ro791727 - hard to tell about any of it.

Rin (guest) - thanks for the congrats and for following along.

Rosiekay - I kind of laughed at your review because I share the same mindset lol, like: what the what?

LDiana - I kind of broke my own heart when I wrote it too. Someone's up to something.


- Chapter 61 -


Legolas shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Sitting for long periods of time wasn't unusual for him especially in council meetings, but today it seemed exceptionally challenging. Sidhel accompanied him during these meetings, acting out the part as his adviser, (even if he was lousy at it) but even he looked ready to fall asleep.

For the last week, they spent their afternoons in the grand hall with its roaring fireplaces. If Legolas didn't know any better, he would have never known a dragon ravished these halls only a few short years ago. The hall was magnificent if he were being honest with himself, even though it was of dwarvish craftsmanship.

He briefly wondered how much longer these negotiations would be held for. King Bard from Dale was in attendance with a few of his newly appointed advisers, which were no more than elders that survived the dragon fire that consumed Lake-town. Representatives from the Iron Hills and the Blue Mountains were also in attendance, though the dwarves from the Blue Mountains were quiet and already seemed to have their trade deals worked out, Legolas was sure they were only here for looks, since they offered little to the conversation.

Surprisingly, King Bard was able to negotiate a lot in the sense of crops and fresh vegetables. Legolas was under the impression dwarves only ate meat and drank ale. Perhaps that was a stereotypical point of view, but it offered him a little humor during the long, drawn out meetings.

Legolas spun the goblet in front of him in slow circles on the table, literally just to have something to do. King Thorin's cousin Dane drank noisily from his own goblet before wiping his mouth with his burnt red beard. Legolas cringed inwardly; dwarves really were sloppy creatures.

"The Woodland Realm has no interest in trading fish anymore?"

The question drew Legolas' thoughts back to the present moment and he drew in a steady breath. The question was the same one that was asked earlier that evening to not only him, but to the other individuals surrounding the magnificent stone table between them as well.

"No," replied Legolas. "Lake-town was one of our main sources of fish, but now we look to the Forest River and do the catching ourselves."

It was the same reply he'd given earlier, but the dwarf to Dane's left had clearly forgotten. Perhaps dwarves had short memories, or perhaps it was just this dwarf in particular, but Legolas met King Thorin's eye and obviously the King and Prince were thinking the same thing. The dwarf was clearly disappointed that the Prince's mind was still made up on the matter. Establishing trade between the Woodland Realm and Erebor was not that particular dwarf's task.

Perhaps the fact that gold from the Woodland Realm was being held on a tighter leash was upsetting toward the dwarves, but there was no sense in trading something the elves themselves could get. Of course, it meant harder and more thorough patrols in the river clearings to ensure the safety of their kin, but it was done. His father approved of this shortly after Lake-town perished.

Legolas knew how to negotiate, perhaps better than many of the others. He had thousands of years of practice, after all, but he was feeling like the elves time in Erebor was coming to a close, whether Lady Lastril was finished with her discussions or not. Legolas was anxious to return home, and so were his troops. One more week was all he would allow the dwarves and citizens of Dale to complete their negotiations, and he would take his leave.

"We have already been over this," groaned the King as he rubbed his head. "I call this meeting to an end for the evening."

Legolas could have jumped for joy but instead, his foot met Sidhel's leg under the table with a swift kick, and the guard suddenly jerked upright.

Some adviser he was.

The room cleared with murmurs and the scraping of chairs across the stone floor. Several eyes were cast toward the quiet elves. After all, the elves normally kept to themselves and aside from the war, their presence in the human city and surrounding area had become less and less. Protecting their homeland and keeping to themselves was their main priority as of late.

A darkness was coming.

"Prince Legolas," King Thorin's voice called just as the two elves made ready to stand. "A word, if you please."

Pressing his lips together, Legolas did his best not to look displeased. He leaned back in his seat reluctantly, but Sidhel followed suit.

