This chap is about 3,800 words.

Don't worry about me completing the story, I will, it might just take some. Not going to go into detail but I've been sick back and forth since last update and that has taken a lot of my time. Have not had much energies to write.

Thank you so much guest reviewers and also non-guest reviewers ^^ Sorry about Sparkles, but it sadly had to happen. At least Calithilel will see him again someday :)

Now, to the chap I've mostly looked forward to :D

R&R! Enjoy!

Oh, and Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you all!

Chapter 6:

Calithilel spun and stood ready to defend herself, but the male elf in front of her seemed somewhat familiar. Without thinking she whispered, "Legolas?"

The male elf in question raised his brows. "How do you know my name?"

She stumbled a bit and took herself to her head. "Memories," she muttered.

"Memories?" he asked. "How can you have memories of me?"

"Memories concerning the future," she answered.

"How did you do this?" he asked and gestured around them.

She briefly looked around and saw the healthy trees and plants. "I was gifted," she answered.

He seemed sceptic, but with her crestfallen look he seemed to think over something before he said, "I'm sorry about your friend." He pointed to the rosebushes.

"It is not your fault."

"I still feel for you," he said.

"Er, by the way, you haven't seen a band of dwarves?" she asked, knowing it would cause suspicion.

"Dwarves? You came with the dwarves?" he asked, a little harsh.

"Yes. We entered Greenwood together, but I lost them along the way," she admitted.

"How did an elf manage to loose so many dwarves?" Legolas asked, surprised.

"The forest affects me greatly. The sick parts."

"But you healed this little part."

"No, not only this part. Since I entered this forest I have been healing it as I have walked. But I will say no more. Take me to my friends," she demanded.

He frowned but said no more. He then made sure to strip her of her weapons, not thinking to look in her boots, and then he led her to her companions.

Fíli and Kíli were the first to notice her and when they were about to yell, "Ca-" She held her arms up and shook her head, making them silent.

"Where is Sparkles?" Fíli asked.

Calithilel paled. She swallowed while tears threatened to fall again. "He has passed on," she admitted, a bit shakily.

The two brothers stared at her wide-eyed and suddenly felt bad.

"It will turn out right, lass," Balin said, and gave her a concerned look.

"Yes, I will see him again," Calithilel agreed and nodded stiffly.

The elves surrounding them made her feel uneasy. Especially Legolas. She knew he was not her mate, that was for sure, but she still felt that another sort of connection was building up between the two of them. She briefly let herself study the other elves and then found the only one she could guess as Tauriel. However, Legolas was not following her with his every look as she maybe thought he would. No, instead, Tauriel was watching Kíli intensely; while Legolas kept his eyes on her while she twinned a loose purple lock around one finger. And so they walked. The woods was healthier the closer they came to the gates and she started to breathe easier. When she saw the gates in front of her she stared in wonder at the beauty of it all, but at the same time she knew she would miss the healthy part of the forest, for it truly was a beautiful place and now it would be hidden from her.

Suddenly she remembered the letter her mother had given her before leaving and she reached a hand within her tunic and pulled it out. She handed it out to Legolas, but he did not notice. She sighed and tried with another elf. No one spared her a glance. "This is from the Lady Galadriel," she said, loud. It seemed to draw attention, and this time a guard took her letter. She rolled her eyes.

They walked through the large elven gates, and suddenly Calithilel started to wonder if she would be able to go out again. She had to hold in a gasp and keep her mouth from falling open in wonder, for the inside of the kingdom was great. She briefly wondered if she would lose her balance and fall down, or if it ever had happened to someone. What about children running over the paths without railings? Were they not unsafe? Of course she had to admit that they had not passed many elves upon entering, but from where she looked she understood it was a very large kingdom and they could be anywhere.

The guards led them until the dwarves stopped and she bumped into Dwalin. "Sorry," she whispered. "I wasn't looking," she then admitted. She kept turning her head, not really paying close attention. She did not even notice the other dwarves taken away from them. Or that she and Thorin were the only ones left. "This is certainly something," she muttered to herself.

"Some may imagine that a noble quest is at hand," she heard the most beautiful voice say, but it was so far away. She kept looking around her, but never in front, also knowingly not showing respect to the king she knew was in front of her on his throne. She then heard steps of walking. "A quest to reclaim a homeland, and slay a dragon. I myself suspect a more prosaic motive. Attempted burglary. Or something of that ilk. You have found a way in."

