A/N: Hey guys, I'm sorry it took so long (that's college life!) but here it is- chapter 11! Again, thank you for those reviews- I luv you all! Well, I'll keep it short and sweet this time, but don't forget to review and one more thing: I have decided that I will really be breezing through the Lord of the Rings trilogy- you guys know the story (some of us live by it:), and besides, this is a Legolas romance; we are seeing things from his point of view, etc. Nonetheless I will be sticking to the books mostly. Sometimes the movies will also come into play though (let's all sing-a-little-prayer- for-me)! Enjoy.



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Legolas kept watch that entire night, Alhera grateful for the much-needed rest he had gotten and at first light they continued on their journey. The time seemed to pass by very slowly and Legolas was finding it more difficult to concentrate on where he was and what he was doing with every second that passed. His thoughts strayed on memories of the past, feelings of the present and anxieties for the future. His eyes saw his surroundings but his brain did not comprehend them. Instead visions of his past life danced before them, childhood memories mostly, peaceful ignorance of a time that was now lost, and not only to him. Unknown to him, Alhera had also these same feelings for he loved his home with such a passion that he knew not how to confront his pain in having to leave it when the time came. And so, each lost in his own thoughts and silence, they carried on until the haven that was Imladris could be seen in the distance. Legolas was very glad to be out of the forest for his spirits had lifted a little now that he had escaped from the unceasing echoes. They had burdened him all through the night but he was safe now- safe from the agonizing noises and the unexplainable anger of the forest.





The two traveled non-stop that day fortunately without any trouble save for sleep, which crept up on them every now and again. They had made good time but it was now way past nightfall and their eyes were drooping. Riding further tonight would be useless for they no longer had a great distance in front of them so they decided to stop and take some rest. If they woke up early enough, they would reach Imladris by early noon the next day.



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Meanwhile (that morning), Dileriyen immediately started getting a pack together as soon as Thranduil had left the room. He did not scare her and there was no way she was going to sit idle whilst Legolas, her everything (to say the least), went to face things alone.





*Oh and when I get my hands on you I'm going to drag you by your split-end- free hair all the way back home Legolas* she thought to herself, her face growing angry. But, to be honest, she wasn't really sure what she was doing anymore and wasn't as angry as she tried to be. He had asked her to stay at home and out of harm's way and a small voice in her head told her to do so.





"Listen to him Dileriyen, respect his wishes... it is *his* duty, not yours," it said to her.



"I would respect his wishes, really. But the last time I decided to do that he ended up almost getting himself killed, not to mention Thranduil...oooh. I'm so confused! But no, there is no time for that now!!" she said as she smacked herself so hard that she now resembled a tomato. All things put aside she stopped her packing and tried to think rationally for a change. Getting past Thranduil would be easy, she merely had to wait for nightfall and sneak off, besides, he would understand. The hard part would be what to do when she got to Imladris. Legolas would be furious for one thing and he might even have the nerve to send her back- , which of course was something she would not do-, but it would only lead to more fighting and arguing. She had had enough of that.





This got her thinking of the letter again. She had practically memorized it by now. The first time she had read it she had not truly understood its meaning. Yes, understanding the part about him leaving and why was easy, but what were those three words? What was that about? Perhaps it was not that Dileriyen did not understand but more so that she did not *want* to understand. She read those two lines again, this time, seeing them for what they really were:





"I have three words in mind that my heart so greatly wishes to express to you, but I have decided to save them for when I return. You have my word, they will be spoken when the time is right."





She sighed heavily, still staring at the letter. What were those three words? I miss you? I need you? I love you? And then her face lit up. She could not get herself to stop smiling as her eyes reread the sentences over and over again. There was no more questioning the inevitable- she was going after him, no matter what. She looked at the letter one last time before putting it away and resuming her packing.





"I love you too..." she said out loud, admitting things to her room as her only witness. And it really felt good to say it, even though he was not there to hear it just now. But he would be, there was no doubting that.





And so, she undressed herself and found a shirt and pants that he had given her. She wore those whenever they went hiking or swimming and things like that. They were old and dirty but she would not trade those two pieces of clothing for all the dresses in the world. She felt a newfound strength wash over her as she wore them (still smiling rather stupidly) and her energy was coming back forcefully. Oh yes, Legolas was going to have his hands full when she found him. ( hehehe:))))) )





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Very late that night





She pulled her hood over her head as she took one last look at her room before leaving it behind and heading for the unknown. All was quiet in the hall so she had to be extra careful as she tiptoed barefoot through it, her boots in her hand. It was a very peaceful night; even the crickets seemed to be asleep, which was not necessarily a good thing for Dileriyen needed some sort of cover. One false move would wake someone and that would spell her doom- a doom she had no time for.





