Early the next morning during breakfast, Elladan caught Estella and Legolas sitting across from one another giving each other secret glances and smiles. Elladan laughed silently to himself. He could not get the image of walking in on his daughter kissing his best friend out of his head. He had not told his father or his brother about it as not even his daughter or Legolas knew he had seen him walk in on them. Fighting the urge to comment on it, he cleared his throat. "So, did you two sleep well last night?"

Estella swallowed her toast before answering. "Yes, Adar, I slept rather well last night. In fact, I had the best sleep in weeks."

Elladan smiled. I wonder why that would be? he asked himself before turning to look at Legolas. "And you my friend?"

Smiling, Legolas nodded his head. "I slept rather peacefully. The beds here are more comfortable than the hard ground."

Elladan laughed. "I am sure they are. So, what do the two of you have planned for today?" he asked handing his plate to a nearby servant.

Legolas shrugged. "Well, I need to write a letter to my father telling him I arrived here safely and then I was thinking about spending the rest of the day with Estella. I have not seen her since before I left on patrol nearly a month ago."

Estella smiled and tried not to blush. "I think that would be wonderful. If that is all right with you Ada?"

Elladan fought the urge to laugh. Oh, if they only knew what he knew about them. It was almost too much. Composing himself, he nodded his head in agreement. "I think it will be okay. Just be careful and try not to do anything reckless."

Estella and Legolas shifted in their seats and got up quickly. "We will be careful Elladan, after all, it is me we are talking about here."

Elladan laughed. "I know Legolas; if I remember correctly, my brother, you, and I used to get into a heap of trouble when we were together growing up, and now it is my daughter and you. I no doubt she has my trouble-making blood running through her veins."

The three of them laughed, and Estella kissed her father on his cheek before leaving with Legolas. When they left, Elrohir and their father who had watched everything spoke up. "Whatever was that all about? You would think by the way those two were looking at one another they were hiding something," Elrond noted arching a brow.

Elrohir smirked at his brother. "And you looked like you were having too much fun interrogating them. You know something, don't you?"

Elladan grinned even more. No longer able to hide what he knew and feeling like an elfling again, he leaned forward. "It appears Legolas and my daughter are more than just friends. The two of them are in love, and I would not be surprised if in the next few days Legolas came to me to ask for my blessing for her hand in marriage."

Elrond's eyes grew wider. "Elladan, now what would possess you to think that?"

"Yes, please brother, do tell us."

Taking a sip of his wine, he chuckled. "Yesterday, after I took Legolas to speak with Estella, I decided to not go very far just in case I was needed. Sure enough, I heard raised voices moments later and rushed to her rooms. When I walked in to see what was wrong…well, let us just say they were making up in the most unlikely of ways."

Elrohir and Elrond were speechless. Not needing to be told just what Elladan meant by that they just stared at him unsure of what to make of this. Elrond being the first to come to, could not wrap his head around this. "And you are all right with this?"

"Father, I had a feeling Estella was more than just friends by the way she would talk about him and the way her eyes lit up as she did. And who am I to say no to this? I know Legolas, and his intentions with my daughter are pure. This is not some ellon I have never met before."

Elrond sighed. "If you are all right with this, then I am happy for them. But…" Elrond stopped to find the right words to use before he continued. "There is something you have not thought through nor has Legolas. I am not even sure Estella is aware of this. She is of my blood as well. Just as my brother, myself and you had to choose what race you were to belong to, that same choice is laid out for her as well. What will happen if she decides to belong to the race of Men and she marries Legolas?"

Elladan knew his father spoke the truth. But he could not deny his daughter what little happiness she found, even if it was spending her life with his best friend. "I understand, but I think the choice is apparent if she does marry Legolas. We will deal with that when the time comes. I cannot deny her this if she wishes to marry Legolas. She has known too little joy in her life."

Elrond placed a hand on his son's hand. "The Valar do not see her marrying Legolas as choosing her fate. She needs to be told, and she must make her choice. I know this is not an easy topic for I had the same difficulties in telling your mother that you children would have to choose as well."

Elladan nodded his head. "I will find the right time to tell her. I do not know when or how but I will do it."

Elrond squeezed his son's hand gently. "Tell her before they ask you to be married. It will be easier to decide before they bind themselves to one another than after."

Elladan stood up. "I understand. Please excuse me." Elladan turned and left the room.

Elrohir wanted to go after his brother. He could feel from their bond that he was torn. He could not imagine what he was going through. It was times like this he was glad he did not have children or was married. He was about to go after his brother when he felt his father stop him. "Let him be for now."

"Will he be all right?"

Sadness filled his heart as he was still looking in the direction his son had gone. "In time, he will be, yes. He just needs to absorb all this information in. He was so happy to find out he had a daughter I think it slipped his mind she would need to make her choice as well."

Dread filled his soul as he thought about what would happen to his brother if his niece chose to belong to the race of Men. "Will she decide to be counted among Men?" he asked his father knowing he had the gift of foresight.

