Hobbit 1. Of Spiders and Elks

**Just a quick heads-up: I'm basing this story on LOTR/The Hobbit movies, not the books, so I'm sorry if anything isn't accurate to the original tale. **

**I imagine these events to happen maybe a year or so before the dwarves arrive in the Woodland Realm so if you came for dwarves or hobbits, sorry, there aren't any here.**

**Oh, and there are quite a few OCs in this story, humans and elves.**

**Happy reading, I really hope you like it!**

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Of Spiders and Elks

Matilda had only ever heard stories about the elves of Mirkwood.

They were woven through the songs and stories of Lake-town, telling of the purity and of the beauty of the ancient beings. She was perfectly aware that her hometown's main source of income was the result of trade with the Woodland Realm elves, but in all her seventeen-and-a-half years, she had never seen one. They preferred to look after their own, the elves, and to distance themselves from the rest of the world. Matilda had heard that King Thranduil Greenleaf, Elvenking, was a formidable, powerful force, not one to be reckoned with, and the people of Lake-town obeyed without question.

They couldn't afford to complain; the people were poor and barely scraped enough money together to last them through the harsh, bitterly cold winters. Matilda's family were no exception; her father had died three years ago, and her mother had fallen ill last spring with a lung sickness, taking to her bed and unable to work. Consequently, Matilda and her older sister found work where they could; Hattie as a maid in the Master of Lake-town's household and Matilda as a hunter with her friends Sam and Jane, who worked in their father's butchers.

Meat was rare and precious; the town was named such for obvious reasons. It was stranded in the middle of a lake, looming out of the fog and gloom. There was a lot of fish, but meat was not in abundance. Every morning Matilda would wake at dawn and make her way down to Sam's little rowing boat. Together, they would cross the Long Lake to the far southern banks where they could hunt for as long as they pleased and return in time for the daily market, which opened in the late afternoon.

The day _it_ all began was no different.

Hattie woke her up with a none-too-gentle thump on her shoulder, and Matilda jerked upwards, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She rolled out of bed without complaint and tiptoed about the room shared by all five members of her family. Matilda's house was poor but homely. There was a large four-poster bed with a patchwork quilt in the corner, currently occupied by her sleeping mother and little sister, and three straw-mattresses on the floor. It had the distinct impression it had once been a fine house but the owner had been regularly selling her possessions and replacing them with poorer items. This was evident in the fact that red damask curtains hung at one diamond-paned window but the other had no curtains; just peeling blue shutters.

After washing and dressing into a pair of blue breeches which belonged to her brother, Matilda and Hattie were sat together, eating a slice of bread each for their breakfast, when said brother, Teddy, opened one eye.

"Matilda!" he hissed.

Matilda jumped at the unexpected sound. "What?" she whispered back.

"Can I go hunting with you today?"

At fourteen years old, Teddy was irrefutably lazy; he hadn't even moved from under his cotton blanket. He just stared at her beseechingly.

"Don't you have school?"

"School's cancelled. Teacher's sick."

Matilda sighed and nodded. This had an incredible effect on Teddy; he leapt out of bed like he had been scalded with hot water and, since he had slept in his clothes, was washing in an instant. He turned and held out his hands. "Here. How do I look?"

"Scruffy," Hattie replied. She shot her brother and sister a grin, and slipped out of the front door for work.

Teddy always looked scruffy. He had the kind of hair which never stayed flat on his head; it stuck up in all directions no matter how many times he attacked it with a hairbrush. Matilda was glad she looked a little more presentable; her long dark hair was braided neatly down her back, her white shirt was pristine and her father's beloved bow was slung over her shoulder, freshly-polished. She smiled kindly at her brother and beckoned him silently; their mother and little sister were still, amazingly, asleep.

Once they had navigated the maze of wooden steps and bridges and walkways built between the crooked wooden houses which made up Lake-town, Matilda and Teddy arrived at the wharf where Sam's little boat bobbed and dipped on the black water. She turned, stumbling over a bucket, and gazed back at the town; light blared out of quaint little windows and coils of rope littered the walkways. She could hear the sounds of the town waking; babies crying, men calling, the bark of a dog. Jane, Matilda's outspoken best friend, hailed them as they drew nearer. Auburn-haired and freckle-faced with identical grins a mile long, Jane and Sam had a habit of bickering like there was no tomorrow. In fact, they only seemed content in each other's company when they were quarrelling like cats and dogs.

"Ready?" Sam asked her, holding out a hand to help Matilda step into his boat. Matilda nodded and smiled at him; it was no secret that in a couple of years' time it would be very likely that she and Sam would be betrothed to marry.

"Can I come too, sir?" Teddy asked, and Sam seemed to grow a couple of inches at the reverence of being called 'sir'. This did not escape Jane, who snorted derisively.

"Of course," Sam said with a smile at Teddy and a glare at Jane. "Know how to shoot an arrow?"

Teddy nodded. Before their father had died, he had taught his son and middle daughter how to hit a target nine times out of ten. Hattie and Sarah had never had much time for combat, and they had teased Matilda for being boyish. She didn't care; she had adored her father and knew that she had also claimed a special corner of his heart shared by no one. Now, his bow was all she had left to remember him by.

The four young people set off in the modest boat; Sam rowing, Matilda navigating. This is how it always was. When Jane tried to navigate, she and Sam ended up screaming blue murder at each other, which wasn't the safest idea when there was a crop of jagged rocks or a ghostly pillar every five metres or so. The rocks were razor-sharp and extremely difficult to navigate; they dissolved out of the rolling mist so quickly and were fatal to crash into, but these were people who had been born and bred in Lake-town. Sam could steer these waters in his sleep. Matilda had always thought that the rocks here looked like a giant had played darts and missed the bull's-eye of Lake-town every time.

Once clear of the rocks and mist, the journey was pleasant. It was late summer and the water was gentle with the rowing-boat, lapping pleasantly against the prow. Jane gossiped happily, not caring whether anyone was listening or not. Matilda trailed a hand in the water, dreaming. Teddy looked excited, like he was about to bubble over with him enthusiasm.

"What?" Jane asked him.

"Will we see elves?" he blurted out. "We're heading for the Woodland Realm."

Teddy had only ventured outside of Lake-town once before. It was rare for the natives to leave their isolated little corner of Middle-Earth, except the bargeman and those with little businesses such as Sam and Jane's father which required resources from outside Lake-town.

"No," replied Sam. "The elves never leave their borders, and we're not such fools to trespass over them."

"But it's _Mirkwood_," Teddy said. "The edge of the forest marks the edge of the elven borders." He scanned the shore where the boat was directed. "It's _all_ forest."

"Not where we're going," grinned Jane. "The wrath of King Thranduil is said to be very fierce."

"You've never seen an elf?" Teddy looked incredulous.

All three shook their heads.

"Never?"

"I have told you this before," Matilda sighed and shook her head at her brother's inattention.

"Dwarves?" He sounded hopeful.

"There aren't any dwarves in these parts," laughed Sam. "Not for years and years."

Teddy looked disappointed, and fell into silence as they approached the shore. Landing, Sam and Matilda pulled the boat up the shingle (the stretch of muddy land was too narrow to call a beach) and they moored it. Jane and Teddy unloaded the weapons they used for hunting; Sam's bow and a quiver of precious arrows, two spears made from old harpoons and a heavy crow-bill made from a blacksmith's hammer. Matilda wished they had iron-forged swords and spears, but such weapons were locked in the armoury and guarded heavily. If their corrupt and ineffectual Master was afraid of anything it was rebellion, and he took it upon himself to suppress it like it was the plague.

"What are we looking for?" Teddy asked, as the four of them began to make their way into the forest.

"Rabbits, a deer if we're lucky," Sam said, leading the way.

They climbed up a mossy bank, threading between the trees and jumping over the tree stumps. Each of them held weapons, and they split up, spreading out. Creeping along, her boots crunching slightly, Matilda felt a thrill of apprehension. The forest seemed quieter than usual, or was that just her imagination running wild and playing tricks on her?

She froze. Up ahead, a grey rabbit shuffled about in the undergrowth, foraging and completely oblivious to the danger less than five metres away. Matilda strung her bow and drew the feathers back until they were tickling her cheek. She breathed. The rabbit stopped and stood up on its hind legs, its nose quivering as it tested the air. Matilda let go. She was clumsy and awkward at the best of times but she had been hunting for a long time, and could shoot straight without thinking too hard about it. Her arrow found its mark, burying deep into the rabbit's gut. In another time and place, Matilda might have felt sympathy toward the helpless creature, but, when the town was so desperate for food and had a Master who cared little for the abject poverty and starvation of his people, she only knew that this rabbit was precious food and money.

Teddy picked it up and withdrew the arrow, wiping it on a patch of grass and handing it back to his sister. He attached the rabbit to his back, and onwards they continued.

Matilda had barely moved three steps when a commotion started beside her. Sam had stepped on Jane's foot, and she had taken it, as usual, as a personal insult. A rather impressive shouting match incurred, the insults of which became increasingly infantile as the argument blew itself out, leaving the siblings grumbling and muttering to themselves.

"We'll never catch anything at this rate," Matilda murmured, exchanging a grin with Teddy. They were grateful that they could at least last five minutes without tearing at each other's throats.

"Let's just keep going," Sam said haughtily, striding ahead while Teddy and Matilda tried to placate Jane, who was still hopping on one foot to prove her point.

The grey rabbit seemed to be the only living thing unlucky enough to be out. The sun climbed higher in the sky, time wore on, and still, they didn't meet anything. Not so much as a hedgehog. Not a bird in the trees. A sense of dread and unease settled in Matilda's stomach, twisting her insides until she felt slightly sick.

"Sam," she whispered. "It's too quiet. I don't like it."

"Nonsense," Sam replied, dismissing her fears. "It's just a slow day, that's all."

They walked onwards into the forest, and the trees grew thicker and the darkness became denser. Matilda looked up; the sun was blocked from her sight. In all directions a great leafy sky covered them, the branches thickly woven together.

Matilda, already unnerved and unusually jumpy, almost leapt out of her skin when Jane squealed from somewhere to her left. They rushed to her; Jane's arm had become tangled in a thatch of sticky silvery threads. Sam couldn't help but snicker. Turning up her freckled nose in disgust, Jane withdrew her arm, picking it off her sleeve and out of her hair. Thinking nothing of it, the four continued deeper into the forest. Jane almost split her sides laughing when Sam, not concentrating, had plunged headfirst into a web of the sticky silvery threads. But when Sam struggled to free himself, the smile faded off Jane's face.

"What is this stuff?" she wondered aloud, looking up.

The thick fibres were everywhere, strung across the trees, and Matilda saw immediately why they hadn't noticed what they were walking into. The silvery strands were laced through the leaves high above them; only a couple of patches had fallen to the ground. Matilda touched a gleaming, sticky thread.

"It's almost like a...web," she said, unsure of why she was whispering. "A spider's web."

"I wouldn't like to run into the spider which made this," Sam said, gesturing to a particularly big web directly above his head. "Look at the size of- _oof_!"

He was cut off by a swift and unnecessarily hard punch in his ribs, courtesy of Jane. She had frozen in horror, eyes transfixed by something in the distance. Sam, Matilda and Teddy turned to see what it was that had immobilised her so, and Matilda felt all the blood in her body flow cold.

A hundred yards or so away from them was a spider the size of her house back home in Lake-town. Crawling through its web away from them, one of its eight legs was the width of Matilda herself. Its black eyes glinting with evil, it scuttled in the opposite direction from the petrified humans, the hairs stood upright on its body, fangs gleaming.

Matilda was thankful for small mercies; it didn't seem to have seen them. "_Yet_," a tiny voice in her brain told her, and she pressed a fist to her mouth. With a thrill of dismay and revulsion, Matilda heard a clicking noise above her. Teddy shot out a hand and pulled her down, crouching beside the roots of a particularly thick tree. Another spider skulked through its web right over them, following its kin away. Matilda hardly dared to breathe until both of the giant spiders had vanished into the trees.

"Run!" whispered Sam. "_RUN_!"

They ran. As silently as they could manage, the four humans fled from the spiders, their legs pumping furiously. They didn't slow until the webs had petered out, and even then, they kept running. Sam didn't need to urge them; strangely enough, they all seemed extremely keen to put as much distance as possible between them and the spiders.

Matilda ran until her heart pounded in her throat, and it hurt to take great, gasping breaths of air. Jane was the first to stop, bending over and clutching a stitch in her side. None of them said anything whilst they all tried to remember how to breathe. Teddy uncorked a water gourd, which they passed round gratefully.

"_A slow day_?" Matilda hissed when she could finally hear herself think again.

"Shut up," said Sam.

They grinned at each other; relieved to be out of danger. It was only then that they began to look at their surroundings. If they had thought the trees were dense before, it was nothing compared to the forest now. Forming almost a solid wall of tree trunks and foliage, they had to walk single-file to weave through the trees, following the intricate labyrinths of roots that patterned the forest floor. The trees were now so tall that Matilda could hardly see the branches and leaves above them, stretching to the sky. Matilda began to feel slightly light-headed and dizzy, almost like her feet didn't belong to her. Maybe she was tired, or maybe she had looked for the tops of the trees for too long.

Time began to lose itself, and Matilda lost all sense of direction as they wandered deeper and deeper into the Forest of Mirkwood. She could not locate herself on the ground, and time became more and more evasive as she tried to tell when in the day it was. Matilda had the horrible sensation that a whole year could have passed without her knowing or her consent.

"Look!" Teddy breathed, stopping so suddenly that Matilda bumped into his back. She peered round him, blinking hard to clear her woozy head.

Ahead of them, in the centre of a clearing, stood a large and magnificent creature, the like of which Matilda had never heard of, let alone _seen_, before. Its body was taller than the top of her head, and its short glossy brown fur reminded her of a stag. And yet it was unlike a stag for it was thick and stocky, with a short but elegant neck extending upwards. It had ears, like she had seen on deer before, but its antlers were a thing of a beauty; great ivory structures extending majestically out from either side of its head. The creature bent its head to the bubbling spring from which it was drinking.

Beside her, Sam drew his bow and arrow. Matilda put a hand on his arm and shook her head, wide-eyed. Sam looked at her, and Matilda was startled. She took a step backwards. Sam's eyes were strange; his pupils were so big that only a narrow ring of green-blue surrounded them. He looked quite unlike himself, almost as though he was in some kind of trance.

The beautiful creature raised its head. Its ears twitched once, and then, to Matilda's horror, it looked straight at them. Its long-lashed celestial eyes gazed at them reproachfully, and Matilda found she could not tear her eyes from it; it was like the creature could see into her very soul.

Sam's arrow whizzed through the trees. In that instant, Matilda prayed that it would miss its target but the unmistakable sound of metal finding its mark filled the glade. The creature didn't utter a sound from its mouth, not a howl, not a grunt, not a scream, but its legs folded and it fell with a thud to the ground. A deep, unexplainable sadness rooted itself deep in Matilda's core and she suddenly felt as though she could never feel happy again. Jane turned to her, mouth open, and Matilda knew she had felt it too. Behind her, Teddy had an odd expression on his face; like he couldn't decide whether to cry or to give into hysterics.

The two girls ran to the animal, and fell to their knees. Its mouth was open and a trickle of blood ran from it. The beautiful brown eyes were glazed and Matilda wanted to cry when she gazed into them.

"Something's wrong," Jane whispered beside her.

Matilda looked up sharply, and into her friend's panic-stricken eyes. Jane clutched at her head as though she would anchor it to her shoulders.

Suddenly, an ear-splitting din sounded, cutting through the silence like a knife. Matilda and Jane fell backwards in fright, and the two boys ran forwards to them. It was trumpeting, loud and resonating. Whatever it was, it didn't sound good to the four young humans.

Sam seemed to jerk awake, as though from a dream, and his eyes dilated in panic. He stared down at the beast as though it had suddenly appeared there. Looking panicked, he whipped around, trying to find the source of the sound. "Elves!" he said.

"What?" Jane shouted so she would be heard above the pandemonium of the horns.

"Let's go!" Sam yelled, sprinting to the edge of the clearing.

The blood in Matilda's head pounded and her thighs burned. She was already exhausted from their flight earlier and being unused to running (there was nowhere to run to in Lake-town), made her heart feel like it was going to pound right out of her chest. Her knees were fit to buckle beneath her but Teddy caught hold of her hand and pulled her along. They chased after Sam and Jane, but suddenly arrows and daggers appeared on all sides. They were overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of elves, all armour-clad and heavily-armed, and, most worryingly, all wearing furious, hostile expressions on their faces.

Matilda gulped.

They were well and truly surrounded.

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**So this is the first chapter of my Legolas story, I hope you like! Drop me a review, a favourite and a follow – I love to hear your views.**

**I promise it gets more exciting now the elves are on the scene!**


	2. Of Elves and Men

Of Elves and Men

For a moment, no one in the glade moved except tiny flying midges, flashing gold where the light hit them. One of these bugs landed lightly on Matilda's arm, and she looked down at it. Then, her eyes snapped back up at a sound. One of the elves had dropped from a low branch and landed lightly on his feet. His face was stony and his eyes were cold, but Matilda couldn't help noticing that it was a very handsome face and they were very striking eyes.

The elf was tall and lithe and strong with fair skin, perfectly pointed ears and long silvery-blonde hair, clad in a brown tunic and leggings with a bow and double knives strapped to his back. His eyes were piercingly blue, and they seemed to look straight through Matilda, who squirmed a little under his intense gaze. He had pointed ears and wore dark-bronze armour, and he circled the little group of humans, gazing down at them. Her heart thumped, but this time, she couldn't tell if it was the short burst of sprinting or not.

"First, you trespass on our land," the elf spoke for the first time. His voice, although deep and velvety, was tight and he sounded enraged. "Then you slaughter one of our elks."

"Your what?" asked Sam, bravely. _Stupidly_.

The fair-haired elf looked at him with pure contempt, something very close to hatred in his eyes. "The creature you have just slain, human, is an elven elk," he spat out. "What do you have to say for yourselves?" His eyes flicked over Matilda and he brought his face very close to hers, his expression unfeeling. He didn't blink, not even once.

Matilda was alarmed. She stammered for a moment while she collected her thoughts. This was dangerous, _very_ dangerous. The elves could be merciless; they wouldn't let them go, nor would they accept the trance-like state that Sam had been under. Matilda peered around the clearing. There was no way the four of them would be able to escape.

"Answer me," the elf snapped.

"It was me," she said quickly, hoping that Teddy, Jane and Sam would be released if she confessed to their crime. "I didn't know it was one of yours. I thought it was a doe and I shot at it. I'm sorry-"

The broad-shouldered elf scoffed at her. "Your apologies will not help you."

"They tried to stop me," Matilda lied, gesturing at Jane and Teddy behind her. They had frozen, watching her warily. Sam looked confused, and Matilda guessed that he couldn't remember slaying the elk himself. None of them said a word. "But I was just thinking of the meat. You should let them go."

The elves around the clearing tittered, but their arrows didn't waver from their targets.

"We've seen you before," the leader-elf said. "Testing our borders. Hunting every day."

Matilda and Jane exchanged a glance. They had never seen the elves before. Had they really been tracking their movements? The handsome elf caught the look and smirked, guessing what they were thinking. "You're _humans_." He said it the same way Jane might if she was describing Sam in the midst of a row. "You only see what we wish you to."

Another elf stepped forwards to whisper in the blonde elf's ear. Matilda's eyes widened slightly. The second elf was female, slim and clear-skinned with bright brown eyes; her hair, red-orange, fell to the back of her knees where it curled into a large ringlet. Her lovely features were serious, the eyes earnest.

"Legolas," she said, handing the elf the arrow that Sam had shot. The iron tip was dripping with dark-red blood.

"_Legolas_," Matilda whispered to herself. She had to look away from the thick liquid staining the arrow-head; it was making her feel sick.

"Search them!" the elf named Legolas called.

A group of the elves lowered their bows and stepped forward to strip the humans of their weapons, the rest stayed at a further distance, their arrows pointed straight for the trespassers. The elves left nothing behind, taking even the tiny knife Jane used for cutting food off her. When a dark-haired she-elf snatched their father's precious bow from Matilda's back, she and Teddy stepped forward defensively. "_No_!"

Two gleaming, beautifully-carved, silver swords were whipped from their sheaths and held at the humans' throats. Matilda and Teddy stumbled backwards, defeated. The resentful expression on Teddy's face did not quite mask the fear etched across his features. Matilda felt a rush of protective affection towards her younger brother. She spoke up; "Let the others go! It was me, not them!"

Her only agenda was to keep her family and friends safe.

The flame-haired elf smirked. "I never thought I'd meet a _brave_ human," she sneered. "The most cowardly, corrupt race on Middle-Earth."

Matilda gritted her teeth. There was something about these elves that made her bristle with irritation. She couldn't see any evidence of the divine, perfect elves in their stories which were passed down through the generations. She looked at Legolas, and her big dark eyes enlarged until they were the size of coins, begging him. His lip curled and he pointed a sword at Teddy's throat, gesturing to his company. He raised his voice and shouted across the clearing a command in Elvish.

The elves who had searched the four humans began pushing and jostling them forwards. It was unnecessary to intimidate them; Matilda, Teddy, Jane and Sam were already scared stiff, and they moved without hesitation. Not a word was exchanged between the four, as the procession traced the long path through the forest as they headed further and further into northern Mirkwood. Their captors called to each other in their own language, the conversation all happening over the humans' heads.

Matilda turned her head to look at her brother, behind her. His eyes were full of fright, and she tried to give him a weak, reassuring smile, but a sharp jab in her back from an elf jerked her eyes forwards again. She almost fell over, and would have done too, if the elf hadn't grabbed a handful of her shirt and yanked her back up again.

They crossed the bridge over the silvery river, which was far below, carving its way through the rock, and through the tall, but narrow, gate. The flame-haired she-elf walked ahead, and Matilda was made to follow her, a wickedly-sharp sword-point now pressed to her back. The handsome golden-haired elf called Legolas stopped at the carved pillars to watch her pass. His blue eyes locked with hers, and she shivered involuntarily but his pale face remained as blank as though it had been carved out of marble.

Once Jane, at the end of the party, had passed, Legolas followed them in, shouting an order to the guards; "Close the gate!" The gate was shut behind them with a crash; no resource had been spared in building the weight of the doors which guarded the Elvenking's Halls.

Matilda blinked hard so she wouldn't cry with fear. They were well and truly prisoners in the Woodland Realm of the elves.

Inside the rock, Matilda was distracted, gasping in undisguised wonder at the beauty of the elves' home; the great caverns and chambers and halls were linked by great twisting wooden bridges and walkways, long flights of stairs and held up by carved pillars and columns, all linking and entwining. The ceiling was so far away, it could barely be seen and the cellars were plunged deep down into the rock. Beautiful, great golden torches lit the chambers and far above, little sparkling skylights let in the pretty evening sun. Matilda was very aware of the sense of magic in the Elvenking's Halls, the beauty; there was something enchanting about the carvings, the stone, the wood, the light, something bewitching about the very air they all breathed. It was a dangerous and heady feeling.

The humans were taken to the dungeons; small cells carved into rock, next to a narrow, staggered, stairway, and it was one of these into which she was pushed in to. Only a little light reached these dark depths of the rock, and it was rather disorientating. A narrow waterfall rushed nearby, down into the river below, which wove its way through the Halls on part of its journey. The doors clanged shut and the silver keys twisted in the locks. Matilda peered out of the barred door. Legolas stood almost directly outside but he wasn't looking at her. "Tauriel," he called. "We must report to the king."

The lovely flame-haired elf followed him up the steps, leaving the prisoners alone. Matilda couldn't tear her eyes off their retreating backs as they descended a flight of stairs, crossed a tiny bridge, leapt up another flight of stairs and turned the corner out of sight. She turned back to her little cell. The walls were rock, rough and dark, and a stone seat big enough for one had been carved for the cell's occupant. It was here that Matilda sat down, rather heavily. She kicked a loose stone at the wall and it bounced off, spinning as it pinged towards the back of the cell, only a couple of metres away from her.

Next to her, she could hear Jane sobbing quietly, and she whispered to her. "Don't worry, it'll be okay." Matilda sounded much more convinced and brave than she actually felt. "Don't cry."

"We're never going to leave," wept Jane. "What if we never go back home?"

"We will," said Matilda, standing and reaching a hand through the bars. "Can you reach me?"

Jane stuck her arm through the bars of her door too. The two girls could not clasp hands, but their fingers brushed for a second.

"Teddy? Sam?" Matilda called. There was no answer.

Jane cried harder. "They've taken them somewhere else," she said. "I didn't see where."

"What?" Matilda squeaked.

"They might be torturing them," Jane howled. "They might already be dead."

Matilda saw that her friend was working herself up even more; at this point Jane wasn't likely to listen to reason. She just squeezed the tips of her fingers in comfort until Jane's whimper subsided and her hand fell from Matilda's.

Matilda sat down again and let her head fall back against the rock. A hard knot of anxiety settled in her stomach, twisting her insides until she felt sick. It began to sink in that they were utterly at the king's mercy; the elves could keep them here as long as they pleased.

As it happened, Matilda didn't have to wait long. Legolas arrived with two guards in tow. The guards were dressed from head to toe in armour, for total protection, not designed for movement. Their helmets obscured their faces and erased their identities. This made them even more terrifying.

Matilda's eyes followed Legolas until he stopped on the stairs just outside hers and Jane's cell. "That one," Legolas said, raising an arm at Matilda. The guards unlocked her door and she leapt to her feet. They looped leather shackles around her wrists, binding her hands together at her back. Then, they each took one of Matilda's forearms and helped her out of her cell, half-guiding, half-pulling her along. They were not rough, but Matilda began to struggle when she passed Jane in her cell, and their grip became tougher.

Jane shouted for her and Matilda twisted round to watch her friend until she disappeared from sight. Matilda watched the muscles moving in Legolas's back as he led the way further and further up through the Halls. She didn't get a chance to enjoy the beautiful place this time; she was replaying horrific scenarios over and over in her mind.

Alone and afraid, Matilda was taken to the king. As they approached, Matilda's mouth fell open. The Elvenking descended the twisting stairs from his throne which was carved into a curling tree-trunk, his long silver robes trailing as he looked down at Matilda. King Thranduil's eyes were dangerous as she came closer. She saw that his throne, draped with cloth-of-gold and scarlet silk, featured the magnificent antlers of an elven elk splayed out above it. The king himself absolutely dripped with grace and majesty; he was taller than Legolas, his silvery-blonde hair falling straight to his waist, crowned with a spiked circlet of red berries and the orange leaves of autumn.

He looked so intimidating and unwelcoming that Matilda wanted to recoil and run away from all this, but, as the faceless guards stranded her in the middle of the chamber and Legolas stepped back to watch, she realised she was completely and utterly on her own.

"So," King Thranduil said slowly, placing his hands behind his back. "_You_ are the human who killed my elk." Matilda gasped, but no words came out. The king's voice began to rise as his anger climbed. "You stray over our borders, trespass in our kingdom, disregard our land and take the life of our precious creatures! What more has the damaging greed of Man to offer us?" His words became an angry stream of Elvish.

When Matilda finally found it in her to string together a coherent sentence, her voice came out as a squeak. "I didn't mean...any harm."

"Harm? _Harm_?!" the king burst out. "It is in your disposition to spoil and damage. The nature of Man is that to destroy; destruction runs in your very veins!"

"No!" cried Matilda. "It was a misunderstanding- I-"

"Silence!" Thranduil commanded, and Matilda obeyed. "Do not insult my dignity by lying to me," he said, his intense grey-blue eyes flicking from head to toe. "And what is the name of our _murderer_?"

"Matilda," she replied. "Please, Your Grace, it was an accident. We are just simple peasant children from Lake-town; we don't belong in Mirkwood, or in your dungeons."

"And how will you repay me?" the king snarled. "Surely you do not think I would just release you without retribution?"

"We have nothing to give," Matilda pleaded.

"Naught but your _lives_," Thranduil hissed. He straightened up and looked down at the fear in Matilda's eyes. "No, I have nothing to gain from killing you, human, and I do not kill the young, even if they are the spawn of Man."

"It was my fault," Matilda said, finding courage in the knowledge that she was not about to be executed. "And mine alone. Please, let my brother and my friends go. They have done nothing."

Thranduil's eyes narrowed. "And what is to say your accomplices will not come back to look for you? What is to prevent them from killing creatures that do not belong to them?" Matilda bit the inside of her cheek so hard that she tasted blood. "I will strike a deal with you, _Matilda_," the king said.

Matilda nodded. Her mind, which had the unfortunate habit of wandering, thought what impressive eyebrows this regal elf had; thick and dark and flecked with silver. She mentally shook herself and nodded again at the king, feeling stupid.

"You must prove yourselves to be worthy. You must prove that you have amended your ways, you must show true penitence for your act of murder and you must demonstrate a pure, unselfish deed. Then, and only then, will I release you to slither back from whence you came. Do I have an agreement?"

Matilda thought for a moment, and then nodded. She held her hand out to shake, but Thranduil only looked at it like she was a piece of dirt. She dropped it and it swung by her side self-consciously. "How are we supposed to prove we can be unselfish and pure and worthy if we are locked up in your dungeons? Surely you must release us?"

This was a mistake.

"I _must_ do no such thing," hissed Thranduil. "That is for you to work out yourself. Use that dull, meaningless mind of yours, daughter of Man, and maybe you will find the answer in the tatters of your conscience." He grimaced, and began to climb the steps up to his throne. "You revolt my eyes. Take her away!"

The two faceless guards marched forwards, and it was only then that Matilda was reminded of Legolas's presence nearby. Fuming at the Elvenking's words, she was taken down to the dungeons and thrown into her cell. Jane looked thoroughly relieved. The black-haired Keeper of the Keys locked it and walked away indifferently. The guards disappeared.

"Please," Matilda said suddenly, reaching out through the bars. Legolas stopped and looked at her. She didn't dare to touch him. "Where are my brother and my friend?"

Her eyes were wide and pleading. Legolas glanced around them. Guards stood nearby, just about to swap with their replacements. He brought his head close to hers through the bars. "They are safe," he said, and then he disappeared.

Matilda exhaled gratefully and sat down with a thump. Her clothes were caked with mud and sweat, and she wanted nothing more but to wash herself off, eat a hot meal and collapse into bed. She could not tell what time it was but she guessed it was past dusk. Her stomach began to rumble loudly, and she realised how ravenous she was. She wondered if the elves would remember to feed them, and she knew that by now, Teddy would be feeling the pangs of hunger more so than she was. Matilda was suddenly hit with a stab of homesickness, and the relief of knowing Teddy was alive dissipated. She knew that she should have been home hours ago. Her mother and Hattie were probably out of their minds with worry by now. Maybe they would have sent out a search party. Sam and Jane's mother and father and brothers would be looking for them. Maybe they would not stop searching the whole night. She felt sick to know that their search would yield nothing and prove fruitless.

Matilda concentrated on her breathing so she would be distracted from thoughts of home. Breathing deeply, in and out, had a strangely lethargic effect on her. Wearied from the physical and emotional exercise of the day, Matilda slipped off the bench and curled up on the hard floor, pillowing her head on her arm. She was asleep almost immediately, blanketed by her dreams of home and family, when her father and her stillborn little baby brother were alive and well.

* * *

**Hope you enjoyed Chapter Two! Remember to review - I really want to know how I'm doing, and if it's worth continuing**


	3. Of Blankets and Prisons

Of Blankets and Prisons

The next morning she was woken with a jerk on the door of her cell. It clanged and resonated through the small space of her prison, and Matilda jumped awake, startled. She didn't find herself disorientated; she knew exactly where she was straight away. The elf outside was the pretty she-elf from yesterday, the one with the lovely red-orange hair. She slid a plate underneath the bars of the door. Matilda thanked her and took a cup of water from her. The elf began to move away.

"Tauriel?" Matilda said. The elf stopped and looked at her, eyes impassive. "That's your name, isn't it?"

She nodded. "Yes. And you are Matilda."

"Could you tell me where my brother is please?" she asked humbly. "I just want to know if he is being cared for."

Tauriel's eyes softened. Matilda could see the kindness in her face, even towards someone her people considered a criminal. "He is, do not fear. The king only wanted the boys separated from you for concern you might plot together and attempt an escape."

Matilda nodded. Then, she sighed through her nose. Something made her anxious to explain the misunderstanding to Tauriel. "It was a mistake," she said quietly. "The elk was not meant to die-"

Tauriel hushed her quickly and surreptitiously glanced around. "I believe you," she said gently. "I do not believe you are evil, nor that you intentionally slayed the king's elk."

Matilda was taken aback. She smiled. "Thank you."

"I do not think you will be here for long either," Tauriel said gently.

Matilda looked her in the eyes, and knew immediately that she was trying to reassure her, not telling the truth. Tauriel saw this, and gave her a small smile. She lowered her head and walked away.

Matilda turned her attention back to the silver plate pushed through the bars. So the elves _were_ intending to feed them then. It was a simple meal; bread and cheese and apples, but to Matilda it looked like a banquet. She fell on it, forgetting all the manners she had ever been taught, wolfing it down. Once she had gulped down the water and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, she called out for Jane.

"Matilda!" Jane said, after a short hesitation.

"Have you eaten?" Matilda asked, guessing the answer already.

"I feel too sick to eat," Jane replied.

"Jane," said Matilda warningly. She knew what her melodramatic friend could be like. "This isn't a game. You have to eat."

She heard Jane muttering, but she hoped that it was in between mouthfuls of food.

"Why did you do that?" Jane's voice came again, as though she had had to gather her courage to ask.

"What?"

"You know what," said Jane.

"You must not tell anyone the truth or Sam will be in danger," Matilda said quickly. "I hoped they would release you if I confessed, and Sam did not remember slaying the elk; he was in a trance."

"You shouldn't have done that," Jane whispered. "Taken the blame."

"What else could I do?"

Jane couldn't seem to come up with an answer, for the first time in her life, and she didn't reply.

Matilda settled down to her first day of boredom locked in the Woodland Realm dungeons. She drew patterns on the stone floor, sitting with her back flat against the back wall, thinking about the proposition King Thranduil had made her. Something pure. Something unselfish. Matilda felt that, now she had taken responsibility for the group, it was on her shoulders to help them escape again. She pushed thoughts of her mother and sisters to the back of her mind and tried to focus on a deed which would convince Thranduil that she had amended her 'ways'.

By midday (she could tell it was midday from the light which brightened the deep dark dungeons just a little) Matilda was frustrated. She was frustrated with the spiders who had put them in the situation to begin with, frustrated with Sam for shooting the elk, frustrated with the elves for taking them prisoner, frustrated with Jane for giving up, and most of all frustrated with the vindictive Elvenking for being so cryptic and letting her struggle over his words.

The day wore on, slow hour after slow hour, and Matilda grew more and more hopeless. An elf returned to her cell in the evening to take away her plate and cup, and to slide another of the same under her door, but it wasn't Tauriel. She had nothing to do but eat the food and stare at the same three walls again, mulling Thranduil's words over and over again. Eventually, her thoughts exhausted her, and she fell asleep.

Not many elves passed the dungeons; Matilda realised the next morning as she sat on the stone seat and her thoughts went round and round in circles. They only walked past her cell, without looking at her she might add, to get to the cellars or twice a day to feed the prisoners. Other than that, Matilda was alone, with nothing to do or to look at but the dark stone walls. She drew pictures and scribbles on the wall, lying flat on her front, tried to squeeze her head through the bars (she couldn't) just for the sake of it, jumped up and down to release some energy, tried to talk to Jane (there was no reply) and lay down flat on her back and kicked the bars to hear them rattle.

"Hey!"

Matilda opened one eye. A brown-haired elf was stood there, hands on his hips. He looked annoyed.

"Stop making that noise!" he ordered.

Matilda yawned and gave the bars another kick for good measure, grinning sweetly when they clanged. "Or what?"

"Or we will stop your food from reaching you," the elf snarled. "We shall see how much noise you want to make when you are dead from starvation."

Matilda glowered at him, but swivelled herself round so she was facing the back wall. She spent the rest of the daylight hours (not that she could tell) staring at the ceiling and trying to remember how her life had come to this. She wanted to scream and to punch and to run, not figure out how many different positions she could sit or lie in her cell. She fell asleep from boredom and didn't wake up again until dawn when a stray sunbeam fell on her face.

The next morning was the same as the last, and Matilda, with all her pent-up aggravation and annoyance, felt like kicking and punching the walls. She found some respite in throwing a small stone as hard as she could at the wall, but almost immediately regretted it. The stone bounced off and smacked her straight in the cheek. Wincing from the pain, Matilda clutched her face and squinted at her fingers, which were smeared with red.

"What was the reason behind that?"

She jumped. Legolas, silent on his light elf feet, was standing outside, watching her. Annoyed, more at herself, she turned her back on him. When he couldn't see her, she squeezed her eyes shut, battling with the pain from the stinging cut. Legolas opened the cell door and stepped in.

"Here." He put a soft hand on her shoulder. "Let me see."

Matilda turned and let him tip her face up. As gently as he could, he wiped the blood from her cheek with a rag and cleaned the cut up. She didn't let herself react; just watched his eyes as they moved across her cheek. She wondered what had changed that he was being so kind to her.

"This needs medicine," Legolas said. "Come with me. We'll find some."

Matilda hesitated suspiciously. "Am I allowed to leave?"

Legolas chuckled. "I do not think you would escape without your friends, and, on my watch, you've got no chance."

She was surprised, and smiled at him. She found that she trusted him, despite his status as her captor. When they passed Jane's cell, Matilda looked in; Jane was lying with her back to them but with Legolas beside her, Matilda didn't feel like she could talk to her friend.

"Why are you helping me?" she asked Legolas in a low voice, taking care to keep at least a foot between them, not to even brush him.

"We are not barbarians," Legolas replied, amusement ghosting his face. "And human wounds can become infected, can they not?"

"Can elves' not?"

Legolas grinned. "Elves do not get injured often enough to find out."

As they climbed a flight of stairs, Matilda stretched her legs out and extended her arms to the sky. Somehow, stretching in her cell just wasn't enough.

Legolas looked curious. "Why are you doing that?"

"I'm stretching," Matilda said. "My muscles are stiff."

"Humans need to be exercised?"

Matilda laughed at that. "We're not dogs."

Legolas grinned too. "I am sorry for being harsh with you in the forest the day before last," he said.

"I understand," said Matilda. "I would have been the same."

Was it her imagination or did a faint expression of relief cross Legolas's features? She shook it off and followed him, lowering her eyes to her feet.

They reached their destination when Legolas stopped and tapped on a wooden door, two short raps followed by three longer knocks. It was opened almost immediately by a kindly-looking brown-haired elf. When he saw Legolas, he bowed. Matilda thought Legolas must be very important.

"This is Lathai," Legolas said, gesturing to the elf. Lathai was very short for an elf, Matilda realised. He was maybe half an inch taller than her.

"You have cut your cheek," Lathai said. "We can do something about that."

Matilda guessed that he was some kind of wise man, a medicine man...a medicine _elf_. He began rooting through the contents of his table, throwing papers up in the air and sweeping little glass bottles off the table. But instead of smashing, they hovered, about an inch from the ground. Matilda's eyes almost popped out of her head. Every so often, Lathai would peer at a little clay bowl or a phial of some kind, before casting them away and throwing them over his shoulder. At one point, Legolas had to dive for one of these bowls before it hit Matilda. He straightened up and brushed down his moss-green shirt. He grinned at Matilda before she turned back to watching Lathai's strange behaviour.

"Ah! Of course!" Lathai yelled suddenly. He began muttering in Elvish as he scooped a handful of herbs off a shelf and began to shred them to pieces.

After grinding them up and adding liberal amounts of blue liquid to the potion, Lathai advanced on Matilda, who glanced at Legolas. Legolas nodded, and she stood patiently as Lathai smeared the lilac paste on her cheek.

"That should do it," the physician elf grinned, patting Matilda on the shoulder.

"Thank you," she said, and she and Legolas left.

Legolas laughed at Matilda's bemused expression once Lathai had slammed his door shut behind them. Her foot had only been a hair's breadth away from the threshold. "He is a little eccentric-"

"You don't say!"

"But a genius if ever there was one," Legolas shrugged. "One of the oldest and wisest elves I know of."

He led the way back down to the dungeons, along all the winding wooden bridges and down the twisting stairs. Matilda couldn't tear her eyes off of his handsome profile, and more than once, blushed fiercely when he met her gaze with a smile.

"Thank you," Matilda said, as she walked back into her cell. Jane was snoring loudly. "For-" she gestured at her cheek. She was suddenly very aware that she was still wearing the same shirt and breeches she had been wearing for days. They were dirty, and she probably smelled terrible. Matilda squirmed a little just thinking about it.

"Look," said Legolas. He brought up his shining dagger so that she could see her reflection in it. Matilda's eyebrows shot up when she saw the smooth pale skin of her cheek, flawless as though it had never been cut.

"Wow," she said, bringing her hand up to touch the new skin. She blushed.

Legolas beamed at her, but his smile fell as he shut the door on her and locked it. Matilda watched him brightly as he gave her courteous nod, and left.

Still feeling her cheek, Matilda sat on the stone seat and rested. It was only when she was still did she realise how fast her heart was beating. She knew that she should despise the elf who had captured her, and yet she couldn't help but be intrigued by Legolas. He was fascinating; a riddle she could not solve, and not to mention sickeningly attractive. Matilda wanted to slap herself and tell herself not to be such a fool.

The walk had done Matilda a world of good. She felt calmer and had a restful, dreamless sleep that night, not even waking once until the morning when her food was shoved underneath her door by a fair-haired elf she had seen once before.

Tedium descended upon Matilda, despite feeling well-rested and positive. Her mind wandered several times, and almost always landed on Legolas, the striking elven commander. She tried to push him out of her mind until, failing that, she began to draw him with a small but sharp pebble on the rocky wall of her cell. It left a thin white line, but Matilda had always had a certain aptitude for drawing, and the picture began to form under her deft fingers.

"I brought you this."

She hadn't heard Legolas approach. She scribbled the pebble straight across her wall-drawing before he could see it. He frowned faintly at the mess of white lines, but smiled back at her. She looked down. He was holding out a folded grey blanket.

"I thought you might get cold down here," he said. "So I brought you a blanket."

Matilda was struck by this small kindness and she took it from him, beaming. The blanket was of dark-grey wool, and although it looked poor compared to the rich materials of the elves' clothes, it was better quality than Matilda had ever had. The blankets back home were made of bleached cotton, which offered little warmth during the cold months. _Home_. Matilda swallowed her melancholy, and smiled at Legolas. "Thank you," she said. "That is kind of you."

He bowed his head. "I will ensure that your friends receive blankets too."

Matilda's smile stretched even wider. "Are they well?"

"As well as can be," Legolas laughed. "The dark-haired boy was singing at the top of his voice this morning."

Matilda laughed too. "Did it sound like the squeaking of an old wheel? Or a cat yowling at night?"

"A little," said Legolas, his eyes sparkling with good humour. "How did you know?"

"My brother, Teddy," she replied. "A screeching crow can sing more in tune than he can."

Legolas chuckled appreciatively. "How is your cheek?"

"As good as new," Matilda replied. "Thanks to Lathai and your elvish medicine."

"Good," Legolas said, and then his eyes flitted away awkwardly.

There was a pause.

Legolas couldn't think of another reason to stay, so he gave her a little bow, and walked away, silently cursing himself. Matilda was left alone with a soft blanket which smelled of fresh air and a scribbled-out sketch of an elf she barely knew. But that night, when she curled up in the folds of the blanket, she fell asleep dreaming of _his_ face.

* * *

**A bit of an in-betweeny chapter there... not sure how I feel about it, but I hope you guys enjoyed! **

**Don't forget to review – they mean a lot to me!**


	4. Of Truths and Spies

Of Truths and Spies

It was the loneliness and the boredom that Matilda found it hardest to cope with in the dungeons. She could finally understand how prisoners could slowly lose their minds, alone but for their own muddle of thoughts. Two more days passed, and she saw nobody except the elf who gave her breakfast, the elf who took it away again in the evening and a couple of passing elves who were carrying a wine barrel between them. She didn't speak a single word. By the time she lay down to sleep on the second day, Matilda was genuinely contemplating banging her head against the wall, just so she'd get to see Lathai and, hopefully, Legolas again.

Tauriel scratched on the bars of her cell.

"How are you faring?" she asked, as Matilda rolled over with a yawn and stumbled to her feet.

"In here?" Matilda asked incredulously, receiving her breakfast cheerily enough.

Tauriel shrugged. "Your brother is healthy and seems cheerful," she said.

Matilda smiled, remembering Legolas's report of Teddy's singing.

"The other boy-"

"Sam," she interjected.

"Sam is very quiet," remarked Tauriel. "And your friend in here," she gestured to Jane, "will not respond to anything we do."

"She is sulking," Matilda said in a low voice. "And homesick." Tauriel tipped her head on one side. "Our families must think we are dead by now, drowned in the lake maybe."

Tauriel looked apologetic. "I have no parents," she said, sitting down on the step outside Matilda's cell. "I know how she must feel."

Matilda looked at her. "Have you ever been captured and held in the dungeons of the Woodland Realm over a big and complicated mistake, with your only promise of release being when you show the king an unselfish deed of worth?"

The corners of Tauriel's lips twitched. "No," she said. "I cannot say I have."

Matilda grinned at her. "So, who are your family?"

"The king is my guardian," Tauriel said, ignoring Matilda's scrunched-up nose. "My parents were very brave and loyal to him, so he has offered me his protection and favour ever since." She paused. "I am the Captain of his Guard."

Matilda looked disbelieving, as though she didn't believe the king was capable of this kindness.

"He is a good king," Tauriel said. "If a little ill-tempered at times."

They laughed.

"How old are you?" Matilda asked.

"Around six hundred," said Tauriel. Matilda threw back her head and laughed, but stopped when she realised that Tauriel was serious.

"_Six hundred_?!" she repeated. "Years?"

"And I am considered young for an elf."

"I'm seventeen," said Matilda. "Legolas?"

"What about him?"

"How old is he?"

"Maybe, around two thousand and something," said Tauriel. "Two thousand, eight hundred...something like that."

Matilda's jaw dropped. She had been hoping that Legolas wasn't older than twenty-four. That's certainly how old he looked.

"Matilda," said Tauriel, lowering her voice. "I want you to tell me about what happened in the forest with the elk. _Truthfully_."

Matilda didn't have to be told twice; she related the story as thoroughly as she could, replacing Sam shooting the arrow with herself. There was no way she was about to land Sam in trouble. When she reached the end, Tauriel was nodding. "I wondered what you were doing in our lands," she said. An odd expression clouded her eyes for a second, but it was gone before Matilda could identify it.

"Will you tell the king? He would not listen to me."

"I will," said Tauriel. "In fact, I must go. I am on patrol at noon."

"Noon?" said Matilda. She still hadn't eaten her breakfast. "Tauriel," she said, as Tauriel got to her feet. "Are you on our side?"

Tauriel didn't reply; she just smiled and was gone.

Matilda turned her attention to her food, and ate slowly, thinking about the two-thousand-year-old elf who made her blush and want to reach up to touch his hair. She had only spoken to him more or less twice, and he was the reason they were prisoners of the Elvenking and of the Woodland Realm. She _should_ loathe him.

"Hello."

Matilda choked on a piece of apple; turning red, gagging and spluttering. How attractive that must be, she thought.

"Are you alright?" Legolas asked, looking concerned.

Matilda felt guilty, like she should not have been thinking about him at all, and flapped her hand weakly in his direction. "I'm not dying," she assured him, coughing helplessly.

"That is a relief," smiled Legolas, sitting down on the step outside the bars.

Matilda looked at him expectantly, but he just smiled innocently at her. "Shouldn't you be somewhere?"

"No," said Legolas brightly.

"Surely your elven guard need you. You're some kind of captain or commander, aren't you?"

An odd expression crossed Legolas's good-looking face. "I am not a captain," he said.

"Then what are you?" Matilda laughed.

"I am an elf," said Legolas cheerfully. "And you are a human, who has been summoned by the king."

Matilda shot him a sceptical look and got to her feet. "I knew there was a condition," she said. She hiccupped loudly; Legolas laughed, Matilda felt the blood rush to her face yet again as she clapped a hand over her mouth.

"Come on," he said, unlocking her cell door. "I am to ensure you respond to your summons and to escort you there."

Matilda sighed, and watched him close the door again. Jane suddenly clattered into her cell door and grabbed hold of Matilda's sleeve. Matilda clasped her hands, pleased to properly see her best friend for the first time in days. "Where are they taking you?" Jane babbled. She was edgier and looked darker than Matilda remembered. "Are they going to keep us here? When are we going to be able to go home? Do you know where Sam and Teddy are? What has King Thranduil said to you? Have they been treating you badly?"

Matilda laughed and hushed her friend. "They are good to me, Jane," she said, glancing at Legolas who was tactfully looking away to give them the illusion of privacy. "The king said that we may only leave when we have proved ourselves to be unselfish and worthy in his eyes."

Jane let out a cry of outrage, and Matilda recognised the snap of her temper. "And just _how_ are we supposed to prove ourselves when we are locked up all day and night in these damned cages?" she shouted fiercely. "We are not beasts! Damn him! And all his elven kin!"

Legolas stepped forward defensively, and Jane spat through the bars at his feet. Matilda gasped, sure that her friend had gone too far. The elves had been relatively good to them so far, and they didn't want their good favour to run out. Luckily, it missed his boots, but his eyes darkened at such an insult. He put a hand on Matilda's shoulder; she felt a tingling jolt where he touched her, and guided her away from Jane.

"What a lovely friend you have," Legolas remarked dryly.

"I know she doesn't help herself," said Matilda, slightly embarrassed. She changed the subject. "What does your king want me for?"

"I do not know," Legolas replied. "I only have my orders."

They descended a flight of stairs together to reach a large, carved bridge, and Matilda became distracted by the clear skin around Legolas's strong jaw. She tripped over the last step and would have fallen headlong, and probably smashed her skull open, if a pair of strong arms hadn't caught her in mid-air. The arms set her on her feet again, and Matilda put a hand on the chest the arms were attached to, to steady herself. She blushed when she felt the hard muscle beneath her fingertips. With a face glowing as bright as the sun, Matilda peered up through her hair and came face-to-face with Legolas. A smile flickered around the corners of his lips and amusement glittered in the blue of his eyes. She jumped back from him and twitched her clothes back into place, aware of how dirty she was.

"Were you studying me?" he asked, grinning.

Matilda blew upwards to fan her hot face, and her hair fluttered. She kept walking, and used that excuse to hide her face. "No, I was simply admiring the blades on your back," she said, referring to his double daggers. "They are made by elves?"

"Yes," said Legolas, refusing to get diverted from Matilda's clumsiness. "I seem to have a very unfortunate effect on you, Matilda," he said. She could hear the smile in his voice, and couldn't bring herself to look at him and outright deny the observation.

She changed the subject swiftly with the first thing that popped into her mind. "So, do you have a wife, a sweetheart, somewhere?"

Matilda could have kicked herself for foolishness.

Legolas didn't seem to mind. "No," he said. "I have never met an elf right for me."

There was nothing in it; there was something in it. An _elf_. Matilda wanted to ask what someone would have to do to be right for him, but she shook herself sharply. She was a human, not an elf. A human with a life and a future back home in Lake-town. She was getting carried away with herself, enchanted by the magic and beauty and intrigue of the elves, and forgetting who and what she was.

"And you?" Legolas asked, jerking her out of her reverie. "Are you betrothed, or married even?"

