Chapter twelve

The Paths before Battle

'Lady Eareliath, would you come down from there?' a melodic voice called from a glade to the leafy rooftops of a birch tree.

A small and higher pitched voice answered angrily. 'No! You can't make me!'

The owner of melodic voice laughed. 'And why not?'

The little girl whom the high-pitched voice belonged to emerged from the branches. 'Why can't you make me come down or why don't I want to?' she asked the person standing at the foot of the birch tree looking up at her. The person was dressed in a forest green tunic with dark brown leggings and the same shade of green boots. His ears were pointed and he had an angled face fairer than any man

'Never ask an Elf for they say both yes and no.' the Elf said with a slight grin. The little girl just stuck out her tongue at the elf and hid behind at the trees again.

The Elf smiled as the girl hid again. Being one of the fair folk, he easily could see where the little girl was hiding. He could climb up the tree and bring her down, but he knew the child would not let him. So he decided she would come down if she wanted to. Instead he whistled a tune and sat down at the foot of the tree.

'Why are you up there anyway Lady Eareliath?' he asked her gazing upward, stretching his legs in front of him and leaning back against the tree.

The Elf heard rustling above him as the little girl moved up higher. 'Because,' she cried, 'Elves always make me show them things that are not worth showing. And I'm not a Lady.'

'Oh?' the Elf asked, interest and amusement in his voice as he looked up again. 'Such as?' he saw a flash of pink from a branch that traveled towards another before he heard a reply.

'Such as eating a whole cake for tea, or hopping on one leg or sticking out a tongue.' The little girl's voice was filled with anger that it only made the Elf laugh more than anything else. Looking up, he saw her climbing higher still.

'My, my,' he said after his laughter was carried up towards the trees. 'Those things are definitely not worth showing at all . Perhaps later we'll tell the others about what you think and maybe they will stop bothering you. How's that sound?' he said smiling up to the leafy branches.

'Promise?' the girl asked. The Elf knew that the child valued promises greatly so he knew how serious this was for her. However, he was not one to back out of his word.

'I promise.' He said promptly, idly crossing his stretched legs. When he garnered no reply, he changed the topic. 'Why don't you want the others calling you "lady"?'

The tree was devoid of movement for a while but the elf knew the child was still up there. So he waited. 'Eareliath?' he asked a few moments later. 'Why don't you want me calling you lady?"

'Because," squeaked the girl moments after. The elf noticed that the tone changed and the sureness the little girl felt was suddenly gone. 'Because…I'm afraid!' she cried.

The Elf stood up from his seat and looked up at the tree, his hands on his waist, amused yet again by her words. 'Because you're afraid? Now what kind of a reason is that little Eareliath?'

To the Elf's surprise, there was no answer yet again. 'Eareliath?' the Elf called peering through the trees trying to get a glimpse of the little girl. He saw her seconds later perched on top a branch.

'Legolas?' the little girl called, her voice full of dread. 'I'm…afraid…I can't come down…I think I'm going to fall!'

Eareliath began to cry, her sobs carried to the Elf below. Legolas heard her cry and knew this was no trick.

'Juliana? Can you hear me?' he called running to the foot of the tree to look directly up in the interior of the birch.

The Elf heard her sniffle and acknowledge that she indeed heard him. He started to grab a branch to pull himself up. 'Don't worry; I'm coming up to get you; you have my word. Just don't move, all right, little one?'

Above him, Legolas heard the girl say yes. Being an Elf, he could easily climb the tree, gifted with nimbleness and agility. He climbed the branches careful not to step on those that could not carry his weight; he was after all, heavier than a child. As he climbed he talked to Juliana the little girl, trying to calm the child down to stop her from feeling nervous.

'You're an expert climber, Juliana; you could beat all the other Elves yet.' Or 'Are you sure you're not an Elf after climbing this high?'

At first, Juliana reacted to his comments eloquently, but soon, all he heard was a murmur.

'Juliana?' He called. 'Don't fall asleep on the branch darling. Just listen to me and answer. Juliana?'

Legolas froze halfway up to listen if Juliana heard him. The birch tree was a large tree and the little girl was still high up. When he didn't hear a reply, he hastened his ascend. The child falling asleep on the branch would be dangerous. She might loosen her grip on the branch and fall towards the forest floor. Feeling his heart racing, Legolas the Elf climbed faster and soon he was high enough to feel the wind blowing across the leaves. Looking around him, he saw the child seated on top of a think branch, her head resting on the branch. She was a small girl, wearing a rose pink frock with a ribbon around her ebony black hair. On her cheeks and fingers were the distinct stains of chocolate.

