I really hope this chapter shows all the italicized words, unlike the last chapter

^^^

I knew she was important, but not that important.

"What? The Queen?!"

She shushed me. "There are people out there that will kill her if they knew she still lived."

I dropped the knife from her neck. "But she's your mother?"

She rubbed her throat. "Yes—"

"You're a princess?"

"I do believe that's what they're called—"

"You're Legolas's broth—I mean, sister?"

She paused at that, clenched her teeth. "I suppose."

I hesitated. How do I put this lightly...?

"... Is King Thranduil your father... or...?"

Kaylessa—Princess of Mirkwood—looked at me as if I was dumb. Well, I guess I'm partly dumb but—stop getting lost in your thoughts, Lum!

"My mother would never disgrace herself—or my father—in that way. No, she was pregnant with me the day that dragon came."

Stunned silence followed. "But... h-how is she alive? I thought..."

"She was nearly dead, to anyone else she would've looked lifeless. The dragon cushioned her fall and Durwald—a human man—stumbled across her nearly dead body and miraculously nursed her back to health."

Kaylessa looked me in the eyes, "she's lucky to be alive—I'm lucky to be alive."

I opened my mouth. Closed it. How had I dreamed of the Queen? Or had it been a vision? Why? What was so important that I had to know Elellótë lived?

Or was it just an illusion Sauron or Saruman sent my way?

The pressure in my gut told me 'no.'

Then should I trust these 'visions?'

Yes.

Okay then—

"Why do you need to go to Thranduil? Why hasn't Elellótë returned to her home?" I could feel the confusion blanketing my face, but I didn't care.

Kaylessa advanced a step, "how do you know about that?"

I couldn't stop my mouth from saying the words, "I had a dream."

She kept her face devoid of emotion. "What did you see?"

Again, the words flowed from me. It was as if I wasn't in control of my voice. No! Stop! You can't trust her! But the words kept flowing.

"I saw a hut in the early morning. Elellótë opened the window. You were wanting to go see Thranduil and ask for help. The Queen said 'no.' You said you both were in dire need of his help."

Her light brows furrowed, the only sign of emotion she would show. "So not only does the one and only Tree-Shade have the power to expel energy, but she also has visions."

She huffed a breath, "great."

That was definitely sarcasm dripping from her mouth.

"Why hasn't Elellótë returned to her husband and son?" I remember how the mention of Legolas's mother had sent pain lining his every feature. Mother used to tell me stories of King Thranduil before his wife 'died' and how much he has changed since then. Elellótë and her deception have caused them both too much grief.

"I don't see why I should tell you." She stuck her chin out like the stubborn thing she is.

"You should tell me, so I do not think ill of your mother! She left her young child. She left her lover. She left her people!"

My fists clench at my side. The anger came rolling in like thunderclouds. Mirkwood had lamentations for their dead queen that had brought tears to my eyes. And now I know the queen does not deserve such praise and love.

"The queen left behind a crying child, a broken king, and a wailing elfdom!" I was on a roll, and I wasn't about to stop there.

"The invasion at Dol Guldur might as well have been done by your mother! With the weakened people, stricken with the fake death of their queen, they were not as strong as they once were. They were not able to protect and serve. And this goes on you too! Just because you are a child in the eyes of most elves doesn't mean you are blame free! Even though you were born more or less a year after the Queen's downfall does not mean you couldn't have pushed her to go to the King—"

"Do you not think I have done that?!"

"—or gone to the King yourself!" My ragged breathing met my ears and a dangerous gleam lit Kaylessa's eyes.

"I've wanted to see the man my mother has talked so highly about my entire life. But I will not disobey my mother. I am loyal, I do not go behind her back." The quietly dangerous words rolled off her tongue.

"Well—Well... Why hasn't the Queen returned to the people who loved her so much?! Do you know how much pain it causes Legolas just to think about his mother? Don't even get me started on King Thranduil—"

"My mother could not remember a thing after the fall! She did not know her own name! She did not know the words 'elf' and 'man!' And if she didn't know the name of Eru Illuvatar, then how would she remember such a thing as Mirkwood or my Father!?"

Fire danced in her eyes. "She didn't remember that Thranduil was King and resided in Mirkwood until earlier this year! Legolas was just a nameless boy in my early childhood! Mother has tried all my life to piece together her broken memories and has failed time and time again! You were not there when she fell into fits of despair and tears. You were not there when she decided that if she could not have her own life back, she would do something else. Something to help the peoples of Middle-Earth, because she knew, somewhere out there in Ea, that her family needed her help. Oh, you think you're so clever by trying to make a fool out of my mother. Well, you should know something first. You will not talk about my mother in such an ill way without consequence! If her foolishness were real and needed correction, then I would side with you, but you are wrong! You do not get to jump to conclusion before you know all the information!!"

"I—Well—!" I struggled with an argument to throw up. But she's right, I do not get to conjure up ideas without the information. I shouldn't act foolishly. No, I can't afford to be foolish in these times.

So, I stood seething, clenching and unclenching my fists. Turning around, I paced in the grass, trying to distance myself from Kaylessa. Hot embarrassment lined my neck.

I spun around and focused on a spot just over her shoulder, "forgive me. I... meant no harm towards your mother." Even though I did. "I will learn from this mistake." It seems like I've been learning from a lot of mistakes lately.

"It will serve you good," she snarled. The moon's brilliance shone perfectly on Kaylessa's face.

