Hello again! Wow, I'm updating so much I'm scaring myself! Here's an extra long chapter for you all! Enjoy!

Elanor carefully opened her riding pack, searching through the bag until her fingers touched the rough paper edges of the letters. She did not pull them out, for fear Talin you see them and tease her mercilessly, but simply knowing they were there gave her comfort. Often her thoughts would go to them, but it was not Aragorn who first came to her mind, but Legolas. The letters he sent eased her worries. He must have known this and she was grateful for them. She often found herself wondering how he was, what he was doing, or what he would think. Once she found herself longing to speak with him, remembering their short conversations at Rivendell and how he had been the only one to speak to her with such bluntness and honesty that it allowed her to see the childishness of her ways.

She had hoped that another letter would arrive before they left but so far she had been disappointed.

Elanor turned as she heard Edain calling for the group. Elanor pushed the papers to the bottom under some spare clothes and adjusted the strap of Aeglos' saddled, strapping her pack closed.

Elanor lead her horse to the clearing where the others waited. The elves of Lothlorien gathered at the foot of the grand staircase. Edain and the others stood waiting, bidding farewell. Elanor smiled as Arwen walked up to her.

"You will not change your mind?" Elanor asked as she embraced the elf.

"I will not." said Arwen sadly, shaking her head.

"Is there nothing you wish to send to him?"

"There is nothing more I can give him of myself that he does not already possess." The elven beauty said.

"Arwen, I do not think I can thank you enough." The ranger said sincerely.

"We are family." Arwen answered with a smile. Elanor paused and looked at her. Slowly her mouth curved to a small smile.

"Yes. I guess we are."

Arwen smiled warmly, "Keep safe." She said as they hugged once more. Elanor nodded and smiled as Arwen stepped away, giving her hand one last squeeze before dropping it gently. Elanor felt a strange shiver rush over her as she watched Arwen walk away; staring as though she would not see her again. Without knowing why Elanor starting after her when a voice called out,

"Elanor."

The ranger turned at her name to find Lord Elrond standing behind her. Elanor looked from him back to where Arwen was stood only to find her gone. Saddened Elanor turned back and greeted Elrond with a bow.

"My lord."

"Our time together has grown all to short." The elven lord said, "I know Arwen will miss your company."

"And I hers." Elanor said softly. Elrond smiled and put a gentle hand on her arm,

"If you wish it, it would please me greatly for you to return to Rivendell once more."

"Thank you." she said sincerely, allowing a small smile.

"Ada."

Behind Lord Elrond called out and a dark haired elf stepped forward. His grey eyes and youthful features were familiar to her, yet different somehow.

"Elanor, this is my son Elladan." Elrond introduced them. Elladan smiled at her, giving a small bow, "I have heard much about you. It is a pleasure to finally meet you."

"And you." Elanor nodded in reply.

Elladan smiled. "I was pleased to hear you shall be riding with us. I have many embarrassing stories about my brother to regale you with on our journey."

Elanor laughed inspite of herself, "I look forward to hearing them."

"Are the two of you ready?" Elrond asked.

Elladan turned to his father and nodded, "We are ready to leave as soon as the dunedain are prepared."

"Arwen was looking for you. Go to her, I shall meet with you shortly." Elrond said. Elladan agreed and bid his goodbyes, Elanor watching as he disappeared back into the group of waiting men and elves.

"Your children are going to war." Elanor spoke softly, choosing her words carefully. Elrond looked to her and smiled sadly,

"If it is their wish that they fight, I have no right to stop them." He sighed.

Elanor looked at the elven lord, as if for the first real time, realising that he was finally letting his children go, even if it was to there death. Slowly Elanor stepped forward and placed a gently kiss on Elrond cheek.

"This is not the end." She said softly. "Just a new beginning."

Elrond looked down at her surprised, his face softened to an understanding smile. "Ride safe."

Elanor nodded and waved farewell to Lord Elrond. Elanor took a deep breath and sighed. Beside her Aeglos gave a short snort of impatience and pawed at the ground. Elanor reached up and stroked the mares' neck soothingly, whispering gently in elvish, something she found calmed the animal. The chatter of voices around her lowered to a hush as Lady Galadriel stepped amongst them with her husband. The elven queen stood before Edain and his men.

