Sorry I took so long to update! My computer was fixed on Thursday, so I'm getting it all sorted and tided up now. I did lose most stuff by the way, so apologies for long delays with updates. Thank you for being patient.

Faerlain

Pando, Hero and Athena – How could I forget someone with a name like yours! I missed the John Ross thing. Why, was it good? Did I miss something really cool? Typical! Thanks for reviewing.

Ms. Unknown – What do you mean by 'hmm…'? What have I done wrong? Sorry if I've offended you. Thanks for reviewing anyway.

DaydreamingTurtle – It was awful! But it's all better now. Just got to copy a few things up and transfer things from floppy to hard drive…grrr. Oooh…Extended RotK!!! I LOVE it!!!!! I didn't get my idea from there. It just came out of nowhere. As a lot of things tend to do with my ideas… Thanks for reviewing.

QuenyaAnarya – Good! I'm glad you do. Thanks for reviewing.

Orlando's Hot Chick – Sorry about the long wait, but I've updated! Thanks for reviewing.

Tiara Shin – Heya! Hope you're both ok. A tad hyper? I think you were a bit more than 'a tad' sweety! Have you and Haldy been playing again? I think we're going to have to keep an eye on you two, right Leggy? Woo, singing! Can't sin at all, but hey! Never mind. It's all a bit of fun. Thanks for reviewing, and speak soon.

Rayane325 – It's a bugger. But I've got over half of my stuff, so that's cool. Yup, horrible battles horrible dreams. Makes sense I suppose. Thanks for reviewing.

Kalayna – Doesn't matter! Thanks for reviewing.

Queen Insanity – I love your name! That is just cool! Glad you've stuck with it, and thanks for reviewing.

Elerrina – I twisted things a bit! I rather like the nightmare too. Don't really know where it came from, but never mind! Thanks for reviewing.

Chapter 8: Does everyone know?

"I still can't believe my eyes…"

"Alright, I get the picture."

"But you look so…different!"

"Haldir, leave it, please."

The Marchwarden grinned. "Well, it's nice to see you wearing that instead of your normal clothes. You look beautiful." He winked at her, then rode back over to ride beside his brothers.

Anaróre felt herself blushing again. She would really have to learn how to control that. Many people had commented on how nice she looked. She was just trying to make an effort.

An effort for Legolas. Instead of her usual tunic and leggings, she was wearing a dress. Not the blue one, that was too delicate for horse riding. It was a dark red travelling dress, with silver hems and she had to admit, it was rather comfy. It suited her figure well, and although she didn't want to say so, she rather liked it.

Perhaps it is time to grow up.

As she looked back over the past few years, she realised how harsh she had been on her family. Perhaps it was their trying to force her into a dress that made her so adamant as not to wear one. Perhaps if they had just let be…

But she could not blame them.They wereonly clothes for goodness sake. And some dresses suited her, some didn't. Privately, she still believed most of them didn't, but she wouldn't voice these thoughts. There was no point having anymore arguments with her father over the matter. Something was bothering him, she could tell. And her mother was rather on edge too. They must have had an argument or something.

Her father was still in Lothlórien, but her mother had come with her and the others to Minas Tirith. The War was over; the Ring had been destroyed. And peace now reigned over Middle-Earth. Lady Arwen was travelling to the White City to be with Aragorn, and Elves from Lothlórien had joined her on the journey.

And Anaróre could feel her heart beating like a drum in her chest. Was Legolas still alive? They had not heard word of him, only Aragorn, and Frodo. She had asked after him when the messengers had arrived, but they had known nothing. This had made her angry, but she had just taken to her room, waiting for herself to calm down. As Andúnë had said, she would have felt it if something major had happened to him. She would have felt some kind of deep sadness; grief would have overwhelmed her. She had seen it happen before to other Elves. She sometimes assisted her mother in the healing wards, and had seen Elves come in with broken hearts, knowing their loved ones were dead, even though the scout had not yet returned from the border.

