A/N Again, many thanks to Celridel for taking the time to beta this chapter
Innor, the Head healer was busy finishing some reports when Legolas came barging into his office, carrying a limp body.
"Legolas Thranduilion! What have I told you about barging into my office without knocking royalty though you may be?" He seemed unfazed when he saw the unconscious girl, as he led Legolas to the healers' ward with all the calmness long years of his profession brought. "What happened, do you know?" he asked, as Legolas laid her on a bed.
"I do not know. My patrol and I were scouting the perimeters further to the north when Salabion came back and told me there was a young elleth wandering around. When I finally got there, she began to babble on about wanting to go home to a place called Sea-adle. I asked her what she was doing in Taur-nu-Fuin alone, and she started to become more frightened–she appeared not to know she was an elf! I eventually convinced her to let us bring her back to Father's halls, but she only got a few steps before collapsing."
Innor seemed very concerned after hearing the strange tale. "That is odd indeed."
"Do you know what is wrong with her?" Legolas asked growing more concerned.
Innor shook his head. "Not yet, Legolas. I need to examine her, but you need to step outside while I do."
Legolas hesitated for a second. What if the elleth woke up and panicked? He shook his head and decided it was best to obey Innor, after all, he was the best healer in Taur-nu-Fuin. Legolas left the room, but stayed close to the doors, in case anything happened.
When Legolas arrived at his father's halls with the elleth, whispers arose, along with questions. The patrol members had answered their questions to the best of their abilities. Being questioned by your superiors was one thing, but being interrogated by groups of giggling and gossiping ellith was another story.
Legolas had passed Feren, Thranduil's messenger, on his hurried way to Innor. Calling over his shoulder, he asked Feren to summon his father to the infirmary. Feren left at once.
When Feren told the king he was needed at once in the healing ward, Thranduil felt panic well within him. Was Legolas injured once again? Ashen-faced, he hurried to the infirmary, but when he saw Legolas standing there, perfectly fine, he was confused.
"Legolas, what is it now? When Feren told me I was needed here, I thought something happened to you!" Legolas gently hugged his father and quickly told him the story.
"Innor is trying right now to figure out what caused her to collapse," he finished.
Thranduil struggled for something to say, unbelieving that his son had brought back a strange Elf. For all he knew, she could be under some dark spell or a puppet of the Necromancer. A small part of his brain told him he was thinking irrationally, but he ignored it. He opened his mouth to reprimand Legolas when a terrified scream reached their ears.
Instantly, they both ran into the room and were met with the sight of the young woman curled up into a ball next to the wall, as if she was fending off a predator. Innor was slowly walking towards her, speaking softly, trying to calm her down, telling her she was safe and no one was going to hurt her.
"Stay away from me! Who are you and where am I?" Estella cried out, fear shining in her eyes. Looking frantically around the room, her eyes landed on Legolas, and she relaxed slightly, but not much.
Legolas kneeled and held his hand out to her. "It is all right. You are safe. Innor is our head healer. He was only trying to find out what happened to you," Legolas said, pointing towards Innor, who stood back, having let Legolas take over the situation.
Her eyes flickered from Innor and back to Legolas. Then her eyes fell on Thranduil, who was still very unsure whether it was a wise idea to have her here. "Who is that?" she whispered.
Legolas laughed softly at the look on his father's face. "That is my father, King Thranduil. Do not worry; he will not hurt you."
Innor smiled gently. "My dear, if you will sit back on the bed, I will do my very best to try and find out what is going on."
"I told Legolas already. My name is Estella, and nothing is wrong with me. I fell asleep on my mother's bed and woke up in a strange forest. I do not have any idea how I got here. All I want is to find a way home!" Estella said, growing frustrated.
Thranduil took the liberty to speak. "Estella, is it? You claim you just woke up in the middle of Taur-nu-Fuin. That might be true; however, you also claim you have no idea how you arrived here, that you come from some place called Sea-adle, and that you are not an Elf. I disagree with you that nothing is not wrong."
Legolas eyed his father. "Father, please, be a little sympathetic. She is scared."
Thranduil sighed and seated himself in a chair.
Estella was confused. "But I am not an Elf. Why do you keep calling me that?"
Legolas raised a skeptical eyebrow. "I sincerely doubt you are a fíriel."
"I am…what?"
"Mortal woman."
