A/N: Super early update. Just couldn't help myself with everyone demanding it! Plus this chapter was really fun to write. Annnnnddd your reviews inspired me to get it doooone! :D

Thanks to all who reviewed! *hands out Legolas-shaped cookies*


Responses:

Beccy: OMG I'm glad you love it! Thanks! :D

Zombi3gyrl: Ah, I would never dissapoint my readers...well except for my terrible cliffhangers but most of the time I'm pretty good. XD Thank you!

KrystylSky: What would the world be like without more snuggling?

XxBlazestormxX: Thank you! Legomance is goooood. Yes, Marina is pretty darn cute. And I agree with you! She will be learning self-defence sooooon. :D

Claire: Yeah, it was pretty gross, I admit it. Thanks!

Peridot Eyez: Thank you very much and I'm glad I grossed you out! XD

Tlcatlady: It certainly would suck. Thank you!

SummerAngelz: A Genus, eh? Thats a new one. XD I watch anime but I've never heard that name before. You can fangirl just about anything these days. XD Yes, I see your point there. But I thought in Merry and Pippin's case, it would have been more to tick Boromir off than any thought for their own safety. They are kinda reckless, after all. XD And yes Marina did tell Gimli to tell Leggy that XD I'm glad you like it and please continue sticking with me! :D


Oh, I had the song Misty Mountains (Cold) playing through most of this chapter. Great song to listen to for ambience and meaning. Give it a try. :D


Enjoy!


Walking to Helms Deep would have been fine and dandy. But no, she had to hobble the whole damn way. Damn all the men for taking all the horses. Even Éowyn's trusty steed had been borrowed for the confrontation. The elderly women; even the sick were moving faster than poor Marina. All the nurturing instinct bells going off inside we're reluctantly ignored. With barely managing to walk herself, how could she hope to help others without face-planting into the dirt? The various carts used to carry the sick were the only sources of support that could be spared. And Marina used them as much as possible until her feet could no longer bare the pace. When a cart was beating you, there was definitely something concerning going on. It also didn't help that on numerous occasions, she had to jog to keep up with the cart. The feet were not happy travellers, needless to say.

Finding comfortable footwear had been a pain, let alone accommodating for her injuries. So the sheet that had been so white and pristine on the bed, had been ripped into further pieces and served as padding inside the boots. It had helped for the first couple of hours but now it was just another irritation to the wounds; nudging at the temporary scabs. And so Marina was reduced to hobbling. Alone. Very near to the back of the curving line of people.

Even though there were women and children walking besides and around her, she may as well be invisible. They ignored her; shunned so to speak. All because of the way she looked and sounded. The association with Legolas and Gimli didn't improve matters but Marina did not care to befriend anyone who simply judged because you were different in all aspects.

Éowyn flitted from person to person in the long stretch of people; helping where she could and providing words of comfort to the weary. The woman carried herself like royalty and knew how to present herself to the people. Even as a nurse, Marina had never found it that easy to take on a confident guise as Éowyn did. Sure, the Lady of Rohan was probably scared out of her wits but there was no indication of worry. Just a strong sense of determination.

It reminded her of Legolas, and the previous worry that had threatened to consume her came back in a sickening rush of gruesome scenarios and negative assumptions. Losing him during a dream had been bad enough. Marina couldn't even begin to think how she would survive if he did not return. Legolas had become such an important part of her life and there wasn't any possible way for her to give him up. The connection, bond as he called it, strengthened everyday and it weighed heavily upon her now. The elf was leagues away, fighting to keep them all safe. And Gimli and Aragorn with him. God if anything happened to any of them, Marina wouldn't know what to do with herself.

Once again, I seriously should have watched the other two movies. Bloody hell. I should have appreciated my knowledge of the Fellowship while I could. This is awful!

Sighing heavily through her nose, Marina continued trudging along, favouring one side. The right foot hurt the most so she put her weight on the left as often as possible, while trying to keep it moderated as well. Thought the terrain was proving to be a pain too; the dreaded roots had somehow journeyed across the land to torment her. The dreaded foliage was either snagging the hem of her pants or tripping her up. Three times she'd face-planted the dirt and was close to tears. And this time, there was no one to help her up.

