Thank you to Ziggy3 and Caelhir for reviewing the story, it is great to know that people are reading and enjoying. Special Thanks to Aranel Mereneth for consistantly keeping me on my toes!

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 four

Eowyn raced down the corridor in a state of panic. "How had this happened?" she thought to herself. "I cannot get involved with an elf, not to mention Aragorn's closest friend." Granted, Aragorn had not seemed upset by it last night but all the stress and wretchedness of the last few months had rushed up to overwhelm her when Legolas had deepened their kiss. Wormtongue's leering face loomed in her mind and she shuddered. Would his dark influence sabotage her forever? She could hear his voice in her head "He doesn't care about you, he owes you." She physically pushed the voice out of her head and threw herself into her work.

The day passed quickly but she couldn't get Legolas out of her mind. The more she thought about how she had reacted, the worse she felt. "What must he think?" The voice came back unbidden in her mind. "You are human. Your life passes in a blink of his eye. Why would he bother with you?" A tear slid down her cheek and she hastily brushed it away. Squaring her shoulders she made a decision. "I will no longer let the past rule and interfere with my future. Grima is gone and he will bother me no longer. I must go to Legolas and set things right."

Legolas sat up and waited for the pain and dizziness to subside. "I need to see the sky and get some fresh air. The weight of the stones are beginning to weigh on me." He managed to get to his feet and used the chair next to the bed to steady himself. His legs felt shaky but he was able to make his way to the balcony. He took a deep breath as the sun shone warmly down on his skin and he sank gratefully into the chair out there. He sat drinking in what little nature he could sense, thinking about Eowyn. Legolas tried to remember all the moments they had shared recently. "She had wanted me to stay, hadn't she? Could I have misread her intentions? Why had she accused me of playing a part?" He continued to ponder as his eyes glazed over in sleep.

Aragorn knocked on the door of Eowyn's chamber and when he got no response, he tried the latch. The door opened easily and he looked in. The bed was empty. He walked in and glanced around. Just as he was starting to get concerned he saw the golden hair of his friend shining on the balcony.

"Legolas" he called as he walked over.

The elf started awake and tried to stifle the groan that escaped his lips.

"Aragorn" he replied.

"How did you get out here you should still be in bed? Are you in a lot of pain? Where is Eowyn?" the questions poured out of his friend without pausing for any replies.

"I walked actually. I needed to get outside for awhile."

"You got out here by yourself?" the ranger was a little put out by that.

"I am fine Estel"

"Now I suppose you will tell me it was only a scratch..." Aragorn smiled.

"It was only a scratch - a rather large scratch I will admit." Legolas smirked and Aragorn laughed.

"Let me help you back to bed my brother."

"I think I would like to go back to our room Aragorn." Legolas said softly, after a brief hesitation.

"Did something happen between you and Eowyn?" he asked.

"How could he always know these things!" Legolas thought in exhasperation. He decided he did not want to talk about it.

"Were you not around last night when Eomer expressed his 'displeasure' at my presence here?" the elf lifted his eyebrow as he spoke.

"Now that is an understatement." Aragorn said. "Eowyn certainly put him in his place though." He smiled at the memory.

"That she did." Legolas said sadly. "I think it would be best if I leave her chamber. She needs some privacy and I am feeling much better."

Aragorn sensed that the elf did not want to discuss this any further so he decided to respect that for now.

"Of course Legolas, I actually could use your council on some things... I will carry you back to our room." He made as if too pick up his friend.

"You will do no such thing - I will walk on my own two feet!" Legolas said indignantly, slapping him away and trying to rise unsteadily.

"Oh, I forgot. You are fine." Aragorn smirked as he made sure his friend did not fall and guided him through the room. "Did you leave anything here we need to take with us?"

"Just a piece of my heart..." Legolas thought as he shook his head and moved stiffly to the door. "There was not much left of my tunic. I am sure it has been thrown away."

"Battle is rough on the clothes my friend." Aragorn said trying to lift the melancholy mood of his friend.

Legolas just smiled sadly as Aragorn helped him down the corridor.

Eowyn rushed towards her room. "I need to check on Legolas and apologize for my stupidity." she thought as she headed down the corridor. She hesitated outside of her door trying to decide what to say. "Do I pour out my heart to him? Do I tell him how much I have come to care for him in so short a time? Will that make him happy or uncomfortable?"

Still undecided, she pushed open the door and stepped inside. Her heart fell to her feet when she saw the empty bed. "Had something happened to him?" She rushed through her room to the balcony and then into the bathroom calling his name. "Why would he stay after the way I behaved earlier." She chided herself. "Should I look for him?" She stood feeling lost and undecided. Her chamber was empty, as empty as her heart without him.

Aragorn settled his friend in his bed.

"I will get you some food from the great hall Mellon nin."

"Hannon le Estel. I think I am at the end of my strength for now."

The elf looked spent and he still had a sadness about him.

"What happened between you and Eowyn?" Aragorn asked gently.

