FINDING HEART
CHAPTER SIX
BY DRAGONWIND


See chapters one and four for disclaimers



Konner had fallen asleep on top of the sheets, laying on his side, one arm wrapped
protectively around Aalyssa. The silence of the dawn was broken by her scream.
Konner sat up and lifted her into his arms. "Lys? Wake up, love."

"K-Konner?" Aalyssa asked as she wrapped her arms around his neck and peered over
his shoulder to the view outside.

"It is all right. You are safe, love." Konner held her, his hand protectively on her back,
holding her against his chest. "It was a nightmare." His other hand rested on the back
of her head. "I am right here with you."

Aalyssa laid her head on his shoulder and sighed. "Thank you."

"For what, love?"

"Being here for me."

"I will always be here for you, my love. You do not need to thank me. I am here for you
because I love you with all of my heart."

Aalyssa pulled back and placed her hand on Konner's cheek. "And I will always be here
for you, my heart."

"I know you will, love. Now," he said, pulling her back down on the bed. "Would you like
to try for some more sleep?"

"Not just yet. Hungry again," Aalyssa uttered as she reached across the bed. She
grabbed a small chunk of cheese from the tray on the night stand and popped it into
her mouth.

Konner smiled at her and brought the tray into the bed, settling it on his lap. "Not a
problem, love."

"It is a shame there is no chocolate on there," Aalyssa commented, looking over what
was left. She picked up a peach and looked it over.

Konner gently took it from her and grabbed his knife from the night stand. He peeled
and sliced the peach for her, handing it to Aalyssa a section at a time.

"Thank you, Konner," she whispered, eating one of the slices.

While she ate, Konner reached out to push the hair from her face. He smiled gently at
her as his other hand went around her back.

When his hand touched a certain place on her back, Aalyssa whimpered and backed
away, dropping her peach slice.

"What is it?" Konner asked, worried.

"It is nothing. It will be fine," Aalyssa tried to assure him.

"It did not sound like nothing," Konner said, moving the tray to his side. "Let me see,
Lys."

She shook her head, her eyes round.

"Let me look Lys, or would you prefer I get Mother. Maybe you would be more
comfortable with her looking."

"No," Aalyssa uttered simply. "It just hurts, Konner. It will be fine."

"Aalyssa, I did not hear you mention to the healer last night that your back hurt."

She shrugged gently. "It just started."

Konner crawled over the bed to get closer to her. "Let me look, please. I can get the
healer to give you something that will help, but I have to know what we are dealing
with."

Slowly, Aalyssa lay on her stomach before him, clutching the pillow tightly.

Konner eased the tunic up and gasped when he found the bruise. "Aalyssa, how...what
did..."

"I tried to run off from him. He threw me on the ground to tie my wrists and held me
down with his knee there," she whispered.

"When Mother gets here, I will get the healer, love. She needs to look at this."

Aalyssa shook her head. "No, Konner. It is just a bruise, it will heal."

"I do not want you in pain you do not have to be in," Konner whispered, gently rubbing
her back. Then he lay closely beside her, wrapping his arm around her. "Just let me
take care of you," he said, catching one of the tears falling from her midnight blue eyes.
"It will be all right."

"Stars, Konner," Aalyssa whispered, trying to control her emotions.

"Ssh. You just sleep now. Maybe you will sleep better without laying on your back,
hmm? What do you think?"

"Maybe. The pain is not as intense. Do not leave, please."

"I will not leave until Mother gets here. I start training today so I can protect you, love."

Aalyssa lifted her head and looked into his royal blue eyes. "You are...training?"

"I realized yesterday I was incapable of protecting you. That is something very
important I need to learn to do," Konner said softly, playing with the blond hair fanning
across the back of her neck.

She lay her head back down on the pillow, turned so she could face him. Within a few
minutes, between the lessening of the pain and Konner's nearness, Aalyssa fell asleep.
Her hand inched out to rest on his chest, feeling the reassuring beat of his heart under
her palm.



The sun was shining brightly through the window when Konner woke up again. He
smiled over at Aalyssa, who had been sleeping soundly for several hours. The knock
on the door interrupted his reverie and Konner softly called out "Come in."

Donlugan entered, balancing a tray of breakfast food and a night shift. He set the tray
down on the night stand. "I will return this to the kitchen," he said as he bent to pick up
the old tray. "How is my lady?"

"Finally sleeping, thank you Donlugan." Konner reached up to take the night shift. "I am
sure she will be grateful to be in something feminine."

