Disclaimer: as usual. I don't own LOTR

A/N: Hi, update for this story. Writers block hit me and didn't let go until now. So thanks to those who have reviewed my other story. I would be much obliged if you would review this one. As strange as it may be. Read on!

Cursed by any other name- 10

The clouds above. Legolas threw himself against a tree heart slamming against his chest. He didn't know how long he could last. He felt himself become frail with each passing hour, but he had a substantial lead on the rangers. Going places he knew horses would have trouble with. He tried so hard not to hate men he knew they relied so much on their instincts that they didn't see passed the prey they were hunting. They didn't know any

better…at least that was the excuse he gave them. But his heart hardened anger boiling in his veins…he hated men…he hated men!

His ears twitched at the sound horse hoofs. Quickly thinking, he climbed up the tree crouching on a thick branch. He waited, pulling out his dagger he would kill the ranger spill his blood without care or remorse they deserved nothing more than that. The horse and its rider drew closer, eyes flashing with a dark anger the prince clutched his dagger harder…

Aragorn knew these woods like the back of his hand. Short cuts that his men didn't even no about, his tracking skills were so much advanced. He hurried Arod through the brush than something struck him sending him crashing to the ground the brave steed rearing up from the sudden attack. Aragorn was harshly thrown head over heels stunned. He found himself lying on his back and suddenly unarmed, a primal yell resounding the blade was pointed directly in his eye line a forearm pressed firmly against his throat. The ranger lay there stock still brown eyes unwavering as they stared back at the blue glaring back at him.

Just then rain poured from the heavens. Legolas did not break his position he intended to follow through with his plan one slice of his blade. That's all it would take to finish the man off, instead he felt a pang of guilt, fear, and confusion. Soon the two individuals were drenched, Legolas hand began to shake do to the cold and the adrenalin leaving his system.

Aragorn swallowed hard daring to open his mouth. "…It's ok. Finish me off ,I deserve no other fate such as this."

Legolas blue eyes lost their intensity to be replaced by deep remorse. Removing himself off of the ranger to feebly collapse to his knees. What came out of his mouth stunned the ranger so much that he only managed to sit up.

"I hate you. I hate what you've done. You have caused great grief among my kind. Men should perish, to exist in this middle earth has led me to believe that I can't truly live. Yet…I cannot…bring myself to do what you ask for I fear I will not stop."

Aragorn watched as the prince discarded his dagger sloshing in the puddle a few feet away. His heart broke as he saw this strong warrior crumble before his very eyes. He drove him to this state gingerly he got to his feet walking over to where the elf knelt he raised a hand and for the first time in his life it was not to kill but to comfort instead.

"I am truly sorry for what I have done. I cannot erase what has happened in the past nor do I expect your forgiveness to be easily obtained. Hate me for as long as you see fit despise me and one die you can strike me where I stand, but until that day comes with my entire being I will pay my debt."

Legolas squeezed his eyes shut his tears mixing with the rain. He opened his eyes to see a scarred hand reaching down to pick up the dagger.

"I promise."

The elf prince quickly got to his feet, Aragorn turned to see in time his men coming to a halt a few feet away from them. The red headed ranger scoffed at the sight of his leader.

"You truly are a wonder Strider. Let me guess, you wish for this forest rat to be left alone."

"I would prefer it. However what I saw will not matter for you have already decided on what action you'll take." Aragorn replied coolly.

"You know me all to well. Lets not fight and just let us finish this hunt. It is dark and very cold."

Aragorn's face darkened reaching into his belt. "No lets!"

The ranger just dodged the dagger flying inches away from his face. Giving Legolas the window to skid in underneath the horse turning around to wield his dagger once more. Eyes flashing he jumped up on the back of the black steed doing half a hand stand he swung his legs connecting with the black haired ranger that sent the man tumbling off his horse. Taking the reigns Legolas quickly steered the horse kicking it into a canter he held out his hand to Aragorn.

"Get on!"

Without hesitating Aragorn mounted the horse with the aid of the elf prince. He kicked the horse into a gallop speeding passed the lot. Letting out a whistle the red headed ranger and blond tore after the duo, the elf as usual swiftly made his way through the forest but the steed wasn't as fast as Brego. Gripping the reigns tighter in his hands he chanted something in elfish and to Aragorn's surprise the beast found new strength pounding down the winding path.

A hiss reached Aragorn's ears turning his head to see his kin on either side of them.

"They are going to block us off!"

Legolas jaw was set in determination his sharp eyes catching a hidden path that led up a steep slope. Wasting no time he sharply turned the horse causing both man and elf to duck their heads from a low hanging branch. The ranger's eyes widened as he saw the gap between the hill and the ground before them.

"Huh, I don't think that's a good idea." he called out.

Legolas ignored the statement kicking the horse once more that sent it jumping over the gap with ease. However the climb was as struggle as the steed made his way up the winding path and the fact that arrows made it that much harder to dodge. Aragorn summoned it up to a miracle as they made it to the top.

Soon they were flying over the flat land Aragorn glanced back letting out a sigh of relief. "I think we lost them."

Legolas whispered something in the horse's ear before catching the future king of men off guard as he snatched him around the waist and flung them into a thick brush. The horse continued galloping in the distance.

Aragorn shook his head spitting out a couple of leaves from his mouth. He gave an incredulous look at the archer beside him. He opened his mouth to speak when he was forced to the ground a hand over his mouth, not sure why until horse hoofs began to come closer. Ducking down further the two rangers galloped passed them content on following the trail before them. A few moments passed when Legolas removed his hand from the ranger.

Aragorn stared back at the elf the pale moonlight split through the clouds reminding him the first time he ever laid eyes on the elf before him. He was just as breath taking as before, but he did not hold the intensity as he once dead. His hair loosely fell to the left side of his face realizing it had been cut his skin was paler and his demeanour was that of exhaustion.

"What did they do to you." he said more to himself than to the elf before him.

Aragorn quickly caught the prince as he winced nearly falling over. The hand gripping his arm as his face distorted in pain. Legolas turned his head as the ranger gently removed the pale hand.

"It's alright, I'll be able to figure out away to treat this if I know what poison they used. Although I already have a pretty good idea what it is." he explained as he examined the wound more closely.

Legolas watched in intrigue as the human probed gently at the wound. It surprised at how gentle he was for a man. Aragorn frowned.

"It's inflamed and swollen this poison is very powerful it's a wonder how you have lasted this long without keeling over."

Aragorn looked up to meet the impassive look the archer gave. Not sure how to proceed he placed a reassuring hand on the prince's shoulder.

"I'll be right back."

Legolas watched as the ranger disappeared into the dark brush behind him. Casting his eyes upward to look at the moon, then suddenly horror crossed his features at the sudden realization that Rohan was under attack by now. Struggling to his feet he looked around in frustration out of all the dumb things to do he had to jump off the horse.

Aragorn came back holding up his prize. "Got it."

He lowered the herb at the concerned look of the prince. "What is it?"

"We cannot afford to linger any longer. We must go now."

"You're joking. You are in no condition to go anywhere, besides the fact that my men are still out there."

Legolas turned to the ranger. "If we do not the city of Rohan will fall to the ranks of my father. Please I ask for your aid."

Aragorn frowned never in his wildest dreams would he think he would aid a forest rat. Seeing the pleading look in the blue eyes staring back it him made him stuff the herb between his belt. joining the elf's side.

"Lets go."

A/N:….nice.

FC27

Review please.