"Alone," said the King.

Sidhel gave Legolas a questioning look but with a nod from the Prince, the elf reluctantly stood and followed the rest of the crowd out of the grand hall, leaving only himself, Thorin, and a white haired dwarf with a long hooked nose that sat on the King's left. The table between them was long and wide, specifically designed for meetings such as this. Goblets and pitchers of beverages lingered at the almost empty table. King Thorin waited for the doors to close before he straightened in his chair and laced his fingers together over his middle.

Legolas tilted his head to the side just the slightest but otherwise made no move to dive right into whatever conversation the King had planned.

"I have wanted to speak with you since you arrived but I find it difficult to corner you," the King said.

"And what is it you wished to speak with me about that required being cornered?" Legolas kept his tone monotonous. He wouldn't deny that Sidhel and himself were usually the first to disappear from the hall after their meetings, mostly because Sidhel couldn't stand sitting still for so long.

"A mutual friend," the King replied simply.

Ah, so he wished to talk about Shyloh. Legolas tried not to sigh out loud. He could not help feeling slightly hostile toward the dwarves yet, even though they fought side by side during the Battle of the Five Armies, there was still a lingering dislike. Legolas felt it the moment he entered the mountain a week ago, heck, he felt it before he even approached the front gates.

It was alright, the feeling was mutual.

He understood why his father didn't have any desire to return to the mountain, and perhaps he never would in the years to come, but even though Legolas disliked the occupants of the mountain, he couldn't deny he was curious. The dwarves had done remarkable work on the kingdom over the last few years, and there were many parts that even he couldn't tell had been affected by the dragon. This hall, for example, was just one of those places that had been repaired impeccably.

"How does she fare?" asked Thorin.

"As far as I know she is doing well. She has continued her training with the Galadhrim."

"As far as you know?" asked the white haired dwarf, and Legolas gave him a quick look.

"This is Balin," Thorin said quickly. "He was part of my company in reclaiming the mountain."

Legolas nodded only once in recognition. If Thorin hadn't repeated his name – he was sure he'd been introduced at their first meeting – he would have not even given it a second thought.

"Azinlaz wrote a year after her arrival in Lothlorien, but she was very vague in her letter."

Legolas frowned. "Azinlaz?"

Thorin raised a bushy eyebrow. "It is the name she is referred to by dwarves."

"As I was saying, Azinlaz wrote but was vague. We were simply wondering how she was, since we have not heard anything else about her," Balin said, folding his hands over the table in front of him.

Legolas frowned. She never once mentioned having a dwarf name before. Why had she kept it a secret? Did she not know how significant it was to be given a name by a different race other than your own? Sure, his kin in the south called her Nimbrethil, but to find out she was known as Azinlaz by the dwarves was surprising.

"And as I said, as far as I know she fares well," he said almost reluctantly. He didn't want to let on that he hadn't heard from her in months. "And she has joined the border patrol."

Thorin's eyebrows rose. "The border patrol?"

"I did not have her staked as a border patrol elf," Balin grumbled, looking surprised himself.

Legolas shifted just the slightest in his chair. "Being assigned border patrol is not a life sentence," he said with a frown. "But is in fact a showcase of her abilities. She no doubt earned her spot, and will learn valuable lessons to help her grow."

Thorin nodded, but his bushy eyebrows were furrowed in a frown. "We meant no disrespect."

Balin gave Thorin an awkward look.

"We have of course sent letters," explained Thorin. "But unfortunately we have not heard back from her in well over a year. Being her soulmate and all, we hoped you might have been able to shed some light on the situation. Of course we understand the lives of elves vary drastically compared to dwarves, and time moves differently for the both of us."

Legolas stiffened. How had the King known Shyloh was his soulmate?

"To answer the question I can tell is forming in your mind," said Thorin. "Shyloh confided in me before her departure. Of course rumors have spread, therefore Balin here was already aware."