"I'm seventeen," Matilda smiled. "And no, I'm not."

"Really? Even were I not an elf I could see that you were very beautiful. You have no one back in Esgaroth?"

Matilda almost fell over at these words. She was so shocked, she almost missed the compliment. Predictably, she blushed scarlet. For a long moment she struggled with how to react, reaching for words that danced just beyond her reach. "Thank you," she said, finally. "But no. I have no one but my family."

She sneaked a look at Legolas, her eyes darting to his. He was grinning down at her, his eyes filled with knowing. Matilda felt a twinge of annoyance towards him. Was he playing with her? Laughing at her? Teasing her? Legolas watched a barrage of conflicting emotions cross her face, and then bent down until his mouth was next to her ear. His breath tickled. "I am glad," he said.

Matilda looked up. He was gone. _Damn elves and their light-footedness_, Matilda thought, turning and realising with surprise that she was in the king's presence chambers. Then, she located Legolas. He was talking in a low stream of Elvish to the king, who beckoned Matilda forwards.

The king's unblinking eyes wandered over Matilda's face, trying to figure out if his dungeons had had any visible effect on her. "How are you faring in our cells?"

Matilda wasn't sure how to answer this. Still reeling from her encounter with Legolas, her mind was duller and slower than usual. If she said that she was doing well, would the king think he was treating her too kindly and make life worse for her? Or would he take offence if she slated his 'hospitality'? King Thranduil seemed to guess her train of thought because he smirked. "Have you thought of a pure, unselfish act to prove yourself yet?" he asked her.

He knew the answer already, everyone in sight was perfectly aware of that fact, but he still took pleasure in watching her become discomfited. She shook her head. "It is hard," Matilda admitted, speaking up without fear now, "when there is no inspiration staring at the same four walls day after day."

Thranduil's eyes narrowed. Matilda was suddenly hit with the overwhelming sense that the king was determined never to release them from his kingdom, if just to spite her. He had taken an immediate dislike to her; aside from the fact he believed she had set out with ill intent to slaughter his elk.

Matilda tried to ignore Legolas's handsome face regarding her coolly with bright, interested eyes; she refused to be the first to look away from the king's face. Thranduil let the silence drag on, before he spoke, moving his eyes away from Matilda's. She felt a satisfying rush of triumph. "Are you suggesting that I should release you from your cell to wander freely, and no doubt, straight out of the gate?"

"Not at all," Matilda replied. She found that she was no longer afraid of the great King Thranduil. She had met two elves who were high in his favour; Legolas and Tauriel, and they had shown such friendliness towards her, that her impression of elves as a whole had become more and more positive. Even if she _was_ still locked in their dungeons. "I am simply saying that it would be nice to walk around freely without colliding with a dungeon wall every two steps."

An elf Matilda had never seen before stepped forward. She hadn't even noticed his presence. He bowed so low that his nose almost touched his knees, and Matilda immediately took a dislike to his scraping, grovelling demeanour. He stayed crouched over as he spoke to the king. "It is no more than the humans deserve, my lord," he said.

Matilda gazed at this unpleasant being. Her eyes were slightly narrowed. The elf felt her gaze, and his lip curled when he saw her. Matilda saw that although his mousy hair was shot through with grey, he had the sharpest blackest eyes she had ever seen. They looked like raven's eyes, Matilda thought, cruel, slightly evil and more than a little unnerving.

Matilda squared her shoulders and spoke directly to the unknown elf. "Surely your king would not wish to be so inconsequential as to set me a task I could not fulfil," she retorted.

"Do not talk to me like that, filth," the elf snapped. He had a slight hiss to his voice which reminded Matilda of a snake.

"Enough, Aubron," the king said, and Matilda thought the elf was about to topple over at the deep bow he sunk into when Thranduil addressed him.

Legolas swallowed his protest and stepped forward. "You could deploy elves to guard them," he suggested. "They could become our guests-"

"They are our prisoners," the king said. "Nothing more and nothing less."

"Well said, my lord," the elf named Aubron smirked. Thranduil and Legolas ignored him; Matilda just glared.

"They would be confined to a set of chambers and only allowed out with an escort," said Legolas smoothly. "The humans would still be under guard at all times, but this one," he sneered at Matilda, but his eyes were merry, twinkling at her, "would be able to concoct a humorous attempt at proving that her race is not as egotistical as they seem."

"Is that really a wise idea, my lo-?" Aubron asked, but fell silent when Legolas held up his hand.

Legolas really must be of great import, Matilda thought, if he could silence people with just a gesture.

King Thranduil thought for a moment. "Very well," he said finally. "I will make the necessary arrangements to make the humans our guests. In the meantime, she can stay where she is."

With a sweep of the king's arm, Legolas stepped forward and took Matilda's shoulder. But it was only for show, because when they were out of sight, he dropped it and let her walk freely beside him.

"Aubron, the king's advisor and spy," Legolas explained. "A poison-tongued elf if ever I met one."

"A spy?"

"There is nothing that happens in these Halls without old Aubron knowing," Legolas said, the contempt clear on his face. "He loves nothing better than to skulk around the Halls and report back to the king."

"Thank you for appealing on my behalf," Matilda said suddenly.

"Of course," said Legolas. "It was but the right thing to do."

"The right thing?"

Legolas looked sideways at Matilda. He lowered his voice. "I know it was not you who killed that elk," he said. "It was the red-haired boy."

Matilda stopped abruptly and stared at him. "How do you know that?" she asked sharply.

Legolas smiled. "The moment you crossed our borders, Tauriel was tracking you from the branches. She saw everything. It was her who sounded the horns. She did not tell me the truth until after you had been captured and accused."

No wonder Legolas's attitude had changed so suddenly towards her.

"Does the king know?" Matilda asked, genuinely alarmed. She felt that she had found allies in the elves now; she doubted that Sam had. Jane certainly seemed to hate them passionately.

"No," Legolas said. "And we shall not tell him. That was a courageous thing to do; to protect your friend like that."

"He wasn't himself," Matilda said. "He looked like he was under some sort of spell. We didn't even realise where we were."

Legolas nodded. "Mirkwood does strange things to the human mind. It distorts reality. It is why the wood-elves are among the only beings living in the forest anymore." He looked wistful. "It was not always like this."

Matilda nodded. "I miss home too," she said, without thinking about it. She looked at Legolas. "I mean-"

"Your home is Esgaroth, Lake-town?" he asked. Matilda nodded. "I am sure it is beautiful," he said politely.

Matilda laughed. "It's a miserable place; damp and cold. And it smells terrible. But it is my home."

"You must miss your family," Legolas said.

Matilda nodded sadly. "They will have given up searching for us by now. We will have been reported dead. Is there no way they will find us here?" she asked suddenly, slightly hopeful.

Legolas shook his head. "Not unless they cross our borders, but I doubt the king will take them prisoner. He will simply order the guard to turn the humans around. It is a wonder you and your friends managed to get as deep into Mirkwood as you did."

"The spiders-" Matilda said. "I'm guessing Tauriel told you _everything_?"

He nodded, and they slowed down as they reached the cells. Jane glared out from behind her bars but Legolas did a very good job of ignoring her, and Matilda only shot her a quick smile. "Farewell," he said. He bowed and dropped a kiss on Matilda's knuckles, so light she could have dreamt it.

"Goodbye."

Her cheeks flamed.

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	5. Of Silks and Threats

Of Silks and Threats

The next morning was the eighth day since arriving in the Woodland Realm if Matilda's timing was correct (she had marked a little white line on the wall each morning so that she would have a vague idea of the world outside the dungeons). She awoke herself this time, stretching and standing, and folding up Legolas's blanket before sitting down heavily on it. She wondered how long it would take for the king to make his 'arrangements'.

Her question was answered when Legolas poked his cheerful face in the bars, winked at her and then barked, "On your feet!"

Matilda was about to tell him to shut up, when she saw two of the faceless golden guards behind him. They unlocked her door and took her out. She tried to grab hold of the dark-grey woollen blanket on the floor but she didn't reach it in time.

"You won't need that," Tauriel said, appearing from nowhere. She smiled at Matilda too, and Matilda grinned back. She still had to pinch herself to remind herself that, yes, she really had found two unlikely friends in the wood-elves. Next to her, Jane was being removed from her cell too. Matilda remembered that Jane had not moved from her cell since arriving. Daughter of a butcher, one of the richer lines of work in Lake-town, Jane was accustomed to hot meals, comfortable beds, regular washing and new clothes. She must have struggled, Matilda thought.

Legolas stepped smartly out of the way as Jane was led out. Jane looked pleased to see Matilda, but tired and pale as though she hadn't slept the whole night. With two guards flanking them both, the two girls made their way up through the Halls, away from the darkness of the dungeons. They stopped outside a heavy-looking studded door in the rock. Tauriel withdrew a key from her pocket and opened it. The two girls were pushed inside, and, simultaneously, their jaws hit the floor. They had to descend a flight of stairs to the cavern, which was supported by lots of twisted wooden pillars. Fire-torches and lanterns flickered in their wall-brackets, although they were not needed. Bright morning light was streaming in through skylights above them, and the room illuminated before them, was unlike anything the two girls had ever dreamed could exist.

There was a bed, a handsome ornament, decked out in scarlet and cloth-of-silver with rich velvet cushions. Two finely carved chairs faced each other, with a table between, set with a clear crystal bottle of what looked like wine, and two goblets. Carved wooden chests stood in each corner, and a splendid wardrobe of polished dark wood graced one of the walls. Matilda turned to Legolas, her mouth open, and instead saw something like an angel.

She hadn't noticed before but he was dressed today not in armour but in a silver tunic, embroidered with gold, dark- and light-blue threads. Stood on the embroidered rug in the centre of the room, he seemed to shine brighter than a star to Matilda, who was overcome with affection, and had to resist embracing him.

"Why are you showing us this?" Jane asked when she had recovered her voice.

"The king has seen fit to assign these chambers to you," Legolas said. "You will not be allowed to leave without an escort, and there are guards outside your door, but as this room is more comfortable than your previous quarters, I trust you will have no complaints?"

"I'll say," murmured Jane, still looking around. She regarded Legolas and Tauriel sceptically and suspiciously, wondering if there was a trick or some kind of foul play in practice. "So, you're saying that these chambers are ours?"

"Yes."

"For just the two of us?"

"Yes."

"And everything in the room is for our use?"

"Yes."

"And we are staying here for the indefinite future?"

"Yes."

"And you are providing us with this room-"

"Yes," said Legolas, and he exchanged an amused glance with Matilda.

"-but we are still your prisoners?"

The elves nodded.

"Satisfied?" Matilda muttered.

"Not quite," said Jane, utterly unabashed. She looked hard at the elves. "And our brothers? Are they receiving similar treatment?"

Legolas and Tauriel looked guilty. Matilda raised her eyebrows.

"No," said Legolas, eventually. "The king is only extending this freedom to the two of you until you prove your worth to him whereupon he will let all four of you go."

"Since it was Matilda who killed our elk," Tauriel said, her eyes glittering. "It seems only fitting that she receives proper treatment whilst she takes responsibility for her actions and proves her penitence."

"Actually-" Jane opened her mouth, and Matilda accidentally-on-purpose stamped hard on Jane's foot. She smiled sweetly.

A copper-haired elf walked into the room, past the two faceless guards in full armour who had now positioned themselves on either side of the door. He bounded down the steps with the easy grace of the elves, and bowed. Matilda wasn't sure who the bow was for, but she immediately warmed to his pleasant, open face and merry eyes.

"This is Myrin," said Tauriel.

"If you need anything, Myrin will provide it to you," Legolas said.

"Anything?" Jane asked, sounding sly already.

"Within reason," Legolas laughed.

"He will be your escort while outside your chambers," Tauriel said, with a hand on Myrin's shoulder.

"He is a great friend of ours," Legolas said, looking straight at Matilda. "You can trust him. He is one of the finest elves in the land."

Myrin smiled at the two girls, who stood together facing the three elves. Matilda readily returned the smile, but Jane's mouth barely twitched. She looked suspicious.

"Goodbye," Legolas said. "We must give our orders to the guard. Tauriel?"

Tauriel waved and left but before Legolas could follow her, Matilda mouthed "Captain?" at him. He shook his head, smiled, and had leapt up the steps before anything else could be said, swinging the door shut behind him. Matilda listened for a key in the lock, but she didn't hear one.

Jane turned on Myrin, who was still smiling widely. Matilda realised that although they had been in the Woodland Realm for seven full days, she had only met five elves. Three were friendly; Legolas, Tauriel and Lathai, but two were hostile; Thranduil and Aubron. From the first impressions of Myrin; tall and long-limbed and bright-eyed, Matilda hoped he'd be in the former category.

"You are Myrim," Jane said, and Matilda got the feeling that she had got his name wrong on purpose.

"_Myrin_," he corrected her. "I know one of you is Jane and one of you is Matilda..."

"Matilda," said Matilda, smiling.

He bowed at them.

Jane's eyebrows almost disappeared into her hairline. Matilda left her best friend questioning Myrin, and set off to explore the beautiful room. She discovered another door, which on further inspection, was revealed to lead to a pretty little washroom, a foreign but extremely welcome concept to Matilda.

She washed her hands and her face, and when she returned to the main chamber to ask Myrin if she might have some clean clothes, Jane had thrown the wardrobe open and was exclaiming in delight. It was filled with fresh clothes for the girls, all in the elven style; tunics and leggings and dresses and belts and boots and cloaks. They were simple clothes, nothing compared to what the elves wore, but they were soft and clean and smelled of fresh air, like the blankets did.

Matilda let Jane choose the nicest dress; midnight-blue linen with a bronze lining and a wide skirt. Once she had washed herself thoroughly, and cleaned her hair twice, Matilda opted for a plain white shift which set off her dark hair and eyes. She belted it and pulled on a pair of boots; soft and supple leather. She found that she could move easily in the clothes; the skirt was loose and flowing, and the hem was calf-length, freeing her legs.

Matilda felt better than she had in days.

Jane got rid of Myrin, a little more politely than before, Matilda noted, and turned to her friend, laughing and clasping her hands. "How did this happen?" she said. "I doubt this is what they offer all their prisoners."

Matilda shrugged. "I just wish we could see Sam and Teddy."

"We can," Jane grinned. "Legolas said we could leave the chambers as long as we had an escort. What did you say to the king to get this?" she asked, brushing her fingers along the golden frame of a picture.

"I said that it was difficult to prove ourselves to him when we were locked in his dungeons day and night," said Matilda, sitting down on one of the wooden chests.

Then she stood up again. A quick search of the chests yielded objects to entertain the girls; a book of elven legends, a board of chequers, a flute carved from pale wood, even a quill and a sheaf of parchment.

"Myrin!" Matilda shouted suddenly at the top of her voice, and Myrin, who had been waiting outside the door predicting he would be needed shortly, reappeared.

"You called?" he said, with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.

"We would like to go and see our brothers," Matilda said.

Myrin's merry face grew serious. "I am afraid that is not possible, Matilda," he said. "The human boys are in a secret location. It is the one place the king has forbidden you from going."

Matilda's face fell and Jane looked furious. "They are our brothers," she said. "We have a right to see them."

"It is impossible," Myrin repeated solemnly.

"Why?" Matilda demanded.

Myrin simply shook his head. "I am sorry. It is not my doing."

Jane nodded, suddenly miserable. She flung herself down onto the bed and buried her face in her arms. Matilda nodded at Myrin to leave, and he did so, this time guessing that he would not be summoned for a while.

Matilda sat quietly in one of the chairs. Jane's shoulders began to shake silently. If Matilda didn't know better, she would have though Jane was laughing. Eventually, Jane fell asleep so Matilda passed the time by sketching on the parchment, grateful for something to do.

Myrin returned that afternoon. Jane, obviously exhausted, was still asleep, but Matilda had covered her with the scarlet silk and let her dream the day away. The copper-haired elf sat opposite her, smiling like it was his only job. "How are you?" he asked.

"Why? Has the king asked you to spy on me?" Matilda said brusquely. Myrin's smile wavered, and she shook her head. "I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm bad-tempered."

"You are defending your friend," said Myrin.

"Can I ask you something?"

"You can ask..."

"Why have we gotten a chamber like this? It's too beautiful for prisoners."

Myrin smiled. "This is not so different from any other room," he said. "And maybe the king has taken a liking to you."

Matilda snorted. "I doubt it, somehow."

"Or maybe someone else has," Myrin said, and Matilda looked at him sharply.

She was about to reply when Jane stirred from the bed, opened her eyes and rolled out. She looked softer after she had just woken up. "Can we leave?" she asked.

"Where would you like to go?" Myrin asked, getting to his feet.

"Anywhere," Jane said.

"Show us around," Matilda suggested.

"I can do that. Follow me," Myrin said, and they followed him from the room.

The faceless guards followed them at a distance as he led them down a spiral staircase and along a passageway lined with lanterns. Matilda saw a heavy, ancient-looking tapestry and peeked behind it to find an alcove and a bench carved into the wood. She glanced at the rather sinister guards and sped up a little to catch up with her friends. Not being able to see their eyes in their golden armour unnerved her.

"This is the Silver Fountain," Myrin was saying, gesturing to a circular room, currently empty, with an impressive fountain carved out of silver in its centre. The rim was wide enough to sit on and look into the clear water. Matilda trailed her hand in the cool silvery water and it reminded her so much of Long Lake back home that she could have keeled over with homesickness and grief. She could almost feel her mother mourning the deaths of her middle daughter and only son, and it hurt Matilda greatly.

But she did not have time to dwell on her thoughts for a hissing voice came from the doorway they had just vacated. It was Aubron, the king's advisor. Matilda remembered that Legolas had branded him a 'poison-tongued spy' and she stood up defensively. "How are you finding your new quarters?"

Matilda narrowed her eyes. It was not a polite enquiry after their welfare; it was said in a sneer. He was mocking them.

"Very satisfactory," she said in clipped tones.

Aubron walked into the room, briefly bowing to acknowledge Myrin and Jane, who had been studying the tapestries. To Matilda's revulsion, he approached her. He spoke in a low voice so that only she could hear him, keeping a smile plastered falsely on his lips so as not to arouse suspicion in Jane or Myrin. "Count yourself lucky, human," he hissed. "You would have been executed immediately if it wasn't for our king's unfortunate reluctance to kill the young. It is certainly what you deserved, _filth_."

Matilda's skin crawled at the sound of his unpleasant voice but she replied with as much dignity as she could. "I do not think your great _king_ would appreciate hearing you say that," she said. "Nor would Legolas."

"How dare you talk of the king and Legolas with such disrespect?" Aubron snarled. "Legolas alone is worth a thousand of you. Every elf in this Realm is. You are out of your depth, scum, and you do not belong here."

"You cannot harm me," said Matilda.

"Do not think your life will be easy," he snapped. "And do not get used to the luxury. You will be back in the dungeons to rot the rest of your lives away by next week, if I have anything to do with it."

"Was that a threat?" Matilda asked loudly, trying to mask the nerves in her voice.

Jane walked over, taking her spot next to Matilda. She looked angry. Myrin stayed where he was, pretending not to listen whilst straining his ears to hear every word.

"Yes it was," Aubron said, unabashed by his new audience. "You best take care, girl. Your kind do not belong here, and you will not last long. Remember, you are still our prisoner."

Matilda turned her head away; Aubron slipped swiftly out of the door. Myrin glared after him and Matilda called over to him, "Tell me about Aubron," she said with a shudder. "He seems to have taken a great dislike to me."

"Anything that happens in the Woodland Realm, Aubron hears of it, maybe even before the king," Myrin said with an open dislike. "He is a nasty piece of work. He cares for nothing but power and the advancement of his kin. He covets gold like the dragon that sits in Erebor. But more than that, he seeks the betrothal of his daughter, Eletha, and Legolas."

"Legolas?" Matilda said, taken-aback. "He wishes to marry Aubron's daughter?"

"No," Myrin said. "It is the kingdom's worst-kept secret that Legolas has no desire to marry Eletha. He dislikes Aubron too much."

Matilda could summon no explanation for the deep sense of relief which crept over her. She fell quiet, but Jane was shaking with anger beside her. Matilda knew that Aubron's jibe about being prisoners had struck a chord with Jane. She began ranting to Myrin, who did not yet know Jane well enough to just ignore her, as they made their way back to the girls' new quarters.

Not long after they arrived, Legolas and Tauriel appeared. Legolas knocked on the door; three short raps followed by two longer taps.

"How are our guests?" said Legolas evenly.

"We are _not_ your guests," Jane stormed at Legolas. "Guests are permitted to leave. We are your prisoners!"

Legolas looked distressed, and he avoided Matilda's eyes. Myrin smiled ruefully at his friend. "They are well," he said.

Matilda nodded. "We have had a good day," she said.

Tauriel looked to Myrin in explanation for Matilda's downcast face.

"Aubron insulted them," the elf said with a roll of his eyes.

Legolas looked up sharply. "I will not have him attack those he does not know," he said, delicately avoiding using the word 'guest'. "I will speak with him."

"No," said Tauriel, putting a hand on Legolas's sleeve. "That is not wise. You will account for even more animosity towards them."

"But we haven't done anything to Aubron," Matilda cut in.

"Do not pay any notice to him," said Tauriel. "He is jealous."

"Jealous?"

"Tauriel! Enough!" Legolas said suddenly. He couldn't look Matilda in the eye, and she felt a rush of irritation towards him. "We should go. Myrin, I must speak with you."

Myrin bowed and the three elves left, leaving Jane and Matilda nonplussed. They looked at each other. "Why is Aubron jealous?" Jane whispered, and Matilda shrugged.

Myrin returned, casting a glance over at Matilda, but he didn't say anything until Jane was safely occupied with a book sprawled across the bed. He crossed the floor to Matilda, who stood, pretending to gaze at a bright painting that adorned the wall, but in reality looking straight through it.

"Legolas asks you to meet with him," said Myrin in a low voice.

Matilda couldn't decide whether to be alarmed or delighted. She settled for something in between and almost spluttered, "What?"

"He wants to speak with you tonight. I will take you there," said Myrin, his eyes twinkling. He strolled out of the room afterwards, and Matilda was left more than a little bewildered.

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	6. Of Dance and Denials

Of Dance and Denials

That evening, after their dinner, Myrin returned. Matilda had not mentioned the upcoming meeting with Jane, in favour of mulling it over in her mind and become yet more baffled. "The king wants to speak with you, Matilda," he said.

Jane looked up. "Tell him to-" she dissolved into a rainbow of swearwords and colourful suggestions as to what Thranduil could do with the antlers of his precious elk.

Matilda and Myrin walked in silence until they reached the room of the Silver Fountain. They didn't meet anyone. Legolas was stood by the fountain, hands clasped behind his back as he gazed down into the water. In the half-light of evening, he cut a dashing silhouette. Myrin bent his mouth to Matilda's ear; "This is where I leave you."

Matilda didn't move from the doorway. She coughed awkwardly.

Legolas turned and offered her a smile. "I have something to show you," he said. "A surprise. Come with me."

Matilda was pleasantly surprised already and she felt a flutter of excitement in her stomach. It felt like the most natural thing in the world for Legolas to take her hand and lead her through the labyrinth of passages. Eventually they reached their destination because Legolas stopped. Matilda looked around; they were in a passage identical to many they had just come from. "What-?"

Legolas was quick to hush her and he peered around the corner, beckoning her. Matilda joined him, and her eyes grew wide. Ahead was a training arena, and sparring gently with an elf in the middle of the sandy floor was her brother Teddy. He was thinner and dirtier than she remembered, but he looked content and wholly focused on his footwork as he brandished the sword he was holding. His dark eyes had lost none of their sparkle.

With a sharp intake of breath, Matilda then caught sight of Sam watching Teddy and the elf, who seemed to be teaching Teddy. Sam looked older, as though he had grown up a great deal within his short time in prison, and his eyes were harder. He looked less willing to smile now.

Matilda stepped forward and would have run, calling, to her brother and friend, but Legolas, with his fast elvish reflexes, pulled her back before she had even put another foot down. "No, you cannot," he said.

"I don't understand," Matilda said, and Legolas pulled her back round the corner so that they would not be caught.

"This is my gift to you," he explained. "This morning I bargained with the king to have your acquaintances released and put into similar accommodation as you. The only condition was that you would never meet."

"I cannot go to them?"

"No, we would be discovered," said Legolas. "But now your mind can be put at ease."

Matilda beamed at him, all the irritation she had felt earlier dissipating. "Thank you," she said. Exercising an enormous amount of self-control, she restrained herself from throwing her arms around him.

Legolas's eyes wandered over her face as the corners of his mouth stretched into a wide smile. Matilda gazed back, almost awestruck at the vision before her. She had to tear her eyes away to look at Teddy again, knowing that this was a rare chance to see him and know that he was healthy. He was her beloved little brother; she desperately wanted to let him know that she was as well as he seemed.

Matilda could feel her hair rustling where Legolas was breathing behind her. He let her watch Teddy being trained in combat for half an hour, then gently touched her shoulder. "We should go now," he said.

Nodding, Matilda strolled beside him, completely at ease with his company. She felt safe when Legolas was there.

"You've been too kind to me," she said.

"Not at all," Legolas replied. "If I had the blessing of a brother, I would be more than reluctant to let him out of my sight for even a day."

"Do you have a sister?" Matilda asked.

Legolas shook his head.

"You are your parents' only child?"

He nodded.

"You must be very dear to them."

An odd expression seeped over Legolas's handsome face. "I am not so sure of that."

Matilda was incredulous. "Your mother must think you can do no wrong!" she said.

Legolas shook his head again. Matilda clasped her hands over her mouth, cursing her tactless tongue, but if his mother had died like she was imagining, Legolas didn't elaborate.

"You have a father?" she whispered after a while.

"Yes."

"He must be proud of you," said Matilda, trying to redeem herself in some way. "I mean, you are held very high in the king's regard. Thranduil favours you; even I can see that." Legolas shrugged. "Even if you're not a general or a commander or anything of importance, but still in charge of the elven guard and treated like you're next to royalty," she nudged him, grinning.

He smiled too, and then changed the subject. "So, tell me, why is your friend so cross with me?"

"Jane's not cross with you specifically," Matilda said. "She's bitter towards all elves."

"Well, that is relieving," Legolas chuckled, making Matilda laugh too.

"Legolas, my lord."

Matilda jumped horribly; she and Legolas spun around to see Aubron stood there with a trace of a scowl on his face. He swept a low bow. "I shall relieve you of your burden and escort our 'guest'," he grimaced, "to her chambers."

Matilda instinctively stepped closer to Legolas, who put a hand on her shoulder. "I can manage, thank you, Aubron."

Aubron bowed again, but this time he struggled to hide his disgust. "You would not want the king to think you are getting too close with this human," he said, "considering the _current arrangements_."

"And what arrangement would that be, Aubron?" asked Legolas coldly.

"_My lord_," said Aubron, looking positively enraged. Matilda could see him struggling with his restraint to say what he would like to.

"You may leave," Legolas said.

Aubron had no choice but to bow and storm off. Matilda let out the breath she was holding.

"I apologise," he said quietly, and they began walking again. "I would not wish Aubron's company on anyone."

"I hate him as much as he seems to hate me."

"Like Tauriel said, don't pay him any mind," said Legolas. "He has no power over you."

"You do not want to marry his daughter?" Matilda asked, glancing at him.

"Did Myrin tell you that?"

"Yes."

"There is no arrangement or betrothal between Eletha and I. Aubron has been begging my father for months now, but neither he nor I wish to forge an alliance with the house of Blackwood," said Legolas.

They had reached Matilda's chambers. Matilda stopped and turned to look at Legolas. Recalling an earlier conversation and grinning with mischief, she said, "I am glad," before disappearing into the darkened room.

There, she found Jane asleep on one side of the bed and, suddenly overcome with a wave of tiredness, Matilda crawled under the thick covers and fell asleep too; her head pillowed not on her arm or on the stone floor, but on a pillow made of feathers so light the whole cushion might have floated into the air.

She was unaware to what was going on in Legolas's mind as he walked slowly and thoughtfully away.

There was something about those big dark eyes of hers, something in the way her hair gleamed blue-black in the starlight, something about her pale skin which seemed to glow with a faint, silvery light... Legolas couldn't put a finger on it, but something about Matilda attracted him to her like a moth to a flame. A lovestruck moth, Legolas thought dryly as he rounded a corner.

Wrapped in his thoughts and not looking where he was going, Legolas collided heavily with someone. He muttered his apologies, before registering that it was Tauriel he had smacked into. Tauriel crossed her arms, quirked an eyebrow and looked at him hard. "What is wrong with you?" she exclaimed. "Since when were you so clumsy?"

"Never," Legolas retorted. "I am not."

Tauriel looked at him slyly. "Maybe Matilda is starting to rub off on you." Legolas shot her a sharp look. She grinned knowingly. "I have known you for six hundred years," she said. "I am capable of recognising when my friend falls in love."

"I am not in love with her," Legolas said suddenly, pulling Tauriel into an alcove so they could talk in private. "It is merely an infatuation. It will pass soon enough."

Tauriel made a noise of disbelief. "It will not. But you would do well to be cautious, Legolas. We both have known the fierce rage of your father, and if he found out you loved a human..." she trailed off, as though it was not worth imagining.

"Then it is good," said Legolas, "that I am _not_ in love with a human."

"I am just warning you to be wary, my friend," said Tauriel. "I think you will find happiness with Matilda at your side."

They heard footsteps, and the pair dispersed immediately as light and quick on their feet as ever, leaving an empty alcove and a dark-faced Aubron, scowling after them.

Aubron spent a sleepless night, turning over what he had heard in his mind. _I think you will find happiness with Matilda at your side_, Tauriel had said. He cursed the humans. They could not interfere with his plans. If Legolas and Eletha were to marry, Aubron's place with the king would be secure forever. His kin would be of the line of Greenleaf. He would be the second-most powerful elf in the Woodland Realm. This idea was pleasing to Aubron's ears, and he silently vowed that Matilda would never learn of Legolas's affections, nor would he allow Legolas's feelings for the girl-scum to grow. He was only doing what was best for the kingdom, thought Aubron. No, Matilda would not bring Legolas any happiness, not while Aubron had anything to do with it. He smiled. He knew exactly who would help him.

As Aubron hatched his plan, the sweetly oblivious Matilda dined on a rich breakfast, seated with Jane and Myrin. Jane's resentment towards the elves seemed to be softening, and she was getting on with Myrin like a house on fire.

"I have never slept so well in all my life," she was saying. "I could get used to this luxury."

"You already live in luxury," said Matilda, quirking an eyebrow. "Your family's wealth is second to none, except the Master's."

"You should come and visit us," said Jane brightly, turning to Myrin. "If Thranduil ever decides to release us."

Myrin laughed; a merry sound. "I doubt I would be permitted to return to the Elvenking's Halls if I ever visited Lake-town."

"What's wrong with your king?" asked Jane.

"He has no concern for anything beyond the borders of the Woodland Realm," explained Myrin. "He is good for the kingdom though."

Jane and Matilda grinned. "He has yet to convince us," Matilda said dryly.

The three of them turned when from the door they heard three short raps, then two longer knocks. Legolas bounced down the steps. He looked cheerful. "Do you two girls like to dance?"

"Yes," said Jane, equally as cheerfully. "Why?"

Matilda put her goblet down with a clatter. Renowned for her clumsiness, she had never been the best, or the most graceful, of dancers.

"There is a dancing master waiting for you in the gallery," said Legolas. "I have been instructed to inform you that in the near future you will be in need of some elven dancing knowledge."

Jane and Matilda exchanged baffled glances.

"Come on," said Myrin, standing up and making sure Jane followed him. As he passed Legolas he raised his eyebrows.

Matilda looked at Legolas.

"Shall we?"

She smiled and took his proffered arm.

"Your brother is being trained in combat for his entertainment," said Legolas. "It seems only fair that you and Jane are allowed some fun too."

"I wouldn't mind a lesson in combat," grinned Matilda.

Legolas laughed and teased her; "I would wager you are deadly with a sword."

"I would be," promised Matilda, "with training."

They walked in companionable silence for a minute or so, only half-listening to Jane and Myrin's chatter ahead of them. They passed many elves; the corridors seemed to be busier than usual. Legolas was acknowledged by everyone with a nod or a bow. In the distance, lurking in an alcove, they caught sight of the king's spy, Aubron, and a hard-eyed she-elf with glossy brown hair. The two elves who had been talking in low voices with their heads very close together, silently watched her and Legolas as they moved across their line of sight. Matilda glanced up at Legolas, whose face had darkened.

"Eletha Blackwood," he said in explanation.

When they arrived at the gallery, a long narrow chamber with a cavernous ceiling so high that Matilda could barely see it, Jane was spinning slowly on the balls of her feet, admiring her glorious surroundings. The walls were hung with silvery tapestries and richly-coloured portraits depicting the magnificence of the wood-elves. Great columns spiralled up to the ceiling, carved with the most beautiful, whimsical creations from the imagination of an elf with a masterful talent.

Matilda turned her head to Legolas, awestruck, but she slipped and would have gone flying if Legolas had not caught her in time. The pink-and-cream marble floor beneath their feet was smooth and polished to a mirror-shine; deadly for Matilda. She blushed fiercely and Legolas tried very hard not to laugh as he avoided Myrin's eye.

An elegant black-haired elf was standing in the centre of the room, dressed in dark-blue and grey. He performed a low and sweeping bow, fingertips touching his toes in his grand reverence. "My lord," he said, before turning to the two girls, whose attention was now on him. "And, _ah_, two such beautiful ladies to gaze upon!"

Matilda noticed that the dancing master's voice was slightly accented, soft and lilting.

"We shall entrust you to the care of Tehlmar," said Legolas. "I must return to my duties, but Myrin will ensure you are escorted back to your chambers safely."

He took his leave and Myrin followed, winking.

"I have never taught humans to dance before," said Tehlmar, his warm brown eyes glittering. "It is a challenge I embrace!"

"Matilda," said Matilda, gesturing to herself. "And my friend, Jane."

"Such exquisite names!" Tehlmar exclaimed, utterly genuine. "This is my son, Corym. One of you shall partner him, and the other shall dance with me."

Corym stepped out into the light. He was very handsome, black-haired like his father with deep green eyes.

"I'll dance with you," said Jane, volunteering herself. She blushed. Corym just grinned at her.

"And you, lovely Matilda, will be my dancing partner," said Tehlmar. "Now, what dances are you two familiar with?"

Stumped, the girls stared mutely at him. The boisterous jigs and reels they were familiar with were hardly suitable for the refined Woodland Realm elves.

"Never mind, you will now learn!" beamed Tehlmar, and he reeled off a list of complicated-sounding elven dances.

"Why, exactly, are we learning how to dance with you?" asked Jane.

"You have not been told?" Tehlmar half-shouted. "Why, my dear girl, this evening there is a Feast! It is the last sunset of summer, and we shall dance and play and celebrate into the night-!"

"What does that have to do with us?"

"You are invited, of course!" said Tehlmar happily. "King Thranduil would not hear of you missing out!"

Matilda and Jane looked at him disbelievingly.

Corym grinned. "Everyone must attend. Even the guards, and it would not be seemly to lock guests in their chambers. The king also wants to show the people of his benevolence toward the two of you."

Tehlmar looked rather sheepish, and Jane and Matilda giggled. Matilda felt a surge of excitement. She had never been to a feast before, or a ball.

"Now, to dance!" he said suddenly, throwing up his right hand. A beautiful, floating melody appeared out of nowhere, and Matilda recognised the warm notes of the lyres, the delicate tinkle of the harps and the calming beauty of the flutes. "To dance is to float upon the music," shouted Tehlmar, taking hold of Matilda's arms. "We cannot dance if we are stomping and stamping like a herd of elks."

Matilda bit her lip and tried desperately not to trip over her own feet. But Tehlmar's excited enthusiasm was contagious, and she began to thoroughly enjoy herself as the two couples twirled up and down the gallery.

The dancing was going swimmingly for Matilda and unusually accident-free, until she managed to slip again on the polished floor, stumble over Tehlmar's foot and pull him down with her. Jane and Corym, completely lacking in sympathy, almost bent double as they cried with mirth.

"Oh no, I'm sorry!" Matilda said, but Tehlmar bounced up as though he was made of rubber.

"I think it is time to call it a day," he laughed, dancing to the window and gazing out. When he saw the position of the sun, he cried out: "My, how time does fly when you are having fun!"

"Doesn't it just?" chuckled Jane as she pulled Matilda back on her feet.

There was a tap at the door and Myrin peered round it, beaming at them. "It is time to prepare yourselves for the Feast," he said. "Come on."

Matilda and Jane were as giggly as children when they found themselves back in their chamber. Jane twirled round the room, her skirts swinging out around her. "A feast and a ball!" she said. "How perfect!"

Then, she stopped abruptly and her face contorted into pure anguish.

"What? What is it?" asked Matilda, springing to her friend in concern. "Tell me what pains you!"

"What are we to wear?!" burst out Jane, rushing to the wardrobe in a little whirlwind of long red hair.

Matilda pressed a hand to her heart in relief, but whipped round as the door crashed open. Legolas strode in, flanked by Tauriel and Myrin, who both looked anxious.

"Thank you for knocking," Jane said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"You are attending the Feast?" Legolas asked urgently, looking vaguely in Matilda's direction but not actually meeting her eyes.

"Ye-es," said Matilda disjointedly, looking from him to Myrin to Tauriel. "Why? What is it?"

Legolas turned on Tauriel, his voice icy and his face stern. "Why did no one tell me?"

"It was presumed you knew-" began Tauriel, conscious of the girls watching them.

"And you were aware of this too?" Legolas asked Myrin.

Myrin nodded. "As guests the girls cannot be locked in their chamber – what kind of manners would that show? – and the king has permitted them to attend the festivities."

"The dancing lessons? They were not for entertainment, but for the Feast?"

"Yes," said Matilda, walking forwards. "What is wrong?"

Legolas didn't seem to hear her; he sprinted out, muttering something that sounded an awful lot like, "This cannot happen."

Matilda turned to Tauriel. "Is he feeling alright?"

"Yes," said Tauriel with a forced brightness, then raced after Legolas.

Jane and Matilda gazed accusingly at Myrin, who smiled nervously. "I do not know what is going on any more than you do."

He fled the room too, with Jane's accusation of "Liar!" ringing in his ears.

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**Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Reviews keep me writing, so don't forget to let me know how I'm doing.**

**I am SO sorry I haven't updated in a while! My laptop's been playing up and I've been super busy, but hopefully I can get back to normal now. Much love!**


	7. Of Princes and Kings

Of Princes and Kings

Matilda, feeling snubbed and confused by Legolas's cold treatment, barely responded to Jane's fire of questions as to which dress she should wear for the Feast. It was not Myrin who arrived to escort them to the Feast but a pale-faced dark-haired elf. Her presence threw even Jane off, and they walked quietly behind the elf.

The elf took them to a pair of golden doors and nodded to the guards to open them. Matilda was astounded by the sheer size of the room. Green vines were twined round the pillars and silver ribbons bedecked the tables. At the back of the room was a raised dais covered in red velvet, on which stood two golden thrones, one larger and more elaborately carved than the other. The floor had been cleared in the centre of the room for the dance floor, and this was a whirl of silks and jewels as the elves celebrated. The sound of laughter and music was soaring right up to the ceiling of the room, and more and more elves joined the happy throng on the dance floor. Matilda glanced sideways at Jane, whose eyes were sparkling with excitement, unaware of Matilda's confusion at Legolas's discomfit and rudeness. Matilda couldn't help wondering what she had done wrong.

Myrin made a beeline for the girls when they entered the room; the dark-haired she-elf melted away, having done her duty. Myrin bowed low to them, and even though his copper hair was neatly brushed back and he wore light-green silk, his face was paler than usual and his smile fainter.

"Come with me," he said, without any explanation. "As guests, you must greet the nobles before the king arrives."

Jane, oblivious to any change in Myrin, followed him happily. Matilda wondered what was going on as Myrin introduced them to a string of noble-born elves whose names drifted in one of her ears and out the other.

"-Of course you know my lord Aubron, of the House Blackwood," said Myrin and Matilda looked up properly for the first time at the elf before her.

Aubron was dressed in deep purple and looked in his element, smug and triumphant at how high is power his family were. He introduced the girls to his four sons, none of whom were given Matilda's full attention.

"This is my lord Aubron's daughter," said Myrin casually, and Matilda's gaze flicked up in interest at the person Aubron was campaigning to wed Legolas.

Eletha bowed her head but when she came up, she met Matilda's eyes challengingly. Myrin discreetly kicked Matilda, who nodded respectfully to the elf. She was good-looking, Matilda had to grant her that, with her glossy brown hair and graceful height, but her eyes were cold and hard. There was a ruthlessness in Aubron's daughter that Matilda couldn't imagine next to Legolas's warmth.

She was the last noble to greet, and Myrin floated off into the crowd with Jane and Matilda.

"Where are our brothers? Tell me the truth," Matilda said in Myrin's ear so as not to upset Jane if her suspicions were right.

"Locked in their chambers," Myrin replied honestly, bending to talk in her ear so they would not be overheard. "They were not given leave to attend because the king is still cautious of you meeting and forming a plot to escape. The kingdom is curious to see you; you have become famous, if a little notorious, amongst the people, and the king thought it wise to show you to them and quench their curiosity. See, they are watching you."

Matilda looked up and saw eyes move quickly away to avoid her gaze. "They do not like me," she said.

"They do not know you like I do," insisted Myrin. "They still believe you slaughtered the king's elk and they do not know you to be honourable, truthful humans. They are simply wary, that is all."

Matilda nodded. Corym, the dancing-master's good-looking son, approached them and offered his hand to Jane, who took it delightedly. They swept onto the dance floor and began to dance. Matilda noticed elves twisting to watch Jane critically. Her friend was in dark green with emeralds and amber dressing her red hair, and she made a fine partnership with Corym, who she had practiced with all afternoon.

Myrin and Matilda stayed together on the edge of the dance floor, and Myrin offered her a seat, which she took. They watched the dancers quietly for a few minutes, and Matilda tried not to feel too conspicuous.

Suddenly, the music stopped and the musicians in the gallery lowered their instruments. Matilda looked around and saw that a herald stood on the steps before the dais. Beside her, Myrin had tensed.

"The last sunset of summer is upon us," the herald said, his voice carrying round the hushed room. "So as we watch the light fade, the first stars of autumn will appear. Drink deeply, my friends, for the summer is over." He paused for effect. "Without further ado, I present to you your King, Thranduil Greenleaf of the Woodland Realm, and his son the noble Prince Legolas!"

"What?!" said Matilda, turning on Myrin. Her shocked eyes were as wide as coins. Had she heard that right? Legolas... prince? Myrin looked guilty, so Matilda's head snapped back to the dais. The Elvenking, dressed finely in royal-blue and his magnificent crown, was stepping up onto the platform, but Matilda looked straight past him to Legolas. He wore silver and blue silk, and he smiled around the room at the cheering elves. He was the king's son! The heir of Mirkwood! No wonder everyone was so reverent of him. Legolas must have twisted his father's ear into allowing the girls such a beautiful chamber. That had been why he had had the power to release Teddy and Sam. It all made sense now. He had been so offhand earlier because he had known they would discover his royal status.

Matilda felt a stab of betrayal lodge like a shard above her heart. Why had he kept such an important thing a secret? She was not angry at him, but she felt like he had not trusted her and that hurt. But most of all, Matilda was sad; she felt hopeless. She knew she cared for Legolas, but now...

She watched, feeling very distant from him, as he took a seat on the smaller golden throne, at the right hand of the king. Matilda's heart ached. His face was like a mask, the smile fixed and not quite reaching his eyes, but the elves didn't seem to notice. They hailed their king and beloved prince with love and respect, not noticing that Legolas's gaze was flicking around the hall, searching for the one person he could not see.

Matilda could not stay a moment longer; she ran out of the hall as fast as her feet could carry her, but Myrin was quicker and he caught up with her just outside the double doors.

"Matilda," he said. Everyone was in the hall for the Feast and dancing, so the corridor was deserted.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Matilda asked forlornly.

"I was ordered not to."

"By Legolas?"

"Yes," Myrin took hold of her hands. "He was worried that the... dynamics of your relationship might change if you knew that Thranduil was his father," Myrin phrased delicately.

Matilda gave a great sniff, but then they became aware of a commotion just the other side of the doors.

"-Let me out, you senseless idiots! I'm not escaping; I'm going to comfort my friend!"

Myrin and Matilda looked each other, and then back at the doors as Jane burst out, muttering: "stupid fools!"

She caught sight of Matilda and went to her. "You know, I think Legolas is looking for someone. He looks like he has a twitch he moves so often." Matilda shot a sharp glance at Jane, who grinned cheekily back at her. "The way you've been looking at him, even a blind man could see that you were falling in love with him."

"Don't be ridiculous," Matilda murmured.

She sounded sad. Jane picked up on this, and put an arm round her friend's shoulders. She didn't say anything; she just let Matilda rest her head on her shoulder and sigh heavily.

Myrin stayed with them, clasping Matilda's hands, and that was where Tauriel, in a peacock-blue tunic for the Feast, found them a while later.

"People are asking where you had gone," she explained. "So I said I would go and search."

"Do we have to go back in?" asked Matilda.

Tauriel nodded. "They would take great offense to think you had declined the king's invitation-"

"It was not an invitation," muttered Jane, but Tauriel ignored her.

"You need to go in and dance and eat and talk to them. They are suspicious of you, and you must put their minds at ease by charming them," said Tauriel. "Come on. Myrin and I will be with you."

Matilda nodded, and the four of them, two elves and two girls, re-entered the room. Matilda held her head high and didn't look up to the dais where she could feel Legolas's eyes on her. Myrin took her arm and led her onto the dance floor. Jane partnered Corym again. Matilda was concentrating so hard on perfecting the dance that she hadn't noticed Legolas descend from the dais to the dance floor, sweeping Tauriel along with him.

When she caught sight of him so close to her, she hesitated, missing a step and almost tripping.

"Are you alright?" Legolas asked, clearly concerned.

If he noticed the whiteness of Matilda's face or the strength of Myrin's grip under her elbow, he didn't say anything.

Matilda did not reply; she was annoyed that he could act like nothing had happened, like she had not just found out that her friend would one day inherit the vast kingdom of the wood-elves.

Legolas glanced at Tauriel, upset, but she shook her head and whispered, "She is in shock. Give her time."

He nodded anxiously but couldn't help his eyes sliding sideways to watch Matilda.

"Should I ask her for the next dance?" he asked Tauriel.

"Best not," his friend advised. "You do not want to put her in a position where she might refuse you in public, embarrassing the both of you."

Legolas reluctantly agreed. He wished he had had the courage to disclose his princely status to Matilda prior to the Feast but he did not want her to view him any differently. He had enjoyed being with Matilda the past few days, pretending as though he was her equal and just being her friend. He knew he couldn't deny his feelings for her any more than he could deny being the king's son, and he was worried that she would hate him for lying to her.

Matilda, with the help of a goblet of wine or two, began to relax and enjoy herself. Myrin released her to go and dance with Tehlmar, who complimented her every step they took: "Miss Matilda, you are the most beautiful lady in this room!"

Matilda just laughed at him.

"Why, your dancing is exquisite! You must tell me who taught you to dance?"

"The best dancing-master in all Middle-Earth!" giggled Matilda.

"Oh, you flatter me, Beautiful One," laughed Tehlmar. He was very cheerful, having drunk much more wine than Matilda.

The evening wore on, and Jane and Matilda sat down to eat with the elves. The food was a grand banquet, with richer fare than the Lake-town girls could have dreamed of, and with Myrin's help they began to make friends.

The moment they had finished eating, Jane leapt up to dance again, grabbing the hand of a rather bemused but pleased elf, who followed her like a puppy. Matilda danced with many different elves, and eventually found herself partnering Tehlmar again. By now, the dancing-master was pink-cheeked and had become even more flamboyant, but Matilda soon realised this was okay because the music had was faster and the dances more rowdy. The common elves were getting a little overexcited, but the nobles sat at their tables and stood in their dignified little groups sipping wine and having less fun than their lower-classed kin. Jane was very enthusiastically dancing with Myrin, both of them laughing as they more or less hopped in circles.

Tehlmar, like so many others, was getting a little unruly and he told Matilda to stand on his feet, whereby he proceeded to bound round the dance floor. Suddenly, he became to such an abrupt halt, they almost toppled over, but Legolas caught them.

He smiled at Matilda. "May I have the honour of this dance? You do not mind, do you Tehlmar?"

"Not at all, my lord," garbled Tehlmar before hurrying off to find another equally-energetic partner.

Matilda gave Legolas a small smile and took his hand. They danced gracefully together, unaware of Aubron's furious black eyes following them.

"I am sorry I did not tell you that I was the king's son," said Legolas, his eyes not breaking from Matilda's. "I am embarrassed that you had to find out in this way. It must have been a shock."

"I understand," said Matilda calmly. "I realise now that you did not want our friendship to be altered in the knowledge that you were a prince."

"I thought you were angry with me," he said in relief.

"I was," Matilda grinned. "But I see more clearly now. I think I would do the same."

"If you were a prince?" joked Legolas and Matilda shook her head, laughing.

Legolas suddenly looked towards his father on the dais who was engaged in conversation with a couple of lords, Aubron among them, and then grabbed Matilda's hand and pulled her from the room. Hand in hand, then ran together to an alcove, whereupon Legolas dived through a heavy velvet curtain and landed on the stone window-seat in every alcove. Matilda sat beside him, drunk on wine and love and Legolas. The moon shone through the window and illuminated their little alcove with silvery light, and Matilda felt as though she was in some kind of beautiful dream.

"Matilda," breathed Legolas, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "It is not a friendship I was so apprehensive to alter. I have fallen in love with you." Matilda, hugging her arms around her, secretly pinched her side, desperate to know that she would not wake up in disappointment. "I can only dare to hope that you return my affections."

"Oh, Legolas," said Matilda, clasping one of his hands in both of her own. Suddenly, her head was very clear and rational sense took over the exhilarating recklessness of the Feast and of being alone with Legolas. "I did not dare to believe that I had a chance with you, but now there is even less hope. I love you too, but you know we cannot be-"

"We can find a way," insisted Legolas. "Any way."

Matilda shook her head, swallowing down her feelings and speaking with her head and not her heart, which was screaming out for her to say yes, yes, they would find a way, any way. Matilda found that she had to force the words out of her mouth before she could buckle and weaken her resolve. "No, there is nothing to be done. I am a human and your father's prisoner, and you are an elf and a prince. I wish it could be, but it cannot." Her voice was tight; it physically hurt her to be saying such things to Legolas. She knew she was breaking both their hearts with every word.

"As you said, I am prince. There is nothing in this kingdom that I cannot command if I so desire," said Legolas. "I can make my father release you and-"

"And?" Matilda prompted him.

Legolas didn't reply.

Matilda kissed his hand, a tear sliding from under her closed eyelids, and said gently, "I would go back to Lake-town, and you would stay here and marry, if not Eletha, then a different noble elven princess."

"Do you love me?" asked Legolas, leaning towards her. His gaze was so intense that Matilda had to look away for fear that she might scorch herself. But when she couldn't resist another peek at him, he was very close, just a hair's breadth away. She felt her cheeks warm at this close proximity.

"You know I do," she replied.

"There is nothing in this world stronger than love," said Legolas, his eyes flaring. "I know we can be together. I know we can survive, despite those who would try to pull us apart."

