A/N: Yes, yes I'm aware that Legolas never traveled to Lorien before the FotR but... trust me, this is going somewhere. And what happened to Legolas' mother... who knows? Like I said, creative license- gotta love it. And thank you, thank you, thank you for reading and reviewing. Once again, this is my first LotR fic so I'm still stumbling through, trying to make my way with this story.

By the way, I'm a bit ill at the moment, so the next update should come a little later than usual. Sorry!

Chapter 10: Once Upon a Time

She woke up to the sound of a sharp gasp.

"Her eyes are stirring!"

"Lohr, you did it!"

Kythe's voice. Happy, bright but... somehow it sounded thick, as if she had been crying recently.

Soft fingers on her brow, playing with her hair. She sighed involuntarily at the comforting touch. She wanted to open her eyes- really, really wished she could open her eyes but it was a struggle to even think clearly much less move.

"What say you, Rinwethiel? Is the girl healed?"

Rinwethiel? Who was that? And was that King Thranduil's voice?

No, it couldn't be.... could it?

" 'Tis a temporary thing, your Highness. The door in her mind is stilled- for now. But I am afraid that her life has been prolonged for only a few more weeks. A month at the most."

"We have to take advantage of that time then, Father. We must..."

Lohr? Was that Lohr's voice?

"Legolas, I want to meet with you in my study after Karalynn is taken care of. The third messenger has arrived and has come bearing news of...."

Ah, so the King was there.

King Thranduil, Lohr, Kythe, Legolas and... Rinwethiel? Their voices mingled together like bells and Karalynn tuned them out, trying to focus on herself.

Something warm and wet moved over her mouth and chin, scrubbing her flesh and she winced at the feel of it. She tired to move away but found that her body was too heavy. Then she realized- she was being cleaned of something, like a child whose food had gotten all over his face.

But what was she being cleaned of?

"Your Highness, if I may speak- Lohr has proved himself well today. He has the potential to become a great healer if he is taught..."

Healer?

What was going on?

"I am proud of you, my son.... "

The words seemed to blur together in a river of voices and Karalynn turned her head, trying to pull herself out of the darkness she was in. A part of her wanted to fall asleep again but for the most part she did not want to. The nightmares had scared her off from sleep and she wanted to avoid being unconscious for as long as she could. The fingers in her hair paused and then moved down to her cheek, caressing her skin softly in encouragement.

"Open your eyes, Karalynn. Open your eyes."

A soft breath against her ear.

Legolas? Was that him? Yes, she was sure it was him.

Her eyes fluttered open- finally! and she found herself staring up into a pair of large blue eyes. They twinkled down at her like twin stars and the absolute joy she saw in them made her blink in surprise.

"She is awake."

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Legolas waited for his father to sit down on his plush, gold-gilded chair before sitting down himself.

They were in King Thranduil's study, along with Vanalaith, the messenger who had arrived just before Karalynn's "attack."

Legolas still didn't know what to make of the events of that morning. His mind whirled around with chaotic thoughts though his face betrayed none of his emotions. Seeing the girl, drenched in blood and unconscious made him feel...

(scared terrified frightened )

....helpless. He hated feeling helpless. It had been hundreds of years since the last time he had felt as if he were powerless and the feeling was not welcome- especially now.

Especially when it came to Karalynn.

When she had opened his eyes, the relief he felt had flooded his entire body so much so that for a moment, all he could do was stare at her. She had blinked at him, in confusion, before asking what had happened.

She seemed to have no recollection of her "attack," nor of the strange dream-like trance that Lohr had somehow entered into with her. But whatever had happened to her had taken its toll. She seemed exhausted and sullen. The simple, child-like happiness that had radiated from her like a light was gone and in its place was a quiet, grim withdrawal.

His father and the healer had left the room to give the three of them some time with Karalynn and Legolas had felt as if a part of her mind had drifted off while they spoke to her. While Kythe fussed over her like a mother would, Karalynn had looked off into blank space, as if she were either seeing or hearing things that they could not hear. She was distracted and distant and something in her eyes worried him greatly.

The girl who had woken up seemed vastly different from the girl he sat with in the tree earlier that day.

Kythe and Lohr had gone off to find a servant to make food for the girl and Legolas had stayed behind in Karalynn's room, not wanting to leave her side at all. They had sat in in silence and though Legolas had tried to calm her down enough to sleep, she seemed to force herself awake.

