I am very well aware of the high honor of scum that I hold at this moment.

I've been going through a lot of personal things lately and it really took a toll on my creative streak. I abandoned all that I had been working on and y'all have suffered for it.

But good news! I'm back in business and ready to go! I know that this chapter isn't all that great for after such a long hiatus, but we're getting to good stuff.

Hope y'all don't hate me too much and will still continue to read on. I have made some changes to where this story is heading, so it might be a bit off with these next couple of chapters.

ANYWAY ON TO THE SHOUT OUTS!

Thank you to all those who have favorited/followed/reviewed!: lem00066, Jovie Black, ZabuzasGirl, alleycat023, amariabt, DarkAngelLinda, page88, lunatic4eva, aprildaisy6234, Winthrop1888, Tibblets, Marianne 16, WMaldonado89, tori333lynn, Xtremesparkles, FrlBarth,lili316, Danielle89, cassiellie, Arkansas Sweetheart, Doria Nell, sillystring-rox-the-earth, MasonJ, flameofanor, annie.b-sociopath, m00nbunnie, obbid, Woman of Letters, Cutedxlls, Peterpan is life, Anouc, ChibiSpyStuff, .fleur, Kitty1098, lili. , trickst3r-97, maanou, lucksby92, phoenixblo0d, SunMoonAndAllTheStar, MsMoonbunnie, LizzieRose23, nina32177, amandarstogsdill, zZhell-butterflyZz, GeraldtheGiraffe01,Zoie10135, Stahly93, Lady Sophia of Arda, WhiteRoseQueen, kimpii, MaryElisabeth, StormingMyCastle, Howling-Vampyr, Lady of Sign, dutchangel1979, free-at-last, Helleni, Ancient-0-Warrior, pinkshirt, Twiggy95, bluefan95, Andromeda03, MairiMcKennaO'Brian, ArCee-928, Aurora214, InTheGreatBelow, HillsCass, gamergirl28, Kuramalover2006, girllyingbythesea901, Katt8500, It's just me Tina, DemonQueen8787, ladymoonscar, dubucray, Zauberkatze, carolinagirl123, WickedGreene13, Nbr2twin, Aburgin83, mausipu, ang-vamp, HAPPYS WIFE QUINN DAUGHTER, blondeRebellion22, Chen Melin, pentis17, shophiescastle, RevanKR, xlovelytinkx, vicky1983, tind90, taterbug0491, Farine, LauXelle, the truth never set me free, fallenangels921, Mystical Glowing Topaz, Lord Loptr, FantasyFan101, Eleneryn Thranduiliel, MyFlutteringWings, Pepper101, WhiteRoseQueen, , Emma-des-iles-974, winibelw, alpahis, moonlight. conspiracy. theory, Thineth Tindomiel, SEllis6, Lovemenott13, erin. brooks. 18, Bucky Flavored Skittles, Nicolaaa, gracedul. nyxx, Emma-des-iles-974, yuki. sawer. 7, LynnAir417, 00erica. m, Crystallene, maynastenka, Unni17, shailjajoshi37, Tingiliya, SharkyMole, Potato-Faye, cnart12, MagicIsPowerDearie, littlerock77, Azu1a, Ryanarima, L.A. Artemis, lette4127, MistGirl1423, sleepyprincess, Dreamy-Girl2016, NataliaRoma97, buttonsXD, winterwolf2, wolfblood00, MadCatter90, salvr04, Allie988


Annalynn shifted uncomfortably in her chair. That next morning after her mother had helped pull her from herself, she heard that all were filing into Minas Tirith. She knew that Thranduil was in the the city and that it was only a matter of time before she would have to face him. It had been months since she'd seen him and while they parted on good terms, she was afraid of what was about to happen.

Leoglas had told her all about the reunion between his father and mother and how that evening, his sister. She could not deny the smile that he held in his eyes. She truly believed that for the first time in his life, Legolas had felt true happiness.

Yet, his happiness did nothing to calm her fears. She was not sure as to the exact reason she was so nervous about seeing Thranduil again. Near a month ago, she would have wanted nothing more. Nothing more than for him to scoop her up into his arm and wrap her against him in his heavy cloak. She knew that she was far too old to be thinking of such childish things, but around her surrogate father, she felt like a child that needed to be coddled and protected from the dangers outside.

"You're nervous."

Annalynn shifted in her chair more at his comment. "Don't act so surprised Legolas. Given the states of things, I am sure father will have my hide soon enough."

"You expect him to turn you over his knee is such a public forum?"

Annalynn glared back at her so called brother, him laughing at her expense. "It is not funny Legolas!" She wished that she would whack him with something, but alas, her hands remained emptied. "It'll be fine. Besides, your mother, father and Eomer are all in attendance to come to your aid."

"My parents are no fools when it comes to angering or going against Thranduil's wishes. Eomer on the other hand…" She paused to think of how he would react around Thranduil. Eomer knew that Thranduil was important to her, but she never told him all that he was to her.

