We came home to chaos. Grenades, swearing, and popcorn rained down everywhere. The grenades, at least, were on Halo 4.

Boromir and Brian. Attacking each other with guns and swords. Boromir's face was flushed with pleasure, Brian equally as pleased with himself, their fingers flying over the Xbox buttons. The smell of something cooking filled the air, and Boromir barely glanced up as we came into the living room of Brian's house.

"Hey babe!"

That was Boromir, glancing up, face cracking in a wide grin. He held something up. "Look! We're famous." Then he dropped it, grabbing for the controller, and threw a grenade at Brian. Boromir yelled with delight as it caused an explosion. "Tis as the Orcs did it! Woman, why did you not tell me about this marvel of your world?"

The extended Lord of the Rings box sets, all three, fell to the couch as he proceeded to test all his weapons on Brian. I glanced back to Legolas, who leaned against teh door frame, a small smile on his face as he gazed in.

"We have to talk, Boromir."

"Aye, but not until tomorrow morning. Brian here tells me that our tale will keep us awake but he has a drink to assist. It is called pepsi. I have yet to taste it but I believe it is a tonic to keep us awake? Don't talk, woman, I'm learning this battle!" He growled as he died and shoved at Brian, playful, but amused. "What do I press to get back in?"

As Brian repeated the coloured buttons, Boromir focused once more, his eyes glued onto the screen.

I groaned softly. Something brushed across my lower back, Legolas moving in beside me, his soft voice saying, "Let him have his pride boosted."

He was probably right. Let Boromir's ego get nice and big before I... crushed his heart into little pieces. I sighed and felt a headache coming on. "So we're starting when?"

"First movie now that you'r-" Brian blinked and paled. "Oh shit, your appointment. I forgot. Shit, sorry, but there was something we had to do."

"Aye, the forest!" Boromir's gaze went to Brian, and for a moment I saw some weird expression cross between them, before his eyes went back to the TV. "This is not something I could have even dreamed of!"

"Don't get used to it." I muttered. "We're going home. Anyway. It's okay. I found a house. We figured it out this morning at the park." I reached into my pocket, fingering the keys, and moved in slowly to the living room. "Have you seen it, Legolas?"

"No." Legolas sat down beside me. He nudged me gently. "I have been beside you at the hospital."

Oh. Was I supposed to not tell anyone about Elves being here? I nodded, and went quiet. Okay. Yeah. If Brian knew there were Elves... hell, if anyone knew... there'd be a search. As much as I did want Boromir to see the movie I felt restless now, anxious, sure that I could feel Legolas' impatience as well. Tough.

"Okay. So first movie now." Brian had cheered up again. He moved up to switch the x-box off and to change to the DVD player, before he sniffed the air. "I think the pizzas are ready too. Great timing."

Boromir lifted him self up, heavy, using the coffee table as a prop. He flopped beside me, leaning against me, kissing the side of my head roughly. "There is so much of your world I would see."

"Probably a bit too much."

"Why rush?" He laughed, squeezing me, and before I could speak, had tugged me into his lap. Boromir nuzzled against my neck, hair ticking me, grinning. "I would see everything first."

"There's a lot of everything." I warned him. There was a lot I wanted to show him. The beach. Pyramids. Stuff like that. I'd have flown him all over the planet to show him anything he liked. Used up all mum's savings, which I still had barely touched, used up all the savings I'd earned from the Olympics, and even take him with me if I ever made it again. Where was it next time? Rio. I'd have loved to take him to Rio with me if I made it that far again. Could I still do that? I wanted to. I wanted to keep going with the competitive archery. How could I even begin to balance the two?

"Boromir, she has an injured leg."

"Do you not think I know that?" Boromir snapped, sudden, shocking me and Legolas both. He opened his eyes and gave Legolas a look that was almost dirty. "She needs not use it while she sits here. I will care for her now."

Legolas stood up, quiet, and moved outside. Boromir watched him go and when he was ogne, he sighed, and tightened his arms around me.

"He just -"

"Loves you, cares for you, I know." Boromir grumbled softly. "As you do him."

Jealousy. He shut his eyes and leaned back against the couch. The hurt in his face hurt me too.

"Truth is, woman, I have to let you go." Even as he said it, he didn't believe it, and somehow this made me angry. He couldn't even look at me. Angry and hurt, and guilty, so damn guilty, stress rising up in me once more until I was sure I was about to hyperventilate.

"What?" I stared at him. I wasn't sure what I was hearing. Boromir didn't speak again and I prodded him, "Hang on, what did you-"

"I have to let you go." Boromir muttered. "I am growing old now. I do not look it but I am twice your age and … and I am not returning to Middle Earth."

"What?" What the hell was he saying. I shoved his hand off my arm as he tried to stroke it. No. Whatever he was saying, I knew better, I felt it. Boromir was picking a fight. He wanted me to argue. He always did. I supposed he liked it when I did... but right now I was stressed and angry and about to rip his stupid ear off dragging him back. "Yeah, you're coming back."

"Not forever. It is now Faramir's time. If I remain in Minas Tirith his position as Steward will always be questioned. This world has many wonders and I am keen to explore until I breathe my last breath. I am not young. It could be soon."

"You're only forty." I snapped.

"Tis not as young as you think, that age, after a life of war." Boromir's voice hadn't increased in volume. He was distant now, eyes still shut, breathing in and out slowly. "No. You have many years. I have few, compared to you, and would not risk my brother's position nor your happiness. Go home with your Elf. I will remain here."

"No!" I wasn't sure why I was so upset. He was basically saying what I wanted him to say. Well, except for the 'I'll stay here' part, that shocked me so much. I wasn't even sure if that was allowed by the ...whatever. Guardians of the worlds or something. "This isn't your world."

"Brian agrees. I will sleep in the shed. I am happy there- tis not too much strange- and from there I will venture out and see the world. In exchange I will teach him and others to sword fight, to ride, he already knows a place where they would gladly have a good rider teach."

"Boromir!"

"You will not be here. You will not be tormented by me." He sighed, quiet, and opened his eyes to meet mine. Boromir leaned up to kiss me, gentle, hand stroking the side of my face. "You will have your love and I will have my excitement. I could not ask you to stay from Legolas."

"You already did." This was crazy. I tried to peel myself off his lap, somehow devastated, because … because what? Because I was supposed to be breaking up with him?

