- Chapter 42 -


Twisting around, she almost tripped on the hem of her dress.

"Elrohir?" she cried; eyes wide with disbelief.

He gave her a small grin but then drew her into a tight hug that almost took the breath out of her chest.

"Good to see you, too," he said, then pulled away and held her out at arms length.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"We came for you of course," he said simply, as if it should have been obvious.

"Where's Elladan?"

"With the King and Adar," he said but she didn't miss the look that crossed his eye.

"Uncle's here? In Dale?"

He nodded. "Yes."

Her stomach dropped and her eyes widened in disbelief.

"When did you get here?"

He raised his eyebrows. "So many questions," he sighed.

She turned to Gandalf and swiped the hair out of her face. "You knew they were coming, didn't you? Why didn't you say anything?"

Gandalf shifted uncomfortably and tried to give her a reassuring smile. "I thought it would be a nice surprise for you."

She frowned impatiently because she didn't believe him. "Seriously?" she snipped. "Is that what you were all upset about and worried over today?"

The wizard shifted uncomfortably again. "Well, er, perhaps."

"Adar is anxious to see you," Elrohir said. "We arrived this morning but you had already left for the mountain." He shot an irritated look towards Erebor, the disapproval very much apparent in his tone.

She looked to Sidhel and Arossel next, still feeling confused.

"You're not here for me, are you?" she wondered, and Sidhel's expression darkened a little.

"Shyloh," Arossel said, looking slightly uncomfortable. "They know."

"Who knows what?"

"Everybody. Everybody knows about you and the Prince," she breathed.

"They know you two bonded," said Sidhel, and she felt the air catch in her chest.

Elrohir crossed his arms, looking slightly irate. "Yes, I would say you certainly had quite the adventure."


"Did you have to tell everyone Farril?" hissed Lastril furiously.

She jerked the tent flap down behind her angrily and stormed past the startled maid. The elegant dress almost slipped through her fingers at the abrupt outburst from her Lady but she caught it in time. No doubt, if she let the soft and flowing fabric of the gown hit the ground, she would never hear the end of it. The green gown from yesterday was far too elegant for a war zone, but Lady Lastril insisted she needed to make a good impression, so the gown had been packed.

Lastril paced the tent space, hands on her hips, positively fuming. The scowl on the fair Lady's face would have made an orc cringe.

"What part of keep quiet did you not understand?" the Lady snapped. The hiss in her voice made Farril bow her head in shame. "Now the entire city is gossiping about it."

"Is it not good news, my Lady? The Prince has bonded and -,"

"He did not bond with me!" interrupted Lastril, spinning around to glare at the maid.

"But she is his soul -,"

"Don't say that word!" growled Lastril, and she glared down at the seated Farril. "This is not how it was supposed to work out!" Her temper was rising. "I was supposed to be his bonded. I was supposed to be the future Queen of Mirkwood. What does she know about the Realm? Nothing!"

Despite her temper, Lastril floated down onto her chair elegantly, wisps of her pale blue shift gown drifting behind her on the air, only to settle down silently along the other many folds of fabric. Again, the dress was far too elegant for a war zone, but irregardless it had been packed.

"Father will be so disappointed in me," Lastril muttered with a pout.

"Would he not be happier if you found your own soul-, er, bonded?," Farril asked, wincing at the glare she was just given.

Lastril flicked her hair behind her shoulder with delicate fingers and sniffed. "The plan was to always marry the Prince. If Father gets his way, the Princess will be banished from the Kingdom for her foolishness. Perhaps there is still a chance."

"I hardly think the King will banish her now that the Prince has found his soulmate," Farril said without thinking, and Lastril gave a frustrated screech and the hairbrush she was holding went flying across the tent.


"How many have perished?" Elrond asked as he sank onto a chair across from the King.

"Too many," replied Thranduil. "Every single one is always one too many. We will feel the blow for many years to come."

"Five armies," Elrond shook his head in disbelief and frowned. He ran a hand over his face and his heart went out to the Woodland Realm. It had been many years since they'd seen a battle of this magnitude, and Thranduil was right, it would take many years to recover from the loss they felt. "And the dwarves of the Iron Hills?"

