By the time Amina returned to the others they were all asleep. And that was perhaps for the best as she had so much to think over. She had remained with Elrond for the rest of the day, learning everything she could about the elf that sired her. Listening to old childhood stories and hearing the almost hero-worship that the elf lord had for Maglor. She would not lie to herself, there was a strong part of her that resented the fact her father loved and cared for children not his own, yet left her abandoned. And of course she thought about the forward vision of her dying should she choose mortality. On one hand, mortality was about death as an end-game, with zero chance of sailing to Valinor. And should she live an immortal life she would suffer through the worst kind of aches and pains when it came time for her brother's demise.

Feeling the need to rid herself of those unpleasant thoughts, her eyes turned to the elf she had fallen for. A little smile lit her face at seeing his sleeping form, he looked so peaceful and so alive. It was these thoughts of Legolas that finally calmed down her active mind and lulled her into slumber.

As for the male elf, he woke early that morning, before the dawn and spent the entire time watching her soundlessly sleep. Seeing her chest rise and fall in perfect rhythm seemed to captivate him for several moments. He'd lived a long life and in his heart it felt like every step he'd ever taken had been leading him to her. Always he'd been one who went all the way when it came to his heart's desires. And he desired Amina, wanted to hold her, protect her…to just be with her.

Slowly the thick darkness of night was being chased away by the dim grays of early morning. As his eyes seemed to never leave her face, he noticed right away when she began to stir. Letting a small smile light his face, he imagined she had an internal alarm clock to wake her just in time to see the colors of dawn. The thought pleased him as the waking of the day had become their special time for them to share in.

Her eyes blinked open before she brought herself into a sitting position. Letting out a yawn she stretched out the kinks in her body from sleeping on the ground. It delighted him knowing she could sleep in a comfortable talan all to herself yet she chose to stay near him. And all the while he watched her, studying her face and luminous eyes as she became more and more awake with every second that passed.

He moved to sit up and stand, enjoying the moment of catching her attention as she noticed him. Walking over to her he let out his hand for her to take, and she rose to stand beside him quite readily. Her hand felt at home within his grasp, as though her hand was made for him to hold. This was a moment long in the making. Even from the first night he laid eyes on her stunning beauty as she seemed to float towards him over that small bridge in Rivendell, everything had been leading to this. And he could see it, all her hidden emotions reflecting back at him in the early hours of this fated morning.

Silently and rather slowly he led her down a small path, grateful his body was feeling up to the light trek to the ideal location in his mind. Lothlorien was the most beautiful of lands belonging to his kin. And he knew just the spot to take her to enjoy the dawn at her side. It wasn't much further now, just on the outskirts of the inner city. A small crystal clear waterfall fell into the river as he led her over a white wooden bridge with arches of branches framing either side aesthetically. They stopped in the center; there were quite a few clouds this morning, now glowing pink and amber at the first touch of dawn. While the view was beautiful, his attention was fixed on her. He meant what he'd told her that night long ago in Edoras, that she was made for the moon but he found her most beautiful in the blush of morning.

Looking at her, watching her face and expressive eyes, he felt it was time to make his feelings for her made clear. He didn't find any joy in sensing her self doubt and confusion. Legolas wanted her to be sure of how he felt. She deserved that much from him. And so he turned to face her and waited patiently for her to take in the beauty of this place before she would meet his eyes.

With her body now turned towards him, he sent her a soft smile. He brought his left hand up to slide into her hair, his fingers gently caressing a pointed ear, the act bringing their bodies closer. He could hear it so clearly, the pounding of her heart marching to the pace of his own. Her lips trembled as they continued to stare at each other. She had to know. He couldn't go another day without her knowing what was in his heart.

And finally, after fighting off confusion and denial for so long, he closed the distance between their mouths. Lightly he kissed her at first, pulling away after the first slightest contact, needing to see what was in her eyes and loving the surprise and happiness he found there. His hand moved slowly, almost painfully slowly, from her ear down to her neck and over her shoulder. Legolas felt his heart sing in pleasure as he felt her hand slowly intertwine with the fingers of his right hand, being so very gentle to not cause him any pain.

Amina watched as his sensual lips moved to cover hers again, longer this time, more firmly. So many emotions were swirling throughout her heart. At the center was simple awe at the feeling of his mouth connected to hers. A small wisp of a noise escaped her throat as she felt his bottom lip open over her own. Legolas pulled away from her slightly at the sound, his eyes like heated pools of cerulean blue as they pierced through her.

