Disclaimer: don't own don't think i ever will, come to think of it....

A/N: Thx tooooooooo....

Dimonah Tralon: lol, you're not dense, i didn't drop that many hints...

MystiqueHottie8: don't worry it's not the end, and yes, lol, i've been told it's like a soap opera, lol

charmedobsessi12: lol, yes thank you so much!

Magicgirl810: thx ok.

Estelle Willowbark: lol, well, thank you. U know what? I really don't care if you don't like it cuz there are plenty of other ppl who do and in my opinion if you hated it so much, you shouldn't have read through the whole bloody thing.

Myri78: well, thx. Sorry bout delay i had this stupid writer's block

Arwennicole: lol, thx. Nope the story's not done yet...GREAT chapter on 'The Journey', btw!

Countess Katook: aaw, thx, he deserves sum lovin'! Dontcha just hate allergies? I do.

loveroflegolas: hehe, i meant for it to be so but a big part of it is due to charmedobsessi12.

starryiceangel03: oh i am sorry i didn't want to make ne one cry nor i think did charmedobsessi12.

After she had given Gwyn the Evenstar, Arwen left Gwyn in the gardens, and she remained there until nightfall, just thinking. Thinking about the story Arwen had told her, thinking about her upcoming wedding, but most of all thinking about her father. She didn't know why, but her opinion of him kept changing. She went from telling him that she hated him to nearly telling him that she loved him...then back to telling him that she hated him. Where was she now? Somewhere between love and hate. She was still furious over what he had done, yet she also found herself forgiving him.

Gwyn became so pensive and oblivious to everything around her that she yelped and spun around when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Two soft fingers were placed upon her lips to silence her. As she quieted, they were removed. As the tall figure leaned in, Gwyn seriously hoped that it was Legolas. As his soft lips met hers, she knew that it was, for so many things were familiar: the sweet, leafy scent, the tenderness, the way in which she was being held, and best of all, the sweet taste of his kiss.

They kissed under the pale moonlight until they were out of breath, but almost just as Legolas drew away, he closed the slight gap between their lips and kissed her again. The only thing Gwyn was aware of was the silky movement of Legolas' lips against hers. Indeed, both lovers were so involved in their flaming passion that neither of them noticed the man approaching them. It was several minutes before they were aware of his presence, and even then, the man had to clear his throat to make himself known.

Gwyn gasped and turned a deep, deep crimson as she turned to find her father standing there, and he was also blushing, though his shade of red could not even begin to compare with hers. 'Is this a bad time?' Aragorn asked uncertainly.

Gwyn, along with being unbearably embarrassed that her father had been watching her kiss her fiancé, was very annoyed at him for interrupting them. She wanted to scream, 'Are you out of your mind? Of course this is a bad time, what do you think?!' but she held her tongue, and let Legolas respond, for she did not trust opening her mouth.

Legolas answered smoothly, 'Of course not, Aragorn,' while Gwyn frowned at her father.

Aragorn nodded. 'I would like a word with Gwyn,' he said, some of the red fading from his complexion. Gwyn's face remained the same shade, however, and she murmured a 'good-bye' to Legolas before following Aragorn through the gardens. After several minutes of walking in silence, Gwyn spoke. 'H-how long were you standing there?' she asked, turning (if possible) a deeper shade of red.

'Only a little while,' Aragorn half-lied, for it had been more than a 'little while'.

'Oh,' Gwyn muttered, and some of the red faded from her face. 'Alright, then...so...what did you want me for?'

Aragorn stopped walking and turned to his daughter. He took a deep breath. 'I-I wanted to-to offer you my deepest and most sincere apologies for separating you and Legolas,' he said, staring directly into her uncertain blue eyes, and Gwyn saw a remorse in his eyes that was so strong that she could not help but think of forgiving him right then and there. But something in her mind told her not to give in so easily. 'Why did you do it?' she questioned, pain in her voice.

Aragorn sighed. "I guess it was stupid,' he said.

'You guess?'

'Alright, it was,' Aragorn admitted. 'I was just being selfish.'

Gwyn cocked her head to one side, not understanding.

Her father breathed in deeply. 'What I mean to say is...I was disappointed and hurt that you had chosen Legolas over me and that you did not want to belong to Gondor, to be my heir. All your life I had counted on the fact that if I did recognize my heritage and become King of Gondor, that you would taker over rule once I passed on. And once you told me that you were preparing to marry Legolas, I knew that that meant that you would be swearing your allegiance to Eryn Lasgalen, therefore denouncing your allegiance to Gondor.' He lowered his gaze. 'I just did not want to believe that you would be happier with Legolas...I am so sorry.'

