((Author's Note: this came out of nowhere and begged for me to write it…there may be a sequel…if I get a good enough response (hint hint) and if my muse cooperates, it's been rather feisty of late…))

Disclaimer: I have nothing….but a Legolas action figure doll which my friend got me…anywayz, it all belongs to the Great Tolkien, may he rest in peace.

I remember clearly the first time I saw her. I remember clearly the first I heard her voice cry out for her uncle. And I remember as Aragorn held her. I remember wishing that I could be the one.

Never in my long years had I understood how someone immortal could find themselves entranced by a mortal. Aragorn was the closest I had ever come to this fickle race. He was my best friend. My brother, but I never thought a woman would take my breath in this way.

Eowyn. The named rolled over my tongue and haunted my thoughts. I stood next to her as her uncle threw Wormtongue from the palace. And I saw out of the corner of my eye how she looked at Aragorn. She seemed almost entranced by his ruggedness, the way he moved, talked, and acted.

I was viewed as the silent, cold elf. Rarely did she even look in my direction, her light blue eyes were focused on my best friend, my king; and for the first time in my life I wished I could be mortal.

When the two children arrived at the Edoras, I stood silently against the wall, watching as she stood in defense of the defenseless. If she had once looked my way, she would have seen worship and respect. But she had eyes only for Aragorn.

"Do you not know he is betrothed?" I wanted to scream. "Why can you not see me? I am here too!" But elves do not scream; they are silent, strong, perfect. If one let his emotion go so freely, he would not make it through the many millennia that were before him.

Time and time again I wondered why I had allowed myself to become so enraptured by her. She was mortal, even if she did fall into my arms and become mine, it would end in heart break.

One day I wandered into the main hall to find Eowyn and Aragorn together, swords locked. As Aragorn departed to attend to business, I longed to go and speak to this Shield Maiden of Rohan. But my fear held me in the shadows, simply watching as she walked from sight.

A few hours later, I cornered Estel in his room.

"Do you know what you are doing to her?" I whispered fiercely, grabbing his arm.

His gray eyes met mine and I could see confusion in their depths. "What do you mean, Legolas?"

"You know who I refer to! Eowyn. You lead her on! You are betrothed, Aragorn. You will break her heart!"

Aragorn ran his fingers through his dark hair. "Arwen is not here, Legolas. Elrond tells me she is leaving for the Undying Lands."

I let go of his arm and stumbled backwards. "Arwen is leaving?"

He nodded miserably. "I have not felt for someone this way since Arwen. She awakes passions in me…" his voice trailed off and he peered into my eyes. "You…you care for her as well."

My hands clenched into fists. "No," I denied, "she is merely a child compared to me. I just do not wish to see one so fair hurt." My tongue burned as the lie left it, never had I lied to Aragorn.

He tried to look into my eyes again but I turned away. Slowly, he nodded. "As you say, nin mellon."

When he had left, I sat down on the stone floor.

Aragorn…Eowyn…Arwen…Aragorn…Eowyn…Aragorn…Eowyn…Eowyn…

Eowyn…Eowyn…

Their names raced through my brain. Until I became cold and numb. If this how it would play out, I would withdraw from Eowyn. I would give her to Aragorn, if it would comfort him. But I do not think my heart could forsake my love.

On the way to Helms Deep, she and Estel were never far apart. Their laughter reached my ears and I left on the pretense of scouting. But my thoughts were not on the surrounding countryside. They were on the laughter that still reached my elven ears. Hearing Gimli's shout, I turned just in time to see her eyes, filled with unabashed worship, locked with Aragorn's. And I turned, feeling the ache in my heart grow stronger.

The battle with the wargs was bloody, and for a few moments I was able to put the princess from my mind.

Then Aragorn fell and nothing mattered. Not Eowyn, not Arwen. No one. Just the man who was now floating dead in a river.

The ride to Helms Deep was numb. My façade was tightly in place, but underneath my soul was breaking.

We arrived at the fortress and the woman came to greet us. As I allowed my horse to be led away, I heard her voice asking, "Where is Lord Aragorn?" and my heart broke for her.

I wished to go to her, but my feet would not move. I was rooted to the ground, my heart hurting for my loss as well as her. Gimli went to her, telling her the news in a deep, gruff voice that was full of tears.

Her shocked eyes turned to stare at Gimli, her father and then the weeping women; but her gaze did not fall on me. Mentally, I berated myself for even caring about who her gaze was on. I should not think of that, I should be weeping over my fallen companion.

The next day, I timidly walked the hallway to Eowyn's room and knocked. Her bright blue eyes were filled with tears as she gazed at me.

"Legolas," she greeted thickly. "Do you need anything?"

My mouth suddenly went dry. "I wished to know if you were well," I finally said, dropping my gaze.

I looked up at her bitter laugh.

"So the elf does have feelings," she said, and I was surprised at the malice. "I was beginning to think you were a statue. To answer your question, elf, I need Aragorn, which I something I know you cannot provide so I would ask you to leave."

And the door shut in my face.

Wooden feet carried me back to my quarters, where I stayed until I felt a familiar stirring in my heart. I ran down to the hallway, stopping dead as I saw the tired worn figure of my best friend coming up the stairs.

"You're late," I said, for the first time allowing all my feelings and thoughts to pour in my eyes.

He laughed softly and then sobered as he saw the pain I had been through. "Legolas…" he began.

"You look terrible," I said, cutting him off quickly. Gently, I pressed the Evenstar into his hand.

He looked up at me and I allowed him to see my hidden feelings for the Lady of Rohan. Smiling, he reached out and tugged at my shoulders in a friendly gesture. "Thank you for everything, my friend." His next words were low and only for me. "I will give her to you, if you wish it."

"Nay, her heart yearns only for you, she will not have me." I smiled sadly. "Go to her, Aragorn. But guard her heart carefully for I fear my heart still longs for her."

"Are you alright?" he asked, concern in his voice.

"I will not die of grief, I have too much to live for to allow myself to succumb to that." I smiled to reassure him.

As Aragorn and I walked towards the king's quarters, I saw her out of the corner of my eye, watching him as always.

Farewell, Lady Eowyn, you are a jewel among women, I only hope that someday you will see me as you see him. Maybe it is a foolish hope that will never come true. But I will wait for you anyway, right here, somewhere in the corner of your eye.