Disclaimer: Oh god, I hope you get it by now.

Announcement: I'M NEARING THE END!!! ::smiles:: It's the first story I will ever finish!! YAY!

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The day did not go by uneventful. After the battle there was no more glee laughter among the remaining members of the fellowship. Legolas had returned to his scouting duties without question, he did not have time to feel sad. Rainia took watch in the back, alone. She had finally gotten him to trust her, and then he goes and dies like that. Aragorn had survived so many battles, so many she was beginning to loose count. This wasn't even the sheer number of foes as in the others, and yet he died. And she lived.

The rest of the day went by in an uneasy silence for the remaining fellowship. Even Gimli who was always so full of life and joyous laughter was silent. The usually rash and ill-tempered Boromir silently praying for a miracle. Though, theirs chances were slim to none that a miracle would come.

By dusk they had reached Helm's deep, Rohan's last defense. Boromir, Legolas, Rainia, and Gimli had all gone their separate ways to mourn the loss of one more companion. One more friend. One more life. Rainia was the only member to have not known him so well, just this day had he let her in to his heart, and then he fell. She walked into the stables, receiving strange looks from stable boys as she past. She did not speak a word, she just needed to be alone. No one else would come and disturb her in the stables. She walked up to the horse Gandalf had given her, Aclar was her name (A/N: Aclar translated means 'glory'). She neighed softly as Rainia walked to her,

"You miss him too?" She smiled, at least when you talked to a horse, they couldn't talk back to you. She stroked Aclar's face gently, "all of Middle Earth does. He has so many friends of so many different races. But I believe that a certain elf will miss him the most." She sighed, "poor Arwen, I'd hate to be there when she receives word of his death."

"Why are you talking to your horse?" A childish voice asked from behind her. Rainia turned to see a little boy and a little girl standing next to each other, behind them a distance was Legolas, his eyes teeming with laughter. Rainia smiled,

"A horse doesn't talk back, like a certain pretty boy elf I know." She said the last part a bit louder, making sure Legolas heard.

"I heard that!" He yelled back at her, the children ignored him and kept their attention on Rainia.

"You mean, you know an elf! It would be so cool to meet an elf!" The little girl squealed.

"I can do you one better, I can introduce you to a elf prince." Rainia smiled and motioned Legolas to come over and join her with the children.

"You could!" They yelled together, "you really mean it!"

"Of course I do!" She said happily, "he's right behind you!" Legolas smiled when the children turned around to see him, but glared at Rainia when they turned around.

"You mean he is a prince!" The boy smiled, "it would be so cool if I were a prince!"

"Children, would you like to meet another elf?" Legolas said with a sly grin on his face. The children turned around at him, now it was Rainia's turn to glare.

"Really? Another elf!"

"Yes, Rainia is an elf as well, just look at her ears!" Rainia had made a point to always cover her ears when she entered a human settlement. Some humans weren't as welcoming to outsiders as others. Stupid elf prince. She would have to get him back for this.

"Wow! Reena wait till we tell everyone that we met two elves in the same day!" The boy jumped happily, hugging what she assumed to be his little sister.

"Well my name is Prince Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood, it is a pleasure to meet such wonderful children as yourselves." Legolas said with a slight smile on his face, he held out a hand for them to shake. The boy eagerly took it and whipped Legolas's hand back and forth wildly, Rainia found it hard not to laugh. It seemed these children may have been a miracle in their own way, they were helping both Legolas and Rainia get away from their pain.

"My name is Bentley! It's a pleasure to meet you too!" He said, barely taking a breath between words, Legolas smiled in amusement. "And this is my little sister, Reena!" He pointed at the shy little red headed girl.

"Well Bentley, Reena, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well." Rainia smiled sweetly and bent down to be the same level as the children in front of her, "I'm not royalty or anything, but I am still an elf so that has to count for something. The name is Rainia, just plain and simple." She looked up at Legolas and added, "but I am glad to have made two new human friends." Reena and Bentley smiled at each other, both teeming with joy.

"How old are you anyways? I heard that elves can live forever!" Bentley, obviously not shy and reserved like his sister, asked.

"Well let's see now," Rainia thought, it had been a long time since she had actually celebrated her birthday, it seemed so pointless. "I am two-no wait- three thousand-no I was right the first time, two thousand, nine hundred, and eighty seven, give or take a year."

"I am two thousand, nine hundred, and ninety," Legolas said with a childish attitude as if saying 'ha! I'm older then you! That makes me better!'

"REALLY? YOUR THAT OLD!" Bentley practically yelled in surprise.

"That is young for elves, Bentley." Legolas laughed, "we're still in our prime!"

"Ah, Legolas, last time I checked elves really didn't have a prime."

"We're young compared to a lot of elves." Rainia shook her head, she would never understand males. A loud thud of the door was heard from behind them,

"Legolas! What is taking so long!" Aragorn smiled, "she isn't terrorizing the little children is she." Rainia could feel her jaw drop, she was at a loss for words, Aragorn was back, she felt a mixture of joy and a sudden urge to kill the king of men. She found herself just pointing and saying half-finished words over and over again.

