I was waiting patiently in my chamber for Legolas to return. I was worried for him; there was no mistaking the jealousy in Nuin's eyes. The sheer hatred burned my eyes, and I closed them.

Far off, a horn sounded in the dark. My eyes shot open - I recognised that sound. Something had happened on the night watch. My stomach churned, and I feared for my husband.

Hastily, I flung on a warm cloak, and stepped out into the hallway. Both my father and Gimli ran past, being followed by at least ten men. My churning stomach began tying itself in relentless knots. I followed them outside into the bitter night air, praying that my thoughts were false.

But they weren't. We turned a corner, and instantly saw the golden blonde hair and royal blue tunic that Legolas had been wearing. He was lying on the ground, and he wasn't moving. A single arrow was protruding from his shoulder.

I was positively distraught. I paced outside of the chamber door, in which Legolas was lying unconscious being treated by whoever was in there with him.

I saw Nuin approaching, his nose bloodied, his pale skin flared red with anger and hate. I felt my hands curling into fists. When he stood in front of me, I punched him, sending him sprawling to the stone.

"What did you say to him?" I demanded angrily.

"Nothing a wench like you could understand." Was the bitter reply. I leapt on him, punching him hard in the face.

"TELL ME!" I screamed in fury. Suddenly, I felt two pairs of strong hands on my arms, that pulled me from Nuin and held me back. It was Faramir and my own father.

"Lien! Calm yourself!" Faramir was shocked by my behavior, but my father knew there must be a reason behind it.

"Tell me Nuin, what provocation did you offer my daughter?" My father asked coldly. Not even Nuin had the defiance to ignore him, or answer him untruthfully.

"I told Legolas that Lien did not love him. He was upset, and ran off. But I stand by what I said! Then, that strumpet you call a daughter, demanded to know what I told him. I refused, and called her a wench. She attacked me for it." Nuin replied quietly.

"How dare you insult her honour! I know you are jealous at Legolas' ease to find happiness and love, but do not dare insult my daughter's honour or intentions. You are no friend of Legolas, and you are no friend of Gondor. Leave now." My father's voice was dangerously cold. Nuin stood, and walked away. My father turned to me, smiling slightly. He touched my hair.

"You have some fire in you, my child. Like your mother. Come now, Legolas is fine, there is no need for worry." He steered me into the chamber.

Legolas was lying in the bed, awake but unsmiling. I knew that it was not his wound that pained him, but the fact that his closest friend had turned on him. I sat beside him, and kissed his forehead.

"You had us worried." I told him, kissing his lips.

"Sorry." He smiled apologetically. I smoothed his hair, and shook my head.

"Did you see who shot you?" Faramir asked. Legolas frowned slightly, and thought for a moment.

"No, but I think it may have been an orc." Legolas answered. It was now my father's turn to frown. That was not the answer he had wanted.

"Legolas, you must rest now. We are going to have a meeting tomorrow morning. If you feel better, you are more than welcome to join us." My father spoke, smiling at Legolas, who nodded.

"I will be there."

The morning dawned cold but proud in Gondor. I had found it unusually difficult to fall asleep the previous night, and by the time I woke the next morning, Legolas had dressed, and left.

I lay in bed for a long time, gazing at the roof of my chamber and pondering what was being said at the meeting in which I knew my father, Legolas, Captain Faramir and King Eomer would all be in attendance.

I bathed and dressed as usual, but I was too pre-occupied to eat any breakfast. I tried walking down through the city as this was my favourite method of clearing my head of all unnecessary thoughts. But it did not have it's desired effect this morning.

My feet continued to carry me however, and before I had realized I was outside the Meeting Chamber - a large, round room in which I knew the meeting would be taking place. My shaking hand reached out for the intricately designed door handle, which turned easily in my grasp. Silently, I slid the door open.

I gasped with delight, as I could hear every word being said. I also recognised everyone's voice.

"The orcs have multiplied quicker than we estimated. Last night, they sent a scout to see how much defence we had around the city. We cannot wait for them to strike here, or at Mirkwood, or Rohan." My father spoke slowly, deliberately. He knew exactly what he was talking about.

"Then what should we do, lad?" Gimli asked. I couldn't help but smile - Gimli was the only person who would dare call my father "lad", although Gimli did it in an affectionate manner.

"We ride out. We meet them head on, and we eliminate them before they make any further advancements." My father replied steadily.

At the door, I blanched, knowing the danger this would involve. I also had a terrible gut feeling that Legolas would feel duty bound to leap into the fray, after my father. But I managed to steady my nerves, and calm my thoughts. I returned my attention to listening again.

"I agree. Although it may seem reckless, it is wise to eliminate this threat before it grows. You have the support of Rohan, King Elessar." King Eomer's voice boomed.

"If this is what the King deems, then Gondor will back you, as always." Faramir nodded his support.

"I will accompany you, Aragorn." Gimli growled.

"As will I." Legolas' voice spoke up. I watched as he crossed the room to my father, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "This is a burden we shall fight together, my friend." He smiled.

My fear was replaced by rage. Legolas was rushing into this, without thinking, out of loyalty to my father. And I appreciated that, and hated it at the same time. I barged into the room without thinking, my gown billowing angrily behind me. To say the men looked shocked at my presence was an understatement.