"They were dealt a hard blow," said Thranduil, but like always, his tone turned cold at mention of the dwarves.

"The Lakemen?"

"Lake-town is a complete loss, and they have lost more, perhaps, than us. Bard has accepted the role as King of Dale."

"As is his right," agreed Elrond. "The old Master of Lake-town has stepped down?"

"His body was found along with many others in the lake," said Thranduil grimly, though he was not overly saddened by the news. The old Master of Lake-town had been a foul, wretched person to deal with. There was no doubt the survivors would be in better hands with Bard leading them.

Elrond's frown deepened. "This is ill news. All of it."

They sat in silence for a short while, each entwined in his own thoughts.

"I trust you know why I am here," Elrond said, and the King met his eye.

"I almost expected you sooner," replied Thranduil. His eyes flicked to Elladan briefly, whose tense frame stood in the corner behind his father.

"We were delayed due to weather. It seems winter is looking to settle in early this year."

"Yes, we have felt the change."

"When is she expected back from the mountain?"

"Mithrandir is to bring her back after their feast. Early afternoon at best guess."

Elrond nodded. "Does she know we have arrived?"

"No," Thranduil said, rising from his seat. "I did not tell her specifically for the fact Mithrandir asked to delay that information until after the funeral. She has had much to deal with as of late, he did not want her worrying anymore than she had to."

Thranduil poured the three of them wine from the side table, and after handing the others their goblets, the King sank back down in his chair.

"How did she fare during the battle?"

"Surprising well," mused the King. "Despite not following orders, she is rather talented with the bow and managed to kill Azog the Defiler with a single head shot."

Elrond's eyes widened in shocked surprise. "Azog the Defiler? So he is finally dead then."

"And by the hand of your niece."

"Many have attempted to kill him over the course of many long years."

Thranduil nodded. "She used her last arrow to save the dwarf King."

"Remarkable indeed."

"Indeed. I am going to assume you are not here just to check up on her," said Thranduil coolly between sips of his wine.

"No, I am not. I am here to bring her home."

Thranduil tilted his head approvingly. "Yes, it is time she return to Rivendell."

"You agree?" Elrond was almost surprised by this, but perhaps he shouldn't have been.

"Of course."

"Despite what has happened?"

Thranduil crossed one knee over the other and leaned back in his seat. "They are hardly ready, and I fear if she lingers here much longer my councilors will dig their claws into her."

"Have there been issues already?" Elrond frowned with concern.

"None that haven't been dealt with accordingly," the King said heavily. "However, some are still attempting to cause problems. I have an army to reassemble and a kingdom that is in mourning; my councilors worries about the future of my son and the Princess are minimal at the moment."

"Anyone in specific?"

"Lord Iamben has taken a heavy interest in Shyloh, to the point it is most concerning."

Elrond leaned forward, and frowned angrily. "That is not good news."

"No," sighed the King. "He attempted to negotiate the union between Legolas and his daughter Lastril before Shyloh's arrival in the Realm. I dismissed the idea once I was sure of what had happened, but it has not set well with him at all since."

Elrond raised his eyebrows. "Is he looking for a foothold?"

"Possibly. Unfortunately, our attempts to keep their bonding quiet has failed considerably, and was leaked this morning. It now has spread throughout the entire city and is out of my control. I was hoping to have her on the road before it became public knowledge."

Rubbing a hand over his mouth, Elrond straightened in his seat. Before he could say anything though, Thranduil told him of the guard's death shortly after the arrival of the dwarves and Shyloh, and Elrond's eyes darkened.

"And now he wishes to have her banished?" asked Elrond. Thranduil nodded once. "Does he not realize the banishment of one, means the banishment of both? Legolas could hardly stay in the Woodland Realm if that banishment came into play."

"It will not come into play, Elrond, nor would I even consider it. I could hardly face banishing my own son to settle the mind of a Silvan elf Lord who only seeks to gain more power. He suspected they were intended but did not know more until this morning. Now his concerns are laid bare."

