Watching Kili leave felt like a rock landing in my stomach. It knocked the air out of me, and it took several prolonged inhales before it felt like I had any semblance of control again. This whole situation was my fault. Kili told me not to call myself a coward but it felt like the only word that fits. Why else would I avoid the truth for this long?

My emotions were tidal, ebbing and flowing through me until I felt washed out and drained. The highs were astronomical, but the lows were crushing.

Kili turned the corner, and my shoulders slumped. He wanted to be alone, and I could give him that. I would bear the consequences of my discretion, even if it made me feel like I was going to burst into tears at any moment. Though, that was just par for the course for this entire day.

I rubbed at my eyes and tried to mask how upset I had grown. Then I slipped back into Adar's study. He still stood next to his desk, leaning in an effortlessly casual way. Mum pressed a kiss to his cheek, which made him smile wide. They both turned at the sound of my re-entrance.

"Are you okay, darling?" Mum asked.

"Yes, I'm fine," I said, but even I knew I wasn't convincing. In actuality, I felt like crap and in desperate need of a hug.

Had I been the child I once was, I would have already forced my way into Adar's arms with fierce determination. But time had moved on a lot since then, and I was now an adult. An unfounded uncertainty kicked in, and I did not know how he would react.

However, I needn't have worried. Adar saw my crestfallen look and held an arm out. An invitation I took readily. I tucked myself into his side and rested my cheek on his chest. The expensive fabric was soft on my skin, and I breathed in the scent of him. Sweet and earthy, like vanilla. It was honestly unfair how good he smelled.

"Did this dwarf upset you, Liriel?" He said, running his thumb across my cheek.

"I was the one that upset him."

"Yet, you still bear sadness because of it," Adar said.

"Maybe a little."

"I could always send him back to the dungeons, you know," I could hear a smile in his voice, "Perhaps a bit of light torture if you felt so inclined."

I huffed a laugh. "No, thank you, I'm good."

"A pity. I guess he shall remain free for now, then."

"How magnanimous of you, meleth nin," Mum smirked.

I honestly don't think Adar would react any differently if Kili weren't a dwarf. I could have introduced a lovely elf boy, and Adar would still look down upon the person who dared to court his beloved daughter.

Adar lifted his hand away from my face and inspected it with a grimace. "You are filthy, tithien ven."

"Gee, thanks, Ada," I laughed at the unexpected jibe. It's not as if I'd just come out of a gross forest or anything. That would be silly.

I pulled my sleeve down over my hands and wiped my face. When I pulled it away, a thin coat of dirt clung to it. Why could I never arrive at a place clean?

"I do need a bath, though," I said.

"We will have to find you a room," Adar said, "Your old one is…not fit for purpose."

Ah, that kind of put a damper on things.

It made sense. Not much point going into a room if it would only cause you pain. But at the same time, it kind of ruined my plans to lie in hot soapy water for the next few hours.

"You can use your brother's room to get clean while we have one prepared for you," he said.

I straightened up. "Are you sure Legolas will be okay with that?"

"He will be okay with it because I am telling him to be okay with it."

"Fair enough," I smiled.

Legolas's room was simultaneously the same and different. The general layout was as I remembered. The bed was in the same place, as well as the bathroom and the wardrobe. However, there were a lot of new additions. All the wall hangings had been changed. Which was sort of like when a teenager redecorates their room with 'new' posters because they're 'cooler' now. There was also an assortment of weaponry dotted around the room. Bows and arrows. Daggers. Even a huge sword that did not look usable in the slightest.

It was pretty tidy, though, which made me rather self-conscious about tracking dirt through it.

"He's definitely redecorated since we were last here," Mum mused.

Mum seemed brighter and not just in spirit. Her very skin had a glow now like she was finally healthy after a long illness. Though there was a hint of sadness that pulled at her eyes when she looked around the room and found everything changed.

Mum led me into Legolas's bathroom. Natural light filtered in from a mirrored contraption in the ceiling, giving the space an airy feel.

