(A/N) Mamma mia, here I go again. My, my, how can I resist you? Mamma mia, does it show again? My, my just how much I missed you? Yes I've been broken-hearted, blue since the day we parted. Why, why did I ever let you go? Sorry, couldn't resist that little bit of idiotic humor. Feanen thanks for reviewing again. Alina11, thank you soooooooooooooo much for that review. Finally someone else besides me who smells some Tolkien purists. You know you've got a point, she is somewhat distant from the others. Thanks for pointing it out. Also, don't worry, I won't kill you for your second comment. Your absolutely right and I thought about that before I wrote the chapter. I know that bit about the morning sickness the very next day was lame but I wanted to put in some concrete evidence that she was pregnant. Well like I said, here we go again.

For the Love of an Elf

Chapter 7: Too late?

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" the scream echoed through the halls of the palace of King Thranduil of Mirkwood. The king bolted awake and yelled in surprise. Servants immediately rushed to him.

"What was that?" he asked.

"What was what?" a servant replied nervously, knowing that the king was quick to anger if awoken in the middle of the night.

"What was what?" he said, imitating the servant. "That scream?"

"I think it was the princess Luinethoniel."

With that he rushed to his daughter's room. He found her awake, surrounded by servants who were trying to comfort her but to no avail. The king sat next to his sobbing daughter and asked her what was wrong.

"It-It's Legolas. Something has happened to him, I know it." She said through her tears.

Thranduil knew better than to doubt Luinethoniel on matters concerning his younger son. The two had always been especially close and she had a habit of knowing when Legolas was in trouble.

"What did you see my child?"

"I-I saw him standing in the middle of ruined city with a girl clad in white. The girl was dead and Legolas was struck through with many black feathered arrows."

"Do you think he is all right?" Thranduil asked with concern.

"Yes, he lives but he is in pain, very great pain. He needs me. I must go to him at once!"

"Now? But it's the middle of the night."

"I don't care."

"Where will you go? Legolas could be anywhere."

"My heart tells me that I must seek for Minas Tirith. I must make ready. Saddle my horse. Prepare some provisions." She commanded as she began to dress in simple travelers' clothes.

"But daughter, you should travel to the white city in style."

"I do not have time for such hindrances. I shall go now, alone, and with no more baggage than absolutely necessary. If my luck holds I shall reach Gondor within a week."

"I will grant your need for haste but I cannot let you go alone."

"No father, I will go alone whether you will it or not."

But Thranduil continued talking as if he hadn't heard her. "I'll send Thangoruil with you."

"Father I beg you, anyone but him."

"No, he shall accompany you or you will not go."

"By the Valar," she muttered under her breath as she continued packing. Luinethoniel would take a guard only at her father's insistence but it would be torture to travel with Thangoruil. The dashing captain of the guard had been trying to win her affection ever since she was a young Elf of only 100 years. He had asked Thranduil for her hand in marriage countless times and the king believed that it was a smart match. But Luinethoniel had always been a free spirit and she did not wish to marry. Though she liked Thangoruil well enough as a friend he'd been driving her crazy for centuries with his pathetic wooing.

At three in the morning, Luinethoniel and Thangoruil were packed and ready to depart. As Thranduil waved goodbye to them they rode off into the dark forest. "Maybe this trip will be just what they need." Thranduil said, smirking to himself as he turned back towards the palace.

As the sun was rising, the two Elves were riding past the southern borders of Mirkwood.

* *
*

Legolas strode outside the fortress of Helm's Deep as the sun was rising over it. It had been a hard won battle. Piles of orc carcasses were strewn about the entire valley. The Rohirrim walked about, gathering their fallen comrades. The Elf admitted that if the mysterious forest hadn't appeared around the Deep in the dead of night that it wouldn't have been a victory. But they had lasted through the night and they had held Helm's Deep. Now Isengard was vanquished and Gandalf would soon ride to Orthanc to parley with Saruman. Theoden, Eomer, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and a few of the lords of Rohan would accompany him.

As they rode through the trees Legolas was reminded of Fangorn in a strange way.

"It's too much like Fangorn for my liking." Gimli said nervously. "I much prefer the glittering caves of Helm's Deep."

"I'll make a deal with you Gimli. I will let you show me the glittering caves if ever we return to this place. But you must let me show you Fangorn in return."

