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What the East Wind Brings	By : Fael Category: -Multi-Age > Het - Male/Female Views: 1152 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Oh my god! Did this one take for ever! It just didn�t want to get written, but I�m victorious! Here it is another written chapter with more fun to come. I hope no one�s too upset with me for taking so long.

Disclaimer: same song and dance.

March 18^th: Asano marches with the Host
�No enemies remained upon the roads east as far as the crossroads of the fallen king. All was now ready for the last throw.�
Asano had been startled awake that day and had not realized she had fallen asleep. The banging at the door came again and she was out of bed so quick her vision spun.
�What! Who�.who is it! What you want,� She called at the door; agitated.
The door flung open and in came Beregond the guard from a day ago.
�Well! Lady Soldier turns out your going with the host,� Beregond exclaimed.
�What. Host.� She said confused.
�The army that was being prepared yesterday is leaving today. By lord Aragorn�s order you will be coming as well,� he exclaimed. �But first we must go to the armory to get you new weapons and retrieve your armor.�
Armor, yes, Asano just remembered that she had any at all. Her fall from the Mumak had caused her to loose or destroy what weapons she had she certainly didn�t remember having any when she was caught.
Arriving at the armory she was welcomed by the sight of a dozen or so men milling about collecting, selecting, or laying out weapons.
�So lady what are you proficient with,� Beregond inquired.
�What are you offering,� she replied looking about.
�Your pick the order says,� he answered.
Nodding her head she walked about perusing slowly the weapons that were laid out. The men around her were quickly gathering weapons without much thought. But not Asano she took her time in selection. Weapons were like people in away one cannot take a person for who they are at first glance weapons were like that too; just because a sword was beautiful did not mean that it was a good sword. It could have iron that was too brittle its impurities would shatter it, or the steel was too inflexible or maybe overly flexible and would break in half. There were so many variables in the construction of a proper weapon that Asano could not just grab one and be satisfied.
Finally she came upon a sword that would work for her; perhaps it would need to be sharpened, but she deemed it was a good sword. It was not so long as many other men chose; it was also curved like a scimitar near to the point it might have been of umbar make. For she had seen some pirates in her time carry similar weapons. Lastly, she chose an axe half the size of her sword Asano was also a capable axe woman. She enjoyed the axe against the sword; there was something primal about the brute force needed for an axe in contrast to the artful delicacy of the sword. Asano smiled proudly as she the axe a trial swing, the sword was for cleaving, but the axe; it�s only purpose was for crushing.
�Hmmm. Fine choices, I knew you were a strong one,� Beregond said finding her amid the other soldiers. �Let�s get your armor.�

�It was strange, when she put her armor back on how she felt more like herself again; like her haradrim self again. As they made their way from the armory Asano felt herself sliding back into her cool, confident stride which she developed soon after joining the haradrim armies. It felt good to be back in the familiar; in what she understood.
The two made their way to the last place she expected; the stables, where there were horses! Asano was not exactly familiar with horses, and not ones of those sizes. Desert horses were more compact than the beasts before, they were larger than any horse she had seen at home.
�I am to ride those?� Asano asked surprised.
�Do you know how to ride a horse?� he inquired in return.
Asano made a non-committal noise which sounded to everyone else like a rather undignified grunt.
�HA! So there is something you cannot do,� Beregond laughed. �But don�t worry, climb on and I�ll teach you the basics.�
Embarrassingly enough, Asano whimpered as one of the great beasts stomped its heavy hoof and nickered at her, but she did as she told and pulled herself up.
Legolas was the first to wake Gimli that morning as no one had the courage to do so. Escaping a flying axe-half that embedded itself into the wall, he went to go find Pippin to see if he was getting ready to depart.
He found the young hobbit with his cousin, Merry. �Good morning Legolas! How are you?� Merry asked cheerily from his bed.
�Quite well, I have just escaped from waking Gimli,� he answered.
�You woke Gimli! And escaped with all your limbs,� Pippin exclaimed.
�How brave of you Legolas, first you speak with wild, haradrim princesses and then waking sleeping dwarves. Elves can do anything,� Merry said.
Ah, so Pippin has informed you of the Haradrim woman,� Legolas replied.
�He has, tell me what will become of her? Is she a prisoner?� Merry inquired.
�She is going with us and will share the same fate as everyone else,� Legolas answered.
Merry made an indignant noise and sat up straighter, �why can she go and I must stay behind.�
Legolas stepped up and sat beside the young hobbit, �Merry my friend, you have already done more than even I. So, stay and wait; you might still have another chance to fight,� he replied.
