An hour after his talk with his father, Rilian knocked on Estel's door. He knew she was preparing to head back to Cair Paravel with her parents, but he had to talk to her before they left. She answered the door with a pleasant smile on her face, "Rilian...what's wrong? You look troubled."

He immediately took her hand and led her out of her room and through the hallways, "I must speak with you alone..."

She rushed to keep up, noticing the obvious difference in his demeanor, "Rilian...please tell me what's wrong?"

"Not here...we must talk in private." He led her off of the castle grounds to a nearby field where their tree stood.

She panted and stared at him, "What made you drag me all the way down here?"

He shook his head, "I just found something out this morning and I think it's imperative that you know."

Estel's face dropped, "So they are going through with it..."

He raised his voice in surprise, "Through with what? You know about Dharmesh?"

She nodded and turned away from him to rest a hand on the tree trunk, "My mother warned me that it may happen, but I didn't want to believe it could."

Rilian furrowed his eyebrows, "Why did you not tell me?"

"We just found out about our feelings for each other last night...I wanted to spend at least one day believing you were the only man in my future."

He took her face in his hands and stared into her eyes, "I refuse to allow this Estel...I cannot live without you by my side." A lone tear fell down her face as he kissed her desperately, "Estel...never give up hope."


That evening, Susan sat in bed as Legolas undressed and climbed into bed next to her, kissing her shoulder lovingly. He moved his lips to her neck and whispered sweet, elvish nothings against her skin. Her lack of response caused him to stop and look into her eyes, "Melamin...are you alright? You seem a bit preoccupied."

Susan let out a soft sigh and looked into her husband's eyes, "I just keep thinking of Estel. I never thought that I would have to sacrifice the happiness of one of my children for the safety of Narnia."

Legolas nodded and looked down, "Nor did I my love...I only pray that she is strong enough to endure the road ahead of her."

"Strength will never be Estel's problem...she is stronger than you, more beautiful than me and wiser than the two of us put together...but she still deserves love. She is our child. She was conceived in love and thrives off of it. In just a few months she's going to be removed from an environment filled with love and memories and thrust into a barbaric land filled with strange customs and small minded men."

Legolas rubbed his wife's back and pulled her into a comforting embrace, "We must pray that Aslan gives us strength."

They sat in each others arms, saying silent prayers to the lion that had not shown himself since before the birth of the first royal child.


A few days later, Rilian rode to Cair Paravel with his parents. When they arrived, both families made their way to the dining hall.

After a few moments of awkward silence, Caspian spoke up, "Legolas...Susan, I believe you know the reason of our visit."

Susan glanced at her husband and nodded, then looked across the table at her old friend, "Yes Caspian...we know."

Caspian turned his eyes toward the young woman he had grown to love as his own daughter, "Estel, I know your parents mentioned it before, but the time has come to officially inform the court of your betrothal to Prince Dharmesh of Calormene."

Estel took a deep breath and looked down. She could feel Rilian's eyes on her and was afraid that if she looked at him, she would burst into tears. She spoke slowly and calmly, "Alright."

Susan pursed her lips together and stared at her hands for a moment as her husband spoke, "Has King Atash set a date yet?"

Caspian nodded, "January."

Rilian spoke up for the first time, "But that's just three months away!"

Jasmina put a gentle hand on her son's arm to quiet him as Caspian gave Estel a sympathetic look, "I have convinced King Atash to allow you to marry in Narnia...but as you know, you will have to live in Calormene once you are married."

Susan took a deep, shivering breath and grasped her husband's hand as their daughter sat staring straight ahead.

A servant girl walked in and curtsied, then turned to Legolas, "Are you ready for dinner to be served my lord?"

Legolas nodded. As the servants finished setting the food on the table, Estel jumped up, "I apologize but I must be excused...I seem to have lost my appetite." The last words nearly broke into a sob as she ran from the room.