"All right. I think I could handle that." Gimli said. After that they rode in silence. It bothered Legolas to be returning to Orthanc so soon after breaking out of it. He was afraid that he wouldn't be able to keep himself from tearing Saruman limb from limb after what he had done to Luthien. As the time passed his thoughts strayed back to Luthien more and more. Legolas couldn't help feeling that something wasn't right with her, that something terrible had happened since he left her.

As the sun rose the next day, the company rode into Isengard only to find it in ruins.

* *
*

When Cassandra finally reached Helm's Deep she was dismayed to find that Gandalf wasn't there. For Vanessa's condition had slowly continued to deteriorate during the long ride from Edoras.

"Where has he gone", Cassandra asked one of the soldiers.

"They have gone to Isengard My Lady. They left not even two hours ago."

"Then that is my road." Cassandra replied softly. Without another word she spurred her horse onwards, riding for the rest of the day. She stopped to rest only for a short while, knowing that the longer she delayed the more chance there was of Vanessa dying.

* *
*

Saruman had destroyed the beauty of Isengard himself but now even the great machines of war that he had wrought were destroyed. The caverns that he had delved were filled to the brim with the waters if the river of Isen. Not a single orc remained within its boundaries. Everything but the tower of Orthanc stood in ruin.

When they reached the smashed gates they came upon two small figures clad in gray. Empty bottles and platters were scattered about them as if they had just eaten well. One was asleep and the other was smoking a pipe. When he became aware of them the figure sprang to his feet and spoke.

"Welcome my lords, to Isengard. We are the door wardens. Meriadoc son of Saradoc is my name; My companion, who alas! Is overcome with weariness, is Peregrin son of Paladin."

At these words he kicked Pippin and he quickly arose. "Far to the north is our home. The Lord Saruman is within; but at the moment he is closeted with one Wormtongue, or doubtless he would be here to welcome such honorable guests."

"Doubtless he would", laughed Gandalf. "Was it he that ordered you to guard his damaged gates and watch for the arrival of guests?"

"No, our orders came from Treebeard. He has taken over the management of Isengard. He told us to welcome the Lords of Rohan with fitting words. I have done my best." Merry told them.

"And what about your companions? What about Legolas and me?" Gimli cried out, unable to contain himself. "You rascals! A fine hunt you have led us on! Two hundred leagues, through fen and forest, battle and death we have come to rescue you! And here we find you feasting and idling- and smoking! SMOKING! Where did you come by the weed, you villains? I am so torn between rage and joy that it's a wonder I don't burst!"

"You speak for me, Gimli", laughed Legolas. "Though I would sooner learn how they came by the wine."

"It is obvious that we witness the reunion of dear friends. These are the missing ones of your company Gandalf? I have seen many marvels since I left my house and I shall see many more. Are these not the people of legend, the halflings?" Theoden asked.

"Hobbits, if you please sir." Merry corrected him.

"Hobbits, what a strange tongue you employ. Even stranger are the things that I have heard that hobbits will do. For instance, I did not know that they blew smoke from their mouths."

"It is an art that we have only just begun to practice. It was Tobold Hornblower of Longbottom in the south farthing, who first grew the true pipe-weed in his garden, about the year 1070 according to our reckoning. How old Toby first came by the plant-" Merry started to say.

"You do not know your danger Theoden. These hobbits will sit on the edge of ruin and discuss the pleasures of the table and the small doings of their grandsires and distance cousins to the ninth degree if you encourage them. Perhaps another time would be more appropriate for this idle chatter. Where is Treebeard, Merry?" Gandalf asked.

"He is away on the north side having a drink of clean water. He said for me to tell you that if you will ride out to him he shall give you an account of the taking of Isengard and you will be fed." Merry said to them.

"If you will ride with me now Theoden, you shall see Treebeard and many of your questions will be answered." Gandalf said with a smile.

"Very well Gandalf. Farewell Master Hobbits, until we meet again. May we meet again in my house. There you shall sit beside me and tell me all that your hearts desire. The deeds of your grandsires as far back as you can reckon; and we will speak also of Tobold the Old and his herb-lore. Farewell!" Theoden said as they rode away, leaving Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn with Merry and Pippin.

"So that is the king of Rohan. A fine old fellow. Very polite." Pippin said in an undertone.

* *
*

After the three hunters had eaten some lunch the five told each other of all that had happened since that day they had been parted.

