Can't say much cos its 9pm here and I've got to wash my, hair! But Merry Christmas if I don't say so before, and enjoy!

Faerlain

Elerrina – No problem! It takes me forever top update nowadays anyway! Glad you're enjoying it, thanks for reviewing.

Rayame325 – Teehee eavesdropping! Thanks for reviewing.

Lindele – You'll soon find out1 Thanks for reviewing.

Chapter 19: Namárie.

"I'm going to kill him!"

"Legolas, calm down, please…"

"No!" He glared at the twins. "He has betrayed my sister, after everything that has happened before. I am not going to let this lie." He stormed out of his room.

The twins sighed, and hurried after him.

Rilma had been seen with another girl. Celeblaith had found out, and they had had a blazing row. She had slapped him in anger, and then he hit her.

Legolas was furious. He marched through the hallways of Rivendell, and everyone who saw him knew where he was heading. The word had quickly spread, and they all moved out of his way.

Celeblaith saw her brother leave the House from her balcony. She ran out of the room and down to the main door.

Rilma was out riding his horse in the pasture. He did not see the Prince of Mirkwood approaching. He was galloping round the field as fast he dared. Celeblaith had left him, and now, so had Merya.

Legolas reached the paddock and jumped straight over the fence. Rilma saw him then, and slowed his horse down. He stared defiantly back as Legolas glowered at him. He saw the bow gripped tightly in the Prince's left hand, and the quiver strapped to his back. He could just see the hilts of his twin knives in the sheaths.

"I think we need to talk," Legolas said coolly. His voice was dripping with menace.

Rilma urged his horse over to him. "Indeed? Then let us talk. Peacefully, I presume?"

"Certainly. And politely, and well mannered. So it would be appreciated if you could dismount."

Rilma slid down off his steed, and pushed him out into the field to graze. He looked back at Legolas. "Well?"

"I would like an explanation."

"For what?"

"For why you cheated on Celeblaith and why you hit her."

"She slapped me first."

"Very well. But I can understand her reasons for doing so. Why did you cheat on her?"

"Because I do not think we are suited for one another."

"Then why did you not just tell her so?"

The twins arrived then, and stood at the paddock fence, watching the two Elves with baited breath.

"Because you were too scared? A coward? It would have saved us all this trouble if you had only told her face-to-face."

"Because I knew what would happen if I did."

"And what would have happened?"

"You would have done exactly what you are doing now."

"Of course I wouldn't have. There would have been no need for me to find you, and ask you these questions. I do not waste my time on people who think they can use my sister or me. But you…you are a special case."

"And why is that?"

"Because you have broken her heart twice. And that is unacceptable."

"She looks fine from where I'm standing."

"Because she is surrounded by people who really love her. In the way that she deserves to be loved. You are not worth the ground she walks upon."

Rilma squared his chin at the Prince. "At least I ended it quickly."

"But you didn't. You were seen with your new girl, and that is why the relationship ended. And anyway, it was Celeblaith who ended it, not you."

"My 'new girl', as you call her, is no longer mine."

"Oh, didn't the relationship work? What a pity. Like I said, you more worthless than the dust under our feet. And that's saying a lot."

Celeblaith arrived at the fence then. She went to go in, but Elrohir held her back.

Rilma's lips thinned. "You cannot speak to me in such a way," he hissed.

Legolas sneered at him. "But I can," he said confidently. "I can speak to you in any way I wish."

"You are not Prince here! You have no power."

"Yes, actually, I do. More power than you at any rate. You still haven't given me a reasonable explanation as to why you cheated on my sister."

"I do not have to explain anything to you."

"Tough."

"You cannot order me around here. Lord Elrond is ruler of Imladris."

"Fine, we'll forget the whole 'Prince and Power' thing. I'm asking you as a brother of one you betrayed. Why did you do it?" His voice was low, dangerous, and menacing.

"Because I wanted to."

Legolas shook his head. "You mean, I could go and take over Lothlórien, if I wanted to? No, that isn't good enough. I wouldn't take over my father's kingdom by force, just because I wanted to."

"You would never understand! You, in all your glory, with your high and mighty ways. Thinking you're better than the rest of us, because you wear a crown and have titles. Because you're invited to every social occasion, and wear the most expensive clothes money can buy. You don't even know the meaning of love!"

"We are all Elves Rilma! We all share the same feelings, the same emotions, both feel pain, both feel anger and sorrow, and, believe it or nor, love! Of course I understand! That is why I am standing here right now in front of you, demanding to know why it was that you betrayed my sister, and her trust in such a cruel way! Because I love her as only a brother can. Because I know what it is to love, be loved, and then be betrayed in return for giving your love freely. Don't tell me I don't understand Rilma, because I do! Probably more so than you!"

Rilma stared, confounded at Legolas' outburst. The three Elves at the fence were also looking at the Prince with looks of shock and bewilderment upon their faces. Celeblaith hardly recognised her brother. She had never heard him speak like that before.

