Legolas stood in the fields directly outside of the city. He had left his swords behind, though he was still armed with his bow. Bending down, he picked up a smooth stone that was formerly hidden in the grass. It was similar to the one Aragorn had used while trying to help him understand Estelwen. He closed his eyes. Why is she avoiding me?

He did not want to admit it, but he was afraid and hated himself for it. He had pushed it down for days as he thought of other reasons why Estelwen was acting so strangly. Legolas closed his eyes, allowing the thought to surface like a whip. Was it what his kiss had shown her?

Meanwhile, Estelwen walked out through the gates, bracing herself for the worst. She could not deny Legolas an explanation for her actions. Yet, she knew he would not understand her reasons. His love for her would not allow him to see that there would be another, that there must be another for him. She could not be the woman he deserved. On the other hand, the people of Middle Earth deserved to be avenged, for justice to be done. And that was a justice only she could bring. Estelwen stopped in front of him, preparing herself to say what must be said.

But Legolas spoke first, changing everything. "Have you been avoiding me so you would not have to say that the way I feel...that it is not the same for you?" He had asked with such gentleness and openness that Estelwen's heart beat furiously in her chest. Legolas gently took one of her hands into his. "I am not angry with you. That would be for the young and foolish."

Estelwen swallowed. His kindness was making everything so much harder, but it made her realize the truth: it was better for him not to know how she felt, than for him to be lulled into a dream that could not be. "I..." She could not bring herself to say it, to agree to what he was saying.

Legolas slowly stood up. Then it is as I thought. "I understand." He returned inside the city walls.

Estelwen sank to her knees and buried her head into her hands. A tear slid down her cheek and was quickly wiped away. No, this was for the best. And she could no longer avoid Legolas; he needed to believe that her lack of feelings for him was what caused her to avoid him in the first place. But it was hard playing the part, and it was killing her inside.

At lunch in the Hall, Éowyn smiled at her. "How has your day been?"

Estelwen caught the hint of tease in her voice. Éowyn had probably assumed the best after watching her duel with Legolas. "It has been fine, thank you." She added a polite smile to show that she did not mean to be rude by her hasty answer. She bit her lip, holding back a sigh. Perhaps toying with her swords would calm her nerves. She wished she could work with her element instead, but she still wanted to heed Théoden's words about worrying his people.

After fetching her swords, she headed towards an open area. Théoden stopped her on her way. "Estelwen, I have thought about what you said earlier."

"Forgive me, I do not remember..."

"Pertaining to the Black Arrows."

Estelwen chided herself. She had not given the Arrow much thought since after her capture. Besides, she did not have it anymore. Anorath must have taken it back. She was suddenly infuriated that it had happened. The Black Arrow was reunited with its master.

Théoden regarded her carefully. "Isildur being killed by one of them was not a legend started by my people. It was told by a traveler who heard it from Rivendell. If anyone knows whether it be truth or fisherman's folly, it would be the Lord of Rivendell."

Estelwen's hopes were dashed. Little chance of finding that out now. She thanked him and continued out of the city onto a grassy field.

Legolas was also there, causing her to freeze before reminding herself that there was no reason to. She unsheathed her right sword and watched the sunlight glint off the elvish steel. Legolas looked her way.

"Will you spar with me?" Estelwen said.

"There is no need."

That stung her inside. Was she really that helpless? "You do not find me ready?"

Legolas walked over to her and lowered her blade. "We are at war. Fighting is not something you can avoid any longer."

"And you think I will fail?" Her mouth firmed.

"Estelwen, your skills with the sword, fighting as you did with me, will be matched by few."

She released the tense breath she was holding, realizing her mistake.

Legolas trailed a finger on the flat of her sword. "Yet, these are not your strongest weapons. You give hope to those who have none. Do not lose it for yourself." He became aware of his arm around her waist, and quickly let it drop to his side. His feelings did not need to come in the way of their friendship. He suddenly realized that she had not moved away when his arms had been around her. A question grew in his mind.

Then he became aware of Aragorn shouting, running through the city.

Estelwen also saw him from afar but could not hear him clearly enough. "What is he saying?"

"The beacons..." Legolas trailed off. "Come!"

They burst into the Hall of Kings to see Aragorn breathless, his eyes fixed on Théoden.

