Wow, almost thirty chapters! Thirty! I can't believe it!

Chapter 29

"Certain death, small chance of success…what are we waiting for?" Gimli asked with a grin.

I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach.

They were all gonna go to the gates of Mordor---Mordor, for Heaven's sake!---march up to the gates, and try to create a diversion long enough for Frodo to make it to Mount Doom.

If he was alive. And if he was alive, it all depended on if he was where they estimated he'd be.

It just seemed like too many 'ifs'.

If they failed, they'd all die.

If they succeeded, there was still the chance that some of them might die.

It was too much to fathom!

I looked around the room, at the faces of everyone gathered there.

Gimli, Pippin, Aragorn, Gandalf, Eomer, Boromir, Legolas. For Heaven's sake, Legolas! They could all be killed. Or worse, they could be captured and tortured.

"I'm coming too." I said.

"No." Legolas said.

"I want to go! I can fight; you all know it. I'd go crazy if I have to sit here, wondering if you're all dead or alive…"

Legolas squeezed my hand.

"For me, melamin, please. Don't go."

"Legolas, if you die, I want to die with you."

"Aedinil, I will fight better if you're away from me, someplace safe. It will ease my mind.""How do you think I feel when you're away? I'm going."

"You're not going." Aragorn interrupted us.

"What? Aragorn, please don't---"

"If the battle goes ill, you and Eowyn must take over the defenses."

"Me? Aragorn---"

"You're my adopted daughter. If something were to happen to me, you must pick up in my place."

"I can't. I'm not like you, Aragorn. I'm not strong enough, or smart enough to---"

"Lass, who took care of us when we got transported to Earth?" Gimli said.

"Who was the one who bought out a market to feed hungry children?" Pippin added.

I this was insane. I never expected to be Aragorn's heir, for Heaven's sake! There was no way I'd be a good leader, especially if I was grieving all of them!

Aragorn put his hand on my shoulder.

"Do you accept this charge?" he asked me, his soft grey eyes boring into mine.

I sighed.

"How could I refuse? I'll try not to disappoint you." I took a deep breath to steady myself.

"Can I go now? I need a minute to get my thoughts in order."

I didn't wait for permission. I walked out of the throne room, and walked over to the Houses of Healing.

Merry was awake, and looked much better.

"Hey, Aedinil." he said in a whisper, since Eowyn was still asleep.

"Hey, Merry." I pasted on a smile for him. "Are you feeling better?"

"Yep. Those cursed healers won't let me out, though! It's ridiculous. I'm fit as a fiddle."

He flexed his muscle to prove it to me.

"You look upset. What's happened?"

I figured that I'd better not say anything to him, in case he wanted to go the Black Gate as well.

"Nothing." I said, and took his hand. "Legolas and me had an argument, is all. It'll be fine."

I glanced over at Eowyn, pale in the candlelight, looking like she was sleeping peacefully enough.

"How is she?"

"She talks in her sleep sometimes." he said.

"What does she say?"

"She calls for Théoden, and Aragorn." he replied. "The healers say she should be waking up any day now."

"That's good." I replied. "I've missed her."

What sort of world would she wake up to? Would she wake to victory, or would she have to help me make some sort of final stand against Sauron, when everyone else had gotten themselves killed?

Legolas came in the door.

"Want to go for a walk?" he asked me, apology in his eyes.

"Sure." I said tritely. "Sleep well, Merry."

"Bye, Aedinil. Night, Legolas." he said, and laid back down on his pillow, looking bored.

I walked outside with Legolas, shivering a little once the cool air hit my skin.

He whipped off his cloak and put it around me.

"Better?" he asked.

I nodded.

We went into the gardens, and sat on a stone bench, the smell of wisteria and roses wafting around us.

He put his arm around me, pulling me closer. We sat like that for a while.

"I understand that you're upset." he said finally.

"Yes. You don't want me to go."

"I want you to be safe." he said. "Please try to understand. If you could keep me from going, wouldn't you?"

"Of course I would, but---"

"Aragorn needs you to stay. I need you to stay. Please."

A tear slipped down my cheek.

"If you don't want me by your side, just tell me."

"Aedinil, how could you even say such a thing like that? Of course I want you by my side. I want you near me, always. But I could not live if something were to happen to you."

I nodded, conceding. I couldn't fight both Legolas and Aragorn.

"Fine. I'll stay. But I'm not gonna like it."

"Good." he said, pulling me even closer and kissing the top of my head. He sighed in relief.

"Amin mela le, melamin." I said. "Can you forgive me for being stubborn?"

"Easily." he said with a smile. "There's something I wanted to ask you, before I have to go."

"Anything." I replied.

"Marry me?" he asked, with a slight grin.

Seriously? This was actually happening?

I pressed my lips to his, kissing him fervently, as if I might never kiss him again.

"I'll take that as a yes?" he asked breathlessly, and I nodded.

"You know I will." I replied.

I'm getting closer to the end. I have a question for you guys. Do ya'll want me to end it where RotK leaves off? Or do ya'll want me to go a few chapters over, and go a little deeper into the story? Please review!