This is a collaborative effort of a whole bunch of us - me, Elanor, Finrod, Gilrean, Holly, Lana, Nimbrethil, Witch King and Wizard. Other than the respective characters ie. me (Laurendil, Mas); Elanor (Elanor, Haldarin), Gilrean (Gilrean), Holly (Holly), Lana (Lena), Nimbrethil (Nimbrethil), Witch King (Beomir) and Wizard (Wizard), we do not own any of the other great Tolkien works. This was originally an RPG we played and have put together as a story. Hope you enjoy it.

Elanor waited for Laurendil to speak, her face curious. Laurendil appeared to be holding back a smile, yet her face looked serious.

"Did you know that Béomir had gone to talk to your father for you?"

Elanor's eyes bulged open, and she stood up straighter, grabbing Laurendil's arm, "He DID! Alone?". Laurendil nodded. Elanor shook her head in wonder, "I've always known he was brave, but this is beyond brave."

Laurendil hid a small smile, and continued, "By then, Eomer had calmed down ... a little ... and he did agree to let you come…"

Elanor squealed in delight, shouting for joy and hugging Laurendil. Lauerndil waited until Elanor calmed down before she took the young excited maiden by the shoulders and looking at her straight in the eye, she said evenly, "BUT only if you have found another to wed."

Elanor's squeels died suddenly and she sighed loudly, falling onto the bed, "And who can I find on such short notice? Father knew that, and that's the ONLY reason he said so!"

"Ah ..." began Laurendil, "Perhaps not a real one, but I certainly can create one for you, if you are willing."

Elanor looked at Laurendil curiously, she asked, "And...?"

Shrugging, Laurendil replied, "And Haldarin owes me a favour. If both of you are willing to pretend to be in love, and want to wed, your father would have to keep his word."

Elanor was aghast. Both at the plan and the fact that this elf would suggest it, "But I'm a Rohirrim! We don't lie!" she said adamantly, then the thought of her going back to wed someone completely alien made her pause. She sighed, uncertain. "Oh, I don't know ..." muttered Elanor, torn between wanting desperately to follow Laurendil yet unable to lie to her father.

"Who is Haldarin, anyway?" she asked curiously.

"Oh, you don't know him. But he's just arrived. A young man, with dark hair and green eyes. He was in the battle we had at Helms Deep, and he fought well. Had to patch him up a few times," Laurendil finished with a smile, remembering that moment. Haldarin had been adamant that he was fine, and was eager to protect everyone. His youthful eagerness and commitment had tugged at Laurendil's heartstrings then.

Elanor, in the meantime, was startled at the description. Dark hair? Green eyes? It couldn't be ... could it? Elanor's thoughts drifted to the stranger she had seen earlier, and she found herself smiling at the thought of him and her. Elanor was barely paying attention as Laurendil took her leave, for her thoughts were with the stranger. So Haldarin was his name. A noble name.. All she had to do to be allowed to go was pretend to be in love with a stranger.. she could do this.. she could... Grinning widely, she felt that she couldn't WAIT to thank Béomir! He was the most extra-ordinary man in the world! Not even the King would have dared to face her father. She sighed. She was lucky to have such a man as her cousin. She prayed that Laurendil's plan would work.

Laurendil closed the door to Elanor's room quietly, not wanting to disturb the maiden's thoughts. As she turned to leave, she ran straight into Finrod. She resisted the urge to grind her teeth – bumping into Finrod happened so often lately, she was beginning to suspect that the darn elf keeps following her around.

"What are you up to, setting up dates for mortals?" he asked with amusement.

"You overheard our conversation?" Laurendil was furious, yet embarassed at the same time.

"Keen hearing of the elves," he answered nonchantly, then broke into a bigger smile which seemed to irritate Laurendil more, "Oh come on, you are the one who wants to fool Eomer! Women...in the face of danger all you think about is some handsome guy on horseback." Finrod shook his head.

"And this come from the mouth of an elf who cares about nothing other than fighting!" retorted Laurendil, " I heard you with Legolas earlier!"

"Oh come on, no need to be that angry. I was only joking, as usual. It's good if Elanor comes with us, at no matter what cost. Poor her, really." The last sentence was so full of irony that Laurendil wanted to hit him.

Finrod continued as if he didn't notice Laurendil's flash of anger in her eye, "Actually, there are more important things to discuss. After reaching Lothlorién, even if I am able to use the mirror, have you given a thought about our next move? And not only that, we must find a way for our two groups to keep contact. Is there anyone who could be a messenger between us? In reality, the road is too dangerous for any rider. We should discuss it with the rest."

Laurendil's head swam with all the sudden questions and the seriousness of the situation. Finrod could switch so easily between one mood to the other. She took a breath, and thought about it, nodded, "You're right. We must discuss this with the others." As they were about to leave, she turned to face him and said, "And for the record, I am not angry..."

Finrod grinned, laughing softly as he cut in before she could continue, "Oh? You make a good show of being angry. Your eyes are flashing, your nose is flaring, your chest is heaving and look! You now have your hands on your hips. And the expression on your face …."

"FINROD FELAGUND! You ... you ..." Laurendil was too agitated now to even finish what she wanted to say.

