. Carla watched and felt like she was going to cry.

With everyday that passed, they somehow managed to fall apart even more.

l.l.l.l

She knew that Eldarion's words were important because she knew that he was talking battle ideas and plans now that all the scouts and such were back, but Niori just couldn't listen; she couldn't focus. Her head was pounding and her hands were shaking so bad that she had to clasp them tight on her lap to avoid anyone noticing. And she was so hot that she knew she was sweating.

Niori needed a drink…she really needed a drink.

She hadn't meant for it to go that way; she had only wanted to stick up for Jane, but it had all come out wrong. She had been feeling so sick…and she just said what came to mind. She didn't even realize that it was wrong until Erin started to freak. And after that, it all went very

down hill.

She couldn't sit there any longer, not like this. Niori didn't feel right and there was only one thing that could make it better.

"I…I have to…have to go," Niori spoke suddenly, praying to God that her voice didn't give any hint to what was really going on as she hopped to her feet, "I don't feel good…"

Everyone looked up at her, startled by her sudden outburst. Then they all looked confused…all except Carla.

Carla was the only one who had seen her drinking; everyone else would attribute to her going crazy. No one else knew that she was drinking again, and she planned to keep it that way. Letting Carla find out had been a huge mistake.

She walked away from that fireside and then through the village, trying to control her shaking body. She made it look as though she was heading back to Mila's house, but as soon as she knew no one would see her, she ducked behind a building and made her way to the storehouse.

Niori would have preferred some vodka straight up, but whatever this stuff was would have to do.

She chugged down half of her cup in record time. She instantly felt a little better. She had been planning to have only a little bit, but if this much made her feel good, then a little bit more would make her feel even better.

Besides, it wasn't as though she really had a problem; Niori could stop whenever she wanted…and at that moment, she just wasn't choosing to.

l.l.l.

Jane had drawn the curtains and pulled her blankets over her head. It was only about suppertime, but her appetite was gone, and she was sick and tired of trying to act like everything was okay. Her life was completely falling apart at the seams and she really didn't feel like being around other people. Beside that, her head was pounding. She had never had a real migraine in her life, but she was sure that this was one of them. God, she would kill for some Advil…

She moaned as her head gave a particularly painful throb and she turned onto her side. She tried, and failed, to go to sleep, just so that she could escape her current existence. But even when she slept, she dreamt about him. She could never escape the memory of him. She couldn't bear to say his name; it just brought back painful memories…

When she wasn't sleeping, she thought constantly about running back to him and begging him for forgiveness. But she couldn't think of any reason why he would take her back; she had dumped him, and he hated her for it. Besides, there was still a chance that Erin would forgive her once she found out that she'd broken up with him to save their friendship….there was still a chance….

She laid there for innumerable hours, until she vaguely heard the door open, and a person walk quietly into the room. Honestly, she didn't even care who this person was. It could have been an axe murderer, and she wouldn't really have reacted. She probably wouldn't have cared.

In some way, shape, or form, she had lost every person that had meant something to her in this world.

"Jane?" A male voice spoke quietly. She stiffened at the voice. Okay, so she did care who this person was…

"It's me, Pippin."

She opened her eyes and turned over, trying to ignore the pounding sensation above her right eye.

"Hey, Pippin…" She tried to sound as normal as she possibly could.

"Hi Jane." He wasn't smiling, and his eyes looked dull. "Do you mind if I sit down?" He indicated her bed.

"No, of course not." She moved her feet for him to sit down. He sat himself down on her bed, and sat there in silence. Jane couldn't help but wonder what the visit was about, but she didn't say anything out loud. She cleared her throat.

"How have you been?" His voice was listless, but his eyes showed that he genuinely cared about her well-being.

"I'm fine, Pippin." She brushed it off. "What about you? You look ill."

He lowered his head, smiling humourlessly.

"No…" he shook his head. "You're not fine, Jane." He looked up. "I am sick, I'll admit that. I can't eat; I can't sleep; My life has been a living hell lately, and I'm not fine. My best friend is dead!" Tear filled his green eyes.

Jane felt her heart wrench at the pain in his eyes. "I'm so sorry…" She whispered, looking down.

"Don't"- he warned, holding up a hand, but he stopped himself. "It's just that- I'm so tired of pity…"

He reached over and took her hand, "But you-you're not 'fine', so stop pretending to be. You're nowhere near being fine. You broke up with your boyfriend; you lost a friendship; another one is on the rocks and another friend is going through hell, and you can't do anything to help…" he trailed off, gazing at her. "Did I miss anything?"

