"You know we could have just waited for Payne to come out with the private jet," Bernard stated flatly as he looked out across the airport. "But nooo. You girls had to book the first flight back to Scotland, and now look where we are!"

"Does it look like we don't know that?!" Silima snapped back.

A freeze had hit the east coast an hour before their scheduled flight, effectively grounding them and everyone else until the next morning, at the earliest. With no specific time to come back, the traveling elves were left to wait it out for the night in the stiff, uncomfortable chairs and watch others complain to the staff or meander about like zombies. In order to catch their flight on time, they had gotten little sleep before, and the probability of rest at the airport was nill. Adding in a lack of sufficient food, since snack machine candy bars didn't count, and the whole group was cranky.

Melda tried to recline in her seat and frowned. "Can we not start this blame game again, guys? It doesn't matter how we fly, the point still stands that there's ice on the runway. Payne would have been delayed getting to us while they throw salt on everything."

An audible groan from someone around her responded. Finally, in a bleak voice, Silima said, "Sorry for snapping at you Bernard."

"S'alright, Silima. Sorry for being sarcastic."

"It's alright. I know that's just you."

Fiona sighed and looked at her watch again. "Anyone heard from anyone else? Do we know if Payne got them there yet?"

A new voice came from behind the slouched group of elves. "We got a text from Mira on the drive over here." When they turned, they were surprised to find that Morwen was standing there with bags at her feet. "She said that Ithilwen arrived safely, so don't worry. The younglings already adore her, and I think Legolas is going to have some competition for her attention."

"What are you doing here, Aunt Morwen?" Fiona asked. "Where's Uncle Haldir?"

Morwen dropped down into the closest empty seat, using her booted feet to drag the bags over. "Well, our flight had a layover here in New York, and coincidentally the flight we were supposed to get on here has been delayed. Your uncle has gone over to the help desk to hopefully get a timeframe so we can at least eat."

"Then you'll be flying with us," Melda said, brightening a little. "Our flight was delayed as well."

"Then that's one good thing to come out of this evening-" Morwen paused as her phone beeped. She pulled it from her coat pocket to find a text message. "Haldir says that they're going to try and have the runways ready for a 4 a.m. takeoff. We won't get to sleep, but we will get supper tonight. He's gone to get a rental and told us to meet him at the entrance."

As they stood up, each groaning with some level of discomfort, Melda pointed out that that news was the second good thing to come out of the evening. Elves may not have needed sleep often, but being deprived of food when one's used to eating on a schedule is almost torture. She told Morwen that if they hadn't gotten a decent meal until Scotland, she feared that one of them would have tried eating part of the airplane.

On the third day of her stay at the castle, Ithilwen had been backed into a corner. She had expected it to some degree, but not like this. In her wildest dreams she had never expected this. It was inconceivable, and yet, she found that she couldn't say no.

Not when five sets of eyes were watching her.

"Please, Aunt Ithilwen?" Gwen begged.

"We'll be good, we promise!" said Ernil.

"We'll help you clean up!" came from Melui, although she received some surprised looks from the other younglings.

A few feet behind them stood Tauriel. "You did mention it," she said, looking at her sister-in-law with sympathy. She knew the look those kids were using on their aunt. It was the same look they used to rope her brother into playing with them all day. It was a bit early to use the tactic though, and she tried to steer them away from the topic, but Ithilwen succumbed. 'Dammit.'

"I did say I'd make cookies," she nodded, and Tauriel knew the elleth was going to regret it. "But I don't want to get in Erestor's way, though. I know he's really busy right now-"

Said ellon walked by at that moment. "And Erestor will be using the larger kitchen to cook, penneth," he said, taking her arm. "Come. I will show you to the smaller kitchen, and you and the younglings can create whatever confectionary treat you wish."

The younglings were a mass of chatter and laughter as they ran ahead of the adults, and Tauriel followed the two as well. Legolas wasn't going to be too happy with this, having wanted to show her around more of the castle, but surely the prospect of having Ithilwen's cookies again would lift his spirits. She hung back as they entered the smaller kitchen while Ithilwen claimed it was "bigger than her campus cafeteria". She would stay and help if needed, if nothing else than to keep an eye on the five little ones. Erestor had given her a tour of the kitchen, showing her where all of the materials were. Before he left he made it a point to tell her that if she needed anything for her projects, to write it on the notepad stuck to the refrigerator.

While the little ones were poking around in the pantry, Ithilwen looked over at Tauriel with concern. "Does Erestor always sound like he's lecturing, or is that just on me?"

"What do you mean?"

"He told me in a strict tone that anything I needed, I needed to write on the list, like I'm a child! I almost feel like I'm being reprimanded!"

