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Next chapter they will be back home.

Chapter 31

Evie sat on the log on their last night away from the Greenwood, her bowl of stew steaming up in the cool evening air. On her left sat her elf husband, his long legs stretched in front of him, hip and shoulder brushing hers. She had noticed that since their last rendezvous in the woods, he had been more touchy feely than ever, almost like he was scared she was disappear beneath his hands.

On her right side, sat the platinum haired elf Prince she loved so much, bowl held carefully between both hands as he sipped from the side, single minded concentration upon satisfying the hunger from another full day on a horse.

Sniffing the spice rich food, she sipped slowly, savouring the taste on her tongue. She looked up and smiled in thanks at Haleth when she offered a piece of elven bread to dip in.

Round the fire circle relaxed their company of loyal elves, travel worn and tired, but all in once piece with no issues like their previous journey. The red head was thankful for that, but still noticed the stiff posture of their Captain, always on the lookout for trouble. She knew a few guards had been placed strategically around the camp just in case, but sleeping night after night in the King's arms made her feel much safer.

Soon supper bowls were collected, cleaned and stored away for breakfast and cups of ale and wine were being passed around. Evie accepted a refreshing glass from Laurel and snuggled closer into her elf's side when he drew his arm around her shoulders.

It wasn't long after that that heroic tales were being recounted by the more senior warriors in the group, but Evie was surprised when she heard Haleth ask Legolas more about the world he's visited.

It intrigued her to hear his thoughts of her world, but she was more interested to see the elves reaction, since out of respect, none had asked her too many questions, despite their inquisitive nature to the unknown.

"It was very different to here. Naneth lived in a bit white house that stood on it own, surrounded by grassland. She had a barn with animals and a special car for getting around."

"What is a car, your highness?"

"A bit metal box that is run on oil and does not need to be pulled by horses. It had a tray on the back and goes really fast."

"What are the mortals like there?"

"Mostly nice, Naneth's neighbor, Mary, let us visit her dark anytime and that's who gifted Malthen to me. She was nice. We went to a feast for Christmas..."

"What is Christmas?"

"Oh a bit like Yuletide. With decorations, lights, presents and Father Christmas. He's and old man that dresses up in a red and white suit and asks all the children what they want to receive as a gift for being good that year."

"That sounds very strange."

Feeling a bit hurt, Evie interrupted. "Legolas and I will simply have to show you all how it's done and then you can decide if it's strange."

"Oh yes Naneth, lets, and then we can bake gingerbread and hang mistletoe..."

Being a lover of Christmas herself, Evie delighted in the scene that he painted for everyone and vowed to make it happen for him.

"…And the party had a big green tree full of lights and all these people dressed up dancing to the music. There was one man that I had to scare off because Naneth didn't seem to enjoy talking to him, but then we had eggnog and left out cookies for the reindeer…"

The smile faded from the red head's face when the little elf volunteered such information so innocently, and cursed herself for not remembering their ability to notice even the smallest of things. She felt the body curled around hers stiffen and knew exactly why this was, dreading the conversation that would take place at some point.

She interrupted the little elf's continued explanations then, by jumping up and lifting him into her arms, to avoid him revealing anything else she didn't want the other elves to know.

"I think it's time for bed honey, we have a long day tomorrow. Say goodnight to everyone."

She was pleased that the elfling did so without complaint, rubbing his tired eyes along the way, and brought him to his father last, who reached up to gather the elfling to him for a cuddle and kiss his brow.

"Goodnight, little leaf."

"Goodnight, Ada."

She didn't look at the cold blue eyes that sought hers as she took the elfling back, but turned and walked toward their tent for the night, breathing a sigh of relief when she entered and had no more prying eyes on her. She gently placed Legolas on his cot and started to turn down the blankets. She held them open as he scrambled underneath and helped her pull them back up, bending to place a kiss on his cheek.

"Goodnight, Naneth."

"Sweet dreams, honey."

A small hand reached out to toucher her arm before she could move away.

"Sing to me?"

Love and affection bubbled up inside her at the request and she happily obliged him, allowing her voice to carry throughout the tent and beyond.

