A/N: Finals will be the death of me. Writing this story is the only thing keeping me sane right now. I cannot wait for them to be over.
20JenWinchester12: I hope you like what will happen next!
lotrjesusfreak: They are so adorable!
delenawolves: Thanks lol!
ForbiddenShadow0: Thank you very much for reading my story. I'm glad you like it.
Chapter 24
"I hope you have a wonderful journey. I do hope to see you again here in the near future." Arwen said as she hugged Iasbelin. Legolas, Gimli, Iasbelin and Osric were left two days after the wedding. They planned on visiting Gimli's home before heading back to Mirkwood. He needed a ride home and he also wanted them to experience the life of a Dwarf since he had seen how the Elves live. It would take a few weeks extra but they wanted to spend as much time as possible with Gimli.
"Thank you ,Arwen. I am so glad that you got the ending you deserve. The wedding was beautiful." Iasbelin replied as she hugged her back.
"I am not the only one with a happy ending." Arwen responded as she veered her eyes to Legolas and Osric who were helping to pack up a horse. Legolas picked Osric up to let him place something in the saddle pouch since he could not reach. Iasbelin smiled and turned back to Arwen.
"The Vala have blessed me." Iasbelin said.
"I am so glad that Legolas and you are back on good terms. It pained me to see you turmoil." Arwen replied.
"I do hope it stays this way. I have never been happier." Iasbelin answered. Arwen smiled and hugged her friend again before she let her go reluctantly. Legolas came up and stood behind Iasbelin waiting for her to be finished so he could say good-bye to Arwen. Iasbelin stepped aside and let Legolas hug Arwen. Iasbelin went over to Gandalf and the Hobbits to bid them good-bye.
"Thanks you for everything, Gandalf." She stepped up and gave him a small hug which he returned.
"You are a brave Elf." Gandalf said as she stepped back. Iasbelin smiled and stood in front of the Hobbits.
"Do not be strangers. You are welcome in my home any time you wish." Frodo said to her.
"Thank you, Master Hobbit, I'm sure Osric would love to visit the Shire sometime." Iasbelin said as she kissed the young Hobbit on the cheek.
"Good-bye, Princess." Sam said awkwardly. Iasbelin laughed and kissed him on the cheek. He smiled and turned red. Iasbelin waved to her friends as she walked to find Aragorn. She found him very close to Arwen and she approached him quickly.
"Farewell, Estel." Iasbelin said.
"Make sure Legolas does not get into too much trouble." Aragorn laughed as he crushed her in a hug.
"I shall. Take care of Arwen an Eowyn please." Iasbelin asked. Eowyn had left the day before to go with Faramir to Itheilin to begin setting up a home and rebuilding. The Elves of Mirkwood planned to come in one year's time and help the Men.
"On my life." Aragorn promised. Iasbelin smiled and walked back to the horses that the four of them were taking. Osric would ride with her and Gimli with Legolas, as usual. Legolas finished saying good-bye to his friends and joined his wife.
"Are you ready?" He asked. She nodded and he helped her mount her horse. He put Osric in front of her on the saddle and made sure he was in there tightly. Gimli had already mounted his horse and Legolas hopped on without any help. Arwen and Aragorn stood hand-in-hand next to Gandalf, Sam, and Frodo. Merry and Pippin had left with Eomer to ride to Rohan to attend the late King's funeral that was scheduled for three days from now. All that was left of the Fellowship stood to wish the four of them on their journey. Iasbelin and Legolas each put a hand to their heart and extended it out in front of them in the traditional Elven farewell. Arwen, Aragorn, and Gandalf all did the same while the Hobbits just waved. Iasbelin turned her horse around and urged her to go forward to follow Legolas. Iasbelin smiled as she galloped through the gates of Minas Tirith. The world was as it should be now and all was well.
The four arrived at Gimli's home in the Lonely Mountains about three weeks after setting out from Minas Tirith. It was slow because Osric had to stop and sleep often even when the Elves could keep going. Gimli smiled broadly as they rode into the entrance of Erebor. Many Dwarves stopped and stared at the Elves who walked into their home. These Dwarves hated Elves especially because Thranduil did not help them when this very city was over run by the Dragon Smaug. Iasbelin remembered that day very well. It was about three-hundred years ago by now but she could still see her father in-laws worried face and her husband pacing in the stables. The Elves of Mirkwood had decided that the mountain was a lost cause and did not aid the Dwarves. Iasbelin wondered if any of the Dwarves would recognize Legolas as Thranduil's son.
Many Dwarves came out of their homes to see the Elves pass by. Most of them scowled at them but the children were delighted to see another race. Iasbelin looked around worriedly and hugged Osric closer to her as they rode. Gimli simply smiled as he showed Legolas where to put the horses. They rode into a small cavern off the main road and dismounted their horses. Legolas dismounted first and went over to Iasbelin. He placed a hand on her knee and looked up at her slightly grimaced face.
"It is fine, we have Gimli with us." Legolas comforted as he rubbed her knee cap a little. Iasbelin smiled and handed Osric over to Legolas who put him on the ground. She dismounted her horse with Legolas' help and landed softly on the ground. Legolas offered her his arm and she took it graciously. Gimli, who was already one hundred feet in front of them, called after the three.