"And do I have no say in this?" I demanded furiously. My father touched my arm, and smiled reassuringly at me.

"This is not your fight, Lien." He spoke softly, as if to a child. His tone did not placate me.

"Of course it is! Is this not my home at risk? My husband, my father! Why is this not my fight?" I argued, and well. They could not answer.

"Lien, it is too dangerous…"Legolas began.

"Well why is it too dangerous for me, and not for you! I can fight!" Tears of anger began streaming down my cheeks. I wiped them away hastily.

"Not this time. Lien, my daughter, I understand your concern, but this is not your place. You may get hurt."

"And you may get hurt Father! And Legolas may get hurt! And Gimli, and Captain Faramir, and King Eomer! Why am I different?"

"Lien, do not question this. I will not allow you to ride with us." My father turned his back on me.

"Your pride sickens me." I spat. I stormed out of the room, ignoring both Legolas' and my father's pleas.

I sat on my favourite stone bench with Luin that afternoon. She fully understood my plight, and was sympathetic. I could not understand why I was different from them, why I could not fight for the kingdom I may once be expected to rule, be it Gondor, or Mirkwood.

The sun began to dip in the sky, and Luin left for supper. Despite my churning hunger, I stayed and watched the stars twinkle out from little holes in the inky blue blanket of the sky.

"You will freeze out here Lien." Legolas spoke softly in his native tongue, emerging from the shadows. It was as if he could sense an argument between us, and chose to speak in Elvish so that we would not be overheard, and if we were, we would not be understood.

"And why is that a concern of yours?" I replied coldly in Elvish. He was hurt by my tone, and I knew it.

"Because you are my world." Was the simple answer. When he sat beside me, and took my hand in his, I did not pull away.

"And you are mine, Legolas. And that is why I want to fight."

"Do you want to die?" He asked quietly. I shook my head vehemently.

"No."

"Lien, if you rode with us, I could not protect you like I can here."

"You cannot protect me from everything. I am no child Legolas, do not treat me like one."

"That is not my intention…I only wish you to be safe."

"Well maybe you do not get everything you wish for." I replied, without so much as glancing at him. Dejected and hurt, he turned and left.

Legolas was troubled, even on that bright beautiful morning. He glanced around, his eyes skimming the ranks of Gondorian soldiers who would be accompanying them on their mission.

Their route had been drawn with ease. First they would go to Rohan, Edoras in particular, and gather the Rohirrim. Then they would quickly ride to Mirkwood, and add to their ranks the soldiers Legolas' father had promised.

And then they would travel to the Misty Mountain, and eliminate the threat that had been growing. Whispered rumours plagued the city - one day an elf killed by an orc ambush in Rivendell - the next a village destroyed in Rohan. Now was the time to fight.

But that was not what troubled the Elf Prince. He had not spoken to Lien at all since that night out in the cold. She was more than icy with him, polite but not her usual loving self. He understood why she wanted to fight, but would not allow it. If she was hurt, or killed…Legolas did not want to think about it.

A horn sounded, and Aragorn rode towards Legolas on a beautiful chestnut brown mare. They would be leaving shortly.

"Still no sign of my daughter?" Aragorn asked softly, for he knew that was who he was looking for.

"No." Legolas replied, his voice close to bitterness.

And then he saw her, running towards him. Unable to hide his smile, Legolas leapt gracefully from his own horse Galad, to greet her.

"Legolas, I could not let you go without saying goodbye." She breathed when she reached him. Legolas took her in his arms, feverently kissing her hair.

"I will return, I promise." He murmured to her, and she nodded, her ringlets catching the bright morning sun and streaking gold.

"I know. Be careful." She told him, her eyes filling. They had never had to say goodbye like this before, and it felt like it was slowly killing both of them. Legolas, eager to hide his own wet eyes, re-mounted Galad.

"Legolas, ride ahead will you?" Aragorn asked. Legolas, with one parting glance at his young wife, did as Aragorn asked. Alone, Lien looked up at her father, and spoke softly.

"Bring him back to me." She whispered to him. Aragorn, sensing her fear, nodded once.

"I will."

I watched as the soldiers rode away into the distance, taking with them my husband, and father. Lord Faramir stood with me.

"They will return Lien." He told me. I nodded.

I felt sorry for Lord Faramir. He was a proud man, but my father would not allow him to fight with them. He had been injured quite badly many years before, during the War Of The Ring. I knew he sympathised with my situation as well. Lord Faramir was married to Lady Eoywn, who had fought during the war.

"I do not understand my Lord, why I cannot go with them."

"Nor do I. For I do believe you would fight as fiercely as any soldier riding with them." He smiled slightly. "So ride with them." I turned to him, shocked.

"What?"

"Ride with them, in disguise. It worked for Eoywn. They will not notice you Lien, as long as you stay out of their way. And then you can fight." He explained. A small thrill formed in my stomach, and I grinned.

"My Lord, I do believe that is the best suggestion I have heard in a long while."

Not moments later, and the young Princess of Gondor was riding hard, hoping to catch up with the others by nightfall. Her lips were parted in a smile, as she rode so willingly into danger.