DISCLAIMER: OTHER THAN LORIEN, I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS IN THIS STORY, THEY ALL BELONG TO THE FANTASTICALLY TALENTED J.R.R. TOLKIEN AND I HAVE MERELY BORROWED THEM FOR THE SAKE OF A STORY. I, MYSELF, COULD NOT COME UP WITH A STORY SUCH AS LORD OF THE RINGS OR CREATE ANY OF THE CHARACTERS WITHIN THESE STORIES, SO I DO NOT PRETEND TO OWN ANY OF THEM. I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE STORY AND AGAIN, ONLY LORIEN IS MY CHARACTER.

'It is no better than he deserves.' Legolas replied, anger and fear still evident in his voice. He carried her down to the rest of the travellers and set her down. Aragorn dismounted and hugged Lorien.

'I am glad you are safe.'

'I thank you for your concern Aragorn, and I thank every one else also.'

'You do not think that Legolas would have left you here, do you? And I in turn would have come with him. You give us hope and beauty Lorien.'

'Bless you Gimli.' Lorien's eyes fell on to two small companions.

'Merry? Pippin?'

'We are pleased to see you are safe Miss Lorien.'

'I too am glad to see you.'

'Lorien has worried about you since the day Boromir died. She was injured trying to save you.'

'I did not do a good job. I do hope that the orcs were not to horrid or that the memory will be lost one day.' Lorien felt something nudge her side and she turned to see Shadow standing next to her.

'Do not worry my old friend, I had not forgotten you. What a loyal steed you are! I thank you for safely carrying my Legolas.'

'I think we should go and rest now. You are tired Lorien, as are we and we have a hard time coming and little rest will be had.'

'If I may, can you excuse Lorien and I for a while, I wish to speak to her alone.' Lorien watched the others leave and then turned to Legolas. He took her hand and led her to just inside Fangorn forest. There he turned to her and she could see tears falling down his face.

'What is wrong my dear Legolas?'

'I have never felt such fear in all my long years. I was so frightened that you had been killed, or worse.'

'Oh Legolas, I too was scared, petrified if the truth be told. But I still had hope for I had you in heart and mind. Tell me, how did you know?'

'Haldir told me, just before he passed. It seemed he held on to tell me your fate.'

'Oh dear, brave Haldir.' Legolas moved closer to Lorien and hugged her tightly before he kissed her softly. It seemed that their separation had intensified their feelings for one another. Legolas pulled a ring from a pocket on his tunic.

'You found my ring!' Lorien said with great joy and happiness. Legolas almost laughed with relief at how happy Lorien was to be reunited with her ring.

'Yes, I found it. It seemed to shine despite the dark and the death around it, a signal that it was to be reunited with its owner.' Legolas took hold of Lorien's hand and slipped the ring on.

'Promise me that you will never ask me to be away from you again.'

'I did so for your safety but this has made me realise I want you by my side no matter what. Now, let us go and rest. I want to be able to hold your body close to me and have a good night's sleep.' Lorien followed Legolas to one of the guardhouses that Merry and Pippin had taken over. There they had set aside a room for Legolas and Lorien. Lorien turned to Aragorn.

'Do not argue! You have been through a terrible time and you have earned the right to use the room. The rest of us will sleep soundly enough. Now go!'

'I thank you all!' Lorien said softly before following Legolas into the room and shutting the door.