Hey all! Sorry it's been a while since I've updated, but I've had other things on my mind, including A Whole New World. But, I'm here and with this update for you! As you're reading this, I will be writing up the next chapter, maybe the next few, so hopefully will have some more updates soon.

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Dragonett8 – I know, wasn't it just. Unfortunately, for Caladwen and Thorin, it's only going to get worse before it gets better.

Leaving

The next few weeks I spent in Greenwood was like I was living through a nightmare. . .which technically I was. My beloved, his family and the rest of the dwarves had been run out of Erebor by a dragon that was now residing within the mountain and I have been separated from him without having any knowledge of where he is or if he and the others are alright! I have been unable to sleep since that day, every time I close my eyes, I would see his face as he was bring dragged from the Throne Room by my father's guards.

Speaking of my father, I have not seen or spoken a single word to him at all, even though he has been trying to see me, whether to punish me for leaving or something else, as if tearing me from the one I love isn't punishment enough! There are only two elves I have spoken to and they are Legolas and Tauriel. I don't say too much to Legolas, because I know how much closer he is to father than I am, I don't want to say or do anything to drive a wedge through that relationship they have.

As for Tauriel, she has been there to offer a shoulder for me to cry on as I tell her all my fears and wishes to be with Thorin, to be far away from here and be back in his arms and with the others that I love.

It has been just under a month since the dwarves were removed from Greenwood and I am now pacing in my room, feeling more and more restless and worried as the days go by. My dreams are interrupted by imagines of the deaths of Thorin and the others and it kills me because I know there is nothing I can do. The only reason I have not faded by now, is believing that Thorin is still alive.

My door opens and I see Tauriel walking in.

"Caladwen, you need to be calm, muinthel."

"How can I be calm, Tauriel? I feel like some wild animal locked away in a cage! An animal that has been ripped away from it's mate! How can I be calm through that!?"

She then takes my shoulders and stops my pacing, looking me in the eyes. "Because I am going to get you out of here."

I stop and look to her, not sure if I heard her for a moment. "You are going to what?"

"Get you out of here. I managed to persuade Legolas to ask your father for permission for you to go on patrol tonight. He has agreed. When the right time comes, you can slip away."

I look to her for a few moments before shaking my head. "No. . .I cannot ask you to do that for me, Tauriel."

"You are not asking me. I cannot, I will not stand by and watch you go through this torture. I know how much Thorin means to you. I know how much the other dwarves mean to you."

"Tauriel. . ."

She just smiles as she embraces me. I hold her close. I feel so grateful that she is willing to do this for me, even though she could get into so much trouble if father ever found out. I would surely be sad to leave her. But I know this is something I need to do, and it lightens my heart and my burden to know that she understands and is willing to help.

That night, before I leave for patrol, Tauriel is in my room while I prepare to leave.

"So, you know the plan? When you can, try and slip away. I will be waiting with Melda at the Southern border with some supplies. Once you leave, keep going South. If you are lucky, they will still be in the Brown Lands somewhere, close to Rohan. I have put a map in your pack so you can see where you are going."

I nod as I finish strapping my weapons to me. Before I can say anything more, there is a knock on the door and Legolas walks in after giving admittance to enter.

"Ready to go, muinthel?" he asks.

I nod as I give a smile to Tauriel before leaving with Legolas. We meet up with the others who will be joining us on the patrol and I inwardly cringe. A few of these that are with us are no doubt older and more keener in hearing and sight than I. . .this is going to make sneaking away much tougher. I don't want to have to resort to knocking them out, especially my brother. . .but it is a possibility that may present itself.

We leave the halls and out into the forest, when before the forests of my home would bring me peace and relaxation, today it brings neither. Instead it brings a sense of dread over me. If I don't succeed in this, not only will I be locked away, possibly in the dungeons, for trying to defy my father yet again, but I will only be bringing Tauriel down with me. She is already risking imprisonment if she is caught helping me if I do manage to get away.

An hour into our patrol, I am beginning to think that the plan of knocking the elves out is going to happen as so far, nothing has occurred to distract the attention of the others away from myself. I know that Legolas has been noticing my jumpy distribution ever since we left, as he has been walking next to me and glancing over at me every so often, but he would not say anything about it.

My luck seems to change when we hear a growling sound from up ahead, along with rustling and the pounding of feet. This causes the others to go on ahead to check out the disturbance. As for me, I do not follow. Instead, I turn South and begin running. Running away from them, my brother and the home I grew up in.

My heart begins to soar as I soon break through the border and out into the open. I smile as I see Tauriel standing beside my horse, pack already strapped to her saddle. Running over, I embrace her, holding her close. She holds me just as close.

"Thank you, Tauriel. I will be ever so grateful of your assistance."

She smiles as we pull away, keeping hold of each other's hands. "I told you, I will not watch you go through the torture of being away from Thorin any longer."

I smile and as I open my mouth to say something, when Legolas runs through the forest behind me. He looks between Tauriel and I in confusion, which turns to suspicion when he sees Melda.

"Caladwen? Tauriel? What is happening?"

Thinking quickly, I wrench my hands away from Tauriel and step back, a glare on my face.

"I have already told you once, Tauriel, I can no longer stay. I have to go."

Catching the wink I send her, she realises what I'm doing, she may not like it, but she plays along.

"But, you cannot! It is far too dangerous!"

I just shake my head as I stalk past her and make my way towards Melda, but I am stopped by Legolas's hand on my wrist, turning me to him. Looking to his face, I see anger and heartache written all over.

"You are not leaving! I will not let you!"

I glare at him. "You will not let me!? I will not be kept as a prisoner in my own home! Especially when those that I love are out there facing Eru knows what!"

"And what if, by some miracle, you are not killed and manage to find them, what if they turn you away? I am not sure father will forgive you a second time for defying him. You will be banished!"

I look at my brother as my face turns emotionless. Leaving is a lot harder than I thought it was going to be.

"Father already banished my heart when he separated Thorin and I. I cannot carry on pretending, pretending everything is find when it isn't. I have to take this chance, and if they do turn me away. . .at least I can continue living knowing that I tried."

Pulling my wrist from his now slackened grip, I turn and go to my horse again.

"No, Calad-"

Whatever he was about to say is soon lost when I spin around, tripping him up and pinning him to the ground.

"Caladwen!" Tauriel exclaims as Legolas looks to me in shock and betrayal.

"Do not stop me, Legolas. Do not follow me. This is something I have to do. We will see each other again, and I hope when that day comes, you will forgive me." I lean down and kiss his cheek, a single tear falling from my eye. "Le mellin, muindor."

I jump up, run over to Melda and quickly mount her before riding off, Legolas shouting after me. I close my eyes as more tears fall. I never thought I would be leaving my brother like this, but as I told him. This is something that I need to do.

Well, that's it. Caladwen's left home. Want to know what happens next? Stay tuned to find out. Please leave me your nice reviews xxx

Translations;

Muinthel - sister

Le mellin, muindor - I love you, brother