The Return

Disclaimer: All belongs to Tolkien except for my characters Roslyn and Maethor – they are my own creations and are not meant to resemble anyone else's OCs in any way.

A/N: Ok, well I hope you all aren't too upset with me from the last chapter!

For those of you who are a little confused, the idea behind this sequel is that the last chapter of The Traveler never really happened. Instead it's a version of a recurrent dream that both Roslyn and Thranduil have. It's a 'what should have/could have been.'

Chapter 2: Home

Roslyn sat atop her horse, eyes fixed straight ahead, looking for any signs of the imposing forest. She had spent her first week back in Middle Earth in Rivendell with Elrond. It was a nice week that felt like a true vacation. Back in the middle of nature, she felt herself relax more than she ever did in the city.

She could finally make out the jagged tree line as she strained her eyes towards the horizon. A small thrill ran through her at the prospect of returning to Mirkwood. She wasn't sure how she felt about seeing Thranduil again, but there was one elf she couldn't wait to see.

Between the limitations to the portal and Thranduil's hostility, she and Tauriel had barely had any contact over the past year. It had been agonizing for Roslyn not to be able to talk to her best friend. So with every passing second that the forest grew closer, she became more and more excited.

She glanced around her at the small escort company, noting how tense everyone seemed as they finally reached the Mirkwood border. They paused for a moment, as if bracing themselves for the hours of oppressing forest they had ahead. The group moved forward at last and soon, she would be back in Thranduil's kingdom.

Ok, time to set some ground rules. Who knows how he'll act around you? You have to keep your cool. Stay detached. Whatever happens, stay detached. I mean, let's be honest, you know he's sexy as hell and that probably hasn't changed. But now you also know where you stand with him. If anything happens, which is doubtful, but if anything does happen, it's ok. Take it for what it's worth. Maybe you really do just need a one night stand to get him out of your system. But either way, just remember that there's nothing more to it than sex. It's just sex, so have fun with it. And that's if anything even happens at all…

She continued to give herself her pep talk as they moved through the forest. The group finally reached the gate to the kingdom without any incidents. Roslyn felt her hands shake slightly as she dismounted from the horse. Taking a deep breath she followed her guards inside. She stepped through the doors and looked around. Her heart soared at the familiar sights.

Home.

"I can't believe you convinced me to do this again. This is utterly ridiculous."

Roslyn felt her stomach flip flop at the sound of his irritated voice floating down the hall. She suddenly felt the strong urge to flee, so she ducked behind one of her guards, hiding herself from view.

"Alright, lets get this over with. Where is he? Where is this dignitary whose presence I must endure in my kingdom?"

One by one, the guards stepped to the side. Roslyn felt panicked and her heart pounded in her chest. After all of that mental prep, she wasn't ready for that surprise.

He doesn't even know I'm the one who's visiting?!

But it was too late, the last elf stepped aside and she was completely exposed. With wide terrified eyes she stared at him. She watched as his face registered shock, lips slightly parting. Maethor stood to his right, a large grin spreading over his face.

"You?!"

It felt like a slap to the face. She was brought back to reality as that one word was a sharp reminder of everything that had happened between them. He did not seem pleased to see her in the least. Roslyn straightened her shoulders and scowled at him.

"Why Thranduil, it's good to see you too," she said crossly.

Before he could reply, a squeal of delight sounded behind him.

"ROSLYN!"

She looked around his shoulder to see Tauriel bounding towards her. Without another word, she brushed past the stunned elf.

"TAURIEL!"

The two friends ran into each other and embraced fiercely.

"How have you been?! I was hoping you would be the one coming!"

"Oh my gosh! How are you?! There is so much I've been dying to talk to you about!"

The two were already talking over each other, not really hearing what the other was saying in their excitement.

"Come let's get you settled!"

Roslyn looked over her shoulder at Thranduil.

"I suppose I'll take my old room again?"

Thranduil could only give her a single curt nod. Tauriel walked over and grabbed Roslyn's duffle bag out of the guard's hands. With smiles on their faces they turned and walked down the hall back towards Roslyn's room.

Thranduil continued to stand there, completely speechless. With a Cheshire grin on his face, Maethor clapped him soundly on the back.

…

They sat on Roslyn's bed, talking and laughing.

"I just can't believe I'm back. I can't even explain how it feels. I'd come to terms with being in New York again, you know? I fell back into life as usual I guess. I tried to convince myself that it felt right. But the truth is, now that I'm here again, I know it wasn't. This is right. This place is home."

"Oh Roslyn, I've missed you so much. Things really haven't been the same without you. I kept wanting to come over here and talk to you. And then I'd remember you weren't here anymore and I'd get depressed all over again."

"Well I'm here now. So go on, tell me everything I've missed."

She watched as a small flush crept onto Tauriel's cheeks.

"Tauriel. Tell me!"

The elleth laughed nervously.

"Ok, ok. So remember how I told you a while back that I'd pledged my heart to someone?"

Roslyn nodded, urging her to go on.

"Well that didn't exactly work out. Shortly after you'd left, I realized that he didn't exactly feel the same way about me. It honestly didn't hurt as much as I thought it would when we ended things. He doesn't live in this kingdom and it'd been a while since we saw each other."

"Oh Tauriel, I'm so sorry! I wish I'd been here for you."

