For Disclaimer please view Chapter 1.

Note for the Readers: Anything that is italicized is because it is either a thought, or a memory. Sorry if there has been confusion about that. As you know, Aurel cannot speak, so whatever she says is in her head, and is only heard by herself, her siblings and her father, at this point. Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Aragorn returned to the great dining hall, which was now full of laughter. He noticed Arwen laughing away at the little hobbits, and then he noticed Aurel happily smiling away and staring at Boromir. The thoughts of when he first learnt of what his dear sister had been through came back into his frame of mind. How had she survived that? Something kept her alive. It had been long since he had thought of it. Surely any other elf would have perished. He went up to Aurel and kissed her on the forehead, sitting in between Arwen and her. Aurel lovingly smiled at him, then her face turned to one of concern.

I spoke with him. said Aragorn. Taking a drink. He needed rest. The travel from Mirkwood had drained much strength from the young one.

Aurel knew he was lying. The way Legolas looked at her, the look of disbelief was not one that could be easily erased from her mind. She put her hand over Aragorn's to try and read him, to see if she could get the truth from him, but he pulled his hand away immediately, knowing what she was going to do. She had the gifts of her grandmother, as did all of Elrond's children.

Arwen would you care to dance? He asked extending his hand.

Arwen gave her hand to him and they danced away. His opportunity to not have to answer to her searching eyes. Aurel felt she had dwelled there long enough, without anyone noticing she left towards her bed chamber.

She entered her room with a sigh of relief. She took off the circlet that adorned her head and placed it by her mirror. Her mirror. She looked into it, cursing the reflection that came forth. She looked at the delicate circlet reflected in it. Anger suddenly rose in her, and it seemed as if her heart were to explode. She picked it up and threw it against the mirror, breaking the mirror into tiny pieces.

That will be my doom She thought, the anger now subsiding. She did not understand what overcame her, as her mind flashed back.

She remembered laughing, she remembered her own laughter, not even that, but that of her mother's on that day. Her mother was commenting on how she should act like a proper lady of Imladris

Aurel, one of these days you will have to accept your duties. She said strictfully but lovingly.

Yes I know. But have you not ever heard the call of these trees, and this forest? They just beg for me to explore them, to learn more about them. It is difficult to resist that. Said Aurel with the brightest smile.

Her mother laughed, Sweet little one, you have your father's spirit. That is why I brought you along this journey. I know your dislike of visiting other royalty, but I understand your love of the woods. I am happy that you listen to what your heart asks of you. Just do not forget who you are. said Aurel proudly as she heard the first arrow swish millimeters away from her face. Both their horses weigned and Aurel fell off landing hard on the ground. Her mother jumped off her horse, immediately heading towards her.

Form a circle! Yelled one the elven guards. All the guards formed a protective circle around the two ladies.

asked her mother worriedly.

I am well. Do not worry! said Aurel standing up swiftly.

Aurel and her mother took out their elven daggers, ready to protect themselves if the need came. Their daggers glowed blue. So many orcs, so many. It seemed as if in an instant the circle was broken. There was no doubt that Aurel and her mother had fought bravely, but it was no use, neither was skilled with weaponry, until then, they had not thought any use of it. The first orc pushed her mother to the ground and stabbed her shoulder with his blade, maiming but not killing. Her mother yelled in pain.


yelled Aurel running towards the orc that had hurt her mother, she jumped on it, stabbing it with her daggers. The orc snarled but paid no attention, it swung his arm and hit Aurel, her fall was broken by another orc who pulled her back up by her long raven hair, now covered in filth. Aurel yelled no longer. She saw her wounded mother, but shed no tears, she was prepared to die. The orc raised his blade to her throat and in one swift move let the blood spill. The sensation that came out after that was a new one. The warmth of her blood surprised her and she felt it drip as she fell face down onto the ground.

yelled out Celebrian seeing her daughter slain by the orc. She could hear her mother but she could not tell where she was anymore for soon her world had turned black.

Enough!
Thought Aurel wiping the tears that had begun to fall. She picked the circlet up once more, in between the shards of glass, and walked out the balcony. She looked out into the night and then looked at the circlet, she used all her strength throwing it as far as she could. She held onto the railing of the balcony, looking out into the darkness, save for some rays from the moon. She noticed that her hands were bleeding, but did not care, she continued to look out into the darkness...How I wish that it would just take me She thought. On her right hand she wore a ring that her father had given her at her coming of age ceremony. It held great significance to it, and she rarely ever took it off her hand, it held the symbol of the house of Elrond. Her father had told her once that all would know who she was and where she came from as soon as they laid eyes on the ring, every child of Elrond wore one, though each one held a different color stone. Hers was green stone, cut in a unique pattern, so that when light shone through it, it would reflect her name. She cared not to show nobility, she cared not to be known, she wanted to disappear, and she would finally end it this night. She slid the ring off of her small finger and held it in her hand, contemplating whether or not to throw it, as she had thrown her circlet.

