Disclaimer: The Lord of the Rings is property of Tolkien and there are many references throughout to Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. I only own what you do not recognize. The character Chinky is not meant to cause offence and is named after a real horse whose name has been shortened from a Fiat Cinquecento (Chinky – Chento).
Chapter 24: There is always hope
Her stomach knotted in excitement as she saw the wolves come over the crest of another small hill. Quickly firing another arrow she watched the Warg fall. Its large mass crushing its rider as it hit the ground.
Looking behind her quickly she saw Aragorn, the King and the mounted guards charging towards them. Singling out Chinky she called the mare towards her. Once the Mearas was in range Amy grabbed her neck, swung up onto her back and fired another arrow.
The first line of soldiers hit the Wargs like the sea hit the cliffs. Quickly avoiding a spear that was aimed towards her she slung her bow across her back and drew the dragon-marked sword.
Smiling evilly she swung it towards on oncoming Orc. As the sword flew through the air the blade lit up in flame, finally hitting the Orc in the chest. Instantly the Orc caught alight and went up in flames screaming as he did. Grinning Amy looked at her sword. She had charmed it ages ago to do that, but this was the first time she had seen it work. Liking the effect she urged Chinky to gallop towards a Warg that was coming behind Aragorn.
BREAK
Aragorn saw the Warg come up behind him. Cursing he tried to swing at it, but his sword was flung from his hand. He closed his eyes and braced himself for the pain. When it didn't come he opened his eyes carefully. The Warg in question was lying on the ground twitching in pain as its body was engulfed in flames.
Breathing a sigh of relief he looked for Amy and sure enough there she was swinging her dragon sword, which appeared to be forged in flame.
BREAK
There were too many Wargs. They couldn't take them all down. Too many soldiers had already died.
Amy's bright silver coloured sword was now caked in black blood. The eyes of the dragons could still be seen, still seeming to glow as they tore through armour and flesh in an attempt to kill.
'Amy these people cannot last. Théoden needs many people alive if he wishes to keep the Hornburg from being captured.' Chinky said rearing up to bring her weight down on an orc's head.
'Nice one. Yes I know. Come on we have work to do.' Amy said sheathing her fiery sword.
BREAK
The cries of battle were ringing out across the plains. The end was near. Gritting her teeth Amy started throwing balls of fire towards the Wargs and their riders. The sight of so many of the wolves falling brought new hope to the soldiers who continued fighting for all it was worth.
Turning quickly Amy saw Gimli lying with two dead Wargs on top of him.
"Come Gimli," she yelled throwing the orcs' off him, "no time for a nap!"
Gimli grumbled, stood up and picked up his axe, quickly hacking away at an orc running towards him.
BREAK
Legolas stood fighting hand to hand with an orc. He had been dragged off Arod a long time ago and had continued fighting on foot. He had lost one of his elvish knives so he was now left with one knife, a bow and an empty quiver. Seeing that his options were limited he continued battling the orc.
BREAK
Amy galloped Chinky towards where Legolas was fighting. He had only one blade left and three more orcs' were advancing on him. Seeing his other blade on the ground she jumped off Chinky and rolled on landing while picking it up.
Chinky turned quickly and waited for her master to mount again. Once on she galloped towards the older elf.
'Elf-boy you have three behind you, hold out your left hand now,' Chinky said.
Obeying Legolas slashed and killed the Orc before throwing out his left hand. He felt Amy grab him and sling him behind her.
"So nice of you to join me!" Amy said handing him back his other blade and a handful of arrows that she had picked out of dead bodies on the way.
"Thanks," Legolas said killing an attacking Warg.
BREAK
Soon the battle was over. Amy sat high on Chinky's back and looked around her. There were too many dead. So many of these people were needed at Helm's Deep. Now they were gone. Anger boiled in her as she used her power to pull all her black arrows towards her.
"Théoden I can heal the wounded. Though only the ones that might be saved." Amy said riding up to the king who was standing over a man.
Crouching down she recognized it to be Háma, the door warden. Shutting her eyes briefly she rolled him over and looked at the thick gash on his back. Shuddering she held a hand over it. He was barely alive.
