Disclaimer: See Prologue and Chapter One

Well Nelinde, im tryin to keep the reader just as confused as Legolas...unfortunately, the readers will be the last to know of Netasa's past;) This chap may read a little easier since I spent a good deal of time fixing it. And believe me, these chaps need fixin;) On with the tale...


Chapter Five: Memories revisited


Legolas sat at the edge of Mirkwood, far off from the scouts. He wanted to be the first to see the messengers his father sent away only a couple of weeks earlier. He didn't care that his father asked to be the first to hear the replies, he would intercept the messengers before they were sighted by the scouts and forbid them to speak of it.

The first messenger, who returned a day earlier, came from Lothlorien. The reply was simply that the Lady Galadriel would not help search for Netasa but would keep a close eye on the forest itself for her presence. This was not the news Legolas expected but he guessed it was good enough.

With each passing day, his feelings for the she-elf grew stronger and the memories of her reactions were imprinted in his mind playing over and over again. He would smile as she blushed and frown when she withdrew. It seemed as though he tried to do everything right but succeeded in doing everything wrong. He promised himself he would not faulter the next meeting with her.

Today, Legolas figured the next messenger to come would be the one from Rivendell. He didn't expect any special news. Although, Lord Elrond and his father were very good friends. 'I am sure he will help' Legolas thought. No, the one messenger he was really wanting a reply from was the one to come from the south '...from Rohan.'

Legolas saw something in the corner of his eye and turned his head in that direction. It was the messenger from Rivendell swiftly making his way to the palace. Mimicking his actions from the day before, he moved to pounce on the elf.

He hid behind a tree and right when the elf was passing, he jumped on him throwing them both to the ground. The elf got up extremely quickly as if to attack but then, realized just who he was attacked by...his prince.

"My Lord!?" he asked, confused and breathing heavy from running.

Legolas stood in front of the elf and looked around for scouts. Once he was sure no one heard the ordeal, he turned back to the messenger and said "I apologize for the sudden attack. I need to speak with you."

The messenger nodded for him to continue.

"I need to know the reply from Rivendell" he said plainly.

The elf looked at Legolas, still confused "My Prince, that information is meant for Lord Thranduil only."

"I know but I need to know this information. Tell me" he demanded.

"My Lord, I cannot..." the elf started.

"Tell me!" Legolas shouted. Realizing he shouldn't have been so loud, he looked around again for scouts. Once again all was well and he focused back to the messenger. "All I want to know is if Lord Elrond will help" he said quietly.

The messenger was frightened. He didn't know what to do. Mainly, because he had never seen the prince this way. Legolas was not usually violent towards fellow elves. He had no other choice but to give in, the prince looked desperate and his news was very grand indeed.

The elf nodded slightly, too afraid to make any big moves to set off such a warrior. "The Lord Elrond responds plainly, my Prince..." he started "He replies that the Lady Menetasarëwen is in Rivendell and awaits for Lord Thranduil to come explain why he is searching for her."

Legolas felt his heart skip a beat. "She is in Rivendell?" he asked softly. Repeating the words still made the concept hard to grasp.

The messenger nodded "Yes, my Lord."

He smiled as this new development sank in and thought deeply for a moment of his plans. He then realized the messengers continued presence and said "Thank you for your loyal service. Speak of this to no one, understand?"

The messenger bowed and ran off to be greeted by the scouts outside the city of Mirkwood.

'It is time to make things right' Legolas thought to himself as he ran perpendicular from the messenger to enter at a different entrance near the palace. He had to ready himself for an eight day journey.


~!*********!~


Netasa ran through the woods confused and quite alone. She was looking for something, for someone but was even unsure of those intentions.

It was dusk. A time cherished by the elves because it had a magical ambiance about it but this time, it made Netasa shiver. There was a slight fog on the ground and all the trees seemed to be closing in on her.

She kept running but found herself nowhere. "Where am I?" she asked aloud. Not allowing herself to be consumed by the trees, she pushed and shoved her way through branches and leaves. Netasa felt hopeless because she didn't know where she was or even where she was going.

Out of nowhere, she came upon a clearing. There was an elf there sitting with his back to her. She froze at the sight and only cautiously gazed. Thinking it alright, she began to slowly walk towards the elf. She was breathing so hard with fright and tiredness.

The elf stood up suddenly and turned around. She couldn't believe it. It was Legolas.

He stretched out his hand and said "Netasa." She went running to him filled with relief. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close to him. "It will be alright, Netasa. I will allow nothing to hurt you" he said stroking her hair "Do you trust me?"

"Of course I do, Legolas" she responded with so much joy "I love you."

At this, Legolas lifted her chin and kissed her lightly. It was such a sensual kiss. Her body felt the relief, as if it ached for such a feeling.

