A/N: I rushed to finish writing chapter 28 so I could upload chapter 26 for you guys! Hope you enjoyed the last chapter, and enjoy this one!

Thanks to all those who follow and fave: legolasgreenleaf15, dontlivetoimpressothers, poseidon94, oyuki kita540! And to my lovely reviewers, thanks for sticking with me!

Guest (d'elfe): Aww I know, I didn't mean for Elladan's story to be tragic but it just happened lol. Well we'll see if he will find love elsewhere. won't we...

: Nah it's not too harsh! The Thariya/Elladan thing was so unintentional but their chemistry just happened in the beginning. Even though we love Elladan, I believe that Thariya and Legolas are a better fit as they compliment each other. They've found each other through loss.

cardcaptor-kanna: Haha I know I know! I'm so sorry lol. And yeah Elladan has it rough. This one is a bit of a more serious chapter. And Let's say theres a little trouble in paradise...

yasmina1: Yeah, what'll make it worse is he's gonna be such a gentleman about it. You'll see.

Thatonesuperwholockedgirl: A lot of you guys want him to end up with someone haha. I might do something about it. You shall see.

- Angels and Douchebags

"Courting?" Elrohir spluttered in disbelief. A mixture of emotions crossed Elladan's face, the hurt that he showed did not go unnoticed by Thariya.

Yes. Thariya smiled brightly at them, trying to ease the tension.

"And you are happy, with him?" Elrohir asked unsure.

I am. Thariya confirmed.

"Then we," Elrohir placed an arm around Elladan's shoulders.

"-are happy for you." His lips curled upwards into a smile as Elladan did the same.

Thank you! Thariya wrapped her arms around them both.

Your approval means a lot to me. She pulled back giving them warm smiles.

Thariya was a very smart woman, and she knew the niceties were a show. With the help of her abilities, she could sense Elrohir's surprise but general happiness for her, but Elladan well she could sense his heartbreak. And she suspected the elf did not do much to hide it anyways.

"Of course, we wish only the best for you Thariya." Elladan gave her an intense look, his eyes holding an unreadable expression within them.

The two elves focused their attention behind Thariya, the elder noticeably stiffening upon seeing another figure approach. Legolas' eyes narrowed in on the two elves as his face broke out into a pleasant smile. Seeing two of his old friends brought a light to his eyes as he rushed down to stand behind Thariya.

Meleth nin. He spoke privately to her, as she gave him a warm look.

"Elrohir! Elladan! I had hoped to see you in a better place than this." Legolas chuckled.

"I see your wit has improved. No doubt it must have come from your time with Thariya." Elrohir mocked, causing the Nauth Herdir to roll her eyes.

"I don't recall Thariya ever having much wit." Elladan mused, smiling cheekily at Thariya.

You realise I'm standing right here. She said pointedly between the three elves.

"I do believe congratulations are in order Legolas." Elrohir changed the subject, as Legolas' brows knitted together.

"On your courtship of course." He clarified as Legolas nodded in realisation.

"Thank you both." Legolas smiled, his fingers trailing up Thariya's arm gently.

"Yes, though we did not realise the Prince of Mirkwood was even looking for a courtship. I had heard rumours that King Thranduil was promising you to someone else." Elladan said thoughtfully. Legolas stopped his ministrations on Thariya's arms as his mood dropped.

"I can assure you they were rumours only." He plastered a smile on his face.

"And no you are right, I was not looking for courtship. But it found me in the most unexpected way." Legolas gave Thariya a reverent look, the intensity of his blue eyes causing a light blush on her cheeks.

Elladan watched the exchange between them. The sadness washing over his body immensely, in truth he had expected Thariya to be unattached as when she had left. He has not expected her to fall for another and he felt the hurt like cracks in his soul.

"Such is the way of love." Elrohir said genuinely.

Thariya was his family, and if she was happy so was he. But for his brother, he knew Elladan would take his time to forget her. Silence hung in air as the faint murmur if men and a crackling fire was heard. The tension between the four characters was palpable.

It is late. We can all catch up on our quest tomorrow, but let us get some sleep. She smiled at all three elves.

"Of course, we will see you both tomorrow. Sleep well mellon." Elrohir said as the two brothers left.

Elladan walked around the tents, a hundred million thoughts racing in his mind. But one person occupying them all. Thariya. Thariya whom he thought could be his, he dared to dream.

Because if Arwen and Aragorn could find happiness then why could the eldest not settle down with a mortal? Lord Elrond would not encourage the relationship, despite loving Thariya like his own.

"I said I would wait for her." Elladan came to a stop outside their tent, facing Elrohir who looked lost for words.

"Did you tell her to wait for you?" The younger brother asked as they walked inside their tent.

"No." Elladan paused, slumping down into the chair.

