Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Lord of the Rings.
Note: Thanks for the reviews. So now we will find out what has happened with Aragorn and who is responsible for his disappearance. Also Aragorn gets some help from somebody he does not expect it from. Let's begin.
When Aragorn woke up it was dark, he closed his eyes again hoping to remain oblivious to the world for a little bit longer, or at least until his head would feel normal again. He slowly eased himself up in a sitting position, wondering where he was. Looking around led to nothing since everything was still dark, but his mind began to wander, placing one hand on his stomach he tried to focus on feeling the child inside of him.
After a moment he dropped his hand with a defeated sigh, this was useless. He sank down further against the wall and closed his eyes, breathing in deeply and focusing. He did not know how much time had passed until a sound outside startled him. He tried to fight the nervous feeling in the pit of his stomach and lay back down, pretending to still be asleep.
Soon the door opened and light filtered into the room, momentarily blinding Aragorn. The man could hear soft footfall as they inched closer and he looked up through half lidded eyes, still pretending to be drugged. "Still unconscious I see. Perhaps I should not have given you so much. Oh well, it will not matter once I get Prince Legolas for my own."
It was a feminine voice that spoke, and Aragorn curled up only to snap his eyes open when a soft boot kicked him in the shoulder. He looked up to see a young female standing there with blonde hair, much like his own elf, but her eyes were nearly dark brown. She looked very young, not even an adult, but then again Aragorn could be wrong. "Who are you?" He grunted, hoping she would not notice that he was not very confident that she had kept him here.
"My name is Neya and I am soon to be prince Legolas' bride. As soon as I can get rid of you." She snarled at him before thrusting to him a flask filled with water and a piece of dark bread. "Then why did you take me? And how do you know Legolas?" Aragorn asked softly, clawing the few possessions close that had been thrust at him.
"I have been in the service of his family for a long time and I sailed shortly after he did, for life held no more value for me since he had gone. I have been living with Lord Haldir, former marchwarden of Lorien, as he promised to my family he would take care of me, which he has. When he came home one night telling me about…" Aragorn found himself growing bored as she continued to ramble. He pitied Haldir that he had to live with her, but tried to keep his face from reflecting his feelings.
The next moment she was silent, and after listening for a moment she stood up and answered with a self important grin. "I should go. We would not want Haldir discovering you here, now would we?" She then turned to leave while Aragorn drank out of the flask, wondering what he had done to deserve this.
He touched his stomach when a wave of nausea passed, with a soft moan he doubled over and heaved up the small dinner he had eaten. Cursing the morning sickness Aragorn curled up in a corner where he once again fell asleep.
He woke up when he heard loud banging, and he looked around. He touched his stomach for a moment and wiped the sweat off his brow, wondering faintly how he could be sweating if he was so cold. The next moment the door flew open and somebody stepped in, but no light, so Aragorn assumed darkness had descended.
He closed his eyes to fight off the throbbing headache that had settled behind his eyes and reopened them as a cool cloth was placed on his burning forehead. He nearly shot up but a gentle hand on his chest kept him from moving as steel blue eyes, now softened, darted across his body before snapping back up to meet his own.
"Haldir," Aragorn's voice was a soft whimper and the name sounded like a prayer, at least that was what Aragorn hoped.
The elf nodded and helped Aragorn settle on his back, once more crouching near his head. "I am sorry, Elessar, I did not realize she would have gone to such great lengths. Has she harmed you?" There lay more behind the question then was asked and Aragorn shook his head, watching as the older elf cocked his head with a small smile and continued. "She is too absorbed to know what you carried inside of you; else she would have hurt you. I will take you out of here in a moment but I need to make sure everything is well, if you will let me?"
Anxiety and fear choked his throat as Aragorn struggled to rise but Haldir would not move and after seeing the frightened look on the man's face, Haldir explained. "I will not harm you, Aragorn, I give you my word. I would like you to be back with him, but I must know when I do help you up that everything is well with your child."
Ignoring the chills that seemed to have erupted over his body, Aragorn nodded as Haldir placed a hand on his stomach, never once breaking eye contact. The next moment relief flooded into his face as he answered. "Everything is well. Come; let us go lest she finds us." Hooking his arm behind Aragorn's neck the elf helped the man sit up with surprising ease.
