Part 20

For a second shedding all the discreet politeness and etiquette that had been drilled into him since his Awakening, Legolas gripped Eowyn's shoulders and hissed sharply, "Chloe. Did you say Chloe?"

Eowyn's eyes widened in shock at Legolas's sudden reaction. "Yes, Chloe!" she exclaimed, thinking to get through the haze that had suddenly enveloped the Elf with the volume of her voice. "My cousin Theodred's bride."

Legolas forced himself to calm. His gaze focused on a point on the ground. He felt flesh move under his palms and belatedly realized that he was still holding Eowyn's shoulders. "I apologize," he said softly, then stepped away. After a momentary pause, he requested, "Describe her to me."

"She was not tall, nor waif-like. Chloe had golden hair and eyes a soft green." She shrugged and looked embarrassed. "She did not stay long," Eowyn shared. "I can only tell you what I have perceived in the day she was here, for she meant only to bury Theodred. She seemed kind. Lonely. She grieved."

"You say she was his bride. Surely you have seen her before."

Eowyn shook her head. "She met my cousin right before the attack that took his life. Grimbold was the witness as my cousin drew her from the side of the river that divides the land from that of what used to be Greenwood the Great."

He had suspected, half-hoped. His heart soared at the words. Legolas closed his eyes and clasped his hands, leaning his forehead against his knuckles part in prayer, part in exclamation. "How fares my lady?"

Eowyn's eyes narrowed. "You know her?"

Such simple words for what he had with Chloe. "I know her."

A little wary now, Eowyn moved closer to Legolas as if to read the Elf's intent eyes that hid nothing, or so she had heard said of the Eldar. "Why do you know her?"

"She's my heart," he stated simply. "Tell me, how fares Chloe?"

"She was well when I saw her last, mourning Theodred. She loved him, she did."

"A man such as he was likely easy to love," Legolas managed. The story behind the dead warrior and Chloe could be told later. Now, he had to know where she was. "Where is she?"

"She's gone."

"Where?"

Eowyn shook her head. "I had asked her to stay, but she needed to leave, she said. I cannot help you."

Legolas whirled around. The wounded and the hale walked around, picking up friends who had fallen. His keen eyes adjusted and the images dropped until he could only see the small silhouette of Eomer. With a nod of thanks to Eowyn, Legolas fled swiftly and smoothly, bypassing the crowds of men along the way.

Halfway to Eomer, Legolas was abruptly stopped by a hand on his forearm. "Aragorn," he said, seeing the dark expression shadowing his friend's visage.

"It has begun, Legolas," Aragorn whispered.

Legolas frantically glanced at Eomer, who was now moving away to tend to his men.

"I feel it vibrating in the very air we breathe," said the Ranger. "War, Legolas. Blood." Aragorn glanced at the men who have now begun the trek back to Edoras. "For now, come. We celebrate this victory."

"Behind you," Legolas told him. "I must quickly speak with Eomer."

"You shall find him in the castle."

Since Aragorn was most likely correct, and that Eomer had now left to celebrate with the surviving Rohirrim, Legolas allowed Aragorn to drag him back to their mounts.

On the way back, Legolas broke the silence that existed among himself, Aragorn and Gimli. "Why is it that I fear this journey will still be long?"

"What are you blathering about, Elf?" Gimli demanded. He pointed a stubby finger towards the castle. "Party's right there!"

"No." Legolas shook his head and allowed a small chuckle."

Aragorn nodded sagely. "Far from the one who love, each second is a lifetime." He thought of Arwen, and how it burned his heart to know that she was so far away. If his pain was worth his lifetime, then how much pain was it equivalent to Immortal Elves.

"She is alive, Aragorn," came Legolas's muted voice. "She wanders Middle-earth now, no longer in the safe haven of Mirkwood but out there alone braving this land."

Gimli observed the conversation of the two. He was about to demand that they explain themselves when he caught on the idea and figured out that it was about the Elf's matters of the heart, and he would be shaved and damned before he willingly entertained thoughts of Elves kissing or other such activities. He shuddered.

The two entered the castle, where the celebration was in full force. He spotted Eomer at once, in one of the more quiet groups, speaking with his men.

Aragorn took a mug of ale and observed Legolas. The Elf and Eomer stepped away from the crowd. Aragorn could almost hear Legolas as he asked Eomer about Chloe, this young woman he had met and fallen in love with in a matter of weeks. Legolas had been mum about her, and Aragorn would not have even found out had he not spied on the Elf when he requested to look into Galadriel's well. Legolas clasped Eomer's arm. After the conversation, Legolas stepped outside and into the night air.

This was where Aragorn saw his friend, cloaked and staring into the night sky.

"The stars are veiled," Legolas described. "Something stirs in the east, a sleepless malice. The Eye of the enemy is moving. He's here."

Aragorn placed his hand on Legolas's shoulder. "It matters not, Legolas. Did you find the answers you seek?"

"She is on the path to Rivendell," Legolas shared. "By now she must be close, to Lord Elrond, to Arwen, to safety."

"You can overtake her. With your fleet steed you shall see her in no time. Go to her," Aragorn urged.

"No," came the strong, determined reply. "The enemy is about to march, Aragorn."

"You have sacrificed enough!" Aragorn said. "This is a battle we can face without you, Legolas. We can hold our own." A half smile touched the Ranger's lips. "Barely, but we will manage."

Again, the Elf refused. "Right now, Aragorn, Sauron marches his armies into Gondor. Chloe is on the road to Rivendell, away from the battle. I stay here and make sure I kill all the Orcs that I can. Before they get to her, they shall pass through me. I stay to fight because I will be the only security she will have against these creatures."

Aragorn nodded in understanding. "I admire your dedication, brother." With one last clap on the back, Aragorn left Legolas on the terrace and rejoined the celebration.

Legolas felt and heard the movement behind him. He had been aware of the presence even before the shadow moved beside him. "My lady, you are missing out on all the dancing hobbits."

Beside him, Eowyn laughed softly and then sighed. "They are delightful, but I needed to speak with you."

Legolas turned to her. "To exchange this and the magnificent number inside, it must be important."

"It is," agreed Eowyn.

"By all means."

"My cousin and Chloe were to wed upon his return," she began.

"You have told me this."

"No. I haven't told you why."

"You are privy to the reasons for their actions."

Eowyn shook her head. "My theory is as good as anyone's." She waited until Legolas nodded to signal that she should continue. "Theodred had been a young man whose only purpose was to protect and love another person. He had told me that he was soon to choose a bride because he wanted to raise the next prince."

Legolas turned to Eowyn then, his gaze on her face unwavering.

"Chloe was carrying a babe. I would say that she was about five cycles along."

Warmth and worry warred inside him. Five months it had been since he left her. Upon the smooth stone on which he had spent hundreds of years on, under the Mirkwood moon, he and Chloe had conceived.

Legolas smiled, overwhelmed by the emotions flooding through him. He took Eowyn's hand and brushed a kiss on her knuckles. "Thank you, my lady. You are special."

"Be happy with her."

"I will be as soon as I decimate Sauron's army," Legolas vowed. He hoped Chloe could hold on long enough that he could soon be beside her.

AN:
Surprise isn't it? I have a note. Usually, I leave you to read and all that.  Anyway, this story is going to be over soon. After all, there wasn't that much Leggy in RotK. Please stay with me here. I would also take this chance now to invite you to read my third Chlegolas fic (the third Chlegolas fic on the web woohoo). I have no idea about the title yet, but it MIGHT have the word GREEN. G