Matilda quickly got to her feet before she threw herself at him and never let him go. "I am sorry, Legolas," she said sincerely. "Please, I'm begging you, don't make this harder than it has to be. And you are wrong. In the world of the Woodland Realm, there is something stronger than love. And his name is Thranduil."

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**I felt so bad about not updating the story for over a month, I decided to post two chapters in one day.**

**Hope you've enjoyed reading so far! Thank you for the lovely reviews; I'm so pleased people are even reading my writing. Keep letting me know what you think – I'm desperate to get better and they make me so happy! Love you all!**


	8. Of Love and Tears

Of Love and Tears

Before Legolas could protest or catch hold of her hand, Matilda whisked out of the alcove and ran away down the corridor. Legolas didn't follow her, and Matilda realised she was without an escort or a guard for the first time in weeks, but she felt utterly dejected. She wanted nothing more than to curl into bed and sob. Saying that to Legolas had been the hardest thing in the world, but it was something that had to be done before they both got in over their heads. As she ran, she realised her cheeks were wet, and tears flew out behind her.

She stopped at the door to her chamber and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. But there was no need; the room was dark and empty. Jane and Myrin had not returned from the feast, and Matilda was utterly and wholly alone. Letting the tears fall this time, she dragged the jewels from her hair and abandoned them on the floor, running to the bed and throwing her covers back. She did not change or wash, she just buried her head under the blankets and cried into the pillows. The love she felt for Legolas was rising up in her throat and threatening to choke her as she sobbed out her pain for 'what if' and 'one day'.

Eventually, her tears ebbed away but still Matilda's body jerked and heaved. She was crying for Legolas even though she had no tears left to cry. Already exhausted, she wore herself out and finally lay still, staring into the darkness. She heard Jane and Myrin enter, whisper in hushed voices and then the sounds of Jane undressing and getting into bed. Matilda pretended to be asleep but she was awake long after Jane's breathing became slow and steady.

The next morning, Matilda only awoke when a knock on the door revealed Myrin, descending the stairs. Jane was already up; sat in a chair, reading. Matilda peered groggily at her through a curtain of hair.

"You look terrible," Jane said, with the immediate disrespect of a best friend. "You obviously had far too much wine last night."

Matilda rubbed her eyes, trying to remember why she felt so miserable. When it came back to her, she said, "Shut up," to a silent Myrin, who had been watching her expectantly, and dived back into the blankets.

"Oh, no, not today," said Jane, jumping up and going to Matilda's bedside. "That is the worst thing you could do. I will not let you wallow. Get up." Jane dragged the blankets off her, and pulled her up.

Matilda, who wanted to be left alone to cry, struggled but Jane was more determined and stronger. She hauled Matilda into the washroom and stood over her like a jailer until she had washed her face and her hair.

"Some friend you are," grumbled Matilda.

"Oh, yes! I'm too good to you," Jane agreed, marching her back out to the wardrobe. Myrin was sat down on the chair Jane had vacated with his feet up on the table. He looked thoroughly amused at Jane's charge.

"Now go and put these on," said Jane, throwing items of clothing at Matilda, who disappeared back into the washroom and emerged a couple of minutes later, looking much healthier.

"There," said Jane to Myrin with a dramatic flourish of her hands. "Admire my fine work, my masterpiece."

"Yes, Almighty Commander," joked Myrin, and then looked out of the window. "The first day of autumn is beautiful," he said. "That is a good omen."

"Let's go and enjoy it," said Jane brightly. "I haven't been outside in a long time. Are you allowed to take us outside?"

"Yes," said Myrin. "Are you coming, Matilda?"

Matilda shook her head and sat down in the middle of the floor as though to anchor herself into the room. Jane opened her mouth to protest, but Myrin shook his head.

"She has had a bad night," he said quietly as they left together.

"Legolas?" Jane asked, as one of the guards followed them down the corridor and the other stayed put to guard Matilda in the room.

"Yes," said Myrin. "I think she needs some peace."

Matilda, left alone, lay down on the floor in the shape of a star and gazed up at the ceiling. She regretted her words of last night; her uncontrollable tears had spoken volumes. Legolas was an elf, she thought, he was wise. Maybe what he said had been true. Maybe there was a possibility that their spark of love could be ignited. Matilda was desperate to see Legolas, to tell him that she had been wrong and that she hoped he would forgive her.

As if she had dreamed him up, three sharp raps followed by two longer taps sounded at the door; Legolas's knock. He walked in to see her spread out on the floor, and she leapt up immediately, failing to gather her composure as she almost tripped over her own feet.

"Matilda-" he began.

"Legolas, I'm sorry," she burst out before he could say another word. "I am so sorry. I was wrong to doubt you. I sincerely regret what I said, after all you are wiser than I am, and I should be listening to you. Please say you're not angry with me. I should never have said those things." She stopped suddenly and began to babble. "Oh, goodness, you are, aren't you? You hate me for what I said. You are here to say goodbye. I'm never going to see you again. Oh, I am so stupid-!"

"Matilda!"

Matilda looked at Legolas, her mouth shutting with a click.

"You are stupid," he said, "because I am not here to say goodbye. I am here to demand that you rethink your belief that we cannot be together, and to reach a different conclusion."

"The right conclusion," Matilda nodded.

"Yes." Legolas smiled and it seemed to brighten the whole room. "Will you walk with me?"

Matilda tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow, and Legolas ordered Matilda's guard to stay where he was, guarding an empty room. Together they walked in a large circle, talking easily like they had before the unsettling Feast. Legolas opened up to her like he had never done before; he told Matilda about his father and how he revered him yet was uncomfortable around him. He explained how he was worried he was a disappointment to Thranduil and always felt the need to prove himself. He spoke of Tauriel and of Myrin; they were his best friends, he could not have survived the pressure and duty expected of him without them. He practiced his archery in secret so that he would always be the best; he was afraid that if he stopped, he would forget. His grandfather had once given him a dagger inset with rubies and it was his most precious possession. Legolas spoke of the great battles he had seen, and how they were not at all like the ballads and songs of glory, when the pungent scent of fear hung in the air like a curse.

And he listened to Matilda, as she told him of her simple life in Lake-Town, of her mother and sisters, and her dead father, of her house and of the town itself, of the Master and of the Lonely Mountain nearby which didn't seem like there could be a slumbering dragon inside. She talked of the harshness of the winters on the lake and the beauty of the summers.

Eventually they almost finished their circle, reaching the Silver Fountain, which was close to Matilda's chambers, and they sat down together on the wide stone rim of the fountain as she had when she had come here with Jane and Myrin. Legolas sighed and closed his eyes.

"It is so peaceful here," he said. "We could almost melt into time and disappear."

But Matilda wasn't listening; she was distracted by his handsome profile. She ran light fingers down his smooth forehead, along his straight nose, across the contour of his cheekbones and down to his soft lips. When she touched his lower lip, Legolas's eyes snapped open, and she was suddenly met with the cornflower blue of his wide, dancing eyes. He smiled at her and lowered his face to kiss her.

It was a soft, sweet first kiss, and neither of them could have dreamed it any better. Legolas lingered for just a moment before drawing away and looking at Matilda, who had not moved a muscle or opened her eyes.

"I'm going to pretend you're still kissing me and you didn't just stop," she said.

Legolas laughed and kissed her again. They grinned at each other, and there wasn't any shyness in their smiles.

Matilda suddenly grabbed Legolas's shoulders. "What if I pushed you in? Would that ruin the moment?"

"You know, I think it might," said Legolas, quirking an eyebrow. He took Matilda's hand and pulled her down. "Sit still for a moment. You are so jumpy."

"I'm happy! There are places to see and people to meet," laughed Matilda. "Why would I want to sit still when I can be up and moving?"

"Because now and then it is good to pause and just be happy," said Legolas. "If you are always up and always moving, you cannot have time to notice the little things, the important things. I don't want anything to pass me by."

"That is a very good answer," said Matilda solemnly, finally sitting still. "So what do you notice when you pause, Prince Legolas?"

"I notice that you are calling me Prince Legolas, and intensely dislike it," he said.

"Sorry," laughed Matilda.

"I notice you," said Legolas quietly, putting a hand to Matilda's cheek. "And it makes me happy."

Matilda smiled, touched at his answer, and put her hand over his, sitting still and quiet as they drank in each other's faces, memorising every detail.

The door banged open and Matilda jumped so hard she would have fallen backwards into the fountain had Legolas not caught her in time. It was Aubron framed in the doorway, and he was seething with rage.

"My lord," he said tightly, upon seeing Legolas. Matilda could tell just how agitated he was from the fact that he forgot to bow and scrape to the king's son. "I apologise for the prisoner's disturbance." Before either of them could say anything, he turned on Matilda and let rip. Days of pent-up annoyance and resentment at Matilda burst out of Aubron; she had never seen him lose control as much as he did now. The words and insults tumbled out of his mouth before he could snatch them back in and swallow them down.

Legolas's face was as dark as a thundercloud. He cut Aubron off mid-sentence and his voice was glacial. "Leave us," he said icily. "Matilda is here by my invitation. You are not. _Go_."

There was no way in which Aubron could have interpreted these words differently; Legolas had been crystal-clear, but the snake-like advisor's eyes slid sideways and locked with Matilda's. The mutual dislike crackled between them in the air until Aubron could no longer get away with disobeying Legolas's instruction and turned away to walk out of the door.

"Legolas!"

Myrin burst into the room at top speed, his hand raised to knock if the door had been shut; as it was, he half-fell into the room finding no barrier to block his way. Myrin quickly gained his composure and Matilda admired the way he managed to look as dignified as if he had simply gone for a slow stroll around the Halls.

"Legolas, the king wishes to see you," he said.

Legolas sighed. "Tell him-"

"Forgive me," said Myrin. "But his summons is for immediate effect. He insists."

It was only Matilda who noticed Aubron's lip curl into a sneer. Legolas, looking irritated, stood, gallantly kissed Matilda's hand and left the room, nodding his thanks to Myrin. With the absence of Legolas, Aubron immediately became the highest power in the room. By the way he puffed his chest out, Matilda realised he was going to exploit this fact to its full extent.

"Leave me," he said to Myrin, making no effort to be polite.

Myrin was more than a little reluctant to leave Matilda alone with Aubron and protested, "My lord, Matilda is in my charge and care. I will escort her back to her chambers immediately so she may not be in your way."

"I want to speak with her," snapped Aubron. "Get out."

Myrin hesitated, obviously not comfortable with the situation. Matilda nodded reassuringly at him. She was sure she could withstand any insults Aubron could throw at her and she was well aware that Myrin would land himself in trouble if he defied or refused to obey the king's advisor. There was no way she was letting him do that on her account.

"I will be in your chambers keeping Jane company," Myrin said to Matilda. "I will not leave until you are returned."

Matilda nodded.

Myrin left, deliberately slowly, and Aubron crossed the room to shut the door. Unnerved at this action, Matilda stood up from the fountain rim and drew herself up to her full height.

"You poisonous little witch," Aubron snarled. "Was this your plan all along? To worm your way into the heart of the court and corrupt our prince? He was going to marry my daughter until you slithered into this kingdom and turned his mind against Eletha with your evil intent. You have been nothing but a nuisance ever since you arrived here. Life was good for everyone until you and your foul companions slaughtered the king's elk. You should have just remained in your greedy, covetous world with your weak-minded kin and not bothered our noble, pure race."

"I am no witch," Matilda retorted. "You are foolish to think that Legolas ever loved Eletha."

"_How dare you speak to me in that manner_?" raged Aubron. "You are not worthy to even look upon the Eldar. So deeply is the wickedness ingrained in your mean spirit, you desire to destroy our great kingdom, to disgrace the prince and to bring about our ruin."

"That is not-!" began Matilda, but Aubron was spitting with rage and was not going to let her interrupt him.

"You are far out of your depth, you vicious fool. You do not belong here and you never will. There is no place for a human in Mirkwood, nor has there ever been. Were you really so ignorant as to believe you had a future at Legolas's side?"

Matilda recoiled as though Aubron had struck her. His fierce words were hurting her. Did he know that she had had these doubts herself? Aubron seemed to sense this and draw more power from it. He continued with a new savageness.

"You should have been executed the night you arrived in these Halls with your accomplices beside you. You should not have been given the chance to dig your claws into Legolas and twist his subconscious. He may be infatuated with you now but what of the future? What will happen to you when he comes to his senses? You will be put aside or disposed of. He will be loyal to his father, as he should, and the subjects of his kingdom. Legolas's life has no room for you in it and you will not find a single elf in this kingdom who will support you, not even Legolas himself."

Matilda's heart was beating so hard she was beginning to feel sick. Aubron was striking a chord deep inside her. What if what he was saying was the truth? Had she been mistaken as to Legolas's attentions of her?

"You have read the signs wrongly. Legolas holds no true feelings for you. Do you not think that those of us who have known him all his life are more likely to understand him than you, who have only known him a few days? I always knew your race was ignorant but I did not know the full extent as to your stupidity. You did not believe his devotion did you?"

A hot tear slid down Matilda's flushed cheek. She didn't bother to wipe it away. Aubron laughed sneeringly at her and left the room, deciding she was no longer worthy of his valuable attention.

Slowly, Matilda made her way back to her chambers, thinking over what Aubron had said to her. The seeds of doubt had been planted in her mind and she could not shake them off. Matilda needed to find Legolas; she was seeking reassurance that it was just Aubron whispering poison or confirmation that his words were truthful. When she entered the room, Jane and Myrin were sat talking by the window. Myrin could see all that had passed between Aubron and Matilda from her face and put his arms round her.

"Do not believe it, Matilda," he said comfortingly. "Do not believe a word of it, even for a second. Legolas is honourable; he would not toy with you. I know he loves you. Aubron's world, which he once held so securely, is unravelling before his eyes because your love is stronger than his cruelty and ambition."

Myrin's words brought more comfort to Matilda than he would ever know.

Meanwhile, Legolas had arrived in his father's private chambers. He hadn't set foot in Thranduil's quarters in several hundred years but it looked exactly as he remembered it.

"You sent for me, my lord," he said.

"Legolas," his father had said, inviting him in.

Legolas suddenly realised he had never seen his father smile. Matilda had such a lovely smile, he thought.

They remained standing, facing each other. Thranduil had got straight to the point. "Legolas, what exactly is the nature of your feelings towards Matilda?"

"I beg your pardon?" Legolas spluttered, thoroughly nonplussed.

Thranduil did not repeat his question.

"I-I respect her," he said. "She is a very interesting person."

"I expect nothing but the absolute truth from you, Legolas," the king said sternly.

Legolas's eyes flicked warily around his father's chambers. He disliked confrontation and answered carefully. "I have enjoyed spending time with her," he said honestly.

The king's eyes narrowed. "You are in love with her," he said. "My sources have told me that you have been seen together many times and that your feelings are no longer friendship or even affection but are something more." Legolas opened his mouth to contradict his father. "No, do not speak, listen to me," Thranduil said. "You know perfectly well that I cannot allow a courtship and romantic relationship between a human and a Mirkwood elf, and I most certainly will not condone it when the Mirkwood elf is my own son and heir. I absolutely forbid you to continue this liaison. You will not pledge yourself to her, you will not make any promises and you will not meet with her again."

"Father!" said Legolas, visibly upset.

"Legolas, you have a duty to me and a duty to our subjects. I have not raised you all these years to waste your time being infatuated with the first human girl from Esgaroth you set eyes on. This dalliance will not go on. It is to stop," Thranduil said. "_Now_. This is my final word and you will not receive any sympathy from me or any other elf who knows what is good for him."

"Father-" Legolas began firmly.

"If you argue with me and continue to defy my word, I will assume you are an enemy of the throne and are guilty of treason. In all your life I have never had cause to restrain you, but do not think I will hesitate to do so if you keep testing my patience and good will. Am I clear?"

"Please, Father-"

"Legolas," snapped Thranduil, losing his temper. "I insist that you undo whatever you have said to her, that you make it utterly transparent that you do not feel anything for her and never did."

Legolas struggled with his loyalties for a moment. He had always been the perfect son to his father, he had always obeyed him despite his own views and he had never _not_ taken heed of the king's orders. But he loved Matilda, he was surer of that than anything in his long life before. Thranduil watched Legolas's inward battle, and spoke quickly: "Legolas. In sixty years Matilda will be dead. But you will live on without her. You should stay with your kin and those who will always be at your side forging love that always rings true, not a momentary, fleeting lust. There is no future for an elf and a human; there will _never_ be such a couple on this earth. You know that I only do this out of concern and care for you, my precious only son."

"What am I to do?" asked Legolas, trying to ignore the guilt welling up his throat.

Thranduil's mouth was a set line and his voice was hard and unforgiving. "It is for you to reverse the effects of your stupidity. Insist that you did not mean what you said. That it was wrong and your duty is far more important that she is."

Legolas's bright eyes were clouded and he looked haunted as he left the king's rooms. With his teeth gritted and his heart lodged in his throat, he made his way to the girls' chamber. He knocked his signature knock; the three short taps and two longer thumps, but he did not burst in like he usually did.

Dejected, he just stood there and waited until Myrin answered the door and came out to speak to him.

"Myrin, I need you to pass on a note to Matilda for me," he said, sickened by his own words even as he said them.

"Will you not come in and tell her yourself?" asked Myrin, smiling. "She needs some comfort and I have no doubt you will stop her tears."

He took hold of his friend's arm to pull him into the room but Legolas jerked his arm away. "No, Myrin," he said, then swallowed hard. "I will send a note."

Confused, Myrin presented him with the quill he always carried with him and a little roll of parchment ripped from the bottom of the original page. Legolas scribbled his message on it and entrusted it back into Myrin's hands. When Myrin looked into Legolas's eyes, he wondered if the prince could even see him standing there. Legolas walked away, shoulders slumped; Myrin was concerned and vowed to speak to Tauriel before dinner.

He returned to the chamber and Matilda looked up hopefully, having recognised Legolas's knock. She looked as though she had expected to see Legolas so she could speak to him properly, but found only Myrin, who seemed perplexed. When he saw the girls watching him however, his face was transformed into the merry, charming expression they were used to.

Heart skipping a beat, Matilda read the small scrap of parchment that Myrin had pressed into her palm with a carefree smile and a wink.

_Meet me at the Silver Fountain. Midnight. -Legolas._

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**A lovely long chapter for you! I hope you enjoyed reading it – if you did (or if you didn't) let me know by posting a review. I love getting you guys' opinions and it's always nice to know my writing is being read. Thank you everyone!**


	9. Of Hollows and Hope

Of Hollows and Hope

That night, one hour before midnight, Jane helped Matilda choose a tunic of sea-green to meet Legolas in. Matilda let her hair out, leaving it loose and long and dark down her back. Jane stepped backwards and studied her with expert eyes narrowed. "You look too plain," she said. She darted around the room, picking up a few articles and decorating Matilda with them.

Once Jane was finished, silver adorned Matilda's wrists and a chain of turquoises was braided into her hair and looped over her forehead. Finally, Jane was satisfied and she grinned at Matilda. "Are you nervous?" she asked.

Matilda thought about it. "No," she said honestly. "I'm excited."

"What do you think he will say?"

"How could I know that, Jane?" Matilda laughed.

It was Myrin who took her to the agreed meeting place, the Silver Fountain they had already met by that day. Legolas was not there.

"Will you be alright alone?" Myrin asked.

Matilda nodded and he left her smiling. She looked around the dark chamber. The fountain took on a different appearance in the night; the light in the water was reflected around the room, casting weird and wonderful shadows across the walls.

Suddenly she jumped. Legolas was standing in the shadows watching her. She pressed a hand to her heart and laughed breathlessly, "You made me jump!"

Legolas stepped forward. His face looked different. Matilda thought it must be the spooky silver light playing tricks on her eyes. Were his eyes darker or was that just her imagination?

She smiled at him. "Thank you for your note, I-"

"Matilda," said Legolas.

"Yes?"

"Nothing."

Legolas couldn't bring himself to say it.

Matilda kept smiling despite this odd behaviour, hiding her nerves. She spoke to fill the silence. "I am glad to see you," she said. "Aubron said some less than complimentary things this morning about you never loving me and it all being in my head. Myrin assured me it isn't true but it's not the same as hearing it from your own mouth."

She waited.

The smile became fixed on her face. It was starting to hurt as the silence stretched on.

"Aubron was right," murmured Legolas eventually, his voice cutting like a knife through the night. "I am sorry Matilda. I thought I was in love with you, but I realise now I am not. I no longer feel the way I said I did."

Matilda could not quite believe she was hearing correctly. She rubbed her ears. "Legolas, surely you do not mean-"

"I do," he said, his voice cracking.

The smile vanished from Matilda's face like Legolas had blown out a candle. "But..." She had nothing to say.

"It was a ridiculous little fancy I wanted to play at for a while. I am not so idiotic to believe that we had a connection, that anything you said to me was real. It was make-believe, I always knew that." The words were choking him but he forced them out. "It is laughable to think of a relationship between you and me. I used you for a 'let's pretend' but I no longer have any reason to be with you. I must get on with my life and you with yours. We are worlds apart."

Legolas seemed to topple for a moment, as though he would keel over. But instead of falling, he ran out of the room and didn't look back.

Matilda crumpled to the ground, biting her fist to relieve some of the pain in her chest. Tears rolled down her cheeks from a seemingly endless source. She was devastated; she had looked for comfort in Legolas, her rock in Mirkwood, and found only rejection. Her fingers brushed the turquoises that Jane had so lovingly plaited into her hair and couldn't bear it. Displaying a brutality she didn't know she had in her, Matilda tore the chain from her head, ripping it and throwing it aside. The loose turquoises bounced in all directions, rolling to a stop and splaying out around her like the rays of the sun. But the despair into which Matilda had sunk was a far cry from her usual sunny self.

She had no recollection of returning to her chamber that night. She guessed that Myrin had found her and carried her back, but she did not care. She did not care about anything anymore. Broken-hearted and betrayed, Matilda drew into herself, leaving Jane and Myrin far behind. They didn't try to move her from the bed; they didn't say a word to her. Neither could have thought of anything to help their friend feel better and so they let her cry.

And cry.

Matilda cried all morning and into the afternoon. She was inconsolable. The thoughts ricocheting around in her brain only served to distort her misery, to lengthen it until it seemed endless, like she would never stop feeling like this. The infiniteness of life without Legolas seemed to stretch out before her like a lonely path without a destination. For that day, Matilda forgot who she was, she forgot what she believed in, and the hopeful light at the end of that path shrunk ever smaller. It became more and more unattainable until it had vanished into the distance. Matilda didn't think she'd ever see it again.

Myrin, seriously worried for Matilda's wellbeing, left Jane watching over her and went to find Tauriel. The flame-haired green-garbed elf was standing on a high grey rock, looking over the wide, rushing river. A pair of elves, Maedhros and Mithrellas, both soldiers, were taking orders from her when Myrin approached. Tauriel dismissed her guards and greeted Myrin worriedly.

"Matilda?" she asked.

Myrin nodded. "She does not speak. She will not eat. She just cries and rocks backwards and forwards. Then she fall asleep, wakes and weeps again."

Tauriel nodded anxiously. "I have never seen Legolas so despondent," she said. "He is wandering the banks of the river, refusing to meet with anyone."

She stretched her arm out to the opposite bank where, with his back against a tree, Legolas sat. His silver-blonde hair was tousled and Myrin could tell his eyes were shut.

"His heart is failing him," said Tauriel quietly. "And he does not know what to do."

Myrin didn't know how to reply. He just nodded and turned to return to Jane and Matilda.

"Myrin," said Tauriel, and he stopped. "Stay with Matilda. Let her know she is not alone."

"What are you going to do?" asked Myrin.

"I must try and reason with him," she replied.

Myrin clasped hands with Tauriel for a moment, a sign of their friendship and for strength, before taking his leave.

Tauriel took a deep breath and slowly moved across a thick tree trunk crossing over the river. She was silent on her soft feet, and Legolas's eyes remained shut as she drew closer. The prince's face was white, paler than usual, and still. Then, a twig snapped beneath Tauriel's step, and he leapt up, brandishing a dagger. Tauriel gently stepped up to him and lowered his clenched fist for him.

Legolas, who felt worse about himself than he ever had, dropped to the ground again. Tauriel lowered herself until she was sat behind him. She didn't say anything. Legolas waited but as time slipped by, his eyes slid sideways to his friend.

"Tauriel?" he said.

"Legolas," she replied gently. She waited for him to seek comfort from her.

Legolas sighed and leaned until his head was resting on Tauriel's shoulder. Tauriel cradled her old friend, and as his face was turned away from her, Legolas allowed a single silvery tear to roll down his cheek. The two elves eventually withdrew from the embrace, and Legolas sighed heavily again.

"I do not know what it is I should do next," he said sadly.

"What do you believe to be right, in your heart?" asked Tauriel.

"You know what I believe," said Legolas quietly. "It is of no consequence though."

"Of course it is," Tauriel insisted. "It is your life to live, not your father's."

"I cannot disobey him," said Legolas through gritted teeth. "I am heir to the throne. The Woodland Realm looks to me. I am a good, dutiful son, remember?"

"But you are _in love_ with Matilda," said Tauriel. "Surely that counts for something."

"What would you have me do?" asked Legolas wretchedly.

"You should follow your heart," said Tauriel.

"Last time I did that..." He couldn't finish the sentence.

"Go to Matilda," urged Tauriel. "She feels the same. Myrin tells me that she refuses to speak or eat. You mean everything to her, and she the same to you. Reunite with her and stand against your father. Matilda is not unpopular with the people, and you are beloved of every Mirkwood elf. You can survive, and you will."

"Tauriel," said Legolas. "I have lost her."

"You have not!" said Tauriel fiercely. "She is waiting for you."

Legolas shook his head miserably, but Tauriel jumped to her feet, pulling him up with her.

"_Listen to me_," she shouted. "You are going to have to fight for this. Love is never easy, and if you want Matilda, you will have to make sacrifices. It will be difficult, yes, but you underestimate the strength and power of love. Think on it, and know that your choice will affect all our lives."

Legolas just stared mutely at her. Tauriel left her friend to his thoughts, and returned to her duty.

The day, which had felt like an age to Matilda and Legolas both, drew to a close as the red sun sunk behind the horizon and night enveloped the Woodland Realm like a blanket.

Dawn crept across the world, fresh and tinged with pink, and illuminated the Elvenking's Halls with a kindly warmth which sunk deep into Matilda's bones, waking her gently. She got out of bed, taking care not to disturb Jane, whose face was buried under the bedclothes, and went to the washroom. Looking in the mirror, Matilda saw a pair of red-rimmed dark eyes burning in her pale, oval face. She rubbed her cheeks. She was looking gaunt.

Matilda washed herself, using rose oil on her hair and lavender soap on her skin, and emerged from the washroom in a blue robe feeling refreshed but fragile. The storm of tears had blown over, leaving an aching numbness in Matilda's core, but when Jane looked at her with hope, she smiled reassuringly.

Jane wrapped her arms around Matilda, and the two friends hugged each other tightly. Myrin knocked and entered. His face brightened when he saw Matilda.

"Can I join in?" he asked, not waiting for an answer and encircling them both in a big hug.

"Get off, you great lump," Jane giggled, pushing him away.

Matilda's hollow stomach growled.

"As you wish, my lady," Myrin winked, as Matilda writhed in embarrassment.

He left to get the girls their breakfast; Jane dressed and Matilda found some parchment and a quill. The three of them were quiet that morning, and Matilda was happy. She drew surprisingly accurate portraits of Jane and Myrin as they played a game of chequers. Eventually Jane's flagrant disregard of the rules and blatant cheating became too much for Myrin and he suggested he teach Jane to play the elven flute instead. Jane agreed, and they left to find such an instrument.

Matilda stayed where she was, quietly sketching and snacking on purple grapes. Myrin and Jane returned noisily a couple of hours later, and Matilda looked down at her parchment, startled. Legolas's familiar and boldly-inked eyes gazed back at her. Matilda had been absent-mindedly drawing _Legolas_ without realising it. She screwed it up into a tight, crumpled ball before Jane could pounce on it.

Matilda rubbed her eyes. She couldn't get him out of her mind's eye. He swam before her, as handsome as ever. Matilda sighed. She missed him terribly.

Meanwhile, Legolas had been ordered by his father at midday to take a guard of thirty elves or so out into the forest to clear it of any giant spiders straying into the elves' lands. He had begged leave of sickness, but the king had refused and commanded it of him, sending Tauriel to accompany his son. The nest had bred more spiders than ever, and the elven guard had disposed of a good number of them before they had reached the border.

"_Legolas_!"

Maedhros's shout jerked Legolas out of his thoughts and back to reality. He pushed Matilda out of his mind and whirled around. A spider, five times the size of him, was scuttling towards him with surprising speed. Legolas's arrow stuck the spider deep in one of its evil eyes. It died on the spot. Legolas approached it and tugged his arrow out with a sickening squelching sound. He grimaced and turned to the rest of his guard.

"Look, I can see another one," said Tauriel, darting off through the trees and pulling her bow string taught against her cheek.

"No!" said Legolas, putting a hand on her bow arm. "We must return."

"My lord, our orders were to kill the spiders in our lands," said Tauriel determinedly.

"Indeed," agreed Legolas. "And now we are beyond our borders."

"But-!"

"Come, Tauriel," he said, and Tauriel reluctantly lowered her bow.

"You do not need to say a word," said Legolas, as they walked back together with the guard following them. "I know what you are thinking."

"The spiders will grow in numbers," Tauriel warned.

"And I have no doubt the day will soon come to do something about it," said Legolas.

Tauriel sighed and shook her head.

As Captain of the Guard, she would report to the king after every skirmish. It was late in the evening when they returned, and she climbed the stairs to Thranduil's throne room. He was not there, so she went to his private presence chamber. Tauriel raised her hand to knock, but a familiar hiss on the other side of the door stopped her. She lingered there, and pressed her ear against the sturdy oak of the thick wooden door.

"They have not spoken for these two days." From the hissing voice, Tauriel knew it was Aubron who was with the king.

"And you are sure our plan has been successful?" the king said.

"Yes," said Aubron, and Tauriel squirmed at his awful voice. "The prince is with the guard as we speak, and the girl has stayed in her room."

Tauriel's brown eyes widened. They were discussing Legolas and Matilda.

"She has not ventured out and Legolas has not been in?"

"No," Aubron assured the king. "The girl is miserable and Legolas is not there. Tomorrow we can securely return the humans to their cells, and the prince will forget all about them."

Tauriel seethed. So it had been Aubron's plan; why was that not surprising?

"No one has realised yet, and we must take great precautions to keep it that way," said Thranduil. "If Legolas was to know the truth, it would be disastrous for us both."

What truth? Tauriel strained her ears.

"My lord?" asked Aubron.

"When I bargained with the girl, I told her that she had to demonstrate a pure, unselfish act in true penance for the murder of our sacred elk."

"Very generous of you, my lord," Aubron said smarmily.

"But I did not take into consideration that the girl would fall in love, and I never dreamed that my own son would love her in return. True love is a pure, unselfish deed, Aubron. It is untainted by greed or evil and cannot be destroyed, even by the wicked race of Man. Indeed, it is enough to force me into releasing the humans from their dungeons," the king said. "If we do not succeed in withholding this from them and keeping them separated, not only will we lose our prisoners, but also our prince."

Tauriel's heartbeat quickened.

"That will not happen, my lord," promised Aubron. "I swear on my good name, they will not learn of this and the spawn of Man will not leave our dungeons for the rest of their short lives."

"Your words do you credit, Aubron," the king said. "Now make haste to my son. I wish to dine with him tonight."

"My lord," said Aubron.

Tauriel disappeared in a blink of an eye, and when Aubron exited the chambers, the corridor outside was empty. Tauriel, who had tucked herself behind a tapestry, held her breath until the king's advisor was nowhere to be seen. If she had been discovered with the knowledge she now possessed... well, it wasn't worth dwelling on. Tauriel, who had always been a firm believer in true love, was the last hope for Legolas and Matilda.

Tauriel's hand brushed a wooden ring in the stone wall behind her. She turned the ring curiously, and pushed hard. A door opened and Tauriel grinned. She had found a very clever secret passage. The outside of the wooden door had been skilfully painted to look like stone. A faint light filled the passage, and Tauriel looked up to see skylights and the full moon above her.

_True love is a pure, unselfish deed_.

Of course Thranduil had been so determined to separate Legolas and Matilda, Tauriel thought as she jogged down the passage. It wasn't just because Matilda was a human and Legolas an elf, or even because one was royal and the other a peasant. Her friends would have been able to overcome both of those obstacles, Tauriel knew that. Thranduil hadn't meant for Matilda and the others ever to be released. His deal had been superficial. But now, the truth had left his lips and fallen on the wrong ears.

Tauriel laughed out loud as she went. She was loyal to the king, but if she wasn't loyal to her heart, she knew she didn't have a hope. Legolas and Matilda were meant for each other, Tauriel was as sure of that as she was that the sun rose in the east.

The passage soon came to an end and cautiously Tauriel stepped out of the door on the other side and pushed aside the tapestry. She was near Legolas's chambers and flew across the passage, barely stopping to knock on the door before bursting in. It was a few minutes past midnight now, but Tauriel didn't care; she rushed in to the room like a hurricane.

Then her heart froze and her blood ran cold. Aubron's daughter Eletha was sat beside Legolas on the wide four-poster bed. Their heads, which had been very close, snapped round when Tauriel burst in; Legolas shocked and Eletha horribly smug.

No, thought Tauriel. _No_!

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**Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and thank you to everyone who has reviewed and favourited so far - feel free to keep leaving comments, they keep me writing!**


	10. Of Treason and Conflict

Of Treason and Conflict

Legolas leapt to his feet.

"Tauriel!" he said.

Tauriel ran away, faster than a hare fleeing the hunting hounds. Legolas, just as fast, was after her in a split second. The two elves ran, feet pounding, bloodstream racing. Legolas suddenly put on a spurt of speed and caught Tauriel's arm, pulling her to a sharp halt.

"Tauriel!" he burst out. "That was nothing-"

"I know what it was," snapped Tauriel with no small amount of disdain. "I was not aware that Matilda meant so little to you."

"I was trying to get rid of Eletha!" insisted Legolas. "She barged in and planted herself on my bed. That is hardly my doing."

Tauriel narrowed her eyes and decided to keep her secret to herself for now. Maybe she would go and find Matilda instead, who certainly needed some hope in her life.

"I can go and get rid of her for you, if you would like?" Tauriel said, with a glint in her eye that was only half-joking.

Legolas laughed. "I have no doubt you could, Tauriel," he said.

Tauriel scrutinised her friend's face. "You seem happier," she observed, her own face suddenly solemn.

Legolas sighed, and his mask dropped for a second, revealing the depth of pain in his eyes. Tauriel was the only elf he would have shown his misery; he trusted her above all others. "I cannot get her out of my mind," he said. His voice was so quiet it was a little more than a whisper.

Tauriel gave him a small smile, and Legolas smiled back. But the curve of his lips was strained and it didn't reach his eyes.

"Everything will be alright," said Tauriel, squeezing her friend's shoulder. "In fact, it will be better than 'alright'. It will be wonderful."

"Is that a promise?" Legolas gave a small, incredulous laugh.

"Yes," said Tauriel firmly. "Now go and get that poisonous snake away from your chambers."

The two elves separated. Tauriel spent a sleepless night waiting for sunrise when Matilda would wake to good news. The night seemed to drag on endlessly, but Tauriel left the Halls to find a thick branch. She settled herself on the top branch of a tall tree and gazed at the stars which studded the sky like jewels sewn through a beautiful tapestry. She watched the velvety sky lighten from deep blue to a pale, misty lilac. When the first sunbeams pierced the horizon and the young clouds were tinged with pale orange, Tauriel shot off to speak with Matilda.

Myrin, whose arrival in the girls' room had woken them both up, answered Tauriel's polite knock, then almost toppled backwards down the short flight of stairs as Tauriel buffeted into him.

"Tauriel!" he said indignantly.

"Matilda!" she shouted, and Matilda flew out of the washroom in alarm.

"What is it?" she asked. "What's happened?"

"What Legolas said to you, he did not mean a word of it," said Tauriel, cutting straight to the point. "He was forced by his father. None of that was him speaking."

"Really?" said Matilda, her face cold. "Because it sounded an awful lot like him."

"He misses you desperately," Tauriel insisted. "Think about it. The king would do anything to keep Legolas away from you, especially with Aubron whispering poison into his ear. He gave Legolas the choice between committing treason or telling you he never loved you. Legolas is the future king. What choice did he really have?"

Jane snorted and Matilda shook her head sadly.

"I did not realise until I overheard the king talking with Aubron," said Tauriel. "You were told that in order for you and your friends to be released, you must demonstrate a selfless, untainted act to prove that you were worthy of compassion and goodness-"

"Yes, and much good the deal has done us!" scoffed Jane.

"The king never meant for you to be released. He never meant for you to prove your honourable heart. By keeping you in the Woodland Realm, he has nothing to lose. Letting you go, he has lost his revenge," said Tauriel quickly. "But you were not supposed to fall in love and certainly not with Legolas-"

Myrin gasped. Tauriel nodded.

"_True love is a pure, unselfish deed_," said Tauriel. "If Thranduil keeps his word, your love for Legolas is enough to release you from the Woodland Realm."

"No wonder Aubron was so furious," Myrin exclaimed. "I assumed it was the betrothal, or lack of, to Eletha that was so infuriating to him."

"Matilda!" Jane gasped, and clasped her best friend in a tight hug. "We can go home!"

Matilda had frozen, shocked. Her heart was beating faster and her eyes were welling up. How ironic it was that her love for Legolas was the cause for her release, but also the reason that she wanted to stay in Mirkwood. Jane watched the emotions rage on the battlefield of Matilda's pale face, and squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"I must find Legolas," Matilda said suddenly. "I need him, now."

And without warning, she had crossed the floor in three long bounds, thrown the door open and flew down the corridor like she had a pack of wargs snapping at her heels. Her joy seemed to propel her forwards and Matilda felt as though she could leap through the air, running faster than she ever could remember.

Myrin sprinted after her, shouting, as Matilda raced down a long flight of stairs, tripped on the bottom one, and almost fell over headfirst. Suddenly a long arm blocked her way and she looked up to see the king glaring down at her. He wore blood-red velvet and looked fearsome. "Where do you think you are going?" he said.

He was visibly displeased, but this was nothing new to Matilda. Nothing could dampen the hope soaring in her heart today.

Myrin caught up with her then, and put a hand on her shoulder. "I was escorting her to Lathai, the physician," he invented, boldly lying to his king.

At this, Thranduil lowered his arm, satisfied with his answer. Matilda shot off like an arrow from a bow.

It didn't take her long to find Legolas; Matilda practically fell over him as he walked out of his chambers, dressed in a russet tunic and silver armour.

"_Legolas_," she said, barrelling into him and flinging her arms round him. Legolas was surprised but obviously pleased. Myrin arrived three seconds after Matilda, skidding to a halt. He nodded at his friend and, seeing Matilda was safe, turned on his heel and went back to Jane and Tauriel.

"What is this?" asked Legolas. He had thrown his daggers down in order to catch Matilda and avoid impaling her on one of them.

"TaurieljustfoundoutandIranstraightheretotellyouIt'sfantasticnewsyou'llneverbelieveitWecanbetogether-" said Matilda, panting.

"Woah, slow down," Legolas laughed.

Matilda jumped out of the way as a line of half a dozen or so elves jogged past, casting curious glances at Legolas and Matilda standing together.

"We can have privacy out here," Legolas said, and Matilda followed him out of a silver door into the early-morning sun, just above the river. They sat down on the ledge, dangling their legs off the rock. "Now, what is this excitement all about?"

Matilda smiled at him, and in that smile all the joy and dreams of Middle-Earth were captured into one moment. Legolas's heart thumped. "I know now why your father does not want you to be with me," she said.

"Yes, so do I," said Legolas, subdued. "It is because you are a human, I am an elf, one day I will be king and you cannot be my queen."

This frankness did nothing to deter Matilda. A laugh bubbled out of her. Legolas was confused; he certainly saw nothing to laugh about. "Are you feeling alright?" he asked.

"Yes, yes, never better!" said Matilda, leaning over to kiss Legolas on the cheek.

"Explain yourself!" he ordered. "Tell me what is going on right now!"

"I was going to, silly," said Matilda, and she proceeded to tell Tauriel's tale all over again. "-I love you," she finished. "You told me once that there is nothing in this world stronger than love, and it seems you were right."

Legolas blinked twice. Then he kissed her, and Matilda found that both their cheeks were wet with joyful tears. She pressed her forehead against his, relishing the feel of his cool skin on her hot face.

"Let's melt into time and disappear," whispered Legolas.

The river rushed beneath them and the light breeze played around their entwined figures, and for one magical moment, Matilda believed it could have been possible.

"I've heard that before," smiled Matilda. "From the lips of the greatest elf that ever lived."

Legolas's hand cupped her cheek and she dropped a kiss into his cool palm. "Will you forgive me?" he asked quietly.

"Will you forgive _me_?"

"There is nothing to forgive," Legolas said fiercely. "You have done nothing wrong. I have been the cause of your pain and I hate myself for it. The crime is all mine, not yours.

"There is nothing to forgive," said Matilda gently.

"Matilda-"

"I have forgotten all that you said," she promised. "It is in the past. I am looking to the future."

"_Our_ future." Legolas pulled her to her feet and embraced her gently. "We must go to my father now," he said.

"Myrin?" said Matilda suddenly, as the silver door was flung open with a crash.

Myrin, who had been racing to find them, skidded to a halt with Tauriel and Jane hot on his heels. "Aubron has been sent to hunt you down," he said. "He means to have you imprisoned in the dungeons again. He has guards with him."

"What?!" said Legolas furiously.

"No," Matilda breathed in alarm.

"If Aubron gets to us before we reach the king, Matilda is done for," said Tauriel. "And Jane and Sam and Teddy."

"Done for?" asked Jane worriedly.

Myrin nodded. "They will lock you up in a place where Legolas and Tauriel and I will not be able to find you and release you. You will be put under maximum security. I doubt you would see daylight again-"

"Myrin!" said Tauriel sharply, watching Matilda's horrified face.

"We cannot overpower Aubron's guard," said Myrin. "Not with three of us."

"Five!" Jane said, stamping on his foot.

"Ouch! I am sorry but we do not stand a chance," said Myrin, his eyes wide.

"We have to try," said Tauriel.

"Wait!" said Legolas and looked from Tauriel to Myrin. "I can take care of Matilda and Jane. If you aid us, you will be committing treason. You could be exiled, or worse, executed. I will not have you put yourselves in danger!"

Tauriel laughed derisively. "Are you joking?"

"We are with you Legolas, no matter what you say," said Myrin. "You cannot stop us."

Matilda looked around anxiously. "We are wasting time. We must get to the king as quickly as possible."

Legolas nodded. "Go! Flee!" he said, and they followed him back through the door and down a tapestry-lined passageway.

Matilda clapped a hand over her mouth as a pair of faceless guards rounded the corner ahead of her. Their helmets had never looked so threatening and the points of their spears had never been so sharp. Another pair of guards followed the first, and two more after that.

"The king has sent a full patrol of armoured guards for two young girls?" said Legolas in disbelief.

"Maybe he knew you were going to cause trouble," panted Jane.

"And he was right!" said Myrin, catching Jane's hand in his and pulling her with him.

"Quick!" said Tauriel. "This way!"

She tore back a nearby tapestry and twisted the ring in the wall; a door appeared there revealing a narrow passageway.

"In!" said Legolas, shoving Jane in after Myrin.

"_Stop_!" Aubron shouted, and Matilda heard the thumping of the guards' feet and the clatter of their golden armour as they pursued them.

Legolas and Tauriel threw themselves after the others; Tauriel slammed the door behind them. "Keep going!" she shouted.

"Trust me," puffed Jane. "We're going."

Myrin burst out of the door on the other side, and suddenly the tapestry concealing it was rippling with lumps and bulges as three elves and two girls hurtled into it. One after another, they threw themselves out from under the tapestry.

"Stop, traitors!" roared Aubron, as he and his guards reached the end of the corridor too.

"Not today!" Jane shouted back, slamming the door in his face.

Tauriel strung her bow and Myrin drew a sword with a flash of silver and a wink of sapphire.

"We can hold them off," said Myrin. "Go, you two, go!"

"Don't you dare get yourself injured for us!" warned Matilda, and Jane scoffed with laughter.

"Oh, that's not going to happen. I've had just about enough of Aubron," snapped Jane, her face dark. She whipped a dagger out of Myrin's belt and her eyes glinted dangerously.

"Come on," shouted Legolas, and he and Matilda pounded down the corridor to Thranduil's presence chamber.

They reached the studded door just as the sounds of battle split the air behind them. Matilda's eyes widened as she heard the sound of clashing metal. "You slimy, wicked, lying bastard!" she heard Jane shriek.

The corners of Legolas's mouth twitched with amusement. "I think they have us covered."

Matilda looked at him nervously. She bit her lip.

"Ready?" said Legolas, holding out his hand.

Matilda took it with an uncertain smile. "Ready," she said.

Legolas pounded on his father's door. Without waiting for a reply, he pushed it open, and together, the couple marched in to confront the Elvenking.

"Legolas," Thranduil said immediately when he saw his son. Then, his eyes hardened when he saw whose hand Legolas was attached to. "You!" he snapped at Matilda. "Guards!"

Two guards marched forwards, but Legolas cut them off. "Stay where you are!" he commanded. The guards dithered, not knowing what to do. "My lord, please listen to what we have to say," said Legolas.

Thranduil held up a hand and the guards fell back into their stations. "What is the meaning of this, Legolas?"

Legolas exchanged glances with Matilda. "You lied to me," he said. "You expected me to end my relationship with Matilda due to differences of race and status-"

"Do not question my judgement, Legolas," snapped Thranduil. "I am your father and your king."

"Yes," said Legolas angrily. "And as a father I did not know your word was dishonourable and untrustworthy."

"_Legolas_!"

"You made a bargain with Matilda to seem good and merciful to our people, but you only gave her false hope. Now I realise you meant for the humans never to be released. You meant to keep them in our dungeons for the rest of their lives. You did not mean for Matilda to stumble upon a deed of selflessness, but she has!" Legolas said with a rush, his voice increasing in volume at every word he said.

The king's intense eyes had widened and his forehead creased. "How dare you speak to me like that?!"

"I dare because it is love which drives me," said Legolas defiantly.

"You do not know what you are speaking of-!"

"Love," Legolas repeated. "I am in love with Matilda."

"And I love your son," said Matilda quietly.

Thranduil looked horrified. He ground his teeth together and his hands clenched into fists.

Legolas's hand tightened around hers. "My lord, you told Matilda that if she demonstrated a selfless deed of worth, she and her companions would be released from Mirkwood. True love is a pure, unselfish deed. As you promised, you must give her, Jane and their brothers their freedom back."

If Matilda had thought she had seen the Elvenking at his fiercest and most furious prior to this moment, she was rapidly being proven wrong. Thranduil drew himself up to his full height, crown resplendent on his white-gold hair. "I _must_ do nothing. I am the king."

"And a good king would stay true to his word," snapped Legolas.

"It does not matter to me what you, or anyone else, thinks of me," shouted Thranduil. "Your human wench will not escape these walls. She will return to the dungeons where she belongs. It was a mistake ever to give her leave of them. You know nothing of love and you will forget about her, Legolas."

"I will not," he shouted back. "And I will never forgive you for this."

"I do not seek your forgiveness!"

"Then I shall leave," Legolas shouted. "I have elves loyal to me, and all four humans will leave with me. I will end your line of kings and you will never see me again."

"You _will_ obey me!"

"Will I?" Legolas challenged. Without realising it, he had dropped Matilda's hand, and it now flew to the hilt of his sword which hung at his left hip.

Thranduil was aghast. "You would not dare take up arms against me!"

Legolas drew his sword from its sheath, the metal flashing threateningly.

"Why can you not see what that witch has done to you?!" the king shouted. His accusing finger pointed at Matilda, he started towards her.

The point of Legolas's sword whisked around and pressed against Thranduil's throat. "If you touch her, I will kill you."

"High treason!" shouted the king, drawing his own sword. It clashed against that of his son, and the two elves glared at each other with equal ferocity.

The fine hairs on the back of Matilda's neck were standing up on end to see father and son at arms against the other. "Stop this madness," she cried, fearful they were really going to harm each other.

"Keep your word, father, please," Legolas said, more gentle at the sound of Matilda's voice. He lowered his sword. The pair of king's guards that had been standing back until now suddenly pounced on Legolas's arms. His sword fell to the ground and he was forced to his knees.

"No!" said Matilda, springing forwards.

"Don't move Matilda!" Legolas shouted, as one of the guards held a knife to his throat. He had committed high treason, not only threatening to slay the king but also drawing arms against him. He knew he would have to suffer the punishment.

Matilda stumbled to a halt. "Please don't hurt him," she sobbed.

* * *

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	11. Of Anger and Allies

Of Anger and Allies

"Silence, wench!" the king bellowed, pointing his long sword in Matilda's direction.

Tears rolled down Matilda's cheeks, and she sobbed quietly, not daring to utter a sound. Thranduil's eyes, dark with rage, flicked to his defiant son.

Suddenly, Legolas's fists flew upwards and backwards, fast as a striking viper, punching the two guards in the face. Legolas snatched up his sword from the ground. His eyes flared with some kind of madness, a fury that even his father had never seen before. He raised his sword and struck his father, whose own blade parried it with equal strength. Matilda screamed and clapped her hands over her mouth.

Legolas did not hear her; he attacked his father again and again, swords flashing, robes flying. Thranduil, the skilled veteran warrior, was more than a match for his son. He was taller and well-built, but surprisingly fast. Legolas, although wiry and strong, did not have the king's invaluable experience of three thousand years and more. Matilda was frozen where she stood as the two magnificent elves, their hair swirling and their blades whipping through the air, circled each other. First, Legolas seemed to gain the upper hand, but then the king, kicking Legolas's legs from underneath him, brought his sword down hard, swiping his son's blade from his hands and sent it spinning across the room.

Legolas, helpless on his back and held completely at the king's mercy, gazed up at his irate father, with fear in his eyes. Thranduil's heart leapt into his throat when he saw the horror and sadness in Legolas's eyes. This was his boy, his own son. Matilda sobbed quietly in the corner as the guards recovered; leaping onto Legolas and pulling him roughly back from the king.

"_Please_," Matilda begged, as Legolas was forced to his knees again.

Thranduil's eyes flamed with rage at her insolence, but Legolas's smooth words tumbled out of his mouth. He could hardly stop them rolling off his tongue. "My lord, I have no wish to go against you, or to leave my birthright and responsibility, and I know you are a good king. I know you are just and fair, and it would be your very last desire to be the cause of my misery. I simply ask that you show your word to be honourable and your promises true. Please, my lord, if you hold me in any love, indeed in any regard at all, release Matilda, Jane, Teddy and Sam from your kingdom. You know how precious love is, my lord, and finding it to be true. It should never be squandered or given up so easily. What sort of elf would I be if I did not fight for my true love? You never speak of my mother, my lord, but I know this is not what she would have wished for. She would not want us fighting each other."

The king's mouth had fallen open at this extraordinary speech. He waved away his guards but Legolas remained on his knees in front of his father, head bowed. Over his son's fair head, Thranduil met Matilda's eyes. Matilda did not know what he was looking for, but somewhere in her eyes he found the answer. The king bowed his head to her, and Matilda saw that he had been defeated; all the fight had gone out of him.

"Rise, Legolas," he said.

Legolas stood. He had to look up at his father, who gazed back at him with all his anger now drained from him, but Legolas lost none of his dignity.