"As you know Merry, Luthien, and I were taken by the orcs. Well we traveled across the plains of Rohan for three days. On the eve of the third night the Riders of Rohan came upon us. They destroyed the orcs and we escaped into Fangorn Forest. But they took Luthien. The remaining orcs did. They must have brought her here but we haven't yet entered the tower. Saruman must have her in there somewhere."

"You need not worry Pippin. Aragorn and I came not two days ago and rescued her. She is in Edoras as we speak, being healed." Legolas told them.

"That is wonderful news but I must ask. If Luthien is in Edoras, then who is that riding through the gate?" Merry asked him.

Legolas turned his glance towards the gateway. He saw a horse bearing two riders riding through it. One was a serving maid of Meduseld. The other was unconscious and his heart leapt into his throat when he saw who it was.

"LUTHIEN!" he shouted, rushing forward. "What's wrong with her?" he asked the maid as she dismounted and tied up her horse.

"I don't know but Eowyn said that only Mithrandir could help her. I am Cassandra, Lady-in-waiting to the Lady Eowyn and I must find Mithrandir. Where is he?"

"I'm right here. What seems to be the problem?" They heard Gandalf ask as he and Theoden rode up behind them.

Legolas turned his stricken face towards Gandalf. "Help her Mithrandir, please."

Immediately Gandalf dismounted Shadowfax and helped Cassandra pull Vanessa down from the horse. He laid her on the ground and went for the chain around her neck. When he brought the pendent to the light he noted with horror that the stone on it was glowing with an angry red light. "Legolas, why didn't you tell me about this? Now it may be too late to save her."

"Too Late", the words reverberated through Legolas's body. Then his eyes drifted to Orthanc. He lifted Luthien's body and strode towards the tower.

"Legolas stop! There is nothing that you can do about this." Aragorn called to him.

"Yes I can", he whispered to himself as he stalked away, the others in hot pursuit.

* *
*

"I shall enter first for I know my peril. Beware of the voice of Saruman, my friends." Gandalf said to them as they entered Orthanc. Slowly, the company climbed the winding stairways of the tower until they reached the throne room of Saruman, where he awaited them.

"What have you done to her?" Legolas demanded of him the second he entered the room.

"Well if it isn't the Prince of Mirkwood." Saruman said in a mocking voice.

"Don't you dare let her die." Legolas said, springing forward and grabbing the wizard by the throat.

"Get a grip. Come here, come here. Let me show you something." Saruman said as he led Legolas over to the fallen girl.

"Do you see this jewel?" he said as he lifted the pendent from her neck. "That's what is killing her." With that Legolas reached for the clasp but as he touched the chain his hands were burned and he dropped it in shock.

"Ironic isn't it? Falynn has finally returned to your arms and now you will lose her again, and I shall gain all the powers of the Wise. In a few short moments, Falynn will be dead and I will have what she stole from me all those years ago. I shall be all powerful!"

"Falynn." Legolas whispered in shock. "It cannot be."

"Oh can't it? That foolish girl is finally getting what she deserves. She escaped me once but not this time."

With that, Legolas jumped to his feet and punched Saruman square in the nose. As the blood dripped down his face, Saruman raised his staff and Legolas was thrown across the room smack into the wall. For a moment he lay still, but then he remembered Luthien. He sprang to his feet once more and ran towards the wizard, raining blows over his head. Saruman brought his staff down and drove into Legolas's stomach, knocking the breath out of him. Saruman focused his power on the Elf and levitated him a few feet in the air.

"Think before you strike me Elf prince, or I will teach you that the head of the Istari is servant of no one." Having said this Saruman dropped him next Vanessa.

Through his pain and rage, Legolas saw the pendent, resting on the floor next to Vanessa's head. Suddenly Wormtongue entered the room and flung a strange, round stone at Saruman, as if in an act of vengeance for what Saruman had dragged him into. His aim was off by a mile and the stone landed next to Legolas. He immediately recognized it as one of the seven seeing stones, a Palantir. His eyes drifted from the Palantir back to the stone on Vanessa's necklace. That was when an idea struck him. It was fool hardy and it would most likely end in ruin but, hey, what was there to lose?

Legolas reached over and lifted the seeing stone and brought it into position over the jewel.

"What are you doing?" Saruman asked him, suddenly alarmed. "NO! STOP!"

