Disclaimer: I still don't own Legolas, Middle Earth or anything that the great mind of Tolkien created. I do own Sidhion and Alerae, though.

Author's Note: I just wanted to clear something up. Legolas and Alerae have not bonded because Alerae is not an elf. And, for this particular story, we're gonna assume that even if Alerae was an elleth, they would have to both choose to bond for the bonding to actually occur. Thank you very much for reading and reviewing!

Legolas was lying on his bed when Alerae walked in. She sighed and sat down near him. He sat up and started removing the braids in her hair.

"How did it go, meleth?"

"Well, he knows almost everything now. It was rather difficult to tell him, though."

"I imagine it was." He rested his chin on her shoulder as he unlaced her dress.

"I am going to meet him early tomorrow for a horseback ride. He didn't tell me much of anything about himself, and I still have to tell him about us."

"Yes, you should do that."

"Thank you," she stood up and slipped out of the dress, now clad in only a slip, and went into the bathing chambers to change into a night dress. When she reemerged, she climbed into the bed next to Legolas and continued talking.

"Believe me, when I told him about how you found me, he was ready to tear you limb from limb."

Legolas smiled, "Well he is obviously as protective as most fathers are."

Alerae moved against his body and fell into a deep sleep in his arms. Once again, Legolas was left awake to contemplate what life would be like when he lost her.

The following morning, Alerae woke and bundled up, for the late winter air was as cold as ever. Leaving Legolas asleep in bed, she wandered down the hall towards the dining hall, where she could acquire breakfast. Elrohir, Elladan and some Elven lords were sitting at the table.

"Welcome, Lady Alerae, where is Legolas?"

"'Quel amrun, milords." She bowed respectfully.

"There is no need of that, arwenamin."

"Legolas is still abed."

"I see, he must be tired from the night's activities." Elrohir wore a sly grin.

Alerae did not blush, simply shook her head and sat down.

The elves shared polite conversation throughout the meal, and Legolas made an appearance about half way through.

"Legolas, I am going to meet my father here. He said he would be at morning meal, but he must be feeling a little overwhelmed. I assume that he did not get much sleep last night."

"Who didn't get much sleep?" Sidhion walked into the room and bowed respectfully, and then eyed the Prince warily.

"'Quel amrun, my lord." Alerae saw the dry exchange between her lover and her father.

"Alerae, I believe I told you that you do not need to address me with such formalities."

She nodded, and he held out his arm for her.

Alerae bid her friends farewell and then took her father's arm. He led her out of the dining hall towards the stables.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, very. Did you?"

"Well, I was awake most of the night, thinking about all that has been revealed to me."

"Milord, I mean, Sidhion, what happened after you left my mother?"

FLASHBACK (Sidhion's P.O.V.):

"I will cherish our time together forever, meleth nin."

"Do not say such things, Sidhion, do not dwell on our time together, and do not say that you love me. Friends, that is all we can be. I do not regret what happened between us but know that it cannot happen again."

I hung my head miserably. I knew of the notes she received daily, I also knew of the rape. How could I simply leave her? Home was calling, but my heart told me to stay.

"Sidhion, do not fret. I will always care for you."

"Please, I fear for you. What if he comes back? Your husband wasn't around the first time, what makes you think he will be there to prevent it."

"Sidhion, please, I can handle this myself. I do not need you to watch over me like a child. I beg of you, move on with your life, for giving your heart to me would be giving up your life. Do not involve yourself with my matters."

"How can I not? I am already involved. I will not forget you, arwenamin."

She smiled, a stray tear betraying her placid expression.

I embraced her one last time. If she wished this of me, I would comply.

END FLASHBACK

"After your mother convinced me to leave, I returned to Rivendell. She and I knew that I could not stay with her, for she was married, and she would be banished from her home if anyone were to find out about her affair."

"What did you think, reading that journal?"

"Many things, child, many things. Once I returned to my home, I could not take pleasure with elven maidens; I had little desire for any. I then discovered that I had truly loved your mother. Had I known that our night together had produced you, I would have returned to her, against her wishes."

The father and daughter approached the stables, and were met by the stable hands, busily cleaning up after the equine inhabitants.

Alerae went up to her beautiful mare, and led her out of her stall gently, while Sidhion found his own steed waiting for him.

After tacking the horses, the pair mounted and set off on the beautiful paths of Rivendell.

Father and daughter exchanged stories and shared pleasant conversation as the day continued on, although they were both experiencing many emotions at being with each other.

By noon, the horses were groomed and happily eating the hay that had been laid out for them.

"I have enjoyed getting to know you, my lord."

"You can refer to me however you wish, you do not have to use such formality."

"May I call you 'ada,' then?"

He cocked his head, it would certainly be odd to be addressed as 'ada' by anyone, but some part of him welcomed the idea, "Yes, of course, but I know that you had a loving father when you were growing up."

"Yes, but he was my father, and you are my ada." She smiled at him.

He escorted her back inside as they continued to talk to one another, now more relaxed in each other's presence.

"If you don't mind me asking, why is Prince Legolas here at all?"

"He was summoned here by Elladan and Elrohir to help with the removal of the orcs."

"And you came to find me?"

"Yes."

The two shared a quick lunch before heading back towards Sidhion's humble home.

"Creoso a'baramin." (Welcome to my home)

"This is very nice; have you lived here ever since you left my mother?"

