A/N: This poem attacked me and forced me to write it in the middle of the night last night . . . and it still won't leave me alone. So here I am. I read far more LotR fanfiction than is good for me, but this is my first foray into writing it, so be kind. I follow the Legolas-and-Aragorn-were-friends-before-the-Fellowship crowd. Needless to say, this is about them -- I did have one in mind as the narrator, but it can be read either way so I won't tell you which one's which. Also, if anyone knows how to make FFN let us have stanzas, please tell me.

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my eyes are burning and

as hard as i try

i can't stop them

it is too much –

the battles, the stress

too long

with too little sleep

it is all catching up to me now

of course he finds me

and holds out an arm

not saying anything but gazing

at me: that look

i can read everything he's trying to say:

we did it, we're safe, i know

it's not over yet, but

we'll do that too

we're in this together

and somehow this makes me want to weep

even more

and i feel like

crawling

to the comfort, the assurance

the strength

but i wait

until the have cleaned up

no enemy remaining free

and found shelter

until we are sure we are alone

until i have walked

tall, at least, if not quite proud

into his embrace

until my face is hidden

in his tunic before

i let the tears fall

dampen the fabric

silent

we are silent

i know

even had i broken down

right there in the open

even sobbing and screaming

i could not be less in his eyes

but i could in my own

and so i keep control

always control

until we are safe

besides

the knowledge that

he could not think me weak

that is enough

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So . . . please review. I'm too stressed about the art history quiz to come up with a snappy comment this time. Sorry.