~Fields of Blood~

She ducked and weaved, leapt and spun, loosening arrow after arrow into the surrounding orcs. Their raucous cries filled the air, echoing off the buildings surrounding the dock as Aerlaer and the others fought their way towards the fields. The Ghost Army already swept ahead of them, slaying the enemy in its wake. Spinning again, she checked her companions were still safe. Legolas was a few meters from her, releasing a steady stream of arrows into the orcs before him and nearby was Gimli with Aragorn, cutting down those he did not hit.

"Twenty!" She called to the other Elf as she fired another arrow into the neck of a large, pale skinned orc.

"Twenty-seven!" He replied laughing as he leapt up onto a low wall, taking up three arrows to fell three orcs simultaneously. "Thirty." Came his smug addition and she growled under her breath, making to shoot faster. Between the last buildings before the fields, the orcs came upon them in a thick wave. With haste, Aerlaer swapped her bow for her sword and advanced swinging her blade in a whirring motion Glorfindel had taught her to confuse her opponents. She beheaded an orc and spun, slitting another's throat; blood bursting forth as it crumpled forward. The two closet orcs to her cried out in a rage, their own nasty weapons advancing. She parried one while dodging the other, relief flooding through her when another sword of elvish steel spun beside her felling her second adversary.

"Miss me?" Elladen chuckled as she grinned, delighted to see him well.

"A little." She replied coyly, deflecting the attack of another large orc. It growled at her when she changed her angle of attack, nimbly dancing around its great repulsive form, curved her blade up and around in a fatal blow.

"Can't half tell who taught you to wield that thing!" Elladan laughed, and she smirked, grateful to a certain Balrog slayer, as she locked her blade with another orc's.

"Where are Elrohir and Taurorn." She asked as they both fought side by side.

"I am here." Taurorn called from her far right and a little of the tension of not knowing how they fared left her. "Elrohir is near Aragorn." He added as he swung and dropped an orc with a cutting blow. Aerlaer side stepped a crude sword and spinning, took the orc by the side of his neck with her blade. She glanced to where she had last seen Legolas; he was now using his knives, and they were a blur of silver in his hands as he cut down every orc which came within his range.

"Where did the Nazgul go?" Aerlaer asked, disengaging another orc blade, following through to run her own through its chest. They now fought upon the fields, amongst soldiers of Gondor and Rohan, and with the Dunedin.

"It's fell beast dropped from the sky as your ships arrived." Elladen called out his reply before ducking, his blade arcing around and crumpling an orc to its knees.

The fighting grew more bitter and now they battled in silence, relying on skill. Between slaying each enemy, Aerlaer checked the whereabouts of her companions as much as she could. She noticed they too did the same. They all had one another's backs in this. She wondered briefly if Éowyn had snuck along to fight as she intended and how Éomer fared?

She could just make out the Rohirrim horses surrounding and racing around the Mumakil as they reached the battle. Suddenly men and horses flew as the great beasts tusks lowered and caught them up. Aerlaer realised the tusks had been strung with barbed wires, making them even more dangerous. Two of the Mumakil were eight hundred meters away from her as they advanced. They had to be stopped. Legolas too was watching them, fifty meters from her as he cut down the orcs about him. An idea formed in her mind and before she could think further, she sheathed her sword. Two orcs, who saw the action, made to run at her their weapons raised, but she was quicker. Shifting to horse, she dashed from them and swerving about fallen bodies and more of the enemy, raced towards the blonde Elf.

"Legolas!" She called out, and he turned as she thundered towards him. "Get on!" she commanded and as she swept past him he swung up, landing light upon her back. Once she was sure he wasn't going to fall off, she streamlined her body to race faster towards the first mumakil.

"Do you have a plan?" He asked close to her ear.

"Not beyond we must take them down." She replied.

"Manwë you are swift." He laughed, and she shook her mane.

"And you ride so un-hinderingly well." She replied, surprised by his skill.

"A talking horse taught me when I was an Elfling." He laughed and before she could ask more or who it was, the mumakil loomed above them. Aerlaer avoided its swinging tusks and trunk. "I'll take out the men who ride upon it if you take down the beast." Legolas said as she ran alongside it. Before she could answer, he had leapt up to crouch nimbly upon her shoulders and then leapt up towards the dark grey beast, using the arrows which had already been imbedded into its hide to climb his way up its side, bow in hand. Aerlaer raced ahead of the beast and performing a quick rollback, charged head-on towards the mumakil.

