Thank you to moondawntreader, CocoaB and Aranel Mereneth for reviewing my first chapter. I really appreciate your input.
We are all very familiar with the books and/or the movies but this story is AU and deals with what might have been...so if you are a stickler for cannon this is not the story for you!
Rated M for violence and sexual encounters in later chapters
Disclaimer: The characters all belong to the master Tolkien and this is only being written for my own enjoyment and hopefully yours. No money or profit involved.
A Cage of a different Kind Chapter 2
"I think we finally have everyone settled." Groden the head healer said as he strode up to her. "It has been a long day so get some rest while you can. I have everyone taking shifts so we are covered right now."
"That is exactly what I was planning on doing. Thank you Groden." Turning quickly, her arms full of supplies, she ran headlong into Aragorn.
"Good evening Eowyn. What do you need bandages and herbs for if you are going back to your rooms?" He asked dubiously. He must have overheard Groden.
She noticed the sparkle of suspicion in his grey eyes and realized he was wondering what this might have to do with his friend, he had obviously talked to Gimli.
Not able to stop the blush that crept over her face, she lowered her eyes and mumbled something about discovering some warriors that needed help but that she was going to be returning to her room soon.
"I am surprised you have left our elf all alone. Is he quite alright?"
"As well as can be expected" she replied then hurried on to say, "He is quite upset about his friend Haldir and requested some time alone."
A look of concern and understanding crossed Aragorn's face. The elves had suffered major loss of life and one of their long time friends had been a casualty. He murmured that they were all having a hard time with that and it was very understandable that Legolas would be grieving.
As she turned to flee back to her room, Aragorn caught her elbow. "Legolas is quite lucky to have you for comfort Eowyn." He paused studying her. "I was not aware that you and Legolas had become better acquainted." He was looking at her closely, trying to read her reaction and she could tell he was very curious and a little perplexed.
Going totally against character she decided to be coy. She just looked at him and said, "There is much you do not notice my Lord." and fled to her room. "I didn't have to be rude" she thought as she passed by the kitchen and grabbed a few more things. "He is only concerned for his friend and probably a little relieved to think I might be turning my attentions elsewhere."
Quietly pushing the door open to her room, she slipped in and deposited her supplies on the dresser. She looked over to see the elf had not changed positions so she quickly checked on him and was relieved to find his condition unchanged. She was exhausted and decided to get comfortable herself. She slipped into the bathroom adjoining her room and poured some water into the basin. She cleaned the blood from her hands and face and changed out of her dirty clothes into a soft robe. She slipped back into the room and checked the fire. After she made sure it was well stoked, she returned to the bed and laid her hand on Legolas' forehead. He was still warm but not overly so. She paused staring at his face so peaceful in repose. His beauty momentarily took her breath away as she noticed his golden hair fanned out on the pillow. Her thoughts went back to his lips on hers and she was startled when she began to wonder what she had ever seen in Aragorn. "How shallow am I that I can be so easily swayed?" amazed at her own weakness. Out of nowhere a chill ran down her spine and she shuddered as unbidden thoughts of Wormtongue and his repulsive affection for her came to mind. When would she ever be able to stop thinking about that horrible man? How many times had he approached her hoping she would respond to his attentions? Soon those attempts had become threats. She quickly pushed those thoughts aside; he had been exiled and could no longer hurt her.
Finally the stress of the last few days started to overcome her and she looked about the room trying to decide where she would sleep since the elf had taken her bed. She finally pulled a chair to the side of the bed and sat next to Legolas. He might need her during the night and she worried that her exhaustion would prevent her from helping him if he took a turn for the worse. "Perhaps she should have insisted he go to the infirmary." she thought with a flip of her heart. No she was doing the right thing." She checked him over again trying to allay her concern but eventually her eyelids grew heavy and she laid her head in her arms on the side of the bed and quickly fell asleep, hoping she would be able to feel him move and awaken if he needed anything.
Aragorn watched her retreat from the room, a vague frown on his handsome face. He could not help feeling that something was wrong as he watched Eowyn practically run from the room. The scene that Gimli had described earlier was not the normal behavior for either the elf or the shield maiden.