"Yes, I built it with the help of some friends, and I have resided here since."

Alerae sat down at the table.

"You may stay here if you wish. My home is your home."

"Nay, I do not mean to offend you in any way, but I wish to stay in the twins' home, although this house is very beautiful, and welcoming."

"Well then, why not?"

Alerae shifted uncomfortably, but then regained her courage and decided on telling him the truth, "I wish to remain with the Prince."

"What?"

"Prince Legolas, I wish to remain with him."

"And why would you want that? You are staying in your own chambers, right?"

"Nay, I stay in his."

"What? You mean to say that you sleep with him?"

Alerae cringed, "Yes."

"Alerae, he is taking advantage of you, do you not see that? His intentions go no further than bedding you. I sincerely hope you have not been intimate."

"Yes, milord, ada, we have been intimate, and thanks to him, I now see many truths that I was previously blind to. Please, if you wish to scold someone, scold me, because he did not force himself on me at all."

"I thought that you… considering all that you have been through… oh, Valar."

Sidhion was shaking his head now, "Fine, daughter, I do not mean to be overprotective, but…"

"He is not taking advantage of me, ada. You of all people should know that elves do not usually take advantage, and you yourself once fell in love with a mortal woman."

"But you are no mortal; you have yet to choose whether or not to be of elf-kind or of the race of man."

"Nay, I made that choice, albeit in haste, I made it. I am mortal."

There was silence, as Sidhion realized that the young woman he had just welcomed in his life would eventually be lost.

Alerae sighed, knowing now the full extent of the choice she had made. She would be twenty-five soon, and she knew that she should have waited.

"Ada, I take my leave. Please, do not be concerned about me. I have made it through much, and I do not need you to worry for me."

"That is a father's job."

He watched her go, wishing that she was not going back to the Last Homely House.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Alerae returned to the room that she shared with Legolas and climbed into bed next to him after changing.

"I told him about us, Legolas."

"Mm, what did he say?"

"He was a little angry, but I am sure he will see that you mean me no harm."

Legolas smiled and responded by kissing her.

She sighed and pulled away, "Legolas, I am truly exhausted."

He nodded, pulled her close and placed a chaste kiss to her lips before they fell asleep.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Early next morning, the handmaiden burst into the room.

"Milord, milady, I have been instructed to wake you, for the celebration is this eve."

The couple drowsily left the bed, dressed in more appropriate attire, and left the room. Sidhion was sitting in the dining hall waiting for Alerae and he was not surprised to see his daughter walk in escorted by Prince Legolas, although it frustrated him.

He nodded to the Prince, although it was out of sheer formality, not respect that he did so.

Alerae sat down next to him and Legolas excused himself to talk to Elladan and Elrohir about that night.

Alerae and Sidhion shared a pleasant conversation. Father and daughter were now comfortable with one another, despite all they had been through, and Alerae was truly happy that she had met him, even though they still had much to learn about one another.

Legolas returned at noon with a handmaiden.

"Lady Alerae, I have been summoned to help you prepare for this evening."

Alerae stood up and politely excused herself, wondering what her father and Legolas would do or say now that she had left. She could only hope it would go well.

Sidhion was now seated next to the hearth. Legolas wasn't sure what to do with himself. He rarely felt so self-conscious, after all, he was the Prince of Mirkwood, what did he have to be worried about?

"If you would, your highness, please have a seat."

Complying, Legolas sat in the empty armchair across from Alerae's father. The resemblance between her and her father was prominent.

"I know that you are a prince, but know that she is my daughter, and I will go to any length to protect her, regardless of how long I have known her."

"I know, Lord Sidhion."

"I thank you sincerely for giving her the opportunity to leave the inn that she was forced to service. If it were not for you, I would never have met her."

Legolas nodded, staring at the fire.

"Do you love her? And before you answer, think long and hard. Love is not a trivial matter for an elf, or for any race."

Legolas did not need time to think about it though, he knew it. "Yes, indeed, I do love her, with all of my being."

"She is mortal."

"I know this. I loved her before she made that decision and I still love her."

Sidhion sighed. The love was there, plainly written across the Prince's face. There was no lie in his words.

"I truly care for her; I want to make her happy. I knew from the moment I met her that she would change me in some way."

"I trust that you have not forced her into doing anything that she does not agree to."

"Of course, I would never force anything on her. I love her. She is very changed from when I found her; she is now a confident maiden, hardly concerned with the fears that once consumed her."

"For this I am glad."

"I wish to speak with you about another matter, Lord Sidhion."

"Go on."

"Well, you already know how I feel, and I am not asking this of you simply to prove it, this has been my intention for some time now."

"Well, continue."

"May I have your daughter's hand in marriage?"

"You want to marry her?" Sidhion was thoroughly surprised; after all, this was the Prince of Mirkwood. He had to love Alerae with all of his heart if he wanted to marry her, and he had to be willing to fade when he lost her.

"Yes, and I assure you that this decision was not made in haste."

"I need some time, although now I do not doubt that your intentions are pure. It takes a lot of courage for an elf to admit that he loves a mortal."

Legolas nodded, "Will you have an answer for me by midday tomorrow? I will not ask her until I have your approval."

"Yes, I will. It is getting late; we should both go and ready ourselves for the festivities this evening." As Legolas turned to leave, Sidhion added, "And thank you, for finding her and bringing her to me safely."

Legolas smiled and then left the room, headed towards his own chambers.

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