A/N…Austin's Notes:

This is the sequel to Of Friends and Lovers, the touching saga of an Elvish couple destined to be together. They have endured Legolas's bitter fianc's attempted murder and successful suicide, but can they endure what the road ahead holds for them?

Of Princes and Paupers

Chapter 1 - Outlaws and Angels
"Journeying"

When we last saw our couple, they were riding off into the rising sun, toward Mirkwood, and their life together.

Now, Lianna had never been out of Rivendell. So you must understand her fear and apprehension for the upcoming journey. Their first day out, she bombarded Legolas with fearful questions. He always laughed and gave her the light side of the answer.

Such as, "Will we see any of those spiders you told me about?" "Unlikely. If we keep to the trail, and stay quiet, they won't even know we're there." He half-lied.

Lianna sensed something amiss in his voice, but she trusted him with her life, so she shrugged it off. They rode that first day across the plains, stopping when needed. But as the sun climbed higher, and eventually began dropping in the blue sky, Lianna felt an urgency reflected in Legolas's voice when he said, "A week, at least." In answer to her question about the length of their journey.

He wanted to get home. After an ordeal such as theirs, Legolas wanted to walk through the woods of his home, see his father's face, and sleep in his own bed. Everything would be perfect. He spent a lot of time thinking, fantasizing, about how it would be. Lianna would call him, say something, and he would not respond.

"Legolas?" She'd ask, innocently, only to find him staring off into space. At first, she did not disturb him, and left him to his thoughts. But as this occurrence became more frequent, she'd tap him lightly or speak loudly to snap him out of his daze.

"Forgive me, mellamin, if I have been distant." He apologized one day, after she broke him from his trance. "I just have a lot to think about." "I know." She replied with an understanding smile.

Their relationship had progressed significantly in their short journey thus far. The strong bond of friendship they had made a strong foundation for the deeper emotions they now shared. Lianna knew him. So well, in fact, that in his yearning for home, he had to say not a word, and she knew what he was thinking. And further, she knew what he was feeling, so knowing how to comfort him.

They were riding their last day on the plain. Legolas predicted they'd reach the Forest Gate before the day was out. Lianna had been unusually deep in thought. Suddenly, she asked, "Do you realize, Legolas, that we are outlaws from Rivendell?"

The abruptness of the question took him off guard, and it was a moment before he answered, "Aye, this I know." "Do you think we could ever go back?" Legolas sighed, "I doubt it. But there is a chance that Lord Elrond will convince his people to accept us again."

Lianna scrunched her face. This answer did not give her much hope, as she had wanted. Another thought crossed her mind, and she asked again, "Do you realize that an Elf is dead because of me?" At this, Legolas stopped his horse, and looked to Lianna, whose face was pale and grievous. He tilted her downcast chin up with his finger.

"Not because of you, mellamin. You did nothing wrong. You just followed your heart. It was I who made the mistake. I never should have acted so impulsively with you that night. No matter how much I love you, I am an honorable Elf, and should act as such…should keep my promises."

Legolas looked away, ashamed as the memory came upon him. Lianna placed a hand on his arm, and he looked to her. "It is in the past. I regret the fate that has befallen those affected by our love, but I do not regret what has come out of it…us."

He smiled at the truth in her words, and they continued riding.

Just as Legolas had predicted, the Forest Gate came into view as they came over a rising slope. Mirkwood Forest darkened the horizon, and twilight began to set. The image captured Lianna, yet disheartened her. The forest held a foreboding, an evil to it. Legolas, seeing her apprehension, took the chance to tease her.

"Evils lurk in the forest of late. Horrible beasts that drag you to their lairs and suck out your insides through your nose." He said in a dark tone, making ghastly movements with his hands, as monsters would. Lianna gasped at the seriousness of his face, believing for a moment, but glowered at him as she saw the familiar flicker of laughter dance behind his eyes.

She swung her hand at the back of his head and cuffed him, sending his blonde hair flying. He stuck his bottom lip out at her, furrowing his brow as he smoothed his locks with a slender hand. They laughed as they made their way down the slope toward home, unknowing the peril that lay between them and their desired destination.

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The glow of the fire cast a divine glow upon Legolas's creamy skin. They had made camp just outside the forest gate, underneath a large oak that seemed to have forgotten it was supposed to grow in the forest just a few yards behind it.

Lianna admired Legolas's sleeping form from her sitting place, across the fire from him, leaned up against the tree. Since their departure from Rivendell, both had been caught up in their own thoughts. Which meant that they hadn't gotten much time to just bask in the cocoon of glory and warmth their love created around them.

Lianna thought how lucky she was. What she had done to deserve him was beyond her. But one thing she did know was that he had been sent to save her. He was an angel. Without him, she would never have been truly happy. He was the only one for her.

With that thought on her mind, and a smile on her lips, she rose silently. She made her way around the fire to crouch next to him. His blue eyes, clouded with sleep, stared into the night. Lianna sighed, and wriggled underneath into his arms, wrapping her own around his warm body.

"Why hello there." He said, looking down to the Elf twisting about in his arms. She looked into his clear blue eyes, sparkling in the firelight. "Hello." She said with a smile. Legolas leaned down to kiss her lips sweetly. "A min mella lle. Quel du. (I love you. Goodnight.)" She whispered as she settled into his body. "Quel kaima, melethen. (Sleep well, my love.)"

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A/N…Austin's Notes:

Thus ends the first chapter. This sequel was really hard to get started. Please review or email me with ideas of what you'd like to see happen. Feel free to include quotes, events, complete conversations, etc…

P.S. Did Elves believe in angels?

-Austin B. -