Disclaimer: Hear ye, hear ye! I do not own any LOTR characters. If I did, I would not have to write silly things such as this.

Enjoy!

Ch. 2:

Legolas, upon entering Minas Tirith, strode to the throne located at the end of the great hall on the uppermost level. He took no notice of the fact that, as his feet struck the floor, he hardly made a whisper in the immense building that usually amplified every little noise. His mind was still pondering what had happened with Gimli an hour earlier.

He heard echoing voices coming from the end of the hall, and as he drew nearer he saw 4 Men standing in a group discussing, from what his Elf ears could decipher, the King's choice of taking a bath before speaking to them.

"Ah! Legolas, my comrade, nice to see you," said Faramir, turning to welcome Legolas.

"Good evening, Faramir," Legolas greeted him, clasping his shoulder.

"We were just discussing the King's untimely bathing schedule," said the fair-haired man, taking in the other three with a sweep of his gaze with and letting out an amused laugh. "He walked in here, just come from the fields and declared that he was in need of a bathe."

"Quite like Aragorn," said the Elf, noticing the bristle of disapproval from Faramir's three companions. Legolas once again told himself to not let such informalities concerning Aragorn slip. Even though he acknowledged Aragorn as King of Gondor before even the journey started, he had always been just Aragorn to him.

Just then, the man in question stepped from the door to their right, and after a deep breath joined the group waiting for him.

"Good evening, gentleman," Aragorn said, nodding his head towards the four Men.

Legolas was standing slightly away from the group, and when the King's eyes fell upon his friend, a grin spread over his face.

"Legolas!" Aragorn embraced him in his strong arms, and patted his back lightly. Legolas took in the scent of his freshly washed hair and recognized the scent of a summer breeze from the Elvin soap he had used. He rubbed Aragorn's back and returned the hug, wishing he could stay in this man's arms longer.

Much to Legolas' dismay, Aragorn pulled away and held him at arm's length, looking at his face.

"I saw you in the fields with Gimli and the Hobbits, did I not?" said Aragorn, still smiling, and Legolas noticed still holding on to his arms.

"Indeed you did. Merry and Pippin sought after mushrooms."

"And were they successful in finding any?"

Legolas twitched his lips. "Nay, but they managed to begin a wrestling match."

Aragorn shook his head, his smile growing wider and made Legolas' heart beat a bit faster in his chest.

"Well, my friend," Aragorn began. He dropped one hand from Legolas' arm and stretch the other along his shoulders, turning to Faramir and the other Men.

"What do you say to--"

"Um, Your Highness…" interrupted one of the King's aids.

Aragorn stopped mid-stride and dropped his arm from Legolas' shoulder. The Elf felt his friend stiffen only a little bit, but then straightened up taking Legolas' shoulder in his hand again.

"Perhaps another time, Legolas. Come tomorrow after the evening meal, and we shall talk." He sighed and said, "We cannot simply go off into the forest whenever we feel like as we once did."

Aragorn winked, grinning, at Legolas before turning to Faramir and began to converse with the four.

No, we cannot. Life will not let us have it so simple once again, King Aragorn, he thought to himself. He turned away from the group, now walking to a table near the throne, and went silently from the hall.

Legolas, his mind still full of pondering thoughts, did not feel the former Ranger's eyes on him, watching his blonde hair shimmer until he faded from view.