"You're nothing but a burden." An elderly man accused as he was pushed along in a cart like some king on high.

Marina bristled and could distinctly feel the wetness on her cheeks. Crying without being aware was unsettling and a direct point to just how miserable and agonised she was. In that moment Marina realised that she had no friends to defend or help her. They were off elsewhere fighting to protect a kingdom that wasn't appreciative of their help. Why couldn't Legolas have stayed? Or Gimli or Aragorn? Were these battles more important than her well-being? Did they even care that she was here, hobbling miles to some refuge?

A dozen rude responses came to mind but Marina kept her mouth shut. What difference did it make? Incapable of riding a horse and knowing nothing about self defence or the use of weaponry, she was a burden. The progression came to a slow halt as Éowyn called a rest period for an hour.

Marina all but collapsed where she stood, lowering her head to her knees so no one could see the tears. A rustle of feet over grass alerted her to someone approaching and it wasn't hard to recognise the hem of Éowyn's dress.

"Are you all right, Marina?"

"No," she croaked, fighting the urge to just sob and disappear. If Éowyn so much as laid a finger on her, it would be all for naught. There was nothing worse than someone wishing to comfort you through physical aspects; it was a hole in the dam. But the lady of Rohan did not touch her and simply sat by her side.

"It won't be long now. We shall reach Helms Deep long before sunset."

True to her word, Helms Deep suddenly appeared nestled deep into the mountain side. Exclamations of relief and joy swept through the convoy, causing Marina to jerk her head up and marvel at the wonder of the so called refuge. Even from this distance, the wall was looming and seemed impenetrable; the fort even more so.

All the exhaustion and weariness seemed to seep out of the tired convoy, and their pace increased until some of the younger ones were almost running. Several times, Marina got pushed and shoved by the people hurtling past. Some rushing moron even trod on her foot, causing a long string of profanities and blood rushing to her cheeks as she tried not to scream. There had to be a way to teach these people to respect her for who she was. And if it took swordsmanship and horsemanship to do it, Marina would damn well try.

The hustle and bustle inside the keep was staggering; people were lined up against the walls with their scant provisions, in the arms of their families. And she was reminded once again that no family existed in this world, save the three unusual males fighting leagues away. Once again Marina could feel the burn of a dozen eyes, and decided enough was enough. After being pushed, shoved, ridiculed and laughed at, there was just so much someone could take before the inevitable crack happened. And happen it did.

"What!" Marina screamed at the nearest set of onlookers. A weary silence settled over the civilians; Éowyn among them. The Lady of Rohan did not interrupt or try to intervene. The slight nod of her head to proceed was the confidence booster Marina needed. "Just because I'm different, you think that gives you the right to stare and insult me? Who the hell do you people think you are? No, I'm not of this world. Yes, my hair and eye colour are different, and I have a strange accent. Why the hell does it matter?"

When no answer was forthcoming, Marina continued, growing angrier by the second. "I am human, just like you. I had a mother and a father, just like you. How would you like it if someone treated you like an outcast because you were different?!" Several pairs of eyes met hers, all with varying emotions; most however were tilted toward the ground. "So don't you dare judge me when you people have everything and I have nothing!"

Bristling, and panting harshly, Marina had all but lost it. Adrenaline surged through vein and muscle, giving her the urge to run or maybe hit one of the ungrateful sods. Instead, holding her head high, spine straight, Marina hobbled away from the silent crowd and into the depths of the fort. Never had she been so furious in her entire life. Her endless wandering eventually brought her to the armoury. Racks upon racks of weapons and armour lined the walls, and in another room adjacent to that were what looked like training dummies.

"Now there's a good way to vent."

