A/N: 1) I am sooooo sorry this is so short, but it felt like a good stopping place. 2) This took a while to get out, even accounting for length. Well that's because my internal hard drive crashed on the computer I originally did this on and it took a bit to get another one. 3) Yes, part of my delay was also that I am trying to finish the first chapter to the sequel for this so I can post the last chapter here and the first chapter there at the same time. More info is down in the second A/N. I hope you enjoy.

Thoughts and also flashback...

As I started to wake up, I noticed that the inside of my eyelids were red.

"Why's the light shining through? I keep my wind- Oh..."

I blinked my eyes open, slowly adjusting to the light. I sat myself up in the bed, slowly looking around the room. Looking for Legolas. My eyes caught something different though.

On the dresser beside me sat a necklace. One that was familiar to me.

I sat down harshly on the ground, stretching. This hiking stuff was really kicking my butt. Across from me, I saw Legolas sit down gracefully. "That's how we mark our time through this world."

I stared at the elf. He started talking to me about his culture a few days before and it's been interesting. The only problem, currently at least, was that I had no way of figuring out how to ask my question. It gnawed at my mind and finally decided to try and ask him.

I put my left hand out and used my right to make it look like the appendages were walking. The blonde in front of me looked at it.

"Walking?"

I shook my head.

"Traveling?"

Again I shook my head.

"Journeying?"

No.

"Does it have to do with the walking or destination."

I tilted my hand back and forth, then held up two fingers.

"It involves the destination?"

I nodded.

"So… is it heading?"

Again, no.

"Coming?"

I shook my head yes, tapping my nose. Then I drew a circle in the air and then drew a 'F'.

"I do not know what that is."

"It looks like the word 'of'. That's how we spell it in the Shire," Frodo said, "Is that right Adela?"

I nodded.

"So it is 'Coming of-'... Are you wondering about our coming of age ceremonies?"

I held up two thumbs, nodding. Wasn't completely right, but hey, it answered my question and I get to have more information on it.

"Our coming of age ceremonies happen when one reaches their first century. They usually involve celebrations. My father would always like to hold parties for those who came of age in Mirkwood." He said, and quietly moved closer to me. Reaching into his tunic, he pulled out a necklace. Unclasping it, he placed it it my hand.

It was in the shape of a leaf. The leaf was an emerald green, with silver running down the middle of it, not quite touching the tip of it. The same silver outlined it and branched out from the main line, three on each side. It was warm in my hands from where it took the heat from his skin. Before my thoughts could trail off from that, Legolas started talking again.

"This is a gift from my mother that I received on my coming of age celebration. I always keep it with me."

I looked at him. His eyes were filled with sadness as he looked at the necklace. He looked back up at me holding my gaze. The elf showed a little half smile, "She died about two hundred years after my coming of age ceremony."

I touched his arm softly. His hand closed over mine.

"Thank you."

It shined in the morning light. I felt my breath catch in my throat as I threw the blanket off of me.

"His necklace is here, that means he must be here still."

"Or it means that he's already left and wants you to have it."

"But he said he'll come back."

"No he didn't."

"But he has to come back. They allhave to come back."

"Then you better hold on to it for him."

A day passed. Then two. And then three. Sighing heavily, I looked out the window, rubbing the jeweled leaf between my fingers. There was a knock on my door as I called out a reply. I heard the door open and close. Soon after, Ѐowyn called out my name. Slowly I turned to face her.

"Yes?"

"Are you worried?"

"No. Not really."

"How come?" she asked, taking a seat across from me. I turned to look back out the window, towards the darkening set of clouds.

"Because they'll come back. Safe and sound. They have to."

~Haru's POV~

A scream tore from my throat as I slashed my sword at an orc's neck. My arm started getting tired from the weight of the shield I was carrying. It was getting harder and harder to swing my sword. I was really starting to regret ever coming here.

I finished cutting down an Uruk-hai. From behind me I heard my name.

"HARU!"

Quickly, I turned around. My eyes immediately found the person who called out to me.

"Edmund…."

A/N: Yes. I felt like a cliff hanger was a good place to stop. Anyway, about the sequel, It will follow the Hobbit, but what I am going to do is mix the movies and the book together for it. Why? Because I like how relationships are expanded in the movies, but I like the plot to the books better. I'll try to get the next chapter out as soon as possible! Especially since we probably only have... maybe two or three chapters to go. (I'll try for three.) I love you all and thank you for reading! I hope you'll continue after this. Review!