Title: Unbridled Emotions Author: Kate. kates_brain@hotmail.com Parings: Gollum/Legolas, Aragorn/Legolas Rating: NC-17 Archive: Yes. Take it, and stick it wherever it pleases you! Summary: Gollum's fascination with 'pretty Elves' delays the fellowship, and has repercussions for Legolas and Aragorn. This was done in response to Lisa's challenge on the Library of Moria website. Disclaimer: These characters are not mine, they're Tolkein's. Nothing shall be made of this, apart from (I hope) huge amounts of feedback (good or bad, all is welcomed at the inn). Warning: Elf-rape and Elf-angst, (basically blatant Elf-abuse...) Feedback: Always interested in how these things come across... Authors note: Lots of sickly thanks to my beta Caz, who helped to sort out the grammatical mess that this fic once was, and also gave me much needed input with Gollum. Any mistakes left are mine, and mine alone... Spot the lines, which have been shamelessly taken from the film... The path down from the mountains, that lead to the entrance of Moria, seemed a welcome reprieve from the hard path of Caradhras. The nine members of the fellowship began to relax and made the most of this respite before they would have to take the next difficult path that lay ahead of them. By night, only one stood guard whilst the others slept. And it was at night, during Legolas' watch, when the tale begins... Legolas sat on a rocky outcrop, keeping the others within view. From here, he found that he could also see the stars glinting through the trees. Listening to the few sounds of nature, that were intermingled with silence, he could almost believe there was no dark and dangerous quest to be undertaken. In the short space of time since leaving Rivendell he had re-gained his friendship with Aragorn, whom he had not seen for several years, and he had also struck up a tentative friendship with the Dwarf, which had surprised him greatly. Gandalf never seemed to change much through the long passage of time and, although long years had passed since they had last met, the feeling of ease that Legolas felt in the Wizard's company had returned to him immediately at Rivendell. The hobbits, he mused, were amazing creatures. Seemingly naïve and unexposed to the world outside the Shire, they also possessed an inner strength and resilience that was quite unexpected. Although their task still lay ahead, Legolas found himself at peace with all, believing he was making and re-making friendships that would enrich his life, lasting long and well. A branch snapped up in the trees, bringing the Elf out of his reverie. A few pieces of debris floated down from where the noise came from and, as Legolas searched with his keen eyesight, he noticed a small outline clambering down a trunk. He drew his bow and contemplated waking the others, dismissing the idea as he was sure there was only one creature present. Taking silent elven steps to where the creature was now rummaging on the ground, he drew closer and the creature stopped, lifting it's head up to look at Legolas. To the Elf, it seemed paralysed in fear, with big, green orb-like eyes staring up at him. Then it spoke. "Please, do not harm uss." Speaking these words the creature moved backwards, as if preparing to run. Legolas let the bow hang by his side, as a sign to the creature that he would cause it no ill. "Do not run. Who are you?" "We is scared of big creaturess," it replied, as it carried on moving back slowly through the trees, whilst Legolas cautiously followed. "I will not harm you. Do you live in these woods?" "Today, yess." The creature glanced to its left and abruptly reached out a sinewy hand. Legolas followed his gaze to see it pull on a rope hanging from a tree and, hearing the sound of something rushing through the air, he looked upwards to see a large object, just before it hit his head. Then all went black for the Elf. *** Daylight flickered through the trees onto the remaining faces of the fellowship as bodies shifted, still half-asleep. Boromir was the first to rise, and he wondered why he had not been woken by Legolas to take the second watch. As he stood and looked around the clearing where they lay, he saw that the Elf was not amongst them. "Legolas!" he called, his shout waking the others from their sleepy haze. Aragorn was the first to react to Boromir's calling. "Boromir, what's wrong?" "Legolas is missing. He did not wake me last night for my watch." Gasps could be heard coming from the hobbits as they sleepily stood up and looked out at the trees surrounding the clearing. "We must find him before we can carry on, we cannot leave him behind." Speaking these words, Aragorn looked towards Gandalf, who nodded back at him in agreement, concern flickering across his eyes. The company spread out from the clearing and did not go far before Pippin stumbled across the Elf's bow and quiver. "Look!" he shouted, drawing the attention of the others. "He would never leave his bow," Aragorn stated, trying not to feel disheartened by the find. "But who would've taken him?" asked Merry, in confusion. "And why?" "And where?" added Sam. "Could it have been Orcs?" Frodo asked. "No. They would've plundered the entire company," reflected Aragorn. "Their way is not one of subtlety and secrecy." Boromir looked towards Aragorn as he spoke up. "Wherever he may be, they couldn't taken him far. We would cover ground more quickly if we two went ahead, and carried on searching alone." Gimli's face clearly showed his annoyance at this. "But..." "Gimli," Aragorn reasoned with him. "We need you to defend the hobbits in case of further attack." "So be it," the Dwarf uttered in resignation. "Just make sure you bring my new Elf-friend back." "We shall do all that we can, Gimli," Aragorn called back, as he made his way from the camp with Boromir. "We shall search until nightfall if need be." *** Legolas awoke to find himself in an unnatural hollow within the thick undergrowth, and although a few shards of daylight flickered through the foliage, the hollow was in shadow. He was laid out on the floor with his hands and feet bound at either end, to trees, and his mouth had been gagged. Dried blood was caked onto his forehead, and a throbbing pain thrummed through his skull. He could hear a harsh voice in the background, unable, at first, to make out the words that were being said. "...Elvses, my pretty, pretty elvses. All ours. So long, so long. We've missed them, pretty, pretty. Now he hass... Ah, pretty elvses awake, yess? Elvses slept long. Worried Smeagol. Thought we'd hit you too hard, we did. But elvses is tough. Elvses is hard to crack. But we know how, yess, Smeagol knows how." The creature's two large eyes peered over at Legolas, and a clammy, slimy hand reached out to cup his chin. Legolas flinched but could not move away from the hand that had grasped him firmly. He closed his eyes and waited patiently for his captor to carry out whatever it had planned. "Look at me, pretty. Look at Smeagol. Into the eyess, look." The hand tightened as Smeagol said thi, and Legolas looked up in resignation. Once he looked, the Elf found the eyes of his captor pierce him with a burning force that he was unable to turn away from, feeling as if he was being looked at from the inside out. All his history, his experiences, his fears, and all that which he loved, they all flashed past him, exposing themselves to this Smeagol-creature as the eyes probed the depths of his past. It was as if his soul was now laid bare, on a cold hard slab to be tormented and moulded at his captor's will. "Smeagol will play, my pretty elvses, and Smeagol won't let you fade. When you break, we won't let you go. No easy death for my elvses!" With a fearful realisation, Legolas understood that whatever Smeagol chose to do to him, he would survive it all. There would be no release of his life if Smeagol should break his pride and destroy his spirit. "Yes, yess. Smeagol knows. Yes, Smeagol knows now. Knows your secretss little elf. Pretty elvses. And knows the secret nearest. Nearest to the surface." The clammy hand let go of his chin and moved down onto his chest, where Legolas realised he had already been stripped of his tunic. With a flurry of movement Gollum ripped the remaining shirt off and felt his way slowly across the Elf's naked skin, pressing as if he were trying to absorb Legolas' body through his fingers, prodding and poking the skin that was so different to his own. The piercing gaze was still held as Smeagol's hand took in the contours of the Elf's leggings, Legolas laying immobile, waiting for the ordeal to be over. Then Gollum spoke once more. "Smeagol knows the one you want. Smeagol doess." Legolas could not stop the questioning furrow appear upon his brow. "You know who, but you deny it, even to yourself. Do not worry, pretty elvses. Smeagol will help to remind you, help you to never forget." Legolas shuddered in fear as he felt the eternity of Smeagol's meaning behind