'Juliana?' he called trying to wake her up. Legolas soon realized that was a mistake because the minute the little girl woke and opened her emerald green eyes, she panicked seeing that she was still up a tree.

'Legolas!' she yelled not seeing the Elf in her distress. Legolas leaped from the branch he was on and clambered towards her.

'I'm here little one.' He said soothingly. The little girl was crying so hard, her pink frock stained with her tears, washing the chocolate crumbs away from her cheeks. She looked at him desperately.

'I'm afraid.' She said timidly, clinging unto the branch for dear life.

'It's all right, I'm here.' Legolas kept saying with the same calm tone. He climbed the branch she was on. Juliana was trembling so hard she was shaking the whole branch. Legolas delicately reached for the little girl and coaxed her to let go of the branch and come to him. The little girl anxiously let go and of the branch and wildly tried to grasp anything, and she caught Legolas' tunic. The little girl pulled herself to the much stronger elf and wrapped her tiny arms around his waist.

'I thought you would never come! I thought I was going to fall!' she held unto him so tightly, Legolas could feel her fingernails digging into his skin. Legolas comfortingly embraced the little girl, breathing in her scent of different flowers.

'I gave you my word that I was coming for you didn't I?' he said stroking her hair. 'I told I was coming and I indeed came. You need not be afraid anymore darling, I'm here. You're safe now.' Little Juliana lost herself at the comfort and warmth of the Elf's embrace and let her fears go away.

Slowly but steadily, the Elf climbed down from the birch tree with the little girl's arms wrapped around his neck and her legs around his waist. When they got down, Legolas lifted her into his arms and held her until she felt soothed enough.

'Are all Elves good in climbing trees?' she had asked him as she cuddled up in his lap. The two had moved away from the birch tree and had retired to the gardens of the great cave of Mirkwood. Legolas had wiped away the remaining tears away from the five-year old girl's face as he tried to make her smile. They talked for a long time in the gardens well into the early night.

'Well,' he pretended to think. 'I guess so. But it looks like you'll be the best tree-climber yet, Lady Juliana.'

'Don't call me that.' Her face became stern that looked so ridiculous, Legolas fought down a laugh. 'Yes, Mistress Eareliath.' He said smiling upon the girl as they sat down on a swing with the view of the horizon.

Juliana made a face. 'Mistress? You make me sound old, Legolas.'

'Oh? How old are you then?'

Juliana looked triumphant. 'I'm a five and a half. Practically grown up.' She said proudly.

'Really?' Legolas pretended to be impressed. 'Wow! Five and half and you're grown already? You mean I had been grown up all along and didn't know it?'

Juliana had looked suspicious. 'What do you mean? How old are you?'

Legolas gave a grin. He pointed at the rising moon. 'Do you see the moon up there?'

'Yes,' Juliana nodded and frowned. 'I don't like it; Turn it off.'

Legolas threw his head back and laughed. 'I'm afraid I can't darling. But back to I was saying, the moon is a billion years old. I'm about twenty-fourth of its age. I'm 3900 years old, little one.'

Juliana's green eyes that sparkled against the moonlight widened so much it made her look like a baby owl. Legolas laughed so hard he had to support himself on the swing.

'3900 years old!' Juliana beamed and looked at the moon. 'Can I grow up to be that old?'

Legolas stopped laughing. The Elf knew that even though she was a child, Juliana did not take things lightly. It was better that he told her now before she grew up believing she could live forever.

'Remember what your Papa told you about you Juliana?' he asked her.

'That I am special.' Juliana prompted. Legolas nodded in agreement. 'And you are special dear; it's just that, Elves do get bored after for such a long time living in Middle-earth, unlike you humans, everything is much more beautiful for you; your time if finite.' When the Elf saw the look of confusion on Juliana's face, he sighed. 'Let us put it this way, darling. We are different you and I. While I may grow old for thousands of years I will never have the adventurous life that you are destined for.'

Juliana gave a thoughtful frown. 'I'm going to die before you aren't I?' she asked him, giving him a blazing look.

Legolas gave a thoughtful smile. 'If I get shot in battle for the next couple of years; perhaps you'll outlive me yet.'

