Chapter 12: Answers

Rachel was leery, she wasn't sure that she wanted Legolas to be able to know everything that he wanted to know about her.

"You may decline a question if you do not wish to answer it."

"I guess… I start. Let me think… what is it like being a prince?"

"Have we not discussed this before?"

Yes, but I want specifics."

"Alright. Being Prince is… very demanding. I must go to every ball and be present at every political discussion. People expect me to be pulled together all of the time whether I am or not I have to act like I am. There is a lot of pressure to do everything correctly. It is nearly impossible to have fun but I manage… Many elven maidens wish they were you because I am a prince. Many elves envy me. What they do not realize is that I too, in turn, envy them."

"I never quite though of it like that."

"It is my turn now. What is your family like?" he questioned.

"My family… well, I'm the only child. My parents seem to fight a lot but they always work it out. My grandpa died when I was eight and my grandma when I was nine. My other grandparents live in… well, they live on the other side of our land. It would take a very long time to ride there. It would be like traveling from Forlindon to Mordor. They have also deemed us sort of… unnecessary." She stopped after that, hoping he didn't ask for more about her grandparents.

"I am so sorry… I…" Legolas stuttered after a moment of silence.

"No, it's fine. You get used to it after a while."

"That is something that no one should have to get used to."

"I am sure that it happens here also. But, on to a different subject… tell me about your family," Rachel requested.

"You would know my father if you had gone to meet him. He is strict but a good father and a great king. He is kind when he needs to be. I'm the oldest so I am Crown Prince. Next oldest is my brother Gilethil, then the youngest is Solvanna, my sister." Legolas smiled when he mentioned Solvanna, it seemed that she was precious to him.

"And your mother?"

His smile disappeared, the shine left his eyes and they started glistening as the sunlight hit the unshed tears. "I think…" he took a deep breath. "I think that it is time that we return home."

The trip was silent on the way back. Legolas was contemplating how to best explain the "mother situation" while Rachel felt horrible for messing up the nice date that he had prepared.

Linwë found Rachel in her room sitting cross-legged on her bed staring at the cold stone wall. "How did it go?" Linwë questioned. Her only answer was a very unenthusiastic "Great." She decided that Rachel didn't feel like explaining so left her friend to her own thoughts.

A runner caught Legolas on the way back to his rooms and told him that there was a visitor waiting for him in his father's study.

The man was bent in half in the chair, his grey cloak strewn over the arm. He commanded attention.

"Gandalf!" Legolas cried happily. "You're here!"

"Yes, my friend. Now, what is it that you need my help with? Why was I called here in such a hurry?"

"'Tis not an emergency. I had not meant it to be portrayed as such. I apologize."

"It makes no difference, but why was I summoned?"

"This is difficult to explain. About a year ago Gildor found an elf lying unconscious in the forest. She knew not where she was but she insists to everyone she trusts that she is from Earth, not Middle-earth, where there are no elves, dwarves, hobbits… only Man. She wishes to return there to her family and friends."

"You enjoy her company and wish her to be happy."

"Yes. I wish her to stay here to be with me but that is not what she desires. I thought that you might be able to find a way to help her that we have not yet been able to find."

"I shall try my best, my friend, thought I have heard of nothing like this before. In order to do anything of importance I must speak with her. In the meantime, I need rest and you, you need to fix whatever is wrong between you two."

"How long do you need?"

"Allow me one week to research and rest before I meet with… her. What is her name?"

"Rachel."

"Her name certainly fits her story then. I promise you that I shall do my best to find an answer to this very unusual problem."

"And I will do my best to convince her to stay in the short two months that I have left before my marriage to Saurëttln."

"Now I have the real reason…" Gandalf pondered.

"And you are the only one other than my father who knows. This must be kept a secret or all of my hopes are gone. Please, remember."

"Of course, of course, but did you consider telling others close to you. Your friends may be able to think of things that you have not yet tried."

A/n: Sorry it took so long again. I wrote this stuff on a bus to and from Chicago. So I'm sorry if it stinks. Ideas are appreciated as is constructive criticism. If you find mistakes… please tell me. Also, the name Saurëttln… remember it. It's important.

Gotta go now. I'll try to write a lot and quickly. And have longer chapters. Thanks y'all. No responses this time but thanks to Emiliana Keladry, Faerlain, little lady, Rayame325, and Alasse.