It was night by the time the company reached Rohan. They lay Estelwen in an extra room next to Éowyn's in the Great Hall. The plant Legolas had found was working quickly and had closed her wounds. However, her skin had not regained its color, and she did not give any sign of regaining consciousness. The village women gave her new clothes and quickly redressed her wounds. After, there was nothing anyone could do.

Except wait.

When the others turned in to their rooms and homes for the night, Legolas could not bring himself to leave Estelwen. He placed a wooden stool next to her bed and sat down. He clasped his bow in his hands. His mind was tormented. Deep down, he thought he believed she would wake. At the same time, he was terrified that every time she breathed, it would be her last. Since she had been captured, he realized that no sound would terrify him more than the absence of her heartbeat. The night was too still, and his thoughts roamed far and wide in the silence. However, when the midnight wind picked up and blew through the trees, it calmed the weary elf's ears and swept him into a dreamless sleep.

He awoke before the first light, hearing footsteps making their way towards the room. Remembering that he had not told anyone of his intentions to watch over Estelwen, he quietly slipped out so as not to disturb the woman coming to check on her. He started through the hall, but a sound from the room stopped him in his tracks.

"Morwen?"

"Easy, child. You have been through much, but you are safe now, in Rohan."

"And the others? Emilia?"

"They are safe and well."

Legolas tried to relax. It was good that she woke to someone she knew, someone who could help calm her. He did not want to disturb them yet so he waited, listening.

Morwen cleared her voice. "You have done much for our people and you will always have our thanks."

Estelwen's voice was weak, but the heart behind it was strong. "You are all a people worth fighting for."

The stool creaked when Morwen seated herself. "You have suffered more than most. Though your wounds have mostly healed on the surface, there is deeper damage done. You would be better off laying your sword aside."

"Of course I won't do anything foolish now. I know they want me to rest, and I need it."

"You misunderstand." Morwen spoke directly but slowly. "You may never fight again." A sharp inhale was quickly cut off. "Yes, you need time to heal, but we don't know how long. I know you have the skill to wield your sword, but as far as carrying it out, we cannot-"

"Rohan should not have to send men to protect me during a battle in which they are trying to protect themselves," Estelwen said stiffly. "I understand, Morwen. Thank you."

Morwen left quietly. It was not easy to tell the girl she should not fight. Even if the torn muscles should mend in some way, they were permanently damaged. In other words, if Estelwen ever found the need to lift a sword again, she would never be able to fight how she used to.

Legolas walked in with his gaze cast down to the floor. "This is my fault. I should have never hidden the truth from you."

His distraught appearance made it clear that this was no jest. Estelwen stared at him. "What," she swallowed, "did you not tell me?"

"The wargs. Those three that we had fought should have tried to kill you instantly, not corner you. It was then I knew they wanted you alive. It was why I did not wish for you to fight at Helm's Deep."

She did not move.

"You had every right to know. And in all my years of training and experience, I should have foreseen the attack after the battle." It pained him that he had overlooked such a simple battle tactic. After a battle, soldiers would be gathered together and tended to. There would be little to no defense, and during the aftermath of a battle, it would be easy to steal into a kingdom unnoticed. "I should have never left your side."

After a long silence, she finally spoke. "You should have told me." She went back to facing the wall. "But it was not you who caused my suffering. You should not be placing this upon yourself."

She did not blame him, and for that, Legolas was grateful. However, her voice contained a bitterness that he had not heard before. It was a strange sound, coming from her. "Gandalf suspects your wounds were caused by Anorath, and that he was also your captor."

Her eyes flicked up to his. So he knew of the other earthborn, her enemy. "At least I was outside of the fortress. He would have tried to kill others to take me." When she saw him avoiding her gaze, she knew something was very wrong. It terrified her. "Legolas?"

"You were not the only one outside of Helm's Deep. Lord Daurion-"

"No!" Her mouth dropped open and her eyes brimmed with tears. "How do they know it was him? We argued before the battle. It could not have been him. He-" Her resolve melted and her hands covered her face.

Legolas reached out and held her close to him. Her sobbing ransacked her body.

"I do not know why he left to follow you, but those who saw him after the battle said he had a look of pride on his face. He must have seen you fight, Estelwen. He was proud of you."

A trembling breath escaped her lips. "How can someone become so numb to killing others? Anorath never mentioned him, not once. As if he never thought of it!" She looked at her swords next to her bed. "This cannot go on. I will not allow him to continue."

He let her go. "You heard what Morwen said. You cannot fight him!"

"It was prophesied. I am the only one who can defeat him, and I will. I do not care if I have to do this alone, but I cannot allow other people to suffer any more. Not in my place!"

How can she say that? Legolas hesitated, thinking. She had gone through so much. It only makes sense that she wants to end it all. Even though she was tired, Legolas knew she meant exactly what she said. He nodded. "Then when that time comes, I will go with you."

Estelwen opened her mouth, ready to defend herself. Wait, he is not going to stop me? Suddenly, her lips tightened. Can I allow him to come? If anything happens to him because of this...

