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.

Lorien sat on the walls as still and silent as stone, watching and listening to the plains below. Aragorn and Legolas approached slowly, knowing that she was concentrating. They watched her for a while, both amazed at the fact that she did not move and did not seem to see them. She looked up to the sky and watched a deep black cloud rolling slowly over the sky.

'Lorien, what do you see?' Aragorn asked softly.

'I wondered when it would be that you asked.'

'You knew we here?'

'Yes Legolas, I could here you breathe. The enemy is approaching fast, they shall be here by nightfall.'

'Lorien, I want you to stay with the women and children whilst the battle is being fought.' Legolas felt his heart lurch as he saw the look of hurt and betrayal in her eyes. She looked at Legolas as if begging him to disagree with Aragorn.

'But why?'

'If the wall should break, you are the strongest woman we have to keep them safe. You have power and battle skills and you could mean the difference between life and death.'

'I shall do it for that reason, but tell me, Legolas, is this why you went to see Aragorn?'

'Yes.'

'I want to be by your side.'

'I want you to be safe. I don't want the orcs to destroy your beauty.'

'Why didn't you just ask me?'

'Because you wouldn't have listened. Forgive me Lorien, but I do it because I love you so much.'

'I love you too, which is why I want to fight by your side.' Legolas walked up to Lorien and looked her in the eye.

'I know that Lorien, but the women need you. You are the strongest and greatest woman I know, not even Galadriel seems so great.'

'Very well, I do as you ask. The day is turning to night, war shall start soon.' Lorien turned her head fully and joy filled her heart.

'Haldir!'

'What?'

'Haldir approaches with a troop of elves. You cannot make me go into the mines now! I wish to fight alongside my people.'

'Lorien, I order you to go to the mines. You may greet Haldir, then you must go.' Aragorn gave her his orders and Lorien bowed, defeated.

'Very well.' She accompanied Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Theoden to greet the army of elves.

'Haldir, you do not know how I rejoice in seeing you here.'

'I do know Lorien, for how can Elrond or Galadriel ignore such a desperate plea from their niece and granddaughter?'

'Plea? I made no plea!'

'Are we to fight this war alone? There is nothing wrong in being scared Lorien and it shall be great to see you fight.'

'I shall not be fighting. I shall be taking care of the women and children, by orders of Aragorn.'

'Aragorn, you must let Lorien fight with her people!'

'I do not want Lorien put in danger! Understand that! I love her and that is why I asked Aragorn to give Lorien this task! Do not argue with it! I want us both to be safe!'

'So you help Lorien look after the women and children.'

'Legolas's place is on the battlefield. Do not argue with him. Forgive me Legolas, I know what you say makes sense and I am touched by your concern. Now I must go. Keep safe, all of you.' The taking Legolas's hand, she held it to her face and kissed it softly. Then she kissed Legolas and the lips.

'Take care Legolas. Come back in one piece! I love you more and more with each beat of our hearts.' Lorien left the company and headed to the mines with the women and children of Rohan. King Theoden had told the guards that Lorien was in charge and that they should listen to her. Lorien sat by the door and looked about her at the frightened faces. She saw Eowyn approaching and was glad of some company.

'You are not fighting?'

'No, Legolas wanted me to be safe down here and Aragorn said that if it is needed, I have powers and skills to keep the women and children safe.'

'I hope it shall not come to that. You love Legolas dearly, don't you?'

'Yes, I am prepared to die by his side if that is what is needed.'

'How did you two meet? It seems we could both do with a story that comes from lighter days in middle earth.' So Lorien began her story of how she and Legolas had met. She told Eowyn of her days in Gondor and described what Rivendale was like. Then she told of her flight to the mines of Moria and the return to Lothlorien and how she and Legolas had married the night of their arrival in Lothlorien and then of the battles that occurred afterwards.'

'You have experienced much in your two hundred years. I envy you.'

'Why?'

'You have found Legolas. I very much wish that I was loved by another.'

'And you will be. There is someone for everyone and I was just lucky that mine was Legolas. I hope that if we win the war, I mean defeat Sauron. I hope that Legolas and I can have a proper wedding ceremony that can be witnessed by all of our friends.'

'If we defeat Sauron, I shall personally see that your wish is carried out Lorien. You are an amazing creature and I have nothing but respect for you.'