So this chapter has flashbacks to The Hobbit in it :) I hope you enjoy this one as I much as I enjoyed writing it. Enjoy lovelies!

BOLD is for things said in Elvish. ITALICS is for thoughts/memories

"By order of the king, the city must empty!"

The cry pierced the morning air above the din of the people gathering belongings. Theoden had decided to move his people to Helm's Deep, a fortress carved into the side of a mountain, to protect them from the growing threat of Saruman. The elderly and sick were put into carts so they could be rolled over the plains of Rohan. The more able-bodied carried provisions and belongings. The companions followed Gandalf as he hurried to the stables.

"Helm's Deep," Gimli grumbled. "They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight! Who will defend them if not their own king?"

"He's only doing what he thinks is best for his people," Aragorn said. "Helm's Deep has saved them in the past."

He and Gandalf approached the stall that held Shadowfax, exchanging words.

"Gimli is right," Anolindë said. "It is not safe there. They will be trapped if the battle goes ill."

"Trust the mortals, meleth nîn," Legolas replied, though he was inclined to agree with her.

Gandalf mounted Shadowfax, turning to the companions.

"With luck, my search will not be in vain," he announced to them. "Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east."

They nodded as the Wizard spurred the Horse Lord on, galloping out of the stables. The remaining companions set about readying their horses. Anolindë tightened the straps to her quiver before mounting Arod behind Legolas. Aragorn rode on his own and Gimli rode on Eowyn's horse. A long line of people stretched to the gate, ready to journey into the vast plains. Arod was slightly behind the king's horse at the head of the column, joined by Hasufel and Eowyn's steed. The order was given to move out and slowly the city began to empty.

~:✿:~

Helm's Deep was a few day's march from Edoras. They stopped at night to camp and continued when the sun rose. Anolindë rested her head on Legolas' back as they rode alongside Aragorn and the king. The two Elves received many curious glances, as many of the people of Rohan had never seen Elves before.

"It's true you don't see many Dwarf women," Gimli's voice penetrated Anolindë's thoughts. "In fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they're often mistaken for Dwarf men."

Anolindë smiled at the comment, letting her mind wander back to Mirkwood and the arrival of the Dwarves on their quest to reclaim Erebor.

~:✿:~

Legolas placed his finger to lips, listening to the sounds of screaming and yelling coming from further ahead. Anolindë stood by him, completely ignoring the angry glare from Tauriel. The captain of the guard was not happy that Anolindë had joined them on this day. But reports of many spiders near them had required more Elves.

"Kili!"

A cry came from up ahead, causing Anolindë to snap her head in that direction. Legolas looked to her and nodded, a silent order to move forward through the trees. Swinging down into the midst of the fray, Anolindë realized it was a group of Dwarves fighting off the giant spiders. The group of Elves quickly finished off the spiders and immediately turned to the Dwarves, who were now huddled together. Legolas had his bow aimed at the one who seemed like the leader of the group. Anolindë had hers pointed at a blond one brandishing two long knives.

"Do not think I won't kill you, Dwarf," Legolas spat at the leader. "It would be my pleasure."

"Help!" came a cry.

"Kili!" the blond Dwarf in front of Anolindë screamed.

Dwarves and Elves alike turned to see more giant spiders dragging a dark-haired Dwarf into the trees. Tauriel, being closest to them, sprung into action, making quick work of the spiders.

"Throw me your dagger!" the Dwarf yelled to Tauriel. "Quick!"

"If you think I'm giving you a weapon, Dwarf, you are mistaken," she said, whirling around to slay the last spider.

The Dwarf looked at her in awe. Anolindë tried to refrain from rolling her eyes.

"Search them," Legolas ordered.

Anolindë confiscated the two knives from the Dwarf in front of her.

"Hey! Give it back! That's private!"

Legolas had found what looked like a picture frame on one of the Dwarves. Anolindë raised an eyebrow at her lover.

"Who is this?" Legolas asked the Dwarf. "Your brother?"

"That is my wife!" the Dwarf shouted

"And what is this horrid creature? A goblin mutant?" Legolas questioned again.

"That's my wee lad, Gimli" was the Dwarf's response.

~:✿:~

"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's rant brought Anolindë out of her memory. She smiled at Legolas' description of Gimli so many years ago.

"Which is of course, ridiculous," Gimli continued.

The horse he was riding suddenly reared up and galloped off, throwing the Dwarf to the ground. Eowyn rushed to his side.

"It's alright!" Gimli called out, rolling on his back in an effort to get up. "Nobody panic. That was deliberate. It was deliberate."

Anolindë could not help but laugh at the sight as Eowyn helped him to his feet.

~:✿:~

They made camp that night as they always did, Anolindë laying out bedrolls for Aragorn and Gimli around a small fire while Legolas watched her. Just looking at her made the Elf's heart swell with love. He thanked the Valar for the elleth he was able to call his.

