Disclaimer is the same.

MUST READ THIS: I don't want to hear any crap on this. In this story Frodo did not sell Bag Ends. He still owns it and lives in it. If you write to me and complain that `you are so stupid, Frodo sold his house', I will point you to this and call you stupid! Thank you.

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~*~ orlandofan13: Thank you for your review and if you can do that for me I will appriciate it greatly!

~*~ Soccer-Bitch: You are most definatley my most `excited' reviewer! Checked out your girl's stories. Not really my type but they were still good and interesting. I hope you enjoy what is to come.

~*~Legolas/SailorMoonLoverBonita: I'm updating as fast as I can! :-)



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Chapter 7

"Men, we must search these hills until the trees cry for mercy. My son is out there for some God forsaken reason and he must be brought back. His wedding is to be in three months time, he must be back before then. Lady Zara is also to be wed in three months time. Aragorn, King of Gondor, will be heading this search. I fare thee well." Thranduil spoke as Lady Nelemien stood next to him weeping into a handkerchief while Lord Rinarmo stood on the other side looking furious.

Before him was several members of the Mirkwood army along with Aragorn, Gimli, Xavier and Jatlin. This was the search party for Legolas and Zara. When Thranduil finished his speech Aragorn bowed his head and lead the men out the gates of Mirkwood in search of the two elves.

After they reached the edge of the city limits Aragorn stopped to tell them their instructions. "Men, a dear friend of ours is out there. The reason may be unknown but we must search and find him and Lady Zara. I have my suspicions as to where he is headed. My first thought was the Shire but if he left before the hobbits then he would arrive before the hobbits; not a very smart nor a very likely plan. But, he does know of a small town by the name of Bree. It is a small town several days journey away. If we ride swiftly then we could possibly beat them considering one of their party is a woman."

Aragorn distinctly saw Jatlin and Xavier exchange a meaningful glance. "Yes Jatlin and Xavier, you two were saying privately?"

Aragorn's comment came as a shock to the two. Xavier recovered the quickest. "Well Aragorn, I know the fact that Zara is a woman may cause you to believe that they will travel at a slow pace but your wrong. Zara is just as much a wilderness person as Legolas or myself. She will not hold back the trek."

"Then we must ride swiftly. Lets ride!" Aragorn commanded as the band of searchers rode off into the forest.

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The scenery for Legolas and Zara took a drastic turn within the several weeks time of their journey. Instead of heavily wooded areas that could conceal even the strongest rays of sunlight from kissing the ground, it gradually transformed into rolling green hills with luscious trees and colorful flowers spotting the verdant ground. After many weeks time they had reached the Shire.

"Are you sure people live here?" Zara asked underneath the hood of her cloak. Legolas advised them to conceal their faces as to not cause a riot with their elfin features. "Yes. See all of those hills? Those are hobbit holes, they live underneath the ground. Quite smart in camouflage I must say."

"Do you know which one Frodo lives in?" Zara asked softly as she saw several small hobbit children several feet away playing in the field with the setting sun in the background. "No." Legolas confessed. "But I shall find out."

They rode their horses until they saw a middle aged hobbit sweeping the front walk to his home. "Excuse me good sir." Legolas said not in his native tongue. Zara remained quiet next to him as she knew very little vocabulary of the talk of man. "I am looking for Bag Ends."

"Bag Ends, eh?" The hobbit repeated as he held his hand off to ward off the glare of the sun. "What is your business there?" "I am an acquaintance of Frodo Baggins. I wish to see and speak with him. Now where is Bag Ends?"

The hobbit squinted his eyes up into the shadow of Legolas' hood. The strangers stature and size told the hobbit that it was another odd kind going to see Frodo. "Who are you?" The hobbit questioned suspiciously. "I am an acquaintance of Frodo Baggins." Legolas answered again slightly irritated.

The hobbit slanted his eyes in skepticism. He then saw the rider next to the hooded stranger place a small, slender hand upon the rider's. He noticed a bandaged ring finger and assumed it a woman. The male rider glanced at her and nodded his head. Soft words were spoken that the hobbit could not hear or understand.

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"Let me try. You are very tired and paranoid right now since the army is probably out searching for us. Just tell me what to say." Zara whispered softly in Elvish as Legolas nodded and softly told her the correct lingo.

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"Excuse me sir." A soft feminine voice slowly, almost unsurely, asked from underneath the second hood. "It is most urgent that we make it to Bag Ends. Will you please help us?"

The male hobbit tried to peer into the shady constraints of the hood the, now obviously female, rider wore. There was a slight ray of light that played on the rim of the hood and reflected blue-gray eyes out to him. Eyes that seemed so innocent, yet afraid at the same time. He felt a prick of guilt pull at his heart when he thought about denying her directions.

