Chapter Twenty-Five
As the black gate comes into sight I peer around ada. "Be careful!" Ada catches me before I fall off.
"Sorry ada." I mutter and sit still behind him. I look back over my shoulder at Legolas. He nods and I return my gaze the back of ada's head. He had me pull back his hair before we left.
We come closer and it appears to be deserted. "Where are they?" I hear Pippin ask, he rides with Gandalf. Ada urges Brego forward and Gandalf, Eomer, and Legolas follow. I look around and see that as usual Gimli is behind Legolas. Merry rides behind Eomer. Over my shoulder I see the fear in the men's faces.
As we stop at the gate ada pushes me behind him as if to hide me. The gate creaks open and a single rider appears upon a black horse, such a beautiful creature used for such evil deeds. The rider does not have a face as far as I can see. In fact the only thing I can see of his face is a very disgusting looking mouth.
"My master, Sauron the great, bids you welcome. Is there any in this rout with the authority to treat with me?" The mouth asks.
"We do not come to treat with Sauron, faithless and accursed. Tell your master this: the armies of Mordor must disband. He is to depart these lands never to return." Gandalf replies sternly but calmly.
"Old Greybeard. I have a token I was bidden to show thee." The mouth holds up Frodo's mithril shirt. I cover my mouth holding back a sob.
"Frodo." Pippin says. The mouth of Sauron throws the shirt to Gandalf. "Frodo!" Pippin calls out.
"Silence!" Gandalf orders.
"No!" Merry says.
"Silence!" Gandalf orders a second time. I grip ada's cape and hold back my tears.
"The halfling was dear to thee, I see. Know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host. Who would've thought one so small could endure so much pain? And he did, Gandalf. He did." The mouth laughs wickedly and ada and I ride up to him casually. "And who is this? Isildur's heir and his daughter? It takes more to make a king than a broken Elvish blade." The mouth taunts.
With a quick, hard, slice Ada cuts off the Mouth of Sauron's head. "I guess that concludes negotiations." Gimli says.
"I do not believe it! I will not!" Ada says firmly. The gate swings open and an army of orcs marches towards us. "Pull back! Pull back!" Ada shouts and we rides back to the men.
Our army is unsettled. "Hold your ground! Hold your ground! Sons of Gondor! Of Rohan! My brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me! A day may come when the courage of Men fails, when we forsake our friends, and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the Age of Men comes crashing down, but it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!" Ada speeches with Anduin held high. The soldiers draw their own swords.
We ride back into the formation and ada dismounts. I helps me down and with soothing words in elvish sends Brego away. All the other horses follow behind Shadowfax who will keep them safe.
The orcs surround us. Their number is significantly greater than ours. "Never thought I'd die fighting side by side with an elf." Gimli states.
"What about side by side with a friend?" Legolas asks, looking down at the dwarf.
"Aye, I could do that." Gimli answers.
I turn and my gaze meets Legolas's. "Stay safe melamin" He says using our connection.
"You to eggo." I reply then turn to face the orcs.
"For Frodo." Ada states to Gandalf then takes off running. Merry and Pippin run after him and the rest of us follow.
I clash with two orcs. I cut one's head off then stab the other through the chest. My cheek is nicked and I stab that orc in the head. I hear Nazgul scream overhead. I continue to fight no matter how many times I get nicked or cut.
I hear bird cries and momentarily look up. The eagles fight the nazgul and I turn back to the battle down here on the ground. I fight and fight and then I see a huge troll. I look where its gaze leads. Ada. As ada engages with the troll it throws him down and it's foot lies on top of him. "Ada!" I scream and madly swing at any orc in my way. From behind I'm grabbed and a knife is held to my throat. My captor turns and I see Thalion hit Legolas in the ribcage. Legolas falls to the ground. I bring my sword up and shove it back into whoever holds me. I run past orcs killing a few here and there. Thalion is about to bring his sword down on Legolas. I hold my sword above my head and stop the blow. "Over my dead body!" I scream in his face and turn him just as an orc swings its weapon. It hits Thalion in the side. Thalion screams, grabs his side then disappears. I turn back to Legolas and help him up. "Legolas are you alright?" I ask and he nods.
"Thanks to you." Legolas states and I quickly squeeze his hand then I stab another orc through the throat. I am about to swing my sword on an orc but then they all look back to Mordor and begin to flee.
I look on and see the tower of Barad-dur collapsing. The eye explodes and sends some sort of shock wave that opens up the ground and swallows the army. Some get away but we will easily clean them up after. "Frodo! Frodo!" I hear Merry yelling in victory.
Then Mount Doom explodes and I watch in horror. My eyes are wide and the tears freely slide down my cheeks. "It is not over! You all head back to Minas Tirith!" Gandalf yells climbing onto an eagle. "I will return with them!" Gandalf yells as the eagles takes off.
Legolas takes my hand as our horses come back to us. He takes me over to ada then lifts me onto Brego. Ada climbs up and winces. "Where were you hurt?" I ask and he shakes his head.
