A Healing Union

Posted: June 2003
Title: A Healing Union
Author: Larien Elengasse
Fandom: Tolkien
Type: FCS, FCHet
Characters: Legolas / Eowyn
Rating: NC-17
Beta: Alex
WARNING: This story is rated NC-17 and contains explicit sexual content. If you find this offensive, or you are under-age, I strongly suggest you stop now.
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, they are the property of Tolkien.

Summary: Set after the battle for Helm's Deep. The Shield Maiden faces what may be her toughest test.

*****

The battle for Helm's Deep had claimed many victims; the bodies of Elves, Men, and Orcs litter the fortress. I watched my kinsmen fall to Saruman's minions and I made a decision. It was clear that the White Wizard would not stop until every last one of us had perished. I decided then that I would not be a victim; I would not fall to my knees and be slain without a fight, and I would not be a prisoner. I left the women in the caves behind and took up a weapon. I was determined to slaughter as many of the enemy as I could before I fell alongside my kinsmen. They breached the doors of the Keep and I watched Gimli, Aragorn, Legolas and my uncle, along with what remained of his soldiers bravely hold them off. The Riders arrived and were attacking from the other side as the Uruk-hai streamed through the shattered doors, the last hope we had of keeping them from the women and children.

The Uruk's cruel hands were biting into the flesh of my neck and I struggled against him as he held me against the wall, my feet dangled beneath me; I was choking, gasping for air when I saw him over the beast's shoulder. He was magnificent in his fury, the shining steel blades in his hands glinting in the firelight, his deep blue eyes flashed hatred for the creature; he stepped forward and growled something in Elvish before plunging his blade deep into the beast's neck. The monster fell as he released me and I crumpled to the floor still grasping my blade in one hand and my throat in the other. I looked up to see Legolas standing over me offering me his hand and I saw the dagger drive through his shoulder as he threw his head back and howled in pain. He spun around slicing the beast's head clean off before falling to his knees in front of me. "Legolas!" I cried as I crawled to him, calling for Aragorn, as the last of the enemy were driven from the Keep. He collapsed against me, grasping his shoulder as Aragorn and Gimli ran toward us. Blood was rushing from the wound and I tore my dress and pressed the fabric against it, trying to stop the bleeding. He was quickly losing consciousness as Aragorn picked up the blade and raised it to his nose and smelled the bitter poison that tainted it. Eomer rushed forward with my uncle and Gandalf. I was the last thing the valiant Elf saw before he slipped into unconsciousness.

"The blade has been poisoned." Aragorn and Eomer lifted him from my arms as my uncle instructed them to take him to my quarters; Gandalf, Gimli, and I followed them. The Wizard took the blade from the floor and instantly recognized the acrid smell of the poison.

* * * *

‘Where am I?' The Elf struggled against an unseen weight that bore him down, drowning him in cold darkness. That voice, that dark voice inside his head, speaking that evil tongue. The sound of it made him sick, he felt so weak. He tried to shut it out but he could not, ‘What is happening to me?' He was so cold. It was a damp, dark, shivering cold that sank into his bones. He could not move, he could not breathe, ‘Aragorn?' He tried to speak but the other voice inside him drowned him out, it was inside his mind, taking over his body…

* * * *

"Bind him tightly, when he regains consciousness he may become violent. I have arrested the progression of the poison, but he will have to fight back on his own." Aragorn leaned over the bed, binding the Elf's wrists to the iron posts with thick leather straps; Eomer and Gimli bound his ankles as well. Gandalf stood solemnly by, carefully watching the Elf. Sarumon may have well succeeded in his task, the cruel poison he devised was meant to turn its victims and bend them to his own evil will.

I stood silently in the corner, tears falling from my cheeks. ‘This is my fault. He lies there suffering because of me'.

