I've taken some creative liberty and decided that Rumil and Orophin were in the battle as well, It makes sense to me that they would want to go with their brother. This is up a little faster than the last chapter I know but I have no idea when I'll be able to update again. I'm very busy lately.

It ended almost as soon as it had begun and they stood before each other once more, both speechless, both reeling. The wind swept through their hair and finally Legolas looked away.

" I am sorry mi'lady." He said softly, avoiding her gaze. Fingers swept over the back of his hand before intertwining with his own and surprised he glanced up at Eowyn.

" Do not regret, do not ever regret." She whispered and then pulled him towards a line of trees. Stunned Legolas followed.

Eowyn's dress flowed in waves behind her as she wove her way gracefully through the trees. It was a surprise to Legolas that such a forest grew near Helm's Deep but he was glad of it, and gladder still of his companion.

The moon managed to filter in through the leaves casting a silver tint on the small forest and for the first time since the battle Legolas felt content. The voices of the trees were joyous to his senses and delicately Eowyn pulled her hand free from his.

Hiding his confusion Legolas watched her serenely from where he stood, watching as she moved forwards and away from him to a small curtain of branches. She pushed them back from the middle and then shifted out of the way so that Legolas could see past her.

A warm smile drifted across his face.

A beautifully simple pool of water lay nestled between the trees. The grass that bordered the water shielded it, cutting it off from the rest of the woods and from prying eyes but somehow Legolas knew that very few had knowledge of this place. A small waterfall trickled in from the East side of the tarn, its sound calming to both. " It's wonderful. I did not think such beauty in nature existed here."

' There are many things you do not know…" Eowyn smiled, her voice trailing off. Legolas nodded. " You may bath here but I caution you to be careful of thy wounds. You may unbandage them if you will but you must return to the castle before long so they can be redressed and properly tended to."

" Of course, and-" A grin flitted across the elf's face momentarily. "To whom will I be sent?"

" I will wait for you in my chambers, do you know where they lie?" Once more Legolas nodded.

" I watched you leave the day before…"

" All is well then." Eowyn answered and then leaned forwards to place a cautious kiss on the Prince's cheek. Before Legolas could respond she had turned and disappeared back into the trees although he could hear her delicate footsteps as they wound themselves away from him.

Giving his attention back to the pond he discarded his clothing slowly not wanting to aggravate his pain further.

The water was pleasantly cool against his hot skin and with a sigh of relief he sank down into the crystal depths flinching only slightly when the wound was submerged.

* * * * *

" You have been gone long sister." Eowyn paused in the doorway and cast her eyes upon the broad figure of Eomer. He stood atop the staircase arms folded securely across his chest.

" Legolas was injured in the battle, we had to move with caution." She answered coolly before veering to the left. She could hear Eomer's heavy footfalls behind her but ignored them as she turned once more, passing several servants as she went. Still Eomer followed.

" You blush!" He called after her as though it were a crime. Eyes glittering she turned to face him.

" And?"

" You cannot be with an Elf!"

" It was never implied that I was!" She replied voice rising slightly. Behind her back she wrapped a hand around the door handle. " Now if you'll excuse me I am weary." Feigning a yawn she turned her back to him and entered the chamber. Eomer stood outside of the door for several more minutes before going back the way he came.

* * * * *

Legolas limped slightly as he ascended the front staircase. With the bandages gone the linen of his tunic brushed steadily against his side and though he felt blessedly clean his fever had once more returned. Gritting his teeth he continued, ignoring the steadily growing pain in his leg. It was the least of his worries. In his mind's eye he pictured Eowyn, her flowing blond hair, crystal clear eyes and fair face. The heart of warrior lay within her, he had known this since the moment he'd set eyes on her.

Apparently the men had undertaken the repairs to the front gate in his absence and he noted this absently as he passed. They stared steadily at him and Legolas returned their stares evenly, hiding any discomfort he felt. He loathed to look weak in the eyes of men, he did not want to disgrace his people.

" Legolas!" A voice to his right called and he paused once inside the fortress. " Legolas friend!" The voice was fast approaching but Legolas heard no footsteps. It could mean only one thing, an elf.

