Saera: lol, yes. And more to come.

Marpessa: Okay, do you really think I care? Oh, and it's NOT being mocked as we speak because I was the last person to post a review on it and that was forever ago! And I didn't make you do anything. If I were lazy I wouldn't have written 28 chapters! Lol. Get a life. Lolz.

Kaylin: lol. Thx!

Vampire Feuer: lolz, thx. no, I'm not a parent (I'm only 14!). what I wrote just seemed like something parents would say, lol.

lexi22: oooh, okay...brothers...uh...Estel was...er...in Gondor! Yeah. Lolz. Sorry I meant to put that in there.

legolasluver: lolz thx.

Insane Elven Rock Baby: hehe. Thx.

Black Cherrie: hehe.

Aliana Archer: lolz, didja like that? hehe. That was a last minute comment that I slipped in there.

Piper xox Leo: lolz. FLUFF RULES!

Sarah: thx!

Arwennicole: loved it!

Myri78: lol, yeah.

Chapter 28: Father and...Daughter.

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance...
I hope you dance...I hope you dance...
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances, but they're worth taking
Loving might be a mistake, but it's worth making
Don't let some Hell bent heart leave you bitter
If you come close to selling out, reconsider
Give the Heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance...
I hope you dance...I hope you dance...
I hope you dance...I hope you dance...
Dance...I hope you dance...
I hope you dance...I hope you dance...
I hope you dance...I hope you dance...

Two years later...October 18th...Around 7:00 a.m. ...

'Mama, Mama! Wake up, wake up!'

Gwyn groaned as her children landed on her with two thumps. 'What is it?' she mumbled, her eyes still shut.

'Get up, Mama! Grandfather's here!' Laurelle cried, unable to contain her excitement.

With an enormous effort, Gwyn opened her eyes and sat up. 'What is Daddy doing here?' she wondered aloud.

'It's your birthday, Mother,' Ani spoke up. Laurelle nodded vigorously.

Gwyn smiled. 'So it is,' she said. 'Well, tell your grandfather that I will be out in a moment, alright?'

'Alright!' Laurelle and Aniador chorused, jumping off the bed and scampering out the door, eager to fulfill their mission.

Gwyn got up, walked over to her dresser, and opened it, surveying her dresses. At last, she pulled out a light blue one and donned it. It was, in fact, the very same backless dress that she had been wearing when her father had given her and Legolas permission to marry. She brushed out her hair and set off for the entrance hall. 'Daddy!' she exclaimed upon seeing her father next to Legolas and all three of her children. 'And Estel!' She hugged them both. 'Nice dress,' Aragorn remarked quietly in her ear.

Gwyn smiled. 'I knew that you would recognize it.'

Legolas, it seemed, had recognized it as well. With a small smile, he put his arm around her waist.

Aragorn became serious. 'Legolas, Gwyn,' he said, 'might I have a word in the garden?'

Frowning slightly, they nodded. Gwyn turned to Estel. 'Stay here and watch the twins'—Laurelle pouted—'Laurelle especially,' she said. (Laurelle stamped her foot.)

'Of course, Mother.'

Gwyn, Legolas, and Aragorn walked to the gardens. 'What is it, Daddy?' Gwyn asked.

Aragorn drew a deep breath. 'I have a favor to ask of you, Gwyn,' he said.

'Yes?'

'I need—I would like for you to accompany me on a journey.'

Gwyn cocked her head. 'What kind of journey?'

'A quest.'

'A quest for what?'

'Let me start from the beginning,' Aragorn said. 'You may want to sit.'

All three of them sat on the dewy grass, and Gwyn leaned against her husband, whose arm was still around her waist.

'About a week ago, at midnight, a man, half-dead, appeared at the palace gate in Gondor. When I talked with him, I found that he had journeyed from the Sea of Rhûn.'

'What was he doing there?' Legolas interrupted.

Aragorn shrugged. 'I never found out,' he said, 'for he died before I could. All I know is that he somehow got a hold of the crystal.'

Legolas' eyes widened. 'Not—'

But Aragorn nodded.

Legolas had gone pale. Gwyn, however, was looking back and forth at Legolas and Aragorn, a puzzled expression on her pretty face. 'I don't understand,' she said. 'What crystal? And why is it bad that the man had it?'

'Gwyn...' Legolas said, 'you know what is important about the Sea of Rhûn, don't you?'

'Yes; everyone knows that the spirit of the first elf resides there.'