the word 'never'. Gollum continued his manual inspection of the Elf's pale skin and revealed the truths that had been uncovered within the depths of Legolas' eyes, all the time never breaking eye contact. "We sees the one you yearn for, the friend you can never get closer to. The man you travel with." Legolas found himself remembering the spark he had felt when he had first come to know the man whom Smeagol was referring to. "Yes, Smeagol knows. Knows of the thoughts elvses once had, before elvses buried them. Held onto those thoughts, you did, until hope was gone. Ah, poor elvses, not wanted like the pretty she-elf is. Nearly told him, didn'ts you? But it was too late, yess? He was already smitten." Legolas tried again to avert his gaze but Gollum's eyes were locked onto his. Why was he bringing this up? What did this Smeagol hope to achieve? It was all in the past, he'd learnt to live with that longing now, learnt to put it behind him and move on. "Move on?" Gollum said, finding it easy to read Legolas' every thought. "Smeagol teaches elvses to move backwardss. Remembers those feelings, he does and binds them to you. So pretty you are, little elvses. Smeagol loves it when the pretty elvses looks needy. Bad memories, that won't go away, make elvses look needy." Gollum stopped running his hands over the Elf's leggings and grabbed at Legolas' chest roughly with both hands. "Sss, ha!" Blood was drawn as fingers were dug into the Elf's flesh. Legolas winced at the sudden discomfort, his pained facial expression drawing a hideous smile from Gollum before it started sniffing at his blood. The gaze between them was then allowed to be broken as Gollum bent down to lick the blood from Legolas' skin. "Hmm, pretty elvses blood. Makes elvses skin pretty colours when under the surface." At this he struck out at Legolas' face, grabbing the chin once more and regaining eye contact. "The one you yearns for, he wouldn't treat you so. Tender, he'd be, tender and gentle. Smeagol bad, Smeagol nasty. Smeagol loves to be bad and nassty. But, the desire of your hearts... He would stroke and kisss. Not dig nails into flesh and tear it, as Smeagol doess." Gollum demonstrated this last remark by digging his fingers into Legolas' sides, drawing more blood. Still Legolas could not avert his gaze by his own volition. He felt sickness welling up inside and found himself fighting tears. But he would get through this, he told himself, he would. "No, no, no, naughty elvses. No you won't; elvses will cry and elvses will break. Smeagol will make sure of that. Think of this, pretty elvses, and Smeagol will return." Gollum then broke the eye contact once more as he stood up and shuffled off into the woods, leaving Legolas bound and shaken. *** As the shadows began to draw longer Gandalf spoke up. "It seems that we must stay here for another night, let us set up a fire for food. Remember, there are to be no flames after nightfall." In response, Sam, Frodo, Merry and Pippin scampered round hunting for dry wood as Gimli strode up to Gandalf. "You seem to have less enthusiasm than the others for this search. Do you not believe that we shall find him?" "Let us discuss this when the others have returned, for I hope they may yet prove me wrong." Gimli grunted in annoyance at the Wizard's secrecy and went to help the hobbits carry the wood back to the clearing. Gandalf ignited the fire, and food was unearthed from bags and cooked; all this being carried out in silence, the only interaction being nervous glances exchanged between the hobbits. A while later the breaking of twigs underfoot betrayed the arrival of Boromir and Aragorn. They all looked up in hope but were dismayed to see that Legolas was not with the men. "I know not of where to look next," Aragorn stated in dismay as he sat by the fire. "There are no clues to follow, and he could've been taken in any direction." They sat in silence, contemplating this as freshly cooked food was passed around their number. Although hungry, they sat around only picking at it, whilst the night drew in and the last remnants of the fire went out. Gimli's earlier irritation at Gandalf's secrecy came back to him as he stared at the Wizard, who was looking out to the woods deep in thought. "How long do you intend to search for him? How long do we let it delay us?" All, apart from Gandalf, looked at Gimli in disbelief over his seemingly uncaring attitude towards the missing Elf. Gandalf spoke up. "If we were to spare more than another half a day I fear the delay may put our quest at risk." Aragorn spoke up. "Half a day? So if we do not find him by noon tomorrow, you intend for us to go on without him?" Gimli interrupted and answered for Gandalf. "We are on a quest to destroy the ring, Aragorn, and time is of the essence. All the while we stay and hunt for Legolas we waste time. It would seem that, if he were to be found, we would've done so by now. Any more time spent looking will be in vain. We must press on." "So we continue onwards and let them pick us off one by one?" Boromir interjected. "We have been lax lately, and this serves as a reminder that we must still be on our guard, even though the path seems less dangerous here." Aragorn tried to reason with the dwarf. "A reminder Gimli? Is that all? Losing Legolas is much more than that; we owe it to him to keep searching." "At the expense of our greater task?" The fellowship fell into silence as the truth in Gimli's words finally sunk in. They would have to go on and leave Legolas behind, with the possibility of never knowing what had happened to him. "Besides," added the Dwarf, "I get the distinct impression that Gandalf believes we will not find him." "No, Gimli," said Gandalf, "I have reason to believe that Legolas will be with us once again when we leave tomorrow." Gimli looked at the wizard through narrowed eyes. "What do you know, Gandalf the Grey? What have you not told us of the Elf's whereabouts?" All eyes were now fixed on the Wizard. "I believe Gollum may have taken him," he said solemnly. "Gollum, but why?" Frodo asked. Gandalf shifted uneasily as he began to explain the background to his theory. "He has been following us for 3 days, it is the ring that draws him near. His precious." "He escaped the dungeons of Barad-dur," interrupted Frodo. "Escaped? Or set loose?" Gandalf paused to draw from his pipe. "He hates and loves the ring, as he hates and loves himself. He won't ever be rid of his need for it, and so he follows us in the hope that he may regain possession of it." "It's a pity that Bilbo didn't kill him when he had the chance." "Pity, Frodo? It was pity that stayed Bilbo's hand. Many that live deserve death and some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo? Do not be too eager to deal out death and judgement. Even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play, for good or ill, before this is over. The pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many." "What has all this to do with Legolas?" Aragorn asked with impatience. "Ah, yes, Legolas," Gandalf replied, the name of Legolas tinged with gravity. "I believed Gollum would still be driven entirely by his obsession with the ring. As it turns out, it seems that following us, and waiting for any opportunity to claim his precious, has given him time to think. And, therefore, time to remember his old obsessions." "You talk in riddles, old man." Ignoring Gimli's seemingly derisive comment, Frodo spoke up. "What were his old obsessions, Gandalf?" Gandalf appeared to have a bad taste in his mouth as he prepared to answer. "Elves, Frodo. He loves the look of purity in elves, their grace, elegance and beauty, for he knows that is how he shall never be. As a means to making himself feel better, I suppose, he tormented them. And he could torment them well, for he has the ability to look into the eyes of elves and read their secrets hidden there. "Elves are good at tempering emotion with logic. When they feel something, or wish to react in such a way that they deem not to be constructive, they are capable of dealing with those thoughts very well. They can bury them within themselves and carry on as before, those emotions not impinging on their current outlook or actions. But Gollum tortures them with their inner secrets, bringing them to the surface, and plays with them so that they cannot be so easily buried again. He has destroyed the strength of elves before by doing this, weakening their minds and their will. I am sure Gollum will return Legolas when he has finished with him, but I cannot say what sort of mental anguish he will put Legolas through. It has even been known for him to succeed in raping elves without them being able to relinquish their own lives, as is usually the case under those circumstances." "You knew all this all along and yet did not say anything?" Aragorn was taken aback. "There was no point, it would have changed nothing. I would have pointed out that you would