Helms Deep

The people from Edoras arrived at Helm's Deep several days after the attack from Saruman's wargs. Ivy now rode with Legolas, who had becoming increasingly concerned with her welfare since Aragorn had fallen. The King had tried to hurry his people to avoid the wolves of Isengard and any other minions of darkness that prowled the ever darkening lands.

Ivy's heart still grieved for Aragorn. He had been their companion, fellow traveler and her particular friend since their journey had began, such a long time ago. Gandalf had left them, though no one knew why, his disappearance unsettled her. He was her father and she wished she could be assured of his safety. Gandalf had left them with a cryptic warning "On the third day, look to my coming. At dawn… look to the East"

"Lady Ivy…"

Ivy looked up and saw Eowyn striding toward her. Ivy turned to look at the woman, and smiled.

"Can you help? I need to re organize the sleeping….."

Eowyn was cut of by a surge of people pushing past them, whispering about something she couldn't catch. Ivy scanned the crowd of people for a tall Blonde head, knowing that Legolas would know what was happening. He had been taken into the king's confidence more so than hers and his elf ears would be able to decipher the snippets of conversation that floated past.

Suddenly silence filed the courtyard and Ivy heard Gimli's thick voice, welcoming Aragorn home. Aragorn! She cried in her head, hurrying through the crowd.

"You look terrible," Legolas smiled, standing in front of his friend. Ivy felt her heart soar, Eowyn pushed in front of her, staring at him longingly but was halted in her steps as Legolas handed a silver pendant back to Aragon. Aragorn exchanged unheard words with Legolas, but Ivy could sense their meaning, he was glad to take it back, his heart still belonged to Arwen. Eowyn started to move again and Ivy reached out and grabbed her arm, forcing her to look at her.

"Lady Eowyn, remember yourself,"

"You remember yourself; you are a guest in my kingdom!"

The air grew thick about them, and ground shook slightly for but a moment as Ivy felt her rage boil. Everyone in the vicinity turned to look at the two maidens. Ivy slapped Eowyn across the face.

"Aragorn is my friend and so is his intended. You interfere with that and you will not have a kingdom to rule,"

Eowyn sneered at her and walked away, clutching her face.

Legolas came up behind Ivy.

"What was that about melamin?" Legolas enquired.

Ivy turned and looked into Legolas' eyes.

"I fear that Lady Eowyn forgets her place regarding our friend"

Legolas raised his eyebrows questioningly. He had never seen Ivy so angered.

"She means to take Aragorn for herself! What about Lady Arwen?"

Legolas chuckled softly and drew Ivy to his chest, forgetting his usual discretion in public.

"Relax melamin. Nothing can happen that Aragorn does not wish to happen; he is entirely devoted to Lady Arwen. Just as I am to you" Legolas whispered the last few words, casting a look around to make sure they were not over heard. Ivy sighed, she had come to learn that Elves were very private beings, and it made Legolas very uncomfortable to show his affection in public.

Aragorn wove his way through the crowd and stood next to Legolas.

"This is no way to welcome home a return….."

He was cut off as Ivy launched herself at him holding him tight and kissing his cheek. Aragorn laughed and wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her. He winced slightly and Ivy disentangled herself.

"You're hurt,"

"It was a long fall," He chuckled.

A young maiden appeared.

"Lord Aragorn," She interrupted timidly.

He nodded.

"Would you follow me, King Theoden requested I lead you to a place where you can rest, and I can tend to your injuries,"

Aragorn smiled at his friends and followed the young girl.

Ivy tilted her head towards a wooden door. She walked towards it and he followed her silently as she turned the cast iron handle and stepped inside, shutting it behind them. Legolas looked around.

"I did not know you had chambers of your own,"

Ivy shrugged, turning away from him it was a small but clean room, set into the wall of the fortress.

"You have been busy, I have hardly seen you since we arrived, and this does not surprise me,"

Legolas frowned.

"Sorry, Melamin," he breathed and moved closer to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her cheek. Ivy turned in his arms.

"I was not angered, I just….."

