Hey all! Here's the enxt chapter. There are only a few chapters left after this one, I'm afraid. On with the story!

After Avarier left, I thought my world would crumble all over again. And for a little while, it did. I do believe that I locked myself in my talan for two days without coming out once. I refused to eat anything or to speak to anyone. But hunger drove me out of my room and to the kitchen. Galadriel was wise enough to tell my friends to give me space. After collecting some food, I returned to my room, which is where I am now. Sitting on the window-sill, I chew on a piece of bread thoughtfully. I heard the others discussing when they would leave for their respective homes. And from what I heard, they'd be leaving soon.

Now I have to decide where I'll live and what I'll do. I can't go to Gondor. Avarier is there and I'm not ready. I can't stay here because the lord and lady are leaving for the Gray Havens. I have to choose between Rivendell and Rohan. Seeing as how I'm not familiar with Rohan, I suppose I'll go to Rivendell with Hodoer and Astaider. Letting out a sigh, I finish the rest of my bread and slide off of the window-sill. I sniff at my clothing and grimace. Not bathing in three days makes someone smell not-too-pleasant. I quickly bathe and change into a pale green dress. I don't bother to brush my short hair and leave my talan.

I make my way down to the area where my friends are staying, and find them gathered in the center of the clearing. They look up at the sound of my approach and I offer a slight smile. "Hey," I greet. Astaider is in front of me in a flash, hugging me tightly. Smiling warmly, I hug her back. When she pulls away, Hodoer hugs me, followed by Legolas. When the hugging is over, I cross my arms over my chest. "I'm going to go to Rivendell with you two," I say, looking at the two she-elves. Their eyes brighten considerably. "Oh Siren, I'm so happy! You'll be so happy in Imladris!" I smile a bit and shrug.

"How are you?"

I look over at Legolas and shrug again. "I'm not doing very well," I answer honestly. "But I'll be fine. I just need a little time." He nods and offers a sympathetic smile. "So, when are we leaving?" I ask, changing the subject. "We wanted to leave as soon as possible. We've been away from our homes for too long, and I have much to do," the elf prince answers. I nod in understanding. "Of course. Why don't we leave tomorrow?" Legolas blinks. "I didn't think we'd leave that soon." I fidget and pick at my dress. "I just want to get to Rivendell." I want to get away from this place. As beautiful as it is, it holds too much sorrow for me. "Olos will be traveling with us, though. Elrond wants to punish him for his crimes."

My blood boils at the mention of that bastard's name, but I keep myself calm. "Well, I can hardly wait. The sooner that asshole gets what he deserves, the better. Speaking of which, where is he?" Astaider points toward where some guards are conjugating. "In the prison. Haldir himself is watching him." I cock an eyebrow. Haldir's watching him? Goodie. "Right. Well, I want to have a talk with him before we leave," I say and start walking toward the prison. Legolas grabs my arm and stops me.

"What do you think you're doing?"

I yank my arm out of his grasp. "After what he put me through, I deserve to talk to him."

Turning around, I walk to the prison. The elves guarding it regard me with solemn faces. "I'm sorry my lady, but none are permitted inside." I put my hands on my hips and glare at them. "You have no idea what he did to me. I won't hurt him, I just want to talk to him." The guard to my left shakes his head. "That's not possible." Frowning, I stomp my foot and shout, "Haldir!" The tall, blonde elf appears moments later and looks down at me. "Yes?" I purse my lips and look past him. "I want to speak with Olos. You can chaperone if you want, but this is something I need to do." Haldir studies me appraisingly, then nods curtly. "I'll keep watch."

I follow him into a tunnel and through a series of twists and turns. We finally arrive to a place dimly lit with torches and lined with cells. In the very last cell is Olos. He's leaning against the back wall, sulking. Smirking, I leave Haldir's side and sit down in front of the cell. I see the light of the torches reflected in his eyes as they narrow hatefully. "You," he mutters. I grin and nod. "Yup. Me." His lip curls in disgust. "What do you want, bitch?" Why do people think that term offends me?

I wanted to know who you really are

I needed the chance to stitch up my scars

I'm closer to you than I was in the start

Come dive right in and tear me apart

"Well, I came to talk." He stares at me for a moment, then smiles coldly and crosses his arms over his chest. "The boy left, didn't he?" I feel my heart clench in response, and try to keep my face from showing it. But he must have seen it, because his smile widens. "Ah, he finally got tired of you. Took him long enough." I clench my fists and fight to keep my voice calm. "It was a mutual descision." Olos nods. "Right. Whatever you have to tell yourself to sleep at night." How can he be so cruel?

