"How is my son?" King Thranduil's question broke the silence of the room.

Elora forced her gaze from Legolas. "He'll be fine. I set the bone and wrapped the arm. I gave him something for the pain. He'll sleep like this for a few hours." She handed Thranduil a vial. "If the pain returns, let him have two drops of this. I'll return in a few weeks to unwrap the arm."

The king smiled. "Thank you, Elora. It is lucky we have you back in Mirkwood." He gave her a fatherly hug.

"Thank you, my king." Elora gave a slight bow. "It is good to be back. But now I must get home."

"Of course. Come back soon, my dear."

"I will," Elora smiled at the king. "Good night." She quietly slipped out of the room, Legolas on her heels.

Outside the room they found themselves alone. Legolas smiled broadly. "It's so good to see you again!" he said happily. "How have you been? How long are you back for? What's it like in Lothlorien?"

Elora grinned at him. "So many questions, Legolas. I will answer them, but now I must get home." She turned to leave, but he gently caught her hand in his.

"May I walk you home?"

"I have a horse."

"I can have someone take it to your house. Please, Elora." He was giving her that helpless look again, the look she could never resist giving into, be it to give him half her cookie or dancing lessons. "We haven't seen each other in so long, and you're just going to leave?"

She sighed. "Alright, Legolas. If you really want to."

They walked in silence at first, getting reacquainted with being in each other's company. The quiet was just beginning to become uncomfortable when Elora slipped over a stone. Legolas grabbed her hand to steady her, then quickly looked away to hide his soft laughter.

"What's so funny?" Elora demanded.

"You," he replied. "Still ungraceful in skirts."

She smiled. "When did you get so tall?"

Legolas shrugged. "A while ago."

"Hmm."

Again, the awkward pause.

"I'm sorry," he suddenly blurted out.

Elora stopped to look at him. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm sorry about, about that night. Before you left. I never apologized to you about what I said to you." He stopped, then took a deep breath and continued. "And I'm sorry I stopped writing you. It's just-I…"

"Legolas," Elora interrupted. "Legolas, it's ok. It was just a childish fight; I forgave you a long time ago. And as for the letters…we just got busy. It happens." They walked on for a few more steps when Elora stopped again. "But just out of curiosity, whatever happened between you and Norenna?"

Legolas laughed. "You won't believe me."

"Try me."

He eyed her suspiciously. "Alright. We did date, a few years ago. But we broke up. She fell for someone else."

"Who?"

"Styrn."

"Styrn? My Styrn?"

"The very same." Elora started to laugh. "Yes," Legolas continued. "It appears Styrn grew into his gawky limbs after all."

Elora laughed even harder.

Legolas turned to face her. "Oh, how I've missed that laugh," he whispered. "Can we go back to the way things used to be between us?"

"No," said Elora truthfully. "We've both changed…"

"I haven't changed…"

"Yes you have. We both have. That's what happens when you grow up." She saw his face begin to fall, so she continued. "We can't go back in time, Legolas. But we can go forward. It won't be the same, but…"

"But different doesn't mean bad," Legolas finished.

Elora smiled at him. "Where did a dumb blonde like you learn a thing like that?"

Legolas shrugged. "I heard it from a stupid red-head."

They were now standing before her tree. "I better get up there," she said. "They probably already know I'm back and are expecting me. Thank you for walking me home."

"It was my pleasure. I'll see you tomorrow," he called as she climbed up the ladder.

It wasn't until he was halfway back that he realized that, since she had stumbled, he had not let go of her hand.