Author's Notes: YOU'RE ALL SOOOOOO NICE!!!!!!!!!

To Luna Lovegood: Sorry it's taken so long!!! Enjoy!

To Dollface786: Thanks for your review; I'm glad you like the story!! Enjoy the next chapter!!

To Ultra Rodimus: AAHHH!!! ::runs and hides:: I'm sorry!!! I'm sorry!!! I've just been really busy lately, and that's why I haven't been able to update. Here! ::pushes the chapter at Ultra Rodimus and scampers away:: O.O HOLY CRAP!! You reviewed to Chapter 4 three times!!! You so get the prize for most reviews in one chapter!!! The sex scene is going to take place after the Battle of Helm's Deep, but before Return of the King starts. I'm going to post a toned down version of the scene and anyone that wants the "extended version" can request it and leave their email address and I'll send it to them.

To BlackCat200: I'm sooo sorry, it's taken so long!!! Accept this chapter as an apology???

To Mitsuki: Thanks so much for your review!! Lol, yeah, cute horny boys can do anything they want. I'm probably going to write a sex scene, but post a toned-down version of it on so I won't get kicked off. Anyone that wants the more graphic version of it can email me and I'll send it to them. Enjoy this chapter!!

To Rowenna: Thanks for your review. I'm sorry you think I'm bordering on plagiarism. I've been trying to add more scenes between Legolas and Aragorn, but a lot of the time, the timeframe just doesn't permit anything more than a stolen kiss. The whole plot of this story is that Aragorn and Legolas are maintaining a relationship that's kept secret from everyone else. A relationship that's sort of behind-the-scenes of the movie. Hope you'll continue to read and give me your suggestions and all that.

To SteffiGirl: Hey! Thanks for your reviews! You're sooo nice!!!! When I red your review, I started grinning sooo big. My brothers officially think I'm mental. I am adding a scene at the end of the fic. Hop you'll enjoy, but in the meantime, enjoy Chapter 5!!!

To AngelofSoul: Thanks for your review and enjoy the chapter!!!

To blackcat200: Lol, but you're in no way excited about the scene, are you?? Enjoy Chapter 5!!!

To VRENDA-SAN: Thanks so much for your support with the scene!! It's coming up at the end of the fic. Hope you'll enjoy it!!

To Kiki: Thanks for your review!! I try to write my sex scenes tastefully, nothing too raunchy (a little bit is healthy . . . ::big grin::). Enjoy the chapter!!

To Katie: You're so nice!!! Thanks sooo much for the review!! Thanks for your support and enjoy the chapter!!

To Starlit Hope: Lol they both just NEED to get laid. Enjoy the chapter!!

To Elf-Formally-Known-as-Legolas: I'm so glad you liked the chapter!! Your review was soooo nice!!! And about the scene . . . I'm making it as lemony as possible without getting kicked off I'm just a total smut-whore. ::grins:: I might tone it down a bit, then email the real thing to anyone that wants it. I actually have RotK (my dad bought it and Master and Commander for me when I had my wisdom teeth pulled), but I haven't seen that yet. I'll try it out, thanks! Hope you enjoy the chapter!!! (I know, no horny guys, but they're coming!!)

To Star Wars Forever: Thanks for your review!! Enjoy this chapter!!

To SpoonGirl1: They're just so cute together. I really can't imagine either of them with anyone else. Enjoy!

To bradleigh: Thanks so much for your encouragement with the sex scene. Our boys deserve it.

To NiCoLe: I'm definitely adding a scene at the end of the story (it just doesn't fit anywhere else). They have been pissing me off, bugging me every day to let them have some time to themselves. So the scene is coming up!!

To Shadow41: Thanks so much for your reviews!! I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter. I've decided I am going to add a scene at the end of the fic, so I hope you like it!!

To Zelda Saturn Mistress: O.O Aragolas is brilliant. Total genius. DON'T DIE ON ME!!! The little scene is going to be at the end of this story, 'cause it doesn't fit anywhere else. o ::runs after Zelda getting carted off:: WAIT FOR ME!!!

