Note: This fic is rated R for a good reason. This is a revised version of 'Falling Tears'. None of these characters are mine! There will be an eventually Legolas/Aragorn pairing in this fic. POVs are marked with *********. Elvish speech is in ''. Glad you like this version better, though I like both, actually. Takes place the morning Gimli returns with the Hobbits. Major angst!!!

Holding Back

Part 4

*************
Aragorn
*************

I held Legolas against me, and murmured softly to him, saying words of comfort. I gently stroked his hair as I spoke quietly, reassuring him. My Elven friend was actually crying, which I had never seen before.

What could Boromir have done to Legolas to make him like this?

Anger blazed in me, as I continued to murmur to Legolas. Whatever he did, Boromir was going to pay. I did not care if Legolas wanted to pretend that it had never happened.

I still didn't understand. I reflected back on some of his words.

'I will not be the reason that the Fellowship was broken.'

I slapped myself mentally. I needed to focus on Legolas right now, for he was obviously in distress over something. But I would confront Boromir with what I had overheard. Maybe I could get some answers out of him.

I heard Legolas's breathing change from short, gasping breaths to deeper ones. My Elven Prince was sleeping in my arms, I realized. I'd wanted to hold him in sleep before, but not when he was so upset.

I then heard the sound of Gimli and the Hobbits approaching. I'd completely forgotten, with everything else that was going on.

I wondered when Boromir planned on returning. We had to continue the Quest, even if I secretly wanted to shake him and force him to say what he had done.

************
Gimli
************

I walked through the forest in the early morning light, swinging my ax. I still did not like forests very much, I thought, as I headed in the direction that Aragorn had gone in. The Hobbits walked beside me, speaking of what they'd seen in the other dwarves' camp.

Well, not all of them were. Frodo had a pinched look on his face, as he walked along.

I felt pity for the Hobbit. Not only had he lost one of his good friends, but the One Ring plagued him constantly. It didn't help that Boromir was acting a little strange as well.

I'd noticed the human watching the Elf constantly. I would have lost my patience had I been the Elven archer.

There was more to Legolas than his striking looks, I'd give him that. He was a fine archer and a good fighter. And he wasn't as stuck-up as some Elves acted. Lady Galadriel was another Elf who I secretly admired, for she had not spoken down to me, even though I was a dwarf.

Of course, I'd never admit my grudging respect of his skills to Legolas.

My thoughts returned to the cry Aragorn and I had heard. I knew that the human had been worried when he'd heard it. I hoped that no harm had come to my companions.

Aragorn was a human to be admired. He was not boastful or proud, despite the fact that he was the heir of Isildur. With Anduril at his side, I believed that there was very little Aragorn could not do. He was a natural leader, and seemed to resist the Ring better than anyone else.


As I reached a clearing, I saw Aragorn kneeling on the ground. That wasn't what drew my attention so much as the fact that Legolas had his head resting against Aragorn's chest. As I drew closer, I saw that one of Aragorn's hands were in Legolas's hair, stroking it tenderly. The other held the Elf close.

Pippin, Merry, Sam, and Frodo were stunned at the sight.


Aragorn looked up as he heard me approaching. He looked relieved to see that it was me.

As I looked around, I realized that they were the only two in the camp.

"Aragorn, where's Boromir?" I asked, as I entered the camp.

"He's out scouting," he said, gesturing for me to lower my voice.

Legolas stirred and moaned softly. Aragorn placed a comforting hand on his back.

"You let Boromir go out there alone?" I was incredulous.

That is, I was incredulous until Legolas sleepily turned his face towards me. I gasped softly when I saw the bruises marring his face. His Elven healing ability was making them fade, but they looked ghastly.

"What happened to him?" I asked.

Aragorn shook his head. "I found him like this yesterday. He claims that Orcs attacked him." The tone in the human's voice sounded doubtful.

"Didn't Boromir help Legolas?" I whispered.

Aragorn shook his head. "I don't know. He was in the forest as well, when I found Legolas." Sudden suspicion leapt into his eyes, as he looked carefully at the injured and sleeping Elf in his arms. "It can't be…" he whispered, anger crossing his face.

