Good morning world!

I've nothing special to say today...

So enjoy

xo

Chapter 25

Rilien returned Valisilwen to her tent, feeling somewhat content. He was pleased he now knew what he would do in the immediate future. He would be lying to himself if he didn't admit that he was a little happy to be staying by the Lady Ranger's side.

He left her there to rest, she was still suffering from her injuries and although she wouldn't admit it, even that short walk had tired her slightly. He walked through the camp, thinking to start collecting some gear that he would need for his travels.

He soon came across Tauriel, who considered him for a moment, her arms crossed. "Rilien, have you told her yet?" she demanded.

Rilien gulped, he had been in discussion with Tauriel already and she had berated him for not speaking plainly with the Lady Ranger. While she may have been stripped of her title by the King, Rilien still very much considered her his superior.

"Not yet..."

Tauriel narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. "What exactly do you fear, Rilien?"

Rilien chewed his lip nervously, considering what the red-haired asked. He knew what Tauriel was asking, and he himself wasn't sure. Tauriel had already told him she was certain that Valisilwen felt the same as he, but unlike Rilien, she had not the love in her life to know how to show it. Her life had been filled with darkness and loneliness for a very, very long time.

"I think, perhaps..." Rilien began slowly. He couldn't put his finger on it exactly, but Tauriel moved forward, placing both hands on his shoulders gently.

She sighed before speaking again. "I see it in your eyes now," she began. "You fear it may scare her, maybe because she has lived so long without it?"

Rilien frowned for a moment, before sighing and nodding. "To know, I can live without. To be without her, I'm not sure I could."

Tauriel sighed again and gave him a small smile. "I can understand that, but I think you underestimate her too." She patted his shoulder before continuing on her way towards Erebor.

Rilien stood for a moment, alone, thinking, before turning and hastily making his way back to his tent, where Valisilwen was resting.

He pushed open the tent flap, and Valisilwen sat up in surprise, looking at him expectantly. He strode over to her, determined, before quickly kneeling down, catching her face in his hands and crushing his mouth against hers, allowing all his feelings to flow out in his actions.

oOOo

Valisilwen was alarmed by the look of determination on Rilien's face as he marched into the tent, but she was even more alarmed when he moved so quickly towards her and took her face into his hands before crushing his mouth against hers.

At first, she froze in shock, but soon her body began to react and she thought she moved to pull him off of her, but her fighting instincts failed her and she found them replaced with instincts she did not recognise. Instead of pulling away, she found her arms to be embracing him, pulling him closer to her and her fingers tangled in his hair or wrapped around his neck as her eyes closed. She felt heat flowing through her body and a wanting feeling building throughout her, causing her to tighten her hold on him.

Within a moment, her lips had parted allowing him more access and she felt his tongue slip between, sending a thrill of unfamiliar origins throughout her body and she gripped at him more fiercely. His hands moved from her face, down to her neck and to run down her back to her waist, holding her closer to his body.

It seemed they were lost in time, as he kissed and held her so passionately, sending shivers and thrills throughout her whole entire body, paying no heed to the world around them.

That is, until someone coughed.

They quickly stopped and withdrew from each other, Rilien whipping around from her so quickly he nearly fell to the ground beside the stretcher, had it not been for her catching him by the arm. She winced in the process, her side still not fully healed yet.

"I hope we aren't interrupting anything," Thranduil said, a smirk daring to grace his lips as Gandalf and Bilbo stood beside him, Gandalf looking rather amused while Bilbo looked purely horrified.

Rilien quickly stood, his cheeks very red, while Valisilwen gingerly tried to stand herself, her back ached and she wondered if perhaps one or two of her not quite healed wounds had possibly reopened.

Thranduil held a hand up at Valisilwen. "Do not move, Ranger. I would have a word with Rilien outside." He motioned for the elf to follow him, causing Rilien to glance nervously sideways at Valisilwen before moving to follow him.

She looked at Gandalf bashfully, pursing her lips together, they felt strangely hot and large when she did so. Gandalf gave a chuckle and moved to stand before her. "I see things have progressed."