Gandalf had done what he could to heal him, but I feared it might be too late. Eomer put a kind hand on my shoulder, "Eowyn, do not take this upon yourself." I looked into the deep brown eyes of my brother, tears running from my own, "He lies there because he saved my life, he lies there because of me." Eomer took me in his strong arms, holding me against his chest as he stroked my hair, trying to comfort me.

The others had left the room and I had insisted on staying behind to care for my savior. Gandalf warned me he would be violent when he woke and that he might not recognize me, or anyone else. I sat beside him on the bed; his body burned with fever and blood seeped from the wound in his shoulder. I watched him strain against his bonds and thrash on the bed. I could not understand the words, but I knew the sound of the black speech, intermingled with his native Elvish as it passed his soft lips. I washed him with a cloth doused in cool water, trying to abate his fever, trying to bring this Elf that saved my life some comfort. Hours passed as the hateful speech spewed from his beautiful mouth, bruising my ears, as he fought to regain himself. Gandalf returned a few times, to check on him, noting that only time would tell whether or not he had been successful; there was nothing further he could do.

Finally, hours later, he lay quiet and shivering, his fever subsided. His eyes slowly opened and he whispered something in Elvish to me. I leaned in; my hair brushed his chest that was soaked with sweat. He looked up at me, "I am cold..." his voice sounded so weak. I reached for the furs that lay at the foot of the bed, pulling them up around him. "Here, these will warm you." I turned to reach for another when he whispered my name, "Eowyn… Shield Maiden of Rohan… brave Eowyn." I looked back at him; his once bright blue eyes clouded over with suffering, his lips curved into a weak smile. I reached out and touched his face and he whispered to me, "Your hands are warm and I am so cold, I need to feel something besides this numbing cold." I took another fur from the floor and placed it upon him. I removed my outer robe and climbed beneath the covers to lay against him, I pressed my body into his and rubbed his chest and abdomen as I tried to warm him. His skin was ice beneath mine and I shuddered slightly as I pressed against him. We lay together quietly for some time as I felt his skin gradually warm beneath me.

I had immediately noticed how beautiful the Elf was when I first saw him Edoras. While I admit I was attracted to Aragorn, I knew he loved another and he would never return my affection. Something changed in me when I saw Legolas kill that beast, rescuing me from death. I had not been able to wipe that image from my mind, his blue eyes flashing, the beautiful vision of him standing above me, offering me his strong hand; the muscles in his thighs prominent beneath his leggings, his strong arms encased in leather and silk.

* * * *

He began to pull at his bindings as he struggled to shift his body into mine; he tilted his head down, pressing his lips into my hair. My heart caught in my throat as I felt him move beneath me, as I felt his soft lips press against my head. I lifted up and looked up at him, "Legolas? Are you all right?" I whispered. His blue eyes bored into my soul as he looked at me; I felt his body tensing through the thin fabric of my gown.

"Touch me" he whispered. My pulse raced in my head as I reached for his face. He closed his eyes and swallowed, "Not there".

My voice broke as I began to speak, "Then where?" my hands trembled as they rested against his cheek.

He lifted his torso off the bed, twisting to press it into me. I felt the growing hardness encased in his sweat and blood soaked leggings against my thigh, "There, lirimaer..." the tenor of his voice dropped lower.

I knew it was wrong, I sensed something was not right in him, but his body against mine combined with his blinding beauty aroused me beyond the point of reason. I slowly drew my hand from his face, down his neck and chest, to his abdomen, halting my progress just above the waistband of his leggings. He was smooth and warm; his body was more elegant than that of a mortal man, it was if it was chiseled out of living stone.

"Ah, yes," he whispered, "touch me, Eowyn, do not stop." He growled as my hands trembled against his hardened flesh. My fingers slid over the top of his leggings, cupping him in my hand, feeling the wet cloth press up against my palm. "Please, my temptress, do not deny me what you would have as well." I looked up at him, his head was pressed back into the bed and his eyes were closed, his jaw was clenched.

