A/N: I know I haven't updated any stories for a very long time. I had a lot of stuff going on in my life that prevented me from even writing. Since I haven't written for a long time, the story may feel or seem a little different than it was. I'm trying to get back in touch with the story and the characters. Thank you for all your reviews and favorites and follows. Thank you for sticking with me. Enjoy this chapter.

-Rooney1077

Faramir led Frodo, Sam, and Gollum through Ogsiliath to a tunnel. Frodo looked around at the old stone building they were under. It was near crumbling. He didn't like being under there. It could crush him and the Ring. Sam put a hand on his shoulder, sensing his anxiety. "This is the old sewer." Faramir said. "Runs right under the river through to the edge of the city. You'll find cover in the woods there."

"Captain Faramir, you've shown your quality, sir. The very highest." Sam said, giving him a nod of thanks. Frodo nodded along too, agreeing with him.

"The Shire must truly be a great realm, Master Gamgee, where gardeners are held in high honor." Sam blushed slightly. "What road will you take once you reach the woods?" The captain asked.

"Gollum says there a path near Minas Morgul that climbs up into the mountains." Frodo spoke up, absentmindedly twirling the Ring between his gritty fingers.

Faramir furrowed his brow. He knew of that route. "Cirith Ungol?" He muttered. He glanced down at the creature below him. With a snarl he pushed Gollum up against the wall. "Is that it's name?"

"No, no." The thing choked out. However, it's blue eyes and it's slight grin held the truth, Faramir could tell. After a moment, Gollum gave up. "Yes," the creature cried.

Faramir turned toward the hobbits, his green eyes holding a twinge of panic in them. "Frodo, they say a dark terror dwells in the passes above Minas Morgul. You cannot go that way," he urged.

"It is the only way." Gollum croaked. "Master says we must go to Mordor so, we must try." Gollum failed to hide its grin.

Frodo looked at Sméagol thoughtfully. "I must."

Faramir threw Gollum onto the ground, earning a quaint scream. "Go, Frodo. Go with the goodwill of all Men." He nodded at the two hobbits, hoping, praying he would see them again and the world would be good again.

"Thank you." Frodo gave him a meaningful smile, before turning into the sewer, Sam following him. Faramir waited for the sound of their feet padding down the moist sewer to fade.

Before Gollum could go, however, Faramir grabbed him by the neck and threw him against the wall again, his scowl so deep, it was practically etched into his weathered face. "May death find you quickly if you bring them to harm." He threw Gollum into the sewer to follow after his master.

The three of them had been walking quietly for a few hours. Frodo and Sam's feet sore; their throats dry with the lack of water–they refused to drink from the sewer. The two hobbits had finally made it out of the dark, moist, smelly sewer, and had just entered a small forest when Sam broke the silence. "I wonder if we'll ever be put into songs or fairy tales." Sam said. Over the long journey Sam had tried many times to brighten Frodo's mood, but had also failed many times. Though, he hopes this time he might make some kind of progress.

Frodo turned, raising an eyebrow at his friend. "What?" He questioned, a small smile tugging at his dry, chapped lips.

They continued to go deeper into the forest. "I wonder if people will ever say, 'Let's hear about Frodo and the Ring.'" Sam continued, his tone full of seriousness and wonder. "And they'll say, 'Yes! That's one of my favorite stories.'" Frodo could've laughed, but he remembered where he was. "'Frodo was really courageous, wasn't he, Dad?' 'Yes, my boy. The most famousest of Hobbits. And that's saying a lot.'"

Frodo chuckled, kicking a small rock and immediately, regretting it felling the pain in his toe. "Well, you've left out one of the chief characters: 'Sanwise the Brave'. I want to hear more about Sam." He came to a halt and turned to his friend. Sam could feel the sincerity radiating off his friend. "Frodo wouldn't have got far without Sam." It was true. He wouldn't have made it out of Hobbiton without Sam. He would most likely be dead if Sam wasn't there with him.

Sam blushed slightly, trying to hold back his embarrassed smile. "Now, Mr. Frodo, you shouldn't make fun. I was being serious."

"So was I." Frodo gave him a light smile, one Sam hadn't seen in days, and trudged on through the wood.

Sam grinned and readjusted his pack, his pots and pans clanging. "'Samwise the Brave.'" His grin widened at the thought of that.

Frodo couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. He looked around at their spot in the forest. It seemed unfamiliar to what Gollum had told him. "Sméagol?" He called. He had forgotten that they were supposed to be following the creature. "We're not waiting for you. Come on." They didn't have time to waste.

