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Chapter XVIII: THE OCEAN

The dark of the night had barely began to raise, the first sounds of the new day hadn't begun yet, but the Gray Company was already on their feet, anticipating the sun. Cyrene turned to Aragorn, "I will part soon, milord. Time is of essence."

Aragorn looked into Cyrene's pale face. The strong woman was showing the extent of the ordeal she had suffered in the Paths of the Dead. He admired her, however he felt responsible for those he was leading on the difficult journey.

"Cyrene, you deserve my highest regard for your bravery and battle skills. I'm aware that you not only can fend for yourself but you are also a valuable asset to the army of Rohan. You excel the best archers I have ever seen, except maybe Legolas , but I do not wish for you to travel alone."

Cyrene's head went sharply up, her chin lifted in defiance. "Milord Aragorn, as much as I respect you, as a man, a warrior, and a leader, I have my orders and my only liege is Theoden of Rohan."

Aragorn sighed. "I am aware of that too, Cyrene. But do believe me when I say that I do not wish for you to travel alone because you are a female. If you were one of my men, you would not travel alone. We are on enemy's land now. "

"Milord, if you think less of me because of what happened in the Paths of the Dead ...." she started saying.

Aragorn put his hand over hers. "No, Cyrene, I do not think less of you ...I have seen the same fear in the eyes of the Dunedain and the Riders of Rohan. And I have every faith in you, but in these times I will not send any one, and I mean anyone of my men out there alone, be it human, Amazon or Elf. You will ride with company or not at all."

Legolas stood up next to Cyrene. "Elessar, it is a matter of honor to her. I'd also prefer that Cyrene wouldn't ride on her own, but I understand her. Leave her be."

Cyrene looked into Legolas' face and smiled, all the love she felt for him shining in her eyes, unbeknownst to her. Legolas' smiled back, a sad smile that spoke of his intention to honor her wishes and respect her will, above all.

Aragorn said then: "It's not only that I want her to ride with company, Legolas. For the ones that will ride with her will be Gimli and yourself."

Legolas was speechless for a minute, and then replied, "Elessar, Gimli and I are committed to the quest and the Fellowship. We are committed to you, and we will follow you into the fires of Mordor itself. .."

"But we will ride into battle together, my friend. I will wait for you and the Amazons in Pelargir. And then travel as fast as the Gods allow it to Minas Tirith. I am relying on you. I need you Legolas, I need Gimli and I need Cyrene fighting at my side. But I also need the Amazons, to ensure our victory over Sauron's army. Or die trying. Please heed my request, Cyrene, Legolas," said Aragorn.

Legolas looked into the Amazon's face again. He was sure that she would refuse, for she never gave in.

Cyrene looked away from him to Aragorn, and brought her fist to her chest in salute, saying softly, "As you wish, Milord."

*************************

Cyrene, Legolas and Gimli parted from the Gray Company at Ethring, heading towards the ocean.

The Amazon was still amazed at herself for having relented, but she was enjoying the company of the elf and the dwarf, and their presence distracted her from the dreaded encounter ahead.

In the last two days she had needed Legolas' presence around her like air and sunlight, and the thought of the upcoming separation tore at her very soul. The hard hours at the Paths of the Dead that she had shared with the elf and Gimli had been the worst experience of her life so far. And she knew for certain that she wouldn't have made it without their support.

It hadn't been that long since she had left Artemis Island, but to her, it felt almost like a lifetime. So much had happened since she left, two years ago.

Cyrene had wandered upon Middle Earth for a whole year before riding toRohan, trying to find peace for her restlessness and longing, and was starting to think that it had been to no avail, when she had reached Edoras and met the people of Rohan. She had stayed there because she had immediately liked Eowyn and Eomer, and the Rohirrim had accepted her in their midst.

However, the last days had changed her life . She looked to her right, where Legolas and Gimli were riding next to her. The elf smiled at her while Gimli, already recovered from the ordeal at the Paths of the Dead, was grumbling about the necessity of riding at a hard pace towards the Belfalas. The dwarf still resented riding at all.

She gave both a bright smile.

When she had joined the Rohirrim Army on their ride to Helm's Deep, shehad been the warrior, fighting for fame and glory of her people, but finding there so much more.

Legolas.

Just the feeling of his name on her tongue brought joy to her heart. Shewas enthralled by the elf, the whole of her lost in his spell, her body, mind and soul.

