Chapter 25

Waking Up

Tari let her eyes open slowly, causally adjusting to the light. Something was nestled up against her...

Tari looked for the source, and found Estellia clinging to her, fast asleep. Her head was nestled under Tari's chin, and her small hands were clenching the white healing gown Tari wore.

Tari heard a faint chuckle behind her, and carefully turned her head. Legolas was sitting in a chair, watching her with interest. "She's been like that since we brought you here..." Legolas whispered, getting up.

Tari carefully moved over to provide space on the bed for him, taking Estellia more comfortably in her arms as the elfling slept on.

"She believes you then?" Tari asked quietly, stroking her daughter's fair hair lovingly, and kissing her forehead.

Legolas nodded. "She believes us, Tari. Aye. Did you not hear how she called you mother in Durthang? The fear that filled her eyes for your life?"

"I was too afraid for hers to take notice that the fear she held was for me..." Tari said, feeling an arm slip around her waist. His other hand found the side of her face, where he caressed her cheek, before going up to her pointed ear, and stroking it. Tari shivered, stifling a moan of longing. "Legolas, don't do that..." she whispered, "Not now at least..."

Legolas chuckled huskily in her ear, kissing the nape of her neck. "I cannot begin to tell you howfearful I was, watching Arya hold that knife, and the guard with Estellia. If it was not for Gandalf, Icannot bring myselfto think of the outcome had he not intervened..."

"You would have taken Estellia, like I told you." Tari said firmly.

"I couldn't choose... I love you both too much to choose only one of you..."

Estellia stirred, waking slowly. "Naneth..." (mother) she whispered, her voice still filled with sleep.

Tari couldn't help but smile, letting a silver tear escape her eyes as her daughter said her name. "Uma, estel nin..." (yes, my hope) Tari whispered, "Im sinome..." (I am here)

Estellia looked up at Tari and Legolas, before smiling. Tari smiled even wider, to see her happy.

"Did you sleep well, iiel nin?" (my daughter) Tari asked, placing another kiss on her forhead, and sitting up straighter with Estellia in her lap.

Estellia nodded, nestling once again against Tari, and closing her eyes.

"My my, aren't you cuddly." Legolas said, tickling her sides.

Estellia squirmed in discomfort, stifling a giggle. "Ada! N'uma! Daro, saes!" (daddy! no! stop, please!) She cried, fighting to get away from his fingers.

Tari giggled at their antics. "Legolas stop! You're torturing the poor girl!"

Legolas stayed his hands as Estellia peeked out from underneath the covers of the comforter she had taken to hiding under.

"I wonder where our daughter hath gotten to?" Legolas said, feigning curiosity. "If we do not find her, then she cannot play with her cousins and dance at the feast tonight."

It was only then that Tari realized that she was indeed in Rivendell. "How long was I unconscious!" she suddenly exclaimed.

Legolas laughed with mirth. "You only now realize where you are? You've been asleep for a week and a half!" he said, still pretending to look around for Estellia. "Now, where is she? I suppose I shall have to give her new gown to Isil instead, seeing as how I can't find her..."

"What new gown?" Estellia exclaimed, leaping from the covers, her eyes overbright.

Tari laughed aloud, falling back onto the pillows.

Tari watched the elves dancing before her, while taking a long drought of wine from her glass. Estellia was dancing with Legolas, being twirled around and lifted into the air. Many elves had turned up for the feast; even Haldir from Lorien, and many elves from Ithilien and Eryn Lasgalen. The elves from Greenwood the Great were overjoyed to see their King and Prince again. Delighted were they to know that the Prince had taken a wife, and now had a daughter.

They all celebrated the end of the war, feasting, drinking, toasting, singing, and dancing merrily. Someone suddenly grabbed her hand, pulling her from her seat.

"Come and dance dear sister!" Elladan said, pulling her onto the dance floor and shoving her into Legolas's arms. Estellia was now dancing with one of Haldir's younger sons, Celebin. He had taken quite an affection to Legolas's daughter, and had a glazed look in his eye when he looked at her.

Tari pointed this out to Legolas, who laughed at the look on the Marchwarden's son's face as he danced, not taking in a word that Estellia said to him.

"It seems that your son has fallen in love with our young daughter, Haldir." Legolas said as they danced near the Lorien elf and his wife, Uruviel.

Uruivel looked to her son, and laughed as well. "It seems he has. We'd better keep an eye on those two." she said with feigned caution.

"I'll keep both eyes on him..." Legolas murmured so that only Tari heard.

"Legolas! For Valar's sake! He's only seven-hundred odd years old!" Tari scolded, watching her daughter being twirled around in Celebin's arms.

"If he's anything like I was at that age, he's already keeping an eye open for a girlfriend." Haldir said, dipping Uruviel deeply, so that her head nearly touched the marble floor.

"Aye. You were quite the charmer at his age." Uruviel noted as she was set upright again.

"Haldir? Looking for elleths at seven-hundred? Now that is something I never would've thought." Tari said, watching Legolas roll his eyes.

A slow song began, and Legolas pulled Tari closer. She rested her head against his chest, closing her eyes as she swayed involuntarily with the music.

"I would like to 'strengthen' our bond tonight, Tari..." Legolas whispered in her ear, his voice husky and seductive.

Tari smiled, her eyes still closed. She felt warmth rushing to her cheeks, and knew she was blushing. "You forget that we have a daughter now, meleth nin..." (my love)

"I have not forgotten at all..." Legolas replied, still in a whisper. "That is why she is staying with Isil and Ruminar tonight..."

Tari raised her head up from his chest, staring at him with her mouth open. "Why you little--"

Legolas pressed a hand to her lips, silencing her. "There is no need for rude words, princess." he said with a smile.

Tari narrowed her eyes at him.

"I take it you deny my request?" Legolas asked, pulling her closer again. He tightened his arms around her, so she could not pull away.

Tari sighed. "You just want to hear me beg, is that it?"

"My dear Tari, by the end of tonight, you'll be doing more than begging..."