Welcome back everyone!

Sorry for the delay, but I've had a hectic couple weeks, what with New Years and my birthday and failing my driving test (you know, the usual).

So without further ado - chapter 9:


Falling heavily against the door, Ashryn pressed a hand over her eyes, feeling the breath escape from her lungs at the impact.

"I don't understand."

A hand wrapped around her elbow, guiding her away from the door and into a seat. "Neither do I."

Ashryn braced her forearms on her knees, eyes still shielded by her hands, feeling as though she was about to retch. "I don't understand," she repeated, the words recycling through her brain again and again and rinsing out all others.

"Yes, Ashryn."

That didn't make sense as a response. "I don't -"

"Ashryn."

Dimly she felt a touch of a hand on her knee, another closing around her wrist, and she looked up, blinking in disorientation. "What just happened?"

"You know what happened."

She did. And she did not.

"Cassian -"

A flare of anger. "I know."

Fumbling blindly with her feet, Ashryn narrowly missed kicking Legolas in the face as she tried to stand, only to have firm hands on her shoulders keeping her down. "Let me go, Legolas, I need to find my uncle."

He held steady. "You will. But not now."

"I swear by Eru, Legolas, if you try to stop me, I will take that bow of yours and -"

"Please, Ashryn," the prince placated, raising his palms. "Hear me out first. Afterwards, I promise not to stop you."

Huffing out a breath of pure irritation, Ashryn slumped back into her seat. "Fine. Fine. Later, then."

For several long seconds, they glared at each other, Legolas kneeling on the ground and Ashryn with her arms crossed in her seat, glowering.

Then, her stomach let out a loud rumble, and the prince's frown turned promptly into a snort of laughter, rising to his feet and offering her a hand. "What were you going to do with my bow?"

"The details are too delicate for such princely ears," Ashryn informed him, baring her teeth but taking his hand nonetheless.

Gripping it firmly, Legolas pulled her to her feet. "Such violent thoughts are rather ill befitting a lady, are they not?"

"I am as much a lady as you are a prince."

Legolas dropped her hand, something flickering deep in his eyes. "I'll be sure to keep my bow far away from you, then." The humour suddenly sounded forced, his face guarded, despite the smile still remaining.

Scanning over his features and deciding that she would rather not ask any questions (question too often led to answers), Ashryn touched his elbow gently. "I hope you have some food, because I'm famished. And we can talk, if you want."

"I…" Legolas hesitated, reaching behind his back and under his cloak. "I have an apple?"

Plucking said apple from his palm, Ashryn smiled, took a bite and said, "I want to show you something."

The prince walked so closely behind her as Ashryn limped up the stairs that she could feel every breath of air on the back of her neck, apparently expecting her to fall. It was kind, if not a little irritating, and she contemplated faking a falter just to see how he'd react, but they reached the top before she had made up her mind.

The small corridor on her upper landing boasted a large window at the end, peering out into endless forests and a silver river carving through the trees, the panes circled with wood. With a few deft twists and shoves, the window gave way, allowing in a rush of misty air and the sound of the water. The space was just large enough for her to slip through.

Legolas's inquisitive look was one of wary, yet almost childlike curiosity.

Outside was a flat platform, a large rock rising from the calm waters into which her chambers were carved. The current was swift enough to dissuade any from venturing into its waters, but not so much that she feared her rock would be corroded away anytime soon. There was just enough space on the surface for perhaps three.

Breathing in deeply the forest air, Ashryn manoeuvred her good leg through first before the injured one, wavering only slightly on the landing. Sliding through the gap and settling down on the rock, she extended her legs and leaned back on her elbows, closing her eyes to the cool air. "Are you coming or not?"

"I do not fit."

What?

"What?"

Ashryn turned and suppressed a snort. The quiver on Legolas's back had been painstakingly and slowly lowered onto the rock outside, followed by his bow. The scaled armour on his broad shoulders had to also be discarded alongside the red cloak before the prince could fit through the window, and even then, it was with somewhat of a clumsy movement. Ashryn very determinedly pushed down a chortle.

"Does anyone know of this place?" Legolas did not immediately settle upon the surface, electing instead to first venture to the edges of their little platform, before clambering over the window they had exited from to reach the apex of the rock into which her home was built.

"Well someone would have to be," Ashryn said, sounding almost cheerful. This was her favourite spot in all the earth and sky, and it seemed that not even the events of the past days could serve to impact upon this.

Legolas's voice came from above when he gave his reply. "I presume that this is some offshoot of the forest river. These waters are not swift enough to be the river itself."