Reason abandoned me as I straddled him, feeling him harden beneath me as I ached for him; my own desire pulsated inside me. I rocked my hips against him as he pressed up against me, against the throbbing moist heat in my loins, "Is this what you want?" I asked as I pressed down against him and he uttered a low growl. "Open your eyes…" I whispered. He lowered his head and opened his eyes and what I saw caused my heart to stop, they were no longer blue, they had turned jet black. I trembled, sickened, feeling him push up against me, his breath rasping in his throat. I leaned in toward him, "This is not for you. I give myself to Legolas, to the one that you are trying to take from me. You will never have me." I lifted myself off him as he spat a curse in the black speech at me.

"Weak Rohirrim Whore! I know what is in your mind and you will never have it with anyone but me. You are a fool!" His black eyes burned me as he spat his hateful speech at me. He thrashed on the bed, growling and pulling against his bonds. I stood back, trembling, my arms wrapped around my chest, tears flowed from my face. Anger built inside me as I watched my beloved Elf slip away. I climbed onto the bed and grasped his straining arms in my hands and I screamed, "Let him go! You can not have him!" I drew back and struck his beautiful face with all the force I could muster. He stopped struggling for a moment and a cruel smile crossed his lips as he began to laugh. Tears rolled from my eyes as I watched him fade.

* * * *

He was struggling inside, from deep beneath this monster that threatened to consume him. ‘No, I cannot let this happen. I will not lie here and die.' He felt her tears soak his face as one streamed into his mouth.

* * * *

It had been one full cycle of the sun. He continued to struggle, alternating between uneasy quiet and growling obscenities and threatening me with things I cannot bear to repeat. I watched him fight for his life and I was powerless to help him. Finally, he lay quiet and appeared to sleep. I tried to rest when I could, sleeping next to him on the bed, curled up in a ball near his head. The others tried to get me to leave, to find some relief from the agony I felt watching him suffer this way, but I could not bear to leave him; this experience had forever bound me to the Elf. I heard him sigh as he tried to move again and I sat up and looked at him; he looked so tired and weak. He softened to my touch and a tear rolled from his eye. His eyes were closed and his chest rose and fell slowly with each labored breath. His lips parted and he whispered something in Elvish that I could not understand. "Legolas?" I whispered, afraid of who would answer.

His blue eyes opened and I saw him tremble with sickness and fatigue. "Eowyn?" he whispered.

I sat up and stroked his face, pulling the furs back up around his shoulders. My voice wavered as I whispered, "Stay with me, do not leave again."

"I will try not to, I think it is over. I am sorry for what I have said and done to you, meldiramin. The things I said to you sicken me to my very core," he whispered.

I lay my head on his shoulder as he pressed his lips into my forehead, I whispered "You did not mean what you said. I know it was not you who said those things." I lay there quietly with him, my arms wrapped around his waist, my gown soaked with his sweat and the blood of his victims. I took a deep breath and asked, "What does... mel-deer-a-men mean?"

He chuckled softly and replied, "Meldiramin, it is Sindarin, it means, my friend."

I smiled, "My friend. Is that what I am? Your friend?"

He sighed and snuggled his face into my hair, "It is the least you are after what I have put you through."

Gandalf entered the room and looked at the two of us lying together. He studied Legolas closely as he silently approached the bed. Legolas turned his blue eyes up to him as I rested wearily on my savior's shoulder. The wizard smiled, "Well, there you are friend. We have been wondering when we would see you again." Legolas smiled weakly at him as I sat up. "You may release him, Eowyn, it is over. I will inform the others." He left the room to find Aragorn.

I looked down at him and smiled as I reached for his knife to cut his bonds. I cut first one, then the other as I freed his arms. He strained to reach for me but his muscles cramped as he groaned in pain, "Aahh... I cannot move my arms..." he grumbled a curse in Elvish. I smiled, that was the Legolas I remembered, the headstrong, defiant Prince…

"Be still, you have been bound like this for a long time and you are weak from struggle and fever. You must let me help you."