"No, don't be sorry! Because… I'm in a courtship with somebody else now. It started about seven months ago as just an innocent flirtation. And then before I knew it, it had turned into something else entirely! I…I love him!"

She smiled at Roslyn as her ears turned pink from the confession.

"So are you going to tell me who it is? He lives here, right? In Mirkwood?"

"Um…yeah, he does."

Tauriel got off the bed and walked over to the desk. She picked up a decanter and poured herself a glass of wine.

"Soooo…? Who is it?"

She took a few large gulps of the wine as she avoided looking at Roslyn.

"Um…well…" she mumbled something into the goblet.

"Huh? What was that?"

She downed the rest of the wine. Then, fidgeting with the goblet, she finally looked at her friend.

"Maethor."

Roslyn stared at her blankly, "What?"

"It's Maethor."

She continued to stare, suddenly at a loss for words.

"Look, I know you don't exactly think the best of him after he was so meddlesome when you were here before. But he was only trying to help. I promise. He loves Thranduil. And he really likes you too. He was just trying to help you both."

"Wonderful," Roslyn grumbled, "But I don't need his help."

"I know. But please, will you give him another chance? For me?"

"Yeah, yeah. Alright."

"Good! So tell me about what's been going on with you. Anyone special back in your world?"

"No."

Tauriel pulled a face, wanting more details than that.

"Uggghhh. Ok, so I went out on a few dates but they all sucked. There was one guy I dated for a few months but he didn't stick either. And the sex really wasn't all that good. I don't know, maybe there's just something wrong with me. Maybe I just expect too much."

"Are you talking about personality-wise or in the bedroom?"

"Both?"

"I don't think you are. You really have to have the right chemistry for the sex to be good and for a relationship to work. You shouldn't lower your standards for anyone. You'll find the right person, just be patient. And maybe it'll even be someone here," Tauriel waggled her eyebrows.

"Right."

"Well, I guess I better give you some time to unpack and rest. You look tired."

"Gee, thanks!" Roslyn laughed.

Tauriel smiled before setting her glass down and walking out of the room.

Roslyn sighed and stretched languidly. She fell back against the pillows and let her eyes drift shut, suddenly feeling exhausted from her long journey.

…

(Volcano - Damien Rice)

Her eyes fluttered open, taking a moment to adjust to the dark room. Pushing off the bed Roslyn walked over to her window and gazed out. A strip of clouds covered the crescent moon and everything was still and quiet.

It must be the middle of the night.

Her hand flew to her stomach as it let out a loud rumble.

"Ugh. I need some food."

Running her fingers through her tangled hair she padded out into the dark hallway. Quietly, Roslyn tiptoed her way down to the kitchens. She spotted Thranduil walking towards her right before she reached the door. She stopped in her tracks like a deer caught in headlights.

He must be coming from the library.

His face conveyed some surprise as he finally saw her too.

"Roslyn. What are you doing down here so late?"

"Oh, I fell asleep earlier and missed dinner."

As if on cue, her stomach let out another loud growl. Thranduil let a small smile escape his lips.

"Come, let's get you some food."

He held the kitchen door open and then followed her inside. Walking over to a large prep table, he set his lantern down and pulled over two stools.

"Sit."

Roslyn did as she was told and watched him as he pulled out some bread, cheese and a bowl of fruit. He set his little stash down in front of her before joining her at the table.

"I hope this will be alright."

"It's perfect!" she said happily as she grabbed a roll.

"You look terrible," he wrinkled his nose at her, "did you even bother bathing today?"

She rolled her eyes at him, "I told you, I fell asleep."

He hummed in response before taking a handful of grapes. He plucked them off their stems one by one, eating each grape thoughtfully as he observed her.

"Have you been well?" he asked her softly.

She chewed on a piece of cheese as she thought about how to answer him.

"I suppose. I've been healthy and work is going well. You?"

"I am still king, so I guess I can't complain," he smirked at her.

She rolled her eyes at him, "Ugh, you really haven't changed one bit."

"But you have."

"What?"

"I don't know what it is, but there's something different about you. About how you carry yourself."

She stared at him, not sure how to answer.

"You've found someone that makes you happy, haven't you?"

"No," she whispered back, "I'm still alone."

In the safety and comfort of the darkness it was suddenly easy for them to be honest with each other.

"I've missed you," the words slipped out before he could stop himself.

Roslyn felt her heart pick up slightly as she took in his face.

Somehow they had drifted closer to each other as they spoke. Before she knew what was happening, his large hand was gently cupping her right cheek. His soft lips met hers in a leisurely and innocent kiss. It was as if they were memorizing each other's mouths all over again. She felt the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Finally, she made herself pull away. They hovered there for a moment, mere inches apart.

"I should go."

"Yes, of course."

She pushed away from the table and stood up. Pausing at the door, she glanced back at him for a moment. Sitting in the darkness with only the small lantern to illuminate him, Roslyn thought she might have at last seen a glimpse of raw and honest emotion on his face.

"Goodnight," she murmured.

She walked back to her room slowly, feeling the familiar tugs at her heart and butterflies in her stomach.

Don't forget to stay detached.

A/N: So I was originally going in a very different direction for the ending of this chapter, but sometimes I just have to go with the flow and where the story is taking me, hehe.