I've decided to write a new LOTR story completely different from my previous one, which I will probably take down when I get home from classes today or something. This new idea has been brewing in my head lately so I decided to give it a shot and see where this one will take me. I've always loved Legolas XD and I can't wait to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug when it comes out Friday! Anyone else going to watch it? Orlando Bloom is coming back XD

Summary: Laeriel had no recollections of how she came to Rivendell. The only thing she knows is Lord Elrond raised her as his own. When the Council of Elrond is called forth to determine the fate of all Middle-Earth, Laeriel joins the Fellowship in hopes of unraveling the mysterious threads surrounding her past. What she discovers will threaten to rip apart the lives of those whom she holds dear...

Laeriel is one of the translations of my real name, the source I used for this is a website called Council of Elrond.

Reviews are welcome!

Constructive criticism also welcomed!

Anything else shall be ignored and used to heat my house (aka flames).

I hope you all like this new story!

Rating: T

Pairing: Legolas/OC

Disclaimer: I do not own LOTR or any of its affiliated belongings!


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Those With Courage

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March Upon The Black Gate

When Laeriel and Legolas left their room later that day to head for the stables, they passed Aragorn along the way. He was clad in a black armor emblazoned with the White Tree of Gondor on front, and the young elleth could feel pride radiating off her cousin. He had finally decided to embrace his true heritage and reclaim the throne of Gondor, to lead his people in a final battle to free Middle-Earth from the influence of Sauron. Unable to help herself, Laeriel walked briskly over to him and smiled when he saw her approach.

"You look fitting for a king," she said warmly.

He returned her smile but she could tell it was not reaching his eyes.

"What is the matter?"

"Arwen is dying..."

Her own eyes widened and her heart quickened against her chest. Laeriel pressed her head against her cousin's chest and hugged him, hoping to comfort him with the warmth of her body.

"She will live. She will. I know she will."

Aragorn hugged his cousin. "Frodo will not fail us," he agreed.

Gimli and Legolas returned to join the duo just as Aragorn prepared to head for the stables. Soldiers were lined up along the courtyard when he passed, and they all saluted their king. He exchanged a brief look with Éomer, and the two men hurried towards where the horses were stationed. Laeriel lingered in the back, intending to wait until they were all gone but Legolas remained. Before she even knew it, her legs gave out and her body fell against the floor.

"Laeriel!

"I'm alright," she gasped.

Legolas pulled her against him, pressing a hand to her forehead. "You're burning up."

"It's nothing Legolas," Laeriel brushed the hand away.

"You are burning up. Do not tell me it is nothing," he sucked in a sharp breath and exhaled loudly, "it must be Sauron. We need to destroy the Ring or else..."

The Mirkwood Prince trailed off at the last sentence.

She pressed a hand against his frowning face. "Do not worry. I will survive," she murmured.


It was a half a day's march to Mordor with Aragorn leading the army. Laeriel rode on Arod with Legolas sitting behind, his arms wrapped around her waist. Up front was her cousin, followed by Gandalf and Éomer. Merry and Pippin were riding respectively with Gandalf and Éomer, both looking very nervous. Laeriel leaned against Legolas, breathing heavily as her limbs began to ache.

Aragorn urged his horse forward towards the Black Gate and stopped in front.

"Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth! Let justice be done upon him!" he shouted at the gate.

The gates opened and Laeriel could see a figure riding out towards them. He was a ghastly sight to behold. A helmet reminiscent of the tower of Sauron covered the figure's eyes, obscuring his features. The only thing she could see clearly was his mouth, which was filled with rotting, yellow teeth. If she hadn't been sick and fighting the urge to hold herself back, the elf-maiden would have turned away from the sight.

"My master Sauron the Great bids thee welcome," the figure said eerily.

Tilting her head back Laeriel could see Legolas was looking at the figure aghast, his face twisting into one of disgust and contempt.

"Is there any in this rout with authority to treat with me?" the figure continued.

Gandalf urged Shadowfax forward a few inches, gripping his staff tightly while Pippin clung to the White Wizard.

"We do not come to treat with Sauron," Gandalf began as he glared at the figure, "faithless and accursed. Tell your master this. The armies of Mordor must disband. He is to depart these lands, never to return."

The figure cocked its misshapen head at the White Wizard and grinned. "Aha! Old Greybeard! I have a token I was bidden to show thee," it said and proceeded to lift up a mithril shirt.

Laeriel's eyes widened.

It belonged to Frodo!

Had he been captured by Sauron?

Then that means the One Ring is with its master!

"No...no...Frodo...hope is lost," she moaned quietly.

"Have faith Frodo is unharmed," Legolas soothed.

"Frodo!" Pippin gasped.

The figure threw the mithril shirt at Gandalf. The White Wizard caught the shirt and clenched it tightly in his hands, while Pippin began to cry.

"Frodo!"

"Silence!" Gandalf thundered.

"No!" Merry's voice joined his friend's lamenting.

"Silence!"

Laeriel lowered her head as tears trickled down the corner of her eyes.

"The Halfling was dear to thee I see. Know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host. Who would have thought one so small could endure so much pain? And he did Gandalf, he did."

Aragorn trotted forward on his horse to approach the figure, his lips pressed into a thin line of anger.

"And who is this? Isildur's heir? It takes more to make a King than a broken Elvish blade," the figure cackled.

Instead of answering his question Aragorn swiftly unsheathed his blade, and cut off the head of the figure in one clean strike.

"I guess that concludes negotiations," Gimli mumbled.

The King of Gondor turned to face his friends. "I do not believe it. I will not."


The group didn't have time to dwell upon the figure's words for the Black Gates suddenly opened and Laeriel could see an enormous army amassed behind. Orcs began marching forward and Aragorn pulled his horse back.

"Pull back! Pull back!" he shouted.

They rode back towards the army, all of them nervous and scared as they stared at the Orcs coming for them. Uncertainty was in the air. Laeriel knew it. The soldiers were all uncertain if they would make it out of this alive or dead. Truthfully she didn't know either. But she knew they would somehow win.

She must never stop believing.

"Hold your ground! Hold your ground!"

Aragorn began riding in front of his army while addressing them. "Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers. I see it 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!"

The Men became encouraged as they listened to their leader rouse them for battle. One by one they tightened their grip on their weapons, determined looks upon their faces as they waited eagerly.

"By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand! Men of the West!" Aragorn finished.

The soldiers drew their weapons and waited.

Laeriel looked around to find they were surrounded on all sides by Orcs. Their numbers paled in comparison to the one Sauron had unleashed upon them. Her gaze lingered upon Pippin and Merry, the Hobbits having drawn their swords and breathing heavily, no doubt nervous and afraid but determined to fight. Her own hand tightened upon her bow, while her other hand reached behind for an arrow from the quiver strapped to her back.

"Never thought I'd die fighting side by side with two Elves," grunted Gimli.

"What about side by side with two friends?" Legolas countered, smiling down at the Dwarf.

Gimli looked up at them.

"I will stand by you until the very end," Laeriel swore.

The Dwarf smiled. "Aye! I could do that."

Then the Orcs charged.


To be continued...

Review?

The end is approaching!

Ah I'm getting more and more teary-eyed thinking about it -sobs-

I have a question.

Do you all want me to continue with this story AFTER the ending of ROTK?

If you do then keep in mind it will be AU from thereon out, and will focus on Laeriel and Legolas

And perhaps their future child? -wink wink-

Or I can go back and write a prequel to how they met instead.

What do you all want?

Let me know your thoughts!

See you all next chapter!

Shadow Songstress~