'Oh, Father,' Gwyn whispered tearfully. 'Had I not met Legolas and fallen in love with him, I would have gladly and readily ruled in your stead.'

'Would you have been, truly?' Aragorn asked quietly, raising an eyebrow.

'Yes, truly,' Gwyn responded without hesitation.

Aragorn smiled, but the smile was almost immediately pushed roughly out of place by a frown. 'The thing I want to know is...do you forgive me?' He glanced hopefully at her.

Gwyn closed her eyes and took a moment to answer. Could she really forgive him for what he had done—put her life on hold for a whole year—kept her from the man she loved? As much as he had done to her, though, didn't he deserve a second chance? 'Yes,' she said softly, 'I do.' She opened her eyes and smiled gently. 'Yes, only if you forgive me for keeping such a secret from you.'

Aragorn's face broke into a smiled of relief. 'I do,' he answered. 'Thank you.'

Gwyn nodded. 'Is there anything else?'

A hint of disappointment glinted in Aragorn's expression, but he said, 'No, nothing.'

Gwyn gave a curt nod and left her father standing in the dark gardens.

June...

Gwyn had notified her father when she and Legolas decided to leave, and he and Arwen had prepared to leave, also. It took them five days to reach the beautiful forest; they took only two horses, Aragorn and Arwen sharing Asfolath, and Gwyn and Legolas sharing Beauty. Beautiful though the forest was, it had an eerie aura which made Gwyn feel a little uneasy.

The shrill hoot of an owl that sounded wounded rang through the air, the stream seemed to be laughing sinisterly at its pain as the water began flowing more rapidly, and the trees rustled in chuckles, seeming nudging each other, letting the sunlight peek through the little holes that the leaves made in their movement. Gwyn bit her lip and shrank back against Legolas, as a small child would when seeking protection from its mother.

'Are you alright, darling?' Legolas whispered concernedly, his cheek resting softly on hers.

'Yes,' Gwyn said, 'yes, I'm fine. I suppose I am just a little nervous.'

'Does this help?' Legolas grinned, gently turning her chin, her lips against his in a deep kiss. Gwyn's stomach fluttered, as it always did now when Legolas kissed her. Legolas would have deepened their kiss even more if it had not been for two things: the fact that Gwyn was steering the horse, and thus needed to watch the road (which she obviously could not do while kissing), and the fact that Arwen and Aragorn were watching them rather closely. So he instead kissed her for only a moment or two more before breaking the kiss.

'Yes,' Gwyn said weakly, 'that did help.'

Legolas smiled and gently turned her head back to watch where she was going. In doing so, Gwyn's eyes locked for a moment with Aragorn's. He cocked an eyebrow at her, causing her to blush a light pink, and she quickly looked away, focusing intently on the road before her.

They soon arrived at a beautiful palace of stone, surrounded by trees flourishing with green leaves and blossoms of pink, blue, purple and yellow. Gwyn gasped softly. 'Oh, Legolas,' she breathed. 'It's beautiful!'

'I'm glad you think so,' Legolas smiled, brushing her hair behind her ear lovingly.

'I can't believe I get to live here,' Gwyn whispered.

Legolas laughed gently. 'You will love it, I assure you.' He kissed her forehead.

'Legolas?' Gwyn said suddenly. 'Do your parents know about me?'

'Of course they do,' he responded.

'Will they like me?'

It turned out that Legolas' parents did like Gwyn. His mother, Minuiel, took to her immediately, and the two were soon chatting away like old friends. Thranduil, his father, had declared her 'a charming young girl' and praised Legolas on his choice, making Gwyn blush.

The wedding date approached quickly and Minuiel and Gwyn worked with the handmaidens on Gwyn's dress. It was soon time. The wedding was held outside, underneath the towering trees. Legolas stood near his father, dressed in silver and white. A silver circlet had been placed over his golden hair. He gasped sharply, but softly as Gwyn appeared beside Aragorn, looking stunning in her dress.

It was a long gown of pure white, embroidered with equally white flowers, with a high waist and sheer, slightly poofed shoulders. A lacy material traveled down to her elbows, where the sheer material took over again and belled, trailing down to her wrists. Her curly hair was adorned with light blue flowers. A silver circlet with a leaf design had been placed around her head, and a sheer white veil hung from it and rested on the floor. The Evenstar hung around her neck, sparkling in the light. The silver bracelet that Galadriel had given her was still on her wrist, shimmering in the sunlight that peeked through the treetops.

