I only got 4 reviews for this chapter, but never mind. I updated Sleeping Dangerously so I thought I had better update this one too! ^_^

Um…well…er….ONLY 3 CHAPTERS AFTER THIS ONE! That went even faster than Sleeping Dangerously.

Yes, this story has 18 chapters. That obviously means I have completed it. But, depending on the reviews I get, I might make changes yet.

This chapter shows Legolas' really, REALLY soppy, soft side. It shows what girls can do to boys! Heehee…

I'm not sure what you lot will make of this chapter, so, read on, review, and give me feedback. Thanks. ^_^

~Lainfaer~

Morgaine of Ithil- Leggy might go back…Beinlóth might go to war…wait and see! Thank you very much for reviewing. ^_^

jaderose01- I'm really pleased you love the story. The reviews should be by different people, but I'm not really that bothered! Thanks for reviewing. ^_^

ElvenStar5- Did I update soon enough for you? ^_^

Elerrina- I only got half the amount, but I always update this story when I update Sleeping Dangerously, as you might have noticed. So I updated just for the sake of it! It was sweet wasn't it? And she does believe….

I won't say anymore. ^_-

Thanks for reviewing. ^_^

Chapter 15: Questions with no answers.

It was all over. Frodo had destroyed the Ring, and peace was once again restored to Middle-Earth. Aragorn was King of Gondor, and Arwen was his wife. The Hobbits had returned to the Shire, and Gandalf had also left. Gimli was now living in the Glittering Caves with his folk, and Legolas was Elf-Lord of Ithilien. Yet his heart was not at rest.

He had waited many months to be reunited with Beinlóth, but when Elrond and Arwen had arrived at the City, she was not with them. He had hoped that she would be among the many Elves that had come to the City, but it was not so. He longed to see her again, see her deep blue eyes, feel her soft hair beneath his fingers, hear her voice and laughter. All through the War, every battle he had entered, she had been in his mind. When he had followed Aragorn on the Paths of the Dead, he could constantly feel her, even though he knew she was many miles away, back in Lothlórien. Or so he hoped.   

Had she stayed and waited for him? Or had she taken the ship and sailed over the Sea to Valinor? He knew no answers to these questions, and it frustrated him. No news of her had come with the Elves, and so worry had settled on his heart.

He would wander the paths of Ithilien, going over every possible reason for her absence in his head. Perhaps she just didn't want to go on the long journey, and was waiting for him to go to her. That was what he was hoping. That was the only possible explanation, apart from her going over the Sea to Valinor.

"Listen laddie, I'm sure she just didn't want to go on the long journey here, and is waiting for you back in Lothlórien," Gimli tried to reassure his friend as he wandered round the newly-transformed gardens of Ithilien with Legolas.

"That is what I hope, but I do not know if it is true," Legolas replied, his head hanging.

"Of course it is. If what you have told me is true, about you two being in love and everything, then she will be waiting for you. Surely no one would leave their love behind, especially an Elf."

"I don't know," Legolas answered in a whisper, not looking at the Dwarf.

Gimli sighed to himself. It was unusual to see Legolas in this state, and it worried him. Now that the War was over, he had gotten to know the real Legolas, not just the warrior side. He was being far too quiet and withdrawn.

Later that day, Legolas was sat alone in his room of the new palace. He was absently fingering a bracelet round his right wrist. It was a simple braid, made of leather with white and light blue beads in an alternating pattern.

*Flashback

Legolas P.O.V

There she is, with the Hobbits as always. She loves those four, she really does. Treats them like children. She's laughing. Before now, I have never heard her laugh. I wonder if she ever laughed in Milathon? Did she ever have anything to laugh about? Her life there must have been awful.

She's looking over at me now. I smile, and she smiles back, still laughing. That sound is music to my ears. I could listen to her laughter forever. She's coming over.

"Melamin," she whispers, slipping her arms round my waist. She leans her head against my chest and sighs heavily.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"I don't want you to leave, not yet."

I hold her tighter. "It won't be for long, I promise. Remember what we said, the day I arrived here."
"Yes melamin. I'm just going to miss you."

