Luin awoke to a gentle rocking. He was sitting up right, his back pressed against something warm and solid. The air was cool but not cold and he felt better. No alarming aches, just residual stiffness of healing and his headache was gone. There was still that horrible grimy feeling of being unwashed and wearing filthy clothes. But his bruises were healing and he could feel the familiar flow of spiritual energy through his meridians. It almost made him crumble with relief. He had never known how much he could miss it before, and he didn't want to ever go through that again. That feeling of weakness. Being unable to fight back had been horrible. Luin would rather die than experience that again.

"Are you awake now?" Legolas' voice murmured softly behind him. Luin blinked open his eyes. He was on the back of a white horse. His back leaning on Legolas' as they rode, head resting on his shoulder. Ahead of them was a brown horse bearing Aragorn and Gimli. Luin blinked at the magnificent white stallion leading them. There was a man robed white riding him. Something about the man seemed familiar but he was too far away for Luin to see.

"Nin Ithil", Luin sat up straight, glancing around. "What have I missed?" The sun was high in the sky, signifying the middle of the day. The last Luin recalled, it was night. How long had he been asleep?

Legolas beamed at him, glad that he was awake, one hand dropping the reins to rub a thumb over his cheek. The touch grounding and reassuring. "We're riding to Rohan. Saruman has poisoned the mind of the king". Luin nodded. Brain elsewhere as he began to fully remember what had happened. (It always took a few second in the mornings).

"Merry and Pippin? Are they okay? Did they get away?"

"They are safe", Legolas reassured. "Gandalf left them in the care of the ents".

Luin froze as his brain caught up. "Ents? Gandalf? Gandalf is alive?" He turned and his gaze fell on the white robed man again. Gandalf turned and his familiar face creased as he smiled. Luin let out a slight sob. Legolas smiled fondly, hand now stroking comforting circles on his shoulder.

Aragorn turned and smiled as he noticed that Luin was awake. The horses ahead of them stopped and Luin was sliding off the saddle before he could think. For a moment he stumbled, legs taking a second to catch up, and Legolas caught at his shoulder. Then Luin was sprinting forwards. Gandalf had barely touched the grass before Luin was throwing his arms around his neck. The old man caught his weight without stumbling too much. "Gandalf!" Luin hugged his mentor closer.

"Hello Luin", Gandalf chuckled, patting him on the back.

Luin pulled away to scowl at him. "Don't you dare do anything like that again! I could not bare it".

"I am perfectly fine Luin. Rest assured, I do not intend to fight any more balrogs in the future. I believe that was the last of them".

Luin sighed and deflated. "I just glad you're back. The white is new".

Gandalf smiled, the wise gleam in his eyes just as warm as before. "I am Saruman as he should be. Things are changing".

"Good", Luin stated. He turned and opened his arms widely, beaming. Aragorn couldn't help his smile as he strode forwards and caught Luin in a hug. The wizard laughing as Aragorn squeezed his shoulders tightly.

"You had us all worried old friend", Aragorn stated as they parted. He clapped Luin on the shoulders with a grin. "Legolas was more frantic than the time that warg knocked you off a waterfall. I am glad to see you okay".

"Aye", Gimli boomed. The dwarf grinning cheekily under his beard. "The pointy ears princeling looked ready to take on Saruman himself if it got you back".

"Gimli!" Luin chuckled at him. "Did he make you run all the way after me?"

The dwarf grunted. "Cross country. But I'm glad you are well laddie. King Kili would not be pleased with me if I returned to Erebor with news of your death. I expect to be invited to your wedding after this".

"That's a promise", Legolas grinned as he nudged the dwarf in the shoulder. Luin grinned wider. It seemed like his elf had finally made friends with a dwarf. If only Kili could see this now. It was a mighty difference compared to the meeting in Mirkwood sixty years ago.

Gimli snorted. "My backs a buggar. Let's get to Rohan before my feet fall off. Our blue wizard needs a bath". Luin laughed. He really did need a bath. His clothes were filthy and he didn't even want to know about the state of his hair. (The thought made his chest ache but he pushed it aside. He would deal with that when it came to it). A bath sounded amazing.

"Mount up", Gandalf called, swinging himself onto his stallion. Luin grinned upon recognising Shadowfax. The magnificent creature snorted at him.

Legolas had remounted his white mare and it trotted over to where Luin was standing. He held out a hand with a smile and he took it, allowing the blonde to pull him up behind him. Luin wrapped his arms round Legolas' waist as the horses broke into a canter. He sighed at the warmth of the other body. The fears of the last few days dissipating. "Thank you for finding me. I am sorry I caused so much trouble".

"You are never a burden", Legolas murmured back so only Luin could hear. "I would cross the world to follow you if needed".

"I would do the same for you", Luin replied. "You make me happy to be here. Glad that out of all the places I could have washed up, it was here to you". Legolas did not reply but he didn't need to. They both knew that they spoke the truth.

"Im mel cin, Nin aglareb ithil".

"Im mel cin, melethril".

Unedited
Im mel cin, Nin aglareb ithil- I love you my glorious moon.
Im mel cin, Melethril- I love you my lover.

I listened to the song above while writing this. I feel like it just works so well.