I know another short chapter, but it seems like I can never write as much as I wanted to before! Grrr! Okay, anyway, thank you all so very much for the reviews. More fluffy stuff in this chapter, but I'm working on a few twists. Enjoy, and please let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings. I only own Aria and her family.

Chapter 36

As they walked through the forest Legolas named to her all the different flowers and plants as they walked as well as pointed out the various locations in the city. He would smile at the people as they walked and the bowed their heads in respect to him. However, one made Aria feel very uncomfortable and Legolas very agitated. "Legolas!" a shrill voice called and Legolas stopped hesitantly. Aria felt agitation radiate off of him and she raised an eyebrow at him as his face smoothed from the grimace he had made. Suddenly, a blonde elleth dressed in a cream and pale green gown stopped right in front of them. She was rather beautiful, but her eyes were narrow, like she squinted a great deal and the look she was giving Legolas began to make Aria's blood boil. "Legolas, you have been gone for so long!" she said as she put her hand on Legolas' shoulder. Aria's body stiffened, but Legolas' grip on her arm only tightened. "I am glad to have you home," she said as she casually ran her hand down his chest. Aria felt her hands begin to heat up. Legolas sensed Aria's growing anger and frustration at Alassë.

"It is good to be home, Alassë," Legolas said but he stepped away from her hand. "I would like you to meet my wife." Aria saw Alassë stiffen slightly and her eyes snapped to where Aria stood. She raised a golden eyebrow and looked at Legolas.

"Your wife? Surely, you must be mistaken," Alassë responded as she looked at Legolas. All Aria wanted to do was shoot a fireball at the annoying elleth and singe off all that blonde hair that was making her so dense.

"I'm afraid he is not mistaken Alassë. I am sure he would know who his wife is. We have been bound for several months now," Aria said. Alassë glared at Aria and Legolas cleared his throat once again. Alassë looked at Legolas who nodded his head at her.

"That is true, Alassë. Aria and I will be formally joined in a month's time before the elves of Mirkwood, but we are bound and married by Elvish law as you know." Alassë took a deep breath and looked at Aria; however, the challenge that shined in her eyes soon disappeared when she saw the flames that burned in the light green eyes. Alassë cleared her throat this time as fear settled over her. Her eyes snapped to Legolas and she bowed her head before she quickly ran off. Legolas looked at Aria and smiled when he saw the flames slowly begin to disappear. "You frightened her," he said with a laugh. Aria just smiled and shrugged.

"I had to worn her to stay away from you," she said as he turned her down a secluded path.

"Why is that?" he asked. Aria laughed and pulled him so his back was against a large tree. Legolas raised an eyebrow at her and smiled. She stood in front of him and ran her fingers down his right cheek.

"Because you are mine," she whispered before she kissed his nose then his right cheek, then his left cheek and lastly his chin before she hovered over his lips and opened her eyes. Legolas' blue eyes bore down on her light green ones and she gave him a small smile.

"What has brought this change in you, meleth nîn?" his whispered, his voice deep and full. Aria sighed and her warm breath danced across his skin and sent shivers through him.

"You are my husband and I love you . . . so much," she added quietly. "You make me feel things that I have never felt before for anyone, Legolas, and at first they were rather embarrassing to share in front of others. Plus, we kept getting caught!" Legolas chuckled, but it was quiet. Her lips still hovered over his and he wanted so much to just lean into her and brush his lips against hers. "I think Alassë helped me see just how much I love you," she sighed and kissed his lips so lightly that if eyes hadn't been opened he would have thought it was his imagination. "When she stepped in front of us, and I saw the way she looked at you I was ready to kill her. I don't know where that feeling came from, but it was like even though I was right next to you, it seemed as though she only saw you. I guess I just have to make it known to every elleth that you are taken and are mine until the end of time." Legolas smiled and pushed her hair from her face before he leaned in and kissed her deeply on the lips.

He wrapped his left arm around her waist and pulled her flush against him as his right hand caressed her neck. Aria sighed into his lips as she kissed him back and rested her left hand on his waist and her right rested on his shoulder as he kissed her. She pulled her lips away and he placed chaste kisses along her chin and neck. She sighed heavily. "Legolas," she whispered. He pulled his head up from her neck and looked at her intently. The bell signally dinner echoed in the garden and Legolas sighed as he rested his forehead against hers. "After dinner, meleth nîn, we will retire," she whispered. Legolas smiled and kissed her lips lightly before he linked her arm with his once more and led her into the palace.