Note: This fic is rated R for a good reason. This is a revised version of 'Falling Tears', because I rushed a bit with the last one, and I didn't like how girlish I made Legolas was. The plot is the same, however, so I still would not recommend this fic to Boromir fans. Contains shounen ai between Legolas and Aragorn and severe violence. These characters do not belong to me. The character whose POV is being written are marked with ********. Elven words are in ''; English words are normal.

Falling Tears

Part 1

*************
Legolas
*************

It was a fine day to be alive, I thought, as I gazed at the winter wonderland in the forest. I used my elven speed to dash up above Aragorn and drop a snowball on him from up in a tree.

The forest we were in was beautiful. Snow drifted down gently around us, and covered the tall trees and ground. I was appreciative of the sheer beauty around me, for I am an Elf, after all. Dark hemlocks and other such trees seemed to touch the skies, as I grinned down from one of the taller trees at Aragorn. I scooped some more snow off the tree and tossed it at him again.

"Legolas!" he protested. "That's cold!"

I laughed merrily, my emerald-green eyes sparkling. The hobbits were laughing as well.

'You should pay closer attention!' I called down to him in Elvish, grinning.

Aragorn halted our group and looked up at me with a challenge on his face. He ran up the tree faster than I would have expected. I led him on a merry chase through three treetops, until he finally caught up and tackled me. We both fell out of the tree. The others were watching us closely to see if we were hurt.

I was pinned under him. I gazed up at him, feeling a familiar stirring inside my Elven heart. Aragorn looked down at me with a strange expression on his face.

'You win?' I offered, aware that we were being watched.

'And you should be quicker, Legolas,' Aragorn finally said, as he stood and helped me to my feet.

'Indeed,' I said, amused. I started brushing the snow out of my long blond hair. Aragorn gently brushed some snow off of my hair as well, where I couldn't reach it. I smiled my thanks at him. The hobbits were grinning and nudging each other. Gimli the dwarf just smiled and shook his head. Boromir was frowning at the sight of Aragorn and myself standing together.

I didn't know why, but this particular human made me uneasy. He was always watching me. In my heart, I could not bring myself to trust him completely.

"Let's get moving," Aragorn said, gesturing for our group to start walking again. 'Gimli and I still have to go talk with the dwarves who rule this land to ask if we may cross it.'

"Can we go too?" Frodo asked earnestly. He looked and acted like a small child a lot of the time. The other hobbits nodded their heads eagerly.

"Fine with me," Gimli said.

"They'll probably be safer with you, Aragorn, and Gimli." I saw Boromir frowning again. "Who would dare to attack a camp full of dwarves?" I asked logically.

Boromir looked slightly appeased at those words.

"Yes, my old friend. Your logic is sound, as always," Aragorn said, smiling at me. I felt a blush creep onto my face. He turned to the hobbits. "You may come if you like."

They cheered. I smiled. Some things never changed.

We began walking again. I walked beside Aragorn and felt Boromir staring again. I spoke to Aragorn softly in Elvish, because I knew Boromir didn't understand Elvish very easily.

'Aragorn? Forgive me if I disturb your thoughts, but I am apprehensive about staying behind as well,' I murmured.

Aragorn looked at me, surprised. 'Why, Legolas?'

'I have doubts about that particular human,' I said quietly, glancing at Boromir.

'I am human, too, Legolas,' he reminded me gently. 'You trust me, don't you?'

I sighed softly. 'It's not you I don't trust, Aragorn. It's him. He always looks at me, and it makes me uneasy.'

Aragorn frowned slightly, and turned to look at Boromir. Sure enough, he was staring directly at me again. When Boromir saw Aragorn looking at him, he averted his gaze until Aragorn turned to face me again.

I could feel the eyes upon me again. 'He's doing it again,' I told my old friend.

'Legolas, you are a pretty sight to look at,' Aragorn said, jesting slightly. 'He's only looking.'

I frowned. 'I'm serious, Aragorn. I do not like it at all. Must he stare so at me?'

Aragorn sighed when he saw that I would not be swayed. 'If it would make you feel better, I'll speak to him about it when I return from the dwarves' camp.'

If anything, my frown grew worse. 'I am capable of speaking to him myself. But I do not wish to be alone with him.'