The twins couldn't believe this was their friend talking. He had been hurt and let down before? He had never spoken of it in such a manner. Hardly at all in fact.

Legolas continued to glare at Rilma. "Next time you decide to mess around with a girl, make sure I am nowhere around," he hissed. "Else you will pay." He turned and, marched out of the paddock, brushing off the twin's attempts to talk to him.

Celeblaith stared at her brothers retreating back. She then looked at the twins. They nodded in understanding, and hurried after him. She looked back at the lone Elf in the field. He was watching her.

"Cel…" he called, reaching her hand out towards her.

She glowered at him. "It's my Lady or Lady Celeblaith to you," she spat. "Only people whom I truly love can call me by the name of Cel." She turned on her heel, and left him standing alone.

"I don't know why I just didn't listen to you in the first place."

"We all make mistakes Cel. It's no big deal."

"But I should have taken your advice! I'm going to have to learn to listen a bit more."

Legolas smiled down at her. "Look, don't worry about it anymore. Its over." He slipped his arm round her shoulders.

They were sat on a small hilltop, not far from the House. It was late evening, and the stars were all out in force. The Moon was shining, and a warm breeze filtered its way through the trees to the two Elves situated on the hill.

Celeblaith snuggled further into his grasp. "I don't deserve you Legs," she whispered.

He kissed the top of her head. "Of course you do. I'm proud to be your brother."

"I've always been proud to be your sister," she replied, gazing up at him. "And I always will be." She held out her little finger.

He smiled, and hooked his little finger through it.

"Linked forever," they muttered in unison.

A week later, the rest of the Mirkwood Elves left Rivendell. Winter was fast approaching, and they needed to be home for the New Year Feast. Spirits were high, and everyone was laughing and talking about the journey ahead.

"The Pass will be dangerous. Promise me you will be very careful."

"Do not worry my Lady. Everything will be fine."

Celebrían smiled up at the proud Prince. "I have known you ever since you were born Legolas," she whispered. "You have grown and matured well. Your father should be proud of you."

Legolas had the grace to blush a little at her words. "Thank you my Lady. That is very kind of you to say."

"It is true. If Thranduil and Eilianu cannot see just how wonderful their own son is, then they must be blind. I must say, she has done a rather superb job of bringing you and your sister up."

They laughed. Celebrían propped herself up a little more on the cushions. "You will make a fine King one day my Prince," she said. "You will rule and govern well. For those who leave these shores, they can leave in peace, knowing that their lands will be well taken care of."

"You talk of leaving my Lady?"

She nodded. "I cannot stay here any more Legolas. My time on Middle-Earth is coming to an end. Elrond knows this, and he has granted me free passage to Valinor for when I choose to go."

"But, my Lady…what of your children? Elladan, Elrohir, and Arwen? Do they know?"

"No. I have not told them yet. But after the New Year, I shall. I plan to depart in the next summer."

He fell to his knees at her side. "Rivendell shall not be the same without you my Lady," he said gravely. "The light and laughter will fade away. Devotion and joy will diminish. You are the very soul of love in this haven my Lady. Do not let it fade."

"It will not fade whilst my children remain here," she replied. "They will not let the light leave Rivendell."

He sighed in defeat. "What am I to do?" he asked. "I will go out there with a face like a wet day, and they will wonder what is wrong." He looked up at her. "I cannot hide such a thing from my best friends," he said solemnly. "They will know."

"Please Legolas, do not let this slip. I am not ready for them to know. Once I have recovered, I shall tell them everything."

"And what do I say to Adar? And my mother?"

"Eilianu already knows, and doubtless she will have told Thranduil. She knew as soon as she walked in the room when I was awake. She is not blind, your mother. A pure heart of gold, a fiery spirit, a kind soul, and she can see everything. Not just living and breathing things, but your very mind and thoughts. You can never hide anything form the Queen of Mirkwood."

"And don't I know it."

She laughed lightly. "Exactly, you know what I mean." She clasped his hands. "Promise me you will keep this secret? I am putting all my trust and faith in you Legolas."

He nodded. "I promise my Lady." He rose to his feet. "It has been a pleasure, and an honour to have known you fair Lady," he said gracefully, bowing to her.

"Maybe someday, we shall meet again," she replied, rising to her feet from her chair. He helped her to stand. "The least I can do is say farewell to you at eye-level," she smiled.

He smiled back and kissed her hand. "Namárie Arwenamin," he said. (My Lady.)

She bowed her head to him. "Namárie Beinernil." (Fair Prince.)

He gave her one last look, then left, closing the door gently behind him.

Celebrían sighed and wandered over to the window. She watched from her balcony as the Mirkwood Prince mounted his horse, said his final farewells, and then they were gone.

"Namárie," she whispered once more, then went back inside.

So, Merry Xmas again, and Happy New Year. See you all soon!

Faerlain