The man gasped at the wave of dizziness that assaulted him and was glad when Haldir gave him a cool drink before helping him to stand by placing an arm firmly around his waist. "Why are you helping me?" Aragorn managed as Haldir helped him out of the dark cellar and into the star lit night.
"For Legolas, and you as well. That I am not happy with the choice Legolas made does not mean I wish to see you dead, Elessar. He loves you, and I respect that," Haldir confessed his voice once more baring some of the old arrogance.
The elf had taken up a slow but steady pace and Aragorn had no problem keeping up with him, through sometimes his vision swam and the next moment he said. "I think I am sick."
Haldir paused to look at him and answered. "I would not be surprised, nearly two days has passed since you last were seen by Legolas. Your brothers are looking everywhere for you while the prince must be forced to eat or even sleep, lest he will collapse."
"Where are you taking me?" Aragorn softly asked. "To Elladan and Elrohir, they are close by at Rumil's house. It is not far," Haldir answered and began to walk again. To Aragorn it seemed like he had just crossed Gondor on foot when finally a house appeared in front of them. He collapsed against Haldir as the elf pounded on the door before turning back to him with a worried look on his fair face.
"Who is it? Who in the right mind…? Ai, by the Valar, Haldir!" Rumil quickly stepped aside to give them free entrance as he opened the door before shouting. "Elladan! Elrohir! Come quickly!" Aragorn blinked rapidly to try to make the blindness go away as they stepped into the well lit house.
The moment he raised his head he could hear two gasps before Haldir released him to somebody else and there was a lot of shouting and commotion while he tried to stay awake and not to lean as much as he did on the one who was holding him. He did not resist when a hand was laid against his stomach and another against his brow, but he did manage to smile as Elladan appeared in front of him, his dark blue eyes barely containing his joy and wariness for his brother's illness.
"You are safe and everything will be fine. I have been so worried, Estel." The familiar use of his childhood name brought tears to his eyes as he brought his hand up to cup Elladan's cheek but the older elf's hand caught his and held it before placing it against his stomach and Aragorn smiled when he sensed his child through the touch with Elladan. "Your child is well, as you will be once you have rested. We will bring you back to Legolas tomorrow and we will send word to him tonight." The elf continued to talk to him as he was laid down on a bed.
Elrohir appeared next to him a moment later to give him something bitter to drink, which did nothing to clear Aragorn's head, only adding to the haze that was already there. The elf gave him a smile before curling around him while Elladan closed the door and snuffed out the candle. He did not resist the urge to sleep as once more a hand was placed over his stomach so his brothers would be able to sense his child. Comforted by their presence Aragorn drifted off to sleep.
The next morning when Aragorn woke up the two watchful elves had finally given in to sleep as they lay curled against him, sharing their body heat. Elrohir's hand still lingered on his stomach only this time the elf had gripped his hand tightly on Aragorn's dusty tunic, to fight some unknown terror in his sleep.
Elladan's head was resting on Aragorn's shoulder while his hand lingered on the man's chest. This way they could keep an eye on his vital signs while Elrohir checked on the child. Aragorn tried to lie as still as he could but cramped up muscles wished to move so Aragorn obeyed, moving just a little. The man moaned softly when a wave of nausea passed and he tried to fight it.
A gentle touch startled him as Elrohir moved his hand in circles around his stomach while the elf lazily blinked up at him. "Good morning." He managed as he took in Aragorn's rugged appearance. The man did not dare to utter a word in fear of throwing up the little things he had eaten so Elrohir grimaced as he continued. "Sick again? Just relax, Estel and I shall try to see what I can do. Did Ada not give you anything for the morning sickness?"
Aragorn shook his head as a sound to his left startled him and he turned his head to find Elladan at a small desk putting some ingredients together while his eldest brother gave him a lingering smile and called out. "Do not worry I shall give you something, Estel. You will feel better in a moment." Aragorn nodded and relaxed against the pillows as Elrohir lifted up his shirt to continue with what he was doing.
When Elladan was done he helped Aragorn drain the cup as the man grimaced at the vile taste. "Why do all the things which are supposed to help me taste so bad?" Both his brothers chuckled as Elrohir sat up as well and smiled at him, his grey eyes misting over.
