Title: Content

Author: Angua

Email: angua_7@hotmail.com

Feedback:  is welcome.

Pairing: Aragorn/Legolas

Rating: R

Summary: Aragorn does not know what he wants, and when he 
finds out, he is not so sure if he can allow himself just 
that. Set between Moria and Helm's Deep.

Archive: Ask first.

Author's note: Kinda film-based, some scenes changed for my 
own needs (or laziness). 






Aragorn kept a worried eye on the hobbits as they descended 
into the depths of Moria. Dragging the innocents into these 
dangers could turn out very foolish if Gandalf was right. 
And there was something down here he did not want to speak 
of. Whatever it was he was ready for anything. He would 
protect Frodo and the ring with his life, but he prayed it 
would not come to that. And Gimli had become very quiet and 
worried after the first remains had been discovered. If it 
had not been for that thing in the water they would have 
tried the mountain pass again. There where things worse 
than snow and Saruman's anger.

The dwarven halls of Moria that emerged from Gandalf's 
glowing staff were breathtaking. So tall, so overdone. They 
could hear the echo form their footsteps throwing itself 
between the walls. They stood a long time in awe before 
Gimli noticed the chambers with the tomb inside it. Sorrow 
filled them all as they read the final words from his 
fallen brothers. Aragorn was worried. This was not a safe 
place to be. The smell of death and fear filled his 
nostrils. They had to get out of there. And then Pippin, 
ever so innocent, bumped into a skeleton that went head on 
down into a very deep well that woke up anything that could 
possible be waken up in  Moria. 

All hell broke loose, horns, the sound of running 
footsteps, getting closer and closer, yes that would 
probably haunt him in future sleepless nights.

Boromir turning to the others from the door in disbelief, 
rolling his eyes. "They got a cavetroll!"
Whatever, Aragorn was ready for anything.

Aragorn had been really worried when he saw Legolas on top 
of the cavetroll's head. Worried and proud. The elven 
prince who looked so innocent and pure was truly 
irreplaceable when it came to battle.  He himself had been 
thrown into one of the walls and could not do anything to 
aid in the fight at the time. 

And if the living sea of orcs was not tricky enough they 
had to outrun a balrog. Which took Gandalf with him. 

Aragorn let out a deep sigh. They were not ready for this. 
If they would ever be. And they had barely started on their 
journey. He would gladly die in battle of it helped Frodo 
to reach his destiny. But he could only die once. And he 
could not fight a war for him. Not alone. They where too 
little prepared. And they where running out of time.

"We have to slow down." Legolas came up behind him and put 
his arm on Aragorn's shoulder. "What good is it if we die 
of exhaustion before we even get there?"
Aragorn turned around and looked at Legolas. The elf was 
annoyed, he could tell, probably disapproving with his 
choices. 
"If we do not get there in time, we might as well lie down 
in our graves right here." Legolas eyes narrowed and he 
lowered his voice. "You fool. They are not as tough as you. 
They need time. And they need to grieve. To keep them safe 
means more than to swing a blade or hide them from orcs".
Aragorn swallowed. He knew this, but did not want to deal 
with it. He needed to slow down too, but then he had to 
deal with things himself. He much more preferred to go on. 
To run himself to exhaustion and fall asleep as soon as 
they made camp. To deal with whatever that came up when the 
war was over. When the fight was over. "I know... I just 
want to make sure there are enough miles between us and 
Moria." Legolas' face softened. He smiled and hugged his 
shoulder with his hand. Aragorn looked down on his boots, 
resting his side to the nearby three. "It all seems very 
hopeless now. I can not see any way for us to win this race 
with time. To even hope to get Frodo into Mordor with the 
ring... if Moria was filled to its troath with orcs and 
whatever else, what will Mordor...?" Legolas leaned in 
closer to Aragorn and put a finger to his lips. "Shhh. Do 
not talk about it. Do not think it. It will be alright." 
"That is why I want to go on." Aragorn lifted his face and 
looked into the elf's. The shining blue eyes held him 
still, watching him concerned. "Food, then rest. It will be 
alright." Aragorn felt his body grow limb and let 
Legolas lead him back to the others.

Merry and Pippin made an impressive meal despite the 
circumstances. They still had some vegetables in their 
backpacks, and Legolas went hunting rabbits with his bow. A 
sure catch, if there where anything moving.

As peace fell over the slumbering group, Aragorn took the 
first watch. He did not expect to get any sleep now anyway. 
He sat a hundred yards away, close enough to see them, far 
enough away to see others coming unexpected. He rested his 
back against an old three witch hid him from the light from 
the moon. The night was crystal clear. 

He sighed. He had to be strong. But the hours after Moria 
had been difficult. Loosing Gandalf was totally unexpected 
and a disaster to their little group. Gandalf had 
represented safety and wisdom. Which they badly needed. 
Aragorn could well lead an army into war, but protecting a 
small group of innocents against all kinds of nasty dangers 
was entirely different. He was glad he had Legolas at his 
side. And Boromir and Gimli. The four of them would fight 
bravely. They would accomplish their task. He had to 
believe that.

