Second Chance

Erenien stretched her shoulders and stared at the arrow embedded at the dead centre of the target with satisfaction. The first accurate shot after a week's try. Soreness in the shoulder because of the wound had eased. Aerwen might have warned against it had she been still in the healers rooms. Luckily, a week ago, she had reoccupied her own. Since then this little endeavour had begun.

Sneaking out into the training room wasn't that difficult, much to her wonder. Outside, Laerdil called out a greeting to his friends. The smile that crept up her lips stayed as she efficiently retrieved the arrows and fled through the side door. Laerdil smiled, seeing that his signal had worked. Unknown to her, he also had enjoyed watching her improve. Stealthily, she passed each corridor and finally closed the doors to her room behind. The bow and arrows were dropped in a corner as she sprawled on the bed, a wide grin replacing the smile. After letting the warm bath soothe her, she pulled on a nightgown and went back to bed, hoping that sleep would come, at least this night. It had been rare in those past few weeks. Not that it caused much trouble. In fact, it didn't bother her at all. The mornings were energetic and the evenings didn't drain it too much. Yet her mind craved the blissfulness of oblivion. After some tossing and turning, she let her mind soar freely in the wings of thoughts and rested.

(:~:)

"Ery, will you stop pacing around like a puppy?" Tauriel chuckled.

Erenien sighed and dropped down beside her on the bench. "I don't know how Ada might react to this. Do you think he would be upset?"

"I don't know," Tauriel frowned. "Well there is only one way to find out. Do you want me to come?"

"No...I think I should go alone."

"Well then, good luck. And don't worry if he refuses. The training grounds would still be open to you," Tauriel patted her back and left.

Erenien watched her retreat. Captain of the Guard or not. Tauriel had been like a big sister. This was something she wanted to ask her father for a very long time. Weeks had turned to months since the dark trial. Everything had gone back to normal, and once more her father's smile reached his eyes. Will it be lost once I tell him?

The doors to her father's study loomed in front. You have come this far. You will go in and ask.

What if he refuses?

He might. But you have to make him consent. Think positive, at least for once, Eryn! Give him reason to let you do what you want.

"You can come in. No need to stand for an another hour out there," came a familiar sound from beyond the door. She flinched. With one last deep breath, she pushed open the ornately carved doors and went in.

"You look like you are in dire need of something," he said without looking up from the paperwork. "Yet it took you almost an hour to build up the courage to come in and ask. Tell me daughter, what is it that you are too worried to talk about?"

She fidgeted, as icy blue eyes fixed on her, the eyebrows forming an elegant arch. He looked every inch like a king.

"I want to ask for something."

He gazed intently. "And?"

"I want you to approve."

"I can't assure that unless I hear your demand. I suppose you are not asking for the hand of any ellons (male elf) here?" he asked, smirking.

"ADA! That's not it," she loudly protested.

"Go ahead, then," he said, shoulders silently shaking.

"I want to join the guard."

All the amusement fled from his eyes. A cold mask slipped into his face.

"No."

"I cannot sit here idle when you all fight."

"You are not like us. You cannot even keep yourself safe."

"Yes, I know. I need training. I know I can do this."

"I will not forgive myself if I lose you again."

"You will not, Ada. All my friends will be with me. I am not asking to send me off to war already. Just let me join the patrols."

"Why?"

"I...I cannot let this evil cause anymore harm."

His brows furrowed as he gazed into her eyes. He stood up and came over to her. She fixed her glance on the numerous volumes of books on the shelf. Thranduil gently lifted her chin. "Are you sure that is the only reason? What are you not telling me, child?"

His gaze bore into hers. She let out a shaky breath. "They... they killed my parents. They destroyed my family," she finally choked out.

Thranduil understood whom 'they' referred to. Tears came uncalled for in her eyes. He gently cupped her cheek, his eyes welling with pity. "Your parents were shot. They died protecting you. And you are going to throw away your life."

"No I am not," she shook her head vehemently. "Eryn Galen is my home too, Ada. I am going to fight for my kingdom," she paused. "The people with whom you found me were not my parents. They died long before."

"How did you came to know all these?"

"I heard them gloat about it. They hated my mother. They killed her. Somehow they found that I am alive. So they came for me. That night, they took something from me, Ada." She shuddered at the memory. Thranduil held her tight, breathless, as the events of that horrible night unfurled in front of his eyes. He could sense the pain she suffered, the pain of a part of her spirit being ripped away. She shuddered in his arms. He caressed her spirit through their mental bond. It was the first time she talked about that night. After a while she pulled away. He watched her with pity as he gently wiped away the last teardrop that lingered in her cheek.

"Now you know why I want to fight. They took everything from me. They ruined my family. I cannot sit back as they ruin a thousand more," she said, fear getting replaced by determination. Thranduil stared wide-eyed at the sudden flare of the fire in her spirit.

"I promise you, Ada, you will not lose me so easily. I won't go down without a fight. Last time I was unprepared. I want to fight, as long as I am able to."

"As long as I am alive," Thranduil filled that last part, in his mind. The mortality of his daughter suddenly weighed on his heart. She was made to wither and leave, while he was to linger forever. A cold hand touched his face. He looked down at the green eyes that captured him years ago.

"Please do not think about it now, Ada. I am still young. My years are not yet numbered. I will be with you for a very long time. That I can assure you," her eyes seemed to say.

"I will cherish every moment I spend with you, my starlight," he mumbled into her hair.

"So will I, Ada..."