~*~* A/N: All right, this thing is coming to an end! This is one of the last chapters, so PLEASE ENJOY! :-D*~*~
~*~* PS: Hey Lil and Pix! You guys rock, even though I died a virgin. (Go read Pix's fic, it's better than mine! :-D )


The table raised their glasses to the newly-wed couple, and Thranduil was beginning a speech and toast, when the doors flew open.

Boromir recognized the men who ran in immediately as messengers of Gondor.

Denethor raised, also recognizing them.

"Speak loud and fast, for I feel something is amiss," the Steward commanded, and a messenger stepped forward.

"The armies, sir, the orcs and trolls, have multiplied. There are thousands."

Denethor pressed a hand against his brow, and closed his eyes.

"I thank you, King Thranduil, for your hospitality, but my sons and I must leave now."

"I understand, and an army of my people will go with you."


As soon as possible, the armies were to leave Mirkwood. Legolas and some of his older brothers went, as well as many of the noblest warriors of the elf-city. Veerle and Boromir shared an embrace before he mounted his horse.

"I will be back for you, my wife," he said softly, and she smiled up at him.

"Fight bravely, my love," she responded.

Strider gave Malfriour a flirtatious smile as he, too, mounted his horse and readied for battle. Loriana was silent as she readied for battle.

"I expect I shall return," she said quietly, and Legolas' keen ears picked up the sound.

"Do you wish to?"

"Aye, for your city is beautiful, and the people in it kind. When this battle is over, I will return here."

Legolas nodded, but a shadow came over his heart and mind.


As the armies returned to Minas Tirith, they were met with sadness and fear. Many of the women and children had already fled, heading west, out of the face of immediate danger, even though, as many feared, if The White City fell, there would be little defense for the rest of Middle Earth. It truly shielded the rest of men's cities from danger, and it had for as long as it existed.

There was much time for pleasantries, for several months had passed before the armies of Mordor could be seen approaching Minas Tirith. Loriana sharpened her sword as Boromir and Farimir continued to make plans. From atop a tower, an archer shouted.

"Sirs, from the north, a figure on horseback approaches."

Boromir drew himself up a ladder, peering over the city wall. Even without the keen sight of elves, he recognized the rider.

"What is she doing?" he asked himself. Then, he climbed back down the ladder and approached Legolas.

"Your sister is coming here,"

"Where is she?"

"Sir?" came the voice from atop the tower, but Boromir ignored it.

"Approaching from the north."

"SIR!" repeated the voice, sounding more and more urgent.

"I wonder why she's coming here," continued Legolas.

"SIR! Really, this is rather important."

"Oh, Brolock, what is it?"

"Orcs, sir."

"Where?"

"To the north."


Boromir rushed to the doors of the city, shouting to the Gate-keepers to open them. Legolas was right behind him. Running at their full speeds, Legolas and Boromir reached Veerle just moments after a band of five or six orcs had. Veerle was thrown upon the ground.

Boromir drew his sword, Legolas his knife, and they began to battle the orcs. Surprisingly, they offered no fight, but retreated quickly, carrying some sort of baggage that Veerle had been carrying.

"Veerle," said Boromir, stooping to help her up. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, Valar, no!" she exclaimed, shooting to her feet as she saw the orcs carrying off two bundles. She started to give them chase, but Boromir held her back.

"Veerle, it's just a material possession, nothing to risk your life over."

"No, Boromir, our children!" she shouted, trying to break free.

"Our.. " Boromir's eyes widened.

"Your.." Legolas' did the same.

"Our children, Boromir, our twin babies. I was bringing them here to show you - but.. Oh Valar, they'll be killed!"

"No, they will not," insisted Legolas, setting off in the direction of the orcs. "Boromir, escort Veerle back to Minas Tirith. Either way - this will not take long."


Veerle turned back to Boromir. "I- I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. I was going to, but you had to leave so quickly, and-"

Boromir nearly collapsed.

"I-I'm a father?"

"Aye, two babies, a boy and a girl. The boy is Boromir the Second, and the girl is Lelorelie. Oh, Boromir, they are beautiful."

They spoke as he took her back to Minas Tirith. He took her to meet his father, and then to get a meal.

Hours later, Legolas still had not returned.


"Sir," said the scout to Farimir, breathless as he returned, "A band of orcs and trolls approach."

"We shall be sure they do not reach the gates of the city. We will send out a party of fifty to counter them."

"Aye," replied the scout.


Veerle watched intently. Hours had passed, and Legolas was not back with her children. She began to fear for his life, and for her children's. Taking up her husband's sword, she snuck out of the city's gates, her eyes set upon the direction that her brother and children were. She jogged without stop until she could vaguely see figures in the distance.


"Loriana," spoke Farimir, and she looked up. "A group of orcs and trolls approach, and I am sending out a group of fifty to counter them. I would like you to lead this group, if you would."

"Of course," she said with a self-assured nod. "When will we depart?"

"Within an hour," replied the younger son of the Steward.

"Very well. I shall sharpen my sword."


"Veerle?" Boromir called, knocking on the chamber where he left her. There came no response from the lush room.

"Veerle, my darling, Legolas will return any moment, I am sure of it." Silence was still the only answer. Finally, with a sigh, Boromir opened the door, to find the room empty.

Turning, he stopped the handmaid of the hall.

"Where is my wife?"

"She left an hour ago, sir."

"Where did she go?"

"She left the city."

Boromir swore underneath his breath, and turned back to the handmaid.

"Get me my sword."

"Sir, she took your sword with her."


Veerle could make out the shapes of orcs and a troll in the distance. She continued on toward them, a grim expression on her timeless face.


Boromir left the city quickly, on horseback. He rode hard, fast, and without pause, until he saw a figure approaching him, carrying two bundles. As it drew nearer, he saw that it was Legolas, carrying the babies.

"Veerle, did you see her?" demanded Boromir, and Legolas' face fell.

"Veerle is not with you?"

"No, she snuck out of the city. The tower guards said she was going in this direction.

"I did not see her." Boromir jumped from his horse, looking at the children that Legolas bore.

"Are those..?"

"Indeed, they are," replied Legolas, handing him the boy.

Boromir's eyes lightened as he took his son into his arms. He felt a rush of pride and love through his entire being.

"Take them quickly, Legolas. Use my horse. You must take them to Mirkwood, they will be safe there." Legolas nodded, and mounted the horse. Boromir handed his son up to him.

"Find Veerle, go quickly. For I fear the worst." At this, Legolas urged the horse on, whispering Elvish into it's ear. It took off, faster than Boromir could ever have made it move.


Loriana stood before the fifty that would accompany her into battle outside the city walls. Sword sharp, she held it before her.

"Let us go," she said, and they started toward the east.


~*~* A/N: All right. I'm fairly certain that the next chapter will be the last... be prepared, and bring tissues! :-D *~*~