"Feeling better now, are we?" Aragorn had his sword up and 
was ready to slice and dice before he recognised the voice 
and the words. "Legolas, I am bemused. I did not think you 
would be able to sneak up on me any more."
"Yeah, right. Your snoring is deafening any sound miles 
around. You would not notice anything." Legolas grinned and 
sat down next to him. 
"I was not sleeping. Shame on you for even suggesting 
that." Aragorn displayed his insulted feelings rather 
overdramatically, disarming the seriousness of it.
"You should be back with the others, getting some rest. Let 
me watch." 
"Nah... Maybe later." Aragorn was not sure what to say, did 
not want to concern his friend needlessly. He had done 
quite enough earlier that day. But if Legolas did not let 
go and kept digging where he was not supposed to he would 
have to knock him out... or something. He was fine, he told 
himself. Fine. He just needed to relax and plan ahead for 
tomorrow. Get something concrete to puzzle his mind with. 
"Fine, be that way, you stubborn man. You will be a wreck 
before we reach Mordor. Heck, I will probably have to 
carry you myself most of the way." Legolas grinned. "Yeah, 
as if. I think I would rather shag an orc before letting an 
elf carry me to battle." That would set his arrogance 
straight, Aragorn thought, pleased with him self. "That 
could most certainly be arranged. We can stop by at 
Saruman's castle and borrow one on the way. He will 
probably let us have one if we told him..." "Enough! Point 
taken. I will get my rest before we leave, I promise." It 
was Legolas' time to smile. He had won this battle. With 
words only. And battles with Aragorn were no easy task.

Aragorn raised himself from the soft moss to head back to 
the camp. He would honestly try to sleep. For the sake of 
the fellowship. And because of the diversion, he did not 
hear the sound of many footsteps before they where very 
close. Legolas heard them too and dragged Aragorn down 
before he had time to react. He fell rather clumsy on top 
of the elf, his knee going somewhere they probably 
shouldn't be on a fair elf. His painful moan made it clear 
that it was rather discomforting too. But the footsteps 
where so close he did not dare move. Between grass and 
bushes he saw orcs. Lots of them. Several dusins. They 
where so close that if he reached trough the leaf rich bush 
he could trip one of them with his hands. An urge he easily 
overcame. 

The orcs went straight past them. Did not see them, did not 
seem to notice their camp. Aragorn prayed Merry and Pippin 
would not wake up. Do anything that the orcs might notice. 
Cause they where a bit too many to just start slaughter 
down. And if any of them survived they might reach a bigger 
group of orcs and tell. Which of course meant even more 
work. Aragorn did not feel ashamed for feeling that some 
battles could be avoided. At least not in this chase.

And then he felt Legolas' breath, hot, on his skin. At his 
neck. That was something new. He looked down, feeling more 
than seeing Legolas eyes. They where focused on the three 
next to them. At that angle he laid, it would be difficult 
to watch the orcs without causing a lot of trouble or 
sound. Their position was most certainly not the best, or 
the most modest, but he did not worry. Men in wars, 
battles, out here, they had to expect unnatural situations. 
Nothing weird or scary about it when it came to survival. 
It would be okay. And he could feel Legolas reacting to 
the intimacy between the thin fabric of clothes. Ok... 
nothing weird about that either. It was to be expected. 
Orcs running around. Cold, wet moss under them, life 
hanging on by a thread, what was there not to react to? He 
also suspected Legolas for being a little bit adrenalin 
addicted. It probably got quite tedious back in the serene 
forests of Mirkwood from time to time. Just harmony. No 
blood rush. Of course. It was to be expected.

Legolas shifting under him, probably getting very 
uncomfortable by now. Aragorn bit his lip and waited until 
the last of the orcs disappeared from sight and ears. Then 
he rolled over and rose up on his feet. Giving an arm to 
Legolas and dragged him up too. Gave him a concerned look. 
"I say, that was close" the elf mumbled. Then he looked at 
him straight in the eyes and grinned. "But not so horrible 
at all." Aragorn felt a bit uneasy. What did he mean by 
that? He knew their friendship where rock solid and 
everlasting, but that was just a dumb thing to say.  He 
knew that it was not uncommon for soldiers who where long 
away from their homes and families in battles far away 
sometimes seeking comfort and other pleasantness with each 
other, but he would not suspect an elf would even think 
about it. He himself would most certainly not think about 
it.

