Hey guys, next chapter is finally ready, hope u guys like it. Please please read and review. It feeds my creative fire. If anyone would like to draw some artwork for this story or my other one feel free to e-mail it to me. I've already had a beautiful portrait done for my by my friend Micah and if anyone would like to see it e-mail me and I'll send it to you. Thanks a bunch.

Aragorn blinked several times into the darkness unsure of what had woken him. He could hear nothing of importance, neither cries of alarm nor sounds of scuffle or attack. The only sound that drifted to him in the tent was the quiet murmurs of those standing guard in the late hours of the night.

Shifting onto his side he let his hand stray to Legolas' golden locks, twining them around his finger thoughtfully, racking his mind for the reason of his sudden consciousness. Anduril lay sheathed beside the bed, nothing was amiss. It puzzled him greatly but he did not move, he was content to merely lay where he was and stroke Legolas' hair.

" Mmmm…" Legolas mumbled softly. Aragorn arched an eyebrow. The noise had been to his surprise a pained one. Very gently he crawled up onto his elbows and peered down at the elf that by all appearances seemed to be in a deep sleep. " Legolas?" He whispered reaching down to brush some stray strands from the Prince's face. Sweat had matted them to the pale forehead and Aragorn frowned realizing that the skin was hot to the touch. "Legolas what's the matter?" But he received no answer. Legolas stirred slightly, the sheets trapped in an iron grasp by his fist but he did not wake. " Legolas wake up…" He was rewarded with silence.

He heard footsteps pass outside of the tent and glanced briefly towards the sound. The shadow was by all means feminine. Puzzled, it took him several seconds to realize that it could be none other than Eowyn. Casting his gaze at Legolas once more he inched his way off of the bed and pulled on a pair of leggings. He heard Legolas murmur something unintelligible behind him. " Legolas?" He said hopefully, spinning around to face his husband but there was yet again no answer to his call.

With a sigh he turned once more and padded quietly to the tent's opening. Drawing back the flap he peered out into the camp and caught sight of Eowyn by the fire. Looking back over his shoulder he then turned and stepped outside, letting the tent fall closed behind him.

Eowyn looked in his direction for a few moments before returning her attention to the fire. Running his hands through his hair he made his way to where she stood.

" You're highness." She said softly, making a small bow instead of the habitual curtsey. Aragorn nodded.

" Lady Eowyn." He paused before continuing. " I wonder what has kept you from slumber…" His voice trailed off, eyes staring into the flames. Eowyn offered a small smile and let a silence linger between the pair before answering.

" That is not the reason you seek me out Aragorn, I can see it in your eyes my liege. What is thine true purpose for seeking my company this night?" At these words Aragorn let out a breath of air, fingers straying to his hair once more out of habit.

" Ah, you've found me out fair lady." He said with the barest of grins. Eowyn waited patiently for him to go on. A soft breeze played with her hair and she clasped her hands before her. " I have noticed that you spent copious amounts of time with Legolas today…and I wonder if he has said anything to you. He seems in a great discomfort, even in sleep and it worries me. I was hoping perhaps you could shed some light on the subject so I may better understand his pain."

" I'm afraid I cannot help you sire, I myself asked him of his condition earlier for he seemed at a great unease today but he evaded my questions. I daresay he would confide in his husband before the wife of a friend." She glanced up at him briefly, blue eyes glittering in the firelight before letting them fall once more to the riotous flames.

" Ah, that would make sense but for the small fact that I am the last person he confides in as of late. He doesn't want to worry me or cause any trouble but by denying me knowledge of his wellbeing he does both and intensifies the feelings. I am far more worried than I would be if I knew the origin of his pain." He bit down on his bottom lip thoughtfully, hands abandoning his hair to play with the hem of his tunic. He cursed his restlessness but found that he could not stop the fidgeting.

" Those are wise words sire, if I were in your position I would explain it to him thus and hope for the best. Perhaps he will reveal his problems if he believes that in not doing so he will make matters worse." There was another companionable silence and then Aragorn turned to face her.

" Our conversation has eased my mind and I thank you for it. Now I will return to my tent, as should you."

" I thank you for your concern highness but I cannot sleep. It would do me well to stay here for a few more moments before I return to Faramir."

" Well then, I will see you tomorrow. Good night Lady."

" Good night my liege." She answered and gave another curt bow. Aragorn accepted the gesture with a nod of his head and then hurried back to his tent.

