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For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control. - 2 Timothy 1:7

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Elladan

I hold her close to me, wishing that she knew just how much I love her. From the moment I set eyes on her in her muddied dress with her wide, innocent green eyes staring at me through the curtain of her fiery curls, I knew she was my soul mate. The invisible pull I felt was so strong, it was as if Eru's hands were pushing us toward one another.

But even though I am sure of my love for her, something keeps me from saying it. Maybe it is her shyness that keeps the words stuffed in my mouth, or maybe it is Eru keeping my lips sealed until the right moment. I know I love her, but I also know that this love I feel for her is only going to grow stronger and stronger with time.

Seeing her tears as she voiced her feelings for me struck a nerve deep within me. The mere thought of her feeling like she has somehow failed me by not being blunt with her emotions upsets me. If only she knew! I tell her my thoughts, yet she does not seem to fully realize or understand how deep and genuine they are. When I tell her she is beautiful, I mean that her beauty is so overwhelming that my knees feel weak and my body aches for her in ways I have never known before. When I tell her I care for her, I really mean that I am desperately in love with her. And even now as I am holding her to me tightly, I feel as if we are so far apart. Nothing seems to be enough to silence the way my soul calls for her.

Never in all the years of my life did I realize that sharing a bond with someone would feel this agonizingly beautiful.

"What are you thinking of, 'Dan?" comes her soft, bell-like voice, and she strokes a piece of my hair that lies across the skin of my neck, "Did I upset you?"

"No," I respond, laughing softly at her ridiculous notion, "And I am thinking of you."

"You always say that," she says, laughing along with me, her round eyes staring into mine.

A knock sounds at the door, and I release my hold on Taenya. I stand from the bed, walking over to the door and opening it. I am surprised to see my mother standing there, holding our breakfast on a large silver tray.

Her eyes travel down to my bare chest disapprovingly, and she raises her eyebrow ever-so-slightly when she meets my gaze. "I brought your breakfast."

I step out of the way, allowing her to enter, and she smiles brightly when she sees Taenya. "Taenya, are you feeling better, dear?" she questions, setting down the food on my desk.

Taenya nods her head, standing and approaching my naneth. "I feel fine now, thank you," she replies.

"Well, if you get tired during the day, maybe you should rest," she tells her softly.

"I will, my lady. Thank you for bringing our breakfast. 'Dan refused to go down to breakfast and took me hostage," Taenya says with a teasing glance sent my way.

Naneth laughs lightly. "'Dan has always had a knack for getting what he wants," she says, glancing at me disapprovingly once again, "You should really put on a shirt, ion nin (My son)."

Taenya laughs loudly at her statement, looking at me with a grin.

"My sons and their poor manners," Naneth mutters to Taenya, shaking her head and placing her hands on her hips, "Oh, yes, I forgot to tell you. I am having a dress made for you since we are to have a feast in a few days time. I will need you to meet with my seamstress and myself today whenever you are free."

"I will do so, my lady. Thank you so very much," Taenya says sweetly, smiling brightly, and Naneth smiles in satisfaction.

"Naneth, you need to go back down to breakfast. Everyone will miss you," I tell her with a smirk, leaning against my desk tiredly.

She raises her eyebrow. "Getting rid of me, are you? Well, I will go. I can take a hint," she drawls out, walking gracefully to the door as her red dress swirls around her feet, "I know when I am not wanted."

I howl with laughter, causing her to look back at me with a teasing smirk. I cross the room quickly, planting a kiss on her cheek. "Naneth, we love you very much. You do not have to leave," I tell her, knowing that she is only joking with me and is not really upset.

She rolls her eyes. "I will see you both later," she says before turning her laughing gaze to Taenya, "And do not let Falenas find you in here. He was already curious when you were not at breakfast. I knew Elrohir was covering for the two of you, and I decided to go along with him. I remember the days when I was courting Elrond, so I lied for you. But it will not be happening again, so I suggest you strengthen your hiding skills." She winks teasingly.

