Please read: Hey everyone! Sorry it took me a little while to update. This chapter is more of a filler chapter, but I hope you like it all the same. Thank you so very much for the reviews. They mean so much. Enjoy!

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

Chapter 41

Aria laughed quietly when she heard Gimli grumbling from behind Legolas as they rode towards Minas Tirith. They had left Mirkwood with a small party some time ago shortly after Haldir had left to return to Lothlorien. "How much further must I ride on this blasted horse?" Gimli asked with a huff. Arod snorted and Legolas sighed.

"We are less than a day's ride from Minas Tirith, my friend, and we shall rest soon so you may stretch your dwarf legs," Legolas said. Gimli huffed and mumbled something that not even their Elvin ears could make out. Aria chuckled and shook her head.

"Be nice Legolas," Aria said through their bond and Legolas smiled at her.

"I am just jesting with him," Legolas responded. He brought Arod to a halt and Aria did the same with her horse. "We will rest and let the horses refresh themselves." Aria nodded and quickly dismounted while Legolas and Gimli did the same. The other elves followed suit but kept to themselves and either drank from their canteens as they talked or ate a bit of bread. Aria walked over to Legolas and wrapped her arms around him and she embraced him.

"Minas Tirith is in the distance," she said quietly as Gimli sat down and pulled out his pipe, ignoring the happy couple to give them privacy. Legolas smiled and wrapped his arm around her.

"Yes, we are nearly there."

"I look forward to seeing Aragorn and the others again." Legolas kissed the top of her head and nodded.

"As do I." They remained that way until Gimli finished his pipe and stood once more.

"As much as I hate to interrupt this moment, I do believe that we should carry on," Gimli said. Aria laughed and pulled from Legolas' arms with a nod.

"That we should. Let's go," she said before she walked over and climbed onto her horse. Legolas smiled and nodded and turned to the group.

"We ride on!" he called out and soon the group made their way to Minas Tirith with light hearts and looking forward to meeting up with their friends once again.

As they rode up the cobble roads towards the palace the people of Minas Tirith smiled at them and the small children waived. The party of elves remained on the field and would be setting up a small camp and would join their prince and princess tomorrow morning before the coronation began. Aria smiled brightly at the people and bowed her head and soon they arrived in the white stone corridor. The tree of Gondor was beginning to bloom and Aria felt her heart swell at the sight because when she had left the tree was nearly dead. "It is lovely, yes, but I already miss the forest," came Legolas' voice in her head. Aria smiled as she dismounted and watched as Legolas helped Gimli from Arod.

"I miss the forest too. I've come to love Mirkwood like it was my very own home," Aria said through their link as she walked over to him. He smiled and linked his arm with hers as they walked with Gimli up the palace steps. The guards nodded their head at them and they entered the hall. Two familiar forms stood near the throne. One dressed in white robes and one dressed in clothes similar to those of a dear friend they had lost near the river. The two figures stopped their discussion and looked at the door smiles graced their faces as they walked over to them quickly. "Gandalf, Aragorn," she said as she unhooked her arm from Legolas' and quickly embraced Aragorn as he was the first to reach them. Aragorn chuckled and returned her embrace. She pulled away and looked at him. He looked troubled but she smiled at him. "How are you?" she asked as she stepped from his arms as Gandalf greeted Legolas and Gimli.

"I am well. Although a little uncertain," He said quietly. Aria smiled and shook her head as she squeezed his hands tightly.

"Don't be. You will be a great king. Already in your people's eyes I see their hope and faith in you shine. I saw it clearly as we rode up to the palace. Believe me; I know you will be fine." He smiled and returned her squeeze before he let go of her hands. Gandalf stepped over to her and smiled, his light blue eyes sparkling.

"So this is the new princess of Mirkwood?" he asked with an amused tone to his voice. Aria laughed and nodded her head before she embraced the old wizard. Gandalf chuckled quietly and returned her embrace.

"It's so good to see you Gandalf," she said quietly. She pulled away from him and smiled brightly at him. Legolas pulled her to him and she laughed quietly. "We have to thank you for your gifts. They are perfect." Aragorn and Gandalf smiled with a nod of their heads.

"I suppose you both would like to rest and ready for dinner this evening," Aragorn said. Gimli huffed again and Aria and Legolas smiled.

"That would be wonderful if we could, Aragorn," Aria said. Aragorn laughed and led them down the corridor while Gimli stayed back with Gandalf.

"Was your bonding ceremony as lovely as it was rumored to be?" Aragorn asked as they walked. Legolas laughed.

"And then some. Naneth had done everything while I kept Aria busy. I knew her mind would be too clouded to actually enjoy the time she spent in Mirkwood," Legolas said as he squeezed her hand. Aria smacked his arm and Aragorn laughed as he stopped outside a guest quarters.

"Rest and I will see before dinner," Aragorn said before he turned and walked down the hall, but Legolas and Aria heard him chuckle as he walked. Once inside the room, Aria playfully smacked his arms and Legolas acted like she was hurting him.

"I give! I give!" he said with a laugh before he gently grasped her wrists and held them. Aria laughed and smiled at him as he pulled her close and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"You never give," she whispered. Legolas chuckled before he kissed softly.

"That is true," he whispered and made to kiss her again until she pulled away.

"I am going to bathe and then dress for dinner. I suggest you do the same." She leaned into him and sniffed his neck. "You smell," she whispered before she adjusted her satchel from her back and moved to her hand before she walked into the restroom. Legolas looked at her shocked before he sniffed himself and looked at the door.

"I do not smell!" he called and heard Aria laugh before he walked into the restroom with her.