'Boromir is part of the Fellowship, Legolas. He will not hurt you, for he made a vow, as the rest of us did,' Aragorn said seriously. 'Give him the benefit of the doubt. Elves do not easily trust humans, and that may be part of the reason you do not trust him.'

I briefly wondered if it were true. 'You may be right, Aragorn. I will try, but I can promise no more than that.'

Aragorn was relieved. 'He is my kinsman,' he reminded me. 'I would not have an old friend fight someone I need to befriend.'

'Very well. I will get along with him for your sake, Aragorn, and for our friendship.' I turned my gaze and caught Boromir's eyes boring a hole directly into me.

*************
Aragorn
*************

I wasn't entirely surprised to hear what Legolas had said about Boromir. Almost everyone knew that Boromir had been upset after speaking with Galadriel in Lothlorien.

But I felt that I had allayed his fears, at least for now. I was lucky that Legolas had not been more persistent, like he usually was.

I turned and saw Boromir was staring directly at the beautiful elf again. I smiled at Legolas teasingly. 'He is bewitched by you, fairest elf in Mirkwood.'

Legolas nodded slowly. 'But do try to make it a short visit, Aragorn. If Boromir and I are attacked, we will be severely outnumbered.' His tone sounded lighter, and more at ease.

"I will," I said. I spoke in English.

Legolas smiled and placed a hand on my arm, before he let himself fall back towards the end of the group. I heard him begin to sing an Elvish song, which made the Hobbits happy. They'd been begging to hear another one since we'd left Lothlorien.

I watched him, struck by how truly exquisite my oldest friend was. The sun shone on his hair, as he sang joyfully of the trees. Gladness shone in his green eyes, which were the color of fresh, new leaves.

Gimli grumbled, "Why does he always have to sing in every forest we pass through?"

"It lightens the heart, Gimli," I told him calmly.

A snort was what the dwarf gave me, but I noticed that he was soon walking in tune with the song.

I hid a smile, as I glanced back once more and saw Legolas walking on top of the snow, while the rest of us were wading in it.

Then I turned once more, and led the Company of Eight towards our destination.

*************
Boromir
*************

I gritted my teeth when I saw that Aragorn and Legolas were having one of their little talks again. In Elvish, no doubt. I didn't understand most of the Elvish tongue.

It made me so jealous, the way Legolas always preferred Aragorn's company. As if I wasn't good enough for him, or something. I wanted the delicate elf for myself. But Aragorn had Legolas's affections.

I'd seen that clearly enough back when the Fellowship was first formed. He'd jumped up and defended Aragorn to me, of all people. Such a beautiful creature, with anger flashing in his eyes, and reproach in his smooth, flowing voice. And he'd caught Aragorn, when the Ranger and the Ringbearer and nearly plummeted to their deaths. I'd seen the fear in those green eyes.

I still did not see why we had to destroy the One Ring. I could use it for so much good. To defend my people in Gondor, and to claim Legolas for my own. For that matter, I still did not understand why Gondor needed a King. I was one of the sons of the Steward of Gondor, after all. Why should some human who'd been raised among the Elves in his youth be King of the land that I had been raised to lead? Some Ranger becoming King of Gondor, blood heir or not? The thought made me angry.

It was strange. These feelings were manifesting themselves to me more and more. I hadn't felt this way towards Legolas before we left Rivendell. Yes, I had seen his courage and his beauty. But I had believed that the Elf would be the first to turn back. He had not. Legolas had stayed, and proved me wrong.

I'd always believed that Elves were weak, in spite of their rumored prowess. With such seeming delicacy, I was certain that Legolas would easily be injured or worse. But instead, his archery skills had killed the Cave Troll in the Mines of Moira. Legolas had saved everyone's life a few times. Yet, he was not boastful or proud, as some Elves tended to be.

And then there was Aragorn. A natural leader, I had to admit. He'd taken on the responsibility for everyone's safety after Gandalf had died. But I was angered that no time was given for mourning Gandalf after we escaped from the Mines. Aragorn had been right that Orcs would be swarming the area long before nightfall, but the little ones had been so upset. Aragorn was a valiant fighter, especially with Anduril. But he needed to learn compassion, in my opinion.

I frowned as I saw Aragorn smiled at the elf, who clapped him on the arm. Legolas then moved to the end of the Company, and began to sing. Jealousy burned in my heart, as well as anger.

