I've updated again! Well, Myri78, maybe you'll like the beginning of this chapter and thank you to XxXRoseVixenXxX, I'm very honored. Thank you for your reviews and I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Let me know!

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

Chapter 23

Legolas and Aria sat down and had a little something to eat. "Legolas, I think I'm going to rest for a time," Aria said. Legolas nodded and Aria stood and went to the tent King Theoden had set up for her. Aria removed her belt and the dark blue outer tunic she wore to reveal her cream colored sleeveless tunic. She unbound her hair and let it cascade over her back then removed her boots. "What I wouldn't give for a bath," she thought to herself as the final light of the day began to set around her tent. She laid down on the fur blanket on her side, her back to the entrance of the tent. Aria heard the people talking about the pending battle and she could find no rest. Suddenly, the tent flap opened and Aria turned and laid on her back to see Legolas standing there. "Is everything alright?" she asked. Legolas nodded.

"Yes. I just wanted to sit with you for a time," he said as he kneeled down next to her. She sat up on her elbows and looked at him. She smiled as he reached out and cupped her right cheek with his left hand. He lowered his hand and leaned into her. He kissed her gently and Aria raised her left hand and placed it on his neck and pulled him closer as she laid down on the blanket. Legolas hovered over her as they kissed, his blonde hair tickling her cheeks but going unnoticed. Legolas pulled his lips away and tilted his head so his forehead rested against hers. Both of them took deep breaths and Aria was doing her best to calm her rapidly beating heart. They both slowly opened their eyes and Legolas pulled back slightly so he could see her face clearly. Her hand still rested on his neck as he looked at her. "Aria," he whispered. His voice deeper than she remembered. "I should leave." Aria shook her head and pulled his lips back down to hers and kissed him softly before she pulled her lips from his.

"Stay," she whispered back. "Stay for a time, please." She ran her hand down from his neck and over his chest then around his back. Legolas closed his eyes as her hand moved down his form to stop at the middle of his back. He nodded, with his eyes still closed as he leaned down and kissed her lips fiercely. Aria moaned as he kissed her with more passion and fire than he did the night of the celebration in Edoras. Her entire body tingled when she felt his hand massage her side as he kissed her lips. Soon, his lips left hers and traveled down her jaw to her neck. She let out a heavy sigh as his lips caressed the sensitive skin on her neck and as they slowly returned to her lips to once again capture them in a deep, slow kiss. They stayed that way, kissing, touching, and memorizing for several more minutes before Legolas reluctantly pulled away.

"You must rest, there will be a fierce battle, and we cannot have you to weak to use your powers effectively," his voice was hoarse and Aria could see the desire for her deep within his eyes but it was being over powered by sense of duty. However, the longer he looked at her, the harder it was for him to quell his desire. Aria nodded her head. Legolas kissed her one more time before he stood and adjusted his tunic and looked down at her. "Good night Aria," he whispered. Aria smiled at him.

"Good night Legolas," she said before she turned onto her side and smiled at the butterflies she felt in her stomach. Legolas looked at her for a moment longer before he took a deep breath and stepped out of her tent, only to see Gimli standing out there with a smile on his face.

"What ye doing laddie?" Gimli asked. Legolas felt his cheeks flush as he shook his head.

"Nothing Gimli. I was just wishing Aria good night," Legolas said. Gimli raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?" He paused before he smiled once again. "It took you an hour to wish her a good night?" Gimli asked before he turned and walked away. Legolas felt his face flush deeper but a smile graced his lips as he followed the dwarf.

Aria woke with a start, and frowned. She quickly stood and threw on her outer tunic and boots she tied the belt around her tunic as she stepped out into the camp. She looked to her left and then to her right to see Aragorn standing with Brego and talking with Aragorn then Legolas joining them with Arod. She ran up to them. "You were going to leave and not tell me?" she nearly yelled. They looked at her sadly and Legolas handed the Arod's reins to Aragorn before he stepped over to her. "Were you?" she asked him.

"I left a message with Lady Eowyn, Aria," he said quietly. Aria shook her head.

"I've just rejoined you, why will you not let me travel with you?" she asked. Legolas raised his hand once again cupped her cheek.

"Your path does not take you through the Dimholt."

"Legolas," he put his fingers on her lips.

"We will meet again at Minas Tirith." He lowered his fingers and she frowned.

"How? I cannot ride and the Rohirrim will ride to Minas Tirith at dawn. How am I to meet you?" Legolas smiled.

"You are an elf, just trust your stead and they will lead you where your heart desires." Legolas leaned in and kissed her lips. "I will see you at Minas Tirith, meleth nîn." With that he turned from her and mounted Arod with Gimli behind him. Aragorn gave her a small smile before he mounted Brego and they took the path to the Dimholt. Aria felt a tear roll down her cheek but she hastily wiped it away and went in search of the king to ask for a horse to ride into battle come the morn.

