FINDING HEART
CHAPTER FIVE
BY DRAGONWIND
See chapters one and four for disclaimers
"Konner, would Aalyssa prefer the healer's area or your room for an examination?"
Elrond asked gently.
Konner looked down at Aalyssa who still had her face pressed against him. "My room, I
think." As he headed for the stairs gently holding Aalyssa, Konner heard her softly
whispering, "Do not leave me, please do not leave me."
Konner looked over his shoulder at the healer, Arwen and his mother following them.
"Shh, shh, you are safe, Aalyssa."
"Please, Konner, do not leave me," she whispered softly.
"I will not go anywhere, love."
"You promise?" she asked, pulling her head back to look at him with tear-blurred eyes.
"I promise."
"Do not let anyone touch me, Konner."
"Do not let who touch you?" he asked with concern as he nudged open the door to his
rooms and headed for the bedroom, the other three following as far as the bedroom
door.
"Anyone. Only you, only you."
"Lys, the healer needs to examine you. I will not go anywhere while she looks you over.
And Mother and Arwen will be there also."
Aalyssa shook her head. "They will take me away from you."
Konner sat her gently on the bed and placed one hand on her cheek. "No one is going
to take you away from me. I will not allow it."
"They do not...they will not want me with you," Aalyssa whispered.
"Your parents can not touch you, Aalyssa. My parents have already said you will be
staying with us until we are wed. Your parents are being held under armed guard. Lord
Elrond's orders, my love."
"But who did they get to before that, Konner?"
"Shh, Aalyssa. Nothing more will happen to you. I will not allow it."
Aalyssa's breath began coming in short little gasps. "I can not trust any one but you,
Konner." She looked up at him with wide frightened eyes.
"Mother will not allow anyone to hurt you, Aalyssa. She is very happy and pleased
about us. I believe she had us married in her mind for a long time now. You can trust
my family, you know that. Mother, Father, Legolas." Konner leaned away and grabbed
the tunic Donlugan had laid on the chair. "We all love you, Lys. Let us get you out of
that dress," he said softly.
Aalyssa stared at him but sat quietly as Konner undid the laces on the dress. She lifted
her hips and then her arms so he could pull the gown off. She left her arms up while he
pulled the tunic down on her.
"There you go, love. Now," he said, laying her down on the bed. "Your parents will not
be returning to Mirkwood. Father has banished them and they are in disgrace, love."
"But Konner...they..if the healer..." Aalyssa stammered.
"You will be examined by the healer, Aalyssa, and that is final. I want to know you are
all right," Konner said firmly.
"You will not leave?" Aalyssa asked, blinking at him. Konner had never been forceful
with her before and it startled her.
"I will be in the room the entire time," Konner promised her, kissing her on the forehead.
"All right," she whispered, watching Konner go to the door to admit the three women,
then step back.
Laure approached the bed first. "Aalyssa. You are safe my dearest," she whispered.
Aalyssa looked up at her and reached out for her hand, fighting back tears.
Laure took her hand and squeezed it with a gently strength. "You will be living with us
until you are married, dearest."
Aalyssa quietly nodded and smiled weakly at Laure.
"Just as I always wished for, a daughter," Laure said softly, sitting on the chair next to
the bed.
Arwen walked over and smiled gently. "I am sorry, Aalyssa. Had I know this would
happen..."
"Not your fault, Arwen," Aalyssa whispered, smiling weakly at her also.
The healer handed Aalyssa a mug. "Drink this, sweetheart. It will relax you." She
watched Aalyssa drink it, then took the mug back.
"The healer needs to examine you now, dearest. We want to make sure you are all
right," Laure whispered, smoothing Aalyssa's hair from her face.
A soft whimper escaped Aalyssa, but Laure kept hold of her hand and Aalyssa felt
Arwen take her other hand. She noticed Konner turn his back, but Aalyssa knew he
was being a gentleman.
"It is all right dearest, she will not hurt you. A Konner is still here also," Laure
whispered.
Aalyssa looked at the healer and nodded hesitantly. "Go ahead."
The healer smiled reassuringly at her and worked quickly yet gently. "Sleep well,
Aalyssa," she whispered when her patient drifted off to sleep.
The healer beckoned Laure over, leaving Arwen to watch over Aalyssa.
"Your Majesty. Physically she is fine. She has some bruising, cuts, and scrapes. Her
ankle is sprained, so she must stay off of it for awhile. Aalyssa shows no signs of being
taken without her will."
Laure nodded at the healer. "But?"
"Her emotional state is another thing. It is going to take time for her to heal from this.
What her parents did would scar anyone, elf or man. She should be fine though. Just
let her move at her own pace and reassure her."
"Just hearing her parents speak scarred me. I need...We need to tell Konner how to
deal with this," Laure commented.
"Just tell him to be there for her and to let her go at her own pace. And not to push her,"
the healer said. "And you know where to find me if you need me."
"Thank you," Laure said as the healer moved to leave. She also thanked Arwen on her
way to the door."
Arwen smiled at Laure. "Please let know Aalyssa I will be up to visit with her."
"I will, Arwen. Thank you so much for helping tonight."
Arwen smiled before leaving the room, hearing Laure close it softly behind herself and
the healer.
Laure turned from the door to see Konner pacing and she walked over to him.
"Konner?"
"Mother?" he asked, his eyes filled with worry. "Is she going to be all right?"
