*Disclaimer* Please refer to first chapter for it. My ability to type it out has disappeared.

An hour later they set out again. The position of the sun showed that it was mid morning, but the light from the brilliant sun only filtered through the trees, casting shafts of light here and there. Legolas and Enelya still brought up the rear, talking off and on about their existence in Middle Earth. Legolas lightly touched on the events a few years ago concerning the One ring. Enelya was interested to hear it from his point of view, but knew not to press the issue. Events like that were not held lightly in the hearts of the people involved. It was an uneventful trip to the Halls of Legolas's family, but Enelya enjoyed it none the less. Enelya considered Legolas a friend now, and knew she was starting to like him a bit deeper than that.

They came to a high stone wall with a gate embedded into it and as they approached, it immediately opened to them. Enelya followed the troop in awe. She had never heard of the people of Mirkwood living in a cave like the one she entered. She had assumed they lived in tree flets like her. She began to understand how isolated from the world she was. Many Elves were gathered in the hall they entered, all calling out welcomes to the troop. Legolas held his head up higher now, assuming the role of the Prince more than before. They turned down a corridor and came to a tall door. Two guards standing on either side of the twin doors moved to open it for them.

Legolas now led them through towards an embellished thrown, with a very regally dressed Elf sitting in it. Legolas and the guards stopped in front of the kingly figure and bowed.

"Good day, father. We have returned from our patrols of the southern border. There were many orcs roaming our land, raiding parties I presume. We were quite able to dispatch them all and we also gained something else in turn other than the safety of the kingdom." Legolas turned behind him and looked at Enelya. She smiled sheepishly and walked to Legolas, who held out his hand to her. She gazed at the Legolas's father, the King and curtsied low.

"Father, this is Enelya Annárë from the small Elven clan at the tip of Mirkwood. Enelya this is my father, King Thranduil." Thranduil took in her appearance, less than impressed.

"How did you come by her?" Thranduil asked, quite surprised to see an Annárë leave their home. The King knew the family as very secretive and isolated. They took no part in any of the wars that plagued Middle Earth or kept friends outside of the Elves of Mirkwood.

"We were hunting orcs, following them past the small lake a few leagues form here, when she had been chased up a tree by a horde of orcs. She was able to slay 4 of the orcs after we had thinned the lot somewhat. She is quite talented with her blade." The King nodded his head in interest.

"And what of the power of the Annárë? Does she possess that also?" He asked in his deep voice.

"I do." Enelya answered. She held out the pendant in front of her, showing the brightness of the small jewel. Thranduil's interest grew more. His eyes lit up with the notion that all the gossip and myths he had heard many times may actually be true. Thranduil paused in his thoughts of the jewel, his mind lying on the wizard who awaited him in another room. Surely the old man would be interested in this Elf.

"You may stay here Enelya. Legolas will show you to a room and a feast will be laid tonight for the celebration of his return and your arrival." With that Thranduil rose from his great seat and almost seemed to float within his long robes into another room. Legolas turned to face his troop of Elven warriors.

"We shall all rest for the afternoon and meet in the great hall at dusk." With that the Elves left the room, going off on their own to relax in the comforts of the large caves.

"Come with me Enelya." Legolas said as he grabbed her hand and led her through the dark hallways, only lit by the decorative sconces lining the walls.

Enelya followed Legolas through several hallways before coming to a at the end of a hall. Legolas eased it open for her and led her inside. The room was dark, shadows cast from every corner. Legolas quickly lit two of the sconces on the wall and began to light a candelabra that sat on an ornately decorated table. Beside that was a four postered bed with fine linen. Enelya moved about the room, her eyes quickly adjusting to the growing soft glow of the candles. She admired the fine craft of the Mirkwood Elves in their décor and beauty of the room and the hallways she had passed through. Legolas turned to her, watching her wonder at the marvels of the room that seemed ordinary to him. Enelya sat on the edge of the bed, finished eyeing all the details of the room.

"Your Kingdom...it's so beautiful." She said to the Elf. Legolas sat down beside her, taking her hand in his.

"I'm glad you like it. You need to rest. I will comeback later for you when the feast is ready. There is clothing in that cupboard for you to change into, and shoes are under the bed." Legolas said, then rose and left Enelya in the room to rest and change. He needed to see his father and the wizard now. He needed questions answered.

Enelya got up from the bed and walked over to the cupboard. She eased the doors open and gasped at what she found. A single dress hung inside of it along with some other clothing. The dress was long and a silvery green color. Enelya took it down and admired the detailing put into the garment. Beads lined the torso of the dress, which was fitted and light. Enelya quickly undressed and slipped the fine dress over her head, letting it fall into place. She marveled at how well it fit her. She stepped in front of the mirror resting on top of a small desk and admired the beauty of the dress more. She had never worn anything so elegant before, being more comfortable in her traveling clothes more than anything. She found a brush on the desk and struggled to fix her hair that was now a tangled mess. After a few moments of despair, Enelya finally had her brown hair combed out smoothly. She lounged again on the soft bed, thinking now how tired she really was. She lay down on the bed nearly drifting off to sleep immediately.

Legolas made his way quickly to the anteroom of the King's great hall. He passed the single guard and entered the closed room, finding Thranduil seated beside an old man dressed all in white. Legolas nodded to his father and bowed his head to the great Wizard. The old man smiled kindly at Legolas, having befriended him years ago in the Fellowship that led to the destruction of the One ring.

"Yes Legolas, what would you like?" asked Thranduil pointedly. He had been telling Gandalf the wizard of the appearance of Enelya in his Kingdom, which was unusual to both of them. Gandalf knew of the Annárës and their preference for isolation from the troubles of Middle Earth.

"I was wondering what this means, that Enelya is here? Should we be ware of her and her powers? And what are her powers?" Legolas exploded with only a few of the questions that plagued him. Enelya was a mystery to him and he hated being left in the dark. She was on his mind ever since he met her. Gandalf laughed at his beleaguered friend.

"You have a lot of questions Legolas, but unfortunately I am only able to answer a few." Gandalf replied.

"Enelya could be a danger to the people around her if she does not learn to control her powers once discovered and I do not yet know what this could mean. She is just as much a puzzle to me as to you it would seem." Gandalf chewed on the tip of his long pipe, white whisps of smoke circling his head.

"And what of her powers? What are they?" Legolas pressed.

"From what I have learned in the past, The jewel enhances all the abilities of the Annárë wearing it and I've read hints of other powers but they have never been clear as to what they may be. I fear what it could cause if Enelya discovered those unknown powers and harms herself or others. Thranduil, Legolas, you must keep an eye on her. Be sure that she is in control. I will leave after tonight." Gandalf stood then, gathering his long, white robes around him and making for the door.

"Gandalf you will return soon, wont you?" Thranduil asked. He trusted Gandalf in such matters above anyone else, and wished to keep him close by.

"I will return old friend, when I have learned more about this Enelya." He left the room and Legolas flustered that he had not learned enough about Enelya. Legolas turned back to Thranduil.

"What shall we do now father?" He asked him. Thranduil looked up at his son. "You must keep watch over Enelya, as long as you may be able. She must not be left alone." Legolas nodded his understanding and left the room quickly, directly for Enelya's new chambers.

*Author's Note* Oh-hoho! What can this be? The beginning of a hot and steamy romance or a luke warm catastrophe? Only the Gods know, and they ain't telling!....yeah sorry I had to throw in another cliché. You will find them to be frequent so deal :) –Spirited_feiry *I know exactly where we are...where the f*ck are we??* (Incubus, Deep Inside)