With that, Legolas brought the Palantir down upon the stone. As it cracked a blinding, red light filled the room. When it faded everyone in the room was on the ground.

"What happened?" Eomer asked as he helped Theoden up from the ground. When Legolas dropped the orb it rolled away from him and Pippin picked it up. Gandalf snatched up Saruman's staff from where he had dropped it and he promptly broke it in half over his knee.

"You are here by banished from the White Council Saruman."

With his last hope of power gone, Saruman crawled away from them in defeat. When he reached the stairway he drew himself up to his full height. "Come Wormtongue." Saruman said to his lackey. Wormtongue slunk after him, but not before spitting on the ground beside Vanessa. Legolas tried to rise and teach him a lesson but Aragorn and Gimli held him back.

"It is done, let us depart." Gandalf said quietly. But he was interrupted by a strangled cry. Legolas was kneeling over Vanessa, who still hadn't stirred after the jewel was smashed. Legolas was checking for a pulse or a heart beat but found neither.

"Luthien, wake up! Speak to me!" he said, shaking her, desperately trying to wake her from her sleep of death.

Gandalf knelt next to him and checked her over but he had no more luck than Legolas. He looked at Legolas and shook his head. Then the old wizard bowed his head in grief. "She is dead."

Legolas gazed down at his love and a great madness took him.

"No. NO!!" he screamed. He arose from the ground and he began to smite the walls of the room with his fists until they bled. All the while he cried out for Luthien.

Finally, he collapsed on the floor next to Vanessa, sobbing as if his heart were broken. He took her lifeless body in his arms and the vision that he had seen in the mirror came back to his mind. Legolas just held her closer and cried harder.

"What have I done to you?" he whispered in her ear though he knew that she couldn't hear him.

"This isn't your fault Legolas," Aragorn said, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" he yelled at Aragorn. "Luthien, you cannot leave me here all alone! Please don't leave me!" Legolas begged through his tears. "I love you." He whispered.

All who were watching bowed their heads in grief.

"I know, but you don't have to choke me to prove it."

Legolas looked down at Vanessa again. She had returned from the threshold of death and she was smiling up at him. He gasped through the tears, his joy and wonder far to great for words.

"I thought you were dead", he whispered, clearly shocked.

"I thought so too for a little while back there, and just to let you know, I love you too."

"You have no idea how long I have waited to hear you say that."

"Well your wel-" Vanessa tried to say, but she was cut off by his mouth on her own.

"This is neither the time nor the place for this." Gandalf said. "We must be away before the hour is much older. Here I'll take that my lad. I didn't ask you to handle it." Gandalf said as he took the stone from Pippin.

Gently Legolas helped Vanessa to her feet and he helped her to walk out of the tower of Orthanc. When she stumbled on the last step, he swept her off her feet and carried her the rest of the way. Before they left Vanessa removed the necklace that had almost killed her. She walked to the edge of one of the great water-filled chasms and dropped it in. As she watched it float away, she prayed to heaven that she would never lay eyes on it again.

Treebeard met them as they were preparing to leave Isengard. "So Saruman has refused the hand of friendship. That is sad indeed. But never the less, we will keep him here and see that he does no harm."

"If you insist my friend, but I must warn you that he shall be hard to contain." Gandalf said.

"No matter. We will watch him still."

"Take care Treebeard", Gandalf said in parting as the company rode away.

* *
*

They rode far into the night and finally they stopped to make camp. Merry sought out Pippin and they discussed the events of the day.

"Well Gandalf seems to have changed a lot since he returned." Merry said as he gazed upon the wizard.

"Indeed he has, but there are still some questions that I would like answered. That glass ball for instance. "I'll take that my lad". Not even so much as a thank you for saving it from Wormtongue. I think he guesses what it is and he won't tell us. I should like another look at that ball." Pippin said in an irritated voice.

'Well you can't have it so I would suggest that you go to sleep. I can hardly keep my eyes open. Forget about it for now." With that Merry went to sleep.

But the evil itch did not leave Pippin's hands.

* *
*

Meanwhile Gandalf, Legolas, Aragorn, and Vanessa continued to talk, staying awake long past the rest of their companions.

"You are Falynn, Luthien. Why didn't you tell me who you were?" Legolas asked Vanessa.

