Author's Note: Here you go! Sorry if I didn't update sooner, but
unfortunately, I've been sick. It's terrible for a person who's barely
ever sick! This story is almost done, so I hope you enjoy this chapter,
though it's rather short! Enjoy!
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Chapter 15
Êlcàlë woke up in the morning with Legolas' strong arms around her. She tilted her head up slightly and smiled at how Legolas looked like a child while he was sleeping, although he looked like he was awake, since elves slept with their eyes open. The only thing that gave away that he was really sleeping was the beautiful sapphire blue eyes were glazed over and unfocused.
"Legolas," Êlcàlë said softly, moving her hand up to finger his cheek. "It is time to wake up." "Must I?" Legolas asked as he slowly came out of the depths of elven dreams. His question made Êlcàlë laugh softly and give him a tickle on his stomach. "Yes, sleepy one," Êlcàlë said as she sat up. She went into the bathroom and got ready for the day. When she came back out wearing a silver-blue gown, Legolas had already changed into a fresh tunic and leggings as well. It made her laugh to realize that he had picked a silver-blue tunic and black leggings. "We think alike, do we not?" Legolas said, his eyes twinkling. "Come on. We should head to the hall for breakfast before Gimli and Aragorn decide to come get us!" With a laugh, Êlcàlë took Legolas' hand and they went down to join their friends.
~*~
The new moon had risen to its highest point in the sky, a beautiful, delicate crescent looking down on Middle Earth. Êlcàlë stood on the balcony overlooking the courtyard, but she was looking up at the moon and stars. Legolas stood behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist. Êlcàlë had leaned into the embrace, resting her head on his shoulder and they stood like that for a long time, content on being together on a beautiful night.
"I love you," Legolas said softly, tightening his grip slightly. "I love you too," Êlcàlë said, tilting her head up to look at him. Legolas bent down and captured her lips in a soft, but passionate kiss. "You know what Arwen chose to be with Aragorn. I would do the same for you," Legolas said as Êlcàlë opened her mouth to protest. "Shh. My love, I would rather share one lifetime with you, than face all the ages of this world alone." "You cannot," Êlcàlë gasped as she turned to face him. "I cannot let you make that choice." "It is not your choice to make," Legolas said, firmly. "I choose a mortal life, Êlcàlë." "No," Êlcàlë said as she walked back into her room. "If that is what you choose, Legolas, I will leave. Your fate is different from the path you choose now. I know, I have read it," she said as she reached for her bag. Looking through it quickly, she found the last book of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and flipped to the back, where it told of Legolas sailing to the Grey Havens along with Gimli, and handed it to him. "I will not leave without you," Legolas said as he put down the book. "The book is wrong!" "It is your path," Êlcàlë said softly, placing a hand on Legolas' upper arm. "Your destiny awaits you and I will not stand in the way. Please, Legolas," she said as she lifted his face, which had been cast to the floor. "Let's just be happy with the time we have. I am not worth giving your immortality for. Shh, let's not speak of this now," she said as she silenced Legolas by placing a finger over his lips. Êlcàlë removed her finger only to replace it with her lips, any fear and heartache was instantly swept away as their lips met in a kiss.
