Hi again guys! Wow, 2 updates in one day. I'm on a role!!!!

Thanks to my lovely lovely reviewers, keep 'em coming.

Disclaimer: O.K I admit, I own nothing but the plotline. And Malien.

Warnings: Sad. Still. It won't be forever though!

Rating: PG for angst amongst other things…

Summary: See chappie one.

(Is that it?)

Reviewer responses:

Silvertoakee: (Did I spell it right?) Thanks for your lovely review. As for Arwen, I just like writing stories that put her in a larger part than Tolkien wrote for her. Legolas does make it in time and he does get a chance to say goodbye. He makes Aragorn happy at any rate. MAJOR SPOILER COMING UP! Eldarion and Legolas do start to get on well. (Well, not that big a spoiler)

So here we go, third chapter of DEATH AND GLORY.

Chapter 3: The love of a mortal.

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The sun had risen many hours before. It poured its comforting gold rays into the chamber of the king and Arwen smiled for the first in a long time.

Aragorn slept still. Peacefully though. His dreams did not seem troubled as they had of late. Arwen was sure he could feel Legolas' presence. She definitely could. He was drawing closer.

"Soon my king, soon." She whispered before falling back into dreams.

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Legolas was in fact outside. Right in front of the gates. Though he wished more than anything to go in, to find his friend, to see him again. He could not. Something held him back. Something stronger than the grief he felt at Aragorn's impending death. He could not walk one more step, for he feared he would fall. He could not talk, for he feared he would speak out of turn. For the first time in his long life, Legolas was afraid that Aragorn was not by his side. That he never would be again.

Taking a deep breath, Legolas urged Gilraen slowly onwards so that soon they were on the threshold of Minas Tirith. That much closer to Aragorn. Legolas could smell death already.

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Still Arwen sat by Aragorn's side. This time however, she had lost control. She wept heavily over the king. Her tears stained the white sheets to a dirty grey colour. She felt so alone. Such was the volume of her sobs, that she did not hear another approach. Did not notice their presence until they spoke, almost too softly for Arwen to hear.

"Arwen" it said. The queen turned suddenly. What she sore heightened her spirits. If only for a moment. Standing their, was Legolas. His expression was one of grief and confusion. It did not suit the carefree prince in Arwen's eyes. He stood staring at Aragorn before he turned to her and opened his arms.

Arwen flew swiftly into them. Sobbing hard onto her friend's shoulder as he held her tight in his arms. Refusing to let her go. He wept also. They stood there for many moments. No words were needed. No greeting on Arwen's part or Legolas's . Grief was too strong there to be ignored for the sake of  a few insignificant words.

After a long time, Arwen pulled back slightly, looking straight into his eyes, tears still in hers. "I knew you would come. Hannon Le" she whispered before falling back into his arms. Legolas wept silently above her. She could feel his tears fall onto her hair, and was glad he had come. That he was real. Not an illusion.

It was Legolas's turn to pull away now, and voice the most obvious question on his mind as he gazed over the tired king.

"Does he sleep? Or has he..." Legolas whispered, trailing off. He could not bare to think of it.

"He sleeps" came the wavering voice of the evenstar as she closed her arms tighter around him. Giving him what strength she could in these dark times.

"He has been waiting for you. Even in his slumber, he knows you are close. See he has calmed from his fretful sleep" she whispered to him. Reassuring him that the king was still alive.

Legolas returned her embrace once more. Relaxing slightly in her arms. He never took his eyes from the king in his bed. He registered how much Aragorn had changed in the years they had spent apart. His hair, his skin, everything seemed changed. Older. He didn't feel the same. His resounding energy, the force that captured the hearts of so many, had diminished. Legolas could see the king still clung to hope. Estel.

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They sat by his side all day, all night until the fateful day whn Aragorn finally woke form his slumber. Legolas sat on the left, Arwen on the right. Together they called him back, never giving up hope that he would return again.

He awoke very early. Arwen had fallen into slumber again. Legolas quietly watched her.