To SireenC: Aragorn is a little taken with Éowyn, but only in the way that he wants to help her and her people in whatever way he can. I am going to continue this all the way through the trilogy. I have a little something planned for the end of RotK, don't worry!! Enjoy the chapter!!

To ForsakenOn3: I'm glad you like the ending!! Those two just need to get laid. Thanks so much for the review, and enjoy the chapter!!!

To Legolas19: O.O Don't worry, I'm going to write a scene!!! But for the time being, will this chapter do??

To Kuroi Neko-kun: The scene will be at the end of this story. Can you hang on until then??? You think I'm a good writer?? Oh, I love you!! No WAY will Éowyn drop in on them. I'm locking her out!!

To angelbird12241: Thanks for your review!! Enjoy this chapter!

To Isdule07: I'm glad you think that the fic needs a sex scene! I think so, too. Our boys need it. I want the whole Fellowship to find out. I'm just not sure how yet. O.O ::falls over laughing:: Oh, my gosh! I can so imagine how Gimli would react to seeing that. Either fainting dead away at the sight or running from the room, shouting. ::thinks:: I'd probably stay and watch in a corner . . . Who wouldn't???

To silver-sunn101: Thanks for both of your reviews!! I feel honored that you took a break to read my fic!! Oh, my gosh, wasn't it sad at the end???? Did you cry when you saw it?? I saw it with my dad and my brothers and my brother's friend and they were all laughing at me 'cause I was crying. ::grumbles:: Hate them . . . The books are really good. Fellowship's a little hard to get though at the beginning, but it picks up. Enjoy them! When's your birthday??

Reviews I missed from Chapter 3 (sorry, guys!!):

To blackcat200: Sorry I took so long!!! Enjoy!!!

To DustBunnies: I'm so glad you like the fic!!! I'm trying to give our favorite boys all the moments they can get. They need them. I had to put that fish part in, in the last chapter of "Fellowship". Had to. I couldn't help it. Enjoy the chapter!!!

To AngelofSoul: Hahahaha, Gandalf IS a sneaky knowing bastard!!! Wow, you characterized him in three words while Tolkien used, like, fifty million!!! Enjoy the chapter!!!

Author's Notes: Oh, dear God this chapter was hard to write. Especially the end. But so far it's my favorite. ::grins:: Evil author. Enjoy!

Yet Another Author's Note: Since when doesn't allow the little asterisks????

Chapter 5: The Loss of a Love

Legolas was walking a few yards from the Rohirrim refugees, stretching his long legs. He was close enough to hear an amusing conversation between Gimli and Éowyn.

"It's true, you don't see many Dwarf women," Gimli was saying as he rode atop Arod, Éowyn walking beside, leading the white horse by the reins. "And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance that they're often mistaken for Dwarf men."

Éowyn smiled and glanced behind her at Aragorn. Legolas felt a flame of jealousy rise within him. It was quite obvious to him Éowyn felt something for the Ranger from the North, even though it might not be as clear to all else.

"It's the beards," Aragorn whispered loudly to her, gesturing with one hand. Éowyn smiled and turned back to Gimli.

"And this, in turn, has given rise to the belief that there are no Dwarf women," Gimli continued. "And that dwarves just spring out of holes in the ground!"

Éowyn laughed aloud at this statement, Gimli joining her. Legolas smiled in spite of himself and looked over at Aragorn. The ranger grinned at him and winked, causing Legolas' stomach to perform an intricate set of flips. He looked away and chided himself for still feeling like a young Elf maiden receiving the attentions of a male Elf for the first time.

A sudden outbreak of action tore Legolas from his thoughts. Something had startled Arod, which caused him to bolt. Éowyn lost hold of the reins as he ran. After several yards, Gimli fell off the back of the horse with a loud thump. Éowyn hurried over to him with an "ooh!" Gimli was struggling to get up as he made up excuses.

