Reviewer responses for Chapter 25:

Deana: Ugh, sorry for the wait. Glad you like the story still.

Kelsey Estel: Don't worry, the story isn't over yet! We have more Orcs to deal with and a spell to work on! I am real sorry for the wait but RL is in the way again. As for Legolas' power…I'm not sure what I'm going to use it for, if I am…you shall see though.

Moonyasha: Glad you liked. I guess it was rather shocking!

Mornflower: Hehe…hi there. Glad you liked. Yes, the no kid spell was mean. Enjoy this update. I know it was long in coming.

Insane Pirate: Hey there. Glad you liked. Yep, Graelath did pay but was forgiven. Odd way I admit, but just kind of worked. I have more interesting twists in store too.

Pirate Gyrl: Hello again! Glad you reviewed. And glad that you liked the chapters you read and I hope you like this one as well!

Ringmarciel: To each his own I guess. At least you thought it was well-written. The power wasn't really all that sudden, and the Ringbearers showed just how strong they were in the chapter. After all, Legolas could never have given Graelath the death he was graced by the Elven rings.

Keshieshimmer: Glad you liked. There will be more chapters to come. It's not over yet.

Karone Evertree: Glad you liked. I rendered you speechless! Wow!

Isiliel: Thanks for the comments. Yes, the bit with Arwen was sad…is sad…but will it be sad in the end? Enjoy!

Zammy: Updating…though not really soon…

Yaviel: It is almost over, sort of, but I already have the makings of an epilogue, so don't worry!

Alatariel Narmolanya: Hehe…glad you liked the chapter. As for Arwen…you shall see.

DriggerWhiteTiger: Welcome aboard the reviewer bandwagon. Glad you like the story and I do hope you continue to tune in!

Kirsten: Not the end…not the end.

Goldenshadows: I was hoping that people would be surprised by Graelath's end. Enjoy this chappie.

Blue Eyed Pyro: Hehe. I won't kill anyone you like…well I don't think I will…I'm not sure who you like!

Yaviel again: Almost feeling sorry for Graelath happened to a couple of people! I'm thrilled that you like my writing and I'm really honored by your review! Thank you very much!

A/N: Ack...I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry. That's all I can say about the long wait for this chapter. I hope that the chapter, however, makes up for the wait that you all had to endure and I hope that you are still with us. Enjoy!

-Gwenneth



Chapter 26: A Brief Respite and Unexpected Tensions

Much of the first couple of days of the trip back to Minas Tirith was quiet. None of them were quite sure what would happen now that Graelath was dead. Surely the Orc armies on the borders of Helm's Deep and Minas Tirith would not simply back down.

"As it stands now, I fear that neither the Rohan nor those in Gondor have the necessary strength of arms to defeat the armies of Graelath," Aragorn said, breaking the silence as they skirted the Pelennor Fields, staying among the trees that ringed the fields to avoid being seen. "But the Orc army in Minas Tirith will be smaller than the one at Helm's Deep, for they would need more troops to pass the Deeping Wall. We may have a chance to defeat them and then take whatever troops we have left to aid Eomer."

Elrond, with all his experience in battle from his many long years, nodded in agreement. "I too believe our best chance lies with the defeat of the Orcs outside Minas Tirith. If we can reach Faramir and prepare a strong surprise attack, we might just gain victory. And without Graelath's shadow to worry about, things will be much easier. Those in Helm's Deep have a better chance of holding out against attack, for the Deep is greatly fortified."

Legolas, normally quick to join in discussion of plans, said nothing, merely watched the others speak and make decisions. Since Arwen's miscarriage, he had spoken little. He was still blaming himself despite Aragorn's assurances that he was not at fault. His mind ran through the scene in the torture chamber over and over again, tormenting the Elf and adding to his depression.

Despite his best efforts to hide his feelings, no one was fooled, not even Lowgala who was once again chatting away happily with the twins. They, however, were not responding in kind, each lost in his own thoughts of Arwen.

The Queen, who should have been the most affected of them all, had had enough of the depressive cloud hovering over the group. Finally, she spoke. "I can no longer handle this heavy atmosphere. All of you had better stop feeling sorry for me and feeling misplaced guilt or I will have to take drastic matters and teach you all a lesson."