"I am not accustomed to accepting help, especially from a woman. But, I am grateful for your care." his voice was tinted with pride and he was uncomfortable with the debilitated state he found himself in.

I cut the ties from his ankles and I carefully took his legs in my hands, massaging and rubbing the cold, stiff muscles to stimulate the flow of blood again. I then took them one at a time and slowly bent them, flexing his knees into his chest and straightening them again, as he winced in pain. "I am sorry for the pain I cause you, a long soak in a hot bath will help alleviate it. As soon as you can stand, I will draw a bath and help you to the tub." I returned to the head of the bed, massaging and moving his arms for him.

"Your hands are cold," I whispered, as I took his strong hands in mine, rubbing them and holding them close to my body, flexing his fingers back and bending them again into a fist.

I began to flex them back again when his fingers closed around my hand. He spoke softly to me, "You have healing hands, Shield Maiden… my body comes back to life with your touch," he looked down at my gown, "Your gown is soiled with my sweat and Orc blood. By the Valar, what have I put you through?" I sat on my knees beside him on the bed, my heart pounding in my chest, afraid to look at him. He reached for me with his other hand, wincing at the pain in his muscles, and he turned my face to look at him, "You have nothing to fear from me, Eowyn. I would never hurt you."

"I know, I would freely give you anything you ask for." my voice trembled as I spoke.

"I have no right to ask for anything further from you. I would not put you through anymore pain," his eyes were clouded with sadness as he looked at me, "You have done so much for me and suffered such loss." he caressed my cheek softly.

I returned his smile, "Yes, but so have you when you did not need to. The loss of your kin in battle was great, we are equally saddened. Providing you some comfort eases my own pain." I rose from the bed and prepared a warm bath for him and poured scented oil into the steaming water. I returned to the bed to find him sitting at the edge, his bare feet on the stone floor, his back bent with fatigue. I reached down and took one of his weakened arms around my shoulder and slowly helped him stand, placing my other arm around his waist. I stood there with him for a few minutes as he regained his legs before helping him to the bath. He grasped the edge of the large iron tub as I unlaced his leggings; I took a deep breath as I slid them down his hips and to the floor. I kneeled before him, my eyes downcast as he slowly raised each leg for me to pull the foul cloth away. I turned and cast them to the side as I rose, turning my gaze to his. I knew my face was flushed and I was unable to do anything about it as he smiled at me.

He lifted a weary hand and brushed my hair off my shoulder and caressed my cheek as he whispered, "Thank you, Eowyn."

I took his arm as he stepped into the tub, sinking into the warm water. I knelt beside the tub and untied the bandage around his shoulder and cleaned his wound, as I tried to keep my eyes from wandering across his beautiful body. I moved to the head of the tub, unbraiding his long hair and he sank his head beneath the water. The blood and grime float away from him, born to the surface of the water and captured by the oil. I took a thin piece of cloth and skimmed the filth off the surface, leaving clean water for him to soak in as I added more oil to the water. I whispered, "If you will sit forward, I will wash your back." He grasped each edge of the tub and raised himself up as I ran a cloth across his back wishing it were my bare hands instead. He sank deep into the water, letting the warmth soothe his aching muscles. The scent of the oil mingled with the warmth from the fire and the bath made me feel lightheaded. I rose and retrieved my robe and stepped behind a screen to remove my own spoiled gown, replacing it with my robe. I draped a robe for him across a chair next to the tub and then returned to the bed, stripping the soaked bedding and piling it by the door before replacing it with fresh bedding.

The door opened and Aragorn entered followed closely by Gimli. "Where is he?" he asks.

"He is in the bath, my Lord." I pointed toward the fireplace.

Aragorn went to speak with his friend as Gimli placed a hand on my arm. "You have cared for him well, Lass, we owe you a debt of gratitude."

I smiled at the dwarf; "I am in his debt. He saved my life, this was the least I could do for him." He smiled back at me as he turned to see his friend.