Calithilel moved her head and stared right at the elven king. She met his cold blue eyes, she suddenly felt pained and she lifted a hand over her heart, which had started to beat faster. She knew she made a grimace as the pain worsened inside of her. She felt a longing she never had felt before upon looking at him. He did not seem faced.

The guard she had given the letter, interrupted the king and swiftly he read through. He threw the letter away and slowly it floated down to land on the ground. He continued. "You seek that which would bestow upon you the right to rule. The King's Jewel." She wanted to snort. "The Arkenstone. It is precious to you beyond measure. I understand that."

Why must he be so handsome, but such a jerk as well? she briefly thought. She knew. She knew he was her mate, and in one way she could not understand why or how.

"There are gems in the mountain that I too desire." She was not able to look away. "White gems of pure starlight. I offer you my help."

"I am listening," Thorin replied.

Calithilel raised a brow and looked at the dwarf.

"I will let you go, if you but return what is mine."

"A favor for a favor."

"You have my word. One king to another."

"I would not trust Thranduil, the great king, to honor his word, should the end of all days be upon me!"

I do feel a little invisible right now, she thought while watching.

"You! Who lack all honor! I have seen how you treat your friends. We came to you once, starving, homeless, seeking your help. But you turned your back! You turned away from the suffering of my people… and the inferno that destroyed us."

Calithilel sighed while Thorin spoke dwarvish. However she was startled when Thranduil moved fast and was up in Thorin's face. "Do not talk to me of dragon fire. I know its wrath and ruin." She watched while his skin on his left side became scarred and ruined, a burn from dragon fire, the illusion was… She had no words. She could see he was pained, but also angry. "I have faced the great serpents of the north." He pulled back and the illusion fell back in place. "I warned your grandfather of what his greed would summon. But he would not listen." He turned and started to walk up the steps to his throne. "You are just like him." Guards took hold of Thorin. "Stay here if you will and rot. A hundred years is a mere blink in the life of an elf. I'm patient. I can wait."

Two guards were on the way over towards her and she was at once on guard, but then the king told them to leave her. She crossed her arms. "I will go where he goes," she said and pointed after the dwarf that was taken towards the dungeons.

He arose and took one step forward, and even if he was a little higher up than her and would probably not risk falling, she took one step back. It seemed to trigger the guards though and she had to react fast. She knew her daggers were still in her boots so she bowed down to retrieve them, and when she arose, she spun around. She was quick and lethal, like her mother had taught her to be, but at the same time she was not trying to kill the guards. Just take them out. She fought without thinking, her body doing the work to defend herself. Then when they were all on the floor not moving she straightened up and met the king's eyes. "I will walk myself after Thorin. Thank you," she said coldly and turned away. She hurried down after the guards who led a struggling Thorin, but that was also how she managed to find him. He was not exactly quiet. The two guards looked at her with surprise but she merely glared.

The guard threw Thorin in first and then searched her for more weapons. He did find her two daggers. "Don't lose them," she said coldly while being led to another cell. The guard opened the cell door and then attempted to push her in. She hissed. "Do that again and I will cut off your hand," she threatened. Then she bowed down under the arch and went into the cell. Almost at once she sat down. The exhaustion great. She closed her eyes. She barely heard Balin ask if she was all right before asking Thorin if the king had offered them a deal, but she was gone to the world and was not able to answer.

She awoke with the feeling that someone was staring at her. Startled she backed a little away, just to see Legolas and four other guards. She raised her brows. "The king wants to give you a chance to see more of the kingdom," he said. His voice did not betray anything.

"And if I refuse?" she asked, challenging him.

"Then one of your dwarf friends will lose their lives." A guard threatened.

Her eyes narrowed. "Fine," she gritted out of her teeth and stood. The guards surrounded her, but Legolas took lead. She looked back at the cells, feeling hopeless.

"Calithilel!" she heard Kíli yell.

"Where are you taking her?" Thorin asked angrily.

They got no answer and she bit her lip from shouting out in rage. How dare these elves do this? She just felt so angry, and the emotion was so strong, almost similar to when she lost Sparkles. His near and sudden loss was still close to her heart and her anger died down. Instead, sadness took over once more and she had no will to fight.

"We are here," Legolas said and made her look up.

She had not paid attention to where she was going and she mentally slapped herself. "What do you mean `we are here´?" she asked sharply.