"But I was not expecting to find her in courtship. And with another elf." He shook his head in disbelief.

"King Thranduil would never accept such a match for his son if he found out. He would want someone that could produce heirs. An elleth." Elladan reasoned.

"You do not mean to tell him?" Elrohir sat in the chair beside him, looking at him incredulously.

"Of course not. I would not get in the way of her happiness." Elladan resigned, placing his fingers on his temple.

"Even if it means sacrificing my own."

Elladan thought back to months before, when he was enjoying an afternoon with Arwen.

She was reading on one of the benches that overlooked the waterfall whilst he was sharpening his blades.

"I wonder what our Nauth Herdir would be doing now." Elladan mused, shining the blade.

Arwen smiled faintly into her book, before looking up to face her brother.

"I am sure wherever she is, she is in good hands. With Aragorn." Arwen said happily turning the page.

"I am sure she would be tormenting that dwarf by now. Or perhaps practising her powers." Elladan continued.

Arwen smiled again, her suspicions confirmed.

"You care for her." She posed it as a statement, Elladan fought to hide the smile that made its way onto his face.

"She cares for you?" Arwen checked.

"She said as much when we said our farewells. But I do not know if she would feel this way now." Elladan frowned, turning his attention back to the blade.

"You know Father is going with the sword to Dunharrow. Go with him." Arwen encouraged. Startled blue eyes met lighter ones in surprise.

"If you care for her as you say, then go and get her. What are you waiting for." Arwen smiled beautifully at her brother.

"It is too late now." Elladan shook himself out of the memory, returning to the present with Elrohir.

"I am sorry." Elrohir said, lost for words.

"No matter." Elladan smiled.

"We are here for her, no matter what. She is our family."

...

Well that was not awkward. Thariya chuckled facing Legolas.

"He still has feelings for you." Legolas spoke softly, looking down at her.

No he doesn't. Thariya said dismissively.

"You are far too perceptive to believe that, my dear. I can see it in his eyes, it is the same way I look at you." He smiled gently.

I-

"He is your friend and I do not blame him. Elves care very deeply, we feel everything far deeper than men." Legolas explained.

"You should get some sleep." Legolas pressed his lips to her forehead as her eyes fluttered close against his touch.

Thariya walked back towards her tent, feeling confused and frustrated by the turn of events. She was pleased to see the brothers and Lord Elrond, but she had not expected Elladan's feelings for her. It had been quite the whole since she had seen him, and she had moved on and she was happy. But the hurt on Elladan's face was enough to make her doubt herself, perhaps she had led him on somehow. Though she didn't mean to.

No matter, these were problems for the next morning. She sighed deeply as her mind went back to the unsettling vision she had regarding herself and Eowyn. She fell backwards into the bed, blowing the candle our by her bedside.

...

"You seem to find yourself in quite the predicaments my dear Thariya," Lorien's voice was bright as it rang out in the gardens.

The Nauth Herdir dipped her feet into the cool stream, the sweet breeze causing the leaves of the branches to twinkle. The golden hues of the silver leaves gave off a warm energy, one that relaxed her.

"I thought a Valar did not concern themselves with such trivial matters of mortals?" Thariya raised an eyebrow at him.

"True, but I am quite fond of this mortal." He smiled at her as she grinned.

"You were right to warn me off forming such connections." She sighed heavily.

"You are not happy with your Prince?" He asked in surprise.

"No. Legolas is wonderful." She said softly.

"So it is Lord Elrond's son that concerns you." The valar discerned.

"I feel guilt, perhaps I had led him on in some way. I just did not expect his feelings to still be there. I could sense it." She explained gloomily.

"My dear, you cannot control the hearts of all creatures. You would be very powerful indeed." Lorien remarked darkly.

"What do I do?" She turned to face him.

"Trust in your instincts and feelings. It will be clear in time." He said kindly.

"Cryptic as always Lorien." She huffed before her soul disappeared.

"You should have told her."

Irmo glanced to his side where his darker brother joined him.

"Getting easily bored in the Halls of Mandos, brother?" Irmo quipped.

"These disturbing visions of mine, she already has a heavy heart, she does not need more cause to suffer." Irmo replied.

"She has the right to know where her powers will lead her. So she can be careful. You have grown too attached to the mortal." Namo remarked.

"I believe in her, and her strength. She will make the right decision." Irmo said confidently as Namo took his leave.

"And this mortal, will decide the fate of all Middle Earth."

...

"You are sure of your decision?" Aragorn saddled Brego, hanging his pack with food supplies to last a few days and the sword given to him.

Lord Elrond had tasked him with finding a new route to Gondor. And how to gain new allies which would turn the tide of battle. But the ranger was afraid, it was no trick whom his eyes saw in that narrow passage. Murderers and cutthroats would not take up arms to help men, they were traitors. And no re-forged sword of Narsil could convince them otherwise.