"Come on, pointy ears. We're gonna miss dinner." He yelled. Legolas nodded and followed Gimli with Iasbelin on his right arm and Osric holding his left hand. The Elves tried to keep a low profile but the Dwarves noticed them. Iasbelin clutched Legolas' arm closer. Gimli stopped in front of a large door at the end of a very long hallway and knocked on the door. Legolas, Iasbelin, and Osric came and stood behind him. The door opened slowly to reveal Gloin in the opening. The Dwarf held his arms out and embraced Gimli in a large hug. Gimli returned the hug just as enthusiastically.
"My son has returned! How are you laddie? It's been almost six months since I last saw you!" The Dwarf said loudly.
"I am well, Father! I have brought some friends for dinner if you don't mind." Gimli said as he stepped back to reveal the Elves. Gloin eyed them knowingly.
"You are the son of Thranduil. I remember you." Gloin said pointing at Legolas, "And you are his wife." Gloin said. Iasbelin leaned into Legolas more as she became more nervous. "Well! It's good to see you again!" Gloin bellowed. Iasbelin smiled and walked through the door to Gimli's home. The Elves had to bend down slightly so they did not hit their head on the ceiling. A Dwarf walked out of what looked like the kitchen and ran to give Gimli a hug.
"Does Gimli have a brother?" Iasbelin whispered to Legolas.
"That is his mother." Legolas whispered in her ear. He chuckled slightly. Iasbelin became red and slightly hid her face. The Dwarf women look so much like men.
"Hello, my dears, I am so happy that you could come! I want to hear all about Gimli's adventures and how my darling son helped save Middle Earth." Gimli's mother said.
"Mother, this is Legolas and Iasbelin of the Woodland Realm and their son Osric. Legolas, Iasbelin this is my mother, Eladda." Gimli introduced. Eladda's face fell as she heard they were from the Woodland Realm.
"Royalty, I amuse from the way they're dressed." Eladda stated. Gimli nodded. "Welcome son of Thranduil." Eladda said coldly. Legolas didn't attempt to apologize for his father's actions.
"Let us dine now and forget our past endeavors." Gloin said to his wife. She nodded and retreated to the kitchen to finish dinner. Gloin lead the company to a large room with a huge table in the center of it. Legolas, Iasbelin, Gimli, and Osric all took their seats at the table. Eladda came in carrying all sorts of Dwarven food and plenty of ale.
The night went on without much talk of Thranduil's past with the Dwarves. Gloin and Eladda were simply happy to have their son home. After dinner Osric showed many signs of being ready for bed. They were all sitting in the living room when Osric yawned very loudly. Iasbelin got up from her spot next to Legolas and picked him up.
"I think it is time I put him to bed, he has had a long day." Iasbelin announced. Legolas nodded to Gimli and rose from his chair. He was also tired and ready to go to bed.
"I shall show you to your room." Eladda said. Iasbelin smiled at her and followed her from the living room. Legolas lingered a moment to hear what Gloin had to say.
"Good night, Master Elf. I do hope you excuse my wife and the way the rest of the Dwarves act around Elves here. There is still much bad blood." Gloin said to Legolas.
"I understand." Legolas stated. Gloin smiled and patted him on the back as best he could due to his height.
"You have a good wife and a good family. Hold on to them." Gloin said.
"Oh, I intend to. Good night, Gloin, Gimli." Legolas waved. He turned the way he had seen Iasbelin go with Osric and walked down the hallway. He heard voices at the end of the hallway that were quite heated.
"You made no attempt to help us in our time of need and when my husband was imprisoned in your realm you again made no attempt to help." Eladda almost yelled. Legolas stopped walking and listened.
"I was in no position to make any decisions regarding your husband's status in my realm." Iasbelin snapped.
"I assure you that if your husband were in danger I would attempt to help rather than sit by idly." Eladda spat.
"I do not wish to discuss this now. I had nothing to do with your husband being held captive in my father-in-law's kingdom. Now if you will please excuse me I am tired." Iasbelin snapped back at the Dwarf and walked into her room. Legolas shook his head and slipped behind Eladda so she would not scorn him also. He entered the room silently and found Iasbelin putting Osric to sleep on a small make shift bed.
"What was that about?" Legolas asked.
"Dwarves are annoying." Iasbelin said pitifully.
"Do not snap at her. She had a right to be mad at my father's actions. She should not have taken them out on you though." Legolas stated. He came up behind Iasbelin and hugged her. He placed his chin on her shoulder and kiss the exposed skin there.
"When will we leave?" Iasbelin asked.
"In two days time, Tawarenri." Legolas answered. Isabelin snorted.
"The sooner the better. I hate being inside a mountain. It is wet,dreary, and damp." Iasbelin replied.
"Live with it." Legolas laughed. Iasbelin smacked him and went over to the bed. Legolas smirked and followed her over there. He made sure Osric was asleep and crawled under the covers next to his wife. She turned away from him but her pulled her face to his and kissed her passionately. Iasbelin gave in and sunk down into the bed allowing Legolas to get on top of her. Legolas kissed her fiercely and placed a hand on her thigh. He moved down her leg and grabbed the hem of her dress. He began pulling it up to reveal more skin. Iasbelin shook her head and broke from the kiss.
"Not here." Iasbelin said as Legolas ignored her and kissed her neck.
"Why not?" Legolas asked.
"I am not giving Eladda any more of a reason to scold me. Plus, Osric is right there, you Orc." Iasbelin snorted.
"Fine, but the minute we get back to Mirkwood you are mine." Legolas said, rolling off of her and on to the other side of the bed. Iasbelin laughed and kissed his cheek.
"Deal."
A/N: Wow that took a while to write. Please leave a review!