Note: As always, thank you to all you continue to read the story.

Thank you Woman of Letters, I always appreciate the reviews and I'll try and go back and fix the corrections.

These next few chapters are so important and I have to admit, I have been torn on the direction as well as what will Samantha decided about telling others about her knowledge.

Chapter 9

Priorities. Yes - that was my plan. I was going to attempt to plan my new life here. I pulled an extra blanket out into the patio and went over in my head the pro and con of ideas. What was decided? Well I knew that I wanted to stay in Gondor for Aragorn's coronation, I knew that Legolas and Gimli would be traveling to Fangorn Forest and then to the Glittering Caves. Perhaps then I would either stay in Gondor with Aragorn or maybe travel with the Hobbits?

Another option is finding out what Lothlorien or Rivendell will be like after the War ends. I wasn't sure what happens or if my best option is to be here in Gondor.

I would have to see how the relationship with Legolas and I went, would we continue to date after the War of the Ring, should I be going to Mirkwood with him? Out of all I had to figure out this was the trickiest because… you couldn't plan this stuff.

'Were you planning to sleep under the stars?' Legolas called to me at the door breaking my concentration.

'Possibly.' I retort with a smirk as I watched him settle down, 'Do you want any of the blanket?'

'Sure.' Legolas replies

I scooted over to make room and once we settled I wrapped the blanket around the two of us. It was a beautiful night- if you disregarded the blackened sky that was the location of Mordor…. No big deal. When morning came, the council will be held and the decision to become a diversion for Sauron would begin.

'Tell me about your childhood? About your home.' I state to Legolas snuggling closer to absorb his warmth, enjoying the comfort of having him here.

He told me about growing up in the palace and about the woods surrounding it. He talked about his father and the people of Mirkwood and of the festivities they had for the seasons. I sat quietly with my eyes closed trying to picture myself standing in the woods as he explained their power and age. I told him about growing up, how my parents were hippies and promoted self-expression. Even talking about my World seemed strange… almost faded, where I had strain to put my thoughts there.

'Do you wish to have kids one day also?' Legolas asked me his breath on my ear

'Yeah… I think so.' I reply after a pause, 'To be honest I never really thought about it too much. At home, it always seemed like a far-off idea and since I was not seriously dating someone it didn't matter a whole lot. What about you?'

'I felt much the same. I did not spend much time on the thought, too busy with border patrols and keeping our woods safe.' Legolas states thoughtfully, 'Although - I do think about it more now.' squeezing me and planting a kiss on my head. Making my heart jump another pace.

'Do know what you'll do when the War ends?' I ask wondering if he had a plan. Trying to calm my racing heart.

'I do not know. Gimli and I promised each other that should this War end that we would travel together. I am unsure of what to plan for with the War still not finished and at the peak of climax.' Legolas replies rubbing my arm

'True, it is hard to plan when life and death are battling it out.' I state looking out into the night sky

'There is one thing I do think about…. If this war ends and I survive.' Legolas murmurs into my ear sending shivers down my spine, 'I want us to continue on this path. You mean a great dealt to me and I see hope in the future having you in it.'

He placed soft butterfly kisses down my neck and collar bone as I tilted my head back in pleasure. This was pure torture!

'Mmm- yes I like this idea.' I state glancing sideways at him with heavy eyes

'Good.' Legolas states leaning in for a kiss

Ah! To be in love!

I was half asleep the next morning as I followed Legolas to the main hall for the council. We were up late into the night and I wish for coffee. I took a seat at the table next to Gimli and smiled a hello, helping myself to food as Gandalf began the meeting.

'Frodo has passed beyond my sight. The darkness is deepening.'

'If Sauron had the Ring, we would know it.' Aragorn interjected

'It is only a matter of time. He has suffered a defeat, yes, but behind the walls of Mordor our enemy is regrouping.' Gandalf states.

