FINDING HEART
CHAPTER THREE
BY DRAGONWIND
See chapter one for disclaimer
Aalyssa made her way slowly toward the weaving room. She heard an out of place sound and turned to find a small form huddled on the bench in the corner of the passageway. Aalyssa walked over, concerned. "Hello?" she asked softly.
The young man jumped. "Oh, begging your pardon, My Lady. I was hungry and they watch me oddly in the hall," he explained as he tore his attention from the bread he was holding closely.
"Oh, I see. And why do they watch you oddly, may I ask?"
"I am a Hobbit. Unfortunately, they seem to find humor in my appetite."
"That is terrible. Everyone is different."
Pippin looked up at her, his eyes wide. This was the first elf that he had met who had been friendly to him. "You..you are not going to laugh at me?"
"No of course not. You are merely taking care of your needs, there is no shame in that. I am Aalyssa," she said by way of introduction.
"I am Peregrin Took. My friends call me Pippin."
Aalyssa curtsied to him. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Took," she said with a smile.
Pippin smiled back widely at her. "Call me Pippin, Miss Aalyssa."
"Tell me, Pippin, what brings you to Rivendell?" Aalyssa asked as she sat down on the bench next to him.
Pippin leaned over and whispered, "I wish I could tell you but I am sworn to secrecy."
"I understand," Aalyssa whispered back. "Can you tell me about your home then?"
As Pippin told Aalyssa different stories about the Shire, Princess Iladori came down the hall.
Unseen by the Hobbit and the Lady, Princess Iladori smiled at the unlikely pair. It was refreshing to the Princess to see someone in Rivendell who was not so unfriendly. 'Later in the day, I will make friends with this lady, as she seemed to want to yesterday.' Iladori continued down the hall toward the kitchens.
Pippin held out the hunk of bread to Aalyssa. "Would you like a piece?"
Aalyssa shook her head and smiled softly, "No, but thank you, Pippin."
"I had better go check on Frodo so Sam can get something to eat."
"It was very nice meeting you, Pippin," Aalyssa said.
"Nice meeting you also, Miss Aalyssa," Pippin exclaimed as he got off of the bench to run down the hall.
Aalyssa stood and watched him leave before entering the weaving room.
Down on the grounds, the woman moved toward the stables. Her identity was concealed by the black hooded cloak, but a discerned eye could tell she came from nobility. She entered the stables and waited for several stable hands to leave. The stable hands who were earnest knew when she visited they should leave.
The woman approached the dirty faced stable hand working in the corner. "Hello Dimitri," she said in a sultry tone.
Dimitri looked up and smiled. "Hullo, My Lady. What can I do for you today?"
"You are aware of Lady Aalyssa, I presume?"
"Oh yes, My Lady. A fine piece of work she is. Would not mind getting in her skirts at all."
The woman handed him a pouch of gold pieces. "She will be walking the grounds soon, most likely the gardens. Do what you wish."
He looked up and smiled, an evil gleam in his eyes. "Whatever I wish?"
The hooded figure nodded. "Whatever you wish."
In the weaving room, Aalyssa sat quietly, feigning interest in the loom in front of her. The other women were still speaking ill of Princess Iladori. Aalyssa sighed, regretting her part in starting the rumors. It was one thing to say something about people you knew, but she did not know the Princess at all. 'I must get a chance to talk to the Princess about the rumors. Konner is being supportive and loving with me and Legolas does not seem to have any desire for Marissa.'
The voices in the room stopped abruptly when two new women entered and sat on the other side of the room.
Marissa made her way over to sit next to Aalyssa. "Those are two of the Princess' sisters, Anabela and Maori," Marissa explained.
"That is why the conversation stopped so abruptly then." Aalyssa turned to look at her cousin. "We need to put a stop to the rumors. We know nothing about her and could be doing great damage here."
"Do not be silly Aalyssa. Do you wish to risk losing Konner?"
"Marissa, Konner is offering for me as soon as he can see Father. And I have never seen Legolas show any interest in you. If you had expressed yourself years ago, you may have had a chance."
"I will attract Legolas on my own then. But do not dare to tell the court anything about the rumors, Aalyssa, or you will regret it. She is a Princess, and I doubt she is very forgiving." Marissa stared at Aalyssa and smiled. "So, now her sisters are here and conversation will turn to people who are in the room. Tell me, how did you spend your morning, Aalyssa?"
"With Konner," Aalyssa replied with a smile. "We talked and enjoyed the gardens."
"Interesting. I did not realize he was the talking and walking type."
"There is a lot about Konner which you do not know, Marissa."
"Apparently so."
The two cousins were working quietly when Aalyssa's head snapped up. Snippets of conversations regarding the unseemly activities of the young people in the gardens reached her ears.
Aalyssa rolled her eyes and said quietly, "Sometimes things are not as they seem. Maybe they are actually talking and getting to know one another."
Lady Imeranian looked directly at Aalyssa, eyes gleaming. "Ah, from the mouth of one of those in question."
Aalyssa blinked at the older woman. "Excuse me?"
"Conduct most unbecoming of a Lady, even one of your stature. Dallying around in the gardens with a man. The very idea."
She stood up, throwing the yarn down in disgust. "I do not understand how you expect two young people to find one another if they are not allowed to even speak in private." Aalyssa shoved her chair back under the loom and glared at the entire room. "You people are always willing to believe the worst about anybody and anything. It is no wonder you are all miserable." Aalyssa ignored the astonished looks as she walked out of the room and headed outside.
Marissa smirked, amused by Aalyssa's outburst. She looked in the direction of her Aunt who smiled happily. Marissa rose from her chair and walked over to Wilhelmina. She bent down to whisper, "Things are falling into place, Aunt."
Wilhelmina reached up to pat Marissa's hand. "They certainly are, love. I should go let Robero know of..."
"Not yet, Aunt. There is another plan to be acted out before she is banished. I wish for Aalyssa to be completely and totally humiliated. I wish for her to have no hope when she is taken," Marissa whispered quietly. She used the Sindarin dialect of Elvish, which no one near them knew.
Aalyssa left the villa, heading for the river. 'Now I have done it. Mother will lock me up for the next one thousand years if she does not kill me. I can not believe I just did that. Stars.'
"Miss Aalyssa?" a voice called out behind her.
She wiped her eyes before turning around. Aalyssa smiled when she recognized the hobbit. "Pippin. How is Frodo?"
Pippin looked at Aalyssa sadly. "No change. I am afraid he will never wake up."
"Is he ill or injured?"
"Injured, Miss Aalyssa."
"I am sorry, Pippin. You must never lose hope though. Sometimes it is all that we have to carry us through," Aalyssa said quietly.
Pippin looked at her curiously. "Is something wrong Miss Aalyssa?"
"I embarrassed myself, that is all. Hopefully it will work out."
Pippin smiled at her. "I am sure it will. You deserve the desire of your heart."
"Thank you, Pippin," Aalyssa smiled and leaned over to kiss him on top of the head.
Aalyssa watched him walk quickly toward the kitchen area and smiled. She continued her walk down to the river and stared across.
She had been there for a few minutes when a pair of strong hands roughly pulled her towards someone. "Hey!"
"Hey yourself, Lady Aalyssa," Dimitri growled.
"What...what do you want?" Aalyssa asked fearfully, looking in his cold hard eyes.
