AN: Your reviews inspired me to update sooner than I was planning too…So there we have it! Please enjoy and leave reviews.

Legolas POV

Leaving Gondor had been difficult for Legolas. It had not been so hard to say goodbye to the new King Aragorn and Queen Arwen for they had invited Legolas to take residence any time he desired in Ithilien. Legolas had considered the offer for he actually liked the idea of helping to restore what was once one of the most beautiful dwellings in all of Arda. Gimli had hugged him roughly and promised to visit Mirkwood very soon after he had reunited with his own people and Legolas was very glad. The friendship between them ran deep and true and the Prince already anticipated when Gimli would arrive at the gates of Mirkwood.

Once again the woodland realm will welcome dwarf-kind. Of that I will make sure.

Gandalf in his white robes of the istari had approached him with a twinkle in his blue eyes and promised that they would be reunited over the Sea for the wizard's work in this world was now complete.

Merry and Pippin, now Esquire of Rohan and Guard of the Citadel respectively, had all but tackled him to the ground in farewell. Sam had shaken his hand reverently and made Legolas promise to remember his gardening techniques. Legolas had smiled and invited Sam to visit Mirkwood any time to see its gardens, causing the hobbit to blush in gratitude. Frodo had lingered near Gandalf during his goodbye and the once Ring-Bearer had a world-weary look about him. Indeed the Quest had taken something from him and Legolas wished he could soothe the Halfling's shattered spirit.

He will find peace over the Sea with Gandalf. Indeed I am going to miss all of the hobbits for they are so loyal and spirited.

The journey back to Mirkwood from Minas Tirith on horseback was very long and Legolas was glad of the company of the Galadhrim. He rode at the head of the small company with Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn and their escort arranged behind them. Sometimes Galadriel would sing to pass the time and her enchanting golden voice would cause the trees to ever so slightly lean in their direction as if they were craning with every fibre of their being to just be noticed by the Lady of Light. Sometimes they were rewarded and Galadriel would reach up to caress a branch or a leaf affectionately.

Legolas could not blame the trees for trying for on more than one occasion he had caught himself enraptured by her song, memories of Tauriel and his Father caressing his daydreams.

Legolas too loved to sing and even more so when Galadriel praised his smooth timbre.

O Elbereth Star-kindler

White glittering slants down sparkling like jewels

From the firmament the glory of the star-host!
To-remote distance far-having gazed
From the tree-tangled middle-lands,
Fanuilos, to thee I will chant
On this side of ocean, here on this side of the Great Ocean!

Legolas finished his ode to Varda causing Galadriel to beam warmly at him in such a proud motherly fashion that his heart ached. Celeborn too was smiling although his gaze was upon his wife who laughed gleefully.

I wonder why Lord Celeborn does not sing. He looks to Galadriel with such unconditional love but his brown eyes are so full of sadness. Perhaps the songs of the West draw his heart too near to the memory of Celebrían. Arwen told me once that her Mother loved to sing as she wandered amidst the trees of Lorien and of Rivendell. Nae! I have no doubt that she waits to be reunited with her family in Alqualondë yet Arwen's ship will now never arrive.

Legolas was saddened by the thought.

Tauriel POV

The Captain was back on her feet although it would be a while before she would regain her peak physical fitness. Thankfully, the war was over and her duties mainly consisted of sending out patrols to deal with the very few remaining orcs and spiders. Mostly, she spent her time with Thranduil organising how best to disband the army in an orderly fashion so that the wood elves could start to re-inhabit their old settlements in the forest. Many dwellings had been destroyed so supplies and such like had to be distributed evenly to begin rebuilding the elven kingdom.

Thranduil was warmer to her now than he had been in the last century or so and for that Tauriel was glad for she had found that she had missed her King's company and council. It seemed that the deep rift between them could now finally start to heal.

Legolas POV

As the company entered deeper into Mirkwood, Legolas was horrified at the destruction around him. So many trees had been burned away and the ground had been churned to a deep mud in places from so many orc footfalls. A faint burning odour lingered under the remaining treetops causing the Prince to wrinkle his nose in disgust.

A great battle happened here. The earth remembers.

It was then that Galadriel turned to him from her tall grey mare and upon her delicate hand flashed a glint of starlight.

'Do not be troubled young Greenleaf. We will stay long enough to help your forest to heal and to remember that it was once Greenwood the Great. Living things shall return and your people shall once again dance under the starlight in peace.'

Legolas smiled and thanked the Lady for it pained him to see his beloved homeland so distressed.

