A/N: Thanks to all reviewers, those who I do not have time to thank now as I would like to get this chapter typed. You will all be properly thanked at the end of this story. Regardless, here's the long-awaited reunion!

Kiss in the Kitchen

Legolas woke before dawn, when the velvet sky was dotted with glimmering stars. The ellon lay on the ground, hands tucked under his fair head. He smiled as a lone star streaked across the black night. This day he would return to Mirkwood. He would see Fiondra for the first time in nine months. Nine long months, he thought wryly.

The elf laid there, daydreaming about his beloved, until the sun began to rise, lightening the sky to a soft shade of blue. At that point, Legolas got up and rolled his bedding together. He then attempted to wake Gimli. "Come on Gimli; it's time we left for Mirkwood."

The dwarf snorted and rolled over onto his side.

Legolas tried again. "Come Gimli. We need to leave. When we get back, we'll have a meal fit for the Valar," the elf coaxed.

Again, the dwarf grunted and rolled over.

Legolas frowned at him and changed his tactics. Steely voiced, he ordered, "Gimli, get up now."

The dwarf blinked his eyes open and wearily rubbed the sleep out of them. "Is it time to leave already lad?"

"It has been," Legolas said shortly. "Now, come on. Get ready."

"A bit anxious to see the lass, aren't you?" Gimli asked slyly.

"You have no idea," Legolas muttered. "No idea at all."

X X X X X

Fiondra tied an apron over her rose-colored gown. Arien did likewise over her sunny, yellow dress. "Why did you decide to bake today?" the latter asked.

"I'm not sure..." Fiondra replied. "Fresh lembas bread just sounded good to me for some reason." She reached for a bowl and started measuring ingredients into it.

"It does sound tempting," Arien agreed. After Fiondra had started pouring the ingredients together. Arien began to mix them. "Legolas should be home soon, shouldn't he?" she asked, changing the subject.

Fiondra sighed as she sifted some flour onto her hands and the table. "Hopefully he will be," she said, taking the bowl from Arien. "After all it's been about nine months that he's been gone." Distractedly, Fiondra kneaded the dough, turning it over and over.

"I expect it will be a few days yet," Arien called over her shoulder as she went to get more ingredients for another batch of dough.

"Most likely," Fiondra agreed. "Could you please hand me the rolling pin?"

Arien searched around the kitchen. "I cannot find it," she informed Fiondra.

"It should be right there." Fiondra pointed to a spot across the room and then stopped. "Wait," she said slowly. "Did I not loan it to you some odd weeks ago?"

Arien thought for a moment and then smiled sheepishly. "Of course. I forgot that I had borrowed it from you. I'll go home and get it now." The elleth wiped off her hands and left through the front door of Fiondra's cottage.

After her friend had departed, Fiondra continued to knead the dough and hummed a pleasant song to herself. A quarter of an hour later, the elleth heard the creak that announced the opening of her door.

When Fiondra heard the near silent footsteps arrive in the kitchen, she said, "Just hand me the rolling pin Arien, so that I may flatten the lembas bread." Fiondra reached behind her back to better grasp the rolling device.

It never came however. "I don't have a rolling pin," a male voice said humorously. "And my name is not Arien."

Fiondra dropped the dough and turned around quickly to a sight that brought happiness into her heart. "Legolas," she breathed. "Oh Legolas!"

She ran crying to the smiling ellon and embraced him. Through her tears of joy, she stroked each contour of his face tenderly.

"I've missed you as well," Legolas told her in his quiet strength. Her elated eyes closed and he kissed her fiercely. Nine months of separation were forgotten as their desire for each other deepened the kiss.

So intent on their celebration of Legolas' return, neither heard the announcing creak of the front door. "I've got the rolling pin," a female voice chirped. "I could not find it for the longest time and all the while, it was resting on the windowsill." Arien's cheerful voice grew louder as she came into the kitchen. "Oh!" She quickly noticed the passionate kiss between the two lovers. "I'm sorry; I'll leave!" the elleth exclaimed, her face flaming red.

Legolas broke the kiss and grinned when Fiondra cuddled into his chest. He in turn wrapped his arm around his betrothed's waist and spoke to her embarrassed friend. "There's no need for you to leave, Lady Arien. I was just...greeting Fiondra."

Arien curtsied to him and then giggled. "My apologies, Highness. There are flour streaks all over you."

Legolas glanced down at his front and grimaced. "I have to go see Ada in these clothes too." He sighed. "I hope he won't be displeased that I came to see you first, Fiondra."

Fiondra smiled sweetly. "I'm sure he expects it of you. Now, let me clean you of this flour mess. There is much to be done before this evening."

"What's going on this evening?" the ellon inquired.

"Nothing as of right now," Fiondra replied. "But if I know your father, and I think I do, he's going to want to throw a feast in honor of your return."

