Chapter 12

'Open the gates!' I heard a man yell from the battlement wall. Nerves rushed through me wondering how they would react to seeing me here. I was placed behind two Elves to hide me from their eyes until the right moment. We had hauled our asses this day trying to get here before it was too late and we all sighed in relief when we saw that the battle had not begun.

Marching in line we all gathered and watched Lord Théoden come down the steps looking at us in awe, 'How is this possible?!'

'I bring word from Lord Elrond of Rivendell and Lady Galadriel of Lothlorien. An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago we fought and died together; we come to honor that agreement.' Haldir states proudly and I smile as I hear a familiar voice

'Mae govannen Haldir. You are most welcome.' I heard Aragorn state

'We are proud to fight alongside Men, once more.' Haldir replies

There is talking of where to position the Elves and the excitement in Kind Théoden's voice to find more hope and arms to see this night through. I hear Haldir talking to Aragorn and what I assume must be Legolas and Gimli. I hear confusion in their voices and an order to the Elves hiding me they move to the side and I find myself smiling at the shocked faces of the boys.

'How…how is this possible.' Aragorn states with a laugh and a smile on his face

I smile and give him a tight hug as well as to Legolas and Gimli. 'I knew this wasn't the last we'd see of you. Good to see you lassie.' Gimli replies releasing me from his hug

Legolas POV

I was beyond thrilled to have Haldir and Lorien and Rivendell Elves here to help us fight. Haldir pulled us aside stating he had a message for just the three of us and we all looked at each other in confusion.

'The Lady wishes me to bid you good luck and to have hope in the strength of those who fight against Evil. As a token to remind you, something has been brought here that is very dear to the Fellowship.' Haldir explains smiling at the confused faces and before Aragorn can reply he shouts an order and I look up.

There just as the Elves move away I had to blink again. It was Samantha! All dressed in her Fellowship gear and walking this way. Oh how my heart soared seeing her face break into a smile and my smile widened when I saw she still held onto my bow. I had no words, even as I wrapped my arms around…. relishing in her warmth and scent of lilac. Still amazed to see her standing right here, and how a low burning began in my chest seeing her wearing my bow for others to see and show-

Owe! I looked down and saw Gimli shaking his head and laughing at my lack of words

'I see I can now say I'm accomplished in the skill of making an elf speechless.' I tease as I watch Gimli elbow Legolas who stood in front of me with his mouth open.

He quickly recovered and replied, 'It is good to see you again Samantha.'

'Come, we must talk and move. There is still much we have to do before the battle begins.' Aragorn states leading us away, no one but him noticed a familiar face in the groups of Elves who looked on at the pair.

I followed them into the battlements briefly explaining that it was Lady Galadriel's decision for me to follow them. It was then settled that I was not to be fighting…making me laugh.

'Trust me, I was never trying to come here and fight.' I state shaking my head at the thought

'Good I must talk to the King but it is good to see you! Gimli.' Aragorn states calling Gimli away for Legolas and I to talk.

I watched them leave and I turned to the smiling elf in front of me. 'I see you are still speechless.' I state as we move to a more secluded area.

'I am still in shock.' Legolas admitted when we stopped in a nook in the wall away from the traffic of people moving

'I received your last letter as I was getting onto the boats to leave.' I state letting him know, 'Thank you for writing to me and keeping me updated. It helped ease my mind.'

'It was my pleasure.' Legolas states softly looking at me 'It is good to see you again and have you with us.'

'Of course.' I reply a little unsure of what to say next.

'Well, there is still much we have to do to get ready for the battle.' Legolas states lost in his own thoughts and standing up suddenly 'Shall I show you to the caves where the other women and children are?'

He looked down at me and it was clear there was something on his mind and he was shoving it away. I stood up and he seemed to think I would follow, I could only laugh and call out to him 'Legolas. Will you stop for a moment?'