"If Shyloh was banished, Legolas would surely follow her, leaving you without an heir to the throne. Would Lord Iamben be next in line to ascend should you step down from your reign?"

"There are two others that are above him, but I had considered that as well. Those two are much more level headed. Iamben has always been paranoid of outsiders."

"It is a rare and wonderful thing to find your soulmate, at first sight nonetheless. It should be a cause for celebration," said Elrond as he sank back into his seat. "Not for trouble making."

"Have you accepted their bond so easily, old friend?" asked Thranduil, mildly curious.

So far, the Lord of Rivendell had been very calm and collected during their early morning meeting. Of course he already knew the two would marry, so when Galadriel told him the two bonded at first sight, he departed Rivendell immediately. The only time Elrond looked upset was when Thranduil listed the foul happenings that occurred under his watch, which the King admitted, were highly embarrassing to himself and his kingdom.

"I have no choice but to accept it, like you," Elrond said simply. "Mithrandir was supposed to leave her in the safety of the Woodland Realm. I knew they would meet eventually, but I was not prepared for them to bond so quickly."

"Yes, I will admit that I was quite surprised myself," Thranduil mused, sipping his wine. "However, it cannot be changed nor challenged."

"No, it cannot," agreed Elrond quietly.

"Their union, when exactly did you see it occurring?"

"Not for many years yet. As fair warning, it will not come to be without its challenges and trials. The future is always changing I am afraid, and that is the best answer I can give right now."

Thranduil nodded thoughtfully at this.

"She is not one to sit idly either. There are many things I believe she must do yet before the day comes. I fear the reason behind her arrival back in Arda has not truly been revealed."

"A darkness is coming," Thranduil said evenly, and the two exchanged a worried look.

"Perhaps we shall put the minds of your councilors to rest before she arrives back in the city," suggested Elrond lightly after a length. "I would hate for anyone to have misgivings as to why I am here."

Thranduil raised his eyebrows, accepting the challenge. "Perhaps we shall."


"They've been in there for hours?" Shyloh asked as she fell into step with Elrohir. The wizard walked on her other side quietly, no longer puffing on his long pipe.

Now she knew why Sidhel, Nodron, and the others were there. They were clearly worried now that everyone knew. They were missing one, but Ganir had returned to his family in the Realm to mourn the loss of his brother. While she missed their company, she knew they had other tasks that were probably more important to tend to, other than her. Her 'protection' was now in the hands of Imladris.

"Yes," Elrohir said heavily. "Since we arrived this morning."

"And Elladan is with them, too?"

"He is technically the older of us," shrugged Elrohir. "Although, my brother has attempted to challenge that fact for many years. Since he is 'older' he gets tasked with certain things neither of us wish to have to deal with, but alas, that is the name of the game."

"Don't look so smug about it," she chided. "So, you have been waiting at the wall all morning?"

"Oh no," he said with a hint of a smile. "I spent much of it with your bonded. And I have not seen Sidhel and Nodron for many years, so we had plenty of time to do a little catching up."

Her face flushed when he called Legolas her 'bonded,' and grew uncomfortable with the phrase right away. "Don't call him that," she muttered.

Now he really did smile. "Ah, but that is what he is, little cousin," Elrohir sighed dramatically. "Your bonded."

She scrunched her face up unhappily. "It sounds so...formal."

"Ah, but it is formal."

She shook her head slowly, attempting to suppress the irritation growing within her.

"There will be no rid of him now. I always wanted a new brother, although, I had thought Arwen would be the one to bring a fellow home, not you. I would say it's a good thing we already like him."

"So glad you approve," she muttered dryly, and he drew an arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze.

Gandalf shot Elrohir an irritated look over her white head, but he ignored it.

"War, orcs, goblins, dwarves, halflings, wizards, Princes, dragons," listed Elrohir. "Have I left anything out?"

"You're forgetting trolls, stone giants, spiders, and a skin-changer," she added. He frowned but she only blinked up at him innocently. "You asked."

"I cannot wait to hear the entire story," he muttered unenthusiastically.

She turned to Sidhel and Nodron, who walked behind them quietly. "How did everyone find out?" she asked a little hesitantly.

