Into Love's Arms

The next morning when Heidi and Denise awoke they met in the bathing chamber. They looked at each other and smiled. Knowing at last they had found a place they could be happy and release the demons of the past. They quickly bathed and dressed before meeting Celeborn and Legolas outside. Elrond was ready to return to Imladris and to his duties there. He smiled at them and wished them well saying he would see them in three months time. The ladies smiled and curtsyed before they went inside to break their fast. Minutes later Celeborn and Legolas joined them. Afterward they followed Celeborn into the spacious study. There they sat for the next three hours learning languages and history. Next they went and changed into tunics and leggings. They braided their hair and wrapped it into a bun so it could not be used as a handhold. They ate dinner with Haldir, Rumil, Legolas, and Orophin. Celeborn had matters of state to attend to. The ladies followed them out to the practice yard. They showed them what little hand to hand combat they knew. The next five hours were grueling. It was a blur of pain, pride, and more pain. Heidi and Denise limped back to their shared bathing chamber. Heidi slumped in the deep part pf the tub letting the hot water soothe her bruised and battered body. Denise slouched next to her just as beaten and weary as her friend.

"Remind me why we want to do this again?" Heidi mumbled trying not to move.

"Cause it's fun?" Denise quipped trying to keep her mind off her pain.

"Gods if I had a nickel for everytime Legolas or Haldri threw me to the ground i'd be rich." Heidi mumbled wincing as pain sliced through her back.

"No you'd be the same money here is different." Denise joked.

Heidi laughed feebly her heart not in the playful banter. Denise was so exhausted she didn't know if she c go go down for supper. Heidi looked at her body and gasped it was covered with bruises, cuts, and scrapes. Denise had fared no better she saw. They soaked untill the water grew cold, reluctantly getting out. Denise managed to pull on a robe before collapsing onto her bed. A soft knock roused her out of her light sleep.

"What." she mumbled.

Legolas stepped into the room and saw her draped over the bed. He felt guilty. They all did. They thought that since they knew some fighting then they knew lot. They were wrong. They had been to tough on the ladies. He sat on the bed next to Denise and he began to massage her back.

"I'm sorry. We're sorry."

"For what?"

"We were to hard on you both." hendednded so guilty that Denise wanted to cuddle him.

Sitting up she looked over at him. "Don't treat us like we're going to break. We are females but we are not made of glass. We asked and you showed. We will get used to this. Don't treat us like we have been treated since birth."

Legolas said nothing he simply took her into his arms. "Was everyone in that realm so bad?"

"No only the men." Denise said laughing.

Legolas smiled and went to find something for her to eat. When he returned he carried a tray filled foo food and drink. They both sat on the bed and shared supper wilst talking together.

~*~*~~*~*~*~*

Somehow Heidi mannaged to pull on a simple blue dress. She made her way, quite slowly, to the dining room. She saw Haldir, Rumil, Orophin, and Celeborn sitting. She pulled out a chair and sat down quite carefully. She managed a weak smile when Celeborn shot her a concerned look. Haldir and his brothers looked positivly shocked at her presence at the table. She was so exhausted but she refused to show any weakness. Celeborn motioned for a sever to start setting out the food and drink. Heidi sat as still as possible and ate little. Haldir and Celeborn kept shooting her concerned looks when they thought she wasn't looking. Sighing she pushed her food around her plate and concetrated on staying awake. She jumped when a hand closed over hers stilling her movements. Heidi bit her lip to keep from crying aloud at the pain. She looked up and saw Celeborn kneeling next to her chair. He studied her for a few minutes before shaking his head.

"You need to go to bed. You look exhausted."

"I'm fine." she said simply hating herself for lying.

Celeborn mearly raised an eyebrow. "Really? No I don't think your fine. I know how my sons are. They were a tad to rough today."

Heidi sat staring at him shocked for a moment. "Your sons?" she was startled. Had he mentioned it before? If he had she'd forgotten it.

Celeborn nodded. "They are my foster sons. Their parents were killed when they were very young. We took them in."

Heidi noddeelieeling very, very tired. Celeborn stood and picked her up as one would a child. He bid his sons goodnight and left the room. Heidi didn't have the strength to argue. Celeborn put her in bed and climbed in behind her. He held her and watched over her till she was asleep then he to went into the elvish realm of dreams.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next two and a half months passed swiftly. The days were always the same. Breakfast with Legolas and Celeborn, studies, dinner with Haldir and his brothers, training, supper, dress fittings, and finally bed. Elrond had come a month ago having recieved a summons from his daughter. Celeborn said they would see him when they went to Gondor. In another two weeks they to woould begin the trek to Gondor. Heidi and Denise were now fluent in Sindarin and were now learning Silvan. Denise excelled in the use of the bow and Heidi found her niche with the sword. Both were good in hand to hand combat. Their love for Celeborn and Legolas grew with each passing day. Legolas and Denise had already begun plans for their binding ceremony. Heidi and Celeborn hadn't even began discussing it, he hadn't even mentioned it. Two days later a summons from Lord Elrond came. He wished for them to come to Gondor sooner if it was possible. Celeborn decided that they would leave on the morrow. Servents rushed back and forth packing the ladies bags and preparing for the week long trek. Denise sat in Heidi's room watching her friend pace back and forth.

