In the early morning of Aragorn's coronation, Alannah stood outside the throne room atop Minas Tirith securing all her belongings to her horse. She had purchased enough food and supplies to hold her over for several weeks with the money Aragorn had given her, and she still had a few coins leftover that she tucked away for safe keeping. Gimli had arrived early from Erebor and had immediately protested her leaving.
"Laddy, why don't you just wait? Pointy ears may still come back." Gimli muttered as he handed Alannah her bow and quiver. She sighed as she secured it to her chest.
"I don't know if I want him to, Gimli." She muttered. Alannah had to let her heart grow cold towards the thought of Legolas if she wanted to move forward, and it hurt almost as much as letting herself feel her love for him. Gimli tightened his lips, understanding of her hurt. Gandalf stood beside Alannah's horse with Aragorn as she continued preparing. The old wizard desperately wanted to ask her to stay as well, but he knew it was time to let her go. Alannah bent down and hugged Gimli tightly before embracing Aragorn. The awkwardness still lingered between them but they silently agreed never to speak of their drunken foolishness again.
"Your quarters will remain uninhabited. You always have a home here in Minas Tirith." Aragorn promised as he pulled back from her hug. Alannah nodded before bowing respectfully to her friend, the King of Gondor. Gandalf remained silent as she stepped towards him. He had watched her grow from a young child into a strong and passionate woman, and although they were not kin, he loved her as his own. Alannah melted into his arms as they embraced each other and she wasn't sure when she would see him again. He pulled her back and held her by her shoulders, smiling proudly at her.
"It's time for your own adventure." Gandalf announced. He wiped the tears from his own eyes before wiping a few that strayed onto Alannah's cheeks. "Go now, before I try to change your mind."
Alannah kissed him softly on the cheek before mounting her horse with a heavy heart. The white tree of Gondor was finally in full bloom, a symbol of rebirth at the King's return. She looked back at them for a moment, thankful for their close friendship that had developed what seemed like a lifetime ago before she kicked her horse and galloped hastily out of the city. She debated on taking the main road out of Gondor, but quickly decided against it. Many would be passing on that road on the way to witness Aragorn's coronation and solitude was what she sought the most. She decided on taking to the fields and travel North, retracing the steps she had taken since the beginning of the fellowship. As she galloped further away from the Minas Tirith, she could see throngs of people begin to pour into the city. She was just out of sight when a large group of elves came walking gracefully down the main road, escorting Arwen to the great city.
~
Legolas wore his ceremonial silver tunic and diadem as he rode his horse alongside Elrond's on the main road. The city of Minas Tirith was finally in view and Elrond was noticing that Legolas was becoming visibly nervous the closer they became.
"Anxious?" Elrond asked quietly. Legolas tightened his grip on his horse's reigns as he gulped.
"A little. What I've done is unforgiveable, yet here I am going to ask for her forgiveness. What if she has none for me?" Legolas questioned sadly. Elrond took a moment to answer, thinking of how to ease the prince's mind.
"Bare your heart to her, sincere humility is often rewarded with forgiveness." Elrond wisely responded. Legolas ran his hand over his bare finger, wishing the silver band was still in place. He thought about his quarters over and over in his mind as they travelled, hoping it will be ready if Alannah chooses to return with him. He had little time to get ready before leaving the Woodland Realm, but gave specific instructions to the servant elves to make sure it was suitable for her. His quarters were indeed large enough, probably large enough to fit an entire family inside. Aside from the large bedroom, it contained a large bathroom and a large private balcony overlooking the waterfall. Many nights he laid in the spacious bed alone, and now he had a small glimmer of hope he would never have to again.
~
The city of Minas Tirith was indeed filled with scores of people from all over Middle Earth. The elves were treated honorably as a path was made for them to reach the high courtyards of the city to witness the historic coronation. Legolas stood beside Elrond and Arwen as they watched Gandalf place the crown upon Aragorn's head, officially crowning him King of Gondor in the eyes of all there to see. He looked around from time to time, hoping to see Alannah somewhere amidst the crowd. Legolas reasoned that she had to be somewhere amongst the large gathering and was certain she would be in the throne room after the ceremony had concluded.