Théoden watched in amazement, as the wound seemed to go backwards. The blood surrounding it was drawn back in, the tendons knitted together again, and finally the skin melted together without even a mark.
Amy smiled at the king before quickly moving on to the next person. Being careful only to heal the ones in danger, she would need all her strength for later.
Finally she finished and checked the area for Legolas. 'He was with me when the battle ended. Where is that elf?' She thought.
Soon her eyes rested on him. He was looking down off the end of a cliff. Gimli was with him. Amy noticed that the elf had his hand on Gimli for support, she prayed as she ran over that he was not hurt. What was he looking at?
BREAK
Legolas didn't turn from his spot as he heard soft feet approach. He just stared intently down at the raging waters below. Hoping and wishing he would see a mass of brown hair above the water, but none could be seen.
"I have healed the needy, come we must go." Amy said standing next to Legolas. He did not even acknowledge she was there.
Frowning at him she was about to shake him out of it when she saw a soft tear fall down his cheek. He pulled his free arm to his heart and looked down mumbling 'Estel.'
"Hope? Hope for what? We won the." Amy stopped in her tracks as realization dawned on her.
Not hope, but Hope. Aragorn. Falling to her knees she hit her fists on the ground. 'Why? Why him. Why Aragorn?' She had no tears to cry for him. Yet her heart ached with more pain than was normal.
Shakily looking up at Legolas she saw him look down at her. His sky blue eyes blurry with tears that had yet to fall. Slowly taking his hand she rose to her feet and placed her hand to her own heart in respect for her fallen friend. Turning she saw Théoden approach.
"We are in need of haste, get the wounded on horses, leave the dead."
Amy glared at him. Pain filled his eyes as he stared intently at her black ones. "I am sorry," he said.
"Sorry! Is that all you have to say. Sorry!" Amy yelled.
The rest of the soldiers stopped collecting arrows and helping the wounded; and stared at the girl standing before the king. Each one of them taking a step back.
"He would have been a great king of men." Théoden said, now looking slightly worried.
Amy was furious, she was losing her temper, and she loved it. Her black eyes darkened further than seemed possible. Once slightly messed up black hair straightened and lay flat to her back. Skin that was once light copper turned white, making her eyes seem to glow even more.
The once bright blue sky darkened, clouds rushed across as she drew on more of her power. The more power she drew the better she felt.
"I said that taking your people to Helm's Deep would be a massacre. You didn't heed me, did you? If you think he was such a good king of men why didn't you listen to him?" Amy said. Her voice dropped to a deep whisper that echoed around them.
Everyone was too scared to move. Terrified the people looked on in horror as she lifted her arm and pointed it at Théoden.
Something was controlling Amy now. Something she did not have any power over. In the back of her mind she could see the fiery eye, willing her, tempting her. Fighting it was taking a great deal of strength, yet she was not feeling as tired as she should be. Her eyes widened as she noticed her hand moving of its own accord. The power flowing around her told her what she was going to do. Balefire. She was going to kill the king. She couldn't help herself, starting to get scared she tried to force her arm down.
Sound was muffled around her; the only thing that existed was her and the king. Sweat beaded on her forehead at the pressure of holding the dark lord at bay, as that, she realised now, was what was controlling her.
A soft voice floated across her void of nothingness, fighting back the sweet temptation of power. She could not pick out what the voice was saying yet it calmed her. Slowly realization came back to her. She started to notice things again. Slowly she lowered her arm. The clouds vanished and her skin went back to normal.
Blinking a couple of times she looked to where the voice was coming from. "Legolas?" She said before fainting.
BREAK
Legolas moved and caught her before she hit the ground. Sitting down he cradled her head in his lap still muttering elvish in her ear. Hoping that she would wake up soon. Silently he went over in his head what had just happened. He could tell by the look on her face that she did not want to do what she was doing. At the start it was her. She made the sky go black and cloud over, but from then on something was inside her. Something was possessing her.
