Authors note:

I have quickly tried to get as much as I can in such short time, so I don't have time to really proof read, because I want to get as much up as possible, and I think that when it is interesting is when it is most important, it is fun to read a good story that has lots of action, and adventure, and love… a plot, but it's no fun reading a story that doesn't have a lot going on, and takes long to post even if it has perfect grammar and spelling. So sorry if this offends anyone and I hope you enjoy it!

This is a verse from "Last one standing," by Emerson Drive

Through the wind and the rain
through the laughter and pain
Count on me
and when life isn't fair and there's nobody there
I will be
in a world of pretenders
I am your defender
and when it all comes down
I'll be the last one standing

this is for life
don't ever doubt it
you've already fallen
love is alive
so stand up and shout it
'cause destiny's callin'
the others who stand behind me
they don't look nothing like me

Chapter 9: Deep thoughts

Inwë held tight on the reigns of her horse. She felt like she was flying as she, on her own, for the first time, sat upon a horse. Arwen smiled, it had been awhile since she got to really do anything. For one whole day they didn't stop, Inwë's but began to hurt. They pulled the horses to a stop when Arwen found out Inwë had never really rode a horse on her own or for very long. They set up camp and one by one began to fall asleep. There was one man who was awake, keeping guard as he circled their camp.

"So how do you feel about Legolas?" Arwen bluntly asked making Inwë choke on her dinner. Arwen slapped Inwë's back softly to help her breath while Arwen laughed.

"Is that a serious question?" Inwë asked finally answering.

"Well of course it is!" Arwen laughed a delightful cheery laugh.

"I think he is trouble, I think that… he is rude, and laughs at me, I bet he makes all kinds of horrid jokes about me… the only thing that…" she looked at Arwen who was obviously not buying the story.

"Inwë I won't tell I swear, I just know I wish I could have shared my feelings about Aragorn back before we were a couple," Arwen said with a smile, "I didn't like Aragorn at first, he lived in Rivendell, he came back to visit and he fell in love with me and I still barely noticed him, it was his second visit that he caught my eye. He was such a good man, such a hero; I knew I was in love."

"How did you know you were in love?" Inwë asked curiously.

"Tell me how you feel about Legolas and I'll tell you," Arwen said with a smile. It took Inwë a moment and a smile before she could find how she felt about the Mirkwood,

"Do you mean how I feel besides when I see him as a large headed, snobby, know it all, who always has to be the hero?" she asked with a slight smile.

"Yes, what do you feel when you look past all that," Arwen smiled lying down so she could feel more comfortable.

"Well… hmmm," she slowly began to reply each moment, "the first time I saw him I thought he was incredibly handsome, he was slightly nice, kept to himself not very talkative… but the night we talked I began to see past the shell of him to his humorous, goofy side, the more and more I got to know him, the more trouble he got me into, basically the most fun I had ever had in my entire life… until he came along I was a lonely girl trapped inside a hard shell, he broke it open swept me away… I wasn't ready to be swept away… but the more and more I get to know him… I feel… like this could be it, I think I found a place to be. It just seems to fit, I think I… want to be with him, but I don't at the same time… but I can see us together when I am older, I feel like all the loneliness is over…'

'He took the world off my shoulders, when he hugged me I knew he'd miss me, and when he is around the world just goes away. Some how I want him to adore me, I want him to love me, I want him to want me… maybe he is the one… I doubt it, but I think life has finally begun. I want to be near him forever, when he isn't being a jerk. I want him to kiss me, I want him to be my first kiss, but then again I want as far away from him as possible. I want to run away, be free, depend on no one but myself, but every time I run he is there to save me, whether I get into trouble or not he is there, so I believe it is natural for me to feel this way, because he is always there when I need someone the most."

"That was how I felt at first Inwë. Aragorn was so proud, so quiet, a ranger, so he kept to himself… but when he opened up, when he actually came around I couldn't help but want more of him. I'd say he has a place in your heart," Arwen said smiling at Inwë.

