Chapter 28

December 20, T.A 2940

Dawn

King Thranduil and Lord Elrond sat casually speaking in the study of the plans for their soon departure to Eryn Galen. The subject quickly changed as Elrond asked just how Thranduil saw the ball going.

Thranduil could hardly contain the worry that seeped out, "Perhaps, after everything, I should postpone this further."

"You will always wish to postpone it just a little further. You must trust in her." Elrond said.

"Yes, and then it will all be over. The news will spread through all of Middle-Earth that she has returned and what will come of it. There is still darkness," Thranduil spoke the worry and fear clear in his voice.

"There will always be some darkness," Elrond turned to look at him firmly, "But you are right, it grows."

Thranduil nodded firmly, "My forest knows all too well, something is growing, damaging and casting a sickness through my lands. It is becoming increasingly more unsafe." His eyes glanced to the south, a fear lingering in his heart, a darkness lay there that would never cease, he had seen the horrors of Mordor before. More than anything he wanted to keep his children safe from it.

Elrond caught the look, musing it over for a moment he spoke. "It cannot be. The threat of Mordor is over, Saruman swears he cannot come back."

"And you trust this wizard."

Elrond said nothing as he looked to his friend, he could not tell if Thranduil was merely fearful for his realm and family or something truly lingered, stirred within his being that felt this was a true threat once more.

"I will double her guard, train her harder, she must keep to the halls." Thranduil began ranting when Elrond said nothing, taking it as a sign the even he held reservation against the wizards opinion.

"Now, you can not-"

"I can, and I must. I will not see her come to harm, I will not have her taken from me again."

"She is safe here. Imraldis is safe. Speak with her of the truth and allow her some time here to breathe before then, before you must install such precautions," Elrond advised.

"Leave her alone?"

"Has she not been alone most of her life?"

Thranduil nodded, he didn't want to leave her alone, the guilt he would feel if something was to happen.

"Give her some time to breathe, be honest with her. You will not regret it." Elrond continued to advise his good friend.

Thranduil sipped idly at his wine not truly tasting the beloved layers that lingered on his tongue, his mind was far too busy. He could hear the wisdom of Elrond's words, to allow her to have freedom of a sort here where it was perfectly safe may help her to understand, not to fight him so much when he added the new measurements for her own protection.

Thranduil's grip tightened, they had begun to get along, he truly felt like he began to know his daughter, and his son once more. After everything, he did not want to ruin it. With a sigh that shook his body, he nodded to himself, knowing in his heart it did not matter he would rather have her angry with him and alive, than give her everything she wished for and have to face the cold brutal reality that might follow.

"I must go speak with her if you will excuse me."

Elrond nodded pleased to see how hard he tried, his heart was warming some again. It was so numb and cold to the world for so long, and finally, his was opening back up to the world.

Anariel despite all that had happened that day could not wipe the smile from her face. Glad to have asked Legolas to join her and Haldir that evening, he, in turn, brought along Tauriel with him.

"Just be glad you were not there," Legolas insisted seriously.

"Truly was it so bad?" Tauriel wondered as she looked between everyone.

Anariel tried to stifle her laughter as she looked to Tauriel sitting beside Legolas, sipping her wine she nodded.

"Yes, I mean with a trio of elves at the table sending daggers our way, cause one of us couldn't keep their hands to themselves," Legolas scolded his sister in a teasing tone.

"Oh, please. Feren deserved it and you know it." Anariel flexed her hand still feeling the soreness.

"He did. But, next time, keep your wrist straight and clench your first just before you hit him. It'll help you put all your weight into the punch." Haldir showed her as he punched her in the arm, almost spilling her wine.

Legolas and Tauriel laughed, a smile graced his lips as he watched Anariel send him a glare, rubbing at her arm. Legolas loved these moments when even he could let down his guard for a time like he could when he was out in the fields when he was just Legolas he wasn't constantly watching his every move when he had people around him he could trust and he could in turn relax.

Though Legolas found himself agreeing, he to knew that they should not be encouraging his sister. She had agreed to the role of princess. He knew that she had a long way to go, but she was already showing that she was ready to.

"Try not to encourage her to continue punching people." Legolas finally spoke, though his voice lacked conviction.

Haldir nodded with a smirk, "I won't." He said looking to Legolas most seriously, before turning to Anariel with a wink.

"Haldir!"

They shared in laughter until the doorway was suddenly blocked off, the laughter broke off as they all turned to see who the newcomer was.

"Tauriel, Haldir, ego(Leave)."

They stood bowing as they left in silence, Thranduil made his way into the room adjusting his robe he stood looking out of the window.

Anariel stole a glance towards Legolas waiting to see why their father had come in so suddenly, only to make the others leave and then to say nothing.

Thranduil went to say something before quickly closing his mouth.

"Adar, is there something wrong?" Legolas questioned carefully, yet, full of attention ready for whatever was to come.