"I told you. I love you. I love you, be you with me, or with the Elf, here, or in Minas Tirith, or some strange Elven city." Boromir was smiling, or attempting to, his smile sad. "But I cannot ask you to change your life for me. To leave the father of your child. There is little I am worth, compared to him, and I know it. I am only a few good years. He will be beside you until you are old, until you breathe your last, and I cannot do that."

The urge to smack him with my crutch came and went. It wasn't going to help. I just stared at him, blank, confused and unsure. Because it wasn't true. He was worth so damn much and … I didn't see how he couldn't see that. And I didn't know if I'd forgive myself for it.

I didn't get time to speak again. Brian returned with pizza, Legolas carrying in plates, and they started the Fellowship of the Ring.

I sat between Legolas and Boromir, unable to touch either, once again conflicted. If I'd made the right choice, how come I always felt like this when I'd made it? What was wrong with it? With me? And suddenly I was way too claustrophobic to stay there. I got up, awkward, and muttered something about needing the bathroom.

I stood in the bathroom, breathing in and out slowly, and slid the top up to stare at my stomach. I breathed in and out slowly, tracing my fingers over it, once again trying to focus. Here was my centre of calm. I ran my fingers over the tiny bump, breathing in and out slowly, shutting my eyes.

Baby. Happening. A real baby. Okay. Yes.

"You must be a miracle if you've survived all of this." I muttered to it, aware Legolas could probably hear me, and gazed at the bump in the mirror again. I could have stood here for ages staring at it. It was only now, only literally this morning, that I really saw what was happening. 'Pregnant' hadn't really meant much till now. I'd barely been sick. Tired, yeah, but not sick. And tired could have easily been related to that other problem.

Then again, I realised, the hormones may have also not been helping. Huh. Great. Was I supposed to wait till I wasn't pregnant any more?

Nope.

I sighed and went back out, crutches digging into arms as I stood there, everything inside my body repulsed by the idea of sitting between those two hormone trigger men again. Even Brian bothered me. Where was the women? Where was HIS woman? Jess? Barely had seen the dark haired woman - she worked as a nurse or something.

Instead I found the armchair and sat there, yawning, relaxing into the chair.

By now, Frodo was running away from the big scary ...riders. I yawned again, kind of tired out already, and relaxed down. Brian had turned on the rotating floor fan again. Sitting there, I relaxed, and started to fall asleep.

When I woke, the room was empty, the sounds of Boromir and Brian somewhere in the distance. Legolas knelt in front of me, hair loose, tender as he reached up to cup my face and brush hair free of it.

"You slept through the first half."

"Sorry."

"It was ...interesting. To see a pretty version of myself." He smiled, a mixture of open embarrassment and amusement, shifting closer to kneel between my legs, Legolas leaning up to kiss my forehead gently. "Was there dreams?"

"No." I replied, yawning, realising my hand had been over my stomach the entire time under the top. I slid it free and stretched slowly. How strange that Legolas would see Orlando Bloom as a 'pretty version'. Yes, Legolas was slightly … less feminine at times... but not much. He was just a little different. Jaw was slightly squarer, eyebrows that natural blonde, even his eyelashes a natural blonde. Hair a little different. "I just slept."

"Good." He brushed his thumb over my cheek, sliding his arms around my waist, hugging me against his chest. I felt his heart beat, slow and calm, smelt the sleepiness on him, his soft hair tickling me.

I wanted to tell him to carry me off. The urge rose. Just … carry me off. I'd give birth in hiding. Come back and deal with Boromir after.

"Boromir needed a moment alone after he saw himself." Legolas continued. "We need a moment to ready ourselves for the next half. Brian was going to the shop. He thought you might want some things to take to Middle Earth." Legolas stood up slowly.

Now that he mentioned it... I did. Soap. Lots of it. If I could take clothing here then I could probably take a bag … or three... back, and it might have been smart to make sure I had baby things there. Or something. Books. A portable solar powered camping shower. Oh... that'd be heaven. Oranges. An entire suitcase of oranges. I didn't know.

"Isn't it a bit late?" I muttered. It was getting close to six. And it was such a sudden request. I was suddenly suspicious about this...

"It's summer so most shops are open till nine. Kmart is open till midnight." Brian answered, as he came in, holding up keys. "Come on."

"Oh." How weird that he knew what Kmart was... but I nodded, standing with his help, and stretched.

"Okay." I wasn't sure what the rush was. I was, however, in agreement. Shopping? Sure. I could go for some of that right now. I was more interested, honestly, in getting the hell away from Legolas and Boromir for a while. A long while.

We headed out to the car, Brian glancing inside a moment, before he thrust a handful of papers in my direction. "Here. Catalogues and a pen."

"Oh. Um." I muttered. "Thanks."

"Just mark whatever you need while I drive." Brian twisted the key in the spot, backing up carefully, glancing back. "We can talk in a sec."

Talk? I wasn't sure what he meant by that. But as he carefully backed up and started down the little street, I took out the pen and started to go over the catalogues, muttering, "Shouldn't I just... go inside and check?"

"Can't hurt to have a list."

I supposed he was right there. This was still such a sudden idea though that it took me ten minutes to really get into it. One shop had camping gear, something called Aussie disposals, and … I pictured it. Dropping back into Boromir's room, arm full of all these things, leaning on crutches, like nothing had happened. I had to be careful what I took back. If that place really was the past then I had to make sure nothing survived. The last thing we needed to do was to leave all these weird objects for archaeologists to find. I'd heard plastic didn't really break down so that was out. Anything with plastic had to be rejected. Metal could be melted down later... and it probably would... the metals around here were probably like gold back then.

"I don't know." I muttered. Camping shower. Okay. Yeah- that was a must. The plastic... could come back with me. It was little. I'd roll it up when I came back. I circled it twice, just to make sure I got it, and twisted the pages. Did I need a tent? Probably not. If anything Middle Earth had better tents than these ones- Rohan's tents had been amazing.

I had to change it. Started circling candies, chocolates, food, because the idea of mixing the two worlds was still doing my head in big time. I still couldn't … quite understand. How Middle Earth could become this. I didn't doubt that Legolas had waited... I just wasn't sure how that worked.

Brian relaxed when we reached the high way.

"All right. So, because you have trouble walking, I was thinking I'd do what you needed. We can go to an ATM after and you can pay me back."

"Oh, okay." I stared at him. Why did I have the feeling he'd driven out of Legolas' hearing range to tell me this? Suspicion rose further. "What's going on?"

"Well... nothing. Something." He shrugged, evasive, and added, "And I wanted to say sorry. You know. For being a douchebag of a boyfriend."

"I know you were." I muttered. "I … was going to break up with you anyway."

