Legolas carried Namir back to their horses as the rest of the army picked themselves up and attended to the wounded. There were less fatalities than they had been expecting but there were still a lot of wounded. Aragon was battered and bleeding but able to walk and give commands. He and Gandalf were organising the moving of the wounded back to Minas Tirith. Gimli however was wandering the battlefield chopping any remaining orcs up with his axe and loud laughter. Merry and Pippin stood on the edges of the field, eyes fixed on the exploding volcano in the distance. 

"Who died in Mordor?" Namir asked as the blonde lifted him easily into the saddle. Elves were far stronger than men despite their slender forms, but so were skin changers and the show of strength always made Namir's chest rumble with a contented purr. 

"Frodo and Sam". Legolas cast his gaze over the mountain. "They set out to destroy Sauron and succeeded". Namir nodded as he remembered the reasons why their companions were on this quest. He didn't understand the power of this ring and did not feel much of a need too. All he was concerned about was that Saruman was dead and his master was too. All he needed to know was that the forces behind the extinction of his people and his own torture were gone. If the destruction of a ring meant that he would be safe, then he was glad it was gone. 

On the field, Gandalf had broken away from the crowds and was watching the skies. Namir glanced up at the cloudless blue and recognised the approaching dark shapes. "Look", he pointed and Legolas tilted his head. "The eagles are here". 

The magnificent birds descended down onto the plain. The sun glinting bronze off their feathers as sharp avian eyes surveyed the survivors with intelligence not seen in their smaller counterparts. Namir shifted slightly in the saddle and inclined his head as one beast to another. One of the eagles bowed back and the cat grinned in awe. He had never seen the mythological beasts in person before and he recalled the stories his father had told him of them before. The legends that followed the giant eagles. Watching them in battle against the Nazgûl had been a privilege he would never forget. 

Another eagle had bent down to allow Gandalf to climb onto their back and the white wizard crouched between the wings. Then the eagle took off, two others following as the ten remaining members of the flock began to pick up the injured soldiers and take to the air in a different direction. Gandalf flying towards the volcano while the rest of the flock began transporting the seriously injured back to the city. 

Namir sighed. He was so tired. Limbs heavy and mind foggy. Legolas seemed to notice his shoulders sag again as the elf was quickly swinging himself into the saddle behind him. The skin-changer leaned back into his chest with a tired hum as the blonde took the reins. Legolas called something in elvish to Aragorn that Namir was too tired to translate with his limited skills. He didn't even try and instead rested his head onto the blonde's shoulder and closed his eyes. Underneath him, he felt the horse move into a steady walk and dozed off. 

He awoke as horse hooves clattered on stone. The white walls of the city rising up above them as Legolas steered the horse up towards the castle above. A stable boy met them in the courtyard and he dismounted. "No", Legolas huffed as Namir went to dismount himself. "You're injured". 

Namir grumbled at him but allowed the elf to sweep him into a bridal carry. "You could have just pulled my arm over your shoulder", he suggested as he looped his arms around his mate's neck. 

"You like this". The blonde smiled at him. Namir grinned, unashamed. He did. He liked every touch they shared. Legolas adjusted his hold. "Let's get you to a healer". 

Namir glanced at the blood soaked bandage on his thigh and nodded. It was quite deep and sore, though after his brief nap he was far more energetic than he was after battle. Yet the elf did not take him straight inside. Instead he turned so they were facing the long courtyard out over Gondor. Namir inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly as he took in the scene. 

The sun was starting to set and the golden rays of it's light touched the horizon. It glinted off white stone and tinged the distant mountains blue with shade. Below was the approaching line of soldiers returning from battle. Grey figures approaching the gates. Above the skies where fill with the eagles and their injured. In the distance was the red burning glow of the volcano lit the edges of Mordor in it's destruction. It was beautiful and desolate. But with the desolation was hopeful in a way. The dead grass of the plains could be regrown. The black lands of the Mordor would regain life and Sauron would fade into myth. His threat would not longer loom over the people of middle earth. It was almost a dream. Something Namir had never thought he would live to see. 

"Do you think we could go home now?" He muttered hopefully. "I want to go home Legolas. I want to finally go home and rest amongst the straw in the stable. To swing in the hanging chair under the oak tree and watch the bees buzz by. I want to run through what may be Greenwood again. I want to be safe". 

Legolas' arms grew tighter around him, not enough to hurt but as if to protect him from what had already happened. Namir placed a hand on the scars on his neck and rested his head on the elf's shoulder. Basking in the warmth of their bond. "Lets get you to a healer. Then we can go home. I'll finally take you home. I promise". 

Legolas turned and began carrying him towards the doors. Namir purred, the rumbling in his throat soothing for both. "I do not understand much about human, elf or dwarf things", he thought aloud. 

"No. You don't". Legolas chuckled. 

Namir gave him a warning growl. "But even though I don't understand it I want to marry you. We shared marks. But when we started courting you wanted a real wedding. Do you still want it?" 

"And I thought I would propose", Legolas's tone was a mixture of surprise and love. 

"Propose? Propose what?" Namir frowned. The elf laughed and tilted his head to the side so that their foreheads touched. The contact fleeting and warm. 

"I still want to marry you". It was said with an audible grin. "Though you will have to wear full formal wear. Something elvish. A Tunic, a robe". 

Namir pulled a face as he recalled all the fabric that people wore. The suffocating feeling on his skin not something he was looking forward to. But he would do it for love. He had done worse and so had Legolas. "Fine", he grumbled. Purr faltering. 

"Gi melin".

The purr grew louder and Namir smiled. "Gi melin". 

unedited 

Not many chapters left. I am going to be sad when I finish this book. Love Namir.