"She will be, darling. Aalyssa is going to need you and your love. You will need to be
there for her. How are you holding up?" Laure asked, wrapping her arms around him.
"I am all right as long as Aalyssa is all right." Konner looked over at Aalyssa laying in
the bed. "I want her back, Mother. I love her."
Laure nodded and ran her hand down his hair. "The healer said she is fine physically.
You have her, Konner. Your Aalyssa is right here. Be there for her, she needs you now
more than ever."
"I want my sassy Aalyssa back, Mother. I will not leave her."
"Good boy. I know you want her back. With time and the proper care you will. Legolas
told your father she fought back against the man."
Konner nodded. "She did."
"That is a promising sign then," Laure assured him with a small smile.
"I promised I would not leave her, Mother. May I stay here with Aalyssa?" Konner
asked.
"Yes darling," Laure nodded. "It is not like all of Mirkwood did not know the two of you
have been...but may your father make an official announcement tomorrow morning at
breakfast?"
"Yes, of course, Mother. I hope I have not disappointed you."
"I wish the two of you had wed long ago, but you have not disappointed me. You have
realized your feelings and are acting on them. I do have to admit I have disappointed
myself and just realized it today."
"Why Mother? You have always been the best mother."
"Not to Legolas I have not."
"Mother, Legolas loves you."
"Perhaps...because he feels he has to," Laure said sadly.
Konner stared at his mother in shock. "No, Mother. Legolas loves you. Trust me. He
may not be as close to you as he is with Father and Elrond, but he does love you."
Laure looked up at him with teary eyes. "Not enough that he felt he could come to me
or have Aalyssa come to me with what was happening. This could not have happened
over night." She looked over at Aalyssa's sleeping form. "Poor baby girl. And for that I
need to take part of the blame for what happened today." Laure looked up and sighed.
"As well Wilhelmina said some things downstairs that I may have said to or about
Legolas over the years."
"Mother, Legolas did not feel he could come to me either, and he knew I was seeing
Aalyssa. He felt I was playing with her affections." Konner glanced over at her again.
"In some ways, I may have hurt her worse then her parents, Mother. But no more. Now I
realize how much I love her and treasure her."
"It may seem that way, darling, but what her parents have done to her is horrendous."
Laure looked up at him. "And just what did you do that could have hurt her worse?"
"By not telling her I loved her sooner. By not offering for her sooner. I could have gotten
her away before something like this happened. And even after she told me the truth this
morning, I left her unprotected."
"Darling," Laure stroked her son's hair. "There was little you could have done between
this morning and what happened. Steps would have had to have been taken, and you
father has been busy with this council. And I heard you ask the captain of the guard to
start training you this morning."
"I should already have been trained, Mother. I should have forced myself into her
parents' chamber yesterday and demanded an audience with Robero. I should...I
should not have favored Princess Iladori with my attentions the past two days."
"No you should not have done that. Not when you love Aalyssa so strongly."
"I...I did not realize how much I loved her until the night of the dance. That was when I
saw the pain in Aalyssa's eyes. It suddenly hit me that I was certain Aalyssa was who I
wanted. And that I truly loved her."
Laure sighed, "But Konner. Why did you string Aalyssa along and dishonor her if you
were not certain you loved her."
Konner lowered his eyes to the floor, avoiding his mother's gaze. "It is hard to explain,
Mother. I have been attracted to her for the longest time. Aalyssa is beautiful and, well,
she never said no. She came to me willingly and I could not say no either."
"Aalyssa believed you wanted her, I mean, really wanted her. Konner, ever since she
was a young girl, she has wanted you. Aalyssa would have done anything to be your
wife. And if you did you did not love her, you should not have acted on the attraction."
A soft sound from the bed caught Konner's attention and he turned, seeing Aalyssa stir
restlessly and whimpering softly.
"I think my heart always loved her, Mother. It was my brain getting in the way."
Laure smiled at him, "You loved her but did not realize it."
Konner sat in the chair next to the bed and took Aalyssa's small hand in his own. "Yes,
but now I know. Now I know and I am going to make it up to her."
Laure opened the door and said softly, "That is what is important. And never stop
making it up to her."
"I will not, Mother. Thank you."
"I go to seek Legolas now, and see what I can do about making up for a lifetime of hurt.
I will be back in the morning to see to Aalyssa."
"Konner?" Aalyssa whispered in a sleepy voice.
"Yes, love?"
"I just..." her voice trailed off as sleep claimed her once again.
A soft smile settled on Konner's lips as he kissed her hand and then her forehead. He
leaned back in the chair to watch her sleep.
Aalyssa murmured in her sleep again, becoming restless.
"Shh, everything is all right, baby," Konner whispered soothingly.
Aalyssa sat up suddenly, her eyes darting around the room. "Where am I?"
"My room, here in Rivendell," Konner told her concern in his voice.
"I had the worst nightmare, Konner," she began before what he said settled in her mind.
"Your room?"
Konner stood up from the chair and sat on the bed, pulling Aalyssa protectively into his
arms. He laid back against the headboard, his body on top of the covers.
"My ankle, Konner. Why is it throbbing?"
He thought for a minute about what to tell her and decided honesty would be best.
"Your parents had you kidnapped and left you to the mercy of the creatures of the Dark
Forest, love," he said softly. "But Legolas, Aragorn and I saved you."
Aalyssa's breath caught in her throat. "Then it was not a nightmare. I was so alone and
scared and cold." She curled up to cuddle against him in his arms. "Thank you."
