Several moons have passed as the three spent their time in Rivendell. For them, it is now time to continue their road further in the West direction.
     "We are most grateful for your kind hospitality, Lord Elrond," Iladya speaks, bending into a curtsy. Elrond lays his hand over his chest and bows his head.
     "You will always be welcome in Imladris," Elrond replies. "I bid you good luck on your travels and until we meet again." The three bow their heads before leaving the borders of Rivendell.
     Aragorn walks behind the two Elves, thinking about the change of life they brought with them to him. He is on reliable terms with Legolas as they seem to get along in a fine way. He cannot begin to explain his feelings towards Iladya. He does not have the words to describe how he feels whenever she is around, which is all day long. The closest he gets is the feeling of straying into a dream.
     Iladya glances over her shoulder and meets Aragorn's eyes. She flashes him a smile before averting her gaze. She cannot quite believe how much her life has changed from a perspective of relationships. She has experienced a sibling relationship, a parental relationship, a friend relationship but never a romantic relationship. Whenever her eyes fix on Aragorn, the man in her dreams, she knows something is growing between the two of them.
     I will bind myself to you.

After a day full of traveling, the three decide to settle down for the night. Iladaya offers to take the first watch. Her two other companions agree as Aragorn tells her that he will take the second watch. The two settle down at the roots of the tree while Iladya distances herself from them.
     Her attention is drawn to the sky, to the stars and the moon. The sight of it makes her gasp softly in awe. Aragorn comfortably leans against the tree as he stares at Iladya. Slowly and well, he drifts off to sleep with Iladya on his mind.
     Her ears are alert as her eyes gaze over the horizon. After a while, her gaze ascends to watch the position of the moon before she rises to her feet. She heads to the tree to wake Aragorn before she halts in front of him. Her eyes rest on his sleeping features. She adores him for his personality however, now she sees how handsome he is. She crouches next to him and lays her hand on his shoulder, stirring him awake.
     Aragorn flutters awake, his body tensed and alarmed. He looks Iladya in the eyes and his muscles relax.
     "I'm sorry to wake you," she whispers but Aragorn waves his hand, dismissing her apology.
     "No need to apologize," he speaks, rising to his feet. The man groans for a brief moment. "Where were you stationed?" Iladya guides him to the stone where she is settled.
     "I sat here with sharp ears and eyes to the stars," she says, averting her gaze. Aragorn follows her and he meets the sky full of stars. "Aren't they breathtaking?" she questions. Aragorn doesn't look at the stars and looks at Iladya.
     "It is absolutely breathtaking," he says and averts his eyes before Iladya can catch him staring.
     "You should get some rest, my lady," he continues, averting his gaze from the sky to look at her. Iladya shifts her gaze to the horizon for a brief moment before shifting it to Aragorn.
     "You are right," she whispers, however, she doesn't want to leave him. Their eyes are caught up in each other. Aragorn leans in closer, simply drawn to her. Iladya leans her forehead against his, closing her eyes.
     "You should rest," Aragorn whispers with agony in his voice as if he doesn't want her to go.
     "Yes," she breathes without making an attempt to leave. She opens her eyes and looks through her lashes to gaze into his eyes. "I don't want to go," she whispers. Aragorn lets out a shaky breath, contemplating what to do.
     ''Then don't,'' he answers. ''Stay here with me, sleep in my arms tonight.'' The Elf stares into his eyes, distancing her face from his. Her heart desires nothing more at this exact moment. It cannot hurt, can it?
     ''Okay,'' she smiles. Aragorn flashes her a smile and opens his arms, waiting for her to lie in his arms. He has his back against the rock as Iladya lies in his arms with her head on his chest. He presses his lips on her hair, wishing her a good night. As his eyes roam over the horizon, he listens to Iladya's breathing. Aragorn has his arms wrapped around her body and gently caresses her arms with his fingers.
     He sat back until he noticed a cloud of smoke rising. Aragorn straightens his back, causing Iladya to stir awake.
     "What is amiss?" Iladya questions drowsily, blinking her eyes to wake up. She glances in the direction Aragorn is looking and her eyes narrow. A gasp leaves her lips and she hurries to her feet.
     "Wake my brother and follow me," she commands before she runs in the direction of the smoke. Aragorn does not hesitate for a moment and runs to the tree.
     "Legolas!" Aragorn calls, but the Elven prince is already on his feet. Legolas' eyes find Aragorn's, demanding an explanation.
     "Fire," he breathes, running in the direction Iladya headed to. Legolas and Aragorn run over the hill, joining Iladya who stares down at a burning village.
     "We must do something," she breathes. "I'll go look for survivors." She is about to walk away as Aragorn gets hold of her arm. Iladya looks Aragorn in the eyes with a glare.
     "Let go of me," she demands. Aragorn watches on with despair in his eyes but then he lets go of her arm. He watches her sprint to the village. He casts a glance at Legolas before both pursue her.

