A/N: Anytime is the right time for elf-smut, I always say.. You'll see what I mean... Thank you once again loyal readers for your reviews and kind words. Please keep those reviews coming! You don't know how much they make my day!

Gillel stared back and forth between the king and the prince, both of which were still standing at the table waiting for the other to speak. Orlindel entered the Throne Room and walked over to the table. "What is going on here?" he asked the group.

Gillel answered, saying, "My lord, Linnah collapsed during the invasion of our borders, but I have everything under control and I am sure she will recover completely."

Thranduil cleared his throat and said calmly to Legolas, "Obviously, we need to talk about this. I think we should sit down again and start from the beginning."

Legolas nodded his head in agreement, but said, "I would agree with you father, but I must first see to Linnah."

"But Legolas, I think you ought to know..."

Legolas placed his hand over his heart. "I promise I will explain everything when I return, father."

"Oh come now, cousin. I'm sure the little handmaiden is fine. Gillel said he had it under control," said Orlindel with a wave of his hand.

Legolas turned his eyes in Orlindel's direction and gave him a hard look. Then his gaze softened and he asked, "Is Elessa here?"

Orlindel sighed and said, "Yes. She was brought to the Healing Rooms. Tuor is preparing her for burial."

Legolas nodded solemnly and turned back to the king. "When will you announce her passing?"

"At this evenings banquet...Legolas, if it is your wish to check on Linnah, so be it. But if what I think is true, time grows short and there is much to discuss."

Noting the seriousness in his father's voice, Legolas replied, "I promise you, I will return quickly." Then looking at Gillel, he asked, "Where is she?"

"She is resting in her room, your Highness." Legolas looked at his father once more anxiously awaiting to be dismissed.

Thranduil nodded his approval and watched his son rush immediately from the room. The king then turned to Gillel and asked, "Does she know?"

"Yes, your Highness. Though, she does not know why."

"When Legolas returns, his questions will outweigh mine. Send for Meena and tell her to bring the note."

"Yes, your Highness," said Gillel as he bowed and left the room.

Orlindel watched this interaction with a curious look on his face. This was certainly surprising information, but he would not question his uncle on the matter. He would wait patiently to see how things developed. "So Legolas was more than just slightly interested in Linnah all this time? Had he taken her to his bed yet?" wondered Orlindel to himself. "And what was this about Meena and a note?"

The king turned to Orlindel and said, "I am deeply sorry for your loss, Orlindel. Elessa will be sorely missed. I have first hand knowledge of losing a mate and can understand the grief you must be feeling." He walked over to his nephew and placed a hand gently on his shoulder. "Why don't you take some time off from your duties?"

Orlindel stiffened his back and said resolutely, "No, I do not find that necessary, thank you Uncle. I feel I would be better off if I could continue with my duties. I need something else then grief to focus on right now."

"As you wish, Orlindel. But if you don't mind, could you please at least change out of those soiled clothes while we wait for Legolas to return? The smell of orc blood is permeating the room."

Orlindel and he stood and bowed to the king. "Of course, Uncle. I will return at once."

Those who were standing in the Great Hall, looked on in surprise as the prince ran by them at full speed and in the direction of the servants' quarters. Everyone in the hall -- royalty as well as the servants, had been speaking about the orcs' attack and tried to guess at what it meant. A few also already knew of Linnah's condition, though they did not know the details and they had to wonder if this was somehow connected as they watched the prince fly by. News of Lady Elessa's death had yet to reach their ears.

Legolas reached Linnah's modest chambers in a matter of moments. Without stopping to knock, he burst into the room, calling in an urgent voice, "Linnah!"

Upon the prince's impassioned entry, Adriel looked at Selihl and smiled, saying softly, "Selihl, I believe you are wrong."

Linnah let out a cry of relief at seeing the prince safe and was overcome with emotion again. Selihl and Adriel excused themselves and left the chambers at once. They closed the door behind them, though neither Linnah nor Legolas paid any attention to their departure. Legolas took Selihl's place at Linnah's side and immediately pulled her up into his arms. He held her to himself tightly. She was exhausted and her body laid against him, heavy and limp. It made his heart ache for her. He decided this was not the right time to inform her about Elessa.

"I am here now Linnah. Forgive me for not making sure someone was with you before I left. I allowed myself too eagerly called to battle. What happened, my sweet lady? Please, tell me what has happened."

