Disclaimer: I don't own LotRs.

Thank you to all those who helped with last chapter's questions. Feed back is very good. Also to all those who thought the kiss was a little too steamy, yes I know it may be a little out of character but my inner fan girl broke out and took over, I COULDN'T STOP HER!

Hopefully she will calm down now that she's had her fun.

Having said that, I am personally not happy with how this chapter turned out. Thoughts please!


The Promise

"And I took my sword and stuck it right through its leg." Merry made a dramatic jabbed into the air, however his action was so sudden it startled Pip, who fell off the edge of the bench.

It had been three days since I had woken, and following the many tears and hugs that accompanied my recovery, came the awakening of Sam. His wounds were not as serious as we had thought, and it was only fatigue that troubled him now.

It had been a long time since I had seen him, but had not changed one bit. He was still the polite, humble and sweet hobbit loyal to his friends. He now sat with Merry and Pip and Merry re-enacted how Eowyn had killed the Witch King himself.

I sat across from them with Gimli who snorted as he smoked his pipe, enjoying the little show. Legolas and Aragorn stood a little ways off so they could speak without interrupting Merry's story.

I found a great deal of comfort at last, here with my friends.

"It fell to its knees, allowing Eowyn to sink her blade right into its face. It writhed and screeched like orc and its body decayed into a pile of nothing." Merry pretended to 'die' and fell to the floor. "Well how about that. I will most certainly be very careful not to anger the lady in the future." Gimli said, tapping his pipe on his lip.

As he did, I couldn't help but sneak a glance at Legolas.

We had agreed to keep what had passed between us a private affair to avoid unpleasant attentions, namely a certain bitter suitor. In public we remained friends but when we had a moment alone, Legolas would hold me in a tender embrace and I found I could be a little more relaxed and dare I say childlike. And only when we were alone he would call me 'Melamin'.

Right now he looked his serious self as he and Aragorn discussed something. I was curious as to what but thought better than to poke my nose into their business. If it was of some importance, he would tell me about it in time.

Which reminded me, I would have to tell him soon.

"Is your arm any better today Miss Deorwynn?" Sam asked when he became bored with Merry rolling about on the floor.

"It is fine Sam. Just a bit sore that's all." I smiled and lifted it slightly. By recommendation my arm now hung in a simple sling. "But more importantly, how are do you feel?"

"Well, thank you."

His eyes betrayed him, as they kept darting over to the closed door of Frodo's room. Gandalf was in there currently and was waiting for him to wake from his prolonged sleep. I could sympathize with Sam's behaviour and wished to ease his mind, as well as my own.

"I'll check up on him for you." I said and began to make my way over to the door. "But, I don't think Mr Gandalf would appreciate it." Sam quickly spouted, but I just shrugged. "I can come and go as I please. I am the Stewardess for now."

I gently knocked on the wooden door and waited.

"Come in."

I turned the iron handle when I heard Gandalf's muffled voice from within. The door creaked as I pushed it open. Gandalf was standing at the foot of the bed, gazing down at the small figure tucked tightly under the soft blankets.

I stepped lightly around the side of the bed to have a better look at him.

The warm sunlight shined in from the window and created a healthy glow around Frodo, making him looked much better than the last time I saw him. The ash colour of his cheeks had faded and his visible wounds were healing.

But still, his eyes looked hollow and he was undernourished. "Any changes?" I asked softly.

"None." Gandalf sighed,

I sat on a small chair by the bed. Being this close I could see what looked like a burn mark on his chest. It was round and dug into the skin.

"Will he ever completely recover?"

"His spirit has taken a great toll and may never fully heal." I gave a small nod, remembering my own marks. "But, in my experience with hobbits, I have learned to always be surprised by them. Particularly the Baggins folk."

"I'll take your word for it then."

I leant back into the chair and watched Frodo's chest rise and fall at an even pace. This was a good sign at least. My right hand automatically went to my neck and clasped the velvet bag hanging there.

"Please wake up Frodo." I muttered, "Wake up so that I can thank you."

Where ever his spirit had gone, however tired it was, it must have heard me. For a few seconds later his eyelashes fluttered for a moment before opening fully. His arms hesitantly felt the bed around him as he pulled himself up. It must have been a while since he had felt the comfort of a bed. I watched him raise his eyes and gaze up at the wizard.

"Gandalf?" His voice whispered and cracked a little. Of course, we still thought he was gone. I was immediately glad that the first thing he saw was someone dear to him. My smile grew larger and I could feel the sting of a tear in my eye.

Gandalf started to chuckle out of sheer joy, for once again it seemed the hobbit had surprised him. Frodo's face lit up even more with a smile of pure happiness, and I knew that it was probably the first time he had smiled like that in a long time.