"Estelwen, you asked me to respect your decisions. This is my choice, not yours."

He was not asking her permission. Oddly, it gave her comfort. Estelwen lowered her head. "I would be honored to have you fight beside me. But alas, I do not know when the time to face Anorath will come."

Legolas nodded. He would be there, yes. But what he really wanted her to know is that he would still be there, even if she couldn't. She had already risked so much and had saved many, but it had come at a price.

She glanced at him. "You will not be coming only to stop me, will you?"

"No, I'll leave that to Aragorn."

Estelwen smiled slightly.

Legolas returned the smile. "You will not be doing this alone."

­­ Gimli dashed into the room, breathless. "Eh! Someone going somewhere already? On the bridge of death and already on the run?" He pointed a finger at Estelwen. "You ought to take into account that we worry, lassie! Though none were as death-like as this lovesick-"

Legolas shot up from his seat. "Gimli, the horses."

"What?"

"We need to feed them. Immediately."

"Wha... but..."

As if on cue, Aragorn walked in the room and gave Gimli the look.

"Right, the horses..." Gimli rolled his eyes. He left with Legolas.

Aragorn turned to Estelwen. "Merry and Pippin are eager to see you again, but only those in the king's 'special favor' were allowed to come in," he said, making quotations with his fingers.

Estelwen looked up curiously. "Are they not considered to be in the king's favor since they are guests?"

He cleared his throat. "It was more like only those who could slip past the guards could get in."

"Then how did Gimli...?"

"He talked his way into them letting him pass."

She raised her brow.

"And he offered them the rest of the salted pork for smoking," he added. He quickly turned serious. "You still need to recover, Estelwen. I heard some of the women talking, saying that-"

"I am sure my wounds will heal soon. But for the sake of others," she grinned sourly at Aragorn, "or perhaps more for yours, I do not plan on dueling any time soon."

Thank the Valar, Aragorn mentally sighed. "That would be wise since your next attendance is a feast, not a battle."

"A feast..." Estelwen trailed off. Lights, laughter, and dancing – they belonged to a time that in her past. The war may be over for Rohan, but not for me.

"It is to celebrate the victory at Helm's Deep. Hopefully you will be able to attend, at least for a while."

"I...I do not know if it is wise for me to attend."

Aragorn picked up on her hesitancy. He was about to inquire further, but thought again. "You are right. I did not mean to rush your recovery."

Estelwen hated to see Aragorn go, but her body ached, and her eyelids felt like boulders. She slept, and did not wake while Morwen changed her bandages. During that night, it became hard to sleep. Certain sounds – the way metal clinked together, the wind rushing through the torches outside – made her jerk awake. Sweat dripped from her face. She clenched her jaw and tried to banish the fear and hate by summoning new images and sounds to her memory: the faces and words of her friends. During the day, she continued to drift in and out of sleep, but she yearned to walk out and see how her companions and the townsfolk fared. But she did not complain. As much as she hated being in a small room, she knew that sleeping was the only way to getting out sooner.

After three days, she finally made it into the main hall long enough to eat. Éowyn sat beside her, discussing the situations of several different families. Women had to find ways to provide for their households since their husbands had died. Young boys had to become leaders of their homes while girls took over chores that their mothers used to do. The blacksmiths and carpenters, who had emptied their shops to provide weapons for the war, now had to find some way to restock. It was not the most pleasurable of topics, but Estelwen and Éowyn found it necessary. Together, they were able to pool their ideas to help the families that were in the worst positions.

Éowyn brushed her wispy hair out of her face. "Then those twelve should be well off. But the others?" She sighed. "This is not something you should trouble yourself with. If you are finished eating, I will assist you to your chambers."

"I would be grateful."

Estelwen slightly leaned on her as they walked through the halls back to her chambers. They barely rounded a corner when Estelwen spotted Legolas coming their way.

He looked pleasantly surprised. "Estelwen! I was just coming to see how-"

"Legolas!" Gimli ran up to him. "Théoden has need of you."

"Tell him I will be there in a moment. He had not seen her since she first awoke." He had been occupied for the past several days, performing his duties and attending councils with Gandalf and the others.

"He says it is urgent," Gimli insisted.

Legolas tilted his head. He did not recall any specific matter between Théoden and him. "Did he say what it was about?"

Gimli shrugged, looking equally as puzzled. Legolas abruptly excused himself and followed Gimli.

Estelwen frowned, turning to Éowyn. "Do you know what that was about?"

She shook her head. "No." She noticed the worry in Estelwen's eyes. "I can summon Legolas for you once they are finished. I doubt I will have to, though."

Estelwen smiled. "Thank you."

*****

Legolas walked into the throne room. Aragorn sat on a chair, his brow rested on his right fist. Théoden stood bent over the table, looking at an unopened scroll.

Théoden's head rose slowly until he looked straight at Legolas. "This is addressed to the prince of Mirkwood." He glared slightly. "To my knowledge, there was no prince of Mirkwood in Rohan."

