(A/N) Hello once again all of my devoted readers. Alina11, thank you for reviewing again. Thanks also to Ryoko Kilala for reviewing again. HanyouGohan, thanks a lot for reading my story. Yours was soooo funny! For anyone out there who is actually reading this story, you also have to read Hanyougohan's Truth or dare LOTR style. It's hilarious! It's time for you to start voting. Should Vanessa's child be male or female? She's been kidnapped again. This time by Sauron. How does it all work out? The battle at the Black Gate is coming. Who wants to see more of Luinethoniel and Thangoruil? Let's have some reviews shall we. Stay tuned as For the Love of an Elf draws to it's exiting conclusion.

For the Love of an Elf

Chapter 10: A Black-Feathered Arrow

Legolas tried to keep from trembling as the host of Minas Tirith drew up to the black gate of Mordor. This was it. This was what it all came down to.

"Come forth! Let the Lord of Mordor come forth! Justice shall be done upon him! Too long has he wrongfully made war on the people of Gondor and now the King comes to demand that he atone for his evils! COME FORTH!" they cried out to the orcs that stood guard over the Black Gate.

For a long while all was silent, for the Dark Lord had already laid out his scheme. He had expected this attack and now he played a game with the Lords of Gondor.

Just as they were about to turn and leave the gates began to roll open and there came a great ringing of many horns that shook the very rock. Out of the gate road an ambassador of the Dark Tower.

He was of a race that men called the black Numenoreans. He was clothed all in black but he was no wraith. He was a living man. He was the lieutenant of the Dark Tower and he was far more cruel than any orc. "I am the mouth of Sauron." He said to them.

When he finally reached Aragorn, Gandalf, Imrahil, Eomer, and Legolas he looked them up and down and laughed.

"Is their anyone here with the authority to treat with me, or even the wit? Not thou at least." He said, mocking Aragorn. "It takes more to make a king than an elvish glass or a rabble such as this. Any brigand of the hills could show as good a following."

Aragorn said nothing, but he caught the eye of the ambassador and held it. Finally the man backed down in fear of Aragorn'' silence, as if he had been struck.

"I am a herald and ambassador, and may not be assailed!" he cried in fear.

"It is also customary for ambassadors to use less insolence. You have nothing to fear from us until your errand is finished. But if your master does not agree with our terms then you may fear for yourself." Gandalf said to him.

"Ah, then thou are the spokesman, gray fool. This time you have stuck out your nose too far. I have tokens that I was bidden to show thee, to thee in special if thou dared to come." He signaled to one of his guards and he came forward bearing a bundle wrapped in black cloth.

From the bundle he produced the small sword of Westernesse that Sam had carried. Also there was a gray cloak with an Elvin broach and the magnificent coat of mithril mail that Frodo had worn. All of the captains were silent. These tokens could mean only one thing. Frodo and Sam had been captured and Sauron now had the ring back. Their last hope was gone. Pippin sprang forth with a cry of grief.

"Silence!" Gandalf shouted at him.

"So you do know the bearers of these trinkets. Their errand has failed and they shall suffer long, slow years of torture in the Tower, for Sauron does not love spies. This shall surely come to be unless you agree to my master's terms."

"And what are those?" Gandalf asked without emotion.

"The rabble of Gondor and it's deluded allies shall withdraw beyond the Anduin at once and take vows never to assail Sauron again, openly or in secret. All lands east of the Anduin shall be Sauron's forever. All lands west of there to the Gap of Rohan shall be tributary to Mordor and men there shall not be allowed to bare weapons, but they will have leave to govern their own affairs. They shall also help to rebuild Isengard, which they have destroyed and that too shall be Sauron's. His lieutenant shall dwell there, not Saruman, but someone more trustworthy. These are the terms. Take them or leave them."

"This is much to demand for the lives of two servants. We reject your terms utterly. But we shall take these tokens in memory of our friends." With that, Gandalf snatched the sword, cloak, and mail coat from the ambassador. "Get thee gone foul mouth of Sauron!"

"If that will not convince you to treat with my master, then maybe this will." Once again, he signaled his guards and they withdrew behind the gate. When they reemerged they were dragging a limp figure between them. When they reached the captains Legolas gasped in horror as Vanessa was thrown to the ground at Gandalf's feet. Legolas tried to go to her but he was held back. Vanessa was barely alive. The eye of Sauron had taken much from her in trying to discover the secret of her power.

"Think about it. Do you really want to sacrifice four "innocent" lives? It is known that this girl is with child. Would you have Sauron murder it in the womb? And the Elf seems to have some feeling for her." He sneered.

In her fever, Vanessa gazed up at Legolas for comfort. As she met his gaze she suddenly came back to herself. She began to struggle and scream.

