Chapter 21

Elanor stood at the edge of the mountain cliff, looking down at the large number of tents and campfires spread out in the valley, marveling at how quickly they had been able to muster such a force. They were still waiting on others, but tomorrow the final ride to Minas Tirith would begin.

Where they very well could be expected to fight as soon as they arrived. Truthfully, no one really knew just what lay ahead for them in Minas Tirith or when Sauron's forces would choose to attack. Or if they had already laid siege to the city. Scouts had been sent out, yes, but it was a long ride to Minas Tirith. They would be on the road by the time they returned with news.

A frown came over Elanor's face as she looked over the rows and rows of tents, the fires dotting the darkened camp site. Though there were many, she could not help but question whether it would be enough, thinking over the briefing they had just after they had set up camp, where Theoden and Eomer had gone over the various forces they would muster - roughly 6,000. That did not bode well for their chances against Sauron's forces, which appeared limitless at times, but it would have to do.

For a moment, Elanor wished they had had more time to recuperate after the battle at Helm's Deep, to ride farther to send for more aid, more soldiers. But they had run out of time. They would need to do what they could with what they had.

Turning, she started back towards the rows of tents, her eyes roaming the camp as she searched for Legolas. After their interruption, there had been no time to continue their conversation. Though part of her wasn't entirely sure she wanted Legolas to know the full depth of her affections right now - the other wanted desperately to take advantage of this moment. For who knew what they would find in Minas Tirith.

"My lady," Braen said as he approached her, bowing.

"At this point, I think Elanor will suffice," she said, a small smile on her face. "We have spent much of the last few days in each other's constant company and I do consider you a friend." He considered this, then smiled in return.

"Well then… Elanor, the others are now resting for the night, but they are prepared and ready to fight," he said.

"Good. You should get something to eat and rest as well. It will be a hard few days coming," she said. "I will stop by later to speak with them all before I retire for the night."

Braen nodded and then turned, walking off to join the others. Sighing, Elanor glanced around, anticipations thrumming through her body in such a way that she worried she would get any rest that night. Of course, this was often how she was before combat. Each and every patrol she had taken part in, she had spent most of the night before up, pacing.

Perhaps she should keep her hands busy? See to her weapons. No, she had already taken care of that. And she was not hungry. Perhaps she should speak with her troops and then perhaps find Merry and Eowyn. Even Gimli. Anyone to keep her entertained and distracted.

With luck, perhaps she would find Legolas and the courage to finish what they had started.

So, onward she walked through the camp, not particularly watching where she was going. Elanor's feet carried her to a tent where Eowyn was staying not far off from her own. She had seen the human woman and hobbit together earlier and felt that perhaps Merry might still be with her.

Sure enough, as she walked closer, she saw Merry step out of the tent in the armour of Rohan, Eowyn chuckling behind him. She quickly shooed him off to the smith.

"I do not doubt his heart, just the reach of his arm," Elanor heard Eomer say as she reached them. The other men seated around him chuckled as they continued with their dinner.

"He has just as much reason to go to war as you do. Why can he not fight for those he loves," Eowyn shot back, a scowl on her face. Eomer turned to respond, an amused smile stretching across his lips.

"May I remind you that one's size is certainly no indication of their ability in a fight," Elanor said, stepping up to Eowyn's side. The woman smiled at her in appreciation before turning back to frown at her brother. "As I recall, I am smaller in stature but have bested you several times, Lord of the Mark."

Eomer frowned as the men began laughing loudly around him. Elanor smirked slightly.

"You would allow him to ride into battle?" Eomer questioned, turning his frown to her. Elanor shrugged.

"I would prefer he not, as he has very little combat experience, but it is not my choice to make. If he wishes to fight, then he should fight," Elanor said. "I believe anyone with the passion and desire to protect those they love should be able to do so." She glanced at Eowyn out of the corner of her eye, seeing her stare defiantly down at her brother. "Be they hobbit, man… or woman."

Eomer studied her closely a few moments before smiling slightly.

"I must admit, I find you most interesting, my lady," he finally said.

"I only speak what is on my mind," Elanor replied breezily, her eyes already scanning around the camp again, searching for him.

She would find no peace this night until she spoke to him, this she knew.

"Tell me, Lady Elanor, just how long does an elf train before they are allowed to see combat?" one of the others around the campfire asked. Elanor turned her attention back to them, tucking a strand of her hair that hung loose around her shoulders behind her ear.

