~The Palantir~

Aragorn reached the corridor where the guest chambers were located, just as a door seemed to slam against a wall. He sighted Aerlaer, standing in the hall, staring in what appeared to be shock, at the entrance into what he knew was Legolas's chamber. His unease grew as he strode swiftly towards her.

"Aerlaer?" He spoke quietly and she startled, swing around to face him. He looked at her sharply, taking in the look of confusion and hurt on her face and then looked through the doorway to where Legolas was now sitting on the edge of his bed, seemingly staring out the window. The mug he had ascended the stairs with, he placed on the railing before grabbing the elleth's arm and leading her a few paces down the corridor, out of earshot of the other Elf.

"What happened?" He demanded in a whisper, searching her face worriedly. She looked back at him more startled. "Aerlaer, what did he do?" He pressed her. I knew I should not have let her go after him alone!

"He, he kissed me." She whispered and Aragorn cursed angrily under his breath, causing Aerlaer to flinch. He sighed warily as he looked at her. "He didn't mean it, he said." I knew no good would come of this. Foolish, why must he be so foolish! Why did he so foolishly try to drown himself in drink! Legolas does not act like this.

"Are you okay?" He asked her, wrought with worry for her. She didn't reply and he tried to read her eyes, but she averted them.

"Aerlaer?" Legolas called out suddenly, causing her to jump.

"Yes." She replied to Aragorn. "He just surprised me. He really is quite drunk." She gave a light laugh but to Aragorn it was hollow. He has upset her but she does not want to let it show.

"I've never seen him this drunk ever." Aragorn said quietly. "Not to the point he is unstable."

"Aerlaer are you there?" Legolas called out again. Well clearly the fool has forgotten his actions already, or perhaps he wishes to make amends. By the Valar, what he has done will tear him apart once he is of sound mind and heart.

"If he should remember his actions in the morning, the consequences could be disastrous. You must not tell him what transpired. Let us hope he does not remember himself." Aragorn warned her, but Aerlaer only looked more startled and confused. I'm making a mess of this! Damn! He tried again.

"He won't forgive himself for being so reckless with you, if he finds out. You know how proud he is." Aragorn explained and this time she nodded, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. I could throttle that damn, stupid Elf!

"I understand. I would not want to lose him as my friend over this." She replied but her voice seemed off, she was clearly in thought.

"Aerlaer?" Legolas called out, a little louder this time.

"Yes Legolas?" She sighed and shook her head at Aragorn in slight exasperation.

"I don't feel so well." He replied and Aerlaer groaned.

"I asked for this." She muttered darkly, and Aragorn quirked an eyebrow up, waiting for an explanation.

"Éomer and the men wanted to get him intoxicated so I told Éomer how to do so." She said sheepishly. He stared at her, disbelieving. Although, it was Aerlaer, she did enjoy a little mischief, just like the twins.

"Between you, him, the twins and Taurorn, how is it my hair has not yet turned grey from your antics?" Aragorn sighed in exasperation.

"Aerlaer? Come back please." Legolas called out again, his voice desolate. Aerlaer glanced back down the hall and he knew she wanted to go to him. Even though he is a fool for what he has done, she still wishes to be near him. He better have meant his earlier actions. Aragorn looked seriously at her.

"Will you be okay with him? He is not himself." Aragorn warned.

"I have dealt with far worse than him, and I do feel responsible for him; I did tell Éomer how to get him into this state." She sighed with a small smile, and Aragorn suspected she might also wish to stay with the other Elf for his company. He had not forgotten Legolas's rushed and embarrassed explanation of how the Edhelroch rested as a group for safety. He nodded and turning back to the mug he had placed down earlier, picked it back up and handed it to her.

"Give him this, it's from Rodwen, it will hopefully keep him from feeling too unwell overnight." He turned to leave and then stopped. "Just be careful Aerlaer, he's not himself right now." Aragorn warned. She nodded with a weak smile.

"I will be." Hoping so, Aragorn inclined his head. "If you need anything, find me." Again, she nodded, her features becoming resolute. Legolas would be in safe hands, he was sure of that. "Alright, I'll be with Gandalf if you seek me."

"Aerlaer?" Legolas called out once more from his chambers.

"I better go." She murmured, and Aragorn watched as she slipped into the other Elf's chambers. Tomorrow, I think I will be having a long overdue talk with that wood-Elf. Aragorn mused, making his way back to the stairs, wondering for the hundredth time that eve, just why Legolas had let the others get him so inebriated.

...

