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Legolas's POV

As soon as I noticed the young Elf maiden, Estella begin to sway on her feet, I barely had a fraction of a second to catch her before she collapsed in my arms. I was not sure if some fell magic was at work or if it was from shock, but I knew I needed to get her to our head healer, Innor immediately. As soon as I had positioned Estella in my arms, I started for my father's Halls. "Berion, I want you and your Elves to take over for me while I take her to Innor. When you have secured the area then you may return." I turn my head to three other members of my patrol. Calithilion, Gladhedir, Ramben, you three come with me. I may need you to protect me, if we are beset by enemies." The three at once were by my side.

Berion nodded. "Maer, hîr nín."

With all haste, I made my way home with the still unconscious elleth in my arms. A thousand questions raced through my mind. Who was she, how did she come to be in Mirkwood alone, and most importantly, how it was she did not know she was an Elf? As soon as I arrived at the main gates, two guards were staring at me with surprised looks on their faces. One of them was about to speak, but I stopped him before he could ask. "Not now, please open the gates. I need to get her to Innor at once." The guard stood aside and opened the gate.

Not even bothering to thank him, I hurried inside with the three members of my guard behind me. Before I even made it half-way to the healing wards, I stopped. "I can bring her the rest of the way on my own." The three bowed and left, and I brought Estella to Innor. When I got to his doors, I did not even bother knocking. Instead, I barged in to discover Innor sitting at his desk finishing up what appeared to be some reports.

Innor did not even bother looking up at me when I came in carrying the unresponsive elleth. I always seemed to have a habit of just barging in his office, and soon Innor came to recognize when it was me. "Legolas Thranduilion! What have I told you about barging into my office without knocking royalty though you may be?"

When I did not respond, Innor stopped writing long enough to look up at me. Seeing the young girl in my arms, he stood to his feet and set the quill down. "I apologize, Innor. I would have knocked, but as you can see, my hands are full," I half-joked.

Innor seemed unfazed when he saw the unconscious girl, as he led me to the healers' ward with all the calmness long years of his profession brought. "What happened, do you know?" he asked, as I laid her on a bed.

"I do not know. My patrol and I were scouting the perimeters further to the north when Salabion came back and told me there was a young elleth wandering around. When I finally got there, she began to babble on about wanting to go home to a place called Sea-adle. I asked her what she was doing in Taur-nu-Fuin alone, and she started to become more frightened–she appeared not to know she was an Elf! I eventually convinced her to let us bring her back to Adar's halls, but she only got a few steps before collapsing."

Innor seemed very concerned after hearing the strange tale. "That is odd indeed."

"Do you know what is wrong with her?" I asked growing more concerned.

Innor shook his head. "Not yet, Legolas. I need to examine her, but you need to step outside while I do."

I hesitated for a second a strange feeling of protectiveness for this mysterious elleth beginning to form. What if she woke up and panicked? It had already taken a while to convince her to follow me. If she awoke and I was not there, what then? I shook my head and decided it was best to obey Innor. After all, he was the best healer in Taur-nu-Fuin. I sighed and looked down on the still sleeping form. "Very well, but if she wakens I would have you tell me at once." Innor smiled softly and began to work on her, and I left the room but had decided to stay close to the doors, in case anything happened.

When I had first arrived at my father's halls with Estella, whispers arose, along with questions. I had instructed the three returning patrol members beforehand to try and answer any questions to the best of their abilities. Being questioned by your superiors was one thing but being interrogated by groups of giggling and gossiping ellith was another story.

On my way to the healing wards, I had passed Feren, my father's messenger. Seeing the surprised look on his face, I called over my shoulder and asked Feren to summon my father to the infirmary. Before he could respond, I had turned the corner and disappeared out of sight.

A few minutes had passed since I had left Estella alone with Innor. Ever since I laid eyes on her an unfamiliar feeling of wanting to protect her had overcome me. I was not sure if it was due to her being frightened or something else, but I knew I did not want to be away from her. As I walked the halls pondering over these thoughts, I heard soft footsteps behind me. Stopping, I looked up and saw my father standing there out of breath with a worried look on his face.

"Legolas, what is it now? When Feren told me I was needed here, I thought something happened to you!" I gently hugged my father feeling guilty for worrying him so and then quickly told him the story.

