Legolas's eyes were full of sadness as he passed a small, dead tree. It was hardly more than a sprout and pained the elf greatly to see it. "Naethen Mellon-nin." (I am sorry my friend)
He could hear Aragorn's footsteps falter behind him. "Estel?" He called. "Is everything alright?"
"I am fine Legolas," came the mans soft voice from behind him.
Legolas eyes him warily. Something was off. He racked his mind, hoping to find the answer. What made him think something was off? Was it that Aragorn would not meet the elf's gaze? Was it the strange look on his face? Maybe I am merely imagining it.
Aragorn's hands wanted to move to the sword he bore. He wanted to cut the elf, watch the light fade from his eyes, the the blood on his hands.
But not yet. The elf could kill him if he were to make the move now. Aragorn knew he must wait until Legolas was vulnerable enough. Perhaps while the elf slept. A dark grin unfolded on Aragorn's face.
Then somewhere, protected from the darkness of whatever spell was put on the man, was a small, sane, conscious part of him, the real him who loved Legolas like a brother pushed through. How could you kill him? He trusts you with his life! If you succeeded then you would have to life your life knowing that you killed not only your best friend but also the prince of Mirkwood!
Legolas was relieved when they reached the edge of the forest as night fell in a soft blanket over the rolling hills. He did not want to sleep under the canopy of dead trees
"Estel," he called to the man behind him once they had found a fall spanse of ground. "Shall I take first watch?"
Aragorn looked up at him, still not meeting his eyes. "Alright. Wake me when the moon is at its peak."
"Of course."
He sat down, hating how exposed they were, hating how there were no trees to speak to. It is one night. I can mange.
The stars bloomed like precious flowers that only open in the dark of night and the quarter moon shine through a cloud cover like a diamond. Legolas turned his gaze to Aragorn who lay sleeping under a blanket. A fire had been to risky in such an exposed area.
Nothing moved for the entire watch.
When the moon reached the top of its climb Legolas quietly walked over to Aragorn. "Estel. Wake up. It is time for your watch."
Aragorn rolled over and blinked up at the elf. "Thank you Mellon-nin."
Legolas lay on his back, staring up at the stars until the dreams of elves overtook him.
Now. Do it now! Hissed a voice in the mans head.
Aragorn stood and walked noiselessly over to were Legolas slept. He knelt beside the elf and raised his knife over the elf's throat, ready to bring it down and ready to kill.
He couldn't. That sane part of him was screaming as loud as it could to make itself heard. What are you doing?! This is Legolas! He has saved you many times! And now look at you, raising that knife, ready to kill! This. Is. A. SPELL! Those are not your thought. They are someone else's! What if you killed him? Why would you kill him? What is the purpose of taking his life?
And then that dark part, the one that longed for the elf's blood broke in. Do it. You must kill the elf! You know that you want to and I want you too. If you do not carry out my bidding I will make you hurt until you beg for death! He must die! One way or another you must kill him! Why are you hesitating? Do you want the pain? I can give it to you. Kill him!
Aragorn raised the knife above Legolas's heart. He breathed in deeply and plunged the knife down.