Laughing even more, he added, "And you can't even finish a sentence now. Not angry, you say?" He was laughing louder now yet still managed to evade her when she made a move to hit him. He simply gave a slight bow, turned around on his heels and walked away, whistling a happy tune.

Laurendil just stood there for a moment, watching his back as she thought of ways to wipe off that smug look on his face. That brought a smile to her lips and she was in a decidedly better mood as she flipped her hair behind her and walked over to join him to find the others who would be joining them on their quest. She did have one more thing to settle, though - Haldarin. He would NOT be happy with her plan concerning Elanor.

They found Nimbrethil and Legolas sitting by the Quad as they neared it, deep in discussion. Upon seeing them arrive, Legolas got up to allow Laurendil to sit. She smiled at him and did so, as Finrod began, "We must decide what our course of action shall be after we have seen what the mirror has to show. For this, having a messenger between Aragorn and ourselves would be useful as we would be able to inform him of the news as soon as we know it. Time is of the essence."

Everyone nodded and Nimbrethil said, "Yes, we had been thinking the same thing. After learning what the mirror has to tell, we can decide what course would be the wisest. As for the messenger, I will send Menel, my hawk, and my friend. He will carry any messages that need to be sent."

"I agree with Nimbrethil," said Aldaron. He was walking towards them, with his staff. "This battle was an attempt to kill Aragorn, me and everyone else. I have also news that the Black gate has been re-built, and a new tower now stands in Mordor, which is similiar to Orthanc. It would be foolish to attack them this early, but there will be one last major battle."

"Are you sure?" asked Finord.

"Yes, we must set out on our journeys as soon as we can," replied Aldaron.

"How did you learn of this news, Aldaron?" asked Laurendil.

"The same way Nimbrethil can send a message to Aragorn. This last battle might not be as big as the war for Middle Earth during the War of the Ring, but it will be a great battle nonetheless." replied Aldaron.

Nodding, Nimbrethil said as she got up, "I shall get my sister, and will we be able to get to Lothlorién soon."

"It is agreed then. We leave as soon as possible. Supplies must be gathered and weapons sharpened. I, for one, need more arrows. And Rivendell is the best place to get your weapons and armour fixed," said Laurendil as she got up to leave. The others went on their way to, to prepare for the journey.

Instead of heading to the armoury, however, Laurendil had just one more thing to settle before leaving. She found Haldarin, alone as usual, and he gave her one of his rare smiles as she walked up to him. After exchanging pleasantries, he asked bluntly, "And what is it that you want to ask of me, My lady?"

Laurendil laughed, saying, "I could never fool you, could I? And how many times must I tell that you are not to call me that? Laurendil is just fine." He didn't answer, but simply gave a small smile. Sighing, Laurendil said, "I have this huge favour to ask, and would seek your help."

She explained a bit about Elanor's fate, and his eyebrows furrowed closer, "If she is to wed an honourable man, why should I ..?"

"It's just temporary. She' very much like Eowyn, needing to feel the battlefield and get it out of her system before she settles down. If she enters into this marriage with that unrest in her heart, it would never work. Eowyn and Faramir are happy with each other, but that would never have happened if Eowyn had not found peace in her heart first," explained Laurendil.

Haldarin had to agree on this, and after thinking for a while, he said, "Alright. I'll do it ... BUT ... I will only see Eomer and tell him of my intention to woo Elanor. And that being together on this journey would be the best way. If it's to be, then it is. If not, she will go back and marry his choice. That way, there is no lie being made and she would be free to go back to her bethroed."

Laurendil smiled, agreeing. "That is best. So, will you go now to see Eomer?"

"Now?" Haldarin was taken aback, but after taking a deep breath, he said, "Of course." With that, he walked off determinedly, to face his greatest battle yet. Laurendil watched him go, praying for the best, as she headed back to her room. As she passed Gilrean, they both gave polite nods and smiles – Gilrean was headed to the armory. When she had been packing earlier, she noticed that the leather wrapping on the sword handle was worn and faded and felt that it should be replaced.

On her way, however, she stopped upon hearing a murmur of low voices in the Great Hall. Out of curiosity, she crept closer to see who was speaking. There was one she did not recognize, a tall dark haired man. He was speaking to Eomer, king of Rohan who was intently studying the young man in front of him.

She listened carefully …

"My Lord," said the young man, "I wish to wed the lady Elanor, if she will have me."

Gilrean's eyebrows shot up. Interesting .. she listened further, to hear King Eomer asking, "And will she?"

"I am afraid I do not know how great her love for me is," said the young man truthfully, bowing his head in respect, "Though I think that it is both my wish and hers that she might go with me, and in her going, if it is your will, I had hoped that I might woo her and learn more of her heart."

King Eomer appeared to think on this seriously before he replied, "I think you have spoken out of love. I also love my daughter. She may go with you, but you must promise me that you will keep her safe," said Eomer.

"And safe I will keep her, upon my very life," replied the young man, in a decidedly happier tone than before. As he turned to leave, Gilrean suddenly realized that she should not be seen to have heard any of this, and walked quickly to the armory.