As always, thank you for the reviewsI hope you enjoy this chapter. Let me know what you think. Also, I am really not certain of what exactly happened to Legolas' mother. I have heard several things from different people about her being killed or traveling the Grey Heavans. So, I just put my spin on things.

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 unfamilar character.

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

Number 52: Memories

They walked through the palace and Legolas pointed out which rooms she could go in and those she could not and then they had made their way outside. "Amaris, this is one of my favorite gardens in the palace," Legolas said as they walked along the soft dirt path. Amaris' breath caught when she looked around. There were dozens of different kinds of flowers that surrounded a beautiful stone fountain and there were benches near the bushes of flowers. Amaris let go of Legolas and walked over to a bush of deep blue flowers with tips of light blue. She smiled as she ran her fingers along the silken petals. Legolas smiled as he walked her bend over and smell the enchanting sent of his mother's favorite flower. When she stood he slowly walked over to her and placed his hands on her waist. "Those, meleth nîn, are ocean blossoms," he whispered to her. Amaris smiled and ran her fingers over the petals once more.

"They are beautiful Legolas," Amaris said. She turned and looked at him with a smile. "I think I have found my favorite flower. They are more beautiful than any other flower I have ever seen." Legolas smiled brightly at her.

"They were my mother's favorite as well. This is my favorite garden because it is filled with ocean blossoms and breathing their scent helps me remember her." Amaris gave him an understanding smile and raised her right hand and rested it on his left cheek. Amaris went to speak to him when a voice stopped her.

"Legolas!" a mail voice shouted. Legolas turned around and Amaris looked in the same direction. She saw an ellon quickly approaching them. The ellon had dark hair and grey eyes. He was stood next to Legolas and Legolas had a huge smile on his face. The ellon put his hands on both of Legolas' shoulders and smiled. "I am glad you are home my friend." Legolas nodded his head and put his hands on the ellon's shoulders.

"It is good to be home, Isindil," Legolas said. He quickly removed his hands and so did Isindil. Legolas turned around and took Amaris' hand and pulled her next to him. "Isindil, this is my betrothed Amaris, daughter of Lord Elrond. Amaris, this is my dear friend Isindil. I have known him since we were both just elfings. He is the son to my father's closets advisor Elywyn." Isindil raised his dark eyebrow at Legolas and looked at Amaris. Amaris stood there looking at him with a smile on her face. Isindil bowed his head to her and Amaris did the same.

"It is an honor to meet you Lord Isindil. You wonder how I am the daughter to Lord Elrond when his only daughter is the Evenstar, am I correct?" Isindil smiled at her and nodded his head. Amaris returned his smile as Legolas watched her. "I am his adopted daughter." Isindil nodded in understanding.

"The honor is mine milady, for it certainly takes a very special elleth to concur our prince's heart," Isindil said and Legolas grunted in frustration.

"Really Isindil!" Legolas exclaimed. Isindil just laughed and Amaris' smile grew as she gently squeezed Legolas' hand and forearm. Legolas looked at her and smiled gently at her before Isindil cleared his throat.

"I do not mean to be rude, however, I need to speak with you, Legolas, in private," Isindil said as he looked at Legolas. Legolas looked at Amaris who just smiled at him.

"Go on Legolas. I will be fine. I will enjoy some quiet time in the garden while you speak with Isindil," Amaris said. Legolas raised her hand and kissed it gently.

"I will return to you soon," Legolas said and Amaris nodded. Isindil smiled at her and bowed his head once more before Legolas and Isindil left the garden. Amaris sighed and turned back to the ocean blossoms. She sat down on the bench as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the sounds of nature around her. She slowly opened her eyes and looked towards her right and saw a covered path that looked like it had not been traveled on for many, many years. Amaris furrowed her brow and stood. She walked over and followed the covered path to its unknown destination.

After a moment of walking she came upon a very small clearing and under one of the very large trees stood a statue of stone. The statue was of a very beautiful elleth and because the path looked unused she was surprised to see what amazing condition the statue was in. They looked as if they were just placed there that same day. The face of the elleth was so very familiar to her and she took two steps closer to the statue. Just those two steps brought her about a foot away from the statue and the column it rested on. The expression on the elleth's face was one of happiness and love was very evident on her face. Suddenly, Amaris realized what she was looking at and sadness overcame her. She kneeled down and read the Elvin script to herself. It read: "Here lies Elráwien, Queen of Mirkwood, beloved wife and mother. She passed into the Halls of Mandos against her will but watches over those that she loved." Tears filled her eyes as she returned her gaze to the face of her beloved's mother and slowly those tears fell from her eyes and went unnoticed. She said a silent prayer to herself as she looked at Elráwien's statue and turned quickly when she heard someone running towards the clearing. When she turned her eyes locked with those of her beloved and she felt slight anger radiate from him. Amaris quickly walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"Forgive me, Legolas. I did not know where that path would lead me. I did not mean to intrude," she paused as she pulled away and looked down at the ground unable to meet his eyes. He had not returned her embrace and she felt her heart tear. "Please do not be angry with me. I will leave and find my way to my chambers. I am sorry, meleth nîn." Amaris went to walk past him and was nearly onto the path when Legolas grabbed her wrist and stopped her from continuing. Amaris looked at him and did not see what she expected to see. Instead of the anger she expected his face was sad and full of understanding.