"We're not exactly sure," Sidhel admitted. "The rumor was flowing around quite quickly this morning. Perhaps someone overheard you two talking last night?"

She pressed her lips together, trying to recall if she remembered seeing anyone but she didn't think so.

"I'm positive we were alone, aside from the guards that trailed us, but even they couldn't have heard I don't think," she said.

"Someone overheard you," Nodron insisted. "Finding out who might be impossible. It could have been one of our kin, or it could have been a Lakeman."

She shook her head. "We walked up to the top of the causeway. Unless Lakeman have really good hearing I don't think they could have heard. We weren't talking that loud," she shrugged.

"What were you two doing alone anyway?" Elrohir frowned.

Rolling her eyes at his suspicious tone, she snapped, "We were just talking."

"They haven't had any time to digest what has happened around them, much less what has happened between them. Perhaps one of the guards overheard something?" suggested Gandalf but Sidhel and Nodron looked offended by Gandalf's suggestion.

"It goes against the law of a guardsman," Sidhel said firmly. "Anything overheard is kept in strictest confidence. Even if they wanted to tell someone, they are bound to an oath."

"Oaths can be broken," Gandalf said simply. "But I think you are right, it was not a guardsman. Whomever it was, they were very sneaky about it. Best to keep those conversations where no one can overhear you again." He gave her a very pointed look and she took the hint.

"I for one, am glad it has come out," Nodron said, casting her an apologetic glance. "It is good news and we have not had cause to celebrate for a long time."

Shyloh huffed but even Sidhel looked slightly relieved; as did Tinnion and Eithrian, who stood silently in the background listening to everything.

"Don't get too excited," Shyloh warned. "We have a long way to go."

"Honestly, I think Ernil Legolas is relieved. Do you know how many elleths have thrown themselves at him over the years?" Nodron confessed but Sidhel scowled and backhanded him in the ribs.

Shyloh tilted her head and pressed her lips together. "Well that's just great," she said matter-of-factly.

"Enough now," interrupted Gandalf. He stepped forward and broke up their little party. "Now, we were expecting to leave on the morrow," he said, turning to Elrohir. "Obviously your arrival means we will be delayed now. My apologies Bilbo, I know you were anxious to be on the road."

"Not to worry," Bilbo said, and everyone was reminded that the hobbit was indeed, still there. "Seems like something is happening that we must stick around for. I do not think I will return to the mountain though."

"I will find you lodgings while we linger, and the pony can stay in the stables," assured Gandalf and Bilbo nodded.

She couldn't tell if Bilbo was upset or not by their delay but he did look a little uncomfortable. Of course, everyone towered over him, especially the elves, who looked down at him curiously.

"You are the halfling then, that traveled with the dwarves?" asked Sidhel, and Bilbo nodded awkwardly.

"Yes, that I am."

"I did not think halflings traveled so far from home," Nodron said, crossing his arms over his chest.

Bilbo laughed lightly. "Yes, well, we do enjoy the comforts of home very much."

"Bilbo was quite impressed with Rivendell during the companies stay there, though it was brief," said Gandalf, peering down at the hobbit.

"Really?" Elrohir asked, now seeming more interested in Bilbo. "Tell me..." and the two of them fell into step together, surprisingly, and led their company down the street.

Sidhel fell into step next to her.

"I never thanked you," she said, then twisted around to take in her four former guards. "For all you did for me. I really appreciate your kindness and I wanted to apologize also."

"Apologize for what?" asked Sidhel.

"Ditching you during the battle in front of the King," she confessed and a grin broke out on Sidhel's serious face.

"I was wondering when this conversation would come up," he said, and Tinnion chuckled behind them.

"Honestly," Nodron said from her other side. "You had the nerve to disobey the King right in front of him. I don't think anyone has ever done that."

"And lived to tell the tale," added Sidhel. She might have thought it funny, but she smothered her grin despite their amusing expressions.

"No need to apologize, but seriously, you should have taken us with you." Sidhel's face became a bit more serious and that was when she stopped.

"No," she shook her head. "You weren't supposed to be there."

