Anarrima could hardly move, hardly breath or utter a word. The man who stood before her she had not seen since he left to join the Last Alliance; 2000 years ago. He held out his arms for her. Her first reaction was to run, run to him and once again feel the touch of a loving father. But there she stood beside Legolas, unmoved.

"Anarrima, my child. I have missed you so much."

"Why did you not send word of your safety? For so long I feared that you were taken by darkness." Anarrima could feel the tears sting at her eyes but she held them back.

"Ana, the only reason I sent no word was because," he hesitated, not knowing whether to finish or not, "because I was not sure I would return immediately," he replied finally, placing his arms back at his side realizing that he might not have chosen the best words in that answer.

"You lie!" Anarrima shouted in anger and hurt. "The ONLY reason you sent no word to me was because you never wanted to come back for me!"

Legolas was shocked. He had never seen Anarrima lose control over her emotions like this. He took her hand into his to try and calm her down, wanting her to realize he was behind her always.

"And you know what?" she continued. "I'm glad you never came back. I would not trade a single minute that I have spent here in Mirkwood for you. My time here will always be the best years of my life!"

The man was becoming very angry with her. "Obviously your mind has been spoiled by this boy here. You have lost all honor in being of our elf kind," he said, disgust pouring from every word.

Not only did the anger and fury spark brighter in her eyes, Legolas felt the fire in his heart burn too. Anarrima had had enough. She started towards the man but Legolas grabbed her by the waist to prevent her. "Ana, no! Do not lower yourself to that."

It felt as if her heart would jump out of her chest; she was furious. She stood, letting the feel of Legolas' arms calm her racing heartbeat. Finally when she regained control of herself, she spoke. "Your words are poison!"

Legolas released his hold and Anarrima stormed past her father, not giving him so much as a look. Entering her room she slammed the door and proceeded to dress for the feast. "Can this day get any worse!?" she screamed to the air. "Ai Elbereth, I give my word. If I see him again I will give him a black eye such to match his black heart!"

Legolas stood staring at this elf who called himself a father to Anarrima. What, Legolas thought, would make this man say such words to his own daughter, whether she was wrong in being angry or not. Either way he would stand beside her and fight for her.

"How can you say such things to her?" Legolas demanded as his eyes narrowed on the man. It took all the will power he had not to strangle the elf where he stood.

"She is no longer worthy of being a Moriquendi, much less an elf," the man spat back.

"She is more worthy of being an elf than you ever will!" Legolas replied with just as much force and emotion.

With that the elf turned and left, having heard enough from the Prince. Outside the room stood King Thranduil and Aragorn of the Dunedain, both had heard the whole confrontation. They had come to introduce Anarrima to Aragorn personally. As the elf disappeared down the hallway they entered Legolas' room.

Legolas' blue eyes still flashed with fury and rage as the King stepped through the doorway, the tension could still be felt in the air.

"Father, did you hear his words? He had no right to say those things to her. He..." Legolas said trying to regain control of his emotions.

"Yes my son, I heard what he said and that will not be forgiven," the King said with sincerity. "Anarrima means a lot to both of us but right now she needs you for comfort the most," Thranduil went to Legolas and embraced him tightly. He could not even imagine how a father could treat his only daughter the way Anarrima's did.

"Now," the King began, pulling away from Legolas, "the only thing I ask is that you dress before you go to her... unless you plan on attending the feast like this." The King laughed and left the room.

Legolas looked down at himself, realizing that he wore no top, but only his leggings. "Oh, right."

"I will leave you so you can dress," Aragorn said and left after the King. He had meant to introduce himself to Legolas as well but understood that the Prince had other duties.

Legolas quickly dressed in his formal attire and made his way to Anarrima's room. As he approached her door he stopped and listened intently. She was singing.

I'm so tired of being here

Suppressed by all my childish fears

And if you have to leave

I wish that you would just leave

Cause your presence still lingers here

And it won't leave me alone

These wounds won't seem to heal

This pain is just too real

There's just too much that time cannot erase

When you cried I wiped away all of your tears

When you screamed I'd fight away all of your fears

And I held your hand through all of these years

But you still have all of me

He stood there for a while, listening to her voice pour out all her emotions. It tore at him that she felt so sad and alone. With her song still in his head he knocked softly on her door.

Anarrima was just brushing her hair when she heard a knock at her door. At her bid the door opened and Legolas entered.

"What, no dress?" He asked with a playful look on his face, trying to set a positive mood.

Anarrima smiled and laughed looking down at her green and brown tunic. "Now you know me better than that." Since she was to leave Mirkwood at sundown with Aragorn she decided to wear a tunic and not be burdened by a dress. Besides, she never liked wearing dresses anyway. "You look handsome Legolas."

"And you look absolutely wonderful Ana," Legolas replied in all honesty. She could be tattered and dirty and still be beautiful in his eyes.

"Thank you," she said and blushed but failed miserably in trying to hide it, seeing that all-too-familiar boyish grin he flashed. "I'm sorry about that display earlier..."

"Ana, you have no reason to apologize. You had every right to be angry. And I want you to always remember," he took her in his arms and held her tight, looking straight into her eyes," I will always be here for you, when you return. You are never alone."

Ana rested her head against his shoulder and nodded her head. "I will."

They released their embrace and headed to the Palace Ballroom for the ceremony feast.