Thank you so much to everyone who has stuck with me through this story! It's been so incredible to have you all!!

Many thanks are due to my reviewers: Calenlass Greenleaf1, Em2323, GrayTanuki, Galad in elin, jenyme, and Gionareth!

A/N: To avoid confusion this first half of the chapter is third person POV and the second part of the chapter is from Arwen's POV. I hope that isn't confusing for any of you!

Oh! and for any of you that would like to read something happy after reading this chapter, I've added a new chapter to this story at Calenlass Greenleaf1's suggestion. It's titled 'The Sun is Shining'. (it's the new chapter 3) Enjoy!

Chapter 10: Past the Rubicon

None could say exactly what changed in the Evenstar after that. But her smiles faded from their radiant glory, though still exceptional, and her laughter, fresh and sweet, became a rarity. She was no longer seen in Imladris, preferring instead to her spend time in Lothlorien.

She was ever the light of her people but that light seemed to dim, capturing a more serene and, if possible, solemn glow.

As for the Prince of Mirkwood, he could not be kept away from the halls of Rivendell for long but slowly the stretches of time began to lengthen and his presence became an uncommon event. Occasionally, one could find him standing before Arwen's bower, a strange, heartbroken expression on his face.

Many tried to find the answers to the questions that buzzed about, providing their own conjectures as to what had conspired.

Some said that it was the loss of the Evenstar's mother that finally drove her from the eaves of her home. Some said that she had been wounded. Some said that she had lost a lover.

And in some ways all of them were correct.

3019 of the Third Age

Aragorn's hand lifted and touched my chin, the warm fingers, I knew nearly as well as mine own, quivering.

I knew I should look up to meet what could only be his astonished stare. I knew that I should speak, to put his heart at ease, to assure him that I was not a phantom. But…I could not.

My eyes seemed riveted to the stones beneath my toes and nothing I did would cause them to budge. One name was frozen in my mind, one that I had thought I had forsaken all serious attachment to centuries ago. Legolas…

A lump caught in my throat and I was swept away in the torrent of memories that accompanied that name.

Why could I not move past this? Legolas and I had both agreed to this settlement. Not to mention that I was the one who had initiated the conversation. I had been the one to break the bond. Not Legolas.

If anyone should have healed it should have been me.

Aragorn's soft intake of breath brought me out of my thoughts.

I had to follow through with this. I could not be weak now. I had seen the future without Aragorn, heir of Isildur. I knew the blood baths that would result if I was not his 'star.

It was not that I did not love Aragorn. I did, very deeply. His rough exterior melted away in my presence, showing rich character and honest devotion to those he loved. I loved the way his eyes twinkled when he caught sight of me. I loved his tender touch and earnest words.

But I also cared for Legolas. I always had. His never ending fountain of mirth and joy, it was so bright and pure, bringing me comfort in the darkest of days. I knew the happiness we would experience and the joy it would give to so many. I knew the child I would bear and the way his bright eyes would sparkle. I knew the radiant beams of ecstasy that would encompass my life with Legolas.

Middle-Earth, however, would have no such happy ending.She would be swept away, a helpless rag doll in a flood of darkness and evil.

This battle that raged within me was one that would shape the very future of Middle-Earth and I could not—nay, would not have her fall to darkness after all she had prevailed against.

Swallowing my regrets and forcing back the golden images of a life that I could not experience, I slowly began to raise my eyes.

This was my future now.

My gaze met Aragorn's and I presented him with a tremulous smile.

I had made my choice.

There was no turning back.

Fini

As far as giving Arwen and Legolas a happy ending I might write another story with that as the focal point. But for now, I'm going to focus on finishing some other things first. And who knows? Maybe soon there will be a pre-Lord of Rings epic featuring betrayal, deceit, and lots of Legolas appearing under my author's page.

Again, thanks to you all!