A/N: Okay, okay, I know...this chapter is really short. But I'm just ending it were it kind of makes sense, and this is the end of Two Towers...so we have only one more book left! And since Return of the King mainly focuses more on Frodo and Sam, and then Gandalf and Pippin when they go to Minas Tirith...that leaves little of Legolas and Anariel. So there's probably five or so more chapters to this story all together...but until then...let's continue...

Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 14

Anariel listened to the armies batter the door and run amuck outside the hall. She didn't know what she was waiting for. They needed help. Where was Gandalf? Had he not been able to find Eomer?

"The fortress is taken," Théoden said defeated. "It is over."

Anariel glared at him. He was sure showing his leading abilities. Anariel lived by many rules, but one that she always tried to stay true to was to never give up. She watched as Legolas and Aragorn carried a table to shore up the door of the hall.

"You said that this fortress would never fall while your men defended it!" Aragorn entreated. "They still defend it! They have died defending it!"

Théoden said nothing and Anariel grew impatient with his growing uselessness. "Is there no way for the women and children out of the caves?" she asked and when she received no answer she huffed in frustration. "Is there no other way?" she asked more forcefully.

"There is one passage," Théoden began. "It leads into the mountains, but they will not get far. The Uruk-hai are too many," the king said before looking at her closely. "Are you going with them?"

Anariel's eyes immediately darted to Legolas who she saw was subtly eavesdropping. "My place is here," Anariel said firmly.

Théoden looked from her to Legolas before he sighed, "So be it."

"Send word for the women and children to make for the mountain pass," Aragorn ordered and a guard immediately left the room.

"So much death," Théoden whispered. "What can men do against such reckless hate?"

Aragorn paused before looking determinedly into Théoden's eyes. "Ride out with me. Ride out and meet them."

Anariel had slipped over to where Legolas stood against the wall. She saw the look in his eyes. He wanted her to go with the others. Don't you dare try and convince me to leave.

I wasn't. You'd ignore me. Legolas admitted sighing.

Good. I'm glad it's settled. Anariel smiled up at him. Don't worry. She added softly.

"The sun is rising," Gimli said looking out the window.

Anariel looked out the window and watched the streaks of orange begin to peek over the mountains. Gandalf's words ran through her mind, "Look for my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east."

Anariel left Legolas and climbed into the saddle of a horse as Gimli ran and blew the horn of Helm Hammerhand. Legolas rode up beside her and they shared a look.

"Legolas, I need to ask a favor," Anariel said seriously.

"Anything," Legolas answered.

"Don't die," Anariel smiled.

Legolas grinned, but he nodded. "I promise as long as you promise the same."

Anariel laughed, "Deal."

The gates opened and Théoden charged out of them, felling every orc he passed. Aragorn, Anariel, and Legolas were quick to follow. The orcs were taken off guard and many died before they had their sword raised. Quickly, the causeway was cleared.

Anariel looked up to the east and saw a white rider on the horizon. "Gandalf," she whispered smiling. She could also see Eomer beside him. Right as the sun peaked over the ridge, Gandalf and Eomer led a charge. They galloped down the hill with the Rohirrim behind them.

The orcs raised their spears, prepared to face the new arrivals, but they were blinded by the sun. They dropped their weapons and were quickly cut down by Gandalf and the Rohirrim. Anariel fought with renewed vigor, slashing orcs left and right. Legolas had fired all of his arrows and now was wielding his knives with deadly accuracy.

Soon, the orcs were falling back. They had been completely overcome and were fleeing. "Victory! We have victory!" Theoden cried raising his sword in the air.

Anariel rode up beside Legolas and smiled. "You kept your promise."

"As did you," Legolas answered as he took her hand.

They walked through the dead and found Gimli sitting on a dead orc, his axe in the being's head. He was smoking his pipe, looking all together happy with himself. Anariel noticed how Legolas pulled his shoulders back a little and approached the dwarf. He let go of Anariel's hand and began to fiddle with his bow casually.

"Final count...forty-two," Legolas said confidently.

"Forty-two?" Gimli repeated shocked. "Oh, that's not bad for a pointy eared Elvish Princeling." Anariel giggled as Legolas looked up confused by the dwarf's tone. Gimli continued, "I myself am sitting pretty on forty-three."

Immediately, Legolas drew an arrow and fired it between Gimli's legs into the orc that the dwarf sat on. Gimli looked up shocked. Anariel simply shook her head.

"Forty-three," Legolas smirked.

"He was already dead."

"He was twitching."

"He was twitching? Cause he's got my axe embedded in his nervous system!" Gimli exclaimed, shaking his axe for emphasis.

Anariel had had enough. "Both of you lost!" she said smugly.

"What?" Legolas asked confused.

"I myself am sitting pretty on forty-six," Anariel grinned before walking away from the them and back into the keep.

Of course Anariel won! lol...Anyway, on to the Return of the King...

Please review,

ArthursCamelot