The manservant smiled. "Would you like for Elspeth and myself to gather Lady
Aalyssa's things today?"

Konner shook his head sadly. "According to Elspeth, everything Aalyssa had was
destroyed yesterday."

Anger crossed Donlugan's face. "Those monsters."

"I agree with you there. I have to concentrate on getting her through this before we
worry about replacing things though."

"Yes Master Konner. I do wonder, however..."

"What is that, Donlugan?"

"She referred the other day to a hiding place in her room. I wonder if anything is in
there?"

"It is worth a try, if you and Elspeth do not mind."

"Not at all. If that will be all?"

"Thank you, Donlugan," Konner smiled as his manservant left the room. Konner found a
cloth napkin and draped it over the warms foods, hoping to keep the food warm until
Aalyssa woke up.

A short time later, Konner was nibbling on a piece of bacon when there was a knock on
the door. He glanced over at Aalyssa and got up to answer. "Mother," he greeted Laure
with a kiss on the cheek.

"How is she, darling?" Laure asked, sweeping into the room.

"I finally got her to sleep for a few hours. I need to send the healer up and then go to
training."

Laure's eyes flickered up to Konner. "Why does she need the healer again?"

Konner led his mother over to the bed. He pulled back the sheet and gently lifted the
tunic to show Laure the bruise.

"Konner, how did...?" Laure sputtered.

"More importantly, why did the healer not check her all over?"

"I presume she felt she had found everything. And you know, darling, sometimes
bruises come out over the course of several hours."

Konner nodded, "Aalyssa mentioned the pain did not start until this morning. I am going
for the healer. Donlugan brought up some breakfast which is on that tray there."

Laure nodded. "And have you eaten, darling?"

"I have been nibbling. I will grab something more substantial after I get the healer."

"No, eat first, darling. Aalyssa will want you with her when the healer comes up."

"You are right. I will be back in a bit," Konner agreed, kissing Laure lightly before
leaving.

Laure settled on the chair next to the bed and smiled at Aalyssa before opening her
book to read. She glanced up every once in awhile, hearing Aalyssa murmur in her
sleep.

To calm her, Laure began to sing a lullaby she had sung to Konner long ago. She
closed her book and moved the chair closer to the bed as she sang softly. Laure
watched Aalyssa's hand clench around the sheet, as if clutching a security blanket. She
continued the soft lullaby until the door opened. Laure looked over her shoulder to find
Konner and the healer entering.

"How is she, Mother?" he asked, going to the other side of the bed.

"I..I really do not know, darling. She has been murmuring and clutching the sheet."

The healer nodded as she sat in the chair on Aalyssa's side of the bed. "It is to be
expected, Your Majesty. Until Aalyssa begins feeling safe again, she is going to have
difficulty sleeping and will want to hold something close. Aalyssa? Do you hear me,
sweetheart?" the healer asked.

Aalyssa opened her eyes slightly and nodded. "Where is Konner?"

"I am right here, love," he assured her, sitting on the bed next to her. "The healer wants
to look at your back."

Aalyssa made a soft sound as she sat up and pulled herself into Konner's arms. "Do
not let her hurt me."

"She will not hurt you, Lys. I will not allow anyone to hurt you again," Konner whispered,
holding her gently.

"I can look at it this way, Konner, if you want to hold her," the healer said gently. When
Konner nodded, she waited as he pulled the tunic up, revealing the bruise.

Aalyssa pressed her face against Konner's shoulder and he kissed the top of her head.
She felt the healer gently running her hands over the bruise.

The healer eyed Konner, worried. "I will need to bring Lord Elrond in."

Konner's arms tightened around Aalyssa. "What...what is wrong?"



"I am worried there may be something damaged internally."

"Konner?" Aalyssa whispered.

"Bring him in then," Konner agreed, holding Aalyssa against him.

The healer nodded before leaving. "I will be back shortly."

Aalyssa kept her face pressed against Konner's shoulder. "This can not be..."

"It is nothing we can not work our way through. Mother? Can you find Donlugan and
have him let the trainer know I will not be down today?"

"Darling, when Elrond is done, I will sit with Aalyssa. You wish to be able to protect her
and that is noble in itself."

"It is all right Konner. I will probably just try to sleep, if I can," Aalyssa whispered.

"Are you sure?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.

Aalyssa nodded slightly. "I am sure I will be fine here, Konner."

He smiled gently at her and held Aalyssa close. "If you are sure. Mother, I will have
Donlugan stand by to come get me if she needs me. And if it requires surgery, I will not
go. I will stay with Lys."