Far behind the hobbits Sméagol dragged himself across the forest floor, struggling to stay himself. "Master." He croaked. "Master looks after us." His voice was light and strained. "Master wouldn't hurt us." He cried.

"Master broke his promise." Gollum snapped back.

Sméagol flinched, "Don't ask Sméagol. Poor poor Sméagol." Sméagol cried out.

"Master betrayed us. Wicked. Tricksy. False. We ought to wring his filthy little neck. Kill him! Kill him! Kill the both! And then we take the precious and we be the master!" Gollum growled, gripping a tree branch in his hand and making a wringing motion.

"But the fat Hobbit, he knows. Eyes always watching." Sméagol said.

Gollum laughed manically. "Then we stabs them out. Put out his eyeses and make him crawl." Gollum licked his lips just thinking about it.

Sméagol giggled and jumped. "Yes. Yes. Yes."

"Kill them both." Gollum finalized.

"Yes. No! No!" Sméagol said quickly, coming to his senses. "It's too risky. It's too risky." He heard the Hobbits approaching and hid behind a tree.

"Where has he gone?" Sam groaned as he and Frodo looked around. "Hey, Gollum! Where are you?"

"Sméagol?" Frodo called.

Gollum smiled. "We could let Her do it." He said quietly.

Sméagol laughed lightly. "Yes. She could do it."

"Yes, precious, She could. And the. We takes it, once they're dead." Gollum said smoothly.

"Once they're dead." Sméagol repeated.

"Shhh." Gollum shushed Sméagol. He got out from behind the tree and painted a smile across his sickly face. "Come on, Hobbits. Long ways to go yet! Sméagol will show you the way." He pranced along the forest floor, leading them to Her. Frodo and Sam followed unknowingly. There was a large chance they'd be going to their deaths.

-End of Two Towers-

-Start of Return of the King-

Andrew was awoken by a scream. In the past few days he had heard many screams. Screams of agony on the battlefield where hundreds were killed. Screams of sadness when the women and children found their loved ones dead. He remembered Percy's screams too, though those were quite different. Andrew was familiar with screams. Every night, Andrew was forced to listen to Connor's screams. No one told him to shut up or anything. His brother was dead. They let him mourn in peace.

But this scream was different. It seemed confused and panicked. Andrew threw his covers off and followed the sound. He found the source. Jason sat awake in his bed, looking around with wide eyes. Thalia reached out for her brother to calm him, but he flinched away from her, scooting as far away from her as he could. "No!" Jason yelled. He fell from the bed and crawled away to the corner. They all followed him.

"Jason, what's wrong?" Andrew asked calmly, kneeling to face the son of Jupiter.

He raised his head from his hands, his now longer blond hair sticking up in every direction. His eyes were bloodshot and dilated with fear. Jason frowned at him. "What? Who?" He asked, breathing heavily. "Who is that? Who are you? Where the hell am I?" He yelled. Andrew sighed. His memory loss must've been getting worse. The longer they were in Middle Earth, the worse everyone's condition became. Leo hadn't gotten out of bed some the battle and refused to talk to anyone. He complained about everything. All Clarisse wore were dresses and continuously asked to braid Andrew's hair, which irritated the hell out of him. Nico jumped around and wreaked havoc with little kids in the town, and was forced to have multiple time outs. The son of Hades continuously asked if Andrew knew where he could get a pack of Mythomagic cards. Andrew could also feel himself get angrier and angrier. Sometimes he wanted to hurt people, his friends. He had dreams about hurting them. Often, he could become so enraged by the tiniest of things, Thalia had to remove him from the room before he hurt someone. And now Jason forgot who he was.

Andrew pulled Thalia aside. "We've got to take him to someone." Thalia nodded in agreement, looking back at her brother. It was hard to watch her brother forget everything, forget her. It was as if she were watching a grandparent with Alzheimer's fade away slowly. "Soon he may forget how to do simple stuff or how to control voluntary muscles or organs or–"

Thalia held up a hand. "Okay, Andy, I got it. Don't need a health lesson," She rolled her eyes. She didn't need to hear about how her brother could die.

Andrew frowned. He didn't understand what she was going through, and wasn't exactly being very sensitive about the situation. "I wasn't–"

"Doesn't matter." Thalia grabbed Jason's arm, holding back the hurt when she saw the terror in her little brother's eyes. Jason began to struggle, so naturally, Thalia hit his temple with her elbow. She nodded at his other arm for Andrew to grab it.

