A/N: This story is now complete! It came out at about 86 chapters, so I'm splitting it into three. Part 1 will run to about 40 chapters (haven't quite decided the split yet)

Eldarion had never before met as frustrating, annoying, spoiled and brattish a child as Prince Bain of Dale. For the last week all four of them had worked with Brúnor on developing their mental bond, communicating with each other with words and other methods and strengthening barriers so that they could choose which thoughts they shared. As Elboron had predicted however, feelings could not be blocked entirely, and neither could physical injury. Each day with Bain had been a trial. He sulked and moaned when he could not accomplish something first time, demanded the others do what he said, got angry when they were able to break down his feeble barriers and access his thoughts and whined when they refused to allow him into their own minds. Even Brúnor, the stoic ancient elf, was having a hard time maintaining his patience. Eldarion was at breaking point with the child.

"Thinking of the little delight?"

Eldarion lifted his head and saw Elboron looking at him from across the dining chamber in the palace, where the entire council was gathering in between yet more meetings to arrange alliances.

"How did you know? Did my barrier fail again?"

"No, you've been getting better at that," he said. "I could sense you were feeling a bit annoyed. And considering how everything else and everyone else here makes you deliriously happy I surmised there could only be one cause."

Eldarion rolled his eyes. "You know me too well, mellon nín." He looked across the room to where Bain was sitting with his father. Even from here he appeared to be sulking. "How can you stand him?"

"I can't," Elboron admitted, sighing. "It's taking all my effort not to let him know exactly what I think of him right now. I only hope he'll grow out of this, and quickly. I suppose he is just a child."

"Some child!" exclaimed Eldarion, remembering their session that morning when Bain had stamped his feet after discovering he could not speak across the link to Neniel, or any of them for that matter. "He thinks himself the most important creature in existence. He wants everyone and everything to fall at his feet. He has to be perfect, he has to be the best at everything and have everyone tell him so. He's impossible."

He sensed then that Elboron was laughing and looked towards him to see his friend suppressing a huge smirk on his face. "What's so funny?"

"You don't see it, do you?"

"What?"

"He's you!" Elboron was now having difficulty refraining from laughing out loud. "He's you at the same age."

"I was not that bad!" Eldarion sulked, folding his arms.

"You have a short memory, don't you?"

"You honestly see nothing of yourself in him?"

Eldarion thought of the amount of times he'd been told he was too arrogant, too sure of himself, too reckless, too headstrong …

"Shut up, Elboron," he grumbled, seeing Elboron collapse into laughter across the room.

His father, sitting at his side turned to him in confusion, then his eyes also crossed to Elboron who was grinning widely. "What did he say this time?" his father asked.

"He compared me to Bain," Eldarion huffed. "He said I used to be just like him."

To his utter dismay and astonishment, he saw a small smile play across his father's lips.

"You agree with him!"

"Not entirely," his father hastened to stay, his expression still amused however. "Though I do admit to there being a certain … resemblance in some aspects. And Elboron will certainly be one to remember that, considering how you acted with him in your early youth."

"Was I really that bad?" Eldarion asked, slumping in his chair.

"No," his father said. "You were never as … petulant. Your mother and I did spoil you, I confess. You were the first prince born of Gondor in almost an age and an event that we had both spent many years praying for. But you grew out of it. Mostly."

"You mean that I'm still self-important and entitled?" Eldarion said, and his father's smile vanished.

"I do not think that, Eldarion." His expression was serious. "I will not lie, you have been guilty of some arrogance in the past. But in recent months … you have demonstrated humility and courage of the highest degree."

Eldarion looked away from his father's intense gaze and instead stared at the table. He could not quite believe that.

"You should."

Eldarion's head shot up at the sound of Neniel's voice, caring not that he had just let his barriers slip. He met her eyes from her position next to her father. She smiled at him, and his heart felt lighter.

His father cleared his throat and brought Eldarion's attention back to him. His expression was guarded, but his hands were clasped tightly together. Eldarion felt himself about to be reprimanded for something.

"I should go," he said quickly, standing abruptly. "Brúnor has asked that we meditate in the palace gardens to focus our thoughts."

"Very well," his father said, but Eldarion had already begun to leave. He quickly made his way from the hall and ventured alone into the extensive gardens of the palace. The Elvenking's halls were located deep with an extensive cave system with the only entrance being a large causeway over a fast flowing river at the base of a waterfall, a place he easily recognised from his first vision of Neniel. As such, the grounds of the palace were located within the underground caverns in vast halls through which sunlight filtered in from above and on occasion windows in the rock led to balconies which looked out over the forest itself. As throughout the rest of the palace, huge roots crisscrossed the ceiling, melding with the rock itself, serving as walkways leading to yet more cave systems and halls. Eldarion could barely find his way around these. Underground streams flowed through the gardens, bringing greenery and sounds of life to the caverns. Life erupted along the length of these streams, strange trees and flowers, soft green banks and the rich smell of earth. It was a strange sensation, Eldarion thought as he wandered among the trailing branches. It was a beautiful place, peaceful and quiet, restful as the gardens of Minas Tirith, yet a canopy of stone covered the place making an odd mixture which led one to feel neither they were fully indoors or out. The air had a warm almost humid quality to it, heavily fragranced with plants and flowers. It was a place in which Eldarion felt sure a man could lay down to sleep and not awake again for a hundred years.

