"I'm not going anywhere, you know." The dark haired half elf muttered as she limped across the room to the window. Lindethiel watched the view outside. It did not help but darken her mood further. The forest was dying. It looked sad and desperate, and she felt as if they were crying. The trees were crying. Crying for help. She felt bad for them but felt worse when the realization of not being able to do anything hit her.

Falasdir watched her from the door. She had been in bed rest for three days. A miracle for some humans. He still had not gotten the opportunity to confront her about their kiss and he does not think he may ever find it. She turned her head slightly towards his direction, her eyes narrowing.

"Do you intend to watch me the whole day?" She asked, a bit annoyed. "I am not going to jump out of this window if that is what you are wondering."

Falasdir could not help it. He smiled, a half grin that made him look like a mischievous boy.

"I am afraid that is something you might possibly do," he tells her. "You and I both know it." Her lips part into a wide grin, happy to find herself back in this type of relationship with him. He was acting out of sorts wherein she had tried to remain in control. It was against her rules, no matter how immoral some may be, she swore she would never play with the love of an elf. She knew better. She knew how risky it would be and the way Falasdir kept looking at her, in that way, it made her feel like she had unintentionally placed a trap for him.

It was never her intention to make him like her in that way. She was sure, before the kiss, that he saw her as nothing more than a reckless, stubborn, dirty- she could not even stop herself from throwing insults at her own being.

She knew of course, that Falasdir was not just some captain of the guard. No. She knew he had a past he was running away from. Just like her. A past that was meant to stay in the shadows. Bit by bit, she was discovering this said past about him. She knew for one thing that he was not raised like the other elven soldiers. No. Falasdir came from a good home. A wealthy home. He was fed with a silver spoon. That bit of information she had gotten from plain observation.

"Well," she finally stated. Breaking the silence between them. "Feel free to roam around my room while I take a bath." She walked over to the bathing room, and he watched her curiously before asking, "will I send for maids?"

She snorts. The type of snort that could put a pig to shame.

"I do not need help in bathing," she stated. "I especially do not like people to see me... Naked... that way." She winked at him, making a blush creep out of his neck. He clears his throat, shakes his head, sighs and leaves the room. She watched him go. He always did that. Shake his head, look away and sigh. Was she really that bothersome to him?

She chuckled lightly. Virgin. Then her chuckle exploded into laughter that could be heard even from outside the hall where Falasdir stood, standing at her door.

How could he let himself fall for such an immoral woman? Perhaps it was the excitement of it all or perhaps... it was something else entirely. What was it about her? Did he really feel something? He groaned inwardly, somewhat ashamed for thinking about such things during these times. He walked away from the door, planning to get to the stables and have a ride around the kingdom. Maybe that could clear his foolish head.

He walked the, now quieter, halls of Mirkwood. Passing by servants and staffs. He passed by the garden to find Legolas and Turwaithiel there. He was pointing out something to her and she shook her head, disagreeing at something he said. Falasdir smirked at them, but they do not notice the captain as he passed. He hopped dow a flight of steps, greeting everyone he passed. He has not seen Thranduil in days. He couldn't. Not when he felt like he could just hit his stubborn head with the hilt of his sword.

He grumbled words under his breath as he reached the stables as a young ellon, not yet old enough to be on the guard, steps in on horseback. He looked as if he travelled somewhere far. That was not the most shocking thing about him. It was the fact that he was riding the prince's horse.

The ellon's eyes visibly widen at the sight of the captain. He had not expected him here. Of all people. He stops, unsure of what to do as the captain stared him down.

"Speak," Falasdir orders, his tone firm yet gentle. The prince must have sent this young one on a errand. But what? The ellon shook his head, shaking slightly at getting caught. Falasdir steps forward as the door to the stables open and out steps out Legolas, hand in hand with Turwaithiel. They both shared the same expression of surprise, finding Falasdir there.

Falasdir raised an eyebrow but does not speak. The prince will speak soon, he knew. Legolas lets Turwaithiel's hand go as he steps forward, glancing at the ellon on his horse who unmounted at the sight of the prince.

"I do not expect you to understand," was how the prince began his sentence and Falasdir was sure Legolas had done something behind the King's back. He gestures for Legolas to continue, his eyes flickering briefly at Turwaithiel who stood straight and strong. She eyed him with the same authority he would use on the new recruits. How much she has changed from the sweet, quiet, young lady that celebrated her birthday here.

"I have sent word to Elrond," Legolas continued. "Mantheniel needs him."

Falasdir understood. He understood even though he should try not to. Try to find the err in what the prince had done. Bring him to his father. Tell Thranduil of this secrecy. But he did not. Falasdir could not do anything but offer his help.

"Do you need me to do anything?" He asked the prince and turned an inquisitive eye at the messenger.