"No…" She whispered, sniffing. "You got it all." There was a long pause between them, with Pippin staring blankly at the wall, and Jane trying not to break down, like she'd been doing so much these days.

"I don't know about you, but I could really use a friend right now." He spoke quietly, breaking the silence.

Jane sniffed and nodded silently. Then she held out her arms and gave him a hug, which he returned. As soon as him arms closed around her, she simply burst into tears. He didn't seem at all surprised or perturbed by her emotional outpouring; he just let her cry on his shoulder until she had no more tears left.

l.l.l.l

Niori ended up wishing that she had just killed Lillianna when she had had the chance.

Yes, Eldarion had her arrested, but no, nobody believed she was guilty. Like usual, half of them believed Lillianna's words over her's. Not that she could really blame them; they are heard her screams and sobs as she slowly went insane.

If Niori was them, she wouldn't believe herself either.

Legolas stepped out into her path before she had even realized he was there. With a flash of anger, she tried to tried to side step him, but he blocked her.

"What part of stay the hell away from me don't you understand!" she growled, trying to push past him again.

"Please talk to me Niori," he pleaded as he blocked her again.

"Okay, let's talk!" she spoke sarcastically, her anger sharpening her tongue, "What would you like to talk about Legolas? The weather, the war or maybe you going off to suck face with Lillianna in the forest!?"

He visibly winced, and Niori just kept going, her words growing nastier by the syllable.

"Yes, why don't we breach that subject! It seems like such an important one! Let's see, where should we begin? Maybe with you sneaking off to do that miserable, traitorous slut! I sure hope she was good Legolas, because you'll be going through a dry spell…she got herself, well I got her, arrested you know. There's another interesting topic, Lillianna being a traitorous slut! You sure know how to pick 'em Legolas!"

"Please stop…" he pleaded, looking ashamed and miserable.

But Niori had just gotten started.

"I'm sure you see the irony in her trading me over to the fucking enemy king. I'm sure she enjoyed picturing what he would do to me, because I sure know I had a fucking good time! I finally meant what the word alone really meant; do wanna know what being alone really is? It's being forced onto the ground and then having a monster push himself into you, laughing the whole time, and knowing that no one in the word is going to come to save you!"

The only reason that she didn't break down at these images was because she was to high on her rage. She wanted to say more, to hurt him more, but when she saw that there were actually tears sliding down his cheeks, she knew that she had hurt him all she needed to.

"I'm so sorry…" he whispered, unable to meet her eyes.

"That doesn't change much now does it?" she snapped, turning to leave.

"Niori, please," Legolas tried again, reaching out and taking hold of her wrist to try and stop her.

The moment she felt a hand wrap around her wrist, it was like the whole world imploded in on her. She screamed as the horror built up in her. She whirled around, breaking his hold on her. When she turned, she saw Aras standing right beside her, coming to hurt her again.

Desperately, she clutched at the knife that was tied to her belt. She had to stop him! She couldn't let him rape her again! She finally managed to pull out the knife and plunge it into Aras's stomach.

It wasn't until the blood began to seep out and coat her fingers that she realized that it wasn't Aras's bewildered black eyes she was looking into, but Legolas's electric blue ones.

She stumbled back in horror, watching as Legolas put his hands to the side of his stomach to where the hilt of the knife still stuck out of his body. He pulled it out and held it up to where he could see it, looking at it in a sick sense of confusion, and then he dropped down to his knees.

"NO!" she screamed, driving towards him as he horrible truth washed over her.

She had stabbed him…tried to kill him.

She caught him before he could fall totally to the ground. He looked up at her terrified face in bewilderment.

"What have I done?" she whispered in horror as she gently laid him down on the ground.

It looked like he tried to speak, but shock had already taken him.

"HELP ME!" she screamed out frantically, looking to the village which was only a little ways away, "SOMEONE HELP ME!"

She heard voices responding to her screams, and she knew that they'd be here any second. She looked down at his wound, not knowing how to make it stop bleeding. Sil would know how…Sil would know how to save him…

"I killed you," she said in a horrified sob, "I killed you…"

And then Niori did something she had never done in her life; she fainted.

l.l.l.l

An- Uh Oh...