With that, she leaves, the door closing behind her with a thud. I turn to look at Taenya, smirking slightly when I see that she is munching on a piece of bread. I approach her, taking a strawberry off of our tray of food.

"What do you wish to do today?" I ask her, admiring the way her nose scrunches up slightly when she concentrates.

She shrugs. "It does not matter to me," she says, looking up at me, "I do have a slight desire to draw, though."

"And what would you like to draw?" I ask her with a smile.

She pauses, chewing thoughtfully for a moment. "Maybe Ryia," she replies.

"Alright then, it is settled. We are going to go and find Ryia when we finish eating," I say, picking up a bowl of food.

I walk over to my bed, sitting down upon it, and I begin to eat. Taenya joins me, tucking her legs underneath her, and her dress pools around her prettily. I take a moment to admire the way her hair curls around her small, beautiful face, and the way freckles are splayed across her nose and cheeks adorably. She is completely unaware that I am staring at her, and I smile to myself at her childish innocence.

When we finish eating, Taenya and I begin our search for Ryia. We first go to her room and then to Arwen's when we do not find her, but she is not to be found. We search all over the grounds, and we are surprised when we find her in the gardens with none other than Legolas Thranduilion.

Ryia is tucked snugly in his arms, reaching up and touching his hair in amazement. "It is so soft!" she exclaims, causing Legolas to laugh brightly.

"Thank you," he replies, his gaze soft as he looks down at the child.

"Are you really a prince?" Ryia questions, staring at him like he is Eru himself.

He chuckles lowly. "I am."

"Mama used to tell me stories of princes and princesses," she states, suddenly sounding much older than she is as her round eyes become sad, "She said I was her princess."

I glance from Legolas's suddenly uncomfortable and awkward expression to Taenya's sad eyes, deciding it is a good time to intervene.

"Legolas!" I exclaim, and his gaze flashes over to me, a wide grin spreading across his face.

Ryia's gaze instantly travels to Taenya, and she crawls off of Legolas's lap hastily, dashing toward her. "Taenya, Taenya!" She exclaims, jumping on her, and Taenya catches the child, holding her close.

"'Dan, you have finally shown up," Legolas states jokingly as he approaches me, and he glances at Taenya for a moment before smirking slightly at me, "Though, now I understand why you took so long."
I tense slightly, remembering the look in Taenya's eyes when she told me a few days ago about how she used to fancy Legolas. I will not lie that hearing her say such a thing made me incredibly jealous.

"I was sleeping," I confirm, cutting the topic short, "How are you, Mellon nin (my friend)?"

Legolas grins, not seeming to pick up on my discomfort. "I am well. I feel so relieved to be in Rivendell. Ada was pestering Naneth to no end about the baby. And you know how she is," he says, and I laugh, picturing the spirited queen rolling her eyes as her husband worries over her.

"I can imagine that she did not take kindly to his worrying," I respond, turning my gaze to Taenya and Ryia absentmindedly. Taenya has positioned herself upon the grass, her book of drawings lying open in her lap as she sketches Ryia. Her eyebrows are knit together closely in concentration, and Ryia sits in front of her, picking tiny purple flowers from the grass.

"You care deeply for her." Legolas's soft voice breaks me from my daze, and I instantly feel guilty for not listening to what he had been saying.

I meet his blue eyes, remembering when he was just a small elfling tagging along behind 'Ro and me. "Is it that obvious?" I question, rolling my eyes, and Legolas snorts, nudging me with his arm.

"I have never in my life seen an ellon look at an elleth in the way you are staring at her. You are truly lovesick, Mellon (friend)," he says with a smile, raising his eyebrow slightly, "Will there be a marriage announcement soon?"

I shake my head. "Oh, no. I have only just begun courting her. We have only known each other for about a month," I tell him quietly.

"Really?" Legolas asks in surprise, "At first glance-if I did not know you- I would think the two of you were married."

I laugh, raising my eyebrows at him. "Well, I guess that is a good thing, for I intend to marry her someday."

Legolas nods, turning to look at Taenya and Ryia. He gazes at Taenya for far longer than I would like, and when he turns back to me and sees my expression, he grins once again. "She is very beautiful; there is no doubt about that."