He turned confused not sure what it was I wanted to say. Of course I wasn't even sure what I wanted to say to him, instead I did what I have always done. Allowed my gut to lead me. I smiled softly at him and I wrapped my arms around his neck and when he finally responded; I reached up and planted a kiss on his cheek. I smirked at him, nervous as I was when I lowered myself back to the ground his hands were still gripping my waist looking at me with glazy eyes.

'Stay safe Legolas I hope to find you greeting me after this night is done.' I state with a smile

'I will.' Legolas replied and I followed next to him as we got to the doors to the caves. We smiled and left that as our goodbye when I turned to enter I heard a familiar voice. Legolas looked on and frowned when he saw Aegnor walking towards us. Ugh…it looks like I need to talk to Legolas once again after this night was over. I grabbed Legolas' hand and smiled reassuringly up at him.

'I'll see you later then.' I state and he nods at me and after a formal greeting between Aegnor and him he walks past us.

'Samantha.' Aegnor states in greeting, 'Can we talk, perhaps with more privacy?' Aegnor asked as people walked around us

'Sure.' I state and we walk off to the side where no one was around

'I hope I was not interrupting something?' Aegnor asked in a slight teasing and curious manner.

'No Legolas was just showing me to the caves.' I reply with a small smile.

'I was hoping to have another goodbye and perhaps a hug…. in case I do not make it through night.' Aegnor states looking down at me.

'Oh.' I was trying my hardest not to cry 'Of course, and you'll make it through the night.'

We hugged each other tightly knowing that we were both going on separate paths in the world and I wished him luck in battle. We parted ways and I turned to go into the caves…sighing as I walled inside trying to figure out my emotions. What-

'They also would not let you fight.' a voice stated dejected breaking me from my thoughts

'Yes and no. I only know how to use the bow and I still have yet to learn a sword. I'm Samantha by the way.' I state smiling at her

'I see, I know how to use a sword and I have been left in the caves.' she sighed in frustration but smiled 'It's nice to meet you I'm Eowyn.'

'So is there anything in here to keep me busy for the night.' I state hopeful and she laughs and we begin the arduous takes of care for the families.

After a while I just sat with Eowyn, there was not much more we could do to ease people's nerves. You could hear the screams and cries from the battle and the sounds of swords clashing. I sat there with my eyes closed mulling over everything that has happened. My relationship with Aegnor, these new found feelings for Legolas; I fell asleep at one point from all the nerves and the hike to get here fast had finally caught up with me. I awoke from someone shaking me and faintly I could hear my name

'Samantha!' Wake up!'

'What?' I state rolling over to find Eowyn standing over me

'The Hornburg has been rung!' Eowyn states as if I already knew that that meant

'Um, is that important.' I play out

'Yes! The Men are riding out for one last stand.' Eowyn states emotionally

'Oh!' I state and sit up and look around

The women and children were restless, I somehow managed to have slept through the wails and cries of children and women alike. It was sad to see all these people here anxiously waiting the return of the men yet all the while knowing that there was a chance that they would never return.

'How long have I been asleep?' I asked her standing up sore and stiff

'A few hours at most. You must have been tired.' Eowyn exclaims

'Yes, I traveled here with the Elves. It was not an easy feat keeping paces with Elves that have the longest stamina alive!' I state shaking my head reminding myself never to do that again.

'You came with the Elves? But you are human.' Eowyn bluntly states, I roll my eyes before I reply

'Yes I am human. I was in Rivendell when the Fellowship first joined together and I was traveling with them only to stay in Lorien. I am a stranger and I have been staying with the Elves. Hence why I traveled with the Elves so I could meet up with Aragorn, Gimli and all the rest.' I state looking up at her, I changed the story a bit because I didn't know if I should tell more people I'm not from this world.

'Oh, you know Aragorn?' Eowyn states looking at me oddly; now making me cringe as how it she sounded a bit defensive

'Yeah he's like my big brother!' I states with a smile hoping to give her the hint that I am not in love with him

'Oh!' She states with a smile relaxing a bit knowing she wasn't in some kind of competition with Aragorn's affections

'Yep.' I state just as the doors burst open and a flurry of chaos began.

'Milady! We have won the battle!' a dirty soldiers shouts with a grin