'And do you know what sustains the spirit?'

'No.'

'A small crystal, in the shape of a tree. It is crafted out of Námathin, which looks like Amethyst; only it is stronger...and more beautiful. But if the jewel is removed...the spirit can only be sustained for a month. It feeds off the lingering power of the crystal.'

'But if it is not returned...'

'Then the spirit vanishes.'

Now Gwyn went pale. 'But that is the only thing that keeps peace in this world!'

'Exactly,' Aragorn interjected. 'Which is why I must return it. And Gwyn, I want you to come with me. It cannot be done by one person alone.'

Legolas went even paler. 'Aragorn, are you sure that is wise? The path is extremely dangerous, and with Gwyn—'

'With me along, you could be slowed down,' Gwyn finished, elbowing her husband hard, but unnoticeably in the ribs.

Aragorn shook his head. 'For one: you will not slow me down; for two: I know that you can handle it.'

Gwyn smiled, proud that her father had that much faith in her abilities to cope with danger. 'I will come with you,' she said.

Legolas, however, was not eager to let his wife commit herself. 'Actually,' he said quickly, 'may Gwyn and I have a day to talk it over?' He elbowed her gently.

'Yes,' she said softly, 'I suppose we had better...'

Aragorn nodded. 'I understand,' he said. 'But please, talk it over tonight and give me your answer by morning; for we cannot delay too long.'

Legolas nodded. 'We will have our decision ready by then.'

'Thank you,' Aragorn smiled.

That night, in Legolas and Gwyn's bedroom...

'No.'

'Legolas!'

'It's too dangerous, Gwyn.'

Tears threatened to spill over Gwyn's eyes. 'You used to believe in me,' she said quietly. 'You didn't try to stop me from joining the Fellowship.'

'The circumstances were very different then!' Legolas shouted, slamming his fist on one of the bedside tables.

The tears spilled. Legolas sighed. 'Look, Gwyn,' he said, 'did you even tell your father?'

'No, and I don't intend to. He will forbid my going.'

'Like I am?'

'Yes—WHAT? Oh, Legolas, no!'

'Yes.'

'Legolas, you can't!'

'I just did.'

'Why don't you just come with me, then?'

Legolas raised an eyebrow. 'Gwyn, with my parents gone, who would watch the twins? Who would take care of the throne?'

'Estel could.'

'He can't do both at one time. I mean, look at us: most of the time you are the one looking after the children. And for someone as young as Estel, that sort of double-tasking could be twice as difficult. Knowing Laurelle and Ani, they would not heed him.'

Gwyn folded her arms. 'First you're not believing in me and now you're not believing in our son.'

Legolas shook his head. 'I never said that I didn't believe in you or Estel,' he said tiredly. 'Look, Gwyn...this is what it comes down to: You. Are. Not. Going.'

'But—'

'That's my final word.'

Gwyn threw him a murderous look, and threw herself on the bed. She pulled the covers over herself and turned her back to Legolas' side of the bed...and didn't speak to him.

'Gwyn, I'm only trying to protect you,' Legolas said softly, sitting down on the bed, '...and stop you from doing something incredibly stupid.'

Gwyn bit her lip, but said nothing.

'That's all,' Legolas said, blew out the candles, lay down, and went to sleep.

Next morning...

Gwyn awoke feeling uncommonly warm for the chilly time of year. She smiled and breathed in deeply, her eyes peacefully shut. A familiar, leafy scent met her nose. Gwyn opened her eyes to find her self wrapped almost protectively in Legolas arms. He was awake. She bit her lip. 'Legolas, you're right,' she said.

Legolas cocked an eyebrow. 'I'm what?' he said, his tone mischievous.

Gwyn blushed. 'You're right,' she repeated.

'I'm sorry, I didn't quite hear you; could you say that again?'

'Legolas!'

'Say it again, or else...'

'Or else what?'

Legolas' fingers moved swiftly on her stomach. She yelped and hastened to say, 'I said you're right!'

'What?' The tickling continued.

'You're right, you're right, you're right! Please, Legolas! I yield!'

The tickling stopped. Gwyn sighed in relief and turned over to face Legolas. 'What changed your mind?' Legolas asked.

Gwyn lowered her gaze. 'What you said last night right before you blew out the candles,' she answered softly.

Legolas sighed a little. 'Truthfully,' he said slowly, 'the only thing stopping me from letting you go is the fact that your father does not know that you are with child.'

'And if he did?' Gwyn asked, looking back up.

