Disclaimer: Bet you did not see this coming... I do not own anything created by Tolkien.

Author's Note: I know this is super long but bear with me. I wanted to put the next battle in a separate chapter and I had the odd two days to deal with. So I apologize if it's a bit too long for some. The next chapter will follow soon. Thanks!

Chapter 35- Waiting

I opened my eyes and was greeted with the sight of Legolas, slumped in the chair next to my bed, chin resting on his chest. I turned my head very slightly to the side to see if Almira was still sleeping but she had already risen. Trying to move slowly and quietly, I shifted, maybe an inch if I was lucky. Unfortunately, Legolas' spidey senses had him snapping awake.

"Is it dawn? Are you well?" He asked, blinking and readjusting in his chair.

Moving to sit in front of him on the bed, I smoothed his hair down. "I have never seen you so disoriented, babe. You need to rest more. And from the looks of it, it's barely past dawn."

"I am-"

"Fine?" I supplied. And we both smiled at the irony.

"Lass?" Gimli's gruff voice called from outside the curtain. "Have you seen his royal highness this fair morn?"

"Indeed. You can come in Gimli." I winked at Legolas.

"Well, you found him," Gimli stated wryly once he entered.

"Just like that," I said.

"I was headed into the city. Apparently Merry is here." Gimli stared at me meaningfully.

"Is that so?" I asked with feigned innocence.

"That is who you were looking for," Legolas said.

"That is who I was looking for," I repeated with a smile.

"Well, let us go find him. No doubt Pippin is with him as well," Legolas proposed.

"Actually, I am going to find Almira, you guys go ahead," I stated.

"You are sure?" Legolas queried.

"Yeah, I'll catch up with you later."

"Until then lass."

Legolas rose and dropped a kiss on my head before following Gimli out of the tent. I got up, sifted through my pack, found my only other tunic, then once dressed exited the tent.

While walking around the camp aimlessly searching for Almira, I passed several of the big wigs, most of whom nodded at me, which was weird. Apparently word had gotten round about Almira and me. Not that I was exactly surprised as we were probably the only two women in the camp. They were all heading for an impressive looking tent that had been set up especially for the meeting. I stopped and sighed. So far no sign of Almira. Plus, I was unable to keep my mind from what was occurring in the tent nearby. I was impatient. It was time to end this war. Of course, I pointed out cynically, the end of the war was not the end of my problems. I heaved another deep sigh.

"Troubles, bubbles?"

I whirled at Almira's voice, knife drawn. "Sorry," I said sheepishly upon seeing her.

"On edge much?" she asked with an easy smile.

"Who isn't?" I replied. "Everyone knows we are passing through the eye of the storm. There's more trouble on the horizon."

"Let's hope this cloud has a silver lining," Almira stated grimly.

"Let's," I agreed, then began pacing.

"How about a walk," Almira suggested.

I shot her a grateful glance and we began walking towards the city. "Where were you this morning?" I asked her.

"I had a fitful sleep and finally gave up right around dawn. I went for a walk and ran into Amrothos and some of the men we fought with."

I raised an eyebrow. "Like most in this camp they are worried about what is to come. Thus, they too are getting less than an ideal amount of sleep," she explained.

"What I would not give for a cup of joe," I murmured as we passed under the great gates of Minas Tirith.

"And a nice warm piece of coffee cake," Almira added. We shared a smile. Talking about food like this was a nod to our past and a hope for the future. Both of which were jeopardized now. We wandered in silence for most of the morning, investigating the damage that had been done.

"What say you to heading to the Healing Ward?" I asked suddenly of Almira. We had come to rest against the wall on the uppermost level, staring out across the plains.

"Nothing against it," she shrugged, "but why there?"

"A couple reasons: first, I need something to do because I am thinking way too much, we decided upon walking and it's one of the furthest things away; second, there might be food there and my stomach is reminding me it's lunch time."

"Sounds good to me," Almira stated as she pushed off the wall.

