Disclaimer: I own none of Tolkien's creations and only lay claim to my own humble creatures.

Chapter Quote: "And you have looked far better, dear maiden."

Chapter Thirty-Three

... Until Proven Guilty

Aragorn was waiting for him at the door. The human had shed most of his bandages and there was a renewed vigor in his being. Legolas blinked in surprise.

"Lady Araviniel gave me a vial." The King of Gondor explained. "A healing potion made from the star-flowers."

There was a certain stiffness to him to be sure, but Aragorn looked much better then he had the day before. He held the vial up for Legolas' inspection.

"Most of it is gone, I used it on the wounded." He said. "But there is enough for one more."

Legolas eyes widened and his anger at his father's lecture evaporated as he realized that Aragorn was referring to Victoria. He nodded sharply in the direction of the dungeons. "Let us go... quickly!"

Aragorn cast a concerned glance in his friend's face and laid a comforting hand on the elf prince's shoulder. "All will be well, my friend."

But it wasn't well... and he could only nod as Aragorn squeezed his shoulder. The latter smiled ruefully- snowflakes falling into his dark brown hair. "However, there are many questions that you owe me the answers to."

Legolas acknowledged this comment with a brief glance- then started for the dungeons with a quickness to his step. But it was cold as he descended... and he knew that his people would not give Victoria up without a fight.

She was at my side... waiting for me to wake up. But even in my semi-conscious state I burned with shame and I dreaded our meeting. But I knew I couldn't avoid her forever... so I opened my eyes. I gasped as pain filtered into my consciousness and I heard her voice speaking softly to me in her own tongue, calming me. I breathed heavily, trying to ease my pain away as my body screamed in agony.

"I have been waiting for you for a long time, Victoria." She said, brushing her fingertips over my arm as I weakly turned to her.

The dungeons, as I fully knew myself to be, stank with fear, pain, and deception. I remembered it all too well. My eyes and throat burned and tears came unintentionally to my eyes as I gazed at her serene countenance. She had not changed- my best friend's face seemed frozen in time. But there was a new look in her eyes, formerly alight with life and happiness; they now held a darkness... a bleakness that I had never seen before. I wondered if I had changed to her... did my face differ now from that young girl from a million life-times ago?

"I... I am so sorry." I whispered hoarsely, feeling bile rise in my throat. "So-" I coughed... the burning intensified and I breathed heavily in hopes of a breath of sweet air- but receiving none that satisfied.

"Shh..." She whispered, smiling sadly. "I know Victoria... I know."

But how could she know? How could she even bear to look at me when I was responsible for her brother's death? I felt no hatred for the elves anymore... only a sharp ache that burned like a festering wound. Maybe they were right... maybe it really had been all my fault. How could you ever forgive me? I wondered, but unable to speak the words aloud. She opened her mouth to speak when suddenly we heard voices outside.

I knew he was there before the door creaked open and the guard let him in. And he met my gaze... and we stared. Then Araviniel was no longer holding my hand as he moved towards me.

She looked so weak lying still there on the cot... defeated. The rebelliousness had long since faded from her eyes, and his heart broke for her. He quenched the anger he had still harbored in his heart against his father's stubbornness and he crossed the floor to her, eyes locked onto her own. She managed a small smile as he knelt and took her hand, her chest raggedly rising and falling.

"Hey." She said weakly, squeezing his hand. "You look so grim, fair prince."

He smiled... a smile he could have made only for her. "And you have looked far better, dear maiden."

They were silent for a moment- neither knowing what to say.

"Your trial is tomorrow... at dawn."

"You elves always were so efficient." She closed her eyes, relaxing against the cot. "I just want it to be over... you know?"

Legolas caressed her face... no... he didn't know. Couldn't even imagine facing what she did now. But he loved listening to her voice... to the strange way that she talked. He knew she needed him now, more then ever. And that was enough. "It will end." He said to her.

She sighed. "Yes," She agreed. "it will end."

Remembering that Aragorn was still standing by the door, Legolas turned and gestured to him, saying softly to her. "I have something for you." Aragorn handed him the vial wordlessly and, removing the crystal top, Legolas made to bring it to her lips.

"A quack elven concoction?" She joked before drinking- but her whole body stiffened as Legolas tipped the clear liquid into her mouth. She jerked violently, coughing up the stuff and gasping for air with widened eyes. Aragorn was immediately at her wide, speaking quietly to her and urging her breathing to regulate. Legolas was momentarily too stunned to speak as Aragorn played the part of the healer he was so famous for. But with a hurried movement he quickly mopped up the precious liquid with a cloth to administer it again.