"I know, Legolas," Ashryn laughed. "I know precisely where we are. Now sit down."

There was the barest rustle of clothing as the prince leapt lightly over the open window, landing on soundless feet before dropping beside her, folding his legs beneath him. "I have a question," Legolas said, bracing his palms upon the stone.

"I would assume that I have the answer," Ashryn raised an eyebrow.

The prince gave a grudging smile. "Why do you so rarely call me by my name?"

Ashyn's brows furrowed as she sat up, her eyes now level with Legolas's. A faint breeze pushed a tendril of dark hair into her eyes. "Respect," she decided finally, taking another bite from her apple.

"Respect?" His eyebrows shot up.

Nodding slowly, Ashryn searched for the words. "It is not that I reject the idea of nobility. I was born into it, after all, but I do attempt to avoid meaningless titles, and those especially vain, or steeped into the idea of their own superiority tend to notice when these titles are omitted. So when I address you, it is in acknowledgement of your status as my prince." She smiled. "Of course, I am not always actively aware when I do use such honourifics, but I largely am when I do not."

Legolas was quiet for a while, listening to the water rushing past. "I am flattered," he finally said, and Ashryn noticed with no small amount of amusement that his cheeks were tinged pink. "I do suppose I deserved that earlier blistering." Another lingering silence. "But what of now?"

"Now?" Ashryn shrugged. "Is this not a conversation between equals?"

Legolas shook his head. "No," he mused, "I believe it is a conversation between friends, Ashryn."

Friends. Ashryn had precious little in way of those. Patients, yes, comrades, acquaintances, but Cassian likely stood as her only true friend. She had somewhat of a reputation, not quite a healer, but respected. Feared, perhaps, many were apprehensive of her, but friends? "I would like that," she admitted finally, settling the core of the apple beside her.

"I am glad to hear of it," Legolas replied lightly.

Leaning back once more, this time fully reclined upon the surface, Ashryn closed her eyes against the sky. "Why were you angry, Legolas?"

"You already know why I was angry with Cassian," his voice drifted over her head, disembodied. "It is a very much similar reason for you. You could very well have died in the forest, Ashryn, and it would have been an avoidable death. Which, in my opinion, is the worst kind."

"But I didn't."

"But you could have." His voice was icy still. "I know what it's like, Ashryn, combat. I have very much always been assured of my own invincibility. But we bleed like mortals, and we can die like mortals, and too many of our kin have forgotten that." An audible breath. "I know this, and I assumed that you, like so many others, did not."

Ashryn cracked open an eye against the grey sky. "I am not ignorant of that fact, Legolas. But the risk I took was a calculated one. You know that. You've taken risks."

The prince had finally relaxed enough to also sprawl upon the rock beside her, legs bent at the knees and feet flat on the ground. "Perhaps, then, I simply did not want to be responsible for another's death." His eyes were open, almost vacant. "I know I am not the sole architect of these missions, but I am an architect nonetheless."

"You can't be responsible for everything."

"You said yourself, I am prince. And though I will forever rue the day, one day I may yet be king. These woods – these lives are under my protection."

Ashryn turned her head to study his profile. No crown was evident on his head, but the way his hair was braided, the posture even though he was laying down, all exhibited the marks of royalty. She did not quite know what to say.

Legolas breathed out something that was not quite a laugh. "Ah, but enough of my digression. Let us speak of your uncle."

The question was loaded. Ashryn remained silent.

"I have heard from -"

"Anduillon?"

"No, Daemon."

Ashryn huffed. "I should have known."

Legolas had sat up beside her, now looking down with just the hint of simmering anger beneath the calm facade. "What will you do?"

What will you do?

What had she done? Very much of nothing, it seemed.

"I do not know," she said finally.

"And why is that?"

Ashryn chewed lightly on her lower lip, fingers drumming on the stone as she thought. "I am afraid," she admitted. "Not of my uncle, no. I do not believe he would truly hurt me or risk utterly alienating both myself and Cassian. But I think I am… apprehensive, I suppose. If I do confront him, what will come of that? What changes? Will anything change at all? Is the conflict worth it?" She paused, thinking, feeling the prince's gaze burning into her skull. "I do not know."

Neither of them spoke for a long time.

"I cannot make a decision for you," Legolas ventured.

Ashryn replied immediately. "I am not asking you to. This is my problem, after all."

"Very well then. Let's move on." The prince's manner was suddenly crisp, methodical. "The war."

"You are calling it such?"

"Even if it is not yet a war, it will be. I see no purpose in glossing over that fact."

Ashryn's brows flicked up and back down quickly, unable to disguise her response.

