"You cannot be serious." Wes busted in to the dark sword shop and called over the clamor. Sighing, Soul placed the weapon he was working on down and gave his brother his full attention.

"What is it?" Soul grumbled and the older elf shoved a piece of parchment in front of his face.

"It says you've assigned yourself to the Naugrim mission, alone? Just what the hell do you think you're doing?" Wes cried out incredulously. Sure, Soul had been an unbearable mess these past three weeks, he barely left the confines of his home, he wasn't eating, and he was barely talking to anyone but to do this? This was a suicide mission.

Wes had noticed Soul's behavior was becoming increasingly reckless. While in training, he was letting his opponents dominate him intentionally and if he carried that into a real battle? Wes shuttered at the thought.

"Do you honestly think that getting yourself killed will help anyone?" His brother had yet to respond but Wes was fuming.

When Raedlyn had died Wes had mourned and grieved and felt as if joy was just a fleeting memory but he had never, not once, considered doing anything this drastic. Instead he became obsessed with living for him and working hard under his father so that one day he could be head elf and make his love proud.

"I'm not like you Wes," Soul sighed. "I can't just throw myself into work and be happy. Every day I sit her and wonder what she is doing, if she's safe, if she's alive. I don't have goals. My life means nothing without her in it."

Wes swallowed the lump in his throat, full of frustration and fear, as he saw just how serious his brother was about this.

"Would Maka allow this?" He asked softly, knowing he was laying down his trump card and Soul snapped, slamming the weapon he had been working on down on the table.

"I don't know! But does it really matter? She. Is. Gone." Soul began to shake. "I have nothing left to live for, no dreams, no ambitions. She was it."

The pain of her absence was constant and he felt it in every step, in every breath, in every thud of his broken heart. He had no desire to live anymore.

"Please reconsider, at least take a few others with you. It's only been a few weeks it will start to get better."

"I'm not dragging more people into this mess and if I don't come back," both knowing full and well that he wouldn't, "then it was meant to be."

And with that, Soul haphazardly packed his materials away for the day and headed home fed up with his brother's constant meddling. If he was going to make it to the rogue dwarves' camp by sundown tomorrow night, he was going to have to pick up supplies and head home for another restless night.

"*"

The wind whipped against her face as Tsubaki and Black Star rode behind her. Thankfully the couple had owned two horses which cut their travel time from seven days to two.

As they inched closer and closer to their destination, Maka was filled with a mixture of emotions. Frustration that he had let her leave and chose for both of them to live in heartbreak, elation because she had wanted to hug and kiss him since the moment she left the forest, but there was also a suffocating amount of nervousness about confronting him and bearing her soul to him. Maybe Tsubaki was wrong. Maybe he didn't miss her, maybe he was grateful that she was gone.

"There's the forest!" Tsubaki called as they made their way over the grassy hill breaking Maka from her wallowing. She was right, off in the distance the large woodland stretched for as far as the eye could see. Tsubaki galloped past Maka with Black Star on the back and led the way. "Here, this trail will lead us there faster." She veered right and Maka followed, trying not to let her fears dissuade her.

As they entered the forest, Maka's heart skipped a beat and Tsubaki's face melted into a bittersweet smile.

"I haven't been back here since the day I left nearly three months ago" The elf sighed closing her eyes to take it all in. "I've missed it."

Her husband wrapped his arms around her in a gentle squeeze, understanding how much she gave up to be with him.

"Now, the trail to Mirkwood is just up ahead." The group trotted over to a seemingly random spot and dismounted their horses.

"Black Star is going to stay back with the horses because I don't want him to get arrested or killed. He kind of has a warrant out against him." Maka nodded looking around at the trees, replaying their tearful goodbye in her mind and her heart swelled. She longed to see Soul again and surely he would happy to see her too.

Taking Tsubaki's outstretched hand she braced herself for the dizzy confusion to consume her as they began to cross through the trees.

"What are you going to say to him when you get there?" Tsubaki remembered how sick Black Star had gotten when they escaped and was trying to keep her friend's mind off of it.

"All my life, I have made plans and preparations for everything I've done and it has never worked out so this time I'm just going to trust my heart to speak for me."

As they got closer, Tsubaki started to tremble.

"I've been banished from Mirkwood so I'm going to get you as far as I can and then hide. So I can't get you past the gate and you're going to need to figure out how to get in by yourself. I'm sorry." But Maka just shook her head.

"You've already done so much. Thank you." She smiled gratefully at her friend who had risked so much for them.

"Now I'm going to stay in my hiding spot until you come back and tell me that I can leave, just in case you need me to walk you back out of here." Maka nodded again as her nerves hit an all-time high.

