Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story other than Raven and Ravenhooves. All are the work of the fantastic J.R.R. Tolkien who wrote LOTR and gave us the chance to experience different things and for me to write fan fics. Please no one sue me!

Flashback 3

Legolas returned to Lothlórien after an absence of over three years. He had stayed until he felt he couldn't stay away from Raven any longer. Even his father had told him that he was becoming unbearable; such was his desire to see her again. Since his departure from Lothlórien, he had become acutely aware of why his fair elf was called Raven. She had used numerous birds to send messages of love to him and he used them to send similar messages back. It seemed that Raven could control birds like the sun did the flowering of plants but it did not concern Legolas, for he knew that Galadriel possessed many qualities that could be seen in a wizard and it only seemed that some of those powers had been passed on and taught to Raven, for she was seen as the future of the elves because if neither she or Arwen fell in love with another elf, there would no longer be any young elves left and all that had been would be forgotten.

   As Legolas arrived in the inner boundaries of the elven city in Lothlórien, he could hear the sound of song coming drifting along with the wind. Legolas closed his eyes, listening to the familiar sound of Raven's voice and letting the joy rise up in his mind, body and soul. Legolas followed the sound of the voice and found himself outside Raven's quarters, listening in silence to the song she sang. It was a song of love and joy and Legolas smiled when he listened to the words. Soon the sound of the song died down and Legolas became aware of the world around him and it was then that he realised that Arwen had been watching him from afar.

'I see you are still here.'

'You know I spend much of my time here. As much as I love Rivendell, Lothlórien feels more like home.'

'Your father is Galadriel's son is he not?'

'That he is Legolas, but he does not visit here often.'

'Ah, you have freedom when you are here, whereas in Rivendell your father keeps an eye on you.'

'I am glad you have returned, Raven was beginning to lose hope. She would not admit it, but I could tell from looking in her eyes. She has deep feelings for you Legolas.'

'Does she love me?'

'That is not for me to say. She will tell you in time, if that is how she feels. Now, do you want me to tell her you have arrived, for I know it will come as a great and joyful surprise.'

'I would like that very much, thank you Arwen.' Arwen nodded and walked inside. Moments later she appeared again, smiling to herself.

'She asks that you wait here; she will call you in a second. Take care of her Legolas.' Arwen walked away and again left Legolas standing alone. Through the soft lilac cloth that covered the door to Raven's chamber, he could see the soft light of a candle flickering as it burnt, casting a large shadow of Raven on the wall. Legolas watched the shadow as it moved about the wall, mirroring Raven's every move.

'Legolas?'

'Yes?'

'You can come in now.'

'Have you kept your promise?'

'You shall see if you enter.' Legolas took a deep breath and slowly pushed the cloth to one side, entering Raven's chamber. A soft but pleasant smell filled the room around them and the candle made the room feel warm and romantic. Legolas saw Raven sitting on a stool, her hair to one side, covering her face but there was no veil on her head. Legolas knelt by her side and gently lifted his hand to her hair, using his fingers to slowly brush her hair from her face. He then cupped her face and turned it so he could look into her eyes. When he finally looked at her, Legolas took in a sharp breath and stared into her eyes. Her face was unlike that of any other elf he knew. Unlike the other elves, it had colour and brightness to it. Most elves had pale faces, a colour that would match the rest of their skin, but Legolas had already noticed the colour in her skin when he saw her hands. Her eyes were so dark they were almost black, whilst most of his kin had blue eyes. Legolas could find no words to describe what he saw; he was so taken aback by her beauty.

'So?'

'So what?'

'What do you think now you have seen my face?'

'I think that before I already knew you were the most beautiful being that could bless the lands of middle earth. Everything from your songs to the way you treated others proved there is no one else quite like you. Now I have seen your face and I am inclined to believe I was wrong-you are the most beautiful being to bless the lands of this world and no one, not even those in the havens could compete with both your inner and your outer beauty.' Legolas watched as a tear fell down Raven's face and wiped it away with his thumb.

'I have heard people say that they think I will always be alone for no one feels they have the right to be with me. I do not want to live my life alone and I am glad I have found you.'

'And I would like the chance to prove that I am right for you, if you will give me that chance.'

'I gave you the chance to prove it from the second I spoke to you and you took it and everything you have done so far has not made me doubt you in any way.' Raven leant forward and kissed Legolas softly on the lips. Legolas felt his lips respond and soon the pair were caught up in a passionate embrace. Legolas pulled away and looked into Raven's eyes, fully aware of what his body wanted and needed. He closed his eyes as he felt her breath hit his face in short, sharp gasps and leant his head against hers. Raven cupped his face and wait for Legolas to open his eyes before staring into them.

'Legolas, I know what it is you want. I want it too, will you share my bed with me tonight?'

'If you are sure this is what you want?' Raven nodded before walking over to her door and shutting it tight. Next came the shutters over her window before she lay down on her bed. Legolas sat down beside her and softly stroked her face before bending down to kiss her. Legolas stopped kissing Raven and softly blew out the flame of the candle before turning his attention back to Raven.

Legolas woke the next morning feeling happier than he ever had done. He smiled as he felt Raven's body in his arms and looked at the light piercing through the holes in the shutters over her window and at her door. He lay there thinking about the night before and watched Raven as she slept soundly in his arms, never stirring for a moment. At least an hour had passed before Raven woke and she smiled softly and Legolas, kissing him gently before sitting up. Legolas watched as she began to get changed and sighed as he listened to her sing. She jumped back on the bed, straddling his body and looking deeply at him.

'Come on, it seems to be a warm day outside, let's make the most of it.' Legolas did not answer; instead he cupped her face and pulled her down for a long, slow kiss. Raven finally pulled away and giggled softly.

'Come on.'

'I'm not going to win this, am I?'

'No Legolas, you are not.' Legolas sighed and got changed before following Raven outside where it was bright and sunny, with birds singing and a soft breeze rattling the trees. The two lovers walked together before Legolas stopped and pointed.

'It seems that even our horses like each other.' Raven followed his gaze and saw that both her horse and Legolas' horse were nuzzling each other. Raven smiled and turned to Legolas.

'I love you.' Legolas looked at Raven in shock before smiling broadly.

'I love you too.'

'Well, that is a relief.'

'Come travelling with me! There are so many places that I could show you, none as beautiful as this, but they are intriguing, filled with adventure and history. Then we could travel to Mirkwood and I can introduce you to my mother and father, for I would like them to know what you look like and what sort of person you are. I can describe you in as much detail as I can, but my father will not believe it until he sees you.'

'Very well Legolas, I shall join you on your journeys and I shall gladly meet your family.'

So the preparations were made and Legolas and Raven soon set off on their first journey, although it would not become their last and they would go on to have many exciting tales to tell about their travels together. 

   When Legolas' family met Raven, there was an air of excitement surrounding the occasion and it seemed that a party had been thrown in their honour, in honour of two elven lovers who could bring one last hope to the elves. But twenty years would pass before Legolas and Raven even contemplated marriage for they were happy as they were, spending their time together, travelling through middle earth, discovering all the different lands and meeting different folk who lived in those different lands. For them, life was perfect as it was, but both knew that they should marry so that they could have children without losing honour.

End of flashback 3

Back in Lothlórien

'Twenty years? If you were a hobbit, that would have been half your adult life together.'

'Yes, but elves live for a long time Merry. We cannot die unless we are killed in battle, so twenty years seemed like nothing to myself and Raven. Like I said, we were happy as we are.'

'So, did you propose? Did she accept? Raven sounds beautiful, where is she know?'

'Sit tight Sam and you will find out soon enough.'