"Wait, where are we going?" Andrew questioned, slinging Jason's arm around his shoulder. Drool dripped out of Jason's mouth and onto the son of Athena's shoulder. He grit his teeth, and readjusted Jason.

"To find someone to help him, idiot." Thalia grunted, giving him another eye roll. Anger bubbled in Andrew's chest, but he pushed it back down. "Let's go." Thalia and Andrew dragged an unconscious Jason out of their shared room and through the halls of the castle. The two argued all the while as Andrew looked in every corridor for someone. The two demigods had almost made it through the whole castle until Andrew's eyes fell on two tall people, one with long white-blond hair and the other with long, straight black hair. Their bodies were close, too close. The one with the blond hair laid his hand on the other's cheek. The black haired person turned into the touch and Andrew caught sight of who it was. He dropped Jason, earning an irritable grumble from Thalia. Andrew didn't care, though. It was Percy. He had never seen her this close to any other man, but him. It made him want to vomit. His anger almost got the better of him. The thought of what his mother would think if she saw him now didn't even stop him. Andrew began to make his way toward them with his dagger drawn, but Thalia caught him by the arm.

"What the hell are you doing?" She whisper-yelled.

Andrew glared at her. "Going to stop them from freaking fornicating in that deck." He motioned over to them.

Thalia raised an eyebrow. She admitted she didn't really like her best friend getting all touchy-feely with some elf, but she didn't want her other best friend to go on a killing rampage. "Andrew, he's just touching her cheek." Andrew grit his teeth. "I get that you love her and stuff, but until she remembers us, you can't do anything about it." 'Why do I have to be the wise one?' She thought with another eye roll.

Thalia glanced over at the two, an idea coming to her. "You know what, she hangs with that wizard. She can get us to him, so we can figure out what's happening to Jason and the rest of them." She nodded at her idea with a grin, and picked Jason up–well, half picked him. It was hard to carry a 180 pound boy made of muscle. Thalia dragged Jason over to the two elves. "Hey, you mind helping us?" Thalia's strong voice was strained.

Once seeing them, Legolas and Elysium pulled away from each other quickly, both blushing. "Pardon?" Legolas asked. His eyes fell on the unconscious boy. With a large amount of speed and grace, the Elf Prince kneeled in front of Jason, and examined him.

He looked back at Elysium, who the whole time, was staring at Andrew, blushing a deep red. "We must take him to Gandalf. He will know what to do." Legolas informed. He looked back at Elysium, whom continued to stare at the blond, curly haired boy. "Elysium!" The Elven Princess shook herself out of her trance and nodded absentmindedly. Legolas took him from Thalia's arms and lifted him in his with ease, the muscles in his bare arms rippling. They made their way to the Great Hall in silence, Elysium leading the way. Andrew tried get her attention many times, but she ignored him relentlessly, walking closely to Legolas.

Andrew seethed. What did Legolas have that he didn't? Yeah, he was taller and had a pretty nice face and probably a good body, from what the demigod could tell. But Andrew had history with her. 'He has history with her, too. 2000 years of it.' A little voice in his head chimed in. Andrew shook his head. It didn't matter. Once she remembered who she really was, then it would be all right. He didn't want to get her back just for himself, but for Sally and Paul who had been worried out of their minds, and for the sake of both camps.

They reached the Great Hall in a matter of minutes. Many were in there, speaking to each other adamantly: the old wizard, the dwarf, the Man, Theoden, Éomer, and Éowyn. They seemed to being discussing something, important.

The dwarf was the first to see them. A sly grin grew on his weathered face. "Finally showed, eh? Didn't get the message? Or were you two too busy–" Gimli began, but Aragorn elbowed him.

"Who is that?" Aragorn asked, catching sight of Andrew and Thalia and the boy Legolas was carrying. Legolas laid the boy down on a table, gently. Éowyn and Gandalf rushed over. Elysium moved away from the crowd around Jason, and made her way to Gimli. Without a word she grabbed the mug of ale from the dwarf's hand and chugged it. Gimli's orange, fluffy eyebrows were raised, a smirk on his face.

"You doing alright?" He chortled watching Elysium wipe the foam from her lips and nose.

She grimaced and plopped down next to the dwarf. "Keen with a side of peach," she groaned. Gimli frowned at the figure of speech; he'd never heard that one. Elysium laughed lightly, and wiped her tired eyes. "I've been around the hobbits for too long," she began. "I'm also extremely hungry."

"When are you never hungry?" Gimli whispered when the two earned a hush from Gandalf.

Elysium grinned at him. "I am not entirely sure." Legolas broke up their conversation, giving Gimli and Elysium an annoyed look.

