PLEASE FORGIVE ME! Please forgive me for not updating in almost a week. I had a little bit of writers block when it came to this chapter but I think I worked through it well enough. I hope you all enjoy this chapter and please let me know. I'm going to try and update again later, it all depends on how much of the next chapter I get done.

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

Chapter 22

Aria woke with a start when she felt like something wasn't right. She quickly climbed from the bed and grabbed her tunic and leggings before she stepped behind a dressing screen and quickly threw the nightdress over her head and slid on her leggings and tunic. She was finishing tying her tunic when she heard her door open and close. "Aria?" she heard Legolas ask and she finished tying the last tie as she stepped around the dressing screen. She saw him visibly relax and he stepped over to her and took her hands into his once she had finished tying her tunic.

"What's wrong?" she asked. Legolas shook his head and embraced her.

"All will be explained in a few hours," he said. Aria nodded her head. She was slightly confused about his actions. Legolas felt like he was on overdrive too many things were going through his mind. His words with Aragorn, the battle he knew that was coming, and the elleth in his arms. After a moment, he pulled away from her and cupped her cheek. "I must return to the others, but meet us in the hall." Aria nodded and Legolas kissed her lips tenderly before he pulled away and left the room just as quickly as he had entered it. Aria sighed and finished reading for the long day ahead.

"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes. A fool... but an honest fool he remains," Gandalf said as his attention moved to from the King, Aria, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli to Merry and Pippin. "He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring. We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantír a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helms Deep showed our enemy one thing: He knows the heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed; there is courage still. Strength enough perhaps to challenge him. Sauron fears this." Gandalf once again looked at Aragorn before he turned his attention to the King. Aria looked at Aragorn and gave him a small smile as he looked at the stone floor. "He will not risk the peoples of Middle-Earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a King return to the throne of men. If the Beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war."

"Tell me, why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours?" King Theoden asked. Aragorn looked sharply at the king and Aria raised an eyebrow as she looked at him.

"You would not help your fellow man?" she asked. She knew she was out of line but she didn't understand why he would refuse to aid. The king glanced at Aria and she suddenly felt very small, just from the look he gave her.

"You know nothing of our affairs," he said coldly before he looked at Gandalf. "What do we owe Gondor?"

"I will go," Aragorn said.

"No!" Gandalf said as he looked at the ranger.

"They must be warned," Aragorn argued.

"They will be," Gandalf said as he walked closer to Aragorn and the others. The King had turned and was off talking with his advisor, Gamling. "You must come to Minas Tirith by other road. Follow the river and look to the Black ships." He stepped away and looked at everyone. "Understand this: things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith, and I won't be going alone," he finished as he looked at Pippin.

After a moment, Gandalf quickly left the hall followed by Pippin and Merry. They others remained inside. "Legolas, why is Gandalf taking Pippin with him to Minas Tirith?" Aria asked as she turned to look at him. She was slightly confused as to what was happening. She knew that Sauron was going to attack Minas Tirith, but she was still confused as to what Pippin had to do with anything. Aragorn stepped outside and Gimli sat down at the table to finish his breakfast. Legolas sighed and met her eyes.

"Sauron believes Pippin to be the one that carries the ring. They will hunt him now, and Gandalf is taking him to Minas Tirith and away from us as well as to worn the Steward of the impending attack. We will wait here until Gondor places the call for aide," Legolas said. Aria nodded in understanding.

"It's going to be a long couple of days," she thought to herself as she went to sit down next to Gimli, however, Legolas stopped her.

"Come with me," he said to her quietly. Aria furrowed her brow but nodded her head and he linked her arm with his and led her down the corridor to her room. They stepped inside and Aria turned to look at him.

"Legolas?" she asked when she saw his masked face. Legolas met her eyes and took a deep breath.

"If . . . when Gondor calls for aide I want you to remain in Edoras with Lady Eowyn."

"Why? Legolas, you know I can fight and with my powers we will have an advantage," Aria said as she took her hands from his.

"What if you are injured again and your powers are no match for the wound you receive?" he asked. "Aria, I cannot lose you," he whispered. Aria shook her head.

"Legolas, you will not lose me. I will be fine, just trust me to come back to you when this is over, just as I trust you to come back to me." Legolas pulled her into an embrace and just held her in his arms. "My heart tells me that we will be happy when this is over."

"How can you hold so much hope?" he asked into her hair. Aria laughed.