She crept ever so silently until she finally reached the main doors of the palace. So far so good. Although, there was something very strange about the atmosphere itself. Sometimes, things are a little *too* quiet. This was one of those times. Looking frantically about, left and right, she headed down the long path, which would eventually lead to the gate. But, her intention was not to just stroll out the gate, of course. Surely something awaited her there. She was rather going to climb over the wall to escape (there happened to be a tree right next to the wall on the right that would do perfectly). Things were really looking up. And so, Dileriyen took one quick look around and seeing as there was no one in sight, she made a mad dash for the tree. She was breathless when she reached it but fortunately had made it through the first part of her escape successfully. She turned around and looked one final time on the place that she had called home for so long and then threw her pack over the wall. It made no noise as it fell on the grass. She lifted herself up onto the branch and with one quick and fluid jump, landed on the top of the wall and then jumped down. She had escaped! She dusted herself off (feeling rather proud) and was about to leave when she remembered her pack. She turned around, but it was gone...





"Oh no..." she groaned as she looked at the immediate area but it was simply not there and there was almost no light to aid her. At that moment, a voice spoke.





"Looking for something Dileriyen?"





Dileriyen did not want to turn around, that voice was all too familiar. She had no choice, she slowly turned to face Thranduil and saw that he had two guards next to him, one of whom was holding her pack.





"Oh...umm..a..hello Thranduil..I was just..a..going out for a little stroll?" she tried sheepishly. But it was no use. She had been caught red- handed and she cursed at the fact that Thranduil knew her so well. He had obviously been waiting for her for quite some time and did *not* look pleased.





"Back!" he commanded as he made a little 'go' motion with his finger.





"But-"





"DON'T! ..start with me Dileriyen. Get your behind into the library for it seems that we need to have a little talk."





This was the first time Thranduil had truly acted like a father towards her and Dileriyen assumed the role of child. It seemed hard to believe that these things were really happening, especially to them and Dileriyen kept wondering when she was going to wake up from this merciless nightmare. But, there was no arguing with him so she walked in anger and frustration back to the palace, down the hall and into the library. Thranduil appeared seconds later and sat down in his usual chair, Dileriyen facing him in the chair opposite. He sighed, obviously very frustrated with her and Dileriyen couldn't help but wonder when he was going to pop.





"Child I thought I made it clear that you were not to follow him.. why are you so determined to disobey me?"





She thought for a moment, carefully planning out her argument- an argument she was determined to win. Then, she let it all out.





"Thranduil how can you ask such a question? Did you honestly expect me to sit here and wait for him while he's off getting himself killed?!" she said loudly as tears threatened her eyes. It hurt her to talk about this concept in the first place, much less debate it.







"Dileriyen, you must understand that he has specifically requested it of me to keep you here and out of harm's way and had he not I still would have detained you. Child, you must face reality, you are not qualified for such a mission. Do you really think that I'd let you go strolling after him into Valar-knows- what? For if you did you are quite mistaken daughter. Do you recall how long ago it was when you last wielded a sword? I dare not bring the subject up but I want you to realize the seriousness of what you were about to do."







"Thranduil please.. I do not ask for your permission nor for your blessing. True, it has been quite a while since I held a sword. It is not something I look forward to either. But, if necessary, I shall. Know this- I will try every means possible to escape. There is not one wall I won't climb, one hole I won't crawl through to get out of this palace. I know you love me Thranduil- you have been a father to me all these long years and it is painful for you to accept this. I love you too. But understand that in keeping me here you are not preventing my death, you are merely prolonging it. If I should fail in the end to leave, I promise you, I shall die of sorrow. What have you to say to that?"





Thranduil sat in silence. He had not anticipated such a response and what scared him the most was its validity. He should have known that it would be impossible to keep them apart for long and now he faced a major decision - should he let her go and hope for the best or keep her here and be the cause of her death? The answer was gravely obvious: he had to give up his only remaining child.





Dileriyen calmly waited for an answer but got impatient as Thranduil sat there staring into nothingness, weighing her words one by one. She decided to break the silence with a few last words.





"Father... I love him; not as a brother, beyond a friend...You request the impossible of me. Please, you must understand..."





Thranduil slowly looked into her eyes, and saw her pain. He knew she did not really want to leave but simply had no choice. This was *her* duty and he could not bring himself to deny her.





She had called him father for the first time; how one single word could bring so much warmth to his heart he could not understand; he need not. There comes a time when every parent has to let go of his/her children, some more differently than others. Now came that time for Thranduil and, like most things, it seemed too soon.





"I know you do child... and he loves you more than the heavens, I have seen it in his eyes. I understand the responsibility that falls upon me; you may go. But, there is one last request I must make and please hear me out."



"Yes, go on..."





"Wait until tomorrow morning. Then I can give you more suitable provisions, a better horse and anything else you may need. All I ask is that you wait a few more hours so that you may go more prepared. Will you grant me this final request?"





"Hmm... yes, I will. There are only a few more hours until dawn anyway. And I think I shall be infinitely better off if I do as you ask. You have my word, I will wait."





"Very well then. I guess there is nothing really left to say. I suggest you get a bit more sleep for you will need it if you wish to make haste. Go now and I shall have someone wake you in a few hours."





"Goodnight father."





"Goodnight my love."



"And thank you..."





"Whatever for child?"





"You just saved your daughter's life..." she said as she smiled softly. She then ran up to him and gave him a long and powerful hug and he kissed her brow tenderly. Tomorrow was going to be one of those days again...