"I want the sort of favors I heard you give out."
"What are you speaking of?"
Dimitri pushed her onto the ground. "I think it would be obvious."
"Get off of me!" Aalyssa yelled, pushing against his chest, the foul stench of the stables coming from him, making Aalyssa gag.
"You saying I ain't good enough, my Lady?" Dimitri sneered, untieing the laces on one side of her dress. "You give your favors to everyone else, why not me?"
"Liar! Let me go!" she screamed out.
Dimitri slapped Aalyssa, then pulled his knife and rested the blade against the soft skin of her throat. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Your choice."
"Please do not do this," Aalyssa whispered. She could feel blood trickling from her lip where he hit her.
"You do not get hurt if we take the easy way," he said, cutting the top lace to open her dress.
Suddenly the weight of his body pulled away from hers and Aalyssa looked up, finding Princess Iladori and one of her guard holding him.
The guard bound Dimitri's wrists behind him and said, "Princess, I will take him to Lord Elrond to be bound over for a hearing."
"Thank you, Michel." Iladori smiled gently at Aalyssa and extended her hand. "My Lady."
Aalyssa took her hand and stood. "Thank you, Princess," she said, curtsying. "I am afraid I could not break his hold."
"I understand. There was no leverage from your position. I did not mean to brush you off yesterday, My Lady. I have, unfortunately, not met many friendly ladies here and was not sure if I should approach you."
"I understand Princess. The court is unfriendly to even their own. Which is why I found myself down by the river today. I find I have no tolerance for them this session. I am Aalyssa, Princess," she said by way of introduction.
"Iladori. Please, just call me that. In my land we are informal."
"Thank you Prin- Iladori."
"You are from Mirkwood, are you not?" Iladori asked.
"I am, yes."
"I thought I had seen you with the Queen last night. Why did the two of you not join us at our table?"
"As I am not a member of the family, I would not be welcome at such occasions. As for the Queen, only she could answer that."
"I am sorry, I was under the impression you were close to them."
"I am, do not misunderstand me. But as not a Princess either by nature or marriage, I would not be welcome."
"This formality confuses me. In Forlindon, we welcome all to our table."
Aalyssa smiled at Iladori. "As it should be."
The two walked back to the villa and Iladori looked at Aalyssa. "Where did he get the idea you would welcome his attentions?"
Aalyssa shrugged. "I do not know. I imagine he listened to some of the court rumors."
"Ah yes," Iladori nodded. "The court rumors. They are particularly vicious. That is why I tend to stay out of court matters."
"I wish that I could, but it is the best way to find a suitor."
Iladori gave Aalyssa a shy smile. "Sometimes you can find them in other places. Oh."
Aalyssa looked at her with concern. "What?"
"You are injured. We need to find someone to tend to you."
"Aalyssa! What happened?" Konner asked, running up to them as they approached the villa. He absently nodded at Iladori in greeting.
"I...how did you know I was out here?"
"When I went to the weaving room, I was told you left the room. I know you and figured you went for a walk." Konner placed his palm against her cheek and gently rubbed her with his thumb.
Iladori nudged Aalyssa. "Tell him," she whispered.
"One of the stable hands tried to attack me, Konner," she whispered softly.
"Are you all right?" he asked, tilting her face up to look at him.
She nodded. "The Prin-Iladori and one of her guard got there in time, thank the stars."
"Thank you Iladori. Where is this villain?"
"Michel has taken him to Lord Elrond to be bound over. I was just trying to find a healer for Aalyssa."
"Take her to Arwen...I just passed her room, she is there. First door on the right. I will go have a few words for this idiot and I will pick you up there. Do not leave Arwen, all right, Aalyssa?"
"Yes, Konner. I will not leave Arwen."
"That is my girl," he whispered, kissing her lightly on the forehead.
Aalyssa smiled at Konner and followed Iladori to Arwen's room.
Iladori tapped on Arwen's door. She looked over at Aalyssa while they waited for Arwen to answer. "Are you all right, Aalyssa?"
Aalyssa nodded, her stomach beginning to feel nauseous again. "I am fine. It is just my nerves setting in."
"I understand," Iladori answered with a gentle smile.
As Konner neared the guard leading the prisoner inside, Dimitri broke free and ran for the forest.
"What?" the guard shouted, astonished. "You there! Stop!"
Konner picked up the rope Dimitri had untied and stared at it. "How did he get untied?"
"I...that is..."
Konner pushed the guard against the wall, his knife pressed against the man's throat. "You were in on it, weren't you?" Konner saw Legolas come around the corner. "Legolas! That man running in that direction! Get some help and stop him... he tried to hurt Aalyssa."
Legolas waved back at Konner and broken into a fast run, pulling his bow.
The guard looked down at Konner. "The Princess does not know that Lady was part of the spreading of the rumors, I do. She got nothing she did not deserve," he said snidely of Aalyssa.
Konner grabbed the man by the collar and dragged him to one of Elrond's men and turned him over with a brief explanation. Then he took off in the direction Legolas had been heading.
The door opened and Arwen looked at them. "Aalyssa? Iladori, what happened?" she asked, waving them in.
Arwen listened to Iladori explain what happened as she led Aalyssa to the chair in her sitting room. "I will be right back," Arwen stated as she disappeared to get her medical kit.
Shouts for Iladori could be heard through the window and she said, "I am late for patrol."
"I will be fine, Iladori. Go ahead and go, Arwen will take good care of me," Aalyssa assured her.
Iladori looked at her, as if to judge whether Aalyssa was being truthful. "All right. I will check on you later, if I may."
"I would like that," Aalyssa said quietly.
Arwen came back out as Iladori was heading out the door. "I will see you later, Iladori."
"Yes, you will Arwen. As will you, Aalyssa. And remember to stay here to wait for Konner, Aalyssa."
Aalyssa nodded her agreement before Iladori walked out the door, closing it behind her.
Arwen knelt in front of Aalyssa and cleaned the corner of her mouth where she had been bleeding. Then she pulled out a soft cloth and put some cream on it. "This is going to hurt a little at first, Aalyssa."
"All right," Aalyssa replied, preparing herself.
The door slammed open just as Arwen completed applying the medication. Arwen looked up in surprise. "What?"
Wilhelmina stormed into the room. "Aalyssa, get to our chambers. I will attend you there."
Arwen stood up and stared at the woman. "What is the meaning of you barging into my rooms uninvited?"
"I was looking for my daughter. She has injuries which need to be tended to."
Arwen could not help but notice the frightened look in Aalyssa's eyes. "I am tending her, she is fine."
Wilhelmina stalked over to the chair and grabbed Aalyssa's wrist, pulling her from the chair.
"No, Mother. I wish to wait here for Konner. He is expecting me to be here."
"I will tend to your injuries and then we need to have a discussion about your actions today."
"If I may, Lady Wilhelmina, it is not..."
"Stay out of this, Arwen. It is none of your concern."
"You made it my concern by barging into my rooms uninvited and forcibly removing a friend of mine."
"Please, Mother, let me stay here."
"No, you may not. Arwen, when you are a mother, you will understand better why I am acting this way. Come along, Aalyssa."
Aalyssa cast a helpless look at Arwen before lowering her eyes to follow her mother. "I am sorry, Arwen. I was wrong for coming here."
