Reviewer responses for Chapter 12:

Mornflower: You seemed a little...astounded...that Arwen was kidnapped. HEHE...good. Ur...I don't think killing her would be a good idea though, so sorry! Enjoy this post!

Kelsey: Interesting ideas you have there. Especially the second one...I have to admit it is a good idea, but not the right one. BUT, since I can't tell you anything else...I'll just have to say once again thank you for reviewing and leave it at that!!

Pirate Gyrl: Thanks for reading again...glad you liked them. Yup...Arwen's gone for time being...enjoy this.

Chantal1409: Welcome! I am glad you happened onto my story and I am glad that you are enjoying it! As for your question...they don't really INCREASE I'd say, but you'll see more of them.

Queen Shadow: Nuts huh? Thanks! You guessed it...something did happen to Arwen. Good perceptions you have there! Here is your update...I hope it is soon enough. As for the advice, don't worry about giving any...heck this thing is so complicated I'm SO glad I have a beta...sometimes IIIII forget whole scenes.


Chapter 13: Loss of Hope

When Frodo was satisfied that Legolas had indeed healed himself he allowed the Elf to seek out Aragorn. But he vowed to keep an eye on him just in case he had missed something. Leaving Frodo, Legolas stretched his senses, trying to find his friend.

He frowned, seeing Aragorn a ways from the camp, sitting with his head in his hands. Part of him warned him to stay away, but the friend in him told him to go. Aragorn might not need any words, but he would need a shoulder to lean on.

Hurrying away from the others without being seen by too many, the Elf approached the forlorn king. He sat beside him, glad that Aragorn had not looked up at him. "Mellon nin."

Aragorn looked up, his eyes were red. The man tried to hide his emotions, but Legolas knew him too well to fall for it. He said nothing though, simply sitting beside the man and looking out over the plains of Rohan.

Finally, the king spoke. "Why? Why her? It isn't fair Legolas. Why couldn't he take me instead? She is innocent; she shouldn't have been here in the first place. I should have forced her to stay in Minas Tirith." Legolas sensed guilt in the man's voice.

Slowly, he worked up the courage to speak. Choosing his words carefully, Legolas looked at Aragorn. "Estel, he knew he would never capture you alive. Even if he did, it would not serve his purpose. We all love Arwen, which is why he took her. If I know her at all, she would never have stayed behind, you know this. I have no words of comfort to offer you, only hope. I do not think she will die, I strongly feel we will save her in time."

He knew it was a big leap of faith, but he had to assure Aragorn that Arwen would be all right, even if she wouldn't. In reality, he did not know what her fate was, had no way of knowing. He wasn't gifted with foresight very often.

Aragorn looked up at him now, hope in his eyes. "You do not see her death then? What do you see?"

The elf shook his head lightly. "I can not say, Estel. But I do not see her death." If I'm going to make this up, I am going to keep it as simple as I can, he thought to himself. My intent is to keep Aragorn on the mission, not to weave an intricate story of a fake vision.

His words seemed to give strength to the king of Gondor, who rose to his feet. "As much as my heart bids me to follow the trail and find her before she reaches Graelath, I know that I can not. Your words give me hope, mellon nin. We must press on to the Shire; we have wasted precious time here whilst I toiled with my emotions. Come, Legolas. We have innocent Hobbits to protect." He turned on his heel, avoiding the gaze of the Elf and hurried to organize the men.

A grave smile crossed the elf's face as he watched Aragorn go rouse the men. I hope I am doing the right thing, telling him that Arwen will be all right when I do not know if this is true. If she dies, will he ever forgive me?

Pushing the thought from his head, Legolas stood and sought out Gimli and Arod for the rest of the journey to the Shire. It wasn't long before Aragorn had the whole company mounted and riding off.

Legolas turned back as they rode away, his heart breaking. Please Valar, I hope we are not leaving her to her torment and death. I couldn't live without Arwen and Aragorn... and I fear he would not go on living without her.


Graelath's Fortress...

