Here's Chapter 8. I put both up as 7 was rather short. Read, review, and most of all…enjoy!

Gilraen3.

Chapter 8, Home.

  It took Rinamarth 3 weeks to get home. The Lothlórien Elves went all the way with her. When she arrived back, her parents were waiting.

"Rinamarth!" her mother cried as she galloped under the arch. Rinamarth smiled at her, and jumped down off Aistel. She ran to her, and her mother held her.

"Nya yeldë, (My daughter)" she whispered. Next, Rinamarth went to her father. As he held her tight, Rinamarth whispered;

"Avanta nillo Adar, (Forgive me father)".

"U-moe edhored nin hén. (There is nothing to forgive my child.)" he whispered back. Her sister and brothers then held her, and she had tears of joy in her eyes, as did everyone.

  As they walked inside, Rinamarth started talking about what had happened to her, and how. She described how she had had to abandon Aistel, and when they heard this, her family knew for certain she had been under some sort of spell, for she would never give up her horse, no matter what the circumstances were. She said how the Orcs had come upon her, and that Legolas had rescued her. When she spoke of him, her eyes lit up, and she smiled more than ever. She remembered how he had healed her, and helped her recover. She told of their time in Lothlórien, and how they hadn't realised so much time had gone by.

"Legolas and I vowed to see each other again as soon as possible," she said.

"Well, he'll certainly be coming here. We need to thank him again, and again and again and ag…"

"Alright Arwen, I get the picture," laughed Elrond. "They will be welcome here any time they wish, and I can't think of any way to thank Legolas enough."

"He said to Galadriel that he wanted nothing, just a comfy bed that night. That was the first night we were there," said Rinamarth. They were all sitting in the Hall of Fire now. That night, there was going to be a grand feast, such as there had never been seen in Rivendell before. Every single Elf in Rivendell would be present. Then, there would be a dance.

"I am not dancing with anybody," said Rinamarth quietly.

"Why not?" her mother asked.

She looked at her. "I only dance with Legolas," she replied. Her mother smiled.

"Very well."

  The feast was amazing. It lasted many hours, and the dance afterwards was just as fantastic. Rinamarth kept to her word, and danced with no one. She found that, wherever she looked, she could see Legolas sat there, talking to Veborion, just like the first time she had met him. This saddened her, for she missed him greatly. She watched hardly any of the dancing, just the floor. Eventually, she could stand it no more.

"I'm going for a walk, it's too hot in here," she told her mother, and walked quickly out before Celebrían could say anything.

  She went to the river. The place where she and Legolas had first gone together. She knelt down, and gazed at her reflection. She saw a fair-faced maiden looking back at her, but something was different. Her hair. It was so short now compared to how it used to be. She brushed her fingers through it. It used to take her quite a while, but she could do it in a couple of seconds. She looked away. It was all because of her, that witch. Thank goodness Legolas had killed her. She lay on the ground, and sobbed silently. She had loved her hair, what had made her cut it so short? She knew the answer of course, but she couldn't believe she would be that weak. She hated herself for chopping all her lovely hair off. She must look terrible. Then, she remembered Legolas' words from Lothlórien;

"You're beautiful, and you must remember that." She smiled, and sat up.

"You're right Legolas," she said aloud. "I am beautiful, and nothing is going to get in the way. Thank you."

  Meanwhile, Legolas himself had already been home a couple of days. He arrived back in the middle of a storm. He ran into the stables and put Jaiston away.

"Mara Jaiston, (Good Jaiston)" he said as he patted his neck. Jaiston nodded. Legolas laughed, fed and watered him, then ran inside. It was absolutely pouring down, the wind was howling, and the thunder reared and clapped around him. A bolt of lightening flashed across the courtyard, lighting it up. In it's light, Thranduil saw from his study, a figure hooded and cloaked run across from the stables, and into the palace. He went to see them.

  He walked down the stairs, to find to his surprise and delight, his dripping wet son, standing in the middle of the hall, squeezing the water out of his cloak.

"Hello Adar, sorry about the water!" Thranduil just laughed, and ran to his son.

"Finally, you have returned," he said as he held him.

"Adar, you're going to get very wet!"