Shocked eyes looked up at these words and everyone remained speechless. A small smile graced Galadriel's face at her granddaughter's words. "Arwen is right, mellyn nin (my friends), we must not dwell on the things that have passed. Instead, we must focus on what we do next. The future is always in motion; this spell may yet be broken."

The last line she spoke as she looked Legolas in the eyes, and suddenly, he jerked. Though it had happened before, during the Fellowship's stay in Lothlorien, Legolas had always found her speech in his head unnerving, and this time was no different.

: You spoke to Cellnen in Graelath's tower. I know he is the one who told you how to kill the wizard. Perhaps he knows how to reverse the spell. In time, you may discover how to speak to him; he is, after all, a part of you. :

The young Elf watched the Lady for a few moments as he rode, Gimli tightening his grip around his friend's waist. Cellnen is a part of me? What could she have meant by that? I honestly thought the message from Cellnen was borne on the wind from the Valar…could he really be alive inside me?

He would have continued his thoughts if Gimli hadn't tugged insistently on the Elf's tunic, ever mindful not to jar his companion's healing back.

"Oh, Master Elf, could you get your head out of the trees for one blasted moment?" Gimli waited until he heard a sigh in response. Legolas was listening. "I know you are blaming yourself for Arwen's, eh… predicament. It's folly I tell you. We have bigger things to worry about right now, like an Orc army on the doorstep of two great cities. Stay with us in spirit and mind, not just body, my friend. There may be no shadow anymore, no Graelath, but we still need you just as we always have, Legolas."

For a moment, no one said anything. All the Elves, with their keen hearing, had been privy to the speech, though they doubted Gimli had thought of that as he gave it. Lord Elrond shook his head, ever amazed at the camaraderie between the Elf and Dwarf.

"Dear Gimli is right, Legolas." Arwen suddenly appeared next to the two riders, her white mare bobbing her head up and down in greeting to the neighboring horse. "You can not know that the bolt itself caused the miscarriage. It could have been the journey and the battles before I was even taken. It might have happened even if I was still in Minas Tirith, lounging in the gardens without a care in the world." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I do not blame you and I can't stand to see you like this. You are a wood Elf, light of heart and sound in battle, not this depressed lump sitting atop a horse that you have been of late."

Legolas had to chuckle at the last description of him. He looked to Arwen, reached out and gripped her hand. "You are very wise, Arwen, and a good friend. Despite your own heart-ache and turmoil, you take the time to comfort me. I will find a way to reverse this spell. I promise you that."

Before the Queen could argue, Aragorn called out from the front of the group. "We are nearing the encampment outside Minas Tirith. I will ride ahead with Elladan and announce our presence. We don't want any nervous border guards to shoot us before we reach Faramir."

Without waiting for a response, the two rode off in the direction of Minas Tirith, leaving their companions to wait for their return. Elrond had his daughter sit down, still not happy with her health. Arwen was pale, more so than usual, and he wanted to be completely positive that Graelath had not done more then make her unable to bear children.

He also wanted to check Legolas' wounds and some of the Elven warriors from Lothlorien who had not escaped the battle outside the tower without injuries. Sighing, he watched until Elladan and Aragorn were out of sight, and then proceeded to look over Arwen who huffed at the attention.

"Adar, I am fine really. The miscarriage has weakened me, but you needn't hover."

Galadriel laughed. "Dearest Arwen. You shall never convince your father not to hover, for you are his only daughter and he shall always coddle you."

Arwen grumbled under her breath, but did not reply. In truth, she felt better knowing that if there was something wrong with her Elrond would discover it. In his care, there was little she needed to worry about.

Seeing that all was well here, Galadriel joined Gandalf who was regaling the Hobbits and Lowgala with tales of his adventures with Bilbo and the Dwarves when they were trekking through Mirkwood.

Legolas, though a little less somber after his talk with Arwen, was still not as chipper as usual and was sitting alone near a newly built fire, staring into the flames, the glow reflecting back off his eyes.

He was aware when Gimli and Thranduil joined him. The later was very pale and Legolas, seeing this, looked up. "Adar, are you well?"

The King of Eryn Lasgalen made to shake off the question, but a grunt and a light shove from Gimli made him wince. He had been found out. The Dwarf glared at the Elf. "Now I know where he gets it!" He pointed an accusing finger at Legolas.

