Disclaimer: I do not own LotRs only my character.

well, it's finally happened, short chappie yes but it has it in it. don't know what then please read.

begging for fogiveness or bad grammer always and please review for i shall love you forever.


Returning Home

The next morning, Gandalf called us all into the hall to talk of our next course of action. Pip and Merry were also called and both looked very tired and sheepish.

"There was no lie in Pippin's eye. A fool, but an honest fool he remains." Gandalf glanced over at the small hobbit. "He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring."

I took a deep breath of relief. The quest had not been compromised.

"We've been strangely fortunate." Gandalf went on, "Pippin saw in the Palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plan."

His plan?

"Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep has shown our enemy one thing. He knows the heir of Elendil has come forward." He looked at Aragorn, who stood with a thoughtful finger on his lip. "Men are not as weak as he had supposed, there is courage still, strength enough to challenge him. Sauron fears this."

As Gandalf went on, everyone failed to see the growing despair in my face. Minas Tirith had stood for a thousand years withstanding every attack for Mordor, how would it fall now?

I took a deep breath to calm myself.

"He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees the people of Middle-Earth united under one banner." Gandalf said to Theoden, "If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war."

"Tell me," I saw the look on Theoden's face and I knew what he was going to say, "Why should we ride to the aid to those who did not come to ours?" He said with an edge of bitterness. "What do we owe Gondor?"

I dropped my head in shame. No, Gondor did not help Rohan in its time of great need. It was true, they owed nothing. With no other alternative, I made a snap decision and raised my head.

"I will go to Minas Tirith." I said, earning the attention of all the men, "They must be warned. My father may be willing to believe the possible threat if I brought the news to him." I straightened my shoulders and tried to look like I meant what I said.

"I will go with you." Aragorn offered.

"No," Gandalf said, he looked to be thinking hard about something.

"You cannot expect her to go alone." Legolas interjected.

"She won't." Gandalf said dismissively. He walked over to Aragorn and whispered something to him. While he did, I caught a side glance at Legolas, looking at me with a mixture of concern and frustration.

"I ride with Deorwynn for Minas Tirith," Gandalf announced once he was finished with Aragorn, then turned his gaze onto poor Pippin, "And we won't be going alone."

Pippin looked around nervously, then up at Merry, "What does he mean?"

"Deorwynn, be ready to ride within the hour. We have no time to lose." Gandalf said to me and left, taking the hobbits with him.

As I began to leave, Theoden stopped me. "Lady Deorwynn,"

I looked at him and saw what looked to be a genuine smile, "Be safe on your travels, and may time be in your favour."

"Thank you, my Lord," I bowed my head.

"It is I who should be thanking you for the help you have given me. You fought bravely at Helm's Deep, proving to me to strength of your word. I should hope that I could one day return the favour."

xxxxxx

I finished preparing for my departure back home quite soon after Gandalf had ordered me to and was just about done fastening my elvish brooch and cloak around my shoulder. It felt strange to be going home after so long, I didn't think anyone would recognize me when I'd return. And Father ...

Explaining to him why I disobeyed him would very interesting.

Another thing I hadn't thought about when I said I would go was Legolas. What was to become of us now? Had we messed up our friendship?

I quickly, and sadly, said my goodbyes to Eowyn, Aragorn and Gimli. I felt nervous about being apart from them, but remembered it wouldn't be for long hopefully.

"Now you take good care of yourself lass," Gimli ordered, "I won't be happy should we find you in bits."

"I'll keep that in mind." I squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. Aragorn and I were silent, but with one look I could tell he was worried. I nodded to him, he returned the gesture. Next it was Eowyn and Eomer.

Eowyn gave me a tight hug that made me gasp for air.

Her brother on the other hand offered me his hand. I gripped it tight like he did, "My I have the honour of fight alongside you again soon, Lady Deorwynn." He said firmly. I agreed and he slowly let my hand go.

The only one who wasn't there was Legolas. He was probably still cross with me.

I ran down to the stables to start tacking up Fanor, only to find him already with his saddle and reigns on, and Legolas standing next to his stall. Gedren and the young stable hands were nowhere to be seen.

"I had the stable master prepare him for you." Legolas said, patting the horse's mane.

"Any particular reason why?" I attached my bow and quiver to the saddle as I spoke. Legolas took a deep breath before answering, "So I could have more time to say goodbye."

I stopped adjusting the strap on my saddle to look at him.

"I'm sorry, about my behaviour to you last night and this ... it was a split decision and I was ..." I tried to explain myself, but he silenced me.

"I know you're afraid for your home. Anyone would have made that decision. You need not to justify yourself." He spoke softly as though I was the only person in the world.

"Thank you." I muttered.

"As for my own behaviour towards these past few days, I can not give you an explanation that will excuse my actions. But I am sorry if they have hurt you."

Legolas placed a hand over his chest and nodded to me, an action I had seen time and time again, so I copied him. He then touched me cheek very gently. I could only assume this was part of the farewell, so I did too.

"May the Valer be with you, Deorwynn Daughter of Finduilas."

Instead of saying anything, I did the most unexpected thing neither of us saw coming.

I kissed him.

It wasn't long, only a slight peck on the lips, but still enough to make my heart race at least.

"And with you, Prince Legolas."

He appeared stunned by my action, and to be honest so was I. But I guess in a way we were even now, until he took my face with both hands and leaned in, slamming his lips into mine. Despite the forceful nature of the kiss, it felt like the still surface of water when you ran your fingers ever so slightly over it, it was better than how I had fantasized. I gasped against him, deepening the contact unknowingly.

He kissed me with such urgency and passion as though we only had seconds, I couldn't help but succumb to it and kiss him back, lacing my fingers through his silk like hair and pulled him to me. Both of us hungry for more as we clung desperately to eachother.

"Hurry! Hurry!"

Our few seconds were over.

We quickly parted as Gandalf came storming into the stable with Merry close behind, followed by Pippin. Legolas left without being spotted by the three and I took a moment to catch my breath.

What I had just experience was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life, besides battle. I had kissed Legolas ... no we had just kissed. I felt so light and free.

When I finally returned to the real world and composed myself,I noticed Merry standing alone looking very frustrated, and it was no wonder. He was about to be separated from his best friend. I took Fanor's reigns and walked over to him.

"It's not the end of the world Merry." I said, putting my hand on his shoulder.

"How do you know?" He asked sadly, "Can you foresee what's to become of us?" He looked up at me with puppy dog eyes.

"I can't say."

I pulled him in and hugged him tightly, "I'll look after him Merry. You have my word."

He wrapped his arms around my waist, "Please take care of yourself too." His voice was muffled against my side.

When he finally let go, I pulled myself up onto Fanor and stirred him out of the stable to wait for Gandalf and Pippin. Legolas stood off in the distance and looked at me. When our eyes met he placed his hand over his heart again, I just smiled.

The sound of Shadowfax's hooves thundered from the stable and the white stallion burst out. I gave Fanor a good kick and we followed after with great speed though Edoras and out towards Gondor. I could only hope that we weren't too late and that Fanor would be able to keep up with Shadowfax.


Dun Dun DUN! what will happen next?