She laughed. "In a way, you are, Ithilwen. I think Erestor caught wind of your inability to ask for assistance, so he wants to ingrain that in your skull while you're here."

"So I am being reprimanded."

"No, just reminded." Tauriel slipped an arm around Ithilwen's shoulders and pulled her into a half-hug. "You're with family now, Ithilwen. We help each other out; that's just how it is. Besides, it's also an efficient way of doing things, since we make grocery runs about every three or four days. Erestor's a stickler for lists."

With patches of black ice on the roads back to the castle, Glorfindel had been forced to stop at a small hotel the night before they had passed going out to the shoreline. It would set them back a few hours, but there were far too many cranky elves packed into the small car. The good news to come out of the stop was that the owner was more than accommodating for the late travelers, however the stop did nothing to sort out the ill moods.

The former captain frowned at the image of Erestor on his laptop screen. He had been detailing everything that had happened since they picked up the rulers, and all the dark-haired elf could do was comment about how he was happy to be left to cook. "You're an ass."

"And you volunteered to drive out to the docks," Erestor pointed out, motioning with the spatula in his hand.

"I believe it was Miraear that delegated this task to us." Elladan slid into view beside Glorfindel. "We didn't have a choice as we were the closest on the return trip."

Erestor was seen shrugging. "No matter. You three are there, so suck it up. Where are they, anyway?" He had yet to see any sign of Galadriel, Celeborn, Elrond, or Celebrian since he had been contacted.

"Elrohir has taken them to get a change of clothes, something I am not ashamed to miss." The other twin looked positively gleeful, knowing he had gotten off easy that night. He'd pay for it, of course, but at least he didn't have to make up a lost-luggage story on the spot if anyone asked.

"Well as you've caught me in the middle of work, I must let you go for now. Please tell them that we look forward to their return to the castle." With that, Erestor's chat window disappeared off the screen, ending the session.

Glorfindel muttered about how the scholar was still an ass while Elladan took the laptop and returned it to the bag. He was just zipping the sleeve closed when the door to the hotel room opened, and turned, expecting to see his adar and grandfather dressed in something similar to the muggle-ignorant wizards of Harry Potter, only to be disappointed. "You're still wearing your robes!"

"You expected them to be naked then?" his brother asked, shuddering.

"No! I thought you were taking them to buy clothes!" It was then that Elladan noticed the bulging bags in their hands. "Why aren't you wearing the clothes? You're supposed to blend into this society now!"

Celeborn sniffed in displeasure as he dropped his bags into the closest chair. "These clothes are not proper attire for once-rulers. Why can we not wear our own clothes when we are in private company?"

"You're going to be seen by mortals, Grandpa! You can't go around dressed like Elton John joined the Force!"

Glorfindel snorted. "That would be your father-in-law, Elrohir."

Elrohir waved his hands dismissively. "Same thing! Look, Thranduil wears the modern clothes without complaint, why can't you?"

Elrond cleared his throat to get his son's attention. "Do you really think it wise to antagonize your grandfather just off the boat?"

"Give your son credit, melleth," Celebrian smiled. "He did wait until we found shelter to do so."

Galadriel had been rummaging through her own bags, pulling out a long coat and draping it over her shoulders. "If it will please you, we will put on these mortal clothes before we leave this place in the morning."

Elladan's shoulders relaxed at the promise. He had hoped someone out of the group would understand. "Thank you, Grandma."

She smiled, and unable to keep this information to herself, added "The reason your grandfather is not pleased with these mortal designs is that he struggled with the metal closure on his trousers."

"The button?" Elladan asked in disbelief.

"The zipper," Elrohir said.

Legolas had long ago accepted that in order to win Ithilwen's heart back, it would take patience. He couldn't push her into loving him; that was something she would have to rediscover for herself. In the meantime, he had every intention of wooing her in the hopes of speeding things along, but he was constantly being met with obstacles on the way.

The first had been the direct orders from practically everyone to not go to California as soon as they had found her. That one stung, and for months he had nothing to go on but stories from Bernard, then her voice, and finally seeing her through the computer. The second was her lack of memory - another knife in his heart, but she was steadily recovering those lost moments of her past. Finally the most recent was Ithilwen's insecurities about everything between them. Legolas had hoped that by the time she had arrived in Scotland that these fears would have disappeared, but they persisted. He couldn't fault her, as he was just as unsure about being around her once again. Not knowing the limits of what he could and couldn't do or say around her was maddening, but he feared that if he pushed, she would regress. It was something that he couldn't bear the thought of, and so he made it a point to remind her that he would go with her pace. These words must have begun to sink in, as Ithilwen had greeted him again that morning with a kiss on the cheek.

