Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings.

A/N: People this is pitiful! So few reviews! I really want to know what you think. I write a lot quicker when people review me! So, due to the lack of reviews, I have managed to kidnap Orlando!

Orlando: She made me pay my own bus fare.
Lady Excalibur: What did you expect? I haven't got a job any more I'm broke.
Orlando: No you're not. I saw £2 in your purse.
Lady Excalibur: That's all I've got to last me this week. It's my pocket money from my dad! And you shouldn't be looking in my purse. Now sit down and behave yourself. Don't you want to know what happens to Tigerlily?
Orlando: Go on then. I like the way this story is going.
Lady Excalibur: Just to inspire you a little, think about it like this, if you review, Orlando gets to eat. If you don't, he won't and he'll have to hang out with my dad.
Orlando: Who is about the same age as Johnny Depp? No problem!
Lady Excalibur: Shut up, lul gijak-ishi.
Orlando: What does that mean?
Lady Excalibur: If people review me, then you'll find out.
Orlando: You're evil you are.
Lady Excalibur: I know, aren't you tired of good girls? Ok, review responses below.

Manwathiel – Do you really think Aragorn or Gandalf or me are going to let her die?

Chapter 26

The last journey of Milo Solaris

Aragorn and Gandalf moved Tigerlily as far from the battlefield as they dared. A screen was set up to hide her from view. Eomer and Gimli tried desperately to stop Legolas from running over. "Leave them be," bellowed Gimli, "They can't save her if you're stood there fretting." Legolas pulled his arm from Eomer's grip. Behind the screen, Aragorn and Gandalf had done all they could to save Tigerlily and her child. The rest was up to her. "Do you think she'll hold on?" asked Aragorn as he wiped the sweat from Tigerlily's brow. "She will," said Gandalf, "If not just for Legolas, on some subconscious level she'll hold on for the child."

"Her son," whispered Aragorn.

"Pardon, Aragorn?" said Gandalf.

"She's carrying a son," said Aragorn, "That was what she saw in Galadriel's mirror."

"We have no way of knowing how far in the future that vision was," said Gandalf, "That son could have been a different child."

"Don't talk like that," said Aragorn, "I don't want there to even be thought of the possibility of Tigerlily losing her child." Gandalf nodded solemnly.

"Do you think we should tell Legolas now?" asked Aragorn, "Should we tell him Tigerlily is with child?"

"No," said Gandalf, "Not until Tigerlily and her baby are in the clear." Aragorn nodded and wiped Tigerlily's brow again. "I must leave now," said Gandalf, "There may be two Hobbits waiting for me now." Aragorn nodded again.

As the sun set, Tigerlily worsened. Her fever soared and she was clearly no longer peaceful. She was tossing and turning in her sleep and groaning. Aragorn gave some Gondorian soldiers to use whatever force necessary to stop Legolas from seeing her. Tigerlily began to lash out at some unseen foe in her dreams. Aragorn caught her wrists and held them still. "Please Tigerlily," he pleaded with her, "Please, fight this ailment, fight it for you and for your child."

"Child?" said a familiar voice. While the soldiers had been given orders to keep Legolas out, there had been no orders to keep Gimli out. The dwarf was stood there; his mouth open in shock and his hand dropped his ax, which hit the ground with a thud. "Gimli, you must tell no one especially Legolas," said Aragorn. Gimli nodded. He walked up to Tigerlily's side. "She is carrying the elf's child?" he said quietly. Aragorn nodded.

"Neither of them know yet," said Aragorn, "That is why we must keep it quiet. If Legolas knew of this child and Tigerlily miscarried…it would kill him."

"I have heard of elves dying from grief," said Gimli.

"Yes, well the grief from such an event would be made worse from a grief already weighing on Legolas' heart," said Aragorn. Gimli gave Aragorn a questioning look.

"Legolas was married a thousand years ago," said Aragorn, "For reasons I cannot tell you, his wife murdered their child."

"Oh," said Gimli simply, "We, Dwarves, value any child born. As you know we have a decreasing population due to uneven ratios." Aragorn nodded.

"Naturally, dwarves have become very adept at treating unborn children," said Gimli, "I may be able to help."