not find him, for Gollum is quite capable of hiding when he needs to, but you still would have insisted on searching. I was hoping myself, that Legolas would turn up and Gollum would not be involved, but now I fear that is not the case." "So we just wait?" "Yes, Boromir, that is all we can do." *** When Gollum returned to the Elf, the wood was shrouded in darkness once more. Again it stooped over him and took his gaze from him. "Fond memories of your ranger friend, have we? Busy burying them?" Gollum had correctly guessed that Legolas had been busy trying to bury his old feelings in the hope that his captor may not be able to reach them for a second time. "Yes, yess, you try. But it won't work, oh no. Smeagol brings them out again, back out for good. All those memories of the heir to Issildur..." Gollum stared more intensely now, testing the reactions of his captive to other names of the man who held the key to this Elf's heart and, also, to his undoing. "Esstel? Sstrider? Aragorn?" Legolas visibly flinched at this last term for his friend, the name he himself used, for it was the one that brought his image and the associated feelings to the surface most strongly. "Yess, Aragorn is it? Smeagol likess that name. So noble, so much honour. Aragorn, sson of Arathorn. The man good enough for my elvses." As it said these words he began to move a clammy hand over the contours of Legolas' leggings once more. "But Aragorn isn't here to save you, is he pretty elvses? Smeagol is though, and Smeagol wantss to play." On this last word he gripped tight, digging in his nails again, drawing blood through the material of the leggings from the Elf's thigh and causing Legolas to moan in pain against the gag in his mouth. "Smeagol loves to hear elvses cry out, my pretty. Smeagol does, but Smeagol must be careful. Smeagol cannot make his pretty elvses scream today, it would draw the others." Smeagol smoothed down the outsides of Legolas' thighs, smearing the blood as his twisted hands moved. "Aragorn would try to rescue you." At the mention of Aragorn he snickered and then tugged on the Elf's leggings, drawing them down and exposing Legolas to the chill night air. "So pretty, sso pretty, pretty elvses." Smeagol poked and prodded at Legolas, stimulating neuronal connections that Legolas had no conscious control over. "To have Aragorn touch you like this, my pretty. Elvses would like that, yess? To have him say he wants you, wants you, despite his she-elf." As he spoke these words, Gollum continued staring into Legolas' eyes and images began to vividly flash in the Elf's head, each one burning like a memory into his mind. "Need him to hold you, don'ts you? Need him to feel you, and kisss you. But he's not here, no. Only Smeagol." And again the pressure from his hand began to rise, the other clammy hand now digging into the inside of a thigh, bruising and tearing at the flesh and muscle. Again Legolas moaned in response to the pain, and again Gollum gave a gleeful smile at the Elf's discomfort. "Without Aragorn, elvses is so alone, sso needy. Elvses has no one. No one here to help. Only Smeagol." Legolas could no longer hold back. At first he felt a welling up of the liquid within his eyes, it only took one drop to fall over the brim before the dam burst and a cascade of tears began to flow freely down his cheeks. The physical pain and mental anguish he felt were dancing within him out of control. He could not fight it, he no longer knew how. But he was also unable to let go, unable to let his soul fly free, to save him from this torment through death. "Now Smeagol has his elvses, my pretty. Smeagol has his elvses, and Smeagol wants to take his elvses." Gollum untied Legolas' bound feet, removed what remained of his clothing, and rolled him over and up onto his knees and arms. Legolas had no mental strength left in him to fight and no physical strength to keep him upright. He collapsed onto his side, lying in a foetal position, still weeping. "Ah, poor pretty, needing Aragorn to save him, make him whole. Pretty elvses is lost without him. All alone, elvses is. No one to touch pretty elvses. But Smeagol will, Smeagol will take his elvses." With these words Gollum positioned himself behind Legolas and pushed his way inside. The sobs grew heavier as Legolas felt his flesh tear at the violent intrusion, tracks of blood making their way down the backs of his thighs. Gollum began to pound carelessly into Legolas, clutching hold of his hips with a vice-like grip that, to Legolas, felt as if it is was almost touching the bone. Gollum let go with one hand and grabbed the Elf's flaxen hair with the other, forcing his head around so that it could resume the torturous eye contact. Images of Aragorn passed through Legolas' mind, just as the sensation of Smeagol tearing into him passed through his body. "Aragorn. You wants him, pretty elvses, don't you? King of your wounded hearts. He wouldn't take you like thiss, no. He'd be gentle, soft and careful. Not hurt Smeagol's pretty elvses." Gollum let go of Legolas' hair, allowing his head to fall back to the ground. He seized a shoulder and began pounding harder and faster, towards his release. "Tears, more tears, pretty elvses. Smeagol loves pretty elvses tears." Gollum panted as he continued to tear into the Elf again and again. Legolas' face was now streaked with dirt and wetness from the salty tears that were still streaming down his cheeks. At last, Gollum gave a final thrust and the pounding stopped. Only a throbbing soreness was left, flushing through the Elf in time with his own heartbeat, the tearing pain having subsided slightly. Gollum remained inside Legolas as he grabbed the flaxen hair and yanked, pulling the head round once more. With his other hand he reached round and began to stroke Legolas. Legolas shuddered, repulsed by the touch, but unable to control his physical response. "Your turn, my pretty elvses. Remember, pretty, don't come for Smeagol. Elvses needs Aragorn to do this. Come for him." Gollum gradually increased the pace as he continued to talk and stare into Legolas' eyes, "Ssee him in your minds, can you? Can you smell his scent, feel his hair brush over your skin? His gentle hands, soothing you, and your pain? Healing wounds that nassty Smeagol inflicted?" Again images of Aragorn strayed into Legolas' thoughts. Pictures of him in scenarios Legolas had never before dared to imagine, knowing that they would only lead him to misery. "Pretty elvses wants to see his Aragorn when he comes, don'ts you? Yess." Gollum released Legolas' hair and let his head drop. "Thinks of your king, my pretty. Aragorn's love, Aragorn's touch, Aragorn's face in your hands. Aragorn doing what Smeagol is doing. Come for him, my pretty, not Smeagol. Call out to him, when you do, call out his name so he can rescue you, my pretty. Come my pretty elvses." Gollum pulled the gag from Legolas' mouth just before he was ready, and as the release flooded through him he yelled, "Aragorn!" Gollum withdrew and clambered up. "Aragorn will save you now, my pretty, and Smeagol must go." Gollum cut the ropes that bound Legolas's arms to the tree, and gave him a shove, hard enough so that the elf's momentum would carry him through the thick undergrowth and down an adjacent bank. Legolas rolled downwards, with brambles tearing, nettles stinging and thorns digging into his flesh. When he came to halt, all he could do was to curl up and continue weeping. *** Legolas' cry sounded through the trees. "Aragorn!" At the sound of his friend's shout Aragorn felt a shiver rush through his body and the blood drain from his face. He jumped up and started to run, with the others not far behind him. He could make out little in the darkness, even the occasional patch of moonlight not allowing his human sight to pinpoint the source of the call. He merely continued on in the direction of what he had heard, and hoped he would not lose this chance to help his friend. Another noise came to him from ahead, the sound of twigs snapping and undergrowth being forced apart and, finally, his weak eyes discerned movement where the moon broke through the blackness. "Legolas! Legolas!" He shouted as he made his way forwards. Skidding to a halt he gasped as he took in the scene before him. Half naked in the moonlight that filtered through the trees, naked, body bruised and bloody, Legolas lay shaking and weeping in the undergrowth. Aragorn hastily unfastened his own cloak and wrapped it around his friend as Boromir caught up, and also took in the sight of the broken Elf. Gandalf and the others were not far behind. "Legolas, what has that creature done to you?" Aragorn asked softly. Legolas merely shook at the sound of Aragorn's gentle voice and began to rock, hugging his arms around him, eyes staring into space, as if transfixed by a scene before him that no one else could see. Aragorn turned to the others, "Can you get me some athelas, some water and a