I hope you enjoy this chapter. Let me know, and as always thanks for the reviews.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with Lord of the Rings. It all belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien and the movie producers. I only own Amaris

Note: Dialouge in bold is spoken in Elvish.

Number 58: Fading

Three weeks have past since the ball celebrating the engagement and return of Legolas. Amaris was becoming very anxious for the ceremony and doubt suddenly started to seep its way into her thoughts. Amaris sat in her room as the sun began to set just thinking how she wished that Lord Elrond, Arwen, Aragorn, and everyone else could have been there for the ceremony. She sighed and then suddenly felt something from Legolas' connection with her. It was something she experienced first hand from him but this time it was not directed towards her. Something told her to go and find out what was happening. She stood up from her chair and made her way out of her room and across the hall to Legolas' room. The door was cracked open slightly and she heard movement in the room. Amaris opened the door quietly and stepped inside but what met her eyes, her heart was not prepared for. Legolas laid on his bed with only his leggings on and his arms around an elleth with gold hair kissing her and touching her intimately. She took a sharp breath and raised her hand to her mouth. Legolas heard her and looked in her direction. He furrowed his brow as he looked at her. Amaris just shook her head in disbelief and lowered her hand. "Legolas, how could . . . why would . . . I-" Amaris couldn't finish her sentence as tears fell fast from her eyes. She ran into her room grabbed her pack and weapons and ran from the palace.

Legolas quickly rose from the bed confusion clearly on his face. He looked on the bed and did not see what he expected to see. He tied his leggings and slid on his boots, shaking his head. "Where are you going Legolas?" Marlaria asked as she covered her bare chest with the sheet of Legolas' bed. Legolas glared at her.

"I am going to find my wife," Legolas said his voice dangerously low. "You tricked me Marlaria. What kind of magic did you use to get me to believe that you were Amaris?" He slid on his tunic and went for the door when Marlaria sat up and smiled at him.

"She is not your wife, Legolas. It appears as though she no longer wants that position. Why don't you come back to bed with me?" Legolas stopped before he exited and turned and looked at her.

"I will never be in a bed with you and she is my wife. We are bound and because of you she may die." Legolas paused and stepped closer to the bed. "If anything happens to her Marlaria, I will be certain you pay for it with your life." Marlaria's eyes went wide and Legolas went into the hall. A guard was walking down and Legolas called out to him. The guard walked over and bowed to Legolas. "There is someone in my room who is not welcome. When she emerges from the room, take her to the dungeons and hold her until I return. Do not let her out until I give the order." The guard nodded his head and stood outside Legolas' door waiting for the elf to emerge. Legolas went into Amaris' room to find it empty and her weapons gone. Fear clenched his heart and he ran out of the palace and to the stables. The elf that ran the stables came up to the prince as soon as he saw him.

"Your highness, how can I help you?" the ellon asked.

"Have you seen Lady Amaris?" Legolas asked quickly and the ellon nodded.

"Yes, your highness. She took her horse about ten minutes ago. She said that if you were to come looking for her to tell you just that. She said nothing else, your highness," the ellon said. Legolas lowered his head and tried to reach her through their link but she had blocked him out completely, he could not even feel her emotions and that scared him.

"Ready my horse. I must first speak with my father." The ellon nodded and Legolas ran back inside. He barged into his father's study without knocking causing the king to stand and look at Legolas angrily.

"Legolas! What is the meaning of this?" King Thranduil exclaimed.

"Amaris is gone!" Legolas yelled back at his father. King Thranduil furrowed his brow.

"What do you mean she is gone?"

"Marlaria tricked me with some sort of magic. She had me thinking she was Amaris and well, we started to become intimate," Legolas paused and King Thranduil looked shocked. "Amaris walked in and saw it. I do not know where she went. Her weapons and pack are gone as well as her horse. The ellon at the stable told me she left but she did not say where to." Legolas felt like his heart was breaking. He had lost her and he did not know if he would ever get her back. King Thranduil walked over to his son and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Where is the most likely place she could go?" Legolas shook his head and looked up at his father with tears in his eyes.

"I do not know." Legolas thought for a moment and remembered that he had pointed out the road to Imladris on their journey to Mirkwood. He looked up at his father. "She may have gone to Imladris. I showed her the road there on our way home. That must be where she went." Legolas turned and ran towards the door. "I will be riding to find her father. I must." King Thranduil nodded.

"Find her, my son, and make things right." Legolas nodded and ran outside and quickly mounted Arod and sat out down the rode to Rivendell and to find Amaris.

-

Amaris rode hard for a day and half. She was almost to Rivendell and she felt Legolas trying to reach her but she refused to let him in. She only stopped to water her horse and to get a drink herself. Amaris was coming near the border when a horse was approaching her fast from behind. She urged Marisal on faster but the horse behind her just continued to gain on her. Marisal was just too tired to continue and started to slow. The other rider pulled up beside her when Marisal slowed down and Amaris looked at them, tears falling from her eyes. It was Glorfindel and she was happy to see him. She stopped Marisal and he stopped his horse and looked at her. "Lord Glorfindel, I must see my father. It is very important," Amaris said to him. Glorfindel looked at her and furrowed his brow. She looked like she had been traveling for a long time, and the gown she wore was not suitable for travel but it did not look like she had taken the time to leave. Tears flowed from her eyes that pleaded with him. He nodded his head.