"I know. I think I was afraid of it." Brian smiled weakly. He stared at me a moment. "Plus, you've gotten … fitter. Kind of sexy now. Except I don't really care. It's weird. When I realised you were cheating on me I realised … well, it's like I never loved you. I just wanted to protect you."

That should have hurt. I was kind of relieved, actually, as he returned his attention to the road with a quick, "Um. Sorry. That sounded harsher than I meant..."

"No, it's okay. I'm kind of glad." I admitted.

"I wouldn't do it any other way, you know, I would have … protected you from your father. Even if we hadn't dated." Brian added, "Actually it's kind of thanks to you that I realised what I wanted to do. Help homeless kids and abused kids."

Shame we had, sort of, but I didn't say it. I just nodded and tried to focus on the catalogues away from the awkward conversation. It had been a relief to find him dating someone else, not talking about our relationship, and here he was. Talking about it.

"Guess I'm saying thanks." He muttered.

I wasn't sure what to say. I smiled weakly and went back to work.

We found the shopping centre like he said- packed of people. It was a warm day and the place was air conditioned, so apparently that meant everyone had come for shopping, movies and food. I moved through the crowd quietly, finding it so strange, how most people seemed to be more focused on their phones or something. It made me miss Minas Tirith in a way. Yes- that was busy too. But with people looking at each other. Talking. Interacting.

Hell, I even missed the Elves.

"I'll meet you in the food court." Brian informed me. He smiled, nervous for some reason, as he took the wad of papers from me. "Won't be long. Have fun."

"Um. Okay." I stared at him as he hurried off.

It was as I was hobbling past the food court that someone called me. Not Kimberly. It was another name that … shouldn't have been known here.

"Wenduin!"

I spun around to stare in the direction of the voice. With disbelief I saw someone coming through the crowd at me, followed closely by an old woman, his blonde hair tied back in a neat ponytail, wearing a good light grey suit, waving at me.

My son. Racing right for me.

"Hang on..." I held up my hands, warding him off, and grasped at my stomach. "This is..."

"Relax, mum, I used to play with myself all the time. Father doesn't know- it hasn't happened yet. But I do. It doesn't change anything for me. I don't think fate's a circle. Mini-me will have his own path. Besides, I need to talk to you." He spoke quickly, as if he was afraid I'd argue, which I was getting close to trying to do. My son reached out to grasp me. I flinched as his hands touched my arms, waited for … a miscarriage or something.

Nothing. The world didn't explode. I didn't suddenly loose the baby.

The man, my son, just waited patiently. The old woman with him moved away towards one of the jewellery shops, barely even looking at me, a slow crouched walk with a walking stick.

"You're sure this is fine?"

He took my arm again, more gentle this time, and nodded. "Yeah, mum. I checked with Lady Galadriel. She's still alive, you know, sort of. Don't worry. When I was eight my older self tried to tell me lottery numbers but it didn't work. Something about free will."

I let him lead me towards a table in the food court. It was the strangest feeling- this stranger, who was supposed to be my son, talking to me and looking at me like I was an old friend. I sat down, numb, and watched as he ordered drinks. Orange sorbet and green apple sorbet drinks. My son returned to sit in front of me, sliding the orange one across, and even as he grinned, I saw something in him that reminded me of my own mother. Maybe it was the smile, or the mischief in his face, like he knew he was doing something wrong and loved it. Mum used to get that face when I was young, when she'd buy me a lolly, or grate carrots into Dad's spaghetti sauce when he claimed he hated carrots.

"I'm Cere." He offered as he sipped his drink. "Sorry. I know this is weird."

"Cere?" Not as weird as all the langauge he was using. Modern langauge. Australian accent. Looked only thirty- still older than me but far too young.

"Well. My full name is Cerediramarth." He grinned at my bewildered face. "I only have a few minutes or I'd spend an hour trying to tell you how to say it. I don't think you ever really got used to that name. You called me Cere. I go by the name Mark usually. But I like your name for me. Cere."

"What does it mean?"

" Cerediramarth? Fate maker. I was born with it- all Elf children are born with a name. You had another human name for me that … you'll decide on. Bet it'll be the same as my current one. Anyway. I don't know how long we've got." Cere gazed around. "Father has a habit of discovering my plots before I wish him to. You have the right to understand what is going on. What Uncle Boromir isn't telling you or father. Ask questions once I tell you so we get this out of the way."

"Wait, what?" I stared at him. "Tell me what?"

"Okay. First- I'm not telling you to take sides." Cere's jaw tightened and for a moment he reminded me of Legolas, somehow, this trace of anger that made him suddenly look a bit older again. "Just to give you a balanced perspective. Figure … you shouldn't have to suffer like mum... I mean, like … the version did that raised me."

Again he stared at me, affectionate, which was so strange. "So you should know what's going on. When you took Boromir into the hospital there were tests done, standard stuff, and they found a lot of stuff. You know that." Cere nodded at my drink. "Come on. Drink. I'll talk quick and get out of here. You never know when that Elf shows up ready to sink an arrow into your behind."

I drank, slowly, and he started to talk again. Somehow I felt nervous. I wasn't sure why. It was like I could already feel it. Some kind of dread. Cere drank, slowly, time dragging out.

"They found cancer."

I nearly choked. Nearly. I stared at him, dropping the drink, "What!"

"Yeah. Cancer in the brain. It's removable by surgery, which is where Brian and Boromir were-" Cere nodded past me to where Brian had vanished, who nodded back, though he went back to keeping watch. "-but it's not going to last long. The treatment. He'll die."

Numbness filled me. Heavy numbness. It was like I went into shock, the world grew quiet around us, and it was just myself and my son. Cere.

"Are you sure? How do you even know this?"

"Your friend Brian. I got in touch with him when you vanished. Told him what was going on. He didn't believe me at first." Cere responded. "Does now. So he's been keeping me up to date with everything going on in the house. Father won't- he's still stubborn about fate and so on. Boromir doesn't have long. Four years. He'll die in around four years. It would happen with or without you being with him." Cere's smile had slipped away. He lowered his drink. "Father knew. Boromir knew. But you never did. Not until he died."

"I... what do you mean? Legolas knew?"

"Everyone did. Even I did." Cere frowned. "They thought it was the best thing. I was too little to have a say but I've grown up wishing I'd tried."

It didn't seem real. What he was saying didn't seem real. "He's dying?"

He nodded.

"And he knows?"

"He does. He's known for a while already. It was affecting his behavior. You probably noticed- impulse control problems. Boromir had been wondering if he'd been going mad." Cere sighed. "Not sure if it helps or not for him to know."