This time she leaned in to meet his mouth with her own, feeding off the spiraling need growing within. Bottled up emotions exploded between them, the wonderment of a new attachment grew in the very depth of their souls. Their lips were parted now, eager to taste more of the other's flesh. Amina found her arms reaching up to get lost in his perfectly golden and unbound hair, gently tugging at the end as if to draw him even further into her. She relished in feeling his hand on her back drawing her as close to him as possible.

The touch of lips slowed to a stop until their mouths were just a short distance away, either one of them remaining close, foreheads resting against each other with closed eyes. Just breathing in one another and savoring this moment.

Legolas was the first to open his eyes as he leaned back to gaze upon her fair face. His arm remained around her, needing to feel her close to him. He wanted to memorize the look on her face, with her eyes closed and lips parted, she was so beautiful. His heart trembled when she opened her eyes, her blue-grey gaze misted over with desire…desire for him. This was a moment he would cherish for the rest of his existence.

"Legolas," her shaken whispering of his name brought a new kind of pride into his soul.

The corners of his mouth lifted up and he tilted his head to the right just slightly before telling her, "Please tell me you feel the same."

Her body trembled in his grasp, all the same she answered, "I think," her voice was so soft to his ears, "that you already know my feelings for you."

He watched in satisfaction as she brought a hand to her mouth, as though she could still feel his lips on her own, "I would be with you, Amina, as long as you would have me."

Sudden tears glittered in her gaze, confusing him as he felt her insecurities rising to the surface. She pulled herself away from him, turning her back on him, bringing them both pain at the loss of touch, "You are a prince Legolas. I am a half-elf. I don't deserve you," she whispered at the end.

Understanding finally dawned on him, so this was why she held back from him for so long? She felt she wasn't good enough for him? Oh how she couldn't be more wrong. With a calm breath leaving his lungs, he took a step towards her, "You, my lady…my princess, are mistaken. All of that means means nothing when it comes to the matter of my heart. And my heart calls for you and you alone. Amina," he gently turned her around by the shoulder so she could see the sincerity in his gaze. When she did turn to face him again, he grabbed her hand and placed it over his heart and let her feel how wildly it was beating for her, "this is what you do to me." Daringly he rose to place his own hand on her chest, just above her breast, and could feel, just as he could acutely hear, how strong her own heart beat for him, "I belong to you just as you belong to me."

She smiled even as a tear dripped from one of her eyes and she quickly moved into his embrace doing her best to mind his injury. This was where she belonged; she could feel it just by hearing and feeling his strong beating heart. Amina felt the freedom in finally letting go, especially knowing that while she continued to fall for him, he would be there to catch her.

They spoke quietly to each other, laughing and giggling in the happiness they found as they enjoyed the rest of their time in this amazing, private moment. Time was spent holding onto one another, lightly sharing kisses as the sun continued to rise and shine brightly over them.

He made her feel exceptional and beautiful with the way he looked at her. His actions showed her how much he wanted and loved her, made her affection for him soar higher than ever. And for a while, he simply held her to him from behind as they peered up at the skies together. The silence and the closeness meant everything as they savored this beginning of a new life.

After a while Legolas whispered into her delicate ear, "We will need to return soon, they will start looking for us." Being here like this was so easy and natural, as though they'd already spent a lifetime holding and loving each other just like this.

She nodded, her head resting back against the left side of his chest and shoulder, "And we can't leave poor Gimli all to himself." The chuckle that escaped him made her grow warm inside at the sound, "You should laugh more. I do love the sound."

His left arm pulled her tighter to him, "I laugh when I am happy; and you my lady," he gently kissed her neck, "make me very happy."

As one, arm in arm, they slowly made the trek back through the path that eventually led them to the open clearing they had been staying in the past few days. Surprisingly they were alone and guessed the others were having breakfast. Enjoying a few more moments to themselves with their new change in relationship, Amina made her love rest again to recover his strength. Holding her hands with his own he lay back as she sat beside him. They took turns from talking quietly together to staring at one another with longing and complete happiness.

And that was how the elven king of Mirkwood found his son and the female warrior. Quietly he approached the area and stopped just as he saw the raw adoration shining in the eyes of his son as he gazed lovingly into the she-elf. They were looking at one another as lovers, not as friends. The sight of his son being so openly happy brought a tempered smile to his face. Long had he imagined the day his son and heir would find a wife of his own.