She furrowed her brow as Bilbo cautiously moved closer to her. "S-sorry for ...that..." Bilbo stammered nervously, looking and gesturing from the entrance to her, his cheeks going as red as she thought hers must have been.

She bit her lip and tried to give an apologetic smile to Bilbo, not sure how successful it was, before glancing back up at Gandalf. He was still grinning from ear to ear at her with raised eyebrows. "I don't know what happened..." she blurted out suddenly, unsure what else to say.

Gandalf chuckled and placed a hand on her shoulder gently. "Only what comes naturally when two people care for each other, Ranger."

She hmphed slightly, not sure whether she could accept that explanation, but then decided to worry about that later. Clearly, Gandalf and Bilbo were here for a reason and she looked at Gandalf expectantly. "To what do I owe this visit?"

"Oh, we are leaving tomorrow," Bilbo said, seeming to finally move past what he had interrupted. "The King has decided he will move on, so we decided we should go too. I do miss home." He said his last words wistfully, as if remembering Bag End.

Valisilwen nodded and smiled. "Then I shall accompany you," she said to the little hobbit. "Best to make sure you make it there in one piece. Would not be right to survive a wargs, orcs, goblins, a Dragon and battle only to fall to a misstep now, would it?"

Bilbo gave a small smile, before looking back to the tent entrance. "Well, it would be nice, but..." he looked back to Gandalf and then to Valisilwen, his face appearing slightly apprehensive. "We wouldn't want to...impose or..."

She bit her lip slightly, the Hobbit was still dwelling on what he had seen.

"I believe Rilien will be joining us, then?" Gandalf asked, ignoring Bilbo's stuttering.

"Indeed, I will be," Rilien said, returning and standing beside the stretcher again. Valisilwen couldn't help but notice the pride in his voice, although she couldn't bring herself to look at his face as Thranduil strode in, an air of smugness about him as he stood beside Gandalf.

"I trust you will both be taking care of our elf-kin?" he said, motioning towards Bilbo. Valisilwen raised her eyebrows, Thranduil had dubbed him an honorary elf it would seem.

"As you would command, my lord," Valisilwen and Rilien said, both bowing their heads to the King. He looked down to the Hobbit with a nod of his head, making Bilbo blush with embarrassment. Valisilwen gave a small smile, before she noticed the King looking to her.

"My lady, you will always be welcome in my halls. As the last of the royal family, of your kind, it would be my absolute honour to host you any time you wish it."

Her eye twitched slightly at his formal address to her, but she placed a hand over her heart and bowed her head, forcing herself to show the proper respect to the Elven King. "Thank you, my lord." With a slight nod of the head and the slightest of smirks, Thranduil left the tent.

"Well, I think I hear the King under the Mountain calling," Gandalf said, after clearing his throat as if to help with the awkward silence.

Bilbo looked at him in slight confusion. "But I don't..." he began to protest.

"Come along, Bilbo, things to do before we depart," Gandalf hastily interjected, ushering him from the tent, careful to close the flap as he did so, leaving her alone with Rilien again.

Valisilwen gulped and glanced sideways at Rilien, who appeared to be trying to withhold a grin from his face. She narrowed her eyes, before punching at his leg which was closest to her.

He clutched at his leg before laughing loudly, as she folded her arms and tried to purse her lips to stop herself from laughing. What a predicament they had come to be in.

"I'm sorry," he laughed, falling to the ground beside the stretcher she was sat upon.

"Oh, I bet you are now," she muttered, still doing her best to refrain from laughing. The elf looked up to her with his green eyes shining, that familiar look residing there for her to see it clearly. The same look her father had always looked at her mother with. She recognised it now. It was love.

"I couldn't help myself, I needed to let you know, but I could not figure out how to put it into words so that you would understand and not spurn me," he said, moving to kneel before her, taking her hand in his. He bowed his head and kissed her gently on the back of her hand, it sent a thrill throughout her whole entire body.

