Chapter 20

It would seem a few tossed aside differences when seeing her fall under the wizard's conjuring, men and elf moved to grab the lady and Legolas began to abandon Elrond's healing to gather her before she hit the ground but Gimli ran under her then cast a surprising look as he had her in his arms. "She is very light," Gimli's wide eyes looked at an amused Legolas. Gimli let Elrond take her from him easily but still looked at her curiously. "She's smaller than most elves, is she part dwarf?"

Legolas chuckled, "then should wouldn't be so light." He was about to continue his banter but his attention was caught by Aragorn's angry stare as he moved to Manveru. His brow wrinkled as Elrond applied a salve but his regard was on Aragorn. Gimli slowly brought Arri over to Elrond as the lord looked into his arms. He looked at her still closed eyes as he gently took her from him and placed her on the floor beside him but something caused Elrond to pause. Settling her in he seemed taken aback and cast his eyes up to Legolas' now worried face but gave the younger elf a smile, then he was back to task. Work as he could but Elvish lord looked like a blind man that finally had sight as he looked to Legolas and gave him a slight smile, leaving Legolas to wonder what secret he held.

Aragorn marched right up to meet Manveru's eyes and he did not waiver even as Arwen ran to them with the children following her as if baby chicks. "Do you think us fools to not understand or too blind to see?" Aragorn hissed, "I know what you did...". Gesturing to Arri's sleeping form he felt his rage arise not only because she was his friend's mate but because of the battle he saw her engage had won his respect on the field again, and for their sakes. It was quite odd to see she was truly trained to not only protect herself but could be a warrior with a style and grace he had not even seen among many elves but never had she been enlisted to battle, truly only a few he had seen would surpass her.

Manveru kept his innocent gaze and holding now empty hands as if to prove they were clean of abetting, "I did nothing!" Meeting each face or the crowd as if to lull the others into his ploy of sinlessness. Yet, what he found was it only took the word of Aragorn and Legolas was moving to him with angry tidings.

"Just as you did not cast your spell on me earlier?" Legolas said through gritted teeth but Aragorn held his hand up to Legolas to keep him from coming closer.

"Spells cast upon those that would help you?" Aragorn raised an eyebrow trying to calm himself, "How should it be that you attack Arri when she fought in your very stead?" he gestured to Giles, "Shall it seem no sword fits this witless worm's hand?"

"And battle she should since she delivered this upon us!" Manveru squinted his eyes as they fell to Eosin as another Elf attempted to clean his body, "Just is just in a kingdom of men, not elves," He snorted. "Elves are bad luck!"

Drawing a deep breath to calm himself as he began to turn from Manveru. Knowing he did not want to falter in front of the people but then heard the man chuckle as he turned to leave him to his own misery, it was then Aragorn lost his temper. He cocked his arm back for a full strike and released it with all his pent rage in a powerful blow on Manveru's jaw.

For all and sundry fell quiet as Aragorn struck sending him back and stumbling with the loud sound of bones snapping. Elves and men stood their ground watching the events, as Manveru was hit quickly and swiftly.

Yet, Gimli chuckled watching the spit fly from the wizard's mouth as Manveru fell to the ground on his knees. "Yes!" Gimli shouted delighted with seeing the wizard fall.

"That," he nearly spat at the wizard, "was a blow from another man!" Aragorn said feeling a little relieved. "Not from an elf but another man." Moving away from the wizard he turned his back not wanting to lay eye on him but it was then Manveru grasped his sore jaw with thought of vengeance and produced a small vile from his long robes. Before it could fall and burst apart at Aragorn's feet, Legolas dove forward letting it fall gently in his hand before it hit the ground. Immediately regretting that he had acted without thinking as his shoulder throbbed now but Aragorn cast him a grateful look while he pulled him to his feet.

Gathering himself with weary with the day's events, Gandalf walked to them with an unhappy look, "Shall it be need help to stay your wretched hand? Shall we be remiss to sit idly by as you inflict harm to those who might save Loredell?" Aine slowly made it by his side looking worn from the waged war and her lovely dress was tainted with splashes of orc blood as if proof of her aid to Loredell. Still she held a blood stained sword in hand beside Gandalf with no word but full resolve to fight along him. "Why did you cast spells on Legolas, Aine and Arri?"

Hauling to his feet as rapidly as possible Manveru weakly took hold of his staff when he saw Gandalf clenching his own. Letting no word fall between them he cast his staff out letting only a bright flash to be seen by onlookers. All that could be seen could be the red gash across Gandalf's white robe on his chest and he flew back roughly skidding on the ground.

