IF THE LIGHT SHINES ON ME AGAIN

Ok. this is my first story so take it easy on me. Besides, English is not my first language so I'm doing my best to make some sense out of this story. Please review so I can see what I'm doing wrong. Flames will be accepted as healthy critics.

Disclaimer: I own nothing; I'm making no profit out of this. All the characters belong to J.R.R Tolkien. Don't sue me; this is just for you entertainment and mine.

CHAPTER 4

The army.

She stood at the top of the white walls, her gaze fixed on the horizon; waiting.

Two messengers passed thru the open gates and launched towards the east, their horses galloping full speed. She looked down and couldn't help but to smile when she saw them.

"You just couldn't wait"

Aragorn, who was standing behind her frowned and came closer. "The expectation is killing me, I need to know"

She said nothing and kept staring at the hills, "Soon".

The city was silent and tense. Nobody knew what to think, for some said that they were under attack; and others said that the army was coming back. Doubt and uncertainty were the reigning feelings among the people.

Hours passed, still no news. Expectation was getting the best out of everyone left in the city. It was mid afternoon when the tower of Echtelion trembled with the sound of the trumpets. The messengers were coming back.

As they entered the city the news spread like a raging fire and a loud crescendo of exclamations of joy and shouts of victory gave back life to city.

"It's the army, our army; they have come"

Back on top of the wall Aragorn released a long held breath and started laughing like a little boy. He gathered Arwen in his arms and kissed her effusively; all the tension built up on last weeks finally leaving his weary body.

He lifted his eyes to the sky while holding Arwen tightly to his chest and whispered "Thank you, Thank you" over and over again.

When they finally broke the embrace Aragorn noted Arwen's amused look on her face. "Why are you looking at me like that my lady?"

She laughed melodically and took his face in her hands. "It's just that it has been long since I last heard you laughing like that, my King"

"I must go receive them" He barely finished his words and started running to the stairs, jumping down gracefully. He reached the main halls and continued his race, heading to the stables. When he came out of the palace, he stopped and stared in awe at the streets of his beloved city. The people hugged, laughed and cried; some even danced throughout the streets. He smiled at all this and thought to himself  "Hope has been restored, we still stand a chance".

Some subjects came to him with grins all over their faces and asked for orders. He hesitated for a moment and then started to speak, voice raised over the cheers of the multitude.

"Prepare a meal, worthy of their return. Arrange a celebration, I want music, dancers and gifts offered to them. They shall be treated as the heroes they are, heroes that came back from death."

He then turned around and headed to the stables. He himself prepared a horse, mounted and started to trot towards the gates, carefully avoiding the crowd as he advanced. First he was alone, then, other lords and soldiers joined him in his march. By the time the left the gates the welcome committee was quite large.

Shortly after they left the city, from the tower came the awaited shout. "We see them, they are over the hills"

The crowd cheered, louder than before, while everyone rushed to prepare the celebration.

Up on the wall, Arwen fixed her gaze on the approaching army, concentrating to find a distinctive face. Even though she was mortal now, she still had the keen sight of the elves. After a few glances she saw him, at the frontline of the group. He was looking at her too and as they made eye contact they both smiled and started talking to each other in their minds.

"You are late"

"I apologize my lady Undomiel"

"Quit the formalities and hurry up"

"As you wish, my lady"

"Oh, shut up! Stop calling me lady!"

"Yes my lady; I'm sorry my lady"

"Argh!!"

Arwen and Legolas had known each other since childhood; they were always very close during that period, and even later as teenagers. Those first years were pure happiness for them both, always sharing their hopes and dreams and always getting into crazy adventures together. They could explore the lush forests in Mirkwood all day long, or play by the river in Rivendel until Lord Elrond called for them. Legolas taught her how to track and hunt, how to make a bonfire, how to use a sword and a bow, and how to survive in the wilderness. Arwen taught him how to read and speak the ancient language of the Quendi. She taught him to sing, dance and even to swim, for forest elves are not used to swim. They shared many first things. His first successful hunt, his first battle wound; her first formal dance, her first trip to Lothlorien, their first kiss… shared in a hurry and by mutual agreement, for they wanted to know what it was like, under a golden oak and in the middle of the morning during that trip to Lothlorien. Of course, they also fought a lot; they sparred verbally and physically, and she always won and rubbed it in his face; He didn't seem mind about it, for above his own pride he loved to see her smile, more than anything.

The happy years were over soon, for with growth come responsibilities, and this turned out to be truth for both of them, especially for Legolas who had to help his people to fight the spiders that constantly attacked Mirkwood. Due to this they visited each other seldom, they still got together every once in a while and cherished their time together, but the visits were always rushed and short. Centuries went on like that until Arwen met Aragorn and fell in love with him, when Legolas learnt this he pretended to be glad for her, but he instinctively distanced himself from Rivendel. Deep inside he was mad at her, mad because she fell in love with a mortal man, that meant that she was becoming a mortal too and the prospect of her dying broke his heart beyond repair.