"Oh yes, know I remember what I came here for! Rainia, Aragorn is back!" He smiled as if he hadn't done anything wrong. Rainia's eyes filled with anger towards the stupid elf.

"You what!" She hissed, glaring at Legolas.

"I think this would be my cue to leave!" Legolas said as he ran out of the stables, Rainia hot on his tail. Aragorn shook his head,

"Well, children, it seems our elf friends are momentarily, delayed, would you like to accompany me to the hall of King Theoden?" Aragorn asked the children who agreed without question. Aragorn let Reena climb on his back and carried her piggyback style to the hall. Bentley, on the other hand, keep asking Aragorn questions the entire way there. Every now and again their thoughts and words were interrupted by two screaming elves and their bickering and never ending chasing game.

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Aragorn entered the hall of Theoden still carrying Reena and still listening to Bentley talk a mile a minute. King Theoden cleared his throat a little, bring Aragorn back to reality.

"Aragorn, were are the two elves you were supposed to bring back with you?" The king asked, Aragorn tried to smile a little, it might be hard explaining to the king what they were actually doing.

"Well you see, my lord, umm," He started, trying to think of a good excuse.

"Rainia wants to kill Legolas! She said so herself!" Bentley piped up, Boromir spit out his drink and Gimli found it hard not to laugh. Aragorn tired smile,

"They just have had a minor disagreement, my lord." Aragorn put the stress on the word 'disagreement', "they are just working things out right this minute." He made sure to make things very vague. This would have worked if Legolas hadn't just ran through the hall, covered in dirt and had an assortment of leaves on his body.

"GET BACK HERE LEGOLAS!" Rainia screamed, soaking wet and holding a very large rock above her head. "YOU ARE SO," she stopped and looked around her for a second. She put the rock behind his back and said sweetly, "why hello my lord, lovely day isn't it?"

"Working things out, Aragorn?" King Theoden asked, Aragorn tired smiling again. Gimli and Boromir found it hard not to burst into laughter at the scene that was taking place in front of them.

"Rainia," Reena had jumped down from Aragorn's back during all the commotion and now pulled lightly on the top of her tunic. Rainia bent down to Reena's level so that the little girl didn't have to look up at her.

"Yes, Reena?"

"Were you really going to kill Legolas?" Rainia smiled,

"No, I wasn't really going to kill Legolas, Reena. Do not worry." The little girl smiled and nodded her head. Rainia stood up and whispered into Gimli's ear, "not today anyways." The dwarf laughed quietly, quietly for a dwarf that is.

"I heard that!" Legolas mockingly acted hurt by her comment, this only caused further laughter from the two elves and the dwarf. Unfortunately, King Theoden was not in such a joyous mood.

"Prince Legolas, Lady Rainia, you two can finish flirting after the meeting has ended!" He tried to stay calm, but found himself yelling slightly. Legolas, Rainia, and Gimli stopped laughing, but still had giant smiles on their faces. King Theoden just shook his head, he would never understand those three. "Now that I have your attention, we will continue. Aragorn, you were saying something about the Dark Lord's army?"

"Yes, my lord, there are ten thousand strong (A/N: I have no clue about the number, just go with me on this) at least. They are headed in the direction of Helm's Deep."

"We have never lost a battle here, and we are not about to start now. Let them come."

"I do not think that wise, my lord. You may have never lost to a normal army, but these are the fighting Uruk-hai. They are stronger then any normal orc, or human for that matter, and they do not fear pain nor death." Gimli said rather sullenly, turning away from his usually gleeful personality for the moment to talk about more serious matters.

"Let them come." The King was set in his decision, there was no way any one could talk him out of it. "Aragorn, I trust you to gather all able bodied men and ready them for battle. It is going to be a long night."

"Yes, my lord."

"Lady Rainia, I trust you to take the people down into the shelters with my niece, Eowyn. You two shall stay down there and comfort the rest of the women and children." Rainia could feel her anger rising, he wasn't going to let her fight, because of her sex.

"My lord, as much of an important role that is, I think I would be a better asset to you if I were fighting, rather then down in the shelters." She tried to stay calm, but her voice was wavering with anger.

"Lady Rainia, women are not meant to be on the battlefield. They are meant to stay at home, and the men to protect them." Rainia clutched her fists together, it was taking all the energy she had not to strike the king and knock some sense into him.

"My lord, Rainia is one of the best swordsmen that I know, she would be better suited on the battlefield then on the sidelines." Legolas argued for her, but the king was again set in his ways.

"She is to stay in the shelters, and that is finial."

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Rainia was fuming. How dare he. He wasn't her king, he couldn't tell her what to do. She stomped out of the halls, giving any person who dare look her in the eye a menacing glare that made the message quite clear. She was furious. She found herself wandering up to one of the many towers, just sitting there alone. She took her sword out, she knew she was just as good as any of his men, probably better, and yet she was made to sit on the sidelines so that she could be 'protected'. She let go of it, and let it fall to the ground next to her. She lightly banged her head against the stonewall, this day couldn't get any worse.

