Sorry for the delayed posts everyone! I have a goal to post at least one chapter a week, so I am making sure I am not leaving my readers neglected!

Credits to sindarin_ for the new names used in this chapter. Also, for the elvish phrases used.

Happy reading!

Chapter 26

Kelsey patiently awaited Legolas's arrival as she sat on the bridge; this would be the last of their meetings here at this bridge, where everything had began. She felt a twinge of pain in her heart at the thought of knowing she would never be able to enjoy this place of solitude with Legolas again. She breathed in the night air, imprinting the smell of nature around her into her brain to remember forever. She listened to the harmonious chirping of the crickets that nestled in the brush near the bank of the river, accompanied by the percussion sound of the water bubbling over rocks and flowing with the current. The moon hung delicately high in the sky and the stars burned brightly, and Kelsey remembered the moments she had under this sky. Their long discussions of past stories, the deep confessions they shared, their midnight swim in the cool river, and their passionate kisses and the sweet, loving words they exchanged. This, she thought, could be the last she would ever see of him.

As she stared absent-mindedly into the distance, she heard someone approach the bridge, and she was pleasantly greeted by the sight of Legolas approaching her. She observed him as he approached, and he seemed pensive and withdrawn. He did not make eye contact with her, he seemed to distracted by the observing the river as he moved to sit beside her. His shoulders were tense, and his jaw was set; his blue eyes burned with a fire of hostility has he gazed into the water.

"What is the matter?" she asked him, moving to touch his hand for comfort, but he immediately moved it from her touch.

"It is nothing", he said, darkly, "i have many thoughts on my mind".

By this response, Kelsey immediately knew why he was acting in such a manner. She knew he was displeased by the sudden departure of her and Eraisuithon, and that he never expected this moment to come so soon. She, too, was saddened by the abrupt change of her setting forth on her quest. If only they had more time to be together, she thought. She had to remind herself that his animosity was not meant for her, but for the ones that were taking her away from him; all she had to do was remind him of this.

"This was not my choice, Legolas" she said to him, moving to look at his face. He did not return her gaze, but she would not look away from him.

"If I had my way, I would choose to stay with you for as long as I wanted" she said, soothingly, "but you have to understand I had no control of this, I have to follow my destiny. Surely you would understand this, more than anyone".

"I do", he said, his voice dangerously low, "but you cannot expect me to express joy for you leaving my side. What is this will be the last we see of each other, and we had no time to cherish each other's company because you have been ordered to leave".

"Then let us not destroy this night by arguing over something we cannot control" Kelsey said abruptly, "I must save the dragon offspring from Sauron, otherwise the fate of Middle Earth could be destroyed. You must go with Frodo and the fellowship to the destroy the ring of power. You may think we apart, but we are working together to defeat the one, true evil that keeps us apart. We will prevail against him, and we will be together once more. You cannot think the worst; it will only make this harder. Our love will hold us through, I can promise you that".

His once hardened expression, softened at her words. He placed a muscular hand on the back of her neck and pulled her face closed to his. He placed a firm and passionate kiss on her lips, filling her with a rush of emotion. She wrapped her arms around the back of his neck and pulled her body close to his, and he moved his arms to support her lower back. There were unspoken words exchanged, words of comfort and concession of the pending departure. Time seemed to slow as they were emerged in their kiss, and they relished in the closeness of each other. Legolas moved his lips to kiss her forehead and she moved to place her head into her chest. They held one another in a comforting embrace, and it was a very long moment before Legolas broke the silence.

"I have something for you", he said, and Kelsey lifted her head.

"Oh?" Kelsey said, curiously.

"Close your eyes and hold out your hands" he said, smiling down at her, his blue eyes glinting in the impending surprise.

Kelsey did as he told her, and she waited with anticipation. Not soon after she did this, she felt a long, heavy object made of metal placed in her hands.

"Now you can open them" she heard Legolas say, and she lifted her eyelids and looked down at the object before her.

