Thank you for the reviews! I love to know what you think, however, I've gotten a couple about switching tenses. I know I did that in the first chapter or the first couple of chapters but I have fixed that just as a note. I hope you enjoy this chapter, it's a little longer than the others.
Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings. It all belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien and the movie producers. I only own Amaris.
Number 24: Searching and Finding an Old Friend
After a short time of riding they came upon the burning pile. The smell made Amaris sick so she buried her face into Legolas' chest. "Are you alright?" he asked in a whisper. She nodded and slowly looked towards the pile. Legolas got down and Amaris held out her arms for him to help her down but he shook his head. "Stay on Arod. You need to rest your leg. We will search for Merry and Pippin." Amaris sighed.
"Alright but if you find anything come back and help me down." Legolas nodded and joined Aragorn and Gimli at the pile. Gimli was picking through the pile looking for anything that could possibly be the hobbits. He found a belt and his heart fell. Gimli turned and faced the others.
"It's one of their wee belts," he said holding up the belt. Amaris furrowed her brow and Legolas placed his hand over his heart and said a prayer for the hobbits. Aragorn screamed and kicked a helmet. Amaris held onto the saddle and urged Arod forward. Arod did as she asked and stopped behind Legolas. Legolas looked up at Amaris and she could see the grief in his eyes. Suddenly, Aragorn spotted a trail on the ground and stood up quickly.
"A hobbit lay here," he said as he followed the trail. "Their hands were bound." He followed the trail a little further and found the cut rope beneath the grass. "Their binds were cut." He stood and began to run. "Their tracks lead away from the battle and straight into Fangorn forest." Gimli and Legolas had followed them and were standing next to him.
"Fangorn? What madness drove them in there?" Gimli asked as he looked at the ancient trees. Amaris had Arod trot over to the others.
"I told them to," she said. The three of them turned and looked at her quizzically. "When the Uruks made camp I woke up when I was thrown on the ground. Pippin tried to keep me awake but I was too dizzy. I told them that if anything were to happen, that they should run into the forest. They must have listened. We should head inside and look for them. Legolas, please help me down." Aragorn shook his head.
"You will ride into the forest. Your leg is not well enough to walk on just yet," he said as he took the reins and began to lead Arod into the forest. They walked for some time as Aragorn followed the trail. Soon the sun began to set and light was scarce. "We will camp here tonight. I do not want to loose the trail and with the sunlight leaving we will be unable to follow it." Everyone nodded and Gimli was glad for the rest. Legolas walked over to Amaris and helped her from Arod.
"Thank you Legolas," she said as he sat her on the ground. Aragorn was collecting small dead twigs to light a small fire for the night.
"You're welcome. Come, let's sit you down over there in front of the log so you can rest against it," he said as he wrapped his arm around her waist and lead her to sit next to Gimli. He sat her down and Amaris smiled at him. Legolas' ears picked up a creek about fifty feet from where they rested and everyone's water skins needed to be filled. He gathered them and looked at Amaris. "I will return in a moment. There is a creek not far from here and we all need water." Amaris nodded and watched Legolas make his way through the forest.
"I am glad we found you lass. The elf was beside himself with worry," Gimli said as he positioned himself to be more comfortable. Amaris smiled at him. "Well, he wasn't the only one. All three of us worried for you and the hobbits."
"Thank you Gimli. I am much better now that I am with my friends once again." Aragorn joined them and smiled at her.
"We are glad to have you with us again as well Amaris," Aragorn said. Amaris smiled at him and her smile broadened when she heard Legolas approach. Legolas appeared behind Aragorn and handed him his water skin.
"Here you are Aragorn," Legolas said.
"Thank you." Legolas walked over to Gimli and Amaris handing Gimli his water skin and then sitting next to Amaris handing her his water skin so she could get a drink. Amaris smiled at him.
"Take a drink, meleth nîn, to refresh your body," he said as he took the top off. Amaris took a drink and handed it to him.
"Thank you Legolas, now your turn." Legolas shook his head.
"I had my fill at the creek." He put the cap back on and sat it down next to him. "Take rest my friends. I will keep watch first." Aragorn nodded after he finished some lembas as did Gimli. Soon Aragorn's gentle snores and Gimli's loud snores filled the camp. Legolas looked at Amaris who was watching the small fire die down. "Amaris, rest. I will wake you if needed." Amaris turned her attention to Legolas.
"I am not tired. I was unconscious for almost five days, right now I couldn't sleep if I wanted to." She gave him a slight smile and he scooted closer to her. She laid her head on his shoulder and took in his scent. He still smelt of mint and fresh wood, even after days of running, which surprised her. She smiled and closed her eyes. "I am thankful that that Ura kai knocked me out so hard." Legolas' body tightened and Amaris lifted her head to look at him. "Don't take that the wrong way. What I meant was I am glad I was unconscious for most of the time I was taken. If I would have been awake I would have been miserable thinking I may never see you or Aragorn or Gimli again." He smiled and gently caressed her cheek.
"I am glad the riders found you and brought you back to me." Amaris smiled at him as he pulled her face to his and brought her lips to his. She parted her lips and he tasted her. They savored each other and a quiet moan escaped Amaris' throat. They slowly pulled away from each other both of their hearts beating fast and their lips burning and tingling from the new sensations they just shared with one another. Amaris opened her eyes to find Legolas' eyes still closed and a smile playing on his lips.
