They left Mirkwood the next day.  With them came several Elves, including Gelthoniel and Tuthoniel, Faunryn and Westryn, and of course Elunell.  Glamren brought his sister Sadron, youngest and quietest Elf of the group.  She had taken a special liking to Nori, and they spent most of the trip riding and talking quietly together, a little apart from the others.

Legolas and Nori did not speak of what had happened by the river, either to each other or to anyone else.  They both understood their own feelings, and felt they could wait until they arrived in Ithilien to discuss them.  So they went on as they had done before, and the group reached Emyn Arnen in very good time.



Barely fifteen minutes after their arrival, as Nori was pointing out the view to Minas Tirith to Sadron, a messenger approached them and called Nori to Lord Faramir.  Hoping she had not offended Faramir and Eowyn by not going to them immediately, she went now in haste, and asked Sadron to tell Legolas where she had gone.

Sadron met Legolas already on his way to see the Lord and Lady.  Upon hearing of the messenger he quickened his steps, and reached the palace within a few minutes.  He entered the great hall, where he found Eowyn alone and downcast.

"My Lady, it is good to see you again.  I hope all has been well?"

"Quite well, dear Legolas, until this morning," Eowyn answered sadly.

"Surely nothing has happened to Lord Faramir?," said Legolas, stepping toward her with a glance around the hall.

"Oh! no, my lord is quite well.  Only we have had some upsetting news from Dol Amroth.  It seems Lord Thalion, Nori's uncle, has been taken ill with a fever.  Calenmir wrote us a note, in the hope we might get a message to you in Mirkwood and hasten Nori's return.  A message had just been completed when you arrived."

"Then I am glad we arrived so much sooner than expected!  But have you told Nori of this?  I understood she was coming to see you."

"Yes, she went to her room but a few moments before you came in.  She is anxious to leave within the hour, and my lord has gone himself to see that a fresh horse is prepared."

Legolas politely excused himself and went in search of Nori.  When he reached her door he knocked and called her name softly.

"Come in," she said.

He entered and saw her standing at the window.  She turned to look at him, and the fear in her eyes made his heart ache.  He quickly walked toward her and opened his arms.  He felt her arms close around his middle with panicky tightness as she laid her head on his chest, and he silently stroked her hair until she stopped trembling.

"I'm sure everything will be fine," he said finally.  "You're uncle is still a young man, and if he is anything like his son, he is a strong one, as well."

"Yes, I'm sure you are right.  But I am still so frightened!"

"I know," Legolas said, holding her tighter.

After a moment, Nori pulled away and looked up at him.

"I am glad you found me before I left.  I would have hated leaving without at least saying good-bye to you."

"Shall I stay with you until you're horse is ready?"

Nori nodded, and they sat down on a small couch at the foot of the bed, hand in hand.  After a few moments, Nori sighed and looked down at her lap.

"I wish I could know when I might see you again," she said quietly.

"Whenever you wish.  You will always be welcome in Ithilien, I'm sure.  Or, if you'd rather I came to Dol Amroth, you need only ask."

Nori looked up quickly, eyes wide.

"You would do that?"

"Of course."

Letting go of her hand, he gently ran a finger across her forehead and down her left cheek.  Wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer, he kissed her softly, then pressed his mouth to her ear.

"I love you, Norusell," he whispered.  "I would do anything you asked of me."

Nori pulled away slightly and looked in his eyes.

"I love you, too."

Placing one hand on the back of his neck, she pulled him toward her, and kissed him with intensity that surprised them both.  Then she put both arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

They sat that way for a few minutes, until a knock at the door signaled that all was ready.  Together they went down to where Lord Faramir and Lady Eowyn waited with the men who were to escort Nori to Dol Amroth.  After sending messages to the Elves and her friends in Minas Tirith, and promising to send word of her uncle's health, she said goodbye to the Lord and Lady.  She could say nothing to Legolas, but squeezed his hand tightly.  He seemed to understand, and returned the squeeze in silence.

Finally, Nori mounted her horse and rode away, without looking back.  Legolas stood and gazed after her, until long after she was out of sight.