Note: None of these characters belong to me, so don't sue. This is the sequel to Strangers, Part 1. This story takes place before LOTR begins. This story contains minor shounen ai between Aragorn and Legolas. Review or e-mail me at aj_fan_fic@yahoo.com if you want a sequel. Elven language uses ' '.

Strangers

Part 2.

By: A.J. Matthews

Aragorn looked at Lord Elrond, as he moved himself in front of Legolas. 'Why do you seek to attack us, Lord Elrond? We have done nothing to you.'

Lord Elrond looked at the human dispassionately. 'Humans are not welcome, even remotely near my home.' He caught sight of the young Elven Prince of Mirkwood behind the human. 'Legolas? Are you injured?'

Legolas tried to sit up, but his back hurt too bad. 'Aye, Lord Elrond. But this human saved my life. Do not harm him, if you would.'

'Stay down, Legolas,' Aragorn said. 'You'll make your back worse.'

'A human helping an elf? It has been centuries since that was so.' Lord Elrond was skeptical. But young Legolas did appear to be in pain. Elrond walked forward, his archers keeping an eye on Aragorn, as their lord approached Legolas. He knelt down and anger flashed through his eyes when he saw the lashes on Legolas's bare back. Medicinal herbs had recently been applied, as well. He looked up at the stranger. 'Who are you, that you would know Elvish?'

'Aragorn, son of Arathorn. Also known as DĂșnadan.'

Elrond looked at Aragorn, startled. 'Not the DĂșnadan, friend of Gandulf the Grey?'

'Indeed I am, Lord Elrond. And Legolas is in need of your aid. The whip used to lash him contained a poison that I am not familiar with. I have done all I can for my friend, but it is beyond me.' Aragorn looked at Elrond.

'Who hurt him like this?' Elrond asked warily.

'Humans. I found them trying to kill him and I stopped them.'

'He did, Lord Elrond, and he has earned the right to be called elf-friend,' Legolas said. 'For not many men would help an elf against their own.'

'Very well,' Lord Elrond said. 'I shall take you to Rivendell, Legolas.'

'I have business with you as well, Lord Elrond,' Aragorn said quietly.

Lord Elrond frowned slightly. 'You can come if you leave your sword with my guards.'

'Lord Elrond,' Legolas began to protest.

'It's all right, Legolas. Compromises must be made.' Aragorn looked directly at Lord Elrond. 'May I have your sworn word that no harm shall come to me if I hand over my sword?'

Elrond nodded reluctantly. 'You have my word.'

Aragorn handed his sword over to an archer. 'My only weapon. Take care of it for me, if you would. I am rather fond of it.'

The archer nodded once, and tucked the sword into his belt.

The blade was old, and not as shiny as it had once been. Yet, it was still a magnificent piece, handed down to generations of Isildur's descendants.

'Let us proceed.' Lord Elrond tried to help Legolas stand, but the sick elf was too weary.

Aragorn solved the problem by simply picking Legolas up. 'Do you have horses, fair folk?'

'Yes, but no extra.' Elrond looked at the heir of Isildur. 'Do you have one?'

'Aye. I will carry Legolas with me, on my horse.' Aragorn walked over to his horse and climbed on. He placed Legolas before him, holding him carefully to keep Legolas's wounds from rubbing against his shirt.

Legolas was beginning to feel hot again. 'Aragorn? I feel strange,' he whispered and fainted in Aragorn's arms.

Aragorn placed a hand on Legolas's forehead. 'Your fever has returned, my friend.'

'Is he all right, Aragorn?' asked Elrond anxiously, peering at the unconscious elf.

'His fever has returned. He needs Elven medicine, so we must be off as quickly as possible,' Aragorn said.

The elves mounted their horses, and positioned themselves in a circle around Lord Elrond's horse, as well as Aragorn's, as they started riding.

They rode hard and long for hours.

Legolas's fever was increasing. A night passed with no stopping for rest.

'Lord Elrond,' Aragorn called.

Elrond turned to look at the human. 'What is it?'

'Will we be stopping to rest this day?' Aragorn asked, shouting to be heard over the galloping hooves. 'Legolas is weakening fast. He can't keep this pace up for very long.'

Elrond rode back and looked at Legolas. His fever was much worse, and his breathing was labored. 'We'll stop in a few hours. We're being pursued, Aragorn, by evil creatures.'

Aragorn glanced around. 'If they attack, what will happen to Legolas? He can't defend himself.'

'That's why we must keep this pace up, until we reach the border of Rivendell. Then we will be safe.'

Elrond turned his horse around and galloped hard.

Aragorn followed suit, holding both Legolas and the reins in one hand. In the other, he took off his flask of water and placed it to Legolas's dry lips. 'Drink, my friend, for we must ride some more.'

Legolas blearily opened his eyes and drank. 'Am I going to die, Aragorn?' he asked, in a dry and scratchy voice.

'No. I won't let you die, Legolas. We only have one more day of hard riding until we reach the borders of Rivendell.'

An arrow stung Aragorn's cheek as it flew by. He hissed softly and glanced up. Numerous arrows were flying towards them. Black arrows, which were the mark of the servants of the unknown dark master.

'An ambush!' Aragorn yelled, loud enough for the elves to hear. His steed was too tired to run any faster, and Aragorn feared for Legolas's safety. Blood trickled from the wound.

The elves around him drew their bows and arrows and motioned for Aragorn to keep riding with Lord Elrond. The archer who'd taken his sword now tossed it to Aragorn

'Guard yourself and Legolas as you can, and ride ahead of us,' he called.



Before Aragorn could proceed, his horse reared and both he and Legolas fell from the horse. Aragorn curled himself around Legolas to break his fall. Legolas moaned softly.

