A/N:
Long time, no update...I know but school has kept me busy. If you must know, this chapter is twice the length of my incomplete english essay which is due this thursday! Argh! While I'm waiting for the holidays, you all are free to enjoy this chapter...as long as you review.

Thanks
-Eleniel Iluvtariel

Chapter 10.

"Aiyana! Child, why are you here?" asked a very fatherly voice. I saw King Thranduil kneeling down beside me.

"My lord, why are you here?" I asked "I did not expect to find you here" I stood up, obviously alarmed. I had forgotten that I was Aiyana. I was acting like myself again.

I received a very unexpected laugh from King Thranduil "Why the sudden politeness, child? One would think that your trip had changed you completely! Come, you must tell me about it! You also must tell my why you have come back so early." He got up from the floor as well and led me to his stallion, beside which was my own mare.

"Why?" I asked again, wanting to know why King Thranduil was at my parents' grave. Did he know them?

"I will tell you, child but you are sworn to secrecy." He stated.

I nodded, "You have my word."

"You are not to tell my son of what I will now tell you." He said, waiting for me to agree. I nodded and he continued, "You know that Legolas does not love you and yet you do not know why. I will tell you now. Legolas has given his heart to another, Ithilwen, Princess Ithilwen of Lothlorien."

"Why is he betrothed to me then? I do not love him, this you know," I said, expecting an answer from the King.

"This is all due to my foolishness, Aiyana. I wanted him to marry an Elleth from Eryn Lasgalen, not Lothlorien. It was my foolishness that did not see the love he had for her. I and Celeborn, very foolishly broke the friendly bonds of our houses and Celeborn, harsh as was, exiled Ithilwen from all the elven realms, only to return on the pain of death." The king turned to face me. I never dreamt that Thranduil, King Thranduil would think back at those times. He took it as a mistake on his part. How? What had changed him?

"Aiyana?" he asked with genuine concern. "Are you all right, child?"

"Yes, my lord but I was wondering…"

"Tell me, child. You are free to tell me of anything. This, you know."

"What if I found Ithilwen?" I asked. "You would accept her as your own daughter will you not?" This was his test.

"Aye, I would. My question is that she would never accept me as a father. I am afraid that she will never forgive me." He answered gravely. I felt terrible, standing there in front of him. But if I told him who I really was, he would not forgive me for deceiving him.

"My lord, did you at all know Ithilwen's parents?" I asked, taking a bit of a risk. I hoped he wouldn't suspect anything.

"Yes, I did. Why ask child?" he asked. I just shrugged. "Well, if you are willing to help me find Ithilwen, then you must know the truth also."

"The truth, my lord? The truth about what?" I asked, there was something missing in that…and I needed to know what.

"Ithilwen, her parents. How do I explain this? Ithilwen's mother could tell of the past of an object simply by touching it, she also had the gift of song. To the many men, except Aragorn, who knew Ithilwen think that she is dead. They think she died with her parents." He laughed, "Little do they know that both Lord Calanon and Ithilwen are very much alive."

"He is alive! How?" I asked. "I mean, I did not know. Why then is lord Calanon not with his daughter?"

"Only, so that she does not find out. Lord Calanon does not wanted Ithilwen to have the life of a common elleth without having to deal with her mother's powers. He thought it was best for him to not be in her life, for the mere sake of strengthening the child's emotions. I fear for Ithilwen now, knowing that eventually Elanor's powers will come to her. I do not want her to fade away for, she will have a great part to play in the near future which I see as dark, for us all. My son needs her."

"I see, my lord." I answered gravely. I did not like what I had heard, even after knowing that my father was still alive, I did not like it. I wanted the earth to consume me into its great depths. "I wish to take my leave now, my lord." I said, mounting my mare and riding once again, except this time, I went faster and against the wind, not with it. I rode hard; I rode to Mirkwood, where I knew there lay much of my past and some of my future.

"What business in Mirkwood, my lady?" Asked a guard at the gate. I only lowered the hood of my cloak and at once they bowed and welcomed me, asking about my journey as they took my mare from me.

"Where is Prince Legolas?" I asked, hoping they would know.

"His highness is on the guard today. We shall tell him of your arrival when he returns." They said.

"Would you please tell him that I will be in my room, resting." I requested.

"Of course, my lady" they said with a curt nod and a bow. I smiled and left, in the direction that Aiyana had told me her room was. The next room was Legolas'

I entered the room to find that it was nothing that I had thought it would be. I expected more extravagant decorations but I saw neat and plain white lace trimmed cushions on a pale green coverlet with green curtains to match. There was a small wooden table with two chairs and a dresser. On it's side was a large mirror. Simple but beautiful. I looked to the dresser to see a note. I unfolded the piece of parchment to read it

Ithilwen,

I trust this note has found you well.

Do you like your room? I left it plain. I have never been one for

overly decorated rooms. You are free to use it as you wish. I thought I

might tell you that Legolas' room is just the opposite one. Now, as you are reading

this note, go outside to the open door and step into the garden. I planted

all of those now, flowering plants, I want you to take care of them.

Most of all, take care of Legolas and present yourself well to the King.

Until our next meeting

-Aiyana.

The garden was beautiful but it had an air of sorrow. I cupped my hands and filled them with water, from the fountain in the center and them poured the water on a particularly dry plant. I wanted to keep the garden as it was, perfect.

I went back inside and drew the long green drapes so there was little or no light in the room. The fact that my father was alive began to cloud my mind with anger. The fact that I was deceiving the King and that I would be deceiving Legolas, was almost burning me. I touched the mirror; it was cool and had no just over it. I thought of my mother as I touched it. An image came to my mind. My mother sat on a chair, in front of that very mirror, with her eyes closed. Ada was behind her. "No looking," he said. She smiled. He clasped a green necklace around her neck and then asked her to open her eyes. She smiled, brighter than ever, happier than ever. I withdrew my hand from the mirror. I wished to see no more. I began to sing.

I've been walking in the mirror for so long

That I've come to believe my souls's on the other side.

I looked at my and and then the mirror, raising my fist, I smashed it, where I saw my face.

All the little pieces falling, shatter

Shards of me too sharp to put back together...

Too small to matter

But big enough to cut mt into so many little pieces...

I touched the shattered mirror's fragments, fragments of myself

And if I try to touch her

And I bleed, I bleed

And I breathe, I breathe no more...

Loosing conciousness, I fell to the floor with my bleeding wrists and hands.

"Aiyana!" said Legolas as he entered a while later, "Who did this. I don't understand" I opened my eyes to see him towering over me.

"I did" I said gravely, looking at my blood smeared wrists and soiled dress. He looked worried.

"Come, lean on me, let me take you to the healers." He said lifting me and letting me lean on him. He was so gentle with me, that I thought I would break.

"No!" I said, not wanting all of Mirkwood to think that Aiayna broke a mirror with her hands as a death wish.

Legoas only sighed. "Well then, I shall have to bandage them myself. I need to speak to you, Aiyana, of a pressing concern."

A/N:
Yes, I did use a modern day song, 'Breathe no more' but I couldn't help it...I wanted it in here. Don't ask why. I can't do anymore review replies because I've heard that we aren't allowed to anymore. For now, thank you all! You've supported me as far as 10! Meaning...Double digits! great! Fear not, you will hear from me. Well, go ahead...review! Oh and READ 'HIDE AND SEEK' IT'S ON MY ACCOUNT BUT IT'S BEEN CO-WRITTEN BY KRILLBALL6 (Jessi) don't forget to review!
Thanks

-Eleniel Iluvtariel