All the swords were heavy and too big for her, but Marina made do with the smallest she could find. Watching Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas flinging weapons all over the place, gave her the confidence to try. Adjusting her grip on the hilt, she swung the sword with all her strength at the dummy. Maybe it was in a movie that she'd seen a sword cleave a dummy in half, but this certainly wasn't a movie. And the dummy certainly wasn't falling into pieces. No, instead a jarring sensation vibrated through the sword and straight up into her arm.

Gritting her teeth, Marina tried again, whacking at the dummy. Constantly swinging the sword was causing her arm to tire, and eventually she was reduced to using two hands to swing it. Hefting it like a baseball bat, she struck the dummy again and again until her fingers were numb, her arms were aching and her feet felt like two large sores. The dummy, much to her chagrin didn't look any worse for wear, save for a few scratches across its chest.

"Stupid fu-"

"Marina?"

The sword slipped from her hand in an embarrassing clatter of steel as she swung around to see Éowyn standing at the doorway. There were two women with her and Marina distinctly recognised them as the same two that had been helping her at Edoras.

"Sorry I was...umm...practising." The girl replied and flushed deeply.

Éowyn smiled and collected the weapon off the floor. "If you wish to learn, you'll need a better sword than this one."

"I will?"

"Oh, yes. One must adapt a sword to the person. When a blade feels at one with your body, you know it's yours." The Lady of Rohan ran her fingers down the length of the blade. Marina watched, eyes twitching in disbelief.

Is it just me or has everyone in this realm got an obsession with sharp things?

After the sword-obsessed moment passed, Marina and the handmaidens followed Éowyn through a myriad of passages and turns until they at last came to what appeared to be an underground spring; in fact there were several springs and the young woman had a terrible feeling that she was about to be shoved into one. Suspicions were proving to be correct more often than not as Marina was, under protest, stripped.

"I can undress myself, you know!" She snapped at them.

Éowyn perked a brow and set about helping Marina remove the boots. "I do not doubt it, Marina." A hiss escaped the lady's lips as she gingerly picked the sheet out from where it had soaked into the freshly scabbed wounds. Marina cringed and yelped and immediately plunged her feet into the water the moment the linen was removed. Not that it was helpful, considering it stung like hell. That was when she understood there was salt residue from the rocks. It would help her heal faster. And after hobbling across terrain for half a day, the feeling of water against her skin was too great a temptation. With a whoop, Marina dived in. It wasn't very deep but just deep enough to be enjoyable.

"What are you doing?" Éowyn frowned as Marina's head popped above the water. Never had she seen the girl look so happy since she was in the presence of Legolas.

"Having fun! Come on, Éowyn. Do you even know how to have fun?" Marina teased and dog-paddled around in a circle.

"Ha! Of course I do!" The Lady of Rohan stubbornly crossed her arms, feeling a blush rising to her cheeks as the handmaidens giggled somewhere behind her. With a huff, Éowyn wriggled out of her gown, tossed the undergarments and jumped into the spring. An all out water fight ensued after a bit of instruction for Marina. Soon, all four women were playing marco polo and were able to forget about the troubling times ahead.

It was the first time in months that Marina felt truly relaxed, despite Legolas having not yet returned. While keeping her eyes closed, she could pretend that she was in a spa in some luxurious resort. Aragorn and Legolas would be playing tennis in short-shorts and polo tops whilst Gimli would be trying to win a fruitless game of ping-pong against himself. A smile tugged at her lips at the thought. The smile vanished when a horn sounded.

"The men have returned!" Éowyn squeaked and scrambled out of the spring, Marina eagerly following her out.

Both women rushed through the fort, with wet hair and slightly damp clothes as they moved through the crowd to see horses and men entering through the gate. Marina's heart thundered through her body, eyes desperately searching for the brilliant silverly blond hair over the heads of the crowd. Arod's noble head became visible through the wall of people and she hastened toward him, politely ushering people out of the way. Some moved willingly; others were weary since her outburst and simply shuffled to the side. Paying them no mind, and all but running on her tip toes, she saw him.

Legolas and Gimli were perfectly fine. The dwarf bore marks of battle; blood stains and dirt whilst the elf, although unmarred, his eyes were unreadable and clouded. There was a set to his expression that Marina had never seen before. A skip of her heart, and Marina paused in her tracks, eyes searching again. Where was Aragorn? Gimli approached Éowyn, bowing his head in respect.

