Disclaimer: I do not own any of Tolkien's characters nor do I own Enedwaith. But I do own Tigerlily and her family.

A/n: Thanks to everyone who reviewed me but this is a special message to the person who sent this fic's first flame. 9th Nazgul, I have two words for you, bite me! Thanks for the flame by the way; I was able to cook my dinner over it! My friend, lady lorethei, agrees with me. Those who send anonymous flames are nothing but cowards if they can't be judged too. I am not a wannabe fan. I have read the books. (Mostly, still on ROTK) so as I said before BITE ME!

Chapter 15

Refugees from home

Upon arrival at Edoras, there was one thing that surprised even Theoden. Some two hundred tents had been put up outside the city. A flag was flying outside one of them. A flag Tigerlily had not seen in some time. It showed a green sun rising between two brown hills. There were several redheaded children running about. "I don't believe it," said Aragorn. "What is it, Aragorn?" asked Legolas. He had never seen this flag before and had no idea which country it was. "That flag there, Legolas," said Aragorn, "is the flag of Tigerlily's homeland." The group could see Eowyn running up to them, with an old man following her. Tigerlily looked hard at the old man. She recognized the iron gray hair and the one bright green eye and the other milky white. "Papa!" she called. She climbed down of the horse. The old man had stopped. He was stood, laughing. "My dear little Tigerlily!" he called. Tigerlily ran into her father's arms. She threw her arms around his neck and cried into his shoulder. She had missed him and her family so much and now they were here. Legolas watched from Arod as Tigerlily embraced her father. "Oh, you're in trouble now!" said Aragorn. Legolas looked at Aragorn.

"What do you mean?" asked Legolas.

"Look, here comes Tigerlily's mother and her brothers," smiled Aragorn. Legolas looked up. A woman was running up followed by six very large men, all of them wearing green and brown. Legolas gulped. Those men were twice his size. The eldest, which he guessed was Pimpernel, looked like he would be able to snap Legolas in two like a twig. Aragorn climbed down from Brego and helped Pippin down too. Legolas reluctantly got down too. He didn't really want to leave the safety of Arod's back but he had no choice. "Meryn," said Aragorn. Tigerlily's father released her and looked at Aragorn.

"You don't look too bad for an eighty-eight year old, Strider," said Meryn, "How about passing some of that Numenor blood my way?"

"Meryn!" said Tigerlily's mother, "What have I told you!" Meryn rolled his eyes at Rose's comment. Eowyn had been whispering into Theoden's ear. "So, you have come to seek refuge here?" said Theoden, "Eowyn, tells me you are desperate."

"The wild men of Dunland have taken many of our crops and animals," said Meryn, "A week ago, they came and burnt our village. We have nothing left but what we have with us." Meryn was interrupted by a squeal from Tigerlily. It appeared her brothers had lifted her clear off the ground. "Boys, put you sister down!" said Rose. The brothers obeyed but still received a swift clip round the ear. "Ow, mama!" protested Olo, the youngest of the brothers. One of the brothers was eyeing Legolas with suspicion. Legolas was slightly unnerved by the fact he only had three fingers on his right hand. The scars looked as though they had been hacked off cruelly. "Who's your elf friend, Tigerlily?" he asked suddenly. Tigerlily turned and looked from her brother to Legolas. "Oh, Milo, I didn't see you," she said, "This is Legolas."

"Greenleaf?" asked Milo. Legolas nodded.

"Well, well, we've heard a lot about you," said Milo. All the brothers were looking at Legolas with none too friendly eyes. "And your ways," added Milo, "You had better be nice to my sister or I will make sure you never enjoy the company of a woman again. Got it?" His hands strayed to his sword. Legolas nodded. "Good," said Milo. He began to walk away. "What happened to him?" asked Tigerlily.

"Beats me," said Pimpernel, "He's been like that for a while now. I thought it was something he ate but he's been really moody lately." Tigerlily made a confused noise in the back of her throat. "Anyway," said Pimpernel, "Want to come see your nieces and nephews?" Tigerlily nodded. Her brothers smiled and ran back towards the camp. Olo soon caught up to Milo and tackled him to the ground. The brothers turned to look at Tigerlily. "Come on Tigerlily!" one of them called.

"Just a minute," Tigerlily called back. She turned to Legolas.

"I'll see you later, alright," she said and kissed him on the mouth in front of her family. There were calls from her brother. One went, "Tigerlily! Put the elf down! You don't know where he's been!" She smiled at Legolas and ran off after her brothers. Legolas watched as she went after them. Rose went after them too. Meryn grunted. "Great," he said, "Thank you, Legolas. Rose is planning a wedding already." He limped after his wife. Aragorn placed on hand on Legolas' shoulders. "Ignore him," he said, "He's always like that when it comes to weddings. He hates them. It took me and Rose to get him to stand through his sons weddings."

It was late afternoon when Tigerlily finally appeared back at Golden Hall. Legolas was stood outside the doors, watching for her. "Just where have you been?" he asked, "I've had to answer all of Pippin's questions by myself." Tigerlily stood in front of him.