"And I'm going to miss you too."

We just stand there a while in each other's arms, neither wanting to let go. Eventually, she pulls away, and looks up at me. "I have a present for you."

I raise an eyebrow. "Oh yes, and what's that?"

"It's really small and simple, but it is for good luck. It contains some kind of magic, to protect you in dangerous times. I know you are going to face a lot of danger ahead, and you'll need something to protect you."

"I have a bow."

She laughs. "Maybe a weapon isn't enough." She takes my hand, and slips something around it. I look at it.

It's a bracelet, made of leather. It has two different coloured beads, alternating along it. White, and light blue. She ties it, and kisses my hand. "I told you it was simple."

I choose to ignore that comment. I just sweep her up into my arms and kiss her.

"As long as it is from you, I don't give two hoots about how simple it is," I whisper. She smiled and plants a gentle, yet rather passionate kiss on my lips.

"Good. You can put me down now."

*End of Flashback

"Legolas!"

Legolas hurriedly wiped the tears that were rapidly falling down his cheeks away. He stood up and smartened his clothes.

"Legolas!"

"I'm here Gimli," he answered, pulling his sleeve down, hiding the bracelet.

Gimli appeared around the door. "Ah, there you are. Faramir is looking for you."

"Ok, I'm just coming."

Gimli frowned. "Are you alright Legolas? You look rather pale."

"I'm always pale!" Legolas laughed in return. "At least, that's what you've told me."
"No, paler than usual. And your eyes seem a bit red…have you been crying?"
"No, of course not! Gimli, what do you think I am, a wimp?"
"No, no, of course not."
"Good, that's that sorted. Come on then, where's Faramir?" He followed Gimli out of his room, down the corridor to see Faramir.

****

"I'm telling you Aragorn, he's not right." Aragorn frowned at the Dwarf in front of him.

"What do you mean, 'not right'?"

"He's not himself. Ever since your coronation, he's been a completely different Elf. Ever since he discovered that the maiden, Beinlóth, was not among the Elves that came with Lady Arwen, he has been totally obscured from the rest of the outside world. He wanders round the gardens of Ithilien, fiddling with the bracelet she gave him. He thinks I haven't noticed, but I have. He will sit in his room for hours on end, just doing nothing. He can't get her out of his head. She's all he ever thinks about nowadays."

"You have brought him with you?"
"Yes. I thought if he won't talk to me, then there's only one other who he will talk with."

Aragorn smiled. "Alright Gimli, I'll go and have a word with him. Where is he?"
"Three guesses."
"His room?"
"Got it in one."

Aragorn grinned and set off towards his friends' room. He had heard rumours of the forlorn Elf-Prince in Ithilien. Some were just ridiculous. Stories of him wandering the gardens in the dead of night, weeping for his lost love was just one of many. He hoped his friend hadn't stooped that low just yet.

He reached Legolas' door and knocked upon it.

"Come in."

Aragorn opened the door and entered.

Legolas was by the window, leaning against the frame. He was looking out over the City, but not really taking anything in. Aragorn could see him fiddling with something around his right wrist. He frowned and shut the door.

Legolas looked round. "Hello Aragorn." He sounded tired.

"Hello Legolas." Aragorn joined him beside the window and looked outside. "Are you alright?"
"Fine."

"No you're not." He looked at him. Gimli was right. This was not the Legolas he was used to.

Legolas looked back. Aragorn could see his eyes were dull; they contained no sparkle. He was paler than usual, and he looked tired. He seemed to have lost a lot of weight too. "Why do you think something is wrong with me?"
"Gimli's worried about you."
"So he has said." He went and sat on the end of his bed. 

Aragorn stood in front of him. "Well?"
"Well what?"
"Legolas!" Aragorn crouched down so he was eye-level with him. "This is not at all like you. We are both worried about you. What is wrong?"

"Nothing that you need worry about."
"Legolas, you are my best friend. Of course I am worried about you. Please tell me what is bothering you so much that you are reduced to this." He touched Legolas' hair, which, once fine, soft, and shiny, was dull, limp, and lifeless.

Legolas pulled away from Aragorns' touch. "I am fine."

