Hello and yay thank you for the lovely reviews and new followers, XD, happy elf very happy elf :P Thank you Celticank, Win lockwood, Dreamingin2Eternity and the fan review; Yes the action begins, its all abit crazy from here and I hope you continue to like it, thank you for your kind words.

So here is part deux of the battle, bit long but as you can imagine there is alot to cover and parts were very hard to write, *sobs* you know the ones!

Anyway I have had a terrible, terrible week...I cant even begin...lets just say it started with an accident, but Im okay just feeling its hard to write atm. so much love and support would be appreciated, but you guys always do say the lovliest of things. I wrote a comedy story to cheer me up, a completely silly, stupid, infantile thing...what would happen if I/fictional I/ landed in Mirkwood...It was just to make me feel better and take my mind off things but I kind of enjoyed it so I might post it later lol we'll see :)

Anyway back to the main event, and I am sorry but I just don't believe all the elves died at Helms Deep, I really dont! Statistically not possible! I just tell myself this to make me feel better, so hopefully you will enjoy and I will look forward to speaking with you soon about it :D Much love :)

***Warning*** Death, blood and general violence...do not read if that upsets you.

20. Blood and War

"Throw anything you have; bricks, stones, anything just hit them," Ellenya called to the group of youths valiantly pouring all sorts of heavy items from the gaps in the wall down onto the uruk ramming the great stone pillars.

Cendir had already descended to the lower wall to try and fend off the hoard of monsters slashing their way through the men and elves, like they were nothing but weeds in need of disposing. Ellenya concerned that the boys and inexperienced men here would be cornered started to descend the staircase and reached the bottom just as a sword swung for her head. Falling to her knees barely avoiding the blow she slashed her sword across the Uruk's middle, the beast fell instantly. Leaping to her feet she rushed to the next attacking brute and dispatched him with ease, but they were numerous and heavily armed. Single handily Ellenya knew she would not be enough to keep them off her patch, but she had no choice if she tired then she risked the life of those depending on her.

Just as she felt her legs buckling under the continuous attacks she heard a shrill scream and a strange noise. The sound distracting her and the beast she wrestled with for a moment, what followed was incredibly disorientating. A noise Ellenya had never before heard and vibrations that were beyond anything she had felt rocked the entire outer wall. In a blinding flash of light, smoke and noise the ground exploded around her and in an instant all went dark.

xXx

"Ellenya!" Cendir cried from his position, clinging to the wall of the turret as two men helped him back to safety. He had just witnessed something beyond words, somehow the enemy had blown the outer wall asunder using only the fire of a torch, and he had fortunately witnessed it in time to make his escape. However Ellenya was close to wall during the explosion and he was gripped with fear, what would become of her?

Though he had little time to dwell on the dark possibilities; Cendir swiftly shouted at the men and older boys to assist him in pulling back to the inner wall, protecting the younger ones by whatever means possible. Cendir knew Ellenya would have wished him to hold to her plan and he would, but once he had he would go in search of her, she was hardy she would have survived he would not give up hope.

"Come on move!" Cendir shouted as he rallied the battalion down the stairs heading for a safer zone. "Stay close, those with bows use them, keep the enemy at a distance do not let them get close!"

Once he had successfully cleared the turret and what survivors had made for the inner walls, Cendir turned back resolutely racing for the disaster site. He was intent on retrieving the Princess and getting them both to relative safety.

xXx

"Get up! Come on get up blondie! Are ye deaf wake up!" Gimli roared above the din of battle as he struggled with the debris that trapped him to the ground. After the explosion and mild unconsciousness that followed he had come around to find he was splayed out under a pile of rocks with no axe to be found and a splitting headache. Once his vision had stopped blurring he was alarmed to make out the still form of a blonde elf face down on the ground a few metres from him. It was unmistakably Ellenya and he despaired that the explosion had claimed her, but there was a steady rise and fall to her chest that alerted Gimli that she was well and just needed a sharp wake up call.

"Ellenya GET UP!" He shrieked again wrestling with the rock, she was his best hope of getting out of this predicament; "You lazy troll, you just lie there and I'll be crushed to death! Very thoughtful of you Princess!"

There was a small movement as Ellenya moved her head to the side and a soft audible groan escaped her lips. Gimli let out a sigh of relief and switched to more encouraging words; "That's it nice and slow, can you move your legs lassie?"

Ellenya blinked and tried to focus on the dwarf that called to her but her ears were ringing and her vision blurred disorientating her. Where was she? What was she doing on the ground? A few moments ago she was up to her neck in attacking uruk hai, her mind tried to connect the missing pieces but all she remembered was an incredible bang like a thousand rolls of thunder.

Gimli stopped in the midst of his attempt to rouse the elleth and turned his attention to the rather larger and brutish monster of an Uruk hauling himself to his feet as he spotted the incapacitated elf and dwarf. Ellenya needed to get up and get moving immediately or they were both in trouble;

"Ellenya! Ellenya! Ellenya!" He called her name repeatedly and at such an irritating racket that the elleth rolled unto her knees and scowled groggily at the dwarf. Lifting her hand to her head she was reminded of the helmet she had reluctantly worn and was suddenly extremely grateful for Haldir's foresight.

"Gimli?" She queried as she attempted to stand but fell over again, "my head! Stop shouting I know you're there."

"Well come and help me then!" The dwarf shrieked as he wrestled with the debris, "Quickly!"

