Legolas was now seated once again in the throne room of Thranduil, next to Aragorn. His mere presence there explained that Linnah had finally awoken. Orlindel had refused to attend the meeting and the king had not pushed the issue. Aeron, the Captain of the Guard had been summoned and was sitting at the table with them.

"There is no doubt that Gollum's treachery not only alerted the orcs to his presence here, but Linnah's presence as well," explained Legolas to Aeron.

Aragorn sat back in his chair and sighed thoughtfully. "I fear involvement in the threat that hangs over all of Middle Earth is now unavoidable," said Aragorn gravely to the king and his son.

"It would seem so," said Thranduil wearily. "I would seek your council concerning this matter, Aragorn. As it is inevitable that Mirkwood will be the target of the Dark Lord's aggression, what time do you think we have?"

"I fear not long, your Highness...a season at the most. Though I was unaware of any increased activity in Dol Guldur previously, now that their master's eye is fixed on you, the forces in that fortress will be increasing swiftly."

"We will be ready for them," stated the king firmly.

"I am sending more archers and elven rangers to the Southern Border as we speak," said Aeron to the group. "They will cross the mountain range and flank the Forest Road."

"There is one other thing, Sire," added Aragorn, his eyebrows knitted together in worry. "There is word that Dol Guldur holds more than just orcs."

"Oh? Tell me more of this."

"I fear I know no more than that, your Highness," said Aragorn, bowing his head slightly. "But I have a feeling that there is dark and vile magic at work there."

The king sighed deeply and turned his eyes to his son. "Are you sure that there is no more to be learned from Gollum?"

"I am sure."

The four were silent, deep in their own thoughts until, "There is another matter to speak of here," said Legolas gravely.

Aragorn, Thranduil and Aeron looked up at the prince.

"Linnah is not safe here."

"Of course she is safe here! Nothing would get close enough to harm her in this castle," said the king firmly.

"It is not the orcs that worry me, father," replied Legolas. "You saw what happened to her. The very mention of the necromancer's name cast a dark spell upon her soul. If he was to come within our borders, I fear the curse that he could lay upon her."

"What do you suggest?" asked Aragorn.

"She needs to leave our realm. Though it pains me deeply to say it, she must go as far away from Mirkwood as possible."

"And where do you propose that she go?" asked Gillel suddenly from the back of the room.

"Gillel?" said the king taken aback by the forwardness of his servant.

"I apologize for my outburst your Highness," said Gillel in a strong voice. "But I can not stand here, idle and silent, while you four decide Linnah's fate. I am more than just her senior. I consider myself much more like...a father to her. If a decision is to be made about her, then I must do more then just bare witness. This decision must include me and I will have it no other way."

The king was stunned silent. He stared for a moment at his long-time trusted servant and then did something that he had never done in his thousand plus years. Thranduil motioned for a servant to sit at his table.

Gillel bowed deeply to the king and pulling out a chair, sat down at the table.

After much discussion, they decided that Forlindon would be the wisest choice. Not only was it as far from Mirkwood as you could possibly get without leaving Middle Earth, but it was also where her people lived. She would be safest there. Now the only problem was getting her there. Linnah had never been far beyond the gates of the castle and was not at all trained in surviving outside its walls.

Aeron had his duties with the king's army and Legolas was needed home to defend his people and to fulfill his duties of overseeing Gollum, though he wrestled with the idea of escorting her himself.

"I can feel your inner torment, my son," said Thranduil. "If your presence was not so greatly needed here, I would give you leave, but as it is..." He let his voice trail off as he made a motion with his hand.

"I will take her," said Aragorn then. The others met his steady gaze. "I will take her and promise that I will protect her with my life." He looked at Legolas. "Believe me friend, I know what she means to you and I will let no harm come to her."

Legolas smiled at the ranger and clasped his hand on Aragorn's shoulder saying, "Thank you Aragorn, I will be deeply indebted to you for this kindness. If for need of it, my bow will always sing by your side. I know in your keeping, Linnah will be safe...and this knowledge will make the wound of her leaving a little easier to bear."

As Aragorn looked at the Elven prince he noticed the tears in his eyes. "No bond will be owed to me. Protect your people, Legolas, as I will protect your love. If it is the will of the Valar and Eru, we shall meet again and I will bring good word to you of Linnah's health and well being."

Through his tears, Legolas smiled at the ranger and said,"Let us hope then that it will be Their will."