"It's Jason son of Grace. One of the foreigners' companions." Legolas said. Andrew narrowed his eyes at the word "foreigner". Thalia sensed his irritation and placed a hand on his shoulder, thinking it might calm him down a little. Gandalf placed a hand on the blond boy's forehead. "I felt something...odd when I touched him," Legolas admitted.

Andrew cracked a smile and bent down to Thalia's height. "Is he coming out?" He whispered to Thalia. She just rolled her eyes, but a small smile danced on her lips.

Gandalf retracted his hand and looked to Thalia and Andrew. "It is 'odd'. His mind..." Gandalf trailed off. "When this war is over, I shall take a look." He finished.

Thalia frowned. Her brother could be dying. "When it's over? You'll take a look? Just do it now!" She yelled.

Gandalf shook his head. "We have more important things to do. Isengard has been overrun. It's orcs stationed there, dead. Saruman is defeated. We must ride to Isengard tonight."

"That is why we are here." Aragorn added. "We ride tonight."

Thalia scowled. "I don't give two shits–"

"I want to come." Andrew interrupted, nudging the angered daughter of Zeus. He glanced at Elysium. She found his eyes, but looked away quickly, going back to whisper with Gimli. He needed to keep an eye on her. Andrew just found her. He could not lose her again.

"The more the merrier, I say." Gimli said gruffly, banging his ax against the floor.

"Fine. Let's go then. We mustn't waste time we do not have," Elysium grunted. She brushed past Andrew, heading to the stables.

Gimli raised a brow and clapped his hands. "As the lady says," he jumped down from the stool he sat on and followed Elysium, soon followed by the rest of the company.

Thalia frowned at Andrew. "Why are you doing this?" She asked.

"I have my reasons." Without another word, Andrew turned and made for the stables, leaving Thalia alone.

She looked over at her brother, lying unconscious on the table. She sighed. "Dammit. How the hell am I going to carry you all by myself?"

Elysium saddled her horse, and looked out into the open field. Her mind wandered to her newest vision. She had went outside to breathe. The room they were given to sleep in was stuffy, and not at all connected to nature. Naturally, as an elf, she felt at peace when she was close to nature. She couldn't breathe in that room, so she went outside in the cool night. Elysium had not heard Legolas come up behind her after a few moments. They had spoken for several minutes. Legolas had put his hand on her cheek. It had made her heart jump, and heat rise to her cheeks. She looked up into his steel blue-grey eyes, an odd feeling in her stomach grew. She liked how he made her feel, though. But then the girl with the odd hair, Thalia, had interrupted them, carrying the blond boy, her brother. Behind her was Andrew. As soon as she saw him, her vision flashed.

They were so close to each other. Her body ached for him. Andrew's touch caused her to go wild. A moan escaped her lips. He kissed her harder, pushing her up against the arena wall, grabbing the small of her back with one hand and both her wrists with the other, pinning them above her head. He knew what it did to her when he touched the small of her back. He smirked into the kiss. He grabbed her orange shirt, trying to pull it off. They suddenly stopped, hearing a wolf whistle.

Clarisse raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms. "You two mind finishing this somewhere else? I've got a class to teach."

She blushed and straightened her orange shirt. Andrew grinned and grabbed her hand, taking her out of the arena, and away from Clarisse's judgment, to finish what they started.

Elysium saw herself doing that with Andrew, a boy she had met only a few weeks ago. That vision was so familiar. Elysium knew that she was that woman Andrew was kissing. But was it true? She would never betray herself and her culture for a mere Man. She felt something, though, when Andrew kissed her. Something only one other person made her feel.

"Ellie?" Someone came up behind her in the stables. Elysium jumped, but relaxed seeing as it was only Legolas. "What plagues your mind?" He asked.

Elysium turned toward him. His kind eyes melted away the doubt and fear in her heart. She knew what she saw would hurt Legolas. She did not want him to know.

Everyone was now on their own steed, Gimli sharing one with Andrew. "Forward," Théoden ordered. Elysium told her horse to begin the journey through her mind. She had always been able to communicate with horses.

"Nothing," Elysium replied shortly, holding onto her horse's mane gently. She didn't want to tell Legolas of her vision. Legolas cocked his head to the side slightly, analyzing her.

"I know when you hide the truth from me, Elysium. I recall our promise we made to each other many ages ago. Do you not?" Legolas questioned, guiding his horse to walk closer to Elysium.

Elysium sighed. "It has yet to slip my mind. I just do not want to speak of it."