"Of course Lady Amaris. You are nearly there, ride quickly," Glorfindel said concern written on his face. Amaris gave him a weak smile and nodded before she urged Marisal on and into Rivendell. She arrived in the city and dismounted quickly. She ran up the stairs and into Lord Elrond's study. He sat at his desk looking out over the city when she burst through the door. Lord Elrond stood and looked at her. When his eyes fell on her, his heart nearly broke, and he ran to her and took her into his arms. Amaris wrapped her arms around him tightly and sobbed into his robes.

"Amaris, what is it? Why are you here?" Lord Elrond asked as he held her while she cried. "Tell me, what is it?" Amaris looked up at him and into his grey eyes.

"Ada, Legolas, h-h-he was with someone else in, in his bed," Amaris said and Lord Elrond's eyes went wide. Amaris sobbed some more into his chest as he ran his hand over the back of her head. After a moment, Amaris felt light headed. She quieted her crying and looked up at him. "Ada, I don't feel well." Lord Elrond looked at her concerned and felt her hands and forehead. Fear played across his face.

"Amaris, we need to get you changed and into bed. Quickly now, come." Lord Elrond led her from his study and down the corridors to her former chambers. As they walked Tari spotted them and ran quickly over to them.

"Milord, do you need assistance?" Tari asked. Lord Elrond nodded and Tari helped him get Amaris into her room and laid down on her bed.

"Tari, I need a night dress for Amaris, quickly please." Tari faltered at the name of the elleth and looked down at her. It was her friend but she was an elf. However, there was no time to ask questions, just by looking at her Tari could tell she was fading and suddenly fear leaked into Tari's heart at the thought of losing her friend.

-

Legolas had watched her ride. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't seem to catch up with her. He saw her disappear into the city and quickly made after her. Glorfindel didn't bother to stop him so he continued on his way. He dismounted Arod to find Marisal standing near the stables. He ran inside and found Tari, Amaris' friend, running carrying a batch of herbs down the hall. He grabbed her arm and she nearly jumped from her skin. "Tari, where is Lord Elrond?" Legolas asked her. Tari glared at him and jerked free. She continued down the hall without even uttering a word to him. He stood confused and decided to follow her. She went into the chambers that used to be Amaris' and his heart filled with hope that he would find her there. He went inside and stopped when his eyes found Amaris' form lying on the bed, looking dull and nearly lifeless. Legolas ran to her and stood on the other side of the bed opposite of Lord Elrond and Tari.

Legolas watched as Tari placed the herbs into the bowl of water and soaked a cloth in the now fragrant water. She handed the cloth to Lord Elrond who placed it on Amaris' forehead but she remained motionless to his actions. Lord Elrond looked up at Legolas with tears in his eyes.

"Why did you do it?" Lord Elrond asked as he stood from the bed. "Why did you bring another elleth to your bed, when you are bound to your match? When you are bound to my daughter!" Lord Elrond exclaimed. Legolas just shook his head.

"Lord Elrond, there is more to be said. Marlaria, the elleth in question, used some sort of magic on me. I thought that she was Amaris. Nothing happened between her and I other than kissing and touching. When Amaris walked in it broke whatever spell she had over me. I swear to you on pain of death Lord Elrond that I did not know I had another in my bed. I thought is was Amaris," Legolas couldn't continue. His voice cracking with emotion and pain. Lord Elrond looked at the young prince. Legolas kneeled next to the bed and took Amaris' cold hand into his, raising it to his lips and kissing it before laying his forehead against it. Tears flowed freely from his eyes as he sat there. "I rode after her but no matter how hard I rode; I could not get to her." Legolas looked up at Lord Elrond with the streaks of silver tears down his cheeks. Lord Elrond believed him but he knew not how he could get Amaris to hear Legolas' words and come back to the light and not fade.

"She is fading Legolas," Lord Elrond said quietly. Suddenly there was a sound of skirts moving by the door and a quiet gasp. All three looked to the door to see a healthy Arwen standing there. She quickly walked into the room and looked at Lord Elrond.

"Ada, what is happening?" Arwen asked. Lord Elrond shook his head and relayed the same to her as he just did Legolas. Arwen shook her head. "No. Legolas you must try to reach her. Ada tells me of your bond. Use your link and tell her the truth. Bring her back to us!" Arwen exclaimed. Legolas looked at her and sighed.

"She has blocked me from her. I could not reach her before," Legolas said as he looked back at his love and another tear escaped his eye. Lord Elrond shook his head.

"She is too weak to hold up the block, Legolas. You should be able to reach her," Lord Elrond said. Legolas nodded his head and grasped her hand tighter and began to open the line of communication with her and hopefully bring her back to him.