Another update! Thank you for the reviews everyone! I love to hear from you.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with Lord of the Rings. It all belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien and the movie producers. I only own Amaris.

Number 31: Attacked and Loss

The group had been traveling for a day and half and should be reaching Helms Deeps in a few hours. Amaris spent the night by herself because Legolas wanted to remain awake and he patrolled the camp. Amaris was awake and just looked at the stars and every once in a while stole a glance or two (or fifty) at Legolas. She was once again riding with near Aragorn and the king. "It is true you don't see many dwarf women. It is because we are so alike in speech and appearance that rumors have spread that there are no dwarf women and dwarves just sprout from the ground!" said Gimli as he talked with Eowyn. Eowyn looked back at Aragorn and he motioned with his hands and whispered to her.

"It's the beards," he said with a smile making Eowyn giggle and turn her attention back ahead of her. While Gimli was talking with Eowyn Arod decided to sprint of ahead and knocked Gimli from the ground causing him to fall hard on his butt. Everyone laughed once they realized that he was alright and Eowyn ran to his side to help him up. Eowyn looked back at the king and Aragorn smiling.

"It is good to see my niece laugh again. It has been some time since I have seen her smile," the king said to Aragorn who nodded. After a little while longer Amaris heard something in the distance and her eyes shot ahead.

"Aragorn," she said quietly. He turned to her and looked at her questioningly. "There i-" she began but was cut off when a scream was heard. She looked in the direction and Aragorn ran over to see what was happening. Amaris heard Legolas shout to Aragorn.

"A scout!" Legolas screamed and Amaris' heart began to pound. We're being attacked! She paused to collect herself for a moment when it hit her. Wargs! We're being attacked by wargs! She watched as Aragorn mounted his horse and Gimli was having help up onto Arod. Aragorn turned and looked at Amaris.

"Amaris go with Lady Eowyn. Help lead the people onto Helms Deep!" Aragorn shouted and turned his horse to run ahead. Amaris growled and hurried her horse along and met up with Aragorn.

"I am fighting and there is nothing you can do to stop me!" She urged her horse on and she charged on with the soldiers. She rode between Aragorn and Gimli and saw Legolas on the hill launching his arrows. Amaris readied herself and drew her bow. She watched as Legolas gracefully got on Arod in front of Gimli and he looked at her briefly his eyes hard and dark but they soften just a little and silently told her to be careful. She gave him a slight smile before drawing her arrow and attacking the goblin riders and wargs.

Amaris was separated from the others but she figured they would all be alright. When her arrows were depleted she drew her sword and jumped from her horse. A goblin that lost his ride charged her. Big mistake, she thought as she raised her elvin sword that shined brightly. The goblin's eyes were wide as her sword sliced through him and he fell to the ground. She kept her focus and heard two others approach her. She turned and stabbed one on the right then sliced through the other one. The one on the right charged at her but she got her sword up in time to block it. She shoved him off and then sliced through it's throat. She looked around and saw a few wargs retreating and no other goblins or wargs remaining. Her attention then moved to locating her friends. She spotted Gimli but could not find Legolas or Aragorn. Her heart began to pound and she took off running towards Gimli. When she got there she was panicking on the inside. She could not lose her friend or her love and she couldn't remember if either of them fell in this fight.

"Gimli, have you seen Legolas or Aragorn?" she asked trying to keep her voice steady.

"Nay, lass. I was just about to look myself," he said after he wiped his axe off. Amaris kept her sword in hand and began to look around quickly. "Aragorn?!" Gimli yelled.

"Legolas?!" Amaris yelled scanning the field. When she got no reply right away her heart ached. He couldn't have fallen. That doesn't make sense. Please, where is he? "Legolas?!" she screamed this time her voice scratchy.

"Amaris!" she heard a smooth voice shout and when she turned around her eyes met Legolas' in the distance. She ran to him and wrapped her arms around him tight. She pulled away when she heard Gimli call once more for Aragorn.

"Have you seen Aragorn, Legolas?" she asked holding back the tears of joy for finding Legolas. He shook his head and once again panic filled her. "We must find him." They began searching when they heard a goblin laugh by the cliff. Gimli went up to it first.

"Tell me what you know and I will ease your passing?" Gimli said in a harsh voice. The goblin laughed and choked slightly on its own blood.

"He's dead," the goblin hissed. "He took a little tumble off the cliff." Legolas' face grew angry and he kneeled in front of the goblin grabbing him by his armor. Amaris' heart sank and she ran over to the cliff.

"You lie!" Legolas exclaimed. The goblin just laughed and died. Legolas shoved his body back down when he noticed something shiny in the goblins hand. He took it out and saw that it was the Evenstar. His heart fell and he and Gimli quickly joined Amaris who was looking over the cliff. Amaris looked up at him with tears running down her cheeks.

"This doesn't make sense Legolas. He shouldn't have fallen," Amaris said. Legolas looked up at her from scanning the water. She saw the pain in his eyes and her heart ached even more. Legolas wrapped his arms around her and she cried quietly into his chest. The king joined them and looked over the water. Theoden sighed heavily and looked at Amaris, Legolas, and Gimli with a heavy heart. He turned to one of his guards and gave the orders.

"Put the wounded on horses, leave the dead," Theoden said. Legolas looked up at the king and the king glanced at him and crying elleth in his arms. He gently patted Legolas on the shoulder. "Come." Theoden left them and they slowly followed and continued on their way to Helms Deep, each of them with a heavy heart.

Once they reached the fortress, Eowyn ran to them to welcome the few soldiers that returned. She scanned over them with tears in her eyes. "So few. So few of you have returned," she said her voice shaky. Theoden looked at her as he dismounted.

"We fought and have paid for it with many lives," he said as he helped a soldier dismount. He turned from her and made his way up the stairs. Legolas helped Gimli off of Arod and Gimli walked over to Eowyn.

"Milady," he said and Eowyn looked at him the tears threatening to fall.

"Lord Aragorn, where is he?" she asked. Gimli fought back tears and sighed.

"He fell." Gimli walked away and the tears finally fell from her eyes. Amaris felt terrible but she couldn't shake the feeling that they would see Aragorn again. Amaris stood there motionless waiting for Legolas to finish with Arod and Marisal, her horse. She looked at the floor in front of her when a finger went under her chin and lifted her face up. Her eyes met Legolas and she gave him a slight smile before throwing her arms around his waist and just holding him. Legolas wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

"Legolas," she said muffled by his tunic.

"Yes, Amaris?" he said into her hair.

"Why do I feel like I will see him again? That he really isn't dead." Amaris felt Legolas stiffen slightly and she held him tighter. "I mean, I can hardly remember anything more and it scares me but I have a strong feeling that we'll see him soon." Legolas kissed the top of her head.

"For all of our sakes, meleth nîn, I hope you are right," Legolas said his voice heavy with sadness.

"So do I Legolas. So do I." They just held each other for a moment longer before busying themselves.