"Here drink this, it will help you feel better." Aerlaer said as she handed Legolas the mug of liquid. He took it and sniffed at it suspiciously.

"It smells funny, I do not want it." He decided and thrust it back to her. Sighing she took the mug before he dropped it and placed it on the dresser.

"You need to go to sleep." Aerlaer said firmly. He'd already taken his boots off and upon her request, made to take off his tunic.

"No! Wait!" She cried out, suddenly realising if she didn't stop him, she'd have an undressed, drunken Elf to contend with. He stopped tugging on his tunic midway and she caught a glimpse of his toned stomach before he let go of the fabric. Silaear's mane, what have I gotten myself in for?

She looked around for his sleeping garments, and found them neatly folded on his pillow. "Here, put these on while I step out a moment." She handed them to him and hastily left his chamber, closing the door behind her.

Alone again, she found herself staring at the spot where he had kissed her and shivered slightly at the memory. It meant nothing. She told herself again. Aragorn's warning replayed in her mind. He mustn't remember. She thought sadly. But what if he did? What if she told him it was okay? What if she had kissed him back? His face had shown horror by what he had done. No, he had not meant it. Her heart hurt, but she ignored it. She couldn't just leave him now, as drunk as he was, to go and feel sad for herself. She couldn't if she wanted to, she cared too much now.

"Aerlaer, I'm stuck." Legolas called out. "Can you help me please?" What has he done now? She cracked the door open a fraction and spoke through it.

"What do you mean? Are you dressed?"

"Umm sort of..." She heard him laughing.

"What do you mean; sort of?" She asked warily.

"I have pants on, if that is what you are worried about." He replied and laughed again and she scowled from the other side of the door. The cheek of him. "Please help, I really am stuck."

Sighing, Aerlaer cautiously opened the door and laughed. He had somehow put his arm through the collar with his head and was trying to pull it back out. "You idiot." She muttered, walking up to him.

"Told you I was stuck." He swayed dangerously as he walked around in a circle trying to pull his arm out.

"Here, relax, stop straining and lift both your arms up." She chuckled as he did what she asked and, grasping the hem of his shirt, she pulled it up over his head and arms. Her laughter was cut short, when he lightly grasped onto her arms and pulled them back down, holding onto them. She fought to remember how to breathe, all too aware they were standing very close and he was now shirtless. She kept her eyes on his face. Her heart pounding in her chest as he looked curiously down into her eyes. Her promise to Aragorn to be careful was not going to plan.

"Legolas." She warned, unsure what he was going to do.

"I don't usually wear a sleep shirt to bed." He mused casually as he watched her, as if he were testing her in some way. She had to diffuse whatever game he was playing at.

"Just put the damn shirt on." She bit out.

"What if I don't want to?" He challenged, a roguish smirk forming on his lips.

"I'm not playing games, Legolas." She growled at him and he considered her for another moment before sighing and releasing his grip on her arms and taking the shirt from her hand.

"Fine." He replied somewhat petulantly, and she spun away from him and for good measure, walked a couple paces back towards the door while he put his shirt back on. That could have potentially been a disaster. She thought, relieved but also worryingly disappointed nothing had come of it. If he had kissed me again would I have stopped him?

"I am now clothed, you may turn around." He declared regally and she did so to see him flop back onto his bed, thankfully with all his sleep garments on. "I still feel funny." He muttered.

"Well you did drink a lot." She countered.

"I had to." His words were weary.

"Because of the drinking games?" She asked, feeling guilty she had played a part in making him feel this way.

"No, no. I had to because it was better." He murmured. She sat on the other side of his bed and tucked her legs under her and he turned his head to stare up at her. "He's so lucky to have you." Legolas mumbled and Aerlaer gazed down at him, confused.

"Who is?"

"Taurorn." He sighed and she smiled, thinking fondly of the brotherly Ranger.

"I'm lucky to have him too." She replied and he nodded and slowly closed his eyes.

"Why aren't you with him now?"

"Because I want to make sure you are okay." She replied simply.

"Thank you." He murmured after a moment, and her heart warmed at the sincerity of his words. They were silent for a few more moments and then he spoke again.

"Tell me a story."

"A story?" She eyed him incredulously.

"Yes, one I have not heard."

"Okay, what about?"

"Adventure, and of love."

"Truly?"

"Yes, and please do not recite the lay of Luthien and Beren, if I must hear it once more, I will place my own arrow in my head." At his confession, Aerlaer burst into laughter.

"Aragorn?"

"Yes." Legolas groaned. "It is all he recites! There are far better stories."

