A/N: Thanks to those of you who have been keeping up with this! I really appreciate your reviews!

Chapter 8

After leaving her home to clear her head, Ziendriel immediately made her way to the House of Healing. As she expected when she walked in, there were no patients other than the one Velia had requested meals for. She sought out her elder and quietly motioned her into a corner.

"Yes, child," Velia said, joining her. "What is it?"

Ziendriel kept her eyes averted, fearful that she would once again begin to cry. "I have some business to attend to, Velia," she answered, softly. "I do not know when I will return. I ask that I be excused from my duties for the rest of the day."

Velia eyed her suspiciously. The child's demeanor had changed considerably from before, when she had sent her to the main hall's kitchens. She no longer stood upright and proudly, but with drooped shoulders and the beginnings of a frown. She looked as if she carried a great burden upon her, one that was not meant for her to understand. Velia decided it had to do with all the rumors that had been flying around the kingdom of late.

Ziendriel was not aware of the scrutiny Velia looked with, nor would she have cared if she had been. All she wanted at the moment was for her to either excuse her or demand she get back to her responsibilities. Anything to distract her troubled heart!

Finally, Velia spoke. "Of course, child," she answered, smiling softly. "Do what you need to do and return to us tomorrow. We will still be here."

At such gentleness, Ziendriel looked up and saw the great understanding and empathy Velia held in her blue-grey eyes. It was as if the older Elf knew what her heart was feeling and could empathize. Has Velia known turmoil such as this? Ziendriel wondered. Is that why she has built such a fortress around her heart? She did not know, but her heart sang in appreciation, and on impulse, Ziendriel hugged her.

Velia was surprised at the action, her eyes growing wide. It took her a moment, but in the end, she hugged her back. "Now, go," she commanded, nodding her head towards the door. When the girl hesitated, she softly laughed. "Go now before I change my mind about granting your leave!" she jested.

Ziendriel offered her a small smile, then bowed slightly. She turned on her heel and quickly left, the eyes of all Healers on her. Velia sighed. "Poor child," she murmured, shaking her head.

The path to the garden stood directly before her. Ziendriel stared at it for a moment, then shook her head. Once she had left Velia, her feet had started to move towards the path before she realized where she was going. She had stopped and had followed the trail with her eyes, but instead of bringing her heart joy at the sight of the beautiful grounds of the gardens, she felt the unwanted tightening in her chest.

Off in the distance, she could see the bench where she and the prince had met not once, but twice, and felt her heart scream in protest. "Foolish, girl!" she muttered to herself. "Why do you insist on torturing yourself with unmet hopes? To actually think that the prince of Mirkwood would actually befriend you!" She stared at the bench once more, then turned to her left.

The forest lay open to her, its greenery calling to her. She paused and listened with her ears and heard the rushing of the stream and bird songs from within. She felt her heart relax at these sounds and knew it was to the forest that she must go. She would still be within the protective boundaries of Mirkwood, so she knew it was not a foolish decision. During and after the Dark Time of the One Ring, King Thranduil had ordered his borders secured and watched and his guards had not failed him. All those within its walls were safe, and Ziendriel knew it.

She followed her heart and walked into the forest, her step light and her head up. She walked slowly, as to savor the smells and sounds that drifted her way, and took in the scene that lay before her. The great trees of Mirkwood towered above her, robed in their royal hues of brown and green; pledging her protection with their sturdy trunks and stalwart branches.

She stopped before one and closed her eyes. In her mind she could see the great giant before her, its branches reaching high into the sky, and concentrated on the image. She could hear the gentle rustle of its leaves as the forest air brushed past, hear the soft groan its trunk gave as it swayed. She deeply inhaled and smiled at the aroma of rich earth and wood tickling her nose. With her eyes still closed, she sighed contentedly and wrapped her arms around her body.

"What have we here?" a light and melodious voice asked.

Ziendriel felt her body stiffen and her eyes snapped open. She quickly turned around and nearly gasped when she saw who had spoken.

Legolas looked surprised when she turned to him, then smiled down at her from the saddle of his horse. Without looking at them, he told his companions, "See? I told you it was no Orc who had wandered into our forest; just the lovely Ziendriel enjoying the beauties of her home." He chuckled.

Ziendriel noticed the surprised looks the prince's three companions had on their faces as they looked upon her. Regrettably, she felt her heart tighten again and quickly bowed her head. "Greetings, milord," she said, softly. She curtseyed, but kept her eyes fixed to the ground.

