A/N: Hello my faithful, patient, wonderful readers. I want to take a moment to apologize for my absence. Life catches up to you fast and sometimes the things we are passionate about have to be put on the back burner. I never forgot about this piece, I've still been working on it, both on paper and in my mind, but I've had several personal setbacks this year that required me to rearrange my focus. I want to express my sincere appreciate at your patience, your dedication and your understanding. This story will be finished; I promise you all this. As to when, that may not be all that clear.

I love you all very much and thank you all from the bottom of my heart that you have enjoyed my work thus far, work that has meant the world to me and is the embodiment of who I am as a person.

With love.

TB.

Chapter 14

The sound of the horn blowing in the distance struck a barb of ice deep within the pit of Tauriel's stomach, she felt the cold begin to seep into every fiber of her being, spreading like frozen tendrils throughout her body. She gasped aloud and both she and Legolas froze, their lips nearly touching. Legolas was close enough that Tauriel could feel his warm breath tickle her nose. There was another quick blast of sound and this time Tauriel recognized the tone.

"That's no orc horn." Legolas whispered, pulling back from her as he turned his head to listen closer to the echoes of the horn blast. He turned to look at her, his eyes shining with excitement.

"It couldn't possibly…" Tauriel whispered in disbelief as realization slowly dawned on her.

"Come, quickly! We must tell the others!" Legolas said exactly, squeezing her hand briefly before he made to leave the alcove.

"Legolas wait, there's something I have to tell you!" Tauriel desperately tried to grab for the prince's hand. Tauriel couldn't fight this battle without him knowing the truth, the truth that she had been keeping from him all this time. She didn't want to leave any secrets between them, no matter the outcome of this night. Legolas grabbed her face gently between his palms, a relieved smile blooming across his face.

"There will be time enough for that, for everything, later. For now we must go, the tides are turning in our favor at last!" Legolas was filled with this newfound hope, he was blinded to the fear of the unknown. Slowly he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. Tauriel could feel the warmth of his lips begin to melt the icy fear that had taken root in her, she almost forgot how to breathe and in the next moment he was rushing through the alcove, heading towards the surface.

"Legolas, wait!" Tauriel called out making to run after him when the searing pain in her shoulder flared so intensely that she fell to her knee onto the cold stone floor, gasping for breath. Through hot tears and clenched teeth Tauriel cursed her frailty, her luck, her fate that left her withering on the ground in agony instead of chasing after the one she loved. Tauriel beat her bare fist against the ground until the fire in her shoulder snuffed itself out and the pain had subsided, and all she was left with was a bruised and bloodied fist and a gapping hallow feeling in her chest. Taking a few extra breaths to reclaim her sense of calm; Tauriel rose to her feet, strapping her bow across her back, and followed after Legolas, ready to join him and the others at the surface. It seemed as if all the men of Rohan were standing within the court yard, crowding around the steps as King Théoden descended them. The glint of helmets in the moonlight caught Tauriel's eye, and the sound of hundreds of armored feet, marching on the stone in unison filled the silent air. Tauriel was frozen in her tracks, she couldn't believe what she was seeing with her own two eyes.

Tauriel watched as King Théoden ventured down the steps, with the same expression of awe on his face that Tauriel was sure was painted upon her own, to meet the leader of such an impressive group of soldiers. Tauriel caught sight of Legolas' blonde hair ahead of her. He was with Aragorn and Gimli, making their way through the crowds to the top of the steps. Tauriel started after them, weaving expertly through the crowd of onlookers.

"But…how?" Théoden sounded as if the words could barely be formed through his shock.

"There was a time, long ago, when elves and men fought, and died together," A familiar voice rang out, the tenor warm and familiar. Tauriel felt a flush of excitement jolt through her. It couldn't be! Tauriel came to the tops of the stairs with the remains of the fellowship at her side. She stood there for a moment in unobstructed happiness at what she saw before her. A full army of battle hardened elven warriors, clad in the best armor the forges of Rivendell could make. They stood at attention with unflinching discipline and at the head of the retinue, with a general's cape around his shoulders, silvery hair flowing around his face was…

"Haldir…" Tauriel whispered his name like a sigh of relief. The elven man turned his pale eyes, as if he had somehow heard her say his name aloud and a grin turned the corners of his mouth towards the darkening sky. "And we have come to honor that allegiance."

