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 eventual Legolas/Aragorn pairing in this fic. POVs are marked with *********. Elvish speech is in ''. Major angst!!! Sorry, I'm drawing out the angst even more. Takes place about a week later. Chocolate coins to everyone! Don't worry, Aragorn will have a little…'chat' with Boromir.

A Friend

Part 6

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Legolas
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Aragorn frowned thoughtfully, and I wondered if he would figure out that I was talking about him. I could not bring myself to say the actual words, for I feared that he would reject me. Especially after…

By Elbereth, I still felt like nothing but a whore. I was disgusted at myself for submitting to Boromir. But I had wanted to protect the others… the Hobbits. Most Elves would not have offered to so, I knew.

But I was not a typical Elf, for neither do Elves usually have a Man as their closest friend. And Aragorn was mine. I'd misjudged him badly. I had not truly believed that he would have laughed if he had known, but I had been afraid that Aragorn would not believe me.

Not only had he believed me, but my dearest friend was furious on my behalf. I had anticipated that slightly, in the event that he believed me. Aragorn just wanted to protect me, as always. Some things never changed.

'I do not understand, Legolas,' Aragorn finally said. 'I do not have someone I take around with me everywhere, unless you count my sword as a person.'

My heart sank. 'Forget it,' I said, hearing the pain in my own voice. Was he truly that blind, or did he not want me, I wondered.

A few tears pricked my eyes and dripped down my face. How can I be crying, I thought. I'm not a Mortal, yet it was the second time in my life that I had cried. I angrily reached up to wipe the tears away, but a slightly rough hand touched my face first.

My hand froze mid-air, as I looked at Aragorn. His thumb brushed the tears away, as he returned my look.

'Who is he?' Aragorn pressed.

I frowned slightly. 'I told you to forget it, Aragorn. He sees me only as a friend, anyway.'

A frown appeared on his face as well. 'How do I know he is worthy of you, my friend, if you do not tell me his name?'

'Because I believe he is. Though I am the unworthy one.' My voice was flat, emotionless, as I closed my eyes. 'I am a whore, Aragorn, and he deserves better.'

A pair of hands gripped my bare shoulders hard. 'Legolas, if you say you are a whore one more time, I'll…' He seemed at a loss as to what to say.

'You'll what?' I asked, flinching slightly at the contact. But his hands sent warmth through me, though I still had not put my clothes on. I didn't understand it, myself. Aragorn and I had bathed together a few times, but it was different now. I didn't want to expose myself to dress in front of him.

Aragorn scowled. 'You are my friend, and you are not a whore. Stop thinking you are, Legolas.'

I couldn't help my bitterness. 'You thought so, Aragorn. You asked me, 'When did you turn into a whore?' and 'Did you like it or something?'. If my closest friend sees me as a whore, then I am one.'

Rough lips suddenly pressed against mine.

Warmth, desire, lust, love, and need went through me. My lips returned the kiss sweetly, and my eyes remained closed.

*************
Aragorn
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We're kissing… and Legolas is responding. I can't believe it.

He suddenly pulls away, but I understand- at least, I think I do.

'I…' His voice was slightly shaking. 'No… I…'

'It's because you love someone else, isn't it?' I questioned, an edge to my voice. I also knew it was because he was not ready, yet my thoughts were not on that. I wanted to know who had the heart of this noble, gentle-seeming Elf that was my closest friend. I did not know any who were remotely worthy of him. I knew he was not truly as gentle as he appeared, for I had seen him in battle.

Yet I hate myself for what I said when he flinches. Legolas does not need to have to deal with my jealousy right now; he needs a friend. And here I am thinking of how soft and sweet his kisses are.

I mentally slap myself, as Legolas says something that I do not catch. He's opened his eyes again; they are neutral and the color of the new leaves. The beautiful Elf before me breaks free of my arms and stands, quickly dressing.

