Vanya burst through the doors to the caves, eyes scanning over every empty crevice. The people were beginning to go back to the surface of Helms Deep but Vanya knew that Eraithwen was still here. She could feel her.
She finally spotted her in Haldir's arms, the male elf resting his head against the wall as he held her tightly against his chest. Eraithwen's shoulder was bandaged up, but Vanya could still see the blood soaking through the thick cloth. But Haldir didn't look all that swell either. He had removed his outer armor until he was just wearing his chain mail over his tunic, and Vanya could see the red tint to the metal as well as the large hole.
"Eraithwen!" She called desperately.
She ran forward, falling to her knees at Eraithwen's side. Haldir stirred, his eyes opening and his movements causing Eraithwen to slowly awaken as well.
"Eraithwen, you're alive." Vanya said, tears spilling from her eyes.
"Of course I am." Eraithwen laughed softly, the sound weak to Vanya's ears. "Is it over?"
"Yes, Eraithwen." Vanya beamed. "We did it. We beat them back."
"Thank Elbereth." Eraithwen smiled, leaning her head against Haldir's shoulder. "Are you hurt?"
He shook his head, kissing her forehead.
Vanya raised an eyebrow at him, locking gazes with the wood elf over Eraithwen's head. He shook his head and she gritted her teeth.
Eraithwen wasn't as blind as they seemed to think, though. She remembered the blow Haldir had taken and reached her hand down to his side, feeling a wet liquid coat her fingertips. She brought it into her line of vision to see a red substance blushing her skin.
"Haldir." She said, her tone warning.
"I'm fine." Haldir lied.
Eraithwen sat up, hissing in pain when she realized her side now hurt too.
"Haldir, do not lie to me." She whispered. "I can feel it."
"Come on, let us exit the caves and go somewhere more comfortable." Vanya said quickly. "I'll heal you. Then, my dear Eraithwen, you can go see an old friend of yours."
Eraithwen raised an eyebrow at her before she realized just what that met.
"Aries…" She whispered.
She gritted her teeth, baring the pain as she stood up. Haldir rushed to stand up as well. Vanya put an arm around each of them and helped them hobble out of the caves.
Eraithwen sat eagerly watching as Vanya finished up her Elven healing magic on Haldir, waiting impatiently for herself to be healed as well. When Vanya turned to her, she smiled and shook her head at her friend.
"You're excited to see him, I presume?" She asked, undoing the bandage from around Eraithwen's shoulder.
"Of course, I've missed him so much!" Eraithwen exclaimed, cringing when she got too excited and moved her shoulder too much.
"Him?" Haldir asked suspiciously. "Should I be worried?"
"Oh you should be worried." Vanya told him, her voice amused. "But not in quite the way you surely are now."
Eraithwen waited quietly as Vanya's smooth words and soft hands tended to her skin, mending the marred pieces together and leaving only a small scar.
"There you are." Vanya stood back but Eraithwen was already to her feet.
"Come you must meet him!" Eraithwen exclaimed, grabbing Haldir's hand.
"He's waiting atop the keep!" Vanya called as Eraithwen ran out, almost running over Legolas on his way in.
He laughed then. "She seems much better."
Vanya nodded softly. "She is… thank Elbereth, she is."
Legolas walked forward, tucking her dirty hair behind her ear. He loved how even as muddy and bloody as she still was from the battle, she looked beautiful. He brushed a smug of dirt from her cheek and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
"You are magnificent, my lady." He told her softly. "I have only just realized the ends to which your power meets… You would've made your father proud today."
Vanya's smile faded a little and she nodded. "I would like to think so."
Legolas nodded, leaning back to gaze at her face longingly. "I can only hope to serve my people as you still do, even in their absence. You would've made a strong queen, my lady… And I pray you still will."
Vanya tilted her head at him, watching as he got closer and closer to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and holding her against him.
"When this is over, I want you to know that I wish to stay by your side." Legolas said softly. "No matter what you choose, be it Mirkwood, Faelooke or the Undying Lands theirself. I will follow you."
Her eyes grew misty and she gazed into his eyes, seeing everything she'd ever dreamed of there.