But she had no felt anything of the sort, so she was thinking, hoping, that Legolas was still alive and well. She would find out soon enough. They were getting nearer and nearer to the City every day.

Just a few short miles and she would be back in the arms of her beloved.

"Stop pacing."

"Please, stop pacing."

"You're making me dizzy!"

"Gimli, please do me a favour." He glared at the Dwarf. "Shut up."

"As you said please, I might consider it, but I'm being serious. I have never seen you this anxious laddie. What's wrong with you?"

"He's nervous," came a cool voice form the doorway. Legolas glowered at Elladan, the calm appearance of the other Elf angering him even more than the nosy Dwarf.

Elladan stepped into the room and walked over to Legolas, placing his hands on his shoulders, he looked the Prince right in the face. "Relax Legolas melonin," he whispered. "Please. Everyone in the City can feel your tension. Go outside, and even the birds are silent because you are like this. Nature is turning its back on us. Cheer up, before we start getting thunder storms!"

This was an old joke between Legolas and the twins, when Legolas' temper was said to upset the weather and create rain. Legolas glared at him for a moment longer, and then sighed, lowering his gaze. "I am sorry Elladan."

Gimli, realising a private talk was about to start, got up and left without a word, closing the door behind him.

"There is no need to apologise Legolas," the elder twin told him, sitting him down and kneeling at his feet. "You miss her, that's all."

Legolas looked up at him sharply. "How did you know…?"

"I can tell. You are in love. I cannot tell who this person is…" He studied the Mirkwood Prince for a moment, and then spotted the silver chain around his neck, half concealed by the tunic. He raised his hand and lifted out from its hiding place. As soon as he saw the leaf, he smiled in acknowledgement. "Ah, I see." He placed back against Legolas' chest, still smiling. "Anaróre."

"You know her?"

"Everyone knows Anaróre, in one way or another. Her stubbornness is famous throughout Lothlórien."

Legolas finally smiled faintly. "Aye, that she is. Very stubborn."

Elladan took one of Legolas' hands, turning it over and examining it. "Your hands have turned rough Legolas," he said. He looked up at him. "Too much fighting melonin."

"Well, I have just been along with the Fellowship. There was bound to be a lot of fighting…"

"I mean all your life. Too much fighting Legolas. Too much holding on to what you maybe cannot have. Its time to let go. Make your hands soft again. Have you felt how coarse they are?" He pressed his palm against Legolas', and the blonde Elf could feel how smooth Elladan's were compared to his own.

"I'm an archer Elladan. My hands are bound to be rougher than yours."

"I am not taking that as an excuse. See it as…retiring."

"I am not an old man!"

Elladan grinned, the grin Legolas recognised from his childhood, the Twin Grin. "I know you're not." He placed Legolas' hand down onto the Prince's lap again. "Just think about your future Legolas. Stop looking back into the past. You've fought your battles, slain your enemies. Stop, rest, let go. Understand me?"

Legolas nodded mutely. There were no words left to say really. Elladan had got his point across. And Legolas was going to listen to him. He needed advice; Elladan had given it.

"Take heed of what I say Greenleaf," he said finally, standing back up. "I won't be here forever to look after you." He winked, and then left.

Legolas sat there in silence, looking out the window across Minas Tirith and the Pelennor Fields. From where he was, he could see the now silent mountains of Mordor, the dark sky above the dead land. He compared that land to his heart now. He couldn't feel anything. It was as if he had lost part of his spirit when he had been fighting.

Arwen and the other Elves were due soon. Would Anaróre be with them?

He placed his hand over he leaf lying against his chest. Yes, she was coming. He could feel it. And she would not be hurt, as he had so often seen in his dreams. She would be well and fine. And they would be together. Without a War, there was no reason for them to be separated.

He could finally be with the one he truly loved.

"Ok, now I'm scared."

"Scared of what? The ghosts of the Orcs slain on this battlefield?"

Anaróre laughed at her friend's comment. "No 'Dúnë, I'm scared of seeing him again. I fear he has changed some way."