"Anariel, when we arrive back in our realm I have decided and will not be argued with on this matter, your guards will increase and you are not to leave the halls."

Anariel jumped from her seat, though she was just told not to argue she took a deep breath prepared to do just that.

"Listen, first. Both of you." Anariel's mouth fell closed, huffing in annoyance. "Legolas as you have noticed within our realm the spiders have been growing bolder, darkness has been spreading further from the south. I fear something more than we know is behind this. What I can not be sure. For now, ensure our lands stay free of those foul creatures."

Legolas nodded firmly. "Of course, my lord."

"It is growing increasingly unsafe, and with a little training, I don't want you out there until you are ready."

"So what, lock me away that is your answer!"

"I will not lose you again!" Thranduil raged.

Anariel stopped all movements, all attempts to argue back. Looking down at the ground she nodded her head.

Anariel glanced up as she felt her father's hands cupping her face lifting her head up. "I do it for your safety, please try to understand."

She nodded, "I won't fight you on this one."

"Thank you, muinlell." He breathed beyond grateful. "Imraldis is safe, I am prepared to let your guards know that you are free to wander these halls, and gardens freely, alone."

"Truly," She piped up, both excited and surprised.

"Father, are you sure?"

"I am. I am sure it will not be easy when we return home. You are willing to try and so I am willing to allow this."

"Thank you!"

"But, if you chose to leave these chambers you act like the princess you are. I trust you, muinlell." Anariel looked up to him, eyes wide nodding refusing to ruin this opportunity.

Anariel paused looking to her bed, the bag she had kept so safe all this time lay there, it was earlier than planned but now seemed like a better time.

Slipping from her father's hands she grasped the bag holding it close to her chest, "I…"

"Ah, the mysterious bag you refuse to speak of."

"Until now, that is. This is for you, Ada." Anariel nervously handed it over to her father. "Thank you for keeping it safe."

"Your welcome," Legolas said, smiling warmly.

Thranduil cocked his head slightly, narrowing his eyes as he looked at her, accepting the bag. Thranduil pulled the large book from within still looking at his daughter curiously clueless to what this could have been.

"I know it is not the same, and you'll…we will never get those years back but-" Anariel lost track of everything she was beginning to say as he flipped open the front cover.

Tears welled in his eyes, flipping through the pages quickly before returning to the beginning once more. The great king found himself collapsing into the chair behind him in disbelief.

Legolas could hardly help himself as he peeked over the edge, whipping his head back to look at his sister, "Is that?"

She nodded.

Anariel sat beside the king, looking up at him nervously, "Do you like it?"

"There are no words for such a gift." Thranduil ran his hand along a drawn picture of his beloved daughter as elfling.

How much he truly owned those mortals, for they left no detail out. In their writings of her.

Thranduil chuckled as he continued to turn the pages, stopping at a picture of her sitting in a tree with a crown of flowers upon her head.

"Oh, let's skip that one." Anariel flushed a deep red laughing lightly.

"Why is that," Thranduil wondered, as he flipped to the back where he realized some had small written description, and he couldn't contain a laugh. "Hmm, my princess." Thranduil stood placing his hand upon his heart waving his hand towards her in thank you.

Anariel breathed freely, her footsteps felt lighter as she walked the many paths of Imraldis.

Letting her bare feet sweep her through the damp grass she walked the trail alongside a great waterfall, listening to leaves blowing in the wind and the sounds of the running waterfall put her mind even further at ease than the solitude alone.

She had lost herself in the vast senses that surrounded her that she hadn't noticed she walked under a vast canopy almost bumping into an elleth with long flowing chestnut hair.

"Sorry, my lady," the elleth breathed bowing her head low.

Anariel smiled, "No, there is no need. I was rather lost in my thoughts. It is I who should apologize to you and your-" Anariel halted swallowing roughly as her eyes landed on Feren, an ellon she now knew as Lindir and another she had yet to meet.

"Princess Anariel," Feren bowed his head, "there is no need, shall I introduce you to my parents and brother?"

Anariel had the sudden urge to punch him again, where did he get off acting as if nothing has happened. To stand there and act so sweet towards her after he had only just mocked her.

Breathing deeply she nodded her head remembering what her father had said, 'act like the princess you are. I trust you.' She knew if she messed this up now all hope for any remaining freedom while in Rivendell was lost.

"It would be a pleasure, Marchwarden."

Feren bowed once more, "This is my mother Elarinya, my father Beriadan, and my brother Lindir."

"It is an honour, my lady," Beriadan said with a sweeping bow.

"I thank you," Anariel smiled.

"However, did the king finally find you in the small town of Bree, was it?"

"Nana," Feren said sternly.

"Oh, I do not know. Only that it was our very own Marchwarden here who found me, and brought me back." Anariel responded with kindness.

