I'm not too pleased with. Just a filler chapter pretty much. I don't know what else to say about it. Enjoy!

Chapter Six

We stayed in Rivendell for a while longer before moving on to Eryn Lasgalen. In that time I spent much time with Vanmoriel and her family. They were a loving group and I felt very much at home with them. It was obvious that they loved their daughter very much and would be sad to see her go. I hated to tear her away from her family, but she insisted that we go back to my home, though I told her I would be happy wherever she was.

"We will not be separated forever," Vanmoriel smiled at me gently.

"I suppose not," I replied.

"Do not worry so much. I shall be fine, Legolas. I am more than happy to be going to your home. I am excited." She softly kissed my cheek and stood from the bench where we had been sitting enjoying the afternoon sun. "I shall see you at dinner, melleth (love)."

I continued to sit there, mesmerized still by that beautiful woman. She was truly amazing and I could not believe my good fortune that she found something worthwhile in me as well. We were scheduled to leave in another month and then there would be a sort of adjustment period for Vanmoriel in Eryn Lasgalen before she decided if Eryn Lasgalen and I were what she wanted.

As the day to leave drew nearer I became more nervous. The idea of Vanmoriel backing out, deciding that she wanted to stay in Rivendell, terrified me. Deep in my heart I knew that was not a possibility. However, when one has everything to lose it makes them nervous.

Finally, the day came and there was a large group to see us off. Arwen, Elladan, Elrohir, and Elrond were among the group. I felt quite honored that I had such friends to see me off on one of the happiest days of my life. Elrohir and Elladan came up to me while Arwen was bidding farewell to Vanmoriel with her parents.

"I cannot believe you are finally managing to leave," Elrohir joked as he clasped my forearm. I returned the gesture and laughed.

"I can stay if you like. I've grown to quite enjoy Rivendell."

Elladan took his brother's place. "No, no. You've stayed quite long enough," he jested.

"Novaer (goodbye), Legolas," Elrond said to me, stepping up behind his sons. "I hope to see you both very soon in Eryn Lasgalen for a happy occasion." The older elf's wise eyes were twinkling, though his face hardly smiled.

"I hope so as well," I returned.

Arwen and Vanmoriel were still deep in conversation and I went over to them, gently touching Vanmoriel on the arm. "We should be going, melleth (love)," I said quietly.

Vanmoriel nodded and hugged Arwen tightly, who then hugged me in turn. "Be good to her, Legolas."

"I will," I whispered back.

Our party mounted the horses and gave one last wave to the people we were leaving behind. It was customary that I should travel with a couple of guards of my father's and Vanmoriel had also asked one of her companions to travel with us. Her family was fairly high standing in Rivendell and so she had grown up with this woman who was slightly older than her. She would stay in Eryn Lasgalen with Vanmoriel. Mirima was her name and I was very glad that she was traveling with Vanmoriel. I would have hated to bring her to my home alone, without anyone she knew beside me. I knew there would be times when I would not be able to be with Vanmoriel due to my duties at home and I knew that there would also be times when we would want to be apart and with different people. This way Vanmoriel was not alone in an unfamiliar place.

We rode out of Rivendell and made our way east toward Eryn Lasgalen. It had been long since I had been home, and even though I had been itching to leave the thick forests, I was now yearning to be back. I was not only yearning to be home, but to be home with Vanmoriel. To start our new life together. The mere thought made me smile.

"What are you thinking of?" Vanmoriel asked, noticing my smile as we rode along a small stream.

"I am only thinking of our future," I grinned over at her.

"And what about it?" She asked curiously.

"All of it, melleth (love)."

We rode on and on and camped at night. It was so difficult for me to only be separated from the elleth of my dreams by two thin tent walls. I wanted very much to creep into her tent and lay beside her, to have her in my arms, her hair in my face. I knew I could not though. Even though the guards and her companion could be persuaded to keep the silence I wanted to honor Vanmoriel. I wanted to honor her on our wedding night.

We finally arrived on the outskirts of Mirkwood. My heart was thudding in my chest. I only wanted Vanmoriel to love my home, so that she would stay with me. The horses made their way slowly into the forest and I looked over to see Vanmoriel looking around in awe.

"Legolas, this place is incredible," she breathed.

"I am very glad you think so," I said smiling.

"I have never seen such tree, Mirima!" Vanmoriel exclaimed to her companion. Both women were gazing around open-mouthed.

Eventually, we got deeper into the forest and were no longer able to ride our mounts. I took Vanmoriel's hand in mine and led her through the forest at the head of our party. The palatial cave came into view.

"Is that it?" Vanmoriel asked.

"It is," I responded. I led the party towards the stable on the far side of the palace and handed the horses over to the attendants there. We then mounted the steps to the entryway of my home.

My father was standing there, waiting to greet us. "Well met, young ones." He was smiling broadly and even before he clasped my arm he gave Vanmoriel a gentle hug. "It warms my heart to see you once more, Vanmoriel."

"And you, Your Grace."

My father laughed and shook his head. "No, no my dear. You must call me Thranduil now. There shall be no formalities between you and me."

My heart was warmed by the exchange between the two. I clasped my father's arms. He told me which rooms at been arranged for Vanmoriel and Mirima and we walked there.

"Wait, Legolas. Is that your mother?" Vanmoriel asked as we walked through the wide, stone corridors. She had paused in front of a painting that had been done when I was only an elfling. It was of all four of us; my mother sitting with me in her lap and Calanon next to us with my father behind us.

"It is," I responded quietly. That particular painting always made me nostalgic of life before her sailing.

"She is beautiful." The look of awe was back on Vanmoriel's face. "You look very much like her."

"Thank you." We lingered a while longer, observing other paintings of the royal family throughout the centuries. We finally came upon the room that Vanmoriel would inhabit. I pushed the heavy, dark wooden door open to display her quarters.

The door opened into a beautiful sitting room decorated with a deep green day bed and arm chair near a large, stone fireplace.

"Oh Legolas," Vanmoriel said quietly. I led her to the bedroom and pushed that door open. The four poster bed was dressed in deep green as well, the bed cover having gold stitching to match the gold bed curtains. There was another fireplace and two large chests of drawers.

"Over there is your bathroom and that other door leads to the rooms for Mirima so that she will be close to you. I hope this all will suit you."

"It is perfect," she responded. She wrapped her arms around me and I kissed the top of her head.

"I am glad."

There you have it. Let me know what you thought. Looking back I enjoy the part with Thranduil.

Happy reading,

Avonmora