The bath was more like a swimming pool inlaid into the floor and took up half of the room. A shelf was carved into the wall that held an assortment of soaps. All of which I couldn't wait to get my grubby little hands on. Legolas would have to restock after I was finished in here.

"I'll leave you to it then, Leah," she patted me on the shoulder. "There are some towels on that shelf over there." She pointed to the left corner. Then a crinkle formed between her eyes. "As well as a robe, I think. Though I don't think your brother would appreciate you taking that."

"I'm going to take it anyway," I said with a grin.

Mum sighed and shook her head. Then a smile grew in place, and she drew me in for a hug. "We're finally here, Leah. We're finally home."

"I love you, Mum," I mumbled into her shoulder.

"I love you too, Leah," Then she let out a breathy laugh and stepped away from me. Her eyes were shiny once again. How she had any tears left was beyond me.

"Right, you get in your bath. I'll make sure that there are some clean clothes for you when you get out."

"Don't worry about that, Mum. Just go back to Adar. Or have a bath. Or both. I don't need to know what my parents get up to," I said, gently turning her around and pushing her in the direction of the door.

Mum snickered. "Fine, yes, okay."

She left then with only a little more provocation. I smiled at the closed door for a moment before returning my gaze to the glory that lay before me. Sweet, clean, warm water that felt like a blessing from above.

I did not waste a moment longer, peeling off the clothes that had almost become a second skin and flinging them away. There were stairs carved into the sides of the bath. However, I forwent them entirely in favour of jumping straight in. The sudden change in temperature shocked me for a second. But my gasp quickly turned into a sigh as the heat soaked into my body.

The perfume from all of the soap I liberally applied was intoxicating. Combining together to make a nearly overpowering scent. But after so long, with only the smell of rot in the air, it was perfect.

Eventually, I climbed out of the bath. It's hard to tell how long I was in there, but the natural light that had been filtering in was now significantly reduced.

I would have happily lay there longer, but my eyes were starting to close. Now that I'd finally allowed my body to relax, the day was catching up to me. With all the emotional rollercoasters, this had to be one of the longest days of my life. How had it only been that morning that I was attacked by spiders? It already felt like a million years ago.

Steam rolled off my body as my skin hit the cool air, causing a smattering of goosebumps to form. I quickly gathered one of the towels and wrapped it around me. It was soft, fluffy and smelled of something floral.

I patted the towel through my hair, wicking away most of the water until it was merely damp rather than drenched. After it was more manageable, I went about rebraiding the courting bead into my hair. It had not tarnished in any way throughout the journey. Still glowing with an otherworldly pearlescent hue.

Legolas's robe went around me next. A mischievous grin formed at the corners of my mouth. It was a deep green with long bell sleeves and completely swallowed me up.

Shuffling sounded behind the closed door. Someone was moving about in the room beyond. I tiptoed up to the door and cracked it open slightly. A maid flitted about with a bundle of clothes in her hand. Her dark hair was tied up in a practical braid down her back. She spun in my direction at the sound of the door creaking open.

"Hello," I waved awkwardly.

The maid dropped the clothes into a pile on the floor and placed her hands over her heart. I felt bad for startling her.

"It is true. You are really here," she said with wide-eyed admiration.

It was a little strange to be levelled with such a look. "It has been a long journey to get here, that's for sure."

"Of course, princess," she curtsied, "I am so happy you have found your way back to us."

Being bowed to was even stranger. "You don't have to curtsey. It's fine," I said with a swipe of my hand.

"If that is what you wish," She straightened up, collecting the clothes from the floor, though I had a feeling she was humouring me. "Apologies for making a mess. I have brought clothes at the behest of the King."

"Oh, thank you so much." Fresh clothes called my name like a siren song.

The dress she handed to me was luxurious and most likely worth a fortune. A pleasing silver colour caught in the torchlight. The maid helped me into it, much to my chagrin and earthly sentiments. I don't think I would ever get used to someone dressing me. But she was quick and organised, with a dexterity I found recognisable.

