Aw, thank you guys so much for all the reviews, I feel so loved lol. I'm glad you liked it so far. I'll try to continue it whenever I can so please check back occasionally for a new chapter. Thank you J

Once inside of the chamber he shared with both Aragorn and Gimli Legolas let out a deep sigh of relief. He felt safer somehow away from the worried questions and glances. They would no doubt be along soon but he knew that he had several moments to himself at least until they followed his example.

His leg throbbed relentlessly and he was now aware of an acute pain in his ribs. Raising his arm slightly he grimaced at the large red stain that had now soaked through the right side of his tunic.

Hissing through clenched teeth as he gently peeled away the material of his tunic from a gash along his ribcage. The flesh was angry and swollen and he found it difficult to accomplish the chore without causing further damage. Having dried hours ago the blood had cemented the skin and pale blue linen together and the Prince was much aggrieved to find himself trying to separate the two.

The pain was akin to the feeling of a brand Legolas thought absently letting the fabric fall limply to his side. 'Perhaps this task would be easier with a bowl of water and a rag' He mused. Glancing around the richly furnished chamber he was puzzled if not disappointed to discover it had neither basin nor pitcher.

" I will have to find my own then…" He spoke aloud making his way stiffly to the door. Pushing it open he peered out into the hall. A girl, no older than fifteen was turning the corner and he stepped out, plastering a kind smile to his face. "May I inquire as to where I might attain a pitcher of water for my room?" The girl had stilled completely, her face not at all masking her surprise at seeing the Prince.

" I will go fetch one right now your highness…" She said, faltering slightly at the end. " Is there anything else you would ask for?" Legolas shook his head.

" Nay, that is all." He answered. With a small nod the girl disappeared back around the corner and Legolas remained where he was for a brief second before re-entering the chamber.

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With the back of her wrist Eowyn pushed the hair from her face, a tired sigh escaping her lips. There was so much carnage that even she, a shield maiden of Rohan, one who had been trained for moments like these, was disturbed and saddened by it. I am weak…she thought bitterly.

Most of the wounded had been tended too and though she did want to aid those in need she found it somewhat heartening among other things to be working alongside the Lord Aragorn. Even the thought of him brought a girlish smile to her face and a quickening to her heart.

Berating herself for such foolish and decidedly selfish thoughts she plunged her hands into the pail of water. It was ice cold but she ignored it watching as the water instantly became. She sighed once more. " So much death and pain…"

A small clatter from behind brought her attention to the present and she spun around to find a small girl withdrawing a pitcher from the counter. " Helena." She said almost breathlessly, wiping her hands on the skirts of her dress. " What do you need?"

" The Prince requested a pitcher of water mi'lady." Helena answered. Eowyn arched her eyebrows.

" Was the room not provided with one upon their arrival?"

" It appears not." Helena answered, crossing the room to where a large basin of water stood. Dipping the vessel beneath the surface she quickly filled it and then turned to leave. Eowyn watched the stiff actions with which the girl moved and the obvious exhaustion on her face. A feeling of compassion overcame her and she stepped forwards.

" I will bring it too the room." She said softly. " You are weary, this must be a lot for you to bear at your young age." Helena blushed at the comment and shook her head in protest, red curls spilling over her shoulders. " It's quite alright." Eowyn extended a slender arm towards her and somewhat hesitantly Helena handed her the pitcher. " You should rest."

" Thank you." She answered before exiting the room. Eowyn stood alone for a small period of time before she too exited the room.

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Legolas looked up at a small knock at the door and called out in a clear voice. "Enter." Glancing back down at his bag he proceeded to draw out a small band of cloth. "I thank you for bringing me the water." He spoke without raising his head.

"It was our fault for not providing one." A familiar voice spoke and instantly Legolas straightened up though it sent a bolt of pain through his already weary body.

" Lady Eowyn." He said turning to greet her. She nodded her acknowledgements and with all the nobility and grace one would expect of an elf swept across the room and placed the desired item on a small table against the far wall. Once again her beauty astonished Legolas, a beauty which he knew to be uncommon amongst mortals.

