"I'm not sure that I understand, Princess Lórindel."
She sighed and he saw two liquid diamonds slide down her cheek.
"I am not Lord Elrond's natural daughter like Arwen. He 'adopted' me when I was mere days old. Who's daughter I am, I don't know. Elrond's diary didn't say.
"Perhaps I was lucky. Born to some Elven peasantry' and abandoned. I don't know.
"I love Elrond as my father, but I wish he had told me instead of me overhearing him talking of it with Mithrandir or finding his diary and reading it. It hurt."
He felt for the girl. "How old were you?"
"It was right after the Battle of Five Armies."
"You must have been very young."
She smiled sadly. "I was already full grown. Arwen's only three hundred years my senior."
She didn't know why she was telling the stranger, even if he was an Elven Prince, the darkest secret of her life. She felt comfortable with him, yes, but Ada had always told her to be wary of strangers.
"Why tell me this?"
"Perhaps I merely needed to tell someone. I can't tell Arwen, Elrohir, or Elladan, unless they already know, for they will come to hate me."
He nodded. "I understand."
Her smile became genuine. "Thank you, Prince-"
"Just Legolas, please."
"If you'll call me Merel and stop with all this Princess stuff," she countered.
"Deal."
She grinned. "Thank you, Legolas. If you don't mind, I'll retire for the evening. I just realized how much Túrin's bunch tired me."
"May I escort you to your room, Merel?"
Her grin widened. "Certainly."
------------------------------------------
Okay, it's a very short chapter. I know, I know. I should have made it longer, but I didn't have that much time on the school computer. (I don't have Internet at home!)
By the way, F. Regalis, if you want in the story, paired with Faramir (of all Men) send me a bio of your char.'s race, age, personality, etc. Thankee!