Meena was just leaving her room, when the prince met up with her in the hall. As soon as she saw him, she quickly hid one of her hands behind her back. And then noticing he was wearing only leggings and boots, she immediately downcast her eyes.

Legolas smiled at her. "Meena, how are you?" he asked lightly.

"I am fine your Highness," she replied still looking at the floor.

The prince lifted his hand to show her the tunic and vest. "I am taking these to be burned. Orc blood has tainted them."

"I see your Highness," said Meena, though she kept her eyes averted.

Legolas noticed that Meena had something hidden behind her back. "What do you have there?" asked the prince.

"Oh, nothing my lord," she answered quickly.

"Come now, Meena. You know I can not let you leave my side without first satisfying my curiosity," said Legolas, oozing charm.

Meena sighed as she knew this to be true. She looked up at the prince and met his eyes. "The king requested that I bring this note to the throne room," she said showing him the small folded parchment that she held in her hand. "It contains words of great importance. I assume that his Majesty wishes the contents of this parchment to be revealed there, in his presence."

Legolas pondered this for a moment. Finally he said, "As I enjoy giving surprises but hate receiving them, I would like to see the note now, Meena."

"As you wish, my Lord," answered Meena, curtsying and offering him the note. Even as she did this, she knew it was a mistake.

Legolas took the note and opening it slowly, he read:

Your Majesty King Thranduil,

I beg your help. Long has it been since we journeyed out of the West together. You founded your kingdom in the North and I found myself at peace in Ithilien. Though it has been almost an age since we last parted, I would call upon your friendship in my most desperate hour. I am not long to live on this earth. I was succumbed to the temptation of a human that I once loved, but who deceived me greatly. This mortal is not as he appears. His affection toward me was a front for gaining knowledge of Ithilien's weaknesses, prior to its attach from Mordor. He is wholly evil, a descendant of the Numenoreans who followed The Dark Lord. He called himself Kazimir, but his true name is Qadir. The infant that lays inside this basket is the product of our union. She needs your protection and must be hidden from her father at all cost. I know that she will bring nothing but happiness into your kingdom, as she has brought only joy into mine.

Please watch over her and when she is grown, let it be known to her the truth of her being in your care. Tell her that I loved her. Tell her how sorry I am for the burden she will carry. Help her to understand that at the time of her creation, there was felt a deep love between myself and the man I once knew. I have given her the name Linnah, as her people, my people, once hailed from Forlindon, beyond the Grey Havens. I will have no way in which to repay you for your generosity, except to say that you may find this child of some use to you and therefore able to earn her keeping.

May Eru and the Valar smile upon you for your kindness,

Lalwende

Legolas looked up at Meena with shock and hurt plainly visible on his handsome face. He could say nothing at that moment, only looking back and forth from the note to the cook's worried face.

Meena wished he had waited until the meeting with the king and now she feared the king's anger for her giving the prince the note. She put out her hand and the prince handed her back the note slowly, still in shock.

"You've had this all this time and did not tell Linnah?" asked Legolas finally. "When were you going to tell her?" Before Meena could answer, the prince realizing suddenly said, "Wait a moment! You said that my father requested you to bring this note to the throne room."

Meena nodded slowly. "Oh no," she thought.

"Then he knew the truth as well and never told me!" said the prince angrily. "How could he keep something like this from me? From her?" He looked away in thought for a moment, his mind whirling, "The 'She' that the orc spoke of was Linnah. Linnah's in grave danger here...I must speak with my father...No, I must hide Linnah first. But what of her mother?" He looked back at Meena and asking softly, worry for the answer he already anticipated written on his face, "Where is Linnah's mother, Meena?"

"My Lord?" asked Meena, taken aback by the question.

"Where is Linnah's mother?" he repeated again softly, though pleading with his eyes.

"She is in the garden," answered Meena, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Who is in the garden?" came a voice from behind them. Both Meena and Legolas turned to face Linnah.