"Relax. We're going to Gondor not hell." Denise laughed.

"No it is a big deal! The Queen Arwen is Celeborn's granddaughter. King Elessar is his foster grandson. What if they don't like me?" Heidi said worriedly pacing.

Denise suddenly understood her apprehension, she was sure souldould feel the same when she met Legolas's family. A light tap on the door inturrupted whatever Heidi was going to say.

"Enter." called Denise.

The door opened and Celeborn stood there smiling at them, he carried two carven boxes.

"I had these made for you ladies for use in Gondor. Wear them if you wish." He said as he handed each of them a box and sat.

Heidi and Denise opened the boxes and gasped. Inside each was a mithril circlet with a crescent moon in the center.

"Thank you milord." Denise said rising and bowing slightly. "I think I will retire now as we leave early. Goodnight milord, Heidi."

Celeborn smiled and inclined his head slightly in acceptance of the compliment. He watched her leave before he turned his attnetions to Heidi. She stood there tears shining in her eyes as she stared st him in disbelieve.

"Diola lle." She whispered.

"Lle Creoso." He walked over to where she stood. "I have something else for you." Celeborn said as he pulled out a plain silver band etched with leaves on it. She stared at him uncomprhending. "I know we haven't talked about this but I love you. I would do anything for you. Will you be my wife?"

Tears fell freely down her face as she stared at him in wonder and happiness.

"Yes." Heidi managed to get out. Celeborn smiled and placed the ring on her left hand. He framed her face with his hands. "I love you." she said before she kissed him.

"Anlovelove you."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Early the next day they were ready to depart when the watch sounded. Two riders were approaching fast. Celeborn waited untill the riders rode up before moounting his horse. The ladies, Legolas, Haldir, and his brothers were ready to go. Celeborn smiled at the riders they were Elladan and Elrohir.

"Are you headed to Gondor?" Celeborn asked them.

"Yes. May we join you?" they asked at the same time.

Celeborn smiled and nodded. "Oh may I introduce Denise and Heidi. Laides this is Elladana and Elrohir Elrond's sons."

Heidi and Denise smiled and waved, the twins smiled back. They set off for Gondor with two extra guards.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

They rode all day and camped at night , they did this for days untill the reached the borders of Rohan.

"The Rohirrim or horse lords live here under the rule of King Eomer. They are also known as riders of the riddermark."

Heidi and Denise smiled at the metion of people, they hadn't seen anyone for days. Suddenly Haldir stopped short.

"Yrch!*" He gasped as he pulled out his bow. Legolas and Rumil followed suit. Suddenly they were surrounded by a horde of Orcs and Uruk. Celeborn, Elladan, Orophin and Elrohir dismounted and used their swords. Suddenly without warning Denise was yanked from her horse by an Uruk. Screaming she struggled to get away. She saw them grab Heidi as well as her horse reared up in fear. They began to drag the women behind a stand of rock.

"Legolas! Legolas!" Denise screamed over and over.

Legolas turned and saw the ladies being taken by the Uruk he tried to get to them but the ambush was well planned. Heidi screamed as an Orc held her arms behind her back. She kept screaming as the Uruk tore her dress. Denise was pushed up against the rocks as well screaming as they tore her dress from her body. Deep cuts and gashes showed on their pale skin as the Uruk hit and bit them. Gnarled, ugly hands grabbed at their breasts. They sobbed wildly trying not to show their fear as they were groped and touched by the foul beasts. Suddenly a few hundred men rode up and they began to saly the monsters. The Uruk grabbed a handful of Heidi's hair and forced her against his body. He used her as a human sheild. Denise screamed as the Orc slammed her against the rock before using her in a similar fashion. Two men saw what was happening and rode to the resuce. They dismounted and advanced on the Uruk. Heidi was tossed to the ground as the Uruk charged. Her head hit the packed dirt with such force that she balcked out. Densie screamed as she saw Heidi fall and pass out. She yanked away as a man engaged the Orc behind her. She crawled next to Heidi, she never saw the blow aimed at her head. An Orc snuck behind her and bashed her on the head with his sword. He paid with his life. Soon the men had bested the Uruk and Orc that held the ladies captive. They knelt next to the still forms just as they began to come around. Heidi jumped and bit backa cry as she saw the men so near her.

"Don't worry we won't hurt you. I am Faramir this is Eomer." Faramir said as he draped his cloak around Denise. Eomer wrapped his around Heidi as he assesed the women.

"Can you walk?" He asked looking at their bruised and abraided feet. Their shoes had fallen off when they were drug over here.

They shook their heads.

"Legolas! Legolas!." Denise sobbed over as she clung to Faramir.

Heidi mearly cried as she hoped Celeborn was still alive. Eomer and Faramir shared a look. Legolas was among the elves? Was he alright? They carried the women carefully to where the elves were finishing off the Uruk. Legolas and Celeborn ran over and took their loves from the men.

TBC.

A/N:

Yrch: Orc
Diola Lle: Thank you
LleCreoso: Your welcome.