CONTENT WARNING for Chapter 25: Rated M for Strong language.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything created by Tolkein and Middle-Earth. This is for entertainment only.

Song for the Chapter: "Wide Eyed" by Billy Lockett


Chapter 25 -Decisions
She conquered her demons;
She wore her scars like wings.
-Atticus


Priamos performed well, he thought as he watched the guards running up and down the corridors, He will be rewarded for his sacrifice. The only thing he wished was that he could have been there to see her face when she found the soldiers. When she saw the death and pain that she caused.

He saw Legolas and Augustus coming his way and stepped further into the shadows so he wasn't seen. They unknowingly walked passed him and he heard a piece of their conversation.

"I can't believe we haven't found a shred of evidence as to how he got into the royal corridor," Legolas spoke incredulously.

Augustus sighed heavily, "Neither do I... But I would sure like to find him and have a conversation about it."

He smirked as they walked around the corner and out of sight.


Thranduil watched Aurora as she slept and didn't want to leave her. The sun had not yet risen but he knew that there he couldn't delay any longer. He stood at the edge of the bed for several minutes before he leaned down to place a soft kiss on her forehead and placed the note for her on the pillow.

He walked out of his bedroom and closed the door quietly behind him and he turned to see those who had gathered in the parlor.

The Lords of his council were seated at the dining table discussing the contents of the parcel found in Aurora's room and what it means for the fate of the Captains. Legolas had returned to his spot by the fireplace and Augustus sat cross-legged in one of the large armchairs, reminiscent of Aurora.

As the bedroom door clicked shut all present turned to see the King. He locked eyes with Legolas and spoke with his usual indifferent tone, "Report on the search of the palace."

Legolas sighed heavily, "Aurora's room was the only one that had been destroyed in such a manner. No other evidence has yet been found on how such a thing occurred with our guards standing outside of the door."

Thranduil placed his arms behind his back and walked towards where the council sat, "Lord Allistair, has the guard been dispatched to bring the patrols back?"

Lord Allistair cleared his throat, "They are readying their horses now and then they only wait for Augustus, Legolas, and myself to meet them at the main gate."

Thranduil turned to address Augustus, "I would ask that you not go." Augustus furrowed his brow and the King continued, "in light of the situation in Aurora's room last night, I have chosen to ride with Lord Allistair and Legolas to retrieve our patrols and check on the welfare of our two Captains. Because this will pull me away from Aurora's side, I think it would be best if you were here with her."

"You're right," Augustus looked over to the closed bedroom doors, "but you can't keep her confined to these rooms all day."

Thranduil arched an eyebrow, "I can and I will."

"With all due respect, Your Majesty, you can't." Augustus emphasized his words as he met the King's hard gaze, "I know how Aurora deals with this type of stress. If she stays cooped up in the same place all she is going to do is sit around and dwell on what has happened which will upset her further and cause her more stress. Let her go out and ride Egg, let her go to the music room you mentioned and play the piano, let her do something. She needs a sense of normalcy right now."

Thranduil listened to Augustus with a thoughtful look. He glanced around the room again, "Very well," he began dryly, "Lord Gawain, Aurora will meet you in my library at 10 this morning to begin her lessons in Elvish. Lord Allistair, you will stay behind; I will lead the guard with Legolas to retrieve the patrols and at noon Aurora will begin her combat training with you. Wherever she goes there are 4 guards with her at all times."

They rose from their seats, nodded in agreement and left the parlor. With a final glance to Augustus, Thranduil left the parlor with Sankrovyn, and Legolas close behind. Augustus sighed heavily and returned to the large armchair, pulling his book back open.


Aurora felt the sun warming her face as she rolled over and stretched. Her hand hit something next to her and she opened her eyes to see a rolled-up scroll resting on top of her necklace that she gave to Vynladae the day before. She placed the chain around her neck and felt the comforting weight of the stone against her chest; she grabbed the scroll and opened it as she rolled onto her stomach.

Ilma nin (my Starlight),

I am sorry to not be here when you awaken as I do love to see the morning sun dance across your skin.

I have chosen to ride with the guard as they retrieve our patrol and I fear I will be gone until late into the evening if not until tomorrow.

Augustus should be nearby when you wake up so you are not alone, stay with him today.

Should you need me, open your thoughts and I will be there.

Although I leave the palace walls, my heart stays with you. I count the moments until we are together again, Meleth nin (my love).

