A/N: Hello! This is a story I've had in my head for a long while, and I hope you find it to your liking. Of course, if you do not approve of any type of romance between Aragorn and Legolas, then I can tell you now this story is not for you, and save you some trouble. I intend no disrespect to Tolkein and the world he created, and nothing belongs to me except my imagination. All reviews are welcome!

Ch. 1

"We will go through the mines."

The words made Legolas feel colder than the snow around his body ever could. He had heard tales of the mines of Moria, of the evil that had been awakened in the dark there. They were not like the caves of his homeland; open and inviting, with light breezes and warm fires. Nay; Moria would hold no comfort for the Fellowship, Legolas knew, nor would he find peace while they traveled there. Even now he could not keep himself from feeling trapped…with dark walls growing ever closer to him…suffocating him…

No, Legolas thought, shaking his head slightly to keep the dangerous thoughts from breaking his resolve. He was a warrior and a prince of Mirkwood; such weakness did not become him. He knew the quest would take him on dark paths, and it was his job to keep watch over his companions. Legolas knew he could not allow the others to see him unnerved at the very thought of the mines. He simply needed to keep his emotions in check and his face passive, as always.

This plan would have worked perfectly for the Elf Prince, if not for Aragorn. The moment the Ringbearer announced their path, the ranger looked to his friend. He saw the momentary fear flash in Legolas' eyes, before it was subdued with a shake of the golden head. Aragorn knew Legolas held no love for the dark places of the world, and though the elf would never admit to it, he would need help in the coming days. The two had been friends for longer than the lives of most men, yet Legolas was still a mystery to Aragorn. He would gladly spend his days singing under the trees of Mirkwood, yet, when the need arose, he was able to battle fiercely for hours without faltering. Aragorn tried to tell himself, not for the first time, that his interest in the golden elf was purely curiosity. He simply wanted to know what thoughts lay behind the bright eyes of his friend, nothing more.

As Aragorn allowed his thoughts to wander, the Fellowship turned and began the long journey back down the snowy mountain and toward Moria. Each member of the strange group walked with heavy hearts and clouded minds, all preoccupied with their own thoughts. All except Gimli, whose mind was filled with memories of his cousin and the fellow dwarves who would welcome them under the mountain.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Contrary to Gimli's thoughts, there was no dwarfish hospitality to be found in Moria. Legolas could feel death as he stood watching over the company outside the door. This odd feeling was effectively distracted by the Fellowship. The hobbits were throwing stones into the water, until Aragorn sensed the danger that could result in their fun. Both the ranger and the elf felt more than saw the creature beneath the surface, angered by the very presence of the companions. The two exchanged a quick glance before herding the Halflings toward the great stone door, which had just begun to open at Gandalf's command. The next few moments were a blur as the creature attacked. For Legolas, the fight was merely a distraction from the endless dark they would face. The Watcher was brought down easily enough, between the archer and the two men, and any fear that was felt in the water increased tenfold as they ran into the cave, the entrance collapsing behind them.

Legolas did not realize he was grasping Aragorn's shoulders until Gandalf lit his staff. He was unnerved, not only because of his action, but also for the relative amount of calm it afforded him. The light was admittedly more soothing to the woodelf, and so Legolas released his hold on the ranger to follow closely behind the Istari. He had not anticipated this; the mines made him feel trapped before he entered them, he did not need to know there was no way out for several days. As he fell in line with the others behind the light, Legolas forced himself to simply focus on his breathing and their surroundings, effectively quelling the fear that threatened beneath the surface. This didn't keep him from berating himself silently, though. He hadn't been in the mines for five minutes, and already he was clutching to Aragorn as a child would to its mother. Legolas knew he would need to control himself even more than he usually did underground, where his feelings were more likely to go unchecked.

Even know, the Elvish Prince could not keep his thoughts from wandering, as they so often did, to the dark haired ranger. It had been years since Legolas had thought of Aragorn as simply a friend, yet he knew that this was something the man could never become aware of. Aragorn's life would be difficult enough in the times to come. What he needed was a friend, a companion that he could rely on in hard times, and Legolas was willing to play that role in the man's life. The ranger's heart belonged to Arwen, whose beauty was unmatched, and who would be able to produce an heir for the king. Legolas had long known and come to terms with this truth, but it didn't make things any easier when he was around the man. Especially now, as they traveled together on this quest, as they slept side-by-side at night, facing danger and death each day. But he would not falter, Legolas told himself; he would not ruin the bond they shared already by making his feelings known. Besides, he added to himself, the darkness of Moria would be more than enough to preoccupy his aching heart.