But as he was lying next to the others to get some rest, he 
did think about it. Analysing every second of the incident. 
Legolas' words afterwards. "But not so horrible at all?" 
What was that supposed to mean? Very nice? Not horrible? 
Why did he react like that? One should think an elven 
warrior would possess a bit more self control than that. 
And then he thought about those soldiers again. Who had not 
seen their wives in a long time. Would it be considered 
adultery if they where to do it with another man? A man 
doing it with a man? Aragorn felt something rush trough his 
veins in hot waves and blushed. Or a man doing it with an 
elf. Male elf, even, he was already half married to one 
already. He continued the thought. If he... choosing the 
words carefully, like had himself with Legolas would that 
be adultery? Of course it would be. In a way. Cause he was 
not gay. He knew about that too. Some men just wanted other 
men. Not because their wife was not there, but because they 
really not cared to have her there at all. Then sleeping 
with another man would be adultery. But he should not be 
worrying about this anyway. It was not like he seriously 
contemplated having a quickie with Legolas. But then again, 
Arwen and he had more or less broken up. Elrond not liking 
her giving up mortality. Seriously, if he loved her, he 
should not like her give up her mortality either. But of 
course, that was her's to give, not him to decide. So 
either way, sleeping with Legolas would not cause problems 
in that matter. Or maybe. Cause Legolas was another male... 
and he... No, he had to stop thinking about that. His 
thoughts went on in circles. Legolas would probably get 
very upset too if he knew, because he probably did not 
mean...  Soon Aragorn grew so tired of himself that he fell 
asleep.

Legolas pressed a light hand on Aragorn, making him wake 
up. Aragorn had finally fallen in a very deep sleep and did 
not understand what was going on before Legolas put a hand 
over his mouth so he would not wake up the others. The sun 
was up, but for some reason, Legolas had decided to let the 
others sleep a while longer.
"Aragorn, we need to talk."
Oh... _HE_ needed to talk, Aragorn thought. Well, of course 
they needed to talk. Or they might ought not to. Things 
where pretty tensed already. They did not need suppressed 
feelings, shame and doubt in the midst of a fight. A talk 
might stir things up enough for them to be careless.
Aragorn got on his feet soundlessly and followed the elf 
into the forest. Watching the long, blond hair dancing on 
his back, he felt the need to touch it, and got quite 
mortified. Legolas was probably not even going to talk 
about _that_. He had probably forgotten it already. Like 
any sane person would do. Aragorn did not feel very sane at 
the moment. 

Legolas sat down on the soft green moss and leaned his back 
against an old three trunk. Aragorn followed his example, 
although he had no three trunk to find comfort against, he 
tried to sit not too close and not directly in front of 
him, and by all means not to make a big deal out of it. 

"Your sleep was very uneasy. There are things that worry 
you, my friend." Aragorn was uneasy now. Legolas had not 
dragged him out here to talk about him sleeping, had he?
"I think we all do at these times." He put up his defences. 
This was not something to talk about now. They had other 
priorities. Like getting an early start to the day, get 
moving.
"You talked in your sleep, Aragorn. You worry too much."
"Talked in my sleep?" Aragorn felt his heart jump. Had he 
spilled all his worries about their hopeless quest against 
time, against all the difficulties to come in his sleep 
talk? "We are all a bit down in spirit now, Moria got to 
us, at least it got to me, that is all." He tried to row 
his way out of this the best he could.
Legolas bit his lip.
"You called my name." Aragorn dropped his jaw. Remembering 
what he had been thinking about before he fell asleep.
"Maybe you feel I can help you with this. Talk about it. 
Prep you up for worse times. Because you know there will be 
worse than this. And you need someone you trust to talk 
about it. So you do not worry the little ones". Legolas 
talked a whole lot, a bit too fast to make him sure of that 
he believed what he was saying. Aragorn swallowed. But of 
course, what other reason would there be for calling out 
Legolas' name in his sleep. 

Legolas looked at him thoughtfully. 
"Or you need me for something completely different."

Legolas reached out his hand and touched Aragorn's chin. 
Let his fingers glide down the man's cheekbone. The small 
and yet innocent movement made Aragorn's heart start 
beating fast and he grabbed the elf's hand, holding it on a 
safe distance. He could see where this was going. He would 
let Legolas help him with almost anything if he did not 
stop himself. 
"My dear friend. I appreciate your... offer, but I do not 
think I can accept that kind of help. It is neither the 
right time nor something I was even aware of I needed."
Legolas grinned. 
"Do not think this is something I offer anyone. Or any 
man."
Aragorn swallowed. He definitely did not want to hear 
anything more. Was not ready. Did not know if he would ever 
be. Or if he would allow himself...
Legolas turned his head toward the camp.
"We must get back. They are waking up."
Aragorn had not heard anything. He was still too paralyzed 
by Legolas' words.

Their little group walked in silence trough the old and 
dark forest. It had started raining and Aragorn pulled his 
hood closer around his head. He had sent Legolas away in 
front to scout so they would not be surprised by any orcs. 
It seemed to be a lot of them these days. And other... 
black hooded men on horses. Or whatever they where. He 
could hear Merry and Pippin whispering in the back. They 
always had something to talk about. It was a nice thing to 
have someone to talk to...  At least the cold rain made him 
able to a bit more self-control. After they left camp... 
He had not been able to think straight for several miles. 
Just wondering, imaging, being ashamed... It was not as if 
he just wanted anyone to just still his cravings. For the 
cravings had not been there until Legolas... offered him 
self... To just imagine Legolas in such a situation was 
exactly what had awakened the cravings in the first place. 
Cravings, he should just go ahead and call it plain lust. 
He lusted for his friend. He wanted to tear off all his 
clothes 
and claim his body. He wanted to touch him in unmentionable 
places. He wanted to study Legolas' face as he... drove him 
as mad as he was with teasing caresses and demanding kisses 
and...  Oh, dear.   

