Chapter Thirteen

Breakfast the next morning was a silent affair. Daralis' attention went solely to her dish, and Legolas and Elladan rotated from their food, to her, and to each other, before shooting daggers to each other and glaring back at their food. Elrohir knew that it would be completely inappropriate to make any type of jest, and Elrond hadn't arrived yet. Legolas spoke first.

"Dara ?" She raised her eyebrows in response. "I was wondering if you might enjoy practicing some archery with me this afternoon."

Before she could respond, Elladan's voice was heard.

"She is already otherwise committed for today. Tomorrow too, actually. Now that I think about it, Legolas, you might try some time next month."

"My daughter has her own free will, something I would trouble you to remember, Elladan."

Elrohir looked between the two as if he were watching a tennis match. Daralis' eyes focused on individual grains of her porridge.

"I realize that, Legolas, it is just that I highly doubt that she would wish to spend time with you when it could be spent in my company." Legolas shot up from the table, slamming his palms on the wood.

"How dare you, you insolent little-"

"Such diplomacy you display, Legolas!"

"Do not attempt, Elladan, to use my formal training in manner to put a barrier on the anger I feel towards you right now. I have never been in a situation in which the future sovereign of such an esteemed realm has taken complete advantage of his guests' naivete and inexperience!" Elladan placed his hands on the table and leaned in.

"I took no advantage-" Legolas leaned in as well, they were now face to face.

"Like fuck you didn't, you-"

"ATAR! ELLADAN! THAT IS ENOUGH! I wasn't taken advantage of, Atar." Elladan's face took on a smug grin, until she rounded on him. "I love my father very much and I am happy to spend time with him over anyone else in this place. I'm not, however, shooting at anything today. I am also," she said," not going on a picnic, or a horseback ride, or a walk. I am going to stay in my room. When the two of you have decided to put your centuries of life to use, talk to each other and behave in a mature and adult manner about an issue that is obviously very delicate, LET ME KNOW! Until then, I will thank you BOTH to leave me the hell alone." She turned to leave, and paused.

"And you," she began, pointing at her father. " Don't you ever say 'fuck' again."

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Elladan and Legolas sat across from each other, staring eye to eye without blinking.

"This must end, Elladan. We cannot do this to her."

"I am doing nothing, You are trying to control her."

"Blame can do nothing, Elladan. Especially incorrect blame. My daughter is new to this world, she does not know about her surroundings, and she does not know the possible repercussions for Elven love. If you feel the way you say you do about my daughter, you would know that."

"How was I to know that?"

"She should have told you if you planned on having a relationship. My daughter is from the future, as was her mother. She came to our time after her mother passed. And after losing her mother, I will not lose her to anyone I deem unworthy."

"Is that to say that you deem me unworthy, Legolas?"

"No, Elladan, it is not. It is to attempt to explain to you my feelings. She is my only child, and without her mother, I shall father no other. How can I allow Daralis to go traipsing around Middle Earth? It is an unsafe place, much more dangerous than her world, but she has never seen any of the elements that make it so. She does not understand."

"I can help her to understand. I want to help her to understand."

"I appreciate that sentiment, Elladan, but that is my responsibility."

"Will you not share it?" Elladan's voice sounded desperate.

"No. I will not."

"What is this truly about, Legolas?" Legolas looked at him fiercely.

"This is about the safety of my daughter. I can see in her eyes that she is hesitant. And she is also undecided on her immortality, if such a choice should be allotted to her." He fixed his vacant gaze back on Elladan quickly.

"What would you do if she became human, Elladan?"

"I would stay behind with her. I would not sail."

"If you were to do that, it would break her heart to know that she was the cause for your passing. You must take some time before you make these decisions, Elladan. If not for me, and our companionship, then for her sake. She cannot take the stress this huge change is bringing for her, and our feud can bring nothing but negativity to her life. I propose that you both slow down with whatever you are feeling. I also ask that you and I put our conflict aside and look for her best interest." He placed his hand on the table. Elladan reached over and grabbed it, and they shook firmly.

"I agree."

Daralis sat in the bath, steam rising around her and taking her cares with it. She could feel herself slipping into sleep as the mist seemed to fill her mind as well as the room. She began to hear a familiar female voice. At first she couldn't place it, but then she recognized it immediately.

Unfortunately, she shot awake in shock.

"Mom."

Guys- I'm REALLY sorry about the short ass chapters! I mean, I try to pack them with interesting stuff, and that last was a bit of a cliff hanger, but I don't know. I'm just being short lately, I guess. Don't worry- lotsa stuff to come!