DISCLAIMER: OTHER THAN LORIEN, I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS IN THIS STORY, THEY ALL BELONG TO THE FANTASTICALLY TALENTED J.R.R. TOLKIEN AND I HAVE MERELY BORROWED THEM FOR THE SAKE OF A STORY. I, MYSELF, COULD NOT COME UP WITH A STORY SUCH AS LORD OF THE RINGS OR CREATE ANY OF THE CHARACTERS WITHIN THESE STORIES, SO I DO NOT PRETEND TO OWN ANY OF THEM. I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE STORY AND AGAIN, ONLY LORIEN IS MY CHARACTER.

Legolas and Lorien watched Celeborn leave before Legolas kissed Lorien softly on the cheek.

'You have no intention of resting, do you?'

'Not at this very moment, no!' Legolas smiled as Lorien pulled him into the bedroom that had been made up for them. It was made from leaves and bark, everything the trees around them could spare. Lorien lay on her back and watched as Legolas lay on top of her.

'It has been a long time.' She said softly before kissing him.

'Too long, and it shall be a long while again.'

'At least I know, you and I shall have these moments from now until the end of time.'

'That in itself makes me happy.' Legolas replied in elvish.

'I love you Legolas.'

'Lorien, you are now Princess of Mirkwood and we shall soon be King and Queen. I love you too and that is why I leave you, so that middle earth may be safe for our children to run and play in safety and peace.'

'I do not have any doubts as to why you continue on this treacherous journey. Legolas, please let me go with you! I can fight as well as any man and I can see as well as you can, if not better for I can see into the future!'

'I cannot allow it Lorien, I want to know you are safe!'

'And I want to be by your side! I have just sworn myself to you for the rest of eternity and my place is by your side! If you live, we shall live a happy life together and if you die, I shall die by your side. Whatever the outcome, I want to be near you when this is over!'

'You know I would have you come with me! I know you can look after yourself, but I do not know how the others will react. Let me first ask Aragorn at least.'

'If you must, but either way, I shall find my way to you.'

'That I am sure of.' Legolas replied with a hearty laugh. He kissed Lorien before heading towards the quarters where Aragorn lay. Aragorn heard the elf's light footsteps.

'Hello Legolas! Tell me, why are you here, talking to me, when you have just eternalised yourself to Lorien? She is your bride and you should be with her!'

'Something troubles me!'

'Lorien?'

'She wishes to continue on the journey with us, she says she will not leave my side. She is a good fighter and has keen eyes!'

'She is also a danger! She is a daughter of this fair land and Sarumon would not be happier than to catch her and use her as bait! To have a woman, either of elf or of man is too dangerous for a task as such as ours.'

'You do know she will find us!'

'Then that is her choice and you, my dear friend should be greatful that you have found someone who will not give up on you!'

'Arwen did not give up on you through choice! You both knew that it was impossible.'

'It doesn't make things easier Legolas! In deed, I wish it did. But you must tell your lady no!'

'She will not accept it!'

'Then she joins us at her own will, no one now has given their permission for Lorien to continue on a journey that may claim her life!'

'I feel Galadriel shall try and keep her here.'

'Not even the might of Galadriel will keep Lorien here Legolas, her love for you is too strong! Now go, tend to your bride and keep your heart full with joy at the thought of your next meeting, which I feel shall not be too far away!'

'I will go. Thank you for your counsel Aragorn. Why do you not use Lorien's bird to send your lady a message?'

'Because I fear it will be too dangerous and her father will not be too forgiving if the message falls short of Rivendale! Lorien's birds are magical, but they cannot stop an arrow from piercing their hearts.'

'Very well. I bid you goodnight and may the morning bring more hope!'

'More hope than the uniting of two elves and the possibility of first born to save the elves, what more hope can we possibly have?'

'I do not know. Goodnight.' Legolas left Aragorn and headed back to Lorien. He could here her singing softly, a sad song and as he listened he wondered whom Lorien was singing for.