""Lavender's blue,Dilly dilly,Lavenders green.
When I am King,Dilly dilly,You shall be Queen.
Who told you so,Dilly dilly,Who told you so?
T'was my own heart,Dilly dilly,That told me so.
Call up your men,Dilly dilly,Set them to work.
Some to the plow,Dilly dilly,Some to the fork.
Some to make hay,Dilly dilly,Some to cut corn.
While you and I,Dilly dilly,Keep ourselves warm.
Lavender's green,Dilly dilly,Lavender's blue.
If you love me,Dilly dilly,I will love you."

She saw the blue eyes flutter closed, a small smile gracing his as he went off to dreamland and watched the soft rise and fall of his chest. She felt, rather than saw, the eyes of a tall elf on her back and slowly stood and turned.

Absolutely magnificent, he was, standing at his full height, still fully dressed from the day's ride, except for the dark cloak that had been discarded earlier on the nearby chair. His long platinum hair fell perfectly over his shoulders and down his green clad chest. The blue eyes she loved so much were softer now, having watched the scene with his son, but still full of questions.

"You sing so beautifully; I think it may put the whole company to sleep."

She smiled at this compliment, pleased that he didn't seem to be in a bad mood, not that he'd ever taken it out on her. She took the few steps between them softly, so she didn't make a noise, and took his hand in her own, lifting it to place a soft kiss on his open palm.

"I would sing for you, if you only ask me to."

She saw that his expression had softened even more at these words, touched that she would bestow such a gift for him, but then determination flashed across his face and she knew what was coming.

"The mortal man Legolas spoke of…"

"His name was Luke."

"Right, this Luke, did he hurt you?" The words were spoken softly, but not without a hard edge to them as she felt his hands settle on her waist.

"Physically, no. Emotionally is a different story."

"He was your lover?"

"My boyfriend, yes. You have to understand that customs are different there."

"Did you love him?"

"I thought I did, but now that I've met you, I don't think it was the same."

"What happened at the feast?"

"two years before I had caught him cheating on me with someone else, so I left him. He didn't like it and when he saw me at the party, he wanted to try again. I said no. Legolas' timing was impeccable, something you and your son have in common, among other things."

"I never thought to ask if there had been…others."

"He was the longest boyfriend I had, the rest are not worth mentioning, and besides, I left them all behind when I chose you."

A hand came up to cup her cheek and she shut her eyes, breathing in deep, trying to swallow the painful memories that had arisen from this conversation.

"This is difficult for you to talk about."

"Your observational skills are very sharp tonight. Yes. When I dealt with Luke, I was already grieving."

"Your Grandmother."

"Yes. How did you…?"

"Legolas told me. Shortly after your arrival, Legolas and I sat down together, and he went through the photo book you had prepared for him. He was very detailed."

"oh."

"Do not worry, for it helped change my perception of you."

"Really?"

He didn't answer straight away, but drew her further into the tent and into the next room, where their bed lay. He let go of her hand to reach for the carafe of wine and a glass, pouring it out, before handing it to her with a smile.

"Sit. It will be more comfortable."

She did so and watched him pour a glass for himself and settling next to her on the mattress.

"You might have noticed that I had a particular prejudice against you when we first met –"

She snorted at that and then took a sip of the sharp liquid.

"It wasn't against you perse, but you must admit my reasoning was rather sound to protect my son from needless hurt."

She waved her hand impatiently. "Yes, I know that already. What did the photos do?"

"Intrigued me mostly, here you were dressed in rather strange clothes with Legolas in lifelike pictures. It was like I was there with you both. But more importantly, I wanted to know more about you."

"So it wasn't just my pretty looks then?"

They both laughed at this, quietly enough not to wake the sleeping elf. A hand moved under her chin to lift it up, so the red head had to gaze into the bright blue eyes of her beloved.

"As beautiful as you are, my love, something else draws me to you."

"Which is?"

"Your fierce heart."

"Why?"

"Because it's closest one I've found to my own."

And her eyes flittered closed as his lips descended on hers, softly at first, and then more passionately, his hand moving from her chin to the back of her hair.