Thank you all so very much for the reviews! I tried to update as soon as I could. I hope you like this chapter, let me know what you think! I'll try to update a lot quicker than I have been.

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

Chapter 49

It had been hours since the party had left and no word had yet come to the palace. Aria sat anxiously in her and Legolas' bed chambers. She grew tired of sitting in the study and told Elráwien that she was tired from worry and wanted to rest in her room until they returned. Elráwien seemed to understand and let her go. She sat near the window with her arms wrapped around her looking for any sign that the patrols were returning.

Day turned into evening and then into night and nothing had changed. Aria felt panicked and suddenly very alone. She had not moved from her spot looking out the window, but she no longer wanted to look outside so now she focused on the stone floor at her feet. There was knock on the door and she quickly stood and answered it. Elráwien stood on the other side looking at her concerned.

"Aria you have not left your room for hours. Come, you must eat something," she said as she held out her hand to her. Aria just shook her head.

"I am fine. I think I'm just going to go to bed," Aria said. "Would you send someone to fetch me the moment word has come?" Elráwien frowned and lowered her hand.

"Aye, I will do that." Aria nodded and closed the door. She changed into a night dress and laid down in her and Legolas' bed. She buried her face in his pillow and could smell his scent deep in the smooth fabric. She closed her eyes tight and held the pillow close to her as she tried to find rest, but none would come. Suddenly, she felt Legolas' emotional block break down and a sharp pain hit her shoulder. With a gasp she sat up and moved her hand to her left shoulder with her brow furrowed. She felt Legolas push away the pain and adrenaline filled him. She stayed quiet and did not reach out to him, but just listened to his thoughts.

'One more,' he told himself. 'Just one more.' Aria closed her eyes when the wall once again returned. After what seemed like hours but was only mere minutes she opened her eyes, stood and re-dressed herself in her dark green and cream gown she had on just moments before. She slid on her slippers and made her way down the corridors and down the steps of the palace. There she stood outside looking out into the trees. Movement caught her eyes she focused her attention there and saw the warriors returning with Legolas in the lead. She sighed in relief and rushed over to them.

Legolas had dismissed the men once they had reached the city and had ordered them to report to the hall in the morning. They nodded gratefully and made their way to their own homes. Legolas sighed and began to make his way up the path to the palace with Findel.

"How is your shoulder, my friend?" Findel asked. Legolas moved it up and winced.

"It will be alright. Nothing is broken, just deeply bruised," Legolas said, but stopped when he heard someone approaching. Findel looked up at the same time as Legolas to see Aria stop right in front of them. Her eyes filled with worry. She glanced at Findel and gave him a small smile, showing him she was thankful he was well. Findel bowed his head to her and gave her a smile in return. Aria moved swiftly and stopped mere inches from Legolas. She raised her hand tentatively over his left shoulder her eyes remained locked with his as her hand hovered there. She mumbled something a blue light appeared under her hand and Legolas closed his eyes as a tingling sensation filled his shoulder.

Findel looked on with wide eyes. Legolas had mentioned Aria's abilities to manipulate water, fire, and wind but he did not tell him she carried healing powers. It was obvious to him though, that Legolas did not want people to know that fact about his wife. The light was soon gone and Legolas opened his eyes and looked at her with a small smile. Aria returned it before she through her arms around his neck and buried her face in his neck. Legolas sighed and looked at Findel who nodded and continued his way up the path to leave his prince and princess to themselves. Legolas wrapped his arms around her and returned her embrace.

"You were gone for so long," she whispered against his neck. "I was so worried and then when I felt your pain I feared the worst, but I knew it was not fatal because you continued to fight before you blocked me out again." Legolas buried his face in her auburn locks and took in their scent of orchids.

"I know. I could still sense you fear, but I came back to you as I promised," he said to her. He pulled away from her and raised her chin so she was looking at him. "And thank you, my love," he whispered before he kissed her lips tenderly. "Thank you for healing my shoulder. You are not fatigues now are you?" He cupped her cheek and she laughed quietly as a tear fell from her eyes.

"No. It was not much energy to heal your wound." Legolas gave her a small smile and Aria embraced him again. "Please don't leave me behind anymore. I want to be by your side to help protect you." Legolas' heart tightened at her words but wrapped his arms around her. He was thankful she was once again in his arms. During the battle with the spiders they had only lost one patrolman, but a great fear had filled him that he would fall when he was thrown against a tree like a rag doll. The patrolman that fell actually stepped in front of him and had taken the blow from the spider that was meant for him. He had sacrificed his life for the life of his prince and Legolas was in debt to him.