It was approaching noon, and he hadn't seen his mate in hours. There had been a spontaneous call from a board member about company business before the holiday break that he had to return after breakfast. Once he got off the phone however, he couldn't locate Ithilwen no matter where he looked. His plans for the day were quickly diminishing with each minute that passed that he couldn't find her. Since the weather had cleared substantially the previous day, he had every intention of giving Ithilwen a tour of the castle grounds while it was clear and sunny. 'That's if I can find her,' he thought bitterly, checking the lower-level library for a third time. 'It figures that as soon as my wife returns to me I lose her in the castle. The Valar must be playing a cruel joke on me.'

Legolas stood in the foyer and grunted in displeasure. This wasn't fair! She was his mate; she should be with him! A stray thought of Bernard keeping her attentions away from him made Legolas want to hang her cousin by his boots if they turned out to be true, but they were dashed with laughter from the kitchen. Feminine laughter. 'I know Erestor can walk in a pair of pumps but his voice is way too deep to make that sound...'

Following the noise led him to the smaller of the two kitchens, and one glance inside told him that it definitely wasn't Erestor at work. The room was filled with clouds of flour dust, younglings, and squeals. The former scholar would have shrieked if he walked in. Not that Legolas cared, for he had found Ithilwen, standing in the middle of the group of younglings at the round table. Her hair was pinned back clumsily with a clip, her long sleeves were pushed back, and yet the flour insisted on creeping into her clothes despite the precautions. The little elves around her were waving cookie cutters about and talking over each other as she rolled the dough out in front of her. She looked to be in her element around them, keeping in time with each child's train of thought and responding to them all equally. When the dough was flat enough, she stepped back to let them drop a cutter into the dough, pressing down to make the desired shape. Then they would move aside as she pulled up the excess dough and passed it to a volunteer to re-knead into a ball while she moved the raw dough shapes to the closest baking sheet. She was so into the conversation that she never noticed Legolas at the doorway watching. Someone else, however, did.

"Just go in there and stop looking like a shy elfling," Tauriel said, coming up behind him.

"Why was I not told of this?" He chose to ignore her comment. He was not shy around Ithilwen!

His sister raised a brow at him. "You had a phonecall, and they cornered her. What was I supposed to do?"

"You could have stopped them."

"And that works so well when they corner you," she grinned. "Just go in there, little brother. Ithilwen will be delighted to see you. Unless of course, you had other plans?"

'Hell no,' he thought, watching the elleth covered in flour. 'Not today. I can show her the castle grounds another day.'

When he stepped further into the kitchen, Ernil was the first to notice his presence and called out. Ithilwen had stopped working on rolling the dough out and looked up. The smile that crossed her face made Legolas' chest tighten and his heart sing. He recognized that smile. That was the one she had reserved just for him, whether or not she remembered. Regardless of where they stood at the moment in terms of their life together, Legolas could honestly say he was content, just from that little smile she gave him.

Yes, the castle grounds tour could wait. Cookies were more important.

"The flight was delayed?"

Thranduil and Galion were in the larger kitchen with Erestor, who was preparing lunch. The scholar checked the sauce again, adding in a pinch more basil before stirring it and turning back to the two elves. "That is what Haldir said when he called an hour ago. Their flight was grounded last night due to frosty conditions, and they were only getting up in the air now. He and Morwen have been ushered onto the same flight as the young ones, so they will all arrive at once."

Galion took a drink of his coffee. "And what of the Lorien and Imladris company?" He knew Thranduil wouldn't ask, as much as he was curious.

"They are on the road once more. Glorfindel mentioned last evening that they would leave as soon as dawn broke today. They could arrive this afternoon at the earliest."

"That is good news," the dark haired ellon said casually. "I was beginning to think that you had developed a tapeworm with the amount of food you're preparing right now."

Erestor slowly set the spoon down he had been stirring with and turned to look at Galion challengingly. "You're one to talk."

"And what are you implying?"

"Nothing," Erestor said lightly. "Just that it seems that Ithilwen was not the only one to fill out in the last month is all."

"Are you trying to tell me that I've gotten fat?"

Thranduil chose not to comment, no matter how tempting it was. Elves had a higher metabolism than humans, making it difficult for them to gain excessive amounts of weight. Dropping it was frighteningly easy, but even pregnant ellith would lose their baby weight within months after the birth. Erestor was simply goading Galion into an argument, just as the other was want to do at times. It was always entertaining to watch them unleash on each other.

"I believe that would be left to your mate to decide, Galion. As I have no desire to see you naked, I cannot say."

"You're one to talk, with all the food you prepare! I'm surprised Lindir doesn't roll you out of the bed in the mornings! Or wait - it's more that he has to roll you off of him at night?"