Aria rode behind Eomer and King Theoden towards Minas Tirith, she also saw Eowyn and Merry down the line from her and knew they were not supposed to be there but said nothing. She had been loaned a sword to use until she dismounted her horse, which surprisingly she found no real difficult in riding. She simply had done as Legolas instructed and trusted her horse and spoke softly to him and he willing led her on. They stopped at the top of a hill that looked over Pelennor Field. They battle was already raging and Minas Tirith was in danger of falling. Aria swallowed hard as Theoden led his horse up front. "Èomer! Take your éored down the left flag! Gamling, follow the King's banner down the center! Grimbold, take your company right, after you pass the wall! Forth! Down fear of darkness! Arise! Arise, Riders of Théoden!" the King called as he 'danced' his horse in front of his men. "Spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered!" He ran down the line of him men and struck their spears with his swords before he turned his attention to the battle field. "A sword day... a red day... and the sun rises!" His men pointed their spears towards the orcs and other foul creatures that awaited them. "Ride now... Ride now... Ride! Ride for ruin and the world's ending! Death!" he began the chant and Aria drew her sword.

"Death!" the Rohirrim answered back.

"Death!" Theoden screamed again.

"Death!" they repeated.

"Death!" he yelled one final time.

"Death!" every man screamed, however, Aria just looked on in silence readying her mind for the steps she would be required to take.

"Forth, Eorlingas!" Theoden called and every solider made their way to the battle field. Aria rode her horse hard and sliced into one orc after another until she dismounted her horse and held her sword in her hand. The stray tendrils of her braid blew in the wind as she fiercely fought. Aria felt a burning sensation as an orc blade sliced her upper left arm. She screamed and raised her left arm and shot fire at the unsuspecting orc. He screeched and took off running igniting several of his comrades with him.

Aria soon threw her sword on the ground and began to use fire, water, and wind to take care of the orcs, trolls, and other enemies around her. She heard a strange hiss like sound and looked to her right to see the Witch-King of Angmar standing before Eowyn with a large sledge hammer with spikes. She saw Theoden's horse dead and the king's legs under him. Aria's heart rate quickened and she rushed over to help her friend. Eowyn had taken good care of her and she was not about to let her die.

"Fool... No man can kill me... die now..." Aria heard the Witch-King say and she hurried but was sidetracked by orcs. She heard the Witch-King scream and turned to look as Eowyn stood before him.

"I am no man!" she said after she had taken her helmet off and golden hair flying in the wind before she stuck her sword in the Witch-King's face. The force of the blow traveled through her arm and Aria swore she heard it break and Eowyn fell to her knees before she turned from the Witch-King and moved to her uncle. Aria ran over and stood back.

"I know your face... Éowyn," the king says. Aria rushed over and kneeled down next to him. He, however, took no notice as he looked at his niece. "My eyes darken." Eowyn shook her head and looked at Aria before she looked back at her uncle.

"No. No, I am going to save you," Eowyn said. Aria moved closer to the king.

"You already did. Éowyn, my body is broken. You have to let me go. I go to my fathers in whose mighty company I shall not now feel ashamed." Aria shook her head.

"Let me use my powers to help you, your majesty," she said gently he looked at her and shook his head.

"No. It is my time." He turned back to Eowyn and took a deep, labored breath. "Eowyn," he whispered before his life finally left him. Eowyn started to cry and laid her head down on his shoulder.

"I am sorry Eowyn," Aria said. Eowyn just continued to cry. Aria looked around and saw a large green mass moving its way across the fields and through the city. Aria sighed and looked down at Eowyn who had lost consciousness. Aria shook her head and turned her over. "Eowyn?" she asked quickly, but gained no response. Aria put her head to her forehead and felt her burning with fever. Aria sighed and looked around. The battle was nearly over and it was won so she returned her attention to her friend.

Aria put her hand over Eowyn's forehead and another over her broken arm and began to chant the healing spells Galadriel had her learn. Aria felt Eowyn's pain pass through Eowyn and into her hands. Aria heard Eowyn gasp for breath before blackness overcame her and she fell to her side.

Eowyn sat up, she felt unlike she had the moments before her uncle passed. She felt as if she had just woken from a peaceful slumber and not from a fever or a battle. Eowyn looked around for Aria and when she looked to her left, she gasped. "Aria!" Eowyn called. Eowyn did not know much of elves but what she had learned form Aria was that elves sleep with their eyes open and at that moment her eyes were closed. "Aria?" she asked. Aria slowly opened her eyes.

"I'm alright, Eowyn, just weak," she whispered horsely. Eowyn sighed with relief and nodded her head.

"The battle is over and we have won!" Eowyn said with a small smile, but from what Aria could tell the once happy young woman would never be the same. Aria tried to smile, but failed. Eowyn frowned. "I will get you aide," she said as she stood. She hesitated when she saw her uncle but took a deep breath before she took off in search of someone who could help Aria.