*Somewhat edited*

Italicized phrases with a * next to it mean it's in Elvish

I blink back the bright light to see Mother, Father, and Legolas. Today there's a slight breeze in the air, rustling our hair. 

All eyes are on me, I suppose they are waiting to see how I react. Inside, I feel like breaking down into a fit of tears, but on the outside, I'm as hard as stone. Sorta.

I try my best to avert my gaze from Legolas, which is harder than I expected it to be. I go to Nana and Ada and they pull me into a tight hug. When they pull away it feels too soon. 

The birds chirp around us and I hear the soft breathing of the two horses Legolas has a hold of, one white, one grey.

"Take care, dear*'" Mother smiles at me.

"Lumornel," I look to Father, "have this, it was once mine. But I have no use for it now, it is yours." He holds out a long dagger. He pulls it out of its sheath so I can look at it better.

With trembling hands I take it. I turn it around in my hands, the dagger has intricate carvings in it and an elvish script is carved into it. It says, 'love will always find a way.' 

I put the dangerous metal back in its sheath and look up at Father, "diola lle," I whisper and pull him into another hug. I carefully put the sheathed dagger into the belt around my waist. [thank you]

"Lumornel," I hear Legolas's urgent voice from behind, "it's time to go." I nod and he pulls forward the grey horse. I hesitate before taking the reins from him, "I do not know how to ride a horse," I whisper.

He smiles, "do not worry, it is as easy as walking!" He says brightly. He then leans down and puts his hands together for me to use as a step onto the horse. I put one hand on his shoulder and the other on the horse and step up.

Once I get situated to the highly alien feeling of having a horse underneath me, I turn to mother and father.

"Do not worry, I will return," I say but some part of knows that I will not, and if I do return, I will not be the same.

The horse under me moves, startling me and ruining the moment. "Stupid horse." I shake my head.

Legolas and I ride away from my home and into the forest. I keep an iron grip on the reins because I'm terrified that I'm going to fall off, but at the same time I hold the reins away from, I do not know what to do with them.

I only concentrate on the movement of the horse, moving me from one side to the other. During the day's ride, we are quiet, the only sound is of the trees and there leaves rustling high above us. We are still in Mirkwood and the forest gets darker as we go, but I suspect the sun is still high up. My mind wanders to what could be hiding behind the tree and I shudder.

I decide to break the silence and my thoughts, "When will we be out of the forest*?" My voice bounces off our surroundings.

I stare at Legolas's back, he looks as comfortable as ever on the dreadful horse. I watch the horse's tail whip back and forth as we ride, "we should reach the edge by dusk, but we will rest in the safety of the woods*." 

I look around us warily, "it doesn't look very safe.*"  I watch his shoulders shake as he chuckles.

"It's not funny... Don't you think we could be eaten... By things*?"

He keeps laughing, "do you think I would let you be eaten? As long as we keep to the path we'll be fine. And if it makes you feel any better, I'll take the first watch*."

It did comfort me, but only until I realized that I would have to take the second watch. I then groaned when it dawns on me that I would have to wake up early from now on.

"Man?" [what?] Legolas asks from in front of me.

"Nothing*."  

The rest of the day we stayed silent. The time came when dusk fell and the trees thinned to show us a green plain. I got off my horse, well, more like slid from the horse and I stretched out my unbelievably stiff and sore legs. 

Soon enough we had a fire blazing. We let the horses roam, trusting them that they would keep near.

Once I relax a bit by the fire my thoughts stray from the forest and to the journey that lies ahead. I become angry at that second, at Legolas and his Father, at my parents, and at Ammë in my dreams. I'm angry at them for all of this, for them causing me to ride a horse, to leave my home, and go to Lothoríen. 

Before I could think about speaking, words leave my lips, "how could you?*" They leave my mouth in a whisper.

My words come out harsher than I expected, "how could you betray me? I thought you were my friend*." I look at him, my eyes throwing daggers.

"Betray you?*"

"Yes! Betray me! I thought you were my friend, but you're sending me off! Away from my only home! If you truly care, then you would've let me stay."