Linnah took a moment to soak in the warmth of his strong body. Her eyes were squeezed tightly shut as she clung to him desperately. After a moment she smelled the foul smell on his tunic. Linnah opened her eyes and finally noticed the dark orc blood drying there near her face. "Oh!" she said in surprise and pulled away from him.

Legolas looked down at his clothes and immediately moved away from her. Standing, he said, "Ai! Forgive me Linnah, I did not think about my clothing." He removed his vest and tunic, letting them drop to the floor. Then he sat down on the bed again, only clothed now from the waist down.

Linnah noticed a small wound on his arm and looking up into his handsome face, a few scratches on his cheek. "You are injured," she stated worriedly, pointing to his arm.

"It's nothing to be concerned about," he said lifting his hand to gently stroke her face and hair. Then with a forced smile he added, "You should see the orc who delivered it."

Linnah could not help but smile at this.

"Ah, there is a smile," he said brightly. "And I can not help but kiss it." He took her face in his hands and kissed her lips gently. As she sank against him once again, he enfolded her into his arms securely. Legolas continued to kiss her face and forehead softly.

In her head, Linnah heard his voice say tenderly, "My Lady, my dearest Linnah you have no idea how I needed your smile right now."

Legolas pulled away from her only because his need to know the circumstances surrounding her collapse burned away at him. "Now start from when I left you and tell me everything that has happened."

Linnah nodded and said, "When you left, I did not know where to go or what to do. I wanted more than anything to go with you and help somehow, but that was not to be." She looked down at her hands, "So I went to your chambers instead...To feel closer to you."

The prince lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. "It's alright that you did, Linnah. As I told you before, you may go there anytime."

Linnah nodded and continued, "I started to sing and the visions appeared like they always do. But something happened...something that has never happened before. It was terrible...," Linnah's voice trailed off as she thought again of the maiden's urgent message and then of the man. The way his handsome face twisted into that hideous grimace...She squeezed her eyes shut and covered her mouth to stifle the cry that came again into her throat.

"Shhh, easy now," said Legolas, wrapping his arms about her once again. "Go on Linnah," he prodded gently. "You are safe here with me now and I will let no harm come to you, I promise."

Linnah laid her head against his bare chest and taking courage from the warmth and strength of his body said, "The maiden. I have never see her face clearly in my visions, for she always has it resting on shoulder of her partner. This time she looked up at me. And I do not mean in my direction, I mean she looked straight at me. As she did this, she spoke to me. She said that I must go quickly, that I am in danger and he is coming for me."

"Do you know of whom she was speaking?" asked Legolas worriedly.

"No, I don't think so. But it was strange...I have no idea who this couple is, but yet she knew me. She called me by name."

"Now that you have seen her face fully, do you recall any remembrance of it?"

"No, but in voice, she seemed somehow familiar. I have long pondered if these were my parents...but it can not be!"

"Why do you say so?"

"Because of what happened next..." Linnah took a deep breath and sat up to look fully into the prince's eyes. "Just before the vision faded and immediately after the maiden spoke to me, the man grabbed her throat and started to choke her. The look on his face became something evil and terrible."

Legolas knitted his brows thoughtfully. This was disturbing news, given the cryptic message from the orc. "Did the man ever look at you, Linnah?"

"I honestly don't know. I was fleeing your chambers by then." Legolas tried to hide his concern from her, but she could see it. "Do you understand any of this?" Linnah asked.

"Linnah, if you are strong enough, I want you to accompany me to the throne room."

"The throne room!" said Linnah, her eyes wide. This was not a place she ever went and certainly not with the prince of the castle. Was she supposed to hide her affection for him? And if so, she was sure she would be too nervous to succeed.

"Do not worry, Linnah. I believe the king will accept your presence there. In fact, I think many questions are to be answered in that room. Questions that both you and I deserve the answers to."

"But, what of us? How should I hide my feelings for you from the king?" asked Linnah, worried.

Legolas shook his head smiling and leaned over to once again kiss her. He pulled away only slightly so that he could look deep into her eyes and said, "It doesn't matter anymore Linnah, for I will not hide my feelings for you from the king." He looked away briefly as he said softly, "I know only to well the painful consequences of hidden desire." He looked back at Linnah earnestly and said, "So when I return to my father's presence I am going to proclaim to him and anyone standing within earshot...that I love you. Now and for the rest of my days."