He would probably have to bed the elf anyway and get it 
over with it if he was going to be of any use on this 
quest. Or he would have to slay his way trough a field of 
orcs. Yes, that would certainly help. But this was not that 
kind of mission. It was the "go straight trough the country 
in the fastest time possible without being spotted" kind of 
mission. He would just have to pull himself together. He 
was a grown man. Not a blushing little teenager that was 
still wet behind his ears. Well, in this chase he probably 
was. "I am borned to be a king. One should at least think I 
was able to control myself to a certain degree", he thought 
selfblamingly. He felt utterly miserably. He was leading a 
fellowship who was supposed to save the world, and all he 
could think about was to sneak away for a quick shag. That 
was it. He had to do something about it. Be done with it. 

Of course, when he had finally come to piece with himself 
and made a decision, they where already halfway into the 
golden woods of Lorien. Haldir found them wandering around, 
or rather; he had heard the "deafening breathing of the 
dwarf" and brought them to Caras Galadhorn. Celeborn and 
Galadriel wanted to see them. They had been very tired and 
exhausted at the time and appreciated it enormously. 
Aragorn was anxious to leave the place. Galadriel's 
searching eyes and secret smiles made him feel very uneasy 
and twitchy. It was all very awkward. And Legolas looked 
frustratingly harmonic and relaxed. "Just you wait", he 
thought, "Until I get you for myself. Then I will call your 
bluff and see how relaxed you will be".  Yes, what if it 
was all a bluff? He had to take that chance.

The next day it was sunny. It was weird how the weather 
could turn the spirit. Or maybe it was Galadriel. She had 
been very confident in their mission, making them believe 
it was achievable. 

But the day turned out to be a major disaster. 

They paddled south on the Great River from Caras Galadhorn. 
Then they made camp in the afternoon on the riverside. As 
Boromir went searching for wood and Merry and Pippin 
searched their backpacks for food, Aragorn decided it was 
time to search for Legolas.  

Legolas where scouting the surroundings for orcs and other 
enemies. They could be away and unnoticed for a long time. 
He quickly caught up with him and the elf slowed down so 
they walked side by side. And he noticed that Legolas was 
not so relaxed any more. He was holding his hands on his 
back, and paced slowly, his eyes pinned to the ground. 
Aragorn swallowed. He had half expected the elf would 
seduce him, without him having to do anything.
"You know.... I've been thinking..." Aragorn started, not 
knowing how to continue.
"So have I." said the elf. "I might have said some things 
that were not all that well thought trough. I hope you can 
forgive me."
"Forgive you?" Aragorn could not believe it. He felt had 
gone right into a huge trap that should have been spotted 
miles away. First getting a chocking proposal and then 
working himself up about it and then... half expecting...
"I had no business interfering in your life the way I did. 
And offering myself in that way.... Let us just forget it 
ever happened."
Aragorn felt suddenly very empty, like there was a big hole 
inside him. Heavily disappointed. 
"Well, if that is how you feel..." Aragorn stopped and 
turned slowly to walk back to the camp. No, wait. What was 
this? He could not leave it like this. He had to know why, 
if it was really so. He grabbed Legolas and turned him 
towards him. 
"What do you mean? From what I understood the other day you 
where ready to climb right into bed 
with me. What has changed?" Legolas tensed and held his 
breath. Aragorn held his eyes, searched for an answer, 
not interested in letting him get away. And Legolas 
blushed. Aragorn was surprised. He did not know elves could 
blush.  
"I ... well, you cannot say your reaction was very 
uplifting for me. I did not offer myself just to help. I 
offered myself to you, Aragorn. There is a difference 
there... and I..."
Legolas let out his breath and looked away. Aragorn did not 
let him go. He still held him. Felt the sudden emptiness 
inside him slowly fill up again. With something new. 
Anticipation. Expectations. Joy. He let go of his 
shoulders. Just so he could take his chins between his 
hands and turn his head towards his. Looked into his eyes 
again to find confirmation. Legolas' pupils widened and his 
breathing went faster. That was all he needed. Then Aragorn 
kissed Legolas. For a long time. Teasing his tongue inside, 
played around curious, tasting. The blood where rushing to 
his head, but he could not stop. He was dizzy, and he felt 
amazing. Kissing Legolas was as 
amazing as he had expected. Possible more. Much much more. 
When he let go, they both had to take a big breath of air. 
"That was not so horrible, was it?" Aragorn grinned.
Legolas smiled, his eyes still closed.
"Not horrible at all."

