AN: It's certainly been a while. I just needed time away from writing to focus on myself, and I believe now is a good time to come back. I probably won't get any better at updating, but just keep in mind that I won't give up on anything I start (except for Lost, which I'm slowly rewriting again). That being said, all updates will be sporadic, but it's my hope to update at least once every month. I will be focusing on finishing this up before posting the new version of Lost. Sorry for how long it's taken me!

Ellie Gant: Thank you so much for your wonderful reviews! Chapter three wasn't the last one, but it probably seemed like it for a while! *cough* nope won't leave long spans of time between updates *cough* I also really appreciate your minor critiques. I've tried your suggestion near the end of this chapter (because half of it was written months ago and I only added the second half recently), so I hope my grammar has improved. Thank you again!

Charon53: Yeah this has been a while and probably a lot longer than you and I were anticipating, but better late than never? *hopeful smile* Answers will come but I don't think I put any in this chapter, so you'll just have to wait again, but hopefully not as long this time. Thank you!

CandiLover: Don't worry, I am continuing this :) Aww thank you!

Lord Illyren: Thank you! I have a mildly coherent idea about what's up with him, but that may change later on, who knows? I sincerely hope that as well! Thanks again!

Babadevi66: Thank you! I tried to make a change of pace for myself and write something without any romance involved.

Chapter 4

The next morning came faster than I would have liked; regardless, I knew Braigves would be unhappy if I failed to show for work. I had no desire to face her wrath so, after struggling to rise at first, I quickly dressed and made my way to the washroom.

Looking down at the table piled with clothes before me, I couldn't bring myself to look in Meluines's direction. Fear burned in my stomach and my pulse began to race. There was no scenario where she didn't know about what happened with the knife. If I dared to look at her, I knew I wouldn't be able to keep a neutral expression, thus confirming her suspicions. Knowing her, she would tell Braigves, who would then tell the King. Once news of my actions got to the King's ear, I would spend the rest of my days locked up in the dungeon. He was a good man, one to respect but also fear; however, when one was summoned by the King, one usually did not go on good terms.

My fingers absent-mindedly folding the various tunics before me, I couldn't take my mind off of what had happened the night before. His silent, hostile demeanor throughout the entire exchange filled my stomach with unease. Additionally, a stubborn thought lingering in the back of my mind did nothing to help my feelings of anxiety. Why had the Prince given me clearance to speak? Surely he should have dismissed me.

Braigves cleared her throat, jolting me from my thoughts as I quickly realized she was addressing me. "I will be taking care of the clothes deliveries for today as you seem to be a little slow this morning." Whisking the stack of folded clothes away from my side, she disappeared up the stairs.

Meluines, who was not one for confrontation, stopped her work at once, coming to my side. "Your movements are rarely this delayed."

Refusing to meet her gaze, I hissed, "Shouldn't you be working?"

Lifting her hand, Meluines pressed her cool fingers against my cheek, gently forcing me to look her in the eyes. "What have you done?"

"It is none of your concern." I drew back from her touch, stiffening. My eyes hardened, trying to force the fear in them out.

A fire that I'd never seen before started to grow in her eyes. "It becomes part of my affairs if you get taken by the King for questioning." I opened my mouth to protest, but she sharply cut me off with a fierce glare. "Do not think for one moment that I wouldn't take this to him. I know you did something outside of your servantry duties. If I had to voice my suspicions, it would be about the knife from the other day."

"Meluines, I..." My voice faded. I had clearly been right, something I didn't want to be at the moment. Meluines would not hesitate in telling the King, because what I did was completely outside of my duties. A servant never sought out the nobility. The nobility sought out the servant, because the servant came when he or she was wanted and never at any other time.

Her tone softening, Meluines took my hands, and looked down. "Believe me, I do not want to address King Thranduil about this matter. I'd hate to see you imprisoned." Meeting my eyes suddenly, she whispered, "Tonight, you will meet me in the gardens, and you will tell me everything." When I opened my mouth to protest, she interrupted me before I could get a word out, saying, "This is not up for debate." Dropping my hands, she left my side as quickly as she'd come to it, and returned to her work. She did not look at me again.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully. Meluines remained on the other side of the room, working swiftly, her face giving nothing away. Braigves shuffled all of the clothes away, giving the two of us strange looks, as if she knew something was amiss yet assumed it was something trivial.