As she felt the chair slow to a stop, the door in front of her might as well have lead to a room of her nightmares. She was terrified of what lay beyond it, knowing well enough that there was nothing to be afraid of. Thranduil would never hurt her in anyway.

Legolas moved around her so that he could open the door, as the hinges creaked opened Annalynn could feel her chest tightening with every sound. She gripped tightly onto the arms of her rolling chair as Legolas pushed her into the room.

In the room, she was hit with a sense of familiarity. The smell in the air, the warm embrace that it offered, nothing that her own room offered. Suddenly she felt at ease and welcomed. All her doubts left her body with her entry.

"Father." Within moments, Thranduil came from the side room with a light clatter. The book that was once in his hands was now lying haphazardly on the floor. Legolas pushed her chair closer, but Annalynn no longer had a need for it. Rising to her feet, she stumbled towards him. Her left leg giving out under her new weight, while her right leg dragged slightly behind her. She could feel herself falling when warmth encompassed her.

Icy grey eyes that stared back into her own should have cause a shiver to run down her spine, but warmth and love coursed through her body. Letting him pulled her towards him, Annalynn wrapped her fingers around his tunic and held tightly.

Burying her head deep into his chest, she took in the smell of wood and stone. Pine and evergreen invaded her senses in every breath she took. She let her lungs fill with familiarity and welcomed all that it represented.

"What has happened to you?"

Tears welled in her eyes as she thought back on everything that occured since she left the safety of MIrkwood. "I never should have left. I should have stayed where it was safe. "

Thranduil leaned his head down and placed it on hers, "If you had done so, there are many things that you would have not accomplished." Pulled her head from his chest, he held it so that she was facing his directly. "If you had done so, you would not be the woman that I so greatly admire." He wiped the tears from her cheeks. "If you had done so, you would not be my daughter." The small smile that graced his lips lifted her spirits. His words were a welcome to her heart.

Placing his arm under her knees, Thranduil lifted her with ease. He has always been able to carry her without much effort, but this was different, it was almost too easy. He was worried about her. Legolas had shared with him his tale of what happened when he left Rivendell. Each time he spoke of his time with Annalynn, Thranduil noticed the change his in voice. He was also worried about the mortal woman. Without a word, Legolas nodded to his father and left the two in silence.

Settling them down onto the couch that had been provided, Thranduil took this opportunity to take in her figure. She had grown smaller since he last saw her. The muscles that she tried so hard to reclaim, were now gone. Her skin was not the bright peach tone that he remembered and her eyes. The fire that was once in them was no longer. Smothered by forces beyond its control.

"Legolas has told me his tale, now tell me yours."

There wasn't a request in his statement, but Annalynn knew that she could not withhold information from him that he so desired. For one way or another, he would retrieve it from her. "Where to begin?" She fiddled with the ends of her braid. It has been long since she left Mirkwood and all that had happened since his arrival in Minas Tirith. "It was not long after I left for Rohan, that I found a lost boy near Fangorn. After returning him to his family, they offered me a place to sleep for the night. The boys father was once a member of the Rohirrim and he knew was lurked in the shadows of Rohan."

"The following morning, I was set to leave, but a Warg had broken through a window, after killing it, a group of Orcs came rushing up over the hill."

"So naturally you went in and defended that family."

Giving her pseudo father a small smile, she nodded her head. "After that, I just couldn't leave them. Geoff was the only one that had any skill with a blade, and Odette and the younger boys could hardly even lift one."

"It didn't help that I was stabbed in my left leg during that battle. Odette would hear nothing of me traveling whilst injured. So I stayed with them until my leg healed, eventually training Garreth. From what I've heard he is quite the warrior."

"I became too complacent though. I stayed too long. If I had just left them be, I could have made it to Edoras in time." She knew that she could not blame herself for Theodred's death, but she could not help but wonder that if she had gotten there sooner perhaps Grima would not have been able to put his vicious hands on a man she called family. That she could have pulled Theoden from his spell and there would have been no cause for the peoples of Edoras to travel to Helms Deep, losing honorable soldiers and men along the way.

If she had not lingered, they would both be alive today.

"Their deaths were not of your making."

Thranduil's palm pressed against her cheek as he gathered her attention. "You needn't sullen your heart with things that were beyond your control." He wiped the stray tear from her cheek and pulled her close. "I know that you feel that it was your duty to protect them, but such things are beyond our control."

As the pair settled into a comfortable position, Annalynn continued her tale. She left nothing unsaid, as she had with her mother. She could not tell her mother that she had let Eomer take her as his without him taking her hand. She knew that Thranduil would not judge her nor would he shame her. When she spoke of her inability to have children, a new set of tears flew from her eyes. Each time she cried, he was there to calm her and offer words of encouragement and care. He never once scolded her or berated her for her actions.

"I should very much like to meet this Eomer." He commented after she finished her tale.

