Chapter 13

Another beautiful morning began, where the warm sun beaming on Aura's face awoke her. Already there was movement in the camp. Many were packing their things, others explored the area, and water boiled over the fire while some sat around, ate and drank. Seeing both Legolas and Gimli at the campfire, she decided to join them.

"I slept too long this morning." She implied a question to which Gimli blushingly answered.

"I wished not to disturb a sleeping beauty."

The kindness in Gimli overwhelmed Aurora. Never had she met a person so easily willing to share his love. Already she cared greatly for him too.

"Thank you Gimli, it was very kind of you." She hugged him warmly and then turned to Legolas. He looked not so arrogant now, but worry instead was expressed on his face. His stature, still elegant but no longer condescending to her eyes loomed over her. Had I imagined it all before? She wondered to herself. He seemed much more caring now.

"Good morning, Legolas." She smiled to him and he smiled back, but the worry did not escape his eyes.

"Did you sleep well Aura?" he returned gently.

"I slept wonderfully," she lied. Nightmares of her father had plagued her dreams again, of the illness conquering. She did indeed wish that they had woken her earlier.

"What schedule do we follow this morning?" she asked him.

"We wait for Aragorn to return, and then the council will convene." Legolas answered.

"And now it may, as I have returned." Aragorn's strong voice was heard behind them. "It is time to make a decision."

Eventually, the group calmly sat around Aragorn. It did not take them long to come to the decision that Elrond must be found. However, the decision regarding who would go proved to be more difficult.

"I will lead whomever wishes to follow." Aragorn stated, waiting for volunteers.

"I followed you through the paths of the dead, I will follow you now my friend." Legolas walked to Aragorn's side.

"You will not go without me!" Gimli stubbornly growled and joined his friends.

But no others joined. Aura debated whether to join or not. It was what it was in her heart, but she knew that Galdor would not approve. With as much courage she could muster, she strode in front of Aragorn and bowed,

"Sire, if you will have me, I will follow where you lead." She proposed modestly.

There was no doubt in Aragorn's mind that Aurora of Gandarl would be a vital asset to their mission. But many fellow council members disagreed.

"A woman! This is an insult!" a voice shouted out, as angry voices now filled the air.

Aurora looked up at Aragorn who gave her a slight smile. Gimli was glowing with anger at the insult presented to Aura. Legolas seemed simply skeptical.

"Sire, if I may prove myself to the council members, I would feel much more at ease with their confidence behind me."

"What would you suggest?"

"A duel, sire. Against the strongest and swiftest swordsman."

The crowd was pleased with the opportunity for entertainment and expressed this with whoops and shouts.

"Who do you find fit for competition, milady?" Aragorn asked, with a plan in mind.

"You are thought to have the most worthy hand at sword in all kingdom of men." She suggested.

"True, Aura of Gandarl, but I am only human. The strength and agility of an elf may pose a greater challenge." His mind began to calculate all the information that it held. It amused to think of the two smitten souls in battle. Perhaps this would unleash the hidden passion that they held for each other.

"Legolas! I believe this is your battle!" a smirk appeared on Gimli's face as he elbowed Legolas teasingly and a mark of annoyance appeared on the elf's visage.

"I accept." He told her, partially amused, partially furious. He took out his two swords, she took out her one, and the circle of spectators backed away slowly. Seeing Aura's single sword, Legolas bent to put one of his down.

"I take great offense to that, sir." Aura told him a little bitterly.

His face blushed only slightly with insult and embarrassment; Legolas swiftly lifted his sword into fighter stance. He sliced his swords around his wrists once in anticipation until Aragorn shouted the word "Begin".

The two contenders lunged for each, metal clashing. They seemed to be evenly matched as none could advance but only attempt to gash their way forward with swords play. Beginning to feel bored, Aurora ceased to block Legolas' swords with her own. As he slashed his swords towards her, she ducked underneath the firsts' deadly path and sent him reeling with a mighty kick to his stomach. Instead of falling, he back flipped, landing on his feet. As he lifted his eyes back to her own, she saw a look of amusement. He lunged at her again, sword for sword, she blocked each hit. As she held his sword with hers, she kicked his other away. Metal against metal, the swords slid free, and they lunged again. This time, Aura spun towards him, her back to him, stopping his stroke on her shoulder. Aura lifted her sword and brought the handle hard on his arm. With a slight cry from shock, he was forced to drop his sword. Aura grabbed it in midair with her other hand and slid it behind her, bringing the point to the elf's muscular stomach.

"Give?" she asked, "I surrender," he agreed.

She walked few steps away from her opponent, turned to Legolas, then Aragorn with a frustrated look.

"I do not believe it is fair! If this is to test my abilities, I would like for my opponent to at least try!" Aurora protested, leaving a smirk on Aragorn's features. An alarmed Legolas turned to the King and mouthed "I am trying!" which left Gimli rolling on the ground in a fit of laughter.

"I demand a rematch!" Aura told them, to which Legolas, wishing to redeem himself, agreed.

Aragorn was only able to choke out the word "Begin", as he was out of breath from laughter. Legolas swung his sword furiously yet accurately. He kept on backing Aura and soon, she would be cornered. She ducked under his arm, forcing him to spin around to face her. She swung her sword mightily, forcing him to back a step, then followed through. As she spun, she struck her sword into the earth and swung around it, leaping into the air. As her foot struck him to the ground, her body followed, landing on top of the elf. Her sword went with her and she swung it forward, guiding it to the elf's neck. Now straddled to the ground, Legolas had nowhere to go.

"Imagine, an elf is twice as strong and twice as swift as any orc. If you were an orc, you would be dead five times over." She gloated. Aura stood up, turned to Aragorn and whispered mischievously, "I tried to go easy on him too!"

"And to think that she did it all in a dress!" Gimli laughed at his friend who was still on the ground and thoroughly embarrassed.

Aurora, with the adrenaline leaving her body, became a lady again and leaned towards Legolas to help him stand again.

"It was very gallant of you to let me win." She whispered.

Legolas stood with confidence and leaned down to answer.

"I am honored to have lost to you."

"Then it is settled!" Aragorn shouted, "Aura will join."

Yet the council remained silent, but not for long. A hooded rider broke the silence.

"Ah, Aragorn, forgive me for being late. Surely, you knew that I would not abandon you at such a time. Your messenger arrived while I was departed from Rohan. When I received word of this, I rode as swiftly as any horse of the Marque could take me." He spoke. He descended from his horse and lifted his hood to reveal the face of Eomyr, King of Rohan, and a devilish grin to his long lost friend. Aragorn took his dear friend in a long embrace and told him "All is forgiven for you are here now."

As the crowds whispered in relish at the new arrival, Aragorn explained the dire situation at hand, to which Eomyr responded,

"We had thought we had drawn swords together for the last time, but perhaps the time has come that we should do so again."

The five warriors formed a circle, lifted their arms and proclaimed, "To Elrond!'