"NO! NO! GANDALF, IT'S ALL A LIE! THEY HAVEN'T GOT FRODO OR SAM! THEYV'E ESCAPED!"

To keep her quiet the black ambassador slapped her hard and she was submissive once more. There was no strength left in her anymore. But she did manage to utter one final word. "Trap!"

Legolas turned to Gandalf, afraid that he would refuse the terms and condemn his love to death.

"Begone!" he hissed to the embassy of the dark Tower.

"All right then." He said as he backed away, dragging Vanessa with him. Legolas tried to follow but the Numenorean's words stopped him. "If you wish her dead then by all means keep moving forward."

That was when the trap was sprung. During the exchange, all of the allies and hosts of Mordor surrounded that of Minas Tirith. They now sprang forward in a full on ambush. Thousands of orcs and evil men came out of nowhere to slaughter the hope of the west.

Legolas swiftly brought forth his bow and slew many orcs before they reached him. But no matter how good he was with his bow, he could see that there was no hope. The host of Mordor was far too many. And yet Legolas realized how much he wanted to live, even if only to gaze on his Falynn one last time.

As she was dragged back to the gate through the battleground, Vanessa came back to her mind one last time. She looked back at Legolas and it was suddenly as if time had slowed down. The only thing she saw was Legolas and the black-feathered arrow that was speeding towards his back. He didn't see it.

"LEGOLAS!"

At the last moment he turned to her and tried to reach her but he was caught. He hadn't seen the arrow speeding towards him on silent wings of death. It struck him in the back. He stumbled backwards as if he had been struck.

"NNNNOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" Vanessa cried out. The last thing she saw before her world went dark once more, was the expression of shock on his face as he fell forward and lay still.

* *
*

Legolas had never known a pain such as this. He was so shocked when the arrow had hit him. As he fell over forward he saw many things. Pippin fell at the hand of a cave troll. Aragorn and Gandalf were putting a small dent in the forces of Mordor. Legolas saw Gimli in front of him, chopping away many orc heads.

With every breath that Legolas drew it was becoming more difficult and painful. He had to keep breathing, he just had to! Already his vision was beginning to darken around the edges. Actually, it wasn't all that bad. The pain was gone now. But it was strange, all the same. No Elf ever expected to know death.

Aragorn and Luinethoniel both saw him fall at the same time.

"LEGOLAS!" Luinethoniel cried as she rushed over to him, but Aragorn beat her there. He lifted Legolas up into a sitting position and checked the wound over. Aragorn didn't want to accept it but he knew that his friend would die. The wound was too severe.

"It's the vision. It's coming true." Luinethoniel moaned in despair.

"What vision?" Aragorn asked her.

"The reason that I came to Minas Tirith. I saw Legolas holding a dead Falynn and he was struck through with a black-feathered arrow." With that Luinethoniel burst into tears.

"Sister, do not be sad for me. Tell father that I'm sorry that I didn't grow up faster." Legolas whispered. Legolas turned back to his friend and made what Aragorn thought would be his final request.

"Take care of them for me mellon nin. Falynn and the child. Take care of them." He whispered. As he said those words his head fell back and his hand fell away from Luinethoniel's, cold and lifeless.

"Be at peace Legolas, Elf Prince of Mirkwood." Aragorn said softly, trying to hold back his grief. Gently, he pulled the arrow from Legolas's back and laid his body down. Luinethoniel bowed her head in sorrow. Tears were streaming silently down her face.

Suddenly, the army of Sauron faltered. Every orc ceased to fight and turned to face the Dark Tower. The land visibly shuttered and the Black Gate crumbled into dust. As Aragorn gazed upon the Black Land he saw in the distance, a great black tower. But even now, Barad Dur was crashing in on itself.

"The ring bearer has succeeded! Sauron has fallen and has passed into death!" Gandalf shouted.

This gave new hope to the men of Gondor and with renewed strength they drove back the orcs of Mordor.

Aragorn gazed down at Legolas once more. He knew that he should be leading his soldiers to victory but he couldn't bring himself to leave the dead Elf's side.

"Legolas, why did you have to die now? Why couldn't you have held on? The war is over! We have won! And yet you are not here with us to see it." Aragorn could take it no more. Though he tried his best to stop it, Aragorn could feel the tears streaking down his face.

"How will we ever tell Falynn?" Luinethoniel sobbed.

"Falynn! Oh no, I forgot! We must find her." Aragorn said, finally pulling himself away from Legolas.

* *
*

When Vanessa woke up, she found Aragorn and Gandalf standing over her. He held his staff above her head and chanted something in the Elvin tongue. The staff glowed with a pure white light. When he saw that she was awake he began to smile.

"Welcome back Falynn. You have slept for so long. We were beginning to fear that you had died as well." Aragorn said.

"What do you mean by that? As well? What has happened? Where is Legolas?"

