Okay, this is just a quick short chapter. I hadn't finished writing it but I have to go somewhere right now so I'm not able to finish it. However, I didn't want to leave you guys hanging for too long. I'll update again tomorrow once I get time to write more. I hope you like this chapter even though it's kind of a filler and it is extremly short. Let me know! Oh, thank you all so very much for the reviews. I hated when Haldir was killed in the movie and each story I write, I can't let him die.

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings. I only own Aria and her family.

Chapter 17

Haldir called for Aria when he saw an arrow pierce her shoulder and then her being struck on the head. She fell on her back and pushed the arrow out the other side of her right shoulder, however, she remained unconscious. Haldir fought to get to her and once he got to her he picked her up and carried her past the remained soldiers fighting what few Uruk-hai that remained in the fortress. He carried her into the keep. Haldir found an empty room and went to work to remove the arrow and he prayed that the tip was not poisoned.

As Legolas fought on top of Arod he felt as though something was not right. Something in his heart told him that after Gandalf had arrived something was wrong, very wrong. Soon, the Uruks were either destroyed or had fled into the forest only to be crushed by the trees. King Theoden, Gandalf, Eomer, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas returned to the keep. Legolas looked around the keep but could not find Aria anywhere and panic filled him. He left the others and Aragorn looked at him before realizing that he was in search of Aria.

As Legolas walked he heard Haldir call out and several people hurrying about. Legolas ran into the empty room and he stopped in his tracks. There lying on a table was Aria, her face pale and her tunic torn from her shoulder revealing a terrible wound. Haldir and several other elves were hovering over her. They all looked tired and were doing all they could for her. "Haldir?" Legolas asked after he had found his voice. Haldir quickly looked behind him and gave him a saddened expression. He whispered something to an elf soldier next to him who nodded and took over what he was doing. Haldir wiped the blood from his hands and walked over to Legolas.

"Legolas, come," he said quietly before he stepped out of the door. Legolas looked at Aria once more before he followed Haldir. Haldir looked at Legolas. "She was shot by an Uruk-hai arrow and struck over the head. She has lost a great deal of blood but it has stopped now, however, the arrow tip was poisoned."

"Poisoned?" Legolas asked as he tried to control his emotions but was failing miserably. "How can you tell?"

"A light green tip of the arrow was all I needed to see. We have administered various herbs and they are slowing the poison, but . . . I cannot say for certain if they will work." Legolas shook his head and went back into the room. When he went in there, Aria's shoulder was bandaged up tight and firmly and she was covered with a thin blanket. The other elves look at him and quickly left the room. Legolas slowly walked over to her and ran his hand down the left side of her face. Her skin was deathly pale and sweat graced her forehead. He took her hand into his and her hand was cold. Legolas sighed and shook his head as he looked at her.

"Aria, forgive me for not speaking with you before we went into battle. I did not want to get distracted," he paused to see if she would open her eyes but she did not. "Aria, please, I have just found you and I cannot lose you. I cannot." Tears filled his silver-blue eyes and fell from his cheeks onto her hand. Aragorn rushed into the room and shook his head in disbelief. Gandalf soon followed as did Gimli.

Aria heard him. She heard him say that he could not loose her and she fought to open her eyes. "Legolas," she whispered and she felt the grip on her hand tighten.

"Aria," he said when he heard her say his name. "Aria wake up please. Fight the poison that flows through you veins." His voice was shaky even in front of his comrades, he couldn't hold back his emotions if he wanted to. Aria tried but he seemed to fade in and out and as soon as she heard his voice she was lost again to darkness. "Aria?" he asked again when her face relaxed. He sighed when she did not answer and he turned to look at Gandalf and Aragorn. "Is there nothing we can do to save her?" Gandalf walked over to them and put his hand over her forehead as he closed his eyes.

"She is fighting the poison as best she can, Legolas," Gandalf said as he moved his hand back and looked at the elf. "She will be well . . . it will just take time." Legolas nodded. "She will travel with Eowyn and the villagers back to Edoras. We will place her in Eowyn's care. You are needed to travel to Isenguard." Gandalf knew he was being slightly cold, but there was much to do and time was running low. Aria would be alright she was strong and her abilities would aide in her recovery. Legolas nodded and the others quickly left the room to prepare for their ride. Legolas turned to look at Aria and stepped over to her. He leaned down and gently brushed his lips against hers.

"Return to me, pen dithen (little one)," Legolas whispered. "Le melin (I love you)." He stood and with one final look at her he left the room and mentally prepared himself for another journey away from his love.