Turning slowly, a grin spread across his face. " Rumil!" He cried and was nearly knocked over from the impact of the Lorien elf's embrace. "I knew not that you were here, I thought only Haldir-" But Legolas stopped abruptly at the archer's name. A dark cloud passed over his features and gently he gripped Rumil's arm. " I am sorry for your loss."

" It is a loss to all." Rumil replied solemnly. Grief swirled deep within the depths of his eyes and Legolas let his head fall forwards momentarily as sorrow threatened to overwhelm him as well. " But I thank the Valar that I still have one brother with me, and as it seems a friend as well."

" Orophin is here as well?" Legolas raised his head once more. Rumil nodded. " And how does he fare?"

" Physically he is fine but I worry for him, he has taken Haldir's passing harder than even I."

" And you?"

" Ah, I do not wish to talk of myself mellon'nin, I am glad that I've found you. Long has it been since we've last met." Legolas nodded.

" Aye."

" And how goes it with you, I hear you did particularly well for yourself in battle…and is it true what I've heard? That you've befriended that dwarf?"

" That dwarf? Why must you refer to Gimli in the like? The Lady of the Golden Wood herself proclaims him elf-friend. You of all elves should know such." Rumil laughed softly and let his hand fall on Legolas' shoulder.

" I have missed you…" His voice trailed off and his gaze rose once more to Legolas' face. It lingered there for several minutes. " You are not well…" He sighed softly. Legolas shook his head in protest and glanced towards the left hallway. He thought of Eowyn waiting for him in her chambers.

" I am well."

" Your face is drawn, your cheeks colored…you're skin warm. That is not natural." Rumil continued. Legolas flinched away from the elf's hand as it reached towards his cheek once more. There was silence and Rumil's arm fell to his side once more in a defeated manner. " Have you been to the healer?"

" I wish I could speak more with you and I trust in the fact that I will but I must take my leave of you." Rumil's face showed a hint of sadness at these words. " But I will visit you before you depart from this place, where are your lodgings?" Rumil glanced at once towards the door.

" We have set up camp outside of the wall…you will find us easily enough since so few of us remain." At these words Legolas nearly flinched again. Desperately he tried to suppress the overwhelming feeling of woe that such a loss of immortal life brought to the surface. Against his will faces of those he'd known clouded his vision and he squeezed his eyes shut against them. They should not have died, they should not have been here, they did not want this, he did not want this! He wanted to see Eowyn, he felt he needed to see her. "Legolas? Legolas what is it?" A hand touched briefly against his arm and automatically he stumbled back.

" Do not touch me!" He gasped. Slowly Rumil's face came into focus and realizing his mistake Legolas took a step back, wincing involuntarily at the pain that now coursed through him.

" Legolas, it is I, Rumil."

" I have to go." Legolas said suddenly, turning towards the hall. Rumil made as though to follow him.

" Legolas, you are bleeding!"

" I have to go!" Legolas called over his shoulder and then plunged into the left corridor leaving Rumil behind.

Chest heaving he slowed his pace sure that he was now out of sight. He felt sick suddenly and swallowed hard, hand braced against he wall as he waited for things to stop spinning

" Legolas?" His head shot up less than gracefully and he bit back a curse at seeing Eomer standing before him.

" Eomer…" He greeted, his gaze meeting with the broader figured man. Eomer nodded.

" Is something ailing you?" Eomer's voice was calm and controlled, too calm and controlled, Legolas thought absently.

" Nay, I am winded…"

" It has taken you long to return to the Deep, how can you be winded if you've arrived so slowly?" Legolas arched an eyebrow at the question.

" I know naught what you are implying Eomer." He answered finally straightening himself into a full standing position. There was a silence between the two until Eomer took a step forwards.

" I imply nothing master elf except that you keep your distance from my sister." And then without waiting for an answer from Legolas he brushed past him and out of sight.

Legolas took a moment to collect himself before slowly taking his hand from the wall. Testing his abilities to walk he gingerly took a few steps forwards and came to realization that he would not collapse to the ground though his head was telling him otherwise. " Ai…I wish I were dead…" He mumbled under his breath before making his way to the shieldmaiden's chambers.