The throngs bowed before Aragorn as he stepped down from the steps and into the crowd. Legolas stepped forward, softly smiling at his longtime friend.
"Hannon le." Aragorn said as he and Legolas grasped each other's shoulders with brotherly love. Legolas was erupting with joy as he flickered his eyes beside him, revealing Arwen. He stepped aside and rejoined Elrond and watched the romantic reunion before him. Lord Elrond was full of joy and grief as he watched Arwen take Aragorn's arm, the future Queen of Gondor.
Inside the throne room, a small gathering was held for Aragorn and his most intimate friends. Legolas waited patiently off to the side, keeping his eyes focused on the entrances for Alannah. Gandalf sat at a long table beside Aragorn and Arwen, while Gimli and Elrond exchanged pleasantries nearby. Faramir and Eowyn were also seated, a new love blossoming between the two. Eomer approached Legolas and stood beside the elf, curious as to why it seemed he was keeping such a watchful guard.
"You should take a seat, enjoy the feast." Eomer offered as he waved his hand towards the table. Legolas bowed his head slightly.
"Thank you, but I'm waiting for someone." Legolas responded. His voice showed no hint at nervousness but he could feel his heart pounding in his chest rapidly as a door opened, only to be disappointed when the person entering it wasn't her.
"All who were invited are already here. Might as well relax." Eomer responded, patting Legolas on the shoulder before taking his seat at the table. Legolas looked around curiously, catching Aragorn's attention. He walked over to the elf to inquire what the matter was.
"Aragorn, where is she?" Legolas asked quietly with a hint of desperation in his voice. Gandalf overheard the exchange and sat quietly, eavesdropping. Aragorn frowned slightly.
"Alannah left this morning. Her decision. I made sure she had money to purchase provisions before she departed." Aragorn informed. Legolas felt his heart sink to the bottom of his chest and quickly left the throne room, running to her quarters. He opened the room to find it empty, all her belongings gone and her bed stripped of its linens. A small silver band lay on the table, the only proof she was ever there at all. Legolas picked up the ring and sat on the bed, turning it over in his hands.
Gandalf stood in the doorway silently, knowing full well that Legolas was aware of his presence.
"I need to find her Gandalf. Forgive me?" Legolas asked as he looked up at the wizard. Tears began to stain his elaborate silver tunic as he held the ring tightly in his hand. Gandalf stepped forward, towering over Legolas.
"I gave you my blessing once." Gandalf sternly reminded. "What are your intentions now?"
Legolas stood to look Gandalf eye to eye before bowing low in front of him.
"My actions were unforgiveable and disgraceful. They were not a reflection of the love and affection I have for her. I humbly beseech you, Gandalf. My intentions are pure. I would bring her to the Woodland Realm, marry her and honor her for all eternity as I promised. I beg of you." Legolas's tears fell on the stone floor as he spoke. Her face flashed before his eyes, causing him to begin weeping heavily.
"Stand up, Legolas." Gandalf ordered, slightly annoyed. The wizard had Legolas follow him to the balcony, looking out across the land. "Alannah did not tell anyone where she intended on going, but she always was a predictable child. Her downfall was always lingering on the past. Perhaps that is where you must start."
Legolas ran back inside, tossing his diadem onto the bed. He pulled off his long tunic and rummaged through the armoire, satisfied some of his clothes were still stuffed in the back. He began to walk out of the room before Gandalf stopped him.
"Legolas. If, and I stress that if she agrees to go with you, do not break her heart again." Gandalf warned as he dropped his betrothal ring in his hand. Legolas nodded his head before locating a chain to secure both rings around his neck. Legolas quickly bowed to the wizard once again before sprinting down the hall to ready his horse. He was able to avoid everyone's gaze as he ran through the throne room except for Aragorn, who quickly followed him.
