Gimil wasn't exactly sure what he had been expecting, but it wasn't this. He and Legolas had been arguing since Lorien about the nature of underground homes, brought on by the elf's continuous griping about the mines. Gimli had maintained that a hole in the ground was a hole in the ground, and Legolas wasn't allowed to complain since he himself lived a hole in the ground. Legolas had maintained that his home was nothing like the 'cold and heartless' tunnels of men and dwarves.

He tried to conceal his astonishment but judging by the grin on the elf's face he hadn't done a very good job of it. But he couldn't help it, it was amazing.

Huge windows had been cut into the stone to allow as much light as possible to stream in, great embers and colorful moses glowed around the stronghold to light their way in places the sun did not touch, torches were used as well but only when necessary. Plants and vines of many kinds sprouted and thrived throughout the stronghold, and some of the great spaces even had tree's growing. The river that brought life to the forest also flowed through their home, the bubbling of it over the rocks deep below adding an additional and pleasant song.

It seemed that over time countless little forest creatures had found their way into the mountain, and even though he had only been inside the mountain for a few minutes he had already seen many different kinds of birds, and smaller woodland creatures. The songs of both the elves and the birds intertwined beautifully, even if it was elvish music.
Legolas had been continually uncomfortable in every human city he had been in, always claiming them cold and lifeless. Gimli had not understood then, but had gone for long walks outside the city walls with is dear companion anyways, willing to do whatever might ease his spirit. Now though, he understood why the cities of men or dwarves might seem lifeless and cold to him.

Elves all around called merry and ecstatic greetings to Legolas as they went about their days, some dashing over to give him excited embraces, all had grins big enough it could have split their faces. Yet the entire time his hand had not left Avaleina's, and if it did it was only to wrap an arm around her waist, she hardly took her eyes from him even to blink.

It was not what Gimli had been expecting, but now that he had seen it he could not imagine Legolas calling anything but here home.
An elf with simple clothing and long unbraided black hair reached the top of the stairs he had been climbing at an incredible speed and turned directly into their path, "Ah! My wayward elfling finally returns to me!"

Legolas made some sort of strangled sound that might have been unarticulated excitement and rushed forward with the swiftness Gimli had only seen him use a few times, throwing his arms around the neck of the dark-haired elf. The other elf held the prince just as tightly, rubbing soothing circles on his back like one might for a distressed child and Gimli found himself surprised at how parental the action seemed.

Eventually, the two parted, the dark-haired elf wrinkled his nose in disgust, "You smell like men. It is a good thing I have already prepared a bath for you, otherwise, none may remain excited of your return."

Legolas shrugged and grinned, glancing briefly at Avaleina with slight adoration when she melted back into his side "Could be worse. I could smell like an Orc."

"I think your father might have thrown you in the river before allowing you back inside."

"Wouldn't be the first time he threw me in, I doubt it would have been the last."

A pleasant and youthful grin slid onto the other elf's face, although Gimli got the impression he was far from young, "Yes, you are probably correct about that. Might have given your poor dwarf the fright of his life."

Unable to stop himself, Gimli broke in, "I think the Balrog accomplished that nicely, actually."

To his surprise, the new elf laughed merrily at his comment, "Fair enough master dwarf. Shall I show you to your room so you can freshen up as well?" Then after a moments thought he placed a hand against his heart and bowed slightly, "Galion. At your service."

"He can have food brought to you as well," Legolas added, fully aware there was only one fewer plate of food to satisfy the dwarfs ravenous hunger compared to the hobbits. As expected, Gimli nearly drooled.

"It shall be done, then."

….00….

Legolas waited until Gimli, Galion, and Aragon had turned down another hallway before he pulled Avaleina into a little alcove that was shielded by a rather determined bush. The second the two were securely shielded from view he made to kiss her and was met halfway.