"I don't know yet where I would choose to go…" She muttered softly. "But I do know that I can't go without you. I've realized that now…"
Legolas' radiant smile brought a chill to her skin and she moved forward, pressing her lips ever-so-softly to his. He moved, tilting his head as he deepened the kiss he had waited for for such a long time. She kept a firm hold on his tunic, keeping him from moving away as she parted her lips, welcoming him in. He breathed in her scent, feeling her down to his very toes. The taste of battle was still on her tongue, but it was sweet instead of bitter.
Between them the Tigers Eye began to glow, causing them to break apart when it grew bright enough.
"It's…" Vanya stared at it, wide eyed.
Legolas made to move away but she stopped him. Suddenly the glow enveloped the room, surrounding them completely with a blinding light. Legolas was confused, but he held onto Vanya protectively.
When the light faded Vanya was surprised to see another glowing stone just the same as hers around Legolas' neck. She checked to see if hers was still there, and it was. She looked up at him and beamed, knowing now in her heart that this union was right. The Elder Elves had shown her, truly shown her, that love can overpower anything.
"Elbereth…" Vanya whispered. "It's true then…"
"What's true?" Legolas caught sight of his own jewel and was taken aback. "What- Why?"
Vanya just smiled up at him. "The true union of the Tiger Eye. My grandmother told me stories… She said that when the wielder of the Immortal Tigers Eye meets the only person in this world that can complete them, the Tigers Eye connects their souls and creates a new stone."
She brushed her fingers over the stone around his neck as it began to fade. "You, Legolas Greenleaf, are now also a barer of the Tigers Eye. And the new commander of the Golden Fleet."
"Golden…Fleet?" Legolas whispered.
Vanya turned to the window, showing him that the sky was now glowing gold just as it had before when her dragons had ascended from the sky. He gasped as hundreds more dragons entered the sky, screeching for their master. Their Golden scales sparkled in the sunlight as they flew in organized circles over the battlefield. Suddenly Legolas' heart grew and he realized this was real, in his heart he felt every single dragon out there, he was now a part of them.
"Do you feel it?" Vanya asked, touching his shoulder softly. "They are calling to you, Legolas. You must go to them."
Legolas took a moment, his blue eyes forever watching the horde of dragons above. Then he ran off towards the gates, for he simply had to meet them. Vanya laughed before following after him.
Eraithwen flew like an eagle up the stairs to the very top of the keep. When she reached the top she called out in delight. Haldir looked at her strangely as she dropped his hand and ran forward with open arms.
"Aries!" She yelled, running towards the towering dragon that clung to the side of the keep.
Haldir was shocked, falling back in utter terror as the dragon let out a call in reply. He unsheathed his sword, ready to run the creature through before he heard Eraithwen's calm laughter.
"He won't hurt you!" Eraithwen smirked before winking at him. "At least, not unless I tell him to."
"Eraithwen, please get away from that…that-that thing!" Haldir demanded.
Eraithwen shook her head, hugging the neck of her dragon lovingly. "Never! And he's not a thing, his name is Aries. Aries, this is Haldir."
Aries groaned, bowing his head to Haldir in greeting.
Haldir's jaw dropped in shock.
"He says hello, he's pleased to meet you." Eraithwen said, petting the dragons nozzle like he was a horse. "Come greet him, Haldir. He won't bite, I promise."
Haldir looked warily at the dragon, noticing a hint of hidden mischief in his eyes. He gulped before taking a few steps forward, not daring to sheath his sword.
"Put away your sword." Eraithwen told him as if reading her mind. "I don't want you cutting open my best friend."
Haldir grumbled a few choice words before putting away his blade. He took another step forward and Aries snapped his jaw merely an inch away from Haldir's face. The elf flew back, clinging to the wall as the dragon ostensibly laughed darkly.
"Aries!" Eraithwen scolded him, however trying hard to hide her amusement. "Be nice!"
She walked over to Haldir, grabbing his hand and dragging him towards Aries. Haldir tried to move away from Eraithwen held him strong, taking his hand and forcing him to reach out and pet the dragon. Aries shook with shivers, purring like a mere kitten at the touch.