After the beautiful kiss, Legolas wrapped Netasa in his warm embrance hugging her entire body. She felt as if they were one elf...complete and safe.

A few moments passed and he moved slightly, loosening his hold. Netasa didn't like this but figured he was still very close. He leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"If you love me, then you will not leave me" he whispered harshly.

Netasa's eyes widened. That statement was all too familiar to her. She backed away from Legolas enough to look him in the eye. Netasa froze at the site. It wasn't Legolas anymore. Those cold eyes could only mean one elf... "Thranduil?" she whispered in disbelief.

"I told you that if you left me you would die" Thranduil said fiercely, making Netasa squirm in his arms.

Netasa tried everything to get free but she was stuck. "No!" she cried loudly "I never meant to hurt you."

Thranduil tightened his grip around her wrists and said "If I cannot have you, then no one else will!" At this, he released one of her wrists in order to grab a dagger from a sheath on his back. With a dagger in hand, he shouted "You will pay!!" and swung it at Netasa.

Netasa screamed and focused her eyes.

'It was just a dream' she thought, trying to catch her breath and looking around the room. The room was so dark and gloomy. It didn't help ease the tention in her body. She lit a candle to try and force the feeling out.

She sat up on her bed, still looking around the room. Remembering her nightmare, she sighed deeply pulling her knees to her head. Silently, she cried for a good while thinking about the coldness in Thranduil's eyes and the anger. The dream was so fresh on her mind, she was afraid running it over and over again would press it firmly to memory. She tried to focus on something else to get the thoughts out of her head. Then, suddenly, she remembered the wonderful kiss she shared with Legolas and her body was released from tension. 'I wonder if that is what it is really like to be with him' she thought, slightly smiling. Then realizing she had told the dream-Legolas she loved him, her heart stopped. She didn't know what to do with this thought. She always believed dreams showed her what was important in her life. Though dreams do tend to exagerate, she never let one event pass her.

It was obvious for Thranduil to be there. 'He is a frequent visitor, unfortunately' she thought. But, why of all elves and beings on Middle-Earth would Legolas be in her dream? 'Maybe I do have feelings for the elf' she realized. She shook her head and pushed that thought far from her 'Never.'


~!*********!~


Thranduil finished writing his letter to Netasa just about the time his party to Rivendell was ready to ride. Though he wanted to leave Legolas in charge of Mirkwood while he was away, his son was no where to be found. In fact, many servants realized he had not been seen for days. Thranduil wasn't worried for his son's saftety as many others were (including his wife in that category), he knew Legolas could take care of himself. And he made sure not to tell Sisi her son was missing. Rather, Thranduil contemplated and thought maybe he went to visit his good friend Gimli again near the Misty Mountains. That was the explanation he gave to his wife in hopes he was correct in his assumptions and to keep her from getting too worked up.

He walked out of the palace's grand doors and looked down from the top of the stairs to see a huge party of elves whom were to accompany him. Walking down the stairs, he watched as the Mirkwood Assassins gathered once more before him.

"Are you sure you want to leave him in charge?" Flordin smirked pointing at Maluil "The whole forest might burn down."

"Flordin, will you please relax that huge mouth of yours" Sisi responded quite annoyed.

Thranduil smiled and turned to Maluil. "I trust you, my friend. My fellow Assassin. My brother of Mirkwood" he said as each grasped the others wrist in recognition of their trust of one another.

"I will not fail you, My Lord" Maluil replied smiling "I promise the whole forest will not burn down." He turned to look at Flordin with an evil gaze.

Flordin shrugged at his friend with a smile on his face.

Thranduil laughed. "I know. I trust everything will go well but if there is anything, and I mean anything that happens, then send a messenger immediately" he pleaded.

Maluil nodded in obedience. "Of course, Thranduil" he replied.

"Is that all?" Flordin asked, ready to leave "Just break it up before you two decide to hold hands. I do not want to be here for that."

Sisi looked at Flordin with a look that could throw daggers.

Maluil laughed. "I truly will miss you two" he said looking at Sisi and Flordin "And of course, you, my Lord."

"Oh Elbereth, here it comes" Flordin said in disgust, turning his back on Maluil and Thranduil.

Sisi rolled her eyes and said "Come, melamin. We need to leave now if we are to travel a good distance today."

Thranduil nodded to his wife in agreement and looked back at Maluil. "We will be back very soon" he said with a hopeful grin.

"Yes. Go and bring back the best archer Mirkwood has ever known" Maluil responded.

Sisi, Flordin, and Thranduil mounted their horses last. Thranduil kept a smile on his face from the comment Maluil just made. He whispered soothing words to his horse and within a blink of an eye, the whole party of elves, about twelve in all, rode off at a lightning speed.

Maluil watched as the party disappeared into the forest. "May Valar smile upon you, my dearest friends" he said silently.


To be continued...