I knew then that if I wanted Legolas, I had to make my move quickly. Otherwise, the elf would be Aragorn's. I knew that they had feelings for each other. They tried hard to hide them, but it was obvious. Their little conversations in Elvish, Aragorn brushing Legolas's hair off of his face, and their friendly gestures, the touches on the arms.

I saw the dwarves up ahead. They were to escort the hobbits, Aragorn, and Gimli to the dwarves. I would be alone with Legolas for several hours.

God, I wanted him so badly that it hurt. And I vowed then that Legolas would be mine. One way or the other, he would belong to me.

Then I felt ashamed of myself for thinking such thoughts. I sternly told myself that I could not hurt Legolas. But I wasn't in control anymore, or so it seemed to me. Someone or something else was.

I saw Frodo looking at me, with his hand over his pocket, where the One Ring was. It seemed to mock me, taunting me by name. I was being drawn towards it.

Frodo backed away, and I shook my head. I ruffled his hair, instead. Though I really wanted to grab the Ring.

"Better catch up with Aragorn," I told him, though my thoughts were troubled. I was being corrupted, and I knew it. Frodo knew it, I was certain. I was in despair.

Until I saw Legolas standing next to Aragorn, speaking with him quietly.

Burning hatred tore through me then, and I lost all reason and control. I gritted my teeth, and silently waited.

*************
Legolas
*************

"Farewell, my friend," I said to Aragorn softly. I looked at Gimli and the hobbits. "Be swift and be safe."

They nodded.

"We'll be fine," Aragorn said, as they were led away by the dwarves.

I waved after them, until they had faded from sight.

Boromir cleared his throat.

I turned and looked at him. "We should probably build a camp, for it will be dark soon after they return."

To my relief, he nodded.

"I'll gather firewood," I offered. "Can you light the fire?"

Again, he merely nodded. "I'll lay the beds out, as well."

Aragorn and the others had left their packs behind. I picked up all of the water skins.

"Then I shall gather water."

I walked away, feeling him watching me as I disappeared into the forest. I refilled the water skins and returned to the camp.

There was a strange gleam in Boromir's eyes as he watched me place the skins beside the packs. He'd already laid the beds out.

To my surprise, I saw that it was snowing again. "I shall gather firewood now, Boromir. I'll be back in a while," I murmured, as I walked deeper into the forest, picking up as many dry branches as I could carry.

When I turned around, I got the shock of my life.

Boromir was standing directly behind me, a few feet away.

I was so startled, I dropped the wood I'd gathered, as well as my bow.

"You surprised me, Boromir. I thought you were making the fire," I said quietly. I knelt down and began to pick up the fallen pieces of wood. I smiled at him, remembering what Aragorn had told me.

"Legolas," his voice said huskily.

I looked at him, confused. "Does something ail you, Boromir?"

A knife suddenly appeared in his hand as he advanced on me.

"What are you doing, Boromir?" I asked as I backed into a tree.

"Nothing."

I turned and began to run. Something was wrong with him.

I was tackled hard from behind. Boromir was a tall and strong human. I squirmed beneath him and managed to shove him off. I stumbled to my feet and would have run, if strong arms hadn't caught my feet.

Boromir positioned himself over me, and yanked at my daggers and sword. He flung them over to where the wood lay, and did the same to my quiver. I kicked at him, and heard him grunt in pain.

"What is this?" I asked. "What is wrong with you? Let me up!" I struggled hard, scratching him with my fingernails. I nearly broke free again.

He grabbed my wrists easily, and produced rope from somewhere. As he began tying my hands together, I lashed out with my feet, hard. Boromir wasn't playing a game this time.

"You will be mine, Legolas." His voice was full of lust and anger. "You will never be Aragorn's."

"Let me go, Boromir! I mean it!" I kicked and struggled and bit at him. My struggles began anew, and I managed to hit him fairly hard with my bound hands.

Boromir then struck me hard in the ribs. The wind was knocked out of me, as I gasped for air, struggling to breath. And it felt like one or two was broken, as Boromir knelt on me.

I saw it then, in his eyes. The Ring… The Ring had corrupted him. Blood trickled from his nose. Madness was in his eyes.

Aragorn, I cried silently, as his weight pushed me down onto the ground. Desperation gave me strength to try one more time. I shouted, but held no hope that anyone would hear me. Aragorn and the others had gone pretty far away.

