The Merging of Destinies (Legolas Romance) *New Version, Same Author*

1: Recruitment was never easy

(A/N As I've mentioned in the story bio this is not someone copying the other legolas romance with the same title - it's the same author just different account as I logged out of my other one and forgot the password....I wanted to cry. This is the complete story!

I hope you enjoy the book!

(The photo is loosely based on what Val's house looks like - the actual building is more of a cottage in this story but feel free to imagine any type of scene you want!)

Val

Living in solitude was something that Val never thought she would enjoy, given her upbringing and character, but here she was lazing around in the forest without a care in the world.

The sounds of nature filled her senses, from the rustling of leaves, the trickling water from a stream nearby and various bird calls from the trees above. A pleasant Spring breeze drifted through the air, allowing a contented sigh to leave Val's lips.

It was her own personal paradise...

'Don't you have work to be doing?' A voice said. Val slowly opened her eyes in annoyance and glared at whoever it was who broke her peaceful reverie.

Gandalf the Grey, also known as Mithrandir, was standing over Val with eyebrows raised and an amused smile gracing his kind features. She wanted nothing more than to wipe the smile off his face but instead settled on a cold glare. 'Yes, I have but you're in no position to lecture me about work needing to be done when you keep stalling with yours.'

'And that is exactly why I am here now.' Answered Gandalf, who blocked the sun's rays from falling on Val.

She should have guessed that Gandalf wanted something, always trying to bring people into his business whether they wanted to or not. Well, he can try as hard as he likes with me, I'm not going, Val stubbornly thought. It will be too much of an effort with no benefit to me.

Val sat up and looked at Gandalf, wanting to get her point across, 'Whatever it is you want from me the answer is no, as I've told you countless times before. Go and bother someone who's interested.' Val said and went back to laying on the grass, trying to get rid of the annoyance she was feeling which was rolling off her in waves.

'Valindera!'

The sharpness in Gandalf's voice caused Val to slightly jump and mutter profanities under her breath. 'Will you at least be some sort of a host and invite me into your home? Asked Gandalf, though Val could sense the question was more of an order than anything else.

Begrudgingly getting to her feet and sighing, the she-elf motioned for the wizard to follow her through the forest to where her home was. Animals watched them with curious eyes as they passed and Val made sure to pick a bouquet of flowers so she could bring some of springtime indoors with her. She loved flowers in a home.

It didn't take long before her house came into view. A small cottage stood in the middle of a clearing which had all sorts of flora living on the roof. A stream ran in front of the building and small woodland animals darted between bushes. Most importantly, however, was her herb garden which was situated to the right of the cottage.

Beside her, Gandalf made a noise which sounded almost like a satisfied hum. 'Well I must say Valindera, I'm impressed with what you've achieved here. I was worried you were living in a cave....or had something like Radagast.'

Val shot Gandalf a cold glare, 'I would never let myself get that desperate.' And with as much dignity as she could muster, briskly walked into the house.