Disclaimer:I do not own anything of Lord of the Rings.
Aragorn loved Arwen. Truly. For a long while, she had been the only source of light in his life that was surrounded by shadow. He thought of her often, and even now as peace reigned through Middle Earth, and he rested beside the campfire, crescent moon high in the sky, he could still feel the tug on his heart that told him she was with him still, even though she had taken the ships to Valinor, away from the burden of darkness and death of the mortal world.
Only five years had passed by since the One Ring had been destroyed, and he'd been crowned King of Gondor. But even in that short amount of time, the King found himself missing the days of Strider, the Ranger from the North. He longed for the roads he traveled long ago, but hardly had time to himself anymore, let alone enough time for a week long camping trip.
Even so, he'd managed a few of these trips for himself when his workload was mild, usually spending no more than a few nights traveling about in areas most would not venture, seeking the calming solitude only to be found in these places. But after his third trip, he realized it was not solitude he sought.
He needed the calm of nature, yes, but he need not appreciate it alone. This time, he sought out an old friend. Legolas, the elvish Prince of Mirkwood, talented archer, and one of the nine members of the Fellowship. And, much to Aragorn's pleasure, Legolas readily accepted the invitation.
And in the week that passed, alone with the gorgeous blonde elf, Aragorn came to realize it was not the calm of the outdoors he wanted. It was the calming contentment mixed with excitement he only ever felt when around Legolas.
And this he spoke of early on during their trip. At the time, it had been a slip up, speaking a thought he d meant to keep to himself. Fortunately, the other not only accepted his feelings, but informed him that he too felt the same thing for Gondor's King.
So on this night as he stared at the crescent moon, the stab of sorrow and loneliness he felt when thinking of his beloved Arwen he'd been expecting did not come to pass. Instead, his thoughts left Arwen in Valinor, and came to the lover who rested beside him.
And as those blue eyes gazed upon him, twinkling with love, affection, joy, and the millions of stars that lit the night sky, Aragorn smiled, placing the softest of kisses on his lovers lips.
When traveling, Aragorn liked to take the road less traveled by. And this time, it was not a lonely road to travel.