Hastily moving from Elrond Legolas pulled Aine from going Gandalf's side and getting her out of the way, "A wizard's duel is not for us."

Arwen ushered the children into the castle towards her father who stood in tandem with the people who had sense stood back to the shelter from this ominous threat. Soon enough those who tally began to push into the castle with them as they watched the two wizard's head off.

Tossing his arms up to have their attention Giles growled as he spoke in pure hate now, "Gandalf's attack is the same as an attack on Loredell." He smiled regaining his composure as he looked to Legolas, "Gather you wife and your wounded and leave." Then he did look to the people from the village who hid among the walls vying for their approval. Exchanging very curious stares they did not seem to nod in agreement, yet even the guards seemed dubious.

Eliza moved to Giles with her big pleading eyes, "they saved me!" Her lip quivered and she looked up at the would be king from under eyelashes as if scared to turn up her entire head to him. "They saved my mommy and daddy too."

Giles lost his temper with the pathetic creature sniveling at him as he bent back his arm and he let his hand fly against the child's face sending the child sprawling from him. Eliza fell into her mother and her doll flew out of her arms in a waterfall of tears now. Arwen was the first to move as she picked the doll up then stood between Giles and the child daring him to touch her or her mother.

Aragorn and Legolas moved to Giles, man and elf both with venom in their eyes but Aragorn nodded to Legolas to step down determined not soil the elves to the people and to deal with it man to man, "How should this be the action of any king, Sir?"

"Loredell and I wish for you and your company to leave," Giles laughed.

"No!" came the words from a woman's voice. Eliza's mother stood and spoke in a clear voice, "they have done more among the village than you ever have." She held Eliza to her as she stood next to Arwen, as if not to show fear of the elves but to stand by them.

"A woman's voice cannot be heard by my ears," He smiled.

Joining her was her husband that stood tall on the other side of Arwen, "Where were you during the attack?" He narrowed his eyes at Giles. He looked to Arri who had been lain on the floor as Elrond attended to other's injured. "I did see her and them," he pointed to Legolas, Arwen and the rest, "fighting by us as you hid."

Many began to murmur, "Should you rule us as a cat's mice or would you fight beside us as one kingdom united?" He said quickly and looked to Legolas, "if our king should be an elf, so be it."

"So you would have the she-elf on the throne?" Giles was flabbergasted.

Chants of the people calling their approval upset Giles but he kept his calm, "What of the prophecy?" He was now screaming back at them angrily.

"You would strike a child?" Eliza's mom hissed, "what kind of King would you be?"

Gasping was heard and all turned to see Gandalf and Manveru manipulating the other with invisible attackers. Both were tossed back by unseen blows from their staffs but Gandalf had managed to draw Manveru outside to lessen the chance of striking a bystander. Worn and tired but Gandalf's attacks were still far stronger than that of Manveru and as testament it was quite easy to see all the blood through tears of evil wizard's robes.

Giles could see he was losing this battle but wanted to take the war, "If you want an Elf on the throne it shall be done."

Legolas looked to Aragorn and said cautiously, "Perchance she would if your wizard had not enchanted her this day." Both wondered what trickery this was but kept silent for fear of their tongues twisted by the unwholly man. Legolas went to her and knelt to take her hand, "she will want to mourn her friend as well."

"Tomorrow then," Aragorn smiled at the idea and the people's rally for the elves.

What stopped they both when saw Jared running with an injured elf in his arms and out of breath as he looked straight away for Elrond. Elrond let Arwen take over bandaging a child's cut hand and looked at the grave elf in Jared's arms. Slowly he began to look at the injury seeing hasty paste that was already applied made of king's foil and he looked again to Jared with a curious stare. "Where was it this fallen warrior gathered help?" He nearly demanded of Jared now.

"I only knew a bit, Lord Elrond," he said slowly. "I feared had I not he would not breath long enough to get proper help from you," worry tainted his face hoping he had not made things worse for the ebony haired elf.

Elrond smiled with naught a word as everybody looked on expectantly. Then he raised his hand to his chest with a slight bow of his head, "Well met, swordsman..." It seemed that a bridge had been built between man and elf as seemingly all exhaled now. Then the elf lord raised a brow at him, impressed by the man. It was then he noticed the scarlet slash across his back and gestured for him to sit now.

Instead he shook his head, "there are other elves out there." He bowed his head returning the honor to Elrond the turned on his heel racing off. Legolas and Aragorn ran after him as Legolas sprinted passed them easily.

Jared's mouth dropped watching Legolas' agility and speed in pure awe. Aragorn would have shut his jaw if there were no hurry but instead he simply said, "you will get used to it."

