As we approach a familiar sight my heart leaps... I find myself breathing deeply as we near the fortress of Mirkwood. We are again surrounded by orange trees, the smell of maple and pine, the touch of soft leaves and grass against our skin. We are home.

We walk to the gate and once the two elves see Legolas they let us in without an escort. We are inside the mighty walls again, wood and stone surrounds us. The pleasant smell of flowers in the air. I see my kin, the wondering and working elves walking about the kingdom under the mountain. I can't help but let a smile stretch on my lips.

As we near the throne room my heart rate quickens... I feel Legolas become nervous as well. It gets significantly quieter as we walk, the inner rooms being completely vacant. Wonder where everyone is...

All I can hear are my footsteps on the stone floor... then as we approach the doorway to the inner sanctum I decide to slip to the side, letting Legolas and his father have some alone time.

I peer around the antlers on the pillar to see the king sitting in his chair. But as Legolas enters the room and stops, he sees his son, and his face turns from boredom to shock. He sits up straight and then steps off his throne, walking slowly to where Legolas has stopped.

There is silence and stillness in the air... as the two stand there without a word.

Come on Thranduil do something. Can I not say I have brought out some sensitivity in him?

But just then he pulls his son into an embrace. Finally. I smile as I watch the two hug. But when they part I can hear a whisper from the king, "You're alive..." he seems overjoyed a bit. I can see relief in his eyes that his son is back... well for now.

"Thanks to Vilora," Legolas responds. Me? Crap that's a lot of pressure.

"You went off the help the others destroy the One Ring... where is it now?"

He looks down. "It is in the property of one whom I trust. It is no longer in my hands."

"Are you alone?"

"No..."

He waits.

I breathe and step into the entrance nervously. But when the king's eyes meet mine I see only a friend, a dear friend whom I missed. I smile and run forward, throwing my arms around King Thranduil joyfully. Any other king would have my head probably if I did this but not him.

Legolas holds his breath.

I part from the king as he holds back a smile. He laughs. "I have missed you too dear one."

I smile at him widely then let go of his waist.

"You two have returned?" Thranduil asks.

Legolas and I exchange a look.

I look down. "...For a night... My king I ask you a favor."

"...And what would that be, arwenamin?" (my lady)

"...A friend of mine has had a glimpse of the fires to come," I look down. "He has seen what Sauron is up to... And we have learned that he has indeed become more powerful than any one nation alone. He plans to strike out Middle Earth once and for all."

"And to what would you have me do?"

I swallow.

"The armies of Mordor move east," Legolas says. "They will destroy the kingdom of Gondor first. Because he fears Aragorn, the heir to the throne of men. He will claim victory over them and soon all of us... there will be only darkness left."

"We ask you to send the wood elves down to Pelennor Fields... before the siege of Minas Tirith begins," I say humbly.

"And leave my lands unprotected?" he seems unwilling to listen.

I look up at him. "And if you leave them here then all will be lost."

"The time of the elves is over, Vilora."

"Why?" I approach him. "Why would you have this era, where the elves stand mighty against he evil be lost? Why would you wish this to be true? You must help. Or all of your men will die."

"This is not my home anymore. The world of men is not my concern. They fight for their own-"

"This world belongs to all of us! And you should help us fight for it! Please, Thranduil! Ever since I left my world I find a home in this one because of you! I love this place... Will you have me leave it to dust and everyone we love along with it?!"

"I would not put my people at risk while we have orcs coming from the south at our borders to take arms in the war of men," he says sternly and angrily. "Do not forget that it was me who took you into my kingdom and gave you this home."

"I am not asking you this favor for me. I know you have done much for me and I thank you. But this is about everyone and the people you protect. They are all in danger."

"Not while I am in rule they are not. And I will not send my soldiers to die in another war that is not our own."

"It is your own... Please my king..." I can feel myself almost tearing up. I know that if we don't have every army we won't stand a chance and Mirkwood will be gone along with my whole family.

He gives me a look of disappointment and rejection.

I look down, pulling out the envelope from the south and handing it to Legolas. I turn around and take my leave from the room, not looking back.

I stop at the outer walls of the throne room and sit down by them, leaning against the rock pillar. I close my eyes. Perhaps we can still win this war without his help... but other things flood my head. I hear the voices behind me from the large room.

"What is that?" I hear Thranduil ask.

"It's from Gandalf the White," Legolas responds quietly. There is a moment of silence before Legolas speaks again. "She is right, ada. We must fight."

"...And you are to leave again are you?"

"I will go with the others and stand against Sauron's armies."

"You leave me-"

"I go where I must."

"You leave your people."

"I defend my people where you refuse to."

I rest my head against the pillar and breathe. After a few silent moments I hear a quiet voice from the king, "Please Legolas... I have already had to bury my father and wife through war. Don't make me bury my son too..."

