Thank you for the reviews everyone! Sorry it took a little while to get this one out. I hope you enjoy this chapter and as always, let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings. I only own Amaris.

Note: Dialouge in bold is spoken in Elvish.

Number 60: Catching Up

Amaris focused her eyes and smiled when she heard Legolas' light breathing beside her. She looked up at Legolas and her smile grew when she saw his eyes unfocused. She sat up slowly and climbed from the bed. The sun was gone from the sky and the moon shined high and bright over Rivendell, more bright than before the war of the ring. Amaris walked out onto the balcony and smiled as she listened to the silence. The only sound that could be heard was the rushing waterfalls that surrounded Rivendell. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Amaris smiled when she heard his footfalls approach but she didn't move, and when his arms wrapped around her waist. She placed her hands on top of his as he rested his head on her shoulder. "What are you doing out of bed? You should be resting," Legolas said. Amaris smiled.

"I woke up and could not sleep anymore," Amaris said. She turned around in his arms and looked up at him. "Legolas, she really means nothing to you?" Legolas' blue eyes went wide and he shook his head as he raised his hand to caress her cheek. "You truly, through some magic, thought that she was me?"

"Yes, Amaris, I truly thought that she was you. If I would have known, I would not have allowed her into my room." He took her hand and rested it on his chest right above his heart. "This belongs to you and only you." Amaris could feel his heart beating quickly underneath the palm of her hand. She looked up at him and locked her eyes with his and saw only honesty in them as well as love.

"I love you Legolas." He smiled at her and leaned into her. He claimed her lips as his and wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him. After a moment he pulled away and rested his head against her forehead. Amaris closed her eyes and breathed in deep, taking in his scent of the forest and mint.

"I love you too, Amaris, always and forever." With that he claimed her lips once more and slowly enjoyed the feel of her lips against his. Amaris put her hands on his chest and gently pushed him away from her, breaking the kiss. Legolas furrowed her brow at her and Amaris felt confusion come from him. Amaris gave him a slight smile.

"You need rest Legolas. You may be an elf but you still need rest. I know you did not rest well, lying next to me." Amaris took his hand and led him back into the room. Legolas slowly followed her, not really wanting to go to bed. He just wanted to hold her and make sure she was well. He didn't want her to leave him, and he didn't want it to be a dream that she was well. Amaris let go of his hand and turned the covers down further so he could climb in. "Come on, into bed with you." Legolas shook his head and pulled her close to him by her waist.

"I don't think so, meleth nîn." Legolas gave her a smile and Amaris just furrowed her brow at him. "I want to be awake with you. I am no longer tired and I got plenty of rest while I laid with you." Amaris felt there was something more and she looked up at him.

"There is more you are not telling me Legolas. What is it?" Legolas sighed and pulled her even closer.

"I do not want this to be a dream. I do not want to wake and find you have faded away from me." Amaris wrapped her arms around his torso and held him closer to her, and listened to his rapid heart beat.

"This is no dream Legolas. I am awake and I am not leaving you. All will be fine. You will see." Amaris lifted her head to look into his eyes. "I guess the ceremony is postponed?" Amaris asked as she slipped slightly away from him, but still in his arms. Legolas sighed and brushed a strand of hair from her face.

"It is, but do not worry. I believe that once we return from Aragorn's coronation and all of our friends are with us it will be a much smoother event." Amaris smiled and nodded her head.

"When are we going to leave Imladris?"

"We will leave along with Lord Elrond, Lord Glorfindel, Lady Arwen, and others. I will send word to Ada, that things were set right and to ensure the arrival of Mirkwood elves at the coronation." Legolas took a deep breath and sighed. "I will also ensure that Marlaria has been kept in the dungeons until after our formal union is complete. Then an accurate punishment will be dealt." Amaris looked at Legolas as he spoke of Marlaria. His eyes darkened with pure and utter hatred. Even on the battle field, Amaris never saw his eyes that dark or that full of hate and malice. It almost scared her, but she knew better and that he was truly not like that. His hatred for Marlaria stemmed from Amaris nearly fading and Amaris knew that. To her this only aided to strengthen her belief in the honesty of Legolas' and his mother's words, that Legolas did not know it was Marlaria and that she truly did you a spell on him. His eyes were still dark as he looked off into the distance at an unknown object in the room. Amaris raised her hand to his cheek and gently caressed it. His eyes softened and he looked down at her with a slight smile.

"That can be dealt with in the morn. You can draft a letter to your father and have a messenger deliver it to him. I know he probably is waiting on word from you." Legolas nodded his head as he raised his hand to cover hers that still rested on his cheek. "Everything will be taken care of, but let us enjoy our time in Rivendell. I would like to spend some time with my Ada and Arwen. There is much I would like to discuss with Arwen." Legolas smiled an nodded.

"Of course, meleth nîn." He leaned in and kissed her briefly. He reluctantly pulled away from her and smiled. "Both of us should rest. Even though I know you are not tired, I do not think I could sleep without you by my side this night." Amaris nodded her head as she followed Legolas into bed. Once they were comfortably situated Amaris laid her head on his chest and he wrapped his arms around her.

"Rest Legolas, and do not worry. I am not going anywhere." Legolas chuckled lightly.

"I love you, Amaris." Legolas kissed the top of her head and she smiled.

"And I you, meleth nîn." Amaris laid against him as she felt his breathing steady and she knew he was asleep. She laid there with a smile on her face and soon found herself getting lost in Elvin dreams.