I stared at him, cold rushing through me, already feeling grief. He was dying. Boromir was dying. He knew it. And it made so much sense. It explained what he'd said on the couch. I was abandoning Boromir when he was dying. I felt cold, angry, and … furious. With everything. It did make sense. Normally he was fine. Sometimes though he seemed to have problems.

Neither of us spoke for a long time. Cere didn't seem able to look at me now. He drank slowly and moved his empty cup aside.

"You didn't take it well."

"I stayed with Legolas?"

"Until Boromir died. Yes." Cere lowered his voice. "You wouldn't have stayed with him if you didn't know about this, would you?" He asked, softer, and for a moment his frown did remind me of Legolas. "I didn't know if you'd want to or not. I just thought you deserved to know too. Shit."

"Don't swear."

"Because I'm your child or because I'm an Elf?" The frown faded as he teased me- my son who was twice my age in appearance. But he nodded. "Habit. It's easy to get into with work. And I grew up here in this time."

"As a lawyer? You're a lawyer?" This was so much easier than what he was telling me. I couldn't believe it. Couldn't understand what I was hearing. Boromir was dying and I'd … I felt selfish.

"I started out as an activist." Cere said, almost defensively, shifting on his seat. "In the sixties and seventies. But it didn't get me anywhere. They all got dumb on drugs and nothing happened. So I decided I'd do it properly and studied law. Environment, conservation, that kind of thing. Father thought I was crazy but it worked. Then he told me about my grandfather. I went straight back to University to study criminal law, just to get the bastard in there as long as possible. I won't tell you the full story, I'm saving it for when I can actually spend hours with you, but that's it."

"He's still your grandfather."

"Don't remind me."

"So... you just ...waited with Legolas?"

"Not all the time and ...it doesn't work like that." He shook his head. "It's not really past and future stuff. Middle Earth's ...like an alternative place. I don't know how to describe it. But the Elves came to this world while a lot of it was vastly untouched. Founded a home that men hadn't found yet. Didn't father tell you anything?"

"Yeah, he said stuff about Atlantis and Lemsomething..." I wasn't really focused on it. My mind was on Legolas and Boromir.

"Well, I'll explain it better when we've got time." Cere sat up straighter. I saw him nod to that elderly woman once more, sighing, adding, "Which we don't have."

It was bizarre how un-Elflike he was. Funny, in a way, but he seemed so modern and headstrong. I stared at him. "How much time did you spend here?"

"In the present? Half of it. Lord Elrond almost seemed to regret he'd suggested it." Cere grinned again. "I think he thought my time here, time in Minas Tirith and time with the dwarves altered my Elf blood too much. They still don't know how to handle me. Anyway- that's all being saved for later. If I started on my story you'd be here for weeks. I'm only here to make sure you know the truth."

Okay. That explained it. TV, computers, and me. Cere must have bothered the Elves for thousands of years with his attitude.

I sat there numbly, trying to drink, and he waited patiently.

"Why... would you even tell me this?" I finally asked. Quiet. "You know … you know how I'll feel about Legolas now."

"Because I don't want to see it happen again." Cere responded. He fiddled with his cup. "Because I think Boromir could survive if he stayed here. Because I know you might never forgive father now but the younger Legolas didn't have time to think about it so he didn't do it. And other reasons. It doesn't matter. He's still sick."

"You're sure?" I asked quietly.

"I am. Ask Brian if you want." Cere said quietly. "They had the pre-surgery appointment this morning. Hey, mum..." Cere hesitated. He grasped my hand, gentle, and said, "Don't be angry with father. He was trying to do the best."

"Yeah, well, he's still in deep shit. He lied to me." I muttered. "I mean, poo. Whatever. Hiding this..."

Shit. What had Legolas done? Lied to me? Not exactly but … even now, he hid thing from me.

"Yeah. I know. I saw the aftermath of what he did." His voice went dry. "And he deserved every thousand years since regretting lying to you. But I'm not going to go through that again or let you two do it. So you've heard the truth and you can … talk to them. Before Boromir's gone and it's too late. Boromir will die, mum, and Lady Galadriel confirmed it'd happen at the same time with or without you." Cere wasn't joking now. "Dad was afraid after that the grief would kill you. He was afraid to leave you alone for a moment. Always looking out for sickness. Elves don't cope the same way. Grief will kill them or leave them mad with it. And you were angry with him... so neither of you really got back together."

"Never?"

"No. When Boromir died, you couldn't handle even seeing him, and … I don't think you ever forgave him." Cere frowned. "I'm angry with him too, I like Uncle Boromir, but … but if I changed one thing, it'd be that. No. It is going to be this. I don't care who you choose to stay with, not really, but I don't want you to spend all your life in regret either."

"We'll see." I muttered. Some part of me wanted to kick him out of my life now. But on the same token...

"Just think about it. Dad waited for you. You don't know how hard it was for him to do that when Gimli was gone. Most of the time he just slept. Days, weeks, years, just slept." Cere glanced to where Boromir sat. "You found out about Boromir's cancer after he died. So I'm changing it, like you did with his first death, because it was stupid. You never forgave Dad for that. I think you thought you could have made him happy. Now... I think if you make him stay, if he stays with the treatment, he'll have a better time. Maybe even be happy if he stays here."

"Was he?"

"Happy? No. He drank a lot. He was drunk a lot as I remember." Cere admitted. "A few women claimed he'd fathered their children but I don't know. Uncle Faramir seemed to believe he didn't have the energy. He wasn't that happy. He worked until he didn't have energy and then we barely saw him. It changed his mind too. He got angry a lot more. Lost his temper. Lost control of his actions. I think he somehow convinced you to take him with you to here, because he was trying to do chemo with Brian's help, but … it didn't help. Anyway. I'm looking forward to seeing him again. Seeing him happy."

Something crossed his face, vauge, even affectionate, but it vanished quickly. Cere looked past me to where Brian had vanished.

"You can't come home?"

"Father will be furious with me for at least two hundred years." Cere joked. "Not yet. I will though. We can talk on the phone, if you want, and I'll come see you when you've given birth. It's probably weird for you."

It was. I had to admit that.

"I'll go tell Brian what you'll need. Anyway. I liked Boromir. Speak to you soon, Mum, you'll know what to do." And like that, he wandered into Kmart, and left me out in the foodcourt.

Boromir was dying. Even now. Cancer. This was why he'd decided to give up on me.

But then... had he?

