A/N Again, many thanks to Celridel for taking the time to beta this chapter

Legolas searched the forest surrounding his borders for the third time that day. It had now been one week since Estella vanished without a trace when she ran off while he was away on patrol. Legolas was beside himself with worry as he searched everywhere for any evidence of the young elleth. Estella had only been in Middle-earth for a little more than a year now, yet she had never gone anywhere outside the borders of Taur-nu-Fuin without him or someone else. Even then, she never ventured out beyond what was considered safe.

The young prince sighed in defeat. His father had all but given up on finding Estella, for in his mind, no one, especially one so young and inexperienced as Estella, could have survived this long on their own in the wild. Legolas did not want to believe his father or any of the other guards but even he was starting to think perhaps they were right, and she was gone. As Legolas turned to head back towards home, he heard hooves galloping swiftly in the distance toward him. Daring to hope it was Estella, he quickly ran towards the sound and gasped in surprise as he saw coming at him, Estella's mare, Lúthril. However, to his absolute horror, Estella was nowhere to be seen.

Upon seeing Legolas raise his hands to grab her reigns, Lúthril stopped. Legolas's face was drained of all color as he continued looking around, half expecting Estella to jump out of the bushes laughing, but as seconds passed into minutes, he realized she was not going to appear. Legolas rubbed Lúthril's muzzle gently, trying to calm her down. When he was certain she was not going to bolt, he whispered softly. "Lúthril, where is Estella?" Lúthril just whinnied softly, nudging Legolas's open hand as if she was looking for food.

Legolas smiled despite himself. "Forgive me, my friend. You must be thirsty and hungry after your long trip. Let us get you back to the stables, and Cabrion can get you some food, water, and you can rest to your heart's content." Lúthril threw her head back and stomped her hoof in agreement.

When they got back to the stables, Cabrion ran out to greet Legolas. He was in complete shock at seeing Lúthril. But when the Elf noticed Estella was not with her, he knew something was wrong, for Lúthril and Estella were never apart. "My prince, is Lady Estella not with you?"

Legolas frowned and his eyes glossed over in sadness and despair. "Nay Cabrion, she is not, and I fear the worst. It has been a week now, and if Lúthril has returned without her mistress, that can only mean Estella is in trouble." Turning toward the mare, Legolas handed over the reins to the stable master. "Cabrion, this horse has been through a lot, please see to it she has a proper rub down and plenty of fresh food and water. I must go to my father at once and tell him the news."

Cabrion nodded his head and took the reins, but before Legolas could leave, he motioned for him. "My lord, should you not take Lady Estella's satchel with you?" he asked motioning his eyes at the large provisions bag strapped to Lúthril.

Legolas smiled faintly and unstrapped the bag to bring back inside. "Thank you, Cabrion. Please make sure Lúthril is well cared for."

Cabrion bowed and went straight to work while Legolas hurried off toward the main halls to break the news to his father that Estella's horse returned, but there was still no sign of the young elleth.

Inside the main halls, deep in conversation, was Thranduil, Feren, Lethuin, Haerelion and several other patrol officers. They were in the middle of discussing the ever-growing menace threatening to consume their realm as well as whether they should continue their search for Estella when Legolas entered the room. His face was grim, and he looked as though he carried heavy news.

Looking up to face the newcomer, he saw his son. Thranduil stopped mid-sentence upon seeing the look on his son's face. "Legolas, what in the world is the matter? Have you found Estella?"

"Nay, father, I have not found her, and I fear something terrible has befallen her." Thranduil was confused as to what his son meant and was about to ask when Legolas continued. "I was searching the forest where Cabrion saw her flee a week ago when I came across Estella's horse," Legolas swallowed hard and continued, "Estella was not with her."

Several voices could be heard mumbling in shock. Thranduil was the first to come to. "Legolas, are you sure? Perhaps she was just lagging behind?"

Legolas shook his head frantically. "I waited for several minutes to make sure and Estella never appeared. Lúthril was panting heavily as if she was being pursued. No, Estella was not with her."

Thranduil was at a loss for words. If what his son said was true, then Estella could be in severe danger–if she was still alive. He knew his son would want to look for her, but without a clue as to where she was, they could not risk sending out their people to look for her.

"My king?" Feren spoke up at last. "What do you plan on doing? Do we look for her or do we assume she is forever lost to us?"

Legolas shot a glare at Feren. "She is not dead!"

"Legolas, peace!" Thranduil said holding up his hands.

"Father, we must look for her! We cannot just leave her to die." Legolas was quickly losing his temper. He knew how dangerous it was out there and the thought of Estella being all alone out there was almost too much for him.

"Son, I know you are angry, so am I, but unless we have some idea of where she went off to, I will not risk the lives of my Elves by sending them on some wild goose chase."

Legolas tried to retort but was stopped by his father. "Legolas, I will not discuss this any further. Now, if you can find out any clues as to her whereabouts, then I will reconsider sending out a search party for her."

