Heiress of Isildur (Legolas Love Story)

Chapter 22

People crowded them as they dismounted Arod, exclamations of surprise surrounded them, but Farren focused on a gruff voice that was drawing near. "Get out of the way! I'm going to kill them". Farren shared a smirk with her brother as Gimli finally appeared before them.

"You are the luckiest, canniest and the most reckless siblings I ever knew" he looked up at them happily. 

Farren smiled throwing her arms around the small dwarf, "Missed you too Gimli" she whispered in his ear. Aragorn hugged him but quickly asked where the king was, Gimli pointed up towards the keep, Aragorn moved away and Farren moved to follow him but Gimli grabbed Farren's arm, holding her back.

"Find the elf, lassie."

Farren's eyes widened at the fear in Gimli's voice, "What is wrong, Gimli? What is wrong with Legolas?" the dwarf gave her a significant look, they both looked up towards where Aragorn had bounded towards the top of the step but was blocked by someone Farren couldn't make out.

"Find him, Lassie. He needs you"

Farren nodded darting through the crowd and up the stairs. She watched Aragorn push the doors open loudly before striding inside. Farren was about to follow when someone grabbed her arm pulling her into an alcove to the right of the doors. Smooth hands gripped her face tilting it upwards to look into blue eyes.

"Legolas" she breathed smiling at the elf before her, but her smile slid off her face when she took in Legolas' appearance. 

He looked terrible. 

Not the kind of terrible that she and Aragorn looked like. The prince's usefully bright eyes were dull and dim, his face sallow and sunken. It was as if the glow of eternal life was seeping out of his body. 

"What happened? You look half-dead" she gasped aghast. Legolas was trembling, his knees seemed to have locked out, he stumbled as his legs gave way. In horror Farren sunk to her knees with the prince whispering his name desperately.

Legolas hadn't removed his hands from her face nor moved his gaze from her face. "You're alive" he whispered, pulling her forwards into a tight embrace. "I thought I'd lost you forever". Farren smiled as she pulled back.

"You'll have to put up with me for a little while longer, Princeling" suddenly guilt ripped through her and she looked down. Legolas jumped hands retracting, asking her what was wrong and if he'd hurt her. 

"I lost your dagger," Farren said sadly, it was only now she had remembered throwing it at the rider. Her sword had still been strapped to her back and had saved her entire back from being shredded by the rocks.

Relief overtook Legolas' feature he released a breath looking exceptionally relived, he shook his head, pulling Farren's, or more accurately his dagger that he had gifted to Farren up between them. "The orc told us what had happened, this was still lodged in his chest". Farren's fingers curled around his as she took the dagger back, thanking the elf.

A yell of activity from the hall startled both of them. Farren cursed, pulling Legolas up and into the hall where she took her place next to Aragorn. "A great host you say?"

"All Isengard is emptied" Aragorn replied,

"How many?"

"10,000 strong at least," Farren said drawing attention to her. Theoden turned to her in horror as he repeated the figure. "It is an army bred for a single purpose: To destroy the World of Men"

"They will be here by nightfall" Aragorn finished. Farren felt Legolas' hand curl in hers.

"Let them come!" Theoden said leading them out down the stronghold to the gates, explain how no army had ever breached the city walls.