Victoria only shook her head, still gasping. "I will never drink of that foul substance." She spluttered, gagging as Aragorn worked to soothe her. "So many...dead...dead...all of them..."She sat up slightly, wincing as she put unintended pressure on her injured shoulder. Aragorn laid her back down, drawing back the folds of her bandages to view the wound and then frowning.

"They were killed for that vial... and I will die before ever I use it."

She was sobbing hysterically now, brown locks damp with tears as she shook with gasps. Aragorn administered some fresh bandages to the wound, frowning all the while, with deft hands that spoke of years of experience. He moved slightly backward, and stole a glance at his friend who quickly moved closer to Victoria's side.

In a fluid movement, Legolas gathered Victoria as gently as he could into his arms and rocked her back and forth on the cot, quieting her tears until at last, she fell silent. No one spoke and no sound could be heard besides that of Victoria's soft sniffling and Legolas' whispered murmurings.

He looked up at Aragorn, not knowing what he could do to comfort her and his friend nodded grimly and said, "We will talk later." Then, touching Araviniel lightly on her arm, he escorted her out.

They were alone... and the dungeons were quiet.

"I am sorry." She said, muscles tightening and he realized she would accept no help from him to ease the pain of her own guilt. "I am so sorry."

He didn't say anything, just spoke quietly to her in a tongue he knew she would not understand until she fell silent.

"I was afraid of you, Legolas." She said when her cries had stopped. He rested his chin on her head, took her hand into his own. "I was afraid of loving you... from the start. And when I realized I had... I thought... maybe... that you would go away. That I'd wake up and find that none of it had ever happened." She winced and then shuddered, he held her closer.

"What do you fear now?" He whispered softly to her, pressing her hand to his chest, laying it where his heart beat. She titled her head up to look at him through clouded eyes, searching his own grey depths.

"That if I close my eyes... you'll be gone... that I'd never find you again. And that I will have only dreamed of ever having met you."

Her hand fell from his in a fist and tears welled up in her eyes. He smiled bravely, for her, and ran his fingers through her long, dark hair. "You never have to be afraid... I will always be with you."

She gazing, she breathed deeply. "If I closed my eyes..." She asked hesitantly. "Would you kiss me?"

He blinked once, and then lowered his head. He sought her lips gently- pressing his mouth lightly to hers. He could taste her sorrow...and her fears... he could feel the rapid beating of her heart.

"I love you." He whispered fiercely as they broke apart. She buried her face in his chest... and she cried.

The trial was today... and the sun rose slowly that morning. Not that I could feel it... I was buried too deeply under hundreds of feet of rock to feel that last comfort. But I did awaken in Legolas' arms- and it gave me an extra spark in my will for the coming day. I breathed deeply, letting myself drift on the borders of consciousness as I listened to the rhythmic beating of his heart.

He was fully awake and aware before I was, and he caressed my face to awaken me. I felt so warm, lying up against him. But I knew that I couldn't delay reality much longer anyway. I lifted my head slightly off his chest and I looked up at him- slightly disoriented.

"Hey." I said, breathing slowly.

He half-smiled, planted a gentle kiss on my lips. The motion sent tingles down my spine and I sighed contentedly. If the circumstances had been different, I would have begged to wake up like this every morning- minus the prison cot, various wounds, and accommodations in the dungeon of course. We were alone- blissfully alone. And I savored each moment knowing it could very well be out last together.

"Sleep well?" He asked me and I murmured my consent sleepily. "I would have offered you the finest beds in my kingdom had we met under different circumstances. Unfortunately, I never could persuade my father to get proper beds for the dungeons." He joked. I smiled at his attempt at humor.

"What? You mean if I hadn't taken you as my prisoner? That would have just been boring." I closed my eyes again and relaxed as he held me closer, being careful not to jar my wounded shoulder. He rested his chin on my head and I heard him sigh.

"Something like that." He replied.

I wondered when they would come for me... wondered when the trial would begin... but those thoughts seemed hazy as I fought to grasp them. I gave up easily as I felt him run his fingers up and down my arm.

"Do you feel any better?"

I chuckled softly. "Despite the feeling of being chewed on by a warg...none the worse for wear."

The both of us fell silent for a few minutes- listening to each other breathe.

"Will you be all right?" He asked at last. I knew he was talking about the trial without mentioning it specifically.

"I'll manage."

"They will not let me be with you... I will have to sit with my father." He sounded irritated and I weakly slid my hand into his own. His skin felt warm and he tightened his grip.

"Your father must have done something right to have created so wonderful a son."

I could hear the footsteps too on the stairs, silencing Legolas' reply. He tensened as the door creaked open on old hinges, emitting two warriors. They almost looked handsome, dressed in full Mirkwood ceremonial garb. But I wasn't feeling too kindly dispositioned towards them being as they were here either to take myself, or Legolas away. They saluted him respectfully and one stepped forward, carefully avoiding my questioning gaze.