The prince moved quickly, quicker than he ought to have with the still-healing wounds from his torture at Graelath's tower. "You should have mentioned this! How did you escape the notice of Lord Elrond and the ever-watchful Estel?"

Thranduil chuckled, glancing at Elrond as he bustled about his daughter. "I fear Elrond and Aragorn were a bit preoccupied with the Queen. But I am also talented at hiding injuries, which I see you have learned from me."

Legolas, in spite of the bloody tunic his father wore, nodded and laughed lightly. "Yes. So it would seem. Let me see to this wound of yours, for you were not fully healed from the grievous hurts you took in Eryn Lasgalen, and you should not have let this go so long."

Thranduil grunted and stiffened slightly as the tunic tugged on the drying blood. "Yes, so I see. This makes it more difficult."

The prince smiled knowingly, but said nothing. To his great relief, the cut was not deep and would require no stitches, simply a poultice and well-applied bandages. Hurrying about his work he soon had the wound covered and wrapped.

"Hannon le, ion nin (Thank you, my son)," the Elf lord said with a smile. All the while, Gimli had been watching them. Finally, he could not resist.

"Legolas, how did you do what you did in the tower? How did you catch that arrow and then suspend that knife in mid-air? How do you do these things?"

Legolas looked at the Dwarf, seeing the sincerity in the being's eyes. Sighing, Legolas almost shrugged but thought better of it. "I don't rightly know Gimli. I have since realized that Cellnen, somehow, lives within me and he shares his powers with me. I do not know how long this will remain. But there is at least one thing left that I must do."

His eyes flickered momentarily to Arwen, then back to Gimli. "As for the arrow, that is something I have been working toward for ages. When I was young, there was a truly remarkable feat that the warriors used to do. They would fire arrows to each other and catch them, moving just at the right moment to avoid being struck dead."

Thranduil sighed. "The first time he tried it Legolas ended up with an arrow in his shoulder."

Legolas winced. "You didn't have to tell him that!"

Gimli laughed, drawing the attention of Galadriel, Celeborn, Gandalf and the Hobbits who had been talking nearby. "What is so funny over here?" Gandalf asked.

Before long, Legolas was huffing in quiet embarrassment as his father told the tale of his first attempts at arrow catching feats. The Elven-king worked the group into tears with his dramatic gestures and antics.

Legolas wondered just how much time his father had spent with Gimli. He vowed if ever he was in the company of Gimli's people, he would tell them a tale or two about the Dwarf.

He sighed and listened. To an onlooker it would seem these people had not a care in the world. But despite the one grand victory they had already accomplished, there was much left to do and little time to do it in.



Helm's Deep…

Eomer and Hallin spoke quietly in the throne room, keeping their voices just low enough to avoid being overheard.

"Do you really think this idea of yours would work, Hallin? It is a great risk we take if it doesn't, for it would leave a way into the Deep open to Graelath's hordes." Eomer was lightly fingering the sword at his side, looking anywhere but at the dwarf in front of him.

Hallin grumbled. "For the third time, Lord Eomer, this is a good plan. It has worked numerous times in the past for Dwarven lords and I really don't see why we should be sitting here waiting to be attacked by superior numbers."

Eowyn, standing behind the throne leaning down over her brother, chose this moment to interject her opinion. "Hallin is right, Eomer. His idea is a good one and if we manage to destroy or rout these Orcs we can ride to Minas Tirith and help defeat the army there."

The king frowned. He knew his sister's thoughts dwelt with her husband and he didn't fault her for that, but he also knew that this plan could spell disaster for them if it did not work precisely as planned.

"Master Dwarf, can you ensure that the Orcs will not know of the tunneling? Can you be certain we will be able to attack them from the rear before they know what hit them?"

Hallin looked up. "I can not be certain of anything but this, Lord Eomer. Dwarves were meant for tunneling and it is what we do best besides cleaving the heads of Orcs with our axes. We have been tunneling from the caves under the plateau outside the Deep for months now. It would be easy to ease the tunnel upward and break through in the rear of the army, giving us the means to attack them from behind."

The dwarf leaned forward and looked Eomer in the eyes. "The question is, King of Rohan, do you trust us?"

