I hope you enjoy this chapter. Thank you all for the reviews. I love to know what you think so keep them coming!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings. It all belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien and the movie producers. I only own Amaris and any other character unknown in Tolkien's work.

Note: Dialouge in bold is spoken in Elvish and Dialouge in italics is telepathic communication between Amaris and Legolas.

Number 50: Arriving in Mirkwood

They had traveled for nearly two weeks and as they rode over a hill a smile crossed Legolas' face. Amaris felt a waive of happiness come from him and she smiled as she looked at him. "What is it Legolas?" Amaris asked. Legolas looked over at her and pointed towards the forest.

"We're home," he said quietly. Amaris' smile grew and she looked towards the forest. The trees were tall and seemed to glow with a new found life. Legolas smiled at Amaris as he watched her take in the sight of the forest. "Let us ride quickly and reach the forests' edge." Amaris turned back to him and nodded. They both urged their horses on and their horses ran fast carrying them to their destination. Before Amaris knew it they had slowed their horses as they approached the forest of Mirkwood. Their horses were breathing heavy and Amaris felt her chest rising and falling quickly from the rush of riding so fast. "We have plenty of sunlight left. We should make it to the palace before nightfall if we continue to ride. Would you like to continue?" Legolas asked. Amaris smiled and turned to looked at him.

"Of course Legolas. I cannot wait to see your home." Legolas shook her head.

"No, meleth nîn, this is our home." Amaris' smile grew and Legolas rode ahead of her leading their way into the forest. As they rode Amaris felt eyes on them. She became concerned and decided to talk to Legolas through their link.

"Legolas, someone or something is watching us. I can feel them."

"Do not worry, meleth nîn, it is alright. I believe it is just the border patrols. They will make themselves known soon." Amaris believed him but still felt uneasy. She had heard stories of giant spiders that lived in the Mirkwood forest and she was not a very big fan of spiders. Suddenly, she saw flashes and the horses came to a stop. Amaris looked ahead and standing in the path were three elves. Legolas smiled and dismounted Arod. He walked over and greeted each elf.

"It is good to have you home, your highness," an elf with golden hair and dark eyes. Legolas put his hand on his shoulder.

"It is good to see you too Amend," Legolas said with a smile. He turned to the next elf and smiled as he put his hand on his shoulder. "Nice to see you, Hebrilith."

"I am happy your home Prince Legolas," Hebrilith said with a smile as he bowed his head. His eyes were blue but not nearly as blue as Legolas' and his hair was a little lighter than Legolas'. Legolas nodded and turned to the last elf who stood with a large smile on his face. He had dark hair and eyes and before Legolas could put his hand on the elf's shoulder the elf gave him a deep bow. Legolas just laughed.

"Welcome home your highness," the elf said. Amaris raised an eyebrow at this interesting elf but smiled slightly.

"You have not changed, my friend. It is good to be home, Elviondel." Legolas put his hand on the elf's shoulder and smiled.

"Legolas, who are these ellons?" Amaris asked through her connection and Legolas jumped slightly and smiled. He quickly turned and walked over to her. Legolas smiled at her and helped her off of Marisal and took her hand. He raised it to her lips and kissed her knuckles lightly and spoke back to her.

"Forgive me Amaris. I was happy to see my comrades again and nearly forgot you were there." Amaris gave him a shocked look with her eyes.

"How could you forget about me, meleth nîn?"

"It is nearly impossible. Forgive me?" Amaris smiled and nodded. He smiled and led her by the hand over to the three ellons who were watching their prince with a curious expression on their faces. Amaris gave them each a smile and they returned it but their smiles grew even larger when they met her eyes. All three looked to their prince and when they took a good look at his eyes they looked at each other and their smiles grew. Amaris looked at Legolas and raised an eyebrow at him and he smiled. "Amend, Hebrilith, and Elviondel I would like to introduce you to Amaris. She was a member of the Fellowship and took part in every battle we faced." Legolas paused and looked at Amaris. "Amaris, these three are boarder patrol guards and three of my dearest friends." Amaris smiled at him and nodded her head.

"It is an honor to meet you," Amaris said as she bowed her head slightly to them. They smiled at her and returned her bow.

"The honor is ours milady," Elviondel said with a smile. Amaris returned his smile and looked back at Legolas.

"How far are we from the palace, Legolas?" she asked as she gently squeezed his hand. Legolas smiled.

"We shall arrive with two hours. Come, we will ride." Legolas walked her to Marisal and held her horse still while she mounted. The three elves smiled at them both. Legolas mounted Arod and smiled at his friends. Elviondel gave the prince a smirk and Legolas gave him a curious look.

"Tell me, Lady Amaris, why did you revert to the common tounge?" Elviondel asked. Amaris just smiled at him.

"I became accustomed to speaking the common language Lord Elviondel. I seem to find speaking it as second nature. I am glad you understood, did they understand as well?" Amend and Hebrilith nodded. She smiled. "Good. I hope it is not an inconvience to you if I revert back and forth." The three shook their heads and smiled at the young elleth who they knew to be their prince's betrothed. Their king would be very happy to see his son is bound and has found love. The three moved from the path and allowed Legolas and Amaris to continue on their way to the palace. They stood and watched them with a smile.

-

"What do you think of our prince's betrothed?" Elviondel asked the two ellons that still had smiles on their faces.