"A new age has dawned." She said in a floating voice, "The time of the elves has ended. It is now the acts of men that will bring the decisions of the future." As she spoke, Galadriel looked at each of the men in turn. Edain bowed, the rest of the men following his actions. They turned to leave, Edain in front, the other rangers following, leading their horses through the narrow, wooded path. Talin remained beside Elanor, waiting. The pair watched as the elven twins said their goodbyes and swiftly mounted their horses and rode after the ranger. As they passed Elanors eye caught with her fathers. She stared briefly before looking away. Talin placed a comforting hand on her shoulder before climbing onto his own horse and trotting forward.

Elanor moved to climb up on Aeglos when Galadriel called out to her.

"Namarie Elentári."

Elanor paused and turned to face her, "Elentári, you called me that once before."

"Yes, for it is your name." Galadriel said her voice soft and haunting.

"My name is Elanor."

"You may go by many names, child. But you cannot deny the truth of your birth. You are a royal daughter of the Teleri. You are Elentári, daughter of Elrohir, the star-queen of our people."

Elanor stared back, open mouthed, unable to find a reply. The star-queen? What did she mean? Slowly, as if all the broken pieces of her past fell into place, it dawned on her. Not only was she part of a family now, but an important one, one of high standing amongst both men and elves. But what did they expect of her? To give up her life amongst the Dunedain and live with the elves? Could she really do that?

Elanor looked away and tried to push those thoughts from her mind. What was happening now was more important. She stared back at Galadriel and, after a moment's hesitation, bowed.

"Namarie." Elanor said. Galadriel smiled and nodded, watching silently as Elanor climbed upon Aeglos and rode off.

Halbarad stood waiting at the edges of Lothlorien as he had promised. The group of men sat upon large horse, all dressed in the woodland clothes of the dunedain, all looking no less a soldier than the armoured men of Gondor. Edain rode forward beside Halbarad, who called out to the group, kicking his steed forward and riding off across the open lands, away from the shelter of the woods. The men followed suit, spurring their horses onwards. Without word, Aeglos sprung forward excited by the thrill of the ride, with Thalion close behind. Elanor laughed at Talins surprised face as his horse lurched forward. Raef and Mannen rode behind them, chuckling as Talin regained control, turning to glare at the two men.

The band rode on, following the great river south towards the lands of Rohan. A day had passed, then two and on the third Talin had become worried.

"She has barely spoken." He confided to Raef as they sat eating a crudely prepared meal. It was one of the few rests the rangers had had for their need for haste was great. Raef sighed gently and drove a hand through his hair.

"Elanor has much to think about." He said, pushing at a lump of food on his plate.

"She's been avoiding him." Talin said thoughtfully, nodding in the direction of the elven brethren who sat together, talking with Edain.

"I had noticed." Raef replied sarcastically.

"This is not like her."

"Perhaps you should speak with her."

Talin nodded and picked up a plate, placing a few choice items onto it before standing up and walking over to the lone figure beside the river. Raef looked up as Mannen came and sat next to him, taking the food he offered to him.

"Where's he off to?" The younger ranger asked, tearing off a chunk of stale bread.

"To speak with Elanor."

"Ah, do you think he'll finally tell her?"

"Who knows?" Raef asked with a shrug. "He's such a fool."

"We can not all be as brave as you, you know." Mannen joked, digging his elbow into his fellow rangers' side. "It's not easy to confess something like that." The pale haired man fell silent and looked away embarrassed. Raef looked down at him and smiled softly. He reached up and gently placed his hand on Mannen's head.

"I know."

Elanor looked up as she heard the soft tread of footsteps approach her. She smiled as Talin sat down beside her, holding out a plate that she took gratefully. They sat together in silence as Elanor ate.

"It is hard to believe it is March already." Elanor said suddenly. "It seems like only a days ago we where still in Fornost. So much has happened…"

"The last few months have been maddening." Talin agreed. "And the days to come will be worse."

"If you have come to talk me out of this then…"

"No, no. I know better than that." Talin said with a smile, "But I will feel better when Aragorn is back with us, to know that we are not alone."

"No, we are not alone." She said, placing a hand on the pack at her side. The gesture did not go unnoticed. His eyes followed her hand and noticed the brown edges of paper peaking out from under her pack.

"What are they?"

"Nothing." She said all too quickly, pushing the papers further from his view.

