A/N: Finally, I know! I'm really really really sorry!!! But here it is – the next chapter! All I have to say this time is that I'm really excited about Pirates of the Caribbean – Orlando Bloom's new movie!! Coming out in the US on July 9, I don't know about other countries, sorry…
THANKS: leanara (sorry, I don't know if I want to drag haldir into this… maybe in another fic), Angel of Hope * Vala en' estel, tamara, Estel Elendil, Tinker-Bell-Greenleaf (you have a lot of good ideas – maybe you should use them in a fic of your own?), Torture-the-elf (you do know that you submitted the same review 7 times, right? Ok…)
Disclaimer: Not mine. I wish. If you think I made up LotR, you're stupid.
Warning: MALES KISSING!!!!! GAYNESS!!!!!!!! HOMOSEXUALITY!!!!!!!!! If you don't like it, do us all a favor and don't read it!!!!!!!!
***
We walked back slowly, sharing a comfortable silence, with our tunics draped over our arms so that we could dry off a little. As we neared camp, the amount of noise made it clear that everyone had been successfully, if not easily or painlessly, awakened.
Boromir suddenly froze where he was and tilted his face upward. "Do you smell anything?" He asked, sniffing the air carefully.
Merry glanced at him and smirked. "You're really becoming a wolf, aren't you, Boromir? You need to work on that nose, though; I don't smell a thing."
"Ah!" the Man crowed triumphantly. "Precisely! And do you know what you do not smell? Why, Aragorn! Yes, folks, the King of Men has finally agreed to wash!"
"Can't say the same for you, can we?" Aragorn retorted. "No, you're still as greasy as ever!"
"All right, children," Gandalf intervened, "Let's clear out – we must reach Moria by nightfall."
Gimli, standing ready with his ax in hand, fell into place behind Gandalf. Frodo came next, his hand at his chest where the ring lay beneath his shirt, with Sam at his side looking protective. Merry and Pippin followed their kin, and Boromir was at their heels. Estel and I, left to bring up the rear, allowed our shoulders to brush against each other as we followed the company on the next stage of its journey.
***
The sun was high in the sky and we had glimpsed the Sirannon when something made me pause. I listened intently with all my senses, then suddenly grabbed Estel. "Orcs!" I cried. They were approaching fast – we didn't have a moment to lose. "Get off the path!"
At my cry, everyone scrambled into the brush – with the exception of Boromir. "Boromir! Take cover!" I shouted desperately, looking for a place to hide. He deliberately ignored me and kept walking. Gritting my teeth, I leapt, caught his arm and shoved him off the path. The ground had begun shaking as we ducked, not a moment too soon, and a herd of Orcs came stampeding past us. I lay still on the ground, willing my heart to stop pounding – not so much from fear as from anger and annoyance at Boromir. Did the fool think he was invincible?
When the last Orc had passed and the dust was settling again, we slowly stood up. Everyone seemed all right, though Sam appeared to be comforting an uneasy Frodo. I turned to Boromir, ready to show him my most menacing scowl, but noticed that he was looking at me rather strangely. I felt the fine hairs on the back of my neck stand up as I took a step backward.
"So, Legolas," Boromir muttered. "When are you going to tell Aragorn who you're really after?"
I gulped nervously – this did not look pleasant. "I honestly haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about, Boromir," I replied, keeping my eyes on him.
"Admit it, Elf – you saved me for a reason."
"Yes, I did – I didn't feel like watching anyone get trampled by Orcs. That can be somewhat gruesome, you know. Plus I don't trust you to stay silent if you're captured." I took another step back – right into Estel's arms.
"Is there a problem, Boromir?" Estel asked lightly. I felt for his hand, squeezing it appreciatively when I found it.
Boromir looked at us uncertainly, then sneered. Before he could open his mouth, I spoke. "Look, I don't know how much proof you could possibly need after last night, but–" I paused, uncertain. "I love Estel." It was the truth, after all, and both of us (as in Estel and I) had acknowledged it.
Boromir's eyebrows were furrowed – I couldn't tell if it was anger or confusion – when Gandalf appeared. "The Orcs have disappeared completely," he announced, as if we couldn't tell. "We should continue on."
***
A/N: Ok, review please!!!!! I promise it won't be so long before the next chapter!
