Legolas and Adara returned to Mirkwood and they stayed for several months, then left to meet up with Adara's foster brother, Strider. Thranduil advised his son that for the young woman to heal from her loss, she would need more then the compassion of friends. She needed family, and Strider was the closest thing she ever had to a real sibling. Although Adara and Legolas had become very good friends, riding with Strider, as Thranduil surmised was the best thing for her.
Having her brother near her as well as her friend, made the days go by faster and the nights less foreboding. After several months, she was able to stop her nightly crying over Fili. Although he would never be out of her heart, she was starting to feel more able to make room for Legolas to move in. For several years they traveled with Strider. On one particular morning as Legolas scouted ahead, Strider and Adara readied their steeds.
"You can't live in the past, sister, you're first love died over forty years ago. You are still young and need to give your heart the chance to love again. Legolas is a good friend, but he wishes to be more then that someday. I will be here, my sister, but you need more then just brotherly love. Legolas can fill the void that your loss has made. I love you Adara. Just think about my words, they are sound." He ruffled her hair and went to tend to his horse.
Strider was right, it had been many years since Fili had fallen in the Battle of the Five Armies. She was now fifty-eight in human years, she had thought that she aged more like the Dunedain, but she had stopped aging when she turned twenty-one. Strider told her that she aged more like the Elven race. Much slower than even he did. She wondered if Galadriel had known, or if she had merely guessed about her aging process.
Now after one hundred and ten years in Middle Earth, she looked like a young woman. Not a wrinkle, not a gray hair. She smiled as she saw Legolas returning, he was amazing. He never became angry at her, he never got tired of trying to seduce her. He was always there when she needed a shoulder to cry on. Never pushing her into choosing. Just vigilant and always patient.
They traveled until dusk, and as was now their routine made a hasty camp. Seeing to the needs of their steeds first, then building a fire. They had a quick supper of lamas bread and tea, that had been steeping near the fire. They chatted about where there journey would take them and Strider mentioned his desire to return to Lothlorien, then on to Rivendell.
Soon the stars shone brightly down upon them and Strider as he did nightly sang a beautiful Elven song that he had learned from his years living in Rivendell as a boy. He lit his pipe and relaxed against a large rock. Then began to hum at first.
Adara finally made up her mind and rose, she walked to the edge of the cliff where Legolas stood. He smiled as she approached, even though he didn't turn toward her, he knew she was there.
"It's a beautiful night." Adara stated quietly.
"Yes, though its beauty wanes in your presence." Legolas stated and smiled again.
"You are too kind, with your flattery." Adara teased him.
"And you are too modest about your beauty." Legolas countered.
"What do you know of the stars?" Adara asked softly.
"We have many names for the stars, but they also remind of our loved ones who have been taken in battle or left for the sea." Legolas stated.
"That is beautiful, the Fay have similar beliefs as well, they have names for the stars and their constellations, too." Adara stated.
"Tell me some of them." Legolas stated as he took her hand and pulled her closer to him.
"The group of stars straight above us are called Ursa Major, the big dipper. The brightest star is the north star at the tip of the handle." She pointed at the constellation.
"What is that one to the left of the big dipper?" Legolas asked smiling as he put his arm around her shoulders.
"That one is called Draco, the dragon." She stated and leaned her head over onto his chest.
"And what of that one?" Legolas pointed to another.
"That's Cassiopia, it was named after a vain queen in ancient times, who thought herself to be the most beautiful woman in the world." Adara explained.
"Obviously, she never had the chance to meet you." Legolas purred into her ear.
"Oh, stop that. I am not that pretty." Adara laughed and slapped his arm playfully.
"You are far to modest, sh'mai." Legolas stated and kissed her on the cheek. She turned her head and smiled at him. His eyes wandered to her lips and soon his descended on them. He hoped she wouldn't be angry, but when she kissed him softly back he smiled brightly.
"I have decided to let you into my heart. I have never met any man as patient as you, except for Father and Lord Elrond. I will do my best to be the woman I should be for you." Adara stated and smiled at him.
"You don't have to try to be the woman I want, because you are already perfect. You have always been the woman I wanted. Ever since I met you at your farm, I knew you were my only true love." Legolas stated and smiled.
"What of Tauriel?" Adara asked.