Elrond tried to look into his granddaughter's future, but he could not see what choice she would make. "I do not know Elrohir. Her future is clouded at this time. I can see some joy and some pain, but what each is, I am not sure."

Elladan sat in the garden where he and his wife used to sit. The same bench where he had first asked her to be his wife. "Oh Luiniel, I wish you were here now. You always seemed to know what to do. How do I tell our daughter she will need to make the same choice that was once laid out before me and my siblings? How do I break it to Legolas the elleth he loves may not remain immortal? I do not think I can bear to lose her if she becomes mortal." Not being able to hold the tears in any longer he let them flow freely now. For long hours, he sat crying tears of pain, anger, frustration, and fear.

For the next few days, Legolas and Estella were never seen apart. In fact, they were not seen at all except at supper and breakfast. It did not take long before rumors began to spread that Legolas and Estella were secretly courting one another and they would not be surprised if they were to hold a wedding soon.

Elladan found it hard to ask his daughter if the two were more than just friends even though he already knew the answer, but he forced himself to keep quiet for he did not wish to let them know he saw them kissing. Let them come to you, he told himself repeatedly. A part of him was beginning to feel slightly jealous his daughter was spending so much time with Legolas, but then his brother reminded him that he was the same way with Luiniel once. "She will come back to you muindor; she loves you too. Just give it time." Elladan sighed heavily but did as his brother said with much difficulty.

"Estella, if we are to marry, I need to ask your father for his blessing, and I should do it soon. I will need to write Adar today and let him know everything is all right," Legolas murmured into Estella's hair as they laid with their backs against a tree.

Estella looked up into Legolas' blue eyes and smiled brightly. Since they had admitted to their love, things had been different. She was no longer shy around him and found herself able to be freer around him than before. How she did not want things ever to change. "We can ask him today if you wish. Only…"

Legolas knew that tone. Something was on her mind. "Only what?"

"Will I have to leave here to move back to Mirkwood? I do not think I could live there knowing Delweth is there. Plus, what about my father? He has already lost so much; it would break his heart if I left again."

Legolas smiled softly. He knew she would be concerned about that. Unbeknownst to Estella, he already started thinking about these matters beforehand. "Do not worry about Delweth; I will make sure she and her friends are dealt with. As for moving back to Mirkwood, Elven traditions hold that the bride moves to her husband's home, but there have been exceptions. I do not think I could take you away from your father again. I was going to ask your grandfather if I could remain here. My father would be upset, but in time he will understand."

Estella threw her arms around his neck. "Oh Legolas, you would do that for me?"

Legolas laughed. "Aye, I would do that for you. But, we will need to visit my father from time to time."

Looking back at Legolas, Estella smiled her biggest smile since Legolas arrived. "Of course, Let us go ask my father now!"

Grinning, Legolas got to his feet before helping Estella to his. "As you wish, meleth."

Elladan was pacing the floor to his room. Today, he was going to talk to Estella about the choice which laid before her. He knew he had to do it, but a huge part of him was terrified. What if she chose the same decision his sister Arwen had made? Well, she had not voiced it, but it was evident that she would choose mortality for her love of Aragorn. He could not bear to lose his daughter again. Nevertheless, this was something that needed to be discussed. With his mind made up to find his daughter, a knock sounded on his door. "Come."

When the door opened, Elladan was startled to see Legolas and Estella walking in. "Estella, I was just going to find you. Is everything all right?"

Estella beamed. "Yes, Ada. We wanted to…well, Legolas had something he wanted to ask you." Turning to Legolas, she nudged him gently.

Elladan paled. He knew exactly what Legolas was going to ask. Now, what was he going to do? How could he break their happiness by dropping something this important on them?

Legolas was hesitant. He could tell by the look in his friend's eyes something was bothering him. "Is everything all right my friend?"

Elladan faltered. Did he tell them now? Or did he just wait and allow them this bit of happiness? After all, darkness was creeping back into the world. Why not grant his daughter this little bit of joy? Just then a thought entered his mind. Maybe, just maybe, if he let them marry first and then break the news about what Estella would eventually have to do, she would see no other option but to choose immortality. Was he selfish by doing this? Perhaps, but as a father wasn't he entitled to be selfish in this instance? Smiling, he continued. "No, everything is well. What is it you needed to ask?"

Not quite believing his friend but not wanting to push the matter, he continued, "I have come to ask you for your permission to marry your daughter."

Elladan just stared at Legolas expressionless. Inside he was beaming, but on the outside, he decided to tease them by not saying anything. "You wish to marry my only child? After I just found her, you want to take her from me?" Seeing the look of fear on Legolas and Estella's face, he burst out laughing startling both. "Of course, you can marry her! I was only jesting."

Estella could not believe her ears. Was her father just going to say yes? "You are going to let us marry, just like that?"

