Hello, everyone! Happy New Year! I do hope this year will be better.
Sorry I haven't been around for a while. It's not because I wanted to! I got sick with COVID and couldn't use the computer for days! Thank God my symptoms were super mild and my family seems to be doing okay. But it really set me back with some things.
We still had a good Christmas though. I hope you did too.
Had a pretty stressful week last week, dealing some personal issues and then my debit card got hacked on the internet and effected my family's bank accounts! So, we're dealing with that too.
After much thought and the most recent comment I received for this fic, I decided to revise this chapter. I was going to make the next one super dramatic, but that would've put a damper on and dragged out the rest of the story which is supposed to be short. And I agreed with the last review.
So, instead of reopening passed grievances about Thranduil and the dwarves, I'm just going to deal with their trip home but how difficult it is for Alasse because she is having flashbacks.
The Mirkwood elves were out of the Hidden Valley before late morning, making for home with all possible speed. Thranduil was anxious to get back to his kingdom. He sensed trouble on the horizon. Nobody had seen or heard of Thorin Oakenshield for years, and then all of a sudden he showed up out of the blue with his band of fellow dwarves, for some random reason? No. He was heading for the Lonely Mountain, and there could only be one purpose for that: to reclaim it. If the dwarves were to succeed in taking back their kingdom, they would have to either destroy or drive away the dragon, Smaug. If Smaug escaped or fled the mountain, ruin and despair would descend heavily on Middle Earth with the mighty serpent loose.
Thranduil intended to return to his halls and insure the safety of his people before any such destruction could begin.
After a while, Alasse requested that she could ride on Fluffy's back. Thranduil granted her permission as long as she stayed by his side. She contentedly played with her toy as they traveled into the Misty Mountains. Legolas couldn't wait to be home again! Of all their times in Imladris, this one had been the most hair-raising! He just wanted to get back to the palace, with his father and little sister: only then would he feel reassured of their safety. One thing was certain, he would not sleep at all 'til they'd reached Mirkwood.
The caravan began crossing a stream before heading into the higher hills. They'd just crossed when Alasse recognized the meadow they were in! The hills ahead had many rocky crevices, gravel paths, and ravines. Alasse whimpered and clutched Fluffy, refusing to budge him another step. "Ada! Where are we going?" She called anxiously.
"Why, home of course." Thranduil looked down at her curiously.
"No! No, this isn't the right way!" Alasse exclaimed.
"This is the same route we normally take." Thranduil said.
"I'm not going that way." Alasse shook her head, her eyes wide with fear.
"What?" Thranduil frowned.
"I'm staying here." Alasse said.
"You will do no such thing." Thranduil said firmly.
"Alasse?" Legolas rode around her on his horse. "You cannot stay here, love. It is dangerous. And besides, don't you want to return home?"
"I don't want to go!" Alasse argued.
"We are not staying here!" Thranduil barked impatiently.
"I can't go. I can't!" Alasse cried, holding to Fluffy for dear life. Thranduil dismounted his horse and marched over to her.
"Alasse Thranduiliel, are you defying me?" He asked darkly.
"N-n-no, Ada. I just won't go." Alasse shivered.
"Alasse, stop this nonsense at once." Thranduil huffed. "I know you miss your new companions in Rivendell, but we are not going back! Our people need us in the Wood, and your are going if I have to keep you under my hand during the entire trek. Am I understood?"
"Y-yes, Ada."
"Good. Let's be off then."
"I can't go. I don't wanna go this way!"
Thranduil glowered. "You are riding with me." He said firmly, reaching for her hand.
"No!" Alasse anxiously drew back from him as if she was afraid of him! "I can't!"
"That's enough!" Thranduil declared. Alasse hid her face in Fluffy's fur and wept. Thranduil could not understand it. Why here? Why now? And why was she all of a sudden being so rebellious? "Alasse, get off Fluffy and come with me." He told her. Alasse held onto Fluffy harder. Thranduil was about to open his mouth again when Legolas interrupted him.
Legolas had dismounted and stooped down next to his sister. He touched her small, shaky back. "Alasse, what is wrong? Why do you not wish to go this path?" He asked gently.