"Tauriel was off limits and an annoyance to my father. So of course I thought I had to make her mine, but the moment I laid eyes on you. At that moment, Tauriel became nothing, but a fellow guard and warrior. In that moment, that moment you came out of your little shed, before you asked if you could give food and drink. I instantly fell in love with you. Father said it would happen unexpectedly, I never believed him, until that extraordinary moment." Legolas stated.
"Thranduil was kind to me, why?" Adara asked.
"I guess, because he saw the same sweet perfection that I have. You are so much like my mother was. Happiness seemed to follow her where ever she went. Her voice was like a melody, yours is much like that as well." Legolas stated.
"Strider said we are going to visit Lothlorien soon. I need to talk with Lady Galadriel again. I need to know more about my heritage. Who my mother really was, who my father was." Adara stated and looked into Legolas' eyes. She smiled and kissed his lips gently. He deepened the kiss slightly and then moved away, he would not rush her.
The following morning they ate lamas bread and drank water, then readied their steeds and mounted them. They traveled nearly thirty miles before the sun began to set. After making camp they lit a fire and boiled water from the nearby stream. They savored the tea and relished the dried meat and wild berries that they had picked close to the campsite. Legolas took first watch, then Adara and then Strider.
The next morning after riding nearly twenty miles they entered the realm of Lothlorien. The guards opened the gates to them immediately and they were taken to the Lord and Lady.
"Strider, have you noticed any strange occurrences?" Lady Galadriel asked.
"Some Orc activity, but nothing more then small groups. I still get the uneasy feeling that something is coming." Strider stated and bowed his head to them.
"Legolas, how is your father?"
"Fine, he's stubborn as ever, of course. But he is and will be fine." Legolas stated.
"Adara, I wish to speak with you. I know you have questions of me." Lady Galadriel stated.
"Of course, my lady." Adara stated and bowed her head to them.
After Strider and Legolas left with Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel sat at a beautiful white filigree table with Adara, tea and sweet cakes were brought to them.
"I will try to answer any questions that I know the answers to." Lady Galadriel stated breaking the awkward silence that had been their companion.
"Who is my mother?" Adara blurted out.
"Your mother is the daughter of Glorfindel and his Fay bride. He lived over a thousand years in Upper Earth with her, Ondine your mother was their only child. She was doted upon, and Glorfindel brought her here from time to time. Your mother was a beautiful woman, very charming and courageous. When her father took her back to Upper Earth, that was the last we saw of her, until you were brought to us, we knew you belonged here, but it was important to your mother, for you to be raised human. She wanted you to embrace your father's heritage, the heartbreak of loosing him was too much for her to bare. She besought Lord Elrond, Lord Celeborn, Gandalf and I to keep your true identity from you. Until you were ready. She also bid us not to disclose any of the plan to her father. Soon after leaving you here she began to fade. Her heart going with the soul of your father. Glorfindel saw you when you were last in Rivendell, he came to us and told of his knowledge of you. He is very curious to meet his granddaughter. We told him of how things came to be. He was hurt, but understood." Lady Galadriel stated and smiled, nodding to a fountain a bit away from the table.
"I can meet him?" Adara asked.
"Of course child, he is your kin. Go and learn more of your mother." Lady Galadriel stated and waved her hand toward the fountain. Adara stood and walked slowly to the fountain, as she neared it a very tall, very handsome blonde elf stood from a bench on the other side and faced her. He smiled and she walked to his side.
"Adara, I have been waiting over forty years to meet you. I had no idea until I saw you with the Company of Dwarfs that you were my granddaughter. I did not want to intrude on your mission, so I waited, hoping that you would return. I have much to tell you, you look so like your mother. The same mystic eyes, the same curve of your face, the same angelic smile, the only difference is your height and your beautiful auburn hair." Glorfindel stated looking through eyes of both happiness and sorrow.
During the nine months that they remained in Lothlorien, Adara learned all there was to learn of her mother from her Grandfather. It was hard for her to call him that at first, but after so long it no longer seemed strange to call such a handsome young looking man Grandfather.
Everyday they chatted and talked of her mother and grandmother and even her father. He was the son of an Irish man and a German woman, they had moved to America and gave birth to Andrew O'Hara, he grew and met a woman he saw in the forests of New England, they fell in love and were married, then he went to war and died, Ondine raised Adara back in Ireland until she was four in human years and took her to Middle Earth, there she made a plan to leave Adara where she would be found by the Lothlorien March Warden and his companions.