Merry nodded understanding what the elf was saying, but still not liking staying behind while Pippin went to face peril and death on his own.
�Don�t worry Merry; I�ll try matching equal with you so that I might have a story or two to tell. Oh, I hope I get a chance to tell Frodo-�
With that the room fell deadly silent. It wasn�t that they did not want to talk about Frodo and Sam, or that they did not think about them. In fact, they thought about the two all the time even though they never spoke of them. There was a certain amount of guilt and shame involved with it as well. Guilt and shame over letting Frodo and Sam go all alone and may be not having the courage to follow them into the most terrible place on Earth.
Legolas thought to himself that he was already thinking and speaking of the two hobbits in the past tense. Like Frodo and Sam were already dead. Gandalf and Aragorn still spoke of hope for the hobbits; this whole plan was based on the belief Frodo and Sam were still alive struggling toward the mountain. Legolas, he knew he was old, lived long enough to so many things that it was difficult to believe those two small hobbits lived. He looked at Merry and Pippin knowing what they had been through, but also knowing but also knowing that they were now capable of defending themselves. Many of his perceptions had changed; hobbits were small soldiers, the forgotten eastern people were no longer mountains, but people that did not leave his thoughts.
�Legolas are you alright,� Pippin asked, pulling him back to the present.

�Yes I�m fine,� he replied then to change the mood he smiled, �now I�ve come to see if you�re getting ready to depart. We�ll be leaving in about 3 hours so you must get ready.�
�Oh my! So soon,� Pippin said, nerves creeping in.
�Yes, so soon,� Legolas repeated.
So, learning how to ride a horse was not as difficult as Asano imagined. She had been given a mare that had a good demeanor and solid legs, Asano named her; Tali and soon they were getting on splendidly. Beregond helped her down and returned her to the healer for one final look over before she left.
This healer was an old woman with a lined face; her eyes pinned her down and gave her a searching look, �Let�s have a look at your ribs and the bruises on your head.�
Hesitantly, she pulled up her tunic, unused to strangers poking at her. The healer in her village was a nasty old woman, who was practically everyone�s grandmother.
�Come, come! I have a daughter your age,� the old woman said, exasperatedly, yanking the tunic off.
The healer poked listening for the sounds she made and whether the noises were pained. She allowed the old woman to unwrap the linen binding her ribcage. Asano was given the chance to see herself; her abdomen was covered in purple-red marks, she was sure one was in the shape of a foot. Even the flesh of her breasts looked a little discolored, which made her wince from the memory.
�Yes, they certainly let you have it, but lucky for you nothing broken,� the healer stated catching her wince.
�I am�.alright,� Asano inquired.
�Hmmm, better than most I�ve seen. Let�s see your head,� she said eyeing her critically. Then looking at her head and scalp inspecting what remained.
�Hmm. Hrmm. Humph,� was the old woman�s final thoughts on Asano�s head.
�I�m good,� she asked.
�Yes, you�ll certainly make it to battle,� the healer replied. �Afterwards, well we�ll leave that to fate.�
Asano agreed, thanked the old healer, dressed and re-armored herself. Having nothing else to do or gather, she took her weapons found Beregond and went back to the stables where Tali waited.
�Here�s where I say farewell lady,� Beregond said.
�Not coming with me,� she replied, surprised and a little dismayed.
�No, I�m off to my lead my own company, and I must gather my men,� he explained as some pride returned to his dark, deep set eyes.
�Oh! Be safe then Bergon,� Asano said, she could not quite place her feelings at the idea of this nearly stranger of man going off, leaving her where she was and could possibly die and she would never know. Asano didn�t know why that bothered her, but it did.
�Yes, I hope so and you as well. Before I would have resented hearing that from someone like you, but now all I have to say is; I hope we meet again,� Beregond said then bowed and left.
Asano was touched by the guard�s kindness; there was something about eminent battles that brought out the sentiment in people. It certainly brought it out in her; tucking her sword and axe away she climbed up on Tali and made her way out into the sun.
Not knowing where to go she went looking for a familiar face. Turning Tali she headed toward the gathering Calvary ahead of the growing army behind them.
Trotting forward through a company of men she noticed how much they all looked like Aragorn; weathered, tall, and dark. Several turned and stared as she went by whispering amongst themselves in a language she didn�t know. In front of her she saw Aragorn talking with the old man; the wizard, if she remembered correctly.
