Sorry for the long delay in updating. Vacations and summer breaks for the kids put a dent in writing time. Hope the wait was worth it.

Rated M for violence and sexual encounters

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

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A Cage of a Different Kind

Chapter 15

After Legolas left her room she pulled herself together and bathed, changed her clothes and arranged her hair. She was determined to get to the bottom of this...misunderstanding. "Misunderstanding was an understatement." She still stung from the words Legolas had thrown at her but she was starting to understand where they might have come from. "Could they truly have wanted to block our relationship that badly?" She had felt the truth in his words when he said that he had not received any of her messages and he had finally believed her when she had said the same. She may have reacted very similarly if she had not had Faramir to anchor her. "Faramir, by the Valar, what am I going to do about him?" The thought gave her a pain in her heart and she stopped and clutched it in despair. She loved both of them but her heart and the baby she carried belonged to Legolas. Now that things were starting to come together, she was very torn about what the future might hold. "I am going to find out the truth and cross that bridge when I get to it." With that thought, she straightened, squared her shoulders and left to find her brother.

Legolas was on a mission. He would not rest until he knew what had happened and set everything straight with Eowyn. Today had been a start but he realized that things were tenuous with her and that he would need help to find out the truth so he went straight to the king. He hated to disturb him but he knew Aragorn would gladly assist him. Furthermore he would most likely be insulted if Legolas excluded him. His conversation with Eowyn had confirmed what Aragorn had told him earlier. Somehow Eomer had conspired to intercept the messages they had sent but how had he done it? He would need the king to get more information from the men who worked with the messenger birds.

It took most of the day but by dinner time Legolas had at least some of his answers. Eowyn was not so lucky. Eomer adamantly denied keeping any messages from her and was appalled that she would even think that of him. She had left his rooms in a quandary for she wished to believe the elf she loved but she also held out hope that her brother was not at fault. Legolas and Aragorn changed her mind later that evening when they finally talked and Eomer was 'persuaded' to join them in the king's office.

"I really do not understand why we are having this conversation? I have told you repeatedly that I had nothing to do with any of this." Eomer said once again.

Legolas sighed in exasperation, turning his back and pacing to the window yet again. He felt like a caged animal and wanted nothing more than to escape this stone prison and breathe fresh air once again but short of beating a confession out of the soon to be king of Rohan, they were getting nowhere.

"So you mean to tell me that you never spoke to my father while he was here nor did you bribe anyone to intercept all correspondence between your sister and myself?"

After a scathing look at the elf he shook his head once again. "No, for the sixteenth time."

Legolas turned to look at Eowyn who was sitting quietly in the corner of the room, watching everything with a slightly sick look on her face.

"What possible reason would these men have to lie?" Aragorn said through clenched teeth.

"Perhaps you should ask your friend. Are you certain he did not bribe them to confirm his cockamamie conspiracy theory? Eowyn is betrothed to Faramir. Could this be his final effort to restore himself to her good graces and possibly postpone their nuptials? After all, he is the one who could not be bothered with my sister until now and just when happiness is within her grasp he comes parading back telling some ridicules story about 'lost messages' and having to escape his own father? I find it all very hard to believe, as should you sister."

Eowyn said nothing and Legolas feared she was beginning to doubt him once again when she suddenly rose to her feet and approached Eomer.

"Do you deny that you threatened Legolas life?" She asked as she studied him. "Was that a flicker of fear in his eyes? Why was he perspiring so?" She had known her brother better than anyone in all of Middle Earth and suddenly she felt like she was looking at a stranger.

"I do not remember."

"Now he is shifting in his seat." She thought as she circled around him and leaned in until her face was inches from his.

"I have never known you to be senile brother. Do you not remember the fight the two of you had outside my tent? Do you think that I am deaf or perhaps you were counting on dumb?"

His eyes widened slightly but he quickly resumed his cocky attitude.

"Your intelligence has only ever been in question in regards to your relationship with this elf." Eomer said with a snide smirk that Legolas wished to wipe from his face and was only stopped by the calming hand of his friend.

"And your honor has only ever been in question in regards to this same elf." Eowyn said sadly. "Why would you do this? You were my rock, my only comfort when our parents died. I truly believed that you would only ever want the best for me."

This seemed to ignite Eomer for he leapt to his feet. "That is all I have ever wanted and this elf is not what is best for you. He cannot make you happy sister. His father will never allow you to marry he told me as much. Do you wish to be his whore for the rest of your life?"

Eowyn whirled and slapped him soundly across the face. "How do you know that his father will not allow us to marry? Earlier you said that you had never spoken to him yet now you just said that he 'told you as much'? You are getting your lies confused brother."

Eomer had stumbled back holding his cheek and he could not stop the look of surprise when he realized he had slipped.

"Well perhaps we did talk briefly." He said uncertainly.

"Which is it Eomer? Did you talk to Legolas' father?" Aragorn asked as he took over the interrogation once more. His grey eyes had gone flinty and Eomer could not hold his gaze.

Looking down he mumbled something about a short conversation.

"What? I did not hear you clearly. You lied about talking to Thranduil and you have lied about bribing the men to intercept the messages." Aragorn declared.

Eomer seemed to deflate a bit and then he pulled himself up and turned to Legolas. "You are the cause of all this. You could have almost any woman in middle earth and you decide that my sister is the one? What will you do when she is old and wrinkled and you still look exactly as you do now? Do you honestly think that your eye will not wander?"

"Eomer!" Eowyn exclaimed but Legolas could see that the words had gotten to her.

"I have only ever wanted you to be happy sister and this elf cannot do that. He will leave you alone and lonely in your elder years."