He walked along the gently lapping stream until he reached a small green bank where he sat down, back leaning against a thick root which had wound its way down from the lofty ceiling. He closed his eyes, listening to the singing of the water, running the grass through his fingers and waiting.

He did not wait long.

"It is beautiful here, is it not?"

Eldarion opened his eyes and saw Neniel standing before him, dressed in deep green which gave the impression that she had just arisen out of the garden around her. Her skin seemed to reflect the shining lights of the water as it run through the slivers of sunlight that penetrated the roof.

"Yes, beautiful," he murmured, and smiled as she came to sit beside him. She closed her eyes and a softness came over her features.

"It is here I used to feel relaxed," she said. "The trees and the water combine to create a place which has always soothed my heart and made me glad."

Eldarion sat up a little, sensing something amiss. "But it does not now?"

She opened her eyes and looked at him sadly. "Not since my capture," she said. "The stone walls mar this place for me now."

"Perhaps in time that will change," he said, wishing to comfort her, hating the defeated expression he saw in her eyes. "You can once again find joy in what you used to love."

"Perhaps," she said, though her tone clearly told him she did not believe it. "I fear … I fear that I will never again experience the peace I once used to."

"That happened to my grandmother," Eldarion said, making her look at him questioningly. "She was attacked by Orcs in the Misty Mountains and tormented terribly. She lost all joy in Middle-Earth and left for the Undying Lands. I've never met her."

"I am not quite at that stage yet," Neniel said, a ghost of a smile gracing her face. "Already I am beginning to feel more at ease."

As she said this, she opened her mind to his, and he did the same to her, and together they sat in silence for a while, sharing in each other's thoughts and feelings. The heaviness in his heart which had seemed to always lie there since the first Orc attack was eroding away, and he could sense the same happening with her. The darkness inside her was easing the same way his was too.

"Tell me about your people," he said eventually. He found he wanted to know everything about her. He wanted her eyes on his face and to hear her voice. He wanted to remind her of good times and hear her laugh once more. "The Water Elves".

She heard his thoughts, and she smiled. "They are very different from other Elves," she said. "We live our lives slowly, in time with the lapping of the lake. We do not fight, we do not journey, we live our lives in pursuit of happiness, singing and dancing, and sitting under the stars for days on end trying to count and name them all."

"It doesn't sound much different from other Elves to me," he said, laughing.

"Then perhaps I need to show you," she said. "I would love for you to see the Sea of Rhûn, to bathe in its waters and see the starlight reflected off the deep water. It is another world entirely. Since our near annihilation an age ago we do not involve ourselves in anything. We are isolated and independent."

"Like Hobbits?"

Neniel laughed loudly, and the sound seemed to make the garden bloom even brighter. "I suppose you could say that," she said, eyes twinkling. "We do not welcome visitors, but I could perhaps persuade my grandfather to make an exception."

"I would love to see it."

"Perhaps after this war is over," she said, and a shadow fell over her face again.

Eldarion despaired at the shadow, and before he knew what he was doing he had reached out and took her hand in his. Her eyes snapped to his, and her mouth fell open in surprise. She did not remove her hand.

"We will go," he promised her. "We will get that chance."

"I believe you," she said, looking down at their hands, still entwined together. "I would like to show you. It has been a while since I was there, and I miss my family. We did not part on good terms. My grandfather wished to make me an official ambassador."

"And you refused?"

"I was selfish," she said, her voice trembling, and he tightened his hold on her hand. "I wanted nothing more than to pursue my own pleasure, and I believed having an official role would take me from that. I have always been so thoughtless and flighty."

Eldarion laughed gently. "I have been accused of that myself."

"You?" she asked in disbelief. "You who always fulfils his duty? You fully embrace your role as prince where I have never been much of a princess."

"You fought against those Orcs," he reminded her. "You fought to protect your people."

"They were only in danger because of me," she said.

"You were so brave in captivity. The warriors all spoke highly of you. You kept their faith. They love you, Neniel, and there is a reason for that."

She met his eyes again, and another spark went through him, and he found himself unable to speak.

"And you?" she asked. "Your men love you too. Do you think that is deserved? I know that you do not, I have seen it in your mind."

He sighed and looked down. "I cannot argue with that," he answered. "I feel that their only loyalty for me is due to my father. I have certainly never done anything to warrant their love. All I have done is cause trouble. How many of my father's men died because I was too prideful to ask for help when Elboron and I first began experiencing visions?"

Neniel placed her other hand over his, and she smiled. "We are both of us damaged in our own ways," she said. "Through this bond, perhaps we can be a comfort to one another."