"How will you find her?" Aragorn asked. Legolas shook his head as he tightened the saddle on his horse.
"I'm going to retrace every step we've taken from here to Rivendell. If I must search all of Middle Earth, I will." Legolas stated as he mounted his horse. Aragorn smiled as he saw him off, wishing him luck on his quest.
~
Alannah's travels brought her to many familiar places. She passed through Rohan, coming close to Edoras but decided not to stop for a visit. Eomer and Eowyn were most definitely attending the coronation and she saw no point in visiting when no one would be there to receive her. Besides, she needed to be alone to get her head on straight. The entire ordeal since they departed Rivendell on their journey had taken a toll on her, especially after Legolas withdrew his pledge to her. She often cried herself to sleep at night, and when she did sleep it was of a restless sort. Many mornings she had awaken more exhausted than before and she was certain the solitude she sought would do her well. It was unknown to her where she would end up or how her life would pan out from this moment on but she was determined to take everything one day at a time.
Sticking to the wild versus the main roads kept any unwanted interactions away from her. Occasionally she would have to fight off a couple stray orcs that now wondered the lands with no one to rule them and with no one for them to serve. Quickly she passed in and out of Rohan and soon she reached Isengard. The last time she saw the tower of Orthanc, it had been surrounded with water and destruction. But now, new trees and plant life began to emerge around it, restoring it to its former natural beauty. She slowed her horse as she watched the Ents slowly moving about the former fortress. They took notice of her and her of them, but she simply nodded respectfully in their direction and continued passing through, careful not to interfere.
When she was miles passed Isengard and alone in the forest, she decided to set up a small camp. Alannah had ridden solid with no breaks for three days. Her hands were blistered, and her body ached as she lay down on her cot. The night sky was clear, and the stars shined brightly above her, but she felt lonelier than she had ever felt in her life. Alannah curled up onto her side and wrapped her cloak tightly around her before once again sobbing uncontrollably until she drifted to sleep.
~
"Master Ent?" Legolas called out as he approached Isengard. The large creature paused in his work and turned to see the familiar elf trotting up on his horse.
"Master elf!" The Ent welcomed, his words slow and drawn out. Legolas looked around and smiled at the restoration efforts underway.
"The land is growing beautiful since its reclaiming." Legolas politely complimented. "May I ask, have you seen a raven-haired she-elf pass through these lands?"
The Ent seemed to scratch his head, slowly thinking back over the course of the last couple days.
"Hmmm. Let me think." The Ent replied. Legolas waited patiently for over an hour, watching the sun move across the sky and disappear behind the horizon. "Oh yes! A she elf did pass without stopping for a spell. I believe she was riding east." The Ent finally recalled as he slowly outstretched a branch that direction.
Legolas bowed gratefully to the ancient creature before galloping rapidly eastbound. Their betrothal rings bounced against his chest, keeping in time with the beating of his heart.
~
Alannah's trek across the Misty Mountains was treacherous. She missed her horse but knew there was no way the creature could survive such harsh conditions. Alannah whispered in its ear and it nodded as if it understood her before turning around and heading West, in the direction of Gondor. Several times, she considered turning back to try to find a new way across but decided there probably was no easier path. The snow was just as deep as it had been when the fellowship had attempted, and soon she began to envy how Legolas could easily walk across it, leaving no imprints in the snow.
"Stop it." Alannah muttered to herself. "Stop thinking about him."
It took her two days to cross the snowcapped peaks and finally step into the foothills of the mountains. The green landscaped were a welcoming sight to her as she trekked through. She would be satisfied if she never saw a mountain again after the exhausting climb. As Alannah navigated her way through the hills and woods, she found herself constantly looking over her shoulder. An uneasiness began to plague her, as if she was being watched. It didn't take her long to locate the familiar crest the fellowship used for camp, and the small river that ran just below it through the woods. There was only an hour left of daylight so she quickly made camp there. She started a small fire and ate some of the dried meat and fruits she had purchased in Minas Tirith before wrapping herself in her cloak once more and laying down. Only this time, she clung her sword to her chest just in case.