Legolas meets my eyes, "I would never betray you. I know it may not seem like it, but I'm helping you. I must obey my Father."

"You say you are not betraying me, but you're helping me. How can that be when I know a true friend would do what I want, would keep me safe at home*?!"

"I know you must be confused—*" he says softly.

"Confused?!" I let out a single, cold laugh, "I am not confused, I am angry. I am angry at everything! I just wish I was home, or at least had more time with my family, I wish I didn't have to ride a horse, I wish I didn't have to have a dagger, and I wish I wasn't stuck with you!"  

I look away and towards the orange sunset, I sniff and wipe away a tear that managed to escape. I hate this, I hate being weak in front of him.

I try holding my breath to keep back the tears but then I feel a soft hand on my thigh, making me look over at Legolas. His eyes show concern. This makes my tears fall and my cheeks soon become wet. 

Legolas leans over, pulling me into a comforting hug. But I don't need his comfort. I push him away, taking him by surprise, and I get up and walk to the other side of the fire. 

I lay down on the bumpy ground, my back to the fire and Legolas, and my shoulders shake as I cry silently into the night.

•••••••••

I wake wearily to the sound of birds chirping and the blaring sun in my eyes. Wait, sun. Legolas didn't wake me up for my watch!

I sit up in panic, my head going to and fro looking for my traveling companion. Footsteps crunch on dead leaves behind me.

I quickly look to the sound to see Legolas coming out of the shadow of trees and I let out a sigh of relief.

"I was wondering when you would wake up,*" he smirked. The smirk sent butterflies through me, but I ignore that and instead I eye him suspiciously, "why did you not wake me?"

"You needed to sleep and I let you, isn't that what true friends do?" He joked.

I scowled at him, making him try to hide a chuckle.

"When are you going to get it through your mind that I'm not trying to hurt you?" I ignored the comment.

I got up and yawned, stretching my arms wide. I helped pack up our things and soon enough we are on our way again. Great.

Today I can't stand being left to my own thoughts, they just make me angry and sad.

"So, Imladris?" I ask. [Rivendell]

Legolas seems to be caught by surprise because he blurts, "what?"

"Imladris. Your father mentioned it. Why are you going?" I asked and I admit, I'm curious.

"Oh, that. Well, I shouldn't be telling you this, I would only tell people who consider me as a  true friend...." He trailed off, looking at me with puppy-dog eyes and a pouty lip.

I let out an exasperated groan, "alright! Alright! I forgive you!" I lie. I like to think that I can forgive easily, but in truth it is hard. But I lie because I feel the need to know why he is to go to Rivendale.

He looks at me confused, "forgive me? For what?"

I look at him in outrage, "if I had something to throw at you, I would throw it!" 

Legolas moves his head in such a way that can only mean, 'continue'.

I look at him sharply, "you know what I mean." 

He smiled victoriously. It annoyed me oh so much.

"Okay, but you mustn't tell a soul..." He starts and I, metaphorically, zip my mouth closed.

"I am going to go to the Council of Elrond on my Fathers behalf... A creature named 'Gollum' has escaped our dungeons. It is believed that the Ring of Power has resurfaced."

"But... I thought that it was lost by the hand of Isildur in the Anduin River?" I ask, bewildered.

"Yes, so thought I. But all things must resurface at some point in time..." He says, looking at me.

"What?" 

He shakes his head and looks west, "after I have seen to you safely in Loríen with Lady Galadriel I must go to Imladris. That is why we had to leave so early. Otherwise, you may have had more time with your family."

I look down, at the horse's mane, "thank you..." I say softly. It's good to know the truth, to know that I may have had time with my family.

We ride in silence. That is until a shrill cry pierces the air.

•••••••••

"Stop! We have to turn around! I forgot my handkerchief!"

                  -Bilbo Baggins

Woo-hoo! I can finally go to sleep! Hope that you all liked this chapter!

Eowen of Arwen?

I would very much appreciate it if you would leave a comment or vote. Also, for all you Pinterest lovers, I have a board for this Fanfiction. It called the Unexpected: a LotR fanfic.  Thank you for reading! All of you guys keep me going!

Novaer, mellyn.