As you can see, I haven't updated for about 3 weeks (not every other day!) and I'm sorry about that. I should be updating every 2 weeks now. Thanx to
everybody who's reviewed my story so far! ok, on with the story.

Truth To Tell

"Well, what do you think of her, Father?" Legolas asked, moving forward in his chair as he spoke. He and Thranduil had been sitting across from each other in the King's large drawing room for some time now, talking of the new stranger in their home. The fire in the hearth crackled slightly, breaking up the short silence before Thranduil spoke.

"At this point I'm not sure exactly what to think of Eldárwen, Legolas, though I do find her story somewhat puzzling. And you think she is lying, do you not?" Thranduil said, raising an eyebrow in question.

Legolas shifted uncomfortably in his seat before answering. "I am not one to judge, but she seemed hesitant, as if she had to think about her answers. However, I can see now that I may have been asking too many questions, too fast. I admit that I too would be wary if a stranger had been asking me those same questions." The prince sighed and rubbed his hand across his eyes. "Maybe she just wants to hide her past, and means no harm by not telling us the whole truth."

Thranduil murmured in agreement, "I believe you're right about that much, Legolas. Let's wait this out, see what comes of it." And with that he rose from his chair beside the fireplace, as did the prince, and both walked out of the large wooden doors together as the firelight cast long shadows behind them.
** Eldárwen had been awake for what seemed like hours now, and the day was slowly being covered in the evening darkness. She'd been in and out of consciousness all day and was now beginning to feel significantly better. This was her third day in Mirkwood and she still had yet to see anything outside of her bedroom. Attentive servants had made sure she was comfortable at all times, and were most kind to her. Because of their constant care she felt well enough now to venture outside her room, which was exactly what she planned to do. She smiled to herself as she pushed back the sheets and dangled her feet over the edge of the bed. Her left foot was now wrapped in a light bandage and was healing well.

As she surveyed the room, she took in the rich furnishings around her. There was no mistaking that this was the home of a king. Large windows hung with forest green draperies that were parted to let the sunset's last glows flow across the honey-colored wooden floor allowed for an amazing view of the Mirkwood forest. She let her hand brush against the tall, spiraling posts of the canopy bed; adorned with light netting across the top that flowed onto the cream-colored sheets of the bed. It was a beautiful room and she was anxious to see the rest of the prince's home. As she made her way to the closet, which had been supplied with several garments, a strange feeling came over her and his cold, hard voice entered her mind. You must not fail me! Do as you are told, or the consequences shall be worse than you could ever imagine. Succeed, and you shall have what I promised you. Remember, I am watching. With that his voice faded away. Still, she couldn't shake the chill that his voice brought on. Her hands were shaking and she clasped them together in an effort to calm herself. She had almost forgotten that she was here on a mission-one that could end her life or that could give her back what she'd waited a lifetime to have.
** Strider had been watching Legolas for the past few days now, keeping his distance, and he had begun to think that the prince had almost forgotten that he was still in Mirkwood. It was now that he found himself a good distance up a tree that overlooked a small pond where Legolas had been sitting for several hours. The ranger quietly pulled his knees to his chest and sighed quietly as he rested his head on his arms. Legolas had done nothing but sit at the edge of the pond, not even noticing that his friend had been watching him the entire time. It wasn't like the prince not to discern these things. Aragorn had never been able to sneak up on Legolas like this before. The elf's hearing and eyesight were much too good. Slowly the ranger began to descend from the tree, making sure not to create the slightest creak. As he reached the last branch, he swung off and landed as softly as he could onto the grass below. He crouched behind the tree, placing his hand on the rough bark and peered over the side before standing up and quietly walking over to where Legolas was sitting.

"Well, mellon nin, it is good to see you again." Aragorn said quietly, placing a hand on the prince's shoulder before sitting next to him. Legolas seemed a little startled, but quickly regained his composure as realization swept across his face.

"Strider! Where have you been the past few days?" Legolas said. "I've been looking all over for you."

Aragorn raised an eyebrow in question. "Really. Well, that is partly my fault." "Partly?!"

"Yes, partly. I decided to give you some space, as you have seemed a little preoccupied. But if you had needed me, you could have found me just as easily." Aragorn said matter-of-factly.

Legolas rolled his eyes. "If I had needed you," he muttered under his breath.

"Hey, I heard that!" Aragorn said, punching Legolas' arm. "How many times have I had to rescue you?"

"Not near as many as I have you, Estel," Legolas answered, a slight smile crossing his face.

"Whatever you say, Legolas, but we both know who's right this time." Aragorn said with a mischievous glint in his eye.

That set both the young man and his elven friend off and the two jumped up, racing after each other like the long-time companions that they were.

* * * ".So that's what my mind has been so preoccupied with these past few days," Legolas concluded. He had spent the last half-hour telling Aragorn about the elven woman, though only after some prodding from his friend. They were both sitting atop Legolas' large bedroom window, watching the sun go down behind the trees and now both were silent.

Aragorn was the first to break the silence. " I see. why are you so interested in her though? Surely there is something more to this than what you are telling me?"

Legolas looked at Aragorn sharply before answering, "What makes you think there is something more? What exactly are you trying to say?"

Aragorn smirked a little; Legolas was suddenly on the defensive.how interesting. "I guess I'm not totally sure what I'm getting at. but I'm probably wrong anyhow," he said, pushing himself off the windowsill and into the room.

Legolas knew what Aragorn was getting at. "Well, let me put it this way: You want to know if I am in love with her, do you not?" Legolas asked, rather bluntly. At that, Aragorn stopped where he was, turned around slowly, and walked back to where the prince was sitting. Silver-blue eyes were staring back at him, still daring him to ask.

"Yes, that was exactly what I was thinking, Legolas Greenleaf. Now, will you give me an answer?" Aragorn said, just as bluntly. Clearly this was how his friend intended to deal with the subject.

Legolas was silent for a moment before answering as he stood up. "That is something that not even I know at this moment," he said as he leaned against the stone side of the open window. "I am very unsure of Eldárwen. I want to know her, but I feel that for some reason there is something in her that should not be. I only hope that I am wrong."

"Well, mellon nin, you are very perceptive, and you may be right about Eldárwen," Aragorn said. Then he told Legolas, in a subdued voice, "Be a friend to her and you may find out more than you would by only observing."

Legolas nodded in agreement. "Yes, that is exactly what I plan to do." With that, the two friends left the room to search.

Unknown to the elf and ranger, another young elf had been listening to their conversation. Eldárwen had found her way into the garden outside the prince's home without being noticed. When she'd first heard the quiet voices, she'd drawn closer to the window where Legolas and his friend could be seen and had hidden herself among the trees. What she heard surprised her a little, for she had expected Legolas to deny what his friend had questioned. She wished she could have heard what the man had said to the prince, especially because of what Legolas' reply had been.

With this new information, a slightly different plan began to unfold in her mind. This could make her mission easier. Still, there was a part of her that didn't want to do what she had to.a part of her that wanted Legolas to trust her. But she had no other choice. To fail was to die and to succeed was to live. There is nothing I can do now, she thought as an unchecked tear rolled down her cheek, only to be quickly wiped away. The anger that he had instilled in her was the only thing that was holding her to her mission.

If Legolas or anyone else had been able to see the look in her eyes, there would have been no doubt in their minds what her intentions were.

TBC.