~
Legolas was grateful he had found small footprints in the Misty Mountains, signaling to him that Alannah had indeed passed through. The footprints quickly turned to deep hollows where she had waded in the snow and Legolas was able to easily walk beside it, making better time than she did passing over the snow-covered mountains. He clung to the rings around his neck as he reached the mountains highest peak and strained his eyes to see far down the other side. At least a day's walk away, in the far distance, he could make out a small figure reaching the bottom of the mountains. His heart leapt in his chest as he quickly began his descent. He thought over and over as he traipsed over the snow on what to say to her, how to earn her forgiveness and convince her to come home with him.
He reached the bottom of the mountains faster than he anticipated and quickly followed her tracks. Soon, he was able to walk at a normal pace a mile or so behind and keep her in his eyesight. As long as he could see her, he had enough time to compose his first words to her. He thought about reaching out to her with his mind as they had done in the past but quickly decided against it, wishing to speak to her face to face. Legolas noticed every so often she would look over her shoulder, her instincts telling her she was being followed. He chuckled at the thought, as long as he was near he would never allow any danger come to her. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks and realized all the times he felt he did fail her. Boromir's assault by the Anduin River, being taken captive in Orthanc and beaten, all the times he was harsh with her. Legolas kicked himself for not having been what she needed to be and sped up his pace, determined to become who she deserved.
The sun had set and the night emerged when Legolas crept upon Alannah's camp. Her breathing was steady and her eyes were closed tight. He sat nearby the fire and watched her sleep for an hour or so. The slow burning embers of the fire illuminated her face and Legolas couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty. Desperately he wanted to reach out and touch her, caress her skin but he held himself back. He knew there were still many who traveled this way to pass the mountains and the possibility of orcs coming across them. Legolas quietly stood and walked to the nearby rock he had took patrol upon many months ago and guarded her as she slept only to hide himself as she began to stir awake with the rising sun.
~
The scent of woods and musk crept into Alannah's nose as she stirred awake. Instinctively, she reached out beside her only to pull back. She brushed the scent off as a dream and quickly got up and rolled up her mat. Alannah looked around for any sign of travelers or threats before grabbing her bag and headed down to the river for a bath. She kept her bow and sword nearby as she undressed and slipped into the cold water. It was just as invigorating as she remembered. She held her breath and ducked beneath the water, shaking her hair free to let it float above her. The water was almost soul cleansing as she lingered in its depths, washing her free of all that had happened. Her fingers began to prune the longer she swam and she decided it was best to get out and dress. She sat in her undergarments on a nearby rock, keeping her bow propped in her lap. Carefully she pulled her comb through her wet locks, surprised by how long it had grown since she last sat there. The sounds of the water and the nature surrounding her was tranquil, and she hated leaving it to go back to camp.
Her hair hung in one long braid with her bow draped over her shoulder as she emerged from the trees and back to her camp. She went over in her head which way she should go to get to Rivendell before stopping dead in her tracks. A small bundle of daisies sat where she had slept. She rapidly pulled her bow in front of her, equipped with an arrow as she turned in circles to locate the intruder. Her hands began to tremble, and she reminded herself to breathe so she could steady her hands. A rustling sound drew her attention to the nearby tree line as a figure deftly dropped from a high branch.
It was him.
Legolas stood with his palms facing outward, apologetically. He stepped forward, desperate to feel her in his arms once again before she intentionally sent an arrow hurling towards him, just barely missing his head.
He looked at the arrow firmly planted in the tree behind him and back at her. Alannah's face was full of rage as she turned away and stomped towards camp.