"I will always save you, love. Now sleep, love. You need to rest and get your strength
back." Konner adjusted her position slightly so her head rested on his chest.
Aalyssa wrapped both of her arms around one of Konner's. 'I did not like it out there
alone, Konner," she whispered, listening to the sound of his heartbeat.
"I imagine the Dark Forest is not nice during the day, let alone at night."
"He hit me, Konner. And when I woke up I was all alone."
"I know," he whispered, kissing her forehead and tightening his hold on her. "But you
are safe now. I want you to sleep, you need sleep, love. We will talk in the morning
when the sun is shining and the birds singing."
"I will try," Aalyssa said quietly.
"Additionally, we will have other things to discuss. When we shall wed and begin the
plans. Father will be announcing our engagement in the morning."
"Really? We are getting married?" Aalyssa asked.
"You will marry me, right? I mean..."
"If you still want me," Aalyssa said softly. Fear of not knowing what had happened
earlier entered her and she trembled.
"I shall never stop wanting you, my love."
"All I have ever wanted is to be yours," Aalyssa looked up at him with a smile. "Yes, I
will marry you." She grasped his tunic and tried to pull herself up the front of him to kiss
Konner."
He smiled down at her and said, "Now rest, love." He kissed her gently and settled her
back into his arms. "Mother said I may stay, but I am not going to push my luck. She is
taking mothering very seriously now."
"I understand," Aalyssa muttered. "Does this mean she will stop hurting Legolas?"
"She is going to try," Konner grinned. "I do not know how Legolas is going to respond
though. He is beyond needing a mother now. He has his own life and agenda that he
follows."
Aalyssa shifted her body to snuggled against Konner again, not unwrapping her arms
from his. "I wonder what having a real mother is like?
"Probably someone much like Queen Myadora, Iladori's mother. She is what I picture
as an ideal mother. Her children are very lucky."
She lifted her head to look up at him. "Konner, you have always been close to your
mother. At least she was not like mine or Marissa's."
"My mother has her flaws, Aalyssa. She favors me over Legolas and she always has.
She left Legolas for the nanny to raise. Queen Myadora does not favor any of her
children, she treats them all the same."
"I know, but..."
"Enough talk, Lys. You need to sleep."
"I am trying, Konner. It is just every time I close my eyes, I am all alone out in the forest
again."
Konner smiled and kissed the top of her head. "I want my sassy Aalyssa back. I am
here with you, love. I am not going anywhere."
Aalyssa smiled up at him. "I will see what I can do. And I know you are not going
anywhere, but when I close my eyes..."
"I understand, Lys. Just lay here and rest then, my love."
They sat quietly for a few minutes, and Konner finally heard her breathing relax and he
knew she was asleep.
There was a faint tap on the door and he called out softly, "Enter."
He looked up to see Elspeth carrying in a tray of fruit, cheese and bread. Konner
watched as she came next to the bed and set the tray down on the night stand.
"How is she, Your Highness?"
"She will be fine, thank you, Elspeth. And thank you for the food."
"I realized while I was finishing up for the night that my Lady had not had anything
since breakfast. I feared she might wake up hungry in the middle of the night," Elspeth
explained with a smile.
"I am sure she will. I thank you for her, Elspeth."
The maid curtsied. "If that will be all then?"
"Elspeth, tomorrow I would appreciate if you and Donlugan could go to Lady Aalyssa's
former chamber and gather her things to be brought here.
Elspeth looked uncomfortable and tore her gaze away from him.
"Elspeth? What is wrong?" Konner asked with alarm.
"Merrybelle, the Skyclouds' maid informed me this evening that they destroyed all of my
lady's things. Master Konner, they have left her with nothing. I also have been told they
sent someone back to Mirkwood to do the same with her things there."
A dark cloud of anger settled in Konner's eyes. "They will pay for this. They will pay for
everything they have done to Aalyssa. I will see to it." His gaze softened as he looked
at the maid. "I beg your pardon Elspeth. Thank you for your help this evening."
"Anytime, Your Highness," Elspeth assured him before she left the room.
Laure walked downstairs and went over to Legolas and Iladori who were speaking
quietly near a window.
Legolas looked up at her approach and asked, "Mother? How is Aalyssa?"
"She will be fine, physically," she began, smiling at Iladori who was holding Legolas'
hand. "Emotionally it is going to be awhile though. Konner is with her, I gave him
permission to stay with her."
"I guess she just needs time then," Legolas nodded.
"And love," Laure said before walking over to a bench and beckoning Legolas over.
Legolas looked at her hesitantly and then at Iladori.
Iladori nudged him. "Go on. She is your mother, and she needs to speak with you. Now
that you have cleared up about Marissa and told me what happened tonight, I am fine. I
am going to grab a quick snack from the kitchen and come back."
Legolas kissed her on the cheek and then watched her head for the kitchen. Then he
walked over to the bench and sat down. "Yes Mother?"
Laure reached for his hand. "Some things were said today that made me think..."
He tensed, wondering what was going on. "Yes.."
"I have treated your poorly and I apologize with all of my heart for that. I was not the
mother to you that I should have been. You are my son, and I should not..."
"Mother, you did the best you could do," Legolas offered.
"No, I do not believe that I did. I devoted all to one son and that was not fair. You did
nothing to deserve that treatment."
"I understand Mother, but I turned out just fine."