"Yes, but I keep trying to push him out, he only wants to be a hero, to do the right thing… he does not want anything to do with me," Inwë said sighing when she thought about.

-----

"I've never been so nervous," Legolas said looking over to Aragorn as they prepared their weaponry for the day of the battle. Aragorn smiled.

"Is it because the girls left?" Aragorn smiled looking at Legolas. Legolas shook his head no, "is there something you'd like to talk about old friend?"

"No, yes… no, well yeah… no," Legolas said trying to figure out what he wanted. Aragorn knew it.

"Are you in love my friend?" Aragorn asked looking at Legolas. Legolas looked up at him.

"… no, of course not… what makes you think that?" he asked looking at Aragorn.

"Because you can't make up your mind, you're acting the way I did when I first figured out my feelings for Arwen," Aragorn said looking Legolas.

"I do not know if I am in love, but I want her. I don't even know why," Legolas said in frustration.

"Because you adore her, because she needs you, because she gets clumsy and doe eyed around you. Because she is a lost woman, and you're a lost man…" Aragorn began he knew those weren't the reasons, he knew it would help Legolas figure out why.

"No, that's not it… I mean she doesn't need me, I need her more then she needs me. There is just something about her, I think it's because I understand her pain, I've seen painful things, and she's felt painful things… and something about her, I know there is more behind that wall of ice she has built up. Now I know why I am scared," Legolas said looking at the ground as his mind raced.

"Why my friend?" asked Aragorn looking at Legolas. Legolas looked up at Aragorn.

"Because I think… I finally have something to live for, something worth wanting to live for," he said with a smile, "but no, I can't I can't like her."

"Why can't you?" Aragorn asked sheathing his sword and laying it a crossed his table. Legolas looked up at him.

"Because she is rude, and ungrateful, and she doesn't want me back," Legolas said sighing as he put a whole bunch of arrows in his quiver before sheathing his sword and knife and laying them down beside Aragorn's.

"I think you don't mean the first two my friend, just the last one," Aragorn said before walking to the door to leave the weaponry room.

"I suppose… you are right," Legolas sighed.

-----

The group began to travel, they had another days travel before they'd reach Rohan, and then half a day until they reached Edoras. When ever they stopped Arwen would spend time helping Inwë with her swordsmanship. She wasn't all too good, but she was decent, she was best with arrows. Even Celebriän chipped in to help her learn to fight. Her skills were pretty basic in the end; she could fight ok if it came to surviving. When they came to a stop she sat by herself in a forest practicing with a regular sword. She swung it around her head trying something new, but found it wouldn't move. She turned around to see whose sword met hers. A young brown haired man stood there with a smile.

"You do not know what you are doing do you?" he asked still laughing. She scowled at him.

"I know enough," she said pouting slightly.

"Here do this," he said walking beside her and doing a motion while she followed. For awhile they practiced that move, and she got good at that one move, "you are the girl we are escorting to Rohan aren't you?"

"How did you know?" she blushed slightly. He was rather handsome, "my name is Inwë."

"My name is Farothin," he said bowing his head in respect, "I knew because the other girl we travel with is very skilled, she would not need anyone to protect her. It is very nice to meet you Inwë."

"Well you caught me," she laughed sitting down in the grass; she felt like she didn't need to guard herself from him, she was getting use to the company of people.

"I guess I did," he said staring out at her with a smile. She looked out towards a large mountain peeking out from the trees.

"We have one more days journey my lady," he said knowing she was wondering how much longer she'd be traveling.

"Please do not call me that, I am no one important," she said looking backwards as her hair sprawled across the floor.

"But you are… obviously you must be," he said with a smile down at her.

"No, Legolas just get's protective of me. Come and sit," she said her head coming back up straight so she could look out through the trees.

"Are you and the prince of Mirkwood an item?" asked Farothin as he sat down beside her.

"No of course not, I am nobody remember. We are merely… friends I guess you could say. He just likes to have someone to watch over, someone to think of him as a hero," she said staring out at the sky.

