Title: Forbidden ch 4-7 Author: Erandir (striderkingofmen@yahoo.com) Pairing: Aragorn/Legolas Summary: Centuries ago the men of Numenor were banished from Mirkwood forever because of the love shared between the king of men and an elven prince. History is about to repeat itself. When a quest to save the word brings together the prince of Mirkwood, and the king of Gondor. This is their story. Chapter 4 - History Lessons --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Legolas and Aragorn sat in silence by the fire, the man silently fuming, and the elf lost in his thoughts. The elf sighed in frustration. Why had he ever agreed to come in this quest? It was proving more difficult to get along with the other members of the fellowship than to trek across Middle-earth. There was something wrong with that and he knew it. He cast a sidelong glance toward the human sitting next to him, Aragorn. The future king did not seem to want to understand anything Legolas would explain, he was just making things far more complicated than they should have been. The blond elf stole a glance at Aragorn. The man sat no more than two feet away, and yet that seemed to Legolas an amazingly far gap. His gray eyes looked intencly into the fire before him, pointedly ignoring the elven prince. Aragorn fumed, the elf was being extremely annoying, at least in his point of view. The ranger knew he was being stubborn, but he did not care. It wasn't his fault he was mortal, and if that meant he could no longer speak to someone who had been one of his closest friends... Well then he could damn well be angry couldn't he? "It was millennia ago..." Aragorn blinked. After so long in silence Legolas' sudden comment had startled him. "The events that caused the banishment of men," Legolas said, explaining his earlier statement. He looked to the ground as he spoke, recalling the stories that had been told to him as a child. "A prince of Mirkwood, heir to the throne, met a human king, and fell in love." Aragorn looked up now, though it seemed to him that Legolas would probably continue talking even if he did not listen. "The elf's father saw no harm in this," Legolas continued, "And he allowed his son to go off and live with the man, and so he did. They were happy for a long time, but when the mortal king died the prince's grief was so much that..." the elf paused, "That he was consumed by it, he died. And so his father, grieved and angered by the news of his son's death, forever banished mortal men from his kingdom." After Legolas finished speaking there was a long silence seeming to last for hours, yet was really only a few moments. "I... I did not know," Aragorn said softly, and Legolas smiled faintly at him. "But It happened so long ago, surely it is not still relevant." "My father thinks it is," the elf replied, "for the prince was his uncle." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I get it now. Now it all makes sense. I can see why Legolas' father would not want him to befriend humans. He does not want his son to have the same fate the other prince had. And yet, I still do not like it. What right does Thranduil have to keep him from befriending us? What right does he have to say that Legolas cannot even speak with me? It is not fair to him, to anyone. And it should not matter, especially in times like these. During this war he should be allowed to do as he pleases, to help where his help is needed, like in this fellowship. For in times like these the help of all kindred is needed, elves especially. Legolas will put this law out of his mind, I will make sure of it. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- A/N: Sorry that was kind of short, but I wanted to get the story out, and I couldn't think of anything else really to add to this chapter. The next one should be longer, because we've gotten off the law topic and now Aragorn seems fairly determined to make Leggy break that law. Uh-oh... That could be bad. As always, reviews are needed to feed the muses, and muses are needed to continue writing. Chapter 5 - Suffer in Silence --------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Aragorn!" The man was pulled from his thoughts and spun around in time to see the ringbearer lifted into the air by an enormous tentacle. That was not good. He rushed from the mines and toward the water, drawing his sword as he ran. Blindly the ranger hacked at the Watcher. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed two arrows fly past and imbed themselves in the creature's eye. It writhed in pain and lashed out at them, giving Boromir the opportunity to slice at the tentacle holding Frodo. The hobbit fell directly into Aragorn's arms, how handy. "Into the mines!" Aragorn was fairly sure that was Gandalf so he followed the order, dropping the ringbearer to his feet and rushing him into the mines. Turning around to make sure the rest followed, the ranger was confronted with the entire wall falling to rubble. He noticed Legolas run past him and suddenly there were hands on his shoulders. Even in the dark he could tell it was the elf as he looked over his shoulder, the faint natural glow that surrounded him made him stand out from the rest of the group, all just darker shadows in the lightless caverns. His eyes met Legolas' and he froze. The elf was afraid. Really and truly afraid, Aragorn could not believe it. Then a dim light was cast across the area as Gandalf's staff was lit, and Legolas swiftly released Aragorn's shoulders and turned away. