Authors note: who knows maybe this will be a long chappy, it might not be as long as the last one, might even be very short lol…

This is a verse from "Last one standing," by Emerson Drive

Through the wind and the rain
through the laughter and pain
Count on me
and when life isn't fair and there's nobody there
I will be
in a world of pretenders
I am your defender
and when it all comes down
I'll be the last one standing

this is for life
don't ever doubt it
you've already fallen
love is alive
so stand up and shout it
'cause destiny's callin'
the others who stand behind me
they don't look nothing like me

Chapter ten: The road to Rivendell

The group was finally prepared. It was quite a large group more then Legolas had suspected. Originally it was going to be Inwë, Aragorn, and himself. But because Aragorn was going, Arwen was going. Olwë also decided to go, so his sister came… and because SHE came, Éomer decided to go… and because Éomer went, Éowyn decided to go, and Faramir would not allow Éowyn to leave without him. But Legolas was most angry when he heard that Farothin was going.

"No Inwë! He isn't coming with us!" yelled Legolas obviously angry.

"That isn't fair, I don't want to go then," she said turning away from him.

"Your going whether I have to drag you on my back or not," he said walking to the door and slamming it shut behind him. Inwë ran to the door and opened it.

"He's coming then!" she yelled before slamming the door in frustration. Legolas walked back to the door and tried to open it but she had locked it.

"Open the door Inwë!" he yelled trying to get her to open the door.

"No!" she yelled back sitting on the bed with her arms crossed.

"Open it now!" he yelled angrily getting inpatient. He was an irritated elf, and when a male elf, any elf for that matter, but mostly male elf's, were irritated… they were not kind creatures anymore. She said nothing and did nothing, "that is an order! As prince of…" the door flew open catching him off guard.

"What my lord? What of do you ask of me my lord," she said with an angry face as she looked at the handsome prince.

"I don't know," he said trying to think of an excuse for being in there in her room, "I don't want him to come."

"He is my friend Legolas," she said trying to not show her irritation, "besides we need all the help we can get."

"I really," he looked at her face and he couldn't seem to say no… for the first time he met his match, "fine."

"Thank you!" she yelled out the door as he stormed off. She walked into her room and smiled as she packed.

-----

They were on the road finally, it took them awhile but they left their old horses behind and took Rohan's mighty horses. Inwë LOVED her new horse; she gently stroked it while riding in the morning light. For a day they traveled on, Legolas tried to not watch her, but caught his attention on her, and that darn scout Farothin. When they pulled to stop for the night they all sat around the fire laughing and joking while Farothin and Legolas glared at each other. Farothin kissed Inwë's hand before he went to go and search for anything dangerous. Legolas stayed up watching Inwë watch the stars.

"Inwë," he said softly before getting up, walking to where she sat, and then sitting down beside her.

"Hmm?" she asked turning to look at him, a stray brown curl flailing wildly across her face in the midnight breeze.

"Do you like Farothin?" he asked pulling some grass out of the ground as her head nearly cracked from turning so fast to look at him.

"What makes you ask that?" she asked looking at him wondering why he'd ask something like that.

"Because… you're always around him, you spend a lot of time with him," he said looking as her hair softly lingered with the wind. Her dark brown hair brought out her white elvish skin.

"I spend a lot of time with you too, what is on your mind?" she asked looking at him, now was the chance… the perfect chance.

"…" he paused a moment trying to say that he needed her, he wanted her, but all he could say was, "nothing."

"Oh, is that so?" she laughed pushing him slightly before smiling and looking away to the sky, "what bothers you my lord?"

"Don't call me…" he sighed, "I just feel that you spend more time with him then me."

"What," she laughed, he loved the way she laughed, and when she laughed… it was like beautiful music to his ears, "I spend a little time with you too, both of you get equal amounts."

"Do you like him though?" he asked not really wanting to know the answer.

"What kind of question is that, I guess I do, I mean he is handsome but I doubt I love him, I haven't ever really been in love before," she said looking over to him surprising her when she didn't look away like she usually did.