He turned and finally saw me at his side, "Deorwynn." He exclaimed, and I through my good arm around him, hugging him tightly.

"Welcome back." I half laughed and half cried. Holding him made me remember just how small he was. His dark curls tickled my nose as he hugged me back. "Thank you." I whispered.

As I finally released him, I heard the sound of running feet approach the door. Pippin's face poked through the door first before Merry threw it open all the way.

"Merry. Pippin."

The two hobbits laughed and bounded over to the bed. I pulled back just in time as Pippin jumped and tackled Frodo with a bear hug. Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn were not long after them.

"Haha! Laddie! You're up and fightin'" Gimli bellowed and clapped his hands together. Legolas and Aragorn just smiled and stood back while Merry and Pippin did all the talking for now. Sam was the last to enter, edging himself slowly to my side. It was like he was trying not to be noticed by anyone. I was not having any of this and placed my hand on his small shoulder, telling him that it was alright now.

The Fellowship was gathered and whole once more. Even though he was gone, I could feel Boromir here with us, smiling. I couldn't explain how I knew, I just ... felt it, like when you could sense the coming of rain in the air. Maybe now his spirit could finally rest in peace knowing that the quest was completed. That is want I'd like to think.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Aragorn tap Legolas on the shoulder. I couldn't hear exactly what he was muttering to him over the noise Pippin and Merry were making.

Now I was very curious.

xxxxxx

Our reunited company talked, laughed and even eat together until the sky became dark and dusk settled over the healing city walls. We trickled out of the room slowly to allow Frodo to rest and all went our separate ways, but Sam remained at his friend's side.

I myself quietly made my way to a quiet courtyard of white stone, were dull green ivy grew on the walls and over a small fountain that was built into it. Two large archways opened the courtyard out to the world and the whole city could be seen below. I was pretty sure I was the only one who was aware of such a hidden gem, having spent many hours of my early adolescence sitting alone, utilizing it for reading or extra sword practice.

It was here I expected to find Legolas.

He stood by one of the archways gazing out onto the fields. But I could see that he was looking further than the fields, and even further than Mordor.

Perhaps it was the future he was searching for.

Regardless, Legolas appeared deep in thought. No doubt he already knew I was here, so I joined him at his side.

"Does something trouble you?" I asked softly.

He dropped his watchful gaze from the fields and rested his eyes on me, "I would hope not. Not on such a happy day." He said. I crossed my good arm over my sling casually. "You have a 'v' in between your eyebrows, meaning you're thinking too hard about something."

"I merely look for tomorrow's answers." It became clear what he meant.

"I do think of tomorrow too." I said in a low voice. I took a long intake of air and told him. "Aragorn has asked that I remain the Stewardess, and as one of his chief councillors once he is crowned."

"I know Melamin." He tucked a stray hair behind my ear with a single finger.

"After this is all over, what do you plan to do?" I didn't want to ask this question, but with everything that had happened between us, it was a very important question.

Legolas smiled a little. "I intend to return home and offer a proposition to my father." Legolas stated with confidence.

"What about?"

"Aragorn has offered an alliance between Gondor and the Wood Land Realm. If all goes well I wish to establish a colony in Ithilian. The land itself is dying and in need of healing, and my people are capable of doing so. I'm sure my father and I can come to an arrangement of sorts."

I was in very surprised at what he was saying. "A colony? But I thought that the elves were leaving Middle Earth. Aren't you people ...?"

"Wood Land elves love the land too much to let it go just yet. In time they will leave."

"And will you?"

Legolas' jaw tensed a little and he looked down at his hands. "No. Regardless to what may occur in the near future, I intend to remain here in Gondor. To remain with the woman I love. That is ... if she will let me."

"But ... what about ..." My question caught in my throat when I realized what he had implied. Did he even know what he was implying? "You do know what you are asking?"

He pulled me into his chest and wrapped his longs around me, resting his cheek against my head. "Of course. You are dearer to me than anything else in Middle Earth Deorwynn." He murmured into my hair, "Your companionship has become something I shall never experience again and I treasure it."

I shook my head, "But what you want, are you sure that it is right?"

"Yes," Legolas pulled me from his chest and took my face in his hands. "I would take a single lifetime shared with you than a millennium regretting it."

For a moment, my eyes closed and every thought, question and feeling about what he had said flashed before me. It was only a moment but felt like years flying by. One thought just screamed 'Yes' while another warned 'Remember, your time is very little'.

Yes, my time was limited compared to the ageless elf.

But I guess ... that made it matter. Not just to me but to him. He would value every second just as much as I would.

"Do you really think it could be real?" I asked, opening my eyes to staring once again into the blue abyss.

He did not speak, but just nodded.

A promise was made there and then. A promise sealed with a simple kiss.


Fact: Melamin is an elvish form of endearment meaning 'My Love.'