Well, I finally managed to put together a chapter for you. I haven't gone over it, because I simply don't have time. Writing this author's note is the longest I've been sitting still all day-- over seventeen hours of running around, working on homework, labs, and studying, along with a presentation that I STILL NEED TO WORK ON! Shoot! I was thinking this was it for the day. Sigh. Ah, well. Less than a week to go... which means this is likely all you guys are going to get until the 17th, since things are going to be so nutsy for me. But then, the final chapter will be up.

Animir: Expect her father next chapter... I think. Should be. It's more how she has changed, than anything, of course.

Angel: Thank you, and you could stop at the last chapter, I suppose, but I thought I'd wrap things up a little bit. I think the next chapter will be the end.

farflung: I have no idea why the west would equal death. It's the UNDYING LAND after all. I always wondered if those non-elves who went were sort of granted immortality or if they just kind of... lasted longer. Yours was sort of my opinion as well, though. Legolas and Leherim weren't connected quite that long. Legolas was probably around ten-twelve, Leherim under ten, above four or five. I don't know if I ever wrote exactly how much the age difference is between them, but it's just a few years... The stars were out? Maybe it's just been so hectic here I've forgotten, but I'm not getting the reference. I will have internet access this summer, and even some free time! (I think). The only problem is my computer is still on the fritz, but it's been hinted that I may get help buying a new one as an early Christmas present (which would be great, I hate having to get up early just to grab a computer to work on my final paper! Not to mention I LIVE on my computer. I feel so lost without mine. Sniff. Okay, I'm addicted. Sigh.). My local library doesn't have internet access (very, very small town) and the nearest city requires both a card there (which I can't get, because I don't live there) and an internet access code (which they won't give you without the card). So... yeah, very good thing I've got a job out of state.

LadyJadePerendhil: I guess you could see it as foresight, maybe a final hint of the trauma of the quest... or you could see it as actually having been her, looking for a moment as she would when as sure of herself as she was of him... before she cut her hair again to annoy Leherim. Yeah, I chose the star for her name. Mirimir itself is a conglomeration of elven meaning lovely and free one... kind of.

Everyone else who reviewed: thank you, I appreciate it, but I've got people with papers due soon breathing down my neck, so I've got to go!

Also, those of you who also read Among the Brambles, there will not be a chapter up along with this one, and likely not until Saturday, if then, and only if all of my professors get back to me/are availible so I can get everything done I need to in the next few days.

Argh, brain overload! I'm out of here.

Enjoy!



Chapter 36

Legolas watched in amusement as Mirimir caught Elohir's hand before it could continue on towards her neck. She quirked a dark brow at him, the move seeming almost elegant in comparison to the surprised dismay on Elrohir's face which gave way to false innocence.

"Yes, Mirimir?" he asked softly.

"Pervert," she countered calmly. "You know, married as you are, you really should learn to keep your hands to yourself… I'm not so sure Leherim would appreciate knowing you go around fondling all the elves you meet."

Elrohir turned an interesting shade of red, opening his hand to thrust it at her, showing her the berries he had obviously intended to smear either on her neck or in her hair, or perhaps drop down her dress. "I was just going to—"

Mirimir moved too quickly to be stopped, her hand snapping up, taking his with hers. She smiled sweetly at him as the berry juice ran down his cheeks, dripping from his chin, a small laugh escaping her when one of the berries dropped with a moist squish to his bare foot. "Clean up?" she offered, her eyes sparkling silver as she silently laughed at him.

He glared at her for a moment, before chuckling and getting to his feet. "I guess so," he agreed, leaving the remaining three to the last lingering remnants of the meal.

"Glad to see you haven't lost your touch with him," Legolas teased, before laying back, closing his eyes against the brightness of the sun.

"You would think after so many years his imagination would insist upon something new once in a while… or at least something a bit more… sophisticated?"

He chuckled, opening one eye to look at her. "But then it would become a war between you, would it not?"

She considered that for a moment, then smiled and shrugged a shoulder. "Perhaps."

Leherim shook her head, laughing at something. At their curious looks, she explained, "Elrohir and Elladan shall be… indisposed for the remainder of the day."

"Haldir caught up with them?" Mirimir asked with a delightedly sly smile.

"Apparently," Leherim replied, laughing again. "How they got him into their tricks I still don't understand."

"They're good at that," Legolas murmured softly, feeling warmly content. He knew he was in danger of falling asleep, which wasn't a wise thing when the twins were in the mood for tricks and pranks, but he couldn't rouse himself enough to care. Even if they did do something to him, he would get over it with time.

"But they don't seem to have drawn you in," Mirimir replied, her voice coming from somewhere closer.

"Not in millennia, but they have before. Once I could beat them on the archery field as well as with a blade they tended to steer clear of making me the victim of their more… embarrassing pranks."

"So… They haven't done anything like this to you in—"

His eyes flew open, seeing mischievous eyes laughing at him before the remaining berries were covering his cheeks, dripping back into his hair. He groaned, closing his eyes. With a sigh he got up, scraping the rest of the berries off of his cheeks, raking them from his hair as he began walking towards the lake. He stripped his shirt off, hearing other elves at the far side. Tossing the material aside he waded into the water, ducking down to clean his hair of the juice before he ended up with reddish-blond hair for a few weeks, as he had once as a young lad.

Legolas?

He frowned, but chose not to answer.

Legolas… are you mad?

He dunked his head once more, scrubbing the last bit of stickiness from behind his ears.

Legolas… please, say something.

He waited silently.

"Legolas? Legolas, I didn't mean—" She let out a small eep as he spun around, grabbing the hand she had stretched out towards him, tugging her close enough for him to toss her into the lake.

The lazy smile on his face froze when blind panic smacked into his gut. She surfaced once, clearly unsure what to do, her panic coming again, feeling almost like a scream.

With a self-directed curse he dove into the water, reaching for her, nearly losing his own thoughts when the first touch of skin amplified their connection, making him swear again, softly. He pulled her back to the shallower water, setting his feet on the ground before encouraging her to do the same.

Once her feet touched the bottom she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, shaking against him as she clung. He held her just as tightly, trying to reassure her, to convince her she was alright. I'm sorry, little one. I didn't know.

I know you didn't, she answered after a moment, still holding him tightly. Were you mad?

Not really. But my hair stains too easily, so I had to get clean… I thought it would be a good way to repay your effort.

She laughed brokenly, taking one large, shuddering breath before relaxing in his arms. "I guess I should stick to Elrohir."

Legolas smiled faintly, taking a deep breath, helping himself relax. He started to let go of her, only to find her hair was tangled around his hand as only long wet hair could. He leaned in a bit closer to try and extricate himself without hurting her.

"Legolas?"

He stilled, aware once more of everything he had been trying not to notice for so long—her scent, the way she fit against him, the way her heart raced when he held her like this… the way his own responded. "By the stars, Mirimir."

"What?" she whispered, shivering slightly as a the breeze wrapped around them.

My name never sounded so good before, he replied, closing his eyes to better remember every detail of that moment. Her voice was slightly husky, a little tentative, a little quiet, and he had felt it where their chests were pressed together and where his palm was against the back of her throat.

"Legolas," she breathed, lifting her hand from his shoulder to his skull, finding her way through his hair to cup his head as he slowly lowered his.

No part of him tried to pull back, tried to convince the rest this wasn't right… so he tilted his head slightly, giving her a taste of the slight smile the realization brought.