Love Can Fight Any Battle (Legolas/Hermione Love Story

Chapter 21: Théodred's Funeral and Leaving Edoras

The next the city of Edoras was in mourning. Silence, silent sobs and black was all anyone could see or hear throughout the day. The doors of the Great Hall opened up and six of the Royal Guard came out, carrying Théodred, son of the King's body, followed behind his father,Théoden then Gandalf and behind him walked Aragorn and Gimli. Legolas and Autheil followed behind the Man and Dwarf; Legolas's hand on her waist to help support her weight a little. She was almost up to strength but neither her or anyone else wanted her to push it too far because it would only make recovery longer. Autheil was wearing a black dress which she had borrowed from Éwoyn as one of the conditions the King had placed for her to walk with the men.

The walked down out of the city and and to the nearby burial sight that was under a hill. It was a tomb that went under the city and closed by a stone door. There the women, including Éwoyn waited for the King and his men. She too stood in black along with the women behind her.

The six guards stepped forward and placed and placed Théodred's body down and moved away. The women stepped forth and pushed Théodred's body into the large tomb as Éwoyn sang a old Rohirim chant. As soon as Théodred's body was in the large stoned door closed. Everyone then quietly returned to the saftey of the city aside from Gandalf anf King Théoden who wept for his son when everyone was gone. Autheil was pushed to rest by the other members of the fellowship including Ewoyn even thought she felt almost up to full strength.

The Great Hall was in a commotion when two young children; a boy and his younger sister were escorted into the Hall by Gandalf. The children had been drive"n from their home by the wild men sent from Saruman. The children had been riding for days and were exsuted. Éwoyn tended to them bringing them food and water as Théoden sat on his thrown head in hand in frustration. Gandalf sat next to him. Aragorn sat at one of the tables in the hall facing the king smoking his pipe, Autheil next to him while Legolas stood behind her hands on her shoulder while she leaned against him.

"They had no warning. They were unarmed. Now the Wildmen are moving through the Westfold moving as they go. Rick, cot and tree." Éwoyn said and covered the children with another blanket as they ate their soup.

"This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is now driven by fear of Saruman. Ride out and meet him ahead on. Draw him away from your women and children." Gandalf told the King now looking at the two children. Gandalf placed a hand on the king's armrest "You must fight." he said.

"You have two thousand good men riding North as we speak." Aragorn informed the King. "Éomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their King." he said.

Théoden got up from his throne and walked to the middle of the Hall "They would be three hundred leagues from here by now. Eomer can not help us." he said. Gandalf then stood from his seat to say something but Théoden cut him off "I know what it is you want from me but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war." he told Gandalf sternly.

"Open war is upon you weather you would risk it or not." Aragorn told him. Théoden turned to Aragorn "Last I looked, Théoden not Aragorn was king of Rohan." The king stated pointedly. Autheil looked to snap back at the king but Legolas moved one of his hand from her shoulder to cover her mouth with his hand. Autheil sat silently forced by her lover.
"Then what is the King's decision?" Gandalf asked. The room was silent as the King thought of what to do.

Legolas didn't seem to notice that his hand was still covering Autheil's mouth. Autheil then decided to lightly bite his hand. Legolas immediately removed his hand and wiped it. "Well gentlemen, it's been a long day, I'm off to bed. See you in the morning" Autheil said and got up from her seat before Legolas could say anything. She smirked at Legolas as she quickly walked off to her room.

She had just finished taking off her Black dress and changed into her nightgown when she heard a knock on the door. Having a idea of who it was she told the person to come in as she finished folding up the dress.

"You think that was so funny, don't you?" Legolas said.

"I'm sorry, my love." she teased and sat on the bed with a not so innocent look.

"I bet you are." Legolas said as he walked over to her. "Now why would you do something like that to me, not only do I need my hand to fight but also to hold you." he pouted.

Autheil smirked "Well just so you know I do like it when my lips are covered but not by your hand." Autheil flirted. Legolas knelt down in front of her so he was now the same height "Then do tell me my dear what it is you desire upon those perfect pink lips." he played along.

Autheil sat up and touched his lips "The lips of my uttering handsome beyond compare elf-prince." she said sweetly. A small smile appeared on Legolas's face as he leaned in closely so that their lips were just barely touching "The prince will always grant the desire of his princess." he whispered before he connected their lips.

Autheil's hands flew Legolas's face cupping his jaw while his tangled in her hair. Autheil leaned backwards, her back falling on the bed, dragging Legolas along with her as he continued to kiss her. They moved up the bed so they both could lay on it while they kissed. Autheil's hand started to undo his tunic, wanting to fell his hot skin. "I love you." Legolas said as he looked her in the eyes as he broke the kiss. Autheil smiled "I love you too." she said. They continued their previous activity.

Legolas swiped his tongue across Autheil's lip asking for entrance which she willingly gave him. They both moaned as their tongues began to fight for dominance. Autheil finally pushed off his shirt and let her hands roam his muscular and toned chest earning a moan from him. His skin felt like it was on fire as her soft hands brushed over it, mesmerizing each indent of his body. Autheil felt her heart beating through her chest as Legolas held her at waist and sides. Both elves broke apart to breath, foreheads touching "I love you." Legolas said. Autheil's heart beated fast as the butterflies in her stomach went crazy. "I love you too." she said and watched as his eyes sparkled and a smile appeared. He leaned down and kissed her one more time. "Sleep, my love for I have a feeling we will have a long day tomorrow." he said and climbed off her. He laid down at her side and wrapped his arms around her as she snuggled into his chest. She kissed his cheek and he kissed her temple, both falling asleep with smiles on their faces.

The next morning they woke up and found out the King had decided to leave Edoras for Helm's Deep. Gandalf was not at all happy with the decision as he burst through the doors out to the stable.

"Helm's Deep!" he shouted angrily as he walked beside Aragorn, Autheil, Legolas and Gimli trailing behind them. "They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their King?" he asked grumpily.

"He is only doing what he thinks is right for his people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past." Aragorn replied. The three realized this was a conversation for the two of them so they prepared their horses.

Autheil turned to Maethor "Hey buddy. I hoped you rested well because we got a long road ahead." the horsed neighed quietly making Autheil smile. She petted his mane and "Yeah we got to go to Helm's Deep." the horse snorted. "Well I haven't seen it so I can't judge." she joked. She looked over and saw Legolas grinning at her. She blushed and continued to pet her horse. Just then Gandalf rode out of the stables on Shadowfax. "He's going to look for Éomer?" she asked Aragorn as he joined them. He nodded and prepared his horse.

The people left Edoras believing they would not return but others were believeing they would. Autheil, Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn rode in front with the King as they exsited the city.

They crossed over big open plains and mountainsides. Autheil and Legolas rode behind Aragorn and Théoden who were listening to Gimli who sat on Éwoyn's horse as he held the reins about how you don't see a lot of dwarf women. Everyone laughed as the horse suddenly jetted off, throwing Gimli of it's back in the process.

Around noon the people of Rohan made camp for a short break. Gimli was off scavenging for 'real food' while Aragorn spoke with the King. Autheil and Legolas sat off to the side on some rocks that looked over the plains, Autheil sat with her back leaning into Legolas's chest while he wrapped his arms around her. They talked about their lives and homes. A few of the older couples watched them and smiled at how in love the two were. Even in such a dark time they still had that hope of love to hold on to.