Chapter 20

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Aragorn quietly watched as Legolas pulled the sleeve of his tunic on his shoulder with his back facing the man. They were still in the room with the man now sitting on the chair near the table and the elf standing in front of him. It wasn't a moment ago when the elf revealed to him his true identity that he wasn't the servant on Mirkwood that he once claimed, but the Prince himself- none other than the Green Leaf he was eager to meet when he was young.

Admittedly, Aragorn had the feeling that Legolas was no ordinary elf. His movements were finer if you compared it to his twin brothers, and there was an authority in his voice and manner you wouldn't feel when you were talking to a servant. Why Elladan and Elrohir could care less about the way they move as long as their battle skills were of the highest standards. Now as he watched the Prince dress up in front of him he could only think of one thing. His Legolas has become more out of his reach.

Aragorn considered his options as he stared hard at the being before him. He could keep the elf beside him, bring him somewhere far until his memories of him returns. He could take him in the depths of the mountains, where there will only be the two of them, and he will make the elf fall for him once more. He would not take him back to Mirkwood… because once Legolas entered its walls; he would never be able to take him back. Everything that was between them will be lost and forgotten.

The man's string of thoughts was halted when he felt the blue eyes of the elf boring on him. He looked up and met the elf's eyes.

"Please," Legolas whispered that startled the man, "bring me home."

Aragorn could not react to that. Legolas' eyes were full of emotions he could not express: grief, sadness, hurt, anguish…unhappiness. The man felt his heart being pierced as he gazed at those deep blue. It was not the eyes he wanted his beloved to possess. How could he even think selfishly of keeping the elf from his homeland? How could he even think of taking him away against his will and leave without the comfort of his kin?

What madness is this…. He thought with gritted teeth and closed eyes, clenching his hands and sighing.

"Alright." He responded quietly, "I'll bring you back."

A sigh of what sounded to be relief escaped the elven lips. Aragorn heard him too clear.

"Thank you."

"But tell me honestly," the man pressed on as they stared at each other's eyes, "Why did you run from your kingdom and ended up on slave trader's hands?"

Legolas' elegant brows furrowed slightly.

"I did not… I simply lost my way…"

When the man did not speak, the elf closed his eyes and sat on the edge of the bed with his eyes on the floor…remembering…

"Our Kingdom, blessed it for its firm and nurtured ground and treasures, is not free from dark creatures that had once threatened Middle Earth. Even though us, Wood Elves have tried our best to get rid of them they simply would not let go of our land. I am the chief warrior of the Elves in Mirkwood and one day we've heard the swarm of Urukhais on the forest we have tried to look after. I lead my soldiers there, fiercely believing that we could destroy them. Only to realize that it was an ambush. The uruks, mad as they seem to be, have not lost their wits in them. They were waiting for us and took us one by one until no one was left. I miraculously survived the ordeal, with deep injuries and wounds but still alive for the soldiers protected me. I was ashamed to return to my father. My kins' death was too much for me that time… I lost my way. The next thing I knew I was bounded and tied and was put in a carriage in an unfriendly manner. Then there were men… many of them in this hill…a graveyard… I cannot remember more…"

At his last words, Legolas clasped a hand on his forehead, with a look of deep pain on his face. Aragorn immediately stood up, causing the chair to tumble on the floor. He was about to reach a worried hand to Legolas when the elf's voice resumed its talking, but this time there was a hint of doubt in them.

"The next thing I can remember I was in this room, and there were these people… rangers they call them. I was in panic. Lord Ecthelion told me something about a man, an honorable man who risked his life to save their kingdom."

The blue orbs met the silver again.

"It was you. But they informed me about your death. I did not feel anything except sympathy for I do not- or I cannot recall you. I tried asking Dellion and found many good things about you, until your return from death."

Aragorn remained silent, his thoughts were following the story of the elf, and how it uncaringly jumped over their story of love since they first met. It hurts him to see the elf looking at him like a stranger… when no less than ago they could not go on without a lovely reassurance to one another.

"I want to forget whatever happened this night."

The man was once again distracted from his thoughts as he heard Legolas say this. The elf shifted his eyes on one side, avoiding with all he can the gaze of the silver orbs.

