A/N: Again forgiveness for this chapter taking eons to write. Another play, term papers, projects etc etc etc. Thank you to all my Â… faithful readers heh heh.. love you!

Mertose went down to breakfast to find his father furious and the head guards terrified as they stood listening to his wrath explode.

“How could you have let this happen? Is it so difficult for the guards of Mirkwood to keep one elf in jail?”

The three elven men looked down ashamed, until finally one spoke up.

“We will right this wrong my lord! We will search everywhere to find him and his companions. We will not disappoint you sir,” he said proudly his comrades nodding with agreement.

“Very well, may your search be fruitful.”

Quickly the three soldiers bowed and left. Mertose finally left his stance at a side entryway and sat down beside his father. He knew that VicaraÂ’s hideout was well secluded and hard to get to, but the prince still worried. It was unlikely that they would be found but not impossible.

“What’s on your mind son?” Thranduil’s voice cut through Mertose’s thoughts suddenly.

“Many things father,” he said wearily.

“I know engagements and weddings can be somewhat stressful, but you must try to relax.”

Mertose wanted to groan, he had actually forgotten about the engagement and up coming wedding for a few blissful hours. But now that whole dilemma had come crashing back. He wished he could just tell everyone the truth, but Mertose was in too deep with the lies.

“Where are Lady Kitbellwen and her father, and Legolas for that matter?” the prince asked.

“They should be here in a minute or two I suspect. The Lord and Lady are probably still in bed, you woke up rather early this morning. And Legolas, I do believe, is out on the training field.”

“As usual,” Mertose said with a smile. He was very proud of his little brother; Legolas was becoming a better warrior everyday.

Just then Lord Rilten put in appearance and sat down on the other side of Thranduil, across from Mertose.

“Good morning my friend,” Thranduil smiled.

“Good morning Lord Rilten.”

“Morning my lords, hope you slept well. Prince Mertose,” the healer said to get the young elf’s attention. Mertose looked to him once more.

“If you don’t mind, I would just like to say once more how glad it makes my heart to see you as being my daughter’s future husband.”

Mertose swallowed and tried not to wince or grimace but instead gave a weak smile.

“I was worried, as any father would be, about my daughter’s future but now I am very happy, and honored to soon have you as a son through marriage.”

“He will not disappoint you my friend, he is a good and fine elf,” Mertose’s father put in.

Mertose grew pale with heartache. This was why he kept lying, how could he say he despised Kitbellwen and wanted to wed Vicara? He would break KitbellwenÂ’s heart, disappoint Lord Rilten, and make his father very angry. The prince sighed inwardly; he finally falls in love but with the wrong person.

“Where is the lovely bride to be anyway?” the king of Mirkwood asked.

“I’m not sure, I thought she’d be down here by now,” he smiled “she probably can’t decide what dress to wear.”

The two older elves chuckled, while the young prince showed his famous fake smile once more.

Kitbellwen, meanwhile, was dressed but had a different destination than the breakfast room. She was heading to the stables cloaked in blue. The Lady of Rivendell had already heard of the search party of guards to look for MertoseÂ’s friends. Kitbellwen only hoped she wasnÂ’t too late.

Reaching the stables she was lucky enough to find the head guard saddling his horse. The Lady pulled her hood to shade her face more as she took a few steps closer to the elf.

“I have heard rumors of you and your fellow guards are to search for a few sought after criminals,” she said in a low voice.

The head guard looked up from his task to observe the cloaked figure before him, though unable to identify her.

“Those rumors are true, and what is your purpose of coming to me?” he asked warily.

“I just might be able to make your exploration much shorter dear sir,” Kitbellwen answered smiling under her hood.

“I’m listening,” nodded the guard.

Later in the day, Mertose was walking out of a meeting he had had with his father and advisers. It was at this time that he ran into Kitbellwen who looked very happy.

“Good afternoon Mertose,” she said cheerfully and abstain-mindedly linked arms with the prince.

“Afternoon Kitbellwen,” Mertose replied somewhat startled by her sudden presence.

“I feel like taking a walk perhaps to that one balcony that overlooks the forest. Please join me,” the Lady said sweetly her eyes pleading.

Mertose suddenly broke away from her and turned his head.

“Well I would it’s just –“

He was cut off by KitbellwenÂ’s gentle hand turning his face so he would look straight into her eyes.

“Please Mertose, just for a small while. We are to be married and we haven’t even seen each other for quite a while. I want to know you Mertose; I want to spend time with you.”

Mertose took a deep breath. This wasnÂ’t going to be good. He didnÂ’t want to make her think he loved her only to break her heart. The prince looked again at the desperation in her eyes. If it was only for a little while and he kept his distance then this might not turn out so terrible, he thought.

“All right, I shall walk with you,” he finally agreed.

“Thank you Mertose!” her voice dripped with sweet honey as she slipped her arm around his again.

When they reached the balcony Kitbellwen moved from Mertose to the railing, leaning on it and looking out. She smiled back at the prince while the wind played with her dark hair. Mertose slowly came to stand beside the beautiful maiden, keeping his distance, and his eyes remained focused on the great landscape of trees all different shades of green. The sight made him smile; he had not been here for a long time.

Suddenly the prince felt a hand intertwine with his. Quickly Mertose looked down at Kitbellwen who was gazing lovingly into his blue eyes. ThranduilÂ’s oldest swiftly looked away.

“Mertose,” he heard the Lady whisper, “I love you.”

Who knew that three small and simple words could tear someoneÂ’s soul apart? Mertose felt like he would pass out from the pain he suffered. How could he tell her he didnÂ’t love her at all? Turning back to Kitbellwen, he looked at her beautifully cold face, her soft smile seemed fake, and her expecting eyes looked greedy. Mertose couldnÂ’t say it, he wouldnÂ’t lie this time.

Before he could even open his mouth warm lips were suddenly pressed to his. The princeÂ’s eyes grew wide, and he became stiff as Kitbellwen continued to kiss him. One of her arms secured his waist while the other was pressing on the back of his neck. Mertose was trapped, his mind went blank, he didnÂ’t know what to do.

“Brother?”

Mertose thanked the Valar his little brother had come to the rescue. Kitbellwen quickly moved away, turned, and stared out at the scenery.

“Yes Legolas?” Mertose immediately walked off the balcony and towards his brother’s voice and did not notice the smirk that appeared on Kitbellwen’s lips.