cloth, and Legolas needs some clean clothes." Aragorn turned back to Legolas and reached out a hand to brush a strand of hair from the elf's face. Legolas flinched. "My dear friend, I hope I can help your mind as well as heal your body." After bringing what the healer needed the others went back to the camp and Aragorn began treating Legolas' injuries in silence. Legolas lay still, as if lifeless, trying to block out the images that had been instantly rekindled by Aragorn's presence, and wishing Aragorn was not so gentle and considerate in his actions. Tears pricked at Aragorn's eyes as he realised the extent to which his friend had been physically assaulted. He chose not to comfort the Elf with words, knowing that tears would break through the words, and that would do nothing to help his friend. As he continued Legolas started shaking and muttering. "No, no, please don't do this to me. No, please don't. I don't want this, I don't want this, this isn't real, this isn't happening. I don't deserve to be treated like this. I'm nothing. Please, do not take care of me so." "Hush, Legolas. I'm finished now. I'm sorry but your injuries had to be treated. Here, I have some clothes for you; do you think you can dress yourself?" Legolas pushed himself up onto his arms, grabbing at the clothes and shying away from Aragorn before hastily putting them on, all the while his head hanging down, refusing to make any eye contact. "I think we should go back to the camp now, for it is not safe for us to be out here in the dark for so long." Legolas nodded weakly in ascent. "Can you walk?" Aragorn asked as he leaned forward to help the Elf up. Again, Legolas moved back in fear and Aragorn drew his hands back, and moved out the way to let the Elf rise by himself. "It's ok, Legolas, I will not hurt you." Legolas continued to back away from Aragorn as he moved unsteadily to his feet, overwhelmed by the torrent of emotions that now lay unchained within him. When he finally managed to speak it was in broken, subdued tones. "I will follow you." Aragorn nodded and moved on through the dark to the camp, continuously looking back to keep an eye on the Elf as he followed. Legolas avoided all eye contact as he sat down, on the edge of the group, hugging his knees to his chest and staring into space once more. He would get through this, he would cope, he would do whatever he could to help the quest and that is all he would let himself think of. Once their task was over he could leave and be far away, far from the one that was bringing so much turmoil within him. Gandalf went over to Legolas holding a bowl. "Here, drink this, it will help you to sleep." Legolas looked up at the bowl and gingerly took it. Aragorn watched him closely, worried at the change that Gollum had instigated. An Elf, who was once so sure and confident, was now like a child and unable to control whatever was eating away inside of him. They sat and listened to Gandalf's plans for the following day as Legolas drained the bowl and eventually curled up on the floor to sleep. "Gollum has affected him deeply." Aragorn looked from the sleeping elf to Gandalf. "Will there be anything that we can do to help him recover?" "In truth, he may not recover. And even if he does manage to portray an exterior comparable to before, he will probably carry with him whatever Gollum has brought to the surface for a long time, if not forever. I know of no elf that has recovered, but others may and, if so, they may also know how he could be helped." *** They moved on towards, and then through, the mines of Moria, with Legolas distancing himself from the others. He refused to indulge in his previous growing friendships with the other members of the company. He spoke only when necessary and stood apart from the others whenever he had the opportunity. Occasionally they would try to entice him to talk about what was clearly weighing heavily on his mind but to no avail. No matter who tried, the response was always the same. "I cannot speak of this now." As the company approached Lothlorien, Legolas had become increasingly agitated. Having heard about the extent of Lady Galadriel's powers through stories told back in Mirkwood, he feared the shame that he would feel once she sensed his lack of inner control. As Galadriel cast her gaze across each of the members of the fellowship Legolas hung his head in shame. "Why do you hide from me?" He heard her melodic tones questioning him within. "Please do not look upon me, fair lady, for I do not wish to offend you with my weakness." "What has happened to reduce an Elf to feel such shame?" "Gollum has left me with an emotion that I cannot subdue." "Then my heart goes out to you, brave one. I know of others who have endured the torture of Gollum and they would not have been able to carry on, and put themselves into the quest as you have evidently done. You show great strength and you should be proud, not ashamed of what you have been put through." "Your words are kind, dear lady, but they do not ease my disgrace at my own inappropriate emotions." "I will not intrude upon your thoughts, and I will not counsel you on this matter but I can tell you this: your time for healing has not yet come, for now you are needed on the quest. But a day will come when all will be well with you once more. For now, I can give you a gift to help you with this burden. I can grant you renewed strength of heart to help you for the rest of your task." *** Throughout the remainder of the quest, Legolas still refused to share any of his experience with Gollum. He carried out his part of the task adequately, but was only a mere shadow of the Elf that he used to be. During the battles, although he fought well, he was not as quick, and his movements did not flow as before. To the others it seemed as though something within him had died. Every time Aragorn reached to place a hand on his shoulder in comfort he shied away in fear. Eye contact with any of the fellowship was rare and a noticeably greater aloofness was directed at Aragorn than at any other member of the group. At first Aragorn thought this was due to him being the one who tended to Legolas' injuries so soon after the assault, but he did begin to wonder if it was more than that, if he was somehow involved in the secret that Gollum had brought to the surface. But whatever it was, Aragorn was sure he would be able to deal with it, for the sake of their friendship and, more importantly, for the sake of Legolas' sanity. He spent many hours of his time thinking, trying to work out ways he could convince his friend that their friendship meant more to him than any passing judgement or resentment he may feel, that he would bury any surfacing reaction if it meant he could help Legolas. Aragorn resigned himself to the fact that he would have to wait, until after the quest was over. Then he could find time to be with his friend without distraction, to tease out of him whatever it was that was eating away at him inside. Until then, he would continue to watch over him, making sure the new dejected state of the Elf did not leave him to be more at risk from injury and death. *** After the ring was destroyed, and the minions of Sauron and Saruman had been defeated, the remainder of the company turned to Minas Tirith, where Aragorn was made King, Arwen took on the life of a mortal as his queen, and Sam and Frodo were recovering in peace... In the warm air of the night the new King and his Queen wandered, hand in hand, through the many passages of the city. Their discussion had so far been of the festivities held that day in their honour, and in the honour of the Fellowship. Arwen's voice was now laced with sadness as she spoke of the Elf who had them both worried. "Legolas seems so different now, so distant." "He has a burden to bear that he believes he cannot share with anyone. I have offered, many times, to carry his secret for him, to my grave, but he refuses. It seems that even a friendship as strong as ours once was, cannot support him. Even now, that the war is over, I can find no way to help him." "Perhaps he needs someone away from the Fellowship, who was not there when he was found?" She queried. "Perhaps, but I'm sure there is more to it than that. Maybe you could try talking to him once more. Before the quest he held you in the greatest respect." "Yet now, he cannot even look at me. His eyes never meet my own; they are always turned downwards, as if in pain and sorrow, or perhaps even in shame or guilt. I cannot force him to talk to me." "His pride may prevent him from ever expressing his anguish." Aragorn looked at Arwen, fighting back the tears that were glistening in his eyes. "I fear I have lost a dear friend, and may never understand why." *** Gimli found himself itching at his inability to help the stubborn Elf and so, he too, began to tour the passages of the city that night. Taking a path that led away from the main walkways he stumbled upon Legolas