"Pick up your sword."

Legolas took his blade from the floor and sheathed it again. He handed his father a short roll of parchment. Picking up ink and quill, the king wrote a few lines, signing it at the end. He dripped hot red wax onto the parchment and pressed his signet ring deep into it. Then he placed it in Legolas's hand. Matilda did not see the look which passed between them as Legolas pocketed the parchment. Matilda thought it was odd that such a seemingly small and insignificant scrap of parchment and a few lines of ink held so much store for their futures, literally held her life or death in the balance.

The king beckoned Matilda forward. "You, and all three of your companions, are free to go from Mirkwood," he said stiffly. "I release you now from your captivity. Your deeds have shown themselves to be those of love, which as Legolas has said, if it is indeed true, is pure and selfless."

Legolas and Matilda both bowed low in their gratitude.

"Thank you, my lord," said Matilda. She thought she should say something else, but didn't want to risk saying the wrong thing.

Legolas, not tempting fate, ushered Matilda out of the king's chambers with as much haste as he could. Only once the door was safely closed on Thranduil did Legolas catch hold of Matilda's hand.

"We did it!" laughed Matilda, and Legolas lifted her into an embrace and spun her round. He kissed her before setting her back on her feet.

"Come, we must find the others!" said Legolas.

Matilda grinned. "I'm finally free!" she exclaimed. "Free!"

She danced down the corridor, arms outstretched, skirts whirling, long hair spinning, with Legolas flying after her.

"They've gone," she said suddenly, stopping still. "Where are they?"

The passageway where the skirmish had taken place was clear to see. Arrows were embedded into the walls and steel blades had ripped the tapestry guarding the secret door, which now hung wide open. Long thin lines had been carved into the walls and across the floor where swords had been swung and missed their target.

"Tauriel," said Legolas, pulling an arrow from the tapestry, examining it and then throwing it away. He pointed at the marks on the floor. "It looks like more guards joined the fight."

"Oh no," said Matilda, instinctively biting the nail of her right thumb out of anxiety for her friends. "What if something's happened to them? What if they are injured...bleeding?"

"Hey, hey," said Legolas softly, lowering Matilda's hand from her mouth. "Do not fret, my love. They will not be harmed."

"But-!"

"Listen to me, nothing can touch us now. Nothing can touch our friends," whispered Legolas. "We are safe from Aubron and any guards he might summon. As long as I have this order," he patted his chest, "we will be alright."

He lowered his head to kiss Matilda, and their arms encircled each other immediately. Matilda felt like she was flying. He was a prince. He was filled with such wisdom and beauty and danger. He was so magical. And he was holding her in his arms, loving her. Matilda bubbled over with happiness…

"_No_!"

A piercing shriek echoed down the passageway. Matilda's head snapped back and then sideways and saw Aubron, flanked by two armoured guards, running towards them. She half-stepped behind Legolas, who put his arms out to protect her.

"No!" Aubron shouted again. "I will not allow this to happen!"

Matilda's stomach turned at the sight and sound of him. Every fibre of her being was repulsed by him.

"It has already happened," Legolas said, taking Matilda's hand firmly in his. "And there is nothing you can do to stop it!"

Tauriel, Jane and Myrin thundered up the corridor after Aubron, skidding to a stop when they saw Legolas and Matilda. Jane searched Matilda's face for a sign and Matilda's mouth stretched into a wide grin. She winked at Myrin, whose face relaxed and grinned back at her.

"Never," Aubron hissed in a low and dangerous voice. "Curse you all! I will be dead before I see that whore walk out of these Halls alive."

"That can be arranged!" Myrin snapped, displaying a sudden vicious side that Matilda had never seen before. He whipped his dagger out of his belt and held it to Aubron's chest. In unison the two guards drew their swords too and pointed them at Myrin.

"Peace, Myrin," said Jane, touching his arm.

"We are acting on the orders of the King of the Woodland Realm," said Legolas, pulling the precious parchment out of his pocket with a flourish. "And you would not want to be seen defying your king, would you, Aubron?"

Aubron's grey eyes scanned the parchment. Matilda saw immediately that something was wrong. Confusion flickered through those dark eyes, then realisation, then joy, etched over every inch of his face. When he looked up at them, it was with a blaze of wicked triumph. Matilda's heart plummeted to her boots.

"Arrest Aubron of the House of Blackwood on a charge of treason," said Legolas, raising his voice to speak to the guards behind Aubron. "Lock him in a cell and bring the key to me."

"Legolas-" said Matilda, sensing that they would not yet be rid of the king's advisor so easily.

"Not so fast," Aubron said, holding up a hand to stop his guards. "This parchment is a warrant for the arrest of Matilda of Esgaroth, Jane of Esgaroth, Tauriel of Mirkwood and Myrin of Mirkwood."

Matilda gasped; Legolas was horrified. "What? No! On what charge?!" he burst out.

Aubron seemed to relish the words, "High treason."

"No, you are lying!"

Aubron tossed the open roll of parchment back to Legolas, whose eyes flew across the lines of writing. Matilda looked past the guards to see Myrin and Tauriel gently drawing their long daggers from their belts. Ever so slowly, so she did not attract the attention of the guards by the noise, Jane reached to the floor and picked up a fallen bow and a quiver of a dozen arrows. Matilda bit her lip, and her eyes met Tauriel's, who nodded.

Unaware of the silent communication going on, Aubron tapped the bottom of the parchment. "Have you read the last of my orders? Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood, is to be restrained and put under confinement in his chambers until His Majesty sees fit to release him, by order of Thranduil, King of Mirkwood."

"I do not understand," said Legolas, seemingly at a loss for words. He re-read the parchment but Aubron had other ideas.

"Arrest these elves and these humans!" he cried.

It did not occur to him that in this instance he was outnumbered three to five. Silently, Tauriel and Myrin had stepped forward and slipped their swords into a gap in the shoulder armour of the guards. They fell to the floor with a clatter of metal.

Aubron gasped with horror as chaos broke out around him. Matilda and Jane ran into each other's arms, Myrin knelt to the floor and began collecting knives and arrows from the previous fight, Legolas began pacing and Tauriel pointed her sword straight at his throat.

"You are murderers!" Aubron snarled. "You have just killed two of my guard, your own people!"

"We have not killed them," said Tauriel calmly, pressing Aubron back against the wall with her sword. "They are merely wounded, and will recover within a fortnight with Lathai's treatment."

"Why would he do this to me?" muttered Legolas, still pacing.

"How dare you-?" Aubron began, but was cut off as Tauriel pressed the sword dangerously close to breaking the skin of his throat.

"Silence! Legolas, do you have to do this now?" Tauriel called, when Legolas struck the wall with his fist, the parchment crumpled up inside it. "What are we going to do with him?"

Matilda looked around her and picked up a heavy vase standing on a nearby pedestal. "This!" she said, slamming the vase down on Aubron's head. It smashed all over him, shards flying everywhere. He crumpled and slithered to the floor, where he lay still.

"Someone will have heard that. We have to go!" said Myrin.

"Into the passageway!" said Legolas, pushing Jane in.

For what felt like the millionth time, Tauriel found herself running down the secret corridor, feet pounding. She cursed and began speaking rapidly in Elvish.

"How about you speak in the Common Tongue so Matilda and I know what's going on too?" suggested Jane, and Tauriel turned to look at her, smacking her in the face with her long red hair as she did so. "What?" said Jane. "Or Matilda and I might start speaking in...Man-ish."

Matilda couldn't help but chuckle. "Man-ish?" she hissed.

"Shut up-" said Jane.

But Tauriel began speaking in the Common Tongue everyone could understand, silencing Jane. "What have we done? What have we caused?"

"A riot," Legolas replied, running. "We do not have a choice. To keep ourselves safe, we must leave the Halls and go on the run."

"Become fugitives from your own father?" Tauriel asked, unsure if she had heard right.

"Yes," said Legolas firmly.

Whilst the elves called to each other as they ran, Jane took Matilda's hand. "Good shot with that vase!" she whispered, and they shared a giggle despite the danger they were in.

"How can we get out of the kingdom?" Myrin asked, the tension straining in his voice clear. "They will be hunting us."

"Matilda has bought us some time by knocking Aubron out but we do not have long," said Legolas.

"I will smuggle the girls out. I know a passage from the armoury and no one will be in there at this time of day. We will collect weapons on the way. Legolas, you are still the prince and the alarm will not have been raised yet; go with Myrin and collect supplies. We have a long journey ahead of us."

"You are sure you will be safe?" asked Legolas.

"I can take care of it," insisted Tauriel. "We will meet you at the southern gate. You just try not to excite any more attention."

"Of course not," said Legolas, darkly.

"I can see the end of the passage!" called Myrin suddenly.

"Thank heavens!" panted Jane. "I will never get used to all the running I have had to do since leaving home."

Myrin flung the door open and they filed out. Matilda's cheeks were rosy and Jane's eyes were streaming.

"Now, you be careful-" Matilda began to say to Legolas, when a war-cry filled the corridor.

"Not again!" cried Jane, spinning on her toes.

"I have reached the very end of my tether, I do declare, with all this unholy stomping and stamping up and down this corridor like a herd of dim-witted elks was rampaging within our walls! I am deafened and I demand to know what is going on here! How is a good elf supposed to get any _sleep_ with all this _thundering_-?!"

"Hello, Tehlmar," Matilda smiled at the dancing-master, who had charged towards them brandishing a sword, but was now lowering his curved weapon sheepishly. His glossy black hair was immaculate as usual, despite his claim to have been sleeping.

"Ah," he said, and his face split into a grin at the sight of her. "My beautiful Matilda! How do you fare?"

"Well-" said Matilda.

"You are well? I am pleased to hear it," said Tehlmar, and his eyes flashed round. "Now, have you seen the miscreants who were thundering up and down here but a moment ago?"

"We were not _thundering_," muttered Jane.

Tehlmar ignored her. "Hmm," he stroked his chin. "How odd. They must have disappeared."

"Odd indeed," said Legolas.

Tehlmar pretended to jump out of his skin, executing a delicate little hop and skip to accentuate his point. He pressed a hand to his heart. "My lord, I did not see you there." He bowed low, with lots of flourishing of his hands. Then, he tensed and Matilda saw his pointed ears twitching. "And what is that I hear? The thundering of footsteps?"

Jane and Matilda, who didn't hear anything, exchanged glances, but the four elves with their hypersensitive hearing were suddenly on edge.

"They are coming for us," hissed Tauriel. "The alarm will soon be raised."

"_Ah-ha_!" shouted Tehlmar. Matilda jumped. "I know _exactly_ what is going on! Those noisy vagabonds thought they would double back on themselves and then thunder down here past my chambers again. _Well_! We shall certainly see about that!"

"Tehlmar, what are you doing?" asked Legolas.

"I declare, the next elf to come out of that secret passageway, will not know what has hit him," the dancing-master said fiercely. "Disturbing my rest like this! I will not have it!"

"Tehlmar, they will know you aided us," said Tauriel. "You will be incarcerated."

"_Ha_!" Tehlmar's face split into a wicked grin. He winked at Matilda. "There is not an elf alive who could ever catch Tehlmar, for he is faster than a deer and as light as a feather!" The dancing-master did a quick little dance on the balls of his feet, bouncing in all directions. "See his perfect footwork! See how his feet fly!"

"As fast as a deer, as light as a feather and as intelligent as a rock," Jane whispered disloyally into Matilda's ear.

Matilda didn't hear her; she exchanged glances with Tauriel, grinning with amusement. Myrin's face was working furiously as he struggled not to laugh too.

"Does he always refer to himself in third person?" Jane wondered under her breath.

"I thank you, Tehlmar. I shall not forget your loyalty," said Legolas, clasping his hand for a moment. "Come, Myrin. We must go now."

"Legolas," said Matilda anxiously.

Legolas turned, cupped her face and kissed her briefly. "Stay hidden and stay safe. We will be back with you within a few minutes. Tauriel, do not let them out of your sight, do you understand?"

"Legolas!" Tauriel admonished indignantly. As he and Myrin jogged away down the corridor, she called after him; "I am not stupid! They are my friends too!" She turned to Jane and Matilda. "We must go too. Or they will burst out of the passage and fall over us."

"Which would never do!" said Tehlmar. He suddenly clasped Matilda's shoulders and gave her a big kiss with a loud '_mwaaah_' sound on each cheek. Before Jane could fend him off, he had done the same to her. "Run like the wind, beautiful girls!" he said.

Matilda hugged him tight. "I shall dance. Dancing is floating upon the music," she whispered in his ear. "Thank you for everything, Tehlmar."

"Matilda!" growled Tauriel. "Do you have a death-wish? Are you asking to get captured?"

"No," she replied, smiling sadly at Tehlmar, who winked cheerfully back at her, and joining Tauriel and Jane.

"Then we must flee," said Tauriel. "Follow me."

* * *

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	12. Of Friendship and Freedom

Of Friendship and Freedom

The three of them hurried down the passage, turning left at the end. Tauriel led them through a labyrinthine maze of carved wood, velvet tapestries and glittering glass. Matilda knew that even if she lived here for a thousand years she would never be able to remember where everything was.

"Careful!" hissed Jane suddenly, as a small group of elven maids and manservants rounded the corner.

Tauriel suddenly grabbed their shoulders and shoved the two girls in front of her. "Keep your eyes on the floor and your hands behind you," she whispered, and even Jane obeyed instantly. Tauriel nodded at the elves as they passed. It definitely _looked_ like the Captain of the Guard was escorting the two infamous prisoners somewhere, perhaps to a new prison.

Once they were alone again, Matilda's heart was still thumping.

"Keep running," said Tauriel.

"I'm tired," Jane complained.

"If you refuse to run, I will go and hand you over to the king myself for he would be certain to catch you anyway," said Tauriel. "Run slowly, then, and let me go first."

The further they went, the narrower and rougher the corridors became. There were no tapestries down here, no decorative shields, and certainly no jewelled columns. The ceiling was low, and it became darker.

"Where are we?" Jane breathed.

"It wouldn't be a secret door if anyone could stumble upon it," Tauriel replied.

She stopped abruptly and pressed her ear against the wall. She tapped gently on it, then listened hard again. There was a ledge in the wall and Tauriel began running her long fingers up and down it, tapping every so often, and listening.

"That does it," Jane remarked. "She's gone crazy. The strains of captaincy have finally caught up with her."

"Put your tongue behind your teeth, Jane," said Tauriel. "And go to the end of the corridor, look round the corner and tell me if anyone is coming."

Jane crept along the passage, peered slowly round and shook her head.

"Good," said Tauriel, thumping the wall suddenly. A little above knee-height, a door slid back, leaving a rather dirty passageway.

"How are we supposed to get through there?!" Jane asked, horrified.

"By getting your hands dirty," Tauriel replied calmly.

"Crawl!" said Matilda, dropping to her hands and knees and going in first.

"You know, you really should pass on my most grateful thanks to your architect," Jane grunted as she followed Matilda. "For building all these helpful little secret passageways so that we can escape!"

"If I see him," Tauriel ground out. She was having more trouble than the girls, being taller, and also having to turn round to put the invisible wooden door back into place, all in pitch-darkness.

"You architect could have been more thoughtful and given us a light source," complained Jane.

Matilda knew that sarcasm and snippy comments were Jane's way of coping, but she didn't want her upsetting Tauriel, their rescuer. She nudged her foot backwards, and lightly kicked Jane, her toes connecting with her friend's forehead.

"Matilda!" Jane shouted.

"Shut up," said Matilda.

"Don't tell me to shut-!"

"No, seriously, shut up. I've reached the end!" said Matilda. "Tauriel, is it safe? What do I do?"

"Push gently on it. It is not locked. The door should just swing open," Tauriel called.

Matilda did so. The door swung open to reveal the empty armoury, but getting out of the passage posed a problem. There wasn't enough room to rearrange herself to that her legs went through first, and the floor was far enough away for it to hurt if she fell out headfirst. Matilda settled for a clumsy headfirst roly-poly, using her arms to cushion the fall. She stood up, rubbing her bruised elbow.

"Graceful," laughed Jane, as Matilda helped her out.

Matilda bit her lip and tried not to laugh. Jane had a muddy footprint stamped across her forehead from where Matilda had nudged her. She licked a finger and rubbed it off for her. Matilda then helped Tauriel out, who shut the door and locked it with a key taken from her silver ring of keys.

"Collect the weapons we will need, but do it quietly. There are guards outside," Tauriel said, and with Matilda, she did a sweep of the armoury, slipping daggers and throwing knives into her belt. Matilda, on the other hand, picked up two bows and two quivers of arrows, slinging them all onto her back. The armoury was large and a beautiful room, with large curving arches and high, clear windows. Weapons of the highest quality lined every visible surface and yet more were packed into wooden chests and stored on shelves high in the rafters. Jane was unimpressed by her surroundings; she picked up a silver sword, but got distracted.

"Oh, you weren't joking when you said we would get our hands dirty," she said, staring sadly at the mud and dust smeared across her palms.

"Come, we must meet Legolas and Myrin at the eastern gate," said Tauriel, going to the door. She opened it and stepped outside. "Hide!" she hissed suddenly, and Matilda and Jane stepped behind the door, pressing themselves back against the wall.

A male elf with dark-brown hair walked in, saying to Tauriel, "I am collecting my master's armour."

He walked straight past the two girls, both of whom had almost stopped breathing.

"Why is there never a vase nearby when you need one?" Jane whispered in Matilda's ear.

"I am ever so sorry about this, Raenor," Tauriel said suddenly, swinging a shield off of the wall. She cracked it down on Raenor's head, and he fell to the ground, unconscious.

"Stay here," whispered Tauriel. She crept away, but was back within the minute. "Come on."

The three friends left the armoury quickly, and rushed down the corridor, less careful now that there was an injured elf in their wake. They tiptoed past three unconscious guards who Tauriel must have taken care of. Matilda hadn't realised how close they were to getting out; it wasn't long before Tauriel ducked into an alcove and pushed open a small door.

Matilda's eyes widened. She saw her freedom.

The sun was slowly lowering in the sky, but Matilda and Jane only saw all the beauty of the world after days on end of being cooped inside. They breathed in gulps of air and smiled at the fluttering leaves on the branches of the graceful trees all around them. The heady forest smell hit Matilda's nose and she breathed appreciatively.

"So beautiful," said Matilda.

"Yes, it is lovely," said Tauriel absent-mindedly, looking around. "Legolas and Myrin are not here yet. Come, we must hide."

Jane and Matilda followed the she-elf into the woods. Tauriel's hair was the same colour as the fallen leaves that were scattered around their feet. They hurried along a ridge, concealed by the line of trees, and looked out to the southern gate. It was a tall silver pair of doors, one was open, one shut, with a handful of golden-armoured guards standing to attention outside it, their spears straight.

"What do we do now?" Matilda asked, looking to Tauriel.

"Now we wait," she said, settling herself on a tree stump, half-concealed by a bush so that she could spy on the elves at the southern gate. "Do not stray into the forest."

Matilda and Jane sat down too, heaving their weapons off their shoulders, and resting.

The sun sunk lower in the sky and all three of them began to worry about the whereabouts of Myrin and Legolas. Tauriel coped with her anxiety by being absolutely silent, eyes fixed on the gate; Jane was her usual, obnoxious self, talking to herself as no one else was listening, and Matilda paced up and down, having to be reminded by Tauriel every so often to stay out of sight.

"They should be back by now. What if they've been captured and imprisoned?" Matilda stressed. "They might be torturing them to reveal where we are. Oh no."

"Here," said Tauriel suddenly, reaching up and picking a handful of shiny lilac berries off a branch. "Eat them. They're nice." She put one in her own mouth and the girls hesitantly tried the fruit. The berries were sweet and fleshy, but Tauriel stopped them before they could eat too many. "No more or they will put you to sleep," she said. At this, Jane spat out a mouthful of lilac mush.

"Disgusting!" said a half-amused voice behind them. They all jumped and Myrin grinned at them.

"Thank goodness," said Jane, giving Myrin a brief hug.

"I was so worried!" said Matilda, flinging her arms around Legolas, who hugged her tightly.

"Are you alright?" he asked, concerned.

"Yes," Matilda said, breathing in his comforting scent.

"Here," he said, wrapping a warm brown cloak around her shoulders and dropping a kiss on her forehead. "It will get cold at night."

Tauriel said something sharp in Elvish to him, and he replied tersely in the same language.

"We could not get horses," Myrin said to the girls. "They have raised the alarm and there are guards everywhere."

"We thought you'd been captured!" scolded Jane, slapping his arm.

"There were some...complications," Myrin said delicately, glancing at Legolas.

"What?" Matilda gave Legolas a hard look.

"No longer relevant," said Legolas. "Now, we must make haste. I want to put as much distance as possible between my father and us before nightfall."

"What about our brothers?" Matilda said suddenly. "In leaving, we put them in even more danger. Maybe we condemn them to death. Can we not break them out too?"

"Not now," said Myrin. "They are hunting every inch of the Halls for us. The guard will be doubled around Sam and Teddy."

Matilda looked at Legolas hopefully.

He shook his head. "I am sorry, Matilda. There is nothing we can do now."

"Despite everything, our king is not a cold-blooded murderer," said Tauriel.

"Their youth and innocence of our whereabouts will protect them," Legolas added.

"Maybe," said Matilda. "But Aubron will have no such qualms about executing them in order to punish me."

"Aubron, if he has even recovered yet, will be too preoccupied with our disappearance to spare a thought for two boys tucked away in the very heart of the Halls," said Legolas. "It is our safety I fear for now. We must hurry. Now."

He shook the contents of a leather satchel out onto the ground. He and Myrin had raided a clothes chest somewhere. Matilda put on the woollen jacket she was handed, and Jane did the same, muttering under her breath. Tauriel and Matilda distributed the weapons they had acquired between them, and Myrin, Legolas and Tauriel all picked up a satchel of provisions. Matilda tightened a strap on her quiver and looked up. Legolas was smiling at her, and held out his hand.

She took it and they set off, jogging lightly, then walking in short bursts through the forest. The elves were fearless of the darkness and eerie silence; Tauriel seemed to know exactly where she was going and she led the small company further into the vast forest. Matilda wondered if they had just left behind a small danger for an even worse one.

The tree trunks became wider and the roots became thicker and higher; Jane and Matilda both needed a hand to climb over them and Matilda's feet began to hurt. Their progress was slower as it got harder and harder to run. The moon was non-existent; the only light they had was that from small, flickering lanterns carried by Myrin and Legolas, apparently only for the girls' benefit. The elves seemed to combine their better eyesight with a faultless intuition to navigate their way through the blackness.

Night began to descend over Mirkwood Forest but no owls hooted in the trees, no foxes barked, no mice scuttled beneath their feet. It was the silence that spiked Matilda's nerves most. Her eyes searched the darkness for a danger that she was sure would come. There was an evil in the air of the forest that seeped into Matilda's heart and mind, and she wondered if she would ever feel joyful again. It felt like a hand was closing around her throat, twisting it until she felt ill and breathless. A tear slipped down her cheek but she brushed it away before anyone, especially Legolas, could notice. Silently, Matilda prayed that her courage would not fail her, but it was difficult as she grew more and more physically and emotionally exhausted.

"Please," gasped Jane, just as she stumbled and fell with a thud on the forest floor. "I can't go any further without a rest!"

Legolas and Tauriel stopped, looking surprised. Legolas looked at Matilda, who had sat down beside her friend, breathing heavily.

"Why did you not say something before?" asked Legolas, giving Jane a water gourd.

Matilda looked at him incredulously.

"Bread?" Myrin asked, breaking a loaf in half and offering one to Matilda and the other to Jane. The girls fell on the food like they hadn't eaten in months, tearing ravenously at the crust without manners.

"Will we never see our home and our families again?" Jane lamented, so quietly that only Matilda could have heard her. There was a deep fear in Jane's eyes which let Matilda know that the depression Mirkwood had cast over her was affecting Jane as well.

"We cannot afford to stop," Tauriel said doubtfully. Her eyes flicked through the trees nervously. "We are not far enough away to set up a camp for the night."

"I know you would be faster if we were not here-" said Matilda.

"Can you keep walking?" Legolas asked, lifting her to her feet.

Matilda nodded.

"I will carry Jane," said Myrin, and Jane clambered onto his back, wrapping her arms round his neck and resting her tired head on his shoulder.

"Come on," said Legolas in a low voice. From then on, he kept Matilda at his side, his hand resting gently on her back. Together, they brought up the rear of the procession.

Matilda shivered, suddenly glad of her warm cloak. Her vision was blurring.

"Are you cold?" Legolas asked.

"No," said Matilda. "There's something about this forest which scares me. Especially after nightfall." If only Legolas could have known what it cost Matilda to lie to him and make light of the great evil and terrible fear she was experiencing.

Legolas nodded. "I understand."

"And-" Matilda bit her lip.

"Go on," urged Legolas gently. "What is it that troubles you, my love?"

She swallowed. "I am scared. My family and my town will be in danger now we have escaped," Matilda blurted out. "Lake-town is the first place the king's guards will look for us."

"No," said Legolas comfortingly. "My father knows me well. He knows I would not take you there or risk endangering your people. Your family are safe, do not fear."

"So where are we going?" Matilda asked, looking up at him. He put his hands on her waist and lifted her up onto a particularly large root, leaping up on agile feet behind her. Legolas did not answer. Matilda jumped down from the root, and turned sharply on him. "You don't know where you're taking us, do you?"

She swayed slightly, suddenly unbalanced, and had to hold his arm for a moment to steady herself.

"No," Legolas admitted. "But I do know that we have to leave the Woodland Realm to keep ourselves safe. We must keep going west."

"And north," said Tauriel, falling back to join the conversation. "The spiders spawn in the south. I think it would be wise to avoid them if possible."

"Yes," said Matilda dryly. "That might be best."

"We could head to Rivendell," Myrin suggested. "Our kin would shelter us there."

"No," said Tauriel, falling back to join the conversation. "Jane and Matilda should be with their own people."

Matilda sighed heavily, miserable. "We will never see our home again, will we?"

None of the elves replied to that for none of them knew the answer. Matilda took three more steps forward, then she sighed and her legs buckled underneath her. Legolas dived backwards and only just managed to catch her before she hit the floor, unmoving.

"_Matilda_!" he cried out, opening one of her eyelids.

"Legolas," said Tauriel gently, putting a hand on his shoulder. "She has fainted. She will be fine. It is the powers of Mirkwood bewitching her weak mind-" At this, Legolas made an angry sound and turned on Tauriel, who shrugged. "She is only human. The air here is like a drug to them."

"Jane is unconscious too," said Myrin, who had stopped and lowered Jane onto a leafy bank.

"We will move faster now," Tauriel said. "Our eyes are sharper and our steps quicker."

"Tauriel!" said Legolas. "Do not insult Matilda in front of me."

"I was not," she replied. "I was merely making an observation. Now, shall we move?"

Legolas picked Matilda up in front of him; her head lolled onto his shoulder, and Myrin did the same with Jane. They were not heavy for the elves, and did not much impede their movement as they continued their journey through the night.

They joined a long-forgotten elven path, so secret and disused that even Tauriel began to struggle to keep following it. The three elves, their footsteps silent, quickly moved between the looming black shapes of the forest. Their ears were pricked and Tauriel's hand did not stray from her bow as though she was expecting to be attacked at any moment. A twig snapped behind her and she spun round, an arrow pointing straight at Myrin's throat. He looked innocently back at her. "Sorry," he said mildly.

"Myrin!" barked Tauriel, her shoulders tense.

"Peace, Tauriel," said Legolas.

Tauriel met his gaze with exasperation. "You forget, my lord, that there is most likely a guard of heavily-armoured elves behind us who outnumber us tenfold and are not bearing two unconscious humans in their load."

"Tauriel!" snapped Legolas. "I do not forget, but it does not achieve any good dwelling on it. You would do well to remember _that_."

But Tauriel was obstinate. "I have trained these elves, Legolas. We do not stand a chance if they catch us."

"We must protect Matilda," he replied.

"And Jane," Myrin added.

"Yes," Legolas agreed.

"But we do not even have a plan," Tauriel worried. "We do not have any friends, any allies. We are hopelessly vulnerable, Legolas."

"We are not hopeless," he said. "We have the strength of love and friendship, and," he looked at her sharply, "our courage."

Tauriel pressed her lips together and nodded.

"I need you with me, my friend," said Legolas.

"It did not even cross my mind to leave you," said Tauriel. "We have all come too far to turn back now."

"And you are our prince," said Myrin. "We would lay down our lives for you."

Legolas's smile faded. "I am not a prince anymore," he said. "I have abandoned my birthright in running away like this."

"No," said Tauriel gently. "You were born a prince and you will die a prince. You cannot deny who you are, no matter how far you may venture."

Legolas smiled at her. "For one so young, you have a wise head on your shoulders," he said.

"Do not patronise me, my friend; I fear you will not like the consequences," laughed Tauriel.

"Just...keep going," said Legolas, but when Tauriel and Myrin had moved in front of him, he stopped smiling for their benefit. He kissed Matilda's pale forehead and tried to calm his restless nerves.

Had he endangered the lives of his friends even more? Tauriel was right; they had no plan to follow, no allies in the world and nowhere to go. He felt responsible for this small company, and now for their fates. Was he going mad? They had struck out into the unknown, three elves and two young girls, without thinking of the consequences. Had he condemned them all to death? Legolas, doubts swirling through his fearful mind, pressed onwards with his faithful friends through the long night, praying that Fortune would be kind to him this time.

* * *

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	13. Of Strangers and Kindness

Of Strangers and Kindness

Dawn broke the next day and fog rolled in with it, off the Misty Mountains, down across the Great River and into the forest. But the trees of Mirkwood were becoming sparser and lighter and less threatening so the fog was not perplexing to the elves. A young, sweetly oblivious, grey-brown rabbit hopped past them on its merry way, brushing against Legolas's ankle. He gently set Matilda down, propping her back against a tree and making sure she was comfortable.

"We are nearly out of the forest," said Legolas, examining the bark of a nearby tree trunk.

"And not too soon," Myrin remarked, setting Jane down on a soft, mossy bank.

"I can hear birdsong," said Tauriel, smiling, and as if to prove her point, a large blackbird hopped off a branch far above them and caught the wind, soaring high above the leaves.

Matilda stirred, and he leapt back to her side. "Where am I?" she asked, her throat dry.

"On the borders of Mirkwood," Legolas replied, stroking her cold forehead. "You fainted. It is morning now."

Matilda sat up, scanning her new surroundings. She yawned. "Have you carried us all night?" she asked in wonderment.

Legolas gave her a small smile and nodded. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

Next to Myrin, Jane was waking up too. "Ouch," she groaned, rubbing her neck. "I feel like a horse just stamped on my head."

"Water?" asked Myrin, offering her a water gourd.

"That's about how I'm feeling too," Matilda said to Legolas, who fussed around her for a while.

Once the water had been passed round and they had breakfasted on rations of slightly squashed plums and bread-and-honey, they were on their way. Despite having slept through the night, Matilda was weary and she had a throbbing headache. It was still early-morning as the mist began to dissipate and it became easier to see. A dappled green light began to shine weakly through the parapet of leaves above their heads, and the undergrowth rustled peacefully at every step they took. It was certainly a pleasant change from the icy cold of Mirkwood at night; a cold that had entered her bones and frozen her heart.

Everything was damp from the fog, and dew glinted in the light from every leaf and blade of grass. The morning brought new hope, and the world seemed brighter and clearer on this side of Mirkwood. It looked more like Greenwood, as the forest had once been named.

It didn't take long for Matilda to sense that Legolas wasn't feeling as bright as he outwardly appeared. She hung back slightly to talk to him. "Thank you for carrying me," she said. "I never faint."

Legolas smiled. "It was no trouble at all," he said. "Some of the deep powers in Mirkwood cannot be comprehended by even the wisest elf."

"Are you alright?" asked Matilda. "You've been worrying how the rest of us are feeling but none of us have stopped to ask you the same question."

"Of course," said Legolas cheerily.

"You needn't to lie to me," Matilda said gently. "It's a difficult time for all of us, and I would think you a fool if you denied it."

Legolas' forehead creased and, surprisingly, he bit his lip. He had subconsciously copied Matilda's old nervous habit, and she smiled at him. "My father is wrong," he said. "He is not the faultless, all-knowing elf I thought he was. But he is powerful; I am worried we will not be able to outrun his command and supremacy. I would die if anything happened to you, or to Tauriel, or Myrin, or Jane. It would all be my fault."

"We had no choice, Legolas. But we all knew the consequences, and you are not responsible for the decisions of others," she said with soothing words. "Please, do not fret."

Matilda wasn't sure if she even believed her own words, but they served the purpose of comforting herself, as well as Legolas, and she would have said anything to see a smile return to his face.

The golden-haired elf nodded and bent to kiss her lips. "As long as you are safe in my arms, I do not fear my father," he whispered.

"Then you have given me a purpose," smiled Matilda, stretching on her tip-toes to plant a kiss on his nose.

"Hey!" Jane's shout drifted through the trees back to them. "Matilda? Legolas? Where are you?!"

Neither of them had noticed that they had fallen behind the others, who had walked onwards and been concealed behind the trees trunks. Legolas took Matilda's hand and stepped out from behind a particularly large oak.

"Oh, good, you haven't been kidnapped or killed," Jane grinned.

Matilda rolled her eyes good-naturedly, and kept Legolas's hand tight in her own as they caught up with their friends.

"Look!" said Myrin suddenly. A lush green meadow stretched before them, bathed in the glow of an orange September sunrise. A small farmhouse stood the other side of the brook, a woodsman's cottage maybe, and beyond that, an ancient barn made of roughly-hewn wood.

"We will shelter and take rest here," said Legolas, nodding.

It was a welcome sight to their eyes, and as Myrin and Matilda were taking their turn to leap over the brook, the front door of the cottage opened and a man walked out. He stopped in his tracks and his mouth fell open. Legolas approached him slowly.

"Good sir, my companions and I seek shelter. I would pay you handsomely if we could rest in that fine barn, out of the way of your family and yourself."

"Wood-elves?" the man said. "I have not set these here eyes on any elves round these humble lands since I was a young lad."

"We are travelling," said Legolas. "May we have use of your barn?" He took a small coin-pouch from his belt and shook it so that the man would hear the gold clink.

"Aye," the man said. "You will be safe an' sheltered in there. We are simple folk but nobody bothers us 'ere."

"Perfect," Legolas muttered under his breath, and he threw the small bag of money to the man, who caught it cheerfully.

"Tell me," Tauriel called to the farmer. "What is the name of the nearest town or village with an inn?"

"Aye, you'll be wanting Framsburg," the man said. "It's a day's march away, it is, an' it's only tiny the inn, mind, but it's warm from the fire an' has good ale an' soft beds."

"Framsburg?!" Tauriel whispered. "How far north must we go?"

"Thank you, sir, for your kindness," said Matilda to the farmer, who tipped his hat to her.

"You're very welcome, young missy. I'll send my daughter out with some milk in just a tick." He disappeared back inside his house, and they could hear him calling for his wife.

Legolas went to the barn and pulled the rough wooden doors open. Three cows lifted their heads from the troughs and stared at them curiously. At the other end of the barn, great bales of hay and straw were neatly stacked. Tauriel knelt and cut the strings of one, spreading the sweet-smelling straw across the ground. Jane flung herself into the hay, curled up and fell asleep almost instantly. Myrin shook his head at her, but he was smiling.

A gentle scratch sounded on the door and swung open to reveal a small fair-haired girl, who gazed at the travellers with nervous suspicion. The cottage was so isolated, Matilda guessed that she rarely came into contact with anyone outside her close-knit family, and she most certainly would never have seen wood-elves before. With her, she carried a tray and five cups of milk. Matilda thanked her and took the tray; she scurried off immediately.

They drank the milk gratefully, and Matilda, since she had technically been sleeping all night, offered to take the first watch after Tauriel refused to go to sleep without a lookout. She rested her aching limbs and quietly went over to make friends with the cows. Three hours later, Legolas woke.

He saw Matilda with a loaf of bread on her lap, tearing absent-mindedly at it and popping morsels in her mouth. Silently, he stepped over Myrin, and sat down beside her. He touched her cheek gently. "Smile," he said. "It might not happen."

Matilda looked at him sullenly. "It has happened," she said, then blurted out; "I want to see my mother again."

"You shall," promised Legolas. "This is only a temporary predicament."

"Temporary?"

"Yes."

"How do you know we won't be caught and killed before that?"

Legolas took the bread out of Matilda's hand, which she was in danger of squashing in her agitation. "Do you not trust me?" he said.

"You know I do," Matilda replied.

"Then there is nothing to worry about, is there?" said Legolas, kissing Matilda gently.

Jane stretched out her arms nearby. "Can you two lovebirds please contain yourselves in my presence?" she yawned.

Matilda couldn't help but giggle as she stood up again saying, "Yes, Miss Bossy-Boots."

"Bossy...Boots," Legolas said, trying out the words.

"Do you need example?" said Matilda, and made a theatrical gesture in her best friend's direction. "Jane."

"For example, Tauriel," Legolas corrected.

The three of them laughed and Tauriel sat up. "What are you three laughing at?" she asked.

"Nothing," said Legolas quickly.

Matilda yawned and the pain in her head pounded against her skull. "I'm going to go to sleep," she announced, lying down in the place Jane had vacated.

She slept for most of the morning, dreaming that she was running through the forest with snapping beasts closing in on her. She fancied she could smell their evil breath and feel their sharp teeth scraping at her ankles. Just as her foot caught on a root and she fell down, Matilda woke up, trembling.

"Matilda," Legolas said, gently shaking her. "We must move on."

"Wake up, dozy!" Jane said none too quietly or gently, showering Matilda with a handful of wispy straw.

"I think she is most certainly awake now," said Legolas, brushing straw off his shoulder.

"I think she's still asleep," murmured Matilda, standing up. She felt much better now that the spell of Mirkwood had fallen off her.

"Now, come on, pack everything away. I want to be gone in five minutes," said Legolas.

"I'll go and thank the farmer for the use of his barn," volunteered Matilda. "Seeing as I am not as peculiar to these people as a wood-elf and," she glanced at Jane, "have more tact than others."

Rubbing her eyes, Matilda pushed the doors of the barn open and stepped out into the noon sun, but she felt no warmth. A wind had picked up and blew her hair backwards suddenly. Unnerved at the odd, fearful feeling that had washed over her, Matilda looked up quickly.

At the sight that greeted her, she let out a startled cry, and stumbled backwards in horror.

"Matilda! What is it?!" shouted Tauriel.

Matilda's shriek brought the others to her side with an incredible speed. She, Legolas, Jane and Myrin fell out of the barn, looking around wildly and pulling weapons from sheaths with sharp metallic sounds. Jane gasped; Tauriel growled; Legolas instinctively stepped in front of Matilda and Jane; and Myrin flicked his panicked eyes to meet Matilda's.

* * *

**Sorry about the shortness of this chapter; it's just a filler, and I promise the next one will be longer. **

**I hope you enjoyed it anyway – let me know your thoughts by reviewing and favouriting, or you could leave me a PM with any questions or comments or constructive criticism. Thanks for your support!**


	14. Of Brothers and Soldiers

Of Brothers and Soldiers

They had been ambushed.

Three rows of about ten elves each, their golden armour glittering in the sun, stood or knelt in formation on the other side of the meadow where the wood met the grass, their arrows pointed for the two girls and their blades pointed to the sky. Six more elves were mounted on horseback; it was clear they had been tracked. Matilda bit her lip. It was a dangerous and formidable sight.

Jane swore under her breath. "What do we do?!" she hissed.

Tauriel, Myrin and Matilda had their bows in their hands and had all strung an arrow before she had finished her sentence.

The door of the cottage opened and the kindly farmer appeared. He had barely taken one step before an arrow flew in his direction and thudded into the wood of the door with a harsh twang.

"Hey!" shouted Legolas angrily, marching forwards.

Myrin dashed over to the farmer, who looked terrified and baffled, and bundled him back inside his home. "No harm will come to you, your family or your property, I promise, and gold will be given to you to apologise for this intrusion," he gabbled. "Stay inside. We will handle this."

Myrin slammed the door of the cottage, and hurried back to Tauriel and the girls. Legolas was striding across the grass towards the elves. He stopped at the brook and did not cross it.

"Who commands this fool's errand?" he demanded.

"I do," one of the elves on horseback said, urging his horse to walk forward.

"Maethon!" exclaimed Legolas, when he recognised the general. Disappointment and betrayal flickered through his eyes.

"Maethon was Legolas's childhood friend," said Tauriel in explanation to the girls, as she recognised the elf too. Behind them, they could hear the shutters of the cottage banging shut.

Maethon jumped down from his horse and walked forwards to meet Legolas on the other side of the brook. He was a tall elf, taller than Legolas, with light brown hair falling around his shoulders and distinctively chiselled cheekbones.

Matilda, Myrin, Jane and Tauriel watched the two elves talking with each other, but they could not hear what they were saying as the wind blew their words away.

"What is happening?" said Tauriel impatiently, bouncing up and down on her toes. Myrin had to close his hand around her wrist to stop her jogging away from them, lowering his bow.

"Tauriel, have some patience," he said.

The discussion was becoming more and more heated until, in a sudden spate of rage, Legolas's fist swung round and took Maethon's chin with it. The general was knocked to the ground; his company bristled with outrage. Matilda could almost feel the ripples of anger emitting from them.

A lone arrow shot through the air; Matilda heard the '_zip_' as it buried its head into the soft ground at her feet.

"You will have to kill me before you touch her!" Legolas bellowed, whipping out his double daggers.

"Has he gone quite mad?" Myrin whispered in horror.

Tauriel wrenched her arm out of Myrin's grip and began sprinting towards the prince.

"Get behind me now!" Myrin ordered, and the edge in his voice made both Jane and Matilda obey without hesitation.

Legolas leapt the brook with ease, and strode towards the company of soldiers. "Are you going to shoot me?" he roared. "Are you going to shoot down your prince and future king?"

"He's gone crazy!" cried Jane. She snatched up Myrin's bow and copied his stance when shooting. In the chaos, everyone had forgotten to cover themselves with weapons.

"_No_, Legolas!" Matilda screamed. Myrin held her back with a grip of iron; she fought him like a harpy.

"To get to Legolas, they will hurt you," Myrin yelled at her, trying to catch her flailing wrists.

"I do not care for myself!" Matilda screamed back, pounding his chest with a ferocity that surprised them all.

"Shoot me! And curse you all!" bellowed Legolas. "Does the king want my life as well as everything else he has taken away from me?! Everything I ever cared about?!"

"Legolas, you idiot!" shrieked Tauriel, running as hard as she could, her red-orange hair streaming out behind her.

"Hold your fire!" Maethon shouted.

"Do it, you cowards!" Legolas challenged, almost screaming now.

"Legolas!" Matilda bawled, breaking free of Myrin and racing across the meadow as fast as her legs could carry her.

"I repeat, hold your fire! Do _not_ fire!" shouted Maethon. "No one is to be injured on my watch!"

"Matilda!" shrieked Jane, setting off after her friend.

Myrin threw out a hand to grab her; her collar slipped through his fingers. "Jane!" he shouted, following her at top speed.

Tauriel pounced on Legolas as a wild cat tackles its prey. Legolas fell to his knees, his shoulders shaking. Matilda's heart ached so hard for him, she thought it would break free of the cage of her ribs. Maethon reached the prince next, and fell to his knees beside him, speaking rapidly into his ear.

"My own father despises me!" Legolas lamented in painfully jagged breaths, his back heaving. "I am banished, exiled. I curse the power that made me prince!"

"Legolas," Matilda burst out, dropping to her knees and lifting his careworn face with her hands. Her eyes searched his face and saw only a vulnerable, lost child. She felt his grief as strongly as if it was her own, and cried with him. His head fell forward onto her shoulder and he wept as she stroked his hair and wiped her own tears away with trembling fingers.

"Bastard!" screeched Jane, catching up with them and throwing herself at Maethon, scratching him across the neck with sharp nails.

"No, Jane!" said Tauriel, tearing her off the Captain.

Suddenly, Matilda was on her feet again, beside her broken lover, defending him like a lioness protects her young. Her arrow was pointed between Maethon's eyes. She heard the stretch of thirty bowstrings as every of the guards' arrows pointed at her.

Maethon brushed down his armour before holding his hands up. "We did not come here to harm you," he said. "We come to offer peace."

"Peace?!" scoffed Matilda. "With your arrows sharpened and your swords polished, you came to make peace?"

"Yes," said Maethon, slipping a thick roll of parchment into Legolas's hands.

Tauriel turned her taut-stringed bow on the thirty elves who stood nearby, a threatening and powerful force, as Legolas broke the seal of his own royal house. His watery eyes scanned the elaborately curled script of his father's handwriting.

"A royal pardon," he said in a low voice. "For Matilda, Jane, Teddy and Sam. And for Tauriel, Myrin and myself, excusing our behaviour. It is signed by the king."

"What?" said Jane, glancing at the silent, heavily-armed guard of elves a few yards away.

Tauriel and Matilda had not lowered their bows, and Myrin still had his curved dagger in his fist.

"There is more," Maethon said, eyeing Matilda's arrow warily. He gave Legolas a letter, not as thick or important-looking as the first.

Legolas cleared his throat. "_For Legolas, my noble son and trueborn heir_," he read. "_You were right. As a king, it is not honourable for me to deny you true love; as your father, it is even less so. I will stand in your way no longer. I know your actions were justified by love, and I will henceforth view them as such, forgetting what was said in the blindness of anger. Fleeing Mirkwood was proof enough that your feelings are true from your heart to your lips. My son, there is nothing more for me to say than that I forgive you. I have been less than you deserve as a father, and for that, I apologise. I understand if you choose not to return with the guard; my son, you may explore this wide world if you wish_."

Legolas looked up and caught Matilda's eye. Her face was unreadable and blank, so he continued reading. "_I only ask most humbly that you return to me within this next century for I feel the world is closing in around us and it would put my mind at ease to have my son at my side. Your friends have nothing to fear from me; Tauriel and Myrin are welcome to return to my court, and the humans back to their hometown. My promise is true; I understand you may be wary, and to quell your doubts, Maethon has been trusted with the charge of Sam and Teddy of Esgaroth, so that they may be reunited and reinstated with their kin as a peace offering. Forgive me, and trust in my sincerity, my beloved son_."

Jane's head whipped round eagerly; Tauriel's eyes widened at two riders on horseback at the rear of the guard. Matilda followed her gaze; it was now that she noticed the two hooded figures high up on chestnut geldings were not elves at all. They were boys.

They drew back their hoods; Matilda saw the familiar twinkle in Teddy's dark eyes and the mop of messy hair. Next to him, Sam's red hair and pale face was now revealed to them too. Together, the boys dropped down from their saddles.

Jane turned on Legolas suddenly, gripping his arm urgently. "Is it a trick? Tell me, are they truly there. _Are we free_?!"

Legolas's eyes wandered over the letter again, and then he looked up. "It all seems genuine," he admitted, shrugging one shoulder and standing up.

Matilda saw a deep sadness still in his eyes, but she had not set eyes on her brother for months now, and her heart surged with joy at the sight of him.

"Sam!" shouted Jane, running across the grass towards him. Matilda, throwing down her bow, wasn't far behind her.

The boys closed in the gap themselves; Teddy's freckled face split into the widest grin Matilda had ever seen as he launched himself at her. They hugged tightly and Matilda realised that Teddy had grown at least an inch, maybe more, in time they had been separated. His soul had grown older too; there was a sense of maturity about him that had not been there before, but none of his lively spirit had been lost.

"I am so glad to see you bright and well," she said into his ear. "I have missed you terribly."

"I thought I would never see you again," he said, hugging his sister close to him.

"It is over now," Matilda said. "We will be home before you know it."

"And I will carry you kicking and screaming every step of the way if I have to," said Teddy, and then put his mouth next to her ear. "I know about you and Legolas."

Startled, Matilda drew back from him and scanned his face. "How?" she demanded.

But Teddy did not seem bothered. He winked. "I know everything," he said. "I am Teddy, the All-Seeing, All-Knowing."

Matilda raised an eyebrow. "Do not fear, my desire to go home to Lake-town and see our mother and sisters again is as strong as yours," she reassured him.

"Good," grinned Teddy, pretending to mop his forehead with relief. "For you have gained weight on all the good, elven food, sister, and I do not think I would make it even a hundred yards carrying you."

Matilda's mouth dropped at his disrespect, and Teddy earned himself a punch on the shoulder for his cheek. She knew she was not as skinny and scrawny as she had been on the meagre Lake-town meals, and Teddy knew exactly how to wind her up. He winked at her. "But being slightly rounder suits you," he said. "You look lovelier than ever." He kissed her hand like a gentleman, but she had no time for formality and flung her arms around him again.

Matilda's eyes welled with joyful tears at being reunited with her younger, but now taller, brother; beside them, Jane and Sam were engaged in a similar embrace. Then, she realised Sam was crying on Jane's shoulder. "I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry," he was repeating, over and over.

Teddy and Matilda hurried over to their friends, concerned. Matilda had never, in all the time she had known Sam, seen him cry. "Sam, mate," said Teddy, clapping the older boy on the back. "Not in front of the girls."

Sam raised his head and looked at them all, his hands still clasped with his sister's. "I put you all in danger. We have not seen our home or our families for two months and six days, and it is all my fault. I was responsible for the death of that elk. I stood there and did nothing as Matilda tried to save all of our lives. I could only think of my own selfish skin, and I let the elves believe a lie. I was responsible for keeping you all safe and taking you home for a hot dinner at the end of that day, and I failed all of you-" He dissolved into fresh tears.

"It was not your fault," said Jane fiercely. "We were bewitched by that blasted forest's magical powers."

Sam looked at Matilda, his eyes searching for forgiveness on her face. She stepped forwards, smiling, and put a gentle hand on his arm. "It was a misunderstanding," she agreed. "You are not responsible for anything that has happened to us since that day. None of us could have predicted it."

Sam's shoulders lifted as the blame was taken off of him and cast away. His troubled face cleared like a kindly wind blowing away storm clouds. He wrapped his arms round Matilda's shoulders and hugged her tight. Matilda suddenly remembered that if they had remained in Lake-town, she would never have even set eyes on Legolas, let alone fallen in love with him. Maybe she and Sam would be betrothed by now, planning a wedding and a life together after that. She bit her lip anxiously. Unaware of Matilda's thoughts, Jane and Teddy grinned happily at each other and embraced too.

There was a delicate cough behind them, and Matilda turned to see Myrin, Maethon, Legolas and Tauriel standing there. Myrin was smiling at her, but Legolas looked long and unblinkingly at Sam's hand, resting on Matilda's waist, before speaking.

"Now you are free people, what do you plan on doing next?" he asked.

Matilda looked at the others. She hadn't even thought about it.

"You are welcome to stay in Mirkwood for as long as you wish," Legolas added.

"I will see them home safely," said Sam in a hard voice. "We are leaving immediately."

"No," Jane blurted out, stepping forward before she could stop herself.

"No?" Sam repeated, looking bemused. "Do you not want to return home, Jane?"

Jane, like Matilda, was struggling with her emotions. "Matilda?" she asked, looking to her best friend for support.

"What do you want to do?" asked Sam, catching Matilda's hand up in his and holding it to his heart.

Legolas's eyes hardened and his glare deepened.

"I-I don't know," said Matilda.

"You don't know what you want?" said Sam. "But, Matilda-"

"I know what I want," Matilda said quietly. Her eyes were magnetically drawn to Legolas's face; his forehead relaxed and his mouth curved upwards in a small smile. His eyes were soft as he gazed at her like she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Matilda's heart skipped happily.