"Yes, I am human!"
Legolas courteously took her to her feet and led her to the floor-length glass. Estella gasped upon looking into the mirror. Her pointed ears were more pronounced, and her face more defined and far fairer than she remembered it being. "I don't understand this," she cried out. "How can this be? I do not ever remember looking like this!"
With help from Legolas, Innor managed to convince Estella to let him examine her alone, to see if he could discover out what was going on.
As Legolas and Thranduil waited outside, they got into a slight argument over whether Estella should stay or not. Legolas barely managed to convince his father Estella was not a threat, and he would be responsible for her. If anything did happen, he would be held accountable for it.
While they were waiting, Legolas sent a servant to prepare a room for Estella near his own. Perhaps if she slept closer to his chambers, the young elleth would not feel as scared.
About half an hour later, Innor emerged and motioned for Thranduil and Legolas to follow him to his office.
"Well? What is the problem? Is it memory loss or some dark magic?" Thranduil asked, trying not to sound inconsiderate. Legolas forced himself to not glare at his father.
Innor exhaled softly and gathered his thoughts. "No, she does not have any memory loss, but yes, some magic is involved." Seeing Thranduil tense, he quickly continued. "Worry not, my lord. I do not believe it is dark magic. Estella is not from this world, or at least not born in this world. I believe her mother, however, was from this world. She told me where she used to live, both she and her mother were always different from the other people, in looks." Innor paused for breath, then continued, "she does not know anything about her father, only that he was from what her mother called a different country. Her mother did not tell her anymore about her father, nor did she explain the reason why she and Estella looked different from everyone else. Her mother raised her alone. I think somehow the Valar are responsible for bringing her here. It seems she had a sort of veil of protection which kept her looking somewhat like a mortal while she was in that other world and when she arrived here it was removed." Innor took a deep breath and sat down in his chair.
Both king and son were astonished, and it took a minute for the story to sink in. Finally, Thranduil spoke. "What about her mother? Where is she?"
Innor frowned. "I asked her the same question, and she told me her mother died a couple of weeks ago from what the healers in their world call a heart attack. However, Estella says she believes it was from a broken heart, the result of her mother missing her father. I could not get any more information from her."
After hearing this, Thranduil felt sorry for the girl. He knew all too well what it was like to lose a parent, as did his son. "So, what do we do? How can we help her?"
Innor ran his fingers through his sleek hair before speaking. "The best thing you can do for her is to help her settle down and find her way in this new world. She is no doubt scared right now and probably feels confused and out of place here. Be patient with her, as she does not know of our ways nor does she speak our language. It will take time for her to feel at home here. She still is reeling from the fact she now has no mother or father."
Legolas managed to find his voice after hearing all this. "I will help her. I will show her around here and help her feel more comfortable in her new environment. If the Valar are indeed responsible for bringing her here, and if her parents are not originally from that world, then there must be a reason for her arriving here. Perhaps her father is still alive, and he is here, in our world, and she was brought here to find him?"
Innor nodded in agreement. "That is a good idea, Legolas. Estella seems to be more at ease around you and appears to trust you more. Also, it is possible her father could be here. She is no doubt one of the Noldor, and if her father is still on these shores, we might have a chance at finding him. For now, just help her find her way around here and help her learn our language."
Agreeing to this course of action, Legolas went to get Estella. When he entered the room, Estella was lying on the bed, looking out the windows.
Legolas could not help, but feel sorry for her. He did wonder though, did her mother's fëa remain in the strange world Estella had lived in? Or had it gone to the Halls of Mandos? Legolas hoped it was the latter.
Composing his thoughts, he spoke. "Estella, you are going to stay here with my family and people. You will be staying in the royal wing, near to where my rooms are. We will also have you fitted for new clothing. I am sure there are a few dresses somewhere which will fit you, for the moment. I will take you to your rooms now so you can bathe and eat." Taking a hand in his, he squeezed it gently. "We will find out what happened, Estella. I promise."
Estella looked at Legolas, and for the first time since arriving in Middle-earth, she smiled. "Thank you, Legolas, for everything."
"You are welcome Estella, now let me take you to your rooms," Legolas replied, smiling back.
Getting up, Estella went with Legolas feeling a tad bit better than before. If he was going to help her, then she knew she would have nothing to fear.
* fíriel–Sindarin for mortal maid