A/N: Hello and welcome. Thank you for checking out this interesting . . . novel I have put together. Please drop a review and let me know what you think. I plan to update every couple days or at more once a week. I would love to hear your input for this is a story I have spent close to a year composing. Thank you again.

Disclaimer: I do not own the place of Mirkwood, elves, or Legolas. Everything else is my own. This applies to the entire story.

A/N 2: I've decided to revisit this story and rework a few parts and do some slight editing fixes. Let me know what you think of the new changes. Every chapter will be changed, but the asterisk () chapters will have major, noticeable changes. I'm thinking of putting Legolas' point of view in also. Please review if you agree with this idea. Thanks!

Book of Blue

Chapter One: It Begins

A clear blue lake stood still in a wide pasture of green grass. In the forest that stood nearby, creatures of all types frolicked about, although always heeding the warning of danger constantly in their midst. A castle stood not more than a few miles from the forbidden and lonesome lake. The fortress was elaborately decorated and called home by many, but unseen to prying eyes. However, on this day, none could be found within it.

The day was bright and warm. One might believe it was any ordinary day in the realm, but it was far from that. The city seemed uninhabited, save one spot. In a courtyard just before the palace, elves gathered around in a tightly knit circle to witness a very rare sight.

And of course I was the head of the show, or shall I say the reason they are all here? In my opinion, the crowd was getting much more than they wagered.

I stood in the center of the circle, my mind elsewhere as I vaguely heard the guard reading a list of my accusations. Most of them were made up, probably by the king himself, so this would be 'legal'.

My eyes traveled to the elf being held still by two additional guards. He had made my life worthwhile, for the past few weeks, anyway. He looked back at me with a mixture of emotions: love, grief, sorrow, pain… I could do nothing to rid him of any of them as much as I wanted to. Why was fate so cruel?

The flashbacks began and I did nothing to stop them.

…

The day that changed my life was a rainy one; even those days I enjoyed the rain. It started out like any ordinary day in the realm. I awoke early in the morning, greeted by the soft glow of the moon in the cloudy sky and the sound of rain hitting the roof of my single roomed home. My hair and clothes were more than damp from my swim a few hours ago.

Slipping out the door, I headed back to the lake. For some odd reason, I have always felt drawn to water and it has a mysterious effect on me. I would change, or morph for lack of a better word, when the substance touched me. When I first discovered the deformity, it scared me and I attempted to avoid the water. That proved impossible and I accepted my gift as a fact of life.

My peaceful swim lasted until the sun began to rise and light the water. This was the time most of the others in the city rose. Swimming in the lake was frowned upon so I only continued to do so in the dark of night when sleep consumed them. Carefully, I emerged from the water and adjusted to breathing the air and went on to return home to change into appropriate city clothes. I would do the paper work to keep the house as I waited for my hair to dry. But the latter did not happen by the time I was completed. I have always disliked waiting—Ii is not that I am not impatient, simply that life is too short to waste time.

Something drew my attention to the window. The rain poured down harder than before. I quirked an eyebrow as a thought entered my mind. Quickly I grabbed my cloak and the stack of papers and threw the door open. A muffled cry escaped my throat and I instinctively stepped back and raised my fists to prepare to hit the character in my doorway.

A dripping wet elf stood there, squinting at me to see through the water dripping in his eyes. I pulled up the hood of my cloak to cover my wet hair as he opened his mouth to speak.

"Good morn, my lady. I request the company of Lady Aluhin," he said over the pounding of the rain.

I was too stunned to think to invite him in. "You are granted it," I replied wondering who the man was.

He stood there patiently, continuing to look at me. Feeling uncomfortable with the long silence I said, "I am she."

"Ah. Your presence is requested by Lord Naellen in his study this eve after the last meal."

'Whatever for' I was tempted to ask, yet wisely kept my mouth shut and nodded in acceptance. The man bowed his head and walked into the rain towards the palace.

Standing there a moment, I wondered why the king's first assistant would need to speak with me. My first thought was I had been caught.

"No. That is impossible," I muttered to myself as I bent to pick up the papers I dropped. I hoped he hadn't noticed my wet hair.

I slipped off my hood and stepped outside, making sure to firmly shut and lock the door. Although it was still pouring, I could sense the rain was letting up and would stop before I would arrive at the palace. The papers were placed safely inside my cloak to prevent the ink from smearing and with a swish of my cloak I was off.

As I predicted, by the time I reached the outer most paths of the gardens, the only evidence of the morning rain was the soggy ground beneath my bare feet. There was not another soul around me so I took my eyes from the path and to the beautiful flowers beginning to bloom.

I had not heard the footsteps until it was too late. I looked up to see his unfocused eyes, but when I tried to side step him I slipped in the mud accomplishing just what I was trying not to: I slid and crashed square into the elf. Luckily, just I was about to smash backwards into the mud, he caught me. I grabbed his biceps to steady myself as he helped me up. I was very aware of how well defined and strong his arms were.

