Note: None of these are my original characters. I have a question for those who have read LOTR. Did Aragorn change his name when he became King or not? If so, please write it in a review for a story I am working on for LOTR. Elvish words are in ' '.

Strangers Alternate

Part 4

By: A.J. Matthews

When Aragorn woke the next morning, Legolas was gone. He climbed out of bed and put on the clean brown leggings and green shirt in a chair beside his bed. After putting his shoes on, he walked out of the room to search for Legolas.

Aragorn found him in the empty courtyard, shooting targets with his bow and arrow. Legolas wore green leggings and a white shirt.

'Good morning, Legolas,' Aragorn greeted him.

'Good morning, Aragorn,' Legolas replied, as he took aim again and fired.

'You're an excellent shot,' Aragorn told him, as the arrow struck the center of the target.

Legolas smiled at him. 'It took years, but I was lucky to be naturally good at it. Lord Elrond wouldn't let me practice while I was injured.'

Aragorn smiled back. 'So your wounds are fully healed then?'

'Yes. My father wishes for me to return tomorrow,' Legolas said neutrally.

Aragorn felt like someone had stabbed in the heart. 'So soon?' he inquired casually.

'I believe he wishes to see me alive and well for himself,' the elf explained quietly. 'I shall miss you when I go, Aragorn.'

Aragorn smiled at him. 'Well, it just so happens I am heading for Mirkwood tomorrow, as well. We can travel together.'

Legolas shot him a puzzled glance. 'Why are you heading for Mirkwood?'

'A few reasons. I need to hear if your father has heard the same rumors Lord Elrond has, and I would like the pleasure of your company a little longer, Legolas, if you don't object.' Aragorn's dark eyes met Legolas's green ones.

'It will be good to have a friend beside me,' Legolas said with a smile, blushing. He turned to take aim again.

Aragorn stepped forward and puts his arms around Legolas. 'Are we only friends?' he whispered in the elf's ears. Legolas turned to face him.

'I don't-' Legolas's voice was cut off when Aragorn kissed him hard. Fire rushed through them. Legolas responded, kissing Aragorn back again. Their mouths chased each other for several long moments, until they broke apart, panting for breath.

Legolas licked his lips softly. His green eyes met Aragorn's. He took a few steps back, blushing. 'I'm sorry, Aragorn,' he murmured.

Elrond watched them from a high balcony, his face impassive.

'Do you like me, Legolas?' Aragorn asked him quietly.

'I-I feel something strong for you, Aragorn. But I don't know what the word is that I search for,' Legolas explained in a whisper. 'Do you like me?'

'Very much so, Legolas.' His voice was husky.

Their lips met again. Aragorn's hands went behind Legolas's neck, tilting his face towards him. Warmth crept through both of them. In a daze, Legolas dropped the bow he held, reaching for Aragorn. Passion reached unbearable heights.

Aragorn lowered the elf to the ground carefully. 'Does your back still hurt?' he whispered between kisses.

'No,' Legolas murmured. His hands had found their way into Aragorn's shirt.

Kisses came and went as they managed to get the other out of their shirts.

Elrond sighed and leaped off the balcony gracefully, landing in the soft grass. It wasn't that he entirely disapproved of the nature of their relationship; it was more that he didn't want the other elves to walk in on them.

'Aragorn? Legolas?' he called.

Once again, they broke apart guiltily and looked at the Elven Lord.

He walked over to them, taking in their disheveled state. He sighed. 'I do not want to make so fine a point on it, Aragorn and Legolas, but if you must engage in such behavior, please do not do so in my courtyard.'

They blushed and nodded.

'I also know that you are leaving tomorrow, Legolas. Make sure to get plenty of rest and food for your journey.' Elrond looked at Aragorn. 'Since you are traveling with him, do the same.'

'Yes, Lord Elrond,' they both said.

'Good.' Elrond walked away.

Legolas and Aragorn stood there looking at each other.

'Let's go back to our room,' Aragorn finally said. 'We can talk there.' Legolas nodded, and they walked to the room silently.

Once inside, Aragorn closed the door and locked it. He then faced Legolas.

Legolas had sat upon his bed and looked at Aragorn.

'Legolas, I have something I need to tell you,' Aragorn said.

Legolas nodded slowly and switched to English. "What is it?"

Aragorn walked over to Legolas and knelt in front of him. "Legolas, I love you."

For a few moments, there was only silence.

"You love me?" Legolas asked. Happiness brimmed in his heart. "Even though we've only known each other for such a short amount of time?"

Aragorn nodded. "I fell in love with you the first time we talked together. Not only are you beautiful, Legolas, but you are loyal and protective of friends." Aragorn's dark eyes met Legolas's green ones. "Do you love me?" he whispered.

Legolas merely nodded. "I think I fell in love with you when we first met. A mysterious stranger, offering friendship and kindness to an elf. And I find you beautiful as well," he confessed.

Aragorn smiled in relief and stood. He sat down next to Legolas.

Legolas looked at him wordlessly, unsure of what to do next.

Aragorn's mouth claimed Legolas's. Magic sparkled between them as Legolas returned the kiss. Aragorn ran his hands through Legolas's silken hair, lowering him back onto the bed. His hands removed Legolas's shirt, as Legolas removed his.

"No regrets?" whispered Aragorn in Legolas's ear. Legolas was tugging on his leggings.

"None," Legolas whispered in Aragorn's, as Aragorn began to remove his leggings in return.

Hours later, a female elf went to Lord Elrond in distress.

'My lord, Aragorn and Prince Legolas have locked the door to their room,' she said.

'I know,' Elrond responded, which surprised her. 'See that they are not disturbed.'

'As you will,' she murmured. She bowed and exited the room.

Inside the locked room, Aragorn and Legolas were curled up together, naked save for the blankets which covered them.

Aragorn gently caressed Legolas's cheek with his right hand. "You should have told me you were an innocent, Legolas," he gently whispered. "I would have taken more care with you." His left hand was entwined in Legolas's hair.

Legolas lay with his head on Aragorn's bare chest. His face turned red. "It's all right, Aragorn." His hands were playing with Aragorn's dark hair.

They lay like that for some time. Both were tired.

Aragorn and Legolas shared a gentle smile, before they closed their eyes. They didn't know what their destiny held, but it now seemed bright and open to them. At least for the present.

The End