-- Elrohir --

This is a strange place. It even makes Hogwarts seem normal.

And the teacher who greeted us when we arrived seems to be quite smitten with my brother. Well, there's no accounting for taste, I suppose.

Kayli is currently deeply involved in a conversation with the Headmaster of this school, a dignified woman with long black hair. One of her teachers, a young woman who answers only to 'Melody' is currently eyeing Elladan like he's a drink of water after a travel through Mordor.

It's amusing, to say the least.

The way I understand it, the basic purpose of the trips is to deepen the relationship between the magical communities of these two kingdoms. The Headmaster of this school is close to their Minister of Magic, and Harry being here is to help his people fight their Dark Lord.

Dark Lord. How original.

I lean back against the wall, watching the byplay between Elladan and Melody. She flirts, smiles, teases, does everything but bat her lashes and blush. Of course, blushing isn't really on this young lady's list of things to do. She is far too confident, too self-assured, for anything like that.

I shake my head. I have a feeling this is going to be a long trip.

-- Kayli --

"You're sure?" Harry asks, wringing his hands.

Professor Marks, the Headmaster – well, Headmistress – smiles sadly and nods. "I'm sorry, Mr. Potter," she says regretfully. "He refuses to see you, and he won't answer Albus's letters. He says this is none of our concern."

"What does he think Voldemort's gonna do if he manages to get to be Grand High Poo-bah over in England? Send Christmas cards and just let you all go on your merry little way?" I ask.

She sighs. "Honestly, miss, I have no idea," she replies. "I don't agree with him. Voldemort is a threat to the international magical community, and the Muggle one, not just that in England. I'll work on convincing him."

I nod. "In that case, we're going to head down to our rooms. These kids need to bed down for a while. Harry's starting to look a little tired."

Harry manages a smile. "A little? I'm knackered."

I laugh at the phrasing. I can't help it. Come on, who actually says 'knackered?'

We get the kids settled in, and I head back to the room I'm sharing with Legolas. We're stuck between the twins and his father, not a great place to be. This means we get to listen to the twins bicker until all hours of the freakin' morning. Here's hoping this joint has thick walls.

Legolas is already there, standing by the window and watching the trees. He immediately turns to me, concern written all over his face. "Melisse? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, love," I say softly. "Don't worry."

He frowns. "I don't like to see you hurt." He quickly turns his face away, staring back out the window. "Melisse, if you miss your family…when we find a way back to Middle-Earth, I would not be angry if you remained."

I stop, and stare at the back of his head. "I can't stay here, Legolas," I say finally. "I mean, yeah, I miss my family like crazy, and I love them to death, and I will always – always – miss them, but I can't stay here. I don't belong here anymore. What would I do? There's no place for someone like me in this world, not anymore."

He turns and looks at me. Then he smiles slightly and reaches out, caressing the side of my face, tracing the scar there. "If you say so, melisse. I think, if you wanted, you could make a home anywhere. You are a remarkable resourceful woman. But I do not know enough of this world to tell you that you are wrong. Please…do not make this decision because of me. Make this one for yourself."

I touch his hand. "Being with you is for me," I reply. "And for my family. And for you. Do you love me?"

"Yes," he murmurs. "Valar, yes. I've never loved anything more."

"And I love you," I reply. "I love my brothers, and I love my King, and I love Gondor. I even love the twins, crazy as they are. I can't leave that. I can't. Not even for my family. I know I'm needed there. They'll…they'll make it without me."

He tugs me into his arms and buries his face in my hair. "I love you, melisse," he says softly. "I swear, I will do everything I can to make you happy, for the rest of our time together."

I tilt my head up and kiss him. "I love you, too. And right back atcha."

TBC…

I love you all. Please don't hate me.