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Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with Lord of the Rings. It all belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien and the movie producers. I only own Amaris.

Number 49: Saying Goodbye and Beginning of Journey

Amaris was finishing clasping her tunic when there was a knock on the door. "Come in!" Amaris called. She looked in the mirror and the door opened to reveal Aragorn. She smiled at him and turned around as she started to braid her hair in one long braid. Aragorn walked over to her and she moved her hair from her back to over her shoulder as she braided. He put his left hand on her right shoulder and smiled.

"You leave with Legolas this morning," Aragorn said with a saddened smile. Amaris finished tying the leather strip around her hair and nodded.

"Yes. We are leaving for Mirkwood shortly." She paused and embraced him. Aragorn slowly wrapped his arms around her. "I am going to miss you terribly Aragorn."

"And I you." They pulled away and Amaris smiled at him.

"We will be back in time for your coronation in five months, so don't get too used to not having me around." Aragorn laughed and stepped back from her. His face was still saddened and Amaris could read what troubled him. "Arwen is well Aragorn, do not worry. If she was not well, Ada would have sent word to you and I." Aragorn looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

"Ada?" Amaris smiled and nodded.

"Lord Elrond has adopted me if you will. The night we took the path of the dead I spoke with him." Aragorn nodded.

"Do you think I've done the right thing, Amaris, in taking the throne?" Amaris was shocked but nodded and took his hand.

"Of course you have. Gondor needs their King. Middle Earth needs your guidance and rule Aragorn." Amaris paused and Aragorn nodded. A smiled played on her lips. "And why do you ask me if you have done the right thing? If I remember correctly you are at least four times my age and are supposed to be much wiser." Aragorn laughed and gently shoved her shoulder. There was another knock on the door. "Come in." Amaris called as she smiled at Aragorn. Merry stepped into the room with a smile on his face.

"Amaris, Legolas is ready and waiting for you. Everyone is outside to say good bye," Merry said and his smile slowly faded away. Amaris nodded.

"I will be right out. I just need to grab my pack," Amaris replied and walked over to the bed. Merry left and she heard him scurry down the hall to tell the others. Aragorn watched as Amaris strapped on her pack with her quiver attached and she picked up her bow and latched it to her back. She tied on her sword belt and turned and faced him.

"You still wear your weapons?" Aragorn asked with a smile. Amaris smiled and shook her head.

"You of all people should know, it is not wise to travel unprepared." Aragorn gave her an approving smile and nodded before leading her to the door. He leaned in and whispered to her.

"If you should come across danger, don't leave your right side open." Amaris gave a fake shocked look before she smacked him hard on the arm. Aragorn rubbed his shoulder and smiled. "You know, you need to be more careful on what you do to me. I am going to be a King after all." Amaris smiled and shook her head as she patted his forearm.

"To me you will always be my brother, title or no title." Aragorn smiled and leaned over and placed a kiss on her forehead. They walked outside and were greeted by the early morning sun, four hobbits, Gimli, Faramir, Eomer, Eowyn, Gandalf, and an ever patient Legolas holding the reins to Arod and Marisal. Amaris let go of Aragorn's arm and walked over quickly to Eowyn and embraced her. "I am going to miss you my friend." She heard Eowyn sniff and felt her nod on her shoulder.

"I will miss you too, my friend," Eowyn said. They pulled apart and Amaris whispered quietly to Eowyn.

"You watch that Faramir of yours. I know how much you care for him and whether he's ready to admit it or not he feels the same for you." Amaris paused when Eowyn smiled only to give her one back. "He's a mortal man, give him time and he'll let you know." Eowyn nodded before embracing Amaris once more.

"Have a safe journey," Eowyn said as tears slipped from her eyes. Amaris nodded and went to the next in line. Faramir smiled at her.

"Well, Lord Faramir, I do not know you as well as I would like but I consider you a dear friend. Watch over our friends while I am gone." Faramir smiled and bowed his head.

"That I will. I hope your journey is safe and takes you home swiftly." Amaris smiled and embraced him. Surprised by her actions he slowly embraced her back and she knew that he had not received many hugs throughout his life. She pulled away and smiled at him before moving on to Eomer. She smiled at the soon to be King of Rohan who stood proud with a smile across his face. No words were exchanged between the two, just smiles and a warm embrace. Eomer had also become like a brother to Amaris and more often than not no words were needed to express themselves.

