Disclaimer: I only own my own characters, otherwise I'd be super rich by now, and earning a bomb.

Chapter 6

Last Supper

A few months later saw everyone in the fellowship preparing to leave. Aleyna was resting in the large oak in her garden for a few moments. The whole day had been a frenzy of packing, and now she was having some time to herself. She enjoyed what little time she had to herself, as it had been few and far between in the last couple of weeks. Star was sitting at the base of the tree, lying on her belly, observing her mistress.

Aleyna grew bored of sitting and jumped down from her tree. Star immediately got up before twisting around a few times and walking to Aleyna's heels. Aleyna smiled before setting off. She often went for walks on her own, most of the time others were too busy, too tired, or just didn't care about where she was. She actually found her solitary walks very rewarding, they helped her to think through her life.

She had now mostly come to terms with the idea that her parents had lied to her almost all her life. It still hurt that they hadn't thought she wouldn't be able to handle the truth, but there hadn't been any reasons given to her that she could believe in. The one that sounded most likely was the one that Elrond had said; her parents were trying to protect her. What were they trying to protect her from? So far she had seen nothing to suggest any reason why she needed to be protected.

Aleyna had given up on thinking about all the reasons why her parents lied to her, although they never ceased to plague her. She had leant to live with it, and get on with her life, she may never get her answers but that still couldn't stop her from living her life to the full, and making the most of it.

While she had been having these thoughts Aleyna had wandered out of any part of Rivendell she knew. She had not yet reached the eaves of the forest, but a few trees had taken root and grown here. The underbrush snagged at the dress Aleyna was wearing, and thorns pulled at her hair. Finding a clearing she paused for a few moments. She realised she was well and truly lost at that point, with no way of getting herself back.

Star whining sent Aleyna spinning around, watching around her and listening with her heightened senses. She saw a tall woman with raven hair walking away from her, seemingly unimpeded by the thick underbrush. Aleyna started after her, intending to ask for directions, but soon she forgot what she was going to ask, especially when she saw the woman enter a building.

This was part of Rivendell that much was clear. It looked as if no one had been in it for years though. Nature was claiming it back, the arches were covered in vines, and flowers sprouted where there once would have been a doorstep. Even as Star whined another warning Aleyna walked forward, bending to trail her hand through the scented flowers. The darkened doorway loomed in front of her, and slowly she ascended the few steps before looking around her.

The room once had been richly decorated, you could tell that. Some lord or lady had occupied these rooms at some point. Some curtains fluttered half heartedly at the windows, and Aleyna felt the material, sifting it through her fingers. The soft silky material slipped like sand through an hourglass through her fingers and fell back to their original position. An intricately worked bed was the centre point of the room. Nothing in this room seemed to be decaying; instead it seemed to be returning back to nature.

Aleyna was impressed by all this, but it was not what had drawn her here. The woman now stood by a cabinet, with her back to Aleyna. Slowly Aleyna walked forward, and the woman turned as if she had heard the footsteps. A face that had once been as dear to Aleyna as her father regarded her. Aleyna stopped in shock as she saw her mother standing there. Then the next thing she knew her mother had been blown away by a sudden gust of wind.

Aleyna bit her lip, suddenly alone. Star nudged up against her hand, although that was scant comfort for the grieving woman. Slowly she moved forward and brushed her fingers over the cabinet much as her mother had. The wood beneath her finger tips felt smooth. Walking around to the front she took hold of the handles. Taking a deep breath she pulled it open and looked inside.

Aleyna was almost sadly disappointed. At first glance the cabinet seemed empty, which added to the mystery of the whole room. It felt as if there shouldn't be such a normal thing in a room such as this, a cabinet almost untouched, unlike the rest of the room and yet empty. On second glance though, there was an object glinted in the far corner. To reach it you almost had to climb into the cabinet, which is what Aleyna did. She came out with the object after a struggle, and she sneezed at all the dust she dislodged.

The object laid in her palm was a sword. The thing about it though was it had appeared much larger in the cabinet, now it was large enough for her to wield. It seemed to shape itself to the palm of her hand, to the very style of sword she had been using, whereas before it had been a simple broadsword. Obviously it was not a simple broadsword; the workmanship on it was incredibly fine, a twisted metal vine pattern twisted up the grip.

"Come we must go back, people will be looking for you." Star nudged Aleyna.

"I'm coming." Aleyna nodded, before moving out.

"Leave the sword; it's not yours to take." Star almost ordered.

"I'll show it to Elrond; he should know what it is." Aleyna answered, walking out back into the forest.

"You're lost." Star sniffed.

"That was how I ended up here." Aleyna answered almost irritably.

"Follow me, I know the way back." Star answered, setting off.