The sensations she felt whenever he was near, when his image came to hermind, or his skin touched hers, took her breath away.

Cyrene avoided thinking what would happen after the battle of Minas Tirith.

She had to live the day; she would worry about the future when it came to be.

***********************

They arrived by nightfall at the first strivings of the Dor-en-Ernil mountains, and decided to camp there. They rode until they found a site from where they could see the distant delta of the Gilrain river flowing into the ocean.

Once they settled around a fire, Gimli lit his pipe and Legolas pulled Cyrene closer to him. Cyrene sighed, moving closer to Legolas, enjoying his proximity.

The sight and the smell of the ocean reminded her of her home, and yet, she was already home as he held her.

The ocean reminded her of Artemis Island, and her duty towards her people. She still felt the icy cold grip around her heart that had almost broken her will at the Paths of the Dead. She had thought about it and decided it had not been the fear of her own death, but the fear of loss and failure that had brought her close to insanity at Mount Dwimor.

And the fear was still housing in her heart, for she had remembered the previously forgotten main rule of the Amazons: not to bind herself to a man.

And here she was, longing to live, to enjoy Legolas' presence close to her, no matter how much time the Goddess would give them together.

Legolas' look was lost in the horizon, his keen eyes drinking in the beauty of the ocean. He was relaxed, holding Cyrene close to his heart, his friend Gimli at the other side of the fire. For a moment he forgot the war, the quest and all evil in Middle Earth. He felt peace overflow his heart and wished that they could stay there for eternity.

Suddenly, Legolas was painfully aware that neither Cyrene nor Gimli would be with him forever. For the fist time in his long life, he ached for something he couldn't have: a mortal life to share with his beloved ones.

Gimli felt the peace in the air, and he knew it was the peace before the storm. The battle ahead was going to be decisive to the fate of Middle Earth. And he hoped that his friends and companions would survive it.

He sensed that the couple next to him needed privacy, one last night to share. And neither of them would send the friend away. 'But this friend knows about love, longing and lovemaking, though you would not believe it,' he thought. A sad smile curved his lips as he stood up.

Legolas turned to him. "Is there something amiss, Gimli?"

"No, Legolas. I just need to walk around to stretch my legs. You know that I do not enjoy the riding. I will also guard the camp. You may rest, my friends. I will guard your dreams. Until dawn," and saying this, Gimli picked up his axe and left the camp behind.

Legolas smile widened. Gimli was as generous in his friendship as he was perceptive. Some qualities he had come to cherish in his dwarf friend.

Cyrene blushed from head to toe. She was an innocent still, but she had understood why Gimli had given them the space and privacy. And even though she enjoyed the thought of spending another night in Legolas' embrace, she felt shy.

Legolas turned Cyrene in his arms, and they kneeled in front of each other.

"Amaelamin, we don't have to make love if you do not wish it. I am content as long as I may hold you close and enjoy your presence," he started saying.

Cyrene raised her hands to caress his face. "My brave, gentle, careful Legolas."

She leaned closer and kissed him softly. "I wish to join my body and soul with yours, Legolas. I will always be yours, never forget that," she said, 'No matter what , my Elf, my heart will stay with you,' she added silently.

Legolas felt his heart burst with joy. They did not speak of love … but they were warriors in the midst of a war and they shared a feeling that joined them deeply, and that would survive either of them.

His hand traced her face, lightly as a butterfly's wing, memorizing her features. Cyrene's hands tangled in his pale hair and traced the outline of his pointy ears. They treated each other with reverence and a deep tenderness that tore at their very hearts. They sensed this would be their last shared moment for a long time. Perhaps their last shared moment ever. Every minute was precious.

He undid her braided hair, which fell like a silken blanket over her shoulders and pulled her closer , kissing her tenderly while unlacing her clothes. Cyrene lost herself in his kiss and felt under her hands the supple leather of his jerkin and unlaced it, seeking the warmth underneath it.

Their hands traveled each other's bodies as if discovering every inch of skin for the first time. Cyrene undressed him slowly, trying to hold every line of his face, every piece of his body in her memory. He had been her first lover, and he would be the only one ever, she vowed.

Legolas hands roamed over her body shedding her clothes , revealing more of her in their path. By the Gods, he needed this woman! She made him feel complete. He wanted to share every single day of her life, know her more, cherish her and give her the immortal love he held for her in his heart . She had not said she loved him, but he knew , he saw it in her eyes when they lit up to meet his.

