Legolas sat next to Emerwen in the House. His chin was settled on hands as he considered all that he needed to decide. Alata came to sit next to him.
"She would have wanted you to go." Alata spoke softly, looking down at her.
"She might die on our journey." Legolas confessed, wanting to be with Emerwen every possible moment, especially if she were to pass.
"She might not. Her fever broke for a bit this morning, but by the time I went to call you it had come back." Alata spoke, meaning to reassure him.
"Then I must not go! I would not have her wake up alone." Legolas proclaimed in an alarmed voice.
"Mellon, I am here for her: she is my sister. Do not let your love for her hinder you. If she indeed is getting better, it will still take days for her to break the fever completely. She will not be awake for a long time." Alata bowed her head as she spoke, tears forming in her eyes. Legolas saw the hurt and put a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"I forget I am not the only one to love this elleth. You are right: she would have wanted me to go." Legolas decided. He took up her hand, and with a light kiss stole away to ready himself for leaving the next day.
Every able bodied free person of Middle Earth walked towards the gates of Mordor that day. Men, elves, and dwarves silently walked together to their doom. Aragorn led them with Thranduil and Tebur, all three the picture of kingship.
As they approached the gates the three kings looked at one another. The three galloped towards the gates with a few other men at their sides as well as Gandalf. The Mouth of Sauron spoke, trying to instill fear and despair into their hearts.
As they rode back, Aragorn was afraid that the Mouth of Sauron completed what he set out to do. The people were frightened and worried about what was to come. He rode up and down the line, trying to whisk away that fear and set courage in their hearts. The men were honored to have him as their king. As the gates opened the men, elves, and dwarves stood together, ready to battle together once more.
Alata wiped away the cold sweat that appeared on her sister's brow. She was getting more increasingly worried as the hours progressed. Elves don't sweat when they are sick nor does their glow fade. Emerwen had only a flicker of light left. All her life her glow had been stronger than anyone else's.
Alata prayed to Nienna and Estë, knowing that if they could not heal her sister that they could appeal to Eru. With her head resting on her sister's cold hand, Alata fell into elven slumber, awaking every now and then to send up a prayer.
Legolas and Thranduil fought together. The other elves of Mirkwood tried to protect their royalty, but it was difficult with the amount of orcs coming at them. Aragorn was pinned down by a huge creature when something happened.
As the ring of power was destroyed, a soothing wind swept through Mordor for the first time and blew through the battle field. This, and the fact that the clouds were being dispatched by the sun made the orcs nervous. They shuddered as the first rays of sun came down upon them.
Emerwen's eyes flew open. Nienna, the Lady of Mercy, had heard her sister's prayer and honored it. Emerwen's eyes shut once more, but the fever was finally broken and her glow was seeping back into her body.
Everyone cheered as the orcs and all of Mordor fell into a pit. The clouds over Mordor were beginning to leave, scared away by the sun. Then there was silence as everyone watched Mount Doom explode. Those who knew of Frodo and Sam bowed their heads in reverance to all that they had done before gathering up their things. Littered were roughly made out of whatever could be found. People began the long trek back to the city.
Gandalf arrived a bit later on the back of one of the Giant Eagles bearing a remarkable gift: Frodo and Sam were alive! Aragorn cared for them as well as he could.
Alata knelt over Emerwen's body, thanking the Valar over and over for sparing her sister. Her breathing was now lighter and her glow had all come back. She practically shown like a lantern as her body knitted itself back together.
Legolas hurried up to the Houses of Healing, fearing the worst. His heart sank as he saw Alata's head bowed next to her sister. Legolas walked over slowly, looking at Emerwen. His step quickened as he saw her glow. He grasped her hand and knelt next to Alata who started.
"Oh, dear prince, I did not hear you." Alata said, pressing her hand against her heart willing it to slow down from being startled.
"She looks better." Legolas said with hope filling his voice.
"Yes, she is almost ready to wake up. I will leave you alone." Alata said with a smile. She got up and returned to where the people were still flooding in through the gates. She helped Aragorn with Frodo and Sam and answered his questions about Emerwen.
Legolas held Emerwen's hand with his own, and with his other he cupped the side of her face. She looked so fragile laying on this cot with her eyes closed. He sat up closer to her when he felt her shift slightly. She opened her eyes and for the first time, searched his face hungrily. His eyes grew wider as he realized what that meant.
"Yes, my prince, I can see." Emerwen whispered.