"But the race of Men is different to dwarves," said Aragorn, knowing Gimli was intending to use some dwarvish medicine. "I know," said Gimli, "but it's worth a try. It may be the difference between life and death for Tigerlily's child as well as her." Aragorn nodded. "What will you need?" asked Aragorn. Gimli named a few herbs and Aragorn went with a few Gondorian Rangers to find them. Gimli mixed the herbs in with some hot water and with Aragorn's help, managed to pour some of it down her throat. The rest was put in a water skin and wrapped in a blanket. It was placed gently over where Tigerlily's womb was. "It is the best I can do," said Gimli, "If it works, we will be able to travel by sunrise."

The dwarvish medicine worked. By sunrise, Tigerlily's fever was gone and she seemed once more at peace. At last Legolas was allowed to see her. The relief on his face was one of someone who had been worried so much that if they were human; they would have an ulcer by now. He knelt down beside her and gently stroked her hair and cheek. "She is going to be fine," said Aragorn, "I believe it was Sauron that caused her to fall ill. He had a strong grip on her and when he was destroyed, he dragged her close to the edge on death as well."

"Thank you, Aragorn," said Legolas.

"It is really Gimli you should be thanking," said Aragorn, "It was the dwarvish medicine he provided that saved her."

"Gimli," said Legolas, "Thank you so much. If you and your people are ever in the need of assistance, you can call on Mirkwood."

"I don't think my father has quite forgotten the time Mirkwood's army marched towards him with the intent of taking something that didn't belong to them. May I remind you, that you were present? My father saw you skulking around with three other elves. He told me back in Rivendell." Legolas smiled.

"Mirkwood will never march against you again, I promise," said Legolas. He turned back to Tigerlily. "Can we move her?" he asked.

"Yes," said Aragorn, "Gandalf said to meet in Ithilien."

A makeshift stretcher was made and Tigerlily was placed on it. The stretcher was attached to Anna. She pulled her new mistress along. Legolas rode along next to Anna, just to keep an eye on Tigerlily. He kept one eye on Tigerlily and one on the road ahead. It was on the second night of their journey since they left Mordor that Tigerlily awoke. Legolas was sat not very far from her. A great many of the soldiers had commented to Aragorn how devoted Legolas was to Tigerlily. Aragorn had merely nodded and smiled. Legolas had turned his head merely to see where Aragorn was when he heard a small voice say, "Legolas?" He turned his head back and saw Tigerlily was awake.

"Tigerlily," he said and he moved over to her. He bent down and kissed her.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"I feel a little strange," she said, "But…where are we?"

"About two days from Mordor," said Legolas.

"I've been asleep for two days?" she said. Legolas shook his head.

"No, you've been out for three," he said, "You were so bad the first day, we couldn't travel but Gimli showed Aragorn some dwarvish medicine and you got better." He gently stroked her head. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked.

"I was so worried about you," he said, "For a time I thought I was never going to get you back." Tigerlily smiled.

"Well, I'm still here," she said, "Where are my brothers? I didn't see them at the battle." Legolas turned. He could see Pimpernel giving him a questioning look. Legolas smiled and nodded. Pimpernel signalled to Fosco, Togo, Till and Olo. All five made their way over to her. Legolas stood back while the men bent down and hugged their sister. "We were so worried," said Olo, who was very close to Tigerlily being only two years older, "We thought you and Milo were going to start a club and not involve us." Tigerlily didn't laugh at Olo's attempt to make her smile. She just let go of him. Togo elbowed his youngest brother and hissed, "Nice one, now she's upset!" Tigerlily was staring at her hands. "I think we ought to go," said Togo. He took hold of Olo's ear and pulled him away. The other three followed silently. Legolas bent down to Tigerlily. "Are you alright?" he asked quietly.

"I don't know," said Tigerlily, "I feel like a part of me is dying and there is a space in my heart where Milo used to be." Legolas took her hand and gently kissed it.

"Now this war is over," he said, "We can think about creating something to fill that hole."

"Legolas Greenleaf, is that all you think about?" whispered Tigerlily. Legolas smiled. He bent forward, kissed her cheek and said, "Around you? Always." Tigerlily smiled too.

"I would do anything to keep you happy," said Legolas.

"Good," said Tigerlily, "Can you find me something to eat? I'm starving here!"

