Our horses carried us swift and true but when we came upon the Elven Gate I cried out in alarm and leaped from my horse as it still galloped, causing Bilbo to yell in terror and quickly cling onto the horse as it slowed to a halt whist I raced forwards to press my hand against the archway that stood unguarded. "What is this place?" I breathed, beginning to tremble as I placed a hand over my mouth in horror. "This is not the home I once knew, the trees…the trees are dying." I was distraught and the painful hammering of my chest did not decrease as I passed through the gate, going from the path towards a singular tree that looked as if death had already claimed it. The smell was toxic and I rejected it instantly, shaking my head in despair. "Mithrandir, what has happened to my home?!"
"Dark magic." He answered in a low murmur, slowly passing me by as I bowed my head under the heavy weight of grief. I remember this path being full of vibrant colour and being watched over by sentries, yet not even a breeze disturbed the lifelessness that surrounded us. The others murmured with uncertainty, not convinced at the safety of this path. I felt a tremor in the air, one of power and familiarity and I immediately recognised the presence of Galadriel and my knowing eyes turned to Mithrandir as he murmured under his breath before turning around with a fierce cry. "Not my horse! I need it!" He called out, marching back towards the others.
I could barely hear him as he spoke to Bilbo and warned the others of the tricks this forest could play, my eyes wandered up and down the canopy to see darkened leaves crisp and dry as if they had been drained of all life. As Mithrandir galloped away he called out in final warning for the company to stay on the path and as they began to murmur, I turned back around to face them, listening to their qualms. "If this place really is going to drive us mad then I want no part in it!" Dori declared. "We should go around."
"We do not have the time, Durin's day approaches, the fastest way is through the forest." Thorin answered as I slowly emerged from the trees again, the distress plain in my pale face as I looked to them all unsmilingly, voice faint with upset.
"Fear not, I have roamed these woods long since passed and although I have not returned in many years and much has changed, the trees themselves have not moved. I can guide you through without trouble, the forest will have no effect upon me." Lifting my hand I slowly moved it backwards, offering the entrance to the dwarves and Bilbo who hesitated a moment before finally Thorin gave the word to move forwards. I led the way, following the path and did not even stop to clear away the foliage of leaves, knowing exactly which way it turned and moved, constantly glancing back over my shoulder to ensure that everyone was still together and following behind. I now knew how Mithrandir felt, constantly counting the heads of the smaller folk to keep them together.
The further we walked into the forest the more the others began to murmur and complain, feeling light headed and drowsy or even short of breath. They would need fresh air soon but none of these trees were good for climbing. I feared to even touch them. "Trust me, I shall not lead you astray." I vowed, encouraging them with my voice and gave them something to focus on. "This forest is alive as much as it is dead, the magic of illusion is meant to confuse and keep strangers at bay but I grew up upon this air and its enchantments have no effect upon me. Just keep me in sight and you shall not go far wrong."
Listening carefully to the forest I was unnerved by the fact that there was no sound other than that which we brought ourselves. The eerie silence did not make me feel welcome. After so much time away from the home I loved most, I felt betrayed by whomever cursed this land with their filthy disease and wanted nothing more than to eradicate them. How dare they plague the home that I cherished? I shall find them and smite them where they stood and seek to purify this home of mine from all darkness that had swept through it. Even now I could feel the effects of the poison that seeped through each tree, twisting everything that had once been beautiful and perfect into a monstrous nightmare. We walked for many hours without stopping, keeping the pace moving as I knew to stop and rest was dangerous for the others as they could very well never again wake up. "The bridge…the bridge we've found the bridge!" Bofur called out and I lifted my head, moving quickly to the front as everyone else came to a stop.
"By the Valar…" I whispered, staring at the broken bridge that halted us from crossing the enchanted water to the other side of the path. "What is my father thinking, allowing the Elven Road to fall to such ruin?" More confused than ever before I shook my head, turning around to address the company. "You must all stay here and do not move. I shall find a way for us to cross but you must not move from this spot or I might not ever find you again. I beg of you, stay, I shall return as soon as I have found a safe place for you to cross the water so that I can then show you back onto the path." I searched their faces and Thorin gave a short nod of his head so I gave Bilbo a reassuring smile before I took off, disappearing from the path to seek perhaps a fallen tree or better vines to cross as the ones that lingered beside the bridge were untrustworthy, I could see that they were mouldy and unstable with a simple glance and the dwarves may yet struggle to use them.
