And so slowly and, fortunately unhindered by aught else other than their own infirmities, they crossed in three days time the expanse of wilderness before an deputation from Mirkwood met them, Thranduil having received word from Gandalf's small winged messenger that help was needed. Before long everyone had proper accommodations and the welcome of the Hall of the Mirkwood King, and those who were in desperate need of rest and peace received it in good measure. The Blue Wizards had left when the Mirkwood contingent arrived. They decided to go back to Rhûn and finish what they began.
Coming to check on his guests, Thranduil found his son standing in the doorway, sadly watching over the now sleeping Lady. "She is making good progress, ion-nín," the king said with a comforting hand on his son's shoulder. "If the Lord of Mandos has not claimed her yet, i do not believe he shall."
Though they had certainly had more than enough of their differences, Legolas looked at his father, desperate to confide in him. "Adar," he said weakly, the word seeming almost foreign to him, "i love her."
"And you are not alone in this," Thranduil replied gently. "Gandalf has told me much. She is the Lady Lómëmir who dwelt here until recently. Often had i hoped that she might catch your eye, my son. She would make a fine wife to my heir."
Legolas stepped back, again looking proud. "No, father, she would not. Not when her heart belongs to Vaneldur. If i must inhibit my feelings i shall, but i shall not interfere." Legolas turned, stealing another longing glance at Lómëmir before going out to give vent to his passion with the bow and arrow as he so often had under Mirkwood's trees.
Over the next days the sleeping had woken and Vaneldur's wounds were healing sufficiently. Thranduil had bestowed upon the young man the honor of the title of Elf-friend, which Vaneldur graciously accepted, though his concern for Lómëmir had not dissipated. Every morning he went to her where she rested and holding her graceful hand they would talk for hours of anything and everything, from their dreams for the future to the earliest days Lómëmir had memory of.
Several times Gandalf joined them, and he explained some of the things that took place that Vaneldur did not understand. The horse which showed up on Dagorlad was one Gandalf had called upon, much as he was able to call upon Shadowfax at need. The Wizard spoke of Nahar, the legendary horse of the Vala Oromë, and explained how he was related to Linte. Gandalf also explained about Alatar and Pallando, telling how they had gone beyond the Sea of Rhûn and had even seen the Orocarni and Cuivienen and they had remained in Middle-earth's eastern regions. Aragorn had also traveled in that uncharted land, but had not gone as far as the Blue Wizards had. Gandalf told them that while Morion had been too busy priding himself on besting Mirkwood's Prince, he had been muttering invocations, calling upon the help they would need.
For some time they remained in Mirkwood while Lómëmir recovered, physically at least. She remained withdrawn with all but Vaneldur and often the only response she gave around him was her unnumbered tears. Spring blossomed fully all about and the hearts of many were renewed, and though Lómëmir tried to let her heart be light again, if just for Vaneldur's sake, it would not happen.
After the passing of three weeks since Lómëmir had gone missing from Minas Tirith, Gandalf talked again of returning to the White City. He knew that Elrond and Arwen and their escort were setting out for Gondor at that time and that they should do so as well. Vaneldur and Lómëmir had Thranduil's welcome if they wished to stay longer, since only Gandalf and Legolas were needed to take the now-confined Morion back to the scene of the crime, where Aragorn would have to pass judgment. Since his adequate recovery, the Dark Elf was kept in Thranduil's prisons under heavy guard.
Vaneldur felt that as Captain of Ithilien, even with Aragorn's leave, it was his duty to return with the prisoner, and Lómëmir would not allow him to talk himself out it. She agreed to the journey back to Gondor as well, but her ulterior motive was to return again closer to the Sea, where she hoped her heart could be made new. Gandalf decided to ride several days ahead of the other four travelers, he had matters to attend to with the King of Gondor that could wait no longer.
The rest of them arrived in the city several days after Gandalf had, on the morning of Midsummer Eve. There had been no incident along the road and with horses and ample provisions from Mirkwood they made good time. Lómëmir had spoken but very little, but she was beginning to get better at wearing a mask of lightness around others, she wanted neither their sympathy nor their pity, not after all she had survived alone before.
Morion had not spoken once, he remained more morose than ever. As usual, he did not let it be seen, but he was at war with himself. Seeing all his mistakes and misconceptions laid bare before him had a numbing effect. Suddenly he saw that the one goal he had pursued and wanted to attain more than anything he had in his many years could now never be reached. Morion had failed, for what he considered the first time, and it was only because of his own ignorance. He had not seen what was wrong with taking what he considering rightfully his, but now it was made plain to him that he never had any claim to Lómëmir. He wondered what the penalty was, according to Men, for abduction. He could have said he was sorry for what he had done, but he was not. He was more than sorry that it had lead to such a ghastly circumstance, but he was not in the least sorry for trying to achieve Lómëmir's heart in the only way he knew how. He was more than sorry for what he had selfishly lead his men into - when they were captured, the orcs and Easterlings had slaughtered his loyal guards almost immediately. As far as Morion was concerned, he risked it all and lost it all. He rather hoped that Aragorn would not stretch out his well-known compassion and let him live, or rather that the King of Men would know what real compassion was and not condemn him to carrying on.
When they arrived in the city Morion was taken into custody immediately and kept in the dungeons of Minas Tirith. For the next week during Aragorn and Arwen's wedding celebration he was well tended by the guards on duty, but forgotten about by everyone else in the city. Lómëmir felt somewhat comforted to be in Minas Tirith again with so many of her new friends, including the four Hobbits and Steward Faramir and the King and Queen. Just as Lómëmir had, Legolas had also sufficiently stifled what he really felt to the point that others would notice no change at all.