"I am so glad to see that you are safe, Estel," the younger twin managed before hugging Aragorn to him.
The man wrapped his own arms around his older brother until he felt arms slip around his waist while Elladan hugged him from behind as the twin helped him to sit up. "I am glad Haldir saved me when he did for I could not have escaped on my own," the man softly confessed as a knock on the door sounded and Haldir stepped in, fully dressed and ready to leave.
"I merely wished to see if everything was alright with you before I took off. Give my regards to Legolas." Haldir turned to walk away when Aragorn called out.
"I thank you, Haldir, for everything that you have done for me." The elf nodded at him before walking away.
"Come, I know we should wait until Legolas is awake but if we leave now we can surprise him. I know Gandalf has told him to stay within Gandalf's own house," Elladan said.
Aragorn was soon dressed and the man felt a growing happiness when he thought about the happy reunion. He did not complain when he had to ride in front of Elladan on the horse but looked expectantly at the horizon, hoping to see his golden elf appear any minute. It was not long until a small house came into view, garden filled with various weeds.
"Gandalf's home," Aragorn whispered as Elladan stopped the horse while helping Aragorn off. Soon the door opened and out in a big rush came Legolas, followed closely by Gandalf. The twins moved away to greet the wizard, thus giving much needed time to the couple for their reunion. Aragorn shared a bemused smile with Gandalf until he caught sight of his elf as Legolas stopped in front of him.
He gasped as he took a closer look at Legolas. The elf appeared lost and haunted, all Aragorn wanted to do was to place his arms around his mate and hold him close to him. There was no sign left of the old Legolas as the elf looked on the verge of losing self control. Tears were blinding his vision and there were dark circles underneath the normally clear blue eyes, eyes which now appeared hazed. "Is it really you, Aragorn?" The elf asked in a small voice as Aragorn reached out his hand to cup his lover's smooth cheek.
"Yes, Legolas, it is really I. I am back and I am safe," Aragorn answered as he watched Legolas close his eyes and lean into the touch, before snapping them open and stepping closer to Aragorn but not touching him.
"I was afraid you were not coming back," this time the elven voice was a little bit stronger and Aragorn could see a pale shadow of the former Legolas, of his own Legolas.
"I will always come back. You should not have doubted so," Aragorn softly corrected the elf as he watched a small smile play across the pale face before him. "So pale, yet so beautiful, will I ever get used to this?" Aragorn mussed aloud as the elf before him laughed and added.
"As beautiful as you are, I doubt it my love." Legolas had cocked his head to the side and the haze before his eyes had cleared as if he just needed to see Aragorn to be reminded that the man was truly safe.
"Do you not wish to know how your child fares?" Aragorn asked in a small voice, wondering if that was what the elf truly wanted but was surprised when Legolas shook his head and answered. "I know the child is well, it is you I wish to hold now and kiss…" A sudden flame of desire ran through Aragorn as he watched the elven eyes take on a gleam that he had known before, as the elf did not finish his sentence. The next moment Aragorn pulled his prince to him and wrapped his arms around the elf. "You are mine." He growled protectively as Legolas laughed softly before kissing his nose and then his mouth.
Their kiss was deep and it satisfied their need for the moment as Legolas pulled Aragorn further against him so he could rest his head on Aragorn's shoulder while he whispered. "I am very glad indeed that you are safe." Aragorn could feel his soul sing while he was reunited with Legolas but could not help but pull away when the elf answered next. "You have filled out some."
"What? Do you really think so?" Aragorn could barely contain his excitement and Legolas laughed again while he nodded before he turned, while wrapping a strong arm around Aragorn's shoulder, guiding the man to Gandalf. The elf stepped away when Gandalf stepped in front of Aragorn and looked at him in the eye, holding his gaze for a moment.
As Aragorn nodded, the wizard gently probed his stomach while Legolas fought the urge to step in and stop whatever Gandalf was doing. "So it is really true. You are pregnant," Gandalf eventually said before embracing Aragorn and then saying. "Then I will congratulate you with this new responsible. But for now you must rest and have some peace with your husband, for I know how much he desires it." Aragorn laughed as he saw the well known look Legolas was giving him and walked inside, intending on using this to his advantage, which he did.
Hope you liked it. Please review and send some ideas. Next chapter will be where Legolas grows overprotective.