sitting on a step, taking in the stars. He spoke as he approached, so as not to startle the Elf. "I think this is the most at ease I have seen you for a long time." Legolas gave Gimli a sad smile. "It is good to be on safe ground once again, where I can lose myself to the night sky." Gimli sat with the Elf and looked up in silence at the heavens, thinking. He found the stillness of the city reassuring, reminding him that peaceful times lay ahead. "Why is it only now, that you can relax, Legolas?" Gimli asked, still staring at the stars above. "And not during the day with your family and friends. Since we have arrived at Minas Tirith you seem only to be at peace by yourself, at night. You still cannot relax in the company of others and, if anything, seem more anguished here, during the day, than when we were out on the road." Gimli turned his head towards the Elf for an answer. A single tear trickled down across the Elf's cheek as he continued to look upwards. "I cannot stay here Gimli, it torments my soul to distraction. I intend to leave for my home in Mirkwood in the next few days in the hope that I may find some peace there." "You are still refusing to share this burden with anyone then?" "I cannot share it." "Cannot, pah! You are just a stubborn Elf. Do you not see what this does to those who care for you? Aragorn is mourning a friend who has not died. You show him no respect when you say you cannot trust him with your secret." "You know not of what you speak, Gimli. Please do not talk further on this." "No, I shall not, for I am angry enough as it is. We have been there for you in the Fellowship, through the battles where we fought side by side, and now, when we wish to be there for you again, you refuse." Gimli pushed himself onto his feet. "Tell me one thing, Elf. Do you intend to speak to Aragorn of your leaving, or will he find out the same way as all your distant acquaintances here?" Legolas rested his forehead in his hands and let more tears run down his face. "Pah! I thought as much." Gimli sneered in disgust as he walked away, leaving the Elf with his unshared secret. *** Continuing their walk, Arwen stopped and turned to Aragorn, silently raising a finger to her lips. In the ensuing quiet a soft sobbing could be heard nearby. They crept forward together until they saw Legolas curled up, openly weeping. Arwen nodded to Aragorn that he should go to him. He approached cautiously, holding out his hand and laying it on Legolas' shoulder as he spoke. "Legolas." Legolas looked up in surprise and took a sharp intake of breath, fear on his face at being caught in such an exposed emotional state. Adrenaline rushed through his body at the closeness of the ranger, and he knew he could do nothing to hide his reactions. He felt he had no option but to run from this encounter. "I cannot speak with you," he mumbled before getting up and bolting away through the passageways. "Legolas!" Aragorn called as he started to run after his friend. He found it hard to keep up with the Elf and before long he felt Arwen's hand on his shoulder. "Let me go after him, he is too fast for you." Aragorn dropped back in resignation, leaning his hands on his knees and catching his breath, hoping that Arwen would have more success where he had failed too many times. *** Arwen ran onwards through the shadowy corridors of Minas Tirith, straining to hear which way Legolas was running. Finally, Legolas gave up the chase and collapsed wearily against a wall, breathing heavily. "Do not run, Legolas. I do not mean to hurt you." Arwen stepped forward, standing next to the Elf who kept his gaze fixed downwards, to where the wall met the hard, stone floor below. He swallowed nervously, keeping Arwen in the corner of his sight. "Why will you no longer look upon me, Legolas? Have I done you wrong?" Legolas slowly shook his head, refusing to look up. "No, you have not, dear Arwen. It is I who would do you wrong, and that is why I cannot look upon you." A small frown creased between Arwen's eyes as she took a moment to consider her next words. "What has given you cause to do me wrong? Is it that which Gollum has unearthed within you?" Legolas merely nodded at this, as more tears dropped from his eyes. "And is this also why you cannot bring yourself to confide with Aragorn?" Legolas brought a hand up to his face as he let out a sob. "Please... Do not push this further, Arwen, I beg of you. Not tonight, not when I am in this state, and am so weak." Arwen placed an arm across his shoulders and pulled him close as he wept. "You cannot carry on like this, Legolas, and I cannot leave a member of my brethren in such sorrow. What would you have me do, so that I may help you?" Legolas drew in a deep breath and spoke hesitantly, once again looking downwards towards the ground and not at Arwen. "I plan to leave Minas Tirith in the next few days, it will be easier for me then. I cannot talk to Aragorn about this before I go. Please tell him I am sorry for being unable to explain. And... And, that I will miss him." Arwen's voice was gentle but firm in her reply. "No, I will not. Not unless you help me to understand why." She placed a hand on his damp chin and applied a gentle pressure. He resisted at first, and then, defeated, he let Arwen draw his head up so that she may gaze into his eyes. A small degree of understanding was reflected back at him. "You suffer a love that cannot be returned but I do not see who it is for." She continued to scrutinize him through his gaze. "It is not for me, and so I do not understand why you believe you would do me wrong. I know of no maiden by which I would be offended should you love them." Legolas lowered his eyes in guilt, "My love is for no maiden." "Aragorn," Arwen gasped with realisation. Another tear followed the tracks from earlier, winding its way across the Elf's skin, meeting his upper lip before dropping to the cold floor. "My poor dear Legolas." Arwen took him in her arms as once again his body was racked with sobs. "I will try to help you, any way I can." "Do you understand why I could not speak to Aragorn of this?" "Yes. I will not tell him the reasons for your pain but please do not leave immediately. Let me speak with my father tomorrow, before he departs for Rivendell." Legolas looked up in surprise. "You would tell Elrond of this?" "Only the barest of details, for he may be able to offer some advice. I am sure that if there is a way in which you may be helped he will know of it. Do not worry, I will not give mention of Aragorn." *** "Father, may I walk with you a while?" Elrond turned to his daughter, concerned at the uneasiness that lay upon her face. "What pains you so, Arwen?" "It is Legolas, and the burden given to him by Gollum." "Pride will be the downfall of Legolas if he does not soon share that secret which was unearthed." "He has shared the secret with me and I wish to help him, only I know not how." Elrond gave a warm smile as he began to speak. "It is good to hear that he has been able to talk, and I am sure that that has been help in itself. But, as to whether further help may be offered, this will depend on the nature of his problem." "He has an undying love for another which he cannot temper. I fear for him, father. I am afraid that this may break his heart, and his soul will diminish." "Who is this love for?" "I cannot say, father. I promised to not disclose any detail of the source of his affections." "Very well. That is enough for me to suggest a possible course of action, but how appropriate it will be I do not know." Arwen looked across to Elrond with hope in her eyes. He spoke again. "Have you heard the story of Calendras and Montheno?" "Yes, 'The Folly of Calendras'. Since I heard it a few years back I have always thought of it as a good tale of why Elves should develop their skills in dealing with emotions." Elrond nodded before he continued. "It is not just a tale, more a mis-telling of a true story. It was amended for it's own purpose, for what reason I do not know, and the original tale was lost, but there are some of us who know the true account of what happened." As they walked onwards they passed some wooden benches and Elrond motioned for them to sit. "Calendras was not, as in the fable, a foolish Elf who was unable to temper her own emotions, but as powerful in her logic as any I have known. It was Gollum who diminished her abilities. He had seized her from the forest one night and returned her two days later, a shadow of her former self. As in the tale, she left to find peace in solitude and slowly began to wither away in grief, destined to die from a broken heart. Although the tale tells of a night spent with Montheno, she did not continue on her path to death. It seemed that that one night served to lessen her burden, and she was able to live as before, only slightly weaker in emotion." Understanding seeped through Arwen and she stared vacantly at the buildings around them. Aragorn