Legolas

Legolas trailed Aragorn around the fortress as he talked emphatically with King Theoden about the upcoming battle. When there was finally a moment of silence, he broke in. "Aragorn, you must rest!" He reached out and gripped the man's elbow. "You are no use to us half alive."

Aragorn started to shake him off but finally turned back and touched the back of the elf's head for a moment. "There is no time Mellon nin. I will be fine!"

"But..."

"Later, Legolas!"

Pulling away, the dark-haired Dunaden strowed away, and Legolas hurried after him, muttering under his breath, "I'll hold you to that, Mellon nin!"

Aragorn

Aragorn looked with despair around the cavern filling with the soldiers the king had rallied for the battle. "Farmers, farriers, stableboys!" He turned toward Gimli and Legolas, "these are no soldiers!"

Gimli shook his head, "Most have seen too many winters!"

"Or too few!" Legolas' tone held an unusual sarcasam. "Look at them; they're frightened! I can see it in their eyes."

He strode a few feet away before turning back, switching to Elvish. "As they should be! 300 against 10,000."

Aragorn glanced around and replied in Elvish, "They have a better chance defending themselves here than at Edoras!"

"Aragorn, they can't win this fight! They're all going to die.

Aragorn felt rage fill him. What was wrong with his best friend. Did he think he was helping an already exhausted man by telling him that this situation was hopeless? Did he believe Aragorn was unaware of it? Striding forward, he fixed the elf with a glare and said in common, "Then I shall die as one of them!" He felt his hand clenching into a fist and rising toward his friend's face. The elf's eyes fell, and he bit his lip. As if waiting for the punch. But the man caught himself and strode away. He felt himself running to another cavern. He couldn't face the terrified faces of the Rohan people. Or the tears in Legolas' eyes.

Legolas

As his best friend strode away, Legolas made to follow him. Instantly filled with regret over his thoughtless words. But was stopped by Gimli's hand. "Let him go, lad! Let him be!"

Legolas nodded. He turned away and ran in the opposite direction of the way his friend had gone. Sinking to the floor in the corner of a small side room, he buried his face in his bent knees and let his tears flow again. He had shed more tears for Aragorn in the last few days than in many previous years combined.

After many minutes, he took a deep breath and wiped the tears from his eyes. He had to find his best friend. He had to apologize and let him know that, no matter how hard the human may try, he couldn't lose Legolas' love and loyalty.

He found his friend in yet another of the side tunnels. He had his back to the door as he prepared himself for battle. Suddenly shy, Legolas hesitantly walked up to him. Oblivious to his presence, Aragorn went on tightening his mail shirt and braces. Legolas thought for a moment before he realized how he could assure the man that he could depend on him.

Aragorn

Aragorn had almost readied himself for battle. He needed to find the elf before the battle. If anything happened, he didn't want their argument to be the last words between them. He was about to reach for his sword when it was held out to him. He turned and stared into the dark, expressive eyes of his best friend.

Taking the weapon, he stepped closer to the elf.

Legolas spoke with conviction. "We have trusted you this far, and you have not led us astray! Forgive me! I was wrong to despair."

Aragorn reached out and gave the elf's shoulder an affectionate squeeze, which the elf gratefully returned. "There is nothing to forgive, Legolas!"

All at once, his best friend dropped his eyes to the floor, suddenly bashful. Aragorn reached out and cupped his chin, forcing him to look up. "What is really wrong, Mellon nin"? You know you can tell me the truth!"

Legolas bit his lip, and a slight whimper escaped. "A few days ago, I thought I had lost you. When you went over that cliff, a piece of my heart went with you. I finally felt whole again when you returned. I can't face losing you again! I can't watch you die!"

"Oh, Gwadar!" Aragorn reached out and pulled the elf close. Stroking his hair and pressing the blonde head against his chest. "Hush! I understand! It will be alright!"

"But you're already hurt! And you haven't even let me see to your wounds!"

"I already told you, Legolas! I'll be fine for now! There's no time!"

The sigh that escaped the lithe form in his arms told him that while he wasn't happy about it, Legolas had resigned himself to following Aragorn's wishes.

Legolas

As he clung to his friend, hearing his heartbeat, Legolas felt a tiny bit of the fear melt away. No matter what happened, no matter what he was facing, his friend's touch never failed to comfort him. And given the relaxed breathing of his friend next to his ear, the feeling was mutual.

TBC