Thanks for reading. I'm posting two chapters this time because of the holiday.
000
The following morning Legolas awakened with a start, a ragged moan, and the warmth of his release soaking the front of his sleep pants. He shivered as he recalled his dream: Aragorn's lips and strong hands moving over his body, those same lips closing over his member and suckling him until he was spent. For a moment Legolas lay unmoving, relishing the dream and his climax and wishing . . . . The afterglow quickly faded however, and he began to wonder with some dismay how he would face Aragorn during this overnight hunt. The best that he could hope was that his friend would not notice if he behaved oddly. Legolas groaned and slipped out of bed to cleanse himself before pulling on his clothing and braiding his hair. Grabbing a small pack, he peeked out into the corridor a little guiltily, and finding it empty, hastened downstairs.
The moon was setting over the far ridge as they walked together to the stables. After this morning's dream, Legolas was relieved that he would not be alone with Aragorn for this overnight hunting expedition. Gimli, the Hobbits, and Faramir were going as well. They met at the kitchen for a hasty breakfast and gathered some food and drink before hurrying outside. The air was cool, but no breeze stirred. It was a fine day for a hunt.
Aragorn was silent at first as he rode. Seeing Legolas this morning had confirmed one thing–last night's exercise had not had the desired effect. If anything he was even more aware of Legolas than he had been the last several days, and he could not stop glancing toward the Elf to admire the way he sat on his horse, the way the rising sunlight glinted off his hair. After nearly an hour of this, Aragorn grimaced and resolutely focused his gaze elsewhere, only to find himself listening intently to Legolas' conversation with Gimli and his occasional remarks to Sam about gardening.
It took a bit to get everyone going. First Merry wanted to stop for a second breakfast, then Pippin found mushrooms, and by the time they finally did stop for lunch the only prey they had noticed was one squirrel and an old badger. Aragorn began to wonder if it had been the best idea to undertake such an outing.
But after lunch things picked up, and Legolas soon spotted the tracks of their quarry. They rode a little further before dismounting again and tethering the horses. They would follow more easily on foot.
Aragorn felt the nervous excitement he had always associated with the hunt as he followed the tracks. The smells of the trees and the dank earth were things he had missed in the city. Bent at the waist, he moved carefully through the brush. He began to feel like his old self, Strider, the Ranger. He was free, in the wild, Legolas at his side.
"What do you think?" Legolas asked. He knelt close by Aragorn, studying the set of tracks.
Aragorn eyed the deep indentations. "It's heavy, probably a stag. A large one too."
Legolas fingers brushed Aragorn's as he moved to examine the hoof print. Tendrils of heat spiraled up his arm and settled in his middle, making Legolas draw in a sharp breath. "It's still warm," he murmured. He stood and moved quickly ahead a few paces. "We are not far behind."
Aragorn motioned to the Hobbits and Gimli. "Sam, Pippin, the two of you come with me. We'll circle around to the left–."
"I think I ought to go with Sam," Gimli interrupted.
"Right, and Pip and I will go with Faramir and circle the other way," Merry added quickly.
Everyone scattered before Aragorn could contradict them, and he and Legolas were left alone. They eyed each other hesitantly and shrugged before moving a bit apart themselves and settled down to wait. Aragorn looked over at Legolas, a sudden rush of protectiveness sweeping over him, but it wrapped itself around Aragorn's heart before he could fight it back. He knew that he would do anything within his power to keep Legolas from harm, whatever the cost to himself.
Legolas glanced at him sharply, as though he had divined that thought, and Aragorn quickly shook his head, as much to rid himself of the notion as it was to divert Legolas' attention from him in case something else far more intimate came to mind. It must have been enough for Legolas turned his attention back to the horizon after a moment.
Aragorn's behavior today had Legolas somewhat concerned. He seemed distracted, and the prince could not fathom what might have caused it. Unless of course Aragorn had picked up the thoughts that he had been trying to suppress but which he had been unable to stop. He stole another sideways look at Aragorn, admiring his profile. Legolas had not exaggerated when he had told Aragorn that the mantle of kingship seemed to agree with him; what he had not told him was how comely to his eyes Aragorn had become.
He was shaken from that trail of thought when from across the way a startled shout rang through the air, and out of the clearing a magnificent stag bounded toward them. Legolas sent an arrow flying before Aragorn could move, but the frightened animal made one last, desperate leap. With a shout, Aragorn shoved Legolas to the ground, cradling his friend's head in his shoulder as the air rushed past them. The rear hooves hit the ground on the other side, the animal gave one more stagger step, then dropped to its side and died.
Aragorn raised his head. Barely a foot from them the stag lay unmoving. Fear and anger welled up inside him as he turned his head to gaze down at Legolas. Aragorn wanted to shake him for foolishly standing in the way of the stag until the last moment. Following rapidly on that was a need to dip his head and sup from the lips that were now parted in surprise. Gods, how he wanted that.
