When Dúvainiel woke, it was still dark out. Legolas had an arm still wrapped firmly around her.
"Legolas," Dúvainiel whispered as she shook him softly. His eyes focused on her as he woke, and she smiled. She propped herself up on her elbow and placed her other hand on Legolas' smooth chest. He grinned at her and pulled her down to him and their lips met in a soft but passionate kiss.
Dúvainiel broke the kiss and looked into the ellon's eyes. "We should get ready," she said, her voice still in a whisper.
He pulled her to him once more, and she gave in to him without a fight. Their lips were just about to touch when a knock at the door interrupted them. Embarrassed, Dúvainiel pulled away and held the covers tight over her body, even though she was clothed.
"Come in," Legolas said, a wide grin on his face.
A maid opened the door and ushered in two other maids, who each carried a tray filled with food. They placed the trays on tables in the room, and then left, giggling as they went. Dúvainiel blushed in embarrassment as Legolas let out a hearty laugh. She picked up a pillow and popped him with it.
"What are you laughing at?" she asked him, hardly containing her own laughter at his surprised expression.
He picked up a pillow of his own and smacked her. She gave an indignant shriek.
"You asked for it now, Your Highness," she said as she drew her pillow back behind her once more, and then thrust it toward him. He fell out of the bed, trying to avoid it, and she chuckled as she leaned over the edge to see him sitting on the floor. He looked up and saw her amused expression, and then too quickly for her to react, he reached up and pulled her down on the floor with him. The stone was hard and cold, but it didn't keep either one of them from their laughter.
Finally, his expression turned serious, and he reached up and caressed her cheek. "I want you to stay here today," he said.
The happiness she had been feeling died with his words and she gave him a stunned expression.
"Why?" she whispered.
Legolas took her hands in his and looked down at them. After a moment of silence, he looked back at her face.
"I could not bear it, if something happened to you," he told her.
She pulled one hand out of his grasp and placed it on top of his hands. "And I could not bear it if something happened to you," she responded. "I guess that means you have to stay too." She gave him a weak smile and pulled away from him, stood and walked to the window.
He picked himself up off the floor and joined her at the window. He stood behind her and put his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder as they looked out at the fields.
"You know I can not," he whispered in her ear.
She squeezed her eyes closed and tried to breathe slowly as a lump welled in her throat.
"As you know I can not," she replied. "This is a road we must travel on together."
"I know," his whispers tickled her ear. "But it was worth a try, to keep you safe."
She turned in his arms and embraced him, a smile gracing her lips at his words. He responded by tightening his grip around her. They stood in the embrace for many minutes, until he finally let go, and kissed her on the top of her head.
"You should eat," he said as he pulled away from her.
As if in reply, her stomach gave a loud growl, and she giggled. Dúvainiel could not remember the last time she had eaten, so she was thankful that the maids had brought the morning meal. She sat at the desk, and Legolas pulled a chair over and sat beside her and they ate in silence, the weight of what was to come hung heavily between them.
Legolas finished first and got up to put his shirt on. He walked back over to Dúvainiel and kissed her on top of her head.
"I'll come back to get you in a little while," he said.
Dúvainiel smiled at him and watched him leave the room. She finished her meal, and then changed her clothes back into her war costume. Once she was dressed, she brushed out her long, dark hair and then pulled the top and sides back and plaited it, leaving the rest hanging loose. It was not quite the style the ellon warriors wore, but it was close. There was a knock at the door as she was putting Haldir's vembrances on her wrists.
"Come in," she called. She looked up as the door opened, and Legolas stood there, also fully clothed in his warrior outfit, which had been cleaned the day before.
"It's time," he said to her. She nodded and walked over to the wall, which her swords and bow were leaning against. She looked at the two swords, the one Galadriel had given her, and her brother's. She decided not to take her bow, and she sheathed Haldir's sword on her back and the Lady's gift at her waist. She then turned her attention back to Legolas.
"Let's go," she said.
She walked to the open door, and stopped in front of him. He looked so regal, and yet so deadly at the same time.
