Thank you once again for the reviews! 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.
Number 41: Leaving for Gondor
Legolas sat with her through the night. Dawn had come and everyone had left the room leaving Legolas alone with Amaris. He sat with her for a while longer until Aragorn came in and got him. "Legolas, Gandalf is briefing the king and others on the events of last night. Please, come join us. Amaris will be alright," Aragorn said as he stood by the door. Legolas looked at Aragorn then at Amaris. He sighed and stood. He took one last look at Amaris and walked out of the room behind Aragorn. As they walked down the hall Aragorn looked at his friend who seemed disturbed by something. "What is it Legolas?" Legolas kept his eyes on their path as they walked down the corridor.
"When Amaris lost consciousness I felt empty. It was like I was dying," Legolas paused and looked at Aragorn. "I did not like it Aragorn. Now, my fear for losing her during this battle has increased ten fold. I even fear for her if something were to happen to me." Legolas had stopped walking and closed his eyes. He quickly searched for her and felt her still in the room where he left her. No emotions were coming from her so he knew she was still asleep. Legolas sighed and opened his eyes to see Aragorn looking at him with an understanding look on his face.
"I understand how you feel, my friend. However, you must remain focused on the battle at hand. Amaris is strong and she will be able to handle just about anything that is thrown at her." Aragorn put his hand on Legolas' shoulder and smiled at him. "You must focus solely on what needs to be done to defeat Sauron. I know it is and will be difficult but it must be done." Legolas looked at his friend and Legolas knew that Aragorn was right. He must remain focused on the battles or something will happen to him or Amaris. Legolas nodded and Aragorn patted his shoulder and they continued on their way to the hall to hear from Gandalf what must be done.
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Gandalf had left for Minas Tirath with Pippin to worn them of the pending attack. Legolas and Aragorn were not certain if the king would go to the aid of Gondor if it was called for. Both the man and the elf walked back inside to wake Amaris. They both wanted to talk with her about what happened and Legolas was still uncertain if she was alright. They walked in and saw her still asleep with her eyes closed lying in the same position that they left her in. Legolas made his way over and kneeled next to her and Aragorn stood behind him. Legolas reached his hand out to gently shake her shoulder when her eyes popped open and she sat up quickly taking in her surroundings. Legolas moved up and sat next to her on the cot. "It is alright Amaris. You are safe. Aragorn and I are here," Legolas said as he took her into his arms. Amaris sighed and wrapped her arms around him tightly.
"Legolas, it was so terrible. I saw Sauron and he was hurting Pippin but it was like I wasn't even there. I couldn't stop him. I could only watch. I saw orcs all over and the heat Legolas. The heat was incredible. It was like I was through into a full on fire," Amaris said and her face was buried in his shoulder. Legolas sighed and looked at Aragorn.
"It will be alright Amaris," Aragorn said to her in a soothing voice. Amaris pulled away from Legolas and looked at Aragorn then back at Legolas.
"You don't understand. I was in the lands of Mordor. I saw all of those foul creatures Frodo and Sam are going to have to face. I worry for them. I just hope that they are strong enough to make it to Mount Doom," Amaris said. The color began to return to her face and she wanted to know what exactly happened. Judging by the look on Aragorn and Legolas' face they knew something that she didn't. "Tell me what you know of what happened to me. Gandalf must have told you. Please, tell me." She looked at Aragorn and pleaded with her eyes and then turned to Legolas doing the same to him. Legolas nodded and looked at Aragorn hoping Aragorn would explain it. Aragorn nodded understanding his friend's silent request.
"When Pippin touched the PalantÃr and opened the communication with Sauron, your soul was taken from your body," Aragorn said and Amaris stiffened. Legolas wrapped his arms tighter around her waist but she continued looking at Aragorn. "Gandalf warned that no one was to touch the PalantÃr when you are near for when they do, you soul will be taken into Mordor and will be lost there until Gandalf is able to call you to your body as he did last night." Amaris closed her eyes and sighed. "Gandalf has left with Pippin. They are traveling to Minas Tirath to warn them of the impending attack. Hopefully, when or if they call for aid, King Theoden will answer that call." Amaris nodded with her eyes still closed. Aragorn patted Amaris' shoulder and she opened her eyes and looked at him. He gave her a weak smile and she returned it. Aragorn nodded at Legolas and left the two alone in the room. Legolas looked at Amaris and brought his hand to her cheek and gently ran his finger across her cheekbone.