"My father is not a foolish king. He loves his people, his land, and he is utterly dedicated to protecting our Greenwood. If he had heard even a whisper of orcs within our borders, he would utterly eradicate it." He hesitated, almost as though steeling his nerves. "However, I am… uncertain that this would be the wisest course."

Frowning, Ashryn held up a hand. "Why are you telling me this, Legolas?"

The prince wavered. "I – I do not know who else I can."

That alone shocked Ashryn into silence, eyes finding his as the true weight of the statement hit her. Was that a weakness that had bled into his words? Was she only now, after three thousand years, seeing a crack in that collected façade which had been presented to any and all since the tragedy which had blanketed the royal family?

I do not know who else I can.

Of course, he couldn't tell anyone else. By matching his stance with those who were openly opposing his father, Legolas risked not only wrath but possibly ruin if he played his cards wrong. And confiding in Candor and his faction would give them too much leverage over the crown prince. But she – she was close enough to the players to have knowledge of the situation, and certainly seemed reclusive – and powerless - enough to keep a secret. She ought to be honoured, had she not been quite so affronted.

"Thanks," she replied, drily.

"I do not seek to offend," Legolas placated, letting out a humourless chuckle. "But I fear I may go insane if I do not confide in anyone for even another day." His eyes were greyer than they were blue in that moment, clouded, hazy. "You have given me no reason to mistrust you."

Grudgingly, Ashryn inclined her head. "I would hope to not give you any such reasons in the future."

Finally, a smile. "As do I. When we spoke in your uncle's meeting, I recall you saying 'you know what my uncle wants.' And I do, Ashryn. I am not naïve, nor am I foolish. I would also like to think of myself as knowing exactly what I am doing."

"Then you don't need my affirmation."

"Aye. But it would still be pleasant to receive it." A small shift of his body sent his shoulder bumping playfully into her own.

A teasing tone had entered Legolas's voice, and Ashryn found herself quite unable to hold back the small grin that crept onto her face. "Maybe some other day, your royal highness." I want no part in this.

For a few seconds, both of them watched the water tumbling past, the grey blue the same shade as Legolas's eyes.

"I am not trying to manipulate you, Ashryn," Legolas ventured. "I do not seek your public support or anything of the kind. You have navigated your position admirably, and I would not wish the burdens of my world upon anyone, least of all a friend."

Ashryn felt strangely touched, and it was with heartfelt sincerity that she bowed her head. "For that, I thank you." Staring into the depths of the forest, rustling with life, she blinked several times. A futile sentiment, but a welcome one nonetheless.

"The sun is setting," Legolas observed, raising his eyes to the glare of the orange light. "There is to be a great gathering of council members and delegates. Your uncle will attend."

Ashryn grasped the invitation well enough. "Will there be food?"

Legolas let out a deep, throaty chuckle. "Wine, at the very least."

"Ah, perfect." Ashryn stood, marvelling at the almost undecipherable twinge in her ankle. She would have to change into something that hadn't already been worn for the past four days. As Legolas too rose to his feet, towering over her, she reached for the clasp at her neck. "Would you like your cloak back?"

The prince shook his head, smiling. "It was a gift."

And so it was. Hand dropping back down to her side, Ashryn slipped back through the window, Legolas shutting it firmly behind him.

The two of them stood in the hallway – suddenly too narrow – as Legolas readorned his armour, quiver strapped once more over his shoulders and knife hilts over his shoulders. Ashryn's back was pressed against the wall to allow him room, but they still stood close enough to hear each other's' breaths. Shifting uncertainly, she raised her head to look him in the eye.

"The meeting shall be held in the formal council chambers," Legolas informed her. "Sundown."

"Sundown," she echoed, nodding.

There were several heartbeats of silence.

Still, the prince made no move to leave, something straining in his eyes, as though there was something he desperately wanted to say but couldn't quite find the words for –

"My lord?"

Jolting slightly, almost imperceptibly, Legolas seemed to suddenly ground himself back in reality. "I will see you soon," he promised, a hand raising to touch her bicep lightly and leaning down – a breath hitched in her throat - to press a kiss on her cheek before turning in a swirl of red silk, descending the stairs two at a time.

A few moments later, she heard the door close.


This chapter took bloody forever to write, even though perhaps 90% of it was written in one go. Figures. Let me know what you think.

Updates might be somewhat inconsistent the following weeks, as I'll be on holiday to see family and (hopefully) receive an unnecessarily large quantity of gifts and love.

Reviews are better than triple chocolate brownies and peeling off sunburnt skin. :))

Lots of love,

Silver