I ran swiftly, gliding through the forest as my memory guided my way, allowing me to keep to the safer routes as I searched for an alternate crossing like a breeze through the trees. Time shifted strangely underneath these enchanted trees, yet upon my reckoning it was coming upon the late afternoon, possibly drawing close to sunset. Eventually I found a cluster of vines which would serve well to swing across the water and they looked strong enough to even take on Bombur's weight so I carefully memorised my surroundings before then turning back and returning to the dwarves. Returning to them took less time than I spent absent from them, however upon reaching the bridge, I found it vacant and empty. Alarm struck a chord through me, ringing clear as I turned my head. "Bilbo?" My voice called out, head turning to try and find them through the trees. "Bofur? Fili! Kili! Thorin!" Taking a deep breath I rationalised perhaps they had managed to cross the bridge after all, therefore I merely had to follow the path and I would happen upon them again. Stepping back a few paces I then raced forwards, clearing the gaping mouth of the bridge to land upon the other side and I took off, flying swift and true like an arrow released from the bow as my voice called out each dwarf by name, seeking them in earnest urgency.
To my horror, I could not find them upon the path no matter where I turned. They had strayed from it, which meant that they were now helplessly lost. "Valar save me from the obstinacy of dwarves!" Irritated beyond belief and desperately worried for their safety I followed their steps as best I could, noting various footprints and disturbances within the leaves before then tracking them by their trail, following after them with all haste whilst keeping an arrow knocked, knowing that I might not be alone in these woods. Should I meet my kin, I may yet have a chance. Should some fell creature find me first then I shall be at a disadvantage. Perhaps I should have taken an elven horn with me to call for aid in times such as this.
Rising up from the ground I climbed into the trees, tracking from higher ground as the webs began to appear, growing more clustered they deeper into the forest I travelled. I avoided touching them, leaping from one branch to the next as my eyes clouded with vision. Spiders. Giant spiders that feasted upon flesh, wrapping the company of dwarves within their sticky silk threads. My breath caught in my throat and I stopped running, watching as my vision unfurled before my eyes with Bilbo cutting them lose and they being trapped once more by woodland elves. My kin. "Legolas." The soft whisper of my voice was almost lost even in the silence of the trees. Without hesitation I was once again running forwards, my feet never once missing their mark as I allowed myself to follow the path that my vision had shown me whereby I climbed a little higher before passing around the spider nest, spotting one or two that had remained behind. My arrows flew and they shrieked as they pierced them through the heads, making them quiver before going still as a voice cried out ahead.
"Help! Help me!" Without thinking I surged forwards, jumping to slide a slim tree root that had twisted upwards from the earth like a malformed limb, gliding downwards whilst shooting the spider that had Kili by the foot before then shooting the next, giving a dark growl as I then kicked off the smooth wood and vaulted through the air, legs arcing over my head as I shot whilst upside down with careful precision, Kili's eyes widening as he saw me appearing as if from the air with arrows flying in every direction, the spiders crawling from the trees in their mass multitude but my arrows kept them at bay before I swung my bow, smacking one in the head as it scuttled too close and my sword finished it off, twirling around to then cut down another until finally, the area was clear. "Durin's beard, I have never been so glad to see anyone in all my life." Kili breathed as I gripped his clothes at the shoulder to haul him to his feet.
"Stay hidden over here, do not move." I murmured to him in warning, thrusting him towards a gathering of roots where he would not fall into sight of the elves that now surrounded Thorin and his company. Chief among the number was Legolas himself, unchanged from my memory. Whilst still hidden among the shadows I breathed, staring at him in awe. He was as beautiful as I remembered, his fair hair not having changed at all since I last saw him though his features had become sharper in my mind's eye as I stared. In my chest I felt my heart rejoice upon seeing him again after so long, however with his arrow pointed directly to Thorin's head, I found myself moving forwards without thought.
Before any other elf could move I had appeared at Legolas's side like the shift of leaves upon the breeze, my hand closing around the bow and trapping the arrow as I suddenly whirled it over my head whilst I ducked, twisting both out of his grasp to throw them away. Taken by surprise Legolas did not even have time to see what it was that had attacked him and he reacted upon instinct, spiralling around quickly to face me and drew a blade from behind him, however when his powerful arm went to cut across my neck my fingers curled around his wrist and stopped him, our eyes meeting finally for the first time in over a century.