He knew me. He knew that when I said no, it was his turn to say yes, and when he said no, it was my turn to say yes. I felt like it was more than that. That it was almost a plea... 'Stay with me, even though I'm telling you not to, don't leave me.'

And somehow this made me furious. Reverse psychology.

But I was angry with Legolas too.

Suddenly, I wanted to get rid of both of them for a few months, and just be alone. I sat there, watching my orange sorbet melt, breathing in and out in shallow pants. This entire thing was a stress overload. They all needed to be hit over the head.

Or something.

I got up after a while and got a burger while I waited. Brian took a long time and when he came out, he was alone, with Cere long gone. He smiled weakly.

"Sorry, I wanted to warn you, but he said you'd probably run. Everything all right?"

"Yeah."

"Nice man." He commented. When I didn't respond Brian shrugged. "Got all your stuff. Let's head home.'

He stuffed bags into the car while I sat there.

Okay. Wow.

My head span with it all. The sudden burst of heavy rain outside barely got my attention, or Brian getting into the car soaking wet, I just stared at the water running down the car window. Couldn't I just … go home? To the Legolas I knew?

Because, as happy as I was to have met 'Cere', he was a stranger. The older Legolas had what, thousands of years worth of strangeness, and I was already trying to wrap my head around his first five hundred or so years.

And according to Cere, who made me wonder if he'd been named after Cerebrian who'd brought me there in the first place, Boromir was dying.

I turned to Brian who tapped his hands to some song on the radio, the rain heavier now, and asked the question I didn't want answered. "Is he dying?"

Brian frowned. He actually pulled over on the edge of the highway before he turned to me. "Shit. Sorr.y Yeah. I was with him while the scans were done. It was lucky you brought him... they'll cut it out, he'll get some more time. The doc seemed to think there was a chance if Boromir had intensive care for a few years." And like that he'd gotten some scans out of the back seat.

I sighed heavily and rubbed my head. Looked at the scans, the information Boromir needed for his surgery, clearly going under a false name. I wasn't sure how they'd managed that- but I suspected that if the Elves existed in this world they probably would have to know all about how to fake this shit. Brian held a phone underneath the scan and I stared at it. It wasn't that big. Pretty innocent looking.

"Cere said he'd die." I muttered. "And that you two have met."

"He showed up the day you vanished." Brian muttered. "I knew something was strange about him. Kept going on about Elves as if they were real. Which they are. Anyway. He's been hanging around ever since. I can't tell anyone when we're at home because I don't know how good Legolas' hearing is. Shit. I'll never get used to this, you know."

"Wait till we take them to a con." I muttered. "It'll be there turn."

Brian laughed and pulled out again.

Just as we were pulling in, I grabbed Brian's arm, and told him, "Get Boromir. Think there's a cafe open?" It had gotten dark by now.

"At Maccas, yeah. You want to talk to him?"

I knew Legolas would be hearing me by now. But he also knew I intended on talking to Boromir. Ego aside. I had to talk to him now. Before the second half of that stupid movie. "Yeah. Right now. Be quick."

"Like abandaid." He nodded. "I'll get Legolas to put away the cold stuff."

Cold stuff? Oh yeah. I'd marked a lot of icecream for Brian to buy. I guessed he'd bought all the junk food I'd marked. Woops. Brian vanished with plastic bags and cloth bags into the house, Boromir appearing at the door, and like a good man he wandered out barely seconds later to sit in the back seat.

"We going for food?" He asked, lightly, leaning back in the back seat.

I slid the scans into the space beside my leg, turning to him, and Boromir frowned. "No?"

"Yeah. Yeah, we can go eat, I'm hungry." I muttered. "Then we'll bring food back and eat during the film."

"Sounds like a plan! Your Elf is meditating. I do not know what it is but it bored me." Boromir grinned. "So let us go find food until he is done."

I didn't answer.

Brian returned, rushing through the rain, climbing in. "Legolas has agreed to put the things away."

"Good." I muttered. "Let's go."

Boromir, behind me, actually pulled a blanket over his head as Brian started the car again. He sounded cheerful though when he called, "Tis not so bad! This way I can enjoy it."

I still didn't answer and I felt a hand slide through the middle of the car to find my arm, pulling my hand back, grasping it. Still didn't talk to him. I just sat there, quiet, Cere's words dancing through my head. Dying. Dying.

The second we sat down with food, mostly involving decaf coffee and chips, and Brian vanished, Boromir stopped his big grin. It was like he just switched it off. Maybe he'd been pretending.

"What's the matter?" He shoved his food aside, barely interested in the massive burger I'd bought him, and crossed his arms.

"Your cancer."

Boromir's face fell. He stared down, guilt crossing his face, but not shock or confusion. No. He knew about it. Cere was right. "Did Brian tell you?"

"Not exactly. A little bird did." Or, really, a six foot something bird. I shoved a chip into icecream, staring down, adding, "And that you're going to have more surgery."

"I will fight it. They will cut it out." He tried to smile. "There is still hope."

No. There wasn't. I glanced up to see Boromir's smile slip right off his stupid lips and he glanced away, unable to meet my eyes, his lying as obvious as if he'd had a big 'LYING RIGHT NOW' sign hanging over his head. He doubted he'd survive too.

"There isn't, is there?" I said quietly.

"The healers have told me... it is unlikely. That I live long. That their treatment will give me more time." Boromir's smile slid away. "There is a few years of life remaining and I would gladly make them a few more again."

"Is this why you think I should stay with Legolas?"

"Yes."

"It's not his choice or yours. It's mine." And screw Legolas. I knew it. I would rather spend four years with Boromir than none. Legolas was something special. I'd never find another like that. But if I stayed with him, I'd never forgive myself, led alone him. What had Arwen said? Boromir was a gift.

Four years.

But I knew what I wanted. Even if I spent those four years with Boromir, I knew I'd be caught up in Legolas, and it'd just make him unhappier. He'd be dying and I' d be raising another person's son. He'd be dying and I'd be pretending I wasn't looking or waiting for Legolas when I was.

He'd be dying and I'd feel like I was once again responsible for his happiness and his fate.

Legolas was right, even if I was furious with him for lying to me, because I wasn't in charge of Boromir's fate.

"I'm not going to marry you."

Boromir's face fell, crumpling, and he leaned heavier on the table in front of me. Yeah. He'd said those things earlier in the hope that I'd do what he told me not to. "You-"

"I'll still be around."