Aragorn looked at me, "Eowyn, take some rest, we will stay with him for awhile."

"Thank you, my Lord." I reluctantly departed to take a bath and to gather some food and wine for my ward. When I returned a short time later, Aragorn and Gimli had helped Legolas into his robe and had returned him to the bed where he sat propped up against the wall. I smiled, he was so beautiful, his skin was flushed pink from the bath, his flaxen hair glowed in the firelight. He wore a sleepy expression that was enchanting, "I have brought you some food and drink, my Lord and I need to replace your bandage." I sat the tray beside him on the bed.

Aragorn and Gimli rose as Aragorn spoke to Legolas, "We will leave you to rest, Legolas, you are in good hands." he turned and looked at me again and smiled as he placed a soft kiss on my forehead, "Take some rest soon, Eowyn." They silently left the room and we were alone again. There was a time that the kiss the future King gave me would have made me weak, but it had become no more than a friendly gesture. All my thoughts were bent on the Elf; he was the one I longed for now.

"May I serve you some wine?" I asked softly.

He slid the tray of fruit closer to him, "Yes, I would like that." I poured the dark red liquid into the goblet and offered it to him. I sat beside him, tying a fresh bandage on his shoulder, as he ate some fruit, "Your wound is healing quickly, my Lord". I set the knife I used to cut the cloth on the floor.

"Come here, Eowyn." he whispered. I slid closer to him, my heart pounding in my chest. His voice was like music and my ears starved to hear it, "Sit and take some wine with me." I moved to sit beside him and took up my own goblet of wine as he pulled me in to rest, gently guiding my head to his uninjured shoulder. Being this close to him made my heart race. The kindness and wisdom in his voice made me feel safe, "I suppose after what the two of us have been through we share a bond now that others will not understand. I will not forget the kindness you have shown me, Eowyn." After a few moments, he took my goblet from me, "Here, lie back and rest," he motioned for me to lay my head in his lap. I closed my eyes as I lay my head in his lap and he dangled a cluster of grapes above my mouth. "You have been taking care of me and neglecting yourself, now let me care for you." I reached for the fruit with my mouth, encircling each grape with my lips before grasping it in my teeth, pulling it from the stem.

* * * *

He slowly sipped his wine and his eyes scanned her form as she hungrily ate the fruit from his hand. She was indeed the most beautiful human he had ever seen. Her long golden hair fell about his lap and legs, her robe hugged her form, the split just below the waist widening and exposing one long, slender, alabaster thigh. She smelled of jasmine and her hair was damp against his lap from her bath. He vaguely remembered her atop him, feeling her slickened heat through his leggings. He felt desire stirring inside him again; she was so vulnerable, yet so strong and so willful. He knew how she fought to hang on to him, the insults and abuse she endured for him. He remembered her words, that she wanted to give herself to him, that she wanted him back. He knew how badly she wanted him, though she tried to hide it. She did not know that part of the beast she witnessed had always been inside him, even before the influence of the poison; it was why he was a warrior, why he craved battle. He had always been able to silence that beast with battle, slaughtering lowly Orcs; their black blood had quenched its insatiable thirst. But there were no beasts to slaughter now... only this beauty reclining in his lap.

