But as for me, I will always have hope. -Psalm 71:14

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Elladan's POV

A light breeze caresses my skin, along with the warmth of the sun as I lie on one of the stone benches in the garden. My mother sits across from me on another bench, reading a book happily. The day is warm and peaceful, and I enjoy relaxing and thinking about yesterday.

'Tis funny to me how I can still smell the sweet scent of her hair, and I can still feel her warmth on my skin. I envision her smile and her magnificently green eyes, and I wonder what it would be like to have her here with me, in my home. Would we sit here like this on sunny days? Would we sit by the fireplace in the library on cold days? I feel silly, thinking up such scenarios, but I simply cannot help it.

"What are you thinking of, ion nin (my son)?"

I turn my head to look at my mother. She sits, gracefully perched on the white stone bench with her book in her lap as her eyes analyze me carefully. Her hair is braided and twisted up into a beautiful style on her head, one small curl hanging by her temple. She wears a silver circlet with a dark green gem in the center, her hair twisted around the sides of the crown. Her dark emerald dress cascades down to the ground in several layers of material.

"Oh," I say with a sigh, "Nothing really." I turn my gaze back to the puffy white clouds floating above me. Staring at them, it seems as if they are not so far away. As a child, I used to reach up to them, expecting that one day I would be able to reach one and touch the fluffy, soft surface. Sometimes, I still wish I could do so.

"Hmm," she hums, not looking satisfied with my answer, "Could it possibly be that elleth? You never told me her name."

"Her name is Taenya," I respond, "And yes. She never really leaves my mind it seems."

"Taenya," my mother repeats with a smile, "'Tis a beautiful name. It sounds familiar."

"It should," I reply, "Her father was Elluin, and her mother was Amara."

"Amara!" my mother exclaims, her eyes widening, and she drops her book in surprise. I feel guilty when her eyes fill up with tears.

I quickly shoot up from the bench, and I sit down beside my mother. Amara was my mother's best friend since childhood. They grew up together in Lothlorien, and, when my mother married my father, Amara came to live in Rivendell, as well. Rivendell is the place she met Taenya's father since he was Ada's best friend and fellow healer. Amara and Naneth were inseparable. I still remember her. She would help take care of 'Ro and I when we were elflings because we were always causing trouble. We both liked her very much because she was exceptionally kind, and she found our antics amusing; whereas, Naneth and Ada would become furious with us.

After several years of living in Rivendell, Amara and Elluin finally admitted their love for one another, and they married. The wedding was a huge event, almost as massive as my father and mother's marriage was- according to my Naneth. Everyone adored the couple because they were always eager to help others, and their kindness never failed. But as Taenya told me, they valued privacy and solitude so they built a house in the forest and lived there happily for many years. After moving to the forest, we saw less of them in Rivendell. Elluin came everyday, of course, because his job was here, but Amara was a rare sight since she was a seamstress in Willowdale. Over the years, and after the birth of their two daughters, our families grew very distant but still loved each other greatly.

"Her mother is Amara," my mother says quietly, shaking her head, "I should have put the pieces together. The only people I ever knew who lived in the forest outside of our borders and Willowdale were Elluin and Amara."

"Taenya's sister looks exactly like her, Naneth," I say softly, "Her name is Gweyr. She is the wife of one of our warriors, Falenas."

"Does Taenya look like her, also?" my mother questions hopefully.

I chuckle as I think of her. "Oh no, she inherited Elluin's bright green eyes and crimson hair. I do believe Amara's sweet personality and many of her facial features were passed on to her, though," I tell her with a fond smile.

Naneth smiles, her eyes still glossy. "That is wonderful to hear," she says, "Elladan, I wish to meet her someday soon. I remember seeing Gweyr here in Rivendell a few times, but I have never laid eyes upon her sister. I had quite forgotten that my friends had a second daughter."

I hesitate to tell her. "I-I have done something incredibly stupid," I begin, and Naneth immediately becomes attentive, "I did not tell Taenya who I truly am. When I first met her, the way she spoke to me as an equal was overwhelmingly relieving. She asked me my name, and I was surprised that she did not know who I was. I told her that my name is 'Dan, and she has not figured out my true identity."

"Oh, Elladan," my mother says, her eyes scolding, "You do not lie to the elleth you care for. You must fix this and tell her who you truly are."

"'Tis not that easy," I say, standing as I begin to pace, frustrated with myself, "I do not want to hurt her. That was never my intention. What do I say to her? 'Taenya, by the way, my real name is Elladan, and my father is Lord Elrond of Rivendell. This changes literally everything between us, but I thought you should know.'"

My mother bursts out laughing. "'Dan, you are so silly sometimes. Just tell her slowly and kindly, and explain to her why you lied. I am sure she will understand."

"Yes, but what if she does not?" I question, staring at my mother for answers that no one but Taenya can give.

She shakes her head. "Then she will come around eventually."

"And what of our bloodlines? Our titles? Adar will never allow me to marry, let alone court, an elleth who has no title," I state.

"Yes, he will. Your father wants your happiness just as much as I do. If this girl is as charming as you make her out to be, then she will win him over no matter what," she explains patiently.

I open my mouth to respond, but a horn sounds throughout the valley, signalling the arrival of someone. I glance at my Naneth for a moment, and then we are both racing through the garden toward the entrance of Rivendell. When we reach the entrance, Adar, Arwen, and Elrohir are already there, greeting our guests warmly. I feel my eyes widen in complete shock when I see that it is Gweyr and Falenas. I look around anxiously, but Taenya is nowhere in sight.

