A/N: Although this is a work of "fiction", I feel a certain responsibility to make it as "real" as possible while staying within the limitations that have been set by Mr. Tolkien and this site.

Legolas and Annowe are grown adults (he is about 1500 years old in this story and she is about 2000 years old) and are concerned about the consequences of their physical union as any one should be.

(I'm going to preach here for a minute) Please, if you have any concerns or questions, talk to your parents, older siblings, a teacher or an adult you trust. (End of Public Service Announcement).

They were up before the dawn preparing to leave Edoras for Dunharrow. Everyone that could fight was going to muster. Theoden sent out messengers to all parts of the kingdom in a call to arms. Annowe urged him to send a message to Isengard in the hopes that perhaps some of the Ents, Huorns or dryads would come if they were able. They could use all of the help that was available.

Eowyn had kindly helped her find some blankets and a discarded tent to use. They would remain in Dunharrow three days according to Legolas while they waited for the men to gather and she would need some sleeping quarters.

As dawn broke over the city, the first riders began to leave for Dunharrow. Legolas and Gimli were again riding Arod and Annowe had managed to get her own horse and carried the equipment for the three of them. Aragorn and Merry rode with Theoden and Eowyn stayed close to her uncle's side although Annowe suspected it was Aragorn she wanted to be near.

As they rode, Legolas and Gimli told her of their adventures in Moria and Lorien and Amon Hen. She was amazed that they had managed to escape so many dire events. It made her adventure in Mirkwood and with the dryads seem quite tame by comparison.

When Gimli informed her of their "orc slaying" contest, she laughed out loud at the two of them, the comical image of the two of them trying to best each other running through her mind.

Legolas grinned back at her. She was right he HAD changed since Rivendell. His friendship with Gimli, his time with the hobbits and being away from her had made him realize what he held most dear in his life.

His missed his family and wished he could tell his father of his intentions with Annowe but he did not think his father would mind. After all, he had encouraged the relationship when they were younger.

Legolas did not want to risk losing her again and he was willing to forgo the normal elven courting customs to make their union permanent. They would have time when the war ended to complete the customary rituals. If the war ended said a voice in his head.

It was not uncommon for elves to mate during troubled times and then complete the customary marriage ceremonies later when the dangers had passed. It was not the most favorable way nor the best way for elves to betroth themselves but this was war and he was determined that he and Annowe should be joined before they marched on Minas Tirith. He did not want to take the chance that one or both of them would be killed and their connection broken forever.

She and Gimli were laughing about something and by the look on her face it was about him. He frowned at her with mock severity.

She stuck her tongue out at him and rode off, causing Gimli to laugh that much harder.

"What was that about?" Legolas wondered as he watched her catch up to Eowyn.

Gimli chuckled. "We were talking about her cousin, Deka, until she realized that your mind had wandered off again and couldn't resist tormenting you."

The elf grunted. He would have to pay more attention to these exchanges between the two of them. Who knew what they could be conspiring to do?

They arrived at Dunharrow in the early afternoon and spent the rest of the day pitching tents, digging latrines and fire pits and preparing to receive other recruits.

Annowe stayed near Legolas, determined that he would not slip away from her but neither he nor Gimli seemed to mind her company. They remained nearly inseparable until after the late evening meal when Gimli decided to retire early, leaving Annowe and Legolas staring at the cooking fire and talking in low voices.

Aragorn was discussing plans with Theoden and many of the others had turned in for the night or were quietly going about other chores.

She gave a deep sigh and looked up at the stars. "Why couldn't it be like this always?" She murmured softly.

"Perhaps one day it will be," Legolas answered as he slid next to her.

She smiled at him and rested her head on his shoulder. He slipped his arm around her and pulled her close. He was warm and firm against her and she never wanted to leave his side. She nuzzled his chest and he stroked her hair as they sat there in silence each enjoying the company of the other and slowly dying fire.

"Legolas," she said softly. "Can we talk some more?"

"About what?" He asked.

"About us," she answered.

He said nothing so she continued. "Are you sure that you want this?" She pulled away from him and turned to look him in the eye.

He sighed. "Yes. Stop questioning me." He was becoming annoyed with her constant doubt of his intentions.

"I am sorry. I don't want you to have any regrets about this. You have obligations to think about," she reminded him.

He touched her cheek. "I know," he answered. "And I have considered them. They don't matter to me. I am happy with you, Annowe, and I want to make our union permanent. I don't want to be without you ever again."

She bit her lip and lowered her eyes from his tender gaze for a moment as she considered this.

"I don't know what I have done in my life to deserve you but I would do it again a million times over," she finally said as she looked up at him.

He grinned and stood up, pulling her to her feet as well. She knew where this was going and she hesitated.

"What is it now?" He asked irritably. Why was she behaving this way? She kept telling him that she wanted him and the way she kissed him and touched him told him she wanted him so why was she pushing him away?

"This isn't a good time for me," she said hesitatingly.

Confused and irritated, he frowned. "Not a good time? What do you mean?" He demanded, letting go of her hand.

She took a deep breath and willed herself not to give into her desire for him. He was completely and utterly beautiful standing in the glow of the dying fire, the light flashing in his dark eyes and his skin pale against the night. She could hardly bear the sight of his beauty she desired him so fiercely.

"We have to take some, ah," she fumbled for the words. "Precautions." She looked at him hoping he would understand.

He frowned in an attempt to puzzle out her clue. She urged him on with an encouraging nod of her head and raised eyebrows. Certainly he could not be that completely naïve, she thought. He was well over a thousand years old and should have had "the talk" from his father many years ago.

Suddenly his eyes lit with understanding and he grunted with annoyance at himself. "Oh, those sort of precautions. I see," he mused. "Did you have anything in particular in mind?" He asked. He would certainly do his part to prevent any accidents.

She wrapped her arms around him and relaxed. "I know of a few preventative measures I can take," she murmured to him.

"How do you know this?" He questioned suspiciously. "Or is it another 'you don't want to knows'?"

She giggled guiltily. "Holly."

"Holly?" He asked incredulously. "I can't believe it!"

"It's true! Who else would I learn from if not my older sister?" Annowe asked.

He blinked in surprise. "What else did she tell you?" He wondered.

This caused her to giggle that much harder. "Now that is something you don't want to know," the nymph answered.