A Shattered Life (LOTR/Legolas Fanfic)

Chapter 9- The Road to Edoras

Aragorn and Legolas led Amara through the forest, following closely behind Gandalf and Gimli. Amara's eyes began to droop and she stumbled forward.

Legolas caught her with ease, steadying her footing, one arm around her waist.

"I'm okay." Amara murmured, though her eyes remained closed as she hung her head. Legolas bent down and picked her up, the elf dwarf giving little protest.

They reached the edge of the woods and Gandalf walked ahead of them, letting out a loud, long whistle that echoed up into the air. Legolas set Amara down gently, letting her lean heavily on him. From the distance a great white horse comes galloping towards them.

"That is one of the Mearas......unless my eyes are cheated by some spell." Legolas said quietly. Gandalf greets the horse by bowing his head to him and stroking him

"Shadowfax. He is the lord of all horses......and has been my friend through many dangers."

Aragorn jumped up onto his horse then took Amara's hands and helped her up. Legolas grabbed hold of her waist and lifted her the rest of the way onto the horse. Aragorn wrapped an arm around her shoulders and held onto the reigns with the other.

Without protest, Amara laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. The three horses galloped away from the forest, Amara wincing at nearly every movement.

Night had fallen when they stopped to rest. Aragorn jumped down from his horse then picked up Amara and placed her feet on the ground. She swayed slightly, so he kept a hold on her, leading her to a place for her to sit.

Amara settled down, her back against a large rock. The fire cracked at her feet as the others began setting up camp. They all kept casting worried glances at her before Aragorn came walking over.

"May I see?" He asked. Amara nodded and the Ranger lifted her tunic slightly to reveal a blood soaked bandage. He pulled new cloth out and set it on his leg before reaching forward and unwrapping the used bandage.

His eyes widened when his eyes fell on the spear wound.

"Legolas." He called over his shoulder. The elf hurried over.

"Grab my saddle bag. There's some herbs in there I need." He nodded and hurried over to the horses.

"Is this the worst one?" Aragorn asked. Amara nodded. Legolas came back and handed the Ranger his bag. Aragorn took out a few differnet leaves.

He made a paste and placed it on the sound before wrapping the new bandage around Amara's abdomen. He then wrapped a blanket around her and placed his water next to her.

"Get some rest and drink some water." He instructed before walking back to the fire.

Legolas took a seat next to her.

"I figured you'd want these back." He passed over her sword, axe, bow, and daggers, clean from Uruk blood. Amara grasped the weapons tightly.

"Thank you." She whispered.

Amara fell into an uneasy sleep, tossing and turning well into the night. She shot up as the moon was just hitting it's peak, gasping for breath. Arms immediately enveloped her into a tight embrace, filling her with warmth.

"Shhh...ilya naa eithel, Amara. Ilya naa eithel." {Shhh...all is well, Amara. All is well} Legolas whispered into her ear.

"Nothien naa eithel" {Nothing is well} Amara murmured back. Legolas sighed.

"Nyara amin mani marte." {Tell me what happened} Legolas said. Amara pulled away from his embrace and turned her green eyes on his blue ones.

"Amin caela il- i' hart nyar- lle." {I have not the heart to tell you} Amara murmured.

"Lle can nyara amin anythien." {You can tell me anything} Legolas whispered. Amara looked down.

"I have carried the label hybrid where ever I have gone. Even now it still haunts me, Legolas. They spat at me, Orcs. A damaged, horrid, tortured race of elves no longer recognized as friend treated me as though I were the scum of the Earth."

"Orcs are an angry race. It wasn't your fault."

"Exactly! I did not choose this half life. I never wanted to be this way. And I'm punished for it, to near death. Even now I'm still on the brink of it."

"Amara, look at me." Legolas placed his hand underneath her chin and lifted her head. "I cannot explain go you why this misfortune always befalls you. Nor can I promise that it will never happen again. But I can say that I will try my hardest to keep you from further harm. And you will get through this."

Amara felt something, a strange feeling in her heart. A warmth she had not felt in long. So long that she couldn't put a name to it. Or rather, she didn't want to put a name to it.

"Diola lle, Legolas." {Thank you, Legolas} Amara whispered, pulling away from him and laying back down.

Legolas watched as her breathing became slower and she drifted to sleep. He let out a sigh and looked up at the moon that lit up the sky. Unlike Amara, he could put a name to the feeling in his chest. A warmth that had plagued him since the beginning of their journey. Something he also hadn't felt in a very long time.

Love. He thought. It was love.