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It is dark, it is far too dark. I do not like it, I do not like it at all. I hate this place. There is no light, no life, no wind. I can barely breathe, for the air is thick with the smell of death. Everything here is dead. I do not like it, I do not think I can stand it. All is death, and cold, and dark. I feel I am suffocating. I do not think I can stand it any longer. I wish to be out of this horrid place as swiftly as possible. Why did we ever come here? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Legolas sat next to the fire, however small it was it provided him with some form of strength. His knees were pulled up to his chest, his arms wrapped around them. The mines were nothing but torture to the woodland elf. Three days the fellowship would be in the mines, three days of hell for the elf. It had already been one day, if one could call it a day, for the hours could not be counted without seeing the sun rise and set. The elf's face was set in a mask, he tried to hide the fear and pain, but his eyes showed his feelings, and Aragorn noticed this. Ever since they had entered the mines, since he had seen the look of terror in the elf's eyes, Aragorn had been watching him. Never when they were in the wild had the blond prince sat so close to their fire, he had always stood just on the edge of the light staring at the trees or the stars, or anything he pleased. Here there was none of that, no stars, no trees, no wind, no grass, no moon, nothing. That is what had Aragorn worried. To keep an elf cut off from nature was essentially to kill him, and the ranger knew that. He rose slowly so as not to startle the elf, first sitting up and shaking off the last shreds of sleep. Then standing and stretching he looked over to Legolas and found the elf's eyes upon him. The blond prince looked away swiftly, embarrassed at having been caught staring. That only gave Aragorn more inspiration. He walked over to the elf and sat down next to him. Legolas stared into the fire, trying as best he could to ignore the man next to him. He could not understand why Aragorn seemed so determined to make him break the laws of his father. "Are you all right?" The elf looked up upon being addressed, "I am fine," he answered without looking at the ranger. "You do not look it," Aragorn told him, "You do not like it here, do you?" The elf did not answer, so he continued, "I understand how you feel, I am not as ignorant as you think." "I do not think you are ignorant," Legolas said defensively, turning to the man. The ranger looked at him for a moment, "Then I must tell you that you are a horrible liar." The blonde's eyes fell back to the ground. "Something troubles you, Legolas, I can tell," the man paused, waiting to see if the elf would speak. When he did not, Aragorn continued, "I know how this place effects you, I can see it in your eyes. You are afraid." Legolas shook his head and replied meekly, "I am not afraid." "You are, though," the man said, "I would gladly give you council, if only you would ask. I want to help you, Legolas." There was a silence after Aragorn spoke, as there often seemed to be in their conversations. He watched Legolas worriedly, the mines were effecting him, that the ranger could tell, and he truly did want to help the elf, he wanted to befriend him. The silence seemed to stretch for eternity, and Aragorn was about to apologize and leave, when finally the elf spoke up, "It is this place," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper and he did not look up from the ground, "I do not like it here, it is far too dark, and the air... The air is thick with death, I cannot stand it." ~~~~~~~~~~ I knew it. Legolas was just to stubborn to admit, but the mines are hurting him. I am not as stupid as he thinks, I know how places like this effect elves, I was raised by them. And I do feel sorry for him, he should not have to be put through this kind of pain. It is not healthy. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Legolas stiffened almost immediately as he felt an arm drape across his shoulders. He looked up to see Aragorn smiling down at him and blinked. What exactly was the man doing? "A-Aragorn?" "You do not have to suffer in silence, Legolas," The man told him. The elf sighed and dropped his chin to his chest once more, "But I do," he said softly. He wished he did not, it was a sign of weakness, and weakness would only hinder this quest. He had to be strong, after all, Mordor would be far worse than this, right? But then again, whatever does not kill you makes you stronger. Legolas sighed again. Aragorn had not said a word, he simply sat beside the elf with an arm around his shoulders, lending silent support. He was not surprised when Legolas relaxed. He was surprised though when the elf leaned up against him, resting his head on Aragorn's shoulder. TBC... Chapter 6 - Hobbit Logic Author's Note: I know I said that this chapter would finish Moria, but I decided that nothing really important to the plot line of this fic happens right there, so I skipped it because otherwise this fic will go on forever and never end (it could be a novel, oh, I wonder if I could sell that...). Sorry this update took sooooo long, was gone, and then started writing a novel and got caught up in that. