Ten years later...

I wake up, feeling something warm and wet nuzzling my side. I roll over to find Anchora chewing on my sleeve. I move my arm, which causes her to stop and chew on the grass.

"What is the matter?" I grumble, sitting up. The sun starts to shine through the trees, providing us with some light. I rub my eyes as Anchora continues to nuzzle my side.

It feels as if I have wandered all of Middle Earth already looking for Strider. Clues and rumors from creatures all alike do not aid me in my search for the wanderer my father speaks of. Perhaps they should call me Strider for journeying every crevice and corner of Middle Earth besides Mordor.

Taking it as a sign to wake up, I stand and untie the impatient mare. Before I could even properly mount her, Anchora takes off as if the very whips of her master were behind her. Luckily, I grab onto the reins, hanging on while hastily mounting. I tug on the reins, but it only causes Anchora to gallop faster. Suddenly, she slows to a slow trot and stops. Her ears twitch left and right, listening for the slightest of sounds. I listen as well, but hear nothing except the breaking of branches and the fluttering wings of a bird.

"Where are you bringing me?" I ask, stroking the grey mare's mane in an attempt to calm her. Anchora snorts, then continues west for a few kilometers. She does not stop until we reach an opening of trees that leads to a wide expanse of barren land. But in the barren land, thousands of orcs had made camp and were now sharpening their weapons.

"Move it, you slugs!" An orc twice as tall and twice as repulsive snarled. His dark skin shines in the sun, gleaming with grime and sweat. In his hand was a large ax, caked with blood. I instantly recognized him as Mornag the Macabre, infamous for his giant ax. Like all other notorious orcs, he was no better than the last.

"Where are we going?" A skinny goblin grumbles in annoyance.

Mornag grabs him by the neck and places the tip of his large ax at the goblin's throat. "We're going to Delmaris, you filthy maggot!" Mornag barks. "The kingdom is crumbling with its weak king; we'll have no trouble getting inside."

The goblin slowly smirks with realization. "And he'll have trouble getting out."

Delmaris. They're heading for Delmaris! Meaning... Miranna.

I turn Anchora around and head back where we came from. I do not have to guide Anchora since the grey mare knew where Delmaris was despite all the time that has passed. Miranna. What good will it be if I choose not to warn her? It would make me no better than the elf I was so many years ago.

Anchora bursts through the gates instead of waiting for them to open. Elves jump out of the way as we head towards the castle. Guards chase after us in an attempt to stop us, but they are no match for Anchora's speed. Anchora stops in front of the castle, allowing me to dismount.

Guards in front of the door form a barrier. "You there! What is a lowly elf like you doing here-" a guard starts to demand before I shove him out of the way.

I open the doors and march towards Miranna, who was busy signing orders. As I grow closer, there appeared to be dark circles underneath her eyes as if she had been awake all night, but a glint of determination in her eyes outshines her fatigue. Even with her fatigue, she walks with a sense of dignity and respect. And her eyes, they were once green but after being with the sea for so long, it changes from blue to green whichever way the light shone. She sighs as another elf hands her a scroll.

I stop in front of the throne, waiting. After she signs the scroll, she sits down on the throne, but jumps up with a startle when she sees me.

"L-Legolas?" She stutters. Her eyes widen in shock then narrow before crossing her arms. "What are you doing here?"

I bow, daring myself to meet her eyes. "My queen, orcs are coming to attack Delmaris. You must move at once!"

She immediately straightens and turns to her steward, Velos. "Warn the villagers. Anyone who is able and willing to fight can. Prepare for battle!" She turns to me with a blazing fire in her eyes. "How much further until they reach Delmaris?"

"They are about half a day to a full day away, my queen. You will have plenty of time to prepare yourself."

"I've always been prepared, elf prince. The question is, are you?"

Before I could answer her question, a couple of maids whisk her away to change, leaving me alone with Sealina, who was already in her armor.

"I wouldn't anger the queen if I were you." She suggests bluntly, sliding on a metal cuff.

I already have. "Why?"