Upon entering the Healing Ward's courtyard we saw the twins lounging under one of the trees eating. They caught sight of us and waved us over. Taking a seat, I pulled my knees up, looping my clasped hands loosely around them.

"Greetings on this fair afternoon," Elladan said with a sunny smile.

"What are you smoking?" I asked incredulously. "And whatever it is, can I have some? I would like to be as irrationally cheerful as you seem to be."

Elladan rolled his eyes before replying in a vaguely patronizing tone like that of a parent patiently explaining something to a child, "I am cheerful because we are almost at the end of this blasted war and I am ready to have done with it. And I am not smoking anything," he finished with a sniff.

"Besides, our patients are recovering quite well and the sun is shining," Elrohir expanded.

"I should hope they are, you are the sons of Elrond, only two of the most renowned healers in the known world," I interjected dryly.

"Aren't we in a snit?" Elladan said, more bemused than anything else.

"Yes, terribly sorry I cannot ignore imminent doom like some people," I practically snarled. Ashamed and frustrated at my snarky attitude I turned my face to the side, staring into the interior of the Healing Ward thus missing the twins' exchange a glance. I felt Almira lay a hand on my arm. Meeting her gaze, I expelled a harsh breath.

"What is this really about?" Elrohir asked carefully.

I shook my head, blinking rapidly. Everything was welling up inside me all at once. "If this reflects anything I am dealing with, and I think it does," Almira began slowly, "then she feels overwhelmed. We are so close to the finish, and we are expecting one outcome which could be completely shot to Hell thanks just to us being here. And even if everything ends well and we prevail it's not the end of our troubles. In fact, the hardest thing we have to face will hit us when we should be celebrating. So we cannot really get excited about finishing this because for us it is only the beginning. No matter what happens, we are going to grieve."

"That's the long and short of it," I said softly. I heard a sigh then Elladan was sitting beside me, one arm draped around my shoulders.

"Perhaps this will seem insincere, but I truly believe everything will be alright," he said.

"Yeah?" I queried, looking at him out of the corner of my eye.

"Yes," he said, turning my face thus meeting me square in the eye.

"Well, if this whole shindig goes up in smoke, I'm blaming you," I replied with a slowly burgeoning smile.

"Fair enough," he replied. "Alright?"

I looked up at Almira. "Alright?"

"Alright," she replied.

"Alright," Elrohir finished. "Now what say we get you something to eat?"

"I am fully amenable to that," Almira said.

Elrohir nodded and dashed inside. "Be right back," he called over his shoulder.

"What's all this then?" Legolas asked. I glanced up to see him leaning on the corner of the building with Gimli, and two of my favorite hobbits.

"She has finally regained her sanity and is tossing you over to run away with me," Elladan asserted.

"Oh and pigs can fly," I stated, bouncing out of Elladan's embrace. Only Almira got my reference but I did not care as I had reached the hobbits. Everyone else shrugged it off as usual while I knelt down and gave them a big hug. "Boy am I glad to see you guys."

"And we you," Merry stated.

"Are you going to leave?" Pippin asked suddenly. "I would hate to lose you so soon after I found you," he explained softly.

Merry threw his hands up in the universal gesture of "He's an unstoppable moron sometimes and there's nothing I can do about it."

"Do you think I will?" I challenged.

"I do not know," he said very softly.

"Me either," I replied just as quietly. Pippin nodded once before hugging me again.

Thankfully, Elrohir reappeared at that moment with a platter of food and the hobbits were distracted. "Luckily I grabbed extra," he stated as Merry and Pippin descended upon the food. I stood facing Legolas, just staring. The issue of my choice was like the white elephant in the room. Both of us were so afraid to approach it that we just ignored it regardless of the damage it was doing. I stayed immobile until he held out a hand to me. I took it and he drew me to his side and tucked me under his shoulder. Legolas nudged me slightly and we headed towards the platter.

"You are worried," he murmured softly to me. It was more of a statement than a question.

