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 woke the next morning still wrapped in Legolas's arms. She looked at her elf as he rested, taking in every line and story his face had to tell. Lorien softly stroked his blonde hair, watching as her fingers flowed through it easily. She laid her head on his chest and listened to his heart beating and the gently sound of his breathing. There was a knock at the door and Legolas stirred slowly, opening his eyes and seeing Lorien with her head on his chest. Again the door knocked.

'Come, the door is open.' The door opened and there stood Merry and Pippin, carrying an abundance of food with them.

'Saruman has stocked up well. Come, you must eat before you come down and join us. Gandalf says it is time we moved on. I do not know where we are heading but he seems restless.

'Thank you Merry, and you too Pippin. We shall eat and then join you.' Merry looked around at the clothes that carpeted the floor and smiled.

'I am glad you managed to sleep well. Your love is strong and I hope that maybe, f I should return to the Shire, I may find such a blessing.'

'I am sure you will Merry. No female hobbit could resist the charms of such a brave pair of hobbits.' Both Merry and Pippin blushed when Lorien said this. Merry bowed before turning to leave; yet Pippin stood and stared at Lorien in awe of her beauty and kindness. Merry turned back and took Pippin by the arm.

'Pippin let us leave Lorien and Legolas alone.'

'Oh yes, sorry.' The two hobbits left and Lorien and Legolas ate to their fill before they headed down the stairs to join the rest of the company.

'I am glad to see you have both rested well. Now we are ready to continue on our journey.'

'Where are we headed Gandalf?'

'Back to Helms Deep, then on to Gondor to see your father Lorien.'

'I am glad, I had wished to see my father again.'

'He may have changed since you left Lorien.'

'He is still my father to the extent he has looked after me for a long time. He may have changed, but deep down, he is the great man that showed me such kindness as to take me in and turn me into who I am today. I am sure he would be glad to here the news Legolas and I have for him.'

'Very well Lorien, but be patient.' Gandalf replied. Shadow came up to Lorien and bent to the floor so that she could mount him but he would not move until Legolas joined her.

'Shadow has taken you into his heart like I have. He is loyal down to even the lover I have chosen. He must like you, he never lets any other man near him, let alone use him as his steed.'

'I am no man, I am an elf my dear Lorien.'

'I do not think it would have made much difference. He would not let Elrond near him. No, Shadow seems to agree with my choice and if he likes you, I love you all the more.'

'Anyone might think you had been raised here in Rohan Lady Lorien. Your love for horses is very much like that that my kindred have.' Theoden said.

'The elves of Lothlorien have developed a love and understanding of horses which stems from the friendship Rohan and Lothlorien once had, so you are right in one way Theoden, a part of me was brought up in this fair country.' 

The company headed off in the direction of Helms Deep, leaving Isenguard in Treebeard's capable hands. They rode quickly and the day soon passed into night. They stopped and set up tents, creating a small camp. Lorien and Legolas were sleeping quietly in each other's arms when Aragorn woke them up.

'I am sorry to have to wake you when you are resting well.'

'What is wrong Aragorn?'

'It is Pippin; he looked into the seeing stone. Gandalf has taken him to Gondor, we are to head on to Helm's Deep.'

'He has gone to Gondor without me?'

'If you wish to go, I am sure the journey will hold no barriers, but I am going to Helms Deep, my path lies elsewhere before I go to Gondor.'

'Then my path shall follow yours Aragorn.'

'And my path shall follow wherever you or Legolas may go.' Lorien said softly.

'We must set off shortly. Rest whilst you can.'

'Where is it you are heading Aragorn?'

'To the Paths of the dead and then on to find allies for the war we are about to fight.'

'Is there any news from Gondor?'

'There have been several small attacks on Gondor but nothing to need your concern yet Lorien. As for the Paths, do not worry.'

'I do not fear death so I do not fear the paths of the dead. It's just being brought up in Gondor, you hear about such places all the time and it fills you with fear, yet going there myself gives me no fear.'

'You are an incredible woman and an incredible elf.'

'I thank you for you kind words Aragorn.' Aragorn left and Lorien settled down by Legolas but she found him staring after Aragorn.

'What troubles you my love?'

'You say Arwen is the only elf Aragorn loves?'

'We have been friends for many years Legolas and if I have to keep telling you how much I love you, I shall. You are the only reason that I have stayed here for so long. I love others, I loved Boromir, I love Faramir and Denethor and I love Aragorn, I love the hobbits and I love Gimli but for different reasons. All are like brothers to me or have become close friends and a part of my life, but you are my lover and my closest friend and Aragorn does love Arwen.'

'Well, I know you love me and I do not need to here you say it for me to believe you. I am sorry for getting so jealous.'

'All is forgiven, I was jealous when you and Eowyn were fighting in Edoras. Love is a powerful feeling and sometimes it can lead to our downfall. But I feel that our love will be the reason why we survive this war, whether we win or not.'

'Did you not lose hope in Isenguard?'

'No, because of the love we have for each other. I knew that you would not leave me, unless you had been killed and I know it is not in my fate to become Sauron's wife for he could not bear to have someone who loved another the way I love you. The thing that scared me most was the thought that you might have been killed, but I think I might have known. The world still seems light with you in my life, even though in reality the shadow is passing over these lands quickly.'

'Come; let us rest while we can. I feel the end of the war is not far away.'

'I do believe you are right my dear Legolas.'

'I love you.'

'That I know as well.' Lorien kissed Legolas before they fell into a light sleep, waking when Aragorn called. Shadow was already waiting outside their tent and Lorien and Legolas both mounted before joining Aragorn. Gimli too joined them and they rode on to Helms Deep with King Theoden. There food had been prepared for them and quietly they sat whilst Aragorn considered the road ahead with those of his kin, the Dunedain, rangers of Middle Earth.