A/N: And so! Chapter thirty-six brings us ever closer to the end of the story! Thank you to the 34,000 people who have taken the time out to read this story! I love Ailith's character so much, and though she has been considered Mary-Sue-ish, I hope I have given her enough depth to not be too much of one! She has been a wonderful character to work and play with, and I have loved every moment, however, Chapter 40 will be the final installment of Kissed by Autumn.

Thank you to: crazehninja, illowKP, LovelyThorn, Enelya Arcamenal and Moored Mermaid for following! - Ailith now has 119 followers!

A cyber cookie to: llcyyxx, michelle88222 and LyraBlack22 for favouriting! :D It really does mean a lot! - Kissed by Autumn now has 87 Favourites!

And finally, a Mahoosive thank you and cyber party for: Elves are awesome, Ailith-Kansas (NOT ONLY DO YOU SHARE A NAME WITH MY CHARACTER, BUT YOU ARE ALSO MY 100TH REVIEWER WOO-HOO TO YOU!) and finally to Mermaids forever for the wonderful reviews! (101 total!)

Your comments and reading of the story has boosted my confidence so much as a writer, and one day I will come back to Ailith, if the inspiration comes, as this story was my very first fanfiction creation, and I have loved the support I have had from the LOTR fandom. Thank you so much for everything, and so: here is chapter 36, a little bit of sadness and fluff.

xYruniwyliox

Chapter Thirty-Six: Who could love me now?

Slowly, her eyes opened to glance above her. A white stone ceiling came into view. It was indeed, a comforting, clean and calming sight, but it didn't fit. Something was not right. Inhaling softly, the injured elleth fought a gag as the putrid stench of burned and charred flesh invaded her keen senses. She noticed the vision in her right eye was not as it should be, and as she raised her right hand to rub at it, a jolt of deep pain coursed through that side of her body.

She groaned loudly as the pain settled, but it did not diminish. Ailith became aware of the rest of her injuries. It seemed from her forehead to her right hip was sore, and the skin felt red-hot and tight on her body, and her other limbs ached. Her face was more than sore, her lip and temple almost throbbing in rhythm with each other. She scrunched her eyes shut to ignore the pain, but even that action caused her distress, and she finally gave in to the whimper of pain. Her left hand touched her right and she started at the texture. It did not feel like her hand.

Denethor! The Fire!

Her eyes snapped open once more and she slowly turned her head, her autumnal curls obscuring her vision at first, until she saw it. Her gnarled hand. She cried then, full, fat tears that came swiftly and almost constantly, as she followed the mark of the scarring from the distorted skin of her hand up her arm to her elbow, where the skin turned smooth and silky, before it returned to its burned condition at her shoulder. She hesitantly, with shaking hands reached her left hand up to touch her face, fighting to be brave. Against the vanity that she should not care of, to be grateful that she lived yet, but found it all taken away as a loud sob escaped her lips.

Her face was ruined. She felt she resembled more orc than elleth and removed her hand, ashamed. How can Legolas ever look at me again? She wondered sadly. She skimmed her fingers across her throat and they brushed against her crystal. Her eyes widened and she sat bolt upright, gritting her teeth against the screech of protest attempting to escape her lips. She touched her neck again.

He has seen me! Does this mean he does not want me now? Of course it does! You are hideous now! He – the Prince of an Elven nation could never been seen tied to someone like you now!

Scolding herself for her negative thoughts, she slid from the bed, dragging the sheet with her, before searching for her clothing. She found one of her dresses had been laid out for her, and quickly stepped into it, tying the laces at the front, and hanging her head sadly. She could never pull her hair back now. People would talk about her disfigurement. A surge of hate flew through her. She had never had Arwen's beauty, but now her image was burned behind the eyelids of the self-conscious elleth. Along with Éowyn and Liniel, both had fiery personalities, incredible inner-strength and a beauty beyond compare. Now, Ailith was… nothing. She had no battle left in her, no love left; no family. She was truly alone. She squared her shoulders, wincing at the tug of skin on her right side, before shoving the door to the room open and immediately bumping into someone.