Linnah blinked a few times in shock and then asked, "What...what did you just say?"

Legolas smiled broadly and then taking her hands in his said, "I love you Linnah. I heard that you were in distress and it ripped my soul apart. It became clear to me then; you are as dear to me as the very air I breath. Linnah, you are my heart."

Linnah almost couldn't believe her pointed ears. His words were like a blinding light. All the fear and exhaustion left her and she threw her arms around the prince's neck, showering his face with kisses. She whispered over and over as she kissed him, "Legolas, I love you."

The prince was still weak with emotion himself and as he felt himself becoming aroused by hearing her soft voice speak his name and feeling her even softer lips upon his skin, he allowed it to happen. He needed it to happen. He needed to feel her, be part of her. It helped to heal the grief inside him. But then Legolas thought of the sense of urgency in his father's voice to return.

"Linnah," he said softly. She ignored him and continued to kiss his face and neck. "Linnah, I'm afraid we have to go to the throne room this very moment." She couldn't stop herself if she wanted to, her mouth was moving over his neck and nibbling at his ears.

He moaned slightly, torn between his duty and his need. He then said, "Linnah, you are making this very difficult for me."

She smiled behind her kisses and continued on to kiss his neck and now his bare shoulders. Legolas put his hands on her arms and half-heartedly tried to push her away from him, but she quickly moved lower and started to move her mouth over his chest.

"Ahhh, Linnah," he moaned. "Please, you have to stop. The king is waiting."

Linnah ignored him and after quickly loosening the ties at the top of his leggings, slipped her hand inside and brought out his hardness.

"Linnah, please there is no time...," and then the prince could say no more. Linnah had slid him deep into her wet mouth and he was lost to all but her. Legolas moaned loudly and placed his hands on her head and enmeshed his fingers in her dark reddish-brown hair.

"Oh Linnah, yes," he cried out as she moved her mouth and hands up and down the length of him.

Linnah knew that Legolas's words were true and that the king was indeed waiting for them, so she made her movements deliberate. She was determined to not leave her room without first giving him pleasure. She needed this as much as he.

His moans were reward enough for her hard work as she continued to manipulate him up and down. Very soon his hips started to thrust forward in rhythm with her movements.

"Linnah...I am close...oh, do not stop...ahhh yes, like that." Legolas had his eyes closed tightly as her mouth and hands brought him quickly to completion. "Aye Linnah, yes!" he cried out, exploding into her mouth.

Finally, he looked down at her. She was smiling wickedly up at him. With a grin on his face, he said, "Linnah, what am I going to do with you? I fear I have created a monster." At this, Linnah just kept smiling, but licked her lips suggestively. He leaned over and kissed her whispering, "Thank you." Then, still grinning, he stood and placed himself back inside his leggings. Extending a hand to her he said, "Come my love, we really must go."

Linnah stood and straightened her dress. She watched him as he bent over to pick up his discarded vest and tunic. He looked at them with disgust and said, "I will have to burn these. The smell never fully comes out in the washing."

"Then will you have your audience with the king half naked?" asked Linnah teasingly.

"I have a feeling you would like that, wouldn't you! You know my sweet one? If I had known that my expression of deeper feelings would bring out this behavior in you, I would have waited until after our audience with the king." He chuckled lightly. "No, I am not entering the throne room like this. I will go first quickly to fetch some fresh clothes and meet you there."

"What?" asked Linnah, her nerves showing themselves again. "I can not come with you?"

"Linnah, if I brought you with me to my chambers, my father would probably be forced to send out a search party for us," he answered smiling.

When she did not return his smile, his face became serious and he placed his hands tenderly on her cheeks saying, "There is nothing to be afraid of. Remember that I will be passing through the doors of the throne room with you. Whatever discoveries are to be made inside that room, nothing will change my feelings for you. Take strength in that. It is all you need to know."

Legolas turned to leave her room. As he opened the door, he looked back at her and said, "Oh wait. There is one more thing you need to know. Make no mistake, I will be thanking you properly later for the little gift you just surprised me with." He winked at her.

Linnah blushed as she watched him leave the room. She decided to freshen up and change into a nicer dress and out of her servant clothes for her audience with the king.