A/N: Since this is the chapter I will likely lose readers on, I thank you readers for stick with me. Also, over 300 reviews! AND WE REACHED 100,000 WORDS! (Ya'll can help me celebrate by taking my poll on my profile *wink wink nudge nudge*) Ahh, I'm so proud! Nothing but my OC's and romantic plot line belong to me! I hope you enjoy!

Thoughts...

I groggily walked down the hall, trying really hard to stay awake. My eyes wanted to close but I knew what would happen if I went to sleep. It was the same reason why I couldn't sleep. The nightmares would go on.

"Maybe your PTSD is finally setting in? I mean, nothing like this has happened before like after Gandalf and Boromir died and when the orcs held you captive and you thought Pip and Merry were dead. Maybe that battle just finally triggered it."

I sighed as I knocked on the door in front of me. Early this morning I asked around to see if anyone knew where Éowyn was. One of the servants informed me that she was taken to one of the guest rooms and was kind enough to tell me the way. From behind the wood I heard a soft voice call out. I opened the door to see a man sitting beside my friend, whose arm was in a sling.

Slowly a smirk appeared on my face, "Am I interrupting something?"

The blonde turned and her face became red, "N-No. You aren't."

I slightly 'hmm'-ed, staying in my place. Éowyn looked back and forth between the two of us. I smiled at her before looking to the man in front of her.

"My name's Wynter. It's nice to meet you…"

"Faramir. The pleasure is mine."

I nodded, pursing my lips slightly. Faramir. Faramir. Why did that sound familiar…

"You're Boromir's brother!"

The man nodded again, his face falling from the small smile he had. Looks like he knew…

"He spoke very highly of you… He was a very good man and I'm proud to say that I knew him."

"Thank you."

A second past. Then a minute. The silence continued on as I stood awkwardly beside the door. Eventually Faramir cleared his throat, excusing himself. Not before giving Éowyn a smile and placing his hand on her shoulder. I moved out of his way as he opened the door. Once it shut, I let the smile that I was hiding show and ran to the blonde. Quickly I threw my arms around her, "You found a man~."

I could almost feel the displeased aura around her. I finally had something I could tease her about! Suddenly there was a shift.

"As you would say, you've found two. Granted one of them isn't a 'man'."

I moved to sit where Faramir previously was, "I have no clue what you're talking about."

There was a smirk on her face, "Do you not?"

I felt my face start to heat up. Scowling slightly, I continued, "I'm trying to be supportive of you here. Don't turn it around and make it about me."

She smiled, not saying a word.

"Fine, but later. Now how did you and Faramir meet?" I said, smiling at my friend.

"The House of Healing. I first saw him from out the window and then met him when he was being checked by one of the physicians."

"Ah. You two just sort of clicked?"

"I believe so."

"Aww," I cooed, rocking my head side to side. She laughed while shaking her head at me.

"And you? How are your romantic adventures going?"

"I wouldn't call them adventures…"

"You know what I mean."

"They're… I don't know… Should I really be worrying about this stuff when a war's going on?"

Éowyn looked at me with an odd look in her eye, "Are you sure you are not just trying to avoid something?"

"…Éomer told you didn't he," I said, looking down at my hands.

"He's my brother. Of course he would tell me when he has asked to court someone."

I sat in silence. I wasn't sure how this was going to turn out in the slightest.

"Do you know how you shall answer him?"

"Not at all…"

I looked up at the woman in front of me. She held a small smile on her face. Her eyes held a sense of pity and sadness, but her amusement was winning out the other emotions.

"You know something, don't you?"

"I might."

Then something occurred to me, "Wait, what did you mean by two, earlier?"

She looked at me puzzled. Then her mouth formed an 'O' shape, signaling that she knew what I meant, "I thought you knew."

"Thought I knew what? I mean, I know you're referring to Éomer, but who's the other?"

She laughed. "You truly do not know?"

"Know what?!" I whined. I had no idea who she was talking about.

"You are around him enough. You both, oh what was the word you used…. Flirt. You both flirt with each other. The way you both act around each other is so…," her face contorted into one of pure delight and she started laughing, "Have you not realized it yet?"

"Realized what?"

She was too preoccupied with laughing to answer my question. Finally she calmed down and her face took on a serious expression, "Wynter, I want you to know that no matter what answer you give my brother, I will always consider you my sister."

I smiled at the princess. "Now…. What have I not realized?"

Éowyn smiled, "I'm not telling. Not until you figure it out yourself."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

I sighed harshly before changing the subject, "So how did you do? I mean, your arm's obviously hurt, but I didn't get back to you…"

"I ended up bringing Merry. He helped me kill the Witch King."

"That's awesome."

We spent the next hours talking, about the battle, about anything really. Around lunch I left. Quietly, I walked through the halls, making my way towards the Dining Hall. I entered the room and asked one of the servants there if I could get food. After she nodded her head and left, I took a spot at an empty table and laid my head down. I felt so tired…

"Good afternoon."