Eomer took a deep breath and reached out, clasping Hallin on the shoulder. "That I do, Master Dwarf. Let us try this scheme of yours and pray that it works."

Eowyn smiled lightly, happy that they were finally going to take matters into their own hands. She had long ago grown tired of remaining idle and itched for the thrill of battle.



Outside Faramir's Encampment…

Aragorn and Elladan dismounted when the Elf picked up the sounds of a border guard pacing back and forth in his watch pattern. The Elf gently nudged the two dark-haired steeds toward a patch of light grass where they would remain until returned for.

Then, he and Aragorn went forward until the challenge came. "Who goes there?" cried the soldier on watch, his voice wavering as he drew a sword noisily from its sheath. "Make yourselves known or I shall not hesitate to call for aid!"

Loudly and with authority, Aragorn called back. "It is I, King Elessar. If you promise not to fire a weapon, should you carry one which fires, I shall gladly come into the open and prove my identity."

There was a minute of silence from the guard. Elladan could hear the shaky intake of breath and the shifting of feet. Turning to Aragorn he whispered, "He is uncertain, Estel. Speak softer and with less of an edge. I can sense that he is quite young."

Nodding in understanding, the King spoke again. "I will move slowly, with no weapons and my hands held high above my head. I shall not harm you. And I will tell you now I have a companion, my brother, Elladan of Imladris, son of Lord Elrond."

Elladan listened carefully. The pacing had stopped. He could no longer tell if the border guard was still anxious. Then a response came from the solider. "Aye then, move slowly and keep your hands where I can see them. And your companion must do the same."

Gesturing for Elladan to follow him, the two left their weapons on the ground where they would retrieve them later and moved very slowly forward. Elladan had brushed his hair behind his ears, wondering if seeing an Elf would convince the young man that they meant him no harm.

The guard slowly came into view. He didn't look a day over 20, but it was difficult to tell these days. A new recruit, Aragorn decided. He smiled at the look of shock that registered on the guard's face as he recognized his King. In no time flat he had lowered his weapon and fell to one knee, bowing his head.

"Forgive me, my Lord, for drawing my weapon on you. If I had known it was you I would not have."

Aragorn tugged the young man to his feet, lifting the young chin and forcing the boy to look into his eyes. The King's deep orbs were shining as he smiled. "You have nothing to apologize for, young soldier, for you were doing your job and doing it well. I will rest easier in camp knowing that the border has such careful guard."

Nodding and letting a small smile cross his features, the young soldier turned toward Elladan and bowed his head in respect. "Greetings, Lord Elladan."

The Elf nodded and smiled. "Greetings, young one. Would you be so kind as to point us toward Lord Faramir? There is great need for us to enter into discussions with him."

Nodding, the soldier directed them to the Steward. Not far from his watch position was the first tent of the encampment. The whole army was well hidden, which was doubtlessly Faramir's work from having spent time as a Ranger. It wouldn't surprise Aragorn if the Orcs were unaware of this army. This may work to our advantage, the man thought.

In a moment they were outside the largest tent where the faces of the guards on duty lit up with delight at the sight of their King. "My Lord Elessar! You are safe and have returned!" One cried, then immediately sobered and bowed low. "Please, my Lord." He opened the flap of the tent and announced to the Steward the King's arrival.

Faramir smiled broadly. "My Lord, you look well! What news do you bring?"

It took a few moments to bring Faramir up to date with what had happened in the last days. He was overjoyed to hear of the defeat of Graelath and even more so to hear that few lives had been lost in the battle, though wounds had been taken.

When Faramir heard of the fate of the Queen his eyes darkened. "That vile creature, how could he? What did she do to deserve such a fate?"

Aragorn knew not and he said so. "But at least in the end Graelath knew regret and knew pain. In the end, he returned home."

Faramir nodded, uncertain if he really felt that Graelath deserved that. But he put the thought from his mind. "My Lord, do you have a plan to destroy this Orc army? The less time we waste here, the sooner we can ride to the aid of the Rohan."

Resting a hand on Faramir's arm the King nodded. "I have a plan, though I cannot be certain it will suffice until I have surveyed the situation and spoken at length with you and your captains. But know this: we shall not waste time unnecessarily. I know you worry for your wife, but she is well, I know this."