"I like her and if she indeed fought as Legolas said she did then maybe she will join the guard," Amend said as he turned back to the others.

"Possibly. Legolas seems quiet taken and they are each other's other half for when they bound their eyes changed. That is a rarity in itself these days." Hebrilith said. Elviondel nodded.

"That is true. I just wish we were at the palace to see the king's reaction to her. I am certain he will be quiet taken aback by her eyes. I have never seen such dark green eyes and the blue ring stands out greatly. He will know immediately that they are bound and I think he may be very pleased," Elviondel said. The other two nodded and then they slowly made their way to their posts up in the trees.

-

The palace slowly came into view and Amaris smiled when she saw it. The village around the palace seemed to busy and alive with activity, which she thought odd considering elves seemed to take their time to do things. The palace, even though it was set in a cave was still magnificent and seemed to glow with busied activity. Legolas stopped and Amaris stopped next to him. He looked down at the village and smiled then he turned his attention to Amaris. "Amaris, there is a hot spring a few feet that way. How about we bathe and change into proper clothing before we head into the palace. I am certain you would wish to 'freshen up' as you say before meeting my father," Legolas said with a smile on his face. Amaris let out a quiet laugh and nodded.

"That would be lovely Legolas. I feel very dirty from our travels," she said as she wrinkled her nose. Legolas smiled and nodded as he turned off the path and led her through the trees. After a little while of riding they came across a secluded hot spring and Amaris' face beamed. She dismounted Marisal and opened her satchel on Marisal's side. She removed a wrapped package and her cosmetic bag. Aragorn had provided her with soap and a shampoo like substance and she removed them from her bag. She grabbed a large piece of cloth she would use to dry herself with and picked up the package from where she sat it down. She turned to make her way to the spring only to see Legolas removing his last item of clothing, his leggings, and step into the spring. She nearly dropped the things she carried but composed herself and sat them down on a large boulder next to the spring. She felt his eyes on her back as she removed the leather tie from around her hair. She shook her hair loose and turned to smile at him. He smiled back and watched her intently as she removed her boots and the rest of her clothing; she had already removed her weapons and placed them on Marisal. She picked up the soap and shampoo and walked over to the spring. She sat her items on the edge and slowly lowered herself in. The water was warm and soothing to her somewhat tired muscles. She closed her eyes and ducked her head under the water and smoothed her hair back as she came up. When she opened her eyes, she met Legolas' gaze as he had moved closer to her. She just smiled at him. "Can I help you?" Legolas smiled and leaned into her. He placed a soft kiss on her lips before he pulled away.

"Let me wash your hair for you," Legolas said as he turned her around. Amaris did not have time to respond as the next thing she knew Legolas was massaging the sweet smelling shampoo to her hair. Legolas took a deep breath and sighed. "When we arrive in the palace, I will have rose scented soaps and oils brought to you. I know they are your favorite and they are mine as well." Legolas leaned into her and placed a light kiss on the base of her neck. Amaris smiled.

"Thank you Legolas but you do not have to go to so much trouble for me." Legolas chuckled quietly and tilted her head back so he could rise the soap away.

"It is no trouble Amaris. You are to be my princess and I will do everything within my power to make you happy." After he had rinsed the soap Amaris turned around and faced him.

"You don't have to do much, I am already very happy." Legolas just smiled at her and kissed her deeply. Amaris quickly pulled away as their kiss began to grow and their hands began to explore one another. They both paused to catch their breath and Legolas went in to kiss her again but she stopped him. "We should bathe, meleth nîn. They are probably expecting us and we do not want to be late." Legolas sighed but nodded his head.

"You are right. Let us finish and then go into the city." Amaris smiled and kissed his forehead before she grabbed the soap and washed herself before she gave it to Legolas. She climbed out and dried herself off and dried her hair. She wrapped the large cloth around her body and walked over to the package. Amaris untied the string and slowly pulled away the soft cloth. She smiled as her eyes fell on a light green and white gown along with light green slippers that Lady Galadriel had given her in secret. The Lady told her she would know the right time to wear it and Amaris couldn't think of a better time. Amaris removed the slippers and took out the gown. It was extremely beautiful and she felt honored to be given such a beautiful gift. She heard Legolas exit the spring and quickly make his way to Arod where he left all of his clothing and his cloth to dry with. Amaris smiled and shook her head as she dressed and slid on the slippers. Once she had packed her dirty travel clothes and brushed out her hair that had dried quickly in the wind she turned to Legolas who stood there dressed and ready but his eyes sparkled and a smile graced his lips as he looked at her. "Amaris you look absolutely beautiful. Where did you get that gown?" Amaris smiled and walked over to him. He took her hands and raised them to his lips and placed kisses on each knuckle as his eyes stayed locked with hers.

"Lady Galadriel gave it to me in secret before we left Lothlorien. She told me I would know when to where it and now seemed like the perfect time."

"In deed it is, meleth nîn." Legolas leaned in and kissed her lips lightly. "Let us ride. I suddenly have the urge to show you off." Amaris just smiled and shook her head. Thankfully, with the saddle she rode with she could ride normally or side saddle and since she was wearing such a lovely gown, she thought it best to ride side saddle. Legolas just smiled at her and led her back down the hidden path and onto the main on and into the city.