He nodded, and looked down at their hands, still held tightly within each other's. He joined his other hand to hers and gently ran his fingers over her soft skin. Her fingers moved over his, leaving in their wake a warm sensation which made him shudder. He could feel the sensation as if he were experiencing it from her perspective as well, doubling the pleasure he felt. He remembered vividly the last time they had sat like this, in the dungeons of Mordor. He had been so bereft of hope then, but her smile, her laughter had given him strength. Hearing this thought, she laughed aloud and he joined her, his mind going blank. He looked up and saw her face close to his, aglow with joy.

"Lalaith," he murmured, eyes trailing over her face. He found himself inching closer, bending his face towards hers.

At that moment, the bliss ended, and he suddenly became aware of himself again. He hesitated, and then pulled back. A small frown crossed her brow and he cursed himself. What was he thinking?

The sound of crunching leaves met their ears, and they dropped their joined hands. Elboron soon came into view, and it was evident from his expression he knew exactly what had just been going on. Eldarion could already sense his disapproval.

"Your father sent me to find you," he said pointedly. "He seemed to think you shouldn't be alone."

"Then come and sit," Neniel said brightly, smiling warmly as Elboron sat near them, apparently heedless of his distinct embarrassment. "We were discussing our families."

Were we? Eldarion was too dazed to remember.

"Ah," said Elboron, and his expression fell. Clouds of darkness were chasing around his own mind, and Eldarion was brought back to reality in concern for his friend.

"You feel embarrassed when with your family," Neniel said softly. "You're ashamed. Why is that?"

Elboron blushed at her directness. "You mean in that council last week? Would you not feel embarrassed? I always look like such a coward in front of others. And I am."

"That isn't true," Neniel and Eldarion said together. Eldarion met his friend's eyes. "I've told you before that you have courage. You have saved both our lives before."

"Perhaps, but I cannot speak in council meetings without appearing a fool," he said, staring at the ground. "I could not answer Thranduil at the feast. My father is such a great leader of men, he commands respect and love by his actions and his words, and the same for my mother, the slayer of the Witch-King. People follow me because they are told to, because I was given a title I earned just by being born."

"A feeling I know too well," said Neniel, reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder. "I am the link between two kingdoms whether I want to be or not. Ever since my birth I have been expected to join the two. I have not earned the respect of either kingdom."

"And I have certainly not matched my father's deeds," said Eldarion. "How could I ever? All I will ever be known as is the son of Elessar."

Neniel met his eyes sharply here but did not reply. Instead, she smiled at both and took their hands.

"A well-matched group are we," she said. "Living in the shadows of our parents."

"Are we who we are simply because of them?" Elboron asked. "Has fate destined us all to be nothing more than their children? We are special only because of our blood, that is why we are part of this prophecy. Is that all we are?"

The three sat in silence for a moment, their minds opened and their despondency shared. But it did not last long.

"I do not believe so," Neniel said. She looked at Eldarion. "I told you before that you should not try to outmatch your father. Let his example guide you and allow you to become who you were meant to be. The world does not need another Elessar. Be proud of being his son. Do not be burdened by the title 'Son of Elessar'; embrace it. And you," she said, looking at Elboron, "you shall find your courage. Stop searching for it so hard."

As gracefully as a deer, she stood and bid them both to do likewise. "Wander here a while longer," she said. "Soothe your feet in the water, take in the smell of the world around you and be restful. We must be prepared for what will follow."

She turned and left them then, disappearing fully into the garden as swiftly as a shadow, leaving Eldarion and Elboron standing side by side. He remained watching the spot she had disappeared for several minutes.

"Stop it."

"Stop what?" Eldarion asked as he turned back to Elboron. His friend just raised an eyebrow.

"This is dangerous territory, Eldarion," he said. "I know I've been teasing you about this for months, but you cannot let this keep going."

"And why not?" he asked indignantly.

"You said so yourself, we're at war," Elboron said gently. "What can come of this? Is this really the right time to be thinking of such things? And then there's the fact that she's the princess of another kingdom which you cannot afford to offend by pursuing her."

"I know all of that," Eldarion said, sighing heavily. "But … Elboron, you can sense my thoughts. You know how I feel about her."

"I do, and that is why you need to be careful that this doesn't go too far. And also," Elboron said, looking awkward. "When you're with her, your barriers slip. Nay, they crash completely. Your little private liaisons aren't exactly private."

Eldarion groaned. He hadn't even considered that. He could feel his cheeks flushing. "Do you think … oh Valar, does Bain know as well?"

"I don't think so," Elboron said, grimacing. "For some reason his mind and mind seem to be more closely linked than yours and his are."

"Neniel and I are both of Elvish blood and you and Bain are both descended from the Men of the North," Eldarion said. "Perhaps that's why we are more strongly linked."

"Maybe," agreed Elboron. "He seems to hear my thoughts more often than yours. Lucky me."

Eldarion couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, just your luck Elboron. I link my mind with a beautiful elf maiden and you link yours with a spoiled brat."

"Hilarious," said Elboron, and his expression was so morose that Eldarion just laughed harder.

It wasn't long before Elboron too joined in the laughter. The garden around them suddenly seemed a fairer place.

A/N: Next update will be soon!