Juliana vehemently shook her head. 'You won't die in battle; you're far too good. I know you're the best; even among those other Elves. You won't die in battle.'

Legolas was surprised that he felt himself blush. This little girl could grow up to be a fine young woman indeed if she let herself be.

'Well then, if I'm so good, why don't I teach you as well so you won't die in battle just like me?" He had been joking but the way Juliana nodded eagerly made him promise to do exactly that. He was silently staring at the moon when he felt Juliana tug at his tunic. He looked down at her. She yawned widely and looked at him sleepily.

'Do you have a lady love Legolas?' she asked so suddenly he started.

'Why do you ask that little one?' he whispered as Juliana lay her head down on his lap to use as a pillow.

'It's just that, whenever Papa looks like you would now, he would look out at the moon and then Mama would come out and embrace and kiss him and then the look goes away. Papa says the moon helps but I know Mama does the most of it. It's just that, the look Papa has you suddenly have it.' She looked up at him thoughtfully.

Legolas gave a small smile. 'What look is that little one?'

'You look awfully sad.' Juliana whispered, moving a bit so her dark hair splayed across his knees. 'And since you're looking at the moon, I'm wondering if your lady love would come and remove that look completely.'

Legolas smiled. 'No, Juliana, I don't have a lady love right now.'

'I could be for a while you know, until you find her. I'm an awfully good hugger and kisser.'

Legolas smiled again at the little girl's sophistication. 'All right. Why don't you make the sad look go away?'

Juliana sat up and quickly threw her arms around his neck and hugged him hard. She planted a large kiss on either of his cheek. Somehow, Legolas couldn't stop himself from laughing. When she released him, Juliana was frowning.

'What's wrong?' asked Legolas, afraid that he had upset her. Juliana reached one tiny hand and touched his eyelids. 'The sad look won't leave your eyes Legolas. Did I do something wrong?' she asked him her brow wrinkling. Legolas gave a grin and held both her hands in his own. This human girl knew far much more than any Elfling he knew that he was astounded that she was not and Elf. Legolas was sure however, when Juliana grew up, she would be beautiful inside and out. Legolas almost felt jealous for the young man she was sure to meet in the future.

'You did nothing wrong little one. I've always looked like this. It's just that this look will take a lot more time than the rest. So don't worry about it all right?'

Juliana looked as if she didn't want to believe him but nodded all the same. Legolas smiled and tucked a lock of black behind her rounded ear. 'When you feel sad little one, just look at them moon and don't wish it would turn off all right?'

Juliana nodded and laughed. From inside the great cave, the two of them heard a round deep voice calling for Juliana.

'That's Papa.' Juliana said looking back.

'Come on, I'll take you to him,' he motioned to jump unto his back which the little girl did so without complaint.

'JULIANA EARELIATH!' William Droug demanded of his daughter as he saw her on top of Prince Legolas' shoulders. Behind him, he heard the distinct gasps of Queen Raie and King Thranduil as they saw their heir sport a human child on his shoulders, looking nothing like his dignified parents. 'You get down this instant!" he demanded.

Juliana blushed scarlet and urged Legolas to put him down. Legolas straightened up. ' It was no bother really, Ranger Droug, I insisted the little one to do it.'

Juliana hid behind Legolas and nodded. 'He did Papa,'

William Droug frowned for a minute before turning to apologize to the King and Queen of Mirkwood. 'Im near, Hir nin; Hiril nin.' I apologize my lord and lady

Queen Raie just smiled and nudged her husband unceremoniously in the ribs. 'It really was nothing right, Thranduil? It's not as if you didn't do that with Legolas when he was an Elfling.'

King Thranduil looked distressed but stated it was completely different but insisted it was nothing. Soon, the Ranger William Droug and his daughter began to set off. 'Just before they were about to leave, Juliana Eareliath ran back to the cave entranced where the royal family was watching them leave. She tugged at Legolas' tunic and gave him one final hug and kiss. 'Just in case.' She whispered. But before the Elf prince could ask, the little girl was running back to her father and that was the last time Legolas Greenleaf saw Juliana Eareliath until she was a maiden grown and he had fallen in love with her.

Now more than ever, Legolas wished he hadn't seen that part of Juliana, because it made her more irresistible to him. Juliana Eareliath was a human, he was immortal, there was never a more forked a path. But somehow Legolas, despite the hostility he showed towards Juliana Eareliath, he was still in love with her. It was one thing to admire her as a child, it was more to see her grow up into a beautiful and striking young woman, so different from the little girl he knew from long ago. The look of sadness Juliana had seen in his face had somehow been transferred to her and he wished he could just take her into his arms and embrace every care she had away like when she was little. But they had grown so apart.