Ellenya half crawled half staggered to the scrambling dwarf still unaware of the attacker that was inching his way towards them both. She reached the pile of rock and hauled herself up using it, grunting with the effort it took.

HURRY UP ELF!" Gimli shouted and flailed his arms in an attempt to help himself.

"I am trying!" She growled back.

"Try harder, he is almost on us!" Gimli spewed as he shoved at the rock uselessly.

"What?" Ellenya asked and with confused eyes scanned around her then yelped in surprise at the approaching attacker. "Why did you not say anything!" she cried and threw her weight against the rock trapping the dwarf.

"I did!" He grunted with effort, "You are just too dense to listen!"

"I really do dislike dwarves," Ellenya muttered as she once again tried to pry the rock off the annoying creature, momentarily considering leaving him there.

"I ain't too fond of wood elves meself, just shut yer gob and get me out of here!" Gimli wailed in defiance, but it was too late the uruk had found his feet and was stalking towards them; "Where is your sword?"

"Right here," Ellenya replied as she went to pull her sword from its sheath but despaired when she grasped thin air, "It is not there?"

"What do you mean? Have ye no weapon?" Gimli strained his head to see the alarmed looking she elf.

"It has to be here," she cried and started sifting through the dark debris in a blind panic, her hands scrapping useless against the rock, her hearing settling in time to make out the all too close proximity of their attacker.

"Any time now Princess! Any time you want to find that sword would be greatly appreciated!" Gimli shouted his voice growing higher with alarm as the uruk raised his sword to deliver the devastating blow; "QUICKLY, QUICKLY!"

"I cannot think with your incessant wailing control yourself dwarf!" Ellenya ordered as she turned to scowl at Gimli, just in time to spy the raised sword and leap out of its way as it came crashing down on the rock, the motion causing Gimli to yelp in alarm.

"FIND ANY BLOODY WEAPON, ANYTHING WILL DO!" The dwarf roared in panic and tried in vain to free himself.

"Weapon, weapon, weapon," Ellenya chanted to herself as she rapidly clawed the dirt and rock, "there is nothing but rock?" she cried in despair as she dodged another attack and leaped across the dwarf to the far side of the rock that pinned him, trying to search the ground.

"Stop leading the brute towards me; bludgeon him with the damn rocks!" The dwarf hissed with impatience. Just at that the uruk turned his attention to Gimli and aimed his sword, the dwarf swallowed hard and strained to move from the ensuing blow, his life flashing before his very eyes.

"Sword, sword, axe?" Ellenya gasped as her hands gripped the handle of a dwarvan axe, "Axe! I found your axe Gim –" The elleth stopped mid-sentence to observe the monster take his swipe at the frantic dwarf and in a flash of movement she leaped in front of him and parried the attack pushing the brute backward.

Gimli cried out in relief and collapsed against the rock that was the closest he ever wished to be on the receiving end of a blade. He rolled onto his side and squinted at the elleth who to his disgruntlement was wielding his axe with incredible skill and ease. After a few seconds of parrying Ellenya spun in a circular motion and with shriek of anger she sliced the axe through the uruk, his head dropping from his body with a dull thud. Breathing heavily she staggered back from her victim and turned her attention to the irate looking dwarf sprawled on the rock and then to the axe in her hand, pulling a disgusted face she threw the weapon toward Gimli.

"That is my axe you are carelessly handling," he angrily pointed out squirmed with the rock.

"Oh stop your whining; you are alive are you not?" Ellenya replied with a bored tone as she yanked the rock again and again until it rolled away from the dwarf freeing him from his trap.

Gimli staggered to his feet and retrieved his axe muttering something that sounded like gratitude to the elleth. To which Ellenya scowled at and picked her way through the debris after him, quickly spying her sword wedged in the rock and dirt, she retrieved it with a sense of relief. A rumbling of heavy feet on ground and the closeness of wicked snarls alerted the duo that they had to move and quickly before they were overrun;

"I am going to count that kill as mine since it was my awe that delivered the blow," Gimli huffed, as Ellenya hauled him over a rather bulky stone obstacle.

"Whatever you wish," the elleth growled, she did not really care for conversing any further with this creature, the battle was raging on and they needed to get to safer ground. It already irked her that she was lumbered with this brute, slowing her down and causing her more trouble than he was worth. Though somewhere in her incredibly bitter and bias heart Ellenya was the tiniest bit grateful, for without Gimli she could have fared a lot worse.

Once clear of the damaged area the extent of the numbers of the enemy were astounding and Ellenya felt her chest tighten is despair. The youngsters she had left unaided would have not survived this swarm and angrily she slashed her way through the mob, faintly aware that the dwarf had picked a new course as she heard him roar Aragorn's name. She had no time to concern herself with babysitting the dwarf, she had a duty to preform and she would attempt to find any young survivors in the chaos.

xXx

The sheer number of Uruk Hai was overwhelming and Ellenya could not see through the throngs, she just instinctively fought one cruel disgusting face after another, never pausing to gather her wits. Time had worn on and she had lost herself in the crowd, to her left and right bodies of men and elves piled up and the smell was wretched. Death hung in the air, death and hopelessness, she had been insane to come here what silly game was she trying to play? Perhaps Elladan was correct maybe her dreams were nothing more that idealistic fantasies about what could have been. If they were she had just sealed her fate in the most gruesome way possible, but with the thought of Elladan in her mind the elleth mustered some courage. She would not give up, not yet, she promised she would hold on for him and she would. She had also promised to help her people, dying far from home was not an option, so with a new ferocity she fought on pulling courage from the very cervices of her mind against the ensuing evil that engulfed them.