'Let him stay there. Let him rot. Why should we care?' Gimli states taking a puff from his pipe

'Because- ten thousand Orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom.' Gandalf replies giving Gimli a pointed look, 'I have sent him to his death.'

'No, there is still hope for Frodo.' Aragorn states suddenly, 'There is still hope for Frodo. He needs time and a safe passage across the Plain of Gorgoroth. We can give him that.'

'How?' I ask piping in

'Draw out Sauron's armies- empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate.' Aragorn replies glancing at me before settling on Eomer.

'We cannot achieve victory from strength of arms.' Eomer interjects confused

'Not for ourselves… but we can give Frodo his chance. If we keep Sauron's eye fixed upon us. Keep him blind to all else that moves.' Aragorn states finally getting to his idea

'A diversion.' Legolas states with understanding

'Sauron will suspect a trap. He will not take the bait!' Gandalf states, not convinced of this idea. His eyes briefly land on me.

'Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?' Gimli states excitement brimming

'I agree with Aragorn the best way to help Frodo is to create this diversion. Is there reports about where Sauron keeps his army and if it is in the path of the plains?' I add hoping Gandalf takes the hint that this is what should be agreed upon.

'Are all in favor?' Gandalf asks looking at each one of us and getting nods in response, 'Good, we shall take a day to prepare the march to Mordor.'

The meeting breaks up with Aragorn and Eomer following Gandalf to discuss the logistics of the map of their travels.

'Coming?' Gimli states to Legolas getting up to follow Aragorn

'Yes.' Legolas replied before turning to me, 'We shall meet up later then.'

'Yes, go on. I want to finish breakfast.' I reply with a smile. I sit back down at the table watching them all walk away, turning towards my breakfast I mull over what I still need to figure out about my future.

Going back to my room I decided that I needed to be doing something. I didn't want to just sit around while the guys were mapping out the route to Mordor. I grabbed what was left of my medic back and headed back to the healing house. I hoped they would let me help do something.

A girl came out the door with a basket full of dirty clothes and I pulled her aside, 'Miss, I'm sorry to bother you. I was wondering who do I talk to inside to offer help. Whatever you might need help with.' I state with a small encouraging smile

'Of course milady, find the nurse that wears the cap. She will direct you to what you can help with.' the young girl replies switching the basket to her other side before making a small bow and walking off.

Once my eyes adjusted to the dim light I found the lady with the nurse hat and I made my way over to her.

'I'm sorry to bother you. I was wondering if I could help in anyway?' I state with a smile

'That is very kind of you milady but you should not worry, we have maids and servants.' the nurse said politely trying to move past me.

'You miss understand, I'm not royalty. I do not like sitting around and I am not from Gondor. Even if you want me to sit in the corner and clean or collect items it would come as a relief to me.' I state urging her a bit more.

The women with greying hair pulled back into a tight bun, stared at me for a while before relenting, 'Okay, if you insist. Do you have any skills?'

'Thank you very much!' I reply breaking out into a smile, 'I have some skill what do need me to do?'

'I would like you change bandages and clean the wounds to keep infections away.' the lady states ushering me to follow her.

For the next hour or so, I followed her to each patient as she explained what their injuries were and what she needed from me. I gave only hints of what I was taught but I left the work to the healers. In Rohan, I realized that again there are stereotypes on the roles of men and women and this was the same in the medical field.

'I was wondering where you went off too.' Legolas called softly from behind me. 'Then I remembered a similar situation at Helm's Deep which led me here.'

'Hello. Sorry I needed to find something to keep me busy.' I state as I finished wrapping a man arm

'I understand, will you be here longer?' Legolas asked looking down at me

'Let me go ask to see.' I reply leaving to find the lady from before 'Hi, I'm sorry to bother you. Is it okay if I leave?'

'Oh my dear, you may leave when you are done. Thank you for the help.' The lady states with a smile

'May I come back and help or if you know where else people want help. Hard work… or manual work is not a problem for me.' I state with a smile

'What your name love?' the lady asked

'Samantha.'