"Aria, as I said before you carry our child. You are to protect our child and I shall protect you and myself. That is what I ask of you. I will not lose you." Aria pulled back slightly and looked up at him. She could feel his heavy heart and she wondered just what exactly happened out there.

"Legolas, what happened?" she asked. He looked at her and kissed her forehead.

"During the battle we lost only one patrolman, but he died protecting me. He stepped in front of me and took a strike from one of the spiders that was meant for me." Aria's eyes widened.

"Did you know this patrolman well?" she asked quietly. Legolas shook his head.

"I only knew his name, Ardel, and that his wife had sailed with her sister a month ago. He was going to be leaving to join her in a week. It is because of me, word will be sent to her that her husband will not be joining her." A tear fell from his eye and Aria shook her head and wiped it away.

"It is not your fault Legolas. It was his choice. You did not pull him in front of you. He knew what he was doing." Legolas pulled her to him and held her tightly.

"We will travel to Ithilien and help restore the city. Faramir and Éowyn will rule the city and we will ensure that the beauty is once again restored there." Aria smiled when she felt his grief and guilt slowly disappear. However, it remained just not as predominate. Aria pulled away and looked at him with bright eyes.

"That we will and when our time comes we shall sail across the sea with our child." Legolas nodded and cupped her cheek.

"Come, I must make my report to father about what happened. The others will come in the morning. I think after last night, the spiders have retreated deeper into the woods. I do not think another attack will happen." Aria nodded and linked her arm with Legolas'. However, once they were inside she stopped him.

"You go and speak with your father. I will ready you a bath to help you relax you return to our chamber." Legolas smiled at her and kissed her gently.

"Very well. I will try not to terry. I will return as soon as I can." Aria nodded and separated herself from Legolas and made her way to their chamber. As she walked she saw Elráwien in the hall. Elráwien walked over to her and took her hands.

"Child, where have you been? I have searched nearly everywhere for you," she said gently. Aria smiled and shook her head.

"I was outside. Legolas and the others have returned," Aria said and relief filled Elráwien's eyes. "Legolas is speaking with the king." Elráwien hugged Aria and Aria returned her embrace.

"You see, there was nothing to fear," Elráwien said but Aria could feel the joy and great relief in her voice. Aria pulled away and smiled. Elráwien cupped her cheek and smiled. "Hopefully, you will find rest now." Aria nodded.

"Yes, I'm going to fix Legolas a bath first." Elráwien nodded and stepped away.

"Go then, I shall see you in the morn." Aria hugged her before she made her way down the corridor to ready a bath for Legolas.

Aria sat in the same chair she had been waiting in all day, but this time her heart was lighter and she was only waiting for Legolas to return to their room from the hall. She felt him approach and stood as he opened the door. Legolas smiled at her and she rushed over to him and hugged him. Legolas laughed and returned her embrace. "You make it seem as though I have been away for years instead of hours, Aria," he said. Aria pulled back and looked at her.

"I can't help it. I felt as though I would never see you again," she said as she cupped his cheek and ran her fingers down his face. "It frightened me." Legolas kissed her and shook his head.

"I will never leave you." Aria smiled and he rested his forehead against hers. "Now, about that bath?" he asked with a playful smile. Aria laughed quietly and took him by the hand and led him into the washroom. Legolas smiled and followed. He had removed his weapons and gave them to a servant to have them put away, so when he entered the washroom, Aria helped him undress and then helped him into the steaming water. Legolas looked at her and smiled. "The tub is large enough for both of us. Would you like to join me?" he asked her playfully. Aria shook her head with a smile.

"No. I would like for you to face the wall so I may wash your hair." Legolas sighed and did as she asked. Aria raised her hands and unbound Legolas' hair. It fell around his shoulders and she smiled. Aria poured some of the warm water on his head careful, not to pour it into his face. Legolas sighed at the combination of the relaxing warm water and the softness of his wife's hands moving gently through his hair massaging the soap on his scalp. "How does that feel?" she asked.

"Wonderful." Aria smiled and poured more water on his head to rinse the soap from his hair. Once it was all out, she began to rub his shoulders. Legolas closed his eyes and smiled as he let out a quiet moan.

"In a moment, I will leave you so you can finish bathing." Legolas opened his eyes and turned to look at her.

"You will leave me so soon?" Aria smiled and cupped his cheek.

"I will be waiting for you so do hurry." She kissed his lips and stood from her kneeling position. With that she left him in the tub with a smile on his face.