Legolas stood looking at all the death around him. Helm's Deep battle was just ending but he could still hear the screams. Despite being in battle before, the death and the gloom still gets to a person. Men were looking for lost comrades, taking some into the keep for healing; and saying prayers to the Valar for those who didn't make it. Legolas began to walk back up to the keep before seeing a weeping ellon on the stairs. He walked over silently and put a hand on his shoulder for comfort before seeing the body the ellon wept over.
It was Haldir of Lothlorien, Marchwarden of the Woods. Legolas was stunned to see him lying there, body askew on the stairs. While saying a prayer for the soul to make its way safely, he bent down to close Haldir's eyes. They hadn't been close, but Legolas knew him and had just seen him a few months ago when the fellowship had passed through the woods. The ellon next to him turned him tear-streaked face towards the prince's before starting.
"My... my prince. I have not seen you for a decade." The ellon stammered, brushing away angrily at the tears that were still on his face.
"Rana, Mellon!" Legolas asked with surprise. It was his previous protector. As far as he knew, Rana had moved to Lothlorien to train to become part of their elite guard. They had grown up as boys together, creating rampages around the palace for the maids to clean. Legolas bent down further to pick up the upper half of the Marchwarden's body as Rana bent to help. They carried the ellon reverently into the keep to prepare for burial.
A hard week passed for all those involved. Everyone worked without complaint to get the wounded healed, the dead buried, and the orcs burned. The journey back to Edoras was quiet and uneventful. Everyone was too tired or sad to bicker or cause trouble.
After Gandalf the White and Peregrin Took left for Minas Tirith, Edoras held its breath. No one knew if the two would be able to persuade the Steward Denethor to call on Rohan, and if they did, how would Rohan answer?
Legolas and Gimli tried to keep Aragorn occupied, but didn't succeed very often. He was often found pacing the outside corridors of the hall, glancing up at the mountains. Eowyn was a pleasant girl, but her constant attentions to Aragorn tried Legolas and Gimli's patience. More than once did Legolas's mind wander to Emerwen. He wondered what his father thought of her.
One evening he and Gimli were sitting outside near the hall, gazing out at the stars and the countryside.
"Did you have anyone you left behind, laddie?" Questioned Gimli.
"Aye. A beautiful maiden. She holds my heart but doesn't even know it." Legolas replied, looking out at the stars.
"Where is she?" Gimli asked, looking at his friend in surprise. He had never heard before this day about Legolas loving another.
"She is in my home, keeping my father company and out of trouble." Legolas replied with a little chuckle before continuing, "I love her dearly, but never had a chance to tell her before we left." He proceeded to describe her and tell all about her. Gimli's heart grew lighter at the thought that his friend would not be alone when this war ended.
Away in these spoken-of woods stood Emerwen. She seemed to look out over the balcony of the palace. She tilted her head towards the stars above and breathed in a breath of clean air. The woods of Mirkwood, though shadowy in parts, were still as fresh and clean as wood elves liked to have it. Even though she was not a wood elf, she enjoyed the closeness of the trees. They seemed to hold her protectively in their grasp where none could harm her. She gasped suddenly and felt her knees give way as an excruciating pain was felt in her head.
Thranduil walked out onto the front balcony. He could see Emerwen standing there, peacefully looking up at the stars, or so it would seem to any who looked at her. The moon fell down upon her making her glow like one of the Eldar. Her maid, Aranel, had mentioned in passing how much she looked like the Eldar. He was glad his son was blessed with her love. His brow furrowed and his pace quickened as he heard her gasp. He clutched her shoulders to look into her face after she knelt on the ground.
She blinked several times as her eyes flew around his face, searching for something. Her eyes widened as she reached out to touch him. She caught sight of her hand and drew it back towards herself, staring at her hands. She looked back up into his searching face and spoke.
"My king, your son is in danger." Emerwen stated in a worried tone.
"How can you see?" The king questioned.
"I think the Valar gifted this to me at this time so that I might help this world. It is in grave danger." She spoke hesitantly, growing more confident toward the end. Thranduil drew her up to stand with him. He searched her face one more time before he spoke.
"Come, we will assemble the councilors." He spoke quickly, having found what he searched for in her face. He began to walk quickly down the hall, linking her arm through his as he was accustomed to. He knew she would not lie to him, and especially not about this. She could now see! It was a miracle he thanked the Valar for throughout the next few weeks. She had a brilliant mind which could see many things even when she could not see physically. If she said the world and his son was in danger, then he would find all that he could do to prevent that danger from taking over.
The councilors took a bit longer to convince, but being king had its advantages. Thranduil had Emerwen attend the council, but in the corner where she usually observed. After a pause in the decisions he glanced at her. She opened her mouth to speak and then closed it. He beckoned her forward to face the council.
"My lords" She said with a curtsy, "Perhaps more people would be advisable to take along with this force you have created." She spoke of the elves they had listed to serve for the purpose of war. There were some who had to remain behind, but most of Mirkwood would be emptied.
"What other people are there?" A councilor spoke, confusion in his tone.
"There are the dwarves, my lord." Over the laughter and dismay she continued, "If this war is not stopped, if the powers of Mordor are not defeated, then all is lost. Mirkwood will be burnt, people will be enslaved. You cannot hide behind your debates and theories any longer. Despite the fact that they are dwarves, they are people who will help fight. And with this help Mordor may be stopped." Truth rang in her statements as silence echoed her words. She curtsied again to take her leave.
"I hope my lords to not mind to know that your dear prince has a best friend who is a dwarf" She spoke quietly, but for all to hear before slipping through the doorway. She would never know what happened after she left, but she knew her words would be acted on.
A messenger left and returned with the agreement of the dwarves. They would meet the elvish army in five days. Emerwen readied her supplies. She packed her knives and blade, before selecting a bow to work on. She practiced for the remaining days.
Aranel spent the evenings with her lady. They would go for walks under the trees, allowing Emerwen to enjoy the colors cast before her eyes. Emerwen marveled in the sights before her, realizing all that she had missed before. She was beginning to understand why her sight had been taken from her when she was in her mother's womb. She was more appreciative of everything now. She had been humbled in a way no other could humble her.
Now that her sight had been restored, Emerwen would help lead these noble elves and dwarves into battle. She only wished she could have seen Legolas before she went to her death in battle. She had only seen his face with her fingertips as she mapped it out in her mind. She wondered how he was and if he would regret her words creating his people to go to war.