"No, you were not wrong, Aalyssa." Arwen walked up to Wilhelmina. "If I see one mark on her later that I did not see now..."
"You will not, Arwen," Wilhelmina said with a cold smile. The older woman tightened her grip around Aalyssa's wrist and dragged her from the room.
Aalyssa's wrist hurt from the grip her mother had on her, dragging her toward the stairs. "Let me go, Mother," Aalyssa protested. She wanted to get back to Arwen's room and wait for Konner.
"Just shut up, Aalyssa. You have caused more than enough trouble for one day," Wilhelmina hissed.
"I did nothing..." Aalyssa's statement was caught off with the sharp sting of Wilhelmina's palm striking her cheek.
"This insolence and embarrassment will stop, Aalyssa. Immediately," Wilhelmina growled as she dragged her daughter up the stairs.
"If I am such an embarrassment to you, let me go to Konner. Or Legolas even. He will find somewhere safe for me to go, if you destroy Konner and myself."
Wilhelmina stopped outside the chamber door. "Do you really think Konner wants you? Silly girl."
"He went after the man who..."
"The Prince was performing his duty to one of his subjects, nothing more."
Wilhelmina opened the door and shoved Aalyssa inside where her father, was waiting with Udar.
"Do you have things in hand, my love?" Robero asked.
"Yes," Wilhelmina nodded.
Aalyssa glanced anxiously at her parents then at the strange man who was waiting there. "Mother? Father? What is going on?" she asked, her face growing pale with fear.
"As of now," Robero spoke softly, "You are no longer a member of this family."
"Why?" Aalyssa inquired, her fear making her heart pound.
"You have to ask? You embarrass us, sleeping around, losing your temper with the ladies of the court," Wilhelmina spat out. "Then you go outside and get yourself attacked? You could have gotten the future King of Mirkwood killed."
"I did not sleep around. And I certainly did not intend to be attacked. And I did not ask Konner to go after that...that..." Aalyssa found herself at a lack for words.
"You do not expect us to believe you, do you?"
Aalyssa stared at her parents. "Then let me gather my things and I shall leave."
"No, you will not," Wilhelmina stated as she shoved Aalyssa on the bed. She walked over to the wardrobe and pulled out her daughter's gowns. "These belong to your father and I, not you. And you will not need them where you are going."
Aalyssa looked down at her dress which was torn and covered with dirt. "At least one, please?"
"No, you do not need a new dress where you will be going."
"Who is he?" Aalyssa asked warily, eyeing Udar.
"He will be taking you to your final destination," Wilhelmina said with an evil smile.
Udar walked over and hauled Aalyssa roughly to her feet.
She tried to pull away from him. "No! I will not go. If Konner will not help me, Legolas will."
Udar dragged her to the door. He looked over at Robero and Wilhelmina. "I will attend this matter for you. Do not worry."
Aalyssa began to cry as she looked at her parents. "Please...just..." To her horror, she saw her Mother bundle her dresses up and toss them into the fireplace.
Wilhelmina looked at her husband and smiled. "It will be like she never existed, Robero."
"Yes, it will my love."
"But Konner will be looking for me," Aalyssa pleaded as Udar opened the door.
"Hold a minute." Robero walked over and grabbed her face roughly with his hand. "Prince Konner will be told you have left with another man. Do not hold out false and foolish hope that he will be looking for you."
"Where am I being taken?" she whispered.
"You will know shortly," Udar said.
Konner caught up with Legolas who was standing over Dimitri's body. In anger, Konner walked over and kicked the stableboy.
"Konner, calm down."
"Calm down? See how calm you would be if he had attacked the woman you love."
Legolas stared at Konner in astonishment. "Love? Now you have decided you love Aalyssa?"
"I have always loved her, I just did not realize it."
Legolas shook his head. "I have never understood it. You slept around on her, you ignored her, yet you are all she has always wanted?"
Konner sighed. "Are you saying you are jealous and you want her?"
"Stars, no, Konner. I want the best for Aalyssa. It just seems to me if you really loved her, you would have offered for her long ago."
"She was too young and I was not ready to settle down. I knew coming here Aalyssa would most likely be my choice for a wife. I can not imagine my life with out her." Konner thought for a minute, just catching something Legolas had said. "I am all she has ever wanted? Me?"
Legolas nodded, seeing a new side to his brother. "You have no idea how many wedding fantasies I endured when she realized her true feelings. How many times she cried on my shoulder because you were sleeping with someone else at the time. How many tears I have dried that at some point you should have been drying."
"Had anyone bothered telling me the truth earlier, maybe I would have come to my senses sooner. I should have been the one to protect her these past few years."
"Truth? What truth?" Legolas asked.
"About her mother, her family."
"It was not mine to tell, Konner."
"You could have urged her to come to me. Aalyssa would have listened to you."
"You were dallying with her, Konner. I did not want her hurt by you pushing her aside. Not over something important like that. And obviously you still have not offered for her, as there has been no announcement."
"Her father. He has his manservant tell me he is too busy to see me."
"Force your way in, it is going to be the only way. They do not want Aalyssa happy."
"So she has said to me. I am going to pick her up from Arwen's room and then see her parents. I will see you later."
"May I go along to Arwen's and make sure Aalyssa is all right? I will not intrude, I promise."
Konner eyed his brother, who was still in protective mode. "What of Iladori? I know the two of you are becoming close."
"She is on patrol. I will catch up with Iladori before dinner."
"All right then," Konner said softly has he headed for Arwen's rooms, Legolas quietly behind him.
With an outward calm that belied her true feelings, Arwen put her supplies away before going in search of Konner. She had just put her hand out to open the door when there was a knock. Arwen opened it to find Konner standing there. "Konner!"
"What is wrong, Arwen?"
"Aalyssa's mother dragged her away from here. What is going on, Konner? I can tell Aalyssa is frightened."
"I can not tell you, Arwen, only Aalyssa can. But if...I need to find her."
"I will go with you, Konner," Legolas said, hand on the hilt of his knife.
Aalyssa locked her legs as he dragged her away. As they approached the stairway, Aalyssa glanced over her shoulder and saw Marissa. "Marissa!" she screamed. "Get Konner or Legolas! Please!"
Marissa looked up, her eyes round. "What is going on?"
"I need Konner! Please!" Aalyssa screamed out as the man dragged her down the stairs.
"Right," Marissa smirked as the man dragged her cousin out of sight. When she reached her Aunt and Uncle's chamber, she knocked. Robero opened the door. "You needed me, Uncle?"
"Yes, darling. We need you to write a note in Aalyssa's handwriting."
"The banishment is on then?" Marissa smiled as she entered the room.
"More than a banishment, Marissa. I assure you, she will be dead by morning."
"I meant to mention to you earlier, Aunt," Marissa began sitting down at the desk. "Aalyssa told Konner about the way she is treated this morning."
"Then it is a good thing we are writing this note. And then tomorrow when Udar returns, he will be carrying her body." Robero saw his wife look up sharply at him. "It has to be this way, love. I saw the way Prince Konner looked at Aalyssa this morning. If she is not proved to be dead, he will try to seek her out and Marissa will never have her chance." He turned and looked at his niece. "You have been training for the day you become Queen. You must fulfill your destiny."