Legolas kissed her and she clung to his shoulders, closing her eyes and relaxing as the darkness receded just a little, it was getting stronger now, and not even Legolas' embrace could drive it from her, but it was enough just enough to give her the strength to go on.

She moved back slightly sighing and Legolas nuzzled her neck.

"What bothers you?" he mumbled against her neck.

Ivy smiled at his attentions; she had missed him and peace she felt when she was in his arms.

"The evil, it's getting stronger. I do not know how much help I can be in the coming battle, I fear that my power is not what it should be in the shadow of these evil times,"

Legolas stepped back slightly.

"If you cannot not bear to be closer to Mount Doom, you should go," he whispered the last past turning away so she would not she the angst in his face. I grabbed his chin and turned his face back towards her.

"The shadow will continue grow, I will not find peace for long anywhere and I would not be parted from you again," Legolas smiled and Ivy stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

"Come on, I want to help Aragorn get ready for the coming battle, you can bet he has thrown himself straight into work, when he should be resting!"

Legolas nodded knowingly and followed her out of the room.

"Ivy?" He stopped her just before they exited into the main hall.

"Yes?"

"May I stay here with you tonight; I will sleep upon the divan if you wish,"

Ivy smiled and nodded. He was ever the gentleman. She pushed open the door and they stepped out in to the hall. The place was in an uproar as they walked through the crowd. Legolas frowned.

"What is it?" she whispered.

"A great army marches towards us, Aragorn saw them at least ten thousand,"

Ivy gasped and moved faster through the crowd towards the armoury. The king had been in their preparing earlier and she was certain that is where Aragorn would be. She pushed open the door and they both entered.

"Aragorn!" She called out over the mass of soldiers.

Aragorn turned and smiled hugging her again. Ivy held him tight.

"Ten thousand is it true?"

Aragorn nodded. Ivy moved away from Aragorn and turned to the king who began to sift through a pile of chain mail looking for something to fit her lithe form. She listened carefully to what was passing between Aragorn and Legolas but they were speaking in elvish and she could not understand them.

"Then I will die as one of them!" Aragorn roared at Legolas.

Ivy's head popped through the head hole of the armour she had been given and had been sliding into. She stared at the friends who were glaring at each other. Torn between the two and not understanding the nature of the conflict she stood rooted to the spot. Aragorn shoved past them and stalked out of the room. Gimli halted Legolas from following him.

"Legolas?" Ivy whispered touching his arm tentatively.

"What?" he snapped at her and she recoiled her touch.

"Forget it," she marched out of the room in pursuit of Aragorn.

"Aragon!" she called out as she saw his retreating back. He stopped and waited for her to catch up before continuing outside into the keep. The air was cool and nipped at them; Ivy could sense that it would rain soon.

"What passed between you and Legolas?" she asked gently.

"He believes it is madness to stay, that these people will fall and take us with them,"

Ivy gasped, how could Legolas say those things? It was a battle that was going to be hard won, but they might just be able to do it the ground ran in their favour and they had many brave warriors on their side, and Ivy would do what she was able.

Ivy rested her head on Aragorn shoulder and they stared out over the distance listening to the men bellow arming them. Rain began to fall and they quickly became soaking. Ivy moved away slightly and Aragorn followed her back down to the armoury. Aragorn helped Ivy select a pale green jerkin to tie over her chain mail. Ivy blinked in surprise as she saw Legolas appear behind Aragorn and hand him his sword.

"Will you forgive me my friend? I was wrong to despair," Aragorn turned and clasped his friend hand in a gesture of friendship.

"There is nothing to forgive my friend,"

Ivy smiled at the friend reunion. It would be sad to face the battle with them having not set things right. Legolas moved past his friend and stood in front of Ivy. She looked up at him.

"I am sorry I was short with you," he whispered close to her ear.

Ivy nodded curtly. Still hurting from his rebuff she looked up into his blue eyes.

"I accept your apology but things do not yet sit right between us," her reply was cut short as horns bellowed out side the fortress.

Legolas' head whipped up "that is no orc horn!" he cried.