Hello everyone! So sorry I was delayed in posting this! I finally got a full time job at a local hospital so I have been busy with orientation and paperwork for that! But it is only 36 hours a week plus school…so…I will hopefully still be able to get some fan fiction time in on the weekends.

Guess what?! Leggy is awake!

Enjoy!


Chapter 9: Healing

I leaned over and kissed him gently on the lips. I missed the feeling of him kissing back. His hand found my cheek; caressing it, acting as though I wasn't there. Then it traveled to the back of my neck pulling me into a full kiss. I pulled back and playfully punched his shoulder.

"You hand me so scared! I thought I had lost you." I meant to jest about the accident, lighten the mood.

"I think you did for a moment... I met your parents..." My heart stopped. If he met my parents then he...

"What?!"

"Your mother, you look so much like her, but your father I see his features as well." He said running his fingers over my ear.

"But if you met my parents that means you...died..." I barely managed to squeak out.

"I was there at the gold doors of Mandos, walking towards them. It felt peaceful; it felt like it was time. Until, I felt a hand on my shoulders and turned to see them. They told me you went back once for me and now it was my turn to go back to you. The thought of leaving you for an eternity: not to see your smile, hear your laugh, or feel your lips against mine. I felt the pain, the emptiness if only for a moment. I was suddenly walking towards a new option, a bright light away from the Halls of Mandos. I chose to return to the world. I heard your voice, Gimli, Moril, Ada and Tauriel. At first I could barely make any of it out but mumbles and sounds, what felt like minutes was days. But today, you were talking about the elvish food and all the dwarf wanted was a piece of meat. I wanted to wake so much but I had not the strength until I felt your touch, your fingers running through my hair like you do so often. I felt energized enough to open my eyes." He smiled as he reached up touch my cheek again before letting his hand drop to the bed. He was exhausted only after a few minutes. Dark cirlces still sat under his eyes. His skin and hair were still not their normal shining tones.

"I feel like this a dream that I'm going to wake up and you'll be sleeping again, sickly pale, and on the verge of death."

"I am still weak, but I am here. I am alive and I will not leave you again. As long as I wear this, I am forever yours." He said touching my necklace that glowed around his neck.

I smiled and just took his hand and kissed it again before holding it to my cheek again.

"I love you."

"I love you, always." I leaned forward to kiss him once more when there were three sharp knocks on the door and I sat back in my chair and straightened my dress.

The door opened and a hard faced Thranduil entered in stride.

"Legolas, my son." His expression turned joyful upon seeing his son awake.

"Two days of worry and fear at last relieved." He said taking the chair on the opposite side of the bed.

"Leave us." He said looking at his son once more. Amaniel and the servant that accompanied the king disappeared quickly. I stood sadly knowing I was included in the command.

"No, Maethriel, you may stay." I stopped and smiled. Perhaps the King of Mirkwood was not as cold hearted as he seems.

"Thank you, my Lord." I said nodding in gratefulness.

"Legolas you gave us quiet the scare." Thranduil said switching to the common all of a sudden while looking down at his son.

"I am sorry ada." Seeing these two royals interact was odd, knowing so little about the king's true personality. Both held their esteem as appropriate in public, but behind these closed doors they were no different than any other father and son.

"There is nothing to apologize for my dear boy. You came by the paths you knew, things have changed since the war finished. You fought bravely…for love…and friends." That last word I could tell was difficult to say given Gimli was dwarf considered elf-friend.

"It was foolishness. The Lady warned me of the Gate Path but I was unsure of the other routes. Had I taken heed of her advice I would not be sitting in this bed."

"All water under the bridge. You made it here and will live to see another day. Perhaps a wedding in the future." He said with a smirk as they both looked at me. I blushed and looked down at the ground.

"I never thought the ring I picked for Alywen would look as beautiful upon another's finger but it looks like it was meant for Maethriel as well." Thranduil said taking my hand to look at his wife's ring.

"Does this mean you give us your blessing?"

"Your mother will murder me if I were to deny her son his eternity of happiness. But Maethriel has proven herself in deed and love. So yes I give my blessings to this union." I couldn't help but smile.

Legolas remained in the healing room for nearly three weeks as his wounds continued to heal. By the end of the last week, he was biting at the bit to be free of the dark room.

"I promise nothing straining if you release me Amaniel. I'll even let you keep my blades and bow here for a month!" It was entertaining to watch my prince of the realm bargain with a seasoned healer who I am sure knows every trick in the book. Amaniel just shook her head and handed him another healing draft. Legolas was growing tired of the bitter taste more each time the healer gave it to him.

"I know you have two of three other sets of both here in the palace not to mention the fact you could have others commissioned in a matter of hours if you wished new ones." She countered to Legolas' offer. It was an odd sight to see him pouting. His brows furrowed and his eyes glared at the healer as he sat down the empty cup.

"I will think about it tomorrow. Now let me see the stitches." She said all but pushing him back onto the cot. He winced a little but soon lifted the blue tunic he wore to expose the still healing site. It was amazing that my stitches stayed in this long. I was actually proud of the curved line of thread.

