“<b>What is going on?” Allassiel demanded as soon she was alone with Haldir. “What exactly are you trying to say? And why not say it in front of everyone? And furthermore –“</b><br/><br/>“<b>Easy mellon, I can only answer one question at a time.” Haldir motioned towards a bench near the inner walls of the room, away from doors. “I didn't speak in front of the others because it is Allasea's to say … or not. It's about Pegawen, or I should say her mother.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>There you go again, speaking in riddles. If this is not about Nadienne ...” She watched as Haldir shook his head. “Then she's not Pegawen's mother? But who … who … you don't mean to say that … Allasea?” <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>Which is why I said nothing in front of the others, and why it is up to her to say anything.”</b><br/><br/><b>Allassiel's jaw dropped at the news. Of course, it made sense now. As far as she knew, Allasea had never taken a mate; never wanted to, preferring the company of her animals to that of even other elves. “But if that's the case, then who's her father? Surely it wasn't ...”</b><br/><br/>“<b>No.” Haldir interjected. “It wasn't Egorn. I don't know, Allasea has never mentioned who he was. All she said was she gave Pegawen to Nadienne to protect her.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Protect her from what? I know that the eldars would frown upon a hiril having a child without a mate, even one such as her, and yet … so that's why she came herself.” She shook her head, still trying to make sense of what she'd heard.</b><br/><br/>“<b>From the little I could get out of her, she did have a mate – briefly. I don't know what happened, only that he was gone before she even knew about Pegawen. There's more, but anything else is up to her to share.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>So you protect her even in this. Wait, are you ..?”</b><br/><br/><b>Haldir shook his head. “I have tried. She lets no one that close to her, not even myself. But I haven't given up hope yet.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Pegawen should know this.”</b>“<b>I imagine she will soon enough, if she doesn't already.”</b><br/><br/><br/><b>Pegawen gaped she listened to the tale. Her mother's tale. <br/>
<br/>
At first, she hadn't understood why Allasea was telling her this story. How, after centuries alone, she'd finally met a hir who she entrusted enough with her secret – and her heart. How, after they'd consummated their vows, he'd succumbed to the sorrow of elves, leaving her to make the only choice she thought best for her unborn child. A normal life, around their people, away from the constant travel and isolation.</b><br/><br/><b>Who am I? Everything she thought she knew about her life, her family, had been shattered in a few words. But even worse than the who …</b><br/><br/>“<b>What are we?” She whispered the question, Allasea having long stopped talking. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>We're elven. Mostly.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>Mostly.” Pegawen echoed the word, watching as Allasea shrugged a shoulder and snapped her fingers. There was a rustle from the bushes, but nothing came out. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>Much like Hir Elrond, we are considered half-elven. I've had my whole life knowing what I am. I had hoped … I wanted to spare you. Give you the normal life I could never have. Can never have,” she amended, looking towards the tower where the others waited. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>Why not? You, yourself, said we're like Hir Elrond. He had a wife, children. Why can't you?” <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>I was born wild, raised with the creatures of the forest. In many ways, I am still wild. I cannot change that, I've tried. Living amongst our people is difficult. But you, I gave you a life with our people, so that you could have what I did not, and what I couldn't give you.” <br/>
<br/>
Pegawen opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. She wasn't sure what to say, or how. From the little she'd seen, Haldir would follow her mother to the ends of Arda and beyond. But one thing she did understand more clearly now. Araw.</b><br/><br/><b>How was she ever going to explain it to Lotharn. And would he accept her still, once he knew?</b>