"I'm sorry," she said. She kissed him gently. "I'm sorry," she said again before kissing him again. "I'm really sorry," she said. Legolas smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed her, gently touching her bottom lip with his tongue, seeking entry to her mouth. He increased the pressure of his mouth on hers and her lips parted under it. He slipped his tongue inside her mouth. She moaned slightly against his mouth as their tongues duelled. She pulled away. "Soon," she said, "Soon, I promise." Legolas nodded, knowing what she meant.

Tigerlily stood beside Legolas with a tankard in one hand. She felt Legolas take her other hand and intertwine his fingers with hers. She smiled. His hand was rough and calloused. It was a warrior's hand. Legolas liked the feel of Tigerlily's smooth skin against his. He smiled down at her. Eowyn walked up to Theoden and presented him with a chalice. Theoden took it and held it up for all to see. "Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country," he said, "Hail the victorious dead." Tigerlily lifted her tankard and called, "Hail!" with the others. She took a long drink. She felt Legolas' hand leave hers. She looked around and saw him disappear with Eomer. She followed them. She saw Eomer give Gimli a tankard. "No pauses," he said handing a tankard to Legolas, "No spills."

"And no regurgitation," cackled Gimli.

"So it's a drinking game," said Legolas.

"By the valar, I think he's got it," said Tigerlily, leaning against a pillar behind Gimli.

"Last one standing wins," challenged Gimli. He laughed. Legolas had a good smell of the drink before drinking. As soon as they had emptied one tankard, Eomer handed them another. Tigerlily watched as Gimli became more and more drunk. Legolas stayed almost completely sober. As he got drunker, Gimli seemed to lose control of himself but he laughed it off. Suddenly he spoke, "It's the Dwarves that go swimming with little hairy women."

"I feel something," said Legolas. Everyone looked at him.

"A slight tingle in my fingers," he continued, "I think it's affecting me."

"What did I say?" slurred Gimli, "He can't hold his liquor." His eyes crossed and he fell backwards. Tigerlily's eyes followed him down to the floor then went back to meet Legolas'. "Game over," she said. Legolas drank the last of his drink and left, grabbing Tigerlily's hand and pulling her after him. He pulled her out of Golden Hall into the cool evening air. He pulled her close and kissed her roughly. The kiss caught Tigerlily a little off guard but she soon slipped into it. Her hands went round to the back of Legolas' neck and into his hair. "I want you so much," Legolas whispered when he pulled out of the kiss. "I know," said Tigerlily. Legolas looked down.

"It's… it's hard to carry on as if I don't desire to spend one night alone with you," he said, "Just one night is all I ask."

"I know," said Tigerlily, "I want to as well. I'm just not sure. You saw Milo's reaction today. Your reputation precedes you and not in a good way. Legolas, you remember what I told you. I don't want to lose my brother." Legolas smiled at her and pulled her closer. She rested her head against his broad shoulder. She couldn't keep this up. She wanted Legolas really badly. She would have to deal with Milo in the morning.

Tigerlily tossed and turned in her bed. The others were all sleeping in another room. It was a warm night so she was only wearing her shirt under the blankets. This didn't feel right. Legolas should have been there too. She couldn't bare it any longer. Milo would just have to accept it. She was going to find Legolas. She got out of the bed and pulled on her trousers. She slipped out of her room and went to find Legolas. She found the room the others were in. She could hear some muttering above Gimli's snores. She could hear Merry and Pippin's voice. She pushed the door open. "Have you two seen…" she trailed off when she saw Pippin with the palantir in his hands. Pippin tensed and fell backwards. "Pippin!" she cried. She ran to him. Legolas and Aragorn came running in just in time to see Tigerlily take the palantir from Pippin. She felt a jolt in her stomach. She saw the eye of Sauron. She saw a massive army of orcs marching from Mordor. The next thing she saw would haunt her for a long time. She saw Legolas. He was stood in the shadows, looking out of a broken window. He looked tired as if he hadn't slept in a long time. "They're getting closer," he said. Only it wasn't his voice. It seemed barely more of a hiss, Sauron's voice. He turned to look at her. "Tigerlily, take our son and run," he said, "I…" His words were cut short by an arrow through his heart. He fell to the ground. "No!" Tigerlily cried. A small cry came from her arms; she looked down and saw a baby in them. His clothes and skin were dirty as if they had had no time to bathe him. "Ada," the baby lisped. Tigerlily felt the palantir pulled from her hands. She opened her eyes. Legolas' face was looking down at her. "Tigerlily?" he said, "Are you alright?" Tigerlily sat up and threw herself into Legolas' arms. She held onto him tightly. Gandalf rushed past and threw his cloak over the palantir. "Fool of a Took," he barked. Tigerlily looked at Pippin. He wasn't moving. Tigerlily wasn't even sure he was breathing. Gandalf marched over to Pippin and pushed Merry out of the way. He took one of Pippin's hands and rubbed it. He then put a hand on Pippin's forehead. Pippin breathed again. Tigerlily felt a tug on her arm. It was Legolas. He led her out of the room and back to hers. He gently sat her down on the bed. He knelt down in front of her and took her hands in his. "Tigerlily?" he said, "What did you see?" Tigerlily fought back tears. "I saw us," she said, "Only the future I saw wasn't a good one. We were hiding in an old house. You said they were getting closer. I don't know whom. You told me to take our son and run. It looked as if we were running out of places to hide. You were about to say something else when…" she stopped. Legolas placed one hand on her cheek.

