By morning, I was feeling very ashamed of myself.

Legolas lay sleeping peacefully beside me, the golden dawn making his pale skin glow awash with gold. I could not deny that I loved him, as I did very much, with every piece of my soul. But he was an Elf, a prince, and much older than me. He was risking much more than I was by even allowing himself to feel for me as he did.

Silently, I stood and dressed. I watched him sleep for a number of moments, before grabbing a piece of writing paper from his desk, a quill and a bottle of ink, and beginning to write.

My dearest Legolas,

Please do not think I am abandoning you out of guilt or displeasure, for that would never be the case. When I came to you last night, it was out of love and passion, and I still do love you despite my absence. But I cannot help but feel that you are turning your back on all the doors open to you out of your feelings for me, and I do not want to live with the knowledge that you refused the chance for a better life because of me. I cannot say in words how much I love you, and it is for this reason that I do not think we should see each other anymore. I think it would be wise for you to return to Mirkwood, find an Elf of station, and take her as your bride, for then maybe you can still be the Elf your father and mine wants you to be. This pains me deeply, and I beg for your forgiveness.

With all the love I possess

Lien

I placed the letter on the pillow where I had lay, and left the room, tears stinging my eyes and staining my cheeks.

Legolas had never known such a pain. For four weeks after Lien's heart breaking letter, he had remained in a pained daze, unable to tear his mind away from the love of his very long life.

For his love for her only grew as each day passed, his desire to spend every waking moment with her steadily consuming him. He wanted to share his bed with her again, he wanted to be able to touch her, and kiss her, and speak with her. More than anything Legolas was aching to know that she did genuinely love him, and she hadn't just said that out of concern for his feelings.

He saw her everyday, and she was also distinctly sad. One morning, Lord Elrond requested Legolas' presence in his chamber. Legolas went at once, wondering if Lien was hurt, and praying she wasn't.

Elrond was already seated and waiting for Legolas when he arrived. Almost at once, Legolas sensed an air of seriousness, and was compelled to speak.

"Master Elrond, you wished to speak with me?"

"Yes, I did. Legolas, I know what there is between you and Vanwaithilien." "You do?"

"I also know that you have consummated your mutual lusts some time ago, but did not pursue a relationship. I greatly wish to know why."

"It is not that I do not love Lien my Lord, as I do greatly. But she feels that she is not the right path for me. And it breaks my heart for I have lost the one thing I wanted to keep." Legolas spoke with passion, and conviction, but also with his pain. He meant every word that he said, and Lord Elrond knew it.

"King Elessar has been alerted to the situation Legolas, and is on his way. I suggest you decide what to do of this matter before he arrives. He will try to take Lien away from here, from you. If by that time you have decided to fight for her, then you must do so with all your heart. For your love is something so precious, that is most obvious. This is all the advice I can offer you."

"That means a lot to me, my Lord." Legolas bowed humbly, and Elrond smiled softly.

"I suggest, my boy, that you go find Lien before her father does."

Legolas nodded, and hastily exited the room, desperate to seek out Lien. He eventually found her sitting on her favourite stone bench in the garden. She did not look up as he approached, but he knew she felt and recognised his presence.

"My father is coming for me." She murmured softly as he sat beside her. However, he did not give her time to talk. Instead, he pressed his lips against hers in a gently loving kiss, internally celebrating that he was back where he belonged.

"You are my past, my present and my future Lien. You are my path," he murmured to the soft skin of her neck.

"How can you be sure?" She asked quietly.

"Because every fibre of my heart loves you, and when I look into my future, all I see is you, all I ever will see is you." He promised.

"Legolas, I'm not…I can't be what you need me to be." She whispered painfully. He smiled, and touched her face.

"Are you Vanwaithilien?"

"Yes."

"Then you are everything I need you to be. Lien, please just trust in your heart, trust in mine. I love you more than I will ever find the words to explain, and I always will. Can you trust me?"

Their eyes met for a long moment, and Legolas could see the tears sparkling in her eyes. She smiled softly, and kissed him.

"With my life."

They sat together on the bench for a long time, their lips meeting in loving kisses. Legolas felt like weeping with joy. In her arms, he was complete.

Leaves rustled behind the young lovers, but they were distracted by their passions. It turned his stomach to see his daughter behave in such a way, but Aragorn already knew that Legolas had tasted her flesh, had taken her to bed and stole her innocence.

His hand tightened around the hilt of his sword, and he drew it silently. Grasping it firmly, he made his way towards them.