Chapter 53

The Mouth of Sauron

We decided to go to my brother's room. I knew he would be up preparing for war. I knocked on the door and he opened it.

"Couldn't this wait till morning?"

"No, because Legolas, myself and the others are leaving at dawn."

"You're insane if you think I'm staying here." he said.

"Think about it hermanito. Eomer is going with us. If you and he die then Eowyn will be left alone. Do you really want to risk that?" I asked.

He looked back at Eowyn and sighed.

"No. Alright fine I'll stay here, but don't ask me to like it."

I nodded and he hugged me.

"If either of you die, I'll drag you back from hell and kill you myself." he said.

I smiled a bit and nodded. He went back to sleep and I looked at Legolas.

"~You are doing the right thing. But what is this 'hell' he speaks of? I have heard you both use the word.~"

I could not help but laugh. He seemed confused so I just kissed him. When we were ready we met up with uncle. He looked like a king. I smiled and he looked curious.

"You look like a king, uncle." I said.

He smiled a bit but his eyes were sad. I hugged him.

"~Aunt Arwen will be alright! She is strong and her love for you is stronger than death. I know in my heart she will be alright.~" I said.

He hugged me tightly and kissed my forehead.

"I would ask you to stay here, but I know you shall not listen."

I smiled and looked at him.

"I did not stay behind at Helms Deep and I will not stay behind now." I said.

He smirked and shook his head.

"You are strong….Ireth. You always have been. And someday you shall make a fine queen."

I was a little confused, until I remembered that my husband was a prince. With all the distraction I had completely forgotten. Legolas put his hand on my shoulder and I looked at him.

"~I had been meaning to speak to you on that matter. With everything that has occurred I have not had an opportunity.~" He said.

Uncle Aragorn walked away and we sat down.

"~If you do not feel you are able to become a queen then I would happily renounce my crown.~" he said.

I thought for a moment. If the elves of Imladris were not leaving I would be heir to my father. And I would not have to rule alone, Legolas would be at my side. I smiled at him.

"~Should you choose to be king then I shall be at your side as queen.~" I said

He smiled and pulled me into his arms.

"Ireth!" Gandalf called.

I groaned, but Legolas and I stood up and went to him.

"What is so important that…."

I stopped when I saw my father and uncle standing there.

"Adar!"

I ran forward and jumped into his arms.

"~I missed you so much!~" I said.

"~Oh I see, am I not important?~" Uncle Elladan asked.

I hugged him and then I saw Legolas' pale face. He was looking at my father with a worried expression. Alejandro came out and he smirked. I scowled at him and then went and stood beside Legolas. I took his hand and my father looked at us.

"Dad there is something you should know."

He raised his brows and waited. Legolas spoke before I could.

"I asked your daughter to be my wife, and she agreed."

My father's eyes narrowed. Alejandro walked forward.

"I gave him permission."

Dad looked at him and slowly walked forward, my uncle following close behind him. My uncle had a nervous look.

"I told him he had to ask you first, and he said since you weren't there he was asking me. I told him yes because he's more than worthy of Maria. I'm proud to call him brother."

I smiled at him and so did Legolas. Dad kept coming forward and he stopped in front of Legolas. They stared each other down and I was getting worried.

"If you hurt her, or do anything to jeopardize her safety, I will make you regret it."

Legolas nodded.

"I would never do anything of the sort. I love her more than anyone, more than life."

I smiled at Legolas, his blue eyes shining back at me. My dad had a smile on his face now and I hugged him.

"I just got you back and now I have lost you to another elf."

I knew he was joking but I still pulled back to look at him.

"You will never lose me. I will always be your little girl, I will always be your daughter." I said.

He kissed my forehead and then hugged me tightly.

"Alejandro?"

Eowyn walked into the room and Alejandro took her hand.

"Maybe you should tell dad about you and Eowyn, hermanito." I said.

He scowled at me.

"I'm more worried about telling mom. You know the whole mommy's little boy thing."

I laughed and Eowyn looked worried.

"Worry not Eowyn, our mother is very kind and loving. She will love you."

She smiled gratefully and I looked at my uncle.

"What are you doing here anyway?"

"We came to fight alongside you. If this is to be our last stand, we want to be part of it." he answered.

I smiled and nodded. We prepared for war and then mounted our horses. It was not a very long march to the Black Gate, but it would take us some time. I mounted the horse behind Legolas and wrapped my arms around him. I would never tell him, but I was scared. I took a deep breath and leaned forward.

"I know I will be asking a great deal of you, but I need you to promise me something."

"If it is within my power."

"No matter what should happen to me this day, you must promise me that you will continue to live. For Alejandro's sake. He cannot lose us both." I said.

"You do not know what you ask of me Elena."

I brought my hand up to his heart.

"I know my love, I know, but I must all the same. If I should fall he will need you. Please Legolas."

He covered my hand with his.