Nodding, Legolas drew in a breath. "I have also not heard back from her in months. Perhaps attending to her duties on border patrol are her main focus at this point in time."

Thorin did not look convinced but he nodded slowly. Then he bowed his head almost gratefully. "Thank you master Legolas, for this insight. Perhaps we will continue to hope for word in the future. How does King Thranduil fare these days?"

The sudden change in topic caught him off guard and he blinked in surprise once more. "He is well, thank you for asking."

The King nodded his head once more. "We were sorry to hear he could not join us, but it is quite understandable. None of us like traveling too far from our homelands. These are trying times for all of us."

Legolas agreed sullenly. "Indeed."

"Your aid seemed less than impressed with today's meeting," offered Balin, and Legolas tensed once more.

"Sidhel is a warrior, not a negotiator," Legolas said. "Lengthy meetings are not his cup of tea."

"I was much like that in my own youth," mused Balin with a slight laugh. "But I am afraid these old bones aren't what they used to be. We have an ample training ground if he so wishes to make use of all that pent up energy."

Legolas almost smiled. "It takes a great deal to wear an elf of his energy, especially Sidhel."

"Feel free to make use of the training space as you see fit," offered Thorin. "I will gladly have someone show you and your company the way if you so please."

Legolas nodded. "I think he would enjoy that."

"Then it is settled," Thorin said, and Legolas was taken back by such an offer. "There will be no meetings tomorrow as it is, I will send someone in the morning for you."

"It is much appreciated," said Legolas, and without allowing the dwarves another opportunity to strike up another topic, he made his departure and left the grand hall for the solitude of his own room.

He wouldn't get that lucky, though.

Lastril seemed to have just come out of her own meetings just as he was about to pass the hall she and the ladies were occupying. Their meeting seemed to have ended on a happier note, because the laughter floating out into the hall as they started exiting the room was much unlike the grumbling of the men folk just a short bit ago.

When their eyes spotted him, he halted and Lastril looked up at him, pleasantly surprised. She smiled poetically then dipped into a curtsy.

"My Lord," she gushed, her eyes beaming with delight. "Such a pleasure to see you."

Other women curtsied and blushed furiously while he gave a little bow back. It was clear that Lastril was attempting to be as graceful and charming as elvishly possible; she was years older than those that surrounded her, though she neither looked nor acted like it (well, at least most of the time).

In truth, compared to the other ladies present she was a sight to behold, wearing one of her finest gowns and displaying a very serene and majestic personality that was more commonly found in the elders of their kin. They looked at her as if she held both wisdom and knowledge and it was clear as daylight that she was the focal point of their group, that was, except for the short dwarrowdam that followed her out of the room a moment later.

Princess Dis had a round, slightly hairy face. Her sharp eyes were very much like Thorin's but her narrow nose was the complete opposite of his. Perhaps at one point the siblings looked more alike in that aspect, but Legolas suspected Thorin's nose had been broken multiple times over the years. Her dark hair had a slight wave to it and the top was pulled back into a twist at the back of her head, while the rest was left loose down her back. She had sideburns. though they were not as ample as her male counterparts, and they did not stretch down her chin into a full beard. She had slightly bushy eyebrows, and they rose when she took in the sight of him.

They met once upon his arrival to the mountain, and she'd quickly given Lastril a firm and unwavering look, which only made the she-elf slightly uncomfortable. Perhaps Lastril had expected to be welcomed with open arms by the dwarves.

In any case, Princess Dis did not look very impressed by Lastril's display of curtsying. The other ladies though, seemed either jealous or were completely fawning over the elleth's graceful performance. Legolas was not impressed either, but offered the group of women a bow of his head in return, and he turned his attention toward the Princess.

Though Lastril was a high Lady in the Woodland Realm, Princess Dis was the sister of the dwarf King, which meant she received the most attention. It was only proper courtesy.