She blinked as his gaze met hers again, was she so hard? She knew what her mother and father had spoke of now. "I'm sorry, if I made you feel like that, Rilien. I have been fighting for so long, I guess I forgot how to let people in."

"It matters not, now. I understand it's hard for you, but I am willing to be patient." She gave a small smile at his words as he raised his hand to caress her cheek. "I love you and your stubbornness won't change that."

She gave a small laugh, putting her hand on Rilien's, pushing her face against it, to feel the warmth of his smooth skin against her face. She knew it was time for her to begin a new adventure in her life, and now she would not be doing it alone.

The next morning, they stood before the company of Thorin, now two short. She felt a pang of regret when she saw Kili standing before the company, without his Uncle or brother by his side. She felt something brush against her elbow, turning to see Rilien looking at her encouragingly. She gave him a small smile before sighing and moving forward. Kili, Dwalin, Balin, Dori, Nori, Ori, Bifur, Bofur and Bombur all moved forward to the Ranger, who kneeled before them before speaking. "We've been through a lot, my friends," she began as she looked around at the dwarves who made a circle around her. "You have taught me much, and tried my patience, but I would not exchange my time with you all for anything in this world."

"Thank you, Valisilwen, for helping us," Balin spoke up, seeing Kili struggling to keep composed. "If it were not for you, we may never have been successful. You are truly the pride of your people."

She smiled at Balin, putting a hand on Kili's shoulder as she turned back to face him. "Kili, if you are ever in need of our help for whatever reason, we will come." Her eyes flicked up to glance at Tauriel, who stood just to the side of the company, watching the farewell. "I expect we will be back soon enough, to celebrate, perhaps," she said, a grin threatening to spread across her face.

Tauriel did her best not to grin herself, quickly looking away. The dwarves all laughed and quickly moved forward to crush Valisilwen in a group hug. She gave a laugh as she tried to bear all their weight herself.

Once all their parting words had been shared, and Thranduil announced his departure, they mounted their horses, or pony in Bilbo's case and began to make way from Dale. As they passed through the city streets, Valisilwen turned to see Bard and his children watching from the stairs of the Great Hall. She smiled, raising a hand to them in farewell. Bard gave a small smile, nodding towards her, as Bain and Sigrid returned the wave. Tilda bolted from the stairs, running down to Valisilwen's horse.

"Tilda, take care, try not to be too reckless," Valisilwen said, looking down to the young girl who jogged to keep up.

"Will you come back?"

Valisilwen glanced sideways at Rilien who gave the slightest of nods. She turned back to the girl. "Of course, besides..." she reached behind her back and removed the bow and quiver she had taken into battle with her. "I'll need to make sure you know how to use this." She handed it down to Tilda, who beamed with excitement. She stopped and waved to Valisilwen before looking back to her father. The Ranger also looked back to see the slightest look of dismay on Bard's face.

oOOo

They travelled with The Elven King's army until they came to the Greenwood realm, where they would spend the night.

Rilien led Valisilwen through Thranduil's halls to her room. Ironically, it was the same room she had stayed in as their 'hostile guest' previously.

He opened the door for her, ushering her inside. "Thranduil plans to throw a huge feast tonight, to honour those that fought and those that passed," Rilien said, standing by the door as Valisilwen moved to sit at the table. She removed her swords from her waist, placing them on the table before sitting on one of the chairs. She grimaced slightly and Rilien moved to check on her.

She held her hand up before he could fuss over her. "The riding has slightly aggravated my wounds, but I'll be fine with some rest, Rilien. Don't worry so much," she said looking up at him in amusement.

Rilien bit his lip, but accepted her explanation, but still knelt before her. "Do you need anything?"

She gave a small smile, but shook her head. "Just rest."

He nodded, standing and leaning forward to kiss her forehead. When he straightened he found her cheeks were pink again, making him grin. "Handmaidens will be in to help you prepare for the feast soon, but I'll see if I can get them to wait a little while longer."

