Oh boy, we are getting down to the wire here! Hope you enjoy Chapter 36!

There was an obvious change in the relationship between Saelhir and Breigel after the Autumn Festival. They had been virtually inseparable for months, but even those who did not know them at all could see the shift from childhood friends to something else, something more. Though cautious at first, Saelhir quickly gave up fighting his feelings. Breigel knew how he felt, and so he let his guard down. He was only partially conscious of his actions when he would hold her to him possessively as they walked, or when he would brush his fingers through her hair, or when he sought out her hand whenever they were next to one another talking, regardless of the company they were in.

Breigel was more hesitant, but she never shied away from Saelhir's gestures of affection. She accepted them all calmly, smiling shyly and blushing far more in that first week than she had in virtually her entire life before that point. But she enjoyed the attention, and felt comfortably at peace with Saelhir's declaration of love. She knew at some point she would have to address her own thoughts on the issue, but she stubbornly refused to think on it. Though she would never admit it, deep at the root of her dilemma she knew it was fear that kept her from admitting anything more than a strong affection for her friend; fear of him leaving her again and of having to live with a broken heart.

But she could not hide from her feelings completely. She was blindsided unexpectedly one evening when she went to visit Merilwen and Gelfaer to see how their new daughter was doing.

"Are you going to hold her this time?" Saelhir asked lovingly as they strolled lazily towards the small cottage where his brother and sister-in-law lived. Breigel was still getting used to the powerful emotions she could feel from Saelhir now that he was not hiding them, and it took her a moment to recover before she could respond.

"If Gelfaer lets me," she said with a chuckle, trying to hide the shiver that ran down her spine. "He is more possessive of that little girl than my father is of my mother, if that is possible."

"I can sympathize with your father," Saelhir said softly, giving her a swift kiss on the temple, his meaning clear. This comment made Breigel blush and look down at the path in front of them quickly. She was glad when they reached the cottage. They entered to see a blissfully happy Merilwen perched on a couch in the sitting room, holding Edlothiel and singing softly.

"How are they both doing?" Saelhir asked under his breath as Gelfaer shut the door behind them, Breigel quickly extracting herself from Saelhir's grip and joining Merilwen on the couch.

"Absolutely wonderfully," Gelfaer said, the silly grin he had worn since his daughter's birth still in place. "Edlothiel is an energetic little thing, but Merilwen is a wonderful mother and has been glowing more brightly every day."

"I can see that," Saelhir said, noticing how Merilwen positively lit up as she talked about the babe in her arms, shifting around so Breigel had a better view.

"You appear to be glowing a little bit these days too, you know," Gelfaer muttered under his breath, raising an eyebrow at his younger sibling with a knowing look in his eyes. "I guess I was right."

"About what?"

"You have changed. Don't deny it. Even if Naneth did not insist upon talking about it every time we had a conversation, it is rather obvious that you are in love with your Princess over there."

"What are you whispering about, herven?" Merilwen asked, interrupting Saelhir before he could retort, though Gelfaer gave him a triumphant smirk at the blush that passed over the younger ellon's face.

"I'm just teasing Saelhir, my love. Do you need anything? Princess, would you like anything?" Both ellith shook their heads, so Gelfaer sat in an armchair near his wife while Saelhir settled onto the arm of the couch beside Breigel, loath to have her out of his reach for very long. He listened contentedly while she and Merilwen spoke rapidly about the elfling squirming restlessly in the latter's arms. Saelhir smiled at the thought that the two finally had something to talk about. They had never had much in common before, but they both apparently adored children. Saelhir was exceedingly pleased with that thought.

"What a little gem she is," Breigel cooed happily once Merilwen had passed the squirming child over to the Princess. "Any more indications that she is going to be like your uncle?"

"Other than the fact that she is quite vocal and never sits still? No. But it has only been a week. I dread to think what will happen once she starts walking."

"It won't be long," Gelfaer admitted grudgingly. "If she gets to be too much to handle we can always make him babysit."

"Absolutely not!" Merilwen said, horrified. "Unless someone else is watching him too, he will not be alone with our child. He is a terrible influence."

"He thought you would say that," Saelhir said with a laugh. "He admitted a while ago that he did not think you would ever let him watch the babe."

"Perhaps I should not be around either," Breigel said warmly. "You both know quite well what a corrupting influence I was."

"I still turned out alright," Saelhir said, tucking her hair behind her ear. She gave him a radiant smile that almost knocked him off the couch. Had she not looked back at the squirming Edlothiel so quickly, he might not have maintained his seat.