I snorted. "Of course. Who wouldn't be?" I could hear the stress in my own voice.

Legolas simply nodded once before pressing a kiss to my temple and releasing me. I grabbed two plates then handed one to him. It was a Ploughman's lunch of bread, fruit and cheese. I took a heaping portion. Unfortunately I had the tendency of eating my emotions.

Once we were all seated under the tree again, conversation resumed. "We heard tell that you lot had a right scary journey to make it here," Merry began.

"To say the least. We only had to deal with the mother of all haunted houses," I replied.

"More of a cave really," Almira amended.

"Inhabited by a warped Casper and a few thousand of his equally creepy friends. That experience probably shaved about ten years off my life," I finished. I shuddered and ran a hand over my hair. A moment later Legolas' hand slid up my back to massage the nape of my neck. I turned to look at him and placed a hand on his knee, giving it a little squeeze.

"Obviously some thing's have not changed," Merry stated with a bit of a smirk. "You are as oblivious as ever."

With his statement, both Legolas and I looked up guiltily then chuckled sheepishly. "Busted," I said while the others laughed at us.

"I can hardly blame you. I could use a good cuddle right about now. Unfortunately my Elven studmuffin is MIA," Almira stated once our mirth had subsided, "Missing in action," she quickly explained.

"Ugh, please let us not discuss that. If I have to hear one more word about Sunniva I am going to go mad," Elladan replied adamantly, shooting a dark glance at his brother who actually blushed.

"I miss her," Elrohir said with a dignified huff before muttering, "It is not my fault you are jealous and irritable."

"I am not jealous!" cried Elladan though it was not the most convincing performance I had ever seen. "Nor am I irritable. In fact, I was in a fabulous mood before these two came along," he finished gesturing to Almira and I.

"Hey!" Almira cried.

"Now wait just a minute-" I said but Legolas cut me off. "What if we all agreed that we are looking forward to a degree of normalcy if we manage to defeat Sauron and perhaps might be a bit irritable because we have to destroy a Dark Lord relatively soon?" he asked dryly.

Elladan, Elrohir, Almira and I all looked at each other ruefully. "Yeah, okay," I said. "That's fair."

"I might be a little irritable," Elladan said carefully.

"Me too," Elrohir stated.

"Me three," amended Almira.

"Good. Now that we are all once again behaving like adults..." Legolas trailed off, looking at us pointedly.

"You know, you are starting to sound more and more like your father," Elrohir said then smirked when he had effectively wiped the grin off Legolas' face.

"Do not say that," Legolas pleaded.

"Wait, I thought you and your father got on spectacularly?" I asked confused.

"We do," Legolas quickly affirmed. "He is just a bit..." he trailed off, searching for the right word.

"Backwards?" Elladan supplied.

"Prejudiced?" Legolas shot Gimli a LOOK.

"Set in his ways?" Elrohir's was the most diplomatic but it still earned an eye roll from his royal highness.

"I suppose that is the best way to say it. I do not want to cast a negative light on his character. We simply disagree on a few things," Legolas stated, slightly uneasy.

"Like what?" I asked.

"Aside from dwarves and mortal wives," Gimli interjected a guess which seemed to hit home as Legolas winced.

"There's that," Legolas admitted reluctantly.

"Oh my," said Pippin. "But Kate is a mortal." Merry cast his gaze heavenwards.

"Which should make meeting his parents really interesting," Elladan stated.

"Can we watch?" asked Elrohir.

"Absolutely not," Legolas replied firmly. "This is not helped by the fact that they want me to rule immediately upon my return, which of course means they would want me to marry right away too."

"Say WHAT?" I stuttered flabbergasted.

"Perhaps some of the pressure might be alleviated if you were living in Gondor and acting as a representative of your homeland here while helping Aragorn rebuild?" Gimli posited speculatively.

"Living in Gondor?" I choked. "When did you make that decision?" I knew this was coming, but it was the second time Legolas had made a big choice that could affect me if I stayed without consulting me. Legolas looked at me as if I had grown a second head.

