((Author's note: well..chem final was interesting…ugh…I'm just happy it's over for this year! This one was again written pretty fast, so pleez forgive any errors you see!  Ok…I am responding to the reviews for the last chapter…lol…it's like midnight but owell!))

Arwyn: Oh I won't kill BOTH of them…but a lot of suffering is ahead!

YunaDax: I was evil, wasn't I? hopefully you didn't hurt ur thoat with all that screaming

Evil Arayante: well…you'll just hafta read and see what happens!

Miss Fizz: glad you enjoyed it! I enjoyed writing it!

Storm Elf: good job for catching me! You should receive an award…like…um…you can Legolas for 30 seconds…lol. I'm glad you like the plot, it is slightly well thought out…it sorta depends on your definition of well thought out! lol

Goma-Ryu: nope, not the last chapter…this is still near the beginning.

Lel Vagor: I'll keep my head thank you but I am hurrying!

Alynna Lis Eachann:  yah poor Eomer! *sniff* he is sooo cool! Uhoh…you're on to my plot line!!! Shhh! Don't tell any body! Hehehee

Alaskantiger:  yup, definitely AU as we will see later! Lol

Bethii: yah, I'm normally a slash girl too! But my muse didn't give me a slash story…it gave me this…soo….owell, stupid muse!  Um… I can't promise a happy ending…I swear I have Shakespearean blood in me…

Ria Fanel: um…it's not slash, if that helps any.

Ola: thanx for the wish! lol, I'm just glad that you liked it! And pleez update your story soon!

J.CA:  yup, Bryan Adams is really cool!

Kida: I like that line too! lol

White Phoenix Erialis: lol…maybe they will die maybe they will not. But I will continue

If I didn't get you, it's not becuz I didn't appreciate you! It's becuz I'm a ditz and it's midnight….

This is dedicated to Peter, for his never ending encouragement and the ear that is always open for me any time.  You've been there for me more times than you will ever ever guess. This one is for the times you held me up when no one else would…

Disclaimer: someday, I will be owner of the world. But that day is not now…

When the Darkness Falls Before my Eyes

The battle had been long and hard fought for all. Now, however, the orcs were fleeing before them. 

Aragorn was tired. Blood stained his mouth from where he had been punched and his sword hung limply in his hands.  He was in a crouched position, resting his tired head in one hand.  Slowly, he lifted himself to his feet and scanned the battle scene. There was Gimli a couple hundred yards away, dispatching the last orc.  Where was Eomer and Legolas?  He had not seen them since the beginning of the battle.

 A gentle breeze blew across his face, doing its best to sooth Aragorn's injuries.  He had been lucky, his most major injuries involved scrapes and bruises that would be healed within a day.

"Ho, Aragorn!" Gimli called, walking towards him and with his axe leaning on his shoulder. "How did you fare during the battle?  There was many good pickings for all. I suspect I took down over 20 myself."

"My count was perhaps a little less than yours, friend Gimli.  But I had other matters to concern myself with. Such as directing the battle…" Aragorn let his voice trail off with a smirk.

Gimli grunted with a sour face. "Where is that crazy elf? I wish to hear his tale of this battle."

For the first time, Aragorn felt the seeds of worry taking root in his heart.  "I thought he was with you, Gimli. I have not seen him since the tide of orcs separated us from one another."

For a moment, the two tired warriors stared at each other, thinking the worse but wanting desperately to not believe it.  The breeze stirred again and Aragorn thought it a mournful sound.

Gamlig came running over, his face concerned. "My lord, have you seen Lord Eomer?  I cannot find him anywhere…"

Aragorn cursed loudly and then dropped his chin to his chest dejectedly. "I fear I do not know where Eomer is, Gamlig, and neither are we able to find our companion, Legolas."

"Have you searched the dead?" Gimli questioned gruffly.

Gamlig shook his head, eyes wide. "I did not think, I mean, I was hoping that…" his voice trailed off. "Do you wish to assist me?"

Aragorn nodded, tightening his facial muscles to not let any emotion through. He was the future king of men. He must be strong, no matter how much his heart was aching inside of him.

 Looking around at the multitudes of dead men and orcs, Gimli let out a sigh. "Where does one begin in such carnage?"

Aragorn made no reply, he simply walked across the field, eyes upturned towards the sky.  "I do not know, Gimli. But Legolas is not here. He is alive."

"Aragorn…" Gimli began.

"I know what you would say, dwarf. That there is no way for Legolas to be alive. I do not care what you may think or say. He is my best friend. I will find him alive e is dead. I shall lay down beside his body and die as well." He turned away from the dwarf and the man, ignoring their calls to return.  He needed to be alone with his tumultuous thoughts.

