Note: None of these are my characters except for the unknown ones! Rated R for violence and deals with the aftermath of a suicide attempt, mentioned rape! Elvish speech is in ''. Language warning! Aragorn's POV. Takes place a few days later.
Setting Out
Part 12
I was in the room I shared with Legolas, packing my bag. I had placed spare clothes, food, flint, and anything else we might possibly need on this journey. Legolas was currently speaking to Éomer.
I was slightly jealous of the closeness that the two shared. But the one I loved had reassured me that there was nothing beyond friendship and brotherly affection between himself and the King of Rohan.
I finished packing, and walked over to the mirror. I was apprehensive about the clothes that I was wearing. I knew that it was a serious quest that Legolas and I were going on, but I wanted to look all right.
My traveling clothes consisted of a pair of black breeches, a dark-blue tunic, and an equally dark-green shirt. I wore a faded brown cloak, with a hood, as Legolas had instructed, and my regular boots.
Anduril was strapped at my side, though hidden by my cloak. I grabbed my pack and water bag, before I went to see if my Elven lover was finished. I hoped that we would be able to work things out while we were away.
We hadn't made love since Sarag had tried to rape him when he showed up again. I waited patiently for when Legolas would be ready, and I knew he was not. I sighed quietly, for I felt that I could have done something to prevent this whole mess from ever happening.
I walked down the hallway, not noticing the pictures or anything, as I looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of Legolas. I finally heard his voice, as he spoke to Éomer. I approached the two, after pausing to admire the outfit that he'd chosen for himself.
I could only see part of him, as he stood there, turned towards the King of Rohan.
He wore a light brown tunic, and a green shirt, which matched his emerald eyes. A dark cloak, with a hood, hung from his shoulders, and matched his own dark leggings. His long, blond hair was no longer in braids, but pulled back in a low ponytail, to keep it out of his face. A pack, with a water bag, was on his back, as my lover gestured with his hands to emphasize what he was saying to Éomer.
Legolas turned to me and a sort-of smile appeared on his face in greeting, before he finished his conversation with the King of Rohan.
I watched as Éomer nodded and clapped Legolas on the shoulder.
'Take care of yourself, you hear me?' Éomer said sternly. 'I want a full account when you return.'
'As always, Éomer,' Legolas said, a resigned look on his face. 'We'll both tell you what happened.'
The King of Rohan nodded. 'I need to speak with Aragorn alone, Legolas, so why don't you go say farewell to Frodo and Gimli now?'
The three of us knew that it was more of an order than a command, and Legolas frowned, before he did as he was told.
I had already said farewell to the Hobbit and dwarf, so I waited until Legolas was out of sight, before turning to Éomer.
The King of Rohan walked over to me, and handed me Legolas's weapons.
At my shocked look, he explained, "I would not send him defenseless, Aragorn, but neither would I give him a means with which to harm himself. I trust your judgment; if you believe that Legolas will no longer hurt himself, give them back to him."
I nodded, before I removed my pack. I put the daggers, sword, and quiver in there. The bow I strung on my back. I was further surprised when Éomer gripped my shoulder hard.
"I believe that you are a Man of honor, so I mean no offense when I say this. But say it I must. Do not rush him, Aragorn," Éomer said neutrally.
"I follow his lead in all matters, save for suicide," I muttered. 'And I will continue to do so until he is ready. I wait for him to tell me he is.'
Éomer sighed and slipped back into Elvish. 'This journey will be hard on him, for he is returning to the last place he wants to go, save for Gondor. The town you are heading for is the one where he was kept prisoner in the slave-house.'
I turned slightly pale. 'I only knew that this Jerome and Lector knew him from the past. Why would they want him to return there and kidnap one of Legolas's friends to force him to come back?'
'Lector was his Master, Aragorn,' Éomer said grimly. 'He is the one I took Legolas away from when I rescued him. It appears that Lector still wants him back, even after the punishment I gave him.'
'What did you do to him?' I asked numbly, wondering why Legolas had not told me this. Then I realized that he had probably worried about what my reaction would be, and was trying to find a way to tell me.
The sounds of someone approaching made us end the conversation quickly.
'I'll let Legolas tell you that,' Éomer said with a hint of amusement in his eyes.
I reluctantly nodded, and turned to see that it was Legolas who was coming.
'We should leave now, Aragorn, before we lose the day's light,' he told me.
I replied, 'I am ready when you are.'
Éomer embraced Legolas, and bid him farewell, before he clapped me on the shoulder. The King of Rohan then walked away.
I turned to Legolas. 'Let's go.'
He nodded. The two of us walked together, left the castle, and, eventually, the gate.
For a long while, we said nothing, as we walked in silence.
I caught him glancing at me a few times, before he turned away.
I deeply sighed. 'Why didn't you tell me who Lector was, Legolas?'
Legolas frowned. 'Éomer told you,' he stated flatly. 'Didn't he?'
I nodded. 'I would preferred to hear it from you,' I admitted.
'I would have told you when we stopped to rest for the night,' Legolas said quietly. 'And I would also have told you more of Jerome and my friend that was kidnapped.'
'I see.'
The silence between us was almost unbearable, as we walked for hours, saying nothing. The sun was low in the sky before I knew it, and I was exhausted.
Legolas had his hood on, keeping his pointed ears from showing.
I had mine on to counter the heat from the sun, so it did not bear down on my head.
I slowly sipped from my water bag, before I offered it to Legolas.
We had seen no streams or ponds yet, so we were being careful with our water supply.
He took it and drank for a few minutes, before handing it back. A slim, pale hand wiped the excess off of his mouth, as he turned to look at me.
'Thanks. How are you doing?' Legolas questioned.
I was very tired. Legolas had done much more traveling than me, from the stories he'd told me. Ruling a kingdom does not let you have much time to travel and have adventures.
I smiled. 'I'm all right,' I said, slightly stretching the truth.
A knowing look came into his eyes. 'Are you really, Aragorn? You look tired.'
'I'm a little tired,' I admitted, trying to stifle a yawn.
'Then we should stop and make camp,' Legolas announced. He knew this area, so I followed his lead, as he led me to a quiet spot. The Elf easily passed through the branches, until he stopped in a well-hidden clearing.
I was impressed and said as much.
I saw a smile cross his face, before he took off his pack, and removed his bedroll. I did the same, before I gathered a few sticks together to light a fire.
Legolas caught me yawning. 'When is the last time you walked so far, Aragorn?' he questioned curiously.
'Not since the Quest have I walked for an entire day without a break,' I confessed.
A look of horror came over his Elven face. 'You should have told me, and I would have stopped to rest.'
'Tis all right,' I murmured, before I dug out the flint.
Legolas firmly took the flint from me and gave me a little nudge towards my bed. 'Go and rest, Aragorn. I will prepare the meal.'
I frowned, and started to protest, but he silenced me with a finger on my lips.
'Aragorn, you will need to rest if you are going to take a watch tonight. If you don't rest now, I will not let you take watch. Make your choice.'
I briefly wondered what he would do if I made a surprise third choice and kissed him. I was surprised when I saw a strange look in his eyes as he gazed at me.
Legolas licked his lips, standing there so still, before he removed his finger from mine. I saw the desire and emotion in his emerald eyes, as we stood there, frozen in time for a moment.
As if in a dream, I reached out, put my arms around Legolas's thin waist, and pulled him close. The flint hit the ground, as Legolas licked his lips for a second time, with his mouth slightly opened.
And then I kissed him.
To be continued
