Back again! This story is a lot of fun to write, and we're finally getting into the final stretch of it. Soon this story will be over, and the second will start. That one should finish this mini series. It'll be a lot of fun to write anyway. I hope you've enjoyed this story so far. This chapter won't have much action in it since it'll just be a chapter to decide whether or not they'll actually join the battle or not, and how they're going to do it. The chapter after this one will be the chapter where they challenge Sauron. Should be fun right? One death wish later and the story will end! I hope you're ready to see where this little adventure takes us!

Thanks to everyone for your amazing support! Maybe it's not the most popular story ever, but if you like it you can share the link and let your friends know.

Anyway thanks, and let's get on to the story!

Legolas really didn't feel like waking up. His arms still ached badly, as well as the many wounds the Morgal blades had given him. But as he stirred just slightly he heard a whine and felt a canine begin to rapidly lick his face over and over again. Legolas finally woke up and opened his eyes. He could see nothing other than the dark shape of Angrod who was laying beside him in the bed. No one else was in the room at all. With a wince Legolas smiled and reached up, patting the wolf's head. He supposed he'd been foolish to worry about dying. He should have known that his friends would never let him die, and he should have known that Gandalf's and Aragorn's combined strengths would have been able to save him.

"I am alright Mellon-nin," Legolas told Angrod. "Simply tired. The pain will leave soon enough. Come now, let us see the damage our friends have caused Minas Terith in our absence."

The elf felt rather cheerful. Yes, it was true that they were soon approaching the battle that would decide the fate of Middle Earth once and for all. But that didn't stop him from smiling. He had faced his own inner demons and won, and that was quite literally because his inner demon quite literally was a Wraith. He knew that the world could sense the coming battle, and he knew his people and his father would be waiting anxiously. He knew that they would be extremely worried. The last time they had heard anything of his fate had been in Lothlorien, and that seemed like a long time ago. He suddenly found himself making a vow to make what the old tree had told him in Fangorn Forest true. He would return, and he would bring light again to his people. He had been unable to for a long time, but now that he knew that he could conquer anything, he was prepared to do anything as well.

The wolf couldn't help but feel happy as well, though he still kept a close eye on the elf as the prince stood and turned towards the door. Angrod was satisfied though that the elf's strength had returned and leaped out in front of him to again lead him. The elf noted that his clothes had been changed. He couldn't see it, but the clothes were of a finer make than what he usually wore, but the rest of his clothes were being mended and laundered. The material was a deep navy blue color and the white tree of Gondor was on its breast. It looked too plain for the obviously regal elf, but it made him look even more handsome than he already was somehow, even more fair. His wounds had all been bandaged and well tended for.

The door opened and an older woman came bustling in. She quickly scolded the elf and told him to sit again as she looked at his wounds. The elf sat as he was told and let her pull off his shirt to look at the various wounds. She hummed to herself as she worked, checking the elf's wounds and then redressing them after adding various ointments that stopped the pain a little. She at last seemed to give the elf prince a critical eye.

"It will scar you know," she said. "These wounds on your arms. And they won't be easy to hide."

"I do not care," he replied with a smile. "Though the medicine of my people might have had the ability to keep it from scaring, I wouldn't have wanted the scars to disappear."

"As some sort of sick trophy for almost dying?" she tsked.

"No," he replied with a broader smile. "To remind myself. That I was strong enough. If I had not battled them we might have lost. I did it because we must all be willing to fight for what we believe in, and for those we must protect. To that end I would give my life. But it is also to remember that I was strong enough to face the darkness and no longer fear it. For me, that is something that I haven't been able to in many years."

"I will never understand men and their need to fight," she sighed. "But I wish you luck young one. We will all need it."

"Tell me," Legolas said politely as he pulled the shirt back on. "Where is the Fellowship of the Ring gathered?"

"In the throne room," she replied. "I can take you there if you would like."

"That will not be necessary," he replied. "I have a way to get there. Thank you for taking such good care of me, but I must go rejoin the battle again."

The woman said nothing but quickly bustled out of the room again to follow down her path of caring for the sick once again. Legolas again stood and followed Angrod as he led him out into the bustling streets. People were running back and forth, making their provisions and preparations for the final battle that they could all feel drawing near. Sauron's rage boiled over all of them like a plague coming from on high. Legolas prayed to the Valor that they would have the strength to stand against it. Soon the fate of the free peoples of Middle Earth would have to be decided.