"Legolas, I-"

"There must be a good reason," Legolas' voice was firm, and Aragorn recognized it well. It was the voice of his elf that has made his resolve- except that, he wasn't his anymore. "There must be a good reason why I forgot you."

Aragorn did not speak. He did not move. He simply stared at the heavenly being who was doing his best not to look at him. Was it all over?

"You stay here and rest," Aragorn murmured as he turned away, "We have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow."

And with that the captain of the rangers took his leave and closed the room behind him. The elf sat immobilize on the bed, feeling lonely all of a sudden…

Aragorn stayed on the bar where a number of men were still drinking in the middle of the night. He got himself a bottle of ale and drank in solitude near the heart of the room where he asked the same question in his head over and over again… Was it all over?

*.*.*.*.*.*

When Legolas got up first thing in the day light the first person his eyes looked for was the man. Aragorn did not return last night till this morning when he felt him getting his weapons on the drawer and then leaving again with nothing but a glance on his direction. It was a bit surprising, but he wondered what the man was up to so he followed him swiftly downstairs and onto the daylight where he saw him standing between their horses, one was a black mare and the other was of pure white. The man seemed to sense him for he turned around and faced him with what seemed to be a new aura.

"You're up. That's good. We need to prepare early for the journey."

Legolas barely opened his mouth when the man spoke again.

"I'm going to take you home."

Stunned at this new behavior, Legolas could not be more astonished when Aragorn helped him to slide up his horse half an hour later.

"I know well how to climb a horse." he said in alarm, watching Aragorn get up on his own.

The man looked up at him and then smiled a real smile the elf could not help noticing, the first one in a few days…

"I am merely helping." was his short reply.

They traveled north east, where the path was long and free from any creatures. They talk less, except when Aragorn was asking something to the elf or telling him some information about the forest.

"Why do you know so much about these forests?" the elf asked on their first night under the night sky, where the elf was perched on a tree while the man was near the bon fire he made.

"I've been traveling a lot… more than you can imagine." Aragorn replied without looking up. "I am use to hiding, and forests are my usual sanctuaries."

"Why do you hide?"

"Because I am hunted."

"Why are you hunted?"

"Because I am running."

"Why are you running?"

Aragorn stared up at the being on the tree, and Legolas felt a little nervous with the way his eyes reflected the fire.

"I run," Aragorn answered slowly as he stared back on the fire again, "because it is not yet my time."

Legolas sat straight on the tree with a curious look on his blue.

"What do you mean it's not yet your time?"

The elf could swear he saw Aragorn hunch his shoulder. But it could just be his imagination because after a moment the man stared up to him again looking at him in disbelief.

"Do you always ask a question to your heart's content?"

Legolas frowned. "I was merely under the impression that you would answer me."

"I am answering. But only until then. I'd like to keep myself private."

"I understand." The elf turned his face up the night sky and felt comfortable. It was his first night with nature in what felt like a very long time. Legolas could just feel the scent of the flowers and trees and the breeze of the nature's air. He felt comfortable and welcomed. He stayed like that for hours, taking silence as a gift… until he realized something.

"Don't you ever sleep?" he asked the fellow beneath him.

There was a soft chuckle, and then after a moment a voice answered.

"No… not when I am out and about."

Legolas remained looking at the sky. "I can guard us both. I am an elf."

"I do not underestimate you." was the man's answer, "But this is how I am… and will always be."

The elf considered, and then stayed silent for the rest of the dark hours.

The next morning they continued traveling with not much delay. Legolas could feel his pulse aching for the sight of his kingdom. With their speed they could reach Mirkwood by tomorrow's sunset.

In their travel, the elf could not help but notice his only companion. Once or twice he had seen him looking his way, and mostly it was with sad eyes. The elf never reacts to this. He knew what those eyes meant, it was searching for something…something that he said they once shared, but he really could not remember what they have for one another. Unless the man tells him again, but even so, the feeling was not there… or was it?

