Chapter Nine – You Came Back For Me

Legolas stayed by Belle's side through the night. He had pulled up a chair beside her bed and had been sitting in it ever since he returned from the fight. Aragorn and Gimli had come to Edoras, as promised, but they had brought along a face that had stunned Legolas to the point of nearly getting hit in the face. Luckily, he had brought the butt of his knife into the nose of the guard responsible for the sloppy right hook.

Gandalf had been in the hall. He had been standing in front of the king, and the two were sharing an intense conversation. Legolas had gone to join Aragorn and Gimli when all of the guards were on the ground.

"Legolas…?" Aragorn asked, setting his hands on his friend's shoulders.

"She is here, and I have tried to help her all I can, but-"

"Do not worry," Aragorn gave Legolas a hopeful smile, "I will have a look at her."

Later on that day, Aragorn had gone to where Belle lay. He, too, was both deeply upset and angered by the shape of Belle's body and face. He examined her to make sure that Eowyn and Legolas hadn't missed any injuries. He concluded that she had no unnoticed wounds.

"I feel that Belle's strength is slowly returning to her." Aragorn gently pressed his fingers to her throat after tipping her head to one side. "Her pulse is strong and steady, and, from how you described her fever, it appears to be breaking already."

"Thank you my friend." Legolas breathed a sigh of relief. He embraced his friend when he had stood up. Legolas could feel his tears falling onto the shoulder of Aragorn's shirt. "Hannon lee. Hannon lee."

"You need not thank me Legolas. You did most of the work, and Belle was lucky that Eowyn tended to her as well." Aragorn released Legolas. "I will go and thank her for you. I know that you must wish to sit with Belle until she wakes."

Legolas went to thank Aragorn once more, but closed his mouth. Aragorn noticed and chuckled as he closed the door behind him.

Belle hadn't stirred since Legolas had seen her. She stayed perfectly still. Sometimes, Legolas thought that she looked dead. It was one of the reasons he would zone out staring at her chest to make sure that she was breathing. After Belle had moved to Legolas' bedroom, he used to lie awake at night and watch her sleep very often. He would wonder what she was dreaming about and listen to her deep, even breaths. Sometimes, he would watch her for hours.

"Legolas."

Legolas, who had been focused on Belle's breathing, suddenly looked up. He expected her to be awake, but saw that her eyes were still closed. He watched her carefully, wondering if he had just been hearing things.

"Legolas." She spoke again, her voice scratchy, from the coughing Legolas guessed. She tossed her head from side to side a few times.

Legolas leaned forward in his chair. His ears picked up on Belle's quickening breaths, as well as the sudden pounding of her heart. He realized that she must have been having a nightmare, and got to his feet just as Belle began to scream his name as she thrashed more violently each time his name left her lips.

"Shh, shh." Legolas sat down on the bed. He gently lifted Belle up, his arm around her back. His other arm moved under the blankets, under her legs. He slowly and carefully picked her up in his arms. The quantity of weight Belle had lost hit Legolas square in the face again when he felt how much lighter she had gotten. He tried not to dwell on it at the moment as he sat down once again on the bed, this time with her in his lap and in his arms. "Hush, my love, hush."

Though she was no longer screaming or throwing her body around, Belle continued to mumble Legolas' name every so often and whimper. She had begun to shake, and Legolas knew it wasn't because she was cold. But, just in case, Legolas freed one hand only to throw two blankets over her body.

Legolas began to sing softly to ease Belle back into a peaceful sleep.

"Time is a river that flows endlessly, and a life is a whisper, a kiss in a dream. Shadows dance behind the firelight, and all the spirits of the night remind us, we are not alone. Tomorrow, a sun soon rising, and yesterday is there beside us, and it's never far away.

If you listen to the wind you can hear me again. Even when I am gone you can still hear the song high up in the trees as it moves through the leaves. Listen to the wind, there is no end to my –

Love is forever a circle unbroken. The seasons keep changing. It always remains. Spring will melt the snows of winter, and the summer gives us days of light so long until the autumn makes them fade. Remember the sound of laughter? We ran together through the meadows. Still, we thought our hearts could break.

If you listen to the wind you can hear me again. Even when I am gone you can still hear the song high up in the trees as it moves through the leaves. Listen to the wind and I will send you my love. Listen to the wind where the sky meets the land. I am not really gone. I have been here all along, high up in the trees in the sound of the leaves. Listen to the wind, there is no end to my –

Time is a river that flows to the sea, and a life is a whisper, a kiss in a dream."

As Legolas finished his song, he leaned down and brushed his lips against Belle's forehead. When he did, he pressed his lips there harder. Her forehead was cooling considerably. Legolas was so overjoyed that he gently pressed kisses all over Belle's face.

After a time, he was satisfied that Belle had slipped back into a deep sleep. He laid her back down on the bed and tucked her in. Then, he returned to his chair, where he continued to watch over her.