"But he is mortal," he said turning his face from hers.

"So?" she said not understanding why he was questioning her, "you asked me I gave you an answer, so what is going on?"

"You're of elf kin, he is of man kin, it would never work," he said looking away. This made her a little more.

"Look at Aragorn and Arwen, she is immortal and he is mortal, and they are turning out great," she said standing up and walking away.

"That's not what I..." he stopped and waited a moment. He screwed things up AGAIN. He waited for her to go to sleep before he'd go and watch her. He walked to where she slept and laid down a little a ways.

She looks so much like a lady, but she is so much like a child. She is such an angel when she smiles, she holds it deep inside, but somehow I know… there is more to her, she is a beautiful person on the inside. She has brought colors to my life that my eyes never touched, she taught me how to care, and I have never cared so much. I try so hard not to think of her, but I fall asleep and I can't seem to control those dreams, he thought as he watched her, I am never going to be able to hold her am I? I am never going to make her fall in love with me.

Legolas fell asleep and dreamt a peaceful dream about her. Morning came and with it the smell of cooking food. He quickly got up and ate. He heard Aragorn hurrying threw the forest to where he sat. Fangorn forest was cold and dark, but there was comfort of the place with the Ent's keeping watch over them. Everyone slowly sat up wiping their eyes as they saw Aragorn's paniced face.

"Orcs about less then a league away," Aragorn said nearly out of breath. Everyone packed up and packaged the cooked food for later. They could hear the sound of the orcs coming there way.

"Do you think they know are plan?" asked Éomer hastily as he looked to Celebriän who wanted to stay and fight.

"I haven't had a decent fight in awhile," Celebriän said tying her black hair back into a pony tail with a black ribbon.

"They didn't look like they were working for the new threat, but they looked organized," Aragorn said looking to Arwen.

"Maybe we should stay and fight," Arwen said shrugging; she was a little rusty and needed some game.

"Fine we stay and fight," Aragorn said looking to Legolas who wanted to get Inwë out of there.

"Fine, Inwë climb in that tree and I'll stand guard," Legolas said biting his lip as he walked to the girl sitting beside Farothin.

"No, I can fight," she said grabbing her sword.

"No, you can't, let's go," he said grabbing her arm and walking her towards a tree as far away from Farothin as possible.

"No!" she yelled pulling her arm from his hand. She walked away slightly.

"Let her make her own decision," Farothin said standing up to help her, just as fast as he stood Legolas' sword was out of his belt and at the young scout's throat.

"Legolas!" yelled Inwë frantically grabbing his arm trying to pull it down. Everyone stood in shock as Legolas held his sword out at the brown haired man.

"Back away," Legolas said to Farothin, Farothin put his hands up and back away.

"You're horrible," Inwë cried even though she didn't mean it, Arwen quickly raced to Inwë's side, "I'm never talking to you again."

"I taught her to fight Legolas do not worry, I'll watch her," Arwen said giving him a look saying 'cut it out' before walking off with her arm around Inwë. They heard the steps pounding the earth, Inwë swallowed as she climbed onto her horse and held her bow and arrows out.

"Ready?" Arwen asked looking at her, Inwë shook her head yes before looking at Aragorn who had his bow and arrows out as well. As soon as the orcs came into view they began shooting one by one, taking the front of them down. Obviously these creatures didn't know they were there for they were shocked. Where were they going? They all shot arrows taking the orcs down one by one swiftly until they had to bring out their swords. Inwë backed her horse up and began to shoot them, not as good as the others were but well enough to hit the orc she wanted to hit, not always where she wanted to hit them, but close enough. Their swords went up and down deflecting the blows from the orcs. Finally the rest of the orcs ran away for they were obviously losing. Inwë smiled until she saw something flying through the air and coming towards her.

