Okay, I am so sorry I haven't updated and that this chapter is so short but I will definately be posting more later today. I wanted to get something up because I have to run somewhere but once I get back my time will be devoted to finished the next chapter and posting it. I hope you like this one. Let me know.

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

Chapter 25

There was a knock on Aria's chamber door and Aria quickly raised her head from where it rested on Legolas' chest. They had fallen asleep after they had bonded again. Legolas' eyes came into focus when he felt Aria sit up away from him. "What is it Aria?" he asked as he looked at her. She turned to face him and was about to speak when there was another knock on the door. Legolas' eyes widened but he smiled down at her. "Good thing I locked that last night," he whispered before he kissed her quickly and climbed from the bed. Aria blushed when she saw him bare in the sunlight, but she couldn't pull her eyes away from him even though she knew she should. Legolas felt her eyes on him as he pulled on his leggings. He turned around and smiled at her which caused her to blush even deeper. He leaned over the bed and kissed her lips lightly. "You should go into the washroom and ready. I think our meeting is about to begin." Aria nodded and pointed to her nightdress on the floor.

"Could you please hand me my nightdress?" she whispered. Legolas smiled and nodded his head. He did as she asked and she quickly slipped it on. There was another knock.

"Legolas?" called Aragorn. They heard the door jiggle and Aria quickly made her way in the washroom. Legolas finished lacing his tunic and opened the door. Aragorn looked at Legolas with a raised eyebrow. "Why was the door locked?" Aragorn asked as he looked at Legolas. The usually collected Legolas had no answer for Aragorn and at the slightly blush that graced his cheeks Aragorn's eyes widened and he stepped inside. Upon seeing the empty bed Aragorn looked at Legolas with a raised eyebrow. "Aria has awoken?"

"Yes," came her voice from the washroom. Aragorn looked at her to see her dressed in black leggings, her boots, and a dark green tunic. His attention then turned to Legolas. "I woke last night and Legolas kept me company. The door was locked because I told him I felt uneasy with it open." Aragorn nodded his head but he could tell she was keeping something from him. However, he wouldn't press the matter.

"The meeting is about to begin, Legolas, we must hurry," Aragorn said. Aria followed.

"I'm coming with you," she said and Aragorn looked at her. "I'm part of the fellowship, and I am coming with you." Aragorn nodded his head and three of them made there way to the throne room.

"Frodo has passed beyond my sight. The darkness is deepening," Gandalf said as he turned to look at the other four.

"If Sauron had the Ring, we would know it," Aragorn said with conviction in his voice. Gandalf looked at Aragorn and shook his head.

"It is only a matter of time... He has suffered a defeat, yes. But behind the walls of Mordor the enemy is re-grouping," Gandalf said.

"Let them stay there... Let them rot! Why should we care?" Gimli said as he put his pipe back in his mouth. Aria frowned. Sam and Frodo are probably in the heart of Mordor and in constant danger and may even get caught.

"Because ten thousand orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom," Gandalf said firmly as he looked at Gimli, who sighed and lowered his pipe. "I've sent him to his death." Aria shook his head.

"Frodo and Sam are stronger than you give them credit for," Aria said. Gandalf looked at her sadly.

"There's still hope for Frodo. He needs time, and safe passage across the Plains of Gorgoroth. We can give him that," Aragorn said.

"How?" Gimli asked and all eyes were trained on Aragorn.

"Draw out Sauron's armies, empty His lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate." Aria smiled at Aragorn as Gimli coughed and looked at Aragorn like he was crazy.

"We can not achieve victory through strength of arms," Eomer said.

"Not for ourselves... but we can give Frodo his chance if we keep Sauron's Eye fixed upon us!" Aragorn looked at Gandalf. "Keep Him blind to all else that moves."

"A diversion," Legolas said. Aragorn nodded.

"Sauron will suspect a trap. He will not take the bait," Gandalf said as he shook his head.

"How do we know he will suspect it?" Aria asked. Gandalf looked at her. "His desire for the ring clouds much of his judgment, does it not?" When no one answered her she continued. "He knows the power of men grows and with the return of the King of Gondor, men are not giving up so easily anymore. How does he know that we are just trying to keep him blind to Frodo and Sam's presence? To him we could just be fools and are trying to stand our ground one final time before we fall." Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli just smiled at her. Gandalf looked at her surprised by her words and Eomer looked at her strangely.

"Certainty of death! Small chance of success! What are we waiting for!" Gimli said before he stood from the chair he sat on and made his way from the hall. Gandalf and Aragorn nodded as did Eomer before the three of them made their way to gather the men and prepare for the journey and battle ahead. Legolas looked at Aria with a smile before he took her from the hall to help everyone ready for the battle.