Legolas' heart began pounding rapidly. His body tightened, and he swallowed back the moan that welled up in his throat. Aragorn's body was hard muscled and heavier than his own. He hardly felt his quiver of arrows digging into his back. There was only Aragorn. His eyes flew to Aragorn's mouth, but this time he did not hesitate. He twined his fingers in Aragorn's hair and drew the startled man's head down to his.
The touch of Legolas' lips moving against his sent Aragorn's resolve crashing about him. They felt and tasted just as he remembered, and Valar help him he wanted more. Legolas was more than obliging. He pleasured Aragorn's lips with a finesse borne of centuries of carnal knowledge and a hunger borne of long-leashed desire. His tongue darted out to tease the seam of Aragorn's mouth, and when entry was granted they both shuddered with need as agile muscles danced together.
The snap of a twig reminded Legolas abruptly that they were not alone. He pushed Aragorn back, shaking his head at the man's look of confusion, swallowing thickly before speaking.
"The others are returning."
Aragorn jumped as Pippin and Merry tore through the undergrowth with Faramir just a pace behind them. He stood, unable to look Legolas in the face as he offered his hand.
"Did you see him? Did you get him?" Pippin asked excitedly.
"Yes, Pippin," Aragorn replied shakily, "we got him."
Legolas quickly moved to pull his arrow from the animal. He did not look at Aragorn as he wiped the missile clean and returned it to his quiver. It was some time, in fact, before he could look at anyone.
000
Some hours later the group sat around a small fire, the last of the stag spitted over it. Their stomachs full, Gimli and the Hobbits began trading stories. It reminded Aragorn somewhat of the Quest, with the obvious lack of the ever-present danger that had dogged their steps then.
Aragorn glanced over at Legolas, thinking he should apologize for behaving so irrationally earlier, but he could not bring himself to do so, for they would both be reminded of what had happened afterward, and he was doing his best not to think on their most recent kiss. It was a battle lost before it had begun.
Legolas chose that moment to look over at him, the slight worrying of his bottom lip telling Aragorn that he was just as flustered by their earlier encounter. Aragorn relaxed and turned his attention back to the others in time to hear Merry and Pippin tell the story of how they had become blood brothers.
"And then the Thain got his knife and cut our palms and bound them together. Then we promised to always stand together," Pippin went on.
"And we've been close as brothers ever since," Merry added.
Sam glanced over at Aragorn. "Why don't you and Legolas become blood brothers? You're that close already."
Aragorn considered Sam's suggestion. He was close to Legolas. Closer than he had ever been to anyone save for Arwen. His feelings for him were complicated. He admired and respected him. Beyond that was this attraction that seemed to build daily. Where it might lead he did not know, and he was frightened to think of what might happen if he acted upon it. He had so many responsibilities to his people. But a rite of blood brotherhood to signify this closeness between them seemed a very good thing to undergo. Perhaps a renewed sense of camaraderie would quell his other feelings.
"I think that it's a fine idea." Aragorn turned to Legolas. "You and I have been friends for many years."
"Yes," Legolas replied, "many."
"I would be honored if we became blood brothers."
"Are you certain?"
"Yes, unless you don't want to."
There was no question of Legolas refusing. He liked the idea immensely. "Nay, I would be honored as well."
Aragorn flashed a smile. "Good." He stood and turned to Faramir, pulling his dagger from his belt. "Would you?"
"Yes, of course, my liege." Faramir rose and took the dagger, holding the blade into the fire. He motioned them forward so that they stood in the light, visible to everyone. "You have offered to bind yourselves as blood brothers. Are you both willing?"
Aragorn and Legolas nodded once.
"Then speak your oaths to one another and let the Valar and all of these folk present bear witness," Faramir solemnly urged them.
Aragorn nodded and began speaking first. "Legolas, you have been a true friend. You have stood at my side through all of my trials and all of my victories, through my highest moments, and through my darkest. I promise to do the same for you, as long as I live. I, Elessar, King of Gondor, swear this."
"Aragorn, you are my friend, and it has been my privilege to follow you. I will stand at your side as long as you have need of me. I, Legolas Thranduilion, swear this, in the name of Eru the One."
Quickly Faramir slit their palms and bade them clasp hands. "Then let this shedding of blood for one another seal your pact."
The warmth that pulsed suddenly through Aragorn's veins was as unexpected as it was pleasant. It was almost as if a part of Legolas had begun flowing into him. He glanced down at their joined hands before he raised shocked eyes to Legolas' face. It was clear then that whatever he felt was also being experienced by his friend.
A shiver ran through Legolas' body as their hands touched, and he suppressed a gasp of surprise at the feeling of union as he felt the tentative brush of Aragorn's spirit against his own. It was not unlike what he knew took place during a bonding ritual, but it was impossible, of course, so he dismissed the notion without another thought. In a moment the sensation of their souls acknowledging one another passed, and Legolas raised his eyes to Aragorn's face and returned his friend's smile.
It was done. They were blood brothers.