DISCLAIMER: I don't own any characters besides Aliya, Kendre and Pelanar…
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Diola lle - Thank you
Heruamin - My Lord
Ta nae seasamin - It was my pleasure
Arwenamin - My Lady

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LEGOLAS
~~~
Breakfast was early. A little too early for my taste, but it was my father's wishes. Kendre had said she would be back in a moment, she had gone to get Aliya. This would be Aliya's first meeting with my father, but I was not worried. The King was a warm man, and very likeable, but, alas, Aliya was still uneasy around us.

"Father," I said, "You must remember who she is and what she's gone through. She's not entirely ready for this! She is edgy and frightened!"

"Legolas!" Thranduil said to me, "Be quiet please? I understand, both Kendre and you re-told her story to me, remember son? I understand her situation, I understand what she feels…"

It was true. My father had been through a lot of dealings with orcs. He knew those foul creatures for what they were, and he hated them very much for it.

A page entered the room and said, "Presenting to you, My Lord and King, Princess Kendre Greenleaf and Aliya Clearwater!"

He left and in came Kendre dressed splendidly in deep blue and behind her, walking slowly with her head down, came Aliya.

Her dress was a saffron honey color with long sleeves and a high neck. It was designed by Kendre to hide the bruises on her neck and arms. I could tell Kendre had done her hair, for it was done up in one of my sister's many styles. Aliya looked beautiful, but her eyes were sad. They lacked confidence and light. They were defeated.

Kendre took her seat and I could tell it took Aliya all her might, all the strength I knew she had little of to walk up to Thranduil and myself and give a deep bow.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, My Lord and King Thranduil," she said and her eyes met his, "How do you fare?"

"I fare well!" he replied cordially, and pointed to a chair near his own, "Will you take a seat?"

~~~
ALIYA
~~~
I did indeed sit, keeping my eyes on the King the whole time. His silver-white hair shimmered in the light, and there was no sign of pity in his clear blue eyes. I was thankful.

I stared down at the deep, mahogany table until the food was served. Legolas was seated across from me, Kendre was on one side of me, and the King was on my other side. I focused my eyes to the food before me. I took sparingly, just a little fruit and bread, nothing more. I only looked up when I felt the eyes of others on me.

The King began to speak in a serious tone.

"Aliya," he said, "I have heard from my son and daughter your tale, and I wish to express my utmost sympathies. A terrible thing has happened to you, my dear, and I wish somehow to try to make it up to you… What do you wish?"

"I do not wish for anything my Lord, except maybe a place to stay. My home is gone and I have been abandoned by the only family I have. I am poor and have no place to go. If you will grant this, I will be pleased." The words came from nowhere in particular, they just sort of appeared in my head as I said them.

In a way I was hoping he would deny me but I did not know what to expect from the king. He had a lot more on his mind than me, and it is bad repute to house every peasant who is homeless. I just hoped that he would be kind. He looked kind enough.

"Aliya…" the King said again. I like how he said my name, with an accent on the first "a".

"I hope you will stay here, in the palace," he went on, "You will be quite safe, and you will be near to my son and daughter…"

"I'm sorry, You Majesty…" I said, "I cannot stay here…"

"And why ever not?" he asked, a slight frown on his face.

"I am not royalty, nor nobility, and I mean no insult when I say, I wish never to be a servant…There is no place for me here, Majesty…" I said sadly, "I thank you for the offer, but I guess I will find my own way from here. I thank you for all your hospitality, but-"

But Legolas cut me off with a sharp, "No!"

All three of us stared at him and he spoke again

"She can't go back out there!" he exclaimed, trying to speak calmly, "The reports are coming in daily now of orcs sightings all along the border! Aliya, you cannot go back out there!"

I looked down at my plate.

"I must agree with my brother…" Kendre said, "Fathé has already reported that the borders are barred and defended. We cannot let anybody out there. The reports from Rivendell are bad enough. Already Orcs are massing near there. The tides are turning, Father…"

"Aliya…" King Thranduil said, "I must insist now that you stay here with us…"

My eyes closed as tears filled them. Hope was lost for me. There was nothing I could do though…

I know that the king saw my tears for he spoke to me again, this time not in a demanding tone, but in a soft, welcoming tone.

"There is not much I can do to make up for the pain you have been caused, except to give you what your heart desires. I cannot let you go, though, so instead I have a solution…"

I dreaded what he was about to say, but I managed to look up and meet his eyes.

He went on, "From here on, you will no longer be just Aliya Clearwater, you will be Lady Aliya Clearwater. I want you to stay. I am placing you under Royal Protection and putting you in the care of Kendre and Legolas."

"My Lord-" I began, but got no farther.

"Aliya…" The King said again, "I don't know if that can even begin to repair what has been done, but I want you to know that if I am able to help you recover, in any way, just tell me and I will try with all my might. If there is anything that I, or my son or daughter can do for you, we will… Now please, allow my daughter to show you to your room and around the palace…"

"Diola lle, Heruamin…" I said, standing and bowing.

"Ta nae seasamin, Arwenamin…" he replied.

Kendre and Legolas led me out of the room and into the wide, bright hallway.

"Legolas…" Kendre said, "can you bring Aliya's things to the Silver Room? We will be along in a while…"

"The Silver Room near-"

"Yes, Legolas…" Kendre pressed.

"I will…"

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