{Chapter Twelve}
Siladhiel finished dressing when a soft knock was heard, and she opened it smiling seeing Legolas looking bathed as well. She moved aside allowing him entry shutting the door before he pulled her into his arms. She leaned up and smiled before claiming his lips sighing when he returned the kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck as his held her hips deepening the kiss. She relaxed against him allowing him to deepen the kiss moving against him enjoying the feel of him being so close to her. She had wanted to do this since that brief kiss days before.
"Amazing" She whispered against his lip looking into his shining eyes
"Agreed" He whispered back before claiming her lips again
He moved to have her sit in his lap on the edge of the bed exploring her mouth deeply relishing in the taste of her as his aura wrapped around her. He enjoyed the soft sounds caught by his lips from her mouth He was surprised when pushed him slightly and laid down on the bed. He pulled her close enjoying the feel on her against him running his hand up her side. She shivered against him at the action causing him to smile against her.
"We have been summoned by the King" Gimli shouted through the door causing Legolas to sigh deeply again her lips
Siladhiel pulled back and smiled at him giving him another quick kiss "We can continue this later" She whispered before jumping out of the bed
"I shall hold you to that" He murmured at her side eyes shining with love before opening the door
"Did I interrupt?" Gimli said with a raised eyebrow as Aragorn smirked at the two of them
Siladhiel glared at them before walking towards the Golden Hall. She smiled at Eowyn as she sat between Aragorn and Legolas accepting the food from her. They sat in the Golden Hall eating a meal awaiting the others. Siladhiel looked up at two children in sadness.
"This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash. More potent for he is driven now by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children." Gandalf says after hearing the story of the children being attack looking seriously to Theodon "You must fight"
"You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak. Éomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king." Aragorn explains as Siladhiel nods in confirmation
"They seek refuge in the Lands of Lindon" She explained to the king "They have not traveled far"
"They will be three hundred leagues from here by now. Éomer cannot help us. I know what it is that you want of me. But I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war." Theodon says in response
"Open war is upon you. Whether you would risk it or not." Aragorn said sternly causing Theodon to glare at him
"When last I looked, Théoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan." Theodon said harshly and Siladhiel placed a hand on Aragorn's shoulder to keep him calm, not that he really needed it.
"Then what is the king's decision?" Siladhiel and Gandalf said together looking at the king
"We travel to Helm's deep" He commanded standing suddenly as Siladhiel fumed looking at Gandalf
Gandalf nods to her motioning them to follow as they approach the horse stables. Hama was heard announcing the order of the king just causing more anger in her companions as well.
"Helm's Deep! They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their king" Gimli said in anger as Siladhiel placed a hand on his shoulder to make him relax
"He's only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past." Aragorn said in defense of the king
"There is no way out of that ravine. Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he's leading them to safety. What they will get is a massacre. Théoden has a strong will, but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan. He will need you before the end, Aragorn. The people of Rohan will need you. The defenses HAVE to hold" Gandalf said seriously looking at Aragorn
"They will hold" Aragorn said with conviction looking at Siladhiel "We will ensure it"
"They will hold Gandalf" Siladhiel confirmed seriously causing him to nod
"The Grey Pilgrim, that's what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of men I've walked this earth and now I have no time. With luck, my search will not be in vain. Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East." Gandalf explained getting on Shadowfax quickly while Siladhiel stroked the horse gently
"Go." Aragorn said urgently opening the gates to the stall
Siladhiel closes her eyes as Gandalf takes off swiftly sending a silent prayer with him offering protection. She turned and leaned against Legolas in sorrow, the fellowship was spilt into so many pieces. She slowly walked with him after Aragorn and Gimli taking comfort from his presence in her life. She smiled at him placing a hand on his cheek pausing see Eowyn and Aragorn interacting in a room seeing swords drawn. She listened closely to the words frowning at Eowyn's views, no one should wish for war or battle as she did.
"We must prepare" She whispers to Legolas catching the look of longing she gives Aragorn as he walks by
"Indeed" Legolas whispers following her as she takes off after Aragorn
Siladhiel gently ran her hand over the horse that Theoden was nice enough to provide to her. It was a beautiful black stallion name Emberis. Aragorn appeared at her side smiling at her and she nodded in thanks knowing that he was the reason the King gave her this horse. She kissed the horse's forehead whispering in elven a prayer for safe travels before mounted the horse taking her place between Aragorn and Legolas.