Laure smiled at her son and walked over to tousle his hair. "That will be fine, darling.
And I understand."

Elspeth showed Lord Elrond and the healer in. Elrond moved close to the bed,
speaking softly. "Aalyssa? How are you this morning, sweetheart?"

Aalyssa took a deep breath and looked at him. "I am frightened still. And the bruising
on my back hurts. And when Konner and the healer removed their hands, it was cold."

"May I have a look, Aalyssa?" Elrond asked, pulling the chair close to the bed.

"Yes, My Lord," she whispered, clinging to Konner.

"You did not tell me of the coldness," Konner whispered softly.

"I thought it a fluke until it happened with the healer also." Aalyssa felt Elrond's hands
on her back and fought the urge to cringe.



"It will be all right, Lys," Konner assured her, kissing her forehead as Elrond muttered
something softly.

Elrond pulled his hands back and waited. "Aalyssa, does that feel better?"

"Yes, it does not hurt as badly, just like a regular bruise. And the coldness is gone."

"Good," Elrond said with relief. "It was nothing internal, just a very deep bruise. I will
come back daily to check on it though, Aalyssa. And send someone for me if you have
anymore trouble. The pain should be lessened now though."

Aalyssa looked up at the elder who smiled at her. "Thank you," she said in a small
voice.

"You are very welcome, my child. Konner, you take special care of her."

"Yes, Lord Elrond, I shall."

Elrond eyed him and nodded. "I have no doubt that you shall, Konner. Your Majesty,"
he nodded at Laure before leaving.

"Elrond," she returned. "Now, darling, you get down to training. And where is the shift
Donlugan brought up?"

"On the foot of the bed, Mother." Konner glanced at Aalyssa as he picked it up to hand
her. "You tell Mother to get Donlugan if you need me, love." Konner leaned over and
kissed her softly. "I love you."

"Yes, I will. I love you too," Aalyssa assured him, taking the shift from his hand. She
kissed him lightly on the cheek, "You go to training and learn well."

"I will, love. Mother, you take good care of my girl."

Laure smiled at him, "Yes, darling." As he left the room, Laure watched Aalyssa
struggle into the night shift. "Would you like some assistance, dearest?"

"No, Your Majesty, I am fine, thank you," Aalyssa declined with a tremulous voice.

"All you have to do is ask. And please, dearest, call me Laure or..."

"But that would not be proper, Your Majesty."

"You will be family soon, dearest. There is no need for formality."



"How about ma'am, then? It really would not be proper for me to call you Laure,"
Aalyssa said softly, finally getting the shift down and in place. "Is...?"

"Is what, dearest?" Laure asked.

"The tray...is that from last night or is it breakfast?"

Laure got up to get the tray and set it on the bed next to Aalyssa. "It is breakfast
dearest. If it is not warm enough, I can warm it on the fire over here for you."

"I am sure it will be fine. I do not wish to put you out."

She turned soft blue eyes on Aalyssa. "Dearest, I assure you, you would not be putting
me out."

Aalyssa pulled off a piece of the bread and chewed on it. "You really would not mind?"

"Not a bit," Laure smiled at her as she took the bacon and one of the eggs, placing it in
the pan which hung over the fire and waited while it warmed. "How are you feeling,
dearest, other than your back?"

A silence settled over Aalyssa, as she absently ate a piece of cheese, not answering
her. Laure walked over to the fire and removed the warm food to the tray and gave it to
Aalyssa.

Aalyssa quietly ate, lost in thought. She had just pushed the tray away when something
heavy fell in the hall outside the rooms, and Aalyssa jumped, her eyes round with fright.

She watched with apprehension as the older woman came to sit on the edge of the
bed. When Laure reached for Aalyssa's hand, Aalyssa backed away from her to the
other side of the bed.

"Aalyssa? What is wrong, dearest?" Laure asked, her concern growing.

Aalyssa shook her head, trying to clear her mind. Then she looked up into the kind blue
eyes of this woman. Konner's mother, who was so loving she would take Aalyssa in
before she and Konner were wed. 'But what of how she treated Legolas? But that was
long ago and she said last night she had always wanted a daughter. I know she did, I
heard her. And she has been so kind to me.'

"I will not hurt you, sweet Aalyssa," Laure spoke encouragingly, holding her hand out to
the younger woman. "Let me take care of you."

A sob tore from Aalyssa as she threw herself into Laure's arms, wanting to experience
a mother's love. Her tears flowed as Laure's arms wrapped around her, holding her
close. Aalyssa heard Laure softly sing to her as she rocked her.