"He likes you." Eraithwen smiled. "He's just not too fond of men is all."
"I see…" Haldir said quietly, moving away. He'd had enough of risking his very life today.
"Come on!" Eraithwen jumped on Aries' back and the dragon called out in elation.
She held out her hand to Haldir, laughing as Haldir took one look into Aries' dark eyes and watching his enjoyment of Haldir's hesitance. The proud elf huffed, taking Eraithwens hand and heaving himself behind her on the dragon.
Aries flew off the tower through the air. Haldir held onto Eraithwen tightly as she yelled out over the fields. He could feel the wind blowing through his hair, the ground rushing past them below as they flew higher and higher. Everything looked so much more beautiful from up in the sky.
He could get used to this…
As they flew the sky began turn gold and the clouds parted.
"Uh-oh…" Eraithwen cast her eyes upwards, shocked. "There's no way…"
Aries roared, flying down to the outer grounds where the rest of the red dragons waited and watched as the Golden ones flew from the sky.
"More dragons?!" Aragorn called from a ways away. "Who conjures them up now?"
"It's…" Eraithwen looked back over to the tall towers of Helms Deep.
Her Elven eyes could see that far away in the distance, Legolas was standing next to a window, Vanya calmly behind him.
"It's Legolas." Eraithwen said before raising her voice. "It's Legolas! He's called them!"
"Legolas?" Haldir questioned from behind her. "Legolas is an elf of the Woodland Realm, how would he have control over any dragons?"
"Legolas has made Vanya's heart strong." Eraithwen explained. "Therefore the Elders have chosen to give him a gift… The Golden Dragons of Mohr."
Legolas ran out into the fields, not paying attention to the gasps and whisper around him, wondering about the new dragons. Vanya was right behind him until he was directly in front of the red dragons. He waited, watching as the golden ones flew down in ranks.
"What's going on, Vanya?" Aragorn asked from her side. "Why do you bring these dragons here when the battle is already over."
"I didn't." Vanya said, shaking her head. "He did."
Aragorn's eyes moved to Legolas, who was too distracted by the dragons to pay him any mind. His eyes caught the pendant around the woodland elves neck before he looked back at Vanya's. When he noticed they were the same, he stepped back with a gasp.
Legolas stepped forward towards the now grounded dragons. His eyes took in all of them in their gleaming glory, until he got to the largest dragon, staring at him with beady eyes from the very front of the horde. He could see the very same engravings he'd earlier noticed on Pandora on this dragon, only these engravings were black.
Master we come at your first call. A deep voice said in his head. We have waited long for your arrival.
Legolas tilted his head at him. I am Legolas Greenleaf. May I ask your name, great dragon?
The dragon bowed it's large head, the rest of the fleet following suit in greeting. Before he knew it all the golden beasts were bowed before him. His heart grew to ache in his chest, a feeling of utter pride growing in his stomach.
I am Dagda, Elder Leader of the Golden Fleet. We are here to serve you, Master Legolas.
"What's the meaning of this?" Gimli asked from beside Vanya.
She simply grinned at him. "Even I do not know, my friend. Even I do not know."
She stepped forward, reaching for Legolas' hand and holding it tightly in her own.
Dragon Masters. Two voices echoed in the both of their heads, united. Deep down they knew the voices were those of Pandora and Dagda. Through this union you are now King and Queen of Faelooke, the great dragon kingdom. We bow before you, to serve you for the rest of your Immortal days.
Legolas looked over at Vanya who was just as shocked as he was. She shrugged, not sure what to say to that.
Behind her the red dragons reared up, roaring in unison. The Golden ones did the same, flapping their wings into the sky and joining together to form one great circle.
When you call, we will answer. The voices echoed in their head.
Legolas reached out but the dragons were already disappearing into the clouds. He turned to Vanya, not sure what to think.
"We…?" He asked quietly. "How can I be a King of a kingdom I have never been to?"
She sighed. "The kingdom is now gone, my love. Now our place lies in the hearts of our dragons."
