Sorry it's been so long folks! I've had this written for a while, but I didn't want to update until I had more written. But I felt bad for you all, after reading your nice reviews, including those with constructive criticism. I know my writing isn't perfect, and is in fact really cliched, but its what I've got. Here's a nice long chapter to tide you all over, since it will be a while before another is posted. I am currently attempting (and failing) to write three research papers in the next month, so fanfiction will have to wait at least that long, probably longer. The good news: next fall I'll be stuck on a boat for four months with limited internet, so I'll probably be doing a lot of writing, to be posted at Christmas time. I'll try to have something else for you all by then! Enjoy!

"Come, I would like you to meet my father," Legolas said. The music had paused for a short while, and Legolas and Tinwe were sitting together underneath an old oak tree. Tinwe took his outstretched hand and let him pull her to her feet.

"I don't know, Legolas. What will your father think? I'm not exactly of noble blood."

"It doesn't matter what my father thinks," Legolas said, putting a hand on her cheek lovingly. "All I know is I love you, Tinwe, and nothing will change that."

"I love you too, Legolas," Tinwe whispered softly, closing her eyes and putting her hand over his. Legolas smiled, and together they walked towards the platform where King Thranduil sat, watching his people.

The king stood as they approached, walking off the platform to face his son. Tinwe tightened her grip on Legolas' hand, and she felt him squeeze hers back. She took a deep breath, bracing herself for her meeting with the king.

"Father, I am not sure if you would remember, but this is Tinwe, daughter of the blacksmith Rissa and his wife Isawen. You met her once before, two millennia ago."

The king's piercing eyes looked at Tinwe appraisingly.

"It is an honor, my lord," Tinwe said, curtsying politely. The king inclined his head slightly in acknowledgement.

"The honor should be mine. For it takes someone special to tame my son's wild heart."

Tinwe smiled at the king. But his eyes remained emotionless, not reflecting the smile upon his face. "Now go enjoy the celebration. You have both earned it."

Legolas bowed to his father as Tinwe curtsied. They walked away, fingers entwined.

"That wasn't so bad was it?" Legolas asked as Tinwe leaned against his shoulder.

"I think he is still reserving judgment on whether or not he likes me," Tinwe said uneasily. But she smiled reassuringly up at Legolas. "But now it is your turn to meet my father." She laughed, pulling the prince after her as she ran lightly through the crowd, looking for her father. Legolas followed, smiling as the elleth held her skirts up to keep from stepping on them. She was so beautiful, glowing even in her deep earthy colors. Never had an image had such an effect on his heart before. But seeing her, his love, laughing and holding his hand, her hair bouncing as she ran, he knew that he could never love another the way he loved her.

"Ada!" Tinwe said finally, reaching her father. She let go of Legolas, and hugged her father happily. She let go and hugged her mother who was standing beside him. Isawen let go of her daughter and looked up at the elven prince standing before her.

"It is an honor, Prince Legolas. It has been many years indeed."

"Far too long, my Lady," he said, taking her hand and kissing it. He turned to Rissa, and bowed respectfully. "I wish to thank you again, my Lord, for your wonderful craftsmanship. Your skills have saved my life on more than one occasion."

"I think it was more your skills than mine that allowed you to survive, my prince," Rissa said, bowing to the prince. "I merely created the tool for you to do so."

"I was told not long ago," Legolas said, taking Tinwe's hand once again. "That a blade is a part of he, or she, who makes it. I believe that your soul has helped in my many battles since you created those knives for me."

Rissa smiled at the prince, and looked at his daughter warmly.

"I believe that a thanks is in order also for looking after my daughter while she was away. She tends to get into mischief when unsupervised."

"Ada!" Tinwe said, giving him an exasperated look. Legolas smiled down at her.

"Tinwe needs no looking after. She is more than capable of taking care of herself."

"All the same," Isawen said, gray eyes twinkling. "It is reassuring to know that you are looking out for her. Take good care of her, will you?"

"I shall," Legolas said, bowing to Isawen. Just then, the music began anew. "Goodnight, my Lord, my Lady."

He and Tinwe turned around and walked away towards the dance floor, leaving Tinwe's parents smiling as they watched their only daughter walk away with the man who had become half of her soul.

"Will you join me tomorrow for breakfast?" Legolas asked, walking Tinwe back towards her family home.

"I will if you wish it," Tinwe said, smiling. "Though I might be late, depending on how late Icaria keeps me up tonight." Legolas stopped, smiling down at her as they stood before her door.

"I shall inform the cooking staff to save you something. Goodnight, my love."

He leaned forward, kissing her deeply. Tinwe returned the kiss, wondering if anyone was watching or listening at the keyhole. They broke apart finally.

"Goodnight my lord," Tinwe said, curtsying as he turned to go. He smiled warmly at her, bowing deeply.

