Chapter 21:

Aria leaned back against Legolas and sighed as she closed her eyes. "Tired, meleth nin?" he asked as he wrapped his arms around her. He gently nuzzled her neck and placed a lingering kiss against her neck.

Shortly after dinner, Aria and Legolas had decided to go for a walk to one of their favorite escapes in Imladris – the banks of the River Bruinen. They had many memories of sitting along the river's bank during their time courting. So why not make a trip to their favorite spots now that they were married.

"I think the long journey home is finally catching up with me. Yet I am glad to be here."

"I know you are." Legolas said pausing before speaking again. "Yet is Mirkwood really that bad?"

"No it is not because you are there," she said turning and looking up at him in the moonlight. She smiled at him before he leaned down and kissed her lips. "Home is wherever you are, Legolas. Have you not figured that out yet?"

"It is just that the last six months had been so hard on you. There were times that I have felt that you would simply tell me that you have had enough for being held captive within Mirkwood's halls and that you were leaving me."

"I am sorry, Legolas. I really am," she said looking away from him.

Tears were beginning to build up in her eyes. She did not want to cry, but she knew that she was going to anyways. She felt absolutely horrible about keeping all her feelings bottled up inside for the last few months, only to have them come bursting out all at once. "I am just not used to having someone attuned to my emotions and I to theirs. It has been a bit overwhelming at times," she said sniffling as she tried to fight back her tears.

Legolas gently turned her face back towards him, knowing that she was about to start crying. "No tears," he gently said placing a hand against her cheek. "This is something that can easily be fixed. I am sure every new couple has rough patches. I know that Laurian and Talia did. Besides I feel that same way you do about home – wherever you are, is where my home is."

Aria sniffled again and then allowed a small smile to form across her face as no tears fell. "You are my home," she whispered leaning up towards her husband. "And you always will be."

"As are you," he answered capturing her in a kiss.

"Are you sure that you do not need me to accompany you?" Tauriel asked as Legolas and Aria prepared their horses for the journey to the village of Bree. The trio had been in Imladris for about a week before Aria had decided that she wanted to see her mother, who had moved to the village of Bree.

"No, we'll be alright. Besides this gives you time to relax, which is something you never do." Legolas said before turning his attention to Aria who was talking to her horse. The horse was a sleek black mare with a white star on her forehead and along her chest. He watched as Aria patted the horse down before the horse nuzzled Aria's shoulder.

"That's my girl. I have missed you too, Argo," she said before mounting the horse.

"Ready?" Legolas asked once he had mounted his horse.

"Of course," she said. "Oh Tauriel if the twins return while we are are away, please tell Ada to not let them leave."

"I will do that."

She stood by and watched as Aria and Legolas rode out of the hidden valley on their way to Bree. There was no telling how long they would be gone for. So what was she supposed to do while they were gone?

When Gilraen answered the door to the soft knocking, she was not expecting who was waiting for her on the other side. She thought perhaps it would be someone from the village needing something seamed or stitched. But this was so much better.

"Mother," Aria said with a smile pushing back the hood of her travel cloak.

"Aria!" Gilraen exclaimed pulling her daughter into a tight embrace. "This is a surprise."

"Well when Legolas and I returned from Imladris, Ada told me that you had left to live here. So we came to see you."

Gilraen looked behind her daughter and noticed the tall Mirkwood prince standing behind her daughter. She knew that the two had been married several months ago after Aria had been kidnapped and rescued. She had wished that she had been able to attend the wedding. At least Aragorn had been there for her.

"Well come in! Come in!" Gilraen said, letting them inside the cottage. Aria and Legolas followed her inside and took off their traveling cloaks as they settled down.

The trio talked for a while about Mirkwood and the difference between Rivendell and Mirkwood. Then Gilraen told her daughter about what Aragorn and the Rangers had been up to. Thankfully, there had not been too many injuries. Elladan and Elrohir had been more than able to take care of all the injuries on their own.

"Do you know where Aragorn and the twins currently are?" Aria asked.

"They should be checking in a few days," Gilraen said. "Then they stay for a day or so before heading back out. This is what they do every few months."

Aria turned to look at her husband. "Mind if we hand around for a few days?"

Legolas shook his head no. "Is there a local inn here?" he asked.

"That is absurd!" Gilraen said. "I have more than enough room here. You two will stay here with me. Then when your brothers get here, then can find somewhere else to sleep, like the floor."

Over the next few days, Aria and Legolas both helped Gilraen with whatever she needed done around the house – from mending a fence post or two in the stable to helping her move things around the house. Neither of them minded since it kept them busy. Other than that it was a change of pace from their normal lives.

Mid afternoon of the second day, Aragorn and the twins arrived and were greeted with the surprise of Aria preparing dinner instead of Gilraen. She was immediately tackled in a bone-crushing hug by all three of her brothers, which Legolas found amusing.

After dinner that night, Aragorn pulled Legolas off to the side – out of earshot of Aria and their mother. He needed to talk to Legolas about recent activities that had been going on around Bree.

"Something troubles you, mellon nin," Legolas said in a hushed whisper to Aragorn.

"Has there been an increase in orc attacks in Mirkwood?"

"There has, especially recently. Adar has increased patrols. That was why he wanted to send 5 Woodland Guards with us on the journey, but Aria threw a fit. So just one accompanied us."

"The rangers have seen an increase as well. The twins and I chased a pack of ten of them away today. It seems as if it is every other day."

"What is it from?"

"Still not sure. But do not let Aria know. Her vision of loosing everything dear still haunts her does it not?"

"It does."

"I think this has something to do with it."

Legolas looked over at his wife who was smiling and laughing with her twin brothers and sighed. He hoped that Aragorn was wrong. For everyone's sake.

AN: I know that it is not the most interesting chapter – but hey! You gotta have them from time to time….I promise that the next chapter is much better.