Hey, guys! And let me just say SORRY. The last chapter was probably the shortest and crappiest chapter I've ever written! I plan to go back and edit when I find time to! Also, shoutout to whoever actually reads these A/Ns. Enjoy, comment, vote! -Joann

Ps Sorry, but the chapters aren't getting any longer b/c school has been shoving hw into our faces like crazy :(

"No!" Legolas shouted at Thranduil, slamming his hand onto the table. "You told me to come back because Tauriel needed me. Why did you even bother if you're going to do this?!"

"One year, Legolas!" Thranduil snarled back angrily. "One year!"

"Oh, I suppose you could just ignore Mother for a year too, then?" Legolas spat sarcastically.

"That's different!"

"How?"

"Look," Thranduil began, with an obvious effort to keep his voice calm. "You don't have to ignore her. But just don't do anything romantic. Treat her like a friend!"

"Wow. After I just convinced her that I don't hate her and she convinced me that she loves me, you pull this on me?" Legolas said through gritted teeth. "Wow."

He stood up, pushing back his chair so hard it fell over and left, slamming the door.

"Well? How'd it go?" Gimli asked anxiously, looking up at him.

Legolas looked down at him and mentally slapped himself, as he forgot to tell Gimli that he had already visited and made up with Tauriel. Guilt wormed around his insides, for Gimli had been such a good friend, yet he never treated Gimli as well as Gimli had treated him.

"I made up with Tauriel, but my father says that I have to not court her for a year! An entire year! Can you believe that?" demanded Legolas huffily. "A year! 365 days!"

"You elves live forever! What's a year compared to eternity!" Gimli pointed out reasonably to his agitated friend.

Legolas scoffed, having nothing good to say to that, yet not backing down.

"Legolas!"

The two turned to see Tauriel walking up to them, a rare smile on her weary, tired face.

"I presume this is the elleth you were talking about?" Gimli nudged with a grin, as a slight blush crept onto Legolas' pale cheeks.

Ignoring him, Legolas beamed, "Tauriel, this is Gimli, one of my companions on the journey. Gimli, well, you know who she is."

"Pleasure to finally meet you, m'lady," Gimli said politely.

"Same to you," smiled Tauriel pleasantly.

-----------

"He WHAT?"

Legolas flinched slightly at her fury. Her fists were balled so tightly her knuckles were bone-white.

"No. No. He cannot do this after all that he's done! He cannot! You hear me?!" Maethel paced furiously back and forth in Legolas' room. "He cannot do this!"

"He already has," Legolas pointed out wearily. "He already has."