Legolas frowned and grabbed her shoulder gently, which with any other being it would be an awkward position as they were on different horses, but elves had a knack for being graceful creatures. "Is it another vision?" His voice was low and quiet, so no one else could hear their conversation. Her lack of answer gave him his. "You can tell me, Ellie. Trust me as you always have." Legolas' light eyes pleaded.

She soon gave in. Elysium knew he wasn't going to like it. "It was of the Andrew boy." Legolas' jaw instantly tightened. He grew to hate the boy. He clenched his horses mane, earning a winey. Elysium laid her hand on his, and it relaxed. "Legolas..."

"What was it of?" He interrupted, not wanting to hear any excuses or apologies.

Elysium would not lie to Legolas. She sighed, running a hand through her hair. She retracted her hand before beginning. "We were in some place. We were...very close to each other." The elven Princess shifted uncomfortably. "He was kissing me, touching me where no man has ever touched me before." Legolas stared straight ahead, his chest not raising or falling as it always did when he breathed. "Legolas, breathe," she ordered. He let out a deep breath, gripping his horses mane tighter. "I'm sure it was just a nightmare. I would never allow a Man to abuse my virtue as he did."

"They're visions, Elysium, not dreams," Legolas reminded. "They happened or will come to pass."

Elysium frowned, shaking her head. "No, it will not. It couldn't have happened. We were in an odd place, wearing odd clothing. The way we had acted..." She trailed off, glancing at Legolas.

Legolas' throat was dry, all of the saliva in his mouth he had swallowed to stop from speaking, but he couldn't hold it in anymore. He couldn't control his anger anymore. "You've thought about it. Do you want..." Legolas wouldn't meet her eyes.

Elysium's frown turned into a deep scowl in less than a second. She rode ahead, and turned her horse to face Legolas. "What're you saying? That I want that Man to..." The words got caught in her throat, just thinking about it. Anger toward Legolas filled her mind. "I'm not a whore. I would never go against my virtue." A humorless laugh, one Legolas hadn't heard for a long time rang out. "I don't spend my days sitting in pubs or in villages asking Men or any being to–" The disgust, and slight hurt in her voice snapped Legolas out of his mood. He realized what she thought he was implying.

"Ellie, that's not what I–"

She didn't give him time to finish. "I don't have to explain myself to you. You forget whom you are speaking to," was all she said before turning toward their destination and riding ahead, away from Legolas.

Gimli looked over at the elf with a disappointed look. "Excellent job, Elf. Now she's gonna run to me with her problems about you, and the last thing I want to hear is anything about you," the dwarf grumbled. Legolas let out a short groan and glanced at Andrew. His irritation and annoyance grew at the sight of the grey eyed boy. Andrew gave him a calculating look before he sped up to catch up with Elysium.

They soon reached Isengard. The soft was startling to most. Water from the dam covered what used to be dry land. Trees riddled the ground, along with dead Orcs. Stone was flung about in random places. Walls and other land features were destroyed. Though, the tall tower stood, glowering down at them.

As soon as they trotted from the small woods, the small fellowship could hear joyous laughter–the familiar cackling of two hobbits they lost, what felt like, ages ago. Elysium looked up at Merry and Pippin, whom were relaxed upon a rock, drinking and smoking. She grinned at them.

Merry stood, raising his pipe to them. "Welcome, my lords," he glanced at Elysium, "and Lady, to Isengard!"

Gimli growled from beside Elysium. "You young rascals! A merry hunt you've led us on," he yelled, but his slight smile showed his relief that the young hobbits were alive. "And now we find you feastin' and...and smokin'!"

Pippin took a whiff from his pipe before speaking. "We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts." He took a large bite. "The salted pork is particularly good." Gimli's stomach growled loudly, and muttered something about salted pork.

"We're under order from Treebeard, who's taken over management of Isengard." Merry yelled down to them.

Andrew trotted up on his horse beside Elysium. He frowned, asking, "Who's Treebeard?" Elysium glanced at him before motioning over to one of the biggest trees Andrew had ever seen. It creaked as it moved into sight. Gandalf led them closer, through the wreckage, until they were right under the tower.

"Young Master Gandalf," Treebeard croaked loudly. Elysium felt herself smirk. She leaned over to Gimli. "I don't think I've ever heard one use 'young' and 'Gandalf' in the same phrase." Gimli chortled until Aragorn gave them both a steely glance.

"I'm glad you've come," Treebeard continued. "Wood and water, stock and stone I can master. But there is a wizard to manage here–locked in his tower."

