Chapter 2

For the remainder of the day, Narinya had feigned resignation to her fate. When the storm had finally passed, Riniel let her be and sought out her betrothed.

Narinya seized this opportunity to escape. As soon as the sun had slipped behind the horizon, she gathered a few things and stealthily crept out of the small house. She wasn't planning on leaving forever, but just long enough to make certain that her father would take her refusal seriously.

She mounted her reliable horse and fled the yard, unsure of where she was heading. Only a quarter of an hour later, she found herself at Calanon's doorstep. She hadn't seen him in many months, in fact, she had been avoiding him altogether. It was getting late; she was not about to return home, but she knew she had to seek shelter somewhere, so she hesitantly knocked on his door.

Calanon opened the door and looked in surprise upon his visitor. After a few awkward moments of silence, Narinya spoke. "Um, hello, Calanon. I am sorry to bother you... I just, I needed to get away and, well, it seems I ended up here."

He moved aside and motioned for her to enter, wearing a still somewhat bewildered expression at his surprise guest. Narinya lingered a moment at the threshold, but then abandoned her indecision and walked in. The house was small, big enough for only Calanon and his ailing mother.

"Forgive me for my rudeness, how are you, Narinya?" Calanon finally found his words, albeit with a guarded disposition. He had yearned for her for so long and he had secretly been devastated when she had resisted his advances. He had barely seen her, even just in passing, of late. Was it possible she had had a change of heart?

Narinya looked away from his hopeful gaze, "I am not very well."

Worry settled across Calanon's features as he sat down opposite her at the dining table. To quell his fear, she continued on, "My father has decided it is past time for me to be married and…", she paused when she suddenly thought better of telling him the entire truth. "…The pressure has grown unbearable. I just need a reprieve for awhile." She felt tears stinging at her eyes and decided to escape the subject quickly, "I'm sorry to surprise you at this hour. How are you?"

Calanon had lived in the small house since his birth. He was only half-elven, his human features inherited from his mortal father, who had died many years ago. His mother was slowly fading. She still clung to life, but barely, spending most of her time resting in a small bedroom at the back of the home. He took care of her, which left little time for himself. His one great interest had been Narinya, but she had interests of her own and was often too involved with her family to have time for him.

"Can I get you anything? Something to drink, perhaps?"

Narinya gratefully accepted some wine and they continued their polite conversation as the hours passed by, catching up on all they had missed in each other's lives. As the night wore on and more wine was consumed, the friendship between them seemed swiftly repaired.

As Calanon finished another glass, his expression turned serious, "You know, my mother is still quite fond of you. She has asked about you often, and when I might be marrying you."

Narinya looked guilty, "And what have you told her?"

"I told her, 'any day now'." Calanon's gaze grew more intense, alight with a new heat. He rose from his chair across from Narinya, taking her hand and bringing her to her feet. The room swam around her for a moment and she leaned against her friend to steady herself.

She did not protest when he leaned in to kiss her. Narinya was furious with her father, her situation, and her unknown "betrothed." Most of all, she wanted to have some control over her own fate and show her father that she was not simply going to let this happen without a fight.

Before she knew it, she was in Calanon's bedroom. He had wanted her for so long and was eager to finally claim her. She did not resist his advances. It was not lust on her part, but selfishness. She was not truly interested in rekindling anything with her old friend.

"Narinya, are you sure?" Calanon stopped for just a moment to make certain she was as eager as he was. She wasn't entirely sure, but she voiced her affirmation and he hurriedly pushed her dress up above her hips. He was soon lost in her.

Narinya had no reason to tell him she had never done it before. She simply let him do his work and tried to mask her pain when he entered her for the first time. The pain eventually eased into a more tolerable discomfort, and though it wasn't entirely an enjoyable experience, it was over quickly, and her own pleasure was not what she had sought.

When she awoke the next morning, Calanon had his arms wrapped firmly around her body.

"Narinya, why have you come back to me? Truly?"

She turned to look him in the eyes and an overwhelming sense of guilt washed over her, "I... I do not really know."

"Do you have feelings for me? As you know I do for you?"

She looked away to avoid his expectant gaze.

"I am and always will be your friend, but I do not love you, Cala-" She was cut off by forceful knocking on the door. They both froze.

The persistent knocking continued until a raised voice could be heard, "Open up! I know she's in here!" Narinya's eyes widened. Of course her father would come looking for her here!

There was not enough time for her to hide or escape before he was able to force open the door. Her father found her lying in Calanon's bed, disheveled, though mercifully still wearing her riding dress from yesterday. Calanon jumped up and pulled some of the bedclothes with him, shielding himself from the unwelcome guest.

Narinya's father looked up at Calanon before settling his angry gaze back on his daughter, "Narinya, get up! You're going home."

She had never heard such a tone in her father's voice. She quickly got out of the bed, fixing her dress and smoothing her hair. Suddenly, she did not feel as vengeful as she had before, and instead felt remorse over her spiteful actions. She shook her head at herself and gathered her things.

As soon as she emerged from Calanon's bedroom, her father grabbed her by the arm and pulled her out of the house. It was a very long and quiet ride back to the small home they shared.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Legolas spent the next few days avoiding his father. He had much to process and decide. His sister had made valid points and he treasured her confidence and advice.

At all of the festivals his father had held in the hopes that his son would find a suitable princess for the realm, Legolas had kept a watchful eye on his sister and her suitors. Lately, Lindethiel had found joy in the arms of an amiable elf that Legolas thought well of.

Legolas, however, was still confused about his own future.

