A/N: big THANK YOU to all those who have reviewed, favored, and followed this story thus far. Words alone cannot express how grateful I am for your support.

Aderyn

When I was a senior in high school, Uncle Lon had signed a permission slip that would allow me and my classmates a trip to London, our choice of destination. Buckingham Palace had been our first stop on the list, and I couldn't get enough of the history behind every portrait, room, and surface that we passed by. Hell, I couldn't even get enough of the fact that I was standing in the Queen Elizabeth's home.

And yet, as Galdir pulls me along the lighted corridors of... wherever the hell we were, I couldn't help but marvel at the magnificent halls around me. Beautifully-carved pillars and dwellings made out of wood and stone, a waterfall here and there... definitely not your average kingdom.

After what felt like an eternity of walking, we suddenly ascend towards a round wooden platform flanked by several deadly-looking guards, and on the top of said platform, stood a flight of stairs that led to a majestic throne in the shape of antlers. And upon said throne...

"Hir Vuin." Galdir forces me to my knees. I gasp in pain, and with an irritated huff, slowly shift my gaze up to what had to be, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful beings I had ever seen. Second to Legolas, of course.

In fact...

I narrow my eyes, starring at the king.

No. He couldn't be.

"Ah, Galdir." The figure's baritone voice echoes within the cavernous space. "I take it your patrol through the southern border was...," his stunning blue eyes slide over to mine, "an eventful one."

"Yes, my lord." Galdir says. "With the exception of our captain being...," he frowns down at me, "grievously injured."

I shiver, and couldn't tell if it was from the cool draft that surrounded my soaked figure, or the cold gaze of this mysterious being.

"So I've heard." The king stands. His silver, voluminous robes trailing behind him as he descends his throne with a grace that would make any runaway model bitter with jealousy. "I am confident, however, that he'll be stubborn enough to pull through."

He stands before me, his hands clasping behind his neck. "He is my son, after all."

Oh. My. God.

"Forgive me for being forward, my lord," Galdir says, "but will you not go to him?"

"In a moment," answers his liege. His head tilting as he continues to observe me like some rare piece of artifact. "It's not every day the Woodland Realm is graced with the compelling presence of a mortal. Tell me." The tips of his fingers gently grip my chin. "What is your name?"

I swallow, my eyes lingering on his crown full of berries. On one hand, revealing my full name could possibly lead him back to Travis, but on the other, denying him such a courtesy could also give him the excuse to lop off my head. He was the king after all, and judging by his powerful, intimidating pose, I had no doubt that he would enjoy carrying out the latter.

"Aderyn." I answer, before quickly adding, "my lord."

"Aderyn." he tests my name on his lips. "What were you doing wandering around in my forest?"

I stare at him once again. I couldn't exactly tell him the truth, not without sounding completely insane, that is. "My husband and I were travelling nearby when...," I swallow hard, "when we became separated, your majesty."

It wasn't exactly a lie, per se.

The king hums. "The race of Men do not travel these woods so freely." His grip tightens. "You'd be wise to start telling me the truth, girl, else my patience will grow thin."

I gasp against the growing pain that his hold brought upon me. "I am telling you the truth. Please," I beg desperately. "You have to believe me."

The king glances at my apathetic escort. "I see."

He nods once, and Galdir hoists me to my feet. "See to it that our guest is... properly accommodated."

With a small bow, Galdir locks my arms behind me.

"By all means." His lordship ascends the steps to his throne. "Feel free to remain dishonest. It'll only lengthen your stay within my kingdom."

He lowers himself down onto his seat, his long legs crossing. "I'll have you know, little girl, that a hundred years is but a vapor in the eyes of an Elf." He smiles an unpleasant grin. "I have all the time in the world to await the truth from you."

~xXx~

"Please," I beg, not for the first time since we've left the king's presence as Galdir guides me lower and lower away from the throne hall. "Please, let me go. If you do, I'll leave now and never come back. I swear it!"

"Quiet." My escort shoves me into a cell, slamming its barred door shut behind me.

"Please!" I turn around to face him. "You can't keep me in here."

"By the king's orders I can." His voice is cold and unsympathetic. "You are not doing yourself any favors by withholding information. The sooner you are truthful, the sooner we'll start treating you in a more civilized manner."

"I already told your king what had happened!" I grasp the bars of my prison cell. "Seriously, what the hell is wrong with you people? Do you often make it a habit of kidnapping strangers?" I bare my teeth. "I have done nothing wrong."

"You were caught trespassing into our realm," Galdir reminds me, resting a hand on either side of my door. "And until we're certain that your not a spy, you will remain here, under careful watch and supervision." His grey eyes flash. "Do you understand?"

"No." I glare at him. "I don't."

"Fine." Galdir stands straight and turns around, his booted foot pausing in mid step. "Here." He tugs off his cloak, holding it out for me take. "I never thanked you," his voice lowers, "for helping our prince."

With hesitant fingers, I pull the soft fabric through the bars. "I'm a nurse," I say, wrapping the soft material around me. "It's what I do."

"Nurse?" His brows furrow in confusion.

"A healer," I clarify.

He stares at me for a long moment. "Nevertheless, you could've let him suffer, but you didn't, and for that, I will always be grateful."

