OK…ROTK kicks major booty. I am happy to say that I saw the very first showing in my city.

Still don't own anything of Tolkien's.

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Chapter 9

Later that evening, Legolas and Aragorn went to check on Thariel. Legolas tapped lightly on the door, then opened it when he received no reply. They found her sitting in a chair, watching the river through her window. She made no acknowledgment of their presence.

"Thariel," Aragorn said quietly.

Without turning she said, "Can you tell me this is all a bad dream? Tell me this thing did not happen. Tell me that my father is alive and well in the other room." She turned and faced them.

"Tell me." Her voice broke as she pleaded with them. Her eyes shone with faint hope. Legolas and Aragorn were silent, both unwilling to cause her any more pain. Finally, Aragorn took a deep breath and went and knelt in front of her. He took her hands in his and looked into her eyes.

"Thariel, I wish with my whole being that I could give you the answers that you seek, but I can not." The hope in her eyes died as she removed her hands and drew her knees up to her chest. She looked first at Aragorn then at Legolas.

"Now my mind believes what my heart already knew," she said tonelessly, then turned her head back to the window. She heard them leave and close the door behind them. She knew they wanted to help her, but there was nothing they could do. She was alone. Her father was dead, and it was all her fault. She stood and started pacing her room. She felt the walls closing in on her. She had to get out of here. She had to find forgiveness. She went to the window, unlatched it, and climbed out. She paused to get her bearings, then headed towards the river. She was unaware of the shadowy figure that followed behind her.

When she reached the river she stood on the bank. She watched the moonlight play over the water. She listened to the river babble to itself as it rushed away. She felt the breeze brush against her. She saw and heard her father's death over and over again in her mind's eye.

"I am sorry Ada. Please forgive me. Why Ada, why did you have to die too, "she whispered to the night air.

"He died because of you," a voice said from behind her, as a hand grabbed her shoulder and threw her to the ground. She looked up at saw Jocen pointing sword at her.

"How does it feel to know that your father died due to your actions? If you had not tried to leave the village your father would be alive right now, "he said cruelly. He savored the pain that flooded her eyes.

"Don't grieve too much Thariel; you'll soon be reunited with both of your parents. I'm going to win despite the curse you placed on me. You've caused me nothing but trouble, and now I will rectify the problem." He raised the sword.

"Goodbye elf." He grinned evilly and started to bring the sword down. He cried out in pain and surprise as her foot connected with his knee. He fell to the ground, and Thariel scrambled out of his way. She stood and ran back to the village.

Legolas and Aragorn were sitting in the living room when the door flew open and Thariel raced in. Aragorn was closest to the door and grabbed her.

"Thariel, what happened," he asked. The only answer he received was "Jocen, river," as she started crying hysterically. Legolas looked at Aragorn. Aragorn nodded slightly. Legolas shoulder his quiver and picked up his bow.

"Be careful Legolas," Aragorn said. Legolas smiled grimly.

"It is not me you have to be concerned about tonight," he answered. He put his knives into their holders on his back, then turned and left the house.

He returned several hours later. Upon entering he saw Aragorn sitting in the chair by the fire and Thariel lying on the couch. He could tell by her breathing that she was not sleeping. He saw a cup sitting by her and deduced that Aragorn had put something in her tea to help calm her. He sat down in the other chair.

"I did not find him," he answered the question in Aragorn's eyes. He gestured to Thariel, and Aragorn nodded his head negatively.

"Thariel, what happened out there?" She was silent for so long that neither of them thought that she'd answer. Finally, "I had to get out of the house. The walls were too close. I had to go to the river. I had to ask forgiveness. Jocen came up behind me. I didn't hear him. He threw me to the ground. He wanted to kill me. I kicked him and ran for the village."

"Forgiveness for what," Legolas asked.

"For killing my father. It's my fault he's dead," she said. Tears filled her silver eyes. Legolas and Aragorn just sat in shock. That she would be sad, that they expected, but not that she would blame herself. Somehow, they had to reach the hurting child.

"Thariel, look at me," Legolas bid her. Her eyes flickered to him.

"You did not kill your father," he said deliberately. "Your father was killed because of hatred, greed, and evilness." He could see the doubt in her eyes.

"Jocen told me that if I had not left the village, my father would still be alive." Legolas did not trust himself to speak upon hearing what Jocen had told her, and he looked to Aragorn for help. Aragorn swore softly under his breath.

"Thariel, what Jocen told you was false. By blaming you, he can absolve himself of any guilt he feels. The truth is that he would have had your father killed even if you had stayed here. Jocen is greedy and traitorous. Your father stood for everything that Jocen was not. It's as simple as this, the evil always try to destroy the good. That is why your father died, and it is why Jocen went after you this night. If you believe nothing else, believe this. You had as much to do with his death as the stars above."

She looked from one to the other. "I believe," she said