That had been a low shot, and all three elves knew it. Taking shots at bedroom activities was always a final tactic, which meant Galion had run out of snappy comebacks. Erestor's eyes flashed as he looked at the smug elf that had served under Thranduil for years. "You had best control your puppet, Thranduil."

"Oh, he's not my puppet. A friend, yes, albeit a stupid friend for that remark-"

"You traitor!" The smug look had been replaced with one of betrayal.

"You know better so don't be looking at me!"

Galion knew Thranduil was right. He also knew he had put both feet in it with Erestor. Turning back, he tried to apologize. "Erestor, what I said was only in retaliation. I in no way meant to imply-"

The scholar waved his hand, dismissing the explanation. "It is fine. I know you're bitchy when you're hungry." He turned back to the counter to check the sauce again and add noodles to the boiling water in the pot next to it. "If you wish to eat sooner, you can make yourself useful by cutting bread."

The former assistant took this as an 'apology accepted', standing to do as he was told. Erestor was still pissed about the comment of course, and he would see to it that Galion suffered.

While they were busy at the counter, Lindir had entered the room, sensing the tenseness in the air between the three. "What's going on? I just checked in on Ithilwen and the younglings in the kitchen, and compared to there, it is the prelude to the third World War in here."

"Ithilwen is happy then?" Thranduil asked.

"I take it as so. Legolas has been with her and the children since he found them, according to Tauriel."

The elfking nodded, satisfied. "These two have been snapping at each other like wolves again."

Lindir looked at Erestor and Galion's backs, sighing. "It's the holidays for Eru's sake!" he complained. "Can we not have one holiday where no one threatens with kinslaying?"

"Your husband started it by calling me fat," Galion stated.

"You said I had a tapeworm first."

"You blatantly called me fat though."

"It was implied. And I recall you questioning Lindir and mine's intimacy not minutes ago."

"I apologized for that-"

"What did he say?" Lindir looked to Thranduil.

"That you had to roll Erestor off of you at night."

Lindir snorted. "That is nonsense." He walked up behind Erestor, slipping his arms about his mate's waist and placing a light kiss on his cheek. "I'm the one on top."

"You are an ass, love."

"And heels make yours look good too," came the cheeky reply.

Erestor was silent for a moment before he said, "My ass looks good regardless."

Feet away with bread knife in hand, Galion groaned. "I didn't want to hear any of that."

As the afternoon progressed into evening, there was no sign of the expected company. Elrohir did call ahead to inform them that they were planning to drive through the night and would reach the castle by the next day for certain. It was disappointing, but expected as there were some roads that had gotten a heavier amount of snow that had yet to be cleared. The rest of their kin flying from New York would not arrive until the following afternoon, which would prove to be chaotic for everyone.

It was much later that night, after the younglings were tucked into bed, and much of the remaining residents had retired that Ithilwen found herself talking with Legolas again. She had thought it would just be a habit they had when they talked online, but it appeared to be much more than that. She didn't mind of course; Legolas had countless stories to retell her, and she gave her full attention for each one. His latest story had been about their stay in Lorien with the Ringbearer, back when she was still furious with him over a misunderstanding. Ithilwen had seen and witnessed the memory, but there were gaps that needed to be filled, and hearing Legolas talk about them was like seeing them all over again. He had been reminiscing about the night they had their first kiss when he went silent.

They had been sitting on the loveseat in her bedroom talking as the fire in the fireplace cracked before them when she picked up on the change. "What's wrong?" She had been afraid that Legolas would get upset having to retell their adventures together, but this was the first time that night that he looked even remotely sad. "Should we call it a night?"

"No!" he blurted out, shaking his head. Ithilwen had jumped at his outburst. "I'm sorry, love. I was just thinking about that night and how similar it was to our current situation." Frankly, it was downright eerie how much they skirted around the other, just like they had then.

She nodded, understanding. Baking cookies with Legolas and the younglings had been one of the most enjoyable things she had done that year. There were a few times they had brushed against the other in passing, and while it went unnoticed by everyone else, both elves felt a spark between them. It made Ithilwen apprehensive and almost too afraid to get close to Legolas, until logic stepped in and reminded her that this was her husband. There shouldn't have been anything to be afraid of, and she felt a tad bit foolish the more she thought of it.

"If it makes any difference, I'll try not to get killed so we don't have to go through this whole process again," Ithilwen offered, attempting to make a joke.

Legolas snorted, and she smiled. "I won't let that happen," he swore to her. "Not that I could have stopped you, of course."

"I went and got myself killed-"

"-And you were protecting the life of an elfling," he insisted. "There is nothing in my heart that says that you would not do the same thing again if the situation arose."

Ithilwen sighed. He was right. She hadn't seen that particular memory, but from everything she has been told, she couldn't see herself not doing something like that. "Something's still on your mind."

"No there isn't."