"I will do it for you, and for Alejandro. Though I cannot promise you that I will be in pain everyday without you."

I rested my head against his back.

"~I will never be gone from you. Never.~" I whispered.

He squeezed my hand and we continued our march to the Black Gate. We rode up front with my uncles, father, Gandalf, Gimli, Eomer, Merry and Pippin. We came to a stop a good enough distance away from the gate.

"Where are they?" Pippin asked.

Uncle Aragorn rode forward and we followed.

"Let the lord of the black land come forth! Let justice be done upon it!" uncle shouted.

Silence was the answer, until the gates opened slightly. A dark man on a skeletal looking horse rode out.

"My master Sauron bids thee welcome."

He gave us a hideous smile and I raised a brow. It was more of an 'it' than a man.

"Is there anyone here with authority to treat with me?" it asked.

"We do not come to treat with Sauron, faithless and cursed. Tell your master this, he is to depart these lands, never to return!" Gandalf said firmly.

"Ah! Old greybeard." Gandalf narrowed his eyes. "I have a token I was bidden to show thee."

He held up an all too familiar looking coat. A mithril coat. I gasped and covered my mouth with my hand.

"Frodo." Pippin said.

It made a sort of growling noise and I closed my eyes.

"Silence." Gandalf said.

"No!" Merry said.

He growled again. He seemed to be enjoying our pain.

"Silence!"

I was getting angry.

"The Halfling was dear to thee I see. Know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host. And he did Gandalf. He did."

"Liar!" I hissed.

He paid no attention to what I said. Uncle Aragorn rode forward.

"And what is this? Islidur's heir? It takes more to make a king than a broken elvish blade…."

Those words were his last. My uncle took his head off with one swing. I nodded in approval.

"I guess that concludes negotiations." Gimli said.

Uncle looked at all of us.

"I do not believe it! I will not!" he said.

We heard a horn call and the gate opened even more.

"Fall back. Fall back!" Uncle shouted.

We rode back as fast as we could. Orcs were pouring out of Mordor. I knew there was a chance we would all die. I looked at Legolas and he looked back at me. I smiled and touched his face.

"I love you Legolas."

He kissed me hard on the lips, as though we would never kiss again. He pulled away slightly and whispered,

"We will survive."

I nodded, but even I was beginning to doubt.

There is still hope.

I remembered my aunt's words well. I knew she would never want me to give up. My doubt was replaced by determination.

"Sons of Gondor! Of Rohan! My brothers! I see 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. By all that you hold dear, on this good earth, I bid you stand! Men of the West!" he said.

I smiled and nodded. He held up his sword and I drew mine.

"Never thought I would die fighting side by side with elves."

I smiled and put my hand on his shoulder.

"What about side by side with your friends?" Legolas asked.

He looked at me and I smiled.

"Aye, I could do that."

I smiled again and then watched as the orcs surrounded us. I looked at my father.

"Ada…"

He smiled and hugged me.

"You have made me so proud. Your mother and I are so proud of you and your brother. No matter what happens, you stay alive. Get home to your mother and brother."

I hugged him tightly.

"Gweston."

He kissed my forehead and then looked at Legolas.

"~Protect her.~"

He nodded and Legolas kissed me hard once again. The eyes of Sauron fell on Uncle Aragorn. I heard whispers.

"Aragorn…..Elessar…."

He started to walk forward a bit. When he turned and looked back he smiled a bit.

"For Frodo."

He ran forward and Merry and Pippin went after him. I smiled and then ran forward with them. We collided with the orcs and I twisted my body so I would not get hit.

Legolas' POV

I kept my wife in my sight at all times. Until an orc pushed me to the ground. I lost sight of her and the fear grew in my heart.

"Elena!"

I called her name over and over again.

"Nazgul!" I heard someone shout.

I looked up to see the wraiths flying above us. I heard Elena scream and I looked around frantically. I saw water fly up from nowhere and ran towards it. Elena was there and she was fighting hard. I ran over and began to fight alongside her. I took her arm and pulled her away from an uruk sword. She smiled at me.

"Thank you for that."

I smiled and then her smile slid off her face. She grabbed me and threw us both down. A troll came running past and straight to….

"ARAGORN!" I shouted.

Elena's POV

It knocked him to the ground and stepped on him. I ran and jumped onto its back. I took out a knife and drove it into its shoulder. It grabbed me and started to squeeze me. I screamed and it dropped me like I had burned it. I reached for my uncle but then I felt the ground shake. The troll backed off and ran away along with the orcs. My uncle helped me up and I saw the eye of Sauron fall. It exploded before it hit the ground. I smiled and I knew Frodo had succeeded. Our joy was short lived when I saw Mount Doom erupt.

"Frodo….."

I started to run forward but someone grabbed me. Legolas wrapped his arms around me and I saw Gandalf fly away on an eagle.

"Elena we have to go. Come on." Legolas said gently.

He pulled me away and we left for Minas Tirith.