Thank you once again for the reviews! I love to hear what you guys think. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

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.

NOTE: Dialouge in bold is spoken in elvish.

Number 32: Return of a Friend and Preparing for Battle

It had been one day since their arrival at Helms Deep and Amaris hardly saw Legolas because he was helping the king, as was Gimli. So, in order to keep her mind off the loss of Aragorn, she was helping Eowyn pass out fruit and blankets. Her hair was a mess and falling from her braids and even though she was an elf, she felt very tired. She hadn't slept since the night before they left Edoras and she needed to rest. She slowly made her way to Eowyn who gave Amaris a slight smile. "Eowyn, is there a place where I could rest for a moment? I am very tired for I have not rested properly in over two days," Amaris said. Eowyn nodded.

"You can rest in my room. Just go into the hall, and turn to the right. It's the first door on the left," Eowyn said as she pointed.

"Thank you Eowyn. Please have someone wake me in an hour or two and if Legolas or Gimli ask where I am, could you tell them?" Eowyn nodded.

"Certainly." Amaris smiled and gave her a hug, which surprised Eowyn but she embraced Amaris back tightly. Amaris left and went into Eowyn's room. It was just a simple room with a plain medium sized bed and a chair by the fireplace. There was no windows but right now Amaris didn't mind because she just wanted a little bit of rest. She walked over to the bed and threw the covers up so she wouldn't dirty Eowyn's bed. She laid down and slowly let her body rest and her eyes unfocused and went to sleep.

Legolas just came from speaking with the king and was searching for Amaris. Unable to find her he went to Eowyn. "Excuse me, milady?" he asked and Eowyn quickly turned and smiled at him.

"Yes, milord? How can I help you?" Eowyn asked. Legolas gave her a slight smile.

"Do you happen to know where I may find Amaris?"

"Oh, she is resting. She was very tired and asked for a place to rest for a few hours. She is resting in my room. It is the first door on the left down the right corridor." Legolas nodded.

"Thank you Lady Eowyn." Eowyn bowed her head and turned back to her tasks. Legolas turned and went to go and see Amaris. He knocked but did not get a response so he opened the door and stepped inside. He smiled when he saw her sleeping, eyes unfocused and cloudy. He walked over to her and covered her with a thin blanket that was draped over the bottom of the bed. "Garo bost vaer, meleth nîn (Sleep well, my love)." Legolas kissed her forehead and she sighed in her sleep. He smiled and quietly made his way out of the room. He was making his way back when his ears caught Gimli exclaiming that he was going to kill someone and people shouting in excitement. He quickly made his way to the patio where he spoke with Eowyn when Aragorn came walking his way. A joyous smile graced his face to have his friend back. He blocked Aragorn's path and when Aragorn saw him he smiled. "Le abdollen. (You're late)" He looked over Aragorn and glanced back at his face. "You look terrible." Aragorn laughed and put his hand on Legolas' shoulder. Legolas did the same. Aragorn made to leave him when Legolas stopped him. Aragorn looked at Legolas and questioned him with his eyes. Legolas held out the Evenstar and Aragorn's eyes went wide. He took it from Legolas and smiled.

"Hannon le. (Thank you)" Aragorn said with a smile. Both man and elf unaware of the woman watching them with happy eyes as they turned and walked back into the hall to speak with Theoden. Eowyn watched as both Aragorn and Legolas entered the hall and smiled. Legolas paused a moment and Aragorn looked at him.

"I must tell Amaris you are well. She was very saddened and upset," Legolas said. Aragorn nodded.

"Is she still having trouble remembering things to come?" Aragorn asked looking at his friend. Legolas nodded.

"It scares her and I worry for her." Aragorn nodded. "I will join you and the king in a moment." Aragorn proceeded to the king and Legolas went down the hall and entered Eowyn's chambers. He stepped inside and smiled to find Amaris still sound asleep. He walked over to her and kneeled beside her. "Meleth nîn?" he asked quietly without a response. "Amaris, Amaris it is time to wake." Amaris blinked her eyes a few times and they came back into focus only to be met with the loving eyes of Legolas that seemed to sparkle more and she knew he knew something that she did not. She sat up on her elbows and looked at him.

