A/N: ::annoyed look:: So much for more reviews. . . Thanks to the people who HAVE reviewed, even though I /hope/ there are more of you reading. Also, I apologize for those weird symbols, and lack of asteriks in the last chapter. . . Apparently fan fiction decided to have fun with some STUFF. ::growl:: AAAAANNNYWAY. . . Don't worry, as you can see, I've found a way around it. I hope. Well, I guess that's it. Here's chapter three, to those who are reading. PLEASE people, get it in gear! Again, remember that the long jumps of time in this chapter are really kind of short for elves. Thank you. That is all.

3.

Kalia woke a few hours after taking one of the salab nestarden. She rolled over onto her side to look out the window, and caught a glimpse of the sun between the dense trees. From what she could see, it had just barely begun to rise, since the sky was still a deep purple color. She looked at the elf beside her, only to find him gone. She frowned; Legolas never left this early before. Sliding to the edge of the bed, she rested her feet on the ground and blinked at the chill of the wooden floor, but after a moment stood up all the way. She shrugged on a robe, knowing it was nowhere near time for her to get up and that the elf was fine, but preparing to go out and comb the hallway for her husband anyway.

She gasped when she felt the arm around her waist, spinning her around against a hard chest. She put up her hands quickly to brace herself against the long body pulling her closer, and stopping herself from being crushed. The shoulder of her robe slipped down, exposing her skin, but the queen paid it no heed. Throwing her head back, she met her husband's laughing blue eyes, and shook her head as the tension drained out of her.

"You startled me," Kalia scolded, now reclining comfortably in his arms and idly playing with one of his braids. "What are you doing up so early?"

"Nothing," Legolas said defensively, cradling his wife so he could plant a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I just wished to spend some time with my beautiful wife." She smiled, despite the fact she knew there was more to it.

"Because. . .?" she prompted. The elf sighed, attempting to elude the question.
"Never mind. What do you say to a walk through the gardens?" He did not wait for an answer, releasing her to take her arm, aware she would not go anywhere without one herself.

She dug her heels into the carpet until he stopped, reluctantly looking back at her.

"Firstly, there absolutely no way I am going outside in this." She gestured to the nightgown she still wore, only now pulling the shoulder of her robe back up properly. "And secondly, what happened?" Her question was blunt, but she wanted to make sure he could not possibly twist her words around. Kalia crossed her arms, waiting patiently, albeit steadfastly.

"Very well. I have to leave for Imladris. . . Soon," he finished lamely. "I have some matters that need discussing with Lord Elrond, and I will be there for a while. But you do not need to worry, I have left Pelin in charge-" Kalia snorted at that-she did not doubt Pelin's ability-after all, he was Legolas' advisor-but she doubted she would be included in anything once he had control of the purse strings. The elf still didn't like her, even though the woman had done everything in her power to befriend him; True, he was polite enough to her, and gave her due respect, but he avoided her when possible, and when he did have to speak to her, it was like he wished he could be anywhere but there. "Don't laugh," the king scolded gently. "He'll be a good ruler while I'm gone."

"How long will you be there, and when are you leaving?" Kalia inquired, ignoring his comment and hiding the disappointment at the news that he would be away from her for a long period of time. At her questions, the elf appeared distinctly uncomfortable, even squirming slightly. But he knew there was no point in avoiding her questions, and he had no desire to lie to her.

"I'll be gone for about three years, and I'm leaving today," Legolas told her honestly, not meeting her in the eye.

"I see. . ." Kalia said carefully. She did not press the subject further, but turned and started walking. He joined her, steering them towards the gardens. He hoped the early morning air would help, and that he needed to spend more time with his wife and daughter, but he really needed to negotiate these trades with Lord Elrond.

It wasn't as though he was doing this for fun. Indeed, he found most of the things he did exceedingly boring. All Legolas had any desire for was to be with his family, without the burdens of being a king. He had no idea how his father had managed to make it seem so simple, but one thing was for sure. . . it definitely wasn't. He sighed quietly, following his wife idly and thinking back to the time when they had first met. The elf smiled, remembering the way she had approached him as though it was nothing at all. He remembered the way he had forgotten to breathe at the first sight of her. And he remembered that from the moment he first felt her breath beside his ear, the first time he had inhaled her spicy scent, that he had known deep down that he was hers forever.

'I'll prove it to her,' Legolas thought, walking a little faster so that he was beside his wife. 'When I get back, we're going to leave. . . all three of us. Aliné can take care of herself for a few hours a day. When I return, we are going to leave and not come back until I've made up for all the time I've missed.'

"Legolas? Are you there, or did you slip off into your thoughts again?" The young King smiled guiltily at Kalia, but then he realized her words were only gentle teasing. He wondered why he didn't note this as soon as she spoke. Was he really that preoccupied?

"Legolas?" The elf snapped his attentions back to his wife.

"Yes, my love?"

"Are you alright?" He smiled, but she did not know it was more out of irony. He was not alright. . . he needed a distraction. From his duties. . . from the world. He wanted to go somewhere that made it seem like the world did not exist, except for that one place. In that place, his problems did not exist. They were not important. Then his smile broadened ever so slightly. He knew just the place.

Without answering her, he took Kalia's hand and started off, fairly running. She trotted along behind him, trying not to trip from the suddenness of his departure. When she managed to find her feet again, she moved along beside him, matching his pace. No matter how many times she asked, he would not tell her where they were going. His only reply was that she would enjoy it, leaving her completely in the dark. Well, she thought dryly, not completely. She could at least rule out Mordor. She tried to identify their surroundings, and while she knew Eryn Lasgen so well, she could not for the life of her figure out where they were going. It was only until she saw a very familiar clump of trees that their destination dawned on her.

Together they slowed until they were walking at a leisurely pace. Upon reaching their spot, Kalia slipped through two thick trees, looking around the area fondly. Her eyes drifted from the soft grass floor to the winding stream that wound its way through the clearing. She stepped forward and ran a hand gently over a particular rock. 'He was sitting right here,' she thought, remembering. 'He was leaning against this rock when we first met.' She turned as she heard him enter behind her and smiled.

"Thank you for bringing me here," she murmured, going into his outstretched arms. Legolas could not have been more content.

"I love you," he spoke softly, running a hand through her silky locks. He gently kissed her neck, resting his head on her shoulder.

"Do you?" She spoke softly. "Show me. Show me you love me, Legolas."

And he did.

A/N: I know this one is short, but I had to get up SOMETHING. I'll write as soon as can, since my muse has come back.