'Who is your song for?'

'There was once a creature, very much hobbit like in appearance who used to dwell by the river. He found a ring and he became aware of other's deceit and betrayal. It has destroyed him as a being and he has become much hated in this world. Yet, the little fellow needs saving, for he does remind me much of what Frodo could be if the ring gets its way.'

'Who is it you speak of?'

'The creature that has tracked you all ever since you entered Moria.'

'You mean?'

'Yes, Gollum is tracking the ring! He seeks it. He is scared that Frodo is taking the ring to Sauron.'

'How do you know?'

'I can feel it inside of me. It screams like pain through my body.  I do not know whether to counsel you to trust or mistrust him Legolas. These messages are all confused.' Lorien threw herself into Legolas's arms. He held her tightly.

'Do not worry about such things.' Legolas began to sing softly to her and soon they lay next to each other, fast asleep in each other's arms.

They woke in the morning to find a soft, pale sunlight shining in on the room that they had shared that night. Lorien watched Legolas as he woke and kissed him softly.

'I am coming with you Legolas. I know you wish for me to stay here but I know I can be of some help. I can fight and the ring does not tempt me, its power has no hold over me. I know that you wish for me to stay here and I know that Galadriel will try and make me stay here, but I wish to come with you, whatever that might mean.'

'I should say that I wish for you to stay here, but I know my pleas will fall on deaf ears, instead, I will tell you that I am glad that you shall be by my side, for whilst I am near you, the ring has no hold over me either. It is as if the only thing that makes me weak is you. You are a good fighter and you have strong powers, powers that we shall need now Gandalf is gone. Plus, we have promised to be by each other's side no matter what and if I must die, I would rather be by your side than a hundred leagues from you and not know if you are safe.'

'Then it is decided, I shall come with you, but I fear I must leave Shadow here. We have to travel by the river and no boat can carry his weight.'

'He will be safe here and if he is needed, you shall be able to call for him and he will come. Let us go and join the others and there, you can tell Lady Galadriel of your plans, although I am sure she will not be pleased.'

'You never know, she could surprise us yet.'

Lorien and Legolas went and joined the rest of the remaining fellowship. As they approached, Galadriel came over to them and looked down upon the two lovers.

'Lorien, I am asking you to let Legolas go and for you to stay here where you are safe and where Legolas can return once the quest has been completed.'

'Forgive me grandmother, I hear your request and I am grateful for the hospitality you have shown my friends and I, but I shall not be staying, I wish to go on with the fellowship and see the quest to the end. I can be of use in some way and I would very much like to see the ring destroyed and Middle Earth set free forever.'

'I know that know plea or threat will make you stay. Your heart and mind are set and I should like to see another elf in the fellowship. May your journey not be too treacherous and may you keep yourself and your companions safe. I do not want to let you go, but I know you will not leave Legolas's side for one thing.'

'Thank you for understanding me Grandmother.'

'Lorien, you have so many traits that I had when I was young and I know that should Celeborn be put at risk, I should want to use all my powers to save him. I understand everything.'

'Thank you Grandmother.'

'But I want you to know this, as soon as the quest is finished with, one way or another, I want you and Legolas to come back to Lothlorien. If the quest succeeds, then you shall become the new King and Queen of Lothlorien and Celeborn and I can rest. If the quest fails, then you are to come back to Lothlorien where I can arrange for a ship to take us to distant lands, away from the dangers of middle earth.'

'I understand Grandmother.'

Galadriel turned to the others and spoke to each in turn, giving each of them gifts and words of advice. All the company seemed sad to be leaving the safety of Lothlorien but they understood that the quest must continue, even if great peril lay ahead of them. Galadriel, Celeborn and Haldair led the company to the boats that had been provided for them.

'Are you sure you wish to join us?' Aragorn asked Lorien.

'I have never been more sure of anything. Why do you ask?'

