As the group left the land of Rohan, they met up with Gandalf, Lord Elrond, and some of his house. The twins Elrohir and Elladan were looking particularly putout, watching Tinwe and Legolas sadly. Together the group traveled northward, until they reached the boarder of Mirkwood. Here, Tinwe and Legolas said farewell to their friends, who were to go their own ways.

"Remember, laddie, you must come visit the halls of my kin. Do not forget."

"I shall not, my friend," Legolas said, clasping the dwarf's hand in farewell. He mounted Arod gracefully, and the two elves took off at a gallop towards the trees.

Legolas rode joyfully forward, knowing that they were almost to the home he had not seen in nearly a year. For Tinwe, it was even more exhilarating. For she had not seen her home for over a century, and she missed her family terribly. The elves rode side by side, until they reached the edge of the forest. Here, they stopped, looking up at the trees before them.

"Are you ready to go home?" Legolas asked, turning to look at the elleth beside him. She smiled at him, her eyes twinkling.

"Most definitely. Race you!" She took off into the trees, disappearing quickly in the shadows. Legolas smiled, and raced after her, following her melodious laughter as it drifted through the trees.

"King Thranduil, I bring important news."

"Yes, well, what is it?" the king said impatiently, looking up from his morning meal.

"Your son, my lord. He has returned. He is only an hour away from the city."

"Legolas! We shall have to have a feast tonight, to honor him!" the king said standing up and ordering servants around.

"Sir, there is one more thing," the messenger said, trying to talk over the noise now filling the hall. "Your son is not alone. He is riding with a young elleth."

The king did not hear the messenger's last statement, too absorbed in his own joyful thoughts.

"Welcome back, my lord."

Legolas nodded, grinning, to yet another guard. He and Tinwe entered their home, glowing as they were once again surrounded by their own people. When they reached King Thranduil's hall, Tinwe stopped, looking at Legolas. He turned, waiting for her to speak.

"I think you should face your father on your own first. I would like to go see my family right now."

"If that is what you want," Legolas said, pulling her to him. "I will find you later."

"Okay," she said, leaning up and kissing him. "You better."

Legolas smiled as she turned and disappeared down the hallway. Taking a deep breath, he entered the hall.

"Legolas!" He smiled as his father came forward. "So good to see you home at last."

"It is wonderful to be home once again," Legolas said, following his father across the hall.

"Good, good. I have already begun preparations to have a festival tonight. We shall celebrate your great deeds in the war, successfully bringing peace to our lands!"

"Thank you father, but there is something else I wish to speak to you about…"

"Later, my son. Now we must prepare for the celebration!"

Legolas sighed, smiling as he followed his father. In this state, he knew that his father would not hear a word he said. So he decided to wait to tell him of Tinwe until later.

Tinwe took a deep breath as she stood outside the door of her family home. Slowly, she turned the knob and pushed the door open. She walked inside, and found her mother sitting there, sewing. As the door clicked shut, the older woman looked up.

"By the Valar! Tinwe!"

Isawen stood up quickly, and hurried over, embracing her daughter tightly.

"I have missed you naneth," Tinwe said, standing back and looking into her mothers gray eyes. "I am sorry it has been so long."

"I am just glad you are finally home! Come, your father will be thrilled."

Tinwe followed her mother into an adjoining room. There sat a brown haired elf, pouring over parchment scraps. As the two women entered the room, he looked up, and stood up, knocking his chair over.

"Tinwe," he said softly.

"Mae Govannen, ada," Tinwe said, smiling at her father. She ran towards him, hugging him tightly. "I am sorry I have been away so long. I heard you stopped working, and Glorothond took over for you."

"It is true. But who told you that?" he asked curiously, his emerald eyes looking into the identical orbs of his daughter.

"Never mind that. You need to go see Glorothond, Tinwe. He will be thrilled to see you. Oh, and did you hear? He is married now."

"I had not heard," Tinwe said, surprised. "Whom did he marry?"

"Nahlrie. He was always chasing after her," Isawen said fondly. "Now go! Down to the forges with you!" Tinwe laughed as her mother pushed her enthusiastically towards the door.

"Tired of me already?"

"Nonsense!" the older woman said. "We will see much more of you later. But the king is having a celebration for the prince's return, so you need to go find everyone before you have to get ready for the party! What a day for you to return!"

Tinwe smiled as she walked down towards the forges. Her mother was always so joyful. It made her happy to see her face glowing as she smiled once again.

As she rounded a corner to the forge, she bumped into someone, quite literally.

"Oh! I am sorry!" the other elf said. Tinwe looked up, and her eyes met a pair she had not seen for a very long time.

"Tinwe! Oh my goodness! When'd you get here?!" Icaria said excitedly.

"I just arrived!" Tinwe said, hugging her bouncing friend, grinning broadly. "It is so good to see you again!"

"I know! I missed you! Did you know your brother took over the forge?"

"Yes, that's where I was headed. Where are you going?"

"I am going to find something to wear. I just found out about the party tonight. Can you believe it? The prince is home from the war! Is that exciting?! I hope he didn't get injured at all. That would be horrible. Maybe he'll dance with me. How wonderful that would be!"

"Easy Icaria," Tinwe said, interrupting her friend's ranting. "Why don't you just go get ready? I'll meet up with you later."

"Okay! Oh, I know! We can go to the party together! Won't that be great? Just like old times!"

"Alright Icaria," Tinwe said, laughing. "I need to go find my brother. See you then?"

"Okay! Bye Tinwe!" Tinwe smiled, shaking her head as she continued down to find her brother. Some things never change.

As she entered the forge, she felt a blast of heat hit her face. It was a welcome feeling, and brought back so many memories from her younger days.

"Tinwe! When did you get back?"

Turning, she saw a tall, blonde elf covered in soot coming towards her. Laughing she ran towards him, and jumped into his arms. He swung her around, laughing along with her.

"I just arrived. How've you been Glorothond?"

"Great, just great! See ada told you I took over for him?"

"Well actually…"

"Glorothond! We are in the middle of something here!"

"Sorry, Tinwe, I'll have to talk later. Oh, why don't you go meet Nahlrie? We got married a while ago."

"I heard. Where are you living now?"

"Just up the hall a ways. Fourth left turn, and the second door on the right. Tell her I'll be home in a few hours!"

"Okay! Talk to you later."