"Depends. Some it is but a few hundred years - some more, some less," she replied. "I, myself, trained around 200 years, though I likely would have made the guard sooner if it weren't for… certain obstacles." She frowned slightly, thinking back to the many arguments she had had with her father about learning to fight.

"She trained with none other than the Prince of Mirkwood," Eowyn contributed, her nose slightly up in the air. Elanor glanced at her, tempted to chuckle. She did not expect the men of Rohan to give two wits about the elven prince, though they did hold his skills at fighting in high regard.

Most likely did not even realize he was the son of King Thranduil.

"Prince, you said?" Eomer said, studying her closely again, an odd look in his eye. No doubt thinking of their sparring match.

"We grew up together. My father is an advisor to his. My family has done so for many centuries," Elanor said, suddenly feeling far too exposed. Though she was unsure just how much they understood about the politics of the elves, it was a subject that she would rather not get into at the moment. She might be stuck explaining it for the entire night. "If you'll excuse me, there are things I must attend to."

Elanor inclined her head slightly, then spun on her toes and strode away.

"Does that make her some sort of nobility?" she overheard one of the men ask, causing her to chuckle. Though rather than continue to listen in, she picked up her pace.

Where was Legolas?

Legolas felt a bit on edge as he made his way through camp. He knew that he should be resting as they had a rather arduous journey ahead of them, but he would find no peace until he spoke with Elanor.

The memory of that moment in the armory was still all too fresh in his mind and he could not help but feel as though they had been on the cusp of something. That she had been ready to tell him something important. He did not wish to allow himself for a moment to consider that she could possibly harbor more for him than fondness and friendship, but his heart seemed to have already run away from him, bathed in hope.

In his mind, he could clearly see the expression on her face, the depth of her feelings in her blue eyes. He had wanted to reach out and touch her cheek. To press his lips against hers. To tell her that it was she he had always loved and loved still. That the feeling of her body under his during their sparring match had excited him in ways he could not fully explain.

And then the mood had been broken.

Since they received news that the beacons had been lit and that Theoden and Rohan would ride to Gondor's aid, it had been never ceasing action. Elanor had been busy overseeing the elven company with Braen as he had been with Aragorn and Gimli. He had barely seen her since the armoury.

The longer he was away from her presence, the more restless Legolas grew. And with them once again on the cusp of battle, he knew that he must grasp this last opportunity to finally tell her the truth once and for all.

From afar, his sharp eyes fell on her figure standing with Eowyn and Eomer. Legolas stopped, his heart beginning to beat rapidly as there was a fluttering in his stomach. Despite all the hecticness, she appeared calm, an easy smile on her face. Her golden hair was down, shining brightly despite the dark. It had been so long since he had seen her like this that for a moment, Legolas did not wish to intrude. But then his feet began moving again, as though his heart had now taken control of his body and was urging him forward.

But then something else out of the corner of his eye stopped him. He turned, seeing Aragorn slinking through the tents, glancing around to make sure that he moved unnoticed. He was fully dressed, with a pack thrown over his shoulder. Legolas found the movements odd.

Legolas frowned as he changed course and made to follow his friend, deciding it more prudent to check on him first. For if he were leaving now, it would surely mean he was to take on some sort of serious task. One that he would need help with.

On Aragorn continued moving until he found his horse hidden among the tents, quickly making ready his saddle. A trail of smoke rose up into the air and Legolas looked over, seeing that Gimli was seated next to one of the tents, but Aragorn had not noticed, so intent on his task. The dwarf looked to Legolas, his bushy eyebrows raised in question.

"Just where do you think you're going?" Gimli called out as Legolas quickly made his way to his side. The man stopped and looked over at the elf and dwarf, then sighed.

"I must do this," he said.

"We were not about to say that you should not - whatever it may be," Legolas replied. "Only that perhaps you should not do it alone."

"No, it is too dangerous," Aragorn said immediately.

"Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of dwarves?" Legolas asked, smirking slightly Aragorn stopped his preparations, looking back to the two again.

"I must take the Dimholt Road and summon the Army of the Dead," he said, his voice low as he glanced around again. "We are greatly outnumbered and if we wish to find victory at Minas Tirith, we will need them."

Legolas frowned. The cursed army would listen to no one but the King of Gondor. While Aragorn was Isildur's heir, he had yet to take the throne. How would they get the army of traitors to listen and follow him?

As if sensing his reservations, Aragorn reached down to the hilt of the sword at his side, pulling it out of its sheath in one swift movement. Legolas stepped back, momentarily stunned.