Always Yours,

Thranduil

Aurora read the letter several more times before getting out of bed and opening the bedroom doors. She saw Augustus sitting at the table eating breakfast and he looked up at the sound of the doors opening. He stood up and walked over to meet his sister and pulled her into a tight hug.

"Hey Stupid," Aurora breathed.

"Hey Loser," he replied, "how are you feeling?"

Aurora sighed as she pulled back and walked over to the table where food had been laid out for her, "Traumatized..."

"I'm sorry Auri," Augustus held her hand as she picked at the fruit in her plate, "but I talked Thranduil into letting you leave the royal residence if you want, so you won't be cooped up in here all day."

"Thank you," Aurora replied, "I would've gone insane if I were stuck in here."

"I know, but there are conditions," Augustus smiled weakly as Aurora made an annoyed expression, "You have to have guards with you at all times."

"What?!" Aurora almost shouted and then lowered her voice to barely a whisper, "is that in case I get more of them killed?"

"Auri!" Augustus said but Aurora was already on her feet and pacing.

"It's true Augs, are you fucking know it!" She said as tears started to well in her eyes, "Every bad thing that has happened since we got here is my fault! How could they even want to protect me if I might get them killed?!"

"Stop it, Aurora," Augustus spoke through clenched teeth. He rarely spoke in this kind of tone while using her full name, so she knew she had struck a nerve, "Just stop it. Do you honestly think that they are going to blame you for being taunted by a psychopath who wants to who-knows-what to you once he has you?!"

"YES!" Aurora shouted as tears spilled onto her cheeks. Augustus was taken slightly aback as Aurora screamed. He looked around as the shadows in the corners of the room seemed to darken slightly. "And they have every right to blame me! I am the reason that four lives have been lost in the last 24 hours. I am the reason that Vynladae now has to grow up without her parents. None of this would have happened if I had just let those fucking monsters take me!"

"What about Thranduil?" Augustus asked.

Aurora stared at him for several seconds, blindsided by the sudden change in topic, "What about him?"

"Would you, honestly, let yourself be taken back to whatever hole these orcs are crawling from and leave him alone?" Augustus asked.

"If it meant that innocent people in his Kingdom would stop dying in horribly disgusting ways— "

"Do you love him?"Augustus cut her off.

Aurora looked away from her brother, "I don't see how that has—"

"Do you love him?" Augustus asked again.

The question lingered in the air for a long while as Aurora stared into the fire. She let several tears roll down her cheek as she tried to gather her thoughts. She had to face the truth now, she couldn't lie to Augustus, not about this. She let out a ragged breath as she turned around again to meet her brother's gaze, "I tried not to... After Sam, I didn't think that I could ever...That I even deserved— "

Aurora began to hyperventilate as fresh tears fell from her eyes. Augustus wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her close. "It's okay," he whispered into her hair, "You deserve all the happiness in the world Auri, and he can give it to you. But you can't live happily ever after if you get kidnapped by orcs, can you?"

Aurora shook her head against his chest and held him for a few more minutes before pulling away, "Why do you have to make me feel better when I just want to wallow in self-pity?"

Augustus smiled, "Because I'm the worst brother ever."

Aurora chuckled, "So what are we going to do today?"

"You will be having your first Elvish lesson and combat training with Lord Gawain and Lord Allistair," Augustus explained, "and I... Will be watching you have lessons with Lords Gawain and Allistair."

"You know that you don't have to watch me every moment of the day," Aurora said as they walked out of the royal residence. She stopped suddenly and turned around to see four armed guards behind her and she arched an eyebrow.

Augustus, seeing her confusion, said, "You are not allowed anywhere without four guards."

"Well that will make taking a bath awkward for everyone," she sighed.

Augustus looked to the guards and noted their panicked expressions, "She's just joking." Then he added, "You don't have to follow her for that, do you?"

One of the guards, clearly the one in charge of the four, stepped forward and spoke, "We will wait outside her bathing chambers."

Aurora gave a soft laugh and then her expression turned somber, "I'm really sorry you guys are stuck following me around."

Another guard stepped forward and looked Aurora deep in her eyes, "Lady Aurora, It is an honor to protect you from evil."

A third guard stepped forward and said, "Anyone who has made our Aran Vuin (Beloved King) as happy as we have seen him since your arrival is worthy of our protection."

The fourth stepped up to join his fellow soldiers, "I will lay down my life to see you safe, Hiril Vuin (Beloved Lady)."

