Chapter 17

November 18, T.A 2940

Evening

Anariel sat curled up with a parchment and quill resting in her lap as she relaxed in the king's office, he had asked her to wait for him here after dinner. Her guards stood encircling the entire chaise, their backs turned looking outward constantly scanning for any signs of danger. Anariel sighed internally she was quickly growing tired of seeing the backs of these elves, she couldn't help but wonder who all of them were past the guard and behind the helmet

The door opened with a click signaling that the king had arrived Anariel stood, placing her work down upon the couch. "My lord," Anariel greeted with a slight bow of the head.

The king only cleared his throat and dismissed the guards, waving his hand for her to sit down again.

The longer she looked at the list the happier she was that they would be able to help, while at the same time her heart continued to break. Saying goodbye to Alfred was a blatant reminder of everyone she never got to say goodbye to. The more that she thought about it the more she wanted to leave with him to return once more to Bree, bring the supplies and say goodbye to everyone properly one last time, forever. Anariel had the nagging feeling that she wasn't going to ever see them again. It was now or never.

"How is that coming?" Thranduil asked as he peeked over his daughter's shoulder glancing down at the paper she had been working on.

"Well," Anariel answered with a mournful tone.

Thranduil moved around the chaise, flicking his robe back he took a seat beside her grasping the parchment she had been working on. "It is looking remarkably well all easily done. However, I sense that there is something more on your mind, would I be correct?"

Anariel nibbled her lip nervously unsure of how she should explain does it matter? Would he even understand? Anariel wanted to speak with him, but her heart was fearful and worried.

"Speak," Thranduil ordered he waved his hand dismissing her guards. Thranduil squared back his shoulder's taking notice that his tone had come out blunt and perhaps a little harsh. This was his daughter, not some commoner seeking advice. He nodded waiting for her to continue.

With a deep breath she glanced over looking at him with hesitation, what was she supposed to say? How to begin? Anariel shook her head blurting out what she wanted though it came out a little wrong. "I want to return to Bree."

Thranduil eyes widened horrified, standing tall his lips forming into a sneer, eyes narrowed as he spun back around glaring at his daughter. "You are not leaving this kingdom."

"Let me return with Alfred and-"

"No! You will not be leaving these woods for a second." Thranduil took a deep breath, preparing to change the subject he was done speaking about this. "Feren is waiting for you in the healing ward if you choose to spend the evening with him. Go, we are done here."

"But..."

"I will not hear another word about it." Thranduil snapped cutting off all words.

"Just listen!"

"Silence. Go now, or you can return to your chambers for the night."

Anariel sighed tears pooling in her eyes, that was it her last chance and it was gone just like that. "Fine, I'll go see Feren." She slumped her shoulders as she stood, heading out the door with a heavy heart.

"And stand up straight." The King snapped anger getting the best of him.

Feren sighed dropping his head into his hands, "Perhaps, she has decided not to come or..."

"Or perhaps, you're a tad impatient?"

Feren turned to face Anariel in the doorway, his face twisted in both confusion and pain as he stood to see the tears in her eyes that had yet to fall.

"Are you sure you should be going out?"

"Yes," Feren stated bluntly coming to take her hand. They wandered through the halls Feren leading the way.

"Where are we going?" She asked curiously after a moment of silent walking, still, it was a comfortable silence.

"Where did you want to go?" Feren wondered, looking over to her smiling. "Somewhere to talk?"

Anariel shrugged, shaking her head she didn't even want to think about it.

"What's wrong? I am here for you, Anariel."

"Oh, it's nothing. I should have just let it be."

"Anariel, please tell me." Feren paused turning suddenly he led her up a long winding staircase. They came to a vast platform looking over the forest the tree tops blowing in the wind, the lonely mountain in the distance as the sun began to set. Feren lowered himself down to the ground looking at her expectedly. With a light smile, Anariel followed suit.

"So..."

"I stated I wanted to return to Bree to the King, it..."

"To Bree... you can't leave now." Feren cried out his heart aching at the thought of her leaving, to not have her so close to him. It hasn't been quite three months since he's met her but he couldn't image what his life would be like without her anymore.

Anariel pushed him away lightly standing up, "You too?" Anariel began her voice raising as she wanted to rant, "Why does everyone think they know so much better than I do, about myself of all things."

Feren sighed, as he stood up grasping her hand in his he spun her back around. "No, I would have you do whatever you want. But your ball is soon, you would not have the time to make such a long trip and return. If something is bothering you, speak to me. I told you, yesterday, I am here for you to vent your heartache too. I will listen."

"No," Anariel sighed, "If I begin I do not know if I will ever be able to stop. But. Maybe, but say what?"

"Anything, everything." Feren pleaded he wanted her to trust him, wanted her to need him like he needs her.

Anariel pushed him away suddenly crying out as if in frustration, tears coming to her eyes. "I just want to return. It has been my home, my entire life for nearly three hundred years and now it is gone. Everything, Feren, everything I have ever known was taken away from me. The people I love, my home…"

"But this is your home now, you can start over here," Feren said, he never moved towards her again trying to give her space. He held in a sigh, the truth of it was he could not blame her for feeling this way, all in all, he was probably more surprised it took so long. But he wanted to find a way to make her happy, here. Wanted this to be her home, more than that he wanted this to be their home, together.

"Say's the elf who took me from it all," Anariel screamed inches from his face as she spun on her heel to face him. Though deep in her heart she knew it was the king, her father, but she found herself feeling things towards Feren that scared more than anything and she desperately wanted to push them away. She had lost so many in her life, what if she lost him to for reasons that were out of her control, she did not think her heart could bare it, thus she pushed him away by her own accord.

Feren took a step back, a pain shooting through his heart. "I apologize. I…" His words trailed off as his own tears sprung to his eyes, he watched as she looked at him with such and anger and hate. "Please," Feren pleaded as he stepped closer, boldly taking her into his arms. Raising a hand, he wiped away her tears, "Please, Guren vell."

Anariel screamed out, as she struggled in his arms. Feren never released her, he continued to hold her close, even when her struggles turned into a frantic hitting. He held her through his own pain, physically and emotionally. Held her until she tired herself out and crumbled in his arms in a hysterical, sobbing mess.

Feren picked her up and took her back to her chambers. Lying her peacefully down, her eyes fluttered closed. He smiled to himself remembering the first time she had done so on their travels here, instead of worrying this time around he bent low and kissed her lightly on the cheek. A hand fell over his mouth as he stood looking down at her, she was supposed to be his princess he was not meant to fall in love with her so deeply. But he feared it was already too late, she was his Guren vell, not just his princess.

Feren resolved to go speak with the king, he needed to be informed of his daughter and more than that he must try and convince him to let her return for a time.