"I do not know who or what I am and soon it may not matter." Vanessa told him. "I don't even know who Falynn is."

"That is as it should be, unless my skills have utterly left me", Gandalf told her.

"I myself would like to know the answer to that. Who is Falynn?" Aragorn asked him.

"Falynn was my best friend." Legolas whispered as his mind carried him back to a distant place and time. "I do not know how Falynn came to be in Mirkwood. All I know is that one day she was there and I couldn't have asked for anything more. When I was young I had no close friends except for my sister Luinethoniel. Of course, there were the children of the nobles of my father's court but they kept their distance from me, I being the crown prince of Mirkwood and all." Here Legolas paused as if the memories were too painful.

"How old were you?" Aragorn prompted him.

"I was five years old when they first brought her to Mirkwood for healing. Apparently she'd had a horrible accident that had left her an orphan. My father offered to raise her and we grew together. I did not yet understand that she was human and I was Elf kind. But when we were both eleven things began to change. I started to see Gandalf, Galadriel, and Elrond around the palace a lot more often. I knew that they were discussing Falynn's future but I dared not ask my father about it. I tried to go on as if everything was the same but Falynn seemed to know that something was about to happen. Something that would change both of our lives forever. Finally they decided that it was no longer safe for her to stay in Mirkwood and they sent her away. Where they sent her I know not."

"Would you like to hear the whole story, Legolas?" Gandalf asked. Legolas nodded his head and Gandalf began his story.

"When the Istari first came across the sea to combat Sauron we combined our powers with that of the Wise among the Elves. We originally thought that the only way to defeat him was to create a weapon that rivaled the power of the one ring. So we consolidated our powers to create the stone that Luthien once wore around her neck. Fortunately by the time we had finished with it Sauron had fallen and we finally realized what a terrible, destructive power we had created. We knew that we could not carry it forever and that someone, somewhere was destined to bear the gem. For many years we searched for the right person but we had no luck. Until, when chance came, a small settlement of men just outside the eastern borders of Mirkwood was attacked and destroyed by orcs. When Thranduil and his men rode out to search for survivors they found that all the inhabitants were slain except for a young woman with a child. Thranduil knew that there was nothing he could do for her except comfort her in her final moments. "Take care of Falynn! Take care of my child! She is only five and now she has no one! Take care of her!" the woman said, giving the child to Thranduil's keeping as she died. So he took the little girl to his kingdom to be healed, for she had been gravely injured in the attack. But luckily she survived. Many of the Wise came to see this miracle child." Gandalf paused for a short while.

"One night Falynn woke up and began to wonder the castle by night as she would often do. She stumbled upon my room and I was carrying the stone at the time and she found it, drawn to it she was. If anyone but the creators or the true bearer of the stone had touched it they would have met instant death but she lived. We had finally found the keeper of the stone."

"Mithrandir, I touched the stone in Rivendell. Why did it not kill me?" Legolas wondered.

"Because you are descended from one of the creators." With that he continued the story. "The stone was bound into a golden blossom and strung on a gold chain for her to wear as a necklace. No one ever suspected the great power that she had upon her. When Thranduil noticed how well you and Falynn were getting along he offered to foster her in Mirkwood. At last we all thought that we could finally have peace. Until one night, someone tried to kidnap her. I'm more than sure that it was Saruman. Also as the years went by the stone's hold on Falynn had grown much stronger and she was beginning to age much faster than was normal for one of her race. The council of the Wise finally decided that it was no longer safe for her to remain in Middle-Earth for her life here would have been all to short. So we sent her to a distant time and place where the grasping fingers of the enemy couldn't reach her and the jewel would have no power over her. No trace of Falynn has been seen in Middle-Earth for 2,920 years. Until now." Gandalf finished the tale by fixing his eyes on Vanessa.

"I cannot be Falynn, it's just not possible." Vanessa said, trying to fight it off, trying to hold on to her identity. But the more she thought about it, the more it made sense. She had been adopted when she was eleven and she had no memory of her life before that. The only thing that she had from her former life was the golden necklace. She had never really felt like she had belonged in the world that she had been living in.

"It cannot be. I do not remember any of this." She pleaded with Gandalf in a last feeble attempt to deny it.

