A/N...Okay, here's the alternate ending. Artria was right, I wrote it because I felt terrible about killing Lianna. So, I just wanted to write a happy chapter for a change.

Chapter 19 - Alternate Ending
"Happily Ever After"

A/N...for the alternate ending we rewind to when Lianna pushes Thranduil out of the attacker's way.

What happened next was strange. It seemed as if the assassin's movement went in slow motion. She saw his face twist in preparation for his attack, and his arm extend slowly but forcefully toward Thranduil's heart. Lianna leapt out from behind the tree and shoved Thranduil out of the way. She fell on top of him on the ground, and immediately sprung back up.

The attacker was obviously bewildered by this unexpected hitch in his plan. It took him a moment to regain his head. By that time, Lianna had already thrown a deadly accurate kick his way, knocking the knife from his hand. The would-be-assassin took a step backward, then turned around to flee into the woods.

He made it as far as the edge of the clearing, and Lianna did not chase him. About a dozen palace guards swarmed the clearing, and took the stranger into custody. The King was being ushered to the palace, apparently against his will. He slapped at them and they finally left him. Thranduil's eyes locked with Lianna's, and he was making his way to her when his son appeared in front of him.

"Ada are you alright?" He asked excitedly. Thranduil tore his eyes from Lianna's and looked at his son. All in one moment he felt the guilt, love, understanding, and compassion he had pushed to the back of his mind all those years. He just smiled a small smile at his son and placed a hand on his shoulder. He then gestured to Lianna.

"I'm fine, son. But it's not me you should be worrying about." Legolas followed his father's gaze and saw Lianna, just standing there, hands clasped behind her. Just waiting. Legolas rushed to her.

"Lianna what happened? Are you alright? What happened?" He asked fervently. Lianna laughed.

"Calm down, Legolas. I found your father and I stopped the killer." Lianna summed simply. Legolas looked at her a moment, then furrowed his brow.

"You stopped the assassin?" Lianna nodded. "You saved my father's life?" He asked. Lianna nodded again. "You saved my father's life." He stated, reassuring himself of the facts.

"Yes, Legolas."

His expression was beyond description. It was amazement, mostly. But also some bewilderment and admiration. Lianna was not let to ponder it long. Legolas gathered her into a tight embrace.

"I'm so glad you're okay." He said when he finally pulled away and took her face in his hands.

"I'm glad the murderer is going to be brought to justice." Lianna said spitefully as she stared the direction in which he was taken.

"Come on. You deserve some rest."

Legolas led her into the palace where she thankfully took a hot bath and lay on the cool sheets of a comfortable bed. He kissed her forehead before going in search of some food.

Lianna stared at the ceiling, pondering the events of the day. Thranduil could very easily have been killed. SHE could very easily have been killed. Remembering the exact moment, Lianna realized she didn't even think about jumping out to foil the killer's plot. If that act of bravery didn't get her and Legolas the King's blessing, she didn't know what would.

Lianna wondered what Thranduil would do. She didn't imagine he would be very good at admitting his mistake in judging her character. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.

"That was quick. What're you doing knocking? I'm hungry!" She laughed, thinking it was Legolas come back with some supper. But the door swung slowly open to reveal an unsure Thranduil. Lianna put a hand to her mouth.

"Forgive me, King Thranduil, I thought it was your son." Thranduil sat beside the bed and laughed.

"It's quite alright." Then, he looked deep into her eyes, as if searching for something. Suddenly, he asked, "Why did you do it?"

"Do what?" Lianna asked, with absolutely no clue as to what he was questioning her about.

"Save my life."

Lianna smiled curiously at him. It was such an outrageous question, she wondered if he was kidding. And it had to have been seriously outrageous for Thranduil to kid. But when his expression did not change, she realized he honestly wanted an answer.

She looked at her hands in her lap and tried to begin. But she didn't know what to say.

"I-I just did it. It was the right thing to do." Frankly, she didn't know why she did it. Thranduil voiced her thoughts.

"You could've easily let me die. No one would've blamed you. Things would've been much easier without me around."

"Maybe, but not for who matters most. Legolas would've beat himself up for eternity if you died without giving him your approval."

