Holy Cow guys! 40,000 Views! Over 125 Favs, 150 Reviews, and 200 Followers! I love you guys sooooooooo Much! Thanks for your loyalty and support! I truly appreciate each and every one of you!

So as promised, here is another chapter!

In this chapter Mae wakes up and the story continues on… This will take us to about the half-way point of RoTK.

Anyways… The rating for the end of this chapter is up to M just to be safe. Nothing really happens, but I've got some comments about their kisses so to C.M.A… haha.

-B

Chapter 25: Next Steps

Pain. Searing, burning pain. That was all that I felt. My chest felt as if a troll was sitting on it. I wanted to open my eyes but the pain made me wince at even the thought. But as I tried to block out the pain, I heard a voice.

"Legolas, it has been four days. You must rest. She would not want you to be like this" Four days? What has taken four days? Why isn't Legolas sleeping? Then I remembered everything. The palantir, him, fire…death. But the light shined through, my mom.

I had to see him; he had to know I was okay. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. The room was dim, and I couldn't see much even with my elvish eyes. I tried to move but unbearable pain shot through me and I gasped. That was all it took. I felt his hand tighten around mine and he leaned over me.

"Mae?" he asked hope filling his voice.

"Legolas" I managed to get out but my throat was so dry it was nothing more than a whisper. I opened my eyes and met his entrancing blue ones. They were filled with worry, hope, and joy.

I tried to speak again but nothing came out. He reached next to him and brought a cup of water to my lips. I welcomed the cool liquid as it ran down my parched throat. I finished the whole thing and smiled as even that minute act brought such relief.

"I thought I had lost you" he said smiling and caressing my cheek softly.

"You will never loss me" I said reaching my hand up to pull his face down to mine. He put his lips to mine, I tangled my hands in his hair, and his hand remained on my face.

"Good, because being the selfish elf I am, couldn't bare it" he said kissing my forehead.

"Rest Mae, you have been through much" he said sitting back.

"Only if you rest with me" I said trying to move over.

"I am afraid I will harm you"

"Nonsense, you silly elf now get over here" I lied. There was going to be a lot of pain tonight I'm sure, but it's worth it to be next to him. Once he was beside me, I shifted slowly so that my head rested on his chest and I tried my best to hide rigid movements in my body and the grimace of pain on my face. He wrapped his arm around me and simply played with my hair.

"Good night my star"

"Good night my prince"

This moment was worth whatever price I had to pay. To be with Legolas one more time, no matter the pain shooting through my body. I drifted back into sleep, but it wasn't dreamless…

I was walking through Lothlorien. It was peaceful here. The moon was high and it was a warm night. The wind blew gently in the trees but leaves fell around me.

'Not idly do the leaves of Lothlorien fall' I whispered catching some in the palm of my hand. As I continued, I found myself at the Lady's mirror. I secretly hoped I would see her but this is but a dream. I said looking down at the empty mirror.

'Young One, why have you come?' I jumped at her unusually cold voice.

'I have questions…'

'I know of what you speak. But not even I know what you must pay. I sense the taint of darkness in your mind. It was foolish for you to seek me out this night' Her bitterness continued.

'All I want are answers'

'Young one, you must pay a price. One does not come back from death without consequence. But this price remains hidden from both you and I' Her voice softened in exasperation.

'What should I do?'

'Do not give the darkness heed but be ever wary of your emotions. I wish I could tell you more, but my guidance is useless in this matter' she said looking down at her mirror.

'What should I do?'

'Your fate is tied to that of the ring, much like the Lady Arwen in Rivendell. Only if it is destroyed will you be free of it. You must make your own decisions: go with the remaining fellowship or remain in Rohan. However, your injuries will not heal as they would normally, do to their nature I am afraid'

'I understand. Thank you for meeting me my Lady'

'May the Valar watch over you until our next meeting Young One' Then she was gone and I heard a voice calling my name.

"Mae, you must wake up!" I looked up to see Merry on the left side of my bed.

"Merry what is it?!" I almost sit up except the pain in my chest forbids me from doing so.

"The beacons of Minas Tirith are lit. We ride for Dunharrow within an hour. Hurry!"

"What?" I said slowly sliding up along my headboard.

