Disclaimer: I don't own, oh screw this, you know what I'm gonna say.
Chapter 20
Onward to battle
Tigerlily lay asleep in the circle of Legolas' arms. Legolas slept peacefully beside her as she moaned and whimpered. She was having a very bad dream. There was a spider. If there was one thing that scared Tigerlily more than anything else, it was spiders. Her irrational fear had been there since she was a small child. To make matters worse, this was a really big spider. She was cowering in a corner of a tunnel, filled with cobwebs and half-eaten corpses. She could see Frodo; he was stood before this creature. It raised it self so it towered way above everything and its sting swung out of nowhere and pierced Frodo's stomach. "Frodo!" cried out Tigerlily as she awoke. Her eyes snapped open. Legolas twitched slightly and groaned in his sleep. Tigerlily looked over at him. He looked so peaceful. She gently stroked one side of his face. His mouth twitched into a smile. She gently moved his arm and slid out of the bed. She quickly dressed and left the cabin. The door slammed shut behind her and Tigerlily cursed it. The noise woke Legolas up. He looked around and mumbled, "Tigerlily," sleepily before falling asleep again. It was their second day on the ships and they were getting close now. She walked to the front of the ship and lent on the railing. She sighed. That was the strangest dream she had ever had. There was also a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. Something strange was at work here. 'Oh mama,' she thought, 'Where are you when I need you? You'd know what is happening.' This was a well-founded thought. It was often said that Rose had a second sight. She could tell long before anyone else that one of her daughter-in-laws was pregnant. She had known instantly when Milo had been naughty when he was younger and Milo was quite accomplished when it came to lying. "Well, this is a surprise," said a comforting voice, "I didn't expect to see you during this voyage."
"Morning Strider," said Tigerlily. Aragorn lent on the railings next to her.
"Something's wrong," he said, "I've known you all your life so don't lie." Tigerlily looked at her feet. "I had a bad dream that's all," she said.
"About Frodo?" said Aragorn, "Do not worry yourself, we'd know by now if something was wrong." Tigerlily smiled weakly.
"There's something else," said Aragorn, "What is it?" Tigerlily wiped away a tear that was threatening to fall. "I'm scared," she said, "I'm scared that I'm going to lose him." Aragorn knew that by him Tigerlily meant Legolas. "What made you think that?" he joked. "This isn't a laughing matter," said Tigerlily, "The more I think about it, the more it seems likely."
"What does?"
"That Legolas and I can't be together," said Tigerlily, "I mean, he is one of elven royalty. How would his father and his people react to him marrying a human farmer's daughter?"
"Oh, Tigerlily," he said, "When are you going to get this? Legolas loves you. He's even said he'd give up Mirkwood for you. Quite frankly, I don't think he gives a damn about what happens to him."
"That's what Galadriel said," muttered Tigerlily, "And that's what worries me. I'm scared he'll do something really stupid and he'll end up hurting himself or worse."
"I'll talk to him," said Aragorn, "But remember this; Legolas loves you and he will do everything he can to ensure that you and him are together." Tigerlily stared down at the water below. She suddenly felt a little queasy. "Are you alright?" asked Aragorn.
"No, I'm fine," said Tigerlily, "Just a little sea sick."
"We're not at sea," joked Aragorn. Tigerlily just stuck her tongue out at him. Aragorn laughed and patted her on the shoulder before walking away. She heard whispering behind her. Then she felt someone press a kiss to her cheek. "Morning, my love," Legolas whispered in her ear. Tigerlily smiled. "Did I wake you?" she asked.
"No, the door did," said Legolas.
"Sorry," said Tigerlily. Legolas turned her around to look at him.
"What were you yelling when you woke up?" he asked.
"I…i…just had a bad dream about Frodo," she said, "It's nothing."
"What happened?"
"What is with all your questions this morning," said Tigerlily.
"I'm just curious," said Legolas.
"Well, stop being curious," said Tigerlily, "As my mother once said, 'curiosity killed the cat'. I'd be willing to change it to 'curiosity killed the elf'." She smiled at the worried look on Legolas' face. She pulled him down and kissed him. "I was joking," she said. But Legolas didn't answer; he was too busy kissing her back. He stopped and looked down at Tigerlily. "It must be hard for you," he said, "Seeing your family for the first time in many years then to leave again; not knowing if you'll ever see them again." Tigerlily fought back tears. Legolas tilted her chin up. "Tigerlily," he said. Tigerlily's barriers broke down and her tears fell. She rested her head against his chest and cried. "I miss them so much," she sobbed, "I don't want to lose them." Her fingers gripped Legolas' tunic. Her gently rested a hand on her head. He stroked her hair. He whispered comforting words to her. When her crying had subsided, he lifted her chin up so she looked at him. "Tigerlily, if anything should happen," he said, "I'll be your family. You'll always have me." Tigerlily smiled.
"Thank you," she said, "But I already counted you as part of my family." Legolas smiled. He was going to find out soon that Tigerlily really would need him.