Thranduil looked at her. It was a look she'd never seen on him before. He wasn't trying to mask his emotions. He placed his hand on hers, and she looked down at the point of contact in amazement. She looked back up at Thranduil, whose serious eyes still bored into her wide ones.

"Thank you, Lianna. For making me see. He has my approval."

Lianna's heart softened. Legolas would've been so happy at that moment to have heard his father say that in such a voice.

"He'd like to hear that."

"Hear what?" Legolas asked innocently from the doorway, and both Thranduil and Lianna started. Thranduil stood and wrung his hands nervously.

"What's going on you two?" Legolas began to get suspicious as he sat down the tray of food on a near table.

"Legolas, son, I need to tell you something." He took a deep breath, and noticed that Legolas was holding his in anticipation. "I am sorry."

He paused again, and Lianna rolled her eyes. These Elves. They can never get their words out right. But, just as her skepticism was about to get the best of her, Thranduil spoke again.

"I realize how wrong I have been in this situation. Lianna nearly gave her life for me. Me, who has caused you both so much pain, and who the situation would've been a lot happier without. She risked her life because she knew it would hurt you if I died. I realize now that you couldn't chosen a better Princess."

Legolas's mouth dropped slightly as he processed what had been said. His breath quickened slightly. Lianna smiled. 'That was perfect.' She thought in approval of the King's words.

"So, if you can ever forgive me, the Elves would love to have their Prince back. And they'd love to welcome a new Princess as well." Thranduil smiled hopefully as his son stared. Legolas shut his mouth and held his head high, regally, as he had seen his father do before answering.

-------

Two days later, a ball was held in Lianna's honor. The news of her heroic rescue of their King had spread like wildfire throughout Mirkwood.

It was held the day after the killer, Dínalagos's trial. He was given life in prison, much to Lianna's satisfaction. And the Steward, Firlas, was banished from Mirkwood forever. Although it was not a formal punishment, Firlas's family was shunned in the city as well, since most thought they were in on the plot, it had not been proven.

In their room, Legolas watched Lianna brush her hair, readying for the celebration. Her light violet dress pooled around the chair in which she sat. She hummed a song with no name, as a small smile danced on her lips.

Legolas kissed the top of her head before giving her his arm and walking down the hall toward the noise of a crowd of Elves in the ballroom.

The trumpeters at the door blew a few notes to quiet the throng and announce the entrance of the guest of honor and her escort in a booming, authoritative voice.

"Prince Legolas and Princess Lianna!"

The royal couple dipped their head graciously as the crowd burst into hip-hip-hoorays. Lianna curtsied as they came upon the long table at which King Thranduil sat. They took their seats and food was served as the harps played a soft melody.

When the plates were cleared, Thranduil stood and held his goblet above his head. The room hushed. He smiled down to his son and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Elves of Mirkwood, welcome back Prince Legolas." They erupted into cheers, and Legolas raised his goblet from his seat.

Thranduil put his hands up to quiet them and spoke again. "But most of all, welcome your new Princess, Lianna Clearwater of Rivendell." The crowd cheered for her, and she stood. On her tip toes, she whispered into the King's ear, barely audible over the shouting,

"Of Mirkwood."

He smiled to her as she sat again and he cleared his throat for his speech.

"Only recently have I discovered something very important. I have been blind. Somehow I missed something very important on the journey of my life. I missed what happened to my son that made him such a good Elf. Because it sure wasn't my influence. I also missed the chance to spare my son pain. It hurts me to admit that, but I can undoubtedly say it will never happen again.

"And just to be sure, Lianna is here." Thranduil gestured down to her before going on about her heroics. About how she risked her life to spare Legolas pain. Lianna just looked to Legolas, who was looking at her. And the room faded away. Thranduil's voice was just a murmur in the background, and the throng of Elves blended into the surroundings.

From the back of the room, an old elleth listened silently. With a knowing glint in her eyes, she watched Lianna and Legolas. She felt the emotions emanating from them, and she saw the way they looked at each other. The elleth smiled.

"My Princess," she whispered, more to herself, "I knew they'd see it, too. If given time, I knew they all would. Something so beautiful can't be kept hidden."

Music started playing. Couples of Elves slowly made their way onto the floor. Legolas stood and held his hand out to Lianna.

