Thank you to moondawntreader, JJ, Caelhir, redrosegirl and Aranel Mereneth for reviewing - I like to hear what you think.
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 3
Eowyn had never been so angry in her life. She flew from the bed and shoved her brother away from the injured elf. "Can't you see he is hurt!" she screamed. "Do not touch him again or you shall feel the cold edge of my steel." Eowyn had grabbed her sword and had it leveled at her brother within seconds.
Eomer looked at her contemptuously and spat, "No man or elf is going to besmirch the honor of my sister and not live to regret it!"
"My honor is mine to protect, not yours. You may be my brother, but you are not my keeper. What right have you to burst into my room like a rabid bear and throw my guest on the ground? Only our shared blood has spared your life this night." Eowyn was as enraged as her brother.
Aragorn and Gimli arrived in time to see Eomer with his sister's sword leveled at him and their friend curled up on the floor.
"Legolas!" Aragorn cried out as he pushed past Eomer, concern for his friend out weighing his concern for the situation.
Aragorns cry broke Eowyn standoff with her brother and with a warning look she lowered her sword and quickly knelt by his side and together they gently turned the elf onto his back.
The dwarf was surprised to see his friend wrapped in white but he quickly recovered turning on Eomer.
"How could you have failed to notice the bandages covering his torso laddie?" the dwarf asked angrily.
Eomer stopped in his rage when he saw the crimson stain spreading across the elf's abdomen but he quickly got defensive. "Why is he here and not in the healing ward?" he demanded, still angry.
"Probably to avoid me and keep me from worrying over him." Aragorn hissed as he picked his friend up and carefully laid him on the bed.
"I did not harm her in any way Eomer." Legolas gasped as he clutched at the reopened wound on his stomach. "Please accept my apology." He could barely talk through the pain.
"You have nothing to apologize for Legolas." Eowyn reassured him tenderly then turned and stared coldly at her brother. "Leave now Eomer before you cause anymore hurt. Rest assured we will discuss this further at a later time."
Eomer had never seen his sister this angry before but he was vastly outnumbered with the arrival of the dwarf and ranger. Regardless he had his pride which drove him to need to have the last word. "That we will sister. Be sure you remove him from this room." With that, he turned and left.
Though the pain was overwhelming, Legolas could not hide his admiration for Eowyn's courage. He had to smile to himself, "There was the fire I have seen within her." He thought as he watched her glare daggers at her retreating sibling.
Aragorn cut the bandages away and saw the nasty wound his friend had been trying to hide from him. He sucked in his breath in dismay. "When did this happen! I shall have to redo some of the stitches, Mellon nin. I wish you would not hide these things from me." Aragorn shook his head sadly as he set about cleaning the wound.
By this time Gimli had made his way over and had a shocked look on his face as he surveyed the damage. "I cannot believe that you would not tell us about this. You had almost convinced me that not all elves were dim witted but this little fiasco almost convinces me that I was right all along."
"Be careful who you call dim witted dwarf for I am still capable of ... Ouch!" Aragorn had begun to reclose his wound and had to pause to restrain his friend from attempting to reach the dwarf.
"Stop, I am fine. Eowyn has taken excellent care of me." Legolas said gasping again.
"I need to finish this so you can heal. Now lay back and do not interrupt me." Aragorn noticed the dwarf about to say something else and quickly cut him off. "Gimli, leave him alone until I am done." Legolas jumped slightly as the ranger pulled a stitch tight. "Do you need something for the pain?" Aragorn asked, concern for his friend written all over his face. "Eomer will answer for this."
"Please Aragorn, do not take this out on Eomer. I should have thought this through and not put Lady Eowyn in this position. I will ask again for his forgiveness and explain the situation a little better when next we meet." Legolas could not hold back his hiss of pain as Aragorn continued to work on him.
Eowyn had busied herself by putting some water on to boil and Aragorn asked her to drop some pain relieving herbs into it. She was glad that Legolas felt up to bantering with his friends and she was beginning to understand why he had avoided them.
"Do you have any other wounds that need tending?" Aragorn asked Legolas as he scrutinized the elf.