Aragorn stood up. "Listen to me, Théoden. He is not-"

Théoden calmly cut off his protests. "No, lord Aragorn, I want to hear from the elf." He was once again a king and a protector of his people. "Have you been hiding your identity, Master Elf, as the Prince of Mirkwood?"

Legolas did not break his gaze from Théoden. "Lord Aragorn introduced me as an elf from the Woodland realm. He did not lie." He walked over to the scroll and ran his fingers over the delicately embossed seal. "While my father looked to the matters of his kingdom, I left of my own accord."

Théoden's glare softened.

Legolas turned from the scroll to face him. "I came to Rohan as a warrior, not a diplomatic prince. If you prefer the other, he might be found in Mirkwood, but he is not in the elf that stands before you today."

Théoden's tone suggested a newfound respect. "Tell the king of Mirkwood that we ask nothing of him, yet we are grateful for the presence of Mirkwood's prince and finest warrior." He nodded towards Aragorn and left the room.

Aragorn sighed and sank into his chair. "You are very fortunate, my friend. Théoden does not seem to agree so easily with ideas that do not immediately appeal to him."

"You mean your ideas?" Legolas said absentmindedly while unrolling the scroll. His eyes immediately roamed over the elegant handwriting.

"And Gandalf's."

Legolas paused his reading. "That is because the three of you are leaders. He is concerned with those who can change the fate of his people. I did not leave Mirkwood to take upon that role. That is for you to do."

Aragorn shot up from his chair. "Legolas!"

"You should know I was not speaking of Rohan, Estel."

At the sound of his elven name, Aragorn eyes fell to his ring, the Ring of Barahir.

"You will see the children of Gondor again," Legolas said. He quickly resumed reading the scroll.

Aragorn watched as Legolas' brows knitted together. "Mani naa ta? (What is it?)"

*****

Estelwen did not consider herself a particularly patient person, especially now. Théoden specifically wanted Legolas. Why? Is he planning to lead an attack? No. He would have called Aragorn for that. Estelwen's head began to pound after she forced herself to sit up at the edge of her bed. She needed to sleep, but how could she with this on her mind? She looked up to see Legolas standing in the doorway.

"It was a message from my father. He wishes for me to return, but I have sent him word that it is not something I can do as of now," he said.

"Does everything fare well in Mirkwood?"

"Mirkwood is in good hands. The enemy has not set forward on the forest yet," he answered quickly. Noticing the concern on her tired face, he added softly, "There is nothing to worry yourself with."

"Legolas," she said, stopping him from leaving, "what concerns me is that I can sense the weight of the burden you carry, but not its nature."

Legolas stared at her for a moment. "The trees are dying. Nearly a dozen had withered when I left. It is probably ten times that by now."

Estelwen's eyes widened. True, it was not as bad as being attacked by an army of orcs, but she had never known of any disease that could harm the trees in Mirkwood. Especially since many of them are personally cared for by the elves. "What causes such a thing?"

"The darkness of Mordor does not only affect the kingdoms it fights. The earth can feel it."

Estelwen shook her head. "And you do not believe your father would need you during this time?"

He avoided her gaze and stood up. "What can I do? I am not skilled with tending the earth," he said simply.

Estelwen's frustration at his impassiveness grew. "Your very presence would comfort him! How could you leave him in a time of trouble? It is no wonder he is distressed if he bears all the troubles of his kingdom on his own shoulders!"

"My father made it clear that he has no need of emotional support. He is stronger that you give him credit for," he said, walking towards the doorway. Before stepping out, he suddenly paused and sighed. "My father feels about Mirkwood in a way that I cannot understand. I first believed that he never left because of the strong obligation he felt to his kingdom. Yet the way he looks at the forests, the words he does not say, and the fear I sensed in him when the trees started dying – that implies a greater reason. Yet, he refuses to tell me anything more than what I already know." He turned back to Estelwen, who could now see the love for his father in his eyes. "You may find my reasoning irrational, but-"

"No, Legolas, you have given this much thought. I should not have been so quick to judge you," she said quietly.

Legolas' eyes softened. "I had not held it against you."

She closed her eyes. She could still feel his hurt, the sting of her accusation. Yet, he forgave her willingly. "Legolas?"

"Yes?"

She sighed and shook her head. She would feel foolish to ask. "I think my weariness had the best of me. Please forgive my rashness."

"Let us speak no more of this," Legolas said comfortingly. "Rest, Estelwen." He stepped towards the door.

Her heart fluttered. "Will I be seeing you there?"

"At the next council?"

She tilted her head to the side. "No, at the feast."

Estelwen seems pretty set on battling Anorath herself, even if she is tempted to let Legolas help her (does she have a choice?). 

What does it look like to you? Is she doing it out of pride? Or is it only because she is worried about someone getting hurt as she faces Anorath?

Thank you all for reading Element of the Heart! I appreciate you all and am excited to see how you turn out as we continue to dive deeper into this journey (next chapter speeds things up a bit).

-Reese