1Legolas was standing next to Aragorn, speaking in quiet, calm tones. The prince was dressed in a silver-white silk tunic with a grey braided belt, and deep grey leggings; an outfit he would not normally wear. But tonight was the last night he would be in Rivendell, before departing with the fellowship in the morning. The last night that he would see Tari. Legolas had sorely wanted to see the she-elf that had captured his heart, but his advisors had kept him busy with other things; the councils taking up most of the day. Tonight, at the feast that was being held in her honor, he would finally see her again. Yet as the hours waned, and the feast progressed, she did not appear. Her seat at the high table was empty.

Legolas sought out Arwen among the crowd, and asked her if she had seen her sister at all tonight. "I have not laid eyes on her the entire feast." he said.

She looked at him curiously, and answered, "Nay, I have not seen her. I assumed that she would be with you." she was about to suggest that he speak with her father, when he himself came hastily over to him.

"Come with me, this is urgent." Elrond said sternly. Legolas's eyes narrowed at his tone, but he followed him nonetheless.

As Elrond and Legolas entered Tari's chamber, it was to find that she was asleep; or at least, that's what it looked like. Legolas's eyes seemed to fill with grief as he saw her pale skin, and he seemed to fly to her side. "What happened?" he asked, "Who did this?"

"It was not the work of one person, Legolas. Yet if you must blame someone, you can place the blame upon me. For I chose you to go with the fellowship; and I believe that in so doing, it led her to fade..." Elrond said morosely

Legolas's head jerked over to Elrond, grief across his face. "No..." he whispered, "No, she wouldn't choose that! She couldn't!"

"She told me her fate was up to the Valar. That she no longer cared." Elrond said, "Call her back Legolas, please! Maybe she will listen to you, for she has shunned aside the pleadings of her own father. "

Legolas's eyes fell upon the seemingly still form of Tari, and he had to hold back tears. Closing his eyes, he let out a long breath, and reached out his mind to Tari.

He skimmed over her inner barriers of which she had abandoned; leaving her mind open for anyone's perusal. It was utterly dark here... There was hardly and light as Legolas searched for his love. Legolas saw her, sitting in the midst of all the grey fog with her knees drawn up to her chest, and her forehead resting upon them."Tari..." Legolas called. His voice seemed to echo all around the vast expanse, until it faded into darkness. "Tari," he tried again, "A'melamin, lasto beth naer..." (My beloved, hear my voice) Legolas walked to her through the mist, and knelt down next to her. "Tari, saes," (Please) he pleaded. Tari raised her head from her knees and looked over at him. Her deep brown eyes were like pools of utter despair.

"Why have you come?" she asked, her voice as distant and soft as the wind.

"Because I love you, and do not wish you to fade! Tari, please! I beg of you, do not pass. My heart could not bear the sorrow. What has caused you to fall into this darkness?" Legolas asked, reaching out and taking her in his arms, setting her in his lap.

Tari did not return the embrace. She just let him hold her. "My father has chosen you to be part of the fellowship, in which you could very well perish. And even if you did survive, I could never be with you..." she said softly. There was so much sadness and grief in her voice that it almost made Legolas wince.

"Meleth, I will not die on this quest. I will keep myself alive. As to us not being together, what would keep us apart?" he asked, gently taking hold of her chin so he could gaze into her eyes, letting her look into his own so she could see how much he truly cared for her.

"You are to wed another. Your father had you betrothed to different she-elf after I was sent away..." Tari answered in a monotonous tone, as she pulled out of his embrace.

Legolas's eyes widened, and he stared at her. "Tari, even if this is true, I will not marry her. I love you, and only you!"

"I know you do Legolas... But one cannot alter the course of fate. Go with the fellowship - live out your life in peace..." she whispered, stepping away from him.

She seemed to be fading away before him, as he was being pulled backwards by some unknown force. "Tari!" He called. She did not answer his call... "TARI!" he called out desperately, "Tari! Don't leave me! Im meleth lle! Saes!" The grey mist was fading, and the darkness was leaving too... (I love you! Please!)

Legolas opened his eyes... He was still kneeling next to Tari's bed, his hand still entwined with her own. She was still fading... No matter what he had told her, no matter how much he had pleaded... she was still fading. He was the only one in the room now.

The chamber door opened behind him, and in walked Aragorn and Gandalf. "It is time to depart..." Gandalf said softly, not wanting to have to say it at all. Legolas looked out the window, and saw with a deep wrench of despair, that it was indeed sunrise.

Aragorn laid a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Legolas, Tari will not leave you; she loves you. Even one who is blind can see that."

Elrond suddenly came through the door, out of breath, and holding a small silver bottle in his hands. He all but ran to his daughter's side, uncorking the bottle, and lifting up her head to tip the potion into her mouth.

"What is that?" Legolas asked as Elrond laid Tari's head back down upon the pillows again.

"A long forgotten potion. It will pull her out of the darkness, against her will. She will not be able to fade now - she will live." Elrond said, replacing the top and setting the bottle on the side-table. Legolas felt that he was not saying something; that there was something else he kept secret. But if the potion would save Tari, he didn't care.

Legolas's heart leapt in his chest. "So, so she will be well now? She will not pass?"

Elrond shook his head. "No... No matter how much she fights, the potion will bring her back. She will wake in a few days."

Aragorn pulled Legolas to his feet saying, "Come now, we must leave. She will be fine, mellon." (Friend)

Legolas complied, stealing one last kiss upon his beloved's cold forehead, before he was pulled away by Aragorn...

Little did Legolas know, that by giving her that potion and bringing her back against her will - it would change Tari... But in what ways? He would not see her for an entire year. What would he find when he returns? Will she even be there?