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).

Authors Note: Well chapter 40 is now written. I had the choice either do an essay on mutualistic and competitive relationships or write chapter 40. I wrote a paragraph of my essay before succumbing to boredom and decided to get my ass in gear and write chapter 40 instead. Really must do that essay at some point though (hmmmm…) anyway, I've finally written a profile if you hadn't notice, check it out if you are really bored. Suppose I better go to bed now, very tired and have a long practical tomorrow morning, although I do get to go horse riding tomorrow afternoon (woooo) I love horse riding! Anyway have fun reading! And please review you know you love me!

Chapter 38: Condemned to Death

The captain of the guards was not impressed when he found that his charge had disappeared off into Mirkwood, and was determined that the guards under his charge would suffer with pointless drills for the rest of their miserable careers. Just as he was about to send out a search party to find them and bring them back to face his kings wrath he heard hoof falls. He turned around as he saw Amy mounted on the massive Mearas and young Wing, who was very well known amongst the kings guards, riding on his conspicuous spotted yearling; Asca. Shock covered his features as everyone knew that his colt was near death and was not likely to survive a few more days. Perhaps the girl is who she said she was. He had a strange urge to listen to everything she said, yet he was cleverer than that and realised that some trickery must be happening.

"Wing, it is nice to see Asca up and moving yet it is time for you to go home." The guard said.

Amy looked at the guard and noticed the coldness in his voice, seeing as the elf did not come over as cold usually she believed that something funny was going on. Making a mental note to find out why Wing was dismissed so readily she looked back at the guard with an inquisitive look on her face.

"Are we going to meet the king, or are we going to stand here all day and admire the scenery?" She said while dismounting.

The guard nodded sharply and beckoned her towards the gates. Taking one last look behind her at the retreating elfling she stepped forward keeping a hand on Moridin's shoulder.

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Thranduil sat on his throne contemplating what his head guards' man had just told him. A young looking elf had just rode into his domain and was now seeking an audience with him. No title or anything, perhaps he was a messenger from his son. Sighing he took an apple off a plate that was held next to him by a servant, taking a large bite he thought of his son and the quest he had stupidly volunteered himself for. Fool boy, elves had chosen to stay out of the dealings with men many a year ago. The Last Alliance of men and elves was the last time they had fought and died together; in deed Thranduil's own father was killed in that battle and he swore never to bother himself with the dealings of men ever more. Yet now his own son, who he thought he had deeply ingrained his views into, had gone gallivanting around the world with men and dwarves! The thought of dwarves hurt him most, especially when he found out that the dwarf his beloved son was with was the son of one that escaped his land years ago! The indecency of it all! But no he must not get upset, this messenger was obviously here to tell him that all was okay with the world and his son was heading back to the palace where he belonged.

Taking aim he threw the apple core into a bin over the other side of his throne room and sat back with a satisfactory sigh as he heard it clang against the side. Where was this messenger boy, did he not know who he was going to be acquainted with? He decided to give the boy the benefit of the doubt when he came in and slightly reprimand him about meeting with royalty. All his thoughts went out the window when he heard a crashing noise and the large double doors crashed open. His guards quickly drew blades as a large black horse stormed into the hall, followed not by a messenger boy, but a girl elf of obvious power.

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Amy cringed as she saw Moridin rear up and kick the throne room doors open, for a brief second she considered wrapping him in Air to prevent him moving, but she could not see the point. At least she would get the entrance she was looking for.

Once inside she moved and stood in front of the large horse and surveyed the room before her, the elf king was sat at the end of the room and flanking the walls were rows of armed guards, all of which had their blades drawn. She took a step forward and watched out of the corner of her eye as they raised their weapons higher. Suppressing a sigh she walked confidently down the room, her black eyes meeting the crystal blue of the king.

The guards took a step forward until their blades were inches from hers and Moridin's sides. "Lower your weapons." She said still not taking her eyes off the king. Slowly all of the blades dropped until they hung loosely by their owners sides. "Thank you. It is impolite to draw a weapon upon someone who has a meeting with the king, unless of course the king is threatened. I have yet to make any sort of movement against the king and therefore do not warrant your anger. Now please sheath your weapons and retreat to your places."

Amy noted the king's astonishment at her control of his guards, and made a note to apologise to him later for being so forward. Once she stood a few meters before him she sunk to her knee and placed her arm across her chest in a traditional elvish bow. Moridin bowed his head and bent one knee to also show his respect, yet Amy could feel his reluctance and managed to stifle a giggle.

"I see you know proper elvish respect, despite the fact you come barging in here and ordering my guards around. Plus you were late, tell me why is that? Then we can get on with why you and your beast are here taking up my time."

Amy stood up fluidly her hair fell loosely behind her pointed ears and her circlet shone in the light of the room. Her dragon sword was concealed by the heavy cloak she wore, as she hoped that she would not have to use her title to get the king to fight. She also prayed she did not have to use the king's son against him.

"I am sorry your majesty, it is my fault that my horse broke into your throne room. I am very sorry to say that I do not have him completely trained yet, he is still wild at heart, yet I love him very much." She said shooting a glance at Moridin and silently telling him not to blow her cover. "We have travelled a long way to speak to you and once we were in your domain I was anxious to see you. I am afraid that some of my feeling was passed onto my horse here and he took matters into his own hands. You know how well horses pick up on their master's feelings, being a master horse lord and all." She said bowing her head to him slightly, hoping that the small lie and flattery would cover up what Moridin did.

