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The next morning I was beginning to have my doubts. All this new information and all the new possibilities were overwhelming me. I did the only thing that I could; I locked myself in the bathroom and cut. It was bliss. I hadn't cut in a few days and the release was so sweet. I felt slightly guilty but the pleasure of finally being able to do it over came all of the more…unpleasant thoughts.

I cleaned up, had a bath and then got dressed. I left the bathroom to find Haldir lying on my bed. He sat up and looked me in the eye; I quickly looked away. He knew what I'd done.

"I know. Don't feel guilty. Just because you have confessed your secrets, does not mean that you will be able to stop. It will take time for you to be able to control the feelings and urges".

"Thank you. Umm…where are Legolas and Glorfindel?"

"They are down at the Hot Springs"

"What are they doing there?"

"Waiting for us". Haldir said coolly.

"What! Why?" My heart nearly jumped out of my throat at the thought of getting undressed and letting other people see my scars.

"Thalia, it would do you good to let go. You have let go of some things mentally, but it would be best for you to slowly start letting people past your barriers. We will not pass judgment on you"

"And you did this? Have they seen your scars?"

"No I have never done it; it has been suggested by my brothers. They think that I should let go of everything. There is a certain amount of shame that comes with letting your best friends see you vulnerable. And no, Legolas and Glorfindel have not seen my scars, they know nothing about them"

"Why have you never told them?" You train with the rest of wardens without a shirt on. What's so different about letting them see you without a shirt?"

"As I said. It is difficult to let those who love you see you vulnerable", He walked over and took my hands in his,

"I am afraid of letting Legolas and Glorfindel see me without a shirt on, I am afraid of what they will think. I know they will still love me, but I do not want to disappoint them in any way".

I nodded numbly. It was strange to hear Haldir, a warrior, tell me that he was afraid of his friends. But I understood. I could do this, Haldir would be there and he wouldn't let anything happen, not that anything would.

"Alright, but you have to promise not to leave me".

He stepped forward and hugged me tightly. "I promise seler".

"What does that mean?"

"It means 'sister'. You are my sister in every way. I will always look after you. Of course, this does also mean that you will be sister to Rumil and Orophin" He grimaced, making me laugh.

I hugged him back and let go.

"Alright, let's go before I change my mind and run away". Given half the chance I would have run away.

I went to get a towel from the bathroom while Haldir searched my closet for a bathing suit. I came out to find him holding what looked like a normal bathing suit, but it had a see-through chiffon skirt attached at the waist. It would give me a little protection from their gazes but the new cuts on my thighs could clearly be seen.

I grabbed the suit from him and rolled it into my towel. Together we picked up our towels and left the room.

Haldir was sure to hold my hand all the way there, he knew that I'd try to run away, and his hand was the only thing stopping me.

Finally we reached the springs, I could clearly see Legolas and Glorfindel already lounging around, they were so lazy.

"Alright, let's go and get changed"

I got changed in record time. I looked down at myself. My arms were bare and for the first time I was about to go in public, well not in public, but I was about to go out willingly, with no sleeves on. Sweat was starting to bead on my forehead. I looked down at my legs; the new, red and angry cuts could be seen from a mile away. I knew that because now I was an elf and I could now see for miles, well you get my drift.

Haldir took one look at me and shook his head. He walked over to me and carefully took off my towel.

"There is no need to hide. Come on".

I followed without really taking any notice. We got to the edge of the pool and Haldir stepped in. He turned around and held out his arms for me to grab hold of.

We sat near the edge, on a step. Legolas turned to look at me and I submerged myself up to my neck. He reached, lifted me out of the water and set me on his knee. His fingers gently traced the scars on my arms and his lips followed, grazing the marred skin.

"You look beautiful" He whispered. I watched as his eyes drifted to my thighs and the new cuts. He lifted the material that was now clinging to my knees, and traced his fingers over them. I could feel his eyes on me. The tears were running down my face freely and I did nothing to stop them. He lifted my head and brought his lips to mine. He not only smelt but he also tasted like cinnamon. He broke away leaned his forehead on my mine.

"I love you" he whispered huskily.

"I love you too Legolas".

"Thalia". I turned round to face Glorfindel.

"Come here"

I reached out for his hand; he caught it and pulled me to him.

"It is good to have you back pen-neth. You have nothing to be ashamed at. It will take time. And do not worry we will help you"

I sat on his lap and hugged him, I drew back a little,

His smile grew into a huge grin and he hugged me so tightly I thought I would burst.

I swam back over to Legolas and sat on his knee. I looked over to Haldir, he was sat wearing a proud smile. I couldn't help but grin widely.

"Can I ask you something Pen-neth?"

I nodded.

"Why are you so afraid of Elrond?"

"He…he reminds, no…reminded me of my father. He looked powerful. So did my father, it wasn't him, it was what he felt like…do you know what I mean?"

They all nodded in understanding.

"His eyes looked kind but so did my fathers, and I thought that if I trusted him, he would turn out to be like my dad".

"Do you still think that?" Haldir asked.

"No, you know a funny think happened when we left Rivendell. Elrond smiled at me; and for a minute, I could see him as a person, not as somebody like my father. I have a lot of explaining to do when I get back"

"I have known Elrond for a long time, he will understand, he does not hold grudges". Glorfindel reassured me.

I leaned back into Legolas' bare chest and I listened to the others talk. His skin felt so smooth against mine. My body seemed to melt into his. He looked down at me and smiled, his smile was full of nothing but love for me. I had never experienced that before.

I sighed contentedly and wrapped my arms around his waist. He rested his chin on top of my head. I could hear the steady rhythm lulling me to sleep. His fingers were lazily drawing circles on my back, that didn't help. I gave in to sleep. I was safe and nothing could happen to me.

---

I looked down at the sleeping woman in my arms, she looked so content. Her skin was warm and velvety against my own.

I looked up to see Glorfindel and Haldir smiling at me.

"You should go and put her to bed".

Haldir was right, she was tired and there was no need to wake her.

I left the pool and set off for her room. I chuckled to myself as I looked back and saw the trail of water that we had left on the ground.

I took her into the bathroom and removed her wet bathing suit and replaced it with a warm night-dress. Normally elves do not feel the cold, but it would take a while for her to adjust.

I put her into bed and drew the covers around her, then changed my wet leggings.

I sat on the bed and studied her.

I wanted to spend forever with her.

When she was a little better and more settled, I would ask her to marry me.

I closed the drapes and climbed into bed next to her. She automatically snuggled into my arms and put her leg in between mine. I smiled at her unconscious reaction. It would always make me smile, no matter what.