Eithrien gave Legolas a curt nod instead of a full blown curtsy like her detail did, and he met her gaze promptly. She stood off to the side but not so far away from Lastril. Today was her shift to be Lastril's bodyguard, an order Legolas had no choice but to uphold no thanks to Lord Iamben's insistence. The dwarves and foreigners were not to be trusted. A guard was to be posted outside of her chambers at all times, and one was to be posted at her side permanently.

"Ladies," he said politely. "It sounds like your meetings are going well."

There was hushed giggling from the crowd that gathered around him, though he ignored it like always.

"Indeed, my Lord," a woman said. She must have either been from Dale or from a country not far from here that Erebor wished to do trade with. She was dressed elegantly and stood poised and proper, as if she were the Lady of court somewhere. She was young and blushed immediately when his eyes fell upon her.

"I look forward to filling you in with the fine details later, my Prince," Lastril said sweetly as she stepped up to his side. There was a jealous sort of look that suddenly came over almost all of the women that stood there, as if Lastril was in the position they all desired to be in.

It certainly wasn't unusual for women to follow him or fawn over him like this. He simply learned to ignore it over the years, especially the she-elves. But, to see the desire in the eyes of the small group and to see the jealous looks Lastril was receiving as she took hold of his arm like he was going to escort her away was borderline uncomfortable. There was only one she-elf he wished would look at him like that, and she was far away.

"I trust your own meetings are flowing smoothly as well?" Princess Dis asked suddenly, thankfully drawing the attention away from him even if only for a moment.

Legolas bowed his head slightly. "I am afraid we are much slower to make our agreements. I expect it will take us some time yet to work out all the fine details."

"Understandably so," she said, then shot Lastril another quick look before turning back to him. "I wish to invite you and Lord Sidhel to breakfast tomorrow morning with myself and King Thorin."

Legolas wished to decline, but he only smiled politely. Next to him, Lastril stiffened suddenly. "We would be happy to accept, but I must tell you we are to be shown to the training grounds. I would not wish the two to clash against the other."

That was a lie; he hoped and prayed the two would clash together and he would not have to sit with the King and Princess for a meal. He desired nothing more than to go to the training grounds and work out the anxiety that was pent up inside of his soul.

"Nonsense," Dis said, brushing his false worry aside. "You can eat first then train. A good meal to start off the day is important. I'll set it all up for you."

He bowed his head. "Thank you, my Lady. If you ladies will excuse me, I am afraid I have some of my own business to attend to."

More blushes and smiles came his way and Lastril wrapped her slender hand around his arm, and he had no choice but to accept her touch and lead her away from the lingering crowd and down the hall side by side. Eithrien followed behind at a respectable distance.

Lastril kept her smile and perfect posture in place until he reached her quarters where he intended to leave her.

"Would you like to come in, my Lord?" she asked with a small smile. "I have a few things I wish to discuss with you about my meetings today. I am to meet with the ladies the day after tomorrow and would like to have a few questions answered before hand."

He noticeably saw Eithrien stiffen and her eyes narrowed just the slightest.

A muscle twitched in his jaw. He had no desire to enter Lastril's quarters like she was suggesting, and certainly not alone. "I am dining with Sidhel and Nodron this evening," he said quickly. "Perhaps afterward I can meet you in the library and we can discuss your concerns."

She looked visibly unhappy by this suggestion, but she wasn't easily swayed. "Supper will not be for a little bit yet, we have some time before then."

He drew his arm from her grasp but she refused to break contact with him completely, and her fingers lingered on his elbow affectionately.

"I am afraid I already told Sidhel to meet with me before supper," he lied.

She waved a hand. "Sidhel can wait, I am sure."

"Afraid not, it is rather important," he insisted. "I will send for you after supper and we can meet in the library."

He didn't give her the opportunity to reply before he bowed his head and disappeared quickly down the hall and out of sight. When he passed Eithrien, her eyes were cold and her mouth was drawn into a tight thin line. She had taken quite a liking to Shyloh while the Princess was in her care, but knew better than to say anything to Legolas or Latril about it.