"Then it's settled," said Sam, misunderstanding. "We will return home tomorrow, and be reunited with our families by sundown."

Matilda bit her lip so hard, she drew blood. Tauriel noticed her distress and stepped forwards quickly. "Why don't you return to our Halls before you go?" she suggested. "We have items belonging to you we would like to return, and gifts to make your lives in Esgaroth better, as an apology."

Sam, who had automatically assumed the status of leader as he had been when they set out from their home two months ago, looked at Tauriel with arrogance. "I suppose," he said. He turned to Matilda. "Would it set your mind at rest to have some recompense from your captors?"

Matilda, smiling gratefully at Tauriel, nodded quickly. "Yes."

"Never mind our opinion," muttered Jane, nudging Teddy.

"Sorry, Jane," said Matilda, using the excuse to free her hand from Sam's and hugging her best friend. "What would you like to do?"

"I want to squeeze every last drop of hospitality out of these elves," said Jane brightly, grinning at Myrin. "I intend on seriously exploiting their kindness."

Everyone laughed except Sam, who didn't understand and just put Jane's comment down to his sister's oddities and blunt nature, and Maethon, who put a hand on Legolas's shoulder.

"We have made our camp a few hundred yards into the forest," he said. "My soldiers and I will retreat there to rest and water the horses. We have carried food and drink with us so you may eat and rest in peace. We must be on our way back to the Halls long before nightfall and our horses must be refreshed for the journey. More than a few foul things crawl in Mirkwood when the light of the sun fades."

"How will we manage the long walk before dusk?" Jane asked.

Maethon smiled at her. "We travelled on horses, Miss," he said. "It is possible."

"Would you do me a favour?" she asked calmly. "Please could you tell your men – elves – to stop pointing their weapons at us?" Jane said, smiling sweetly.

Maethon raised an arm and purposefully dropped it; the guards lowered their bows but did not break rank. "I will send some elves with food from the camp," the General said. "Rest. You have had a distressing few days."

"Thank you, Captain," said Legolas, clasping Maethon's arm for a moment. The General walked away from them and began to give commands to his guard.

"Legolas," said Teddy, grinning at him. "I have not seen you for several days." He clasped hands with Legolas and clapped him on the back. "I wondered what you were doing." He grinned. "But it certainly never crossed my mind that you were planning to kidnap my sister and run away."

"Yes, I was held up by the king," said Legolas. "I am sorry, my friend."

There was a familiarity between Legolas and Teddy which surprised Jane and Matilda.

"My friend?" repeated Jane.

"You've been visiting our brothers?" Matilda said to Legolas. "I didn't know that."

Legolas nodded.

Only Myrin and Tauriel saw the jealous scowl Sam shot at him when Matilda rewarded the elf with a sweet smile. The two elves looked at each other in mild alarm and surprise at the fierceness in Sam's eyes.

* * *

**Thank you for all your reviews and support – they mean a lot to me and I love to hear your thoughts! If you like this story, let me know by reviewing and favouriting! Thanks again!**


	15. Of Picnics and Danger

Of Picnics and Danger

As the guards began to disperse back into the trees, Myrin spoke to Legolas. "We must compensate the farmer and his family," he said. "They showed us kindness and we only brought danger to their home and their lives."

Legolas nodded. "Your kindness does you credit, Myrin," he said, dropping a bag of gold into his friend's hand. "You may give them this, with my gratitude and request for forgiveness."

"I will accompany you," said Matilda quickly, wishing to remove herself from a situation where Sam, who was still unaware of any relationship between herself and the elven prince, and Legolas confronted her.

She and Myrin walked back towards the little cottage. Once they were out of earshot, Myrin looked at her. "Do you want to talk about it?" he offered.

Matilda smiled and shook her head, but began talking anyway. "I am confused," she explained. "I have been wishing I could go home and see my mother again all this time, but now I do not want to leave you or Legolas or Tauriel. You have been so good to us."

"That is what friends are for," said Myrin. "Do not worry, Matilda. You are too young to have such anxieties on your mind. Life always works out for the best."

"Where do you draw your optimism from, Myrin?" she asked him, as they jumped the brook. "You are always so positive and happy."

Myrin smiled. "Well, someone has to be when they're with you, the kindly worrier, and our little ray of sunshine, Jane."

Matilda laughed. "Yes," she conceded. "I guess you do."

"Tell me about Jane's brother," said Myrin. "He barely took his eyes from your face."

Matilda bit her lip without really thinking about what she was doing. "My mother and his parents were in talks about our possible engagement," she said. "I am sure Sam was only thinking about that."

"No, no," said Myrin. "It is more than that. He loves you."

"It would be an arranged betrothal," Matilda insisted. "Nothing more."

"Matilda," said Myrin. "I am over a thousand years old. I can recognise the look between a lover and his sweetheart from several leagues away."

"It is not possible," said Matilda. "You must be mistaken, Myrin."

"You know I am too fond of you to lie," said Myrin evenly. "I simply tell you what I saw."

"It is a brotherly love," Matilda told him as they neared the wooden cottage. "Jane is my best friend and he is her brother. Legolas is the one I love."

"I am glad to hear it," said Myrin, tactfully changing the subject. "I would be mildly upset if we had all risked banishment, exile, torture and death for a passing fancy."

Matilda couldn't help but smile. Myrin was so mild-tempered and affable, it would take a person with a heart of stone to be annoyed at him for more than thirty seconds. She raised her hand and knocked on the cottage door. Tentatively, the man who had offered them all he could afford, opened the door just a crack and peered out with one eye.

"We have diverted a skirmish," said Myrin, in all his elven eloquence. "And all of us offer our sincerest apologies and regrets at endangering your peaceful lives."

"I heard you all a'shouting," the man said curtly.

"The elven soldiers are gone now, sir," Matilda said reassuringly. "Look."

The farmer opened the door a little more and looked out. He could only see a group of two elves, two boys and a girl laying rugs across the grass by the brook. There was not hide nor hair of the veritable army of elves he had seen before. No weapons could be seen except the arrow still embedded into the wood of his door.

"Behold the golden-haired elf," said Myrin, pointing. "He is Legolas, Prince of the Woodland Realm and only son of the Elvenking, Thranduil of Mirkwood."

"Prince of the elves?" The farmer's wife appeared at the man's side and pushed the door open as wide as it would go so that she could gawp at Legolas, who was oblivious to his new audience. "A prince slept in my old barn, my very own barn," she said, seeming to grow taller with pride.

"_Our_ barn," the farmer corrected, and Matilda grinned as his wife scolded him for his surly and hostile behaviour.

"Your good and noble husband has every right to be hostile, madam," Myrin said politely, saving the farmer from further admonishment. "We humbly beg your forgiveness for our intrusion on your beautiful home." He put the bag of gold into the woman's hand; her eyes popped at the weight of it. "The Prince offers you this in the hope that it will compensate you for the trouble we have caused."

"No trouble," the woman lied quickly, shooting another nosy glance at Legolas.

"And he offers this as a gift," said Matilda, bending onto one knee and offering her bow forward. Two blue eyes in a small and chubby face appeared from behind the woman's skirts.

"Come on, Tommy," the farmer's wife said, pushing the small boy forwards.

It suddenly struck Matilda that the child was about the same age her own little brother would have been had the cold winter not taken him as a baby, just weeks before the death of her father. A wave of homesickness swept over her, and it was all she could do to keep herself from keeling over.

The little boy took the elven bow like he was holding a bag of the most precious jewels. Matilda slipped off her quiver and laid it at his feet. The child's face lit up.

"You'll have to wait until you're a little older," she said, touching his fair head. "But I am sure you will be the best archer Middle-Earth has ever seen."

She straightened up and smiled at the man. "What is your name, sir?" she asked. "Your kindness has been invaluable to us."

"My name is Peter," he said, and shook her hand.

"May we be so bold as to remain on your land for just a few hours longer?" Myrin asked. "We will soon be gone, but no one will disturb you anymore."

"Of course, of course," Peter's wife said. "Will you be wanting any food? We have a little bread and some good homemade cheese, and my husband will kill a chicken if you wish."

"We must decline your kind offer, madam," said Myrin. "Accept our gifts and apologies, and we will be on our way."

The fair-haired girl who had brought milk to the barn stepped out of the cottage, and Matilda smiled at them, standing on the doorstep to their humble home. "You have a beautiful family," she said. "Treasure each other."

"Goodbye," said Myrin, and he and Matilda began to walk away.

A pair of little hands suddenly clasped Matilda's leg and she looked down to see the boy, Tommy, hugging her. She felt like crying. Guilt struck her; she could be back with her family tomorrow, but she was procrastinating for her own selfish reasons.

She was quiet as she walked back across the field with Myrin. Rich rugs had been set across the cropped grass and hampers of food had been opened. Jane and Tauriel were lounging across one of the rugs, pouring wine into silver cups and laughing together. Being fugitives on the run seemed like a bad memory now.

As Matilda approached them, both Sam and Legolas leapt to their feet. She avoided Myrin's knowing eyes, smiled at both of them and flopped down onto a rug. The sun was high in the blue sky now, and she rolled onto her back, shading her eyes and enjoying the warmth on her skin.

"Wine?" Tauriel asked; Matilda sat up and took the cup from her gratefully.

"It is so hot," she said.

"I'll make a fan for you," said Sam quickly, scrabbling around in the hamper.

"Do not overheat," Legolas said. "I will hold a blanket over you for shade."

"I will pluck the sun from the sky for you, Matilda," joked Jane, and Myrin and Tauriel were quick to laugh in an attempt to diffuse the building tension.

"I like the heat," Matilda said. "Especially after the cold of the forest at night."

"You took them through the forest at night?" Sam asked Legolas. "No wonder Matilda was cold."

"I kept them all safe," Legolas replied. "No elks were killed and we were not captured whilst she was with me."

Sam's polite smile did not flicker. "No, her life was put at risk instead."

Legolas matched Sam's smile. It was like they were trying to defeat each other with manners and sweetness. Matilda would have found it funny if it wasn't so personal. "She was removed from the Halls for her safety," Legolas practically beamed.

"The Halls of _your_ father," said Sam.

"Does anyone want a cake?" asked Tauriel. "There are honey-cakes and rose-cakes in this hamper."

"Yes, please," said Matilda, shuffling to sit next to Tauriel and Jane. "What's a rose-cake?"

"A cake made with rosewater," Legolas said quickly, before Tauriel could reply.

Sam bit into a rose-cake, grimaced and pointedly set it back down. Matilda was grateful he hadn't spat it out all over Legolas. She thought they were both behaving childishly, and refused to look at either of them. She could feel Myrin watching her, and looked at him. "Shut up," she said. Myrin just smiled perceptively.

"Teddy, what happened to your hair these couple of months?" Matilda asked, biting into some bread.

"I like it long," her brother protested, shaking his head so that it stuck out even more.

"It's a mop," said Jane, crunching an apple. "We could turn you upside down and drag your head along the floor."

"Do I get a say in this?" asked Teddy.

"No," Jane told him.

The elven cooks had truly outdone themselves with the picnic fare they had provided for the release of the humans and the pardon of their prince and his popular friends; Jane and Myrin sat talking quietly together, steadily eating the delicious food.

Tauriel, Matilda and Teddy decided to see how far they could play catch, using an apple instead of a ball, taking a step backwards every time it was successfully caught and two steps closer to each other every time it was dropped. Matilda kept fumbling and dropping the apple, and didn't move very far backwards. Tauriel, on the other hand, nimbly caught it time after time, and had almost disappeared into the trees before a bad throw from Teddy lost them their ball when the apple sailed over Matilda's head and fell into the brook.

"Legolas, can I see our pardon?" Tauriel asked, after she had jogged back; Legolas reached into his tunic and pulled out the roll of parchment.

Tauriel read it over, and Jane mused. "If not a trick, I wonder what it was that changed the king's mind about us."

"Love," said Legolas.

At the look on Sam's face, Myrin quickly interjected. "A father's love for his son."

Jane threw the core of her pear away, and Matilda sat down next to her.

Legolas shook his head sadly. "My father holds no feeling but disappointment about me. He cared more for his own reputation and pride than for my happiness."

Matilda couldn't ignore the melancholy in his voice. "No," she said. "Your father loves you, Legolas. He released us out of love for you."

"He wanted you to return to him," agreed Tauriel.

"Either way, I'm glad he did," said Teddy brightly, putting an arm round Matilda.

"Teddy, that's your fifth honey-cake," said Matilda.

"I'm a growing boy, sister," he shrugged.

"Yes, you're growing outwards," she agreed laughingly.

As Teddy lay down for a nap, Jane and Matilda took off their boots and decided to sit on the grassy bank of the shallow stream, dangling their bare feet in the cold water. Matilda winced as her many blisters touched the water, and Jane had to wash crusted blood off her toes. "After we get home, I am never walking another step," she declared.

Matilda sighed. "We might not yet get home," she said.

"What is there to stop us?" said Jane. She picked a small pink-edged daisy growing nearby and threw it into the water, following it with her eyes as it floated slowly away.

Matilda looked at her and absent-mindedly bit her lip.

"I've had enough adventures for a lifetime," said Jane, putting an arm round Matilda's shoulders.

"So have I," sighed Matilda, and the two girls leaned their heads against each other, watching a small fish swim up and nibble gently on Matilda's toes. "Thanks for sticking with me," she said in a quiet voice.

"It wasn't such a chore," Jane replied. "I'll never leave you; you'll never leave me. Deal?"

Matilda shook her best friend's hand and they sat companionably in the quiet afternoon, kicking water up to watch the droplets catch rainbows in the sunlight.

"We will have to leave soon," said Legolas. "Matilda, Jane, put your boots on." He pointed at the sun. "The horses will be rested now and we must be back to the Halls before nightfall so we can all sleep in our own beds."

"Not our own beds," muttered Sam.

Sure enough, a minute later, Maethon walked out from the trees towards them, just as Matilda was pulling her last boot on and the others were rolling up the rugs.

"It is time to go," said Maethon. The two elves that had accompanied him took the hampers and rugs from Myrin and Teddy, and they were led away from the tranquillity of the pretty meadow and welcoming brook.

They had walked less than three hundred yards before they reached the elves, all of whom were now mounted on horseback, waiting for their leader to ride away. Three horses had been brought with the company, on leading reins, and Maethon gestured to them. "There is not enough for a horse each, I am afraid," he said apologetically.

"Matilda," said Legolas, beckoning.

"Here," said Sam, interlacing his hands together for Matilda to put her boot in and get onto his horse.

Matilda, who had previously hoped that Legolas and Sam's jibes at each other were just them vying to be 'alpha male' within the group, now had to admit that it was something more than that. She sighed and chewed anxiously on her lip.

"I will ride with Teddy," Matilda said. "We have been parted for so long."

Teddy helped her up onto his horse, and then sat in the saddle in front of her. Jane looped her arms around Myrin's waist from where she sat behind him.

"A very diplomatic choice, sister," Teddy whispered to her.

"We will keep you on leading-reins," said Maethon, attaching Teddy's horse and Sam's to the horses of two trusted elves.

"Why?" demanded Matilda, fearing capture again.

"The two boys fell unconscious deep in Mirkwood," said Maethon. "I am sure you did too. We do not want you to lose control of your horses when this happens."

"We didn't fall unconscious," said Jane. Sam looked incredulously at her, and she shrugged smugly. "Our brains are obviously stronger than yours," she said. "We use them more."

Matilda giggled, and the party set off. She hated Mirkwood; the last thing she wanted was to have to go back through it, but she did feel safer surrounded by elves on horseback. The horses were well-used to the creepiness of Mirkwood; they did not get spooked, and were quick and sure-footed over the twisted roots.

As Maethon had predicted, Matilda felt Teddy's head fall forwards onto the horse's neck seconds before her own dizzy eyes shut, leant against her brother's back. She felt the swaying of the horse and someone lifting an eyelid to check she was alright, before slipping into the void of sleep.

She awoke to hear snoring nearby. She sat up, yawning, and saw Sam riding beside her, grinning. "I knew she was lying," he said triumphantly, and Matilda realised that Jane was the one snoring against Myrin's patient back. They shared a giggle, until Matilda noticed Legolas's eyes boring into her own. His expression was unreadable but it didn't take a genius to guess that he was none too happy about Sam competing for Matilda.

Teddy woke a minute later, and when the snoring faded, they knew Jane was awake too. "We're almost there," Matilda said to Teddy.

"Good," he replied. "I ache all over."

"How far away are we, Maethon?" Matilda called.

"A few hundred yards or so," the general called back, halting the company. "Ride to the stables," he instructed his guard. "And enter through the eastern gate," he said. "Make sure the horses are well cared for. We will dismount also and go through the southern gate on foot. Legolas, you and Tauriel, are to go straight to the king. Adjoining rooms have been prepared for you," he said, looking at the humans. "So you may rest for the night is safety."

"I will go with them," said Myrin, nodding, before Legolas could even request it of him.

"It is dusk," Matilda observed. "We arrived just in time."

Legolas helped Matilda down from the horse, to Sam's obvious irritation, and then Teddy, and gave the reins to a waiting elf. Most of the guard left them to go to the stables; half a dozen remained with their general.

Matilda offered a smile to Legolas, but he turned coldly away from her. She sighed. He was upset and annoyed at the disruption of Sam in their relationship; Matilda had no doubt that Myrin had already told Legolas about the betrothal that would now never happen. But what was she supposed to do? She had not seen Sam for two months; she did not want to quarrel with him so soon after being reunited with him by parading her love for Legolas around in front of him, but she also didn't want to aggravate Legolas by being too friendly with Sam either. Now, both of them were upset with her.

Maethon and two of his guards led their small party as the horses and elves cantered away to the north, where the stables were. Tauriel and Legolas followed, talking quietly together. Sam followed them, only half-listening to Myrin, Jane and Teddy's noisy conversation behind them. Matilda lagged behind, dragging her feet along. She looked behind her to the four unsmiling guards who wouldn't let her slow down, and sped up her pace again.

She needed to talk with Legolas, and reassure him of her unchanging love for him; Sam would get used to the idea. Matilda had no doubt that he would fall in love with another girl pretty quickly once they returned to Lake-town.

She recognised the ridge near the southern gate they had hidden behind yesterday when escaping from the Halls. It felt like an age ago. The short procession went over the ridge and joined the stone path leading to the tall silver gates. Leaves blew in circles about their feet, but they couldn't excite her attention. Her thoughts were in one place.

"Stop!" said Legolas suddenly, holding up one hand. Matilda looked up at the urgency in his voice.

"What is it?" asked Tauriel.

"My lord?" asked Maethon.

In the dusky twilight, Legolas stretched his arm out towards the gate. "Where are the guards?" he asked.

Tauriel frowned. "This is the most heavily guarded gate and yet there is not an elf in sight." She looked at Maethon, who shook his head and shrugged. "If those on patrol have left their posts, I will not be responsible for my actions."

"There's no one there," said Teddy.

"I will be blamed for this. I am Captain of the Guard," said Tauriel in agitation.

"Something is not right," Legolas said, stringing an arrow into his bow.

The six guards and Maethon drew their daggers.

"What is it?" asked Jane, holding Myrin's elbow nervously.

A long, dangerous shout suddenly split the air around them; a battle-cry. Legolas had loosed his first arrow before Matilda had even identified the location of the noise or in fact what was going on.

It was an ambush.

"Not again!" yelled Myrin.

Elves, wearing an unrecognisable black band round their upper arms, besieged them. It was immediately obvious that they were not the king's guard.

"Take up arms!" shouted Tauriel.

They had not anticipated the sheer number of their attackers as they descended from all directions on the small group; the king's guards, Maethon, Tauriel and Legolas were putting up a good fight. Sam found a dagger and kicked one to Teddy, who grabbed Matilda's arm, defending her. Matilda felt lost without her bow.

"_I knew it was a trick_!" Jane screamed. Myrin pushed her out of the way as an elf swung a punch at her face, and tackled the elf round the legs.

"I know nothing about this!" Maethon called, kicking an elf down. "My orders were to get you safely to the king. This is a rebellion!"

"Who would dare attack the king's son?!" Teddy fumed, brandishing his dagger.

Matilda couldn't get a good look at the crest of the house on the black arm-bands, but Tauriel did. She ripped one off and held it up. "Blackwood!" she yelled. "You lying, cowardly snake!"

"Who?!" grunted Teddy, swinging his dagger round and slashing wildly at an elf's cheek.

"_Aubron_!"

* * *

**You didn't think Aubron would let them get off so easily, did you? But what has he got planned? **

**Don't stop reviewing or following; I still have a few more chapters up my sleeve! Let me know what you think! Thanks in advance.**


	16. Of Fear and Fire

Of Fear and Fire

Legolas rained curses down on the name of Aubron, and all his descendants as fear surged through Matilda. It was clear that they were losing. Five of the Maethon's guards were lying on the ground, wounded; Maethon himself was grappling weapon-less with three elves. Sam, Jane and Myrin were on their knees; blades held to their throats. Teddy wouldn't last much longer. Legolas and Tauriel were fighting with the strength of ten elves, but it wasn't enough. Legolas, in the fray, caught Matilda up to him. "Run," he said, his wide eyes intense and scared. "_Run_!"

Matilda didn't stop to argue; she ran away as fast as she could. She felt like she was abandoning her friends, but she knew that if she stayed, they would have killed her themselves for not running away. She heard footsteps behind her, but she didn't stop despite her weary legs. Matilda felt an arm close around her waist and her pounding feet ran out of ground as she was lifted, kicking, into the air.

She screamed as an elf wrestled her, giving her a glancing blow on the head which stunned her into silence. Matilda's hands were twisted painfully behind her back and bound there; she was hurried back to the path.

The fight was over. Legolas and Tauriel had been defeated by the two hundred or so elves that had ambushed them. Tauriel's chin was dripping with blood from a nasty wound by her mouth. Everyone's hands had been tied behind their backs; Matilda wondered if the ropes were cutting into their wrists as much as hers. Myrin, Jane, Sam, Tauriel, Teddy and Maethon had been gagged with large amounts of black cloth.

Matilda saw Jane's tears trickling onto the material of her gag, and she struggled as they were stripped of their weapons.

Legolas, looking over Matilda's shoulder, suddenly let out a stream of furious elven swearwords. Matilda wriggled to look, and her pupils dilated with fear. Aubron was walking towards the party, a detestable smile on his face.

"I will have you executed for this outrage!" Legolas shouted. "I am your prince! How dare you attack me and my party?! Wait until my father hears of this treason! Aubron, you will never walk as a free elf again!"

Aubron was unperturbed. "Gag him as well," he said, and one of his soldiers wrapped a black scarf round Legolas's mouth. He seemed more than a little reluctant to gag his future king. "The king will never hear about what has happened here," Aubron smiled. "My lord, if you want to keep your friends alive, you will do what I wish."

Legolas, his words muffled and incomprehensible, screamed blue murder through his gag at Aubron. The king's advisor and spy turned away from him and his grey eyes, alight with revenge, fixed on Matilda, whose shoulders were rising and falling rapidly, partly from the sprinting, partly from the exercise.

He gazed at her for a moment; then his arm lashed out and he hit Matilda across the face with the back of his hand. She yelped with pain as she was knocked to the ground. Aubron's heavy rings had sliced several cuts into her face, and when she was hauled to her feet, strands of her hair were sticking to the fresh blood smeared across her cheek.

The noise of protest at Aubron's violence, even behind gags, was impressive. Sam, Tauriel and Legolas were straining against their captors with such force that an elf had to club Tauriel and Sam over the head to restrain them into submission. Legolas was not treated with such cruel indifference, but he was held back by the strength of four elves.

Matilda, whose vision was clouding, struggled to stay conscious, but she was not allowed any respite. At Aubron's command, the prisoners were hustled, none to gently, away. An elf had to almost fully sit on Legolas's back as he struggled against them, watching his friends being led away from him. Matilda screamed for him, but this only served to remind the guards that she was not yet gagged. They tied a cloth around her mouth, pulling it so tight that she could almost feel the skin of her cuts splitting further as the coarse material opened the new wounds. If she thought she had felt pain before, it was nothing compared to now.

Matilda struggled not to be sick as she was forced down a maze of tiny corridors, deeper into the Halls than she had ever been before. Torches alight in braces lining the walls were the only light sources, and strange black shadows were cast across the floor as the prisoners, held tightly by their jailers, passed.

_Deep breaths_, Matilda told herself sternly, trying to remain calm. _Panicking won't help anyone_. It was rather difficult to breathe deeply when the lower half of her face was constricted by the gag, but she knew she had to be strong, if not for herself then for Legolas. Not everyone was as lucky as she was to find the love of their life, especially not as young as she was, and Matilda was not about to lightly give him up now.

She only noticed the rise in the temperature when the front of their escort stopped. A little wooden door was unlocked and kicked open. The stuffy darkness seemed to roll like mist out of the room, and the leader of their guards turned with a twisted smile to observe his charges. He was holding a torch, and the flickering across his face, made him look even more sinister than he might normally look. Matilda suddenly realised with a flashbulb memory where she had seen the elf's face before. It was one of Aubron's four sons, Eletha's younger brother, she had met at the Feast.

Maethon, at the front of the party, grunted as he recognised the elf's face too, and his gag was ripped off before being shoved into the small, black room. "Horthien!" he shouted, as he was catapulted inside his new prison.

Tauriel was quick to follow him; her eyes burned into Aubron's son, Horthien, no doubt wishing him dead, but before she could tell him so, she was thrust into their new prison. Jane, crying quietly to herself, Teddy and Sam were pushed so hard, they fell, sprawling, onto the hard ground.

The cold, cruel eyes of Aubron's son looked Matilda up and down, from the blood congealing in her hair to the shabbiness of her muddy boots. He did not say anything, but spat on her feet. At this final insult, Myrin, behind her, escaped from his guard and rushed at Horthien. His hands had been tied in front of him, and he used both fists to smack the elf in the face.

Furious, Horthien brought his torch forwards and touched the tip of the flames to the hem of Myrin's tunic. He cackled as Myrin threw himself through the little door of the long-forgotten room and onto the floor, rolling over and over to put out the fire. Matilda heard Jane's shrill scream, and smelt the smoke from charred wool.

She was the only one left; Matilda shivered as Aubron's sadistic son pulled the harsh black cloth from her face, enjoying watching her wince at the agony. Matilda, out of fear and pain, bent over and retched onto the ground; she was kicked forward and into the room, where she dropped to her knees and nursed her stinging cheek with her shoulder.

"Sweet dreams," hissed Horthien, sounding awfully similar to his father. Matilda shuddered.

The door was slammed shut, and they were plunged into pitch darkness. They sat in silence for a moment as they heard the scraping metal of the door being locked in three places. From the proximity of their voices, Matilda the stuffy room was small and strangely airless. "Matilda, where are you?" asked Teddy, and Matilda heard her brother shuffling towards her.

"Myrin, are you hurt?" Tauriel asked. Her voice was loud in the tight space.

"No," Myrin replied shakily.

"Do not panic," Maethon said, his voice encouraging in the darkness. "We have to be practical."

"Jane, are you there?" asked Myrin, and they heard him moving towards the soft, snuffling sounds that were coming from Jane.

"There's a knife in my boot, Maethon," said Tauriel. "If you can reach it, we can cut these cursed bonds from our wrists before we plan our escape."

The elves struggled in the darkness; there was a lot of heavy breathing and grunts as Maethon had to contort himself into awkward, unnatural positions before reaching into Tauriel's boot with both hands still tied behind his back.

"Ouch," said Tauriel, as Maethon stood on her foot.

"I have it!" the general said triumphantly, after some more scuffling.

"Wrong end!" Tauriel cried suddenly, as Maethon hissed at a sudden, agonising pain across his palm. Somehow, he managed not to drop it, despite the cut, and held it out as far as he could. Tauriel, praying she had not misjudged the position of the sharp blade, took the knife in her teeth, and began to saw the tough rope around Maethon's wrists.

"Matilda," whispered Teddy. "Matilda, talk to me."

"I'm here," Matilda replied faintly. Everything, from her feet to her face, ached, and she knew she had never felt as much pain as she was experiencing now, even when her sister had dared her to climb onto the roof of their house in Lake-town, and she had fallen and broken her leg.

Tauriel made some excited, muffled noises, which Matilda, through buzzing ears, took as joy.

"My hands are free!" Maethon exclaimed. "Now, give me the knife."

There were some more scuffling and wriggling until Tauriel half-shouted, "Careful!" followed by a metallic clatter.

Tauriel cursed, and Matilda floated in and out of consciousness as Tauriel and Maethon struggled to relocate the knife. Once it had been recovered, Maethon made his way round the group sawing through their bonds.

"Matilda, are you alright?" he asked, as he put a hand on her shoulder in the dark.

"Yes," Matilda replied sleepily, and she felt the ropes around her numbs hands loosening. Once they were free, she squeezed the feeling back into her arms. Using the knife, taken from Maethon's hands, she cut a slice off the hem of her cloak, and used it to clean the worst of her injuries.

"Is everyone alright?" asked Tauriel kindly. "Matilda?"

"Yeah," Matilda muttered, feeling her back touch the wall and leaning her head back against it. Teddy had put his arms around her, and was murmuring comforting words into her ear.

"Teddy? Jane? Myrin?" said Tauriel.

"Still alive," said Myrin. Jane had stopped sobbing but she was peculiarly quiet in her grief and broken pride. The silence gave those who knew her more cause to worry than if she was still crying.

"Sam?"

There was no reply, but Matilda could sense Sam's presence to the right of her so she knew he was there.

"_Sam_?"

When Sam's voice came through the stuffy darkness, there was a tremor of shock in it. "I think," he said. "I think there's something else in here."

"What?!" said Maethon.

"There's something moving over here."

Tauriel, Matilda, Teddy and Maethon all crawled along the ground in the direction of Sam's voice. Teddy kept a hand on Matilda's shoulder to keep track of her, but she was the first one to reach Sam.

"Where?" she asked, her voice breaking in fear.

She strained her eyes into the dark corner to try and see something, anything. She couldn't hear any movement either, but Matilda, like Sam, could sense that they were being watched.

Suddenly, her heart stopped, as something shot out and grabbed her ankle with a grip of iron. Matilda screamed, and grabbed Sam's arm. "Get it off me! Get it off me! Something's got my ankle!"

Matilda felt the swish through the air as Sam brought his fist down in a wide arc on whatever was holding her foot prisoner. There was a yelp of pain and a muffled grunt, and Tauriel gasped. "Stop! Stop!"

Matilda's ankle was freed and she snatched it away.

"What is it?!" Teddy asked.

"Tehlmar!" Tauriel was shocked. "What happened to you?"

There was some muttering and whispering, before Tauriel spoke. "He says he held off Aubron's guards when they came through the passage. He knocked seven guards down before Aubron's eldest son got his sword from his hands." Matilda heard Tauriel bend her head again, and listened to the whispers in the silent room. Tauriel's quietly angry voice came to their ears again. She sounded sickened. "They beat him," she whispered. "When he put up a fight, Aubron threatened the death of Tehlmar's wife and son. A bag was put over his head, he was knocked unconscious and when he woke up, he was in here."

"No," said Matilda, feeling the hot tears slide down her cheeks. She liked the friendly and vibrant elf who had taught her to dance for the Feast, and who had so courageously protected them. "How long have you been here, Tehlmar?" she whispered.

Tauriel voiced his answer; "He says he does not know. It has been many hours, though."

"Is there anybody else in here?" Maethon asked.

"No," Tauriel replied, after a moment. "He has been alone until we were dragged here."

Matilda, no longer paying attention to her own wounds now there was someone else who needed her care, ran gentle hands along Tehlmar's battered body. His hands were still tied behind his back, and she cut through the ropes, making him more comfortable. When Matilda's cool fingers reached his face, she felt congealed blood under her fingertips and Tehlmar winced with pain. Matilda could not even imagine his agony, and his fear for his family. "I'm sorry," she said. "I'm sorry. You shouldn't have done this for us."

Tehlmar's weak hand pulled her closer to him. Matilda felt his cracked lips mouthing something. "Lovely Matilda," he whispered. He could barely talk through his bloody mouth. "I would not watch Aubron's cruelty break your spirit or the enormous amount of love you hold inside you."

"It is my fault you are hurt," she sobbed. "I should never have come back. I wish I'd never set foot in Mirkwood!"

"You wish you had never met Legolas, or Myrin, or Tehlmar, or me?" Tauriel asked from nearby.

"It would have been easier!" Matilda wept, crying out all her pain. "All of you would have been safer and happier without me!"

"That is not true!" whispered Tehlmar in outrage. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to our prince!" The energy required to speak seemed to overwhelm the dancing-master, and he slumped down, breathing hard.

Myrin had joined them, and he took Matilda's hand. "We are in this together," he said, but their words brought no comfort to Matilda. Fear was coursing through her, and it warped her mind, twisting her thoughts and turning them to misery and depression; fear for Legolas, fear for Teddy and Jane and Sam, fear for Myrin and Tauriel and Tehlmar, and fear for her mother and Hattie and Sarah back home.

"Thank you," she gulped. Anxious for Tehlmar's wellbeing, she said; "Do everything you can for him, Myrin," before stepping backwards. Matilda, keeping her fingertips in contact with a wall, felt her way to the corner opposite Tehlmar's. As Myrin, Teddy, Maethon and Tauriel cared for the seriously injured elf, Matilda let herself slide down the hard wall and onto the ground. It was pitch-dark but she still closed her eyes when she cried, stuffing a fist into her mouth so the others would not hear her grief or realise her weakness.

Matilda had forgotten how alone it was possible to feel, even when she was surrounded by people, people who loved her. Her nails dug deep into her palms, like the sting of eight wasps, and she found an element of release in the pain. The darkness was suffocating and she wished she would sink down into a void until the nightmare was over, but Aubron was not going to grant her even that.

* * *

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	17. Of Jewels and Heartbreak

Of Jewels and Heartbreak

Meanwhile, Legolas had been hurried into the Halls, flanked by at least a dozen guards. They sycophantically followed Aubron as he led them all through a bronze door, which Legolas had not previously known even existed. The black scarf was tight around his mouth but he didn't think anyone would have heard his shout to come to his aid, even if he had cried out. He was not injured; the guards, even Aubron, had not dared to really hurt him, but in the scuffle of the fight a club had been wielded rather viciously, and Legolas could feel the bruises blooming all over his body.

He did not recognise the wide corridor he found himself in. Thick tapestries and rich curtains lined the walls, and there were soft rugs underfoot. There were even tapestries across the ceiling; Legolas suspected that these chambers were intended to be soundproof.

"Welcome to my private chambers, my lord," Aubron smirked, obviously amused at the scorching fury in Legolas's clear eyes.

Horthien, Aubron's second son, grinned triumphantly at Legolas, before loosening his gag. "No one is going to hear you down here," he said. "You cannot scream for your father now, princess."

"Still jealous of when I always beat you in combat when we were young?" snapped Legolas. He would not give his childhood rival the satisfaction of hearing him call for help. Legolas would just have to work out how to escape by himself.

"How the tables have turned!" scoffed Horthien, his face twisted into an ugly, bitter scowl.

"Enough, Horthien," Aubron ordered, pushing his son away from Legolas. "Do not taunt the prince. Come, my lord, you are our guest."

"Do not flatter yourself, Aubron," Legolas replied, with as much dignity as he could muster. "I am your prisoner. This is high treason."

"It is negotiation, my lord," smiled Aubron.

A guard held open a thick studded door, and Aubron, with a sweep of his arm, beckoned Legolas in. With his hands still twisted behind his back, Legolas walked into the long, low-ceilinged chamber. As he passed Horthien, the elf leaned forwards to spitefully whisper into Legolas's ear; "Your bride awaits."

Before Legolas could stop and bombard his enemy with questions about this curious statement, he was shoved forwards. Surprisingly, all the guards suddenly let go of him and spread backwards to line the walls. His arms were released, and Legolas tugged at the black scarf from where it had been pushed down around his neck, before freezing in horror as he took in his surroundings.

It was a rich, luxurious gallery, full of dark wood and scarlet rugs and golden candlesticks, but Legolas did not see any beauty in the room. A long table, draped with a violet cloth, stood on a dais at the end of the room, arranged with flowers. The sickly-sweet scent of the flowers was overwhelming; Legolas could smell them from several yards away. A silk cushion was resplendent in the centre of this ostentatious finery, but before he could look at what lay upon it, Legolas's eyes flicked to the elegant figure moving gracefully out of the shadows.

Legolas's jaw dropped in confusion, distress and anger. Eletha glided forwards and took her father's hand. She was dressed in a floating grey-blue gown, embroidered with silver threads, and her glossy hair was elaborately twisted on top of her head. But the most disturbing features of this costume were the silver tiara glittering on Eletha's brown hair and the diamonds at her throat.

"That necklace belongs in the royal treasury!" Legolas almost screamed. "My mother wore those diamonds at her wedding! How dare you taint it with your filthy, lying fingers? You have no honour, Aubron!"

Stood on the dais with his guards nearby for his personal safety, Aubron ignored Legolas for the most part. "It seems fitting, does it not," he said, "that your wife should wear them at her royal wedding too?"

Legolas's heart skipped a beat; then he chortled in mirth. "You are a fool, Aubron," he laughed. "Matilda is the only one who holds my heart, and she is the only girl I would ask for her hand in marriage. You are delusional if you think that I will ever make Eletha my wife!"

"Who said you had a choice?" Aubron replied, his vile hiss pronounced as he smiled triumphantly at the prince.

"You will _never_ get away with this! The king knows I love Matilda; he has pardoned all of us."

"My daughter _will_ be your queen," said Aubron, his eyes alight with a mad and dangerous ambition. "I will do whatever it takes to see her sat on the throne, even if it means having to wed her to _you_. I will be untouchable, and my descendants will be kings."

Legolas knew Aubron's ambition; he craved power just as a dwarf craved gold. If Eletha was queen, Aubron would rule the kingdom through his daughter, undermining Legolas's natural, rightful power as king. Perhaps he would find poison slipped into his wine or a dagger slipped through his ribs, leaving the Woodland Realm in the hands of the Blackwoods. Legolas would _never_ let that happen.

"You imbecile," sneered Legolas, employing one of Jane's favourite names. "You cannot force me to marry Eletha. We have not even been betrothed. I have not pledged my love and intention to marry her. My father will never consent to this, and neither do I. You cannot conduct a marriage ceremony without the betrothal, the consent of both houses, and the rings-" He trailed off as his eyes fell on the small golden items glinting on the silken cushion surrounded by flowers. Two rings, set with rubies, lay there, and Legolas erupted in a brand-new fit of rage. They were jewels also stolen from the royal treasury.

"Oh, come, Legolas," Eletha said silkily. "I will be a good wife to you. Very pleasing."

Aubron's brazen-faced eldest son, Lancaeron, stepped forward next to his father and jeered at Legolas, who was alone, helpless and a prisoner in every sense of the word. "Eletha is most looking forward to the consummation of your marriage," he leered.

His vulgarity made Legolas recoil. "I see it is a real family effort, Lancaeron," he snapped accusingly, before switching his fiercest glare on the king's advisor, as if it had made any difference before. "Now let me go, Aubron, before I run you through where you stand."

"With what?!" jeered Horthien. "You are as helpless now as you were when we were children. Relying on your father's men to get you out of sticky situations. They are nowhere in sight now, little princess, and you are reduced to nothing."

"Your stupidity astounds me," Legolas said simply.

"Brother, stop," said Lancaeron, digging an elbow into Horthien's ribs. "It is no use taunting someone so brainless-"

"That is my future husband," said Eletha. "Mind your tongue, brother. I will be your queen one day."

"And you will rule on Father's order, and on mine, as we are responsible for elevating you to the throne," Lancaeron added.

"Do not be foolish, Lancaeron," Eletha smiled at her brother's folly. "I will be as powerful as Legolas, and you will tend to my every whim."

Legolas barely heard them, just as Aubron ignored the bickering of his children; he did not tear his sharp eyes from the face of his future monarch. He clearly did not want to be the one to move his gaze from Legolas's first. Aubron won but it was a small victory; Legolas refused to be sucked in to Aubron's petty fights.

Legolas raised his head and smiled boldly at his enemies. His firm, strong voice cut out those of Aubron's children. "One drop of my blood is worth more than your whole life. The king will have you all executed for this."

Legolas had such presence in the room; it was the quiet confidence of being a prince beloved by his subjects. A strong, authoritative confidence which could not be learned by the likes of Eletha or Horthien, and never would be. His voice alone could silence any elf, quell any anger, strike fear or joy, and whisper words of love, all with the desired effect.

"Not so," Aubron said, unfazed by the power he was faced with. "The king will never hear of this. My family will retain their positions, and my stars will only rise higher."

"You are a curse to this kingdom, Aubron," Legolas scowled. "I believe you have truly gone mad this time."

"The king will simply be told that you and Eletha have married in secret, in a fit of spontaneous love, and he will hear this from your own mouth," said Aubron calmly.

"I will _never _let you blackmail me like this," Legolas said. "My father will never hear that from my mouth."

"I will offer you one last chance," said Aubron dangerously. "If you do not say your marriage vows to Eletha in the name of Eru, I will cut the throats of your friends one by one in front of your very eyes, and I shall start with that meddling little whore you call Matilda."

Legolas, utterly horrified, cast his mind to his lovely Matilda. He was in a frenzy of fear for her wellbeing. Where was she? What was she doing? What was she thinking? Was she alive, even?

Still very much alive, Matilda gloomily estimated they had been prisoners in the strangely airless room for two hours, probably more, when the grating locks sounded on the other side of the thick door. Her desolate tears had dried up long ago, and she had been sat by herself in inconsolable, grief-stricken heartache, but when the door crashed open and flickering light flooded the prison, she thought, _this is it. _

She knew Aubron would not rest until she was dead and he had got what he wanted. Aubron had taken everything from her, and now he wanted her life-blood. There was nothing to stand in his way anymore. He needed her head, and she was at his mercy. Being the beloved of a king's son did not, in fact, make Matilda immune to danger. It made her more of a target; a bull's eye which Aubron was now fixated upon.

Matilda, if she had ever feared the inevitable prospect of death before, was no longer afraid. She did not fear the pain of her death; nothing would hurt more than the sickness that Legolas being tortured brought her. She didn't believe anything could cause more pain than this suffocating, grieving depression which drained the hope from her quicker than the sands from an hourglass. Matilda's time had run out. She would never be able to outrun Aubron; she had conquered his ruthless ambition, and won Legolas's love; she would now reap the consequences a hundredfold.

Matilda knew that she had been fortunate to feel the strength of true love; she had been lucky to gaze upon a perfect beauty such as Legolas, and she had been joyful in the knowledge that she was beloved of a prince. That was more than some women ever felt in eighty years of life. Her only regret would be that she had not gotten to see her mother or her sisters one last time before she died.

A soldier, maybe another of Aubron's sons, stepped into the room, holding a burning torch in front of him. He did not seem to care that the prisoners were no longer bound; he knew there was nowhere they could go. His eyes fell on the dark-haired human girl, but before he could take her arm, she was on her feet, meeting his gaze with a stubborn defiance, even though she was squinting slightly at him.

"Come with me," the elf said.

Matilda saw Jane cowering on the floor, shielding her eyes from the bright, unfamiliar light. Teddy was also suffering despite his best efforts to grab Matilda's hand and pull her back to him, and Sam had his head in his hands. Matilda refused to be cowed before her adversary.

"She's not going anywhere," snapped Tauriel. Matilda noticed the limp of her wounded foot and the dark bruises around her neck.

"Not without us, Rinion," added Myrin, and Matilda recognised the name of yet another of Aubron's sons. Myrin's face was smeared with mud and filth, and his eyebrow had been split open.

The elf-soldier scoffed at them, and Matilda understood how she would be forced to go with him. He looked back at her, recognising the knowing look on her face. "If you do not come without a fight, I will slit their throats," he said, raising his sword and pressing it against Myrin's neck to emphasise his point.

"I'll come," Matilda said, nodding.

Rinion turned on his heel, and Matilda followed him, but when she reached the doorway, she snatched the fiery torch from his grasp, and threw it to Tauriel, who caught it deftly. Rinion just laughed at her.

"They need light," said Matilda determinedly. "This is the Captain of the Guard, Tauriel, and the King's General, Maethon."

"I do not care who they are and it matters not," the elf said, and he dragged her out of the doorway so he could slam and lock the door to the prison.

This time Aubron had not taken any chances in sending an escort for Matilda; Rinion was accompanied by eight fellow soldiers, all with the black band of Aubron's house tied round the silver shoulder plates of their armour. The elves' long hair, in a multitude of shades, appeared as fine and silky as the nobles' locks, but Matilda guessed that these were lowborn Silvan elves, like Tauriel. Maybe Aubron was bribing them with gold and jewels to carry out his dirty deeds.

Matilda, her elbows held by two guards so tightly it was painful, was submissive as she followed Aubron's son. She kept her eyes glued to her toes as she was led down a heavily-carpeted corridor. The guards spoke to each other in Elvish over her head and she let the noise wash over her, and kept her mind's eye on her loved ones; Legolas, Teddy, her mother and her late father, Hattie, Sarah, Jane, Myrin, Tauriel and Sam. Tehlmar, Maethon and Jane's parents were flickering, but they were there.

She considered snatching Rinion's sword from its sheath at his hip and throwing herself on it; ending it all before Aubron had the chance to. _Don't be stupid_, she said to herself.

"In," said Rinion shortly.

Matilda finally looked up; in front of her was a doorway revealing a darkened room in front of her, the walls shimmering with the candlelight. Her path was suddenly blocked by an unwelcome figure. The elf called Horthien who had taunted them so cruelly earlier, and who had torched Myrin, was smiling wickedly down at her.

"Hello again," he said, and hooked an arm round her neck, pressing a cold dagger to the soft skin of her throat. Matilda gulped, but did not make a sound. "You have done well, brother," he said to Rinion, who nodded. It was evident Horthien's cruelty and vindictive nature was feared by even his closest kin. Matilda barely breathed.

It was only when she was propelled, trapped in Horthien's grip, into the long, low-ceilinged room that she began to struggle. Legolas, restrained by a pair of guards, was on his knees in front of Aubron, who stood proudly, resplendent in his glory and power, on a dais.

"_Matilda_!" shouted Legolas. "No! Are you hurt?!"

Matilda knew her face was a mess; her eyes were bright through a mixture of blood and dirt, but she tried hard to smile at Legolas. Horthien pressed the blade harder against her neck, and the smile was wiped off her face. Legolas yelled out; "You're hurting her! _Are you hurt_?!"

"No," gasped Matilda, as she struggled to breathe against Horthien's unforgiving knife.

"Aubron, let her go NOW!" Legolas shouted, fighting fiercely but getting nowhere. "She is nothing to do with this."

"She is everything to do with this," replied Aubron. "There is a price for her to keep her life. If you do not pledge the vows of unbreakable marriage to Eletha, you will watch my sons slowly kill Matilda."

It did not take Matilda long to work out what was going on; the ultimatum Aubron had given Legolas was plain as day in his distressed eyes. As she saw Legolas battling to protect her, she suddenly realised how hard it would be to die and leave her true love.

"Aubron, if you release her now, I will give you anything you want," begged Legolas. "I will give you half the royal treasury," he said, wildly bargaining in his desperation to save Matilda's life. "I will make you my heir when I become king, I will-!"

"I will settle for nothing less than your marriage to my daughter," said Aubron coldly.

Legolas, still grappling with his guards, shouted out to the hired soldiers, who stood everywhere, banishing any thoughts of escape he had; "I will pay you double the gold Aubron is paying you. My father will pardon all of you for your actions, and I will make you and your families rich! Please?! Turn on the enemy. Rally, and fight for your true king. Let us go free and capture Aubron and his sons!"

None of the guards twitched a muscle, but their eyes roved the room uncertainly, looking to see what their fellows were doing. Lancaeron, Horthien and Rinion glared round at the hired guards fiercely, leaving no doubt in their minds that traitors would not be forgiven and would be treated with no mercy.

Aubron scoffed at him. "_Pathetic_!" he hissed. "I am almost disappointed in you, my lord, that you have so little faith in me. My guards are loyal to me; I have made sure of that. Do not doubt my will, Legolas; there is no way in which you can escape. Confront your fate like the noble warrior you claim to be."

"I certainly expected more," sniffed Horthien, from where he was easily preventing Matilda's escape. She winced as the blade dug into her neck.

Legolas was beside himself. "IF YOU HURT HER-!"

"_You'll what_?" snapped Horthien, with just as much venom. He was clearly bitter and harboured more than a little resentment for Legolas, stemming from a boyhood feud.

"I will watch you _burn_," said Legolas aggressively.

"I am running out of patience," Aubron announced, before Horthien could antagonise Legolas further. "If you do not consent to my negotiation soon, I will have Matilda's left hand cut off."

Matilda, fearful of Aubron, tried not to let her fear show in her eyes. She gave Legolas courage as she watched a fierce conflict rage across the battlefield of his handsome face. Neither of them could win, Aubron had made sure of that; Legolas had to pledge his hand in marriage to a she-elf he hated, an unbreakable bond, and give up Matilda, or he would watch Matilda, and then his other friends, die, and he would have given up on her then too. Matilda, although it was not her choice, would be killed and would leave Legolas alone, or would have her heart broken as she watched her love bonded for life with someone else.

But Matilda knew what she had to do. She knew what was best. Maybe it was destiny, maybe it was impulse, but suddenly everything became clear to her.

"Legolas," Matilda's voice, when it came, was gentle; "Do not marry her. I will not have you waste your life in misery for me. I am not worth it."

Silvery tears were already falling from Legolas's eyes. Matilda would never understand how Legolas summoned a sudden fit of strength from his anguish to throw off the guards. He broke free, and charged towards Matilda, who, whilst Horthien was distracted, ducked under his dagger and ran into Legolas's arms.

He caught her round the waist and lifted her into his strong arms. Matilda's breath was stolen from her as he wrapped his mouth around hers and kissed her with more passion and more desire than he ever had before. Time seemed to stop still (oh, how Matilda wished it had), and she was no longer conscious of the world around her. She didn't see the guards thundering towards them, or hear Aubron's cry of rage; Legolas's soft lips tasted of honey and regret, and that was all she knew.

Legolas set her back on her feet. "I promise I will always love you," he burst out, moments before Horthien's fist shot out and punched the prince across the face, sending his chin flying and Legolas with it.

Matilda, who had been dropped and had fallen, sprawling, across the floor, was dragged to her feet as Legolas disappeared under a cluster of guards. When he was hauled up to the dais again, he was breathless and there was new blood on his chin. If Matilda had thought she had seen him broken and dejected before, it was nothing compared to now. She could feel the pain in his eyes like a stab in the heart, as he looked down at Aubron and said; "I agree to marry Eletha."

In those five words, he saw his starry future slipping from his grasp. He saw the bleakness and blackness of an eternity with Aubron's daughter, whom he would never love. Legolas bowed his head in shame and in desolation. He was sure he would never smile again.

Matilda's cheeks were wet as she noticed that Legolas could not bring himself to look at her. She was wracked with sobs, but no sound escaped her as she howled to the sky.

Aubron's heartless grey eyes had ignited with triumph. "I knew you would come round," he said, almost laughing as he revelled in his final victory.

"You will not harm her, as you promised," whispered Legolas, almost whimpering in pain. "My friends will go free."

"You have my word, my lord," smirked Aubron. "You are the prince, after all."

