Yay, 100 reviews! I love you all very, very much! *Chucks great big bag of cookies out to readers*. I knew you guys wouldn't let me down.
Just this chapter, then there is only ONE MORE TO GO! :-( But it's been fun whilst it has lasted, wouldn't you agree? (Hint, hint, review! ^_^)
This chapter has a bit of humour, and a bit of soppiness in it. (If that word even exists.) Read on, and you will soon see what I mean by that. ^_^
~Lainfaer~
(Actually, Lothliana,. Who put the 100th review up is my best mate at school. I wonder why she suddenly reviewed…)
Elerrina- Yep, mouth-to-mouth. Eww…
But at least it saved him! ^_^
Thanks for reviewing.
Gwyn- It would be a cute slash wouldn't it? Do you like slash stories then? I am actually writing one at the moment…
Thanks for reviewing. ^_^
Idril Miriel- Here's chapter 25 for you. Hope you like it, and that is as good as you say the others are. ^_^
Lothliana- Thank you, you made it to 100!!!!! Enjoy. ^_^
Espel- I hope you will survive! I don't want any dead readers on my hands thank you very much!
EnglishMystic- Thank you. Hope this is ok for you.
Deana- Here you go. I did finally get 8 reviews, so I now have 100!!! Thanks for reviewing. ^_^
Chapter 25: Home and Happiness.
Legolas did not remain in Imladris for much longer after he had recovered. All he wanted was to get back home. Elrond had said he had to wait at least a month after he had awoken to start riding again. He would walk around impatiently, willing the days to pass quicker. He wanted nothing more than to get back home to his family again. Besides, he and his father had to select a new Captain to take over the Army. He had told his father in a letter of Balaremels' fate, and Thranduil had replied, saying he had someone in mind, but would wait until Legolas returned to tell him whom.
Nifredil had been buried beneath an ancient willow tree beside the river. Legolas would go there almost every day, and just stand in silence for a while. She had saved his life in that stable, and he would always remember her. He would never have another horse like her, so devoted, and loyal.
The end of the month finally came, and Legolas was already packed to leave. As he was readying his new horse, the twins scowled identical scowls at him. "So eager to leave us, look brother," Elrohir said, his arms crossed over his chest.
"I will agree with you on
that dear brother. After everything we've done for him, he's going to gallop
off and leave us."
"It's not entirely fair is it?"
"No, not at all. After all, we haven't had much fun with him, as he's always been injured!" Elladan loudly emphasised the last bit.
Legolas grinned. "I'm sorry, but I have to get home. It was Spring when I arrived here, and now it's literally Summer. I must return home." He looked apologetically at them. "Sorry."
"Well its downright unfair. I might just instruct Culina to chuck you off her back so you'll get injured again and have to stay here for another month," Elrohir said, grinning cheekily.
The dark red mare just
looked at him with a look of complete disgust. Legolas laughed. "No, she's mine
now. She'll only obey my instructions. Looks like you've lost the battle boys."
"Maybe, but the war isn't over yet," Elladan said, grinning. Legolas raised an
eyebrow. "Why do I always get the feeling something not particularly nice is
going to happen to me when you two do that?"
"Because you can obviously see into the future," Elladan replied. The twins
looked at each other, then lunged at their friend.
They pinned him to the ground, and started mercilessly tickling him.
"No, stop it! Dan, Elrohir, please! Have mercy on me! Stop it!" He wriggled on the floor, but they wouldn't let him free. "You know I can't stand being tickled!"
"Exactly," they replied in unison, ignoring his pleas.
This relentless torture continued for what seemed like hours to Legolas, and when they finally released him, he was very much out of breath. "Thanks, I'm covered in straw now," he complained, sitting up and brushing it out of his hair with his fingers.
"So are we," Elladan informed him. He looked at them, and cringed, realising he must look the same.
