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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 25: Journey to Edoras

Night had fallen and they had made camp for the night. Gandalf and Aragorn were taking first watch so Gimli, Amaris, and Legolas were setting up a small camp to eat a little before taking rest. Legolas had a small fire burning and Gimli sat enjoying his pipe. Amaris had gone and changed into a riding dress so that she could change the bandage on her leg and sew her leggings. She walked into the clearing and lowered herself down onto the ground. She cursed herself for jumping from Arod and running towards Gandalf because her leg had been burning ever since.

Amaris quickly glanced at the others. Aragorn and Gandalf were in the distance talking, Gimli was looking into the fire appearing to be lost in thought, and Legolas was busy repairing some of his arrows. She smiled at Legolas and then quickly turned her attention to fixing her leg. Amaris pulled her skirt up just high enough and unwrapped the bandage Legolas had placed on it. She hissed quietly as the cool air stung her wound. Amaris placed the damp cloth on her leg to clean it when a hand covered her own. She looked up and saw the blue eyes of Legolas.

"Let me," he said taking the cloth from her. Amaris nodded and felt her skin on her cheeks grow hot; however, she knew he could not tell she would be blushing. Legolas carefully began to clean the wound on her leg that had broken open when she jumped from Arod. He applied the ointment and wrapped her leg once more. He looked up at her and gave her a slight smile. "I told you that you shouldn't walk on your leg but yet you did not listen to me."

"I know Legolas but, well, you know," she said as she looked at the fire. Legolas studied her face once again and smiled as he watched the reflection of the small fire in her eyes. His eyes wondered to her forehead where the other bandage remained. He raised his hands and removed it. The bump was gone and a scab had formed and was healing nicely. He gently washed it with a clean cloth being careful not to open it. When he was done Amaris looked back at him and smiled. "Thank you Legolas." Legolas smiled and kissed her lips lightly.

"You are welcome, meleth nîn. Just do be careful with your leg. I do not want to see it reopened." Amaris nodded at him. "Your forehead is almost healed." He kissed her forehead and got up from her side. Legolas returned to repairing his arrows and Amaris began to sew her leggings. While she was sewing she felt someone sit next to her she smiled. She looked to her right and saw Legolas looking into the fire. Amaris looked back to her work and finished the last few stitches. She put away her needle and folded her leggings that were dirty with her blood. Once they reached Edoras, she figured that she could wash them. They were her last pair and they along with her tunic were the only clothes she had left except for the riding dress she was now wearing.

"Legolas?" she asked after a moment of silence. He looked at her and smiled.

"Yes?" Amaris looked from the fire and at Legolas.

"Are you afraid?" Legolas was surprised by her question but he looked into her eyes and saw her fear shining brightly.

"Why do you ask?" Amaris sighed and looked at her hands.

"Because I am afraid." Legolas took her hands into his and she looked up at him with tears in her eyes. Legolas caressed her left cheek and leaned into her. He rested his forehead against hers and looked into her eyes.

"Do not be afraid meleth nîn. I will not let anything happen to you and neither will Aragorn, Gandalf, or Gimli." Amaris closed her eyes and two tears escaped them.

"I am afraid for you and the others, not myself. Just like before I feel as if I will be a burden and cause us to fail. I used to be confident in knowing the events to take place; however, the longer we go on the more I seem to forget. I can't remember anything clearly anymore and that frightens me even more." Amaris paused and opened her eyes. She pulled away from Legolas and looked at him. "I do not want to see you die, meleth nîn. For if I do, I will surely die right along your side." Legolas looked deep into her eyes to her soul. He saw all of her fear boiling over. He could tell she was telling the truth that she was having trouble remembering events to come. He squeezed her hands in reassurance.

"Amaris, this journey is a hard and long one. I will not leave you, meleth nîn. We will fight together." Amaris smiled at him and wrapped her arms around him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close. He moved his hand behind her head and ran his fingers through her hair. "Do not despair. We will succeed. We will not fail." Amaris pulled away and looked at him.

"I know we will not fail in our quest. We will defeat him and peace will once again return to Middle Earth that I KNOW." Legolas smiled and wiped her cheeks dry. He was about to speak when loud snores interrupted him. They looked over at Gimli and laughed lightly to see the dwarf sound asleep snoring like there was no tomorrow. Legolas looked back at Amaris and smiled at her.

"It is good to see you smile once again. Do not let despair take hold of your heart no longer. There is no reason to as long as we stay true to each other we will not fail." Amaris nodded and smiled.

"Promise me, Legolas that you will listen to your own words down the line. In case you were to despair." Legolas nodded. "They are wise beyond your 2,900 plus years." Legolas laughed out loud and it was like music to Amaris' ears. She hardly heard him laugh the last six months and when she did a smile was always instant to her face. He caressed her cheek and leaned into her and kissed her gently. He wanted to taste her again, to strengthen his memory of her, and he begged entrance, which she happily allowed. They broke apart when they heard a throat being cleared behind Legolas. Amaris looked and her eyes widened to see Gandalf standing there. Gandalf chuckled at the two and walked over to Amaris' left and sat down.

"Do not worry it is nothing I have not seen in my lifetime. However, I do suggest that you take rest. We have another long day's ride ahead of us and your watch will begin in three hours Legolas," Gandalf said as he made himself comfortable and took out his pipe. Amaris smiled and looked at Legolas who was smiling as well. She looked back at Gandalf and nodded.

"Good night Gandalf," she said before she cuddled next to Legolas to get him to fall asleep. He resisted at first but smiled and wrapped his arms around her.

"Good night Gandalf," Legolas said as he laid his head on the log behind him.

"Good night," Gandalf said with a smile as he looked off into the distance.

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They rode all day and finally, the city of Edoras came into view. "Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here, the mind of the king has been poisoned. We must release him from his hold," Gandalf said as he urged Shadowfax on. Aragorn and Gimli followed and then Amaris and Legolas. They rode into the city and as they looked over the people Amaris could see how miserable they were. Amaris turned over her shoulder to face Legolas.

"The people of Rohan lose hope, Legolas. Aragorn will be the one to give them that hope just as you were the one to return mine to me," she said as she looked into his eyes. He smiled at her and returned his eyes ahead.

"You'd find more cheer in a graveyard," Gimli mumbled and Amaris smiled to herself, hoping it didn't show on her face. Aragorn, Gimli, and Gandalf dismounted and began to make their way to the hall. Legolas dismounted and helped Amaris down. The people were looking at the two elves in amazement. Amaris looked at Legolas and shrugged her shoulders.

"Be careful in walking up the stairs," Legolas whispered to her as they caught up with the others. Amaris gave him a look that made him chuckle to himself and they reached the top of the stairs where they were met by the guards.

"We cannot allow you to meet with the king so armed Gandalf Greyham by order of Grima Wormtounge," a guard stated. Gandalf nodded at the others to give them their weapons. Amaris gave them her sword, the only weapon she carried because she left her bow and arrows on Arod. The others gave them their weapons and the guard looked at Gandalf.

"Your staff," he said motioning towards it. Gandalf sighed.

"Oh, you would not deprive an old man of his walking stick?" he asked as he acted old and unable to walk without it. The guard nodded and led them into the hall but not before Gandalf looked at Aragorn and winked taking Legolas' arm for balance.