Valisilwen's brow furrowed in confusion. "What on earth do I need handmaidens to help me prepare?"

Rilien chuckled. "Thranduil has tolerated a lot from you, but I'm certain he won't be tolerating you dressing like that, for such an important feast," he said motioning to her attire.

She pursed her lips and looked down at her clothes, before sighing and looking defeated. "Very well. See if you can convince them to give me an hour of rest."

He gave her a nod before taking his leave. He found himself rather anxious to see how she would look, he recalled trying to convince her to dress appropriately at her last visit.

"If you come near me with that dress, you'll be wearing it faster than you can blink."

He smirked. The strong-willed princess was indeed a special woman.

oOOo

A good two hours later, Valisilwen was roused from slumber by a knock on the door. She carefully rose from the bed, stretching cautiously. "Yes?" she called.

The door opened slightly and a young she-elf with frosty blonde hair poked her head around. "My lady, we are here to help you prepare for the feast."

Valisilwen sighed but motioned for them to enter. She would endure this torture for the sake of Rilien and those that had fallen to help them reclaim Erebor and her vengeance.

The elf entered, followed by another who shut the door behind her. They quickly set about preparing a hot bath, laying out clothing and set to work. Valisilwen did as they asked without argument.

Soon she was bathed, and she was quite glad too, she felt refreshed from the hot and sweet smelling water. Even her injuries hurt less, it seemed. The elves helped her into the dress that had been chosen for her. It was of a white and gold colour, gaudy in her opinion, but apparently not the opinion of the elves who gasped when she stepped out from behind the screen with it on. It was light, flowing to the floor and sat low across her shoulders and neck.

She wasn't sure about the dress, all her scars were on show. The young elves offered to powder her skin, showing on her arm that they could hide the scars if she wished it.

"No," she said after being thoughtful for a moment. The scars were a part of her, she knew there was no point in hiding them.

The elves set to work on her hair then, brushing it and braiding it in places, before one of the elves opened a small box she had brought in with her. "What's that?" Valisilwen asked curiously.

The elf looked up and smiled. "It is a gift, from the King under the Mountain and King Thranduil, to the Princess of the Shape-Changers." She showed the box to Valisilwen, who peered inside. Lying on a red velvet pillow was a small circlet of silver, and inlaid in the centre was a beautiful stone that seemed to shimmer of gold and an icy blue.

"But..." Valisilwen began to object, moving away. "I-"

"The King Thranduil insists you wear it, he said once of royal blood, one is always of royal blood. No event could ever change that, my lady," the elf said gently, sensing Valisilwen's hesitation.

Valisilwen felt her cheeks heat and tears beginning to form in the corner of her eyes. She didn't hear the door to her room open, nor anyone enter as she placed her face into her hands.

She felt a hand placed on her shoulder and looked up. It was Thranduil himself, and he looked down at her sympathetically. She stood quickly, moving away warily. Thranduil's face did not change, but he motioned to the circlet. "Kili forged this himself, it helped him move past the sorrow he was feeling for his Uncle and brother," he said, his voice deep and even. "He believed that it was truly deserved for the Princess of the Moon tribe and Shape-Changers."

"You can't be royalty of nothing, my lord," Valisilwen sneered, paying off Thranduil's words.

Thranduil looked at her pointedly. "Beorn doesn't believe that to be true. Nor does anyone else who has come to meet you. Why is it you will not grasp what is yours?"

She looked to the ground, suddenly feeling like the light elven dress she wore was far tighter and constricting than she would have liked. "There is nothing left to grasp."

"There is you, and there is the legacy of your people, to be strong and overcome all obstacles in your way. You cannot run from what you are, now. Word is spreading of the brave shape-changing royal who took her vengeance and helped return what belonged to the dwarves. Even the Dunedain, rightful of the Gondor throne, send word that they're expectant of their Shape-Changing princess guard. You have many a place left for you in the world, and many look up to you now."

Valisilwen stared at Thranduil. His words resonated within her. Although she had none of her subjects left, apart from Beorn, she still had many others who looked up to her and sought her help. Perhaps that was her calling now.