Aleyna sighed and followed Star. She didn't know why but she didn't want to leave that place. Turning again she saw her mother standing in the doorway waving, as she must have done a thousand times. Aleyna forced herself to turn away and to keep walking. It took all of her willpower not to run back to her mother's arms. It felt as if her heart were being torn from her breast all over again, as it had when her father had told her that her mother just wouldn't be coming home again.

Star came back to check on her, and understood. Gently she took the sleeve of Aleyna's dress and began to tug, leading Aleyna through the maze of tangled bushes and back into the gardens that she knew. Once there it was as if a spell had been lifted, and Aleyna instantly felt better. She looked out at the sun that was now setting and raced back to her rooms. Once there she was met by Elrond, Gandalf and Legolas, none of whom looked too pleased. Star just shot her and I told you so look before walking back out.

"What did I do wrong this time?" Aleyna asked.

"You ran off without telling anyone where you were going." Elrond snapped.

"Hang on a minute. I went for a walk and got lost; there was nothing more to it than that." Aleyna answered.

"I believe her." Gandalf nodded at Aleyna.

"Where were you? You look like you were dragged through a bush?" Elrond demanded.

"I don't know where I was, I was somewhere old." Aleyna frowned.

"Can you think exactly where you were?" Gandalf prompted.

"I was in a room, there was no one there, and there was a cabinet, it was old. I found this sword in there, and I took it." Aleyna said almost thoughtfully.

"Can I have a look at that?" Gandalf asked, holding out a hand.

Aleyna nodded and held out the sword. As Gandalf took it Elrond took in a sharp breath, he at least knew about the sword, if not whose it was. Gandalf also knew what it was, although his interest was more piqued by the fact that Aleyna had found this. After a while Gandalf returned the sword to Aleyna.

"Your father bore that sword." Gandalf nodded to Aleyna.

"Why did it come to me?" Aleyna asked puzzled.

"Because of whom you are, your father's child." Elrond answered, sounding suddenly tired.

"What's wrong uncle?" Aleyna asked, concerned.

"I was hoping that you wouldn't ever bear that sword, it was made to be wielded by one who would help Middle Earth in a dire hour." Elrond answered.

"It takes the shape of the wielders need." Gandalf explained, indicating the sword.

"So Aleyna had need of a sword?" Legolas asked.

"I wish it were not so, women should not have to fight." Elrond sighed.

"Where I come from women can fight." Aleyna stood up.

"This war should not even have happened." Elrond sighed as he and Gandalf stood.

Elrond and Gandalf left and Aleyna sighed. They were right, she didn't want to use the sword, and she didn't want to help Middle Earth in its most dire hour of need. She felt really small and little, she was just one woman. Didn't she have a life to sort out? She was supposed to be getting married to someone whom she hardly even knew, and now she had just discovered that she had some obligation because of a damn sword? Aleyna sighed in annoyance, before remembering Legolas.

"I'm sorry, I forgot you were there." Aleyna apologized.

"You seem to do that a lot." Legolas smiled.

"I don't mean to." Aleyna blushed.

"The hobbits were wondering where you were." Legolas changed the subject.

"I totally forgot." Aleyna exclaimed.

"Elrond ordered the meal for about an hour's time from now so you might want to change." Legolas looked at Aleyna's dress.

"I do look a bit of a mess don't I?" Aleyna asked, looking at herself.

"I have to go." Legolas stood after a few moments pause.

"Legolas?" Aleyna asked concerned.

"I shall come for you in an hour." Legolas bowed before he left.

Aleyna looked puzzled as she examined herself in the mirror. Why hadn't Legolas answered her question? And more importantly, why had he left in such a hurry? Aleyna knew that she would likely a not never come across the answers, and so she set about repairing her appearance. Firstly she changed into a simple green dress that had very little decoration. Then she brushed out her long hair.

Once she had done all that she settled back with a book and waited. Before long a maid came in and started fussing around Aleyna, until she was sent away. Aleyna was quite happy with her appearance without having to put on one of her many richly embroidered dresses and play the part of the princess. Instead she was content to wear a simple dress that was made out of some probably really expensive fabric without adornments. She also couldn't stand people fussing around with her hair.

A few moments later Aleyna had all but fallen asleep over her book. To wake herself up she went and stood on her balcony overlooking Rivendell. She had arrived at her rooms just as the last light was fading, and now an inky blackness had settled over Rivendell. The stars were just beginning to appear and a full moon was just appearing above the horizon. Below her all the rooms in Rivendell had lanterns lit in them, and the gentle glow filtered out into the evening.

"It's beautiful." Legolas breathed. Aleyna jumped at his sudden appearance.

"Yes it is." She answered.

"It will be a shame to leave." Legolas declared.

"There will be other beautiful places." Aleyna turned and smiled.

"I am sure we will and yet…" Legolas trailed off.