"Like what?"

"The Two Trees."

"Yes, their story is beautifully bittersweet." Aerlaer murmured, thinking of the two trees of Valinor which were no more. "Well you know the main stories from my own kin regarding love. I know not what you would not already know."

"That is a pity." Legolas sighed. "I hoped you would know of something exciting."

"There, there is one you would not know." She hedged, a certain tale forming in her mind. One she knew better than any other. One she had told no one in centuries.

"Will you tell it to me?" He asked hopefully, and swallowing, she nodded.

"Alright, but only because it is you." She forced a smirk at him and he grinned.

"Excellent!" He waited expectantly for her to begin. Steeling herself a quick moment, she took a slow breath in, and did just that.

"Once, there was a group of young Elves, who decided one evening to sneak uninvited into the realm of another Elven kingdom. They had devised a devious plan to attend a party hosted by this Lord beneath his own trees.

All the Elves who attended this party had their identities concealed by beautiful masks, and so the six strangers easily thwarted the Elven Lord's guards behind their own masks and snuck in to join the celebrations.

In this group of Elves, there was one young elleth. She had just come of age and found herself dancing with many strange ellons. The Lord of the realm sat upon a great throne, overseeing the dancing and merriment and she suddenly felt his eyes fall on her. Afraid she had been found out, she retreated away to the fringes of the glade, where suddenly a voice startled her. She had stumbled into another, an ellon, perhaps a little older than she was.

At first, she felt embarrassed, but soon those feelings turned to curiosity when he asked her to dance. Sure she was now far enough away from the intimidating eyes of the Lord, she took the hand he offered to her and they danced together, twirling around and around. When the song ended they laughed together and then began another song, cheerier than the last and again they spun around and around.

He asked her name, but she could not answer him, because she was not supposed to be there and did not want to invoke the wrath of his Lord. She wished to tell him though, and wondered if she should, when suddenly one of her companions appeared, beckoning her to leave.

She glanced at the Lord, who was watching them from his high throne. He stood up and began to descend towards them. She felt torn, she wanted to stay and dance with the ellon, she did not wish to leave, but the angered Lord was only meters away and so she told the ellon she had to go, placed a chaste kiss upon his cheek and turned and fled the kingdom with her companions.

All the way back to their own lands they ran fleetly, laughing quietly now they were away from the eyes of the intimidating Lord. The young Elves never trespassed so close into the kingdom again although, the young elleth always looked to the patrols if she should see them close to their borders. Always, she would wonder if one of them was perhaps the ellon she had danced with on that secret night under the trees, for she would never forget him."

Feeling weary from retelling such a tale, although much she had omitted, she fell silent, noticing Legolas's breathing was now calm. His eyes were closed and she wondered if he were asleep, or close to, when he murmured quietly.

"I have heard that story, I think."

"You can't have." She whispered, feeling an old sadness threatening to creep up on her.

"Similar perhaps." He mumbled, sounding sleepier. "If only the ending were not so… heartbreaking."

"But I never said it was?" She murmured, but he did not answer. It was, he was right. The ending was obvious. Smiling wistfully, she turned, propping the spare pillow upon the bed so it sat upright, and leant back against the backboard. She would stay with him, to ensure he would be alright, and because since Helm's Deep, she was secretly afraid to be alone in the dark again.

Thankfully, the moon was full, and light streamed in through the windows. She let her eyes close and, pushing any thoughts of dancing and fighting and kisses to the back of her mind, she focused on the quiet and steady sound of the sleeping Elf and slowly drifted off into a light sleep of her own, knowing it was likely she would be waking up sooner or later to the repercussions of Eru only knew how many drinks he had ended up drinking.

…

Aerlaer leapt up from the bed, hearing a loud crash and a cry of pain. Legolas stirred groggily awake and she put a hand to her lips, willing him to be silent and remain where he was. Leaving the bed, she stealthily walked towards his quiver, resting against a chair and quietly withdrew his fighting knives and then slipped out of the door. There was a commotion from Gandalf's chamber and she dashed in just as Aragorn ripped open his own door, following her, sword in hand.

"Help! Someone help him!" Merry cried out and as Aerlaer looked down at the writhing Pippin, and then to the Palantir his hands seemed fused to she took a step back. The presence of a truly dark, evil presence, overwhelming to her senses. Aragorn leapt past her and ripped the orb from Pippin's grasp and threw it aside. It rolled heavily upon the stone floor and Aerlaer caught a glimpse of the fiery evil within it.