For several long hours the enemy pushed them back, deeper into the fortress as more and more of it was claimed for Saruman. Ellenya was fatigued, she was becoming sloppy and chaotic with her movements and the force of her blows were weakening. It was this slight slowness that a group of Uruk Hai took great advantage of, they had persistently attacked the Princess until she was cornered, all she had fought with were slain and she was the last remaining target. Ellenya felt her back hit the wall and she cried out in frustration throwing herself forward in an attempt to gain ground. Though it was futile the beats were just toying with her now, waiting her out, hoping exhaustion would hit in time for them to finish her off.

Ellenya clutched the strap of her helmet, it felt heavy on her head and restrictive, she felt like she could not breathe with it and in a panic clawed it off her head tossing it at one of the approaching Uruk. Gasping and choking for breath Ellenya pushed her damp hair from her face and eyes then staggered back narrowly missing the swing of a blade. She spun to try another route of escape but was met with a solid punch to the jaw, making her grind her teeth in anger. In desperation the elleth threw herself at her attackers punching, kicking and swiping with her sword in any attempt to escape, but they just bullied her back to her corner.

"Come on!" Ellenya snarled swinging her sword, "if you wish to kill me just do it already!"

The closest monster sneered in delight at the request and leaped at the she elf knocking her back further. Ellenya screamed in pent up despair as she lashed out at him only to take a blow on the back of her shoulders causing her to drop to her knees. This was it, this was her end, on the blood stained ground of a dank and dark fortress of ruins, maybe it was deserved she had dodged death far too many times and now it had come to claim her. She shut her eyes tight and offered her final prayers to the Valar to spare Elladan, he would not survive the parting, and she knew she had failed him.

The black skinned beast raised his sword above his head eyes glinting with sadistic pleasure as he readied the blade to deliver the mortal wound, but the look was soon replaced with shock and then nothing. An arrow had effectively embedded itself through the Uruk's throat and with a choking sound it fell to the ground. In that instant several more arrows came cascading down on the enemy before an irate Haldir followed, angrily dispatching the rest and hauling the broken elleth from the ground and trailing her back over friendly lines.

Once within distance of the encroaching army he tossed Ellenya against a wall and shook her shoulder violently attempting to rouse her from her despair;

"Ellenya, are you hurt?" He cried in a panic, as her eyes rolled around in her head not truly focusing on him, "Look at me!"

"Why did you just not let them kill me?" Ellenya eventually sobbed, "It is over I made a stupid mistake."

Haldir was furious now and angrily shook the Princess again; "You listen to me and you listen well! I swore to Elladan I would keep you alive until morning and by the Valar I will!"

"Why? So I can watch him die?" Ellenya cried and lamely pushed the elf away from her.

"You are so like your Father!" Haldir hissed refusing to let go, "Ready to just give up, selfish, only seeing your own pain caring nothing for what your actions will do to others!"

Ellenya felt the roar come from her lips as she wrestled with the insolent ellon, "You know nothing of my Adar! You know nothing about me! Everything my Ada is, everything he does it to protect us, how dare you!"

"So if you love him so much then why are you so willing to give up, how do you think he will fare if you die?" Haldir questioned his accusing tone quietening Ellenya; "Tell me what will Legolas suffer because deep down you know he will blame himself for not protecting you. Oh and what of Elladan? You just claim his heart and then shatter it without even a hint of regret!"

"No…I..." Ellenya had no words, Haldir was right, she had lost her way and was momentarily blinded by despair.

"No is right Princess," the elf replied resolutely; "You are going to get up and keep fighting because that is what you do Ellenya, you survive! We will see victory and I will fulfill my oath to Elladan, you will be reunited with him."

Ellenya nodded in agreement slightly fearful of the commanding nature of her new friend. Haldir smiled softly as he helped the elleth to her feet pressing her sword into her palm;

"You have lived through so much worse Ellenya, are you going to let them win now?" He challenged and pointed to the approaching uruk hai that had just broken through the firing lines and were stampeding towards them.

"Never!" Ellenya whispered her voice like ice as she tightened her grip on the sword and braced herself for the assault. Beside her Haldir readied himself, smirking slightly at his ability to correct the elleth, she was so easy to manipulate once you knew the right buttons to press.

They fought on for another expanse of time but it was becoming glaringly obvious that the entire fortress had been breached. Out of the din and clash of steel, voices could be heard calling for the men to retreat to the keep. It was at this point a familiar figure collided with Ellenya just as she was about to swing her blade in attack;

"Cendir!" she cried in shock and relief as the younger elf skittered away from the possible blow.

"I found you!" He yelped in surprise, "Thank the Valar you are alive!"

The two engaged in several complex moves to dispatch the Uruk that got too close, a lift in their spirits happy to be reunited with kin. Haldir joined them shortly and nodded his approval to seeing the ellon alive and well;

"You two need to make for the keep," Haldir ordered and pushed Cendir in that direction.

"As do you!" Ellenya shouted over the clang of metal as she parried an attack.

"I will!" Haldir called back, "But you are my warriors and I will see you to safety first."

"Haldir?" Ellenya reasoned as she raced to his side, unhappy with his orders.