"Are you upset?" he asked.

"Well, I think it is time we got back to work," Elrohir said hastily before dashing back inside.

"Right behind you," cried Elladan following him inside.

"Pip, I think I need to rest," Merry stated, looking meaningfully at Pippin.

"Really? I think the fresh air and sunshine could be good for you," Pippin replied. Subtly was not his strong suit, bless his heart.

"Pip," Merry said firmly, casting a hard glance at Legolas and I who were still locked in a staring contest.

"Oh," Pip said tapping a finger to the side of his nose, "ohhhh." He helped Merry up and they went inside.

Almira and Gimli had managed to just disappear like ninjas.

Now alone, I took a deep breath and prepared to probably end up in a huge, knockdown drag-out fight with the love of my life. "Well, yes. Yes, I am upset. You did not think maybe you should run it by me that you want to move here?" I was striving for calm and failing.

"I have not made any promises yet," Legolas stated slowly, as if placating me. "It was simply a thought."

"This is not the first time this has happened though," I asserted, jumping to my feet and beginning to pace. The frustration was building inside me and bubbling up inside my chest, compounding the already considerable stress from the past few days. Who was I kidding? Since the time I had arrived here I had been stressed.

Legolas' brow furrowed. "What else have I done?" he inquired mildly, still placating.

"You promised Gimli you would travel with him when - if, if the war ended," I cried. "What about me? Hmmmm? What am I supposed to do?"

"I was planning on traveling during the one year betrothal period traditionally observed by a couple committed to binding," Legolas admitted softly. His heart was in his eyes and it scared the hell out of me.

"Well, excuse me for not taking our betrothal for granted," I replied rashly and harshly out of fear. Legolas' gaze widened then quickly he turned his eyes from mine, but not before I had espied the hurt in their depths. Immediately I felt guilt and panic well inside me, smothering my frustration and fear. He stood up and I spoke urgently. "I am sorry. I did not meant that. Forgive me, I am scared and stupid. Please stay, please."

That caused him to look at me, hard, and I fidgeted guiltily. "I am not going to leave this time. And I know that you were not purposely cruel, but that you might feel that way is enough to hurt me." Legolas sighed. "You are scared about what is coming, about choosing, and I understand. I do not blame you. And I could get angry and we could have a fight and maybe feel better. But I do not want to fight with you in what could be our last hours together. I am disappointed and angry in a way, because I do not know what you expect of me. You have not made your choice. You do not confide in me about how you are dealing with it and what your thoughts so far are. What would you have of me? Should I make plans with you even if they might be for naught? Should I pretend as if you do not exist, live my life as I did until you tell me it is really going to change? or should I simply wait, making no plans at all?"

I could feel tears coming and I swallowed them back desperately. "I do not want to fight either, nor do I want to hurt you. That was never my intent. I know I have not been talking to you. For what it's worth, I have wanted to. So many times I have almost broached the subject, but I did not know what to say. I have not made my choice so I do not know what to tell you. I do not want to give you false hope but I do not want to crush your hope either. I love you so much and it scares the hell out of me. I do not think I can leave you but then I think of my family and the hurt I would cause them. And then there's what you said about your parents wanting you to marry. I mean it would probably be me-"

"It would be you," Legolas interjected firmly.

"Right, god you're great. But back to the point, you come with a whole package and a title. I don't know if I am cut out for that. Do you really see me as princess material? I do not even believe in a monarchy as a fair form of government," I continued irately.

"You might not want to mention that to my parents until after we are bound and there is no going back," Legolas said lightly and it was such an amusing picture I gave a short laugh. "That is better," he stated softly. "Worry not about being royalty. To be with you is all that matters. If you truly did not want to rule, then we would not."

"You're saying you would consider abdicating your throne?" I asked incredulously.

"I would abdicate," he stated, rejecting my reduction of his commitment.