Yes, something was terribly wrong now. The shadows in her eyes seemed to hint that something of great weight lay in her mind.

( "I'm afraid, Legolas." )

She had whispered it in his ear when he tried to hold her and she pushed him away.

( "The holes... they're growing." )

But when he had asked her what she meant, she only shrugged and said she didn't know.

( "Don't let me fall." )

Legolas looked up and saw that his father's piercing blue eyes were focused on him like two bright lights in the dark. Without shifting his gaze, he spoke.

"Vanalaith, tell my son what you told me this morning."

Vanalaith glanced at Legolas and nodded.

"Yes, your Highness." he said. "As you know, I was assigned to the far south-western area of Middle Earth for there have been some news of late that human tribes have passed through there. I decided to make way through Lothlorien and follow the Silverlode out but I was not allowed to pass through."

"Not allowed?" Legolas said, frowning. "Who dares to stop a messenger of the King of Mirkwood?"

King Thranduil held out his hand and then gestured for Vanalaith to continue.

"The elves of Lorien, those who dwell in the golden trees of that wood." Vanalaith said, nodding once at Legolas. "Though they did not harm me, I was not allowed to leave until they took me to their queen. They said that she awaited my presence for she had words to give me for the King I serve."

Legolas glanced at his father, clearly agitated now.

"The Lady of the Wood? Galadriel?" Legolas said incredulously. "What would she have to say about..."

"Patience, my son." King Thranduil said smoothly. "I, too, was angry that one of my messengers had been prevented from his way but after I learned what the Lady had to say, my anger faded. So shall yours. Listen, Legolas."

"Lothlorien is... it is a golden place, your Highness." he said. His eyes grew misty with remembrance. "I was blindfolded and then led through the Naith of Lorien. They led me upwards into the very trees, until I was sure I would touch the sky..."

Legolas suddenly had a vision of Karalynn, leaning her head back and drinking in the air. The memory brought the twin emotions of pain and joy to his chest and he clenched his jaw as Vanalaith spoke.

"....and then she was there, your Highness." Vanalaith said in a whisper. His blue eyes darkened slightly. "Bathed in golden light so strong that I had to shield my eyes in the beginning. She spoke to me through my mind- as only elves of great power can do. She.. she told me to bid the girl to come to her. The girl whose mind had been lost in the fall."

Legolas sat up at his words, startled.

"She said 'fall?'" Legolas said. "The Lady Galadriel said that Karalynn had fallen?"

"Nay, Prince Legolas." said Vanalaith. "She only said to bring to her the girl whose mind had been lost in the fall. She said that the elements were calling to her- for the girl and she hinted at knowledge of whence she came from and how to help her. I was fed and allowed to rest but I was not allowed to go further West. I was made to go back here immediately to tell my tale."

Legolas said nothing, deep in thought, and he barely acknowledged Vanalaith when King Thranduil dismissed him. For a moment, he sat in his chair and stared at nothing while his father studied him.

"What say you, my son?" he asked finally. In his voice was a tone of command and Legolas looked at his father, grim.

"Karalynn will not be able to survive a journey to Lothlorien." Legolas said.

King Thranduil nodded. "I agree- the girl is severely weakened." he said. "But what of the Lady's words?"

Legolas shook his head. "Nay, what good is it to bring the girl to her if she perishes before reaching the Golden Wood?" Legolas said. A trace of anger crept into his voice. "You saw her father, the way she drew into herself even as Kythe tried to coddle her. Her eyes are haunted with shadows and if she has another attack in the middle of the trip... or if we ourselves are attacked..."

"Ah, so you have already decided upon yourself to go with her?" King Thranduil said. His face betrayed nothing and Legolas blinked in surprise.

"Would you have someone else take her?" he asked. "She knows me and is comfortable with me..."

"And you would not want to be without her presence, is that it, my son?"

Legolas closed his mouth.

"Perhaps the issue here is not what lays before you in the journey to Lothlorien." King Thranduil said. "Perhaps it is what lays inside yourself, in your heart..."

"Nonsense, father." Legolas said, but his voice faltered slightly and he reddened at his weakness. " 'Tis my duty to her."

The King's eyes suddenly became brighter.

"She is a mortal, my child." he said softly; kindly. "One that seems close to death."

"Can the Lady Galadriel help her?" Legolas asked, trying to ignore his father's words. He gripped the arms of his chair tightly and forced his face to stay as emotionless as his father. "If she is as powerful as the stories say she is, perhaps it is enough to risk the journey."