"Why?" I couldn't help but wonder.

"Legolas is more than just my captain and prince," he says softly. "He is also my friend."

He leaves me then, and I sink down onto the cold, hard floor. The weight of my predicament finally catching up to me as I weep on my hands and knees above the unfeeling stone beneath me.

~xXx~

I awake to the sound of my cell door opening. My bleary eyes watching as someone places a small tray of food onto the floor several feet away from me.

"I remember you." I slowly sit up, and he closes the door to my cell, locking it. "From the forest. Istonion, right? You're one of the captain's guardsmen."

My visitor's eyes flashes in surprise and weariness. "Well met, my lady."

"Aderyn," I correct, for I am no lady. "Just Aderyn."

How I even remembered such a ridiculous name is beyond me. "Tell me, how old are you?"

He continues to stare at me with that peculiar look of his.

"You look a little young to be a guardsman, is all."

"I have seen a thousand and twelve winters."

"...Okay, then." I clear my throat. Perhaps if I pinched myself hard enough, I'd awake from this strange dream that I was surely having.

"Eat." Istonion gestures to the tray.

Not wanting to anger him, I pull the tray close, examining the food carefully.

"It's not poisoned, if that's what you're wondering."

I sniff at the stale chunk of bread once more before taking a small bite.

"See?" He crosses his arms. "That wasn't so hard, was it?"

I cough, for the morsel was not only thick to chew but hard to swallow, and reach for the small cup of water on my tray.

Istonion smirks.

"Why even bother to feed me at all," I say after taking a long swig of my drink. "If I'm supposedly dangerous?"

"Despite what people may think, we Silvan elves are not savages." Istonion says. "We just don't trust strangers. And until you can prove to us that you are not in league with the enemy, you'll have to remain here I'm afraid."

"And who is this enemy you speak of, exactly?" I wonder.

My meal provider opens his mouth, but another voice speaks out from behind him. "Istonion."

He whirls around, and my eyes widen in disbelief. "My lord," Istonion bows low.

"Keys," Legolas holds out his hand, and Istonion hands them over without question. "Leave us."

Istonion casts a questioning glance towards me but obeys his prince nonetheless. Legolas unlocks the door to my cell, stepping inside. His left arm supported by a proper sling. He looked... terrible. His figure was slightly hunched, and he sported a nasty cut above his brow, and a bruise around his eye.

"What are you doing here?" I stand up, Galdir's cloak falling off of my shoulders.

In spite of the pain I knew he was feeling, Legolas smirks. "Aren't you going to inquire after my health?"

He closes the door, locking himself in. A stupid move on his part really, considering his current condition and that I was just itching to throttle him for putting me in such a predicament.

"You were just stabbed." I say. "You shouldn't even be on your feet!"

"I'll be fine," he says. "We Elves are superior to you mortals in every way possible. Rest assured, I will make a swift recovery."

Of all the arrogant, insufferable...

"To answer your question," he stands in front of me, and while not exactly reaching the height of his father, he at least had me by several inches. "I wanted to see you."

"Seriously?" My voice dulls. "You wanted to see me?"

He nods, his blue eyes sliding away as if he were ashamed. "You'll have to forgive my father," he says. "He's not exactly trusting of strangers, be they Dwarves, Men, and occasionally other Elves."

"Oh, you're one to talk," I snap. "If I recall correctly, it was your order to bring me here. And now thanks to you, I'm stuck in this -" I throw up my arms - "goddamned block!"

"If you'll kindly relieve me of your tantrum," Legolas says, and my annoyance with him grew tenfold. "I'll return the favor by sharing some positive news with you."

"Oh, my God." I cover my eyes, feeling the onslaught of another headache coming on. "What news?"

"I'm going to get you out of here."

I stare at him. "Why?" I narrow my eyes. "What's in it for you?"

"I can't allow you to escape, of course." he clarifies. "That would be treason on my part, but I could talk to my father about releasing you from this cell, under careful supervision, that is."

I pick up Galdir's cloak, hugging it close around me. "You didn't answer my question."

He stares down at me, and for a split second I could've sworn that his steely gaze had softened. "Back in the forest, you stopped one of the orcs from finishing me off. You did so under the impression that I was nothing more than a fearsome stranger to you."

"I'm a healer," I say. "It's what I was trained to do."

"There is a difference between duty and compassion, Aderyn." His voice is gentle, melodic. "You saved my life. I am in debt to you."

While touched by his little speech, a part of me still dismayed at the fact that these individuals had no intention of releasing me. Not until they got what they wanted, at least.

With a tired sigh, I rub my face, not even knowing how to give them what they desired, for even such a truth seemed ridiculous within my own eyes.

"I don't want to stay here, Legolas." I whisper, the tears blurring my vision as I gave in to my torrent emotions. "I want to go home. I want to be with my family."

And then the prince did something that I would have never expected him to do in a million years.

He hugs me.

It was an awkward embrace at first, what with his current condition and all. Yet there was no mistaking the comfort within his grip, or the soothing rubs of his hand against my back.

"I know," he murmurs into my hair, as if he too understood the pain of missing a loved one. "I know."

~xXx~

Until next time, my faithful readers!