"My lady."

"Gimli. Where is Lord Aragorn?"

"He fell." Gimli managed before lowering his head.

Marina felt her heart sink somewhere deep within her stomach and could feel the tears prickling at her eyes. How could Aragorn be dead? Why did everyone keep dying? Through a watery vision, she glanced across to Legolas who was staring at her with such wounded, lost eyes it was all she could do. In seconds, despite the ache of her feet, she was on him. Arms wrapping tightly around his chest, face buried against the rough surface of his armour as she let the tears fall for their fallen friend. As much as she wished it to be a happy reunion, to have him back was good enough. Legolas did not embrace her as she thought he would. No, he was as still as stone.

Peering up at him, with wet bedraggled hair and big, grey eyes full of tears Marina almost recoiled. Among the sea of blue, there was now anger. A deep seated hatred that sent a shiver down her spine.

"Leithio nin." Legolas's voice was flat, unemotional. (Release me)

Even with her scant knowledge of elvish, it wasn't difficult to deduce what he wished and with much reluctance, Marina forced her arms to hang limp by her sides. Was he not happy to see her? If Aragorn was truly gone, wouldn't he wish for comfort? All the joy at seeing Legolas was plummeting and an overwhelming fear of rejection took its place. Without another word, the Prince of Mirkwood brushed past her and disappeared into the crowd. No hello. No nothing. Nothing. There was no way in hell she was going to cry again; not in front of all these people. A hand touched her elbow, and it was only self-restraint that stopped her from lashing out.

"It's all right, lassy. He'll come 'round."

Reassurance coming from the dwarf was the pin to the balloon. Marina threw her arms around him and used his shoulder as a handkerchief. Gimli blushed and carefully rubbed soothing circles on her back, shuffling awkwardly at the countless stares set upon them. After managing to coax her, the dwarf moved away from the crowd and found an old, abandoned room that had once been used for storage if the odd bits and pieces laying around were of any indication.

"What happened, Gimli?" Marina hiccupped, once managing to compose herself. With her arms wrapped around her middle, she sank to the floor, uncaring as to how dirty it was. Aragorn was dead. And Legolas had shunned her, as easily as those people had. That was the worst part of it.

And to think I fell...nope, not going there. Door closed.

Gimli copied her, resting his axe across his knees.

"We were attacked by wargs."

"Wargs?"

"Vicious, brute creatures. As large as horses with razor sharp teeth, beady eyes. Like a dog, only bigger, uglier and with a mane. Orcs ride on their backs. We did not see what happened, but an orc told us...he...fell over the cliff." Marina digested the short and straight to the point description of what had occurred and stared down at her barely wrapped feet. So it was true. Aragorn had fallen quite literally. "Legolas is not angry at you, lassy."

Shifting uncomfortably, Marina winced as the painful clench of her heart reminded her of what happened. "I wouldn't be so sure, Gimli. Why wouldn't he be? I'm weak, useless. I can't fight. I can't ride a horse. I can't do anything!"

With a harsh snarl, Gimli slammed the butt of his axe against the stone floor, and it echoed loudly in the room. Marina sat up ram-rod straight as the dwarf all but eyed her with disappointment. Scrambling off the box that had served as his seat, Gimli kicked it over while muttering a string of harsh words that could only be the dwarven language.

"You listen to me, lassy. I won't hear a word of that rubbish. Not a word. You're not weak. You survived an injury that would have killed most. You fought against Uruk-hai despite the danger to yourself. And you're certainly not useless." Marina stared wide-eyed, mouth gaping as Gimli continued. "You're a wonderful friend and ally. You put others before yourself, even if they are undeserving."

Shifting over to where the mortal sat, staring at up at him with shinning eyes, Gimli squatted to be on eye level and gently tapped her on the nose. "Do ya understand?"