"Yes, you did. In spite of me. I am proud of you Legolas. And, I do love you." Laure
stood up and wiped a tear before going to the stairs.
Legolas stood up staring after her, mindless of Thranduil and Iladori both watching from
the side. "I love you too Mother," he called out. "I have always loved you, Mother."
Laure stopped at the foot of the stairs and turned to look at him with tears in her eyes.
Legolas walked over to her and stopped just in front of her. He took a few more steps
and embraced his mother. "You may not have been the mother I needed when I was
younger, but I never did not love you. You are my mother."
She returned his hug tightly, whispering, "I am so sorry for how I treated you. But I did
love you..just not as much as I should have. I was wrong, so wrong. I have two fine
sons that have grown into such honorable men."
Legolas smiled at her, "Well one of us is working on the honorable part."
She grinned back, "Yes it did take him a while, did it not? But you..you have always
been honorable. And I know you kept many of Aalyssa's secrets when the two of you
were younger. As I told Konner, I wish you had felt you could come to me for help for
her, and for that, I shoulder part of the blame for what has happened today.
"I tried to protect her the best that I could, Mother."
"I know you did, Legolas. I had no idea her parents were capable of such evil. And I am
so proud of you for protecting Aalyssa when she needed someone," Laure added,
kissing him on the cheek.
"Thank you Mother," Legolas said before turning around. He faced his mother again. "I
think it started with her mother. She is not, well...normal."
"You are very welcome, my love. And I think you may be right, since she was the one
spewing such hatred tonight, more so than her father."
Legolas saw Iladori standing with his father. "May I go now, Mother?" he asked gently.
She followed his gaze and smiled. "Yes, my love. You may."
Konner was asleep when he felt movement beside him. He opened one eye to find
Aalyssa trying to climb from the bed. "Where do you think you are going, love?"
She glanced over her shoulder at him. "I am sorry, Konner. I did not mean to wake you.
I just need to, uhm..." A blush reddened her face.
Konner chuckled. "All you have to do is ask," he told her. He got out of bed and came
around and lifted her to carry Aalyssa into the bathing room area. "Let me know when
you are done."
Aalyssa nodded then added, "I am hungry also."
"I was ready for that, thanks to Elspeth. She brought up a tray a while ago." He eased
out of the room, leaving the door open a crack so he could hear her call out. When she
did, Konner went in and lifted her, carrying Aalyssa back to the bed.
"Konner?"
"Yes, love?" he asked, moving to the side of the bed to get the tray.
"How did I get in the...that is, where is my dress?"
"Oh, love," Konner began, getting back in beside her and settling the tray on his lap.
"Your dress was pretty much destroyed. I thought you would be more comfortable in the
tunic."
Aalyssa nodded, silent tears falling.
"Hey," he whispered, lifting her head so their eyes met. "I think you look very pretty in
my tunic." Konner kissed her lightly, using his thumb to wipe away at some of her tears.
She sniffed lightly and laid her head on his shoulder. "I have nothing left of my own."
"We will build a new life," Konner assured her. "I will take care of you."
Aalyssa nodded, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Konner looked down at her with concern then picked up one of the fruits on the tray.
"Would you like a strawberry, love?" he asked.
She nodded and changed her position so her back was against his chest. Aalyssa
opened her mouth when he lifted the strawberry to her.
"That is my girl," he whispered while she chewed.
"Konner?"
"Yes, my love?"
"Can we leave one of the lights on on the wall?"
"Certainly. I am sorry, I should have realized the dark would bother you."
"I may never be warm again, Konner. It was so cold out there," Aalyssa admitted.
"When you are done eating, I shall wrap my arms around you once again. Will that
warm you?"
Aalyssa nodded and stared at him.
"What?" Konner asked.
"I never thought I would see you again. When I woke up out there and realized where I
was, I was sure I would die there alone."
Konner placed his hands on Aalyssa's face. "I tore Rivendell apart looking for you.
Either no one had seen you or they lied to me. If it had not have been for Pippin..."
Konner paused. "I am so grateful you showed him your kindness and offered him
friendship earlier."
"As am I. And I am glad that man did not know he was following. Pippin could have
gotten himself killed. But..."
"Later, my love. You eat you full and get some more rest. We have plenty of time for
talk later."
Aalyssa nodded, tearing off a hunk of bread. Absently, she shredded it, letting the
crumbs fall on her lap.
"Lys?" Konner whispered.
"Hmm?"
"You are supposed to eat the bread, not shred it."
Aalyssa looked down in shock and her eyes welled up with tears."I am sorry Konner."
"It is all right, love," he assured her, pulling her into his arms. Konner held her closely
and spoke soothingly to her until he felt Aalyssa's body relax against his.
Aalyssa moved her arms to wrap around Konner's neck and pulled herself close to him.
"What did I do that was so horrible, Konner?" she whispered softly.
"Do not blame yourself, my love. There is something much larger going on here, I fear,"
Konner said, rubbing gently on her back. "You did not do anything that precipitated
such an action."
"I must have done something," she said, laying her head on his shoulder.
"No, love. You did not do anything wrong. Please believe me."
Aalyssa sighed softly. "I am trying, but..."
"It will all come out when Elrond has the hearing in a few days. But I bet we find it had
nothing to do with any of your actions at all."
She gave Konner an uncertain nod. Aalyssa had so many questions in her mind, and
did not know where to go for answers.
