Authors Note

To All my Readers: Eventhough not all of you who have read my story reviewed, Istill thank you from the bottom of my heart. So far I have posted 20 chapters and written 23. I think it i will be finishin this story before it reaches chapter 30. It may not be the same ending as the book or movie so please bear with me. Please feel free to comment, I really would appreciate it. @----

CHAPTER 20: Dawn Comes


Laying Lenae on a makeshift bed, Legolas gently brushed away some hair, which had covered her face. He never imagined that this innocent looking elf had so much dark power within her. Touching her cheek, he pulled his hand away . . . . she was burning hot. Standing up, he searched for some water and a piece of cloth. Quickly finding what he needed, he returned to her side and proceeded to soak the cloth in the water and place it on her forehead. As the cloth touched her forehead, her color changed again. Her hair and body turned black, as suddenly as the color changed occurred, it changed back to its original color. Something was terribly wrong with Lenae and Legolas did not know what to do.

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Aragorn and Gimli looked on as Legolas frantically searched for some water and a piece of cloth, apparently the young unconscious lady was running a high fever. Legolas seemed to greatly care for this lady, he was gentle in everything he did . . . Approaching Legolas, Aragorn witnessed how she changed color.

Aragorn made a slight frown as he felt dark powers when the lady's color was black but vanished when her original color returned

' How is she? ' he asked Legolas as he placed a hang on Legolas' shoulder

' I do not know . . . something is wrong with her . . . . and I do not know what it is. ' replied Legolas, his voice filled with worry

After replacing the cloth on her forehead, Legolas tucked some stray hair behind her ear, revealing the pointed ears on an elf. Aragorn's eyes widened at the sight. Taking a good look at the unconscious she-elf, he recognized her as the person they saw at the bridge of Khazad-Dum.

' She is . . . . she's . . . ' Aragorn muttered

' An elf! ' Legolas finished

' I mean . . . she's the one we saw . . . . '

' At the bridge of Khazad-dum ' Legolas interrupted again

' Whos is she? . . . What elven race? ' Aragorn asked

' She is Lenae . . . . her race, that I cannot tell you. It is enough that you know her name. ' Legolas replied cryptically

Aragorns eyes widened once more . . . Lenae . . .that was the name he heard Legolas call out in Lorien.

' How . . . . ' Aragorn started to ask but was cut off when Hornburg began to shake.

' The Orcs are ramming the shield! ' shouted Gimli form a window overlooking the deeping wall

Running to where Gimli was, Aragorn peered over the dwarf. True enough, the Orcs were indeed ramming the shield. The Orcs bore three trunks from mighty trees and were swung by strong arms and with each swing a deafening boom could be heard. Again and again the great rams wung and boomed and with each strike the shield would waver.

' At this rate the shield would not last long ' thought Aragorn.

' Barricade the doors and prepare yourselves! ' he then shouted out to the men

The men quickly barred the iron door with whatever they can find, as the rest of the men prepared to fight. Arrows were being made, notched sword and axes were cleaned and whetted. Looking at the men, Aragorn could not help but think.

' The night is as long as a year! How long till the morning light comes? ' he asked himself out loud

' Dawn is near ' said Theoden as he stood beside Aragorn near the window

' But I fear that even its coming will not help us ' he added

' But its coming has always been hope for all men ' replied Aragorn

' Yet the creatures of Isengard; these half-orcs and goblin-men bred by the foul Saruman will not fear the coming sun and neither will the Hillmen! '

' Nonetheless, I still look forward to the dawn, it will bring hope to my heart ' said Aragorn

Then there was a very loud crash and smoke, the shield had finally collapsed and the enemy immediately started pouring in.

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Lenae had been constantly changing appearance and each time she changes; she takes on the black appearance longer.

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As Aragorn watched the Orcs pour in, he saw them part and make way for their comrades bearing another tree toward the door. Not long after a resounding boom was heard and Hornburgs walls began to shake and rattle again. The Orcs had started to ram the door down. And as each ram to the door became harder, Aragorn became more troubled. He had to come up with a plan. There was no means of escape; they were trapped. Looking at the people around him who were ready and willing to fight and defend Hornburg, he made up his mind. They would charge the Orcs. The element of surprise would be their advantage. Approaching king Theoden, Aragorn told him of his plans.

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Everyone was ready to charge the Orcs, all they needed was Aragorn's signal.

' Legolas ' Aragorn spoke as he sat beside him

' Your sword skill I need for this battle. I know it will be difficult to leave . . '

' I will ride out and fight with you. ' Legolas cut in

Nodding Aragorn stood up and left to ready his mount. Changing the cloth on Lenae's head for the last time, Legolas then stoop up. Giving her a last look, he then started to walk towards Gimli who was presently standing beside Arod, the horse Eomer lent him. Midway, he stops, turns around and walks back to Lenae and plants a chaste kiss on her lips.

' I will be back, melamin (my love). That I promise! Quel kaima (sleep well) ' he whispered

Everyone saw what Legolas did, but all pretended not to see.

Walking to Gimli, Legolas then jumped on Arod and offered his hand to his friend. Looking up to Legolas, Gimli spoke up

' We will fight well master elf and you will come back to that lass of yours '

Nodding to Gimli for his words, Legolas then hoisted Gimli onto the horse and both of them prepared to ride out.

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Once again looking at the men around him and to king Theoden, Aragorn waited. And then, from the tower above, the blare of the great horn of Helm sounded. Outside the Orcs cowered at the loud sound as many of them dropped down to cover their ears. Inside Hornburg, there was silence . . . then

' Death to our foes! ' Aragorn shouted as the doors were quickly opened.

' Death to all ' the men shouted and with the great shouts they charged.

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Slashing their way out into the middle of their enemy, everyone was ready to give up their lives. Taken by surprise the Orcs and Hillmen stood there stunned. Then coming out of it, they then began fighting back. Out in the east . . . . the first rays of the morning sun slowly came out. Turning to face the eastern mountainside, Aragorn spotted a white rider.

' Mithrandir! Mithrandir! ' Legolas' voice rang out over the noise

Gandalf had arrived and with him Eomer and the Riders of Rohan. And with a raise of his staff, Gandalf led the men down the slopes towards the battle. Not long after the great Army of Saruman was defeated.

' I see you have managed to hold on Aragorn ' said Gandalf when they met

' It was hard and long Gandalf, but we managed ' replied Aragorn

' Mithrandir . . . . . I ' Legolas interrupted

' Take me to her ' was Gandalf's immediate reply