(A/N: thanks Lilena, little-lost-one, and Kaiirei. Yep, she's gonna be extremely pissed when they leave. *mwahaha*)

We were so happy that night- almost acting like some of the men that had started to arrive after they had had too many drinks- they called it being 'drunk'. However, we did not have any drinks that night.

"Remember, it is not official, meleth-nîn," he said, grabbing my arm and smiling.

"Oh, yes I know, but I can not help but be excited!"

"I have yet to tell my father," he said, looking worried. I nodded, looking worried too, but he softly kissed me, intoxicating me with his soft lips- reassuring me that everything would be okay.

Four days and three nights we had spent time together- one day, in the mid- time, he was chasing me through the woods.

"You can not catch me," I yelled back at him, "I am far swifter than you!" He just laughed and ran faster than I thought he could run, snatching me up and running around wildly. I looked ahead.

"Legolas, what are you-" It was a bit of a shock- the cold water engulfing me and entering my mouth as I spoke. I swam back up, where I saw Legolas laughing at me.

"Legolas you Lencundu- what were you thinking?"

He laughed, "I was thinking how you look so beautiful when you are cross."

I laughed at this too, and he kissed me softly, stroking my cheek with one hand and looking for my hand with the other. I took this opportunity to splash him.

He pouted, "Canyaiel," and started to whine. I just laughed and swam back to the shore, running away.

Five days had passed since then when Glorfindel's horse- Asfaloth had returned with a hobbit- who was carrying the ring. I saw Lord Elrond rush up and carry him in. The next day, a man- Aragorn, and three other hobbits came, along with other men and even dwarves.

"Oh, look at them!" I said, pointing at the elves. Legolas pulled my hand down.

"Do not point."

"They are so small and adorable!"

He rolled his eyes, "It is a dwarf." I just laughed.

"You are jealous?"

He shook his head, "No!" It was a bit too quick though. I laughed.

"You are by far more adorable, though," I added quickly, kissing him.

He smiled, "Good." I just laughed.

We had normally been in the same bed at night, and I would creep back into my room later, so I would not fall asleep with him- something that was considered immoral before marriage, so immoral that even I would not go against it.

I suppose I accidentally fell asleep with him, for when I woke up I was not in the bed I was staying in- rather Legolas's room, which was I could immediately tell for the splendor that decorated his room. He was not next to me, however. I got out of the bed and looked in the mirror- I was wearing a plain white dress, something that most Imladris Elves of non- royal descent wore. I combed my hair and walked outside, looking for Legolas- how many days did I have left with him before he returns to Mirkwood?

I saw two hobbits- I believe their names were Merry and Pippin- waiting behind one of the two pillars that made the gateway which led to a private porch of Lord Elrond that I had only seen once. On the marble floored porch was a table before Lord Elrond. Seated around the table were Lord Elrond's counselors, including Saelbeth; the humans- Estel and another man I did not know; hobbits- Bilbo, who had lived in Imladris for a little while, and another hobbit who was carrying the ring; Mithrandir; two dwarves who looked to be related; Glorfindel; the dark haired elf; and Legolas.

I quickly his behind the other pillar, listening intently to the argument that was going on. At once I heard feet making noise upon the marble.

"We must destroy the ring-"

"No! Let us use it against the enemy-"

"Have you not been listening? It shall not work-"

"Let us send it to Tom Bombadil!" Suddenly I could not distinguish the different opinions and everyone started shouting and yelling. To tell the truth, it was hurting my sensitive ears.

"I will take the ring," a soft voice said. I looked over at the other pillar and noticed Merry and Pippin looking very interested.

"I will take the ring, though I do not know the way." My heart sank with pity for the hobbit who did not know what he was getting into. I hung my head in both respect and shame.

Mithrandir stood, "I will help you bear this burden, as long as it is yours to bear."

Estel stood up, "I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn; and if by life or death I can save you, I will."

"You have my bow." I strained to see who was speaking- I knew it was an elf but- Legolas. My heart stopped. I could not breathe. I wanted more than anything in the world to jump into the meeting and go with them- but I did not.

"And my axe," said a gruff voice. I looked and saw the younger of the two dwarves walk up to them. I heard a rustling in the bushes and peered my head out further- it was a hobbit.

"But you won't send him off alone surely, Master?" the hobbit cried.

Lord Elrond just smiled, "No indeed! You at least shall go with him. It is hardly possible to separate you from him, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not."