"It is an order Ellenya, go! I will follow" His tone was even and unconcerned as he edged them closer in the desired direction. When the Princess stood her ground Haldir sighed and looked to Cendir, "Take her and go now before there is no route of escape."

Cendir gripped Ellenya's arm and pulled her with him, she fought him but Haldir gave her a withering look and with a defeated groan, allowed the other elf to tug her through the crowd;

"I will see you on a field of Victory little Princess," Haldir called after Ellenya, the familiar haughty and self-assured tone settling the elleth's anxieties.

xXx

"Why is Haldir not here yet?" Cendir anxiously watched the influx of survivors as they piled into the keep.

Ellenya was not really listening, she was too busy searching for Legolas, her main priority; "He will come," she muttered in reply.

"He should be here," Cendir was uneasy his instincts warned him something was terribly wrong, "I am going to find him."

"No Cendir!" Ellenya spun and reached to grab the ellon, but it was too late he flitted out the door and out of her sight. In her panic she pushed through the crowd attempting to rescue the younger elf from his own stupidity, but was suddenly caught up in a strong grasp.

"What are you doing, get back inside," came Legolas' fearful tone as he half hugged half pushed his little sister back into relative safety.

"Legolas! You are alright" Ellenya cried in happiness, momentarily forgetting her concern for Cendir, he would find Haldir in the throngs and come back. Most likely after Haldir had chewed him out for disobeying orders!

"Well of course I am!" Her slightly egotistical brother smirked, "Honestly you would think I was engaged in a war or something."

"No not a war just annihilation," Ellenya scowled at her obviously unperturbed sibling.

"Where is Gimli, have you seen him?" Legolas asked suddenly and with look of concern in his features.

"That is disgusting," Ellenya hissed, "Concern for a dwarf when elves are missing."

"Oh give it a rest you sound like Ada!" Legolas muttered as he quickly began searching the crowd for his companions breathing out a sigh of relief as the unmistakable roaring of a disgruntled dwarf could be heard close by. "What elves are missing?"

"Haldir said he would follow us and that stupid elfling just ran out to find him," Ellenya replied, her anxiety returning she had not seen them return, where were they?

"Haldir?" Legolas stopped and turned to look at his sister with concern, there were no elves left he had scouted the courtyard before entering the keep, looking for survivors, and he had just assumed Haldir had made it back first.

"Why did you say his name like that?" Ellenya asked a thrill of fear entering her voice.

"Bar the door, there is no-one left! Quickly men we must fortify this door!"

Both Legolas and Ellenya turned to the familiar sound of Aragorn as he shouted encouragements to the survivors. The two elves suddenly taking in the very small crowd of men and to their utter horror very few elven faces.

"No?" Ellenya cried and raced to the door followed by an equally alarmed Legolas.

"Haldir is out there," she shrieked a she vainly tried to reach the door, "Estel you cannot bar the gate Haldir is making his way to us."

"Ellenya," Aragorn turned in shock to see the wild eyes Woodland Princess approach, she did not know. The elleth angrily tugged at the wood and was even less impressed when Aragorn grabbed her shoulder and pushed her back.

"What are you doing, Estel, Haldir is out there you must believe me," Ellenya cried again and wrestled with the man's grip on her.

"There is no-one left!" Aragorn reasoned but Ellenya continued to resist adamant that he was wrong.

"No you are wrong I seen him, he told me to go into the keep first and he would follow, Estel why will you not believe me? Open the door!" She was screaming now, a part of her grasping the significance of what the man was trying to relay to her but her conscious mind rejected the notion. "Cendir, Cendir went to look for him, you see you are wrong, open the door!"

"Ellenya! Stop! Please try and understand me, there is no-one left alive," Aragorn reasoned and shot Legolas a pleading look. They did not have time for this and the elleth was strong he did not know how much longer he could hold her back.

"Ellenya," Legolas spoke as soothingly as he could, placing restraining arms around his sister and forcing her to still herself, "Listen!"

"Haldir is dead, I saw it myself I was too slow to stop the attack. I am sorry!" Aragorn spoke In a painful and broken sob. "As for the other elf you speak of, I saw none, if he went after Haldir then he met the same fate."

Legolas could barely hold Ellenya upright as she let out an anguished cry, he would have done the same thing if it had not been for the years of battle that had rendered him numb to the news of death. He mourned the loss, it was a brutal blow to the elves but he could not allow himself to show it, not yet. With much effort he hauled his sister to a quieter side of the keep whispering soothing words to restore her mind and senses.

"Give yourself a moment Ellenya," Legolas ordered this was not the first time he had consoled an elf shocked by the ravages of war, "Then find what youth have survived and take them to the caves, it may be safer there than here."

"I do not need a moment," Ellenya replied evenly, her breathing deep and controlled, "I need Saruman's head on a spike!"

Legolas reeled back from the ice of his sister's voice shocked at the venom and bitterness in her. He had thought her to be in despair but instead her eyes glittered with a fiery hatred that would not be quenched, and that freighted him. Legolas had always worried about the evil that Ellenya had been exposed to, those kinds of memories run deep and can eat away at the mind.

"Help fortify the entrance brother, and I will see to the young and the injured," Ellenya replied with cool indifference so akin to that of their Adar's.

Ellenya walked away from her brother and with steely determination attended to her duty, not once shedding another tear or displaying any kind of emotion on her expressionless face. Legolas watched her sadly, believing that she should not have come here, whatever her reasons they were not enough to justify such destruction of her spirit.