She watched in sorrow as the people of Rohan are moving out of Edoras towards Helm's Deep, with Théoden leading the way. She chuckles seeing Gimli on a horse with Éowyn. They travel painstakingly slow compared to their normal movements due to those on foot. She hated this open plain and dangerous path.
Legolas stared at her sensing her worry and looked over the horizon seeing nothing that could cause such. He allowed his aura to reach out and wrap around her causing to look at him in surprise. He looked at her softly before moving forward to take up a lookout point. He feels lightened as she smiles at him before returning to the conversation with the others.
"It's true you don't see many Dwarf women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they're often mistaken for Dwarf men" Gimli explains beside her
"It's the beards" Aragorn whispers to Éowyn as Siladhiel shakes her head in amusement
"And this, in turn, has given rise to the belief that there are no Dwarf women. And that dwarves just spring out of holes in the ground!" Gimli continued causing Eowyn to laugh loudly Which is of course ridiculous"
Siladhiel flinches keeping her horse calm as another horse rears up and gallops away. Eowyn lost control losing the reigns as Gimli falls off the horse landing on the ground. Siladhiel blinked placing a hand over her mouth as Eowyn rushes to Gimli.
"It's alright, it's alright. Nobody panic. That was deliberate. It was deliberate." Gimli mutters struggling to stand
Siladhiel looked at Aragorn taken by surprise at the enchanted look in his eyes. She blinked and shoved him harshly off the horse glaring at Eowyn before taking off Legolas feeling anger over what she just witnessed. She ignored the confused looks she got as she went ahead even before Legolas thinking over what she had just seen. Aragorn seemed to have forgotten Arwen, if he could move on so easily what was the point of love.
Legolas watched her in confused for the remainder of the travel until night came and everyone settle into the camp for the evening. He was confused at the anger she showed Aragorn before she stormed off into the woods. He watched as she glared into the forest and wrapped arms around her. He was relieved when she relaxed against him away from prying eyes.
"Melamin" Legolas whispered kissing the side of her head "What causing you distress?"
"He is leading Eowyn on and she will break her heart" She says, and he could feel her shaking with rage "Arwen is not even gone, and he is there just moving on already"
"You cannot blame him for wishing for happiness" Legolas replies in confusion as she removes herself from his arms quickly
"If you agree with his action then just leave me be" She growled out taken him by surprise "If you think that this is okay then there is no need for us to continue"
"Surely you do not mean that" Legolas said in panic over the words pain shooting through him
"I don't but you apparently think it is okay for him to just forget her as if she was nothing!" She screams, and he sighs in realization what was going through her mind
"You think that he didn't love Arwen?" Legolas questions causing her to nod sharply
"If he did he would not be ready to move on and if he isn't then he will hurt Eowyn, who is innocent to all of this. Arwen waits for him Legolas! I saw her decision to give up everything to be with him should we win, and we will win" She said seriously throwing her hands in the air "Yet he is enchanted by Eowyn whom nothing is more than a child compared to him. He doesn't even realize it"
"He has not and will not stray Melamin, Aragorn's heart shall always belong to Arwen. You know this" Legolas whispers pulling her back into his arms "Just as we belong to one another, he will not forget her"
Siladhiel sighed against him before pulling back to take his lips in a gentle kiss "I love you Legolas" She whispered against his lips gently
"I love you as well Melamin" Legolas said softly moving them to sit and enjoy the silence "Sleep, I shall protect you this night"
Siladhiel smiled kissing him once more before allowing sleep to claim her. She knew that she would forgive Aragorn sooner or later but now she didn't understand his actions. After Glorfindel, she went centuries mourning his lost and if not for Legolas she would have continued to do so. She couldn't understand how Aragorn could look upon another when he had someone as perfect as Arwen waiting for him.
Siladhiel continued to be angry at him the next day just choosing to ignore him as he continues to stay close to Ewoyn's side. She turned away from them talking about Arwen and the everstar. She picked up on Gamling and Hama moved quickly. She quickened her horse bringing it to stop next to Legolas. She jumps off the horse shooting an arrow killing the warg killing it just before it attacked Hama. Legolas waste no time killing the orc rider quickly before it could attack.
