Legolas climbed the stairway to his chambers. His heart was torn with relief and sadness. It had been decided that Linnah would leave in two weeks time, as she needed as much time as could be afforded to recover her strength. Waiting any longer would push their journey into the winter season and waiting until after the frost was unthinkable. The Dark Lord was coming for her and there was not a moment extra to spare. Preparations needed to be made for her and Aragorn's journey. Legolas now had the extremely unpleasant task of informing his beloved that she had to leave the only home she had ever known and that he was going to stay behind. He entered his chambers to find Linnah sitting up in his bed, propped up on his many pillows.

Meena was sitting at Linnah's side, holding her hand. Adriel had pulled over the small stool from the bathing room and was seated upon it next the bed. The three were talking softly, but ceased when Legolas entered. Both Meena and Adriel bowed their heads to the prince, strange smiles filling their faces, but their eyes were shining with tears. They had been talking about Lady Elessa and how lovely her statue was. Then Meena had quickly changed the subject to the prince, when Linnah started to ask about the details surrounding the lady's death.

Linnah looked up at the prince and smiled faintly. Legolas returned her smile, his worry for the moment put at ease. Everything within him demanded he rush to her side immediately, but he held himself back as the Healer was present and he was not in the mood to explain himself.

Tuor was standing over the prince's desk collecting up several small vials and placing them inside his large pouch. When he noticed Legolas enter, he immediately stopped what he was doing, bowed slightly and motioned the prince to come nearer.

"I have done all I can. It has been many years since I have seen this kind of dark magic. In one so young, I am surprised she had the strength to contain it without it diminishing her."

"Will there be any lasting damage?"

"I don't believe there will be, my Lord. She has rested solidly these last three days and though I have to request that she be relieved of her duties for at least a month, she should be encouraged to take part in normal daily routines."

Legolas asked silently, "But how soon can she travel?"

"Travel?" Tuor was taken aback by the prince's question, but voiced his question in mind-speak as well.

Legolas explained, "It is for her own safety that travel is required. Otherwise, I would not even ask."

"How far are we speaking?"

"Forlindon."

Shocked to hear this, the Healer responded, "Your highness, I would greatly advise against travel of any kind for at least a month. As far as a distance such as Forlindon, this I would not recommend attempting for a season at the very least."

"I am afraid we do not have that kind of time," Legolas said softly, looking across the room at Linnah, who was distracted in conversation with her friend and Meena. When he looked back at the Healer, his eyes were wrought with sadness. "Based upon the strength she has shown, will she survive the trip if it is started in two weeks time?"

The Healer sighed deeply and said, "If there is no other option available to her, then it is possible she could survive the trip. Though, it would be against my counsel and if there were any way in which to extend her departure..."

"Believe me," said Legolas placing his hand on the older elf's shoulders and looking at him steadily. "If there were time, I would never let her leave."

Tuor knitted his brows and then nodded in understanding. He bowed his head to the prince and said, "I will check in on her tomorrow morning, as usual." He handed the prince a large vial of golden liquid, saying, "If it is needed."

"Thank you. I appreciate your counsel and all you have done."

Tuor bowed once again. He went to Linnah and lightly touched her arm, saying, "Rest and recover your strength. I will return again tomorrow morning to check on you." Linnah nodded her head slightly. Tuor then left the prince's chambers.

Legolas walked over to the bed and trying to be as optimistic as possible for Linnah's sake, said, "It is good to see you awake and alert, Linnah." Then addressing to the two others said, "I thank you for staying with her in my absence once again."

"Of course, my lord," said Meena, bowing her head. "We care for Linnah greatly..."

Then Adriel added, slightly under her breath, "though apparently not as much as you do, your highness." She smiled slyly at him as she raised her head to face him.

"What has my little maiden been telling you?" asked Legolas lightheartedly, raising an eyebrow in Linnah's direction.

Linnah laughed softly. "I have told them nothing. It seems you were the one to reveal your feelings for me."

Thinking of his words to them four days prior, he said, "Aye, I did. Didn't I? Well, though I am not rushed at this moment, my short words of explanation would be no different. I just hope more has not been mentioned while I was detained elsewhere."

"Nothing, my Lord," said Adriel innocently, but the prince could tell she was lying.

He narrowed his eyes a bit and pursing his lips, looked at her until she blushed and turned her face away from him.

"Nothing, hmmm?" he asked.

Adriel and Meena quickly excused themselves. "Since you have returned your highness, we will depart," said Meena.

Adriel asked, "Linnah, hopefully you may be strong enough to join us at the evening meal tonight?"

"If she is, she will dine at my side," interjected Legolas.

"Join the royals?" said Linnah, a little shocked by the thought. "Though I would like that very much, I do not have anything appropriate to wear, nor do I believe I should attempt to sit at the king's table."

"You will dine where I dine," stated Legolas, kindly. "And if I sit at the king's table, then that is where you shall sit."

Before Linnah could protest, Meena said smiling, "It's settled then. I will return later with something that I think will be suitable for you to wear, just in case."

"I see that I will have little choice in the matter," said Linnah, looking at Legolas. She was smiling, but her eyes were full of worry.

Legolas replied with a caring smile.

Then Linnah turned her attention back to Meena. "Meena before you go, I need to tell you that I can never thank you enough for all that you have done for me. Caring for me as a mother and never treating me differently because of my past or that I am not fully elf kind...I must have worried you sick."

Meena took Linnah's hand in hers and said, "How could I not do right by you, dearest? You have never disappointed me. You have thanked me enough by allowing me to see you smile once again." She then gently smoothed Linnah's hair back and kissed her forehead. "Now, rest my dear."

Meena and Adriel left the chambers, leaving Linnah alone with her prince.