Going forward Asano went to speak with him, �Ra! Ra Aragon!� she said grabbing his attention.
Aragorn turned at the sound of the voice and found the Haradrim woman astride a rather beautiful mare.
�Yes, Lady Asano, I see you are prepared to leave,� he said as she approached.
�I thank you Ra, for the horse. I wish also to ride with you,� Asano requested, bow her head.
�As you wish, you may ride beside Legolas and Gimli and when we arrive at the Black Gate you shall come with us. So now with certainty all races are represented.� Aragorn said in that grave soft voice that never seemed to be raised for he didn�t need to yell for people to listen. For Asano listening to Aragorn was as easy as listening to Sauron when he desired it.
Bowing her head again she replied, �thank you Ra, you give me much.�
Looking about in interest she watched the men lining up, preparing for the trumpets to sounds and the army to march fourth. All was ready; the shining Calvary was many hundreds and hundreds of men in bright helms and tall spears. It was like seeing her own army made of different people, but with the same pride and desperation for success.
More horsemen were arriving, two she took immediate notice of; they looked exactly alike from the way their hair was braided to the design of their light armor. They were twins and like Legolas beside them they were elves. She nearly fell from her horse, three at once!
�Good morning Ra Legolas,� Asano said trying her best to seem confident. It had taken her this long to get used to Legolas and his different ness and now there was two more.
�Asano how are you today,� Legolas answer smiling when she spoke to him.
�I must return your cloak,� she said pulling it from her saddlebag she had been given.
�No, it is alright, you keep it,� legolas replied pushing it back into her arms.
From behind came a familiar gruff voice and Asano leaned over to her side to see, �that was made by the lady Galadriel and your giving it away.�
�Gimli, I�m not giving yours away and I give mine as a gift to a new friend. It�s your Asano,� legolas said.
�So, who is this fine friend of yours, Prince Legolas,� asked one of the twins beside him.
�This is Asano, from the lands of Near Harad, she is coming with us to face the dark lord,� he answered.
�Ah, there have not been many people of your kind to turn against Sauron,� said the other twin who had yet to speak.
Asano immediately turned her darkening gaze to the elf who had spoken so rudely to her.
�You have my name Ra;� she said icely, �now give me yours.�
�Why,� he asked baiting her.
Legolas watched and sensed the bad air building between them, he didn�t understand why Elrohir was doing this, but he suspected that it was caused by the natural distrust of all of Sauron�s minions; former or not.
�So we may make proper judgments,� she explained.
They eyed each other before Elrohir finally answered, �I am Elrohir, son of Elrond half-elven of Imladris.�
Then the first twin spoke to ease the considerable dislike that was growing between Asano and Elrohir, �I am Elladan, lady. I�m sure it is honor to meet one from such equally ancient lands.�
Very good, Asano thought, this one must be a diplomat as well as a warrior. She bowed her head and replied tersely, �kind words Ra.�
With that she turned her horse and walked it to stand behind Aragorn, rather upset with the treatment she received though she should have expected it eventually.
Legolas glared at the princes of Imladris, �a little out of line Elrohir, she is trying to make amends.�
�But isn�t what we always do with their kind; forgive and forgive,� Elrohir seethed.
�Elrohir perhaps you should try and actually forgive,� Legolas stated steering his horse to stand beside Asano.
The twins had the life of the eldar and although Elrohir had many years to get over his mother�s passing he could not for the eldar have long memories.

At that moment the horns were blown over the walls of Minas Tirith, people at the walls began to shout and call farewell and wave. Here began the last throw for Middle Earth.
They veered eastward as soon as they began down the great road to the causeway. Asano had never seen a country so wide and so green before, everywhere she looked was and flat until the land reached the bordering mountains of Ephel Duath. Where they went towering jaggedly into the sky, they were not called the mountains of shadow for nothing.
�Where are we going?� Asano inquired of Legolas.
�First we are going to Osgiliath, then onto Mordor,� he answered.

�Ozgelath? Where is that,� she asked again.
�It is the ancient city of Gondor, before Minas Tirith when it was known as Minas Anor there was Osgiliath and the stewards of Gondor have been trying to reclaim it for many lives of men,� Legolas explained.
�They have it now,� Asano stated.
�Yes, but only because the enemy has abandoned it to retreat back to the gates,� he replied.
For a while they were silent and trodded along, Asano noticed that Elrohir, the twin that did not like her occasionally turned, looked and frowned slightly at her.
�Your attracting all kinds of attention aren�t you lass?� came Gimlet�s grumbling voice.