"What is it Legolas? What has your eyes sparkling like they did long ago?" she asked with a smile only causing Legolas to smile wider and pick her up from the bed and he spun her around gently. Amaris held onto him tight while he laughed and held her. When he stopped and put her down she smiled at him. "What is it meleth nîn? What has you so happy?" Legolas placed both of his hands on the sides of her face and drew her in for a kiss. Surprised, Amaris returned his kiss but she no more began and Legolas pulled away. "Will you not tell me meleth nîn?" Legolas rested his forehead against hers and smiled.

"He is alive, just as you felt Amaris. He has come back." Legolas' smile had yet to leave. Amaris furrowed her brow for a moment because she was a little confused. Who? Who came back? She thought then it hit her.

"Aragorn?! He has returned!" she exclaimed and Legolas nodded. Amaris was unbelievably happy and she embraced Legolas tight. "Where is he?" she asked when she pulled away.

"Meeting with the king. My heart tells me he brings ill news. We should join them." Amaris nodded but remembered her appearance. She stopped him by grabbing his wrist. He turned and looked at her. "What is it?" She sighed.

"Legolas, look at me. I'm a mess." Legolas smiled and turned her around. He undid her bindings and ran his fingers through her silky hair, which was a pleasurable experience for both of them. He pulled the top half of her hair back and braided it tightly before binding it with the leather strip. Legolas turned her around and held her by the shoulders. It only seemed to take him mere minutes to fix her hair and she was grateful for it. "Thank you, Legolas. Does it look better?" Legolas laughed lightly.

"You were beautiful before meleth nîn. I just enhanced your beauty for everyone to notice." Amaris smiled and shook her head before placing a slow kiss on his cheek. When she pulled away Legolas was smiling.

"Sometimes Legolas, you are too much." Legolas shrugged and took her hand leading her to the others. They came out at the very end to find an upset Aragorn and Gimli and the king rushing outside.

"Get the women and children to the caves," Theoden said to Gamling. Gamling hesitated.

"We need more time to lay provisions for a siege, lord –" Gamling began but was stopped by Theoden.

"There is no time. War is upon us!" Theoden exclaimed before marching off and Gamling doing the same. Legolas looked at Aragorn only to see that Amaris had ran over to him and was embracing him tightly. Aragorn hugged her back but there was sadness in his eyes as he hugged her. Amaris pulled away and looked at him and studied his face only to see the same sadness and worry.

"What is it Aragorn?" she asked also voicing Legolas' thoughts. Aragorn sighed and put his hands on her shoulders.

"Isengaurd is empty. Over 10,000 Uruk-hai are marching to Helms Deep as we speak to attack," Aragorn said never leaving her eyes. Amaris' heart started beating quickly once again.

"So, I was not wrong before. When I said I knew something terrible was going to happen," Amaris said as Legolas stepped by her side wrapping his arm around her waist and Aragorn let go of her shoulders. Aragorn nodded and looked at Legolas. Amaris took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "We must prepare. We haven't the time to wait. There is much to be done." She went to walk away from them when Legolas pulled her to him and she looked up into his eyes.

"When the time comes, I want you to join the women and children in the caves," Legolas said. Amaris felt her anger rise. She couldn't believe he wanted to send her away. She shook her head.

"No meleth nîn. I will fight by your side. I am not going to wait in the caves for you to return to me or to have a guard come to me and tell me that you have perished. I will not!" Amaris yelled the last sentence and jerked away from him and ran from the hall and outside to help prepare for battle. Legolas made to go after her but Aragorn stopped him.

"Wait Legolas," Aragorn said quietly. "Wait until she has calmed. She will be easier to talk to then." Legolas nodded sadly. He was angry for Amaris refusing his wishes but he also understood where she was coming from. She had fought along his side in every battle so far and she had done well but he didn't want her to fight this time. He wanted her to be safe. He wanted to make sure she stayed safe and would not get injured again. Aragorn and Gimli left him alone and he closed his eyes and took a deep a breath. After a moment he collected himself and went out to help prepare for the attack.