~*~
"King Elessar!" a young man cried as he burst through the dining hall doors. It had almost been a day no since Legolas and Êlcàlë's discussion in the moonlight. Everyone at the table turned at the voice, and Aragorn got up, meeting the young man halfway. "Haleth!" Aragorn said as he clasped the younger man's shoulders. "Calm down. Now, what has happened?" "Orcs and wargs!" Haleth gasped as he tired to catch his breath. "They are coming." "How many?" Aragorn asked, mentally noting how many men he had on hand. "Over three thousand," Haleth said as Aragorn sat him down at the table and Arwen handed him a goblet of red wine. Aragorn sat down again with a sigh, looking troubled. "They will be here tomorrow night." "What's wrong, Aragorn?" I asked gently, handing Haleth some of the bread and meat they were having for dinner. "I have sent much of my army away to help in Rohan and to look to the smaller villages surrounding the White City," Aragorn explained, realizing the orcs had known this was a good time to attack. "I have about six hundred good men here, and it would not be a problem, but wargs are coming as well." "Prepare your men," Legolas said as he got up. "It has been awhile since you and I have fought side by side." "I am staying as well," Êlcàlë said, unwilling to let her friends fight alone. "No!" Legolas and Aragorn both exclaimed. "You cannot ask me to stay inside or run while you fight," Êlcàlë said, eyes flashing. "I am not weak, you know this!" "You might as well let her stay," a soft voice said. Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, Haleth, and Êlcàlë turned to look at Arwen. "I will stay as well. No, Aragorn," Arwen said as Aragorn opened his mouth to protest. "This is my home too, and I will not sit idly. Êlcàlë and I will both stay," Arwen said firmly as she smiled at Êlcàlë, who had thrown her a grateful smile. With a sigh, Aragorn and Legolas shook their heads in defeat, for they both knew the wrath of the elven queen, causing Gimli to chuckle. "Come, we must plan," Aragorn said flatly, heading out of the hall and to his study, followed by Gimli, Arwen, Êlcàlë, and Legolas.
~*~
"The wargs need to be taken care of first," Aragorn said after laying out the battle plans and where his soldiers would be. "You have two elven archers here," Arwen spoke up, looking over at Legolas, who nodded. "I am not as skilled as Legolas, for I was not trained to be a warrior, but I have still trained more days than any mortal under this roof has been alive." "How are you at handling a bow and arrow, or wielding a sword in close combat, Êlcàlë?" Aragorn asked with a voice full of concern for her safety, not doubt. "I can do both," Êlcàlë said, giving him a smile. "Though I cannot use a bow and arrow like Legolas, or use a sword like you." "She will hold her own and more," Legolas said with confidence. "I have seen her use her bow, and if she can use her sword as well, the orcs will not stand much of a chance." Aragorn smiled and looked over at Gimli, who had sat quietly the whole time. Gimli held up a hand before the king could open his mouth to speak. "Just point in the direction you wish for me to wield my axe, and I will wield it," Gimli said with finality, his forthrightness causing laughter between the friends, Gimli included. "There is another thing," Êlcàlë said, seriousness resettling over their mirth. Êlcàlë looked over at Legolas before continuing. "I am a touch healer." This news astounded all but Legolas, who already knew. "I can heal yes, but only to a point." "And at a price," Legolas said, though Êlcàlë shot him a look. "It is a price I am more than willing to pay," Êlcàlë said, quieting any protests. She quickly explained what Galadriel had told her. "It is not as bad as it sounds. I healed Legolas once, and there was barely any effect." "During a battle, diverted concentration will be a target," Aragorn said, a concerned look on his face. "I can only heal flesh wounds," Êlcàlë reminded sadly. "I can be no help to wounds of the heart and soul, and I cannot bring back the dead." "No one would as you to, mellon nin," Arwen said, placing a reassuring hand on Êlcàlë's shoulder. "I want to help in any way I can," Êlcàlë stated, turning her attention back to the king. "I have loved this world since I was a child, though I never knew that it truly existed. Now that I am here, I will not see the heroes of this world fight and do nothing." "But you cannot heal alone on the battle field. They will go after you," Legolas said, growing worried for her safety. "She won't," Gimli said, surprising them all. "I will stay by the lady so I can be of help when needed. I will not say I will protect her, for I know she does not need protection in any way." Êlcàlë stood up and strode over to Gimli. To everyone's surprise and amusement, she bent down and hugged the stout dwarf. "It is good to know that not everyone thinks of me as a child," Êlcàlë said, releasing Gimli and looking pointedly at Legolas and Aragorn. "It is all settled then," Arwen said before the two males could fight back. "Yes," Aragorn said, noting the star-filled sky. "The hour is late. We should all get some rest." With his words, all those present stood up and headed to their own respected rooms.
