1Elrond looked to the door as he heard it open. "Hello daughter." he said with a smile, beckoning her over to the chairs where he sat.
Hesitantly, knowing that whatever her father was going to tell her was most likely not good news, she obeyed. Her eyes were indecisive, and curious. "Adar-?" she began, but Elrond held up a hand to still her question before it passed her lips.
"Tari... Undoubtedly you now know why I sent you to Lorien in the first place, correct?"
Tari nodded. "I believe it had something to do with a power I posses... Something Sauron wanted?"
"Yes. And for that same reason, I have called you here. Now, Tari..." Elrond said as he leaned forward, beckoning her closer as though to tell her a secret, "The ability could be taken from you by a powerful being like a wizard or powerful dark servant, and used to the full extent of good, or evil... I will not allow you to roam without knowledge or protection of what it is you posses. We are returning to Rivendell tomorrow, and once there, I shall train you in every aspect of your powers. Yet I can only show you so much; so that is why Galadriel will help you to finish your training. You must learn how to close your mind to outside forces, and be able to bend that power to your will, or at least control it."
Tari merely nodded, unsure of how to acknowledge such information. "I understand adar. I realize how important this is to you."
"No Tari... I don't think that you realize how important this is to you, to your life. You are easy prey for the Dark Lord unless I train you... He could have you under his control and there would be nothing any of us could do..." Elrond said darkly. He lowered his gazed to the floor, apparently pondering about how to word what he was to say next. "Tari, daughter... I know how dear Legolas is to you, but I can only warn you; keep your distance from him."
Tari furrowed her brow. "Adar, why? What is wrong with being close to Legolas? You and his own father betrothed us after all, did you not?"
Elrond nodded slowly, still not raising his gaze. "Yes... we had..."
"Had?" Tari questioned worriedly, "What do you mean-?"
"I believe it is best that you retire. You've had a trying day, and I can sense your exhaustion. Remember Tari, you are not a pure elf, nor are you mortal-" her father explained.
"I know, ada, I know... I am a half-elf until it comes time for me to choose between mortality; to remain on Middle-Earth forever, or choose immortality as an elf and sail to the Havens." Tari answered, rolling her eyes slightly, and somewhat angered that her father had to bring it up.
Tari took her leave, her mind buzzing with all the information that had been pounded into it within the last two days...
Tari stood on her balcony, looking out over Mirkwood. She could see the lights from the numerous talans glittering brightly. Sighing, she leaned against the balustrade, letting the cool night air rejuvenate her sense. Her thoughts had wandered back to the prophecy, when Legolas came into her room unexpectedly. Tari turned quickly, staring at him peculiarly. He looked upset, or irked by something. Legolas fell back onto her bed with a sigh of contentment, relaxing and reveling at the softness of the pillows and mattress with his eyes shut. He felt ever Tari sit down beside him.
"What ails you, my lord?" she asked in a politely formal tone.
"Nothing, Tari. I am merely tense from the duties and obligations of being a prince. The spiders have been very troublesome lately, and the orcs have not yet relented in their plundering of the forest." he answered, keeping his eyes closed. He reached out a hand, and felt Tari gingerly take it. He pulled her down beside him on the bed, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close to him in a comforting way. Tari had tensed slightly when she felt his arms around her. Sure, she was delighted to be back in Middle-Earth and near him, but she was nowhere near ready for real intimacy. She thought of the kiss he had given her earlier as a sign that he had missed her dearly. Not, that he truly loved her. Besides, they had hardly had any time together. They had met briefly that one day in Lorien, those few days traveling together, and now today. That was all.
Legolas had noticed her stiffen when his arm had snaked around her waist. He could almost feel the uneasiness emanate from her. "What is wrong...?" he asked quietly, opening his eyes to look at her critically.
Tari shook her head. "Nothing, Legolas. I'm just not used to this. I hardly even know you. So much time has passed, and my heart is not yet willing for love... And I am too afraid to be hurt."
"I would never, ever hurt you." Legolas said seriously, propping himself up on one elbow to stare right into her eyes; trying to prove to her of his sincerity through them.
