A/N- Hello to everyone who's decided to spend a few minutes of your time trying out my story! It's going to be a long ride, and it'll be bumpy, but I'll tell you what, it'll be fun! Also, to anyone who was reading Elentari, its removal was none of my doing. An anonymous someone saw fit to remove it for no other reason, and I quote, than "(0)". I'm taking this as an opportunity to rework it and put it out again, all new and shiny!
Disclaimer- All I own of LotR is books, DVDs, posters, and a cardboard Aragorn cutout. Nothing else.
A/N- Just a few notes about this story. The PG-13 rating is for later battles and angst. If at ANY TIME you feel this story should be rated R, please tell me. I don't want my account closed. Also, there is an OC in this story who is married to Legolas. Now before you all run away screaming, she is not a Mary Sue. She and Legolas have been married for hundreds of years, and this story is not about how they fall in love. And now, (drum roll please) without further ado...An Elf's Jealousy!
Chapter 1: A Man's Kiss
"I'm going to get 'Dan and 'Ro back for this," muttered Aragorn as he cleaned his sword. His twin foster brothers had crept into his room as he slept and coated his sword from pommel to tip in honey. When he had drawn it, his hand had stuck to the sword, which in turn was stuck to the scabbard. He had then had to spend the past hour removing all traces of stickiness from his sword. Now, he was focused on revenge.
"And how do you intend to do that?" asked his best friend, Legolas. He had been helping by cleaning out the man's scabbard.
"Look under my pillow," answered Aragorn, a slightly evil look in his eye.
The Elf did, and pulled out a battered piece of parchment. Reading the heading aloud, he said, "'Delayed Action Hair Dye. Will dye hair green, pink, blue, or orange. This dye does not take effect for two days, but then will not come out for two weeks.' What colors are we going to use?"
"We?" asked Aragorn hopefully.
"Yes, we. After all, it is because of them that I had to spend the past hour cleaning out your scabbard. But I ask again, what colors are we going to use?" pressed Legolas.
"Orange for 'Dan, Blue for 'Ro," smirked the Man, laying down his sword and walking over to his wardrobe. He pulled the doors open, reached into his spare boots, and pulled out two bottles of clear fluid. He then handed the bottles to Legolas.
"'DAHDOD' and 'DAHDBR'," read the Elf. "What does that mean?"
"It stands for 'Delayed Action Hair Dye: Orange, 'Dan' and 'Delayed Action Hair Dye: Blue, 'Ro'," explained Aragorn. "Shall we wait a few days so they won't suspect us?"
"No, I have an even better idea," said Legolas.
"What?" asked Aragorn in anticipation.
"Today we get Lord Elrond to let us go hunting tomorrow. We can say that we wish to bring in a stag for the Midsummer feast. Then, tonight we put the dye in your dear brother's hair. By the time they discover the trick, we'll be long gone!" explained Legolas.
"You are a genius, mellon nin {my friend}," laughed Aragorn.
"I know," smirked Legolas, striking a heroic pose. His friend, however, promptly swung a pillow at him, knocking him out of position. Legolas pretended to be offended and countered with a swing of his own pillow. Soon, the Prince of Mirkwood and the future King of Gondor had a royal pillow fight engaged. After fifteen minutes or so, the friends ended with a stalemate and wandered off to find Elrond.
.().().().
Elrond Peredhil sat in his study, running his hands through his hair in exasperation. The messenger from Lorién had arrived with a lengthy letter from Galadriel detailing why she would not allow Aragorn, Legolas, Elladan, or Elrohir to visit until they had matured. If he didn't get them out of his hair, their practical jokes would drive him insane! He loved them all, but fatherly patience can only stretch so far. What was he going to do with them?
His thought was interrupted when the door to his study was suddenly flung open and two of the whirlwinds entered. Speak of Morgoth, and he appears, thought Elrond ruefully before saying aloud, "Legolas. Aragorn. You wish to speak with me?"
"Yes, ada {dad}. Legolas and I wish to go on a hunting trip tomorrow to bring some venison to our Midsummer feast. May we have your permission?" asked Aragorn eagerly.
Thank the Valar! Elrond thought joyously. Now half of the troublemakers would be out of his hair for a while. Taking care so as not to appear to eager, he stated, "If you bring your weapons and healing herbs in case of an orc attack, I see no reason as to why you cannot go."
The pair's faces lit up in anticipation. This trip may have been started for a mere getaway, but it was also promising to be extremely enjoyable. "Thank you!" they shouted in unison before turning and racing out of the room.
Lord Elrond sat shaking his head. He loved the boys, but Ai! Were they a handful.
.().().().
Several hours later, Elladan and Elrohir were preparing for bed while talking to each other across the hall that separated their rooms. "You know, I'm surprised Aragorn hasn't tried some sort of prank to get us back for that honey," remarked Elrohir.
"Maybe he's finally realized that, even with Legolas' help, he can never win!" said his twin, hopefully.
"When has our dear little brother ever shown so much sense?" responded Elrohir.
"You have a point!" laughed Elladan. "Well, I'm exhausted. I still haven't recovered from staying up all night."
"Same here. Goodnight!" called Elrohir.
"Goodnight!" answered Elladan.
After waiting ten minutes to insure that the twins were deep in the world of dreams, Aragorn and Legolas crept silently out of the shadows. "Ready?" hissed Aragorn.
"Always," whispered Legolas.
"Remember not to skimp on dye. Use the entire bottle. We want their hair to be brighter than Anor!" smiled Aragorn.