"Until tomorrow," he replied, before disappearing down the hallway. Tinwe watched the spot where he disappeared for a long while, before smiling and turning to open the door.

Sure enough, when she opened it, she heard hurried footsteps retreating further into the room, indicating that there had indeed been someone watching at the keyhole. She was not at all surprised to find Icaria sitting on the couch, looking up at her with an annoyed face.

"Can you answer a question for me? It's just been nagging at me for the longest time," the elleth on the couch said. Tinwe sighed and sat down beside her friend, still clothed in her bright pink and gold. "How is it that you failed to mention to me the fact that you…you…you and the prince are lovers?"

"I'm sorry Icaria, I did try to tell you," Tinwe said, taking her friends hands. "But I just didn't know how to tell you."

"How hard is it? 'Oh, Icaria, just thought you should know. I am in love with the prince.' See? How hard was that?" Tinwe smiled at her eccentric friend.

"Icaria, you know it isn't that easy."

"I still can't believe you didn't tell me," she said, leaning back and pouting, her arms crossed. But she quickly brightened, leaning forward eagerly. "Tell me everything! How'd you meet? Was it romantic? Is he a good kisser?"

Tinwe laughed. "Well, it is a long story…"

Tinwe told Icaria the whole story, from when she met at the Battle of Pelennor Fields to their arrival in Mirkwood. Icaria would often make strange noises in excitement when Tinwe spoke of something dramatic or, in her opinion, romantic. Towards the end, she was hardly quiet for longer than a few seconds at a time.

"You are sooo lucky Tinwe! Ugh, I wish I had left centuries ago now too! But you still haven't answered my question."

"What was that?"

"Is he a good kisser?"

Tinwe blushed, smiling at her friend.

"The only word to describe it is, amazing." Icaria squealed in delight, clapping her hands gleefully.

"And to think, it's all thanks to me."

"How do you figure?" Tinwe asked incredulously.

"If I hadn't made you spy on him all those years ago, he wouldn't have even recognized you at Pelennor Fields. It would have been totally different."

"Alright, I admit it. Your meddling, troublesome personality is at times beneficial," Tinwe said, laughing. "Now I need to get to bed. Legolas is expecting me for breakfast."

Legolas strode down the halls towards his private chambers, humming quietly to himself. However, he was stopped rather abruptly as his father stepped out of a room in front of him.

"Legolas, I have been looking for you. Please, come with me."

Puzzled, Legolas followed his father towards the library, shutting the door behind him once they were both inside.

"What did you want to speak to me about?" Legolas asked, standing in front of a desk his father now sat at. Sighing, the king crossed his fingers and looked up at his only son.

"It is about Tinwe."

Legolas immediately stiffened. He could tell he was not going to like whatever his father said.

"What about her?" he asked defensively.

"I know who she is, Legolas. I have heard of her travels, how she never remains in one place for long. She is a wild spirit. I do not think you should get your heart set on her. She will leave you."

"How can you say that?" Legolas said, anger rising. "You do not know her. Yes, she is free and needs to travel. But if she leaves, I will follow her. I love her, more than I have ever loved anything before. I will not simply let go just because you have concerns."

"I know how you feel, but I just don't want you to get your heart broken. Leaving is her whole being. Make no mistake, she will do so. It is who she is."

"When she does, I will follow," Legolas repeated. "I would follow her to the ends of the earth." With that, he turned on his heal, and stalked out of the library. King Thranduil sat pensively, watching the doors through which his son had just exited. He did not know how to convince Legolas of his folly. It pained him to admit it, but it seemed the only way to teach him the truth would be for him to get his heart broken.

The next morning, Tinwe woke up at dawn, and excitedly got dressed in a light blue gown. She would rather have worn leggings and a tunic, but she still felt that she needed to impress King Thranduil. She had the distinct feeling he did not like her.

She took a deep breath and opened her bedroom door, and found herself face to face with her brother, Glorothond.

"Oh, Glorothond. What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you," he said matter-of-factly. "I just heard something rather interesting from Nahlrie. Is it true, you did not arrive home alone?"

"It is true. I-"

"And is it also true," Glorothond said, cutting her off, "that it was not just anyone you returned with?"

"Glorothond, I-"

"Please, tell me you did NOT return with Prince Legolas," he said, eyes closed as though in prayer. Tinwe shook her head.

"Well, I can't." Glorothond sighed, looking down at his little sister.

"The Prince. Really, how exactly did this come about?"

"I don't have time to explain it all as you complain. I am late for breakfast."

"You're wearing a gown to breakfast?" he asked as she glided past him. She turned her head, hand on the doorknob.

"Yes, I am. I am attempting to make a good impression with the king. Good-bye Glorothond."