Elysium felt a shiver go through her. She gripped her bow tightly. Aragorn scowled, "Show yourself," he muttered.

Gandalf glanced at them out of the corner of his eye. "Be careful. Even in defeat, Saruman is dangerous."

Gimli shuffled on the back of his pony irritably. "Well, lets just have his head and be done with it."

"No," Gandalf said, "we need him alive. We need him to talk." His eyes traveled up the talk tower to the very top. Saruman came into view, a hunched figure following farther behind.

A raspy voice echoed, though it was soft. "You have fought many wars and slain many men, Théoden King, and made peace afterwards. Can we not take counsel together as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?"

"He can't be serious, right?" Andrew whispered to Aragorn. Aragorn nodded his head slowly, not taking his eyes off the tricky wizard.

Théoden scowled up at him. "We shall have peace. We shall have peace when you answer for the burning of the Westfold, and the children that lie dead there! We shall have peace when the lives of the soldiers whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the gate of the Hornburg, are avenged!" His voice was deadly calm now. "When you bang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows, we shall have peace."

Saruman's body shook with anger as leaned heavily on his staff. "Gibbets and crows? Dotard!" He turned his attention to his fellow wizard. "What do you want, Gandalf Greyhame? Let me guess. The Key of Orthanc? Or perhaps the Keys of Barad-dur itself, along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the Five Wizards!" Andrew stared up at the wizard with a very confused look. He had no idea what was going on at all. 'I guess I know how Percy feels most of the time,' he thought.

"Your treachery has already cost many lives. Thousands more are now at risk. But you could save them, Saruman! You were deep in the enemy's counsel." Gandalf could feel the irritation of his companions, this was going on too long; they just wanted to end this all.

"So you have come here for information." Saruman always had a knack for finding some kind of power over his enemy. He found his power. "I have some for you." Seemingly out of nowhere, the old wizard pulled out a spherical, black orb, reflecting the wreckage around them. Saruman looked deeply into the orb. "Something festers in the heart of Middle-earth. Something you have failed to see. But the Great Eye has seen it. Even now he presses his advantage."

Andrew frowned. "What's the Great Eye?" he asked quietly, leaning closely to Elysium. Andrew saw Legolas scowl at him, but he ignored it. Elysium tried pretending she didn't hear him, to just focus on the wizard, but Andrew was beginning to annoy her. She shot him a look that Andrew translated as 'shut the hell up'. Percy used to give him that look a lot, he actually missed it.

"His attack will come soon," Saruman continued, "You're all going to die."

Andrew's eyes widened. "Is that a threat?" he whispered to Elysium.

"Quiet, boy! I'm sick of your queries," she growled. Andrew felt anger bubble in his chest, but he pushed it back down. He was wise enough to know that know was not the time to cause a scene.

Gandalf moved closer to the tower, not taking his eyes off Saruman. "But you already know this, don't you, Gandalf? You cannot think that this Ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor. This exile, crept from the shadows, will never be crowned king." Elysium was getting tired of everyone doubting her closest friend. She leaned over to Théoden. "May I end this?" Théoden shook his head slowly.

"Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those closest to him, those he professes to love." A smug smile crept across the old wizard's weathered face seeing the looks on Gandalf's companions' faces. "Tell me, what words of comfort did you give the Halfling before you sent him to his doom? The path you have set him on can only lead to death."

"I've heard enough!" Gimli yelled. He nudged Elysium's arm. "Shoot him. Stick an arrow in his gob." Elysium took off her bow. Legolas placed a hand on her elbow, stopping her.

"No," Gandalf ordered. Elysium grit her teeth, but placed her bow down in her lap. "Come down, Saruman, and your life will be spared."

Elysium scowled, and her horse brought her closer to the old wizard. "Gandalf, he deserves the most painful of deaths. You must allow us-"

"Save your pity and your mercy. I have no uses for it!" Saruman yelled. A great ball of fire erupted from his staff, and enveloped Elysium and Gandalf. It quickly dissipated, both the elf and the wizard fully intact.

"Saruman, your staff is broken." Saruman's staff immediately began to shake and glow. It exploded into pieces in his hands. He was left looking around, speechless. Grima came into view, now that Saruman's source of power was gone.

Théoden s face softened. "Grima, you need not follow him. You were not always as you are now. You were once a Man of Rohan," the king said with pride. "Come down."

Saruman scoffed. "A Man of Rohan? What is the house of Rohan but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek, and their brats roll on the floor with the dogs? The victory does not belong to you, Théoden Horse-master. You are a lesser son of greater sires."

