You paced. Oh how you paced. Your husband had been gone for far too long at this point. You were certain you were driving your husband's father insane. Thranduil was not exactly a patient man even though he loved Legolas and you more than anyone else. And your incessant worry and anxiety was driving him up the wall.

"Y/N, my son will return. You mustn't fret so." You nodded, but resumed wringing your hands, making him sigh. "Why don't you travel to Imladris? Legolas will surely be there before he returns home." You stopped, wondering why you hadn't thought of that before. You grinned and thanked him before running off to pack for your journey.

*time skip*

You slid from your horse. Your legs were exhausted from riding, but had pushed yourself to make it Imladris in record time. Something told you you'd be seeing Legolas sooner rather than later and you couldn't wait. You had been parted from him for longer than you ever wanted be. Yes, elves lived long lives, but that didn't mean you had to like it.

You were greeted by Lord Elrond's steward Lindir. "Has there been any word, Mellon?" you asked and he gave you a smile. "It is not for me to say, Princess. Lord Elrond will inform you of everything you need to know." You ducked your head at the use of your title. You hardly used it around Mirkwood. The servants did, of course, but you didn't care for it. Still, being married to the Prince of the Woodland Realm technically made you a princess now.

"Very well. If he is free, I'd like to see Lord Elrond." Lindir wasted no time taking you see the ruler of Imladris. Elrond greeted you with a smile that told you he was hiding something. "Hello, Y/N. It is lovely to see you." You greeted him in kind, but couldn't help but to ask, "Is he here, Elrond? Has he returned?" Elrond gestured for you to follow him.

You heard his voice before you saw him. He was out in one of the many gardens, dressed in all white. His back was to you so he didn't realize you were there as he was engaged in conversation. It was the dwarf sitting beside Aragorn that noticed you first.

"We have company," his gruff voice announced as Elrond made his retreat. Legolas turned to face you and his eyes widened for a moment. "Legolas," you breathed out, unable to stop yourself. In an instant, he was in front of you, his arms wrapped around you. "Melamin, what are you doing here?" You let his rest his forehead against yours. "I missed you...Well in truth, your father sent me. I do believe I would have driven him to madness with my worries if he hadn't."

Legolas let out a laugh before gently kissing your forehead. Aragorn cleared his throat. Of all the people in the garden, only he knew who you were to the fair-haired elf in your arms. "Mellon, it is good to see you," he declared, rising to greet you properly. "I think we missed something," one of the hobbits commented. "Ah, yes. Allow me to introduce the Princess Y/N of the Woodland Realm. Legolas' wife," Aragorn did the honors.

"WIFE?!" a chorus of voices responded nearly making you jump. "You did not tell them, Melamin? I'm hurt." Legolas rolled his eyes. He was used to your dramatics. His father was far worse. "My apologies. I supposed I wished to keep you to myself a little longer." Your gaze softened. "I suppose you are forgiven then." You pulled completely away from him to address the group gazing at you in wonder.

"I should like to know you all. I assume you are who my husband was traveling with. I want to hear everything for he tells me nothing. He fears I worry too much." Legolas arched a brow. "You do worry too much. You said so only a moment ago." You shushed him as the group began telling you everything.

"You truly had this competition going the entire journey?" you asked the dwarf, Gimli, who chuckled as he sharpened his axe. "Aye. He lost." Legolas muttered something about how it was an even tie. "While I do not doubt your skills, Master Dwarf, I sincerely doubt my husband was anything less than his best self." Gimli's cheeks turned pink, but he nodded making you laugh once more.

Legolas watched as you spoke with the people he had grown so close to over the months he'd been traveling. He watched how the setting sun seemed to illuminate the strands of hair the wind decided to blow. He watched how the corners of your eyes crinkled with laughter and how they shone bright with tears when listening to certain tales from the journey.

As he observed you, Legolas realized how lucky he was to have you. Even through this uncertain time, when the world you knew could have ended, you were there for him. He carried you in his heart always. You were waiting for him to return and even came so far as to meet him just to see him before he could return to Mirkwood. You helped him when his duties to his realm grew to be too much and it was you who helped him reconcile with his father.

You met his gaze and smiled. Legolas returned it knowing that you and he would soon have all the time in the world together. You would return to Mirkwood together and begin your life again, perhaps even start a family. Legolas didn't know what would happen next, but he knew in that moment when your eyes met his that he needed you. He loved you. In fact, he was certain he couldn't love more even if he tried. You were his home. His friend. The love of his life. His wife.