"Rainia?" Legolas's voice greeted her, and she gave him her 'back off' glare. She was in no mood to talk with the elf. "There were some people who wanted to see you, they were very concerned." He smiled a little, and beckoned two figures to come out.

"Rainia!" A little voice yelled and ran out to come and hug her, another small child also came out of hiding and grabbed on to her as well. "Why are you so sad?" Rainia smiled, if anyone could cheer her up it would be these two. Reena and Bentley seemed to have the effect on her, in fact all children did. If she had any weakness, children would be it.

"I'm not sad, little one, just frustrated."

"Then why are you sitting up here all alone!" Bentley asked as Legolas took a seat next to Rainia and lifted him off her lap and set him on his. Rainia smiled,

"Sometimes, its better when your mad to go off and be by yourself, then you will not do anything that you will later regret."

"What does regret mean?" Reena asked smiling.

"It means you do something that you wished you hadn't later."

"Oh,"

"Why were you angry?" Bentley asked, turning himself to face her. Rainia sighed, how could she explain to the children that their king was a sexist jerk?

"He won't let me fight." Was all she could think of to say, it was the truth, it just left out her main feelings towards the king.

"Why? You're so much older then all the other fighters, shouldn't you be twice as good!" Rainia smiled and chuckled a little,

"There are some things that you will understand when you are older."

"I take it this is one of them?"

"Very much so, Bentley."

"Do I have to wait till I am as old as you to understand things like that! I can't wait that long!" Rainia and Legolas burst out into laughter,

"No, no, you will not have to wait that long!" She managed between laughs.

"Thank you, all of you, you have cheered me up a lot. But I guess I will be seeing both of you in the shelter tonight." Rainia smiled, trying to remain happy while knowing that she would have to stay in the shelter that night. At least she would have Reena and Bentley to talk with, they did seem to cheer her up. "But I think that we have stolen you two away from your parents too long, they must be worried!"

"Would you like to meet mommy and daddy?" Reena asked happily looking at both Legolas and Rainia.

"Sure, I'm sure they would like an explanation of where their children have been all day!" Legolas replied, as Bentley climbed on his back (A/N: piggyback style) and then Legolas stood up completely. Rainia did the same with Reena on her back.

"Thanks, Legolas, I owe you one." Rainia whispered into his ear as they walked down from the tower, both of the children chattering happily as they went. Legolas and Rainia just smiled and nodded, not really listening too intently on what the children were saying.

After a good fifteen minutes of walking, they had reached the main part of the large stone fortress, where Reena and Bentley said their parents would be waiting for them.

"So, what do they look like, Bentley?" Legolas asked, as he looked up at the young child. Bentley sat there in complete concentration, looking around for his parents.

"There they are!" He shouted, pointing in the direction of two very worried looking humans. The women had auburn colored hair, and the man light blonde, both were looking frantically around.

"MOMMY! DADDY!" Reena called out after her parents, who turned around right away to face where they had heard the call. Legolas and Rainia tried to smile nicely, no doubt these two humans would be furious with them for not finding them sooner.

"Oh thank Valor that you two are safe! You had us worried sick!" The women practically cried as she saw her children both safe and sound. "And who might these folk be?" She eyed Legolas and Rainia suspiciously,

"They're our friends mommy!" Reena said happily, bouncing up and down slightly on Rainia shoulders.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you, my name's Rainia, and this is Legolas. Your children were kind enough as to cheer us up, actually twice today."

"Actually they were cheering you up, both times I wasn't the depressed one." Rainia rolled her eyes and muttered something inaudible, even for an elf, which was quite difficult to do.

"Well, I guess then introductions are in order here!" The women replied happily, "my name is Nydia and this is my husband, Landon."

"Guess what mommy and daddy!" Bentley chirped happily, "Legolas is an elf and a prince!"

"And Rainia's an elf too!"

"Oh by valor, why didn't you tell us, my lord!" Nydia said, properly bowing to Legolas.

"Really, its okay, I'd rather not go by titles. They are completely pointless, and I don't want to start caring now." Legolas said, rather annoyed that Bentley had said anything about him being a prince. Well, it really wasn't Bentley's fault, in reality it was Rainia's for even telling him that he was a prince. Rainia snickered as Legolas tried to convince them that it was not necessary for them to treat him any different then anyone else.

"Well, I hope that I can see both of you again, Reena and Bentley, you really have helped a lot, but I'm sure your parents want both of you to be with them right now." Rainia smiled, "until next time, goodbye." Reena hugged Rainia tightly for a moment, then Rainia handed the child back to her mother.

"Bye!" Bentley hugged Legolas and then jumped down on to the ground. Both Reena and Bentley waved goodbye to their two new friends, and Legolas and Rainia smiled. They knew in their hearts somehow that they would probably never see either of them again. Many were going to die this coming evening, there was no way of preventing anyone from falling.

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I hope you liked this chapter and my story thus far, and again I would like to thank anyone who has read my story, and a special thank-you to anyone who reviewed!

Please review!

Love ya!

Arwen