For a brief moment, recognition flit through his gaze, widening as I stood directly before him with the knife pointed towards my throat. I could not think of any other way to express my joy for seeing him or the nature of my feelings as they swelled within my breast except to lean forwards and touch my lips to his, sharing in a brief moment of tenderness that caused all around us, including the dwarves, to react in complete and utter shock though none so much as Legolas. His entire body stiffened like he were a statue of stone, my firm kiss planted upon his lips for as long as I dared to hold before I then drew back, smiling warmly with a bright gleam in my eyes. "Mae govannen, Legolas. It has been many years since we last met."
Spellbound by the kiss I had given him, Legolas could not even utter a sound as his eyes wandered across my face, learning my matured features and almost unable to believe that I was the same girl that he had once chased through the woods and carried within his arms. Releasing my grip upon his wrist I stepped backwards, my rolling movements and refined posture filling his gaze as I turned slightly so that I pointedly stood with the dwarves. "Why do you aim arrows at my travelling companions, mellon nin? They have done no wrong save for straying from a path which they should have known better to abandon, especially after I gave so many warnings to them." At that I turned a stern and pointed gaze down towards Thorin who gave an answering look of obstinacy as well as gratitude for my return. A tilt of his lips was enough to placate me for now, also merely grateful that they were all here and in one piece.
"Asta…do my eyes deceive me or are you truly standing here before me?" Legolas asked quietly, his previous authoritarian bearing now completely vanished as his eyes never once left my face, looking at me as if I stood in a new light.
"It is I, Legolas, I have returned. There is no reason for this aggressive behaviour toward my friends, please, ask your men to stand down." My hand raised in a calming motion before moving outward to slightly shield Thorin, uncertain of Legolas's reaction. My visions have not been clear as to this point, showing me a multitude of possible outcomes and most of them I did not like. The sharp and icy gaze of my oldest friend turned towards my hand which had moved towards Thorin in a protective gesture, expression growing tension and distrust.
"Dwarves are not welcome here in these woods, Asta. Come away from them, you do not belong with their kind." He commanded, stretching out his hand towards me however much to my surprise Thorin immediately lifted his arm and barred it against me as Bifur did the same, pushing me back slightly into their ranks as they gripped their weapons warningly but this only made the other elves draw back their arrows further and Legolas's face darkened in anger, taking a step forwards. "Release her immediately, dwarf filth, or you shall all die this moment." Legolas warned however at that moment I heard a distressed call, Kili struggling as he was dragged into the clearing by one of the archers who had a blade pressed to his neck. "You will all surrender your weapons and come quietly or this one shall be the first to see his own blood run into the earth and water it."
"Legolas!" I gasped in shock at his threat, never before having heard him sound so hostile and aggressive to anyone and certainly not in my presence. "Have I not said that they mean no harm? I meant to only guide them through a safe passage, they do not intend to linger!" But my voice fell upon deaf ears and it made me shrink back, eyes wide in alarm as I felt as if I were shouting and screaming from within a cage that released no sound, keeping others from hearing me. My pleas were ignored even as I spoke in our own tongue, begging Legolas to listen to reason but after seizing my by the arm and pulling me sharply away from the company, Legolas bade me not to cause trouble. His eyes had now turned cold and distant, jaw tightly set as I blinked in confusion and questioned why he was acting this way, not understanding this cold reception I was receiving.
It were as if I did not even exist from that moment, his attention turned towards the dwarves as they were all carefully searched for concealed weapons. The only reason they allowed this to happen was because I had quietly asked Thorin not to react, promising that I would try to reason with my kin and the less threatening they appeared, the better it would look for them. Since none of them had a choice in the matter, they relinquished their weapons though made their anger known in dark murmurs and insulting words in their own tongue directed at their captors. "Do not hurt them!" I called out sharply, concern flooding my gaze as I watched them being pushed and thrust rather violently in various directions. "Please, be gentle, they are my…friends." I stumbled over the word slightly, looking towards Thorin who caught my gaze before they were all forced forwards.
"Asta. Tolo." Legolas ordered and I was forced to begin walking with my two guards anchored at my sides. I did not know or recognise any of these elves save for Legolas, though even then I was uncertain that he was the same that I once knew. His heart felt darker, heavier, and his character was not as gentle or kind as I had known it to be before. This was the one who had held my heart in his care since I was very young, since the day I had seen visions of him embracing me and whispered words of love into my ear. Had that all been a cruel trick of my own mind? Were my visions able to deceive me this way? I do not know the answers and it frightened me to be uncertain of the outcome, but I held my fear deep within and did not allow it to show as I firmly pushed my guards away from me and spoke with clear determination as I moved away from my own kin in favour being closer to the dwarves.