Théoden tried to ignore the wizard. He looked back up at his old friend. "Grima, come down. Be free of him."

"Free! He will never be free." Saruman laughed.

Grima looked up at his master, and then down at his old master. He shook his head slowly. "No." it was soft and breathy, but the wizard still heard it.

"Get down, cur!" With that Saruman slapped him.

"Saruman! You were deep in the enemy's counsel. Tell us what you know!" Gandalf tried redirecting the situation back to what important.

"You withdraw your guard, and I will tell you where your doom will be decided. I will not be held prisoner here!" Saruman negotiated. Elysium wasn't paying attention to him, though. Below Saruman, she could just see Grima draw his small knife. She knew what he was going to do, but she didn't do anything to stop him. Grima quickly got up and rushed his master, plunging the dagger in his back. Legolas drew his bow and shot Grima in the chest. All the Fellowship could do was watch as Saruman the White fell from the tall tower and fall directly on a spike on the well.

"Send word to all our allies," Gandalf ordered. "And to every corner of Middle-eath that still stands free. The enemy moves against us. We need to know where he will strike." He turned from the scene, heading back to the group. All Elysium could do was watch as the well began to turn with Saruman's body turning with it. She didn't notice the small plunk, as the orb fell into the water. Pippin did, though. He jumped off the back or Aragorn's horse and hobbled into the filthy water. He picked the orb out of the water and ran his hands over it. Elysium frowned and jumped off her horse, heading over to Pippin. As soon as she was a few feet from him, her entire body froze and a shock went through her.

'Elysium climbed the attic steps slowly and cautiously. Immediately hit with the stench of rotting wood, snaked, and mold. The room was small, and densely filled with all kinds of items: armor stands; old, dented shields; jars filled with disgusting things that Elysium didn't think she had ever seen before; trophies, piles of them; a huge reptilian head was mounted on the wall. She looked around more, but stopped when her eyes fell on a disgusting, gooey, mummy. She actually looked like a hippie, but Elysium wasn't sure how she knew what that was. Her whole body froze, a cold shock going through her. It was a familiar feeling. She was freaked out, and it got worse when the leathery person sat up and opened her mouth.

Green smoke fell onto the floor from her mouth, and danced around Elysium's legs, which were clad in some odd, tight material. The coils of smoke ran up her body and she felt that shock run through her again. Elysium couldn't find the door from the attic anymore; she just needed to get out. Inside her head she could hear, "I Am the spirit of Delphi, speaker of the prophecies of Phoebus Apollo, slayer of the mighty Python. Approach seeker, and ask."'

Elysium's body unfroze, and the shock ended. To her it felt like ages. Though, the rest of the Fellowship didn't see anything. "Pippin," her voice was shaky. The young hobbit turned, the orb in hand. "I'll take that." Pippin reluctantly gave her the orb. Her nimble fingers touched the cold glass, sending the shock through her again. She hurriedly wrapped the orb in her robe, and jumped on her horse. Elysium trotted back to Gandalf and nudged him. Gandalf glanced at her, his face paling when he saw what she held in her lap. Gently he took the orb and put it in the sack on his saddle, keeping his hand there.

The ride back to Rohan was quiet, apart from the constant thumping of the horses' hooves on the ground. Elysium could feel the looks Legolas was giving her, but she chose to deal with it later. All she could think of now was the vision she had had when she was merely a foot or two away from Saruman's orb. Elysium was confused. The things in that room, the leathery human in the odd clothes. The green mist, and the words spoken. Elysium needed to focus on the quest at hand, and deal with her visions after. That's what she kept telling herself.

She also needed some alone time, time where she could relax and breathe freely, but as soon as they entered the castle, Théoden suggested a feast to commemorate the lives lost, a party, Andrew had called it. That's where they all were now-the Great Hall with most of the king's men. All kinds of food and liquor surrounded her. Thankfully, that's all she needed to take her mind off her visions.

Before she could drown her worries in liquor, Théoden wanted to make a toast. Eowyn carefully carried a intricate goblet of wine to her uncle, and knelt before him. Théoden took the goblet, and everyone stood, will their mugs in hand. "Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country. Hail the victorious dead." Théoden toasted, raising his goblet.

"Hail," everyone shouted back, raising their mugs of ale. In her mind, Elysium said an elven prayer for the dead that her father had taught her after one gruesome battle. Now, after every battle she partakes in, Elysium says that same prayer. She took a log swig of her ale, earning an eyebrow raise from Legolas. The whole hall erupted into chatter and laughter as everyone sat down to drink and feast. Gimli pulled Legolas, Aragorn, and Elysium away to an open table.