Gandalf could see something from the corner of his eye and he knew it to be a human and he moved closer to the other attack wizard to help keep them safe by putting himself in harm's way. He could hear Jared's cry behind him as he heard him fly back being struck by the Manveru.

Aragorn, Legolas followed Jared only to see two dark haired elves by him in a heap and one on top of him as if he had tried to carry him out. Legolas pulled the elf off Jared only to see the familiar face as his eyes fluttered open briefly and he felt for a pulse. He shook his head, "Elladan?" He looked back and Aragorn who's pulse raced now in fright.

"He lives but needs help," Legolas grunted with his own injury to get Elladan to help.

Aragorn confirmed his fear with a cry seeing the other elf, "Elrohir?" He tried to get a response then traded worried looks with Legolas knowing all too well the twin sons of Elrond had been struck down. Aragorn found Elrohir's pulse as he turned to see Eliza's father and a few other men offering their assistance and he smiled as he and Aragorn looked at Jared.

Jared groaned and pushed stray hair from his eyes as he looked to them, "I am alive." He passed Aragorn the satchel he had that held water, bandages, king's foil, salves, pastes and other supplies. Aragorn stared at it for a moment before snatching the salve for Elrohir then tossing it to Legolas to repeat.

After bandaging them Aragorn nodded pushing his shoulder under Elrohir's armpit and pulling him to his feet. Eliza's father offered his hands to Legolas to help with but looking at Legolas's injury with a shake of his head, very slowly they both carried the injured elf.

Aragorn nodded in agreement tossing Legolas a discarded shield. Legolas held the shield to them as a barrier as they headed them to the castle as the trudged their way.

Jared took the idea having seen Legolas's agility and threw another shield to the ground before Legolas' feet. "your ride, sire!"

Legolas tossed the other shield to Eliza's father to block attacks supporting Elladan as they both jumped the shield, nearly catapulting to the safety of the castle.

Chuckling Aragorn knew that skill may be beyond him but would try all to get Elrohir aid fast. He tossed Jared the other shield and nodded to him and both men jumped the grounded shield. They both screamed not accounting for the difference of Legolas' weight as they crashed into the men awaiting them. All Aragorn could offer in reply, "it had been Jared's idea..."

Jared could only raise his head with a smile to be alive then found the dark blanket of sleep taking him over now.

They all recognized the twin sons of Elrond and moved swiftly but it was Elrond himself to lift Jared to a place beside his sons. Meeting Eliza's father's face he nodded to him, "Perhaps hopes of peace are not lost on some men." Then he gave him a nod of gratitude as he busied himself with the last of the injured.

Pounding down his staff a weary Gandalf's voice boomed through the corridors, "You have failed!" The wizard stood proudly looking directly at Manveru.

Manveru growled as he began chanting at Gandalf and threw his staff to the ground emitting a bright white light from it and creeping along the dirt to Gandalf's feet. Gandalf countered with a brilliant light that clashed leaving everyone watching to squeeze their eyes shut against the glare and the strength of it.

Blinking they all opened eyes slowly looking for the wizards, Eliza was the first to speak at the absence of both wizards, "Where'd they go?" She tugged on Aragorn's sleeve and he looked down wordlessly.

"Their battle has gone to another place now and it is not a place we might go," Elrond said simply hoping for the best. He had never thought it would go this far between wizards and he now knew Arri would have to wake from Manveru's spell on her own.

"We should begin to ready for the coronation after we help the injured." Arwen sighed looking at her brothers sleeping faces.

Legolas could see the contempt in Giles eyes as he looked to Arri and Legolas made his way to her protectively standing by her again as if daring Giles to touch her.

Aragorn went to Legolas who looked as he would attempt to take her away on his own and lifted her, "she will need rest." He looked to Legolas who was also still clad in his ceremonial garments and exhaled, "you will need to heal as well."

Legolas nodded as they brought her from the other room and they began to file out slowly and Gimli's face lit up, "Good sense these people, they can smell a rat." He chuckled as he went into the courtyard looking for clue to Gandalf's where about.

Aine had busied herself helping the others with Arwen and Elrond as Jared began to mumble in his sleep of Prince Jareth and Prince William in very hushed tones. Soon the injured were given the comfortable beds of the castle much to Giles dismay.

Arri woke feeling an evening breeze on her and she was in a bed and realized she was not alone and found Aine standing by her looking pleased. Arri blinked her eyes from the sleep and sat up slowly looking around, "Legolas?"

"Elrond made him wait in your room," Aine smiled. "He has been here with Arwen the whole time and he needs to rest too."

"And Eosin," Arri looked pleadingly but at the mention of Eosin's name Aine lowered her eyes. Arri tossed her legs over the bed and pushed the covers aside with a look of determination.