To say the two has been private with their relationship was an understatement, Legolas had learned his lesson when his mother had been targeted just because she was married to his father. The enemy did not fight fair and would exploit any possible weakness shown. Unfortunately for elves, that often mean their sensitive heart and souls. Many of his people were aware of their relationship, but none ever brought it up
Warmth bloomed from where their lips met and down the rest of his body, the love and light burning in his veins. How he had missed her.

He pulled her against him with hands wrapped around her waist -careful not to disturb the wound in her stomach - as she wrapped her arms around his neck and threaded her fingers into the hair on the back of his neck. Finding the ribbon she had braided into his hair before he left, she broke out into a wide grin accompanied by a small and merry giggle.

Not finished yet but enjoying the sound of her laughter too much to disturb it Legolas trailed kisses from her mouth to her cheek, down her neck and finally to her collarbone.
Her hands threaded into his hair once more as he buried his face in the crook of her neck, taking comfort in her warmth and heartbeat, "I missed you, so much."

He could still hear the smile in her voice, "Good, you should have." Pulling away from him enough to tilt his head up with her finger under his chin she kissed him again, hard and full of love. "I missed you too."

"Good."

Pressing one last chaste kiss to his lips she backed out of their hiding place, lacing her finger with his and pulling him along and back towards his room where a warm bath was waiting.

The elf's madness it seemed had finally fully rubbed off on him, for that could be the only explanation for him requesting to speak with the Elven King; without Legolas.

Galion seemed just as surprised but led the dwarf down long hallways that echoed with whispers in his wake nonetheless. No elf actually said anything to him, even if they did he would not have understood them.

Gimli knew they had arrived the moment he saw the huge wooden doors, upon closer inspection he saw that a merry celebration in the woods had been carved into the doors. On the left side near the middle, an elf wore a ring of flowers around his head - one of the many elves depicted doing so - but his seemed far bigger and somehow more sturdy. The carving really was quite lovely, the manner of some of the details reminded him of his own work a bit.

Although his was with stone, which was much more difficult and easy to damage beyond repair he insisted to himself a moment after the thought.

But then he saw what the carving with the sturdy flowers was holding, a little elfling who was reaching high into the sky after a butterfly. A beautiful, tiny smile carved expertly onto his fare face.

He wondered if that was supposed to be Legolas or someone else entirely.

Either way, Gimli wouldn't ask. He waited silently and patiently outside the doors while Galion slipped inside without so much as a knock. Sooner than he had expected he was allowed inside.

The kings study much like everything else he had seen of Legolas' home was not what he had expected.

First off, it was much brighter than he imagined and had a genuinely welcoming feel to the room. Huge bookshelves covered many of the wall, piled high with books and papers he had no hope of reading. As well as books there was also many decorations and trinkets. Some were simple wood carvings, dried flowers, a stuffed toy, a tiny bow and several drawings that had obviously been done by a child. In fact, as the dwarf swept his eyes around the room once more there were nearly dozens of drawings, all with various degrees of talent.

There was a deep and plush chair pushed strategically near the fire in such a way that the view through the huge glass doors to a small balcony would not be obstructed. A book was on the table next to it, still sitting open waiting for whoever had been reading to return, and a nest of blankets sat looking warm and welcoming.

As well as that there were several plants, although he figured he would fund them in nearly every room he entered - they were wood elves after all - and finally, there King Thranduil sat looking both regal and deadly behind his desk.

Gimli attempted to swallow his nerves when he recognized the same look in the king's eyes as there was in Legolas' right before he killed something with an arrow shot that should have been impossible. He hoped he would have a better fate than every creature who was on the wrong end of Legolas' stare.

King Thranduil gestured to a chair directly across from himself, "Have a seat." It did not sound much like an offer but much more like a command. Either way, Gimli sat, ignoring the way his feet dangled like a child since the chair was made for much longer limbs than his.

Wanting to spend as little time as possible in his study as possible he got straight to the point, "I have an offer for you."

He wasn't sure what reaction he had been expecting, but there was none at all, the king only folded his hands atop his desk, "Continue."