"Only because your mother saved you from me," she said, standing with the tiny elfling in her arms. "She is a handful, isn't she? Here, see if you can work your magic again." Gently, she handed his niece to him, standing close as she settled the bundle into his arms. It took a few moments, but the struggling and gurgling child relaxed in his hands, blinking up at him with intelligent eyes.

"How did you do that?" Merilwen asked, eyes wide in surprise. "Unless she tires herself out, she never sits still." Saelhir just shrugged, smiling as he began speaking softly to the babe in his arms.

"She knows she is safe with her uncle," Breigel said as if it were obvious. The smile on her face faltered when Saelhir looked up at her. She suddenly felt rather breathless, the air thick in the room as she stared into his eyes. She could not help her thoughts from fixating on an image of Saelhir sitting just as he was now, holding not his niece but a different elfling, with dark brown hair and familiar green eyes.

"Excuse me, I'll be right back," she said with a squeak. "I need some air." She dashed quickly out of the house, three pairs of eyes following her hasty retreat.

"What just happened?" Gelfaer asked, looking back at his brother. Saelhir shrugged, completely lost as to why Breigel had unexpectedly fled. Merilwen, however, smiled.

"I take it that she is aware of your love for her now?" she asked gently. Saelhir flushed again but nodded. "My dear sweet brother, I think you frightened her terribly just now. But do not worry, she will be fine. She just needs a moment to recover."

"What do you mean?" Saelhir asked, frowning at the idea that he had inadvertently upset Breigel.

"I think that is something you should discuss with her, though I am not sure she will be very forthcoming."

Breigel did what she usually did when she was upset; she went to the archery range. Too lost in thought to think about getting her own bow, she grabbed a practice one and began shooting, barely registering her own shots. There were a handful of other elves shooting nearby, but they largely ignored her just as she ignored them.

Had she been a lesser archer, her aim might have suffered from her distraction. But it was so natural to her that it took only a few shots to get the feel of her new bow before she was hitting the bullseye each time without having to focus on aiming. It gave her the chance to let her thoughts wander to where they had been in Gelfaer and Merilwen's house.

She had avoided thinking too much on the possibility of a future with Saelhir, but the unexpected vision her mind had concocted of him holding their child had brought the issue to the fore. And she had no idea what to do about it. She loved Saelhir, but did she love him that much? Was she at all ready for a serious relationship like that? Would she lose him if she did not commit? Would she lose herself if she did? Could she ever be worthy of him? Was it worth the risks?

She thought herself in circles for some time, unable to find the answers she was after. Even the soothing song of her arrows hitting the target was less calming than usual. She about jumped out of her skin when Saelhir spoke from behind her.

"Are you alright, Bree?" he asked, coming up beside her hesitantly. She could see the worry in his eyes as she briefly looked at him before trying to focus on the target instead.

"I'm fine," she said quickly, sending an arrow flying.

Both elves stared at the target, eyes on the arrow that had just thudded into it. She had missed. Not by much, but the arrow was not in the center circle, and both of them were shocked.

"You are not fine," Saelhir said anxiously. "I have not seen you miss a shot since you came to Idhrenodol. Did I do something?"

"No, of course not," Breigel said quickly. She tried another arrow. She hit the center again, but it took all of her focus to steady her shaking hands. She could not do this with Saelhir watching her the way he was.

"Merilwen thinks you ran off because of something I did, but she wouldn't explain. Please, just tell me what I did so I can fix it."

"It's not something you can fix, Saelhir," she said with a sigh. There was no point continuing her archery in this state, so she trudged down the field to the target, Saelhir following with a frown as he watched her closely. "Believe me, it is nothing you did. I was just surprised by a rather…unexpected thought." She wasn't sure if those was the right words to explain the shock she had gone through, but she did not wish to worry him further. Nor did she wish to tell him exactly what thought had caused her anxiety.

"It must have been quite troubling for it to affect you like this," Saelhir commented, pausing as she took arrows from the target. She was reaching up to take one when he snatched her hand out of the air. "Bree, you're shaking."

"It's nothing," she said quickly, pulling her hand out of his as if his touch burnt her. Saelhir's scowl deepened.

"Please, tell me what is wrong. Is this because I told you I love you? Do you wish for me to leave you alone?"

"No!" Breigel said quickly, grabbing his arm as he made to move away from her. "No, I don't want you to leave. Yes, it is partially because of that, but it is my fault, not yours. I can't tell you exactly what is wrong, but believe me, I do not want you to avoid me either."

