(Author's note: whoa…that took longer than I expected. ugh…IReal Life was being a bear.. have a stupid muse.  Anyone know where I can find a new one?  I would just like to point out something…this is not slash.  I personally like slash but this is not and will never be slash.  Just for ur fyi.))

Disclaimer:  none of these characters belong to me…and please forgive me if I spelled Hausfel name wrong, I was too lazy to look it up.

This is for K

Eyes Full of Tears

It only took a matter of minutes for Gamlig and Gimli to round up the remaining soldiers. They also found some horses to carry them swiftly back to the great, stone fortress.

With the help of Gamlig, Aragorn managed get up on Hausfel back, still carrying the unconscious Legolas.

Eomer's chest had been bandaged by Gamlig. Thankfully, the sword seemed to have missed all the vital organs and the young soldier was claiming that he was fine. Well enough, in fact, to ride without assistance.  After a brief squabble, Gamlig agreed on the condition that he would always ride next to Eomer.

Aragorn barely took any notice of them, he was too focused on his wounded best friend.

Legolas himself was sagged against Aragorn's chest. His breath was coming in raspy gasps that shuddered his entire frame.

It seemed to take longer than ever before to ride to Helm's Deep, at least it seemed to Aragorn.  He was painfully aware of the wet spot on the front of his jersey where Legolas' blood soaked through his shirt.

When at last they rode into up the long stone bridge and into the castle, the women came running out to greet them, their eyes alight with worry.

Aragorn easily picked out Eowyn's worried face among the crowd.

She was standing on the stone steps, looking down on the returning soldiers.  Eowyn felt her heart clench tightly with in her breast as she saw how few of the men had returned.  And then she saw Legolas.  For a moment, it seemed as if she could not breathe as she saw how much blood had soaked through his shirt and onto the horse's mane. Was he dead? Could a person, an elf, bleed that much and still live on? Did one even have that much blood in their body?  Before she even realized what she was doing, Eowyn was running down the steps towards the injured elf that was being carefully supported by another rider.

Aragorn saw her coming and gave a gentle smile that normally made her heart stop, but she didn't notice.

Coming to a halt beside Hausfel, she suddenly realized that Aragorn was the other rider. "What happened?" she asked as she reached up to touch the elf's hand. "Does he still live?"

Aragorn nodded.  "I need to tend to him quickly though or I do not know how much longer he will hold onto his life."

She nodded. "Corrin!" she shouted to another woman, "come help me."

The blonde woman hurried over and helped support the elf while Aragorn dismounted.

Gently, he took Legolas back in his arms from them and started up the steps, towards the many healing rooms.

Eowyn stared down at the blood that was covering her hands from the brief contact she had with Legolas.  Then she looked up angrily. What was wrong with her? She despised the elf. Why then was she feeling sick to her stomach at the very thought of Legolas being injured? Why did she suddenly feel like her world would come to an end if Legolas did not survive?

"Sister?" a quiet voice asked.

She turned to face Eomer.  "What happened?"

"There was a battle with the orcs…" he suddenly trailed off trying to control his ragged breathing. For the first time Eowyn noticed how pale her brother was turning.

"Eomer?" she cried, reaching for him. "What is it? Are you well?"

He looked into her eyes and she was shocked to see how dark they looked. Then he collapsed to the ground, moaning.

She fell with him, trying to cushion his fall. Glimpsing the white bandages stained with blood, she put her hand to his forehead.  "What happened?"

He blinked up to her. "I was trapped…injured…Legolas…"  He let out another moan of pain, clutching at his chest.

Gamlig knelt down beside her. "We need to get him to a healer."

Before she could protest, they had lifted him away from her, carrying her in the same direction that Aragorn had gone.

()()()()

Aragorn walked with quiet feet through the many sick rooms at Helm's Deep.  This was the quietist room by far, only containing two wounded occupants. He paused by the first bed, reaching down to gently check the pulse of the young warrior laying there.  His shoulders sagged in relief when he found that it was strong and steady underneath his fingertips.

"Why?"

The broken voice had surprised Aragorn. He spun around, drawing Anduril in one smooth motion.

Eowyn stepped from the shadows. Her hair was mussed from unwashing and dark circles lingered beneath her eyes.  Dirt smudges were on her cheeks and she seemed unnaturally pale against the darkness of the dirt.