She strode down the hall. If her brother was unhappy with her and Legolas, he would just have to live with it. She did not see her situation changing anytime soon. Unless the king forbid her and Legolas from seeing each other. But she just scuffed at the thought. She would hardly let that stop her, and she doubted highly that Legolas would take that lying down either. But she did not have much time to dwell on this, as she was soon joined by Legolas, appearing at her shoulder suddenly.

"Good morning, beautiful," he said, kissing her cheek. She smiled, accepting his proffered arm.

"Good morning. Sleep well?"

"With thoughts of you filling my dreams," he said, kissing her forehead. She laughed, pushing against his shoulder playfully.

"Don't tease. It's not nice."

"I would have no fun if I didn't," he said, tickling her side, grinning mischievously. Tinwe began squirming, trying to get out of his arms, but he held her too tightly.

"Legolas! Stop!" she said breathlessly, bending over double as the two entered the dining hall. He stopped tickling her, but instead picked her up bridal style. She screamed as he did so, not expecting it. But after the shock, she laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck and letting him carry her to the table.

He placed her in a chair near the head of the table, and sat across from her. Immediately, elves appeared out of a door to behind Legolas and began placing food around the two elves.

"Thank you," Tinwe said as a young elleth placed a plate of fruit before her. The elleth turned pink and bowed, attempting to hide her smile. Tinwe knew servants did not often get acknowledged by their employers, but she was rather surprised that the young girl was so shy about it. Surely the king did not treat his servants that way.

"Niphredil is unaccustomed to being acknowledged by ladies who often join us for breakfast. Which is one reason none of them have been invited twice," Legolas explained, noting Tinwe's expression. She nodded, looking around at all the food.

"I don't know where to start," she said, overwhelmed by the colorful fruits and assorted dishes.

"Well you better find something, because I am starving. I could eat it all."

Tinwe laughed as Legolas heaped his plate full of food.

"Is your father joining us?" she asked, taking a spoonful of a sweet porridge.

"He should be down shortly. He is always late for meals. It is the curse of being King."

"Don't you have the same problems?" Tinwe asked curiously.

"Hardly," Legolas asked. "I go out on patrol with the Home Guard and do basic things around home, but nothing compared to what my father does. I don't envy his work load."

Several minutes later, a door opening announced the king's presence. Tinwe stood up and curtsied as he approached. He nodded at her, before sitting down beside his son at the head of the table.

"Good morning," he said simply. "Nice to see you again Tinwe."

Tinwe knew that he was only being polite, and he really wasn't thrilled about seeing her again.

"Good morning my King. I happy to see you made it down to breakfast."

"Oh? Why might that be?"

"I have been away for a long time. I was looking forward to hearing about the state of the kingdom straight from you."

King Thranduil looked taken aback. Legolas looked at her strangely too.

"Why would it matter coming from me as opposed to your parents?"

"As King, you know more about the workings of the land, instead of the usual gossip one hears talking to the common folk, like my parents," she replied shortly. She meant to catch the king of guard with her statement about common folk, but the king hid his surprise better this time, and began to summarize what had transpired over the past century.

"So Tinwe, have you anything to do now you are back?"

"What do you mean, my lord?"

"In ways of a career. Surely there must be something you are going to do for a living."

Tinwe paused, wondering if this was a test the king had concocted. Regardless, she decided to tell the truth.

"To be honest, I have not thought much on the matter. It always feels more like a vacation when I am home. However, I had briefly held hopes of joining the Home Guard."

King Thranduil looked at her in surprise for the third time that morning.

"The Home Guard? Never has a female served on the Guard."

"I understand that, your majesty," Tinwe said carefully. "But I feel my skills would be put to better use there than anywhere else. At least as part of the Guard, I would be allowed to travel."

"Hmm, I shall think on it. However, I must go back to my duties. Legolas, I would like to see you in the library as soon as you are finished. Good-day my Lady."

"That went well," Legolas said as soon as his father was out of the room. Tinwe smiled, but she honestly didn't think it had gone well at all.

"So how was breakfast?" Icaria asked as she walked beside Tinwe as they made their way outside. Tinwe was back in leggings and a tunic, wanting to go for a ride. She sighed before answering her friend.

"Not good. I get the feeling the king doesn't like me at all."

"Come on, how can he not like you?"

"I'm assuming it's my reputation for leaving. He doesn't seem to like the fact that I enjoy traveling, or that I want to be on the Home Guard."

"But women are never on the Guard."

"Exactly. I don't think he wants his son with someone who is determined to go out and risk her life daily."

"That's ridiculous," Icaria said. "You have more experience than anyone on the Guard."

"Well, I have to plead my case to Tincore. As the Captain of the Guard, it's his decision in the end."

"Don't worry. He'd be lucky to have you in the Guard," Icaria said, patting Tinwe on the shoulder. "Come on, let's go for a ride. It'll clear your head."