Eowyn had turned back and was just about to mention his back when she saw the look on Legolas' face and quickly changed her mind. "Allow me to rebandage him my lord. I am not sure how much of that herb to add and would appreciate it if you would check it for me." Eowyn moved to wrap him, blocking the view to his back. She quickly covered his back wound and whispered, "I will see to this later." totally missing the slight smile of gratitude that graced his lips.
"I am already feeling better. My thanks Estel, and thanks to you also Lady Eowyn." Legolas said this out loud and Eowyn stiffened just a bit at the formalness of his tone.
"Have you learned anything from this my stubborn elf?" Aragorn asked with a playful frown.
Legolas looked at him puzzled and Aragorn continued. "Hide from me in a lady's chamber again, and suffer the consequences."
"And to think I was all excited that the elf finally had some other interests." Gimli added. "Instead it was a grand ruse."
Legolas smiled at Eowyn and was surprised to see hurt in her eyes as she turned away.
"Drink some of this Legolas. It will help the pain." Eowyn passed the cup to him and Legolas wrapped his hands around it, his fingers lingering on hers as he tried to catch her eye.
Aragorn noticed this but decided to ignore it and said "Promise me you will not protect me again mellon nin. I don't know if my heart can take it."
"I knew you would ignore your other duties to stay by my side. Your people needed you too much." Legolas responded.
Aragorn rolled his eyes. "They are not my people they are Theodens. What if our places had been reversed and I had hidden a wound of that severity, how would you have felt? I am an adult and I know what my duties are. Please allow me to make the choice in the future."
Legolas nodded contritely but no one was convinced he would really comply.
Aragorn turned to Eowyn. "I would ask a favor of you as well my lady. In the future, if Legolas comes to you for help with any other schemes, please think twice about becoming involved."
They all laughed.
Aragorn and Gimli watched a blush spread across both Legolas and Eowyn's cheeks. Aragorn smiled to himself. "Perhaps this has turned into something more." Aragorn mused.
"Are you ready to be carried back to your room Legolas?" Aragorn asked.
"I do not need to be carried anywhere but perhaps I should return to our room. I do not wish the lady to suffer any further problems due to my presence here." Legolas said.
"Did I hear reluctance in his voice?" Before she could stop herself she said, "My Lord, I must request that you leave him here." much to the surprise of herself and all present. She barrelled on before she lost her nerve. "He has suffered at the hands of my brother and quite frankly, I do not wish to bow to Eomer's demands, especially after his behavior here tonight." She looked at the astonished looks on Aragorn, Gimli and even Legolas' faces and continued warming to her subject. "He needs to mind his own affairs. I shall not be told when to act and what to do but more importantly, I don't think Legolas should be moved right now. I have the time and ability to continue to look after him. That is, unless you wish to leave my Lord." She finished and looked at Legolas.
"Was there hope in her eyes that he would stay?" Legolas tried to discern her motives. In his heart, he wished to stay with her and to his joy, it sounded like she wished him to stay as well, or was she simply defying her brother?
Before anyone else could respond Legolas looked into her eyes and said softly "I wish to stay here my lady."
A look of joy spread across her face that she quickly hid but the elf had seen it and was happy to conclude it was the latter reason.
"Enough!" said Aragorn shaking his head and laughing. "I dare say, I do not know why you would prefer this fair lady's company over a snoring dwarf and a smelly man but you shall stay here my friend. Provided I may come and check on you from time to time. You need to rest and heal or I shall have to leave you behind. We ride to Gondor soon."
"Just try to leave without me!" Legolas snorted.
"Enough snotty elf." grinned Aragorn.
"I am not one of your subjects to be commanded, filthy human." Legolas responded and everyone laughed.
"You must be feeling better to jest like that my friend." Gimli chimed in and Aragorn felt much better.
Eowyn was relieved the attention had shifted elsewhere.
Gimli and Aragorn reluctantly took their leave amid many recommandations for Legolas' care. Eowyn shut the door and bolted it this time.
Turning back to Legolas with a grin, she was alarmed to see that he was pale and had clasped his hands over his wound again. Rushing over to him, Eowyn helped make him comfortable and made sure he had not started bleeding again.
"Legolas, I am so sorry this happened. Is there anything I can do for you to help relieve the pain?"
