It occurred to me that we're 25 damn chapters in and I'm not even halfway through the first LOTR movie. I am going to be working on this for the rest of my life. I should just put that Simpsons sign DON'T FORGET, YOU'RE HERE FOREVER as my desktop background. At least I'll enjoy being here forever.

Disclaimer: Tolkien owns Tolkien, you own you!

You're impatient for the delegates to arrive. You're dying to be in the company of Dwarves again, and it's been years since you've seen Legolas. You occupy yourself with sword training and sleeping and spending time with the hobbits. Finally, as you head to the gardens one late morning, you notice Aragorn conversing with a head of long blond hair.

"Legolas!" you exclaim. You take off at a sprint and skid to a stop in front of the shocked Elf. "It's been so long! I'm so glad to see you! Er, do you even remember me?"

"It would be hard to forget the way we parted. As I recall, you leaped from a cliff and called back an apology for the escape."

"Oh good, you do remember! I'm glad you're finally here, because I have to tell you - I've learned Elvish! I can speak my own language now!"

Aragorn interjects amusedly, "Then this is the same woman you told me about. I thought as much."

"I never did learn your name," Legolas says to you.

"Oh my goodness, did I never introduce myself? I can't believe you never knew my name through all those years! Well, better late than never - I'm Aniel. Mae g'ovannen, mellon-nin."

Legolas smiles. "You call me friend although you were my father's prisoner when last we met?"

"Of course! We had a good time, if a short one. I was so excited to hear you were coming. Now we can all spend time together and be real friends!"

"How did you come to be here? Have you lived in Imladris all these years?"

"No, I've only visited. I live in Erebor. I married Thorin."

"Married him!" Legolas exclaims. "I never would have thought!"

"I know. Honestly, I was kind of surprised as well."

"Then has his hatred of Elves cooled?"

You grin. "Nah. It's just me he likes. Kind of a shame - but everyone will get along eventually. Anyway, I'm so happy to see you. We'll have to catch up soon."

"I would like that. I'm sure you have many fascinating stories to tell about your unique position."

You beam and skip off to meet the rest of the delegates.

Boromir is the next to ride in. He looks so lost as he dismounts that you take pity on him. "Hail Boromir of Gondor! I'm glad you arrived safely."

Boromir bows when he sees who greeted him. "The reception is appreciated, my lady. I was afraid I'd end up wandering until nightfall."

"No need for that," you say cheerfully. "I can show you to a room, if you'd like."

"I would not inconvenience you..."

"Not at all! I've been waiting for ages for you all to get here. Come with me, and we'll see if we can head off the need for a map."

"I have never before been to Rivendell," Boromir remarks, taking in the flowing architecture and gentle colors of the buildings. "The tales do not quite do it justice. You have an enchanting home, my lady."

"Oh, I don't live here. I'm here for the same reason you are. And my name is Aniel."

"Well, Lady Aniel, I am glad for your presence. Any measure of softness will be a welcome change from the hardness of the world."

You leave Boromir at his room, feeling that your first meeting has been a success. You hope to forge a bond with him so it will be easier to save him later. With two of the visiting three races accounted for, you return to the main gate to await the arrival of your extended family.

Bilbo joins you. "Waiting for something?" he asks lightly.

"For the Dwarves," you sigh. "Everyone else is here except them. I miss them."

"I'm sure they'll be here soon."

You look at Bilbo. "It sounds like you know something I don't."

Finally three more ponies ride in. You jump up excitedly. Gimli is first - he's much older than the last time you saw him - followed by Gloin, who is now white-haired, and bringing up the rear is -

"THORIN!"

Thorin dismounts quickly to catch your running hug. You crash into him and his strong arms close tightly around you. You take in his familiar scent and warmth, and it's like you'd never been parted.

"How are you here?" you finally manage to ask.

"Because you are here, and I should be wherever you are."

"That's not an answer," you laugh, but you don't really care why he's here, only that he is. You suppose that Elrond wrote him and he decided to come along with the delegation. You make a mental note to thank him later. "I missed you."

"And I missed you, more than I could bear, my love."

Bilbo interjects with a sly, "Should we leave you two alone?"

You blink around at him, genuinely surprised to find that there are other people nearby. "Did you know about this? Is that why you came to sit with me?"

Bilbo shrugs mischievously.

You're able to tear yourself away from Thorin long enough to greet Gloin and Gimli while he sees to Bilbo. Gloin rightly greets you as an old friend; Gimli bows low and murmurs, "Your Majesty!"

"Oh, that's not necessary!" you say brightly. "What are titles among friends? I'm sure you're tired - I can take you to a room, if you'd like. I kind of became the greeting and escort party..."

You lead them to their own rooms and bid them good evening. Thorin asks playfully, "Have you a room for me as well?"

"Yes, Thorin, it's called my room, and we're never leaving."

"That sounds perfect."

The pair of you spend the rest of the evening holed up in your room. When you realize the sun has set, you say guiltily, "We missed dinner."

"So?"

"So you've been riding for a long time and I know you're hungry."