Gimli didn't allow himself to glace at Galion who still lingered in the room, somehow keeping his eyes steadfast into the blue eyes it felt he ought to know but didn't, "I have not known Legolas for thousands of years, I know the fact that I have only known him a year is but a blink for you. But it isn't for me."

This time he did break contact, but just for a second, "I have not known him as long as most. But I do know that he plays with village children even at the darkest times, I know he tends to remember the beginnings of songs but not the ends, I know that he is absolutely useless with time and is unable to keep himself still for longer than ten minutes. He puts everyone before himself, and his kindness still stops me sometimes"

From somewhere to his left he heard Galion huff a laugh, but King Thranduil remained with his stone expression. "I know that he has the most loving and warm heart of any being I have met, and being able to call him my friend will forever be one of my greatest accomplishments and blessings. But I also know that he is not sleeping or eating as he should, he is not laughing and teasing as he should and I have never been more concerned or scared for anybody else in my life."

"All this time I have been told that we had to bring him to you because you would know what to do. How to help him. So if you tell me right now that it would be best for him for me to continue my travels home, I will go. I can tell him my mother sent me a raven and I must return home. He never has to know about any of this. I'll be gone before dinner"

He got the slightest of reactions then, a very gentle tilt of the king's head to the left. Hardly noticeable, but there nonetheless. "I do not believe your departure will be necessary."

Gimli just blinked at him for a moment, he had been almost certain he would be sent packing, "Very well. I will leave you to your work, then."

…...00…..
To say the bath was a blessing would have been an understatement of his existence, had there not been a chance if him falling asleep and drowning he might have stayed in bed all day and night.

But there was a very good chance of him falling asleep and drowning, so as soon as he was all clean he dragged himself out and into a fresh set of clothes not even bothering to comb out his now wet - but clean - hair.

Everyone had left his room almost exactly as he had left it, plants growing on almost every surface they could be placed. Some blooming bright colors, some with training vines and some that we're content to do neither. His window had been opened to let in the fresh air and songs from both his people and the forest.

It should have filled him with immeasurable joy. But it didn't. It should have been all he could hear, but it wasn't. He heard the echo of the waves, the cry of the gulls, he heard the moaning of the ships and it hurt his heart. "I did something."

Avaleina was there in seconds like she had somehow teleported from the couch she had been laying on to standing in front of him, "What happened?"

But he hadn't said it out loud yet, that would finally be admitting it. That would make it real. There would be no ignoring it after this. No pushing it back down. His heart started to beat too fast, and it was hard to breathe, to swallow, to think. "I did something and I can't fix it."

"Stop." She stepped closer to him, smoothing the wet hair away from his face, "Breath." Placing one hand on his chest to make sure was obeying she commanded, "Breath in. Hold it. Breath out."

Legolas did as he was instructed, focusing on her voice and the warmth in her eyes and the softness in her touch rather than the waves and birds. "It's okay." She promised him with a kiss.

He knew she couldn't promise that to him, but he loved her for trying.

"Come." Slowly with linked hands, she pulled him to the couch, sitting sideways with her back resting against the arm of the chair she pulled him down beside her, throwing her legs over his lap once he was settled. Somehow they both managed to put an arm around one another. "Just because it cannot be fixed does not mean it cannot be helped, okay?"

He couldn't look at her when he said it: "I went to the sea. I heard the gulls and now my heat won't forget it. I gave myself sea-longing and now this side of the sea will never feel like home again and I can't fix it and I want to but I can't and I'm scared. I don't know what to do. Its making everything so hard and I'm so lost and I just can't-"

After that his words were a jumbled mess as tears and sobs overtook him very much against his will. Avaleina nearly crushed him in a protective embrace, rocking very slightly and humming softly.

…..00….

Hello and thank you for still reading, I approached you all so much. I'm sorry for the break there but writer's block is eating me alive.

Hopefully you enjoyed the new chapter, hopefully see you all again soon, would love to hear from you!