Legolas awoke early the next morning, sunlight shining onto his face. He opened his eyes slowly, but stayed resolutely still. Gently, he brushed the hair from Tinwe's face as she lay beside him, deep in sleep. She had fallen asleep on his couch the night before, and Legolas did not have the heart to wake her up. She was still in her gown from the night before, which, had it not been elven-made, would have been horribly wrinkled.
Kissing Tinwe's pointed ear gently, he stood up carefully, and proceeded to change into his normal tunic. He sat down, watching the sleeping elleth, content to just listen to her soft breathing. However, he was interrupted by a knock on his door.
"Good morning," Aragorn said, smiling at the elf as he opened the door. "Elrohir and Elladan are looking for Tinwe. Apparently, she missed her morning ride. They are searching for her everywhere. You haven't seen her have you?"
"She is still asleep," Legolas said, looking over his shoulder at the elleth sleeping gently, her light brown hair spread over the pillow in a shimmering halo. Aragorn glanced at her, before returning his gaze to Legolas.
"Don't let the twins find her here. They are already mad enough about last night."
"I will do what I can," Legolas said, bowing with a smile on his face as Aragorn walked away. He turned towards Tinwe. He did not wish to wake her, but Aragorn was right.
"Tinwe, you seem to have missed your morning ride," he said softly in her ear, his fingers entwined with hers. She moaned softly, shifting slightly, but her eyes remained shut.
"Alagos will survive," she said quietly, eyes still closed. Legolas smiled.
"It was not Alagos who is upset."
Tinwe opened her eyes, and looked up at Legolas.
"Who is upset then?"
"Elrohir and Elladan."
Tinwe groaned, pulling the blanket further up over her, closing her eyes again.
"They should know I don't ride every day. They are just paranoid."
"Aragorn came and suggested that they not find you in here." She groaned, irritated, but sat up.
"They'll get over it. Oh well, since I'm awake, I mine as well get up now." She slid her feet off the bed, and put on her light shoes before standing up.
"I think I need a long bath," she said with a sigh, looking down at herself. "If you see either of the twins, tell them to leave me alone for a change."
Legolas smiled warmly, kissing her forehead.
"I don't think that will go over well. I'll let you tell them."
"Alright, I will," she said, kissing him gently before opening the door to leave. "If they come looking, just tell them you haven't seen me."
Tinwe sat in her bath for a long time, soaking in the warmth. When she finally got out and dressed in her riding tunic, she felt refreshed and ready to face the twins, who would no doubt be tearing apart the White City looking for her. And, as soon as she exited her room, they ambushed her.
"Tinwe! Where have you been?!" Elladan demanded.
"I was taking a bath," she said, indicating her damp hair. "Why?"
"We've been looking for you all morning!" Elrohir said, hugging the elleth so tight it was hard to breath.
"Could you let go?" she gasped. Elrohir quickly obliged.
"Sorry."
"What is so critical that you need to break my ribs?" she asked, massaging her side.
"We thought you'd left or something! Without even saying goodbye!"
"Oh please. I would never dream of leaving without telling the two of you goodbye. If I did, you'd probably chase after me, so I'd have to put up with you even longer."
"Aw, that hurts," Elladan said, holding his hand over his heart.
"You are such a child, Dan," she said, smiling and walking away from them. She pitied Lord Elrond. How horrible it must have been to raise those two.
Tinwe walked up behind Legolas, who was sitting on a bench in the gardens, talking with Gimli and the hobbits. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed his cheek.
"Good morning," she said.
"Good morning," he replied cheerfully.
"Morning everyone," she said, looking around at the hobbits and Gimli.
"Morning Tinwe," they said together, exchanging looks.
"What did I miss?"
"We were just talking about what we're going to do after we leave," Legolas said, moving over so she could sit beside him. She did, and felt his arm wrap around her waist, pulling her close.
"I think you should all come see the Glittering Caves. It'll be worth it."
"I don't know Gimli. We were kind of hoping to go home right away," Legolas said carefully.
"The Glittering Caves are in Helm's Deep right?" Tinwe asked the dwarf. He nodded. "Well, then we can just stop on the way home," she said, turning to Legolas. "It's not too far out of the way."
"Are you sure?" he asked. "It's been over a hundred years since you've been home."
"A few extra days won't matter," Tinwe said, smiling. "Mirkwood isn't going anywhere."
"Right. Listen to the lassie. It won't take that long."
"Fine. I will accompany you to the Glittering Caves," Legolas said, smiling at the dwarf.
"Come hobbits, we are almost there!" Gimli called. He was standing on a ridge that looked down on the keep of Helm's Deep. The hobbits were riding their ponies wearily, having gotten used to lounging around again. They had not been prepared for the endless riding Gimli put them through in his eagerness to show his friends the caves. Legolas rode Arod beside Tinwe and Alagos, and he smiled at the dwarf several yards in front of them.
"Gimli, my friend, you are too hard on the hobbits. Let them enjoy their ride, without being hunted."
"The Glittering Caves are not going to move either Gimli. You should know that."
"Hmph," the dwarf said, turning away from Tinwe. "What would you know of caves, elfling?"
"Contrary to your belief, master Dwarf, I have spent many years amongst your kinsmen. I know of caves, mining, and dwarf metallurgy. My father even found some of the techniques useful to his own blacksmithing."
"I did not know your father was a blacksmith," Gimli said, looking up at the elleth as she stopped her horse beside him.
"You never asked," she said, smiling down at the dwarf. "Now come, I am eager to see these caves of yours. Are they really as magnificent as you claim they are?"
"You are in for a real treat, lady elf. This will be something to tell the grandkids, it will."
"Lead the way," she said, ignoring the grandkids crack and the look he gave Legolas pointedly.
The dwarf descended from the hilltop, walking eagerly towards the keep. Tinwe and Legolas followed slowly. Looking back, Tinwe noticed the hobbits had just reached the top of the hill.
"Come hobbits. You shall be able to rest soon."
"I hope that means food. I would like nothing more than a large plate of roast pork and a flask of hearty mead," Pippin said with a sigh. Tinwe smiled.
"Do not worry Peregrin Took, you shall have food soon."
"This is it," Gimli said, standing in the opening to the caves. The hobbits hurried forward, eager to see the caves Gimli had spoken so highly of. The two elves followed, hand in hand, prepared to see the sight that had so entranced their dwarf friend. As they rounded the corner to the cave entrance, Tinwe gasped, looking around in awe.
"Gimli, my friend, you did not exaggerate," Legolas said, eyes taking in every aspect of the remarkable cave.
The Glittering Caves were named thus for good reason. Everywhere, the rocks shimmered brightly against the torchlight. The silvery stone that made up the walls surrounded them, bathing them in a soft white glow. Gimli smiled smugly at the elves.
"Have you ever seen a more brilliant sight, elflings? No mine or cave can surpass this marvel, eh?"
"This is truly remarkable, master Gimli," Tinwe said. "I have not seen such beauty hidden in the earth before. But I must be honest, the forest will always surpass earth in beauty to my eyes."
"Hmph, well, lady elf, your eyes are fooled. But I know better than to argue with an elf about the forests."
Tinwe smiled at the dwarf, and looked around at the hobbits.
"I do suppose you have convinced the halflings, however," she said. Excitedly, the dwarf turned around and began giving a long-winded speech to the hobbits.