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.

Shadowfax easily led the company, for he was as fast as the wind. Shadow followed close behind, eager to impress the Lord of horses that Shadowfax seemed to be. They reached Edoras and Lorien watched as a flag fell from one of the poles. It was green with a great white horse on and Lorien recognised the horse to be Shadowfax. She picked up the flag and carried it into the gates of Edoras and the company approached the Golden Palace of King Theoden. They climbed the stairs to the palace and were stopped by the kings' guards. Lorien shuddered slightly as she stood before them.

'What is wrong Lorien?' Legolas asked softly.

'There is evil at work here.' Gandalf looked at Lorien softly and his look silenced her, Lorien could see that some plot was brewing within the wizard.

'We wish to speak with the King.'

'We cannot let you before the King so heavily armed, Gandalf Stormcrow, by orders of Grima Wormtongue.' Lorien shuddered at the very sound of his name. The company agreed to leave their weapons outside the palace but Gandalf would not give up his staff.

'Would you part an old man from his walking stick?' Gandalf asked innocently. Lorien smiled softly before they were led into the palace. At the end of the great golden hall sat an elderly man. Lorien was surprised with what she saw. She had expected to find and great man sitting in the throne. Beside him sat an evil looking figure, dressed in black.

'Do I not get a welcome, Lord Theoden?'

'Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?' Gandalf stopped and looked at the King. Suddenly he took up his staff and a white light shone from it.

'You shall no longer have a hold here, Saruman.' Lorien watched as the creature sitting next to the King began to shuffle awkwardly.

'I told you to take his staff! Fools!'

'Too long have you whispered into the ears of the King!' The company watched as a battle was fought in Theoden's body. Suddenly the battle stopped and the company watched as the elderly King turned back into the middle aged man they had expected. Lorien found that she was right, before her stood a great King, one loved by all his men. The one that they called Wormtongue had began to cower away, trying to slip away unseen and unheeded. Lord Theoden approached him and made the worm wriggle beneath his stern gaze.

'You have poisoned my thoughts for too long. You are a traitor and I shall have you killed for treason. How long have you served Saruman?'

'He served him long before he came to your service Lord Theoden. Do not kill him, let him go to Saruman, for he still has some part to play.' Theoden let the worm go and turned to Gandalf. Slowly he became the King they had imagined and soon he and Gandalf were locked in discussion about the movement of the enemy into Rohan. At long last, King Theoden looked upon the company.

'I have never seen such a queer group of strangers, not in any part of Rohan. A ranger, a dwarf and I say two elves, or is the lady a woman?'

'Nay, I am an elf my Lord.' Lorien replied as she bowed low.

'Yet you seem familiar. Where is in which you descend from?'

'My mother and father descend from the sacred land of Lothlorien. They were killed some many years ago. I, myself descend from Gondor, where the Lord Denethor has raised me as one of his own.'

'Ah, daughter to the Steward of Gondor, or so I thought, yet your tale tells me more and makes sense for nothing or no one of such beauty would ever have been born to a man, except, perhaps, my niece Eowyn. Come forth my niece, you are like a daughter to me. Come and greet our guests. The rest of you, go and fetch food and drink for our guests and set up rooms for them. How many shall be needed Gandalf?'

'Three for Aragorn, Gimli and myself. Legolas and Lorien only require one room, as long as the bed is big.'

'Ah, two elven lovers who refuse to leave each other's side. It is funny how young love makes creatures strong in such days as we now see. Very well, four rooms shall be prepared for your lodging tonight. Now, I introduce you to my niece, Eowyn.' Eowyn stepped forward and bowed to the company. Lorien watched as Eowyn kept her eyes on Aragorn and found herself looking down on the young woman. Eowyn looked up at Lorien and their eyes locked. Lorien shuffled slightly, making her back more rigid.

'How is it that a fair elf maiden like yourself is allowed to travel on such journeys, yet I, who desire to be allowed to fight must stay behind whilst our men, brothers and fathers die?'

'I have chosen to take this road myself, despite the many pleas from both Legolas and my family. I also fight to save my people, but I do not govern any race of elf yet, so I am not as important as others may be.' Eowyn looked at Lorien again and then her gaze turned to Legolas. Lorien saw the look in her eyes, the look of one taken aback by beauty and elegance. Legolas however did not hold her glance and turned to Lorien.

'You should eat and then retire to bed my fair lady. You have been strong the last few days, yet your wound makes you weak and weary. Lord Theoden, may I ask something of you?'

'Anything you may wish, Prince Legolas. I would like to repay those who are prepared to die for Rohan. What is your wish?'

'When my lady is ready to retire to our room, can some hot water be taken up and some clean cloth and dressings, for my lady was wounded near on five days ago and her wound makes her weary.'

'Water shall be sent to your room when you so desire it! Tell me, how was your lady wounded?'

'Two of our friends, Merry and Pippin were taken by orcs. They are hobbits of the shire, halflings. Lorien went after the orcs to try and save them but was wounded by one of the orcs.'

