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Chapter 25

The Elves stayed in the Lonely Mountain for two days after arriving. It took awhile for Gimli to say good-bye to his friends. Osric was very sad to be leaving Gimli, but Iasbelin told him that they would visit Gimli next year. Iasbelin was happy to be away from all of the Dwarves. She had decided that they only Dwarves she liked were Gimli and Gloin, the rest of them smelled funny and were vile. Legolas had made a rather good relationship with Gloin while they stayed and they promised to visit each other again. Iasbelin rolled her eyes at that, she had no intention of coming back here. If Legolas wanted to he would have to go alone. Iasbelin rushed her family out of the mountain as quickly as possible so that she wouldn't have to be there another minute.

"I am glad to be gone from that dank place." Iasbelin said as soon as they were far enough away from the Mountain. The sun was bright and the day was growing warmer. It smelled like summer in the mountains.

"It was rather dreary, but I like the Dwarves they are an interesting race." Legolas replied.

"I would rather stick to the company of Elves, Men, Hobbits, and Gimli." Iasbelin snorted. Legolas smiled and pulled Osric closer to him. He urged his horse to ride into a full gallop and Iasbelin did the same.

They arrived in Mirkwood late in the third day of their journey. Iasbelin was happy to be back in the woods. She had always loved the trees and how they looked. they were so green and new. So lush and caring. They reminded her of Legolas. He was named after the beauty of the trees of Mirkwood. He was so like those spring green leaves, new and full of life.

Osric was falling in and out of a sleeping state when they directed their horses into the stables at the palace. Most of the Elves were already retired for the night so there was no one to help them with their things. Iasbelin dismounted and grabbed her saddle bag off of her horse. She quickly took the saddle and bridle off of her horse and placed her into a stall. Legolas gave Osric to Iasbelin and did the same with his horse.

"What do you think your father will say?" Iasbelin asked, gesturing to the half- sleeping child in her arms.

"We will have to find out." Legolas said. He put a hand on the small of her back and lead her into the palace. There were still a few candles on and Elleths scurrying around the halls. They bowed and smiled when the three of them passed. The Elves of Northern Mirkwood had already celebrated the fall of Sauron extensively. Legolas stopped at a large door at the end of a hallway and knocked on it. He knew that his father was still awake and doing paperwork. They heard a masculine voice mutter "Enter". Iasbelin took a deep breath and followed her husband into the study. Thranduil looked up from his desk and saw his son and his family standing in front of him.

"My son! And Iasbelin! How wonderful it is to see you." Thranduil exclaimed rising from his desk.

"Hello father." Legolas smiled. The father and son embraced each other and Iasbelin smiled.

"How was your journey. I hear it was successful seeing as the Ring was destroyed." Thranduil said.

"Quite. It was truly a life changing experience." Legolas answered. Thranduil nodded and then approached Iasbelin.

"Iasbelin, as beautiful as always." Thranduil kissed her cheek and looked down at the sleeping child in her arms. "And who is this?"

"His name is Osric. He is of the race of Men. His entire family was killed at the Battle of Helm's Deep and I told his brother that I would care for him." Iasbelin explained. Thranduil looked at her skeptically.

"So you adopted a child from the race of men?" Thranduil asked.

"Yes, we did." Legolas answered.

"And this is sufficient for you, my dear?" Thranduil asked Iasbelin.

"He is not of my body but I love him as much as I would love any child of my own." Iasbelin replied strongly.

"Well this is truly wonderful. I am glad to have my family back together as one. We shall talk of your adventures tomorrow Legolas but as of now your wife and child look tired." Thranduil answered. Legolas nodded and bid his father goodnight as he gestured Iasbelin out of the room. Thranduil smiled knowingly and sat down at his desk once more. It was good to see his son and his wife back on good terms. He knew it would not last long because Legolas loved her more than anything. He knew how hard it was for Legolas to be mad at her and not be with her all day. He remembered his wife before she sailed and how much in love they were. He longed to see her but he had much still to do in Middle Earth.

Iasbelin turned in the direction of her apartment and Legolas followed her. Iasbelin entered her room and almost shut the door on Legolas face. He caught the door in time and entered her drawing room. Iasbelin continued through her apartment to her bedroom and slipped inside. Osric had woken up by this time and he was cooing slightly.

"What are you doing? Your room is on the other side of the palace." Iasbelin asked as she placed Osric down on her large bed. Osric looked up at her and pouted.

"I'm not tired." Osric huffed.

"Yes you are. You missed meeting your Grandfather for the first time because you fell asleep." Iasbelin soothed.

"This was once my room as well." Legolas replied after Osric was done with his pouting. Iasbelin didn't acknowledge his comment.

"I love you 'Belin and I love you Legolas." Osric yawned.

"We love you as well, my dear. Now sleep and tomorrow we can show you our home." Iasbelin placed a small kiss on his forehead and turned to Legolas.

"I remember." Iasbelin replied. "The last time we considered this our room I threw a book at your head and threatened to kill you if you came back here. Then you moved as far away as possible. This is the largest apartment in the palace because it has to house both of our attendants. When you and your attendants moved out it felt so large and cold."

"This is our room and it will always be. May I move back in with you?" Legolas asked. Iasbelin smiled and wrapped her arms around Legolas' neck.

"I suppose." She replied pressing a soft kiss to his lips. Legolas smiled and pulled her closer. Iasbelin pulled back and eyed Osric. "What are we suppose to do with him?"

"Can he sleep in one of your ladies' room?" Legolas asked.

"They are all occupied as far as I know." Iasbelin replied.

"I guess I'll sleep on the floor again." Legolas sighed. He walked over to the bed and pulled a pillow and a blanket off of it. He positioned it in from of the empty fire place and lied down with a huff. Iasbelin shook her head and walked over to him. She laid down next to him and caressed his face.

"This is as it should be. This right here is what I imagined our life to be like when I married you. I love you Legolas. I love you more than anything else in the entire world and you know that." Iasbelin said softly.

"I know. You are my everything and I could not have asked for a better person to spend my entire life with." Legolas replied. He placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I am grateful for this journey because if we had no gone on it I would not have realized how much I really needed you." Iasbelin responded. Legolas smiled.

"You do not know how much that means for me to hear. I went around everyday for three years trying to fight the urge to gather you in my arms and forgive you for everything and not pay any heed to it. I hated being mad at you. I could not stand it. I missed everything about you. I missed your laugh, your gait, your smile. I missed kissing you." Legolas placed a small kiss on her lips. "I missed making love to you and sharing that magically intimate moment with you."

"I missed you as well. But we are well now and all is good. We have a beautiful child and a long time ahead of us to be with each other." Iasbelin smiled. She sighed contently and melted into Legolas' arms. The two fell asleep on the floor of their room that night and were happy. Their love had been mended and their relationship restored. All was well in their world. Iasbelin had found a new meaning to the poem that Bilbo had given Aragorn.

"Not all those who wander are lost." Bilbo wrote. Iasbelin had wandered for such a long time struggling with her dead children and her failed marriage. Somehow her wandering had brought her to the place she needed to be: Legolas' arms. She was never lost, she was simply searching. Her search had brought her joy and had brought her home.

A/N: Last real chapter! There will be an Epilogue next! Please leave a review!