Tari didn't know what to do... "I'm sorry, Legolas... Forget what I said. I... I probably just need to sleep."
Legolas nodded politely, and got off the bed, coming around to her side where she still lay. He bent down and bestowed a light kiss on her forehead, still knowing about her unwillingness. "I shall see you in the morning then. I am traveling to Rivendell as well, for your father is holding a council there."
Tari nodded in understanding and watched him walk to her door. "Goodnight, dear prince..." she called softly. Her answer was his beautiful smile before he closed the door as quietly as an elf walking. Tari rolled over, and (still in her day clothes) fell fast asleep.
The journey to Rivendell passed quickly. The duration of which for Tari, was spent learning with her father. She had hardly a moment to spare for anything else. Because of being under the constant watch of her father, Legolas remained the polite prince and kept his distance. Yet even though he said nothing to her except "Good morning my lady." or "Sleep well, my lady." and "How do you fair, princess?", Elrond could still sense the bond they shared between each-other, even if the two would deny it's presence.
"Once all our guests arrive, and the council is over, we shall hold a feast in honor of your return, daughter." Elrond said as they passed through Rivendell's stone pillared gates.
Tari only nodded, her thoughts elsewhere. She dismounted gracefully from her horse, and relinquished the reins to a stable hand. Legolas approached her, and was about to speak, when Abbey and Samantha came over to her and engaged her in conversation as they walked to the dining hall (seeing as how they had arrived at dinner time). Abbey and Samantha had been given elvish names (because compared to everyone else, they had weird names). Samantha had been named Archiwen (the meaning of the names you can make up yourselves), and Abbey's new name, was Aralon. (Quite frankly, I thought it would be better for them to have elvish names, so...)
After dinner, Elrond escorted his daughter to her familiar chambers to continue her studies - which progressed into the night. He taught her how to keep her mind closed to all outside forces, and how to put up barriers to keep out unwanted thoughts. "Elrohir and Elladan will train you with weapons tomorrow." Elrond said, finally calling their lessons to a halt.
Tari sat down upon the bed with a sigh of relief. "Adar, what good will come from your training me? I am one lowly she-elf to Sauron - defenseless and weak no matter what power I hold."
"That, my daughter, is why Galadriel will train you to use those powers. They will not lie dormant in you for long." Elrond explained, while putting away some books that had been laid out upon her table.
Tari decided to broach upon the subject that she had been so anxious about. "Ada, may I attend the council tomorrow?" she asked with politeness.
Elrond stiffened, in the process of setting a book of lore upon a shelf. "No. Absolutely not."
"But adar!" Tari protested, standing up indignantly, "You have allowed my brothers to go, why not I?"
"Your brothers, Tari, are part of the Rivendell guard. They need to attend this council to know if there is anything they need to be aware of." Elrond stated plainly, now sweeping over to the door.
Tari caught him by the arm and held him back. "Please adar, I sorely want to know the fate of the Rin--" she stopped suddenly, and let go of his arm, turning quickly away from him and lowering her gaze to the ground.
Elrond stared at his daughter, his stormy grey eyes narrowed. "How is it that you have come to know what the council is about, Tari?" he asked sternly.
When she did not answer him, but continued to look at the floor, Elrond took hold of her chin and forced her to look into his eyes, searching her mind for answers. But as he tried to seek out information, he was blocked by a wall of grey fog.
Tari seemed to smile mischievously and whispered, "Hindered by your own teachings, adar." She pulled away from him, and said, "The gift of foresight dwells within me as well."
Something like a snarl seemed to pass Elrond's lips. He regained his composure as much as he could, and said, "My answer still stands, daughter. You are not to attend the council. No doubt you will hear about it afterwards."
And with that, he turned on his heel, and left her room before she could argue anymore...
A week would pass, and until then, Tari would know nothing of the councils. She wouldn't even see Legolas. Elrohir and Elladan refused to tell her anything. Her father remained vigilant, and did not reveal to her anything either. Arwen kept her occupied by taking her fore horse-back rides through the valley... But soon, things would just go from bad - to worse...