"You wouldn't. Before we sent you through the mirror Saruman and I cast a spell on you to wipe all memory of your first eleven years from your mind. But you need not worry anymore. The stone is destroyed and you can live normally. If Legolas had waited one second longer to smash it the stone would have sucked away all of your life energy and you would be dead now. But I can remove the spell now if that is your wish."

"All right", Vanessa said, trying to swallow her fear.

Gandalf stepped towards her and placed his right hand upon her forehead. At that moment she felt a multitude of things. She was burning and yet she was freezing. She was starving and at the same time she was filled to the brim. She was drowning but she walked on dry land. She was chained but she was soaring through the air. She was falling and yet she stood upright. She saw every color of the rainbow and yet she saw nothing. She heard every sound that could be heard and at the same time she was deaf. She felt everything and nothing all at once. Just when Vanessa felt that she could take it no more Gandalf removed his hand and the world ceased to spin. She was so dizzy that she swooned to the floor. But Legolas caught her as she fell and when she looked into his eyes it all came rushing back.

Being a carefree five-year-old. Playing hide-and-seek in the forest with Legolas and Luinethoniel. Swimming in the river with Legolas. Midnight conversations with Luinethoniel. Sneaking out at night with the royal Elves to play tricks on the nobles. The first time that she had touched the stone and the shock that she had felt. The time that an eleven-year-old Legolas had kissed her on the lips before running back into the woods, his face red with embarrassment. That had been the night before they sent her through the mirror. That and so many other memories came flooding back to her.

Vanessa felt so drained from the events of that day that she allowed Legolas to cradle her in his arms. She remembered the deep bond that the two of them had shared so many lifetimes before. It was so comforting to hear him whispering in her ear, "Falynn, Falynn. You have come back to me at last."

"I finally remember." She whispered in a resigned voice. She finally had the answers to what she had been missing her entire life.

"Aragorn, I think we should leave these two alone for now."

"Right," he said as they backed away from Vanessa and Legolas.

Legolas held Vanessa in his arms until she fell asleep. Gently he lowered her to the ground and he lay beside her. In all his happiness Legolas forgot to ask Vanessa the most important question of all. Why hadn't she told him about the baby?

* *
*

Quietly, Pippin crept towards the sleeping form that was Gandalf. Gently he slipped the orb from the wizard's grasp and replaced it with a stone wrapped in cloth. Gandalf stirred in his sleep but he did not awaken.

"Well there's no use in backing out now. You fool, you're going to get in a lot of trouble for this." He said to himself. He crept away from the sleeping Aragorn and Gandalf.

For awhile he sat with the ball in between his knees, gazing into the dark globe. But after awhile a light stirred at the heart of the orb until it lit the whole thing from within so that it seemed to be on fire. Pippin struggled but he could not look away from it. Suddenly the lights went out and he gasped and struggled but he remained bent, the orb clasped in his hands. Closer and closer he bent and then he became rigid, his lips moved noiselessly for awhile. Then with a strangled cry he fell back and lay still.

But the guards had heard his cry and soon the whole camp was astir.

"So this is the thief! But you Pippin! This is a grievous turn of events! The devilry! What mischief have you done to yourself and to us all?" Gandalf said as he hastily took the stone back from the now still hobbit. His unseeing eyes turned skywards. Gandalf took his hand and bent over his face, checking for his breath. The hobbit shuddered, his eyes closed and he cried out. He sat up and looked around in bewilderment at the faces that surrounded him. Then he began to speak in a toneless voice. "It's not for you, Saruman! I will send for it at once. Do you understand? Say just that!" With that he struggled and tried to get away.

"Peregrin Took! Come back!" Gandalf said.

Suddenly Pippin came back to himself and he looked up at Gandalf.

"Gandalf! Forgive me!" he begged.

"Forgive you? First you must tell me what you have done."

"I took that ball and looked into it. I saw things that frightened me and I tried to get away but I couldn't. I saw him. He came and questioned me."

"That won't do. What did you say?"

"He did not speak so that I could hear words. He just looked and I understood. "So you have come back. Why have you neglected to report for so long?" I did not answer. "Who are you?" he asked but I still did not answer and it hurt me horribly. He pressed me so I told him, "A hobbit". Then he seemed to really see me and he laughed at me. It was like being stabbed by knives. I struggled but he said to me, "Wait, we shall meet again soon. Tell Saruman that this dainty is not for him. I shall send for it immediately. Do you understand? Say just that!" I felt that I was falling to pieces. No, no, I can't say anymore. I don't remember anything else."