Faramir looked down, then back up quickly and nodded, resolve in his eyes. "I shall take comfort in your words my Lord, for I know you are wise. Come, we have much to discuss. I shall take you to the hillside where we have been monitoring the Orcs."

And they began to hatch their plan.



Outside the Gondorian encampment…

After the tears of mirth had been wiped from everyone's eyes, Legolas finally allowed a small smile to cross his face. While his father had regaled his closest friends with tales of his youthful antics, the Elf Prince had sat in stony, embarrassed silence.

Luckily, stomachs chose that moment to groan and Pippin suggested that he and Sam rustle up a victory feast. Until now, they had been weary and depressed and it was Hobbit fashion to celebrate good fortune.

As the Hobbits lumbered off to gather supplies, dragging a reluctant Lowgala along with them, Legolas began to once again ponder Galadriel's earlier words. So Cellnen resides within me? But how do I go about communicating with him? Gweluthand, do you know how I can do it?

He wasn't immediately answered by the air shield. But when he was, it wasn't really what he had hoped for. : I am but a power that first he and now you possess, Legolas. I work at your bidding, but I know not how. How do you know what to ask of me:

The elf shrugged, drawing odd stares. But no one questioned him on the strange action. His brow furrowed, Legolas huffed lightly. Why is this so hard? What if I just talked…like I did with Gweluthand? Just…speak.

And so he did. Tentatively, within his mind, he spoke, just as he always did when he thought to himself. Cellnen? Can you hear me, mellon nin? Is this the way?

A chuckle resounded in the Elf's mind and he physically jumped in response. Grinning sheepishly he nodded to everyone as he stood and walked away.

Galadriel restrained Gimli from pursuing him. "I believe he has made contact," she whispered to the tense Dwarf. "Leave him be elvellon (elf-friend)."

For his part, Legolas was unaware of the stares he was receiving, so caught up in this new revelation was he. Once he reached a safe distance from the group, so as to avoid stares and distractions, Legolas tentatively voiced another mental sentence. What's so funny? Was that you? Did you laugh in my mind, Cellnen?

There was another chuckle and an almost exasperated response. : Yes, Legolas, I did. And it's about time you figured out that I was part of you and that you could speak directly to me. :

Legolas huffed at that. Why didn't you just speak to me instead of making me figure out how to speak to you?

Cellnen laughed again. : It doesn't work that way, young one. And don't ask me what doesn't work that way because I cannot explain to you how this all came to pass. I believe you can figure that out on your own anyway. :

Legolas chose not to answer that. He wasn't really going to worry about how Cellnen was a part of him. He had bigger things to discuss with the Silvan Elf than that. Do you know of the spell Graelath cast upon Arwen? Is there a counter spell? Or anything at all that we, or you, or I can do to reverse it?

The Elf frowned inwardly at the bumbling question. He really didn't know just how to go about this. After all, it wasn't everyday that you learned someone who had been dead for thousands of years actually lived inside you and that you could communicate with them.

He frowned when Cellnen's answer wasn't forthcoming. Getting slightly impatient, mostly with worry, Legolas prodded his new-found friend. Cellnen? Is there a way?

Another exasperated sigh and chuckle. : Peace, Legolas. I have not had the occasion to need this information. I am merely…how might one say it…racking my brain for the answer. :

This time Legolas laughed. Out loud. The sound echoed in the stillness of the day and he gulped and looked around again. People were really going to think he was going crazy.

Finally there was an answer. : I do know of a spell, Legolas. But something troubles me. There was part of the spell that Graelath cast I could not translate. It has been many years since I have heard the Etrain language, and I am afraid I have forgotten many of the words. I do not know if it will hinder my counter spell or not. :

Legolas didn't like the sound of that. We must try, Cellnen! He would have gone on, but found himself cut off by Cellnen.

: Rest easy, young one. We will not abandon Arwen to this evil fate. We will try...I can tell you what to say and do. :

The Silvan Elf would have gone on, but something approaching camp interrupted Legolas' attention and Cellnen stopped speaking in the Elf's mind as Legolas stopped listening.

Obviously Legolas had to be intent on listening to Cellnen to speak directly to him and the distraction cut off their communications.

"Nobody move! Get your hands up where we can see them before we consider you hostile and take appropriate measures! Who is in charge here?"