Marissa smiled evilly. "It is just a shame I cannot do away with Konner also. I would much prefer to be wed to Legolas." Quietly she began writing the note in Aalyssa's handwriting. When she was done, Marissa handed it to Jahames, Robero's manservant, who went off in search of Konner.
Before going into the courtyard, Udar glanced around both corners of the doorway to make sure the patrol was not near.
"This has been real fun, but let me go now," Aalyssa stated. "I can get you money to let me go."
"No, you can not. You have nothing," Udar snarled. "Besides, I gave my word, and I will see the job through to the end. " With his words he hauled Aalyssa roughly against him.
Aalyssa wrinkled her nose at the stench coming from him and began to pummel against him. "Let me go! Please!"
"Shut up!" He tried to plaster his hand across her mouth but Aalyssa bit him sharply and turned to begin scratching at him. "You little bitch," he snarled as he wound her hair around his hand. He pulled her head back and backhanded her.
"Let me go!" Aalyssa shouted, ignoring him. "Or I will tear you to shreds!" she growled as she scratched at his face and arms. "And Prince Konner will.."
Udar wrapped his arm tightly around her throat and pressed a knife against her stomach. "Prince Konner will never know. And I am not afraid of the likes of you," he hissed.
"Please. I have done nothing to warrant this," Aalyssa tried again in a meek tone.
"Matters not to me," he began, shoving his captive toward the woods behind the stables.
Pippin came from around the corner of the building and whispered, "Miss Aalyssa. I must follow and find where she is being taken."
Konner pounded on the Skyclouds' door. "It is Prince Konner. I have come to see Lady Aalyssa."
Wilhelmina quickly hid Marissa inside of the wardrobe and closed it, giving her assurance it would not be for long.
Robero opened the door and bowed. "Your highness."
"Now you are available, I see," Konner growled as he pushed his way into the chamber. Legolas followed quietly behind. "Aalyssa!" Konner called out.
"She is not here, your highness," Wilhelmina said.
"Arwen said you brought her here to be tended to."
"And I did. Then Lady Marissa happened by and they went for a walk."
Konner bent down and stared coldly at Wilhelmina. "I asked Aalyssa to wait for me in Arwen's room. She would not have gone off for a walk after you so rudely dragged her from her friend's room."
"Maybe she hoped to find you on your walk. And do not speak to me so, Prince Konner. I shall speak with your mother."
"We shall see who she believes after I have my own talk with her." He glared at the couple then turned for the door. "Come, Legolas. We shall seek Aalyssa ourselves."
Legolas added his own glares to Konner's before turning to follow his brother.
They walked down the hall, lost in their own thoughts. "Konner? I have a bad feeling about this. I am going to find Iladori and the patrol and put them on alert."
"Good thinking. I am going to look for Aalyssa. I can not lose her now."
Legolas saw the worry evident in his brother's eyes. "We will find her, Konner."
'I wonder where Konner is? Why has he not come to help me?' Aalyssa tried to shake the frantic thoughts from her mind as the man continued to drag her deeper into the forest. 'I guess it is up to me.' With a deep breath, Aalyssa kicked the man in the shin and shoved him away. She lifted her skirts and had begun to run back the way they had come. Aalyssa had not gotten far when she felt Udar grab her hair and twist it around his hand again. She cried out in pain as he pulled her back.
"That was a very very stupid thing to do. I really did not want to hurt you until we got to our destination." With a growl, Udar shoved her to the ground and put his knee against her back to hold her down. He pulled a length of rope from his pocket and cut off a length before roughly grabbing her wrists and pulling them behind her. He tightly bound them together, laughing as Aalyssa cried out in pain. His laughter grew as she struggled to free herself. "You have no hope of getting free," he whispered in her ear. "I have a special technique of tying them. I place multiple knots in different places."
"Konner!" Aalyssa screamed out, knowing no one was close enough to hear her. "Please," she whispered as he hauled her back to her feet.
"Shut up!"
Pippin knew he had no chance against his evil man, at least not alone. He made a mental note of the landmarks on the path and headed back to Rivendell for help.
Aalyssa finally recognized the path 'The Dark Forest. No.' When she was younger, she had gone for a walk and almost ended up there. Legolas had stopped her and took her back to Rivendell. 'Legolas. He did not even come for me. Every one has abandoned me.'
Aalyssa stopped walking and refused to move. She screamed out when the man shoved her forward. Aalyssa felt her ankle turn under her when she tripped over a tree root. The momentum propelled her against the tree where the rough bark cut her lip and her forehead.
"You just do not learn, do you?" the man asked, grabbing her hair again.
"Why would I willingly let you lead me to the Dark Forest?"
"Because it is futile to resist," he answered before he lifted her and slung her over his shoulder to carry her the rest of the way.
Konner walked toward the gardens and looked up when he found Marissa headed in his direction. "Marissa!"
"Yes Konner?" Marissa asked innocently, hiding the smile that threatened.
"Where is Aalyssa? I need to speak with her and her parents said she was with you."
"She was, but..Oh Konner, I hate to be the one to tell you this."
Konner stiffened, a sudden sense of unease settled on him. "Tell me what?"
"She met someone Konner and he stole her heart. They ran off together." Marissa pulled closer to Konner and started playing with his tunic. "She has been very unsatisfied with you and your sleeping around. And this man... he was kind to her from the start. You need someone like me, someone who will be true to you. I can give you things Aalyssa never could."
Konner shoved Marissa away from him. "I am sorry, Marissa. But I have no feelings for you. And from what Arwen said, her mother dragged her away. And I do not believe..."
Marissa's eyes turned cold. "I do not know where Aalyssa is Konner, but you are far better off without her." Marissa turned and walked away, leaving Konner staring at her in shock.
Konner was still standing there when he heard a voice behind him call out to him.
"Yes, Jahames?" Konner said as he turned to face Robero's manservant.
"I was asked to give you this note. I am sorry it took so long, but I had great difficulty finding you."
"Thank you Jahames," Konner said, taking the piece of paper.
Konner unfolded the paper to read the missive which read * Konner, I have decided to leave Rivendell with Mivel. He came to me and was very sweet. I have decided this is for the best. Please do not be hurt and do not hate me. Sincerely, Aalyssa." Konner wrinkled the note in his hand. "I do not believe this. She would not have come to me this morning if she did not love me.'
Udar set Aalyssa on her feet on the Rivendell edge of the forest. "How about a little fun before I take you in there?"
"Just let me go," Aalyssa pleaded again. She could taste the blood trickling down her lip and her hands had gone numb long ago from the lack of blood circulation. The air had turned colder the closer they had gotten to the Dark Forest.
"Sorry. Can not do that," Udar said as he approached her.
Aalyssa felt her back hit a tree and watched helplessly as he started to tear at her dress. From a small distance, she could hear horses and men talking to one another. 'The patrol.'
"Help!" Aalyssa screamed out before Udar made a fist and hit her, knocking her out.
"So much for having some fun," he grumbled, lifting her unconscious body and going into the Dark Forest. He dumped her about a mile in, leaving her wrists tied behind her and left through another section of trees. He left a few markings so he could easily find her dead body in the morning to bring back to Rivendell.
The patrol stopped, having heard her scream. "Spread out," Iladori told them. They searched the Rivendell side of the border but found nothing. They returned to their patrol, decided it had been a wild animal they had heard.