The stubborn prince however was still in good spirits. He knew that things looked bad now, but he was willing to do anything to make sure that his friends had the best chance at survival. If that meant he had to die then he was fine with that. He'd made it farther than he'd ever thought possible. He'd already won his small little victory. If he survived to see Sauron fall then that would just be another. But even if he didn't, he was fine with just that victory.

He followed Angrod through the crowded streets, and he didn't have to be able to see to tell that people's head instantly snapped to watch him pass. It was almost like they were moths drawn to a flame. Many had never seen an elf before now, and fewer an elf of such grand and higher bearing. It would come as a surprise to many he was sure. But he ignored them and continued to follow Angrod on his way until at last they paused beside the ancient tree. Legolas paused by the white tree, laying a hand on its bark. As if waking from death, he could feel the ancient spirit stirring from within. He took it as a good sign that they would ultimately not fail, even if Legolas or any of the others fell in this final battle. If the tree of the kings once again lived then he knew they had nothing to fear.

Legolas and Angrod continued forward towards the huge building ahead. The guards that stood just outside were surprised to see him, but they moved aside with no complaint to let him in. They all knew of the strange wraith elf of the Fellowship of the Ring, and the strength of heart he had shown in the battle for Minas Terith, facing against two Ring Wraiths and scattering those that were left besides the king of the Ring Wraiths which had been defeated by a woman and a hobbit. The elf walked straight up to the doors unhindered, which were swung open by two of the six guards to allow him entry.

Inside the Fellowship had been talking, and they all paused in surprise to hear the door opened. They had ordered that no one bother them, so they couldn't imagine who it could be until the elf walked in with his kindly smile and the door was closed again. The Fellowship quickly went to greet their elf friend, though he could easily hear the worry and anxiety in their voices as Angrod padded off to lay and listen to the meeting as it took place.

"You should be resting my friend," Aragorn told him. "This battle has gone far enough for you. I don't think we can risk your safety anymore."

"He's right lad," Gimli told him. "You nearly died then. Eomer blamed himself for it too. He and several of the men of Rohan left earlier today to give Theoden a proper burial, and we'd rather not have to do the same for you."

"And you expect me to sit here?" he asked with a mischievous smile. "I could not. And I will not. I will be joining you in battle as well."

"What?" Pippin gasped. "But you can't!"

"This isn't just about winning or losing now," Merry said in a rather serious tone. "It's about your life. What if you go out there and die? What then?"

"Then I will die," the elf replied, still in an oddly good mood. "It is as simple as that."

"Your presence on the battlefield will not cause that much of a difference," Aragorn said quietly. "We would not want to lose you so soon."

"But I have fought in many wars Aragorn," Legolas replied. "Many more than you. I know that the presence of one soldier can be the difference between victory and defeat."

"Against the army of Sauron?" Aragorn asked. "It would only bring us more heartbreak. Stay here my friend."

"I think," Gandalf said, speaking at last. "That it is quite obvious. Legolas will not be left behind. You heard him described once as a stallion correct? Well mannerly yes, but also fiery and restive. That is why Arod and Legolas are so much the same. Legolas will be coming with us to this battle whether you like it or not. But even I fear that it may not be enough."

They all fell silent and turned to look at the wizard. Legolas couldn't see him, but he could tell by his tone of voice and the way that he was moving that he was deeply troubled about something. No one said anything for a long while, but at last the elf broke the silence, stepping forward.

"It is Sam and Frodo," he said quietly.

"Yes," Gandalf replied. "I've sent them to their doom."

"All is not yet lost Mithrandir," Legolas said, looking as directly at the wizard as he could.

"Sauron's anger will grow," Aragorn pointed out.

"And?" Gimli countered. "Why should we care? Let him stay there and rot."

"Because ten thousand battle ready orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom," Gandalf said, again sounding depressed.

There was silence suddenly at this reply. They all knew that it would pretty much be impossible to survive another attack against an army like that. True, they had survived one, but they would not survive a second. Yet they knew too that they couldn't just give up and roll over. So many people were counting on them to help them, to give them the strength they needed to survive. They weren't even sure that they had the strength that they needed to stay alive. Legolas could sense the unease in the air, and at last he looked up.