"You need not bother, woman. I don't want you around. And I will not do the surgery. There is no point." Boromir suddenly slammed everything, the whole table, the food, shoving it to one side, scaring the crap out of the patrons in the Maccas. He stood up and stormed out, his anger so sudden that it scared even me, Brian rushing after him.

I was up before I could think, chasing after him, my resolve vanishing. Oh shit.

"Boromir, fine!" I yelled. He froze, twisting around in the rain, "Fine. I'm staying beside you."

"I do not want your pity."

"It's not pity, idiot, it's love." I snapped. Hobbling outside, I grasped my phone out of my pocket, the warm rain soaking me as I came closer to where Boromir had frozen. I snatched my phone out, ignoring his grab, and dialed Legolas. No more of this. Legolas had asked me if I'd wait for him. This time it was his turn to answer that same question.

"Wenduin?"

"Will you wait for me? If I can't be with you for a while?" I shoved my wet hair out of my face, ignoring what the rain was probably doing to the phone, somehow desperate. Angry, upset, and desperate.

"Why?"

"Because I'm standing by him, Legolas, because that's what you do with the person you love." I responded, grasping for Boromir's hand, mirroring his earlier words. The urge to CRUSH his hand rose up. But I couldn't... "Because I'll be there. Till he breathes his last. Just like Boromir would be for me if he could."

And if he couldn't understand that, he didn't really know me.

"I would wait." He said quietly. Almost so quiet I didn't hear him. "Until you were old and grey. If that was what I had to do. I would wait until the ending of the world, if you find love for me before then, and linger long after."

And like that, he hung up.

But it was done. I knew it. I felt it.

"Are you sure?"

"There's nothing else I could ask for." I smiled, weakly, and tried to ignore the anger. Not exactly a happy ending. Boromir's death was going to break my heart. But I knew he'd at least die happy. I ignored the little voice in my head. His fate wasn't mine."So go do the surgery."

"Except for Legolas to be there for you when I am gone." Boromir reached out to grasp my hand. He was staring at me. "Are you sure? If he is not there-"

"Then he's not and he doesn't understand me." I responded. I sighed. "And he will be. Do you mind that he..."

"Will be there? Waiting?" Boromir shook his head, sudden, and grasped my hand tight. He pulled me back into the shelter, his anger gone, only replaced with relief and love that tore at me. There wasn't anything right about this. "I will hunt the Elf down myself and beg him to be there, on my knees, if I must. And then remind him who gave her the better love."

"Boromir."

"Tis true, I would even offer him tips on pleasing you." He grinned weakly. "Some men would have their wives never be with another man. Not I. Were Legolas not there, I would likely seek another, for I want you to be loved. So no. If Legolas were to be there, I would be relieved, for I would know you would not be alone after I die."

After he died.

Boromir's smile faltered at the words too. Something crossed his face, grief, and he shifted back somewhat. "But I will do the healing. Tomorrow afternoon. They have told me it will take place tomorrow afternoon. You will have a family. Faramir will be there, Eowyn, and your son. If Legolas is not there, I will entrust them to care for you until you are able to care for yourself."

"I'll be-"

"If you are not grief stricken I will be insulted." He tried to joke. It fell short. Boromir knew he was dying. He knew he only had a few years left. "You will have a child. Help will always be there, whether you need it or not. And when I die-"

"I don't want to talk about it. We've got ages." It felt like ages. Years. A decade. Fuck. What had I just agreed to? Even his relief didn't make this feel okay.

"We know I will die, treatment or no." Boromir cut me off. He grasped my hand, stroking it gently, voice softening. "And if we discuss it now we need not bring it up again. When I die, Wendy, you are ordered to go find Legolas. This is not an order by your husband but by your Captain. I will never take that place in your heart where he is- I promised you that and will never break it. When I die, you must go to that place. If you do not promise to do this then I will not marry you. Not even were you to lure me into marrying you with no clothing on."

I stared at him. The hurt, the determination, the sheer stubbornness. How come he could accept me being with Legolas after but not now? Was he afraid of dying?

"I-"

"Yes, Wendy, is the only answer I wait for. Or I reject your proposal. He may refuse to be a lover but all I want is for you to have a friend. Legolas will never leave your heart."

"Yes. Okay."

"Good. Then I can spend my life beside you without being anxious for you." He smiled, actually relaxed, and stood up. To my shock Boromir actually shouted, literally shouted at Brian, scaring everyone again, in the cafe, "We are getting married! Brian! Let us go home to finish our story!"

He was in a great mood as he went back in to order more food. Great mood in the car. I got out of the car, mood heavy, Legolas in the living room. He didn't look at me. And with Boromir's grin, I felt sick, angry, wishing I could smash the big idiot with the frying pan.

I slumped in the chair and ate icecream as they put on the second half of the film.

He was in a great mood as the film continued, later that night, but I couldn't breathe. I had to go outside- I was exhausted suddenly. No. This wasn't right. I hobbled into the kitchen, standing there, breathing hard, so damn aware of the two of them. Out there. Listening to Moria, to Lothlorien, I was rooted to the spot in the kitchen, with a tub of chocolate icecream and a spoon. Not a tiny spoon. An icecream scoop.

Legolas lied to me about his death. Boromir wasn't going to have surgery unless I stayed with him. Blah blah blah. Protection, manipulation, and I was sick of it. I had shit to do, a baby to give birth to, I'd fricken survived being stomped on by a horse and right now my muscle was being held together with some kind of string or something while it healed, and they still were playing these games?

By the time the container of icecream was gone, my anger had riven to an all time high, and I shoved the two litre now empty container into the sink. Turned. I was angry. I was on crutches. My armpits had blisters, for crying out loud, and I wanted to eat all the oranges in the world and pee.

And stomped back into the living room.

Boromir turned towards me, grinning, pointing at himself on the screen. "Wife! Lo-"

"Shut it." I snapped, pointing the icecream scoop at Boromir, turning the DVD player off. "I'm not marrying you. Why the fuck would you threaten me with not having surgery?"

"I-"

"And you." I turned on Legolas, who stared up at me expressionless, his stupid perfect face blank. "Why the hell didn't you tell me Boromir was dying?"

Legolas blinked. "I-"

I didn't let him continue either. Oh no. I was furious. I had shit to say. "Yeah, don't bother, Elf boy. Cere told me all about what you're going to do. What you did. Whatever. And it was fucking low and maybe it's eternity on the couch for you for that. But you're a jerk. And so are you." I spat at Boromir. "Who is going to go have surgery tomorrow and if I have to drag you I will, which I hope I don't, because I'm pregnant and it's expressly forbidden to lift heavy morons."