CHAPTER THREE
BY DRAGONWIND
See chapter one for disclaimer
Aalyssa made her way slowly toward the weaving room. She heard an out of place sound and turned to find a small form huddled on the bench in the corner of the passageway. Aalyssa walked over, concerned. "Hello?" she asked softly.
The young man jumped. "Oh, begging your pardon, My Lady. I was hungry and they watch me oddly in the hall," he explained as he tore his attention from the bread he was holding closely.
"Oh, I see. And why do they watch you oddly, may I ask?"
"I am a Hobbit. Unfortunately, they seem to find humor in my appetite."
"That is terrible. Everyone is different."
Pippin looked up at her, his eyes wide. This was the first elf that he had met who had been friendly to him. "You..you are not going to laugh at me?"
"No of course not. You are merely taking care of your needs, there is no shame in that. I am Aalyssa," she said by way of introduction.
"I am Peregrin Took. My friends call me Pippin."
Aalyssa curtsied to him. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Took," she said with a smile.
Pippin smiled back widely at her. "Call me Pippin, Miss Aalyssa."
"Tell me, Pippin, what brings you to Rivendell?" Aalyssa asked as she sat down on the bench next to him.
Pippin leaned over and whispered, "I wish I could tell you but I am sworn to secrecy."
"I understand," Aalyssa whispered back. "Can you tell me about your home then?"
As Pippin told Aalyssa different stories about the Shire, Princess Iladori came down the hall.
Unseen by the Hobbit and the Lady, Princess Iladori smiled at the unlikely pair. It was refreshing to the Princess to see someone in Rivendell who was not so unfriendly. 'Later in the day, I will make friends with this lady, as she seemed to want to yesterday.' Iladori continued down the hall toward the kitchens.
Pippin held out the hunk of bread to Aalyssa. "Would you like a piece?"
Aalyssa shook her head and smiled softly, "No, but thank you, Pippin."
"I had better go check on Frodo so Sam can get something to eat."
"It was very nice meeting you, Pippin," Aalyssa said.
"Nice meeting you also, Miss Aalyssa," Pippin exclaimed as he got off of the bench to run down the hall.
Aalyssa stood and watched him leave before entering the weaving room.
Down on the grounds, the woman moved toward the stables. Her identity was concealed by the black hooded cloak, but a discerned eye could tell she came from nobility. She entered the stables and waited for several stable hands to leave. The stable hands who were earnest knew when she visited they should leave.
The woman approached the dirty faced stable hand working in the corner. "Hello Dimitri," she said in a sultry tone.
Dimitri looked up and smiled. "Hullo, My Lady. What can I do for you today?"
"You are aware of Lady Aalyssa, I presume?"
"Oh yes, My Lady. A fine piece of work she is. Would not mind getting in her skirts at all."
The woman handed him a pouch of gold pieces. "She will be walking the grounds soon, most likely the gardens. Do what you wish."
He looked up and smiled, an evil gleam in his eyes. "Whatever I wish?"
The hooded figure nodded. "Whatever you wish."
In the weaving room, Aalyssa sat quietly, feigning interest in the loom in front of her. The other women were still speaking ill of Princess Iladori. Aalyssa sighed, regretting her part in starting the rumors. It was one thing to say something about people you knew, but she did not know the Princess at all. 'I must get a chance to talk to the Princess about the rumors. Konner is being supportive and loving with me and Legolas does not seem to have any desire for Marissa.'
The voices in the room stopped abruptly when two new women entered and sat on the other side of the room.
Marissa made her way over to sit next to Aalyssa. "Those are two of the Princess' sisters, Anabela and Maori," Marissa explained.
"That is why the conversation stopped so abruptly then." Aalyssa turned to look at her cousin. "We need to put a stop to the rumors. We know nothing about her and could be doing great damage here."
"Do not be silly Aalyssa. Do you wish to risk losing Konner?"
"Marissa, Konner is offering for me as soon as he can see Father. And I have never seen Legolas show any interest in you. If you had expressed yourself years ago, you may have had a chance."
"I will attract Legolas on my own then. But do not dare to tell the court anything about the rumors, Aalyssa, or you will regret it. She is a Princess, and I doubt she is very forgiving." Marissa stared at Aalyssa and smiled. "So, now her sisters are here and conversation will turn to people who are in the room. Tell me, how did you spend your morning, Aalyssa?"
"With Konner," Aalyssa replied with a smile. "We talked and enjoyed the gardens."
"Interesting. I did not realize he was the talking and walking type."
"There is a lot about Konner which you do not know, Marissa."
"Apparently so."
The two cousins were working quietly when Aalyssa's head snapped up. Snippets of conversations regarding the unseemly activities of the young people in the gardens reached her ears.
Aalyssa rolled her eyes and said quietly, "Sometimes things are not as they seem. Maybe they are actually talking and getting to know one another."
Lady Imeranian looked directly at Aalyssa, eyes gleaming. "Ah, from the mouth of one of those in question."
Aalyssa blinked at the older woman. "Excuse me?"
"Conduct most unbecoming of a Lady, even one of your stature. Dallying around in the gardens with a man. The very idea."
She stood up, throwing the yarn down in disgust. "I do not understand how you expect two young people to find one another if they are not allowed to even speak in private." Aalyssa shoved her chair back under the loom and glared at the entire room. "You people are always willing to believe the worst about anybody and anything. It is no wonder you are all miserable." Aalyssa ignored the astonished looks as she walked out of the room and headed outside.
Marissa smirked, amused by Aalyssa's outburst. She looked in the direction of her Aunt who smiled happily. Marissa rose from her chair and walked over to Wilhelmina. She bent down to whisper, "Things are falling into place, Aunt."
Wilhelmina reached up to pat Marissa's hand. "They certainly are, love. I should go let Robero know of..."
"Not yet, Aunt. There is another plan to be acted out before she is banished. I wish for Aalyssa to be completely and totally humiliated. I wish for her to have no hope when she is taken," Marissa whispered quietly. She used the Sindarin dialect of Elvish, which no one near them knew.
Aalyssa left the villa, heading for the river. 'Now I have done it. Mother will lock me up for the next one thousand years if she does not kill me. I can not believe I just did that. Stars.'
"Miss Aalyssa?" a voice called out behind her.
She wiped her eyes before turning around. Aalyssa smiled when she recognized the hobbit. "Pippin. How is Frodo?"
Pippin looked at Aalyssa sadly. "No change. I am afraid he will never wake up."
"Is he ill or injured?"
"Injured, Miss Aalyssa."
"I am sorry, Pippin. You must never lose hope though. Sometimes it is all that we have to carry us through," Aalyssa said quietly.
Pippin looked at her curiously. "Is something wrong Miss Aalyssa?"
"I embarrassed myself, that is all. Hopefully it will work out."
Pippin smiled at her. "I am sure it will. You deserve the desire of your heart."
"Thank you, Pippin," Aalyssa smiled and leaned over to kiss him on top of the head.
Aalyssa watched him walk quickly toward the kitchen area and smiled. She continued her walk down to the river and stared across.
She had been there for a few minutes when a pair of strong hands roughly pulled her towards someone. "Hey!"
"Hey yourself, Lady Aalyssa," Dimitri growled.
"What...what do you want?" Aalyssa asked fearfully, looking in his cold hard eyes.
