A/N: Please forgive me for the delay! I did not intend for it to take this long!

Brazgirl: Thank you so much for still reading this!

We did not linger in Lórien for more than a week. I grew anxious to return to Greenwood, even with the fair woods of the Lady surrounding me. Gwendolas felt my impatience, questioning it not and informing her parents of our departure.

I was thankful that I did not have to face Beldírin, praying that I would not have to ever again. I was not afraid of the man; I was more so afraid that I would not be able to control my actions if I was ever near him. He had never done physical harm to me, yet he had done emotional harm in my wife. That was all the incentive that I needed.

I did not need to inform the Lady of our departure; she knew of it before a word was uttered to our own guards. She was not there to bid us farewell upon our return voyage. In her stead came Lord Celeborn, who nodded his head in a bow to me. While Gwendolas took it as a sign of formality, I understood his true meaning. It was not a "goodbye;" it was a "we shall meet soon."

With our guard before us, we set out of Lórien, heading north through the woods. We all gave a silent lament as we crossed the borders of the woods, heading north up the Andúin once more. Bronaduil and Galaduil proved once more to be amiable entertainers, yet I had not the heart to join them in their songs. Often, I would find Gwendolas looking at me, her piercing gaze trying to decipher my lack of interest.

By a week and a half of traveling, we had reached the crossing outside of Greenwood. We rested on the banks that night, Gwendolas and myself sitting beneath a tree as the six guards either rested or kept watch. I held Gwendolas tightly in my arms, letting her rest against me. I felt wearied, yet could find no rest, instead busying myself by stroking her sweet hair.

My hand that was not in her locks was around her stomach, my hand laying atop her own. Thoughts of my child came to mind as I could feel life beginning to sprout beneath her skin. It pained me to think that I would not be there to see my child born, as well as to help raise him or her. I gazed at Gwendolas's face, her blue eyes glazed over as she rested. I would miss her terribly, feeling alone in the encampments and on the battlefield. Leaning down, I gently kissed her hair, murmuring "I love you" into her golden locks.

She blinked slowly, coming out of her rest and looking up at me. "Thranduil, what is troubling you so?"

I spoke not for a moment, letting out a small sigh as I collected my thoughts. I knew the time was right; I needed to tell her. "My love," I began, trying to find my words. "Upon our return to Greenwood, I shall have to depart again."

"To where, my lord?" she questioned.

"To the South."

She laughed lightly. "My love, we were just down south. If you had made your venture know, we may have stopped for you and let you complete your errand." She eyed me, the mirth dimming from her eyes upon seeing my face. "Thranduil? What ails thee?"

"I do not ride to the south for pleasure," I said quietly. "I ride with my father and our army. My love, I ride to war."

Gwendolas looked at me blankly, sitting up and pushing away from me slightly. She turned, looking me into my eyes. "To war?"

"The servant of Morgoth will attack Gondor and rule over the lands," I tried to explain. "Lord Gil-Galad is marching an army to join with the king of Gondor to drive him back to his dark lands."

This news did not seem to make Gwendolas happier. Her brows furrowed at she looked upon me incredulously. "Now?" she finally asked, her hand slipping to her abdomen. "Thranduil, the child..."

"I know, my love," I answered quietly, reaching out my hand and taking her cheek in it. "I know."

"Then do not go! Send the men in your place! Why must you ride with the soldiers?" She looked upon me with desperation, pleading with her eyes for me to stay.

"This is the only way I can ensure that you remain safe," I whispered, stroking her cheek slowly. "To ensure that our child remains safe."

Tears slowly welled up in her eyes as she beheld me. She moved not, only letting me stroke her cheek gently.

"We depart two and a half months ere we return home," I told her. She looked at me mutely, and I drew her into my arms once more. She did not resist, merely let me enfold my arms around her, holding her tightly.

"I cannot deny that I do not wish you to go," she murmured, looking up at me with tear stained eyes.

I kissed her brow, resting my cheek upon it. "I swear to you, Gwendolas, that I shall return as swiftly as I can. I shall not desert you."

"I care not for the length of time, Thranduil," she said, "just as long as you return."

"Then you shall wait for me?"

She smiled up at me and kissed my cheek. "Yes, I shall wait for you, as shall our child." She rested her head against my shoulder, holding me tightly. At length, she murmured, "it shall be too quiet with you all gone."

"Fear not," I assured her. "You shall not be alone. By lord Elrond's request, the lady Celebrían shall be coming to stay with you."

Looking down, I saw a tiny smile on her lips. "I would desire greatly the company," she acknowledged. She spoke no more, content to stay in my arms. Letting out a small sigh, I wrapped my arms tighter around her, watching as the sky above turned from it's dark color to a pale light, the sun slowly beginning to rise over a new day.