Disclaimer- I own nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AllThatJazz1- why thank you- my english teachers told me that I'd never get anywhere with this writing style- I can't help it- it just comes out. And yes- it is indeed my first one, I wasn't lying.

Laura- thank you as always

Corrina- hug thank you. And yeah- I think you're right- the mary sue thing is getting beyond ridiculous.

Uhhh. . . . I have no name- I hope that you like this chapter as much as you liked the rest.

Mia- thank you- it has hasn't it. I do well considering that I never plan anything don't I.

And to everyone- Thank you!

The elves of Imladris had once again come together to witness the death of a man who had not only hurt their friends, but had also threatened everybody. It was not a subject taken lightly.

The mood was sombre as Thalia, Legolas, Glorfindel and Elrond, made their way in silence, to the trees beyond the training grounds.

The night before it had been decided that Haldir and the twins would be the ones to do the deed.

Thalia had not slept last night, and every time that she did drift off, she was woken by some nightmare. She had worried Legolas. She had refused to talk about her dreams.

He had watched her all night, tossing and turning and had been relieved to see the orange streaks of the dawn. Today would no doubt be one which they would like to forget.

---

The walk to the yard was agonisingly slow. I didn't want to do this. But if I didn't, part of my irrational brain wouldn't believe that he was dead. And I couldn't live with that. And knowing that Haldir wasn't going to make his death pleasant was freaking me out. But I knew that in some weird way, they had to do it their way.

When we talked last night, they admitted that they felt guilty for never being there. Yeah- like they could have been anyway. I had rolled my eyes and laughed at their absurdity, but really. I was flattered. It was nice to know that they'd all be there when I needed them. The only thing left for me to do now, was to let them in. I was used to being independent so it just came naturally.

I was tired. I hadn't really slept last night. And I felt awful for keeping Legolas awake. Although, I wasn't sure if I woke him, or whether he was already awake. I know for a fact that he was tired. His eyes were cloudy and his skin unusually dull.

He must have caught me looking at him as he took my hand a squeezed it tightly. I tried to smile, but I just came out as a grimace.

My feet were protesting. They wanted to turn back and lock myself in my room. Not that that would work anyway.

I could hear the sound of those who had already gathered, slowly getting louder with every step closer that I took. My head was screaming at me, telling me to turn away.

At last, we were here. It looked ominous. The trees shading the place where he would be stood, and the contrasting warmth of the suns rays where Haldir and the twins would be stood.

I stopped and stood still next the Legolas, my hand still holding his for dear life. I felt a hand on the small of my back and turned to see that it was only Adar. He looked at me, concern written all over his face.

Elladan, Elrohir and Haldir made their way over to us. Seeing Elladan's face brought the entire mood down another notch. He was always the one to find something funny, no matter how deep or solemn the situation.

Today, his usual joyful demeanour had been replaced with a sombre and somewhat respectful attitude.

Haldir held some kind of reverence and care as he hugged me.

Elrohir looked apologetic. It was perhaps with Elrohir that I felt the closest connection to, aside from Adar and Legolas. He was sorry that he had to do this, but we both knew that if he didn't he would regret it and the anger that was fuelled every time he thought about the man, would be twice as strong.

The air around me felt stifling. I was finding it hard to breathe.

Elrond stood up and once again, told the guards to bring him out.

---

I had been ready for at least three hours when I eventually went to wake Thalia and Legolas. I opened the door and to my surprise, they were already dressed. They were sitting on the bed, looking like small children. It still catches me off guard. I know that both of them are grown, but in the eyes of the elves they are but children. And Thalia is perhaps both one of the oldest and youngest people I have ever met. Her soul and her aura feel so old and mature, that it is hard to realise how young she really is.

But right now, I was worried. She hadn't noticed, but her left hand was fidgeting with her gown nervously and she was chewing her lip. Legolas turned his head and looked at me, the same glimmer of worry that was present in mine shone in his eyes.

My gaze left my daughter for a moment as I looked round. Haldir was stood, the usual mock arrogance had left him. Elladan stood next to him nervously fingering his bow. As a student of mine, I had constantly told him not to do it. But now was not the time for petty arguments. Elrohir was stood a little way off. A frown creased his brow and his shoulders slouched. He was conflicted.

Elrond stepped forward from his place beside me and asked the guards to come in.

Thalia flinched and closed her eyes for a second. The twins and Haldir stood an expression of disgust clearly showing on their features.