"I want the sort of favors I heard you give out."
"What are you speaking of?"
Dimitri pushed her onto the ground. "I think it would be obvious."
"Get off of me!" Aalyssa yelled, pushing against his chest, the foul stench of the stables coming from him, making Aalyssa gag.
"You saying I ain't good enough, my Lady?" Dimitri sneered, untieing the laces on one side of her dress. "You give your favors to everyone else, why not me?"
"Liar! Let me go!" she screamed out.
Dimitri slapped Aalyssa, then pulled his knife and rested the blade against the soft skin of her throat. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Your choice."
"Please do not do this," Aalyssa whispered. She could feel blood trickling from her lip where he hit her.
"You do not get hurt if we take the easy way," he said, cutting the top lace to open her dress.
Suddenly the weight of his body pulled away from hers and Aalyssa looked up, finding Princess Iladori and one of her guard holding him.
The guard bound Dimitri's wrists behind him and said, "Princess, I will take him to Lord Elrond to be bound over for a hearing."
"Thank you, Michel." Iladori smiled gently at Aalyssa and extended her hand. "My Lady."
Aalyssa took her hand and stood. "Thank you, Princess," she said, curtsying. "I am afraid I could not break his hold."
"I understand. There was no leverage from your position. I did not mean to brush you off yesterday, My Lady. I have, unfortunately, not met many friendly ladies here and was not sure if I should approach you."
"I understand Princess. The court is unfriendly to even their own. Which is why I found myself down by the river today. I find I have no tolerance for them this session. I am Aalyssa, Princess," she said by way of introduction.
"Iladori. Please, just call me that. In my land we are informal."
"Thank you Prin- Iladori."
"You are from Mirkwood, are you not?" Iladori asked.
"I am, yes."
"I thought I had seen you with the Queen last night. Why did the two of you not join us at our table?"
"As I am not a member of the family, I would not be welcome at such occasions. As for the Queen, only she could answer that."
"I am sorry, I was under the impression you were close to them."
"I am, do not misunderstand me. But as not a Princess either by nature or marriage, I would not be welcome."
"This formality confuses me. In Forlindon, we welcome all to our table."
Aalyssa smiled at Iladori. "As it should be."
The two walked back to the villa and Iladori looked at Aalyssa. "Where did he get the idea you would welcome his attentions?"
Aalyssa shrugged. "I do not know. I imagine he listened to some of the court rumors."
"Ah yes," Iladori nodded. "The court rumors. They are particularly vicious. That is why I tend to stay out of court matters."
"I wish that I could, but it is the best way to find a suitor."
Iladori gave Aalyssa a shy smile. "Sometimes you can find them in other places. Oh."
Aalyssa looked at her with concern. "What?"
"You are injured. We need to find someone to tend to you."
"Aalyssa! What happened?" Konner asked, running up to them as they approached the villa. He absently nodded at Iladori in greeting.
"I...how did you know I was out here?"
"When I went to the weaving room, I was told you left the room. I know you and figured you went for a walk." Konner placed his palm against her cheek and gently rubbed her with his thumb.
Iladori nudged Aalyssa. "Tell him," she whispered.
"One of the stable hands tried to attack me, Konner," she whispered softly.
"Are you all right?" he asked, tilting her face up to look at him.
She nodded. "The Prin-Iladori and one of her guard got there in time, thank the stars."
"Thank you Iladori. Where is this villain?"
"Michel has taken him to Lord Elrond to be bound over. I was just trying to find a healer for Aalyssa."
"Take her to Arwen...I just passed her room, she is there. First door on the right. I will go have a few words for this idiot and I will pick you up there. Do not leave Arwen, all right, Aalyssa?"
"Yes, Konner. I will not leave Arwen."
"That is my girl," he whispered, kissing her lightly on the forehead.
Aalyssa smiled at Konner and followed Iladori to Arwen's room.
Iladori tapped on Arwen's door. She looked over at Aalyssa while they waited for Arwen to answer. "Are you all right, Aalyssa?"
Aalyssa nodded, her stomach beginning to feel nauseous again. "I am fine. It is just my nerves setting in."
"I understand," Iladori answered with a gentle smile.
As Konner neared the guard leading the prisoner inside, Dimitri broke free and ran for the forest.
"What?" the guard shouted, astonished. "You there! Stop!"
Konner picked up the rope Dimitri had untied and stared at it. "How did he get untied?"
"I...that is..."
Konner pushed the guard against the wall, his knife pressed against the man's throat. "You were in on it, weren't you?" Konner saw Legolas come around the corner. "Legolas! That man running in that direction! Get some help and stop him... he tried to hurt Aalyssa."
Legolas waved back at Konner and broken into a fast run, pulling his bow.
The guard looked down at Konner. "The Princess does not know that Lady was part of the spreading of the rumors, I do. She got nothing she did not deserve," he said snidely of Aalyssa.
Konner grabbed the man by the collar and dragged him to one of Elrond's men and turned him over with a brief explanation. Then he took off in the direction Legolas had been heading.
The door opened and Arwen looked at them. "Aalyssa? Iladori, what happened?" she asked, waving them in.
Arwen listened to Iladori explain what happened as she led Aalyssa to the chair in her sitting room. "I will be right back," Arwen stated as she disappeared to get her medical kit.
Shouts for Iladori could be heard through the window and she said, "I am late for patrol."
"I will be fine, Iladori. Go ahead and go, Arwen will take good care of me," Aalyssa assured her.
Iladori looked at her, as if to judge whether Aalyssa was being truthful. "All right. I will check on you later, if I may."
"I would like that," Aalyssa said quietly.
Arwen came back out as Iladori was heading out the door. "I will see you later, Iladori."
"Yes, you will Arwen. As will you, Aalyssa. And remember to stay here to wait for Konner, Aalyssa."
Aalyssa nodded her agreement before Iladori walked out the door, closing it behind her.
Arwen knelt in front of Aalyssa and cleaned the corner of her mouth where she had been bleeding. Then she pulled out a soft cloth and put some cream on it. "This is going to hurt a little at first, Aalyssa."
"All right," Aalyssa replied, preparing herself.
The door slammed open just as Arwen completed applying the medication. Arwen looked up in surprise. "What?"
Wilhelmina stormed into the room. "Aalyssa, get to our chambers. I will attend you there."
Arwen stood up and stared at the woman. "What is the meaning of you barging into my rooms uninvited?"
"I was looking for my daughter. She has injuries which need to be tended to."
Arwen could not help but notice the frightened look in Aalyssa's eyes. "I am tending her, she is fine."
Wilhelmina stalked over to the chair and grabbed Aalyssa's wrist, pulling her from the chair.
"No, Mother. I wish to wait here for Konner. He is expecting me to be here."
"I will tend to your injuries and then we need to have a discussion about your actions today."
"If I may, Lady Wilhelmina, it is not..."
"Stay out of this, Arwen. It is none of your concern."
"You made it my concern by barging into my rooms uninvited and forcibly removing a friend of mine."
"Please, Mother, let me stay here."
"No, you may not. Arwen, when you are a mother, you will understand better why I am acting this way. Come along, Aalyssa."
Aalyssa cast a helpless look at Arwen before lowering her eyes to follow her mother. "I am sorry, Arwen. I was wrong for coming here."