Fast knocking came to her door, but she did not move from where she was. She heard the door being opened, and the footsteps of her brother, Elrohir. He had heard the sound of breaking glass and noticed it coming from Aurel's bedroom, he immediately rushed in. His heart raced when he noticed the glass on the floor and his sister on the balcony. Aurel! What has happened!? He said going up to her, he noticed the clouded look in her eyes, she was distant, not really there. She would not look at anything. He took her by the shoulders, turning her to face him, You must forgive yourself for what happened! You must! He kept shaking her. Aurel's anger returned, waking her from her trance and she slapped him, her bloody hands staining his face. Shocked, he let go of her and walked out of the room furiously.

She watched her brother leave the room, she had to leave quickly before her family was alerted of what had happened. Not caring for anything any longer, she dropped the ring in her hand and rushed out the door in the opposite direction Elrohir had gone.
Not again! said Legolas out of breath. The dream had returned and more torturing than ever, he saw more. He felt more. When he had awaken he heard the crash of something on the ground. He went out to his balcony to see where the sound was coming from, but he could not decipher. Elebereth, you must help me. He said looking out to the stars, he walked back into his bed chamber and redressed, he would rest out in the trees tonight. As he exited his room he noticed a very angry Elrohir walking towards him, or so he thought, not towards him, but past him, back towards the dining hall.

asked Legolas.

Not now Legolas. I am sorry friend, I have something urgent for Ada. He said as his pace quickened.

Legolas had never heard Elrohir call his father Ada, it must have been a personal matter that he had to attend to. Legolas followed him, worried.

Elrohir entered the dining hall and went straight to Elrond, his tone warning. Ada, I think you must come with me.I am in the middle of dining amongst friends, ion nin, I thought your manners were better than that. said Lord Elrond getting back to his conversation with a dwarf.

No, Ada, I do not think you understand, it concerns Aurel.

Lord Elrond stopped speaking and immediately stood up. Is something wrong? He noticed the blood on his son's right cheek, finger prints. If you will excuse me. said Elrond to his guests. Some looked up in wonder and went back to talking, others like Aragorn, Arwen and Elladan stopped what they were doing and left as well. Frodo noticed that the entire family had left at the same time, he paid no mind. Gandalf stood to see if he could tell what they were talking of, he decided to get up and go as well. Elrohir and Elrond had rushed past Legolas without mind, but Aragorn noticed that Legolas had stood there and had heard everything. What do you know? asked Aragorn being left behind.

Gandalf approached the two. Legolas responded with, I know nothing.

Aragorn ran to catch up with the others. Gandalf then spoke to Legolas, he thought it wiser to not follow them to wherever it was they were going. Lady Aurel will be well. Do not worry yourself young one.

Legolas wanted to know what was happening. Gandalf's question caught him staring into an empty hallway.

When Elrond entered the room it was still dark with only the moon shining through. He said looking at the broken glass from the broken mirror.

Arwen pushed her way through, She looked around...she could not feel her, She is not here Ada.What happened Elrohir? asked Aragorn as he walked into the room.

I heard the breaking of glass, then silence. When I entered her room she was standing out on her balcony, in a trance it seemed, her hands were bleeding, I do not know whether she broke the mirror with her hands or with something else.

Elladan walked towards the balcony. She threw her circlet.Why is her blood on you? asked Lord Elrond sadly.

Ada, I had to! Someone had to tell her. I did not use anger. I simply told her that she must forgive herself. She angered at my words and slapped me. said Elrohir.

Slapped you? gasped Arwen.

That is not like her. said Elladan. He noticed something reflecting light on the ground and bent down to pick it up. It was Aurel's ring..

It is not like her to break things or throw her ring away so easily, as if it meant nothing. said Aragorn.

She has gone out riding on her own. Go find her Elladan and Elrohir. We cannot have her out alone at night.I will go as well. said Aragorn. Leaving with Elladan and Elrohir.

Elrond walked towards the balcony placing both hand on the rail, his daughter's blood still fresh painting it. He hung his head low. asked Arwen. Ada. You mustn't blame yourself for this.

Lord Elrond kept silent as Arwen placed her hand over his and leaned her head on his shoulder. Elladan and Elrohir paced quickly past the dining hall. Gandalf and Legolas were still outside.

As Aragorn walked past them Gandalf stopped him, Where do you go?Aurel. She has gone out on her own. We are going to bring her back.

Legolas immediately reacted. I will go as well. My eyes are more accustomed to the dark.

Aragorn nodded his head kept walking and Legolas followed him.

They all reached the gates with urgency. Did you happen to see Lady Aurel leave these gates? asked Elladan to the elven guard.