Roused from her daydreaming she said, �Hmm, oh� noticing Elrohir again, �if Ra wishes to say something he should,� Then huffed with disdain, her dislike growing.
�Well lassy, if you need it, we�ll cross axes with the pointy-ear,� Gimli said brazenly because of course Legolas was listening.
�Careful master Dwarf unless your posterior wishes to feel every arrow in my quiver,� Legolas replied light-heartedly.
�Pointy-ear,� she laughed at the irreverent name given to such an ethereal being.
Legolas smiled at her and when he turned back to face the road a delicate point of an elvish ear peeked out at her. What possessed Asano to do what she did she wouldn�t know, but the impulse was strong. Reaching out with her long arm she expertly caught and tweaked the unknowingly sensitive ear. Her laughter died before it reached the outside world when he grabbed hold of her hand in his powerful fist and squeezed harder than she ever imagined. Like being caught up in something stronger than steel for even steel bends, but not Legolas he wasn�t bending and he was not letting go.
Asano struggled not to fall off Tali as Legolas held onto her hand still near his head, his eyes were shut so he could not see her looking at him, confused and hurting as she tried to pull away. A Shudder passed through him and his grip on her tightened, if Asano had any air in her lungs she would have shouted, she was sure the bones in her hand were rubbing together. Through her pain in the part that was still observing the surroundings she knew this sort of reaction; perhaps not in Legolas himself, but in another man many other times and other more enjoyable circumstances. It seemed that between different races arousal was all the same, Asano was terribly embarrassed she hadn�t meant to cause that kind of reaction she hated to imagine what Legolas would think of her now.

Gimli quickly intervened by shoving against the elf�s back, shocking him back into reality, �let go of her Legolas before you crush her hand.�
Legolas did let go and Asano snatched her hand away, flexing her hand she could feel it throbbing in pain and also tingling as the feeling came back. Asano could not look at him her dark face was burning with humiliation both for herself and Legolas. Tightening the reins in her fists she stared determinedly at the fine detailing on the saddle. The rest of the journey she didn�t turn to look or speak to Legolas or Gimli, far too ashamed to even peek at them.
Legolas as well couldn�t say anything after the few minutes it took to regain control of himself. He stared stonily ahead boring a whole into the back of Aragorn�s skull. He wasn�t upset with Asano, how was she to know that that was one of his more sensitive places? What bothered him was that he didn�t mind that she had done it. And that made him nervous, nervous about what it all meant. What was Asano, this woman from so far away, that he had never even been there, meant to him?
It was a bright and cool noon when they arrived in Osgiliath there were many men already there; most were soldiers, some were builders. The buildings were made out of the same material as Minas Tirith and as they marched through she saw that what remained of the city was indeed older. It must have been built in better days, more peaceful times; the architectural facades were of delicate flowering vines, curly-ques, and circling spirals. Trellises or those that still stood didn�t even look like they were made of stone so thin were they carved.
The vanguard halted and orders were given to refresh the horses and rest while the ferries and boat-bridges were organized to take them across to the eastern side. Asano swung off Tail and tied her next to Legolas and Gimli�s horse she quickly raced off away from the dwarf and the elf.
�What has upset Asano,� Aragorn inquired after watching her go by.
�Nothing, it�s not important,� Legolas answered evasively, looking equally troubled.
Aragorn sensing something was wrong looked to Gimli, who only shook his head in the negative about what happened.
Asano spent a great deal of the time wandering around the ruined city with all the hurried co-motion of trying to get ready for the next leg of the journey. No one noticed one foreign soldier walking about in the shadows trying to work out alien thoughts and uncomfortable, new feelings.
Walking along rubbing her hand over the remaining stone buildings loving the rough solid texture the coolness she wanted to press her cheek against it. Smelling the stone, dirt, and aging mold; the smell was similar to Legolas he smelt fresh, but old. Like the stone ancient, but very much in the present; cool and hard.

Nothing lasted in the desert; everything changed all the time, but here it was different, some things were constant.
�Hello there,� came a small and rather high-pitched voice. Asano picked her head off the wall and looked around and at first did not see anyone. From the corner of her eye was something fluffy and beige-blonde in color as well as being quite smaller than she was.
Turning she thought she saw a child; but the face had a grown, but not quite grown quality the look of a young man just about to become a full man.
�I saw you at the healing house with Legolas and he spoke so well of you I thought I might come say hello,� Said Pippin to Asano, who stood quite still weighing him with her green eyes that seemed to carry a constant intenseness that often put people off.