"I'm scared!" Alasse wailed.
"Why? There is nothing to be afraid of."
"Yes there is!"
"Tell me. I do not understand." Legolas cocked his head.
"I don't want to go this way! They hurt Ada, and they were going to throw me down the cliff!"
"I know, darling. I'm really sorry that happened."
"They took us this way! I don't want to go! I don't want to!" Alasse sobbed. Legolas gently pried her fingers from Fluffy's fur and took her in his arms.
Thranduil sighed. He should've known! How had he overlooked something as clear as that? I was so bent on reaching Mirkwood, he thought, that I looked on her as a defiant soldier, instead of seeing that she is a frightened child. Oh, my poor daughter. And I am supposed to protect her after all that's happened! My poor little girl. How scared she must have been when they'd been dragged through this range, with him blindfolded and bound! Then he realized, as can often be the case with little children, that she was so scared, so suddenly triggered that at first she had been unable to explain just why she was acting so frenzied.
"Shh. It's alright, Tithen Muinthel." Legolas crooned to her. "Ai, Ada is here, so am I. And so are our friends. We have lots of good friends here, and we'll all look after each other. Those bad men will not hurt you or Ada again. They're locked up, they cannot escape. And this time we've got Fluffy! And Fluffy wouldn't let anything happen to you now, would he?"
"N-no."
"No. You're safe, penneth. We're going to make it home together. It will be alright." Legolas smiled, brushing tears out of her face.
"But I'm scared!"
"And that is okay. But you trust me, don't you?"
"Mmm-hmm."
"And you trust Ada, right?"
"Y-yes."
"And Fluffy?"
"Yes!"
"Try to calm down, sister. We really need to move along. Do you think you can trust us enough to keep going?"
"No." Alasse moaned.
"You may keep your eyes closed, until you feel safe." Thranduil interjected. Alasse thought about it for a few moments, sniffling. "My dear child, I am sorry. Sorry for scaring you so, and not giving much thought to what has caused you this terrible fright. But we must go. I would like for you to sit with me for the remainder of our ride."
"Can I keep my eyes closed?"
"Yes." Thranduil nodded, holding out his hand. Legolas kissed her face, wiping her tears then gently set her on her feet. Alasse slowly walked to her father and let him pick her up as he climbed back onto his steed. Alasse huddled herself against his chest, one hand squeezing tightly around her toy, and the other clutching his armor. She closed her eyes painfully. "Alright, let's be off!" Thranduil announced. "Hannon le, Legolas." Fluffy faithfully bounded alongside them.
The rest of the day's journey remained uneventful. Scouts were repeatedly sent on ahead to check out the terrain for danger, especially from Orcs. Alasse was very quiet all day, just holding tightly to her daddy, hoping that Legolas right, that they wouldn't be kidnapped again.
The guards kept heavy watch during the night, but little Alasse could not sleep. She was too afraid. Thranduil kept her close to himself and Fluffy was never far away from them. Legolas refused to sleep. He wasn't taking any chances on fell creatures or hideous thugs taking his family again!
The next three days into their journey, Alasse would be awake most of the night but slept in Thranduil's lap during the day, for which the adults were grateful because it kept her peaceful and quiet as they traveled with no more hindrances except for the territory they were journeying over or signs of Orcs.
It was the fourth night into the Misty Mountains. Traveling by their Elven horses and if they didn't run into any obstacles, Legolas guessed that they should reach Mirkwood in two more days. His heart felt lighter as the aura of home drew closer and closer.
Alasse had not slept that day and it was time for the elves to rest from their long journey that day. Thranduil was inside his tent, going over the maps with the captain of their present company. Legolas had agreed to take the first watch, but he always remained in a spot not too far away from his sister so he could keep an eye on her. Alasse lay on her back, staring blankly up at the stars with Fluffy's big head resting on her tummy, and she was absent-mindedly stroking behind his uncanny, erect ears.
