Leherim bit her lip and looked up at Elrohir. "I'll ask Legolas—"

"We've already parted," he cut in. "He had something he wished to do at this time, so we said our farewells earlier."

"Oh," she frowned and looked down. "It shall be many years until we meet again, if we do so on these shores."

"Yes," he agreed softly, his eyes darkening. "Unless you choose to travel to Imladris."

"Father would never let me go without Legolas, and Legolas shan't leave as long as things are so unsettled here."

"Then it shall be many years, indeed." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. His horse stomped impatiently, reminding them both he planned to leave within mere minutes.

"Until we meet again, farewell," she murmured at last, lifting her hand to his cheek.

His hand moved from his heart to her cheek, letting his thumb run under her eye gently for longer than was strictly necessary.

Leherim watched the stormy eyes darken a fraction more, fastened to hers. He lifted his other hand and framed her face, before kissing her quickly. I shall miss you, the whisper came through as he turned his horse back from the gate for an instant, his eyes dark with everything neither had had the courage to say.

And I you.

The gate snapped shut as Elrohir rode out.

She sighed and wrapped her arms about her, lowering her gaze before she returned to the palace. Absently she wandered, and was far from surprised when her steps ended up winding her to a place she could hear Legolas.

"Lothlorien," he murmured softly. "You know about the wood, don't you?"

Leherim blinked and checked her surroundings, not sure she was in the right place.

"Oh… well, I'll find a good book on the elven dwellings of Middle-Earth, and I'll bring it for next time. You should know more about the elves than it seems you do."

Leherim frowned and pushed the door open. Her mouth dropped open at what she found.

Legolas was on the couch with Mirimir beside him. Mirimir was holding a book, pointing at words on the page. Legolas was leaning over to see, his head nearly on Mirimir's shoulder, and she didn't seem to mind, nor really to notice. When she pointed at a word, he said it aloud, adding something about its meaning if she looked up at him with questioning grey eyes.

"Legolas?"

His head twisted around, and he smiled crookedly. "Elrohir finally left?"

"What…" You're teaching her to read?

Why not?

When did she get so comfortable around you?

The day Elrohir came. You've been a bit too busy to notice.

Funny.

I wasn't laughing. His eyes darkened slightly.

She sighed softly. I'm sorry.

He shook his head slightly and got up. "Don't be," he murmured, pulling her gently into a hug. He kissed her forehead and drew back slightly, sitting down once more. "Did you bring our food?"

"Um… I'll get it."

He shook his head with a grin, already getting up. "Don't trouble, dear sister. I shall." His steps were somewhat jaunty as he strode from the room.

Leherim looked at Mirimir, who was looking at the book. She flipped a page, her fingers trailing lightly first over the pictures, then the words. Light grey eyes fastened on the page for a long moment, her finger paused over one word. She bit her lip, and looked up. Finally she tilted the book to Leherim. "Cavalry." Mirimir blinked and lifted her gaze to Leherim's. Leherim smiled slightly to see the utter lack of fear there. "It's a soldier riding a horse, instead of going on foot. Well, actually, a cavalry is a group of riders, really."

"Could you make that any more confusing?" Legolas asked from the door, balancing their trays, his tone teasing.

"Oh, I'm sure I could, if I tried," she murmured. Has she spoken?

No, and she rarely will give a true response. "Hungry, Mirimir?" he asked, setting the trays down on the bed.

Mirimir slowly walked in a partial crouch to the bed, climbed up and began eating. When she would have been done, Legolas frowned at the plate. "Are you full?"

Mirimir reached down and picked up a bit more.

"Legolas, you can't force her to eat!"

"I'm not! She doesn't eat enough normally. Or haven't you noticed she eats about half what you do on a normal day no matter what? She's had enough time to get beyond the necessary small meals after having been nearly starved, but there's no call for her to no longer eat enough. Her clothing hangs off of her as if designed by a sail-maker."

"Perhaps she likes…" Leherim looked at Mirimir and frowned. "Well…"

"Well, maybe a bit of weight would help her out? She wouldn't blow away, should she ever go outside." Legolas shook his head and reached out, looping his fingers lightly around Leherim's wrist. He moved them up, not even reaching her elbow before his fingers would have had to tighten to remain around her arm. "I realize you have more muscle than many ladies," he murmured, reaching out. "But still…" he trailed off, wrapping his fingers easily around Mirimir's upper arm. "Mirimir…"

"Stop berating her! She'll eat if she wants to eat!"

"But we don't know—" He visibly cut off his words, grimacing slightly. We don't know if she was trained to eat only enough to sustain her life or not. She could have been punished for eating anything more than the bare minimum… when she was given food at all. How can we contend with something like that?

Why not just ask her? You seem to have gotten quite comfortable with her. Perhaps I should have left you two alone more often!

Legolas's eyes widened and he blinked a few times, before his eyes narrowed and darkened, the rims spoking together. "Leherim, you have forgotten to think before speaking."

"What, there are rules even when no one can hear us?" she snapped at him.

"Leherim," he growled, his eyes glittering.

"Oh, please. You will never scare me, Legolas. I know you too well."

