Sorry, this chapter took a little longer to write than I had hoped, hit a bit of writer's block. I hope that you enjoy it though.

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The Black Ships

The trio stood on the gravel shore, waiting for the black pirate ships to sail past. They were a little way down the river, but patiently they waited. Aragorn looked at Legolas, taking in his bruised face, cuts scattered across his porcelain skin. Despite what the elf had suffered, he seemed relatively well, his hands steady as a rock and his sapphire eyes fixed on their target. The ranger pulled his sword from its sheath and rested it on his shoulder, returning his attention to the black ships that slowly began to edge ever closer.

'Do you think this is going to work Laddy?' asked Gimli as he began to shift impatiently.

Aragorn didn't answer, he just stared at the ships, anger boiled up inside of him as he watched the smoke billow from the villages behind them. The ships now slowly started to edge passed them and he knew this was their chance.

'You may go no further.' he shouted 'you will not enter Gondor' he finished.

The sailors erupted into laughter, but one man stood from his seat and stalked across the deck to see who had spoken.

'Who are you to deny us passage' he shouted back, the amusement his men felt did not cross his face.

'Legolas, fire a warning shot past the Bosun's ear.' said Aragorn, not taking his eyes off the man.

Legolas swiftly pulled an arrow from his quiver and notched it onto his bow.

'Mind your aim.' said Gimli, jokingly.

Legolas took a moment line up his shot, his injuries were starting to take a toll on him but he held his composure and fired. His hesitation, however, gave the dwarf enough time to knock the bottom of the his bow causing the Legolas' arrow to embed itself deep into a plump man's chest.

'Ohh!' sounded the dwarf as he covered his mouth with his gloved hand in a fictitious manner.

Legolas looked at the Gimli with a mixture of anger and surprise, but Aragorn looked at him with amusement.

'That it's it! We warned you.' shouted the dwarf in a mocking tone 'prepare to be boarded.'

The men burst into laughter again as their ship picked up the pace.

'Boarded? By you and who's army?' shouted the man.

'This army.' said Aragorn as the green glow of the army of the dead began to appear through the cliff walls behind him.

The laughter suddenly turned to screams as the ghosts swarmed the ships and cut down all on board. The companions stood and watched as the army finished off the pirate scum, and the ships came to a grinding holt.

'Quickly, we must board the ships and make for Gondor.' said Aragorn as he charged towards the water's edge.

Legolas followed him closely behind, the water slowly making its way up to his waste as they waded their way towards the boat. Gimli hesitated for a moment, he wondered if he was going to drown attempting to climb aboard their new transportation.

'Gimli come, we have no time to dawdle.' said the Elf as he turned his head to look at the nervous dwarf.

'It looks deep.' he stuttered, as he started to totter towards the water.

'You aren't scared of a little water are you my friend?' said Legolas as he smirked 'We shan't let you drown, come?' He finished as he motioned for the Dwarf to follow.

Eventually, they managed to make their way onto the ship, their sodden clothes made their legs feel heavy as the stumbled across the wet deck.

'I don't suppose you know how to sail this damn thing?' said Gimli irritably as he shook his arms.

'We can get you to where you need to go.' said one of the ghost's causing Legolas to jump in surprise.

Aragorn could see the elf was exhausted, small tremors racked his body as he unclasped his quiver and lay it against the mast. The ranger walked up to him, glancing quickly at Gimli who had removed his helmet and was now ringing the water out of is Auburn beard.

'You should rest Mellon-nin' said the Ranger as he came up beside his companion.

'I am well Aragorn, do not worry about me.' said the Elf as he turned to face the future King.

'You have always been a terrible liar, my friend.' Said Aragorn as he gave Legolas an amused smile.

'That is true,' replied Legolas as he lowered himself into the chair that the bosun had once inhabited.

'I need you to be strong, we are almost certainly going to arrive at a battle.' said the ranger as fingered the hilt of his sword 'I know I ask much of you after what you have been through Mellon, but I cannot fight this war without you.'

'And you shan't Aragorn.' replied the sindar as he smiled 'we have fought many battles together you and I, I shall fight with you till the end.'

Aragorn nodded and smiled before he turned round to see Gimli sat up, snoring already.

'Rest now, it will be a few hours before we make it to Gondor, we all must gather our strength.' said the ranger as he walked past Legolas, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder.

Legolas felt his mind grow heavy, weariness taking hold as he leaned back against the hardwood back of the chair. His eyes glazed over as sleep took him, and he allowed himself to dream.

Hours passed and Legolas woke to Aragorn stomping around the ship readying himself for battle. Gimli was still snoring away, his helmet that rested on his lap fell to the floor with a thud as his leg twitched causing the dwarf to wake with a start.

'Come we must ready ourselves, Gondor is ahead.' said the ranger as kicked the drowsy dwarf's heavy boot.

Gimli grunted as he pushed himself to his feet, shaking the cobwebs from his mind as he picked up his helmet from the Deck and fetched his axe. Legolas smirked as he pushed himself from his seat and grabbed his weapons that still leant against the mast of the ship. He quickly fastened his quiver and made his way to Aragorn's side, gulls squawked above their heads as they approached the dock. His elf eyes could see a battle rage before Gondor, Oliphaunts stomped across the field killing all in their path.

'The battle goes ill for King Theoden.' he said, his eyes wide as he watched horses get crushed beneath the creature's tremendous feet.

'Not for much longer.' Said Aragorn as he pulled Anduril from its sheath.

Legolas' eyes flicked to the man, who's demeanour was one of fierce determination. Gimli stalked up between them, muttering something under his breath as he clumsily put his helmet on.