In unison, the four soldiers placed a hand over their hearts and offered a reverent bow and Aurora almost started crying at the beauty of the moment. She had only been in Greenwood for a little over a week and these soldiers were already devoted to her. How can I ever repay them? She thought. Everyone had been so welcoming and understanding of the situation surrounding her arrival that she suddenly realized how much she had come to care for everyone she met, all she wanted was for them to be safe and happy. Even if that meant being safe from her. She felt another pang in her chest as guilt settled in again.

She looked at all of them and solemnly whispered, "Thank you."


Aurora's first lesson with Lord Gawain had gone very well. He was a very patient teacher and helped her learn several common phrases as well as a few that Aurora had asked to learn. Sensing her unease about forgetting what she had learned he had quickly written down the phrases and their translations on a piece of parchment for her and she had almost hugged him at the kind gesture.

Her combat training, however, had been tough. Lord Allistair was not as kind an instructor and had been aggressive in his first swordsmanship lesson. "The enemy is not going to be forgiving," he had said, "so neither will I." They had trained for close to three hours and Aurora had learned the proper way to hold and swing the sword he had given her. It was a beautiful weapon, with intricate designs woven onto the blade. Allistair explained that each blade is unique in its design and some even have inscriptions with elvish words of power to strengthen them.

Now Aurora rested her head against the edge of the hot spring in Thranduil's bathing chamber, feeling the water soothe her aching muscles. She was happy that she didn't need to return to the original guest chambers. The guards had told her that their orders from the King were to ensure that she and Augustus resided within the royal residence until he and Legolas returned. Aurora smiled to herself as she closed her eyes and settled into the water further.

She's completely defenseless, he thought as he watched her silently from the shadows, I could take her right now and it would take the guards hours to realize something was even wrong.

He had been impressed during her combat training today; he hadn't expected her to learn the basics of a blade so quickly. She had the potential to advance very quickly which may become problematic to him later on if he wasn't careful. However, things seemed to be progressing as well as they could and he could already feel the darkness growing within her. The orcs had failed him, again, in capturing her so it was the time that he took matters into his own hands before the King returned.

"Auri," Augustus voice echoed in the cavern from the top of the stairs, "you okay down there?"

Another problem, he thought as Aurora looked over to the direction of the stairwell, soon to be remedied.

"Yeah, "Aurora called back up, completely unaware of the concealed figure who watch as she got out of the spring and dried herself with a towel, "I'm just getting out now."

He watched silently as Aurora dressed again and pulled her hair back in a french braid. She walked so close to him on her way to the stairs that he was nearly intoxicated by her light rosy smell. It took all of his self-control to not reach out and touch her. Soon, he thought as she ascended back up the stairs, We'll be together soon.


Thranduil wiped the blood from his swords and placed them back in their sheaths as he mounted his elk. Legolas rode up next to him, "The scouts have returned and reported that there is another group of 10 that are about five miles ahead."

"Thranduil clenched his teeth, "There are far too many orcs in my woods."

Legolas nodded his head, "Should we pursue or wait until first light?"

"We will pursue, " Thranduil stated plainly, "We have another hour or so of light. After we dispatch the foul creatures we will rest for the night. We will reach the other battalion to the south and return to the palace by tomorrow night."

"What of Tauriel and Priamos?" Legolas asked grimly.

"One thing at a time ionneg (my son)," Thranduil sighed, "The scouts have their orders to eavesdrop on the orcs they encounter for any word on where our Captain's are being held. We will bring them home."


Aurora came back out of the bedroom and found Augustus talking with Lord Gawain and Lord Sankrovyn. The three looked up at her as she walked in ans she gave them a soft smile.

"I'm glad to see you didn't drown, " Augustus joked as she walked over, "I almost sent the cavalry in after you."

"Trust me," Aurora chuckled, "that would've been a show that no one wants to be invited to."

"Augustus was just informing us that Lord Allistair did not go easy on you for your first combat training," Lord Sankrovyn stated.

"I am already dreading hand-to-hand combat training with him because I'm afraid he's actually just going to continually punch me." Aurora replied.

"I'm sure he won't be so intense with that training," Lord Gawain explained, "Swords are an elves primary weapon. As you can tell Allistair is very... passionate."

"That he is," Aurora nodded her head, "What brings you here?"

"Augustus had asked for my help with some research and we were going to go to the library to begin," Gawain explained, "would you care to join us?"

Aurora shook her head, "I'll pass, thank you. I'm probably going to take my merry-band of guards back down to the training fields and stretch Egg's legs a bit."