Does he truly only see himself as a whore, I wonder. I hadn't missed the pain in his eyes when he told me to forget it, that the one he cared for saw him only as a friend. That one must be insane not to feel more for him.

Legolas is so beautiful, wise, caring, and, usually, strong. A master at keeping his own secrets and confidences, though he does confide in me at times. I knew I was not worthy of him, yet I cared so much for him that it hurt.

'What did you say, Legolas?' I asked. 'My mind was distracted.'

He turned and looked at me, before shaking his head. 'Nay… I will not say it again.' The Elf turns and begins walking back towards the camp

I stood and walked after him. 'I need to return as well. Would you mind if I joined you?'

Legolas tensed, and slowly shook his head. The two of us walked together slowly, saying nothing. I was pretty certain of what Legolas was thinking about.

My own thoughts were focused on Boromir. How could he betray one of us, especially Legolas? What had the Elf ever done to him, besides being slightly suspicious? The Ring may have played a part, as Legolas had told me, but I felt that it did not entirely excuse his actions. I intended to restore Legolas' honor to him. The very Man I was thinking about suddenly seemed to appear before us.

"I need to speak with you, Legolas," Boromir said, after glancing at me. "Alone."

A frown hardened my face, when I saw my friend stiffen and slowly shake his head.

"Legolas… I really have something I need to say," he persisted, ignoring the fact that I was standing there.

"He doesn't want to talk to you," I snapped.

Legolas paled. "Aragorn…" he whispered. I knew that he did not want a major confrontation right now.

"Stay out of this, son of Arathorn," Boromir retorted. "I need to speak with him, not you."

I stepped in front of my Elven friend. "You will not be alone with him again, son of Denethor. Understand?"

Boromir clenched his teeth. Even now, I could see it in his eyes; the madness was slowly taking over again. He stepped forward, and a hand reached towards the one who stood behind me. Then his eyes returned to normal.

Boromir muttered, "So you know…" A glare was sent at Legolas, who was saying nothing. "You told him?" he accused. Guilt was on his face now.

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Boromir
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I knew it. I'd known that it was not meant to stay a secret.

I'd come to tell Legolas of my decision to leave, but I probably would have taken him again, if Aragorn had not been present. My hand had reached for him of its own accord. Every time I was alone with him, I had to have him. But I never would again, judging from the burning fury in Aragorn's eyes, as he stepped in front of the exquisite Elf I longed for.

"So you know…" I stated. I glared at Legolas, for I had not wanted my weakness exposed. "You told him?"

"No. He saw it," came the numb answer, from the noble Elf I'd taken advantage of many times.

I turned back to Aragorn, who had fire in his eyes. "Is that true?"

A simple, eloquent nod was my answer. "Legolas, return to the camp," Aragorn ordered.

A frown appeared on that beautiful face. "What are you going to do?" Legolas questioned. Aragorn remained silent to that, and I had a pretty good idea of what was going to happen.

"You cannot kill him," Legolas cried. "I will not leave if you are going to do so." A hard look was given to the Elf, who did not back down. "Aragorn, if you kill him, it would be like I myself had done so. You cannot kill a member of the Fellowship, no matter how angry you get. It's done; nothing can change what happened." His voice shook slightly as he spoke. Pain was in his emerald eyes.

Aragorn was touched by Legolas' honest words; I could see that. Why was the one I'd attacked defending me? There was truly no excuse for what I had done, Ring or not. I had no more self-control than an Orc.

An icy look was given to me from Aragorn. "I will spare you, because he asked it. But we will talk of this later, when no others are around. And if you touch him, willing or not, I will kill you then." The noble heir of Isildur grasped Legolas by his arm, and led him away. The Elf was too shocked to say or do anything as he was all but dragged away against his will.

Legolas was so pale, and Aragorn looked furious, as he threw me an angry look over his shoulder. Then his hand released the Elf's arm, and moved to his shoulder, in a comforting position.

And I was left alone, with the knowledge that my future king despised me.

To be continued