would have to know. It was up to him to help Legolas and she would not let herself stand in his way, she cared too deeply for her Elven friend for that. She knew what had to be done. "Does that help, Arwen? Do you think it would be possible for Legolas to spend one night with the one he desires?" "I believe it may be possible." Although she spoke in a monotone, compassion could be heard in her voice. "I just need a little time to think, alone, on how this must be approached." "Let me know if it goes well." "I will father." *** Once Elrond had departed for Rivendell, those that had come to bid him farewell dispersed back up into the city. Arwen quickened her pace to catch up with Legolas before he disappeared. "Legolas, I wish to speak with you. Will you walk with me?" Legolas looked up at Arwen, meeting her gaze, his eyes heavy with sadness, and dipped his head in agreement. Together they walked out of the hearing range of any remaining elves. Arwen took several deep breaths to steady herself, unsure of how she could explain to Legolas. "I do not know how to completely lift your burden but I have spoken with my father, and he has suggested a way to lessen the pain. Enough so that you and Aragorn may be close friends once more, without it breaking your heart." Legolas stopped and let this sink in for a moment. "Please, tell me." "It concerns the tale of Calendras and Montheno." "I know of that tale." "Then put yourself in the role of Calendras, for the true story on which it is based on tells of her being abused by Gollum in the same way that you were." Legolas' brows knitted together in confusion. "But she was an Elf who never restricted her emotions; how could Gollum bring something to the surface that was never buried?" "There lies the confusion in the tale. She only became unable to restrict her emotions after Gollum had seized her." Arwen turned to Legolas, almost pleading with him as she spoke again. "She nearly died in grief, Legolas. Even when she left her town and moved far from Montheno, she was still destined to pass away." "But she did not die in the tale." "No. She spent one night with Montheno and her need was lessened, she was..." "She was able to live with her emotions and control them almost as well as other Elves do." Legolas shook his head in disbelief. "No. I could not, I would not, ask this of you, nor of Aragorn. If there is no other way, then there is no way." Legolas circled away from Arwen, and made to walk back to where some of the others still stood in conversation. Arwen called out to him as he left her standing there, "Legolas, I would tell him of your burden." He stopped in his tracks and turned back once more. "You said that you understood my reasons." "I did then. But now, in the new light of how your heart can be partly healed, I no longer understand why it must be kept a secret from him." "But to spend a night with Aragorn is not an option." "Do not be so hasty in your judgement, Legolas. For my part, I would give him to you freely for that one night, in order that you may be helped. I cannot speak for Aragorn, but surely he should be allowed to speak for himself?" Legolas shook his head. "I thank you for your offer but I cannot tell him of this, and I will not ask him for something so great." "Then answer me this, Legolas. If, after you have died in grief, Aragorn should find out the reason for your death and that he could've been able to help you, how do you think he will feel? It is irrelevant whether he would choose to help you or not, he deserves to know. How much responsibility will he take upon himself, knowing that you could not trust him with this? It would destroy him, Legolas. Would you drag him down with you?" Legolas closed his eyes and swallowed, shaking his head, tears threatening to fall yet again. "I do not wish to place this burden upon his shoulders but, from your words, it seems it may be better if I were to tell him now, rather than let him find out later. But how do I speak to him of this?" "I would tell him for you, if you would wish it, but I believe it would be easier for him if it came directly from you. If you agree, I will send him to you tonight, after dinner. All I will say to him is that you wish to tell him of what Gollum brought to the surface, and you have a request for his help. He will bear a letter from me, which he must read when his decision is to be made." *** Legolas was pacing his room, trying to work out just how he was going to broach this subject with Aragorn, when a gentle knock on the door brought him out of his anxious meanderings. He walked over tentatively, breathing heavily with mouth dry and palms sweaty, smelling the scent of the ranger even before reaching out to open the door. As he pulled it towards him, and looked out, he could not stop a gasp issuing from his lips. Aragorn stood there, evidently freshly scrubbed, with well-fitting raiment that emphasized the musculature of his body. Not completely understanding the reason for Legolas' gasp, Aragorn tried to explain why he was so well groomed for his friend. "Arwen insisted, don't ask me why. Though, I guess you may already know." Aragorn chuckled at this but trailed off when he noticed Legolas looking uncomfortable with the joke. "So, may I come in?" Legolas nodded and gave an uneasy smile as he stepped back and let Aragorn into the room. Motioning towards a table in the corner of the room Legolas pulled out two chairs. They sat and Aragorn produced two bottles of Elven wine, and a pair of glasses from under his cloak. "Arwen thought it might help me in trying to get the 'blood out of the stone'." Aragorn raised his eyebrows at Legolas' ignorance of the human simile, as he poured the wine. "She thought it might make it easier for you to talk to me, that it may loosen your tongue," he explained. "Did she give you anything else to bring?" Legolas asked as he began to sip from the glass. "Yes, this letter." He produced a folded note that had been sealed with wax. "But I've been told not to read it until I come to making a decision. Do you know what this letter concerns?" "I would guess at some of it, but now is not the time for the letter." "I am very intrigued by all this. Will you now trust an old friend with your troubles?" Legolas nodded. "Forgive me, Aragorn, if at first I seem to talk in riddles. For, all will soon become clear." "If it makes it easier for you, then tell your tale anyway you wish." Legolas drank freely from his glass, draining it and then refilling it once more, before he began to speak. "Some years ago, there was a place that I visited regularly. I became good friends with someone there and, after a time, I began to accept that I saw them as more than a friend. I found I could not get them from my mind, and I would spend hours thinking of our time together and, needlessly, worrying for them. My instincts were driving me towards them and I made the decision to speak of how I felt. The next time I travelled there I prepared myself to confide in them, to find out if it was mutual or if I would have to get past these initial stirrings of love. But, when I returned, I found that their heart had since been given to another." Legolas paused to drink more wine as Aragorn sat in silence, resisting the urge to ask questions and patiently waiting for his friend to continue. "I kept that particular visit short, and then spent time on my own dealing with the feelings I held. Once I had successfully moved on from those emotions, I continued with my visits; we remained good friends and my feelings did not resurface. But Gollum changed things." Legolas stopped again for a moment to drain his second cup. Briefly closing his eyes and taking a few deep, steadying breaths, the Elf prepared to tell Aragorn what Gollum had done to him. "When Gollum held me captive, he was somehow able to stare through my eyes into my soul. He brought forth all those feelings once again, only more intensely than before. He raised vivid memories to my eyes, the familiar scent to my nose, the voice calling to me in my ears and, through all this, the physical torture only served to dampen and blur my senses further. He then created fantasies in my mind, forbidden ones that I would have never dared to let myself indulge in. All the memories, the new pictures and sensations intertwined, becoming more powerful, and evoking more of a response with every fresh thought he helped to create. "Those feelings that pervaded all of my senses, I carry with me now, every minute of every day. Every time I close my eyes I see... their face, their lips. I feel their warmth and smell their intoxicating scent, even though they may not be near. And when they are near I find myself inebriated with desire, so much so my head is in the clouds, and it is so difficult to think of anything but the fullness of the experience that Gollum has planted in my brain." Legolas stopped once more to finish another glass of the Elf wine. He