Aine sighed, "Shall I get one of the men to help you to the room?"

Arri shook her head reaching for her cloak, "I need to see Eosin first." She looked at the floor and started out with shaky legs.

Aine sighed at the headstrong girl and looked out the window and the people who were cleaning and preparing for a coronation. They would not bury the dead until Eosin and the other fallen elves could be taken back to Rivendell, out of respect. Aine and Elrond had agreed readily assuring them he would be home with in a day or two.

Watching the little girl who had been in the castle from a distance with a smile as the child was asking question after question and looking at everything she could with both parents trying to keep up with her. She remembered Arri being as inquisitive once but silently wondered if Arri would ever recall it.

Legolas felt the breeze move his hair slightly as he bent over the young elfling who held the bow nearly as skillfully as Legolas could. He stayed at eye level with the youth and his smaller bow but a small grin played at his lips knowing elfling would strike his target.

Sure enough the little elf pulled the string back letting the arrow fly strong and he took a deep breath holding it as he waited with baited breath to see where it struck but he squeezed his eyes shut listening to Legolas's chuckle.

"Let your breath go and open your eyes," Legolas instructed standing up and trying not to laughter take over their lesson.

The little elf did and looked up to the target to see he struck a dead bull's eye and looked up to Legolas smiling. "I did it, father."

Legolas nodded at the elf who stood waist high to him with a beaming smile and he began to pull another arrow into the bow as Legolas watched. Once again Legolas knelt down to him feeling a calm spring breeze blow their hair slightly. The young elf's straight long hair and eyes resembled Legolas's and was the very image of the taller elf down to the point of his ears. Legolas was proud but did not want it to throw his teaching to his son and kept his smile private but could never get over the pure joy of just casting his gaze on the small elf. The one thing the elfling did have that Legolas did not was the one thing Arri gave him, the sparkle in his eyes and how they dance or sparked with excitement.

The young elf pulled the string back but heard a coo-ing sound last minute and the arrow went astray hitting the ground and he looked up to Legolas with a roll of the eyes as they turned. Legolas knew without a doubt it was Arri as did the elf who seemed happy to see his mother just not the small bundle in her arms.

He tumbled up to his mother and hugged her waist but raised a brow looking at the child she held, "Mother did you have to bring her too?" He pouted slightly but Legolas loved to the trio as his heart jumped slightly at the sight of Arri and the small bundle she held.

He caught his breath thinking she how lovely she was as the breeze caught her curls. Then wind pushed the shawl she had draped around the Elvish baby and it blew around Arri's knees now. Legolas realized he was staring and made his way to her touching her face lightly as he brushed his lips to hers. She seemed almost regal but a little sad and her eyes still sparkled as they had in the past. He brushed his cheek to hers as he looked to the child in her arms moving the shawl to look at it better.

The child's vivid eyes mirrored his own and the child let a squeal when she saw him and he felt himself smile as he reached his hand to her. He touched the little curl that sat on top of her head as if to show claim of who her mother was and the child's eyes danced and she pumped her little arms showing her approval of Legolas's touch.

"She grows to look more like you every instant," Legolas said with a grin playing on his lips. He was truly fascinated with the little elf and Arri smiled back looking down at the child as well. Legolas felt peace, a peace most could never feel in a thousand years.

As he watched Arri touching the infant gently, he realized they had become closer than two hearts or souls could. He had never known a love like this and for the first time he could remember his heart was full. He felt a tugging on his tunic as his son began to whimper and Legolas turned quickly to find what ailed him but the youth began to pull away from him by and invisible force.

Legolas grabbed for him but a dark void opened and pulled the elf into it leaving Legolas grabbing for air. Soon the other child's whimper was heard and he turned to see the child laying on the ground flailing her arms and legs for attention. "Arri?" Legolas called as he narrowed his eyes looking for clues to what was happening but Arri was not to be found and he looked about as he placed his hands on the bundle in the shawl. He clutched the babe to his chest protectively but felt something was wrong and the dread that covered him. He soon become conscious to the fact the bundle no longer moved in his arms and he took a deep breath as he opened the shawl speaking to the infant in Elvish comfortingly. The plump little hands were gone and the curl grayed with age and the infant's face frozen into a terrible scream as the corpse of the elfling lay in his arms. He jumped at himself looking at the shell that had been his daughter moments ago. "What trickery is this?" He screamed to the sky and then looked around solemnly, "Arri?" He listened to the quiet and the shuffling but found no reply, "Arri?" His voice was quickly becoming shallow and sad and he fell to his knees still holding the body of his child in his arms. Sobs began to form as he felt something grab him pulling him from Mirkwood too.

