Disclaimer: Diana is mine but nothing else belongs to me.
Crecy: Maybe :)
Okanim: I have to annoying brothers to be exact so I'm an expert at sibling banter. :)
angel13: Thanks.
CrzySxyCoolPirateOfMirkwood: The scary thing is when they try using slang. hehe
GreenEyedElfGoddess: How about LOTR monopoly?...nah, more like Twister...haha.
Myri78: Nope sorry. I left it to your perverted imagination. LOL :)
Shero003: Sorry to disappoint but no lemons...yet, maybe later.
ShadowStar21: Glad you like it.
TriGemini: He wanted her to figure it out for herself. He didn't expect her to go to Treebeard. When I said the "beginning" I was refering to when her eyes changed not when she arrived. Sorry if I confused you, though he did begin to "fall" for her before that. Legolas will eventually mention the moment he realized his attracion to her, but see if you can figure it out.
Legolas looks down at the elleth curled up next to him, sleeping soundly. He kisses her on the forehead before gently moving her head to the pillow and slipping out from under her arm. He silently dresses and then makes his way out of the room. He looks around the now empty hall before slipping outside to look at the stars.
Aragorn who is also restless steps out onto the terrace and notices Legolas. He walks over and stands next to him without a word.
Without looking over at his friend Legolas begins to speak. "The stars are veiled. Something stirs in the east, a sleepless malice. The Eye of the enemy is moving." Legolas' eyes grow wide and he looks over at Aragorn. "He is here."
At that very moment they here Merry call out for help and both turn and run back inside.
Diana also hears his cry for help and quickly dresses before running into the room the Hobbits are sharing with Gandalf. She stops in fright at the sight before her eyes. Pippin is laying on the floor, unnaturally still. While Legolas is leaning over Aragorn, who is kneeling on the ground with a look of pain etched on his face.
Gandalf kneels next to Pippin, who after a second begins to stir. Diana makes her way over to Merry when she sees him watching Pippin worriedly. She places a reassuring hand on his shoulder and leads him over to where Aragorn is now standing.
"Are you alright?" Lynn asks concern written across her face.
"I am fine." He gives her a reassuring smile but it quickly fades as he glances over to Pippin.
"What happened?" she questions quietly as they watch Gandalf talk quietly with Pippin.
"Pippin took the palantir," Legolas whispers, slipping his arm around her shoulders.
Gandalf stands up and sighs. "He will be fine, but we must wake King Theoden. He should be informed of this imediatly."
After Theoden joins the group Gandalf tells him what happened.
"Are you sure he told nothing?" Theoden demands.
"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes. A fool, but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring. We've been strangely fortunate. Pipin saw in the Palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. his defeat at Helms Deep showed our enemy on thing." Gandalf turns to look at Aragorn. "He knows the heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still, strength enough perhaps to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle-Earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a king return to the throne of Men. If the beacons of Gondor are lit Rohan must be ready for war."
"Tell me," Theoden says and looks over at Gandalf. "Why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?"
Diana looks up at the King in surprise. Then anger takes over and she narrows her eyes at the king. "I'll go."
"No, it is to dagerous. I will go." Aragorn says.
"No!" Gandalf almost shouts.
"They must be warned," Aragorn argues.
"They will be." Gandalf leans closer and whispers so that only Aragorn can hear him. He straightens and gives Aragorn a pointed look before turning to face everyone else. "Understand this: Things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith," he looks straight at Pippin. "And I won't be going alone."
Once Gandalf and Pippin have left Diana leans against Legolas and stiffles a yawn.
Gimli chuckles, "You went to bed hours before the feast ended and yet you're still tired?"
"I didn't get much sleep." She looks up at Legolas accusingly.
The corners of his mouth twitch upward and he quickly changes the subject. "Where did Aragorn go?"
As the next few days pass the remaining members of the Fellowship grow restless as they wait for word from Gondor. At any given time you could find at least one of them in the watchtower staring off toward Gondor.
Diana climbs the ladder of the watchtower and shakes her head when she finds Aragorn there yet again. "I brought you something to eat since you missed supper." She hands him some meat, cheese and bread that has been wrapped in a cloth.
"Thank you," he says and unwraps the food.
Diana leans against the railing. "Eowyn was looking for you earlier." She grins when he freezes, a peice of bread halfway to his mouth. "In fact she seems to seek you out a lot."
"I have done nothing to encourage her. You know where my heart lies," he says softly.
"I swore that I wouldn't speak of what is to happen in fear that it will change something, but I can't keep this from you any longer." She turns to face him, wishing that just this once she could make eye contact with him. "Aragorn, Arwen didn't sail to the Undying Lands. She started too. She was traveling with a group of Elves toward the Grey Havens when she turned back. She couldn't bear to be parted from you." She places a comforting hand on his shoulder when his eyes mist up. "You will see her again, Aragorn."
A flash of light catches her attention and Aragorn turns to see what she's looking at. She looks back at Aragorn. "Gondor?" she questions.
"They call for aid." He quickly runs toward the ladder. "Come," he calls over his shoulder before disappearing down the ladder. Diana quickly catches up to him and the two race to the hall and burst into the throne room where everyone is gathered.
"The beacons of Minas Tirith!" They skid to a stop in front of the king. "The beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid," Aragorn states.
Theoden looks at him thoughtfully and everyone waits anxiously for his answer. "And Rohan will answer. Muster the Rohirrim." Theoden demands.