"Dúvainiel," he said in a low tone. Their eyes locked and she set her hand on his shoulder. He in turn, reached up to the back of her neck and then ran his fingers through her hair.
"Legolas," she whispered.
Time seemed to go on forever as they looked into the depths of each others' eyes, each wanting to say what needed to be said between them, and neither able to bring themselves to do it in their final moment alone together before what could very well be the end for all of them.
"Legolas!" A gruff voice called from down the hall.
The spell between the two Elves broke instantly, and both turned in the direction of the interruption.
"Aragorn sent me to find you and the lassie," Gimli said. Dúvainiel moved out of the room, and Legolas shut the door behind them. "Are you ready?" the Dwarf asked.
"Yes," Dúvainiel replied, as she looked again at Legolas.
Gimli looked from one to the other, and then cleared his voice, "We should go." He then turned and made his way back down the hall from the direction that he had come from. Legolas put his hand on the small of Dúvainiel's back and ushered her forward, and then followed from behind.
Gimli led them down the hall and around the corners, down the stairs and through the throne room and finally outside to the court yard at the top level of the city. Dozens of horses and Gondorian soldiers stood waiting for the king to give the signal. Aragorn stood with Gandalf and Éomer, each holding the reins of their horses, except Gandalf, who rode Shadowfax without restraints. The stallion stood quietly with the wizard. Dúvainiel was surprised to see that Aragorn had Brego's reigns. She wondered how he had found his way to Minas Tirith. Her surprise deepened when a Gondorian soldier stepped forward to hand her the reins of Ésha, and Legolas the reins of Arod.
"Legolas?" She asked the Elf walking beside her, "How did they get here?"
"Oh, I meant to tell you," he replied. "Éomer said they returned to Dunharrow just as the Rohirrim was riding out. They were brought with the riders."
Dúvainiel took the reins from the soldier and thanked him, then gave her mare a rub on the nose. It was eerily still and quiet, with only the sounds of a couple of horses, who, sensing the anxiety of their riders, became nervous themselves.
Dúvainiel looked at Aragorn. Gone was the torn leather overcoat and Ranger outfit, replaced by a regal outfit he looked resplendent in, befitting the King of Gondor. Fresh, clean breeches had been made available to him, along with new, silver chain mail, which he wore under a brilliant black, leather jerkin that had an embroidered white tree of Gondor on the chest. He shoulders, arms and legs were covered in matching armor. He wore new leather boots, and a new black and red cloak completed the regal look. His hair was now clean, and pulled back away from his face. He now looked the part of the king that he was.
Suddenly, two voices disturbed the uneasy silence.
"I told you not to waste all that time eating, Pip," Merry said, fussing over his friend.
"But I was hungry, Merry," Pippin replied.
Aragorn cleared his throat as the Hobbits reached them, and they fell silent and looked at the man. "If we could go now?" He asked with an arched brow.
The Hobbits both nodded, and Aragorn called out, "Mount up."
Dúvainiel pulled herself into the saddle and looked at those around her.
Pippin and Gandalf would be riding together. Dúvainiel had not had a chance to speak to Gandalf, and hear from him about what all had happened since he came to the White City, and now she looked with sadness at him, wondering if she would ever get the chance.
Éomer pulled Merry up behind him on his horse. This surprised Dúvainiel, but she knew it was because he had fought in the fields of Pelennor as a Rohan soldier, and therefore, would always be held as such in the eyes of the Rohirrim.
Gimli and Legolas rode together once more. Dúvainiel tried to squash the jealous feeling. How she longed to ride with the other Elf of the group, but she knew that Gimli would not be able to ride a horse on his own, and so she would just have to deal with sharing Legolas for the ride.
Dúvainiel rode alone, though she wished to share her mount. She felt a little lonely, knowing that everyone else in their group but Aragorn, would be riding two to a horse.
Aragorn clicked to Brego and nudged the horse forward. Gandalf and Éomer followed directly behind, then Legolas and Dúvainiel rode side by side behind them. After the Elves, the soldiers lined up. Aragorn led them down the many levels of the city and out of the gate. As they rode in silence, soldiers lined up at the end, and by the time they got out to the fields, the line stretched for a couple miles. The men of Gondor would die for their newfound king.
