Thanks to everyone of you who have been sending me reviews. I love hearing from you all, it keeps the creative juices flowing. Hope you enjoy this next chapter. Let me know!

Safe at Last

Legolas had taken Gilraen away from the battle and to an area in which it would be safe to await news. For the first time in many days Gilraen had fallen in a restful sleep while she leaned onto the back of Legolas. It was the first time she felt safe enough to do so. Her hands were wrapped around his waist to hold on and he placed one of his own hands on top of hers. He did not want her to slip off the horse during her sleep.

He longed to link with his friends to see how they faired, but he did not want to disturb their concentration in battle. He did not have to wait too long before they contacted him however.

Legolas is Gilraen well? I cannot speak with her!

She sleeps now Aragorn. Her ordeal has made her weary. How goes the battle?

It has ended. When the ice men heard that the wizard was dead, they turned on Ciril and killed him. It was the wizard who ruled them with fear. They have surrendered and we will be leaving them in peace.

We shall meet up with you then. All have survived?

We have lost two soldiers and there are some injuries. Gilraen? Is she unharmed?

She seems to have no injuries, except…

Except?

She has seen much horror Aragorn. I sense sadness within her.

Her life had been filled with only goodness until now. Now she knows the evil that can dwell in the heart of others.

It is a harsh lesson.

Yes, my friend, it is.

Legolas now turned his horse and rode to reunite Gilraen with her father. As he rode he felt Gilraen beginning to stir and her hand moved under his until she was clasping it. He wasn't sure if she had fully awakened yet and if she knew that she was holding him. He found that he secretly hoped she did know what she was doing. It was such an intimate gesture to have her head resting on his back while she held his hand. He closed his eyes and basked in the sensation she was causing in him. He felt as though his whole body tingled with a warm energy and he did not think to stop himself as he raised her hand to his face and placed a kiss upon her palm. But he could not seem to stop with one kiss. Tenderly he kissed her palm again and then he kissed the inside of her wrist.

Gilraen had opened her eyes when she felt the tingling sensation of his lips upon her hand. Her pulse soared to life, sending waves of pleasure through her arm and straight to her heart. She wondered for a moment if she were still asleep and if this was all a dream. Legolas was kissing her!

She had been wondering before she fell asleep if that kiss upon her forehead in the ice tower had meant anything more than comfort. Now she felt his deliberate kisses upon her palm and wrist and how he would lift her hand to his cheek and tenderly caress it against his skin.

"Is this a dream?" she found herself murmuring aloud.

He did not apologize this time as he lowered her arm and placed it around his waist once more, again placing his hand over hers snuggly.

She continued to speak when he did not say anything. "If it is a dream, then do not wake me." She closed her eyes again and hugged him tighter.

Legolas's heart felt full and warm with happiness as he heard her words and felt her arms tighten around him. He too wanted this ride to go on and on. He did not want to have to bring her to the others. But her family awaited her and he would be no better than the wizard to keep her from them. He slightly slowed the gait of the horse to prolong his time with Gilraen as he feared that as soon as he brought her to the King, this time of intimacy would be lost.

Dawn was rising and a pink glow lit the snowy plain before them. Happiness welled up in Gilraen as she opened her eyes on the sight of the rising sun. A new day was starting just as a new hope was rising that the secret wish of her heart was being fulfilled.

Though Legolas had his back to her, his senses were aware of her every subtle movement. When he felt her smile against his back, his own smile lit up his face. In this perfect moment he realized what true happiness felt like.

Then her song began, a soft gentle song which sprung from the joy in her heart. The lovely melody spoke of love found at last in the dawn of a new day. Legolas found himselffilling withdeeper longingas the words confirmed her feelings for him in return. He wanted to stop the horse and take her in his arms. His heartbeat increased as her song of love filled his ears and he found himself slowing the horse to a halt as his body was giving in to his desire.

It was only the sudden sound of horses approaching that brought him to his senses again. He sat up straight and waited. Gilraen felt his change and she too sat up and listened. Then her father came into view, followed by her brother and Lord Celeborn. Behind them rode others as well.

Gilraen gasped with happiness as her father smiled brightly at her and jumped off from his horse when he was close. Gilraen leaned down and dropped into his arms. He hugged her tight and swung her around, placing small kisses on her cheek.

"Oh Ada," she cried as she hugged him back. Tears were falling down both their cheeks.

"Do not every scare me like that again Gilraen. My heart could not take anymore," Aragorn said as he held her.

"I will try not to," she smiled through her tears.

She felt Eldarion's hand on her shoulder and she now turned to embrace him as well. Celeborn stood behind him and she looked at the sorrow on his face. As she stepped passed Eldarion she studied the expression of her beloved grandfather. She took his two hands in hers.

Grandfather?

Can you forgive me child?

Forgive you? Why do you feel this way?

I feel responsible Gilraen. I gave to you that which the wizard wanted.

Gilraen embraced Celeborn in a hug.

What you had given me was that which had kept me alive. Were I not valuable to him, he would have given me to Ciril to misuse. No Grandfather, I do not blame you. I am grateful to you.

Celeborn shut his eyes and embraced Gilraen in return, so relieved was he to hear her words and hold her once again.

Mendir and Elladan now embraced her with joy and her gaze fell upon Elfwine who sat upon his stallion, his leg wrapped in bandages.

She walked over to his horse as he said, "Forgive me for not dismounting Gilraen. I am overjoyed to see you well again."

"You have been injured?" she said with a worried frown.

"I will mend, thanks to your father," Elfwine said with a nod towards Aragorn. "He is a gifted healer."