'I am just making sure. I do not want you to get to Rohan or wherever we are heading and decide you want to turn back.'

'You believe I would? I want to be of help to all of you and I want to be by Legolas's side! Why does no one understand this?'

'All the beings on Middle Earth have become selfish and narrow minded in the long years that the shadow has been growing. Many would find it hard to believe that a love such as yours still exists in Middle Earth. I believe you are true, true to yourself and true to Legolas. You are also true to the quest and one of the only companions unaffected by the ring and its power. We need that strength with us now.'

'I am glad that you understand me Aragorn and understand that Arwen would be here too if her father would allow it, but there is no way that she would have escaped Rivendale for long. Elrond cares for his daughter very much and wants to see her safe. He did not let me go easily, but I am not his daughter and he does not own me.'

'I would not want Arwen to leave the safety of Rivendale, as Legolas did not want you to. The road ahead is far too perilous and I want Arwen to be safe and with her people. I would much rather you stay here in Lothlorien where you are safe, but I know my pleas will fall flat and that you shall not listen to anything I or Legolas have to say.'

'You know me too well Aragorn!'

'I have known you a long time Lorien, that is all.'

'Yes, I remember the times when I had to call you Strider for you forbade me to use your real name.'

'No one else knew. You were not fooled, but that is because you are an elf and for some reason, elves know more of my past than the men of Gondor do.'

'That's because we care about the past and how it shapes our future.'

'That is true. Now, shall you be sharing your boat with Legolas?'

'I shall, we are both light and if there is need, we are able to move fastest through the water.'

'You have thought of everything.' Aragorn replied whilst smiling.

'I didn't make this choice lightly. I know the journey shall be dangerous and that I may very well lose my life but it's a journey I wish to make and I am prepared to do anything to make sure that it succeeds, even if I end up being the last of the company left, although I do not know how I should go on if I were left and Legolas were killed.'

'I am sure it will not come to that. Legolas is a good fighter and I would not like to be on the receiving end of one of his arrows. He has a good head and a good heart and he will not let anything happen to the ring or to you for that matter.'

'I know, which is why I am apprehensive of this journey. If it came to a choice, I would rather Legolas carried on the quest than give his life to save me.'

'You know there is no question to who or what he would choose. If the choice had to be made, he would give his life for you and there is nothing that you or I can say to change his mind. But maybe, with another joining the company, we stand more of a chance. I thought that there was no hope after Gandalf fell, but you too have strong powers and I have not seen any woman fight the way you do or can. Your father has taught you well and it will be a grave loss for Gondor when you return to take up the throne here. Lothlorien is blessed to have two strong elves as the heir to the throne.'

'I thank you for your kind words and I must say that I find great honour in serving along side you. My father is a great leader but Gondor has long needed a King as great as you and as great as that whom you are destined to replace. When the time is right, Gondor will be great again and it will be you who shall show Gondor the way. I know you do not want that power, but you know it's your destiny and you know you are heir to the throne.'

'Some of the people of Gondor may not be as pleased of my return as you are Lorien.'

'Men like Boromir have fought long and hard to save Gondor and Boromir should be in line to become the General of Gondor, it is hard for him to understand how after such darkness and peril, Isildur's heir should appear from nothing. You are but a legend in Gondor and many questioned whether you actually existed, Boromir being one of them. He only has Gondor's interests at heart, however wrong that may be. He cannot understand how you have not been there to help Gondor through it's many wars.'

'I do not wish to have this burden. I would have been happy to go on being known as Strider rather than be the one who is seen as Gondor's savour.'