"I really don't deserve you. It's not even funny how impossible this should be," I whispered, deeply touched.

"You love me. That is enough. Besides, it's my decision and you really have no say in how much I love you," Legolas finished with a cocky smile. "But on a more serious note, if you were to give up your home, I think I could give up my throne should you truly desire it."

I had no words, so I simply slipped my arms around him and kissed him. He returned the embrace readily before we were interrupted.

"So have you made up your minds yet? Are you getting married?" Elladan called. I peeked around Legolas who was looking over his shoulder at the twins, Almira, Gimli, and the hobbits all leaning out the window of the Healing Ward. Legolas looked at me and smiled. "We have no idea," I called. Laughing, Legolas and I embraced once more before a nurse came outside and squeaked then scurried back inside muttering apologies. "Oops," Legolas said. "How do you feel about taking a turn in the gardens...and perhaps finding a more secluded spot?" he finished lowly.

"I am absolutely in favor." Taking my hand he led me deeper into the garden where we were pleasantly occupied for a time.

Later, when we were lying on the ground watching the clouds float over head, Legolas asked me: "May I stroke your hair?"

"Sure," I replied instantly.

"So cavalier you are about it," he murmured as he ran his hands over my hair, playing with the loose bits.

"What is it about elves and hair, huh?"

"You know, I do not really know. Is it not important in your world?"

"Sort of. I am mean if your hair is unhealthy or unclean, people would certainly notice. But I think the physique is the first thing noticed in my world. Our clothes are much more revealing."

I actually felt Legolas wince with the last statement. "That is awful."

I shrugged. "It makes sense in a way. I mean, all elves are pretty fit and by default attractive, so you can focus on other, more specific features, like hair. Although, I must say in the U.S., the total package is evaluated, teeth, hair everything. But still, more of a focus on the abs or boobs."

"Boobs?" Legolas queried cautiously.

"Breasts," I explained and looked up in time to catch him flush. "That never gets old," I stated and he pinched my side in retaliation causing me to have a full body spasm. He tightened his arm around me when I began to scoot away.

"Stay," he murmured. "I promise to be nice now." I settled back onto his chest and his hand found its way back into my hair. As usual, I was being lulled into sleep but Legolas' sudden comment put a nap on hold. "Would I be popular in your world?"

"You're joking right?" I asked propping myself up on his chest to stare incredulously down at him.

"No," he replied looking slightly puzzled at my surprise.

"Babe, you would have to beat them off with a stick. Haven't you noticed how just about anything that's female and moves loses all capabilities of coherent thought and speech when you enter the room?"

"Well, yes. But I simply always attributed it to the fact that I was an elf, and a prince as well. And why do you call me "babe"? I am not particularly childlike."

"It's a popular term of endearment in my world, don't ask me why. Just accept it. And okay, being an elf and a prince to boot probably do have something to do with the stop and stare phenomenon in females. But it's mostly because you are drop dead gorgeous."

"Drop dead gorgeous?"

"Another turn of phrase, again not sure about where it came from. Just accept that it means you are unbelievably attractive. Seriously, I think my heart stopped the first time you really smiled at me. And the first time you kissed me? Fried my brain."

"Despite your strange turns of phrase, what I gather is that you are particularly susceptible to my considerable charms?" Legolas had that roguish smile on his face that set my heart racing. His hands were exerting pressure to bring me closer and I happily obliged, leaning up to capture his lips.

A conspicuous throat clearing and loud cough broke us apart. We sat up and Gimli appeared a moment later. "A messenger was sent for us. Apparently his soon-to-be-majesty requests a word," he stated.

"Indeed," Legolas replied, shooting me a glance pregnant with meaning. Darkness had once again encroached on our happiness. "We will meet you in a moment."

"Right, laddie," Gimli nodded at us with a twinkle in his eye before taking off.

"I should re-braid your hair," Legolas said in a wistful tone.

"Leave it for now," I stated. "I'll just put it in a ponytail."

