Promise

Summary: "I promised I would love you forever, and I always keep my promises." Legolas/OC

Disclaimer: Characters and world belong to the great JRR. Tolkien, I'm just playing around with them.

She was waiting for him at the forest borders when they arrived. She had her bow slung across her back and her quiver of arrows was leaning against the tree that she was leaning against. Her hair was plaited down her back and her gray eyes were sparkling with laughter and something that he couldn't explain. This was the first time he had seen her since he left Mirkwood with a message about the creature Gollum. He had expected to return after he had informed Lord Elrond about the creature's escape. Fate had a different path for him. Many months had passed since he had last looked at her. Since he had been able to take in all of her beauty. While Nienna's appearance hadn't changed (which was expected) he would be a fool to say that she hadn't. Her stance was not of the elleth he had fallen in love with, and that flicker behind her eyes left him a little shaken. Legolas had prided himself on always being able to read her and to not be able to do so now was troubling. She moved from her position against the tree and turned to greet Legolas's unlikely companion. It was Gimli who stood beside him.

"Welcome to Mirkwood, Master Dwarf. I hope that you will find your stay here very enjoyable." Nienna said in common tongue, bowing slightly to show respect. If Gimli was shocked he didn't show it. He also bowed his head.

"It is my pleasure, lass. And an honour to visit the home of a good friend. Even if he is a mediocre fighter." Gimli replied with a wide grin as he nudged Legolas with his elbow (even if it did only his hip).

Legolas turned. One eyebrow raised. And said to Nienna, "Please meet Gimli, son of Glóin. I wouldn't go into a battle without him." At this Nienna's eyebrows also raised as she once again took in the dwarfs appearance. She turned to Legolas when she was finished and bowed to him as well.

"Your return has brought great joy to the forest and its inhabitants." Mixed emotions arose from her words. In his mind her greeting held undertones behind them. He bowed in return and gave her a small smile.

His heart hurt. Throughout the course of this war all he thought about was her. The way she smiled. The way her hair rose and fell with the wind when it was loose. Her voice in his head got him through the cold nights in the mountain ranges of Middle Earth. Images of them, dancing in the moonlight or simply laughing together would steady his bow and remind him what he was fighting for. There was so much he wanted to tell her. Words that just wouldn't come. How could he say he was sorry for leaving her, when Middle Earth needed him. His love for her crossed all borders, but he had to leave in order to save her. To protect the woman that he loved. Legolas slowly moved forward and grasped Nienna's hand affectionately. Bringing it to his lips he placed on it a lingering kiss and gently placed it back at her side.

"I am glad to be home once more. And to be with those I love." He finally replied. Unnoticed, Gimli glanced between the two of them confusion in his eyes. While he could tell that there was a spark between the two, he was confused as to why the lad wasn't doing anything about it. And why the lass was somewhere between overjoyed -relieved even- to see him return and infuriated that he dare come back.

They were staring at each other. It was fairly obvious. And it was rather rude to their dwarf companion. Social graces were thrown to the wind the second he kissed her hand. Nienna didn't really know what to make of it. The ellon she loved had changed. There was knowledge in his eyes that hadn't been their before. The carefree attitude he once shared with her was diminished. That attitude had gotten them in trouble quite a few times over the years. It was what first drew her attention to him.

She was at war with herself. Part of her was delighted to see him again, wished to jump into his arms and stay there forever. Tell him that she loved him. That part knew he had gone to war and had come back to her. That he had helped save the world. Yet the other part of her was angry to have been left behind. When he set off to Rivendell she thought that he would return quickly. But he did not return. No letters or messengers. Nothing. Silence. She had been fine at first. Then worried. And finally angry that he had not returned. This part thought that he had left her. That he finally decided to go out and see everything while he could.

Then orc attacks got more frequent. War had come to the forest. Those who were able, fought. Those who were unable were sent to the mountains. It changed her. She never went anywhere without a bow. To do so was to die.

When the attacks stopped, life slowly came back to the forest. And, he had still not returned. Even the king was worried. She felt lost inside. Rumors started to circulate that he had died. And finally a spark of hope.

A Gondorian guard was found at the border. Legolas was coming home. Grand celebrations were planned for his return. Balls, feasts and festivals of all scales were being arranged. Supplies were brought and speeches written. A seamstress was fashioning gowns of all shades for her to wear. And still an inner battle waged in her head. Even though he was back, she still couldn't get it to stop. She quickly shook her head and smiled at the two companions.

"It would be my pleasure to escort you to the inner city my lords." Nienna said motioning her arms into the thick greenery. Legolas quickly nodded in agreement and glanced at Gimli to make sure that the company of another elf would not dampen the dwarf's mood.

"That would be much appreciated lass. It would be a great misfortune if we were to get lost. " Gimli responded kindly. The two smiled at each other and Nienna began to move forward.

Legolas thought it was good to see them interact this way. Nienna and Gimli not getting along was (what he thought) going to be a daunting future. Something he had envisioned as a reality. He didn't think they would be able to interact with each other like this. He hoped that this politeness would become more than what he thought it was. Politeness for his sake. For show. He hoped that she would be able to see past Gimli's rough exterior. That she would see past the ancient quarrels of their ancestors. Legolas wanted Gimli to know the elleth that he never wanted to be without. His hope was that two important people in his life would grow to have a connection of their own. Noticing that they had gotten ahead of him, Legolas shook away his thoughts for the time being and quickened his strides to catch up with them.

A/N: Okay, so first off thank you for taking time to read this. It means a lot to me, seeing as it's my first fanfic! Please review and let me know what you think!

elleth - female elf

ellon - male elf