Marina didn't know whether to laugh or cry. To slap him or hug him. To yell at him or thank him. Both human and dwarf landed in a muddled heap on the floor as the woman hugged and squeezed the life out of him, crying in both despair and joy at having a true friend.

The pair wandered through the fort, in search of sustenance and new bandages for Marina's feet. Wearing footwear was naturally imperative, but it was also common sense to let the wounds breathe for a while. So avoiding sharp, pointy objects, they ventured throughout, exploring every nook and cranny. A temporary hall had been organised to serve food and water to all the refugees and dozens of people were on the floor, savouring what little could be spared. Gimli and Marina settled down to a small serving of stale bread, water and a handful of meats that looked a little worse for wear.

"Urgh. This tastes terrible." Marina said around a chunk of bread that her teeth were gnawing at. It may as well have been rock for all the good it did.

"I once had to eat moss, lassy. Be thankful for this much." Though it was clear Gimli was tempted to spit his meat out halfway across the hall.

Marina left the hall on her own, seeing as Gimli had fallen asleep on the floor quite soon after he'd finished the horrid meal. And not wanting to disturb him, she went back the way they had come in search of the medical room they'd seen earlier. Several men and a few young children were being tended to by what Marina would call 'the nurses of this day and age'. Discreetly bandaging up her feet, she made to leave before Gimli's words echoed through her mind. Not useless. No. There were skills she had that could serve as help.

A young boy was shivering on a cot, malnourished with dark, hallowed eyes and a halo of blond locks. If he weren't breathing and staring around wide-eyed, Marina's first impression would have been that he had passed on. As his caretaker moved on to another patient, Marina approached the boy and sat down on the stool by the cot. Fear and uncertainty were the first visible emotions in his dark eyes until it became clear that she was offering no harm; they were then replaced by weariness and sadness.

"You're that girl everyone was talking about. Marina?" He croaked, licking dry lips. A shaky cough rattled from his chest and a spot of blood slid down his chin. Marina felt her heart clench in response and realised there was nothing she could do for this boy. Not without modern medicine, and even then he may not survive. If she even attempted to save his life, it would likely do more harm than good. How he had internal bleeding was another question entirely.

"Yes, I am." Marina said softly and grasped his cold fingers in her hand. He was young; maybe nine at most. "What happened to you?"

"Walked behind one of the warhorses. Kicked me in the chest. Next thing I know, I'm here." He wheezed and his eyelids flittered as he tried to stay focused. Marina gripped his hand tighter, feeling her chest constrict and rampant memories cloud her thoughts. This was Timothy all over again. And she couldn't do anything. The urge to scream about the unfairness of it all was strong. Why did everyone around her have to die? And why couldn't she ever stop it from happening?! Her mother. Her brother. Boromir. Aragorn. And now this child. A boy barely out of his childhood and he was already walking the path of death.

"What's your name? Where are your parents?" She asked him gently, brushing locks stiffened from sweat out of his eyes.

"Coble...and I'm an orphan," he said, eyes rolling to stare at her. "I didn't believe them. You're not a burden or an outsider."

Coble coughed violently and more blood spattered over his chin. Marina wiped it away with the sleeve of her shirt, aware that tears were coursing down her cheeks. It may as well have only been the two of them in the room, for the healers were too busy with the other patients, and had already accepted the boy was going to die. It was only a matter of when. To think this boy. This child. That didn't know her from a bar of soap. Was telling her he didn't believe what others said...it was an eye opener. And such a heartfelt gesture of honesty and truth.

"Are you in any pain?" Marina tried to keep her voice level, for his sake.

Shaking his head slowly from side to side, the boy tilted his lips up in some attempt of a smile. "No. Not anymore." His eyes searched the room. "Is it getting dark in here?"

Marina wanted to cry. To scream. To hold him and tell him everything was going to be all right. Biting her lip, she reached out and cradled the frail child to her chest, lowering her head to press a soft kiss to his hair. Even bundled up on her lap, in the thin blanket that had been providing some degree of warmth, the boy was cold. In response, Coble wrapped his arms around her, snuggling against the crook of her neck. "Y-yes, Coble. It's getting dark." Marina lied thickly, holding him all the tighter.