"Falynn......Legolas is...... he......he is dead." Aragorn said sadly.

A chill stole over Vanessa's heart and it seemed as if she saw no light. "Where is he? Take me to him." With that, she rose from her bed. She could see Frodo and Sam lying in nearby hospital beds. She was glad that they were alive but nothing mattered to her now except for seeing Legolas.

Aragorn took her hand and led her through the camp of Gondor. Finally they reached a small tent. When they walked in Vanessa saw Legolas lying upon a cot. Aragorn had bandaged the wound even though he knew that it would do no good.

Vanessa collapsed by his side and laid her head on his still chest, sobbing loudly.

"Why? Why now?" she said through her tears. "Why did you have to leave me? Now you will never see our child or hold it in your arms. I will never talk to you again, never see your smiling face. Why did you have to die? Why couldn't I save you?"

"This evil is not of your making Falynn." Aragorn said as he placed a hand on her shoulder. But Vanessa could not be consoled. Just then Gandalf and Luinethoniel walked in.

"You have suffered much Falynn. You need to rest. Come away child." Gandalf said softly.

"Do what you will Gandalf but I will not leave his side." Vanessa sobbed. Once again she laid her head down upon his chest. In one single instant, her entire world had collapsed.

Suddenly she jerked back as if she had been struck.

"I.... I heard a heart beat. A mere flutter, but it was there. He is alive!"

"No Falynn. There may be some spark of life that still remains but he is lost in that sleep of death. His mind and soul have fallen deep into a cold stillness. He is gone beyond recall. It is beyond even my skill to heal such a wound." Gandalf said sadly.

"No!" Vanessa felt hope renewed within her. She couldn't give up yet. Not while there was a chance, no matter how slim it was. "There must be a way to bring him back."

"No, there isn't." Luinethoniel whispered.

But the power of the stone of the wise still lay deep within her. She still had some power left to her. She finally had the answer.

"I will go into his mind. I must go in and bring him back."

"No Falynn it is far too dangerous. If his life force should finally flicker out while you are inside then you will-" Gandalf started to say.

But Aragorn interrupted him. "Go on Falynn, bring him back. You are the only chance that he has. I wish that I could stop you but I know that I cannot."

"It cannot be done Falynn." Gandalf warned her.

"Then I shall die as well. I could not go on without him." Vanessa said as she knelt over Legolas's body. She pressed her forehead firmly against his and she began to concentrate every particle of her being on channeling her energy into Legolas.

The world faded away as the energies of the stone that still dwelt within her body came into focus. She almost felt it as her spirit shed her body and descended into the mind of Legolas.

She felt the change immediately. She was no longer made up of matter. She was now a being of energy and light. She could feel the darkness of her surroundings and yet, buried deep beneath it, there was still light.

As she descended deeper, she could feel the cold beginning to penetrate her. If she didn't hurry, she would freeze and be lost in his frozen mind.

Finally she came into contact with the spark of life that still remained in him. As Vanessa embraced it she could feel the years that were upon him. She felt all of the emotions that he had felt for all of his life, all of his memories. She could feel his love for her. In a single moment she felt all of this and more.

Vanessa focused every ounce of will power love that she possessed within her being, bringing her power into focus. She channeled all of her love into him, willing him to fight the darkness and come back to her.

But no matter how hard she tried she could feel him slipping away.

"NO!" she cried out silently to him in her own mind. "Don't give up!"

She felt, rather than heard him answer.

"I can't. I no longer have the strength to fight. Just let it end, this terrible cold. LET ME DIE!"

"No, we will fight on together. You can't back out now. Keep going. Please, for me, for our child."

"I.....will...try."

Vanessa reached deeper within his soul. She could feel the struggle that was happening. She could feel his pain.

Suddenly, she felt life stir once more. The spark grew stronger and stronger, until it was a brightly shining star. She could feel him coming back to the light.

At long last, she withdrew herself from within him. As she came back to her own body she gazed down upon him. For a moment he lay still, but then he began to stir.

Vanessa whispered in his ear, "Legolas Greenleaf, please come back. Come back to me. Come all the way about."

Slowly, Legolas opened his eyes. For a moment he seemed dazed, but then he focused on Vanessa. He could see the tears of happiness that now poured down her face. He raised his arms and wrapped them around her neck. "I thought that I would never see you again." He whispered to her.

"I was so afraid that I had lost you." She said back to him.

With that, Vanessa lowered her head to his and he sat up to meet her. Softly they joined their lips in a smoldering kiss. After so much fear and pain, they finally surrendered to their burning passions. For one second they broke the kiss for a breath of air. Then their lips met once again.

Aragorn, Gandalf, and Luinethoniel stood silently in the back, smiling. None of them had any wish to disturb their friends.

