Legolas was preparing to leave, tying up a bag of supplies to his horse. He would be accompanied by two elves, one was Falasdir who had volunteered rather aggressively. Legolas often wondered why that was and perhaps the captain was still unconsciously searching for Lindethiel who had left the palace years ago with no note. Even Mantheniel had seemed surprised by it although Legolas had a hunch that Mantheniel did know where her friend went but who knows, really? Everyone seems to be leaving nowadays. 

"Is that all you are carrying?" Falasdir was beside him, an eyebrow raised. Funny to think that this guy was actually his uncle. He had watched Legolas grow up. Perhaps the fact that they share the same blood was the reason why Legolas had always been attached to him in some way. He wondered then if Falasdir had even thought about telling him he was his uncle. Perhaps it was more difficult for him to talk of his sister to the child that she bore or perhaps there was another reason. Either way, Legolas was glad it was Falasdir who would accompany him and he was glad that they had even gotten closer. 

"I am merely going as a messenger," Legolas pointed out, finally finishing the tie. He strokes the horses' mane  before he and Falasdir leave to announce their departure. They find the King and Queen by the back garden, as both were on their way to see Legolas and Falasdir off. Falasdir bows as Legolas does the same, earning a very unqueenly snort from Mantheniel. 

"Really, you two. Must you be so pleasant?" She asks with a hint of sarcasm, Legolas smiles as he faces her as Falasdir responds in a friendly manner, one would think he was merely a lord visiting the King and Queen of Mirkwood. Perhaps he was. In some way. 

"I am always as pleasant as you, dear queen." 

"Why did we keep him, again?" She asks Thranduil who was enjoying the exchange, his eyes never leaving his son. 

"Someone had to be Annuniel's practice dummy," Legolas replied, earning a soft nudge on the hip from Falasdir. Like a call, Annuniel came running towards them, her hair braided tight, wearing a bright golden dress that seemed to shimmer under the sun. Legolas beamed at the sight of her and the silver circlet atop her head, although her expression seemed to suggest she did not feel that swell. Despite being dressed like the princess she was, something was off and that was the sheath of a sword strapped around her waist. 

"You told me you would not leave so soon," She practically shouted at Legolas until her eyes fall on Falasdir, taking in his soldiers uniform. Her surprise practically shoots up. 

"You're leaving as well?" She asks, somehow sounding like she had been betrayed or scandalised. Falasdir makes an apologetic bow, his hair falling over to cover his face and the smile. 

"I am sorry, young princess, but as it is my duty to train you when I can, my priority is the protection of the prince." Legolas could practically hear the smirk in his voice and fought the urge to roll his eyes. Why did everyone enjoy teasing his little sister? To everyone's surprise she does not get angry but nods her head in understanding, even though she was practically pouting. Falasdir straightens himself and all of them watch the princess hold back her own tears by shaking her head, as if telling herself not to do it. 

"Very well, please make sure he comes back safely. You too." She says and turns on her heels walking away when Thranduil places a hand on her head, stopping her. She turns to look up at him, tears already forming in her eyes. To this, Thranduil's features soften, a smile softly touches his lips as he pretends to sigh, making it look like he was about to say something difficult. Although they all knew what it was. 

"You can ride with your brother until the borders," he says and waits for her reaction. At first she just stares at him, unsure of what she had just heard until her eyes grow wide and she smiles a very infectious smile. Of course, everyone already knew about it, so when the princess bounded down to get her horse it had already been prepared, with a small supply for her food as well. She shrieks with joy and almost lands ungracefully if Falasdir had not been standing so close to her. She turns bright red but continues to dust off the invisible dust on her dress as Falasdir tells her she still needed work on her grace and balance and asks if they did not teach her that during her dance lessons. She ignores his questions as she barely attends her dance lessons. Legolas notices the exchange, one of his eyebrow up. He approaches his parents, watching Annuniel scold Falasdir as he tries his best not to laugh at her. She was still very small but her mind was beyond her age. 