The two hobbits that were hiding near me jumped out of the pillar. After a bit of commotion, Lord Elrond agreed to let them go with them. They were to stay one more night before leaving. Our people were leaving soon, also. More and more were sailing.

Only a few were left- mainly the men who were to fight in the apparent war that was to come. My sister had sailed a few days ago. I was one of the few maidens left. The meeting was over and people were starting to prepare to their journeys home. They left for their separate ways. Lord Elrond walked down the steps and saw me. He looked grave, but not cross.

"You must leave with your people."

"Yes, lord," I sighed sadly, "I do not leave willingly."

"There is nothing left in Middle Earth."

"Yes, yes there is," I insisted, "There are many places I have never been to- people I have not met-"

"And there is more in Valinor. Canyaiel, this is your destiny. Lead what is left of our people from Middle Earth, lead them to safety and from harm."

"No, I can not do this," I said, my voice growing slightly louder, "You're not leaving. I do not wish to leave yet- what of Elladan and Elrohir- what of Glorfindel- what of Legolas? I can not leave them behind- in fact, I refuse to. Not until this world I care for so much is safe-"

"It will not ever be out of harm's way-"

"I will not leave until this war is over. Then, and only then, I shall sail west."

Lord Elrond sighed- in defeat, "I suppose I can not make you sail before you wish to. It may be unsafe to stay here."

"Where would you like me to go?"

"Go to Lórien- go through the High-Pass. The fellowship will be going through the Redhorn Pass; you should avoid that as Sauron's servants will surely be lurking there."

I nodded.

"Go as soon as possible, tomorrow morning. Leave with Glorfindel- and Saelbeth- I can not send too many Elves for that would be endangering."

It was silent for a moment before I asked, "Lord Elrond, why are you allowing me to go?"

He just smiled, "You will not have it any other way. You must prepare for your journey now. Retrieve your horse and bring only what is necessary- wear your riding garments and your weapons. You will not need anything else." I nodded and ran back to my home, took my clothing garments, my cloak, and sighed.

This would be the last time I ever saw my home. I took my trunk and items and dragged them back to the palace.

"Can I trust that someone will take these things when sailing tomorrow?" I asked. Lord Elrond nodded. I looked through my trunk and found a piece of parchment, to which I wrote:
'To Elenya, Calwaiel, or Alcarino: keep this until I arrive, love, Canyaiel.'

"Go to sleep, you have quite a journey ahead of you. I have told Glorfindel and Saelbeth of your journey. Be at the stables before sunrise and I shall see you off." I nodded. This would be the last day or night I spend in Imladris- my home for two-thousand-seven-hundred-ninety-six years.

I walked to the bedroom I was staying at and placed my riding dress and cloak on the bed. I opened the dresser, took out my sword and bow and arrows, and placed them on the bed.

"There you are." I turned around.

"Where have you been? I have been seeking you."

"Legolas," I growled and turned away.

"Why are you cross with me?" he asked, touching my cheek and turning my face toward his.

"I suppose you could not tell me of your journey?" I said snappily. I fidgeted with my fingers, playing with the ring- feeling the cool metal slide up and down my finger. He held my face in his hands, making me break my view of the large pale pink gem which was on the mithril.

"I can not accept this," I said, taking off the ring. I forced his hand from my face and turned it upwards. I placed the ring in his palm, "It is yours."

"I gave it to you" he said, placing it back on my finger.

"Gwennin in enninath, we have both changed. Perhaps for the better," I murmured softly, taking the ring off, "Our love was in the past. Hebo ha ennas."

"No, you gave up on our love- I thought you were stronger than that. Anírich ú-rena si?"

"No, Legolas, you are wrong," I said, fighting back the tears, "You are the one that wishes to forget. You are the one that gave up." I handed him his ring.

"Sen navaer," I paused, "an-uir."

"Can you truthfully look back, years later, and say you will have no regrets?"

"I have made many foolish choices in the past, even my immortality can not take that away."

"Will you have regrets- about us?" he looked at me, looking for a trace of something- anything, a sign, "Estelio nin."

"I have lost faith in you," I turned to walk away, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back. He kissed me but I pushed him away and walked outside. Then I realized that he was still in my room, and that I had just walked out on my room. Sometimes I was far too stupid. I sighed, contemplating what to do. I walked into his room and stayed there the rest of the day- and I fell asleep there.