"Merry, go ahead, I will help her get ready" Legolas was now standing in my doorway, with his battle attire on.

"Legolas what happened while I was unconscious?"

"A lot, and now we ride for Gondor and pray we won't be too late"

"Too late for what? What are the beacons?" I asked very confused.

"When Pippin touched the palantir, Sauron showed him a vision of Minas Tirith, the white city, the city of Kings, burning and under attack. Gandalf left three days ago to warn the city. The beacons are a call for help, meaning the vision was true and the city is under attack or will be very soon"

"Oh, so we ride to aid them"

"Are you even fit to ride Mae? You can barely move. Perhaps you should stay here in Edoras"

"I will heal in no time. See I can almost sit up without a searing pain" I said sitting up for point and hiding the pain.

"You will come to Dunharrow, but if I or Aragorn feel you are unable to fight, you will stay there with the other women. Promise me please" he said with soft eyes.

"I can't promise that Legolas. If you had your choice, I would not fight at all. So you would be more biased" I said with a serious tone.

"You know me well" he said picking me and standing me up. Surprisingly it didn't hurt as bad as I expected but I almost fell into him as my muscles felt my weight for the first time in days.

"Stay here, I will have a maid get you ready" he said ducking out of my room. I used the bed post as a support until the door opened. A few minutes later, a younger woman came in looking sad.

"Master Legolas sent me in to assist you. My name is Aria"

"Thank you, I am Maethriel"

"You are lucky to be going with them my lady. I'm surprised given your injury" she said loosening the wrap and changing it.

"I have come too far to be separated from them now. Even if I do not fight, I will at least see them to Dunharrow"

"I understand my lady. Which tunic would you like?"

"My dark green one with black leggings" she helps me dress and I grab my bow, quiver, and sword. It hurts to carry them but I'm hoping with the day ride and day of rest, I will be healed enough to fight. Aria packed a small bag for me with an extra tunic, bandages, and my chain mail should I be able to fight. We slowly walk to the main steps seeing all the men of Edoras preparing for battle.

"Lass! It's good to see you up and moving again" I hear Gimili's booming voice coming from near the stables. I look over and see him, Aragorn, and Legolas settling their horses.

"Indeed Gimili, be unconscious for four days and the world ends around you" I said trying to joke.

"Are you sure you can make this journey? You awoke only last night?" Legolas asked.

"I am up and walking. I shall be fine" I said attaching my bag to Arod's sattle.

Not long after that, Legolas mounted Arod and gently pulled me up in front of him. I almost doubled over from pain but sat up straight. I leaned against Legolas and let out my breath as my body relaxed.

"You are in much pain. Why must you do this?" Legolas whispered into my ear.

"I refuse to be left behind! I may not fight but I will ride with you as long as I can" I said turning to kiss his cheek. His arms tightened around me.

"I don't know what you two are whispering about, but laddie, I'm pretty sure she would find a way to come. And I think you'd fill much better with her riding with you" Gimili said as Aragorn led Brego up next to us.

"He has a point" Aragorn said smiling.

Before we could say anymore, Eomer and the king appeared at the gates.

"Now is the hour! Riders of Rohan, oaths you have taken! Now fulfill them all, to Lord and Land!" Eomer shouted as the rally of men and horses followed up behind him. Our group was just behind him and the king alongside Gamling.

At first, my pain was horrible, and I thought about having Legolas take me back. Which is hard to admit, but as Arod fell into a smooth rhythm, it subsided slightly to a tolerable level. We stopped three times to let the horses rest. Each time, it got easier for me to remount and my muscles seemed to be stretching back out.

As the sun set, I saw the mountain side known as Dunharrow. I could see men and horses scurrying about as tents were being set up and fires built. But it was still too far for us to make it this night.

"Set up temporary camp. We leave at dawn" The king announced. We continued on a little further as we set up our site away from the others. We normally don't set up tents but the wind on the open plains is cold this night. I settled into one and Legolas came in to lay next to me. He propped his head up on an elbow.

"Mae, will you let Aragorn check your wounds? Just to make sure they haven't got worse. The ride today, I know was not gentle on them" he looked serious but I know he only cares for my safety.

"I know Aragorn is a great healer… but I'd rather you did" I said slowly sitting up to face him. His face turned pale.