"What is it, Aragorn?" Frodo questioned quietly. The human didn't have a chance to respond.

The Elf's eyes flew open suddenly, and he let out a choking gasp. He might have bolted if Aragorn hadn't caught his arm. That's when I realized Legolas was wearing his spare clothes.

"Stop, Legolas. Tis only Gimli, myself, and the Hobbits," Aragorn told him gently, before releasing his arm.

Legolas nodded slowly, his breathing returning to normal. "I'm sorry," he said, a strange look in his eyes.

"Are you up to continuing the journey, Elf?" I asked. I was stunned at the tear streaks on the Elven face. Legolas never cried.

He nodded and stood carefully. The back of his hand was used to wipe away the remainder of his tears. Legolas now looked like he always did; the composed Prince of Mirkwood.

Aragorn stood as well. He stretched and looked at us. "Take only the supplies you can carry."

Legolas nodded mutely and went over to his things. He started packing them quietly, an unreadable look in his eyes.

I looked at Aragorn and nudged towards Legolas. I mouthed, "What's wrong with him?"

Aragorn looked back at me and shook his head. Sorrow and a hint of anger were in his eyes. "I am not certain," he mouthed back.

I frowned and shook my head. I knew something bad must've happened and Legolas didn't want to talk about it. I began to pack my things as well.

Aragorn started to pack his things, too. The Hobbits joined in, having watched the rest of us silently for a few moments.

*************
Legolas
*************

I despised myself for letting my weakness show. I packed quickly and waited for the others to finish.

Boromir returned, as I had dreaded, and went to where his belongings were. He packed them without looking at me.

I watched him out of the corner of my eyes, until I saw Aragorn staring at me. I looked at him, and then I saw his gaze drift to Boromir. Suspicion was in his eyes.

I tensed inside, but hid it on the outside. I lifted my chin and turned away. But not before I saw Aragorn's eyes narrow.

Our Company of Eight set out again, and I mingled with the Hobbits to avoid being near either of the two Men.

Aragorn I avoided because I knew that he wanted answers that I was not willing to tell. And I wanted him to hold him like he had. I also snapped at myself to stop acting like I was merely one thousand instead of my nearly three thousand years.

As for avoiding Boromir, I was apprehensive that the Ring would corrupt him again. I resolved not to let Frodo or any of the Hobbits be alone with him. I yearned to protect them, for they seemed so young and vulnerable to me, with my much greater age.

Better for him to assault a more experienced Elf than the innocent little ones, I bitterly thought.

Frodo had enough to worry about. I saw the pain in his eyes; his burden was from easy. Sam doted on Frodo, seeming to worship him. The mischievous Pippin and Merry loved to play tricks.

If it came down to it, and Boromir was corrupted, I would sacrifice myself than let them be hurt.

Even if I did not want to.

*************
Boromir
*************

I knew that Legolas was avoiding me. The Elf was doing what I had done to him; constantly watching me. But he did it for a different reason. He was worried that I would be corrupted again.

His fear was not unjustified. Even now, I felt a desire for the beautiful Elf. But I had pitted my stubbornness against it. I would not harm him for a second time.

I had vowed not to hurt him the first time, and I had. It seemed as if I was losing everything.

Legolas… my right as the son of the Steward of Gondor… The Ring…

Even now, its evil planted thoughts in my mind; thoughts of the softness of the Elf's skin, his perfect body…

I gritted my teeth and replaced the thoughts with the image of the battered and bruised Elf, who no longer remotely trusted me.

I was cursed. That's the only explanation I could think of. Why was I so cursed?

I remembered what taking Legolas had felt like, each and every time. I sternly changed the memory to his cry of pain, the look of betrayal in his eyes.

God, help me. I'm cursed.

And I still wanted the Elf again, with or without his consent.

And I despised myself for it.

Aragorn, you were wrong. You do not have to worry about the weakness of Men. You, Isildur's heir, have proven yourself to be the stronger one. Even with what some would call tainted blood, you have resisted the Ring and its evilness.

I could not resist it then, and I cannot now.

I am the weak one. I am cursed.

I need Legolas… like I need air to live.

And I know I will probably hurt him again.

To be continued