"I'm not trying to scare you, Leherim. I just wish to know what's gotten into you all of a sudden."

"There's nothing wrong with me! I'm not the one who has been keeping secrets!"

"Secrets? What secrets?" he exploded, spreading his hands. Mirimir flinched away, inching towards getting off the bed.

"What of all this? You never told me you had made any progress with her, never said you'd begun teaching her to read, nothing!"

"You were busy with Elrohir! I thought you'd rather spend your time with him than with us!"

"You're just—"

"If you say jealous, Leherim, I swear—"

"What? You'll what?"

In answer he got off the bed, towering over her. They were unaware of the picture they presented to anyone who happened to be watching. Bright blond hair and narrowed eyes the color of twilight, in their anger they were terrible to behold. There was an odd beauty to them as well, a cold light that shown in the hard set of Legolas's jaw, the pursing of Leherim's lips.

Without a word Legolas turned and stalked to the door.

Leherim's eyes widened in shock, her mouth opening as she realized what had just happened. "Legolas!" she cried out, turning on the bed to see him. "Don't."

Legolas stopped, bowing his head slightly without turning back. "Don't what? Be angry? I think I have a right."

"Yes," she agreed, her tone miserable. "But don't leave like this. It'll never be the same if… if you let my words drive you away." She looked down at her hands, clenching them tightly together before moving to interlace them more and more tightly. "I… I just… I miss…" she bit her lip and squeezed her eyes shut. A soft sob escaped her as arms fastened around her.

Legolas sighed in relief and kissed her temple, rocking her gently as she fought to control her emotions. After a while she was relaxed, sitting in his embrace with her head on his shoulder, her eyes unseeing though she was wide awake. "I suppose I shall have to speak with Father about allowing us to visit Imladris, won't I?" he murmured when he could speak again.

"Perhaps Elrond would allow him to come back," she whispered hopefully.

Legolas winced slightly, knowing that was unlikely.

"What are you thinking?" she asked.

He shut his eyes and shook his head. "That apparently I've lost control of it."

"No," she shook her head against him, resting her forehead against his neck. "But I know you well enough to know silence often means a lot. What were you thinking?"

"That whatever was enough to make Elrond think sending his children away for was enough to make him wish to keep them close, since he has recalled them so quickly." He combed through her hair with his fingers, gently picking a few knots apart. "I know Arwen has spent centuries in Lothlorien before without visiting her father. Elladan and Elrohir as well, though they prefer Imladris. To take less than a year for any visit is very unusual."

"So you don't think Elrohir will be allowed to come back?"

"Not for many long years, no. You spoke of these shores in your goodbye, did you not?"

"Of course. That's just common… no." She pulled back, and when he didn't look at her, she grabbed his chin and forced him to do so. "No!"

He sighed softly, shaking his head as he was unable to reassure her as her eyes demanded of him. "Things are difficult now, dear one. You know that."

"Yes, but… are things really so bad?" Not being one of the guard, and being female, she was rarely told the intricate details which set those in the know on edge, keeping them wary. Legolas rarely shared those with her, for the same reason their father didn't.

"The forces are stirring. Things change. Something is happening, Leherim. I have felt it in the woods, on the wind. And Mithrandir has thrice been seen nearby."

"You assume that old wizard is up to something?"

"When isn't he?" he asked, amusement in the tone.

She smiled slightly. "Good point." She was thoughtfully silent for a long moment, then pulled free of her brother's arms and got up, stretching. She looked at the plant for a long moment, noticing for the first time the large number of leaves that had grown since she was last in the room. Turning back she saw Mirimir, her eyes wide and her head tilted as she studied Legolas with a single-minded attention that seemed somehow out of place. Leherim bit the inside of her cheek and looked at Legolas, trying to put herself in Mirimir's place.

What she saw was an elf, admittedly a fairly handsome one, with caring eyes that never failed to see how she felt, to pick up on her distress or pain, shared it as willingly as he shared her laughter and joy. It made her feel worse than their fight had. He had never complained about her spending all of her time, except when she had grown angry with the elf, with Elrohir. He hadn't even chastised her for ignoring their father, nor even spoken for Mirimir, because she was happy with Elrohir. He knew that, and allowed her her happiness without comment, though she had never shared it with him, even on the subtle levels of communication they had long ago perfected.

What did Mirimir see?

When she had first been brought in, that was obvious. She saw another being who, she felt, would cause her pain. Now, Leherim saw something else in the light grey depths. Trust. It was small, and surrounded by tons of confusion, but it was there. Something Legolas had done had won her trust.

Was it his patience? Bringing her food? Teaching her to read?

Was it simply that he had not struck her? Had helped get her released from her bonds?

Or was it something more? That trust she had seen, only in the slightest glimmer, as Legolas read to Mirimir earlier. Now it was stronger, though no where near the trust most had in him merely because he was the Prince—held to a higher code of honor and duty than most.

Suddenly it hit her—he hadn't. Hit her, that is. Despite his anger, which had been as obvious as she knew her own had been, he hadn't touched her, yelled at her, or anything. He had threatened her only with the removal of his company—which had been threat enough, in her opinion.

