Stars (A Legolas Love Story and Lord of the Rings Fanfiction)

"For Frodo."

Aragorn told us his plan was to bait Sauron into thinking that the world was going to rally against him and fight the final battle at the Black Gate, the entrance into Mordor.

The future King of Gondor was going to use the palantir to do it that night.

"We leave in the morning then." He said when he had finished explaining. The rest of the others dispersed, packing their weapons and belongings to prepare for battle.

Legolas caught my hand before I could go and he turned me to face him. "You aren't going with us."

"Yes, I am." I objected firmly, clenching my jaw and ready for the argument.

"Kat, you aren't strong enough. You should stay here and-"

"And what? Be a woman and stay safe, waiting for loved ones to come home and not having a say in if they do or not? That's not me, Legolas. I'm a warrior, and I don't back down from doing what I think is right." My voice got louder as I proved my point.

"I'm sorry for making it sound like that." He said sadly. "I just want you to stay alive, at least long enough to see the world reborn into light again. And if you go into this battle, I fear you won't return."

I took in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. "Thank you."

"For what?" He inquired.

"For showing that you care. There a few people in this world who care whether I die or not, and it's reassuring that you are one of them. Nonetheless, I am going to be there when Sauron is defeated." I spoke in a quiet yet unyielding tone.

Legolas opened his mouth to object once more, but he stopped when he saw the stubbornness in my darkening eyes. "Alright. But you stick by my side, okay?"

I nodded with a smile. He shook his head, chuckling at my response and kissing my forehead before walking along with me out of the hall.

We packed only our essentials, a few days worth of food and water, our weapons and changes of clothing, bedrolls, etc.

I wasn't going to tell anyone this, but I didn't plan on coming back.

If I survived the battle, I wasn't going to spend the last of my days sitting around waiting for death to come. I was going to go away, be free and die the way I wanted, the way I chose.

That night as I lay in Legolas' embrace, I couldn't sleep at all. I could only think of how much pain he would be in when he realized I had gone.

I woke at the crack of dawn, having Firefoot saddled and ready to go before the sun had fully come up over the horizon.

I stood at the marble barrier at the courtyard in front of the entrance to the palace. Rocking back and forth on my toes, I looked out into the fields where the massive battle had taken place not too long ago.

I tapped my fingers anxiously upon the marble as I waited for everyone else to awaken and be ready to leave.

"You're ready too?" A voice from by my right elbow startled me, and I looked down to see Merry.

"Sorry, didn't hear you come up behind me." I said with a smile, gesturing to my deaf right ear to remind him. "Yes, I am ready for what is to come."

The young Hobbit turned to look out upon the horizon as well, looking seemingly beyond his years in knowledge. "I wonder where they are, Frodo and Sam."

"I'm sure they're close to completing their mission. If they were caught and Sauron had the Ring, we would know about it by now." I reassured him.

"But will they be the same as before?" He inquired without looking at me.