Chapter 23

A Reason to Survive

We found a storeroom and I pushed him inside. My lips connected with his and he snaked his arms around my waist. His tongue grazed my bottom lip and he pressed himself against me. I smiled and denied him to further deepen the kiss. He pulled back and rested his forehead against mine.

"~We have precious time. Yet if you wish to play this little game with me love….I have more then enough reasons to survive this war.~" He murmured.

I smiled and he kissed my neck. I gasped and tangled my fingers in his soft blond hair. I brought his lips to mine and his tongue invaded my mouth. I moaned and so did he. Of course this was interrupted by sound of someone calling for my father. I groaned and pulled away.

"Eowyn."

I rushed outside with Legolas and found her standing before my father.

"I am to be sent with the women into the caves."

"That is an honorable charge."

"To mind the children and find food and bedding for when the men return."

"My lady a time will come for valor without renown. Who then will your people look to in their last defense."

She stepped forward, a little too close to father.

"Let me stand at your side."

I tensed a little.

"It is not in my power to command it."

He walked past her and towards Legolas and I when Eowyn spoke again.

"You do not command the others to stay!" father turned and looked at her. "They stand beside you because they would not be parted from you! Because they love you!"

Oh no, no, no, no, no, no, NO!

"I am sorry." She said.

She turned and ran. I sighed but did not pursue her. Father walked away and I followed.

"~Ada if you continue to be so calm with her….~"

"~Gilraen do you believe I do not know what she seeks from me? I know.~"

He walked off and left me there alone. I sighed, I knew he missed mother and it pained him greatly to have said what he did to her and leave. I found Legolas and he smiled at me. I gave him a small smile and he sat me down.

"~What troubles you love?~"

"~My naneth.~" I said.

He nodded and pulled me closer to him.

"~I know…..it will all be over soon enough and then we shall return and you shall see her again.~"

I nodded and kissed him. I rested my head on his chest, and closed my eyes.

"~What of your father?~" I asked softly.

"~He awaits my return in Mirkwood. Yet when I return…..I hope I shall not return alone.~"

I smiled and looked up at him. He smiled.

"~You will never be alone ever again.~" I promised.

He kissed me and then we went to the armory. Théoden had ordered every man and strong young boy able to fight to be ready for battle by nightfall. I saw the faces of young boys who could be no older then 6 or 7 years of age. My father picked up a sword and examined it, then threw it down again.

"Farmers, ferried, stable boys….these are no soldiers." father said.

I nodded and looked around.

"Most have seen too many winters." Gimli commented.

"Or too few." added Legolas.

Father nodded.

"Look at them! They are frightened I can see it in their eyes." Legolas said.

Now all the men in the armory turned and looked at him.

"Boe a hyn: neled herain dan caer menig!"

"Legolas that is enough." I said.

"Si beriathar hyn ammaeg na ned Edoras."

"Legolas stop….."

"Aragorn, nedin dagor hen ú-'erir... ortheri. Natha daged dhaer!"

"LEGOLAS!"

"Then I shall die as one of them!" Father snapped.

He looked at Legolas for a few seconds before walking away. He looked at me apologetically. I looked at him seriously.

"I too shall die with these men if it should come to it."

"Gilraen…."

I walked off before he could say anymore. I found my father by the steps of the keep.

"Ada?"

"I heard your words. You shall not die Gilraen! If your mother lost us both…"

I put my arms around him.

"~She shall not lose either of us.~" I whispered.

"~Gilraen such a promise cannot be made.~"

I pulled back and smiled at him.

"~Yes it can father. It gives one a reason to survive. There is still hope.~"

He smiled and moved my hair from my face.

"~Ever you amaze me my daughter.~"

I smiled and winked. A young boy looked over while waiting to have his sword sharpened.

"Give me your sword." father said.

The boy walked over and father took the sword.

"What is your name?"

"Haleth, son of Hama my lord. The men are saying that we will not give out the night. They say that it is hopeless."

I looked down. Father however stood up and swung the sword around.

"This is a good sword. Haleth son of Hama." he gave the boy the sword.

He looked up and he put his hand on his shoulder.

"There is always hope." he said.

I smiled and then my father and I went to the armory. I did not wear chain mail. It weighed me down and I was unable to move as swiftly as I could without it. Legolas appeared and held out father's sword to him.

"You have led us this far and you have not led us astray. Forgive me, I was wrong to despair."

"U-moe edaved Legolas."

I smiled and threw my arms around Legolas.

"I love you."

"Le melon."

I smiled and then in came Gimli struggling with a chain mail shirt.

"If we had time I would get this adjusted." He mumbled.

He let it fall to the floor and I laughed.

"It is a little tight across the chest." He said.

This caused me to laugh harder. Gimli scowled at me and then there was the sound of a horn call.

"That is no orc horn!" said Legolas.

We rushed outside and there before us was a host of elves. They bore the banner of Lothlorien and I smiled. I saw Haldir speaking with Théoden.

"…..We come to honor that allegiance."

Father went down to him smiling.

"Mae govannen Haldir!"

He embraced him and then stepped back and I threw my arms around him. Legolas greeted him and then all the elves turned and faced him.

"We are proud to fight alongside men once more."

I smiled. Just before Legolas and I went to our appointed battle posts he pulled me aside and kissed me. When we separated I smiled.

"You are my reason to survive this battle Gilraen." He whispered.

I smiled and we left to the Deeping wall.

*There is nothing to forgive.

*Well met Haldir.