"That is Ziendriel?" Lorith whispered to Gragoc, his eyes staring at the maiden before them. Why, she was not plain-looking at all! Granted, she was not of her sister's caliber of beauty, but beauty she did hold. At this realization, Lorith slightly frowned. Jhad will never let me forget that he was right about this maiden! he thought, quite grumpily.

Gragoc's thoughts somewhat mirrored those of Lorith. He, too, was surprised that this was the sister of the fair Ariel, but at the thought of her beauty, another broke into his mind. No doubt our friendly wager will be more interesting than anticipated!

The last of the companions, Jhad was not thinking on the apparent beauty of the maiden. He was thinking that she was looking quite uncomfortable in their presence.

At her silence and refusal to look at him, Legolas was beginning to think the same thing. "Ziendriel?" he questioned, then repeated himself when she did not acknowledge him.

Reluctantly, she looked up, but did not look at him. Instead she fastened her eyes to the tree visible just behind his left shoulder. "Yes, milord?" she asked, with all the politeness she could muster. She hated the way her voice trembled slightly.

Legolas became troubled by this. Why will she not look at me? he thought And why so formal? "Ziendriel, is something the matter?" he asked, dismounting his horse and coming to stand before her.

Why must he say my name so? Like a note of a song? "N-Nothing, milord," she answered quickly, as she took the tiniest step back.

He noticed her shrink away from him and frowned. "Gragoc," he called, keeping his eyes on her, "take my stead back to the stables. Lorith, Jhad, go with him."

"As you wish," all three answered. Gragoc took the reigns of the prince's horse and began to lead her away. Lorith followed immediately, but Jhad hesitated for a moment.

She truly is uncomfortable, he thought. She is not swooning like the other maidens would no doubt be at this point. I wonder why? He was not able to answer the question as he noticed Legolas looking at him out of the corner of his eyes. Jhad took the hint and urged his horse to follow the others.

Ziendriel miserably watched them leave. He has no need to do this! she thought. His friends have left and he has no audience to convince of our supposed friendship. I saw the surprised look when he realized it was me; he probably thought he would never set eyes upon me ever again!

Legolas stared at her, seeing her struggling with her thoughts. "Will you walk with me, Ziendriel?" he asked, holding out his hand in the same manner he had in their previous meeting. "I feel we need to talk."

At this, she looked ready to bolt like a frightened horse. This is where he tells me he did not mean for me to take him so seriously about the archery lessons and that a prince such as himself does not have the time to converse with someone like me, she thought. But I will not cry when he does so! I have had worst things said to me without a single tear shed and I will not cry over him, er, this! Aloud, she said, "Very well, milord. Where shall we venture?"

Legolas frowned at such formality, especially from someone as carefree as she. It did not suit her. "The gardens?" he suggested. "I fear our bench has greatly missed us." He smiled, hoping to receive one in return. He was disappointed.

Ziendriel felt her heart lurch. Our bench? "No!" she yelled, startling him. She blushed at her outburst. "I-I mean no," she added quickly. "The forest has captured my attention and I loathe to leave it at the moment, milord." It will not feel as constricting as the gardens and the servants will not be able to spy on us out here, she mused.

"Very well," he answered, then took her hand. He frowned again when she immediately pulled it back from his grasp. "Ziendriel, what is the matter?" he demanded, almost impatiently. "And why must you be so formal? I thought we agreed that we were just 'Ziendriel' and "Legolas'. What has changed?"

She shifted on her feet, her eyes downcast. "I am merely acting accordingly, milord," she answered, refusing to look at him. "To do so otherwise would not be respectful."

He firmly grabbed her by the arm and raised her eyes to his. "Are we not friends, Ziendriel?" he asked. "Cannot friends call one another by their given names?"

She looked at him for a moment, then tore her eyes away. She did not struggle in his grasp, but she was not relaxed either. The blood was pounding furiously in her ears and she feared her heart would burst forth from her chest.

Legolas studied her, taking in her demeanor. Her disposition had changed since he had last seen her and it troubled him greatly as to why. He finally let go of her, deep in thought. And then, it occurred to him. "You did not get my message!" he exclaimed, his eyes full of understanding.

Ziendriel's head snapped up and she focused confused eyes on him. "What message?" she asked.

FLASHBACK

"Depa!" Legolas called from within his bedchambers. "Depa! Come!"

