A quick explanation about the fever Arodwen had:

The fever that she had the night before was caused by her 'transformation', for lack of a better word. Don't flame me, that was just my creative way of how it happened. I mean, c'mon, if you grew three inches, your hair lengthened about four, your ears got pointy, skin got all smooth and wrinkle free, and your senses heightened by ten, I think you'd feel pretty sick too. Lol. :o)

But then again, if the only side-effect is a fever, someone put me down for elven transformation too! ;o)

I want reviews! And lots of them!


Disclaimer: See prologue.


Chapter 14

No Longer Welcome

As Legolas shut his door behind him, he realized that he was not alone. Spinning on the spot, his eyes fell upon his father standing near the hearth, dressed in his kingly attire. He had been facing the door, as though waiting. "Adar..." (father) Legolas said in stunned greeting.

"What were you doing in there?" Thranduil asked, not acknowledging his son's greeting. "And in your night-clothes no less?"

"Father," Legolas began, knowing what the King was thinking.

"Not a word, Legolas." Thranduil reprimanded, picking up a tunic that had been discarded carelessly, off the back of the sofa and folding it. "Before you start trying to lie, I'll say that I heard your words to her."

Thranduil hear his son's breathing hitch. The prince opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out.

"Legolas, Mithrandir has told me everything." Thranduil said, after waiting at least a minute for his son to say something.

"Everything?" Legolas asked. "What exactly did he tell you?"

"How it came to be that she was born, her parentage, Melkor's jealousy. Of how Valier Yavanna attempted to keep her safe in another world. The servant of Gorthaur, who burned the Eye of Sauron upon her hand. Everything, Legolas." Thranduil elaborated casually, as though all that had been told to him was of no importance.

"You do not have any pity for what she has suffered?" Legolas asked, his anger rising at his father's cool and calm tone.

The king turned to his son, an unreadable expression in his eyes. "Son, I understand that she has no part in..." he paused, trying to keep a poised appearance. "Lothiriel's murder..."

"But?"

"But you know the danger she is in. Sauron is intent on claiming her and finishing what Morgoth started."

"Which gives me all the more reason to protect her adar!" Legolas exclaimed.

"You have your own obligations ion." (son) Thranduil said firmly. "Have you forgotten that-that thing Estel and Mithrandir have placed in our keeping?"

Legolas almost flinched. Yes, he had forgotten about the creature Gollum.

"You must leave for the Council in Rivendell in a fortnight, with the creature." Thranduil said.

"Adar, cannot Olindel or another of your advisors go in my stead?"

"You stay for her?"

"I would."

His father stopped pacing, his arms braced against the sofa. "You must stop this, Legolas..."

"Why do you want to keep us apart adar? You can find no elleth here with higher blood!"

"She is doomed Legolas!" Thranduil shouted, turning on his son. "She will die by Sauron's hand! I will not see you give your heart to an elleth that is fated to die! It-will-kill-you!"

"I will not let him have her." Legolas said through clenched teeth, glaring at his father with hatred.

"That's enough!" He grabbed Legolas by the scruff of his robe, pulling him close. "I will not let her stay here, Legolas. She is putting my people in danger with her presence. I will not watch them die when Sauron's orcs come to claim her, just because of your foolish infatuation." He pushed his son away from him, going to the door saying, "She leaves with you to Rivendell. If Elrond will keep her, fine. But she is not welcome in my realm."


Arodwen heard Legolas and his father shouting in the other room, and turned to look at Mariel, who she knew had heard everything.

"Don't fret dear." she said as she finished making the bed. "The king and prince have a knack for yelling at each other."

Arodwen was not reassured. Sitting at the vanity, her arms wrapped around herself, she asked, "Will he really send me away...?"

Mariel went to her as she stood, giving her a warm embrace. "Personally, I think you would be better off in Imladris with Elrond... Better than listening to their shouting matches all the time."

Arodwen gave a small laugh that soon died upon her lips. Her eyes shone with deep fear and worry. "You, Legolas, and Mithrandir are the only ones I really know, trust, and feel safe around. If I leave... There would be no one."

"Everything will work out, dear." Mariel assured, releasing her from the hug. "The twins and their sister Arwen will love you. And Lord Elrond, their own father, is a wonderful caring elf. He would never turn you away."

"But I don't want to leave..." she whispered, sitting down on the edge of her bed.

"You love him?" Mariel suddenly asked, causing Arodwen to jerk her head up and stare at her.

"Who?" she asked, trying to disguise the shakiness in her voice as she pretended not know who Mariel spoke of.

"The prince. You love him? Is that why you don't want to leave?"

Arodwen turned her gaze from Mariel's knowing eyes. "He has protected me through many dangers. He doesn't let what happened to me come between us. He cares and comforts me like no one I've ever met... And I-I do love him. I don't want to leave him Mariel!" she confessed, feeling the maid sit down beside her.

Mariel took the grief-stricken girl in her arms, comforting her; whispering soothing words and rubbing her back as a mother would.

As she let the she-elf comfort her, she said, "I don't want to leave him... But I have to..."

"Why!" Mariel exclaimed.

"Because I won't see him hurt... I'd never forgive myself if something happened to him because of me..." Arodwen said through her tears.

"Legolas is an extraordinary warrior, Arodwen. And no matter what you tell him, no matter how hard you try to keep him away from you, he will stay by your side no matter what evil you face." Mariel proclaimed.

"No!" Arodwen cried, pulling out of the embrace. "That's exactly what I do not want! The evil he would face would kill him! Sauron will murder him if he stays with me!"

Mariel would have been shocked to hear such a thing, if she hadn't already heard it from the King's shouting match with his son.

With a heavy sigh, Mariel stood up. "You need to speak to him..." she said, nodding to Legolas's door.

"I can't..." Arodwen whispered, her face becoming pale.

"Either you go to him, or I'll send him in here." Mariel said sternly, crossing her arms and tapping her foot impatiently.

Mariel watched with obvious satisfaction as the young she-elf got off the bed, and tried to make it look as though she hadn't been crying.

"Good." Mariel said pleasantly, pushing her over to the door. "I'll be with the seamstresses. After you have spoken with him, you go straight there, no excuses. We need to make you some new gowns and travel clothes."

Arodwen nodded faintly, her hand upon the doorknob. She heard Mariel leave the room. With a deep breath to calm her nerves, she opened the door...