'I'm still soaked to my very core,' he grumbled as tightened his grip on his axe, 'these Ghosts better leave some sport for me.'

Legolas shook his head as he smirked, turning his attention back to the dock that was now coming into view. It was littered with orcs, their blood thirsty screams filled the air as the boats came to a stop. One shouted at them from behind the company as he barged his way through the rabble. Legolas took a few deep breaths to calm himself, never before had he felt like this before a battle. He swallowed his fear and gripped his bow tight. Aragorn leapt over the side of the ship onto the dock below, followed by Gimli. The elf then did the same, landing on the stone below with feline grace.

'Theres plenty for the both of us, let the best dwarf win.' said Gimli as they began to sprint towards their enemy.

The orcs smirked at the three fighters storming towards them, but their expressions soon changed as the army of the dead began to spill from the ships. They tried to turn and flee but they were cut down with ease, Legolas felt his strength return to him as he fired arrow after arrow at the squealing orcs. He pulled out his blades, trying to spare his arrows, slicing through them like a knife through butter. He looked up at the battle field before them and what greeted his eyes caused his heart to race. The bloodied bodies of Orcs, horses and men littered the ground before him. Flashes of what he had seen filled his mind, this distraction allowed an orc to knock him to the ground but he ran it through as the creature came at him with its black blade. Aragorn ran to his side and pulled the elf to his feet, face filled with concern. No words passed between them, but Legolas gave him a smile then sprinted off towards the battle again, leaving a confused ranger in his wake. Aragorn knew he could not dwell on it and he followed after him towards the bloody battle that raged ahead. The ground shook as ghosts took down one of the many Oliphaunts, its immense body was littered with arrows. The ranger urned his attention back to the Elf that was fighting just a few meters before him. The ground shook once again beneath his feet and he watched in horror as an Oliphaunt stormed towards his friend.

'Legolas!' he yelled, causing the elf to look up from his kill.

His eyes grew wide as he watched the creature storm towards him. Without a second thought, he sprinted towards it.

'Legolas no!' Screamed Aragorn again as he watched in horror as the elf clambered up the humongous animal's thick legs.

The elf climbed up the side of the creature with ease, slicing the thick rope that held a huge contraption onto its back, letting it crash to the ground below. He then walked towards the creatures huge head and fired arrows deep into its skull. Finally the eld slid down its long trunk as it stumbled to the ground with a tremendous thud.

Aragorn stood there in awe as Legolas hopped off the dead form and landed on the crunchy brown grass.

'That still only counts as one!' Yelled Gimli as he stomped off, swinging his axe at an unsuspecting orc.

'That was a foolish move' said Aragorn as Legolas jogged towards him.

'Perhaps, but the look on the dwarf's face made it worth it.' Jested the elf as he smirked at the ranger 'come, the battle is won!'

Aragorn looked up to see the army of the dead had filtered into the city, killing every orc in their path. The man let himself relax then for a moment, taking in all that was around him A white figure came into view and he looked up to see Gandalf stood before him. He smiled at the wizard, nodding at him as he moved towards him, sheathing his sword and wiping his brow. This battle had been won, but he knew that there was still one more fight ahead of them.

~

Legolas stood arms crossed staring out a window that looked upon the battle field. Men's laughs bellowed across the hall as they ate and drank and cheered in celebration of their victory. A roar of laughter erupted from behind him and he turned his head to see a drunk Gimli rolling around on the ground, bubbles from his ale covering his beard. Legolas could not celebrate, he knew this victory was to be short-lived unless Frodo could destroy the ring. His eyes scanned the horizon, mount doom was as clear to him as if he were stood before it. He unfolded his arms and placed them against the walls either side of the small window as a wave of dizziness came over him, images flashed before his eyes of another battle. The sky was as grey as the ground. He stood there glued to the spot as he watched men get cut down around him. A roar filled the air and he looked up to see a great armoured troll walk towards him, it raised its huge sword above his head and charged. Legolas' heart thudded against his chest as he just stood there, he tried to close his eyes but he couldn't. The troll ran right through him and he turned his head to see its true victim, Aragorn. Legolas tried to shout out but he couldn't. He watched as it threw Aragorn to the ground, stomping towards the ranger with his blade ready to finish him off. His knees went weak as all went black and the sounds of the hall filled his ears again. His breathing was heavy as he used all the strength he could to keep himself from falling. He rested his forehead against the cool glass and closed his eyes, slowing his breathing as he tried to control the shakes that now racked his body. He turned his head to see Aragorn making his way around the tables of men, smiling and laughing with them, he couldn't lay this burden on him, not tonight.

The elf walked towards the door at the opposite end of the hall and slunk past the drunk men of Rohan and Gondor, careful not to draw attention to himself as he slipped through the large wooden doors. The halls were dark, lit only by a few torches that hung from the stone walls. Quietly he walked in the direction of his chambers, his legs shaking as he fought hard to stand. He clambered up a winding stairway, leaning heavily on the walls as he then stumbled towards his door, opening it with shaking hands then shutting it heavily behind him. Finally the Sindar allowed himself to fall to the ground as tears flowed down his cheeks. He fell forwards onto his hands, his chest heaving. Legolas screamed out in anguish then looked up at the large window to his right, the moon shone bright filling the room with a cold light.

'Why is this happening to me?' he said to himself and he pushed himself back onto his knees.

The elf stared at the moon for a long while, he tried to remember the last time that he was able to see the stars. He missed the white light of night, it was a light that was sacred to his people and he started to miss Mirkwood, miss the halls of his home and his father.

'Valar, let me find the strength to help my friends.' he said softly, before darkness took him and slumped into unconsciousness.

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So I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I am hoping to wrap this story up soon. Let me know what you thought.