Amaris was angry and she couldn't believe that Legolas didn't want her to fight. She understood his intentions but she has been by his side all of this way and she has fought right along their sides. Amaris decided it would be best not to think of it now. They had to get all of the women and children into the caves and to make sure that they had enough provisions to last for a while. When she was helping a mother with three small children Eowyn came running up to her.

"Amaris!" Eowyn exclaimed. Amaris stopped and turned to face her and she saw tears in Eowyn's eyes.

"What is it Eowyn? What is the matter?" Amaris asked with a toddler in her arms that had fallen asleep in the rush. The mother and her baby and other small child were a few steps ahead quietly waiting.

"I have made a fool of myself. I am to be sent to the caves to watch over the women and children and when I spoke to Lord Aragorn, I-I made fool of myself." Amaris smiled and shook her head.

"Whatever you said that you made a fool of yourself over, he probably didn't take it that way. I'm sure he doesn't think any less of you." Amaris adjusted the small child in her arms and the basket. Eowyn nodded feeling a little better. "Could you help me?"

"Certainly." Amaris smiled.

"Thank you. Please just carry this basket and we can get them set up inside. She is the last woman with children that needs to be brought inside. I believe everything else is ready. They are just gathering the men." Eowyn nodded while she took the basket. As they situated the woman and her children, Eowyn noticed Amaris' sword strapped to her side and her bow and quiver on her back.

"Are you fighting?" Eowyn asked with shock in her voice. Amaris stood upright and looked at Eowyn.

"I am. I am part of the fellowship and three of my fellow companions are in this battle. I made an oath to them and I will still fight along their side." Eowyn was shocked to say the least.

"They are allowing you to fight?" Amaris shook her head.

"No. Legolas and the others do not want me to. Legolas and I even got into a fight over it. I will not be left in the dark." Amaris paused at the look Eowyn was giving her. Amaris knew how much Eowyn wanted to fight. How much she wanted to protect those she loved. "I know you may not think that it is fair for you to remain here but my friend, you have not been in battle. You have not had to fight for your life and I have. I know the danger we face. I was kidnapped by Uruks because I was injured and unable to properly defend myself. Eowyn, your time to fight will come but it is not this night. I can feel that you will play a huge role in this war, you just don't come into play tonight." Eowyn gave Amaris a slight smile and nodded. Amaris smiled and hugged Eowyn tightly. "Watch over them. If anything should happen, you will be their only hope. I will see you again my friend."

"Fight well, Amaris." Amaris nodded and quickly left the caves and headed towards the armory only to hear Legolas talking with Aragorn.

"We have trusted you this far and you have not lead us astray. Forgive me, I was wrong to despair," Legolas said. Amaris sighed when she heard his voice and closed her eyes.

"Ú-moe edamed, Legolas (there is nothing to forgive)" Aragorn said. Amaris smiled and stepped inside. They both turned to look at her. Amaris had her arms crossed over her chest and she studied the elf and man before her. Aragorn smiled at her and she gave him a slight smile. When she looked at Legolas her heart dropped. He looked at her with his blue eyes clouded with concern, sadness and . . . love. Legolas quickly walked over to her and she lowered her arms to her side.

"Amaris, I do not want you to fight, but I know I cannot stop you. If you must fight, then I want you to stand by side and fight along with me." He saw tears well up in her eyes and one slowly made it's way down her cheek. Legolas stepped closer and wiped the tear away from her cheek. "I love you Amaris and I do not want to lose you." Amaris smiled at him.

"You will never lose me Legolas. I will not die this night and neither will you, Gimli or Aragorn. We will make it through this battle and every other one brought our way. I am determined to live," she said her voice shaky but he heard the determination in it. He nodded and kissed her gently. He pulled away as he heard Gimli come out. All three turned to look at him. He was wearing a chain armor that was a little too big. When it fell to the floor Aragorn and Legolas smiled and Amaris gave a quiet giggle. Gimli looked at her and smiled.

"If we had time, I'd get this adjusted. It's a little tight across the chest," Gimli said. Legolas was about to retort when a horn sounded. Amaris looked at Legolas.

"That is no orc horn!" Legolas exclaimed as he grabbed Amaris' hand and ran out of the room closely followed by Aragorn and Gimli.