"Are you mad!" She heard Legolas call down to her amidst the cries of the men he shot down from the great basket upon its back. She probably was, but she didn't plan on failing. The mumakil saw her and lowered its tusks at her, its eyes wild and bloodshot. The wires strung between them now looking much more dangerous than they had from a distance, the barbs, large and jagged. Too late now. Her front legs left the ground and her hind legs propelled her forward as she twisted her body in mid-air, neck stretched out, avoiding the beasts trunk as it swung down. Shifting to Elf as the ground came up to meet her, she rolled, pulling her knives from her quiver before spinning towards the beast's front leg, slashing through tendons.

The animal cried out in rage, swaying above her. Dodging its now haphazard steps, she attacked its back tendons and raced out of the way, as it came crashing to the ground with a bellow. Immediately she searched out the other Elf, shaking her head as he slid down the beast's trunk to land safe upon the ground, barely ruffled. Only then did she hear Tauron's laughter nearby and see Gimli glaring at the other Elf in annoyance.

"That still only counts as one you showy elf!" the Dwarf growled at Legolas. He smirked back before sizing up the next Mumakil.

"Shall we take out the next one?" Aerlaer asked, and he nodded. Leaving Tauron and Gimli, they raced the hundred meters to the second beast, shooting down orcs in their path.

"Do you want the honor, I will swing you up." Legolas offered.

"What and risk your count lessening?" She laughed, fitting two arrows to take down her fifty-eighth and fifty-ninth enemy.

"I am sure my count will remain higher than yours still." Was his confident reply. "Sixty-six." He added, shooting another with a smirk.

"You'll be eating those words soon, Sinda! Swing me up." Smirk growing, Legolas grabbed her and launched her up towards the beast. This one was lighter and smaller but no less dangerous as it tried to kick out sideways as she grasped onto a Rohirrim spear as leverage. Bow in her other hand, she scampered up its large body to stand upon its back.

The men standing in the basket did not have her balance and did not dare leave it to deter her and she shot all eight of them before leaping forward and releasing an arrow at short range into the beast's neck, hoping to severe its spinal cord and drop it. It screamed, crashing down like the other, its heavy impact reverberating through the ground. She decided to one up the other Elf and did a double flip off the head of the beast to land gracefully at his side, felling three more orcs with three drawn arrows.

"Sixty-nine." She said announced with nonchalance, and he chuckled.

"Your lethal grace is admirable, but now you must pass seventy-three!" He challenged with a devious laugh and ran towards a large group of nearby orcs and enemy men, blades spinning. With a grin she followed, swapping her bow for her own two knives as she realised they both had little full-grown arrows left. New ones were still growing. She met the fray beside the other Elf, blades spinning without pause as she again ducked and weaved the dance of battle; ignoring the tiring beat of her heart as her energy slowly, slowly began to wane.

…

He and Aerlaer now fought side by side, blades spinning as they each ducked and twisted around each other, cutting down the surrounding orcs. It was as if they danced a dangerous dance, around and around with these orcs as they moved so swiftly, so fluently compared to the mutated creatures before them. How oh how could these creatures have once been elves? So wretched they were and stiff, a resounding contrast to the fairness and litheness of the Elf fighting beside him.

A larger orc advanced to his side, and he spun away from her to deal with it. Rough blades crashed down on his as he forced the creature to yield to the pressure and when it didn't he cursed under his breath, dropped his knives away and flicked one around and sent it into the large pale orc's eye. It bellowed rushing at him, blades raised, one of his own still in its skull. Legolas stepped aside and brought his remaining blade up to slit its throat. The grotesque body became limp, and he grabbed his blade from its head as it fell to the torn up earth.

Aerlaer, from somewhere behind, gave a cry of pain and annoyance. He turned searching and then raced towards her, blades spinning even faster as he slashed down the orcs near to her. She was on her knees, sword in hand parrying off an orc. Legolas's heart hammered in fear as it lashed out with its own blade, nicking her arm, leaving a red line as blood formed from the fresh cut.

He worked faster at culling down the orcs separating them, trying to keep half his attention on her. She rolled back trying to distance herself from the orc before her and she brought her sword up again. Again, the orc lunged at her and she just managed to bring her sword up to block the attack. It no longer mattered, Legolas had reached her. Crossing his blades from behind the orc, he skillfully removing his head. Shoved the body aside, he rushed to her side. A large cut upon her stomach bled profusely, and her breathing was fast, erratic.

"Quick you must stop the bleeding." He said, relieved she was alright. He leapt back up to take a protective stance over her. Drawing his bow again, Legolas was glad he once again had a near full quiver. Hopeful Aerlaer felt calm enough to heal the damage to her stomach, he shot down any of the enemy who ventured too close to her. There was scarcely any left in this area of the fields. The Ghost Army had swept through not long before and laid waste to their numbers. Some moments later he sensed Aerlaer rising to stand at his side. Deeming them safe for a short moment, he turned to her, letting out a sigh of relief upon seeing she had healed herself enough to stop the bleeding.