"Are you all right?" a male voice asked as the strong arms helped me back up.

"Yes, thank you." I looked at my feet making sure I wouldn't slip then stole a glance up at him.

He looked vaguely familiar, though I knew we were not acquainted. His short blonde hair was amazingly perfect, unlike mine, which was very frizzy from the humidity. He had a strong chiseled face with high cheekbones and flawless skin. Not to mention his eyes which showed kindness and worry in the auburn depths. The eyebrows above them were pressed together slightly, adding to his expression.

"I am sorry," I mumbled, looking down at the mud.

"No, 'tis my fault. I was not paying attention."

"But" I was cut off by a smile creeping up his lips. I had to admit he was good looking'what am I thinking?' I shoved the thought from my mind and looked at the stranger curiously. "I apologize for keeping you and for dirtying you. I must be on my way. Good day." He smiled once more and slightly bowed before I continued on.

As I walked, I reflected on both elves I had spoken to already. It was proving to be an interesting start to a seemingly normal day.

I jogged the rest of the way to the palace and tried to be proper while walking down the winding corridors. It bothered my that the others could walk so surreptitiously. I walked very quietly and my footfalls would barely be heard if at all to human ears. To those higher than me, I was clumsy, although, I wasn't.

I arrived at my destination and gently tapped the door rhythmically thrice before pushing my way in. Snapping the door shut, I turned to the elf seated at the desk.

"Aluhin," he greeted while he finished writing what he was working on. I pulled the papers from my pocket and placed them on his desk. I watched him sign his name and set the paper on a short stack of others like it. After folding his hands on the desk, he looked at me for the first time.

"Were you..." he trailed off, his eyes on my hair which was exposed, "never mind."

"Was I what?"

"Nothing, you know better than that." He glanced at the desk.

"My hair?" I asked nervously. I touched it and realized it was still very wet. "Oh, it was raining," I replied as if I was trying to convince myself.

"Of course." He shuffled a few papers, not making eye contact.

I waited patiently, but he did not seem to be getting what I needed. Thinking he might have forgotten, I asked, "Do you have"

"We need to talk," he interrupted.

My face paled. "Okay..." I instantly thought it had to do with my recent paperwork, but kept my mouth shut. I had learned that the hard way; I flinched at the memory.

He cleared his throat and folded his hands once again. "Let me save us both time and energy and just say this is not going to work any longer."

"W-what's not going to work?" I asked trying to keep calm.

"This. I am sorry. For the past decade and a half I have been sacrificing for you. I apologize but I can do this no longer. You have no form of pay for my services. I understand you are now old enough to care for yourself and do not need me as much as you used to, but I do not think you see what I continue to do for you. I am sorry."

I swallowed, trying to take in what he said. "So...what does this mean?"

"It means," he replied, standing. "You are required to be out of the house I lent you by sunset tonight."

"Sunset?" I breathed, knowing that was sooner than I thought. "Why?"

"Aluhin," he pushed in his chair and walked over to me. "I loved you like a daughter. You know how I always wanted a child of my own...a family. When I found you, I took up the responsibility. But I feel you want to be an individual, which I understand completely. The fact is, you are not my daughter. Daughters do not abandon their fathers."

He removed his hand from my shoulder and stepped away. "Good day, my lady." I heard the door click shut behind me, leaving me alone in the room.

'Daughters do not abandon their fathers.' The last sentence he muttered played over and over, enough to send my mind into a spin. "What about parents abandoning their children?"

I left the room for the last time and walked slowly through the castle. I was alone again. I should have expected this. Ever since he had given me the house he had been acting strange. I felt horrible. Somehow I needed to repay him for his help. Without him I would either be dead or...yes, I'd probably be dead.

Exiting the castle, I headed one last time to the house. 'Looks like I'll be sleeping in the lake tonight.'

I left everything but my favorite and only possession: my blue cloak. I also put on the most rugged pair of clothes I owned. I had cleaned and left the cottage almost exactly how it was when it was given to me. I even left the shoes he had lent me.

My feet churned the water as I sat on the shores of the lake. I looked up to see a raven fly by. It was skeptical to see a bird that large in the realm. For some reason, though, it reminded me of my need to be at the palace. It was well past sunset and I rose quickly. I prayed the evening meal wasn't complete yet.

After running the mile to the palace I had yet to discover where the first assistant of the king's room was. I went as far in the direction I often saw the king go and spotted a elleth dressed in servant's attire.

"Excuse me!" I yelled after her. She turned and I immediately noticed her eyeing my clothes. "Do you know where I could find Lord Naellen's study?"

She looked at my face and nodded. "Will you show me?" I asked. I watched her nod once more and start down the hall.