"Look at me Pippin. All right! Say no more. You have taken no harm. Luckily he did not speak long with you. If he had questioned you, you would have doubtless told all that you know to the ruin of us all. A fool you remain Peregrin Took. Mark this, you have been saved, purely by good fortune. You cannot count on it a second time. He was too eager just now. It was not information that he wanted. He wanted you, quickly so that he could deal with you in the dark tower, slowly. Don't shudder! If you will meddle in the affairs of wizards you must be prepared to think of such things. But come, I forgive you. Be comforted! Things have not turned out as evilly as they might have. Unfortunately it is no longer safe for us to remain here tonight." With that Gandalf began to load his baggage onto Shadowfax. As he did so he spoke to Aragorn.

"How is the hobbit, Pippin?" Aragorn asked him.

"I think he will be well now. He was not held long and hobbits have amazing powers of recovery. The memory, or the horror of it will fade quickly. Too quickly perhaps. Will you, Aragorn, take the Orthanc-stone and guard it? It is a dangerous charge."

"Dangerous indeed, but not for all. There is one who may claim it by right. For this assuredly is the Palantir of Orthanc from the treasurey of Elendil, set here by the kings of Gondor. Now my hour draws near. I will take it," Aragorn said to him.

Gandalf looked at him, and then to the surprise of the others, he lifted the stone and bowed as presented it.

"Receive it Lord! In earnest of other things that shall be given back. But if I may council you in the use of your own, do not use it- yet. Be wary!" he said to Aragorn.

"When have I been hasty or unwary, who have waited and prepared for many long years?"

"Never yet. Do not then stumble at the end of the road. But at least keep this thing secret. I will now ride ahead to Minas Tirith with Peregrin and Falynn. Pippin should be kept far away from the stone for the evil fit may come upon him again."

"Must you take Falynn with you? I had hoped that we could stay together after this." Legolas asked the wizard.

"I must. Falynn has been through a great deal. If the dark lord finds out that the jewel of the Wise has been destroyed he may yet seek her out to destroy her. Falynn has great power with or without the stone. She will find no rest in the shadows of Isengard. I will take her to Minas Tirith."

"Then I must accompany you." Cassandra said as she came up behind them. "The Lady Eowyn told me to remain with Luthien for as long as possible."

"I'm afraid not. Shadowfax will only bear the three of us." Gandalf told her.

"Then I shall follow behind you. My horse, Brego, is fast enough and I will catch up with you in the white city."

"If you insist, My Lady."

After getting all of the details Legolas went to find Vanessa. He found her packing her few possessions and making ready to leave.

"You are to accompany Gandalf to Minas Tirith, Falynn." He told her.

"I know, I heard you talking." She said as she rose from the ground with her pack in hand.

He led her in silence to where Gandalf and Pippin waited on Shadowfax. Legolas drew her to him for a farewell kiss. For a few glorious seconds Vanessa leaned into him and he drank in her sweetness.

"Ahem" Aragorn grunted. Reluctantly the two broke apart and aragorn lifted Vanessa onto Shadowfax. She kept her hold on Legolas's hand the whole time.

"I will see you again." He whispered, gazing deeply into her eyes.

Vanessa suddenly remembered what Galadriel had said to her. "You will always be in my heart", she told him now. "Always."

With that Gandalf whispered something to Shadowfax and the horse galloped away into the night with cassandra following on Brego.

Legolas was left standing there gazing sadly at Falynn's receeding form while the rest of the camp prepared for their journey. They would leave at first light.

For days Shadowfax galloped across the plains of Rohan. Pippin slept but Vanessa could not. She was still having trouble taking in all that had happened to her. Her real name and her true destiny. It would be awhile before she was used to calling herself Falynn. But she had to admitt that it sounded better than Vanessa. Her mind also drifted back to the child she was carrying. By now she was nearly two months into the pregnancy. Then she realized that in the chaos of leaving Isengard and then the sudden flight for Minas Tirith, she had forgotten to tell Legolas about it again. Time always seemed to be one step ahead of her. She sighed.

"What is it Falynn?"

"I assume that you know by now that I am with child. Well I still haven't told Legolas about it."

"Ah, the child", Gandalf said simply.

"I've been trying to tell him but I can never seem to find a moment."

"Hmm" was his reply.

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