"She seems... heartbroken. Like a certain elf might have broken her heart when it was already starting to fix itself."

She brings her keen eyes to mine, searching me for an answer. I clench my fists at my side. Does she even know about that year? Why else would she say Miranna seems heartbroken?

Fortunately, Miranna appears by my side fully suited before I even have the chance to answer. "I apologize, elf prince, but does my general seem to be bothering you?" She asks, looking expectantly between the two of us.

I shake my head. "No, not at all. Would you like to join us?"

Miranna ignores my request and turns to Sealina. "I am bringing a few hundred or so soldiers along with me to the front. You and your archers will stay behind and defend the kingdom. I will not let any orc or goblin step inside this kingdom for as long as I live."

Sealina stands up straight and bows. "Yes, my queen."

"I want you to set up spies throughout the village, in the forest, and near the docks if the Corsairs feel so welcome as to invite themselves here."

"Yes, my queen. The archers and I will gather at the balconies."

Miranna and I watch her leave, leaving the two of us alone. Again.

"Miranna, I-"

"Spare me the apologies, elf prince." She says with a familiar smile once Sealina was out of earshot. "Why do you return, Legolas?"

"Because, I wanted to warn you."

She raises an eyebrow as if she knew I was telling a half-truth. "Thank you. I highly appreciate it." A pregnant pause. "Do you know why I am happy like this? You must be wondering after all this time."

Curious, I motion for her to continue.

"Because I finally have control here. I did not have control when my parents were taken away from me. I did not have control when I had to keep pace with nature to survive. But here, I am the one in control, but not completely. I can adjust laws and rules to where it is fair for all. I have friends and acquaintances that I can keep. So I beg for your understanding, Legolas. I appreciate and enjoy our fondness for each other, but I can find happiness in not just love." Miranna sighs, breathless from her confession. "I never wished malice towards you, elf prince."

"Neither have I, my queen."

"I would not be here, today, without you, elf prince. When you removed my cloak, I had never felt so vulnerable, yet so free. I could finally see all of the stars. I could see the tallness of the trees. I could see everything I was blind to. Legolas, you helped me find what I refused to search for. The fruitions of my search came with its own gift: a duty. I could not say those words then, Legolas, because I was afraid that once I say them, we would forget what we were truly here for. And that is not to say that neither of us are distractions to the other. We are two beings with very different fates and duties whose paths happened to cross. I will always love you, elf prince, but you must remember that we lead lives very different from each others."

I can only nod and respect her words. I suppose, like always, my father is right. "You are like Eydis herself."

"That is because I am wearing the armor she used in the First Age. Then my godfather lent it to my mother in the Second Age." Miranna beams, thinking I am only speaking about her armor.

"My queen?"

"Yes, elf prince?"

"Why did you not come to Mirkwood sooner, given that your father was from Mirkwood?"

Miranna pauses, thinking. "Within it lies a sick forest. I do not think with my navigation and abilities I would find it."

"My queen!" Velos interrupts. "Your horse is ready."

"Where are you fighting, my queen?" I ask.

"On the front line with my people. Where will you be? You will do best with the archers."

"I will fight alongside you then."

If Miranna was either relieved, disappointed, or annoyed, she does not show it. "Bring me another horse! We will have an archer alongside the front lines."

I soon find myself riding alongside Miranna to the front gates of Delmaris. An army of five hundred or so elves follow suit while others stay behind at the palace walls. The soldiers and Miranna and I feast on a quickly-prepared meal of salted fish, seaweed leaves, and water on the way to the gates.

In the late afternoon, in the horizon of trees, I discern a line of a large orc army, ready to attack. I spot Mornag in front, sharpening his ax.

I look at Miranna, expecting to see her calm, ready for battle. Instead, her hands shake while holding the reins. There was a sort of defiance in her eyes, as if she were afraid.

"Miranna, whatever is the matter?" I follow her gaze to Mornag, who was still sharpening his ax.

She gulps. "Do you see that large orc in front? The one with the ax?"

"Yes, he is their leader, Mornag. Why?"

"B-because that orc," she trembles, the same orc who gave me this scar."