 Legolas was leaning his head back and the sun captured his 
face. Aragorn could only observe and feel him self react to 
the beautiful sight. What had he been thinking? This was 
Legolas. Nothing shameful or wrong about it. It made 
perfect sense. It was right. As shame and self-control went 
away he grabbed Legolas closer, kissed him again and his 
hands went downwards, wanted to feel more of him. Legolas 
went limb and leaned heavy on Aragorn. It did not take much 
to understand that this was something he wanted too. 
Aragorn dragged them both down in the soft grass. He was 
going to have Legolas. And he was not so sure if he wanted 
it to be just a "quickie". Aragorn 
loosened the ribbons that held Legolas' clothes together 
and sneaked a hand in on his chest. He was met by silky 
soft skin. He brushed lightly past a stiffening nipple. He 
could feel him breathing fast. It started to dawn on 
Aragorn that Legolas was not going to hold for very long. 
It could not be helped. He had probably waited longer for 
this than him. But it was ok. Aragorn would watch him, help 
him. And just the thought of being with Legolas at that 
intimate moment intoxicated him. Quickly he loosened the 
elf's footwear and dragged it down. For a moment he just 
watched Legolas laying there halfnaked under him. He put 
his hand on his knee and stroke him calmly, up and down, on 
the inner side of his thigh. Legolas moaned and tried to 
get closer. Reached for him again to kiss him. Aragorn 
kissed him, holding him with his lips, teasing him with his 
tongue as his hand fastened on the shaft. If possible it 
grew even bigger. Legolas moaned again and lifted his hips 
closer. Tried to get closer to his hand. Aragorn dragged up 
and down calmly, squishing at the top. Let his thumb rub 
the soft spot. Then his lips left Legolas warm needing 
ones... He had to taste. Had to give him more pleasure. He 
bent down and found the cock with his mouth. Let the tongue 
roll over the soft head. His hand grabbed a ball and 
squised it. "Please..." whimpered Legolas. His breathing 
went faster and then his body jerked. Hot white liquid 
rolled down his tights. Then he went calm. Breathing slowly 
and deep while his body slowly relaxed. Aragorn put a hand 
on his chest and went up to kiss him again. A slow, loving 
kiss. "Thank you", he whispered. Legolas grinned with his 
eyes still closed. "What for? You did not exactly get what 
you came for, did you. I am sorry about that." Aragorn 
rubbed his hair. "You gave me everything and more than I 
possible came for." Legolas laughed silent. "You must be a 
complete weirdo." Then he opened his eyes. Looked at him 
with calm and joyful eyes. Aragorn smiled back. He had 
probably never felt more content in his life. That probably 
meant a lot of complicated things and difficult times 
ahead, but right now he did not care. He just wanted to lay 
there watching Legolas in the sun and let his hands caress 
him. 

But then reality came back very quick. He could hear low 
angry voices in the distance. He rose soundlessly onto his 
feet and gave Legolas a worried look. "You go." Legolas 
whispered. He was not exactly ready to go anywhere right 
now, so Aragorn would have to leave him. Then he ran toward 
the voices.

The sight that met him worried him far down in his spine. 
Frodo and... Boromir. There where something wrong here, and 
he did not like at all where this could be going. Frodo 
seemed very relieved when he showed up. He met Boromir's 
eyes and he looked away in shame. It seemed like the 
brotherhood was going to break up from within.

Then they where overrun by orcs. "Protect the hobbits" was 
Aragorn's only thought as Boromir ran to their rescue and 
he stood behind to fight off the beasts. But there where so 
many of them and some had slipped by. 

When he finally caught up, a big Uruk-Hai was about to kill 
off Boromir. A fast arrow from Legolas prevented that but 
Boromir was already so badly wounded he could not be saved. 
And the hobbits where nowhere in sight. He dropped down to 
his knees and caught Boromir's head in his lap. Boromir 
might have almost overcome to his own weakness, but in the 
end, he had fought courageously and in his eyes, he was a 
hero. He managed to give the dying friend a promise to save 
his people. To continue his war. It did not matter. It was 
the same war. 

After sending Boromir off to his final resting place to the 
big river, they had to recapitulate and decide what to do. 
It was obviously Frodo had made his own decision. He did 
not trust them near the ring any more. After seeing Boromir 
and Frodo together that made perfect sense. And he had Sam 
with him. They would attract less attention just the two of 
them. They would be safe. But the orcs had taken Merry and 
Pippin. This was unforgivable. This was the punishment for 
letting in to his own wishes and needs. It was all his 
fault. They had to get them back. 

Aragorn liked the chasing part. He could run himself to 
exhaustion. Beat himself up with accusations and then 
exhaust himself up the next hill. And the next. Became 
almost blind to the fact that he also had someone behind 
him. He just wanted to get closer to the ones in front of 
him. Beat them up. Kill them. Punish them. For his own 
mistake. 