Next time they met was at the council of Elrond, they barely spoke or saw each other during the short time he was at Rivendel. He unconsciously avoided her, forcing himself to think it was due to the great stress he was facing at the time; but the truth is that he was still hurt.

When he stood up and defended Aragorn at the council he did it for her. He had barely met him before, and he was trying to convince himself that this man was worthy of her.

During the ring quest he got to know Aragorn, he found out that this ranger was no regular man; he learned to respect him and appreciate him. They quickly became best friends and Legolas finally understood and accepted Arwen's love for Aragorn.

It was at her wedding day that he made peace with her. That day he promised himself never to leave her; no matter how strong was the call from the sea, no matter how painful it would be to see her age and die; he promised to be with her until the end, to comfort her and grace her with the light of the elves, for he knew she was going to miss that light, and if he could relief the yearn for her family he would do it, despite himself and his own yearnings. And so it was, he bound himself to Middle Earth.

When he saw her radiant and happy in her wedding gown he forgot about everything else, he took her in his arms and laughed in pure joy, sharing with her that moment, like in old times. And from there on things were pretty much like in old times for them; they shared every moment they could, and laughed and played like little kids filling every hall and garden with their joy; until the southern war came and he joined Gondor's army. She hadn't seen him since then and was filled with joy and anticipation when she felt him coming to her again.

Legolas too was very happy to see her again, and as the army advanced he thought of all the happy memories they shared.

The sun was sinking in the western mountains when the welcome committee met the army. It was an amusing spectacle to see all the lords and noblemen of Gondor galloping full speed, with grins plastered in their faces, and so, the soldiers dearly appreciated the gesture.

Both groups halted as they met; Aragorn dismounted and fell to his knees, bowing in front of the army. Legolas ran to him shouting.

"Oh no my Lord; rise, rise!"

He kneeled in front of the King and putting his hands in Aragon's shoulders, forced him to look at his face.

"Look at me my lord, you can rest, it is over now"

Aragorn looked at those deep blue eyes he thought he'd never see again and replied

"I thought you were death, I thought all the army was death. What happened?"

Legolas helped him to stand up. "Let us keep moving, I want to reach the city gates before darkness falls"

They got up on the horses again and advanced, while Legolas explained what had happened.

"After you left…"

"You forced me to leave!"

"Right, Can I continue?"

Aragorn frowned "Go on"

With an innocent, boyish smile in his face Legolas continued.

"After you left I continued fighting and eventually managed to defeat the remaining enemies. After that my first impulse was to follow you, and I was about to do it; but I heard the troops calling me from the other side of the rock wall and I just couldn't leave them there without leadership".

"You climbed the rock wall?"

"Yes, it took me a while to get to the other side, but I did it at last and reunited with the army. I thought they were in battle but apparently that ambush was intended only to kill you. And so I found them safe but confused, some of them trying to climb the rock wall to get to us. After that we realized we weren't going to be able to cross the mountains with the rocks blocking the passage; and so we decided to go around the mountains and come to Gondor thru the deserted lands."

"So, that's why you came from the east. We thought we were under attack"

"I'm sorry if we caused trouble to you, it's just that the deserted lands are quite dangerous nowadays and I didn't want to risk a messenger to come alone, nor did I wanted to leave the men to march alone"

"It is fine my friend; as you said it is over now. Let us hurry, Arwen cannot wait to see you again."

With that Aragorn spurred his horse and the whole army quickened the pace. It was dusk when they reached the city gates, which were opened at once revealing the celebration and racket inside. They were cheered and praised as they entered, and once inside the crowd mixed with the army, wives looking for husbands, fathers for sons, sons for fathers; hugging crying and laughing as they found each other. They were offered food, wine, music and dance and the celebration lasted until next morning.

That night many honors were paid to the Great Elven General, as the crowd, much to his own dismay, insisted to call Legolas. He wasn't comfortable with all this attention, and so he expressed his feelings to the King.

"I don't think all this celebration is appropriate Aragorn; this war is for from over and many Gondor's sons fell in the last battle; their bodies weren't even properly buried and they rest far from their homeland."

Aragorn froze at this comment. "I…I'm sorry Legolas, I never intended…it's just that everyone is so happy, and so am I, we just wanted…"
A very ashamed Legolas interrupted him. "No, my lord, I beg of your forgiveness; I should have never talked to you like that. It's just that I'm very tired and weary, that wasn't me speaking."

"It is fine Legolas, do not worry. I completely understand you; we are forcing you to endure all this ceremony when all you want is some peace and quietness. Go ahead, Arwen is probably at the garden waiting for you, she is not very fond of loud celebrations or crowds herself; I'm sure she will lighten up that dark mood of yours. Go, I will meet you later."