Title: Healing
Author: Erandir
Rating: PG13
Pairing: Haldir/Eomer
Disclaimer: See previous chapters

Thanks to Doc Frosch, my beta.

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Haldir woke slowly. The pain in his back and leg had faded to a dull throb and he lay on one of the beds in the Houses of Healing. He did not remember being brought here, but imagined that Eomer had carried him.

His thoughts were slightly muddled as Haldir tried to get a better grasp on his surroundings. It was crowded. The sheer size of the battle meant that there was a huge number of wounded soldiers. They had run out of beds, and the less wounded had been moved to pallets on the floor. Haldir was in a bed, however, and this told him something of his own condition.

Glancing about, the Elf spotted a few of the Rohirrim he had come to know, and further off he could see Aragorn and other healers tending to the wounded. But closer by, sitting beside the cot where Haldir rested, was Eomer.

The man had his head in his hands, leaning on his knees. For a moment Haldir thought he was asleep, but then he realized that the Marshal was indeed awake.

He knew that the man would be angry with him for coming to war when it had been forbidden, so he was hesitant to let Eomer know he was awake. Then again, the man hadn't seemed angry when he had found him. He had seemed worried; genuinely concerned; and not just because his own health was affected by Haldir's.

The Elf began to wonder just what Eomer felt for him, and that lead him to his own feelings. Somewhere in the middle of the battle the Elf had realized the true reason he had insisted on coming. He wanted to protect Eomer. He wanted to be there to keep the man safe. Despite his better judgment, he had let his emotions get the better of him. Somehow, through all that had happened, he had fallen for Eomer. But did the man return those feelings?

As if hearing the Marchwarden's thoughts, Eomer looked up. His eyes met with Haldir's and the Elf froze. If the man was angry with him then Haldir would find out now. He braced himself for a serious telling off, but it never came. Instead of being angry and yelling, like the Elf had expected, Eomer let out a sigh of relief and actually smiled. "Thank the Valar you are awake," the Marshal said, "I was so worried."

Worried? Eomer had been worried about him? Even now? "You... you were?" Haldir asked, startled and not knowing what else to say.

"Of course I was," Eomer replied, "You are a friend, I care about you."

The man cared for him. Haldir's heart skipped a beat at that. Even if it was just as a friend; the Elf hadn't thought the man would ever actually care for him. "You are not angry with me?" he asked, "Even though I risked your life by coming? You do not hate me?"

"Hate you?" Now it was Eomer's turn to be surprised. "I could never hate you, Haldir."

Though he hadn't expected to, the Elf actually felt relieved to hear those words. "I am glad," he murmured, "I was afraid you might, especially after what I did."

Eomer shook his head and smiled at Haldir. "No. It is my fault as much as yours. I should not have forced you to stay behind. I should have known you were too stubborn to stay so easily." Haldir blushed faintly at those words and it caused Eomer to laugh softly. It was rare that anyone could manage to get the Marchwarden flustered, but Eomer seemed particularly good at it. The man then stood slowly, "You should rest more," he said, "I am glad that you are alright, but I am sure you want me out of your company. I will leave you to sleep in peace."

"No." The word was out of Haldir's mouth before he even realized it. He wanted to take it back, but it was too late now. It was what he really wanted anyway. "No, stay." He didn't really expect the man to, but he had to ask. "Please. Stay with me?"

Eomer looked down at him for a moment in surprise. He had not thought that the Elf would want his company but found himself glad it was requested. "Alright," he agreed, sitting down again, "I will stay."

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TBC...