"We will come back, we will not die." Aleyna declared firmly.

"How do you know that?" Legolas demanded.

"I don't. I only have what everyone else has, hope." Aleyna explained.

"How can you say that?" Legolas asked.

"There is always hope, however little it may be." Aleyna turned Legolas to face her.

"We should go, dinner will be soon." Legolas took a step back away from Aleyna's hand.

"Yes it will." Aleyna answered.

Neither of the pair attempted to make a move though. They just stood there looking at each other. Eventually the pair moved out the door and started to walk to the hall. They started up some totally meaningless conversation, which made Star almost howl with laughter. Star had decided to tag along, since she usually got scraps if she did. Aleyna was pointedly ignoring her dog at this point.

As the two entered the Merry and Pippin immediately ran over and almost dragged Aleyna off. She shot Legolas an apologetic look, at which point he just smiled and shook his head. The hobbits were regaling Aleyna with some tale of their day's exploits, at which you couldn't just help but laugh at.

"Where were you this afternoon?" Pippin demanded of Aleyna.

"I went for a walk and got lost." Aleyna answered.

"Where did you get lost?" Pippin asked, as Aleyna laughed.

"If I knew that then I wouldn't have been lost." Aleyna answered, a smile gracing her lips.

At that moment Tysan was standing in a darkened door, observing the room. The hobbits, whom she regarded with a kind of grudging annoyance, were commanding her half-sister's attention. She bore them for their own sakes, had she decided not to then they wouldn't be alive right now. The youngest one amused her with his stupidness, and the ring bearer, he was insufferable to her. Maybe it was because he bore her salvation and he seemed not to be competent enough to bear it. She knew she was not alone in her suspicions, Boromir of Gondor, she knew, thought the same, although he wanted the ring to help his people.

Boromir of Gondor was an enigma to her. First you would think he was tempted by the ring, and then you would think that he wanted it to help his people. He was the one who Tysan knew would understand her, should she confide in him. He was the one who was determined to help his people, whatever the cost. He had the taint of evil inherent in him, that Tysan guessed came from him living so close to Mordor.

Tysan then dragged her thoughts back to her half-sister, who was still indulging the hobbits by listening to them. Her hair burned like fire in the evening, perhaps a taste of her anger when aroused. Indeed though, there had been few shows of her temper, unless her dealings with the maids were anything to go by. There was something below the mask that she was trying to hide, perhaps all her hurt, anger and shock at her life. It would be fun to see when the mask slipped just how bad this woman could be.

Aleyna looked up from her conversation, feeling a pair of eyes on her. She looked into the shadowed doorway and knew that Tysan was watching her. It annoyed her to tell the truth. Hadn't everything she ever knew turned out to be false, hadn't she had her life turned upside down? And hadn't she dealt with all her problems? Not quite, the voice told her.

Even as Tysan joined them and the fellowship sat down Aleyna puzzled over what the voice in the back of her head was really one about. Of course she had got over her problems. Not quite, you ran away from them, just got on, the voice again prompted. What else was I supposed to do, Aleyna asked her head furiously. But the voice chose that moment to shut up and leave her alone with her own thoughts.

The meal passed slowly for Aleyna. She suddenly felt very tired and annoyed. Looking at the food in front of her she began to pick at a few morsels. Usually she had more of an appetite, but tonight she had nothing. What little she managed to chew stuck in her throat. Pippin, who was sitting beside her, just kept on taking things off her plate without asking. Aleyna felt glad of that, it seemed to be a waste. Star had crept off and was now begging adorably for some food from Aragorn, who responded the right way.

Gandalf seemed to be the first one to notice Aleyna's supposed disposition. He frowned concerned down at her plate, and even Pippin had the sense to leave her plate alone for a few moments while it was scrutinized. Looking up the wizard looked to her face, as if wondering what was wrong with her.

"Are you well?" Gandalf asked Aleyna after a pause.

"I'm fine, I'm just not hungry. If you'd excuse me I'd like to go for a walk." Aleyna stood.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Pippin asked, looking slightly worried.

"I'll be fine by myself." Aleyna smiled as she walked out into the cool evening air.

Tysan looked up and smiled as Aleyna walked out. The game was just starting to get fun now, Aleyna's mask was slipping. What was underneath was anyone's guess, but it would be interesting. Shifting Tysan was so glad she had her face hidden behind a real mask, not a proverbial one. She had learnt to hide her feelings well, no one knew what she really felt, not now.

In truth she felt cold and completely numb. Her whole life had been changed and yet still she came through in one piece. The fact that the piece she was in now was totally different from the one she had started out was irrelevant. Aleyna was still trying to figure out what and who she was, and that made her vulnerable. She was going to have to sort her life out quickly; otherwise she would be in trouble.