"We could have helped -," said Sidhel but she shook her head again.

"I don't know how to explain it, but I know I'm right when I say you weren't supposed to be there. I was meant to go alone. I don't know why, but I think something bad would have happened if any of you had followed."

They were quiet as they processed this and even though Sidhel didn't look convinced, he nodded anyway. "Alright," he said, then they went back to following the others.

"We're just glad you are alright," Eithrian said in a small voice, and when Shyloh met the she-elf's eyes she was met with a smile.

Perhaps the wood-elves weren't quite so bad after all...


Rubbing his forehead, Legolas crossed off a spot on the map and stepped back to examine it. There were no traces of the orcs in the southern part of the woods. Their trail led to the Old Forest Road and then it disappeared after a heavy rainfall. Even the Woodmen had seen no trace of them before or after the storm, and Legolas let out a heavy sigh. Ristedir would be back soon for new orders since his troop had to draw back to the borders while the southern marchwarden took over the search. Two days of searching for the enemy had led them nowhere.

Curse the rains, he thought sullenly. If they had only held off another day or two we would have better results.

"My Lord." A voice outside the tent pulled his attention away from the map briefly, and he watched Laimen, the southern marchwarden, step under the cover of the blue tarps.

"Laimen," Legolas said, as he turned back to the map. "What news?"

"Still no sign of the escaped orcs, my Lord. It is possible they traveled back to the outskirts of the Woods and traveled south to the East Bight."

"They would have entered the Wood then at some point, and traveled West to Dol Guldur, or perhaps they fled further south toward Mordor," the Prince said heavily. "We cannot go after them if that is the case."

"We can only hope justice will be served upon them," agreed Laimen. "Since we are unable to do it ourselves."

Legolas frowned even more at the obvious disappointment in Laimen's tone. He, too, was disappointed the orcs got away, and he was sure his father would not be pleased to hear they lost their trail.

"It is what it is, Laimen," Legolas said as he turned back toward the table and sank down onto his chair. "I cannot send anyone after them and leave our borders defenseless."

"I was not suggesting it my Lord," Laimen said steadily, then he turned to the map the Prince had been staring at. "Have all the wounded been returned to the halls?"

Legolas nodded. "Yes, the last wagon was sent this morning."

"That is good news," Laimen said, but a muscle twitched in Legolas' jaw; he knew what question was coming next. "And the dead?"

Legolas rubbed his forehead once more, and looked at his marchwarden with sad eyes. "The last of them have returned as well."

Nodding approvingly, Laimen turned away from the map but his face was drawn tight. "What orders shall I take back to the southern borders my Lord?"

Legolas shook his head. "None mellon nin, I have sent orders with Beldir and Reviion," the Prince said. "Go home to your wife. My heart weeps for your lost son."

"As does mine, mellon," Laimen said, suddenly choked up. Legolas stood once more and placed a hand on his friends shoulder. Laimen repeated the gesture, then left the tent without another word.

Legolas watched him go but just as he was about to turn away from the opening, a familiar white head caught his eye. Ocean blue eyes found his and Shyloh stepped into the tent a little hesitantly. His frustration seemed to slowly dissipate at the sight of her and he found himself enchanted by her eyes.

"Do you have a moment?" she asked.

In truth, he did not. He was expecting Ristedir any minute and their conversation was not something he could put off. The troops needed to be reassembled for the eastern borders promptly and their security tightened. But for her, he would make the time, and he nodded.

Stepping further inside, she let her fingers graze over the rough boards of the table in front of her. She was beautiful in her silver dress, despite the fact she'd worn it to a dwarf's funeral. Her long white hair was pulled back from her face earlier that morning but strands of it came loose throughout the day, curling around her cheeks. She blushed when she caught him staring and he had to blink to refocus.

"It appears our secret is out," she said quietly, and gave him a hesitant look.

He frowned and nodded. "Yes," he sighed. "It appears so. I am sorry. I should have been more careful last night."

She pressed her lips together. "Does this change things then?"

"What do you mean?"

She hesitated again. "Will your father's councilors cause problems?"