I withheld a sneer as the human was brought down the path. My eyes drifted from the shoes on his feet to his face, which was now free of the blood from his nose, which was swollen and deformed from the break. Elrond had refused to treat the prisoner. He was not a man of cruelty, but when angered enough, he becomes a completely different person.

---

Legolas tensed and his hand tighten around mine as we watched Martin being brought down the path. His eyes found mine and locked with them them. What did I see? Hate? Disgust? Love? An apology?

There were so many things. I didn't have time to figure it out before he was stood opposite us, under the shaded trees. He looked weary but proud. His hands were tied behind his back and despite his broken knee cap, he stood, waiting.

All of a sudden a thousand thoughts hit me at once, was I making a mistake? What if he really means it? He might change?

No. He would never change. So what did I do? Just stand by and accept it?

I could hear Elrond saying something. But they were nothing but words and my mind didn't process any of them.

I was snapped back into reality when I saw the twins and Haldir line up, bows cocked.

I quit thinking and went with my feelings.

I let go of Legolas' hand and ignoring the shouts, I ran to Martin.

He raised his head and looked me in the eye.

A flare of pure hatred took over me. His presence made me shiver and I went cold. But I had to do this, just for my own conscience.

"I'm sorry for this. I bet you never expected this? Well, come to think of it, neither did I. I can't forgive you for what you did. But I couldn't let you go without saying goodbye. As stupid as that sounds. And I know you don't love me, hell…you don't even like me, but I know that somewhere a part of me loves you....or wants to. I can't help it it's just there. I'm sorry that I wasn't a good student, and that I never paid enough attention to things. But I can't change that. I guess…I just wanted to tell before I never get the chance to. But…I'm sorry that things have turned like this between us"

I stepped forward and placed a kiss on his cheek.

Without daring to even glance at anybody, I walked back to Legolas side.

Tears blurred my vision as I watched the three of them raise their bows in unison. I wiped my eyes quickly and made sure that I could see.

Their bows sang and three dull thuds could be heard as they hit him. I smiled as I looked at his face. For the first time, he looked like a man, and not a monster.

---

I shouted out to her and tried to catch her wrist as she ran towards him. The only thing stopping me from following her was Glorfindel. She needed to say goodbye, this I knew, but it did not mean that I had to like it.

I watched with a heavy heart as she said goodbye. She was strong. I had placed too much doubt in her, she held more conviction that I had. She would make a fine queen.

My heart wept as she kissed his cheek in Farwell. Her own heartbreak resounded within me. I could feel every emotion as if it were my own. She wanted so many things. And yet she could not have the one thing that she had always yearned for, her father's acceptance and his love.

My own rage was reignited when he looked at her retreating figure with a cold stare. He hadn't even had the good grace to say something to her. She came back to my side with a sorrowful air about her.

Her hand felt so small in mine. And she looked so delicate stood beside me. Her usually joyful attitude had disappeared as if it was never there to start with.

My heart clenched as the arrows were released. It seemed a long whole before they hit their target. A sudden feeling of relief flooded me. But it was short lived. I felt Thalia relax beside me and I heard one word pass her pale lips

"Goodbye"

And then she turned slowly and walked back up the house.

I turned back, suddenly feeling a desperate need to see his body. And there he was. Lying on the floor.

One arrow had hit him in the chest, one near his neck and one in the middle of his forehead.

He made for a grotesque vision and I was glad that Thalia had left. His eyes were open and staring as the blood ran down his forehead, some ran down his head and pooled underneath his turned face.

I felt no pity for him. He had deserved it. The past months had not been easy and it was due to this, evil man. There was nothing to stop her now. She would rise up and flourish under the stars. She had so much love to give to everybody, and now…she can become who she really is. She shall stand beside me, every inch the graceful princess. To see the man whom had brought such distress and sorrow upon my beloved was soul searing.

I turn to look at Elrohir. His Adar was talking to him, but he appeared to be distracted. His face was shadowed and he looked weary.

Haldir and Elladan looked gratified and relieved, much like myself I imagine, although there was a little more regret from me.

---

I reached the house, and I ran. As fast I could to our room. I couldn't get there faster. My mind was blank and it felt like there was a void where I should be.

I wanted to cut, but now that chapter in my life was finished. It had ended the minute that the arrows had struck him. At that moment all the words and feelings that over the years had slowly driven me to the edge, flooded back.

I went into the bathroom and turned the tap. I sat on the edge of the bath, watching the steam rise from the hot water and enjoying the warmth. I slipped my dress off and slid into the water. And thought about the last hour. That one word had meant everything to me…