After that it is silent in the room.

I shut my eyes tightly, letting one single tear flow down to my chin. War is coming, death is coming. And I fear for what is ahead, but I agree with Legolas. I will fight and if I have to, I will die for these people.

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I sit in my room that I had owned before after a have taken a hot bath, scrubbed all the sand and salt water from my skin, wrapped in a silver cloth. I find a simple dark burgundy dress from the wardrobe that looks comfortable and slip it over my worn out bra and undergarments. I brushed through my hair and left it down in its natural waves.

I sit there on the bed thinking... until I feel like someone is watching me. I look over my shoulder to see an old friend standing in the doorway.

"Nin!" I exclaim and leap form the bed. I run over to her and hug her tightly.

"How long have you been back?" she asks laughing.

"A few hours," I respond. "I'm sorry I've been stressing over this... war..."

We part and she still has her hands on my arms. "I heard the prince was back. Did you come back... with him?" she gives me a look.

I can't help but blush when she says this but I open my mouth to protest, no words escaping yet. I shut my mouth and change the subject, "So how have things been here...?"

"Ed' i'ear ar' elenea, you two... are..." she stutters. "You... did not...?" (by the sea and stars)

"Uh... uh... Hey is that a peanut-?"

"You did not. Vilora!" she looks over her shoulder and then shuts the door, sitting me down on my bed as she takes a seat on the chair. "Were you two traveling together... alone?"

"Uh," I look down at my hands. "Sort of."

"Where did you go? What did you do? Wait! You two were alone... Vil... you two are not married...?"

"No!" I look at her. "No, no, no... Trust me... we just..." my voice comes to a whisper. "We just kissed..."

She lifts an eyebrow with shock but then she smiles. "Oh my stars you kissed the bloody prince of Mirkwood!" she hits my arm with excitement. Yup I can tell I have completely rubbed off on her.

"Um well he actually kissed me..."

"You're joking," she giggles. "When? How?"

"Well we were just walking back from archery in the rain... and uh-"

"In the rain?"

"Well he sorta made-out with me."

"Did what?"

"Oh uh... kissed me... over and over and over."

"Oh my goodness..." she breathes. She looks down and bites her lip.

"Hey," I snap at her.

"Sorry-"

"Don't be thinking about my man!"

She laughs. "I promise I was not!"

The two of us talk for a while as if nothing has changed since I left. She catches me up on all that has happened here as she fixes my hair-in two locks on either side that make braids that then come together behind my head. Thranduil still worries for the orc nests that were discovered before I left but they are not as large of a threat now.

I tell her about Legolas and I, mentioning how close we have gotten and some of the things he has said to me. I tell her about my whole adventure and what we are on course for now.

"Well I can tell you that the king has spoken of you while you were gone," she says as I lean back on my bed.

"Really?" I seem surprised. "What did he say?"

"Well he did not speak of you indiscriminately but he would say things like how different you are... he believes there is greatness in you... I could tell he missed you. Nodwen thought he had feelings for you... but she is wrong. I know now that he thinks of you as a daughter or perhaps sister."

"...He thinks I'm great?"

"He does," she chuckles. "He is quite fond of your spirit."

The more she talks about the good things he had said about me the more I feel bad for yelling at him...

"You know he actually summoned me after you left and you will not believe what he said."

I listen.

"He..." she looks down. "He told me the reason for his behavior towards me all these years and I almost wept there for it... I have been so blind," she mutters.

"You didn't know," I return her volume.

"I think of him so differently now."

"How differently?" I almost give her a look.

When her eyes lock with mine she protests. "No, Vil not like that," she reassures. It is true what Legolas and he shared with me about Thranduil's wife I do not think he could ever love another she-elf again like that. "I just see him as perhaps an uncle I never had. Well maybe that is stretching it but... I respect him much more now." She seems to be talking to herself almost.

I smile. She deserves that peace and so does he.

"...How long are you staying?" she looks up at me.

"Just a night..."

"Why?"

"There's a war coming, Nin, one that will take everything down with it. I leave for Rivendell tomorrow, to gather armies of elves there. Minas Tirith is where Sauron will strike."

"Fight for the race of men... Why?"

"I fight for every race. Because once Sauron takes Gondor he will be powerful enough to take out all of us. That is why I must fight."

"You're going alone?"

"Legolas is coming with me."

She nods... "What about us?"

"I asked Thranduil for his help but he will not send soldiers... we are alone. So if I see you again... I will be blessed... after the war."

She is about to speak but looks over her shoulder. "It's time for dinner. Will you come down?"

I nod and get up off the bed.

We walk down the stone steps that wind around the inner sanctum until we get to the dining hall. The voices of elves fill the rooms. It is so almost eerie, being used to the loud, merry voices of the men. But I look about the room... I do not see anyone I recognize until I do.