"I doubt it Ana. You're the one that's changed."

Anaróre gave her a sharp glance. "What do you mean?"

"Look at yourself. Wearing dresses, talking like an adult, taking care of your appearance more and more. You've grown up at last."

Anaróre shrugged. "I figured it was time I did so. Even if we Elves are immortal, we cannot live like children forever. We have to grow up some day."

Andúnë grinned at her friend's wise words. "You would make a fantastic sidekick for Lady Galadriel with all these comments. Very wise, but with just a hint of sarcasm beneath them."

"It's big, isn't it?" Anaróre said, changing the subject quickly and pointing up at the City.

"Aye, that it is." Andúnë looked over at her friend. "Are you going to get changed Ana?"

"Into what?"

"A proper dress."

"I'm already wearing it, underneath this one." She grinned. "I thought ahead for once."

"Clever girl." They grinned at each other, and then carried on towards Minas Tirith.

"Does Aragorn know you're down here laddie?"

"Of course he doesn't. But I've got to meet my people Gimli."

"Alright, alright, I was just asking."

"Thought we'd missed you!"

Legolas turned at the sound of twin voices calling to him in unison. He smiled at the two dark-haired Elves running through the courtyard to him. "They're nearly here. Good timing."

"We've had a lot of practise," Elrohir told him offhandedly as they smoothed down their clothes and smartened up their hair. "Adar's coming; we have to look half-way respectable."

They waited for about half an hour, and then the front of the group was upon them. They bowed respectfully to Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. As his grandchildren spoke to Celeborn, Legolas scanned the group for Anaróre. But he could not see her through the white cloaks of his people. He inwardly sighed, but quickly turned his attention back to the meetings and greetings.

Aragorn was waiting for them at the top of the Citadel. He welcomed them as well, and then led them into his palace. He and Arwen were now inseparable, and Legolas wanted more than anything to find Anaróre and hold her as Aragorn was holding Arwen. He felt a slight bitter resentment for the pair linger in his heart, but it disappeared as quickly as it had come. They had been through a lot; they deserved this happiness.

Gradually, the Elves faded away into the palace, being shown to their guestrooms, and exploring. The number dwindled, and Legolas kept his eyes sharp.

Then he saw her, a beautiful light in the shadows, standing off to one side with Andúnë, the two of them talking together, alone. And she looked incredible. The sunlight coming through one of the high windows of the throne room shone onto her hair, and it looked like pure spun gold. She was wearing a long pale lilac dress that contrasted with her hair and eyes perfectly. But he did not see the colour, the lace trimmings, or anything else. He only saw her, her eyes, her. Anaróre, his love, had come to him. When he had promised he would go to her.

But that didn't matter now. She was there, and he needed her. And he could feel she needed him. He walked slowly over, every footstep bringing him closer to his beloved.

Andúnë laughed softly at something Anaróre said, and then glanced to her left. She saw the Elf walking over to them, and stopped laughing. "Ana," she whispered, tilting her head to where he was coming from. "Look."

Anaróre turned her face and felt her heart stop at the sight of Legolas coming towards her. He was dressed all in silver, his hair braided in the fashion of royalty, a glow seeming to completely surround him. He wore a silver circlet upon his head, and he was smiling at her. She silently handed her glass to Andúnë and walked to him.

They met and just stood there, words unable to express their feelings. Then Legolas did the only thing he felt possible. He kissed her.

Anaróre slipped her arms around his neck, and his round her waist. From her place in the corner, Andúnë smiled to herself. Her friend was finally happy.

The pair parted and leant their foreheads against one another. "I missed you so much," he murmured. "I was so afraid of losing you."

"I love you Legolas," she whispered. "I love you and always will. I love you." She kissed him again, and this kiss was filled with more passion, more fervour. He responded in a similar way, and then they just held each other, knowing that nothing would ever separate them now.

Just one more tiny chapter to go. AndI mean tiny. Then that's this story done and dusted. Shouldn't be too long before I post the last chapter.

Faerlain