"I'm so tired, Nina." He breathed against her neck. Marina felt her heart jolt. No one had called her Nina since her mother passed away. Breath hitching in her throat, she watched through a watery film as the tears splashed down against his blood-stained chin, causing it to run down his neck.

"I know, Coble. I know. Rest n-now."

"I'm glad...to have met you...Nina." A rattling breath, and she could only stare down at him as small, cold fingers brushed against her tear-stained cheek. "You will...find your...purpose..."

Dark eyes, that had seen much in such a short life, slid closed and the hand against her cheek slowly fell back to his chest. "Coble. Coble." Marina shook him, watching his slack expression of peace that could only come in death. "Wake up, damn you! COBLE!" After several more attempts at shaking him back to life, Marina clutched him close to her chest, rocking back and forth. Quietly, she mourned for this young boy, feeling the sobs wrack through her body but not hearing them. His voice; so young but so wise and gentle. He had been comforting her on his deathbed.

A few healers tried to take him out of her arms, but Marina snapped at them, distraught, as though she were a mother elephant protecting her dead calf from a pack of hungry lions. So they left her alone with a boy she hardly knew that reminded her so much of her sweet, little brother. Marina sat there with him in her arms for an unmeasurable amount of time; her arms ached from his weight. The cloying stench of blood was consistently pulling back memories. It was time to let him go. Struggling to her feet Marina slowly walked towards the springs, heedless to the countless eyes that stared at her, and the lifeless boy in her arms.

Coble deserved to be buried away from the forthcoming battle; in a place as innocent as he. The springs were silent save for the quiet drip of water. The soil was easily moveable yet still quite compact. Whether it was hours or minutes, Marina leaned away from the grave she had dug. Cuts and grazes littered her hands and several nails were either broken and splintered, or bleeding. Lowering the child into the soil, she fell to her knees and closed her eyes, breathless.

"You will not be forgotten, Coble. May you rest in peace." Marina arranged his hands on his chest, touching the cold fingers one last time before hiding him from the cruelty of the world. To mark his grave, she found a sizeable rock with a relatively flat surface and by using her blood, she wrote:

Here lies Coble
Son of none
A kind, innocent soul
Rest in Peace

Shakily getting to her feet, Marina scrubbed tiredly at her eyes. There was too much death. It just followed her wherever she went. Bowing her head over Coble's grave one last time, Marina voiced a thank you to silent ears before hobbling away. What more could she do? What more could she say? Releasing a quivering sigh, Marina hauled herself up the steps back to the fort, dreading contact with anyone she might bump into. Why hadn't there been people like Coble in her world? And why the hell did people like that poor child have to die?

Angry, upset and just downright miserable, Marina ignored all that she passed until she walked smack-dab into a wall. The collision should have sent her to the floor but the hands supporting her back did not allow it. Since when did walls have hands? Glancing up, her heart nearly stopped.

"Aragorn? But...you...they said...you were dead!"

"Almost but not quite." The ranger said with a weary smile. He was indeed beaten up and bloody. But he was alive! Marina flung her arms about him with a cry of relief, relishing the security and warmth as Aragorn's arms closed around her. He'd become more of an elder brother to her than her real ones had and to have him back was unspeakably comforting.

Aragorn, having already spoken with Legolas (and arguing with him over the hopelessness of survival), and informed the King of the approaching Uruk-hai horde, had gone in search of his female travelling companion. Only to find her with tears staining her cheeks and blood on her clothes. There had been a strange emotion in her eyes; the likes of which he had only ever seen in those who had seen death. The trembling of her body was a clear indication something was very wrong.

"Are you all right, Marina?"

"M-me? I should be asking you! How did you survive? What happened? Let me tend to your wounds!" Marina blubbered, unable to stop the flow of tears; both from his return and Coble's untimely passing. It was unstoppable. All the emotion; death, suffering, hurt and fear was suffocating. Aragorn suddenly had his hands full as Marina all but slumped against him, exhausted both physically and mentally.