He sighed deciding to admit it. "I wish I knew. All I know is that I have lost my heart to her." Legolas revealed.

Aragorn tried to hide his shock. Never had his friend shared his feelings for someone with him. He tried to soothe him. "It appeared that she shared those feelings last night. Has something changed?"

Legolas hurt and he was tired. "Please Aragorn, I do not wish to speak of it right now. I am really quite tired and hungry - which should make you happy."

"It does mellon nin. It also changes the subject. I will be right back with food and drink." Aragorn squeezed his shoulder trying to offer a bit of comfort and then turned and left.

Legolas only lay back wearily.

Eowyn buried herself in the healing room for the next few days. She successfully avoided Eomer and Aragorn until breakfast on the third day.

"Eowyn, you have dodged me skillfully and have left me no choice but to confront you here."

Eowyn turned slowly to see her brother standing behind her.

"If you have something to say to me brother, let us go back to my chamber and talk in private."

"Your chamber is not private Eowyn or have you forgotten why we need to talk?" Eomer said through gritted teeth.

"That is still none of your business brother." Eowyn answered trying to control her temper in front of so many.

"I do not want you with an elf, sister. He is not of your own people. He is not even a man and I see no future for you with him. Therefore, I forbid you to see him any longer."

Eowyn's mouth dropped open and for once she was speechless.

Thinking he had finally gotten the upper hand, Eomer turned to leave.

"You forbid me?" Eowyn choked out. "You forbid me?" Her voice was getting louder until most heads were turned their way.

"You know nothing of what is going on between Legolas and myself and I will not even bother to respond to your demand." She pulled herself up to her full height. "Until I can weigh in on your partnering and relationships, you would do well to never speak of this again, especially in public- brother." Eowyn said with scorn and turned on her heel and walked proudly away, leaving Eomer with his mouth hanging open.

A yell pierced the morning air - "The beacon of Amaldi is lit!"

Aragorn rushed to find king Theoden. "The beacons have been lit. Gondor calls for aid."

"And Rohan will answer. Muster the Rohirrian." Theoden exclaimed after a short hesitation.

With the decision made, the fortress was bustling with preparations to leave for Gondor. Eowyn had only caught a few glimpses of Legolas but even those few glimpses had almost stopped her heart. He seemed much better and she longed to talk to him but there never seemed to be an opportunity. He certainly had not been searching for her. Her heart hurt a little at that thought.

The healing wards had kept her busy and she had been curious when her uncle called her to a counsel. She hurried to the throne room, a part of her hoping that she would run into Legolas. She stepped into the large chamber and looked around. Eomer stood with his arms folded in front of him, the scowl of late still on his face. Aragorn stood next to him and Théoden was seated on his throne. Eowyn was disappointed when she saw no sign of the elf.

"Eomer probably had something to do with his absence." she thought.

"Eowyn, please come here. I need to ask something of you." Théoden said, his voice echoing in the near empty room.

"Of course uncle" Eowyn made her way quickly to him and bowed slightly. "What do you wish my lord?"

"Eowyn, as you know, we prepare to go to the aid of Gondor and we have need of every able bodied man that can hold a sword."

Hope flared in Eowyn but quickly faded as Théoden continued.

"I need you to stay and guide our people until we return."

"You mean baby sit the women and children." Eowyn spat.

"Eowyn that is not what I mean. I need someone smart and strong to make sure our people are protected while we are gone. Your brother and I have decided that you are the perfect choice for the task."

"Uncle, you can't be serious." Eowyn pleaded. "We lost so many warriors in the last battle and there are so many wounded that will recover, but not in time to accompany you. Why can't you choose one among them? I need to go with you and defend our land against the darkness. It is my right as a shield maiden."

"That is what we thought you would say sister." Eomer stated.

Eowyn shot him a look before Théoden continued. "There is no one I trust more than you, daughter of my heart."

"And no one you would rather keep far from the battle." Eowyn replied angrily. "I cannot stay locked up again Uncle. Please find someone else for this responsibility. I beg you!"

"There is no one else Eowyn. We will ride out as soon as possible and will need everyone's help to get ready. I can only go if I know I have left things in the proper hands."

"It seems I have little choice." Eowyn said as she lowered her head.

"Tonight we hold a feast to honor the dead and celebrate our recent victory over the darkness. I wish you to be there when I make my announcement."

"Please Eowyn, none of us could abide it if we lost you as well." said Aragorn.

Eowyn stood stiffly, unable to look at anyone. Knowing in her heart that she would go no matter what, Eowyn turned and left, hoping her silence would imply her answer. She did not wish to break a vow.

All eyes watched her as she left, including blue ones she had not known were there. Even though Legolas had not known her long, he wondered whether anyone but he realized she was going regardless. He would have to find a way to speak to her. "I cannot leave without some idea of where her heart lies." he thought to himself. "I also must talk her out of her present course of action. I cannot go into battle worrying about her." He turned to leave.