"Really? Then why do you keep them?"

Elanor paused, not really sure how to answer him. If she told him the truth he would laugh and call her childish. Suddenly Talin reached across and whipped one of the letters out from under her bag. Elanor gave a yelp of surprise but could not stop him before he read the letter.

"Who is he?" Talin asked his voice quiet. "This Legolas?"

"You met him at Rivendell." Elanor said. Annoyed she pulled the paper roughly from his hand. "He travels with Aragorn as a member of the fellowship."

"You mean the prince?" Talin asked surprised, "Why would he send you letters?"

Elanor blinked. Why did he sound so irritated?

"I… I do not know." She replied, "It just arrived with the ones Aragorn sent to Arwen. Why are you angry?"

"I am not angry."

"Yes you are. This is not my fault."

Elanor folded her arms defensively and glared at him. Talin stared back for a moment before looking down at hands. There was a long pause until Talin spoke again.

"He must be fond of you." He said quietly still not looking at her. Elanor stared.

"I beg your pardon?" she asked, her arms dropping to her side.

"To send you so many letters." Talin continued, "You said yourself, that Aragorn sent letters to Arwen."

"That is not the same."

"Isn't it?"

"Legolas does not feel that way about me!" Elanor said angrily.

"Are you sure?" Talin shot back, "How do you feel about him?"

"I-" Elanor stopped mid-sentence. How did she feel about him? All she knew of him were what he wrote in her letters. At best they could be friends, but what Talin had said shook her. Why had he wrote to her? Then something Haldir had said flashed back to her.

"It seems the young prince is smitten."

Elanor felt the hot sting of a blush rise to her face. No. He couldn't possibly… Just because Aragorn sent letters to his beloved did not mean… but she was in love with Aragorn, wasn't she?

Talin watched the conflicting emotions pass over her and felt the twinge of guilt. "Elanor?" he called softly. "I am sorry if I upset you."

She answered, shaking her head softly, "The truth is I do not know how I feel. I am so confused…I thought I loved Him." Elanor let her head fall and gave a sad sigh. "After meeting with Arwen, I know that my love only pales against hers. I have started to think maybe I was wrong. That perhaps my feelings are not as strong as I thought."

Elanor drew her knees up to her chest and crossed her arms on top of them. "Lately I have found myself thinking more and more about Legolas. Am I really that fickle? Can I simple switch my feelings from one to another?"

"Love is a strange thing." Talin answered her.

"I did not say I loved him." Elanor snapped suddenly.

"So you do not?"

"I do not know!" Elanor exclaimed, slumping forward in defeat, her head buried in her arms. "Besides, even if I did…" She said softly, her voice muffled, "a prince cannot love someone like me. I am a mere ranger."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Talin asked, "What about Aragorn and Arwen?"

"That is different, he is a king!" Elanor let out a frustrated cry. "Why must things always be so complicated? Why can I not love someone who can love me in return? Someone, someone like…"

"Me?" Talin asked softly. Elanor lifted her head and looked at him.

"Yes, exactly!" she exclaimed, "Someone like you, someone who understand me." Elanor sighed long and low and let her head flop onto Talins shoulder. "Thank you Talin."

"For what?" he asked.

"For everything. When ever I have worries, you are always there to listen to me."

"Promise me something." Elanor said suddenly, sitting up to face him.

"Anything." Talin said seriously.

Elanor clasped both his hands in her, "Promise you will always be my brother. Maybe not by blood, but here…" she placed a hand on his chest, covering his heart, "You will always my brother."

Elanor looked at him and he paused, looking at her sadly. Elanor did not notice the look in his eyes. She knew she was being selfish, but she could not bear to loose Talin as well. After a moment the young mans face broke into a small smile. He pulled his hands free and wrapped them tightly around her, pulling them close.

"I promise I will always love you."

Elanor gasped softly at the suddenly display of affection but smiled into his shoulder and hugged him back tightly.

"Thank you." she said softly.

Aww... I hate myself for putting poor Talin through that! I think myabe i just want him for myself! And will he ever tell her the truth? Who knows? not even me! But yes.. I think this story will be a Legomance as I heard someone once describe it. Atleast it seems to be leaning that way,I swear this thing has a mind of it's own! Anyhoo, The next chapter should be ready soon, I've got the writting bug again! Onwards to Rohan!