"You'll pay for that." He drew his sword, and as I struggled helplessly, the hilt slammed down into my face.

I floated in and out of consciousness, laying there, as rough hands tore at my clothes. I was dimly aware of being turned over. Pain wracked through my entire body, as I cried out in agony. Then I mercifully passed out.

*************
Aragorn
*************

We hadn't been gone for more than two hours when I heard a strange cry. I was not certain of what it was. It sounded like a cry of pain and agony. A tortured scream, which sent shivers down my spine.

Gimli looked over at me, worry in his eyes. "Do you think it is Legolas or Boromir who is crying out?"

I was worried, deeply worried. "I'm going to go check on them, Gimli. They may be under attack. Keep the Hobbits here, and do not return until morning. It may not be safe."

He nodded wordlessly.

I bid farewell to the hospitality of the dwarves, who had given us the privilege of taking a shortcut across their land. Gimli stayed behind to finish the negotiations.

Then I left and headed back towards where I had last seen Legolas and Boromir.

And a silent fear was in my heart, which I could not name.

*************

Boromir

*************

I looked down at the battered and nude body beneath me, and felt a sense of shame and revulsion. What had I done? I pulled myself off of Legolas's unconscious body. God, I felt so sick. I put my clothes on and ran. In the distance, I heard Aragorn's voice calling for Legolas.

I hadn't planned on doing anything like that to Legolas when I'd gone after him. I had only wanted to talk to him. How could I have betrayed him like this? I cared about him, and I'd hoped that Legolas might grow to care about me.

But something had taken over me, as I had stood there, watching Legolas. He was more graceful than a deer, and twice as beautiful. I closed my eyes and remembered the bruised Elven face.

God, Aragorn would never forgive me. I'd violated Legolas in the worst way possible- more than once, too. I sank down to my knees and wished for death. How could I look the others in the eyes again, especially Legolas. I was a monster. I'd let my anger and feelings for Legolas get out of hand.

God, Legolas, I'm so sorry. I buried my face in my knees and wept.

*************

Aragorn

*************

I found the remnants of a camp, and saw the beds had been laid out. I felt a sense of forbearing as I saw that both Legolas and Boromir were missing. I couldn't help but remember what Legolas had said to me: 'It's not you that I don't trust, Aragorn. It's him.'

"Legolas!" I shouted. The snow made it difficult to see.

I followed the snow-covered tracks as best as I could. A blizzard was coming down, now, I suddenly realized. Snow whipped through the air and stung my face. I found Legolas's weapons, and strung his bow and quiver over my shoulder. I stuck the daggers into my medicine pouch, and held his sword.

A faint moan caught my attention. I followed the sound, and saw a figure laying face first in the snow. My heart skipped a beat when I saw that the figure had blond hair.

I ran forward and knelt beside Legolas. God, he looked horrible. A massive cut was on his forehead, as well as numerous bruises. Cuts and bruises were all over him, for that matter. His clothes had been torn into pieces, and he kept whispering something soft in Elvish. He shivered, either from pain or cold. Or possibly both. His hands had been bound above his head.

'No more, please,' he pleaded in a voice full of pain.

With those words, I knew something terrible had happened. I cut the ropes binding his arms, before I tore off my cloak and wrapped it around Legolas. I picked him up easily, and cradled his head on my chest. In the darkness, I saw that his blond hair now had a pink tinge to it. Elven blood, I saw.

He whimpered and tried to get out of my arms, fearful of physical contact.

'It's ok, Legolas,' I whispered in his pointed ears. 'It's me, Aragorn.' He sighed and went limp in my arms. Blood seeped from somewhere, as it trickled down his legs.

I carried Legolas back to the camp and laid him flat on my blankets. I began inspecting him, starting at his pale and battered face. I was trying to find out where the bleeding was coming from when his eyes opened.

'Aragorn,' he whispered, taking a deep breath.

I looked at him. 'What happened to you?' I questioned.

A crunching sound caught my attention, as well as Legolas's.

Boromir entered the camp, and froze when he saw the Elf laying there.

************

Legolas

************

I knew that I could not tell Aragorn what Boromir had done. Our Company was already damaged, and I told him, it would completely shatter.

I looked at Boromir and glared at him, before I flinched in pain and turned to Aragorn.

'I ran into some Orcs,' I lied.

Boromir's mouth dropped open in surprise.

To be continued