"Are you alright?" Legolas asked as he looked at her. Amaris locked her eyes with his and felt somewhat at ease just looking into their depths.
"I'm alright. It's just I'm worried for Frodo and Sam and all of you," Amaris said. Legolas smiled and leaned in and kissed her lips gently.
"I have told you not to worry, Amaris. We will fight until the very end and we will succeed." Amaris smiled at the determination in her beloved's voice. Amaris rested her head against his chest and wrapped her warms tightly around him and Legolas wrapped his arms around her.
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It had been several days and Amaris had recovered from the unnerving experience and had become more like her old self. She was sitting in the great hall talking with Gimli and Legolas when Aragorn came bursting into the hall. All eyes turned to the man who was nearly out of breath from a seemingly strenuous run. "The beacons are lit! The beacons of Minas Tirath are lit! Gondor calls for aid!" Aragorn yells through out the hall. All eyes move from the man to the king who glances around the room and takes a deep breath before nodding.
"And Rohan will answer!" King Theoden yelled before turning his attention to his nephew. "Ready the Rohirrim." Eowyn looked to Eomer who nodded at the king and then looked to his sister and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. The hall once again in an uproar. Amaris looked at Gimli and Legolas. Gimli looked like he was ready for another battle and as always Amaris had trouble reading exactly what her beloved was feeling but emotions of apprehension, determination, and will flooded her when she tapped into their shared connection. Amaris gave a faint smile and reached for his hand and gently took it into her own. Legolas looked at her when he felt her touch and she gently squeezed his hand in reassurance. Legolas smiled and kissed her briefly before he dragged her from the hall to get their horses ready for the ride to Minas Tirath.
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They only traveled a day or two when they reached the base of the mountains when all the men gathered from the different areas of Rohan were meeting together to head to Minas Tirath. Amaris rode Marisal behind Legolas and Gimli who rode next to the king along with Aragorn. Amaris looked over the newly acquired soldiers and sighed. There isn't enough, Amaris thought to herself. She followed behind Gamling, Eomer, Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn and King Theoden and made her way up the mountain. One of her visions came to mind. A rider will come to the camp tonight. Amaris furrowed her brow trying to remember the story but her knowledge of the exact events to come seemed to have left her completely. It was almost as if she was never a part of her original home and that she had always been a part of Middle Earth.
Once everything was set up Amaris sighed and saw King Theoden standing with Aragorn looking down at the soldiers. "More will come," King Theoden told Aragorn.
"We cannot wait. Every minute we waste is Gondor's demise. We have 'til dawn then we must ride," Aragorn said. The king pursed his lips and nodded, knowing full well that Aragorn was right. King Theoden turned and left Aragorn but not before spotting the she-elf that had surpassed his expectations. He smiled and walked over to her.
"Lady Amaris," King Theoden addressed her and she quickly tore her gaze away from the tents down below and looked towards the king she had come to respect greatly.
"My lord," Amaris bowed her head to him. When she straightened she gave him a smile. "May I make a request of you my lord?" The king looked at her and nodded as he tried to suppress a smile. "I would like for to address me as Amaris. I may be betrothed to a prince, but I don't really care for being addressed as 'lady'." The king raised and eyebrow. He did not know she was betrothed, let alone to a prince. The king stepped closer and smiled at her.
"May I ask something of you la- Amaris?" the king asked with a smile. Amaris smiled.
"You may ask anything you wish my lord." The king nodded and took a breath.
"You said you were betrothed to a prince?" Amaris nodded as she looked into the grey blue eyes of the tired man before her. "Tell me, who is this prince?" Amaris smiled and laced her hands together and placed them in front of her.
"Legolas of Mirkwood. He stands there with your nephew and Gimli." Amaris raised her hand and motioned in the direction of the three men talking. The king briefly looked up and smiled knowingly. Amaris smiled at King Theoden and he chuckled quietly to himself before retiring to his tent. Amaris shook her head and looked up at Aragorn who was smiling at her. "What?" Her innocent question just caused Aragorn to laugh quietly. "I'm glad all of you find me so amusing." Aragorn walked over to bringing one of her hands to his lips and kissing her knuckles. He dropped her hand and walked quietly away from her. Amaris stood there with her brow furrowed and tried to figure out exactly what she did that was so funny.
