The Last One

Chapter 11

It had been almost a month since Ruive's first vision, and killing the dragon, and her wound had heal leaving only a faint scar. Though there were many times where she could not help the guilt that came when she though of the young dragon she had encountered, Smaug. Part of her thought that leaving him alive was unwise knowing herself that if anyone laid a hand on her family she would seek revenge, but she would have never been able to bring herself to kill such a young thing that had not had the chance to live.

Ruive was currently perched on the railing next to the horse fields where a content Dragul grazed on the lush green grass. In her nimble fingers she fiddled with a small bead. She had made this bead to fulfil a promise she made to Legolas, after all they were courting and her heritage demanded a braid to signify that and she had promised Legolas she would give him one and him her but they must make each other's beads. After long discussions with both parents of the two, they had agreed to court for at least a year before considering marriage. Although Ruive was deeply in love with Legolas, she was still as wild as the fire she was named after and was not ready to be tamed by the duties of marriage.

She looked down at the small bead in her had running a delicate finger over the detail, something her father had taught her to do, her father had taught her everything a blacksmith knows giving the ability to construct her own weapons if she wished. It simple, but elegant. Something she though described Legolas perfectly, his features were simple like his blonde hair and his blue eyes but they were elegant and she loved them. Now all she had to do was find the right way to give it to him and hope he had one for her also. 

What she didn't know, was that Legolas was watching her from the stables debating how to give her the bead he had for her. Unlike her he did not know how to make one so he had gone to the only person he could think of that could help him. Tauriel. She had taken him to the blacksmith and had him make the perfect bead for Ruive, it was silver, hollow, and beautifully detailed. Tauriel had even taught him how to do a courting braid like Ruive had taught her. Silently agreeing that now was the best time to give it to her, Legolas walked down to the fields with purpose in his stride.

Ruive was lost deep in her thoughts that she did not hear the soft foot falls of Legolas behind her. Its wasn't until Dragul neighed at Legolas did Ruive look up and see him. She smiled jumping of the rails to greet him. 

"Legolas, what brings you out here?"

"I have something for you," he said admiring how graceful she was despite being half dwarf, which was one of the many things he loved about her. 

"Really, well it may please you to know I too have something for you." 

She gave him a cheeky grin that she only gave when she was up to something.

Legolas laughed at her as she rocked back and forth on her heels and the balls of her boot in front of him like a child waiting to be given a treat. Since meeting each other, both had become very comfortable in each other's presences and had even admitted feelings for each other not long after she returned, they had also stolen a few kisses from each other when others weren't around. 

"You told me that to give you a courting braid I needed a bead, so this is for you." 

Legolas open his hand and revealed to her a small silver bead.

Ruive gasped softly at its beauty, looking from it to Legolas. 

"Legolas its beautiful."

"Lle naa vanima, melanin." (you are beautiful, my love)

Ruive could not help the light pink that dusted her cheeks every time he called her beautiful, or my love and other sweet things. 

"I promised you a courting braid, so this was necessary." 

She reached into the pocket of her pants and withdrew a small silver bead that she had made for him.

"Thank you, please will you mark our courtship with this bead and a braid my lady?" 

Legolas gestured to the bead she held in her palm, to which she nodded before motioning for him to follow to an old oak tree nearby. She sat on her knees in the grass and patted in front of her where he sat on leg stretched out whilst the other was bent up which he draped his arm over. Ruive began to slowly run her finger through his hair brushing away and tangles wanting this braid to be perfect. Legolas breathed deeply thoroughly enjoying her running her fingers through his hair. 

"Hmmmmm, where to put it though might be the more difficult thing." 

Ruive chuckled along with Legolas before finally deciding where to put it. Moving to his right shoulder, she took a section of hair from underneath at the nape of his neck. Slowly she began to weave pieces of hair in and around each other. It did not take long before she had finished and was securing the bead in place. 

"There. A dwarvish courting braid." 

She held the small braid over her fingers reach to take his hand and guide it over the delicate braid.

Legolas turned his neck as best he could using his peripherals to look at the braid. It was about the length of his middle finger and would sit underneath his long blonde hair. 

"Thank you, but why must it be hidden, am I not allowed to show the world that I am courted to you?" He asked turning his body around to face her. 

He watched as she reached forward and took the small braid in her fingers admiring how it looked to have a piece of her on him, he could not help but smile at the soft smile that danced on her pale red lips.

"Much of the world knows we are courted, this is more for you and I than anyone else. And besides I can't imagine many dwarves being please about a dwarvish braid as sacred as this in the hair of an elf, or your father for that matter." 

Legolas laughed at her knowing to that not many would be pleased with this, but he did not care he loved her and dwarvish blood and would happily oblige in any customs that came with it.

"Perhaps when you and I are married they may not hold such a rivalry, your parents saw past their differences, and blessed the world with the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on." 

Legolas lifted a pale hand and caressed the soft skin of her face, feeling the contours of her shape cheek bonds and strong jaw. 

"Your turn now my lady." 

Ruive grinned sitting cross-legged in front of him as he debating on where to put the braid. Unlike his he wanted hers to be seen, he wanted the world to know that she was courted to him and no other. He moved around her body and began running his fingers through her golden locks, the left side of her hair was braided back with her father's braid whilst the right side was left down in soft waves from the wind. He decided to place the braid behind her ear so it would hang over her shoulder but would not get in the way. Slowly remembering in his mind how Tauriel taught him and how Ruive had done his he began to weave her thick hair together. 

"Where did you learn to do a courting braid if you don't mind me asking?" Ruive asked, grin still present on her face.

"Your dear sister, she also helped me make the bead." Legolas admitted a little meekly. 

However Ruive's grin only widened, she felt special knowing he had gone through all that effort just to get her a bead and give her a courting braid. By now Legolas had secured the bead in place and ran the braid through his fingers admiring his work. 

"And now the world knows that the most beautiful and bravest woman in all of Middle-Earth is courted to the luckiest elf in the world."

Ruive looked at Legolas with pure adoration, slowly she felt herself leaning in glancing between his eyes and lips catch him doing the same. Closing the small gap left between Legolas pressed his lips to hers. The kiss held more than just love, it held passion and promise. Promise to love each other for as long as the should live. In that one kiss, every word of love was spoken that nothing more need be said, for right now the world was at peace. There were no dragons, orcs, or duties to followed; it was just Legolas and Ruive.