Happy Fourth of July Everyone! I am sorry for taking so long but I'm trying to bounce back and forth(pun intended) evenly between this fic and Diamond Heart. I have had this chapter done for a few days but just haven't had a chance to post it!

Let's see what this chapter holds shall we?

Chapter 3: Start of the Journey

"No stop that! You can't just walk away after every fight!" I almost yelled as I grabbed his arm.

"How is it you never feel the need to talk to me about things before you do them? Mae, we have agreed on this for two weeks now. How…no why would you decide to change this now, the night we announce our betrothal and the eve of our departure?" He asked looking me dead in the eyes.

"Frodo saved Middle Earth and he is the only one not happy! I have you. Merry and Pippin have each other. Sam is becoming good friends with Gimli. Aragorn has Arwen. What does the most important hobbit have? Nothing. All he wants is to return to the Shire! We can give him that. He saved us all, we owe him this." I took a breath as I finished my rant. His face softened slightly.

"Your heart is in the right place, my star. But I cannot evade my father any longer. He has summoned me. I must leave for Mirkwood in the morning. I would prefer to return home with my fiancée by my side." He said putting a hand on my cheek.

"I need to do this, please understand." I said looking down. As much as I wanted to ride into the great forest of Mirkwood beside the elf I love, Frodo needed me more at this point in time.

"Then I will see you before I leave ." he said kissing my forehead.

He left and I stood overlooking the fields of Pelennor below us. This would be the longest I would be parted from Legolas. By my calculations, it would take about two weeks to reach the Shire and a few days to reach Rivendell from there, at least week to Mirkwood, depending on the mountain passes. It would be well over a month before I saw his shining blue eyes and soft blonde hair. That's if I do not linger in the Shire but a day or two.

"Even the strongest couples have quarrels." I turned to see Gandalf smiling at me as he lit his pipe.

"Am I doing the right thing? Going with Frodo instead of Legolas." I still didn't know myself. A month is a long time and so much could happen on either side.

"Only time will show that my dear. I am wizard, not a prophet." He said nodding. I smiled at his humor.

"Will you accompany us to the Shire? The hobbits I'm sure they would love your company."

"I believe a young Brandybuck already spoke for me earlier, but I do not see why not? My business here is finished for now."

"Thank you. Having you and Gimli come is much better than just me and the four hobbits."

"I understand completely. I am sure Legolas will share your joy when he knows you are not going alone. I believe he fears for your safety. The war may be over dear Maethriel, but evil still lurks in the shadows."

"I know and he is partially right. I changed things that I shouldn't have. He is truly upset, I can see it in his eyes." I said looking down.

"Then go with him. I swear I will see the Hobbits to their home safely."

"Are you sure Gandalf? I made the commitment not you."

"The hobbits will understand. As long as you invite them to your wedding, I am sure they will not mind." His words were true. The joyous hobbits probably wouldn't care but still

"We could travel together as far as Rohan before we go our different ways. That way we all win." I said with a grin of happiness, that I found a way to make everyone happy.

"Thank you Gandalf! I will see you all at dawn in the stables!" I said running off towards Legolas' room, leaving the celebration in the back of my mind.

I reached his door and the heavy wood seemed to loom over me. I sighed and knocked. There was no answer. I knocked again. A young servant turned the corner and I looked at her, she looked baffled.

"What is wrong little one?"

"Lord Legolas is leaving. He almost pushed me over in his urgency. I always thought him a calm and collected man. He looked so distressed."

"How long ago was this?"

"About ten minutes ago; he was heading towards the stables carrying two bags. I thought he was not to leave until tomorrow morn with his bride to be."

"We weren't." I opened the door and sure enough all his belongings were gone.

"That elf is dead." I started running through the halls, praying I didn't take a wrong turn in maze of the citadel. I finally reached the stables and my heart stopped. There Legolas was, walking Arod out into the night air.