As a reflex, Rilian jumped up and followed after her. Legolas stood, but Susan put a hand on his shoulder, knowing Rilian was probably the only one who could possibly calm their daughter at this point.

He found her in her room, nearly hyperventilating as she attempted to keep from completely losing control of her emotions. When he grabbed her and pulled her into his arms, she immediately broke into sobs as she collapsed against his chest.

He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead as he allowed her to spend her emotions. She gripped onto him for dear life as tears flowed freely, wetting his doublet.

When she finally calmed, he helped wipe tears away from her face and kissed her lips. Her voice was shaking, "I love you Rilian...you must always remember that."

He pulled her back into an embrace and shook his head. He was at a loss for words or action. He knew that there was nothing he could do to fix the situation, but he refused to give up on her...on them.

A knock on the door caused them to jerk apart. Susan entered and hugged her daughter tight. Estel stared at him over her mother's shoulder as he left the room. As his parents got ready to leave for the evening, he pulled his father aside, "Do you mind if I stay here this evening? Estel is a bit out of sorts and I think she could use a friend."

Caspian gave his son a long, thoughtful look, "Alright...but do not fall asleep in bed together again."

Rilian nodded as his father clapped him on the back and left with his mother. Susan put a hand on her hip as he walked down the hallway toward his usual chambers, "Don't let me catch you two in bed together in the morning Rilian."

He nodded, "Is she alright?"

Susan's features softened and motioned toward the door, "Go ahead...I'm sure she could use some cheering up."

He nodded and knocked on the door. As Susan walked away, she turned back and saw the look on Rilian's eyes as Estel opened the door. It stopped her. She had seen her husband look at her that very same way in the early days of their courtship. It was an unmistakable look of love. Susan shook her head and retired to her chambers, allowing them to spend time alone. It would be one of few moments of happiness she could allow her daughter before she was sent away to her dismal fate.

Estel closed and bolted the door behind Rilian as he took her hand and pulled her into another embrace, "I know it doesn't feel like it now, but I promise it will be alright."

She shook her head as tears began to flow anew, "No. It won't. I have to marry some horrid man when my heart lies with you."

He stared down into her eyes for a moment before he kissed her softly. His grip on her tightened as she pressed her body against his, deepening the kiss. He pulled away slowly and looked down at her as he stroked her face. How could the only woman he's ever loved marry another? He felt as though they were trapped.

She wiped at her face and forced a smile, "I guess I should get ready for bed..."

He nodded and kissed her forehead, "I will leave you to it then."

She nodded and sighed as he left her room.


That night, as he lay in his bed, he heard the familiar sound of the door creak open. He sat up and saw Estel standing there, silhouetted in the moonlight. She usually wore a robe into his room, but this time, she wore nothing but her nightgown.

"Estel..." he whispered, but she quickly approached him and put her hand on his mouth to silence him. She pulled back the covers and climbed onto the bed, straddling him as she leaned down and kissed his lips hungrily.

He was immediately lost in the sensation of having her on top of him. He grabbed her thighs and moved his hands up to her waist, kneading her soft flesh. She moaned into his mouth when he flipped her over and ground his body against hers as they continued kissing. Her hands roamed up and down his back as their tongues continued to wrestle within each others mouths. He broke the kiss as she whispered, "Rilian...I want you."

She arched her back and bit his lip, feeling the hardness that pressed against her through his pants. He whispered, "As much as I desire you, my love...I cannot."

Estel pouted slightly, which made Rilian feel even weaker. He saw tears form in her eyes as she covered her face with both hands. He felt her body tremble beneath his from the sobs she now muffled. He pulled her hands from her face and pressed his forehead against hers, "Your body may belong to another, but know that your heart and your soul will belong to me."

She sniffled softly as he kissed her lips and reluctantly removed his body from between her open, inviting legs. He gathered her in his arms and cuddled her close, "I don't want any part of me to belong to anyone other than you."

He brushed his lips over her cheek as he held her, "I wish the same thing Estel...more than you know."