She looked up to the sky, seeing the very last dragon disappear. "In time, everything will make sense…"
"I am already the heir to the throne of Mirkwood." Legolas whispered. "I just don't understand…"
"You will stay the heir to the throne of Mirkwood." Vanya told him, holding his face in her hands. "Do not fret, my love, for this is only the beginning. Soon all our questions will be answered."
"And what about my questions?" An old voice asked from behind them.
The both of them turned to see the very curious, very confused Fellowship looking at them intently.
Legolas and Vanya exchanged looks before smiling weakly at them.
"So it seems that the great Dragon Masters of Faelooke have descended upon us." Gandalf said, stepping forward to give them a knowing look. "I imagine you were surprised, master Legolas, when those dragons erupted for the sky, calling to your heart."
"I'm not quite sure surprised covers it." Legolas muttered.
"Well, it is unavoidable now." Gandalf said with a smile. "I congratulate you, Legolas Greeleaf of the Woodland Realm, and King of Faelooke. And you as well, Lady Vanya. For you have found your true match in life, and that can only make you stronger."
Vanya nodded appreciatively as he turned back to the others. "However there is no time to waste. We must ride to Isengard. I have a bit of business with that Saruman."
The ride through Fangorn was dark. The forest seemed to still creek of anger and yet again Vanya was struck with a pain in her skull at the enormity of it. She hid her face in Legolas' back as they rode, keeping her ear pressed tight enough against it to where she could hear his heart, and that calmed her.
Behind them rode Eraithwen and Gimli, and then Haldir on his own horse.
"This place is ominous." Haldir muttered and Gimli looked back at him.
"If only you knew, my friend." He told him.
The break of day was suddenly visible ahead, like a light at the end of a tunnel.
When they broke through, Vanya was delighted to see two familiar hobbits resting upon the broken wall. They looked utterly relaxed, eating, drinking and smoking weed from their pipes.
Marry slowly rose to his feet on the wall, spreading his arms in greeting.
"Welcome, my lords and ladies!" He yelled out. "To Isengard!"
"You young rascals!" Gimli called back. "After all this time you've led us on! And we find ya feasting and- and smoking!"
At that the hobbits took another elated puff.
"We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts." Pippin informed him, taking another bite of his food. "The salted pork is particularly good."
Gimli muttered an excited. "Sa-salted pork?"
Eraithwen nudged the back of his head in laughter.
"Huh. Hobbits." Gandalf said, shaking his head.
"We're under orders from Treebeard." Marry told them. "Who's taken over management of Isengard."
"Well what are you waiting for?" Eraithwen called to him. "Let us through you little mischiefs!"
Pippin let out a loud laugh before urging them forward. He climbed on the back of Aragorns horse while Marry hitched a ride with Haldir.
"Have we met before?" Marry asked of the elf before him. "I feel as if you're familiar."
"I'm Haldir of Lorien." The elf told him.
"Oh…" Marry nodded slowly. "I see. What are you doing here?"
"That's a long story." Eraithwen told him as they trekked through the water to the great tower of Isenguard.
Vanya looked up in awe of the large tree like creature as they approached him. He was, as she'd been previously informed, an Ent. A large walking, talking tree that was incredibly slow in everything he did.
"Ah Young Master Gandalf." Treebeard called in his deep voice. "I'm…mmm…glad you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master. But there is a wizard to manage here. Locked in his tower."
They all looked up ominously at the tower. Vanya leaned back in the saddle, eyeing the very top of the tower suspiciously.
"Be careful." Gandalf warned. "Even in defeat, Saruman is dangerous."
"Then let's just have his head and be done with it!" Gimli exclaimed.
"No." Gandalf hushed him. "We need him alive…We need him to talk."
Eraithwen huffed, speaking quietly. "We need him to burn, that's what we need him to do."
"Ya got that right." Gimli told her.
Suddenly a voice was heard over the rushing water and Vanya caught sight of what she had before sensed. A tall, slender man with white hair dressed in graying white robes. His face was smudged with dirt and his eyes dark with power.
"You have fought many wars and slayed many men, Théoden King." The voice spoke. "And made peace afterwards. Can we not take counsel together as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?"
