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Five years passed sleepily in Fornost, the spinning of the wheel of time marked by snowfalls and sunshine in turns. Elladan and Elrohir departed for Rivendell at the end of that summer, along with promises to return in two years' time. This gave Legolas once again a cabin to call his own, although he cheerfully surrendered it to the twins each time they came calling in the north.

Nerwen gave birth to her child in the depths of November, just as she had predicted and feared. The babe, a girl, was both hearty and gifted with strong lungs. Radanir proudly named his daughter 'Elgarain' after a ranger whom had been a dear friend of Aragorn's father Arathorn in her time. Not only did the child survive her early months in the dark of winter, but quickly grew to be a sturdy toddler with a fluff of dark hair and arresting green eyes.

Andris filled out and matured to full manhood nicely, continuing to live with and support his mother Delia. Much prodding one evening in the main hall revealed him to have an excellent singing voice, and from then on they were just as likely to have a song from Andris as a story from Aragorn or Daernon. He and the auburn-haired ranger Kaylen had...well no one was quite sure what to call what they had. Some days it seemed it was only a matter of time before the two of them pledged their troth, and other days they would hardly be caught dead in the same room together. He and Legolas still enjoyed the occasional wrestle from time to time, and gradually Andris learned to be faster on his feet when tussling with an elf.

Now into his third decade of life, Aragorn only became more beloved and respected as chieftain with each passing year. Over time Legolas became privy to gradually more personal bits of information regarding his friend, up to and including his secret love for Elrond's daughter Arwen Undomniel. Aragorn did not let his private longings distract him in any way though from his duty as leader of the Dunedain, far from it in fact. He went about the business of organizing life in the village each day with a smile and a fair word for everyone as usual. In the evenings though, sometimes he would describe Arwen to Legolas just for the sake of picturing her with vivid detail in his mind's eye. After a time, Legolas felt he too could himself envision the fair elf maiden of Imladris. Then the twins would visit again and he would end up picturing one of them in a gown. He supposed he was lucky that Arwen's brothers could not read minds.

As for Legolas himself, he gradually found a place in the daily life of the Dunedain. When not out hunting with Nerwen, the prince of Mirkwood had taken up giving the children of the village lessons in archery, history and even the Sindarin tongue. Gelwin of all people had proven to be something of a natural polyglot, and took to the slippery elvish language like a fish to water. Even little Elgarain, who had only just two years past learned how to speak the Common tongue was already following Nerwen and Radanir around babbling in the beginnings of both Adûnaic and Sindarin.

Life took on a familiar rhythm, and for a time Legolas was content to forget the world beyond and pretend he was only just a person. He called himself friend, hunter, teacher...but not a prince, not to these people. Still, he kept his mother's ring on his person at all times, either upon his own finger or around his neck on a chain. A reason to leave the life he had built for himself in Fornost seemed never to present itself nor make a convincing argument. At least, not until the final days of summer in his fifth year among the Dunedain...

After wrapping up the day's lesson on the history of Beleriand in the Second Age, Legolas smiled as the youngsters practically fell over themselves in their haste to go and play. It was hard, especially for some of the smaller ones to sit still and listen to the ramblings of an elf. He remembered well his own reluctance to spend time indoors at his lessons when there were adventures to be had out in the forest. At least Legolas tried to keep things interesting for his pupils by holding their lessons outdoors on the grass and always describing events with as much animation as he could muster.

As had become his habit, he followed the trail down to the river to walk along its banks as the sun set. Sometimes Gelwin would follow after him on these strolls, always on some pretense or other of practicing her Sindarin. Legolas often humored the girl, even though he knew he would be in for more teasing from the Dunedain the next day.

That evening something was different though. Rather than start into their usual conversation in elvish (slower than normal for the sake of learning), Gelwin walked in silence at Legolas's side. Crickets were beginning to sing from the bushes, and their music provided an accompaniment to the sounds of the river as it babbled from rock to tock. Taking real notice for the first time in a while, Legolas was surprised to find Gelwin's chin level in height with his shoulder. Although five years was but a pittance in the life of an elf, it had been time enough for the skinny adolescent girl to mature into the early days of womanhood. Tall, slender and fair-haired, Gelwin would have stood out from the generally darker colored Dunedain even if she had not taken to braiding her blonde tresses after the fashion which Legolas had taught her.

Rounding a corner in the path, they came into sight of the small pool where the current gathered before flowing downriver. The frogs were already out and singing around it, adding to the early night-time chorus of the forest. Soon the leaves would begin to turn again, making these last days of summer all the more beautiful.

Finally, Gelwin spoke, her voice softer and perhaps more shaky than usual.

"Legolas, why did Andreth and Aegnor never wed?"

Surprised, Legolas paused to consider the question. One of the only known romances between a mortal woman and an elven man, the two had lived long ago in the Second Age of Middle Earth. Legolas had told their story some days ago to the children, and apparently Gelwin had marked it well.