I woke up, my eyes adjusting to the dark. There were hands around my waist. I peeled them off, almost in a disgusted manner. I looked outside- it was very early morning. I walked back to my room, making sure no one could see or hear me in the dark corridor. I changed into my riding outfit, threw my cloak over it, and placed my weapons on my back.

"Where are you going?"

"Why do you care for me? It is not of anybody's importance except me."

"Keep your secrets. I see we can no longer trust each other as we used to."

"No, I can not trust-" I paused, realizing what I was saying and realizing that he could not trust me either, "I am sorry. Forgive me."

He, however, was focused on something else, "Who did you receive that necklace from?"

"Arwen," I replied without hesitation, "Why do you not trust me no longer?"

"And why of me?"

"I asked you the question first and I expect it to be answered first."

"Time changes everything," he said, "You, yourself, have changed much, also. Ú-esteliach pen- esteliach nin? I min minlû melich? Estelio ammen."

"Ú-istin minin estelin."

"Estelio nin," he pleaded, "It will not be in vain."

"I can not. I can not have you make any more promises you shall not be able to keep. Vîn meleth nâ ned Imladris, a ennas han darthathon. Dannin sen nâ i sad ned meleth a i sad meleth vîn dannin. It is now I say goodbye to you forever, Legolas Thranduilion. I am sorry we have had to part on such," I paused, looking for the words, "formal terms, my lord. But, I am afraid speaking with you has made me late," I glanced outside, "Good day."

"Where are you going?" he asked again.

"Far from here, I am afraid," I said, calling over my back, "im abdollen." I walked outside- the sun was starting to rise. My eyes took only a part of a moment to focus in the dark. I looked around and no one was there.

"Le abdollen." I whipped my head around.

"I am sorry, Lord Elrond."

He just smiled, "It is all right. Glorfindel and Saelbeth have just risen- they are preparing their horses." He handed me a few pieces of lembas bread, wrapped in large green leaves.

"Hannon le," I said, taking the bread from his hands and placing them in my cloak pocket. I walked into the stables where Glorfindel and Saelbeth were standing.

"Good morning," Glorfindel said cheerfully. Saelbeth glanced at him. We climbed upon our horses.

"There you are."

I looked up, it was Arwen and standing next to her was Estel and Legolas.

"We have been seeking you."

"I fear," Saelbeth said, "we are on a journey. We are all ready quite late," Saelbeth picked his beautiful head up and looked at the sky, "So we haven't time to speak. Farewell."

"Where are you going?" Legolas asked, stubbornly. Glorfindel, Saelbeth, Lord Elrond, and I mounted upon our horses. I turned around to look at him- he looked so cross and angry- his long blonde hair blowing slightly in the wind. His eyes were cold and chilly. Would this be the last time I saw him? Could he survive the impossible task?

"Estelio ammen," he mouthed to me. I turned away, pretending I did not see him, and rode ahead of them.

"I shall be back in a few minutes," Lord Elrond said. He rode with us to the gates, and from there we started our journey.

A/N: Wow, I used a LOT of Sindarin in this chapter. *b.t.w. that took a helluva long time* so I'll translate it here: *b.t.w if any of these are wrong, feel free to correct* meleth-nîn: my love [lit: love-my] Gwennin in enninath: Long years have passed [lit: they-passed the long- years] Hebo ha ennas: Keep it there Anírich ú-rena si?: Do you want to forget now? [lit: you-want not to- remember now?] Sen navaer an-uir: This is goodbye forever [lit: this farewell for- eternity] Estelio nin: Trust me Ú-esteliach pen- esteliach nin? I min minlû melich? Estelio ammen: You don't trust anybody- do you trust me? The one you once loved? Trust us [lit: Not you-trust anybody- you-trust me? The one once you-loved? Trust us] Ú-istin minin estelin: I do not know the ones I trust [lit: Not-I know ones I trust] Estelio nin: Trust me Vîn meleth nâ ned Imladris, a ennas han darthathon. Sen: Our love is in Imladris, and there it shall stay. This is the place we fell in love and the place our love fell. [lit: Our love is in Imladris, and there it will- stay. We-fell this is the place in love, and the place love our fell.] Legolas Thranduilion: Legolas, son of Thranduil [lit: Legolas Thranduil- son] Im abdollen: I am late [lit: I after-come] Hannon le: thank you