"And you." I pointed at Brian who had gone white faced. He'd never seen me angry like this before. "Were a jerk of aboyfriend. You might be a good friend but as a boyfriend? You suck. And if I find out you treat your new girlfriend like you treat me then I'm going to cut off your balls and take them back to feed to … a dragon. The only person who's been even remotely helpful has been Cere and he was the only one who had the fantastic idea of mixing oranges with icecream-"

"You've met him?" Legolas sat up, suddenly, his eyes narrowing. Just a tiny motion- the other two didn't see it- but I did. Oh no. He was not going to get angry at my baby. He hadn't even formed ears yet.

"Course I've met him, Leggy, he's like me except with your magic Elf powers of stealth and cunning. Are you really that surprised that he found a way to talk to me?" I wanted to roll my eyes. It seemed obvious to me. I breathed out, a sharp exhale of air that felt good, and unclenched my hands. "Okay. You."

My eyes landed on Boromir and he flinched as if I'd hit him. He'd gone pale. Shrunk back into the chair.

"You're staying here till you do the chemo. I don't even want to see you in Middle Earth. Yeah, I know what the doctors told you, and I know what Cere told me-" I ignored that flash of anger in Legolas face again, "-but what he said sounded like you kept jumping from here to there, drank most of the time, and what kind of treatment plan would you be getting if you only got part time treatment and was drunk the rest of the time? So you're staying. I'll rent a place, where I'll stay half the time, and you can … be the house sitter. You are not allowed to drink yourself to death. As long as you're having treatment you're going to eat organic food, stay healthy and fit, and accept that you've got at least another forty years, maybe fifty. That's a long fucking time, Boromir, and even if you have only got four years, I don't want to hear about you wasting them with prostitutes and booze. You stay here, Faramir has no competition for his ...Captain thing... and I'm only taking you back when I'm convinced that you're happy again. Even if that takes you ten years. Twenty. Even if you're a grey old man. Because I did not save your fucking life so you could mope about what you can't have."

Not that I wasn't at fault, I knew that, but I was sick of him … ignoring me. All the time. I told him no, and he said yes. Or he did what he'd done before. Reverse psychology or something. Boromir knew that if he told me not to have something, I'd want it, the idiot knew me better sometimes than Legolas. Then he had to bring out the big guns and threaten me with his fate? Fuck that. Fuck him.

He stared at me with that same expression Brian had, that shocked 'verbal slap' expression, as if he didn't know what to do. Boromir wasn't exactly a stranger to this side of me but … at the same time, he'd just about accepted he was going to be dead in a few years.

I turned to Legolas. "And you."

He stared at me, not quite as shocked as the others, but he tensed as I turned my attention on him. "You are going to propose to me properly."

"What?"

"Sex isn't a marriage proposal. I don't care if we just go to town hall. And then you're going to have to accept that Boromir's apart of my life, like a frustrating brother, and … I do love him. So you have to love him too. We both have to. So when I'm not here, you have to be his friend, and you have to support him like I would. You lied to me, you were about to do it all over again, so you know what? Boromir's in your hands. Pretend he's me and make sure he does everything the doctors tell him."

"But no sex.." Boromir muttered. Legolas shot him such a dirty look that even I was surprised. He actually scowled at Boromir. Boromir just gave him that same bewildered expression he'd given me. Either it was because of the anger in Legolas' face, because they had been something like friends when Boromir had left, or it was because he'd never actually seen the Elf display any kind of negative emotion. Maybe a mixture of both.

"Come on, you two were friends."

Until Boromir had died and I'd rejected Legolas. I wondered how tens of thousands of years affected an Elf's mind and heart. Maybe this would be good for Legolas. How had his memory of Boromir warped over the thousands of years? I knew Boromir had a good heart, I knew he was a good person, and … I knew he cared about Legolas as a friend. As a brother, even. I prodded Legolas with my foot, leaning heavily on the crutches, adding, "And he's still my friend. Even though he's in the dog house. Boromir, I'm really angry with you. Fuck! Why would you even threaten me with that? I need more chocolate."

"Then I will... try." Legolas didn't seem pleased. "Does this mean you will … call me?"

In other words, did this mean I'd do something to make this world move with mine? Damn right I would. How weird would it have been for time to pass in only one place? I wanted to see Boromir progress everytime I came home.

"Yes. I'll call all of you." I replied. "And come... every three months or something. Maybe every two months, spend two here, then go back. So I get a bit of every season. And maybe that way I can start the archery again." My anger hadn't faded, exactly, but I was distracted. Planning. Planning for me, mostly, and for the baby. I turned to Brian. "What do you think?"

I met Brian's eyes then, and he nodded, though he remained quiet. He was a friend too. Nothing else. But... he knew my career as well as I did.

"They missed you. Even the media did. If anything you'd be more well known now." Brian admitted. "There was a big fuss in the papers when you apparently came back to life. And your manager's been trying to get in touch but I told him you were … healing."

"So I can do it." I muttered. I sighed.

"Is this what you really want?" Boromir said, quiet, his voice finally returning.

"Yes. But I'm not going to force you." I stared at him. "From now on, you decide if you live or die, and … if you want to go home and die from alcohol and cancer you barely tried to cure, that's your choice. But you've got my offer."

"It's Legolas?"

I went quiet a moment. I didn't want to stay this out loud to him. I wanted him to read my mind, my heart, or something. But Boromir needed to hear it. Suddenly it was me who wanted to cry. "You knew that. It was always Legolas. I just … I couldn't bear to see you so unhappy. I hoped I'd make you happy. But every time I saw Legolas I …"

Boromir nodded, tearing his eyes away, suddenly swallowing hard as he crossed his arms across his chest. "You do not need to say any more. I will remain here."

"Okay." Another exhale of air, another release of whatever it was I held in my chest, and I sighed. "Okay."

"And I will... treat him as my brother." Legolas muttered, quieter, eyes down. "If you want."

"Thank you." Holy cow. The two of them. They were actually accepting this.

Why hadn't I done this weeks ago? Fuck. I flopped down suddenly, relief and exhaustion, tears flooding out as I realised it was done. Over. I didn't have to battle them anymore... or be in the middle of their battle.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm tired, you jerks, I'm just … tired." A third heavy exhale of air and my shoulders slumped, as Ir rested back, the crutches falling to rest on either side of me. "And I crave oranges. I'm pregnant. Let me eat oranges and chocolate, and maybe some icecream, and relax from now on. Orange sorbet."

"Orange sorbet and chocolate icecream?"