Hours passed, and the silence weighed heavily on them all. Dúvainiel wondered what Legolas was thinking about. He had not looked at her in a while. Then she wondered what Aragorn was thinking about, and knew he must be focused on saving Arwen. As the land grew more barren, Dúvainiel pondered if Aragorn's plan would really work. She tried not to think about what would happen if they failed.
Finally, the Black Gate came into sight, and a feeling of dread swept over Dúvainiel. The soldiers dismounted from their horses and marched in formation until Aragorn called for them to stop. The group looked at the Black Gate, and Dúvainiel expected it to open.
"Where are they?" she heard Pippin whisper. Aragorn gave Brego a nudge, and loped forward. Gandalf, Éomer, Legolas, Dúvainiel, and a soldier carrying the banner of Gondor all did the same and rode by the king's side to the front of the gates.
"Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth," Aragorn called. "Let justice be done upon him!"
There was a moment of silence, and then a deep creaking sound, as the gates opened just enough to let a single rider out. He rode a solid black horse, which was covered in black and silver tack and armor. The rider was also completely covered in heavy garments and armor, matching the colors of the horse's. All that could be seen was his mouth, an ugly mass of bleeding, cracked lips and long, sharp, blackened teeth. The head armor he wore, gave an appearance that made him look like an emissary. Dúvainiel noticed that the armor around the mouth was engraved in Cirth runes, and said "Voice of The Abhorred Dread". She shivered involuntarily as the rider came to a stop before them.
"My master, Sauron the Great, bids the welcome," he said. As he spoke, blood seemed to spit out of the filthy mouth. He opened his mouth wide, in a hideous grin as he cocked his head slightly to the side. Then the side of his lip curled up, "Is there any in this rout with authority to treat with me?"
"We do not come to treat with Sauron," Gandalf said, "faithless and accursed. Tell your master this. The armies of Mordor must disband. He is to depart these lands, never to return."
"Aha!" the Mouth snarled. "Old Grey-beard. I have a token I was bidden to show thee." He reached down to his saddle and pulled up a small silver shirt. Dúvainiel recognized it as being Frodo's. She thought back to those first days when the Fellowship had been in Lothlorien, and Merry and Pippin had told her the story of how Frodo had survived a cave troll's attack in the Mines of Moria, thanks to the mithril shirt.
"Frodo!" Dúvainiel heard Pippin whisper urgently. She looked over at him.
Sauron's emissary threw the shirt at Gandalf, who caught it swiftly.
"Frodo!" Pippin cried out. Dúvainiel's heart went out to the little Hobbit.
"Silence," Gandalf said urgently.
"No!" Merry cried.
"Silence!" Dúvainiel flinched as Gandalf's raised voice called to Frodo's friends. The Hobbits both became silent once more. Dúvainiel gave Merry a sympathetic look, then turned back to The Mouth as he began to speak again.
"Aw, the Halfling was dear to thee I see," he said with a sarcastic tone. "Know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host." His head jerked. "Who would've thought one so small could endure so much pain? And he did Gandalf, he did."
Dúvainiel unconsciously gripped Ésha's reins tighter. She looked at Legolas, the expression on his face warring between fury and sadness. Aragorn kicked Brego's sides and moved forward.
"And who is this?" The Mouth goaded. "Isildur's heir? It takes more to make a King than a broken Elvish blade."
Before the emissary could taunt Aragorn again and faster than most eyes could see, the Man pulled his sword out and swung it around to cut off the other's head. Dúvainiel gasped and then gaped at the king.
Aragorn looked at Gandalf, "I do not believe it." He spoke with such conviction, Dúvainiel found herself believing that Frodo was still alive. "I will not."
The gates began to creak once more, and Dúvainiel looked over Aragorn's shoulder to see the gates opening again. Her heart seemed to stop as she saw the massive Army of Mordor marching towards them.
"Pull back," Aragorn said, as he pulled on Brego's reins. "Pull back!"