'Was the blade not cursed?'

'Nay, they were orcs of Saruman. It is the orcs of Sauron that carry the poisoned arrows and spears.'

'That was a brave deed that you tried to carry out, and whilst you be fair of face and of the fairer sex, you have the courage and bravery of a man and I feel I shall see your skill in war before the end. Eat now, and then retire to your chamber Lady Lorien.'

   The company ate and drank all that had been provided for them before Legolas and Lorien retired to their room. It was warm in their room and Lorien felt safe for the time being. A servant of the Lord brought the hot water and supplies that Legolas had asked for. Legolas shut the door and turned to Lorien, not saying a word and when Lorien went to speak, he placed a single finger on her lips to keep her quiet. Slowly Legolas undid the elven cloak that Galadriel had provided them with. Next followed Lorien's bodice and long sleeved shirt, in which a slash was cut where Lorien had taken the blow. Legolas wrung the water from the cloth and softly began to clean the wound. Lorien flinched at first and managed to hear a 'sorry' flutter from Legolas's lips. Once the wound had been cleaned, Legolas wrapped the dressing around her wound. Lorien watched Legolas as he worked, the dim light flickering in his bright blue eyes, his golden hair glimmering softly. Next Legolas took another piece of cloth and dipped it in the water. He ran the cloth over Lorien's neck and what could be seen of her chest. Legolas then placed the cloth in the bowl before kissing Lorien's shoulder and slowly kissing his way to her neck, nipping at her soft skin with his teeth. Lorien sighed as Legolas's delicate lips tickled her neck with light kisses. His kisses descended and Lorien slowly lay back on the bed. Legolas did not stir from his business and his hands slowly worked at the laces of her corset. Soon it lay on the floor and Lorien felt Goosebumps flow over her body. Legolas crawled up Lorien's body and kissed her passionately.

'Are you cold?' He asked softly.

'No, I'm excited.'

'Good.' Legolas kissed Lorien again and she slowly felt his hand trying to find the bottom of her long skirt. Once his hand had succeeded, he let drift up her leg, tickling the sensitive flesh on the inside. He teased and caressed Lorien until she could no longer hold back and her hands ripped at his clothes. Legolas slowed down her hands and slowly he lifted her skirt up. Lorien opened herself up to her elf and soon the two were moving in unison, calling each other's name softly. Five days of tension had been building up inside of both Lorien and Legolas, but instead of venting it in anger, they released it in love. Legolas took Lorien into his arms and pulled the soft blanket over them. There they lay quietly for a while and Legolas watched as Lorien fell asleep. Her breathing was soft and slow and Legolas thought of how peaceful she was. He stroked her face and hair softly for a while before kissing her on the head and falling asleep himself.

  As Lorien slept, her mind drifted and she heard Galadriel talking to her whilst she dreamt.

'The time of the elves is over Lorien, you know that, you can feel it.'

'There is hope yet.'

'You and Legolas have a powerful bond and love each other dearly, but you alone cannot save the elves. Our people are fleeing to the havens abroad and I too shall be joining them soon. I do not call you from your quest, but I tell you to be weary, not for yourself but for Legolas.'

'Why?'

'He will hear the calling of the gulls before the war is won or lost. He too will know that his time on middle earth is over and that you and he will leave middle earth, if you are willing to follow him.'

'I will follow him to my death if I must.'

'Nay, that is not your destiny dear granddaughter. You and Legolas shall be together for all time but you shall not live on middle earth. Do not turn from your quest, see it to the end for the hope of other beings in Middle Earth, but once the war is over, I ask you to join us. I shall send a ship for you, if you send the word.'

'I understand, although I do not know how I can say goodbye to Denethor and Faramir.'

'You shall say goodbye before the war is over, to one at least. Your place is with the elves and by Legolas's side. I also have another warning for you, be weary of what battles you choose to fight in.'

'I will fight in all!'

'If you do, it could be to your doom and Legolas will be unable to help you. You do not fear death but I fear that evil has other plans for you, worse than death. Beware Saruman, but beware Sauron even more. His wrath shall be devastating if he loses too many battles.'

'I heed your words. Tell me, do you know anything of Frodo?'

'The quest will cost Frodo his life, this he knows. He and his companion are trusting someone they shouldn't and that could lead to their doom and the doom of all others.'

'Who is it they are trusting when they should trust no one?'

'Can you not think of anyone?'

'Smeagol?'

'Only you have called him by his real name, for you believe the best of beings. Yes, they are trusting Gollum! But his part in this is not known and he could either be doing a good deed or one of evil. Do not trouble yourself with their quest until the time comes. Other matters lie closer and the people of Rohan will need your strength. For now I say farewell and give Legolas my warning. Keep your hope and strength as they are and do not allow yourself to be fooled by any magic the enemy may use.' With that Lorien's dreams fell silent and she slept peacefully through the night.