"I was most comfortable in your arms Eowyn" the elf said hesitantly looking almost embarrassed.
"Than in my arms you shall rest." she responded as she slipped back into bed beside him and took him in her arms once again. "We shall not have any unwanted guests this time."
The elf sighed contentedly, feeling the warmth of her body as she curled around him. In no time he had relaxed and fallen into a healing sleep.
Eowyn just laid there for awhile taking in his beauty and relishing the feel of his body next to hers. She thought of all that had occurred in the past few weeks and could hardly believe it. "I shall try to let things happen as they will." She shivered to herself and fell asleep.
"Pretty Eowyn, soon you shall be mine." Her stomach turned as his fetid breath caressed her neck. She sat next to her dead cousin. Even in her grief she could not escape his leering looks and sly comments. "Please leave me, I have plans to make for his funeral." her words caught in her throat as she tried to stifle the sob erupting from inside her. He tried to push her hair from her face but she lurched away from him and he finally slunk out of the room as her head hung in despair.
Eowyn started awake, her breath coming in short gasps as the nightmare subsided and she realized the elf still slept within her arms. She eased herself out from beside Legolas and walked quietly to the adjoining bathroom to bathe and change. She felt better as she emerged in her moss green shift. It would be comfortable for the day she knew was ahead of her.
"You look lovely in the colors of Mirkwood." Legolas said softly as she entered the room.
She blushed as she realized he was awake and looking at her. She glanced down to see that her dress did indeed match the shredded tunic that lay crumpled on the floor.
Covering her shyness she crossed briskly over to the elf and made a fuss over his wounds, helping him to sit up as she inspected the bandages and made sure everything was healing well. The elf moved willingly to aid her and when she was finished, he clasped her elbow and looked into her eyes. "You have no idea how indebted I am to you Eowyn. It grieves me deeply that I may have caused trouble between you and Eomer."
Eowyn smiled and took his hand, "You have not caused me any problems my lord, you owe me nothing. I have been happy to help."
Legolas looked very happy at that and continued. "I must also thank you for not telling Aragorn about the arrow wound. It would have caused him guilt and pain had he discovered how I got it."
"What are friends for?" she replied lightly as she rose from the bed.
"Is that what we are? Friends?" He asked softly, the shyness returning.
"Of course, why would you ask?"
"I was hoping there might be more than that..." He was surprised that the words had actually come from his lips and he looked down at his hands in embarrassment.
She barely heard him but it took her breath away. "Might I hope that he shares my feelings?" she thought and throwing caution aside, she sat back down and took his face in her hands, leaning in to kiss him softly on the lips.
He was momentarily overcome with surprise but quickly returned the kiss hoping this moment would last.
Their eyes slowly opened as the kiss ended and both searched the other looking for encouragement to continue. Sensing that his feelings were being reciprocated, Legolas raised his hand and gently kissed her again, deepening the kiss as his tongue probed her mouth. She parted her lips surprised at the sweet taste of him.
All of a sudden her recent nightmare rushed back to her and she once again heard the sibilant whisper in her head. "You fool yourself, why would he want you?" She could not control her emotions as she pulled away. "I have much to do today my lord." she said as she leaped to her feet and nervously smoothed the front of her dress. "There are no prying eyes here. You do not have to continue to play a part." She closed her eyes in emotional pain as she heard Wormtongue's voice hiss in her head "You will be mine Eowyn, who else would want you?"
Legolas sensed a change come over her even before she pulled away and was bewildered and hurt by her comment. "What are you talking about Eowyn? I am playing no part."
Eowyn let out a forced laugh and got up from the bed. "Surely your interest in me is nothing more than passing. I am sure there is a beautiful elf waiting for you at home and I certainly don't want you feeling like you have to humor me out of gratitude or obligation."
Before he could even respond, she had rushed to the door calling over her shoulder that she would have Aragorn check in on him later.
Legolas blinked as he watched her run from the room. Had he imagined everything that had happened in the last few days? What occurred in those last few moments to scare her like that? Had he been too aggressive? He wrapped his arms around his midsection not sure if the pain he was feeling was from his wounds or his heart.