"I don't care. Come, get changed into some dry clothes, and come to my study. You have lots to tell me!" Legolas hurried to his room, shoved some clean, dry clothes on, and headed to his fathers' study. He knocked on the door.

"Come in." He walked in, and sat down opposite Thranduil.

"Legolas, you didn't have to knock!"

"Just being polite." They laughed together.

"Come then, tell me everything. Here is some food and wine for you." He handed Legolas a plate and goblet. He gratefully took it, and talked whilst he ate.

He told of his long journey, how he had come across Aistel who was literally dead. She had then led him in the direction Rinamarth had gone, and in the distance, he had seen the approaching Orcs and a tiny figure slumped on the ground. He had galloped to her, and fought the Orcs, He indicated to his now healing cheek and arm wounds. He then said how they had got to the river and the witch had been waiting for them. He described the fight with her perfectly, and how Jaiston had kicked her into midstream. Thranduil laughed at this point. Then, how they had stayed in Lothlórien for a month, then gone their separate ways again. He stopped, and looked at his father. "Make a good book?" he asked. He laughed again.

"I should think so. Will she be home yet do you think?"

"Possibly, she does have further to go then I do."

"True. And there are Elves with her you say?"

"Yes, I made sure she wouldn't be alone."

"Well done. Now, we just have to wait and see if Elrond writes a letter."

  He did. As soon as Rinamarth had been home a couple of days, he wrote a long letter to both Thranduil and Legolas, expressing his dearest thanks you's, and if he could repay Legolas in any way, they just had to name it. He said when she had arrived home, and that she was perfectly fine, (so as not to worry Legolas.) He hoped Legolas had had a safe journey, and that he was again, eternally grateful. He also said they were welcome to go to Rivendell whenever they wished.

  They wrote back, saying he wanted nothing, he had done it out of his love for her, and would not let her get hurt in any way. They would love to go to Rivendell again some day, but they were not sure when. Well, Thranduil wasn't, Legolas was ready to go any day. They said that Elrond and his family were also welcome to stay in Mirkwood at any time.

  Although all this was said, nothing happened for many years. Whenever one planned to go to the other, something would come up, and they would have to cancel. This irritated them incredibly, for they missed each other dearly. The years passed, and they grew up even more. Legolas became an even keener huntsman, fighter, and rider. Rinamarth grew more beautiful, her hair gradually grew back, and her singing improved dramatically, not that it really needed to. Little did they know it, but they would not see each other again until many, many years later.

That's the end! Of this one. I have a sequel on the way. Here is a little extract to give you an idea.

From 'Almost Strangers', Sequel to 'Silent Elf'.

  The day dawned bright, as Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood, set out for Erebor, the Lonely Mountain with his father Thranduil, and a host of Elves. They were going to help the townsfolk of Lake-town, after the Desolation of Smaug. There was to be a battle, he knew that, but he hoped it would not be too serious. He rode at the head of the group with his father, the sun shining brightly upon a small crystal in the centre of a heart that lay upon his chest. The crystal sparkled in the light, and Legolas remembered. He thought of her, miles away with her family in Rivendell. Rinamarth, his beloved, whom he had not seen for nearly 500 years.

  When they arrived, they had a long wait. But soon, the fight began. It was The Battle of Five Armies, for there were Elves, Men, Dwarves, Goblins, and Eagles. Legolas took his stand on Raven Hill along with his fellow archers. As he fired arrows down into the hearts of the evil goblins, he thought constantly of Rinamarth. For a split second, he thought he saw her, standing among all the dead, watching, and smiling at him. "Na varna, (Be safe)" she whispered. His concentration lapsed. He walked towards he, but she started fading. "No," he whispered.

"Legolas tulo-at. Tó na khaya faarea! (Legolas come back. That is far enough!)" he heard someone shout. He saw Rinamarth disappear, went to look round, felt a huge thump on his head, and the world went black.

That is actually the whole of the first chapter, its very short. Just an introduction really. When I post it, I'll put the first 3 chapters up, as they are all short. It should be up within the next few days.

Well, I hope you enjoyed 'Silent Elf'. I promise that I did not get the idea from The Little Mermaid. Please review these last chapters with your thoughts, and any ideas for 'Almost Strangers'. Thanks! ^_^

Gilraen3.