"Laddie, Aragorn needs us."

The gruff voice of Gimli shook Legolas from his worrisome thoughts and he nodded, rocketing into action. He would have time to brood over his sister when they survived this and he had taken a moment to grieve the sacrifices of his race.

xXx

"Stay with me, please my lady, I am frightened," a cold and weak hand gripped Ellenya's, it belonged to a fair haired youth barely more than a child, a deep gash on his forehead marred his pretty young features and dark blood had matted his hair, staining his skin and clothes. His green eyes were filled with terror and pain, he was dying and he could not escape this nightmare only watch it unfold unable to move or run away.

Ellenya could do nothing but gaze at the child with deep resentment and anguish, she heard the sickening thuds of metal on wooden doors, the Uruk Hai would break into the caves shortly. The women, children and the injured that could still move had made for the only route of escape; what was left was the hopeless ones, those that were too weak or too badly wounded to save themselves. Ellenya could not leave them she would stay and fend off whatever came though the doors for as long as she was able. She was not the only one, other men backed away from the door readying themselves for the inevitable, they needed to give the innocents the time to escape.

"They are breaking in, please I do not want to die," the youth gasped in alarm and squeezed her hand more tightly.

"Hush do not fret, come sing, can you sing?" Ellenya attempted to soothe and pulled the boys face toward her, his eyes widening with panic at the roaring and crashing.

"I cannot, I cannot," he cried and shut his eyes tightly.

"Yes you can, I will help you!" Ellenya commanded and took a deep breathe to settle herself and started to sing a soft and mesmerizing song Murieann had taught her;

"As the moon kindles the night, as the wind kindles the fire.

As the rain fills every ocean and the sun the earth.

With your heart kindle my heart."

The youth opened his eyes, suddenly enchanted by the angelic voice lulling him with the familiar tune. The vision of the beautiful and courageous lady that had protected him this far brought him so much comfort, her eyes shone like stars and it was like she glowed with the light of another world. He was not too frightened now to sing and he barely heard the terrifying voices from before, all his fears seemed to be melting away. When the she elf heard him sing she gave him a glittering smile and the two repeated the song.

Ellenya tried to keep her eyes focused on the failing youngster but she was distracted by other noises; she heard the wood of the barricades splinter, she heard the great horn cease its call and she felt her heart sink. The last she had seen her brother he had been ready to make a last stand with the rest of the able men, and now it appeared their time had run out. The princess absently wrapped her hand around her blade, still singing as sweetly as she could, preparing to meet her fate.

Suddenly a rumble of noise akin to a great stampede could be heard even in the depths of the caves momentarily halting the assault on the barricade. Uruk Hai commanders roared and shrieked for reassembly and to prepare for battle. Ellenya took her eyes away from the boy to let her senses absorb the new sounds, her heart pounding so loudly for she did not even dare to believe it could be true. Yet in the darkness, close to the edge of obliteration she felt the certainty of Elladan's proximity, his spirit calling to her assuring her he had come back and victory was near.

"Help has come young one do not fear," Ellenya cried in relief and turned to give the boy an encouraging smile but the same one disappeared on her lips. The youth's eyes were vacant, void of life and his pale lips were upturned in a small peaceful smile, but nevertheless he was dead and this was just another stark reminder to the elleth of the uncertainty of life, and her inability to preserve it.

Angrily she pushed herself up from the ground, sword tightly in her grip glowering at the dead and dying bodies littering the cave floor. Filled with vengeance and an overpowering blood lust, Ellenya strode from the caves cutting a wedge in the barricaded doors so she could slip though. Once on the other side she chased down each vile and murderous creature within reach of her, showing them no mercy and taking great pleasure in their demise.

xXx

The charge of Rohirrim and Gandalf's return was the miracle that all had prayed for, as the last rays of sunrise lit the ruins of Helms Deep a cry of Victory sounded. The cheers and wails of relief echoed through the quarry as men embraced each other in disbelief and utter astonishment at their survival. Somewhere deep in the mess one haggard men and one barely disheveled elf found each other.

"I swear to the Eru I have aged a thousand years just trying to keep you alive," Legolas laughed as he embraced Aragorn heartily purposefully bashing his tender shoulder.

"I know there was something endearing and brotherly somewhere in that statement," Aragorn winced at the sting of the pain in his shoulder but then grinned teasingly, "I live in hope that you start showing your age Prince, elven perfection is revolting."

"Mmm sorry my friend I shall not be soothing your ego just yet," Legolas grinned as he released the man and narrowed his eyes as he spied a familiar figure moving towards them.

Aragorn's smirk was quickly wiped from his face when he followed the elf's gaze which landed on a raven haired ellon, looking like the weight of the world was on his shoulders.

"Elladan is that you?" Aragorn timidly called, deciding that Legolas would not be the first to speak as the other elf came closer.

"Can you still not tell me apart from Elrohir little Estel?" Elladan halfheartedly teased the man, and stopped a few meters from them, weighing up the incredibly judgmental glare he was receiving from the Woodland Prince.

"Aye it is still a puzzle to me," Aragorn replied jokingly hoping to diffuse the tense atmosphere that had now descended.

Elladan was too weary and far too beside himself with worry to care what Legolas thought; he judged from the other elf's expression that he was a moment away from getting another beating. Yet it did not stop him asking the only question that consumed his entire being;

"Where is she?"