The next morning, Aragorn was able to persuade Legolas to come and have breakfast. Legolas discovered, upon entering the dining hall, that something had happened while he had been with Belle. There were two children eating at a table, while Eowyn sat with them. Théoden and Gandalf were having a discussion. Legolas went and sat beside Gimli, and watched while Aragorn went to join in the conversation between Gandalf and the king.

"How is your woman?" Gimli asked, startling Legolas. It was the first time he had ever spoken to him without being rude or without having to.

"She has not woken yet, but I think that she will be alright." Legolas answered, taking a sip of the wine that had been poured at his place. "Thank you for asking."

"Think nothing of it."

Legolas pushed the stew around in his bowl. He knew that he hadn't eaten in awhile, but he just didn't feel hungry. He glanced across the table to see the children eating at the end of it. There was a young boy and a younger girl, and the young girl turned to Eowyn often to ask her where her mama was. Eowyn was stroking the young girl's hair.

After he had pushed his stew around long enough, Legolas got to his feet and went to find out what the discussion was about. Just as he approached, however, Aragorn walked out of the dining hall. Legolas went after him.

"Aragorn!" Legolas called after his friend. When he turned, Legolas went to him. "What is it?"
"Saruman's armies are sweeping across the land, waging war upon each village it comes to. The children inside are survivors from their village." Aragorn turned to look out over Edoras. "We should wage war upon the armies in retaliation, and yet…"

"Yet?"

"Théoden is to evacuate Edoras. We move to Helm's Deep. Today." Aragorn answered. He turned to Legolas to continue speaking, but froze. He stared past Legolas.

"What? What is it Aragorn?" Legolas asked, worry creeping into his voice.

"My friend…" Aragorn murmured, nodding in Legolas' direction.

Legolas turned to see what Aragorn was staring at. His eyes met another pair of eyes, a dark pair of eyes he had been longing to see for what seemed like the entire span of his lifetime. She was staring at him, one hand pressed against a wall for support. Eowyn appeared behind her, hands fluttering around her in concern. Legolas was faintly aware of Aragorn leaving his side, and going to Eowyn. He took her arm in his and gently escorted her from the room.

"Leave them be." He told her quietly.

Belle took several steps forward, her hand leaving the wall. She fisted her nightgown to lift it up over her feet so that she wouldn't trip on it. It took a lot of strength to walk, but she found that she didn't need the balance of the wall as much as she thought she had.

Legolas rushed forward when Belle began to make her way towards him. But he stopped when she did. The two elves continued to stare at each other, both unsure of what to do. It was Belle who finally broke the silence.

"I…thought you were dead." She said, clearing her throat when her voice came out slightly raspy.

"I have thought the same thing about you these past four months." Legolas answered, his voice much quieter than hers had been.

Belle walked carefully towards Legolas, closing the space between them. She hesitantly lifted a hand to his face. Her fingers skimmed his forehead, and then moved into the crown of his blonde hair. He didn't want to close his eyes as her fingers touched him. He didn't want to open them and have her not be in front of him. He focused on her eyes. They searched his face, as though she was thinking the same thing as him – that this couldn't possibly be real.

Then, they reached for each other simultaneously, and embraced. They held onto each other in a mild manner, both unsure and quite scared. It seemed like the moment could vanish in seconds.

"I love you." Belle whispered, running a hand through Legolas' hair.

"I love you Belle." Legolas seemed to feel Belle's knees giving out before she did. His arm tightened around her waist as she began to teeter. He pulled slightly away from her to look down at her face. "This must be draining for you, and you are already exhausted."

"Yes." Belle agreed.

"I will take you back to your room, and then have someone bring you breakfast. I will explain the situation later, but all of Edoras is being moved to Helm's Deep. I need to go and make preparations for us."

Legolas lifted Belle carefully into his arms. With great ease, he carried her back to the bedroom she had been staying in. He then went to go and make preparations, and to speak more with Aragorn about the king's foolish decision.

It was hectic, at first, when all of Edoras was evacuated. There were men, women, and children scrambling about, collecting their valuables and making sure that they didn't lose a member of the family. Legolas had asked Belle if she was strong enough to ride behind him, and she had told him she was. She had her arms wrapped around his waist, at his request. He kept one of his hands over hers.

Once everyone had been evacuated, they began their journey to Helm's Deep. While he rode, Legolas thought about his first encounter with Belle when she had woken. He had been so hesitant to show emotion, to show his great affection. He had felt the same hesitation being exuded from Belle too. He wondered if it would ever go away, or if it was something that was going to serve as a scar on their relationship.

They were nearly to Helm's Deep when a guard, who had gone ahead to survey the area, returned frantically.

"Wargs! Wargs!" He screamed, running towards the people of Edoras.

"Aragorn!" Legolas turned in the saddle and waved his arm at his friend. Once he had his attention, and Aragorn was running to the front of the pack, Legolas jumped into action concerning Belle. He leapt down from his horse and helped Belle off. He threw her gently over his shoulder as he seeked out Eowyn. He found her, helping to lead the women and children on to Helm's Deep. "Eowyn…"

"Yes." Eowyn answered, knowing what Legolas was wanting of her.

