By the Light of the Moon
Disclaimer: I do not own any of Tolkien's creations. I only own SOME of the storyline and the characters I made up. This takes place during The Two Towers and Return of the King.
A/N: Well, the story is nearing an end...but not yet. There will be possibly three of four more chapters. ::sniffle:: I loved writing this one so much...even though it took me forever. Hehee.
Thank you to all my faithful reviewers:
snow-angel222: I actually have something already planned that's going to cause a problem. ::evil smile:: Trust me...it's going to be shocking and dramatic.
aussiesportstar: No, there is no spell on you. LOL. Thanks very much for the compliment. Glad you like it.
SilverStar-AquarianAngel: Here's the update, mate. Was it fast enough? LOL! Hope ye like it.
Amatista: Yes...the Palantir...hee. I just had to put that it. That's the whole reason why Denethor went mad the way he did. They just don't tell you that. Grr...
Tuscan Angel: I know I kept you wanting. Sorry about that. Hehee. I'm gonna finish the story soon though. I have many more to work on. ::smirk::
Crystal Moon Magic: Suspense is fun! Hehee.
orlidaydreamer: I do what I can to please. ::smile:: Glad ya like it, mate.
Kerla: Oops...I guess I made a mistake. Oh well...I can deal with it. ::smile:: Thanks for pointing it out though.
iLuVrAiNeYdaYz: Well, actually this plot is a little different from others I've read. So...I don't see how it's been overused. Anyway, I'll look at that website. Thanks, mate.
sunni07: No...I didn't abandon you. ::laughs:: But I'm back once again. ::evil laugh::
lysia1982, Ningwen, elvenprincess3212003: Glad you like it. Here's the next chapter. Enjoy! ::smile::
Chapter 23: The Last Debate
The dark clouds that had covered the battlefield were now clearing...it was over...for now that is. There was still the matter of making certain that the One Ring made it into the fire of Mount Doom in the hands of the hobbit who was taking it there.
Mariah ran to the edge of the fifth level of Minas Tirith and looked over the edge to see the Army of the Dead gathering in front of the city, in front of three figures. Her heart stopped for a moment when she laid her eyes upon a glint of golden hair flowing in the breeze...Legolas. But it could have been Haldir too. Either way, it was obviously an elf. She quickly ran down the five levels, anxious to see her companions again.
When she reached the front gate, she ran into Haldir of Lorien, who stood still with his arms open to her. "Mariah..." She quickly ran and embraced him, only to have a hug returned to her.
"I missed you, Haldir," she said as she squeezed him tighter.
"It's great to see you too, melonin (My friend)," he replied with a smile as he untangled himself from her arms and looked at her. He could see clearly in her eyes that she wanted to find Legolas. It was written across her face as clear as day. "He's out there with Aragorn."
"Thanks," she said quickly before running out onto the field and stopping immediately as she felt a calm wind blow around her and the Army of the Dead disappear. She had no clue as to what had happened, but what she saw next made her heart stop once again...there was Legolas, standing near Aragorn and Gimli, just staring in her direction. She wasn't even sure if he saw her. Little did she know...he was staring right at her.
Mariah slowly walked toward her friends, making sure that she stayed calm, cool, and collected as she got closer. She had acted like a child when she had seen Haldir again, embracing him like she would have held someone when she was younger. That was not going to happen again...especially when the elf of her dreams was standing right in front of her.
She had been so focused on Legolas, that she didn't hear the familiar joyous shout of Gimli as he ran over and hugged her, resting his head on her stomach since he was so short. She jumped slightly but then looked down and smiled at him. "Nice to see you to, Gimli," she said sweetly, "Did you beat Legolas again?"
"I believe I did...but we haven't done our tally yet, lass. That elf's a cheater," the dwarf said as he let go of her and grinned.
"Lady Morgan." Mariah looked up and saw Aragorn standing right next to her. A smile graced her lips as he brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. "You made it safely to the city I see."
"Yes, Aragorn...and I fought whenever I could, despite what you think is right." He gently messed up her long hair with a smile before placing a hand on her shoulder and gesturing his head toward Legolas, who hadn't moved from his spot of showed an emotion at all.
"Hi," she said meekly as she gracefully walked toward Legolas, feeling the dirt under her feet move with her. The elf masked his emotions well as she neared him more, so she was within a foot of him. Mariah admired his features briefly as she smiled again. Not a single blonde hair was out of place, but his skin glistened with a light layer of sweat from the battle. There was barely any sign of dirt on his face and his clothes were even clean...practically untouched. Elves are as perfect as you can get she thought as her vibrant green eyes met his crystal clear blue ones. Mariah bit her bottom lip tentatively as she reached her hand out and traced his pristine cheekbones. "I was worried about you," she stated.
"I was concerned for you to, my lady," he replied as he gently kissed her hand and walked past her, not even bothering to show her any type of passion. Not even a kiss on the cheek. She felt as if her heart had been ripped out and stepped on. She turned and followed her companions back into the city, wondering why this was happening.
As they all entered the throne room, Gimli took a seat on the Steward's chair and started smoking while everyone else stood. Mariah walked over to Legolas and stood beside him, gently resting against him. He simply kept his arms crossed and stared at Gandalf, who now stood in the center of the room with Aragorn. Eomer stood off to the side silently, somewhat keeping his distance from the others.
"Frodo has passed beyond my sight. The darkness is deepening," the wizard stated gravely.
"If Sauron had the Ring we would know it," Aragorn interrupted.
"It's only a matter of time. He's suffered a defeat, yes...but behind the walls of Mordor out enemy is regrouping." Mariah slightly tensed at that idea. What she had seen was bad enough. Having to fight more would kill her.