Thranduil had emerged from his tent was giving his troops instructions, then he walked in Alasse's direction, hoping she was asleep this time. Her weary eyes were open, but she didn't appear to be truly resting. "Alasse?" Thranduil spoke.
"Yes, Ada?" She replied.
"You should be asleep." Thranduil said lightly.
"I know." Alasse mumbled.
"Well?"
"I can't go to sleep."
"Why not?"
"I'm worried."
"Oh." Thranduil sat down beside her and pulled her into his lap. She hugged herself tighter, clutching the toy Bofur had made for her. "Alasse? What is the matter, Iell nin?"
"I...I..." Alasse kept her face away from him.
"You can tell me."
"I know I should be a brave princess, like you always tell me to be," Alasse began nervously.
"Yes?"
"I...I don't want you to be angry with me, Ada." She said sadly.
"Angry? Why should I be angry, my love?" Thranduil asked incredulously.
"Because...be..."
"Alasse, have you done something wrong?" Thranduil spoke sternly. Tears filled her eyes.
"Yes." She blubbered.
"Tell me, Iell. I must know, so that we can move passed this."
"Please don't be angry, Ada!" Alasse begged. She was trembling.
"Alright. I won't get angry, but you must tell me the truth." Thranduil told her firmly.
"I'm sorry, Ada!"
"Sorry for what, child?"
"I...I...I'm not brave! I'm frightened because of those bad men and elves. I'm really afraid. I know I should be brave, but I'm sorry! Please don't be angry!" Alasse sobbed.
"Oh my dear child, why would I be angry about that?" Thranduil spoke softly.
"You were cross with me when we came to the river." Alasse gulped. Thranduil sighed.
"I suppose I was. But I did not understand then what was the matter, Alasse. I thought you were being defiant. But when Legolas explained to me, then I understood. And I understand now. You're afraid. And after what happened, it is natural." Thranduil brushed some of her hair away from her wet face. "But you don't have to be afraid now. We're together and nothing is going to happen to you."
"But you were with me when Glorfindel got hurt. And you still got hurt!"
"That was different, Alasse. We had no one else on hand to defend us. But now, we have our troops, and Legolas. And Fluffy." Thranduil smiled. "Everything is going to be alright. And we shall be home very soon."
"You promise, Ada? Nothing will happen?" Alasse asked timidly.
"I promise." Thranduil assured her, kissing her forehead. "Now, let's try to get some sleep, shall we, little one?" He shifted her position and let her crawl onto his chest where the deep, steady thrum of his heartbeat soothed her and in moments, she was resting.
A few hours later, Alasse woke up crying. Fluffy licked her face and Legolas shook her shoulders. Alasse blinked in fright and saw her father and brother kneeling close to her. "It's alright, penneth. We're here. You are safe." Legolas told her.
"Ada?" Alasse whimpered, reaching her arms out for Thranduil. He reached down and held her to himself.
"Shh. You're alright, Alasse. Ada is here." He shushed her.
"I was dreaming again! They took me away!"
"It was a dream, nothing more." Legolas said gently.
"Are you alright, Ada? You are not hurt?"
"No, child. I am fine. We are in no danger, sweetling." Thranduil smiled.
"I thought..."
"Shh. Go back to sleep." Thranduil said. He carried her to his personal cot in the tent and laid her on it. He sat beside her, caressing her small face. "We will be back in our Wood in just a few days, Alasse. Think of home."
"I can't wait to be home!"
Fifteen minutes later, Thranduil thought for sure that she was asleep, until she spoke again. "Ada?"
"Yes?"
"Do you love me?"
Thranduil blanched. He'd really hoped she would never ask that again! "Yes, my daughter. I love you dearly."
"More than Nana's necklace?" Alasse asked worriedly.
Thranduil's face contorted in pain. He loved his children more than anyone should be allowed to. Though he sometimes had difficulty showing it, he had always tried to never act unbecomingly where they would doubt his love for them. But those hateful lies the kidnappers had drilled into her mind were still scouting around for loopholes to remain in. How he wished she'd never heard those things!
"Alasse, look at me." He said, meeting her anxious eyes. "Yes, I love you even more than Nana's jewels. More than life."