"Are you certain?"

"Yes."

Saelhir stared at her for a while, trying to determine her honesty. With a sigh, he finally looked away, pulling her arrows from the target. Breigel took them and slid them back in the quiver, trying her hardest not to let her hands shake in the process. As she put the last one away, she was pulled into a tight embrace. She went rigid for a moment before relaxing into Saelhir, finding comfort in his arms despite the surge of emotions that he elicited in her.

"I am sorry for whatever upset you. If there is anything I can do to make it better, I will do it." Breigel was silent for a moment before she leaned back, looking up at him with a smile.

"Will you let me come over for a late dinner at your house?"

"Of course," he said with a smile, hooking her arm through his. "I am quite hungry since we missed dinner at Gelfaer's."

"Sorry," Breigel mumbled. "I suppose Edlothiel wasn't too happy to have you leave, either."

"Actually, she started fussing not long after you left. So much for my magic touch." His comment made Breigel grin.

"There you are sellnin," Legolas said with a gentle smile, sitting down beside his daughter as she enjoyed an afternoon in the gardens, waiting for Saelhir to finish with training. It had been about a week since the Autumn Festival, and Breigel had come to terms with the strange situation she found herself in with Saelhir. It might not be perfect, but she was happy. She smiled around at her father, noting that his own smile seemed a little forced. She was instantly wary.

"Hello Ada. Were you looking for me?"

"I was indeed. Your mother and I have been talking, and I am afraid you might not be happy to hear what we have been discussing." Her smile fell. She could guess what he was going to say, but she remained silent, waiting for him to continue. "We need to start heading back to Taurost before the snow sets in. We have decided we need to leave in about three weeks. It will give us another month to get home before the heavy snow falls near the mountains."

"So soon?"

"We have to get home, sweetheart. Your grandfather expected us back during the summer. Your mother and I put it off this long because we knew how happy you were here, and so Aerlinniel could get her affairs in order before our departure. But we cannot put it off any longer."

"Can I stay here?"

"It is your choice if you wish to stay for another season, but I would advise against it. I am sure Lord Elrond would not mind, but you are supposed to be starting your training with your mother this spring. She has already made plans to visit Valmar again as soon as the snow melts."

Breigel looked down at her hands. She was an adult now. She had to start taking her responsibilities as a princess of Taurost seriously, as much as it pained her to do so. She could not refuse the invitation to return to Valmar. Sorrowfully, she nodded her understanding.

"Alright. Thank you for telling me."

"I know you wish to stay longer, but it cannot be helped right now. Spend what time you can with Saelhir and start discussing when he is going to return to Taurost." Breigel was too deep in her miserable thoughts of leaving to register what her father said. Absentmindedly, she nodded. Legolas kissed his daughter's forehead pulling her into a one-armed hug briefly before leaving her to her thoughts.

Saelhir looked up from his bag, surprised to see Breigel standing in front of him, looking rather miserable.

"What's wrong, Bree?"

"Ada just told me we are leaving in three weeks," she said sadly, staring at a spot on the bench beside his gear. Saelhir felt like he had been slapped. He knew the royals would not be staying for much longer, but three weeks seemed far too short a time to prepare himself for their departure.

"Come on," he said, hoisting his gear over his shoulder and holding out his hand for her. "Let's go talk about this somewhere else." He could feel the recruits around him watching, and he knew the conversation they were going to have would not be one he wanted overheard. Breigel took his hand and let him lead her away, eyes fixed on the ground as she followed him. He could feel the depths of her sorrow. He had always been in tune with her emotions, but the only time he had felt them so strongly was when he left Taurost. He could feel the same misery.

Instead of taking her into his house, he went around the back, entering the tiny private garden nestled in the trees. He did not often come here, not unless he had something heavy to think about. But this was definitely one of those times, and he knew it was the best place to have a conversation without being overheard. He led her inside, closing the gate behind them and throwing his gear in a heap. The latch had just clicked shut when he felt her wrap her arms tightly around his waist, burying her face in his back.

"I don't want to go," she mumbled into his tunic. "I already lost you once. I cannot go through that again."

"I know, Bree," he said softly, gently prying away her hands so he could turn and look at her. "I do not want you to go either. But we knew you would leave eventually. Taurost is your home."

"It is your home, too," Breigel said, looking up at him with tears in her eyes. It broke his heart to see such emotion from her. He had not seen her cry since the day he left her in the rain. He had no desire to go through that again. He smiled sadly, taking her hands and leading her towards the frog pond, the lily pads shining in the fading light. He sat with his back against a willow tree, pulling her down beside him. She followed, sinking to her knees in front of him.