She looked down at the gift, and she could see it was a sword in a hilt, with a hilt made of shining silver and a wrapped in a black leather. The top of the hilt had a beautiful flower engraved into the metal, and Kelsey recognized it as the white flower she had used to come back to Middle Earth. She pulled the hilt and unsheathed the blade, and a sharp blade was revealed. Inscripted on the blade was elvish text, and Kelsey did not recognize it.

"It's name is Laegrist, and it was forged for you by the elves here", Legolas explained, "the flower that brought us together on the hilt, and your name, Fainauriel, written on the blade. I wanted you to bring a token of my affections with you on your journey. If I am not able to be there to protect you, may this blade be there in my stead".

Kelsey smiled at him, she had never expected him to do this for her. This took premeditated thought, and his desire to give her a meaningful gift touched her. She touched his cheek delicately, and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.

"This is the perfect gift", she said, "I will cherish it always".

He smiled down at her and kissed her forehead tenderly.

"The night grows late" Legolas said suddenly, "you must rest, you rise early tomorrow".

" I don't want to leave you, not yet" Kelsey said, painfully.

"But you must rest" Legolas insisted.

"Then come with me" Kelsey said, holding his hand tight, "no one will know. You can leave early in the morning before anyone sees you, but please, come with me. I want you by my side tonight".

Legolas looked startled at her persistence. She could see that propriety and fear was riddling his brain, but his heart longed to be with her.

"I just want you to be there next to me", she said, "nothing more. I will not sleep if I am alone".

Legolas looked in apprehension, and then sighed in defeat. "I will come with you", he said, "but we must not get caught".

Kelsey smiled thankfully at him, and they walked together from the bridge and through the pathways that lead to Kelsey's chambers, hand in hand. As they approached the stairwell that lead to the chamber's entrance, Legolas paused. He looked carefully around to make sure no one was watching them; and Kelsey gently tugged at his hand, giving him an assured look. They climbed the stairs and Kelsey moved to lie down on the bed, and Legolas froze just inside the room. As Kelsey lied down, she could see that Legolas was still nervous of the idea of getting caught.

"Legolas, where is your sense of adventure?" Kelsey said, smiling at him.

Legolas did not seem to see the humor in her words, and still shifted uncomfortably in his place.

"Please come here, nothing is going to happen" she pleaded, and it was all the words she needed.

He finally moved to the other side of the bed and lied next to her. She moved to rest her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arm around him. At first, he seemed rigid, but then relaxed; and he moved to rest his head atop of hers. And there they slept, in true tranquility.

The next morning, Erubadhriel knew that Kelsey must ready herself for the journey she was going to begin today. As she readied Kelsey's belongings and prepared her meal, she hoped that Kelsey would be awake before she came to her chambers. She climbed the stairs, and entered through the doorway, only to find the most startling sight she never expected to see.

There, lying on the bed, were Legolas and Kelsey, tangled in an embrace and fast asleep. Erubadhriel contemplated if she should wake them, but then she decided against it. She saw the peace they had in their faces as they lay, truly happy to be lying next to one another. Instead, she placed the tray of food and her packed items down on the lounge sofa at the foot of the bed, and crept from the room. And the two lay there, not knowing of her presence, and happily holding one another.

Kelsey was the first to rise in the morning, and she looked next to her to see Legolas, still lying beside her. He was facing her, and his soft, elvish face had a delicate smile on his lips. She stretched in the sunlight and groggily rose her sleepy body to start preparing for her journey. She took care in not waking Legolas; he looked so peaceful sleeping there. But what she saw on the lounge sofa at the foot of her bed, made her rethink leaving him be. A tray of food, and all of her packing belongings, were placed meticulously on the lounge sofa. The tea that was on the breakfast tray was still steaming with warmth in its pot, so whoever left this had not been gone for long. Kelsey could only assume, that the person who had left this was Erubadhriel. A voice from the doorway confirmed her suspicions.

"I did not wish to wake you" a voice said from the doorway, and Kelsey saw Erubadhriel standing there.

"Thank you", Kelsey said, full of confusion, "why are you here so early?"

"You must get ready for your journey, you will be leaving soon" Erubadhriel explained, moving across the room to pickup the tray of food for Kelsey.