"I'm fine. I've been drinking you in all evening."

You roll your eyes. "Being romantic is not going to distract me."

"Is it not?" Thorin puts his hands behind his head and frowns at you. "Have you built up an immunity to me after all these years?"

"Ha! I could live with you a thousand years and not be immune to you, Thorin. But I am going to get you a decent meal, so you can either come with me or wait here."

"If you insist. Remind me when we return that I have something for you."

"I'm sure I won't have to remind you. You've been dying to give it to me, haven't you?"

Thorin smiles. You take his hand and lead him down the path to the kitchens. You continue, "You know, I shouldn't let you give me so many things when I can't even reciprocate."

Thorin laughs loudly. "Can you not? As I recall, you gave me a priceless gift for our anniversary."

"Thorin!" you whine. "That thing is a monstrosity."

"How dare you! It is the most precious thing I own!" Thorin raises his right hand; the moonlight glints off a rich blue gem set sloppily into a silver band. "I've never been more proud than when you gave it to me."

You squint at the ring. It was your idea for a gift for the landmark fiftieth. You'd asked Balin to help you make something special. You wanted to try your hand at Dwarvish crafting; you tried it, and out came that misshapen gilded donut. Thorin loved it, of course. He'd never once taken it off. But at the very least you know it isn't the embodiment of all evil.

You're friendly with the Elves in the kitchen, so they're glad to pack you a basket of the leftovers from dinner. You and Thorin have a lovely fire-lit picnic in the floor of your room. You wait until dinner is over to inquire about the present, because truthfully you are more than a little curious about it. You rather hope that it's nothing heavy and opulent, given the type of journey you're about to undertake.

You voice this to Thorin and he shakes his head. "It's very practical. It will help us stay in touch."

You still remember enough about technology to wish it was a cell phone.

"The ravens we use to carry messages are particularly fond of bright objects. I supposed that, since you will be traveling far and through many perils, you should have something bright enough to make sure the ravens can find you."

Now you're visualizing a portable mirror of some sort.

Thorin withdraws from his bag a small cloth-covered object. He sets it in your waiting hands. You uncover it to see a breathtaking hair clip. The body is silver, and set within it is a large piece of the most incredible jewel you've ever seen. The jewel is mostly white, but in its depths are flecks of every color imaginable.

"Thorin," you whisper, "is that...?"

"A piece of the Arkenstone? Yes."

"Please tell me you didn't destroy the Arkenstone to make this."

"I simply carved out a bit of it."

"But why? It's the King's Jewel, the heirloom of your house - "

"Not anymore. It hasn't been for a long time. You have been the King's Jewel for as long as I care to remember. The Arkenstone is the Heart of the Mountain. I am King, so I thought it fitting that my Heart remain incomplete as long as you are away from me. As long as you wear this, it will be very hard to miss you from the skies. This way we needn't worry about not being able to communicate."

"Thorin, I...I dont know what to say..."

"Simply say that you'll be careful. I fear they will have to restrain me to keep from following you."

You allow Thorin to fasten the clip at the base of your braid. You can only imagine the way it will scintillate in the sun. "Thank you," you murmur.

"You needn't thank me. You are more to me than that jewel. You are more than all the wealth in Erebor."

You smile. "I've seen all the wealth of Erebor, and from a logical standpoint, that's not possible."

"There is no logic in love, dearest." Thorin takes you into his arms. "If there were, we would not be sitting here."

"Really?" You feign offense. "You mean there's no logical reason you would have fallen in love with me?"

"Not by my old logic, darling. But you quickly left me without the ability to reason due to your unquenchable cheer and blinding charm. You showed me that I needn't hate all Elves, only most of them."

You laugh. "And here I thought you were at least cordial with Lord Elrond!"

"He is another I can stand, if only because you're fond of him."

"Y'know, it sounds like I have you wrapped around my finger."

"I hope this is not news to you."

You lay your head on his shoulder. The banter has suddenly made you very sad. "I don't know what I'm going to do for the rest of this," you mumble. "I hate being away from you. I miss you already."

"I daresay you'll have plenty to keep you busy, if this quest is as important as you say it is."

"It's only for the fate of Middle Earth. I don't technically have to go. They'll be fine without me. I could go home with you."

"Why did you want to go in the first place?"

"Because...well, I'd like to change some things and save some people, but I don't have to do that."

"And you did not have to come with us to reclaim Erebor."

You sigh. You see his point.

Thorin chuckles and strokes your hair. "Please do not make me be the mature one. I of course want you home safe with me, but I know you will regret it if you do not go."

"I guess I would."

"Then that is your answer."

You pout. "I don't like it when you're right."

"I have to enjoy it when I am; usually you're the one who's right."

"Did you bring your harp?"

"Of course I did."

The two of you move to the bed. You snuggle into Thorin's side under the covers and close your eyes. His deep voice, complimented by the floaty sound of the harp, fills the room and your heart. You let out a sigh of contentment. You don't need to pretend you are home in Erebor; be it there or Rivendell or the Wild, home is wherever Thorin is.