He looked down at the table. He wanted to tell her no, but first thing that morning Iamben stormed into the tent demanding answers. Answers about why a host from Rivendell – Lord Elrond to be exact – had arrived in the city without Iamben properly being notified; answers to the rumors about the Prince and Princess bonding; and then without waiting for the actual answers, declared he himself had been correct in his assumptions that Elrond was up to no good.

"Iamben is currently with my Father and Lord Elrond, as are a few other councilors," explained Legolas.

"Did you know riders from Rivendell were coming last night?" she wondered, and he thought maybe she held a bit of accusation in her tone.

He shook his head. "The messenger did not arrive until after you and I spoke."

Quietly she nodded, and turned away and folded her arms over her chest. "Do you know what they're talking about? I know Iamben thinks I purposely withheld information, but I didn't. I didn't know the orcs would follow us into the wood, and had I known I would have told your father -,"

"Stop," he hushed her, and came to stand in front of her. "This is not your doing at all." He reached a hand up to brush her cheek and she felt herself still at his touch.

"Iamben is extremely mistrustful of outsiders and likes to rouse trouble. I honestly think it all comes down to his daughter and the position he had hoped to put her in."

"You mean because he wanted you two to get married?"

Legolas nodded. "If I had accepted the proposal and married her, it would have put him in a much higher position over the other Lords on my Father's council. He is the third oldest Silvan elf in Mirkwood at the moment, but marriage to his daughter would have meant he would have succeeded them in ranking and held more sway over decisions of the Realm."

Now she understood it just a little bit more.

"But, I could never marry her, even if you were banished from the Realm," he sighed with frustration. "I'd have to follow you."

Her eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

"Banishment of one, means banishment of both," he explained. "We were hoping to inform the councilors once you left that we bonded. It would have put all of this nonsense to rest and Iamben would not have been tempted to use you as a pawn. I think he wanted to use you to negotiate with the dwarves for gold. I told you the councilors have been trying to marry me off for years, and I did not want them to attempt to force us into marriage so quickly. You are still adjusting to this world, I did not want you to feel trapped."

"That's why you wanted me away from here?" she asked, frowning. He nodded and ran a hand over his face. The lack of rest and strain of the post battle clean up was wearing on him like so many others and she could see the stress written on his face.

"Shyloh, I need you to understand, I cannot leave the Woodland Realm. My duty is here, to my kin. But," and here he hesitated. "When the time came to make that decision, if us leaving was what you truly wanted..."

"Don't," She said, stopping him. "I know those thoughts are weighing on you but no decision has to be made today. We have a long way to go yet. I already know you couldn't leave your Father. You're the crowned Prince of the Woodland Realm. I just assumed that this would eventually become home."

She stepped a little closer and reached a hand up slowly to his own cheek, letting the back of her fingers brush against his skin. She could feel the bond flow between her skin and his like magic; a spark. It was a weird thought, knowing that this was the one whom her soul had chosen, and so easily at that. Her eyes grazed over his features one by one. The smell of the forest was upon him and she drank it in like a fine wine. She knew she didn't understand completely what bonding to him meant, but she had a pretty good idea, and felt the barrier around her heart crumble just a bit more.

"All good things to those who wait," she murmured. He reached up a hand and covered hers with his, then drew back and pressed a kiss into her palm.


ro781727 - and the secret is out! I would certainly say her bubble has been deflated.

Guest - you're welcome and thank you for following along.

Important note: I've already kind of started to write her next book but it is going to be a more 'original' story since there is such a gap between now and LOTR, and will show how she continues to grow. I'm sorry if anyone is upset that Shyloh and Legolas' relationship is going to obviously take so long to unfold, but as you can see, things are slowly moving along (very slowly), and that is because all the fics I've read had the main characters fall in love and get married overnight, and frankly that's just not my kind of reality. I wanted to enjoy my time writing her story. So apologies in advance for moving like a tortoise. I wanted this first book to go to at least 50 chapters but I'll keep you posted if anything changes.

Should I add the second book to this one, and just put a marker at the beginning to keep it all together? Or would a new book be easier for readers?

- S