AUTHOR'S NOTE I'm so sorry I've been gone for so long! It's been a hectic couple of weeks, what with Thanksgiving, finals, final papers, etc. But here is the next chapter for you *grin*

DISCLAIMER I own Marek as well as Gauna and Daelin. But Legolas etc. belong to Tolkien.

"That was the last time I saw Emeriel. I never got to say good-bye to Calíme. I left Lórien, walked south across the plains and eventually met Éowyn as she led you from Edoras. She brought me here."

Gauna was absolutely silent. "Wow," she barely whispered.

I just smiled. "I know. When Legolas arrived here, he was able to tell that I was pregnant. And, well, here I am. He is preparing for battle."

"Rae…wow. I had no idea!" Gauna just looked at me in awe. "You live in both my world and in favor of the Firstborn. You must hold great importance in the future."

"That is what Galadriel told me, but she did not know how." I was quiet for a minute. "I think that my baby is important."

Gauna looked toward Daelin, who was playing happily and noisily with a pile of stones. "Every baby is important," she said with a soft smile.

Watching the toddler, I smiled also. "Yes." That was not what I had meant, but I doubted that I'd be able to explain. When I felt that light – my child – it was so pure and innocent. I'd never felt anything so strong. I wondered briefly if Legolas had felt that as well. I could not understand it, but I knew my baby's destiny was greater than my own.

"Rae-Elf!"

Daelin's baby voice broke me out of my thoughts of my unborn baby. I giggled and picked the toddler up. He bounced and laughed in my lap. After a few moments, he settled down and stuck his thumb in his mouth. "Rae-Elf," he muttered again.

Gauna smiled at him. "He seems very taken with you!"

"Yes." I laughed softly. Something about the way the child said my name warmed my heart. I thought again of my baby and realized that I couldn't wait to honestly be a mother.

Gauna put a hand on my shoulder. "Don't rush it," she said kindly.

"Rush what?"

She just smiled wryly. "I've seen that look before. Your baby will arrive when he or she's good and ready."

I sighed and half-laughed. "Am I that transparent?"

"Any mother recognizes that look." Gauna smirked. "And yes. You are."

"Thanks," I replied, feigning offense.

She moved to reassure me (unnecessarily), but was cut off by someone calling her name. Looking confused, she stood up only to be tackled to the ground by a Rohirrim warrior.

"Not funny!" Gauna cried from underneath him.

"Very funny," the man corrected, getting up and offering Gauna a hand. She accepted, grumbling.

Daelin struggled in my lap. "Mek!" he said.

The man grabbed the boy from my lap, swinging him high through the air. Daelin squealed.

"He's your responsibility if you make him sick with all that spinning." Gauna informed him as he set Daelin in her lap.

He just grinned at Gauna and turned to me. Taking my hand, he said, "I do not believe that we have met, milady. I am Marek, son of Meril." He kissed my hand.

I returned his gaze. "I am Raélowen Mirimë," I replied, nodding slightly.

His eyes became round with surprise. "An Elf! I am sorry milady; I had no idea! I pray you, take no offense…" His voice trailed off.

Gauna concealed her laughter. I just smiled a real smile. "Don't worry, Marek," I laughed, dropping the act of Elf-Maiden-with-Great-Importance. "I am only playing with you."

He smiled nervously and stuttered, "O-oh." Then he saw Gauna thinly veiling her amusement. "Don't laugh Gauna!" he said, hitting her. "It's not funny!" She just hit him back and the two of us giggled like children. Marek looked hurt.

"Marek, how long before the soldiers assemble?" I asked once we had calmed ourselves.

"Soon my lady. Lord Aragorn claims that the Uruks are moving fast." Marek looked honestly scared.

I saw the fear in his eyes and wished there was something I could say. But I was not the one being sent out to possibly die. Death was frightening to mortals. But Marek knew he had to be brave.

"I must go. My mother wishes to see me before the battle."

Gauna and I nodded. Marek nodded to me respectfully. I could tell that I was still a little intimidating to him, being possibly the first Elf he'd ever met.

"Don't do something stupid," Gauna said softly. I could see tears in her eyes that she was trying to force back.

Marek just patted her hair gently and laughed. "I'll try."

Sniffing, Gauna nodded. "Just be careful. I know you!"

"I will Gauna. I promise." He patted Daelin's head and kissed Gauna's hand in farewell.

Then Gauna and I were left alone. We sat quietly, talking little and wondering what would happen next.

**********

The caves settled into darkness as the evening wore on. Fear and pain blossomed as several soldiers suddenly entered our sanctuary. Gauna and I looked, terrified at the imposing Rohirrim warriors.

"Rae." Legolas came up to me, despair etched into his fine Elvish features.

"Legolas! What is going on?"

Legolas looked into my eyes, more pained than I'd ever seen another Elf. "They are gathering soldiers."

I looked to the warriors. One by one, they took all the men and boys from the caves. All of the, from children to old men. I saw Gauna clutch Daelin to her as a boy of about nine was led past.

"Natha dagad dhaer, meldanya," he murmured sadly. "Natha dagad dhaer."

I put a hand to his cheek. "You must not despair. You must have faith!"

He sighed, putting his hand on my own. "I have faith in us."

That made me smile. "Then that is enough to carry you through the night. You must believe!"

"I will believe. We will see each other again soon." He kissed me softly and I pressed my body against his, afraid to let him go. Fear screamed that I would never see him again.

"I must go," he whispered. "I love you Rae."

"And I love you Legolas."

He smiled softly. "That will carry me through." And then he was gone.

* Natha dagad dhaer = They are all going to die (Sindarin) stolen from the argument between Legolas and Aragorn in The Two Towers