"That came out awfully quick for there not to be, Legolas."

"You want to know?" he asked.

"Of course."

"You truly wish to know?"

"That's what I said."

"Without a doubt in your heart, you truly desire to know-"

"Legolas!" Ithilwen huffed. "Just say it already!"

The elf sitting across from her grinned cheekily. "I was wondering how long it would take for you to yell out my name- I'm kidding, Ithilwen! I'm kidding!" He laughed as she rolled her eyes, ready to retort that he was being a pervert again. "Actually, there's been something on my mind for a time now, but I hadn't been able to find the best way to say anything."

Ithilwen tucked her bare feet underneath her. "Is it bad news?"

"No."

"Then what's the fear in saying it? Usually bad news is what's hard to break to someone."

Legolas shifted to one hip, resting his side against the back of the seat as he faced her. "It's more that I am concerned with how you will react when I tell you."

"Me?" she asked. "It can't be anything weirder than finding out I'm a reincarnated elf from thousands of years ago."

He laughed, shaking his head again. "No, it's nothing like that, I assure you."

"Well, then tell me. No one's up to interrupt you, so it's the perfect opportunity."

Legolas paused, thinking on those words. 'If only those words spoke of another opportunity,' he thought. Of course he couldn't voice those thoughts, as they were more...intense than what he'd worried over. Ithilwen sat there watching him as he warred with his mental conversation, waiting patiently for him to speak. "I've been thinking, Ithilwen...about how things are between us. You know that I have no desire to force you into anything you're not comfortable with, so I will understand if you choose to say no. Ithilwen...would you allow me to take you out to dinner one night?"

'Woah.' Ithilwen hadn't been expecting that question, and he had even asked about asking her out on a date days ago! For some reason, she had simply read it as a courtesy to her without any promise of follow through. And yet, here Legolas was asking her out to dinner - a date!

"I..." The words wouldn't come out, not that she knew what to say for all of the thoughts going around in her mind in that moment. She was surprised he had asked, as well as flattered that he had taken her response into consideration in the event she turned him down. There was also the odd feeling of being thrilled that he had asked, almost as if she were secretly waiting for the opportunity. Legolas was watching her intently, and from his controlled expression she knew that he could see the emotions cross her face as plain as day. Before she knew it, words were coming out of her mouth, and it seemed they surprised her as well. "I would love to, Legolas." 'Woah.'

"Really?" Legolas tried not to look too excited, fearing that she was only being polite. "Like I said, Ithilwen, if you don't feel comfortable with going on a date, we don't have to-"

"I said I would love to go on a date with you, Legolas." Ithilwen repeated, her smile growing as she said the words. It seemed her heart had made the decision for her mind, which had been waffling all over the place. The sense of calmness that washed over her in that moment was peculiar. Maybe all of her nerves were in her head after all?

Legolas let out a breath of air and smiled at her. "You have no idea how happy that makes me to hear you say that, love. Would it be too soon to set the date for the night after the next?"

"That sounds fine to me," she told him. "Do I need something special to wear?"

"Somehow I have the feeling that will be taken care of soon enough." Legolas stood from the loveseat and moved to Ithilwen's side, crouching down to eye level. "I should leave you to rest, seeing as how late it is. Goodnight, melleth," he whispered, kissing her gently on the cheek and silently taking pleasure in the light pink that dusted her face.

"Goodnight Legolas," she whispered back, watching him retreat through the "secret" door to his rooms. When Ithilwen was certain that he had gone, she rose to dress for bed. Things had certainly taken a strange turn since she arrived in Scotland, but she wasn't going to complain.

The following morning, the castle had mysteriously picked up on the developments between the two elves. Legolas had been hoping he could have kept this between them, grumbling about how the walls had ears and a loose tongue. In actuality, it all traced back to Miraear, who had been on her way to Ithilwen's quarters to deliver some extra blankets in the event she was still experiencing the cold as a human would. She had overheard Legolas ask Ithilwen out to dinner, and choosing not to intrude, left the blankets with a note outside the door. Without thinking, she had mentioned it in passing to Tauriel as they were getting the younglings settled for breakfast. Tauriel in turn had cornered Ithilwen in the dining room as soon as she appeared, talking in a rush about having heard the news and wanting to take her shopping for something to wear for the date. Legolas had found all of this out when Melui asked "If you and Aunt Ithilwen are going on a date, does this mean that she'll stay in Scotland now, Uncle Legolas?"

He hadn't taken it well, chucking a croissant across the table at his sister and saying, "This is for your big mouth, Tauriel." She had retaliated with the same croissant, tossing it like a frisbee at his head, and would have followed up with a sausage link if Miraear hadn't reprimanded the both of them for playing with their food.

