1As Legolas walked with involuntary grace down the stairs, sheathing his sword, he saw Tari standing in the courtyard, already mounted upon her horse, and holding the reins of his own. She looked a great deal older for some reason; sitting proudly upon her horse with her fair hair tied up in a braided knot, her sword at her side, and a bow and quiver slung over her back. Her garb was much the same as she had worn the day Elladan and Elrohir had locked her in her room; that of a Rivendell guard.

"Quel amrun." (Good morning I think...Someone really has to help me with elvish translations) he greeted as he took the reins of his horse and mounted.

He was answered by a curt nod, with no smile. "Where is it that thou wishes to ride, milord?" she asked quietly.

Legolas had been thinking about that while he had walked here, and he had the perfect place in mind... "Follow me milady..." was his answer. He quickly pivoted his horse, and galloped out of the gates. Tari quickly followed, wondering what his intentions were.

The forest was quiet, and very peaceful. After a while, Legolas slowed to a canter, and Tari pulled up beside him. Her eyes were fixed on the trail, but they seemed oddly blank and emotionless. He slowed his horse even more, until they were at a gentle walk. They were now riding side by side, since the trail was wide enough. Legolas thought it best that he begin a conversation, to pull her out of her thoughts before she turned into that empty shell-of-an-elf.

"You've changed so much Tari..." he said in a calm, soft voice.

She nodded, "That is what happens, when one grows up. One cannot always dwell on the past, for they can become lost in turmoil and grief..."

"Aye, that they can. Yet there are good memories to dwell on as well. For I brood often on the day I found you in the woods."

"I do not think of those days. I only think of what is to come. I brood on my mistakes I've made in the past, and how to correct them in the future. Nothing more."

"What mistakes could you possibly make?" he asked curiously, turning to look at her.

"I fell in love with you..." she said, her voice as quiet and distant as the wind.

"And that was a mistake?"

"Aye, it was." she answered.

Legolas turned his horse onto a well hidden trail, and kicked his horse back into a canter. Tari reluctantly followed, feeling as though she just wanted to turn around and gallop all the way back home. She didn't want to be here, under his scrutiny. Why did he have to dredge up the past? Didn't he understand her pain when he spoke of these matters? Was this a game to him?

She halted her horse quickly, almost running into Legolas's. He had stopped in a beautiful glade full of wild flowers. A waterfall was there as well, pouring into a deep pool of crystal clear water. Sunlight streamed through the willow trees in the secluded clearing... Tari couldn't deny that it was indeed beautiful. Legolas had dismounted, and was undoing his horse's bridle, and taking off his saddle to let him wander to graze. Tari finally started to move, doing the same with her horse before hesitantly following Legolas to sit by the warm waters of the pool. She gracefully sat down upon a smooth rock that had been warmed by the sun's rays, tucking her legs under her and staring into the water.

Legolas watched her, knowing that she was not going to speak unless forced to. "So, why was falling in love with me a mistake?" he asked casually.

Tari raised her gaze, glaring. "You mock my pain, prince. You know very well why it was a mistake. Or is your ego so full that you have forgotten that you are betrothed to someone other than me?"

"I have not forgotten. I may be betrothed, but that doesn't mean we still cannot be in love with each other. You could come to Mirkwood with me, and live there. There is no reason why we cannot love each other, Tari." he said, sitting down next to her. She scooted away from him.

"If I did come to Mirkwood and live there, where you will have a wife, I would be labeled as the prince's official bed warmer. I'd be nothing but a pet you keep out of pity." she spat, drawing her knees up to her chin.

"I would never allow that to happen. Tari, we-"

"No Legolas! Don't you understand!" Tari shouted, getting to her feet with tears in her eyes. "There is no 'we' anymore! There is just you, and me, and your betrothed. I am trying to stay away from you, and move on, but you just keep holding me back!"

"And for a damn good reason too!" he answered with just as loud a voice, standing up as well and grasping her by the shoulders. "Because I love you! I will do whatever it takes to end that betrothal to be with you!"

Tari didn't say anything, but wiped away her tears angrily. "Just stop, Legolas. Stop loving me, and love your betrothed instead."

"I cannot. I would die if I was forced to stop loving you." he said sincerely, cupping her chin to make her look into his eyes to see the truth in his words.

She saw, but she didn't want to. Tari tried to pull away, but to no avail. Legolas's grip was firm, but gentle. "Let me go." she hissed, struggling.

"No." was his defiant answer.

Tari squirmed even more against his grasp, the tears becoming more numerous as she did so. The more she tried to pull away, the weaker she became, and the more tears were shed from her sorrowful, desperate looking brown eyes. Eventually, Legolas was holding her against his chest, his arms draped around her as she cried upon his shoulder. He soothed her with calming elvish words as he ran his fingers through her hair, and rubbed her back. Legolas scooped her up in his arms and sat down upon the rock with her. Her tears soon quelled to nothingness, and she merely allowed herself to be held in his arms as he softly and beautifully sang something that sounded like a lullaby. "It's alright..." he whispered, kissing her forhead. "I'll make my father end the betrothal... I'll do whatever it takes."

She nodded solemnly, but said, "As much as my heart truly wants to believe your words, my mind tells me different."

"Then choose the one that you want to listen to..." was his answer, as he stood up and set her down upon the rock. He fetched the horses, and saddled and bridled hers for her. She mounted, still drying the tears from her face to make it look as though she hadn't been crying.

The journey back to Rivendell from that tranquil spot, was quick, and silent. Though, Legolas held her hand in his in a comforting way.

As they reached the gates, and entered, they saw a small group of people, gathered at the foot of the stairs. They had evidently just arrived, for their horses were just being led away by the stable hands. Tari eyes the five curiously, that spoke to her father and brothers. All had hoods up. She dismounted, with Legolas at her side, and approached. At that moment, one of the travelers turned around quickly, causing their hood to fall off... Tari's eyes widened as she saw the face of the person beneath the cloak. Her heart froze inside her chest, and shattered as the cold hands of despair crushed it.

It was his betrothed...