Chapter Twelve

"Atar, why would I know where Elladan has gone?" Legolas took a step into the room.

"Why don't you tell me? The two of you seem to be quite close lately." Daralis took a step back.

"What are you talking about?" She responded, getting more nervous.

"Do not lie to me, Dara." Another step forward.

"I'm not lying to you, Atar." Another step back.

"Then perhaps you can explain to me why it is that Elladan himself called you 'Dara' tonight at dinner?"

Daralis' breath froze in her lungs. She stepped three steps back quickly. Legolas looked at her with an unyielding, critical eye, and she turned her back to him, her face flushing.

"I- I don't know why he would do that, Atar."

"And why is it, Daralis, that the day you were in the bath the curtains rustled even though the door was closed?"

"I have no clue what you're talking about." And technically, she wasn't lying. She had no idea that had happened.

"Fine. Those things, perhaps, are not things that you could control. But explain to me please, sweet daughter, why you told me that an obvious love bite was a small cut. Why I saw the two of you walk off together with my own two eyes. Not only that, but I have not seen him since. Your hair is tousled and your dress is loose, and I would wager that if I were to walk out onto the balcony, he would be gazing at the stars. Let us see, shall we?" Daralis was speechless as he walked soundlessly to the heavy curtains and yanked them open. With a loud sarcastic voice, he spoke.

"Why Elladan! Funny finding you here!"

"Atar" Daralis began, going to the balcony.

"Oh, Dara. Certainly you have not been lying to me?"

"Atar, don't"

"And you, Elladan!" Legolas began, rounding on his companion. "My daughter! You could not have asked my permission, or, let me think, let her alone?! It is despicable," he said, leaning over the space so that he was nearly touching Elladan's face, "that you should even attempt such trickery and deception."

"Atar, please stop!"

"Daralis, you will shut your mouth and retreat back into your room."

"Atar!"

"Do, it Dara. Right now." He was furious, beyond the fury which loud outbursts and yelling accompanied and relieved. He was seething, stewing in his own betrayed sentiment and injured feelings. Daralis wanted to wince just looking at him. He looked as if he would explode any minute, and Elladan, now looking indignant and angry, showed no signs of backing down.

"Atar, I won't. You need to calm down and come inside. I don't know what you're implying, but I can assure you that anything I do with anyone else is none of your concern." She regretted the words immediately when he slowly turned his head to her. He was livid, his eyes were darkened and his alabaster skin seemed to glow slightly.

"How dare you speak to me that way? Get inside, now."

"I shall only go if you will follow me." She knew he would never hurt her, but was relatively sure that he would kill Elladan if he saw his face again.

"You are in no position to bargain."

"But you are in a perfect position to lose me completely if you don't give me control over my life," she responded in a flash, volume rising. He turned just as quickly to her, his eyes flashing.

"Is that a threat, Dara?"

"No, Atar, it isn't. It's a fair warning. You can't be this way."

"What way, Daralis?"

"This way! You can't control my life! What is the issue here? There is no issue! If Elladan and I happen to be friends or anything more, it's none of your concern at all!"

"Sweet Elbereth! It is not any of my concern? I am your father!"

"I realize that. Is there anything else you have to say? What does that mean? Do you want to chaperone me? Is that what you're proposing?"

"I do not want to chaperone you, I want to be able to feel that there is no need for a chaperone."

"There isn't , Atar! I am rapidly becoming an adult here. I was already an adult in my world! You can't control me this way!"

"Dara, I just want to know that you are safe and taken care of."

"I would take care of her, Legolas." Daralis and Legolas both looked to the balcony doors, where Elladan stood bathed in moonlight. He began walking towards them. "You know that. What reason have I ever given to you that would make you think that Dara would be unhappy with me?" Legolas looked at him in what appeared to be disbelief and indignancy.

"None, Elladan, that I can think of," Legolas replied honestly.

"Which leads me to believe that the problem here goes beyond Dara and I. This problem addresses your insecurities about the women in your life." Legolas said nothing, and so he continued. "Your mother passed, the love of your life passed quite recently, and now the only product of that love has suggested that she too would like to die."

"Elladan, that will be enough," Legolas attempted.

"Legolas, I am not finished. After all of these events, you become overprotective of your daughter to alleviate your own insecurities. But it is not fair to her, Legolas, and it is not fair to you either. If you stifle her life as well as your own, you shall both have the fate of her moth-"

"ELLADAN!" Legolas, shocked into silence, and Elladan both turned to look at Daralis, who had tears running down her face. "Both of you! You know what? Please, just leave me. I can't handle this tonight."

They both moved to kiss her cheeks, glared at each other, and stalked out of the door.

I know, I'm sorry! It was way too short. But at least now he knows, right? Right. Okay, more to come!

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