"Hope is all we have anymore. We must hold onto it with our entire being," she said as she pulled her head up to look into his eyes. Legolas sighed and leaned into her. He kissed her slowly and deeply as he held her tightly to him. Aria's heart felt as if it was going to pound out of her chest as his right hand moved up her back, through her hair and then rested on the back of her head. Aria pulled away and gave him a small smile. "Wow," she whispered. Legolas raised an eyebrow before he smiled and leaned in to claim her lips once more.

Days passed and Aragorn, Legolas, and Aria were growing restless, just waiting for the beacons to be lit. Aria hoped the Steward heeded Gandalf's words and would call for aide, although from what she was told of the Steward, she wasn't certain he would. Aria sat with Gimli in the hall as he told her more stories of his home and of his father's adventure when he was held captive in Mirkwood. Aria looked at Legolas who smiled and shook his head as he held up his hands as if saying 'don't ask.' Suddenly, the door to the hall busted open and Aragorn came rushing in yelling. "The Beacons of Minas Tirith! the beacons are lit!" he yelled as he ran and stopped in front of the King. "Gondor calls for aid!" All eyes in the hall look to the King. Aria stood from her spot and looked intently at Theoden.

"And Rohan will answer! Muster the Rohirrim!" Theoden said proudly. Aria saw Eomer nod and briefly look at Eowyn before he left the hall. Everyone began rushing the men were saying good bye to their families and groups had left to gather more men and soldiers to meet at Dunharrow.

Aria walked out to the stable and looked at Legolas, who was readying Arod. Aria saw Aragorn finish his conversation with Eowyn and went up to him. "Aragorn," she said and he turned to look at her. "I . . . I don't know how to ride a horse." Aragorn smiled.

"You can ride with me, do not worry. Legolas would rather you ride with him, however, Gimli has that honor," Aragorn said. Aria smiled and nodded her head.

"Thank you Aragorn." Aragorn climbed up onto his horse and held out his hand to her. Aria put her foot in the stirrup and with Aragorn's aid swung her leg over the horse and was securely sitting behind Aragorn. When the horse shifted, she wrapped her arms around him tightly and let out a squeak. Aragorn chuckled.

"Don't worry, Brego will not let you fall and nor will I." Aria nodded and loosened her grip before she swung her long braid over her shoulder and prepared for the ride ahead.

"How many?" Theoden asked as they arrived at Dunharrow. The soldiers stand as their King passes and one soldier speaks up.

"I bring five hundred men from the Westfold, my lord," he said Theoden nodded.

"Where are the riders from Snowbourn?" Theoden asked as they continued through the camp. Gamling shook his head.

"None have come, my lord," Gamling said. Theoden sighed and they continued on until they ascended the cliff and stopped at their camp. As they stopped, Aragorn helped Aria down from the horse and laughed quietly when he saw her rub her backside.

"Remind me to put a pillow or something on that thing the next time I ride a horse would you?" she asked. Aragorn chuckled again and led Brego away. Aria sighed as she looked over the cliff and at the many men that filled the camp below. She turned around and gasped quietly when Legolas was standing behind her. He smiled at her and she just gently pushed his shoulder.

"Come, Aria, let us join the others," he said quietly. Aria nodded her head and laced her fingers with his as they walked over to where Gimli stood. They began to walk through the camp with Gimli towards Eomer, when the horses started to buck and neigh. Aria frowned and as Eomer stood and looked at them. "The horses are restless... and the men are quiet," Legolas said quietly. Aria nodded and looked at Eomer.

"They grow nervous in the shadow of the mountain," Eomer said as he glanced at the mountain and then looked at the other three. Legolas, Gimli and Aria look to the mountain and the mountain pass that looked hazy like a great mist filled the cavern.

"That road there; where does that lead?" Gimli asked no one in particular.

"It is the road to the Dimholt; the door under the mountain," Legolas said. Aria felt a shiver go down her spine and it wasn't a good feeling that followed it.

"None who venture there ever return. That mountain is evil," Eomer said and Aria looked at him.

"How could a mountain be evil?" she asked him. He, however, just looked at her like she was crazy.

"The mountain takes the souls of men and traps them within its stone walls. No one is ever seen again that take that road," he said.

"How do you know they just did not return to lands where they were known?" she asked enjoying the little game she was playing with the horselord. Eomer sighed and looked at Legolas.

"Is she always this difficult?" he asked clearly annoyed. Legolas smiled and Gimli laughed.

"She has her days, lad, she has her days," Gimli said before Eomer turned and continued what he was doing although a little agitated. Aria smiled and they continued their walk through the small camp.