"I believe I owe you again now." She said with an impish grin which captivated his heart, so gladdened, so relieved he was to hear her sweet, playful voice, to see that grin, for a world without her in it, it was incomprehensible.

"No." He said, gazing down at her. "We are even, for I could not remain here without you." He said softly, without thought, speaking from his heart. Her eyes widened with shock and with a dreadful jolt, Legolas realised what he had said.

"Oh, Manwë I mean I, um-" He didn't get to finish as she grabbed him by the front of his tunic, pulling his lips down onto hers, kissing him. It was as if a fire-bolt ripped through him as they moved with a firm yet gentle conviction against his, igniting his heart, his soul. She pulled away looking up at him in wonder, in pure joy, yet almost disbelieving. She shook her head and then gazed back into his eyes.

"It's you." She laughed. "All this time, it's been you!" He made to ask her what she meant but he couldn't find the words, still shocked and amazed she had just kissed him, his lips still tingling, his heart still pounding. She kissed me, she does care as I do for her! He felt euphoric as her warm indigo eyes sparkled up at him. They darted over his shoulder and in the next moment she had hauled him around to her side. Reaching for her bow, Aerlaer raised and drew an arrow and sent it flying into an orc who'd been running up behind them. Quickly coming back to his senses, he knocked an arrow to his own bow and shot down another. She kissed me!

He loosed four more consecutive arrows beside her in the direction of the city while she aimed and shot back towards the direction of the Anduin. The breeze blew her hair back like a banner and it glowed! Oh, how it glowed just as brightly if not brighter than it had under the mountain! She concentrated on aiming, a smile playing on her lips. He took down another three orcs and then he had to ask her.

"What did you mean before?" Aerlaer looked at him before taking another shot.

"You truly do not know?" She asked sounding surprised.

"No. I have no idea." He admitted. "Will you tell me?" She laughed once again filled with mischief.

"No, you'll work it out." She smirked, eyes dancing. His heart soared by the happiness radiating from her.

"But I don't know what I am meant to work out?" He laughed. "Will you at least give me a hint?" She laughed again.

"Walnuts." She replied with an air of mystery, and then her smile fell from her face and she raced away behind him. Confused he spun in her direction and cursed under his breath. Elrohir was in trouble.

...

Aerlaer's overjoyed heart froze as she watched Elrohir sink to his knees, a spear protruding from his torso. She ran, shooting down the six orcs closing in on him as she came into range. By the time the last had fallen, she was crouched by his side.

"Tithinriel, where is Elladan?" He asked her right away, voice shaking.

"I don't know." She replied as Legolas came to stand before them, arrow already knocked only to be loosed into the chest of a nearby enemy Easterner. With his protection, Aerlaer knew they would be okay.

"I see Elrohir, he is with Taurorn towards the city. They are fine." Legolas assured and Elladan visibly relaxed.

"How bad is it, cousin?" Aerlaer asked and waited while Elrohir closed his eyes in concentration.

"I, I can't focus." He fretted, opening his eyes again. "Not without Elladan here."

"How far away is he, Legolas?"

"All the way near the city walls." He replied and Aerlaer chewed her lip. Her lack of lifeforce was wearing her down but she could not leave Elrohir like this. The injury could potentially be serious. Refusing to check what reserves she had left, Aerlaer placed her right hand beside the spear upon his torso and focused her mind on assessing the damage. Although his chain mail had failed him it had slowed the impact, and miraculously it was only imbedded in muscle and had missed any organs by a mere horse's whisker.

"You'll live." She grinned at him and swiftly pulled the spear from him, receiving a hiss and a string of curses.

"Are you always this much of a sook, Noldor Lord?" Legolas teased causing Aerlaer to chuckle.

"Clearly someone has not taken injury to their stomach muscles." She whispered to Elrohir who gave her a pained grin.

"I have. You punched me remember?" Legolas reminded her and Elrohir's grin grew.

"When did that happen?"

"And it hurt, didn't it?" Aerlaer quipped, ignoring her coisin and Legolas gazed down at her with a smirk.

"It was worth it." He replied, dark eyes mischievous, before sighting up another orc and shooting it and then another. Her belly erupted in butterflies by what he implied. Quickly she turned back to her cousin.

"I am sorry Elrohir, I can only stop the bleeding as I did with my own wound. We almost match." She gave him a wry smile, forcing the now aching beat of her heart from her thoughts. Re-focusing, Aerlaer reattached the one damaged vein. Summoning more from within herself, she dulled the pain Elrohir would have been feeling, knowing it would leave him in better shape to defend himself.

"I think the battle has nearly been won." Legolas murmured as Aerlaer helped Elrohir to stand. They each leant against one another a moment, and Aerlaer was grateful it gave her the time she needed for the dizzying feeling in her head to subside and for her balance to steady. Thankfully Elrohir did not seem to notice.