He sat his goblet down beside the bed as she took the last remaining grape from the stem. He slid the tray away and bent his knees, sliding his arms around her and lifting her throat to his lips as her hair fell over his arm. He heard her breathless sigh in his ear as she wrapped her arms around his back and neck. The pain and fatigue that possessed him earlier was replaced by the forbidden desire he felt for her. This was the Shield Maiden of Rohan, niece to King Theoden, and he was an Elf. She arched her back against his arms as his lips made their way to her mouth. His tongue pushed inside her soft lips, scraping past her teeth and finding the warm moisture of her mouth. One hand slid around to unlace the silken cord that held her robe closed, as it fell open he ran his hand across her bare chest, caressing each breast, as she moaned into his mouth. Each touch, each kiss fed that animal inside him, causing it to demand more. His hand continued down her smooth belly and he buried his fingers in her soft golden curls. She clasped him to her tighter as he probed her mouth with his tongue and his hand slid lower, finding that heated wetness he remembered. She moaned his name into his ear as he felt himself hardening against her back... Oh, yes… this was what he wanted; to feel her writhing with pleasure in his arms, submitting to him totally. He lifted her up so that she sat up on the bed as he turned; one hand manipulating her as she melted into him, the other roughly stripping the robe from her lithe body. He turned her and pushed her to her back as he moved over her in one swift movement. He hovered over her, watching her submit to him, watching her body become his to do with as he desired.

* * * *

His touch was driving me mad. His soft skin against mine, his mouth on my flesh. How I had wanted him before and how sickened I felt when I realized it was that beast, not him that wanted me. I was so afraid that he would never want me this way, that I would never be worthy of his affection. But then, I felt his need for me as he touched me, it was desperate, it was a burning fire that must be put out. I would let him do what he pleased to me, I would not resist, I would not feign shock and surprise. I needed him, I would do anything to be near him, anything to please him. "Eowyn..." his soft voice whispering my name filled me with both love and despair, all the remnants of pride I once had were gone. "I want to feel you inside me, please" I begged him. I never believed I would beg a man for anything, yet I needed him inside me so badly. He ran his powerful hands up the backs of my thighs, drawing them up around him as he entered me. I groaned loudly as hot searing pain filled my loins, I gripped and clung to his back as he thrust inside me again and again. Such pain mingled with such pleasure, his strong back undulated in my hands, his pulsating arousal moving inside me. He consumed me and he utterly possessed me.

* * * *

She was so tight and warm, encasing him in slick heated luxury. He knew he was causing her pain, he could hear it in her stifled cries, felt it in her tight, trembling body; but the beast still clamored for more. She took it willingly, almost eagerly, rising up to meet him each time he drove inside her; her nails dug into his skin, her soft voice moaning in his ear. He could not get enough of her, his beautiful Rohirrim, his brave Eowyn. He wanted it to go on forever but how much could she take, how long could she bear what he was doing to her? He felt her relaxing, submitting, taking the pain with the pleasure. She moaned his name; he held her heart and soul in his hands and still he injured her with each punishing thrust. He licked the salty tears from her face, groaning into her ear. He wanted more; he must have more of her. He wished he could crawl inside her and be within her for all time, away from the pain and death of war. His beautiful, soft, brave Eowyn…

* * * *

He reached down and slid his arms around the backs of my knees, drawing my legs further up and driving deeper inside me, the pain was subsiding, replaced only by extraordinary pleasure. It came in a wave from deep within me, building, spreading, consuming me. His soft hair fell across my face as his head dropped down by mine. I felt ecstasy roll through me like a great wave as I heard him groan my name into my ear, feeling the warm rush of his seed spread within me. His arms slackened and my legs slowly slid back down to the bed. He lay there, still inside me, his weight resting on me, his hands caressing me; his once rough touch turned to softness, "Mir nín," he whispered in my ear. "My Lord," I whispered back, for that was what he was to me. I felt his soft lips on my throat as they slowly moved to my mouth. My whole body tingled at his touch and I had become his slave; no man would ever own the part of me he held then.

