Disclaimer: I own nothing of Tolkien's work. I support the books and the films. I hate smut and slash. End of Story.

Chapter Thirty

Unexpected

The elf-slayer was not well. The healer frowned as he looked down at her. It was an awkward situation, even if he should heal the woman, she would most likely be sentenced to death during her trial. He had managed to slip the shoulder back into its socket, but the swelling had intensified. Now she burned with fever.

He shook his head, what to do indeed. Prince Legolas would return, he was stubborn, and the elf-slayer possessed something he greatly desired.

Aragorn sat deep in thought that night. Legolas' story had come as...not so much as a shock...but more like a swift surprise left him gasping. A brief glimpse into his friend's past.

There were too many pieces to this puzzle, too many problems left unsolved from what he had learned. It didn't matter really, he knew Legolas would return to question the ill woman. He winced as he thought of Legolas' rage, the elf-slayer, for her own sake, better have what his friend was looking for.

For Aragorn would be able to do very little to stop him.

Legolas returned every morning for two days to question Saronedhel, but both times he was awarded only by the harshness of her breathing in her unconscious state. But now he had received word that she had awaken, and he was now ready to face her again.

The trial was only two days away, but the judgement was already unanimous: death. Trial or no, Saronedhel would die for her crimes against the elves of Mirkwood and the elves of Gilloth would be avenged.

But before this elf-slayer died, she had to tell him what had happened to Faerlain.

She just had to.

The dungeon seemed colder the day before the trial. He had tried questioning both days previous to this, but she had been delirious with fever. The healer had just sent word that her fever had finally broke, and that he could now try to question her if he liked.

This was his only chance in the world to find out what had happened to Faerlain. With Aragorn walking just beside him, his face set grimly, the prince continued his train of thought as they continued through the dank dungeons. The guards stationed at the door let him pass, and the walked in to find the healer bent over the woman.

He looked up briefly at their entrance, then rose, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. "My lords." He said, bowing respectively to them both.

"How is she?" Asked Aragorn as the human and elf moved closer to the still figure laying upon the cot.

"Her fever has been reduced, but the shoulder is inflamed. I don't know how much longer she had hold out like this." The healer replied softly, glancing at the woman as he did.

Legolas stopped a few paces away, heard Aragorn speak again from behind him. "May I?"

"Of course my Lord. I have various herbs in that bag by the cot if you have need of them."

Legolas watched as Aragorn neared the bed, he pressed his hand to the woman's pale cheek and she jerked, slightly startled, from her sleep. "I am not going to hurt you." He said soothingly.

The woman's eyes widened, focusing on him for a moment, then her tensed muscles relaxed and she sighed as she laid back on the cot. Aragorn felt her forehead, frowned, then moved to undo the ties of her tunic by her shoulder. Legolas could visibly see her body tense again as Aragorn gently touched the inflamed surface. He could see Aragorn's frown deepen, he rubbed his forehead, his eyes narrowing as if trying to remember something.

And Legolas stood still, staring at the broken figure before him. It was hard to imagine that this pale, stick-like figure of a woman could have killed so many. But it nigh on an impossibility for his anger to disappear toward her either. She jerked again as Aragorn applied pressure to her shoulder, her breathing became labored and she blearily opened her eyes and met his gaze.

She blinked for a minute, focusing on his face, a look of pain flickered across her haggard features. "I thought I was dead until I saw you." She said softly.

"Where did you get the medallion?" He asked, his voice neither strained nor loud. He held her piercing gaze, her blue eyes clouded with pain. Good, let her see that he wanted those answers. Let her read that he already knew her end. Let her know that he wanted nothing else then the answers to the riddles before she met that end.

She was silent for a moment, studying him before she answered. "It meant something to you...didn't it?" She asked. She focused on the blue horse, on the medallion that rested on Legolas' chest. As a reminder that the friend he had given it to had disappeared, and this woman had had it in her possession.

"Yes." He said coldly. "It did."

There was no fire left in her now, no fresh retorts, no fights left to give. She knew. She knew what awaited her with the coming of dawn. She knew that she would die. And she was accepting it.

Her eye refocused on his face, and for a moment, he saw the swiftest pang of regret and sorrow in them before they clouded over once more. "It meant something to me too."

His anger began to flare and he fought wildly to keep it at bay. "Where did you get the medallion?" He demanded.

"I heard great things about you prince." She said softly. "I heard of great battles in distant lands. I heard of evil enemies and great victories. Great losses, and greater sorrows."

"I do not wish to riddle with you." He growled.

"I heard about the hero you had become, and how many eyes in Mirkwood looked to you with pride. While many others turned to you with contempt and disgust. Disgust that you were not here to protect your own country. For we fought our battles without you."

"It has already been determined that you were seen in Gilloth and that you slayed those elves." He continued angrily. "Tell me where and how you got this medallion so that I rest in peace with your execution on tomorrow's eve."

She looked at the medallion briefly, then once again met his gaze. She smiled sadly, the first smile he had ever seen. "I die innocent, I shall do nothing to ease your conscience of that."

He felt a hand on his shoulder, saw Aragorn. "Come, we should go." He heard the latter mutter.

It would be the last time he saw the pale woman on the cot with her fiery blue eyes.

For Legolas would not attend the trial.

The verdict was final. Death by beheading. The execution would be carried out by a company of twenty warriors on the edge of the forest. The elf-slayer of Gilloth, had startled more then stunned the citizens of Mirkwood when she had been brought before them on a white pallet. She hardly had enough strength to keep herself standing as the law required of the accused.

Saronedhel heard the door to her cell open, she saw the healer enter followed by two guards. She could read nothing from their faces, they were set in stone. They started to lift up her cot, but she refused, sitting up and rising shakily to her feet. She took a hesitant step forward, nearing collapsing as a warrior quickly assisted her to keep her upright. She gave him silent thanks only with her eyes as the two slid their arms under her shoulders and helped her to walk up the flight of steps.

She fought back a cry of pain as her inflamed shoulder was jostled against the strong back of one of the guards. And inside, she silent regretted what she was about to do.

The warriors never knew what hit them as she faked a stumble, and sent them reeling backwards, tumbling down to the cell below.

Now, do any of you have any idea what happened at the end of that last chapter? Well, you shall find out soon enough. :) This was the elf-slayer's last confrontation with Legolas, so what will happen next? Also, I wanted to note, the Gwenél (The Ghost of Mirkwood) is still a part of the story for anyone who was wondering. She will be making her appearance once more in a short period of time. :)

Thanks to Kiann for beta-ing, and thanks to XClaireX (Great to hear from you again), Auramin (I hope my above Author's Note answered your question. :)), Jedi Knight Bus (All will be well in the end. :)), Nethien, Fk306 anime lover, IwishChan, Becca, and Katie for your reviews!

TO BE CONTINUED...