LARALEN

He haunts my dreams, his air the color of blood. I can never be rid of him.

I wake up, my eyes heavy with sleep. I feel my limbs wake up moments later as I move my fingers slowly, feeling something warm. I turn my head to the side and find Elrohir beside me, his head on the side of the bed. I feel my stomach twist uncontrollably as I pull my hand away. The swirl in my head does not stop as he stirs beside me. He looks up, his eyes meeting mine. I smile, although I hardly felt like doing so.

"You are okay," he says this with relief and my heart falters for what I had to do. What I needed to do. I nod, pushing myself up. I immediately feel his hands on my back and for a moment my body freezes like his touch was foreign before it relaxes. It was already too comfortable with him. The utmost betrayal. I could almost laugh.

"Lara-" he begins as the door to the room creaks open and Ari steps in, looking like she was ready to give a lecture. She sees me, fully awake, with Elrohirs hands wrapped around me with what must have looked like an embrace. I blush furiously as his hands slip away and all that was left was the tingling sensation as his fingers brushed gently across my tunic.

"You are awake," she states with slight disbelief. She watches me for a moment, notices our awkward stance and steps forward to examine me closer. "The fever is gone?" She asks but before she could reach up to touch my skin, I feel Elrohir's hands shoot up to my forehead. His touch was cool and I felt guilty as Ari noticed the slight twitch I had made upon the contact of his skin.

"It is gone," Elrohir confirmed as his hands, again, slipped away, leaving nothing but the faint sensation. I had often wondered what that was. If being touched felt like that only because I was not accustomed to it anymore or perhaps it was a human reaction to such mystical creatures or perhaps-

"May you leave us for a moment?" Ari does not wait for his answer as she clearly wanted him to leave. Elrohir notices this and with a bow to her, he leaves without glancing back.

"It is not what you think-" I state defensively but my words get caught as her eyes snap back at me with a look I have never seen before.

"Oh, it is exactly what I think!" She snaps in a harsh whisper. She shakes her head disapprovingly and I stare at her, with my own heart threatening to rip out of my chest. I shake my head in protest, a half hearted shake. Something I wish I did not have to do.

"You barely know who he is!" She continues, disappointment evident in her voice. She runs a hand through her dark hair, as if she had just been given a problem she was never meant to solve.

"But I-"

"Do not even try to defend what you feel! That is how it all starts! Lara, do you want to put his life in danger?" She asked me, her tone slightly raised that I was afraid someone who would pass by my door would hear it.

"No," I say, defeated. How was I suppose to know this was going to happen? It was not like we controlled who we fell in love with. I may have only known him for months but it felt like I had known him forever. I am startled as I feel Ari's cold hands on my cheek, wiping away the tears I had not noticed I had shed. There was a certain tight hold on my chest and I could merely understand what it was.

"You are young and it always hurts but it will hurt more if you go down this path," she says to me. There is hidden pain behind every word, behind every movement of her mouth. "You have to trust me. It is much better this way. It is much better for our kind to stay away."

"I do not wish to do it," I say quietly and she nods, understanding as she spoke. "I wish I had done it. Then maybe I would not have such a hold in my chest by losing the one I had loved most."

"Is there no way the spell can be lifted?" I asked hopefully as her eyes gave me my answer.

"I have tried, for the past 21 years-" she tells me as she wipes the last remaining tears away. "Lara, it is better this way. You must understand."

"I wish I had never met him," I tell her, tasting my own lie. What would I be if I had not? Dead most probably.

"It is a horrible fate to have something you want within your grasp but you will never be allowed to reach for it," she sighs as a soft knock came to the door. Legolas had stepped in, smiling at me as he did so.

"Lara, I am glad you are awake. I would like to thank you for what you have done," he says with a bow. "I owe you much. I may never be able to repay you for what you have done for me."

"There is nothing to repay," I say, relieved my voice sounded strong despite the resounding ache inside my chest. Why did it have to be this way? The answer I may never know.

"Would she be fit to travel?" Legolas then asked, hope in his tired voice. He was looking at Ari and I knew they had been talking about me. Ari hides the scowl on her face before she turns to me.