Dúvainiel pulled on Ésha's reins and turned her around and galloped back with the other riders.
The soldiers from Gondor and Rohan stood looking at the Mordor Army with wide, frightened eyes. Dúvainiel could empathize with them. She felt the same way. They were vastly outnumbered. She doubted any of them would survive.
"Hold your ground," Aragorn called, as the soldiers slowly backed away. "Hold your ground!" He pulled Brego in front of the group and spoke, "Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers. I see it in your eyes, the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day! An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the age of men comes crashing down, but it is not this day! This day we fight!"
He thrust his sword into the air, "By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!"
The Men each pulled out their swords, and held them ready, a more confident look now upon each face. Aragorn wheeled Brego around towards the Black Gates, and the horse reared. Aragorn dismounted from the stallion, and the rest of the group still on horseback followed the king's lead. Dúvainiel pulled Ésha to her face, and nuzzled her horse's nose one last time, before she released the reins and let Ésha run with the other horses.
She watched the orcs advance as she stood between Éomer and Gimli. From the corner of her eye, she saw Pippin unsheathe his sword. She did the same, and held it ready.
"Never thought I'd die fighting side by side with an Elf," she heard Gimli say, and looked at him. He was talking to Legolas, of course.
"How about side by side with a friend?" Legolas asked with a small smile.
"Aye, I could do that," the Dwarf answer.
Legolas put a hand on Gimli's shoulder, and then looked over the Dwarf's head at Dúvainiel. Unwittingly, a tear fell down Dúvainiel's cheek as she looked at the other Elf. Unable to stop it, a second tear fell. She shook her head at him, and he nodded slowly, intentionally. No words needed to pass between them. She took a deep breath and looked back ahead of her.
Now that the Black Gate was open completely, Dúvainiel could see The Eye clearly. She gazed at it, amazed that it could be such a source of evil. A movement caught the corner of her eye, and she focused on Aragorn's back, shocked to see him lowering his sword, as he stepped forward a few paces. Then he turned back and looked at the group.
"For Frodo," he said softly.
Then he turned back towards the orcs and began running, his sword ready. Merry and Pippin ran past her, and she began to run too. As she ran, she heard an arrow whiz by her. Behind her, the entire army of Men had also started running, and within moments, the two armies were locked into the final battle.
Dúvainiel swung her sword and orcs around her began to fall. She alternately moved from offense to defense and back again. She looked around for Legolas, but didn't see him. Before she could look more, she was on the defense again. She heard a screech and looked up to see a group of Nazgul moving in towards them. The sound hurt her sensitive elven ears so badly, she wanted to cover them. Just as they began to descend on the army, another screech was heard.
"The eagles!" she heard Pippin cry out. Dúvainiel looked up once more, just in time to see a Giant Eagle intercept one of the Nazgul. As she did, a sword slashed deep into her leg. She looked down in surprise and saw an orc grinning at her, his sword still embedded in her thigh. She pulled her sword back and slashed him across the neck. He fell at her feet, just as another orc moved towards her.
The pain in her leg was excruciating, but she knew she could not give in to it, or she would be killed. She felt her hot, sticky blood running down her leg, and put one hand against it, hoping to stop the flow, as she defended an incoming blow. Just when she felt like she would pass out, she heard a different kind of screeching. Everything around her suddenly stopped, and when she looked up, she saw the Eye flared in flames. Barad Dûr began to crumble and collapse and the orcs that had been fighting against them began to run. As the top of the tower came lower to the ground, the Eye grew smaller and smaller, and then finally exploded.
A shock wave moved across the plains of Mordor and out past their group and Dúvainiel fell to her knees when it hit her. She did not have the strength to stay on her feet any longer. She had lost too much blood by now, and she knew, she was about to die. She looked around for Legolas, wanting to tell him one last time how much she loved him.
"Dúvainiel!" she heard a voice say as the rest of her body fell to the ground. Strongs arms lifted her up, and she tried desperately to focus on the face.
"Hold on," Éomer said.
Then, the world went black.
TBC