Tauren's stallion galloped up to the gate, above which was the source of the ending melodious tune. Seeing her love below her, Celesil smiled, and as she raced down the steps she thought, 'I didn't know the Elven charms would work for me!' Tauren jumped off his horse and gathered her into his arms in warm embrace as she approached.

"Come, Luinfalasien. Before we go any farther, there is something I must tell you." Celesil nodded, and followed him as he grabbed her hand and led her quickly back to the inn. After climbing the flights of stairs and entering the room, he turned to face her and grabbed both of her hands in his. This was torturing him too much now. The fact that she loved not him, but "another" racked his brain at night and often occupied his thoughts.

"My dear, I am not who you believe I am..." he said, hesitantly. She bit her lip and looked down.

"The same goes for me."

The two stared at each other for a moment, silently asking who should go first. "Please, let me begin to explain," pleaded the princess. "M'lord, I am not Luinfalasien, a Sea Elf. No, not even a descendant of that race." She continued, slowly. "I am...Celesil, third daughter of Lord Elessar and the Lady Undomiel of-" Her sentence stopped, taken by surprise by the sudden widening of Tauren's eyes. "...Gondor," she finished.

He, himself, was agast. Here she was, a target of the Ethir army, one who the Outlawed hoped to capture and torture her, for ransom, even! Now, what would she think of him? Complete rejection, ofcourse, and then, he would have nothing to go back to, as the princess would, for sure, report his presence to the king, and then the entire Ethirian army would be annihilated. Tauren couldn't even stall for time.

"Please understand my deception," she said. At this, he snapped back from his plaguing thoughts. The princess added, "It was necessary for me to mask my identity in times of turbulence." He nodded absently, and then turned away.

After a few moments, Celesil gently rested her hand on his shoulder. "Are you alright?" she asked softly. Turning around, he sat down on one of the chairs provided for the small table in the corner, and motioned for Celesil to sit, too. When she sat, she said quietly with a hint of impatience, as fear seeped into her mind, "Please tell me."

"All in good time, m'lady!.. But first, let me get this straight. You're a princess?..Ai Elbereth." His head rested in both of his hands. "Celesil, do you remember what I told those few nights ago?"

"I do."

"It still remains true...Do you trust me?"

Sudden realization hit her that no, she didn't. But curiosity took over. "Again, I do."

Tauren sighed. "I am no traveler. 'Nauvar' was a name that appeared in my head at that moment. I am called Tauren, the name given to me by my father, Rauko, lord of the Ethir Elves." Having heard of the Ethir Elves before during her stay in Rivendell, Celesil gasped, her hand coming to cover her mouth. Then, in anger, she shouted, "You were the one who pillaged and destroyed my mother's birthplace! You slaughtered your fellow Elves! Do you not live by the Elven Way?"

Tauren stood up, and in a loud voice retorted, "I was following my commands, and I would have continued doing so-"

"Would have?" interrupted Celesil, this time dolce. Her head leaned to one side, but her eyes still glared.

"I would have continued doing so...had I not met you." He reached for her hands, only to have them ripped away in disgust.

"Do not attempt to sweet-talk me again, Tauren," she ordered. "I should have known better before. I know your ways now, munipulating your victims with honeyed words. No, no! I will not have any more of this!" She was shouting now, extremely loud. Tauren became uncomfortable with the noise, hoping that she would not draw any attention. Continuing with her rant, she said, "You have no idea how much of me and my family's lives and heritage you and your blood-thirsty people have so recently stolen away from us! All of Rivendell, gone; its last remains were ashes swept away with the wind." Her voice trembled uncontrollably, unshed tears welled in her eyes, and she raised her arms to slap him.

Before she could, however, the prince grabbed her wrist and spoke sternly to her. "Celesil, listen to me! So much has changed within the days I have been with you. You revealed in me a different spirit, one that was hidden and not allowed to emerge while with the Ethir. Everything is new, now. Forgive me for my previous trespasses. I love you, Celesil, and am willing to throw back against my own people because of that!"

Celesil was sobbing now. Her arms were lowered, and somehow Tauren had entwined his arms around her. His pleading continued. "Please, my love. Forgive me. Trust me. I swear by the Valar that I am telling the truth." Not even the foulest of Mordor would break an oath sword by the Valar. Choking through tears, Celesil jerked her head in a nod. Tauren blinked back his own pools of tears and brought the heaving Celesil closer to his chest.

Minutes passed, and soon Celesil's merciless sobs became small sniffs as Tauren swayed with her back and forth, comfortingly. "That life is over for me now, princess." He had made up his mind, now gazing down at her. "And I would like to start a new one with you by my side."

[Author's Note: So...the truth is finally out...but how do you think Estel will react to this *gasp*? It took quite a while for me to decide how to do this :P Now, please keep those reviews coming, and I give you another chappy :))))))