I'm so sorry I haven't posted in so long! Things have been crazy, this being my last semester of undergrad and all. Anyway, this is just a short chapter to lead to the next one because I felt bad I haven't posted in so long. I also want to reread the Hobbit because then I will better understand the layout of Mirkwood, wouldn't want to have too many inaccuracies now would we. :)
Thank you to all those that have stuck by me 3

Oh... I don't own LOTR (obvi)

Days passed; Aragorn had been crowned king, Boromir was named Steward of Gondor, Faramir became Prince of Ithilien, Éomer returned to the Mark, Aragorn and Arwen married, Faramir and Éowyn were engaged, the Halflings began their journey back to the Shire, and Legolas and Gimli began the trek through Fangorn and the caves of Helm's Deep.

Lauren was left to her own devices for quite some time. Although she always had on Legolas's necklace it didn't stop her from missing him, or her friends; even her feathered friend had left to start a family. The fellowship was now broken and their lives would forever be changed. She had spoken to Frodo in private and helped him cope with the horror he faced, it was the least she could do and probably the only thing left that she could do. It dawned on her that she should probably stop trying to fix things; that all things happen for a reason. With that idea in her head, Lauren resigned herself to not worry so much.

A few more days passed and in the meantime Arwen and Lauren had grown inseparable. Arwen was still a little nervous, now that her father and family were making the journey to the Grey Lands. Suddenly being vulnerable to the world is a little frightening. Aragorn, or course, quelled the majority of the fear but there were some things that only women could talk about.

It was a beautiful day and "the three beauties of Gondor" were enjoying afternoon tea in the blooming garden. Arwen, Éowyn, and Lauren were laughing about some joke when a servant came and told them that Legolas and Gimli were spotted near Osgiliath and that they would arrive by nightfall. Lauren's face beamed with joy and she rushed out of the garden. Arwen and Éowyn exchanged knowing smiles as the finished their light lunch.

Lauren didn't even bother changing into riding clothes or saddling Sundance; she bridled him and was out of the stable before anyone could ask where she was going, although no one would have been surprised. She met the men halfway, her auburn hair flowing behind her like living fire. Those that saw her were enamored with her beauty and when she ran into the elf prince's arms they were overcome with joy that the two were reunited.

Legolas didn't care who was watching, he was tired of eleven proprietary, he was amongst humans and frankly, he didn't give a damn. When Lauren ran to him he embraced her and didn't let her go until she knew full well how much he missed her. It wasn't until Gimli quite loudly cleared his throat that the two finally broke apart. Lauren turned tomato-red and hurried to remount Sundance, who seemed to be smiling at her.

"So the elf gets a welcome like that and I don't even so much as get a "Hello," and here I thought we were friends."

They laughed on the ride back and the men told Lauren of their trip. Lauren tried to stop herself from laughing when Gimli mentioned how eerie Fangorn was. Clearly forests are no places for dwarfs. As for the cave, well, they were both speechless.

"If you had been in the caves as you were supposed to be, instead of fighting, then you would have seen their beauty."

"Oh come now, Legolas! Will you never let that go?"

Now Gimli tried to restrain their laughter as the two bickered over a topic that had become a default discussion when things were wrong, or how ever you want to define it.

"Look at it this way, if I didn't disobey you and go out to fight, Haldir would have been killed. I'm sure he appreciates my efforts."

The conversation continued all the way up into the living quarters where it was finally settled. By the time the two came down for dinner they were smiling over an inside joke that the others could only guess at, though they would have been right.

Gimli left a few days after to return home, it had been quite some time since he set foot in his homeland. Éowyn also returned to her fiancé the next night. With Aragorn and Arwen doing their royal duties, Legolas and Lauren were left to their own devices.

"Lauren, I was thinking. What if I brought a few of my people to live in Ithilien and there were some elves that did not leave with Arwen's father, they could join us as well."

She smiled as she looked out over Minas Tirith in her elf's embrace, knowing that he was going to help beautify the lands before all the elves fully left Middle Earth.

"I think that is a wonderful idea."

"We would have to travel to Mirkwood and talk with my father first. I'm sure he would give me his approval and there are other things I wish to discuss with him."

"Oh, such as?"

"You."

"Me?"

Lauren sat up and looked at Legolas, who stayed lounging on the couch.

"Well, yes. I wish to discuss our future together with him."

"Legolas, are you sure? That is not something to be said lightly, more importantly, will he approve? I am just a human after all, and I don't have a title or anything, I…"

Lauren was stopped when Legolas softly kissed her, reassuring her that it was the right thing to do.

"My father would approve. We agreed a long time ago that I would find someone on my own accord. He might be concerned that you are human but that is of little consequence. I do not have much time here anyway; the sea's call is still strong. When I take the voyage to the Grey, I fully intend to take you with me."

"But the Valar…"

"Will not deny me and if they do then we will continue to live as we have. When it comes time for me to grieve I will grieve and will fall to sorrow."

"Legolas…"

All the talk of death was making Lauren remember that she was indeed dead. She had hoped that, being dead, she wouldn't age but she could feel time pass slowly.

"Let us take things as they come. One step at a time, right? First, we will see your father and build a wonderful new colony. Elrond had said that the time of the elves is over. Maybe he was wrong, in a way. Maybe a new breed of elf is on the rise? One who lives in harmony with Man."

"That is quite possible. It certainly brings hope at least. There aren't many of us left, especially the Elders. The night grows old though, let us rest."

Legolas pulled Lauren off the couch and back into the room that they now shared. The next morning they told Aragorn of their plan and made plans to have provisions ready for their trip to Mirkwood. A couple of days later they were set to leave and after saying goodbye to their friends they left for the forests where Legolas grew up.