The party from Erebor as well as Legolas and Namir ended up staying in Minas Tirith for a few days longer due to Aragorn's surprise wedding to Arwen. Which meant that Namir was once again forced into another formal tunic. This one a deep warm red with grey embroidery to match the reversed on Legolas'. The matching outfits gave Namir a sense of amusement that tangled with his pleased instincts at the visible sign of possession. It seems Legolas liked to claim him too and not just through braids. 

While it was a lovely ceremony, Namir was itching to be on the road again and it was a relief when they finally set off north. It was nice to travel with the dwarves. Travelling with Fili brought back memories and it was almost relaxing to be travelling without a quest. No urgency and plenty of time  for them to make their way through Rohan and up towards Mirkwood. The weather was good too. Holding mild and sunny as if wishing them a good journey. 

They separated from Fili and his group at the southern point of the Mirkwood with a promise to visit Erebor sometime in the next few years. Namir also promised not to disappear any time soon. A promise Fili took seriously. 

They traveled along western side of the forest until they got to an area of the plains that cause Namir to pause. Legolas was walking ahead and he turned around to see what made Namir stop. The skin-changer sniffing the air for a second before he suddenly broke into a run. His sword thumping against his back with the movement and satchel swinging at his hips. Legolas sprinting after him as the evening sun started to turn golden. 

They ran for a few miles, leaping over streams and following the tree line. Breaths panting as they crested the hill and saw the horses. Familiar black and white shires grazing on the wild flowers. There was a figure among them, checking on each horse before nightfall. A daily routine that Namir had followed for years. He ran faster. 

"Father!" 

Beorn turned away from the horse he had been brushing, the brush dropping into the grass as he saw Namir come running towards him. It had been over twenty years and he had changed. Even from a distance the bear could see the long hair, which had previously only been shoulder length. With his open waistcoat he could see the slimness to Namir's figure, the muscle lost that he had lost and was now steadily regaining. He could also see the scars. The marks left on his cub that mirrored his own. It broke his heart. He had never wanted his son to suffer so much. But it had happened and he had been unable to protect him. 

Yet Namir was smiling as he ran towards him. The same brightness in his eyes as Beorn remembered. And as he got closer and the bear could smell his scent, he could smell more than before. Namir was mated. He flicked his eyes to the top of the hill where Legolas had stopped and was watching them. The blonde elf watching Namir with an expression of such fond love that it was almost palpable. 

Namir slammed into him, his smaller frame wrapping his arms around his father's chest. The momentum almost toppling them both over if it hadn't been for Beorn bracing for it. Even so, the impact still knocked the air out of them. Beorn wrapped his arms around his son and pressed his nose to the top of his head. "Hey cub". 

"I'm sorry. I never wanted to leave. Father, I missed you so much". Namir's voice was dangerously close to tears. 

"I know. I know", Beorn voice rumbled soothingly as Namir rubbed his cheeks against his father's leather shirt in an attempt to scent the material. "Nothing was your fault. I'm just glad you're home Namir". 

The bear looked up as Legolas approached. The elf in his travelling gear and carrying his satchel and bow. He seemed lighter too. He was smiling. Beorn had not seen the elf smile since Namir had disappeared. It eased something in his chest to see that his cub was in good hands. The elf had proved himself at Erebor but he could never repay him for brining his son back. He also noticed that the elf's scent had changed too. It was now intermingled with Namir's in a way that it could only happen if they were mated. 

"You're mated", Beorn stated. Namir stiffened and pulled away to stand at the elf's side. 

"We are Iar bróg", Legolas greeted calmly. 

"Don't give me that princling", Beorn huffed. 

"We are. The magic took", Namir voiced. "I am his and he is mine". 

"If someone comes for us again then it will be agony to see your mate die", Beorn warned, voice full of experience. 

"I know", Namir stated. "But father, Sauron has been destroyed. He is never to return. And Saruman, the one who took me. I killed him myself. There is no dark wizards or dark magic to threaten us any more. We saw it. They're gone. We are safe". 

Beorn felt his shoulders sag as a weight lifted from them. "They are truly gone?" Namir clasped their hands together. Touch soothing. 

"Father the dark forces who led the extermination of our race are gone". 

"I can attest to it. You are both safe from Saruman and Sauron", Legolas nodded. 

Beorn exhaled and pulled Namir back into another hug. The cat purring in the hold at the comfort that only a parent could bring. Then he reached out and grabbed Legolas by the shoulder before dragging the elf into the hug. Beorn wrapping his arms around both of them. "I don't think I could thank you enough Legolas", Beorn's voice was weighted with relief and thousand years old grief. "For bringing my son back to me and keeping him safe". 

"We keep each other safe". The reply was slightly muffled by Namir's hair. A pause. "Could you let go of me now?"

The words made Namir laugh as Beorn released them. That was probably the first hug the bear and the elf had ever shared. "Let's go home", he grinned at his father and his mate. 

"Aye. Let's go home", Beorn spoke a he bent down to pick up his brushes. He turned towards the cottage resting in the distance. The setting sun casting his silhouette across the grass. 

Legolas reached his hand out and Namir took it, interlocking their fingers together as they followed his father towards the cottage. The house with it's garden swing and the bumblebees the size of mice. With cat scratches on the timbers and and a barn on the left. The house waiting for them to come home. 

unedited 

ahhh the reunion. I missed the father/son dynamic between them so much. Anyone cry? 

only the epilogue left guys.