1Tari was fuming when the door of her chambers finally opened, and Elrond walked in, still wearing his traveling clothes. He looked gravely at his daughter, who was sitting on the edge of her bed, with her arms crossed, glaring at a spot on the ceiling.

"I hear you've been orc hunting? And that you nearly changed the shape of Elladan's nose with your dagger?" Elrond asked, taking off his cloak as he strode over and took a seat next to his daughter.

"He would've deserved it..." she retorted stiffly. "He wouldn't let me go." she huffed.

Elrond stifled a small chuckled. "You are whining like an elfling... But I do have to agree with both of them."

"What! Adar-?"

"It's too dangerous. The war may be over, but the Dark Lord's servants still have their instinct; they still want to kill every living thing in Middle Earth. Your pride is one of your greatest weaknesses, Tari."

"But adar, I've been going out by myself and killing orcs since the fellowship left! Why now do you suddenly forbid me to go?" Tari protested.

"Because I have just found out that you've done so! I don't want to see you dead Tari! Strong you may be, but you are not the same. Hatred and despair have clouded your mind. You will not be able to kill orcs forever unhindered. It will catch up to you eventually." Elrond warned.

"And why is that? Because you forced me out of fading? Because, you chose Legolas to be part of the fellowship? That you couldn't convince his father not to have him marry another?" Tari nearly shouted, unwanted tears stinging the corners of her eyes.

"I do not deny what I've done, and the will of others. But now, when you've another chance, you push him away. Your heart still loves him Tari, I know you do. I can see it as plainly as the locket you wear around your neck..." Elrond said, lifting the locket off of her tunic and staring at the red (anger, hate) jewel there.

Tari snatched it back, glaring at him. "You know nothing of me. You may think you can read my thoughts and feelings as easily as if they were etched upon my face for your perusal, but you are mistaken, my lord."

Elrond let out a long, dejected sigh. 'Why does she make this so difficult? I only wish her happiness. Everyone does... especially Legolas. If only she would let him back into her heart...'

Tari heard his thoughts, and her frown deepened as she thought to herself angrily, 'My heart is my own and no others... Besides. Legolas is betrothed to another. That is that. I have moved on, and so should they.' Her thoughts were broken by her father.

"You will come to dinner tonight, in a dress mind you. And tomorrow, you will go out riding with Prince Legolas."

Tari gaped at him. "I'm not hungry. And I do not wish to go riding with the prince tomorrow."

"Well then, you shall have to deal with it. Because as your father, you must obey me." Elrond stated, standing up. His smile grew a little wider at the look on his daughter's face. "And, even if you aren't hungry, I demand that you come to dinner in the hall, which I might add is in about thirty minutes."

Tari did indeed come down to dinner, but did not speak to anyone or eat. She was wearing a lovely dress of pale lavender silks, and had even donned a circlet of mithril. Elrond informed Legolas while they ate that Tari would be taking him for a morning ride the next day. This earned Elrond a glare from Tari, who had her arms folded across her chest.

"That sounds lovely." Legolas had answered, glancing at Tari to gage her reaction. Her face, however, remained quite impassive. After dinner, as he laid down in bed he vowed to himself to break through the walls that she had built around her emotions over the time he had been gone. He would find out how she really felt, and force her to understand how much he still loved her... No matter what the cost.