The Return

Disclaimer: All belongs to Tolkien except for my characters Roslyn and Maethor – they are my own creations and are not meant to resemble anyone else's OCs in any way.

A/N: Ok, ok. We all knew I wouldn't be able to stay away for long lol. For those of you who are new, please go read The Traveler first since this is the sequel and won't make much sense otherwise. For everyone else, I hope this doesn't disappoint!

Chapter 1: Regrets

Roslyn woke up and stared at the ceiling of her New York apartment. She'd had the same dream again, leaving her sweaty and wet between her legs. She breathed deeply as she felt the strong urge to cry. It hadn't been like this for a while. She hadn't had the dream for months now.

She sat up slowly and pushed the covers off, making her way to her shower. She stood under the hot spray and let the water wash over her.

It's been an entire year since I left Mirkwood…since I left him. I shouldn't still feel like this. I should be over it all by now.

Roslyn sighed in frustration as she dried off and continued to get ready for work. She grabbed her purse and her gym bag on her way out, planning to stop by for her kick boxing class after work. She'd taken it up after getting home, not wanting to ever feel as helpless as she had on her first day in Mirkwood.

She walked the short distance to the subway and stood on the platform, waiting for the train. As much as she tried not to think about what had happened, the memories came up unbidden, called forth by the recurrence of her dream.

If only things had turned out differently. But they didn't. He didn't ask you to stay. In the end, he never really wanted you the way you wanted him. But that's ok, you're back home now and it's time to move on. You have to let yourself move on.

…

Thranduil lay there in bed, staring up at the vaulted ceiling, not wanting to get out of bed. It was a year to the day since Roslyn left and he'd woken up from the same dream that he had almost every night. He imagined what it would have been like if things had gone differently when she'd come to his chambers that night. He sighed and rolled out of bed, knowing he couldn't stay there much longer.

His morning seemed to drag on endlessly. Meeting after meeting and tedious things he had to attend to as a ruler. Finally after lunch he had some time to himself. He made his way to his usual spot and sat on the bench.

I can't keep doing this to myself.

He sighed deeply as he stared out at the water before him.

You were the one who ended it. For her own good, you ended it. And now you need to let yourself move on. You have to move on.

Maethor sat down beside him wordlessly. They stayed there for several minutes, neither one speaking.

Then finally, "You are such a fool."

Thranduil turned to look at his companion.

"I told you this would happen, but you did not listen."

"I did it for her. I am a great Elven King. I need an elleth as my queen, not a silly mortal woman. In the end, I could not offer her what she wanted."

"As I said, you are a fool. You didn't do it for her. Just admit that you were afraid of what it would mean if you asked her to stay with you. Just admit that you loved her."

"You're being ridiculous."

"And you are a coward. And now you're suffering for it."

Thranduil looked away from him, his words hitting too close to home for his own liking.

"You know very well that it wouldn't matter to any of us who you took as your queen. But don't you believe that if you're still thinking about her after a year, perhaps it was real after all? That she wasn't just some passing obsession as you keep assuring me?"

Thranduil made a face as he leaned back against the bench.

"Or maybe she was just an obsession and what I really needed to be able to get her off my mind was to fuck her. Then after finally bedding her I would have probably lost interest – just like all that came before her," he said viciously as he crossed his arms over his chest.

Maethor sighed as he got up, "As I said, you are such a fool."

Thranduil turned his head away from him as he thought back to that fateful day.

…

Roslyn got off the train and walked the rest of the way to the UN headquarters. She took the elevator up to her floor and walked swiftly to her office. Sitting down at her desk she began to check her work emails and messages.

The day seemed to drag on forever for her, filled with meetings and paperwork. It was finally nearly five and Roslyn was itching to get out. She walked back to her office from her last videoconference of the day. Sitting down at her desk, she began sorting through some papers. A knock sounded on her door not even five minutes later. Her secretary Claire poked her head in and looked at Roslyn.

