A/N: No idea where this is heading, ideas are welcome! (so are reviews)
Warnings:

-This is a story about friendship, so Aragorn and Legolas will not fall in love with each other.
-This story will mostly follow the movies, but takes place on the days that aren't on screen.
-Also, in next chapters there might be some brutal fighting, but I'm not sure yet. I will give you guys a head's up.

Summary: Arwen is promised to Legolas but is in love with Aragorn, causing the friendship between the last two to grow awkward and uncomfortable.

Chapter one: Silent nights and deep thoughts

His gaze darted from left to right, and from there slowly back to the left again without moving much of his body. Grey eyes were watching the surroundings in a way that any sign of danger would not escape him. Although there was still enough daylight left to travel for at least half an hour further, Aragorn had decided to stop early. There was no way of knowing whether they would find a better shelter than this on the road ahead, and he knew that Orcs were onto their trail. Besides that, the Hobbits could use a good night's sleep.
In his mind, the Ranger had quite a few excuses ready to explain himself, but the truth was that no one questioned his decisions after all these days of travelling. The rest had simply accepted that the man knew what he was doing, and had faith in that. Aragorn frowned at that thought and had to take back his words; surely the wizard and Legolas knew something was going on, instead of 'this is a good place to sleep'.

He lit his pipe and took some distance from the group, as a sign that he would take first watch. Taking slow bites out of some dry bread, he wondered whether he had made the right choice. His past - or more, what his forefathers had done - haunted him in every corner of his life. Sooner or later Sauron would find out his true identity, but that wasn't why he was doubting. This quest - protecting Frodo for as long as they could - was the right path for him, but it required trust in one another. And while he had thought to be among friends, only recently he had discovered something which made him no longer sure of things that had always been normal to him.

After heaving sigh, Aragorn took a draw from his pipe and blew out the smoke in a perfect circle, only to watch it dissolve. His other hand went up and touched the beautiful pendant he was wearing on a silver necklace; -the Evenstar that Lady Arwen had given him. He was certain of her love, just as he was sure that he was not in love enough to make any promises or to commit himself. He had thought that that would grow with time, like a natural thing, since they were very close. It had been only a couple of hours before the Fellowship took off, that he had learned why his foster father was against his daughters love for him. Another sigh came when his memories decided to replay this scene vividly.

~He came to say a private goodbye, since he owed the man a lot, although he stopped mid-movement when he met angry, dark eyes.
"Estel, how many times have I told you to stay away from her?!"
Aragorn was taken aback but then realised that Elrond had seen the gift Arwen had given him, only moments ago. "It's just a goodbye present," he said quietly, trying to soothe the elderly Elf.
"Not for her, it isn't!" Elrond spat. Then, a sigh. "I guess I should have told you this earlier. I didn't think it would go this far..." The Elf looked up, seeing the future king completely confused by his words. "Aragorn," he began.
Aragorn stiffened. The use of his real name meant something serious would follow and he was unsure if he wanted to hear it.
"She is promised to your friend Legolas; Prince of Greenwood."
The Man could only stare at him in disbelieve, and had to take his time to straighten his back and gather himself. "I see," he stated. "I'm off with the Fellowship. I only wanted to say goodbye and thank you for my years here, in Imladris." He swallowed and bowed lightly for the great Lord Elrond. And with that, he was gone, only to show up fully packed when the group was about to depart.~

His hand slid down from the pendant again and he stood up to take a walk around the camp. It was quiet, nothing stirred, except for some bats and some small animals that were searching for shelter for the night. It was on quiet nights as this one that he missed talking to his friend. They had been through a lot together, and Aragorn had thought that their friendship was something precious, since the prince didn't let people come close easily. But when Legolas had seen the necklace, he had grown silent and angry. He had refused to speak to him and he had even made sure that they were never alone together.

Aragorn was quite certain that there was no love between Arwen and Legolas, for his friend would have spoken about it. Even though the Elf never talked about the future, or love for someone, or anything close to those matters, Aragorn still understood his anger. But what frustrated him most was that he hadn't got the chance to talk to him and explain himself. He sighed again, wearily this time, and wished ... –
His head flung up when the familiar sound of an arrow reached his ears. The sound was instantly followed by the projectile -just an inch from his head- and a well known 'thump' of a falling body followed. The arrow had reached its target before any damage to the group could have been done. Bewildered, Aragorn turned to see Legolas ready with another arrow on his bow.

"You shouldn't be taking watch, if you can't stay awake," the high-born Elf said, quite unfriendly.