"Erthanist, why did you hide this from me? I trust you to be honest with me, yet I just found you with Legolas on the riverbank when I thought you were in trouble!" Ada scolds from the other side of my bedroom door as I change into a thick, loose white cotton shift. I run a comb through my hair as he continues, "I disbelieved Elrond and Mithrandir when they first informed me of your closeness to Legolas because you've never kept such secrets from me."

"I was not going to hide our courtship for long, Adar. Just until the excitement surrounding Legolas died down. To have revealed it would have added fuel to the fire."

"Were you scared to inform me? Erthanist, this is no light matter. You gave us the slip, making me think something ill had befallen you, and then turned up laying next to Legolas."

"We both were very well aware we could be found. If we truly did not want to be discovered, we would not have gone to the river to stargaze. It was not easy to keep this under wraps," I reply, "And nothing happened, I swear! I would not elope or engage with him in anything meant only for marriage. We only watched the night sky and happened to fall asleep."

"I have worked very hard to protect your innocence, Erthanist. I cannot do that if you allow yourself to be carried away by fleeting fancies." 

"Adar, I apologize most sincerely or worrying you and keeping secrets from you. I admit, we did act a little brashly. Truly. But I am not entertaining mere affections for him. It isn't juvenile folly." I know he wants me to believe he has left, but I know he still stands outside the door. I sigh and walk to my desk, sitting down with a sigh and leaning my head onto my palm. 

"I am going to speak with Legolas, and then I should hope we might lift the dark mist which as descended upon the house." 

"Indeed." I sense him soundlessly make his way out to the garden. I reach for my feather quill, dipping it into the ink stand as I retrieve my journal. I write in as perfect detail as I can imagine, recording what has happened with every ounce of fire I can muster. The pen seems to glide on its own, churning out thought after thought, as my heart pours itself out in words. I can often distract myself this way, and I am glad to be able to now. I know for a fact that Adar is upset and will not easily be pacified, and that is what I must distract myself from. 

We've had numerous tiffs in my lifetime, but not since Nana left. She was always the one who could bring us around to reason again. Nana kept telling us how alike we were, that our own stubborn, thick heads would be our undoing, but we'd promised not to be so brutal in our banters when she left. Now I fear we've broken that oath. I have to take my mind away from it or I might find myself walking to the stables and mounting Beldal. I have to pacify myself without running off before reconciling with Adar. 

I take a deep breath and shake off the thoughts, refocusing on writing down last night and this morning. Down to the very second. Every kiss, word, and glance. In minutes I am swept off into my own world of writing. 

I hardly notice when the door knob is jostled once, twice. Even the third jostle I don't respond to, instead dipping my pen back into my ink well with tender care to continue writing. "Erthanist, it's me, Legolas." 

"Aah!" I gasp, my hand jerking suddenly and sending the rather large, crystal ink well flying, skidding off of the desk and crashing to the floor with a chilling shatter. Ink goes everywhere- me for the most part, adding to the black mottling already staining my hands. I inhale, gripping the feather pen very tightly, staring at the destroyed mass. 

"Are you alright, Erthanist!?" I look over at the door in disbelief. Adar would never allow ellyn to cross the threshold, let alone make it to my chambers. "Erthanist?!" I exhale and grab a mint green kirtle, shoving it on quickly, just before the door is unlocked and both Legolas and my father enter. My rose-hued cheeks become maroon pools. 

"What happened?" Adar demands, examining me. I sigh. 

"I was startled and in my shock I knocked over my ink well," I explain, looking between Adar and Legolas, both of whom sporting fading expressions of concern, "I am fine." 

"What startled you?" Legolas inquires, moving towards me. Adar crosses his arms and walks in between us. 

"She was expecting me to be on the other side of the door, not you. You, Legolas, are the only ellon besides myself, Arnolan and Elrond to have ever even stood outside that door. I have made sure of that." I nod in agreement. 

"I am sorry to have frightened you, Erthanist." Legolas apologizes. I smile and shrug it off. 

"You're forgiven, it was really my fault, Legolas." Silence falls between us and I try to clean up the ink well without feeling awkward. In a minute, Adar speaks the dreaded words.

"Erthanist, I have reached a verdict." 

"Yes, Adar?" Legolas and I exchange glances. Adar takes a very deep, serious breath. 

"You and Legolas have my blessing to court each other." 

"Yes!!" I exclaim, ensnaring Ada in a tight embrace. He returns it, then I tackle Legolas, whom is grinning giddily. He sweeps me into his arms and kisses me with a mixture of emotions; relief being one of them. I am simply over the moon to have Adar-nin's approbation of our courtship. Otherwise I might have had to choose and I would have broken. I kiss Legolas back, forgetting the presence of Adar. He puts up with our moment for a minute then clears his throat, reasserting himself. Legolas very quickly responds, putting me down and stepping away. I manage to grasp his hand, though, and ever so gently stroke it as Adar motions for us to descend from my chambers. We withdraw to the parlor and Adar has us sit down upon the plush sofa. Legolas squeezes my hand reassuringly. 

"While I do approve now, I must set some conditions." 

"Of course, Lord Glorfindel." I mentally groan. Men. 

Most of these rules and conditions are for Legolas, but those that apply to me or both of us include the promise not to repeat last night, be completely honest, and make our courtship known. After giving us this edict, he has Legolas step out. Legolas smiles and presses a gentle kiss to my forehead before obeying, slipping out quietly. "Yes, Ada?" He sighs and sits down beside me, taking my hands in his. 

"I am sorry for being so stern with you earlier, my daughter. I wish we would not have argued." 

"As am I, Ada. I am very sorry to have caused you worry and argued with you when I could have backed off. I know you want to protect me, it was only natural you wanted to defend me and became upset when you couldn't on my account." 

"Erthanist, I will always be your father and defender, the time has come for me to recognize Legolas. Yes, he is still privy to my wrath, but he is whom I would have in my place. Whom you would have if and when I cannot be there, no matter how I wish that day never to arrive." Tears begin to swell in my eyes. I smile and lean into him. 

"You could never be replaced, and never will you be. Thank you for accepting Legolas and sparing me from having to pick whom." He pulls me closer, stroking my cheeks. I hug him tightly, burying my face into his lush green and gold robes. "I love you and him immeasurably. I could not have chosen without losing my heart." 

He sighs and kisses me upon my forehead, "I know. Now go and be with Legolas, my daughter." 

I grin and cast him a final glance before hurrying out of the house and into Legolas' arms. 

School is finally out for summer! Unfortunately I will not be able to update since I have big plans over the next few weeks, but I will try! Please let me know in the comments what you think! Thanks for reading!

~Uilosris