"Inwë!" yelled Aragorn, for he was the only one seeing the large ball flying towards her. She screamed as it hit a tree near her sending tree pieces everywhere. She fell off her horse and it trotted off a ways. Both Farothin and Legolas ran to her but Legolas was the first to pick her up and turn as another one hit sending tree shards everywhere. They all climbed onto their horses and rode away down towards a river following it far down. For the rest of the day they never stopped trailing down the river. The sun started to fall and they decided to stop. Legolas was turning a little paler if it was possible as he climbed off holding his side. Inwë didn't want to stop being mad at him, but he didn't look good she had to find out if he was alright.

"Legolas are you alright?" he didn't want to seem weak so he hadn't mentioned that he had been injured.

"I thought you weren't talking to me again," he said looking up at her as the sun set behind her.

"Fine then don't answer me," she said walking to him and moving his hand, she saw a piece of wood lodged into his flesh. She turned away and placed her hand to her mouth.

"What?" he asked, he hadn't seen it for every time he tried to look it hurt too much to look.

"It's bad Legolas, I am so sorry," she said feeling tears fill her eyes.

"It isn't your fault Inwë," he said turning her face towards his so his eyes could look into hers, "you can fix it."

"What? No I can't I… I can't," she said swallowing deeply as she looked into his eyes.

"Please," he said feeling blood flow through his fingers. She watched as the blood dripped down her side, if he hadn't covered her she would be the one bleeding to death.

"Ok, I'll try," she said going to find Arwen, Arwen walked with her to help pick the right plants. Arwen and Inwë walked back and helped him get his shirt off, "do we have any bandages?"

"Yes, I'll go get the proper tools, water, bandage, and a rag," Arwen said getting off her knees as she helped Legolas lay down on a blanket on the sandy bank of the river. Arwen came back and together they cut a little bit of his skin so they could pull the wood out without it splintering in his skin. He winced in pain through the whole progress, but felt a little better when she took his hand and let him squeeze it. Together they healed his wound and bandaged it. He slept a little, and when he woke the sun had finally fell into the ground. He looked around and saw only Arwen there watching him.

"Where is Inwë?" he asked sitting up and looking around, "never mind she is probably with Farothin, I don't want to know that."

"Why do you care if she is with Farothin or not?" she asked then realized he liked her, "if you do want to know… she isn't with Farothin, she went scouting for some more plants to help you heal faster. She brought them to me and told me of a waterfall she found not to far down there, she went to go look at it some more."

"Did she?" he asked getting up trying to ignore the pain he felt in his right side, "I'll be back."

"Be careful she'd kill me if she found out I let you walk around," Arwen laughed watching Aragorn walk through the trees towards where they sat. He was already up and gone to find Inwë as Aragorn walked out a little disappointed that Legolas left. Legolas walked down the bank slowly and saw Inwë sitting on a rock looking into the water. She picked a beautiful red flower from the water and twirled it in her fingers. He saw a blue flower beside him and he picked it before walking up behind her. She screamed slightly as something pushed her into the shallow water. She turned around to see a laughing Legolas holding a blue flower.

"What was that for?" she asked walking out of the water.

"Nothing, I just felt like pushing you in," he said smiling at her. She just gave him a 'whatever' look before emerging onto the rocky bank of the waterfall.

"You're lucky that I don't push you in because of your bandages," Inwë said scowling at him slightly.

"Yes, lucky me," he said smiling at her. She just gave him another 'whatever' look before walking on the stone.

"I just wanted to say thank you for helping me when you didn't have to, I know you were still mad at me and you helped me anyways," he said smiling at her as he handed her the blue flower.

"Thank you," she said taking it from his hand, "yeah well, I didn't want you to die, since you did save me from the pain after all."

"Yeah I guess I did didn't I?" Legolas smiled before walking closer to her. He sat down on the bank as he watched her hop from stone to stone.