Aragorn was a good man, he knew that very much. From the moment he awoke on the walls of Gondor the name of the man had been ringing on his ears. The way he leads his men, the way he find merriment in small things, it all proved what his heart contains. But Legolas could never admit it. The man may consider this a light for what he claimed to be a relationship. He was just too confused, and what more, if what Aragorn said was true, then why did he forget about him? What happened that made him forget? Also, he figured he has doubts. When the man took his body on their first night together he could not help but feel Aragorn was only after his body that would be most humiliating. But how could he explain his body's response to the man's lips? As if he had know him for too long? Is that how they shared their relationship before? If that is so…

On their second night, the man requested something that never crossed the elf's mind.

"What?" he asked, blinking from the way up the tree he was perched up again.

Aragorn sighed patiently as he said again, "I said call me 'Strider'. That is the name I am most known for in this land."

"Strider?" Legolas inquired again.

"Yes."

"I see… is there any reason for this?"

"I like the name Strider," whispered the man with his head facing the fire and Legolas had a sudden urge leap down and to see what expression he was having at that moment. "And you hardly call me by my name anyway."

The elf straightened a little, as if to answer back, but then fell back on the tree.

"I understand…" he whispered, feeling a sudden unease on his heart. What is this feeling…?

*.*.*.*.*.*

On their last journey Legolas could see the familiar path he usually tread when having a little journey on his land. His excitement was uncontainable when finally they were inside Mirkwood forest and from a corner he could see the tower of his kingdom.

"Our Kingdom is not easily seen by uninvited guest." He told Aragorn lightly as they stopped just a few more horse ride to the palace with sunset upon them. "And usually there are already warriors waiting on this side of the forest, wonder where they are…"

He turned to the man with spirit on his eyes, but when he looked he found that Strider wasn't listening, but in his deep stupor.

"Strider." Legolas made up his mind after sensing a little resentment on his heart, "Let's continue. I want to be home."

Strider shifted his eyes, and then nodded. Together they took the last distance toward the kingdom.

It wasn't after a few moments that they felt the presence of Legolas' kind around. The Prince pulled into a halt and called to his friends while the man stood behind him. Silence greeted the Prince's word and then after a second rustle of leaves could be heard around and the elf Prince was greeted merely by his overwhelmed kin.

Strider and Legolas were escorted to the palace, sending advance message about the Prince's return. The Elves around celebrated his return and everyone was in hurry to see the return of their prince. Some of the Elves greeted Strider too, though a little distant. The man greeted them back in the same tongue which made the elven folks relax on his presence. Legolas was surprised to hear him speak elvish, but didn't have time to inquire for the throne hall had opened for him and the king had called for his presence.

Legolas went in and saw the familiar, youthful face of his Elven King, his father, King Thranduil.

"Legolas!" the King was too overwhelmed by his emotion as he glimpsed the face of his young Prince.

"Ada!" Legolas bowed in respect, before running up to the warm arms of his father.

"Oh Valar, you are alive! You do not know how much I prayed for you to be safe! I knew you were- we could not find your body…my son!" his father was whispering on his ear as they embraced. Legolas could not help but feel emotional.

"I am here ada, I am alive…forgive me for making you wait long..."

"Bless you, child," the King held his son one more time before letting go and looking at him in joy. "What happened to you? And I have heard from one of our kin that you returned with an adan with you? Is this true?"

"Yes, ada." nodded the elf Prince as he looked behind him only to find the lone man not there. A swift feeling of panic came over the Prince as he could not find the face of the man among his kin, until one of the elves opened the door and let the man in the throne hall.

A sigh of relief escaped Legolas' lips. He was only outside…

Strider bowed upon reaching the dais of the King's throne, something which Legolas found intriguing. He speaks our language and knows the precise way of bowing in front of royalties… who is this man?

When Strider looked up, the King couldn't help but feel something about his presence as well.

"What is your name, man?"

"I am Strider, my Lord, a ranger; I come from the Northern lands, one of the remaining Numenorians in Arda."

"Ah, I see! I've heard great things about you, rangers from the North. Might you be the fellow who assisted my green leaf back on this Kingdom?"

Strider bowed. "Yes, my Lord."

King Thranduil smiled. "I cannot thank you enough."

"It is nothing." whispered the man, "I am only doing my duty."

Legolas raised his head up.

"Well then, is there anything I can do to repay my debt, admirable ranger from the North?" the King asked in a good and honest way.