CHAPTER FIVE
BY DRAGONWIND
See chapters one and four for disclaimers
"Konner, would Aalyssa prefer the healer's area or your room for an examination?"
Elrond asked gently.
Konner looked down at Aalyssa who still had her face pressed against him. "My room, I
think." As he headed for the stairs gently holding Aalyssa, Konner heard her softly
whispering, "Do not leave me, please do not leave me."
Konner looked over his shoulder at the healer, Arwen and his mother following them.
"Shh, shh, you are safe, Aalyssa."
"Please, Konner, do not leave me," she whispered softly.
"I will not go anywhere, love."
"You promise?" she asked, pulling her head back to look at him with tear-blurred eyes.
"I promise."
"Do not let anyone touch me, Konner."
"Do not let who touch you?" he asked with concern as he nudged open the door to his
rooms and headed for the bedroom, the other three following as far as the bedroom
door.
"Anyone. Only you, only you."
"Lys, the healer needs to examine you. I will not go anywhere while she looks you over.
And Mother and Arwen will be there also."
Aalyssa shook her head. "They will take me away from you."
Konner sat her gently on the bed and placed one hand on her cheek. "No one is going
to take you away from me. I will not allow it."
"They do not...they will not want me with you," Aalyssa whispered.
"Your parents can not touch you, Aalyssa. My parents have already said you will be
staying with us until we are wed. Your parents are being held under armed guard. Lord
Elrond's orders, my love."
"But who did they get to before that, Konner?"
"Shh, Aalyssa. Nothing more will happen to you. I will not allow it."
Aalyssa's breath began coming in short little gasps. "I can not trust any one but you,
Konner." She looked up at him with wide frightened eyes.
"Mother will not allow anyone to hurt you, Aalyssa. She is very happy and pleased
about us. I believe she had us married in her mind for a long time now. You can trust
my family, you know that. Mother, Father, Legolas." Konner leaned away and grabbed
the tunic Donlugan had laid on the chair. "We all love you, Lys. Let us get you out of
that dress," he said softly.
Aalyssa stared at him but sat quietly as Konner undid the laces on the dress. She lifted
her hips and then her arms so he could pull the gown off. She left her arms up while he
pulled the tunic down on her.
"There you go, love. Now," he said, laying her down on the bed. "Your parents will not
be returning to Mirkwood. Father has banished them and they are in disgrace, love."
"But Konner...they..if the healer..." Aalyssa stammered.
"You will be examined by the healer, Aalyssa, and that is final. I want to know you are
all right," Konner said firmly.
"You will not leave?" Aalyssa asked, blinking at him. Konner had never been forceful
with her before and it startled her.
"I will be in the room the entire time," Konner promised her, kissing her on the forehead.
"All right," she whispered, watching Konner go to the door to admit the three women,
then step back.
Laure approached the bed first. "Aalyssa. You are safe my dearest," she whispered.
Aalyssa looked up at her and reached out for her hand, fighting back tears.
Laure took her hand and squeezed it with a gently strength. "You will be living with us
until you are married, dearest."
Aalyssa quietly nodded and smiled weakly at Laure.
"Just as I always wished for, a daughter," Laure said softly, sitting on the chair next to
the bed.
Arwen walked over and smiled gently. "I am sorry, Aalyssa. Had I know this would
happen..."
"Not your fault, Arwen," Aalyssa whispered, smiling weakly at her also.
The healer handed Aalyssa a mug. "Drink this, sweetheart. It will relax you." She
watched Aalyssa drink it, then took the mug back.
"The healer needs to examine you now, dearest. We want to make sure you are all
right," Laure whispered, smoothing Aalyssa's hair from her face.
A soft whimper escaped Aalyssa, but Laure kept hold of her hand and Aalyssa felt
Arwen take her other hand. She noticed Konner turn his back, but Aalyssa knew he
was being a gentleman.
"It is all right dearest, she will not hurt you. A Konner is still here also," Laure
whispered.
Aalyssa looked at the healer and nodded hesitantly. "Go ahead."
The healer smiled reassuringly at her and worked quickly yet gently. "Sleep well,
Aalyssa," she whispered when her patient drifted off to sleep.
The healer beckoned Laure over, leaving Arwen to watch over Aalyssa.
"Your Majesty. Physically she is fine. She has some bruising, cuts, and scrapes. Her
ankle is sprained, so she must stay off of it for awhile. Aalyssa shows no signs of being
taken without her will."
Laure nodded at the healer. "But?"
"Her emotional state is another thing. It is going to take time for her to heal from this.
What her parents did would scar anyone, elf or man. She should be fine though. Just
let her move at her own pace and reassure her."
"Just hearing her parents speak scarred me. I need...We need to tell Konner how to
deal with this," Laure commented.
"Just tell him to be there for her and to let her go at her own pace. And not to push her,"
the healer said. "And you know where to find me if you need me."
"Thank you," Laure said as the healer moved to leave. She also thanked Arwen on her
way to the door."
Arwen smiled at Laure. "Please let know Aalyssa I will be up to visit with her."
"I will, Arwen. Thank you so much for helping tonight."
Arwen smiled before leaving the room, hearing Laure close it softly behind herself and
the healer.
Laure turned from the door to see Konner pacing and she walked over to him.
"Konner?"
"Mother?" he asked, his eyes filled with worry. "Is she going to be all right?"
