Mirial lowered her bow as she heard the cry of her victim. She heard the Queens cries and the Steward shouting for help. With a shake of her head Mirial banished all feelings of guilt and vaulted from the tree she was perched in, she pulled the hood of her cloak up and walked into the shadowy undergrowth of the Queens garden. Stopping a few feet away to quickly attach a note to a tall sapling.

Raumo waited patiently on the other side of the wall. The big black beast barely twitched as she leapt into the saddle. Mirial secured her bow and quiver, settling more comfortably in her seat, she patted the horses black neck. He stamped a fore hoof, tired of standing still, with a chuckle Mirial snapped the reigns. Raumo took off in a trot, ears flicking back and forth.


The big Clydesdale looked bored as she tied him into the stable. When she turned to get his feed sack he nudged her with his big nose. Off balance as she was, Mirial fell forward into the grain. Raumo whickered and tossed his head, the assassin sat up. Shaking her head she couldn't help but grin at his antics.

"You know, you're supposed to be scary right?" she asked as she handed him a carrot. He blew carrot chunks in her face in reply, with a sigh Mirial fed her horse and headed for the inn.


Arwen looked up from her book as someone knocked on the door. She grinned beautifully as Legolas peeked his head in.

He approached the grand bed with a smile of his own, and pulled a rose from behind his back.

"How do you fare my lady?" he asked, looking around the room for the King. When he saw no sign of his friend he looked back at Arwen in question. Arwen sighed and sat the rose on the nightstand.

"He is with the Steward looking for some trace of my attacker. He did not sleep much last night I gather?"

Legolas shook his head, recalling the dark mood that had taken the King.

"Can you blame him for being concerned Arwen? You were shot" he said softly, sitting next to her.

"A fact I am well aware of, thank you. I am not allowed to move from this bed. Which has its benefits, as I now have the King as a personal servant." She added mischievously. Legolas laughed at her expression and patted her hand reassuringly.

"Worry not M'lady, you will soon have your independence back I am sure. Speaking of Estel getting some sleep. Lord Faramir asked me to come request that you make his Lordship get some rest this eve."

Arwen raised a dark eyebrow,

"Did he now. Has my Estel been a little short of temper?"

Legolas snickered softly

"Short of temper would be putting it lightly." He giggled and stood from her side.

"I fear I must take my leave of you, though you are probably glad to return to your book. Gimli and I are to search the Queens Gardens. Again."

Arwen smiled gently and nodded her head

"My dear Prince your company is always welcome. I hope you will visit me again."

Legolas bowed and quickly left the room. Arwen seemed fine, that is if you didn't know her that well. Legolas had seen the fear and pain in her eyes, and he silently vowed to make those responsible pay in a most painful manner.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts he started for Gimli's room.


"What exactly are we looking for?"

Gimli asked grumpily as he followed Legolas through the trees.

"A clue as to who attacked the Queen" he answered distractedly, digging through the brush. Gimli grunted behind him and knelt next to the Prince to see what he was pawing at.

"Horse tracks" the archer mused "large horse tracks."

He heard a whisper of movement behind him and turned to look. His senses were warning him of danger. Standing up, he peered through the gloom under the trees. Gimli still studying the print hadn't noticed.

"Gimli did you hear anything?" he asked over his shoulder and reaching for the hilt of his dagger.

"Are you jumping at shadows now lad?" Gimli chuckled "It was probably just a squirrel."

Nodding his head Legolas turned back to the track in the dirt. He looked up at the bush above the print and grabbed a piece of black horse hair from amongst the leaves.

"A large black horse" he said twirling the hair between his fingers.

"Come Gimli, we'll go tell Aragorn what we've found."


Mirial breathed a sigh of relief as the Elf and Dwarf passed beneath the branch she was perched on. Silently she cursed herself for getting so close and not taking the Elf's head.

"Next time" she hissed, watching the archer stop just inside the doorway and take one last look around before disappearing inside. Mirial waited a few seconds before dropping silently to the ground. With a growl she moved back into the brush, she would return to her room at the inn. She would prepare to exact her revenge.

"Tonight, little Prince, tonight we will finally meet. For the first and last time."