"But...you won't tell anyone of this...will you?" Kelsey asked, worried of the possible exposure of her secret.

"Not a word, my Lady" Erubadhriel said, "I promise".

Kelsey smiled at her handmaiden. "I have grown so close to you during my stay, seems to be a shame to leave you behind", Kelsey said.

"I admit that I regret to see you leave Rivendell", Erubadhriel said, "but I know it is your destiny to do so".

"I hope we will see each other once again" Kelsey said to the handmaiden.

"As do I", Erubadhriel said, and smiled at her.

Suddenly, Kelsey heard Legolas ster beside her in his sleep on the bed.

"Hurry, you must leave, before Legolas sees you", Kelsey said to the handmaiden urgently, "I promised him we wouldn't get caught".

Erubadhriel smiled and nodded, and quickly exited the bed chamber.

Just as the last of Erubadhriel was seen from the doorway, Legolas moved to open his eyes.

"Good morning, my love", he said dazily, and she turned to smile down upon his sleepy face.

As he began to wake slowly, he looked around the room to find her belonging packed, and the breakfast tray on the bed.

"Where did all this come from?" he said, slightly confused.

"Erubadhriel brought this here" she said, not being able to bring herself to lie, "not to worry though, she will not tell a soul".

Legolas seemed displeased that someone had found them, just as his worries had warned him against; but he quickly seemed to not let it disturb him.

"At least we know she will not breathe a word of it", he said, as he took a cup of tea that Kelsey had poured for him.

"Indeed", she assured him, and took a sip of tea herself.

"I do not regret staying here" he said, smiling lovingly at her.

"Nor do I" she said, touching his hand.

"But I must go", he said, looking out the window and judged the height of the sun in the sky, "I expect you will be leaving soon".

Kelsey did not care for the words he spoke, but she knew them to be true. She would have to quickly prepare herself, before anyone else came looking for her.

He stood and made his way to her doorway, and Kelsey followed him. Just before he crossed the threshold, he turned to look once more at her.

"I love you, Kelsey" he said, and his eyes pierced through her soul.

"I love you, Legolas" she said, swallowing down the rising tears that came to her eyes.

And then they kissed, the very last kiss. Kelsey held herself close to him, and kissed him with all the passion she could muster. She would remember this moment forever, for it would be the last moment she would have like this. As they parted, she watched him leave, and felt a solitary tear run down her face.

Kelsey was now ready, on the back of Miriel, with Eraisuithon atop a horse beside her. She had Laegrist, strapped to her back and she was dressed in her traveling clothes again. Lord Elrond had given her an elven chest plate of armour, custom-made to fit her small physique. She felt ready, as she stood at the gates of the city, waiting for Lord Elrond and a company to bless their departure. Lord Elrond, Arwen, Erubadhriel, Legolas and his Mirkwood company, Lord Aragorn, and Gandalf, all stood together to wish them a safe journey.

"May the powers at be, follow you on your quest. May they protect you through times of struggle, and go forth, with our blessing" Lord Elrond said.

Kelsey and Eraisuithon bowed their heads in respect to the elf lord.

Legolas, as discretely as possible, came to her horses side just before she turned to leave. He whispered words that only he could here.

"Guren *níniatha n'i lû n'i a-govenitham" he said to her, in the tongue of Sindarian.

She looked at him, with a confused look, but tried to not show her true emotion. She nodded respectfully to him, to not arouse suspicion, and urged her horse on.

As she rode to join Eraisuithon's side, he turned to look curiously at her.

"What did he say to you?" he asked, seeing Legolas and her's exchange.

She repeated the words to him, trying to mimic the velvety tone of Sindarian, as she spoke the words she could hardly understand.

Eraisuithon smiled sympathetically as he heard her utter these words.

"What does it mean?" she asked.

"It means 'My heart shall weep until I see you again'" he explained to her, and she suddenly felt the magnitude of his words.

She turned to look at him one last time, and he was almost too far away to see. The rest of the company had turned to depart from the gate, but only Legolas remained, watching her leave him.

And that was the last she saw of him, or so she thought...