Disclaimer: I think we established at the beginning of this story that I am not J.R.R. Tolkien and I do not own The Lord of the Rings.

A/N: this is really the second part to chap 14, but it's also serving as chap 15. is that confusing? Thx to...

sweetazzhoney: lol, you must go and tlk to me. Haha. Yes I know, short, but o well, this one's longer! -

SweetArwen: yup, I'm gonna frame it! hehe, I'm weird but oh well.

loveroflegolas: yes, I know it would have been; I seriously pondered it...but I have something else in mind...

Magicgirl810: yay! Well...usually I think my bro would want to give me a black eye, but he was feeling sweet, lol. But seriously, he's a good bro.

PippinsSweetDiamond: lol, yup! I'll help you w/ur mom....::angelic face::

Lunawolf: yes, he's my fave, I have this awesome poster of him with his speech on it from TTT and I'm gonna badger my parents for the other one with the thing 'Then let us be rid of it...once and for all! Come on Mr. Frodo! I can't carry it for you...but I can carry you!' I LOVE that line. I nearly bawled during that part. Well...Gwyn really has no other choice but to stay...so, ya know

Arwennicole: you updated? Yay yay yay yay yay! After I finish this chap I'm gonna go read and review it!

Insane Elven Rock Baby: oops, srry. I fixed it. it was supposed to read 'but her body had no such strength to exhort on such things.' Whoops. Well, it was 4 in the morning, lol. Ne way, I felt real bad leaving Gwyn behind too... ::sob:: lol. Well, here's the next chap in answer to your question.

When Gwyn awoke again, it was light out...which was strange, for the darkness of Mordor had been growing so rapidly, casting a shadow on Middle-Earth. She attempted to move her body, and found that it was much easier than it had been yesterday...or had she slept longer than a single day? She looked around, but no one was in the room. Slowly, she rose from the soft bed and walked to the door, opening it and looking through the halls. Cautiously, she stepped into the hallway and made her way to the throne room.

Legolas, Gimli, her father and some other men were gathered there. It was Legolas who first noticed her presence. 'Gwyn!' he exclaimed, and the others looked up as Gwyn smiled.

'I would love to give proper greetings to all of you,' she said, 'but first I must ask a few questions.' She paused, and Aragorn nodded. 'How long have I been sleeping?' was Gwyn's first question.

'Two days,' Aragorn answered.

'What was the outcome of the battle that took place two days ago?'

Everyone smiled widely, and Gwyn received her answer from that. 'We won?' she cried. 'Frodo destroyed the Ring? Sauron is defeated?'

Everyone still smiled, and Aragorn said, 'Yes, Gwyn, Sauron is defeated.'

Gwyn smiled brightly and hugged each of her friends. Despite her happiness, she felt guilt...and shame. The last battle to save Middle-Earth from Sauron was over...and she had not fought in it. She had been left behind. Why? Just because of a single, stupid wound that needed mending.

Later that night...

Gwyn sat in the bedroom where her wound had been tended to, staring out the window into the night. She had changed from her rugged traveling clothes to a long white dress, and her curly hair tumbled down over her shoulders gracefully. A tiny gasp escaped her mouth when she felt a hand on her shoulder, pulling her out of her trance. A sweet, tender kiss was placed on her lips, and Gwyn smiled when Legolas drew back. 'What are you thinking?' he asked, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.

Gwyn let out a heavy breath. She looked out the window again. 'It's just...I wish I could have helped in the battle,' she answered very softly.

'Gwyn, you would have been no use to us,' Legolas said in an attempt to comfort her. 'You were an inch from death.'

'Why me, though? Why was I the only one who was left behind?'

Legolas sighed. He took Gwyn's hand and stood her up, turning her body to face him. 'You were the only one of our group besides Théoden that was badly wounded,' he told her.

Gwyn frowned. 'What of Théoden?'

Legolas' face darkened. 'King Théoden perished in the same battle in which you were wounded.'