Aragorn remounted his horse and held out his hand to Gilraen. Of course he would expect her to ride with him now, she thought. She glanced over at Legolas who had been watching her this whole time. He glanced down at the snow in acceptance of this situation. He too wished that they could continue their ride together, but it was only proper that she would ride with her father now.

"Come Gilraen, let us go home," Aragorn said. "Elfwine can heal better there and your mother and sisters are anxious to see you."

Gilraen took his hand and mounted behind him. "Home sounds wonderful Ada," she said with all her heart.

On the way, Gilraen spoke of the events that had taken place. She told most everything to the rapt audience of riders around her. Everything except for the horrors she had witnessed at the ice people's village. Those things she could not find in her heart to express as the monstrosity of it all was too overwhelming for her to think about. She also said nothing of the Silmaril, for something inside her urged her to secrecy. Too many have died for this stone, she thought. It would not be well for too many others to know about it's presence.

When she had finished relating her ordeal, she glanced at the concerned face of Legolas. He knew she had not told all for he had seen the Silmaril.

Say nothing of the jewel. I will reveal it in time.

She spoke these words in his mind and he nodded at her.

Elfwine, who had been riding closely behind the others, had noticed this private exchange between Legolas and Gilraen. He knew that she could speak telepathically to others, as she had once done this with him. It bothered him greatly that Legolas was chosen to aid Gilraen's escape. Even though he saw the wisdom of such a choice, he wished that it had been one of the other elves. But Aragorn trusted Legolas completely with the task. Elfwine knew that such a rescue would esteem Legolas even more in her eyes.

He felt upset that his efforts, his part in the rescue would pale in comparison, even though he had injured himself trying to kill Ciril. Elfwine had wanted desperately to bring down the man who had caused Gilraen so much grief. He wanted to prove to her that he was a man now and a strong one at that. He did fight well, but it was his first battle and his over anxiousness to prove himself got him injured.

He thought back to the few passionate kisses in which they had shared and he resolved not to give up his wooing of her. He felt sure that she had felt something for him and he was determined to bring that out of her again.

As they made camp that night, Elfwine was helped into one of the tents and his leg was propped up and made comfortable. Gilraen had brought him his supper and inquired about his injury.

"I can now brag about my own battle scars when I return home," he tried to joke. "I was growing tired of my father's war stories."

She smiled as she set his meal where he could easily reach it.

"Will you stay with me awhile Gilraen," he asked before she could depart.

"Of course," she nodded and sat down across from him.

A serious look came over his face as he said, "I wanted to say that I'm very sorry for what happened that night."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"That argument… the one that caused you to run off down the path," he sighed heavily with remorse. "I feel responsible for upsetting you. If you had not been upset, you would not have run off and been captured. I truly apologize Gilraen."

Gilraen thought about his words carefully. She remembered that Ciril had been looking for a way to capture her. She had just happened to make it more convenient for him by running away. Ciril would have tried some other way eventually.

"Do not blame yourself for the doings of an evil man Elfwine," she said. She looked down at the ground in sadness. "It is our intentions that make us what we are." Looking up into his face again she said, "You did not intend for evil to befall me. Ciril, however, intended much evil."

Elfwine was amazed at the depth of wisdom and understanding she had. His admiration for her grew to a deeper level at that moment. He reached over and took her hand in his. "You are not only very beautiful, but you are very wise as well," he smiled at her. She would make an excellent Queen, he thought.

She looked down at his hand holding hers and her mind immediately thought of Legolas and how they had held hands early this morning. Elfwine noticed her thoughtful look at their hands and he took it as a sign of her pleasure. He began to raise her hand to his lips but she gently pulled it away. He looked at her in question. She nervously clasped her hands together, pulling at her fingers.

"I must return to my tent. I'm very tired," she said as she stood up and fled from the tent. Elfwine leaned back on his bedroll and sighed. His wooing may need a different approach, he thought.

As she left Elfwine's tent in a hurry, she did not turn her head quick enough and she ran right into another person.

Gilraen gasped in surprise as a pair of arms went around her to steady her swaying from the impact. "Oh, I'm…" Gilraen began to apologize when her eyes adjusted to the night and she realized that it was Legolas who now held her in his arms. He made no move to release her as he looked at her surprised face in the moonlight.

Gilraen's heart began beating faster at the feel of being in his arms and the proximity of his lips only inches away from hers. She felt the change in his breathing as they continued to gaze at each other. She placed one of her hands onto his chest and felt his heart beating. They stood there listening to each other's hearts and gazing into each other's eyes as if all time had stood still for this very moment.

Gilraen, you must rest now.

The moment was broken by Lord Celeborn's words in her mind. She looked towards his tent. Celeborn was standing just outside of it, watching them both. She did not know how long he had been there. Legolas's head now turned towards Celeborn as well and he slowly released his arms from around Gilraen. With a last look at Legolas, she turned and made her way back to her own tent. As she stepped part way inside, she turned once more and looked. Legolas was still standing in the same spot watching her.

Goodnight Gilraen.

She nodded once and went inside her tent, falling on top of her bedroll in a daze. It was one thing to love someone. But to have that someone love you in return was a whole new world in itself. A smile of joy filled her face as her father popped his head into her tent to say goodnight.

"You seem happy," Aragorn smiled at her.

"Oh yes Ada. I'm the happiest!"

Coming up: Will it be smooth sailing for Gilraen and Legolas or will it be stormy weather? Prince Elfwine does not give up so easily. Can the passionate young man sweep her off her feet?

Please review this chapter and let me know how I'm doing. Thanks!