I roll my eyes, and he throws his head back, laughing lightly as I grumble. "She is also kind and intelligent and innocent," I reply, staring at her as she laughs with Ryia, "And did I mention that she is mine?"

Legolas laughs again, clapping me on the shoulder. "You might have said something about that," he says, pretending to ponder my statement.

"You will do well to remember that," I joke, raising my eyebrow at him.

"Taenya, look!"

Legolas and I turn to see Ryia pointing toward the entrance of the gardens, and I see Arwen walking to us, a beautiful smile on her face.

"Sister," I say, grinning at her, and she gives me a playful look.

"Brother, I missed you at breakfast," she says as she looks at me knowingly, and her gaze then travels to Taenya who is still sketching away, "And Taenya, too. Everyone was wondering where you were. It was funny to watch Naneth covering for you."

"'Ro was teasing Taenya, and he sent her to wake me up. We decided to have breakfast in my room," I say.

"'Dan decided that," Taenya says, and I turn to see her walking toward us, sketch book in one hand and Ryia's hand clasped tightly in her other, "I was taken hostage."

Arwen and Legolas laugh brightly, and my sister smiles. "Of course, I expected nothing less from my mischievous brother. At least Naneth is on your side," she says with a laugh, "Falenas was worried for you, so you should be prepared for many questions from him the next time you see him."

Taenya smiles sweetly. "Thank you for warning me."

"Well, I came to take you away," Arwen tells her, an excited spark entering her eyes, "Naneth has requested your presence. You get to choose the material for your dress for the feast."

Ryia tugs on Taenya's dress. "I want to come!" she exclaims.

Taenya laughs, "Alright, let us go."

Her gaze meets mine, and I try not to let my disappointment show. I wished to spend the day with her, but she is being whisked away, as always.

As she passes by me, she whispers, "I will find you when I am finished."

I nod, watching her go sadly.

Legolas watches me with a smirk, and I glance at him. "What?"

He shakes his head, smiling secretively. "Nothing," he replies as we settle ourselves onto the bench amongst the flowers, "So, tell me of Taenya. How did you come to know her?"

"I met her in the forest one day when I went for a ride. She lives outside of the small village Willowdale. Do you remember Amara and Elluin?"

He nods, his eyes lighting up. "I remember them perfectly. When I would visit as an elfling, I adored Amara because she was always kind to us, and she let us get away with a lot of mischief. News of her death was devastating."

I nod, remembering the fun times we had with her. "They were Taenya's parents."

Legolas's eyes widen. "Really?" he questions in shock before smiling slightly, "I cannot believe I did not realize. Taenya looks like her."

I laugh at his statement. "I felt the same way," I reply, staring out at the garden around us, "So, who are you going to ask to the feast?"

He shrugs. "I will go alone and dance with whoever asks me."

I chuckle deeply. "Legolas, you know that you could have any elleth in Rivendell," I tell him.

He shakes his head, looking awkward. "I do not think so. And I would rather go alone, honestly."

I raise my eyebrow at him. "Do you have someone waiting for you in Mirkwood?"

"No," he says with a laugh, "I just do not care for feasts or dancing. I only accompanied Nana and Ada because I have dearly missed Rivendell."

I laugh, whacking him on the back of the head. "You missed 'Ro and me, just admit it, you softie," I joke.

He laughs loudly, never admitting how he missed our close friendship, and I do not tell him how much 'Ro and I have missed him. We continue to joke around and tease each other, enjoying being able to be together again, and we both silently understand that our friendship runs deep and does not need to be verbally recognized. Legolas is the greatest friend I have ever known, and having him here makes me incredibly happy. I only hope that he will keep his distance from Taenya.

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A/N: Hey, y'all! Sorry for the late update! I literally finished this chapter several days ago and forgot to review it and upload because I have been busy trying to open an Etsy shop. Thanks so much for being patient with my Dory mind! I'll try to have the next one up soon. Love y'all and God bless! <3

Love,

Josie