Everyone in the near vicinity, namely the group's leaders, froze in absolute shock. Several of the Lothlorien elves shifted warily, wanting to reach for their weapons, but not daring to without an explicit command. Not a sound permeated the air until Pippin dropped the pot in his hand. He had held it so long in the same place that it had become red hot.

"Ouch!" he muttered, trying not to move, but finding that the burning in his hand made him bob up and down on his toes in pain.

The man who had spoken, his bow draw and an arrow notched, looked over at the fire where the Hobbit was.

"What the...?" he muttered, uncertainty creeping into his mind. He had heard of Hobbits, knew of the role they played in the defeat of Sauron, but he had never seen one, for he had not been in the battle at the Black Gates, but recovering due to an injury sustained when Sauron laid siege to Minas Tirith. "Who are you people?"

Deciding to act as the leader, Elrond rose, keeping his hands up so that the Captain could see that despite the fact that he was carrying a sword, he couldn't reach it before one of the soldiers was able to fire on him. "We are friends; there is no need to worry. We will do you no harm, young Captain."

But neither the arrow, nor the bow, was lowered. "You are unknown to me. I have not seen you before. I have not had word from my superiors that people would be approaching camp. Why are you here?"

Legolas frowned. These men must not have had occasion to be around their King much, for if they had they would have recognized many of those present.

Speaking up, her voice soft and calm, Galadriel smiled at the men. "You really have nothing to fear. Your King has returned and we are traveling with him. He has traveled into your encampment and sought an audience with your Steward."

The man looked at her and faltered, the beauty of the Elf Queen momentarily intoxicating him. But the moment was short lived.

"I must take you to my lord Faramir," he directed at Elrond. "You are the leader of this group, are you not?"

Elrond looked around at his companions. They all nodded their assent. It was a tense situation and there was no reason to make it more so by arguing amongst themselves over who would represent them.

"I will come with you," Elrond stated, stepping forward slowly, still keeping his hands where they could be seen.

His conversation with Cellnen forgotten, Legolas frowned at the arrows pointed directly at him. How could any of the King's men not know of his Elven family and close friends?

Legolas moved a little and saw a bow string draw back further. He looked at the man holding it and with a trained eye, took in the shaking hands, and realized that this young soldier might inadvertently release his arrow. Only an incredibly strong and well-trained archer could hold a string back so tightly for so long without fear of accidentally releasing the arrow. This soldier, young as he was, obviously didn't have that experience or strength yet.

With a small sigh, he spoke lightly. "Easy now, I shall not move for any weapons. You need not draw that any further."

The young man wavered, his eyes widening. The captain saw immediately what was happening and scolded the man. "Garest, easy with that. You don't want to accidentally shoot the Elf, in case they are telling the truth."

Legolas huffed. In case we are telling the truth. If Aragorn wasn't such a noble and forgiving man these men would be in deep trouble for these actions.

The Elf watched with slight apprehension as the Captain of this guard and Elrond moved off in the direction Aragorn had gone.

Because the men were outnumbered by Elves, they were not taking any chances. None came close enough for an Elf to touch them, nor did they lower or slacken their bows.

Legolas was uneasy with the young one behind him. He knew that the man was nervous and twitchy and Legolas half-expected something to go wrong.

Unfortunately, he was right.

The zing was unmistakable…an arrow leaving a bowstring. Next there was the biting pain of the projectile's impact. Thranduil gave a shout as Legolas was knocked forward a step, the arrow hitting him in the right arm.

He cringed in pain, but was thankful that the young man's aim was not good. Speaking of the young man, he frantically moved forward.

"Oh no!" he cringed at the look on the other blonde Elf's face, the one who was rushing toward them despite the calls of his friends. "I'm sorry!"

Thranduil reached them before the other men could stop him. A fierce look at the approaching lieutenant stopped the man from arguing. "Legolas, are you all right?"

The young Elf nodded slowly. "I will be all right. It is not bad, father. He only hit my arm."

The shot, though it was not pleasant, was not serious. But it did manage to change the tide of their situation. The men felt horrible for shooting one of the newcomers for no reason and all lowered their weapons, although none of them were put away.