"Hey, Mr. Allen wanted to see you ASAP."

"Um, ok," Rolsyn looked back at Claire, slightly alarmed.

She got up and quickly made her way to her boss's office, heels click clacking loudly on the marble floors. She knocked on his door twice and waited nervously.

"Come in," he called.

She opened the door and walked inside, closing it softly behind her.

"Hey, Claire said you wanted to see me?"

"Ah, yes. Please, have a seat," he motioned to the large comfy chair in front of his desk.

Roslyn complied and sat down, crossing her ankles and laying her hands in her lap. She was anxious and tried her best not to fidget. He looked at her for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully. Steepling his fingers, he leaned towards her.

"Well I'm just going to come out and say it. How would you like to go back to Middle Earth?"

"I…I'm sorry, what?"

"It would seem we need some more cajoling when it comes to the Elven king of Mirkwood. The other two kingdoms have been quite friendly and open to allowing limited access for a few individuals to study their cultures and strengthen political ties. King Thranduil is another story. He has not allowed anyone else into his kingdom since you left. In fact, he remains quite hostile towards any attempts we have made at peaceful talks. He has, however, finally granted tentative permission for a diplomat to come and visit him again."

He paused for a moment, trying to read her expression. Roslyn continued to sit there quietly, not comprehending the conversation.

"So, what do you want me to do about it? I already spent a significant amount of time there. Obviously it meant nothing," she said bitterly.

"I want you to try again."

"Why me? Can't anyone else go?"

He looked at her incredulously.

"Because you've already been there. You've studied Elvish. You've made connections and built a rapport with them…with the king! Anyone new would have to start from scratch!"

"I just don't think this is a good idea."

"Roslyn, I know I asked you if you wanted to go back, but I wasn't really asking. Let's put it this way, either you can go to Mirkwood again and attempt to soften up the king, or you can stay here and do the mountains of paperwork that I have piling up."

She swallowed hard, "Mirkwood it is."

"Good, now I would recommend subleasing your apartment because who knows how long this is going to take. And on a more personal note, although this is work related, try to enjoy yourself. From what I hear, Middle Earth really is something to behold. And you've been, well, a bit tense lately."

"Right. So when do I leave?"

"Tomorrow."

He smiled at her and motioned at the door.

Roslyn stood up cautiously and walked out. She made her way back to her office, shut everything down, grabbed her stuff, and immediately left. She sat on the train, her kickboxing class long forgotten. Staring out the window, she thought back to that awful day, exactly a year ago.

:::

(Into the Fire – Thirteen Senses)

Roslyn was determined. She had less than 48 hours left with him so it was now or never. She stomped her way down the hall, pausing at the doors to his chambers. She raised her fist, poised to knock. She stood there for a minute, hand frozen in the air.

It's ok. You can do this. You got this girl.

She released a long breath as her hand dropped back down to her side.

"Oh fuck this," she said aloud to herself.

And with that, she shoved the unlocked doors open and barged in.

"Thranduil?" she called, "Where are you? We need to talk!"

She continued through his chambers, throwing open the doors to his bedroom. He turned to face her, looking startled. Roslyn stopped in her tracks, hands still on the door handles. He stood before her in nothing but a pair of black leggings. She let her eyes slide over his body, unashamed of her obvious ogling.

She felt a flutter in her stomach as a wave of desire hit her hard. She watched as his eyes darkened and breath deepened. She suddenly forgot what she needed to talk to him about that was so important.

He cocked his head to the side as he approached her with slow determination. They stood before each other now, so close, yet not touching. Her hands fell off the handles as she looked up at him. A few lone droplets of water rolled down his torso from his still wet hair.

She reached her hand up, desperately wanting to wipe them away. Thranduil grabbed her wrist gently just as she was about to touch him. Their eyes locked. She knew it then, in that one moment, that that was it. He had a sad and pained look in his eyes as he released a slow sigh.