"I think Annuniel fancies Falasdir," Legolas tells his parents, wanting to see what they thought. Thranduil clears his throat, gives Legolas a weird look and walks away. Mantheniel watches him go, shaking her head slightly. 

"Have I said something wrong?" He asks and Mantheniel sighs before giving him a small smile. 

"You know how your father is with those things," she tells him. "But you are not far off, she is growing up too fast and fall in love somehow. It worries your father very much. Sometimes he would tell me he wished she would stop growing because somehow growing up, to him, meant that she would somehow stop being his princess as you are no longer his 'little leaf'. Annuniel is his 'little sunshine'. I believe your father is just worried." 

They were quiet for a while before Mantheniel spoke again, this time in a more hushed tone. 

"Actually, I have overheard them once in the library. Thranduil was spending time with her, reading her all kinds of fairytale books abut finding true love and after the story she had asked him how he and I met and he told him about how we did not always love each other and how he found me quite stubborn... you get the idea, and she sort of went silent. The next words that came out of her mouth surprised us both. It was a bold statement." 

"What had she said?" 

"Like me and Captain Falasdir." Mantheniel says this with a small shrug and a tiny smile as if she still couldn't believe the words. Legolas for that matter laughed, it was a warm laugh and loud enough to have everyone near turn and look at him. It had been a long time since they heard him laugh. Even Mantheniel seemed taken aback. Annuniel had stopped giving her attention to a pestering Falasdir and had turned to look at her brother who had his head faced towards the sky, his laughter echoing in her ears. She could almost break by the sound of it. What had their mother said to make him happy so? She frowned when Legolas turned to her, his bright eyes warm enough to make her think he was alright again. Had it been about her? That girl he had- the thought flicked away as he watched her approach, a smile still on his face. 

"What are you so happy about?" She asked when he was near enough. She glanced over to their mother who was now joined by their father, who also had a confused look on his face. Legolas bends down a little and pulls on her long braid. 

"You, little fireball." 

She narrows her eyes at him as Legolas turns to Falasdir who was observing them with an eyebrow raised. 

"You would tell me if it was about your father, right? Does he snore like the men do?" He asks, already smiling at the thought. Legolas gives him a cryptic glance before answering, a finger on top of Annuniel's head. 

"He does not but I can tell you, she does." 

Annuniel let's out a tiny gasp of surprise as Legolas quickly runs towards the safety of his horse. He rides swiftly leaving Annuniel to glare at him as she runs to her own horse. 

"We are leaving already?" Falasdir seemed to ask as the princess rides her own horse and telling it to run. Falasdir watches the prince and princess chase after each other out into the forest. The soldiers that were to accompany them and the princess back, stood, baffled by all of it. He gives a soft chuckle turning to the King and Queen and giving them a small bow and wave. 

--

They rode through the forest slowly, the three of them leading with Annuniel between Legolas and Falasdir. They seemed to be moving slowly, neither wanting to part from the other. The silence that surrounded them was welcomed and Legolas clearly enjoyed listening to Annuniel hum. She was, in fact, gifted with a voice neither of their parents were. Although they could pass, Annuniel's voice was entirely different. Perhaps it sounded more magical to Legolas because Annuniel had such a strong and tough spirit it was almost impossible to believe a voice as soft and as fluid as that came from her. Either way, Legolas enjoyed it and the chirping of the birds around them. Although Mirkwood had recovered from the devastating war that had erupted years ago, scars and marks of it still scattered around the dense forest. Each broken branch and scarred tree reminded the prince, and the mirkwood elves, of what they had almost lost that day if the Lady Laralen had not, rather recklessly, stood between the King and prince. Legolas often wondered how the golden haired maiden was. After the incident, neither two had spoken to each other for years until a messenger arrived for Mirkwood carrying what appeared to be a chest of the finest jewels Legolas had ever seen. In fact, one of which, a bright topaz, was shining brightly on the princess' crown. Legolas knew immediately who it was from. With it was a letter from Laralen, apologising for not being able to pay her respects as she no longer knew how to bear the burden of losing another loved one she had chosen to go far away to try and rethink everything that had happened to her. In the letter she had mentioned that she was away but Myrin was under her reign, also the lost city of the Golden Ones. She never mentioned where she was and even told the prince not to speak of their exchange and if he wishes to write, the messenger would be visiting every 3rd week of every month to see to it. Legolas had a feeling the messenger was no other than Ari but decided not to push the subject and yet he grew curious as to why both of them seemed to be avoiding something. 