After breakfast, Tauriel had arranged for an outing with her sister-in-law at one of the nearby shopping malls with high-end clothing. She hadn't known about Ithilwen's previous experience with the upper-class businesses until the elleth had mentioned it, but Tauriel assured her that these employees were nothing but sincere in their sales pitches.

True to her word, an hour into the shopping trip and Ithilwen had decided that she liked these associates much better than those in San Francisco. There was no judging her by her worn jeans and sweatshirt, and they were very down-to-earth with how they treated everyone. It was comforting, considering some of the prices were astronomical.

"You're on the payroll now," Tauriel reminded her, as Ithilwen returned another dress to its rack. "Money isn't something you have to worry about anymore."

"When I actually contribute to the company I'll feel better about spending the money," Ithilwen replied. "It feels weird to me."

The redhead nodded, browsing a neighboring rack. "I get that, but you do know that if you don't buy something yourself that someone else in the house is going to, and nine times out of ten it'll be Legolas that does it."

Ithilwen grimaced. That thought was not comforting at all, and Tauriel knew it. "Is there something I can do to help the company while I'm still in school, since Legolas won't let me otherwise?"

"Well...there's one thing I can think of, but you're not going to want to hear it."

"If this is about sex-"

"See, I told you that you didn't want to hear it!" Tauriel laughed. "I'm only joking, Ithilwen! I know you're not ready to get on that ride again. Legolas knows it too. Trust me, the little things like baking cookies and this date are plenty enough for my brother." She held up a long, dark gown. "How about this one? We can add it to the pile to try on."

Ithilwen nodded and they took the mass of dresses to the dressing rooms. Tauriel stood outside Ithilwen's stall and waited as the elleth changed clothes. "You know, since you're getting a new dress and shoes, why not go the full route and add some fancy underwear to the list?"

"What did I say about sex, Tauriel?"

"This has nothing to do with that, I swear! I'm just saying that a new lacy number to go with the dress will make everything feel more special. You don't want to spend this kind of money on a dress and wear granny panties with it, do you?"

"I don't even own those."

The door swung open and Tauriel turned to look at Ithilwen. She couldn't help but grin at the sight. "You look great! So what do you think?"

"I like it, and it's very nice..."

"What about underwear?"

Ithilwen was silent, pressing her lips together in a thin line. Finally she said, "If I agree to it, will you stop asking?"

"I promise."

"Alright," she sighed, turning back into the stall. "I'll get a new set."

But Tauriel wasn't finished. "Now while I promise to stop asking, if Legolas finds out, I can't guarantee that he'll stop asking to see them... Ithilwen? What's that noise? Ithilwen, why are you banging your head? Did I go too far?"

"We're back!" Tauriel announced rather loudly in the entryway when she and Ithilwen returned to the castle. The blond elleth had been shutting the door when she heard a voice she didn't recognize at first.

"About time, melleth! I've been stuck in the car since yesterday morning with a bunch of grouchy elves and all I could think about was seeing you when I got home. But lo and behold, what do I find out when I get back? You went off to town!"

Ithilwen turned to see Tauriel swept up in the arms of a dark-haired ellon. She felt the tiniest pang of jealously watching their open interaction with each other, and she had to remind herself that one day she could have that with Legolas if she could quit being a chicken-shit elleth afraid of her own husband. Hanging back from the scene she tried to remember where she heard that voice from. It had sounded slightly off the last time she had heard it, but when it dawned on her, Ithilwen couldn't hold back her exclamation. "Elrohir!"

Said ellon looked over Tauriel's shoulder and Ithilwen could see the wide grin. "There is my baby cousin," he said in delight, turning loose of his mate to approach her. "It has been a long time since we last saw each other."

"But not quite as long since I shot your typewriter," Ithilwen grinned back, accepting the hug he offered.

"You just wait. I want a rematch, and I'm sure Glorfindel does too." Elrohir stepped back and looked over Ithilwen. "How've you been doing? Is Legolas treating you alright? I know he's your mate but I won't hesitate to kick his ass if he's done something to you."

She laughed. "Legolas has been nothing but sweet, Elrohir, I assure you. And I have been doing fine-"

"-Actually, my brother asked her out to dinner tomorrow night, so she's doing more than 'fine'."

Ithilwen could only look on in shock. "Legolas is right. You do have a big mouth, Tauriel."

Tauriel only shrugged, taking the shopping bags at the elleth's feet. "Since Elrohir is here now, there's some people you need to see. I'll place your bags in your rooms in the meantime; less of a chance that Legolas will spoil the surprise if he doesn't find the bags." On that note, she disappeared upstairs.