Suddenly, Maka could see the bridge and the gate and her mind cleared.

"Tsubaki, I can see it. I can see the gate, we're here." Maka turned and noticed how the elf's eyes became glassy.

"Alright. This is where I leave you." She gave the human a hug and whispered in her ear. "I wish you both an eternity of happiness. Tell Soul I say hi and that I approve. He deserves someone as wonderful as you."

"Thank you. I really owe you, Tsubaki." She released the girl and they exchanged soft smiles before the elf made her way to hide in the enchanted area of the forest.

Adrenaline coursing through her veins masking her fear, Maka strode with confidence up to the intimidating gate. She almost made it through without being stopped until a hand grabbed her shoulder.

"Where do you think you're going?" The guard sneered before noticing her ears. "A human? How the hell did you find your way here?" He asked in alarm while drawing his sword. "Answer me!" he commanded gaining the attention of the other guards as well.

"I am here to see Soul, the Head Elf's son." She stated calmly, trying to sound confident, as if she had a right to be here.

"What business does a human have with Soul?" He sounded doubtful and patted her down taking all of her weapons.

"He's my husband." She spat and the guard dropped his hands to look at her in shock. More guards surrounded her and one pushed her to knees.

"I don't know what kind of sick sense of morality you humans have but we do not take kind to charlatans, especially those who lie about marriage." He was suddenly angry and place his blade against her throat while the others held her in place.

Clenching her jaw, Maka tried once more to save her life. "Fine, go ahead and kill the son of The Head Elf's wife. Is that a mistake that you're really willing to make?" Her heart was erratic with fear but she tried to not let it show. She was too close to give up now.

The guard grunted and sheathed his weapon. "Fine. But you have no weapon, no blade, and no escape." The others let her stand. "We will be watching your every move, human, and we will not be so merciful the second time around."

Grabbing her bag back from him, she glared and made her way into the city. Sure, many people had given her weird looks and she could hear the whispers surround her but she didn't care in the least. Her only mission was to find Soul.

Frantically she peered in shop windows, and around at the crowds looking for white hair, blood red eyes and sharp teeth with no avail. Figuring that he must be at home or at work, she turned to head up the stairs when her heart stopped.

There he was leaving one of the small shops with bags in hand. With his usually careless and disinterested demeanor radiating about him, he started cutting through the crowds. Maka took off after him instantly, desperate to catch up to him.

"Soul!" she cried when he was close enough.

Dropping his bags to ground in shock, the elf turned around slowly, recognizing that voice, and his eyes brimmed with tears. Surely this must be some sick new side effect of mourning because standing only a few feet in front of him was his wife.

"Maka." He sighed while reaching for her, stumbling forward so he could caress her cheek confirming that this wasn't some wonderful dream. She was here, she was real. "How?"

Of all the emotions to bubble up inside of her, anger was the first to break through.

She grabbed his hand and pulled it from her face.

"When I found my friends, I also met Tsubaki. They're neighbors." She bit, her eyes narrowing and tears were stinging. Maka was well aware that the entire city was watching in shock but she didn't care.

"S-she told me everything. About how elves love, about their marriage rituals," Soul cringed, "and I just can't understand why you would let me go." The anger had tapered off as her hands began to tremble in his.

"Don't you understand how much I've missed you, how much I've suffered since we parted?"

Watery golden-green met blood-red and his heart clenched when he saw that his torment and heartache was reflected in her own eyes.

"I've been racking my brain trying to figure out why you would let me go without trying to fight for me and I've only come up with one plausible answer." She whispered and dropped her hand from his but her gaze stayed strong. "I want to hear you say it. I want you to tell me that love wasn't enough for you, that somehow what we have means nothing. I want you to tell me to leave, that you never want to see me again."

Her voice quivered, full of emotion and hurt as Soul's stomach filled with ice. She surely couldn't believe that. He wanted nothing more than to remain at her side for all of eternity.

"You fickle woman." Soul chided with hurt of his own finally finding his voice after the initial shock wore off. "I love you enough to set you free even though it is killing me. I-I almost chased after you, I wanted to so badly but I-" he gulped. "I wanted you to be happy."

Maka sniffled and wiped a tear away before reaching up to wipe away one of his. "But what do you want, Soul?"

"I wish to remain by your side for all of eternity." He whispered captivated by the soft green eyes he had missed so gravely.

"That's all I want as well." She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him before her heart could burst with joy. Hugging her back, he let himself get lost in her kiss. He was so unbelievably lucky. A few hours ago, he was ready to give up on life and now his was just beginning.