"You see it now?" Thranduil said, a small smile gracing his stony features. "A princess doesn't always sit in stone towers seeking to be saved, sometimes they are the ones who do the saving."

oOOo

Rilien waited impatiently near the Grand Hall entrance. He did worry about whether or not Valisilwen would follow through with her promise to dress appropriately for the feast, but mostly he worried about her.

The elven guards at the door had tried to calm him, but she should have arrived by now, and King Thranduil would be arriving at any moment. For her to arrive after him would be disastrous, knowing his temper and love of theatrics.

There was a scurrying of feet and Thranduil's attendants appeared around the corner. Rilien's heart sank, as he feared, she was going to be late. One of the attendants stopped beside Rilien, a smug smile on his face, before turning to open the doors and make the King's arrival announcement. Rilien moved to stand beside the door, to allow his King access.

"Subjects of the Greenwood Realm and honoured guests, King Thranduil!" Rilien bowed his head, waiting for the King to pass him by on his way into the feast, but to his surprise, the King stopped before him. He looked up and was stunned by what he saw. "And Princess Valisilwen, of the Moon-Tribe!"

Standing before him was the most stunning creature he had ever seen. Valisilwen was dressed in a shimmering dress of white and gold that sat low on her shoulders and flowed lightly to the floor. Her long black hair shone and was draped about her shoulders, but what caught his attention was the circlet settled atop her head. It was made from the finest silver and affixed to the centre was a stunning gold and ice blue gem. Her scars were visible with the cut of the dress, but if anyone were to notice them passed her beauty or the circlet settled upon her jet black hair, they were ignorant at best.

He gaped for a moment, before the King, who held her arm in his, faced him. "Rilien, I believe she is your charge," he said pointedly. "Try not to misplace her again, or you may find her stolen away from you like a precious gem."

Rilien bowed his head to the King again. "Apologies, my lord, it won't happen again." Thranduil held Valisilwen's hand out to Rilien, and he took it gently in his own, bending low to kiss the back of it. When he rose again, he found her cheeks were pink and she looked away bashfully.

He grinned as he looped her hand through his elbow, allowing the King to enter and following behind. He leaned over slightly so he was close to Valisilwen's ear. "You look beautiful, Valis," he said, finally using her requested nickname. He liked the way it rolled off his tongue so naturally.

She smiled, glancing sideways at him. "You scrub up quite nicely too, Rilien," she said quietly. He chuckled at her casual compliment, before leading him to the table they would share with the King, Gandalf and Bilbo.

Bilbo and Gandalf stood to welcome them to the table, although Bilbo's head didn't quite reach over the table, Rilien noted.

"I don't think I've ever seen you look so splendid," Gandalf said once they were seated. "Not even in the halls of the Last Homely House. Something must be different."

Valisilwen rolled her eyes, obviously picking up on the same mocking tone that he detected.

oOOo

The feast was both a sombre occasion and joyous one, Valisilwen enjoying her company and the fine food. The next morning, they departed early as the sun was just beginning to rise about the mountain in the distance, farewelling Thranduil and setting off for Beorn's house on the outskirts of the forest. She had decided she would ask Beorn to join her at the Dunedain, he was the last of her kind, she felt she had some responsibility to offer him some kind of protection.

Thranduil had ordered a small guard party escort them from the forest safely, and after her last time traipsing through the forest, she couldn't help but be grateful.

By the time the sun had begun to dip again, they reached Beorn's house. He was outside waiting for them it seemed. He approached Valisilwen's horse and bowed to her as she dismounted. "My lady, welcome back to my humble house."

"Enough, Beorn," she scolded with a sigh. "I should wish you would treat me as any other please."

Beorn grimaced slightly, but nodded. "The King of the Greenwood Realm sent word you were on your way here, and requested that I care to your companies needs for the night. Of course, I would be happy to."

Beorn looked to Gandalf and Bilbo with a smile. "It should be much easier without a company of rambunctious dwarves to cater to." Gandalf gave a chuckle while Bilbo smiled nervously.

