Title: Despair and Hope

Chapter 8: A Friend in Need

Legolas stepped into Aragorn's room. It was nearly time for them to start.

*Estel, * he said, a little hesitantly. He was still trying to keep up his resolution of being strong for Aragorn's sake, but it seemed to be making Aragorn inexplicably angry. *I- we are leaving in another five minutes. * He stopped, not knowing how to say what he had come to say.

*Good luck, Legolas, * Aragorn replied coldly, turning his back on Legolas. *Estel's best wishes are with you. *

*Mellon nin…*

*Shouldn't you be leaving now? * Aragorn asked.

*Goodbye* came the shaky reply. Legolas left the room as silently as if he had never been there.

His heart ached. This was the one thing that could and would break his resolution.

Oh mellon nin, he thought achingly, I may never see you again, and that is all you have left to say to me? I can't believe this. If my last conversation with you was the coldest one we ever had, I'd never forgive myself. If I get through this alive, I swear I will never call you 'Estel' again.

~~*~~

They filed through the long, narrow passage slowly. Legolas and Eowyn were having a whispered conversation about Aragorn.

"At first I thought he had gotten over it," she said, "judging by the way he came up with such an ingenious plan. I thought you had managed to become help him in some way. But from what you tell me now, I'm not so sure. He appears bitter, cold and terribly hopeless. I think…I have no idea what to think of him actually. I can't say at all."

"Yes…" Legolas replied. "The way he didn't even say goodbye, it was as if he hated me. Actually, he should hate me. I reminded him so forcefully that he was still the hope of men, that it broke even me. Of course it broke him. This is all my fault."

"Legolas don't talk nonsense. You know you had to do it. The very fact that you did it gave him at least some hope back. How else would he have been able to come up with a plan like that? How else?!"

"But still…" he was interrupted by a hand being placed on his shoulder. He looked up and he saw Haldir.

*Yes, mellon nin? * he asked tiredly. Being the friend in need all the time was killing him.

*What is wrong with Estel? * said the other.

Legolas drew a long breath. *Nothing.* He noticed the incredulous look on Haldir's face. *Well something is wrong, obviously; but it is not my place to tell you. He doesn't even know that I know.*

*You have been 'friend in need' long enough. I've noticed how weary you've become. Whatever's wrong with Estel is affecting you very deeply as well. Let me share your burden.*

Legolas threw up his hands in resignation. "I don't care anymore. You can just ask Lady Eowyn to tell you. I do not have the heart."

Haldir turned to Eowyn.

"I'll have to make it quick. We are nearing the entrance," she said. "Although I do wish, you were not dressed like an orc. It makes me a little uncomfortable to tell you as it is, without that, confound it all!"

"Ah well," Haldir said, grinning at her. "If I must do the most important job on this entire mission, as it were, then I must be given allowances."

Legolas gave him a playful punch in the ribs. "As if we don't give you all kinds of

 allowances anyway!"

"Being lead orc does have its minus points, though. I need allowances."

Their laughter echoed down the passage. It was probably going to be the last laugh they were going to share together.

~~*~~

The rain beat down upon Theoden's back. His mind wandered yet again to how Eowyn and the others were faring.

He somehow wished he were with them. Even though keeping a watch on the causeway was a very important job, he would rather have been with Eowyn. He wanted to make sure she would not fight. He somehow knew that with a free reign like the one she held now, Eowyn would not heed the promise she had made when the time for fighting actually came. She would fight. Oh well, he thought, I suppose I can't stop her all the time. She's like a caged tiger whose hunger hasn't been satisfied. She will break free.

He looked towards the skies. God grant they may be safe.

~~*~~

Notes from the Stone Age:

To Star-Stallion: Thanks for the note on elvish grammar, really needed and appreciated it; thank you very much.

To The Dark Wanderer: What happened to you all this time? You disappear after three chapters, and then reappear on the seventh?! Awww, I'm just glad you're back is all. Thanks for all the encouragement.

And thank you to all my silent readers too.