I sit on my horse beside the little one, listening to the coming of night in this city on the hill. The soft whisper of wind among the buildings, the movement of people. No sounds of nature. This is no place for an elf. I remain here, comfortable and cared for certainly, but not home. Never home. And I shall never come home again. The last time I was able to go home was the night of Eldarion's birth, you embraced me in your excitement. A simple touch and it meant so much to me. And so little to you.

Sensing my thoughts have wandered off again the little one grabs my hand, tracing the small scar with his thumb inadvertently, he doesn't even know it's there. But you do Estel, you gave it to me, when you were little older than Eldarion is now.

"I'm sorry my friend," He says softly withdrawing his hand.

"Don't be little one, I was flinching at the memory of a scar you touched, given to me by your father, quiet a feat I assure you," I offer him softly.

You smile, having heard the exchange, "You were distracted Legolas, it was a simple enough thing to take advantage of."

Ah yes, but distracting me was a rather surprising ability of yours, at least at the time it was surprising. "It was a very skilled blow, otherwise I could have easily avoided it, even distracted Estel."

You smile at me oddly, when I give you a questioning glance you smile at me, "You have not called me Estel in many years, I'd missed it."

I see something in your eyes that ignites a flame long extinguished in my soul- hope. But what right have I to hope? For me to have hope Arwen must be betrayed, I cannot allow that, she has given you that which I never could, and yet I fear I shall just the same, she has given her immortality for you.

As you ride away from us the little one places a hand over my own, "You betray both of you by wishing the truth isn't so, it may hurt one to admit the truth but it hurts us all to hide it."

I look on him with new sight, "You are young Eldarion, even by your father's estimation, a mere fifteen years behind you, and you do not yet realize that the hurt I endure is necessary. I cannot betray the Evenstar, or your father, by speaking the truth."

"It is foolish of you to think that the truth would betray my father," the little tells me earnestly before riding after you at top speed. I cannot fathom what he means but I follow and ponder what harm comes of silence.