"Perhaps."

"What will you do, father?" Legolas said.

"Karalynn is not my charge, Legolas." King Thranduil said quietly. "Nay, I only allowed her a place to stay but it is not I who found her. That was you. The decision is yours to make, my son, and my only advice is this- it is folly to disobey a command of the Lady Galadriel."

Legolas nodded and looked down. "Then the best course would be to go to Lothlorien with Karalynn." he said flatly. "With Faran and Fortinbas, since they are the two best warriors in the kingdom. And perhaps, to ease Kythe's mind about the safety of her friend. She will not like this. She will be angry. I will wait until Karalynn has rested for a few days until we leave. But it has to be done."

"My thoughts, my son." the King said simply. "You will make it safely. I am sure of that."

"I hope you are right, father." Legolas said. "And if the girl is healed... then perhaps she may be able to go... to go to her home."

"Perhaps."

Something inside of him crumbled at the thought of her absence and he steeled himself against the rush of pain that it brought. He was still aware of his father's piercing gaze on him so he remained blank and calm on the outside. But it was difficult to fight his emotions while his father looked upon him and so he stood up and bowed his head.

"May I take leave, your Highness?" he asked.

The King waived his hand and nodded. "Go rest my son, this day has been an arduous one for you and I know that you have many things still on your mind."

"Thank you." Legolas said. He turned to leave but changed his mind midway to the door.

"Father?"

"Yes?"

"It was hard... for you to see mother die in the attack... but the pain did ease, did it not?"

King Thranduil looked at his son and shook his head. "Nay, my son. The pain still lingers in my heart like a wound, left opened and unhealed."

Legolas turned away and walked out of the room, closing it behind him.

King Thranduil sighed heavily and anguished for his son.

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The next morning, before the sun rose to kiss the land with its life-giving rays, Legolas slipped out of his room and began to walk down the hallway towards Karalynn's room. Though elves rarely slept, Legolas had tried to drift into unconsciousness for his mind was tired and his heart sore. He wanted to forget her, for even a few moments, but found that it was impossible. He had to see her, be near her, even if she was sleeping.

He paused outside her bedroom, surprised to see a thin line of light underneath her door. He tilted his head to the side, listening and realized that someone was stirring within her room.

It was late. Perhaps Kythe had...?

But no, the footsteps were heavier, slower than an elf's step and he frowned, reaching up to knock on her door.

"Come in." Karalynn's soft voice called out to him. Legolas opened the door and blinked in surprise. Every candle was burning brightly and the room was illuminated as if it were daylight. She stood at the foot of her bed and turned to look at him when he walked in. She had been walking back and forth in her nightgown.

"Can you not sleep?" he asked, closing the door behind him. "Do you need a sleeping draught, perhaps?"

She smiled wanly and shook her head.

"No. No sleep." she said. Her voice was hoarse and dry and Legolas gestured for her to lay down on the bed.

"You need water, Karalynn." he said softly. She leaned against her bed, unwilling to lay down and Legolas said nothing as he walked to a small table near her bedside, laden with dry food and drink. Kythe had set it there that evening, in case she became hungry during the night and as Legolas took the cup of water, he noticed that it had lain untouched since then.

He handed her the cup and she took a small sip, handing it back to him after a moment.

"Sleep, Karalynn." he said, studying her face. "You need to rest."

She looked up at him and he could no longer ignore Rinwethiel's words...

( ..."But I am afraid that her life has been prolonged for only a few more weeks."... )

Her pale skin was stretched tightly over the sharp curves of her face and her eyes were hollow and sad. The morning they had shared together seemed years ago- a distant memory compared to the blood that had poured out of her. When had she become so breakable?

"No." she said quietly. She bit down nervously on her finger and looked away. "I have to stay awake. No sleep."

"Karalynn..."

"Everytime I fall asleep, I have nightmares." she said. She stood up and began to pace once again. "No, Legolas. And this morning... I wasn't even sleeping when... I just don't want to fall asleep anymore, that's all. No sleep. No sleep at all. No no no...."

Legolas said nothing as she walked back and forth on the carpet. She took her finger out of her mouth and began to wring her hands, blinking rapidly to keep her eyes open. He could feel the weariness radiating from her body but above that- her fear.

Finally, after a few moments, he held out his arms to her causing her to stop walking and stare at him warily.