At the sound of her master's voice, the servant girl rushed into his room. She found him sitting at his desk, sealing a small roll of parchment with his father's crest. "Yes, milord?" she asked, with a curtsey.

"Please deliver this to Lady Ziendriel, Lord Jerec's daughter," the prince requested. "It is a matter of importance that she receives this immediately." He handed it to herand then added, "I do not know how long I will be absent, but this must be delivered. Understand?"

Depa nodded. "Yes, milord," she answered.

Legolas smiled at her. "Good," he said. "Now help me find my cloak."

She glanced around his well-kept room and spotted his cloak. It had fallen down behind the chair near his door. She walked over to it, and upon sitting the parchment on the chair, picked up the article of clothing. "Here it is, milord," she said, walking back to him. She quickly helped him fasten it around his shoulders.

"Thank you, Depa," he said with another smile, before striding towards the door. "Please remember Lady Ziendriel's message!" He disappeared through the doorway.

She walked over to the chair and was just about to grab the roll when another servant came rushing in, nearly colliding with her. "Tiri, what is the matter?" she demanded, seeing the look of terror on the other girl's face.

"M-Mouse!" she stammered, her eyes fearful. "In th-the king's r-room! Under th-the b-bed!" She clutched her friend's arm.

Depa fought the urge to laugh. Instead, she patted the girl's arm. "Come, Tiri," she soothed. "We will get one of the men to dispose of it for you." She ushered the girl out of the room and shut the door behind them.

The wind from the closing door blew across the light paper, causing it fall off the chair. It rolled a few feet until it stopped under the prince's armoire, clearly out of sight.

A few moments later, Depa returned to the room and walked over to the prince's desk. "Was there something else I was supposed to do?" she asked herself. Glancing around, she found nothing out of place, but the nagging at the back of her head continued. She stood deep in thought for the longest moment, then threw her hands up in exasperation. "Oh, I can't remember! Perhaps it will come back to me if I do not think about it." And with that, she walked out of the room.

END FLASHBACK

"Depa must have forgotten," Legolas said, once he had explained. "Or may have gotten sidetracked. I will have to speak to her about this."

Ziendriel's eyes widened. "Is she in trouble?" she asked, timidly. If there was one thing she disliked more than the spotlight, it was getting others into trouble.

Legolas chuckled. "No, Ziendriel," he replied. "She is not in trouble. Depa is a very good, very loyal servant. It is some of the other servants that I worry about."

Despite herself, she smiled. "I am glad," she said.

"Then, we are friends?" he asked, hopefully. He looked to her with such pleading that she laughed.

"If that is what you desire, then yes," she answered. "We are friends." She smiled reassuringly at him.

He returned the smile, although curiously. "What would make you think otherwise?" he asked.

Her smile faltered a bit at the memory of the servants, then her sister. "I just thought that you-" she abruptly stopped when she realized what she had been about to say. Oh, yes, Ziendriel. Go ahead and tell the prince that you thought him shallow enough not to befriend you because you are not pretty enough! Idiot! "Never mind," she said, blushing.

Legolas laughed. "You are curious, Ziendriel!" he told her, making her blush harder. "I do not know if that is a good trait for an archer to have." The teasing light was back in his eyes.

She was surprised. "You still wish to teach me?" she asked, and this time it was she who looked hopeful.

"Why would I not?" he asked. "I gave you my word."

She smiled happily at him, her troubles now far from her mind. "Oh, thank you, Legolas!" she exclaimed, then did something totally unexpected.

She hugged him.

For less than a heartbeat, Legolas was shocked, but soon found it replaced with a more pleasant feeling: happiness. He laughed and gently hugged her back, his arms tight around her waist.

Ziendriel's eyes grew wide when she felt the prince laugh, then even wider when she felt him hug her back. "Oh!" she exclaimed, releasing him. "I..I-" She looked at him then, and just as quickly, turned away.

Legolas laughed at her discomfort. "It is alright, Ziendriel!" he exclaimed. "I am allowed a hug from a friend, am I not?"

She blushed furiously. "Yes, well," she stammered. "I-I must go!" She turned on her heel and all but ran away from him. "Good day, Legolas!" she called over her shoulder.

She heard his laughter follow her. "I will see you tomorrow, Ziendriel!" he called, the amusement evident in his voice. "We will begin your lessons then!" He watched her disappear along the path and chuckled once more. He began to whistle a happy tune as he made his way back to his father's house.