"Taurost was my home," Saelhir said sadly. "And I would very much like it to be again. But my family is here, Bree. My new niece is here. I cannot leave them so abruptly, as much as I want to go with you."

"I want to stay here with you. If you are going to stay for a while, then I should too."

"You have been away from home for almost six years, Bree. I think your family will miss you. Don't you miss Taurost?"

"Of course I do," she said, looking down at her lap. "But I will miss you more. I remember too well what it was like the first time we parted. I felt like someone had ripped out my heart. I lost my appetite, nothing made me happy…You are too important to me, Saelhir." She looked up at him and he could see the tears starting to fall. He wished he could take away all this pain. He knew it was because of him that she cried, that she had suffered so much.

"I would take away all your pain if I could," he said softly, taking her hand and kissing her palm. "I know how much it hurts. I felt the same when I left. I should have known then how much I loved you. I should have realized it and stayed despite everything my mother did to bring me here. Just know that this time, it will not be for long. I do not think I could go another year, let alone another four decades, without seeing you. Someday soon, I will return to Taurost for you. Remember that."

Breigel launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly as she lay across his lap, sobbing into his shoulder. Saelhir buried his face in her neck, hoping that he could remove some of the heartbreak just by holding her to him. Now that she knew he loved her, there was no guilt or embarrassment at holding her so intimately. Now that he knew she loved him, no matter what that meant in the end, he knew that she would accept his affection.

"When you come back," she whispered softly after her sobs died down, "will you stay?" She was still curled up in his lap, her face buried in his shoulder. Saelhir smiled, tightening his grip around her waist.

"Of course I will," Saelhir replied gently. "You will not be able to get rid of me." He was rewarded for this comment with a tiny laugh. Breigel slowly sat up, wiping away her tears as she looked down at him, sad smile on her face.

"I would never want to get rid of you."

"Even if I keep getting cornered by ellith trying to seduce me?" She raised her eyebrow.

"I will just have to keep getting rid of them, instead," Breigel assured him. "Or I'll keep you locked up where they can't find you."

"That is a bit unsettling, but I can't help but find your possessiveness adorable all the same," Saelhir said with a grin, unable to stop himself from leaning forward and kissing her cheek. Breigel blushed a dark red and looked away, her golden hair coming forward to cover her embarrassment. Saelhir gently pushed it back behind her ear, letting his fingers slide through the silky locks.

"How long have you known that you love me?"

Saelhir paused, surprised by her question. She did not look at him when she asked, but he could tell she was anxiously waiting to hear his answer.

"Since the night you first got to Idhrenodol," he answered honestly. "I was talking to my father when you walked in with your parents, and I could not finish my sentence, I was so blown away by how radiant you were. I had never seen anything as beautiful as you." Breigel blushed again, but he saw the corner of her mouth twitch as she smiled. "I could not bring myself to talk to you though. I did not know how to talk to a princess. You had never been one before. I hated the fact that I loved you, because I thought you were too good for me. I still think that. You are too wonderful for someone as mediocre and uninteresting as me."

"To me, you are the most interesting and wonderful person in the world," Breigel said, finally meeting his gaze again. "Because you are the only person who sees the real me: the one that doesn't have a title, the one that is flawed and imperfect. And you love me for it anyway."

"You are perfect. Flaws and all." Saelhir hoped that she would kiss him then, hoping that maybe she felt the same way about their conversation as he did. But instead she shifted in his lap, settling between his knees and leaning back against his chest with a sigh. Though disappointed, he wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, resting his cheek on her head as he closed his eyes. He knew he shouldn't get his hopes up. She still needed to figure things out on her own. He had to be patient.

That was the position Icaria found them in later that evening. She had gotten worried when Saelhir had not come home, so she began looking for him. She had checked the garden on a whim, and found Saelhir leaning against the weeping willow beside the pond, Breigel curled up against his chest, both of them fast asleep. She quietly slipped back inside, leaving them in peace. It was not terribly surprising to see, though she smiled at how comfortable they looked together. She knew that it would not be long before Breigel left. They deserved to have whatever time they could together before that happened.

So, what did you think? It was full of cliches and a bit rushed, but I hope it wasn't too terrible. Thanks to Shorty McGee, courtnie. cambelle, brooklyn. meyer. 9, and Aquafin for your reviews. Love hearing from you all!