The young girl did not answer, but seemed to be staring at something, yet when her gaze was followed, it led nowhere.... Her eyes were moist, but she did not cry openly. 'The hobbits,' she said suddenly. 'Are they alright?'

Legolas smiled, for he knew of her attraction to the small creatures. 'Yes, the hobbits are fine,' he answered. 'Frodo has not woken yet, but the other three are well.'

Gwyn smiled in relief. All of a sudden, after glancing very quickly at the closed door, she threw her arms around Legolas' neck and kissed him. Legolas was surprised at her impulse at first, but he was soon kissing her back with a burning passion. It lasted for as long as they could breathe, then Gwyn pulled slightly away and rested her head on Legolas' chest. She closed her eyes and felt like crying in her happiness. Legolas wrapped his strong arms around Gwyn and held her, cradling her. After a moment, he tilted her chin up and kissed her deeply.

The door creaked open and Sam walked innocently in. His eyes widened when he saw what he had just interrupted. 'Beggin' your pardon, my lord,' he said, bowing as Legolas and Gwyn turned in alarm, 'm'lady.'

'It's quite alright, Sam,' Gwyn said gently. 'What is it that you need?'

Sam shuffled his feet uncomfortably, for even though Gwyn had forgiven him easily for his intrusion, he still felt a good deal awkward. 'Your father, Strider, asked me to tell you that Frodo's woken up,' he said, blushing a little.

'Thank you, Sam,' Gwyn said. 'I'm sure you are eager to see him.' She smiled, knowing that Sam was silently begging to be excused from the room.

Sam nodded and mumbled, 'Yes, thank you, m'lady.' He bowed to Legolas and Gwyn again before scampering out the door, closing it behind him.

'You know,' said Gwyn, a playful smile on her lips, 'there is a lock on this door.'

Legolas laughed. 'I am sorry,' he said, playing with a lock of her brown hair.

'Well, don't be,' Gwyn murmured, leaning in to kiss Legolas again before going to visit Frodo. It would look suspicious if she and Legolas arrived together, so Gwyn went first, shortly followed by Legolas.

She heard laughter from within the room and smiled as she entered. She smiled at the dark-haired hobbit on the bed as she stood beside Gimli, her father and Gandalf. Merry and Pippin were sitting on the bed with Frodo, laughing gaily. Legolas entered, a smile on his lips, then Sam stood in the doorway. He and Frodo looked at each other, smiling as they thought about how much they had been through together.

A week later...

Aragorn had accepted the throne of Gondor, and today was being crowned King of Gondor. The entire city was gathered in the courtyard for the coronation. Gandalf, Aragorn, and Gimli stood on the steps of the castle, Gimli holding a large pillow that bore the crown.

Gandalf lifted it from this pillow and held it just above Aragorn's head. 'Now come the days of the King,' he said, smiling at Aragorn. 'May they be blessed.' With this, he set the crown upon Aragorn's head. The crowd erupted in cheers for their new King, and listened intently to Aragorn.

'This day does not belong to one man,' he said, lifting his hands slightly, 'but to all. Let us together rebuild this world that we may share in the days of peace.' The crowd cheered again and applauded this statement. As Aragorn descended the stairs to walk among his people, he sang, 'Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta (Out of the Great Seas to Middle-Earth I am come. In this place will I abide, unto the ending of the world).'

On both sides of the aisle, the people bowed to their King, smiling broadly. As he passed Gwyn, she bowed her head respectfully to her father, but Aragorn lifted her chin up to look at him. For a split second, Gwyn considered telling her father that she loved him...but he had not passed the test yet. She would give him nothing that he had not given her. If Aragorn truly cared for her and loved her, he would approve of the marriage between Legolas and her.