�Oh, maybe you don�t understand me,� Pippin said in a smaller, uncomfortable voice.
�I understand you,� Asano finally responded. Her face still unreadable, Pippin fidgeted, perhaps this was not the best of ideas, but she was so different and it made him deeply curious, about everything this foreign of foreign women.
�Well, ah, my name is Pippin,� he said going into further depths of discomfort wishing she would say something or at least let him back out.
Like a gray cloud dissipating Asano smiled at the hobbit and stepped into sun, her face open to its rays giving Pippin an undisguised view of her face and seeing no unkindness he was able to breathe a more relieved fashion.
�What would such a small being as your self being doing here, going to such a battle such as we are?� Asano asked considering the hobbit standing before her.
�I guess I would ask the same of a woman, don�t you think?� Pippin answered.
�Yes, I think so. Then we share a kinship of feeling out place,� she replied feeling the light sun shining on her shoulders.
They stood in the sun together and Pippin spoke long and avidly about his home; the land, the people, his profuse number of family members, and the great importance of the history of pipe weed which was a strange account to Asano who had never heard of such a plant. She listened and imagined a little green land populated by equally little people with large hairy feet, yellow, flowing, fields of wheat and bellowing, braying beasts chewing cud away in pastures, children running about healthy, happy living to grow and have their own. This is a heaven to Asano and her folk in the desert a place of considerable plenty where one is never for want of anything. She also wondered at the little folk, the hobbits as they called themselves. What had brought him and three others like Pippin from their homes of peace and safety was really no different than the reasons that brought her from her home as well, the difference being who had brought them their. There was courage in Pippin and his friend, Merry who she had learned had helped in the destruction of the fiercesome ghost king from the cold north.
In return Asano spoke about her home in the far southern deserts where she lived in the narrow strip of fertile land near the Harnen. How they lived in large, expansive tents because although they mostly lived by the river they didn�t always stay traveling at different times of the year to gathering points between tribes and clans to trade, hear news, and in general to celebrate a time when at no point was there fighting between them. It was also treated as a time to court and there by spread the limbs of their clan�s tree.

Asano went on to explain the problem of raiders and pirates that sometimes came inland to raid their hard grown crops. To keep these men at bay all were taught some skill in combat men and women both; the women were taught archery and knife fighting, men; the axe and sword. Asano felt that if the Haradrim were given a different choice, to live without the sword and the knife they could take the time needed to develop ideas such as written languages, laws, art these were things she wished for, but could not hope for, not even now near to the conclusion of her own journey.
�My hope is for the Haradrim to become something better, something like I have seen here. If, by chance, I live I will try to do so,� Asano finished feeling solemn.
Pippin whose head was swimming with new images could hardly speak he felt like he did the first time they had arrived in Rivendell and Lorien where all his imaginings came true.
�You shall have to tell this all to a dear friend of mine, he is a very good story teller and will wish to here this as well,� Pippin said, �if he ever comes back.�
�I will not say that he might, but if he does he will have much to hear from me. I wish now to know your cousin,� Asano replied looking at the small face that was so friendly and open. Pippin in his own way was like her young nephew Daro, who was always in some kind of trouble.
The calm quietness was then suddenly broken by another blaring of horns; high and short in their duration. Asano and Pippin turned their heads to it and men who had been sitting about, resting and talking were back on their feet heading for their formations.
�Well I guess we�ll be crossing the Anduin now,� Pippin stated in a voice filled with both excitement and resignment.
�What is Aduin?� she asked.
�That,� Pippin said pointing to the fast moving river, �silly girl.�
�We are crossing a river!� Asano practically wailed.
The idea of crossing a river was abhorrent to Asano; she could not swim and like all people who lacked a swimmer�s skill was terrified of drowning. Death in battle she could cope with, but the idea of sinking into dark, wet world deaf and blind was the worst of all she could feel the sweat on her brow grow slip down her temples.
She stood on the shore with Tali sweating and stewing in her own fear. The mare, sensing her anxiety, was jittering nervously beside her, shaking her big head and nudging her shoulder.
�In a moment, let me have a moment,� she said to the horse.
Taking a cautionary step onto one of the ferries as she walked onto it, it rocked sickeningly from the combined weight of herself and the horse. Asano would have jumped off, but Tali and her exceedingly large body stopped her.
Hanging onto Tali�s bridle she clenched her eyes shut as the ferry lurched across the river. She wished the men would stop moving their constant motion seemed to only make the rocking worse.