"Thank you, Beorn."

He led them inside, while Rilien offered to tend to the horses and pony's needs outside.

Later that night, they sat about Beorn's large table to enjoy a meal. While Rilien and Beorn discussed the differences in the land surrounding Mirkwood since the disposal of the orcs and banishment of the Necromancer of Dol Guldur, Valisilwen glanced around the table. It was vastly different to their last visit, so much more quiet and subdued. She never thought it imaginable, but she missed the loud and rowdy dwarves.

"It's odd, isn't it?" Bilbo muttered from next to her. She glanced down at him expectantly. "Who would have thought we would miss that lot, at meal time of all times." Valisilwen grinned. She recalled their first meeting, poor Bilbo and his frayed nerves.

She patted the hobbit's shoulder before looking back up to see their companions and host were looking at them sympathetically. Valisilwen straightened slightly and looked to her fellow Shape-Changer. "Beorn, what will you do now?"

"I have no plans. Life should be quite peaceful here, now. For awhile anyway."

She licked her lips slightly, it occurring to her that perhaps he would be happier here. She continued all the same. "Perhaps, would you care to accompany us to join the Dunedain? As my own company?"

Beorn pressed his lips together, before shaking his head. "I would thank you, my lady, for considering me in your plans, but I think I am done fighting. I would like to pass my time in peace for a time."

Valisilwen couldn't help but smile. Beorn was also at peace now that Azog was gone. She nodded. "I understand, I do expect you to call if you ever have need of help, Beorn. We will come."

He bowed his head, gratefully. "Of course, and I would expect the same of you, my lady. I am still your loyal subject should you have need of my help."

oOOo

The next morning, Rilien was the first out of the house of Beorn, setting about preparing their mounts for the days ride. It would be at least a three day ride until Rivendell, and a further four until they reached Bree on the outskirts of The Shire.

He had to admit, he was anxious and excited. This was the furthest he had ever been from his home in the forest of Mirkwood, and although his heart was already beginning to pine for the closeness of the trees and darkness of the forest, he was also excited to see the halls of Imladris and where Valisilwen had called home for so long.

As he prepared the horse's tack, he heard heavy footsteps approach him from behind, recognising the much larger Shape-Changer's steps. He turned to greet him. "Good morning, Beorn."

The Shape-Changer nodded in reply to the greeting, stopping a few steps away from Rilien. "Good morning, elf."

Rilien knew the Shape-Changer still didn't quite trust him, or know how to approach him. Valisilwen had explained to him on their way to their destination that Beorn had been on his own for a very long time and had lost his family to the orcs, so trusted no one easily.

Rilien returned to his job at hand, well aware of the Shape-Changer's eyes on him. He continued to work, waiting patiently for the Shape-Changer to speak. "You have pledged yourself to the lady of the Moon-Tribe?"

Rilien stopped his work and glanced over his shoulder at the Shape-Changer. He wasn't sure what it was that he detected in his voice, jealousy? Or something else? "Aye, that I have."

"I see." Rilien turned back to the horse, finishing the job before turning to face Beorn. "Then I hope, master elf, that you would take great care of her." Concern. That was what it was. Although Beorn refused to accompany them, he still held concern for Valisilwen, in what way, Rilien couldn't be certain. "Should I hear word that anything has befallen her, it will be you that I will come looking for."

Rilien raised his eyebrows in surprise. If he didn't know any better, he would say that the Shape-Changer had just threatened him. He chose his words carefully. "Do not fear, Beorn, Valisilwen has my heart and I will ensure with the best of my ability that no harm will come to her." He saw the Shape-Changer raise an eyebrow, before nodding slowly.

So, I've hit a road block. I'm unsure whether I want to continue this story or start a sequel.

I've also contemplated a new story with new pairings etc.

So I'm probably going to be sitting on my hands for a while.

If you've read this story this far, well done for surviving my drivel! Hahaha

Until the next time we meet

xo

Krayzee