"Hopefully alive and well!" Legolas snapped unable to help himself.

Elladan sighed and tossed his sword aside; "Please do not toy with me Legolas, I have no patience for it! If you know where she is will you tell me?"

But the prince did not need to answer, at that same moment Ellenya was pushing through the crowds trying to scan faces and find anyone she recognized. She spied her brother first, his tall frame and fair hair, which shone in the golden rays of rising sun, set him apart he was easy to distinguish. She breathed a sigh of relief, but there was one more she needed to find and her heart would not beat until she found him.

Instinctually she moved toward her brother but as she did she caught the glitter of the silver of elven armor in the corner of her vision. Holding her breath she strained her neck to see through the crowds pushing men out of the way to get a better view;

"Elladan!" His name came as a long scream from her lips, her eyes wide with excitement.

Elladan turned automatically to the sound, his brows furrowing as he tried to place her voice; "Ellenya?" he called with uncertainly there was a good chance he was hearing things, "Ellenya where are you?"

He moved forward, eyes darting about the chaotic mass of dead bodies and destruction searching for her, his name sounded again and this time he placed it. Ellenya was racing towards him; tears streaming from her eyes, her beautiful face smeared with dirt and blood, but it was her and she was alive with not even the hint of an injury. Elladan broke into a run too not wanting to prolong the reunion. The shrieks of the elleth had captured the attention of the men and many had stopped to gawp curiously at the strange she elf that ripped across the ground leaping over rocks and bodies like they were not even an obstacle.

As Ellenya got within a few feet of Elladan he outstretched his arms just in time for her to collide into him. She wrapped her legs around his waist and burrowed her face into his neck her whole body trembling with the loud sobs she shed. Elladan took her weight easily and clutched her tightly too him shedding a few stray tears of his own, tilting his head to look upwards to the sunrise he silently mouthed his gratefulness to the Valar for answering his prayers.

Ellenya pulled away from the embrace and placed her shaking hands on either side of her beloved's face, so overwhelmed by his presence and the fact that they both survived such horror. Elladan fiercely seized the back of Ellenya's neck in an inescapable grip and pulled her into a kiss so unrestrained and passionate that it gained several loud cheers of approval from onlookers. The kiss lingered on but exhaustion eventually got the better of Ellenya and she felt herself slump forward, panting slightly from exertion and fading adrenaline.

"You are alright I have you," Elladan whispered quietly, shifting himself to better support Ellenya to stand comfortably. She was incredibly proud and would be too ashamed to admit to fatigue surrounded by mortals, so it was no surprise that she gratefully accepted his help.

"Thank you," Ellenya replied breathlessly as she rested her head against his shoulder and allowed her eyelids to drop slightly. Her mind still raced with vicious images of the events that had just unfolded and her spirit was distressed, but she would not and could not deal with the horrors she had experienced just yet. So she did the only thing she knew how to do in such circumstances, she buried her thoughts, fears, and emotions deep into the back of her mind.

"I think your brother wants my head," Elladan spoke with a joking tone as he helped his wife cross the distance to her less than delighted sibling. Ellenya grinned in response and let out a soft chuckle, but the subtle changes in the elleth alarmed Elladan. She was more subdued choosing not to speak, her eyes held a look of indignation and notable distress. But it was Ellenya's spirit that worried him; Elladan had known her long enough to know when something was too much for her, when an event or situation triggered her self-preservation instincts. Now that Ellenya was his, completely and irrevocably bonded to each other, he now shared in that spirit and felt her true form whether he wanted to or not. It brought him great anxiety to feel the fear and grief knawing away at her beautiful being, there was a bleakness about her fae that was disturbing to behold and Elladan knew she was trying her best to suppress it. The presence of his spirit and his physical proximity brought Ellenya ease, she unconsciously partook of his strength and stability to bolster herself against the pain, truly she did not know what would have become of her if he had not been there.

Legolas was alternating between impatient glances and unimpressed looks, was it completely necessary for the over the top reunion? Did they have to be so flamboyant and dramatic with their affections for one another? The simple answer was yes but the prince did not have to like it, however for his sister he would remain quiet, enough. There was still the niggling question as to why she was here, but it was maybe a little inappropriate to jump right into an inquisition.

"Well is this not a heart-warming sight," Aragorn started first with a sideways glance to Legolas, at some point he was going to have to speak. "Congratulations to you both, though why it took the threat of war and destruction to make the two of you finally come together I shall never understand?"

"Neither shall I!" Elladan laughed and protectively clutched Ellenya closer to him, she rested heavily on his shoulder and sighed in contentment.

"To what do we owe the pleasure?" Aragorn smiled happily at his adoptive brother; once again Elrond's sons had managed to arrive in time to swing the battle in the favor of men. "And where is Elrohir should he not be here gloating about single handily winning the battle or something humble like that?"

"Yes he should be but I am afraid he has private business elsewhere," Elladan answered with a little more concern in his tone. He naturally did not like being separated from his twin for any length of time, but he had responsibilities and loyalty to his own family now.

Ellenya's head jerked up and she gazed curiously at her husband in response to the statement, but he simply smiled and shook his head; "Business of Mithrandir or Adar or both, he will join us again soon I am certain."

"Pity we could do with as many warriors as we can muster," Legolas sighed but the statement was met by a hard glare from his new brother by law.

"Elrohir will return long before there is even the slightest chance of battle, he does not abandon his allies."