They had a little stop at the foot of a mountain they had 
just laid behind them. Gimli lay straight on his back 
pumping for air. He knew he treated him badly, but they had 
no choice if they where going to catch up with the orcs. 
Legolas sat down beside him. He could feel he was not 
happy. Probably disapproving again. 
"What is wrong with you? You have not said a word since we 
left the camp." 
His arms where crossed and his voice was pointed and 
hushed. Aragorn sighed. He had hoped Legolas would 
understand that the "them" was not meant to be. That it was 
all wrong and that this was their punishment. For being 
careless and unmindful to what happened around them. He 
answered back in a low, toneless voice.  
"There is not anything to say. We have our tasks laid 
straight before us. If we fail, we die. We will not get any 
more chances."
 Legolas sighed. 
"If you call our encounter in the woods failing, I am not 
sure I am so happy about surviving in your world." 
Aragorn finally looked at him, although gritty and sad. 
"Boromir died because of us. And we lost the hobbits. Even 
if we rescue them, Boromir will still be dead. You can not 
say that is not failing." 
Legolas voice was full of disbelief. 
"Aragorn, those orcs where sent out on a mission to capture 
the little ones. They would have found us even if we where 
sitting on them. And they where many. Actually, we could 
have all been dead if we had not been so spread out. And 
Boromir knew what he was getting into by joining 
fellowship. You cannot blame yourself for this." 
He took a quick glance at Gimli, but he was so out of it by 
now. Then he leaned closer to Aragorn kissed his chin. 
Aragorn let out a big sigh and almost overcame. Then he 
whispered into his ear "Do not think that there is anything 
I'd want more than to have your arms around 
me. To taste your lips. To taste every inch of your body. 
To look at you responding to my caresses. But you saw where 
that got us. No matter how you twist and turn it, it was 
our fault." Then he rose quickly to his feet and let out 
with a sharp, loud voice. 
"Gimli, get up, we have to go."

After a couple of days, they met up with a man and his 
followers who introduced himself as Eomer. They asked him 
about the hobbits and he told them they had slaughtered a 
group of orcs that came on their path. They had not seen 
anyone else. And none had been left alive. Aragorn's heart 
went cold. There where little hope now. They where probably 
too late.

At the burning site, they found pieces of belongings from 
the hobbits. Aragorn would not believe they could be dead. 
They could not. Then he found the tracks on the grounds. 
His ranger skills woke up and he traced them to the 
Fanghorn forest. Gimli went pale and muttered in scepticism 
about where their path where headed. He did not like it 
himself either.

As they went trough the aged, dimmed forest Aragorn could 
not help but notice Legolas' silence. The elf was withdrawn 
and sad, no mistake about it. And it was not just because 
of the hobbits. It saddened his heart but this was the way 
it had to be. He had never meant to hurt him. They had 
crossed an uncrossable line, and the damagecontrole was out 
of their hands. The only responsible thing to do was to 
save what was salvageable. 

And then Gandalf rose out of the darkness, surrounded by a 
blending, heavenly light. Aragorn could not believe what he 
saw. He had surely seen with his own eyes that the balrog 
dragged the wizard with him into the endless depths of 
Moria. Yet, here he stood before them. And introducing 
himself as Gandalf the white. He could only imagine what 
the old man had seen and experienced, and he fell to his 
knees in a new overwhelming respect.

On their way to Edoras Gandalf explained to them not to 
worry about Merry and Pippin. They where being taken care 
of, and their journey where over for now. They where going 
home. A huge relieve filled the little group that was left 
of fellowship. Their paths where divided now. Their task 
now was to hold off Saruman's army. To save Rohan and 
Gondor.

Being in Edoras meant badly needed rest and war 
preparations. Bands of Uruk-Hais where plundering and 
slaughtering villages all over and it was only a matter of 
time before they would reach Edoras. The old stubborn king 
of a man, Thčoden, did not want to fight. He wanted to save 
his people, which was fair enough. However, they could not 
do that here. Soon the whole city was leaving for the 
massive fortress Helm's Deep.

On the way to Helm's Deep Aragorn spent some time with 
Thčoden's daughter in law, Eowyn. She showed great interest 
in their journey and what they had seen. She was a nice and 
kind girl and he found it comforting to speak with her.  
Her hair where long and blond. Her cheeks where full of 
colours. She clearly spent more time out riding a horse and 
swinging a sword than sitting in Rohan's big throneroom 
eating chickenwings. But after a while, he noticed that her 
interest went far beyond their experiences and his tales 
about it. Not because of her looks, but because of Legolas' 
looks. He was jealous. Aragorn excused himself and left 
them both. Half away, he could hear Gimli tell her 
something about the eleven necklace he had gotten from 
Arwen. Aragon did not object. She could believe that.

Then some of Thčoden's scouts reported back. Wolf-riders! A 
whole pack of them. After some arguing, Eowyn, who 
apparently wanted to stay behind and fight, followed the 
people of Rohan. Aragorn was relieved. All right, she was 
probably a nasty little fighter, but the skirts really did 
not do well on a battlefield.

The Wolf-riders attacked in large numbers. They where fast 
and spreading out, but that did not prevent Legolas to take 
out several of them with his bow before they even got close 
to them. After a lot of slicing and dicing Aragorn could 
feel they started to get the upper hand. After all, Wolf-
riders where nothing more than orcs on big, fast running 
animals with more teeth. And orcs where stupid. He jumped 
up behind one and was about to toss him off, when the orc, 
maybe not so stupid, escaped the dodge and Aragorn lost his 
grip on the hairy animal. He fell half way off and then his 
hand was caught in the saddle. He was dragged helplessly 
around the battlefield like a ragged doll. The orc tried to 
step on him and get rid of him, not noticing where the 
beast he was riding was heading. In the last minute, he 
looked up and threw himself off. The evil smirk of the orc 
was the last thing Aragorn saw before he was dragged off 
the cliff.