"No, you were not wrong, Aalyssa." Arwen walked up to Wilhelmina. "If I see one mark on her later that I did not see now..."
"You will not, Arwen," Wilhelmina said with a cold smile. The older woman tightened her grip around Aalyssa's wrist and dragged her from the room.
Aalyssa's wrist hurt from the grip her mother had on her, dragging her toward the stairs. "Let me go, Mother," Aalyssa protested. She wanted to get back to Arwen's room and wait for Konner.
"Just shut up, Aalyssa. You have caused more than enough trouble for one day," Wilhelmina hissed.
"I did nothing..." Aalyssa's statement was caught off with the sharp sting of Wilhelmina's palm striking her cheek.
"This insolence and embarrassment will stop, Aalyssa. Immediately," Wilhelmina growled as she dragged her daughter up the stairs.
"If I am such an embarrassment to you, let me go to Konner. Or Legolas even. He will find somewhere safe for me to go, if you destroy Konner and myself."
Wilhelmina stopped outside the chamber door. "Do you really think Konner wants you? Silly girl."
"He went after the man who..."
"The Prince was performing his duty to one of his subjects, nothing more."
Wilhelmina opened the door and shoved Aalyssa inside where her father, was waiting with Udar.
"Do you have things in hand, my love?" Robero asked.
"Yes," Wilhelmina nodded.
Aalyssa glanced anxiously at her parents then at the strange man who was waiting there. "Mother? Father? What is going on?" she asked, her face growing pale with fear.
"As of now," Robero spoke softly, "You are no longer a member of this family."
"Why?" Aalyssa inquired, her fear making her heart pound.
"You have to ask? You embarrass us, sleeping around, losing your temper with the ladies of the court," Wilhelmina spat out. "Then you go outside and get yourself attacked? You could have gotten the future King of Mirkwood killed."
"I did not sleep around. And I certainly did not intend to be attacked. And I did not ask Konner to go after that...that..." Aalyssa found herself at a lack for words.
"You do not expect us to believe you, do you?"
Aalyssa stared at her parents. "Then let me gather my things and I shall leave."
"No, you will not," Wilhelmina stated as she shoved Aalyssa on the bed. She walked over to the wardrobe and pulled out her daughter's gowns. "These belong to your father and I, not you. And you will not need them where you are going."
Aalyssa looked down at her dress which was torn and covered with dirt. "At least one, please?"
"No, you do not need a new dress where you will be going."
"Who is he?" Aalyssa asked warily, eyeing Udar.
"He will be taking you to your final destination," Wilhelmina said with an evil smile.
Udar walked over and hauled Aalyssa roughly to her feet.
She tried to pull away from him. "No! I will not go. If Konner will not help me, Legolas will."
Udar dragged her to the door. He looked over at Robero and Wilhelmina. "I will attend this matter for you. Do not worry."
Aalyssa began to cry as she looked at her parents. "Please...just..." To her horror, she saw her Mother bundle her dresses up and toss them into the fireplace.
Wilhelmina looked at her husband and smiled. "It will be like she never existed, Robero."
"Yes, it will my love."
"But Konner will be looking for me," Aalyssa pleaded as Udar opened the door.
"Hold a minute." Robero walked over and grabbed her face roughly with his hand. "Prince Konner will be told you have left with another man. Do not hold out false and foolish hope that he will be looking for you."
"Where am I being taken?" she whispered.
"You will know shortly," Udar said.
Konner caught up with Legolas who was standing over Dimitri's body. In anger, Konner walked over and kicked the stableboy.
"Konner, calm down."
"Calm down? See how calm you would be if he had attacked the woman you love."
Legolas stared at Konner in astonishment. "Love? Now you have decided you love Aalyssa?"
"I have always loved her, I just did not realize it."
Legolas shook his head. "I have never understood it. You slept around on her, you ignored her, yet you are all she has always wanted?"
Konner sighed. "Are you saying you are jealous and you want her?"
"Stars, no, Konner. I want the best for Aalyssa. It just seems to me if you really loved her, you would have offered for her long ago."
"She was too young and I was not ready to settle down. I knew coming here Aalyssa would most likely be my choice for a wife. I can not imagine my life with out her." Konner thought for a minute, just catching something Legolas had said. "I am all she has ever wanted? Me?"
Legolas nodded, seeing a new side to his brother. "You have no idea how many wedding fantasies I endured when she realized her true feelings. How many times she cried on my shoulder because you were sleeping with someone else at the time. How many tears I have dried that at some point you should have been drying."
"Had anyone bothered telling me the truth earlier, maybe I would have come to my senses sooner. I should have been the one to protect her these past few years."
"Truth? What truth?" Legolas asked.
"About her mother, her family."
"It was not mine to tell, Konner."
"You could have urged her to come to me. Aalyssa would have listened to you."
"You were dallying with her, Konner. I did not want her hurt by you pushing her aside. Not over something important like that. And obviously you still have not offered for her, as there has been no announcement."
"Her father. He has his manservant tell me he is too busy to see me."
"Force your way in, it is going to be the only way. They do not want Aalyssa happy."
"So she has said to me. I am going to pick her up from Arwen's room and then see her parents. I will see you later."
"May I go along to Arwen's and make sure Aalyssa is all right? I will not intrude, I promise."
Konner eyed his brother, who was still in protective mode. "What of Iladori? I know the two of you are becoming close."
"She is on patrol. I will catch up with Iladori before dinner."
"All right then," Konner said softly has he headed for Arwen's rooms, Legolas quietly behind him.
With an outward calm that belied her true feelings, Arwen put her supplies away before going in search of Konner. She had just put her hand out to open the door when there was a knock. Arwen opened it to find Konner standing there. "Konner!"
"What is wrong, Arwen?"
"Aalyssa's mother dragged her away from here. What is going on, Konner? I can tell Aalyssa is frightened."
"I can not tell you, Arwen, only Aalyssa can. But if...I need to find her."
"I will go with you, Konner," Legolas said, hand on the hilt of his knife.
Aalyssa locked her legs as he dragged her away. As they approached the stairway, Aalyssa glanced over her shoulder and saw Marissa. "Marissa!" she screamed. "Get Konner or Legolas! Please!"
Marissa looked up, her eyes round. "What is going on?"
"I need Konner! Please!" Aalyssa screamed out as the man dragged her down the stairs.
"Right," Marissa smirked as the man dragged her cousin out of sight. When she reached her Aunt and Uncle's chamber, she knocked. Robero opened the door. "You needed me, Uncle?"
"Yes, darling. We need you to write a note in Aalyssa's handwriting."
"The banishment is on then?" Marissa smiled as she entered the room.
"More than a banishment, Marissa. I assure you, she will be dead by morning."
"I meant to mention to you earlier, Aunt," Marissa began sitting down at the desk. "Aalyssa told Konner about the way she is treated this morning."
"Then it is a good thing we are writing this note. And then tomorrow when Udar returns, he will be carrying her body." Robero saw his wife look up sharply at him. "It has to be this way, love. I saw the way Prince Konner looked at Aalyssa this morning. If she is not proved to be dead, he will try to seek her out and Marissa will never have her chance." He turned and looked at his niece. "You have been training for the day you become Queen. You must fulfill your destiny."