'Did you hear me Elf?' Gimli's booming and sometimes annoying gruff voice cut into Legolas' thoughts so fast Legolas almost could not hide his shock.

Legolas blinked and looked over his shoulder to look at the dwarf. The Three Hunters, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli had separated themselves from the Rohirrim last night for Aragorn chose to take the road into the mountain to call unto the people and prove his inheritance.

'What were you saying before you rudely interrupted my thoughts Master Gimli?' he said trying to hide his sarcasm. But it leaked out all the same. To this, Gimli merely grunted.

'I asked you what kind of army would linger in such a place?' Gimli motioned over to the almost jagged landscape around them. The Dimholt road was a half deserted road and almost everywhere you could see jagged, pointy rocks that looked as if they came from the very earth. Legolas knew the story of the Dimholt people soy he chose to relate the story to his sometimes-dimwitted friend.

'One that is cursed.' Legolas started in an eerie voice. 'Long ago, the Men of the Mounatin swore an oath to last king of Gondor, to come to his aid, to fight. But when that time came, when Gondor's need was dire, they fled, vanishing into the darkness of the mountain. And so Isildur cursed them, never to rest until have fulfilled their pledge.'

Almost when he spoke those words a drafty wind blew towards the threesome. Legolas' only goal had been to scare the living daylights out of Gimli so he would be left alone to think and he had gotten his wish, but Legolas decided to add a passage from the prophecy to cap it all of.

'Who shall call them from the grey twilight, the forgotten people? The heir to whom an oath they swore; from the North shall he come; need shall drive him and he shall pass through the door to the Paths of the Dead.'

To his delight Gimli became deathly silent but the Elf felt the dwarf quivering in the saddle. Sometimes, friend though he was of the dwarf, it was just fun having a laugh out of him. Especially since Legolas had been so close to finding out Juliana's emotions and had to have the dwarf spoiling everything. With a sigh, Legolas began comforting his friend before he could feel remorse at his deed.

Now the series that followed before the Battle at Pelennor Fields I will not say, for it will take too long, far too long for this manuscript. I can say however, that among the Rohirrim, a hobbit and two women rode to war.

The six thousands spears of King Theoden formed a great line before Pelennor Fields and they saw the thousands of Orcs trying to besiege Minas Tirith. So far, Minas Tirith was standing but not for long.

King Theoden marched ahead and looked at the soldiers with astonished eyes. He steered his horse back to the line and issued orders towards his commanders.

'Arise Riders of Theoden!' he called unto the six thousand spears. 'Spears shall be shaken! Shields shall be splintered! A sword-day! A red day! Ere the sun rises! Death! Death!'

The Riders of Theoden called out as well, giving their support to their King. Somewhere between the ranks, Juliana Eareliath jammed the Rohirrim helmet she was lent. She had donned a light armor than she managed to find in scale for a woman. Eowyn was somewhere among the ranks as well, dressed in male armor, but she was not about to tell King Theoden about his niece. The Rohirrim charged through the Orc armies, killing as much as they can. Juliana picked up the spear and jammed the spear into the Orc captain she had seen a while ago even from afar. She found herself screaming on top of her lungs, channeling everything she can into those she killed. Here in the battlefield there was only one emotion: rage. There was no love or happiness, just rage. Juliana found herself relishing the rage inside her. Unsheathing her sword she swung the sword straight into the hearts o f many opponents. Somewhere she heard the distinct war cry of Eomer with his own spear.

Damn you Legolas! She screamed inside her head. Damn you and my love for you!

Juliana had just dropped from Elendris unto the ground. It was long enough before she fell and most of the Orcs were defeated. But then, a deep drumming came and suddenly out from the East, the great beasts, the Mumakils. Enormous elephantine creatures larger than any troll and almost taller than the dreaded Balrog. They were, in short, giant elephants with another pair of tusks. The front pair larger than the second and usually dressed up with spikes to skewer anything that stands in their path.

Juliana saw King Theoden yelling the rest to rally to him as they prepared to charge towards the Mumakils.

