NOTE: I was away for a week in Virginia on vacation and got back a few days ago. I wrote this chapter while there, then had to force myself to type it. I hope it's better than the previous chapter. Sage/Lindalien, I'm not in college anymore, but thanks anyway! Also, about pronouncing the twins' names, Selena is pronounced "Sel-eh-na", and Selina "Sel-ee-na". Hope that helps. I also changed the title of this story from To Heal a Prince's Heart to Of Love and Loss. I'm not sure what the bit about Imrahil's children in the previous chapter's notes was all about, I couldn't find anything about them that related to that anywhere in the chapter. Oh well...enjoy this chapter!

Mysteries Unveiled

Legolas left shortly after from his sire's room, mind turning over rapidly Thranduil's last words. Could his sire be right in what he had suggested? Was Síriel truly frightened that she did not want him to know? Or was she behaving strangely because she sensed his restlessness? Was her uneasiness due to his anxiousness, or was it brought on by an entirely different reason? The day before she was quite content and peaceful—what brought on this sudden unexpected change in her?

There was only one who would know…

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"Who is there?" Celebrindal called.

She was in her room, attempting to bathe the fussy Selena and Selina when a knock sounded on her door.

"Celebrindal, it is I." Legolas answered.

"Oh, ernil (prince) Legolas. Come in, the door is unlocked."

Legolas entered a few moments later. He went over to his twin daughters and kissed them softly on their foreheads. His heart fluttered as their voices lifted in a cooing greeting.

"They recognize me." he said.

"Elven children know their parents from before they are even born. There is an unbreakable bond, a connection, which forms between elven parents and children at the moment of conception. It is even present in Men, if only they took the time to feel it." Celebrindal said. "We are more aware and sensitive of these things."

"How do you know so much?" Legolas asked.

"I study many things, my lord. In my spare time I am in the library, always reading, always learning. I am not a mere handmaiden who tends to her lady. I spent a hundred years with the healers, then with historians and various scribes. My thirst for knowledge will never cease, not my will to serve and aid my people."

Legolas looked at her in amazement, and a new respect for her filled him.

"And I am honored to have you here with us." he told her.

She simply smiled as she finished giving the last twin her bath.

"Here, let me assist you." Legolas said.

"I do not think you came here to help me." she said. "What is it that you wish to know?"

Legolas smiled.

"Two things I came here for: a question, and then a proposition." he told her.

She nodded.

"And your question is?" she inquired.

"Do you know what is troubling Síriel?" he asked.

"I do not."

"She did not even mention anything to you?"

Celebrindal's eyes flickered momentarily before she said slowly:

"There are certain things one keeps to oneself, for at times it is better to suffer alone than to have another suffer, especially a beloved. Perhaps this is the answer."

Legolas pondered over her words as she took the girls to bed them. She was speaking the truth, for did he not keep his dream to himself because he did not want to worry Síriel?

"That is your question, then?"

Celebrindal's voice startled the Prince out of his reverie. Her blue eyes searched him.

"Is something troubling you?" she asked in a concerned tone.

He shook his head.

"Im vaer (I am fine/well). And you have answered my question. Now it is time for me to tell you the second matter, and it greatly concerns you." he said.

They were seated across from one another now before the large windows, and Legolas could not help but notice how the wavering moonlight danced across her silver hair and lighting up her features. She had the beauty of a true Sindarin maiden.

"Celebrindal, you have become like a sister to me, and what concerns your well being concerns me. This matter that I will share with you is not an easy one. You have undoubtedly noticed the attention Prince Imrahil has lavished so clearly upon you since our arrival. I am sure you have speculated what could possibly be his motive." he began.

The maiden nodded gently, amusement visible on her face.

"He spoke to me tonight about you, about wedding you."

Celebrindal froze slightly.

"I suspected it, but never thought he would actually ask me. His attraction to me is quite clear; he made no effort to hide it. But to know now that his highness desires my hand…" she whispered. "Reality is hard to accept at times—this is one of those times."

Legolas chuckled.

"My dear Celebrindal, who said Prince Imrahil wants you?" he asked her, hiding a smile.

She looked at him, confused.

"You said…" she faltered.

"I said he spoke to me about wedding you, I did not say to whom, though." he answered.

"But his actions, what do they account for?"

"Prince Imrahil is wedded, his wife still alive. She is in the White City with their daughter. Their oldest son is seeking a wife."

Celebrindal sat back in her chair, eyes closed.