I looked up at Éomer. Stretching, I greeted him.

"May I sit here?" he asked, indicating to the seat across from me.

"I don't mind."

The prince smiled and sat, "Have you not been sleeping well?"

"Not really. Just some nightmares."

His smile fell, "That is why I advised against the Hobbit joining the battle. I would have never expected my sister and you to join as well…"

"I don't regret it though," I said, eyeing the prince, "I did it to protect people that I cared about. Granted I thought most of those people to be dead, but… it doesn't feel nice. Feeling like a waste of space. It felt nice to feel like I was able to do something."

"You are not a waste of space though."

"Thank you for thinking so."

A tray of food was set in front of me. Quickly, I thanked the servant before she scurried away. I turned back to my food, reaching for the bread.

"Do many consider you a waste of space?"

I paused mid-chew. No. There wasn't a lot of people who thought I was a waste of space. The only time I brought it up with some was with... and I wanted to help him. So much. The only person I felt those fears from was Le-.

"Not really," I said, swallowing and quickly pulling myself out of those thoughts, "It's mostly just the feeling though. Doesn't matter if you are or not, a person's feeling can affect them more than what is being told to them."

He nodded. We sat in silence as I continued my meal. As I was finishing, Éomer began to speak again.

"We ride out tomorrow."

My hand stilled. I put the spoon I was holding back into the bowl before I dropped it. My eyes lifted back to the Rohirrim. "I thought you weren't supposed to be leaving until the day after tomorrow."

"Wynter… I want you to know that I was serious when I asked to court you, and I still am, but the likelihood of me coming back is…"

"Practically non-existent," I said softly, my thoughts trailing back to someone else. Someone else who also had a non-existent chance of coming back. My hands were trembling as I kept them under the table and out of sight.

He nodded once again. Taking a deep breath, I looked into his eyes. I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to tell him. I didn't even know how I was supposed to answer him. My voice wavered as I wished him luck and a safe return. Then I left as fast as I could.

I'm sixteen. I shouldn't be in a war. I shouldn't be experiencing a war first hand. I shouldn't be contemplating who to date in a war situation where they're able to die from anything. Anything and everything. Like that one King of… France, I think, who died from an ear infection. They wouldn't die from an ear infection though. They're warriors. They'd more likely die in battle than by some disease. I shouldn't have to choose the right way to… The right way to what? The right way to let someone down?

"Who said I'd turn down Éomer anyway? I mean…"

"You don't know what you mean."

And as much as I hated to admit it, the voice was right. I had no idea what I meant. I groaned as I raced back to my room. I wouldn't get anywhere at this rate.

As I shut the door behind me, I spotted my bag out of the corner of my eye. Not even questioning how it got there, I quickly grabbed it and opened it. Inside was the green book. The book on elves…

Slowly I picked it up. I spent the next several minutes holding it in my hand. I felt the leather underneath my fingertips. I felt the weight of it in my hand. It was comforting. Moving towards the window, I sat down and opened the book to the last page I marked. As the sun began to set several hours later my body finally decided to give up. Placing the book on the stand by my bed, I quickly unlaced the dress I was wearing and put on a nightgown.

As I laid in bed, my body melted down into the mattress. My lids began to feel heavy and soon I was pulled to sleep. Darkness surrounded me… but the nothingness didn't last long.

I was running. Running to something. Screams filled the air and around me I heard the sound of metal on metal. It was a battle. The blood pumped in my ears. I was looking. Looking. Looking for what? It was important. Why couldn't I remember? My arms swung up, parrying an oncoming attack.

Screams grew louder. My mind became jumble. Constantly I was rotating between looking and blocking. Looking and blocking. Looking and blocking. Above the screams, a familiar voice cried out.

"WYNTER!"

My head whipped around in time to see Legolas's falling form. Instinctively my feet surged forward.

"No….. No…. no, no, no, no, no!"

My hands reached out to the elf, quickly turning him over. Blood trickled slowly out of his mouth. On his abdomen, there was a stab that was bleeding… and bleeding badly. All other images and sound melted away as I pressed my hands to the wound, attempting to stop the bleeding. The only thing I was aware of was the body lying in my arms. A body that was quickly growing cold.

My tears began to mingle with the blood that was staining every surface it could touch. "Legolas. Legolas, no. Look at me, don't close your eyes. Please, Legolas, please. Don't leave me."

The elf smiled up at me softly. He softly placed his hand on my cheek, "Don't cry Wynter. I'll always be with you. I lo-"

I shot up in bed, breathing heavily. Each night. Each night, it doesn't matter what the dream, he always dies. He always dies. My head fell forward onto my knees as I did what I could to calm myself. Nothing was working.