Is he crazy! He's going to get himself killed! Juliana thought, as she looked everywhere for Elendris, but the white mare was nowhere to be found. Juliana whipped off her helmet, her hair had been gathered at the back of her head and away from her face as she turned and kill the Orcs that had come towards her. The Orcs just kept coming and coming until all of them, including Juliana felt the ground shake from the huge footfalls of the Mumakils.

Looking up, Juliana saw the enormous shadow of the Mumakil marching towards them. 'Damn!' she yelled as the Orcs around her fled, but nonetheless got killed by the Mumakil. The sudden earthquake-footfall of the Mumakil made Juliana lose her balance. 'Oh hell!' She cried not caring if anybody heard her, because the Mumakil passed over her. Before she could let a free breath, another Mumakil came and Juliana had just enough time to scramble up her feet and run. Trying to dodge the Mumakils. Running desperately away from the beasts, she wished for the army Aragorn had gone to fetch. If they did not arrive soon, Juliana swore that they would arrive at an empty battlefield.

To Legolas,

Remember all those times when I used to visit Mirkwood with Papa? Do you remember how close we were? I wish now that we had met in different circumstances, not in the midst of this great war. Everything that seems so good suddenly loses its goodness because of this awful war. I wish for love, Legolas, and everything else that used to be so nice and peaceful. But now there's nothing here but grief, pain, sorrow, blood and war. I am glad that war has not been cruel to you; at least that is what I see. I gave this letter to Gimli because I knew that to go to this war we were going through different paths. And though I know that you are fully capable of taking care of yourself, I wish to give you something that will protect you from most dangers surrounding this world, including me. I gave it to Gimli; please ask him nicely if you can have it, no fighting please.

Something that might interest you, your eyes still have sadness. Do you still look at the moon to comfort you? I do. I wish you would to. I'm looking at it right now when I'm writing this letter. I wish that I had somehow helped to alleviate the sadness in your eyes, but I regret that I brought nothing but newfound sadness. I hope this would cheer you up and I hope you would know that this is very precious to me and I'm entrusting it to you.

May the Valar watch over you.

Juliana

P.S. I have sadness in my eyes too.

Legolas looked at Gimli as he finished reading the letter.

'How did you manage to hide it from me?' he asked the dwarf. Gimli just shrugged and pointed ahead. The Corsair ships that they had commandeered were fast and they were coming up to Gondor now. Legolas looked at the object given to him by Juliana.

It was like an Evenstar only quite different. The star in the middle was seven-pointed and the glass that surrounded it formed a sort of small container for a very special liquid. The necklace was full of lithilanthilis. Legolas smiled and fastened the necklace around his neck. When he did this, he felt a sudden heavy feeling lifted from his heart. He found himself smiling widely.

Aragorn, Gimili, Legolas, Where in Manwe's name are you! Juliana cried running away from the Orcs and Mumakils without injuring herself. Looking suddenly above, she saw Naz'gul sweeping down upon the field. Things couldn't get worse. She said swinging Delenthelis over her head and jamming into the heart of a nearby Orc. But she never made her mark. A Mumakil suddenly lifted her of the ground, it's trunk wrapped around her waist. Juliana found herself giving a blood-curdling scream as she saw the ground fall behind her and she was being lifted into the air. Thankful that she still had her sword, she hacked at the trunk until the giant elephant felt the pain and released her.

It was a mistake for the Mumakil had dropped her from such a height she was more likely to break her fall with a broken neck. This just keeps getting better and better.

'Oh!' she felt the wind knocked out of her as she landed on something hard but not so close to the ground as she had expected. Eomer the Third Marshal had come galloping to her rescue and had managed to catch her as she landed on his horse.

'You shouldn't be here, Eareliath.' Eomer scolded as his arms went around her to secure the reins.

Juliana found herself glaring at him. 'I had no idea you were my father, Lord Eomer. Will you please put me down?' she demanded.

Eomer gave her a lopsided grin. 'You're too proud for your own good.' But as soon as he saw a clearing for her to get down safely, the Marshal did so and Juliana was once again left alone on thebattlefield.

'Hello lovelies!' Juliana grinned upon the group of Orcs that came charging towards her. 'Who dies first?'

The Orcs who were grinning evilly at Juliana suddenly grew pale if their color could go any other shade. They were staring behind Juliana and they gave scared cries and bolted. 'What's the matter?' she called at their retreating backs. 'Scared to try me?'