"What is your name?" I asked.

A sad frown tugged the corners of her mouth down as she resituated a skirt. "Emiel, your highness."

"Did you used to dress me as a child?" a memory of struggling limbs and temper tantrums came to mind.

Her frown vanished and a smile poked through. "Yes, your highness, that was me."

"I imagine it was quite a difficult job trying to wrangle me into anything."

Emiel smoothed the front of my dress one final time. "It was certainly a struggle at times. You are much better behaved these days."

The metallic click of the door handle sounded behind me, along with the shuffle of boots across carpeted floor.

"I leave for a mere moment, and you have stolen my room," Legolas said.

"Sharing is caring," I smirked over my shoulder.

"I hope you haven't left a trail of dirt behind you. The room was only cleaned this morning."

"You have caught me red-handed. I rolled through your bed like a wallowing pig to mark my territory."

Legolas laughed, the corners of his eyes crinkling. Though I still saw him risking a glance towards his bedsheets in case I was telling the truth.

"Everything will be cleaned, my prince. Do not fret," Emiel said, coming out of the bathroom with my old, filthy clothes in hand.

"Thank you, Emiel," he said as she left the room. Then he turned back to me with a small shine of concern. "How are you feeling? You looked upset earlier with the dwarf."

"I'm okay," I said with a tired smile. "It's just been a lot today."

"Would you like me to do anything?"

I shot him a look. "You aren't offering torture as well, are you?"

"Nothing so drastic. I was thinking more along the lines of using the service corridors to sneak into his room and scare him in his sleep," he chuckled.

All of my family was crazy. I loved them so much. "That won't be necessary, but thank you for such a kind offer."

"Well, if subtle scaring is off the cards, I guess I should just tell you that Adar would like us to eat with him," he picked at a thread on his sleeve. "He wants to have a family meal, like old times."

I felt warm at the notion. "Luckily for him, I am absolutely starving," I looped my arm through his "Lead the way."

The table was tucked into Adar's chambers. Big enough to fit the four of us but small enough to feel intimate. Trays were overflowing with food with at least three different kinds of meat and a rainbow of vegetables. It took all my willpower not to dive in with my hands like a gremlin.

Adar was served first, followed by the rest of us. Servants topped our goblets up with what looked like wine before bowing out and leaving us to eat.

I was having dinner with my whole family for the first time in 15 years. The whole situation felt surreal. Shiny at the edges as if in a dream. Yet the world was solid and corporeal, happening in real-time.

Adar and Legolas wished to know more about our time in another world, and we were curious about what happened here. It was a hard truth to learn that you missed your children growing up. That you weren't there to help them develop into who they would become. Either side wanted to know as much as possible.

"And you are certain you are full grown?" Adar said around a sip of wine.

"Hey!"

I did not reunite with my family to be viciously attacked this way.

"Yes, darling, Leah is a fully grown adult," Mum said, placing a hand over his.

"Am I going to be called short for the rest of my life?" I said.

"You will if I have a say in it," Legolas snorted into his cup.

I shoved his shoulder, and some of the liquid went up his nose. Sweet vengeance.

"You call her Leah?" Adar asked Mum.

"Different world, different names," she said succinctly. "I know her as both Leah and Liriel."

"You were called Theodore," I piped up, shoving a piece of venison in my mouth. It melted on my tongue, and I nearly moaned aloud.

"Theodore sounds plebeian," Adar frowned in disgust, and I could not stifle my grin.

"And you had short hair," I said.

Adar looked like he had been slapped. "Surely you jest."

"Actually, I have a photograph," Mum's eyes lit up. "Give me a moment."

Mum moved into a separate room. It wasn't too long before she came back with a folded wallet covered in a galaxy pattern. In the clear panel sat the photographs she always kept tucked close to her.

She handed a family photograph of all four of us to Adar, and his breath left him.

