Life after High School. Is it scary? You bet.

By Risty Maskell and Silver15

Disclaimer: Nope, not ours

Summary: No idea

**************************************************************************** **********

(Billee's POV)

Three days after Jaime and Frodo had left, the younger students went on vacation. Me, Legolas, Colan and Emma were all going back to Rivendell with Elrond and then once Colan was settled, Legolas and I were planning to take a short trip to Mirkwood. Jaime had told me that her and Frodo were staying in Gondor for a week and then heading to Mirkwood. Legolas and me planned to be there about the same time. However, I was beginning to have second thoughts about leaving Emma alone. Since Jaime had left, she had seemed more down than ever, she was refusing to talk and she wasn't eating properly. I was very worried about her, well I suppose we all were. She had already lost Jaime and I knew that if anything happened to her while I was gone, I'd never forgive myself.

The day after the students left, Elrond locked up the school and we rode to Rivendell. It was a beautiful place, it really was. Although Emma said nothing, I could see that she was mesmerised by how beautiful it all was. Colan was also amazed. He kept pointing at things and saying how pretty they were. But if Rivendell itself was beautiful it was nothing compared to Elrond's house.

When we first stepped inside, all four of us just looked around, unsure of what to do. It wasn't until Elrond told us to relax and make ourselves comfortable that we dared to move. I knew that living like this would take some getting used to, but this was my home now and I was glad.

It was getting late and we had been riding for much of the day so I gave Colan a couple of biscuits and put him to bed. He fell asleep immediately, tired out by the long ride. When I came down, Emma said that she didn't want any dinner and that she was going to bed too. I looked at Legolas and shook my head sadly. Things didn't look good for her.

Legolas, Elrond and I sat down and ate our dinner quietly. There didn't seem to be a lot to say. I got the feeling however, that having us around made Elrond happy. He lived alone during the vacations, because his wife died and his three children have grown up and left now. Arwen was the last to go. I was glad that someone cared for us and in return we could make someone happy.

After dinner, Legolas and I took a walk around Rivendell, hand in hand. It was really nice to spend some time alone, just the two of us.

"Billee" Legolas said after a few minutes. "Why are you so quiet tonight?"

"I'm worried about Emma," I admitted quietly. "I'm worried about leaving her here with just Elrond and Colan. If anything happened…"

"We don't have to go" Legolas told me gently. "I mean, yeah I want you to meet my family and everything, but we could wait until Jaime comes back from her honeymoon or something. I don't mind, Emma means a lot to me too, so I know how you feel"

I pulled him towards me and kissed him. I was lucky to have such a sweet, understanding boyfriend. And no way was I ever going to lose him.

"There's another way," I said softly, kissing the base of his throat as he began to unbutton my shirt. "She could come with us. Then Colan and Elrond could too if Elrond wanted to. We could stay with your father and they could stay in an inn. That way we could all be together"

"That would work" Legolas agreed, gently biting my ear. "And Jaime and Emma will get some more time together. I think that would help Em a lot"

"I'll talk to Elrond tomorrow" I told him with a smile. "And in the meantime, let's make the most of our time alone"

The next morning, I got up early and went down to the kitchen. Elrond was giving Colan his breakfast when I went in.

"Morning Billee" he said with a smile. "Sleep well?"

"Fine thanks" I told him, sitting down and running my hand through Colan's hair. "How are you, little one?"

"Daddy has been telling me stories," my little brother said excitedly. I had to smile at that. Colan recently started calling Elrond 'dad'. Little kids, it's easy for them to adapt. I still call him by his first name, but Elrond doesn't mind. He tells me to call him whatever I feel comfortable with.

Very briefly I explained what Legolas and I had come up with.

"I think it would be good for Emma to see Jaime for a while" I explained. "And it would be a comfort to me if I could keep an eye on her. Plus it's her eighteenth birthday in about a week and I know that she'll want to spend it with Jamie. If you don't want to come, then we could leave Colan here with you. We thought we'd leave it up to you"

"It would be good for Emma to get away," Elrond agreed thoughtfully. "And I think I'd like to see Mirkwood again. So" he picked up Colan's bowl and smiled at me. "When are we leaving?"

We left Rivendell two days later. Emma didn't say much, but I knew she was pleased to be coming with me and to be able to see Jaime again. We were going to get there a couple of days before Jamie, so Legolas would have time to introduce me to his family and everything. But as soon as Jamie arrived, I needed to talk to her. Emma is the youngest in our group and I wanted to make her birthday extra special, but I needed Jamie's help too.

It took us two days to reach Mirkwood. As soon as we had un-mounted, four little elves appeared from nowhere and threw themselves on Legolas. Legolas laughed and tossed the smallest one in the air.

"Who are these guys?" one of the bigger ones asked. Legolas introduced us one by one. Then I gave Colan to Elrond and went off with Legolas to meet his father. I was nervous about it, even though Legolas had reassured me that his father wasn't so bad. But I need not have worried. He was great and we got along really well. He didn't even seem too bothered about the fact that Legolas and I were lovers. That was one worry off my mind. Now it was just a matter of waiting for Jaime…