A/N: hey guys! I am SOOOO SORRY!!! I've just been wrapped up in some other boring stuff I had to do.. but, I haven't been lazy! See, I've been writing out the chapters on paper, and am up to chapter 14!!! I just have to type it all up...

A Sunset love

Chapter 8: A traitor

Later, when they were ready, Mithdelothwen and Legolas headed for Loriá. They were silent all the way there, remembering what had happened only the day before.

"Lin 'tora, uuma dela." [It will be alright, don't worry.] Legolas comforted, gently squeezing Mithdelothwen's hand. She smiled in thanks, thought she still felt a little nervous, even with Legolas by her side. When they had reached the entrance to the forest of Loriá, they stopped and Mithdelothwen took several deep breaths to calm herself.

Legolas waited patiently for her to gather her courage.

How terrible it must be, to be afraid of your own home. Legolas though sadly, looking at Mithdelothwen.

"Uuma dela, nin astra." [Don't worry, I'm here.] Legolas gently said, and Mithdelothwen straightened her shoulders and rolled her neck around a few times to ease the tension in her limbs. "I promise I will protect you, at all costs." Legolas whispered encouragingly.

"Nin 'calarm... toomare ille." [I know... thank you.] She whispered, holding onto his hand while they walked into the forest.

***********************

Enantoion:

Hmm... so he's decided to bring her home? Well, isn't that a big mistake. I've told a completely different story to the king, compared to what Mithdelothwen will tell. And of course, being the King's most trusted advisor, he just might believe me. This is the perfect time to swing my plan into action...

***************************

Gradually, Legolas began to see the foliage of the forest change. When they had started out, the leaves looked 'normal' enough, but now, the sunlight seemed to intensify and the light reflected off the silver, golden and copper leaves. Stopping briefly to look around at the home she'd once felt safe in, she smiled.

"Welcome to Loriá." She said.

Legolas couldn't believe it. It looked even more beautiful than she had said. The tree trunks were of a light silver sheen, the leaves truly looked like they had been dipped in real silver, gold and copper. The silver-colored roses, golden-tinted honeysuckle and bronzed lily flowers gave off an ethereal scent to the entire forest. As they continued to walk, a few people in the marketgrove who saw them, bowed, recognizing the princess. Before long, they arrived at one of the largest trees Legolas had ever seen. Mithdelothwen's home. She gently pulled on Legolas' arm to snap him out of his daze, to lead him inside.

"We'll go to the Silver Circle, where my father is most of the time." Mithdelothwen explained while Legolas merely nodded, still trying to take everything in. Indeed, the King of Loriá was sitting at his throne worriedly, and Enantoion was with him. Mithdelothwen unconsciously backed away behind Legolas, as Enantoion stepped forwards.

"Oh Mithdelothwen, how did you escape? Your father and I have been so worried!" Enantoion tried to pull her away from Legolas to draw her into a hug. Instead, he got a knee to the groin.

"Stay away from me." She hissed, as she walked past Enantoion to her father who was looking in confusion. Legolas stayed behind, currently in a staring/glaring contest with Enantoion.

"Goodness gracious, daughter! What happened? How did you manage to escape from your captives?" Her father asked.

Escape?! Mithdelothwen frowned at the word.

"Umm... Escape, father?" Mithdelothwen wanted to know just what garbage Enantoion had been telling her father.

"Enantoion said you had been captured by a group of humans, elves, dwarfs and hobbits." he answered nodding towards Enantoion who was looking angrily at Legolas. "And who is the other with you?" Mithdelothwen looked behind her, and motioned for Legolas to step forward.

"That's the elf that captured Mithdelothwen!" Enantoion cried, pointing an accusing finger at Legolas. The King of Loriá looked alarmed.

"No father! Enantoion's lying! Legolas saved me from Enantoion!" Mithdelothwen jumped in front of Legolas, in his defense.

"Legolas?" The King asked questioningly. Legolas bowed down to the king.

"I am Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Mirkwood." Legolas said and Mithdelothwen stood beside him.

"He's the one who I met yesterday." The king sighed heavily.

"Mithdelothwen, I thought we've already been through this... you are betrothed--"

"Father, he is also the one I am betrothed to." Mithdelothwen cut in. Her father did a double take, and looked at Legolas.

"Well, then what is this nonsense that Enantoion has been telling me? He is my most trusted advisor, surely there is some mistake." The King looked for Enantoion, only to find him gone.

"That's the problem father! Enantoion's been using his position as a stepping stone to undermine your trust! Enantoion said I had been 'captured', but that's not true! Enantoion was trying to.. he was trying to..." Mithdelothwen simply couldn't get the words to leave her mouth. Legolas then spoke up.

"Enantoion was chasing her, and would refuse to let her out of his sight. My friends and I rescued her." Legolas explained.

"Surely he was just worried about Mithdelothwen's safety and didn't want her alone. Rescued her? From what?" The king asked. Mithdelothwen still couldn't bring herself to answer.

"Father, I can not tell you. I only must change my clothing and retrieve my bow and arrows." Mithdelothwen answered instead.

"But you've only just come back!" He exclaimed.

"I wouldn't have gone anywhere, if Enantoion hadn't chased me around." Mithdelothwen seethed in anger. Again, the king asked,

"What was he chasing you for? Tell me, Mithdelothwen." Mithdelothwen looked to the side, and saw the seeing stone. She walked over to it, and commanded,

Show what happened yesterday. The seeing stone replayed everything that had occurred yesterday, starting with when Mithdelothwen had run into the forest after hearing about Gandalf. Then, Legolas came over and they began chatting. Mithdelothwen smiled, seeing herself kiss Legolas on the cheek after he had given her the beautiful flower.

The seeing stone then showed her running down the hall, arrow pointed at Enantoion. Legolas saw him pull the flower he'd given to Mithdelothwen out of his pocket, waving it in her face. Then, Enantoion's face began to have a dangerous look, and Mithdelothwen ran.

The King of Loriá watched in shock as he saw Enantoion trying to claw off his daughter's clothing. He sighed in relief when he saw Legolas and his mis-matched group come to her rescue. When he saw Legolas and Mithdelothwen in their tender embrace, he could see that they were truly in love. The king looked up to the two and took a deep breath.

"It would appear that I've been tricked, and placed my trust to the wrong elf. I hope you will accept my apology." he said, and Legolas nodded. The king then realized that Enantoion was on the loose.

"Guards!" He bellowed, and a few elves clad in armor came right away. "Find Enantoion, and lock him in the dungeons for high treason." he ordered, and the guards rushed off.

"Father, I'm going to get changed. I will come down to see you before I leave." Mithdelothwen said, giving her father a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Just before she left, Legolas stopped her.

"Take these with you, just in case." Legolas said, handing her his two long knives. She fastened them on her belt, then kissed him briefly before running off.

"So, tell me about yourself." The King of Loriá said.

******************************************

A/N: OK, this chapter may have seemed rather useless, but it actually leads somewhere! (I promise!)

L: How come I am stuck being interrogated by the king? *pouts*
FOTW: Because Mithdelothwen's getting dressed. you can't follow her.
L:... heheehe.. sure I can. *^^*
M/FOTW: LEGOLAS!!!
L: O_o What???

FOTW: Sigh... Men! They're always the same! R/R!! ~08.02.02