"Going for a ride this late?" I asked aloud.

"Mae, I…" He stopped dead in his track. I could see his muscles tense under the moon light. His eyes were wide as he looked at me.

"Save it. I go to your room to apologize and tell you I am coming with you to find you on your way out, without even a goodbye?" He dropped his head and I continued.

"We would travel with them as far as the Gap of Rohan and then we'd go our separate ways. Gandalf would see the Hobbits to the Shire. That's what I was coming to tell you. "

"Mae please, I am sorry. I acted rash. I just can't stand it when you make decisions without consulting me. We are betrothed now, to be married in a year's time! You will be a princess for Valar's sake! We need to talk about things before you do them!"

"Legolas, I wanted to talk about it now, but you were going to leave."

"I was fighting with myself up until the moment you walked up. Ask Arod, he could sense my distress. I doubt I would have made it far before turning back."

"That's not the point"

"The point for me is that I love you more than anything in this world. It hurt that you chose hobbits over me, even if only temporarily."

"They will never mean more to me than you, but we have all eternity together here and in Valinor when the time comes. I…no, we all owe them one little thing and if that meant seeing them to the Shire, by Valar I was doing it for them." He sighed and took a breath.

"Let us not speak of this anymore. It is late, and we have quiet the day ahead of us tomorrow."

"I'll help you settle Arod. I do not want you riding off without me."

We placed the mighty steed back in his stall and soon, we were back at my room.

"I am sorry Mae, I truly am. I hope you will forgive me for my rash actions."

"Only if you forgive me as well." I said kissing his cheek. He nodded.

"Just think, tomorrow night we'll be sleeping under the stars like we did with the fellowship."

I smiled as I pulled away closing the door behind me.

"I will see you in the morning." He whispered before heading back to his room.

As I went to say my final goodbyes, I found a frustrated Aragorn looking down at paperwork. He initially planned to escort us as far as the Gondor-Rohan boarder but things have gotten too busy for him to take a leave of absence even for just a day or two.
"Aragorn, it is too early for you to be so frustrated." I said coming up beside him.
"Mae" he said shaking his head before looking at me.
"We are ready to set out. I came to say goodbye."
"Be safe cousin. I know you will be happy with Legolas. Just be safe and keep your wits about you. Sauron may be defeated but his servants are still out there. I couldn't see something happen to you or Legolas."
"I promise to be careful, as long as you do the same. Take care of Arwen and Gondor, neither is an easy task." he laughed.
"Indeed, I will do my best." He said as he hugged me.

"I will miss you. Be well until we meet again." He said seeing Legolas came in to say his good bye.

We slowly packed our things and loaded our two horses, Arod and Moon light. Gandalf helped the Hobbits sattle their ponies gifted to them by Aragorn. Gimili, would also be accompanying us until we went our separate ways, readied his own pony. He had already made Legolas promise to explore the Glittering caves in the years to come.

We rode out of the city and into the open plains. Legolas and I were at the front, then the four hobbits, and Gandalf and Gimili took up the rear to ensure protection for all. We went at a steady but slow pace for only the horses had endurance for a long day's gallop.
We finally set up a small camp for the night as the sun finally disappeared below the horizon. It got cool fast but it seemed minute compared to what I have faced before. Sam was cooking some meat on the fire and Gimili was pleasuring himself with a swig of ale. I sat next to Legolas. There was still some stiffness in our relationship after last night's events, but the fight itself was over you could say.

I slept next to Legolas and felt him playing with the tips of my hair. I smiled but didn't turn towards him. He wasn't getting off that quickly. We both were hurt a lot by this fight but by the time we reach Lothlorien, I hope we will be normal again. The next morning, we rose at dawn and made our way much like the day before. The hobbits often joked and made the journey joyful despite the tension between Legolas and me.