Yes, my lord, not too long ago.You let her out on her own? asked Elrohir angrily.

My lord..she threatened me with her sword. said the elven guard.

No matter Elrohir, let us go. said Aragorn.

Elladan noticed Legolas ready to go as well. He wanted to help. stated Aragorn.

All help is welcome, it will aid us in catching her more quickly. said Elladan giving his approval.

That is what you think. said Glorfindel, also mounted on a horse. I know her riding patterns better than any of you, and where she goes to hunt orc. She is quick. She is not the little sister you left behind. asked Legolas.

Let us move! said Elrohir as he lead them into the forest.

They rode quickly. Which way does she usually ride? asked Aragorn.

She usually heads north! said Glorfindel.

I suggest we all go in different directions. said Elrohir. I will go East!, Glorfindel, come with me, for if we do find her I do not think she will listen. said Elrohir, heading south.

said Aragorn looking at Legolas.

Do not worry, go on. said Legolas, heading north.
She needed the pain to disappear, and she had found what she was looking for, She perched up on a tree eyeing the band of dead orcs the patrol guards and herself had killed the week before. By now the carcasses were stinking and rotting. Nothing seemed to bother her. She jumped down from where she was and unsheathed her sword, the metal made a low humming noise. She knew they were dead, it was obvious, but in her mind, she saw them alive and well. Her eyes glared and before she even knew it, she had began to swing at the dead bodies. If her voice would have returned, war cries would be heard coming from her, for her face expressed agony and desperation. She walked around the carcasses of the dead orcs...stabbing each one through the heart, when suddenly she felt that presence again. It made her hold her chest, and stopped her from what she was doing.

Lady Aurel? asked Legolas, confused for a moment, thinking that his eyes were playing a game with him. The smell of rotten flesh made his stomach turn. When Aurel heard his voice, her mind did not revert back to reality, and she thought Legolas another victim, another orc.

She rushed towards Legolas with her blade, pushing him onto the ground, her blade to his neck. She noticed no fear in his eyes. He noticed the anger in hers. He put both hands on her shoulders and pushed her off, she tumbled backwards and fell hard, she had lost her balance.

He stood up immediately, he did not go to her aid. He noticed all the dead orcs. She got up as quickly as she could, her hand extended for her blade, but Legolas pointed his arrow at her hand. I think that would not be wise. He knew very well that she wanted a fight. She paid no mind to his threat and went for it anyway, he let go of his arrow, but it was not fast enough, for Aurel picked up her blade, deflecting the arrow from her hand. Legolas had never seen anyone move that fast.

Aurel stood there with her blade pointed at him, and Legolas stood there with his bow and arrow pointed at her. I will not let this elleth beat me He thought to himself.

Her eyes all at once lost the glare, and now they looked lost. She dropped her blade as if suddenly realizing what she had done, and realizing whom she was fighting. Legolas noticed her eyes, noticed how they had become lighter. He lowered his arrow. She lowered her head in shame.

what have I done? She thought cursing to herself. She wished she could tell him how sorry she was for having threatened his life. She walked forward and stopped right before passing him, she looked at him, her eyes pleading with his.

He understood her look. Your brothers and Glorfindel are looking for you Lady, will you come back to Imladris with me?. He said with kindness in his voice.

She nodded, her head still hung low, she was ashamed of what she had done. She mounted her horse.

Your sword? said Legolas, handing it to her, she was warmed by his kind gesture. I dare not let you leave it behind, for never have I seen such skill. Even elven eyes cannot detect your agility with it. She took her sword and her hand slightly touched his, Legolas closed his eyes, the aching in his heart was piercing, he could not look her in the eyes any longer.

Aurel noted that Legolas held his hand to chest as she had done earlier.

What ails you? asked Aurel. He swiftly moved away to mount his horse and slowly they both started riding back towards Rivendell. Legolas wanted to say more, but the words seemed to escape him. He knew that she had noticed his pain and felt it. He was riding behind her, making sure she would head back the correct way. Her head was still hung low. Then suddenly she looked back at the stars and stopped. Legolas was confused by this. She looked back at him.

He found her eyes to be too much and pretended to look the other way. When he managed to find the courage to look at her again, her head was hung low again. He rode up next to her. Lady Aurel? Why have you stopped?

Aurel wondered if he realized that she could not speak. Legolas wondered why she did not respond. For some reason she did not feel the pain any longer. She kept looking at him in the eyes, and he seemed to try and divert them.

Why? She thought, and then extended her hand over his. He did not pull away. The pain he was feeling became evident in her and she held on to his hand more tightly once. You feel it too, but why?

Her touch was icy cold. But when she placed her hand over his, the pain seemed to leave him and enter her, he noticed the look in her eyes. He pulled his hand away now fearing that he was causing her some pain.