"King Thranduil requests that you make your presence known in the grand hall, my prince." They cast lingering glances in my direction- but said nothing more.

"I will come... give me a moment."

The warriors saluted and closed the door. We were alone again.

"I have to go." He said, sliding gently out from under me and laying me back gently against the rough cushions.

I looked up at him and I smiled sadly. "I know." I didn't deserve someone like him... not after everything that I had done. He placed a hand on my forehead, then on my cheek.

"You are feverish... I will send someone down to change your bandages."

"Don't worry about me." I said.

His gaze softened, and I allowed my smile to broaden. "Who knows." I said. "I'm innocent until proven guilty."

He half-smiled ruefully and brushed a stray lock of my hair away from my eyes. "It will be fine." He said firmly, he kissed my forehead and then straightened. His eyes- so clear and hopeful - stared directly into mine, as if to instill in me that hope his still harbored. I would hope... if only for him. I slipped my hand over his own that lingered still on my cheek.

"I love you." I said, knowing full well that this might be the last time we were together if the trial didn't go well.

Legolas murmured something in elvish- something I couldn't quite hear. Then he turned to the door... and then he paused. "I almost forgot." He said, pulling something out of a pocket in his tunic. He was wearing a dark, hunter green- nearly black. His hair, combed and braided, lay like strands of gold on his shoulders. His grey eyes were beacons of fire. Good lord... how I loved him. He faced me once more. "I sorted through what was left of your bag." He held out his hand, in which I recognized a letter and I blinked- unsure what it meant.

"You never opened it." He continued. He pressed the old parchment into my hand and met my inquiring gaze. "You might want to read it now."

The memory flashed in my mind- the letter from Mirlaic. Had I forgotten it? "Thank you." I whispered, clutching the letter to my heart.

I never heard him go out. After a while of silence, I slowly brought the letter up to my face and pushed myself slightly upright on the cot. I stared at the simple words on the front, my name -in her hand. It was when I looked up that I realized he was gone.

But the memory of his kisses, his caresses, lingered still on my skin. Mirlaic... what would she have thought of me now? I winced when I remembered out last time together- but I didn't cry. All my tears were spent, wasted amongst the snow.

With my back to the wall, I turned the letter over with my good arm, broke the seal, and let the parchment rest on my thigh- my heart thundering in my chest. I breathed deeply as the parchment crinkled- and I began to read.

My Dearest Victoria,

You are gone- long gone now. Hopefully far from the battle that is yet to begin. My hopes rest in you now... that you will live on after me. Yet... how I wish I could have spoken such words to you while I kissed your cheeks and held you safe in my arms. I was a coward, Victoria, and instead the words fell frozen from my lips. I will never even know if you get this letter- but I shall not fear. I have accepted that writing it was all I could do now. But do not be afraid, for even this darkness must have an end.

The village is quiet, all are waiting for the attack and the children are asleep here, in this house, and I am their keeper. Not a word is whispered nor a fire lit. So I have taken pen in hand with the hope that one day, you will read these words, and somehow take heart from them.

I ached with loneliness for years after Tatharion passed. I cursed the Valar... that they could have ever taken him from me and nothing anyone said or did could ease the pain of his passing. But then the ranger brought you to me... it seems like only yesterday. And suddenly, you had filled an emptiness in my heart that had threatened to consume me. I loved you as my own and I could almost feel Tatharion smiling at me. You grew in years- and you made me strong.

Darkness lies ahead of you, and at time you will not know if you possess the strength to defeat it. My own darkness is here... in this village. Yet since I found you, my own little candle against my darkness flickers yet. You will be tired... and at times it may feel as though the burden is too much to bear. Take courage, dear one. Your heart with find a home, and when your golden light shines through once more- you will have the strength to face the dawn.

The village is stirring now- it is time that I leave you. But know that I love you, Victoria, and I always shall. My ship is coming to the harbor and soon I shall be with Tatharion again.

I love you, dearest child.

Yours Always,

Mirlaic

Was this how one healed? By letting the pain glide away? Then maybe it was better to forget. Maybe it was better to move on.

Forgetting, sometimes, is the only thing that makes the pain go away.

(Ch. 23)

A/N: And here is the latest chapter. I was going to put the trail in here but I figured this chapter was long enough. So next week's chapter is the trial...dun dun dun... :) Trust me, this story isn't over yet. :) In other news, I made a nifty desktop wallpaper for SIMA which can be found on the website. won't let me post the link in this chapter, but the website link is on my author's bio if anyone is interested.

That's all for now, and thanks a million to everyone for reading and reviewing:) And thanks to my beta, Kiann. :)

TO BE CONTINUED...