"This is…wow," he said.

Legolas, not wanting to be left out, leaned across the table to catch a peek. "This painting is so lifelike. Is that what I looked like as a child?"

"Gangly and awkward? Yes," I said.

Legolas narrowed his eyes at me, but I could see a smile poking through.

"He looks happy," Adar said. It must have been strange to find a picture of yourself yet know in your heart that it wasn't really you.

"He was," Mum said, a shade melancholic.

"The hair is a travesty, though," Legolas said, resting a hand on Adar's shoulder. "I do not think you should ever cut it."

"As if I would do such a thing," Adar said.

"If you really want to talk about bad hair, Legolas," Mum rummaged in her wallet again and removed an old school photograph of Lachlan and me, "You should look at this one."

We both had the hair of windswept children who did not understand the concept of 'Keep yourself presentable for picture day'. With fly-away fringes and a dirty face on my part, it was a rather chaotic school photo. It was one Mum had treasured, and the corners had crumpled over the years.

"It has been so long since I have seen them as children. Our portraits do not give them justice." Adar had a wistful, almost sad, look in his eye. "You have grown so much since then, Liriel. It pains me to have missed it."

oOo

A room had been prepared for me to sleep in, but it felt wrong to be on my own right now. Legolas must have felt similar because he started to lead me in a different direction. We began a slow meandering walk back to his room instead. Gone was the fast pace that we'd seemed to be at all day. There was no longer a need to run through the corridors.

Once we were back in the room I all but fell face-first onto the bed. I bounced as I landed.

"Is that how you're sleeping?" Legolas chuckled.

"Of course," I mumbled into the covers.

"But what am I supposed to do with all this wine if you are asleep?"

I lifted my head and quirked an eyebrow. "You got more wine?"

Legolas walked over to his sideboard and procured a sealed bottle. "I think after the events of today, we could all do with large amounts of it."

"No truer words have ever been spoken."

Legolas smirked and poured the first cup. "If Adar has taught me anything, it's that a situation can always be improved with more wine."

I snorted as he handed me a cup. "You make him sound like a wine mum from Facebook."

"What in Arda do any of those words mean?"

I just smirked at him and took a big sip of wine instead, refusing to explain further.

The wine was actually delicious. Normally, I hated wine, thought it tasted like rotten vinegar, but this one was sweet and fruity and rather strong. I had kept it to a minimum while we ate, but now I was less reserved and took several large gulps. I quickly descended into giggly mode.

We ended up talking about anything and everything. It was surprisingly easy to talk to Legolas. Even after so long apart. He was the kind of person that you could feel at ease with. When he wanted you to anyway, he also knew how to make people feel perturbed if he felt like it.

Legolas wanted to know about Earth, and I wanted to know about the things I'd missed.

"What is that thing on the wall anyway?" I said with a grin, taking another sip of wine.

"Obviously, it's a sword," he said matter-of-factly.

"It's bigger than I am."

Legolas laughed into his cup. He sat across from me at the other end of the bed. "That's not hard."

"Oi," I kicked his leg halfheartedly. He simply laughed more. "Surely, it's not practical. You couldn't use that in a fight."

"I bet I could," said Legolas smugly.

I smiled amusedly.

At one point, my eyes started to close of their own accord. It was taking progressively longer for me to open them back up again. When I did, I saw that Legolas had moved to sit next to me. He had a sad sort of smile on his face.

"I've missed you, Liriel," His thumb was tracing the pattern on his goblet. "So much," his voice broke.

"Look at me," he said with a small laugh, wiping moisture away from his eyes. "You're making me all emotional. I don't think I've cried this much in years. I'm losing my aloof exterior."

"Boohoo for you," I smiled to show that I wasn't genuinely mocking him. "I've missed you too," my voice was tight, and my smile wobbled as I said it.

I lay my head on Legolas's shoulder. He leaned his head down on top of mine. Tiredness quickly overcame me. When my eyes closed this time, sleep finally won out.