"He knows this will shock you, and that it is quite sudden and unexpected. His son is still in the midst of training, but he is close to completion. Elessar has given him a portion of southern Arnor to govern. Prince Imrahil is not expecting an answer, but is wondering if you would be interested in exchanging letters with his son to learn more about him and he about you. You must also bear in mind that should you choose to wed him, he is a mortal man, and you are elven." Legolas finished with much seriousness.

The handmaiden stared at him.

"With this said, I have done what I came to do here. I suggest you rest and not think about this. My apologies for any inconvenience." he said. "Maer fuer (good night)."

"Losto mae (rest well)." she told him as he left.

Legolas made his way to the end of the corridor to his chamber and opened the door softly. Síriel was resting in bed, but her eyes opened when she heard her husband's footsteps and when he lit the candles.

"Rest, rest." he whispered, going over to her.

"I was waiting for you." she said.

Síriel rose from the bed and bid him to sit as she removed his cloak and outer robe. Her hands worked deftly to undo the small braids in his hair.

"How was the council?" she asked him.

"Very long and wearying. We gave the Men our terms and they accepted, or so it seems anyway." Legolas told her as she massaged him.

"That is good tidings."

"Indeed."

They were silent for a few minutes. Legolas, his chest bare, lay on his stomach. Síriel straddled him as she continued to massage him, working her way slowly down his back. Her fingers were slick with the oil she was applying onto his skin. Both of them cherished these moments, when only each other's silence and presence was required.

"You can rise now. I have finished." she said.

Sighing, Legolas rolled over onto his back. Síriel was sitting at the edge of the bed, biting her lip in worry. The Prince knew the time had come before it was too late.

"Síriel, my beloved, something is amiss."

It was not a question, but a statement. He was informing her that he knew she was troubled and requesting her to tell him.

She nodded her copper-red head and crawled into his lap. She looked now like an elfling who needed dire comfort, and it was very endearing to Legolas. Her head was turned towards him, emerald eyes locked onto his sapphire gaze as if her life depended on it.

"Legolas, I do not know how to tell you this." she began. "But I am very frightened."

He ran his hand through her hair.

"What frightens you, meleth nín (my love)?" he asked.

"It is a dream I had." she said, and the prince's heart lurched. "I dreamed you were holding a male child in your arms, and the girls were there, and Celebrindal also, but when I tried to approach you, a great force held me back, and darkness fell."

Legolas felt his breath stop.

"And I too had a dream. The Lady Galadriel came to me and said that if I truly love you, then I must not put you in any harm, that I must not follow my heart." he told her. "And this frightens me. I love you, and to harm you is inconceivable in my mind."

Síriel put her fingers to his lips.

"Daro (stop). I know you love me, and I love you. But what can our dreams mean?" she said.

Legolas was quiet for several moments.

"At times our dreams show us our worst fears. They are a test to prove our strengths, or weaknesses. They can also serve as warnings. But I think our dreams are mirroring our darkest and most dreaded fears." he said slowly.

"You believe this?" Síriel asked earnestly, fear receding.

He nodded his head, drawing her closer.

"I believe this. I love you with all my heart, how could I harm you? I would willingly give up my life for you if needed." he assured her.

"And I for you, Legolas." she murmured.

He looked down to see her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Is this all that troubles you?" he asked softly.

She nodded.

"It is all." she replied.

"Good. Then let me tell you about the surprise that occurred during the council. Éomer wishes to wed Prince Imrahil's daughter." he told her.

"Imrahil has a daughter?"

"And three sons. Lothiriel is in the White City now on a visit, and her brothers training."

"Well, this is very glad tidings then."

"It is."

"A surprise but glad tidings."

"What if I were to tell you that Imrahil spoke to me concerning Celebrindal?"

Síriel glanced up at him, transfixed.

"Then what we assumed is correct." she said.

Legolas smiled mysteriously at her.

"What we assumed is partly correct." he said.

"What do you mean?" she asked, puzzled.

"Imrahil desires her not for himself, but for his eldest son, who is ready to govern a small province that Elessar has gifted him. He has only to complete his training."

"Does she know this?"

The Prince nodded.

"I told her before I came. Celebrindal has grown to become a sister to me, and what concerns her is a great concern to me." he said.

Síriel beamed.

"And to think I once was of the belief that you are an arrogant and cold prince, who thinks little of any but yourself, and who looks down upon the servants." Síriel laughed, shaking her head.

Legolas looked down at her.

"And now what do you believe?" he asked.

"That everything I once thought about you is wrong. And I am sorry I ever felt that way." she said.

"Come, let us rest. We both have had long and tiring days. Let us dream pleasantly tonight."

But Síriel was already resting comfortably in his arms.