Aragorn was the first down the stone steps, reaching Haldir and clasping him in a fierce hug.

"You are most welcome." He said with enough sincerity for every men standing in the court yard. Tauriel came up behind Aragorn, Legolas at her side and saw Haldir's eyes light up at the sight of her.

"We are proud to fight alongside the race of men once again." Haldir reached his hand out towards Tauriel in an attempt to shake hands but Tauriel knocked it away, instead rushing forward and wrapping her arms around his neck in a tight grip, pressing her cheek against his. She felt him stagger beneath her unexpected weight, but he returned her hug with equal enthusiasm.

"It's good to see a familiar face, Tauriel." Haldir whispered, the elvish words slipping from the tip of his tongue, their sound reminded Tauriel of standing beneath the canopies of the Greenwood forests, the warmth of the sun as it settled on their cheeks and closed eyes, the sound of breathless children's laughter; it reminded Tauriel of her childhood, growing up alongside Haldir and Legolas. She felt someone walk up behind her and she knew it was Legolas before she had turned around, she needn't look, she just knew.

"Haldir," Legolas spoke formally and Tauriel stepped aside as Haldir bowed low, sweeping his cloak away with a flourish of his arm. "You are a welcomed sight, old friend."

"Your highness, it is my pleasure to be of service to you once more." Haldir spoke low and remained with his head bowed. Legolas closed the distance between the two, pulling Haldir upright and clasping both hands on the general's shoulders.

"In the face of what awaits us tonight I'll have you call me Legolas, there is no royalty in battle and it is my wish to shed blood amongst friends, not subjects." Haldir's eyes were so wide with shock Tauriel half expected them to fall out of his head, before he let out a breathless laugh which Legolas answered with his own. She watched, removed, as the two embraced like brother and felt a warmth spread in her chest. She was proud of the elf Legolas had become, one who rejected the convention, the privilege, the convenience of his birth to favor the life of an equal. It had been a blessing indeed to watch him grow so, and she regretted the time that had been lost between them.

Maybe there is still a chance to make up for those missed years. Tauriel mused hopefully, she about to call out to the two elves, suggest they take their stations along the wall with everyone else when she was struck with an all too familiar feeling. It felt as if her legs had been carved of stone, they became ridged, catching her in place as what felt like thorns carved from ice buried themselves deep into her mind, snaring and tearing and spreading their chill throughout the rest of her consciousness until every thought was tinged with frost. Tauriel closed her eyes against the sharp pain that throbbed within her skull, just behind her emerald eyes and that's when it struck; the visions. The images flashed quickly from one to the other, lighting striking against the sky to illuminate a sea of dark figures, armed with blade and bloodlust. Fire erupting in an explosion of immeasurable magnitude and stone crumbling away into emptiness. Bodies strewn across blood drenched muck and mud, men and elves and orc alike. Haldir covered in blood, lifeless eyes staring into the crying sky, frozen in a look that was equal parts fear, pain and relief. Clashing metal of blade against blade, shields splintered beneath enemy attacks and a lone arrow fired, deliberate, malicious. And in the midst of pools of blood that was so dark it was almost black were a pair of eyes, a pair of deep blue eyes that looked like they had been carved from sapphires; only they didn't have that familiar fire sparking behind them, these eyes were dull, and empty. These eyes were dead.

Tauriel gasped, and stumbled forward, her legs had suddenly gone weak as the ice in her mind thawed. She clasped her hand over her mouth to keep herself quiet as she tried to subside the panic that was now coursing through her mind. Breathe. She told herself sternly. Just breathe. Panic gave way to clarity and the images that had flashed through her mind in a jumbled flurry now slowed to a pause, displaying themselves within her mind for closer inspection. The scenes that had played in her mind had been of the future, that much Tauriel was sure of, but was this future set in stone, were those lifeless, haunted blue eyes to be Tauriel's future?

No, not this future. Not after all this time, all this sacrifice. Tauriel's mind was racing, the internal noise so loud that she didn't notice how much time had passed, with her standing still as a statue clutching at her temples. Tauriel wasn't aware of the attention she was now garnering, the concern of her friends and allies, the noise of thought within her head was so loud that she didn't even notice Legolas standing in front of her and calling out her name until he had taken hold of her shoulders in his warm hands. He grasped her tightly and gave her a small shake, bringing her back to the present with a confused gasp. Tauriel blinked away the images, and looked into Legolas' face, his mouth a hard line of concern, his eyes searching hers as he tried to discern what was going on behind them. Tauriel was grateful that despite knowing her as well as he did, he was still without the ability to truly read her mind.