"Would you like to go to Calaer?" She asks and I nod once, slowly. I needed to see Bleon. Maybe he and I can go back to the way things used to be. It would probably be the best. Ari sighs before shrugging and facing Legolas who had an embarrassed grin on his face. He then nods and falls silent for a while.

"Ah, my father would like to speak with you. He had wanted to come here to see you himself but he is drowned with so many royal responsibilities at the moment and-" he stops as I swing my feet off the bed and get up almost immediately. I did not want to stay in this room any longer.

"It is alright, I would gladly go see him," I say, not giving Ari time to reject. She may tell me what is best for me but she cannot make decisions for me. I know she is looking at me with her eyes full of warning. Full of fear. Fear of what? I am about to make a decision I would probably regret for the rest of my life so that an event, that would probably make me regret for the rest of my life, would not happen. What a time it is to be alive.

"Lara," she calls as I step out of the room. I turn to face her, she looked tired, almost like a mother who does not wish to bother scolding her children anymore. "There is something you must know," she continues and I wait for the rest of her sentence as Legolas waits patiently by the hall. "Your parents, foster parents, they were here in Mirkwood. They were traveling with the ones responsible for the chaos. We searched the whole palace, they- escaped with the rest of them save for one. Lord Aerendyl, he is in the dungeons. I think...you should go see him if you can. He...has much to say."

I notice the look Legolas gives her before he completely goes back to this weird happy state.

"What do you mean?" I ask. I know nothing of a Lord Aerendyl.

"Just, go talk to him if you can."

I nod my indefinite promise as I let Legolas lead the way, my mind mistakingly jumping into a forbidden thought regarding the whereabouts of a certain twin. I slap myself internally, as I focus on the ground, realizing I had not even bothered to change. This was how I was going to present myself to the King?

"Legolas, do you not think I should change or make myself look presentable at least?" I ask him as we neared gigantic doors that most likely led to the throne room. I suddenly feel very small. Legolas glances over his shoulder, a smile on his face.

"Please, Lara," he chuckles, "you saved this kingdom, if you have not fully understood that yet. I think it hardly matters." He does not give me time to object as two elven guards posted outside swings open the massive doors. I scurry inside behind Legolas, my eyes growing wide at the magnificence of it all. We cross a bridge like structure leading to a round and almost towering room. In the middle of it was a raised platform, two elves were arguing in middle of the room. I noticed the King immediately. Who would not? His very presence screamed for attention. He notices us enter the room and with a wave of his hand the two elves were dismissed. I sucked in a nervous breath as his eyes landed on me. I bow, trying to keep my whole body from shaking. He could easily snap me into two if he ever wished to. Suddenly I feel trapped again.

"My child," his voice echoes around the room. A deep melodic tune calling for me to meet his gaze. I do and see the resemblance between father and son. He gets up from his throne, his golden robe shimmering under the bright lights. My eyes follow his graceful movement as I felt Legolas step away from me, just an inch, but it was enough to turn my nervousness into panic. "You do not bow to me. In fact, I should be bowing to you for without you I would have lost everything I had left," with this he glances at Legolas and my chest tightens uncontrollably. I see the love he had for his son, the regret in his eyes and the relief of what had been avoided. "And my kingdom."

The sting in my eyes were burning as I tried to smile. He loved his son dearly. I had never known the love of a father and I would most likely never know but it would have been wonderful to have such a figure in my life. I knew I would never regret what I had done to save him. The King studies me for a moment, his eyes a lighter more powerful than his son. They held so much wisdom, so much pain but most of all, so much kindness.

"My name is Thranduil," he bows again. "This is my Kingdom. Forgive me, but I was told you were of the human race?" He says questioningly, raising an eyebrow to Legolas who cleared his throat. I stare at the two of them before making a small bow of my own.

"I am Laralen, your majesty," I say awkwardly. "I am human, my lord." I tell him in which Legolas shakes his head to. I turn to look at him, almost ready to argue about my knowledge about my own self when he makes a gesture of touching his ears.