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- More running, they were always running it seemed, running from something that is. First orcs, then a Balrog, now orcs again. The company stumbled down the side of the mountains toward the elven forest of Lothlorien that stretched out before them. If they reached it before nightfall they could outrun the orcs and reach safety. If not, well, Aragorn did not want to think about what would happen should they not make it. The ranger glanced behind himself to make sure the others still followed, and they did. Boromir was running in front, only a few paces behind, as was Legolas. The hobbits and Gimli were last, their short legs slowing them down, but they did their best to keep up knowing the consequences should they not. Since that first night in Moria Legolas and Aragorn had not spoken, at least not at length. The elf seemed to be avoiding Aragorn even more now than before, and the man was rather confused. First the elf avoids him, then befriends him, then avoids him again. Hopefully something would get explained when they got to Lothlorien. Legolas' heart was lighter now that they were in an Elven realm, he could finally let himself relax for the first time since the company had left Rivendell. Somehow during their journey through the mines he had made friends with the Dwarf, the race did not seem to be as horrible as he had once expected, and at least this was not forbidden by his father. Now his mind was back on Aragorn, his thoughts seemed to be drifting to the man more often now. The blond prince wanted to be friends with the ranger, he really did, but he also did not want to disobey his father. Knowing his father if he found out his own son had broken a law Legolas could be thrown in the dungeons, disowned, or even banished forever. Needless to say that was not exactly on the prince's 'to do' list. And if that one night in Moria had told him anything, it was that if he was around Aragorn he would probably have the urge to talk to him. So he avoided the man as much as possible, which was much easier now that he did not have to worry about straying too far from the rest of the fellowship. Yet it was still unimaginably hard. What is wrong with me? Ai, Elbereth, everything is so complicated now because of Ada. Because he enforces this law so severely I would be punished for even speaking with a human. Come to think of it, why does he despise them so much? And Aragorn is quite determined to have me betray my father. He seems only encouraged by my actions in the mines, not that I can blame him. I was weak, and now I am ashamed, but I cannot help being afraid of the dark. I only wish that... "What is wrong?" Legolas was pulled out of his thoughts and looked down the see the young ringbearer standing beneath the tree where he was perched and looking up. The elf made no move to answer and the Hobbit looked concerned, "Something has been bothering you," he observed. "I am fine, young master Hobbit," The elf said, leaning down slightly, though not enough to hinder his balance on the branch, and smiling to the halfling, "Do not worry yourself with me, your burden is far worse than mine." Frodo continued to look up at the blond elf, "It is Strider, is it not?" Legolas blinked, by the Valar, let it never be said that halflings were unobservant or slow on the uptake, least not this one. There was a moment of silence, Legolas' smile faded and he sighed. "Would you like to talk?" Frodo questioned. He slid down from the tree and sat on the ground beside the halfling. There was a moment of silence. Legolas did not particularly want to talk about what was troubling him, but he also did not wish to seem mean to the halfling. Frodo seemed also to understand the elf's unwillingness to talk. As the somewhat awkward silence hovered about them the hobbit sat down beside him and waited for the blond prince to say whatever he wished. It took another few moments before Legolas had gathered the courage, and the right words to say what he wished. "You are right... It is Aragorn," the elf said with a sigh, "I do not understand why he tries so hard to befriend me. He knows very well I would betray my father by doing so." "Do you want to befriend him as well?" The question was asked softly, almost hesitantly, and Legolas answered with the same nervousness. "Yes." "Then why do you care what your father thinks?" Frodo asked, standing up once more, "Do whatever you think is right," The halfling smiled once more before turning and heading back to the camp. Legolas remained where he sat for a long while afterward. Was Frodo right? Had not Aragorn said himself that he thought the law to be foolish and outdated? Did not Legolas hate it as well? For years it had kept him from the human, who he had thought of as a trusted friend. The elven prince wanted to ignore the law but he was afraid of what would happen to him if his father should find out. The elven king was known far and wide for his temper. Could Legolas risk being banished forever from the once place he called home? Maybe, just maybe. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A/N: Three cheers for Frodo's cameo! Huzzah! Ok, right, the hobbit everyone loves has had lines, now the world is at peace. Not to mention he was rather helpful in getting our dear, beloved, stubborn prince to show some emotion towards our wonderfully scruffy soon- to-be king. The plot progresses forward. Chapter 7 - I think I Love you Author Note: Terribly sorry for the sever lack of updation in this little fic. The also rather sever lack of reviews might have something to do with this looks accusingly at readers I've also begun to notice that Legolas seems horribly out of character, I'll try to fix that, unless no one has a problem with it that is, then it can stay that way. He should start acting more himself eventually doesn't want to give away story. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Legolas was nervous, unbelievably nervous, perhaps more nervous than he had been in his whole life. It seemed strange to him that the cause of his nervousness was so small a thing as speaking. After the conversation he had had with Frodo, the blond elf had remained by himself for a very long time, contemplating the truth in the hobbit's words. In the end he kept coming to the same conclusion, he was going to have to speak with Aragorn. Still it confused Legolas that it should cause him such apprehension. At the moment, the elf paced back and forth just outside the clearing where the Fellowship was being housed for the duration of their stay in the Golden Wood. He raked his brain for what to say to the ranger, everything he went over in his mind just sounded stupid, and it just kept getting worse. With a dejected sigh he stopped and looked up through the branches to the blue sky, how could he have come to this? "Legolas?" The elf prince jumped in surprise and spun around. "I am sorry, I did not mean to frighten you." "Aragorn..." Legolas stuttered and looked away, "'Tis fine, I just did not hear you approach." The man nodded, though something in his expression said he did not quite believe the excuse, "Frodo said you wished to speak with me." Legolas blinked, why would Frodo tell him that? He had never mentioned to the hobbit that he was actually going to speak to Aragorn. Actually, he had not even admitted it to himself, but now it seemed he was forced to. "I... uh..." he hesitated, what was he supposed to say? "I wanted to.. uh... apologize... for the way I have been acting toward you, it has been unkind." There, that sounded good, right? "You need not apologize, Legolas," Aragorn replied, smiling faintly, though it seemed to Legolas not genuine, but almost bitter "I understand your wish not to disobey your father's orders." The obvious biting tone hurt and Legolas spoke without thinking, "I have been thinking," the blond prince began, "Maybe you are right, maybe it is pointless, outdated. Besides, we are at war, many laws are broken for the sake of freedom." Well, that was a change. One moment he's at my throat about having to uphold his father's law, the next he completely abandons it? This cannot be what he really believes, can it? Or has his chat with Frodo finally shown him the light? Well whatever caused this sudden change of heart, I am not complaining. Perhaps now things can go back to how they were before, when I was a child. Aragorn smiled, "I am glad you feel that way, it would have been hard to go through this quest being unable to speak to you." Legolas nodded but said nothing and the two stood there in silence for a long moment, regarding each other. After a long moment Aragorn looked away, "I should.... uh... get back to the Fellowship." Legolas nodded again and his eyes fell to the ground, a slight blush tinting his cheeks. "I am glad we had this talk, Aragorn." The man smiled, "As am I." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The next days in Lothlorien went much smoother. Though the elf spent little time amongst his companions the tension between Aragorn and Legolas had lessened, making the whole Fellowship seem more relaxed. Both elf and man were also glad to have the issue worked out, it was a great weight off their mind, but with the newfound friendship they had unwittingly created a bigger problem, and a greater tension between them. Legolas on the lowest branch of a tree near the Fellowship's camp staring up at the sky through leaves, one leg stretched out along the branch the other dangling below. He smiled, all thought of the ring and Sauron momentarily out of his mind as he enjoyed the peace of the forest. The peace that was shattered a moment latter as he nearly fell from the tree when someone tugged unexpectedly at his foot. The blond prince grasped onto the branch beside him to steady himself and panted softly after his heart skipped a beat. He looked down to see who had startled him so only to find Aragorn staring up at him, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry," The man said, obviously embarrassed, "I did not mean to frighten you." The elf nodded as his breathing returned to normal and he slowly released the branch he had been holding, realizing now, at the sight of white knuckles, just how tight his grip had been. "You seem to be doing that a lot lately," he replied, his voice still slightly shaky. "And for that I apologize," The ranger said again, "I have never known you to be caught off guard as much as you seem to be lately. Does something trouble you?" There was a short moment of silence as Legolas considered his answer, "I am fine, just thinking." "About what?" "Nothing important," Legolas smiled back down at Aragorn briefly before looking up toward the sky again. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Valar he is beautiful. I know not how I did not see it before, but he outshines the stars. I feel a stirring in my heart I have not felt since I was a boy living in Rivendell. Come to think of it, the last time I felt this way... It was toward Legolas. I did not understand it then, but I do now. I think I am in love. I am in love. I am in love with Legolas. This is not right, I should not feel this way, not toward him. He is... He is. He would never feel that way toward me anyway so it does not matter. And even if he did, what would his father think? His father would tear us apart or worse. No, it is best I do not act on this, only harm can come of it. Dear Valar I wish I could. He is gorgeous. But he is an elf, and an elf would never bind himself to a mortal. It can only mean death for them, and I would not bring that upon him. I would never bring that upon him. And I cannot see him bringing it upon himself; he deserves a full life. To enjoy his time in Middle-Earth and then to sail West with his kin. I will not deny him that. Even if he does feel for me. Which I highly doubt anyway. TBC...