Bending down he picked up his discarded robe from the floor and threw it back over his shoulders, covering himself from her view. She swallowed hard, knowing what he was about to say but not wanting to hear it.

"Roslyn," he practically whispered her name, "We can't do this. The other night…was a mistake. We were both drunk after the feast. What you're feeling now, it isn't real."

Thranduil paused, waiting for a response, but none came. Roslyn continued to stand there, staring at him. Her mouth had grown dry and her tongue felt as if it were made of lead.

"I can't give you what you want," he told her, "You should go back with Elrond, you should go home."

She felt her stomach twist and heart throb painfully. She opened her mouth to tell him how she felt but she choked on the words, unable to get them out.

I love you, I love you, I love you.

He took a small step towards her, hand raised, as if he were about to grab her face and kiss her goodbye. He stood that way for a heartbeat before changing his mind and dropping his hand back to his side.

I'm sorry.

She couldn't take anymore. She turned away from him and resolutely walked out. She made her way to Tauriel's room, hoping the elleth was there. Knocking on her door, Roslyn waited patiently. But no answer came.

So instead she went to find Elrond. The elf was seated behind a desk in his room as Roslyn slowly entered. He looked up at her from his work.

"What's the matter?"

She cleared her throat and finally found her voice, "I know we're not supposed to leave for another two days, but I was wondering if there was any chance we could just head out tomorrow?"

He furrowed his brow as he studied her, "Did something happen?"

"No, no. Of course not. I'm just…ready to head back home."

Home. Am I really heading back to it? Or am I leaving it?

"Well I suppose you are. A year is a long time to be gone. Thranduil and I should be done with business just after lunch. We can leave then if you'd like."

"Thank you."

She finally found Tauriel the next morning. Telling her she was leaving in a few hours wasn't easy. She didn't really go into details about what happened between her and Thranduil but Tauriel couldn't believe he'd told her to go. The two friends spent the rest of the morning together. Roslyn mostly just sat there and listened to her friend talk, still feeling numb inside. She hadn't cried a single tear and she wanted to keep it that way.

It was finally time to go. In a few hours she'd be out of the forest and on her way to Rivendell, and then back to New York. They stood at the gate saying their goodbyes. But she still couldn't say anything to Thranduil. As she turned to mount her horse she felt his unmistakable hands on her waist, helping her up. Their fingers brushed as he handed her the reins and she finally turned to look at him.

"Goodbye my lady," hand on his heart, he bowed his head to her.

She continued to stare at him for a moment, "Goodbye Thranduil."

It came out as only a soft whisper, but his keen elven ears picked up the words. Before she knew it, Elrond had gently pulled on the rope he was using to guide her steed from atop his own. The horse turned to follow him. Roslyn did not look back.

Hours later they finally reached the end of the forest. The small group stepped out into the fresh air, happy to let the evening sun warm their faces. At last, Roslyn turned to glance behind her.

That's it. It's all behind me now. I've left Mirkwood. And I've left him. I've…left him.

It all suddenly hit her like a ton of bricks. Her left hand flew to cover her mouth as an heart wrenching sob ripped through her. The tears gushed out and her shoulders shook as she continued to weep.

Elrond turned to her, alarmed.

"My lady, what's wrong? Are you hurt?!"

"No, I'm fine…I'm…fine," she managed to choke out between sobs.

Elrond watched her out of the corner of his eye as she continued to cry for a good part of their journey.

Back in Mirkwood, Thranduil still stood there alone, gazing out into the dark forest and imagining her face. Somewhere deep in his chest, he felt his heart ache.

:::

Roslyn numbly made her way into her dark apartment. She couldn't quite remember how she'd got there. Putting her stuff down on the floor she walked into her room and sat on the bed. She stared out the window, not really seeing the brilliant city lights.

"I'm going back," she breathed out.

A/N: Ok, so maybe not the sequel you all thought it was going to be? But I promise it will still be good! Please don't abandon me lol.