Sorry this took so long. It would have been posted Monday, but fanfiction.net revoked my posting privileges until today. They apparently did not think my song parody met with their highly stringent standards, and my hand was slapped.
So anyway, now that it is finally up: Read. Enjoy. Review.
Carrie paced the hall, seething. "Oh, this is a fine mess, a fine mess." Somehow, in the span of five minutes, she managed to piss off Legolas and the only way to remedy it would be to ride off to her most certain doom. Not to mention that her means of riding off into said doom just recently also stormed out of the hall, angry with her as well. "This is just super." She was now alone in the hall, the rest of the men having left to ready their horses. "What are you going to do now, genius?" Carrie stopped pacing and folded her arms across her chest, glaring menacingly at the door as if this whole situation was somehow its fault. "Forget it! I should go home. I should just go home." She resumed her pacing and the door was spared any more scathing looks. "I should steal a horse, ride to Lothlorien, find Galadriel and tell her to send me home."
Luckily, a small part of Carrie's brain remained rational despite her current rant. She realized she still couldn't ride a horse. She had no idea how to get to Lothlorien. And if she somehow got there, she would probably be shot dead by the elves living there.
She stopped and faced the door again. "I should have listened to Elrond," she sulked. "I should have listened to Elrond and stayed in Rivendell and then I wouldn't be in this mess." She thought about all that would not have happened if she had done that. She thought back to that night a few days ago. These past few days seemed like an eternity now. Was that night worth the situation she found herself in now?
Carrie held her head in her hand. The answer was yes. She smiled bitterly to herself. Even all of this did not matter when compared to that night. She sighed and shook her head, realizing that she would most likely follow her heart and ride to the encampment, rather than listening to her head that was screaming at her not to. As she came to this decision, she heard someone enter the hall and looked up to see Gimli standing there.
"You do not wish to ride with us to the encampment?" he asked her.
Carrie glared at him. "Oh not you too," she snapped. She may have come to a decision, but her mood had not improved because of it.
He walked closer to her. "You are coming with us, are you not?" If she weren't so angry at everything, his plaintive voice would have touched her. As it was, he was lucky she didn't grab hold of his neck and throttle him.
"Tell me, Gimli," Carrie said icily, "what kind of Dwarf goes around doing an Elf's bidding?"
Gimli stopped suddenly and looked at her. "What are you talking about?"
"Oh come off it," she barked at him, "I know he sent you in here to talk to me."
Gimli huffed indignantly. "I came of my own accord. He merely told me of your intention to stay behind."
Carrie took a deep breath to calm herself. She knew she had no problem with Gimli. She was taking her frustrations out on him. She took another deep breath before she spoke to him again.
"I am sorry, Gimli. All this scares me and I'm taking it out on you. That's not fair of me."
He smiled comfortingly at her. "I understand." He inclined his head towards the door. "Come on. Everybody's getting ready to leave."
Carrie smiled at him, grateful that he was such a tolerant dwarf. After yet another deep sigh, she followed him out of the hall into the chaos that was outside. Everyone was indeed getting ready to leave, bustling around, preparing their horses. She looked around to find Eowyn. She knew she had to make peace with the woman, if she was to ride out. Her decision to go was crazy and impulsive, but she knew that deep down, it was what she wanted to do. She would figure out what to do about getting back when the time came.
Carrie sighed as she scanned the crowd. She saw Legolas on a horse in the middle of the men. He stood out from the rest, his elven features setting him apart, not to mention his white horse. All the symbolism of that hit Carrie in the face and she staggered back. He looked right at her but made no indication of having seen her. He reared his horse and turned it to face the other direction. Gimli saw this and gave her an encouraging smile.
"Don't you worry, lassie. He'll come around." With that he ran off to ride with the elf. Carrie continued to look for Eowyn. She spotted her a short distance off, talking to Aragorn. She gulped and ran down to talk to her.
When she got there, she found that she was once again at a loss for words. Luckily, Aragorn spoke first.
"Are you to ride out with us as well?" He looked expectantly at Carrie.
Carrie glanced nervously at Eowyn. Eowyn's blank face revealed nothing. "If Eowyn will still take me." She smiled at the woman in apology for their argument before.
