Chapter 19

The next day, Elanor stood calmly in the throne room, listening as the wizard updated them on what had happened during the night. Her blue eyes moved over to the two halflings, with Pippin looking rather ashamed. Her heart went out to him. While he had potentially put them all in danger, she understood how strong a hold such magical objects would have on someone.

Braen stood at her side, also listening in as Gandalf informed the king that he and Pippin would be leaving for Gondor. He then urged the king to ride to Gondor's aid when the call came. A back and forth between the king and Aragorn had ensued, though she calmly stayed out of it, deciding the politics of men were best left to men. She was only there to offer aid in battle - whether Rohan chose to join that battle or not.

"They should leave now. Go and fight," Braen said softly to her, his eyes still fixed on the men.

"It is not our place to step in," she replied, glancing over at him.

"But should we not say something in aid of the future king?" he asked softly, looking over at her. Elanor looked towards Aragorn, but said nothing.

They continued for a time before the exchange ended, nothing being settled. She heaved a heavy sigh at the king's indecision, noting that the battle to end all battles would go much better with the army of Rohan there as well. Regardless of what King Theoden felt about Gondor, this war affected them all. Even if they did not go to Gondor, they would still be drawn into it further.

All hope for a final victory rested on the tiny shoulders of a hobbit miles away from them. Elanor once again hoped that Sam and Frodo were safe and still on their journey, for it would be one fraught with danger.

"It seems King Theoden is undecided," she replied as Aragorn turned his attention to them, walking over. She bowed her head to him. "Regardless, we will be ready to ride out with you when the time comes."

"Thank you, my lady," he replied, a slight look of relief on his face.

"If you'll excuse us, we should see to our soldiers and make sure that they will be ready," she said. He nodded again as she and Braen strode off. "We need to replenish our arrows and see that our blades have been properly cleaned and sharpened."

"Yes, my lady," Braen said.

"And also mend our armour," Elanor continued.

"Very well, my lady," he said in response.

"We must also make sure we have provisions ready," she said. Braen stopped and grabbed Elanor's arm gently, turning her to look at him.

"Everything is under control, my lady," he said soothingly, a reassuring smile on his face. Elanor met his eyes and nodded, turning to look out across the sprawling village. "There are not many of us left so there is not much left to do to make sure we are ready to leave at a moment's notice."

"I want to ensure that we do not lose anymore," she replied, not looking at him. "The time of the elves is coming to an end and I want to make sure that those who remain are able to cross the seas when this is all over."

"You are a strong leader, Lady Elanor," Braen said firmly, causing her to meet his eyes. "We trust that you will not lead us astray. You only need to trust yourself." She nodded slightly. "You look as though you did not get much sleep. Perhaps you should get some rest. I can see to our soldiers."

"No, I am fine," she said, stepping away from him and continuing on, lifting her chin slightly. If she were truly to be a strong leader then now was as good a time as ever to show it.

Legolas could feel Aragorn's eyes on him, but he did not say anything. Instead, Aragorn turned his attention to Eomer, speaking to him on numbers and how large an army he would be able to gather in a short amount of time, going over more details now that they had time to discuss such things, should it come to pass. Legolas took the time to follow Elanor's progress as she stepped out of the hall, no doubt to inform her men of the latest news.

"She seems different," Gimli commented. Legolas glanced at him but did not answer. It had appeared as though she was calmer, making peace with everything. Perhaps their conversation the night before had helped. But at the same time, he did not want to assume that he had anything to do with this.

But his heart had warmed at the fire in her eyes. Before they had been dull, empty. At least now she did not appear to be moving through the motions.

Perhaps this was a good sign, he could not help but think.

"Legolas," Aragorn said, getting his attention. He turned to his friend, now focusing on him. He noticed that both Eomer and Aragorn were watching him closely. How long had he been thinking about Elanor while they were speaking?

After the two men shared a look, Aragorn began asking about strategies again, now that Legolas was paying attention. But still, he could not help as his thoughts followed Elanor, wherever she was at the moment.

"We will be ready," Braen said as they stood before their remaining soldiers. She could not help as both of them looked to the horizon, though they both knew that it was at least a three-day ride to the city. There was no chance that Mithrandir would have arrived yet - he had left only a few hours ago.

She then looked back at the 30 soldiers now staring at her expectedly. Were they expecting her to give some sort of speech? She quickly gathered her thoughts, keeping her head held high as she met each elf's eyes.

"I know this is not what we expected when we set out from Lothlorien. But I much appreciate that you all have decided to stay with me. Whatever comes, we will face this together," she said, feeling her words rather inadequate.

Braen looked to the others before clearing his throat.

"As said before, as we followed Haldir, we will now follow you," he said. Elanor smiled gratefully at him, then looked at the others, noticing that they too held the same conviction in their eyes. All at once, she felt comforted. For she knew that she had their loyalty and support.

