Author's note: so, it seems more people wanted a happy ending… so…happy ending it is! So yeah…when the ending comes…look for that happy ending… I need to stop wit all the rhetorical questions lol. I'm running out of em! Must save some for my other ficcies… =X it's only 2:20 and it seems like it's like 5…I need to go out…get out of this house…. *sigh*

Ooh….this fic is almost over… =D

Chapter 9: Love on the Battlegrounds

Aragorn hung his head down; unable to look into the eyes of the woman he was hurting.

"I am sorry, Lady…"

Eowyn sighed frustratingly and went up to Aragorn. She forced him to hold his head up. He looked into her smoldering eyes.

"Long have I waited for you to return my affections, Sir Aragorn. Long have I waited for you to come to me."

"I have never tricked you into loving me."

Eowyn laughed bitterly. "Nay, you never did. Perhaps that was my folly. Falling for someone who never returned my feelings. I should have realized I could not tear your gaze away from the Lady Arwen. I have heard much of her beauty though I have yet to see it. Do you truly love her?"

Aragorn's gaze wavered. He could not answer the question. Eowyn noticed his discomfort. She frowned and looked deeply into Aragorn's eyes.

"Has it happened, then?" she asked softly. "Has someone stolen your heart away from the Elven maiden? 'Tis impossible but your eyes tell me it is so! Pray tell, who is the culprit?" Eowyn tried to search in her memory for any females Aragorn could have fallen for.

"'Tis none of your business, Lady Eowyn." Aragorn said firmly. "Whomever I choose to love is of my choice alone."

Eowyn laughed. "Fear not, dear sir!" she cried out. "I would not dare try to toy with your heart. I only wish to know who was able to replace the Lady Arwen if it was not I."

Aragorn smiled wryly. "It is no use trying to think of the answer, fair Lady. I assure you, the answer will not come easily if indeed it comes at all."

"Does she know?"

"Who?"

"Whomever your secret love is."

Aragorn smiled sadly. "No, he does not."

Eowyn's eyes widened. "He?" She frowned. "I have not known you to dally with men, Aragorn."

"Perhaps…" Aragorn heaved a sigh. "Go rest, Lady Eowyn. I am tired and do not wish to spend the entire evening bickering over my love interests." He led Eowyn to the door and hugged her briefly. "Thank you for understanding."

Eowyn nodded sorrowfully. "Though my heart is pained, I do not wish to begrudge you your happiness." She quickly walked away and Aragorn closed his door. He plopped down on his bed and stared up at the ceiling, his head resting on his hands. His heart felt lightened and his guilt eased now that Eowyn had come to peace with her infatuation with him. But he was still not at ease with his own love. When would he gain the bravery to say it aloud to the person who needed to hear it?

For the next few days, the Fellowship rested in the house of King Theoden as the king and Gandalf planned out their attack. They had sent messengers regularly to Eomer's troops and the messages that were returned showed promise. Even so, they knew the war was far from being over and soon, the day of judgment would come. Finally, their plans were finalized and they were ready to join Eomer's troops. The Fellowship gathered by the front gate of the king's house, anxious to leave for the battlegrounds. King Theoden would take Pippin and Merry with him to safer grounds while the rest of the Fellowship would follow in Eomer's path to Helm's Deep. Gandalf had pressing concerns elsewhere and would join the others at Helm's Deep if possible.

Though the Fellowship despised being pulled apart after they had just recently been reunited, they knew it was inevitable. The hobbits were not fit to fight a great battle and Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli had skills that would be greatly needed in the battle. The three warriors were eager to fight alongside the great Men of the Mark. They hugged one another tightly, the three combatants promising a victory to their two small companions and they parted on their ways. Gimli continued to look sorrowfully behind him as the two hobbits slowly faded from view. He sighed and turned back to hold on tightly to Legolas. Much to his disappointment, they had been given new horses and he was once again forced to ride on one.