A glimmer of a memory hit him. What was it? It was something Haldir had said. 'You know as well as I what she is capable of. What if she went over to Sauron?'
That was it. Haldir knew something about her. Mentally scolding himself, 'of course he knew, why else did he call her Lureae?'
Still holding her tightly, he stood up and carried her to Chinky, ignoring the looks he got. He placed her on the mares back before vaulting up himself.
"Legolas what just happened?" Théoden asked.
"I don't know my lord. She got angry, and when she gets angry she draws on more power. I think she was possessed by something. The only person who can answer your question is an egotistical elf who is currently leagues away in the golden wood." Legolas said.
"I do not blame her. She was angry over the death of a friend." Théoden said thoughtfully.
"I think we will all be grieving for a long time. He was her foster brother as well. They were both raised by Lord Elrond." Legolas said sadly.
Théoden looked shocked, but nodded, mounted his horse none the less and rode on.
BREAK
Amy grunted as she felt someone stroke her hair lightly. Her head was killing her. Grimacing in pain she sat up before hastily being pushed back down again.
"Rest." Legolas said in elvish.
"I did. What did I do?" Amy answered
"I do not know. We think you drew too much of your power." Legolas said handing her a water skin.
"Oh. I didn't hurt anyone did I?" She said with a ghost of a grin.
"No. Rest we have another battle ahead of us."
"Where are we?"
"Helm's Deep." Legolas said, now pushing the water skin to her mouth.
Amy gulped down the water deeply, wiped her mouth then sighed. She was going to have to leave. It was never her plan to fight in the battle. She wasn't sure how to say this to the king, who would probably try and keep her there. Mind you, she now doubted whether he wanted her anywhere near him.
"Legolas, where is Gimli? I need to talk with you and him alone." She said standing up and stretching. She already felt much better.
"He is grieving I believe. Aragorn's loss was great." Legolas said standing up also.
"Do not fear, here he comes. Gimli. I need to converse with you and Legolas will you join me?" She said to the dwarf fighting down the tears that threatened to fall for Aragorn.
"I will. What is it you wish to speak with us about?" He asked.
"Well, this battle will be great. The losses on this side will be huge. I will say that over three thirds of you will die, and I don't want to lose you." She said to the two males in front of her.
"How do you know this?" Gimli asked looking suspicious.
"Don't ask." She said lightly shaking her head. "Any way, did you see my sword earlier?"
"Yes, it was wrought in flame." Legolas said looking confused.
"Yes, a little trick of mine. Hand me your weapons and I will do the same to yours. With the fire on your weapons, they will cut through any armour like it was butter. Watch." She said picking up her sword.
She made a few pieces of broken armour hover in the air in front of her. Swinging her sword it flared up and cut through the amour with no effort.
Legolas smiled as he watched. Taking an arrow that she had just seen to, he fired it; it went straight through the metal breast plate and wedged its self in the wall at the other end of the room.
"Good isn't it!" She said smiling as Gimli was whirling around his two fiery axes. "Now about warding." She smiled even more at their confused faces.
BREAK
After warding Legolas and Gimli and sorting out their new fiery weapons Amy reluctantly walked towards the king.
"My lord, I will not be fighting this battle with you." Amy said standing up straight.
"Why ever not? We need you. You are the only hope this place has!" Théoden exclaimed standing up.
"I have my reasons for not fighting this battle, but do not fear. In a time of your greatest need help will come. Fight in honour of the future king of Gondor, there is always hope. At dawn on the day of battle look to the east. I cannot tell you more." Amy said walking out followed by Legolas and Gimli leaving a very confused king behind her.
Théoden's brows furrowed. 'Fight in honour of the future king of Gondor?' But Aragorn was dead. Did this mean that she believed him to be alive? No one could have survived that fall. Shaking his head he sat down again to puzzled the girl's words out. He gave up after a while, logic puzzles never were his strong point.
BREAK
Once outside the walls of the Hornburg Amy stopped walking and leant against the wall. Chinky was standing some distance away looking at a large butterfly that had just landed on her nose.
"Do you believe that Aragorn is alive?" Legolas said staring at the elf.
