An: Me again. I believe I neglected to mention 2 things last update, one of them is that Ellemíre is an elvish word that means starlight. The title is also elvish and means 'What we do for love.'

Disclaimer: I don't own it. While I'm waiting for you to get over the revelation, I'll start the story.

I will start a few days into the beginning of the story, for it gives me a chance to describe my sister to those who never saw her. She was tall, in the manner of her people, and looked very much like me, so said visitors to our court, but her hair was darker and longer than mine and fell in curls, though her eyes were the mirror of my father's and therefore my own. Ellemíre was no great elvish beauty. She could compare with neither the Evenstar nor the Lady of Light but she was a sweet child and had grown into a fair Elleth.

My story begins on the eve of our departure from Mirkwood. I had searched for my sister through all the halls and passages of my Father's palace with no luck. Twas surprising in itself, for I could usually feel Ellemíre's presence but today the skill had forsaken me and I found myself wandering aimlessly around our realm. The hour was late when I found her, staring out of her window into the forest glade below.

'Aranel...' I said quietly, laying my hand on her shoulder

'In common. Please.' She whispered.

I sighed and patted the tense skin beneath the rough cotton of her dress 'Ellemíre, why do you behave like this? This marriage does not rob you of your people...'

She tore herself away from my grasp and faced me, so that I saw the tear tracks lining her pale skin 'It robs you of your love, and me of my own! I can think of no worse fate.' She sobbed, drawing away from me 'My brother, Is there no other way?'

I held out my arms and drew her forward, she began to cry into the front of my shirt 'None, muin Aranel, It must happen.'

'How could Ada be so blind?' she sobbed, into my shoulder. I confess I do not know, even now, how my father's determination to be blind to all around him has put him in such good stead all these years. I held her in my arms a little longer, until I judged that she had gained control of her tears.

'I will leave you now.' I smiled at her, as she stepped from my arms, face red and hair gone wispy from her effort 'No more tears now, Aranel. Do you promise me?'

'Aye, my brother, I promise. We must be well rested for our journey, after all.' She said bitterly.

I sighed once more, resigned to the fact that I could not pull her from her grief. 'Goodnight Ellemíre. Sleep in peace.' I kissed her hand and walked to the door

'Goodnight Legolas.' I heard her reply quietly 'Sleep in peace.'

...

The next day found us both sat at the gates of my father's realm, awaiting our departure.

I had lead both myself and my sister out here early, determined to see the trees of my home once more. As I gazed up at them, I suddenly felt a deep longing in me to ride in the sun again, feel it warm on my face. I confess as the longing for adventure filled my bones, it was you I thought of, mela nin. I yearned to see you and hold you in my arms once more, before it became a deadly sin.

As I thought of you, my gaze finally came to rest on Ellemíre. She was sat next to me, her face grey and drawn, not bothering to check her shying horse with despair written plainly in her eyes.

'Ai, seler nin, when did we come to this?' I thought before I was distracted at the sight of our Father and his retinue approaching from the north. My father, King Thranduil, beamed at the sight of my beautiful sister on her fine new horse. He stopped in front of Ellemíre's bay and took each of our hands.

'Ah My little leaves.' He said, gazing indulgently at us 'Today is the day!' He turned to Ellemíre and bent her head forward to place a kiss on her brow. 'Little Aranel, I shall not see you again. I will not see your beauty blossom beneath our beloved trees...'

'Ada, I will stay!' Ellemíre almost shrieked 'I will stay with you until we leave these shores, only say I must not marry the mortal!'

'Alas, rél nin' he sighed 'The contract has been agreed, Ellemíre. You must.'

Ellemíre drew back to hide behind the dark-gold curtain of her hair, ashamed at her sudden outburst. The king moved to stand in front of my own horse and we grasped each other's arms in a show of mutual grudging respect. My relationship with my father may be described as 'Chilly' at best.

'To you, my son, I entrust your sister's care. I will not have such a great king think that my daughter comes to him spoiled. His bride must be pure and innocent, Legolas. See that no harm comes to her.'

I clenched my jaw at his attitude toward my sister. Besides, since the fall of Sauron, the paths through my father's realm had become safe enough for my sister to travel to Gondor alone, had she so wanted, but I resolved to indulge my father anyway.

Finally he laid a hand on each of our heads and murmured a blessing, before stepping back and motioning for the gates to be opened. 'Fare thee well, my children.' He said, in his public speaking voice. I bowed my head to him one last time, and kicked my heels, urging my mount on. Just seconds later, I glanced behind me to see that my sister was not following me.

She was clinging to my father's arm, an expression of anguish and misery on her features.

'My father, please make this not be so!' she whispered, pain weighing heavy in her voice 'Please give brother to the mortal king, it is brother he wishes for, I am sure of it...'

Too late we saw the warning signs of our father's temper. 'You forget your station, my daughter!' he roared at her suddenly 'King Elessar requested my youngest child as his consort and that means you, Ellemíre.' He lowered his voice and hissed at her 'You will fill this contract with your life either way, my daughter. Given in marriage or lost in death it matters not to me.'

I felt almost sick at the harsh words and at the sight of my bright, brave sister's white face. 'Yes, my father.' She said, with surprising conviction.

'Now be off with the both of you!' he shouted once more at me. This time when I turned Ellemíre was behind me, almost keeping pace. I thought at the time that she looked thoughtful. I little suspected how much she would take my father's comment to heart.

An: Review please