"The blade that was broken," he murmured.

"From the shards of Narsil has been forged Anduril. And this is how I must summon the dead," Aragorn said, quickly putting his sword away and turning back to his horse. "But I must leave now. There is a ways to go and I must make haste if I am to make it to Minas Tirith in time."

"And you will not go alone," Legolas said firmly. Aragorn stopped, turning to look at him and Gimli, his mouth already opening as though he would protest.

"We're going with you, laddie," Gimli echoed. "No use in arguing."

Aragorn was silent a few moments, looking back and forth between the two. He finally nodded, glancing around the camp again. Legolas swore he saw a brief flicker of relief in his eyes.

"Hurry and gather your things. We must make haste," Aragorn said. Legolas nodded and turned, striding towards his tent. He then stopped suddenly, his eyes flinting around the camp as he searched for her once more. He could not see Elanor and did not know where she went.

Sighing, he continued on, focused on the task at hand. They did not have much time, but he prayed it was enough to say good-bye.

Elanor quickly made her way through the tents, still in search of Legolas, but then stopped abruptly, sensing someone who should not be there. Her eyes scanned her surroundings until she fell upon a figure in a dark cloak on the outskirts, preparing to mount a horse.

Silently, she made her way towards the figure, noting that it could not be one of the men from his clothing. But just as she reached the man, a dagger drawn, the figure whirled around, pulling down its hood.

"Lord Elrond," she said, her eyes wide as she dipped into a hasty bow. "What brings you forth to this place?"

The older elf studied her closely a few moments before answering.

"I could ask of you the same. I had assumed that you returned to Lothlorien with the others," he replied. Elanor's eyes widened as she stepped closer.

"You have word of Haldir?" she asked breathlessly. "How does he fare?"

"He is alive. Healing. Durothil has consulted with me and we believe that he will survive," Elrond said. Elanor felt as though a weight had been lifted from her chest.

Haldir would live. She had not lost him.

"But again, just why is it that you did not return to Lothlorien? Your task is done," Elrond said.

"Lady Galadriel," Elanor said. "She told me that this is where my path led, that my task was not fulfilled. I am leading a small company of elves who survived Helm's Deep. And you? You have yet to say just why you would venture from Imladris to meet with the King of Rohan."

"It was not Theoden I came to see. I was here to deliver a gift to Isildur's Heir. One that he will need to complete the next part of his journey," he said solemnly. Elanor frowned slightly, not understanding. "Aragorn must take a different road - a dark road - to Minas Tirith. Only he can accomplish this next undertaking."

Elanor continued to stare at him in confusion, unsure of what Elrond was speaking of. A brisk breeze blew, carrying with it a sense of foreboding. She turned towards the mountain, her eyes settling on the direction of the pass leading to the Dimholt Road. Of course, she knew the stories of what lurked there. Being so near kept the horses - and many men - on edge. Even Elanor herself felt a sense of unease whenever she stepped too close.

It was then that she realized what Elrond had been speaking about, the task that Aragorn must take on. She turned back to him, her eyes widening.

"This is a dangerous path," she said. Elrond nodded slowly.

"He knows. But as Isildur's Heir, only Aragorn can accomplish this," he replied.

"Yes, I see," Elanor said, her brow furrowed slightly. She then whipped her head back to the pass, in her heart knowing that contrary to what Elrond had said, Aragorn would not be taking this path alone.

Not if Legolas and Gimli had any say in it.

"I'm so sorry, I fear I must take my leave. There is something urgent I must attend to. Safe journeys, Lord Elrond," Elanor said, turning back to him. Elrond inclined his head towards her, but Elanor did not see as she turned and began running towards the pass, praying that she was not too late and had not already missed them. Surely they were still here.

She bound in and around soldiers, ignoring whatever looks of contempt that she might have gotten as she ran usually haphazardly through the camp. She had to see Legolas before he left. Though she avoided him partially out of embarrassment, now that she knew he would be leaving on a dangerous road, it was time to put that and her fear aside.

She slid to a halt, watching as Legolas stood finishing up the last of the straps on the saddle bag of his horse. His slender fingers stopped and he turned to her, almost as though he had sensed her presence. Elanor then took the last few steps towards him.

"Is it true?" she asked, speaking in their tongue. He nodded.

"I could not allow him to take this journey alone," he said, his voice and expression solemn. Elanor nodded, looking to the ground as she sorted through her thoughts. She did not have long, this she knew, which only made it more difficult to settle on just what words to say.