"No skimping. Got it. Let's go!" laughed Legolas.
Aragorn handed him Elladan's bottle and kept Elrohir's for himself. He then pulled out two metal bowls and a pair of towels he had "borrowed" from the kitchens and gave one of each to the Elf. The conspirators shook hands and then slipped quietly into the twin's rooms.
Legolas crept up beside Elladan's bed and waved a furtive hand over his friend's face. He smirked at the complete lack of response and slipped the bowl under the half-elf's head. He then proceeded to carefully empty the contents of the bottle into the bowl and make sure that all of 'Dan's hair was covered down to the roots. He then waited an agonizingly long ten minutes for the dye to soak in. He removed 'Dan's head from the bowl and quickly dried the half-elf's hair. Once his task was complete, the prince slipped out, leaving nothing to mark that he had ever been there.
After only a minute or so, Aragorn joined him in the hall. "Any problems?" the man asked as they headed back to their rooms.
"None. You?" asked the Elf in kind.
"'Ro slept like a log," answered Aragorn, smiling.
"It seems to be a family trait. 'Dan hardly stirred the whole time I was there," laughed Legolas.
"Well, Aldamir {Tree-jewel} must be waiting for you. Hurry to her!" remarked Aragorn, smiling at the way his friend's eyes lit up at the mention of his wife's name. It amazed him how, after several hundred years, Legolas and Aldamir were still so obviously head-over-heels in love with each other.
"Good night. May your dreams be untroubled by fear," said Legolas.
"Or by two friends armed with hair dye!" added Aragorn, giving his friend a brotherly hug before turning towards his own quarters.
Legolas laughed lightly and walked into his room. He saw that Aldamir was indeed still awake and waiting for him. "Where were you? I was getting worried!" said Aldamir reproachfully, rising from the chair she had been reading in.
Legolas drew her into his arms and kissed her lovingly. "I had...business with Aragorn, 'Dan, and 'Ro," he said, hoping the elleth wouldn't probe deeper.
His hopes, however, were dashed when Aldamir laughed quietly. Meeting his ice-blue eyes with her light gray ones, she asked teasingly, "That 'business' didn't have anything to do with helping Aragorn get back for that honey in his scabbard, did it?"
"Maybe," said Legolas evasively.
Aldamir laughed and pulled her husband in for another kiss. He ran his fingers through her golden hair and silently blessed the day he had met such a treasure.
.().().().
Aragorn walked through the gardens waiting for his friend to get up. He had already saddled the horses and packed their saddlebags with enough food and medicine to last the entire week. Now, he just had to wait for Legolas to appear.
"Waiting for my husband?" asked a melodic voice off to his right.
Turning, he saw Aldamir walking gracefully over to him. "Yes. He's late! Do you know where he is?" he asked as she reached him.
"Last I saw, he was still asleep," answered the Elf fondly.
"You love him a lot, don't you?" asked Aragorn, fully knowing the answer.
"As much as you love Arwen," answered Aldamir. "But I fear for him, and you as well."
"What? Why?" asked Aragorn in confusion.
"I had a dream of both of you last night. Both of your hearts were aching with new hurts. Still hurting, you went into battle, and then...then an arrow. I saw an orc arrow fly. And after came cry of pain," said Aldamir, tears beginning to course down her pale cheeks. "I have the gift of foresight. What if this was more than a dream?"
Aragorn took Aldamir into a brotherly embrace and whispered quietly, "Legolas and I will be safe, estelio nin {trust me}. I will look after him, and he will look after me. Until Sauron empties all of Mordor against the two of us, we will survive."
"But what if you don't?" asked Aldamir through her tears.
"Aldamir," said Aragorn firmly, yet gently. "I would die before I let Legolas be hurt in any way."
"Promise?" asked Aldamir, wiping her tears on his sleeve.
"I swear it," answered Aragorn.
He bent his head and gave her a friendly kiss. Then, raising his hand in farewell, he said, "Na-den pedim ad {Until we speak again}."
"No i Melain na ar Legolas {May the Valar be with you and Legolas}," answered Aldamir, copying his gesture.
Aragorn nodded and left, hoping that Legolas had at last seen fit to roll out of bed and join him.
.().().().
Legolas left the dream paths and noticed, to his horror, that sunlight was already streaming in the windows. He got dressed in record time and quickly crossed over to a window to see just how late it was. To his horror, he saw that he had overslept by at least two hours. Aragorn's going to kill me! Wait a second... He saw Aragorn standing in the courtyard with his arms around Aldamir. He could tell that they were talking, but he was so high up that even his extremely sharp ears could only catch snatches of their conversation.
"...be safe...emptying all of Mordor..." said Aragorn
"...you're not," answered Aldamir
"...let Legolas be hurt..." replied Aragorn. Please let that be very badly out of context! prayed Legolas.
Aldamir said something that Legolas couldn't hear, but then Aragorn answered with, "I swear it."
Then Aragorn bent his head.
No, please, no!
Aldamir lifted her face to the man's.
"No!" Legolas shouted, but it was clear the pair below him did not hear.
Their lips met.
Legolas turned and fled from the window, so he did not know the kiss lasted less than a second. He did not know there was no love in the kiss. All he knew was that he kept seeing an image of his wife and his best friend with their lips pressed together, and that he could hear in his mind with every step he took Aragorn kissed Aldamir. And she kissed him back.
Namarie,
Moralinde