Spotnmushlover246 – Glad you liked it.

Tiffiany-45 – LOL, thanks for those nice compliments!

SofiaB – I kinda wrote it just as a joke because I'm thinking, would Legolas really let her employ that little tactic? I don't think so. But read on…

Storiesworm – Thanks:o)

Linilya Elf – Thanks! I've got my hands full with two stories going at the same time. But this one is my priority and also the one that plagues me at night so much that I can't fall asleep sometimes. Have you ever had one of those nights where you just can't sleep and you end up staying up? I've done it a couple times and ended up going to work at like 4:30 in the morning. Hello Starbucks coffee!

Legolaslover – Thanks! And Aleera will definitely be kicking some serious butt.

Lou – Thanks for the gag!

Chapter 20 – The Road to Battle

"Are you sure this is his horse?" asked one voice in the dark.

"Aye, I am sure," replied a second voice. "His saddle is here. Echad celeg. Hand me the canteen." (Hurry)

There were sounds of shuffling feet and the sound of a slightly agitated horse. Then the feet moved away, laughter echoing inside the enclosure. A door opened, letting in some moonlight and revealing two silhouettes rushing out into the night, their laughter continuing.

Even though the elves preferred riding bareback, saddles were a necessity during battle. It was to protect the horse's back from the armor worn by the rider, as well as provided places to strap weapons and additional arrows. Legolas hated to burden Isilrö with the armor that protected the horse, but could not help the excitement at seeing his horse in full polished silver armor. There was a head piece on the stallion's head, with holes for his eyes and a crest that went all the way down to his shoulders. Sharp spikes stuck out in various places, including the center of his forehead and just above his flaring nostrils. The armor extended from the back of his saddle and covered the horse's haunches. Spiked armor was strapped around his forelegs to protect him and to cause damage to the enemy when he ran into them. While Randir strappedmore armor to Isilrö's back legs, Legolas moved to the horse's head and leaned into his forehead with his, avoiding the sharp spikes on the headgear. "Tollen i lû, mellon nin." (It is time, my friend)

Isilrö exhaled calmly against Legolas's chest. After another moment, Legolas moved to the horse's side and mounted him. Legolas also wore heavy armor, something he was not quite used to. But Thranduil had strongly insisted and this time Legolas heeded his father's request. He wore his usual quiver of arrows with attached elven knives. An elven sword with a long curved blade and a long handle hung from the belt at his waist. Randir handed Legolas the final piece of the armor, a helmet with a full face plate containing two small holes for him to see through and one for his mouth. Not ready to don the helmet just yet, he tied it to the saddle. Then to the other side of the saddle, he tied an additional quiver of arrows handed to him by Randir.

"No i Melian na le, ernil nin," said Randir with a sad look on his face. (May the Valor be with you, my prince)

Legolas touched Randir's head briefly with affection. Randir had served him since Legolas was an elfling and there was great fondness between them. "Ú-goe. Im innas tol ad alag, Randir." Then he nudged Isilrö forward. (Fear not. I will return soon)

The Mirkwood elves were armored in mostly the same manner as their prince, except their helmets had no face. Their horses were also not quite as elaborately armored as Isilrö. Legolas jogged his horse in front of the ranks, casually inspecting them to make certain all was in order. Then he drew his horse to a stop before Aragorn, Celegmin, Elladan and Elrohir. The four were provided with armor for themselves and their horses so they blended with the Mirkwood elves.

Legolas gave Aragorn a quizzical look. "Where is Arwen?"

"I have convinced her to remain here and aid Thranduil if the need arises."

Legolas gave a nod of understanding, then provided Aragorn with some additional information. "My father will show Haldir the way to the Long Marshes before returning to the caverns, while Lord Celeborn will be accompanying us to the perimeter of the trees with several scouts. They can warn Thranduil if the enemy approaches."

"A wise strategy."

Legolas turned his horse and moved forward. Aragorn, Celegmin, Elladan and Elrohir fell in behind him, followed by the rest of the Mirkwood elves. He glanced to the right where Aleera sat astride her armored horse. She wore heavy armor similar to his own. He had made sure the night before that the armory constructed it to fit her size. After much debate the night before, he had agreed to let Aleera come along. Her tactic to distract him had worked, but he was not going to allow her to use such a tactic against Orcs. The truth was, Aleera was very good with a sword. Legolas was far superior, but he was that in many things. So dueling her had not been fair to her. But he gained the needed knowledge that she was skilled enough to battle Orcs. Even after a brief conversation with Galadron, her father mentioned she had fought against wargs, goblins, Orcs and even a cave troll in her years. It had been Celeborn who had finally convinced him. Without her presence, he would feel the pain of their separation, which might distract him from battle.