"If you'll allow me Lady Aurora," Sankrovyn turned to her, " I would love to see a demonstration of this dressing you told me about. It's been quite the buzz among the soldiers."

"It's dressage," Aurora corrected with a smile, "and I would be delighted if you would join me. Maybe you can tell me all the embarrassing stories that the King doesn't want me to hear."

"Oh, I don't think we have enough time to get through them all before he returns."

The four left the parlor and split directions; Aurora stopped to watch Augustus and Gawain walk away as four guards seemed to appear out of nowhere to follow them. She was tempted to go with them, keep Augustus in her sights so nothing happened.

"He'll be okay," Sankrovyn said following her gaze and offered his arm to her, "Come on, we only have about an hour of daylight left."

Aurora linked her arm with Sankrovyn's and they walked to the stable. It didn't take long for Aurora to get Egg saddled up and lead him out to the training field. There she saw Sankrovyn and her four guards standing along the edge of the field as they watched her walk Egg around the field for several minutes. With a click of her tongue, she transitioned into a piaffe for half a lap around the field. After that she moved Egg into a rein back and then opened him up into an extended canter. As Aurora cantered around a final time something caught her eye and she brought Egg to a halt and she dismounted.

"Stay here handsome," She whispered and patted his neck once.

She heard Sankrovyn call to her from across the field but she ignored him and she walked into the treeline. She stepped over roots and around flowers until she found what had caught her eye. It was a small tree that wasn't getting overshadowed by the bigger ones. She knelt in front of the small tree and pulled Ondo Ilma from out of her tunic. As she held the stone in her hand she started to sing the same tune that she sang to Jarsalyn the night of the attack in Rivendell.

Sankrovyn and the guards came to a stop as they saw light emanating from Aurora's hands. The light danced and weaved into the branches of the tree as the branches grew stronger until they touched the setting sun. As the song ended they saw tendrils of light pull from Aurora's fingertips and go into the stone she held in her hand.

Aurora slowly opened her eyes slowly and smiled at the sight of the tree in full bloom. She looked around and saw the guards and Sankrovyn staring at her with wide eyes and open mouths.

"Oh shit," Aurora stuttered and stood up, placing the stone back into her tunic, "I'm sorry! That probably looked super weird to you and I should've warned you that—"

"Please Aurora," Sankrovyn raised a hand to silence her, "you have no need to apologize. You're gift— It's truly spectacular."

"Thank you." Aurora smiled.

"We should return to the palace Hiril Vuin (Beloved Lady)," one of the guards spoke up, "Evening is approaching."

Aurora nodded, "Yeah, I'll just put Egg back in the stable and we'll be good."


Legolas watched his father as he spoke with the guards of Priamos' battalion. They didn't intend to find them until the following morning but that had joined them halfway through the battle with the orcs.

Thranduil walked back towards Legolas, "The same story as with Tauriel. Ambushed by orcs and taken in the heat of battle."

"Should we prepare to move back to the palace?" Legolas asked.

"No, we still have some scouts out there trying to get a trace on the Captains. We will camp here for the night and return to the palace first thing in the morning. If we don't have too many delays on our journey back we should get back to the palace by nightfall."


Aurora and Augustus enjoyed dinner with Gawain, Sankrovyn, and Mithrandir. Aurora had tried to convince her guards to come and join them, but they informed her that it was against their orders. Aurora wouldn't take 'no' for an answer and set food by each of them before she joined the others for dinner. The group had laughed and talked for several hours late into the night until it was agreed that everyone could benefit from a good night's rest.

Augustus had offered to stay with Aurora but she explained that he should get a decent night's sleep. After a thorough search, Augustus was permitted to stay in his room and four guards were stationed outside of his room.

Aurora was alone in Thranduil's bedroom now, but she knew that two guards were in the parlor and the remaining two in the corridor. She could feel exhaustion beginning to take her over. Staying busy had been a good idea, she'd remember to thank Augustus for that tomorrow.

She walked around the bedroom and saw one of Thranduil's outer robes draped over a chair. She ran her hands over the cool dark blue fabric and held it close, taking in the scent of cedar and smoky vanilla. I miss you, she thought. She got into his bed, pulling the blankets up tight around her and held the outer robe close as she nestled her head into the robe.

I miss you too Ilma nin (my Starlight), Aurora heard his voice in her head and she sat up in bed.

Aurora smiled as she opened her mind further, I wish you were here.