'Then I would be more willing. 'Legolas looked thoughtfully at her. 'I'll tell you what,' he said, 'if you tell your father that you are two months with child, and he is still willing to allow you to accompany him, then I will let you go. How is that?'

'It's perfect!' Gwyn squealed, and she kissed him passionately.

'That was unexpected,' Legolas said, grinning, as she drew back.

She grinned back. 'I'm sorry.'

'Oh, no, no, no, don't be sorry,' said Legolas quickly. 'Do it again.' So she did. 'Just curious,' she said, pulling away, 'what was it that changed your mind?'

Legolas looked at her long and hard. 'It was my realization of how much it must have meant to you that for the first time in your life, your father was showing the faith and trust in you that you had been yearning for all of your life.'

'So you do understand,' Gwyn whispered.

Legolas grinned. 'Gwyn, I'm your husband,' he said, 'I'm supposed to understand how you feel.' He kissed her softly.

Gwyn smiled, and snuggled closer to him, but he said, 'Now none of that, you have to talk to your father.'

Gwyn sighed. 'But I don't want to move,' she whined. 'I almost don't want to go.'

'That's fine with me,' Legolas said slyly. 'Don't go.'

'On second thought,' Gwyn added quickly, 'I'll go talk to him now.'

'Um, Daddy, may I talk to you?' Gwyn said almost tentatively when she found her father in the gardens.

'Of course,' said Aragorn, smiling warmly.

'Now,' Gwyn said lightly, 'you must promise to be open-minded.'

'I promise.'

Gwyn took a deep breath. 'Daddy, I'm, er, with child.'

Aragorn grinned. 'Gwyn, that's wonderful!' he laughed.

Gwyn's hopes soared. 'So I may still—'

'But this changes everything,' Aragorn continued.

'It changes nothing!' Gwyn protested. 'I've only been with child for two months.'

'What does Legolas think?' Aragorn asked after a moment.

'He says that if I told you that I was two months pregnant, and you were still willing to let me go with you, then he would allow it,' Gwyn recited. 'Daddy...please...'

'Well...I suppose...it won't—it can't—take more than three weeks...I suppose there's no real danger.'

Gwyn threw her arms around Aragorn. 'Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!' she squealed. 'I'll go get ready!'

'Legolas, he said I can go!' Gwyn cried, running into their room.

'That's wonderful,' Legolas said, smiling half-heartedly.

Gwyn's smile faded. 'Aren't you...happy for me?'

'Of course I am, darling,' Legolas said quickly. 'I'm just—going to miss you.' He sighed and sat down on the bed. 'And, I'm going to worry about you every single second that passes.'

'Legolas...' Gwyn said softly. 'I—'

'It's fine, Gwyn,' Legolas said shortly. 'I'm going to tell the twins what is going on.'

And without saying another word, he left the room.

Gwyn bit her lip, but proceeded to don a set of Legolas' clothes. She stood in front of her vanity as she brushed out her hair... and sighed. It had grown so long; it was now all the way down to her waist. She opened one of the smaller drawers and pulled out an elegant, sheathed dagger. Smiling, she took hold of her hair and positioned the knife high to cut. Suddenly, two soft hands were placed over hers, stopping her. 'May I?' Legolas asked quietly, taking the dagger from her and setting it down on the dresser.

Slowly, Gwyn nodded.

Legolas picked the brush up and ran it through her hair, gathering it together at the back of her neck with his other hand. After a few strokes, he set the brush down. His fingers moved skillfully, intertwining three sections of her hair into a long braid. From the open drawer, he pulled out a leather tong and tied it at the end of her braid. 'Promise me that you'll never cut your hair?' he smiled.

Gwyn nodded, turning around and touching her braid. 'That is the first time you've ever brushed my hair,' she said softly.

Legolas shrugged, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips. He put his arm around her. 'Come,' he said, 'your father is waiting.'

Halfway down the hall, they ran into Laurelle and Aniador. 'Mama, don't go!' they cried.

'I'm sorry, darlings, but I must go,' Gwyn said, picking up her daughter. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Legolas wink at Aniador. 'You put them up to this, didn't you, Legolas Greenleaf?' she accused, setting Laurelle down and folding her arms.

He grinned, and Gwyn sighed.

'Are you ready?' Gwyn said to her father, walking up to him.

'All ready; are you?' he responded, smiling a little.

Gwyn nodded. 'I just need to do one last thing...,' she said, turning to Legolas.