Aragorn looked at Eowyn, puzzled. "Why wouldn't she take you?"
Eowyn did not answer him, and her manner did not soften. "I meant what I said before," she said to Carrie.
Carrie held her steely gaze. "So did I. That doesn't mean we can't ride out together." She offered the other woman another smile, which still was not returned. Aragorn looked between them, realizing that he had missed something, but he did not question it. They mounted their horses and turned as they heard Eomer shouting.
"Now is the hour! Riders of Rohan! Oaths you have taken! Now! Fulfil them all! To lord and land!" With that he kicked his horse into motion and the Rohirrim galloped out to war.
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'Yet again,' Carrie thought, 'here I am, on a horse.' She risked a glance back at Eowyn. The woman would still not look at her. Carrie sighed and looked back out at the mass of men riding across the plains. Her thoughts, surprisingly, turned to Eomer.
She had never given him much thought before this, but when she saw him on his horse, yelling to the men, it had awoken something in Carrie. There was something so raw and masculine about it. And there was no denying he was a handsome man. He did not possess the elven beauty and grace that Legolas did, but he was definitely attractive.
Carrie shook her head. There was something about men on horses that did something to her. She looked out at the Rohirrim, galloping across the plains. These men, most of who were riding to their death, were the embodiment of bravery, of courage. Thinking about that turned her thoughts back to Legolas, for she counted him as one of the bravest. Sure these men risked their lives, but he risked so much more. They risked maybe a hundred years whereas he risked ages. It may have been an unfair assessment, biased by her own feelings for him, but it was how she felt.
She looked around, eager to see him again. She found him riding almost parallel to where she was, with Gimli riding with him on the horse. Almost as if he could sense her scrutiny, her turned to look at her. Any thought that she had of Eomer or of the other men flew from her mind when she saw those eyes. His gaze was piercing and she felt as if he must be able to read her thoughts. She was only able to hold his gaze a short while before she had to drop her eyes, the intensity too much for her to bear. This had never happened before and she wondered about the meaning of it and why he had turned such an intent look on her.
She rode for a few minutes contemplating this, her eyes on the mane of the horse, before shrugging it off as just a remnant of the disagreement that they had had before. She looked back up but Legolas and Gimli's horse was no longer in her vision. With that particular issue temporarily evaded, she bit her lip and turned back to look at Eowyn.
"Are you ever going to speak to me again?" she asked.
Eowyn did not look at her but answered. "How did you know my intent?"
Carrie swallowed. How exactly was she supposed to respond to that? "I, uh, I didn't think you the type of person to sit at home and let the men have all the fun."
Eowyn glared at her. "But you are?"
Carrie was taken aback once again by this woman. "Me? No, not usually." Eowyn made a face at her. "But seriously, Eowyn, what use would I be in battle? I can't even ride a horse by myself!" Eowyn made a rude noise at that. "Besides," she smirked at the woman, "I figure I'll let you have all the glory, all the renown."
Finally Eowyn gave her a half smile. She quickly schooled her features. "How very kind of you."
Carrie turned back around, satisfied that for the time being, a tense peace had been restored between her and Eowyn.
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They arrived at the encampment and Carrie finally spotted Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn riding up front with the King. As they passed, men were shouting their numbers to Theoden. She saw the man, Grimbold, whom she had met in the hall at the celebration that night at Edoras. As she passed, he inclined his head to her and Carrie waved. She then turned and looked up at the mountain ahead of them. She saw a path winding up the side of it and turned back to Eowyn.
"Please tell me we aren't going up there."
Eowyn smiled haughtily at her, perceptibly sensing Carrie's fear. "We are." Carrie shuddered. "Is there a problem."
"No," Carrie lied. She didn't want to appear a total coward in front of this woman. "No problem." Carrie turned back around and looked straight ahead, not wanting to see how high they climbed.
After what seemed like forever, they reached the plateau that they would be staying on and dismounted. Eowyn left to take care of the horse and Carrie looked around to find Legolas. She had to go make peace with him, now that she and Eowyn had sort of made up.