In all the years he had known Legolas, he had always been extremely secretive and discreet about any relationship he had with the opposite sex and the blatant public kissing witnessed by the dwarf had him thoroughly puzzled. Although he had not known Eowyn for long she had seemed equally as private. Everyone was under stress and with the loss of Haldir; perhaps Legolas and Eowyn were seeking comfort...
He quickly pushed those thoughts aside as he heard his name called. He turned with a sigh, weary but resigned to continue to handle the matters that required his immediate attention.
Eowyn awoke to fingers lightly stroking her hair. She smiled and muttered a sigh of pleasure before jerking upright with a confused look on her face. Her back protested the odd position she had been in for the past hours as she gazed into deep twilight eyes. A smile played across Legolas' lips and he said softly "You didn't have to sleep there."
He looked like some color had returned to his face but she was stiff and a little disoriented.
"I uh, I just fell asleep here, I guess I was more tired than I thought," She said as she pulled away from his hand. "How are you feeling?"
A hurt expression briefly crossed his pale face when she jerked away from his touch, which he quickly hid. "I am much better, thanks to you."
He tried to sit up but a sudden sharp pain convinced him to stay where he was, afraid she would see his weakness.
"Why had she felt such panic at his touch?" She thought as she spied something and picked it up turning to look at him. She smiled at him and held up the arrowhead she had removed from his back the night before.
"Did this slip your mind in the heat of battle or do you always carry spare arrows embedded in your back?" she said teasingly.
"Thank you for examining my body so thoroughly." he replied in a playful tone, happy to see her start to relax again. "Did you find any other flaws?"
"Flaws! Hardly!" Burst from her lips before she realized it, her cheeks flushed becomingly and she hid her embarrassment by continuing quickly. "Elves must have a high tolerance for pain because your leg was also deeply gashed. I had to cut your leggings off to treat it."
His eyes widened in shock and he quickly lifted the blanket to peer at his lower body.
She laughed at his sudden discomfort and saw his relief when he saw his leggings still covered his lower body.
"I just cut the lower leg off!" she said, laughing to hide the blush creeping across her cheeks. She had to get a hold of herself so she turned and got him some water.
"Are you thirsty?"
"Very" His voice shook a little and he was upset that he sounded so weak.
She felt his eyes on her as she turned and tried to help him sit up. His face paled even more and he fought the need to cry out. Not only was his stomach on fire but there was a stabbing pain in his back as well.
"Please, I think I will just lie here for a little longer." He whispered. "I should be able to sit up by now." he thought in confusion..
She could see the frustration and pain in his eyes and she quickly reassured him that no mortal would even be awake by now after receiving the wounds he had. She patiently helped him drink some tea with herbs for the pain.
He started to say something else but the room was starting to spin a bit. "What did you put in that..?" he slurred as his eyes began to slide shut. "Not you too." was all he could manage before the darkness over took him once again.
She watched his eyes widen and then he muttered a few words before he fell asleep. She covered him and changed her clothes. She would be badly needed in the healing wards and she had to get going.
It was well after lunch when Eowyn finally got away to check on Legolas. She had been extremely busy and had not had a moment to herself. There was still so many hurt that she despaired of ever being able to get back to her room and she ended up almost sneaking away. She hurried down the hallway glancing over her shoulder the whole way. As she edged into her room she noticed that the fire had died down to nothing. She looked over at the bed and he still appeared to be sleeping soundly but something was not right.
She crossed quickly to him, laying her hand on his forehead. "He was so cold!" She shook him and tried to rouse him but the elf just groaned and pulled away from her. Worry quickly overtook her usual calm.
"Legolas, wake up! I need to know how you feel." She shook him again.
"So cold" was the only feeble response she got as he rolled to his good side with a grimace.
It was then she noticed the shivers that racked his body. She hurried to the fire and built it back up. By now the elf's teeth were chattering and his breathing was shallow and irregular. She got additional blankets to cover him and rubbed his arms to help circulation. "Could she have missed something? He seemed to be recovering this morning."
She cursed herself under her breath. "I should have moved him to the wards where he could have been looked after better. Why had she thought she could care for him alone."