Ganir was posted outside his door, and bowed his head to the Prince as he entered his chamber. Not surprisingly, his room was unoccupied when he entered.

"Do you not have your own room?" Legolas asked upon seeing Sidhel lounging in an armchair.

Sidhel smirked but didn't look up from the book he held in his hands. "I am charged with protecting you," he said lazily. "This is me protecting you."

"Where were you five minutes ago when your cousin attempted to dislocate my arm from my shoulder?"

Sidhel raised his eyebrows. "Did she now? Is that a punishable offense, your Grace?"

Legolas didn't miss the hopeful tone in his friend's voice, and he rolled his eyes. "Because you were so lousy with your protection detail just now, you get to join me this evening when I meet with her in the library to discuss her meetings today."

That made Sidhel's head snap up. "You are cruel, mellon nin."

"Select two others to join us."

"Are you that afraid to be alone with her?" Sidhel smirked.

"Her father asked for her to be properly guarded," Legolas replied easily. "I am simply carrying out his wishes."

Shaking his head, Sidhel closed the book. "Of course you are, my Lord."


Shyloh pulled her windblown white hair around her shoulder and quickly braided it, tying it off with a leather string. She left it drape over her front and brushed the loose strands behind her pointed ears. Her fingers came to rest on the smooth wood of the bow across her lap and she let go a soft sigh. She was alone this morning, but that was alright by her. She had no desire for company; especially of the male version.

The morning was chilly but that wasn't the only thing that was cold. Haldir's attitude toward Shyloh seemed to change overnight. He was back to being the same professional ellon she knew when they first met. The only time he talked to her since the night of the feast well over a week ago, was when he was giving her instructions or responding to her reports.

When he'd asked another elf to do night watch, she'd volunteered instead, secretly hoping to be alone in the trees at the outlook. With a firm nod and nothing spoken between them, he'd granted her permission. Whether it was to get her further away from him or not she didn't know. She didn't care. All she knew was that she was glad to be away from him and the others.

Word quickly spread after the feast that her and Legolas bonded at first sight. Apparently, it was a much bigger ordeal than she originally imagined. Whispers followed her wherever she went which only added to her already sullen mindset. If only they knew what that letter said, if only they knew how much her heart was breaking.

She thought disappearing into the forest would help ease her heart, that working border patrol would occupy her mind and keep her busy. She was wrong. Volunteering to be the lookout was a bad move on her part. Aside from scouting for enemy movement, it allowed her mind too much free time to think about things.

Perhaps Lady Galadriel was right; maybe Shyloh didn't love serving on border patrol like the others. Surely whatever transpired between Haldir and herself wasn't helping anything. They were professional toward each other, but the friendship that was there was clearly strained. She could handle a few more months on border patrol, or at least until Haldir found someone to replace her on their squadron before she took her leave. She'd already given him her notice and he accepted it almost hesitantly.

After all, he knew from the beginning her position in the troop was only temporary. He knew she would eventually leave.

Dawn was breaking over the western horizon, and the snow white terrain before her was almost a welcoming sight. Even if she didn't love winter, she couldn't deny the forest was beautiful, as were the snow capped mountains in the distance. In a few months, she would be riding through those mountains back to Rivendell.

Home.

She'd been away for too long, and her heart was longing to see Estel, Gilraen, and Élane, and of course Ada and her brothers. She hoped Lord Glorfindel was impressed with her training, and she smiled a little to herself.

How I miss them, she thought, and she let her head fall back and rest against the smooth silver bark of the tree.

She was just about to close her eyes when movement caught her attention. She stilled and slowed her breathing, unsure of what she saw at first. The second time she saw the shadow, there was no mistaking what it was.

Without sounding an alarm, she slowly rose to her feet, careful not to make any noise. From her position, they wouldn't spot her anyway.

Orcs never looked up.