Standing beside Aleera astride his own horse was Celeborn. He wore no armor since he had no intention of leaving the safety of the trees. The two of them nudged their horses forward and fell into step beside Aragorn. Aleera glanced over her shoulder for a final look at her father. He raised a hand in salutation.

Elladan and Elrohir kept exchanging glances before Elladan finally leaned toward his twin brother. "The canteen is not on his saddle," he whispered.

"Perhaps he already saw it," replied Elrohir in the same inaudible tone. "And he pretends that nothing occurred."

Over the sound of clanging armor and hoof falls, Legolas picked up on the words of the twins and immediately knew they spoke of him. He turned his head slightly, hoping they would say more. Then he heard Elrohir gasp.

"Thîr ennas! The king! It is on his saddle!" grunted Elrohir under his breath. (Look there)

"Le hell orch! That was the king's horse, not Legolas's!" Elladan nearly screeched. (You naked Orc)

Legolas turned to where his father sat astride his grey stallion, who happened to be Isilrö's sire. The two stallions were alike in every feature. He wondered what the twins put on Thranduil's saddle, thinking that it was his.

"Man men car?" asked Elrohir. "Man ae e sag?" (What do we do? What if he drinks?)

A smile came to Legolas's face. So there was something in the canteen tied to Thranduil's saddle. A prank about to go awry. Legolas had no concern that the water contained any poison. The twins would never do anything to intentionally harm him physically as he had never done anything to physically harm them. But he wanted to see their reaction.

Thranduil jogged his horse up to fall into step beside Legolas. "All is in order, Legolas?"

"Aye, all is in order." Legolas smiled mischievously. "Adar, you look parched," he said loud enough for the others behind him to hear. "You should have a sip of water." (Father)

Thranduil turned to his son and noted the smile. There was something in his smile that told Thranduil something was not right. But he humored Legolas and reached for the canteen tied to his saddle. He began to remove the cap.

Elladan and Elrohir gasped at the same time. "Baw!" (No, don't)

Thranduil was surprised to hear Elrond's twins behind him. He turned to them with a frown while Legolas reached for the canteen and removed the cap. Almost immediately a small snake emerged from the mouth of the canteen. "What is the meaning of this?" uttered Thranduil in rage.

Legolas grabbed the snake by the head and pulled it completely out of the canteen, then tossed it into the nearby bushes. "A prank meant for me."

Thranduil shook his head in disgust. "When you children have finished playing your games, there is a battle to be won!"

Legolas glanced back and saw the look of complete terror on the faces of Elladan and Elrohir. But he quickly felt sorry for them and gave them a reassuring smile. They finally managed to blink their eyes.

Thranduil turned to Legolas as he was handed the canteen back by him. The incident had been forgotten. "Galu na, ion nín." (Good luck, my son)

"Galu na le, adar." (Good luck to you, father)

Thranduil nodded to Aragorn and the others, then moved away from the Mirkwood elves to join Haldir and the Lothlorien elves who waited at the edge of the glade.

With Haldir was Arwen, astride her own horse. She met Aragorn's eyes as he turned to her. A small smile came to her lips. He would return to her. She had every bit of confidence in his abilities. Then she exchanged a nod with her brothers.

Glorfindel and his twenty Rivendell elves waited to join the Mirkwood procession where they would later continue north while Legolas led his troop east out of the forest and in the direction of the Lonely Mountain.

Later in the morning, the sun began to peak through the treetops, casting an ethereal glow in the dense forest. Because the trees were so close together, The elven troops were forced to weave through them in broken formation.

Aleera rode beside Celegmin, purposely remaining behind Legolas so as not to distract his thoughts of battle. When she had seen him riding in front of his troops before she joined them, her heart had swelled with pride. The sight of him in his deadly, yet elaborate armor drew a gasp from her throat. He truly was a warrior, bred to skillfully fight the most dangerous enemies. If she did not know him, she would have run from him in terror…a silver spectre with a billowing green cloak in the early morning fog. She watched him now, riding ahead of them all and wondered how his mind worked. Did he have concerns for his people, his troops, his father? Was he concerned for her?

Legolas glanced at the woods ahead of him as he led everyone forward. His eyes and ears were open to all that was around him. All sights and sounds were familiar. What was not familiar were the wandering thoughts of those behind him. He purposely tried to shut his senses from them. So many emotions rushing toward him, seeking his leadership, his skills, trusting him with their lives. He had led his troops to hundreds of battles over the years, but never did he feel the weight of his responsibilities so heavily as he did this time. Aleera was behind him and he knew her thoughts were of him. He was about to turn around to look upon her face when Lord Celeborn rode up beside him.