"Princess Lianna, would you care to dance?" He asked with mock propriety.

"Why Prince Legolas I'd be delighted." Lianna smiled. As he led her onto the floor, she added. "Just be sure you dance on your own feet this time."

"What do you mean this time? If I recall correctly it was you who nearly broke my toe last time we danced."

"Yeah, but that was on purpose." Lianna couldn't keep a straight face.

"Oh it was!?" He laughed, and Lianna nodded. But over Legolas's shoulder, she caught sight of the old elleth who'd kissed her hand that day that seemed so long ago. She was walking out the door. Lianna had to catch up with her. Talk to her. Find out who she was.

"Be right back." Was all she said to Legolas before walking quickly in the direction the elleth had gone.

The elleth had ducked out the doors and walked the short hall out into the cool night air. Stars dotted the black sky, and the big, silver moon hung full and magical. She took a deep breath and looked back to the palace. Quickly, she dug around in her cloak to pull out a surprisingly white silk handkerchief. She kissed it and dropped it on the ground just as Lianna came out into the night. The elleth walked away, hearing Lianna call after her.

"Ma'am, wait! You dropped your-"

The elleth smiled to herself as she disappeared into the night.

Lianna looked down to where the handkerchief lay a moment before. In the middle of the grass walkway, a white lily had sprung up. Her mouth hung open as she looked up for the elleth, but she was gone. Lianna knelt beside the mysterious flower and touched the petal, as if to be sure it was real. She heard Legolas come out behind her.

"Lianna? What are you doing? Come inside. What's that?" He asked as he knelt beside her.

"A handkerchief." She stated detachedly. Legolas looked at her, doubting her sanity. Then he looked back down to the lily and picked it. He placed it in Lianna's hair, behind her ear.

"The handkerchief looks good on you." Legolas grinned.

"Fine, don't believe me. But it was a handkerchief." Lianna said as she rose and began walking back inside.

"No, I believe you. As a matter of fact, you know that ring you're wearing? It was a horse." He said, in all seriousness.

"You're a horse." Lianna laughed as she pushed him.

So they continued their banter, until Legolas took Lianna's hand, entwining their fingers. She smiled up at him, and he leaned down to place a kiss on her lips. They entered the ballroom, and Legolas spun Lianna into his arms.

"I love you, my Prince." Lianna stated.

"I love you, my Princess." Legolas replied, with such a look of passion in his eyes that Lianna's knees turned to jelly. Amazing how he could still do that to her.

"You know as well as I that deep down I will always be a pauper." She said humbly, silently vowing that being a Princess would not change the Elf she was.

Legolas half smiled. "Yes, but deep down...you've always been a Princess to me."

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The End...Again
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A/N.. boy do I have a knack for cheesy endings or what?

I broke a hundred reviews!

Undouviel - thanks, I liked the sad ending, too. Drama, drama, drama. But, I hope you read this chapter, too.

bbysail28 - Yeah, I know. Death is a part of life. It's sad, but in order to go on with your life you have to deal with it. Accept it, and move on. -Sorry, just a bit of Austin B. insight on life there.- Thanks for reviewing!

TPfan333 - I loved your review. It made me feel great, because you totally got it. You summed up the point and the lesson of the story exactly as I hoped the readers would see it. I probably will write some different stories, but the Legolas/Lianna series is finished right here.

Butterfly-elf - Sorry I made you cry. But thanks, I'm glad my writing is so heartfelt. And I'm sorry, but I don't think I have it in me to write a mini sequel, even. I'm working on my new story 'Family Matters' which is the sequel to 'What's My Name Again?' You can check that one out, if you like.

Artria - lol I can just imagine you with a torch and pitchfork, going out hunting for the killer and the Steward.
Good for you, that you've cut down your selfishness to the dinner table. And that's a crucial time, and I find it is much more useful and necessary if you are selfish then. Especially in my family. Haha.
Really, I only posted this ending so you would get to review for me one more time. ; ) lol.

Vampire Feuer - thank you. And I agree. I was much more satisfied with the sad ending.

Elvenstar5, XbUbBLesx3o18x

Well, it looks like this is the last time I'll be writing for this story. So, thanks to everyone who read, and especially everyone who reviewed. Luv ya's!

-Austin B.