"Tauriel, what is it? What's the matter?" Legolas kept his voice low for discretions sake, but the diminished volume could not hide his worry. In that moment Tauriel had half a mind to tell Legolas everything, to warn him of what she knew, to confide in him what she felt. The weight if the words se had been carrying had now grown almost too heavy to bear and all Tauriel wanted was to be free of the burden of her secrets. But as that moment passed into the next Tauriel looked around them at the men and elves dressed for war, steeling their minds for the battle that loomed over their heads. Tauriel knew Legolas was the same as them, fighting to not lose his focus, his mettle as he stood on the cusp of oblivion with all the others. She would not let her burden unbalance Legolas, she would not let her burden be his undoing. Tauriel took another breath to stead herself before she offered Legolas a reassuring smile.

"There's nothing wrong, I was only trying to recall which path you and I will take home when this is all over." Tauriel watched the worry in Legolas' expression be replaced with one of excitement, his eyes sparking at her words, at her lie.

"Home?" Legolas asked, his hesitancy to believe her words nearly overshadowed by his desire for them to be true. Tauriel reached out her hand and brushed a strand of hair from his brow, tucking t behind his ear before tracing her hand down his temple to coup his cheek tenderly. It was a lie, but a beautiful lie, a lie that Tauriel would have given anything to be true.

"Home." She whispered the word confidently, committing to the beauty of her innocent lie. She pressed the palm of her cool hand against his warm cheek before pulling away with a small smile spreading across her face.

"Come, we should join the others." She gestured with a tilt of her head at the direction that their companions had gone. They headed for their stations, keeping close to one and other while their grips tightened on their weapons. Their battle was about to begin.

There was an unnatural stillness that had fallen upon the wall of Helms Deep, the men and elves that stood at their posts kept their council in solemn quiet, despite the disquiet in their hearts. Tauriel stood beside Legolas, deriving comfort from the warmth she found at his side. Overhead dark storm clouds rolled in overhead, their dark bellies swollen with rain. Tauriel could feel the lightning in the air making delicate hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, in the distance Tauriel could hear a faint but growing rumble.

"That's not thunder." Tauriel whispered as her elven eyes searched the darkness of the valley below for movement, out of the corner of her eye she could see Legolas nod his head in agreement. She felt him drop his arm to his side, his hand reaching out, brushing her leg before his fingers found her own cool ones. Slowly his fingers covered hers, squeezing them reassuringly before releasing her. Tauriel knew that Legolas couldn't offer her more, not at this moment with a battle only minutes away, but despite the logic behind the reasoning Tauriel couldn't help but wish for a few more seconds, standing there beside Legolas with his finders on top of hers.

"Well you could have picked a better spot!" Gimli's gruff voice pulled Tauriel out of that warm thoughtful place that her mind had taken her. She and Legolas both turned to look at their dwarven friend who stood beside them. A look of irritation furrowed his bushy features as he faced the stone wall, the top of his head barely reaching over the top of the wall. The dwarf's line of vision was limited to the craggy, gray stone of the Keep's wall. Tauriel heard a sharp intake of breath from Legolas, that little sound was all Tauriel needed to burst in a fit of genuine laughter, to which the others joined in. The simple act of laughing was enough to ease the feeling of trepidation that hung over them in the same manner that the storm clouds gathered overhead. The laughter however was short lived when Tauriel felt Legolas suddenly stiffen beside her, his attention back to the valley before them. Tauriel straightened up and looked out towards the darkening horizon and felt her breath hitch. Just at the line of horizon, Tauriel could make out a sea of black figures surging towards them. The rumbling that could now be distinctly heard, echoing throughout the valley, wasn't thunder but rather armored feet marching in unison toward the poorly defended keep. Tauriel looked over her shoulder and saw Aragorn making his way towards them, offering words of encouragement or advice to the soldiers on wall. Tauriel caught the ranger's eye and he came to stand by his friends, hopefully not for the last time.

"Whatever luck you two live by," Gimli nudged Tauriel as his robust voice broke the strained silence around them, "Let's hope it lasts the night." Aragorn placed a hand on Gimli's shoulder and Tauriel felt Legolas draw even closer to her, his silent sign of reassurance.