"But I-" I start but the words die on my tongue as I feel the curved and pointed tip of my ear that had not been there. For a moment, I am at a lost for words as I run my fingers over and over again at the pointed tips. I stare at the two of them, my mouth agape as I try to understand the situation. I probably look foolish as the realization hits me.

"The stone," I say and Legolas nods. "I finally did it. I called forth my magic and I-" I stop, shock and disbelief traveling through me. "I am an elf."

"You do not sound so pleased," The King commented and I feel my cheeks burn at his words.

"No- I mean, its not what I meant-" I stammer, still holding on to my ears as I try to explain myself to him. Legolas merely laughs at my own expense as the massive doors swing open again and Elladan walks in, his expression not a welcoming one.

"We must go," he says in a distressed tone. "Father has sent word that Mantheniel-" he stops, considers his words for a moment as the King seemed to stiffen at the mention of the woman's name. "She's fallen ill, once again." He then turns to me with almost a pleading look. "He wishes for you to come as well."

I nod, not knowing what else to do as the King let out a heavy breath, his eyes darken and he looked like he had been kicked off the pedestal he was on. It was then I realized, this was far from over.

--

That night, I decided to do what Ari had asked me to do and visited the Lord Aerendyl. Perhaps he would know of the whereabouts of Bleon's parents. A guard assisted me to finding his cell. I stood awkwardly as the guard left. I could see his faint outline as he sprawled himself on the bed provided. He does not look my way nor does he seem to notice my presence. I clear my throat, hoping to catch his attention but he merely gazes over at me from where he lay.

"Why do you haunt me?" His voice had a haunting echo to them and I lean forward, trying to hear clearly what he just said. "Have I not done enough, Elanor?"

"I do not know this Elanor you speak of," I reply, my voice barely even there. He stirs, and sits up, his hair falling loosely over his shoulders, blocking his face from my view.

"And why should you, for she died a long time ago," he sounded like a broken instrument, still trying to play a song. "I should have fought harder. I should have-"

"It is not good to dwell on such regrets," I attempt to comfort, knowing the pain of regretting the past all too well.

"Right you are, my dear," it was then he turned to face me and I finally had a clear view of his face. His bright eyes, his sculpted jaw and long nose. An elf. A faint smile is on his lips. "It is never good to dwell on the past for time may just leave you behind." He stands up, making me take a step back. He notices my movement and I see pain flicker in his eyes for a moment.

"I apologize for frightening you," he steps closer to the steel bars until he stood directly before them. "It is just that, you look so much like her."

"Elanor?"

He nods once, drawing out a heavy ragged breath. "Is this how they plan to execute me? Let me see the ghost of her once more before I am killed?"

"I am no ghost, sir," I tell him. "And there is to be no killing. The King does not like killing his kind for such small a matter."

"Small?" He laughed a bitter tune. "He had almost killed his son, his wife is sick and his kingdom is in ruins. How is that such a small thing?"

"You are elves, you have time to rebuild what is ruined and save what is needed to save," I point out and he studies me for a moment that I grow uncomfortable under his gaze.

"You speak of your own kind as if you were not a part of it," he raises a brow and I mentally kick myself.

"What is your name?" He proceeds to ask after a long silence.

"Laralen," I answer. He smiles at the name, nods to himself.

"A beautiful name for a beautiful maiden," he comments and I look away from him, feeling the effect of his compliment as blood rushes up my neck. I divert my attention back to the task at hand. Regarding Bleon's parents.

"You traveled with a human couple," I start and he stays silent, allowing me to continue. "Where are they?"

"Ah, the parents of my would have been fiancé," he states, unaware of my reaction tp such news. It was him? He was my intended?

"I do not know where they are but they are probably hiding with my family," he says quietly and I watch as he seemed to have a battle with himself. "Why do you ask? Do you know of them?"

I immediately shake my head, the news making me rethink everything I set out here to do.

"Odd for you to ask about them," he states suspisciously.

"I am merely asking for a friend," I blurt out, hoping he does not catch my lie. He smiles before shaking his head and stepping back towards the bed.

"Would that friend be the maiden who was here this morning?" He asked. Ari had visited him? "She seemed more curious than you, though. She even reacted differently when I had asked to see you. Well, I had called you Elanor then."