While marriage was not exactly high on his list of priorities, it was not as though he had not looked for a bond partner, for he had. But many of his romances were driven by motives other than love. So many maidens wanted to be princess of the realm that he could hardly distinguish between those that genuinely enjoyed his company and those that put on a façade in order to win his love. He wasn't very interested in spending so much time to tell the two apart anymore.

The last maiden he had earnestly courted, an elleth that he thought he would one day marry, had pulled away from him for the opposite reason. She had cared for him deeply, and he for her, but she did not want the responsibility and obligations that being with him would require. And so, they parted ways. That was years ago, now.

Perhaps giving in, letting his father and advisors simply choose a bride for him, was the best way forward now.

"I know you have been avoiding me."

Legolas' thoughts were interrupted by the king's entrance into his chambers.

He gestured for his father to sit, but said nothing to confirm or deny the accusation.

"You will grow fond of her with time." Thranduil decided to try a new approach. "I cannot recant the proposal now; think of how devastated Lady Narinya would be."

"Fine, father."

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Narinya's father had not said a word to her in the past two days. She eyed him warily every once in awhile but mostly kept to herself. Her sister did not approve of her actions in the least and had clearly taken their father's side in the matter.

As they finished their morning meal, her father finally directly addressed her. "Narinya, gather your things. We must ready to ride to Greenwood."

"Greenwood?" She cast a questioning glance at her father and then at her sister, but neither offered her an explanation.

She did as she was told, going to her room to gather up a few outfits. Her father made a surprise appearance at her doorway a few moments later, "All of it."

A look of panic flashed across Narinya's face, but her father walked away before she could ask him where she was being thrown out to. Tears threatened to fall as she collected all of her worldly possessions into a riding pack. She wiped her eyes when her sister walked in.

"Narinya, you're going to Greenwood to meet your intended. I think father has… hastened things."

"Why?!"

"Because he does not want you running off and giving yourself to anyone else!"

The words stung, but Narinya felt that at least some of her rebellion was justified. She had expected her father to call off the wedding after he found out about her rendezvous with Calanon, but he had instead done the opposite.

"Narinya... I do not think you realize the weight of what you have done. Honestly, what were you thinking?! You've disgraced yourself. Did you think this would be a quick way out of the marriage? Do you realize how important this is to father?"

"Clearly it is more important than me." Narinya had sat down on her bed and was now taking the verbal beating from her sister that she felt she only partly deserved.

"Don't you dare say anything about father. You have no idea what he went through when mother passed. He lost his bond partner and his life. He stays because of you. I have found my partner and now he only waits for you."

"I never wanted a bond partner. I do not want a husband… I want to be alone! I cannot be shipped away to marry someone I've never met. I want to stay and live with you and father, I have to help take care of things here."

"Did you think that you were going to stay living here with father for all eternity, running off to ride your horse and swim in the lake whenever you wanted? Well father wants things too, and most of all he wants to go to the Undying Lands. You're not making this easy for him."

She stopped to consider her sister's words and then tried another approach, "If only I had more time, perhaps I could find someone to love on my own..."

"Narinya, there is no time. Father is already fading!"

Riniel slammed the door as she left the room.

Narinya sat with tears cascading down her face, the consequences of her actions suddenly hitting her. She had always known her father wanted to sail, but she never actually foresaw him doing it. She had never realized he was on the brink of fading before now. Her father had given so much to provide for her and her sister... many elves would have faded soon after losing their bond partner, but her father had managed to hold on to raise his two daughters.

In being born, she had taken her father's true love from him, and she had spent the greater part of her life trying to make it up to him. Now the only way she could was to let him find his peace in the Undying Lands. She suddenly did not mind the urgency of her wedding as she was terrified that her father's broken heart would stop beating at any moment. She had to allow him to sail. Her own desires would have to be overlooked for the time being; at least until she knew her father was safe.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

A day later, Narinya and her father were well on their way to Northern Greenwood. Riniel had been left back at the cabin to look after the home and their horses. The trip was uncomfortably silent and despite Narinya's wanting it to be over, she knew that the end of the journey was also the end of her freedom and the loss of her family.

Finally, her father broke the heavy silence.

"Narinya, you know that I love you. I know you are unhappy about this, but I truly feel it is what is best for both of us. What you did... with Calanon. I cannot tell you how much it disappoints me. I cannot believe my own daughter would..." he stopped, unable to complete his sentence. "You cannot speak of it to anyone. You were promised to the King of Greenwood with your virtue intact."

"The King of Greenwood! He is my intended?! You cannot be serious!"

"No, Narinya. Your betrothed is his son, Prince Legolas."

Narinya fell silent for a moment. She had never seen the king's son and knew little about him. Her curiosity quickly turned to distress as the realized she was going to be the princess and potentially even queen of the Woodland Realm.

"Am I a piece of property to be bartered away, with agreed upon terms and conditions?" When she saw her father's expression she immediately regretted her words, "Father, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. I know you want me to do this. I am trying."

"I know, princess, I know."

Narinya realized her father's pet name for her would soon be taking on its literal meaning.

"I truly am sorry, father. I am scared of this. I never thought the day would come when I would have to say goodbye to you and Riniel, and I feel like I still have so much to do at home."

"My daughter, I have appreciated all of the extra work you have put in at our lake house, but you also must know that you never had to earn my love. I loved you the day you were born."

He continued earnestly, "I know I haven't always been the best father, but I have done the best I could without your mother. Know that you have no other obligations at home, this is the last thing I ask of you, and I admit that it is due to my selfish desire to see you safe and secure so that I can depart Middle-earth."

Narinya looked back at him, tears once again stinging at her eyes. He had never before admitted to her that he wanted or needed to leave for Valinor. Her only response was a whispered "I love you" to her father.

Thanks for reading! Please drop me a review!