Kel, Nodwen, and Riven stand together in their fancy garments. But they look our way when we enter the halls.

"Vilora?" Nodwen asks with surprise.

I smile widely and run to Kel who is the closest. Being used to the mundane ways and forgetting the proper elven mannerisms I throw my arms around him and giggle, happy to see my friends again. He almost stumbles but being an elf has tremendous balance of course. He chuckles. "I thought you would never return, Lady Vil."

"Then I proved you wrong," I tell him when I am at arm's length.

"You certainly did," he smiles. "Nae saian luume." (It has been too long)

"Aye," I agree with a smile.

I turn to Nodwen and give her a hug as she grins widely like me. I do the same with Riven and there are a couple other he-elves here as well that I greet. I had met them briefly before.

I talk to them all and laugh. They ask me about my journey and seem interested in the adventures I have behind and ahead of me.

I don't notice until now that Nin and Kel talk to each other quietly, her whispering in his ear, both with odd smile on their faces and they glance at me. She's telling him about Legolas I know it. She's probably talking about how I will be the princess of Mirkwood soon. What else would allow Kel's grin like that? I don't pay attention but smile and shake my head.

My eyes begin to search for any member of the royal family... and they don't claim victory until Thranduil arrives. He looks as normal as ever... but now that I know him I can see past that mask. He is troubled I can tell.

But Legolas is not here. And soon it is time for dinner.

I look down at the glass of elven wine that Kel offered me. I don't want it. I haven't had sweet wine in over a month... I look up at my family that I love but... this isn't my home because someone is missing.

It is almost time for everyone to take a seat...

I look up at Thranduil when I stand next to my seat. There is not emotion in his gaze.

The empty chair in front of me makes my heart sink.

I hesitate...

Nin looks to me and I feel the gaze of the king as well.

I start to shake my head as I look upon the table. "Excuse me..." I mutter and turn to leave. I set down the goblet on the way before leaving. I know where he is.

I walk up the steps and through the halls of the Woodland Realm. I make my way across the stone floor that is cold against my bare feet. I feel almost naked in this dress and wearing no shoes again with my hair flowing behind me... almost like how I felt when I first arrived in Middle Earth. At least I still have my bra.

I watch the late evening sunset cast golden light through the kingdom's windows that blankets the rock beneath me in a copper color.

My eyes scatter on the carvings of the halls until I reach the huge doors. The elves on either side wait for me to make up my mind on whether I want to exit, ready to open the gates for me.

I stop and sigh, leaning against the stone wall with my eyes closed. Am I weak to be leaving? I wasn't trying to make a point by excusing myself. But I just didn't feel right there... not without my companion.

"You're going to need your strength tomorrow. You look thinner than you were when we met you know," Nin says as she approaches me.

I turn to look at her. "I'm sorry I left but-"

"I know..." she gives me a slight smile that makes me believe she knows the reason for my excuse; the missing elf.

That's when I notice the package in her hands (or rather just a large piece of cloth folded into a sack that holds food... enough for two.

"You need to eat a large meal tonight before you leave, Vil. And so does he..." she hands me the package.

I take it and smile at her a little. "Thank you," I whisper.

She nods with a hand at her heart and a grin on her lips before she leaves me.

I let the elves open the great gates and I leave into the lingering sunlight. Leaves fall around me as I walk into the woods, after the guards shut the huge doors.

I travel to the side of the mountain... to where Nin trained me.

My feet stride quietly on the dead orange leaves and under the tree tops as the beams from the sun shine through the dark chocolate branches, though it is no longer in the sky. The limbs of the trees swirl in patterns and curve, creating a painting of chartreuse light on the forest floor.

As I enter the clearing I look around me and sure enough I hear a subtle sound in the trees. I look up to see Legolas sitting in the thick branches, tossing twigs to the ground.

"I thought I would find you here," I say quietly.

He turns his head to acknowledge me for a second but doesn't speak.

"You missing dinner, buddy."

He messes with the hem of his new brown tunic. "I was not hungry."

"Well... I brought you some food. There's some for me too. Could we have a picnic?"

He finally twitches a slow smile and hops off the tree onto the ground, walking over to me as I hold out the cloth. "You did not have to do this-"

"I don't belong in there, Legolas. I belong with you..."

Our hands are both on the carefully wrapped package as we lock eyes.

He looks away first, down at his hands with a cute bashful smile.

I grin at him, in a way that looks as if I am holding back a large smile. "Come on," I say and take the food to the tree we sat under the second night I met him. I sit there Indian style and untie the sack.

He sits beside me, something on his mind. He looks troubled like his father. I don't blame him. I feel the same way... but I won't let it soil what I set out to do.

I unwrap our picnic and lay it between us, forcing him to eat as I munch on a few grapes.

"Why are you out here?" I ask sympathetically.

He looks down, his fingers hesitating on the piece of bread he holds. "It is where I come to think..." he frowns.