"There were many reasons. Firstly, it was a time of war, and the Eldar do not favor marriage and the creation of families unless we have peace in which to enjoy them. Aegnor had his obligations to the war against Morgoth, and did not wish to enter into a relationship which he could not fully honor. And secondly, there was the matter of the respective fates of elves and men. As Andreth spoke of with Aegnor's brother Finrod in her famous discussion 'Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth', the two of them could only hope for a single lifetime together, nothing more. The fates of Men are not tied to this world as ours are, Gelwin. When your people die, your spirits go we know not where, but you do not dwell here anymore. If one of my people were to be slain in battle or die otherwise, our spirits still remain tied to this world...even if only beyond these shores in the land of Valinor. Andreth and Aegnor decided the pain of eternal separation would be too great a price for them to pay, even for the years of love they perhaps could have shared."

"It was a shame and perhaps an irony then..." Gelwin spoke slowly, as if to herself.

"What was?"

Glancing up at him, the young woman half smiled sadly. "That Aegnor died before Andreth, rather than the other way around. You said he fell in battle, and Andreth long outlived him to become a wise woman of the Edain, yes?"

With a soft chuckle, Legolas nodded. "You remember your lessons well, Gelwin. You are quite right; it was ironic that such a thing should come to pass. And perhaps all the more reason for the two of them not to have pursued their feelings for one another. Fate can be a cruel thing, at times."

"Aye, that it most certainly can be." Taking one of the slender braids that she plaited daily behind each of her ears between her fingers, Gelwin bit her lip and looked down. "And would you choose the same way if you were in Aegnor's place, Legolas?" With each word her voice became quieter and quieter, as if it were difficult to speak.

Legolas heard the second question hidden within the first though. Suddenly he knew exactly what Tauriel must have felt, years ago when he had followed her footsteps filled with secret yearnings. Now the tables had turned, and he found himself the receiver of feelings which he could not share nor return. Sympathy for both Tauriel and Gelwin filled his heart. Fate could be a cruel thing indeed. For a moment Legolas was briefly tempted to give Gelwin a dismissive answer as one would give a child who has asked something foolish. He stopped himself though. By the reckoning of his people this girl was a mere infant in years. To the Dunedain though she was near a woman grown, and after these five years she deserved a proper answer from a man to a woman.

"Gelwin, daughter of Galdir..." he chose his words carefully, and on impulse reached for her hands, taking one in each of his. "You have wisdom beyond your years, and no doubt will one day become a wise woman of your people in your own right. You have my respect and my affection...no less but no more. Even if I found myself faced with the same choice as that of Aegnor, I too would choose as he did." Seeing a faintly glassy sheen cover Gelwin's large blue eyes, he smiled gently at her. "It would take great strength of both heart and soul to embrace such a love, and if you would willingly endure such a thing then you are stronger than I."

To Gelwin's great credit, she did not weep. Young and idealistic though she may be, she was also a woman of the Dunedain. Drawing in a slow, shuddering breath, her shoulders sagged. Her fingers were cold in Legolas's hands and she squeezed slightly. An owl cried from its hidden perch nearby, reminding them both of the lengthening shadows cast by the trees.

"Thank you, Legolas." She said at last, smiling weakly. "I think I could be brave enough. I suppose I won't be finding out though now will I?"

"No, and for that I am thankful." Leaning forward, Legolas placed a kiss on Gelwin's forehead. "Your place is here among your people, and you will need all your wisdom and all your heart to live your life well. Do not give it to one who cannot accept it." Releasing her hands, Legolas turned his gaze to the east toward the Misty Mountains and beyond, the Woodland Realm. "My place is elsewhere..."

Turning away, Gelwin walked a few paces to a fallen log and sat almost gratefully. "Will you leave then?" she asked quietly.

"Yes." Legolas answered without thinking, but realized after the fact that it was the truth. "I have been too long away, and am needed in my homeland."

Slowly Gelwin nodded. The moon was rising, and its silvery light gave the girl a near ageless look. In another life, she could very well have been a daughter of elf-kind.

"Will we ever see you again?"

"I cannot say." Legolas approached and sat down next to her on the log, their hands folded in their respective laps. "The world is wide, and I do not make promises that I cannot be sure of keeping."

"Then I will promise to remember you, Legolas." Gelwin spoke into the gathering night, her hair shining silver in the moonlight. "You and everything you've taught me."

The two of them sat side by side in silence, listening to the crickets and the frogs singing at the riverbank. As much as Legolas had become fond of this place, he also knew that it was time to go home. Not only for his sake, but for the sake of those who loved him. Just as he had left the Woodland Realm to free his heart of Tauriel, he must now leave Fornost to free Gelwin's heart of him. His father would also no doubt be missing him. Running his thumb over his mother's ring on his forefinger, Legolas wished he could see Thranduil now. Yes, it was time.

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