�Come Asano, stand in the middle, you will not feel so ill at ease. It�s safer for the horse as well,� said her personal elvish shadow.
Opening her eyes she could see 50 or so men standing about with 20 horses, ten strong men at sides poled the ferry across the Anduin. Using Tali as balance she made it to the center and stood stock still when the rocking seemed to stop.
�Are you afraid of water,� Legolas inquired taking her elbow.
�I�m not afraid! I just do not like,� Asano snapped indignantly. Hoping her lie would work.
�You cannot swim,� Legolas said, again slipping his hand around her elbow.
�No, Harnen is not deep,� she grudgingly answered, disliking having to admit to any kind of fault on her part.
�You should come with Gimli and I when this all over, I will teach you to swim,� Legolas promised.
�That is a hopeful statement to make,� Asano said.
�It�s all we have, a foolish hope,� he replied.
�A right strange group we will be though,� Gimli interrupted.
�Yes, dwarf, elf, and Haradrim, Leg�.Ra, do your people think you are strange,� she asked hoping her slip in propriety would go unnoticed.
�Well, they will now, I can�t imagine my father will be very pleased,� he replied. Before reaching over with the speed and dexterity of an elf and twisting the shell of her ear hard.
Shrieking loud enough to startle a few horses Asano cursed him in haradric and began to pummel him in the shoulder and chest while both dwarf and elf were helpless with laughter.
Once the army of the west cleared the river the sun�s warming face disappeared behind the dark clouds that were a creation of the dark lord.
They were coming into a land that Legolas said was called, Ithillien; once a land of green pines and firs as well as budding plants. It was now a weary survivor, after so long witnessing wave after wave of skirmishes and battles, and many years of being poisoned by the evil next door it was now but a shadow of its former floral beauty. As the vanguard passed through the land, heralds with great horns blew on them and cried out. �The lords of Gondor have returned and all this land that is theirs they take back!�
Asano was not sure of the prudence behind this action, it left them open to attack being under constant surveillance. It was not what she would have done if she were king, but alas! She was not.
As the afternoon drew on and the long hours in her saddle brought on back and rear pain, there came a call for a halt. Asano saw that they were in the midst of two old roads, a cross roads. Around them were yellowed bushes, several trees were covered in dry lichen the grass itself was green and gray covered with dead leaves, golden and white little flowers.
Greatfully Asano pulled herself off Tali and bending backwards stretched out her back groaning in relief. There was no hustle, just tired men and horses sitting and moving about or talking.
Opening a pouch on the left side of her saddle bag she pulled out a water skin had her drink and retrieved an apple. Not far from where she stood lay a large chunk of white granite. Naturally curious she walked over at a leisurely pace to investigate, what she found was a head. Crouching and chewing on her apple she looked at the stony face clearing the dirt and other vegetation away. Asano traced the eyes and stroked down the proud bridge of his nose, down across the lips that were set like a determined slash across the face. Upon the old statue�s head was a crown of the same gold and white flowers. Instinctifully, she new he was a king, �Hail king,� she said softly.
Standing up she looked up over a little ways from the head and found the rest of the old king sitting in a throne. It was marred with filthy scrawling of orcish language. Where the head once graced now a great stone banded with steel sat with a red eye glaring out at all present.
A murmur suddenly went up among the men and Legolas thinking danger retrieved his bow and was about to pull an arrow free of his quiver when Aragorn placed a hand on his shoulder.
�There�s no danger friend the scouts have already reported back. But it seems that once again Asano has a knack for attracting attention,� Aragorn said gesturing toward the great marred statue.
For the second time in his life legolas surprised, Asano was pulling herself up onto the lap of the king. He watched as the woman stood facing the chest and ugly head.
Curious men watched as she began to shove at it, standing back again she pushed back the long sleeves of her tunic and shoved again. The head wobbled alittle which only encouraged the woman further to push harder. Now, most if not all of the men were watching and waiting to see if Asano could truly topple it over, they encouraged and cheered her on.

Jamming her shoulder underneath the round ball of the disfigured head. Legolas watched as she gave a mighty shove, putting all of her strength into it. With a final grunt that was loud enough for him to hear, the head fell backward thumping and sinking into the soft ground.
A cheer went up from the men around her, he watched her stand straight, rough hands proudly gripped her hips and she smiled relieved and pleased with their sudden and grateful approval of her.
�Well then let�s clean our king up!� Aragorn cried out to the other men.