"My Uruk captain succeeded then," Graelath laughed. The Crebain that had brought the news flew off to continue spying for the wizard. "Soon, I will have Queen Arwen of Gondor in my possession and I will then have control over King Elessar. He will do as I bid and Gondor will quickly fall, leaving only Rohan. And Helm's Deep will be no match for the combined strength of three orc armies!"

The wizard eyed the map in front of him. "If only the Crebain had remained long enough to tell me whether or not Elessar pursued his wife or rode on to the Shire. That would be most unfortunate if he continued, it might foil things a bit, for I was planning on an easy victory there, I can ill afford losing too many troops."

Crebain might be spies, but they weren't bright. They were only birds after all. But they traveled far faster then orcs or Uruks. Graelath looked at his map, fingering the section called the Shire. "So, once again the Shire-folk will determine the rise or fall of a Dark Lord. Only this time, the battle will come to them on their own ground."

Graelath knew the importance of his next few moves. If I do not contain Gondor and the majority of the Rohirrim in the Shire, I will not have successful campaigns against the Rohan and Minas Tirith. My spy has yet to report to me on who is in charge in Gondor, it is a vital piece of information I am missing. The Rohan can hold out in Helm's Deep for a while, I will need to gang up on them with the other two armies. If King Elessar did not seek his wife, then the Shire will not go down easily, I was counting on the men being leaderless, or under a leader they would not follow.

He sighed. "Men had to make this so difficult. If only they had not gone to the aide of that elf, I would have been in control of all of Middle-Earth by now. I hope he comes with Elessar to rescue the Queen, I will enjoy killing him."

Graelath laughed now, not really worried that his plans would fail. No one knew where he dwelt; he had nothing to worry about.

Or so he thought.


Along the Brunien River...

"No more mists and smoke, no more, no more!"

A dirty creature with no hair was singing an out-of-tune song as he practically skipped through the fields. He had long since left the Misty Mountains, having passed a few human towns, but not daring to enter them, headed in the direction he thought the hobbit towns were in. He had still not seen a single soul, which worried him.

What if there are no people, no elves, no one left in Middle-Earth? I will STILL have no one to talk to! That would really be a sad end to this journey I have partaken in. I have longed to speak to someone and tell my tales!

As he walked through the still fields along the banks of the great river, he longed for company of any kind. But what he got was completely unexpected. As he walked, a great shadow came over him, blocking the sun, and the small creature dropped to the ground in fright, covering his head with his hands and whimpering.

"Easy, I do not wish to do you harm," came a voice from above.

Risking a peek, Lowgala found himself face to face with a giant bird...an Eagle to be exact. He had heard of the Eagles in tales when he was a child, but he had never seen one. Curiosity quickly replaced his fear and he took his hands from their protective position over his head.

"Who...who are you?" He ventured, sitting up, but still not standing. The Eagle, not really accustomed to perching on the ground, grudgingly did just that to ease the fear of the creature he had found.

"I am Gwaihir, the Wind Lord. You resemble a hobbit, much like two I rescued from the ruins of Mordor not long ago. Are you of the Shire-folk?" The Eagle replied; interested in knowing if this creature was indeed what he had thought he was.

Lowgala hesitated, not sure what to reply to the eagle. He wasn't a hobbit or a hobbit-relative, but something told him that he might be able to get the Eagle's help if he said he was. He decided quickly on the little fib. "Not exactly. I am a hobbit-relative. We are related but not one in the same. I hail from very near to the Grey Havens of the Elves." He stopped, seeing recognition in the eyes of Gwaihir.

"Then we are friends. For if you are hobbit-kind, you are my friend. I will take you to Gandalf the White; I have word he travels to the Shire from Rivendell. He will be able to see you home. Not often do Eagles take beings on their back, but a friend of Gandalf is a friend of mine."