"It's all right, it's all right," he said, straining to stand. "Nobody panic. That was deliberate. It was deliberate."

Legolas could see, even from where he stood, that Éowyn was having a hard time keeping a straight face as she helped Gimli to his feet. He glanced furtively over at Aragorn and saw him deep in conversation with King Théoden. His innate curiosity overcame his sense of privacy once again and he crept a bit closer to the column to be able to hear the discussion.

". . . Cut down by Orcs," Théoden was saying. "She watched her mother succumb to grief."

Aragorn glanced out at Éowyn, who was laughing as she brushed Gimli off. She turned and looked at Aragorn, the sun shining behind her and the wind blowing through her hair.

"Then she was left alone, to tend her king in growing fear," Théoden continued, a bitter tone creeping into his voice. "Doomed to wait upon an old man, who should have loved her as a father."

Éowyn stared at Aragorn, her smile disappearing. After a moment, she turned back to Gimli. Legolas felt eyes upon him and turned to see Aragorn staring at him. He locked eyes with the ranger, both making an unspoken promise to meet later when there was no one around.

When night fell, the refugees stopped to make camp. Legolas was wandering around as everyone set up cooking pots. He heard a familiar voice and followed it.

"My uncle told me a strange thing." It was Éowyn, speaking to Aragorn. Legolas stopped nearby, behind a tent, to listen to the conversation. "He said that you rode to war with Thengel, my grandfather. But he must be mistaken."

Aragorn sighed a bit.

"King Théoden has a good memory," he told the shieldmaiden. "He was only a small child at the time."

"Then you must be at least sixty!" Éowyn cried. And expression of distinct embarrassment flitted across Aragorn's handsome features. "Seventy?" Aragorn still said nothing. "You cannot be eighty!" she exclaimed.

"Eighty-seven," Aragorn told her finally, noticeably embarrassed. Éowyn looked astonished for a moment before realization dawned upon her face.

"You are one of the Dúnedain," she said, almost accusingly. "A descendant of Númenor, blessed with long life. It was said that your race has passed into legend."

"There are few of us left," Aragorn informed her quietly. "The Northern Kingdom was destroyed long ago."

"I'm sorry," Éowyn apologized, though Legolas couldn't figure out for the life of him why. "Please, eat!"

Aragorn didn't look all too happy about this plea, but continued his meal anyway.

Later, Legolas and Aragorn met a ways outside camp. Legolas draped his arms around Aragorn's neck as the ranger wound his around Legolas's slim waist. Their lips met in a sweet kiss. Legolas pulled away after a moment and stroked Aragorn's face.

"She likes you, you know," he murmured, resting his hand on the back of Aragorn's neck.

"Who?"

"Éowyn," Legolas replied, nuzzling Aragorn's neck. Aragorn snorted lightly.

"Don't be ridiculous," he said. Legolas retreated from pressing light kisses to his lover's neck and frowned.

"I'm not," he replied. He turned and walked to sit on a nearby rock. Aragorn joined him. "I can tell."

"Well, rest assured, I have no interest in her other than to get her and her people to safety," Aragorn told him. He gently pressed Legolas' back to the rock and proceeded to kiss him very thoroughly.

The next day, Legolas was riding next to Aragorn as the column slowly moved along. Two of the members of the Rohan Royal Guard rode past him, Háma and Gamling, he thought. His eyes followed them to the front of the column. They rode past and out of eyesight. The hairs on the back of Legolas' neck stood on end and a sense of unease grew in the pit of Legolas' stomach. He dismounted, leaving Arod with Gimli, and quickly sprinted after the two riders. He came over the ridge to see the horses moving restlessly around. He glanced quickly around and saw a Warg scout charging the two guards. He raced down the hill to see the scout attack Háma. The guard cried once and fell still.

"Wargs!" Gamling shouted. The Warg turned to Gamling at the cry. Legolas ran over and slaughtered it with an arrow. He then drew his long knife and killed the Orc.