Legolas walked over to the statue where a jovial Asano upon the large stone lap. The men around were now gathering tools that might be used to scour and remove the markings of Mordor. He smiled at her and held out his hand to Asano, she took it her palm warm and gritty in his. Hopping down her face was split with a wide grin; pass her wide lips her teeth were straight and white, her eyes went from their usual pieces of piercing jade to the kind of glistening green jewels in his father�s treasurery.
�Well done, you certainly have a knack for showmanship,� Legolas said as they stepped away from the busy men.
�Not showmanship, I wanted to look better in front of Ra Argon and his soldiers,� Asano replied honestly. It was true though; she was willing to turn away from her former master in fact quite pleased to. But she knew to be accepted or at least not be harmed like in the last incident she would have to show the others that her change in loyalties was solid and true.
Surprised by her answer, Legolas quickly learned that the way she responded was quite normal for her; straight forward, unambiguous, and to Asano the most obvious course to choose.
�You must be a leader among your people, who else could use a situation to turn people in your favor,� Legolas said amazed and light-heartedly, his voice belying his sudden interest in her natural ability to manipulate. He did not like these thoughts especially since he had growing good feelings for her. But if she were to fall into darkness again what damage could she do among these men if she so desired.
Asano seemed aware of his thoughts, her eyes were piercing again he could feel them like sharp pins on his skin. She cautiously took his large, pale hand in her own brown one, �I�ve done a good thing. Look, they have hope for themselves,� she said gesturing with her open palm at the men, cleaning and paring away the filth.
Together they sat on the ground near to the king�s head watching the soldiers work. They did not speak awhile and nor do they let go of each others hand.
During those few quiet hours Asano occasionally looked over at Legolas; what are you doing here? What do you want? Why can I not let go of your hand? You will make me weak.
She hadn�t felt this at peace since Karn was alive and that did not feel like all that long ago, no, in fact it only felt like seconds. Her time with her first lover had been short; it should have been longer, but fate decided to play out differently. Asano was still grieved, but it was tempered by her being with Karn when he died and the presence of Legolas; a sharp flame made of flesh. Asano was not a woman who believed in spirits or gods that had any rule over her path in life, but if these events never happened then he would never have been brought to her. Perhaps it meant something, perhaps it didn�t she was just glad that he was there.
With most of the hard work done all that was left was to attach the king�s head to his body. To do so the stronger men had taken mallets to the evil head and grinding it into grit to be turned into cement. Now the statue stood again, whole and his head was still crowned with golden flowers glowing in the late afternoon rays.
�Hmm�.there is a stern and proud lord,� Legolas said standing up and pulling Asano to her feet.
�Yes, surely Ra Argon is glad to see the image of his ancient fathers,� Asano replied brushing dirt off her clothes.
�I think he is, like you, simply proclaiming his intentions. How alike you both are,� Legolas responded. Looking at her past the different-ness of her features and language she was like Aragorn; both were dealing with a marred past and black histories, but now both were on a quest to make up for it in the face of incredible odds. There was such a tenacity in Asano that Legolas found admirable, this adaneth,* this mortal woman could fail, her armies fall around her, be beaten and suspected by those around her and still press on. Of course, Legolas realized she had to there was another chose for her.
�Were moving on up to make camp for tonight, you two should hurry it up,� Gimli grumbled at them and went back to stand beside their horse, Arod.
�We should hurry then Legolas, I will not want to be left behind,� Asano said intending on finding Tali to apologize for abandoning her.
Legolas still holding her hand pulled her back to him, �wait I have something to give you.�
�Oh what would that be,� she asked, her heart in her chest beating in a confused rhythm.
Reaching out he brushed back some of her errant curls that had come loose from her braid. She felt something ticklish resting against her ear, curious Asano reached up to touch what Legolas had placed there.
�Be careful it�s rather delicate, if we survive I will have the elven smiths make a crown of these flowers for you as a gift,� Legolas replied seeing how well gold looked on Asano.
Asano grinned sheepishly, she had never been too comfortable excepting gifts; it wasn�t that she never got any she had received a few in her life time, but it just felt strange to her to take something without giving in return.
�What shall I give you,� she inquired looking into his eyes looking at her.
�Hmmm�.let me think on that, elves must ponder on such things as gifts,� he answered.
�Well, you tell me when you decide Ra,� she said and turning around she had a difficult time keeping the bright smile off her face. Whatever she felt she didn�t understand it quite yet and part of her knew she shouldn�t be too hopeful; many things were going against her, and one was the probability of death. Asano had been trained to fight and live, but also to accept death gracefully if she must.