Legolas groaned. "I only want to spend time with you," he softly told Fiondra. He wiped away a flour mark on her nose.

The elleth looked lovingly at him. "I know, meleth nin, but – "

"Go!" Arien urged them. "You both have things to take care of. I will finish the lembas bread."

Relieved, Fiondra said, "Thank you Arien. What would I do without you?" She made a move to hug her friend, but the other elleth shrieked and ducked away.

At her friend's startled expression, Arien laughed. She explained, "You've already gotten one elf dirty; I do not need to be soiled as well. Now off with the both of you!"

X X X X X

As Fiondra had predicted, Thranduil had indeed wanted to throw some sort of festivities for his son's return. He settled on a special supper though, at Fiondra's insistence.

"You did not have to go to all of this trouble Ada," Legolas said to his father out of the corner of his mouth, while greeting some of the villagers arriving for the dinner.

"You do not believe that I made all of this food?" Thranduil joked.

"Ada," Legolas warned. "You know what I meant."

More seriously, the old king replied, "It was my pleasure son. I will not have many more days with you in this land. Have you forgotten that I am leaving for Valinor after your wedding?"

"I have not," Legolas replied. "But my wedding isn't that close to now."

"It's merely a matter of months Legolas," Thranduil said sternly. "Now that you're back, you should start seriously preparing for it."

"Yes Ada, I will." Legolas mentally rolled his eyes.

Thranduil spotted a familiar elleth coming through the door. Smiling, he told his son, "Go escort your betrothed to the head table. She deserves more of your attention than any other elf here."

Legolas complied readily. "Milady, may I escort you to your seat?"

Fiondra flashed a warm smile at him. "Of course milord."

X X X X X

After the food had been served, Fiondra started informing Legolas of all that had happened while he and Gimli had been gone. Fiondra would have told Gimli as well, but he hadn't seemed interested. The dwarf sat on the other side of Legolas and was busy retelling some tale of adventure in which he was the victorious hero.

"I sent out all of the invitations," Fiondra first told Legolas. "Everyone whom I sent one to will be attending."

Legolas nodded approvingly. "That is good. Will any of them be arriving ahead of time?"

"I do not know," Fiondra replied. "I would expect so. On a different note, my gown is nearly finished. Arien has insisted upon designing and sewing it for me."

"I'm sure you'll look stunning it. But then again, you'd look stunning if you wore nothing," Legolas said, glancing up and down at Fiondra's figure.

"Legolas!" the elleth hissed. "Contain yourself. There are other elves around, some of them listening. What if your father had heard you?"

Legolas shrugged. "Sorry. I was speaking my thoughts, something I rarely do. Besides, Ada would have only reprimanded me. Please go on."

The next statement was so garbled, Legolas could only make out a word here and there. Fiondra mumbled hurriedly, "Iwenseealquatryintogetherapologizeanditseemstobeworkingihopeyurnotangry."

"What!" Legolas exclaimed loudly.

Fiondra ducked her blushing face. "I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd get mad."

"No, it's not that. I just could not understand what you said." Legolas explained.

Fiondra took a deep breath and started over. "I went to see Alqua one day, only to give her my forgiveness. When I got there, I was appalled by her living conditions. I went back after that with food and warm clothes. She hasn't repented as of yet, but she is accepting my visits. I hope you aren't angry with me."

Legolas let her words settle before he spoke. "I'm not angry," he started. "Just surprised. I never outright forbade you from going because I never thought you would want to see her again."

"I did not want to see her," Fiondra said in response. "But I had to, or I would never feel peace in my heart after I marry you if I hadn't forgave her. I would advise you to do the same."

Legolas clenched his teeth. "She would have killed you," he grated.

"I know," Fiondra said softly. "But how can we live a happy life if we don't banish the demons of our past. I have banished mine; it is time for you to do the same."

Her words struck him at the core. "Give me some time," Legolas sighed. "It takes a lot for me to even consider forgiving Alqua."

"That's all I ask of you for right now. Thank you," Fiondra said simply. She brushed Legolas' lips with her own. "Now, tell me of your trip."

It took him the rest of the night, but he did just that. Even with Gimli's interjections, the tale stayed close to the truth. However, while he was telling the story of his adventures, Legolas' mind was concentrating on the subject of forgiveness, and just how much it really matters.

X X X X X

Elleth – female elf

Ellon – male elf

Meleth nin – my love

Ada – Father

Again, my thanks for reading this story. The wedding is coming on fast, and I need suggestions. I've been inspired by the ROTK soundtrack (specifically #17 the Return of the King), but I still have certain threads that have yet to be dyed. Your opinions on these matters are greatly appreciated. I'd also like to inform you now that this story will remain PG-13. There will be no greatly detailed wedding night. But I promise you will not be disappointed. Thanks again!