Behind Matilda, Horthien sniggered. Aubron's other sons, Lancaeron and Rinion, looked triumphant, but their joy could not compare to that which was etched on every inch of their father's face. Eletha did not seem to care about Legolas's final kiss and declaration of love to Matilda; she was busy fretting that her future husband was dripping blood on her gown.

It was only when her elder brother nudged her that she realised her future had been decided, the last decision had been made. Suddenly, her face broke into a smile. Nothing could stand in the way of her path to the throne; she could see it as clearly as though looking through the glass of a window. Eletha smoothed her hair back from her face. She was going to be queen.

"I will serve you in good duty," she said to Legolas, unaware of his despair at the prospect of marrying her.

"You have risen so high, my daughter, that no one will be able to pull you down," said Aubron. "Not even the king."

"Mother will be proud," Eletha said.

"And what do we do with that cowering, snivelling little human wench?" asked Lancaeron, nodding carelessly to the corner of the room.

It was only then that their attention was turned to Matilda, whose heart was quietly, but painfully, breaking, still locked in Horthien's grasp. Although her eyes were fixed on him, willing him to look at her and give her courage, Legolas still did not turn his head.

He wished he was dreaming, that it was all just a nightmare, and he would wake any moment in Matilda's arms. Legolas, even in his wildest imaginations of self-doubt, had not anticipated an outcome like this. He did not look up as Aubron slowly descended the steps from the dais and walked to his son and conquered rival.

Matilda heaved a great sigh of dismay and sniffed; her tears were drying on her hot cheeks. She wondered if she had any more tears left to cry. She did not trust Aubron one bit. She fully expected to be murdered, despite his promise to Legolas. Her gaze was blank and she stared straight through Aubron as though he was not even there; this aggravated him immensely.

"Look at me!" he hissed. Matilda did not. She knew that he wanted to see her hurting, and she would not give him the pleasure of knowing just how much agony he had caused her. He had, in fact, ruined her life, and now he may well be about to end it.

"Do as he says," commanded Horthien, shaking Matilda so hard with each word for emphasis that her head snapped back and her neck cracked.

"I love Legolas," she muttered under her breath so that Horthien craned his neck down to try and hear her. Aubron, however, caught her words with his trained, spying ears, and his lip curled in contempt and hatred. Matilda repeated Legolas's name over and over in her mind, praying that it would give her the nerve to defy Aubron up until her last breath.

Aubron had had enough. He yanked her head back, by her hair, so that Matilda, grimacing, was forced to meet his cruel eyes. She knew what was coming, what he intended. She would be forced to watch Legolas pledge his life away; her presence would make his victory even sweeter.

"You will keep your eyes open as the prince makes his vows," smiled Aubron. "You believed yourself to be invincible but look how far you have fallen now. This is your final defeat, and I want you to watch every second."

* * *

**There! A super-long chapter for you as the drama hots up. **

**Let me know what you love, what you hate and what you're thinking overall by reviewing for me please! The reviews mean a lot and make me want to update more and more! And a big thank you to everyone who has followed this story and reviewed so far!**


	18. Of Dread and Demise

Of Dread and Demise

"What are they doing?" Teddy stressed, pacing up and down. "Matilda might be dead by now…Legolas…my sister…"

He had been muttering to himself for the last half an hour; no one replied for none of them knew what had become of Matilda, or of Legolas. There were no words of comfort for Teddy's anxious ears. He was not crying but his eyes were red, and his face was pale in the golden flames dancing across the room.

"You are making me dizzy," whispered Tehlmar through swollen lips as his dark eyes followed Teddy walking round and round in circles.

"Sit down," Tauriel urged him. "You will make yourself even more restless if you keep moving about."

She was sat with Tehlmar, who was weakening more and more as time slowly slipped past them. Maethon was standing nearby, stretching out his legs and gnawing at a fingernail. Myrin and Jane were sat with their heads very close together, their hands clasped. Tears had been falling from her eyes for a long time, and Myrin was doing his best to console her, even a tiny bit. Sam sat in isolation, blankly staring into the distance and not talking to any of them. No one could have guessed at what was crossing his mind.

The torch was on the floor in the middle of the stifling room; they were not worried about setting anything alight because there was nothing in the room that was even remotely flammable.

"You want me to sit down?" asked Teddy slowly, as though he could not believe his ears. "You want me to be at peace whilst my sister could be being tortured as we speak. Who knows what Aubron has in store for her? And Legolas; he is defenceless and alone. Who will help him against the power of Aubron?"

"Legolas is a more than capable elf," said Tauriel uncertainly, but it sounded like she was attempting to reassure herself just as much as the others. The silver lining was getting harder and harder to find.

For the first time, Sam let out a snort of derision. No one commented on this.

"At least we have a light source now," said Maethon. "Matilda was brave and selfless to risk herself like that. You should be proud of her, Teddy."

"I am," he said.

The elves tried to lift his spirits. "Do not lose hope," said Tauriel. "We must craft a plan to escape." She felt helpless, but in encouraging the others, she found a small purpose. She knew that Tehlmar did not have long left to live. If only they had medicines or bandages.

"How?" asked Teddy.

"We have fire," said Maethon.

"One torch," Teddy replied miserably. "We have no weapons, and even if we did, there is no way to get out of this room. Did you see the walls? They're at least seven inches thick, and we're hidden deep within Aubron's private, probably secret, chambers. We are going to die in here."

"We have a knife," said Maethon, holding it up, but this sounded weak, even to his own ears.

"I have a dagger," whispered Tehlmar, gesturing to his boot. "They did not search me thoroughly when I was attacked."

"Nor me," Tauriel said, giving them a small smile, as from deep within her tunic, she whisked out a pair of engraved golden-hilted double daggers.

"So we have a couple of knives," said Teddy. "Aubron means for us to waste away in this hot, stuffy room, I just know it."

"No," said Sam dully, speaking for the first time. His voice sounded peculiar, not like himself at all.

Everyone turned to look at him. "No?" Teddy repeated.

"Aubron does not mean for us to waste and starve in here," he said. "He means for us to suffocate." Sam stood up and gestured around. "There is no air in this room but that which we are breathing. What happens when it is all used up? We will suffocate."

"What?" said Jane in horror. She began breathing heavily; a panic attack threatening to wrack her again.

"Of course," said Tauriel. "That is the reason Rinion did not care if a torch stayed in here with us. The flames will eat away at the ear even more; the light will only serve to kill us quicker."

"We must stamp it out!" said Teddy moving towards the torch.

"No!" said Tauriel, stepping smartly in front of him. "We would only die without seeing the faces of our friends, in darkness. Slower or quicker; does it matter when we stop breathing?"

Teddy, on the verge of tears again, sat down with a thump. "I suppose not," he said.

The others had forgotten what Teddy was going through. It was his sister who was in the greatest danger of all of them and he was not with her to protect her. It was easy to overlook the fact that he was only fourteen years of age, the youngest of all of them by far, and he was far from home and anything familiar.

Tauriel did not know what to say to him, but she knelt and put a kind hand on his shoulder, comforting him in the only way she could. The air was getting heavier and heavier, closing in around them.

"I don't want to die," gulped Jane; raising her dirty, tear-streaked face to the ceiling, hoping beyond hope that this was all a horrible nightmare and that tomorrow she would watch the sun rise again.

"Does anyone?" Myrin asked.

Jane suddenly felt ages older than her years; her bones ached with a weary exhaustion that she previously only associated with the old and the poor. Her quick wit and sharp tongue could not help her now. She drew her only comfort from Myrin's unbroken strength and constant, unfailing presence. She wondered how he could keep going, and as if he had read her mind, Myrin brought his mouth to her ear; "Think of Matilda," he said. "Think of her courage."

"She has always had a stronger heart than me," sighed Jane. "Ever since we were children, I have defended myself with my words, hiding my fear and cowardice, but Matilda," a smile washed over her features, "she was always good and true and brave. Who could hate her?"

Myrin smiled and gently took Jane's hand in his. "As much as I love Matilda," he said. "There is no one in Middle-Earth I would rather spend my last night with than you."

Jane looked into his merry brown eyes and pleasant, currently grubby, face. Myrin's long copper hair brushed her shoulder, mingling with her red locks; she leaned towards him as though under a trance.

"Quiet!" ordered Tauriel suddenly, straightening up as suddenly as if she was attached to a spring. Her fingers tightened around her daggers.

Jane's head snapped round, blushing. "What is it?" she asked.

"Do you hear that?" asked Tauriel.

"Yes," said Myrin.

"Yes," said Maethon.

"No," said Jane, Teddy and Sam simultaneously.

"What do you hear?" asked Teddy skittishly. He had jumped to his feet and was gazing at Tauriel with Matilda's large dark eyes.

"A thumping noise," she said. Her pointed ears were pricked, staring at the door.

"I hear it too," said Teddy suddenly, just as everyone, except Tehlmar, got to their feet.

A banging sound, growing steadily louder, was coming from just outside the door. Within their oppressive prison, no one moved.

"Why don't they just unlock the door?" wondered Sam.

The thumping stopped; there was a pause, and then the prisoners heard the scratch and buzz of a metal saw, grinding into thick wood.

Maethon, his face alight with hope, beamed. "Because they do not have the keys. We are being rescued."

"No one knows we are here," Myrin pointed out. His heart beat faster and faster. Jane would never need to know about the coward within him, wanting to sob and cry out for his mother.

"Maybe a guard has betrayed Aubron," said Tauriel. "Or perhaps it is your sister come to find you, Myrin?"

"You have a sister?!" Jane exclaimed, but no one heard her.

Teddy went to the door and, using his fist, banged on it as hard as he could. "Help us!" he shouted. "Get us out!"

"Stop interrupting them!" scolded Jane.

"Teddy!" shouted Sam suddenly, leaping up and grabbing the younger boy. He dragged Teddy out of danger mere moments before the thick wooden door fell into the room, with a great crash and a puff of dust.

Light, from a dozen torches, flooded the cramped room, and in the sudden glare, they all squinted. Momentarily blind, Tauriel's vision began to clear and relief washed over her with such power, she could quite easily have keeled over. King Thranduil, glorious in a rich gold robe and crowned with a garland of autumn leaves, surveyed the dirty, bleeding faces looking back at him like he was a fallen angel. His eyes were on fire with a dangerous, passionate rage.

"What a sorry sight indeed!" a very young copper-haired she-elf skipped round her king and threw her arms round Myrin. "Brother!" she beamed at him. Her hair was woven with bronze and wooden beads and she wore a simple brown tunic.

Jane silently mouthed 'brother', looking the friendly she-elf up and down. Sick with worry, she only managed a small, rather watery smile to Myrin's sister, who was grinning enough for all of them. Her smile was the same as Myrin's, and she began to hand out gourds to the prisoners, who poured streams of cool water into their parched, gasping mouths.

Meanwhile, the king, not paying Myrin's sister any attention, turned to his captains, ready to accept their gratitude. Tauriel, who felt as light as a feather now the crushing weight of death had been lifted from her shoulders, bowed low to the king. "My lord," she said. "You have saved our lives."

"I am glad no serious harm has come to you, Tauriel," Thranduil said, and his eyes genuinely warmed towards his ward. "Aubron betrayed me," he raged, his face suddenly dropping and his eyes darkening to the colour of thunderclouds. "I was deliberately disobeyed. It is unforgivable. Now, where is my son?"

"Legolas is in grave danger," said Tauriel. "As is Matilda. They were taken from us and we know not where they are. We were close to suffocating in here. All of us have sustained wounds, but none as severely as Tehlmar. His life is fading from him. He was injured by Aubron and his men whilst protecting us, and I fear for him."

"He must be treated immediately," the king decreed. "Bring the physician!"

Lathai was ushered in to the small prison, which was now blazing with light and filled with bustling people, mostly guards, who were checking the prisoners' condition. Corym, Tehlmar's good-looking son, his face etched with worry, ran after Lathai and fell to his knees. "Father!" he burst out.

"My son," whispered Tehlmar. He was so weak he could not lift his hand to touch his son's face. "I thought I would never look upon you again."

Corym held no shame as he let his tears fall unchecked from his eyes. Lathai, meanwhile, got to work with his assistants, examining and cleaning Tehlmar. He called for herbs and potions and balms and bandages and warm water, all of which was brought to him within half a second.

"Aubron will pay dearly for his crimes," Thranduil ground out, watching the father and son. No doubt his mind was on his own son, Legolas. Previously, the king had not been aware of the danger Legolas had been in, but now his eyes had been opened. Thranduil thought of the way in which he and Legolas had parted ways. What if his only son had been killed at Aubron's hand? Legolas's last thoughts of his father would have been those of betrayal and hurt and disappointment.

Thranduil remembered how he had been treated by his own father. He and Oropher had had a close relationship; as an elfling, he had believed his father was capable of anything, almighty, all-powerful. Thranduil wished he and Legolas had a stronger, closer connection, but since the death of his wife, Legolas's mother, he saw her in everything his son did. The pain had been raw at first, he had purposefully sought to distance himself from his only heir, but now Thranduil regretted his actions. He knew Legolas thought of himself as an enormous disappointment to his father, and the king was refreshed with a new eagerness to rectify his mistakes. Maybe Legolas needed to hear how much Thranduil loved him.

"My lord," said Maethon, stepping forward and bowing. "I seek your most humble forgiveness and I will bear upon myself any punishment you see fit to dole out. I failed in my task to deliver the prince and his party safely to you."

"Peace, Maethon," the king said. "There was little to be done against an ambush."

"If you please, my lord," said Teddy, resolved in his determination. "My sister is in great peril."

"Yes!" Thranduil said, raising his voice. "We captured two of Aubron's guards on our journey to find you. Bring them in!"

Two elves with the black armband were marched in and forced to their knees in front of the king. Long, curved daggers were held to their throats; they were trembling with fear as the king looked down upon them in contempt. "Tell me where Prince Legolas is being held and I will spare your worthless lives."

One of the elves, who clearly had never wanted to be associated with Aubron, ripped off his armband and did not hesitate to reply. "There is a secret ceremony being conducted as we speak to wed the prince to Eletha Blackwood in Eru's sight, with the girl Matilda as a witness."

"_I beg your pardon_?!" The king's shout of fury echoed down the passageway outside the prison. His wrath was about to break upon Aubron with a force any of them could scarcely begin to imagine.

"Where?" asked Teddy vehemently. The only thing restraining him was Tauriel's hand holding the scruff of his neck. He was panting to go and rescue Matilda from the clutches of the enemy. Tauriel gripped Teddy's cloak tighter.

The repentant elf told them the directions to Legolas and Matilda, bowing his head in remorse.

The king spat Elvish curse words at Aubron; every elf who understood his words quaked in their boots. Tauriel gulped before speaking. "Aubron is likely to have a lot of soldiers," she pointed out.

"My guards will be more than a match for them," said Thranduil sternly. "Tauriel, you are Captain of the Guard, and Maethon my best patrol captain; do your duty and brief my guards."

"Yes, my lord," said Tauriel, and, refusing to let her painful leg hinder her, swept out of the room with Maethon close behind.

Teddy heard the two elves calling instructions and information to the guards in the passageway. He was desperate to slip out of the prison whilst no one was looking and find Matilda by himself. He began edging towards the door, but just as freedom seemed within his grasp, he felt a firm hand on his shoulder. Twisting round, he saw Myrin, who shook his head. "Do not do anything brash, Teddy."

"They're not doing anything!" Teddy snapped. "We have to go now!"

"Patience, Teddy," said Jane.

"I want to fight!"

"And you shall. Look, the guards are moving now," said Myrin calmly. He snapped his fingers, and a servant appeared at his elbow. "We need weapons," he said, and the servant hurried off.

He was back in ten seconds, laden with swords, daggers and spears. Teddy, Sam, Jane and Myrin took up arms. Sam's face was blank but inside his tough shell, he was in a frenzy of fear for Matilda's life. He scraped two daggers along each other, listening to the swipe of cold metal. Myrin's young merry-faced sister picked a spearhead up, but was quickly admonished by Myrin, who instructed the servant not to let his sister out of his sight, and told her not to follow them.

"Come," said Tauriel quickly, and in an instant, they were hurrying behind her, Maethon and the king, with Thranduil's dozens of guards jogging in their midst.

"What is the plan, Tauriel?" asked Myrin, not taking his eyes from Teddy, who was behaving like a loose, unpredictable elk, one minute away from stampeding off on his own.

"Legolas and Matilda must not be held as hostages," said Tauriel. "We must burst in on them. Aubron's guards have to be taken by surprise-"

"Stop there!" Thranduil suddenly thundered. Three Blackwood guards who had been strolling down the corridor suddenly froze at the sound of their monarch's furious voice. In shock and fear, they did not move, letting one of the king's guards bind their wrists before they were led away. "Aubron must not be forewarned."

The speed of the rescue party picked up as they got closer; Tauriel charged down the corridor at her guardian, the king's, side, trying not to let her mind dwell on her painful limp. Jane was close behind her, gripping her dagger tightly. Her heart thumped, but courage swelled within her between her brother and Myrin, rescuing her best friend.

"Halt!" the king said in a low voice, and the order rippled backwards through the ranks of elves. "Get Legolas and Matilda to safety. I will deal with Aubron myself."

As elves surrounded every entrance to Aubron's secret grand hall, unbeknownst to those inside, Legolas grimaced at Aubron. He felt sickened to the deepest pit of his stomach. His heart was as heavy as lead in his chest. Matilda squirmed helplessly, in the tight, relentless grip of Horthien.

"Say the words!" Aubron snapped, rapidly losing his patience.

Legolas, shoulders bowed, held Eletha's hands in his own, but he was staring at them blankly as though his arms did not belong to him. Eletha, on the other hand, was smiling serenely at him, her eyelashes fluttering in what she clearly, and mistakenly, thought was a seductive gesture. Her vow had been made; she had pledged herself to him for eternity, and the rings had been exchanged. The sacred ritual was almost complete. Only Legolas's oath remained. _They are just words_, Legolas told himself. _Nothing but words_.

He looked into Eletha's glittering eyes and began tonelessly reciting the pledge that would bind him into a loveless marriage for the rest of his life. Even at the last, Legolas could scarcely believe that he was yielding to Aubron's demands. "In all my honour and with all my heart, I, Prince Legolas of the Woodland Realm, son of the Elvenking Thranduil of Mirkwood, anything I have and everything I am, promise-"

"_STOP THIS TREASONOUS RITE_!"

Legolas gasped; "Father!" Aubron screeched; "My lord!" Eletha screamed. Matilda, still restrained by Horthien, was so relieved she felt light-headed and was almost sick.

Red with rage, the king had burst into the hall, followed by a small army of elves, pouring out of the doorway and quickly gaining control of the room. Most of Aubron's guards, at the sight of their king, surrendered on the spot, holding their hands high in the air and falling to their knees.

"No!" screamed Aubron.

"It is over!" Thranduil roared, running ahead of his soldiers with his long strides and pinning Aubron to the wall with his own sword.

Legolas, exhausted, fell to the ground.

"_You bastards_!" Jane's shriek was shrilly heard above the chaos. Teddy, distracted by this noise, turned, and lost his momentum. He fell beneath the stream of guards, rolling to the floor and curling himself into a ball so he wasn't trampled.

"Jane!" shouted Sam urgently, as he raced after his sister.

Jane, utterly furious, displayed a bravery no one knew she was capable of. She marched up to Lancaeron, Aubron's eldest son, and punched him so hard he staggered backwards, fell off the dais and rolled over a table with a smash of glass and crack of wood. "Never touch my friends again!" she shouted, her angry eyes and auburn hair flaming. Nursing her injured hand, she turned on Eletha, who shrieked and flapped her hands ineffectually at her. Before Jane could switch her fury onto the she-elf, however, Myrin was at her side, calming her down.

"Where did that come from?" he asked proudly.

Jane laughed. "I promised myself I would stop being a whiny brat about half a minute ago."

Myrin grinned cheekily. "I will believe that when I see it!"

Jane pushed him away, but she was smiling. "Shut up."

Meanwhile, Aubron, looking stunned and utterly mystified as to how he had been thwarted, had been safely secured by the king's guards. He had lashed out violently; one last instinctive attempt to defend himself, but it was over for him.

Thranduil, once his lying, treacherous advisor had been soundly restrained, saw his son, collapsed without dignity on the floor. Legolas was emotionally spent, but the king kneeled beside his side and offered him a hand. Breathing heavily, Legolas took it and his father pulled him to his feet.

"Legolas, I find myself before you begging your forgiveness. I have wronged you most gravely, and-" there was a slight hesitation, "-Matilda. I need you to know how loved you are, how precious you are to me. I am sorry, Legolas."

There was no awkwardness or insincerity in Thranduil's voice and Legolas, drained as he was, was touched. He smiled. "It is forgotten, my lord."

"Father," the king corrected quietly.

Legolas's eyebrows shot up his forehead but he took it in his stride. "Father," he nodded. "Your apology is accepted and your actions forgiven. I am also to blame, and for my part, I apologise."

Reconciliation between father and son signalled the end of the conflict; the king's guards held Aubron's 'supporters' captive and the prisoners were safe. Smiling, both Thranduil and Legolas clasped the other's forearm and embraced. Legolas could not remember the last time he and his father had made contact; it had certainly not been for at least a thousand years.

But in the crazy rush to get the prince to safety and the mad dash to overpower Aubron and his guards, one person had been momentarily overlooked. As armoured soldiers had swarmed into the hall, and Thranduil had made a beeline for Aubron, Horthien had clamped a hand over Matilda's mouth and slipped behind a tapestry. Matilda's eyes bulged as she scrabbled helplessly at his hand. She dug sharp fingernails into his flesh, but Horthien did not move a muscle.

Matilda heard Jane's howl of anger, the clatter and crash of something heavy breaking, and then the soft voices of Legolas and the king. Just as she thought Horthien was going to strangle her, he leapt out from his cover. What happened next was as unexpected as if Aubron had suddenly gotten up and declared his undying loyalty to Matilda.

"For the name of Blackwood!" shouted Horthien, drawing his sword-arm back and thrusting it forwards again, with a cry of hatred.

Matilda's shocked eyes shot open and she gasped like a fish as she found herself suddenly robbed of air. A piercing, ear-splitting scream rent the hall; it struck a chord in every beating heart present. Jane, who had been the source of the scream, sunk to her knees; every tendon of her face stretched into a mask of pure horror.

In all the disturbing, noisy confusion, Legolas jerked out of his fatigued state. Time seemed to slow to a standstill as he locked his eyes with Matilda's long enough to see her crumple like a rag doll and fall to the floor. The sword, stabbed clumsily into her left side, jutted out from her convulsing body, as thick startlingly-scarlet blood streamed from the wound and pooled around her. "_NO_!" screamed Legolas, and his cry seemed to go on for hours.

Every step he took towards Matilda seemed like a mile; the blood pounded in his ears but he could still hear his father close behind him. Vengeance was fixed on Horthien; a shard of ice had stabbed his heart, and ire surged through his veins. But before he could deliver a fatal blow to Horthien, ending his life there and then, Legolas saw half a dozen elves tackle Horthien to the ground, disarming him and knocking him unconscious with the same blow. Overrun with the king's guards, Horthien was unreachable, but Legolas dropped to his knees, skidding across the floor, as Matilda's glassy eyes fluttered, sensing his presence.

He cradled Matilda in his arms, holding her cold face in both hands. "Matilda?" The sound escaped his mouth like a sob.

Matilda sighed and muttered, "Legolas," before she stopped fighting.

The black void behind Legolas's beloved, fading face charged towards her, swallowing her into its depths. Matilda, blinking as Legolas was swept from her view, fell down and down, endlessly, ceaselessly, into a vast, numbingly empty pit of nothingness.

Legolas's unearthly, haunting howl was worse than anything Middle-Earth had ever heard before. He saw Matilda's lifeless arm flop to the floor from his lap, her slim fingers curling into her palm before they were frozen still.

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	19. Of Light and Healing

Of Light and Healing

Matilda could see light shining behind her eyelids. An ache in her side had drawn her back up into the sunlit world. She lay still for a moment, wriggling her toes, then stretching her fingers, realising she was in the softest bed she had ever been in. The memories came back to her one at a time, but she was not alarmed by them. She had been stabbed by Horthien; the last thing she had seen was the pupils of Legolas's blue eyes.

Feeling very relaxed, Matilda opened one eye and then the other, blinking rapidly as the bright whiteness assaulted her vision. She couldn't distinguish any other feature of her surroundings apart from all the unfamiliar light. Matilda lifted a hand to her face and rubbed her eyes hard as she thought she saw a dream-like vision of Legolas approaching her bed.

Wearing white and silver with a circlet of twisted silver around his head, his eyes were bright in his face and his hair as perfect as ever. Matilda tilted her head to look at him; as he stopped close to her, she could see the embroidery on his robe, every spiked perfect eyelash, the almost unnoticeable dent in his lip.

"Am I dead?" she wondered out loud.

Legolas laughed breathlessly, relief in every inch of his face. "No," he said, and before Matilda's eyes, he grew more solid and real. "Lathai saved you in time."

Matilda slowly outstretched one arm to touch his hand, checking he was there. Her fingertips encountered warm, living skin with bones underneath. His lips curved into a smile and he bent his head to kiss her forehead.

"You're really here," said Matilda, feeling like she was five years old all over again and everything she gazed upon was new and wonderful and magical, beckoning to be explored.

"Yes," said Legolas. "And I have missed you."

Matilda looked down; she was wearing a peculiar shirt of white silk and a pair of clean blue trousers which she identified as belonging to Jane. Legolas helped her, slowly and stiffly, sit up, and he plumped up the cushions to support her back. Matilda took the opportunity to look around her now that she was no longer staring at the plainly painted ceiling.

She was not in the room she and Jane had shared all these months. This room was larger and more airy; one wall had been furnished floor to ceiling with glass windows, which were now flung wide open, and letting in a bracing winter breeze. White curtains billowed into the room, and everything was bright and spotlessly clean.

"Lathai had you moved into a new chamber," explained Legolas. "He thought the fresh air would revive you, and so it did."

Matilda shivered in the cold and without being asked Legolas went along, closing all the windows.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, when he had returned to her side, but before she had a chance to reply, the door flew open, crashing as it hit the opposite wall.

"You're awake!" yelled Jane, running forwards when she saw Matilda gazing curiously at her.

Matilda blinked bewilderedly at her best friend. Jane was resplendent in a gown of peach-coloured satin and a long silver cloak. With sapphires glittering in her long auburn hair, the overall effect was fairly bright, but Matilda was just glad to see her again. Jane seemed to have survived the most difficult night of their lives with nothing more than a few scratches, and, although Matilda was not yet aware of it, had developed an irrational fear of dark, enclosed spaces.

"Yeah," Matilda agreed, weakly trying to sit up. She leaned on the arm which was offered to her by Legolas, and managed, after a bit of wheezing and groaning.

"Don't ever scare me like that again!" Jane ordered, embracing her gently.

Matilda smiled at her. "What day is it?" she asked.

"It's a Tuesday," said Jane.

"You've been asleep for eleven days," said Legolas quietly. He had obviously suffered from acute, crippling concern through every second of that week and a half.

"You woke once, in a fever, but none of us could comprehend the gibberish that was spouting out of your mouth," Jane informed her brightly, doing an excellent job of pretending she hadn't sat up by Matilda's bedside that whole night, wringing her hands and crying.

"Eleven days?!" exclaimed Matilda.

They nodded.

"I vowed that if you ever opened your eyes, I would never leave your side again," said Legolas, touching her cheek softly.

Matilda grinned at him appreciatively but Jane was thoroughly unimpressed. "Woah," she said. "Can you save the lovey-dovey mush till after I'm gone, please? I might vomit."

"Of course," said Legolas evenly, and Matilda winked at Jane.

A twinge of sudden pain shot down her side, and Matilda winced. It felt like someone was repeatedly stabbing her with red-hot needles. She sunk back down onto her silken cushions and closed her eyes, exhausted from the effort. Suddenly a terrifying image flashed in her mind's eye and she sat bolt upright, trembling. She fancied she heard a silver-tongued voice hissing into her ear. "Aubron?" she gasped. Her eyes flew open but his face still swam in her blurry vision, haunting her.

When Legolas and Jane told her, Matilda was not sorry to hear of Aubron's execution, on a charge of high treason for assaulting the king's son. She agreed with her best friend when she snorted, "good riddance!"

"His three eldest sons and Eletha have been locked in the dungeons," Jane continued.

"And they will not be released for the foreseeable future," added Legolas. "Nor will any of them ever work on the king's council ever again. In a few years perhaps, they will be put to work as penniless clerks, closely watched by a trusted steward. And as for Aubron's soldiers, it was quickly revealed to us that they were recruited by bribes of gold and blackmails that their families would be killed in their beds if they failed to comply with Aubron's wishes. They have been given a sentence of three days' hard manual labour but will then be pardoned of their crimes." He stroked Matilda's wispy hair back from her face with all the tenderness of a mother caring for a newborn. "Do not worry, my love, he cannot harm you anymore."

"So much damage has been done," Matilda sighed, her mind on the elves coerced into treason in order to keep their loved ones alive. "How do our friends fare? Tell me everything."

"Myrin, Tauriel and Maethon recovered quickly," said Jane. "And our brothers are well. Teddy has hardly left your side; he is sleeping now. Legolas has had to physically carry him away to eat and sleep all these days before he would consent to his leaving you."

"What of Tehlmar?" Matilda asked worriedly.

"He has been under close care and supervision. He stood for the first time yesterday," Legolas smiled. "Lathai has been almost rushed off his feet, caring for the victims in the aftermath. There have been a total of nine casualties amongst our people, and the Woodland Realm has mourned for their lives this past week."

"And all is at peace in the kingdom?"

Legolas nodded. "With the fallen buried, order has been restored. As you can probably guess, no one but members of the diminished, fallen House of Blackwood are sorry that Aubron was sentenced to death."

"And your father? Does he despise me for all the trouble?"

"No," said Legolas, after a heartbeat of hesitation. "He could never harbour hostile feelings towards my one true love."

"I'm sure he could try," laughed Jane.

"He regrets the loss of his key advisor and chief councillor," admitted Legolas. "But it was he who issued the order to execute him; no one else has that power. Aubron could not be pardoned-"

Matilda's face suddenly blanched white as another stab of pain struck her, and she tried very hard not to retch in front of her friends. "Are you alright?" asked Legolas in concern, his hands hovering over her wound.

"Yes," Matilda assured him, smiling through the pain.

The door to the new chamber opened and they all looked up as Lathai bustled in. "The potion to dull the pain will be leaving her system by now and we do not want her experiencing dreams of delirium-" he began briskly until he caught sight of Matilda blinking at him, clearly awake. He beamed at her.

"Yes, the healing potions are most definitely leaving me," she said, grimacing.

The wise physician hurried over to her bedside and, with a gentle hand on Legolas's rich sleeve, moved him out of his way.

"I must attend to your bandages," he said to his now-conscious patient. "You lost a lot of blood before I managed to stem the bleeding, apply the athelas plant and sew up the wound." He turned to Legolas and Jane and wasted no time in giving them instructions. "I will need a bowl of warm water, some Rivendell balm and some fresh bandages, the linen not the silk," he said, but before he was even finished, Jane was halfway out of the room. "And some honey!" Lathai called. Jane did not turn round but waved her arm to indicate she had heard.

"Here," said Lathai to Matilda, pushing a vial of thick blue liquid into her palm. "You will want this potion. This may hurt." Matilda drained the potion without question. "Help her onto her side," ordered Lathai, and Legolas, as gently as he could, eased Matilda onto her side and took her hand in his.

The skilled physician lifted Matilda's silk shirt and began to tear off old bandages as quickly as he could. Matilda cried out, screwing her face up, until Legolas could bear it no longer. "Have a care, Lathai!" he remonstrated sharply.

"I do not want to prolong her pain, my lord," Lathai said reproachfully.

"I'm okay," Matilda gasped, her eyes watering as she gripped Legolas's hand even more tightly.

She bore the pain from her sword wound until all the bandages had gone, revealing a long line of crumpled red skin, still gashed in places, snaking from her back and round across her stomach. She would carry the scar for the rest of her life. Legolas, biting back the anger which flared up inside him at a dead elf's actions, clasped Matilda's hand tight until the wound was dressed and re-bandaged.

"We must leave her to sleep," said Lathai, as Matilda collapsed back onto her cushions from the exertion.

"I am not going to leave her now," said Legolas, as the physician encouraged him to let Matilda sleep. He would not voice his secret fear that she might not wake up again.

"I will sit with her," Jane volunteered. "Legolas, you must go and meet with _you-know-who_," she said meaningfully.

"You-know-who," mumbled Matilda, struggling to keep her eyes open. Her attempts were fruitless because less than a minute later, she had fallen asleep with Jane keeping watch nearby.

It was a long and painful process of recovery for Matilda. She gradually grew stronger, helped along by the best bread and wine and care of her friends, and exactly a week after she had awoken from her coma, she took her first step alone and immediately moved back into her old, familiar room with Jane. Apart from a minor blip when, after finding out that Tehlmar's injuries had been so severe he would never be able to dance again, Matilda had cried inconsolably, she made very good progress. A few days later, her old strength had more or less been returned to her and, surrounded by Jane, Teddy, Tauriel, Myrin and Sam, Lathai declared her fully healed and well enough to travel the morning after next.

"Travel?" Matilda asked, wrapping a blanket round her shoulders against the early December chill.

"You want to go home, don't you?" asked Teddy.

This time, Matilda had no doubts in her mind. She was ready to return to her beloved Laketown, and certainly after coming so close to death, she was more than ready to see her family again.

"Yes," she said, and her face lit up at the prospect.

"Do you know how cold it's going to be?" Jane sighed.

"We have seen seventeen winters so far," Matilda pointed out. "We can survive another one."

"I miss Hattie bossing me around in the evenings," said Teddy.

"And Sarah dancing round the table just before dinner," smiled Matilda.

"I miss Father's shop," said Sam.

"And Mother singing as she knits," Jane piped up.

"When you go, we will certainly miss all of you," said Tauriel. She and Myrin seemed to be quietly accepting of the inevitability of the humans' departure from Mirkwood, but Matilda was very nervous as to how Legolas would react when she first broached the delicate subject with him.

As though he had heard her thoughts, Legolas entered the room, still carrying a bow from a lengthy session teaching archery to young elflings. He smiled when he saw Matilda standing, talking cheerfully with their friends. He was in high spirits as he bounded up to her, took her hands in his and kissed her in greeting. She smiled lovingly at him.

Sam's glare was as hard as stone, but he quickly schooled his expression into one of mild indifference. "Such good news, Matilda," he said innocently.

"Good news?" asked Legolas.

"That now you are fully recovered, we can all go-"

"-on a walk together," said Matilda, biting her lip. "Or maybe we could have a picnic tomorrow?"

Legolas laughed at this whimsical notion. "It is December, my love, and far too cold."

Matilda laughed, trying to ignore the faster beating of her heart, telling herself she had nothing to hide. "I meant inside," she said. "I have not seen the beautiful Silver Fountain in a long time."

As Jane chuckled disloyally, Myrin exchanged an anxious glance at Tauriel, but both looked away quickly before Legolas sensed that something was up. Sam sucked the inside of his cheek and stared blankly back at Matilda, who shot him a sharp narrow-eyed gaze when Legolas went to speak to Lathai.

"What are you doing?" asked Teddy, annoyed at the older boy and nudging him in the ribs. "Why are you trying to start a quarrel?"

Sam didn't reply; he just turned away and stalked out of the room. Myrin caught Matilda's eye, but she refused to acknowledge anything under his intense scrutiny.

"Legolas?" she said suddenly, remembering something.

Legolas had a hand under her elbow before she could say anything more. "What is it?" he asked, worriedly. "Do you feel faint? Feverish?" He fussily put a hand to her forehead, but she brushed him away.

"I'm fine," she said. "Can I have a moment in private, please?"

"Of course," said Legolas, drawing her out of earshot of the others in the big white chamber to stand nearer the windows. "What is on your mind?"

"Last week when I first came to my senses, Jane said that you were going to meet 'you-know-who' just before I passed out," Matilda said. Guilt flickered across Legolas's eyes, and immediately Matilda knew he was keeping something from her. "What?" she asked urgently.

"Please do not be angry, my love," he said cautiously. "I do not want to upset you and have you fall ill again."

"Just tell me," said Matilda, concerned. "I have absolutely no intention of getting sick so soon after my healing."

Legolas hesitated for a second before nodding. "You may be aware that Aubron did not only have three sons."

Matilda's forehead creased as she remembered the Feast to celebrate the last sunset of summer. She recalled meeting four Blackwood sons. "The fourth?"

"Daeron was not involved with any of his father's activity," said Legolas. "He did not know of their treacherous plans; he spends most of his time in the company of his mother and cousins. Since Aubron's titles and wealth were seized from him upon his death, Daeron, the only son not attainted, has nothing to inherit from the once-great Blackwood fortune. He is a good elf, nothing like his kin, and I have been trying to help him."

"Help him?"

"He has nothing. I have given him a chamber from my own property, and he is content to serve as a steward, a servant, an assistant; he will do any chore I have for him. As I said, he has a good heart," said Legolas.

"But he has such wicked blood," said Matilda, perplexed at this information.

Legolas's eyes slid sideways. "There is more," he said. "Daeron somehow feels a degree of responsibility for the deeds of his kin. He is convinced he owes a great debt to you for your ordeal and the role of his family in that tribulation. He has made a solemn vow."

"What kind of vow?" asked Matilda.

"He has made an oath before Eru that he will serve you for a full year; that he will be under your command whatever you may ask of him."

"What?!"

"He is a strong warrior, he will protect you," said Legolas quickly. "And maybe he could be used as a messenger-"

"No, absolutely not," said Matilda in alarm. "I do not want him near me. He doesn't owe me anything. He will not serve me."

"I am afraid that is not in your power," said Legolas. "Only Eru can revoke such a promise. Daeron's oath cannot be broken. He will only be released from his vows after a year has gone by and he has served in penance."

"If I release him from his vow, he must obey," Matilda said smartly.

"You will insult his honour if you do not accept his service," said Legolas patiently. "And he still will not be released from his oath. If you continue to send him away, even after your death he will be in a purgatory for the rest of his life, unable to fulfil his vow and continue his life in righteousness, without stain. Only when he has served the time will you and he be released from the bonds of his vow."

"The he is foolish to have done that," said Matilda in a hard voice. "Did he not know that the last thing I would want to do is be his mistress? I never wish to look upon a member of the House of Blackwood again."

"Matilda," said Legolas reproachfully. "He cannot be held to account for the actions of his kin. He did not choose his family, just like I did not choose to be the son of a king."

"This changes nothing," said Matilda in a stony voice. "Don't you think he, whatever his name is, has hurt me enough?"

"His name is Daeron," said Legolas frostily. "And he holds no responsibility for the way Aubron, or Horthien, Eletha, Lancaeron or Rinion have affected our lives. I do not understand why you are being so hostile. You must forgive him if you are to be free of Aubron for good."

"Whose side are you on?" Matilda snapped before marching away from him.

"What kind of face is that?" Jane asked as Matilda stormed past her to the door. She flung it open and rushed out like a small whirlwind.

How dare Legolas associate with this Daeron? Matilda could just imagine Aubron's youngest son; the mirror image of his father, with the same hissing voice. It made her skin crawl just thinking about it. Matilda couldn't exactly put her finger on what had hurt her so much but something had touched a nerve. She felt betrayed and abandoned by Legolas, and by the others for not telling her.

She was still trudging along with a downcast face when someone caught up with her and fell into step beside her. Sam gave her a kind smile. "Are you alright?" he asked.

"No," replied Matilda shortly.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Matilda huffed.

"It might help," said Sam persuasively. Suddenly he grabbed her hand and pulled her to sit on a window seat, adorned with scarlet cushions. If she was honest with herself, Matilda was glad to rest her feet; the energy required to walk even this short way was draining her strength.

"I do not want anything to do with this Daeron," she told Sam, whose face was open and encouraging as he gave her his full attention, listening intently. "I thought the whole thing was all over, but now Legolas tells me it is not and I don't even have a choice in the matter."

"We will be back in Laketown before you know it," said Sam calmingly. "Far away from Andaer and from any vow he made. We are Men of the Lake. We do not have to be held sway by petty Elvish customs."

Matilda just sighed.

"Legolas should not be putting you under pressure like this," said Sam, putting an arm round her.

"I do not need looking after!" Matilda half-shouted, batting Sam's hand off her arm.

"I was not suggesting that," he said quickly in a soothing tone of voice. "I simply think it is unfair and that you should be able to make your own decisions whether you meet with this elf or not. He may be the king's son, but he is not our king's son. They do not have any power over us."

"I know," said Matilda.

"_Elves_," said Sam contemptuously. "I thought they were supposed to be pure and good and righteous."

"Every race has its flaws," Matilda said tiredly. "Even elves." She paused, thinking of Legolas. "But what was he thinking?"

"Who can fathom the strange minds around us and this kingdom's peculiar traditions? I will be glad when we are back amongst plain-talking, meat-eating, hard-working folk like ourselves." Sam scanned her face. "Are you looking forward to be going home?" he asked.

"You know I am," Matilda said, and leaned her tired head against his shoulder, allowing herself to be comforted. "Thanks, Sam."

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	20. Of Glass and Jealousy

Of Glass and Jealousy

The next day Matilda woke to the sound of rain against the windows, and she rolled over sleepily.

"Morning!" sung Jane, whose face was very close to her own.

Matilda yelped and scrambled backwards, almost rolling off the bed in surprise. She clutched her side and Jane immediately looked worried and guilty. "Sorry!" she said.

"Do not have her hurt herself again, you silly," said Myrin fondly, getting up from his chair by the table and grinning at Matilda.

"Please don't tell Legolas," Jane begged. "He'll have my guts for garters."

Matilda yawned. "I won't," she promised, sitting up in bed. "How long have you two been in here?"

"About an hour," said Jane. "Did you know you make the strangest faces in your sleep?"

"It was a struggle preventing her from sticking a feather up your nose to see what would happen," said Myrin.

"I was bored," admitted Jane sheepishly.

"Thanks," said Matilda dryly. Her face was solemn. "I've decided I will meet with Daeron Blackwood," she said. "Just to hear his proposal, not to commit to anything. If I do not, I will not be able to tell Legolas I even tried to make amends."

Myrin and Jane, who had obviously been kept up to speed with the goings-on, exchanged glances. "Are you sure, Matilda?" asked Myrin. "Are you strong enough?"

"Yes!" said Matilda irritably. "There is nothing wrong with me!"

"There's no need to snap," Jane chided.

"Sorry, Myrin," Matilda said. She was tense about her decision, but she knew she had to force herself to at least see him. It was the right thing to do.

Myrin, who never held grudges, shook his head, dismissing his friend's apology. "I will inform Legolas and Tauriel of your change of mind," he said, wheeling around on his heels and walking out of the room.

Taking advantage of his absence, Matilda dressed in a fleece-lined blue gown and a warm woollen shawl. As Jane was pinning Matilda's long dark hair into a neat topknot, Myrin returned. "Legolas, Tauriel and Daeron will be present in the northern gallery in half an hour. Accompanied by two guards, I will escort you there."

Matilda bit her lip nervously. No matter what she told the others, was she really ready to come into such close contact with Aubron's son so soon after her ordeal? What was she going to say to him? The Elvish formality of the meeting did not help her nerves; she missed attending gatherings of old friends in cheerfully noisy, crowded taverns, laughing into their warm ale.

The clock had just struck mid-morning when two guards knocked at Matilda's door, and she walked, flanked by Jane and Myrin, in the direction of the northern gallery. She knew that the guards were in attendance more for her own peace of mind; the others did not have any misgivings about Daeron.

"It's this way, isn't it?" she checked with Myrin, turning left round a corner and leading the way. He nodded.

Matilda was beginning to know her way round more and more, and passing elves were less astonished by her presence. A pretty fair-haired maid, carrying a tray of wine-filled goblets, curtseyed respectfully to Matilda as they passed her in the corridor.

"What was that?" Jane asked, staring after the elven maid.

Myrin shrugged. "Your stars have risen high, Matilda. It is no secret that Legolas is captivated by you, and that your friendship has blossomed into the seeds of love."

"I am nothing important," Matilda insisted. "Why is she curtseying?"

"Out of respect," said Myrin. "It's hardly a chore. And it will not harm your self-esteem, will it?"

"Not mine," said Jane, firmly linking arms with Matilda. "I hope everyone knows I am your best friend."

Myrin and Matilda laughed at her as they approached the northern gallery. The door was flung open and they could see three figures standing in the middle of the polished floor, their faces darkened in the dull grey light of the winter clouds. Legolas smiled as Matilda, followed by her small entourage, walked towards them, but her eyes were fixed on the figure in the middle.

To Matilda's great relief, Daeron Blackwood looked nothing like his father, brothers or sister. He was tall, like all elves, and slim with wavy dark-brown hair and his were not hard grey eyes, but the colour of grapevine leaves in summer. There was a warmth that radiated from Daeron; his eyes were warm and his smile gentler than any Matilda had ever seen. He stepped forward and bowed low. "My lady," he said, and there was not even a hint of a hiss in his voice.

"Matilda, this is Daeron of the House of Blackwood," said Legolas, rather unnecessarily. "Andaer, this is Matilda of Esgaroth."

Daeron dropped to one knee and pressed a fist to his opposite shoulder. "My lady, please accept my most sincere and humble apologies for the way you have been cruelly treated by those who I have to call my family. I beg your forgiveness, and come before you to prove that not all those who bear the name of Blackwood have wicked intent in their hearts. You are a good person, and fully innocent of any crime laid before you by my late father and elder brothers. I offer you my devotion and service in penitence for the sins of my father."

"There is no need," said Matilda stiffly. "I realise it was no fault of yours."

Tauriel caught her eye; they both knew that the words rolling off Matilda's tongue were lies. She felt that she would always harbour some degree of animosity towards any son of Aubron's, no matter how noble and blameless he was.

"You will allow me to serve you, my lady?" Daeron said hopefully.

"I am not a lady," Matilda said shortly. "And I am afraid I must decline. There is not a place for you in Laketown."

Daeron's face sunk, and Legolas looked unimpressed.

"Matilda," said Jane quickly, pulling her aside to whisper in her ear. "He is not Aubron. I have spoken with him a couple of times and he is a kind elf, true and loyal. Reconsider, or you will break his heart."

"I care not," whispered Matilda, but she sounded much less convinced than she had previously been.

"Look upon it as a favour," said Jane. "A favour to Legolas, and to me. You will not have him at your side all the time, and when we go home, he will be able to carry messages between you and Legolas when you are no longer together. Be wise, Matilda, do not let your hatred for Aubron cloud your good judgement." Matilda gnawed the inside of her cheek. She could see the sense in what Jane was saying but she did not want to trust Aubron's son. Jane guessed what she was going through her head and said, "At least give him a chance to prove his loyalty and true remorse on behalf of his kin."

Matilda nodded. If it transpired that she had been right to distrust him, the responsibility would not fall on her shoulders if Daeron was disloyal. "So be it," she said. Legolas beamed at her. "I accept the terms of your vow. Thank you."

Daeron's face lit up. He hurried forwards to kiss Matilda's hand but she jerked backwards as though his touch was poisonous. He checked, only the tiniest flicker of hurt in his eyes, and bowed formally again. "I thank you, my lady," he said lightly.

"Call me Matilda," she said, offering the barest glimmer of a smile before spinning round and leaving as quickly as she could. No one followed her, assuming that she preferred to be alone, but in fact, Matilda felt irrationally betrayed, as though her friends were choosing Daeron over her.

She hurried away, trying not to dwell on these negative thoughts, and almost ran headfirst into Sam and Teddy. "Ouch," said Teddy, rubbing his arm after Matilda had collided straight into him.

She winced at the jolt her freshly-healed scar had taken, but then quirked an eyebrow at the large wicker hampers in the boys' arms. "Where are you going? What's all this?"

"You were the one who wanted the picnic remember," Teddy reminded her. "We were coming to find you."

"The cooks really surpassed themselves in preparing this spread," said Sam cheerfully, and Matilda smiled at him.

"Indeed," laughed Matilda. "And I suppose you'll end up eating half of it?"

"I'm sure it will be no trouble to you to help," he countered, winking at her. "This basket is _so_ heavy."

"I'm sure it is, you wimp," joked Matilda. "You don't need any help do you?" She feigned trying to take the hamper from him, but there was a deep cough in the corridor behind her.

Matilda was wrong in thinking none of her friends had followed her; Legolas had, and he had a very serious look on his face. "You should not be lifting anything heavy with Lathai's stitches so fresh in your side," he said. "Are you purposefully trying to hurt yourself?"

Matilda knew his concern only stemmed from the love he felt for her, but his constant fussing was beginning to get on her nerves. When she said she was fine, why couldn't he believe that? She had a horrible niggling feeling he would try to stop her leaving when they left for Laketown within the next few days.

"Now why would she want to do that?" demanded Sam, taking strength from the fact that Matilda was stood at his side rather than Legolas's.

"If you need help with the weight of the hamper, I will happily take it from you," said Legolas coldly.

"It is no effort," said Sam in a hard voice.

To lighten the tension, Teddy heaved his own basket into Legolas's arms. "It is for me," he said. "You can help me, if you like?" Without waiting for Legolas to consent, Teddy took Matilda's arm and walked off with her, saying loudly, "Come on, sister, there is cake to be eaten and wine to be drunk, and you are preventing me with all your chattering."

Matilda, grateful for Teddy's tact and cheerfulness despite the awkward situation, laughed at her brother. They collected Jane, Tauriel and Myrin and in a big group made their way to the room of the Silver Fountain.

The water of the fountain reflected the colours of the clouds through the glass of the skylight far above their heads. "It should be called the Grey Fountain today," Jane remarked.

"It's still beautiful though," said Matilda calmly, dipping her hand into the water.

Sam arrived first, beaming round at everyone and whipping out a thick yellow rug to spread across the floor. Tauriel ducked out of the room for a second and returned with half a dozen cushions and a couple of warm woolly blankets draped over her arm.

"We can make a nest," said Jane, grabbing the blankets from her. "Like we did when we were children. Do you remember, Matilda?"

"Of course," she said. "Our blanket dens were always better than the boys'."

"I beg to differ!" exclaimed Teddy in mock outrage. "The lairs Bain and I made trounced yours every time."

Legolas arrived before Matilda and Jane could dispute this, and Tauriel laughed at him, "What time do you call this?"

Legolas did not reply; he just knelt down and began unpacking his load. Sam had not been lying when he spoke of the spread that had been prepared for them; Matilda and Jane ogled all the food as it was laid across the rugs and blankets. Legolas poured raspberry brandy into seven goblets and passed them round; Jane tasted it and declared it to be "like a drop of sunshine mixed with rainbows and crushed raspberries."

"We make it in our cellars," said Tauriel. "In the past we have sent barrels of it down the river to the Master of Esgaroth. I hear he is particularly fond of it."

"That doesn't surprise me," said Matilda contemptuously. "Our mother and father never did like him or his drunkard habits."

"When I oversaw the trade last year, the bargeman seemed to display similar sentiments," remarked Tauriel, raising an eyebrow.

"Bard," said Teddy. "He was a childhood friend of both our parents."

"Unrest over the Master's oppressive rule at home has been brewing for a couple of years now," said Sam. "You mark my words, it'll all explode soon."

"I don't care about politics," Jane announced, biting into a juicy peach. "Coming so close to death really puts life into perspective, don't you think?"

"All our lives will be affected, Jane," changed for better or worse," Sam said sternly.

"Alright," Jane said, rolling her eyes. "Don't get your fishing-line in a twist!"