"No, I am not accepting that!" Aragorn shouted, standing up to his full height. Legolas just looked at the floor.

"You are sick Legolas. I can see it, and so can Gimli. He came to me, that's why he brought you here. He feels that you are shutting him out, blanking him. He feels as if he is losing you Legolas. And now that I have seen you, so do I." His voice had lowered now, and his face was calm again.

"I am not sick, just tired."

"Yes, but why?"
"Well, seeing as you and Gimli are so good at realising how I am feeling, then you should know!" He stood and returned to his post beside the window.

Aragorn ran his hands over his face in a tired manner. He had forgotten how temperamental Elves could be when you asked them these sorts of questions. He went back to standing beside the Elf.

"I just miss her," Legolas whispered, staring out to the horizon.

"I know," Aragorn replied, slipping his arm round Legolas' shoulders. "I know you do."

Legolas' head lolled onto Aragorn's shoulder. "I feel lost without her. Where is she?"
"I am afraid I don't know the answer to that question Legolas. She's probably waiting for you in Lothlórien. Why don't you go back there before everyone leaves? You don't have long."
"But I'm so weak," he replied, shrugging Aragorns' arm away and leaning back against the window-frame.

"Well we'll make you strong again then. Come on, Gimli wants to see you. He really is worried sick about you."
"You'd never have though it would you," Legolas said as Aragorn started to move towards the door. Aragorn turned to look at him. "Believe what?"
"A Dwarf being worried about an Elf," Legolas finished, looking round at him. Aragorn grinned. "Come on." Legolas then let Aragorn lead him back down to the hall where Gimli was waiting.

He looked at them as they entered. He smiled nervously at Legolas, and was relieved when he got one in return. "Alright Legolas?"
"Fine thank you Gimli." Aragorn raised an eyebrow, but Legolas ignored him.

"Hungry?"
"Just a little."

"Well, let's have dinner then," Aragorn said. "Just the three of us, like the good old days."

"The days of the War were good?" Gimli asked as they sat down.

"You know what I mean!"

Legolas just smiled at his joking companions. He knew what Aragorn meant.

Food and wine was brought to them, and Legolas just listened whilst the other two talked. He would smile at Gimlis' jokes and nod in agreement when Aragorn put forward an argument against the Dwarf. He ate a bit of bread and fruit, and sipped some of his wine.

Aragorn noticed this, and so, put even more food on the Elfs' plate. Legolas glared at him, but didn't say anything.

"You had better eat that, or else," Aragorn whispered threateningly in his ear. Legolas just grinned, and continued to eat.

"I am never going to let you live Helms Deep down," Gimli told Legolas, grinning through his bushy beard.

"Are you talking about the counting game?" Aragorn asked, sipping his wine.

"What else would he be talking about?" Legolas answered, speaking for the first time.

"A Dwarf beating an Elf in battle. Your fellow pointy-eared friends won't be too pleased about that, will they?"

"Actually, I did beat you."
"No, no you didn't."
"I didn't count the Uruk-Hai that got squashed when I cut down that ladder. There were at least twenty on the ladder, and then, about another twenty were killed when it landed on them. So that adds at least 40 to my total." He raised his glass to Gimli and drank.

Gimli just gaped at Legolas, his piece of bread halfway to his mouth. Aragorn looked from one to the other, and burst into laughter. "If I ever need cheering up, I know where to come!"

They both looked at him, identical scowls on their faces.

That just made him laugh even more.

****

"So, we'll be seeing you again in a few months I guess," Aragorn said two days later as Legolas mounted Arod to return to Lothlórien. Legolas nodded.

"Aye, at least a few months. Have you seen that Dwarf anywhere?"
"I'm right here," answered a gruff voice. Gimli walked up to Legolas, looking as if he was ready to go travelling.

"Going somewhere?" Legolas asked, though he knew the answer.

"I promised that I would go into the forest with you if you went into the caves. You did, and so I have got to hold to it. Besides, I wouldn't mind seeing the Mountain again."

"Gimli, I think this is a journey that Legolas should go on alone," Aragorn said, but he was smiling.

