Queen Naehlara (LOTR, Legolas love story)

Chapter 22

The funeral for Theordred was a quick and beautiful burial. Legolas, Naehlara, Aragorn and Gimli having left Gandalf with the king. Naehlara stood on a balcony out of the room Eowyn had shown to her. Looking over the plains towards Fangorn Forest, unable to see it but longing to be back there. The sound of soft footsteps pulls her attention away from the horizon and towards the balcony next to her. Legolas standing there smiling at her, washed up and back in his traveling gear.

Legolas walks over to the railing, leaning against it. "What are you thinking about?"

Naehlara couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. Walking over and mirroring Legolas, leaning against the railing. "Fangorn Forest, I wonder if I went looking, if I could find Doriath." Naehlara says softly, looking back to the horizon.

Legolas watched the side of her face, the way the sun glows against her skin. "After the ring is destroyed, I would join you in the search for your Kingdom. I have longed to explore the forest of Fangorn. It is unlike any forest on Middle Earth." Legolas states, Naehlara quickly looks to him, eyebrows drawn together.

"Do you not wish to return to Greenwood, after all of this?" Naehlara questioned, Legolas' smile faded as he shook his head.

"I do not know, it has been 60 years since I last stepped foot into the Greenwood forest. I often wonder how the kingdom fairs or how my father is doing." Legolas looks to the horizon, while Naehlara pulls away from the railing.

"You should travel to Greenwood, travel with your father to the Grey Havens. The time of the elves is ending." Naehlara softly whispered, turning back to her chambers and walking in. Hearing a soft thud, she glances back towards the balcony. Legolas walking into her room from the balcony.

"Do you not wish to go to the Grey Havens?" He asks, coming to stand in front of her, looking down and holding her gaze.

"I will do what I have done before. I will stay and lead the elves that choose to stay in Middle Earth, it is my duty." Naehlara explained, looking down to the ground. She wished that she would go with the elves but she knew her duty and would not leave the elves here without a leader.

Legolas raises his hand softly lifting her chin, forcing her to look at him. "I will stay with you, Lara. Now sit, let me fix your hair." Legolas leads her to her bed, sitting behind her undoing her braids, he had done nearly a week ago. Neither spoke as he brushed through her hair untangling it and letting it flow freely. As he went to start a braid, a knock at the door startled both of them. Naehlara stood, quickly looking from the door to Legolas.

Pointing to her balcony, Legolas understood, it would be a scandal for him to be found in her room. Turning to the door she walked over, waiting till she couldn't hear Legolas steps. Opening the door Aragorn stood seemingly out of breath as if he had ran to her room. "We are need in the throne room." He hurriedly spoke, glancing over her shoulder into the room. "Have you seen Legolas?"

Keeping her face straight, she shrugs. "In his room is guess." Naehlara says, walking past Aragorn shutting her door and knocking on Legolas' door. Within a moment he opened the door, looking to Aragorn and Naehlara. Aragorn sat there eyebrow raised looking between the two.

"We are needed in the throne room." Aragorn states, crossing his arms over his chest. Turning from the two and walking down the hall. Pressing her lips together Naehlara tries not to laugh.

Legolas rolls his eyes, nudging her side. "It's not funny." He whispers as they walk down the hall.

"It really is, he saw right through that. But it's Aragorn what is he going to say? Anyways you were just doing my hair." Naehlara said softly, they both stilled as they entered the quiet room, tension filling the air. Across the hall two children sat next Eowyn, quickly eating. Legolas and Naehlara quietly making their way towards Gimli and Aragorn.

"They had no warning. They were unarmed. Now the wild men are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go. Rick, cot and tree." Eowyn says, standing up from the children's side. Naehlara looks to Legolas, confused with who the wild men are and why they are attacking Rohan.

"Where's mama?" The little girl questions, looking up to Eowyn.

Bending down next to her she brushes her finger through the little girls hair. "Shhh." She says softly.

Gandalf sets his hand on Theoden's hand gathering his attention from the children. "This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is driven now by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children. You must fight." Gandalf urges.

Aragorn stood, moving to stand before the king. "You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak. Eomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king."

Theoden stands from his throne pacing. "They will be three hundred leagues from here by now. Eomer cannot help us. I know what it is that you want of me. But I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war." Theoden states, looking to Gandalf.

"Open war is upon you. Whether you would rick it or not." Aragorn exclaims, Theoden snapping his head toward Aragorn.

Walking over and stopping in front of Aragorn. "When last I looked, Theoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan." He said angrily.

"Then what is it the king's decision?" Gandalf questions, standing form his seat next to the throne.

"We make for Helm's Deep." Theoden states. Naehlara looks to Aragorn, he seemed frustrated by the decision but resigned form arguing with the king. Gandalf stormed out of the hall, the four following after him as the city began evacuating.

"Helm's Deep! They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their king." Gimli grumbles.

"He's only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past." Aragorn reasons as the group enters the stables.

Gandalf stops next to Shadowfax, looking to Aragorn. "There is no way out of the ravine. Theoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he's leading them to safety. What they will get is a massacre. Theoden has strong will but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan. He will need you before the end, Aragorn. The people of Rohan will need you. The defenses have to hold." Gandalf urges.

Aragorn straightens looking to Gandalf. "They will hold."

Gandalf looks to Naehlara, "The ability to unite Elves and Men is bestowed upon you, High Queen Naehlara." He whispers, mounting Shadowfax. "The Grey Pilgrim, that's what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of men I've walked this earth and now I have no time. With luck, my search will not be in vain. Look to my coming at. First light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east." Gandalf states, urging Shadowfax forward and galloping out of the stables and out of Erodas.

Naehlara left the stables heading to her room. Not noticing Legolas trailing behind her, as she entered her room leaving the door open as she grabbed a piece for parchment, a quill and an ink jar. Legolas stood in the doorway watching Naehlara as she wrote on the parchment, blowing on the ink to help it dry before walking to her balcony. Letting out a whistle, that sounds like a bird song.

A bird came fluttering by, raising her hand the bird landed on her finger looking to her and chirping. "Take this to Lothlorien, with all speed. We need there help." Naehlara whispered, in her native tongue. Legolas couldn't understand most of it, only knowing simple phrases of the language. Naehlara lifted the parchment to birds peak, and it flew off with the message.

"What did Gandalf mean?" Legolas questions stepping into the room. Naehlara jumped looking into her room from the balcony and seeing Legolas.

Neahlara smiled, walking into the room. "Galadriel had once told me, I never faded because I was to reunite men and elves before my time was over." Naehlara said softly, pausing for a moment. "I believe Gandalf wanted me to ride to Lothlorien to bring an army of elves to Helm's Deep But I cannot leave you until I know- I mean until everyone is safe in Helm's Deep. I sent a letter of urgency to Galadriel and Celeborn." Naehlara explains, grabbing her weapons from her bed and strapping them on. "We should go help the evacuation." Naehlara suggests, Legolas nods walking with her back into the city of help the women and the children to leave.

A/N shorter chapter but i hope you enjoyed!

Have an amazing day my loves!