I have not seen Legolas or Gimli in hours. Eowyn's all tearful, but like she's trying to be strong and failing.

Come ON, chick, you didn't even KNOW him that well. Get over it, already.

Me, I'm having the same problems I had with Merry and Pippin. What if me saving Boromir somehow changed everything? What if Aragorn's dead?

If he is, Arwen is going to kill me.

Arg, I hate this. There has to be something else to do.

Someone puts a hand on my shoulder, and I'm spinning, fist clenched, before I even think about it. Luckily, Legolas catches my wrist before my fist makes contact with his pretty face.

Boromir arches an eyebrow at me. "Are you all right, Kayli?"

I yank my fist out of Legolas's grip. "Do I fucking look all right?" I mutter.

The two of them exchange a glance. What is up with this? They never get along this well. Maybe they're united in grief? Nah, too much to ask for.

"No," Boromir says. "You don't look all right, which makes me ask another question. What is wrong?"

I roll my eyes. "We're all about to be slaughtered. What could possibly be wrong?"

"That's your problem?" Boromir asks. He sounds surprised.

"How would my imminent death NOT be my problem, Boromir?" I demand, hands on hips.

"Battle is a...how do you say...MANLY concern," Legolas says softly, amused.

I give him an irritated look. He shrugs. "Oh, you have got to be kidding me. This is so stupid!"

"How so?" Boromir asks, folding his arms across his chest and assuming a patronizing expression.

Legolas actually winces.

I glare at him. "Don't fucking look at me like that, Boromir. I may not be a great big warrior, but I still know stupid when I see it. He has all the women locked back in the caves."

"Yes?"

"Mothers whose children are in danger are a truly fierce thing," Legolas says softly.

Once more, the Elf and I are on the same page.

"Women have no place in battle," Boromir says firmly. "It is their place to prepare for the return of their men."

I stare at him, then turn to look at Legolas. "Is he serious?"

Legolas holds out his hands but nods. "Yes, 'tis the way of Men."

I turn back and look at Boromir, I look in his eyes, and it hurts. It hurts because I love him. Not mad passionate love, but big-brother kind of love, and we're going to fight. Oh, yes. We're going to have a huge blow-out about whether or not I'm too woman to fight.

I smile sadly and shake my head at him. "We're going to fight about this, aren't we?"

He shakes his head. "Fight about what?"

"She wants to fight," Legolas explains. He's talking slowly. I think he's getting irritated.

Gimli comes wandering up. "What are ye all talking about?"

"Kayli wants to fight in the upcoming battle," Legolas says again. He leans back against the wall, looking tired.

"Good for her," Gimli says gruffly. "Be good to have the lass at our backs."

Boromir sputters.

Legolas sighs and rubs his temples.

"That's absurd!" Boromir explodes, glaring at both of them. "She's a woman!"

"Good eye," I say sarcastically, glaring at him.

"Women are not warriors," he snarls at me.

"She was warrior enough to save your life," Gimli reminds him.

Remind me I owe Gimli a big ol' kiss.

Boromir frowns at him.

I throw up my arms. "What IS this, Boromir? What the hell is going on?"

"This is not like you," Legolas says softly. "You have had no problem 'til now."

Boromir shakes his head. "I do not want her to fight."

"Got that part," I snap.

"I'm worried. I'm afraid for you. I agree that you are quite skilled with your blades, but in the middle of an orc army, what happens if you have no one to guard your back?" Boromir wraps an arm around my shoulders. "You are a dear friend, akin to the sister I never had. I would not lose you."

"We will all watch over her," Legolas says. "She will emerge from the battle alive."

Gimli snorts. "I'm more worried about the rest of us then the lass."

I lean my head against Boromir's shoulder. "I hate this. I hate waiting."

Legolas sighs. "We are backed into a corner."

I nod and pull away. "I'm going to go see if Eowyn needs any more help getting the people settled in."

I wander away.

~

I'm piling food and clothing aside for the wounded when Eowyn suddenly grabs my arm. "He has returned," she says, her voice joyful.

My head jerks up.

There's Aragorn, looking utterly filthy and beaten, but alive, wonderfully alive.

I grin and push off the wall, walking over to them. Legolas sees me coming and steps back. Aragorn turns to face me, and I throw my arms around his neck, laughing. "You stupid bastard, don't DO that," I say, laughing into his shoulder. I push away from him, looking him over critically. "Ug, you look awful."

He glances at the Elf, looking amused. "So I've been told."

"Trust your appearance to be the first thing that occurs to women and Elves," Boromir says from behind us. He's grinning.

He and Aragorn clasp hands. "I need to find the King," Aragorn says seriously. "An army marches this way."

I sigh. "Great. Just what this day needed. Imminent doom."

TBC...