"I love you, Soul." She smiled up at him and he buried his head in her neck.

"I love you so much." He trembled, refusing to let her go. "I thought I was never going to see you again."

The pair embraced in the center of Mirkwood, whispering soothing words of love and comfort not caring who saw.

"So the rumors are true." His father's growl causing Soul to snap his head up and sure enough there was Ellistar and the front guards glaring at them in distain.

"Father, please-" Soul began to beg but his father's hand shot up to silence him.

"You've really done it this time Soularis. Brining a human into Mirkwood? What were you thinking?" The Head Elf's eyes burned in fury. "Arrest her."

"Wait!" He shoved Maka behind him "Father, she is my wife. Please try to understand."

Maka shivered under the man's scrutinizing gaze having a hard time believing that this was the same Head Elf from the ball about a month ago.

"I've never heard you sound so pathetic, Soularis. It doesn't suite you." He sneered. "I said seize her!"

The guards quickly grabbed Maka and brought her to the Head Elf. She didn't struggle, she knew it was futile.

"Father." Wes interjected. "Think about what you're doing. Is this really going to help anything?"

Soul had never been so happy for his brother's constant meddling. Ellistar bristled and gave his eldest son an uncertain glance.

"What are you talking about, Weslyn?"

"You've met this woman before but you knew her as Arwen the blacksmith." Ellistar's eyes widened in shock.

"Maka Albarn has no ill intent, she just wants to be with her husband." He defended. "If you imprison her or kill her, you will lose Soul as well. He has been a mess and has been reckless ever since she left. Having her here can only help the elite line grow stronger, not to mention it will make your son happy."

Ellistar pondered Wes' logic before addressing the human herself.

"Maka Albarn? The former commander for Morte?" He asked in shock.

"Yes sir, but I am retired."

"You were quite the prodigy, were talked about highly throughout the land." Sighing, Ellistar returned his attention back to Soul.

"If you two wish to be together, I will allow it but only under a few conditions." Soul's heart swelled and he could see Maka let out a sigh in relief.

"Firstly, Maka will fight in our battles and assist the swordsmen in training. Her skill is unparalleled and could be a great asset to Mirkwood." Maka nodded, it was a reasonable term she could agree to.

"Secondly, you both are to remain in Mirkwood and we will have a proper wedding ceremony celebrating your union." Maka nodded finding the terms, again, completely reasonable but Soul interjected.

"Maka will be allowed to leave for travel at least three times a year so she can visit her friends and continue her exploration of the world."

"I'll allow it, work permitting. Also, we will grant her immunity to the cloaking spell so she can leave and return." Soul nodded in agreement.

"Lastly," Ellistar turned to Maka again. "If anyone suspects you of stirring up anything against the elves, you will be banished for all of eternity or worse."

"I assure you that I bring no harms to the elves, I only want to be with your son until the day I die." Soul smiled at her words.

"These are my terms and conditions. If you agree, then you will be able to live out the rest of your days together." The Head Elf offered his hand to Maka who shook it back eagerly. He then offered to Soul who, though still pissed at his father, took it.

"Very well, let her go." Maka shook off the guards before rushing back to Soul's open arms.

Ellistar let out a small smile before turning to his eldest son. "You'll make a great leader, my son." Wes smiled back but his eyes were glued on the happy couple embracing.

"*"

Letting out a nostalgic sigh, Maka reacquainted herself with his home. Soul wrapped his arms around her and placed soft kisses along her neck.

After reuniting in the middle of town and gaining Ellistar's blessing, Maka dragged Soul to go see Tsubaki. He enjoyed catching up with his old friend and Maka excitedly recounted the day's events and invited her, Liz, Patti, and Kid back next week for their wedding. They tried to get Ellistar to allow Black Star to attend but it was futile.

Tearfully she accepted, so happy for her oldest and newest friends.

Now they were all alone with no more hidden truths or sheltered feelings between them. The openness was overwhelming.

"I love you." He whispered against the shell of her ear.

"I love you too." She turned around to kiss him softly. "So now what, my husband?" she jeered when they finally pulled apart causing him to chuckle.

"We stay together, forever." He smiled, pulling her down with him onto their bed.

"Sounds perfect." She sighed, relaxing against the comforter and snuggling herself against his side.

Laying there as they had done two months ago, the pair let their broken hearts mend.

Maka wouldn't believe it if someone told her she married that arrogant ass who threw twigs at her but she was glad she did. She finally felt like she could breathe, her soul was full.

Relishing in the fact that he could run his hands through her hair once again, Soul was thankful for whatever fate had brought them together in the forest those many months ago.