"Gondor calls for aid!" Aragorn said.

Théoden raised his head. "And Rohan shall answer!"

The knights of Rohan packed again. It was different than last time. Now, they were invigorated by their recent victory. They were not running into a cave and fighting for their lives. They were fighting with honor with their allies, for their fellow brethren.

When they set off, Estelwen rode behind Aragorn on Hasufel, trailing the end of the assembled knights.

"Their need is great..." Aragorn mumbled to himself.

Estelwen knew whom he was referring to. "Gondor is calling for you."

"I am only a man."

"You are not like other men. In your blood lies not only the ability, but the right to lead them. It can be done by no other."

"Why are you so certain?"

"Because I have seen you, and because I..." Her voice caught in her throat. "Because I know Arwen, and she chose you."

Aragorn was silent through the rest of the ride. Several times, Estelwen noticed him fingering the Evenstar, Arwen's gift to him that hung around his neck. After a few days, they all broke camp at the base of a mountain pass. Théoden spread a map across a table in his tent.

"This is where we are." He pointed. "I have sent messages to our allies to meet us in three days' time."

"Three days?" A knight said, wide-eyed. It was so little time!

"The enemy will be seeing Rohan at its finest." Théoden said with steely eyes.

That night, Estelwen laid out her swords on her cot. Should she bring them both into the battle? She planned on using one sword, fighting right-handed only, but would it be wise to bring the other for extra measure? Or would it only serve as dead weight? She picked it up and set it down, more out of habit since she already knew how light it was. However, carrying any excess weight could be a fatal error during a battle when she would be depending even more on her speed and agility than usual. Hearing laughter, she lifted the flap of her tent. Éowyn stood proud in the glow of the campfire, admiring Merry dressed up in the smallest set of armor she could find.

"I do have some training, actually. Shortly after we set out from Rivendell, Estelwen gave Pippin and I a lesson." Merry swung his sword.

Éowyn jumped back, laughing. "I'm sure she was a fine teacher. But you will not be killing any orcs with a blunt blade. We shall find you a new one tomorrow."

Merry agreed before walking away, still practicing forms and strikes in the air.

Éomer warily eyed his sister. "You should not be encouraging him. We cannot afford any men to watch over him."

Éowyn stiffened. "Why can he not fight? He has much heart as any of the men here."

"It is not his heart I doubt, only the length of his arm. It is too much of a risk for me to have him come."

"Risk or not, he deserves to fight for those he loves."

Éomer did not answer. Éowyn heatedly walked away and stepped into the tent she was sharing with Estelwen.

"You were not only speaking for Merry, were you?" Estelwen asked.

Éowyn secured the tent flaps. A sudden gust of cold wind had come through. The horses were neighing restlessly outside. "You have no idea how fortunate you are. I would give anything to be given the right to fight alongside my people."

Estelwen lifted the blanket over Éowyn's belongings, revealing a long sword. "I can see that."

Éowyn jerked around, eyes alarmed.

"You know I would never speak a word." Estelwen calmly pulled the blanket back over to conceal it. "Rohan will be honored to have you fight alongside them, even if they do not know it yet."

A grateful smile spread across Éowyn's face. She opened her mouth to speak, but the tent flaps were flung open. A knight poked his head in. "Lady Estelwen, the king summons you."

"Is there something wrong?" Éowyn questioned. The look on her face demanded that it be urgent enough for a knight to burst inside the ladies' tent without permission.

"A night rider has approached the king, asking to speak with her."

Estelwen grabbed her sheaths and strapped them to her back. Her spine turned cold. No, it would not be Anorath. He would not come into Rohan's camp without orc. Was it a messenger then? Her eyes bore into the knight, causing him to shift uncomfortably, even though he was a head taller. "Whom did he say he was?" 

Greetings!

It's been a while, but I can only do so much with doing school 12 hours a day and getting 5-ish hours of sleep every night. To top it all, my phone just got stolen a couple days ago. Reminds me, all the more reason to live in middle earth. No worries about midterms, or cell-phone thieves...or cell phones period. :P

Anyway, I hope you guys aren't totally feeling lost. I know this chapter was a little fast, so if you have any comments or questions ask away! 

Until next chapter,

Reese