Aragorn slowly led her, both arm in arm, up to Legolas, as was tradition, and returned to stand with Arwen. 'You look amazing,' Legolas whispered so that only she could hear.

'So do you,' Gwyn whispered back, a small grin on her pretty face.

The ceremony began, and the vows were made, the 'I do's' were said, the delicate silver rings were placed on each other's fingers and they were made one. 'You may kiss the bride,' Thranduil smiled, and Legolas didn't need telling twice. Without hesitation, he leaned in and kissed his new bride with every bit of passion and love he had in his soul and heart. Gwyn kissed him back with commensurate passion, unashamed to be doing so in front of her family, Legolas' family and almost every elf in Eryn Lasgalen, as well as Gimli, who had come specially for the occasion.

That afternoon, a few hours after the wedding...

The reception was held inside the castle, and strangely, Aragorn and Arwen were not there. Gwyn frowned as she noticed this. 'Legolas,' she said, tugging on his sleeve as he stood next to a window.

He turned and smiled at her, but she could tell he was hiding something. 'Yes?'

'Legolas, have you seen my parents?' Gwyn looked around nervously.

Legolas suddenly looked very uncomfortable. 'Er...why?' he asked, obviously trying to avoid her question.

Gwyn gave him an "I know you're hiding something" look and folder her arms. Legolas sighed, looking defeated. 'They left,' he muttered.

'They WHAT?' Gwyn shrieked, causing her husband to wince. He hushed her gently.

'They had good reason?' he said tentatively.

Gwyn's eyes were mutinous. 'Oh, yes?' she whispered, the venom in her voice not directed towards Legolas. 'And what, pray tell, was the reason?'

'I don't know the full story,' Legolas answered, 'but apparently a messenger was sent from Gondor, bearing news that the King and Queen were needed.'

'For what?' Gwyn demanded.

'Your father did not say.'

'Well, then, what did he say?'

'He said to tell you that he would return as soon as possible.' Legolas smiled, hoping that would satisfy her...for the moment, at least.

Gwyn's face fell. 'Why didn't he tell me himself?' she asked softly, her tone changing drastically. 'Legolas?' she pressed when he did not answer. She bit her lip.

Legolas sighed. 'He said that he would have told you himself, but he was afraid that your reaction would hinder him,' he said quietly.

'Hinder him?' Gwyn repeated. 'Were those his exact words?'

At the risk of kindling her temper, Legolas nodded slowly.

But her reaction was quite unexpected. Tears flooded Gwyn's eyes. 'I thought he was past that,' she murmured.

'Past what, meleth-nin (my love)?' Legolas questioned softly, brushing her hair off her shoulder with a gently sweep of his hand.

'Past treating me like a child.' Gwyn's lower lips trembled, though, giving her the appearance of a child. 'I—I thought he was finally recognizing that I'm nearly twenty-one, not one.'

'I'm sure he does recognize that, Gwyn,' Legolas said quickly and soothingly. 'But you must remember your past reactions.'

'I know, I know, but still...' Gwyn muttered bitterly. 'I'm still upset with him,' she declared.

Legolas gave a half-grin. 'Whatever you do, don't yell at me,' he joked. 'I've seen your temper before and I have no desire to see it again.'

Gwyn smacked his arm lightly, her face clearing of any sadness. 'Keep talking, my lord, and you will see my temper,' she retorted playfully, causing Legolas to chuckle and kiss her.

That night...

Gwyn sighed lightly in exhaustion as she stood in front of the vanity that night, removing her necklace. She set the Evenstar down on the oak wood and the candlelight flickered, making it glitter mysteriously. She heard the soft and eerie sound of metal scraping against metal—the sound of a blade being drawn from a sheath. The feeling of warmth on her body was suddenly invaded by a harsh coldness. She stared into the mirror and saw Legolas standing behind her, holding one of his Elvish daggers. He had begun tracing the sharp blade down her neck, and with one quick movement, he could have killed her. Gwyn felt her heart beat speed up and become so loud that she was sure Legolas could hear it thumping against her chest. He worked the knife down her slender neck to the nape of it, and ran the side of the blade across her collar bone, leaving a tickling and tingling sensation as its trail.