"So when are you two getting married?" Pippin asked one time when we set up camp the second night. I almost cringed at the question. Legolas and I hadn't really spoken to much about the wedding.
"Tradition is one year after the betrothal annoucement. However, given our status, it may be sooner or later depending on my father." Legolas answered smiling at me. I smiled back gently.

"We're invited right?" Pippin looked on with pleading eyes.

"Of course Pippin, all four of you lovely hobbits will be invited. It would not be complete without my friends there. I said ruffling his hair gently.

"Legolas, what is your father like? Bilbo never said much about him in his stories to me." Frodo asked.

"My father has changed much over the millennia he has lived. He once was a kind soul, happy and in love with my mother. Only his short temper was to be feared. However, he has gotten cold and more distant with each loss he experiences. Grief to my people is very hard to process with our immortality, be it death or a loss to the sea. It first started with the death of my grandfather, in the first war of the ring. Losing a father is no easy feat on its own. Then half a millennia ago, he lost my mother and older sister to the sea." I saw the hurt in his eyes. I put my hand on his shoulder in hopes of comfort. He put his hand on mine. We had only talked about his family a few times. That had a lot to do with my nerves of meeting the King of Mirkwood.

"Sadly, he was not kind to Bilbo and the Dwarves that traveled through our land some years ago. He does not like outsiders in his woods, but fear not my friends. I have named you elf-friends in my letters to him. Anytime you enter our woods, you will be welcomed." He finished with a smile.

"Mae are you nervous about meeting him?" Merry asked looking at me.

"Of course, who wouldn't? He will soon be my father-in-law and king." I answered honestly but vaguely. This was something else Legolas and I never really talked about. I suddenly realized, I was betrothed to my best friend…who I knew very little about outside of the fellowship.

The conversation went on around me but I just looked up at the sky and got lost in my own thoughts.

"Mae, is something bothering you?"

"Can we go for a walk just you and me?"

"This about what the hobbits asked." It was a statement.

"Yes and no." He smiled and rose extending his hand to me.

"We're going to stretch our legs. We will return in a little while." Legolas said as we exited the camp.

We walked some time finally being out of ear shot of even Gandalf. He leaned against a boulder and looked at me worried.

"What is bothering you Mae?"

"I am nervous about going to Mirkwood." I couldn't hold his gaze and looked to the ground.

"I told you. You have nothing to worry about. You have already met Tauriel and Moril. They love you, my people will love you."

"I have no doubt about them as I like them as well and see us becoming great friends. It is more your father."

"I know he will accept you just the same as they did. He may be cold to outsiders, but I have told him so much about you already in my letters. You have no need to worry. Just be yourself."

"If only it was that simple. Your dad is KING! You are prince, heir to the throne. I know I have never voiced my opinion on your status because it doesn't matter to me. You were just Legolas to me, not Prince Legolas. Everything will matter to your father and your people. Who you marry, how many children you have, how long you stay on these shores… I am just a half blood who you found in the woods. I can't see your father or people accepting me so easily."

"Maethriel, my beautiful star, you are not just some half blood. You are peredhel of a noble human bloodline and humble Lorien elf line. You chose the life of a first born when you chose me. My people have wished for me to find love for centuries. Now that I have found my love, I plan to show you to my world with pride and passion. I would give everything up for you should things go sour as you seem to see them going." He said coming close to me and kissing my lips briefly.

"I love you. No fight would change that. No being will come between us, not even my father should it come to that. I will not be parted from you." He said caressing my cheek. I felt a tear fall as I rested my head on his shoulder. He pulled me against him and whispered other words of encouragement in my ear, but I was lost to them as my thoughts continued to whirl around worry for this journey. One thing was certain; my love for Legolas would never change or falter, no matter what challenges the Valar sent at us.

Sooo that's probably not what you expected, but thanks to stubbornness on both of their behalves they will be going together. There may be a trip to the Shire in the future so don't count it out yet.

Next stop is Lorien, for a meeting with the Lady.

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Until Next Time!

-B