"Come on," she said signaling for him to follow, he slowly stood up and walked to where the first stone in the water laid. He stepped on it trying to catch his balance a he walked across the stones. She laughed as she held her hand out; the silver moon caught her pale skin and danced across her face. She laughed as he leaped from stone to stone looking at the large gold fish swimming around sporadically. He smiled when he was a stepping stone away from her she moved over slightly so he could leap on, he began to fall and she tried to catch him but when she caught him she pushed him. He grabbed her hand pulling her in with him. They both dashed to the surface water flailing everywhere as he took her around the waist to keep her a top the water.

"I don't want you to drown," he laughed as he held her up.

"I'm sure," she said as she grabbed his hand and lead him to the waterfall. They both climbed up out of the water, she helped him up trying to watch for his wound. Together they walked through the cave admiring the dancing crystals that lingered under the bright moons silvery light. He looked at her as she laughed, water dripped from her hair and eyes lashes, and her dress clung to her body.

"Where are you taking me?" he asked her as she took his head and led him through a tiny space.

"I don't know," she said looking back at him and smiling as she climbed through the tight space. The slowly walked through the small cave until they came to an opening, it was a hot spring! He smiled at her as he walked to it and touched it.

"It is a hot spring Inwë, in the middle of a cave," he laughed as he watched her place the blue flower in her ear. He slowly climbed into the warm water being careful of his wound; she sat down on top of the thing and stuck her feet in. For an hour they talked, he told her of the battle, and how scared he had been. They finally decided to go back and both jumped into the and swam through the water, they looked at the shinning bottom, full of red flowers and golden silver fish. He pulled himself up onto shore and then helped her out. They both laid there laughing under the gleaming moon light. She liked this side of him, the playful side of him.

"Inwë," he said softly looking over to her as he sat on a rock looking out at the beautiful moving curtain.

"Yes Legolas," she said making him smile, he loved when she said his name. She looked over at him to see what he was going to say as well as hear it.

"I'm glad you didn't leave," he said making her turn her head so he wouldn't see her blush.

"Me too," she smiled before getting up to leave.

"Wait where are you going?" he said reaching out and grabbing her hand catching her off guard.

"Back to camp are you not coming?" she asked looking at him with curiosity. He was so beautiful under the glistening moons light, she slowly walked to him.

"Let's not go yet," he said with a smile, "not often do we get a break like this."

"Your right," she smiled before running to the waterfall and once again climbing the rocks.

From this moment, life has begun

From this moment, you are the one.

"Wait up!" he said standing up and climbing the stone that led to the large rock where the water fell from. She laughed as he walked and hobbled through there.

Right beside you is where I belong,

From this moment on…

"Be careful," she said holding her hand out again trying to balance. When she looked up at him and smiled he thought his heart would melt. She climbed to the side and found a tiny ledge. He was caught off guard when she jumped off making a large splash.

I live only, for your happiness,

And for your love, I give my last breath,

From this moment on…

I wish I could give my hand and heart to him, she thought as she looked up at him as he looked down and jumped.

I can't wait to live my life with her, I can't wait to start, he said to himself as he crashed into the water.

He and I will never be apart again, she thought and smiled as he emerged to the surface of the water. The water slowly glided around them as he swam towards her.

My dreams came true, because of you, they both thought as they looked at each other smiling. He splashed her making her look at him in surprise. She splashed him back until they were in a full out splashing war.

From this moment as long as I live, I will love you, I promise you this, there is nothing I wouldn't give, from this moment on, they thought at the same time as they splashed each other.

He's the reason I believe in love, Inwë thought as they stopped splashing, her hands slowly gliding through the water to keep her up.

She's my answer to my prayers from up above, he thought looking at her rosy cheeks, dripping dark hair, and soft skin.

All we need is just the two of us,

My dreams came true, because of you…

From this moment, as long as I live, I will love him, she thought looking into his gentle blue eyes.

I promise you this,

There is nothing I wouldn't give,

From this moment on…

From this moment I will love her, as long as I live, he thought wanting to reach out and touch her. They had no idea that what they thought was a secret day of happiness, wasn't so secret, some one sat watching up close, and someone far away sat watching smiling through wicked sharp teeth.