"Thank you Tithinriel." He murmured before whispering in her ear. "I hope I don't also have to thank you the way you thanked that Sinda Prince before?" He smirked as he let go of her and she managed to keep her balance as she grinned back at him. "I'm going to go to Elladan." He said and with a knowing smirk at Legolas, he ran off towards the city.

Aerlaer realised her long-distance sight was slightly hazy as she watched him but decided to continue using her bow, using any of her blades now for short range work she was sure would result in her falling. She was sure it was the joy in her heart and soul alone which kept her on her feet, the joy that Legolas cared too. The incredible realization it really was him, that she already loved him before she even realised it.

The orcs were now quite scarce, many now retreating back in the direction of Mordor. Victory for Gondor was surely moments away. Aerlaer began to move away from Legolas as they shot down what little orcs remained on their part of the field. Each action to shoot was now a struggle. Her arm felt heavy as she lifted it up and behind her to take and arrow, and it took concentration where usually instinct would ensure she had knocked her arrow correctly. As she aimed her arms shook from the shear effort to stay upright, to stay focused.

Somehow, she never missed the enemy, and slowly but surely took each one down until she could no longer muster the strength to seek out another arrow from her quiver. Her entire chest ached, heart laboring heavy behind her ribs. Blinking, Aerlaer gazed about as she tried to fight the urge to lay down and not get up again. She was so tired. Strewn in every direction were the bodies of the fallen. Blood smeared the ground and she remembered the last night, and last battle of the Edhelroch, her herd. Could it be her fate to still fall among a field of dead?

Bowing her weary head, Aerlaer assessed her own injuries. Blood now flowed freely from the deep cut across her stomach, her once blue dress stained shades of red. The little of her lifeforce she had used earlier to roughly close the artery had not been strong enough, and now she was too weak to repair it. She hoped Elrohir's had held better.

A running figure caught her eye and she looked up, the sheer effort of moving her head making her feel dizzy. Legolas. She breathed a sigh of relief as he ran towards her. Her heart thudded, painful in her chest but there was immense joy there too. He was here.

"Aerlaer?" She smiled, gladdened to see him. Maybe he'll let me rest against him again like he did on the corsair ships? I am so very tired. She felt herself sway and then hands grasped her shoulders, steadying her.

"I am glad to see you." She murmured tiredly as she gazed up into his brown eyes. Why does he look worried, maybe he has not figured it out yet, or maybe he has forgotten the walnuts? She blinked, trying to keep his face in focus. Oh, maybe he is worried he has lost our game!

"Are you worried my count is higher than yours?" She said playfully but it came out wrong, the words slow on her tongue.

"What?" His features showing plain bewilderment. "The game can wait, you are bleeding again." Her vision began to go hazy as another wave of dizziness hit her. What did he mean the competition could wait? She wanted to know if she'd bested him again. Aerlaer tried to ask, but words failed her. Everything spun, and then she felt as if she might fall, yet she was aware Legolas was holding her upright. He said something, but she couldn't figure out what, she almost felt detached from her body. Is this it? Am I dying? I don't want to die, I don't want to leave him.

"Aerlaer, what's wrong?" His words were becoming distant to her and she struggled to reply as another wave of dizziness hit her. I can't leave him, I've only just found him.

"Aerlaer, Aerlaer!" He seemed so far away.

"I kept my promise… I kept you safe... that's all that matters." She managed to say but her tongue felt heavy and her head spun. Aerlaer's legs finally gave out from beneath her as everything faded to black.

OH MY FREAKING GOD SHE KISSED HIM!

Hehe, I know that's pretty much what you were all thinking. Your'e welcome! ;)

Thank you guys for the lovely reviews over the past twenty-four hours! Total pick me up, its been a bit of a rollercoaster week of emotions!

PrettyRecklessLaura - I couldnt wait to edit more! Hence the next chap being up in record time!

Screaming Kittycat - Haha, thanks and you're welcome! I like this story far too much to not come back and eventually finish it!

thrndlwood - Thanks!

Theendproductions - Oh my gosh I love your username! Hehe, he did, although I think Aerlaer did it much better! :D

WickedGreene13 - Thanks! :) P.S I'm like 1/8 tinto next chapter of Fated and wishing I didn't set each chapter length to be so bloody long!

flyingnite - Thank you! Oh yeah, she's really got herself into strife now! I'll try get the next edit up as soon as possible!

Tobi256 - Thanks! Always great to hear from readers and that they are enjoying it! Agreed, the rewrite is so much better! Although, I finally got an AO3 account and uploaded the first couple chapters of this, and found grammar errors! Thanks heaps for the review! :)

A xx