Chapter 3: Heart-Breaking

I wonder what would happen if I died here? Will I be sent home or to another world? Suddenly a thought came to me. Well, if Middle-Earth exists... then that must mean there are hundreds of worlds out there! I smiled. I wonder if, after my time here, I could go to Narnia... or, or That 'Galaxy Far, Far Away'!... or the Archipelago of Dreams!... I may even Meet The Doctor in the TARDIS! By Valar! I would love that! Maybe I could get his autograph, and Travel with him... AND receive TARDIS Driving lessons! I giggled at that last thought.

My Mind wandered back to the here and now. Legolas was late. It was very unlike him. When he first began my lessons on the Elves and the Sindarin language, he specifically stated that he would not tolerate tardiness. "How Ironic! He's breaking his own rule!" I snorted. Then, I stood gathered up my things and decided to check the Glade where I taught Legolas all about my world.

He was nowhere in sight. I sat on the ground and looked up at the sky as the stars, Eärendil shined bright in the sky. I was glad that I was wearing a shirt and light pants. I could sit cross-legged this way. I liked the Dresses but I only wore them to Dinner and Formal Events.

I Breathed the Night-air deep. This was a good time to get my thoughts strait. I sat there, going over everything that has happened to me so far in this Wonderful, Beautiful, and what I no longer doubt, REAL WORLD.

I suddenly realized something. I WAS DEEPLY IN LOVE WITH LEGOLAS!

When I was with him every other thought seemed to disappear. As this sunk in... my thoughts turned to the future.

I closed my eyes and frowned as strange visions that formed inside my mind, sent by someone or SOMETHING. Legolas marrying me... Him giving up his immortality... Giving up his THRONE...for me... I smiled just a bit at the next few that rammed themselves into my mind. Our mortal lives together... It was wonderful...Beautiful... Then I frowned again. I die earlier than him... Valar! Why did I have to see that one? ...Him grieving deeply... suffering painfully... fading away!...

"NO!" I shouted. My eyes shot opened and widened. He would be in such pain! I couldn't stand that! His pain that I envisioned... I could feel it now. Such pain... TERRABLE PAIN! I would not allow it! I had to get out of this Love and fast before such pain could reach him! But what to do? So I did what my dad would do when making a hard decision: Pray.

I sat on my knees, bowed my head, closed my eyes, and prayed. "I... do not know if you can hear me here... I don't even know if it was you who brought me here. But I need help. I do not want the visions in my head to become real...Even though you never talk to me directly, please tell me what to do." I suddenly felt warmth around me as if a pair of invisible arms wrapped around me, comforting me. I opened my eyes and saw Eärendil shining brighter than I ever seen.

I know now what to do.

I stood, looking up at Eärendil, I wondered if it was God, Eru, or the Stars' Spirit that helped me, or if they were one and the same. But Time was wearing, I had work to do. With a silent "Amen", I ran towards the house I had been given, and began packing. I put out everything on my bed to be sorted out later, but I put My Lord of the Rings book in my bag first, along with my songbird ocarina, (I am a Zelda Fan after all and what's a fan without one?) then walked towards the throne room of the Palace.

I entered and waited patiently for King Thranduil to address me. After a few minutes, he looked up and smiled at me. "Mae govannen, Elizabeth." I bowed low and just for fun, quoted the greeting phrase and bow for properly greeting an Elf from the Inheratance Cycle. "Mae govannen, Lord. Atra esterní ono thelduin, Mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr, un atra du evarínya ono Varda." I then Translated. "May good fortune rule over you, Peace live in your heart, and may the Stars watch over you!"

He Laughed. "Even though you know little of our language, you do know a how to properly greet Elves. Now, Speak." "My Lord, I wish to talk to you..." I bit my lip then spoke in common. "Privately, if that is alright." He smiled and led me over to his private study.

He offered me a seat and then ordered for tea and fruit to be brought. The food was brought and he offered me an apple, which I took and ate slowly. We had a bit of light conversation about my lessons and he tested me, asking questions about certain parts in Elvish History or what to do when out hunting. When the food was gone, he passed me a cup of Elvish Tea. I took it and just looked down at it. We sat in silence til he spoke.

"Now, What is it you wish to speak to me about?" He asked. I sighed. "Well Lord Thranduil, It seems that my time here is nearing its' end." I looked up at him. "I want to thank you for everything you've done for me, but something has... come up. I must leave immediately." I drank my cup of tea deeply. I had gotten use to the taste of the food and drink here, but I could never express my surprise every time I taste Elvish Tea. There was a sweet bitterness to it that sends my taste-buds into a whirlwind.

He looked at me with an eyebrow raised. "What has come up to make you leave so suddenly?" I bit my lip, not knowing if I should tell him the WHOLE truth. I placed my cup on the table next to me, stood and walked silently over to the window looking out over the fair Elvin city. My right elbow rested on the wall next to the window and my right hand was balled into a fist and over my mouth. My left hand was on my hip and my feet were crossed.

"If I may ask, where is your son, Legolas?" "He is out in the forest. It was reported that a few Goblins and Orcs were terrorizing the borders. But you have not answered my question. I shall repeat: What has come up to make you leave so suddenly?"