The creature, for his part, did nothing to deny his friendship with this Gandalf. In all honesty, he had only heard fleeting rumor of a wizard by that name, but he had been Gandalf the Grey, not the White. Nor did he mention that he wasn't really a Hobbit or really a relative of the race. True, his people were of the same stature, but that was the only connection. So excited at the prospect of a ride home, he didn't want to lose the opportunity.

"Thank you much, friend, Wind Lord!" Lowgala said. "I am forever in your debt, for I have long been lost in the mountains and have need of my home. If ever I can repay you, you need only request it."

The Eagle did not request repayment, but did ask that the creature be gentle in holding on. "I do not wish to lose any plumage during this journey." He sounded as if he spoke from experience, but Lowgala chose not to pursue the matter.

Instead, he carefully climbed up on the winged Lord and settled in, a little wary, for a long ride. The Brunien was far from the Shire, but it would be must quicker then if he had to walk the whole way.


Aragorn had not spoken a word since they had broken camp and set out on the last leg of their journey to the Shire. They were nearing the Sarn Ford where they would cross the Baranduin (Brandywine) River into the Shire.

Legolas and Gimli, riding together atop Arod, both kept an eye on the forlorn King of Gondor. Neither spoke on the matter, each lost in their own misery at the turn of events and the kidnapping of Arwen.

Finally it was Merry who broke the silence. "We are nearly there, aren't we, Legolas?" The Hobbit could have smacked himself for the stupid question. Obviously being from the Shire he knew the answer, but he hadn't really thought his question through, he had only wanted to break the silence.

The Elf looked back over his shoulder to where Merry and Pippin were riding behind two Rohirrim. He sighed, not sure why the Hobbits had asked him, he was not from these parts. But he did know they drew near. "Yes, Merry, we are close. I believe we have only to cross the Baranduin at the ford and we will be within sight of the Shire."

Gimli shifted behind him, drawing his attention. "And still, Aragorn has not said a word. We can not let him go on like this, wallowing in self-pity and remorse. He will not be fit for battle with his thoughts so muddled."

The dwarf had a point. Legolas had been thinking just that for a while now, but he had not voiced his concerns. Now he did. "Yes, Gimli, you are right in that. But I fear nothing I say or do will convince him to change. He grieves for Arwen, as we all do, but his grief is far greater."

He studied the back of the man at the head of the column. The man he considered one of his closest friends, who Arwen was willing to sacrifice her immortality for.

He is a strong man, the Elf thought. Unfortunately, he can be too strong for his own good. If only he would let someone in from time to time, he might be better off for it. Should I try, or would he only resent me for it?

The slump in Aragorn's shoulders answered the question for him. "Gimli, would you mind riding Arod alone for a short time? I wish to speak with Aragorn."

The dwarf readily agreed. Legolas chuckled, he couldn't help but think this was exactly what Gimli had hoped would happen if he brought up the topic of the King's temperament. "Please, perhaps you can talk some sense into him. We can't have him fall in battle now."

Sighing at the burden he was being charged with, Legolas glanced to the Hobbits and smiled lightly before he hurried off to try to speak to his friend.

"Aragorn!" The call caught the king off guard. He had not been expecting anyone to break into his thoughts. He was about to tell the speaker to leave him be when Legolas materialized at his side. Not now. I do not wish to speak now.

"Yes?" He answered aloud, not able to be callous to the Elf.

Hearing the intonation of his friend's voice, Legolas chose his words carefully. "Do you have a moment? I wish to talk, but I do not wish to interrupt your thoughts." I'm gambling, he might use this as an opportunity to tell me to go away. Legolas hoped his friend wouldn't do that.

Aragorn hesitated. The Elf didn't seem to be bringing up the subject of Arwen; perhaps he did just wish to talk. "Well, I suppose so. We have ridden hard since last night and the horses could use a little water break." He called to the nearest soldier, his captain. "Call a halt, we will water the horses."