Marissa smiled evilly. "It is just a shame I cannot do away with Konner also. I would much prefer to be wed to Legolas." Quietly she began writing the note in Aalyssa's handwriting. When she was done, Marissa handed it to Jahames, Robero's manservant, who went off in search of Konner.
Before going into the courtyard, Udar glanced around both corners of the doorway to make sure the patrol was not near.
"This has been real fun, but let me go now," Aalyssa stated. "I can get you money to let me go."
"No, you can not. You have nothing," Udar snarled. "Besides, I gave my word, and I will see the job through to the end. " With his words he hauled Aalyssa roughly against him.
Aalyssa wrinkled her nose at the stench coming from him and began to pummel against him. "Let me go! Please!"
"Shut up!" He tried to plaster his hand across her mouth but Aalyssa bit him sharply and turned to begin scratching at him. "You little bitch," he snarled as he wound her hair around his hand. He pulled her head back and backhanded her.
"Let me go!" Aalyssa shouted, ignoring him. "Or I will tear you to shreds!" she growled as she scratched at his face and arms. "And Prince Konner will.."
Udar wrapped his arm tightly around her throat and pressed a knife against her stomach. "Prince Konner will never know. And I am not afraid of the likes of you," he hissed.
"Please. I have done nothing to warrant this," Aalyssa tried again in a meek tone.
"Matters not to me," he began, shoving his captive toward the woods behind the stables.
Pippin came from around the corner of the building and whispered, "Miss Aalyssa. I must follow and find where she is being taken."
Konner pounded on the Skyclouds' door. "It is Prince Konner. I have come to see Lady Aalyssa."
Wilhelmina quickly hid Marissa inside of the wardrobe and closed it, giving her assurance it would not be for long.
Robero opened the door and bowed. "Your highness."
"Now you are available, I see," Konner growled as he pushed his way into the chamber. Legolas followed quietly behind. "Aalyssa!" Konner called out.
"She is not here, your highness," Wilhelmina said.
"Arwen said you brought her here to be tended to."
"And I did. Then Lady Marissa happened by and they went for a walk."
Konner bent down and stared coldly at Wilhelmina. "I asked Aalyssa to wait for me in Arwen's room. She would not have gone off for a walk after you so rudely dragged her from her friend's room."
"Maybe she hoped to find you on your walk. And do not speak to me so, Prince Konner. I shall speak with your mother."
"We shall see who she believes after I have my own talk with her." He glared at the couple then turned for the door. "Come, Legolas. We shall seek Aalyssa ourselves."
Legolas added his own glares to Konner's before turning to follow his brother.
They walked down the hall, lost in their own thoughts. "Konner? I have a bad feeling about this. I am going to find Iladori and the patrol and put them on alert."
"Good thinking. I am going to look for Aalyssa. I can not lose her now."
Legolas saw the worry evident in his brother's eyes. "We will find her, Konner."
'I wonder where Konner is? Why has he not come to help me?' Aalyssa tried to shake the frantic thoughts from her mind as the man continued to drag her deeper into the forest. 'I guess it is up to me.' With a deep breath, Aalyssa kicked the man in the shin and shoved him away. She lifted her skirts and had begun to run back the way they had come. Aalyssa had not gotten far when she felt Udar grab her hair and twist it around his hand again. She cried out in pain as he pulled her back.
"That was a very very stupid thing to do. I really did not want to hurt you until we got to our destination." With a growl, Udar shoved her to the ground and put his knee against her back to hold her down. He pulled a length of rope from his pocket and cut off a length before roughly grabbing her wrists and pulling them behind her. He tightly bound them together, laughing as Aalyssa cried out in pain. His laughter grew as she struggled to free herself. "You have no hope of getting free," he whispered in her ear. "I have a special technique of tying them. I place multiple knots in different places."
"Konner!" Aalyssa screamed out, knowing no one was close enough to hear her. "Please," she whispered as he hauled her back to her feet.
"Shut up!"
Pippin knew he had no chance against his evil man, at least not alone. He made a mental note of the landmarks on the path and headed back to Rivendell for help.
Aalyssa finally recognized the path 'The Dark Forest. No.' When she was younger, she had gone for a walk and almost ended up there. Legolas had stopped her and took her back to Rivendell. 'Legolas. He did not even come for me. Every one has abandoned me.'
Aalyssa stopped walking and refused to move. She screamed out when the man shoved her forward. Aalyssa felt her ankle turn under her when she tripped over a tree root. The momentum propelled her against the tree where the rough bark cut her lip and her forehead.
"You just do not learn, do you?" the man asked, grabbing her hair again.
"Why would I willingly let you lead me to the Dark Forest?"
"Because it is futile to resist," he answered before he lifted her and slung her over his shoulder to carry her the rest of the way.
Konner walked toward the gardens and looked up when he found Marissa headed in his direction. "Marissa!"
"Yes Konner?" Marissa asked innocently, hiding the smile that threatened.
"Where is Aalyssa? I need to speak with her and her parents said she was with you."
"She was, but..Oh Konner, I hate to be the one to tell you this."
Konner stiffened, a sudden sense of unease settled on him. "Tell me what?"
"She met someone Konner and he stole her heart. They ran off together." Marissa pulled closer to Konner and started playing with his tunic. "She has been very unsatisfied with you and your sleeping around. And this man... he was kind to her from the start. You need someone like me, someone who will be true to you. I can give you things Aalyssa never could."
Konner shoved Marissa away from him. "I am sorry, Marissa. But I have no feelings for you. And from what Arwen said, her mother dragged her away. And I do not believe..."
Marissa's eyes turned cold. "I do not know where Aalyssa is Konner, but you are far better off without her." Marissa turned and walked away, leaving Konner staring at her in shock.
Konner was still standing there when he heard a voice behind him call out to him.
"Yes, Jahames?" Konner said as he turned to face Robero's manservant.
"I was asked to give you this note. I am sorry it took so long, but I had great difficulty finding you."
"Thank you Jahames," Konner said, taking the piece of paper.
Konner unfolded the paper to read the missive which read * Konner, I have decided to leave Rivendell with Mivel. He came to me and was very sweet. I have decided this is for the best. Please do not be hurt and do not hate me. Sincerely, Aalyssa." Konner wrinkled the note in his hand. "I do not believe this. She would not have come to me this morning if she did not love me.'
Udar set Aalyssa on her feet on the Rivendell edge of the forest. "How about a little fun before I take you in there?"
"Just let me go," Aalyssa pleaded again. She could taste the blood trickling down her lip and her hands had gone numb long ago from the lack of blood circulation. The air had turned colder the closer they had gotten to the Dark Forest.
"Sorry. Can not do that," Udar said as he approached her.
Aalyssa felt her back hit a tree and watched helplessly as he started to tear at her dress. From a small distance, she could hear horses and men talking to one another. 'The patrol.'
"Help!" Aalyssa screamed out before Udar made a fist and hit her, knocking her out.
"So much for having some fun," he grumbled, lifting her unconscious body and going into the Dark Forest. He dumped her about a mile in, leaving her wrists tied behind her and left through another section of trees. He left a few markings so he could easily find her dead body in the morning to bring back to Rivendell.
The patrol stopped, having heard her scream. "Spread out," Iladori told them. They searched the Rivendell side of the border but found nothing. They returned to their patrol, decided it had been a wild animal they had heard.