Gwyn displayed a few of her emotions by hugging him, but saying nothing. Next Aragorn passed Legolas. They put their hands on each other's shoulders and Aragorn said, 'Hannon le (Thank you).' Legolas nodded slightly, and smiling a little, he stepped aside to reveal Lord Elrond. Beside him stood someone holding a large, white banner bearing the White Tree. As Aragorn was staring at it curiously, the person behind the banner revealed herself. It was Arwen, clothed in white, with a beautiful headdress. She walked towards the king, holding the banner and curtsied to him slightly. Aragorn looked at her disbelievingly and lifted her chin up as he had done with Gwyn. But after looking just one moment at his love, he leaned in and kissed her.

The crowed laughed joyfully and cheered again. As they embraced, Arwen laughed happily as Elrond looked upon them, smiling. The King and Queen walked among the crowd, and came up to the four little hobbits, who bowed.

Aragorn stepped forward. 'My friends,' he said. 'You bow to no one.' And with that, he knelt before them, and the crowd followed his lead. The hobbits were dumbstruck as they looked around them, for never before in their lives had they had such an honor bestowed upon them.

The next day...

Gwyn found Legolas in the garden of Minas Tirith. She grabbed his arm urgently. 'What is it, Gwyn?' Legolas asked, alarmed.

'Legolas,' she said, 'it is time.'

'You're going to tell him?' Legolas said in a hushed voice.

'Yes, and I must do it alone.'

'As you wish,' Legolas said, stroking her head. 'Just keep your temper.'

'Legolas,' Gwyn said in an exasperated tone, 'when have you ever known me to lose my temper?' She smiled sweetly.

Legolas cleared his throat. 'Oh, never,' he said quickly.

Gwyn laughed and kissed his cheek before going to her father's study. She knocked on the door three times.

'Come in!' Aragorn called.

Gwyn opened the door and slid in the room, and wasting no time getting to her point, she said, 'IfellinlovewithLegolasbeforethequestoftheringandheaskedmetomarryhimandI'mgoingtoandthereisnothingyoucandotostopme,' she said so quickly that Aragorn just stared, confused.

'Um, Gwyn?' he said uncertainly. 'I didn't catch a word of that.'

Gwyn took another deep breath. 'Father,' she said. 'Before the Fellowship, Legolas and I became good friends...and fell in love. He asked me to marry him, and I'm going to, and there's nothing you can do to stop me.'

'What? A prince of Mirkwood? You're going to disown me for him? A Prince of Mirkwood over your country? You don't even belong with them,' he said angrily. 'You are not one of them. I forbid this. You, as my daughter, and a princess of Gondor, will not be permitted to marry him.'

Gwyn, just like her father, blew her top. Going into a humongous rant, she cried, 'You cannot tell me what to do. I am not some property you own and can do with as you wish! And yes, if it comes down to it, I will follow my heart, and not my kingdom. I betray and defy no one, except those who betray and defy me.'

Then, Aragorn immediately sensed what she was trying to say. 'When have I betrayed you? When? Tell me, Gwyn! When?'

Gwyn replied, with anger in her eyes, 'You have the courage to ask that of me? Out of nineteen years, I have seen you only eighteen times! Betray? Where were you when I learned how to walk, to speak, to read, to write, to ride a horse or to shoot an arrow? Or to even fight with a sword? You betrayed my childhood, and let it pass by you. I am ashamed to call you my father!'

Aragorn was dumbstruck. He stood there with his mouth open.

Gwyn continued. 'And furthermore, when you did come, you had the nerve to argue about some stupid little thing. Honestly, Aragorn, it's like you only came back to see Arwen...you spent more time with her than you ever did me!'

As Aragorn thought about this, he realized that it was true. Most of the time, he was always seeking guidance from Arwen about Gwyn. But deep down, he knew he only wanted to be around Arwen. As this realization hit him, he found himself being backed into a corner, but he refused to lose. 'I was with Arwen trying to find ways to deal with you! I know my place! I belong with humans. It's time you learned yours!'

'My place is with those I love, not with those who doubt my every move,' Gwyn replied in a deathly silent voice, then turned on her heel and strode from the room, slamming the door behind her.

Aragorn sat down, his face in his hands. After a few minutes, he looked up and saw a book just in front of the door.