I am sorry for not updating any sooner than this. I have been really busy. I intend to post 2 more chapters after this so that I make up for the time that I haven't posted anything. Also thank you all for being patient. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews also.

Disclaimer: I own Gwen and the other names you don't recognize, nothing else.

Now on with the story...

Chapter 8.

Goodbye isn't so bad.

For 13 days Legolas continued to train me and for 13 days he kicked my ass. I have been sore everyday after practice. He just won't let up on me. I was now heading to the training field for our final lesson. I walked threw the gates and I spotted Legolas not to far away. He was talking to Thalion at the entrance of the armory. They must have heard me arrive because Legolas looked over at me and smiled. He then turned back to continue his conversation. I wasn't going to interrupt so I walked to the center of the training field and waited. I took my sword out and made some practice swings. I turned and my sword connected with that of another one. It was Thalion.

"Good afternoon," he said as he lowered his sword from mine.

" Good afternoon to you too" I started when I noticed Legolas approaching. He just smiled at me and stood next to Thalion.

"Gwen you've been doing well and to further help you with your swordsmanship I need to watch you." Legolas finished with a smirk. I looked at Thalion and raised an eyebrow. "Therefore today you will spar with Thalion." I smiled. This should be fun. I haven't spared with anyone else before, lets see if I can at least best one elf. I shrugged my shoulders.

"Works for me," I said winking at Legolas. He just shook his head. "Ready Thalion," I asked raising my sword. He smirked and did the same.

"Feisty isn't she?" Thalion whispered over his shoulder to Legolas. He just laughed.

"More than you know," Was his reply as he carefully backed away.

Taking my sword I made a few more practice swings. I looked at Thalion.

" Are you ready yet?" I asked again smiling.

"Aye, are you?" he said

"I was born ready" I replied. Cocky I know but I was ready to fight. I took up my fighting stance.

We started to circle each other , when he struck, a low blow to my waist. I easily blocked and parried with a strike aimed high at his head. He ducked quickly and tried to stab me in the gut. I dodged stepping sideways. He lunged at me again and made a series of swings. I blocked everyone of them. He seemed to be getting frustrated and he began to put more strength behind his movements. I blocked a swing that was aimed at my head and our swords became locked. I knew I had to end this. I kicked out and hit him in the gut. He doubled over and I kicked to knock the sword from his head but instead he grabbed my foot and tried to push me back. I took my other foot and twisted and kicked him in the chest. He fell back and his sword went flying. I hurried over and put my sword at his throat.

"Do you yield?" I asked winded slightly.

"Aye," he said simply looking at me in wonder. I removed the sword and offered him my hand and pulled him to his feet. He just continued to look at me, and then he glanced over at Legolas who had come over to join us.

"Legolas, she is more skilled with the sword then you led on." Thalion said eyeing Legolas.

Legolas laid his hand on my shoulder.

"She has done well and I am very happy with the outcome" he stated looking down at me. "Well done mellon" He said giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze.

"Thank you both, but I am sure that you have sparred with people far better than me." I said with a shrug of my shoulders. " I mean. I'm no elf."

Legolas and Thalion just looked at me with wide eyes.

"You my not be an elf, but you are a worthy opponent and I fear I must apologize to you for saying, that you didn't belong here, because obviously you do." Thalion said bowing slightly. "Now if you would excuse me, I must return to my former duties, my lady, my Lord." he bowed and walked away.

"Good bye." I said giving him a slight smile. I look back at Legolas and he was smiling brightly. Then before I knew it I was in his arms being swung around in a circle. I was shocked at first but soon laughter took over and I threw my arms around his neck. He set me down but his arms remained around me.

"Gwen that was great," he complimented smiling.

"Yeah well, that was all because of you," I started looking up at him. Our eyes locked and Legolas' hold became tighter. I shook my head trying to clear it. I was suddenly very aware of his hands on my waist. "But we should head back we have preparations to see to, we leave tomorrow," I finished pushing back from him. He shook his head and backed away.

"Yes, that would be for the best, If you need any help packing just come and get me from the kitchens, I need to collect food for the journey." He said looking at me and smiling slightly. He offered me his arm and some of the awkwardness seemed to dissipate.

" Sounds good to me." I said trying to ignore my rapid heart beat. This was not going to work. We walked toward the palace chatting about anything, unaware of the gaze that followed us.

#1 hour before departure, next morning#

I was woken before sun rise this morning by my maid.

"Come we must get you ready." she said. I yawned and stretched my stiff limbs.

" I am ready" I said wiping sleep from my eyes. "I'm already packed, all my weapons were sharpened and cleaned, all I have to do is get myself ready."

"Oh." was all she said, she looked oddly surprised at my efficiency.

" I'll have a bath brought in for you then my lady and some clothing for this morning.." She said and began to walk toward the door.

" No need, my close are on the chair over there." I said and pointed to their position across the room. " And I already asked for a bath to be brought up to me this morning." I said and as if on cue there was a nock on the door. " And there it is." I said as I got up the maid opened the door. Four other maids entered carrying a large brass tub. They set it in the room near the fireplace. Those maids left and two more came in carrying steaming buckets of water. They poured it into the tub, bowed, then left. I turned to the maid that was still in my room and smiled and she smiled right back.

"Well I see that you can ready yourself. I will leave you to bathe, have a safe journey My Lady." she finished and headed out the door closing it behind her. I sighed and quickly got into the bath. The maids had left soaps at the end of the tub. I quickly washed my hair and body. The soap smelled of roses. They also had left a knife that I used to shave with. God knows I needed it. I decided I would take it with me incase I needed it again. I grabbed the towel and stepped out of the tub, when there was a knock at the door, well this isn't good I thought.