"Thank you," she said. "In the meantime, keep sharp and ready. It will take three days for Mithandir to arrive at Minas Tirith, but we should be prepared for when the beacons are lit." They all nodded solemnly and set out elsewhere, though Braen remained.

"It is true. Do not doubt yourself, my lady," he said, stepping to her side.

"This was meant to be your position," she said. "You were his second before me."

"And I long knew that he was hoping you would take up the sword again so that he could give it to you," Braen replied. Elanor's eyes widened slightly. "We knew of your work with the guard in Mirkwood."

"But… I was still untested in Lothlorien," she replied. Braen smiled slightly.

"Of course, Haldir knew from the training he had given you, but he had received word," he said. "From the captain of the guard and the prince himself." Elanor was speechless. "Extolling your talent. So, we decided we would wait and hope that someday you would join."

Elanor looked back towards the main hall, her thoughts going to Tauriel and Legolas. After everything, they had spoken up for her. She was not so sure how to process this news. She then looked at Braen.

"I… I am honored that you are my second," she said, finding no other words coming to her in that moment. Braen smiled as though he understood and bowed.

"As always, I am here to serve," he replied. He then turned and walked away. Elanor took a deep breath and looked around, wondering just what it was she was to do with herself. She decided it was best to find Merry and hopefully cheer up the now morose hobbit.

She found him in a corner of the great hall alone and looking a bit lost. He kept gazing around as though he were looking for someone, but then would look down at his hands, the loneliness creeping into his eyes. Sighing, Elanor looked around, wondering where the others in the Fellowship were. But not seeing them anywhere, she made her way over and sat next to him.

"Lady Elanor," he said, perking up slightly.

"My apologies. I did not mean to be away so long," she said. "Have you eaten?"

"Lady Eowyn went to see about some food, but I'm not so hungry," he replied, once again appearing morose. Elanor reached out and took his hand, squeezing it affectionately.

"I too understand the pain of being parted from those you hold dear. But have faith, Merry. We shall all be reunited again," she said, smiling at him. Merry's eyes widened slightly as he looked away from her, his cheeks coloring.

"Yes, how could I forget. You lost many of your army at Helm's Deep," he replied. "And Haldir is so far away."

Elanor's heart clenched slightly as she thought of Haldir, potentially at death's door

"It is not easy," she said. "But I have to believe that Haldir and the others… they would not wish for us to give up. Sam and Frodo as well. We must keep our strength. Keep our hope. In them and in ourselves."

"What made you decide to come?" Merry asked. Elanor smiled slightly.

"Haldir, I suppose… and my aunt, Galadriel," she said. "I initially came to protect him, but in a way, I came to see it was the right thing to do. To help fight for Middle Earth. We are a part of it as well, are we not? I now see this is the path I was meant to take."

Merry nodded and looked down at his hands.

"Before when we were with the Ents, Pippin tried to convince me that we were too small to fight in this war. That we should go back to the Shire. And then in the end, he was the one that convinced Treebeard to lay siege to Isengard. Or well, he came up with the idea to show him the destruction in the hopes it would sway him to our side," Merry said. "I had tried and failed, but Pippin managed to succeed."

"I believe it was you who likely convinced Pippin you should fight, was it not?" she said. Merry stared at her a few moments and then nodded, looking away again, his legs swinging under the bench. "You are strong together, but you, Meridoc Brandybuck, are strong on your own. And nor are you too small to make a difference."

"Sometimes doesn't feel that way," he admitted.

"I can understand that," she said, causing him to look up at her again, though now it was her time to look away. "There were many days when I did not think myself strong enough." She frowned slightly. "Even now, I know that I must continue on. Continue to fight. But I struggle."

"You've got me, my lady," Merry said earnestly, causing her to look down at him. His blue eyes peered up at her with such earnest, she could not help but smile slightly. "And the others - Aragorn, Gimli. Legolas. The other elves, I'm sure as well."

"I thank you for that," Elanor replied. She then looked up, seeing Legolas step into the hall. Almost as though he could sense her presence, he looked over, meeting her eyes. He then quickly made his way to the two.

"Legolas," Merry said, sounding a bit happier than before. The prince nodded to him, though his eyes lingered on Elanor.

"I believe Lady Eowyn is searching for you. She asked that I send you to the kitchens," he said, turning to look at the hobbit fully. Merry nodded and hopped up off the bench, already setting off out of the hall. Elanor rose smoothly, finding herself suddenly a bit uncertain now that they were alone together.

"He was feeling a bit down with Pippin leaving," she said, watching as Merry walked out.

"I am sure he is reeling. They have not been parted once on this journey," he said. Elanor finally met his eyes, finding they took her breath away slightly. "How do you fare?"

"I am… better," she said. "I have my company to look after. That gives me purpose." He nodded and moved closer to her.