I gulped. "Well, My Lord... I had a vision..." I took a breath. "A vision about your son." I looked at him. The surprise on his face was obvious. "I do not know how or why, but my presence here will cause your son pain." I closed my eyes covering them with my hand. I knew how AND why... I just wasn't sure if I should tell him. "What pain could you cause my son?" He asked cautiously.

Your back against a wall Elizabeth... Time to Let it all out and face the consequences... I sighed.

"It seems, My Lord," I began softly and slowly. "That a weary and lonely traveler has placed her heart in the hands of your son..." I paused. "And his is within her grasp..."

I cringed as I heard a gasp from him. "I know the troubles of Love between a Human and an Elf... That is why I must leave. These visions were sent to me. I don't know by whom but they ended terribly..." I winced at the memory of Legolas' pain at the loss of me. "I have truly no intention to harm your son as I honorably call you MY King since I have come to know your Kingdom as my home."

I turned to him and got down on one knee with a bowed head, not daring to look him in the eye. "I swear by Eru and the Valar that I wish no harm on your son. The sooner I leave the faster his heart can heal."

I could tell he had a stern look on his face. He stood and I waited patiently for his reply. "You truly love him, do you not?" I looked up to see only sadness in his face, but over what I could not tell. "Yes... With all my heart... that's why I MUST Leave." He lifted me up and smiled. "I already think of you as one of my subjects... and a daughter." I smiled. "Then may I have your permission to go?"

-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-

My things were packed. King Thranduil blessed me with my own Dark Brown horse, named Ethel, and a Specially made Sword in a golden sheath and a bow with a quiver full to the brim with arrows. "Thank you for everything my King." I gave him a stack of papers. "This is the History of my world, and some books from there as well. They are written in the common language but perhaps some of your scribes can write them into Elvish so that others may read it?"

He agreed then gave me a small silver Necklace with a pendent that was shaped as a Sapphire flower within a Diamond star and a matching ring. "These are symbols to show you are an Elf-Friend. A Title I want you to hold with pride." He then gave me a scroll addressed to the Lord of Rivendell. "If you pass through Rivendell, deliver this to Lord Elrond Half-Elvin. It explains your situation. He may be able to help you find a way home if you wish to return there." I smiled. "Thank you... Ada." He smiled and embraced me, kissing my forehead. "Be Safe... my Dear Child..." I jumped up onto Ethel, pulled up the hood of my dark green cloak, and rode off. My thoughts went forward to Legolas.

Legolas... Forgive me. This is For your own Good...

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~~~Legolas' POV~~~

"Prince Legolas?" I looked up to the guard on my right. I was thinking about Elizabeth. Right now I would be finished with her Elvish Language and History lesson and we would be heading towards the glade where she taught me of her home.

Tonight, she was to teach me more about a holiday called "Christmas". So far, she told me of the main concept, tonight she was to tell me the story strait from the History Book she called the Bible. She won't be happy that I didn't show up for either.

Scouts reported that Orcs and Goblins were terrorizing the Borders. We put a stop to them. "There is an Elf coming this way." Indeed the figure was coming as we spoke. He was upon a Dark Brown Horse, with a bow and quiver full of arrows upon his back. A sword was securely strapped to his side and the hood of his cloak was high over his head so his face could not be seen.

As he passed by those in front of me, he greeted in a low voice, "Mae govannen. I am correct in assuming that you are the ones King Thranduil sent to discover the truth of the rumor about the orcs and goblins?" "Indeed, we are. We destroyed the vile creatures last night." The Figure seemed to smile. "All is well then? On the Western Boarder?" The Captain of the Guard, Thôril, frowned. "Indeed it is. If I may ask, stranger, who are you and where are you going?" "My name I will keep, friend. I am sent to Rivendell by order of the King. I have his official seal on this letter for the Lord Elrond Half-Elvin." He reached into his cloak and pulled out a scroll addressed to Elrond and with the King's seal clear upon it. Thôril nodded then motioned for him to pass.

He thanked him then began to ride forward... but stopped beside me. As he turned towards me, I saw a pair of green eyes that seemed familiar. He bowed. "Prince Legolas." He said it in such a quiet voice that I almost did not hear it. "I was asked to relay a message to you. It is this: Your Heart is too Kind and Pure for it to break on a whim... don't let it do so." He bowed again. "A young maiden asked your father to tell you that. I volunteered to do it in case I met you while traveling. I do not know what it means but it must be important... It is strange... The young child looked like an Elleth but spoke like a human. She looked worried. Beware, Lord! I believe she can see danger and wishes to prevent it." He bowed once more then left.

Elizabeth? Why say something like this? What does your message mean? As we arrived at the Gates we met my Father. I gave my horse to the Stable Master then started towards the glade. "Legolas." I turned to my father. "She is not there, my son." "Then where might she be, Ada?" He gave me a sad look. I've never seen him look so sad. What has happened to make him look so? "I'm so sorry my son. She had a vision of you. She feared for you, for her visions were filled with your pain, and she made a difficult decision..."

My eyes widened.

Before he could say another word, I ran towards the house ada had given her. I burst through the door. "Elizabeth?" No answer. No one. The entire room was cleaned out. She had not been here for hours. NonoNO! I fell to my knees and cried. Then I remembered the stranger. His eyes... so familiar... her message! Your Heart is too Kind and Pure for it to break on a whim... do not let it do so. "ELIZABETH!" You'll be able to tell who's speaking Elvish When the speakers words are in Italics and Bold. Hope You Enjoy!