He sighed in relief.  "Mi'lady, I did not see you," he said quietly, bowing at the waist before her.

She ignored the gesture and moved forward. "Why?" her voice shook with barely contained anger and pain. "You still care for him, despite…" her voice trailed off as more tears flowed down her already tear-streaked cheeks and her eyes were red and puffy from previous cries.

Aragorn took a step forward, reaching out a gentle hand.  "It was not Legolas' fault, Eowyn."

"You lie!" she lashed out.  "He killed my brother as surely as I stand here right now before you!" Eowyn turned to bury her face in her hands as sobs shook her shoulders vigorously.

"Eomer is not dead, Eowyn.  He is wounded, yes.  But he is still alive…"

"Yes, but for how long? How long will he hold onto that spark of life that even now threatens to go out just as a candle would?" her voice was muffled in her hands.

Aragorn's gaze was drawn to the other bed where Eomer lay, quiet and still. He closed his eyes as he remembered the scene in the castle the day before. 

Since the time Eomer had collapsed, he had lain unconscious. For the past day he had been hovering on the brink of life and death.

"It was not Legolas' fault," he said softly again but with conviction. "I am sure he did all he could to aid your brother…"

"He did not!" she screamed, taking no heed of the wounded men a few feet from her.  "I lost my cousin, Prince Theodred, and now I have lost my brother!  All because of him!"  She spun to face him.

Aragorn reached out and wrapped her in a hug.

For a moment, she struggled but then relaxed as tears once again began to flow down her cheeks, soaking into Aragorn's collar. "Why…" she cried.  "Why do I have to hate him so much?"

"Then do not hate him, mi'lady," Aragorn whispered logically into her ear. How could someone hate such a wonderful being like Legolas? he wondered to himself.

"He killed my brother," she gasped out around the tears.  "He let him die."

Aragorn said nothing more, just continued to hold her gently in his arms.  She would have to work out her own troubles.

Finally the tears dried out and Eowyn pulled back, wiping at her eyes.

"I am sorry. I did not mean to loose control like that," she whispered to the dark haired human.

"Do not trouble yourself. You have been through more than should be required of any woman," he consoled. "You are strong, Eowyn, among the strongest women that I have the privilege of knowing. Do not cheat yourself into thinking that you are weak, for you are anything but."

She sniffed but nodded her head at the compliment. "Thank you, Aragorn."  Managing a small smile, she gestured towards her brother and Legolas. "I assume you came in her to check on them."  She continued without pausing, "I shall leave you to your work."  Then she fled.

Aragorn watched her go, his arms hanging limply from where she had left him.

((well that's all for now. Hey, don't get mad, at least it's not another cliff-hanger or something. lol, have a nice day!))

*looks at all the reviews and chokes*…ok I'll give it a goJ))

lil*bee:  *coughs and looks at watch* well…it's Tuesday…um….hope you enjoy it!

Mouse: thanx *stops and looks around nervously* think I should move out of the country?

Alaskantiger: nope…no slash. Promise.

MissFizz: YOUR Legolas? I believe that would be MY Legolas…lol…I'm glad I made ur day better!

Roselyne: thank you…I personally do not like anything I write…but owell.

White Phoenix Erialis:  I agree…Legolas is very cool.

Storm Elf: um…actually…I spend most of the day away from my comp. lol. I just happen to be a fast typist…lol

Hawynn: well here's the next chapter. *hangs head* sorry it took so long. I hope it is worth the wait

.R

ose: Yuppers! Along with Aragorn, they are definitely the coolest!!!

Lel Vagor: just keep reading…

Alynna Les Eachann: I like horses too! They are so pretty and strong and noble and cool and elves ride them…*decides to shut up*

Catlyn:  nope, he can't…that would be against the "Ammendments of Legolas" unfortuately…my muse doesn't follow those…

Smilies: keep reading…

Enigma Jade: lol…calm down and do not hurt yourself on the wall…lol…thanx for the compliment!!!!

Yuna Dax: *looks slightly scared*  um…lol…I like it to…owell…I'm just evil…and weird…

Elise: here's the next part!!!

YAY!!! I have 104 reviews!!!! I love all you guys!!!!! And if any of u happen to live in SoCal…drop by and I'll treat you to ice cream!!! hehehehe