Remember How I Love You (Sequel to 'Through Fire and Water')

Never Forget

*Years Later*

Legolas' P.O.V.

The sun rides high over Rivendell and the air is still and quiet, the only sound being that of the stream flowing past the house. We've been here for 2 weeks already, a family holiday to visit Ana's childhood home and even though we're staying with 'Aunty Nemir' the two of us have still managed never to be alone together.

Nemir and I never spoke about what happened that week when Ana was missing and, true to her word, Nemir never told Ana. Ana and I discussed that week at some length together shortly after she returned, I told her I was weak and Nemir comforted me but I never told her the nature of that comfort.

I'm reading on the balcony of the bedroom Ana and I are using, the room which used to be her bedroom when she first lived here, when Estel sticks her head into the room.

"Dad, mum's just going to take me and Thalion out for a bit, we'll be back for dinner" she says.

"Did no one care to ask if I wanted to go out?" I ask.

"Mum said you'd say that. She also said that I was to tell you that you don't want to come with us because you wouldn't approve"

"Ah, so she's showing you the ways she used to cause mischief when she was your age" I reply with a smile and Estel nods enthusiastically. "Alright, enjoy yourselves"

Estel grins and ducks out again. She's reached the age when she likes to think she's grown up but still needs reminding that she's not quite there, so basically the age at which Ana stopped maturing. Fortunately, she's been showing a little more sense than Ana had at her age, although Thalion is turning out to be far more like his mother.

I hear excited talking below me and peer over the balcony to see my wife and children heading off. Ana looks up and blows me a kiss and then they disappear around a corner and are gone.

About half an hour later, the door opens and Nemir walks in, she stops when she sees me.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't know you were in here" she says, a little startled.

I nod but say nothing. There's an awkward silence for a moment before Nemir turns to leave. She stops by the door and looks like she's trying to convince herself to do something before turning back to face me.

"Why did you do it, Legolas?"

"Do what?"

"All those years ago, why did you kiss me? Why did you let me stay the night?"

I look at her for a moment but the intensity of her expression is too much so I stand up and turn away, leaning on the balcony railing so I don't have to look at her. I hear a sigh and the sound of the door opening.

"Wait" I say quietly, and the noise stops. I turn to look at her and Nemir looks expectant.

"Because, Nemir, I was scared and lonely and tired of being strong and I turned to you for comfort"

Nemir actually looks crushed and I can't bare it, I want to turn away again but I can't stop myself from adding more. "And because I wanted you. I can't explain it, I just wanted you"

"But not now"

"I had a moment of weakness, but now it is long gone. I love Ana, she's the only one I want"

Nemir gives a slight nod and starts to leave but I stop her with a question. "Why did you do it?"

Nemir seems to freeze, considering whether or not to tell me. After a moment she speaks again. "It was a very long time ago, Legolas, but I haven't changed. Something ran in our blood which made us act in a way we never would have in our right minds, something drove us to do what we did. Ana brought you back to sanity, she is your anchor and your constant, but I never had that. How about we don't bring my reasons into this. It's enough to know that it happened and it won't happen again"