"There is nothing to repay my Lord." Strider looked up and stared at Legolas who felt suddenly pierced, "What I have received is enough."

"Well- that is honorable of you! But I must insist that you stay for the night for the sun is already setting! I will not allow a friend of this kingdom be put in danger just after he returned something that is a treasure to me!" the King was saying.

"That would be an honor." Strider bowed again, and when he looked up he was staring once more to the Prince who flinched at how he was being looked at.

The night started to roll.

*.*.*.*

There was a huge celebration for the return of the Prince. Legolas was widely greeted by his kin and deeply missed. Strider was not neglected, he was thanked by many elves and he responded in the same tongue, which somewhat surprised the others. King Thranduil celebrated the most and would not allow the Prince out of his sight till midnight. Strider watched them with his mind finally made up. He was going to do this… one last time….

An elf was walking along the hallway quietly and feeling as if a song was forming on his mind when he heard a yell somewhere. He looked around and saw that he was walking along the Prince's room, where he thought the sound had come from.

"My Prince?" he called worriedly as he took a step toward the door, "My Prince is something the matter?"

There was silence, and then the Prince answered.

"I am fine! It is nothing… Please leave…"

"Are you sure, my Prince?"

"Yes… you are dismissed…"

The elf stayed for a little bit, before finally deciding everything was alright and walking ahead, trying to remember the song on his mind.

Inside the Prince's room however, everything was not alright.

Strider was there, and he had the Prince cornered on the bed where they were sharing a rather forceful kiss.

When the lips parted Strider looked at the Prince's eyes which had their reproving expression on them again.

"Why didn't you call for help?" he asked, as he kept the Prince's hands tightly above him and his legs trapped below.

Legolas did not answer but gritted his teeth as he stared with sharp eyes at the impudent man. Strider smiled.

"Could it be…to be seen like this is a great humiliation?"

The man reached a hand on the elf's chin and kissed him again.

It wasn't long before Strider had taken care of the elf's upper garment. He took one look at the elf's fiery eyes before indulging himself and kissing those pale chests. The elf reacted with a soft gasps as he felt him taking possession- the feeling was familiar.

Strider suddenly sat up and undressed himself using his free hand. Legolas was still under him and by no means had his eyes closed tightly. When the man was sure of what to do, he resumed on kissing the elven lips, which he knew, was the last time he would be kissing. The fire was ignited.

"Say it." The man whispered as his free hand slid down the elf's torso, into the middle of his thigh that made the elf moan, "Just beg me to stop. Say you hate me…"

Legolas replied by unstoppable moan as he felt Strider's hands touching him. The elf was getting shaky from his touch and he knew it was about time to break him, for the last time.

"If you don't say it," Strider was serious as he met the blue orbs which were looking weak, "I'm going to take you…"

There was no response. Strider's eyes narrowed and he continued to work on to ready the elf's body to receive him.

The fireside crackled.

Moments later found Strider in his ranger suit, sitting on the bed, with Legolas beside him, who was in a deep sleep.

He knew what he must do once he leave the elven realm. Knew that he must do it or else he would regret in the end.

With a long sigh he looked at the elf beside him who was fast asleep and looking tired. Watching his angelic face made the man smile sadly. He was blessed the day he found Legolas on that busy street under the rain. He was blessed when Legolas decided to stay with him and loved him. But he knew it was too good to be true. Knew his fate would not be too good to him, what with his future lying ahead. Now he had accepted that his time with his beloved wasn't destined to last. He had accepted that it was all a wonderful dream.

Reaching up, Strider crouched near Legolas and planted a soft kiss on his cheek.

"I love you." he whispered solemnly, "Thank you for your time."

And with that, the ranger stood up and headed for the door where he stopped before it. He took another one last look at the sleeping being, before finally opening the door and closing it behind him.

He was going to leave everything behind, his memories, his dream, and his beloved.

It does not belong to him to begin with, that he knew, and accepted.

He was on his own again.

~TBC~

I suddenly have the feeling the next chapter is the last... with the length and all...

See you to the maybe-last-chapter^^

Still considering if they should be together...

Thanks very much guys! ^_^