Stumbling over to a large rock near the far end of the clearing, he slipped down so his back was to the warm stone.  Anduril lay uselessly on the ground at his feet.  His eyes stared sightlessly at the soft blue sky. It was then that he heard the small moan coming from behind the rock.

The young ranger was never able to explain exactly how he knew it was Legolas. Sometimes, he speculated it was desperation that led him to believe it was his friend.  Other times, he claimed he simply was able to recognize the elf's voice from that soft moan. Whatever it was, the small moan that reached his ears was enough to Aragorn on his feet and running to the other side of the rock.

When he finally was able to see the other side of the rock, Aragorn felt like his heart had ceased to beat for several moments.

The first thing his eyes saw was Legolas' blonde hair.  The tresses were matted with blood and dirt, laying spread out on the dusty ground. Aragorn's eyes drifted to the pale face and closed eyes and then the still form of Eomer.

"Gimli! Gamlig!" he screamed. "They are here!"  Not wasting anymore time, he started towards the bodies of the elf, man, and horse.  About halfway there, his battle-weary muscles would no longer support him and he stumbled to fall besides his best friend and Eomer.

"Oh, Legolas," he murmured, gently rolling the wounded prince over so he could see the wound. When he did, he bit his lip to hold back the gasp. It was an ugly slash that was oozing blood out.

Legolas groaned and opened his eyes.  For a moment, they stared cloudily past Aragorn and then focused on his face.  "Ara…" he licked his lips.  He stared uncertainly at the sky and then a look of remembrance crossed his face. "Eomer!" he cried and tried to sit up, panting with the effort.

"Shh," Aragorn soothed, gently laying strong, restraining hands on Legolas' shoulders.  "Settle down, nin mellon. You have been grievously wounded."

"No…I am fine. See to Eomer, I fear he has passed on…" Legolas' voice trailed off and he tried to move to the Rohan's side.  Despite his best efforts, his face crumpled in pain and he coughed harshly, blood once again frothing at his lips.

"Shush, lay still, Legolas. Save your strength. I will see to him, if it will please you."  Aragorn smiled slightly and tenderly laid the elf back to the ground.  "I will be right back."

Legolas nodded and shut his eyes against the immense pain.  He could hear Gimli and Gamlig's voices shouting from somewhere and getting nearer to him.

"Gimli! I need some help with this horse!" Aragorn's voice shouted and it seemed to Legolas that it came from very faraway, almost like the prince was underwater.

That's it, I'm drowning.  Legolas coughed again, wincing as his injured organs ground together inside of him.  And no one can save me.

The rough hand of a dwarf came down and briefly swept his hair away from his hot forehead. Then it was gone, leaving Legolas longing for its comfortably warm familiarity.

He faintly heard the horse being moved and Gamlig declaring Eomer was alive. The world was swimming in out of hearing, leaving Legolas to pick up bits and pieces of the conversation.

"…Weak…dying…"

"…night…heartbroken…"

"Die…before nightfall…"

Legolas groaned out loud and the voices fell silent for a moment before continuing in softer tones.

He opened his eyes and turned his head slightly to stare at the pale face of Eomer a few feet away. You're dying and it is my entire fault, I am sorry, my friend.  I am sorry, Eowyn…

Aragorn's face suddenly appeared over him and concerned eyes peered down at him. The ranger's mouth moved, but Legolas could not hear what was being said. 

"I can't hear you," he tried to tell his friend but instead he just coughed up more blood.  He felt Aragorn roll him on his side so he would not choke on his own blood and heard concerned voices drifting over him.

When he stopped his hacking, Aragorn rolled him back over and gently lifted him into his arms. Once again, his mouth moved but no words reached Legolas' ears.  A single tear dripped down the ranger's face.

I'm dying, why else would Aragorn be crying?  Legolas did his best to comfort the dark haired human but all that came out of his mouth was a gentle mewing sound.  Legolas felt disgusted with himself and shook his head several times.

Aragorn put a finger to his lips, shushing him and begging him to be still.

Turning his head, he saw Eomer leaning against the rock, talking to Gimli.  Maybe he would be okay.  Another harsh cough rattled in his chest and it became harder to draw in air to feed his starving lungs.

Aragorn looked frantic now.

Legolas looked up at him one last time and then the world went dark around him.  Eowyn…

((poor Leggy, the things I put him thru…lol! Owell…next chapter will probably be arrive on Monday…))

((I NEED A BETA!!!! ANYONE INTERESTED??? EMAIL ME!!!!))