This is the last part... many thanks to those that have read it... it wouldn't be complete without you!

PS: It wasn't my idea to "kill" Aragorn... thank Katrina for that... as a Beta, its her job to subliminize.

~*~*~

Legolas had just pulled Aragorn's body down into the valley. He was approaching the others from behind, Aragorn's frame settled carefully over his shoulder.

As he spied the others in attack, he knew it would be difficult to follow them. He forced himself to set Aragorn down again, gently resting his head against the Earth as he turned back to scout his next movements.

Behind him, Aragorn stirred, opening his eyes. He blinked, taking in the harsh darkness. It was still blurry to him, everything was so blurry. His lips parted, his lungs taking in the first breath of air. As his bearings became clearer, he realized he was laying down and struggled to sit up, a loud moan escaping his chapped lips.

Legolas turned at the sound, his eyes frozen as he spun about, his hands bringing the bow to the ready. His eyes widened at what he saw. "Aragorn!"

It was a cry, a bellow, a sound of utmost relief. Legolas quickly closed the distance between them in seconds. The moment he stopped, time seemed to stand still as Legolas bent down to his knees. His trembling hand reached out to clasp Aragorn's. "You have come."

Aragorn blinked as he saw Legolas. "Legolas?"

The elf nodded slowly. A smile flickered on his lips. "Bless you."

Aragorn looked down again, then attempted to stand. Legolas, realizing that Aragorn was still injured severely, quietly helped the ranger to his feet. "Water," he croaked out.

Legolas gave him what remained in his canteen. He couldn't take his eyes of the man, his soft blue gaze full of admiration, surprise and respect. "I never thought I would see you alive again."

Aragorn swallowed the water and smiled tentatively. He pressed his still-bloodied hand to his throbbing head. "I never thought I would see you either."

Legolas moved to Aragorn's side. "I swore on my life you were gone."

"I was," Aragorn said, setting the canteen aside. "I was on my way, at the least."

Legolas glanced down. "We have to move soon. The orc will come back once they realize the rear have lost you."

Aragorn nodded, remembering. "We should be along." He glanced around uncertainly. "Are there others with you?"

"Haldir. And a small number of elves and Theoden's men," Legolas replied, gathering his things.

Aragorn walked and stood by Legolas. He peered out into the darkness. "How can you see them?"

"They are not far ahead. Come."

With that, both men ran through the valley, over the bodies of countless orc. Finally they paused to get their bearings. Legolas looked into the darkness.

"See anything?" Aragorn asked, catching up quickly, his hand pressed to his still-wounded side.

"Orc, thousands of orc," Legolas said, his voice low. "We have gone too far, they must be back..." his voice died off as he noticed the others in the valley. There were only four orc, and they were approaching rapidly. The elves had only just noticed and were arming themselves. "If those orc get there first..." his voice trailed off as Aragorn sped back down into the plain. "Aragorn! Aragorn!"

The last thing either of them needed was for Aragorn to get himself killed now.

Aragorn kept running until he was parallel to the orc. Three of the four were taken down, but the elves didn't have time to rearm. Aragorn knew he had the clearer shot and quickly jumped the orc from behind, snapping its neck. As the orc fell away, he came face to face with a plethora of elves. And their arrows.

--

"Cease fire!"

Haldir's order saved Aragorn a heart attack. He lifted his own hand, calling out the elvish word for 'stop' when Haldir called his own. The tall elf slowly lowered his own, his blue eyes widening. "Yet you stand."

"I am safe," Aragorn replied.

It was then that Legolas joined the others. "The steeds are at the top of the next hill. We must move quickly. The orc will return."

Haldir called the order and the fifteen men and elves quickly returned to the edge of the forest.

At the edge of the forest, after a hard dawn's ride, Aragorn realized the crossroads were near. It was time for him to return to Gondor, since they were nearing the edge of the borders.