Legolas bowed his head in defeat. He knew trying to change his father's mind once it was made up was futile. Leaving Thranduil to finish his meeting with the other Elves, he walked over to a nearby table to sit and wait until the meeting was over. As future king, it was his responsibility to learn as much as he could on how things were run. In the corner of his eye he could see Feren and a few other Elves, give him a sympathetic look.

Reaching the table, he realized he was still holding Estella's bag in his hands. Setting it down, he noticed a rolled-up piece of parchment partially sticking out of it. Reaching in and pulling it out, he unrolled it and recognized it as the map from his quarters. Confused as to why Estella would have taken it, he called out to his father. "Father, over here, I found something in Estella's bag."

Quickly rushing over to his son, Legolas showed him the map. "A map? Why would she have a map unless she was planning on going somewhere?"

Legolas shook his head just as confused as his father was. "I do not know."

"Are there any marks as to where she might have gone off to?" Lethuin asked.

Legolas looked and looked, but he found nothing as to indicate where she would have gone. Just as he was about to respond, his eyes landed on a landmark which caught his attention instantly: Imladris. He then remembered a conversation the two of them had a few days before he left for patrol. Estella told him that, at the feast, Elrond told her if she ever wanted to leave here, his gates would always be open to her. Looking up from the map, he turned to his father and the others. "I know where she has gone."

"Well, where did she go?" Thranduil asked beginning to feel a tad exasperated.

"Rivendell. Estella has fled to Rivendell, and I am going after her." Legolas rolled the map back up and started for the doors to get ready to leave, but his father grabbed him by the arm, stopping him in his tracks.

"Legolas, stop! How do you know for sure that is where she went? And even if you are certain, the chances of her surviving this long out on her own are very slim. Besides, there is more than one way to Rivendell, how do you know which road she took?"

Legolas looked at his father. He had to admit his father had a point, but Legolas knew he needed to try. He could not just leave her out there lost, alone, hurt or even…no, he could not think of the last part. "I just know that is where she went. As for which road she took, the only logical way this time of year would be the High Pass. If I leave now, I can follow the tracks Lúthril left behind. I must go after her. I have to find out what happened to her and bring her back if possible."

Thranduil knew there was no changing his son's mind. He was too much like his mother and him–stubborn to the hilt. He also had to trust his son's judgment. He could tell by the look in his eyes Legolas was hiding something. Sighing slowly, he let out a breath. "Very well, Legolas. If you are set on going after her, then please take some of my best Elves with you."

Legolas smiled at his father. "Thank you, Father." Then turning to the other Elves. "Will any of you come with me?" he asked.

Lethuin immediately stepped forward. As he was the top hunter in Thranduil's realm, he knew the best chances of retracing Lúthril's, and possibly Estella's tracks, lay with him. "I will come, my lord."

Legolas grinned and thanked him before asking if anyone else would join.

Haerelion spoke up. "I will join you. You will need a good fighter in your midst."

Several other Elves offered to join Legolas, and as they were getting ready to leave to prepare for their journey, Thranduil told Feren to go with them. Legolas hugged his father one last time. "May the Valar guide and protect you…and, Legolas, come back to me in one piece."

Legolas nodded and left at once to pack, all the while, realizing he loved her as well.

It was nearing nightfall in the Valley of Imladris and Elrond was enjoying a nice brisk walk with his sons in the courtyard when they heard the sound of an Elven horn blowing in the distance. Recognizing it as Barhador's horn, the three hurried to the main gates to greet the head of the patrol.

"Ah, Barhador, mellon, how did your patrol go? I assume you did not run into any trouble?" Elrond asked as he greeted his old friend and second in command.

Barhador saluted his lord and his sons before handing his horse to the stable master. He answered, "It went well, my lord. As my scouts and I were patrolling the High Pass, we heard the sound of what appeared to be footsteps off in the distance and, from the sounds of it, it seemed as if they were being pursued. So, I gave the order to investigate. As we came upon the source of the sound, we saw a group of at least seven Orcs advancing on what appeared to be an elleth."

Elrond frowned at hearing this. Next to him he could almost feel his sons tighten up. "An elleth? What was an Elf-maid doing out on the High Pass all alone?"

"I do not know, my lord, but she was frightened and appeared to be hurt gravely," Barhador answered.

"I take it you dispatched the Orcs properly then?"

Barhador scowled. "No, my lord. When we arrived at the scene, the Orcs were about ready to kill her, but when they saw us arrive, they lost interest in their quarry and immediately ran off. A few of my Elves offered to give chase, but upon seeing the condition of the elleth, I told them we needed to get her to you as soon as we could. At first, she tried to flee from us, but her leg had been shot, and she was unable to put any weight on it. As I got closer, I was able to tell she was also very severely dehydrated and lacking food. She lost consciousness before I could reassure her we meant no harm."

Elrond's face became very grave at hearing this news. "Where is she now?"

Barhador turned towards the gate where one of the other Elves was carrying a small bundle. Elrond hurried over, followed closely by his sons. He pulled the cloak off her face, and when he got a closer look at the girl, all color drained from his face. "Estella!" Was all he managed to say as all eyes fell upon Elrond, wondering how it was he knew this mysterious elleth.