"Did you love her?" I do not know why but the question slipped out of my mouth before I had the chance to catch it. He smiles, and stares at his hand, his fingers twisting and turning a ring on his smallest finger. It bore a rose in full bloom made of emerald stone.

"I still do," he whispered back as he traced the rose slowly.

"What happened?" I asked, almost too curious for my own good. His head tilts a little as if he wanted to look at me but decided not to.

"She could not love me," he answers quietly and for a moment, we are drowned in silence before I decided to leave.

"I am sorry," was all I could say as I exited the dungeons, my heart heavier than before and my mind full of questions.

I find Ari in the library, after getting lost once or twice and almost walking in an unfamiliar room upon seeing Elrohir at the end of one of the halls. Real mature, Lara. You have to face him some day. Not today. Not now. I am not ready.

"Where have you been?" Ari asked as I entered the treasury of books.

"Visited Lord Aerendyl," I answered as I scanned the books spread on the table. She quickly put the book she was reading down, a question in her eyes.

"Who is Elanor?" I begin my series of questions, this one particularly burning through my head. Ari sighs before patting the chair next to her. I sit obediently and wait for her to speak.

"Elanor..is your mother."

I stare at her, waiting for her to tell me she was just jesting. After a while I come to realize that Ari was telling the truth and she had given me time to digest the information.

"What?"

She sighs again, her composure crumpling. It was a painful topic for her. I immediately regret my question but she continues to answer anyway.

"She is your mother, Elanor. I believe she and Lord Aerendyl had been friends before she met your father," she explains as I continue to stare at her. "You have much to learn. 21 years. Lara, you are not even old enough to be considered an adult."

My hands go up instinctively to my ears. Still pointed.

"I am sorry, I know you did not want this..." She apologizes but I shake my head at her.

"It was the only way, I am glad I had done it," I answer truthfully. After meeting the King, I knew I had made the right decision. He loved his family and his people, he did not deserve to be controlled in such a way. It was cruel, what they had done to him.

"There is much to explain," Ari says as she gets up. "I shall tell you on our journey."

--

We travel for Calaer the next day with seven royal guards to watch over Lord Aerendyl. It was agreed that he come with us, for safety purposes. I rode with Ari at the back of the group and as far away from Elrohir as possible. Nobody but Ari notices my sudden avoidance. It all seemed logical to them.

"You are doing a poor job of trying not to make a big fuss about it," Ari points out as I continue to fail at not looking over to him every now and again.

"It is not something that can easily be done," I argue and she rolls her eyes at me.

"Young love, often the most hardest to get over," she mutters as she continues to ride, oblivious to the way my face falls. Ah, the heart is such a treacherous thing.  I look at Lord Aerendyl who was permitted to ride his own horse, two guards holding on to the chains clasped around his wrist. I actually feel bad for him but my main concern was how to explain to Bleon that I am an elf now. Gods, what an adventure this turned out to be.

--

We reach Calaer in a matter of 3 days with me successfully avoiding any conversation, using the excuse that I was not feeling well. Like elves were not resilient. Taking a bath before the trip was one of the things I could not hope to forget. I had thought that only my ears had changed but that was not the case. Although my body remained the same, my skin was softer and had inherited its own magical glow. My hair had thicken but was now more controllable and I refused to tie it down, giggling at how I have always wanted to let my hair fall loose over my shoulders. Such a child I have been. We enter the fortress of glittering stones and were welcomed by the gate. Elrond was there, his arms open wide for his sons. He and Thranduil spoke and I could only hear fragments of their conversation about an apology. I stand awkwardly as everyone seemed to have a happy reunion. Even Ari seemed to throw herself into the mix. It was at this time that I decided to slip away and make my way around the city, hoping to avoid the conversations. Elrond sees me but I pretend not see him. I pass by him and the King as the king spoke.

"Where is she? Where is my wife?" The King asks and I was out of earshot as Elrond answered.

"She is by Elunir and her mothers grave. Stubborn girl would not stay in bed."