Mortality must be too hard for her. Thought the prince. He too felt as if he would fall to dreams. He was so tired and exhausted. He had not eaten for nearly three days, and in that time, had been constantly filled with worry for Aragorn. He was about to fall into a dreamscape, when Aragorn moaned form his pillow.

Legolas caught himself and gave the hand he held a tight squeeze.

"Aragorn? Estel? Come back to us. Saes" he whispered gently.

"Legolas?" came the hoarse reply of the king as he opened his eyes slowly and painfully.

"Yes. It is I" assured the prince.

"I knew you'd come" said Aragorn.

Arwen awoke as she heard the king  speak again. Overjoyed, she threw her arms around her withered husband and held him tight, laughing as she did so.

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Arwen had left Aragorn and Legolas alone. Safe in the knowledge that Legolas would keep him safe.

Aragorn seemed to have regained all strength available to him now, and was sitting up, laughing with Legolas, whilst a tray of food rested upon his lap.

The two friends felt happy and warm in each other's company. It was a good feeling.

A this time, they were discussing Gimli, their close friend and ally. Both missed him greatly, but he was safe. He was in the glittering caves, where he had longed to visit for a long time since his arrival in Rohan.

"Obsessed with the ground" laughed Legolas heartily. His face a picture of pure happiness.

"Always thinking with his stomach" replied Aragorn as he ate his food hungrily.

"He was a good friend. And still is to my mind" said Legolas gently.

"Yes" said Aragorn with one last chuckle.

"You know Legolas, I know not what it is about you my friend, but for some reason I cannot fathom, I feel so much stronger when you are near." Aragorn said whilst removing the tray from his lap to the table to his side and brushing his hands off before settling back into his cushions.

Legolas became very serious.

"Do not give up hope, Estel" said Legolas softly, using his friend's elven name.

"We will have you better, you will see." He finished with a smile.

It was not returned. Aragorn frowned instead and closed his eyes tiredly. He had hoped that he would not have to do this to Legolas, but now he gave him no choice.

Fixing his friend with his kindly gaze, Aragorn said

" It is inevitable Legolas, I will die. You know this."

Legolas turned away. Why did Aragorn insist upon putting himself down before the elf. But this time,  Aragorn was right. He would die. Too soon. Legolas locked gazes with his friend and said

"Everyhing that lives has a time to die" He was reassuring himself more than Aragorn.

Aragorn smiled warmly at him, knowing what he had to say.

"You do not" stated the king gently.

Legolas was taken aback by this statement. He had not expected it, but he realised that it was true.

"No" he whispered softly. "Alas I do not".

Aragorn, sensing his friend's discomfort, reached out and grabbed his friend's hand. Legolas smiled at him reassuringly, placing his own hand on top of the king's withered one. Here they sat in companionable silence, until both friends fell into  the realm of dreams together. Always together.

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This is the longest chapter I have written, and it has taken me about 2hrs and 15 mins to write. It is now 10:15 pm. Hooo!

O.K, next chapter coming soon. Hoped you enjoyed this one!!

Keep those reviews coming in guys, I need them like the air I breath, like the water I drink, like the… oh shut up Nierwen!!

Oakey dokey. Elvish is pretty much the same as always, check back for most translations, but Saes means please.

Reviews: Don't get me started

Ideas: Oh please, writers plug is threatening. Open up you damn plughole!!

Grammer/Spelling mistakes: Definitely. Need them as well.

Flames: If you must. But I prefer constructive criticism.

Until next time.

Oh and by the way, my own site is in the works, it's like a Lord of the rings encyclopaedia on the net with my other fanfics on there too. I will probably upload them to Fanfiction.net as well. Site is called the forest of Amon Anor, means blessed sunshine in elvish. My fanfics are co authored by extremely gifted friend Lord Celemir, poet extraordinaire!!!

(Well he thinks up some storylines and I write the story. We make a great team. Otherwise known as Abhorsen.)

Lady Nierwen