Laure held Aalyssa gently as the younger woman fell asleep in her arms. "So precious,"
she whispered softly, kissing the top of Aalyssa's head. Laure looked up when there
was a knock on the door. She softly called out "Who is it?"

"It is Legolas, Mother," he said, opening the door a bit and poking his head inside. "May
I come in?" Legolas hid the surprise he felt at the sight in front of him, then smiled.
Once again, he wished he had taken Aalyssa to his mother earlier.

"Of course you may come in, darling." Laure smiled as Legolas approached. "What is
that, darling?"

"I know Lys is a little old, but I passed Konner and he mentioned Aalyssa needed
something to hold on to, and I..." Legolas looked down at the doll he held. "I thought
she might like this. How is she doing?" He smiled hesitantly, unsure of what to make of
the change in his mother.

"As well as can be expected, I suppose. I know she will love the doll. That was a
wonderful idea, darling. Dearest, Legolas is here to see you."

Aalyssa stirred and looked at him with sleepy eyes. "Legolas?"

Legolas smiled at her and sat on the bed. "Hi Lys. I have something for you. I know you
may be a little old for it, but I thought it might help. You will have something to hold on
to while you sleep." he reached behind him and picked up the doll and handed it to
Aalyssa. "I hope you like it."

She took the doll from him and smiled. "It is beautiful, thank you, Legolas," Aalyssa
said, reaching up to kiss his cheek. "I have always wanted a doll."

Legolas rocked back and looked at her. His mother may have been cold, but when he
wanted or need something, she always got it for him. 'Come to think of it, I never saw
Aalyssa with a doll." He smiled and reached out to push some hair from her face. "My
pleasure, Lys. And Mother has always wanted a daughter, let her love you." Legolas
held his arms out to Aalyssa and asked " May I mother?"

"Of course, my son." Laure smiled as Aalyssa moved from her arms to Legolas'. She
looked at the two and said "I will be right back, Aalyssa. I am going to the kitchen to
select our lunches for later, while you and Legolas visit."

Aalyssa nodded at her, her chin resting on Legolas' shoulder.

When the door closed, Legolas whispered, "I am so sorry, Lys. I should have taken you
to Mother long ago."

"It is not your fault. While you were here with Lord Elrond I could have went on my own
and did not."

"Because I convinced you Mother would not believe us. This never should have
happened, Lys. I failed you," Legolas said, hanging his head.

Aalyssa pulled back and stared at him. "You did not fail me, Legolas. You have always
been there for me. I am sure there was some reason it took you and Konner so long to
find me yesterday. Legolas?"

"Yes Lys?" he asked, confused.

"Why did it take you and Konner so long to find me? I asked Marissa to find one of you
as he was dragging me from my parents' chamber. There should have been plenty..."

"Wait, wait." Legolas looked at her in confusion. "Marissa saw you being dragged away
and did not tell anyone?"

"Marissa was coming down to my parents' chamber and I told, no, screamed, that I
needed you or Konner. I assumed the two of you...she did not find you or Konner? My
best friend and cousin did not care enough about me to get help? Not even Aragorn or
the patrol?"

"Lys, I was with Konner all afternoon. And after we left Arwen's room, we searched all
over Rivendell for you. Arwen told us your mother dragged you off."

"What did I do that was so horrible?" Aalyssa asked, silent tears falling. "Why...why..."
Aalyssa began to tremble. She felt Legolas' arms tighten around her and hold her
closely. "Why did they hate me? My family wanted me dead. I told them I would..."

"Shhh, Lys, it is okay."

"I could have left and found a maid's position," she said quietly through the tears.
Aalyssa pulled away from Legolas and curled her body against the headboard. "My
best friend hated me enough to wish me dead." Aalyssa pushed him away when
Legolas tried to reach for her.

He kept one eye on her as he moved toward the door and opened it. "Donlugan, find
Konner and Mother."

Donlugan cast an anxious glance in the room and nodded, "Right away, Master
Legolas."

"Aalyssa," Legolas called out, returning to the bed. He reached out again to hold her
only to pull back when Aalyssa shoved him away.

"No, Legolas. Just go away," she said in a low voice.

"Lys, I know you are hurting and frightened, but I have never hurt you and neither has
my family. You can trust us."

"No," she shook her head. "No one wants me."

The door burst open, slamming against the wall and Konner strode in. He stopped,
seeing Aalyssa shaken and pale. "What happened? Where is Mother?" he demanded
of Legolas.

"Donlugan is looking for her, she went to see about lunch for her and Aalyssa. She will
be back shortly."

