A/N: I am pleased to announce that I have defeated my writer's block! So I am officially back! I will begin review responses next chapter and everything! Thank you all for your support, I hope you take this chapter to your liking! I have the next one already written and ready to publish tonight! Yayyy!

It's so good to be back.

P.S.

I have been receiving so many messages about Lauren, and your hope and concern brings tears to my eyes. Thank you for the support and prayers! As of now, Lauren has been moved home. They renovated her house so that it is accessable to her. Just the other day she moved both of her legs! She still hasn't been able to talk, but she lets it be known when she is upset or aggravated or happy, etc. She's improving, and like I've said before, baby steps. Thank you all again, you are such loving individuals, it reallys means the world to me.

-A

Chapter 35 - Home at Last

"Legolas, wait!"

She followed after the elfling like a lost puppy for what seemed like forever. There was no where for her to go, and if she could just catch up to him…

As she was in mid stride something caught her eye.

Alexandra skidded to a halt and raised her hand so that it was level with her face. With wide eyes she slowly turned and examined her skin.

"I'm…glowing-"

Oh no…

Alexandra searched the darkness with frantic eyes.

"Legolas?"

There was no reply and what little light she had vanished with the elfling. She'd have to continue on alone. She clenched her eyes shut and listened intently for any sound… movement… something.

But there was none.

~X~

She didn't know how long she wandered there in the dark. It was strange, really. She had entered with so much determination and bravery, but she could feel it begin to wane. There was nothing; just an endless, soundless, meaningless, nothing.

Alexandra stopped and thought back to the day she had been stabbed on the trek to Minas Tirith. She had prayed she would never return to this place. It was the definition of hopelessness, and now Legolas was here.

He must feel so alone...

She knew how it felt. It was as if every bit of happiness and love had been drained for your body.

Happiness.

Images of home flashed through her mind. Her mother's kisses.. her father's hugs.. Leo's goofy grin.. Images of Thalion and Arandur playfully wrestling like siblings made her lips twitch upwards, even Naranmil's cat-like smile had the same effect..

She chuckled as images of her and Legolas laughing came into view... she saw his gaze as he bid her goodnight when they stayed at the inn in Orondel and then again as they would set up camp. His gentle face softly illuminated by the orange glow of the flames...

He was always watching her with those endless blue eyes.. She had taken the simplest things for granted, she had taken it all for granted.

With a newfound determination, she opened her eyes and took off into the black once more. She would run forever if she had too.

Soon she began to notice a change in the air. It was getting colder..

She was close now.

Suddenly, a gray haze began to whirl around her feet and lick at her calves. She then noticed she was running on stone and from within the dewy fog, colossal fallen pillars began to emerge. She knew this place, she had seen it before in her dreams. She shook off the chilling memory for the time being. A lone path was all she had to follow, but it was enough. He was here somewhere, she knew it.

The elleth called out his name as she darted through the ruins.

Maybe he could hear her…

As she was immersed deep within the wreckage she felt her heart stop.

The elleth shakily drew in a breath at the sight of the back of an elf resting on his knees. She slowed to a walk and approached cautiously.

With gentle strides she circled around the elf and knelt directly in front of him. His eyes were downcast and unfocused, and he made no move as she made her presence known.

"Legolas?" she whispered.

When she didn't receive a response, she tried again, only louder.

"Legolas, can you look at me?"

The elf's eyes remained downwards as he answered so softly that even her first-born hearing was strained.

"You have returned, ghost… you visit me too much…"

…

"I am not a ghost, Legolas."

…

"Such words… such deceitful words…"

"No, I'm really here-"

Suddenly, his eyes flared with an anger she had never seen before.

"You taunt me with these lies! With false hope! You come and you go and each time you are no different, dead! You have her eyes, you have her face… but you are now what I made you, a product of my failure and that is unforgivable! I endlessly repent for my crimes, and you, ghost, take what is left of my sanity with you every time you reappear! You ask me "why?" why I failed you, why I killed you. You stare at me with those dead eyes, with a bloodied face, you show me your last moments… Tell me, ghost, is there no relief from this torture?"

…

"Legolas, please… look at me."

Slowly, his eyes rose and met hers as he whispered with such sincerity it broke her heart,

"Forgive me."

"Legolas, I'm here. I've come to bring you back. There is nothing to forgive."

…

The elleth hesitantly extended her hand and rested it on his cheek.

"Let's go home now."

Ever so cautiously, she leaned in and gently pressed her lips against his.

As her lips met his, she no longer felt cold. A feeling of warmth seeped into her body, flowing through her veins like liquid sunshine. The gray sky faded into a brilliant white light that mercilessly flooded the wreckage and filled the sharp crevices until they disappeared into the background. The haze dispersed, along with any trace of hopelessness or despair that had once been present. Let's go home.

~X~

When she woke she was in her bed. She sat up slowly, balancing herself on her elbows.

Was it all just a dream?

She rolled over onto her side, expecting to find Tegalad sitting in his usual spot, but found another in his stead. She was met by beautifully piercing blue eyes and a warm smile. He was leaning against the wall gazing at her. His silver hair rested on his chest, unrestrained and natural.

She threw her blankets off in a single motion and dove into his welcoming arms. Pure joy and longing washed through him. Finally, not being able to take the feeling any longer, he pressed his lips gently to hers, hesitant, asking.

Her lips answered, opening for him. His hands fell to her waist, fingers digging into the soft fabric of her dress, pulling her into him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, standing on the tips of her toes, deepening the kiss. He took his fingers and gently stroked her cheek bone and then reached around to entwine his fingers in her thick curls, feeling the need to savor everything that he had dearly missed.

He closed his eyes and kissed her without abandon.

This, was home.

A/N: What'd you think? Next chapter will be up tonight! Annnnd you'll finally get to see Greenwood!