Disclaimer: I do not own The Lord of the Rings.

Author's Note: Thank you for all the reviews! I have had this chapter in my computer for weeks and I totally forgot about it. Please note that this is based on the movie because I hadn't finished the books in time (but I've read them all now) to write this chapter and since the last chapter is based on the movie, I may as well continue this way.

Love is More Powerful than the Ring

Chapter Four: Truth Revealed

Alclainiel rushed over to Arwen, who sat in sorrow all alone. Arwen, seeing the alarm on Alclainiel's face, sprung to her feet. Alclainiel was too shocked to speak. After a few seconds, words escaped her mouth:

"Elessar, he is alive!" Said Alclainiel, using Aragorn's elvish name. Arwen looked at her friend in awe. "Go to the entrance! He is there!" Arwen knew better than to doubt Alclainiel's words, so she did as Alclainiel said and wiped her eyes. She then rushed to the great doors as fast as her feet would carry her.

Meanwhile, Aragorn demounted his horse and was greeted by Gimli and shortly after by Legolas. The two men looked at each other.

          "You are late. You look terrible." Said Legolas seriously. Aragorn laughed and Legolas' face softened into a smiled as the two exchanged greetings. Legolas gave Aragorn the Evenstar and Aragorn looked relieved to have it back in his possession. "There is someone that wants to see you." Said Legolas with a glint in his eye and a curl on his lips. He nodded over to the side, where Arwen stood. Her eyes were glimmering with tears and the frown she had been wearing for the past day had turned into a smile. Arwen started to walk towards Aragorn, who was speechless. Was he seeing things? Was it actually Arwen? He looked at Legolas, who nodded. Then Arwen could not stand the wait any longer, and she ran into his arms and gripped him as if never to let him go. She looked at him.

"Is it really you?" Arwen asked as she pulled back and put her hands on his face and examined him as if she wasn't really sure.

"Yes…" He then looked at Arwen questionably. "…Arwen, what are you doing here? I thought you were going to the Undying Lands." Aragorn asked.

"I could not live without you."

          "But this is a dangerous quest."

"I know, but my love for you was just too strong to keep me away." Arwen turned away from him and started to walk with him. "If you were to perish during this task, I wanted to be by your side. I wanted to be the last one to hold you."

          "Arwen, I…" Arwen put her index finger on his lips.

          "Shhh…" She said as she leaned in and kissed him.

          Meanwhile, Alclainiel watched them and felt her heart warm. It was such a beautiful sight. She could only hope to be loved that way one day herself. Alclainiel felt silly standing there after a few seconds as Arwen and Aragorn exchanged loving words. She walked over to Gimli and Legolas who were discussing how fortunate it was that Aragorn had survived. Gimli was sitting on the floor and Legolas was leaning against a wall. Alclainiel cleared her throat to get their attention. Gimli looked up and smiled at her, while Legolas stared at her with cold eyes.

          "I would just like to know what happened back on the way when Aragorn was attacked. I feel as if I am the only one who is excluded from everything as I have no connection to the Company." She said, looking down.

          "Well dear maiden, please have a seat and I will tell you." Said Gimli warmly. Alclainiel pushed her dress under her and sat down next to Gimli. "We were attacked by Wargs, mounted by Orcs, while we were making our way to Helm's Deep. The men fought bravely but Aragorn got himself attached to a Warg for some reason unknown to me, or at least that's what Legolas says. The Warg was galloping fast and could not stop in time to avoid falling off a nearby cliff and into the raging river. Legolas tells it better though." Gimli said. His last comment was to get the two to actually have a decent conversation.

          "Well then, Legolas let me hear how well you tell the story." Legolas suspected it to be sarcasm coming from Alclainiel, but she was completely serious. He rolled his eyes and walked away. "What is wrong with him?" Asked Alclainiel. She had actually tried to be nice.

          "I don't know but the way he talked about you last night made me think that he fancied you. He just has his own way of showing it." Explained Gimli. Alclainiel let out a laugh.

          "My dear Dwarf, I think you are mistaken. Hate and love are two different things."

          "Well then, listen to what he said last night, as I will tell you. Tell me Legolas, what do you think of the daughter of Eglagaer? Says I, I have no opinion about her, but I do think that she was rude. I am a Prince after all, I should be bowed to! Said he. Legolas, you have never used your heritage in a conversation before! This is just an excuse and you know it! What is wrong with you? I said, trying to reason with him. You are right, Gimli, I don't know what is wrong with me. Alas! I know one thing: I will not marry her. I don't care about how handsome she is, nor how kind. I do not wish to marry. That is that. He said before storming off. That seems to be his way of dealing with it all.

          "I just think that he is too blinded by his hatred of the thought of taking you as his wife to actually get to know you." Gimli said.

          "You are very wise, Gimli son of Glóin, but even so. The rudeness propelled by Legolas makes me also dread taking him as my husband." Said Alclainiel.

Suddenly, Aragorn passed by them, followed by Legolas and Arwen. Gimli and Alclainiel sprang to their feet and ran after them. Aragorn had gone to see Theoden, to warn him of the coming of Uruk-hai troops of ten thousand soldiers. They would reach Helm's Deep by nightfall. All the men and boys would be needed to be armed and ready to fight. Alclainiel watched as Arwen became pale at the hearing of the army coming their way. She knew how much Arwen hated war. Also discussed was where the women and children would hide. It was finally decided upon the caves. Éowyn, Arwen, and Alclainiel would lead the women and children there and stay with them through out the battle.

End of Chapter 4

 

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