Bits of straw stuck at all angles out of their dark hair, and their clothes were coated in it. He knew that he also had bits sticking at odd angles out of his hair, and when he looked down at himself, he saw he also had a nice yellow coat of straw. He sighed. "I'm going to have to get changed again."
"Never mind," Elrohir said cheerfully, helping the disgruntled Prince to his feet. Legolas just made a face at him, before pushing them both down in the straw and running full pelt out of the stable, laughing.
"Legolas Greenleaf!" they both yelled. "You're going to pay now!" They ran after him, straw flying out behind them.
****
The Mirkwood party was gathered in the main courtyard, all packed and ready to leave. Legolas had said his main farewells to the twins and Arwen. He was mounted upon Culina saying his final good-byes to Elrond.
"We will never be able to thank you enough for what you have done for us Legolas," Elrond said, bowing gracefully.
Legolas replied with an inclination of his head. "It is I who should thanking you my Lord. If you had not discovered what the creature was, and how to destroy it, the whole of Mirkwood could have been taken over by now."
"Give your father our blessings, and ride with all speed home." Legolas smiled, bowed his head once more, and galloped out under the arch, his company following.
The twins watched their friend disappear with sinking hearts. This experience had certainly brought them all closer together, and they could not wait for the next opportunity to see him again.
****
Legolas galloped on ahead, enjoying the feeling of freedom, the wind blowing though his golden hair, and his companions behind him happy and jovial once again.
All except one. Dolenmíl was silent, riding along at a steady pace, her head bowed. Legolas looked back over his shoulder, and frowned. He knew what she was missing, or rather, whom she was missing. He fell back to ride beside her.
"Dolenmíl," he said softly.
She started and looked up at him. "Sorry Legolas, I didn't hear you approach." She smiled weakly, and looked back at the ground.
"What's bothering you?"
She sighed. "I miss him."
He grinned, but hid it from her. "Who are you missing?"
"Elrohir."
"I guessed as much." She looked back at him. "What am I going to do Legolas? I miss him already, and we have only been apart a few hours."
"Its natural, don't worry about it. As soon as you're back in Mirkwood, with your friends, you'll be fine."
"How do you know?"
"I just do." She nodded, knowing to trust his advice. Goodness knows how many maidens he had left behind in his life, may be never to see them again. She knew of the Princes' reputation for charming the ladies.
He smiled at her, placed a hand on her shoulder affectionately, and then rode back to the head of the column.
"Is she alright?" Rédethuil asked, concern clearly showing in his features as Legolas rode up beside him.
"Yes, just missing lover-boy back in Imladris, that's all."
"Oh, you mean Prince Elrohir?"
Legolas nodded, disappointment shielded by his happiness for his two friends. "They're perfect for each other."
"I have to agree with you on that my Lord. They are well suited."
The rest of the day passed in silence most of the time. The Mirkwood Elves put their hearts and souls in returning to their home, back to their friends and family.
By nightfall, they had entered the Pass. Every Elf felt fear as they rode over the border. The memories of the previous journey through the Mountains were still fresh in their minds, and they did not wish to re-live any of those events.
"Without the carriages, we will get through here much more easily," Legolas told them. "For now, we set up camp, and rest. Get a good nights sleep. We will be riding hard and fast tomorrow. Make sure your horses are well-fed and watered."
The Elves set to work following their Princes' instructions. Small fires were lit as a source of heat and light, and the food was shared out.
Despite being in a place of sadness and anger, the Elves were in reasonably high spirits. The wine was dug out, and many started drinking it.
Legolas shook his head in disbelief at his companions, but the grin could not be hidden. He was offered some wine, and accepted it. Watches were long ago set up, and the remaining Elves sat around the small fires, telling stories, and jokes.
Dolenmíl sat as far away as possible, not drinking or eating. She wanted more than anything to see Elrohir again, to dance with him again. That night had been magical, apart from the bit where Legolas collapsed and almost died. Then the dream evening had turned into a nightmare, but she would never forget the dance with the youngest son of Elrond. The way he held her in his arms, the sweet smell of his skin so close to hers, the tight, yet relaxing grip of his hands on her waist. He was always so calm, so gentle with her. What the differences between him and his twin were, she had yet to discover, but she knew what her feelings for him were. She was slowly, but surely, falling in love with him.