* *
*

Eventually, Sam, Frodo, and Pippin awoke and they were highly honored among the men of Gondor. For if it hadn't been for the hobbits Middle-Earth would have come to an end.

Finally the host of Minas Tirith and the Rohirrim road back to Gondor. For three months, they rested in peace at Gondor. Vanessa and the hobbits grew very close. Vanessa said ever after that she considered the four of them to be brothers to her.

When Arwen finally arrived in the city of Minas Tirith Vanessa was seven months pregnant and getting to be quite large. With Arwen there came Elrond, Galadriel, Celeborn, and many other Elves.

On the day that Arwen and Aragorn were to wed Galadriel came to Vanessa.

"Have you changed your mind about your child Falynn?"

"Yes I have. You were right. It is a blessing beyond all measure."

"Have you still got the blanket that I gave you?"

"Yes. I thank you for it."

"You shall be even more thankful for it when the baby arrives."

Having said this, Galadriel and Vanessa left for the wedding ceremony. It was indeed a beautiful and lavish wedding. After so many years of waiting and warring Aragorn and Arwen could finally join their hearts forever.

Later that evening Vanessa stood alone in the gardens at the houses of healing, thinking about all that had happened to her since she was pulled back into Middle-Earth. She remembered the despair that she had felt when she had stood on this exact same spot only afew short months before. Now they were all here together at peace at last. The child would soon be born and she had Legolas.

Suddenly he was there beside her, with his arms around her shoulders.

"Why are you out here all alone? You should be inside enjoying the party."

"I don't know. I guess that I just needed a breath of fresh air. It seems as if everyone is getting married now doesn't it? Arwen and Aragorn, Eowyn and Faramir. Who will it be next? One of the Hobbits?" At that she began to giggle.

Gently, Legolas placed a hand upon her stomach. "You never know. Falynn, may I ask you something?"

"Yes, what is it?"

"Well, I was wondering...... um.... Do you remember how you said that it seemed as if everyone was getting married?"

"Yes." She said, her interest growing.

"I was just thinking..... Aragorn has promised me land in Ithilien. I was planning to bring some of my own people down there to live. The only thing that I lack is.... Is... A bride. You don't have anywhere to go after this is over and I was just.... just wondering... if... if you....would consider..." At this point he stopped all together and tried to catch his breath. Vanessa turned to him and met his gaze.

"Would you consider..... Becoming the princess of Mirkwood? I guess what I'm trying to say is..... Will you be my wife Falynn?"

For a moment she was silent.

"Yes. Yes of course I will! I would be honored to be your bride."

"Really!"

"Really." She answered him.

Without wasting another word, Legolas bent down and kissed Vanessa. Gently, she wrapped her arms around his neck and he began to stroke her cheek with one hand. Both of them opened their mouths at the same time as if to catch breath but they did not break the kiss. They simply deepened it. Finally, after many long minutes of this they broke apart.

"You know, we are departing for Rivendell tomorrow. Shall we tell the others of our decision?" Legolas asked her.

"Yes I think that we should."

With that the two of them went back inside to tell the rest of the fellowship about their news.

* *
*

So it was that Galadriel, Celeborn, Elrond, and the remaining members of the fellowship departed from Minas Tirith the very next day. They would accompany the funeral march of Theoden King to Rohan. Then they would head for Rivendell.

When the company finally reached Rohan there was much sadness as Theoden was laid to his final rest.

Last of all Merry stepped up to the grave and spoke. "Farewell Theoden! As a father you were to me, for a little while."

Eomer was now King of the Riddermark.

After the funeral ceremony, the company split again. Celeborn and Galadriel went back to Lothlorien and Elrond and the others road to Helm's Deep. When they reached it, Legolas kept his promise to Gimli and allowed the dwarf to give him a tour of the glittering caves of Helm's Deep.

"Now do not forget Gimli. You must ride through Fangorn Forest with me." Legolas said afterwards.

"Ah yes. I was beginning to hope that you had forgotten about that." Gimli said with a huff.

At last, the company made ready to ride the final stretch to Rivendell.

When they reached Isengard they were dismayed to learn from Treebeard that Saruman and Wormtongue had escaped. "So be wary my friends, for you may encounter him on your road home." He warned them.

The company split once more now. Elrond would take Gandalf, Aragorn, Vanessa, and the four hobbits back to Rivendell. Legolas and Gimli would ride through Fangorn and rejoin them in Rivendell.

As he road away with Gimli Legolas turned back to Vanessa and said to her, "I promise you that I will try to be there when the child is born. Good-bye my love."

"Until we meet again!" she yelled in parting.

* *
*

(A/N) Don't worry, its not quite done yet. I'm thinking about two more chapters maybe. Also, I'm thinking about writing a sequel to this that tells the story of Vanessa's child. Does anyone want to hear that story? Believe me when I say that it is an interesting one.