Eraithwen looked over to Théoden who gazed quietly at the ground for a moment before speaking.
"We shall have peace." Theioden assured him, slightly surprising Eraithwen. That was, until he finished. "We shall have peace when you answer for the burning of the Westfold! And the children that lie dead there! We shall have peace, when the lives of the soldiers – who's bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the gates of the Hornburg – are avenged! When you hang from a gibbit for the sport of your own crows… We shall have peace."
"Gibbits and crows?" Saruman spat. "Dotard! What do you want, Gandalf Greyhame? Let me guess. The key of Orthanc? Or perhaps the keys of Barad-Dur itself? Along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the five wizards?"
Vanya lowered her head then, a great pain washing over her mind. Legolas turned, feeling her despair even as she didn't make a sound.
"Are you okay?" He whispered.
Eraithwen turned to look at Vanya, their eyes locking. Her eyes asked the same question and Vanya looked back towards the forest. The trees were now growing restless… something was terribly wrong.
"Your treachery has already cost many lives." Galdalf told him. "Thousands more are now at risk! But you can save them, Saruman! You were deep in the enemies counsel."
"So you have come here for information?" Saruman asked.
Vanya looked up at him, feeling the darkness radiate off him in waves. She crumbled against Legolas, feeling crushed but not daring to make the others aware, especially Saruman.
Legolas didn't need any other signal, he pulled Vanya around him, setting her in front of him instead of behind him.
"Vanya." He whispered against her ear. He took her hands in his and held on tightly. "Stay calm. Rest your head back. All will be fine."
"I have some for you." Saruman finally said, pulling out a dark swirling orb from his sleeve.
Vanya whimpered, her mind being engulfed by the darkness. She could see him, the Eye of Sauron. It was horrifying, staring straight back her. She felt weak and powerless, and most of all frightened.
"Shhh, stay with me, Vanya." Legolas' voice whispered to her, and she fought to do just that.
She closed her eyes on Sauron even as he began whispering in her ear.
"All you love will burn. Your love will die."
She forced herself back to reality hiding her face in Legolas' chest.
"His attack will come soon." Saruman warned. "You're all going to die."
Eraithwen looked up at him with disbelieving eyes. She saw Marry nearly shaking behind Haldir yet the elf himself hardly looked shaken. Saruman was full of lies, and both of them were very aware of it.
"But you know this, don't you, Gandalf?" Saruman asked. "You cannot think that this ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor!"
Eraithwen scoffed. "It is painfully obvious that you do not know the strength of men, you wretched snail!"
Saruman's eyes cast to Eraithwen and she smirked at him, her eyes boring into his. "An elf of Faelooke? I wondered why I heard the dragon call so close not long ago. You, my friend, know better than anyone what the power of Sauron can do."
"Yes. I do!" Eraithwen snapped. "Which is why I will fight until this so called death you speak of. And I will make sure his power never touches the homelands of men, elves, hobbits and dwarves alike! Never again will he take a home from a lonely soul!"
"My elleth, you have not the power to follow up on your threats." Saruman seethed.
"I've heard enough!" Gimli exclaimed. "Shoot him. Stick an arrow in his gab!"
Legolas reached back in his quiver, ready to do just that before Gandalf stopped him.
"No!" The wizard said. "Come down, Saruman. And your life will be spared!"
"Save your pity and your mercy!" Saruman yelled. "I have no use for it!"
From the end of his staff Saruman threw a flame directly at Gandalf. Eraithwen gasped as it engulfed him completely. Only to be relieved when the flame cleared to show Gandalf unharmed.
"Saruman." Gandalf said then. "Your staff is broken."
And with those simple words the former white wizards staff exploded into tiny pieces in his hand. Eraithwen watched as the wretched little Grima Wormtongue came slithering up behind Saruman, cowering in fear.
"I should've known we'd find him here." Eraithwen growled.
"Grima!" Théoden called. "You need not follow him! You were not always as you are now! You were once a man of Rohan. Come down…"
The slimy thing bowed his head before walking backwards in compliance.