Legolas scowled back at the other elf with a cold expression, not liking the insinuation in the slightest. A look of realization washed over Elladan and his eyes widened at how his words could have been construed.

"Legolas you know that was not a critiscim to you are your people, I would not insult Thranduil in any form," Elladan apologized and stopped only when Ellenya elbowed him in the ribs and rolled her eyes.

"Yes, yes Elladan I understand," Legolas wavered off the excuse and turned on his heel.

"Where are you going?" Ellenya croaked and took a step forward, "You need to rest and we must talk."

"I am going to find my dwarf and gloat about my victory," he answered coolly, "We can speak after."

xXx

Ellenya had taken a few moments to rest and enjoy Elladan's company before her heart grew heavy again. Sadly she came to the conclusion that she should seek out the bodies of her people and speak prayers over them, it felt wrong to leave elves to rot in such a horrific place. If she did not do something productive she was going to slip into despair, it was hard to remember her reasoning for coming here.

"I need to search the dead Elladan, I need to grieve," Ellenya eventually murmured and got to her feet and slowly retraced her steps back through the chaotic mess. She was aware Elladan followed her and was attempting to dissuade her, but it was pointless she felt guilty enough.

There were so many bodies, so many cold lifeless eyes, it was hard to stomach but Ellenya was good at keeping her expression even. Others had joined her and now women had flooded out of the caves scouring the dead for their loved ones, their wails and cries echoing off the walls and ringing in the Princesses ears. She would never forget the sound and she would never forget the stench of death, this place would forever haunt her memories now.

"My lady, my lady?" A voice of a mortal man as he made for the Princess, broke her grieving thoughts and she turned to face him with a confused expression.

"My lady, we need healers can you help us?" he asked, his graying hair matted with blood from an angry cut on his cheek.

"No," Ellenya answered and watched the pain and disbelief saturate the man's features.

"I just, I just believed elvish women had healing powers," the man spoke in a broken whisper.

"I cannot heal anyone," Ellenya felt a tear streak across her cheek and she caught it with her thumb, "I am sorry, I am so sorry for your loss but I cannot give you what you need, but my husband can. Please wait here."

The princess turned away from the confused looking man and quickly tried to gain composure as she marched across the rubble towards the familiar figure of Elladan, as he crouched over a victim of war.

"Elladan these people need a healer, I do not know what to do can you help?" She stammered out as she reached him, when he did not answer she dropped her gaze to the body on the ground and felt her chest constrict.

Elladan and Aragorn had deftly removed Haldir's lifeless body from the pile of uruk corpses and Elladan was swiftly trying to remove any traces of blackened blood from his face. Aragorn stood off to the side, head in his hands taking a few moments to grieve for his comrade. Ellenya watched the scene for a few moments, trying to comprehend it, before dropping to her knees and placing her hands over her husband's stilling them from their furious rubbing. Elladan stopped his movements and lifted his angry gaze to question his wife;

"I can do that," Ellenya whispered and took the ripped piece of cloak and water skin in her hands. Gently she poured a few more drops of water on the cloth and began dabbing away the evidence of death from the fallen elf.

"He should not have died," Elladan spoke bitterly and clenched his fists.

"None of them should have died," Ellenya felt her voice tremble as more tears threatened to burst forth; "Elladan the people here need a skilled healer, I cannot help them like this my mind and spirit are not recovered, please go and assist them and I will manage our dead."

Ellenya kept her eyes downcast avoiding eye contact with her husband, she knew he worried and she did not wish to see the anxiety in his gaze. If she kept herself busy she would survive and with time she could compose herself. Eventually she heard his boots on the ground as he left her to her work, but his presence did not leave her and Ellenya was grateful for it, for it was a difficult task to farewell a friend.

With assistance from Aragorn, Ellenya skilfully tended Haldir's wounds and was able to move him to a quieter place, where the dead were being lain away from the stench of rotting uruk flesh. Satisfied that he now just appeared to be sleeping, Ellenya bent down and kissed his forehead before she closed his eyes for the last time, leaning into his ear she whispered her final parting;

"May you find peace on the distant shores my friend, and may you finally be reunited with your love. Rest Haldir of Lorien, for we stand on our field of victory."

Taking a settling breath the Princess got to her feet and moved onto the next elven body she found, diligently attending to the same sorry task. She found it easier to sing soft prayers of remembrance and thankfulness for the sacrifice of the fallen, somehow it made the sorrow easier to bear.

"Lady Ellenya," Came a soft and unfamiliar voice, Ellenya started at the voice and stared up at the elf before her, she recognized him from the convoy she had arrived with and smiled sadly in response.

"The Lord Elladan begs your presence right away, he asked me to take over your duties," The docile and somber ellon knelt to the ground and took over caring for the fallen. Obviously there was no point in arguing a point so Ellenya left the makeshift resting place and went in search of her husband.

She found him easily and among a crowd of onlookers at the watery base of the keep; when Elladan spied her he gestured to her to come urgently and Ellenya obeyed. She hurried to the scene and gasped at what she found there. Lying on the ground, battered and bruised but still managing a small smile was Cendir. He loosely gripped Elladan's hand as the older elf continued to check him over for further hurt.

"Cendir," Ellenya yelped as she hurried to his side and gripped his other hand, "You are alive."

"Barely," he groaned in response and coughed weakly.

