Chapter 8
Once the banquet was over, and all parties returned to their chambers to sleep, Raeya wondered into the cool night's breeze and allowed her self to snooze. Being an elf she could sleep while walking with her eyes open, so she took the opportunity to forget about the day's events and mull over the oncoming battle. It would be difficult and dangerous for all involved to take on the armies of Mordor. Yet they had to be successful. they HAD to be. Shivers went down Raeya's spine. what had she let herself in for? She reached instinctively to her sword and pulled it from its sheath. It was her father's sword; she held its grip tightly and swung it above her head. It was a beautiful sword; its blade was made from hard steel with silver and gold intertwined on it in a creeping ivy design. On the hilt was her fathers name, Lesonille, it was made from amethyst and inlaid into the handle. She stroked his name gently with her thumb and continued to parry the sword.
"Tonight's a good time to practice." Said a voice, "There is plenty of moonlight."
Raeya whirled around, "Legolas, you startled me." Legolas smiled at her;
"I'm sorry, I did not mean to." he took a step back from her and said,
"Tomorrow we shall fight together, side by side."
"Yes, I hope it shall bring us good fortune to fight. as comrades." She looked at his face and studied him carefully. He inclined his head gently. "Comrades yes." He paused and looked around into the night.
"Will you walk with me back to the palace? We need much rest for tomorrow." Raeya smiled. "Of course Legolas."
She withdrew her sword and they walked side by side back to the palace. They had decided together to be comrades and nothing more. To fight along side each other and not love. And although they knew it was for the best, they were both torn on the inside.
As the night turned to day and the sun broke above the horizon both elves were preparing for battle. Legolas stood and sharpened his knives, he pulled out his bow and tested the string, he trusted, above all else, his bow and arrows. They were as much a part of him as his heart, and he knew that they would protect him. At the same time Raeya was testing her sword, feeling the weight of it in her hands, seeing with ease how she could fight with it. And then she too reached for her bow and arrows. She gently caressed each quill in turn and hoped above hope that this battle would lead to victory.
The two elves met each other in the stables as they were mounting their horses, they nodded to each other. No words had to be said; you could read the look of apprehension on everyone's faces. Together they galloped out and met the rest of the army. Theoden led the horsemen of Rohan with Gandalf in tow. Gimli the dwarf rode uneasily towards the elves and they greeted him.
"We should hope that this may be over quickly. If all goes well then we shall have given the ring bearer more time and hopefully then this matter can be resolved" said Gimli, "I wish you both for the best."
"WE RIDE TO MINAS TIRITH!" cried Theoden and with that the great army of horses galloped off to the east. Raeya looked to the skies.
"So it begins." she thought.