"What is-"

"Wait for it," I interrupted. I flipped my head over and gathered my hair up. "Ta-da!" I said when done.

"Ah yes, I see. It rather does look like a pony's tail."

"Indeed."

I planted one more kiss on his cheek then bounced out of our spot towards the Healing Ward door. Legolas followed close behind and I could sense his amusement.

"Someone's cheerful," Almira stated with a smirk when I plopped next to her on the bench.

"How did you know? Am I wearing the same smile you did after Rumil's send-off?" I asked innocently and Almira actually flushed.

"Well played," she said as Gimli and Legolas chuckled.

"Are we ready?" Elrohir asked when he and Elladan emerged from the Healing Ward.

"Absolutely," I replied with a huge smile.

"Must you be so disgustingly cheerful?" Elladan asked.

"Must you be so obnoxious?" I replied with an even bigger smile. Elladan stuck out his tongue so I stuck out mine in return.

"Children," Almira warned mockingly, "if you cannot play nice, you cannot play together."

"Fine, fine. Can we get this show on the road?" I asked impatiently.

"I certainly hope so," Gimli rumbled. Shared glances all around confirmed we were finally ready. We headed out of the Healing Ward and down through the city. The ruins around us effectively silenced us, as usual. It was dismal to witness the Gondorians' misery. Obviously, it was a potent reminder of why we were fighting but I wished my inspiration was not other people's suffering. When we reached the camp, Aragorn had gathered all the rangers and we filled in at the back. Upon seeing us, he quieted the crowd and began: "We have come to the end of our journey and there are none I would prefer to have at my side. But now we have to make our final stand and it will be a desperate one for we are to confront the enemy at his gates. I will not speak falsely to you or insult your intelligence, as each of you is far too seasoned a warrior to believe me even if I were to try (here the men chuckled). We have no chance of victory through strength of arms. Our hopes are pinned elsewhere. But our success does depend on our bravery and sacrifice. Hope is not enough. We must help her now and again," he stated quietly with a wry smile before continuing more loudly, "We depart early on the day after tomorrow." Then he walked away.

"Good speech," Almira stated. "Short but sweet."

"Dramatic exit, too," I added. "Very subtly king-y, I like it. The whole thing had flair."

"A diversion," Legolas mused, looking a thousand miles away.

"Thank you, Captain Obvious," I said with a playful nudge and then he was back in the present, smiling down at me bemusedly.

"So the plan is a suicide mission," Elrohir summed up dryly.

"Oh goody, something new and different for us," I replied sarcastically.

"Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?" Gimli asked and I had a hard time ascertaining if he was being facetious or not. Almira eyed me and gave me a small thumbs up. I returned her smile because I was squealing on the inside like a proper fangirl since Gimli just said one of our favorite lines from the movie.

"So what are we going to do with a whole day?" I asked.

"Well, Elrohir and I will actually be saving lives," Elladan stated pointedly.

"Is it possible you became more obnoxious within the last fifteen minutes?" I asked.

"Do not answer that," said Legolas. "I am putting a stop to this before it even begins."

"Fine, Thrand-I mean Legolas," Elladan said. With ingratiating smiles, he and Elrohir headed back into the city.

"Hopeless," Legolas murmured lowly.

Almira, Gimli, Legolas and I fell into silence, one of those if-there-were-crickets-they-would-be-chirping silences. "So..."Almira said.

"So..." Gimli repeated.

"Care to spar?" Legolas asked in general.

"Sounds like a plan to me," I stated. "You know I do not think I have sparred with either of you. This should be interesting."

I paired off with Legolas ever so predictably. He seemed to be going easy on me, which I honestly appreciated because it's really no fun being completely destroyed. We were sparring with our twin blades and at one point they locked together. It was too cliché to pass up. I pressed a quick, fierce kiss to Legolas' lips. His momentary surprise was enough time for me to break the lock and kick his feet out from under him. With my knife at his throat I was unable to suppress my smile. "Never in my life did I ever think I would have you flat on your back," I murmured smugly.