But he had to try, even the smallest chance. He had to. However after unsuccessfully sneaking off towards the passage, he was intercepted by none other than his brothers in arms.

"Have you learnt nothing of the stubbornness of dwarves?" Legolas gave him a wry smile, running his hand over the mane of his own saddled horse.

But hearing his decision to not awake Thariya and leave her here with the army, well that surprised him to say the least.

"Yes. I know she will be angry with me for a time, but all those tortured souls, that dark energy. I cannot lose her to the darkness." Legolas said firmly as Aragorn reluctantly agreed.

Thariya awoke again, covered in sweat from a nightmare. Damn impropriety, she was too afraid of sleeping by herself and she needed comfort. She needed Legolas. She marched out of her tent and directly into his tent, silently creeping in for Gimli would be asleep but the elf would not.

She pushed the tent back and was surprised to find both bedrolls made. In fact the tent was neat and tidy. What astounded her the most was there was no Legolas or Gimli, nor their weapons.

Her expression morphed from confusion into anger. If she suspected right, Aragorn's tent would also be empty which meant the three of them were planning an expedition. Without her.

Thariya went to her tent and wrapped the cloak around her shoulders, she strapped her boots and assembled her sword on her waist with the bows and arrows at her back. With her staff in hand she pulled the hood over her head and began searching the camp.

"My lady, you should not be out as such an hour-" one of the guards began to speak. He took in her fully dressed appearance, armed with all her weapons and looked at her questioningly.

Have you seen Lord Aragorn? Or Legolas or Gimli? She asked with no patience.

"No I have not, but one of my men saw him with his fully saddled horse. Leaving us to take the road through the mountain." The guard was surprised by her abruptness.

Take me to it. She said.

"But my lady-"

Take me to it. She said more firmly. The guard obliged her request, the fire burning in her eyes evident. He pitied the poor souls who were to endure her wrath.

The guard pointed towards the passage where the three in question were about to leave. The men about the camp were eyeing Aragorn with suspicion, but their conversation grew even louder seeing Thariya.

She walked through the army of men, fuelled by determination and rage.

So you think you can leave me here, in the middle of the night whilst you three go off on this dangerous mission?

Gimli and Aragorn had the decency to look ashamed at least as they did not meet her eyes. She settled her gaze on Legolas, who looked physically pained by her confrontation.

"It was not their decision. I made it." Legolas said admittedly.

Your decision? It was not your decision to make Legolas. Thariya replied angrily.

In all Aragorn's years of knowing the elf, this was the first time he had witnessed him truly afraid, and of a mortal woman.

"We thought it would be safer if you stayed here lass." Gimli added trying to ease the tension.

Safe? Where on Middle Earth do you think is safe? We have been surrounded by war and bloodshed since we set foot outside Rivendell. She sighed heavily.

"Thariya," Legolas stepped forward placing his hand on his arm.

"We are taking the Dimholt road under the mountain. We will encounter thousands of dead creatures and all manner of foul things, I thought it would be safer for you not to be surrounded by all that dark energy." He explained calmly.

The fire burning in her eyes dimmed slightly upon hearing his words. Though she knew his intentions were good and that it was a risk, it was still not on him; courting or not.

You think I will turn evil. That I will lose control. Thariya said in realisation.

"I would never call you evil, you would never become that, as long as you were safe." Legolas defended.

You don't trust I can control my powers. Thariya looked into his eyes for the first time.

"I just didn't want you to risk your life, your powers are strong. But the evil is great under that mountain." He said softly, his eyes apologetic.

Regardless, I knew the risk I took when I left Rivendell. And I know the risk now, you cannot force me to act according to what you feel is best for me. Whether you like it or not, we are in this together and I am coming with you. She said firmly, holding Legolas' gaze.

The soldiers were watching the exchange with a great amount of interest and disbelief. Having a woman amongst the army was unheard of, though Thariya has gained their respect. But now she was leaving them also?

"Very well." Aragorn nodded breaking the tension between them.

"We will have to double up, for there is no time to saddle another horse." Aragorn said, looking between his friends uneasily.

"We can ride together." Legolas looked at the Nauth Herdir who shot him a harsh glare.

"Thariya, I am sorry." Legolas said genuinely. He knew he should've listened to the doubt in his mind, that trying to leave her behind even for her safety would backfire. And now she was also angry with him.

I will be riding with Aragorn. She proclaimed mounting the horse with ease.

They set off down the narrow path, with Aragorn and Thariya on Brego leading the way. The fire light from the camp grew more distant and soon they were engulfed with darkness. They passed through a narrow ravine, Thariya looked upwards at the sky full of stars. Ahead was darkness only, as the horses trotted quietly.