"You are not anybody my lady, obviously you are somebody. Rumor has it he is in love with you; then again rumors are scarcely true. Do you find him a hero Inwë?" he asked catching her off guard. She turned her towards him with a look of 'what?' on her face. She turned her head away a moment.

"Yes, actually I suppose he is. Though I did not ask for a hero so I will give him no credit there. The prince though is a very eager person," she said swallowing before standing up. She began to slowly think about it, she would not be here; she would still be there with no friends, if it were not for Legolas. Arwen walked to them and told them it was time to go, she didn't look happy. Inwë walked to her horse and climbed on. She rode beside Farothin, he was her newest close friends, but Arwen was her best friend. They finally reached the land of Rohan, it would be a little while before the got to Edoras. Just as quickly they made it there. Éowyn ran out excitedly to great them. Arwen and she were never that close, for Éowyn had a thing for Aragorn during the battle for the ring. But they got along; they had no hard feelings for Éowyn had ended up in love with Faramir.

"Queen Arwen of Gondor what a pleasure to see you again. What do we owe this pleasure?" Éowyn said bowing slightly.

"Princess of Ithilien, we have come to seek refugee for a little while. I will explain it to you at dinner," Arwen said taking her cloak off. Éowyn bowed her head in understanding.

----

"I see," said Éowyn's brother Éomer said eating his chicken, "and does Gondor need Rohan's help?"

"No king Éomer," Arwen said eating a bite of her salad before drinking her wine, "we have come for shelter until the battle has ended. Maybe only a couple of days..."

"And you have come for her," Éomer said pointing to Inwë.

"Yes Éomer that is correct, they will send someone in hunt for her, so we must make it appear she is gone before we can bring her back," Arwen said putting the golden goblet down onto the table.

"I see," he said looking to his sister who was talking and laughing with Faramir her husband. He looked to Inwë, then to Olwë, and then his eyes rested on Celebriän, "and she is?"

"That is Celebriän, she travels with us. She came to Gondor with Legolas the prince of Mirkwood," Arwen said looking to Inwë and then to Celebriän.

"I see," he said marveling in Celebriän's beauty, she was still in her war attire, she didn't wear a dress like the other women did, "and why do you travel with them lady Celebriän?"

"Because my brother wants to," she said bluntly. This made him smile, "I see. Well will you be traveling back with them?"

"If my brother does then yes," she said eating a chicken leg. All the other women looked at her like she was weird, except Inwë and Arwen; they found nothing weird about her. They all eventually left for their rooms. Arwen caught up with Inwë who was walking with Farothin.

"Farothin I must speak with Inwë briefly," Arwen said dismissing Farothin.

"Yes queen Arwen," Inwë said looking at Arwen. Arwen sighed before talking to Inwë.

"Why are you spending your time with Farothin? Why are you not off with thinking about and worrying about Legolas? Do you not like him anymore?" Arwen asked holding Inwë's arm so she could look into her eyes, she knew that Inwë's eyes could hold no lies.

"Why think about someone you do not love? Besides Farothin is kind, funny, and sweet. He doesn't always try to act like the hero, or the superior," Inwë said lieing to the both of them. Arwen just turned to walk; Inwë didn't like seeing the disappointment in her friend's eyes.

"Of course I still like him, but he probably doesn't like me Arwen. I will always like him, he saved me when no one else would bother to, if it weren't for him I wouldn't have any friends," Inwë said seriously, "Farothin is a friend, something I never had before."

"I understand Inwë," Arwen smiled before leaving. Inwë spent the night talking to Farothin about where she came from, and mostly where he came from. Celebriän was practicing her fighting when a stranger walked out.

"May I join you?" a voice came from the darkness, she quickly swung her sword around in front of her in defense.

"Who is it?" she asked keeping her stance.

"It is Éomer," he said laughing as he pulled his sword out, "now let's see what skill fair lady posseses."

------

"Have you heard any word from the men?" Inwë asked two days later obviously nervous.

"No I haven't there has been no word," Arwen said obviously frightened as well.

"Do you think… they are alright?" Inwë asked watching Farothin walk in the other door.