"Karalynn." he said softly. "Come. You don't have to sleep then but lay down."

She shook her head, stepping away from him. "No, no, Legolas." she said, nervously. "If I lay down, I'll fall asleep. No, I'd rather keep walking, thank you."

"I will keep you awake." he said. "I won't let you fall asleep. But you must lay down, dear one. Before you collapse again."

"No." she said quickly. But her eyes were filled with longing as she looked at his arms. Legolas knew then she wanted to be held, wanted to lay down and be comforted but in her agitated state, her mind was unwilling.

Suddenly, a gust of wind hit the window, rattling it slightly and she tilted her head up, eyes bright and suddenly alive.

"Do you hear that, Legolas?" she asked. Legolas closed his eyes briefly, listening for a sound- any sound, but heard nothing.

"Nay, I hear nothing." he said, lowering his arms. She smiled slightly but it was more of a grimace than an expression of joy. "What do you hear, Karalynn?"

"An infant." she said. "A baby, crying. It... its hungry, I think. I recognize that sort of cry. It's a hungry cry. Did you know that there are different sort of cries? There's a tired cry, a restless cry, a hungry cry...."

Her eyes grew desperate as she looked at him.

"You really don't hear it, do you?" she asked. Her eyes filled with tears when he shook his head. She covered her face with her hands and began to whimper helplessly. Legolas crossed the distance between them and hugged her tightly. If she would not go to him, then he would go to her. She fell against his chest, weeping and Legolas ran his fingers through her soft, cool hair until he felt her body relax and her cries grew weaker.

"Shh." he murmured in her ear softly. "There's nothing to fear, Karalynn. I'll watch over you. But you must rest."

"So tired." she mumbled. "Just so tired. Wish this was a dream and I would wake up."

Legolas moved back slightly and bent down, slipping his arm underneath her knees. He lifted her up and walked to the bed, setting her down on the soft mattress gently and with great care. He pulled the covers up to her chin and made sure that she was comfortable. As he moved to turn away, she grabbed his hand forcing him to stay and look down at her.

"Don't go." she whispered sadly. "Please."

"I was going to sit down...."

"No, please?" she said. Her eyes pleaded with him- he had no idea that mortal eyes were so expressive- and he nodded.

"Aye, Karalynn." he sighed.

Despite the dread in his heart, he lifted up the blankets and moved in beside her. The more he lingered like this, next to her warm and pliant body, the more he was in danger of losing his entire self to her. He could not indulge himself this way but yet he could not stand up and leave her- and it was not his sense of duty that compelled him to stay but his heart.

And that scared him.

For his father was right- she was a mortal, in danger of dying. And he would lose her no matter what. Though the paths they could take were varied and endless- the result was sure and final.

( ..."The pain still lingers in my heart like a wound, left opened and unhealed."... )

Could he be as strong as his father? Could he say good-bye to her and continue on with his life? Or would that signal the end of him? Would the loss be so painful....

"Tell me a story, Legolas." she asked him, clutching his night shirt tightly. Sleep was threatening to overtake her and she was fighting it by clinging to him fiercely. "Tell me an adventure story with... with battles and fights and frightening things."

He slid his arm underneath her head, propping her up so that their faces were at level with each other and smiled slightly.

"Ah, so the lady wants a battle story." he said lightly. "Perhaps one full of orcs, giant spiders and heroes, villains."

Karalynn smiled back, a genuine smile and nodded. The tired light had faded from her eyes and now she seemed happy again, hungry and eager for words.

"The lady asks, so shall she have." he said.

"You won't let me fall asleep then?" she asked, a trace of worry creeping back into her face. He brushed her hair away from her eyes and shook his head.

"Nay, dear one." he said. "I promised you, did I not?"

She relaxed and nuzzled her face against his chest happily.

"Nearly four millennia ago, near Lake Esgaroth, lived a..." Legolas began but she moved sharply and shook her head against his chest.

He frowned and looked down at her.

"What is wrong, dear one?" he asked. "Have you heard this tale before?"

"No, but all stories have to start with 'Once upon a time.'" she said, looking at him as if he were thick-headed. "You have to start with 'Once upon a time.'"

Legolas laughed softly and shrugged inside. It was easy to forget the worries that loomed over them when she acted like this. His dear little human and her strange ways.

"All right." he said. "Once upon a time, nearly four millennia ago...."