"Do I please you, my prince?" she called out to him.

"Yes, my princess," he replied with a smile.

His princess. One day she would be his queen.

Gimli entered their campsite, mumbling something about 'stew' and 'unnatural.' He held a chunk of bread in his fist. Legolas frowned. They were near the edge of the large camp and he had hoped for a few private moments with Anolindë. But it seemed as though it was not meant to be as Gimli began to explain how to make a proper stew. Where he had gotten the idea for stew was beyond the two Elves but they let him continue talking.

~:✿:~

The cell doors shut with a bang as Anolindë locked away the blond Dwarf. Around her, the rest of the company of Dwarves were being tossed into cells, protesting loudly. All save one. Thorin Oakenshield, the leader whom Legolas had addressed earlier, was in the throne room facing the wrath of Thranduil. The dark-haired Dwarf named Kili that Tauriel had saved was speaking to her quietly though Anolindë could still hear him, clear as day.

"Aren't you going to search me?" he asked Tauriel. "I could have anything down my trousers."

"Or nothing," was Tauriel's reply as she closed the cell door.

As the elleth walked away, Kili's eyes followed her. Anolindë shook her head in disgust.

"Why does the Dwarf stare at you Tauriel?" Legolas asked as the elleth approached him.

"Who can say?" she replied. "He's quite tall for a Dwarf. Do you not think?"

At these words, Anolindë had to cover her mouth at the laugh that threatened to escape her. Tauriel seemed to be smitten with the creature! The blond Dwarf in the cell in front of her coughed to get her attention. She turned to face him, eyes angry again.

"What is it, Dwarf," she almost spat at him.

"Fili," he said, stretching his hand out to greet her.

She did not take it.

"I did not ask for your name," she said.

"It seems as though you are my guardian of sorts," he replied, shrugging. "I thought I would introduce myself."

Anolindë's eyes softened a bit at his remark. Despite being told that Dawrves were foolish and useless, she was still curious about the race that lived in mountains. Legolas, upon seeing the Dwarf talking to Anolindë, ushered Tauriel out. Quickly he made his way over to his love, slamming his hand onto the cell bars causing them to rattle.

"Quiet Dwarf!" he commanded.

Turning to Anolindë, he searched her eyes questioningly.

"What did he say to you?"

"He merely introduced himself," she replied. "He said his name was Fili."

At the sound of his name, the Dwarf perked up. He had not understood what the Elves were saying but the sound of his name was unmistakable. Legolas shot him a haughty glare before pulling Anolindë away and into a darker corner. He pushed the elleth against the cavern wall, pinning her wrists above her as he captured her mouth in a fierce kiss. Something about Tauriel's words about Kili and Anolindë's brief conversation with Fili, made him want to smother her with kisses until she forgot the creatures in their cells. If Tauriel could fall so easily for a Dwarf, Anolindë must surely be somewhat curious about them. They were different and Anolindë liked different. She found it fascinating. Realization dawned upon the elleth as to why her love was kissing her so ferociously. Gently, she pushed him away.

"You needn't fear, meleth nîn," she whispered. "I am not Tauriel."

Legolas gazed into her eyes, relief washing over him. From the corner of his cell, Fili could see the two Elves, barely making out their shapes in the shadows. Their proximity to each other and the breathless whisper gave away their actions to the Dwarf however. He coughed loudly, causing the two Elves to turn in his direction.

"If you're going to provide some form of entertainment, at least do it in the light so we could all see," the blond Dwarf called out to them.

Legolas' jaw clenched as laughter rang out among the captives. Anolindë restrained the prince from going to Fili's cell.

"Leave him be," she said, gently pulling him to her.

At that moment, Thorin Oakenshield was brought down to his cell by several Elven guards. The laughter stopped instantly as their leader was thrown into his prison, door slamming shut.

"My lord Legolas," one of the guards said, bowing his head in respect. "The king would like to see you."

Legolas sighed inwardly and waited for the guards to turn and leave before placing a swift kiss to his beloved's lips. He followed them, every so often turning to look at his beautiful elleth.

"So are you a princess?" Fili asked the female standing near his cell door as she watched the prince leave.

"No," came her swift response as she turned to leave.

~:✿:~

Night fell swiftly over the camp. Gimli was soon snoring in his bedroll and Aragorn was off somewhere, most likely smoking his pipe. The two Elves were seated with their backs against a rock, waiting for the Rohirric men to collect them for watch. Anolindë enjoyed the warmth of her prince as she leaned against him. One of his muscular arms was wrapped around her, pulling her close. Neither of them payed any mind to the fleeting glances the people of Edoras sent their way. They had gotten used to it. Anolindë closed her eyes, letting Legolas' woodland scent calm her to a point of complete relaxation. It was only times like this where she felt nothing but pure happiness and no worries of the quest clouded her mind. It was just her and her future husband, her future king.

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