And yet Legolas didn't care what might or might not be allowed. When he returned home, he would sail across the sea and never again see the forest of his birth. Being borne of a king would mean nothing to him anymore or to those that he would see there. And none of it meant anything to him here, either.

He was caught by surprise as Haldir followed him, turning his eyes up to look into Haldir's. It was hard for him to believe when Haldir's words reached him, a sudden doubt gripping his heart until he was pulled to the march warden. Slowly, he raised his arms and returned it, holding tightly as he released a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. He held on longer than he should have but not nearly as long as he wanted to.

"I am being more careful than I ever have been. I don't regret making this offer to you, I want you to keep it. I cannot be happy without you."