When they returned to the citadel, Tinwe went to check on Hindil, while Legolas went to find Aragorn. Tinwe had left the boy with one of the nurses. However, she found him back in the kitchens, talking excitedly with Brith.

"Good morning Hindil. What are you doing in here?"

"Morning," he said, looking up from the pot he had on his lap. He was stirring furiously, and was covered in flour.

"You seem to be having fun."

"Mr. Brith is letting me make a cake. It's gonna have strawburries on it!"

"Mm, that sounds good. Save me a piece when you're done alright?" Hindil nodded, sticking his tongue out in concentration as he returned to stirring. Tinwe smiled down at him. She looked over at Brith, who winked at her, chortling to himself.

"Aragorn, there is a host of Orcs to the north. We need to hunt them down and stop them from attacking the nearby villages."

"I will assemble a small party for you to take with you. What were you doing to the north anyway?" Aragorn asked the elf curiously.

"Tinwe and I were out riding. Why do you ask?" Legolas replied casually.

"No reason. Find Gimli. I'm sure he'll be happy to assist you. I'll try and get a couple score of men to assist."

"Thank you," Legolas said, bowing to his friend.

As the elf slipped out the door, Aragorn smiled to himself. Gimli was right. There was more going on between Legolas and Tinwe than merely friendship.

"Aragorn is assembling a small force to go and track the Orcs. Have you seen Gimli at all?"

"No. I haven't seen the hobbits in a while either. Where do you think they are?"

Legolas thought for a moment, then smiled at Tinwe.

"I think I know."

"This is the life, eh hobbits?"

"Mm, good chicken, strong ale, and the finest longbottom leaf. I could sit here forever," Pippin said, lounging underneath a tree in one of the many gardens of Minas Tirith. Beside him, Gimli sat leaning against the tree trunk, and Merry lay on a stone bench a few feet away.

"Sorry to interrupt your party." The three looked around to see Legolas coming up behind them, Tinwe a few steps behind. "But there is a group of Orcs hiding in the northern forests. Aragorn said you'd relish the opportunity to crack some skulls, Gimli."

"Hmph, you bet I would," the dwarf replied gruffly, standing up. "When do we leave?"

"As soon as Aragorn's men are ready," Tinwe said. "Good morning young hobbits," she looked down at the hobbits, eyes twinkling.

"Good morning, my lady," they said, smiling rather drunkenly. She grinned. Hobbits were such funny folk.

"Ah, Alagos. I was beginning to think you'd gotten yourself lost."

"How long have you had that horse?" Legolas asked patting Arod's nose as Tinwe stroked Alagos' neck. Tinwe new immediately why he asked.

"Many years. The only reason she ran during the battle was because I told her to. Several years ago, she almost died defending me. I could not live with myself if I got her killed. She has been my best friend through so many adventures. So I have told her to run if ever I am dragged out of the saddle again. She is a good horse, and I do not want her life to be sacrificed for my own."

Legolas nodded his understanding, and mounted the white stallion, where Gimli was already sitting. Tinwe followed suit, mounting Alagos. They looked behind them at the men, armed and ready for battle.

"I will beat you this time elf-boy," Gimli announced gruffly. Tinwe smiled at the dwarf.

"We'll see who wins, son of Gloin. You may beat Legolas, but you'll have a hard time beating me."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence," Legolas said sarcastically. Tinwe laughed as the company started out of the city.

The company had managed to hunt down the Orcs in the north. They were spread out, so it was easy to pick them off. None of the men died, though several sustained minor injuries. They returned to the city, just in time for dinner.

"Good. I'm famished," Gimli said, starting immediately for the citadel when he was told. The elves smiled at each other, amused by their friend's behavior.

They returned their horses to the stables, and proceeded to the citadel for a hot meal.

"Lady Tinwe! Lady Tinwe!" The elf looked around as Hindil ran up to her, carrying a tray much too big for him. He beamed up at her.

