Woops lost the original reviews on this chapter so to make it up to those of you who were nice enough to rereview me I'll post the news ones now.

All Reviews Response from 7/08/04 - 7/13/04

-Elizabeth Goode- Special thanks to you for telling me my story was down. I've fixed now (I hope) Glad U like hope to hear from U some more. I've loved your stories. My favorite is Exiled and the sequel. Thanks for the email hope U got my reply. I got a new email address and I don't know if it works right yet. Well thanks again.

-Roccovende- Glad U like. I think it was worth failing too. U really liked the scattered thing I did? You're the 1st to say something 'bout that. Don't worry 'bout the whole grin thing. I did it to through a lot of this. Glad U like.

-Elven Kitten- Wow u reviewed a lot. Glad U like. I'm almost done writing out the story I just have two more ch. To write out then we'll be on our way to completion. As far as what was changed it wasn't anything big, so to speak, more along the lines of a lot of little things, and that many little details was beginning to grate my nervous some. Sorry to confuse you. As far as weather it is hot. I don't want to really get out anymore it's so hot, but then again I'll update faster. Good to hear from U and Glad U like.

-lindahoyland- isn't all that angst great. Ya know sometimes the unexpected ones are the better ones. I've actually found very little I didn't like w/ ch. 6. Glad U like and thanks for reviewing.

-Aragorn's Girl Arwen- Hehe can't tell U yet. Glad U like.

Okay I think that's everyone. If I missed ya sorry.

Chapter 7: Fireside Stories

Past

Five months later Aragorn sat with Legolas by a small fire on the outskirts of Mirkwoods borders. It was a bright moonlit night, with the stars shinning bright. Legolas prepared their rabbit dinner while he prepared his pipe the ranger thought back to events that had led him here.

Five Months Ago

The elves and men rode for days and nights in the up most of haste, stopping only a few times a day to rest the horses and to sleep at night. Later they had met up with the other rangers of the area. When they arrived near the Shire there was hardly a trace of the orc riders. All they found were tracks in the mud, signs that they had fought amongst themselves, and a few animal carcasses, but nothing seemed out of place.

"They must have had a change of plans." said Aragorn.

Elladan had his bow ready, "Careful Strider, these are orcs. They may be planning something."

Elrohir rode up beside his twin. "Yes, they have been known to lie in wait for an ambush."

The other rangers nodded in agreement.

All stayed outside the shire, secretly watching its lands and borders. In case the orcs had in fact planned something. After a few months of waiting, they all decided the orcs would not be attacking. That wasn't a bad thing, but it wasn't good either. The orcs apparently had had a change in plans, but what had made them change their minds? What were their new orders?

The rider troop was said to be very large and large group could easily mean trouble to any who came in contact with them. Realizing this fact they had decided to split into separate groups heading in all directions. The other rangers would see to their friends elsewhere looking for all that could help, and what news they had heard. The twins headed back home to talk with their father and tell him all they found out. While Aragorn rode to Mirkwood to fetch Legolas. He knew the elf would enjoy the opportunity to get out of the house and away from his duties. He was to meet with the twins in the Lorien since it was a middle ground between the two lands, it would be easier that way.

And then Arwen? The face of the fair Undomiel had jumped into the middle of his thoughts. No matter how hard he tried he could not get rid of her face.

Legolas looked at his friend and saw a glazed loving look on his face and in his eyes. He knew this look he had seen it many times with his father. It was the look he got whenever anyone brought up his wife, Legolas's mother. It was a look of adoration, affection; all in all it was a look of love. So my friend you have found yourself a woman. Legolas thought.

He was happy for his brother in arms, but he had to know who had stolen the ranger's heart.

"Mellon nin, what has made you so happy this night?"

"Hm?" Aragorn hadn't been listening.

Legolas snorted a laugh, "I asked why you are so happy?"

Aragorn blinked and blushed slightly, "Oh. Tis nothing. Is dinner ready yet?"

Legolas was going to let him out of it that easily, "Come on Strider I am no fool. I know that look that has graced your face. Tell me, who is she?"

"It is no one, my friend. Now pass me my plate." Aragorn once again quickly changed subject, reaching for his plate.

Legolas pulled it out of his friends reach. "No, if you don't tell me then you don't eat."

Legolas watched as his friends face turned a bright red. "Only if you won't laugh or make fun of me."

Legolas laughed at his friend's childishness, "Mellon nin, surely you know me better than that."

Aragorn looked at the dirt beneath his feet and quickly mumbled a name.

