The lords of formerly named Mirkwood all raced to the gate to greet their royal family. They were thrilled to have their king back safely and lay eyes on their beloved prince Legolas who returned their smiles and hugs wholeheartedly. They were beyond overjoyed to see Alasse, alive! None of them had known she was alive, as Thranduil had not written home the entire time he was in Gondor. The last they had heard or seen of any news, the greatly shaken Elven king was riding out to be with his daughter at death's doorstep! Nobody had informed them about what happened after that!

Alasse beamed when Tatsu, her nursemaid since infancy embraced her the same way she always had. Tears filled Alasse's eyes as she realized now just how much she'd missed her. "I am not letting you out of my sight, Tithen pen!" Tatsu scolded mirthfully. "Oh, and there is a letter for you, Your Highness."

"Who is it from?" Alasse asked curiously.

"The messenger who delivered it said that it was from the king of Gondor himself!" Tatsu exclaimed. "Now what would a grand fellow like him be doing, writing a letter meant for your eyes and yours alone, hmm?" Tatsu taunted lovingly. Alasse blushed and struggled to look offended, but the smile kept creeping up her lips. "Ahhh. So I was right!"

"About what?" Alasse retorted.

"Oh, don't play innocent with me, child!" Tatsu growled. "I've known for some time now that you are in love with him."

"I..." Alasse bit her lip.

"Come. You must be weary. I'll take care of you, just as I did when you were an elfling. But you still are and always will be to me!" Tatsu kissed her charge and held her close, tears filling her eyes. She had not expected to see the princess ever again in this life! She whisked her away to her old bedroom.


"I can see that Alasse is in good hands." Elrond chuckled as he and Thranduil watched the faithful, personal maid walk with Alasse, watching over her like a mother.

"Yes." Thranduil sighed heavily. His daughter was home! Now he could ensure that she would always be safe.

"Hir nin Legolas?" Feren approached Legolas.

"Feren." Legolas nodded to him.

"Voronwe has been taken to the healing ward, as have the others who were injured. But Bellethiel...and I have not seen Lindethiel or Tawarthion. My lord, what has happened? For Bellethiel wears the unbearable appearance of heartache."

Legolas hung his head. "Ai, my friend. Lindethiel and Tawarthion are gone. We were ambushed by wolves. Lindethiel was gravely wounded and she bled out. Tawarthion...he could not bear the pain. So, he ended it for himself." Feren winced and tears filled his dark eyes at having lost two of his good friends, and unable to imagine the pain that Bellethiel was going through at this time. He knew very well how close she and Lindethiel had been.

"I am so sorry, my lord. More than I can say!"

"We all are. We shall have a proper service for them. It is the least that we can do."

"Ai, my lord. And it is good to have you back! And we cannot thank the Valar enough that our princess is still with us!"

Legolas nodded in agreement. They were grief-stricken over the sudden loss of their kin. But, there was still life, and still reason to rejoice!


The moment Tatsu got Alasse into her room, she bear hugged the girl till she couldn't breathe. "My dearest Tithen pen!" Tatsu crooned. "I thought you had left me, that I would not see you again! I thought you had passed over. I felt it! You have no idea how happy your presence here makes us all again! Makes me!"

"Thank you, Tatsu. And I am glad to be with you again. I missed you so much." Alasse said. Tatsu brushed her hair out of her face.

"Ahh, well, now." She wiped her eyes. "I know you are anxious to read your letter. You settle yourself comfortably, and I will have a warm, soothing, bubble bath ready for you!"

Alasse lifted the letter in her hands and inhaled the familiar, enchanting scent of the White Tree. She smiled to herself and could almost feel Aragorn's familiar, loving presence in the room with her. She opened the letter and sat on her bed as the read the words in his elegant hand:

"My dearest Alasse,

I do not know how soon this will reach you. But I pray that it has arrived to find you well. I have prayed for your safe journey to your home. I hope that you are thriving, my love. It was a wise choice, to return to the Wood. May your time there be blessed and prosperous in all that you do!

I miss our evenings together under the stars, even hunting or scouting! The balcony solace just isn't the same without you. I hope that we may have the chance to share it again!

Be well, my love. And tell Legolas not to land himself into too much hot water at once, or I shall inform Gimli of his mischevious plight, and the dwarf will try to best him! Without you here to keep me sane, I fear that behavior will be my undoing!

I dearly miss the sound of your voice, especially when you laugh! Gellon ned i cenin i chent lin ned I gladhol (I love to see your eyes shine when you laugh). For now I can only dream of when I may look on your appearance again.

Take care of yourself, Alasse. My heart aches for your return, should we be blessed with the hope to be together again!

Blessing.

Love into eternity,

Your Aragorn"

Alasse's heart swelled as she pictured his gentle, handsome, humble face. She missed running her hand through his tousled hair. How badly she missed him already!