A/N: Hello again, world!

I am so sorry that it has taken me this long to update. I know nothing I say will ever make up for such a long absence, but I'm back! And I will certainly try to be more consistent with these chapter updates.

Legolas

"I wish to speak with you," I say, entering my father's study. "Immediately."

"Shouldn't you be resting?" The king keeps his eyes glued to the parchment within his grasp.

"I am well-rested enough."

"Enlighten me."

"Adar." I stand firm and tall in front of his desk. "Please."

With a sigh, Thranduil gently places aside the missive he'd been reviewing. "Go on, then." He crosses his arms. "I am listening."

"The girl... Aderyn."

It takes my father a moment to recall the sodden mess of a woman my men and I had picked up from the woods not three days ago. "The mortal."

"Yes."

"What about her?"

"You cannot keep her in the dungeons forever." These were not the words I intended to start off with, but they were true nonetheless.

"On the contrary," Thranduil examines his fingernails. "I am well within my rights to do so."

"She's done nothing wrong," I try to reason with him.

"She wondered into my realm without leave," he retorts smoothly.

Which, according to the king's law, is indeed a crime. However...

"She saved my life," I remind him, not unkindly. "Were it not for her swift thinking and actions, this kingdom would be without an heir, and you would be without a son."

My father narrows his eyes.

"Please." I continue. "Do not keep her caged up like a wild animal. Release her from the dungeons if you will, but keep her under watch. She does not have to leave the Woodland Realm." Not yet, I wanted to add, but thought better of it.

Thranduil leans back into his chair, his gaze sliding to my bandaged arm, now supported carefully by a proper sling. "Very well, then."

I incline my head, careful to hide my relief. "Thank you, Adar."

I turn to leave.

"Legolas." My father's stern voice halts me in my tracks. "You would be wise to read lightly around this woman. Innocent though she may seem, she is not entirely telling the truth."

"I know." I exit the study before he could say more. "I know."

~xXx~

Aderyn stands to her feet at the sight of me. "Well?" She grasps the bars of her cell door, eyes glimmering with hope.

I hold out my hand, and one of the guards who accompanied me hands me a set of keys. Unlocking the door, I step inside.

"What are you - ?" Aderyn narrows her eyes as the guard closes the door behind me.

I hand the guard the keys before turning around to face her. "You must give me your word."

"What?"

"Your word," I repeat. "You must give me your word that you will not try to do anything foolish. Only then will I release you from this cell."

"Define 'foolish'," Aderyn says.

I blink. "Come again?"

"What do I need to do?" Her patience is already wearing thin.

"Escaping is out of the question," I tell her. "You would not get very far should you try."

"...Alright." She gives me a guarded look. "Anything else?"

"I mean it." I move closer. "My father's temperament is not to be trifled with. This is for your own good."

"My own good," she repeats with a scoff, crossing her arms. "Tell me, what will Daddy Dearest do if I fail to comply?"

Daddy Dearest?

He frowns. "I swear, no harm shall come to you so long as you follow our rules."

"What rules?"

"I just told you!" Now she has me losing my patience.

"Yes, yes." Aderyn sighs, massaging her temple. "I know that trying to escape is futile, but will you...," she swallows. "I mean, if it comes down to it, will you... dispose me?"

My expression is hesitant, sympathetic. "I would never harm you, Aderyn."

And I meant every word of it.

Aderyn regards me with weary eyes. "I already told you I can't stay here, Legolas. My family..."

She shakes her head and covered her face, turning away from me. I am tempted to comfort her once more. "This will not be forever," I promise softly. "Your husband." Her shoulders tense at the mention of him. "You and he were separated, yes?"

"I don't recall mentioning my marriage to you."

"Where did you last see him?" I ask, ignoring her comment.

"Why do you wish to know?" Aderyn keeps her back towards me.

"He is your alibi," I remind her. "Bringing him here would hopefully convince my father into believing your story."

She glances over her shoulder. "You'd... you'd find him?" At my nod, she faces me fully once again. "And you'd bring him here... for me?"

"He is your husband," I say. "Why should you not be with him?"

She stares at me for a long moment. "I'm sorry," she whispers. "But I'm afraid your search would just be a waste of time."