"Why do you hate me so much?" I ask. Olos rolls his eyes. "Didn't we cover this topic already? You got me banished from Gondor and humiliated me, you stupid git." I shake my head. "That's not enough to make you hate me this much. It's not enough to make you follow me into my world and do the things you did. So come on Olos, tell the truth. Why do you hate me?"

I'm trapped

And we can't get along

I thought that I was strong

We are so unstable

Olos is in front of me in an instant, hands gripping the bars. I see the pain etched on his lovely face, and I'm taken aback. "It's not just you that I hate, darling. It's humanity in general." I frown in confusion. "What? Why?" Olos closes his eyes and rests his forehead against the bars. "My father faught in the Last Alliance. You humans needed help and so he went to war. He never came back," Olos whispers. My eyes widen and I feel a pang of sympathy for him. "Did he...?" The elf sighs heavily. "He must have. I haven't seen him in centuries. And we left on such bad terms..."

Unable to stop myself, I reach a hand to him and place it on his. "I'm sorry," I say. I let out a gasp as he suddenly grabs my wrist, eyes blazing furiously. "It's all your fault! If you humans hadn't needed help, my father would still be here! Humanity took my father away!" I grunt as he begins to crush the bones of my wrist. "Olos, it's not my fault! I'm not even from this world! And you father died with honor, protecting the world he loved! Protecting you! Why are you punishing me for something I couldn't help?"

I see the tears rising in his eyes and despite the pain in my wrist, I feel bad for him. "Humanity has to pay! They walk around this world and they're ruining it! They're selfish and moronic! They took my father away!" Gasping from the pain and wrap my free hand around his other and hold it. "You've put me through hell and back, Olos. You've done unspeakable things to Avarier's mother," he shuts his eyes, "but I'm sorry for your loss." His grip on my wrist loosens and I feel myself start to cry.

I wanted to learn

About the dark side of you

You bring me down

Like a bottle of pills

I hate the way

That you make me feel

I keep coming back

I never get you

"It's not my fault, Olos. It's not humanity's fault." He lets go of my wrist, but I cup his cheek. "It's not your's, either." I watch his face crumple as he begins to sob. I hold his hand with one hand and stroke his cheek with the other. "That's it, let it out. You don't need that hatred, Olos. Let it go," I soothe. "I'm never going to see my father either. And it hurts more than words can describe. And I can take the easy way out and blame it on someone. But it's no one's fault. It was an accident."

"I couldn't stand the pain. If I didn't find a way to get rid of it, I'd die," Olos chokes out. That's right, elves can die of a broken heart... "So you took it out on me and Avarier's mother." He nods, shame washing over his face. "The pain was too much!" Closing my eyes, I choke down a sob. "I know."

I'm trapped

And we can't get along

I thought that I was strong

We are so unstable

"I'm sorry," he says in a voice barely audible. "I'm sorry that you'll never see your world again. And for the things I did...my father would be disgusted. I'm so sorry. Amin heraetha." I nod. "I forgive you." Sometimes forgiveness is given not because it's deserved, but because it's needed. Olos lost his father to a war. He waited for his father for centuries. I'll only have to live a short while without my family. Olos is immortal. He'd carry this pain forever. "How can you forgive me? How can you not hate me?" I shake my head. "I don't know. Maybe because hate only destroys. It caused you nothing but pain. It caused me nothing but pain. That's what hate leads to. And I don't wanna hurt anymore."

And then

I'm strung out from your touch

But I won't give you up

We are so unstable

"I don't want to hurt anymore either," he says in a small voice. "Then let's let it go. Let's just let the anger go. Please." His green eyes look into mine and he nods. "Yes. Let's let it go. Let us be free of it." Smiling slightly, I close my eyes and lean my head against the bars. I gather every hateful emotion I've felt, every bit of anger and disgust, and I let it go. I imagine it draining from my body, and strangely enough, I can feel it. I feel lighter. Better. Opening my eyes, I smile through my tears. He returns the smile and nods.

"Lady Siren." I look up at Haldir, who's studying me with an emotionless face. I nod and look at Olos. I squeeze his hands and stand up. "Thank you," Olos says. I nod and leave with Haldir. When we walk back outside he puts a hand on my shoulder. I see a look of pride in his face and his smiles. "That was a very brave thing you did," he says. I shrug, not sure what to say. Taking a deep breath, I walk back to my talan.

You're so unstable

I'm so unstable

We're so unstable

I'm so unstable

A/N:

Hi all! That was 'Unstable' by Adema. I love that song and band! Thank you all for your reviews, I appreciate them more than I can express in words. I'm sorry that I can't reply to them all individually, but I have a graduation project to finish. See you all soon!

-Siren