At the End of All Things [LotR / Legolas] Book 3

To @PotatoesRuleHell - because that is a ridiculously hilarious username.

Thank you for the 42 (YES FORTY-TWO) comments on last chapter!! 

XVI

Ára sat motionlessly outside of the Golden Halls of Edoras, watching the hustle and bustle going on as everyone prepared for Gandalf to leave. The city had been filled with movement since the young Hobbit, Pippin – she remembered – had touched the palantír.

After she left Legolas, she knew Aragorn had gone to him; and they had stayed outside until the commotion indoor had made them rush inside. She had spoken to no one; simply helped Gandalf as he tried to figure out if Pippin had told Sauron anything about Frodo. Once they realized he had not told him anything she had moved away again, loitering around the sidelines and silently watching everyone as they started moving. More often than not, her eyes strayed towards Legolas and sometimes her eyes met his. He didn't smile at her, only looked at her solemnly until she would lower her eyes. Ára was unsure why she felt the urge to shy away from his gaze; her heart thumping wildly in her chest for some inexplicable reason. She was glad they had talked the night before, though some of the things he said made her feel sad, mainly what he had said about loving Arya – who somehow felt like a different person entirely – though that was not possible.

"You're leaving too?" Aragorn said as he stepped up next to her.

"Very bad idea – even if you are no longer a dragon you could be tremendously helpful. Do you still know how to fight, lass?" Gimli stepped up to her other side; his grumbling making her laugh silently; "yes Gimli, I still remember to fight. And who said I can no longer turn into a dragon?"

"You can?" Aragorn was the first to ask, but then he seemed to think about it and nodded his head as though he had figured something out.

Gimli too, looked surprised and pleased with her revelation; "how? I thought that was part of the Darkling?"

"I am a Maia; you would be surprised at all the things I can do."

They looked at her with large eyes, surprised at her self-assurance. When her lips started to twist upwards and a chuckle escaped her mouth they both started to laugh with her, pleased that she still had some of her wit.

Legolas soon stepped up next to them, his eyes insecure as he gazed at her for a little while before letting his eyes rest on the landscape surrounding Edoras. Aragorn and Gimli excused themselves, both patting Legolas slightly on the back as they made their way down to Gandalf.

"So you were right," Legolas said quietly, "Gandalf is leaving."

"Did you doubt me?" She tilted her head to the side, looking at the side of his face.

A small smile stretched across his face before he turned towards her and met her eyes, the smile still present on his face; "maybe a little, I am still trying to get used to all of this;" he admitted gesturing towards her, "all of your new attributes, I mean."

"Are they all bad?" She asked softly, and he closed his eyes momentarily as he could faintly hear Arya behind the words; shaking his head from side to side slowly. "No," he smiled at her again, "they are not all bad – and when the storm settles; when we – I – have the time to get my mind wrapped around all this; I look forward to getting to know you – the real you – better."

"Likewise," she smiled holding his gaze for a moment before looking to the young Hobbit that Gandalf was taking to Minas Tirith. He looked up for a moment and met her eyes, and she nodded her head – knowing that he was ready to leave. Turning once more to the man who was bound to her, she gazed up on his handsome face – his blue eyes gazing out into the distance before he once more turned to meet hers.