"A man…of Rohan?" Saruman uttered. "What is the house of Rohan but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the wreak? And their brats roll on the floor with the dogs? Victory at Helms Deep does not belong to you, Théoden, horse master!"
"Grima…" Théoden called softly. "Come down. Be free of him."
"Free?!" Saruman exclaimed. "He will never be free."
Grima shook his head slowly. "No…"
"Get down." Saruman demanded, smacking Grima to the ground.
"Saruman!" Gandalf shouted. "You were deep in the enemies counsel! Tell us what you know."
"You will withdraw your guard, and I will tell you where your doom will be decided." Saruman bargained.
Eraithwen was very aware of Grima's every movement, she just didn't have the will to stop him. She watched as he pulled out a long dagger, nearing closer and closer to Saruman…
"I will not be held prisoner here!" Saruman demanded.
Grima struck then, stabbing Saruman multiple times in the back.
Without being told, Haldir notched an arrow and shot Grima right in the chest. The slimy little bastard fell back in agony.
Then Saruman's lifeless body fell to be pierced by the sharp edge of a turning wheel.
"Send word to all our allies." Gandalf said quickly. "And to every corner of Middle Earth that still stands free. The enemy moves against us, we need to know where he will strike!"
Vanya lifted her head, her face pale as she caught sight of Saruman dead on the spinning wheel. She watched as the wheel creaked, and then as the dark orb slipped out of his sleeve and into the water. She groaned, turning her head away again.
"The filth of Saruman…" Treebeard said. "Is washing away."
Vanya noticed when Pippin of all people caught sight of the sparkling object in the water. She wanted to beg him not to touch it. She wished he would just leave it to be buried deep under the ground and never be seen again.
"Bless my bark!" Treebeard exclaimed when he saw what Pippin had retrieved.
"Perigrin Took!" Gandalf said warningly. "I'll take that, my lad. Quickly now."
Pippin took a moment, but eventually handed the Palantír over to Gandalf, who wrapped it in his robes and turned away.
The ride back to Edoras wasn't as long as Vanya remembered, perhaps because she had fallen asleep against Legolas this time. However the great party that awaited them when they arrived lifted her spirits just a bit.
They were gathered in the great hall, all armed with a pint of ale in their hands. The King lifted his cup and everyone stood.
"Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country." Theioden spoke out. "Hail the victorious dead."
"Hail!" The crowd called, and they drank.
Vanya strayed off as the party grew more and more rowdy. Countless drunken men were hitting on her, and she didn't find it as amusing as Eraithwen did. She should've known better though, than to leave Legolas and Gimli alone with alcohol.
Legolas had an elven tolerance for the drink, however Gimli did not and he was very competitive about every single thing…
Eraithwen was laughing as a couple of intoxicated idiots as they rambled about how gorgeous her long golden hair was and how she was rather curvy for an elf. One of them got a little too close, breathing his nasty alcohol breath on her. She gagged, moving back against the wall.
"Okay, you've run your course of entertainment for tonight." She muttered, pushing him back.
But he was too plastered to notice, so he fell forward, locking both arms on either side of her head.
"What do you say we go back to my quarters and I show you how real men treat their women in bed?" He slurred.
Eraithwen would've shoved him off, had a hand not pulled the man back and thrown him onto a table. Haldir looked at the man with a raised eyebrow as he passed out where he lay.
"Was he bothering you?" Haldir asked her.
She shook her head. "Not now. Thank you, you saved me from having to emasculate him."
"I see." Haldir snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her forward. "It's too bad. He probably deserved it."
She brought her hand up and touched his face, bringing her lips to meet hers quickly. He smiled into the kiss, feeling that same fire inside of him that he had felt in Lothlórien.
"I think this party is tiring…" He whispered against her ear as he pulled away. "Some place a little more private maybe?"
Eraithwen raised an eyebrow at him, laughing. "You're awful forward, Haldir of Lorien."
"I'm a lot of things, Eraithwen." Haldir informed her. "And one of those things is good in bed."
"Oh, I see." Eraithwen nodded justly before laughing and shaking her head at him. "You're simply ridiculous."
He groaned as she ran off from him, laughing as she searched for a new amusing inebriated spectacle.