"Let him stay there, let him rot!" Gimli said, "Why should we care?"
"Because ten thousand orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom. I've sent him to his death." The wizard's words were as deafening as the eerie silence of the White City, now that the enemy had been defeated there. Legolas rested a hand over Mariah's hand, which had moved to hold onto his arm during the discussion. He could sense her fear and knew how much he wanted to hold her against him, but he couldn't. His mind and heart had been fighting each other since the day he appeared in her bedroom and first laid his eyes on her.
Sure, she was not an elf, but she was something he desired to have in his life. He had kissed her at Edoras the first time they were there, but she had refused and pulled away...much to his disappointment. He slowly looked down at her, but looked up at Aragorn when he heard the ranger speak. "No, there is still hope for Frodo. He needs time and safe passage across the plains of Gorgoroth. We can give him that."
"How?" Gimli asked, interrupting Aragorn.
"Draw out Sauron's armies...empty his lands! Then we gather out full strength and march on the Black Gate!" The dwarf almost chocked on the smoke he puffed at the comment. How was this plan going to work?
"We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms," Eomer finally said as he stepped forward.
"Not for ourselves, but we can give Frodo his chance if we keep Sauron's Eye fixed upon us! Keep him blind to all else that moves."
"A diversion." Mariah looked up at the sound of Legolas' voice and then glanced back at Gandalf, who had approached Aragorn.
"Sauron will suspect a trap. He will not take the bait."
"Certainty of death...small chance of success," Gimli said as he kept his pipe at his lips, "What are we waiting for?"
"We wait for nothing!" Mariah shouted as she let go of Legolas and walked up to Gandalf, "We have to go now!"
"Mariah!" Legolas scolded, but she refused to hear him.
"I'm as scared as all of you...and don't deny that you aren't afraid! We have to settle this here and now...not waiting for tomorrow's light!"
"And you think you're coming with us?" Gandalf asked. When he saw her nod, he let out a small chuckle and placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him and then noticed that his eyes were stern. "You're not joining us in this battle."
"Yes I am," she replied, "I fought the wargs, I saved Haldir at Helm's Deep, I fought here...what more do I have to prove?!"
"You're not going to prove anything because you're staying here."
"Gandalf, I followed every order you've ever given me. Can't I do something I want for a change?"
"Will you just listen to him for once?" Legolas asked as he stepped up next to me, "You always have to start a fight."
"Well, I'm going with you and you can't stop me!"
"You will NOT fight with us."
"Why do you give a shit, Elfboy?!" Mariah asked in outrage.
"BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!" Mariah took a step back and looked at Legolas, only to see his eyes widen at his own words.
"W-What did you say?" she asked.
"I said that I love you, Mariah." Legolas couldn't believe the words that were coming out of his mouth. "I've loved you since the moment I saw you...since I first touched you, feeling your skin against my own." He gently took her hand in his and stared into her eyes. "Will you please do this for me?"
"Legolas, you're trying to use your charm against me, but I'm not falling for it." Her voice had finally softened, showing her relaxed state. "But can't you just let me live?" The elf found himself once again drawn into her green eyes and all he saw was a need...but it wasn't lust. It was the need adventure. She could hold so much in her eyes, more than she could ever say aloud, but he knew so little. Legolas looked at Gandalf who was giving him a warning look telling him to let her stay here, but he ignored it.
"You can come with us," Legolas said as he looked back at Mariah, whose face was now lit up with a childish excitement that was once lost.
"Really?" she asked. The prince nodded and then found his arms holding her waist as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He returned the hug sweetly and closed his eyes as he inhaled her scent. She smelled slightly from the battle, but she held a hint of vanilla in her hair, which drove him mad. Before he even had a chance to move, she was gone and running down one of the halls that led to her room.
He smiled after her, but then looked to Aragorn and Gandalf. Their looks reminded him of when his father would reprimand his for unacceptable behaviour as a child. "What?" he asked. Aragorn swiftly grabbed onto the elf's arm and pulled him next to him.
"Are you deliberately trying to kill her? You tell her you love her, and then you decide to put her in danger? Do you know anything about love?" Aragorn stated firmly.
"I know I care enough about her to not control her."
"Legolas, you're putting her in danger beyond what she can handle. She may have done many things here that helped us, but what if she gets killed?"
"She can't die," the elf told his friend, "She's a werewolf. Only silver can kill her, and they don't own silver."
"But if she gets her head chopped off-?" the ranger began.
"Aragorn, the lad did a good thing," Gimli interrupted as he stopped smoking, "Mariah has a spirit that cannot be contained in the walls of this city. I may be short, but I'm just as smart as ye. Just let her live the life she wants. If she wants te dance, let 'er...if she wants te sing, let 'er...if she wants te fight orcs, just let her do it!"
"Thank you, Gimli," Mariah said as she emerged from the same hall she had departed into, "I owe ya for that one." The dwarf laughed heartily as she walked over to Legolas, who was eyeing her carefully. She was wearing the same blue riding dress she had worn when she left for the city with Gandalf and Pippin. Her sword was in its hilt on her belt with her daggers, her quiver on her back, and her bow slung over her shoulder. "What are we waiting for?" she asked joyfully as Legolas took her hand. As he led her out into the courtyard, Aragorn and Gandalf exchanged glances.
"They're defying the laws of the worlds by being together. I know I encouraged it...but now I'm not so sure," Aragorn stated. The wizard simply nodded and followed them, everyone else following them. This was it...they were on their way to Mordor...