"Are you even listening?" Annuniel's voice was sharp and evidently angry as Legolas shifted his focus back to her. She was glaring at him and Legolas struggled not to raise a brow. She looked like Thranduil now, with that same glower if only her eyes did not burn with Mantheniel's fire. 

"I apologise, what was it you were saying?" he asked, rather kindly. It always worked on her and it worked now as he noticed her shoulders slack as she blew out a frustrated breath. 

"How do we know we have reached the border?" She asks looking around at the light that was slowly fading, giving the trees an almost ominous glow. She turned back to Legolas as Falasdir sighed. Did Falasdir not know? or was the princess purposely trying to ignore him? Legolas held back a chuckle as he faced forward, their horses following a familiar path. 

"You would know, by a statue of an elven maiden," Legolas answered, almost as if lost in thought. 

"Oh." 

Then they fall silent. Legolas peered at her as she seemed to be drowned in her own thoughts. 

"It is still a long way, little fireball, Mirkwood is not called 'great' for nothing," he says quietly. She seemed to think about it before making a face. 

"I thought it was called great because of its King."

Both Legolas and Falasdir laugh at this, causing Annuniel to frown. 

"Yes, that is also one of the reasons," Legolas answered with a smile. 

"And also the handsome elves that patrol and protect its borders," Falasdir adds with a wink. causing the princess to huff in annoyance and order her horse to move faster and further from the two of them. 

"Must you tease her?" Legolas asked as they both watched the princess ride in front. Falasdir shrugs. 

"The palace would be boring if I don't," he answers honestly. Legolas smiled in understanding. It seems it was not only him that held on to the princess for a bit of happiness. 

"Do you think it is safe to leave her unguarded?" Falasdir asked after a while of riding behind the princess who never once looked back at them. 

"She is more observant and aware of her surroundings than you think," Legolas states, "besides, she would hate us all the more if we make her feel like she cannot protect herself. You know how she is." 

"Please, I grew up with your father and I am a close friend of your mother, so yes, I definitely know how she is." Falasdir answers with a slightly terrified tone. "Why could she not have grown up to be like Arwen? In love with books and poetry." 

"The palace would be a far less interesting place if she had been," Legolas says with a smile to which Falasdir returns. Suddenly, Annuniel stops, prompting all of them to stop.

"What is it? Do you need to take a break?" Legolas asks, concern for his sister. She turns to him, a confused look on her face. 

"Do you not hear that?" She asks and they all turn quiet. Indeed there was a sound. A far off melody. Someone was singing. Within moments the prince and Falasdir was beside the princess, preparing their weapons. The princess herself took out one of the silver daggers Legolas had secretly given her at her birthday. They were his first daggers, before he decided he preferred the bow and arrow. 

"What is it?" Annuniel asked, her voice a whisper. The singing grew louder and after a few short while, the culprit was spotted. She was hooded and not alone. With her were two other hooded figures. Legolas readied his bow, aiming for the one who was singing. The three hooded figures stopped as the one singing raised her head slightly, only her lips visible. 

"Is that how you greet old friends, young prince?"

The voice sounded familiar as the prince started to lower his bow only being caught by surprise as Annuniel jumped off her horse and raised her dagger right at the hooded figure. 

"Stay away from my brother," She says, her stance could scare even the bravest animal. She really was born a fighter. No one would expect otherwise. The hooded figure laughs as one of the other hooded figure turns to look at the child, almost gasping in surprise. 

"I see the little princess inherited her bravery from both her parents," the familiar voice states. "and their recklessness." She then pulls down the hood, revealing the strange silver eyes and the dark brown hair. She bows, showing the princess her empty hands. 