"I am happy to hear that," he said. She continued to stare at him a moment before speaking.

"Braen… he told me that you had written to Haldir… spoke of my time on the guard of Mirkwood," she said. Legolas' eyes widened a bit before he smiled slightly and looked away.

"I felt it was the least I could do… to atone for what I had done when you left," he replied. "I did not know if you would choose to join the Lothlorien guard, but I wanted to help if you did."

"Thank you," she said. Legolas looked at her, offering a small smile that sent her aflutter.

"As I said, if you should need me, I am here for you, Elanor," he said. "I truly meant that." Elanor nodded and looked away, feeling slightly flustered. In that moment, she felt as though he were standing all too close, looking at her all too intensely.

She felt as though she needed to step away if she wanted to keep her wits about her.

"If you'll excuse me," she said, turning and walking away.

What was happening to her?

Elanor tightened her blanket around her as she sat in the chair before the fire again that night. She pulled her legs up into her chair, resting her chin on her knees as she stared into the flames. While she had done this the night before as she pondered Haldir, tonight, her thoughts were turning to Legolas.

She remembered the way she had felt when she learned that he had spoken up for her. When he had smiled at her. A soft smile filled her face as she remembered the flutter of her heart. Even now, she could feel it begin to pick up pace.

But just as suddenly, she felt guilt slide in. Here Haldir could very well be on the verge of death, and she was already thinking of her feelings towards Legolas. Shaking her head, she tried to push the thoughts of him away. She needed to be focused. This war was not over. Sam and Frodo were still somewhere out there on their own, taking a much more dangerous road. Pippin was somewhere on the road with Mithrandir, hoping to convince the steward of Gondor into lighting the beacons.

And then they would need to ride for Minas Tirith.

The last thing that she needed to be thinking about was the Prince of Mirkwood. Even if she was still in love with him. She knew that she had promised Haldir, but the time was not yet right, she felt.

Elanor sat up at that thought, her legs falling to the floor. Of course, this was not the first time she had come to this realization. She had long known that she was in love with Legolas. Had gone through all the stages - the excitement and then worry. Then despair when she thought perhaps, he was in love with Tauriel. Hope again. Then none as she was sure he had rejected her. And now, there was hope again. But still, she did not think she could say anything to him.

They were in the midst of a war for Middle Earth. And despite his words, they could very easily be taken as the words of a friend concerned for another. They did have a long history together; had grown up together. Not to mention, he was likely attempting to further make amends for their century rift.

Elanor looked towards the door, going as far as to rise from her chair and take a step towards it. But then she stopped, unsure of just where she thought she was going. It was late at night. Surely all the others would be asleep by now. Even if she did find him, what would she say?

"The truth…"

Elanor looked around the room, frowning. Of course, Haldir's memory would choose now to come forth.

"I cannot," she said softly, almost feeling foolish for continuing to speak to her captain and friend as though he were still here when he was far away. What would the others say to her if they knew? They would likely think she had lost her sense.

"Yes, you can… There is still time…"

"I will not speak to him this night," she said, slightly indignant.

"Do not wait too long, Elanor…"

Huffing slightly, she walked over and sat back down, staring into the flames of the fire. After all this time, could she possibly tell Legolas what was on her heart and mind? That she had fallen in love with him centuries before and even still, harbored such feelings for him? Because despite everything, she did still love him. It had not waned or faded. It would not, for their kind did not fall in and out of love on a whim.

But did she have it in her to come clean to him? Did she deserve to find happiness with him after everything? She looked up at the ceiling, still feeling Haldir's presence and knew that he would have something to say of that thought.

"Yes, yes, I know," she grumbled, before her mind could conjure a response. "I will live, just… allow me to live in my own timing." As if to make a point, she glared up at the ceiling. It seemed as though her mind had taken pity on her finally, as no response came.

Sighing, she made her way to her bed, hoping that perhaps sleep would help calm her mind. At least before she had to face Legolas tomorrow. Breathing a prayer to the Valar, she settled in and closed her eyes.

Decided to post another chapter as I'm halfway finished with the final one. I have to admit – the last two chapters veered in a direction I hadn't intended to take but decided to go with it. While it's not *exactly* kosher with elf culture, it kind of works and makes for a more entertaining reunion with certain people… but that's all I'll say for now. I'll comment more when I get there.

And I'm thinking of posting what I had written for the first version, for anyone interested in it. While I did reuse a lot of that story for this one, it's still fairly different. There are a lot more flashbacks – and different flashbacks. And well, as I said before, Elanor ends up marrying Haldir shortly after the Fellowship leaves Lothlorien. And yea, Legolas really was crushing on Tauriel. But then I realized none of that would fall in line with the lore created around the elves (and I couldn't figure out an ending), so ditched it and started over.

But yea, thanks for reading and following!