'I know that and many others do as well, but fate has decided where you shall go next, not you or I or any other being in Middle Earth. It does not matter how much you do not want this burden, you are Isildur's heir. It is something you cannot help, but I feel it will be up to you to right the wrongs of men. It was left to Isildur to destroy the ring, yet he could not, the ring over powered him. The same fate would come to Boromir or any other man who tried to destroy the ring. We are already beginning to see how the ring is affecting Boromir. Yet you, Isildur's heir are not affected as strongly by the ring and it must be you who destroys that ring, to prove the power of men and defeat Sauron once and for all. Isildur had that chance but he was too weak, now you, his heir have the chance to prove to all of Middle Earth that men are not weak or selfish. Whilst Frodo may carry the ring to Mordor, I do not believe that it shall be he who destroys the ring, it shall be you and you know that.'

'What happens if I am not strong enough? If the ring should defeat me, then what shall happen?'

'You are willing to die to destroy this ring. Isildur would not have given his life willingly, yet you know that if the choice must be made, the ring must be destroyed no matter what. You are strong enough to decide whether you should live or whether, in order for the ring to be destroyed, you should die. But your fate isn't in death, I believe that and Gondor shall be lead to greatness through you and your strength. Your life as a ranger has made you remarkably strong, both as a warrior and in your heart.'

'You have a faith and hope few of us still have. How does the ring not affect you? Even Galadriel feels its strength.'

'Galadriel is one of the elves that carries one of the original three rings, one of the rings that Sauron gave to the elves. She is bound to its power. I also am a ring bearer, but my burden is different, I chose to accept that ring from Legolas, but not because of greed or the want for power, but because of love. The only thing that makes me weak is Legolas, nothing else. My desire to destroy the one ring will always be more powerful than my desire to use it in any way, which is why I do not feel its power. I know, as do you, that the ring is altogether evil and no good will ever come from its use, either by those who want to use it for purposes of good, or for those who wish to use it for ill means. We both want to destroy the ring for other reasons, we both want to be able to be with our lovers, you with Arwen, I with Legolas and it is our love for another that makes us strong against the ring, which is why I believe that you shall fulfil your destiny and destroy the ring.'

'I am glad that you are joining us on this journey. You will keep us calm when it is most needed and I respect your strength against the ring and I respect the strength of your love for Legolas. He shall make a great King when this is over, and you in turn shall make the greatest Queen that Middle Earth has known.'

'I shall not be greater than my grandmother. Her legend will live on for all eternity. She will be forever known as the Lady of Light.'

'And you shall be forever known as the saviour of the elves and the bringer of peace.'

'I can only be the saviour of the elves if I have Legolas by my side.'

'And he will be Lorien. If I have to give my life to save the elves as well as the men, I shall do, for it is elves more than men who have always shown me great respect and understood the path I chose.'

'We are not ones to judge those who do not deserve it Aragorn, you know that. I hear you used to show the elves great respect in return and if it were not for your rugged look, I would have said you were an elf.'

'What is your problem with my rugged look?'

'Nothing, it just makes it obvious that you are not an elf, for no elf is quite so unkempt.' Aragorn laughed and pushed Lorien lightly. Legolas came and stood by Lorien's side.

'Well, I know one thing, if we cannot defeat the enemy with force, we shall only have to show them the beauty I see before me and we shall win.'

'What do you mean Aragorn?'

'What do I mean? Legolas, you and Lorien, standing here together, it must be the most beautiful scene that my eyes have witnessed. A great silence and peace has fallen over me at the sight of you two together.'

'Thank you Aragorn.'

'You both look like the King and Queen you shall rightly be once Sauron is defeated.' As Aragorn finished, Galadriel, Celeborn and Haldair came and stood before the company. Galadriel said a last few words to the rest of the company before turning to Lorien.

'I know there is no words I can use that will persuade you to stay here with your people, so I shall not try. Make sure you stay safe and alert and use the powers that Gandalf has taught you. My heart tells me I shall see you again, but whether it be here in Lothlorien, I do not know. Legolas, keep my granddaughter safe and yourself safe at the same time. I wish to see both of you again.'

'And so you shall.' Legolas replied as he bowed low. Galadriel bid farewell to the company and they left on the boats that had been provided for them.

TO BE CONTINUED…..