"Hope is not yet lost," Legolas repeated, unsure what else to say. He didn't need to though. His calm and steady voice seemed to give them courage.

"What can we do?" Pippin asked.

"We can draw out his army and draw his eye," Aragorn suddenly said in inspiration, seeming much more like a king than he ever had before, a natural leader. "Keep him blind to all else that moves."

"A diversion," Legolas said with a grim understanding.

It was if speaking those two words had sealed the Fellowship's fate. Their fate had always been sealed to that of the One Ring. Their path would have led them to Mordor whether they went with Frodo into its slope or not. They had joined this quest expecting to die at every turn. Yet thinking that it might soon be time to do so made them all pause. They all thought of their friends in the Fellowship, the strong bond that had been forged through all of the pain and heartache they had been forced to endure, and also the happiness these dark times and ill fated journey had brought upon them. As odd as it was, it had brought so much joy to them. They had all expected to die.

There was a rather long stretch of silence. Each was wondering if they had the strength in their heart to face the army of Sauron. They had already done more than should have been possible by any mortal or immortal creature. Yet as they looked at the already made up faces of the others, they knew they would. They had been called to be the heroes their races needed, to come out of the cracks of history and take up the sword against darkness once again. The world needed heroes now, not scared warriors. They all nodded to themselves, and then Gimli chuckled in a grim sort of way.

"Certainty of death," he said. "Small chance of success? What are we waiting for?"

They all smiled at the dwarf's response, but it was the same that they were all feeling. They weren't doing this because they felt like they had no choice, though that was certainly true. They were doing it because they felt like they needed to. All had small victories that they needed to win by doing this, even if it would cost them their lives. It was as Legolas said. If they died then it was as simple as that. There was no heroes death except in stories, no remembrance except by the winners. If the Fellowship was going to be completely ripped apart today, then they would face that gladly if it meant that Sauron fell and light returned. Seeing everyone's minds made up, Aragorn couldn't help but feel proud of all of them.

"Well then," he said. "I had best go and prepare the men. It will be a long journey, but a necessary one."

Then the man paused and laid his hand on Legola's shoulder. The others all came forward as well, looking at the man and waiting for what he was going to say. Aragorn laid his hand on Merry's shoulder as well, and he looked around at everyone in the circle.

"This may be our last journey," Aragorn said. "The last ride of the Fellowship of the Ring. Let's make it one to remember. We will not fear. We will not back down. Together we are powerful, and we must use all of our power. Boromir's strength, Sam's loyalty, Frodo's pure heart, Merry's cunning, Pippin's innocence, Gimil's sturdiness, Gandalf's leadership, my sword and whatever strength is left in my line, and Legolas' light. At times we have been the worst of our races, and at other times the best. But now in this darkest of hours we must be united. We must not represent our own races, but the Fellowship as a whole. We must represent all of Middle Earth. Today we will show Sauron that the people of Middle Earth will not bow to him. We will not be lambs led to the slaughter and we will not suffer his reign. Together we will be the best our world has to offer. Now, we can only do our best to make sure that it is more than the worst that his world has to give."

"Well said Aragorn," Gandalf said. "Well said indeed. Against more power than any of us could hope to face alone, that's all we can do. And that's what we will do. That was the destiny we all chose by agreeing to come on this quest. So be strong now. Do not fear it."

They all nodded, even Legolas, though he couldn't see the others do the same. He didn't have to though. He could feel it in the air, the same determination that had brought them all together. Aragorn's hand remained on the elf's shoulder for a long moment as he turned to look at his blind friend. Then he smiled a little, knowing he couldn't see it, but also that he refused to stay behind.

"You will ride in the front with me," he said. "All of you. We will take our horses. If we are to die in battle, then we will die like captains. It will be the strangest army to ever face the walls of Mordor, one where ever race is present. Perhaps it will be the smallest, and people will remember us as foolish. But I would not ride out to my doom without all of you there with me. That will be the final test of our friendship. And I know it will not fail."

With one final smile at all of them, Aragorn turned and swept out of the room. Even without seeing him, Legolas knew that there was something different in his step. It wasn't more confident or more commanding, only more regal. It was more kingly. Legolas knew in his heart that Aragorn wouldn't die today. He wasn't entirely sure how he knew, but he did. Gondor had needed its king, and now he had it. The kings of old had returned in a way, and the line had been reforged with that sword. Legolas felt a small smile tug on his lips as the others rushed past him as well.