Sam laughed and winked at Matilda. "I think that's the most polite she's ever been to me."

"You've gotten soft," Matilda told Jane, who only shrugged and smiled coyly at Myrin.

Legolas, the pain deep in his eyes, watched Matilda, who accepted a peach and a bunch of purple grapes on a silver plate from Sam. After everything they had been through, was she slipping away from him? Or was he just paranoid? Tauriel nudged her friend, and he looked at her.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

He nodded and forced a smile onto his face. "I was just watching Myrin," he said in a low voice. "There is something different about him."

Tauriel smiled knowingly. "I may be young but I can still recognise the look between an elf and his love. Myrin is in love. I would have thought you, given the recent events, would have seen that."

"Maybe I like being sweetly oblivious," said Legolas, and Tauriel laughed at him.

"Whoever would have thought of having a picnic in December?" laughed Jane.

"Only Matilda," said Teddy. "Next, you'll be suggesting we have a water fight with the Silver Fountain water."

"Shut up," Matilda smiled.

"There is no doubt in my mind that you would definitely be arrested if you did that," said Tauriel.

"This water is from a forest pool in Lothlórien, the Golden Wood. The water is sacred to our people," explained Legolas. "My father always told me that it had magical properties."

"And does it?" asked Teddy curiously.

"I do not know," said Legolas.

"Yet another lie from your king," muttered Sam under his breath.

"Have some respect," snapped Legolas, his pointed ears sensitive to every sound. "He is the king and my father. Watch your tongue, boy."

"Stop it," said Tauriel, before Sam's temper could flare up and lash out. "This is a meal of celebration now that Matilda has recovered." She smiled.

"I've never felt better," smiled Matilda, warily eyeing Legolas and Sam.

"What's this?" Everyone's head turned in the direction of the new voice at the door. Tehlmar stood there dressed in a robe of scarlet, embroidered with pearls, a smile stretching from ear to ear. His son Corym and Myrin's young sister stood behind him. "A picnic? Without me?"

"Tehlmar!" exclaimed Matilda in delight, flying into his outstretched arms and hugging him tight. "You're alright!"

"You cannot get rid of me that easily," Tehlmar winked. "And we found this little stowaway hiding just outside," he said kindly, gesturing to the sheepish little elfling who was half-hiding behind him.

"Merilien!" exclaimed Myrin. "Does Mother know you are here?"

"Yes," said Myrin's little sister in a small voice.

"Come, Merilien, join us," said Tauriel, holding out her arms. Grinning an identical grin to Myrin's, the child charged across the room and plonked herself heavily into Tauriel's lap. Tauriel kissed the elfling's copper-coloured head.

"You too, Tehlmar, Corym," said Matilda.

Tehlmar looked towards Legolas for permission. Legolas nodded. "Of course. We have plenty."

Corym and Tehlmar, who moved slightly slower than before, came and sat down on the rug. Myrin poured brandy for them, and the conversation became louder and livelier with the introduction of these new additions. The gradual rebuilding of Tehlmar's strength had been a longer process than Matilda's, but he refused to admit this, even to himself. He even got up to oblige Merilien and danced round the room with her, declaring that she was the best dancer he had ever seen. Full and contented, her cheeks aching from laughter, Matilda was in excellent spirits. Even when Daeron Blackwood put in an appearance and was invited to join them by Legolas, her good mood was not dampened.

Towards the end of the picnic at the end of the rainy afternoon, Daeron drew Matilda aside to talk with her in private. Immediately cautious of him and aware that the brandy had clouded her senses, she felt vulnerable but Daeron spoke gently.

"I wanted to thank you for accepting the terms of my vow earlier," he said. "I understand how difficult it must have been for you, but I want you to know that I am nothing like my father or siblings. I did not choose to bear their name but since I do, I want to make an effort to redeem it."

Matilda, who had just watched Daeron play a game of chequers with Myrin's sister and deliberately lose to her, had warmed to the elf she had sworn to hate. She nodded at him. "I know it is wrong for me to hold you responsible for the actions of your kin, Daeron," she said gently. "But you must be patient with me, for it will not be easy to forget Aubron's actions."

"I only ask for a chance to prove myself," said Daeron.

"And I can grant you that," said Matilda, smiling into his kind green eyes. Despite her reservations, she couldn't help but like the look of Daeron. She guessed that he had also suffered from Aubron's cruelty and his older brothers' bullying. Maybe he had never had much contact with them; any similarities were few and far between. Both smiling at this mutual acknowledgment, Daeron and Matilda nodded at each other and walked away.

"It's the most delicious thing I've ever tasted," Jane was saying happily, gazing at the ruby-red liquid in her goblet. "What did you say it was?"

"Raspberry brandy," laughed Tauriel, covering Merilien, who had curled up and fallen asleep, with a blanket.

"You've had quite enough," said Sam, taking Jane's goblet away from her and giving it to Tehlmar, who was sat on the edge of the fountain with Teddy, singing at the tops of their voices.

"For now. Maybe we can take some home with us when we leave tomorrow," said Jane. She hiccupped.

"Leave?" said Legolas sharply, his ears pricking up.

Tauriel, Myrin and Matilda had frozen when Jane had blurted out the taboo word, praying that her remark would be overlooked and would simply melt into the conversation. "Did I not tell you yesterday that you would love it?" Myrin said desperately, but Legolas was not going to be diverted.

"What do you mean 'leave'?" he asked, looking from Matilda to Tauriel to Sam and back again.

"I am sorry," said Tauriel uncertainly.

Matilda bit her lip habitually. "We didn't know how you'd-"

"So you all knew this and concealed it from me? I was not to be made aware of your plans?!" said Legolas angrily.

"-react," said Matilda.

Legolas turned on her. "Were you just going to slip away in the early hours of the morning without even saying farewell? Was that it?" he asked. Tehlmar and Teddy had stopped singing, and for a heartbeat, silence reigned. Even the water of the Silver Fountain seemed stiller than usual, as though even it knew something was going on.

"Of course not," said Matilda. "Lathai announced that I was fit to travel only yesterday and we wanted to tell you at the right time."

"I guess you two knew as well," said Legolas, switching wounded eyes on to Myrin and Tauriel. "And you declined to tell me? Is the king aware of your plans?"

Tauriel's hesitation was enough to let Legolas know that Thranduil had been told.

"Legolas, it can't be a surprise to you," said Matilda. "You must have known that once I was better, we would return home to where we belong."

"But I assumed you would want to stay here with me," whispered Legolas. "I was willing to sacrifice my happiness for your life. I thought you would _want_ to be with me."

"I do-!" said Matilda in dismay.

"I wanted to ask you to become my wife and stay with me always," said Legolas, blinking rapidly in confusion and sadness.

"Legolas," said Matilda, tears pricking her eyes. She tried to take his hand, but he moved it away. "I _love_ you, but if marrying you prevents me from returning to Laketown, I cannot be your wife. This is not my home, and you cannot force it upon me."

"What medicine have you been given?" asked Legolas after a moment's hesitation. He was painfully conscious that he and Matilda had an audience, and he shifted uncomfortably. "You are obviously not well enough to travel. Lathai must have made a mistake. Your delusions are plain to see. For your own good, you must return to bed-"

"You do not need to treat me like a precious piece of glass! I will not smash if you let me go!" said Matilda, thoroughly agitated now. She did not understand why Legolas was acting so oddly.

"Do you incriminate me for caring about you?!" Legolas snapped, his eyebrows knitting together as his face twisted in anger and distress.

"No!" shouted Matilda, losing her temper altogether. "I need my independence back. I still love you and I am not ill, not crazy. I just want to go home! Why are you being like this?!"

Furious, Legolas spat out his words with more venom than he had intended. "You want to go home so you can be betrothed and wed that empty-headed boy-" He gestured at Sam, whose smug face was suddenly crossed with rage.

"What?!"

"-I feared you had grown tired of me, and I was right. I am here and Sam is in Esgaroth, and you have chosen him."

"Don't be ridiculous!" snapped Matilda. "It is nothing to do with Sam. Have you forgotten that we have not laid eyes on our families since August?!"

Legolas turned away in disgust, blind to the truth. The jealous pain he was feeling from Sam and Matilda's imagined love affair would not let him see reason.

"We both knew that this relationship was never going to be easy," Matilda said. "From the very beginning it was clear that we are worlds apart. Maybe the distance cannot be broached. You are an elf with a birthright to one day fulfil and I am a distraction with a loving family and a life waiting for me back home. Maybe," Matilda whispered sadly. "Maybe it will be for the best." She waited for Legolas to protest, to arrange frequent meetings between them for the near future, to see reason.

There was a short silence; the only sound was Jane faintly sniffing, on the verge of tears as she watched what she had accidentally caused unfold before her. She could have kicked herself for being so utterly foolish.

"He will _never_ love you as I do!" shouted Legolas, and Matilda took a step backwards. "You cannot leave! I will not let you!"

"I am going to return to my mother no matter what you say and do," Matilda said slowly and firmly, enunciating every word as though Legolas was a child who would not otherwise understand. "Do not stand in my way."

"Then your choice is made and your lot thrown in," Legolas growled, his anger fizzling. "Leave! Leave, then, but know that once you leave these borders, you can never return."

Matilda blinked hard as she struggled not to cry. "How can you say that after everything we've been through?! You are not who I thought you were." Matilda let out a great, shaky breath and a tear rolled down her cheek. "Stay away from me!" she choked out, her dress spinning around her legs as she turned and fled from the room.

She slammed the door behind her, and everyone, frozen still in an awkward and shocked silence, heard her sobbing as she ran away.

"What just happened?" whispered Jane, looking stunned.

"Matilda," Legolas said under his breath, staring after her as though he could not believe what had just happened. "I cannot live without you. Come back."

Tauriel caught hold of his hand before he could whirl out of the room after her and do something stupid like commanding her, as a prince, not to leave. "If you love her, you _have_ to let her go," she said.

Legolas looked at his friend for a second, then hung his head ashamedly. "I love her," he whispered. His fingers flexed slightly as though he wanted to snatch his words back into his mouth. _What had he done?_

* * *

**Don't forget to review and favourite, telling me what you think! I love knowing your thoughts even if it's the shortest sentence ever.**


	21. Of Home and Hearth

Of Home and Hearth

"Dress warmly," Myrin said.

Matilda fastened a fur-lined coat with numb fingers. Jane glanced at her worriedly, but Matilda felt her gaze and smiled. Tauriel and Myrin had offered to escort the four humans through Mirkwood towards their sorely-missed hometown. There had been no word from Legolas, and that had subdued the mood considerably. He had stayed away when Myrin had gone hunting for him to let him know that Matilda was leaving the Elvenking's Halls.

"You're sure it's okay for us to take these clothes?" Jane double-checked, but Myrin was insistent.

"You need them more than we do living on that icy lake," he said, tactfully not mentioning the fact that even Jane, from one of the richest families in the town, would not be able to afford to buy even one coat. "Matilda, you will need a cloak as well," Myrin said, taking one from the wardrobe and fastening it around her shoulders for her.

Matilda stared into space, not paying attention, but when Tauriel entered, her whole face was transformed. In Tauriel's gloved hand was a beautifully smooth wooden bow, polished to a mirror shine. Matilda gasped. It was her father's precious bow which had been taken from her on that fated summer day when, after an awful misunderstanding, they had been captured by the elves and thrown into the dungeons.

"I thought I would never see this bow again!" said Matilda, taking the beloved bow in her hands and stroking its familiar shape. She examined it, turning it over and over. "It's been restrung," she said, looking up. The bowstring was thicker and stronger than before.

Tauriel smiled. "I saw to it that it was taken care of."

"Thank you," said Matilda. "It's too much."

The elves had already filled four saddlebags, three satchels and two wooden chests with rich gifts; gold and silks and furs and jewels as well as the clothes they had all been wearing that day which seemed so long ago. Matilda's old breeches and shirt had been washed and scented and stitched; they looked like a stranger's belongings.

"They are our gifts," said Myrin. "So you do not forget us and as a sign of everlasting friendship."

"We will live like queens with these goods, Myrin," smiled Matilda.

Tauriel crossed to the window and peered out. "We must leave soon if we are to reach Esgaroth by dusk," she said. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," said Jane.

Matilda was slower to reply, and quieter when she did; "Yes." She did not think she would ever be ready to leave Legolas, but she had no choice.

There was a knock on the door; Matilda's heart surged with hope, but Tehlmar poked his head round. "I have a gift for you both, if you will permit me the honour," he said.

Matilda welcomed him in with a smile. Tehlmar stiffly dropped to one knee and slid a silver ring onto the middle finger of her right hand. "This is a small token given in the hope that you will not forget your dancing steps," he said so that only she could hear him. "Like your courage. Remember, courage is not always having the brash, save-the-world attitude; it is having the wisdom and strength to show compassion and forgiveness." He grinned. "You were my best pupil, young Matilda. Do not let anything stop you dancing."

"I will miss you, Tehlmar," Matilda sniffed, her chin trembling.

"I will miss you too, Lovely One," he said. "But do not cry, I cannot bear it. We will see each other again, I know it."

As Tehlmar gave a delicate silver bracelet to Jane, Matilda examined the ring. It was high-quality silver carved into the shape of pretty vine leaves, studded with tiny star-shaped flowers. It was very fitting to remind Matilda of the Woodland Realm.

"How long does it take to dress?!" Teddy demanded, flinging open the door and marching in. "Have you still not finished fiddling with your hair, girls?"

"Shut up," Jane told him matter-of-factly.

"Do you think we should say goodbye to the king?" asked Matilda morosely.

"No!" Jane snorted. Although Thranduil was no longer their enemy, he was never going to be Jane's favourite person.

"He knows you are going home this morning," said Tauriel. "In fact, he probably thinks we have already departed."

Matilda, who had instructed Daeron to come and seek her in about a month once they were settled back in, could think of no more reasons to delay. She had been hoping that she might see Legolas, but if he wasn't going to make the effort, neither was she.

The saddlebags were strapped to the horses, the water-gourds were filled, the cloaks refastened and the gloves pulled on. Matilda felt very bittersweet as, at the rear of their party, she turned round in the saddle for a last glance at the magical Elvenking's Halls; her home for way over a hundred days.

The journey through the forest was slower than it could have been; Tauriel did not want to risk attracting a swarm of giant spiders from excessive movement, but Matilda couldn't care less. It was all she could do to keep herself from wheeling her horse round and riding as hard as she could back to the one she loved. Sam seemed to be aware of this fact, and rode alongside her, watching her as closely as a hawk.

Greatly distressed, she already regretted the bad terms and sharp words they had ended on. She had told him she never wanted to see him again. What if he took her words to heart? She didn't want to know what it was like to not even be near him for more than a couple of hours.

"Ride on, Sam," said Tauriel suddenly.

Sam looked like he wanted to do the exact opposite, but he obeyed her, urging his horse to catch up with his sister's without looking too mutinous. Tauriel slowed her mare to match the pace of Matilda's.

"Do not think on it too much," she advised. "There is no doubt in my mind that you and Legolas will soon be reunited. I do not think either of you will be able to stay away for too long." She smiled.

"I did not even say goodbye," Matilda said miserably. More than anything, she wanted to apologise and assure him that she had not really meant her words. It was December, and the wind-chill bit at any uncovered skin, flushing her cheeks and making her eyes and nose stream. There was snow in the air; she could practically smell it.

"It is not the end," Tauriel promised. "I foresee a long and fulfilling life for both of you."

"When you go back, let him know that I love him," Matilda said. "And that-" She trailed off. All that she wanted to say simply could not be passed on through a message. "Just that I love him with all my heart."

"I will," said Tauriel. "And I am sure if he could he would express similar sentiments to you."

Matilda, unsure, dropped her eyes to the forest floor and let the gentle swaying of her horse lull her a dozy half-awake half-asleep state. Once this trance, brought on by the mysterious power of Mirkwood Forest, had lifted, all four humans found themselves yawning as they woke even though none were tired. It was a very weird feeling; Matilda felt sick, Teddy had a headache, Sam was icy-cold to the touch and Jane was very dreamy, as though she was floating on nothing or under the influence of hallucinogenic mushrooms.

After some bread and strong mead they had recovered and their bellies had been warmed. Jane blew on her fingers and rubbed them together. Myrin immediately fished a pair of gloves out of his pocket and put them on her cold hands for her. "How are we going to row with such numb hands?" Jane asked.

"There was never any 'we' about the rowing," said Sam. "I always rowed and Matilda navigated. You, I seem to recall, did nothing."

Jane, four months previously, would have risen to the bait and given Sam a tongue lashing, but she was changed now. She just shrugged at her elder brother and glanced worriedly at Matilda.

"Rowing," said Teddy. "Wait, what about the boat? It has been deserted on the beach for ages. It will have been stolen by now, or woodworm will have gotten into it and rendered it useless."

"Damn," swore Jane. "We're so close."

"A few days after your arrival in the kingdom, the king sent a patrol out to discover your vessel and hide it should someone come looking for you," Tauriel informed them. "And if you were to prove cleverer than he had anticipated and escaped, it would have made it much harder for you to find a way to cross the lake."

"We would just have waited for Bard the bargeman," said Sam stubbornly. "And got back that way." He seemed determined to undermine Thranduil and Legolas, and their plans, as much as he possibly could.

"I know exactly where to find your boat and oars," said Tauriel, ignoring Sam's obstinacy. "I will take the boys with me to carry it, and Myrin, you will stay with the girls on the beach with the horses."

"How far do we have left to travel?" asked Jane.

"A couple of leagues, no more," said Tauriel. "Cheer up, you are almost home."

Matilda sighed. Right now, she did not know the meaning of 'cheer'.

"I'm just cold," replied Jane.

They rode onwards for no more than twenty minutes until they reached the grey mud and shingle stretching out to where the choppy water of Long Lake lapped at its stones. Tauriel and Myrin dismounted immediately, nimbly leaping down from their mounts. Myrin hurried to help Jane and Matilda down from their horses. Teddy and Sam swung their legs down less gracefully, wincing and stretching their sore knees.

"Come," said Tauriel. "We must not linger in the cold."

She, Sam and Teddy hurried off to find their little boat leaving Myrin, Jane and Matilda huddled together to keep warm; Myrin enveloping both the girls in his long grey cloak.

"I have certainly not missed being this cold," said Jane, stamping her feet in her boots.

"Even our lake is grey," murmured Matilda, gazing over the water wistfully. On the horizon they could see a light swirling mist settled over the lake.

"Like your mood," said Jane, putting her arms round her best friend and hugging her close. "You have no idea how sorry I am. I hate my big mouth. I will make it up to you, I promise."

"It was not your fault, Jane," said Matilda. "It was a disagreement just waiting to happen."

"Its inevitability does not make me any less guilty," sighed Jane. "I just feel terrible."

"Don't," instructed Matilda. "That will not help anyone."

"I do not know what I am going to do with myself without you two to run around after," Myrin sighed longingly. "I almost wish I could go with you."

"You should," said Jane. "I certainly won't protest at having a dogsbody around my house." She grinned cheekily.

"I'm sure," said Matilda.

"And I am equally as sure that King Thranduil would have something to say about it," said Myrin.

Jane rolled her eyes and faced her palms to the sky. "I refuse to let him anger me anymore," she said to herself. "Peace."

Matilda and Myrin chuckled at her.

They stayed in their odd little bundle until their friends returned, carrying between them a familiar and slightly worn-out rowing boat. It seemed that Tauriel was doing the bulk of the work, but she didn't seem to mind as the three of them heaved the boat to the water's edge.

"Time to leave," said Sam. "Teddy, help me relieve the horses of their gifts and put them in the boat."

"I'll help," said Matilda, ducking under Myrin's arm to join the others.

"And I," Tauriel added, unbuckling the strap of a saddle-bag.

It did not take long to unload their small cargo and position it in the boat, ensuring that the weight was evenly spread out.

"You will be careful, won't you?" Tauriel double-checked. "I certainly would not want to be out on the water in this weather."

"Of course," said Matilda. "We've grown up on this lake. We know all its moods and temperaments."

Tauriel's eyes widened at something over Matilda's shoulder and she turned to see what Tauriel was gawking at. To Matilda's surprise and delight, Myrin and Jane, still encircled in his grey cloak, were exchanging their first kiss; it looked as though their lips had been locked together.

Matilda grinned at Tauriel before hurrying over to them, where they had released each other and were gazing into their eyes.

"Myrin, aren't you going to help?" called Sam, from somewhere near the horses. Myrin dropped a quick kiss on Jane's forehead and hurried away; thankfully Sam had remained unaware of his sister's display of affection.

Matilda pulled Jane aside. "Can you save the lovey-dovey mush till after I'm gone, please?" she whispered to Jane, grinning widely. Jane shoved her away and scoffed, but she was blushing. Matilda laughed at her friend, but the ache in her heart only nagged her more. She was happy for her friends, but she was reminded sorely of Legolas, who was far behind her and not by her side where he belonged.

Matilda bounded after Myrin. "It's about time," she said, and they hugged. "I thought you would never pluck up the courage to ask her." She hesitated, blinking rapidly. "I'm going to miss you so much."

"I am so glad I met you, Matilda," Myrin said in her ear. He drew away and put his hands on her shoulders so he could look at her face.

Matilda nodded her agreement, eyes welling. "Thank you for looking after us so well," she said. "You were always there, always a good friend."

"This is not the end," said Myrin. "Do not think for one second that you will never see me again. No matter what happens with-" he hesitated "-anything, I will visit you."

"How will you find us?"

"I will go with Daeron," said Myrin. "He is a good excuse to come to Esgaroth."

Matilda nodded, and moved away for Teddy to bid Myrin farewell. She caught Tauriel's eye, and ran to hug her, spilling her gratitude straight from her heart. Jane and Matilda were both dabbing tears away when their goodbyes were over.

Matilda couldn't help looking into the forest, in one last hope that Legolas would appear between the trees; skin glowing, eyes sparkling and smile shining. After the trees, dark and silent, did not yield Legolas, she turned away desolately.

She took Teddy's hand and he pulled her into the boat. She sat down beside Jane and wrapped a blanket around their shoulders.

"Stay safe," said Myrin.

"Trust me, we're not planning to drown today," said Jane. The look she and Myrin exchanged was so painfully similar to the way she and Legolas had looked at each other that Matilda had to look away.

Tauriel and Myrin stepped into the icy water to give the small boat an enormous push, sending it sliding into the lake. They stood back and watched the four humans they had grown so fond of sail away to their home across the Long Lake. Sam rowed and Teddy navigated; Jane and Matilda watched the shoreline silently as they both floated away from their loved ones.

When the land had disappeared from view, and no Legolas had appeared there, Matilda had to hide her tears from her friends by burying down into the blanket. Jane's gaze did not waver from the spot she had last seen Myrin and Tauriel's blurry waving figures before they had been dissolved by mist, as though she could still see them.

Matilda turned her eyes forwards for the first glimpse of their beloved home, a sight they had not seen for months. They passed the evil jagged rocks which had claimed so many lives, with Teddy skilfully guiding Sam, who weaved in and out of the sharp pillars of rock as though he had a sixth sense. As they rowed across the lake snow began to fall, churned by the wind and settling in white flakes on their hair and eyelashes.

Lake-town loomed out of the mist like a ghost town; dark shapes for houses and little shadows moving about. The town of Esgaroth was built out of the water; everything was linked by wooden bridges and steps, isolated and damp, but busy. As they drew nearer, the smell of tar and fish oil wafted through the air.

"Home," whispered Jane, breathing it all in.

They could see a raised iron grate ahead, and lots of crooked wooden houses, built on foundations of stone. Jane, pragmatic as always, tossed a blanket over the chests and saddle-bags in the bottom of the boat and sat heavily upon them. Before anyone entered the town, they went to inspection at the tollgate for smugglers or stowaways. The gold in the chests was enough for the grasping greedy Master and his spies to confiscate the whole lot of gifts, and Jane was not having that.

"Careful," Sam warned her, as the boat glided into the entrance of the canal.

"Halt!" Percy the porter of the Gate of Lake-town cried, swinging a lantern out into the mist. "Go to inspection!"

He looked into the boat and saw four young faces gazing back at him; his grey eyebrows shot into his hairline. "You lot!" he exclaimed. "Now your faces were not those I was expecting to see. Haven't seen you in a while. Been travelling?"

"Yeah," said Teddy. "Distant kin of ours."

Percy nodded. "Do you have your papers?"

"I'm afraid I left them at home with my father," said Sam.

"I understand," Percy said. "You can go on. I know you're good kids from good families. Go and get warm and have a nice evening."

"Thanks, Percy," they chorused, and Sam pulled on the oars with all his strength before Percy could see the smuggled goods Jane was sitting on, or before one of the Master's spies, far less lenient than Old Percy, could change his mind for him.

It was clear as they rowed the canals deeper into the town that their absence had not gone unnoticed. People, going about their daily lives, stopped and stared and waved as they went past, smiling.

"Teddy!" someone shouted, and they all turned. On the nearest dock stood Bain, Teddy's best friend and son of the bargeman, grinning all over his face at them. "Where on earth have you been?" he called. "Your families and friends have been sending out search parties across the lake for months! They have never given up on you."

"I'll tell you later," Teddy called back. "Is my mother at home?"

"Yes," said Bain. "So is yours, Sam, Jane. They will be so shocked."

"I'll come and find you tomorrow!" Teddy called as the boat floated away from the short dock. "I have so much to tell you!"

Bain waved them on their way.

"What exactly are you going to tell your family?" Jane asked.

"The truth?" Matilda suggested, but she bit her lip. It had been so long.

"They'll never believe us," said Teddy.

The four of them smiled at each other. Sam's boat gently came to a halt in its own little dock, which had belonged to his family for decades. He immediately threw a rope over the mooring post and knotted it securely. Jumping out onto the wharf, he looked down upon the chests and saddle-bags. "How are we going to get those safely into our houses?" he asked.

"Wrap them in cloaks and blankets," said Matilda. "It may make it look less suspicious."

"Surely that would make people more curious," said Jane.

"Do you have a better idea?" Matilda asked reasonably.

"No," Jane admitted. "Come on then."

Once they all had their arms full of blanket and cloak and chest and bag, they parted ways, promising that they would meet the next day and report their reunions with their families.

"Courage," Matilda whispered in Jane's ear before she and Teddy left them.

"How are you feeling?" asked Teddy as they climbed a rickety flight of stairs.

Their house was not in a central, busy part of the town; it was quite a way from the market and village square, but now Matilda was more than happy not to see many people.

Matilda thought for a moment. "I'm glad to be home," she said carefully.

Teddy smiled knowingly. "There's our house," he said.

Matilda bit her lip and Teddy paused outside the peeling blue front door. "Ready?" he asked.

"Of course."

Teddy took a deep breath and pushed the door wide open without knocking. Caught in their everyday tasks, their mother Peggy and sisters Hattie and Sarah looked up. Framed in the doorway was Matilda and Teddy, who had left through the same door four months ago and had not returned or even been seen since.

"Ma!" shouted Teddy, running forwards.

Their mother had been ill with lung sickness for a long time, but now she stood strong and sturdy, cooking a delicious-smelling stew. The hope that her children's lives might still be preserved had given Peggy strength. She had risen from her bed, with sheer dogged determination, and her weak lungs had been renewed. She looked healthier than Matilda had seen her in years. The fire was stoked high and warmed the whole house; Matilda stepped over the threshold of her sorely-missed home and closed the door on all the cold and doubt she had experienced.

"_Teddy_!_ Matilda_!" Peggy gasped, and Teddy dropped the blanket-wrapped bag and steadied her arm before she keeled over. "My son, my daughter-"

Matilda looked at her sisters. Hattie had burst into tears and eight-year-old Sarah had frozen where she was, staring back at her as though she was a stranger. The next few moments were an overjoyed whirlwind of confusion and tears and kisses.

"Not a day has gone by when we have not searched for you," said Peggy. She could hardly bear to let Matilda go, and she kissed her again. Hattie, who was hugging Teddy, had burst into a fresh batch of relieved tears. "We were so distraught. What happened to you, for the love of all that is good, please, tell us?!" Her face almost crumpled into sobs.

Matilda, who had not seen her mother cry since the death of her father, was alarmed and took her mother's face in her hands. "Don't cry, Ma. We'll tell you everything you want to know."

"I'm just glad you're home with us," Peggy smiled, hugging her daughter again.

Matilda opened her mouth to reply, but was distracted by a great thump on the roof above them. Hattie shrieked; Sarah gasped; Peggy said, "What on this good earth?", but Teddy and Matilda exchanged a look. Heart filled to the brim with hope, Matilda spun round when from the door came an ever-so-familiar knock. Two short raps followed by three longer thumps.

Matilda and Teddy grinned at each other.

"Ma," said Matilda, feeling like she was about to explode with happiness and relief. "I'd like you to meet Legolas. It's a long story. A _very _long story_."_

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**Wow! So that's the end, guys! Thank you so much for all your wonderful support – give me a review to let me know what you think of the story now that it's complete. It's been about half a year in the making! **

**But I still have so much to write about Matilda, Legolas and their friends! I am working on a sequel to this story, and will upload it as soon as I have established where I'm going with it. Follow me so you know when the first chapter goes up! It will be called **_Mirkwood's Night and Esgaroth's Day_**, and will lead more or less straight on from this ending. If you enjoyed this story, please go check it out! Thanks again everyone!**


	22. PART TWO Storytelling

**Instead of creating a sequel, I have decided to continue on with this story as, like I said before, it continues straight on from the last chapter. However, this will kind of be a 'Part Two' as it has an entirely new plot line and some stylistic changes. This may turn into the longest story ever, but oh well! I hope you're still enjoying it by the end.**

**This is the summary for what was the sequel: It's been several months since Legolas and Matilda first met, but Matilda is struggling to balance the two very different worlds of Lake-town and the Woodland Realm. With all the political upheaval in Esgaroth and with the threat of Smaug not very far away, will their relationship survive the turbulent events destined to unfold?**

**Happy reading!**

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**PART TWO**

Storytelling

At the great thump on the roof above them, Matilda's jaw had dropped to the floor. She looked at Teddy apprehensively before the two quick raps followed by three slower knocks sounded on the front door. Her face split into a wide grin; that was Legolas's signature knock.

"Ma," she said. "I'd like you to meet Legolas. It's a long story. A _very_ long story."

"I have all night," said her mother Peggy, as Matilda hurried to the door and flung it wide open.

Legolas, smiling with his easy grace, stood on their balcony, leaning on the doorpost. He smiled with pleasure to see Matilda, but his eyes were filled with uncertainty. Matilda could see that he was nervous about coming to Lake-town, about how he would be received. But before he could even open his mouth to say anything, Matilda had flown at him and flung her arms round his neck. "I have never been gladder to see anyone in my entire life," she said in his ear, almost sighing with relief.

"I got the right house then. I rode so hard to try and catch up with you," said Legolas. "All that I said, I said in anger and I am so sorry-"

"Let's talk about it later," said Matilda, taking his hand and drawing him into the house. "Come in, out of the snow. You're letting in a draught." She pulled him in, but was suddenly anxious. She could see her humble home through Legolas's eyes; the smallness of the room, the shabbiness of the furniture. It was a far cry from the vast wooden halls and gold velvet tapestries of the Woodland Realm.

But Legolas was not even looking at his surroundings; he was smiling politely at the three new faces staring curiously at him. Peggy was struggling to compose her astonished face; Hattie was gawping shamelessly at the elf standing on the threshold, her cup still in her hand, and Sarah was half-hidden behind Hattie, eyes flicking up and down Legolas's figure.

"Well, hello," said Peggy.

Legolas bowed, pressing his right fist to his left shoulder, looking more regal than usual in the lowly worn-out house.

"Ma," said Matilda, leaping into action despite her tiredness. "This is Legolas."

"Prince Legolas of the Woodland Realm," added Teddy.

Hattie spat out a mouthful of drink; it seemed she was in danger of choking, until Sarah thumped her between her shoulder blades.

"Just Legolas," said Matilda.

"_Prince_ Legolas?!" said Peggy, stumbling over her words. "My lord, with all due respect, what are you doing here in my house?"

"Legolas is a central part of the story, Ma," said Matilda. "He is our friend."

"My goodness," said Peggy anxiously, brushing down her old green dress and fretting around for a minute. "You must tell us all about it. Hattie, close your mouth, you look gormless."

"Ma," said Teddy, clearly embarrassed. "Honestly. Must you fuss so?"

"It is an absolute pleasure to meet you, ma'am," said Legolas. "All of you."

"You'll have to bear with them," Matilda whispered into Legolas's ear, giving his hand a secret squeeze. "None of us are used to entertaining an elf."

"And you have nothing to apologise for," smiled Legolas.

Hattie, at her mother's command, snapped out of her reverie and immediately fetched four stools to sit round the fire. Legolas left his weapons and cloak at the door, knowing he looked less frightening to Matilda's family without the steel accessories. Sarah poured water, still cold from the well, into cups. She gave one to Legolas before scurrying away nervously. Legolas smiled kindly at her and bent down to her height. "What is your name?" he asked softly.

"Sarah," the young girl said, after a wary glance at her older sister standing at the elf's side and smiling encouragingly.

"You have beautiful hair, Sarah, to match your beautiful name," said Legolas. "Why the elven maidens in my home would be envious of these lovely locks."

Sarah smiled and twirled a long dark curl round her finger. Over Legolas's head, Matilda met her mother's kindly, knowing eye.

"Sit down," said Teddy, clapping Legolas on the back.

"He means, please take a seat," said Matilda, trying to be a good hostess and glaring at her brother.

Legolas, folding up his long lean limbs, sat on the little wooden stool offered to him. He looked very out of place but did not seem to mind as he adapted seamlessly with all his usual elegance. Matilda, Hattie and Teddy sat with him, Sarah curled herself up on the threadbare hearth rug and Peggy took the big armchair next to the fire.

"You'll have to forgive our untidy state, my lord," said Peggy nervously. "We were not expecting company, not even Teddy and Matilda, let alone the elven prince."

"Please," said Legolas, still smiling. "Call me Legolas."

Peggy nodded and gave her name. "These are my daughters Hattie and Sarah, and I see you've already met my other daughter and son. Excuse me." She turned brusquely to Matilda. "Now, tell me exactly where you've been for four months. You walked out the door taking Teddy with you and we have not seen you since. If you knew you were going to be away for so long, why did you not leave a note, let alone tell us so we could arrange it together?! Leave nothing out."

"Ma, Teddy and I expected to be back that same evening in time for dinner," said Matilda.

"Then what happened?" Hattie burst out. "Do you know we cried, all three of us, every single night? Do you know how many search parties we sent out? How far we looked for you?" Matilda glanced at Legolas as Hattie ranted, but his face was unreadable. "Were you kidnapped?"

"No," said Matilda, and she launched into the story, often interjected by Teddy filling in bits of information she left out. She told how she, Teddy, Sam and Jane had run into several giant spiders whilst hunting, and had had to flee from them. Matilda and Teddy glossed over the part in their story about the big misunderstanding with the king's sacred elk; Legolas raised an eyebrow at their vagueness but did not react too much so Peggy's suspicion was not aroused. Matilda told how they were captured by a group of elves and taken to the Elvenking's Halls. She was just about to skip over the week or so they had all spent in the dungeons too, but Legolas interrupted her.

"Do not lie on my account, Matilda," he said. "My father the king ordered them to be thrown into our cells."

Matilda bit her lip as Peggy's face darkened at this treatment of her children and Hattie's eyes grew hostile towards Legolas. "I do not blame you though," said Matilda. "You were kind to us, even in the dungeons. The elves fed us well, Ma, and kept us warm."

"Matilda was very courageous," said Legolas. "She bargained with the king for release if she could show him a powerful act of penance. My father is not a barbarian. He does not kill the young, especially not the offspring of the Men of the Lake, who we have tight trade links with. But you should be very proud of your daughter and son, Peggy. They remained strong, even in the face of fear and the unknown, all the time maintaining their innocence."

"But we would not have been released from our cells without your help," said Matilda.

Peggy, eyebrows raised, looked at Teddy, who was watching his mother's face. He smiled knowingly back at her.

"I did not convince the king," said Legolas. "I was barely instrumental in your negotiation at all."

"That is untrue-" Matilda began.

"Whether it is true or not," piped up Teddy impatiently. "The girls were let out from their cell and moved into a large room under what was effectively house arrest."

"We soon began to make friends and the elves warmed to us," said Matilda. She went on to tell of Tauriel and Myrin and Legolas, and then spoke of the threat to their safety from Aubron, the king's advisor who spat poison in their direction every opportunity he got. When she had to tell of the blossoming romance between Legolas and herself, Matilda's cheeks burned bright red, but Teddy had no scruples about embarrassing her.

"They were besotted with each other," he grinned. "Absolutely could not keep their hands off each other."

"Teddy!" snapped Matilda. She could not even look at Legolas.

"It is an essential part of the tale," Teddy justified, laughing at Matilda's mortified face.

Sarah giggled.

"So the captive falls in love with her captor," said Hattie, amused. "It sounds like a tale from a storybook. My own sister and a prince!"

Matilda rushed on with the story, and she was halfway through telling her listeners about the Ball and Tehlmar, when Peggy remembered their dinner, still cooking over the fire. She leapt up and began to serve the slightly-burned stew into wooden bowls, handing them round. Legolas tried the food and declared it delicious. Matilda knew he would have eaten dung and said it was the best thing he had ever tasted rather than be impolite to her family. As it was, the stew was fairly good if the black crusty bits were ignored. It was the first human Lake-town food she and Teddy had eaten in months.

Around mouthfuls of stew and bread, Teddy continued the story. He told how the act of true love was a selfless deed, proving humans to be worthy and capable of goodness. However, when Legolas and Matilda went to tell the king, they were confronted by twenty soldiers.

Legolas corrected him and took the story from there, eloquently explaining the events which left him, Tauriel and Myrin fleeing from the kingdom with the girls. He and Matilda told of their journey to the small farmhouse, and Teddy filled in the gaps of him and Sam following on horseback with the guard of elves.

The story was long, as Matilda had warned her mother, and they continued talking into the night. Teddy fished out a pile of blankets to wrap round their cold feet, and Sarah heated milk over the fire so they could sip warm milk as the story reached its climax. Peggy, Hattie and Sarah listened wide-eyed as the three of them related Aubron's treasonous capture, being thrown into a suffocating prison without the king's permission and Legolas being forced into unlawful but unbreakable marriage to Aubron's daughter Eletha. When Legolas began talking about Matilda being dragged into the room to watch, Matilda began to shake at the traumatic memory. He put an arm around her until she stilled and was calm. Peggy warmed to the elven stranger who had suddenly burst into her life as she saw the love for Matilda flare in Legolas's eyes. He was charming, that was for sure.

"Then what happened?" asked Sarah, her eyes as wide as coins.

When Teddy retold the part of the story of the king's rescue, the charge on Aubron and his men, and when Matilda was nearly run through by Aubron's son, Peggy blanched deathly-white. Matilda comforted her, as Legolas told of Matilda's recovery and the king's pardon for them all. After Matilda added the tale of Daeron, Aubron's youngest son who had vowed to repay Matilda for the wrongs done to her by his kin and the journey home to Lake-town, the story was over.

Hattie's stool toppled over as she leapt up and ran to hug Matilda tightly. There were tears brimming in Peggy's eyes but she remained stoical for her family. "If I had only known where you were, my children, you would never have suffered, not even for a single minute."

"But we are returned to you now, Ma," said Teddy. "And we don't plan on leaving again any time soon."

"You nearly died!" cried Hattie, hugging Matilda.

"I came awfully close to never seeing you again," admitted Matilda. "But that only made me even more desperate to get home."

Overjoyed to be reunited, Hattie and Matilda stayed in each other's arms for a long time, hugging and whispering together as close sisters do. Sarah was sent to bed; the chimes from the bell tower in the distance announced that it was midnight. The others lowered their voices to let Sarah sleep in the corner as the house only had one room; Peggy quietly approached Matilda as Legolas helped Teddy clean the bowls and big cauldron.

"Is he trustworthy, Matilda?" asked Peggy. "You always were a good judge of character."

"I would put my life in his hands without hesitation, Ma," said Matilda. "I would die for him."

"Then I shall invite him to stay as long as he wishes," Peggy smiled. "I should like to get to know him better."

"He does not act like a prince," Hattie observed.

Matilda just smiled, watching Legolas's back. Peggy saw in her daughter's eyes something which she had never seen there before. Matilda seemed to have grown up a lot in her absence. "You are wiser, my daughter," she said quietly. "And you are older, of course. I missed your eighteenth birthday."

"Ma, I completely forgot!" Matilda exclaimed. "That feels like an age ago."

"I was sorry not to have been there to commemorate the day with you," said Peggy. "But I guess you were with your friends, and Legolas."

Matilda nodded shyly.

"Are you in love with him?" Hattie blurted out, with her usual frankness.

Matilda blushed again. "I know you do not know him as I do, but in time-"

"Yes, but do you _love_ him?" asked Hattie, determined not to be distracted from her question.

Matilda nodded.

Hattie shook her head. "You lucky thing. What's it like?"

Matilda just looked at her mother, who did not look surprised but slightly sad. "I am sorry that I could not tell you of our courtship, Ma, or ask for your permission. I wish you had been with me."

Peggy did not reply but went to Legolas, who had just turned round, cloth in hand. "You are welcome to stay with us for as long as you wish or as long as your duty permits," she said. "You will be our most honoured guest."

"Then I am in your debt, Peggy," Legolas replied smoothly. "You are uncommonly kind. How can I express my gratitude to you for opening your home to me like this?"

"You needn't," said Peggy. "Your presence is enough."

Legolas bowed his head and moved across the room to talk with Hattie, who was the only one he had not spoken directly to yet. Peggy took Matilda's elbow and smiled. "I like him," she admitted. "But this will yield questions which will need to be answered."

"Questions?"

"From the Master and his spies," said Peggy. "Things are different in Lake-town. The Master is more suspicious than ever, and our friendship with Bard and others have made our drunkard leader and that slimy servant Alfrid regard us as trouble-makers. He will certainly be wary of an elf living with us, and why." She sighed. "But we will think about that in the morning. We must all go to our beds now."

"Yes," Matilda agreed. "I just need a few minutes to speak with Legolas."

Peggy nodded and went to tell Hattie and Teddy to go to bed. Legolas came and sat down beside Matilda on stools in front of the dying embers of the fire.

"Are you alright?" he asked in a low voice.

"Yes," she nodded. "I'm so pleased to be home, I cannot begin to tell you."

Legolas smiled. "I am sure." He looked around. "It is very cosy here."

Matilda looked at him. "Listen, I know my mother has opened our home to you so you'll be here with me, but I really need to spend my time with my family now. We have been separated for so long-"

"I understand," said Legolas, putting a hand over hers where it rested in her lap. "I do not expect you to concentrate your attentions on me. If you permit me to stay as your mother does, I will simply observe your way of life and deepen my understanding of you and your family, as you have my life for the last four months."

"Of course I want you to stay!" said Matilda. "It's strange to see you sitting in my house, but a great relief and comfort to me. After what happened, I thought I'd never see you again-"

"It is in the past," said Legolas. "I am so sorry. I was quick to anger at the thought of you leaving me without farewell, and jealous of Sam, who I thought you held in higher regard in your heart than me."

"And I shouldn't have kept our departure from you," said Matilda. "I should just have been honest from the beginning."

"That sounds like a good pact to me," said Legolas, holding out his hand. "From now, we keep no secrets from each other. We are honest."

"Honest," agreed Matilda, shaking his hand. "We shall forget the circumstances under which I left and move forwards from here."

"And there will be no more quarrelling," said Legolas.

"I am so happy you chased after me," smiled Matilda, leaning forwards and putting her arms round Legolas's neck.

Legolas leaned forwards and kissed her forehead. "It was the best decision I ever made to arrest you and your friends back in the summer. Meeting you was the best thing that has happened to me in hundreds of years."

"I don't know how my mother is going to feel when she finds out that you're two and a half thousand years older than me," laughed Matilda, breathing every inch of Legolas in.

Teddy smiled from across the room, watching Legolas and Matilda reconcile. The couple were still, silhouettes on the background of the glowing, slowly fading fire, enjoying a quiet moment after the hectic rush of the day. Peggy joined her son on the bench he was sitting on. "You know him well now. Is he good for her?" she asked quietly. "Is he a good person?"

"He is the best person," said Teddy in a low voice. "You will not meet a braver, truer, more devoted man or elf."

Peggy nodded. "He looks as though he has been good for her." She smiled sadly, seeing her daughter give Legolas the look she had once given her dead husband when they had been young and carefree.

"Ma," said Teddy, putting an arm around his mother. "We are home now. You do not need to worry anymore."

"I am a mother," smiled Peggy. It is my burden, my privilege and my fate to worry about you." She smiled and ruffled her only son's hair. "Especially you. Now get yourself off to bed."

Teddy kissed his mother goodnight and went to his old mattress on the floor, pulling warm blankets over himself and curling into a ball. Peggy, after putting another log on the fire, making up a bed for Legolas and shooing him and her daughter to bed, retired to go to sleep too. It was very late but as she drifted off to sleep, she could still hear Matilda and Legolas whispering softly together in the darkness.

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**Don't forget to review and let me know what you think! There's a bit of a change of scenery in 'Part Two' and quite a few new characters of Matilda's family and friends. Hope you enjoyed!**


	23. The Lay of the Land

The Lay of the Land

The next morning, Peggy roused them at dawn, when the weak winter sun finally rose into the sky. It had snowed hard overnight but the heavy grey clouds had now broken and the wind was blowing itself out. All of them were bleary-eyed and pale from lack of sleep, except Legolas, who looked as fresh-faced and energetic as though he had slept for a full twelve hours.

"Matilda and Teddy's true whereabouts for these few months must be concealed," said Peggy, as they all sat round the roughly-hewn kitchen table eating porridge and slightly stale bread from wooden bowls. "We must be shrewd and diplomatic about this situation or no small amount of trouble will arise. Sarah, do you understand? You are not to mention a word of the Woodland Realm or the King of the Elves."

"Yes, Ma," said Sarah.

"If we are questioned about their sudden reappearance, what do we say then?" asked Hattie. "Enough of the town saw us organising search parties, some even helped for the first fortnight or so. The people will be naturally curious."

"We told Old Percy at the gate that we had been to visit our distant kin," said Teddy.

"Stick with that," advised Peggy. "My lord Legolas, what explanation did you give for travelling to Lake-town?"

"I didn't," said Legolas. "We elves know how to easily conceal ourselves and I went over the rooftops. I asked a small boy where the house of Matilda and Teddy was but he did not see my face because I was in snow and shadow."

Peggy nodded. "We could let out that you are a lone elven traveller who my children encountered on their journey and befriended."

"I can spread that around," said Teddy. "I will go out today and tell everyone who will listen what we want them to hear."

"It is best that no one knows who I really am," agreed Legolas.

"Jane and Sam do," said Hattie.

"I know Sam isn't my biggest supporter but he would not betray your family, would he?" said Legolas.

Teddy shook his head. "For love of Matilda, he will keep his mouth shut."

Peggy raised an eyebrow and looked anxious. "You were not harsh to him were you, Matilda? He was always very taken by you, and we did all expect your betrothal when he was ready to ask you after your courtship."

"No, Ma," said Matilda. "He is our friend."

Legolas and Teddy exchanged glances, but no one saw their sceptical look.

"Good," said Peggy. "Then we shall let that story be known. Be very clear as to what happened and do not add silly little details. Keep it simple and, whatever you do, do not mention Legolas's true self. I do not want any rumours reaching the Master's ears about us. He may think we are looking for outside allies to usurp his position."

Hattie rolled her eyes and said something unflattering about the Master under her breath. Matilda giggled and put an arm round her sister. She had missed Hattie.

"Teddy, you should be withdrawn from the schoolhouse," continued Peggy. "I think you are quite old enough to begin looking for some work. It will not do you, or our finances, any harm." Teddy punched the air triumphantly and did a little dance of celebration. "You may have one day's rest to see your friends and to show your face around town, but you must start looking for a job tomorrow. I will not have you lazing around and sleeping in till noon. Matilda, you can show Legolas around the town if you wish, but please, be discreet and mind your business. Sarah, off to school with you. Remember; not a word of any elves."

Hattie reluctantly stood up and held out a hand to Sarah. "I should be going too," she said, making a face.

Peggy kissed her eldest and youngest daughters goodbye. Sarah, wrapped up warm, skipped off in the direction of the schoolhouse to find her friends. Yawning, Hattie went off in the other direction to the Master's house, where she was employed as a maid to sweep the floors, polish the silver and launder clothes all day long.

"Matilda, what do you want me to do with these?" asked Peggy, gesturing to the two saddle-bags and small wooden chest from the Woodland Realm. "The chest is of very fine quality, such a generous and beautiful gift."

"Open it, Ma," said Teddy.

Peggy gasped and almost dropped the chest when upon opening her eyes were greeted with the gleam of golden coins and glitter of diamonds. "What are these doing in here?" She suddenly grew toweringly angry. "_If you've been stealing_-!"

"Of course not, Ma!" said Matilda quickly.

"How could you even think that of us?" asked Teddy in an affronted voice.

"They are gifts," Legolas confirmed. "The wood-elves grew very fond of Matilda and Teddy, and this is a small gesture of our friendship and good will towards them."

"It is far too much," said Peggy, still looking shocked. "We are just poor and humble peasants. What is in these bags?"

"Silks, velvets and a fur I believe," said Matilda.

"And woollen blankets," said Teddy. "A warm cloak and a bottle of raspberry brandy."

"We can pay our rent for a decade, Ma," said Matilda. She guessed why her mother looked so perplexed; "The Master won't find it, Ma. He doesn't know it is here and has no cause to search for it."

"No," said Peggy, her anxious face relaxing. "Are you sure you meant it for _us_?" she double-checked.

"Yes," said Legolas. "It is all yours now."

"We must still put on the appearance of frugal living," said Peggy. "As I said before, the Master's spies watch our household more than ever."

Matilda smiled at Peggy and gave her a quick hug, feeling a rush of affection towards the mother she had not seen for a long time. "Shall we go for the grand tour?" she asked Legolas, turning to the boys. "Although I'm afraid there isn't much to see."

"You do look very conspicuous though," said Teddy, eyes wandering from Legolas's pointed ears to his slender height.

"Here. You can wear this," said Peggy, holding out a long cloak to him. "It belonged to my late husband but I've never quite been able to bring myself to sell or throw away."

"Thank you, Peggy," Legolas said softly, taking the brown cloak in his arms and according the garment all due respect. "I shall wear it with the greatest honour and pride."

"I'll come with you," said Teddy. "I want to find Bain, and we should see Sam and Jane to make sure they got home safely."

Teddy, with Matilda and Legolas in tow, stepped outside the front door onto the rickety wooden balcony and gazed out across the lake. Their house was fairly high up so they could see halfway across the town over the crooked roofs, with all sorts of people working busily and calling to each other. Trade flourished from dawn till dusk in Lake-town; whether it was the sincere and honest bargain of a new fishing net in return for a barrelful of ale, or a shady back-alley dealing struck quicker than the blink of an eye. From the balcony, they could hear an argument going on a few houses away, a pair of old friends shouting greeting to one another and the sound of a child singing at the top of its voice. "Aren't you so glad to be back?" asked Teddy.

"Yes," said Matilda. "But I do miss Myrin and Tauriel already."

"Do not dwell on those thoughts, my love," said Legolas. "I am ready to be educated on your customs and traditions and busy lives."

"As long as you do not attract too much attention," Matilda said, standing on tiptoes and pulling the hood of the cloak over his head.

