She's in my head...

Her thoughts whisper in my mind, I can feel her cold touch against my skin, I can sense her eyes burning through me.

I don't bother to run, why should I? If I try to run she will only follow, there is no escape from the Queen of Shadows.

"Why are you hiding from me Duvain? I miss you..."

Every day is dark, there is no more light.

"Return to me my beautiful darkness, I can end your suffering..."

I did this to myself.

"You would be mine, no one could ever come between us..."

I let her in.

"We will be together, for all eternity..."

And I can't let her out.

/\\//\\/

I walk out of my room, devoid of any emotion. This place that had once seemed full of light, is now dull and grey. I see no beauty here, no peace, it is nothing but a cage.

That's what the world has become to me: a cage.

I am trapped, no matter where I go Daeris is there to torment me. She calls to me, beckons me, and I want to go to her.

It's my fault...

It's all my fault...

I reach my hand up and absently place it over my heart, it longs for her. I wish I could fall over and die, just to escape her, but would death free me or condemn me?

I'm afraid.

I don't know what to do, I don't know how to fight this new enemy. Perhaps I can't fight it, maybe this is simply a battle I can't win. I should just give in to her, let her take me as she has longed to do for so long....

"Amarth?"
My body stiffens and the grey veil suddenly lifts. I blink twice and shake my head. What were those thoughts? Are they from my own mind or another trick of Daeris'?
"Amarth are you alright? Your skin is pale."
I finally turn around to acknowledge the speaker; Morwen. I haven't had a chance to talk to Morwen since coming here, not that I wanted to.

Studying her I notice that the wound on her arm has healed. She's also wearing a sleeveless dress, it looks nice on her. I feel a sharp pain at the back of my head, my teeth bite down on my tongue to keep me from screaming. I can't think that way about Morwen, I have to get rid of these thoughts.

"You're shaking." Morwen reaches out and lays a hand on my shoulder, I stiffen under her touch. Her eyes look into mine, those beautiful crystal eyes...

Suddenly I grab her; wrapping my arms around her waist I pull her against me, then I kiss her. Pain explodes in my head and I want to scream, but I don't stop. The pain spreads, and I can't go on. I shove Morwen away from me and collapse onto my knees, my hands going to my head.

I'm sorry! I couldn't stop myself I'm sorry! It won't happen again I promise!

Slowly, the pain begins to subside. Sweat covers my face and my breath is coming out in ragged gasps. What was I thinking?! I almost killed myself because of-
"Amarth..."

Morwen.

I turn my head to face her. I rise to my feet and she backs away, fear enters her eyes.
"Stay away from me," I growl, "I don't want to see you or hear you anywhere understand?"
She opens her mouth but I'm done with her. I turn my back on her, walking as fast as I can. Away from Morwen and the pain she will cause me.

/\\//\\/

Morwen's POV

Her heart was beating so fast she thought it would burst out of her chest. Her face was hot, she needed to lean on something. She almost fell onto the railing, groping blindly her hands latched onto the sides. Morwen could still feel his lips against hers, it had been years since she'd kissed him, but that had hardly lasted a second.

Yet, instead of feeling warmth or pleasure, her entire body was chilled to the bone. She looked down at her hands, they were nearly white. Just before Amarth had grabbed her she'd seen his eyes, and she began to feel nauseous. The eyes she had seen were not Amarth's, they were the eyes of a snake.

All those years of living in terror washed over Morwen. Days and nights spent constantly looking over her shoulder, always having a weapon in her hand, peering cautiously around every corner...

Tears fell from her eyes, she sank onto the floor and hugged her knees to her chest. Why hadn't she left him when she had the chance? She knew this would happen! Amarth hadn't changed, he was still the monster she had seen in Barad-Dur.

I'm not safe here, I have to leave.

"Morwen!" Darovel ran to her side, his injured leg slowing him down. When he crouched down beside her she pushed him away.
"Don't touch me!" She screamed pressing herself against the rails.
"Morwen what happened? What's wrong?" His voice was calm, steady and strong. His eyes met hers and for a moment she froze.
"I'm not going to hurt you," he murmured reaching out a hand, "I just want to help."

Morwen stared at his hand. Should she take it? What would happen if she did?
"Morwen please, you can trust me." He did not push further than that. Darovel remained silent as he watched her, leaving his hand out for her. Cautiously, she reached up a shaking hand, letting it rest in his.

His hand closed gently around hers, she allowed him to help her stand. For second their eyes met once again and immediately she looked away.
"Are you alright?" He looked down at her hand, his brow furrowing. "Your hands are cold."
"It is nothing," she quickly pulled her hand out of his, "I am going to my room."
Darovel blinked once, the corners of his mouth were turned down. He moved aside to let her pass, keeping her head down she hurried to get away from him.

Once she was out of sight she ran. Everything flew past her in a blur, her tears causing the world to become distorted and blurry. The door to her room appeared before her and she ran in, slamming it shut behind her. She stood with her back against the door, gasping for breath. Morwen sank onto the floor, her eyes staring blankly ahead.

"I was a fool," she whispered, "I was a fool to think he had changed."

Amarth was gone, the elf she had fallen in love with was dead.

And she was alone.

/\\//\\/

I'm about to enter Ramben's room when Faervel appears in the doorway.
"Your friend is the same as yesterday." He steps out of the room and closes the door before I even get a chance to look inside.
"Why can't I see him?" I avoid looking into his eyes, I hate Faervel's eyes.
"You may see him later. Now come, I wish to speak with you Avari." His tone makes it clear that it's not a suggestion. Against my better judgment, I follow him away from Ramben's room.