"Innor is trying right now to figure out what caused her to collapse," I finished wondering what was taking so long for him to come out.

I could see my father struggling for something to say. For many a year, my father ruled Mirkwood with nothing but his own strength and wit to protect us. He was kind but very untrusting of strangers and for a good reason. My father had stringent rules put in place to keep our people safe. One of them was not to bring strangers to his Halls without first interrogating them. While some may find that to be cruel, it was because of those laws that we had managed to remain safe for so long. I could tell by the long silence and his controlled breathing he was not happy that I had broken one of the most important laws, crowned Prince or not. Finally, my father spoke, his voice unnervingly calm.

"Legolas. What on Arda, were you thinking bringing some…strange elleth here like that? Do you even know if she is dangerous? You said so yourself; she had no idea where she was or how she got here! For all, we know she could be under some dark spell or a puppet of the Necromancer!"

As I opened my mouth to tell my father that he was thinking irrationally, a terrified scream reached our ears.

Instantly, we both ran into the room and were met with the sight of the young elleth curled up into a ball next to the wall, as if she was fending off a predator. Out of the corner of my eye, I observed Innor slowly walking toward her, speaking softly, trying to calm her down, telling her she was safe, and no one was going to hurt her.

But she did not hear any of it. "Stay away from me! Who are you and where am I?" Estella screamed, fear radiating off her. Looking frantically around the room, her eyes landed on me, and I saw her relax slightly, but not much.

I kneeled slowly and held my hand out to her. "It is all right. You are safe. Innor is our head healer. He was only trying to find out what happened to you," I said, pointing toward Innor, who stood back, having let me take over the situation.

Her eyes flickered from Innor and back to me. Then her eyes fell on my father, who was still very unsure whether it was a wise idea to have her here. "Who is that?" she whispered.

I laughed softly at the look on my father's face. "That is my father, King Thranduil. Do not worry; he will not hurt you."

Innor came and stood by my side and smiled gently. "My dear, if you will sit back on the bed, I will do my very best to try and find out what is going on."

I could see Estella growing frustrated. "I told Legolas already. My name is Estella, and nothing is wrong with me. I fell asleep on my mother's bed and woke up in a strange forest. I do not have any idea how I got here. All I want is to find a way home!"

My father finally took the liberty to speak. "Estella, is it? You claim you just woke up in the middle of Taur-nu-Fuin. That might be true; however, you also claim you have no idea how you arrived here, that you come from someplace called Sea-adle, and that you are not an Elf. I disagree with you that nothing is not wrong."

I eyed my father beginning to feel slightly angry at his words. "Father, please, be a little sympathetic. She is scared."

My father sighed and seated himself in a chair deciding that now was not the time to get into a debate over this.

Once more at hearing the word Elf, I saw Estella grow confused. "But I am not an Elf. Why do you keep calling me that?"

I raised a skeptical eyebrow. "I sincerely doubt you are a fíriel."

"I am…what?"

"Mortal woman."

"Yes, I am human!"

Taking a deep breath, I stood to my feet and offered her a hand. Hesitantly, she took it, and I helped her to her feet and led her to a floor-length glass. "Take a look, and you will see for yourself that you are not human." When Estella looked into the mirror, the color drained from her face and a small gasp emitted from her as she touched her delicately pointed ears and fair face. "I don't understand this," she cried out. "How can this be? I do not ever remember looking like this!"

"If you allow Innor to look you over, he might be able to determine what happened to you and then we can help you get home," I said feeling pity for her. I could tell how frightened she was, and I wanted to help her in whatever way I could. Eventually, Estella agreed to let Innor examine her and my father, and I went back outside to wait.

As we waited outside, I tried to convince my father to let her stay here. He, however, would not be so easily persuaded. "Adar, I highly doubt she is a threat. She is terrified and is in need of help."

My father scoffed. "Then we will take her to Imladris or Lothlórien and let them deal with her. But I am not yet convinced she is not dangerous, and I do not believe you are letting her so easily deceive you!"

I could not believe my ears. I understood why my father was uneasy and wanted to be cautious, but even then, he never allowed someone who was in need of our help to be sent away like that. "You are being irrational, Adar. She is a young elleth, not some Dwarf or Yrch. Let her stay, at least until she is well, and if anything does happen while she is in our care, I will be responsible for it."