stared vacantly as he drank, his eyes tinged with sorrow and Aragorn felt his heart begin to break for the pain his dear friend had been put through. "I have kept this all secret until Arwen caught up with me last night. She saw part of the truth, of my love, in my eyes and the rest I could not lie to her. She insisted on seeking the council of Elrond, telling him of my love but not who it was for." The increasing agitation in Legolas was evident as he stopped yet again for more wine, his composure broken further by a slight tremor in his hands. He looked lost in thought, as though stuck on how to move forward in his tale, and so Aragorn chose to try and prompt him. "Did Elrond know of a way in which you may be helped?" Legolas nodded and licked his dry lips nervously. "Elrond has told Arwen of another Elf who was left emotionally weakened through Gollum bringing a painful love to the surface. She shied away from the source of her pain, losing a dear friend whom she could not bare to be near. She left and tried to move on, believing, as I did, that the pain would lessen away from her hearts desire, but this did not help. In the end she was given a respite and was granted the opportunity to spend one night with the man she was so deeply in love with. Even though she knew she only had the one night, and that the feelings involved would not be reciprocated, that one night proved enough to let the more powerful associations subside. After this, she was able to bury the feelings once more. Although she could still feel the presence of her love, and still had the same longing for him, it did not pain her. She no longer needed him in her life so desperately, but she was able to stay in his life as his close friend, no longer being ruled by her love, until death eventually separated them." "The tale seems familiar to me." "You have probably heard it as Calendras and..." "Montheno. Yes, I remember now. Although that is slightly different from the tale I had heard." Aragorn emptied the last of the wine into Legolas' glass and opened up the second bottle, to top up the glass and to fill his own. "Looks like it's just as well Arwen insisted I brought two of these." He gave his friend a warm grin, laced with compassion. "Tell me, Legolas, the one that your heart sings for, is their love still taken?" "Yes. And it is no passing flame they carry." "So Arwen believes you should spend a night with them, even though their love lies with another?" Legolas gave a weak acknowledgement before Aragorn continued. "Who is it that has such a hold over you..." Aragorn stopped, and looked up at Legolas in concern. "Is it Arwen that you love?" "No, it is not." Breathing deeply, Legolas gently closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his fingers. As he spoke again he did so quietly. "Aragorn, it is you." "Me?" Aragorn's breath hitched in his throat as he gazed at his friend in faint realisation. It took a few moments before he could speak further. "But I am now wed to Arwen." "I know, and that is why I refrained from saying anything, until now. Arwen had asked me what would come of you if, after I have gone, you should find out all that had happened to me and that you'd never even had the option of helping me. I owe it to you to make the decision yourself, to tell me no, if that is what you should wish." "So, I guess now would be the time to read Arwen's letter," Aragorn said gravely, as he picked the note off the table and opened it. He began to read in silence but soon stopped. "As it concerns you, my friend, I will not keep this a secret from you." He looked down and began to read aloud from the beginning. "Dear Aragorn, you now know of Legolas' love and what he is asking of you. What I believe he may not have emphasized is this desire is now so powerful and all-consuming, that not only is he living in a painful shadow of his previous life, but he is also destined to soon die from grief." Aragorn looked up at this to catch Legolas' gaze, the Elf immediately dropped his eyes guiltily. After taking a moment to dwell on this, Aragorn read on. "The power of his need may be reduced, he may receive enjoyment from his life once again and will not die, if he were given one night with you, my love. Legolas is a friend to us both, a dear friend to you. It is your decision and yours alone. Only you know whether you are able help him and I will not stand in the way of that. If you believe it is right, then I will release you from our bond tonight. I shall willingly give you to Legolas and let you sleep in his arms. I understand that this knowledge you now have places a great weight on you. Just remember that my love for you will not be diminished, whatever you should choose." They sat in silence, both staring at the opened letter. Aragorn considered all that had been revealed to him: the torch that Legolas had been carrying, the fact that Arwen had given her consent so that he could help his friend, and what would happen tonight, if he agreed. Legolas remained motionless as he waited for Aragorn to decide. Aragorn spoke up again, but this time talking to the letter as if it were Arwen herself. "I am at a loss for what to do, Arwen. I do not wish to stray from you but you leave the path open to me to help a dear friend." He let his eyes close for a moment before looking up at Legolas with kindness. "I will do this, for you, Legolas. I cannot let you die in grief over me, and so I will lie with you tonight." Legolas felt every nerve ending on his body tingle, his breathing deepened subconsciously as the sweat built up from his palms and sickness teased at his stomach. Draining their glasses, Legolas stood and held a hand out to Aragorn. Tentatively, Aragorn reached out and when their hands made contact they were both acutely aware of the fine detail in their touch. Aragorn rose, looking into Legolas' eyes; eyes that seemed to be anxiously waiting for any sign that Aragorn might change his mind. They both leaned slowly forward to brush their lips together as their free hands found each other. Leaning back after this first chaste kiss they gazed at each other, wordlessly accepting the changing of boundaries that was occurring. Then they leaned in for a second time, to indulge more firmly, stopping this time without leaning back again. They stood there, a hair's breath separating their mouths, extended moments in time allowing them to take in the scent of the other and drawing out the intimacy of their new closeness. Legolas broke the minute space between them, tilting his head to tenderly kiss to the side of Aragorn's mouth and along his jaw line, tears of relief being released as he did so. Aragorn spoke up as he felt the wetness running down Legolas' cheeks. "Oh Legolas, what have I done to you?" He took the Elf's face in both hands and gently kissed at the salty tears, and the tracks they had left on the silken face. "This was not your doing Aragorn, but Gollum's, please remember that." "Just as long as you remember that I give myself to you tonight, willingly." Legolas drew a sharp intake of breath, laced with desire, and leaned in to kiss Aragorn passionately. Legolas wrapped his arms around his friend, and Aragorn held onto the back of Legolas' head with one hand, deepening the kiss, as the other rested on the Elf's back. Their bodies were pressed up against each other and Legolas was freely feeling the curves of Aragorn's back, the Elf's arousal now becoming evident to them both. At the feel of this, Aragorn broke both the kiss and the contact between their bodies, which received a questioning look from Legolas. "Please excuse me, Legolas, but this is all new to me. I have never done anything like this before with another male." "You do not have to now, Aragorn." "Yes, I do. I want to. I just need time to get used to the different sensations, it is difficult not knowing what to expect." "I will do nothing to hurt you, I will only give you pleasure." The Elf took a step back and removed his own tunic and shirt. Taking Aragorn's hands in his own he gently placed them around his bare waist before placing his own hands on Aragorn's shoulders and then began to kiss along his neck. "Take your time, Aragorn," he murmured across his friend's skin. "First let yourself get used to the feel of a different body underneath your hands." Aragorn's breathing deepened at Legolas' ministrations at his neck and he cautiously moved his hands across the silky skin, taking in the muscular contours of the Elf's back. Hearing Legolas let out a small gasp in response, his courage increased and he began to pull the Elf's body against his once more, holding Legolas more firmly in his arms. Legolas let himself melt into the embrace, and then felt his knees threaten to give way as Aragorn moved to kiss from the Elf's shoulder, upwards towards his ear, ending with softly flicking his tongue over the pointed tip. Legolas moved his head towards Aragorn's and they kissed before