"Your friends stand with you Aragorn, Tauriel." There was such confidence in Legolas' voice that Tauriel could see it ease the doubt that resided in Aragorn's eyes.

"Let's hope that they last the night…" Gimli muttered with a dark sense of humor. Though Tauriel was sure he meant the comment goof naturedly, but nevertheless they struck a chord of foreboding within Tauriel, and an ominous feeling that she wouldn't be able to shake.

Yes, let's hope they last the night. Tauriel thought with a growing sense of helplessness as she looked at her companions who stood at her side, ready to dive head first into a battle that they had little hope of winning. By the stars, I hope they last the night.

*Legolas' P.O.V.*

Thunder rumbles over the heads of the Rohan soldiers, its trembling bellow echoed through the valley. Lightning split the heavens apart allowing the rain to rush forth, the drops could be heard echoing as they bounced off the metal armor of the soldiers. Legolas tried to suppress the urge to shiver as a chill ran down his spine. The rain plastered his hair against his skull as the rain drops hung off his lashes, blurring his vision. He shook his head to clear his eyes and caught a glimpse of Tauriel's ember tresses, glowing even despite the gloom that the storm clouds had descended upon them. For a moment the brief worry flashed through his mind, would her hair be a beacon for the orcs, would she be too easily targeted? Tauriel must have felt his gaze because she turned to meet his eyes, giving him a small reassuring smile. He didn't know how she did it, that small expression, but it always made him feel as though he had just dove beneath a waterfall, the feeling of just barely cool water pouring over him, so strong that he could be washed away at any second but he didn't care; all that with just a curl of her lips.

"It feels like old times. When we were both in the Mirkwood guard, do you remember?" she whispered, her eyes taking on a faraway quality as she revisited the memory. Legolas found himself smirking at the thought as well.

"Yes I remember. The two of us ready for battle and at the gates before the others had even dressed."

"We were young back then," Tauriel mused, her hands rubbing the smooth silver wood of her bow as she stood it in front of her. "We didn't put much stock in danger or the cost of battle and war…"

"We relished it, the glory and the risk. We thrived on it." Legolas mused reaching his hand out, his warm hand covering Tauriel's, soothing her nervous fingers.

"Wisdom comes with age and experience…" Tauriel whispered, looking back up into Legolas' face, her emerald eyes wide and full of sadness. Legolas had come to recognize that look, it accompanied thoughts of her sister. Legolas felt his own throat tighten, he had grown up with Tauriel and Faelwen, he had thought of them as close as kin, Faelwen like a sister. He had no siblings of his own, and he had hardly known his mother before she had died, the relationship he had fostered with Tauriel and Faelwen were bonds that were more precious to him than any he had ever experienced. Legolas felt Faelwen's loss deeply, he couldn't fathom what it was like for Tauriel.

"For which we still have much to gain, and plenty of time after this to do so." Legolas whispered, leaning forward he gently placed a comforting hand on Tauriel's shoulder she leaned her head down in response, pressing her cheek against the smooth skin of the top of his hand. "We will honor her when this is done Tauriel. I promise you that." Tauriel remained silent for a moment, keeping her cheek pressed against Legolas' hand, she acted almost as if she hadn't heard him.

"Yes…her spirit will be put to rest soon." There was something about the tone of her voice, the way that her whisper hung in the air. Like there was a secret behind her words, like she believed them but wished she didn't have to. Before Legolas could form the words to the questions swimming in his mind there was a loud guttural yowl that echoed from the bottom of the valley. The soldiers posted on the wall turned their attention to the horde below them. A Urk-hai commander stood atop a boulder in the valley, overseeing the surging army. His head was uncovered and the white outline of a hand print covered his hideous façade.

The mark of Sarumon. Legolas thought, her anger at the wizards betrayal flaring up within him and his hand tightened on the grip of his bow as the desire to burry one of his arrows in him was strong. The orc hoisted his arm into the sky and with another screech the company came to an immediate halt, an uneasy silence descending upon the Deeping wall. Legolas took a deep breath as he and Tauriel placed an arrow through their bows, not yet aimed but ready. It was about to begin.