Amaris turned next to Gimli who looked rather sad but smiled none the less. Amaris bent over and gave him a solid hug and he returned it. "I will be back before you know it and so will Legolas. So, do not worry you may continue your debates on who truly won the game." Amaris winked at him and Gimli let out his gruff laugh.

"I cannot wait 'til you two return," Gimli said but paused and looked around Amaris at a smiling Legolas. "Especially you laddie. I still have several issues with you!" Legolas laughed and shook his head.

"I look forward to it Gimli," Legolas said as he watched Amaris embrace each hobbit and said her farewells. Finally, she stood before Gandalf and Aragorn. She embraced both of them and Gandalf wiped away a fallen tear from her eye.

"We will se you soon child," Gandalf said. He leaned in and whispered to her. "Do not fear Legolas' father. I am certain that he will take great pleasure in knowing that his son is to be wed." Amaris smiled at him before hugging him once more. She turned to Aragorn and hugged him again before quickly turning around and walking towards Legolas. Legolas smiled at her and handed her the reins to Marisal. She leaned in and kissed him lightly before she mounted. Legolas followed suit and they turned their horses.

"We will se all of you in five months time!" Legolas called out and waived as they urged their horses on and left the white city.

-

They rode straight through the day only stopping to water the horses. When the sun began to set Legolas led Amaris to a covered plain and dismounted. "We will rest here for the night," Legolas said as he walked over to help her down. She put her hands on his shoulders and jumped from Marisal.

"Legolas, we can ride through the night if you wish. We will get there quicker and-" Legolas silenced her by placing two fingers on her lips.

"Shh. We will arrive in Mirkwood in two weeks time, even if we stop and rest every other night. I have planned this out you know." Amaris smiled as he removed his fingers from her lips. "Come, we will have something light to eat and then you can take rest." Amaris shook her head but smiled. She retrieved her water skin and some fruit from her satchel. They had to eat the fruit soon, so she thought they'd share it tonight. They had enough bread and things to last the rest of the way. Legolas retrieved his water skin and built a small fire. She sat down next to him and handed him an apple and smiled. "Where did you get this?"

"Pippin and Merry gave me four apples for our journey. I thought you would enjoy it tonight." He smiled and gave her a chaste kiss.

"Thank you, meleth nîn." Amaris smiled and looked into the fire as she took a bite of her apple. Legolas did the same and they sat in comfortable silence enjoying their fruit and the sounds of peace around them.

-

Amaris focused her eyes but she did not remember falling asleep. Her head rested on something soft and comfortable and something was moving gently playing with her braid. She looked around with her eyes and found that her head was laying on Legolas' lap and the sun was just coming over the horizon. She lifted her head and turned to look at him. He smiled at her and she returned it. "When did I fall asleep?" Amaris asked. Legolas bent over and kissed her forehead and smiled.

"Shortly after we returned from washing our hands and faces in the creek. You just laid down and the next thing I know you were sleeping. I did not have the heart to wake you." Amaris smiled at him.

"I am sorry. Did you sleep at all?" He shook his head.

"No, I was not tired. I enjoyed watching you too much. You are rather beautiful and peaceful when you sleep you know." He laughed lightly and Amaris propped herself up and gently shoved his chest only to have him grab her as he tipped backwards and pull her with him. Legolas hit the ground with a light thud and Amaris was pulled up and laid across his chest. Amaris smiled at him as a stray strand of her hair tickled his cheek.

"So much for the grace of elves, Legolas." He just gave her a mischievous smile and pulled her head towards him causing her lips to come crashing down on his. Amaris returned the kiss happily until it dawned on her what he did. She quickly pulled away and smiled at him. "You wicked elf!" Legolas gave a look of innocence but couldn't help the smirk that played his lips. "You purposely fell, just so you could kiss me." Amaris couldn't help the smile that appeared on her face and that caused his smirk to grow into a smile. She leaned in to where her lips hovered just above his. "I would have gladly given you your desire if you would have asked." Her breath danced across his lips and he involuntarily shivered slightly and Amaris just smiled.

"I had more fun this way." With that said he leaned up and captured her lips once more causing a moan to escape her throat. She reluctantly pulled away after a moment and smiled down at him.

"I did too; however, we should be on our way. We do not want to keep your father waiting." Legolas sighed and nodded before he sat up and helped Amaris stand. They made their way to their horses and once again sat out of their journey.