"Yes, yes I understand. Be that as it may, but if you were in such a hurry to see me, why were you late to this appointment?" The king said sitting up and staring down at the small, dark girl.

"I am sorry again your majesty but I was approached by an elfling with a sick yearling, I am somewhat gifted in healing and could not bear to watch him suffer after his colt's plight." Amy said hoping that she might get some reaction out of the king. She desperately wanted to know about young Wing.

Shock and a flicker of horror passed the Kings face at the mention of a sick yearling, quickly dampening the thoughts he nodded. "That is of little importance, I am glad that you could fix the yearling. That boy has been pestering me for days to do something. Thinking that I might have a miracle cure or something. Now we have wasted enough time, tell me why you are here? You are no messenger, yet you intrigue me."

Amy nodded and decided to get straight to the point. "The One Ring has been found."

"I know. Tell me something I do not know, I am rapidly becoming board."

Nodding her head at his rudeness she continued. "It is travelling to Mordor in the hands of a hobbit, Frodo Baggins to be precise; I believe you have met his cousin Bilbo." She smirked at the dirty look that passed the kings sharp features. "Nine companions set out from Rivendell to take the ring to Mordor, yet Sauron knows and an Army is marching on Gondor. Rohan was nearly taken by the istari Saruman who was acting as Sauron's lap dog. I saw this happen, I fought at Helms Deep. Now Gondor calls for aid." She said praying that the king took the hint and started calling together his armies.

"What does this have to do with me, little girl? Also do not lie to me; you are too young to be fighting in battle." The king said.

Amy tensed as she felt Moridin's anger leap in her head. She took a long calming breath before carrying on. "I am older than you think I am, that does not alter the fact that Gondor calls for aid. Once, many a year ago, men and elves fought together. All the free races of Middle Earth need to fight together in order to win this war."

"No."

She grabbed Moridin's mane and clenched her fist, primarily to stop herself hitting her head on the nearest wall in frustration. She wondered about the circlet on her head and absently mindedly thought that it might be broken or it had an ON/OFF button somewhere, which Elrond failed to mention. "The Ents went to war, led by the mighty Treebeard himself. They fought and died in the sundering of Isengard and Orthanc. Two hobbits at this moment travel alone towards Orodruin to destroy the Ring. Haldir of the Golden Wood led his guard to Helms Deep to fight alongside the men of Rohan. Why are your elves any less than his? Why should his die for their land and yours not? Gondor calls for aid."

"No. The dealings of men are no longer my problem and I always did think that Haldir had a few problems in the head." The king said.

Amy snorted at his description of Haldir. "Put aside your feelings of the last allegiance, do you think your father would want you to sit idle while your lands, his lands fall into the hands of the enemy?" Amy said, hoping, praying that the king would not flip too much.

"You know nothing of my father! Go get out of my sight. The wars of men are no longer the wars of elves." The king said shaking slightly from the blow given by the dark haired girl.

"War will march upon your lands whether you like it or not. Do you really think that the darkness of Dol Guldur will stand idle when the hell that is Mordor breaks free? Do not sit idle my lord." Amy hoped that the king would be worried about his own people and take action. She had one more move to pull, and she did not want to use it.

"Go."

Amy nodded slowly and turned around with a feigned look of disappointment on her face. Moridin snorted loudly at the king before turning slowly himself. His crystal hard hooves making a ringing noise on the marble floor.

"Then you condemn your son to death." Amy said quietly as she carried on walking.

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Thranduil looked at the back of the retreating girl, and took pride in himself for not jumping when the massive horse snorted. What right had she to come in here and tell him what to do? His armies were safest here, where he could protect his own borders.

Her gentle voice floated back towards him and his chest contracted for a second. No, oh Valar no, not his son.

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"Stop!"

Amy and Moridin did a mental high five to each other as they both slowly turned their heads around to face the king again.

"What did you say?"

"You heard me the first time, your majesty. If you do not go to war you condemn your son to death." Amy said turning around fully.

"What do you know of my son, and how do I know this is not some witch craft?" The king said, praying that his son was alright.

"Think, you insolent whelp! Do not dare insult my master anymore than you already have. Do not dare say she would deceive you or you will face my wrath. If she did not know your son how would she know your love for him and your love for your father! Use that pathetic excuse for a brain that rattles around inside your thick skull!"

Amy cringed at the anger coming off the horse, and then she cringed even more when she saw the king cowering in his throne. The guards had backed up to the walls and had not even drawn weapons. She needed to invest in some anger management lessons for her horse! "Listen to Moridin your majesty, he speaks the truth, I know your son. After this war if we both survive I wish to wed him. Look here is his ring, you know yourself that soul rings cannot be mistaken. He gave it to me after our first meeting in Rivendell."

"Who are you? Why is my son in such danger?" The king said finally giving up and succumbing to the power radiating from the girl.

"I am the daughter of Onlee my lord. I am a lady of the free peoples of this earth. I am your son's lover. Come, shall we go some place where we can talk?"