To Hide a Princess

Chapter Eight

Chapter 8

The time to leave comes sooner than I expect it- two days later. This is rare and definitely not good, it means I'm letting my guard down. I have to become stronger again and keep up my walls. They won't fall quite that easily.

I wake to the sounds of shouting downstairs. Fin is clearly trying to calm someone down who is stressed and shouting. It takes me a while to wake up and I'm not comprehending or recognising everything that is going on.

Then it hits me. I recognise that voice. The one and only darling Legolas. Can't he tell that I'm running away. That I want to leave? Clearly not, and if he can then he's certainly very persistent. I have to escape but there's only one door. And that would mean going strait past Legolas. Well that is certainly out of the question. I have to find another way. The only other option appears to be the balcony.

I quickly run to the edge and look out. I'm really not that high up but I can't jump strait to the ground. Then an idea comes to me.

I quickly whistle for Aranel, thankful that I had requsted he not be tied up. I trust him enough that he won't run away. I can hear footsteps thumping up the stairs to my room. Aranel appears round the corner, catching sight of me having heard my whistle. He races towards me. I can now here doors being thrown open and Legolas shouting my name. He sounds stressed, almost angry. But not quite. I can hear shouts of protest as he throws doors open. I'm glad I locked mine. Aranel stops under my balcony. I run around my room fetching my money, notebook and remaining food. I run back to the balcony. There is a banging on my door. I gasp in slight fear. I try to judge my leap onto Aranel's back but it's hard, and dangerous. The banging on my door is louder and my name is being shouted.

"Nellas open the door! Nellas I know you're in there. Please!"

"I'm sorry, really, but I can't" I shout through my tears, it's harder to leave than I thought it would be. Everything is telling me to stay but I know I have to leave.

"Nellas just open the door. I'll get in sooner or later. You can't escape Nellas! You're mine and I will find you. I don't care what it takes. I will have you Nellas. Now open the damn door and it will be better for you. You can't run forever!"

The banging on my door stops. Then there's a sudden thump. Their breaking it down. I panic and race back to the balcony as my door starts to give way. Again I judge my leap.

Just as the door breaks in, I jump.

Legolas POV

I sit in the courtyard lost in my thoughts. I'm still missing my Nellas. I'm still half empty inside. I just want her back by my side to hold forever. I just don't know what to do.

Sitting there I hear footsteps approaching. I look up to see Arwen standing before me. She's like a sister to me, the daughter of Elrond. She sits with me, rubbing my shoulder and comforting me. I'm staying strong for Nellas and I will get her back.

"You're so stressed Legolas, you should relax for a while"

"How can I relax when I know that my soul mate is out there somewhere running away from me? How can I rest until she is back in her rightful place at my side?

"Stay strong brother. She will be back with you before long, we will make sure of it."

"But how can you ever know?"

"I live in hope Legolas. It's all that keeps me going day to day. Aragorn is the full king of men now. I don't see him for days at a time and he is my soul mate. Hope is all that got me through the years of the war. Any day I knew I could hear word of your or his death but I carried on knowing that I could live in hope. You were strong brother. You have seen the worst wars and looked into the eye of evil but you're still here. Does that not say something? You deserve the best woman and you will have her. We will get Nellas back."

"I'm sorry sister but I can't help but despair. She could have run away forever by now, she could be hurt!"

"Don't worry though, for wherever she is, we will get her back."

"Thank you Arwen, you make everything better. You're my hope when I'm lost" I smile at her through my pain, thankful for her comforting words. Nothing more has to be said, we both live in pain and we will keep living. We hug quickly and she kisses my cheek before we leave in our different ways.

...

It has been three days and I'm hearing strange rumours of a foreigner who plays the most beautiful music. Apparently the most beautiful singer and an exquisite harpist. I remember my first meeting with Nellas as she sang quietly. She certainly had the most beautiful voice and I have a suspicion that this beautiful musician is my wonderful Nellas. Arwen mentioned that she was going to visit the inn where the beautiful musician plays tonight. She leaves with my description of Nellas and she promises to bring back any news of her. I so hope it is her and I can get her back.

...

Arwen returns late into the evening bringing the exciting news that the musician matches my description of nellas. It's such welcome news and I plan on getting my Nellas back tomorrow.

...

I wake early and quickly ride to the inn with my gaurds. We are met by the innkeeper, a Findecano Carnesir.

"Sir do you have a Nellas Helyanwe staying here?" I ask quickly, he looks at me shocked before gathering his wits and replying.

"No my prince, I'm afraid we have no one of that name staying here"

"But she plays here at night! The harp and she sings too! You must know who I mean, black hair and icy blue eyes?"

"Why our musician is Fallyn Geraldi, but she does fit that description. Indeed why are you after her? She has done no wrong!" I could tell that this man cared for Nellas, or Fallyn, which riled the possessive beast inside me, even if he only loved her in a fatherly way. The change of name makes me wonder if Nellas is even her real name. I cannot believe I don't even know my soul mates name!

"Please sir show me her room, she is my soul mate and yet she runs from me. I have to get her back"

"But your majesty if she is running..." He begins reluctantly

"Please! I need her!" I beg, breaking.

Seeing my expression he quickly leads me down a hall way and points me up some stairs. I race past him up the stairs into a hallway of doors. I run down the corridor banging on doors and calling her name, both Nellas and Fallyn. I get shouts of protest from other rooms until I reach the door at the end, I know it has to be her.

I bang on the door, shouting and begging to be let in.

"Nellas open the door! Nellas I know you're in there. Please!"

"Im sorry, really, but I can't!"

"Nellas just open the door. I'll get in sooner or later. You can't escape Nellas! You're mine and I will find you. I don't care what it takes. I will have you Nellas. Now open the damn door and it will be better for you. You can't run forever!"

When she doesn't reply I step back and kick hard at the door. If she doesn't let me in then I'll have to break the door down and force her back to me. I kick again and the door begins to give in. At a third kick the door breaks off its hinges and falls down. Just as I run in towards the balcony, I see her disappear over the edge. My heart jumps into my head, she could be killed! I run to look over the edge to see her on her horse looking up at me sadly and desperately before galloping away. My heart brakes into a thousand pieces.

She escaped from me. Again.