"She will be, darling. Aalyssa is going to need you and your love. You will need to be
there for her. How are you holding up?" Laure asked, wrapping her arms around him.
"I am all right as long as Aalyssa is all right." Konner looked over at Aalyssa laying in
the bed. "I want her back, Mother. I love her."
Laure nodded and ran her hand down his hair. "The healer said she is fine physically.
You have her, Konner. Your Aalyssa is right here. Be there for her, she needs you now
more than ever."
"I want my sassy Aalyssa back, Mother. I will not leave her."
"Good boy. I know you want her back. With time and the proper care you will. Legolas
told your father she fought back against the man."
Konner nodded. "She did."
"That is a promising sign then," Laure assured him with a small smile.
"I promised I would not leave her, Mother. May I stay here with Aalyssa?" Konner
asked.
"Yes darling," Laure nodded. "It is not like all of Mirkwood did not know the two of you
have been...but may your father make an official announcement tomorrow morning at
breakfast?"
"Yes, of course, Mother. I hope I have not disappointed you."
"I wish the two of you had wed long ago, but you have not disappointed me. You have
realized your feelings and are acting on them. I do have to admit I have disappointed
myself and just realized it today."
"Why Mother? You have always been the best mother."
"Not to Legolas I have not."
"Mother, Legolas loves you."
"Perhaps...because he feels he has to," Laure said sadly.
Konner stared at his mother in shock. "No, Mother. Legolas loves you. Trust me. He
may not be as close to you as he is with Father and Elrond, but he does love you."
Laure looked up at him with teary eyes. "Not enough that he felt he could come to me
or have Aalyssa come to me with what was happening. This could not have happened
over night." She looked over at Aalyssa's sleeping form. "Poor baby girl. And for that I
need to take part of the blame for what happened today." Laure looked up and sighed.
"As well Wilhelmina said some things downstairs that I may have said to or about
Legolas over the years."
"Mother, Legolas did not feel he could come to me either, and he knew I was seeing
Aalyssa. He felt I was playing with her affections." Konner glanced over at her again.
"In some ways, I may have hurt her worse then her parents, Mother. But no more. Now I
realize how much I love her and treasure her."
"It may seem that way, darling, but what her parents have done to her is horrendous."
Laure looked up at him. "And just what did you do that could have hurt her worse?"
"By not telling her I loved her sooner. By not offering for her sooner. I could have gotten
her away before something like this happened. And even after she told me the truth this
morning, I left her unprotected."
"Darling," Laure stroked her son's hair. "There was little you could have done between
this morning and what happened. Steps would have had to have been taken, and you
father has been busy with this council. And I heard you ask the captain of the guard to
start training you this morning."
"I should already have been trained, Mother. I should have forced myself into her
parents' chamber yesterday and demanded an audience with Robero. I should...I
should not have favored Princess Iladori with my attentions the past two days."
"No you should not have done that. Not when you love Aalyssa so strongly."
"I...I did not realize how much I loved her until the night of the dance. That was when I
saw the pain in Aalyssa's eyes. It suddenly hit me that I was certain Aalyssa was who I
wanted. And that I truly loved her."
Laure sighed, "But Konner. Why did you string Aalyssa along and dishonor her if you
were not certain you loved her."
Konner lowered his eyes to the floor, avoiding his mother's gaze. "It is hard to explain,
Mother. I have been attracted to her for the longest time. Aalyssa is beautiful and, well,
she never said no. She came to me willingly and I could not say no either."
"Aalyssa believed you wanted her, I mean, really wanted her. Konner, ever since she
was a young girl, she has wanted you. Aalyssa would have done anything to be your
wife. And if you did you did not love her, you should not have acted on the attraction."
A soft sound from the bed caught Konner's attention and he turned, seeing Aalyssa stir
restlessly and whimpering softly.
"I think my heart always loved her, Mother. It was my brain getting in the way."
Laure smiled at him, "You loved her but did not realize it."
Konner sat in the chair next to the bed and took Aalyssa's small hand in his own. "Yes,
but now I know. Now I know and I am going to make it up to her."
Laure opened the door and said softly, "That is what is important. And never stop
making it up to her."
"I will not, Mother. Thank you."
"I go to seek Legolas now, and see what I can do about making up for a lifetime of hurt.
I will be back in the morning to see to Aalyssa."
"Konner?" Aalyssa whispered in a sleepy voice.
"Yes, love?"
"I just..." her voice trailed off as sleep claimed her once again.
A soft smile settled on Konner's lips as he kissed her hand and then her forehead. He
leaned back in the chair to watch her sleep.
Aalyssa murmured in her sleep again, becoming restless.
"Shh, everything is all right, baby," Konner whispered soothingly.
Aalyssa sat up suddenly, her eyes darting around the room. "Where am I?"
"My room, here in Rivendell," Konner told her concern in his voice.
"I had the worst nightmare, Konner," she began before what he said settled in her mind.
"Your room?"
Konner stood up from the chair and sat on the bed, pulling Aalyssa protectively into his
arms. He laid back against the headboard, his body on top of the covers.
"My ankle, Konner. Why is it throbbing?"
He thought for a minute about what to tell her and decided honesty would be best.
"Your parents had you kidnapped and left you to the mercy of the creatures of the Dark
Forest, love," he said softly. "But Legolas, Aragorn and I saved you."
Aalyssa's breath caught in her throat. "Then it was not a nightmare. I was so alone and
scared and cold." She curled up to cuddle against him in his arms. "Thank you."