--

I make my way around, trying not to catch any attention and find myself by the very same place that Turwaithiel and I had a talk. I sit there for a while when a beautiful melody reaches my ears. I stand and search for the source of the sound to find the queen, turwaithiel and Lindethiel by a stone statue of a beautiful woman. Lindethiel was singing as Turwaithiel arranged flowers by what appeared to be a tomb stone. I have yet to look for Bleon. I was not sure if I was avoiding the talk because I did not know how to tell him or that I was scared to tell him. I am about to step out and join the trio when Lindethiel stops singing and turns to one direction. I follow her gaze and see the King standing there, his eyes falling solely on the woman whose back was turned to him, oblivious his husband was there. I see Lindethiel stand and make her way towards the King, her eyes flashing anger I was convinced she would hit him but instead she shakes her head and walks away. Turwaithiel on the other hand smiles brightly at him and taps the queens shoulders before standing up and leaving the same way Lindethiel went. The queen then turned, her bright red hair swaying softly with the wind. I watch as their eyes meet and for a moment I seem to hold my breath as they continued to stare at each other. The air around me thickens and I look away, afraid my own heart would burst at such a scene.

"Thranduil?" I hear her voice break and hear the clattering of metal. I glance back once to see the King on his knees, his face filled with grief. I could almost feel it. She takes hesitant step forward and I want to look away but I could not.

"I am so sorry," he croaked, his own tears threatening to spill out like my own. "Forgive me, my little dragon flame." I look away then as she runs up to him, collapsing on the floor to fall into his embrace. I feel my own tears slipping down my cheeks. They burned my skin and I quietly gasped for air. It was so heartbreakingly beautiful. A love anyone would die for. A love I seemed to crave.

"Oh Meleth nin," she sobs. I steady myself on the rock blocking me from their view. It was then I realized, it was too late for me. Too late for me to go back. Their conversation turned to murmurs behind me as I struggle to walk away, my hand clutching my chest.

"Lara?"

I glance up, stifling a sob as Elrohir stood in front of me. My world shatters and I hated everything for a moment. I hated my treacherous heart and the fate handed to me. I hated the curse but most of all, I hated what I had to do. He looks at me, confusion and distress on his face. He doesn't understand.

"Lara," he repeats my name and steps forward. I shake my head, unable to speak for a moment as he seemed to wrestle with the thoughts in his own head. He takes another step towards me and I take a step back.

"Don't," I say. Beg. He stares at me for a moment, frowning. "You have to understand." I continue. I do not want to be the reason you die.

"I can't- we can't," I continue to stammer. Realization flashes across his features before he takes another step forward.

"Please," I practically whimper. It was too much. My heart craved him too much. I was not strong enough to fight it.

"Is it because of the curse?" He asked, his face now devoid of any emotion. "Lara," he says firmly as he takes another step. "Are you worried about the curse?" Yes.

He takes another step, bringing me closer to him and closer to no escape. "Or are you afraid of the pain that will come with it?" His question was a whisper, his breath tickling my face and I keep my gaze down, knowing fully well that if I look up, I would lose this fight.

"Lara,"

"I do not want to lose you," there it was. What I had kept for so long. The truth.

"You will not," he breathes out a soft sigh of relief as I feel his hands wrap themselves around me. Ari would never forgive me like how I would never forgive myself. Lara, it is not too late. You can still turn away from him. Save him from such a fate.

"We will fight this curse together," he assures me and I shake my head, trying to push him away but he merely holds me tighter. Do not look at him. Do not dare. His hand is on my chin and he forces me to look at him, those gray eyes. Do not kiss me. Please do not kiss me. He leans down and I struggle for an escape.

"And if we lose? What happens then?" I ask, his lips a hairsbreadth away from mine.

"Then I will lose, loving you," and he kisses me, sealing his fate and mine. His kiss was a promise as mine was a curse.

---

Authors note: Well, that was an emotional chapter to write. lol Anyways, long chapter!! Woooo!!

Next chapter, lets check in on how Legolas and Turwaithiel's reunion is going... before shit happens again. *evil laugh*

I REALLY NEED YOU GUYS TO LISTEN TO THE SONG BECAUSE WOW. JAMIE LAWSON JUST INJECTS THE FEELS RIGHT INTO MY BLOOD STREAM.