Author's note:  well…my weekend was wonderful to say the least.  And now I have a little story for all of you…I started writing this story when I found out that a guy that I considered one of my best friends was going out with another one of my good friends.  So the next few weeks were tough as I came to term with them going out and him hanging out less with me. It all sorta blew up in everyone's face this weekend and we had a major fight.  But in true form, neither one of us could hold a grudge for even an hour. So we apologized and cleared up some issues and everything's a lot better now. Just to let you all know…lol.

This is for Peter, so glad we're friends again, I really missed you those weeks wer were apart.

Disclaimer:  I wish I could own them.  But I do not. So do not sue me.

All I See Is a Cage

Legolas struggled up the long stone steps.  His steps were slow and filled with pain but his face was set with determination.

Aragorn followed closely behind, his face lined with worry.  He kept his hands outstretched to catch Legolas if he happened to stumble on the steep stairs.  "Are you alright?" he asked again.

"I am fine," Legolas said, stifling a grimace.

"You should not be up, your only woke up a few hours ago and your wound is not yet healed.  What if you hurt yourself?"

"Then you shall patch me up again." Legolas paused for a moment and his hand went instinctively to his stomach.  "Elves are extremely fast healers, Estel.  I am perfectly fine."  And then he made his way up the last steps and onto the balcony.

Aragorn moved to stand beside him, muttering some colorful language about the stubborn elves of Middle Earth.

Legolas smiled slyly.  "Why, Estel! What would your father said if he knew that you had knowledge of those words?"

Glaring at the Prince, Aragorn turned his attention to the view.  "It is lovely up here."

His head bobbed  up and down in agreement.  "If I had to stay in the sick room one moment longer I would have gone insane."  Legolas sighed and breathed in the fresh air.  "Elves are not made for this stone environment."

Aragorn motioned for Legolas to sit on a nearby stone bench. "I know this, nin mellon, but I also suspect there was another reason for you pulling both of us up those infernal stairs."

Legolas sat and dropped his eyes. "You are too intuitive, perhaps that is why you are the king."

"Not yet."

"But you will be, as surely as the sun sets every day in the West."  Legolas said knowingly.

"I wish I had your faith."

"Mark my words, you will be the King of Gondor. Do not forget this. Even when I am…" Legolas trailed off and stared sadly up at the sky.

"What is it, Legolas?" Aragorn asked, his voice tinged with worry.

"Eowyn."  It was just one word, but it was filled with such pain and conviction that Aragorn almost cried.

"What about her?"

"She will never love me, Aragorn, even if I was to tell her my heart in its entirety, she would reject it and leave me in despair."  Legolas reached with one hand to smooth back a piece of blonde hair that had fallen over his eyes.

"You cannot know this for certain."

"I can, and even if I could not, your eyes speak the truth louder than your words ever could.  Do not pity me, Son of Arathorn.  It was my own fault for falling in love with a mortal. I am immortal and I will survive this."  Legolas smiled softly, but his eyes were still sad.

Aragorn nodded.  "I am sorry, Legolas. You know if I could I would make her to love you."

"I know.  But you are not one of the Maiar, though I doubt even one of them could cause her to love me.   You cannot make this story a 'happily ever after' tale, no matter what your heart begs you to do."  Legolas turned away, staring out towards the direction of the ocean.  "In fact, I do not even think I would wish her to love me now.  Though I still love her, I fear I could never get over all of the grief I have caused her by my own hands."

"You would not even take her if she fell into your arms?"  Aragorn asked, his eyes wide with surprise.

Sighing, Legolas said, "I do not know.  I am lost and confused. I am like a ship with no captain. My heart cries out for her, but…"

"There something more," Aragorn stated.

Legolas nodded and took a deep breath. "I am leaving."

For a moment, Aragorn just stared at his best friend.  "You want to go back downstairs?" he finally asked, dumbly even though he knew in his heart what his friend was saying.

"Do not fool yourself, Estel.  I am leaving an you know what it means."  Legolas said, still not looking in Aragorn's direction.

"You are leaving Middle Earth and going to the Undying Lands with Arwen and all the other elves," Aragorn whispered numbly, trying to ignore the awful fact that was staring him in the face. "You are leaving me to face all the trials alone and I do not if I can bear it."

"No!" Legolas said, jerking his head to look into Aragorn's eyes. "I am not fleeing to the Undying Lands. I could not. My heart is still too much in love with the forests to leave Middle Earth.  I would not leave you to fight your battles alone, I will always be within calling distane."

"Then where do you go?"

Legolas just smiled. "Wherever the wind leads me."

"Will you return?"

"I do not know. When my heart heals perhaps I will return and I know truly the feelings that rest there."

"You would leave my side at this time?"

"You do not need me.  You are strong, heir of Isulidir.  Though I think I shall come to your coronation, for I would not miss that though a thousand orcs keep me from it."

Aragorn bowed his head in acceptance of Legolas' words. "I shall miss you, nin mellon and eagerly await your return."

"And I shall miss you."

"When do you leave?"

"I do not know."  Legolas stared out at the plains. "When it is time, I shall leave. Not sooner and not later."

Sighing, Aragorn stood to his feet.  "We should go back inside now.  If you do plan on leaving, you must be healed first. I shall get some supplies together for you to take on your journey."

"Thank you," Legolas murmured and for the first time did not complain as Aragorn helped him stand to his feet.  "I mean, thank you for everything you have done. For all the times you...."

Aragorn shook his head to cut the elf off.  "Do not say it, Legolas. It is not necessary.  Whatever I did for you, it was repaid ten fold."

Legolas nodded and smiled.  "Thank you."

They walked down the stairs together and Legolas leaned on Aragorn's arm for support.

Then he said softly, "Aragorn?"

"Yes, nin mellon?"

"You will not tell Eowyn of this?"

"If you do not wish me to."

"Thank you, Aragorn."

"Just remember, Legolas. If you ever need anything, come to me.  I may just be a lowly ranger but I know how to patch you up better than anyone. I think I have had the most practice."

Legolas laughed.  "I shall remember that.  And if you have ever need of a good archer, even though he is slightly worn.  Just call for me and I will be there in a moments notice."

"I have no doubt of that."  Aragorn pushed open the door to the sick room and helped Legolas to the bed.

Even before Legolas was fully underneath the warm coverlet, his eyes were dimming with the heaviness of sleep. "Aragorn?" he murmured.

"Hmm?"

"You will take care of Eowyn for me?"

"Of  course."

"Good, I still care for her…"  Legolas trailed off as his eyes glazed over with the open-eyed sleep of the elves.

"I know,"  Aragorn smoothed the blankets down. "I just wish I could make her care for you as well."

Eowyn lay on her bed, asleep.  Yet her body twitched and moved in the throes of a nightmare.  Her eyes roved to and fro beneath her closed lids and now and then she would let out a low moan.

"A cage..."

Author's note:  and that's all for now. I think there's gonna be two more chapters and then I think my muse is gonna force me to do a sequel. Not that I have time or anything….owell.