"Yes," I called walking to grab my clothes.

"It's me. Are you decent?" came the familiar voice.

" Oh, Legolas... um well not yet hold on." I stammered trying to quickly dress.

I threw on the brown leggings and the white undershirt. I was still a mess but well, what cha' gonna do. I sighed

"Come in"

He came in and looked around the room, he noticed the tub and his eyes widened.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your bath" he said walking the rest of the way in and shutting the door behind him.

" It's fine, I was done anyway...just not dressed yet" I said blushing slightly.

"Well, I just wanted to inform you that we leave in a half an hour"

"Ok well I will be done soon, I have to finish dressing and then do my hair." I said sitting down in front of the desk. I grabbed the brush and started pulling it through the nest of tangles in my hair. I winced as I saw a particularly large knot.

"Here, let me" Legolas said reaching for the brush. I hesitated slightly then handed it to him. I had a sensitive head and it didn't hurt so much when I was the one doing the pulling. He ran the brush through my hair a couple of times then set it down on the desk. He began using his fingers. The knots seemed to just fall apart. Once the knots where out he went back to using the brush. By this time though I was crying yep that's right I was crying. I really didn't know why but It felt strange to be cared for like this again. Cared for like my parents once had. When he looked at me through the mirror he was smiling until he saw the tears on my face.

"Gwen, Mellon, what is it" He asked softly. I looked at him and I couldn't hold his gaze and I looked to the floor. "I didn't hurt you did I?"

"No, not at all, it's just ... Been along time since someone did something like that for me." I finish it wasn't a lie but it wasn't the entire truth either. "Thank you." I said wiping the tears away.

"Gwen" he started as he pulled my chair around and kneeled down in front of me.

"Is that all that's bothering you?" I couldn't look at him.

"Yes." I whispered. He didn't look convinced but he changed the subject anyway. For that I was grateful. I really wasn't ready to tell him what had happened to my family and myself. Not yet. There is only one here that knows what happened.

"Well we need to get going" He said standing and helping me up."So you better finish dressing." I nodded and walked over to the rest of my clothing. I pulled on the green tunic and tucked in the undershirt. I then went to the bed and pulled on a pair of ridding boots that came up just below my knees.

"What was it that you needed anyway?" I asked again

"I just wanted to see if you were ready." he reminded me, with a shrug of his shoulders. I then reached out and strapped on my weapons and grabbed my pack.

"K.. Now I'm finished" I said.

He nodded "Good lets go" He added. He offered me his arm and I quickly excepted it and we left my room behind. It will be a long time before I sleep in a bed again or bathe again for that matter. I sighed as I walked down the desolate corridor. Legolas looked over at me.

"Are you ok?" He asked again, concern written all over his face.

"I am fine, I am just a bit nervous to be leaving the only place that I know". I said. He just gave me a reassuring smile.

" I understand, but we will be safe. We have three others that are joining us" He finished looking strait a head.

"Really.. Who?" I asked

" Well Thalion" He started smiling. " You know him... Arུto and his brother Angadan. They are all from my guard unit, they were there the day you were saved." He finished.

"Ok, well I do feel a little bit better" I said nudging him and smiling. He just looked down and smiled back. We came out of the palace and 2 stable hands were holding horses for us. It was still quite dark but I could see the horses well enough. One was a chestnut with four white socks and a blaze face. The other was a red dun with a star.

"Which one's mine?" I asked as we stopped in front of the horses.

"This one is" He said motioning to the dun mare. She was beautiful.

I carefully reached out to let her smell my hand and talked to her quietly. I release Legolas' arm and walked closer to the mare.

"Hey girl how are you?" I started. She snorted and I walked to her neck and patted it, then I rubbed her chest. "Will you let me ride you?" I asked. As I continued to pet her. The horse tossed her head and I giggled slightly. I then ran may hands over her back and down her legs checking for any lameness or soreness. Legolas just watched me as I inspected and calmed my mount. Whispering softly I picked up each foot checking for stones. I was drawn to this animal and I trusted it completely. I came back in front of the horse and it placed its head against my chest and sighed. I was brought out of my trance by Legolas' voice.

"You have a way with these animals" he said as more of a statement then a question.

" I've grown up around horses and I look at them as friends, they mean a lot to me." I replied as I slipped into my past. I used to ride the horses on my grandparents farm. I would ride through the woods and out in the pastures. I loved it. They were my only means of keeping my sanity when my parents died. Legolas laid a hand on my shoulder when we heard hoof beats coming toward us. Our escort had arrived. Thalion was the first to speak.

"My Lord, Lady Gwen, we are ready to depart." he said bowing his head. They were clad in there simple green tunics and brown leggings. There weapons were strapped to their sides and their quivers full of arrows and their bows on there shoulders. They looked like the trained warriors they were. Legolas nodded as did I and we mounted our horses. They were bareback and that was ok. We were ridding elvish style.

"Ready," Legolas asked me as we began to move away from the palace.

" As I'll ever be," I finished. I sighed and took one last look at the place I had called home for the past few weeks. I would miss this place and the life I've gained here. I then saw Thranduil standing at the entrance. I caught his eyes, he nodded his head in farewell as did I. But before I turned away he looked right into my eyes, his face became hard, and I knew what he was trying to tell me. He wanted me to remember that if anything were to happen to his son, It would be my fault. I clenched my eyes shut and turned to face forward. With a heavy heart I continued on my way.