Elysium was already on her third ale, feeling no effect, by the time Eomer and a few other men carried over what looked like 30 full mugs and set them on the table. Legolas didn't notice though, he was too busy staring at a Elysium as she sipped her liquor and glanced around. "We need to speak about what transpired at Isengard, Ellie. I know you had a vision,' He said quietly. Elysium paid him not much mind as she watched Eowyn talk to Aragorn. Her eyes narrowed, watching the way Eowyn looked at her closest friend. It reminded her of the way her sister often looked at him.

"Yes, yes, later," was her short response. It wasn't good enough for the Mirkwood elf. Before he could say anything else, Gimli had challenged him to a drinking game and Elysium was out of sight. Elysium leans against a wooden column, watching Eowyn offer Aragorn her goblet. Their hands meet briefly and Elysium feels a fire go through her. Her vision blurs for a moment. Aragorn nods slightly at her before walking past her. Eowyn stared after him, a small smile toying at her lips. Eowyn meets Elysium's eye for a moment, and her body turns cold. Elysium's eyes are stony and dark as she walks toward Eowyn.

A tall man step in front of her, holding onto her hips. Elysium glances up, meeting steel grey eyes and a mess of blond curls. "You don't want to do that, princess." Elysium glowers at him, and tries to step around him, but he steps right in front of her again. "She's not worth it," he says slowly. Elysium pushes Andrew away and stalks back to the table where Gimli and Legolas were at. As the night continues, she would catch Eowyn's eye. Overtime she did, Elysium would drink another mug of ale. By the end of the night, she had drunk 40 glasses.

Elysium stumbled out of the Great Hall, the music, the smell of alcohol, and every worry Elysium had disappeared behind her. She bumped into a wall. Hiccuping, she apologized sincerely. Elysium continued to walk along the corridor until she felt cool, welcoming air hit her. She moved out onto the balcony, giggling all the while. After a minute, she felt someone coming her way. Not someone-she felt him coming her way. Her heart thudded quickly in her chest, it almost hurt. Elysium put a hand on her chest, whispering at her heart. "That is enough of that!" A giggle escaped her throat.

Legolas rounded a corner, and finally found Elysium. The elf could tell she was quite drunk. He had never seen her in this state, but Aragorn has told him stories about a drunk Elysium. Aragorn and Elysium used to sneak off when they were young. They'd travel far to find an acceptable pub. It would only take Aragorn four glasses of any type of liquor before he was far gone. The most Elysium ever drank was twenty-four, and she was only slightly tipsy. She would never drink more than thirty, for she knew it would be troublesome.

Looking at Elysium now, he could imagine how much she had, for she had begun stripping layers off. Her robe Galadriel had given the Fellowship was on the stone ground, and so was her vest that covered her chest. Legolas averted his eyes, telling himself not to stare, to focus on something else besides the elven goddess breathing heavily and laughing. He couldn't help himself as he watched her skin glow in the moonlight. Legolas shook his head and focused on picking up her clothes. He folded them neatly, placing them gently on the ground.

Elysium stared at Legolas, leaning heavily against the balcony ledge. She tried to control her breathing, but the way his hands moved gracefully-the way his eyes glanced over her, she was almost completely lost. The Mirkwood prince turned his back to set her clothes down, and for a second Elysium thought he was leaving her.

"No!" Her voice was heavy. Elysium reached out for Legolas' hand, but her depth perception was not great at the moment. She missed and fell right into him. "Ellie," he croaked, catching her. He pulled her up to stand straight. "Come now, let me take you back to your room." Elysium frowned, and pulled away from Legolas.

"No," she slurred again. Elysium placed her hands on the balcony ledge to steady herself. Legolas came up beside her, his eyes looking over every part of her. He couldn't tell if it was cautiously or wanting-the way he looked at her. Elysium grinned before pointing up at the sky. "Look at the stars, Greeny," she muttered. Elysium hadn't used that nickname she had for him in ages. It was from Greenleaf, his last name.

"Yes, I see them Ellie. They are spectacular tonight." Legolas breathed out, staring down at her. There weren't any stars out. Elysium's smile brightened as she turned to Legolas. She stared at him for a while before placing her hand on his chest, right over his heart, and closing her eyes. Legolas closed his, savoring the feeling of her hand over his heart. Elysium opened her eyes, along with Legolas. She glanced over at the sky, and then back at him. She gently pushed him against the wall, grabbed the back of his neck, and kissed him.