"I require no escort such as yours. I shall remain with my companions where at least they know how to greet the King of Greenwood's ward." Upon my wording both guards looked to one another with alarm before quickly making respectful gestures but I turned my back upon them, my lips set into a hard line as I quickened my pace and found myself being drawn into the centre of the throng, Bofur pulling me close as several of the others pointedly formed a barricade around me.
"Where are they taking us?" Kili asked me quietly, glowering darkly to the elves as they formed ranks around us as a guard whilst the rest ran through the trees.
"We are most likely being taken to see Thranduil, king of these woods, as intruders and prisoners." I answered them all in a pensive tone as I thought back to times when I would see Legolas smiling upon me. No doubt these times were also lost to the chasm of memory, no longer real and a thing long since passed. "My lord Thorin shall be taken aside to bid and barter with him whilst the rest of you will be taken to the dungeons, no doubt. My father is not the same as I once knew, therefore I can no longer vouch for his character. He may well yet kill you all the moment you step foot over his threshold." This made several of the dwarves mutter and send quick looks of alarm to one another. "But I shall not allow that to happen. With all my might, you shall not be harmed by the will of my father, even should I offer my own life in exchange." I could feel Thorin's intense eyes upon me as his head turned slightly but I took no notice, watching as the path evened out and we came towards the great doors of my home, as grand as I recalled them.
Legolas walked ahead, ordering the gates to be opened and he lingered aside, commanding Thorin to be taken to his father and to lock the rest in the dungeon just as I had anticipated. As I made to pass him, however, his hand gently rested upon my arm and drew me to him, eyes reflecting deeply into my own as I paused in my step but refused to look at him directly, still hurt by the distance he had greeted me with in the woods. "Asta, why have you come back?" He asked me, brow furrowing ever so slightly as I blinked at him, overcome with his presence which pulled at my heartstrings.
"It was time." I answered cryptically before pulling away, not allowing him to maintain his hold upon my own person. "I wish to see father."
"You must wait, he will want to speak to the dwarf first. He will be angry that you have returned without warning or by his leave, you were meant to stay in Rivendell, little starling." The moniker was meant to be affectionate and nostalgic, however it only served to make me freeze and tense in place, noticing that it felt different to how he had spoken it before, almost as if he were forcing himself to speak those words and the feeling that had once resonated with them had long since been lost. It was more hurtful to hear than I had expected.
"Do not address me in such a way, Legolas Greenleaf. I am greatly displeased with you and shall remain so for as long as my friends remain prisoners here." Not only was I keeping Legolas occupied but I was also biding for time. Bilbo should be here any moment with his magical ring that I had foreseen he would pick up in the deep belly of the goblin mountains, one that would make him invisible. I knew this singular ring was of great importance to the future of Middle-Earth, however I was unaware of its true meaning or nature for the time being. Turning my head I hesitated only a moment longer upon the doors before striding forwards. "I wish to see ada."
"Guards." Two spears crossed before me, blocking my path and I felt a smooth bubble of rage beginning to rise up within me, furious that I should be stopped from seeing Thranduil. When I first came here, I went where I wished and was at least treated with the respect I deserved as the ward of the king, yet now it were almost as if I myself were a stranger and a trespasser. This knowledge only drove the wedge deeper into my heart and once again, I distinctively felt that I did not truly belong anywhere. Although I had been birthed in the city of Dale it was now nothing more than a ruined city and I only dwelled among the Elves by their grace and mercy. No home was mine by inherited right, only by gift which as I can now observe could easily be taken away from me. "Take her to her room and keep her there. Do not allow her to leave."
"Legolas, you are making a terrible mistake." I warned him, my tone dark and sinister as I angled my body slightly towards him. "If you have forgotten the strength of my will then you shall not bind me for long." Saying nothing Legolas only looked upon me with a distant sadness, causing my eyes to flicker in slight confusion before I was then escorted away to my old room which had seemingly been left untouched since the day of my departure except to be cleaned. There were no sheets upon the bed and the furniture had all been covered with large white clothes, making it seem cold and bare as the door was locked behind me and the two guards then took their place guarding my door to ensure that I did not attempt to leave.