*Tauriel P.O.V.*

A deafening clap of thunder sounded over head with such force that it shook the rain loose from the clouds grasp. Drops poured over the two opposing armies, sending the temperature plunging to chilling levels. Tauriel stood rigid as she felt her heart begin to beat faster, adrenaline coaxing the feeble muscle into a furious gallop, her breath materializing into wisps of clouds before her as she watched their enemies gather into battle formations at their captain's orders. She felts a hand briefly grasp her shoulder and was met with Aragorn's intense gaze before he continued to walk among the collected formation of elven archers that stood at attention on the front lines.

"Show these monsters no mercy, for there will be none for you to receive." Aragorn spoke in elvish, his words carrying down to the men and elves that waited behind the Deeping wall. Tauriel shivered at the commanding presence that exuded from the northern ranger, and again found herself in awe that the man before her, so roughly cut came from such kingly cloth.

"He'll make quite the ruler." Legolas whispered to her quietly, almost as if he had read her thoughts.

"Given the opportunity." Tauriel whispered back tongue in cheek, unable to hide the note of skepticism in her tone.

"Have faith…we will see the end of this," he whispered back, his hand reaching down to take hers. "Stay close to me, I'll protect you." Lifting her hand, his lip brushed the tops of her knuckles with a feather light touch, the softness raising gooseflesh along the skin of her forearm. Tauriel could only nod her head mutely, a small smile creeping across her face. The smile didn't last, disappearing as the Urk-hai began to beat their spear ends against the ground and strike their chests with armored fists in unison; a display meant to intimidate their opponents. Tauriel heard the sound of a blade sliding against the leather of a sheath. Aragorn raised his arm sword aloft, the point seemingly high enough to pierce the sky. Like an oceans wave the archers raised their bows, arrows notched and ready to fire. Tauriel pushed the air in her lungs slowly out of pursed lips and felt the familiar sensation of tension in her fingers ebb, replaced with a sort of twitch that willed her to let the arrow fly and find its target; the feeling was primal, instinctual and altogether intoxicating. Suddenly without word or warning the twang of a bow string being released broke the uneasy silence and Tauriel watched as the first strike flew from the top of the Deeping wall, burying itself in the fleshy throat of an Urk front linesmen. The silence was so thick that the creature's guttural gasp for last breath could be heard clearly before it fell with a heavy thud, dead in the mud. Ferocious snarls and yowls of anger erupted from the orc horde as the captain gave what Tauriel could only assume was the command to charge, and just like that the battle had begun.

"Fire!" Aragorn's command sounded from above the orcs screams and like the rain from the clouds their arrows fell upon their enemies but for every orc that was felled, two more rose to take their place. Tauriel had loosed nearly half her arrow supply but she felt it was making little difference in the face of such great host. Were they doomed, condemned to a brutal death no matter the efforts they put forth?

"Send them to me!" Gimli shouted from his place at Tauriel's elbow, gripping his axe with anticipation as he shuffled from one foot to the other, his impatience to quench his thirst for blood was evident.

"Careful what you wish for master dwarf," Tauriel cautioned with a good natured smile between each arrow she loosed. "There seems to be no end to this enemy."

"Aye, there will be an end for them, they'll meet it at the blade of my axe!" his boisterous laugh cut through the sound of battle and Tauriel couldn't help but wonder if all dwarves were so foolishly fearless in the face of death or if it was only the admirable trait of this one here.

"Not if they meet my arrows first my dwarven friend!" Legolas called out from Tauriel's other side as he released two arrows at once, clearly having overheard Gimli and Tauriel's conversation. Gimli bristled at the challenge, but before he was given a chance to reply Aragorn's voice sounded across the battlements; his one word of warning making the three take pause.

"LADDERS!"

"Finally!" Gimli exclaimed in unabashed relish, gripping his axe tighter in his gloved hands, his badly shifted into in attack position, waiting for his first opponent. Tauriel pitted the orc for they had no idea the ferocity they were about to encounter. Tauriel pulled her blades from their sheaths at her sides as she watched the imposing metal ladders were hoisted into the air with masked berzerker Uruks perched at the tops like villainous birds, slashing their blades wildly in the air. The ladders hit the Deeping wall with deafening clangs, steep grips locked in place upon the stone, berzerkers wasting no time in striking. Tauriel watched as the Uruk's mighty swing swept two elven men away like a child swatting away flies, effortlessly. The force of the monsters strike, all but split the soldiers in two, and then the creature turned his gaze on Tauriel. It charged, closing the distance between them in two inhumanly large steps and upon the third it raised its rusted sword over its head in an attempt to strike her down as well. Tauriel aught his attack with the length of the blade in her left hand, the one in her right catching the Uruk just beneath his right arm. The blade plunged in, she buried it to the hilt and bright red blood flooded over her fist. The sword dropped out of its hands and Tauriel watched as the light faded from its primitive eyes before retrieving her blade from the monsters flesh.