"Was it, brother?" Lindir wondered kindly, "You think after everything, you would have said. So many have been holding hope for the princess' well-being to be the one to find her and return her to the king and her realm would do well for your reputation."

"I do not need the idle opinions of every other elf, they will think what they wish and believe what they want."

Anariel noticed how Feren said with such a strong firmness, looking at her from the corner of his eye. A direct jab towards her.

"Your brother is right, it certainly wouldn't hurt."

"Nor, will it hurt others to continue to believe what they have in this city for decades. I did what was needed, what you asked of me father. I will not spend my time now seeking for deeds to approve the opinions other have of me." Feren snapped out bitterly, his eyes still lingering on the princess watching her reaction to his words.

"Feren, you know I only say that for I know what others say, things that are not true. They should know you did not abandon your people so, you followed my own orders. You left so your mother and brother would not be alone."

Anariel couldn't help but feel the sting of Feren's words, of his fathers. Her eyes began to water, as she desperately tried to blink back the tears that threatened to fall. Her breathing quickened, as she looked to Feren her heart felt like it was burning through her chest.

Feren caught a glance at the princess, "If any cared enough they would seek me out themselves. I do not care for those who constantly make assumptions, nor those who cannot understand that of which is done on the field."

"That will be enough, we are in the presence of the princess and you stand there and bicker." Elarinya scolded her family before apologizing to the princess.

"It's fine. Uh- if you will excuse me." Anariel bowed, turning her back on them all she could not longer hold back her tears.

Feren watched her go, knew there would be tears and his heart stabbed within his chest it pained him further knowing that he was at fault. But, what else was he to do? She always made such strong assumptions, believed the worst. He was angry with her, as she was angry with him. She couldn't carry on pushing him away and then come running back to him as she pleased. He would not live his life like this.

Feren could feel the eyes of his family on him, what he didn't realize was his tears that fell outed him to his entire family. He knew the pain the coursed through her heart for it too raged in his own, how could she stand there and believe this not but an infatuation? How dare she!

He knew what he felt was true love, even if it was unrequited.

"Feren, what is going on?" His father demanded having caught the princess' tears on her way.

"It is a long story, but it proves me to be a bit more than a brute at times. Look I didn't hurt my nose training with the others, the princess punched me and I rather deserved it. Just now coming to realize I have to try and fix this too, even if it means just fighting for her, just helping her as the princess she is. It means putting my love aside."

"Something, you should have done by now. Not to mention, not mock the princess, the elleth you love."

Feren turned to look at Colfinner, "Thank you."

"Elarinya, Beriadan, if possible might I steal away your son. I need our Marchwarden's input on a matter."

"Of course, we will see you this evening," Beriadan spoke.

"Okay, you have some explaining to do. You said you were going to tell her how you feel. I assumed you did that by the morning after, but what happened?"

"I told her,"

"Without fighting?"

Feren was about to say that they didn't before quickly stopping himself.

"Before you even answer, that includes talking. Just talking, Feren, where you two figure this all out before agreeing to be together."

"Okay, you know what-" Feren began in annoyance.

"Look, all I'm saying is you need to sort things out first before you can be a couple. Don't glare at me like that, I think I know what I'm talking about. I mean I have only been married for two thousand years. You need to tell her everything. Speak together, speak of why you're frustrated and angry with her. Why you love her so. Leave nothing out."

"Every time we try to talk…"

"Then write it down, just get it to her. Truth be told its no longer a secret that she's sworn off love for a time. But, still, you must do it. And then, give her the space she needs to figure it out on her own terms, on her time."

Feren remembered to the way she slowly began to speak to him, and let him in on their travels to Mirkwood the first time they met. She let him in. How close they had become, with such ease. But, he to pictured the look on her face as she left him in tears, the horrified, pained look when Haldir told her what he'd done. He realized with an aching in his stomach that she wasn't angry then over the act in which he had done, she angry because she didn't know the truth. That he'd apparently abandoned his own family like she feared people would do to her. If she believed he had already done it once, what stopped him from doing it to her.

"You're right," Feren finally spoke out loud. "I will tell her. Everything. From the beginning. I have hidden much of my past from her. I won't any longer. And then I will leave, head back to Eryn Galen be just the Marchwarden and her my princess."

Feren excused himself from Colfinner in order to head back to his chamber where he poured everything out in a single letter, everything he'd every wanted to say to her, everything he should have said to her. He explained everything to her for she deserved to know.

As he finished, he walked with careful precise steps to her chambers slipping inside he saw her laying upon the chaise covered in the king's cloak, her eyes closed as she rested. Feren noticed how red her face had become in her crying, crying he had caused.

Bending low he slipped the letter beside, by her hand under the cloak with a bow of his head he left for Eryn Galen.

Author's Note;

Hey, finally new chapter updated. Let me know what you guys think.

Thank you

Princesskatra

KatieTroj

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