Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings, just Alclainiel, a character I made up.

Author's Note: This is the last chapter! Please tell me if you want an epilogue!

Love is More Powerful than the Ring

Chapter Five: Realizations

As Théoden's men were getting ready for war, Aragorn managed to see Arwen, maybe for the last time. They walked around until they found a spot away from the commotion. Aragorn didn't have much time; the Uruk-hai would be at Helm's Deep by nightfall. Arwen looked at him as the sun made her eyes sparkle. Tears made them glimmer.

"Aragorn…" She started.

"Shh…Arwen, I want you to do me one last favor." He said, as he put his index finger on her lips. Arwen said nothing. "Leave now. Take Alclainiel with you. This battle is too dangerous for either of you. Please Arwen…if you leave now, you might not be seen." He tried to explain.

"I told you I wanted to be the last one to hold you if you died. I intend to keep it that way." Arwen whispered.

"Arwen, if something were to happen to you, I would not be able to forgive myself."

"Nor I you." Arwen leaned in to kiss him…maybe for the last time.

Back at the main part of the fortress, Gimli and Legolas were getting ready. Mothers and wives were saying good-bye to their husbands and sons. It was all very emotional. Alclainiel picked up Legolas' bow and quiver and Gimli's ax and handed them to their owners.

"I bid you both good luck." She said and she looked as if she really meant it. "Do be careful." Alclainiel clasped her hands and held them along her front.

"Fair maiden, your blessing means much to me. I too hope that you are safe in those caves. Yet why would you not be? They are some of the most magnificent caves in Middle Earth." Said Gimli.

"Alclainiel, I would like to apologize for my behavior of the past few days." These words shocked everyone, even Legolas himself. But he figured that if he were to die, he wanted to be at peace with everyone before loosing his life.

"Worry not about it. I understand." Alclainiel said and then gave Gimli a sly look and smiled. Then the women and girls were called to enter the caves. Alclainiel looked at the Elf and the Dwarf. "This must be good-bye then." She said and bent down to kiss Gimli on the forehead and then Legolas on the cheek. Then Alclainiel turned and was lost in the pool of women and girls.

Alclainiel met up with Arwen in the caves. She was sitting on ground and tears were flowing freely down her pale cheeks. Alclainiel sat down next to her friend.

"Arwen, he will be alright…he always is." She said, trying to comfort her. Arwen said nothing. Alclainiel looked around at the other women and children and suddenly a particular woman caught her eye. She had long blonde hair and wore a white gown. Alclainiel had often noticed her longing for Aragorn. She could see it in her eyes. Alclainiel turned to Arwen. "Who is that woman?" She asked, discreetly pointing at the blonde maiden. Arwen looked up at the woman that Alclainiel was mentioning.

"That is the Lady Éowyn of Rohan." Arwen whispered.

"She is in love with Aragorn; I have noticed it." Alclainiel whispered back.

"As have I. My presence has made her stay away from Aragorn it seems." Arwen glanced over at Éowyn and she noticed that the two Elves were talking and suspected that it was about her. She swept over to them.

"Are you her?" Éowyn asked Arwen. Arwen, surprised and confused asked:

"Whom do you speak of?"

"Are you her?" Éowyn repeated. "The woman who gave Lord Aragorn that jewel."

"Yes. I am Arwen Undómiel, as is the name of that jewel which you speak of, Lady Éowyn." Arwen told her. Éowyn nodded and was called to attend to a woman who was hysterical and weeping uncontrollably. After a few minutes, Arwen turned to Alclainiel, who seemed to be in deep thought. "Tell me, Alclainiel, what do you think of Legolas, son of Thranduil?" The question came as quite a surprise to Alclainiel, who took her time to think before answering.

"Well, I must admit that he is not completely unfortunate-looking." A smile formed on her lips and Arwen started to laugh.

"That's a start." She said through her laughs.

"He apologized." Arwen ceased to laugh.

"What do you mean?"

"He apologized for being rude towards me…and I kissed him."

"Excuse me?"

"Do not worry; it was only on the cheek!" Alclainiel laughed. "I kissed Gimli on the forehead and felt bad for Legolas."

"How did he take it?"

"I do not know. I left because the women and children were being called to the caves."

"And so, how do you feel about him?" Arwen was completely serious. Her fair face was grave.

"I am uncertain. I know that I do not love him…it is much too early for that. Yet I do not dislike him…" Alclainiel was cut by a wall-trembling explosion.

The two did not speak until sun came out the next morning and the caves opened. The women and children walked outside to greet the sunlight. It had been long-expected. The remaining warriors ran to their families and tears were shed; but this time they were tears of joy. Aragorn jumped off his horse and ran to hold Arwen in his arms. They exchanged a kiss. Alclainiel searched for Legolas, yet she could not see him. Suddenly, out of the crowd, Legolas walked out and made his way up to her. He looked at her. No words were exchanged. In his mind, Legolas was debating what he should do now. At least he got along with her; he thought that it might work. That was the thing about arranged marriages: tolerance turned into like and like into respect and respect into love.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Kiss her!" Hissed Gimli from behind him. Legolas looked into Alclainiel's sapphire eyes, leaned in, and kissed her.

-THE END-

Please R&R!

Well, that's it! Sorry if it was too short/long. If you want me to make an epilogue, I *might.* Just tell me in the review.