"I will always save you, love. Now sleep, love. You need to rest and get your strength
back." Konner adjusted her position slightly so her head rested on his chest.
Aalyssa wrapped both of her arms around one of Konner's. 'I did not like it out there
alone, Konner," she whispered, listening to the sound of his heartbeat.
"I imagine the Dark Forest is not nice during the day, let alone at night."
"He hit me, Konner. And when I woke up I was all alone."
"I know," he whispered, kissing her forehead and tightening his hold on her. "But you
are safe now. I want you to sleep, you need sleep, love. We will talk in the morning
when the sun is shining and the birds singing."
"I will try," Aalyssa said quietly.
"Additionally, we will have other things to discuss. When we shall wed and begin the
plans. Father will be announcing our engagement in the morning."
"Really? We are getting married?" Aalyssa asked.
"You will marry me, right? I mean..."
"If you still want me," Aalyssa said softly. Fear of not knowing what had happened
earlier entered her and she trembled.
"I shall never stop wanting you, my love."
"All I have ever wanted is to be yours," Aalyssa looked up at him with a smile. "Yes, I
will marry you." She grasped his tunic and tried to pull herself up the front of him to kiss
Konner."
He smiled down at her and said, "Now rest, love." He kissed her gently and settled her
back into his arms. "Mother said I may stay, but I am not going to push my luck. She is
taking mothering very seriously now."
"I understand," Aalyssa muttered. "Does this mean she will stop hurting Legolas?"
"She is going to try," Konner grinned. "I do not know how Legolas is going to respond
though. He is beyond needing a mother now. He has his own life and agenda that he
follows."
Aalyssa shifted her body to snuggled against Konner again, not unwrapping her arms
from his. "I wonder what having a real mother is like?
"Probably someone much like Queen Myadora, Iladori's mother. She is what I picture
as an ideal mother. Her children are very lucky."
She lifted her head to look up at him. "Konner, you have always been close to your
mother. At least she was not like mine or Marissa's."
"My mother has her flaws, Aalyssa. She favors me over Legolas and she always has.
She left Legolas for the nanny to raise. Queen Myadora does not favor any of her
children, she treats them all the same."
"I know, but..."
"Enough talk, Lys. You need to sleep."
"I am trying, Konner. It is just every time I close my eyes, I am all alone out in the forest
again."
Konner smiled and kissed the top of her head. "I want my sassy Aalyssa back. I am
here with you, love. I am not going anywhere."
Aalyssa smiled up at him. "I will see what I can do. And I know you are not going
anywhere, but when I close my eyes..."
"I understand, Lys. Just lay here and rest then, my love."
They sat quietly for a few minutes, and Konner finally heard her breathing relax and he
knew she was asleep.
There was a faint tap on the door and he called out softly, "Enter."
He looked up to see Elspeth carrying in a tray of fruit, cheese and bread. Konner
watched as she came next to the bed and set the tray down on the night stand.
"How is she, Your Highness?"
"She will be fine, thank you, Elspeth. And thank you for the food."
"I realized while I was finishing up for the night that my Lady had not had anything
since breakfast. I feared she might wake up hungry in the middle of the night," Elspeth
explained with a smile.
"I am sure she will. I thank you for her, Elspeth."
The maid curtsied. "If that will be all then?"
"Elspeth, tomorrow I would appreciate if you and Donlugan could go to Lady Aalyssa's
former chamber and gather her things to be brought here.
Elspeth looked uncomfortable and tore her gaze away from him.
"Elspeth? What is wrong?" Konner asked with alarm.
"Merrybelle, the Skyclouds' maid informed me this evening that they destroyed all of my
lady's things. Master Konner, they have left her with nothing. I also have been told they
sent someone back to Mirkwood to do the same with her things there."
A dark cloud of anger settled in Konner's eyes. "They will pay for this. They will pay for
everything they have done to Aalyssa. I will see to it." His gaze softened as he looked
at the maid. "I beg your pardon Elspeth. Thank you for your help this evening."
"Anytime, Your Highness," Elspeth assured him before she left the room.
Laure walked downstairs and went over to Legolas and Iladori who were speaking
quietly near a window.
Legolas looked up at her approach and asked, "Mother? How is Aalyssa?"
"She will be fine, physically," she began, smiling at Iladori who was holding Legolas'
hand. "Emotionally it is going to be awhile though. Konner is with her, I gave him
permission to stay with her."
"I guess she just needs time then," Legolas nodded.
"And love," Laure said before walking over to a bench and beckoning Legolas over.
Legolas looked at her hesitantly and then at Iladori.
Iladori nudged him. "Go on. She is your mother, and she needs to speak with you. Now
that you have cleared up about Marissa and told me what happened tonight, I am fine. I
am going to grab a quick snack from the kitchen and come back."
Legolas kissed her on the cheek and then watched her head for the kitchen. Then he
walked over to the bench and sat down. "Yes Mother?"
Laure reached for his hand. "Some things were said today that made me think..."
He tensed, wondering what was going on. "Yes.."
"I have treated your poorly and I apologize with all of my heart for that. I was not the
mother to you that I should have been. You are my son, and I should not..."
"Mother, you did the best you could do," Legolas offered.
"No, I do not believe that I did. I devoted all to one son and that was not fair. You did
nothing to deserve that treatment."
"I understand Mother, but I turned out just fine."
