For all time.

This takes place in Rohan, after the events of Helms Deep. A weary Legolas is caught unaware by an unwelcome advance, his friends do not take it well.

The men were celebrating, Legolas could hear the sounds of their merry-making through the door of the room that he was sharing with Gimli and Aragorn.

He had no taste for a celebration this night, his minds' eye still presenting him with heaped bodies stuck with arrows, limbs missing. The stench of blood and mud and suffering.

He had washed his hands to rid them of gore but they still felt gritty, like the blood was trapped under the skin.

His companions had taken themselves to find beer and food and enjoy the company of their hosts, the mighty Rohirrim, he had preferred to stay behind and compose his mind, prepare for the next great task that lay before them.

He dug through his pack in quest of the small comb that travelled with him. By some small miracle of the Valar, Gimli had managed to procure them each a large jug of water and a washing bowl and even a cake of soap. Legolas thanked his friend internally for this great act of kindness.

He removed his soiled and ruined tunic and set it aside, he suspected that it was not salvageable. He then removed his thin shirt, which had fared somewhat better, just a few small spatters of mud visible on the cuffs.

He carefully poured the water, not willing to waste a drop, and began to lather the soap. Carefully he washed the grime off his neck and face, he also gave much time to carefully scrubbing his fingers and nails. The water was cold and he relished the crisp blast as it hit his skin.

By now it had turned a little murky but still serviceable. He dried himself with his drying cloth and then carefully removed his braids and combed through his hair, no easy task as there was some blood clotted through it. He dunked the whole lot into the water and brought the soap to bear once more, thoroughly cleaning until he could feel his fingers able to sift through it once more. He wrung the soaked mane out over the bowl and gave it a brief rub with the cloth to begin the drying process.

He felt his heart-rate slowly settle and luxuriated in the feeling of being clean and safe, if even only for a short time. His peace was disturbed by the unmistakable sound of a knock on his door. He hastily shrugged back into his soiled shirt.

He opened the door to be greeted by the sight of Eomer, a large tankard in his hand and a merry look on his handsome face.

'Come master elf, I have been wanting your company during this celebration, I have never seen one so skilled with a blade as yourself and I have many questions.'

This was the longest speech that Eomer had ever made to Legolas and it startled the elf.

'My thanks my lord, but I have decided to keep this night for my thoughts, mayhap tomorrow, when we are all rested.'

Eomers eyes appeared to be drawn to the smooth bare chest beneath the opened shirt and then came to rest of the long long hair that was tumbled over the elfs shoulder.

Legolas felt a warning at the heat in the man's gaze and he began to swing his door closed when Eomers hand suddenly shot out to pause it's progress, the man stepped forward until his bulk took up the whole doorway.

His eyes up close looked a little glazed. He elf, surprised, moved a step backwards until, to his great horror, the man grabbed the back of the elfs head and pulled him in for a fiery passionate kiss.

Legolas was taken completely by surprise and stood rooted to the spot for a few seconds, the mans hand started to push his shirt away and with a furious jerk the elf threw himself away from him.

'What in all of Arda are you thinking of Eomer?!'

'I thought that maybe you needed to ease your burdens with bodily release' the man replied, licking his lips and reaching again for the elfs bare chest.

Legolas grabbed his wrist and squeezed hard enough for the mans eyes to widen in surprise.

' Lay a hand on my person again and you will lose it human, leave this place'

Eomer grabbed his hand back with a look of surprise and whirled to leave the room.

The elf banged the door closed behind him, shaken and angry at such handling from such a source.

A few minutes later he shot to his feet as Gimli and Aragorn returned.

Gimli assessed the situation with an expansive look at his flustered companion and the relaxed smile that he had been wearing slid off his face. He reached a hand to his friend and was startled when the elf hastily retreated from it.

'What has happened Legolas?' Asked Aragorn, anxiety clear in his voice.

'I, um…' Legolas struggled with what to say.

'Did Eomer come to find you, he said he would ask you to join us?'

'Yes, he came here, but he did not seem himself' the elf went on haltingly

Gimlis eyes narrowed with suspicion.

'What do you mean? What did he do?' Continued Aragorn, his voice rising with concern.

The elf blushed and looked away from his companions gazes, confused and upset. Eventually deciding that it would be better to be open he drew a breath and said, 'He propositioned me I suppose a human would call it.'

Complete silence followed the awkward statement.

Aragorns eyes narrowed with suppressed fury, 'He did what! Valar, the man must have taken leave of his senses, did he lay hands on you?'

He elf nodded, looking pained and embarrassed, 'Only momentarily, I rebuffed his advances once I realised that was what they were.'

Gimli, who up to this point had said not a word. Made a furious sound and stormed from the room.

Legolas allowed himself to sink down onto the bed and rested his weary head against his hand. Aragorn surveyed the scene, the elf, clearly freshly bathed, hair hanging loose around his head in wet tendrils, his open shirt barely clinging to his shoulders. He appeared like some wondrous water nymph sent down to this barren human wasteland to tempt men into sin. Aragorn could see how the temptation had been too much for a young impulsive Eomer, with drink in him and fresh off the battlefield.

It could never be allowed to happen again though. His friend found it difficult enough to traverse the complexities of human relations without the amorous attentions of a brute. Legolas was a seasoned warrior and could protect himself without doubt, but he would be confused by the mans motivation and worried of damaging the main mission of the fellowship.

The two of them slowly went about the business of preparing for sleep, little further conversation was required and Legolas felt the pull of true deep exhaustion assail him. 'Where has Gimli gone off to, do you think?' the elf asked. Aragorn grunted in response 'I do not know, perhaps to clear his head, he seemed angry.'

As if by the mention of his name, they had conjured him, he reappeared and went straight to the washing bowl and began to clean his hands and face.

'Are you well friend Gimli?' Asked Legolas softly.

'Aye lad, I will be well after a proper sleep I believe, now rest your eyes for you look tired too.'

The dwarf started to hum something deep and melodious and the elf drifted nearly instantly into dreams.

Aragorn lay himself down on the mattress and glanced over at where the dwarf had seated himself in a soft padded chair, he was still humming and he was gazing at his companion with a soft look which Aragorn had never seen before.

'Will Eomer be alright, Gimli?' The man asked softly, a slight chuckle underlying his words.

'I believe that my point has been brought home to him.' The dwarf answered, fire flashing in his eyes for a moment as if a furnace lived within his very being.

'The fool said that it was not what he had intended. He said he was awestruck by the elfs beauty and could not resist.' At this Gimli looked furious once again.

Aragorn smiled at this, 'yes, well, he is only a young man and he has never really spent time with an elf before, and Legolas is…'

'Yes' Answered Gimli, before he could complete the sentence.

'And what will you do my friend?' asked the ranger, feeling the complexity of the question.

Gimlis head jerked up in surprise, 'Me? What would you have me do? He is my dearest one, the friend of my soul and I cannot allow him to be hurt, by anyone.' He paused to draw a deep breath and a small smile lay on his lips. 'Not even myself, Aragorn. I will do nothing, I will merely remain by his side, like an unchanging mountain to tether him when the wind would buffet him. No harm shall befall him for I will not allow it.'

'That is a beautiful thing, my friend, I pray that you may be by his side for all time'.

They smiled together and gently settled down to their dreams.