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 33: Mind Leach

Light was brimming on the horizon as each member of the party was left to dwell on their own thoughts as they sped through the coming dawn.

Amy's heart was not with the ride, she could not bring herself to enjoy the pace at which they were travelling for her heart dwelt on what Haldir had told her. She had always known that she was not an elf, yet to hear it confirmed, and then to be told her true blood, was almost all she could bare. Her heart went to all the people that would die in the battles before them, and she sent them a silent prayer to the gods, she knew the blood would flow in rivers and the tears in torrents. And she prayed in her heart, that she had the strength to overcome it all, and not be drawn to death like her father.

Moridin checked his stride as he felt his master tense above him. The power that he felt radiating from her could rival his own, yet her power was not in muscle and size it was in heart and mind. He knew what was bothering her, for he had listened to Haldir's explanation with avid attention. Once finished he confirmed what he and his mother before him already thought to be true, Amy did not belong to this land any more than Olórin did. Snorting slightly he leapt over a small ditch.

Legolas looked over at the small girl riding at his side. His heart went out to her as he saw her frown. He knew that what ever Haldir had told her was troubling her, and he was not going to press her to tell him. He hoped in his heart that she would tell him when the time was right. His face reddened as he thought back to what Moridin had said earlier. Maybe there was some truth in it, he would like to sleep with Amy, he was male after all, and being an elf did not stop these thoughts from entering his mind, yet he agreed with her; he wanted to get through this war alive first, then come what may!

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His stony face was set with determination as he urged Brego into a faster run. The war was nearly upon them, if he fell, Arwen would be lost to death, and if they should succeed and he wed her, then she would still be lost to the bitter taste of mortality. He looked longingly at an elf in front of him, and wished that he had the immortality of his forbears, for what people fail to understand is Aragorn's link to Elrond Halfelven. Yet he knew that wishing for immortality would bring bad tidings, for his early ancestors wished for such a gift and ended up falling to Sauron, which eventually brought upon the fall of his ancient land. As Aragorn mentally ran back through the line of his forebears he heard the familiar sound of hoof beats behind the party. He looked over at the group of elves for they had heard it also.

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Théoden called a halt to his line of travellers, with the shadow of the dark still lingering in the air; his senses were high strung, as he twisted Snowmane round to face the riders coming off the Isen.

The group of Lothlorien elves placed arrows to bows and tightened strings ready in case their call was needed. The men of Rohan tightened their grips on their spears that could be flung farther than the eye can see. Amy silently raised her hand off Moridin's whither with fire blazing at her finger tips.

"Halt! Halt! Who rides in Rohan?" Èomer yelled out as he stood in Smokescreen's stirrups.

"Rohan you say? That is good news, for we have been riding hard to reach this land." A cool voice called back as the approaching horses skidded to a halt. In the rising sun only outlines could be seen against the mountains. Yet this was enough to settle the elves in the company who gracefully lowered their bows, and looked questioningly at Théoden.

The rider at the front of the approaching horses dismounted gracefully and silently. He was soon followed by three other figures. The four figures outlined against the mountains stood tall and powerful and would have been very opposing if it were not for the friendship in the leaders voice.

"You have found it; you arrived when you came through the fords just passed." Théoden said dismounting also, though his hand strayed to the hilt of his sword. He was uneasy about the riders for they kept their hoods upon their heads, so neither sex nor race could be told.

"Do not reach for your sword king Théoden, for we come in peace. We search for the Dúnedain captain Aragorn son of Arathorn." The leader called out pulling off his hood and revealing his identity.

"And you have found him!" Aragorn yelled vaulting off his horse and running towards the newcomer's.

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Elrond smiled. "You have grown my son." He said placing a hand on his foster son's shoulder.

Théoden, now at ease walked up to the elf lord. "You must be Lord Elrond, what tidings bring you here, so far from your haven?" Théoden said ducking his head slightly.

"I come for the war; I bring thirty of the Dúnedain rangers from the north, with Halbarad as their leader. I also bring my two sons, for their eyes are sharp and their arrows quick." Elrond said indicating to the other three who dismounted with him.

Théoden looked critically over the rangers still atop their hardy horses, "If these kinsmen be in any way like Aragorn, thirty such knights will be a strength that cannot be counted by heads. And I have already seen the power of elves in battle." It wasn't until Théoden's eyes came to rest on the two, that Elrond had indicated as his sons, that he realised that they were identical twins. His eyes widened in surprise as theirs filled with mirth.

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Amy watched the interaction with interest, yet she stayed where she was for in truth she was nervous about meeting with Elrond again, even after so many years. He may not approve of what she had become or what she had to do. So instead she edged back further into the gathering of Lothlorien elves, trying to stay out of the way. That was until she heard voices in her head.

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'Elladan, my brother, this could be fun!' Elrohir said silently to his brother.

'I know, look at all these people to confuse,' came the reply.

'Doesn't the king look baffled, anyone would think that he hadn't seen twins before.' Elrohir said.

'Humans can't be that ignorant can they? I mean the rangers cannot exactly be classed as humans, they are of the human race yet so much elven blood is in their veins, they are a class above humans.' Elladan replied.

'I know, a land full of humans, to study, this will be fun!' Elrohir said before stopping abruptly.

'Why do you speak in thoughts? Can't you speak using your mouths brothers?' Came an unfamiliar voice into the heads of the twins.

Elrond noticed the shocked expressions on the faces of his sons. "What is wrong?" He asked.

"There is someone that can understand our mind speech ada, someone within that group!" The twins stammered out together.

Elrond frowned slightly as he noticed Théoden talking to Halbarad, sending out his mind he searched the group, for the possible mind leach. He was aiming to make his presence known to the leach and then that should be enough to figure out who it is.