The lieutenant spoke shakily. "You did not retaliate when we shot one of your number. I do not think you intend to do us ill. Are you really with the King?"

Galadriel and Mithrandir spoke to the men while Elrohir came over to where Thranduil and Legolas stood. The younger twin skillfully and quickly removed the arrow and wrapped the wound. There was still tension in the air, but no longer the threat of an unwanted skirmish.

Legolas, once his wound was bandaged, sighed, "Why me?"

Gimli, choosing that moment to be a nuisance, answered for him. "Because you, my blasted Elven friend, attract arrows like a horse attracts flies."

They all had to laugh at that, even Legolas, whose face turned a peculiar shade of red at the statement.



Inside Faramir's tent…

"Well, from what I can tell from these reports and from what I saw up on the hillside, we should be able to take care of the Orc army with just the Lorien elves and our men here."

Aragorn leaned back in the chair he was seated in, his legs stretched out underneath the table that was strewn with maps, reports and various other odds and ends.

He looked up at Faramir and Elladan, both of whom were staring at him as if waiting for something. The King's eyebrows lifted in question.

"What?"

Elladan burst out laughing. "Comfortable, my brother? You look as if you haven't a care in the world. Might I remind you of the Orc army waiting to be destroyed?"

Estel frowned at the Elf and looked over at Faramir who was desperately attempting to wipe the smile off his face.

They were about to continue when the flap of the tent burst open and a guard came in. "My lord Faramir! Intruders were located outside the encampment! Captain Hemdarn has brought the leader into camp." Then he spotted Aragorn and stiffened to attention, snapping out a salute. "Your Majesty!"

Aragorn and the others sobered immediately. "Show this leader in immediately!" The King rose from his seat and came around to the front of the table.

He watched the flap open and the head duck in. The head of long, raven hair, some of which was pulled back to reveal the lightly pointed ears of the newcomer.

"Adar!" Aragorn exclaimed. "What in the world is the meaning of this!" He moved forward, looking over the elder Elf to make sure he was unharmed.

Elladan took a step forward in alarm. "Are you all right! Why have you been labeled an intruder?"

The Captain, seeing immediately that he had made a mistake, fell to one knee. "I am so sorry, my liege. I did not know! I thought they were sneaking up on us and meant us harm!"

Aragorn's first reaction was to angrily chastise the man, but he thought better of it. That would do no good in this situation.

Elrond thought likewise. "These men had no knowledge of who we are Estel, they have not had occasion to see us I would assume. This was a simple mistake…a case where your guards were taking extra precaution."

Nodding, the man agreed. "I did not want to run the risk they were enemies."

Aragorn, still peeved at the treatment of his father, gestured for the man to leave. "I will go back to the encampment myself and make certain that this ill situation is rectified," the King said, his voice stern.

Nodding, the man left the tent in shame. Aragorn turned to his father, his bravado gone. "Was I too hard on him?"

Elrond smiled. "No, I do not believe so. But tensions were high in camp; I do believe we should return immediately. I have a sense of foreboding."

The younger man nodded and hurried out of the tent, followed by Faramir, Elrond and Elladan. It would only take them about ten minutes to return to the place they had left the Lorien elves and their other companions.



With the remaining Fellowship…

Aragorn stormed into the camp fully prepared for the worst, expecting swords and arrows to be trained on his friends and family.

He did not expect to find the men laughing with the Lorien elves around a number of fires that had been lit. "What the…?"

Aragorn stood rooted to the spot. "I thought that tensions were high?" he muttered, looking to Elrond, who was equally as surprised at the change in the atmosphere.

"My liege!" called a Lieutenant. Quickly rising, he hurried over and bowed. "My lord we discovered the identity of these people. Purely by accident, but we know they are not intruders."

The King nodded. "Yes, they are my friends and family. How did you come to this conclusion when the Captain did not?"

The man gulped. "Well, one of the men accidentally shot one of the Elves. And uh…we figured when there was no retaliation that they really didn't mean us harm."

Aragorn had stopped listening after "shot one of the Elves" and his eyes immediately jerked toward one of the fire pits. "Legolas!"

The Elf in question looked up and rolled his eyes. "Of course he immediately figures it was me. What did I do to deserve this reputation?"

He silenced Gimli before the Dwarf could speak. "I am fine, Aragorn. It was a mere flesh wound. Better that we dispelled the tension quickly."

