For Love, Duty, and Honor

Thanx to my beta-reader!

It had been three days and three nights since her love had left, but it seemed more like an eternity. Tàri had become depressed, a thing never witnessed in the elven race. She had let herself drown in worry and thoughts that Legolas would never return, when faith became obselete. On the third day, Tàri's father, Rùmil, a lord of Mirkwood approached his sulken daughter, and took her into his arms. His dark locks of hair tickled at Tàri's nose and cheeks as she wet them with her tears.

"Daughter, I know why you cry," he said.

"I fear for him, Father. I fear he will come home slain." Tàri cried. She wrapped her fingers around her father's hair.

"I understand, but you should not worry yourself like this over nothing." her father's words scorned her mind. "I do not want you to die of a broken heart."

Tàri stood from her father, for she was ashamed at his horrid words. Rùmil was a wise and kind father, yes, but this was a case in which it differed.

"How can you say that to me?" Tàri asked as she wiped away her tears.

"Legolas Greenleaf will never return. This war is the war to end all wars," he replied.

Out of anger and hurt now, Tàri replied, "Legolas is the finest of the elven warriors."

"All of the elven warriors are trained, yes, but they will be no match of what's to come. Forget him and take another that still remains here."

"The ones that remained are cowards as are you. Your words are poison to me, Father. You've lost your faith," Tàri smirked. "I love him, and he will return, no matter what you say."

Away from her father's sight, Tàri fled. She needed to seek comfort from one of her older brothers, Calaglin, the one person who she knew would not fail her. He had not left with the others to fight, but yet, he was no coward. She searched for her brother throughout the forest until she came upon him at the pier, staring out into the distance, almost entranced by the sea.

Tàri approached him and held his arm, and she heard him sigh. He did not turn to her, but only continued to search the horizen with his eyes. Calaglin was one of the most handsome elves in Mirkwood next to Legolas. His braided blond hair swayed to the side at his mid-back and his pale, yet fair face tilted toward the sun.

"The sea is calm today, but the lands I feel are disturbed," he said in his strong voice, that seemed to caress the wind as he spoke them. "You, dear sister, are the lands."

"Father has lost reason. He says there is no hope."

"There is still hope, except for those who forget."

"But can hope bring him back safely?"

"Only fate can bring him back."

Then, Calaglin pivited, as if being summoned, to see his sister glowing with determination.

"The only fate is what we make for ourselves."

Calaglin embraced his sister tightly. He bent inward and whispered to her. "Your fate is in your hands. Go to him." Tàri faced her brother, and brought her rosy, plush cheek to meet his. Then, she turned and left his side.

Tàri flew to her domain where she quickly readied for leave. She knew that fate would not abide by her wishes, unless she confronted head on. She hurridly prepared and saddled her faithful steed, Kaira, for she knew her father would send elves out to stop her. No one could stop her will, though, not now, not ever.

With a kick of Tàri's heels, Kaira flew from the stable and onto the wind's back. Once she crossed the river, she never looked back once as she left behind her sorrow.