"There is always hope." Is all Amy said. "I will say no more on the matter. Though I have my suspicions. He will not die that easily!" She said grinning.
"Why will you not fight with us?" Gimli said.
"Someone has to wait for Gandalf and backup, and guide them where to go!" She said giving them a knowing smile. "I must leave soon." She bent down and hugged the dwarf tightly before standing up. He huffed and went red then walked off mumbling something about privacy.
Smiling Legolas turned back to Amy and leant against the wall next to her.
"I trust you still have Aragorn's jewel." Amy said moving and standing in front of the young prince.
"I have and if what you say is true, I will give it back to him when we meet again. Though I have to admit at this rate it will probably be at The Halls of Mandos." He said looking to the ground.
"Do not ever give up hope Legolas." Amy said raising his chin so that he was looking at her. "Any way only one orc can fight you at a time. I think you can handle that!"
"I thank you for the wards, I just hope they work."
Amy silenced him with a kiss. Smiling against her lips Legolas wrapped his arms round her small figure pulling her in closer to him.
Amy sighed and let herself melt into him, loving the feel of his cool body next to her own. She started unconsciously running her hands up and down his arms. Relishing the feeling of his strong arms wrapped around her body. Slowly breaking the kiss she leant up and started kissing his ear, working her way to the very tip. She could feel his body relax at the feelings, smiling she kissed the tip before bringing her lips back down to meet his.
Legolas stood stock still as he felt her kiss the tip of his ear. Not being able to help himself he sighed allowing his body to relax. He cursed himself silently as although his body was relaxed a certain part of him was not. Hoping she wouldn't notice the tightness in his breaches he went back to kissing her.
Amy pulled herself closer to him, so that she could feel every inch of his body against hers from his thighs to chest. She tried not to giggle as she noticed a bulge in his breaches that was now digging into her belly.
Slowly pulling away again Amy placed her hands on his chest. She started running her hands along the ties in his shirt feeling the skin beneath it.
"I don't want to go, but I have to." Amy said running her hands over his belt to the top of his breaches.
"I don't want you to go either." Legolas said leaning down to kiss her.
Amy smiled against his lips as her small hands ran lightly over his tightened breaches.
Legolas tried to suppress a groan when she ran her hands over the bulge. But to no avail, Amy still heard a slight groan of pleasure escape his lips.
"Still I have to go." She said bringing her hands to his face and kissing him one last time.
Legolas held her hands tightly before letting go and smiling at her. Amy grinned stupidly before slinging her bow over her back and running to mount Chinky.
At the top of the hill, she turned back and looked at the striking blonde elf that was still looking at her. 'I love you Legolas Greenleaf,' she sent.
As she cantered off, she was vaguely aware of a voice in her head replying, 'I love you child of the dragon.'
BREAK
Legolas hoped that she got the message, he never was very good at mind speech. It is said that wood elves like himself had a certain magical quality, yet the only magic he could do was making a flat piece of gold run along the back off his hand.
Turning back around, he walked into the keep. He nodded and smiled at some of the villagers and noticed how they were smiling maniacally back. Confused he cocked his head to aside. He was wondering what everyone was looking at. Thinking nothing of it he carried on walking, getting increasingly more paranoid.
As he was walking into the main keep he saw Jolin, the one that gave Amy the flowers yesterday. The boy ran up to him and tugged his sleeve slightly.
"Lord Legolas." The boy said.
Legolas smiled down at the child. "Yes."
"You might want to un-tuck your shirt and pull it down a bit." Jolin said before going red and running off again.
Confused, Legolas looked down and instantly knew what everyone was looking at. He hastily pulled his shirt down over the visible, large bulge in his breaches and walked as fast as he could manage - in his current state - in search of a place to hide until his body calmed down.
"Damn girl!" He exclaimed sitting down on a step and resting his elbows on his knees.
Without prompting his mind travelled back to a few minutes ago when her gentle touches sent flames throughout his body. Cursing again at his bodies reaction to even thinking about it, he forced himself to think about Aragorn.
