"Roh, I am sorry. Do not be angry," Legolas said, staring at Elrohir with wide eyes.

Elrohir's hard countenance took on more feeling as he melted again at the sight of the little Elfling pleading with him.

"I am not angry with you, Lass."

"You have been very quiet."

"I have been simply thinking."

Legolas waited. He had woken when they arrived back in Imladris, where Elrohir had brought him back to the Halls of Healing without uttering a word.

When Elrohir did not answer, Legolas pressed on, "Of what?"

"My mother," Elrohir said, startling himself. He had never spoken of Celebrían prior to this, and was surprised that he could still bring himself to do so. After all, he had only snapped at his brother and father every time they spoke of her to him.

Legolas's face fell and he turned away from Elrohir. Just thinking of his Nana made him feel so hollow, as if somebody had taken a knife and scraped out every last piece of his insides.

"I have never seen your mother before," Legolas said.

"What happened to your Nana, Lass?"

It was a long time before Legolas spoke.

"She sailed West -- without me."

A shiver ran through Legolas as he turned away so that Elrohir could not see his face. Elrohir reached out for his arm, making him turn back. Legolas was biting his lips, and struggling very hard to compose himself.

"I do not understand why she left me," Legolas choked, biting back a cry.

Seeing Legolas fighting back his tears, Elrohir too felt a lump in his throat forming. He had thought all these years that he had forgotten how to cry, but here he was, staring at a young Elf he barely knew, and trying to keep his eyes from moistening.

"Why did she leave me behind? I would have agreed to go with her if she had asked me."

Elrohir pushed aside the covers and sat beside Legolas.

"Tell me what happened."

"I do not know," Legolas said. He pressed his face to Elrohir's hard chest and drew in a deep breath. "She was lying in the great hall, asleep, and would not wake when I tried to rouse her. They placed her in the ground and covered her, and many people were crying. They told me she had left us, that I would perhaps see her again in Aman."

Elrohir's vision clouded over. Here was an Elfling so young that he did not understand what had transpired, for how could you explain death to a child who was born to eternal life? Legolas's mother had died, but he could not understand it, instead believing she had sailed over to Aman. How could Elrohir explain the finality, the unnaturalness of death to him who had meant to live forever?

"I am sorry, Roh."

"Whatever for?" Elrohir said, astounded.

"I just am."

Feeling his throat parch, Elrohir hugged him closer.

"There is nothing to be sorry for, and whatever the reasons for your Nana's leaving, it had nothing to do with you."

"But I miss her so much!"

Elrohir squeezed Legolas tighter, and dropped a kiss on his head. "So do I, Lass."

The long silence that fell between them was broken as Legolas looked up at Elrohir, reverent admiration on his flushed face.

"When did your Nana leave?"

"Years ago."

Elrohir felt a shudder run through Legolas.

"She must have been very kind and beautiful -- like you."

Elrohir had to turn his face away so that Legolas could not see the tear that slid down his cheek. Instead, he tried to compose his thoughts and help the Elfling with his problems.

"Promise me one thing, Lass."

"I will not run away again if you promise not to find out where I come from."

"Your family will be so worried."

"I cannot go back. I will not go back."

Elrohir saw the determination in his eyes, and realised that Legolas would flee again should any attempt to enquire about his identity be made.

"You should rest," Elrohir said, not willing to make a decision without consulting Elrond first. He made to disentangle himself from Legolas.

"Roh?" Legolas said, sounding as small as he was.

"Yes?"

"Can you stay here with me tonight? I do not wish to be alone."

*****

A/N: I am falling increasingly in love with my characters - is that worrying? There is something so heart-breaking in the way Legolas and Elrohir feed off each other that makes me wish I had my own Elrohir to protect me from everything.