Ballad For All ~

Authoress Note: This is the third part in the Song for None series! This picks up right where Song For Nought left off. If you haven't read Song For None or Song For Nought, you will be completely and hopelessly lost reading this so I'd advise you to read them first!

Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings, or most of the characters in this story but I do own Nuquer, Maik, Ven, and Melde so please do not use them without my permission and they are completely and wholly my idea. This disclaimer is for the entire story!

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The elves had traveled through most of the night and now the morning sun was rising slowly over the distant mountains. The group was already nearing their first stop, Cair Andros. It was closest to Rivendell and Maik would be leaving the group first.

Nuquer looked over at her friend and saw her forlorn face. Maik sat silently on her horse not daring to look over at Elladan who had moved his horse up next to hers.

"Maik, I believe that would be your parents waiting for you." Glorfindel pointed to two elves waiting on horseback off a short distance.

"It is." Maik sighed sadly and checked to make sure she had all her packs on her horse.

"Maikathuleiel! It's good to have you home daughter!" Maik's mother came towards Maik grabbing her into a warm embrace and smiling that she had her daughter back after six long weeks without her.

"Hello mother." Maik tried to force a smile but looked back at her friends with a very sad expression.

Nuquer and Ven waved solemnly along with Elrohir and Legolas. Elladan dismounted and walked over to say his good-bye. The two talked quietly for a moment, hugged and Maik turned to follow her parents home.

"Bye, Maik, don't wait to long to visit!" Nuquer called as Haldir and Glorfindel sadly waved them to move on. Haldir had told the young elves that good byes would be short because of the long journey.

That day was sad and long, no one said much of anything until that evening when Glorfindel decided they had better let the horses rest for a while. It would be at least another day before they reached Dol Amroth. Nuquer's face always showed her unhappiness whenever Glorfindel or Haldir mentioned this.

Legolas and Nuquer disappeared into the woods before dinner to have time to themselves.

"That is really sad. They finally get together and for sure this time and summer ends." Ven frowned as she sat with Elrohir and Elladan.

"I know what you mean. I don't know what I would do if I had to leave you." Elrohir said to Ven.

"That's sweet." Ven smiled and moved closer to Elrohir, the two had recently confirmed that they were indeed together. Elladan was still upset about him and Maik but knew that things probably wouldn't have worked out anyways, they were both so different.

"Where's Legolas?" Glorfindel sat down across from the three young elves.

"Him and Nuquer went for a walk." Elladan sighed.

"Oh, those two are together?" Glorfindel smiled.

"Yes, very much so." Ven smiled, happy for her friend.

Glorfindel was about to say something else when Nuquer came racing out of the woods.

"Nuquer, what's wrong?!" Glorfindel shouted as he jumped up and went for his bow.

Nuquer stopped and took a deep breath, "It's just Legolas, he scared me!" Nuquer sat down and Legolas came laughing out of the woods.

"What did you do?" Elladan asked, slightly amused.

"Nothing, just made her think there was a very large spider about to attack her." Legolas smiled as he sat down next to Nuquer and earning himself a slap on the arm.

"That was not funny!" Nuquer frowned, though you could tell she was laughing inside.

"There are no very large spiders in these woods Nuquer." Haldir smiled.

"I know that, I just.forgot. Alright so I was scared and my brain just blanked out!" Nuquer admitted.

"Oh, it's alright. I would have saved you from a very large man-eating spider." Legolas smiled and hugged Nuquer.

"Yea, you better have or I'd have to come back and haunt you until you die!" Nuquer smiled back and pushed Legolas, playfully, away.

"Oh, so that's how it is." Legolas backed off pretending to be offended.

"You two, who knows what to do with you guys." Ven smiled and was very glad that the two had worked out their, problem.

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