He was still shivering uncontrollably and she realized she had to warm him right away. She couldn't submerge him in a warm bath; his wounds were still too fresh. So she did the only thing she could. She took her dress off leaving only her white shift and crawled into bed beside him, pulling him into her arms and wrapping her body around him, sharing her body warmth. He lay trembling in her arms, moaning in pain. Eowyn rocked him gently saying soothing nonsense until she felt him finally begin to relax and little by little, the shaking slowed and finally stopped. Warmth was returning to his body and his breathing and color seemed better.
Legolas struggled out of the darkness to pain and cold. He could hear someone calling to him but he couldn't open his eyes. All he wanted to do was find some comfort and warmth and he curled into himself managing to mutter "so cold."
The pain came back with a vengeance and when he thought he could stand it no longer, he felt someone crawl into bed with him and pull him into their arms. The warmth of their soft body started to break through the coldness that surrounded him and soon he was able to relax and fall back into a healing sleep.
Eowyn sighed in relief as she felt Legolas relax in her arms. She still had much to do but she couldn't leave the elf alone again. After days of helping others and nights without much sleep, Eowyn let herself slip into much needed sleep as well.
Aragorn had been busy helping the wounded, seeing to the battlements and attending endless Council meetings. Trying to convince Théoden to go to the aid of Gondor was not going to be a quick process. "I could really use Legolas' advice right now." He thought to himself. He had seen Eowyn earlier in the day and had wondered again why the elf was hiding. "Could he still be in Eowyn's room? If he was, he must be hurt, although Aragorn was well aware of what grief could do to an elf. "I really need to find him." He decided.
Just then he heard Gimli approaching, his gruff voice ringing out, "Where is that lazy elf? I have not seen him since yesterday and there are too many things to be done to have him hiding in Eowyn's room. You don't think he is still there do you Aragorn?"
Aragorn cringed. The room had become unnaturally quiet. "So much for privacy…." Just then he noticed Eomer's stunned face.
"He must have overheard that comment, how could he not have?" Aragorn's heart almost stopped - he had witness first hand Eomer's over protectiveness towards his sister.
"What are you talking about Dwarf? Legolas and Eowyn? You can't be serious." Eomer said in disbelief as he advanced on the stout dwarf.
"Well, no. That's not what I said, I mean, that's not what I mean...oh, confound it. Help me out here Aragorn!" Gimli stuttered, obviously embarrassed he had been overheard by Eowyn's brother.
"Eomer calm down. It's not what you think." Aragorn started to say as he stepped in front of Gimli.
"You have no idea what I think and I would advise you to tell me what is going on!" Eomer was starting to get an edge of menace in his voice. He turned to the others in the room. "Have any of you seen Eowyn?" he yelled.
Everyone looked bewildered at his question. When no one replied, Eomer turned on his heel and strode purposefully from the hall.
"Good job Gimli." Aragorn said through clenched teeth. "I think we better follow him or things could go ill for our friend."
They hurried after Eomer only to have King Théoden step into their way.
"Aragorn, I really need to talk to you about something." said Théoden.
"I am sorry your majesty, but I have I have a pressing matter I need to attend to. Could it wait until tomorrow?"
"No, I shall see you in the council chambers immediately." Théoden turned and was gone before Aragorn could reply.
Aragorn shook his head clearly torn but he finally continued after Eomer, Gimli close on his heels, his concern for his friend outweighing even an order from the king. They were both dismayed when they heard a loud bang followed by a shriek and yelling.
"I don't think we are going to be fast enough." the dwarf muttered as they sped down the corridor. They were proven right when a scream of pain reached their ears. "Legolas" Aragorn muttered as they flew through the open door.
Eomer in the meantime, had burst into Eowyn's room and stopped short at the sight before him. His sister and the elf were in bed together and she was curled around him.
They both startled awake as Eomer charged the bed. Legolas was still groggy as he felt himself pulled from the bed and flung to the floor.
Before Eowyn could even react, she saw Eomer pull poor Legolas out of her arms and toss him to the ground. She only had time to shriek as she saw him kick the elf in his tender stomach and watched Legolas curl in up trying to protect himself from further abuse a scream of pain escaping his lips.