Together they entered through the great gates of the keep and the armoured sentinels Elorin and Firevior fisted their hands over the hearts in respect to the return of the Prince and the arrival of the Golden Couple.

It was but a moment later that Ranadir cantered up to them upon a chestnut mare before bowing low to the company. He had obviously just returned from a small patrol, probably to clear up any last remaining spiders Legolas guessed.

'Prince Legolas! How gladdened we are by your return! My Lord and Lady, on behalf of Thranduil, elven King of Mirkwood, I graciously welcome you to our Kingdom.'

Galadriel and Celeborn smiled politely at the gallant warrior.

Legolas beamed at Ranadir. 'It is good to see you again, old friend! Please would you escort the Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel to their guest chambers so that they may relax after their journey.'

Legolas turned to the couple beside him. 'If you please, I will personally go and announce our arrival to the King so that he may formally welcome you.'

Legolas dismounted and handed his reins to Ranadir. As he walked past the elf, Ranadir caught his shoulder.

'Hîr vuin, you will find the King in the throne room overseeing some organisational matters.' In a lower voice, and with a smirk upon his lips he added. 'And currently there is a certain Captain there with him.'

Tauriel.

Legolas all but sprinted to the throne room.

Tauriel POV

Tauriel was in the throne room reporting the departure of another couple of wood elves to regain their old homesteads in the North. Thranduil looked pleased that his people did not fear venturing out into the forest after the Battle Under the Trees –even though it was safe once more.

They both paused in mid conversation as Legolas burst forth into the room, still dressed in his green hunting garb. Tauriel froze and her heart soared at the sight of her long lost Prince.

'Legolas!' Thranduil cried in joy but his son's entire focus seemed to be on the auburn haired Captain at the foot of the throne.

Tauriel stood in perfect stillness, not quite believing her eyes as Legolas ran forward, picked her up easily in his arms and gave her such a passionate kiss that she blushed all the way to the tips of her pointed ears.

Tauriel laughed as Legolas spun her around before he pulled away just enough to stare deep into her green eyes and the whole world fell away.

'Tauriel, long have we been parted and I cannot deny my heart's desire any longer. If you will have me, I would pledge myself to you under the stars of Elbereth though my fëa already belongs to you. My heart has always belonged to you and it always will.' Legolas tucked a strand of auburn hair behind her ear.

Tauriel smiled up into his sea blue eyes. 'Gi melin, Legolas, I wish for nothing more than to pledge myself to you.'

Legolas grinned from ear to ear and spun Tauriel around again in complete joy.

Thranduil audibly cleared his throat and Tauriel sprang away embarrassed that she had forgotten herself but kept hold of Legolas' hand, much to the Prince's delight.

'Ada, you have my love and respect but you do not control my heart on this matter and I will pledge myself to Tauriel whether by your will or not.' Legolas stood proudly before his Father.

Tauriel studied Legolas and how his silver-gold hair was slightly longer and his shoulders slightly broader beneath his light armour.

He has become so much more mature.

Thranduil absently waved his hand before him. 'Peace, Legolas. Though her blood may be Silvan, Captain Tauriel has proven her nobility through her actions when she helped to lead our army and took a morgul arrow aimed for her King.' Thranduil held a small smirk at the corner of his mouth.

Tauriel blushed and shifted her feet as she saw Legolas' face register a multitude of emotions at the news of the arrow.

'You did what?!' Legolas asked incredulously.

He nervously scanned her over as if she would topple to the floor at any moment. He looked half furious at her recklessness and half overwhelmed with gratitude that she had saved his Father's life.

'I am fine, Legolas. The arrow barely grazed me.' Tauriel understated the truth and bit her lip, causing Thranduil to raise an immaculate eyebrow.

'Indeed, three weeks unconscious is barely any time in the eyes of the Eldar.' Thranduil baited her.

It was all Tauriel could do to not narrow her eyes at her King's mischievous nature and remain respectful.

He is so enjoying this.

'Tauriel!' Legolas cupped her cheek worriedly.

It was then that his blue eyes seemed to remember something and Tauriel watched as he visibly took a deep breath as if composing himself and suppressing some sort of desire at the same time. He wrenched his gaze away from the Captain and back to his Father.

'Ada, Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel have arrived, they await your presence in their guest chambers.'

Thranduil rose and Tauriel smiled excitedly at the news.

Thranduil descended the stone steps from his antlered throne before engulfing Legolas in an impossibly tight embrace that Legolas gladly returned. 'Then, ionneg, I suppose it is time for the Celebration Feast!'

Elvish

Nae! –Alas!

Ionneg -Son