Gwyn drew a deep, shuddering breath as he moved the weapon to her shoulder, slowly trailing down her arm. When he reached her wrist, he grabbed her hand with his free one and turned her palm upwards, gently yet firmly pressing on the back of her hand. He began to scrape each side of the dagger back and forth softly over her wrist, just grazing the skin. With one quick slit, he could have put her life in serious jeopardy, but he simply transferred the handle of the knife from his hand to hers and wrapped her fingers around it tightly. Quickly and gently, Legolas spun his young bride around, just so that the tip of the blade that she now held was placed directly over his heart. Gwyn looked questioningly up at him, but his eyes held no emotion. She tried to lower the lethal object, but Legolas grabbed her wrist and held her tightly, keeping the blade in place. 'Legolas?' she asked, her voice shaking.

He did not respond, but simply stared at her, holding her wrist quite tightly still.

'Legolas!' Gwyn said again, getting no response for the second time. 'Legolas, please, let go,' she pleaded. 'You're hurting me.' Immediately, she felt the grip on her wrist loosen, but it was not released completely. 'Legolas,' she said again, 'why are you doing this? I would not dream of harming you, you should know that!'

Legolas smiled, and all the emotions came flooding back into his crystal blue eyes. He gently took the knife from her and returned it to its sheath.

Gwyn's heart slowed down as he did this, but her breathing was still a trifle quick. 'What was that all about?' she questioned shakily.

'A little test of trust,' Legolas answered without hesitation.

'What do you mean?' Gwyn asked, puzzled.

'It is traditional, In Elvish marriages,' Legolas construed, 'for the male to preform at least one test of trust on the female, after giving her reassurance of trust.' When Gwyn still looked confused, he continued. 'For example: after showing you that, given the chance, I would not harm you, I presented you with an opportunity to harm me, yet you would not.'

'Of course I would not harm you; what do you take me for?' Gwyn asked, hurt filling her tone and eyes.

'I told you, Gwyn,' Legolas said. 'It is an old Elvish tradition.' He smiled in slight amusement. 'You know, it is actually said that most women seem to enjoy it.'

Tears came to Gwyn's eyes and threatened to spill over. 'Well, I did not enjoy that!' she cried, tears splashing over the front of her dress. 'I hated it!' More tears escaped, and she began to shake.

Legolas saw that he had frightened her, and he immediately felt bad. 'Shhh...' he whispered, wrapping those strong arms around her. 'I am sorry, but it had to be done.'

'Why?' Gwyn asked, her voice muffled slightly against his chest.

Legolas thought a moment. 'I needed to renew your trust in me, and I needed you to renew my trust in you,' he answered. 'Does that make sense?'

Gwyn pulled away from him a little. 'I suppose,' she said shakily.

'Good,' Legolas smiled. 'I'm sorry that I frightened you.'

Gwyn shook her head. 'It's alright,' she said quietly. 'I understand now.' She smiled up at him, and he captured her lips in a deep, tender kiss, kissing away all her tears. 'Legolas?' Gwyn said suddenly, abruptly breaking the kiss. 'What did you mean when you said 'at least' one test of trust?' She looked curiously up at him.

'Oh,' Legolas grinned, 'that. Well, I've heard that in some marriages, the males perform several tests of trust on the female, but really only one is necessary.'

'I see,' Gwyn murmured, looking thoughtful. 'How many are you going to put me through?'

'It depends,' Legolas answered.

'On what?'

'On how strong our trust stays.' He grinned again. 'Or, I may just do one for amusement.'

'Surely you jest,' Gwyn breathed, her lips brushing his playfully. 'You wouldn't do that to me,' she kissed him lightly again, 'would you?' This time, she kissed him lingeringly, a kiss which soon burned passionately with heat. As they broke apart to breath, Legolas answered breathlessly, 'Of course not.'

'Good,' Gwyn murmured, a little smile on her pretty face. Then suddenly, they were kissing again, their lips locked in a seemingly endless fire.

Whooo, ther ya go! Wow, that took me, like, an hour and a half to type! Listen, guyz, I am really sorry!

Oh yeah...guess who I met? You'll never believe it! On Friday, April 30th....I met the (pronounced 'theeeee') Sean Astin!!!!!! I got his autograph again, and a complement on my Evenstar necklace! We gave him an LotR movie that we made! I got my Sam poster signed, and my HUGE RotK calender signed. The March picture, ya know? Sam and Frodo. Yeah, so my b- day's in March so it was extra special! And my friend's little bro got him to sign his cast...and that evening at the parade...we dressed up and HE REMEMBERED US!! he saw the dude's green cast and was like, 'Hey, didn't I meet you guys this morning?' I nearly screamed! Lol, no joke. I'm dead serious! Ne way, update coming soon, i promise.

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