Farothwen did not see her father until star-opening, when the evening feast started. He was seated at the board alongside Glorfindel, Glorohtar on his other side. Farothwen sat beside Glorohtar, not daring to look up from her plate, no matter how many times Beleglor tried to gain eye contact. She only whispered low words to Glorohtar for the whole meal, not feeling in the mood for speaking to anyone else. She was too hurt.

She couldn't believe how her own father turned on her and her rescuers like that. All her life, she thought he was different from the other Elves who ridiculed and rejected her. And now he was one of them... would Glorohtar be like that too?

Farothwen excused herself and left the board and fled up to her room, tears stinging her eyes. She flopped on her bed, her face buried in a pillow, silent tears running down her cheeks.

She heard the door open. 'Go away,' she said, her voice muffled.

'That's very nice, coming from someone who caused me to be removed from my own room.'

Farothwen lifted her head. All she could see was a tall silhouette and the light of ebony hair. ''Rohir?' she asked, uncertain.

''Dan, actually.' Elladan entered and sat on her bed. He looked around. 'You know how insufferable my brother is to bunk with? He snores like a demon. I swear he's not Elven sometimes.'

Farothwen let a small giggle escape.

'That's the spirit, sweeting. Now, do you want to come here and tell your Uncle 'Dan all about it?'

Farothwen raised an eyebrow. 'Uncle? You look hardly older than me in age.'

'Well, forget about the uncle bit. But still, come here and tell me.'

Farothwen hesitantly sat up and told Elladan all about what her father did and how much it scared her. She felt utterly dismissed and rejected, and she feared Glorohtar would do the same. She also did not know how to help her father cope with his memories and how to comfort him. Elladan listened sympathetically and put a friendly arm around Farothwen. After she finished speaking, he nodded thoughtfully and began to speak.

'Well, it's an awful lot for you to deal with, especially so close to your wedding. I think maybe the best thing is for you to talk to each other and get everything out in the open.'

'But, Elladan, I don't want to talk to him right now.'

'Too bad, he's here.' Elladan gestured to the doorway. Beleglor stood with Elrohir, who gave him a subtle push into the room. Elladan smiled at Farothwen and left the room with Elrohir.

'Promise me you'll never have twins, Farothwen, for they are sneaky and like to meddle in others' affairs,' Beleglor said flatly.

Laughter reverberated down the hallway, as well as distant voices.

'Did you hear that, brother Elrohir? Sneaky indeed!'

'Certainly did, brother Elladan! I'm most insulted!'

Farothwen bowed her head as a slight smile covered her face. When she had recovered, she looked back up at her father. His face was sad and eyes apologetic, red from crying. He wordlessly knelt at Farothwen's feet and took her hands and kissed them.

'Iell nin, please forgive me. I'm ever so sorry for hurting you the way I did. I know not what came over me, and I'm sorry I never told you of what happened to me when I was an Elfling. I'm sorry for all the hurt you suffered, I did not know what they did to you. I'm sorry that Hirogaer hurt you, I'm sorry I was not able to raise you in the way you deserved, I'm sorry I did not keep the promise I made to your mother. I'm sorry for all the wrongs done to you your entire life. I've failed you. Please forgive me.'

Farothwen did not know what to say to this speech. Words failed her.

'M-my mother?'

Beleglor nodded. He reached inside his tunic and gave her a well-thumbed, crumpled piece of paper. 'I have been carrying this around with me for forty-one years, waiting for the right time to give it to you. I suppose that time is now.' He pressed it into Farothwen's hand. She carefully opened it and read it, but not without some difficulty. Her eyes filled with tears.

'My name is Ilirdin... is that why you called me Farothwen?'

Beleglor nodded. 'I thought it only fair to keep the name your mother gave you.'

Farothwen shook her head. 'What caused her to abandon me? What happened to my father? Where is she now?'

'There are many questions that will go unanswered, my dear one. But do not dwell on the past. Am I not your father?'

'Of course you are my father, and you always will be. It's just a part of me will always be unknown.'

'I know, sweetard. But look to your future! It will be bright and glorious. And your children will be beautiful, just like you.'

Beleglor drew Farothwen into a long embrace, still kneeling before her. He wiped her tears away and took her hands. He smiled, trying to act excited.

'We can't have you crying, you're going to get married soon!'

Farothwen laughed in spite of her tears. 'I know.'

Beleglor rose and kissed her forehead. 'You'd better sleep, sweet one, as do I. Today has been a very long day.'

'Du maen, Ada. Melon le.'

Beleglor smiled at Farothwen. 'Melon le, hen nin.'

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Iell nin - My daughter

Du maen, Ada. Melon le - Good night, Dad. I love you

hen nin - My child