She could sense the unease amongst her companions, not only from their argument but the nature of their mission. Thariya remembered the fear she had felt seeing the King of the Dead, his toothy smile and then the wind blew him away as if he were nothing. She shivered involuntarily, holding onto Aragorn's shoulders.

"Are you alright?" Aragorn turned his head behind him.

Yes. Just cold. She answered. The Nauth Herdir glanced back at Legolas, whose eyes met her own in a pleading manner. She looked away from the intensity, drawing her attention to the paths ahead of them.

"He did not mean to hurt you." Aragorn whispered softly. Thariya said nothing, leaning her head on the Ranger's back.

"He was just trying to keep you safe."

He knows I can take care of myself. It was not his decision to make. She argued.

"I know my friend, but his intentions were good. And he knows you can, but he loves you. It is natural for him to be overprotective." Aragorn mused.

I know that. Thariya said gently, her heart softening slightly.

But that does not mean I have to forgive him immediately. She huffed as Aragorn chuckled.

"My stubborn friends." He shook his head.

"Laddie, you'll burn a hole in her back if ya keep lookin' at her." Gimli said gruffly. He had been watching the elf and his longing looks for the last couple of hours and had enough.

"She's angry with me." Legolas said helplessly.

"Well what did you expect! You were ready to leave her behind." Gimli exclaimed.

"She would have been safer. It was better than this." Legolas defended.

"Lad," Gimli sighed.

"You two are courtin' so I understand yer concerns. But you wouldn't have done this if you weren't, you've got to treat her like yet equal. Don't doubt her abilities, and if anything goes wrong we'll protect her." Gimli answered.

"If anything happens to her, I will blame myself." Legolas said worriedly.

They came out of the ravine just as the sun starting rising over the mountain top. The sunrise was glorious, although Thariya slept through it, ungracefully against Aragorn's back. The sun was quickly shielded by a thick layer of cloud, the mountain road was treacherous and littered with rocks from landslides. A fog began descending as well, causing the visibility to be reduced.

This is not a natural fog. Thariya commented, breaking the silence.

"No it is not." Legolas lead the horse so that it was beside Brego.

"What kind of army would linger in such a place?" Gimli muttered, eyeing the fog and silent mountain warily.

"One that is cursed. Long ago the men of the mountain swore an oath to the last king of Gondor." Legolas began telling the story.

Thariya turned her head to listen, for she was not as familiar with this story.

What happened? She asked.

"When the time came for the fight, when Gondor's need was dire, they fled vanishing into the darkness of the mountain." Legolas responded.

The horses trotted steadily around the sharp bends and curves within the mountain. A breeze whistled past Thariya's ears, menacing whispers flying through the air.

She shuddered in fear slightly. Up until know she did not care for ghost stories, but they were truly going to face them. She could feel the darkness and evil radiating all around them, it was thick in the atmosphere.

"And so Isildur cursed them, never to rest until they had fulfilled their pledge. Who shall call them from the grey twilight, the forgotten people? The heir of him to whom the oath they swore. From the North shall come, need shall drive him. He shall pass the door to the Paths of the Dead." Legolas eerie voice stopped, silence overcoming them.

The horses stopped, coming to an archway leading into the mountain. The very warmth in the air was stolen away, replaced by an overwhelming feeling of darkness and being trapped.

They dismounted their horses, looking at the pathway. Thariya was afraid, more than she had ever been before. It gave her no comfort to see her companions unease either, none of them knew what was to come.

"The very warmth of my blood seems stolen away." Gimli shuddered.

"The way is shut, it was made by those who are dead and the dead keep it. The way is shut." Legolas read the inscription above the door.

A rush of wind and the sound of howling came up towards the path, spooking the horses. The horses fled, leaving the four companions in dismay.

Great. That's our way out gone. Thariya groaned, looking fearfully into the doorway.

"I do not fear death." Aragorn snarled, unsheathing his sword and walking unashamedly into the darkness.

Legolas looked back towards Thariya offering his hand to her. Damn the elf. He knew how she was feeling. No, she refused to look weak in front of him, especially since he wanted her to stay with the army. Legolas retracted his hand, looking hurt and followed Aragorn into the path.

"Well this is a thing unheard of. An elf will go underground, where a dwarf dare not. Oh I'd never hear the end of it." Gimli grumbled fearfully. He began walking towards the door before looking back and seeing the nervous Nauth Herdir eyeing the path uneasily.

His heart jumped at the sight of her fear and he willed himself to be strong. Gimli marched forward and offered his hand to Thariya.

She looked at his hand in surprise but took it nonetheless, keeping her staff in the other. They both looked determined at the doorway.

"Stick with me lass and we'll make it through."

A/N: Enjoy this one guy! Sorry for the conflict in advance.