"Yeah they are fine," Arwen said, her body and her eyes showed her fear, she had been lieing.

"It will be alright Inwë, they will be fine," he said taking her arm and walking her out of the room to leave Arwen in worried tears.

-----

Legolas' bow rang repeatedly taking out the enemy; finally the battle was upon them. With swift swings, and swift cleaver moves Legolas chopped down his enemies like Saruman did to the trees of Fangorn Forest. His mind fluttered with thoughts of Inwë, as he fought furiously. At least she was safe. He saw Aragorn not to far away, giving hell to the enemies near him. These were some of the worst fighting orc's he had ever seen, why would they waste these creatures. When the end of the battle neared, only a few dozen of Gondor's men had died.

Aragorn and Legolas made their ways back to the castle in Minas Tirith. It was no surprise to Aragorn that Legolas was packing food to head to Rohan; he would switch horses and take his old horse Arod. Aragorn walked to Legolas who was climbing on top of his horse.

"Why are you going? I can send someone to get them, you need your rest," Aragorn said hurriedly as he watched his friend position himself on top of the gray (I'd say white but there is no such color for horses, so even if they are white, they are called gray) horse.

"I cannot bring her back here, they will figure that out. I am going to take her to Rivendell, they will not sense her there for Rivendell's magic is strong Estel," he said using Aragorn's old name.

"I have not heard that name in a long time," Aragorn said with a smile, "I will come with you, like the good old days."

"I think that would be great," he said with a smile. Aragorn then grabbed a horse and together both men rode off for Rohan. They never slept, barely rested, and ate every once in awhile until they reached Rohan. Arwen ran out to meet Aragorn; she leaped into his arms as he swung her around, "where is Inwë?

"She is with Farothin," Arwen said swallowing as she looked up at her husband smiling down at him. She kissed him again feeling his whiskers tickle her face.

"Farothin… The scout?" he asked looking up at Aragorn who just shrugged and resumed kissing his wife. Legolas then went into the castle of Edoras and searched for her. She sat out on a balcony looking at the sky sadly.

"He will be fine," Farothin said placing his hand on her hand making Legolas shutter in anger. Inwë turned her head to look away to see Legolas sitting there in the door way like a dream. He was alright. She startled Farothin when she jumped up and ran to where Legolas sat looking at them. She caught both men off guard when she flung her arms around Legolas' neck.

"You are alive," she breathed her arms still around his neck, his arms slowly started to fold around her back. He swore he could feel a tear stain his shirt. His hand found her soft hair and he buried his face in it.

"I am alive, I told you I'd see you later," he said softly his lips close to her ear. She pulled away realizing what was going on. She turned and looked at Farothin and swallowed.

"Lord Legolas, this is Farothin, Farothin this is Legolas Greenleaf," Inwë said a little nervously.

"I know who he is, my lord," he said bowing his head, both men locked eyes and neither one gave a friendly gaze.

"I told you Inwë, you of all people do not have to call me that," Legolas said taking her hand and kissing it catching both Inwë and Farothin off guard.

"I forgot," she said turning her head to look back at the handsome human, "Legolas… what is…"

"I am talking you to Rivendell, pack your things," he said before leaving her there.

"I thought you two weren't together," Farothin said looking at Inwë showing hurt in his eyes.

"We aren't," Inwë said hurriedly, she had feelings for Legolas, but she also was getting feelings for this human… human.

"It doesn't look that way!" he said angrily standing up.

"We aren't but why do you care? We are friends!" she said trying to match his anger.

"Because… because I, can't say why!" he yelled storming off.

"Farothin," she said hastily running after him. He stopped and crossed his arms.

"What?" he asked not looking at her.

"Will you go to Rivendell with me?" she asked not realizing what she was asking.

"Of course I will," he said happily turning around to look her in the eyes, "I guess we better pack, Rivendell is about a week away."

Authors note: Yes this was long I know lol… but isn't working so I was trying to fit a lot, but I guess I will just fit my ideas into the next chappy lol! REVIEW PLEASE leave me some love lol.