"What? What happened?" he asked.

"You were killed," she said, a tear falling from her eye, "By an arrow through your heart." Legolas stood up and kissed away the tear. "I will not allow that to be our life," he said, "I will make sure we live in a peaceful world. I will not run in fear." The door opened and Gandalf walked in. Tigerlily looked at her feet. "Tigerlily," he said, calmly, "What did you see?"

"A terrible future," she said.

"That is only what Sauron has planned for you," said Gandalf, "It is not certain, nothing is."

"He plans to hunt us down like animals?" snapped Legolas, "Track us down until we have no where left to go or any strength left. Gandalf, Tigerlily saw us hiding in fear with our son."

"Sauron isn't exactly known for his morals," said Gandalf.

"What would he do?" asked Tigerlily, "What would Sauron do if those events came to pass and he caught us?"

"Legolas would no doubt be killed on sight because of his actions in the Fellowship," said Gandalf, "Your son… he would probably be taken away and raised by any humans loyal to Sauron, brought up to do evil. As for you Tigerlily, I am not certain. He would most definitely keep you alive though."

"Why?" asked Tigerlily.

"I can't say," said Gandalf, "Did he speak to you?" Tigerlily shook her head.

"Good," said Gandalf, "Now, rest, both of you." Gandalf left the room. Legolas slammed the door shut behind Gandalf in a rage. He was so furious with the wizard he hit the door with his fists. He put his forehead against the door and tried to calm down. Tigerlily stood up and came up to Legolas. She put her arms around him and rested her head on his back. Legolas put one hand over hers. He sighed. "I will not allow what Sauron plans to come true," he said softly. She released him and he turned round. He gently tucked her hair behind her ear. He kissed her. "I must go," he said.

"Please don't go," said Tigerlily, "I don't want to be alone." Legolas sighed. He could stay for a little while. Tigerlily lay down on the bed on her side. Legolas lay down beside her, his chest to her back. He placed one arm over her waist, knowing this made her feel safe. She slowly drifted off to sleep. When she was sleeping peacefully, Legolas got up and left. She was safe now. That was all that mattered.

The next morning, Gandalf summoned an emergency council in Golden Hall. Gandalf related what Pippin had said for the benefit of everyone who hadn't been there. "There was no lie in Pippin's eyes," said Gandalf, "A fool but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring. We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's 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. He will not risk the people 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..." said Theoden, "why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?"

"I will go," said Aragorn.

"No!" snapped Gandalf.

"They must be warned," protested Aragorn.

"They will be," said Gandalf softly. He walked up to Aragorn.

"You must come to Minas Tirith by another road," said Gandalf quietly, "Follow the river and look to the black ships." He turned to the others. "Understand this: things are now in motion that cannot be undone," warned Gandalf, "I ride for Minas Tirith and I won't be going alone. But before I leave, I think many of us owe someone an explanation." He looked at Tigerlily. She was sat on the table next to her father. Meryn sighed and stood up straight. "Tigerlily, you know our family doesn't beat about the bush," he said, "so I'll come straight to the point. You are solar-blessed. In two days time, you will become immortal." It hit Tigerlily like icy water. She felt numb and was silent. "That's it?" said Tigerlily finally, "That's the big, dark secret you've kept from me all these years? You could have told me!" She stood up and stormed off. How could they have kept something like this from her! Something that important was something she should have known! She found herself outside Golden Hall, looking out the plains. She heard someone coming out behind here. She turned around; it was Legolas. He didn't seem surprised. "You knew, didn't you!" she said, "You knew and you never told me!"

"Tigerlily," he started. Tigerlily turned away from him.

"No, I can't even look at you right now!" she said, 'Why? Why didn't you tell me? Did you think…" she lowered her voice, "Did you think I'd sleep with you sooner if I thought I was mortal? Did you? Why? Why couldn't you tell me? I thought you were honest with me, Legolas, I really did! Why didn't you tell me!"

"Because I love you," said Legolas, a little too loud. A few people down the steps stopped and looked up. "I didn't tell you because I love you," he said, "If I had told you, you would have lost your immortality and I wouldn't have had forever with you. Tigerlily, I love you and I don't want to lose you." He looked at her with his blue eyes. Tigerlily felt all anger towards him vanish. She sighed and hung her head. She stepped into his arms. "I love you too," she said. She smiled, knowing at last she was his.