Iladya uses her cloak to cover her mouth as she runs into the flames. Her eyes detect several civilians in burning houses and several screams of help echo through her ears. She bursts through the weak, wooden doors to guide the people out.
     "My child!" Iladya turns around to face a woman, a mother. She meets Iladya's gaze before pointing at the burning house. The Elf nods and runs in without hesitation. She dodges and jumps over fallen, burning furniture. Iladya points her ears to hear the child crying and her gaze shifts to the next level. She hurries up the stairs, only to find the child underneath a fallen wall. The Elf coughs as smoke fills her lungs. She tries to lift the wood, which succeeds and the child slips free.
     "Go!" The child hurries away as Iladya follows. She watches the child run through the door opening and coughs. She freezes as the house cracks. Her gaze is shifted upward and the remaining of the burning house collapses. Iladya lets out a scream of agony before she disappears under the debris of the house.
     "Help!" Aragorn runs towards a woman with her child. She is directed at her collapsed house. "She is still in there," she cries. Aragorn's eyes narrow as fear strikes his heart.
     "Who is still in there?" he demands to know. The woman sobs: "The Elven woman." Aragorn's heart sinks but he does not wait to search for her. He is lifting pieces of furniture or burning walls, everything to find her.
     "Iladya!" he yells however he does not deceive a reply. Desperation grasps his heart as it endures without result. Once he thought all hope had faded, Aragorn lifted the burning wall and there she lay. He yells and it gives him strength to throw the wall elsewhere. Smoke filled his lungs as he knelt, he couldn't care as he took her into his arms. He rushed out of the building, to the relief of the woman.
     Aragorn lays her down, away from the flames. Legolas and several civilians stand in a circle around the two. Aragorn watches her charcoal-stained face and gently pats her face.
     "Please, Iladya," Aragorn whispers. "Wake up." He lays his head on her chest and to his relief, her heart is still beating.
     "She is breathing," Aragorn announces, to the relief of the civilians and Legolas. "We should bring her back to our camping place," Aragorn adds. Legolas nods and watches his sister being taken into the arms of Aragorn. He walks behind the two until they reach their spot.
     Legolas takes off his cloak to use it as a pillow. "You stay here with her, I will take the watch," Legolas says, even though he wants to stay with his sister because it is his sister. They have faced uncountable human lives together. He cannot bear to lose her, let alone live without her. However, he sees what is happening between the two of them and it tells him that Aragorn should stay with her.
     Aragorn sits on the ground, gently wiping away the charcoal off her face. His other hand is clasped around her hand, hoping she knows that she is not alone. He rises to his feet to retrieve their water sack but freezes once he hears a soft murmur. His gaze shifts to her face and watches her squint her eyes.
     "Don't leave," she mutters and it is followed by coughing. Aragorn does leave for a brief moment to retrieve the water. He rushes back to her with water. Iladya sits upright, reaching for the water. She gulps the water and feels a wave of satisfaction flowing through her body.
     "Thank you," she whispers, catching her breath. Aragorn lets out a sigh of relief and lays his hand on her cheek. Iladya looks him in the eyes and sends him a faint smile. "Sorry." Aragorn's eyebrows furrow.
     "For what?"
     ''I ran into a village that was on fire and risked my life,'' she explains with a hoarse voice. ''Even though you didn't want me to.'' Aragorn slowly exhales, his frowns disappearing from his forehead.
     ''You risked your life to save others,'' he reasons. ''You shouldn't let my decision keep you from what your heart tells you to do.'' His thumb caresses her cheekbone, wiping away a fallen tear. ''You should get some rest,'' he continues. ''You've lost much of your energy.'' Aragorn's hand leaves her face, instantly feeling cold without his touch.
     ''Can you stay for a bit?'' she questions. Aragorn casts a glance in Legolas' direction before shifting his gaze to Iladya. He silently nods and lowers himself to the ground. He lies beside her and watches Iladya snuggle up to him. Aragorn secures her by putting his arm around her waist. He watches her fall asleep and simply admires her.

Iladya stirs awake, slowly opening her eyes. She yawns before seeing the sunrise. Her eyes search for Legolas and Aragorn and she finds them a little further, talking to each other. Legolas glances over his shoulder and rushes to her. Iladya sits upright, only to be engulfed in an embrace from Legolas.
     ''A relief to see you awake,'' he speaks in a soft voice. A faint smile plays her lips, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
     ''As if I would leave you alone, brother,'' Iladya replies with a chuckle. Aragorn watches them from afar and smiles. He, too, has seen how special their bond is. Legolas pulls away and he has his hands on her shoulders.
     ''It was a reckless doing,'' he scolds, looking her in the eyes.
     ''I saved people, Legolas,'' she argues. ''I cannot live with myself, knowing I could have saved those people and just stand at the sideline.'' Legolas has his jaw clenched. He knows that this is how his sister is.
     ''It almost cost your life,'' he speaks in a softer voice. Iladya knows he is protective over her, but she can make her own decisions.
     ''I know, but it is the risk I took,'' she says.
     ''Let's not argue now,'' Aragorn steps in, walking up to them. The two Elves turn to Aragorn. ''It is more important that Iladya lives. I hope she has realized she will need to confront the situation a little differently from now on.'' Iladya nods, letting them know she will.
     ''I'm sorry Legolas,'' Iladya apologizes. Legolas nods and pats her shoulders.
     ''It is alright,'' he says and adds: ''Just don't pull off something like this again.'' She sends him a grin, telling him she will not do this again.
     ''Now that is settled,'' Aragorn says. ''Iladya, you will take some rest at the tree. Legolas and I will make some breakfast.'' Iladya opens her mouth to protest, however, Aragorn sends her a gaze that will not change his mind. She closes her mouth and slides down the tree to sit. He watches her for a brief moment before he feels the piercing eyes of a protective brother.