All except one. He heard the dwarf long before he coughed to clear his throat to politely get the elf's attention. Legolas turned his head towards the dwarf, once again not quite meeting his eyes. The dwarf hardly minded though as he looked up at his friend. The dwarf suddenly was thinking about how fair the elf seemed, and how unfair it was that he had been thrust into such darkness. Legolas said nothing, allowing Gimli to think on what he wanted to say. At last the dwarf sighed.

"I wish you would stay behind lad," the dwarf said. "I know you won't, but I wish you would."

"So you could run off and get yourself killed?" the elf asked, both somber and a little playfully. "I think not. If anyone has the right to kill you it would be me, master dwarf."

"Aye," the dwarf said, unable to keep a small smile from appearing on his face. "I think you of all people have earned the right. But I can't help but worry for you lad."

"You fear to lose me," Legolas said with a nod. "You said so before. But as I also said, if we must die in this battle, then it is better to all die together. Perhaps some will survive. Those that do not will not be forgotten then. We would go to join Boromir and live in the halls of our fathers. I do not think that would be so bad. Boromir perhaps needs the company."

"Maybe he does lad," the dwarf said, smiling sadly at the memory of the man. "Yet I don't think he'd want to see us throw away our lives. Yes lad, I fear to lose you. I think many people do, even if they don't speak those words aloud to you. I'd want to see you return home to your people, and to see your father again. But I don't think I'd know what to do if you died. You should live a much longer life after all. You're immortal, unlike me. It just doesn't seem right."

Legolas said nothing for a while, pondering the words of the dwarf. The last time he had spoken to a dwarf before Gimli had been during the Battle of the Five Armies. Already that had been a long time ago, though to elves it wasn't quite so long as others. Yes, perhaps he was immortal. But he had seen his fair share of death, and the darkness of it no longer scared him. Legolas reached out and laid a hand on the dwarf's shoulder.

"Yes, I am immortal," the Prince said. "But I fight because of it. Because I too know darkness. If I were to turn away now and ignore those who were not, then what would that make me? I fight for those who live shorter lives than me because I understand their fear of death like none other of my kind does. I fight so that they may live. That is why you should not fear for me. All things must come to an end Mellon-nin, even those who live forever." (My friend).

The dwarf looked up at his friend, feeling sorrow welling up into his spirit. He couldn't quite explain it, but he could feel it all the same. Still, he also knew he was proud of the elf. He had been more than what the dwarf had expected, and apparently also loyal to a fault. He laid his hand on the elf's arm, and though he tried to hide it, he knew the elf could hear when he fought back the sorrowful heaves, trying to keep tears from falling.

"Aye lad," he said. "All things must end. And it seems like yours will come soon if you follow this path. This certainly seems certain to be your last battle. Sauron's darkness is too powerful. If you survive then it'll be a miracle."

"All the same Mellon-nin," the elf said. "I will fight with you. It may be my last battle, but it may also be yours. We will face it together. That is all we can do isn't it? I have fought many battles before, but this will be my greatest. I would rather die here knowing I might have made a difference, than hide away and hope the darkness would pass. But of all those of the Fellowship, I think you will be the one I miss most when I pass from this world." (My friend).

"Aye lad," the dwarf said with a small smile. "And you will be the one I miss most."

"Come then," the elf said with a smile. "The others are waiting. Let it not be said that we chatted the day away when there was work to be done."

The dwarf turned and followed the elf as Angrod stood to lead the elf back into the hustle and bustle of the activity. They said nothing else, but they felt they didn't have to. It was likely that one or both of them was going to die soon. But they felt like their friendship would stand the test of whatever the Black Gates had to throw at them, even if neither of them were alive at the end of it to see what became of the land they had fought so hard to protect.

And that's the end of this chapter. Chapter 23 will find our heroes at the Black Gates facing the hordes of Mordor. Legolas will get into more trouble, again, and then we'll transition into the final phase of our story. That will involve seeing Legolas return home and bringing the elves to come and see Aragorn get crowned king and then the story will kind of coast to a close after that.

Then we'll get to the sequel which won't really follow canon at all, because let's be honest we finished the story in this story. What canon is really that left? Hope you'll stick around to see that too.