For Love, Duty, and Honor

Across the plains of ancient realms of Men, the dwellings of dwarves, the homes of hobbits, and the fiery lands of Mordor, lied Lothlorien and Rivendell. Beyond that still was the humble sanctuary of Mirkwood, an elven forest. At the edge of Mirkwood a fair elven maiden stood by the river and awaited her love.

The moon's sullen face cast a pale yellow light upon the spot where she sat and engulfed the pond beside her in its shadow. The water trickled through her slender fingers, as she tickled the ripples by stroking her hand back and forth through the water. Her tidious dark hair, braided to one side, swayed playfully at one shoulder as she hummed a slow tune to herself and peered into the crystal clearness. The maiden's fair face blushed slightly, (to even out her tone), and her eyes sparkled as a reflection emerged into the mirror she looked into. The elf did not turn, but only continued her ways, almost teasing her lover, whom stood watching over her.

"Your sneaking has not yet improved, I see, Legolas," she said, turning to him.

"It is hard for one to sneak, Tàri, if you can hear me a mile away," he answered. "And 'sneaking' isn't the word I'd use. I'd use 'following' instead."

The elven prince with hair of gold took the maiden's hand and helped her to rise. He held her arms at her side as their eyes met. His height was slightly superior to hers. His beauty could not match hers. Her crimson lips parted and smiled, but he kindly couldn't return the favor. His head turned from hers as her happiness dimmed to wonder. The maiden rose her hand to her prince's fair face and turned his eyes to hers once again.

"What ails you, my love?" she asked softly, caressing his cheek with her thumb.

He turned away sharply, but she caught him by the arm and he pulled her to him. He placed his hands below her high cheekbones and caressed them gently, but his eyes still could not meet hers.

"What is it, Legolas?" she asked again.

"It is hard for me to tell you this, Tàri, but you must know now." He looked into her emerald green eyes. "I must leave you for a time, but only a short one."

This time she repelled backward. "I know. The war."

"Then, you understand why I must leave?" Legolas asked.

"No," Tàri said. "I don't. Why can't someone go in you place?"

"Because there is no one else," Legolas answered. "I must go as my father's representative. I must help."

Tàri turned her back to him. Her dress swayed in the night breeze and clinged to her every perfect curve. Legolas lowered his eyes, not knowing her thoughts, and not knowing what to say to his love.

The Following Morning...

The day was still young as the small but brave army of Mirkwood elves took their leave to go and fight for the future of Middle-Earth. The ones left behind crowded to watch their soldier elves go swiftly, and disappear into the mist. Legolas, (suited in the armor he had, and armed with his bow and daggers), followed close in line. Tàri fled to him, like a horse galloping freely across the plains.

"Do you remember when we first met?" she whispered.

"Of course," he replied.

"And do you remember what you said to me?" she asked.

Legolas sighed, "I said that I would bind you to me for eternity."

She stayed turned from his sight, her eyes welling with tears, but her chin strong. "And you have forgotten that allegiance to us."

"No! Never," he said sternly. "It is because I love you that I go to ensure your safety and your future."

Tàri turned and flew into her lover's arms once again. He embraced her with all his strength as she did the same to him. She layed her head on his broad shoulder and cried. "I have no future if it is without you, Legolas."

He lifted her face with his slender, but masculine hand. His eyes lighted like the stars, and his warm smile was confident.

"I will never leave you, Tàri Carnesir. I will return to you," he assured.

"But, I fear that it will not be in the form of life," she cried.

"We will always be one, and no evil could ever break our bond," he reassured.

With that, Legolas sealed his promise with one last kiss, then he turned and took his leave.