And of this particular she-elf, he could approve. She has been claimed and presented as royalty, connected through Arwen to Lord Elrond of Rivendell. The elven lord himself stated that he would have accepted her into his house long ago. And now he has learned she has the blood of Fëanor running through her veins. Yes, he could approve of his sons' choice of a mate.

Moving closer to them, he watched with growing amusement as the she-elf noticed him first and tried to pull her hands away. Only Legolas glanced at him as he tightened his hold on her, causing her to sprout a small blush. The sight of them only confirmed his belief that they were made for each other. And finally too, he'd been waiting ages for his son to settle down!

Thranduil rather seemed to enjoy the awkward tension that grew between the three of them. With the blushing lady and his son's firm gaze fixed on him, the elven king could foresee many joyous occasions ahead. He briefly wondered how long it would take for his son to announce their engagement. Oh, and grandchildren! His heart both leapt and ached at the prospect, thinking to himself how wonderful his beautiful wife would have loved a little elfling to spoil. A frown then met his mouth, he was beginning to miss his love more and more with every passing day. Yet he would not sail until he saw his son married and with an heir of his own. Only then would he join his lady wife in the undying lands, despite knowing his kin were leaving this Middle-earth, and felt the urge to join them.

"Good morning, father," Legolas interrupted his thoughts.

Thranduil again looked at the two, "It would seem that it has been a good morning indeed." Cue another blush from Amina as Legolas outright smirked at her as he continued, "The dwarf is bringing extra plates for the two of you, assuming you have not already eaten."

"We haven't," Amina managed to voice as she began to relax, though she could clearly see the need for father and son to speak privately for a moment, "I will go help him," her eyes met those of Legolas as she tightened her own grip on his hand.

Father and son watched as she left them alone. Once he was sure the half-elf was out of earshot Thranduil turned to his heir, "At last you have found your mate."

"I have," Legolas decreed with a stern resolve turning his eyes into blue steel.

The elven king eyed his child and said at last, "It is a good match, I approve," he paused at seeing his son relax, "I am happy for you son."

"Father," Legolas warmly and quite surprised he stated, "thank you." He knew all to well that his father could have denied his desire for her. Though to be honest, he knew even ages before that he would accept almost any lady as long as she was of elven blood. And after waiting his entire life for her, he was grateful that there would be no opposition to their being together.

"I must depart for Mirkwood today, now that I know you will soon be at full strength, the wild of our wood require attention."

With a nod the younger elf understood, "I was planning on accompanying Amina back to Minas Tirith. Gimli and I still hold plans to explore the glittering caves of Helm's Deep, but I'm not sure when that may occur."

"A most curious dwarf," Thranduil mused over his thoughts of Gimli, "you have done well my son."

Legolas felt a surge of pride for his father, knowing the difficulties he still dwelt in when it came to the old lingering prejudice against dwarves. And to see him come so far as to actually show an ounce of trust for his dear friend spoke volumes. His unbreakable bond of friendship with Gimli had become the bridge of acceptance between their two races. He felt that with enough time the animosity would be all but gone.

Thranduil was quick to leave the area then to get the preparations underway for his travel back into his domain. And it wasn't long before Amina returned with two plates in her hands with Gimli following after her while holding drinks. In all actuality the dwarf had been rather pleased to see the lass as it were, seeing as how difficult it was to carry three plates of food and three drinks. It was true that he'd already enjoyed one full plate that morning, but what was the harm in sharing another among friends?

And enjoy the food and drink they did. Even though it was becoming blaringly clear that something had shifted in the balance of their friendship. Gimli noticed how pointy-ear would stare at the lass a bit longer than usual with a sappy grin on his face. And how she let her hands linger over his as she handed him his plate. He was quick to pick up on their secret smiles and was beginning to almost feel like a third wheel.

"Alright," he crossed his arms roughly and eyed the two of them, "does someone want to fill me in here?"

With wide eyes she looked at Legolas in alarm, she was far from ashamed but she was getting the impression that they'd hurt his feelings. Looking back at the dwarf she told him, "I," she hesitated but with another encouraging glance from her elf, she continued, "we are together."

Gimli raised a brow, "You and the pointy-ear?" She frowned at the nick-name but nodded all the same. And with a grin of his own he flew his head back and began roaring with laughter, "Well it's about time!"

Amina couldn't help but to giggle at him just as her hand slipped into the warm palm of the pointy-eared elf she loved.

A/N **Blu: Finally! It only took me 36 freaking chapters! But here you go, the first kiss. So...what did you think?