Tauriel heard the rapid twang of arrows being fired in succession and she looked for Legolas in the crowd of fighting men and orc, knowing instinctively that it was him firing those shots. Her search, however, was cut short but another Uruk, this time one of the grounds men who had climbed the newly placed ladders. Tauriel made the mistake of striking first, distracted in her search for Legolas. Her strike was easily and answered with an armored fist to her stomach. Tauriel doubled over as the air was forced from her lunges, her diaphragm spasming painfully. The orc grabbed her by the arm and lifted her off the ground, raising his sword to separate limp from body. Tauriel had dropped her blade in her free hand at the moment of impact, too stunned to maintain her grasp she was acutely aware of just how defenseless she was at this exact moment. Tauriel looked the orc in its beetle like eyes as it sneered at her, showing his vile twisted teeth; she refused to meet her end cowering, it was not in her nature. Just as the Uruk was about to strike Tauriel saw a flash of silver and felt the spray of blood cover her face like a fine mist. The Uruk screamed in pain as his arm fell from his body, severed brutally by the blade of an axe, his sword still in the grip of his dismembered hand. Tauriel fell to the ground heavily, the orc dropping her in the midst of his pain, quickly before the orc had time to realize his mistake Tauriel grabbed her blade and thrust it into the orc's throat until it came out the other side, it was dead before it hit the ground. Tauriel fell gratefully to her knees, the adrenaline that had been coursing through her veins moments before with the force of a typhoon was now ebbing away, her heart steadying its beat once more.

"Tauriel!" are you alright lass?" Gimli's robust voice called out and Tauriel felt a sturdy hand on her back, keeping her upright as she tried to clear her head from adrenaline filled haze. The dwarf's bearded face popped into her line of sight, his cheeks ruddy, brow beaded with sweat as he peered up into her face.

"Yes," she gasped, reclaiming her composure. "Yes, I'm alright thanks to you master Gimli." Her voice losing its tremor and her body seemed to cease with its buzz of nervous energy.

"I don't know what shape I'd be in if you hadn't shown up when you did." Tauriel rose to her feet, picking up her blades as she went. "I owe you my life."

"Nay milady, I did what any other would do for a comrade."

Comrade. The word was still so foreign to Tauriel, but is sound softened her. Tauriel patted the dwarven warrior affectionately on the back and turned to scan the crowd, looking once more for Legolas. She would not be so lucky the next time she fought if she remained distracted with her concerns for the prince's safety. All would fare better in this battle if she were to stay by his side.

"He's further down the wall lass." Tauriel turned to Gimli, surprised and ready to offer an explanation or excuse for her behavior but Gimli merely gave her a knowing smile before gesturing with his chin for her to go. "Go on lass, a pointy eared princeling like that needs all the help he can get." With a wink and a good natured laugh Gimli barreled on in the opposite direct, swinging his axe with devastating force. Tauriel watched him go for a moment, hoping fervently that the dwarf's strength would last this unforgiving night and then she too was off, after her prince, blade in hand and ready to take down her every enemy.

*Legolas and Tauriel P.O.V.*

It was taking all of Legolas' extensive training to keep his head above the veritable sea of orcs that crashed against the Deeping wall like an ocean's tempest. For every arrow he loosed there were two more adversaries to answer the challenge and even in the midst of battle Legolas' focus was diverted with concerns for Tauriel and her safety. He had lost sight of her, they had been separated once the fighting had begun and now he could not help but scan the bodies of the fallen that lay strew around his feet, searching for a glimpse of copper gold hair, or those emerald green eyes. He stood atop the wall, shooting orcs off the ladders as they climbed, trying to take down as many as he was able with each shot. Suddenly Legolas felt something grab his leg and before he could even turn, his feet were pulled out from under him. Legolas hit the stone ground hard, the air forced out of his lungs as an armored boot slammed down on top of his chest. The rain blurred the details of the orc's face from Legolas' vision but its blade caught the dim light of the moon and shown clearly in the night. He felt that blade against his neck, biting into the soft flesh that it found there, but before the orc could make his move, two arrows buried themselves into its chest with such force that the orc staggered backwards, releasing Legolas. A flash of copper surged forward and pounced on the orc, burying her sword into the creature's forehead.

