ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪɢʜᴛ [ᴀ ᴛʜʀᴀɴᴅᴜɪʟ x ᴏᴄ]

Chapter 16 - What now?

It worked my plan worked.
I smiled triumphantly as I ran through the chaos of the city of the dark elves. Everyone fighting everyone left and right. They was no way they could recover from this. The factions were completely split and the King was nowhere to be found for now. He had gone to attend to something for a few days and I took it as my chance to strike.

"ARANIEL!" The challenging voice full of fury stopped me in my tracks.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!"
"I've done what I had to. They are no good they are a threat to the entirety of middle earth and so are you," I spat. Something close to almost sadness passed over his features for a small fleeting second.

I turned my back on my father and continued on my way. I wanted to go home. I needed to go home before I lost any more of myself. My hair was so dark and I felt as if it was the darkest it had ever been. I gripped the hilt of my sword in anger. My knuckles turned white under the force.

"Don't you walk away from me!" He boomed. The ground almost shook as he charged towards me. I twisted around sharply and saw his raised sword but before the shiny point edge could reach me he stopped jerking slightly as my own blade pierced his abdomen.
"No one ever tell not to strike another their back is turned?" I questioned with a glare. But the moment didn't last long. I felt a sharp pain in my side as the metal bit into me. Apparently, my father decided his last bit of strength had to be used in some sort of revenge.

I stepped back one hand clutching my side, the other my sword. I took one last look at the chaos and then started my journey home. I ripped my shirt as I walked with speed. Biting back a scream I tied the fabric tightly around the wound hoping it would at least get me to my old home. There should still be supplies there nit much but just enough to maybe heal myself enough to get to Mirkwood.

Walking got harder and harder and the tall trees began to blur as I the old cottage came into view.
"Almost there come on, you can die now not when you're this close," I growled to myself as I shoved open the door.
I immediately went for the small box I had kept what small amount of medical supplies I had in and threw open the lid braking the rusted hinges in the process. There were onto a few herbs inside and what seemed to be one bandage but hell I had survived worse with less. My hands brushed over my scarred cheek before I got to work trying to stop myself losing any more blood.
The bleeding was stopped but the darkness kept coming and soon it overwhelmed me.

When I woke up I felt marginally better but the pain in my side was still great. The sun still shone outside but I didn't know if that meant I had been out for an hour or an entire day. After pushing myself of the dirty dust ridden floor, I headed for the door. I didn't want to spend any more time alone. I needed my friends back if they still were my friends.

My pace slowed, what if they had forgotten me? What if they had moved on? What would I have left? What if Thranduil had moved in and Astra and Laeanna found a new companion?

I rogue tear slipped down my tear. What would I have then?
I kept going, I kept pushing. I had to try and I had to them again.

A small smile broke into my face when I came to the familiar forest of Mirkwood. I was so happy to be back here but my heart began to race. It had been about two years now since I left. I had no idea how this would go. I pulled up my hood as I reached the gates. Thankfully getting inside Mirkwood was not a problem but facing my friends would be.

I headed straight to the throne room I had to see him first and with any luck one if either Astra or Laeanna would be there too.

"It's been two years now? What if we've lost her for good?"
I stopped at the door. It was Laeanna. Her voice was thick with emotion.
"We can't give up hope. The plan she told us about. It would take time,"
Astra always the voice of reason.
"You didn't see her. She was different and her hair was... darker so much darker. I fear even if she does return she may not be the same person,"

Here goes nothing.

I pushed open the door drawing the attention of the three. I smiled widely upon seeing them all again. But the smile faded quickly as I removed my hood. Only a few bits of white remained. I hated myself for that.

Astra and Laeanna moved back slightly and I never thought such a small action could hurt me so much.
"Araniel what have you done?" Astra's eyes were wide in shock.

"I did what I had too..." I started and took a step forwards. They took one step back.
"I had to protect you all I could never let anything happen to you. I...ive done things I wish I hadn't and I wish I could take them back but I can't. What's done is done? I've lost so much of myself and I hoped that maybe I would be able to find it again here but it seems I am no longer wanted," my voice began to break. Tears began to spill.
"You three were the only people who ever understood me and I can never thank you enough for trying to bring me back to the light but it seems all I have done is move further into the darkness," The sadness turned to anger as I glared at the floor. Furious with myself for the things I had done to accomplish my goal.

Then I felt it two warm arms wrapping around me. I glanced up to Laeanna's caring purple eyes. I hugged back with force allowing the tears to flow freely.
"I'm so sorry Laeanna,"
"It's ok Ara,"
Another set of arms wrapped around the two of us and glancing up at her forest green eyes that were also filled with tears.
"We've missed you so much Ara," she said which only made me feel guiltier.
"I'm so sorry," I whispered again.
"We know. But it's ok now. You're home, you're sorry that's all that matters,"
A small smile made its way onto my face until I remembered the one other in the room.
I peered up at the blonde elf over Laeanna's shoulder.
"He's missed you the most Ara," Laeanna whispered.
"So now we're going to leave you two for a little while and then we've got a whole lot of catching up to do," Astra added as both of them let go of me.

I looked at Thranduil meeting his icy blue gaze as the footsteps faded away.
I stepped forward slowly and still he said nothing. He said nothing as he stood and walked closer to me not until there was mere inches between us. I was worried no terrified of rejection.

All of it melted away as he connected our lips.

"Gi Melin Araniel,"

"I love you too,"