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Crecy: Thanks for your review! I'm glad you like my story and I hope you like this chapter!
crazzymonkey: Thank you! You're too kind and I'm glad you like the story! Hope you review again!
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Chapter 15
Êlcàlë woke up in the morning with Legolas' strong arms around her. She tilted her head up slightly and smiled at how Legolas looked like a child while he was sleeping, although he looked like he was awake, since elves slept with their eyes open. The only thing that gave away that he was really sleeping was the beautiful sapphire blue eyes were glazed over and unfocused.
"Legolas," Êlcàlë said softly, moving her hand up to finger his cheek. "It is time to wake up." "Must I?" Legolas asked as he slowly came out of the depths of elven dreams. His question made Êlcàlë laugh softly and give him a tickle on his stomach. "Yes, sleepy one," Êlcàlë said as she sat up. She went into the bathroom and got ready for the day. When she came back out wearing a silver-blue gown, Legolas had already changed into a fresh tunic and leggings as well. It made her laugh to realize that he had picked a silver-blue tunic and black leggings. "We think alike, do we not?" Legolas said, his eyes twinkling. "Come on. We should head to the hall for breakfast before Gimli and Aragorn decide to come get us!" With a laugh, Êlcàlë took Legolas' hand and they went down to join their friends.
~*~
The new moon had risen to its highest point in the sky, a beautiful, delicate crescent looking down on Middle Earth. Êlcàlë stood on the balcony overlooking the courtyard, but she was looking up at the moon and stars. Legolas stood behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist. Êlcàlë had leaned into the embrace, resting her head on his shoulder and they stood like that for a long time, content on being together on a beautiful night.
"I love you," Legolas said softly, tightening his grip slightly. "I love you too," Êlcàlë said, tilting her head up to look at him. Legolas bent down and captured her lips in a soft, but passionate kiss. "You know what Arwen chose to be with Aragorn. I would do the same for you," Legolas said as Êlcàlë opened her mouth to protest. "Shh. My love, I would rather share one lifetime with you, than face all the ages of this world alone." "You cannot," Êlcàlë gasped as she turned to face him. "I cannot let you make that choice." "It is not your choice to make," Legolas said, firmly. "I choose a mortal life, Êlcàlë." "No," Êlcàlë said as she walked back into her room. "If that is what you choose, Legolas, I will leave. Your fate is different from the path you choose now. I know, I have read it," she said as she reached for her bag. Looking through it quickly, she found the last book of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and flipped to the back, where it told of Legolas sailing to the Grey Havens along with Gimli, and handed it to him. "I will not leave without you," Legolas said as he put down the book. "The book is wrong!" "It is your path," Êlcàlë said softly, placing a hand on Legolas' upper arm. "Your destiny awaits you and I will not stand in the way. Please, Legolas," she said as she lifted his face, which had been cast to the floor. "Let's just be happy with the time we have. I am not worth giving your immortality for. Shh, let's not speak of this now," she said as she silenced Legolas by placing a finger over his lips. Êlcàlë removed her finger only to replace it with her lips, any fear and heartache was instantly swept away as their lips met in a kiss.
