Disclaimer: I do not own ah the hell with it, you know what I mean. I am hoping everyone had nice weekend? Madrone brought it to my attention that I have not mentioned the ages of our dear lady mages respectively Laurelin in the story is eighteen in human standards and Amanda is twenty in human standards, neither of them are immortal. Now that that is cleared up read on and enjoy!

The Present

Laurelin

With a sigh of regret I came back to the present. Uncle Elrond still had my bow it had been wonderfully crafted by Legolas. It's bowstring flashed whenever the sun caught it. When I questioned Legolas on this he explained that the string was made from strands of his golden hair woven together to make a single strong bowstring. Later that day I'd also received my first mage staff from Amanda and Gandalf. It was on that day that my serious training as a mage began.

I cast my gaze up to the full moon floating in the sky. So beautiful and fragile yet stronger than we could ever know. Just like him I mused.

"The moon has always enchanted you, even as a little girl you could never take your eyes off of it," his voice came to me as if it were chimes on the wind softly sounding in my ear yet to me it was more like the crack of a whip. I spun on my heel sharply and came face to face with the Prince of Mirkwood. I stumbled back and curtsied really low.

"My prince," I whispered.

"Laurelin," he said stoically.

"Yes," I answered still curtsying and looking at his feet.

"You really have to stop curtsying whenever you see me perhaps it is proper but honestly dear mage did we ever act proper gallivanting through the forest getting leaves stuck in our hair and playing pranks on those way too serious Elves who wait on Elrond?" I could hear the smile in his voice without even looking up but I did anyway because it was a sight that I loved seeing and wished that I could see everyday after. Of course he knew nothing of that and probably never would. Straightening and looking him in the face I stated,

"I have missed you friend Legolas it has been too long since we last talked."

"Indeed it has, to think I missed some of the most important years of your life, I do know however that your mage skills flourished over the years I did not see you, but I must ask has anyone ver taught you how to use your bow?"his expression was light as he stood at attention his hands clasped behind his back.

"I am sorry to tell you that I have not been taught but I don't regret that, you are the best archer among your people if anyone were going to teach me I would rather it be you, also it was your present to me so shouldn't you teach me how to use it?" I questioned he didn't answer me with words only by pulling his hands from behind his back. In his right hand he held my bow and in his left he held my arrows It was then that he spoke,

"Tomorrow we are embarking on a very dangerous journey some know this better than others I would that you know how to protect yourself, I couldn't bear it if something happened to you." At his words I felt my face go hot and I knew that I was blushing.

"As I would feel if anything were to happen to you friend Legolas."

"It seems I've known you endless years, mage Laurelin, I can't think of a time when I didn't know, when I try history seems t gray," he said.

"The heart grows fonder with age Legolas and yours has had time to mature like a fine elven wine aged to perfection," I told him feeling a red hue come to my cheeks.

"Oh that reminds me mistress I had something made for you a few years ago, but this is the first that I've seen you to be able to give them to you, wait here and I will return as fast as I may," said Legolas as he turned and left. I wonder what he was going to give me. He'd been very thoughtful when he'd hand carved me my own bow. Of course he'd ended up cutting himself in the process and he'd only been able to ride one handed that day because of it.

"Psst Laurelin," came a whisper from a nearby tree. This pulled me out of my reverie and I looked up in the tree to see Amanda perched in it.

"Amanda, how long have you been up there," I said sternly sounding rather like Gaddy.

"Long enough to know that you've got Blondy eating out of the palm of your hand," she responded.

"Amanda this is kind of private," I began but was cut off.

"I'll bet you want it to be private," she answered and I could hear the grin in her voice.

"Amanda I would like to spend this time with Legolas, alone with Legolas if you don't mind," I almost snarled at her.

"Mind, Me? I don't mind I was just curious as to how things are going between the two of you especially since Gaddy ruined your moment when he arrived," returned Amanda. Then befor I could say anymore the tree was empty. Sometimes having a sister was downright annoying but I knew without a doubt that her heart was in the right place. She wished only for my happiness.