separating once more. This time it was Legolas who pulled away from the contact, as he did so he loosened the ties on Aragorn's tunic and shirt before unwrapping him from the unwanted clothing. "Now it is time to feel the sensation of having a male caressing your skin." Placing his hands upon Aragorn's bare waist this time, Legolas moved them slowly round and up the rangers back, leaning forward as he did so to kiss across his friends chest. Aragorn just stood there, breathing deeply with heavy-lidded eyes and arms dropped to his sides as he took in the new sensations his friend was creating. He felt Legolas's lips move upwards, along Aragorn's neck and jaw, towards his mouth. Instinctively, he drew his own arms around the Elf's body once more and their chests were pressed flush against one another, heat passing between their bodies, and, once again, he felt the hardness through the Elf's leggings, only this time he felt it as it rubbed against his own. "Let us lie down together," Legolas breathed into his mouth, before leading him to the bed. There, they let their bodies intertwine, hands roaming across naked skin and lips crushed against each other. As the passion of the moment levelled out, Legolas leant back to take in Aragorn's expression as the Elf hesitantly ran a hand along the outside of the other man's thigh, letting him feel the sensation through his leggings. Aragorn wordlessly gave his agreement and Legolas ran his hand up to the heat at the top of Aragorn's legs. Automatically tensing, Aragorn let out a breath as nimble fingers at first lightly brushed over his aching hardness before they swept back and held him firmly. He let his head fall back onto the bed, and his eyes flicker shut as he moaned with pleasure, encouraging Legolas to rub across his length. Once again Legolas began to kiss across his friend's chest, licking a nipple before pressing it hard between his lips, and then moving slowly downwards, over his abdomen. Aragorn was breathing heavily as the Elf reached the top of the leggings with his mouth, and then moved down to place kisses along Aragorn's firmness, inciting moans from the man, before peeling the fabric away from him, leaving him naked. Legolas stood up, soaking in the sight of Aragorn lying exposed on the bed, as the Elf removed the rest of his own clothing. Legolas spoke, as he reached out for a vial of oil, before laying back down next to his friend. "Make love with me, Aragorn." He kissed Aragorn gently, soothing away the increased anxiety felt at them both being completely naked, and then he poured some oil into his hand before rubbing it over both his and Aragorn's hardened lengths. Aragorn gasped at this, and his hips jerked towards Legolas' hand in response to the touch. Moving to lay atop Aragorn, Legolas kissed him deeply and let his body begin to glide across Aragorn's. Arms wrapped around each other's bodies once more; they moved fluidly together, both groaning into the kiss as they rolled across the bed, lost in passion. As they continue to writhe, their breathing became deeper, the kiss became more desperate and searing, their bodies moved against one another faster, hips grinding into each other, until they could hold back no more, and they both called out at the peak of their rapture. Panting heavily, they laid alongside one another, shoulder, arm and leg maintaining contact as they both soaked up the blissful post-orgasmic peace that was infused throughout their bodies. There they lay, contented, for a while, before Legolas looked across at Aragorn and spoke up. "There is more I'd like to share with you before you go, if you'd let me." Aragorn caught his gaze and returned it with passion in his eyes. "I am yours for the night, my friend. Although, I must admit, I do not know just how much stamina I have left within me." Legolas leaned across to kiss him softly on the cheek before getting up and disappearing behind a door, returning with a damp cloth that he was using to wipe himself with. "Let me clean you off." The Elf knelt on the bed, and slowly began to wipe the stickiness from Aragorn's abdomen. As he moved lower he felt Aragorn twitch underneath the cloth. He then discarded it over the edge of the bed and took Aragorn's face into his hands once more, as they kissed. Legolas let his hand run down Aragorn's neck and over his shoulder, moving slowly and firmly down the length of his arm, letting their fingers play together before squeezing his friend's hand and continuing down his thigh. As he reached the knee, he hooked his fingers underneath and applied a gentle pressure to draw it upwards before sliding his hand back along the underside of Aragorn's thigh. Aragorn tensed again and looked at Legolas in apprehension. Gazing deeply back at him, the Elf said, "there will be no pain, only pleasure. Will you trust me?" Aragorn nodded and Legolas leaned over for the vial, this time coating a single finger in oil. Bringing his hand back round he lightly ran his finger along the crease, stopping to circle over the tightened entrance. "You must relax, Aragorn. Let all your muscles go as you breathe out. I promise I will not hurt you." Aragorn tried to release the tension as he let each breath escape from him; as he did so he felt Legolas gradually push his finger further and further inwards. Once it could go no further Legolas leaned forward to kiss Aragorn on the side of his neck and then curved the finger slightly, finding the gland within. Aragorn cried out in pleasure and felt himself harden once more. "What is that, Legolas?" "Something that many men seem to miss out on." The Elf continued to stroke the source of Aragorn's pleasure as he moved away from the neck, and leant down to mould his lips around the now swollen length. "Ai, Legolas! I do not think I have ever felt pleasure so sweet!" He continued until Aragorn's breathing and writhing betrayed an imminent end. "Aragorn, will you do something similar for me?" Aragorn looked at Legolas, uncertainty flickering across the man's face, unsure of what he would be prepared to do. "Only not with your finger. I wish for your next release to be inside of me." Aragorn instinctively swallowed at the prospect of being able to sheath himself within his friend. He nodded his ascent and Legolas retrieved the vial once more, preparing himself. The Elf straddled his friend, and slowly began to lower himself downwards. Aragorn gasped at the heat and tightness that began to envelop him. Aragorn automatically moved his hands to Legolas' hips and the Elf briefly leant forward to snatch a sweet kiss before beginning to move against the man. Aragorn found himself in awe at the Elf before him. Rising and falling with such grace, mouth parted with gasps issuing from it in pleasure, eyes heavy lidded and rolling backwards as he was swept away in the moment of sheer sensation. The flaxen hair was flowing about his shoulders and down his back and, as the Elf tipped his head back in ecstasy, Aragorn felt shivers run through his body at the hair tips brushing across his thighs. Finally, feeling brave enough to take the initiative, Aragorn moved a hand round from Legolas' hip and began to stroke him in time with his own movements. Legolas looked up at this and smiled in silent thanks. Again they both neared their release and let themselves cry out, calling out each other's name as they did so. Fully sated and exhausted, Legolas unhurriedly rose off of Aragorn and climbed under the blankets, motioning for Aragorn to join him. There they curled up together, breathing as one until sleep overtook them. *** As the first beams of light began to flood the room, Legolas woke from his peaceful sleep and smiled. He could feel that the overwhelming need within him had now died, and knew that he would be ready for when Aragorn would leave him and return to Arwen. Legolas resisted the urge to wake Aragorn, instead soaking up the last of his embrace, trying to embed it into his mind forever, making the most of this moment out of time. Aragorn finally began to shift next to the Elf, his breathing changing as he rose from the depths of slumber. Looking up at Legolas, Aragorn smiled warmly before hesitantly asking. "Has it helped?" "Yes, it has. Thank you, Aragorn, I will always remember what you have done for me." "Then I believe it is time for me to go." Regret shadowed Aragorn's face as he spoke these words, and he could see a trace of sadness in Legolas' eyes as he let the man slip from their embrace. Aragorn silently moved from the bed and pulled his clothes back on. Once he was ready, he came to sit on the bed next to Legolas. "I enjoyed what we shared last night, my friend, and I will miss not being able to have the experience again." Aragorn then bent down to share one last lingering kiss before leaving, trying hard not to think of how different things would've been, if Legolas had told of his feelings before the man's heart had been given to Arwen.