~*~
"King Elessar!" a young man cried as he burst through the dining hall doors. It had almost been a day no since Legolas and Êlcàlë's discussion in the moonlight. Everyone at the table turned at the voice, and Aragorn got up, meeting the young man halfway. "Haleth!" Aragorn said as he clasped the younger man's shoulders. "Calm down. Now, what has happened?" "Orcs and wargs!" Haleth gasped as he tired to catch his breath. "They are coming." "How many?" Aragorn asked, mentally noting how many men he had on hand. "Over three thousand," Haleth said as Aragorn sat him down at the table and Arwen handed him a goblet of red wine. Aragorn sat down again with a sigh, looking troubled. "They will be here tomorrow night." "What's wrong, Aragorn?" I asked gently, handing Haleth some of the bread and meat they were having for dinner. "I have sent much of my army away to help in Rohan and to look to the smaller villages surrounding the White City," Aragorn explained, realizing the orcs had known this was a good time to attack. "I have about six hundred good men here, and it would not be a problem, but wargs are coming as well." "Prepare your men," Legolas said as he got up. "It has been awhile since you and I have fought side by side." "I am staying as well," Êlcàlë said, unwilling to let her friends fight alone. "No!" Legolas and Aragorn both exclaimed. "You cannot ask me to stay inside or run while you fight," Êlcàlë said, eyes flashing. "I am not weak, you know this!" "You might as well let her stay," a soft voice said. Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, Haleth, and Êlcàlë turned to look at Arwen. "I will stay as well. No, Aragorn," Arwen said as Aragorn opened his mouth to protest. "This is my home too, and I will not sit idly. Êlcàlë and I will both stay," Arwen said firmly as she smiled at Êlcàlë, who had thrown her a grateful smile. With a sigh, Aragorn and Legolas shook their heads in defeat, for they both knew the wrath of the elven queen, causing Gimli to chuckle. "Come, we must plan," Aragorn said flatly, heading out of the hall and to his study, followed by Gimli, Arwen, Êlcàlë, and Legolas.
~*~
"The wargs need to be taken care of first," Aragorn said after laying out the battle plans and where his soldiers would be. "You have two elven archers here," Arwen spoke up, looking over at Legolas, who nodded. "I am not as skilled as Legolas, for I was not trained to be a warrior, but I have still trained more days than any mortal under this roof has been alive." "How are you at handling a bow and arrow, or wielding a sword in close combat, Êlcàlë?" Aragorn asked with a voice full of concern for her safety, not doubt. "I can do both," Êlcàlë said, giving him a smile. "Though I cannot use a bow and arrow like Legolas, or use a sword like you." "She will hold her own and more," Legolas said with confidence. "I have seen her use her bow, and if she can use her sword as well, the orcs will not stand much of a chance." Aragorn smiled and looked over at Gimli, who had sat quietly the whole time. Gimli held up a hand before the king could open his mouth to speak. "Just point in the direction you wish for me to wield my axe, and I will wield it," Gimli said with finality, his forthrightness causing laughter between the friends, Gimli included. "There is another thing," Êlcàlë said, seriousness resettling over their mirth. Êlcàlë looked over at Legolas before continuing. "I am a touch healer." This news astounded all but Legolas, who already knew. "I can heal yes, but only to a point." "And at a price," Legolas said, though Êlcàlë shot him a look. "It is a price I am more than willing to pay," Êlcàlë said, quieting any protests. She quickly explained what Galadriel had told her. "It is not as bad as it sounds. I healed Legolas once, and there was barely any effect." "During a battle, diverted concentration will be a target," Aragorn said, a concerned look on his face. "I can only heal flesh wounds," Êlcàlë reminded sadly. "I can be no help to wounds of the heart and soul, and I cannot bring back the dead." "No one would as you to, mellon nin," Arwen said, placing a reassuring hand on Êlcàlë's shoulder. "I want to help in any way I can," Êlcàlë stated, turning her attention back to the king. "I have loved this world since I was a child, though I never knew that it truly existed. Now that I am here, I will not see the heroes of this world fight and do nothing." "But you cannot heal alone on the battle field. They will go after you," Legolas said, growing worried for her safety. "She won't," Gimli said, surprising them all. "I will stay by the lady so I can be of help when needed. I will not say I will protect her, for I know she does not need protection in any way." Êlcàlë stood up and strode over to Gimli. To everyone's surprise and amusement, she bent down and hugged the stout dwarf. "It is good to know that not everyone thinks of me as a child," Êlcàlë said, releasing Gimli and looking pointedly at Legolas and Aragorn. "It is all settled then," Arwen said before the two males could fight back. "Yes," Aragorn said, noting the star-filled sky. "The hour is late. We should all get some rest." With his words, all those present stood up and headed to their own respected rooms.
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Crecy: Thanks for your review! I'm glad you like my story and I hope you like this chapter!
crazzymonkey: Thank you! You're too kind and I'm glad you like the story! Hope you review again!