I fully intend for the next chapter to show more action!


Elrond, Legolas, and Gandalf had to discuss who would go on this quest and who would remain in Minas Tirith to hold down the fort. Naturally, everyone wanted to go. Eowyn insisted that Faramir go with them. She could see he was conflicted. In the end, he chose to remain with his sweet wife. Faramir had not had much happiness granted him in life, save his big brother Boromir. He was going to be there, when his first child was born! Besides, Eowyn had brought so much joy into his life. He was going to be with her through this. Rosie, and Tatsu would also be around to help. Legolas appointed Voronwe and a brigade of Mirkwood soldiers to remain in Minas Tirith to look after their friends and the city.

Bellethiel was to accompany her prince. Elrond, his sons, Gandalf, Eomer, Gimli, and the hobbits were to journey with Legolas and his army to find Aragorn. Thranduil chose to stay in the city with his daughter.

Elladan and Elrohir were most shocked at the news of Alasse's stomach wound and the visions she'd had. They promised when this was over that they would do all in their power to help their father heal her.


Elrond checked on Alasse one final time before leaving. He gave her the strongest remedy for pain he had on hand, whispered a healing spell over her, and bound her waist with fresh bandages. He promised Thranduil that he would look her over again when he returned.


"Sam, Frodo, you do not have to come." Legolas told the two hobbits. He knew that halflings had more courage than any ever expected, but he remembered the War of the Ring, the battle at the Black Gate, and the horrific conditions they had found their friends in.

"That's what we came for, Mr. Legolas!" Sam argued sharply. "Mr. Aragorn is our friend. He's done so much for us. We can't just sit by. We have to help." Legolas smiled fondly.

"Then I accept your help, mellon." He patted Sam's shoulder. He was pleased to see that this time, at least Sam and Frodo had proper battle armor, courtesy of Faramir.

"Aragorn would do the same for us, Legolas." Frodo said softly. Legolas bit his lip to keep from crying.

"He would." He agreed.

"Are you sure about that one?" Thranduil threw Pippin a critical look.

"Oui!" Pippin sputtered, apparently offended.

"It wouldn't be the same without him." Gimli spoke up.

"Ai. Peregrin Took may still have too much Took in his veins, but he can surprise you when the need arises." Gandalf smiled widely, winking at Pippin.

"Your call." Thranduil shrugged.

"Are we all ready?" Legolas asked.

"We are, Legolas." Elrond nodded gravely. Legolas cleared his throat, preparing to give the order to move out when he sensed another presence entering the room. Why was he not surprised.

"Where do you think you are going?" Legolas asked, before whirling around and facing Alasse. She was dressed in her signature traveling tunic that she'd worn on all her adventures with Legolas, Gimli, and...Aragorn. Her gear was strapped on, fully equipped. She was ready for action.

"Why do you even ask, Legolas?" Alasse asked with no humor in her voice.

"Alasse! Don't do this. It's madness!" Thranduil begged.

"Don't be foolish, Alasse." Elrond told her. She threw him an incredulous look. She'd expected him of all people to understand! Alasse looked back to Legolas. He was staring at her, his eyes full of sympathy but his posture straight and commanding, telling her this was out of the question.

Alasse's face grew hot with anger. Aragorn was out there! He needed her, more than they most likely realized! And she needed to be with them when they found him. She drew her bow staff and whirled it in a side spin. "I cannot stay here." She said firmly. "I must go. Don't you see? If Aragorn is within our grasp, I will know it." She declared, and they noticed how she was holding her middle. Legolas looked as if he was on the verge of tears. He didn't want to put her through this! Hadn't she been through enough? Hadn't they all?

Legolas opened his mouth to protest, when another voice interrupted him. "Let her come." Gandalf said. They all gaped at him.

"Gandalf!" Legolas protested.

"I do not like it either, Legolas. But the child is right." Gandalf said dismally.

"She is right." Elladan said grimly.

"No! I will not allow it! You've always had a bad knack for pushing your friends into the most dangerous of quests, Mithrandir." Thranduil trembled with rage. "You have more often than not sent many to their untimely deaths, all because you just don't know when to stop meddling!"

Gandalf merely sighed meekly.

"Elrond! Legolas, you will not allow her to go!"

"Ada, this was my choice." Alasse met his eyes. Thranduil was shaken to his very core.

"He's killing her! Ever since we came here, she's been getting worse. This attachment is costing my daughter her life!" Thranduil choked on the very words.

"Ada, without Aragorn, my life is incomplete. I am whole with him." Alasse told him, touching his shaking arm. Thranduil gazed down at her with horror. That ranger/king was taking his little girl away from him! And he wasn't even here! Thranduil could not hold back the tears. Not this time!

"Don't go." He whispered in their native tongue.

"If I don't find him now, I will regret it forever." Alasse answered softly. She hated putting her father through more heartache. It twisted her stomach in a merciless knot, doing this to him. If Aragorn is dead, my life is already over! He is my very heart. Without him...