"I most certainly will not!" Legolas nearly shouted as he stepped between the siblings. He had seen a flicker of uncertainty in the shield maiden's eyes and he had to stop this. "You know nothing of elves. We give our hearts to only one person and we love that person until the end of our days."

"It is true." Aragorn said softly.

Eowyn placed her hands on Legolas shoulders and pulled him back a bit.

Eomer had sat back down to get away from the threatening elf and now he seemed lost.

"Tell us what happened brother." Eowyn entreated him.

He looked at her intently and then at the elf standing protectively beside her and took a deep breath. "After Thranduil arrived and requested Eowyn be kept away from Legolas, I knew I had a possible ally. Even though he was reluctant to even speak to me at first, I finally convinced him that we had the same goal. It only took a little bribery on my part and the orders of the King of Mirkwood on his end, to divert the messages that were being sent. I really thought I was doing what was best for you Eowyn." Eomer tried to take her hand as he said this but she just moved away from him, disbelief and hurt in her eyes.

"You saw how I suffered. You knew I loved him and he loved me and yet you still plotted to keep us apart!"

"I knew his father would never agree to a union between you and Legolas. He would never suffer a human to help rule his kingdom. Faramir loves you and I knew he could make you happy if you would only give him the chance. With Legolas out of your life, I was sure you would eventually find lasting happiness."

"You knew? What did you know? You know nothing brother. You only wanted to control me and make me bow to your wishes. Did you know I carry Legolas' child?" She said as she clasped her hands over the small swell in her belly. She watched her brother's mouth fall open in shock and could not hide the distinct pleasure it gave her to know that she had hurt him just a bit in return. She had not noticed some of the other looks of surprise evident in the room. Legolas moved to her and wrapped his arms around her protectively.

"What are you talking about?' Eomer stuttered.

"I believe she was very clear Eomer. She is going to be the mother of my child, the heir to the Erin Las Galen throne and my wife as well, if she will have me?" Legolas looked at Eowyn and pressed his lips to hers. His eyes held hers for a moment and she saw a look that revealed his love for her but also a bit of uncertainty, probably due to the other night. He still was not sure that all had been forgiven. The kiss left her breathless and she could not respond right away. His eyes pleaded with her as he continued, "I do not deserve you after the way I acted but I only reacted that way because the thought of you with another man made me want to die. I felt I had nothing left to live for."

"Another man ...Oh God, Faramir. Where did he figure into all this and how am I going to tell him?" Panic washed through her and Legolas saw the fear in her eyes. "Faramir" she said as she pulled away from him.

"She has fallen in love with Faramir!" He thought as pain washed over him yet again.

"Eomer, what part did Faramir play in all this?" Aragorn asked as Legolas tried to compose himself again.

"None I assure you." A soft voice said from the doorway. All turned to see a grief stricken Faramir enter the room. He had been looking for Eowyn and had heard voices coming from the office. Just as he was about to knock he heard Eowyn and Legolas' voice and something held him rooted to the spot. All he could do was listen as his world unraveled around him. Finally he decided that he could not stand by any longer.

"I knew nothing of this plot. I frankly could not believe Legolas would abandon you but I had lost my heart to you during my recovery and when Eomer told me that Legolas had written a message saying he was finished with you, I guess I let my heart rule my head. I could not believe that my fondest wish had been granted." A tear started to roll down his cheek and he hung his head in sorrow. "I now see that wish is not going to happen after all." His voice cracked and he turned to leave.

Eowyn ran to him and pulled him into her arms. Legolas' heart flipped at the sight but he held himself back.

"Oh Faramir, please know that I do love you and I could have been very happy building a life together." Eowyn said with equal sadness in her voice. "You have been manipulated as cruelly as any of us...nay, more so because you were ever acting only out of your love for me. I don't know if I could have survived these last few months without your strength and please believe that there is a part of me that will forever care for you." Legolas could not help but fell a stab of pain at that last statement.

Faramir raised his eyes and looked at her putting his finger to her lips and brushing the tears from her face. "I have only ever wanted your happiness Eowyn and I see that Legolas is the key to that. Go to him with my blessing and raise your child together knowing that I will ever be your friend."

She started sobbing even harder as Faramir gently pushed her towards a stunned Legolas. "Be good to her Legolas. I do not wish to have to find out which of us is the better swordsman." With that, he turned and ran from the room.

Legolas rushed to envelope her in his arms murmuring words of comfort as he held her close. No one spoke, reflecting on the selfless act they had just witnessed. Eowyn clung to Legolas, sobbing for the pain she had endured the last few months and especially for the pain she knew Faramir was going through. "Who would be his anchor?"

Aragorn looked in fury at Eomer. He had just watched his steward and good friend leave the room in emotional agony after doing one of the most honorable acts he had ever witnessed. "I would seek your death as a traitor if I did not think it would cause your sister more pain Eomer." He said through clenched teeth.

"Traitor! How could you think that?" Eomer exclaimed jumping to his feet in disbelief.

"You furthered your own plans by seeking an alliance under false pretenses. You lied to me and went behind my back to manipulate and almost destroy one of my closest friends and now, another friend and ally is suffering. I shall have to think long and hard on this. Since you are a king in your own right, I shall only confine you to your quarters until you are able to return to your kingdom. Guards, take Eomer to his quarters where he will remain until his departure."

Eomer was speechless as guards came and escorted him from the room.

Aragorn turned to Legolas with a sigh. "I am sorry all this happened under my nose and I did not realize. I am only happy this has all been sorted out. Please accept my congratulations to both of you on the impending birth of your child and my wish for an eternity of happiness for you both."

Legolas looked up with a faint smile. "I do not blame you in the least Estel; you have had much on your mind. Please accept my thanks for helping us." He put his hand over his heart and bowed slightly, leading a still upset Eowyn out of the room.