"He's here." She gasped as the terrifying eye tried to lock onto her. Gandalf rushed before her and cast a blanket over the Palantir.

"Fool of a Took!" He growled out and turned to Pippin, who Aragorn was trying to shake awake. The Hobbit lay frozen, staring un-seeingly. Gandalf rushed to his side and Aerlaer, shaken by what had been in the Palantir, startled out of her shock and hurried towards Pippin.

"Look at me! Pippin! Look at me!" Gandalf commanded, forcing the petrified Hobbit to look into his face. Aerlaer and Aragorn watched as he shuddered and then suddenly he was looking at Gandalf properly and tears began to stream from his eyes. Aerlaer clasped his hand as Merry held onto his arm worriedly.

"Gandalf! Forgive me!" Pippin whimpered.

"What did you see? Tell me!" Gandalf demanded, looking warily down at the Hobbit.

"A tree… there was a white tree in a courtyard of stone… it was dead. The city was burning." He uttered in distress. Merry patted his arm trying to comfort him.

"Minas Tirith? Is that what you saw?" Gandalf questioned him.

"I saw… I saw, him! I could hear his voice in my head!" Pippin replied, his eyes darting about in fear.

"He is no longer here." Aerlaer assured him soothingly.

"And what did you tell him? Speak!" Gandalf commanded. Aerlaer knew what the Wizard feared. It was what she too feared.

"He asked me my name. I didn't answer." Pippin whimpered again. "He hurt me!" His eyes flashed with terror.

"What did you tell him about Frodo and the Ring?" Gandalf pressed.

"Not...nothing. He didn't ask anything b... but my name." Pippin replied and a look of horror crossed his face as he realised why they were all so wary. "I didn't know... oh Gandalf, forgive me." He cried miserably and Merry pulled his upset cousin into an embrace.

"Aragorn, fetch the King. We need to speak with him urgently and then I must once again leave you all in the midst of the night." Gandalf spoke wearily, rubbing his forehead. Aragorn nodded, leapt to his feet and left the chamber. Standing, Aerlaer held her arm out to help Gandalf to stand, while Merry helped a still shaking Pippin, to his feet.

Gandalf noticed the blades Aerlaer held in her left hand and looked curiously at her but she ignored any possible questions he might have had, and walked to a table and found a pitcher and cup and poured a drink of water before thrusting it towards Pippin.

"Drink this up." She told him and he downed the cup in shaky gulps. Pulling a chair closer to where he stood, still trembling, she bade him to sit. Merry hovered beside him worriedly.

Barely any time had passed before Aragorn returned with a tired looking, King Théoden. The King took in the group around him and then finally turned to Gandalf.

"What has transpired?" He demanded warily.

"Pippin has glimpsed our enemy in the Palantir." Théoden gaped at the young Hobbit in horror. "I have asked him what he saw or what he said and there was no lie in Pippin's eyes. A fool… but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring." Gandalf explained and Théoden sighed, relief flooding his face.

"We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron, moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith." Gandalf added and the King looked at him incredulously. "His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing; he knows the heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed, there is courage still, strength enough perhaps to challenge him.

Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle-Earth uniting under one banner." The wizard went on to explain and then added warningly; "He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a King return to the throne of men. If the Beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war." Aerlaer watched as Théoden mulled over the Wizard's words, his brow furrowed.

"Tell me, why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours?" He said at length. "What do we owe Gondor?" He asked imperiously. Not this again. Aerlaer internally groaned.

"I will go." Aragorn spoke up.

"No!" Gandalf quickly replied.

"But they must be warned." Aerlaer pressed. Annoyed with the King's stubbornness toward Gondor, and confused why Aragorn could not help.

"And they will be. Aragorn must come to Minas Tirith by another road." Gandalf replied and the Ranger turned back to him, baffled. "Follow the river and look to the black ships." Was the only explanation he gave, before turning to them all once again.

"Understand this, things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I will ride for Minas Tirith." He dropped his gaze to Pippin, considering him. "And I won't be going alone."

...

Slipping quietly back into Legolas's chamber, Aerlaer was mildly surprised to see him half sitting up, watching her. She replaced his knives back in their sheaths and walked back towards the bed and hopped up onto it. "All is well now."

"What happened?" He asked, his concern evident in the furrow of his brows.

"Pip snuck into Gandalf's chamber and gazed upon the Palantir."

"I felt a great evil presence. What did he see?"

"Your feeling was true, for it was Sauron he saw." Aerlaer gave a minute shudder at the vision of the dark lord in the Palantir.