If only she knew.

As I climbed up the stairs after the day, anxious to get away from work, I sensed Meluines coming up sharply behind me. Whispering, she breathed, "After sundown." As swiftly as she came up on my side, she was gone. A growing sense of dread overwhelming my senses, I put a hand over my stomach, yearning for this entire mess to be over.

Why couldn't I have just let it go?

Laying on my bed, my hand draping over my eyes, I dreaded the ever coming sunset. What had I gotten myself into? Giving the knife to Braigves would have been much easier. Rolling onto my stomach, I sucked in a breath, praying that the rising dread in my core would vanish along with the rest of my problems.

Why couldn't I just stay out of trouble?

Realizing I hadn't changed out of my work clothes yet, I swept my legs over the side of my bed, forcing myself to sit up. The knot in my stomach twisted, but I made myself stand and put on a simple white tunic and navy pants. Slipping on my favorite brown leather boots, I tossed my hair over my shoulder, my fingers reaching back to braid it.

As my fingers wove the strands together, my thoughts gathered and scattered. I needed some fresh air, so there was a small mercy in having our meeting in the gardens. With any luck, we wouldn't come across the Prince. Tying my finished braid swiftly behind my head, I sighed and rested my hands against the wall, leaning on it.

This was proving too much for me. The best thing to do was come clean to Meluines and pray that she would keep her mouth shut. Then, we could all move on and never speak of this again. Taking another deep breath, I opened the door to my room and walked out, holding my head high.

Nodding to the few servants I passed on my way to the gardens, I tried to control my racing heart. It would be better if I told her. If she did go to King Thranduil, then I could plead my case to him and try to get him to understand. He wasn't unreasonable. There was nothing to worry about.

Except possible imprisonment for the rest of my life.

Wiping my hands on my pants, I strolled through gardens, looking for a bench to sit on but also not desiring to sit. I needed to move, but I also needed to appear calm.

"Thanneth," a cool voice behind me murmured. Turning around sharply, I saw Meluines walking towards me, her eyes giving away nothing. "Walk with me." Without giving me a chance to refuse, she strode past me. With my thundering heart threatening to leap out of my chest, I fell in step with her, taking a breath yet remaining silent. Without looking at me, she spoke softly, "Whenever you feel ready."

I took another deep breath and admitted, "I did take the knife, but I'm assuming you knew that already." My words were starting to rush together, so I swallowed, willing myself to calm down. "All I did was return it to its owner."

"Who would that be?" Again, Meluines kept her eyes fixed on the path ahead.

"The Prince."

There it was, finally out in the open. The knot in my stomach loosened slightly, only to tighten again when Meluines stopped to face me. "What?"

"I took it to Prince Legolas last night. The blade was ornately designed, so it was clear that it wasn't a regular guard's knife." I searched her eyes for a, but all I could see was confusion. What was confusing about this?

After a moment, Meluines spoke, her confusion lacing her tone, "Was it actually his?" Nodding, I waited as she fell silent, thinking to herself. I was startled when she asked, "What was his knife doing in the laundry?"

"That's what I was hoping to find out." Folding my arms over my chest, I tried not to look to eager. At the moment, she didn't appear to be upset with me. "I only did something about it because I witnessed a strange event a few months ago."

Shooting me a deeply perplexed look, Meluines started walking again, muttering, "That doesn't make any sense."

"I was on a clothing delivery and on my way back, I heard an odd noise, as if someone was trying to catch their breath after running. When I looked to see where the sound was coming from, the only person I saw was Prince Legolas, but he didn't appear to be winded." Looking up, I let out a sigh. "I shouldn't continue meddling in this."

"No," Meluines said slowly, giving me another look, "you shouldn't. Neither should I." A ghost of a smile materialized on her face. "However, I don't think the fact that we're lowly servants should stop us."

"What?" Out of all of the things she could have said, that was not one I was expecting.

Her eyes bright, she grinned at me. "Shall I repeat my words for you?" Placing a hand on my shoulder, she dipped her head. "I'll be seeing you in the morning." With that, she withdrew her hand and walked away, leaving me speechless.