"He is going to be fine," Elladan chuckled and with Ellenya's assistance helped him to sit up, "You were just unfortunate enough to take a fall and lose consciousness! Mercifully the enemy must have mistook you for dead, either way you are incredibly lucky."

"I do not feel too lucky," he grumbled and then grinned at Ellenya, "We did it, we survived and I can return to Gwyneth."

"Yes," Ellenya felt herself cry out in relief, "We did my friend, we surely did and yes you can, she will not even realize how lucky she is."

"Haldir will be most displeased I am sure," Cendir attempted and winced at the pain at being moved, "I should not have left the keep."

"Haldir is relieved you are well, but do not worry yourself, rest now you deserve it," Elladan spoke as though there was nothing to fear and no grave news to be given, and Ellenya turned her head so as not to betray the truth of the matter. Cendir smiled contentedly and allowed himself to be assisted to the makeshift healing space, leaving Ellenya and Elladan to despair over how to break the news to him that not only was Haldir dead but also the vast majority of his friends and comrades. Very few elves had survived a mere handful, and of that handful many were so grieved that they would not dwell in these lands much longer, for their hearts had bore too much now to ever fully recover.

xXx

"Isengard?" Legolas questioned the Wizard before him, his jaw clenching and unclenching as he tried to control his temper.

"Yes, I believe it is the only plausible explanation and should be the first place we look," Gandalf replied from his seated position on some rubble, arms folded about his chest as he continued to ponder this new turn of events. "Besides we have a wayward wizard to judge and two young hobbits to claim, we will be paying Orthanc a visit regardless."

"But you agree Mithrandir, with Lord Elrond and I, that Saruman may hold the knowledge to the whereabouts of my Mother's stone," Ellenya interjected anxiously. The wizard had called an urgent meeting between Thranduil's heirs and himself to discuss the meaning for Ellenya's arrival, apparently the wise old Mithrandir was already many steps ahead of Ellenya and was in no way surprised by her tale.

"Yes child I do agree with this theory, the Lady Galadriel herself has confirmed such wonderings, it is certainly worth investigation," Gandalf answered but carefully watched the Prince who seemed less than persuaded by the strange tale. "You are not convinced Legolas?"

"No I am convinced that this is the reason why my sister has decided to join us, but I am still unsure as to why this involves me and even less sure of its viability. Mithrandir the jewel is gone, I was there, the Valar have not intervened for centuries and it was for our safety, why now?" Legolas was concerned, mostly because of the dangerous inclination of trekking through the depths of Orthanc, he did not relish the thought.

"It involves you because you were there," the wizard snorted and gestured to Ellenya; "You sister was not but an infant, she had no true memories of the jewel. We need your eyes and your memory to see, if as Ellenya says, the jewel has been returned in another form only you will know if what is hidden is true."

"You speak riddles Mithrandir," Legolas sighed and ran his hands through his hair and frowned at his sister, who continued to stare up at him with pleading eyes. "Ellenya I warned you not to go looking for answers, this is dangerous."

"Please Legolas we have no other choice," Ellenya cried, "I need to bring aid from somewhere, Adar is failing he cannot hold the evil at bay on his own."

Legolas winced at her words; he already was wracked with guilt at his voluntary absence from his homeland. To be reminded that his people and his Father already teetered on the edge of destruction was enough to make him want to turn around and return to them, but that was not an option. He blew out a long sigh and stared off into the distance for a long moment before answering;

"Alright I believe you, but you are not going into the Wizards tower Ellenya. If Saruman does not willing give up the information and we are forced to search, you stay outside and I will bring what I can to you," Legolas replied resolutely and nodded once at his assessment, he would not let the darkness of Isengard infect his sister's already crumbling spirit any further.

Ellenya went to protest, that was hardly a fair order, but was silenced by Mithrandir's hand, "No Ellenya I agree with your brother on this. He and I shall search if it comes to it, you have played your part now it is time to pass on the responsibility."

Ellenya nodded in understanding but still found herself pouting at the thought of being left behind, nevertheless she had got this far and miraculously had her brother's support, who was she to question the understanding of the istari;

"I shall go ready the horses," Ellenya spoke up and nodded her partings to her brother and wizard, turning on her heel and exiting quickly, a thrill of anticipation running down her spine.

Once the elleth had left Gandalf eyed the young prince with a knowing look; "Something speaks to you heart Greenleaf, you can trust me to listen?"

"But can I trust you to not think me a fool," The prince answered softly and turned to smirk at the wizard.

"I do believe it is impossible for the son of Lairiel to be foolish, reckless? Yes. Energetic and curious by all accounts, but never foolish," the old wizard chuckled and gestured for the elf to continue.

"I can hear a voice in the trees, in the air, it calls out in urgency and has been getting stronger by each passing day. But I cannot understand it and it tortures me that I do not, I feel someone is in pain and I should help them," Legolas admitted and shyly glanced at Mithrandir awaiting some sort of joke or rebuke.

"Time will tell Legolas, if you are meant to hear that voice then you will find it," The wizard replied earnestly, "by the turn of events you may find your answer sooner than you think."

"Ai! I detest riddles," Legolas scowled at the wizard, "but I can only hope you are right."

"We shall see, we shall see!" Gandalf replied and continued to regard the ellon with vested interest, this was indeed a curious twist in fate.


Thoughts? Do you guys like so far?

Song lyrics from the movie the little princess "Kindle my heart."...I just think they are very soothing and went well with the story.