"Really? I was hoping we would end up here, although I did not imagine it quite like this," he replied with a naughty smile as my momentary surprise allowed him to shove me off balance so I landed on my butt.

As my brain fully processed the fact that Legolas had actually made a dirty joke, I started laughing. He ended up joining in, and eventually there were tears rolling down my cheeks. Rough, masculine laughter alerted us to the fact that we had an audience.

A flash of panic crossed my face but Legolas placed a reassuring hand on my knee. "We were speaking Elvish," he murmured.

"Thank god," I replied as he helped me to my feet. "I switch back and forth without even realizing it, which can be a bit disconcerting."

"Nothing like the element of surprise," Gimli commented upon sidling up next to us.

"Indeed. Although I doubt you would use such tactics on an orc," Legolas stated dryly.

I shuddered. "Definitely not. But then again, I have a much better chance of beating them than you."

"Mask of Zorro?" Almira asked with a knowing smirk.

"How could I pass that up?" I replied in a terrible Captain Jack Sparrow impersonation. Gimli and Legolas shared a glance then shrugged.

"Alright lass, I suppose you should spar with me so you can get some actual practice," Gimli asserted pointedly.

Legolas simply rolled his eyes before turning with Almira to continue sparring. Most of the audience that had gathered had dispersed, returning to whatever tasks they had to do to be ready to march out. We practiced until it was time for the evening meal. Darkness had begun to set in and a giant bonfire was lit. All the soldiers gathered around it in smaller groups. Cooks from inside the city were roasting meat and veggies. There was not a lot to go around, as the city had to conserve it's stores, but it was hot and that's all that mattered in my book.

For whatever reason, it turned into a giant party. My money was on the fact that tomorrow night would not work since no one would want to be hung-over on the actual day of battle. Ale appeared seemingly out of nowhere, along with some lively music. A few pints later, I was attempting to learn a jig from Amrothos, Almira was dancing to the beat of her own drum, Legolas was sitting with Gimli, and both were laughing at us. Elladan was dancing with a young woman who was completely infatuated with him, Elrohir was sitting with Aragorn, both of whom were smiling knowingly at Elladan, the rogue. Although there was a shadow in Aragorn's eyes that was not going to go away until this war was over. But for a time all our cares were forgotten as we just celebrated being alive. Life-affirming activities, I found, were unavoidable and necessary.

Several happy hours later, I was kissing Legolas goodnight then collapsing into bed.

The next day was completely unremarkable. Despite it being our last day before we set out to wage the biggest battle EVER, it was not particularly memorable. We spent most of the day sharpening weapons, preparing our horses and armor, everything that was necessary to moving an army out. I spent a lot of quiet time around Legolas, just enjoying his presence as we performed our tasks. The feel of the camp was a complete 180 from the night before. It was back to doom and gloom and that grim resignation that I resented. As night once again closed around us, dinner was a much more reserved affair. In fact, almost everyone was silent for the duration. What the hell do you say to someone in such a situation anyway? Apparently nothing.

"This is almost as dismal as our last meal in Imladris," Legolas murmured.

"I think it's worse. Tomorrow was a lot farther off then," I replied glumly.

"I wish it was now," added Almira grimly.

"I do and I don't. Like we've said: it's time to end this," I stated and once again we slipped into silence.

At the end of the meal, we headed back to the tent. Legolas and I paused outside. He drew me close and just held me, as was his wont on occasions like this. Lowering his lips to mine, he kissed me softly, once, twice, then turned to go to bed. There was too much to say, and not enough. I went to bed with a heavy heart but there was little sleep to be had. Dawn and a nightmare battle was coming, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Yet, disturbingly, I was ready. When I finally slipped into slumber the man I killed was there waiting. I couldn't tell if he was beckoning me forward or acting as a warning, and upon waking in a cold sweat, I decided I did not really want to know.