"Legolas!" Tauriel called out to him, the fear of being too late clear in her voice as she dropped to his side. "Are you alright?" she whispered, he thin fingers reaching out, they brushed against his neck where the blade had been. She withdrew to find them red with blood and the panic that surged through her, made her face pale and her eyes widen in the most unnatural manner.

"A scratch." Legolas spoke quickly before Tauriel's panic had a chance to overwhelm her, as he rubbed the sting out of the small nick on his throat. "I'm alright." He assured her as she helped him to his feet, but even as he stood, they didn't let go of their grip on each other's hands, their eyes scanning over one and other, taking stalk of injuries, relishing in the fact that they both were still alive. Legolas couldn't deny his relief and pulled Tauriel into him, holding her body against his in a tight embrace. Her body stiffened in surprise for a moment and then she melted into him, wrapping her arms around him, as she held on. They pulled back to look at each other for a moment before both saying at the same time.

"Don't leave my side again." There was a surprised pause that gave way to a short burst of laughter that seemed to release all the nervous and pent up energy that the two had been holding within them, far before this battle had even begun. Legolas gripped her hand and pulled it to his lips, kissing her bruised knuckles gently.

"My sun." and Tauriel felt her heart race within her chest, even in the heat of battle Tauriel could not help the dizzying sensation of falling she got whenever Legolas drew near.

A burning light erupted in the distance, shining white like a blazing fallen star as it approached. Tauriel and Legolas both caught sight of the blaze and rushed to the wall to investigate. The sea of orcs had parted in two to form a clear path, leading directly to the wall and the small drain at its base. Peering closer Tauriel saw several large spiked balls of metal piled haphazardly around the drain. Rounding the corner came a berserker running full speed, the blazing light, a torch, held aloft in his meaty fist. It took them a fraction of a second for the two elves to make the connection to understand what the orcs plan was.

"Legolas!" Aragorn's voice called out to them, grabbing hold of their attention through the mayhem of battle. He was gesturing frantically to the berserker as each step drew him closer to the Deeping wall, the torch blazing even brighter than before. "Shoot him! SHOOT HIM!" In a single fluid motion Tauriel and Legolas lifted their bows, releasing their arrows simultaneously. Legolas' first shot was true, burying itself into the berserker's shoulder, but it hardly phased him. Tauriel's second shot found purchase in his back, but it still wasn't enough to stop the torch bearers' progression.

"KILL HIM! KILL HIM!"

Tauriel had her bow pulled taunt, arrow aimed as the creature came closer and closer. There was too much rain, he was running to fast, there wasn't enough time.

"Legolas." Tauriel breathed in horror, just as he loosed one more arrow that buried itself deep in its neck. The berserker pitched himself forward, torch extended towards the drain. Tauriel watched him fall into the small alcove, in an almost slow motion manner, the seconds seemed to span into hours. Tauriel dropped her bow, reaching out she took hold of Legolas' arm, turning him toward her. They looked at each other, their eyes filled with fear as they clung to each other. And before they had even finished their breath the wall erupted in a burst of burning light, that scorched their skin and left them momentarily blinded by the brilliance. The heavy, weathered stone flew up around them, tossed skyward by the power of the blast, the ground beneath their feet that had been solid moments before now crumbled away. Tauriel felt her stomach drop, and her grip tightened on Legolas' arm, she felt his own fingers clinging fiercely to her flesh as they fell. Tauriel caught another glimpse of Legolas, their eyes meeting once more before a second explosion erupted and she felt his body being torn from her grasp, she herself being flung in the opposite direction, a terrified scream ripping itself from her lungs. Tauriel soared through the sky, rock and bodies alike taking wing with her, she fell like dead weight to the ground her head hitting rubble hard, and for a second she couldn't breathe. Rain, and blood obscured her rapidly blurring vision as her body took on a heavy, useless feeling. She desperately tried to search for Legolas again not even sure which side of the wall she had landed, there was no sign of her fair haired prince just an imposing darkness.