They slowed to rest. Most of the men had been riding two hard days with little rest. The elves also took the rest in relief. They had found who they had been looking for, without a rescue, and had suffered no casualties.

Legolas took the time to bind Aragorn's wounds. Aragorn had joked that since he had slept nearly a night before Legolas had found him, he was well rested. The truth was, he had never been more exhausted. As he rested his head against a log, his eyes sought out the sky. Without stars, it looked bleak and desolate. Inside of him, he had never felt stronger. Even though he was weak and physically hurt, he was ready to do what he had to do. Fight.

Morning came soonafter, and they arose and prepared to go. Aragorn was still sleeping when Legolas approached him. "I never suspected you as one to sleep all day."

Aragorn opened his eyes and quickly ground the sleep from them. "If you had not kept me awake all night."

Legolas smiled and bent down to him. "Water," he offered, handing the ranger his full canteen. "I have something else of value as well." He removed the chain from his belt and held it up to the mediocre light. "I believe that this belongs to you."

Aragorn's hand trembled as he reached out to touch the Evenstar. Even though morning brought no light with it, the fire still reflected the purity from it. "You found this."

"You would never part with it unless you were about to die," Legolas responded, his face grave. "I never imagined I would give this back."

Aragorn was still staring at the beautiful jewel, tears in his eyes. He grasped the chain in a tight fist and brought it to his heart. "I never imagined I would ever get it back."

Legolas stood and helped Aragorn to his feet as well. "I imagine this might be the last time I see you again as well."

Aragorn shook his head. "That will never happen."

Legolas grasped his hand. "You will not return to Gondor alone." He turned to Theoden's men, who rode forward, their eyes proud, their height strong, their faces gaunt. "You will take the Sons of Rohan. They have seen what many others have not."

"And you?" Aragorn asked, turning to Haldir.

"My delegation and I are to return to Lothlorién, which has been under Sauron's hand," Haldir replied in his formal tone. He turned to Legolas. "What do you intend to do?"

"I have to remain true to a promise," Legolas replied. "My heart will always be with you, Haldir. My journey leads me to Gondor."

Haldir nodded and bowed his head. "I believe this is where we say farewell."

It was difficult for Aragorn to say goodbye. It was in all likelihood he would never see these elves again. The roads back to Lothlorién were perilous, full of patrolling orc, and the hand of Saruman, still powerful even if he was trapped. "It is likely we will never see one another again."

"I know," Haldir said. He glanced at Aragorn and smiled his cool, arrogant smile. "I also know that when you take your rightful place as the King of Man, Sauron will never see the light of his ring."

Aragorn nodded and turned to Legolas. Legolas turned to Haldir and the two exchanged elvish words.

"We will cross the river here!" Aragorn shouted his orders to the men. They nodded and voiced their approval. When Aragorn turned back, he replaced the Evenstar, putting it back where it belonged, nearest his heart. "Legolas?"

Legolas turned his own steed about as Haldir and the other elves rode into the forest. "Why do I feel we will never see this forest?"

"This new journey will be different," Aragorn agreed. "We may yet get to see another sunrise. We may yet get to see these hills, these forests. But rest assure, our lives will be lived differently."

Legolas considered his words. "Gondor is fortunate to have a sound and able fighter willing to give his life to destroy its' darkness."

"Gondor is fortunate to have many willing to fight for the freedom of Middle Earth," Aragorn agreed. He glanced behind him and spied the four riders of Rohan, their faces still closed off. "And I myself am in your debt. Without you, I most certainly would have died."

Legolas's face reflected that he knew. "You are alive. That is what matters."

"Maybe," Aragorn replied. "Maybe what we need is faith."

"Faith?" A rider behind him asked. "Folly, pure folly."

"Faith and courage," Aragorn corrected, placing his hand over his Star. "Faith and courage are what we need to finish our journey. To make it complete."

There were cries of rallying behind him as the steeds picked up pace, heading westward into Gondor.

To face their enemy. And to defeat it.

- fine -