Aurel made some kind of hand gesture for Legolas to get her attention. She pointed at Legolas's eyes and then she pointed at hers, then she trailed slowly from down her ear, traced along the scar, but she held her hand on her neck to signify that she could not speak.

Legolas had traced her delicate hands and understood at last why he had not heard her voice for all this time. Aurel felt his understanding and smiled. She began to feel evil clouding over the open field that they had stopped in. Legolas felt it as well, but before he could decipher what it was, Aurel had pushed him off his horse, the arrows flew on by, missing their intended target. The fall had rendered him nearly unconscious. She had landed on top of him, her sword in hand as she stepped protectively over Legolas to see three orcs running towards her. She took her stance. yelled one of the orcs. Approaching her at a massive speed. She would not be able to watch all three with Legolas beneath her. The orc came towards her and instead of slashing at him, she ducked. She tried to get Legolas on his horse, he was much to heavy for her to lift...she could feel the other orcs coming towards her, now she would have to fight. Her bow? Where was her bow? She had left it behind, how foolish of her, she thought. She picked Legolas's bow and took an arrow from his quiver. They were much too close she dropped the bow regretting her decision to let go of her sword, the orc smashed right into her. That nearly sent her flying. When moved to get up the orc had his sword at her throat. You will regret this night. growled the orc at her.

No, you will regret it! She yelled in her mind.

She closed her eyes for a moment, calling for her horse, and her horse came running towards them, the orc was surprised and let his guard down, that was all she needed. She used the orc's own sword against it. She truly was strong. Killing that orc she ran over to where the two orcs who were examining Legolas. She took the dead orc's blade and threw it at one of them, it snarled and then died. The last one looked at her, then looked at Legolas. The orc knew she was trying to protect him. He raised his blade to stab the unconscious elf. She ran as fast as she could but it was not fast enough. Legolas had awaken it seemed and he quickly moved away. Both Elves were unarmed. The orc looked at Legolas then at Aurel breathing heavily, both standing still not moving, both only a few feet away. The orc could not decide who to kill, for it knew he could only kill one. He pointed his blade at Aurel and snarled as it ran towards her. Legolas ran for his bow and and arrow.

yelled Legolas.

This was it. Her moment had finally come. She had fought bravely and this was the end. She would not bend before the enemy, she would stay still and look at the orc in the eyes before it killed her. But Before the orc could reach her one arrow hit it's shoulder. Another one to the head. But from where? She looked around and noticed Estel riding towards her, and Legolas lowering his bow. Legolas ran to her side. You saved my life Aurel. He said calmly grabbing her hand Forgive my informality. He knelt before her and kissed her hand. Then stood to face a furious Aragorn.

Aurel was surprised at the gesture made by the prince. Why did you stand there? It was going to kill you Aurel! said Aragorn.

She was protecting me. said Legolas defensively.

You needed no protecting! yelled Aragorn.

I would have perished had she not been at my side. responded Legolas.

What were you doing in the middle of an open field, you were targets for those orcs, I am surprised at both of you skilled warriors, letting yourselves become distracted. said Aragorn now with a softer tone in his voice.

Aurel was looking at Legolas, paying no attention to what Aragorn was saying. Why was he defending her? Aurel, have you heard a word of what I have said?, you were going to let that orc kill you? asked Aragorn with hurt in his voice.

That had brought her attention back to Aragorn. She looked him in the eyes. She put her hand to her heart, and then she pointed at Legolas.

No, I do not understand sister, you could have defended yourself, even it was a choice between Legolas's life and your life, why did you let that orc come after you? Aragorn voice now on the brim of cracking, for he was holding back tears.

Estel. Enough. said Elrohir behind him. She wanted that orc to kill her. It would have been doing what she could not do quick enough, am I wrong to assume otherwise little sister?

Legolas turned to face Aurel. He surprised at how willingly she was prepared to die, to be killed. Then it occurred to him. That is why she went out orc hunting, she wanted to make a mistake, she wanted to die. He had never come in contact with an elf wishing to die.

Aurel looked at Elrohir and then at Elladan next to him. Come Aurel. You ride with me. said Elladan.

She shook her head no.

asked Elladan.

She proceeded to walk back towards her horse, but Elladan jumped off of his and grabbed her by the waist. She pushed him away, and Elladan almost fell.

I told you she was strong. said Glorfindel smirking.

Not strong enough for this. said Aragorn as he too approached her and grabbed her by the waist, he covered her mouth and nose with a cloth soaking in a sleeping potion and her struggling dulled down and soon she closed her eyes and fell limp.

scolded Legolas.

I had to Legolas. was all Aragorn said and he carried her in his arms. She looked too frail in his arms like that, thought Legolas to himself.

Legolas and Elrohir mounted their horses and then they all slowly headed back towards Imladris.