Elrohir couldn't help but agree with his wife. As he led Ithilwen into the living room, he saw fit to mention that Legolas could be a big kid at times. She wasn't sure how to interpret that, although he had been pretty insistent with "taste testing" the cookies they made yesterday. Ithilwen chose to nod instead of respond, which was fine as she had just become the center of attention when they entered the room.

There had been a conversation going on between Thranduil, Miraear, Legolas, and a number of elves that she didn't recognize. 'There's too many blond people in this room,' she thought miserably. 'How in the hell am I going to remember everyone's names?!' "Uh...hi?"

"Ithilwen," Elrohir began, pointing to the closest blond elleth. "This is Elladan, Bernard, and my naneth, Celebrian. The ellon next to her is our adar, Elrond-"

On Elrond's other side the blond ellon spoke up quickly. "She ought to remember my handsome face!"

"You're the filing cabinet I took out with the grenade," she grinned at his expression. "It's good to see you in person, Glorfindel."

Elrohir tried to take the introductions back, looking miffed. "And seeing as how you know your husband and in-laws already, the two blond elves sitting with them are our grandparents. That is our grandfather Celeborn, and our grandmother Galadriel."

Her grandmother met her gaze, and Ithilwen swore she could feel the older woman prying into her mind. It wasn't an intrusive feeling, but it was peculiar. Ithilwen tried to guard her thoughts out of paranoia, but the first mantra to come up was "Please don't ask me if I've had sex". It was Tauriel's fault really; she had brought up the topic at the dressing rooms. Could her grandmother really blame her if it was one of the last thorough conversations she'd had?

Galadriel's small smile had spread the longer the silence between them lingered, until finally she laughed. When she broke eye contact with Ithilwen, she turned to Celeborn and said, "She knows some things, but not everything."

Ithilwen looked passed Galadriel to see Celeborn looking at her with a resigned expression. "I assume Thranduil told you already."

"To be fair I had to bully it out of him back in California." She looked over at the ellon, who chose not to look her way purposely. "It wasn't the first time I had to pump him for information."

"Why didn't you just tell her, Adar?" Legolas asked.

"I was hoping that your mate would have remembered these things on her own! At the very least that period of time-"

"Thranduil, if you will recall I was misinformed from the getgo with my memories coming back on their own!" With the questioning looks that followed from the recent arrivals, she hastily explained that while she had some memories of her life, not everything had returned yet, and what did was still missing pieces.

Legolas either hadn't realized this or it had never struck him as being extremely important until that moment. "If you had told Ithilwen all of this ahead of time it might have cleared up a lot of things!"

Tauriel coughed into her fist and muttered, "Like you did with the company salary? Loan repayments?" The look she got in return should have terrified her, but she had been in too many arguments with her brother to be intimidated.

Ithilwen could only look on helplessly as Legolas fired a retort back at his sister while her grandfather and father-in-law exchanged words from across the coffee table that divided them. She felt a touch on her shoulder, and looking up she saw it was Elrond. He had offered her a hug, which she returned willingly. "I'm sorry about this," she mumbled into his shoulder. "I didn't mean to start an argument."

When he released her, Elrond stepped back to look down at Ithilwen. "You have nothing to apologize for, child. It is a habit of our kin to incite petty arguments. If one hasn't occurred on a regular schedule we begin to fear someone has gone missing."

"And it's the holidays," Glorfindel grinned. "It isn't the holiday season unless someone is yelling."

During the time that Tauriel and Ithilwen had gone shopping and returned to the castle, Payne had been taking one of the larger cars to the airport. Legolas had sent him a text that told him Glorfindel's group had made it back safely an hour before the plane was set to arrive. That had been a relief to read, seeing as how there had been a number of issues with his designated pickup even before they got on their flight, not to mention his own personal hell.

That morning he had woken up late because the batteries in his alarm clock had decided that they couldn't handle the cold winter any longer and quit. His hot water nearly scalded him in his rush to wash and dress, so he decided to skip shaving that day for fear of what his razor would try to do to him. Because he slept in, there was no time to fix something for breakfast, which meant if he got to the airport early enough he might be able to find a vending machine. Once he got on the road, the Fates had decided to mess with him by giving him a red stoplight at every intersection through town. The route through the countryside would have been quicker, but Payne knew that there were a few roads that would and did produce horrible patches of black ice at even the smallest hint of a freeze. When he did reach the airport and secure a parking place, it felt like it was leagues away from the building, and while his passengers would not have felt the bite of the cold wind, he did. His ancestors were plain mortals in comparison to the elves he worked for, but he felt like the oddity walking into the airport entrance bundled up to his eyelids.