"Aníron peded na le," said Celeborn. (I wish to speak to you)

From the expression on Celeborn's face, Legolas understood he wanted to speak privately. Legolas glanced at Dagnir, who was riding behind him on his left. "Keep to this pace."

"Aye, my lord," Dagnir immediately replied.

Legolas nudged Isilrö ahead into a light canter and Celeborn matched his pace beside him. When they were out of hearing range, they slowed back to a jog. "Man na ha?" (What is it)

"It is time that I tell you what has drawn you and Aleera to bond." Celeborn noted the troubled expression on Legolas's face the minute his words left his mouth. The other elf sensed his emotions, so Celeborn quickly blocked them from him.

"Why do I sense misery in what you are about to say? Are we cursed?" asked Legolas with a deep frown.

"Think not of it as a curse, Legolas. The union of an elf prince of Mirkwood and an elf maid of Lothlorien has brought our two realms to fight side by side against an enemy both known and unknown."

"But that is not the main reason," said Legolas.

"Before I tell you anything further, I desire to know your knowledge of the Istari."

"I know only one. He is Mithrandir, or Gandalf, as he is known to men. The Istari are of the Maiar sent by the Valar and who have taken the form of men in mortal bodies."

"So you are acquainted with Gandalf?"

"Aye. He sends much time in Rivendell and is usually there on the occasions that I have visited."

"Has he ever spoken of an Istar by the name of Alatar?"

Legolas searched his memories, but found nothing familiar about the name. "Nay, he has not."

"Alatar was one of two Ithryn Luin. They had no mortal names because they spent little time among men and then ventured east, never to be seen again." (Blue Wizards)

"And what does this Alatar have to do with Aleera and I?"

"Aleera is a direct blood descendent of Alatar."

Legolas turned to Celeborn with a look of surprise. "How is that possible?"

"When Alatar came to Middle-Earth, he spent a short time in Lothlorien. There he met Aewen. From their union came Thavron, who begot Rýn, who begot Galadron. Three generations of elves separate Alatar and Aleera."

"Does she know this?"

"Aye, she knows."

"Why did she not tell me?"

"Would the knowledge have deterred you from the feelings of your heart?"

Legolas could not stop the urge to turn around in his saddle and look in the direction of Aleera. She was casually riding beside Celegmin and they were cheerfully engaged in conversation. No matter what the circumstances were, not that he had anything against the Istari, he loved Aleera and nothing would change that. Legolas turned back to Celeborn. "Nay, it would not." Then he had another thought. "Celegmin and Brithla are also direct blood descendents."

"One descendent of every other generation born is gifted with the power of the Istar. Rýn was one."

Legolas knew Aleera was the other. Celeborn did not have to say it for him to think it.

"Destiny plays an important factor in the events that led you toAleera," continued Celeborn.

Legolas frowned and stared into the trees ahead. "Am I to believe then that destiny has brought Aleera and I together?"

"And the help of Gandalf."

"Gandalf? I do not understand."

"Was Gandalf not present when Elrond chose the direction of Aragorn's quest?"

"Aye, Gandalf suggested heading into the Northern Wastelands."

"And so the journey toward destiny began."

Legolas's jaw dropped and he suddenly grew angry. "Gandalf was aware of Aleera's presence in Kozar and did nothing?"

"Do not think ill of Gandalf. He knew your path was to cross with Aleera's and that the circumstances of it would lead you into your union. All that has occurred has been dictated by destiny."

"A destiny I have no clear vision of."

"It is not your destiny that must be fulfilled, Legolas. It is Aleera's. You are but an element of a much grander event that will be affected by a power Aleera has yet to know."

"An element? That is all I am?"

Celeborn turned to Legolas with a smile. "An extremely important element."

"Why do you tell me this now?"

"I wanted to make certain that you would not prevent Aleera from coming with you."

"This news does not sit well with me, my lord. I may yet prevent her from going any further. What harm will come to her?"

"Galadriel was not able to foresee the path ahead. But she told me to tell you this. Be on your guard, Legolas Greenleaf, for if something should befall you, Aleera will not survive. And thus she will not fulfill her destiny."

Legolas turned away, wishing Celeborn had not said anything at all. His thoughts would now be filled with the possibilities of what could happen to Aleera. And what was her destiny? Why did it fill his heart with dread?

Thank you toallwho have emailed me requesting a copy of my new fanfiction, which is titled "NO CONTROL". I will have it finalized this week and email it to you all this weekend. For those that don't know what I'm talking about, please read my note at the end of Chapter 19.