'It is nice to meet you Samantha and you are always more than welcome to come and help. My name is Dorthey, so just ask for me.' Dorthey states with soft smile

'It's nice to meet you as well, and thank you.' I reply walking back towards Legolas who was waiting for me at the door.

'I was thinking we should take our lunch in one of the courtyards.' Legolas states as we begin the walk back to our room.

'Sure, I'm okay with that.' I state smiling up at him, excited about him making plans for us.

'Good. I went and grabbed our food already and it's waiting in our room.' Legolas states taking my hand

'Aw you're so sweet! Our room huh?' I state teasingly, 'Our Room', I like the new update.'

He just smiles at me and chooses not to comment but I can tell he is pleased by my reaction. Grabbing the basket with our lunch I let him lead the way. It wasn't far away from where our room was and it was a court yard with shrubbery and flowers with a view of North side of Gondor.

'This is a nice spot. Much more appealing then staring at the skies of Mordor.' I comment looking around at the court yard

'I felt that way also and I found this spot wandering around and thought it would be a nice place to get away and out of the room.' Legolas replies cheerfully

Walking around the center flower display we found a bench and took a seat, pulling out our food. Which consisted of bread, dried meat and wine.

'There is not much choices due to rationing.' Legolas comments reading my thoughts about the food.

'That is all right. Beggars can't be choosers.' I state with a smile

'That is an interesting phrase.' Legolas states with humor

'Yep, just another little thing from home.' I state sending him a wink, 'How did the meeting go?'

'It is still going on between Aragorn and Gandalf. What has been decided is the path well take to get to Mordor.' Legolas began, 'They are hoping to be able to set out tomorrow morning.'

'Will they be able to gather enough men in time?' I ask curious while taking a sip of the wine

'They'll bring what men they can but this is also a diversion in the hopes that it gives Frodo enough time to destroy the Ring.' Legolas replies

'I see.' I realized that maybe this isn't what he wants to talk about. 'So, is there food called ice cream here?'

'What is that exactly?' Legolas asked amused

'It's made from cow's milk and its mixed cream and flavors and then frozen so you eat it cold.' what started off as a smile of good memories turned into a frown from his confused face, 'I'll take that as a no. damn.'

'It is still fascinating hearing about all that your World has.' Legolas states cleaning up our food and wrapping an arm around me to pull me close.

'Yeah it has some cool stuff. I miss a lot of it but… others, I don't mind that it's not here.' I reply

'Tell me something else.'

'Hm…coffee. I miss coffee. The things people would accomplish if they had coffee here!' I state musing about all the possibilities 'Oh, the smell of coffee brewing! It's heavenly!'

'Coffee is something I do know of.' Legolas replies

'What!' I shout jerking myself out of his grasp to look up at him shocked. 'You have coffee here!'

'Yes, although Elves do not have much use for it.' Legolas surmised

'Where can I get coffee? Oh - my mind is blown- I can't even….'I mumble mostly to myself, thinking of all the times having coffee would have been heavenly. 'This is just-wow.'

'I am sure the Men of Gondor have it or have it shipped. I am surprised on how much coffee means to you.' Legolas states in amusement

'Yes, I will ask Aragorn all about this. You don't understand…. Coffee is a life saver. I cannot even count how much coffee helped me through college or an early morning meeting….'I rambled on

He laughed at my clear love of coffee and grabbed my hands to pull me into a kiss. Sighing I looked up at him, happy and content to be in his arms.

'You know….' I begin staring into his eyes, my heart filled with happiness and joy over this Elf. 'I love you.' I state smiling broadly at him.

I didn't care if this wasn't the right time to fall in love or start a relationship when he would be going off to Mordor. I had known a while now that my feelings towards him wasn't just romantic feelings but something more.

The more I kept thinking about my future here I kept returning to thoughts of Legolas. So, on this perfect afternoon I decided it was time to take a risk; now it was waiting for his response.