Legolas briefly glanced away from the fire where a friend was telling a rather funny tale, and spied Dolenmíl, sitting alone, with her knees hugged up to her chest, her head resting lightly on them.
He put his wine down, excused himself from the now hilarious tale of when the Elf had managed to get an arrow wedged in somewhere rather…difficult, and wandered over to her. He sat down beside her, and looked at her. She didn't even seem to register him.
"Dolenmíl," he whispered softly for the second time that day.
She looked at him. "Yes Legolas?"
"Please tell me what's wrong. I'm worried about you."
"You have no need to be, I am fine." She looked back at the floor.
"No you're not, I can see that. I thought you trusted me."
"I do, of course I do, but this is private and…personal."
"I know its about Elrohir. He's my best friend, or one of them rather. He wouldn't tell me what was wrong. Why are you both blanking me, shutting me out?"
"We're not!" she argued, glaring back at him, and in the flickering light of the fire, he saw tears threatening to fall. "Its between us, you and Elladan are not involved."
"I only wish to help," he replied softly, keeping his cool.
"I know, I'm sorry," she
apologised, looking away and rubbing the tears away. He caught hold of her
wrist. "Look at me Dolenmíl." She looked at him. He gently wiped the couple of
tears away that had leaked out. "You will see him again."
"How do you know?"
"I am always going back and forth to Imladris, you know that. You can just come with me, simple."
Her whole face lit up.
"You…you mean that? You'd do that for me?"
"Of course I would. I'd do anything for you."
"Oh thank you Legolas!" she squealed, and flung her arms around him. He was a little surprised at her reaction, but he welcomed it all the same. His arms snaked round her waist, and they sat there in each other's arms for a few moments, thinking how different their own relationship could have been.
//Why can't the twins play matchmaker for me for once?//
They parted, and he brushed the tears out of her face, but they were no longer tears of sadness. They were tears of joy.
"Now, are you going to come and have some wine with us or not?" he asked, standing up and holding out his hand for her.
She smiled, took his offered hand, and he led her back over to the fire.
The Elves continued their small party for a while longer, then the fires were burnt low, and they settled down for the night, waiting for the dawn to approach so they could finally get home.
****
It took them a further three days to return home to Mirkwood. There, they were welcomed back joyously, and although there was sadness due to the loss of so many of their finest warriors and kinsmen, there was rejoicing at having their loved ones that had been caught by the Dagnir-o Lóre back.
Legolas' mother watched from her balcony as her son rode proudly in through the archway, leading his people home. She held Celeblaith in her arms, who was now almost one year old. She gurgled happily in her mothers' arms.
Legolas looked round in relief at seeing his home once again. Many of his friends had gathered in the courtyard, and they literally lifted him down off of Culina. He was given a hero's welcome. There were many greetings to get done.
Finally, once the crowd had dispersed a little, he could lead his tired horse to the stable. He looked sadly at the pen that Nifredil used to stay in. As he passed by it, he was sure he saw her standing there, just a shadow, but she was there, her mine shining silver in the sunlight, her dark eyes looking back into his. He smiled, and led Culina into it. That pen had always been his horses', and so it would stay. Then, he heard a distant sound, like the neigh of a horse. He recognised it instantly as Nifredils', and knew that she agreed with his decision. He smiled to himself, and started to groom Culina.
Half an hour later, he was making his way into the palace to see his parents. He had caught a glimpse of his father, standing on the balcony of his study, looking proudly down at him, a huge smile all over his fair face.
He raced up the main stairs two at a time, grinning at the Head butler as he reached the top. "Nice to have you back Prince Legolas," he said respectfully, bowing.