I nodded as Brian left the room. He probably couldn't wait to do so. Boromir sat down on the couch, almst as heavily as I had, but he didn't run. He just sat there staring into his hands. Legolas leaned against the wall.

"Good." Leaning back, I stared up at the ceiling, watching a cobweb dance backwards and forwards in the corner whenever the rotating fan turned in that direction. We'd missed Christmas... but this was as much of a present as I could get. "And I'll go back home, tell Faramir you're staying here to be healed, and-"

"Will be a very long time."

"Yep." I met Legolas gaze and added, "I won't tell you that you're here."

"You won't need to. I will probably know." Legolas moved slowly to my side. To my surprise he actually checked with Boromir, eyes going to him, and when Boromir shrugged, Legolas slid down to sit on the edge of the seat beside me.

"Just so you know..." I said, looking at Boromir now. "Cere wants to meet you. My son. I think he... I think he wants you to survive. He must have had good memories of you. So you have to meet my son, as a baby and as a man, and tell me what you think."

I did want to know what he thought. I wanted to hear everything he thought, actually, I wanted to tell Boromir about it. About how weird it had been, how strange it was to sit with your own grown up child when you were still pregnant with them, and I wished he wasn't so stupid right now. But that was my fault too. Even in my anger I knew that. I should have said that stuff weeks ago.

"I will not touch a drop of alcohol." Boromir agreed, softly, rubbing his hands. "Not even in Cerebration. I … will gladly meet him."

"He will wish to live with us." Legolas said, and laughed softly, his body suddenly slumping. "He has spoken of this. Of seeing it- the three of us sharing a house. I thought he was teasing."

"Come on, he has your magic elf genes." I muttered. "Why would he tease? He probably sees things too."

Legolas nodded, his face softening, and he leaned down to kiss the top of my head. "Because he is like you, my love, and he teases as much as he talks."

"Good, then I'll like him." Boromir muttered. He finally looked up and tried to smile, tried to, but there was that sadness. I knew I'd been responsible for it... but so had he, in a way. He'd known, always known, who I was with. "You must tell the younger Legolas to care for you."

"I will."

"And to fight with you."

"Oh, that too. He can't escape it." I muttered. "I need to train. Aragorn, Legolas, whoever's around. I will return in a moment to finish these films before the healing. But I have a sudden craving for this pizza..." Another smile, sad, but also a mixture of affection and amusement as he stared from myself to Legolas. Then he stood up, slowly, and left the room.

The urge to follow and ask 'Are you okay with this?' came and went.

Truthfully, I couldn't ask anymore. I couldn't take responsibility for his happiness.

"Are you okay?" Legolas' soft voice came against my ear, as he leaned down, a hand sliding down my back.

"Make sure he's okay." I said quietly. "He doesn't like cars. And the world's so new..."

"He will survive here. Boromir adapts easily." Legolas slid his hand up the back of my top, rubbing the warm skin, and slid in behind me, pulling me against his chest. "Leave him to me."

"I will." I leaned against him, sighed, and shut my eyes. "Take him to Egypt."

"When he is ready for a plane." Legolas chuckled softly. He squeezed me gently, and I felt it, this sharp exhale of air from him as well. Releasing something. "I will. And you may be right. Who can say how his cancer will go if he is here, being treated, and being cared for? But … you did not want him to stay in my house?"

"Maybe some of the time. But if he's going to get used to this world... suburbs are as good as anything. An apartment would be great. He could sit there and watch the world." I added, "And that's your treasure. That place. You can decide if he goes."

"One day he will."

I nodded and shut my eyes. I wanted to sleep suddenly. God. I was so relieved.

"I'm still angry with you." I muttered. But probably not as angry as I would have been if it'd played out the way Cere had said. "You better make sure-"

"I will."

"Good." I knew I didn't need to say anymore.

We sat quietly and Boromir didn't return. Brian came in, muttering something about 'saving the films for after the surgery', before vanishing again. I knew that meant Boromir was worse than he'd let on.

"Go make sure he's okay."

"I am listening to him. He is upset but … he is not drowning himself." Legolas responded. "Trust me. Focus on your baby."

"I do. I am. Okay." I muttered. I did trust Legolas. Fuck, I was angry with him for what he'd done, but... I wanted to swear my head off at him for hours. He hadn't done it yet. My Legolas, the one in Middle Earth, hadn't done anything yet. But he would have. Maybe he wouldn't have meant for it to go as far as it had, who knew, maybe he'd really only tried to protect me. But …

It wasn't going to happen.

Damn. My son was awesome.

"Boromir asked to sleep in here." Brian's voice came in, quiet, as he stepped in. He held out a bowl of golden orange sorbet. "I said it's fine."

"Okay. Good." I yawned again, tired still, and slowly stood up. "I need to sleep."

"I'll carry you to bed." Legolas slid up easily, and lifted me up in his arms like I weighed nothing, carrying me outside into the dark night. I saw Boromir in the kitchen, sitting at the table, and Brian returning to sit beside him.

Legolas lowered me carefully into the camping bed. He slid down to sit beside me once he'd switched on the fan that was out here, and lay there, stroking my back slowly.

"Sing. Like you used to." I muttered. It felt like years since he'd done that. I missed it.

To my surprise, when he sang, it wasn't in Elvish. It wasn't ancient.

'On a cold, wet afternoon
In a room full of emptiness
By a freeway I confess
I was lost in the pages
Of a book full of death
Reading how we'll die alone
And if we're good, we'll lay to rest
Anywhere we want to go

In your house I long to be
Room by room patiently
I'll wait for you there
Like a stone
I'll wait for you there
Alone

On my deathbed I will pray
To the gods and the angels
Like a pagan to anyone
Who will take me to heaven
To a place I recall
I was there so long ago
The sky was bruised
The wine was bled
And there you led me on

In your house I long to be
Room by room patiently
I'll wait for you there
Like a stone
I'll wait for you there
Alone

And on I read
Until the day was gone
And I sat in regret
Of all the things I've done
For all that I've blessed
And all that I've wronged
In dreams until my death
I will wander on

In your house I long to be
Room by room patiently
I'll wait for you there
Like a stone
I'll wait for you there
Alone'

It was sad. It sounded like he'd sung it often. But … I mumbled, just about in sleep, "Not alone anymore. No more protecting me."

I fell asleep, as he slid in beside me, the cool air of the fan brushing across both of us.

A/N :

Phew. May come back to edit this one in the future...

Would love to see how people picture 'Cere'. That may or may not be his real name... lol