The slightly chilly air sent shivers down your spine as you looked up at the expanse of brightly sunlit trees and copper leaf covered ground. You gripped the armrests of your chair, your knuckles going white. Your long (h/c) hair brushed against your face as your eyes stared down at the target no mortal man could ever dream of hitting. Your personally crafted bow lay against the tree next to you, a quiver of arrows leaning against your chair while it's feathers moved in the gentle wind.

The sound of a twig snapping made your head turn to look around you. But you knew you were nowhere near any homesteads let alone castle guards. You looked at your bow and clenched your jaw before reaching out and taking hold of the tree next to you. With great effort you pulled yourself up to your feet, balancing against the tree. You looked to your mobile chair and closed your eyes against the frustration building up in your chest.

Besides, no one would go looking for a crippled Elf in the woods.

With one arm you hugged your body to the tree as you reached down for an arrow and your bow. Already, your knees were feeling weak but you promised yourself at least one shot. One shot while standing.

Any human that looked upon you would have applauded your bravery and determination to live on despite your disability. But elves were not so understanding and kindhearted. Several of your friends wondered why you did not join the elves that departed for the Gray Havens. But you had no answer for them, at least no answer that would satisfy them.

You didn't want to leave your home, your chance at a life, your family, and those friends who stood by you. But most importantly you didn't want to leave him. So when he asked you to go with him to Rivendell, for what you didn't know, you readily agreed. Secretly, you hoped you would not only be seen to by one of the best Elven healers in the known realms, but you also hoped to spend more time with your traveling companion. But as per usual, you were resting or asleep the entire trip due to your weak constitution.

However, since being in Rivendell, you have felt remarkably better. Arwen made it her duty to help you at any moment she could, never leaving your side. But when you expressed your wish to try your hand in archery, she allowed it on the one condition that you were to stay seated in your custom chair where they pushed you everywhere.

No matter how long you had been using it, a little part of you felt humiliated each time you were placed in it. Everyone treated you like you were about to fall apart. They looked down to you, spoken far too gently to, and was always asked if you were comfortable or needed anything. You knew they meant well, but you earned for something...normal.

So that was why you were where you were; pushing yourself off your tree and finding a balance on your numb legs, pulling back your arrow and aiming all while holding your breath. With a frustrated grunt, you let it fly, the arrow shooting forward only to embed itself in a tree three hands too far to the left.

You let your arms drop and sagged against the tree once again, your heart racing and your body aching. You closed your eyes as you rested your head against the cool bark of the tree, your brow dotted with sweat. Something rare for elves but common for you. But what was rare for you was the fact you were now standing for longer than ten breaths. So you mustered up the courage to try shooting one more time.

But you were unaware of the presence behind you until you wavered on your feet, your elbow knocking against your tree as your other hand reached down for another arrow. Suddenly there were hands around your waist and a breath on your neck. You stood absolutely still, your mind racing as to what to do. But you relaxed when they spoke.

"I have fallen back into a memory of my childhood unless you are a ghost," Legolas spoke with humor despite his quiet tone.

You smiled weakly, using his steady hands on your waist to hold you in place as you knocked your second arrow. "As I have told you before, I am growing stronger."

You brought your bow up, pulling the arrow back. Legolas moved one hand up to correct your arms just slightly.

"I am pleased to hear this trip was not in vain for the both of us."

You looked down the arrow at the target and let out a breath before successfully letting it fly, the pointed stick landing with a solid thunk nearly in the center of the target. You let your arms drop again, your fatigue returning in waves.

"You never did tell me why you have brought me with you. I know I was not your sole purpose for visiting these airy elves."

You could feel Legolas chest rumble against your back as he chuckled silently, your mind not remembering when he stepped closer to you. Legolas reached down, taking another arrow, his arms now around you as he laid his hands atop yours while helping you knock your next arrow. You turned your head to look at him, your head already shaking slightly.

"I cannot, I already-"

"I have you," Legolas whispered as your heart beat rapidly for a completely different reason than your exhaustion.