He did not remember much after that. A long drop and then 
ice-cold water. Lots of water. And then darkness. Arwen 
came to him in his loneliness. He was annoyed. What was 
that woman wanting now. First dumping him but now he was 
good enough? He tried to get past her. Looked for that long 
blond, silky hair.  And he found it. He grabbed at it with 
his hands. Wanting. Legolas turned around and looked at him 
with disapproval. 
"But you do not want me, Aragorn. Do you not remember? I 
was just a mistake." 
He smiled gallingly and then disappeared. Aragorn woke up, 
feeling like he was coughing up a lung. He must have 
swallowed a lot of water. Or wine, when he thought about 
his dreams. That stupid elf. Of course, he wanted him. 
Wanted him more than anything else. That had nothing to do 
with it. Or maybe everything. Because he wanted him, he had 
put the whole fellowship at risk. Or maybe not. The hobbits 
where safe. Gandalf was alive. Boromir had known the stakes 
before they left Rivendell. When he came to think about it, 
it was all very innocent. Stolen moments. He had treated 
Legolas really bad. The things he had said... dissing him 
off so easily. If Legolas only felt half of what he had 
revealed, he must have gotten very upset with him. 
Heartbroken. Oh dear, what had he done? He noticed he was 
still sitting in the ice-cold water. He was aching in every 
muscle and every bone. He had to get out of here. Save the 
world. Save Legolas. 

On his way to the strong stone fortress, he rode past the 
vast army of Saruman. He stopped at a distance, not wanting 
to make himself visible, and trying to get all the 
information he could. The sight was alarming. To even hold 
back such an army would be would be like fighting an 
avalanche single-handedly. He did not think it could be 
done, yet he had to endeavour. An unfeasible undertaking 
where giving up was more dishonourable than failing. 

Riding into Helm's Deep filled him with even more sorrow. 
Everywhere he looked, he saw farmers, old men and young 
boys. Rohan's army were not sufficient and men of all ages 
had to fill the gap. 

His heart was heavy and lost as he climbed off his horse. 
He felt like he fell down in endless depths of despair. 
Then he saw Legolas. The Elven Prince just watched him and 
he met his eyes. Those lovely, shining, azure eyes. 
"You are late" he half whispered, but his face revealed 
great relief and joy. Aragorn could only smile back, hoping 
his friend would see the secret messages of love and 
promises. Right now, he had to discuss more pressured 
matters with Rohan's king.

Later he found himself in the armory, trying to dress 
himself for war. His movements where heavy and filled with 
despair. But he could not give in. As long as he could 
still swing a sword, he would fight. 

He did not even notice Legolas sneaking in before he stood 
right next to him. Knowing they where alone and would not 
be bothered, all of Aragorn's strength left him and he fell 
to his knees, hugging Legolas' waist desperately. 
"I have been such a fool! Can you ever find it in your 
heart to forgive me?" 
He felt the elf's hand on his head, stroking him, cuddling 
his hair. And he noticed his chins getting soaked with his 
own tears. To think, that he had almost driven this divine 
creature away from him, that was unbearable. He hugged him 
tighter, frantic and desperate, 
fearing he had to let him go soon. Then the voice, so calm, 
so exquisite. 
"My love, the future king of Gondor in such a pose in front 
of me, why, I could forgive you almost anything." 
Aragorn finally let his shoulders down and relaxed. A quiet 
chuckle escaped his troath. He tilted his head and gazed up 
in Legolas' face with an eager smile on his lips, then 
grabbing his tunic and pulled him down. 
"I think you will find the king agreeing to all kinds of 
poses if only to satisfy his favourite archer." 
Legolas purred as he slipped under Aragorn, his hands 
grabbing around the 
man's head, drawing him closer to a long desired kiss. 
Aragorn met his lips with a frantic need, his tongue 
seeking what was now finally his to claim without doubt or 
shame. 

