Aerlinniel POV

Legolas leads me to a room where we can talk in private. We stand there in silence for a while. He probably doesn't know what to say to me. I start to get nervous. He hugged me because he was happy I was alright. But, that does not mean he isn't upset with me. I cannot stand this silence anymore, I need to know what he's thinking.

"Legolas--" I start to speak, but he stops me.

"Don't. Just don't say anything yet. Give me a moment." He tells me, I stay silent.

After a while longer of him not saying anything, I turn around and say, "Legolas, I am sorry. And, please do not try to interrupt me again. I will tell you everything, just let me talk." I pause for a moment and when he doesn't say anything, I continue. "My parents, the King and Queen of the Hidden Kingdom, were very deeply in love. But, my Naneth's (Mother's) sister was also in love with my Ada (Father). She, with the help of her brother, put a curse on me to be blind when I was born. After I was born, my parents did everything they could so I would never have to worry about being blind. They taught me to fight, and so many other things. Another thing they taught me was to recognise people by their heartbeats. I am sorry I didn't say anything about it before. I wanted too. But, I could never bring myself to. It is such a hard thing for me to talk about. Ever since I was little, I would have these terrible nightmares. The only thing I have ever actually seen is a waterfall in my dream. So many times, when going to sleep, I would open my eyes in my dream and see a waterfall. Then it would disappear and all I could hear were voices saying horrible things to me. You know, this is the first time I have ever told someone about that dream before."

"Wow. I cannot believe you went through all of that. I am so sorry. And, I wasn't saying anything because I was trying to figure out what to say. Thank you for telling me, that must have been really hard for you to talk about. I just, it is so hard for me to believe that you are blind. I mean, I believe it, but you just get around so well and fight so well." He explains to me.

"It is really hard for me to talk about. I will admit, I sometimes get very sad and just wish I could see. See what mountains look like, see a sunset, see the sea, see you. But, every day I get less and less hopeful that I will ever be able to see." I admit to him, my voice cracking as I say the last sentence.

"Is there any way for you to be able to see?" He asks softly.

"Yes, there is. But I do not know what." I tell him sadly.

~~~

We are in the armoury and weapons are being handed out. The Orcs will be here soon, that means war will be soon.

"Farmers, farriers, stable boys. These are no soldiers." Aragorn says to no one in particular.

"Most have seen too many winters." Gimli states.

"Or too few," Legolas adds then says, "Look at them. They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes. Boe a hyn: neled herain dan caer menig! (And they should be... Three hundred against ten thousand!)"

"Si beriathar hyn ammaeg na ned Edoras. (They have more hope of defending themselves here than at Edoras." Aragorn tells him.

"Aragorn, nedin dagor hen 'erir... ortheri. Natha daged dhaer! (Aragorn, they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!)" Legolas exclaims.

"Then I shall die as one of them!" Aragorn shouts, then walks off.

"Let him go, lad. Let him be." Gimli stops Legolas from going after Aragorn.

"Legolas," I call his name and he walks over to me.

"Yes, Aerlinniel?" He asks.

"Even though it is hard for me to believe it sometimes, there is always hope," I tell him before I walk out of the room, not giving him a chance to say anything back.

~~~

Aragorn and I are sitting on the steps outside the great hall to relax a little bit before the battle happens.

"Give me your sword." Aragorn says to someone who is standing near us, I do not recognise the heartbeat. "What is your name?"

"Haleth, son of Hama, my lord." A young boy replies. "The men are saying we will not live out the night. They say that it is hopeless."

Aragorn sighs and tells Haleth, "This is a good sword. Haleth, son of Hama...there is always hope."

I smile, I am glad Aragorn said that to Haleth. No matter how hopeless things seem, there is always hope. I have to keep reminding myself that. Even though I feel as though I will never be able to see, there is still hope.

Aragorn and I went back to the armoury to get ready. I hear Legolas' heartbeat as he enters the room.

"We have trusted you this far. You have not led us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair." Legolas apologises to Aragorn.

"A-moe edaved, Legolas. (There is nothing to forgive, Legolas.)" Aragorn tells him.

"We had time, I'd get this adjusted," Gimli says, clearly frustrated. "It's a little tight across the chest."

I hear a horn and Legolas states, "That is no Orc horn."

He runs out of the room, and we follow him. 

I do not recognise any of the heartbeats except for one. Haldir. He was the Elf that we met at Lothlorien.

"How is this possible?" I hear King Theoden question.

"I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago we fought and died together. We come to honor that allegiance." Haldir explains to him.

"You are most welcome," Aragorn tells him.

Haldir then says, "We are proud to fight alongside Men once more."

~~~~~~

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! I am updating 2 times today! The next update will be up later. Updates are every Sunday and Thursday!

Love you my elves from the realm of llamas,

~Ellethwen <3