Together, you and Legolas pulled the arrow back and held it for a moment your heart beats synced up. Between beats, you both released, the arrow flying straight and true. With a satisfying thunk, the arrow sunk deep in the center of the target. You smiled as you stared at it, the wind moving your hair gently. Slowly you dropped your bow, not at all bothered by Legolas' arms still around you. Gently, you turned as best you could, looking up at his blue eyes.

"Why is it you have brought me here?"

His eyes looked hesitant but his voice answered without a second thought. "I was summoned for a meeting. I am a part of a Fellowship tasked with destroying a weapon of great evil."

You just stared at him, positive your mouth was agape. You looked at his eyes, your head slowly starting to shake back and forth as you pieced together everything you had heard while being here. And from what you had gathered, it did not seem as though this quest was going ot be an easy one.

"The-the One Ring," you swallowed, looking now over his shoulder as your voice dropped, "You will leaving for Mordor."

Then your knees buckled and you fell, Legolas catching you as he held you to his chest. You stared blankly at nothing as he gently settled you into your chair again, placing your disgarded blanket over your legs. Kneeling before you, he then took your hands, rubbing his thumb over your knuckles as he gazed pleadingly into your eyes. But you kept your eyes away from his, fixing your gaze on the target behind him.

"When do you leave?" Your voice came out quietly, almost as if you hadn't used it for few days.

"Tomorrow."

You closed your eyes slowly, tears threatening to fall. Taking a shaky breath you looked down, a tear escaping down your cheek. "And here I thought I was to spend my time recovering with you by my side."

Legolas leaned his head in, looking up at your downcast eyes. "I did not make the decision lightly. Aragorn-"

At the name of the ranger, you let out a small laugh, looking up to smile weakly at the elf in front of you. "Say no more. I would dread the day anything or anyone came between you and  your kingly brother."

Legolas did not smile, his hand reaching up as he stroked the tear off your cheek. "Know that I would have been by your side until the day we departed across the glass seas."

You leaned into his touch. "A heavy statement even for a couple that of which we are not."

Silence fell between the two of you as you gazed into each other's eyes, memories and unspoken feelings playing in your minds. Legolas' thumb stroked our cheek as another tear fell. His crystal eyes suddenly filled with so many emotions you held your breath, unsure how he would act on them. The one elf you grew up forever knowing would keep his emotions in check was slowly falling apart in front of you.

But before a tear of his own fell he moved forward, his lips coming to gently press against yours, his hand moving from your cheek to behind your neck. It wasn't hard to know what to do next, your body reacting naturally as you kissed him in return, your hands grasping onto the front of his tunic. Tears mixed with tears as lips moved in perfect unison.

All too soon, Legolas pulled away, his eyes red but his lips pulled into a sweet smile. You pulled him forward just enough to rest your forehead against his, our eyes closing contently. Legolas' fingers were in your hair as you reached up to place your hand on his cheek.

"Tarry here until I return," Legolas whispered

"If you promise to return," you whispered in reply

Legolas moved just slightly, pressing a light kiss to your nose before pulling back, nodding as your eyes connected. "I promise."

~~~~~~~

Arwen stood behind you, her hands on your shoulders as the two of you looked on to your respective men, tears threatening to fall as they looked back from their leaving Fellowship. Legolas bowed his head, placing a hand over his heart as his eyes smiled at you despite the emotion that brimmed. You placed your hand over your heart, willingly letting tears fall as you held his gaze for as long as you could.

Then he was gone, the back of his head, hair swaying in a last goodbye as he and his Fellowship began their journey for Mordor. The departure quests all dispersed, Elrond approaching you and his daughter. He too looked crestfallen but smiled good-naturedly as he took your hand in his.

"Come, Arwen, let us prepare (Y/n) for her recovery. Best we use this time to give your legs strength again that your reunion may be all the sweeter."

You smiled weakly up at the man you saw more as a father than your own. "I am ready."