"I want no man to see me but you" I said taking his hand and putting it on my chest where the bandages met between my breasts.

"Are you sure…?" he asked and if I could see, I'm sure his cheeks would be red. Nudity is never a problem for elves… but between those in love is a different story.

"Positive" I said right away. He secured the tent flaps and then returned to me.

"I will be quick and gentle as I can" he said slowly pulling my tunic over my head. He then started to untie my under tunic but stopped.

"I…" he stuttered. It was adorable, his modesty.

"Legolas, look at me. Like I said, I want no other to see me"

He nodded and continued. As he pulled apart the shirt he made quick to remove the cloth wrap Aria put in place for support exposing the bandages that covered all my chest. He slowly pulled the white clothes away one at a time expecting the skin below, careful not to expose my breasts. When they were all gone, he took a cloth, wet it, and wiped over the skin.

"It is healing; it seems to have healed a good distance in. But honestly I expected more" Two factors hinder my healing, one I'm only half elf, despite my choice to be a full elf, and two it was inflicted by a weird blade. I guess it would be similar to a morgel blade perhaps?

"The Lady Galadriel told me it would take longer" I took this opportunity to look down and see my wound for the first time. It was probably about a hand's length (about 6 inches, but they didn't have measurement systems back then) in diameter with rough jagged edges. The skin was scabbed over but the pink lines showed healing was occurring. But no splits or tears were seen by me or Legolas. He started to apply the new bandages Aria sent with me.

"When did you see her? Did she come to you in a dream?"

"Yes, last night…"

"What happened, Mae? I know we haven't had a chance to really talk about it and I want to be here for you" Could I tell him… Should I tell him?

"When I picked up the palantir…I saw him again. He asked if I changed my mind. I told him no. So he drew a blade of fire and well…" I said looking down to look at my wound.

"But how did you return?"

"It seemed like the darkness went on forever . It was cold and I saw faces and memories flashing around me. But then I saw…a light! I followed it and my mom was there Legolas! I haven't seen here since I was a little girl! I was so happy to see her but she was just a spirit. I couldn't hug her or even touch her. She told me I was at the entrance to the Halls of Mandos" his face paled.

"So, he…killed you…"

"She said I had a choice. I could go on and be born again into the undying lands or…come back"

"You chose to come back"

"I did, but it was not without a cost"

"What cost?" he asked worry filling his eyes.

"She didn't say specifically, only that my mind would be tainted by darkness until he is defeated completely. I don't know how or when this darkness will manifest but please know if I do something…"

"I could not blame you and neither would Aragorn or Gimili, although, I believe he should know. Since he was a target before"

"Yes of course"

"In the morning though. How are you dealing with it all? I didn't go through it and I'm unsure of my reactions to this all. I was lost when you were unconscious, I feared for you so much. And then Gandalf came saying there was a darkness in your mind he couldn't heal. It made it worse. But you're awake and alive that's all that matters. We will deal with this darkness as it comes" he said looking me in the eyes.

"I'm scared, petrified even that I will do something and have no control over it but I don't know how to handle it all. I don't feel any different. Honestly, if it wasn't for this wound on my chest, I would think it all a dream. I just don't know right now"

"You will get through this. Every day, Frodo and Sam are closer to destroying that wretched ring. They will do it and the darkness that is haunting you will be gone!" he said putting a hand on my face temporarily before going back to finishing my bandages. His hands were soft and gentle against my skin and I closed my eyes as he finished.

"All done" he said securing the support wrap back in place. He helped me back into my inner tunic and I lay flat on my blanket. Then he came down beside me. I smiled and leaned my head against his chest. He wrapped his arms around me gently and kissed my temple. Whatever the cost, I say again, it is worth it to be by his side.

"Thank you… it would have been so awkward if Aragorn would have done it" I said laughing softly.

"It was my pleasure" I didn't have to look up to see the smile on his lips.

So there you have it! Another chapter done! I can't believe I'm working on Chapter 26 right now!

I really toyed with having her tell Legolas or not but decided it was probably a good idea.

I will make a good effort to get one more chapter out before the end of break but no promises. I have some school stuff I do need to do T.T stupid nursing can't even let me enjoy my break.

But next chapter will be Dunharrow… Hmmmm what will happen?

Until next time!

-B