-

A soft knock on the door woke Legolas and Amaris from their peaceful slumbers. Amaris looked up at Legolas and smiled. They both sat up in the bed and looked toward the door. "Come in," Amaris said. The door opened to reveal Arwen and Tari. Amaris smiled and motioned for them to enter the room. Legolas got out of the bed and smiled at them both.

"Aur vaer (good morning), Arwen, Tari," Legolas said as he pulled on his over tunic. Arwen smiled at him.

"Aur vaer, Legolas," Arwen said and Tari just bowed her head. Arwen looked at Amaris and smiled. "It is good to see you awake, sister." Amaris motioned for them to sit with her and they both sat on the edge of the bed.

"Are you feeling well, Amaris?" Tari asked. Amaris nodded.

"I feel fine," Amaris said and smiled as Tari smiled at her. Legolas cleared his through and the three elleths turned to see him dressed and standing by the door.

"I will take my leave, ladies. If you should need anything, Amaris, you know how to contact me," Legolas said. Amaris nodded and with a slight bow Legolas left the room. Arwen and Tari looked at Amaris with knowing smiles on their faces.

"What?" Amaris asked.

"First, tell me, when did this transformation take place?" Tari asked as she motioned to Amaris' ears. Amaris furrowed her brow.

"Lord Elrond did not tell you?" she asked. Both elleths shook their heads.

"I was too ill when Ada returned, and I did not think to ask too many questions the past few days. His thoughts have been elsewhere," Arwen said.

"It appears that this is my true form in Middle Earth. Here I'm an elf." Amaris couldn't help the smile that formed on her face. "Before the fellowship journeyed to the Mines of Moria, Lady Galadriel came to me in a dream. She had told me that darkness would overcome me and that when I woke, I would be in my true form." Arwen smiled and nodded but Tari's eyes went wide. Amaris continued on. "When we left the mines, I fell unconscious. Legolas carried me to Lothlorien, where I changed into an elf." Amaris laughed lightly and gently shook her head. "The only thing that really changed, is my hair length, my ears, hearing and sight. Everything else is the same. I mean, I'm still short." Arwen and Tari laughed.

"You are lovely. Prince Legolas seems to think so," Tari said with a smile.

"Tell me, gwathel (sworn sister), when did you bind yourself to him?" Arwen asked as she placed her fingers on Amaris' cheek right under her right eye. Amaris smiled as Arwen slowly moved her hand away.

"After the battle at Helms Deep." Amaris paused and looked at her hands nervously. "He was my first." Amaris looked up at her sister and dear friend and smiled. They returned the smile but Tari stood from the bed quickly.

"You need to get dressed and out of bed. Come, let us find you a suitable gown for the future princess of Mirkwood," Tari said with a slight smile on her face. Amaris rolled her eyes.

"Really, Tari! To tell you the truth I wouldn't mind leggings and a tunic," Amaris said as she climbed from the bed. At that Arwen stood and shook her head.

"I have the perfect gown for you," Arwen said with a smile. She turned to Tari who smiled and nodded her head. Tari quickly left the room.

"Where did she go?" Amaris asked as she finished making the bed. Arwen sat in the chair by the balcony and clasped her hands of her lap.

"To get your gown." Amaris sighed and looked at Arwen. She smiled at her and walked over to her.

"Aragorn does not know you are well. Ever since Ada came to him before the battle in Gondor, I can see a deep pain in his eyes. He hides it well, but I can see it. He will be overjoyed to see you at the coronation." Arwen smiled and nodded her head.

"I have missed him dearly. For some time, I did not think I would ever see him again." Amaris took Arwen's hand in hers and gently squeezed it. "When you last saw him, how was he?"

"He was well and very determined. He is set on becoming the best ruler he can be, although I do not think he will have much trouble doing that." Arwen laughed quietly and nodded. "He will need a queen though, and I could not think of anyone better than the one sitting before me." Arwen smiled. "Besides, I think his heart is yours and he would not ever marry if you were to have sailed. I know this must have been a hard decision for you to make but I feel that it was the right one."

"So do I, gwathel. So do I." Amaris hugged Arwen tight and Arwen returned the embrace. When they pulled away, Tari came into the room holding a bundle and carrying white slippers with a smile on her face.

-

Legolas exited Lord Elrond's study, his mind still trailing to Amaris and what she was doing. For some reason, he could not stand to be away from her for too long and he knew he had to remedy that some how. "Look who is here, brother!" a voice exclaimed. Legolas stopped with a smile on his face. He turned and saw Elladan and Elrohir approaching him. They greeted each other and stood in the hall.

"It is good to see you, Legolas. What brings you to Imladris?" Elrohir asked. Legolas' smile faltered slightly but it returned.

"Well-" Legolas began but was cut off by Arwen.

"Brothers, how are you?" Arwen asked as she stopped by Legolas. Elrohir smiled at his sister and Elladan raised an eyebrow at her when he noticed a sparkle in her eyes.

"We are well, Arwen," Elladan said. Arwen nodded and looked at Legolas and smiled.

"Amaris is waiting for you Legolas," Arwen said. Legolas nodded his head.

"Where is she?" Legolas asked.

"In the garden below her room." Legolas nodded and said his farewells before he made his way down the corridors to meet Amaris. Arwen smiled and looked at her brothers.

"Amaris? Is that the same Amaris that father was telling us of?" Elrohir asked. Arwen nodded.

"The same. You will meet her at the mid-day meal, after all she is our sister," Arwen said with a smile before she left her brothers who shrugged and entered their father's study.