A Second Chance

A Second Chance Part 26

We are up and on our way at dawn the next day and I am a little disappointed that my whole, saving Mirkwood stunt had not changed their minds about me, they were still wary and dismissive and I sigh as I realise that it was things like this that made me realise this place was real. I mean, I guess if I had arrived here and fitted in perfectly and had everyone falling all over themselves to protect me and be close to me then I would have been questioning whether I was in a coma or something because it would seem far too dreamlike.

For days we ride barely pausing to rest and although I know that something is worrying them, that our pace is too quick and it is as if we are trying to outrun an enemy of some kind but I am too afraid to ask and so I simply ride along in silence, taking comfort in the fact that Legolas was with me and there was a chance, one that they both seemed to believe anyway, that I was immortal too and could live happily with him.

"We shall rest here for a time, we should reach Minis Tirith by night fall if we do not linger," Gandalf says suddenly and before I have time to register what he has said I am being pulled from the saddle and into Legolas' arms.

"Are you well Tarien? You are awfully quiet?" he murmurs, his fingers tracing the features of my face as he continues to hold me close.

"Why are we riding so fast? Are we running from something?" I ask quietly and he sighs a little glancing towards Gandalf who answers before Legolas gets the chance to.

"We ride quickly, my little friend, because I am eager to find answers as to your heritage, besides are you not eager to see Boromir and Aragorn again?" he asks trying to change the subject.

"Of course I am, they are... they are my family," I finish quietly suddenly feeling a pang in my chest as I think of them. I really did miss them, Aragorn was my best friend, and despite our rocky start I loved him dearly. Although if I'm honest I'm a little nervous about being around Arwen considering the kiss we had shared. God, that felt like a lifetime ago now and Boromir, he had been more like a father to me than the one I had been born too. Or had I been born to him? If I was an elf then there was a chance that I had a father, a different one, still alive, did I want to know who it was?

"We shall be back with them soon, where we can make a home together," Legolas whispers and I look up startled.

"What about your home? What about Mirkwood?" I ask in shock and he simply smiles gently at me tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingertips hovering over the rounded shape of my ear for a second, causing more doubt to flare in me and for a second I see it in his eyes too before the determination returns. He refuses to believe that I am anything but elf and it terrified me beyond words that he may be proven wrong.

"Until my father accepts how wrong he has been about you, until my people see you for the princess you are it is not my home. I am home when I am with you my love, wherever that may be," he whispers and I duck my head so that he will not see the tears welling in my eyes at his words. Stupid, perfect elf.

The sun is just beginning to disappear over the horizon when I finally spot the white city, broken and damaged as it is but still beautiful.

"Home," I whisper, realising perhaps for the first time that I really did have a home here, that I didn't have to leave.

"Yes my love, we're home," Legolas says reaching across his horse to squeeze my fingers in his.

"Come on then," I smile kicking my horse into a sudden gallop and laughing as I hear them both behind me. By the time we reach the gates my heart is in my throat and tears are burning in my eyes as I hear Boromir yell my name.

"Boromir," I exclaim as I am pulled down into his arms and held almost too tightly but I don't want him to let go.

"I've missed you my little friend, I had not realised how accustomed I had come to your company until it was taken away," he mutters into my hair and I just grip him tighter, burying my face in his chest and crying.