AUTHOR'S NOTE, SUMMARY FOR A NEW STORY,AND A QUESTION,AT THE END!

Chapter 27

The Help of a Friend

As Tari continued to sit under the tree, her head resting upon her knees that she had drawn up, the wispy spirit of Atalantawen appeared beside her, looking somber.

"You have decided then...?" she asked in an echoing voice.

Tari did not look up. She knew who was there, for Atalantawen had been present in her dream with Elbereth also.

"I have..." Tari answered in no more than a whisper. "And as much as I wish I did not have to carry this out, I shall do it none the less."

The spirit sat down beside the elven princess, resting her arms upon her knees and staring out ahead of her.

"Do not fear, Tari. You would always whisper that to me in my mind, and now I say it to you. We will not fail the Valar." Tala said, with a smile.

Tari looked over at her, no smile evident on her tear-stained face. "You are as good as dead already, Atalantawen. Nothing shall change for you whether we win or lose this fight. For me however, the consequences are too much to comprehend."

Tala glared at her. "Do not presume to think me heartless, Tari. I care about what happens just as much as you do. I will be with you as you stand before Arya. I am still a part of you. And be grateful for it. Without my help, you will not defeat Arya. It requires powers that you have long since lost."

"How do you know that? How do you know that I will not be shot down by an uruk before I reach her fortress? That I will fail to subdue her?"

"I don't. But I speak the truth when I say that Arya cannot simply be beaten by your blade or a well shot arrow." she said, meeting Tari's fierce gaze.

"Then our quest is in vain, Fallen Maiden. I have no power save for in the arts of war." Tari admitted, feeling as vulnerable as ever. She stood, and walked upon the path that led back to Rivendell.

Tala's apparition followed at her side, watching her all the while.

"It is not in vain, Tari. She has fears just like everyone else. And I shall use that against her. It will be her downfall."

"I do not understand what you tell me, Tala. I see no other way to beat her save for to run her through."

Tala gave her a cheeky smile. "Let us hope that Arya sees it that way as well."

They were coming upon the edge of the forest now, and Legolas's voice could be heard as he called out for Tari.

"I will leave you now. You must make with all haste to Durthang, Tari, before it is too late." Tala said, causing Tari to halt in her steps.

She looked upon the spirit with confused eyes. "What do you mean, 'before it is too late'?"

Tala shook her head sadly, as though not wanting to answer anymore. "Do you not remember what the Lady Elbereth said to you? Arya is murdering all the elves. Uruks march now upon Rivendell, Tari. You must leave before you are barricaded in with the rest of your kin."

"I cannot leave my family alone to fight! What will happen if I am not here to fight alongside them!" Tari exclaimed, fear etched upon her fair features.

"If we defeat Arya, then the uruks will flee, being leaderless, and there will be no reason to worry. But as I said, you must make haste. The uruks and other foul beasts will be at Rivendell's borders in a little over a fortnight. It is imperative you reach Durthang before then, Tari, lest the consequences will be far more ghastly than you can imagine." Tala said in grave tones. Her eyes had never left Tari's, and the elven princess knew that the warrior spoke the truth. "I shall see you soon, princess..." Tala whispered, nodding in parting. Her ethereal spirit had faded before Tari could speak another word...

Tari stared at the spot where she had been, not knowing that someone approached.

"There you are!" Legolas exclaimed in exasperation, jogging towards her immobile body.

Tari slowly turned at the sound of his voice, still taking in Tala's words. She hardly felt Legolas embrace her tightly, holding her firmly against him.

"Tari, Im hiraetha. I should not have spoken to you with such anger. I spoke only out of worry and fear for you. Goheno nin, saes. My heart breaks when I know there is not peace between us." (I'm sorry. Forgive me, please) he asked of her quietly, holding her face gently in his soft hands. His blue eyes pleaded with her dark chocolate brown ones, which were slightly glazed. "Tari, answer me, I beg you."

Tari blinked slowly, feeling the warmth on either side of her cheeks. How she so loved his hands cradling her face... She gazed into his cerulean orbs that held so much love for her, as they begged for her forgiveness that they hadn't even needed to ask for. "U-moe edaved, ernilamin Legolas" (there is nothing to forgive, my prince) she whispered, still not fully at ease.

Legolas sensed her disquiet, and the smile slid from his face. She had called him by title. She hadn't called him 'my love', or 'my protector' or even 'my husband'. Instead, she had branded him with the title he had asked her to never feel obligated to use.

His hands found hers, and he laced his fingers with hers. "What is wrong, Tari? Why must you call me that?"

Tari looked up at him slowly. "Because that is what you are, is it not? You are the prince of Eryn Lasgalen." she breathed deeply, quelling her fears for the moment. "I have to go. Now. And it pains me to do so Legolas, but I must. You cannot come with me," she said, as she saw him open his mouth to proclaim just that. "You must stay here, with Estellia, and protect her. Uruks will be here to lay siege to the city, and you cannot abandon it."

Legolas didn't ask how she knew this. He was too preoccupied with why she had to leave.

"Must you?" he asked in barely over a whisper, pulling her closer with his hands.

Her answer was a mere nod. "You know I do..."

Legolas closed his eyes, one hand finding the back of her neck and gently drawing her forward as he kissed her forehead with utter tenderness. "I don't want to lose you..." he said quietly.

"You won't..." she answered, even though she didn't know the true answer.

A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed (I am happy I got so many in such a short time! It makes me update faster!) Even if only one person said they wanted a summary, I'd still put it in. Thankfully, that's not the case!

QUESTION: Have I been spelling 'Galadriel' wrong? I'm confused. Because I saw it spelled differently. Should it be 'Galadrial' or 'Galadriel'? Please let me know in your review!

It would begin before the Fellowship. More than likely it will be a 10th walker; I've always wanted to try that. But I'll make it as believable as I can. For example, she wouldn't be in the books because she never allowed anyone to keep record of her. See? Problem solved. Okay, here's the summary. It's the best I could do without giving too much away.

Legolas is sent into another world's doorstep where he was told he would find the one who murdered his mother. The house is empty, save for one occupant. So, what happens if he gets the wrong person?

Katherine, 18, and alone. Her own mother murdered by her father (who fled) nought a week ago. A mark upon her hand which has more meaning than she thinks. So, why is this scary man with pointy ears holding a knife at her throat when she wakes up? Why won't he believe her when she tells him she never murdered anyone?