"Its good to be back," Legolas replied, smiling at him. He ran along the corridor, giving brief hellos to those he met along the way. He reached his fathers' door, and knocked on it. He smoothed his hair before entering.
"Legolas. Finally you have returned," Thranduil said, going over to his son and embracing him. Legolas returned the embrace. "How are you?"
Legolas sat down opposite
his father. "Tired, Adar."
"I thought as much. Well, we'll leave all the formal introductions for later.
Go and see your mother. She's in her room with Celeblaith." Legolas' face lit
up at the thought of finally seeing his younger sister again. "Diolla lle
Adar." He stood, bowed, and left, heading now for his mothers' room.
"You can come in," came the answer before he had even knocked at the door. He grinned and went in.
In here, it was calm and peaceful. The curtains to the balcony were blowing in through the open doors slightly in the gentle summer breeze. It was sunny, but not too much. A cradle stood in one corner, veiled by a white curtain. It stood still, as it was no longer occupied. He looked over to the balcony.
He could see his mother through the curtain, holding a wriggling bundle. He walked over, and went out onto the balcony to stand beside her. The Sun shone Her rays onto him, and he welcomed Her warmth. The breeze was cool, but not bitingly cold.
"Welcome home hénnin, (my son)" she said softly, looking at him.
He looked back at her and smiled. "Diolla lle naneth." He looked down at his sister, who was gazing at her with a slightly bemused look on her face. "Yes Celeblaith?" She gurgled at the sound of her name, and held out her arms to him.
Eilianu passed her daughter to her brother, and Legolas held her close to him, kissing her golden head. She immediately recognised him, and her tiny arms splayed around his back and on his chest.
"I missed you," he whispered.
Eilianu smiled. She knew how much Legolas loved his sister, and how he wasn't ashamed to show it. "How was it?" she asked softly, looking at him in the eyes.
"Tiring," he replied, too busy fussing over Celeblaith. She grabbed a handful of his hair, but he eased it out her grasp.
"You got hurt," Eilianu continued. Legolas nodded. "Of course I did, I fought a demon." He made a face at his sister, and she made one back, screwing up her tiny face and gurgling. He laughed and kissed her again.
"I warned you," she said.
Legolas looked at her, and nodded. "I know. And I did listen, but the injuries were unavoidable." Celeblaith noticed her brother was no longer giving her attention, so she slapped his chest with her fist and glared at him.
He laughed softly. "Yes?" She made a face, blinking with huge soppy eyes. He kissed her tiny nose, and handed her back to Eilianu. "I'm going to get some rest," he announced, going back inside.
Eilianu followed him, Celeblaith reaching out for her brother. "She can crawl now," she told him.
Legolas spun round. "Why didn't you tell me before? Show me." Eilianu gently placed her wriggling daughter on the ground, and Legolas crouched down to her level.
It took her a while to get her grip, but soon she was up on her hands and knees, and crawled slowly over to him. He held out his arms, and she clambered up into them. He lifted her up, and held her close. "Well done my little angel," he whispered, kissing her cheek. She gurgled.
"Now, I need some rest. Show me everything tomorrow," he told her, handing her once again to Eilianu. He kissed her, kissed his mother, and went back to the door.
But just as he was about to open it, Celeblaith made a sound that soundly awfully like:
"Leggy."
He looked at her, then Eilianu. She was gazing down at her daughter, smiling.
"Her first word," she whispered.
Legolas changed his mind about getting some rest, and spent the rest of the afternoon trying to get her to say it again. She said it a few more times, but she soon grew tired, and so Legolas put her to bed. He himself, then went to his own room, and managed to get some well-needed sleep.
Home sweet home. And Celeblaith said her first word! (I'm obsessed with little kids at the moment, for reasons I cannot fathom!)
So, reviews would be really, really appreciated. Please? I know there is only one more chapter to go *sniff, sniff*, but reviews keep me going! So just a few would be really nice! ^_^
Thank you m'dears! ^_^
~Lainfaer~
