Oohhh…another chapter. I hope this piques your interest for the next one. Thank you all for the lovely reviews. I would write this if it weren't for you…well I'd write it but no one apart from me would ever read it. Thank u all.

emily

Legolas glared darkly at the inside walls of the tent. He had been put in a bed of the most sumptuous dressings, pillows and blankets while preparations were being handled outside. Eowyn had been assigned to keep him company when Aragorn could not and Legolas had barely said a word to her in the entire half-hour that she'd been there.

There was always the steady throb of pain to keep him distracted but he was making a tiring effort at becoming desensitized against it. Realizing that he would have to endure roughly five days of the pain before the actual labor began he thought it a useful activity on which to divest his time.

For five minutes Eowyn had been watching the Prince's sour expression and sighing she folded her hands in her lap. " It will do no good to sit here and sulk like a child." She said finally brushing a strand of hair from her face. Legolas looked up startled at the comment, blue eyes widening at her boldness. During their time together, upon arriving at Edoras and to five minutes prior of her words she'd been nothing but kind and respectful.

" I can do what I will." He answered curtly focusing his attention on the wall once more. The expression on his face reminded her of a child, a spoiled child who had been denied desert. She thought of laughing but dismissed the idea quickly.

" As we speak they are outside building a litter, in which you will be able to ride, Aragorn compromised and so have you. Let that be the end of it."

" You do not understand." Legolas' answer was short and angry but it did not seem to faze the shield-maiden.

" I understand plenty." She replied, eyes glittering somewhat despite the dimness of their tent. Legolas crossed his arms above his stomach, face the picture of skepticism. "Perhaps you forget I am a woman you highness? You are finally being treated like one and it displeases you immensely, as it should. Women are treated like this the whole of their lives. I understand far better than you I think. The only way I have found to cope with the inequality between genders is to do what I can but not let it anger me when I cannot do the things I desire. I've learned my lesson the hard way. If you recall I was nearly killed in the battle. It would bring a great sorrow to my heart to see you or the babes suffer as a result of your anger."

At first Legolas did not know how to answer. He stared at her for what seemed like an eternity and then shifted onto his side away from her.

* * * * * *

Aragorn drew back from the shaded, cushioned and curtained structure that had been built for Legolas' comfort. It could be pulled easily by two horses and the man was confident that it would last the rest of the journey back to Minis Tirith. He had personally inspected it four times himself to insure that nothing was amiss or out of place. " With all due respect my liege, I believe it to be safe. It cannot possibly be more secure." Faramir said with a twinkle in his eyes. With a heavy sigh Aragorn nodded in agreement, resisting the urge to run his fingers through his hair.

" I just worry that he will be angry with me still, I do not expect a warm welcome when I go to fetch him but I hope at least for a cold civility."

" The important matter sire is that he and children remain safe."

" I know, gods I know…" Aragorn allowed the barest of smiles to creep onto his face before glancing back towards the tent. " And I must fetch him soon, it will do nothing for his temper if he knows we waited until the morrow with several good hours of riding left in the day."

" Ah, it seems to upset even Eowyn to know when we waste significant hours of the day, although she tries to hide it." Faramir added with a smile. " Something has recently changed about her though…she seems more content…she does nothing but smile to me whenever I see her."

" Then your marriage is decidedly better than mine, both of mine to be specific…I dread to think about what has happened to Arwen." Faramir raised an eyebrow.

" How so?"

" While we were in Rivendell several attacks were made upon Legolas once it got out that we were together…" Aragorn's voice trailed off. " Of course suspicion fell on Arwen. She did not attempt to hide her rage at my 'indiscretions'."

" Was this suspicion rightly placed?" Faramir asked eyes trailing to the far tent momentarily.

" There was evidence but none of it was entirely proven but I fear all believed that it was she therefore by elvish customs she would have to be punished. I left before I could learn of the chosen consequences but I doubt that they were to her benefit."

" Punishment?" Faramir repeated. He could not picture such a thing taking place in Elven society. They had always seemed above such things.

" Aye, it's not what you are thinking though. When elves are punished it is more of a matter of wounded pride. Since they are immortal it makes no sense to waste such a precious life."

" Then would she be banished from her father's realm?"

" Typically yes but as I said I wasn't there for the actual decision…it is a long and painful journey to say the least and I think that might carry over to our own departure if we do not leave soon." Faramir let out a small chuckle and glanced back at the tent once more.

" I suppose we should fetch them…" There was a slight hesitation and Faramir waited patiently while Aragorn found something else to inspect on the litter. Were the joints well hinged? Were the fabrics too heavy? Are the pillows comfortable enough? And to each question Faramir gave a small nod of his head and finally Aragorn took a step towards the tent.

Halfway towards their destination Eowyn emerged from the said tent and a smile brightened her face when she saw the two men.

" Are we finally departing my lords?"