In the evenings Adara sat with Strider and Legolas, making plans to journey back to Rivendell, Glorfindel had made plans to accompany them there.
On the morning of the day they were to leave, Lady Galadriel gave Adara a beautiful green crystal necklace that had been left with the Lady of Light by her mother Ondine. After putting on the crystal, she could feel the pulsating of the gem. It seemed to flow through her body. They all rode together to Rivendell, stopping along the way to pass the time with the residents of dwellings in their path.
By the time they reached Rivendell, they had heard of the boldness of the Orcs, and of the return of a dark presence from long ago.
"Elrond greeted the travelers with a feast and joyous entertainment. Adara and Arwen laughed and talked while the others filled Elrond in on the Orcs and the darkness growing. Arwen and Adara had been friends now for many years, it pleased Adara that Strider had found such a lovely woman to love. Arwen rose and waved for Adara to follow her. They walked to a wide veranda overlooking a sparkling pond.
"I have noticed how Legolas never lets his eyes leave you for long." Arwen stated.
"Is it that obvious?" Adara asked.
"Quite, he loves you. Very much." Arwen stated.
"Yes, and I care for him. Everyday I feel more and more for him. I have finally decided to move on with my life. I will always love and miss Fili, but we knew at the time that nothing was certain. Legolas, has been more then patient. He has become my best friend, I trust him with my life, now I will trust him with my heart as well." Adara explained to her friend.
"I am happy for you, it brings me joy to see your smile again. For nearly forty-five years, you have been unable to show pure joy. To see you looking happy, is a treasure." Arwen stated and took Adara's hand. "Your brother and I, hoped that you would be able to survive your heartache." Arwen stated and squeezed her hand.
"My Grandfather, has helped a lot, knowing that I am actually Elven, makes being with Legolas even more right." Adara stated.
"Glorfindel searched for you for many years, even before you came here with the House of Durin." Arwen stated.
"Yes, he told me how he saw me with the Dwarfs, but he did not want to keep me from my mission." Adara said.
"He is still a warrior at heart, but you are much like him. He is forthright, kind, brave, and so much more. You are as well. Legolas knew you were to be his at once. He felt his soul attach to yours. I am glad he has been there for you." Arwen stated.
"Yes, he always seemed to be there for me, even before Fili fell. His father, though he tries hard to seem mean, is very much like Glorfindel, he showed me kindness at once." Adara said.
"Well, Thranduil is complicated, but no man can stand up to your charms. Not even the King of Elves." Arwen teased.
"I'm not that charming." Adara blushed.
"Right, and Haldir's guards weren't panting after you all over Lothlorien." Arwen whispered to her.
"What?" Adara nearly squealed.
"Father told me that Lady Galadriel had to send them on patrol to keep them from proposing to you." Arwen teased.
"Oh my goodness. I thought they were just being nice to me." Adara looked as though she was about to cry.
"It isn't your fault, Adara. You were born with charm, beauty, modesty, bravery, you are the female equivalent of your Grandfather." Arwen stated and hugged her friend.
"Thank you, I think I will go and talk to Grandfather, he makes me feel better." Adara stated and smiled her good-bye to Arwen. As Adara rounded the corner, she nearly ran into Strider.
"Where are you going so fast, Sister?" Strider asked smiling.
"I need to talk with Grandfather." Adara stated and kept going.
"He is in the garden." Strider called after her.
"Thank you." She called over her shoulder. She trotted to the garden and found Glorfindel standing as if waiting for her.
"Child, you inquire of me?" He stated and walked up to her.
"I need your advice, is Legolas the one for me?" Adara stated.
"He is." Glorfindel stated. "You were made for one another. His mother wished for Ondine to marry Legolas, but alas Legolas and Ondine did not belong together. Ondine was to rebellious and chose a human. As I had chosen a Fay. When you were born, Ondine swore that you would find your mate by love, charm, beauty and kindness. Your Grandmother, my beloved, placed a charm on you, that only the most worthy of men could win your heart." He touched his palm to the side of her face. "Legolas, has grown from a petulant elf-ling, into a true Prince of kindness, insight, and compassion. He is your other half, my dear Grandchild."
As Adara returned to her room, she smiled at a single white blossom that was lying on her pillow. She knew Legolas had placed it there.