Disclaimer: You know I don't own any of this.

A/N: I smell a battle coming. I swear it will be alot better that the first one. I'm sorry if I made Arwen sound like a wimp in this chapter, I don't mean too. Don't worry, She gets to prove herself later.

Chapter 11:On the Eves of Battle

Aragorn and Arwen stood for what seemed an eternity in their warm embrace, gazing into each others loving eyes. Arwen had never felt so much love, joy and so many different emotions than in those moments. Surprisingly she pulled away from Aragorn's arms an expression of puzzlement on her face.

"What is it?" he asked curiously.

"I hear something," She listened with her Elven ears. Arwen then began to pursue the strange sound that had interrupted their adoring moment, "Follow me."

"What do you hear?" He asked his voice full of worry and curiosity.

"A large commotion stirring in the forest. A clatter of mystery we must investigate." She told him venturing deeper into the woods, pushing branches out of her way.

Aragorn followed her, depending on her powerful Elven sense of hearing to seek this enigma. They moved swiftly, but not entirely with speed having left Rolsalen behind. A small creek barricaded their path, so Aragorn gently lifted Arwen, who had no complaints, and carried her to the bank. They pressed on holding each others hand firmly, not wanting to let go, both fearing what they might find.

Arwen stopped abruptly, "The sound draws near."

She pushed aside branches and revealed a bluff over looking more of the forest. Aragorn saw only trees and darkness, an inky river moved through the trees. Arwen's lovely face was full of terror, her hand trembled and she grasped his tighter.

"Is something wrong? What do your eyes see?" He asked drawing her closer to him.

"Orcs." She whispered fearfully, "Thousands of Orcs are headed this way, towards Rivendell." Aragorn now understood that the black river snaking through the wood was not water, but the terrible monsters that he and Arwen had met before.

"There are at least 3,000 of them... some ride Wargs." She continued, each word placing more alarm in her voice.

"We must warn your father. Dawn is coming, they will stop soon" Aragorn said leading her away from the scene below. In the east, the stars were beginning to fade.

With haste, they ran through the woods. Aragorn knew that Arwen was reliving the traumatic race she had with 12 Orcs, he clasped her hand into his, hoping to soothe her nerves. Arwen's hand quivered and her face was ghastly pale. Her breathe was labored and she looked as if she would faint. Aragorn stopped and turned toward her bringing her close. They had no time waste, but he couldn't bear to see her fear over the beasts.

"All will be well," He told her wrapping his arms around her tenderly. "We will reach Rivendell soon, your people will be safe, trouble will not live to see tomorrow."

"Oh Aragorn!" She cried out of fear "What if they find us, what if we do not reach my city in time?" "Orcs are senseless to think that Rivendell will fall to Mordor. Do not despair." "How can you be sure?" She asked him.

Aragorn covered her mouth with his. He wanted to take away her fear, wanted to fully encourage her, but even he did not know what would happen next. Their kiss ended, he gently stoked her cheek,

"Do not let fear steal away your hope. It is not tonight when we will fall into doubt. As you once told me, there is always hope. Trust your words, and find your strength."

He kissed her again, his words and love gave her vigor and heart to continue. He held her hand again and they moved on. They raced through the creek and pushed through the thick brush. Rolsalen waited for them grazing on the bushes surrounding him. Aragorn sprung onto his back and Arwen sat behind him, enveloping her arms around his waist. He kicked the horse into a gallop and shot through the Trollshaws.
A buttery glow was seen in the horizon to the east. The couple observed the sunrise, knowing that the varmint army would stop for the day, and storm Rivendell the next night. Arwen remembered Aragorn's words and placed her doubts aside.
The night had been full of events: they had confessed their love to one another, had stumbled upon a plot to conquer Rivendell and were now racing to alert Elrond. Arwen rested her head on Aragorn's shoulder, she wasn't tired at all. Though she had not slept all night, she had experienced too much that night to crave sleep. Aragorn was glad that Arwen was with him, he had longed to tell her of his feelings for so long, he was filled with peace to have finally said it. He worried over her also, Orcs had left her before with a scar of anxiety, like his own over his descendents.
Rolsalen trudged swiftly through the river, entering the realm of Rivendell. Aragorn steered the exhausted animal onto the path that led straight to the Gate of Rivendell. The city soon leered before them, its curved walls painted with the glow of dawn. The waterfalls encircled the city, their soft sound was music that mingled with the beauty of Rivendell. The city appeared as it always had, as if the danger that marched towards it did not exist. The guards at the gate recognized the man and the Elf princess and immediately opened the gate.
They both descended from the lethargic horse, and rushed up the stairs to the House of Elrond. Elrond himself waited for them. He had long since noticed his daughter's disappearance, and had been informed of the couple's arrival.

He stared coldly at the Ranger giving no kind greeting to either of them. "What is he doing here?"

