A/N:
Thanks soooo much to everyone who reviewed. Hope you like this chapter. Forgive me for the mistakes, this is from a depressed author.

Eleniel Iluvtariel

Chapter 7 (All by myself…)

Just past the spring festival of the elves, the weather seemed to be unpredictable, but on that particular day, the cool breeze blew in my face as I sat up high on the branch of the tree, watching the orange sunset. Somehow, the sunset reminded me of Naneth, my birth mother. She always used to watch the sunset with me. "Never forget who you truly are, Ithilwen. Do not loose yourself in this world. Remember, we do not cry or weep. We are strong." She would say as I rested my head on her shoulder and she stroked my hair. "I won't forget. I promise." I would say. "Never compare yourself to others because, expectations are meant to fall short." She would say when I complained about how dark my hair was when I was a child.

But who was I, really? Ithilwen? Ithilwen, who? No, Naneth was wrong; I did not have to know who I was. That task was meant for others' and my task was to know others'. Everyone and everything had a purpose, I was not the one to decide my purpose, but my destiny was only mine to shape. I didn't know what to do, wandering the wood alone. It had been a year since I was exiled. The first spring passed and turned to an unduly hot summer, then came the rains, cooling the ground with their showers. The falling of the orange leaves brought about a colorful autumn, which soon turned to a white winter. The seasons passed and a year went by. Just a year in the wild had taught me how to live alone. Just one year had improved fighting skills.

Each day I would do what I did what I had done the previous day; watch the sunrise, hunt, eat, wander some distance away from where I had last been, wait for the darkness and move further on until I needed rest. Such was my life in the wild. Lonely and solitary; yet, I did not look for another to travel with. And Legolas? I would have faded a long time ago if it wasn't for my hope and faith. I knew he would find me somehow. I only waited for the day when I would wake up in my bedroll and find him sitting by my side.

All by myself,

In this darkness

All by myself,

Under moonlight,

Under starlight,

Each breath passes,

Each day steeps into night

And my life turns to glass.

I'm so alone…

And wander, I, in the wild

Not knowing my purpose.

I linger, I linger

Your heart still calls to me,

In dreams I see

You are still searching for me…but…I'm….

All by myself

In this darkness

All by myself

Under moonlight

Under Starlight

I finished singing. Being so lost in my thoughts, I did not notice the presence of another.

"It is not wise to be out alone in the wild during such times, Arwen en amin" Said a raspy voice and the sharp edge of a sword was held at my throat.

Strange…that voice sounded ever so familiar. I spun around to see a man…yes a man. He looked about 20 to 25 years of age. Yet he seemed different…wait…how did he know Elvish? The gray-blue eyes…this was, no doubt, none other than…Estel! I threw back my hood.

"Estel?"

He smiled, "Aye, my lady. You seem to know me by my elvish name. Where do hail from?"

"Estel! Have you lost your sight? It is I! I am Ithilwen! Remember me?"

"Ithilwen! Why are you here?" he asked, surprised. He sheathed his blade.

"I am exiled from the elven kingdoms of middle earth. Did you not know this? Has the news not reached Lord Elrond?" I asked.

"Perhaps it has. Alas, I only found out some months ago. I have not been in Imladris for quite a while now." He answered solemnly

"Have you been exiled too?"

'Nay, I chose to live in the wild. I felt my ancestry, a burden. I was afraid. There were other reasons as well."

"You love her. I know it." I said "You know who I am talking about, Estel. Do not act as if you do not know of who I speak." I said, thinking of Arwen.

"Yes. I do. But Ithilwen, you cannot hide the fact that you are in love with the prince of Mirkwood!" Said Estel

"How did you know? Who told you so?" How could a ranger in the wild possibly know about me being in love with Legolas?

"Why, the Prince told me himself." Replied Estel

"You…you know him?"

"We have been friends for a eight months now. I am to meet him in a few weeks from now." He said

"This is all too much for me. Does he remember me…us…?"

"He still blames himself for your banishment."

"Is…he all right?" I asked, fearing that he would have faded

"Legolas did come very close to fading but all of a sudden he turned over a new leaf and said that he would find you."

"Oh…what about king Thranduil? What of his anger?"

Estel's face grew serious "King Thranduil, like your parents for you, had someone else in mind for Legolas. He has had Legolas betrothed to Lady Aiyana of Mirkwood. But she does not Love Legolas and he does not love her."

I began to cry, "Then perhaps, it is better for them if I stay away."

"No! No, that is not what I meant. Legolas and Aiyana have been looking for you since they were betrothed. They want to help you return. It both for their good and yours." Said Estel.

So, I was supposed to save my true love and an elleth from being married? I couldn't possibly return to Lothlorien! I would be killed within the blink of an eye. I couldn't go to Mirkwood and face King Thranduil's wrath!

"All right, I need to meet Aiyana. She will be of great assistance. I also want you to not tell Legolas anything about this." I said

"You have my word, Ithilwen. Oh! I almost forgot! May I present to you Lady Aiyana of Mirkwood" said Estel as a hooded figure came up from behind us. I was left staring at her in shock when she threw back her hood. I couldn't be…

Shout outs:

Lady Anck-su-namun: He was really harsh, wasn't he? Thanks so much for the riview

HyperSquishy: I know, it's so not fair but well, things should get better for Ithilwen now.

PrincessofRain: Aw! don't cry...soon enough, we'll look at the sunny side of life.

Crecy: You can have them for a while. Celeborn and thranduil deserve the torture!

Translations:

Arwen em amin: My lady (unfamiliar)

A/N:
All right, for those of you who know of 'White Oleander' I'll tell you that Ithilwen's birth mother is slightly based on Ingrid. Ithilwen, is slightly based on Astrid.
Review!

Eleniel Iluvtariel