Ainulindalë strapped Legolas' sword to her belt and took Eden from the stables.
"Please, be careful. Bring Hanak back as soon as she is ready and stay off the main paths, o.k?" Legolas said quietly, and then kissed her. "I love you."
"I love you too and I will," she answered as she mounted Eden. He squeezed her hand and she used her heels to put Eden into a gallop to Mirkwood forest.
Ainulindalë rode, hard, to east Mirkwood. The moon was her only light, when she could see it through the trees and the wind threatened to knock her from her horse. She urged him through a stream that threatened to engulf both, rider and stallion, into its murky depths. Soon, after about 6 hours of riding, a village came into view.
"Come on, Eden. Just a little farther and then you can rest," she urged him.
Hanak's flet came into view. She lived alone in her home. Her parents had sailed west a few years before. She was perfectly content with living by herself. Ainulindalë would always visit and her brother, Paran would too.
Ainulindalë leapt off Eden and made her running as fast as she could to the flet. She banged on the door. 'Come on. Come on. Please be home, please be all right,' She thought as she waited for someone to answer the door. A young, raven eyed, platinum blonde haired elf answered the door.
"Where is she? Gielan, where is she?" She breathed.
"Who are you? How do you know my name? And where is who?" Gielan asked quietly and confused.
Out of desperation, Ainulindalë pushed Gielan out of the door and raced into the flet and up the stairs.
"Hey!" Gielan shout of surprise followed her down the hall and up the stairs as he chased after her.
"Hanak!" She called ash she raced toward Hanak's room.
Hanak looked up, not daring to believe what she heard. There was no possible way.
"Hanak!"
A chill went down Hanak's spine. It couldn't be could it? Just then, Ainulindalë burst through Hanak's door and ran to Hanak with her arms outstretched. Hanak stood and raced into her arms, crying, and they remained that way. Until, that is, Gielan cleared his throat.
"Are you to tell me that you know this man?" He asked Hanak. She laughed, and then looked to her best friend, in men's clothing, is she could tell him who she was with her eyes. Ainulindalë shook her head.
"This is… Ríordán, he lives over at the palace. He's just an old friend," Hanak answered.
"Very well," He sighed and left the two. Hanak shut the door behind him.
"How are you? Are you o.k? How do you feel?" Ainulindalë asked her friend with concern as they both sat down on her bed.
"I don't know right now, Ainulindalë. I'm really, really scared," Hanak said quietly as tears began to form in her eyes.
"You have no need to be scared. He won't do it again, I promise," Ainulindalë said consolingly.
"Do not promise something you have no control over," Hanak said quietly.
"But I do. I want you to come to the palace with me. Bring Gielan, too. Legolas may need some male company with just me and you around. I know he has Elemmiire, but he's always working. And they are horrible to each other! Mocking, and making rude gestures to each other all the time is not refined and respectable for servant and prince," Ainulindalë said trying to cheer Hanak up, who chuckled.
"You still out and about with that prince?" She giggled.
"Yes, I am. And do you know what he did?" Ainulindalë asked.
"What did he do?"
"While I was unconscious-," She started.
"You were unconscious! When?" Hanak asked shocked.
"A few days ago. Legolas and I were out in the forest, we were attacked by orcs, my horse was killed and I got cut just below my chest. Then I woke up a day later. Anyway, I just came to and Legolas said he loved me! Can you believe it? He said he loved me and we well… you know… that night," Ainulindalë blushed and mentally slapped herself for mentioning that. Hanak giggled. She was glad to be talking about something other than her run in with Brilthor.
"So, do you love him?" She asked.
"I do and I have since he stopped me from jumping off that cliff, the night of the wedding," Ainulindalë answered. "I was trying to force myself to tell him."
"I've missed this. Remember? I used to go on about Gielan and you! You would go on and on and on about Paran," Hanak laughed as a sudden thought struck her. "You better be careful or you may be the next princess of Mirkwood."
"I doubt it. King Thranduil will probably make him marry princess Arwen," Ainulindalë said sadly.
"Do you really think he would do that to his son?" Hanak asked quietly.
"Why not? My parents tried to do it to me," Ainulindalë answered, sounding just the tiniest bit, bitter.
"Oh, well, that's behind you now," Hanak said gently as she reached out and put a hand on her best's shoulder.
"Anyway, are you to come or what?" Ainulindalë asked quickly changing the subject.
"Yes, I will go with you. Are you sure you want Gielan to come?" Hanak asked.
"Of course. Go and ask him. We'll leave in the morning. That should give you two enough time to pack," Ainulindalë replied.
"O.k. Can I tell him who you are? I mean he'll find out at the palace, right?" Hanak asked Ainulindalë.
"No, it's best to stick with Ríordán for now. He'll find out soon enough," she answered.
"O.k. I'll see if he'll go," Hanak answered and left Ainulindalë in her room.
Disclaimer: Don't Own Don't Sue Not worth it No money made.
A/N: Hey guys…Hope you like this one…I'm almost done the next chapter… Next one's a nail biter… Anyway, I'm out for now…Review Please it really helps me write! Luv Gia