"Yes, you did. In spite of me. I am proud of you Legolas. And, I do love you." Laure
stood up and wiped a tear before going to the stairs.
Legolas stood up staring after her, mindless of Thranduil and Iladori both watching from
the side. "I love you too Mother," he called out. "I have always loved you, Mother."
Laure stopped at the foot of the stairs and turned to look at him with tears in her eyes.
Legolas walked over to her and stopped just in front of her. He took a few more steps
and embraced his mother. "You may not have been the mother I needed when I was
younger, but I never did not love you. You are my mother."
She returned his hug tightly, whispering, "I am so sorry for how I treated you. But I did
love you..just not as much as I should have. I was wrong, so wrong. I have two fine
sons that have grown into such honorable men."
Legolas smiled at her, "Well one of us is working on the honorable part."
She grinned back, "Yes it did take him a while, did it not? But you..you have always
been honorable. And I know you kept many of Aalyssa's secrets when the two of you
were younger. As I told Konner, I wish you had felt you could come to me for help for
her, and for that, I shoulder part of the blame for what has happened today.
"I tried to protect her the best that I could, Mother."
"I know you did, Legolas. I had no idea her parents were capable of such evil. And I am
so proud of you for protecting Aalyssa when she needed someone," Laure added,
kissing him on the cheek.
"Thank you Mother," Legolas said before turning around. He faced his mother again. "I
think it started with her mother. She is not, well...normal."
"You are very welcome, my love. And I think you may be right, since she was the one
spewing such hatred tonight, more so than her father."
Legolas saw Iladori standing with his father. "May I go now, Mother?" he asked gently.
She followed his gaze and smiled. "Yes, my love. You may."
Konner was asleep when he felt movement beside him. He opened one eye to find
Aalyssa trying to climb from the bed. "Where do you think you are going, love?"
She glanced over her shoulder at him. "I am sorry, Konner. I did not mean to wake you.
I just need to, uhm..." A blush reddened her face.
Konner chuckled. "All you have to do is ask," he told her. He got out of bed and came
around and lifted her to carry Aalyssa into the bathing room area. "Let me know when
you are done."
Aalyssa nodded then added, "I am hungry also."
"I was ready for that, thanks to Elspeth. She brought up a tray a while ago." He eased
out of the room, leaving the door open a crack so he could hear her call out. When she
did, Konner went in and lifted her, carrying Aalyssa back to the bed.
"Konner?"
"Yes, love?" he asked, moving to the side of the bed to get the tray.
"How did I get in the...that is, where is my dress?"
"Oh, love," Konner began, getting back in beside her and settling the tray on his lap.
"Your dress was pretty much destroyed. I thought you would be more comfortable in the
tunic."
Aalyssa nodded, silent tears falling.
"Hey," he whispered, lifting her head so their eyes met. "I think you look very pretty in
my tunic." Konner kissed her lightly, using his thumb to wipe away at some of her tears.
She sniffed lightly and laid her head on his shoulder. "I have nothing left of my own."
"We will build a new life," Konner assured her. "I will take care of you."
Aalyssa nodded, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Konner looked down at her with concern then picked up one of the fruits on the tray.
"Would you like a strawberry, love?" he asked.
She nodded and changed her position so her back was against his chest. Aalyssa
opened her mouth when he lifted the strawberry to her.
"That is my girl," he whispered while she chewed.
"Konner?"
"Yes, my love?"
"Can we leave one of the lights on on the wall?"
"Certainly. I am sorry, I should have realized the dark would bother you."
"I may never be warm again, Konner. It was so cold out there," Aalyssa admitted.
"When you are done eating, I shall wrap my arms around you once again. Will that
warm you?"
Aalyssa nodded and stared at him.
"What?" Konner asked.
"I never thought I would see you again. When I woke up out there and realized where I
was, I was sure I would die there alone."
Konner placed his hands on Aalyssa's face. "I tore Rivendell apart looking for you.
Either no one had seen you or they lied to me. If it had not have been for Pippin..."
Konner paused. "I am so grateful you showed him your kindness and offered him
friendship earlier."
"As am I. And I am glad that man did not know he was following. Pippin could have
gotten himself killed. But..."
"Later, my love. You eat you full and get some more rest. We have plenty of time for
talk later."
Aalyssa nodded, tearing off a hunk of bread. Absently, she shredded it, letting the
crumbs fall on her lap.
"Lys?" Konner whispered.
"Hmm?"
"You are supposed to eat the bread, not shred it."
Aalyssa looked down in shock and her eyes welled up with tears."I am sorry Konner."
"It is all right, love," he assured her, pulling her into his arms. Konner held her closely
and spoke soothingly to her until he felt Aalyssa's body relax against his.
Aalyssa moved her arms to wrap around Konner's neck and pulled herself close to him.
"What did I do that was so horrible, Konner?" she whispered softly.
"Do not blame yourself, my love. There is something much larger going on here, I fear,"
Konner said, rubbing gently on her back. "You did not do anything that precipitated
such an action."
"I must have done something," she said, laying her head on his shoulder.
"No, love. You did not do anything wrong. Please believe me."
Aalyssa sighed softly. "I am trying, but..."
"It will all come out when Elrond has the hearing in a few days. But I bet we find it had
nothing to do with any of your actions at all."
She gave Konner an uncertain nod. Aalyssa had so many questions in her mind, and
did not know where to go for answers.