"You look so much like the King. Except you're eyes." The words were out before I even know I spoke them. I really need to keep more of a leash on my mouth when I'm disconcerted.

Kaylessa startled.

Turns out that was the perfect way to unsettle her. So, I took the opportunity.

"What is so dire your mother sent you here?" I suspected since I held her at sword point that she had been ordered to find me. For what, I do not know. But why would I dream of a conversation speaking about a dire situation and then one of them show up? The only other reason would have to be that I'm a seer. Which is not possible.

She crossed her arms as if she knew what I was up too. But apparently, it didn't matter.

"My mother sent me here to warn you about Alagosson." Her features hardened. A shadow of an emotion passed over her face and I couldn't decipher it.

My brows furrowed. I racked my brain for who Alagosson could be. I don't remember hearing of him, nor reading about him in the many books of the Mirkwood and Lothlorien library. I came up blank.

I absentmindedly played with a strand of hair. "Who is—"

Kaylessa's head whipped towards the tall grasses on her left. "I must go. Do not tell anyone of me or what you've learned. I'll see you again unless one of us meets our end."

And then she bounded away like a gazelle, the grasses swallowing her whole. It was as if she had not even been there.

Who knew when I'd see her again? Or if I ever would?

Wh—

Aragorn and Legolas appeared from the tall grasses. Had they arrived two seconds earlier they would've met Legolas's sister.

Strange to think that he even has a sister.

Stranger to think he doesn't know about it.

"I was patrolling," the lie spurt easily from my mouth. My time with Sauron had taught me well.

The crease between Aragorn's brows deepened. "I thought I heard voices—"

"I was talking to myself."

Legolas wouldn't stop staring at me. His eyes seemed to say, liar. A shiver ran its way up the base of my spine, the hairs on my neck stood on end.

"I was getting antsy back at camp. I figured a walk around the perimeter would do me good." I tapped Gorthaden. "And I'm armed too."

Strider's eyes narrowed. I knew he would probably bring up the subject again, but for now, he dropped it.

He walked us back to camp, letting me bring up the rear. The whole way I couldn't stop staring at Legolas's pale golden hair swishing from side to side.

You have a sister. Your mother's alive. She's alive, I wanted to say. But I kept Kaylessa's words in mind and stitched my lips shut.

The scratching of a pipe being lit tickled my ears. And then Mithrandir and Gimli came to view.

"You're awake—" I caught myself. I had slipped into elvish so easily with Kaylessa, I hadn't fully realized I had been speaking it. Now it was a struggle to break.

I cleared my throat and tried again in westron. "I hadn't realized you all had awakened."

"That's Aragorn's fault," Gimli grumbled and nodded towards his friend almost at the same time Pippin said, "just in time for breakfast."

I dipped my head in shame, "forgive me. I did not mean to make you worry." I worked my hands behind me back.

I sensed Aragorn turn to Mithrandir. "Nothing to worry about. She was—"

Despite my shame, I still intervened. I don't need anyone speaking for me. Unless I don't want to talk, then, by all means, go ahead.

"I was patrolling a circle around the area. I didn't want to fall asleep on watch." Too late, I thought to myself. "Aragorn walked in on me... talking to myself." I faked embarrassment.

Mithrandir furrowed his brows and made a sound. "When did you start patrolling? Twenty minutes ago? Thirty? Surely not forty."

When did I wake from the dream/vision? How long had I talked to Kaylessa? I looked up at the moon. It had moved several inches.

I bit my cheek. "An hour?"

I braced myself for the out lash.

But none came. I looked up to see the White Wizard's blue-gray eyes focused on me. Is that warmth I see in his eyes? No, it couldn't be. Stone glazed over them.

"Were you leaving?" The cold voice stopped all conversation like a cold shower of ice.

I closed my eyes. When will Sauron take on his side of the bargain? Oh, that's right—he wants me to command his Uur Rauko armies first and I want him to free Legolas first. It's a game of tug-o-war.

Releasing a breath, I turned around to face Kaylessa's brother.

His bright elven aura I had come to love had faded considerably, his skin had lost its healthy complexion. Now it had a gray undertone and his cheeks had sunken. His lovely pale golden hair he had inherited from his mother had gone limp. The tangles looked out of place. But his overall features were still the same and I realized how could I have not recognized Kaylessa as being related to him in Lorien?

"No," I breathed. "No. I did not plan to leave you or the company. Nor will I ever." Not as long as this journey is still going on. Not while Middle-Earth still needs me.

I looked into his unfamiliar dull eyes and tried pleading with just a look for Legolas—not this monster in front of me—to come back.

Fight it! I know you can!

But no spark lit his eyes, only a coldness I did not recognize filled them.

I turned away swiftly, tears quickly blocking my vision and my breathing turning haggard.

Can Legolas even fight the Ring? Or has he already lost?

I didn't know the answer, but I feared the worst. I ran my hands through my hair.

I don't even know the person behind me anymore. He's changed into a completely different person. Would his own father even know him?

And then I realized maybe saving Middle-Earth doesn't have to start with everybody. I can start with Legolas.

And I know what I must do. If Sauron won't do it, then I must.

I will get Legolas to relinquish his hold on the Ring.

But I can't do it here. But I do know a place I can.

Rohan.

****
"Courage is found in unlikely places"
—Tolkien

So! Starting on December the 4th I'll be updating every Monday. Unless I forget. But hopefully I won't.

AND HAPPY BDAY TO MY WATTPAD FRIEND (you know who you are)

Novaer Mellonamin!
~awatin~