Leherim sighed softly, hating the idea that something so simple and common could be such a confusing and world-changing event for anyone. Legolas's brows tilted slightly together, a faint frown coming as he tried to understand whatever her eyes were showing him. She reached out and touched his cheek, sliding her palm under his chin to raise his head. She smiled slightly. "I'm sorry I lashed out at you. You've done nothing more than been the best friend and brother I could ever dream and more than any would dare ask, and I make you the brunt of my tumultuous emotions." She tucked a bit of hair behind his ear and bent to kiss his forehead. "I love you."

He smiled faintly, caught her hand and drew it to his lips, kissing the back quickly. "And I you, dear sister. Mood swings and all," he teased. "You know," he murmured, getting up, "there is a simple way for you and Elrohir to keep in touch."

"What? Letters?" she asked, bitingly sarcastic.

"Exactly."

She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Legolas, dear brother, you have lost your senses. We cannot send messengers back and forth in such a time. It is too dangerous to allow any to ride through the woods. Elrohir will have gone through as quickly as the guards will go, but a messenger alone will not be safe, and we would never force them to go. Royal prerogative is one thing, murder another."

He smiled faintly and shook his head. "But where horses may not run, birds can easily fly."

The falconry!

His smile broadened as he saw the realization in her eyes. "Give Elrohir a few days, and then send a letter. He knows of our birds, and will undoubtedly understand fairly quickly. It should not take long at all for a reply, with the understanding the first reply shall take the longest, and that the letter should be rather general, and probably from us both until he knows to watch the sky and intercept the letters."

She laughed and threw her arms about his neck. "Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you! A fabulous idea… even if I didn't think of it. I'll go—"

"No, you won't," he corrected gently, catching her arms as she began to leave. "Father has missed you. You should speak with him before doing anything else, and seeing as how there will be more than a week before you can send a letter, you shouldn't bother writing one yet. It will make the wait seem longer."

Slowly she nodded. "Thank you," she murmured softly. For everything. She glanced at Mirimir. You've worked wonders with her.

No, he denied. I have spent time with her, but that is all. She is not my project, in any way.

But you took over for me while—

Do you hear me? She is not my project. She shouldn't be anyone's project. She is an elf, Leherim. One who has been badly treated in the past. It is our duty as her hosts, and our obligation as elves to care to her physical needs. Beyond that it is up to us, on our own, to proceed or not.

Why the speech?

He smiled faintly at her confusion. The last thing she needs is to feel we are with her only out of pity.

But I do pity her.

He frowned. Then there is a large difference between us, Leherim. I wish her to feel comfortable here, safe. I want her to walk upright proudly to face the world she fears, knowing that we will never let her down.

You want what may never be.

Perhaps. But knowing what I want means I can work towards it, doesn't it?

Just don't get hurt, alright?

He smiled softly and nodded. I think, with the progress she has made, I have no fear for that anymore.

She could always regress, you know. You could come in one day and have her cower away. She did flinch while you were so angry, or did you not notice that?

I didn't. But she has not flinched away from me since, so maybe things are getting better.

I'm sure they are, she agree quietly, smiling at him before saying her goodbye to them both. Then she sought out her father, knowing there would be a grueling, though loving, question and answer session over her involvement with Elrohir.

Good luck with Father.

She sent him a mental razz. Wait until it's your turn, brother dearest.

I'm your only brother.

Your point?

I have to be the dearest, since I'm the only.

Yes, you're my only bother.

Very funny.

Orc.

They laughed together before letting the connection slide closed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Leherim was sure pushing for a fight, wasn't she? Of course, Legolas's reaction rather made it worth it, I think. I just love playing with emotions, and this story plays into that enjoyment quite nicely. Thanks to everyone who reviewed/e-mailed…

Iluvien: Did you spend most of the day reading stories? Not that I mind you reading/reviewing by any means, I was just a bit surprised anyone would review chapters they hadn't read when there were more already beyond it. As for the severed connection (I think your other questions were answered by the next chapters, if not, let me know), he did that so that he could fully concentrate on what was going on around him. I think somewhere Leherim reminisces about how a loss of concentration during such a time could kill him, so while she isn't against the silence, having it cut off so suddenly rather than fading away rather worried her, as it would be as if he had been struck unconscious/killed, though it was likely they were just ambushed so suddenly he didn't have a choice. Mirimir has been around at a few times where she's getting an idea that he isn't as bad as she assumed… so yes, she is beginning to thaw a little, though warming up might be pushing it. As for Elrohir… well, he's momentarily gone. Obviously he'll have to come back sometime, but right now… back to Imladris (and a new foster-brother) for him. Do you know which twin is older? I've never been able to find anything that explains… and fanfics I've read with them in it tend to disagree on which is older.

Silverecho: Thank you for the heartening and (as one of my annoying teachers would say) 'warm and fuzzy' review. I try to write what I like to read, and I've found I have no desire to read beyond the point where they lay eyes on each other and are instantly enraptured by the other's beauty. As to the review part, I was messing around the other day, and found several of my stories in the favorite's section of people I've never heard of, much less from. So, I'd say you're right. ;)