We walked silently down the corridors. I followed her for countless turns and up stairs and was thinking how I would never get out of the palace when she stopped. She gestured to the door before turning and heading back the way we came.

"Thank you!" She ignored me, so I shrugged and turned to the unlabeled door. I knocked and heard a voice inside. I slowly opened the door and peeked my head it. The study was much nicer than the one I had grown used to visiting.

The man behind the desk stood, "Lady Aluhin?"

"Yes."

"Please, sit," he gestured to a seat across from him and sat once more. I carefully moved forward and sat in the chair. I noticed him, like the maid, eyeing my clothing. I knew I looked like the person I was—an orphan—and how rude it was to wear such clothing in the palace, but there was nothing I could do about it anymore.

"I apologize, my lord, for being tardy. I have been busy today and frankly got lost finding your study."

"That is quite all right. Many lose their way coming here, but it is very quiet." I nodded, slightly nervous about what this meeting was regarding. "I understand you are not from here?"

"That is correct," I answered, wondering where he got the information. I also couldn't help but wonder if he was making small talk or if he was jumping right into the reason of why he wanted me here.

"How long have you lived here?"

"Two decades."

"So you have been here almost an insignificant amount of time?"

"No, I'd have to say it's pretty significant since this is the place I've always remembered living. I've been here almost my entire life."

His eyes narrowed as they searched me, causing me to fidget in my cloak. "How old are you?"

'What is this? Twenty questions?' I wanted to ask but instead responded, "Somewhere around twenty-two."

He leaned back in chair, tapping his quill soundlessly against his palm. He continued this for a few moments before asking, "You say you do not remember anywhere except here. Do you remember anyone?"

I shook my head. "No, I remember nothing. I rely on only what I am told."

He nodded, "I am sure you wish to know what all this is about. For I have been asking you question after question without any hint of what I am thinking about. The king wished to speak with you, but things came up." He paused and searched my face. I tried to look like I was patiently waiting. I watched as he leaned forward in his chair once more and looked me in the eye. "There have been cloaked visitors; visitors coming and seeking something. The king thinks they are either spies of the enemy, or thieves. There was word they were headed this way and, sure enough, they came. Do you know who they might be?"

I shook my head, too shocked to speak.

He leaned back once more. "Whoever they are, they are not friends to us. They will do everything to get what they want and will not hesitate to kill." His stare increased and sent shivers down my spine. "Do not make contact with them. Do not approach them or let them approach you. If they follow you, you must come straight here and try to get them to follow you. If we can get them in our possession it would aid us greatly."

I nodded again, slightly freaked out. He sat up straight, a small smile spreading across his lips.

"Well then. Now that it is taken care of," he said in a much more cheerful tone, "I shall have an escort show you back to your room." He snapped his fingers and the door opened, a brunet man appearing from behind it. Lord Naellen stood. "Pleasure meeting you."

I nodded once more, too shocked to speak, and let the elf push me from the room. My mind was blank, yet thoughts flew through it at such speeds I could comprehend nothing. I was vaguely aware of the elf guiding me down the twisting corridors. I don't know how long I continued to be in this state, but the next think I knew, fresh, outdoor air met me and words entered my ears.

"Yes," I replied bowing to the servant, "I can find my way from here. Thank you." I watched him turn and head back inside. I stood there for sometime, debating where I should go, where I would be safe to go. Nervously, I shot glances in every direction around me. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, yet I knew many things hid in the shadows.

Slowly, I walked back to the lake, paranoid. I thought about meandering around and taking a long route, but pushed it from my mind; the voice saying, "if they want me, they can face me" overpowering my other thoughts.

Much to my dismay, no one was waiting from me at the lake, nor was anyone following me. Sighing, I slipped to the ground and hung my feet in the water. That raven that I had seen a lot lately did come to join me, however. It flew silently and perched itself on a branch floating in the lake, then proceeded to stare at me.

"What do you want?" I snapped at it. I couldn't help it. Everything in my life was out of wac right now. When the raven cawed in reply, I angrily grasped a rock in my fingers and flung it at the bird. My aim was surprisingly accurate, but missed its mark when the bird flew up, cawing at me and flying deeper into the forest.

What was I going to do? I had nothing. 'Become a ranger,' I thought. I looked into the forest and thought again. 'I'd never survive the journey out of this forest, not with the wild animals . . . man-eating insects . . . thieves. Not to mention I have no weapons and no way to acquire them . . .'

'What if they know of my past?' My thoughts suddenly snapped back to the mysterious people I had heard about. 'Cloaked women . . . isn't that what I am now? A cloaked woman?' Thoughts stirred in my head of what could be, but a stifled yawn interrupted me. The day had been long since ended. 'Hopefully tomorrow will hold more promise,' I thought as I laid in the grass and drifted into a light sleep.