After a while Arwen and Aragorn looked at one another worried for their friend as he began to move and shake his head in his sleep. Arwen cocked an eyebrow at Aragorn in wonder of what was bewitching Legolas's mind.

Suddenly Legolas jumped awake with a start looking at the bed and ran fingers over it lightly as if to make sure it was real. He turned to see Arwen smiling at him and Aragorn puffing on his pipe.

Arwen sat on the bed looking at him closely, "Father, gave you something for the pain but it was not supposed to induce sleep." She sighed touching his head with a cool cloth to rid him of his sweaty brow.

"You had us worried," Aragorn smiled from next to the window.

Legolas still offered no voice but continued to look around to see if things were real and he tossed his cover off letting his feet fall to the floor.

Aragorn cleared his throat loudly indicating to Legolas's nakedness but Legolas continued to moved to his leggings and Arwen only shrugged. Aragorn chuckled never quite used to the elves simple acceptance of each other or being so open without it being an issue for others.

Arwen seemed more upset that Legolas still seemed to be walking in a haze and she went to him with the rest of his garments as he had his leggings on, "you should rest." She sighed knowing there was little chance of that and nodding to his shoes when he began to look around

Slowly he seemed more awake looking around, "where is Arri?" He looked confused and Arwen touched his face worried, "has something happened?"

"No," Arwen assured him. "Your sleep was quite restless..." She handed him his tunic with a sigh.

Shaking his head trying to rid himself of the odd sleep, "I am fine." He found Aragorn by him as well.

"You look bewildered," Aragorn said quickly narrowing his eyes at Legolas.

"I need to find Arri," Legolas said simply not meeting their eyes but donning the shoes Arwen had pointed out.

"Did you dream of her?" Arwen guessed as he began to pull on his bracers on his arms over his tunic.

Legolas turned to met her eyes sadly and nodded. "Thank you." He said looking at them with a bow of his head and moving out the door and into the hallway quickly. Leaving the couple to trade very curious looks with one another.

When at last she had stood by Eosin's body she looked at him with a mixture of sadness and regret. He had been cleaned already and he looked very peaceful. His eyes were shut and his dark lashes were a contrast to his even paler skin. His hair was clean and he bore the same two braids that he had worn in life. Arri remembered his hair wet and matted to him when they had been in the water with laughter and horse play and how he had smiled at her. She thought of the hurt expression he had when he learned of Legolas but now his face was frozen, unmoving. She sighed touching his soft hair with her fingers thinking of the sacrifice he had made for them. She remembered the look of horror after the orc had struck him and the look of despair as he looked upon her the last moments, even then he had managed a ghost of a smile.

'I loved you until the end of my days,' he had said to her and now it sounded haunting in the quiet room she stood over him. She had not felt the tears fall until she saw them on the sheet he had.

She knelt by him letting her eyes become as moist as they would and submerging herself in the grief. "I will always love you old friend," she whispered to Eosin's shell as she touched his face lovingly, 'cold', she thought and pulled her hand back from him.

'Like father's,' she lowered her eyes sadly at the thought. She felt the air behind her change direction and she sighed knowing she had company and the fact they stopped at the doorway let her believe it was a friend. Before she know it a hand was on her shoulder rubbing it reassuringly.

Looking to see Legolas with a sad stare and he knelt next to her taking her hand in his but she felt like her heart broke a little more. She folded herself against his chest and hugged him tightly. When he hugged her back he sighed as if he was relieved about something and she looked up to him questionably.

He simply kissed her head, "I knew I would find you here."

"He kept them back, from us," she whispered as she stood again taking Eosin's cold hand in her own.

Legolas watched her but was afraid of the grief would be great, as with her father, he should intervene before she became too saddened to care for herself or their unborn. At the thought of the little elf from his mind flashed. The elf that called him father, with dancing eyes, hair of silk and a smile that could melt the coldest heart, perchance the dream's warning.

He stood and wrapped an arm around her waist, "He was valiant but let it not be in vain." She turned to him with a curious look still holding Eosin's hand and her eyes told her sadness. "You will have to sustain yourself," Legolas touched her abdomen to remind her of their child and kissed her head.

She nodded and covered his hand with her own, "I will miss him." She let Legolas lead her from the room slowly and this time as she tried to glance back she felt Legolas urge her on.

"He would want you to fulfill what we set out to do," he reminded her.

Nodding she wiped away tears she had not thought shed and looked up to him with wet lashes, "tomorrow," she decided slowly. "I will give the crown an owner." She sighed deeply not wanting to condemn them both to life in Loredell but had resigned herself, remembering her fate.