After what seemed like ages, my father finally relented and agreed to let her stay, under the condition, that I would be responsible for her and her actions. I hugged my father thanking him, and while we continued to wait for Innor to come out, I sent a servant to prepare a room for Estella near my room. Perhaps if she slept closer to my chambers, the young elleth would not feel as scared.

About half an hour later, Innor emerged and motioned for the two of us to follow him to his office.

"Well? What is the problem? Is it memory loss or some dark magic?" my father asked, trying not to sound inconsiderate. I forced myself to not glare at him.

Innor exhaled softly and gathered his thoughts. "No, she does not have any memory loss, but yes, some magic is involved." Seeing my father tense, he quickly continued. "Worry not, my lord. I do not believe it is dark magic. Estella is not from this world, or at least not born in Middle-earth. I believe her mother, however, was. She told me where she used to live, both she and her mother were always different from the other people, in looks." Innor paused for breath, then continued, "she does not know anything about her father, only that he was from what her mother called a different country. Her mother did not tell her anymore about her father, nor did she explain the reason why she and Estella looked different from everyone else. Her mother raised her alone. I think somehow the Valar are responsible for bringing her here. It seems she had a sort of veil of protection which kept her looking somewhat like a mortal while she was in that other world and when she arrived here it was removed." Innor took a deep breath and sat down in his chair.

I was astonished and could see that my father was as well, and it took a minute for the story to sink in. Finally, my father spoke. "What about her mother? Where is she?"

Innor frowned. "I asked her the same question, and she told me her mother died a couple of weeks ago from what the healers in their world call a heart attack. However, Estella says she believes it was from a broken heart, the result of her mother missing her father. I could not get any more information from her."

After hearing this, I noticed my father's face softened, and I could tell he began to feel sorry for the girl. He knew all too well what it was like to lose a parent, as did I. "So, what do we do? How can we help her?"

When I heard my father ask, I turned and looked at him with a look of shock. Only a few minutes ago, he was ready to send her away without so much as a second thought.

"Oh, be quiet, Legolas," he said rolling his eyes. I just smirked at him before turning my attention back to Innor.

Innor ran his fingers through his sleek hair before speaking. "The best thing you can do for her is to help her settle down and find her way in this new world. She is no doubt scared right now and probably feels confused and out of place here. Be patient with her, as she does not know of our ways nor does she speak our language. It will take time for her to feel at home here. She is still reeling from the fact she now has no mother or father."

For the first time since bringing Estella here, I found I could not speak. It took several long seconds before I managed to find his voice after hearing all this. "I will help her. I will show her around here and help her feel more comfortable in her new environment. If the Valar are indeed responsible for bringing her here, and if her parents are not originally from that world, then there must be a reason for her arriving here. Perhaps her father is still alive, and he is here, in Middle-earth, and she was brought here to find him?"

Innor nodded in agreement. "That is a good idea, Legolas. Estella seems to be more at ease around you and appears to trust you more. Also, it is possible her father could be here. She is no doubt one of the Noldor, and if her father is still on these shores, we might have a chance at finding him. For now, help her find her way around here and help her learn our language."

Agreeing to this course of action, my father gave me his blessing, and I went to get Estella. When I entered the room, Estella was lying on the bed, looking out the windows.

I could not help but feel sorry for her. I did wonder though, did her mother's fëa remain in the strange world Estella had lived in? Or had it gone to the Halls of Mandos? I hoped it was the latter.

Composing my thoughts, I finally found my voice. "Estella, you are going to stay here with my family and people. You will be staying in the royal wing, near to where my rooms are. We will also have you fitted for new clothing. I am sure there are a few dresses somewhere which will fit you, for the time being. I will take you to your rooms now so that you can bathe and eat." I walked over to her slowly and waited a few moments for the words to sink into her head. Eventually, she turned over and slowly sat up. Taking a hand in mine, I squeezed it gently. "We will find out what happened, Estella. I promise."

Estella looked at me, and for the first time since arriving in Middle-earth, she smiled. "Thank you, Legolas, for everything."

"You are welcome Estella, now let me take you to your rooms," I replied, smiling back.

Getting up, Estella followed me. If I was going to help her, then I prayed she knew she would have nothing to fear.

* fíriel–Sindarin for mortal maid