"Argh!" He turned to Aragorn, who had come running to the top of the hill at Gamling's yell, and shouted, "A scout!" He kicked the Orc off his knife. He heard Aragorn shout to the king, "Wargs! We're under attack!"

Cries of panic rose from the column as Legolas hurried to the top of the hill and looked at the scene below. He saw Gimli attempting to mount Arod, but was having some difficulty doing so.

"Get them out of here!" Aragorn shouted as he ran.

"All riders to the head of the column!" Théoden shouted.

Legolas looked back out in front of him and squinted a bit. Suddenly, his eyes widened as dozens of Wargs and their riders riding fast towards them, kicking up clouds of dust and dirt along the way. Grimly, the Elf took hold of his bow and pulled an arrow from his quiver, notching it and taking aim.

"Follow me! Yah!" shouted Théoden.

Legolas could hear Éowyn calling to the villagers staying behind.

"Make for the lower ground! Stay together!"

Legolas aimed at the distant target and shot, hitting a Warg rider. He drew another arrow, notched it, and let it fly. Right on target, it killed another Orc. He reached for another arrow and instead, saw Théoden and his company approaching. He ran and mounted Arod with a smooth leap and joined in the fray of charging horses with Gimli behind him. The Warg-riders snarled a battle cry.

"CHARGE!!" shouted Théoden, spurring his horse faster. The Rohirrim and the Warg-riders clashed head on. Immediately, Orcs are slaughtered, and Rohirrim men, as well. Legolas was charging through the mass of dead bodies and dead Wargs when he saw Gimli standing face to face with one of the growling beasts.

When did he get down there? Legolas wondered even as he rode towards his friend.

"Bring your pretty face to my axe!" Gimli invited threateningly. The Warg went to leap at Gimli. Legolas swiftly notched and shot an arrow, killing it at once. Gimli jumped back as the Warg fell and glared at up at him in outrage.

"Argh! That one counts as mine!" the Dwarf exclaimed, claiming the kill.

Legolas smirked and smashed his sword into another Orc. He saw Gimli swing his axe at a Warg, thrusting it in deep.

"Have fun, my friend," Legolas murmured as he turned back to the battle. He spent several minutes sinking his sword and arrows alike into both Orcs and Wargs. He saw Aragon race past, plucking a spear from the ground as he passed. Legolas glanced around to see what he was charging toward. A Warg was standing on a dead Orc, which was on top of a dead Warg, which was lying atop something else. Aragorn threw the spear into the Warg, successfully killing it. It died with a yelp and landed on the pile. As he wheeled around, Aragorn threw Legolas a wink, who spared the ranger a dazzling grin. They rode side by side for a moment, slicing heads off their necks and stabbing anything enemy that moved. They separated and rode in opposite directions. Legolas turned to help Théoden with some Wargs and their riders that refused to die. Aragorn turned off to the right.

The battle was winding down. The Wargs were either dead or had run off whimpering. None of the Orcs had gotten away. They were lying strewn about on the ground, dead or dying. Théoden clapped Legolas on the back before turning to Gamling, who was bleeding from a small cut over his eye. Legolas looked around, his eyes landing on Gimli, and then searching for Aragorn. He saw Gimli looking for him as well. After a moment, the Elf took a few steps, gazing around.

"Aragorn!" he called. When he received no answer, panic began to swirl around and clutch at his heart.

"Aragorn?" Gimli called.

Where is he? Legolas wondered frantically.

"Aragorn!" he shouted again, more desperately this time. His heart clenched when he was greeted with silence. He was walking now, although he didn't know how he came to be doing that. His feet were carrying him towards a rocky cliff, Gimli at his side. Legolas heard a wheezy, gurgling cackling sound. He turned to see a dying Orc laughing to himself. Gimli went and stood over the Orc, axe in hand.

"Tell me what happened and I will ease your passing," he offered menacingly.