"Elanor…"

She looked up, seeing that he had closed more of the distance between them. He reached out and took her hands in his, his blue eyes blazing down at her in conviction. The same spark as before spread throughout her body at the touch.

"I will meet you on the battle ground in Minas Tirith," he said softly. "Though the way may be dangerous, nothing will stop me from returning to you."

Elanor swallowed, seeing the determination in the depths of his eyes. It was enough for her to believe. And yet, still she could not make her tongue to work the way that she wished. So, instead she let go of his hands and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close in a fierce embrace. If her words would not work, at least she could show her feelings in this way.

She could feel the steady beat of his heart in his chest as she closed her eyes and fought off the thought that this could be the last time she held him.

"You must come back to me," she whispered. "You must, because I… I…" The words stopped as Elanor cursed her tongue yet again.

She felt a slight pressure on her head and knew immediately that he had likely placed a kiss there. She then stepped back at him, struggling to keep her tears away.

"I understand... I will return to you. Do not shed tears for me, Ella," he said, smiling softly as he reached out and gently wiped a tear away. He then stepped away from her and walked to the horse where Gimli was now waiting.

The dwarf nodded towards her before Legolas helped him up and then mounted, settling on the horse just in front of him. He looked at Elanor one last time and she swore she saw a fire burning there. They quickly fell in line behind Aragon, the three headed through the camp towards the pass.

Elanor watched until she could no longer see them, then turned and began making her way through the sea of tents to her own, wanting nothing more than to be alone with her thoughts and tears. She knew in her heart that he would do everything he could to return, but she also knew that life could always get in the way.

"Did you hear? Lord Aragorn has left the camp."

"He has no faith in us. He knows we will lose."

"He is a coward."

Elanor stopped, her head snapping over to glare at the group of three soldiers huddled together.

"They all are - the dwarf and the elf went as well. At least the other elves have stayed.

Without a word, Elanor bounded over to them, her fury clear on her face.

"Hold your tongue and do not speak of such things that you do not understand," she hissed, causing them to jump in surprise. "They do not leave because they are cowards or have lost faith - they leave because it is their duty to seek out help. They are far braver than you will ever be, for the road they take is far more dangerous."

She glowered at the men a bit longer, watching as they squirmed, before she spun around and strode towards her tent.

"Elanor, is it true?" Braen asked, rushing up to her just outside her tent. She sighed and looked back towards the mountain.

"They go to seek out the army of the dead," she said finally, looking back to him. "But they have promised to meet us at Minas Tirith." He contemplated this a moment before nodding.

"Very well," he said.

"Please, get some rest. Dawn will be upon us all too soon," Elanor said, her expression softening.

"You as well, Elanor," Braen said. He bowed his head and then turned, leaving.

Sighing, Elanor finally made her way into her tent. She was unsure if she would ever find sleep that night, beginning to pace around. But she then stopped, her eyes going to the front flap

"Come back to me…"

Great news! I have finished writing the last chapter! Still needs a fair bit of editing – I'm not completely happy with it – but at least its done and editing will be far faster than getting it down on was.

As you can see, we're getting into spots where I decided to pull from the books a bit more, while including some of the actual dialogue from the movie. The next few chapters have a bit more of that, but honestly, it was done well the first time around, so I didn't want to change it much. But I do try to focus on what's going on outside the scenes we all know from the books/movies so that it's not a word-for-word retelling (cause that could get tedious and boring).

TBH, I might end up taking a break from fanfiction after this story, just because I don't really have anything calling to me at the moment. Granted, I've said that before and it ended up becoming famous last words because I got ideas for 3 more stories shortly after I said it and never ended up taking that break… Anywho…

Oh! Since I'm nearly done posting this one, I'm going to put the first couple of chapters from the original version of this story, so keep a look out for that.

x3sunnydaay – Haha, I know. And they were so SO close in this chapter… I really don't know why I decided to drag it out, but well, it won't be long. I promise.

Guest/S.C. – Thank YOU for this beautiful comment! I'm not sure about brilliant, but I love writing and it makes me happy to see others enjoy what I write. With a lot of the stories that I write, if they take place during the books/movies, I really like focus on the in-between moments or the background characters rather than the events and characters that we already know every thing about (or I prefer to write stories that take place before or after the main story). There is so much room there for story-telling and getting into details, and I love doing that. Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment.

As always, thanks everyone for reading and following!