"I saved you a piece of cake!" he said excitedly, holding out the tray for her. She took it, and placed it on the table, and pulled off the cover, revealing a yellow cake, with pink frosting and fresh strawberries on top. She smiled down at the little boy looking eagerly up at her.

"It looks wonderful Hindil!" Hindil's eyes shown as the elf took a plate and placed the slice of cake on it. She took the proffered fork from the boy before her, and took a small bite of the cake. Her smile broadened as she swallowed, looking down at Hindil.

"That is delicious. You have an amazing gift." The boy beamed back up at her.

"Thank you, my lady. Oh! I need to go help Brith with the salad. See you later!" She smiled as the boy took off, disappearing in the crowd.

"That does look good," Legolas said, looking over her shoulder at the cake.

"Here," she said, picking up a piece of the soft cake with the fork and offering it to Legolas. He ate the cake off the fork while she held it over her shoulder for him. His eyes lit up as he ate, making Tinwe giggle.

"That was delicious. Do you think he'll make another one?"

"I'm sure he would if you asked," Tinwe said laughing. "He seemed so happy this morning in the kitchen. I would hate to be the one to try and drag him away from that room."

The elves sat down together on a bench along the wall, and together they ate the cake, laughing as they fought over the last bite. Neither one remembered that they were in the middle of a war, too focused on enjoying the one another's company. Tinwe could not remember the last time she had had so much fun with one of her own people. All she knew was that she did not want the night to end.

Tinwe yawn as she walked slowly down the hall toward her room. Legolas smiled down at her.

"Tired?"

"A bit. I haven't had a full night's sleep in a while."

"Well tomorrow is the day we march on the Black Gate. You better get some sleep."

"I will. Goodnight Legolas," she said as they stopped in front of her room. She looked up at him, and kissed him on the cheek, before walking into her room and closing the door behind her. Legolas stared at the door, touching his cheek softly. He smiled to himself, before continuing down the hall to his room. That night, both elves slept quietly, lost in their memories.

Legolas woke up in a good mood, and for a moment could not remember why. Then he remembered the previous night, and how he had enjoyed Tinwe's company. He quickly got ready for the impending battle, and went to find Tinwe. However, after a while, he began to get worried. There was no sign of her. Finally, he gave up, as it was time to meet to march into battle on the Black Gate. He sat in Arod's saddle, lost in his own thoughts. Had Tinwe left on the eve of battle? He knew she never stayed in one place long, had she decided to move on already? Had she gone for a ride and had something bad happen to her?

"Are you all right laddie?" Gimli asked from behind him.

"I'll be fine. I'm just worried about Tinwe. I don't know where she is."

"Do not fret. The lass can handle herself."

"I suppose," Legolas said as the army began out the gates of Minas Tirith.

They rode for an hour in silence, Legolas wondering what had happened to Tinwe. But the silence was broken at the sound of a horse galloping towards them. Legolas turned around, as did most of the army, and to his delight saw Tinwe riding up to them, wearing a dark brown tunic, her braided hair bouncing as she rode. As she rode by Legolas, she winked at him. He smiled as she made her way up to Aragorn, who rode at the head of the army.

"Hold your hormones, laddie," Gimli said, noticing Legolas' significantly improved mood. Legolas would have given him a very nasty look if the dwarf had been able to see it.

"Lord Aragorn. I apologize for my belatedness. Do I have permission to join your company?"

Aragorn nodded, smiling at the elleth. She bowed her head and rode back to where Legolas and Gimli rode, falling into step beside them.

"Where were you lassie?"

"I got up before dawn, and I found myself walking through the infirmary. Matron asked me to fetch some herbs from up in the mountains. She was running low, and wanted some in anticipation for those returning from this impending battle."

"I am glad you are unharmed. I feared the worst when you did not appear this morning," Legolas said, watching her closely.

"Not to worry, I merely lost track of time. But I could not miss such an important battle for the future of Middle Earth."