Now there was something new, something bright, but so fragile she couldn�t name it to even whisper of it would blow it away. So, she smiled at the warmth that filled her and finding Tali she jumped onto the saddle and moved along with the other horsemen as they rode to that night�s campsite.
It was the kind of darkness she had never known before the pines and birches of North Ithillien seemed to block out both starlight and moon light. From the camp fire she sat in front of Asano was sure she could spot the gilded winking eyes of night animals driven by curiosity to see what had entered into their territory.
�You don�t think their dangerous do you?� Pippin asked of the animals on the borders.
�No more so than any other wild animal,� Gimli answered while chewing a bit on some dried beef.
�We are near my old master�s land, few things here go untouched by him, not even animals,� Asano answered, ready if could to toss a rock at those damn eyes.
�I bring news from the captains my friends,� Legolas said clearly his voice cutting through the night gloom.
�Oh, what of them,� Gimli replied nonchalantly not caring for manuevering as long as he got to kill something.
�Gandalf has said we shall not assail Minas Morgul, for it is too terrifying for mortal men. As well as keeping the eye from Frodo and Sam,� Legolas explained.
Asano shuddered she had some knowledge of Minas Morgul where the ghost gate was and she was glad and she was glad that they were not going there. She had enough courage for many a venture, but to Minas Morgul, oh no, she was not going.
�I do not think we have enough men to attack both places, it�s best to keep going as we are,� she added.
�We may have to, if this battle goes ill,� Legolas countered.
�Well then so be it, but if that comes to be your going to need more man power than what we have now,� Asano simply put, stretching her hands out to the fire for warmth.
As the night stretched out and cooled Asano wrapped herself in a blanket and dozed off into a light sleep, not daring to fall asleep too deeply.
She didn�t know how long she had been asleep, but a dark dream woke her up and she arose to an early quiet world; tentative sleep reigned over all. Pippin was curled up in his blanket so only his curly head showed; Gimli was on his back snoring so loudly Asano was sure the dark lord could hear.
Shivering, pulling her blanket tighter around her shoulders Asano stirred up the dying fire and added more dried foliage. Soon it was popping and crackling again standing Asano peered about her; several men sat at sentry points, but for the most part the army was asleep. The sky was now a dark blue; a wind must have come through and for a time cleared the clouds away. There were no stars, but the moon did manage to shine his face for those who cared to see.
Turning from the sleeping men she found Legolas staring at the moon, hood pulled over his platinum head arms crossed over his chest.
�Do elves not sleep,� She asked him.
He did not seem surprised when she spoke first tearing him away from his contemplation.
�Elves rest if that is what you mean, although it is different from the way men rest,� Legolas answered.
�Standing and staring at the sky? That is rest?� Asano replied incredulously.

Legolas laughed softly, indugently, �In a way, there is very little other way to describe it.�
�I will think on later of this special elvish way of sleeping,� she retorted in a teasing manner.
Thy sky was growing lighter and soon the sun would be rising from her bed.
�I wonder what will people think of us; standing here away from the rest under the stars,� Asano said.
�Well it all depends,� Legolas said lightly.
�On what,� she asked.
�What it is that we would be doing,� he answered in a quieter tone.
Asano returned his comment with a sly smile and a gentle touch to his bicep under his cloak.
�I was being earnest,� she said.
�Then I will give you an earnest reply; I do not care what others think,� was Legolas�s quiet response. The hand that did not hold her other traced along her jaw up to her ear cradling the shell his warm hand heating up the flesh of her cold ear.
Asano couldn�t move, did not want to. She looked at his face; this face that meant so much that held a spirit she wanted to keep all to herself and return her own with equal love.
Legolas rested his temple against hers feeling Asano�s fingers run through the long, cornsilk, strands of his hair.
�What will become of us?� She inquired desperately holding tightly to him, a sudden fear of the future had come over her.
�The future will decide, it always decides,� he answered.
Asano pulled her head away to at him; his clear face was unclouded by any worry, his eyes were kind and soft. Legolas completely believed in what he claimed, the future would decide and so would fate. Asano did not believe in fate, but she did believe in Legolas and that was good enough for her.
�My Asano do not worry,� was the last thing he said before she felt the softness of his lips upon hers, the firm pressure of his kiss and the warmth of his hands on her cheeks.
Legolas knew that they would be the doom of each other and though others of his kin may see only grief that was the farthest thought in his mind.

~~~~~~~~~

*Adaneth- mortal woman

There done! Feed back appreciated!

Fael
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What the East Wind Brings