Legolas slowed to stop his mad dash through the dark forest, his breath coming in rapid shallow pants. His fine brow furrowed in distress and his eyes shone with dazed shock. He knelt down and fisted his hands in the dirt, screwing his eyes shut in an attempt at regaining his bearings. As his breathing calmed, his mind started working furiously to sort out exactly what had happened and what he should do about it.
Well, he knew what had happened. He'd shared a kiss with a mortal man! At that thought, the elf passed his fingers over his lips. He'd kissed one of his many friends and mentors when he was still in the grip of adolescence. She'd been teaching him the lines to an epic ballad and he'd gathered up his courage to lean over and place a kiss on the full, pink lips he'd been curious about for quite some time. It had been gentle and sweet and she had smiled so warmly after she pulled back before reminding him that she was many centuries his senior and that his father would not likely be permissive of such a relationship between them. He had been a bit disappointed at the time but considered his curiosity about kisses sated.
But that man! His heavy, bristly kiss elicited strong, intoxicating sensations within the elf that threatened to overtake him and cow him to the will of those dark coarse hands. What was that feeling? That intense, fiery heat that dulled his mind to everything except that man, that moment and that need. That strange insistent need which clawed within his chest, desperate to escape and…..what? Do what? Argh! This was so befuddling! He needed to talk to someone and ask them about this. His mind halted suddenly. But who? Who could he ask? To ask meant to reveal what he'd done with the mortal. He shuddered to think what his father and brothers' reactions would be if they were to find out.
Frustrated rebellion rose within him. What does it matter if they should find out? He'd reached his majority! He could kiss whomever he felt like kissing! Could go wherever he felt like going! What business of this was theirs! ….but they loved him and no doubt would be beside themselves with worry at the possibility of him developing a penchant for mortal kisses. No, he couldn't speak of this to anyone. At least anyone of his father's realm. That was when his resolve hardened and his mind was made. He would take his leave of his father and run with the border patrol in the deep places of mirkwood around Dol Goldur to report on its doings and the plains beyond the edges of the wood where settlements of men and beornings served as a portal to news and information of the larger world. He would cure as much of his ignorance as he could and prove his quality to his beloved father and brothers.
Aragorn stared for a long moment at the space the elf had once occupied. He retracted the hand that had been reaching out towards the flustered fae in and looked down at it as it rested on his knee. Why?
A sudden surge of anger filled him. Why did these elves see fit to torment him so? They allow him a searing, passionate kiss and then flee from him! Why do they tease him with their loveliness and then deny him? Damn this Legolas! Damn that Ar-! Arwen. The thought of her deflated his anger and left him bereft with only a profound sense of loss and longing. He wasn't sure if he would be able to win her heart or prove his worth to her father. He had to try, though. Try to become stronger and wiser. Try to become the king he was meant to be. He'd tarried long enough in wild lands. He needed to get to Rohan and Gondor.
He stood and shouldered his pack before picking his way purposefully along the overgrown road. He cleared his mind and traveled for many days and nights before reaching the eastern edge of the forest. As he left its bounds, he had the strangest urge to look back. He ignored it, sensing that there was no danger following him, and kept looking forward. An unbidden image of that mysterious elf danced in the forefront of his mind and he couldn't help the desire to see and touch that iridescent beauty once more. He wondered if he'd ever chance upon him again….most likely not. And that was for the best, the man decided with a curt nod to himself.
a/n~ Alrighty then. Now, I'm pretty certain that I'm going to write a much longer sequel which picks up at the council of Elrond…or maybe when Aragorn leaves Gollum with the mirkwood elves pre-fellowship? I'm not entirely sure what their reactions to each other should be besides shock and discomfort or where the plotline is going. But, I think it will turn out well! As always, I'm totally open to your thoughts, opinions, ideas, and suggestions! Until next time! :D