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As soon as she sent her thought back, the voices stopped. Confused Amy scanned the group looking for people that could possibly be able to use mind speech and finally settled on the two elven twins. She smiled at her choice of words, for they truly were her foster brothers. She had been taught mind speech by Galadriel, yet even the wise lady of Lorien was unable to understand Amy, yet two people apparently did. Just as she was about to go forward to stand next to Théoden and introduce herself, a blinding pain hit her head, as she felt an unwelcome presence in her mind. Screaming in pain Amy clung to Moridin's neck as she felt him shudder in pain, for it seemed they had a bond of more than friendship.

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Elrond was unprepared for the back jolt of pain he felt from the leach; he was also unprepared to hear the scream of pain coming from both a horse and what appeared to be a young girl. Ignoring the pain in his head and the stares from the Rohan riders, he moved forward though the crowd of Lorien elves and human riders until he saw a magnificent black horse with a small girl rider, both shuddering in pain.

"What did you do to us?" Screamed Moridin as he saw the dark haired elf walk towards him.

Elrond reeled in shock at the sound of the horse's voice, for anger and death laced his speech.

"Tell me! For I will let no more pain come to my master." Moridin yelled, rearing up in pain in front of the dark haired elf, careful not to let the unconscious girl slide from his back.

"Calm yourself, oh black king of horses, I wish no harm on your master, but I did not expect her to react to the pain, nor yourself, let me see her." Elrond said.

"We share more than a bond of friendship, I am bound to her now, as she is bound to me, and you would do well to leave us alone. Go back where you came from and get out of our minds!" Snorted Moridin while stamping a hoof, eyes ablaze with anger.

Elrond stood in shock and awe at the beast in front of him, the power was coming off the horse in waves, yet despite this, he really needed to see the girl on his back. Sighing he was about to walk away, when he noticed a blonde haired elf calmly walk up to Moridin and remove the limp girl from his back. The blonde elf locked his gaze with Elrond, as he gently carried Amy towards her foster father.

No surprise filtered across Elrond's face as he looked upon the young Prince before him. "I thank you Legolas, for I fear I could not venture near the horse."

"Moridin does not suffer fools gladly, death is his name, and death is his will, he will let no harm come to her." Legolas said as he gently placed Amy on the floor. "I do not know what you did to her, but what ever it is my lord, reverse it now! For what ever pain she is in, Moridin is in also. I will have no harm come to either of them, they are dear to me.

"I did not know it would affect her so, I was just trying to identify the mind leach, for she invaded my sons' thought's. She must be held in high esteem, if the king of horses is her mount. I agree with his name, yet I …" Elrond came to an abrupt halt as he turned over the girl in front of him. His breath hitched when he looked upon the young face of Amy.

"Reverse it!" Legolas said sharply, "or face the wrath of Mirkwood."

Elrond looked up at the prince in front of him. In that instant, he no longer saw the young elf that used to visit Aragorn, and play pointless games with his own sons, he saw the king the elf was to come. The king of all elves, for in his heart Elrond knew that neither himself, Thranduil or Galadriel would stay in this land longer than was needed.

"Amy. I wish no harm to come to you my daughter. What have I done?" Elrond whispered mournfully.

Sending out his thoughts again his mind came in contact with Amy's, rather than forcing an entry as he did last time, he filtered through her mind until he came upon what was keeping her unconscious. Unwinding what he had unintentionally placed he withdrew as she started to stir.

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"Ada?" Amy whispered as her eyes came into focus. "I had hoped we would meet on better terms."

"Shhh, my Little One, all is ok. I am sorry for the pain I put you though, you just scared my sons when you spoke to them."

"I did not mean to, I just wanted to talk. They still seemed full of joy, despite this hour of war." Amy said pushing out of Elrond's embrace.

"I will let you stand, go to your horse and tell him I mean no harm." Elrond said, creasing his brow as he heard her talk of war. Reminding him self that they had to talk later.

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"Calm Moridin, have no fear my mighty horse of war." Amy said as she placed her arms around his neck. "He meant us no harm, Lord Elrond is the elf that showed me into this world."

Despite Amy's calm voice Moridin was not impressed, yet he let her embrace him, for it seemed to calm her nerves as much as his. "I know who he is and care not. Any one who hurts you is a foe of mine." The black horse said as he pulled his head out of the embrace. "I will protect you Amy; with my dying breath I will let no harm come to you." He said blowing softly into the crook of her neck.

Amy smiled at the tenderness in the giant horse's voice. The shock of him calling her by her name apposed to master was quickly replaced by an overwhelming feeling of love for the black horse in front of her.

Moridin nudged her gently and rubbed his head up and down her shoulder before pushing her towards his side so she could mount. Remembering something within his mother's memories he knelt down shakily onto his knees and waited for her to mount. Unaccustomed to the feeling of being on his knees his ears lay flat to his head, yet safe he felt within his master's reach.

'Rise gently Moridin; do not worry about me I shall not fall.' Amy said in her mind. 'Death maybe your name, and death maybe your soul, but never let anyone tell you that death is in your heart. For you will always be your mother's son. For that I will always love you.'

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If a horse could blush, Moridin would have been crimson. Unaccustomed to feelings of love he was struggling to grasp the concept in his mind. He knew of the love between his master and the blonde elf, yet he now knew without a doubt that he loved the girl upon his back. Where before he had submitted to her because he understood her power to be greater than his, he now knew that he would travel wherever Amy wanted him to go, and do whatever she willed him to do, no matter how wary he might be. He was hers to command truly and deeply. This thought would have disturbed the great war horse a few hours before, his mind set on nothing but himself. Selfishness and freedom were all that mattered to him, and he saw Amy as a way to his freedom. Now he knew nothing would stop him protecting her, serving her. For there is no greater love than the love between a servant and his master.