Her father looked away, and unnecessarily adjusted his horse's saddle.

Legolas gave his wife a sad smile as he wrapped his arms around her waist. 'Be careful, Gwyn,' he whispered.

'I will,' she whispered back.

'Promise?'

'Promise?'

Legolas kissed her gently. Laurelle looked on eagerly, while Aniador wrinkled his nose. As Legolas drew back, he noticed this and took hold of Gwyn's wrist, pulling her into the woods. 'Legolas, what—' she started.

'Shh...' he said, sill leading her.

They came upon a small clearing. 'I'm sorry,' Legolas said, 'but I couldn't settle for that kind of kiss, and with the twins watching...well, you know,' he trailed off.

'Shut up and kiss me,' Gwyn said, smiling knowingly.

Legolas grinned and closed the large gap between them. He kissed her deeply, his hands cupping her face gently. The kiss soon burned with passionate heat, and before they knew it, they had been there for several minutes. They only became aware of this when a tree branch cracked. They abruptly broke apart, and looked towards the noise, both of them alert.

'Hold it, Ani,' they heard a voice say.

'I'm trying, Elle, I can't.... It's slipping—OUCH! I told you this was too thin of a branch!'

'Give me your hand, quick!'

There was a rustling of leaves, then a loud snapping noise. A somewhat large tree branch fell to the ground, two bodies on top of it. 'Ouch,' Laurelle groaned, rubbing her elbow. 'Ani, why didn't you hold it?'

'I did!' Ani protested, rubbing his neck. 'You just—' he broke off, looking up. 'Uh-oh,' he mumbled.

Laurelle looked up. 'What's—oh.' She smiled sheepishly at her frowning parents. 'We to tell you that Grandfather is ready to leave...?'

Gwyn sighed. 'Rooms—now,' she commanded, pointing towards the castle.

The twins gave each other a mournful look, and began walking. Laurelle stopped in front of her mother. 'Mama?' she said tentatively.

'Yes?'

'I love you.'

Gwyn let out a breath. 'I love you, too,' she said, and Laurelle hugged her tightly.

Aniador followed her example. 'I love you, Mother,' he said, hugging her as well.

'I love you, too—now go to your rooms. Your father will be in to deal with you shortly.'

They nodded, and proceeded to leave.

'Come,' Legolas said softly. 'Your father...'

'I love you,' Gwyn said, kissing him gently.

'I love you, too.'

'So,' Gwyn said curiously to her father as they stopped about five leagues from Eryn Lasgalen by a small creek to rest their horses, 'what did Legolas mean when he said that it would be 'too dangerous'?'

Aragorn furrowed his brow. 'Well,' he said, 'the Sea of Rhûn, as you know, is surrounded by mountains. Several thousand men are stationed in those mountains; their job is to protect the crystal. No outsiders are welcome. The dangerous part of this journey will be slipping past them—unnoticed. The penalty of getting caught is death.'

'But,' Gwyn frowned, 'the thing I don't understand is: how does anyone know if the soldiers protecting the crystal are trustworthy? I mean, they all have access to it, don't they?'

'True,' Aragorn said, 'but each soldier swore an oath of loyalty to the Valar. Any betrayer will be killed the instant he removes the crystal.'

'Not much incentive for one of them to steal it, then, hmm?' Gwyn laughed.

'Not much at all,' Aragorn agreed, laughing as well.

They fell to silence. Gwyn hesitated for a moment, then asked, 'If we are caught, how will they kill us?'

'Either by sword or by hanging,' Aragorn guessed, shrugging. 'There could be torture.'

Gwyn rolled her eyes. 'Well, thank you. I feel safe now,' she drawled sarcastically, but there was a deep worry in her eyes as her hand rested protectively on her stomach.

'Gwyn, wake up, we need to get moving,' Aragorn said, shaking his daughter awake at five the next morning.

She groaned. 'Just five minutes,' she groaned. 'Please...' She pulled the covers over her head.

'Sorry,' said Aragorn, 'but we need to start now. The sooner we finish this, the sooner we get home.' He pulled the covers off of her.

She sat up grudgingly, shivering in the October air. 'You...are...so...cruel...' she muttered, and in the tiny rays of disappearing moonlight, Aragorn saw slivers of her face.

'Gwyn!' he exclaimed. 'You're as pale as death! What's wrong?'

'Nothing...' Gwyn groaned. 'I was just up half the night throwing up...'