"You are lucky your betrothed was able to stitch the wound as quick and effective as she did. I don't think I could have done much better."

"She was training to be healer before she joined the quest." Legolas spoke up. She raised an eyebrow at his words.

"Well my dear, I do not have any apprentices at the moment. You would be more than welcome to study in my halls." Amaniel said looking at me.

"You jest!" Was she really offering to finish my training?

"You have natural skill. You will be a magnificent healer. We need another since Ithilwen married and moved to Rivendell. I know we get along and I am sure the King will approve of the move. It will be your way of giving back to the realm."

"I...I would love to!"

"I will discuss the matter with Thranduil in a couple weeks. Let's get you settled into your new home first."

Three days later finally, Legolas was released to return to his own quarters on very light duties until he was completely cleared by Amaniel. I walked next to Legolas our arms intertwined. He was not happy about having to stop occasionally to catch his breath but he was still weak and healing. He was too proud, especially in front of his father, to admit he was nowhere near healed as he wanted to be. We came to a set of doors that held a small royal crest in the top right corner of the door. He opened the door to reveal a dark candle lit room. It was small but had a table and several cushioned chairs. He didn't pause. There was another set of doors. He walked through them and smiled. I noticed his bow, quiver, and twin blades sitting on a desk, next to a third doorway. My eyes drew to a four posted bed that seemed to grow out of the ground like most things in the palace. It held dark green and brown blankets and gold pillows. There was a bookshelf and a desk with letters, opened and not. There was a couch on the other side of the bed and a couple chairs not far from the large fireplace. He kneeled down and lit the fire and light flew through the room. This was undoubtedly his personal chambers. He ran his hand over the his weapons pausing to give each a proper look over.

"They were cleaned." He whispered. I wasn't quite sure whether it was just thought or a real question.

"Tauriel made sure they were taken care of."

"She always does."

"So...this is your room?"

"Yes, although over the years I spend less and less time in it. But for a time I'm sure I will be resting in here." He said going over to his bed.

"I am sorry your welcome to Mirkwood was not what it should have been." He said grabbing my wrist and pulling me to sit next to him. His voice was heavy, full of sorrow and regret...

"Legolas it is fi..."

"No it is not fine. I made a foolish decision that not only got myself almost killed but also put you in more danger than needed. If it would have been you in my place, I don't know what I would have done. I wanted you to be welcomed with love from my people not the stress and chaos of an injured prince. You deserve more than that."

"Why now are you saying this? In a month's time, you will be back to your normal self and we will announce our betrothal. We will start planning our wedding and our life together. I do not care about the past. I do not want to think of the past for it holds too much hurt."

"I am sorry. Please forgive my despair. I have had much time to think over the past few weeks. I just wanted you to be welcomed like the princess you are. I love you and simply want the best for you."

"You have eternity to spoil me with the joy of Mirkwood fear not a few weeks." I said kissing his cheek gently.

"And I look forward to it." He said smirking as he pulled me on top of him and kissing me deeply.

Weeks went by and I hardly left his side as I adjusted to life in Mirkwood. I finally was getting a better sense of time and fell into a routine. Legolas continued to heal and was officially cleared by Amaniel. However, he was reluctant to pick up his weapons again whether in fear of straining himself or of me. He showed me to the training fields that he told me many stories as I practiced with my bow. I felt guilty to be training while he could not, but he insisted I keep my skills up. One day, he finally brought his own bow and quiver. I smiled as he brought it up and hesitantly tested his muscles that haven't been used in probably two months. He pulled back and let an arrow go. I glared at him as it hit dead center of the target.

"You can hit a bull's eye even after not touching your bow for months? Really!?" I said shaking my head trying to hid the smile. I was truly relieved at the sight. I wanted him to be still able to train with me and be a part of the guard in time.

"Centuries of practice outweighs a few weeks without it." He said smirking hitting the target once more to make his point. I whacked him with my bow.

"Show off." I huffed.

"But I am your show off."

"Don't you forget it." I said kissing him gently.

"Get a room, last time I checked neither your return nor your betrothal had been formally announced Legolas. I figured you would have more discretion than to kiss a defenseless maiden out in the open." I turned to see Moril and Tauriel walking into the open field. They were not in their guard uniforms but loose tunics and breeches. Something that I could honestly say I have not seen on the two in.

"Speaking of which, why did we come here. Oh yes, King Thranduil wishes to meet with you both to discuss an announcement feast. As soon as possible." Tauriel said smiling.

"Best not keep him waiting." I said looking at Legolas who slung his bow over his shoulder and offered his arm to me. I smiled taking it before saying a brief goodbye to the two Mirkwood guards.


There it is! I hope it was good. It had some interesting stuff in it but overall it was a filler. But Legolas is awake and the betrothal announcement and commencement of wedding plans start next chapter! I'm very excited!

As usual, reviews, follows, and favorites are very much appreciated!

Until next time,

-B