Title: United as One

Author: Araisilwen

A/N: Keep in mind that this is a faerie tale from Middle - Earth, and as I have said before, faerie tales can be distorted throughout time, therefore this story isn't going to be historically correct. It is nothing but a faerie tale, lore, and that is how I want it to stay.

CHAPTER 3: Farewell Ardenwood

Faira ran into to her room and burst through the door. Grabbing a nearby travel sack, she began to fill it full of what she would need and of a few trinkets to remember her old home by. As her father had said, if she left, then she was no longer welcome to return. She had but one choice: to leave. She could not spend the rest of her young years locked up in a palace then spend her older life forced beneath the golden chains of the crown.

She grabbed a few pairs of her riding cloths (leggings, tunic, etc.) and stuffed them in the bag. She rummaged through the rest of her closet only to find elaborate dresses. She only wanted one of these, the one her mother gave her two years ago before she had sailed westward. It was blue, with silver linings and trim as well as a sliver sash in the shape of a vine. She choked back a sob at the memory and quickly put it in her bag.

She also went though her vanity and sorted through the items, finally just choosing to take a brush with her. And lastly, she grabbed the necklace with the Ardenwood Royal Seal dangling from the silver chain, and fastened it around her neck. Tucking the necklace underneath her shirt and grabbing her bow, quiver, and knives, she left, without a single glance back. Before leaving, she snuck into the kitchens for a water flask and lembas.

Finally, she left the place she had once held dear, and set off into the darkening night, oblivious to any dangers that there might be so lost was she in her grief.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Please, please forgive me.

But I won't be home again.

Maybe someday you'll wake up

and barely conscious you'll say to no one:

'Isn't something missing?'"

Missing - Evanescence

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

She quickly crossed the log of which she had fallen off of earlier that day. This was to be her last day in Ardenwood, and the looming darkness of night seemed to weep in grief at the loss of its princess it had loved so dearly.

She reached the opposite bank and dared a glance back at the familiar trees of home. The tears she had been holding back silently slide down her cheeks as she turned away, and once again continued her journey into unfamiliar territory.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It had been two months since that faithful day and, grief or no, Faira had been enjoying the adventure. She had, unknowing at the time, stumbled into Mirkwood, which was forbidden to all who resided in Ardenwood, but since she no longer was part of that kingdom, she took the liberty to explore.

(I will pause this story to explain something to you, the faithful reader. Ardenwood is located next to Mirkwood, separated only by a small river. It is small, but very powerful. There had been many wars between Mirkwood and Ardenwood, though very few knew why. None from either forest could enter the other. If caught, death was the punishment. Now onto our story.)

Faira found the forest of Mirkwood to be very much the same as her home. It was beautiful, in a dark, mystifying sort of way. The trees were tall, in the midst of autumn. It was quite breathtaking, if one is used to the horrors within.

Judging by what sun she could see, she estimated it to be around midday, so she sat down on a nearby log and began to nibble on some lembas. Her mind began to wonder over the events of the past couple of months. She was living like a nomad, never in the same place twice. She was constantly hunting so she could save the lembas she has taken, but today, she didn't feel like it.

Absently, she began to fiddle with her necklace. The silver pendant was the only think that connected her to Ardenwood, and symbolized who she really was. She usually kept it hidden beneath her shirt, in fear of discovery in Mirkwood.

Suddenly, she heard a twig snap. She quickly replaced the necklace under her shirt and very slowly reached for her bow. She felt that whatever had made the noise was very close, too close. Quicker than mortal eyes can follow, Faira jumped up, turned around, and notched an arrow in one smooth motion.

But what she was aiming at was not what she expected.