Annuniel lowers her own weapon but does not step away, choosing to stand between the unfamiliar woman and her brother. 

"I am in my realest form, dear princess, I mean no harm." She smiles. Annuniel was not convinced. 

"I do not know what you mean by that but I will not let you near him, who are you anyway?" 

"Ari, it is best not to aggravate the child further," another familiar voice suggest as one of the other two pulls down her own hood. Causing the prince to falter with a quick gasp of air until his mind started working and told him it was not her. They looked so much alike. 

"Oh come on, Leandra, just look at that adorable thing, what harm can she do?" Ari asked back. 

"You'd be surprised," Falasdir comments with a proud smirk remembering the time the princess had showed such great strength, Falasdir was afraid she was having those rare moments as Mantheniel had explained. Blood lust. 

"Ari, Leandra, what brings you both to Mirkwood?" Legolas asks as he mounts of his horse, giving a signal to the other soldiers to put down their weapons. Both women turn to the third hooded figure who was silent and still staring at the young princess. With slow movements, she pulls down her hood and emerald eyes locked with the prince. 

"How are you, your highness?" She asks and Annuniel stares at her like she could not believe her eyes. The girl practically had marks all over her face, a bright emerald jewel hung on her head, attached to silver chains that wrapped around her golden hair. 

"Lara?" Legolas was slightly taken aback. She had changed. 

"It is customary to my people and of Myrin to mark their ruler in such a way, it would show my status easily," she explains a bit shyly. "but I will explain it some other time. For now, I am quite sorry for coming here unannounced." 

"No need to apologise Laralen, especially after all you have done for Mirkwood." Legolas smiles kindly as Annuniels eyes grow wider than the moon. 

"You're Laralen?" Her mouth practically drops open. Laralen chuckles nervously, "I am pretty sure they have told you exaggerated stories about me."

The princess merely touched the jewel on her crown, staring at Laralen who looked at her with the saddest eyes and a longing smile. 

---

After a few more travelling, the group decided to set camp. They were already nearing the border but Legolas still could not trust travelling at night, especially with Annuniel. He watched the group now, Leandra teaching the three soldiers with them a few tricks. Ari and Falasdir were in some sort of argument as Annuniel sat beside a silent Laralen, studying her with curiosity that was bordering disrespectful. Legolas walked over to them, handing a cup of hot drink to both girls. 

"The people have been telling this girl lies," Laralen tells him as he sat down next to them. Annuniel turns to him, wanting confirmation. 

"What sort of lies?" He asks and before Laralen could answer, Annuniel beats her to it. 

"That she had not saved Ada or Nana." 

Legolas raised a brow as Laralen shook her head slowly. 

"I did not-" 

"When will you accept our gratitude, Lara?" Legolas' voice was warm, almost soothing but it could not melt the coldness that Laralen always felt when she remembered the events of before. She looked at him, the sad look on her face. 

"When the good starts to outweigh the bad, Legolas."

She need not explain it but they both understood and Annuniel somehow did, too as she noticed the two of them start sulking. It obviously had something to do with that girl Legolas loved. She decided to change the subject. 

"So, what were coming to Mirkwood for?" 

"Right," Laralen quickly jumps into the new topic, glancing worriedly at Legolas who looked almost peaceful as his eyes landed on the princess. "I was going to ask for help regarding a matter in our borders." 

They all turn silent now as they listen to Laralen speak. 

"You see, someone has been stealing our jewels-"

"The dwarves," Ari interjects but Laralen waves her off. 

"And we wanted to get into the bottom of it but you see we must travel somewhere...unsafe and none of my people are fighters. I volunteered but someone should stay in the city. Leandra cannot leave because she is the only healer and Ari must stay in my place but they will only let me go in one condition, that I take someone from Mirkwood with me since you are well known for your fighting-" 

"We were kind of hoping it would be you, Legolas." Leandra admits, a faint smile on her face.

"I would love to but first I must go to Rivendell to see to something Lord Elrond had asked," he answers and to this Laralen's face paled as she started fumbling with her hands. 