Legolas sighed with relief. At least he is willing to speak to me... until he learns of my true intentions. Smiling, the Elf waited until Aragorn had dismounted and entrusted his horse to one of the Rohirrim. "I have been thinking of what awaits us in the Shire." He paused; deciding the best way to get Aragorn talking was by talking business first. "I am fairly certain I will have no trouble employing the help of Gweluthand to lift the shadow from the Hobbits. What worries me is their lack of battle experience. We are sure to be attacked by orcs, would it be best to hide them?"

Aragorn thought for a moment, thankful for something to take his mind off Arwen. After a moment of contemplation, he answered. "Yes. I had also thought it best to hide the Hobbits until the battle was over. But we should not underestimate them. After all, look at what our close friends are capable of."

Legolas conceded. A little too easily...Aragorn couldn't help but notice how quickly the Elf agreed with him. It was almost as if this conversation was not the one he had intended to have. Understanding flooded his mind. Before he could speak, Legolas blurted out his real worry.

"Estel, you are not yourself. Since Arwen's kidnapping you have lost all connection to the outside world. I fear it is YOU we will need to hide away during attack, lest you would be killed by your lack of attention." He hadn't meant it to sound so brutal, but Legolas could think of no other way to drive his point home.

Aragorn's eyes narrowed. "You think me weak then?"

"No..." Legolas began, but he was quickly cut off.

"I am not weak, nor do I require coddling in this coming battle. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, even if I am worrying about Arwen's safety, or lack thereof."

This time, Legolas lost his temper, which he rarely did. "We all care about her. Don't you realize that? But because of your deeper connection to Arwen, it is affecting you more. You have to fight it. You must not let your worries affect you. Even Merry and Pippin could have ambushed you while you rode with your head in the clouds."

Aragorn did not comment for a long minute. Then he spoke, his voice calm, but resolute. "Do not lecture me, Legolas. You might be many years my senior, but in this I know better. No one will ever care more for Arwen then I do; therefore no one will ever be able to understand what I am feeling now."

Legolas begged to differ. "Are you so arrogant? What of Lord Elrond, her father?"

His words halted the impending tirade Aragorn had meant to let out. True, he has loved his daughter far longer then I have even known her. Maybe I am being a bit unfair. Bowing his head, Aragorn finally conceded. His walls of false bravado failed him. "You are right, Legolas. I do not know how to cope with her kidnapping. I never thought that I would lose her...I never thought she would be in real danger." He looked into his friend's eyes, his own were filled with despair and he hoped to see some hope in Legolas'. He did not.

The Elf let out a breath and reached out to touch Aragorn's arm. "I can not lie to you mellon nin. I do not know what fate has in store for Arwen. Only that we will do all in our power to rescue her once we have eliminated the threat to the Shire. My feelings tell me she will be all right, my heart aches to go to her now, and my heart breaks to see you like this."

To his credit, Aragorn straightened up. "We will get through this together, as we have done in the past, mellon nin. The Fellowship is more then just a group who set out from Rivendell two years ago to destroy the One Ring. We are now a fellowship of friends. Friends who look out for each other. I am eternally grateful you had the courage to stand up to me in my current state of being. Leave it to an Elf to put things rather bluntly."

Legolas laughed now. Relief flooded his being. "I am most glad to hear you say that, Estel. If you need to let things out, do so. We are all here for you. We do not want you to bear this burden alone; we wish to share your pain as best we can. Please, do not let this hinder your ability to see reality. We can not lose you now. Arwen can not lose you."

The two friends gripped each other's arms for a moment longer, each taking solace in the other's presence before they were joined by the Hobbits and Gimli. "So, you talked some sense into this reckless leader of ours?" Gimli asked, directing his question to Legolas.

"Sense? I don't know about that. I doubt even I could do that. But he has seen reason, he will not let us down in battle. We no longer need to plot locking him up."

The hobbits laughed, and for the first time since the kidnapping, a smile broke out on Aragorn's face.


A/N: Sorry for the delay. I hope it was to your liking! Next post should be up by next week...hopefully...I was very busy today, seeing as it's my birthday and all...(well for five more minutes anyway...)