"Get her in," one guard said.

Suddenly she was pushed through an arch and then a door closed behind her. She was not fast enough to react, and when she spun around she understood she had just been moved to another sort of prison. Defeated she turned and fell to the floor, but the room shocked her more than anything. A large bed stood in the middle of the room. A dresser, with a brush, a small mirror and a vase with flowers on top, had been pushed against the wall in front of the bed. Another door. She hurried up and went to try the door. It did budge, but inside was a folding screen and a tub, also a closet. Another door. Curious she crept closer. It would not budge. Angrily she kicked the door and screamed with newfound anger. She turned back to the room with the large bed just to stop.

"What is your name?"

She knew Thranduil really wanted to know, but it gave her more pleasure to not share it with him. She smirked and leaned against the frame. "Did my mother not say in the letter?" she asked.

"Your human name was Silver, but she said I had to discover your elven name myself."

He did not seem happy with her mother. She chuckled. "If you think I will share my name with you, you are greatly mistaken," she said coldly. His eyes were filled with such anger and she had to hold herself in place to not react.

"Do you know whose bed this belongs to?" he asked with a smirk.

She narrowed her eyes.

"I know you feel it strong within, just as I feel it too."

"It should not have been possible," she grit out.

"Yet it is."

She started to laugh. "Bringing me to your bedroom will not make me mate with you. What a fool you must be!" she added the last part with anger lacing her tone. "I just lost a dear friend in your cursed forest. If you think this so called gesture of kindness will have me mate with you… Oh, you are so wrong! I rather stay in the dungeon!"

The king masked his anger well, and then he seemed to smile. "The dungeons is exactly what you want. No, I will not let you return. Even if you will not mate with me at present time, you will come around. You will stay in this room and a maid will bring you food when it's time." He chuckled to himself and turned towards the doors. "Open up!" he ordered.

Four guards were outside the door and she sighed. So no hope for escaping now then. She sat down on the floor and loosened her braid, and while she tried to remove some dirt, a knock sounded quiet against the door.

"My lady? My name is Taenil, I am here with some food and drink."

"You may just come in, it's not like I have a choice," Calithilel answered, bitter in tone.

The door opened and the female elf went straight to the dresser and placed the tray. She turned to her and gasped upon meeting her eyes. But remembering her place she looked down and away.

"Nice to meet you, Taenil," she said softly and arose.

The female looked up again. She bowed. "Do you wish for a bath?" she then asked.

"Please look at me," Calithilel said softly, not liking this behavior. She was not treated like this back in Lórien. The female looked up and she met her green eyes. She smiled. "I would love a bath."

Taenil smiled and bowed again. "We will lock the bath door and when it is ready I will come for you," she said.

Calithilel frowned. So more waiting then. She simply nodded and watched Taenil's back while she exited the room. Her long and brown hair swaying while she walked. Her frown deepened. She heard a door lock and she already knew which it was, and soon she heard movement and water being poured. She knew hobbits, elves and dwarves had plumbing to a certain extent, but it was still not the same as the world she came from. Oh, how she suddenly longed for a shower. She sighed and closed her eyes.

A door opening had her eyes open quickly. Taenil peeked her head inside from the bathing room. She smiled towards her. "Your bath is ready, my lady," she said.

"Please call me Silver for now, Taenil. My lady feels too formal."

Taenil blushed but nodded. "Here, let me help you with your tunic," she then said and made attempt to reach her.

Calithilel jumped away from the female. "I'm sorry Taenil, but I'm used to dress and care for myself. I would very much like to be left alone with my bath," she said and stared into the bathing room and at the dress that had been hung up for her. "Er, by the way, did the guards find any backpack in the woods? It contained my clothes."

Taenil seemed to think and then she frowned. "Is the dress not to your liking?" Worry laced her tone.

Calithilel shook her head. "I do not wear dresses. I only wear a nightdress at times that I made myself, but it is back in Lórien. This is my usual set," she said and gestured to her clothes.

Taenil's eyes widened. "I-I will go ask the guards, but I cannot promise anything. It will also take some time to make a new outfit."