"There will be time for that later. Why are you covered in blood?"

Marina shook her head, unwillingly to answer, her lower lip trembling. Aragorn was deeply concerned and tempted to press for an answer before hearing the soldiers yelling. They were escorting the women and children into the caves. And he needed to get to the armoury. Gently holding her back at arm's length, Aragorn wiped away her tears with the pads of his thumbs. It seemed to open a flood-gate, and Marina burst into a myriad of words. Everything was recalled from the moment she stepped foot into the Hornburg. The ranger kept up easily, growing uneasy with the news of Coble's death and Legolas's rejection. That puzzled him the most. The elf must be extremely upset, but Aragorn sensed it was not entirely due to his falling off the cliff. No, there was more to this.

"I am sorry for Coble, Marina; it was a very honourable thing that you did. But we must move forward. I must prepare for battle. Come." Linking their fingers, Aragorn brought her with him to the armoury where he set about equipping weapons. Marina felt small and useless in an area full of weapons and battle-prepared men. Though fear was heavy in the room. Hell, even males around her age were suiting up into chain-mail and weapons that were too huge or unbalanced. Shifting off to lean against the wall, Marina watched as the armoury buzzed around in a hectic formation. Weapons were literally being flung across the room to waiting hands. They certainly weren't wasting any time.

Marina gingerly set to dabbing the blood on her fingers with the edge of her sleeves; the material was already sullied anyway so what did it matter? As the rattling of weapons and armour ceased, she wondered what had happened and glanced up to see Legolas offering Aragorn the ranger's sword. A painful cinch settled around Marina's ribcage at the sight of the elf; ready for battle. There was an overwhelming urge to run to him, and also away. Never again did she wish to see that hate directed at her. Nodding, Aragorn accepted the sword.

"We have trusted you this far. You have not lead us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair." Legolas admitted firmly.

"Ú-moe edhored, Legolas." (There is nothing to forgive)

As they smiled and capped each other on the shoulder, their eyes turned to Gimli struggling into chainmail. The dwarf was clearly struggling with the heavy armour and eventually pulled it down and let the excess drop with a clatter to the ground. "It's a little tight across the chest." He grumped.

Aragorn and Legolas bite back smiles but Marina just couldn't find the humour in it. The idea of laughing seemed foreign; the prospect of smiling was delusional. Just then a horn sounded, echoing into the stone of the fort.

"That is no orc horn!" Legolas said excitedly and rushed out of the armoury, not even noticing Marina flattened against the wall. Aragorn and Gimli hastened after him, and she reluctantly followed feeling utterly miserable. Not only had he shunned her, but now he didn't even notice her. The commotion on the battlements became clear as an army of Lothlorien elves marched into the Hornbug in a dazzling array of elvish armour, and discipline. Several soldiers blocked her view and Marina huffed in annoyance, tip-toeing to try and see over their heads.

"How is this possible?" She heard Theoden say.

Instant recognition sparked in Marina's head as the reply came, "I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between Elves and men. Long ago we fought and died together." Squeezing through the crowd of armoured soldiers, Marina breached a gap to see and armoured Haldir standing at the head of the army of elves, smiling at Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli as they ran down the steps to greet him. "We come to honour that allegiance."

Was it improper to run down and hug him in front of so many people? Would he be angry at her for doing so? Marina fidgeted from foot to foot as Aragorn bowed to the Marchwarden. "Mae govannen, Haldir." Surprising must of the onlookers, the ranger grabbed the elf in a tight embrace. Initially stunned, Haldir returned the hug, albeit gently. Aragorn leaned back, positively beaming. "You are most welcome." (Well met)

Legolas then stepped forward and greeted the Marchwarden by clasping his shoulder. Haldir turned to Theoden, and the army turned with him. "We are proud to fight alongside men, once more." It was now or never. If he intended to fight, as she was sure he did, she wouldn't have another opportunity to say hello until after. And that was if he survived. Dashing and slipping down the steps, several warriors exclaimed in surprise to see a woman in their midst. Feet hurting, eyes stinging from tears shed, Marina broke through the last expanse of crowd and leapt at Haldir.