Looking up into the moonlit room, I spotted a robe. Quickly going over to it, I threw it on before leaving my room. Now was a good time for a walk.

My feet padded along the cold stones, making them ache with cold. I hurried along the quiet halls. I didn't know where I was going, but I did force myself to slow down. Speed walking wasn't going to help calm me down. My feet stopped as I passed a balcony.

I went to sit on the stone bench in the middle of it. My body began to shiver slightly. As I wrapped my arms around myself, I brought my head to my knees. I didn't know what it meant. I was afraid of Legolas dying? Of course. I'm scared about him, and my brother, and Haru, and Aragorn, and what would happen if they all died.

"He was going to tell you that he loved you in your dream."

And I knew it was true. But what did it all mean?

I felt a hand on my shoulder and quickly jolted up.

"Wait, Wynter, it's me. Legolas. Are you alright?"

I looked up into his bright blue eyes. Relief filled me. He was here and alive now. It doesn't matter what happens tomorrow. All that matters is that he's here right now.

"Yeah. I'm fine." I replied softly, grabbing his hand. His gripped back.

"You feel cold. You should head in doors soon lest you catch a cold."

He moved to leave, but I held onto him tighter. "Please. Don't go. I don't want to be alone now."

I heard him sigh softly, "I shall not leave you, but at least come back to my chambers with me. You truly will get sick if we stay out here any longer."

I nodded and he quickly removed his hand from my shoulder. Silently, I followed him. He stopped outside of a door and looked side to side. Then he quickly opened the door, pushing me inside. "Stay here. I will be back in a few minutes."

He firmly shut the door behind him. I pulled my robe tighter around me as I looked around. There was a fire shining brightly in the fire place. Close to the fire place sat a table with two chairs on either side of it. In the middle of the room, pushed against one of the walls, was a bed. I went to go sit at one of the chairs.

As he said, a few minutes later, Legolas came back. He opened the door holding a tray with a single cup and a kettle. Silently, he set it down beside me before going to close the door again. The elf came back and place herbs in a strainer, pouring hot water over them. He placed the cup in my hand before kneeling before me. Quietly, he asked, "What troubles you?"

I took a sip of the tea, feeling an explosion of warmth after the taste of chamomile and mint. I rested my hands in my lap, cradling the cup. "My nightmares. The last battle. Tomorrow. They all… they all make me scared and anxious. I'm just so terrified…"

His eyes kept contact with mine. I saw them soften as he placed a hand on mine.

"Do you remember when we were in Moria?"

I nodded.

"Do you remember the scenario you thought up?"

Again, I nodded.

"Think up one right now. What could be the worst case for tomorrow?"

I took another drink of the tea before setting it aside. How bad could tomorrow possibly get? My first thought broke my heart and almost led me to tears. I continued through them, trying to make them worse than the last. But they all had one thing in common. One thing in common that broke me to tears.

Legolas brought his hand up to brush away my tears. After several minutes, I was finally calm enough to answer him.

"You don't come back-k."

I felt his hand still on my cheek, "I do not understand…"

"My worst case scenario, for tomorrow, for the end of the battle," I started, looking him dead in the eyes, "You don't come back to me."

Suddenly, the scent of rain and pine filled my sense as I felt cool lips press against mine. I lifted my hands to cup his face, trying to get him closer. The elf grabbed onto my hands, taking them off his face. He then lifted his head up higher, deepening the kiss. When we finally parted, were both were out of breath.

Legolas was the first to speak, "Do you… Do you truly mean that?"

I smiled down at him, laughing even though I hadn't full caught my breath. "You ask that after you kiss me?"

He turned slightly red as he adverted his eyes, "It is just… I saw you with Éomer in the dining hall and I heard part of your conversation… I just assumed, from the way you left that you-"

My smile grew into a giant grin, "Of course I mean it you stupid, beautiful, perfect elf."

I grabbed his braids, tugging his face towards mine. Quickly, I captured his lips in another kiss. He tugged me out of my seat and onto his lap, arms going protectively around my waist. I wrapped my arms around his neck; fingers tangled themselves into his golden locks. His hand trailed softly along my side. I gasped as his fingers brushed a part just above my hips. He delved into my mouth, holding me closer to him. When the need for air became too much, I pulled away.

I leaned my head against his chest, breathing in deeply. His hands began to stroke my back.

"You know, this means that you have to come back now."

The prince kissed my head, not answering. I put my arms around him, holding him. It felt safe and warm with his arms around me. My eyes drooped down as I breathed in his scent. Just now, in this perfect little moment, everything was fine. Legolas was with me, safe and alive.

And he's all mine.

A/N: So Legolas shippers got what they wanted. I know that there were a few of you rooting for Eomer, but I do know what I'm doing. If you are an Eomer shipper and you've made it to this Author's Note, please stick it out? Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please Review!