Calithilel saw Taenil leave through the door in the bathing room and she sighed when the door locked behind her. She wriggled out of her dirty clothes then and threw them close to the door. She had a sinking feeling she would not see them again. She then lowered herself into the warm water and let it cover her. She breathed out. Oh, how long it had been since she had a proper bath. Not since Rivendell, she thought and relaxed. When the water started to cool down she took to scrubbing herself and she used the soap bar in her hair as well as on her body. When rinsed and clean she arose and stretched after the white sheet that laid folded on a chair close to the tub. She stepped outside and wrapped it around her.

She walked back into the bedroom and stopped when she saw the food and drink that still stood untouched. She had refrained from eating, in case they would drug her. But then again, would her mate, her chosen, her one, truly drug her? It would for sure not win her over. Skeptically she made her way over to the dresser and raised the goblet with water. She took one sip. Nothing seemed strange and out of order. She emptied it. She did not feel different and reached for the food on her plate. A strange scent entered her nostrils and she backed away. It was in the food.

"Why?" she whispered angrily and her fists clenched.

Knocking. "It is me, Taenil," Taenil said through the door.

"Come in," Calithilel answered and sat down on the bed. It was so soft and too tempting, but she did not lay down.

Taenil seemed surprised when she walked in, but she glanced once towards the plate on the dresser and she seemed to understand. "You are not starving. Therefore, you smelled the drug," she said, realization dawning on her.

Calithilel nodded. "You may tell your king that it takes more to drug me. I will not eat and I might not drink again before I am freed," she said.

Taenil paled. She hurried to the door and peeked her head out. It did not take long before Legolas came striding in.

The two females stared at the prince in shock. Had he not noticed her state of dress? She was only wrapped inside her sheet.

He frowned. "You are not dressed," he stated.

"You don't say," Calithilel answered and rolled her eyes.

"I was asked to escort you to the throne room, but it would seem to be a problem." He almost smiled.

"I do not wear dresses, end of story. If I am to wear one in the future sometime it will be one I have made myself. One that is easy to get on and off by myself. One that is simple in look and easy to move around in."

Legolas chuckled. "Father will not be pleased."

Calithilel crossed her arms. "Your father can go to hell," she said angrily.

The two other elves raised their brows, but Taenil was quicker to ask. "What is this hell?"

Calithilel could not help but smile at the elf. "Sorry, it's an earthly thing. Dear Legolas, tell your father that he can shove it."

Legolas had changed again and he looked at her coldly. "I will rely your message, but he will not take it lightly."

"No, I bet not."

Both elves left her and exhaustion came upon her again. A sudden feel of pain shot through her and she fell to the floor and landed on her knees. In a brief moment she thought she felt someone else within her soul, and it could only be her intended mate. He had been in pain and it had reflected in her. But now she no longer felt him. Her heart had started to beat faster. Of all the elves it had to be him! she thought and dragged herself up. She climbed on top of the sheets. Her hair was humid and the sheet covering her was not very dry.

She felt so confused. She had dreamed about finding her mate in this land, but now… I should have been careful with what I wished for. She sighed and rolled on her back, one arm rested over her eyes. He was so frustrating! She knew he was definitely not the man of her dreams, but it had to be a reason their souls belonged together? Maybe it was a sick joke, but the Vala had said she would find happiness. But how can I find it with him? Her eyes teared and one silver pearl fell on the bed. Other silver tears fell as well, but they only made her hair wet where they landed.

She wiped her cheeks and sniffed. Oh, she was acting so stupidly. Nevertheless, she had a mission. She had to reach the mountain, no matter what.

Sudden memories from her world about barrel-riding, Laketown and Bilbo meeting the dragon and up to the dragon Smaug's fall, filled her. She briefly wondered why, but realization filled her. She would not be seeing her friends before after the dragon was killed. No matter how hard she tried to escape. For some reason her own adventure awaited her until she would reach the dwarves once more. Regret filled her. She should have put up more of a fight when Legolas and the guards came to retrieve her. Now she for sure knew that Bilbo would not be able to find her and had to go without her, no matter what. She briefly wondered what the elves would tell the company about her whereabouts. She doubted they would say much though, for they thought the dwarves would stay for a while. She briefly crossed her fingers and hoped the feast of starlight was closer than she thought, for then they would get their chance.

She turned to the side and closed her eyes. She knew she was exhausted and needed the rest. Her body needed it. So she let herself sleep, and for the first time in a while she slept soundly and she had no sad dreams. No nightmares. Only a feeling of being loved.

Tell me what you think ;)

- Moonlight Starlove