"Follow this path until you reach a fork. Take a left. Bag Ends is the only home on that road." "Thank you." The male rider said as he urged his horse on down the dirt rode with his woman accomplice next to him. They rode in silence and excitement as they followed the hobbit's directions.

Zara could feel her breath quicken at the thought of the next few days. By the end of the week she would be Princess Zara Greenleaf. She would forever spend her days with her best friend and companion, immortal life seemed so much more luscious with that thought.

She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she did not noticed that Legolas had stopped and almost rode past. "This is it." He announced as he dismounted from his steed. He courteously helped Zara down off her horse and led her up the cobblestone walk.

They stopped at the round door and Legolas promptly knocked three times on the wood. The two elves could hear mumbling and movement coming closer to the door. A moment later Frodo Baggins opened the door with his eyes wide in surprise. "Legolas!" He cried as he took in the sight before him. There stood his friend from the journey looking travel worn and weary but happy. "How wonderful to see you again!" The two embraced into a hug.

"Hello my friend." Legolas said as they released. "I am sorry to intrude on you but you remember Zara don't you?" Zara raised her eyes at the mention of her name. She had stood to the side silently and watched the act of brotherhood with a sense of pride in her heart knowing that her fiancee was a kind and giving man.

"Yes, yes I do. My lady." Frodo said as he held out his hand to take hers. Zara accepted the gesture and Frodo properly laid a cordial kiss on her hand. "You are not intruding at all. Come in, come in!" He motioned for the elves to come into his home.

"Gandalf said that things would get interesting here when you left without saying a word." Frodo explained as he led Legolas and Zara through the halls of his home. Legolas had to bed down significantly to avoid contact with the roof while Zara only had to bend her head. "How did Gandalf know I was coming here?" Legolas questioned as Frodo motioned for them to take a seat at the kitchen table as began to make some tea.

"Because old men have a sixth sense for these kind of things." The strong, old voice of Gandalf boomed behind them. Everyone turned to face the aging white wizard who had a soft look of contentment on his face. Zara smiled shyly at him for she had a deep respect for him for she knew it was he who had made all this possible. Gandalf returned her gesture and nodded his head her way.

"Hello Lady Zara." He said in the elvish tongue. "Greetings Gandalf." Zara replied as he sat across from her and Legolas.

Zara felt Legolas intertwine their hands underneath the table and he gently squeezed her hand. Zara leaned her head on his shoulder because the trip had tired her so. Frodo came back with cups of steaming tea that were gratefully accepted. The generous hobbit sat down and began a conversation which Legolas immediately responded to.

Zara sighed in relief and satisfaction. Frodo and Legolas were deep in a conversation and she felt her eyelids begin to drop. "Have you any ideas for your wedding?" Gandalf asked politely while he looked at her with blazing blue eyes. "Only since I was around 400 years old." Gandalf laughed at the remark. "What do you wish?" "I wish for an outdoor wedding that is small. I wish for hundreds of flowers everywhere and to wear a beautiful dress. I wish for that day to be one of the happiest days of my life." "And it shall." Gandalf whispered.

The two continued to discuss the upcoming marriage while Frodo and Legolas continued their conversation. After awhile Gandalf noticed Zara's eyes beginning to grow heavy with sleep.

"I do believe that it is tradition for the bride and groom to not see each other the day before the wedding. Since your case is special we'll make it the night and morning of." Gandalf announced to everyone in the home. "And since it is obvious that Lady Zara wishes to rest, I believe it should go into effect now."

Zara smiled gratefully at the wizard as she felt Legolas' head turn to kiss her on top of her head. "I'll show you to your rooms." Frodo said as he stood. The two elves followed behind him until he reached a door down the hall. "This is for you Lady Zara." He said as he opened the door.

Zara stepped inside as Legolas followed her. The room was an oak color with pristine white bedding and accents. The ceiling was much higher in this room that in the rest of the house.

"Gandalf must have been here." Legolas said as he looked around the room. "Legolas your not supposed to be in here." Zara said as she began to root around her travel bag. "I know, but before we are to be separated I wanted to give you this." He reached behind his neck and unclasped the chain that held his mother's ring.

He held the jewelry in his hand and took hers. He gently unwrapped the bandage and inspected the skin. The blisters had faded but there was a slight pink tint to the area where the ring sat. Legolas stared at her finger before he picked up her other hand. He removed a silver band from her middle finger and slid it onto her left ring finger, followed by her engagement ring.

"The first thing a good relationship should have is friendship." He said as he fingered the plain silver band. "That was what I intended when I gave you this ring many years ago. The next is love." He placed his thumb along the adorned ring. "Then it is unity. Goodnight my love, sleep well. I love you." He softly kissed her cheek as she whispered. "I love you too." Before she turned her head to receive his touch on her mouth. With that Legolas turned and left the room, knowing the next time he would see her would be at their wedding.

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There you go! Review please!