"Perhaps you will, if you promise to behave." Annalynn let out a light giggle when he feigned shock."I am sure that you will meet him soon enough, Minas Tirith is indeed large, but I fear even he would not be able to escape your sight."

Annalynn twirled her thumbs around the other as she laid against his side. "I have been meaning to ask…."

"Has Legolas told you who is currently residing in the city?"

"He has."

"And?"

Thranduil looked off into the room for the moment. "It is a strange thing.

There was a knock on the door, Thranduil granted them entrance.

Legolas walked through the doorway with a small smile on his face. "If you would allow me Father, I have something that I would like to show Annalynn."

She could spot the looks on their faces and knew they had been up to something. "What is it that you two know?"

"I know nothing."

"You'll have to wait and see."

In a huff of annoyance, Annalynn let Thranduil and Legolas help her back into her chair. She could walk only a few short distances before either or both of her legs began to ache. "I will see you again this evening. Aragorn is hosting a small banquet for his newest guests."

She said her goodbyes and let Legolas push her to their newest destination. As they left their fathers room behind, Annalynn tried to figure out where they were headed. They went through numerous corridors and hallways before she finally had to ask.

"Legolas where are we going?" She asked, her head craned over her shoulder as she looked at her brother.

"There is another surprise."

"Surprise? Legolas, I am in no mood for…."

"ERYNIEL!" Three little voices shouted above the rest as she and Legolas entered the dining hall. Chairs sounded against the marble floor as they were pushed back quickly. Tiny feet slapped against the stone as they ran towards her.

The first to jump into her lap held her so tightly. "I missed you!" She smiled at the woman.

"I missed you more!" The boy came next and grabbed her hand in hers and shook it heavily.

"En'iel!" Annalynn laughed as she bent over to pick up the child waddling towards her. With both older children on each side and the smallest in her lap, Annalynn let love surround her. "Oh my goodness. Look at you, you have gotten so big!" She peppered the little boy with kisses as his giggles filled the air.

"Eryniel, why are you in this chair?"

"Yeah, did you get hurt again?"

"I am fine, just a little weak on my feet is all." Both Mirima and Godric said nothing as they walked her towards the long table where all waited. She could see most everyone who was dear to her sitting at the table, and the closer she got the more that she wanted to turn around and run. A space had been cleared for her to sit at. Nestled between her mother and Legolas, she let the others go back to their seats.

If she had been dreaming, it would have been a lovely dream. All that sat at the table was someone near and dear to her. Her eyes roamed as she saw the smiles on their faces. On one side of the table Frodo and the other Hobbits were chatting away and laughing as they were more than likely on their second breakfast. Gimli sat between Legolas and Gandalf while the Wizard spoke soft words to Aragorn. Faramir and Eowyn were trying to keep their closeness hidden, but Annalynn was familiar with the pose. For she and Eomer were often in the same position as they held hands under the table away from prying eyes

On her side of the table, at the very end, across of them Hobbits, Geoff and Odette ate quietly while Godric and Grindin were amazed by the Halflings across them. Garreth was simply gazing out in the world, his fork lazily picking at his food. Her father and her mother spoke in soft tones that she could not understand, then there was Eomer.

She could not explain it, but for some reason he looked more handsome than she had remembered. Once she recalled his eyes as a deep brown, but in the light they were a mixture of golds and greens. He had a fresh shave and it looked as if he had actually combed his hair.

Almost letting out a laugh at the thought. Remembering a time long passed when she and Eowyn almost forcefully sat him down to brush out the knots that tangled his hair. Needless to say that after that day, Annalynn never took a comb to his head ever again.

"What has got you smiling?"

Annalynn didn't turn her head as he spoke, she just stared at the table before her. "I just never thought that this would be possible. To have all here at once."

"But that doesn't make any sense! Why not just use the Eagles to fly over Mordor to begin with?" All heads turned to the end of the table where Godric was listening to Sam and Frodo's tale.

"Because the eagles are not carrier pigeons." Mirima sneered at the mortal boy.

"Well duh, but if they went to get Frodo and Sam from the mountain, why couldn't they have taken them to it after they found the ring?"

Mirima huffed as she held her fists to her side. "Does it not occur to you that in doing so the enemy would have seen them and tried to bring them down? Not to mention that Nazgul would have hunted them down before they even reached the mountain." Her body loosened for a moment, "Furthermore, they would have had to travel to the northern woods anyway to reach the nest and ask the great eagles to offer them aid. It's been said that the eagles are here to bear tidings and not burdens."

The table went silent as the young elleth spoke her peace. "Lookit that Mr. Frodo, we're burdens." Sam said teasingly as Mirima went pale in the face.

"I meant no insult… at least none to you." Godric gripped tightly onto his fork as he glared at the elleth.

"And to think we thought we would not live to see such times."

Light laughter rang around the table as Godric steamed in his chair, Annalynn along with them.