"I am not angry with you, meleth nîn. I do not want you to think so," Legolas said as he drew her closer to him. "I was upset but only because I wanted to bring you here myself." He began to walk and pulled her along with him and he stopped where she once stood. He looked up at the statue and then at Amaris. "As you know, my mother rests here. The path is hidden because only my father and I know of it. We are the only ones who come to her grave. She died when I was very young. I was only a few centuries old, just a child even in the mortal sense of the word. I barely remember her anymore but when I come here or smell the ocean blossoms I remember things about her." Amaris raised her hand to his cheek and gently wiped away a silver tear that escaped from his eye followed by another. "I wanted to wait until we were settled before I brought you, but you found it on your own and for that I am thankful because now you know of her and I would be very happy if you would come with me when I visit her." Amaris own eyes were filled with tears as she felt Legolas' sadness pour from him and into her. She gave him a sad but sincere smile and nodded her head.

"Of course I will, meleth nîn. I am sorry for bring this pain onto you so soon after our arrival. I did not know." A tear escaped her eye as she spoke and Legolas wiped it away before placing a gentle and chaste kiss upon her lips.

"It is alright." He paused and looked at the statue once more and then at Amaris. He gave her that smile of his that made all of her worries disappear and she returned it. "She would have loved you Amaris and I know that she greatly approves of our bond. I can feel it." Amaris embraced him and this time Legolas returned her embrace. He held her close to him and when the broke away. The both turned to the statue to say their farewells and then walked down the hidden path and back to the garden.

-

They entered the palace and Legolas took her to the only corridor he failed to lead her down. "This is the Royal Corridor. Down at the end of the hall is Ada's study and chambers," Legolas said. He paused as they continued to walk a little way further. He stopped suddenly and Amaris stopped right long with him. He looked to the left and motioned with his free hand towards a large wooden door. "This is my chamber and that is your chamber." He motioned to the one directly across the hall from his. She smiled and nodded her head. He escorted her to the door and opened it for her. She walked inside she was greeted by a beautiful room. She had expected the room to be decorated in greens and browns but the room was decorated in different shades of blue and white. The bed was a dark wood with a silken deep blue canopy and the comforter was the same color blue with white and lighter blue pillows filling the bed. The balcony doors were shaded by cream and white curtains with blue trim on the bottom. The closet doors and the door that lead to the washroom and the vanity were the same dark wood. She smiled as she stopped her pack and weapons sitting on the chair in between the balcony and fireplace. The floor was covered with a beautiful woven rug of blues, whites, and blacks. She turned around and looked at Legolas.

"Legolas, this is too much. It is absolutely beautiful but I am not worth all of this," Amaris said as she took his hands into hers. Legolas just smiled and shook his head at her.

"You are worth more than this, meleth nîn. My mother decorated this room and my father never lets a guest stay here. You are the first guest to receive that honor since she faded. So, I am guessing that my father seems to have taken a liking to you." Amaris smiled and embraced him tightly. When she pulled away from him he smiled at her and brushed her cheek. "Father always had the maids clean and dust in here making sure the room was always perfect. I am glad he is allowing you to have this room." Amaris had focused her attention to the design patter on his silver tunic instead of looking at his face. She knew she would not be able to refrain from kissing him deeply if she looked into his eyes. Legolas smiled and gently lifted her chin with his index finger. When he looked into her eyes he smiled at her before he bent down and captured her lips with his. He wrapped his arms around her waist and he wrapped her arms around his neck. He pulled her close and pressed her body tight against him. As the kiss deepened a moan escaped from her throat causing Legolas to snap out of his trance and smile as he slowly pulled away from her. He opened his eyes and smiled at her as she kept her eyes closed and let out a whimper of protest from the lack of his lips on hers. She opened her eyes and smiled at him when she saw his eyes sparkle. Legolas leaned in to kiss her again when a knock on the door interrupted them. Legolas sighed and so did Amaris as he rested his forehead against hers. Then untangled their arms from one another and Amaris straightened her gown.

"Enter!" Amaris called and the door slowly opened to reveal an young elleth who immediately bowed her head upon seeing Legolas and Amaris.

"Milord, milady, the King wishes to see you both in his study," she said as she looked up at them. Legolas nodded his head.

"Please tell him we will be with him shortly," Legolas said to the maid who bowed her head and left the room closing the door behind her.

"Legolas, what would your father want so soon?" Amaris asked.

"I do not know, meleth nîn. Let us find out." Legolas hook her arm in his and led her from her room down the torch lit corridor to King Thranduil's study where the King sat at his desk patiently waiting the arrival of his son and the Lady Amaris.