As do I, Thranduil's thoughts echoed in her head, We return to the palace in the morning. I promise to kiss you before you fall asleep tomorrow.

Losto vae, Vuin nin. (Sleep well, my Beloved.), Aurora smiled as she sent the thought.

Aurora heard him softly chuckle in her head before he responded, How I long to hear those words fall from your lips.

Then tomorrow you shall.


The next day went very much like the previous one. Augustus and Aurora enjoyed breakfast and then she went to her Elvish lesson with Gawain. Aurora liked Gawain a lot; he was always very formal with her, but there was a kindness to him that made her feel safe around him.

When it came to her lesson with Allistair, once again she found herself on the receiving end of his aggressive teaching style but she did start to correctly block with regularity and he seemed pleased.

As they walked from the training field Allistair spoke softly to her for the first time, "You must understand Lady Aurora, I am only so harsh with you because it is imperative that you know how to hold yourself in hostile situations. I would be heartbroken should something befall you such as Priamos and Tauriel."
Allistair realized he had said too much when Aurora furrowed her brow, "What's happened to them?"


Augustus sat with Gawain, Sankrovyn, and Gandalf in the private library as he listened carefully.

Gawain spoke, "When elves marry, they create a bond that binds their souls to one another, this is called a fea-gwaedh (soul-bond). It is one of the most sacred connections that an elf can make as it gives part of your fea to the other."

Augustus nodded his head, "Okay. But what does that have to do with me and Aurora?"

Gandalf leaned forward and rested his arms on the arms of his chair, "It has been said, that a similar bond can be formed between family members who are extremely close to one another. I have heard it referenced as a Nothlir-gwaedh (kinship-bond) and it is most common in twins. Sharing a mother's womb as you develop not only causes similarities between you physically and mentally but also can cause a bond to be formed between your individual fea. It is rumored that Lord Elrond's twin sons share a similar connection."

"So that would explain why we can sometimes feel each other's pain, why the other hurts when one is in danger."

"Precisely," Sankrovyn agreed, "It is a beautiful gift."

The conversation was interrupted by the library doors slamming open as Aurora stormed in, four guards and Lord Allistair trailing quickly behind her. Augustus jumped to his feet at the sight of his sister, the look of fury on her face as she looked to everyone in the room but her eyes quickly locked onto Sankrovyn.

"Priamos and Tuariel have been TAKEN?!" She shouted, "and we know this because we received their index fingers from the guards who were IMPALED ON MY FUCKING BED?!"

Aurora's cry echoed through the library and there was a long moment of silence before

Sankrovyn rose from his chair and took several deep breaths, "The things you say are true, yes. This is why the King and Prince left to bring the patrols back to the palace. Lady Aurora, please let me reassure you that none of this is your—"

"If one more person says 'this isn't your fault' to me... I am going to punch them in the throat," Aurora said through clenched teeth.

Without another word she spun on her heel and stormed out of the library. Aurora walked down the corridor until she stopped in front of her room, she took several deep breaths and opened the door. She stood in the parlor for a long moment, noting that the destruction from a few nights ago had been cleaned up.

She turned to leave when something caught her eye.

On the writing desk in the corner, there was a single flower that she recognized immediately. "Black Dhalia..." She whispered as she moved towards the desk and saw that a note had been left, the ink still bubbling around the words as if the note had just been written. She held her breath as she read the words on the page.

How many more will you let die? I offer you a deal and the bloodshed will stop.
You for the Captains, alive.
Meet me at midnight in the clearing where you got Vynladae's parents killed.
Just the two of us… Like old times. You can't run from destiny, Rory.

She picked up the note and quickly put it in the tunic of her robes as she heard one of the guards come into the room, "Is everything alright, HIril Vuin (beloved Lady)?" The guard asked.

Aurora took a deep breath and turned around, "Yeah. Just a stupid flower." She walked back into the hall and towards the direction of the royal residence, "I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed right now, I think I'll lay down for a while."

She nodded to the guards and closed the bedroom door behind her. She rested her head against the door as she closed her eyes and let a silent tear fall down her cheek. She knew what needed to be done.


Aurora paced the bedroom back and forth as she thought about what she was about to do. She had made the preparations earlier, but ditching her guards was going to be the most difficult part. But she knew that if this didn't work than Priamos and Tauriel would die. She walked out into the grand parlor and didn't see the guards; however, when she opened the door into the corridor all four of them looked at her in confusion because they thought she was asleep.

