Okay, everyone, though this isn't my first fanfic by far, it is my first LOTR one. No flames please, though constructive criticism is welcome!

Disclaimer: You all know the drill; I own nothing and all that. This is Tolkien's world; I'm just playin' in it.

 Ire I Hiise Ortans

(When the Mist Lifts)

Elwyn

What I had thought to be an endless field was now ending.

I could see a long range of snow-caped mountains not too far in the distance and though I knew it would be some trip escalating them to reach my homeland, it was a welcome change from the flat, savanna-like country we had been traveling through so far.

Traveling. You could hardly call it that, what with the soldiers and various guards riding along side Luna, my white mare. No, the word I suppose for them would be escorting. A practice that had grown as tiresome as the open field itself. My father's idea, I have no doubt. Insurance that his only daughter was returned to him safely, especially when our set course carried us so close to Mordor. Whose idea had it been to build the kingdom of man so near it anyway?

"M'Lady?"

I turned disinterested to the voice that had disrupted my thoughts. One of the soldiers, I wanted to say Captain Something-or-other, but knowing I would probably get it wrong I said nothing, hoping my acknowledgement would be enough to let him know he had my attention. It was.

"The Gates of Gondor are another day's ride to the south. We'll be needing to camp soon, but I'm reluctant to set up the tents in such an open area."

I nodded my understanding, but offered not solution, glancing at our surroundings for any landmark that might provide some manner of security. There was nothing before the mountains, which would certainly mean more danger than safety in and of themselves.

Sighing, the "captain" twisted on his horse to where he could see his subordinates that had pulled to a stop behind them. He gestured for them to dismount.

"We'll have to defend from here," he told them, jumping from his own saddle.

I climbed off Luna, grateful to stretch my legs. One more day he had said. I was anxious to see my parents again. It had been years since they had sent me away, insisting on different teachings for me, practically clear on the other side of Middle Earth, in what was left of Elvish territory, where I could be taught the old ways by a race that had seen many more seasons than any other.

I would be shocked if my people even remembered their princess.

* * * * *

The Gates of Gondor were an even more relieving sight than the mountains had been. We were drawing closer, which I was glad of, as the velvet cloak draped across my shoulders was growing far too warm for comfort under the hot sun.

We were practically there. Not even a fourth of a mile from the entrance to the city.

And it was here, when I was the most excited about reaching my childhood home that our entire band was thwarted. A whole other brigade of soldiers stepped in front of our horses, blocking our path.

One moved to stand in front of all the others, though he wore no armor, not even a helmet. Whether that meant he was brave or stupid, I didn't know until I saw his face. I recognized him immediately. My father's old friend, from the days when he lived among elf kind. What he was doing in Gondor was beyond me.

"State your purpose," he commanded in his softly accented voice. His ice blue eyes fell on me and the captain, obviously awaiting a reply from one of us.

Before one of my escorts could answer, I removed the hood of my cloak, allowing my dark tresses to tumble out and down my back.

"Legolas," I greeted him.

His jaw didn't drop, nor did his eyebrow raise, or anything of the sort for that matter, but it was clear I was one of the last people he had expected to see. "Your Highness," he managed after a few moments of silence. No one moved and I began to grow uncomfortable under his stare.

I offered him a small smile. "I would appreciate it if you would tell these men to stand down."

He glanced back at them and nodded, seemingly embarrassed that he hadn't done it sooner. The soldiers immediately let their swords fall to their sides. "Open the gates," Legolas instructed.

As they complied, I dismounted and led my horse over to the blond elf, watching everyone riding slowly inside. "May I inquire as to why an Elf is guarding the gates to the world of Men?"

He turned to me, but for some reason he appeared uncomfortable; he who had bounced me on his knee when I was a child. "I am here at your parents' invitation," he explained. "I believe Aragorn was convinced it had been far too long." He continued to gaze at me and my small smile spread into a nervous grin.

"What are you staring at?" I questioned.

"Nothing," he assured me, laughing softly. "You've just…grown."

"As children tend to do," I reminded him. I studied him appraisingly then. "You look the same," I observed.

"Aye," he agreed, looking down at himself, then back up at me. "My aging has long since ceased."

I nodded, suddenly uncomfortable myself. "Um…my father…" I began.

"Is awaiting your arrival inside," he supplied, nodding at one of the other sentries to take my horse and placing a tentative hand on the small of my back to guide me. He smiled at me and my stomach twisted for some unknown reason. "He will be pleased to see you."

* * * * *