"Just small cuts, I'm wincing because I am sore." Ada answers and I put my head on his back gently and then it sinks in.
"It's over." I say out loud in relief.
"Yes, it's over." Ada takes one of my hands and holds it tightly.
We ride in silence back to Minas Tirith. "Nana? Are you listening?" I ask tiredly.
"Yes lellig, I am always listening. I am so proud of you Elora." Nana replies and I hear the happy tears in her voice.
"Are you going to be alright now nana?" I ask, slowly falling asleep.
"Yes. Now rest. Your father won't mind if you fall asleep, after all, you deserve it." Nana replies and softly I hear her sing the lullaby I sang to Merry.
~Aragorn~
We arrive back in Minas Tirith and Elora has fallen asleep behind me. "Legolas!" I call him over in a whisper. He smiles and carefully takes her into his arms. "Take her to your room."
"She did well today. She moves fast." Legolas states and I smile. "Thalion was there and thought he could take my life in the midst of battle but she was there before I knew what was going on." Legolas explains and I cup Elora's face with my hand, she smiles in her sleep.
"I don't think one thousand men could keep her from you Legolas. Thank-you for keeping her safe this entire time." Legolas nods and walks away taking Elora to their room.
"My lord, this came while you were away." Faramir comes up to me and hands me a letter. I open it and there is a drawing of Arwen and I. Arwen holds an infant in her arms. I smile then see a short letter at the bottom of the paper.
Our babygirl has grown so much. I can not wait to see her again. Do not let her know this though. I love you Aragorn, love Arwen.
~Elora~
I wake up and see Legolas wearing a nice silver tunic. "You slept all day after the battle melamin." Legolas says and I sit up and stretch.
"Good cause I feel better but I am also sore." I reply and he turns around and holds something out to me.
"Lady Eowyn thought this would suit you." I stand up and hold up the dress. It is a silver dress and looks like Legolas's tunic.
"Matching." I state then look at myself in the mirror. "I think I am going to take a bath first."
"Alright melamin. When you are done I will be in the courtyard with Aragorn." Legolas kisses my forehead and heads out. I pick up the dress and the flower crown Merry made for me.
I head into the bath and let my sore body soak for a while. I scrub the dirt off and then wash my hair, twice. I climb out and dry my naked body. There is a knock at the door. "Lady Elora." Eowyn says from the door. I wrap my body in a towel.
"Come in." I answer. She enters and quickly picks up my clothing and helps me dress. She does my hair up in my traditional braid and I set the flower crown on my head and put my necklace back around my neck. I slip ada's ring over my finger then admire the silver ring on my left index finger.
"Here, let me see." Eowyn backs up and smiles. "Ah, the daughter of the king. Come I will lead to the courtyard." I follow Eowyn happily.
"Thank-you Eowyn, you are a good friend." I state and she smiles.
"It is my pleasure to help you and be there for you." Eowyn replies as she pushes open the doors. I see one of the men I love walking. He stops and his face wears an expression of awe.
"My lords. Princess Elora." I'm momentarily shocked at the title.
"Elora, come here lellig." Ada holds open his arm and I lift my dress and head over to him and Legolas. "Let us go see Frodo, the others are already there." Ada and I head to the house of healing. I go up to Legolas and we enter together.
"Elora! Legolas!" Frodo says happily and I smile and let go of Legolas's hand and go over to the young hobbit and hug him. I get up and take my spot between ada and Legolas.
Sam enters a few moments later. I look around us and the fellowship is back together. Boromir comes into my mind and I hope wherever he is he can see that his death was not in vain, Middle-Earth is safe, Sauron and his accursed ring are gone forever.
Later that day Legolas and I walk in the courtyard hand in hand. "I have asked Aragorn to take you back to Mirkwood. We will be there until May. We would leave the morning after tomorrow if you want to." Legolas informs me, breaking our peaceful silence.
"I do desire to the green leaves of trees again. Since ada had already given his permission I will go back to Mirkwood with you my love." I answer. I hold onto his elbow and rest my head on his shoulder. He places his hand over mine.
~Legolas~
It is the morning Elora and I leave for my home. Last night we had said our farewells to our dear friends, vowing to see them soon again. Aragorn and Elora spent most of the night with each other. Aragorn will be crowned King in May, Elora is to return a week before then, I will be having Tauriel and Calaen and a few other trusted elves escort her back. My father has requested that I stay so that we may have our own bonding time.
"Legolas, are you ready? Eomer has Arod ready for us." Elora says from the door, her sweet voice drawing me from my thoughts.
"Yes melamin." I grab my things and take her hand as we head to the stables.
"You have fun lellig. I will see you in two months time." Aragorn kisses Elora's forehead. "Legolas, you take care of her. I hope to see soon mellon nin." Aragorn places and hand on my shoulder. I do the same and we bring one another into a hug.
"I will look after her mellon nin and she shall return home safely." I jump up onto Arod, who Eomer has given to me.
"Take care!" Our friends yell as I put Arod into a light trot.
A/N: One more chapter and it will be the end of the first book! Do not worry my lovelies there will be a sequel! :)