----

The next day came and they all decided to hurry. Through the whole journey, they only ran into a couple bands of orcs. Slowly but surely they made their way to Rivendell. For some reason Farothin didn't seem to happy, though she tried her best to cheer him up Inwë just couldn't. She didn't mind, she liked the young man… but she liked Legolas more, she thought he might even be the one, not to mention Legolas was right about one thing, he was mortal and she was immortal, it would hurt for he'd die before she even turned gray.

They finally found the road leading to Rivendell. They quickened their pace and finally saw the beautiful city glittering like the moon. Inwë smiled at Legolas as they entered the city, the horses' hooves hitting the cobble stone as they entered. When they reached Lord Elrond's castle he was out to greet his daughter, son in law, as well as their companions.

"Ada!" Arwen said excitedly as she climbed off her horse to give him a huge hug. Elrond took his daughter and strong hug. Everyone else sat on top of their horses.

"Welcome king Aragorn, prince Legolas, Lady Éowyn, king Éomer, prince Faramir and who are these two? You?" Elrond said looking at Inwë and then to his daughter and Aragorn, "why have you brought her here?"

"May we talk about this in side Lord Elrond," Aragorn said looking to Legolas. Legolas looked to Elrond in confusion.

"Some how I knew you'd bring her here for safe keeping," Elrond sighed before showing them to the stables.

----

"I do see your problem prince Legolas, I see many other things, but we can not keep her in Rivendell, we are still rebuilding our forces, the battle of the ring nearly destroyed my people. I do not know what to tell you," Elrond said looking at Legolas.

"Lord Elrond you must understand, we must keep her safe, and I do not even know why she is such a big deal. No offense," Legolas said looking to Inwë.

"None taken my lord," she said respectfully. He hated her calling him that, but they were in the presence of nobility she had to say it.

"I do know why she is so important, she is not really so much important to them alive, they want her dead, and they will go at nothing to stop it," Elrond said looking around the table to his daughter and her friends.

"But we traveled all this way, where do you except us to take her?" Faramir said sitting beside Éowyn.

"That my friends, I cannot say, I cannot think of anyplace on Middle Earth that would be…" he stopped and thought a moment, "You know there is a war about to spread don't you Aragorn?"

"Yes Lord Elrond, this I do know," Aragorn said looking over to Arwen then to Legolas.

"It will not be safe for anyone, mostly the elves. Their main target this time is not to wipe men, but wipe out the elves. I must speak with you in private Aragorn, you too Legolas," Elrond said looking to both men.

"But we cannot let you even think of using her as bait, or turning her over to them," Legolas said looking to Inwë. Inwë didn't like the sound of it at all. Legolas and Aragorn followed Elrond out to where they held the council for the ring. It brought back major memories for them.

----

Arwen showed everyone to their rooms. Faramir and Éowyn stayed in the same room, Arwen and Aragorn were going to share a room, and everyone else got their own room. Arwen looked around for Celebriän and Éomer. She couldn't find them anywhere, they both disappeared together. Inwë was walking through the forest nearest to Rivendell when she spotted the two of them sparring, she laughed as Celebriän and Éomer were obviously falling for each other. They made quite a pair. Two war lords, both loving war… had finally found someone who shared their passion, their skill.

Inwë slowly walked under the silver moonlight thinking of the time at the waterfall. From that day on she knew her heart belonged to him, her heart was his. Something told her that maybe, he felt the same way. Arwen slowly rode out on her horse to search for Inwë. When Arwen finally found Inwë, she had been sitting on a rock alone thinking of Legolas.

"Inwë," Arwen said stopping the beautiful gray (white) horse. Inwë looked up at the queen of Gondor as she slowly climbed off of the horse.

"This place, this forest, it surpasses all the rest. The most beautiful place I have ever seen," Inwë said looking out at the stars and remembering how Legolas shined when the soft moonlight caressed his face, and how her heart pounded when he looked into her eyes.