"A scout" Legolas shouts seriously to gain Aragorn's attention
"What is it? What do you see?" Theoden questioned from behind them as Aragorn runs towards them
"Wargs! We are under attack!" Aragorn shouted causing the villagers to begin to panic "Get them out of here!"
"All riders to the head of the column!" Theoden commands seriously
"Come on, get me up here, I'm a rider! Argh!" Gimli mumbled trying to get on Arod as Siladhiel sees the oncoming approach of warg-riders in the distance
"You must lead the people to Helm's Deep. And make haste!" Theoden commands Eowyn
"I can fight" Eowyn shouts causing Siladhiel to glare at her once more
"No! You must do this for me" Theoden stated sternly before looking to his men "Follow me! Yah!"
Siladhiel growls throwing a glare at Aragorn seeing the looking looks exchanged between Aragorn and Eowyn before she departed to lead the villagers. She readied for battle taking her place opposite of Legolas firing at the same moment as him. She watches as the others join and Legolas jumps on Arod with Gimli. She steadies her horse as the Rohirrim and warg riders crash head on and the battle begins.
Siladhiel pauses seeing Gimli fall off the horse keeping an eye on him until he stands before continuing to fire arrows. She turns seeing Theoden about to be stabbed and shoots her last arrow through the head of the orc. Theoden looks at her in surprise and nods as she takes out her twin blades. She urges the horse into a run as she stabs slices the heads off the orcs as she passes taking down as many as she could. She jumps off the horse into the fray at the edge of the cliff stabbing a warg through the jaw.
She turns eyes going wide as she is hit full force by a warg sending her off the cliff. She grunted under the force of the hit surprised to see Aragorn struggling to get free as they hit the water. She felt water filling her mouth as darkness sets in from the deepness of the water. She tried to fight but struggled against the harsh cold of the water.
~Legolas and Gimli~
"Aragorn!" Legolas said looking around having seen him near Gimli
"Aragorn?" Gimli questioned approached the cliff where an orc was laughing despite clearly dying
"Tell me what happened, and I will ease your passing" Gimli said sternly glaring at the orc
"He's dead" The orc said with a harsh laugh "Took a little tumble off the cliff with the she-elf"
"You lie!" Legolas said in anger and panic grabbing the orc, but the orc is already dead
Legolas looks down at the orc's fist and finds the Evenstar pendant. He takes it, runs to the edge of the cliff and looks down to see the great drop and rushing waters below, with no sign of them. Gimli comes to stand beside him being to pick up two blades on the edge.
"It's the lass's" Gimli said shocking Legolas to the core "She would not have parted with this willingly"
"Melamin" Legolas said brokenly taking the blades that were made just as her father's spear was, no she wouldn't have just left them to continue battle
"They may live yet" Gimli whispered brokenly knowing that it was not likely
"Get the wounded on horses. The wolves of Isengard will return. Leave the dead" Theoden directs his men as Legolas turns on him in anger and places a hand on his shoulder "Come"
Gimli patted the back of his friend sending a prayer out for his friends lost to the river before turning to assist the others. Legolas stared at the river in disbelief feeling tears form as his heart shattered. He couldn't imagine a world with her now that he held her so closely. He sent a silent prayer for their return refusing to believe that this is the way that the Queen of Lindon and love as his life as well as the Future King of Gondor and dearest friend parish.
He places the blades carefully in his pack clenching the Everstar trying to force back the sadness and guilt coursing through him as he followed Gimli. He took a shaky breath getting on his horse with Gimli his heart beating painfully in his chest. He followed mindlessly after the others thinking of his Melamin. He ignored the others and their looks of sympathy, even Gimli.
"Lord Aragorn, where is he?" Eowyn questioned as they entered the deep coming to Gimli
"He fell" Gimli whispers as Legolas pushes past her quickly unable to handle her
Gimli quickly follows him surprised to find the Elf clenching the window seal staring out the window seemingly unaware of the tears coming from them. He just stepped next to him offering silent support for his sorrow knowing that the pain he felt was nothing compared to that of the Elf Prince. They stand there in silence for a long time each praying to see their friends once more.