Arwen ignored his grim look and words, now was not the time to argue, "Ada, Orcs move towards Rivendell."

"At least 3,000." Aragorn informed the Elf lord.
"

It is true father, I saw them with my own eyes."

Elrond's anger towards the man dissolved like sugar mixed with water. Arwen saw the fear in her father's eyes and she knew that last night's quarrel was forgotten, their peoples lives were at stake. "We must prepare for battle." He said with out a second glance towards Aragorn, and turned toward his home.

The city was soon informed of the Orc army that wished to vanquish them. The day was full of hustle to bring weapons to soldiers and supplies to the chambers beneath Rivendell. Legolas arrived that morning completely unaware of the enemy's plan. Elrond sent riders to Mirkwood to bring men to aid them, but Legolas's skills of war would needed so he stayed behind.
After Arwen and Aragorn had rested to gather strength, they too helped prepare the city for battle. They tried to keep track of one another, but through the confusion they were quickly separated. After noticing Arwen's disappearance, Aragorn decided to search for the maiden. He found her walking with Legolas deep in conversation.
The two Elves walked over to the Ranger as soon as they saw him.

"Arwen tells me that you are the Heir of Elendil, that you spoke falsely of your descendents." Legolas told him. Aragorn was afraid that their friendship was now broken because of his actions, but the Elf surprised him. "And I completely understand," Legolas finished, a smile on his handsome face.

Aragorn put a hand on Legolas's shoulder, "Thank you my friend." Aragorn's gaze then turned to Arwen, and the Elf's smile increased at the look in the Man's eye.

"If you will both kindly excuse me, I believe that I am wanted by the military council," he said in closing, then walked away leaving them together.

Arwen ran into Aragorn's arms, where he held her for awhile. "I knew he would believe in you," she whispered tenderly to him.

Aragorn was glad that she told Legolas, he still wished for his identity to be hidden, but his friends needed to know. He just continued to hold her, never wanting to let her go.

"I will fight beside you Aragorn, vanquishing the Orcs," She said to him a slight tremor in her voice. He gently stroked her face, tryi

ng to find the words to tell her, "Arwen, I feel it in my heart that you should not do battle yet." A look of surprise and hurt appeared in her eyes. "It is not because I believe that you are not ready," He reassured her, "You are, but you are to afraid to fight this battle. Fear will cloud the mind of any soldier, but then one cannot think. So they fall prey to death."

Arwen saw that this was true, she also felt that anxiety would make her forget all that she had learned. "I will wait for you once this battle is over. I will anticipate my chance to fight for my people and for you."

Arwen said staring into her love's eyes. He softly kissed her lips, glad that she understood.

Elrond was encircled around his many advisors, they were all struggling to prepare for the battle that loomed before them. The defense of Rivendell was only five hundred, mostly archers. The Elves had one advantage, their city was against the mountains so an attack from behind was impossible. A river and waterfalls surrounded the city, the Orcs could only battle from the front, but Rivendell had only a low wall to shield herself from her attackers.
Discussion strayed to the Man that warned Rivendell of this danger. Would Aragorn fight for the Elves?

"We do not know if he is trustworthy," one advisor stated, they were conversing in their native tongue.

"If he would not fight for us, why else would he warn of the army?" A second Elf shot back.

"I do not know if he will battle with us or against us." Elrond told his council.

A voice sounded from the entryway, "I will fight beside you all the way."

The council and Elrond turned and saw that Aragorn and Arwen stood there. Elrond's eyes grew wide with shock. How had he learned to understand and speak Elvish? The couple left the men with the answer they had been pondering over. Now they had only to wait for danger to strike.

Stars glittered from above, five hundred Elves stood guard over Rivendell. Aragorn now heard the clanking, stomping marches of the Orcs. Arwen stood between her brothers and her love, Legolas stood beside Elrohir, his bow in his hand. Arwen wished not to leave them, not before the eaves of battle.

Elrond came up the stairs and placed a comforting hand on his daughter's shoulder, "Arwen, It is time."

She turned and embraced her father, then her brothers and Legolas. Arwen turned to Aragorn last, he took her into his arms and they stared at each other for a moment. Arwen kissed him tenderly and passionately, never wanting the moment to end. Elladen and Elrohir smiled, Legolas beamed with pleasure, and Elrond was caught between happiness and grief at the sight.

Aragorn looked deep into her blue eyes, "Im meleth le."

"Im meleth le." She repeated lovingly, he brushed her lips with another kiss. Arwen then exited his arms and moved to the stairs, she looked one last time at the five of them, and then walked down the stairs. Moving to the dark chambers beneath Rivendell, where she was swallowed in darkness.

I love you.

I'm not sure if the Elvish is right, if its not i'm sorry. Next chapter is coming soon, review and it may come faster.