"Legolas?" she asked with a smile. He slowly opened his eyes and he smiled at her.
"Le melin (I love you) Amaris," he said his voice deeper than usual. He kissed her again but this time it was a brief chaste kiss. Legolas pulled away from her and smiled. "Rest now, I will wake you before the sun rises." She nodded and laid her head against his shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Le melin, Legolas," Amaris said before her eyes unfocused and she gave into sleep. Legolas smiled and looked down at her surprised to see her asleep with her eyes open. He never really noticed before but the more he thought about it, he remembered she began to sleep with them open since the last night in Lothlorien. He kissed her forehead and returned his focus to his watch and debating when he would wake Aragorn for his watch.
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Aragorn woke after three hours of sleep to find Legolas sitting with Amaris curled against him. Legolas was scanning the surrounding and when his eyes hit Aragorn he smiled. "Hello my friend," Legolas said in a whisper. Aragorn stood and walked over to Legolas.
"I will take watch now Legolas. It is only about three hours till sunrise you should get some rest," Aragorn said patting him on the shoulder. Legolas nodded and smiled. Legolas laid his head on top of Amaris' when he heard Aragorn chuckle. He looked at Aragorn and questioned him with his eyes. "Sorry, my friend, it is just that I am surprised how you of all beings could fall in love in the middle of war." Legolas raised his head.
"What do you mean?" Aragorn squatted down next to him.
"You are a true warrior Legolas and yet somehow you managed to open your heart during a time where all hope hangs by a thread and find a love so true and pure. I admire you for that." Legolas smiled at him and glanced at Amaris then back at his friend.
"I did not open my heart, Aragorn. My heart opened to her all on its own." Aragorn smiled and nodded. He stood and walked off to better observe their surroundings for he did not have the elf's sharp eyes or ears. Legolas laid his head on top of Amaris' once more and smiled before his eyes unfocused and he gave into much needed rest.
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Aragorn woke everyone as the sun came into the forest and soon they were back on the trail of the hobbits. Legolas leading Arod and Amaris riding Arod. Gimli and Aragorn walked ahead of them. "Legolas, this forest is very old," Amaris said looking up into the trees. Legolas nodded at her. Aragorn stopped and kneeled down.
"These are strange tracks," he said as he ran his fingers over his chin trying to figure them out. Gimli walked over to a plant and touched a dark liquid before tasting it. He quickly spit it out.
"Argh! Orc blood!" he shouted. Suddenly moans and creaking noises were heard. Gimli raised his ax and Legolas stiffened.
"The trees are speaking to each other," Legolas said. "This forest is full of memory," he paused and his eyes widened, "and anger." Aragorn quickly looked at Gimli.
"Gimli!" he exclaimed in a whisper. Gimli looked at him. "Lower your ax!" Gimli looked at Aragorn and then slowly lowered his ax. Legolas looked over to his left and then up to Amaris.
"Amaris, do not move Arod. Stay right here," Legolas said as he turned to Aragorn. "Aragorn, nad no ennas! (Something is out there)" Amaris stiffened as Legolas walked ahead. Gandalf is coming back! Should I tell them? Amaris thought as she watched Aragorn and Legolas.
"Man cenich? (What is it)" Aragorn asked as he walked over to Legolas.
"The white wizard approached," Legolas said as he readied his bow. Aragorn's hand went to his sword.
"We must be quick. Do not listen to him speak or he will put a spell on us," Aragorn said as he drew his sword. Gimli and Legolas readied themselves however, Amaris was weaponless but she knew she didn't need them. They three quickly spun around. Legolas' arrow was deflected as was Gimli's ax. Aragorn's sword grew hot and he could no longer hold it. A bright light filled the forest and all four of them were blinded. Amaris smiled and felt her leg and there was little to no pain. She jumped from Arod and ran towards the figure. Legolas grabbed her hand to stop her. However, she turned and faced him. He glared at her and she jerked her hand away. She shook her head and ran to the figure and wrapped her arms around him embracing him.
"Gandalf!" she exclaimed and felt tears of happiness fill her eyes. The light faded away and slowly the other three who stood there in shock finally saw that the figure wrapped in Amaris' arms was indeed Gandalf, however, he was dressed in white robes holding a white staff.
"It cannot be," Aragorn said as he slowly walked up to them. "You fell." Gandalf smiled at him and Amaris pulled away from him the tears falling from her eyes. Gandalf looked her over and smiled when he noticed her ears.
"I fell through fire and water," he paused and then continued his story of defeating the Balrog and returning. He then turned his attention back to Amaris, who had yet to leave his side. "I see I am not the only one to experience change along our journey." Amaris smiled at him and nodded. Gandalf looked at Legolas and smiled at the elf prince who was looking with shock clearly written on his face. Amaris slowly walked over to Legolas and embraced him.
"I did not mean to be rude by jerking away from you, meleth nîn, I only wanted to hug a dearly missed friend," she said as she pulled away and looked into his eyes. "Please do not be angry with me." Legolas smiled at her and kissed her lips lightly as Gandalf talked with Gimli and Aragorn.
"I am not angry with you, meleth nîn, I was only worried that you were running to Saruman." Amaris smiled at him and shook her head.
"Remember Legolas I know certain things. I knew that we would meet Gandalf in Fangorn." Legolas studied her and then smiled nodding his head. He lead her back to Arod and had her climb up as they exited the forest to head onto their next destination.