"Lord Elrond has requested that Mantheniel be taken to Calaer," the messenger answered without pausing. "She would feel better if she was away from the forest. He will meet her there."

Falasdir nods before turning to Legolas," your father will never approve of this."

"My father is not exactly himself at the moment," the prince replies a little sadly. "When do you plan to leave?" He asked Legolas who shook his head slowly.

"As soon as possible," Turwaithiel answered behind him. Falasdir had almost forgotten she was there.

"I will come with you-" Falasdir begins to offer when Legolas shakes his head.

"You cannot," he stated. "If you do, Thranduil will surely notice before they even reach the borders of this forest."

"They?" He asked and something inside him dropped. He knew exactly who 'they' were. Legolas did not even need to mention it for he shared the same look of worry.

"Me and Lindethiel," Turwaithiel answered proudly. "The King will not notice, that much I am sure."

"The King will not notice his own wife, missing?"

Turwaithiel stares at him, purses her lips. "He has not noticed her condition for the past moons. If he does show any form of 'care' then I will gladly return his wife to him."

Legolas chuckles nervously as Falasdir watched Turwaithiel with slight admiration and worry. She sounded just like Lindethiel. That woman was never a good influence. With the thought of Lindethiel, Falasdir realized how bad the idea was.

"Lindethiel is injured," he stated as calmly as he could, watching Turwaithiel nod her head.

"But she can ride a horse, still. Mantheniel cannot."

They all fell silent, almost forgetting about the messenger who stood quietly outside their circle.

"They talked about a witch," he stammered. "A witch is coming with them."

Falasdir turned to him. Watching his expression and realizing the messenger believed in every word he said. A witch? He must be jesting.

There was a knock on the door before that Red headed man stepped into the stables. He raises an eyebrow at the four of them before turning his attention to Falasdir.

"The King wishes to see you," he informed him. Legolas watched Falasdir, trying discreetly, to give him a look that said 'please keep it a secret'. He gives the prince and the rest a small nod before following the red headed man.

What could Thranduil want?

--

Lindethiel stood by the door with a grim expression. She hated being injured. She hated not being able to heal fast enough but most of all, she hated that stupid elleth. Actually, she hated all of them. The lot of them. If anything happened to Mantheniel she would burn this kingdom down. She does not care if she burns along with it.

She breathes deeply before stepping out of her room. She was moved recently to be closer to Mantheniel. She was grateful for that, at least. She wobbled her way to the queens temporary chamber, trying not to wince at the noticeable pain on her leg. Stupid human contraption. Or dwarven. Or orc. She knocked on the door but does not bother to wait for a reply and pushed it open, limping her way in was a struggle.

Mantheniel was asleep. Like she has been for the past few days. She barely slept in the evening because of her strange dreams. She walked over to the side of her bed, placing a hand on Mantheniel's pale cheek. For a moment, she had the strange urge to draw blood. She pulled her hand away, afraid of what she felt like doing.

Ever since the accident. She had been feeling very odd and have been having odd dreams. Dreams wherein the forest was on fire and she was there, a lifeless body in her arms. She was covered in blood but it was not her own. It scared her. It scared her because it felt good. It felt good to take a life in her dreams. She hid the shiver she felt as she made her way to the sofa beside the bed. She plopped herself on it, sighing as she rubbed her hands together. It always seemed too cold in this room.

She watched Mantheniel sleep. Watching the black marks appear and disappear on her skin. Turwaithiel had been researching about them and so far, nothing has come up. Gods, she wondered what those marks meant. Something bad was happening and they could do nothing about it.

Lindethiel hated feeling powerless. She hated not being able to do anything. She seemed to be hating a lot of things lately. She laughs quietly to herself as Mantheniel stirred in her sleep.

Then Lindethiel let herself think again of the captain. Why did he have to be so annoying? She wished Mantheniel were awake. They could steal another bottle of Thranduils wine and talk about random things like they used to. Lindethiel reaches out a hand to Mantheniels abdomen.

A little one. She smiled. She always did want to see an elf child. She always thought Mantheniel would be a great mother. She touched Mantheniels abdomen, feeling nothing at the moment. No bump. No signs. But she knew it was there.

She knew that little light was there and she prayed it would hold on. Hold on for itself and its mother.

Hold on to the hope that was left.

"Hold on," Lindethiel muttered to the queens sleeping figure. Her friend. Her mentor. Her family. "Please, hold on."

---

Authors note: Sorry if it is a bit short. Hehe hm. For those of you reading New Leaf, this happens before the current chapter. Haha! Just in case you guys were wondering.

Anyways, vote? Comment? Who wants to know more about Lin and Falasdir's past? Hoho because I can tell you one thing, its pretty interesting.

Hahaha! *chuckles as I roll away*