Thranduil couldn't meet her gaze as his vision was blurred with tears. Alasse squeezed his hand, then marched over to Legolas. "We must go." She whispered. Legolas glanced at his father worriedly, then stiffened his straight shoulders.

"Come, my friends. Let us bring Aragorn home! Let's bring back the true king of Gondor!" Legolas declared bravely.


Alasse looked back up at the citadel as she and the others marched and rode out of the city gates. Her heart sank when she didn't see her father standing there, seeing them off like Faramir, Eowyn, Rosie, and Tatsu were. Tears filled Alasse's eyes. She felt as if she had taken her own dagger and plunged it into her father's back. She didn't mean to hurt him. That look of utter despair on his face had almost swayed her to changer her mind. But then, she remembered her last vision: of Aragorn, withering away helplessly, his bright eyes still burning with strength but his body not following that path. And then...impaled clean through the heart, with his own sword, Anduril, the sword of the rightful king! She had to go!

("Ada?") She mind spoke to him. ("Remember the white Gems of Lasgalen. I made you a promise when I gave them back to you for safe keeping. They are a token, signifying that promise, that I will return to you. Remember the gems...")

Thranduil stood inside the citadel, looking from the doorway over the valley that was taking his children. Hot tears stung his blue eyes, and in his hands, he was holding the necklace. He clutched it to his heart, kissing the cold jewels, making them slippery with his tears. His daughter was dying, that's what his tormented mind whispered to him. And it seemed the closer she got to finding her true love, the more pain she had to endure. The closer he may lose her altogether, this time for good!


It would take two days for them to reach the cave entrance on Faramir's map. They used every ounce of daylight to travel. The hobbits and the twins kept up chatter, but everyone else was mostly quiet. Legolas and Alasse rode side by side. Legolas hoped he wasn't setting her up for more suffering by allowing her to come. He prayed they would find Aragorn before anything like that happened. Aragorn. They were so very close to locating him, Legolas could feel it! He prayed his guts would not betray him! Was Aragorn already stabbed through with his own sword? Or did his mighty heart still beat? They would know soon enough!


Aragorn's numb limbs felt almost too lithe to hold him his pounding head. He was still in the dark. The air felt thicker and his throat was dry as a bone. It had been three days since Merlyn had given him water last. Before, he'd always given it to him every three days. But not this time. So this really is it. He's going to kill me. Aragorn thought. Just do it already. Long have I craved it since he put me here. I am sorry, Legolas. I am sorry, Gimli. Faramir, Eowyn, Arwen, Ada, 'Ro', 'Dan.

'I am sorry, Alasse. My beloved princess! The thought of your fair face is the only thing that lightens my heart in this den of torment. But, alas. Should Merlyn end my time here before I see you again, you'll have to forgive me. But it is better than remaining down here even one more day! How I hoped to see you again before that time! But it may not be so. I cannot keep this up much longer. My heart goes on, but my body is tired, and my strength is failing.'

"Good news!" Merlyn announced, startling Aragorn so badly that his entire body jolted, only to fall back against his chains. "Your friends, they are coming to rescue you!" '

Aragorn's eyes flashed for a brief moment with faint hope. But as he dazedly recognized the sneer on his captor's face, his heart sank. He said nothing. He'd called Merlyn a liar so many times he'd lost count. Now he did not believe anything the man said, even if it was true.

"And I saw your fair lady in the company."

Aragorn's heart lept with joy and dread! Alasse! She was coming! He could see her again! But...she wouldn't be safe here!

"Ahh, you do look conflicted." Merlyn sighed. "You're afraid I will hurt her. Why should I do that, if she is to be the new queen of Gondor, at my side?"

"Alasse will...never...marry you..." Aragorn tried to threaten, but his voice was nearly gone.

"We'll see about that. I'm pretty good at being persuasive." Merlyn grinned, pacing around, spinning Aragorn's sword! "You also fear for your 'friends'. Don't worry, Aragorn. They'll be here. I have sent some friends to escort them."

"You..." Aragorn growled feebly. This was a trap! And he had no way to warn his friends!

"Oh, don't worry. They are more than competent." Merlyn smirked. "Nice sword. Very nice." Then he left Aragorn again, in the dark.


It was nearly dawn as the rescue party woke up. Well, those who had slept. Legolas was about to ask Bellethiel about their surroundings when Merry squealed, "What's that?!" He pointed off into the distance. A bright, flowing light was floating toward them in the dawn mist.

"It's a ghost!" Pippin panicked.

"No. Ghosts do not shine." Elrohir argued.

The light took the form of a mighty rider, an elf. As he came into plain view, they all gaped up at him.

"Ada? Y-you came?" Alasse cried.

"I said I would never let you out of my sight again." Thranduil said firmly. "I may have to let you do this. But I am not going to let you do it alone!"