"He's—" The Orc coughed. "Dead." Legolas heart froze and dropped to the vicinity of his toes. The Orc laughed evilly. Legolas' eyes took on the expression of that of immense loss. "Took a little tumble off the cliff," the Orc continued, clearly enjoying the torture this was wreaking on Legolas. The Elf glanced hesitantly at the edge of the cliff and felt a great sorrow well in his chest. He whipped back around and grabbed the Orc by his hideous leather vest.

"You lie!" he hissed, hatred and loss conflicting in his clear blue eyes. The Orc chuckled again and died mid-laugh. Legolas glared at him and threw him back to the ground. The corpse was already stiffening. A glimpse of silver caught his eye and he looked down at the Orc's fist. His heart died inside him. It was Aragorn's Evenstar pendant. The one Lord Elrond's daughter, Arwen Undómiel, had given him so many months ago. He wrapped his hand around the necklace and raced to the edge of the cliff, hoping against hope. He hesitated, then looked down and groaned silently. There was a drop of hundreds, perhaps even thousands of feet, culminating in rushing rapids below. There was no sign of his beloved. Gimli came to stand beside him. Legolas could do nothing but stand and stare down at what had most surely been Aragorn's unfortunate fate. Théoden walked up beside him and gazed down before speaking to his men.

"Get the wounded on horses," he ordered. "The wolves of Isengard will return." He hesitated before plunging on. "Leave the dead."

Legolas turned to face Théoden, his face showing an expression of perplexed anger and inconsolable loss on his face. Théoden sighed and placed a hand on Legolas' shoulder.

"Come," the king said gently. He turned and left Legolas and Gimli to stare down at the rushing river. A few minutes passed, during which they could hear the moans of wounded men as they were seated upon horses.

"Lad?" Gimli asked tentatively, unsure of how to approach the obviously grieving Elf.

"What," Legolas replied dully.

"Théoden's leaving," Gimli told him. "Are you coming?"

"Go ahead without me," Legolas told him, pain of his loss flitting across his face.

"Are you sure?"

Legolas smiled tiredly at his friend's worry.

"Yes, go on," he replied. "I'll catch up in a bit."

"All right," the Dwarf conceded reluctantly, turning. "Don't do anything foolish, now."

Legolas smiled and nodded. He watched Gimli walk to the rest of the company and, with some difficulty, mount Arod. After a moment of conversation between Gimli and Théoden, they set off, riding hard across the plains. Legolas smiled slightly again when he saw they had left him a horse to ride. The smile melted from his face when he looked back down at the rapids and he finally allowed the tears he had been holding back to course freely over his cheeks. He glanced down at the pendant and the clutched it tightly in his fist. He shoved it in a pocket before shouting aloud and falling to his knees, unconsciously mimicking Aragorn's movements several days before, when they were standing at the mound of Orc corpses. He sobbed and buried his face in his hands.

"How can you leave me like this?!" Legolas screamed, turning his face to he heavens. "How dare you leave me here alone?! How could you?!" He pounded his fist into the ground and sobbed, his grief echoing off the hills. He cried until there was nothing left in him to cry. He gazed down at the uncaring river once more and closed his eyes.

"I would die right here and now because you're gone, my love, if it weren't for the hundreds of innocent people up against Saruman's army," Legolas whispered. "I will follow you when this battle is done. Just know, I will love you with all my heart for forever and a day. I love you, Aragorn, I love you."

With that, he turned forever from the river and walked towards the lone horse, his grief and pain imminent in every step.

A Note for Everyone:

As I said quite often above in the thanks, I'm planning on writing a little "scene" (everyone knows what kind) between Aragorn and Legolas for the end of the fic, between the end of "Forbidden Love" and the beginning of "Return of the King" (still need a name for it). The original version will not be posted on (because of the censor-nazis), but I'm going to write a more toned-down version of it to update. Anyone that would like to read the original can request it in a review or email. If you review and request to read the original, please leave your email address so I don't have to jump from one profile to another. It just makes it easier for me to get the chapter to you sooner. Thanks for hanging with me and for all your support!!!!!