"Aalyssa," Konner whispered as he sat on the edge of the bed.

She stared up at him. "What?"

"What is wrong, love?"

"No one wants me. I should have...I should have..." Aalyssa put her hands over her
face and turned toward the headboard.

Konner put his hands on her shoulders, turning her to face him, ignoring her flinch.
"Look at me Aalyssa," he said sternly. "Look up at me."

Aalyssa turned her teary eyes up at him, trying to stop shaking.

"Do not ever say or think such a thing again, do you understand? I know exactly how
you were going to finish that sentence. You are wanted and loved very much."

She stared at him, nodding slightly.

Konner sat in front of her, taking both of her small hands into his and reaching up to
caress her cheek with the other. "We love you, Mother, Father, Legolas and I. And the
people of Mirkwood love you. I love you heart and soul. I can not imagine my life
without you in it."

"Konner, why did they want me dead? My parents and Marissa? What did I do that was
so terrible?"

"You did nothing, love. It was them, all them. If it was anything about you, it was that
they could not break the goodness inside you. Do you understand, Aalyssa?" Konner
pulled back slightly and tilted her head back with his finger under her chin. "I am sure,
however, the truth will come out at the hearing."

"He said...as he dragged me toward the Dark Forest, something about the creatures
would thrive on ripping the good from me and devouring it."

"But you are safe now, and you are loved. You just remember that."

Aalyssa cast her eyes downward. "I am sorry, Konner."

"For what, love?"

"Humiliating you and your family," Aalyssa explained, keeping her eyes down and
plucking at the cover.

Laure, who had slipped back into the room unnoticed went to the bed and sat beside
Konner. "Dearest heart. My Aalyssa, you are not humiliating us. Your parents are the
cause of any humiliation and only on themselves. You are a sweet wonderful young
woman, and any family would be proud and lucky to claim you as theirs. As it is, my
family received the blessing of having you."

She blinked at Laure as her body began to relax. "Really?"

"Yes, dearest, really. Come here," Laure said, opening her arms for Aalyssa.

Konner watched Aalyssa go to his mother before standing. He walked over to Legolas
and growled, "What the hell happened?"

Legolas peered over his brother's shoulder, making sure Aalyssa was distracted. "We
need to discuss something, alone."

Konner nodded then walked over to the bed. "Mother, Aalyssa, I need to have a word
with Legolas. We will be in his room for a few minutes."

"All right, darling," Laure said.

He walked back across the room and grabbed Legolas' arm and dragged him to his
room.

Konner slammed the door and glared at his brother. "Now..what happened?"

"Aalyssa began to wonder why it took so long for us to find her. When she mentioned
Marissa had seen her being dragged off, I was so shocked I tried to confirm that
Marissa knew and did not tell anyone. Aalyssa somehow decided Marissa did not
search for me and that you were too busy."

"But Legolas..."

"I assured her you and I were together, looking for her. Konner, should we be
concerned about Marissa?"

Konner nodded. "I think we should tread carefully where that one is concerned. She is
an unknown in this." Konner stared thoughtfully at Legolas. "If I were not worried about
Aalyssa's reaction..."

"What are you plotting?" Legolas asked.

"Not really plotting. I was thinking about asking Marissa to come visit and have Aalyssa
ask why she did not get one of us. But I do not think Aalyssa is up to that yet."

"No, she is not yet. But one of us could ask during the meeting. Because Aalyssa will
most likely mention Marissa seeing her in the hallway. Aalyssa may ask herself then."

"We need to keep Marissa away from her until then."

Legolas snorted. "So far I have not seen her beating down the door trying to visit her
best friend and ask how she is doing."

Konner frowned. "No, she has not. I will tell Aalyssa I told the guards not to let anyone
but family in. I do not want her hurt anymore, though I know she will be hurt during the
hearing."

"Konner, Iladori has said she would like to visit with Aalyssa."

"As long as you come with her she can, because I am going to issue that order."

"I shall. I would like to see them become friends."

Konner eyed him with worry. "How conniving is Iladori?

"No, stars no, Konner. Her family is wonderful also. They act nothing like those of the
courts we go to."

"Very well then. But you may want to warn her, if this grows in Aalyssa's mind about
Marissa, she is not going to be very trusting."

"This is a new side to you, brother," Legolas chuckled, watching Konner lift an
inquisitive eyebrow. "The protective side. I like it."

Konner relaxed and smiled. "I will not allow anyone to hurt my Lys again. Now, I wish to
make sure she is indeed all right."