"My Lord, Elladan," Falenas greets, walking over to me with an amused smile, "'Tis wonderful to see you again."

He is dressed up in a white tunic and brown pants, as if he is here to train, but with Gweyr hanging onto his arm I know he must be here for an entirely different reason. Gweyr watches me with her knowing, honey colored eyes, and I shift uncomfortably. I notice that her yellow dress is perfectly clean, no mud or dirt stains on it, and I instantly think of Taenya and how different she is from her sister. Gweyr is calm and ever watchful, and Taenya is adventurous and independent.

I bow to Falenas, and he copies the action.

Gweyr curtsies gracefully, her golden brown hair falling around her shoulders in large waves. "Taenya did not accompany us, if that is who you are looking for," she says lowly, a grin pulling at her lips.

Falenas chuckles deeply, and I grin at their teasing.

"I was looking for her," I admit unashamedly, "But why are you here? Has something happened?"

"We believe that Gweyr is pregnant, and we have come to see your father," he responds, and they glance at each other, smiling brightly.

Loneliness stabs through my chest like a cool blade. The way they look at each other is how I want Taenya to look at me. I have no problem imagining what our future would be like because my soul is already bound to her, and it seems as if everytime we meet, our souls stitch together further. I have my doubts, though, about whether she will accept me or not. I have lied to her, and coming out with the truth is never easy. I would not blame her if she hates me after I reveal the truth.

Adar places his hands on my shoulders. "I see you are acquainted with my son," he says, and I can hear the underlying questions in his voice, "But we can catch up at dinner this afternoon. Now, if you will follow me."

They bow to us all once more before following my father to the Healer's Wing, the sound of their footsteps disappearing after a moment.

"She looks exactly like her mother," Naneth says, and I turn to see that her eyes are glossy once more with unshed tears.

Elrohir and Arwen walk over to us, wondering why Naneth is crying. Arwen's icy blue eyes look between us in question, lingering on me as if I have done something to hurt her. "What is wrong?" my sister asks, placing her hand on Naneth's shoulder, "What is going on?"

"Gweyr's mother was my best friend, Arwen, long before you were born. Her name was Amara. We grew up together. Her husband was Elluin, and he was your father's friend. Our families were very close for many, many years, but we grew distant as the years went by. They... died when you were just a baby," my mother says, her voice faltering, "I had quite forgotten about my friend's daughters until recently, and seeing Gweyr was like seeing Amara again. I do hope that I did not come off as rude, but I could not speak."

Arwen embraces her tightly, her raven colored hair spilling down her shoulders like ink. "I am sorry, Naneth. I did not know. I wish that I could have met them. They were surely blessed to have such great friends as you and Ada."

Elrohir looks at me curiously as mother replies to Arwen.

"So, that is the family of the elleth you fancy?" he asks.

I nod. "Her name is Taenya," I reply awkwardly.

He smirks. "I wish she would have come with them. We would have given her a very warm welcome," he says amusedly.

"You would have teased her relentlessly, and she would have never wanted to come back," I reply as I roll my eyes.

"True," he replies, lifting a dark brow mockingly, "If she looks anything like her sister, I might fancy her, too."

I glare at him, but Naneth intervenes quickly. "Stop it, both of you," she says, apparently finished conversing with Arwen.

Arwen looks at me, her eyes bright with excitement. "Naneth told me that the elleth you fancy is Gweyr's sister. Why have you not spoken of her before? I have been squeezing information out of Naneth for many days now."

"Simply because you make a big deal out of small things. Nothing is certain," I say, lying through my teeth. I seem to be good at doing that now. The truth is, my feelings for Taenya are very, very certain. The only uncertain part of the situation is her feelings for me.

Arwen glances at Naneth amusedly. "Well, your eyes tell a different story than your lips, dear brother. It seems I am in the right for my excitement because I can tell that your feelings are very strong for this elleth. And I do not even have to see her to know that she feels the same as you. You could charm any elleth, but it seems as if she has charmed you first, from what Naneth says anyway."

I stare at her, wondering where she gets her positivity from. I could certainly use it. "I dearly hope I have charmed her," I mutter, and Arwen's smile grows, "For you are correct."

Elrohir laughs. "I will admit that this is pretty exciting, surprisingly," he says with a smirk, "I am anxious to meet this Taenya."

"Well, I have business to take care of before you can meet her, but I promise to bring her here soon," I say, looking to my mother, "What should I do?"

She pauses, understanding that I am asking about how to tell Taenya the truth. "I think that it is high time we have a feast," she says, slowly, looking to me for approval, "Dances are a perfect place to meet new people."

I grin, and I nod in agreement. "'Tis not a bad idea, and it is a good excuse to lure her here into the lion's den," I say with a smirk, and Elrohir howls with laughter.

"A feast! You are so clever, Naneth. It will be so exhilarating," Arwen says, smiling widely, "I cannot wait to meet Taenya. I promise not to embarrass you too terribly, 'Dan."

"Note the word too," Elrohir says, mocking Arwen's voice, and I laugh loudly.

My mother rolls her eyes, fighting a smile. "Well, we will never meet her if you do not invite her," she states, "Are you going to go to the forest now?"

I stare into her blue eyes for a moment before nodding. "Yes."

I turn and begin my walk to the stables, but I turn back to face them before I am out of sight. "Wish me luck!" I call to them before continuing on my way, muttering, "I most certainly need it."

I am tired of lying. I am ready to show Taenya who I truly am.

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A/N: Yay for breakthroughs! Hope y'all enjoy! Please comment, share, yadda yadda yadda. Love y'all so much!

Love,

Josie <3