Aragorn frowned. 'Maybe it was not such a good idea to have you come along,' he said. 'Perhaps you should—'

'No!' Gwyn said sharply. 'I'm not going back. Being home would not change the way I'm feeling. It's just symptoms of pregnancy, that's all.'

'Are you sure?'

'Positive.'

'Alright...'

'Great,' Gwyn said quickly, grabbing her covers and lying down, 'now that we have that settled, I'm going back to sleep.'

'Oh no, you don't,' Aragorn said, tugging the covers back. 'Get up.'

Gwyn groaned. 'Fine, fine.' She actually succeeded in standing up this time, but her eyes were still closed. She opened them slowly. 'Daddy,' she groaned, 'it's still dark out...'

Aragorn raised his eyebrows in amusement. 'According to you, Gwyn,' he said, 'you rose at this time very often to watch the sunrise with Legolas.'

Gwyn blushed. 'I—how did you—?'

A little sheepishly, Aragorn knelt down and took off his pack. He rummaged around in it a bit and pulled out a royal blue book. 'On the day that you told me you were getting married to Legolas, you dropped this,' he said. 'I—I've been meaning to return it to you—'

'For twenty-eight years?' Gwyn interjected, raising an eyebrow and sitting down cross-legged next to her father.

'Well—I had put it in my desk drawer,' Aragorn covered, 'and I found it not too long ago.'

Gwyn thought a moment. 'But the question of how you knew about Legolas and the sunrises still remains unanswered.'

Aragorn did not respond...Gwyn nodded slowly. 'You read it, didn't you?' she said softly.

When Aragorn nodded, Gwyn sighed. 'Then you already knew, didn't you?' she asked, her voice slightly higher pitched than normal.

'Knew what?' said Aragorn, not comprehending her.

'Knew that I loved you!' Gwyn cried, as though it were the most obvious thing in Middle-Earth. 'I must have written it fifty times over each time I tried to tell you and failed!'

Aragorn shook his head. 'No, Gwyn,' he said, 'I never got that far.'

'Well, how far did you get?'

'Up to the point where Boromir discovered the romance between you and Legolas.' As an uncomfortable silence settled between them, he handed the journal to his daughter.

Gwyn blew out a breath.

'Gwyn, I'm—' Aragorn began.

'It's alright,' Gwyn interrupted, smiling. 'I would have done the same ting if it had been Laurelle or Ani or Estel...especially Laurelle,' she added after a brief pause.

Aragorn laughed. 'Now you know how it feels to have a daughter like you.' He looked at her gently. 'She takes after her father in appearance, but after her mother in personality.'

Gwyn blushed a little.

'But, you know,' Aragorn continued, 'she does have your eyes: a sapphire blue with a glint that always means mischief.'

Gwyn laughed. 'She certainly does have a love for mischief, doesn't she? And she gets Ani to do a lot of her dirty work. She is rather bossy with him.' She looked at her father. 'I wasn't bossy when I was little, was I?'

'No,' Aragorn said, 'you weren't bossy, but you certainly were demanding.'

Gwyn laughed. 'Let's go,' she said, standing. 'Talking about my family makes me miss them. Let's get this over with.'

In about a week, they reached the mountains surrounding the Sea of Rhûn. They were tall and cascading, jagged and forbidding, glorious and dark. It was here that they sent their horses back.

Gwyn swallowed hard as they took their first step into the maze of mountains. 'We must be very quiet,' Aragorn whispered. 'Quiet and careful. Otherwise, we will be caught.'

The moment he said this, a hand covered Gwyn's mouth, while another held her arms behind her back tightly. She gave a muffled scream as the same thing happened to her father. 'Trespassers,' said a low, deep voice. 'Take them to Tebius.'

'Yes, sir,' two other voices growled; one in Gwyn's ear and the other not far to her right.

Gwyn knew that it would be no use to struggle, so she relaxed her body and allowed herself to be pushed roughly through the dark passages. She tried to catch her father's eye, but her captor had her head tightly held in place.

After five minutes of stumbling through the darkness, they saw a light ahead. They passed through the light and onto rich green grass in the sun. Gwyn looked up to the most beautiful sight she had ever seen: a thick ring of grass surrounding a smaller ring of sand...which encircled a sea of the purest blue water. Above them, the sky was a robin's-egg blue, without a single trace of a cloud.

'Icor,' a voice said right behind Gwyn, 'I have a woman here.'

Gwyn noticed that his grip on her was slightly loosened.