"Rivendell, you say?" She asks, almost sounding like she begged not to hear the answer. 

"Yes, it would just be a meeting. I can- Lara, are you feeling alright?" 

"She is fine, it is just her guilt." Ari states rather cooly. 

"Guilt? For what?" Annuniel asks, clearly wanting to know everything that was going around. 

"Elrohir." Ari says the name like a cut right through Laralen's heart. 

"All those trouble for a guy who just left." Ari holds nothing back, her anger evident with every word she spat. 

"Wait, let me get this straight, Elrohir, the kind, sweet and gentle elven lord, left her?" Falasdir was the one to react this time and Laralen who was a moment ago, white as snow, was now turning beet red. Falasdir snorted, shaking his head. 

"I would expect that sort of behaviour from Lindethiel but not from Elrohir yet it still hurt-" he stops, realising what he had just said.

"Lindethiel left?"It was Laralen's turn to ask, shocked. 

Annuniel stood up with a huff of frustration. 

"All of you sound like a bunch of immature men and women. The mortal kind!" She spat as she stormed off, followed by two of the guards. 

"Should you allow her to leave just like that?" Laralen asked, a bit worried. 

Legolas gives a small nod, trying to process the information given to him. "She is a pureblooded, Mirkwood warrior born from the flame of the dragon and the great warrior king who both survived a dragon attack. She will be fine." 

"Better than any of you, anyway." Ari comments, throwing a stick into their small camp fire. 

"So Elrohir- I mean the jewels?" Legolas asks, ignoring the burning questions inside him. 

"Yes, you see each jewel has properties. It could be used as weapons, Legolas and I do not wish for it to fall under the wrong hands and-" she stops as Legolas nodded in understanding. 

"Okay, I will go with you. After my task in Rivendell. I shall meet you in Myrin?" 

Laralen bites her lip. It would be much easier if she stayed with him in Rivendell but the thought of seeing Elrohir again made her feel everything and nothing all at once. 

"Oh for Valar's sake, she stays with you in Rivendell, it is easier that way. You can both leave from there, we have no time, Laralen. You know that. You know their are creatures out there that should not even be given a chance to hold such power like our jewels." Ari was right, of course. Laralen just had to avoid meeting Elrohir, at all. She nods, rather hesitatingly. 

"Great, now that that is settled, where did that little loud mouth go to? I want to show her a trick with that topaz jewel on her head." Ari states, wandering off into the direction of the princess. When she was gone Legolas turned to Laralen for an answer. 

"It helps create a small amount of fire, like a match," she shrugs and Legolas didn't know if he was happy or sad about the news. 

--

He still didn't know if it was a good or bad idea when they went their separate ways, the princess waving them off with a new found delight, her index finger crowned with a small spark of fire. 

"Can I make it bigger?" She had asked Ari as they rode away. Ari merely gave her a wink and made a gesture of blowing it out. Annuniel had did just that, but instead of blowing out the fire, it merely made it bigger and fly from her hands, landing on the ground with a small roar. Legolas now knew it was a bad idea. 

When they reached Rivendell, it was just him, Falasdir and Laralen, who had Ari disguise her as a messenger boy. There was no hint of Laralen anywhere, except the most obvious feature- her eyes. Legolas knew this plan would not work, Elrohir would recognise her in an instant, then why then, had he left her? 

Perhaps he would find the answers in Rivendell, he thought as he entered the homely house, like he had before but Mantheniel was no longer standing idly by, no, the one who stood idly by was no other than the elf they were trying to avoid. Elrohir looked at them, welcoming them with a warm smile until his eyes fell on the messenger boy who had his eyes on the ground. 

Perhaps taking Laralen here was not a good idea, either. 

---

Authors note: Hey everyone, this is the second to the last chapter. What do you guys think? A lot has happened since the battle but I can tell you this, all will be revealed soon enough. 

Falasdir and Lindethiel's story will be explained in their separate book, Battle Scars. I am getting to writing that after this. 

As for Laralen and Elrohir, well... I'll let you guys guess. ;) 

Happy New Year, everyone! :)