Hissing in pain and clutching her injured arm gently, she looked up and blanched. Blue-grey eyes looked at her angrily, before a firm hand gripped her left upper-arm. "And where, pray tell, do you believe you are to be going in your condition, gwaleth?" Estel questioned, his shaggy hair falling messily over his face as his mouth turned downwards into a grim line.

"You are unwell, you should be resting still!" he chastised, his eyes scanning her face. She noted, sadly, that he was staring heavily at the scarred part of her face. "Am I truly that gruesome looking, brother, that you must stare at me so?" she asked sadly, her eyes filling with tears.

"Oh, Ailith. You have been scarred. I prefer scarred to killed." He said softly, guiding her back into the room. "The others are desperate to see you." He said gently. Ailith sat, cradling her bad arm as she looked at him.

"Desperate? I do not wish to see anyone," she snapped. " I hoped I would not on my way from this city." She added. Aragorn turned to her again, as he gently rubbed a salve on her burned cheek. "I fear I am trule alone, brother. Who could love me now?" she breathed. Aragorn's hand stilled as he moved her face to look at him.

"If you speak thus again, I will never EVER respect you. Do you understand me?" he stated firmly. She looked at him wide eyed. "When you first saw me, what did you think?" he asked her. She allowed her lips to quirk upwards. "That you were the most beautiful thing I had ever laid eyes on." She answered. He nodded.

"I feel thus now, sister. You have had a hand in raising me to be the man I am today. You are my true sister, and guardian and I respect you so much. Do not let some silly scars ruin your opinion of yourself." He coaxed gently. Ailith shook her head and touched her neck.

"But he.."

"- he loves you as he did when he first laid eyes on you," came a firm, confident voice from the doorway. Both occupants of the room turned to find the prince of Mirkwood stood, his arms crossed across his chest, his blue eyes glued to the red-haired elleth on the bench.

"But the crystal…" Ailith began, touching the gem hanging from around her neck. She lowered her head sadly. Within three strides, Legolas was across the room, gripping her left arm firmly, his right hand gently tipping her face up. His gaze was fierce, but passionate. Neither one noticed the dark haired ranger slipping from the room, the door shutting softly behind him with a gentle thud.

"I felt your burns, Melleth. I was desperate to find you when that crystal burned at my throat. We were on the fields of Pelennor. The battle was almost won. I allowed myself to feel relief, when that gem around your neck brought my worst nightmares to the forefront of my mind. We dispatched our enemies, and Aragorn and I made it here, with counsel from Mithrandir, and I saw you…" he trailed off, brushing her bronze hair from obscuring her burned cheek.

"I am disfigured." She cried. She moved to cover her face, but Legolas caught both her hands. He brought her gnarled, burned right hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles softly. "You are still the most beautiful elleth I have ever laid eyes on. You saved the life of the Steward. You saved mine, Ailith. You ARE my heart. I placed the crystal at your throat to aid in your healing." He whispered, before placing the softest of kisses at the corner of her mouth.

"Are you sure you feel this way? You could have anyone!" she continued. Legolas looked at her trembling hands. He had never seen her so insecure, and he wished he could make it better. Alas, it would take time. "I have the whole of Arda – everything my heart desires here, before my very eyes." He smiled at her, and she saw the truth in his eyes. With her jade eyes glistening with yet more tears, she leaned forwards and clutched at him, burying her head in his tunic and inhaling his scent. He still smelled of the woods, and of nature. It calmed her, she found.

"Ailith?" he murmured, as though speaking to a frightened animal. Ailith pulled back to look at him. "I wish to prove my love to you. Will you allow me this?" he asked her, taking her hands in his again. Ailith nodded once, her expression one of uncertainty. He kissed her forehead and pulled her up to stand with him. Slowly, ever so slowly, he slid to his knees, taking both her hands, placing a kiss on both palms and placing his forehead upon her knuckles he breathed out the sentences that caused her heart to still.

"Will you bind your life with mine? Will you be my Queen?"