"No," Legolas told him, also smiling. "Of course he's coming. Arod is so used to carrying the both of us, it'll feel weird with just me."
"Yeah, you're so light he won't know he's carrying you," Gimli muttered.

Legolas scowled at him. "Gimli, I'm trying to stick up for you here. At least say something nice about me for once."
"Afraid I can't do that. There is nothing to say."

"What?! Right…" Before anyone could blink, Legolas had leapt off of Arods' back, right onto Gimli. He tackled the Dwarf to the ground, and had a hold of his beard. "Take that back," he threatened, pulling the beard slightly tighter.

"No! Not the beard!" Gimli cried, just like in Moria. "Aragorn, get this Elf off me!"

But Aragorn was laughing too much to do anything.

"Take it back, and I will quite gladly let you go."
"Alright, alright, I take it back!"
"And the apology."
"What? As if I will ever say sorry to an El…OW! Alright, alright, I'm sorry!" Legolas released the beard and remounted Arod. "Come on, we've got a long way to go."

Gimli got to his feet, grumbling, and Aragorn helped him up behind Legolas. "Have a safe journey," he wished them.

"Oh we'll be fine," Gimli assured him, gripping his axe. "Any left over Orcs won't see what hit 'em. Lets go."

"Namárie Aragorn," Legolas said in farewell.

 "Namárie Legolas," Aragorn replied, placing his hand over his heart.

"Ok, quit the Elvish, lets just go!"

"Shut up Gimli."

Legolas dug his heels into Arods' flanks, and they galloped out of the City into the plains of the Pelannor. Aragorn watched them leave a smile upon his face.

"He is alright then?" a gentle voice asked, coming up behind him.

"He is now, yes," Aragorn replied to his wife.

Arwen smiled. "I think it is wonderful he has finally found someone who can make him happy."
"You know Beinlóths' story?"
"Yes. It's sad, isn't it."

"Yes, but I think Legolas will also make her happy."

"They're perfect for each other. Come, back inside." She took his hand, and they re-entered the palace.

It took many days for the pair to reach Lothlórien, but when they arrived, they were welcomed with warmth and graciousness. They talked long with the Lord and Lady, then were given a camp to stay in. Gimli was once again, completely hypnotised by Galadriel. Legolas knew that he would never be able to shut him up once he started talking about her, so he didn't give him a chance to start.

"Right, I'm having this bed," he announced as soon as they entered. He dumped his bag down, and jumped onto the nearest bed. He looked over at Gimli, a cheeky grin on his fair face.

"Fine, fine," Gimli replied gruffly, sitting on the bed opposite.   

"So..." Legolas started. "Glad to be back?"
"Aye, it is great to be back here. I never thought I would return."

"I knew I would," Legolas answered, sitting up.

"Well you're an Elf, of course you would."

Legolas stood and fetched a jug of water. He poured some out for himself, then offered it to Gimli.

"No thank you."

He sat back on his bed and sipped it delicately. Lothlórien was certainly not as light as before. The light had dimmed somewhat. Legolas knew this was because the power of the Three Rings was fading. He knew Rivendell would also succumb to the same fate soon.

"Its different," Gimli commented.

"The light of Lothlórien is fading," Legolas replied softly. "Very soon it will flicker and go out all together. Then Lothlórien will empty. The Elves will leave these shores, and go to Valinor. Including Lady Galadriel," he added, looking at the Dwarf over the rim of his glass.

"I know," Gimli sighed. "Its sad isn't it."
"Now those are words I never thought I would hear you even utter," Legolas said, grinning triumphantly.

"Yeah well, you are going to be the only one to hear them. Understand?"
"Completely Gimli. Your soppy secret is safe with me." He ducked a pillow aimed at his head.

"Shut up Elf."

Now if that wasn't showing Legolas' weaker side, I don't what is personally. Come on, he was CRYING!!! Beinlóth must be really getting him down, the possibility of her not necessarily still being in Middle-Earth…

I'll shut up now.

Um…let's see…I think 5 reviews from DIFFERENT PEOPLE will be sufficient enough for the next chapter. Savvy? Good….

^_^

~Lainfaer~