Legolas rolled his eyes, "Strider, I cannot hear you."

Aragorn looked up smiling, "I said her name is Arwen."

Legolas was shocked, "Arwen? Elrond's daughter, Arwen? Younger sister of the dreaded Twin Peredhil? That Arwen?"

Aragorn's face turned a deeper shade of bright crimson. "Aye."

Legolas watched his friend in silence, he was thinking on what the man told him when Strider started speaking again. "I love her mellon nin." the man's eyes once again took on hazy dreamy look.

Legolas smiled he was proud that his friend had found someone. It would help bear his troubles in life. It would be good for him and Arwen both. They would be happy with each other, ease each others aches and pains, make the other laugh when no other could, to be the light in the darkness of life. They would share the good and bad of life.

Legolas smiled placing a hand on his friends shoulder, "Tell her then. We will ride out tomorrow and head to the Lorien."

Aragorn laughed at his friend's enthusiasm, "But what would I say. My friend I am no poet."

"Simple tell her what you told me."

"I cannot." said Aragorn, "Her beauty outshines the brightest stars. Her laughter steals my breath. My pulse quickens at the mere mention of her name. She is fairer than Luthien herself. My ears strain to hear her voice carried by the wind. I crave her touch, to hold her hand in mine. All of this I wish to tell her, yet when I see her I can do nothing, but stand and stare like a love struck fool."

Legolas chuckled, "You humans always over dramatize everything." Aragorn sent the elf a glare that would make his father proud. Legolas threw up his hands as if to defend himself from the glare, "Peace, my friend. If it is truly a difficult task then I shall help in any way I can."

Aragorn thought for a moment. A smile crept up his face. "Would you hide in the bushes and tell me what to say?"

Legolas laughed, "Where did this idea come from?"

"When I was a boy no more then seven summers old I had witnessed my brothers stuck in a similar situation."

"This should be an interesting tale." Legolas handed him his plate.

"Oh it is." Aragorn turned to his friend and took the offered food, "I had just escaped from one of Erestors history lessons." Legolas laughed at the mental picture of little Aragorn running from an Erestor writhed in flames. "He was very fierce back then, mellon nin. I was walking through one of my fathers gardens when I came across Elrohir hiding in a nearby bush, just off the path. Since it's very rare to see one twin without the other I decide to investigate. I decided to test my sneaking skills while he was distracted." Aragorn chuckled, "He jumped three feet when he finally noticed me. Realizing I might ruin his plans he dragged me back into the bushes with him, where he promptly told me to leave and tell no one what I saw. Being the curious child I was, I refused to leave. We had a small whispered fight, before he finally caved in and allowed me to stay, but only under three conditions." He held up his figures for each condition. "First I was to stay quiet the entire time. Second he would talk; I was not allowed to offer my help in any way. And last, I wasn't allowed to tell anyone about that day."

"Which I notice you're breaking now."

Aragorn shrugged and continued, "We weren't there long when Elladan rounded a path opposite to us. He was nervous about something; he couldn't stop fidgeting the whole time. Not long after, another elf showed up."

"Who was it?"

"It was one of the household chamber maids he had had his eyes on for a very long time. As I watched Elladan stumble over his I love you's. That was when 'Ro stepped in, and from the bush he whispered towards Elladan what he should say to her, and 'Dan repeated it. Though not all of it was word for word, he stumbled a few times and what he couldn't understand he made up his own words or misinterpreted them."

"Did they really do that?"

"Oh yes, I didn't understand it at the time, but I do remember wishing to be back with Erestor enduring another one of his lessons." Aragorn laughed lightly, "I remember telling 'Ro how strange my brothers were."

"Strange?"

"Aye, strange, back then I thought nothing of women as far as I was concerned women weren't interesting. They whined too much, and weren't fun and everything they did was dramatized. I wanted nothing to do with them."

Legolas laughed, "As long as you don't think that now. I know plenty of females who are nothing like that."

Aragorn looked up at the moon realizing how late it was he started to lay out his sleeping role. "It's late. We should go to bed."

"I'll take the first shift then."

"Wake me when it's my turn." he settled down for the night.

Legolas smiled as he watched his friend sleep. As the night wore on he thought about his friend's predicament.

A/N: Okay that was a forced ending and the story wasn't what I wanted it to be. But when I wrote out the first time it was a flashback scene, I just couldn't get the dialog quite right. I'll fix it when I can, but for now it will have to do. Sorry/

Review Please.