They rode along in grim silence, never taking their eyes off the sight before them. The shadow was now dark and no sunlight pierced through it. Gimli tried his best to calm Legolas for of them all, the Elf was most affected by the lack of sunlight, whether it was here out in the open or in the confinements of the mines of Moria. Legolas' uneasiness showed for the horse beneath him was slightly skittish, disquieting Gimli even more. Now as they rode along, they passed by an occasional body and discarded weapons. Finally, they reached the beginnings of Helm's Deep where the men had set up camp. In the far distance, Legolas could see the tremendous amounts of Orc armies that prepared an onslaught on the Men. Helm's Deep would prove to be the major battleground and perhaps the telling point of victory.

"Aragorn!"

The three turned to see Eomer running towards them. He smiled when he approached them and quickly shook their hands firmly.

"It is good to see you three again." He said. "We have been in need of reinforcements and if legends prove true, you shall be just what we have been longing for."

"The Orcs are not too far." Legolas said grimly. "You should prepare for battle soon."

Eomer nodded. "Of course." He turned to the men who were sitting around the camp. "Prepare for battle!" he shouted. "Take care to guard the walls!"

Eomer proved to be a good leader for the sheer thousands of men all obeyed him immediately. No one hesitated to run to the walls, which had large holes in them, and watch over the tops keenly for a glimpse of their foe. Soon, the men began giving shouts as the distant sound of thundering feet became clear. Aragorn and the others quickly ran to the walls and saw the Orcs moving rapidly in their direction. Along with the other archers, Legolas bent his bow and prepared to shoot. As the Orcs came charging, arrows were released into the air and many Orcs fell. Arrows continued to fly in either direction and soon the Orcs had reached the men and a grim battle was being fought.

Legolas' arrows were soon spent and he was forced to resort to his daggers. He sliced through his enemies and could see out of the corner of his eye that Gimli and Eomer were slowly moving away from him. Aragorn, on the other hand, stayed by his side, whether by his own volition or because that was just the way the Orcs came at him, Legolas knew not. He was just comforted, knowing the Man was close by his side and he continued to fight valiantly. The battle went on harshly as thousands from both sides fell. All of a sudden, a great cry began arising within the men's ranks.

"The White Rider!" they shouted. "The White Rider has come!"

And so he had. Like a blazing light, Gandalf came tearing down into Helm's Deep. Whether because of the extreme power he manifested or because of the cold fury on his face, the Orcs cowered and slowly stopped their onslaught. As the first Orc turned and began running back towards the direction in which he had come from, like a stampede, the others followed him. The men cheered as the Orcs escaped and the men ran after them, eagerly slaying the stragglers. Soon, only Aragorn and Legolas were left in the clearing.

Breathing hard, Legolas looked down upon the destruction that had come upon the battleground. He looked in a daze at all of the fallen, both men and Orcs. Though he had often had to fight for the safety of Mirkwood's borders, he had never been witness to such devastation. He began gasping for breath and his vision became blurred as tears threatened to fall as he stared at the absolute number of dead. He became vaguely aware of a warmth surrounding him and he let himself be held tightly by Aragorn.

Aragorn held Legolas tightly in his arms as the Elf wept in grief. A sudden power drove Aragorn to slightly lift Legolas' face and gently kiss the Elf's cheeks, wiping away the tears. He continued to kiss Legolas' cheeks and slowly moved towards his mouth. Once again they found themselves locked in a deep kiss and Legolas found his heart slowly easing itself. The pain was alleviated, all because of one kiss. Legolas pulled himself away and stared into Aragorn's eyes. As they stared at each other, they learned the truth.

Legolas saw only love and caring in Aragorn's eyes as the Man stared at him. The profound realization that Aragorn loved him sunk deep into Legolas' heart. He stared in wonderment at the new emotions he found in Aragorn.

"I…" he began but Aragorn put his finger to Legolas' lips, shushing him. He smiled softly.

"Don't speak." He whispered delicately and returned his lips to Legolas'. He had waited too long for this. He had waited so long in fear of rejection only to realize that Legolas loved him back. The moment shouldn't be broken by words. He wouldn't let the moment be broken by words. He only desired to feel Legolas in his arms and marvel at how right it felt.

Author's note: err yeah….i don't know how imma write the next chapter from this but… o well… *shrug*