To say the Marchwarden was surprised was an understatement. There was a human launching herself at him with fierce, weary eyes. And it wasn't just any human. It was his Noldorin. To think Legolas had been fool enough to bring her to Helms Deep. Despite his immense disapproval towards the Mirkwood Prince, Haldir was thrilled to see her. The elven army watched on in quiet amusement, having seen or spoken with the young mortal during her stay in Lorien. Marina felt foolish and giddy as armoured hands caught her mid-air and swung her around.

"Haldir!" Marina threw her arms around his neck, wrapping her legs around his waist for support. Sure, it looked as inappropriate as hell but she was so happy to see him. And it was also as uncomfortable as hell considering his armour was pressing into every soft curve of her body. The Marchwarden had an arm securely locked around her lower back and the other was gently touched at the wetness on her cheeks.

"You're always crying, my little Noldorin." He said softly and pressed a kiss to her brow, ignoring the stares of soldiers. Particularly Legolas's as the other elf seemed just about ready to spear him with an arrow. Marina blushed a pretty pink and cleared her throat, embarrassed. Once she had her feet back on the ground, she hugged him properly, shivering as the cool steel of his chest-plate brushed against her cool skin.

Legolas was almost beside himself with grief and despair. Bringing Marina to a place such as this had put him on edge to begin with. It was no safer for her, than it was for the women and children in the caves. And then losing Aragorn had been enough to close himself off from everyone and everything. Aragorn had blatantly told him he was an idiot, and a fool to boot. Legolas believed him. How could he have done such a thing to the light of his heart? And now to see her crying in the arms of the Marchwarden; it made his blood boil with anger and frustration.

"Marina." He said and her head shot up, eyes wavering as they met his. Legolas's heart clenched at the turmoil in her eyes, having learnt of Coble and her involvement. Speaking her name felt like satin against his tongue. Just her name was heavenly. Marina reluctantly left Haldir, and promised to speak with him again soon as she followed after the retreating elf. The Marchwarden, Aragorn and Gimli stood there, staring after them with arms across their chests.

"Legolas will never grasp the understanding of tact." Aragorn muttered.

"Aye. He'll also have the title 'Master Fumble' for the rest of his days." Gimli nodded sagely.

"'Master Fumble'?" Haldir repeated with a perked brow.

"You don't want to know, Master Elf."

"I believe I do, Master Dwarf."

"Oh...I...erm...you know...fumbling...?" Gimli made vague hand gestures. Aragorn discreetly covered a yawn though Haldir knew better. The ranger was just shy of laughing. "Grabbing...at...places?"

"You mean to tell me that Legolas inappropriately grabs at his soul mate?"

Aragorn and Gimli glanced at each other, both thinking the exact same thing. He's quick.

"Aye."

Haldir stared at them a moment longer before fingering the hilt of his sword. "Perhaps it's time to introduce a little 'kick ass'."


A/N: Ok so, did you like it? Hate it? Did you want to be Marina when Haldir was swinging her around in his smexy armour? Cause I did! You know I love your opinions, dearies!

Possible questions I thought could occur in response to this chapter.

Q. Why did you feel Coble was a necessary character?

A. I wanted you guys to sort of get a feel for Marina's sense of compassion and general intent to help people, even if its for naught. Its the effort that counts after all.

Q. Why does Haldir speak so openly, and affectionately with someone else's soul mate?

A. Harder question. Haldir is somewhat attracted to Marina, and though he would never try to steal her from Legolas, he is content to be affectionate with her as long as it doesn't break under boundaries or endanger her virtue/honour.

Q. What did Haldir mean with the 'kick ass' part?

A. Its rather point blank really. Having spent so much time around Marina, he was able to develop a few of her slang terms and comprehend the meaning. He is so gonna kick Leggy's little butt for being an asshat. :D


Update should be soonish again, dearies! Mucho love! Remember, if you have suggestions or requests, throw 'em my way!