* * * * *

The sun was bright in the sky when Legolas began to stir. Slowly consciousness enveloped him like a fog and he moaned, curling up on his side as a jolt of pain destroyed all traces of sleep from his mind. Letting out a few ragged breaths he reached down to the underside of his stomach and felt for the cloth he'd placed there the night before. It was still thankfully in its place.

With shaking hands he carefully unfolded his body and began the trying task of pushing himself into a makeshift sitting position. Aragorn was gone and had been for some time as was Legolas' guess. The sheets had long since lost the warmth of his body and the imprint of his sleeping form. A tray of fresh fruit and a decanter was waiting for him on a small wooden stool and he surveyed the food thoughtfully. He was hungry, that was without a doubt and the small slices of pear and apple looked very appealing. Reaching out he took a piece and popped it into his mouth. He smiled around the morsel, savoring the sweet taste before devouring it. After several minutes the plate was empty.

Controlling his breathing he slid himself forwards until his legs bent over the edge and his feet hit the ground. Another jolt of pain, smaller than the last and he pushed himself up off of the mattress. Though unsteadily, he stood and made his way towards the door. It was late, far later than he was used to waking and he wanted to know why no one had summoned him.

As he stepped out into the sunlight it became apparent that nothing had been packed since the night before nor did it seem like it would happen soon. He spied Aragorn at the far end of the encampment conversing with Faramir and several men from the escort. He flashed him a smile that Aragorn returned full heartedly before he turned back to the others.

A sudden wave of dizziness caused Legolas to stop and he leaned heavily against one of the support posts of the tent. Bile burned the back of his throat and before he could stop himself he pitched forwards onto his knees. He could hear several cries of surprise in the background but they all faded to the back of his mind as his stomach heaved, determined to empty itself of its contents. Seconds later he felt a hand on his back and someone was pulling the hair from his face. Gasping for breath he willed the heaving to stop but he gagged, head falling forwards once more. " It's alright meleth'nin." Aragorn's comforting voice washed over him and he swallowed determinedly.

Someone held a cloth out to him and he took it gratefully, wiping his mouth slowly as his heart began to revert to its normal pace. " Are you alright?" Aragorn asked softly, stroking the hair from his face. Legolas nodded automatically leaning back against the man hoping that he wouldn't notice how much he was shaking. The hand left his back and circled around to his stomach and before Legolas could stop it, it had traveled to his underbelly. " What's this?" Aragorn asked upon feeling the bundle of cloth beneath the tunic.

' 'Tis nothing." Legolas said quickly trying to pull the offending hand away but Aragorn easily restrained him. Slowly he withdrew the cloth from where it had been hidden, eyes widening at the vividly red stains that marred its white surface.

' Legolas!" He gasped, eyes widening in shock and worry. Legolas let out an exasperated moan, burying his face in his hands.

' Estel-"

" Lie down." It was an order, not a question and before Legolas could respond he was being eased onto his back. His eyes caught sight of Faramir and Eowyn standing close by and then someone placed a pillow beneath his head. Aragorn had moved during the process and was now kneeling on his left side.

" Estel, I don't-" But his protest was ignored and he could only watch helplessly as Aragorn lifted his tunic and ran his hand along the contour of his swollen stomach. As the fingers inched closer to the underside he cursed his luck repeatedly and winced when they found the opening.

" When did it start?" Aragorn's voice was extremely controlled Legolas discovered, and each word was expertly calculated.

" Yesterday…" Legolas said miserably. Aragorn nodded more to himself than to the others and then looked down at the elf.

" Why did you not tell me?" The question was spoken tenderly but Legolas could sense the underlying betrayal in the words and swallowed.

" I did not want to hinder our departure…" Was the Prince's answer and Aragorn sighed, one hand running across the top of his scalp. His eyes clouded with worry and he shook his head

" It is far too early for this…you are in your eighth month…" There was silence. ' Elrond said it would take a week before the actual labor began, yes?"

" Aye…" Legolas said softly.

" We must get you lying down. There is no way you can travel in your condition."

' We cannot wait an entire week, I rode yesterday and I will ride today. I cannot lie around for six days without going mad!"

" You cannot ride!"

" Yes I can!" Legolas shouted, voice carrying throughout the clearing. All heads turned in his direction. "I will be fine!" Aragorn's face had turned an unflattering shade of red and Legolas cried out in frustration for once not caring what the others thought.

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