What he felt for Legolas was not just lust or need to 
satisfy a burning desire. It was love. It was simple, pure 
and clean. He needed him close, needed him like a plant 
required sun and water to exist. He needed to know that he 
would not go away or disappear when he opened his eyes. Of 
course, Legolas had no intention of going anywhere. He 
answered the man's desperate need with an equal desire. 
Urging him to go on, to carry out what he had started. 
Aragorn did not need that much persuasion, but the elf's 
lust warmed him up, drove him on. Kissing and licking, 
nibbling his way around his face, leaving moist trails 
where his tongue had been. Rubbing his stubbly cheeks 
against the others silky soft ones. Legolas moaned and 
twitched beneath him, and he felt his hands on his back, 
pulling impatient at his armour. Yeah, he did not need that 
now. Quickly, he sat on his knees and dragged all of the 
heavy equipment off, armour, sword, tunic, all going into 
the same heap on the floor next to them. Legolas smiled 
happily, as he marvelled at his bare torso. He stretched 
out his hand and stroked his chest, in large, drowsy 
circles. 
Brushing one of his nipples swiftly before he leaned closer 
and kissed it. Aragorn moaned and closed his eyes. The 
elf's hands went around his back and fondled him, 
persuading him to lean back on the cold stone floor. 
Aragorn complied and Legolas started licking and sucking 
his nipple, until it was all wet and rigid. Then he 
stretched out on top of him, found his lips again to fondle 
and caress them with his own, as his knee separated his 
legs and started rubbing at his crotch. Groaning and 
breathing, Aragorn could feel his erection grow stronger. 
Legolas was teasing him ruthlessly. "Legolas... I am going 
to... ruin my clothes if you do not hurry." "Oh, how 
romantic." Legolas stopped and looked into Aragorn's eyes 
with a devious smirk on his lips. What was on his mind now? 
He rose to his feet and started to undress in sensual, slow 
movements. Oh, yes. Legolas undressing in front of him was 
absolutely something he had looked forward to, but this was 
all becoming very time-consuming and unbearable. His 
arousal throbbed mercilessly, and Legolas knew it. He could 
see it in his face. When he was finished, he still did not 
come 
down to him. Instead, he let his own hands caress his bare 
torso. The hands fumbled downwards, closer to his own 
erection, captured it and started pumping slowly. Aragorn's 
eyes went big with amusement, the sight almost made him 
come right there and then. "Ok, Legolas, that is enough. 
You are going to kill me." Aragorn reached for him, and 
Legolas pushed his hands away. But, at least he was ready 
to come down to him again. He leaned back on the cold 
floor, not used to be bossed around like this. Then Legolas 
started to drag his footwear down, agonizingly slowly, and 
finally releasing his painful erection. Aragorn moaned and 
arched his hips, trying to speed up the ordeal. Legolas 
smiled all the way as the leggings came completely off, 
tossing it off somewhere in the distance. Finally. And then 
Legolas started to lick and nibble his way up the calves. 
Sending waves of pleasantness trough his body for every 
inch he moved. Fingers and tongue caressing gently the 
inner side of his tights. It was torment, and Aragorn found 
it painfully unbearable. Resting on his elbows, he looked 
down to see Legolas copping his erection with his hands. 
Their eyes met, and he could see the lust burning in his 
eyes. Legolas licked his lips 
sensually, then he engulfed the shaft in his mouth, letting 
the tongue roll round on the soft spot on the end. Licking 
and kissing, until the erection was all wet and moist with 
his salvia. Aragorn groaned and closed his eyes, it could 
never become better than this. Legolas looked up at him 
again, his voice was trembling. "Ok, Aragorn, do you think 
you are ready now?" Aragorn muttered incomprehensibly in 
reply. Of course he was ready, had been since he first 
entered the room. Legolas reached for his hand and lead it 
to his mouth. Aragorn gave him a curious look, as the elf 
licked his fingers, soaking them. What now? Then he came 
closer, leading his fingers where he had not ever dreamt he 
should be putting fingers into anyone. "Ok, you have to do 
this slowly, or else it could turn out very nasty." Aragorn 
swallowed, but trusted the elf knew what he was doing. His 
index finger slipped in, arching its way careful. Legolas 
tensed and arched his body. "What, did I hurt you?" "No, 
no, keep going, it will be alright." It was very tight and 
warm, and Aragorn coaxed his finger around as slowly as he 
could. Further in and he hit a soft spot against the wall 
and Legolas started breathing and moaning. Oh, so that was 
obviously a nice thing. Aragorn studied Legolas' face as he 
went on. Luring and coaxing. That was the way to do it. 
"Try two now." Legolas breathed out slowly. Eyes closed, 
and tongue licking his lip. Aragorn was only happy to 
comply. And with two fingers he found that soft spot again, 
sending Legolas off to the stars. The look on his face made 
Aragorn sure he wanted to try this too, soon. Legolas 
pulled himself together, took a big breath and opened his 
eyes. "Ok, then. Let's slowride." With one thigh on each 
side of his hips, he slowly impaled himself on Aragorn's 
pounding erection. A 
position he had not even known was possible before now. 
Legolas tensed trough his whole body, so it could not be 
all that comfortable, Aragorn thought worried. But then he 
relaxed and started hoisting him self up and down slowly.  
His eyes never closed, they held him captive with burning 
lust as he went faster and faster. Aragorn grabbed his 
thighs and tried the best he could to follow, knowing his 
orgasm was just around the corner. Legolas arched and 
tilted his head backwards sending hot white liquid all over 
his chest. And with that sight on his eyes, 
Aragorn also came, more furious and passionate than he had 
ever done before.

Much later that day, Aragorn opened his eyes again. He 
still laid on the floor of the armoury, with a drowsing 
Legolas neatly draped around his chest. He could hear 
voices, people running about, it did not matter to him. He 
did not even feel the coolness of the stone floor beneath 
him. Soon there would be a big battle, they would probably 
not survive it. That either did not matter to him. Because 
he had finally been able to show the one he loved the most 
how much he mattered to him. He was content. He was happy. 
If it had to end this way, so be it. As long as he had 
Legolas, he would be ready for anything.