I slept, wrapped in his strong arms, listening to his powerful heart beat in his chest, a sound that had come close to being silenced. His touch was soft and loving as he caressed my arms and my back, whispering words of love to me in his sleep. It was almost dawn and the others would be coming for us. We had to leave this bed where he had taken me, where he had stripped me of any semblance of pride I had left. I lifted my head and turned away from him as he stirred, pulling me back to him. He lay behind me, his hand sliding down my stomach and in between my legs. He moaned as he touched me and hardened against me. It was painful to be touched. I whimpered, wanting to pull away and being utterly unable to do so. I heard him whisper in my ear, "Is it still painful, meleth?" I closed my eyes and moaned, "Yes... but I still want you. I want to please you." He rolled me over onto my back as he slid on top of me. "You do please me, Eowyn and I can please you as well, without pain." He kissed me on the mouth, not roughly as before, but softly, the soft, pink tip of his tongue lapping at my lips like a kitten lapping at a saucer of milk. As my lips softly parted, he slowly slid his tongue inside. His kiss drowned me as I sighed softly into his mouth. He moved his mouth ever lower, pausing at my breasts, sucking and gently nibbling on each nipple. I arched my back against the bed, his touch drove me mad. He probed my navel with his tongue and pressed his mouth into my stomach as his hands drew my thighs apart. "Relax, meleth nín" he said softly as I felt him put his mouth to me, drawing his tongue up each side of my entry, encircling the bud of my desire before delving inside me. I grasped the bedding in my fists and bit my lip to stifle the cries of passion that fought to escape me. I was dying with pleasure; he tortured me in the most delicious ways. As I lost myself in ecstasy, he rose to his knees before me, the pleasure he took in driving me into that state was evident as I looked at him. I sat up and reached for him; he was so beautiful kneeling before me, his body flawless and strong. I grasped his firm buttocks in my hands, as he lifted me up. I pressed my mouth into his stomach, wrapping my arms around him, clinging to him, moaning his name. He lifted my chin to his as I rose to my knees before him. "Take me in your hand," he whispered. I did as commanded as his hands slid up my back. Desire was still raging inside me, throbbing deep within my core as I took his hardness in my soft hand. I stroked and squeezed him, helping him find release. "Say my name, Eowyn." I put my lips to his ear, "Legolas..." I whispered, "My Lord," he pressed his lips to my throat as he moaned and repeatedly thrust into my hand until I felt the warm, silky result of my touch spread across my hand and my stomach. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close, sighing into my ear, "Beautiful Eowyn."

* * * *

I reclined in the warm bath, leaning back against my lover as he washed my skin, his lips roaming my neck. The others would be awake soon, including my uncle. What would he think of what I had done? What would Eomer think if he knew I had given my virginity to an Elf? It occurred to me that the larger part of me did not care any longer. After suffering months of Grima's leering glances and poisoned words, months of fear and loneliness, I had found love in Legolas' arms. A few days ago I was Eowyn, the Proud Shield Maiden of Rohan, now I was an Elf Prince's lover, for that was all I could ever be to him, his lover. I rolled over in the water and placed my arms on each side of him as I pressed the length of my body against his and his soft lips graced mine. He was proud, beautiful, and sometimes arrogant, his laughter was like music in my ears, his soft voice melted my heart. I could no longer hear Grima's sick voice in my head; Legolas had driven it out. He had healed my heart and given me love that I felt totally unworthy of. I knew the day would come soon, when I would never see him again. How would I live without him? How could I go back to who I was before he came into my life? He sensed my sadness and caressed my face. As if he had read my mind he whispered softly, "You will find love, Eowyn. You will find the one you are meant to be with. One day, ages from now, I will be walking through the forest, or strolling the shores of Aman, and I will think of you, of your kindness, of your brave and strong heart, and I will miss you. You have yet to fulfill your destiny, Eowyn, and as much as I might wish it, I am not part of it, a'maelamin."

I knew he was right. I knew we could not stay together and strangely enough I was comforted by his words, by his gentle wisdom. I realized how lucky I was to live a short life; not to be the one who missed those who passed before them for eternity. Legolas would mourn his friends long after they were gone, Aragorn, Gimli, and now me.

I stood on the steps of Edoras, watching my lover ride away into the bright morning light… I knew I would never forget him or what he had given me over the last days. I waited until I could no longer see him, until he had vanished from my sight, before returning to my quarters.

THE END

If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Larien Elengasse