Even though the feeling of another being caressing her bare skin was still new to her, Cyrene leaned into his touch, memorizing every sensation raging through her body. She needed him as she needed air for breathing. She could not imagine not having him close ever again. Her whole body was shaking by the force of her need for him, but she fought for control as she felt his lips drawing patterns on her neck, on her shoulders, on her breasts, feasting upon them with reverence, while his hands sailed over her body and touched her everywhere. Cyrene caressed his body, stroking the fine skin and loving the feeling of the strong muscles underneath it.

His hand traveled to her core, and found her ready for him. Cyrene's body arched up to his touch, and a soft moan left her lips, as she sat down and sought his face with her hands, kissing him with all the might of her need.

Legolas slowly brought her down on her back, kissing her breath away, and entering her body in one swift stroke. She arched up and brought her legs around his waist. They moved together, savoring the feeling of each other, until they reached their peak together, sharing the bliss for an infinite moment, touching each other's souls.

Cyrene felt him still inside her body, and wished that they could stay together forever. Legolas kissed her, not wanting to let her go. And then he said the words she had dreaded the most.

"You are mine, Cyrene. I love you, forever".

Tears gathered in her eyes, as she felt her heart break. For she could not tell him the same.

"Legolas, I know nothing about love", she whispered.

Cyrene saw the pain in his eyes before he concealed it again. He rolled off her and pulled her into his embrace, but she felt him slowly withdraw himself from her. Their souls had met and now he was retreating from her.

"Legolas, I cannot explain this to you … I have never loved. I only know that I need you close to me, because you bring joy and peace to my heart . You make my body sing and soar. I am yours. I feel that you are like sunlight, air or water to me. I feel that I can't survive without you anymore," she said, keeping her tears at bay.

The elf knew that she spoke the truth. He was sure she had deep feelings for him, but until she didn't recognize she loved him, there was no hope for them.

As she saw his disappointment, Cyrene flinched with regret. The laws of the Amazons were right, when a woman tied herself to a male she became weak and fragile. Cyrene had to change that, she would set herself free and fulfill her duty towards Rohan and her people. She would be strong again. And break her heart in the process.

***********************

Gimli returned to the small camp at dawn, and found them ready for departure. Legolas acknowledged his arrival with a nod and smiled at him, a sad smile that preoccupied Gimli. Cyrene was saddling the horses, and when she turned to Gimli, he saw in her look the same desperate expression he had seen in Legolas' eyes.

Something had happened between them and Gimli could not imagine what it could have been. Since Edoras, Legolas and Cyrene had belonged together, bound by an unseen thread that had filled both with contentment and peace .

Now, even though the elf walked over to the Amazon and enveloped her in a tight embrace, Gimli saw her hold on desperately to him and then let go. Something between them had been broken last night. Gimli's heart felt heavy and hurt for his friends.

*****************

They rode in silence, the ocean coming closer with each mile they left behind. Cyrene was looking around, studying the landscape, as if searching for something.

As they approached some rocky slopes, she halted her horse and dismounted. She removed her bow from her back and looked back to Legolas and Gimli, who had dismounted as well.

"Leave your weapons behind," she said softly. "The sentinels have seen us. They should know we come in peace" .

Legolas tried to see any movement around them, listened to find even the faintest sound. Nothing. But he trusted Cyrene and did what she said.

He finally heard a faint sliding of leather over rock and as he turned towards it he found two strung bows pointed at his chest, while another took Gimli on its aim. Behind his back he imagined that at least one bow was strung towards Cyrene.

The warriors holding the bows were women, clad in leather, fur and metal. Dangerous looking women. The Amazons.

Cyrene's voice was different as she addressed the women. He heard the authority in it , the same tone she had used with the Rohirrim Archers.

"We are those you were expecting, Amazons. We are the warriors that come from Rohan to guide you into battle …" she was saying as one of the Amazons widened her eyes in surprise and, putting her bow down, she went to the ground on one knee.

"By the Goddess, forgive us for not having recognized you, Mistress," she said, and the other warriors looked at Cyrene and after a minute they dropped to kneel on the ground as well.

Cyrene spoke to the women, smiling. "Rise, my sisters. I do not deserve this anymore…"

The Amazon who had kneeled down first raised her head and spoke.

"Mistress, you will always deserve our respect, for your bravery, kindness and noble birth. Welcome home, your Highness. The Queen will be pleased to see her daughter returning to us."

*********************************