When Legolas began to lower Belle, she suddenly remembered that day in Mirkwood.

"No…don't. Don't…don't…leave…me."

"I will come back for you."

She clutched onto Legolas' tunic for dear life, refusing to let go of him. She had just gotten him back. She wasn't about to let go of him again.

"Legolas no." She tried to keep her hold, but Legolas overpowered her. He pried her off of him and set her down on the ground. Eowyn's arms were around her in seconds, pulling her close.

"Nothing will keep me from you this time. Nothing." Legolas promised Belle. With that, he was running from them to return to his horse.

"Legolas! Legolas! No! Legolas!" Belle screamed as she struggled violently against Eowyn's hold. Her hands reached out in the direction that Legolas had run, as if she would be able to reach out and pull him back. Although her illness had sapped much of her strength, Belle's frantic movements freed her from Eowyn's grip. She began to run forward, ignoring Eowyn as she cried out to her. "Legolas! Legolas!"

She stopped in her tracks as the horses rode off. She was also stopped by a set of hands grabbing her arms. She turned to see that it was Eowyn.

"He will return." Eowyn said gently, leading Belle in the direction of the women and children. "Come, we must go to Helm's Deep."

All Belle could think about, as Eowyn led her by the arm towards Helm's Deep, was Legolas. She thought back on when she had happened upon him talking with Aragorn. She had been so hesitant, because she had been scared. It had been surreal, seeing Legolas alive and well. Belle couldn't help but feel as though she was going to wake from a dream, and that her betrothed would still be dead.

But, when Legolas had left to go and join the battle with the wargs, Belle had felt those same feelings she had felt on that day in Mirkwood. It was at that moment that she realized that, deep in her heart, she had accepted the truth that Legolas hadn't been dead during those four months. The fear that had begun to flow through her, and still did, was proof that she wasn't dreaming. Belle wished that she hadn't had such a weak reunion with the elf that she loved.

When they reached Helm's Deep, the women and children hurriedly made their way to the Hornburg at the far end of the valley. Inside, Eowyn made sure that Belle was seated comfortably on a set of stairs, a blanket tight around her shoulders, before making her rounds to assist the rest of the people there. Belle hugged the blanket around herself as she rocked back and forth, watching the entrance to the Hornburg for any sign of survivors.

Belle began to feel that ache in her chest that she had felt during her time away from Legolas. It became overwhelmingly painful, and brought tears to Belle's eyes. Her breaths were short and hurried. She felt as though someone was plunging her head beneath water, holding it there for as long as possible, and then lifting it up, only to return it beneath water seconds later. It was agonizing, the thought that Belle might lose Legolas for the second time in her life.

"Hope has a place in the lover's heart." Belle sang the line of a song that was usually sung at farewell feasts. It had been sung at a feast held in Mirkwood when there was talk of the orc invasions.

"What if something happens to you Legolas?" Belle asked quietly, lifting her eyes to his.

Legolas sighed as he pulled Belle close. He began to lead them in a small circle, focusing more so on the conversation than on the dancing. He tucked Belle's head in against his chest, and rested his chin on it.

"I did not spend my life searching for an elf maiden to be mine. From the moment I met you at the spring feast in Rivendell, I knew that it was destiny for us to be together. Deep within me, in a place I did not think I knew, I knew you." Legolas moved his head so that it was his cheek that rested against Belle's hair. "I have been waiting for you my whole life, Belle, without ever realizing it until you were right in front of me. I will not let you go so easily."

The ache in Belle's chest subsided. She looked up instinctively, and let the blanket slip from her shoulders when she saw him standing off to the side of the entryway. When their eyes met, neither of them hesitated like they had before.

Belle was on her feet in seconds, and running to him. She hadn't realized, but she had begun to cry when she had seen him. As quiet cries escaped her lips, she met Legolas halfway. She threw her body into his, her arms finding their way around his neck easily. She held onto him tightly as she began to cry harder, her body shaking from the sounds and from the effort.

Legolas held Belle around her middle, crushing her against him. Had he not heard her breath, he might have thought his hold was suffocating her. Usually, he was gentle with Belle, but he allowed himself this moment. He hadn't realized until that moment, but he had lifted Belle off of her feet when they had found each other.

"You came back for me." Belle was only half aware that she had managed to say that out loud. At the sound of her words, Legolas pulled away, but only enough so that one of his hands could caress her face.

"I promised you that I would once. I was unable to follow through with that promise, and for that, I will never forgive myself. I was not about to break my promise a second time." Legolas' voice cracked in several places from the tears that were welling up in his eyes.

Belle moved her face forward so quickly that Legolas' face almost collided with hers. But instead, their lips did. Their kisses were as frantic and passionate as they had been the first time that they had made love.

"I love you Belle." Legolas murmured against her lips.

"I love you Legolas." Belle replied, throwing her arms around his neck once more. She let him rock her body back and forth as he held her. "I love you. I love you."