A/N: Thanks for all the reviews. Karina, thanks for your comments on the "I would consider it" line. Part of what I intended to convey was Seven's uncertainty about the whole situation—basically her version of "is he really proposing?" and also going along with what he really asked rather than implied, not to mention simply stalling to try to take it in. I guess maybe that didn't come across as well as I'd hoped. Anyway, sorry for all the babble. Enjoy!
Chapter 24: Reunion
One day, Seven was working in the garden. She had her sleeves pushed up to her elbows and tied with string. Her hair was also tied with a bit of cloth. She had rags tied to her knees to cushion them from kneeling on the ground. She had just finished transplanting some of the young plants that needed thinning, and now she was pulling weeds, her hands covered in dirt. A couple of the children had offered to help her, but she had sent them to see if their parents required any assistance. They had seemed especially energetic, but she had begun to learn that even the weather could affect their energy level. If she had been busy, she might have accepted their help, but she had no other pressing duties—even this could have waited—so she left them to their games.
Seven's only companion that day was a puppy that seemed to have "adopted" her. She had left a bowl of food for the puppy once at Éowyn's request near the end of winter, but hadn't thought the animal had seen her. She had worn gloves, but somehow the dog must have caught her scent anyway, and now it was her constant companion. She had come to enjoy its company and had named it "Tip" because of the white tip on its tail, the only spot of brightness on an otherwise black dog. He was still somewhat small, but he promised to grow large. Seven had already taught him a few commands. He seemed eager to learn.
At the moment, Tip had found a rabbit to chase. Seven didn't even try to call him back. She knew he wouldn't listen anyway, and it would set a precedent of disobedience that could be difficult to break. He rarely left earshot anyway. Seven heard him bark, then growl. That was unusual. If had had caught the rabbit, which was unlikely, he might bark a little, but would bring it back to her immediately. It was a good thing that dog had plenty of food available, because he was a very poor hunter.
A moment later, the growling stopped. Tip emerged from the woods, his tail wagging. He ran over to her and licked her dirty hand, turning the dirt into slobbery mud. Seven wondered if he had just been warning another animal away from his territory, but then a figure stepped out of the woods.
Seven caught the motion out of the corner of her eye before she actually saw the figure. She pulled the dagger from her boot before pushing herself to her feet and turning to face the newcomer.
Legolas laughed at the sight of her—her hands were covered in dirt, as was the bottom of her skirt. She even had smudge on her cheek. He'd approached quietly, but not soundlessly, so she must have been absorbed in her work on the little garden to not hear him. She replaced the dagger, smiling. "Legolas!" She walked to the edge of the garden, fighting the urge to run into his arms. She was filthy. She picked up a towel she had left at the edge of the garden plot, moving a little stiffly.
"I take it the dog is yours?" The mutt was dancing around her ankles, a shoe in his mouth.
"Drop it, Tip!" The dog dropped the shoe. Legolas realized Seven was barefoot. Seven walked toward him, but stopped short of touching him. She glanced down at her dirty hands and skirt. "You haven't caught me at my best."
Legolas smiled, drinking in the sight of her. "You're beautiful, Seven." He reached over and brushed the smudge on her cheek with his thumb. He kissed her, but she kept the kiss light. He stepped back, a little confused.
"I do not want to touch you with my hands so dirty."
"I don't care."
"It will only take a moment for me to wash them." Legolas laughed, shaking his head. Despite the awkwardness over dirty hands, she seemed more relaxed than he'd ever seen her. If it made her uncomfortable, he could wait for her to wash them. She walked over to a stream running by the edge of the clearing. She rinsed her hands in the water, then sat down on the bank and pulled her skirt up just far enough to dangle her feet in the water without getting the dress wet, then removed the rags from her knees. Legolas watched her in amusement. She had changed so much since he'd first met her. After a moment, she dried her hands on the towel and got up. She dropped the towel with her shoes and walked over to Legolas, but then paused, not sure what to say.
Not bothering with conversation, Legolas pulled her against him and kissed her firmly. Her hands went to his neck naturally, now with no reservations over dirt. "I've missed you, Seven." As he held her, the dog started to growl. He hushed it with a few words in Elvish. "I think your dog is jealous."
"He will have to adapt."
Legolas laughed. "I don't think I realized how much I missed you until now." At first, her odd expressions had seemed odd, but now they seemed completely natural to him. He kissed her again. "How have you been?"
"I have been well. There is much work to do now that winter is over."
"I know. I wanted to come sooner, but it was easier to wait for spring to get the wagons here. This morning, I decided to go on without them. I've wanted to see you, but I didn't want to leave the wagons for too long. I should find Lord Faramir and speak to him."
"The noon meal will be soon. I'll take you to him, and you can share the meal with us. Will you return to your party yet today?"
"It probably won't be necessary. They should be here by evening. Even if not, they don't need me with them to find their way here."
Seven slipped her shoes on and gathered her things. The two of them walked back towards the city, Tip running ahead of them as far as Seven would allow. As they neared the city, Seven surprised him by pulling him off the path, out of sight by any watchers coming from the city, and kissed him hard. If took a few moments before they got around to continuing into the city. Not surprisingly, a lot of the children were playing in the common areas, the older boys practicing archery, the others at various other games. As they approached, the children turned and stared. They had never seen an Elf before. One of the boys hit a bullseye as they approached. The others congratulated him absently, staring at Legolas.
"Where is the Lord Faramir?" Seven spoke to all the children.
"I think he's in the hall." One of the older boys called.
"Perhaps you would find him and inform him that Prince Legolas is here. After you do, come back and tell me." Seven arched an eyebrow and the boy ran off to do as she asked. The children had learned that look. They would find Faramir as quickly as possible and relay the message. Seven's discipline was usually less painful than their parents', but it was also more consistent. They couldn't talk their way out of trouble with her. She wasn't about to let them simply stand and gawk, even if they had never seen an Elf before.