" I'm afraid that in the chaos of the battle we forgot to receive you with the obvious hospitalities. Is the Lord Aragorn here?"

" Nay, he has yet to return, I fear he has yet to heed his own advice and rest like he has ordered so many to do." Legolas replied keeping the jealously from his voice expertly. Eowyn nodded and Legolas observed the effort it took to keep the disappointment from her posture.

Though his wound pained him greatly he remained standing as she turned to go. "You're bleeding." She had paused in the doorway eyes focused on the bloodied stain of Legolas' tunic. Immediately Legolas let his arm fall so that it covered the wound.

" It is nothing, I assure you, I'm sure Aragorn would want you to rest-" He began but Eowyn had already shaken her head in protest.

" Lord Aragorn would want his friends taken care of…sit." Legolas blinked at her several times. Had he seen a flicker of concern in her otherwise cold eyes?

Quietly he obeyed allowing a wince to escape as they skin pulled with his body's movements. Eowyn had retrieved the pitcher and was now setting it on the small table beside the bed. Turning

her attention to Legolas she tested the fabric and sighed realizing that it was practically glued to the elf's flesh.

" Your highness…I'm going to remove your tunic…" She said without looking at him. " It may cause you a slight pain but it is the only way for me to gain access to your wound." Legolas nodded at her and sat patiently as she gathered the hem in her hands. In one fluid movement she had yanked the fabric upwards and Legolas yelped despite himself as a sharp pain ran along his ribcage. It assaulted him in waves and it took a nearly all of his composure to hide the agony it caused.

Eowyn dropped the tunic to the ground and once again brought her concentration to the wound. "Why did you not seek aid for this earlier?" She questioned reaching for the rag on the bed. Legolas shrugged.

" I did not think it was important, there were others who were injured." Eowyn shook her head, pressing the cloth against the gash trying to stop the new flow of the blood. With a slight shock she realized that she could see the white gleam of his ribs. She had not thought the wound this deep. " What is it?" Legolas questioned noting her hesitation. She glanced up at him and it was immediately clear to him that she was trying to disguise her worry.

" Lay down across the bed and do not move, I will return but while I'm gone hold this against the injury." Legolas nodded once more, his eyes on her the entire time. He swore he could see the barest hint of a blush on her pale cheeks and withheld the urge to smile.

" De not tell Aragorn." He managed before she disappeared from sight.

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" Aragorn it is high time you went back with me to our chambers, if the elf was weary enough to retire, you should be past that now come with me." Once more Gimli reached for Aragorn's arm.

" Gimli if you are tired then go, I am needed here." He answered with an impatient sigh.

" Aragorn you are being stubborn, and I as a dwarf know stubbornness like the mines in which I lived but you have surpassed even I so congratulations sir you have proven your point, now come with me!" This time he succeeded in gaining a firm hold of the man's bicep and yanked with sufficient force to draw him away from the bed. Aragorn's eyes narrowed at the stout figure before him and he let out an angry cry.

" Gimli!"

" What is going on?" A voice asked. Both man and dwarf spun around, Gimli with somewhat less balance and grace than the ranger. Eowyn stood in the doorway, light streaming in behind her, a questioning look on her face.

" Lady," Aragorn bowed low his face neutralized of any emotion it had once held. Gimli smiled at her kindly. It was clear in the expression on her face and the posture with which she stood that something was amiss. " Is there trouble of some sort?"

" No my lord, I'm merely fetching a needle and thread, it appears I've torn my dress in a most unsightly place and would feel much comfortable once I've sown it." Without further explanation she went straight to a cupboard near Aragorn. He watched her quietly not admitting to himself that he indeed admired the curves of her body as she knelt before him and the way the candlelight played through her golden tresses. " Ah, well will leave you to your work now my lords."

None had seen her tuck the bundle of bandages and herbs beneath her skirts as she stood. Aragorn nodded with a small smile and watched as she swept out of the room.