Sorry it's taken me so long to update, but I've had some problems with a computer virus and things here at home have kept me busy. I haven't been writing like I should (naughty me) and I fear the rust is once again threatening to cover the old fingers. And don't even get me started about the writer's block. Anyway, hope all is well with you all, and hope you enjoy this new chappie. The elvish words I used (wow, a whole 2 of them) I got off of a website, so don't shoot me if they are incorrect.:-)~

The sounds of objects being tossed around hurriedly could be heard from the hallway, and Legolas remained fixed in the spot where Kalen had left him standing, speechless; his mouth agape from surprise. He had expected her anger, he had expected her hatred, but this...this was beyond anything he could ever have imagined possible. This had been unexpected, different and unnerving in some sort of sadistic way that was beyond even the cold Kalen he had first come to know. What had transpired between the archery range and the arrival at her bedchamber door? Somewhere, somebody knew what had happened, and Legolas was determined to find out for himself who that somebody was.

"Come to your senses and ready to clear things up, eh?" Gimli questioned with a smile as he approached his dumbstruck friend. Legolas turned, watching until Gimli had reached him, the large smile on his face clearly evident as a result of good sleep and good food.

"Not quite, Gimli. I have done something foolish, something I fear irreparable. Alas, that is not my only concern. Something has happened and whatever it is, it has upset Kalen deeply. I know it could not..."

Legolas paused, turning his head as his ears alerted him to the two approaching forms from the end of the hall. Silinde and Numerius were lightly jogging toward he and Gimli, the look of shock on their faces as plainly as it had been on his own.

"Legolas! Where is Kalen? Have you heard the news of Taureliloomis?"

Legolas shook his head and silently requested what news they carried. Silinde placed a hand on Legolas' shoulder and the other to his own chest where his heart lie pounding.

"I could hardly believe it, but when Saelbeth revealed the news to me, I was horrified to say the least. There has been an attack on Taureliloomis. Many are feared dead and lost."

"Ai! This is grievous news. Gimli, go find what news you can from my father. Silinde, Numerius please go with him. I will see to Kalen. If I know anything of her, she has a mind to return to her home."

When his friends had departed, Legolas turned his attentions to Kalen's bedchamber door. After her harsh words, he had doubts that she would even receive him for discussions about her terrible news. He silently cursed himself for his childish behavior on the archery range. She needed him now. Whether as a friend or an ally she needed him, but after his foolish acts, he knew she would not consider him to be either. Desperate to help her, he pounded on her door, calling to her, pleading for acknowledgment.

"Kalen, please. I know what has happened. Can we not even discuss what you mean to do now?"

No answer came. She was playing it as coldly as she knew how and ignoring him pained him more deeply than her harsh words had. Still, he would not be pushed away so easily this time. He had allowed her to drive him into anger's grasp, but this time he would not be dismissed so easily. Ordinarily he would not have thrown his status as prince around to gain favor, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

"As prince of Eryn Lasgalen, I order you to open this door! You are an emissary of your people and a guest in my father's house, you will comply with my wishes."

Rolling his eyes, he sighed. He hated saying that, threatening her with his position as the king's son. But even that had not moved her enough to respond to his threats. He would wait in front of her door no matter how long she took. He was an elf, and as such knew that time spent waiting would pass like mere seconds to a mortal man.

"I am not going anywhere, Kalen. When you tire of ignoring me, I shall be right here in this very spot." No answer. "Please, Kalen, I am begging you to open this door and speak with me." Defeated, he leaned his forehead against the cold, hard wood of the door. "Please." He whispered, his head remaining propped against the door and his eyelids sliding shut.

How had she managed to force him so completely out of character without ever speaking a word? He felt as if he did not even recognize himself anymore, and wondered what she could possibly be thinking from the other side of the door. After a few more minutes had passed, the door opened and he finally got a hint of what might be the answers to his speculations.

Kalen stood in the doorway, her knapsack flung over one shoulder and her long hair tied loosely behind her head. He could see that her eyes were red and becoming puffy from the pent up tears that begged for release. He stepped forward, extending his arms in an attempt to embrace her, but she pulled back, rejecting him once more.

"I am truly sorry my lord, but you cannot order me to do as you wish. If you long to hold someone in your arms, perhaps it is a willing maiden that you should seek."

She pushed past him, her sack bumping his chest as she went by. He wanted to grab hold of her, to order her to cease in her vicious mental attacks, but knew that it would be an enormous mistake to do so. She was angry and pained, and rightfully so. If she would not ask for his help, he would provide it voluntarily. The many dangers that awaited her were greater than she knew, and he would not allow her to walk blindly into them, he owed her that at the least.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thranduil stood beside his son, placing a heavy hand on his shoulder.

"I know that you must do this, and I know you will be wise in your decisions. Quel marth* my son. My thoughts go with you, and also with you, Aier*.

He watched as his son and the dwarf mounted their horses and rode out into the awaiting forest. The female had departed only moments earlier and it would take little effort to catch up with her. Hopefully Elbereth would light their way and see them safely through whatever darkness was waiting for them.

"My lord, with your leave I, too, would go with Legolas and offer what aid I may."

Thranduil smiled widely and turned to see Numerius and Silinde walking toward him, knapsacks of their own slung over their backs. It warmed him to see such selflessness and loyalty to Legolas coming from the messengers of Eryn Lasgalen and also of Imladris.

"Aye, Silinde, I will grant your request. As for you Numerius, you are under obligation to Elrond and I can grant you no such approval. What you do, you will do by your own choosing."

"I understand King Thranduil. Lord Elrond has ties, as you know, to Taureliloomis and would supply whatever means he could spare in order to aid his friends."

Numerius bowed, as did Silinde, and the two elven messengers had mounts brought to them. After quickly mounting, they waved a final goodbye to the king and urged the steeds onward; a hasty departure to equal a hasty reunion with their friends.

*Quel Marth-Good Luck

*Aier-short one