She finally spotted him talking to Gimli and Eomer by one of the tents that the men had set up. She walked towards them, catching the last of their conversation.
"...door under the mountain," she heard Legolas finish.
"None who venture there ever return." Eomer told him. "That mountain is evil."
Carrie saw Eomer give them a meaningful glance and turn and walk away. Legolas and Gimli exchanged a glance and then Gimli turned and walked the other way, leaving Legolas standing by himself. Carrie hastened her step.
"Legolas," she called. He turned and faced her.
"I see you have come after all." His expression remained blank.
She looked away at that, hurt that he was able to look at her so coldly. Suppressing her upset, she turned back and answered him as truthfully as she could without exposing Eowyn's plan. "I always wanted to come. I was just afraid. That is all."
He eyed her intently, although this time she was able to hold his gaze. "And now?"
She smiled humbly at him, wishing that things didn't always have to be so difficult. "I am still afraid." She shrugged. "But I came to say goodbye anyway."
His features relaxed into a smile and Carrie felt her stomach reel. "Come. Let us find some food." Carrie was more than happy to follow him in search of food, content that peace had been restored between her and Eowyn and that once again, all was well with the elf.
Wow! There was an overwhelming response to the last chapter and I am quite touched. It helps me a great deal to know that this story has brought enjoyment to so many people. I am currently working on the last few chapters (several chapters further down the line from this one) and it has been difficult to wrap everything up and get across everything that I want to. Your kind words have been my much-needed motivation.
And again, a big "thank you" goes out to LtSonya who continues to be an immeasurable help as my beta reader. Make sure you all send lots of good karma, cookies and reviews (for story ID# 1675291 - Through Darkness and Light) her way.
PS. I watched the cast commentary on the DVD for TTT and Orlando Bloom referred to himself as "Leggy." I found it quite humorous for some reason and had to pass it on.
Lothliana: Thank you! I'm glad you liked the chapter. Here is an update. Oh, and thanks for recommending this story to other people! I appreciate it a lot!
PsychoPixie: Maybe you could, but I would probably manage to lob my own head off if given a sword.
Jack-Sparrow-Lover: Aww, I'm sorry I made you cry, but I'm glad that it touched you so much!
BtchieChrissy: Mmm….chocolate! And when you say a "special chocolate Legolas," I'm hoping you mean Legolas with a generous amount of chocolate dribbled lightly on… oh crap! More drool in the keyboard! Excuse me; I need to go find a mop and some wipes to clean up after my mess… Must…get…hormones…under…control…
nilimade: Thanks! I'm so happy you like the story!
stardust-creations: Is there really ever a happy ever after? I hope not. Angst is so much more fun! Muah ha ha! I'm glad you love it so far!
nap-003: Don't feel too bad for Carrie. After all, she did get to sleep with Legolas. Any pity I may have felt for her has effectively vanished after that. (Hmm, me? Jealous? Naaaah!) And I think I would call it "highly amusing" instead of "cool" if she does fight, since neither she nor I know anything of combat. She would not have the first clue what she was doing, and I would have no idea how to write about it anyway. I'm glad you loved the chapter!
Crecy: Once again, your review made me laugh. I love it when that happens! And you're in better shape than I am. Running for 3 minutes straight? I usually last about 20 seconds! Thanks for the review and the laugh!
Lainfaer: I'm so glad you found this story and that you enjoy it. I will try to update regularly, so as not to keep you all in too much suspense.
Iariel: I love Darma Druid's stories. All of them. I was absolutely addicted to "Fortress Around The Heart" as it was being written. (As you could probably tell by the reviews I left for her.) Anyway, I am definitely trying to keep the elves in character, but it is hard with a race that we really have no concept of. I find the elves fascinating, but I have also found that trying to write one as a love interest has been somewhat of a pain in the neck. They never react quite like you would expect them to. My cliffhangers were worse at the beginning of the story. It's probably much less painful to read it now that they are all resolved than for the poor readers who were following it from early on.
ElvenDragon: Forever, huh? It is getting longer I guess…but I'm glad you like it! Btw, cool name. I love dragons! (I would give up my right arm and my Evenstar pendant to be able to write in Anne McCaffrey's world!)