Two days later, the Host had found it's way to Ithilien. Tigerlily was riding Anna having almost fully recovered but she knew Aragorn was still watching her. When they reached Ithilien, Tigerlily found her mother and sister-in-laws waiting for her and her brothers. They looked happy to see them but there was a great sadness in their eyes. They knew of Milo's fate. Tigerlily was unhappy to see how sickly Alannah looked. Tigerlily silently willed her sister to hold on for her sons. Meryn was stood beside his wife, leaning on his stick having worsened his bad leg by fighting. There was great relief in his eyes as he saw his remaining sons and only daughter were alive and well. He was a bit worried when Tigerlily walked over, leaning on Legolas. After assuring them, there was nothing fatal threatening her, she asked calmly why they were there and not in Minas Tirith. "We cannot give Milo the Last Rite in a city," said Pimpernel's wife, Eliza, "And we've been waiting for you. Gandalf said you would arrive soon." The family turned away and began their walk to the river. Legolas looked at Tigerlily. "What is the Last Rite?" he asked.

"The Last Rite for anyone born in Enedwaith is the Final Journey," said Tigerlily, "Milo's body will be put in a boat and returned to the sea which gave our country life." Legolas nodded silently.

Legolas knew Tigerlily was fighting back tears as the boat bearing Milo's body slowly vanished from sight. It had finally sunk in that her brother would never return home. "Tigerlily," he said quietly, "It is alright to cry." He gently placed a hand over hers. Tigerlily pushed him away and walked off. Legolas was about to go after her when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Meryn looking at him with both eyes despite one being blind. Meryn shook his head and said, "Tigerlily likes to grieve alone. I've seen it when a beloved pet has died or an old friend. She's used to it and it works for her. She'll be fine. Come with me, my boy, I wish to talk with you about my daughter."

By a tree sat Tigerlily, crying into her arm. She didn't hear Alannah coming up to her. She didn't know Alannah was there until she placed a hand on Tigerlily's cheek. Tigerlily looked up. "Alannah," she said, "I am so sorry, what happened to Milo…"

"Was not your fault," said Alannah, "Before he left, Milo told me and my boys how much he loved us and that he did not expect to return. He hasn't truly left you, Tigerlily, or me. He lives on here," she placed her hand over her heart, "And he lives on in my sons." She smiled; provoking a smile from the young woman she had long called her sister. "Tigerlily," said Alannah softly, "There is something I must tell you. You are the last to know, including Milo; there just wasn't a time for either of us to tell you. Tigerlily, I am carrying your brother's third child."

"What?" said Tigerlily.

"We found out the day he left for Dunharrow," said Alannah, "He was overjoyed and said this was another person for him to live on in. He wanted to tell you but I guess he never had a chance."

"You are carrying a baby?" said Tigerlily after a long silence.

"Yes," said Alannah, "A memory of your brother." Tigerlily smiled.

"Hopefully," she said, "I will be able to give your baby a playmate close to it's own age."

"You and Legolas are going to have children?" said Alannah. Tigerlily nodded.

"We both want one," said Tigerlily.

"Then, my little sister," said Alannah, "I wish you all the luck in the world."

Well what did you think?

Orlando: I think it stank!
Lady Excalibur: How do you mean?
Orlando: I was hardly in it! It was all about the little red Indian girl from peter pan.
Lady Excalibur: Oy! (slaps head) Ok, first of all, this is about Tigerlily and her getting better, it's not all about you elf-boy, secondly, it's not you! It's Legolas, and don't start on how you used the physical description from the movies. Tolkien doesn't give you a lot to go on. Thirdly, Tigerlily is not a red Indian! Tigerlily was a name I got from a Hobbit name generator!
Orlando: What name did you put in?
Lady Excalibur: I think it was Nicola.
Orlando: Why that name?
Lady Excalibur: Cos it's my cousin's name.
Orlando: Which one? You've got like…. ten of them.
Lady Excalibur: The one named Nicola, you dyslexic twit!
Orlando: Oh, right, speaking of your cousins, do we have another sports day to go watch tomorrow?
Lady Excalibur: No that was the last one today.
Orlando: Wahoo! TV tomorrow!
Lady Excalibur: Orli, I hate to rain on your parade but I'm gonna. Mum downgraded our package.
Orlando: Huh?
Lady Excalibur: That channel you're thinking of? We don't get it anymore.
Orlando: Dammit! When do you next baby-sit for that woman who has got it?
Lady Excalibur: (shrugs) I dunno. And stay out of my purse, I haven't got any credit cards! I'm sixteen for crying out loud.
Orlando: What's this then?
Lady Excalibur: Cash point card. Plus I haven't got any money on it so give it back! Ok, folks, review! Orli, out of my purse!