Surprisingly, Payne made it with plenty of time to spare, a good hour before the plane were to arrive. His phone beeped in his pocket as he walked the vicinity looking for a snack machine. Reaching into his pocket he got the device out, seeing the text from Legolas: "Glorfindel and the twins made it back with the rest of our kin this morning. Take care getting back to the castle; he said it's icy out there". That had been the one bit of good news he had received that morning, because standing in front of the vending machine it dawned on Payne that he didn't have any loose change. That bit of panic as he searched his pockets for even a bill turned into frustration, and if there weren't so many small children in the area, he'd have said exactly what was on his mind.

"Okay," he breathed, spotting the ATM nearby. "I'll use that...okay nevermind." The ATM had a wrinkled note taped to it that stated it was out of order.

An elderly couple hadn't been far away, watching Payne rake his fingers through his hair and try not to scream. They could see that he was anxious and frustrated beyond repair, but they were brave enough to approach the young man and offer him a suggestion. There was a small fast food chain set in the terminal, not far from where they were that took cards if he didn't have cash on hand. Thanking them profusely, he wished them a happy holiday season and tried not to run to the smell of grease.

With a small bag of breakfast items he could eat as he walked, Payne was finally content. The line to order had been long, but it was worth it according to his stomach. He stood among the others that waited with signs to help their friends and loved ones locate them as they exited the plane. The sign he always used was a running joke that had occurred once during an rapid-fire insulting game of Trouble in Terrorist Town with the elves. It had made some of the neighboring people chuckle to themselves as he set it up at his feet; those that frequented the airport like he did would ask if it was "the same pickup as last time", since he used the same sign with all the elves that flew commercial.

"Nah," he'd laugh, "but there's a bunch arriving today." Payne caught sight of long, light blond hair and grinned as he saw them approach. "You're late."

"Did my son-in-law tell you to say that?" Haldir asked as the mortal wiped the fast food grease from his hands with his napkin.

"Have you not eaten already?" Morwen was looking at him with concern. In the time that she had come to acquaint herself with the remainder of the mortal lines that originated from the Minas Tirith/Ithilien area, she found herself worrying over each generation like children.

Bernard didn't look pleased as he stared at the sign. "Fairy cakes," he read. "Really Payne? How long is this going to keep going on? I haven't suffered enough?"

As they moved to collect the rest of their bags, Payne responded. "I saw an opportunity and I took it, sir. No ma'am, my alarm clock didn't wake me up in time to fix breakfast before I left. And Bernard, I'm sorry dude, but that was funny!"

"And just how have you suffered, melleth?" Melda asked.

"Those textbooks are misinformed and biased, for starters-"

"You chose to go to college again, B!" Fiona pointed out.

"Yes well our cousin was there. That was the whole reason for enrolling!"

"You do know you can quit if you want to," Silima suggested. "You already hold two bachelor degrees and a masters'."

Suitcase in hand, Bernard frowned. "I could, but that would imply that I was quitting."

"Was that not what I just said?"

"I don't quit," he said stubbornly. "I see things through to the end."

"I'll say you do," Melda grinned impishly. "I couldn't ask for a better husband."

"And I couldn't ask for less information if I wanted it," Haldir cut in, annoyed and disturbed. "This family is too open with each other."

As the exited the terminal and later the parking lot, Payne took his time getting back to the castle. There was no reason to rush, and the commentary in the vehicle was too entertaining to miss. Everyone was now back in one country, as some felt it should be.

He wondered how Ithilwen was faring. She seemed nice enough, albeit a bit nervous when he first met her. It was to be expected, of course; she had been informed of a lot of things, and it always seemed like there was one more thing to learn. Legolas had invited him to spend the holidays with them at the castle many times in the past, and this year was no different. For her sake, he'd agreed to it, knowing that with her mortal upbringing she could use a perspective she was more familiar with during some of the crazier parts of the weeks ahead. She'd enjoy herself this Christmas, he was certain of it. The elves were good people, if not eccentric, and he never once regretted taking the job that he had now.

-x-x-x-x-x-

A/N: Just know that if you kill me for the lack of an update in...three months that I can't finish the story. I've had a time of it trying to write, there have been so many things happening. There are still lots of things happening, but I'm not giving up! If you want good news, I do in fact have the remaining outline to this story written out. It's not as short as I expected, but we'll see how it goes.

I really appreciate all of y'all asking me when I'd update next, and I am not going to let it go three months again (since I have a heading and all that). Some parts are just easier to write than others, and it's the parts I struggle with that frustrate me the most when they won't come out "right". I have no intentions of rewriting this one like I've done with Call Me Again, although I would like to go in and check the spelling/etc once it's done. Speaking of, that one will be updated next, and I don't think it will take as long to write. This is why I don't like giving a specific timeframe when I write; too many other things that take priority over these fics and I can't let them slide. Being a responsible adult sucks kids, I hate to break it to you. :P Anyway, tell me your thoughts and I'll do my quickest to respond!