"...I'm sorry about today..." I look down at my hands.

"...Me too," he murmurs.

I place my left hand on his shoulder and give a sorrowful expression.

He doesn't look up at me but thinks.

"Eat. You need it."

He looks over with a playful smile. "And what if I refuse?"

"Then I'll chain you to the tree and force it down your throat."

He widens his eyes. "Fair enough."

I laugh.

I force him to eat his dinner while I try to get his mind off what happened with Thranduil by talking to him. I know that the king will not help us. And if war is coming, I want to cherish these last few memories with him before we enter the darkness... and possibly not return.

"Tell me something about your past. Something embarrassing," I smile.

"What?" he seems surprised.

"Just do it."

"Why?"

"Because it's funny."

"I-"

"Please."

"Alright..." He sighs and looks. "At one time when I was an elfling... I drew on an ancient scroll-"

"That's not embarrassing!"

He chuckles. "What would you wish me to say?"

"I don't know when I was little I drank a bottle of beer not knowing what it was and blacked out on the street..."

He is silent.

"I win," I say with a frown.

"Vilora-"

"No it's fine," I chuckle. "I won't raise my kids like my parents raised me."

"Every parent does something right and something wrong... you can learn from their mistakes," he looks ahead.

I look off into the trees. The forest is lit with the light from the moon. "I won't be a good parent."

"Why should you say this?"

"I can't imagine... after war after killing and surviving... I just don't think I have any care in my being..."

"My darling," he says with sympathy. "You are the most gentle soul I have met. You would make a wonderful mother someday and I know that..."

I look at him. I was not used to anyone saying such things about me, knowing me as well as he does... He is my best friend. "And you will make a great father someday to our-your family."

He looks at me suddenly with a cute smile, his eyes wide and brows lifted. "'Our' family-?"

"No no. Uh I meant your family I just mixed up the words because of how similar they are-I just-Well that is the point. The point is you will make a great father and a great husband."

There is a moment of silence as I look ahead with slight embarrassment.

He is looking at his boots. "...'Husband'?" he murmurs.

I bite my lip. "...Yes."

He looks at me with a playful smile. "And you know this how?"

I hold back a smile and stand up, walking around the picnic and sitting down with my legs crossed horizontally over his, his hand coming to my back to hold me in his lap. "Because I know you," I grin and run my finger over his tender lips just barely as his eyes dance in mine; his eyes that hold petrified stars. "You are kind, considerate..." I touch my nose with his, "and you are perfectly and incandescently selfless," I say quietly and lean in with a smile. I touch my lips to his after he tries not to smile as well in order to kiss me back. My hands grip the collar of his tunic and his hand strokes the back of my head. His lips feel so soft and gentle against mine and his fingers linger in my hair. He has passion, but also so much sensitivity, as if I am a delicate flower that he grazes with a gentle touch.

After all this we try to keep serious but he leans back against the tree, still holding me close as we start to laugh for an unknown reason.

I sit down by him with my back against the bark, staring at the tree top, not letting him move his arm from behind my upper back as I lean on it.

He tucks my hair behind my ear and kisses my cheek softly. "I want to show you something..."

"Okay," I chuckle. "What?" I look over at his face that is but a centimeter from mine.

But then he gets up to his feet and holds out his hand. I take it and let him pull me up. He begins to run into the woods and I chase after him, our hands still connected. "Where are we going?" I giggle as I pull my dress skirt over my knees.

"It's a secret place. Only my father and I know if it."

He runs swiftly over the roots and stones with graceful feet. I stumble behind him and laugh when I almost trip but he makes sure I do not do so. I hurry after him as fast as possible, hearing the wind blow through the dark leaves and our feet against the ground. Though his I really cannot hear.

We head up a hill past the thicket and I catch up to him when we reach a beautiful part of the forest lit with blue light. It is a clearing where we can see the distant trees and even the slight silhouette of the MirkwoodMountains far to the south.

We stand there as the cool draft kisses my skin. I breathe in the smell of the beloved forest, missing the scent deeply. I grin as he and I stand quietly.

He takes my hand with an excited smile...

I look back at him slightly puzzled for what he waits for-something catches my eye. I lift my hand to touch a firefly that lights up before me, my finger barely coming to contact with its tiny legs. I grin and look up...

That is when I see the rest of them. They float around us like stars, twinkling in the moonlight like a glorious and stunning dream. The rest of the world disappears, leaving my elf and I in the center of the tiny glowing orbs that surround us...

"Legolas this is beautiful," I breathe, looking about in wonder.

He doesn't reply but I feel his thumb gently stroke my hand and I know there is a smile upon his lips.

I grin widely and rest my head against his shoulder.

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PS: please please please COMMENT and tell me anything on your mind or what you think so far. I REALLY need reviews if i am to grow as i writer! thank you!