Queen Naehlara (LOTR, Legolas love story)

Chapter 43

Down in the caverns Naehlara and Legolas stood before the army of elves, it was early in the morning long before most were awake. "Are you prepared?" Naehlara questioned Lythandir, looking over the hundreds of elves. All dressed in their golden armor and weapons sharpened and ready.

"We have prepared and ready to leave on your call." Lythandir answered. He was dressed in golden armor exactly the same as the rest with two swords strapped to his waist and a bow on his back with a quiver full of arrows.

"Head to the gates, wait to leave with the men. There are not enough horses for all of the men, let alone the elves as well. We will march with the men of Gondor, now to the gates. I will be up there soon." Naehlara commanded, leaving the elves to exit the caverns with Lythandir. Her and Legolas heading to find Aragorn at the armory.

On the lower levels, the armory and the black smith were being over run by soldiers, men, trying to sharpen their weapons. Naehlara and Legolas stood outside the armory watching, waiting to see if they could catch sit or hear Aragorn inside. When suddenly a force hits the back of their legs nearly knocking the two of them over.

"Naehlara!" Merry called, as he held tightly to her legs.

"Legolas!" Pippin greeted, quickly letting go of Legolas' legs when the elf glanced down to see what had hit him.

"Merry, Pippin. How good it is to see two up and running again." Naehlara greeted, bending down and hugging Merry. Pippin coming over and joining the hug. "How are you fairing Merry?"

"Right as rain. The elves came up and healed me yesterday. Elven magic is a miracle worker." Merry says, a smile spreading from ear to ear.

"Merry and I came to get swords." Pippin says, lightly bouncing on his feet.

"Will the two of you be joining us?" Legolas questioned.

"Of course we are!" Pippin exclaims turning to the elf.

"We are apart of the fellowship. We would not and are not abandoning you. We are doing this Frodo." Merry explains.

"Alright then you two need to get some weapons then, right in there. Be quick we are leaving soon." Naehlara stated, wishing the two wouldn't come but was not willing to tell them no. They wish to fight for their home and their friend as much as anyone else, who was she to take that away from them.

The two nodded, running inside the armory without another word. Naehlara turned walking away from the armory without another word. Through out the morning doubt has gnawed at her, fear of how this day could end. Legolas watched her walk away giving her a moment to herself, since waking she had only grown more quiet. He could tell how scared she was, it was a march to their death surely. Making his way through the armory Legolas found Aragorn and Gimli.

Naehlara walked through the city looking over the beauty of the stone city and up at the top courtyard could see a single petal floating through the air. A small smile coming to her face, the white tree of Gondor was blooming. "You look as if this will be the last time you will see Minas Tirith." Lilith said quietly, coming up behind Naehlara.

Turning around Naehlara kept the small smile, "It very well might be." Naehlara said quietly.

"What happened to the hope you had yesterday? Eomer told us about it, in the healing quarters. He came and told Eowyn about you, Faramir and I just happened to over hear." Lilith questioned.

"I have walked this path before. The battle that is almost guaranteed death. I survived it last time, I do not know if I will again." Naehlara explained, finally speaking her thoughts. She hadn't slept at the night before even with Legolas beside her, she could only replay her last battle against Morgoth.

"You definitely won't with that attitude. Boromir once told me; that if you go into battle believing you will lose than there is no other possibility." Lilith says, grabbing Naehlara's hand. Surprised by the warmth that seemed to radiate from the elf. "You and Aragorn have brought hope that many have lost. Do not lose hope now." Lilith squeezed her hand, when a thought came to her. "Come let me show you some people before you leave."

She really didn't give a choice as she dragged Naehlara behind her towards the healing quarters. Leading her through the injured people and into a smaller room, Eowyn and Faramir standing at a balcony on the side of the room. "Faramir, Eowyn." Lilith greeted.

Both turned from the outlook and towards the Lilith and Naehlara. Eowyn letting go of Faramir's hand and walking over to Naehlara pulling her into a hug. "It is good to see you alright." Eowyn said softly, pulling away from her and Faramir coming to stand by her side.

"Naehlara this is Faramir, Boromir's brother." Lilith introduced.

"It is good to meet you. Your brother was a great man." Naehlara said softly, no smile coming to her face even though she tried to give a small one.

"That he was. Though I hear you and Aragorn are the people to thank for saving Minas Tirith." Faramir stated.

"Aragorn, yes. He brought an army that saved the city. I just came to help." Naehlara countered.

"And brought hundreds of elves to help with whatever came next. Not to mention the elves you brought to Helm's Deep. We are forever in your debt." Eowyn said, a frown coming to her face as she noticed Naehlara's mood.

Naehlara shook her head about to say something when Faramir cut her off. "Stop, whatever you are thinking or any guilt you may have from the past. Do not bring it into this day. You are a Queen and a warrior, the people need you. Anything you have done you either did your best or what you saw as right. Stop doubting yourself." Faramir said, he didn't mean to be harsh but she needed to hear it, if no one else was going to say it.

Naehlara, stood still slowly blinking at the man in front of her. He was nearly as blunt as Boromir when he asked about her feeling for Legolas. The darkening cloud in her thoughts seemed to lighten however as she stood silently looking at him. "Only one person has ever spoken to me like that before. And I am thankful you have." Naehlara spoke, looking between the two giving them a small smile. "I will see you both when I return, when we all return." The two gave her a smile, Lilith giving an approving nod to Faramir.

Naehlara left, somehow that small conversation bringing her a new hope and pulling her from her ever darkening thoughts. Going to her room, she strapped on her armor over her clothes and began grabbing her weapons. Tightening her two long daggers to her back as Legolas came in to the room. "Are you ready to go, my love."

Looking up from tightening her weapon, she looks over Legolas in his war armor, a smile growing across her face. "One last thing." She said softly going to her desk and opening the small leather pouch pulling the two silver bands from it. "After all of this, when we get back, when we survive this. Will you marry me?" Naehlara stopped in front of him, holding the two silver rings in her palm for him to see.

A large smile broke across his face, as he looked to Naehlara. Joy like he had never felt before as he picked up one of the rings, slipping it onto his ring finger. "It was never a question." He whispered, taking the second ring from her hand and flipping her hand over to slip the ring onto her finger. Dropping her hand, and bring both of his up to cup her face, pulling her into a passionate kiss. Wrapping both arms around his neck she pulled him as close as possible, memorizing the way his lips felt on hers. Separating for air, they rest their foreheads against each others. "I love you." He whispered, his breath brushing across her face.

"And I love you, Legolas." Naehlara said softly, staying in his arms for a moment longer before pulling away. Grabbing her crown and resting it atop her head. "Let us go end this." And together they left, heading to the gates. To leave for Mordor for the last battle, for Frodo, for all of Middle Earth.

A/N okay okay, I'm done avoiding it. Next chapter is the battle at the black gates.... I hope you guys enjoyed the double post! Who knows maybe there'll be a third? Also let me know of any errors right now I'm just typing and posting and not really editing but I'll go back and edit soon!

Have an amazing day my loves!