I don't know where he's leading me, although I take note that we are going up. The floor seems to rise the further we go. Looking to the left I notice that the branches of the nearby trees are becoming thinner, how high are we? Finally we come to a door that, unlike all the other doors I've seen, is silver instead of dark brown.

What kind of tree has silver bark? I still don't know and I am not about to ask. Faervel opens the door and enters. When Faervel moves every motion is smooth and precise. He doesn't come to sudden stops or pauses, he is like water, always moving. Even when he stands his eyes move; they wash over you like a wave against a shore. Nothing can stand against his gaze, those who try are swept away, carried off with the tide.

It's why I hate his eyes; I feel that I can hide nothing when they stare at me. I am exposed under his gaze, and there is nowhere for me to hide.
"Sit." Faervel gestures to a chair while taking a seat himself. I walk over and do as I'm told. I take a moment to look around the room. Besides the two chairs, there is a desk with several pieces of paper stacked neatly on it. There is a bed, a wardrobe, a large balcony, everything in the room is made of the silver wood.

"I know what plagues you Amarth." Faervel has his hands pressed together in front of his face, his eyes burning into me. "You are being haunted by the shadow, I can feel her presence inside of you."
My mouth immediately goes dry, my hands begin to sweat and I press them together. In my head I can hear her whisper, "Yes he knows I'm here, but there is nothing he can do about it."

"Can't you get rid of her?" I ask despite what she says. For once I willingly meet Faervel's gaze, letting my true feeling show.
I'm terrified of what I let into me, no matter how hard I try to fight her off she finds a way to hang on. I feel her brush against me, she's there every time I close my eyes, I'm dying while she's here, yet I'll die if she goes.

"I cannot banish her from your mind Amarth," Faervel narrows his eyes, "not if you let her in."
Laughter sounds in my head, I hear it echo all around me.
"I-I didn't mean to let her..." What's the point of me trying to defend myself? Of course I meant to let her in! I was weak, tired of fighting, what else was I supposed to do? I just wanted the pain to end!

"Was it worth it Amarth? Letting Daeris poison your mind just to escape the pain?"
I turn away from Faervel, my nails are digging into my hands, I can feel blood.
"If you can't help me then why did you bring me here?" I growl.
"Because I can help you Amarth." Faervel stands and I jump to my feet. When he walks forward I fight the urge to run, even though everything inside of me is screaming for me to.

Faervel reaches out and takes my hands into his. He turns them to where the palms are facing upwards, blood covers both hands.
"You have many scars Amarth," he looks up, "not just on your body but on your soul. You are hurting yet you let no one help, you push away anyone who cares about you even though you crave the company of others."

I feel heat on my hands and look down, the blood is gone and the cuts are healed. Faervel releases my hands and turns his head towards the balcony. "I cannot fathom what you have been through Amarth, but I can see the traces of evil left on your soul. If you will let me I will do what I can to help you heal. I cannot take away the pain entirely, only you can do that Amarth."

I say nothing as he turns to look at me again.
"Your biggest enemy isn't Daeris, nor is it any other being that walks or once walked this earth. Your biggest enemy Amarth," he places a hand under my chin and lifts my head up, "is yourself."

What?
What is he talking about?
"How is that possible?" I demand pulling away from him. "I am the one who is always being attacked! How can I be my own enemy?"

Faervel says nothing. His eyes are dark, his expression cold.
"You must answer that question yourself Avari." He walks past me and heads for the door, as he opens it he looks over his shoulder, "And for your own sake I hope you find out fast. Our time is running out."

As he leaves the room I can just hear him add, "Some of us have less time than others."

/\\//\\/

I remain silent as Faervel and I return to what I now assume to be the lowest level of Faervel's home. I hear feet pounding against the floor, the uneven footsteps tell me that it's Darovel. The man appears from around a corner, his eyes wide and looking as if he just saw a ghost.

"Amarth! Ramben is awake!"
I stop in my tracks, my mind unable to comprehend what Darovel just said.
"He's awake?" I ask shaking myself.
"Yes, but Amarth there's something you need to know-"

I don't give him a chance to finish. I run down the hall towards Ramben's room, preparing myself for the worst. I faintly hear Darovel and Faervel behind me, and at the moment I don't care whether they're following me or not. All that matters to me right now is getting to Ramben. I come to Ramben's room and throw the door open, my eyes immediately go to the bed, but there's no one there.

The blankets are hanging halfway off the bed, a grey shirt and pants lay discarded on the floor. Where is he?
I look up and my entire body goes numb. My mouth drops open and for a moment I can't even breathe. Standing in front of me, having just come in from the balcony, is an elf dressed in a white sleeveless shirt and white pants. His long, golden hair hangs loosely over his shoulders, framing a face that isn't old or young.

Bright, blue eyes stare at me in surprise, his mouth opens and we stare at each other, shocked speechless. I hear Darovel and Faervel enter the room, and the elf takes a step back. He watches all of us, his eyes darting back and forth. Finally he looks at me again, and he smiles.

"Hello Amarth, it's been a long time."
I know that voice, and I know who's standing in front of me.
"Legolas?"

/\\//\\/

BOOM!!!

BET Y'ALL DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING!

AND I'M NOT EXPLAINING A SINGLE THING UNTIL THE NEXT CHAPTER! THAT'S WHEN YOU'LL GET ALL YOUR ANSWERS!

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!!!