"What is this for?" asked Legolas, pointing upwards.

Far above them was an old trade ship's prow jutting out from the point of their scaled roof. The figurehead was a beautiful woman who's wise and knowing eyes told all manner of secret, long-forgotten tales. Many years ago their father had scavenged it from a long-ago shipwreck on the lake and had hammered it into the roof. He had said she was the guardian of the family and no harm could come to any of them under her watch. Legolas smiled.

The three of them first went to find Sam and Jane. Teddy bounded up to the door and was just about to thump on it, when it swung open to reveal a tall red-bearded man; Sam and Jane's elder brother.

"Peter!" said Teddy.

Peter looked down on them smilingly. "So you two have returned as well."

"Yes," they said.

"Sam and Jane are inside," he said. "Go straight in. I'm off to a hard day of work." He made a funny face; he had always been fond of his beloved baby sister's friends.

As he passed them on his way out, his friendly green eyes locked with Legolas's and he did a double-take, staring curiously after him as Legolas disappeared into his house. Matilda wondered how much Jane and Sam had told him. She knew Legolas didn't look exactly as they might want to, even in her father's cloak.

"Matilda! Teddy!" said Jane, running up to them with a welcoming grin. She looked very relaxed and at ease in her beloved home; seeing her family again seemed to have refreshed her. When she caught sight of Legolas, she stopped abruptly, looking surprised and pleased. She gave him a brief hug. "You followed us across the lake!" She winked at Matilda, knowing how happy she must be to have Legolas with her. "Is Myrin with you? Or Tauriel?"

"I'm afraid, no," said Legolas.

Jane's smile didn't falter; she just said, "Never mind. I didn't expect they would be."

"Have you told your parents the truth?" asked Teddy curiously.

"Yes," said Jane. "But they do not want to have the Master and his men knocking on the door so we have agreed to tell anyone who asks that we were simply travelling."

Matilda smiled. She could always count on Jane to be pragmatic. "Remember, no one is to know who Legolas really is."

But one person did know. Sam walked into the front room, grinning at Teddy and Matilda. When he saw who was standing behind them, his amiable face instantly transformed into a mask of hatred.

"You!" he scowled. "I thought we were rid of your kind-"

"Sam!" barked Jane, putting on her scariest and snappiest voice. "I heard Father wanted your help with the market stall earlier. He needs help preparing the meat."

Sulkily, Sam conceded and left as quickly as he had come.

"Ignore him," advised Jane. "He is always grumpy and bad-tempered nowadays. It's not personal," she lied. They all knew that it was.

"Is your mother in?" asked Matilda. "Would she want to see us?"

"Don't worry," said Jane. "She does not blame you, nor think you lead us astray at all. She trusts us both for the truth, which we told, and she sees it only as an accident."

"Phew," said Teddy. "Your mother can be very scary."

"Just like someone else I know," said Legolas, winking at Jane.

"That is a relief," admitted Matilda.

"She and Father are at the stall preparing for market," Jane said. "Andrik is with them and Peter is at work. I am in charge of the house."

"Andrik is Jane's eldest brother," Matilda explained to Legolas. "Her family own a successful butcher business." She shot a quick smile at her best friend. "Jane is the baby and darling of the family and so gets out of any semblance of work and doesn't lift a finger."

"I far prefer to waste your time and annoy your family," Jane shrugged, unconcerned, and they soon left the house to find Bain, whom Teddy was extremely keen to see. They found him working outside his house, mending a fishing net, but he leapt up when he saw his best friend.

"Teddy! Where did you go?" he asked immediately.

Teddy glanced at the others behind him. "I will have to tell you the truth later but for now we are saying I was travelling to see kin." Teddy knew he was safe in telling Bain this; their families held a long-lasting friendship and mutual trust. "Oh, and we befriended an elf traveller on the way," Teddy added.

Bain goggled at Legolas, whose face was half-concealed by the cloak hood. He and Teddy were soon deep in ardent conversation as though Teddy had never been away.

"Bain-" someone said, and a door opened somewhere above their heads.

"Sigrid," Matilda smiled at her old school friend.

"Hi," said Jane.

"Bain said you'd returned," said Sigrid, hurrying down the stairs. She was brought up short when she saw Legolas, standing quietly nearby. "Who's this?" she asked. Sigrid was always slightly shy around new people.

"Um-" said Matilda.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, miss," said Legolas, stepping forward and kissing Sigrid's hand.

She blushed. "How quaint," she said. "Bain, Da wants our help. You'll have to excuse us."

Instead of dragging a highly reluctant Bain in to aid his father, Teddy followed him to see Bard so they would not have to halt their conversation. Matilda, Jane and Legolas crossed a bridge and followed a maze of narrow docks and stairs until they reached the large, bustling hub of the town; the market.

Running through the middle of the market was the Grand Canal, where fresh produce was brought in and traded and bartered. People stopped Matilda and Jane, some of them friends, others just curious, to ask why they had not been seen around town for the last few months. Legolas always turned away and looked over the canal as Jane and Matilda repeated their stories and politely enquired about their lives whilst they had been away. As such, they made very slow progress through the town whilst people stopped them to tell of the birth of a grandchild or a wedding of a brother or the death of an aunt. The cycle of life had crawled onwards in Esgaroth, as life tends to, and people still grasped at every shred of news and gossip to brighten up their dull and monotonous lives. Smiling and nodding, Matilda's face muscles began to ache and she glanced at Legolas to check he was okay.

Even set adrift in the hubbub of unfamiliar faces and voices, Legolas was not fazed. He seemed to be thoroughly enjoying all the noisy activity of the locals. They squeezed through throngs of moving people who would not stop for anyone, before finding a quiet spot under a bit of awning out of the way of the crowds to watch the world go about its business.

"This is the market," Jane said. "My family's stall is on the other side. We sell fresh and salted meats, not fish. There's the baker over there," she pointed out a tubby man in a large floury apron. "The man he's arguing with is also a rival baker. People say he mixes chalk into his flour."

"What is that curious smell?" asked Legolas.

"Fish," supplied Matilda, running her finger over a nearby wooden post into which was carved a leaping fish. "Lots of fish."

"Salted fish, pickled fish, raw fish, roasted fish, baked fish," said Jane. "Fish soup, fish pie, fish stew, fish-"

"Yes, Jane, I think we get the idea," said Matilda, and turned to Legolas. "Don't worry, you'll get used to the smell."

"_Oi_! I will not be taken for a fool and cheated by the likes of you-!"

Legolas's hand flew to his hip where his sword would hang. Nearby, a man had gone into a towering rage over the extortionate price of a sack of grain. Jane and Matilda grinned at Legolas's jump. It was just how people haggled prices in the town; nothing out of the ordinary. The stall-holder then went into a towering rage at the meanness of the price the customer had offered. No one took any notice of them as they shouted into each other's faces. The price would probably be settled halfway between each sum.

"The people, like the winters, are rough," Jane told Legolas, as his shoulders relaxed.

"What is she selling over there?" asked Legolas, indicating an old woman in front of a stall heaped with hard yellow lumps.

"Candles," said Matilda. "It is not beeswax because no one can afford it. We use tallow instead." Legolas looked confused. "Animal fat."

"Is that woman not cold?" he asked, looking at the stall's minder. The grey-haired red-nosed woman was dressed in layer upon layer of fluttering rags. When the bitter wind blew off the lake and stirred her rags, they could see that her skin was blue underneath, but she was deep in conversation with a man who was haggling the price of a cluster of candles, and didn't seem to notice.

"Probably," shrugged Matilda.

"I do not know her well," said Jane.

Legolas struggled to understand the meagre hand-to-mouth existence by which the Lake-town people lived. He could not comprehend how Matilda and Jane were so used to the poverty surrounding them.

"We do not have any grand luxuries here," Matilda said. "We just survive."

A small boy ran past them, dressed only in an old printed sack with holes cut for his head and arms. Legolas's eyes almost popped out of his head. "How can you bear it?" he asked.

"We don't exactly have a choice," said Jane defensively. "But it isn't so bad once you're used to it. Lake-town was once a magnificent and beautiful city, you know-"

"Should I give that boy a coin?" asked Legolas.

Matilda smiled at the kindness of his heart but stopped him with a hand on his arm. "Best not," she said. "Someone would get suspicious. With so little, people here are always watching what their neighbours have; who has a new pair of boots and who has a new cloak."

"It's not fair," said Legolas, shaking his head. "That I have had so much luxury and riches in all my long life and everyone here struggles to make ends meet in throughout their short lives."

"Life's hard," shrugged Matilda. "And we may be poor, but we are happy."

Jane laughed. "Here, Legolas, we are the princes." She held out her arms in a flourish. "And this is our kingdom."

"Jane!" Matilda said suddenly, grabbing her friend's arm. "Look! Here comes trouble."

Half a dozen soldiers had woven their way into the crowds flocking to the market. They were the Master's men, come to assert his authority in the town and let the common people know the presence of the government. Their bright uniform, armour and feathered helmets made them conspicuous but Matilda was glad she had spotted them before they could catch sight of Legolas.

"Ah," said Jane.

"It's time to disappear," said Matilda, ducking round a stack of snowed-up wooden boxes and jumping over a pile of fishing tackle. "Ouch!" she swore as she stubbed her toe on the corner of a box.

"And I had hoped that being with the elves would make you _less_ clumsy," said Jane.

"Shut up," Matilda told her.

They hurried away from the market and, through the crooked wooden streets, managed to get back to Matilda's house without attracting any attention from the guards. Peggy was baking some kind of cake when they returned, and simultaneously trying to attach a shelf back to the wall where it belonged. Wooden bowls and cups were cluttered all over the floor where they had fallen.

Peggy was flustered. "It fell down about an hour ago," she sighed. "This house is slowly falling to pieces, I tell you."

"Thank goodness there was no ceramic or glass," said Jane, blowing on her cold fingers.

"I'll make some tea, Ma," said Matilda, unwinding a long woollen scarf from her neck.

"And I will put up the shelf," said Legolas, taking the plank of wood from Peggy's hands. He had skilfully nailed the shelf to its rightful place on the wall before Matilda had finished brewing the tea.

"Here," she said, putting a cup into Legolas's hands.

"Thank you," said Peggy gratefully. Her initial concern for her daughter's relationship with this unfamiliar elf was vanishing more and more by the second. Soon, Peggy was sure, there would be no doubt left. Teddy's words echoed in her head; "_He is the best person. You will not meet a braver, truer, more devoted man or elf_." As Peggy watched Legolas's kindness towards Matilda, and indeed towards the rest of them, she saw that her son's words had not been wrong. This was an elf who radiated love from every inch of his being.

They spent a warm and companionable afternoon in the house, the four of them. Jane volunteered to finish baking, cooling and decorating the cake Peggy had begun whilst Peggy herself picked up her knitting. She had been making a hat and a new pair of gloves for Sarah; these she finished and used the rest of the wool to make a colourful tea-cosy.

Legolas asked permission to carve into the edge of the shelf he had just fixed and soon, with sleek smooth strokes his knife carved beautiful, swirling patterns into the wood. It soon made a perfectly ordinary shelf look like a work of elven art. It was entrancing and Matilda would just have watched him with her hands cupped round her tea if she could. But there was no time for idleness in Lake-town so Matilda got to work mending a shirt Bard had given Peggy to mend.

The two families looked out for each other; whether it was a loan of money or grain or a pair of socks that needed darning. Sigrid was the woman of the house and although her needlework was good, she wasn't able to do all the necessary sewing for all her family.

Once Teddy fell through the door in the late afternoon, he was allowed a slice of cake and cup of tea, before his mother sent him out again with an axe to chop firewood for the family. When Peggy and Matilda began to prepare dinner for the family, Jane stood up.

"My mother will want me home for dinner too," she said. "See you tomorrow!" She left, moments before Sarah appeared at the door, stamping her feet to warm them up.

"How was school?" asked Matilda, chopping an onion off its string with a swipe of her knife.

"Good," said Sarah informatively, brushing snow off her shoulders. "Wow! Did we buy a new shelf?" She went over to the wood.

"No, same shelf, new carving," said Legolas, pleased at her admiration.

"Hence the wood shavings everywhere," Matilda pointed out.

Hattie was seconds behind Sarah. She walked in, complaining about the Master and the servants employed above her, and how she could slave from dawn to dusk and still they would be unsatisfied. It was the same every evening. She hated her job and today, especially after so little sleep, she looked pale and exhausted.

"I'm so glad to have a family dinner all together round the table," Peggy said quietly to Matilda as Legolas sat down to show her sisters how to carve a small figure from a lump of wood. "It hasn't been the same for a very long time, even before you and Teddy went missing." She sighed. "I know I wasn't a real mother to you before."

"You were ill, Ma," said Matilda, sweeping a pile of carrots off her chopping board and into boiling water. "That was hardly your fault!"

"Nevertheless, I regret not being there for you. I was too weak."

Matilda's reassuring reply was interrupted by Teddy's noisy arrival. "It's snowing up a storm out there," he reported, shaking himself like a dog. Sarah went to the window and pulled the curtain slightly, peering out into the darkness.

"Close the shutters, Sarah," said Peggy.

Teddy went to the grate to stoke up the fire and set it blazing. Legolas had carved a beautiful wooden squirrel with a great bushy tail. When Matilda looked closely, she saw that it was even holding a little acorn. Such was Legolas's skill that the squirrel looked as though it was truly alive, its eyes bright and its nose quivering. Sarah, to her great delight, was presented with this gift as she laid the table.

After a hot dinner, they sat near the fire whilst Peggy read aloud from the only book they owned; fanciful tales and legends of the past. Matilda and Legolas sat very close to each other, her head on his shoulder and his head on hers, with their hands entwined. This time, she was not the slightest bit embarrassed about this affection in front of her family. They weren't stupid. They knew what was going on, and how she felt about him.

Matilda's face was very hot from the fire and her back should have been cold, but it wasn't with Legolas's arm around her. Legolas had her back, she thought, and a smile played across her face as she fell asleep on him, listening to the soft snores of Hattie and the gentle lilt of her mother's voice as she read from her favourite childhood book.

* * *

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	24. An Odd Sort of Day

An Odd Sort of Day

The next morning, Matilda woke rather late. When she opened her eyes, people were moving about the house, preparing for the day. Legolas sat at the table, playing chequers with Sarah and slowly, subtly losing. Matilda blinked drowsily and sat up. She couldn't remember getting into bed but she guessed Legolas had carried her there after the fire-lit storytelling had come to an end.

She stretched both arms above her head and winced at the pain which shot up her side. The scar, just below her ribs, still bothered her quite a bit but there was no way Matilda was about to let on. She didn't need to give the already naturally protective Legolas any more excuses to fuss over her.

After washing and changing into a fresh gown, an old blue one of Hattie's, and wrapping herself up in shawl and cloak, joined her family at the breakfast table. Legolas didn't look at all put off by the fact this was his second day in a row of eating porridge, which probably wasn't very appetising to his sophisticated taste-buds, and ate enthusiastically.

"I must go and find work today," said Teddy, gulping piping-hot tea as if it was water.

"What are you going to look for?" asked Hattie. "You could be a maid in the Master's household."

Sarah giggled at the thought of Teddy in an apron and cap. "Or a fisher-girl," she said.

"I thought I might ask around and see if any traders are in need of a lad to mind his stall," said Teddy. "I'm strong and young, someone's bound to take me on."

"I don't know about 'strong'," said Legolas, ruffling Teddy's hair in a brotherly manner. Teddy responded with a punch and Legolas only laughed at him.

"It's a shame Bard doesn't have a position available," said Peggy. "Or I'd ask him to take you on. I trust him to keep you out of trouble, but he has a son already."

"If I could work with Bain-!" said Teddy eagerly.

"No," said Hattie. "Imagine those two together all day. No work would be done!"

"I should look for work too," said Matilda. "I no longer have a job with Jane's family. They're unlikely to ever let us cross the lake again."

"You can't work," said Peggy. "Not whilst Legolas is with us, anyway. You have to be a good hostess."

Legolas suddenly looked concerned. "I do not wish to be a burden."

"Not at all!" said Peggy immediately.

"I'm not complaining," smiled Matilda. "You can stay with us forever now."

Peggy raised an amused eyebrow. "That's not quite-"

She was interrupted by the front door swinging open with a crash; Teddy, Matilda and Legolas all leapt to their feet in alarm, arming themselves with the first thing they could grab. Jane fell through the door, windswept and cold but very excited.

"Can't you knock?!" gasped Matilda, lowering her spoon and feeling foolish.

"Sorry," said Jane, not sounding at all apologetic. "I'm to invite all of you to dinner this evening. My parents wish to celebrate our safe return and acknowledge you, Legolas, as our rescuer."

"A dinner party?" said Sarah, just as excited as Jane. She clapped her hands together. "May we go, Ma? Please?"

"Of course we will go," smiled Peggy. "Jane, tell your mother and father that we are honoured to accept their kind invitation."

"And I," said Legolas, bowing his head.

"I wouldn't expect much if I were you," Jane told him. "I've been to elven 'dinner parties', and, trust me, we are not preparing a feast."

"It will look like a banquet to me," said Legolas loyally.

Jane snorted at her friend. "You liar," she said.

"What time do you want us there?" asked Hattie, smoothing her hair down. Matilda smiled knowingly. Hattie had had a thing for Peter, Jane's elder brother, for the last year or so, which she couldn't seem to shake.

"Come over at six of the clock," said Jane. "Or earlier. When do you leave the Master's house."

"Sometimes four, sometimes eight," sighed Hattie. "It depends what mood Alfrid or the housekeeper is in."

"Well, come as soon as you can then," said Jane.

"Will you stay for breakfast?" Peggy asked.

"I should get back home. My mother needs me for household chores," said Jane.

"Household chores?" repeated Matilda incredulously. "_You_? What has the world come to?"

Jane stuck her tongue out at Matilda, said goodbye to the rest of the family, and left in a more dignified manner than the way she had entered. "It's horrible weather," she called over the howling of the wind, waved and shut the door behind her.

Hattie moaned and groaned as she pulled on a coat, cloak and gloves.

"At least you have something to look forward to now," said Matilda, and affected a high, giggly voice, fluttering her eyelashes and twirling her hair round her finger. "Oh, _Peter_, you are just _so_ funny!"

"Look at the pot calling the kettle black," retorted Hattie, glancing at Legolas. She made her voice breathless and awestruck. "Oh, _Legolas_, everything you _do_ is just amazing. You are _so _perfect and breathtaking!"

Matilda blushed, instantly regretting teasing her sister. "I do not sound like that!" she said, avoiding Legolas's eye. He and Teddy were bent over, laughing hard at the girls. Even Peggy had to turn away to hide a smile. "_I don't_!" Matilda insisted, gasping.

"Bye!" grinned Hattie, opening the door and disappearing out of it into the swirling snow.

"It looks like this could worsen into a blizzard later," Peggy remarked, glancing out of the window at the heavy grey clouds.

"Pray not," said Teddy. "I need work." He pulled on gloves and a cap down over his ears. "Are you coming, Sarah?"

Sarah, who was already wrapped up warm, threw Teddy his cloak, and together, they went out into the storm.

"I have never seen the daytime so dark," said Legolas. "It looks like night."

"Believe me, the nights are much darker than this," said Matilda. "You live in Mirkwood. You should know about 'dark'."

"Morning!" The door blew open again, revealing Bard, who hurried in and slammed the door behind him. "I'm sorry to disturb. I did knock, but no one seemed to hear me."

"Nonsense," said Peggy, pulling her old friend in. "You know you're always welcome here. Can I get you some tea? Some breakfast?"

"No, thank you," said Bard. "I've already had one with my bairns. Sigrid's minding the house while the other two are out."

Peggy turned to her daughter. "Matilda, do you and Legolas mind venturing out so I can talk with Bard, please?"

"The weather-" began Matilda but then changed her mind, "Oh, alright," at a stern look from her mother.

"Legolas," said Bard, stepping forward to the golden-haired elf. "_Prince_ Legolas. Any friend of Peggy's and Matilda's is a friend of mine."

Legolas looked at Bard's extended hand and glanced warily at Matilda.

"You shake it," explained Matilda, wading in quickly before Bard could take offence. "It's a symbol of greeting and friendship."

Smiling, Legolas shook Bard's hand and, to Matilda's amusement, looked highly pleased with himself. She grinned at Bard.

"It's good to see you safely home again, Matilda," said Bard, giving her a hug. Matilda knew that he and his family must have joined in countless search parties with her own family, looking for her and Teddy, perhaps right to the very end.

"It's good to _be_ home," said Matilda cheerily.

She and Legolas wrapped up warm, and he followed her to the door. Just as she opened it, someone appeared in front of her, making her jump horribly. Legolas bumped into her back and she gasped at the shock of the unexpected appearance. Her blood ran cold and her heart skipped a beat. It was the Master's servant and councillor Alfrid, with a clerk and three soldiers close behind.

"_Hide_!" Peggy hissed from somewhere behind them.

Matilda stood there in shock and fear, her mouth hanging open. She glanced behind her where she was sure Legolas's presence in Lake-town had been discovered, but he was not there.

"What?" said Alfrid, barging in uninvited.

"Hi," said Peggy, thinking quickly. "I said hello."

Alfrid's lip curled but he did not see the panicked, questioning look Matilda was giving her mother. A flick of Peggy's eyes indicated to Matilda that he was crouched into a large wardrobe next to the door. Peggy glared at the clerk and the soldiers, who were lingering on the threshold. "Well, come in then," she said crossly. "You're letting in the cold."

Matilda backed up against the wardrobe, as though she was recoiling from Alfrid's whole being. His greasy black hair hung in curtains around his pale face and he wore the same long black robes every day, which, as might be expected, gave off a highly unpleasant smell.

In his mannerisms and movement as he slunk around the room, Matilda suddenly knew who he reminded her of: Aubron, the skulking poisonous elf who was the king's first advisor but had been executed after committing treason. She shuddered at the very thought of her greatest enemy. She didn't tell anyone, especially not Jane or Legolas, but she still dreamt of his face with those dead eyes, haunting her, chasing her through her worst nightmares.

Bard's face was stony as he glared at Alfrid. It was clear that relations between the Master and the locals had not improved whilst Matilda had been away. It looked as if they had gotten even worse. Alfrid, with his slimy, smarmy manner and cruel, scheming ways was about as diplomatic as a brick to the face. Peggy and Bard were looking at him with open hatred and, although he noticed, he did not seem to care.

"Bard," sneered Alfrid, marching into the little kitchen. "What are you doing here?"

"It is not against the law to invite friends over, Alfrid," said Peggy coldly.

"It's not illegal _yet_," he snarled. "But the way you're going, it just might be."

"Meaning?!" snapped Bard, his temper flaring.

Peggy sighed, with a restraining hand on Bard's arm. "What do you want, Alfrid?"

Alfrid, full of self-importance at the task in hand, puffed his chest out. "I am collecting the monthly citizen tax due to the Master of Lake-town as your great and honourable leader."

Peggy snorted with derision but complied, going to a small, locked cupboard against the wall and, once she had unlocked it, drew out a small pouch, clinking with coins. Matilda saw that there was no evidence of the elves' gift in sight. She felt as though her heart was beating so hard it might burst out of her chest. Chewing on her lip relieved some of the tension caught in her throat. What if the soldiers heard?

But Legolas was utterly silent inside the wardrobe, even though the position he would have had to contort himself into couldn't have been very comfortable. Matilda couldn't even hear his soft breathing, not even the rustle of a cloak.

"There you go," said Peggy, narrowing her eyes at Alfrid as he sneered at them. She dropped the small coin-pouch into the clerk's hand. The clerk flipped open his account book, found their names and marked that the tax had been paid.

Alfrid's sharp eyes switched from Peggy to Bard, before he rounded on Matilda, who was more than a little alarmed at his attention. "So, they found you in the end, did they?" he said.

"My brother and I returned from travelling," said Matilda, bristling with obvious dislike.

"Indeed," smirked Alfrid. "Your families seemed very worried about you for you to have gone 'travelling'."

Matilda scowled at him. "What goes on between the walls of our house is our business," she said smartly. If she had looked over at her mother in that moment, she would have seen Peggy smiling with pride at the way Matilda was dealing with the slimy serpent that was Alfrid.

"If you live in the town, it is the Master's business also," snapped Alfrid.

Matilda, her lips pursed, glared at him scornfully. She folded her arms tightly and turned her head slightly away. It was clear that Alfrid would not be able to get her to reply again.

"Better you had not come home at all," he growled snidely, before turning back to the adults, who stood side by side, glowering. "Your tax, Bard?" he said.

Anger and confusion crossed Bard's features. "Don't be stupid," he snapped. "You already collected my tax this morning. Woke us all up at the crack of dawn! You have the money already."

"Do I?" Alfrid blinked innocently. Matilda knew he was only aggravating Bard to glean a reaction from him, maybe even to provoke him into giving the Master a reason to arrest him. Alfrid was cruel; he did not care for the fate of any of the people he professed to serve. The citizens could barely meet the expense of the tax as it was; Matilda knew Bard, with three children, could not afford to give anything more.

"You know you do!" shouted Bard furiously, and pointed at the silent clerk nearby. "The accounts have been recorded!"

"The accounts will record whatever _I_ want them to say," Alfrid snarled, whipping around. His robes billowed out behind him as he swept from the house. "I'll be back," he shot at them, and his men hurried after him, leaving the door wide open, letting in all the snow and wind.

Matilda left her guard of the wardrobe and shut the door, turning around angrily.

"How _dare_ he?" Bard ground out tightly. His fists were clenched and he was trembling in rage. "One day he will cross the line and, mark my words, I shall not be responsible for my actions towards him."

"But you shall so you will restrain yourself," said Peggy. "How will your bonny little bairns get by with you in a prison cell?"

Legolas climbed out of the wardrobe and his face was dark with anger. "How repulsive," he said.

"He is the Aubron of Lake-town," sighed Matilda.

Legolas glanced at Matilda. "If he hurts you," he said, "_any_ of you, he will pay for his crimes and answer to me personally."

"We are under the thumb of the Master," said Peggy. "There is nothing we can do, except sit here and silently loathe him."

"You didn't sound too silent to me," smiled Legolas. "You must not fear. Remember; should you need us, the Woodland Realm will be your allies. At least, those loyal to me shall be."

Matilda thought of the forbidding King Thranduil and doubted he would waste resources on a 'petty' battle between Men. He had nothing to gain but the favour of his son, who, like every other elf in his kingdom, was completely at his mercy and good will.

"Thank you," said Peggy.

"We'll leave you alone now," said Matilda, taking Legolas's hand.

"It has been a pleasure to meet you, Legolas," said Bard.

Legolas bowed in the elven way; by pressing a fist to his shoulder and inclining his head in Bard's direction. He and Matilda left, heading towards the market via the back streets and little alleys so Legolas would not draw too much attention to himself. The stormy weather was a good excuse for him to draw his hood down over his face.

"There will be icicles hanging off your nose soon," said Legolas. "Where are we going?"

Matilda chuckled. She was accustomed to this kind of cold. "To the bakery," she said. "We know the baker and his wife well. We can sit down, get warm and eat hot cakes fresh from the oven."

"Then let's speed up," said Legolas, pulling Matilda along.

"It's no use," she said. "The cold will stay no matter how fast we go. It will get a lot worse before the winter is over."

Every year the ice and the unforgiving wind wreaked hunger and misery throughout Matilda's northern hometown. It claimed lives and destroyed livelihoods. Every year it froze over the lake so the fish, the main export of Esgaroth, were harder and harder to catch. It was a harsh existence but the people knew of nothing else. Pitiless and penniless, they toiled longer and harder through the dark days, waiting for the warmth and beauty of spring to touch upon the lake. Matilda sighed. Her father had died during the darkest days of winter and had never seen another spring.

Concerned at the sadness in her face, Legolas touched her cheek gently. "Where has that smile gone?" he asked. "The day just got a little darker."

Matilda blinked and tried to brighten up. She smiled at him, and linked her arm through his. "Come on. We're almost there. I can almost hear those cakes calling to me."

Legolas and Matilda were royally welcomed by the kindly baker, whose name was Perkin, and his cheerful wife Mary, and ended up staying all morning and halfway through the afternoon. It was a peaceful day after the fiasco of the morning, and Matilda returned home in a much brighter mood than she had left.

As she and Legolas were climbing up the stairs to the balcony of their front door, Hattie caught up with them, grinning.

"Hattie!" said Matilda. "You're home from work very early."

Hattie grinned wickedly. "I wanted to be on time for Jane's dinner so I may or may not have dropped three china plates and chipped a glass jug so I would be sent home early in disgrace."

"You'll pay for your supposed clumsiness tomorrow," warned Matilda, but her older sister shrugged.

"Tomorrow can wait," she said. "I'll worry about it when I have to."

"All that effort. Peter's a lucky man," Matilda whispered in her ear as they walked in.

Hattie hissed but had to refrain from retorting as Peggy bustled up to the girls.

"Oh, good, Hattie you're back early. Go and tidy your hair, and wash your hands and make yourselves look respectable," she said, before either of her daughters could say a word. "We must not be late for this dinner. Teddy, for heavens' sake, brush your hair. You look like you've been dragged through a bush backwards."

"Not quite right," said Teddy. He had coal smuts smeared across his cheeks, but he looked very pleased with himself. He grinned and his teeth shone whiter than usual out of his dusty face. "I found work with a coal-seller," he said unnecessarily. "His usual lad didn't show up for work today, and he needn't any day from now on."

"You stole someone's job?" said Matilda.

"Not exactly," said Teddy.

"Find a bowl of hot water and some soap, and use it," Peggy commanded. "And be quick about it. Sarah, tie your hair up if it refuses to sit neatly." She turned and smiled at Legolas. "You look immaculate, as usual."

Legolas bowed at the compliment.

"Suck-up," whispered Matilda, nudging him and going to the dresser to hunt down a comb. She found a ribbon for Sarah's wild curly hair and neatened her own.

Under Peggy's brusque orders, all four of her children were finally presentable and waiting patiently by the door.

Jane's house was not very far away, but with the buffeting of the wind, it felt like much longer. They arrived with snowflake-crusted eyelashes and bright-red cheeks, and practically fell in the door. "There was really no need to make all that effort then," Teddy said in Matilda's ear.

"Don't let Ma hear you saying that," she whispered back. "She might strangle you."

They looked over to Peggy, who was presenting Jane's mother Annette with a basket of cakes and a bottle of good brandy, and being ushered through to the kitchen. Peggy knew how important it was to have affluent friends, and she did all she could to ensure her family were polite and popular with their neighbours.

"Anyway, it was a good thing you did tidy yourself up," said Teddy cheekily. "Did you look in the mirror? I'm surprised Legolas hasn't scarpered and run a mile yet now he knows what your face really looks like."

"Coming from!" scoffed Matilda, giving Teddy a shove.

Unfortunately, she pushed her smirking brother a little harder than she meant to. He tripped and fell forwards, tumbling into Hattie and sending them both sprawling across the floor.

"_Teddy_!" hissed Peggy, poking her head round the door of the kitchen. She was clearly embarrassed at her children's clumsy behaviour so soon after arriving.

"Careful," someone said, appearing in the doorway Hattie and Teddy had fallen through. With cheeks flaming as red as Peter's hair, Hattie looked up to see Jane's older brother, looking back at her with an amused smile. He offered her a hand and pulled her up. "Are you hurt?" he asked.

"No," Hattie gulped breathlessly. Matilda knew that it was just her pride that had been wounded.

Peter showed the rest of the family through into the rest of the house, and Matilda pulled Teddy back onto his feet. Hattie shot a glare worthy of King Thranduil at her siblings and stalked off after her mother.

Teddy and Matilda looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"Oops," Matilda gasped. "She did not look impressed. We'll get a real tongue-lashing later."

"Did you see her face?" said Teddy, and went off into fresh peals of laughter.

Legolas shook his head despairingly at the pair of them.

"Whose face?" Matilda was suddenly crushed into a tight hug as Jane flew down the stairs and leapt at her.

"_Oomph_," Matilda said.

"Come in, come in," said Jane, grabbing Teddy's arm and talking over her shoulder to Legolas. "My parents are so keen to meet you."

Legolas, a polite smile already set on his face, was led through to the main part of the rather large house. Jane's father, Tom, stood up to meet Legolas. He was a bear of a man, with an impressive beard as red as his children's, shot through with silver, and great bushy eyebrows. He was an intimidating figure, but Jane could wrap him round her little finger with a single word. He could easily have been the jolliest man in the town; everyone knew and liked him well.

Once Legolas had been introduced to everyone; Annette, Peter and Andrik, Jane's eldest brother, Tom leaned forwards in his big armchair, watching the elf with wise blue eyes. "I'd like to offer you my sincerest thanks for caring for my son and daughter all those months," he said. "I hear that you saved their lives on a number of occasions and they regard you with the highest respect."

Matilda knew this was stretching the truth to its absolute limit for Sam, conspicuous by his absence, was far from respectful to Legolas.

As Legolas and Tom became better acquainted, Matilda whispered to Jane, "Where is Sam?"

"Sulking," replied Jane. "You'll have to excuse his behaviour. He's been wandering around here the last couple of days annoying everyone. He's been in a terrible mood all day."

"Come, dine with us," said Tom, to Legolas. "You'll have to tell us all about your kingdom and your customs. My wife has never seen an elf before."

"I doubt he has either," whispered Jane. "Mother, shall I run and fetch Sam?"

"Do," said Annette, serving the best cuts of meat from her husband's successful butchers.

Whilst Teddy nattered on about his new job to Andrik and Sarah, and Hattie blushed under Peter's attention, Matilda sat herself next to Legolas, who was in the place of honour at Tom's right side.

"You're doing a magnificent job," she said quietly, as Legolas glanced to her for reassurance. It fascinated Matilda that an elf so strong and sure of himself elsewhere could be so uncertain and anxious to impress around her own people.

"Finally!" said Annette, as Sam, preceded by his sister, appeared on the threshold of the dining-room. "Where have you been?"

Sam's annoyed eyes flicked away from Legolas's and back to his mother's. "Out," he said sullenly.

"Hello," said Matilda awkwardly, but she got no reply.

"It's as though you have your own little black cloud of misery following you around, little brother," scoffed Peter, as Sam sat down opposite him. "You'd think a smile wouldn't be too much trouble, would you?"

"He's lovesick," Jane hissed in Matilda's ear. Matilda's eyes widened in horror and Jane shrugged, trying not to smirk. "What?" she shrugged.

"_Never_ say that again," said Matilda.

"Are you girls alright?" Jane's father boomed.

"Of course," smiled Matilda immediately. "This all looks delicious."

"Indeed," said Peggy, and struck up a conversation with Annette about the way she roasted the ham.

"It's a real spread," said Tom heartily. "But first, we must toast the health of our family and friends who have been safely returned to us." He raised his wine glass and waited for everyone to do the same. "Sam, where is your glass?" Sam could not ignore a direct order from his father and, looking like he was swallowing a lemon, hurriedly found his cup. "To loved ones returned from a long absence," said Tom. "And to our most honoured guest, the prince Legolas, who joins us on this happy occasion. To family!"

"To family!" everyone echoed, and drunk deeply.

Sam drained his glass of wine and was quick to pour another. It looked as though every second spent in Legolas and Matilda's presence was a great effort causing him physical pain. Matilda tried hard to ignore the tension she was sure only she could feel and enjoy herself, but it was difficult. The palpable animosity crackled in the air between Legolas and Sam, and no one seemed aware of this but the three of them.

Tom, Andrik, Peter and Hattie grew steadily merrier as the wine flowed, but their cups were not refilled half as often as Sam's. It all came to a head when, as Legolas was mid-story, Sam laughed with derision and knocked over his cup as he shakily tried to stand. His eyes were bloodshot and full of contempt as he glared at Legolas. Matilda froze.

Hattie squealed and threw herself sideways as a wave of red wine washed across the table towards her.

"_Sam_!" snapped Peter, setting Hattie back on her feet from where she had fallen across his lap.

Jane ran to fetch a cloth and Annette apologised over and over again for Sam's clumsiness. Peggy slid dishes and jugs down the table, out of the spreading pool, whilst Teddy remarked how fortunate it was that there was no tablecloth on the table at the time.

"What happened?" asked Tom, less jovially than before.

Legolas suddenly stood up, his chair scraping on the floor as he did so. "You must excuse me," he said abruptly. "I am ever so sorry, but I have just remembered something I meant to do. You have my humble apologies and truest gratitude for your kindness."

Matilda watched him quickly leave the house, knowing perfectly well he had nowhere to be.

"Goodness," said Annette, blinking. She looked rather affronted at Legolas's sudden exit, but was too polite to say so.

Sam, who could not bring himself to look at anyone, left quickly too, and the dinner party ground to a rather confused halt.

"This is getting ridiculous," said Jane in private to Matilda. "I wish someone would bang their heads together."

Matilda just sighed.

* * *

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	25. Welcome Friends with Unwelcome News

Welcome Friends with Unwelcome News

"I hope all is well," said Peggy. "Matilda, do you know why Legolas left so suddenly?"

"No idea," Matilda lied, turning away so her mother could not scrutinise her face and spot the falsehood.

They were walking home through the windy darkness after the tense dinner party. Hattie had not wanted to leave; she was perfectly comfortable hanging onto Peter's every word but Matilda was glad to get away.

"Sam seemed to be behaving oddly too," mused Peggy, moving round a coil of rope as tall as her waist. The lapping of the lake knocked the boats together and they could hear the raucous sounds of a tavern on the edge of town spilling out into the night. "Did you think that?"

"Not particularly," said Matilda. She was anxious to get back to Legolas and give him a hug. He had tried so hard for her. "He was probably just drunk. There's really no need to read so much into it, Ma."

"And there's really no need to snap," replied Peggy.

"Sorry," said Matilda as they came in sight of their house. There could see golden light from the cracks in the shutters but there seemed to be more than one person moving around inside. Just as the family reached the house, the wind blew the shutters open of the window without glass and Matilda saw Myrin's pale face. Behind him, she could see Tauriel and Daeron.

"What on earth?" said Peggy.

"We really need to replace that window now we can afford it," said Teddy, closing the shutters from the outside.

Matilda was first inside, with her mother close behind her. "You came to visit us," she said in delight.

"Visitors?" said Peggy, sounding aghast.

"Matilda!" said Myrin, hurrying over and giving her a glad hug. "It's been so quiet without you girls."

"What's wrong?" asked Matilda, looking at Tauriel's unsmiling face. "What happened?" She glanced at Legolas. "Are you okay?"

Legolas looked past her to her mother and sisters, who looked slightly overwhelmed by the presence of these three new elves. The small one-room house was now very cramped. "Peggy, Hattie, Sarah, I'd like to introduce you to Tauriel, my Captain of the Guard, and my good friends Myrin and Daeron."

The elves bowed in unison. Hattie's mouth hung open in awe as she stared at Tauriel, the only female elf she had ever seen, and one with the most magnificent red-orange hair, decked out with weapons. It didn't help that all four elves were significantly taller than the humans so that they were naturally looking up to them anyway.

"You look like a goldfish," said Teddy bluntly. Hattie closed her mouth with a snap.

"Can I offer you any refreshments?" asked Peggy anxiously.

"No, thank you, madam," smiled Myrin kindly. "We have simply come to deliver a message."

"_All_ of you?" asked Matilda.

"Truth be told, we wanted an excuse to see you," smiled Tauriel. "And your delightful home."

"Sarah, go and get ready for bed," said Peggy in a low voice. "It is late." Sarah seemed glad for an excuse to scuttle behind a screen and watch from a distance.

"And the message?" asked Teddy.

"The king is unhappy," said Tauriel. "He is displeased that Legolas travelled to Esgaroth without seeking permission first."

"The king is displeased with _us_?" gasped Peggy.

"No," said Legolas immediately. "Not with you. It is me who is to blame for the king's disapproval. He wants me to return to lead my own people at his side and not 'cower in a town of Men'."

"He is under the impression that you are shirking your responsibilities and duty to the kingdom," added Myrin.

Legolas rolled his eyes in a very Jane-ish way. "How irksome," he said, sounding undisturbed at the fact that his father, the fiercest temper within three hundred leagues, was upset with him.

Tauriel looked as though she agreed with Legolas, but delivered the rest of her message anyway. "You are to return immediately," she said. "And if you have not reported to him within the day, the king will send guards to escort you back to the Halls. If that is your choice, he will send a message to the Master of Esgaroth, ordering that he bar the gate of the city against you."

Legolas smirked. "Gates do not stop me," he said.

Tauriel raised an eyebrow, as though she knew the impact of her next words. "The message will also include a suggestion that illegal activity has been occurring under his nose, incriminating Matilda's family for harbouring you without his knowledge or permission-"

Peggy's jaw dropped. Hattie's face paled.

"_No_," said Legolas quickly. "This family will not be harmed on my account."

"You're leaving?" asked Matilda, stepping forwards.

Legolas took her hands. "I will not risk getting you into trouble or putting you danger," he said. "I have to go. I will return to my father in the morning."

"No," said Matilda quickly, her forehead knitting together at the thought of being separated from him.

Tauriel, Myrin and Peggy turned away from this intimate moment to give Legolas and Matilda some privacy. Peggy clapped her hands. "Teddy! Hattie! To bed!" she said. "You both have jobs to go to in the morning."

"But Ma-" said Hattie, wanting to stay within the conversation.

"No arguing," said Peggy quickly.

Legolas smiled ruefully at Hattie from where he was still hand-clasped with Matilda. "I still have to listen to my parent too," he pointed out.

Teddy was more willing to go to bed; he was so proud of his job that the reference to it had been enough to spur him into listening to his mother, much more diligently than usual.

"Do you _have_ to go home?" Matilda pleaded sadly. Her reproachful eyes were making it very hard for Legolas to be resolute.

"Yes," he said. "I wish you could come with me but I know you will not leave your home so soon after returning, and it is apparent that I cannot remain here without inciting my father's wrath. I have immensely enjoyed my time here and I have met your wonderful family." He smiled at Peggy, but Matilda still looked like he had just kicked a wounded puppy.

"But how do I know when I will see you again?"

Legolas looked up. "Is there somewhere we can go and be alone to talk?" he asked.

"Yes," said Matilda, with a quick glance at Myrin, who was gazing absent-mindedly towards the door.

Peggy mistook Myrin eyeing the door for him contemplating whether to leave or not. "You cannot travel back to Mirkwood now," she said. "It is much too late, and it would be dangerous crossing the lake in the middle of the night, even for someone who knew these waters well." She looked anxiously around her little house, which was already full enough with elves and people. "I do not know where you will sleep, though," she fussed. "Legolas is already bedding down on the floor and I do not know if there will be room for three new people. Unless one of you doesn't mind sleeping underneath the table-?"

"We are not tired," said Tauriel reassuringly. "It was not a long journey for us. We are simply content to sit quietly by the fire."

"You are certain?" asked Peggy. Not so long ago, she would not have dreamt that she would allow strangers to sit in her house whilst she slept with her children nearby, but Legolas had set such a good precedent and had charmed his way into all their hearts so successfully, that she was quite at ease with the elves she had known for less than an hour.

"Of course," said Tauriel. "You are very kind to grant us hospitality as such an unexpected time as it is. We do not expect special treatment."

"In that case if you'll excuse me," said Peggy. "I will go to bed too. It has been a long day."

After her mother had said goodnight and pulled the dressing screen across the house at the halfway point so the elves wouldn't feel slightly so invasive, Matilda turned to Legolas. "I know Myrin will want to be somewhere else than here tonight," she said. "But I will be back very soon, and then we'll talk, okay?"

Legolas nodded, and sat down by the fire to talk quietly with Tauriel and Daeron, asking for more news of his father and of his home. Matilda took Myrin's hand. She had not even taken her cloak off.

"Come on," she said, smiling knowingly. "I will take you to her." Matilda lit a lantern and swung it ahead of them as she led the way to Jane's house, thankful it had stopped snowing. When they arrived outside, the house was dark and silent. She gave the lantern to Myrin and whispered, "Wait here. Don't move."

"I would not dare," he whispered back.

Matilda, as she had done a thousand times before when she and Jane had been children, snuck round the back of Jane's house. There was a porch just below Jane's bedroom window with a flat roof, and the two girls had been climbing up and down it since childhood. As silently as she could, Matilda opened the shutters which, out of old habit, Jane still never locked, and then the window.

Her snoring, snuffling best friend did not wake up as Matilda climbed into the dark room where Jane slept by herself. Crossing the room to her bed and praying Jane would not scream, Matilda shook her awake.

"Jane! Wake up!" she hissed.

The lump that was Jane groaned and stirred.

"Get lost, Matilda!" she mumbled.

"Get up!"

"What on earth are you doing? It's the middle of the night?" Jane murmured sleepily.

"_Trust me_," said Matilda. "You're going to want to listen to me for once!"

Yawning and bleary-eyed, Jane pulled on a cloak and followed Matilda back out of the window and onto the porch roof. "What's this all about?" she moaned. "If you've taken me out here just because you left something in my house-"

"If I left something in your house, I'd still be inside your house," said Matilda. "You will definitely want to see what I found for you."

She pulled Jane round the house and back through the side-gate.

"_Myrin_!" Jane said delightedly, snapping wide awake in a second. She ran to him and they hugged each other tight.

"I'm always right," Matilda grinned smugly, watching her friends.

She took the lantern from Myrin, whispered "I'll see you in the morning," and left him with Jane. Hurrying back, Matilda slipped into her house as quietly as she could. Peggy had clearly thought that she couldn't sleep easy without insisting that her guests have a mug of tea to get them through the night as there were no beds to be offered. She nodded at Matilda and lifted the kettle out of the fire.

Matilda smiled at Tauriel and Daeron and took Legolas's hand, pulling him to his feet. "Legolas and I are going to go and find somewhere else to rest our heads tonight," she said. "It is not right us sleeping in our comfortable beds whilst declining them to our guests."

"No, honestly," said Daeron. "Do not go to any trouble-"

Matilda gave Tauriel a hard, meaningful look.

"Thank you," said Tauriel quickly, understanding immediately. "That is very kind of you."

Legolas snatched up a pile of blankets and Matilda grabbed a couple of cushions. "There is a warm, dry hay loft I know of," she said. "We will be back at dawn."

Before Peggy had time to realise what had been suggested, agreed and arranged, Legolas and Matilda had left the house.

"You are sneaky," said Legolas, sounding half-admiring and half-amused. "Under the pretext of giving our beds to Tauriel and Daeron, we have the night exactly as we wish."

"Hurry," replied Matilda. "We will freeze out here. The temperature has dropped since we walked home."

"I know," said Legolas. Matilda often forgot how sensitive he was to every sound and smell and sight, every sense around him.

The hay loft was not locked. Matilda had known of it since she was little when she had been desperate to become an explorer and she and Teddy had gone on thrilling 'adventures' to discover new territories. It was above the blacksmith's forge, more often used for the production of weapons to stock the armoury than shoeing a horse, accessed by a rather precarious ladder. The hay loft was warm from the heat of the forge, which had been fired up all day, and dry with a strong roof over the top.

The string holding the hay into bales was easily cut and fresh, sweet-smelling hay could be spread out to make more than adequate beds. The only downside to sleeping in a hay loft was that no fires could be lit, but Matilda and Legolas set the flickering lantern in the corner, wrapped themselves in their cloaks and blankets, and put their heads down on the cushions.

The only noise was the _drip-drip-drip_ of a leaky roof corner, where a mouse had nibbled the wood to make a hole large enough to see a single star. Under a blanket, Legolas's hand found Matilda's, and their fingers entwined as easily as if they were made for each other.

"This could be our last night together for some time," said Matilda sadly. "I will not sleep one wink to make the most of it with you."

Legolas sighed. He couldn't deny that he would not be permitted to see Matilda for the next few weeks. "I will write," he promised. "Daeron will be our messenger and you will not be without news of me, just like you will keep me informed with news of your life."

Matilda smiled at this prospect. "Nothing happens in my life," she said.

"Nonsense," said Legolas. "I want to know even the tiniest, seemingly insignificant details. I want to know what you ate for breakfast. I want to know if Sarah has her hair cut. I want to know how Teddy is faring at his job. Everything. Do you promise?"

"Of course I do," said Matilda. "But it's not the same as having you next to me. I will miss you terribly. I even missed you on the journey from Mirkwood to Lake-town, and now I'm expected to go more than a week without seeing you once?"

"You have managed it before," said Legolas.

Matilda thought about it. "I was unconscious!" she said. "Hardly a voluntary separation!"

Absent-mindedly, her hand went to her side, where the scar stretched across her ribs and curved around to her belly button. Just thinking about it made Matilda recall the excruciating agony of the sword piercing her skin and flesh, severing muscle and cutting veins. Legolas saw her squirm.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked.

"No." Legolas looked at her. "Okay, yes," she admitted. "Sometimes. But it's not as bad anymore and it's only really at night when-"

Legolas pressed a gentle finger against her lips and she kissed his fingertip. "I hope the pain will fade one day," he whispered. "I know you dream of it too. I know you can still see Aubron's face in your mind's eye at a moment's notice."

"How did you know?" asked Matilda, raising her head slightly to look at him properly.

"Because I do too," said Legolas. "What we went through is not an easy thing to forget. Nor for our friends."

"But no matter how hard they try to imagine what it was like, they were not in that room with Aubron and his kin," said Matilda. "They do not understand as you do. And now," she sighed heavily, "you are leaving."

"They say absence makes the heart grow fonder," Legolas hedged, not knowing how else to comfort Matilda, but at the face she made, he quickly said, "Whoever 'they' are, they clearly do not know what they are talking about."

Matilda laughed. "My heart is already fond enough," she said. "And it will not be the same without you. It feels like Lake-town is your second home already."

"I've been here for less than three days," smiled Legolas.

"It feels like a short lifetime," Matilda replied. "A _man's_ short lifetime, that is, not an elven lifetime." She thought for a moment, yawning in between sentences. "Do you know, I've never thought to ask you when your birthday is?" she said.

"And do you know, I've forgotten when my birthday is," said Legolas, stroking Matilda's temple with his thumb. "Perhaps my father will have remembered in that all-encompassing memory of his."

"You do not celebrate it?"

"After so many, they lack significance," said Legolas. He gazed up at the single star which was still shining resiliently through the hole in the roof that had become a hungry mouse's lunch.

"Every year holds significance," said Matilda, her mind drifting with exhaustion. Every breathy word was an effort to say but her sleepiness made her ramble. "For example, this year I met you, and next year I will have known you for a year, and the year after that it will have been two years since I met you, and the year after that will mean that three years will have passed since-"

"I understand," chuckled Legolas. "I have to say, I have never had an autumn like this last one before. Nor have I ever appreciated being alive and healthy and free-" Matilda opened her mouth to contradict him "-well, free-ish, as much as I have this year."

"If only you weren't a royal prince," said Matilda slowly, struggling to keep her eyes open. "Then I could keep you here with me forever."

"Would you still love me the same?" asked Legolas in a quiet voice. "If I was a lowborn elf, or a man even?"

With her eyes shut, Matilda pretended to think about it for a second. "Hmm, I guess so," she grinned. "I would rather be annoyed by you for the rest of my life than by someone else, if that's what you mean."

"For the rest of your life?" Legolas pounced on the words. "You would want that?"

"Yes," Matilda said simply, fighting to stay awake.

"And it is my dearest wish," whispered Legolas, kissing her forehead as he watched her fall asleep, and he held her a little bit tighter in his arms, knowing this would be the last opportunity to do so for the foreseeable future.

* * *

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Hobbit, Drama, Romance