" Aye, where is Legolas? Is he well?" Eowyn could see the concern begin to cloud Aragorn's face and offered a re-assuring smile though amusement flickered in her eyes.

" Very well my liege, he insists upon standing on his own, perhaps it will be a few moments…" She answered with a semi-curtsey. " Now if you'll excuse me I must see my horse…"

" Ah, I will accompany you." Faramir added holding out his arm. Eowyn accepted it silently and then the couple went off in direction of the animals.

Aragorn stared at the tent's entrance for perhaps ten minutes wondering if it would be wise to interrupt Legolas. Was it really worth another fight?

" You can stop sulking and come in." Legolas' voice drifted out to him and his face stiffened in a momentary anger.

" Is that not the pot calling the kettle black?" Aragorn retorted stepping inside. Legolas laughed pleasantly and straightened his tunic.

" Perhaps…perhaps…" He mused with a smile. " Are we leaving soon?" Aragorn stood silent in shock for a moment. Surely this seemingly content person could not be the Legolas he had spent the morning with.

" Yes…" He answered cautiously. Legolas smiled though it was strained and a hand found its way to his stomach. Aragorn's mouth opened as though to speak again but thought better of it and remained quiet.

" Good…" Legolas paused and then continued. " How can we leave if the tent is not yet dismantled and its contents packed?"

" Some of the men are staying behind to do it and then they will catch up with us…" Aragorn's voice trailed off and he yawned unable to hide his weariness. When he opened his eyes Legolas was before him, blue eyes searching his face methodically and then a slender hand reached up to brush at his cheek.

" I am sorry you know…I did not mean to yell earlier." Legolas sighed. " I had a long talk with a friend and realized my foolishness, I am sorry…"

" I know…" Aragorn answered and then wrapped his arms around the elf, drawing him close. "Are you in much pain?"

" I can handle it…and I'm sure I'll be able to handle it much more easily now that you've built me a means of transportation." Aragorn nodded once more and then glanced back towards the opening of the tent. He could see that everything was ready and waiting for them and he placed a kiss to the top of Legolas' head before taking his hands and leading him out of the tent.

There was silence as they made their way to the carriage of sorts and Aragorn helped Legolas crawl inside.

" Is it alright?" The King asked anxiously eyes searching once more for forgotten faults and mistakes within the structure. Legolas let out a small chuckle and nodded.

" It's beautiful but if you do not stop your worrying soon we will be here until dusk." Aragorn smiled softly and reached a hand forwards the toy with one of the perfectly formed braids. Twining it around his finger he pressed a soft kiss to Legolas' lips aware that the others were staring.

After a moment he drew back and then climbed back onto the ground. " My liege, your horse it ready." A man appeared at his side with a pair of horse's reins in his hand. Aragorn nodded and took them from the guard and send one last look to Legolas who waved back happily. Satisfied that Legolas was comfortable for the time being he went to the front of the assemblage.

Once Aragorn was out of sight Legolas' smile fell from his lips and he closed his eyes letting his head rest back against the cushions as small ripples of pain reverberated from his stomach. " Five more days…" He sighed wearily. An order was shouted and then the carriage moved forwards with a jerk.

* *Three days later * *

" Halt!" The loud cry roused Legolas instantly and he blinked as anxiousness slowly gathered in the back of his mind. He could hear running footsteps and hurried voices. Something was wrong, he could feel it in the air, hear it in the trees.

A jolt of pain, stronger than any yet hit him and he doubled over with one hand grasping a pillow tightly. "Ai!" He moaned through gritted teeth and slowly began to unfold himself. Bit by bit the pain slowly ebbed away and he struggled to breathe.

" Sire we are under attack, I am under strict orders to take you away from the battle until it's over." Eowyn's face appeared at the back of the carriage with a grim expression. " The king has to stay and fight." Legolas opened his mouth to speak but before he could she had disappeared and he found the vehicle moving forwards once more, this time urgent with speed. A fresh wave of agony assailed him and he cried out despite himself, curling up once more.

" No, no, no…there are supposed to be two days left…no…ah…." He gasped bracing himself against the wall as they took a sharp turn. He had been aware of the pain growing stronger since that morning but that pain was welcome now. Legolas would do anything to be rid of this.

He heard nothing but the wild beating of the horses' hooves against the ground as he was carried away from the ambush. Eowyn's voice urged them on and he felt ill with each new twist and turn. Branches brushed the canopy and several leaves drifted down inside.

He swallowed through another spasm and was relieved to find that they were slowing and minutes later he was rewarded with a full stop. Gasping for breath he listened as Eowyn walked around back once more.

Her bright blue eyes peered in at him. " We have to go one foot lest they find the carriage. The horses will be fine, I've unhitched them. They will find their way back when it's safe." Legolas nodded soundlessly and accepted the arm offered to him.

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