"Right." the King murmured as he hurried over and moved to check the wound himself. Legolas, however, would have nothing of it.

"Aragorn, daro (stop)!" he looked up as Elrond approaching, a mix of concern and amusement on his face. "What are the plans of battle, my friend? We wish to know how we will proceed."

Sighing when he realized Legolas would not let him touch his arm, Aragorn settled beside the small fire. He called all those pertinent to the conversation over to him, and Gandalf, Galadriel, Haldir, Faramir, Elrond, Thranduil, Legolas, his Hobbit friends, Gimli, the twins, and Arwen came over and gathered around him, some of them sitting on the ground, while the Elves preferred to stand, their superior height still enabling them to see.

"I have perused the reports from the scouts and viewed the Orc encampment from a high-up vantage point. Faramir and I have come up with a plausible course of action, which we believe to be the only course."

Faramir nodded in agreement.

Continuing, Aragorn pulled two stones toward him. "This represents Osgiliath and this one Minas Tirith." He placed them opposite each other. Grabbing a pot, he placed it in the middle of the two. "This is the Orc encampment in the Pelennor Fields."

Everyone listened carefully and nodded in understanding. Now Aragorn grabbed a spoon with a long handle.

"The encampment of Faramir and the Gondorian soldiers is here, in these woods," he gestured to a point on the far edge of the fields. "We will send men into Osgiliath, who will then ride out toward the Orc army from that direction. Meanwhile…" he gestured along the edge of the field. "…another force, led by myself, will skirt the Orc army and come between it and Minas Tirith as the force led by Faramir draws the Orcs toward Osgiliath."

Legolas caught on. "We will capture the Orcs in the middle, then?"

Nodding, Aragorn smiled. "Exactly. If we time this right, we can destroy them from both ends. Without the shadow, there is no need to worry about any of us forgetting our purpose. With the distraction from Osgiliath, my group will have little difficulty crossing the plains. It will be night and the plains dark."

Elrond interjected. "The night tonight looks to be a cloudy one," he looked up at the quickly darkening sky. "Under the cover of the clouds the plains will be cover enough for the troops."

He looked to his Elven companions. "Aragorn? Shall the Elves of Lorien go with Faramir? For their light will attract the attention of the Orcs toward Osgiliath."

Aragorn's brow furrowed. "Yes, that seems a wise move. Though I wish for Legolas and Thranduil to remain with me."

The two blonde Elves huffed. They looked at each other, each thinking the reason for this request was to keep them under the man's healer eye.

"Agreed," Elrond said with a smile. "Then the twins and I should accompany Haldir and the Lorien elves in Osgiliath."

Aragorn nodded slowly. "I hate to break us up, but it is best. Arwen, Gimli and the Hobbits will accompany me as well."

Lowgala piped up. "And me? I want to go with the twin Elves."

Elladan moved to interject, but Aragorn answered quickly. "All right, you will accompany that troop, Lowgala." He looked up at his brothers. "He will be no safer with me."

Arwen frowned slightly. "Estel, perhaps it would be better if Ada, Daernaneth(Grandmother)and I stayed here, with a guard, to have a place to bring the wounded after the battle. I am not capable of fighting in my current state, and they are the most skilled healers here, other than you."

Elrond and Galadriel glanced at each other and nodded in agreement. Galadriel spoke softly. "Arwen is correct, Aragorn. It would be best to have the healers here, where we can be of aid, rather than risking our lives on the battlefield."

Aragorn nodded slowly, he also liked that plan. 'Fine. Gandalf, where will you be?"

The wizard contemplated the layout and the groups. "I will ride with the elves. I may be able to do something to draw the Orcs attention and keep it on us while the rest get into place."

"Then it's a plan?" Aragorn asked, looking at his friends and family. Galadriel and Gandalf nodded. Celeborn, who had been quiet up until now, nodded as well.

"Haldir and I will do well with Faramir and a few men of Gondor in Osgiliath," he said. "We will not need many to draw their attention. My archers will not let you down."

Galadriel glanced at him for a moment. It pained her to think of separation again.

All in agreement with the plans, everyone began to break off and do whatever they customarily did on the eve of battle.

When night fell, the maneuvering would begin.