My heart caught in my throat as I brace myself for the horrible truth she was about to spill forth. She can't be a servant of the enemy. I clench my fists. She can't be!

"You will not find my husband," says Aderyn. "Not here, nor anywhere for that matter."

My eyes widen. Of all the things I expected her to say, a renegade husband had definitely not crossed my mind. "He is missing, then." She shakes her head. "Absent?" Another shake. My chest tightens with dread. "Is he...?"

I can't bring myself to finish the sentence.

~xXx~

"You can't be serious."

Harnon had been the first of my guards to express his dismay over Aderyn's release from the dungeons. "I assure you I am," I say. "Now, if you don't mind." I gestur at the steack of documents piled atop my desk. "These reports are not going to fill out themselves."

Not to mention the half a dozen correspondence letters that my father had so graciously dumped on me as part of his favor for releasing Aderyn. Knowing my taciturn king, there was surely more to come.

"Actually, I do mind." My childhood friend continues to pace in agitation. "What on earth was your father thinking?"

"She is to be under careful supervision at all times, as part of our bargain." I dip the tip of my quill into a small ink bottle. "Feel free to guard her yourself, since you're so distrustful of her."

"I'd rather kiss an orc."

"Really, Harnon." I keep my eyes trained upon my work. "She's not as bad as you think."

Harnon ceases his pacing, his grey eyes narrowing in contemplation. "Why are you so adamant to defend this girl?"

"She saved my life," I remind him. "I am in debt to her."

"How do you know she is not a threat?"

"I don't." It is an honest response. "And until it is proven otherwise, she will be treated with respect, not cruelty." I glance up at him. "Is that understood?"

Harnon purses his lips. "Yes, my prince."

"Good." I set aside my quill. "What news from the Forest Guard?"

"None that is good, I'm afraid." Harnon rests his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Dol-Guldur?" Long has the great fortress of my kin been tainted by the Necromancer and his filth.

"Restless," he replies, frowning. "And growing."

With a tired sigh, I rub my chin in contemplation. "Is my father aware of this?"

"He should be," Harnon says.

"I will discuss a plan of action with him later." I massage my forehead with the tips of my fingers. "But for now, I wish to be alone."

Harnon straightens. "I will take my leave of you, then." He inclines his head and turned on his heels, yet hovers near the doorway. "For what it's worth," he says, looking over his shoulder. "I hope she is worth the trouble."

Without another word, he exits the study.

~xXx~

Upon reaching Aderyn's chambers, I nod at Istonion, who straightens in salute at the sight of me. He steps away from the door, and I rap my knuckles against its smooth wood.

"Who is it?" Aderyn calls from within.

"It is I," I reply with a smirk. "Your esteemed host."

The door flung open, and Aderyn frowned at the sight of me. "Yes?"

"You're looking well." I assess her with praising eyes, the gown she wore complimenting her color and figure nicely. "May I come in?"

She steps aside, and I enter her humble accommodations. "What can I do for you?" She closes the door.

"I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with me."

"Now?"

"If you'd like."

For a moment or two she does not respond, until... "What is this, Legolas?"

"What is what?"

"This!" Aderyn waves a hand between us. "First you lock me up in the dungeons -"

"That was my father's doing," I correct her. "Not mine."

"Then you bring me out of said dungeons, and now you're asking me to dinner?" She regards me wearily. "I just.. I don't understand. I thought I was your prisoner."

"You are many things, Aderyn." I say, approaching her. "But a prisoner is not one them."

"Then let me go." She crosses her arms.

"I cannot do that," I say. "Not yet, anyway."

She sighs. "Then I am still your prisoner."

I shake my head, and without thinking, gently grasp her by arms. She tenses, and I ease my grip. "This will not be forever, Aderyn."

Aderyn stares up at me with those intriguing eyes, then shakes her head. "I'm just... too tired right now to think, let alone eat."

"I understand." I step away from her. "Until next time, then."

With an incline of my head, I turn towards the door, but just as I am about to open it, Aderyn says, "Perhaps we could do breakfast tomorrow. If you're not too busy, that is."

I face her once again, and she smiles, albeit hesitantly. "I am not," I pull open the door. "Sweet dreams, Aderyn."

~xXx~

I hope you all are staying safe and have a wonderful new year!