'Valar!' exclaimed the first man who had spoken. 'So it is a woman! Release her, but watch her closely.'

Gwyn looked at her father as she was released, silently asking for instructions. He gave her a look that said "just do what they say". She nodded silently, but demanded, 'Where are we going?'

The man called Icor bowed to her. 'We are taking you to our commander: Tebius. He will question you and deal your punishment. We apologize for any inconvenience to you, m'lady.' He took her hand to kiss it, but Gwyn pulled it back. He raised his eyebrows slightly, but did no more. He took them to a very well-to-do looking house right up against one of the mountains and knocked on the wooden door.

'Who is it?' a silky voice called out.

'It is Icor,' Icor answered, 'and with me I have Russag and two prisoners, one of which is a lady.'

Immediately, the door swung open, and a tall, broad-shouldered man stepped out. He had long, silky black hair and cold black eyes. His face was fine featured, and Gwyn supposed he would have been handsome without the many white scars on his face. He looked coldly at Aragorn, but bowed low to Gwyn. 'M'lady,' he said, his tone slippery, 'I do hope that my men have not hurt you.'

'I'm fine,' Gwyn said coolly.

'For that I am glad,' said Tebius, and he reached out to take her hand to kiss it. She pulled back. Tebius gave a small, amused smile. The smile faded when he turned to Aragorn. 'And who are you?' he asked coldly.

'I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn,' Aragorn answered, 'King of Gondor. And the lady is my daughter, Gwyn Undómiel.'

'Are you?' said Tebius, turning to Gwyn.

'Yes,' she said shortly.

'Undómiel,' repeated Tebius. 'Then you must be daughter of the Lady Arwen Undómiel.'

Gwyn nodded.

'And your beauty is such of hers.' Tebius reached out and touched her neck with his soft fingers.

Gwyn stiffened.

'Release the king and take him inside,' Tebius said to Icor. 'I would like to speak to the lady alone.'

As Russag led Aragorn inside, Gwyn caught Icor's eye. She widened her eyes in a plead; she did not feel safe alone with this man; even if they were outside. He sensed her discomfort and remained outside.

'I said alone,' Tebius growled to him.

'That would not be proper, my lord,' Icor responded.

'It's proper if I say it's proper,' Tebius snapped. 'Now go.'

Icor sent Gwyn an apologetic glance and went inside, but she noticed some movement by the curtains and felt a little safer.

'So,' said Tebius to Gwyn, his tone softer, 'what brings you and your father here?'

Gwyn remained silent. All she could think was, 'Oh, Valar, why can't Legolas be here?'

'Why do you not speak?' Tebius reached out and touched her neck again. Gwyn took a step away from him.

'I ask that you refrain from touching me, my lord,' she said coldly.

'And why is that, m'lady?' asked Tebius, not heeding her request.

'Because I am a married woman,' Gwyn said, her voice rising.

'Ah,' said Tebius drawing his hand back, 'a straight one. Well, in that case, I shall heed you...if you answer all that I want to know.'

Gwyn nodded. 'Very well,' she said.

'Why are you and your father here?' was Tebius' first question.

'We have come to return the crystal,' Gwyn replied, fulfilling her end of the bargain. 'Two weeks ago, my father was in Gondor when a young man stumbled in, bearing the crystal. My father journeyed to my home in Eryn Lasgalen, where he requested that I accompany him to return it to it's rightful home.'

'Eryn Lasgalen?' repeated Tebius. 'That's interesting. Why do you live there? You are no elf.'

'Not in appearance,' Gwyn said.

'I beg your pardon?'

'My father is mortal; my mother was immortal. I had the choice to be mortal or immortal. When I met my husband, I chose to be immortal.'

'And who is your husband?'

'King Legolas Greenleaf.'

Tebius raised his eyebrows and gave a low whistle, his eyes surveying her. 'What a catch he made,' he said softly.

Gwyn glared at him. 'I must ask you not to speak of me in that manner,' she said coldly. 'And I ask that this interview be over.'

'Very well,' said Tebius. 'I have finished questioning you anyway. I will now give you two choices: you could either forget your husband and be with me...or you and your dear father could reside in the dungeon till I release you.'

Gwyn spat at his feet. 'You're despicable,' she snapped.

'I take it you choose the dungeon, then,' said Tebius, his tone cold. 'Icor!' he called. 'Take the lady and the king to the dungeon!'

Okay! Wow, that's the longest chap I've ever written on this one! Hope you enjoyed it! I enjoyed writing it!