But what exactly scared the Orcs gave a sound that was undistinguishable. Juliana turned back mortified at what she might find. Her first impression was it was a green sea coming flooding Pelennor fields. But as she squinted to look at the charging mass, she saw that they were somehow shapes of Men or were they ghosts? Whatever they were, they were coming towards her. Struggling to turn back and run the other way, Juliana fell almost completely, before picking herself up before those green people caught up with her.

Surprised that her panic added to her speed, Juliana ran back, hacking away at the Orcs that stood in her way. She skidded to a halt as she saw the Mumakils charging towards her on the opposite direction. Whirling around at the green sea of charging ghosts and the charging Mumakils, she figured there was no better way of dying than getting killed twice.

Here's to us Papa. Juliana whispered, lowering her sword, standing still and closing her eyes. She expected to feel a sudden intense pain and crunching her body parts into oblivion, but all she felt was as if a sudden force was thrown at her knocking out all the air out of her body as she fell to the ground.

'What the hell did you think you were doing!' demanded a voice angrily at her. That's funny. She thought to herself. Dying is not supposed to have disembodied voices and a heavy weight. Am I dead?

'Juliana!' the angry voice yelled at her and she felt the weight on top of her still and she heard the voice unusually loud. 'For Manwe's sake open your eyes if you can hear me!'

Juliana slowly opened her eyes while saying 'Anybody can hear you with a voice as loud as that.' When she did open her eyes, they grew so wide that the person on top of her almost laughed. She was not dead after all. For at the last minute, just before a single Mumakil could stomp the living daylights out of her, Legolas Greenleaf came running and pushed her out of the way so hard both of them were knocked to the ground.

'What are you doing here?' Juliana demanded heatedly, not at all liking the closeness Legolas' body had with hers. Not that he was particularly heavy, in fact, Legolas barely leaned his weight on her, he had her pinned to the ground with his arms on either side of her. The Elf prince's chest was gently squashing Juliana's own, and Juliana's legs managed to pin his own lean legs to her. Juliana felt her cheeks grow hot as Legolas' face loomed closely over her dirt stained one making her see those startlingly blue eyes up close.

'Aside from stating the obvious; I'm saving you.' Legolas answered promptly with a grin looking down at where he was pinning her. Looking back up at her face that was shining like the setting sun he grinned widely. 'This is interesting.' He remarked.

Juliana did not like that remark as much as her heart pounding at Legolas' closeness. She especially didn't like the look on his face that suggested the Elf was enjoying himself.

'Get off of me!' she demanded pounding angrily at his chest because her body felt as hot as her face where her skin touched his. 'Get off!'

Legolas on the other hand just grinned and loomed in closer towards Juliana. Now that he was sure she was not about to kill herself he found himself falling into habit of irritating her towards madness. He still had not forgiven her about the way she had scorned him but he did feel guilty for making her cry.

'Not a chance.' He whispered in her ear making Juliana shiver. 'I leave your presence for a few days and you're back to becoming helpless again Juliana. I'm going to be as close to you as I can just to get you out of trouble.'

Juliana had indeed shivered at the feeling of his breath in her ear, but her eyes had swiveled upward where Aragorn and the Army of the Dead had arrived with Legolas. 'I think you should get off me now.' She said hurriedly as she saw a Mumakil marching towards them, its feet more likely to fall exactly where they were laying.

Legolas lifted himself slightly, his face emanating mock indignation. 'Haven't you been listening to me?' he demanded just as hurriedly.

Juliana shook her head frantically. That Mumakil was coming closer. 'No I mean it Legolas; Get off of me now!'

Legolas was now straddling her. 'I think not Juliana. It's time you stop listening too much to yourself and start listening to others who sometimes know what's good for you.' He was pinning her arms down as well, his long bow slightly digging unto her hip. The Mumakil's front legs were getting closer…and closer. Juliana tried to tell him, but Legolas wouldn't listen.

'Would you just get off me?' Juliana demanded panicky. Her eyes became wide as the first foot of the Mumakil lifted.

Before Legolas could say anything, Juliana wrenched her hands free, grabbed Legolas' arms and rolled him over with her, rolling as far as she can away from the walking Mumakil. Juliana could feel the dust of the ground covering both Legolas' and Juliana's hair and clothes; his long bow trapped between their bodies as they rolled. When they finally stopped, both of their hair was in disarray, their clothes now sporting layer of dust and Juliana ended up being the one straddling Legolas' waist.

Juliana's hands rested on the ground on either side of Legolas' chest and she looked thoughtfully at his now dust smeared face. Juliana found herself laughing as she saw him cough out a bit of dust.