Striding about the room I twitched violently in frustration, shaking my head before beginning to remove my sword, bow and quiver before I then went to the window. It was locked however with one of the knives in my boots I was able to work the lock open, cutting through it so that I could then open the hatch. It was much smaller than I remembered but my slight body was able to fit through easily enough so I swung feet first, dropping down several feet onto a branch before then sneaking my way along, keeping low and out of sight before I then slid down the branch so that I could leap onto a balcony that overlooked the city and for a moment I paused, gazing out across it. The surreal warmth and beauty made me feel completely at home, as if I had finally returned from a long journey and I was back in the place which I loved with all my soul and being. The gleaming lamps shone like cocoons of warmth and light, the trees rising tall and strong as the life of the forest flowed through into my bones and strengthened me piece by piece.
This was an enchanting place for me, the place which overcame my childhood nightmares of the world of Men and hid me away as if in a fantasy, out of the reach of violence and negativity. These were the halls that gave me true happiness and taught me the love of my kin. What has become of that king that once wrapped his robes around my cold feet to keep me warm? Has the world here changed so much that he has become bitter and twisted in his isolation and denial? I will not stand for it. I refuse to allow this great and wonderful forest of mine to fall to such utter darkness because of one man's self pity and loathing, even if I did call him my father.
Turning I ran through the passageways as familiar to me as my own features, stopping each time a pair of guards passed to remain out of sight before continuing on, slowing down to a firm stride as I made my way up the long ascent towards the central throne upon which Thranduil resided whilst Thorin was being led away. "My lord Thorin." I murmured, my eyes flickering to him in concern as I stretched out a hand and intended to touch his shoulder however as his gaze met mine his hand clasped against my forearm, gripping me securely as the guards ordered him to keep moving in elvish.
"You gave us your word." He spoke to me quietly and I blinked, uncertain of which particular time I gave him my word of honour, but I suspect that it all summed down to the basic necessity that the company could not remain trapped here for long. As the guards continued to push him forwards, I allowed his hand to slip down to be clasped fervently between my own, nodding my head with an encouraging expression.
"And my word I shall keep." I assured him softly, my thumb giving a single caress over the hardened muscle that lay taught beneath his skin. "Just please, mind your manners from now on. Such words as you just spoke are not fit for the ears of a lady." With a laughing smile I gave Thorin a quick wink before I then released his hand and breezed past him, rising up the steps with my gaze now fixated upon Thranduil who was looking away with his eyes closed. His natural regal grace astonished me every time I looked upon him and even now that I am grown nothing has changed in that sense. There was no change, no sign of age or wearing, yet he looked even sterner than before and somewhat distant, as if he had separated himself from the world and walked upon the cuff between light and shadow. "Ada."
The moment my voice was heard Thranduil snapped his eyes open and looked to me, eyes boldly staring into mine with his mouth dropping slightly. With fearlessness coursing through my veins I rose up the last steps before standing a few feet from his throne, lifting my chin towards him as my hands remained loose by my side. With coiled grace Thranduil rose from his throne, the sweeping robes that he wore sliding from his arms as he began to descend the steps towards me whilst his eyes remained wide. "Eleniel…" I could not help but smile slightly as his patient steps reached me and his hand lingered before my face, hovering for a brief moment before his fingertips then touched against my skin. "Eleniel…" The silky caress of his fingers brought joyous warmth to my heart, smiling to him as I gazed up at him, seeing the same severe brow as it softened against me before all at once it furrowed and his gaze turned dark and stormy. "You should not be here. You are not meant to be here. Guards! Return her to her chambers and ensure she does not escape again. The next time you see her out of her chambers without my express permission, lock her in the dungeons with her dwarf companions." He ordered, shattering my heart into a thousand shards of glass which caused me to bleed within.
"No, no ada, please do not push me away we must speak!" I pleaded however the moment one of the guards touched me, I felt a spark of rage unlike that I had ever felt before. My hands gripped the offending limb and pulled them forcibly forwards to then drop my weight and throw them over my shoulder with a yell, turning to block the other guard from reaching out and grabbing me before swinging my hand to hit the side of their neck, twisting their arm and sending them to the floor with masterful movements all within several heartbeats before I then turned on Thranduil. "You shall not send me away again, I demand an audience and you shall listen whether you wish it or not."
"Demand?" Thranduil repeated, his back turned against me though his head had turned to observe me with the one eye. "None may demand anything from me, least of all a petty little half breed with no family of her own." The cold words caused the flash of fire within to immediately die out, growing cold like unused furnaces. "All that you have is by my mercy, you owe your very life to me yet you see fit to demand? The race of Man flows strong in your veins, I see, for you are as ungrateful and greedy as they, or perhaps you learned these traits from your faithless dwarf companions?" He suggested, beginning to prowl around me as I felt my entire world shatter, the dreams of my return breaking apart and fading to dusk with each word that he spoke. "Do you not understand, little child, that the reason I sent you away was because you were no longer wanted? You were a bane upon my existence, a trouble maker, a defiant and a leech."
