A/N: Due to circumstances beyond my control, I was unable to update until now. Thank you so much for your patience. (offers cookies and chocolate)... I promise I will finish this story no matter how long it takes.
Bonnie: I have received your emails, but for some reason all my responses get bounced back to me. Please send me the best email address to try. Thanks! Now let's meet up with Linnah in the stables...
.
"Oh! Hello Linnah. I did not realize you would still be training today," said Ethas, noticing Linnah enter the stables dressed in her usual training attire.
"No. I don't think Prince Legolas or Lord Aragorn will be able to train with me today, Ethas. So I guess I will train alone."
Ethas furrowed his eyebrows and looked at Linnah worriedly. Nervously he asked, "Do you think that is wise, Linnah? I mean, I know that you have to leave soon and that you have to train every day, but there seems to be a lot of concern that something bad is going to happen. I wish I knew…I mean I don't even understand what's going on, but…aren't you afraid? I sure am."
Linnah looked at the young squire seriously and placing her hands gently on his shoulders said, "I am worried too, but I must do this."
"Okay, if you have to…are you sure you have to?"
Linnah smiled kindly and said, "Yes. I have to, Ethas. Thank you for being concerned though."
Linnah walked toward the stall that housed Lagorthelo and asked, "Will you help me saddle him?" Ethas sighed and did as she wished. When the prince's horse was ready for riding, Linnah mounted him and rode off quickly, leaving the squire to wonder and worry.
Linnah projected her thoughts to the horse and it listened and understood. She raced south, towards Dol Guldur.
Legolas finished prepping the troops and was now awaiting the arrival of his father. Just as the king arrived, an unpleasant feeling came over the prince and he excused himself without explanation. He headed back inside the castle and went to find Linnah. She had to be told of this new development and he hoped he was not too late to be the first to inform her.
He entered the Great Hall and did not see her anywhere. Legolas questioned several of the serving staff, but they had not seen Linnah. He ran up the stairway to his chambers and upon arrival, saw that it was empty. His pulse quickened when he realized that Linnah's weapons were gone. He flew out of his room and back down the stairway.
The prince quickly made his way through the Great Hall and entered the Banquet Hall. He saw Adriel just as she was about to descend the kitchen stairs. Legolas approached her with great haste, but made himself take a calming breath before he called out to stop her. As Adriel turned to face him, he asked if she had seen Linnah.
"I saw her about an hour ago, my lord, but she left soon after and I have not seen her since."
"Did you speak with her about what has happened?"
"Yes, your Highness…I told her what I knew, which isn't much." Adriel noted the worry clouding the prince's face. "I hope it is all right that I told her. Now that I think about it, I was so upset at the news; I am not sure of exactly what I said. I do remember that she seemed so calm. I guess I was too upset to take notice of it then."
The prince tried to remain calm himself and said, "No, of course it was alright that you told her, Adriel. But, please try to remember anything that she might have said to you in response to your information."
Adriel furrowed her eyebrows in concentration and said, "Well, she did ask after you and Lord Aragorn. Then she told me that we should just wait and see what his Majesty had to say and then she left."
"Did you happen see where she went?"
"Yes, my lord. She left through the servant's entrance in the kitchen."
"Did she tell you where she was going?"
"Nay, my lord. She just hugged me and left without saying anything more."
Legolas felt an unaccustomed twinge of panic, but noticing Adriel's deep concern, he maintained his composure said, "Thank you Adriel. I am sure there is nothing to worry about. Linnah is most likely just getting some air."
He left the servant's side calmly as he projected his thoughts toward Linnah. She was concentrating intently on something. She was distracted and not responding to him, but he could sense her heart beating rapidly. As soon as he was down the stairs and out of Adriel's view, he shifted his weight onto the balls of his feet and ran through the kitchen and out of the castle, taking the same path as Linnah.
Ethas's worry for Linnah increased ten-fold when the prince rushed into the stables. The squire nearly jumped out of his skin when Legolas completely lost his temper and yelled as he noticed his horse was missing.
"What is she thinking!" he screamed at the stable ceiling. "How am I supposed to protect her?" He shook his head and angrily kicked a small pile of hay, sending pieces floating about him in the air. The horses in the stable whinnied and stomped in their stalls at the sudden commotion.
Legolas turned toward the squire and Ethas immediately hunched his shoulders and closing his eyes, winced in fear. "Oh come now, Ethas!" said the prince loudly. "Ethas, look at me. I am not angry with you."
When Ethas tentatively opened one eye and peeked at the prince, Legolas had his hands on his hips and though clearly forced, a smile was on his lips. "Ethas please," began the prince somewhat calmer, "did Linnah say where she was going?"
"Um, no. Sorry, my lord. She only said that she needed to continue her training alone." The squire looked earnestly at the prince. "I swear my lord, I tried to stop her. I tried to, really. But, she was so determined."
"It's okay Ethas, I understand. Thank you," replied Legolas softly. "Did you at least happen to notice in which direction she was headed?"
"I believe south, my lord."
Legolas nodded solemnly and whispered, "I was afraid you were going to say that." When Ethas looked at him questioningly, Legolas just said, "I must go quickly. Tell no one of this." Then the prince mounted the nearest horse and galloped out of the stables.