Legolas shot a worried look after Aleyna. She had been looking pale, and had hardly touched her food. Even Pippin's usual comments had failed to interest her; she had seemed listless and restless. After she had left he shot a look to Gandalf, who raised his eyebrows before indicating the way in which Aleyna had gone. Legolas nodded before turning to Aragorn and excusing himself.

"I knew you would follow me." Aleyna half-smiled as Legolas came up behind her.

"What's wrong?" Legolas asked, concern written clearly on his face.

"Nothing…" Aleyna started, "And everything."

Legolas sighed and looked around him. The pair were in a clearing just a few metres wide. The seat Aleyna had chosen to sit on was a bench that had been placed there. Aleyna herself sat at a slight angle, head bowed, eyes fixed on her hands, which were clasped tightly. They were twisting and untwisting. Unconsciously he moved and sat, his body facing Aleyna's, and took her hands from her lap and held them in his.

The look Aleyna shot him made him draw in a breath. Her eyes were so full of pain, such raw, fresh pain, that would leave any normal person gasping. How Aleyna had lived with the pain hidden inside of her all the time was almost unthinkable.

"Aleyna are you alright?" Legolas asked.

"I never wanted any of this. A destiny to aid a land that I never even knew existed. I'm learning things about my parents that I never even would have guessed. They lied to me; they never told me the truth. My whole life was a lie, how I can tell this isn't a lie?" Aleyna asked, tears heavy in her voice.

"I don't believe that your parents intended to lie to you." Legolas spoke soothingly.

"Why did my father not tell me the truth?" Aleyna asked.

"I do not think he could bear to loose his daughter, I would not be able to bear to loose you in his place." Legolas answered, watching Aleyna's face.

"But I don't want to loose him, not like I lost my mother." Aleyna sobbed.

"You haven't lost either of them, they're in here." Legolas gently touched Aleyna's forehead, "And here." Here he brushed a touch against Aleyna's beating heart.

"I never wanted any of this." Aleyna breathed, as she was pulled into a hug by Legolas.

"I don't think any of us did." Legolas sighed.

"I feel so alone." Aleyna held onto Legolas.

"You are never alone; I will always be here for you." Legolas smoothed Aleyna's hair.

Aleyna didn't answer, she just couldn't. Her whole life had just changed around her and she had been powerless to stop it. Now she had a feeling that there was something she could do, even if it was to help Frodo. She knew what it was to bear a secret burden, and how easy it was for everything to slip away when you kept it hidden Aleyna at least had time to piece herself together, Frodo would have no time. He would only know the feeling of being hunted, and desperately alone.

All Legolas could do was hold Aleyna as she wept. He felt powerless to do anything else, and yet how he wished he could. Some things the valar decided were cruel; Aleyna should not have had to suffer like she did. Being taken away from everything she had ever known, and thrown into a world torn apart in the struggle for good and bad. She should at least have time to come to terms with things.

Things being as they were, Aleyna hadn't had the luxury of time. It was amazing how she had dealt with things, and only now was the strain beginning to show. She should have time to talk things through with someone, and yet everyone seemed unwilling to lend her an ear. Legolas vowed there to listen to Aleyna whenever, she was going to need it, especially if the trails ahead were as hard as he was expecting. Right now all he could feel was an urge to protect the woman in his arms, as unexplainable as the urge was to him.

As Aleyna pulled back she lowered her eyes, and a pained look was on her face. She had just embarrassed herself by crying, she had promised herself that she never would do that. She hadn't felt the urge to cry in a long time. Tears had never gotten her anywhere; no one seemed moved by her tears.

"I'm sorry." Aleyna apologised.

"Why should you be sorry?" Legolas asked genuine confusion on his face.

"I shouldn't have fallen apart like that." Aleyna explained.

"I see nothing to be ashamed of in that." Legolas answered.

"There isn't." Aleyna agreed after a pause.

"Then why apologize?" Legolas asked.

"It's a habit you get into." Aleyna answered.

"How would you get into such a habit?" Legolas asked.

"My father met a woman and everything that went wrong in our house was blamed on me. I got into the habit of apologizing. And they do say old habits die hard." Aleyna said with a wry smile on her face.

"They do say that." Legolas nodded.

"We should go get some rest, it's along journey tomorrow." Aleyna quietly said.

"Yes, we should." Legolas agreed.

As she walked away Aleyna was cursing herself. She didn't know why, but she felt as if something had passed between her and Legolas, and that she should have been aware of what it was. She was sure it could have the potential to change their relationship, but how she wasn't quite sure. As she settled herself down the question was still plaguing her, leaving her with very little sleep.

Author's note: Hey it's a long one I know, and its not one of my favourites. Usual drill people, and I do hope you like and enjoy, as always.