Behind me I heard more guards rushing forwards with Legolas among them, eyes wide in horror as he listened to his father's words. It took all of my strength not to break down before him, wanting nothing more than to sob the pain away but no good would come of me showing such weakness here, so I held firm and hardened my resolve. "You will remain locked away until it has been arranged that you return to Lord Elrond in Imladris. No doubt you ran from him upon the promise of a noble quest from the silver tongue of dwarves, foolish child."
"If that is what you believe then by all means, indulge yourself with such fantastical conceptions." My voice thrummed with strength, eyes narrowing dangerously and my tone caught Thranduil's attention, surprised that I would speak to him in such a way and he did not hide such surprise from his expression. "But I will have you hear the truth of the matter, whether you will listen or not." With a flick of my hand I gestured in the direction of the dungeons, my stance shifting into one of anger and fury. "When you were called to give aid and relief to those in dire need, you turned away from them. You chose not to concern yourself with the fate of others because of a petty dispute between a single person of that race. Thror was wrong to keep those jewels from you, yet you chose to reap your revenge upon his entire people. I could not feel more ashamed of you, Elven King." With a flicker in his eyes, I surged forwards, not allowing him to speak over me. "My reasons for being present here are my own and are nothing of your concern, therefore I request you release my companions and allow us on our way. Perhaps you will receive a benefit to meet your satisfaction, though I cannot promise you anything from within the Mountain."
"Do not speak to me in such a manner, you ought to know your place!" His voice rose sharply and dangerously, causing Legolas to jerk forwards and wrap his hand around my arm, head dipped towards me ready to draw me away from his father's wrath though I never moved a muscle, keeping my gaze steady as a void expression filled my features.
"My place is exactly where you sent me, Thranduil, Elf-King of the Woodland Realm." I said to him in a quiet murmur, slightly comforted with Legolas so close to me. "Away from you." With these final words I turned my back upon him without even a bow, brushing away Legolas's hand as Thranduil demanded that I stop and face him but I continued walking, the guards not moving to stop me as they registered the thunderous gleam in my eyes as I walked. If they dared stop me, I would toss them from this bridge without thought or regret. The hard glare of the Elven King remained upon my back as I walked, Legolas following behind me with quick steps as I left the throne and made for my chambers, knowing that there was nothing I could do this day with such tempers flying hot and bright.
"Asta. Eleniel. Asta please listen to my reason." Legolas requested gently, his fingers reaching forwards and brushing against my hand but I quickly drew it to my chest and continued to walk away from him. The last thing I wanted now to be touched by anyone, especially by one whom caused such confusion and hurt in my heart. I needed to be away so that I could hide my face from the world until all the tears that needed to be shed had been spent.
"There is nothing that you have to say that I would wish to hear, Lord Prince. For now my heart is too heavy with pain and broken trust to hear anything except the sound of its own shattering." I told him with brutal honesty as I lengthened my stride. "I thought you would be glad to see me again but it appears I was mistaken."
"I am overjoyed with your return, Asta, please do not mistake my surprise for contempt! Father has his reasons for sending you away as he did, you should not take all that he said to be the truth as he cares for you deeply." As much as I wanted these words to be true I could not bring myself to trust them even though Legolas had spoken with earnest and was now moving to stand in front of me, hands catching my shoulders to hold me in place before holding my chin in a delicate grip. "Every day I have thought of you and anticipated this day of your return with baited breath. I have missed you with every fibre of my being, Asta, losing you was like losing a beloved sister." His words caused my gaze to sharpen upon him, objection flaring within me as I removed his hand from my chin before placing my hand against his chest to move him aside.
"Would a sister have kissed you the way I did?" I asked him pointedly before I then left him standing in a dazed stupor, climbing the stairs to return to my private rooms where the guards blinked at me in shock, staring as I approached and requested to be allowed back inside which they hastily accommodated. Once I was inside I tore off the white sheets which covered the furniture and flung them away, wanting my chambers to feel more familiar yet even with the same wooden desk and vanity table, everything felt unfamiliar and old. It was not my home anymore and, with Thranduil's words rolling at the back of my mind, I questioned whether it had ever been.