"You saw him too." Legolas stated now looking worried for her. He reached a hand up to hers and grasped it in his own. She welcomed the comforting action.

"It was merely a glimpse. He talked to and hurt Pippin." She sighed, thinking of how terrified the young Hobbit had been.

"Did he reveal anything?"

"No, nothing thankfully, but Sauron's next strike will be Minis Tirith. Gandalf has just left, bearing Pippin with him, to ride to warn Lord Denethor." She explained quietly and he nodded.

"Then our next journey will be to the White City. More rock." He muttered, causing her to quietly laugh.

"How are you feeling?" He was speaking well enough. but he looked ill.

"Worse than average." He replied quietly. "I really don't want to be sick. It is a most horrible feeling." He grimaced and she hopped up and went to the dresser and retrieved the drink Aragorn had left for him.

"Drink this." She requested, handing him the mug.

"I don't want to drink anything." He sounded repulsed by the idea.

"If you don't want to be sick, you best drink it." She coaxed and grumbling, he put the mug to his lips and quickly downed the liquid.

"Are you trying to poison me?" he gasped as his nose wrinkled in distaste. "That was awful!" Quickly, she handed him a chalice of water which he gratefully took to remove the vile taste from his mouth. "Thank you." He said and then groaned. "How long does that drink take to work?"

"I don't know, you should have taken it earlier when I told you to." She chuckled.

"What time of night is it?" He asked, holding a hand to his stomach.

"A couple hours before dawn." She said quietly as she sat back down on the bed, crossing her legs under her.

"Oh, Manwë I think I am going to be sick." He gasped and she moved to sit just behind him and placed a hand soothingly on his back, making circles.

"No, you won't be. Just breathe through it." She said calmly and his slightly panicked breathing slowed. "The drink will kick in soon." She assured him as she continued to make light circles on his back. Slowly, he began to relax and she absentmindedly started drawing invisible trees, using his spine as the trunk.

"What are you doing?" He sounded amused and she stopped, startled.

"Sorry, I was kind of tracing trees." She replied, feeling embarrassed she went to take her hand away.

"Don't stop." He murmured softly and she felt her heart jolt at the rawness of those two words. "It's nice, I mean its helping." He hastily added and tentatively she placed her hand against his back again and continued creating imaginary trees.

"Aerlaer, I realise I drank a lot last night, I am having trouble remembering what happened. I am worried I have done something foolish." Aerlaer just managed to stop herself from starting at his statement. She needed to be careful she answered him. She continued to trace her fingers across his back.

"What do you consider foolish?" She asked nonchalantly.

"Anything I should not have said or done." He replied. "Did I do anything foolish?" He asked warily.

"Hmm, well you chose to fight me, that was pretty foolish considering we both know I beat you." She teased playfully, hoping to deter him.

"I already know that, but what else?" He pressed. Does he know? He must remember something or he would not be pressing me so for an answer. She had an idea.

"Nothing really. You danced a little with me and you told me your father likes chasing butterflies. I would hardly call any of that foolish. Perhaps you were only foolish in your drunken dreams?" She chuckled quietly and he nodded.

"Perhaps so." He replied, sounding strangely wistful yet content with her answer. It seemed any disasters regarding what had transpired between them had been prevented by his convenient memory lapse.

"I am feeling better; the drink must be working." He murmured after a few moments and Aerlaer noted he sounded sleepy and wondered if it was also a sleeping draught.

"You should sleep again." She said quietly, removing her hand from his back and moving away from him.

"I think I will be okay now, if you wish to go." He murmured. "Taurorn is probably wondering where you are."

"Taurorn knows where I am." She replied, bemused. "I can stay, I do not mind." She added softly.

"I'd like that." He sighed as he sank down onto the bed and closed his eyes as sleep once again took him. Aerlaer, shaking her head, wondering why it was such a big deal that Taurorn should know her whereabouts, settled down on the other side of the bed and closed her eyes, finally letting sleep completely take her.

Thank you to all who have reviewed and to all new followers, welcome to the madness which falls out of my brain and onto my fingertips.

EmberBeastie – Thanks, oh it is going to get more confusing! Silly Elves and too much stubborn pride!

LitttleMissMarie10 – Great to hear you are enjoying it!

Aralinn – Someone really should, or the clown could just ask someone. Ha ha! Glad you like the updates!

LadyGrell – Thanks!

Wicked – Thanks! (is this WickedGreene?)

Ennairual – Thank you for your lovely review, glad you are enjoying the slow progress of it.