'You know this would not have happened if you got off me.' She said with a grin at him this time. 'But you insisted to feel me up.'

'Feel you up?' Legolas demanded angrily, his blue eyes flashing. 'I was saving you!' then his eyes took in at her position on top of him. 'Aren't you doing the same?'

Legolas laughed inwardly at the sight of Juliana blushing so hard her cheeks were bright. She scrambled away from him and stood up. The warmth that he had felt suddenly vanished.

'Do you have my sword?' she asked, looking away embarrassed. She dusted herself off as her eyes roamed at the green sea of the army of the dead killing the enemies that the soldiers of Rohan couldn't possibly do.

Legolas stood up quickly as well, dusting him off as he checked if his bow was still all right. Reaching out at his quiver he took out the daggers Hadrod had entrusted to him.

'I don't have it.' He said evenly, trying to tell her to get rid of her embarrassment. 'But I do have these.' He handed her the long daggers. Juliana stared at them with amazement then accepted them with a word of thanks.

'I can't lose my sword.' She said shakily looking about as she buckled on the belt that had the daggers. 'I can't lose Papa's sword.'

Legolas saw how important the weapon was to her and made a promise to himself that he would find it after the battle. 'You will find it soon enough,' he said reassuringly then 'Watch out!" His bow came up and an arrow was shot before Juliana could blink and she whirled behind just in time to see the Orc that tried to catch her unawares.

Juliana gave a smile of thanks, but Legolas returned it half-heartedly. They were after all in battle and they needed to be on their guard.

'Legolas!'

They turned to see Aragorn yell and point to an oncoming Mumakil yet again.

'Get going.' Legolas told Juliana quickly as the Mumakil got closer. Juliana ran but looked back transfixed, as Legolas crouched a bit to get a running start and dashed towards the Mumakil. Juliana gasped as Legolas caught one of the spiked tusks of the Mumakil and dodge the trunk that slammed a bit one the tusk that he was at. Juliana's eyes widened as Legolas leaped to grab the tusk behind in order to reach one of the spiked legs. Juliana watched as the Mumakil pass over and quickly wanting to see if Legolas was really out of his mind, she ran over to a an Orc trying to kill a horse along with its rider and with a swift double strike with her daggers, killed the orc. She jumped unto the rider less tore after Legolas on the Mumakil careful to stay away from its crushing legs.

Legolas now leaped unto the hind leg and began using the arrows sticking from its thick hide as a ladder. Juliana ducked as the Mumakil's tail swished and almost hit the Elf but Legolas just clung unto one arrow and let it pass before he continued climbing the Mumakil. Juliana almost had to crane her neck upward as Legolas reached the back of the Mumakil. She heard him count the men he killed as he shot his bow. But looking at Legolas cost Juliana a second unguarded and a clever Orc jumped unto the horse with her. She tried to knock it off with her arms, but the Orc just grabbed them so that she had to hold on to the saddle with her thighs in order to say on top. However, the Orc began flaying her about to get her off the horse, which the Orc succeeded, in doing. She screamed as the Orc and her fell unto the ground. She felt several of her bones break as they landed with a bone-crunching roll unto the ground. One good thing the fall did was killing the Orc who broke its neck and it managed to break some of Juliana's fall. She earned scrapes as she rolled and stopped beside other casualties. Craning her neck to rest on the back of a horse, she saw just in time Legolas shooting three arrows unto the head of his climbed Mumakil, glide down its trunk as the beast fell and land smoothly in front of Gimli.

'Yeah,' Juliana whispered through the intense pain she felt, as if she had several large splinters erupting from her body and then she fainted.

(Avisala! Did you guys enjoy the chapter? I hope you did! I write only to please others and myself and not for the fame or money.If this kind of writing made money, I sure would take it too seriously But motives aside, I love writing this chapter because its the Battle of Pelennor fields in the movie and I loved the whole Leggy moment with the mumakil thing and I had been itching to write something that explained Legolas' look before he jumped on that giant elephant.hehehe...Don't get me wrong, this chapter is my OWN version of what really happened and I have absolutelyno claim on Leggy and the LOTR trilogy.. I love writing! Oh, I did do something predictable, I made Juliana and Leggy make up again! I'm sorry, but's its the only way I could progress the story! Excuses aside, I hope you review this and make comments, be it nasty or wonderful, I would take it! Thanks a million! Namarie!)