"Are you thinking about Legolas?" Arwen asked sitting beside the brown haired elf. Inwë looked at the stars and nodded, she then looked to Arwen who was easily one of the most beautiful she-elves in all of middle earth, "what happened?"

"That it was no accident me finding him," she said looking at the stars, "that night back in the waterfall I felt more free then ever, he made all my dreams come true. I realized that… I am free, freer with him then I ever could be on my own doing my own thing. I think he sees the real me, I have no way to hide, he took away the walls…"

"Tell him that, tell him what you want to tell him," Arwen said placing a hand on Inwë's shoulder.

"I don't want to want him," Inwë said looking down, Arwen smiled at her and Inwë knew she had to tell Legolas before her heart exploded killing anything in it's path.

"I'll go right now," Inwë said standing up; Arwen gave her a ride back to the castle where she looked for Legolas.

-----

"No that can't happen, I refuse to do that," Legolas said looking to them. They all looked at him and looked down.

"Legolas it is the only way, our only hope. I have told you why they want her, now we must trust the Valar that he will be on our side. Go to her and tell her," Elrond said looking to Aragorn who looked at the ground obviously in deep thought. He obviously didn't like the plan.

"I think she should get to choose," Legolas said standing up and pacing.

"It is either that or I can do nothing to protect her," Elrond said sitting back in his chair with not smile or emotion on his face.

"This isn't," Legolas didn't know what to say; "fine…" he quickly trailed off to go find Inwë. Legolas spotted her running towards him. He softly breathed, "Inwë."

"Legolas I need to talk to you," she said with a smile and nervousness on her face.

Just when she finally started to smile, he said touching her soft brown hair catching both of them off guard. He quickly dropped her silky curl, "I need to talk to you to."

"Really?" asked Inwë with a look on her face, "…ok you go first."

"Come over here and let's talk," he said taking her hand and leading her to the balcony that looked over Rivendell and the rest of the forest surrounding it. He took a deep breath before talking again, "I talked with Lord Elrond and we came to a decision."

"Really what is it?" she smiled at him though fear streaked her face, "are you alright my lord?"

"Please don't… look we decided that the safest place for you is to travel to The Havens with some of the other woman. They said they might be able to bring you back when the battle is over, but at least you'll be safe," he said quickly hoping that she'd not freak out and hate him again.

"What?" she said silvery tears falling from her yes, he swore he could see them freeze over once more, "but I don't want to go Legolas."

"Look it is the best chance at keeping you alive, you sail in a few days," he said turning there and leaving her to silently cry. He then remembered she wanted to talk to him about something, "oh, was there something… you wanted to say?"

"No," she said throwing her hand to her mouth and running into the hallway and to her room full of tears. Arwen got the news from Aragorn and ran off to go find Arwen; Arwen was in tears when she found Inwë.

"Inwë," Arwen cried as she walked to her, "they are just trying to look out for us. We leave for the best."

"Then why do you cry Arwen?" Inwë said wiping her tears away, Arwen sat down on a chair in Inwë's room.

"Because… I fear for Middle Earth, for Aragorn, because I am with child," Arwen said looking down. Inwë looked at her in shock.

"What?" she asked looking at Arwen, "how far along? That is a good thing; you should be able to stay."

"No one but you knows Inwë; I am a little over a month along. That is a reason for me to go, it is a beautiful place though Inwë truly beautiful. More beautiful then Rivendell," Arwen said tears still flooding her sapphire eyes.

"Arwen I don't care how beautiful it is there, I have finally found a place I belong, I finally feel safe and secure, I finally found someone I feel completely comfortable with, besides you of course…" she added quickly.

"My father made his decision I do not think we can change that," Arwen said with tears in her eyes, "we should pack."

Authors note: Thanks for reading peoples I hope you liked this chapter! There was a little more fluff in this chapter; I have to add those scenes you know… so some how her icy heard will burn with a flame. I enjoy using this character in my story. I am not use to writing characters like her, the ones I write are usually… sad with a reason and a family at the same time… they usually are childish and naive to the world… she has seen its cruelties.