"Is everything alright, Lady Aurora?" One of them named Dusan asked.

"Yeah," Aurora feigned confidence, "I just need to go to the stable to check on Egg, he seemed off when I put him away earlier."

"Surely it can wait until the morning?" Another guard, Caspian, asked.

Aurora sighed, "It really can't. He's been sick a lot in the past, I can't risk it happening again."

With a heavy sigh, the guard in charge turned and began walking in the direction of the stable. Aurora was relieved when they agreed to wait outside the stable and she quickly saddled Egg and pulled her bow over her shoulders. She placed two quivers of arrows in her saddlebag and tied two swords around her waist. She couldn't dual wield blades yet, but a spare would come in handy if she lost the first one. She led Egg as quietly as she could out of the back of the stable and clicked her tongue, urging him towards the main gate.

She walked Egg quietly as she approached the gate but soon felt her heart sank as the four guards stepped out of the shadows to block her way. Two of them had their bows trained on her and she thought for a moment that they were just going to shoot her. She brought Egg to a halt just as one of them spoke.

"Where are you going, Aurora?" Dusan asked, a hint of betrayal in his voice.

Aurora sighed, "To save the Captains."

Caspian furrowed his brow, "You can't possibly know where—"

"Yes I do," She cut off, removing the folded parchment from her robe and tossing it down to him.

Caspian picked up the parchment scanned the words and passed it on to the guards. "If this is true… We will uphold our orders to escort you everywhere you choose to go."

"No," Aurora shook her head, "The letter said just me and—"

"I was not asking permission, Hirill Vuin (Beloved Lady). The letter stated the two of you in the clearing. It said nothing of surrounding treelines and do not think that he will not have others with him as well" Caspian's eyes locked onto Aurora, "Three of us will accompany you and the fourth, Tonever, will stay behind and distract those who would stop us."

Aurora knew it was useless to argue the point with them, "Thank you." Aurora led Egg through the main gate with Dusan and Fintan walking next to her.

Caspian walked over the Tonever and gave him the letter but held onto it until Tonever met his gaze, "You will take this letter. You will retrieve the fastest horse and you will ride to the King and give him the letter. Heniah nin? (Do you understand me?)"

Tonever nodded, "I am happy you gave the order so I would not have to disobey you in doing so anyway."

Caspian clapped a hand on Tonever's shoulder, "No dirweg (Be careful)."


Thranduil and Legolas led the large group through the dark forest; he knew they knew that they were within an hour's time from the palace so making camp and waiting until morning was unnecessary. He was anxious to return but he knew it would not be a joyous event until the Captains were brought back safely. How he longed to see Aurora again. She had occupied his mind more and more the closer they got to the palace. He couldn't wait to hold her close and kiss her again. The last two days apart from her had felt longer than any journey he had taken before. But it would be worth it with her waiting at the end of that journey.

The King was pulled from his thoughts at the sound of Legolas's voice, "Aran nin(my King), a guard from the palace has just arrived."

Thranduil looked in the direction of his son's gaze and saw Tonever beginning to slow his horse as he approached the King. He acknowledged the reverent bow that the guard gave him. Thranduil spoke with a sharp edge in his voice, "What are you doing here? You were ordered to guard Lady Aurora."

Tonever's expression darkened in the light of the lantern the King held, "It's because of the Lady I have ridden so quickly, Aran Vuin (Beloved King)."

Thranduil's brow furrowed as he grabbed for the parchment that Tonever had held out to him. He scanned the words several times as his eyes grew wide and he felt panic settle into his chest.

"Ada?" Legolas asked as a look of fear flashed across his father's face. Thranduil only handed the parchment to Legolas as he turned his Elk in the direction of the clearing and began riding as quickly as he could. As he rode he desperately opened his thoughts again.

What are you doing, Meleth nin (my Love)?

The right thing, was the only reply he heard.


A/N: Well that... escalated quickly.
I warned you guys that I'm a sucker for cliffhangers so I hope you aren't too upset with me!
If you are upset ... I guess that means you're enjoying the story? Until next time, lovelies!
Please R&R! XOXO -P


DRESSAGE TERMS
Piaffe - This is a highly collected and elevated trot which the horse appears to remain on the spot.
Rein Back - During rein back the horse is asked to take even, straight and deliberate steps backwards, whilst remaining attentive to the riders aids and on the bit.

Extended Canter - the horse opens out their frame and increases the length of each stride to the greatest amount possible whilst maintaining balance, cadence, and rhythm.