Elladan nodded. "Aye, I am. I knew you were in love with each other from the beginning. Do not ask how I knew." Turning to Legolas, he frowned. "But, you do realize your father will need to know about this right?"

Legolas nodded his head. "I know he will. I was planning on writing a letter to him today. With your permission, I would like to make him aware of who Estella is. I think he would be more willing to allow the union if he knew."

Elladan let out a heavy sigh. If he was going to allow this union, he knew he and Thranduil would need to bury the hatchet sooner or later. "You have my permission. When would you like to be wed?" Typically Elven weddings happened a year after becoming betrothed.

Legolas looked at Estella before looking back at Elladan. "As soon as possible. Perhaps in a few weeks? I would also like to ask your father for permission to be allowed to stay in Imladris instead of moving back to Mirkwood. I know you have just been reunited with your daughter after so long and I feel it would only be right to remain here."

Elladan was shocked. Legolas wanted to stay here and let his daughter stay with him instead of taking her back to Mirkwood? "There is no need to ask my father. I am granting you permission to remain. I will break the news to him myself. In the meantime, go and write to your father and tell him. Later tonight, we will announce the news of your engagement and begin the preparations for your union." Enveloping his daughter into a hug, he could not help but feel sadness as he realized even though she would remain here with him, she was no longer going to be just his any longer. "I am happy for you, iell-nín." Kissing her forehead, he shooed them off before he went to break the news to his father. He knew he would not be happy that he had not told Estella, but that was a decision he did not regret.

Legolas was in Estella's room sitting at a desk with pen and parchment. He was trying to concentrate on writing his father but the sight of his soon to be bride made it difficult. She was sprawled out on her bed reading a book, her black hair cascading on the mattress. Shaking his head, he returned to his task at hand.

Adar,

I am writing you this letter to let you know I am doing well. I have discovered the reason Estella fled. Apparently, Delweth and her friends cornered her after your meeting with her and told her we were only using her out of pity and that I did not care about her. They went on to say she was a nobody and that I played mind games with all the ellith. They then proceeded to threaten her if she told anyone. I am confident you will make sure they are punished appropriately. I should also make you aware of two things, the first being that evidently Estella is the daughter of Elladan and Luiniel. The second item will be even more shocking, but I know you will understand. In a few weeks, Estella and I will be joined in marriage. Elladan has given me his blessing to marry his daughter and has also granted me his permission to remain here in Imladris for the time being. I know you will not be happy about my decision to stay here, but I felt it important not to take Estella away from her father or family. I will await your response.

Your Greenleaf.

Folding the letter up and stamping it with his seal he got to his feet. He knew his father was not going to be happy at all about this, but he was no longer a child. It was time he spread his wings and left the nest to start a family of his own. Raising his eyes to see Estella looking at him he smiled. "I am going to send this letter to my father. I will be back." Walking over to Estella, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, then left the room.

"Elladan, how could you not tell her?! Do you realize what you have done?" Elrond could not believe his son had decided not to tell Estella about her impending choice.

Elladan held his head in his hands as he listened to his father berate him. Of course, he knew what he had done. "Adar, I could not tell her. She was so happy and excited when she arrived at my rooms I could not break her heart." He decided not to tell his father the other reason for him not telling her.

Elrond was not stupid. He knew there was another reason for him not breaking the news to her and he had a pretty good idea what that reason was. Although he understood why he thought that way––for if it had been Arwen in this same situation, he would probably have done the same thing––it still was not right. "Elladan, I hope you know what you are doing. I will not force you to tell her, but I cannot impress the importance enough. For her sake and of Legolas, I hope you tell her sooner rather than later."

Elladan bowed his head. "I understand. They want to be married soon. Since we are to have a council in a few weeks' time to decide the fate of Middle-earth, I thought perhaps we could hold the ceremony before then."

"So soon? It is not our way to wed so soon, not before they have courted for at least a year. However, you are right in that we will be deciding the fate of all Middle-earth, and perhaps it will do us good to have a joyous ceremony to lighten the hearts. What of Estella returning to Mirkwood after she is wed?" Elladan looked at his father and started to stutter.

"Elladan, I know that look and when you start stuttering it is never good. What did you do?"

"Do not be upset with me, please. But Legolas requested to remain here in Imladris instead of returning to Mirkwood. He knew Estella was just reunited with us and did not wish to take her away again. He was going to ask you, but I told him he had my permission to stay."

Elrond was astonished. "You told him he could stay here? Have you any idea how irrational that was? You know Thranduil will not stand for his only son to leave Mirkwood!"

"I know, but Legolas is grown. He can come and go as he chooses. Who are we to tell him otherwise? Besides, Thranduil is a father himself, and surely he will understand why his son wishes to remain here."

"That is not the point Elladan. It is too late now to change our minds and tell him no. But when Thranduil demands his son return home, you will be the one to deal with his temper, not me. Now let us prepare to announce your daughter's engagement." Elrond inhaled and said every prayer he knew that his eldest son's decisions would not spell doom for him or his daughter.