'What's happening?' he asked weakly.

'Stay down, friend.' Aragorn drew his sword with his left hand as the dark, shadowy forces advanced on him. He stood in front of Legolas protectively.

The battle began.

Aragorn whirled his sword in fury, and cut down many of his opponents. The elven archers killed several as well.

'Hand over the elf, human,' the foremost creature hissed.

'Never!' Aragorn cried. 'If you want him, come and claim him yourself.'

Arrows shot at him, ignoring the other elves. He dodged almost all of them, except one. It pierced all the way through his right shoulder.

Legolas heard Aragorn cry out in pain.

Lord Elrond rode towards them hard.

'Aragorn!' Legolas screamed his name.

Aragorn ran forward and slashed at the creature. 'You shall not have him while I live!'

Blood spurted from his deep wound, even as the creature gurgled and died.

The other elves encircled Aragorn as he collapsed on the ground next to Legolas. Elrond jumped down from his horse and ran over to the two.

Aragorn had fallen to the ground finally. Legolas supported his friend and looked at Elrond. 'He's dying.' A tear ran out of his eye.

'Not today, Legolas. I would not have believed this if I had not seen it with my own two eyes, young one.' Elrond knelt beside Aragorn, and carefully removed the lodged arrow.

Aragorn didn't cry out, though beads of sweat dripped down his face. He looked at Legolas. 'I told you that I would not see you harmed.' He stood, with Lord Elrond's help.

'Your wound needs binding, Aragorn, elf-friend of Rivendell,' Elrond said. He saw that Aragorn had killed many of the creatures to save Legolas's life. And from then on, Elrond was a friend to Aragorn.

'The creatures have fled, my lord,' one of the archers said. 'But the human's mount is dead. The arrows struck it.'

'I know. We shall not leave him behind, however, Ulric. Ride double, if need be. Both of them need our aid, now.' The elven lord looked at the way Aragorn and Legolas were whispering to each other. Young love, he thought wistfully. He remembered the first time he'd fallen in love. That had been before the battle against Sauron, ages ago. Those two had it bad for each other. Elrond wasn't blind, after all. And they were devoted to each other.

'Ulric, bring me some water and cloth. Aragorn's wound must be bound ere he bleeds to death.'

Legolas and Aragorn were having a conversation.

'I thought I'd lost you,' Legolas whispered. Aragorn was supporting him with his left arm.

'Nope. I told you, I'll always be there when you need me, Legolas.' Aragorn smiled at Legolas, who smiled back. The signs of the fever were still obvious, however.

The tell-tale flush on Legolas's cheeks wasn't entirely from the fever. He was blushing because of the way Aragorn was looking at him. And because of the thoughts running through his head right now. His hair was flowing wild and free, like shimmering gold.

Aragorn brushed it out of Legolas's eyes instinctively. He gently placed his hand on Legolas's cheek, without realizing he was doing it at first. The elf's face was soft and smooth. And still quite warm.

Legolas sagged slightly against Aragorn when he touched his face gently. 'What are you doing?' he whispered.

'Checking on your fever,' Aragorn murmured into Legolas's ear. He was tempted, sorely tempted to caress Legolas's hair, and claim him for his own.

'I think I still have one,' Legolas murmured. 'For I do feel awfully warm.' He was feeling tired and leaned against Aragorn drowsily.

'Tired?' Aragorn whispered, his voice low.

Legolas nodded.

Aragorn leaned closer to Legolas's face. 'Legolas,' he murmured.

Legolas leaned towards Aragorn's face, as much as he could without pain. 'Yes?' he softly whispered.

'Off with your shirt, now, Aragorn,' Lord Elrond said, surprising them both.

They jumped apart guiltily.

Elrond hid a smile.

'Why, Lord Elrond?' Aragorn asked.

'To bind your wound, silly elf-friend.' Elrond make a tsk-ing sound. 'Can't have you leaving a trail of blood to Rivendell, now can we?'

'Very well.' Aragorn took off his cloak. He was able to get his left arm out of his shirt okay, but it hurt badly when he tried to get his right arm out.

'I think he needs some assistance, Lord Elrond,' Legolas said, blushing at the sight of Aragorn's bare chest.

Elrond reached down and gently removed the shirt. Legolas felt a stab of jealousy go through him for that.

'Hmm.' Elrond inspected the deep arrow wound. 'At least it was clean.' He dipped one of the cloths he'd brought in the water, and began to clean the blood away.

Aragorn wasn't really listening to Elrond. He was noticing how Legolas's hair was gleamed in the firelight, for the elves had started one. He was also admiring how beautiful Legolas looked, even with a fever.

'Fortunately, the arrow held no poison,' Elrond finished, as he bound the wound. 'But you'd better go shirtless for a day or two. The cloth could rub the wound raw.'

When Aragorn didn't respond, Elrond glanced down at him. Aragorn's attention was fixated on Legolas, who was looking straight back. He wondered why the youngsters didn't just come right out and say it, like he would have. Then again, he had been shy the first time he fell in love, all those millennia ago.

Legolas hadn't noticed that Elrond had finished binding Aragorn's wound. He was looking at Aragorn, who seemed very attractive to him. The fire that his fellow elves had built made part of Aragorn's dark brown hair look reddish.

Aragorn shook his head and looked at Elrond. 'Thank you, Lord Elrond, for your kindness. Perhaps someday I can return the favor to you.'

Elrond smiled. 'Indeed. Would you like some food?' he offered.

Legolas and Aragorn both nodded.

'Are we staying here this night, then?' Legolas asked.

'Yes. You both need a rest,' Elrond said. He gestured to the other elves, who brought over a bag of food. 'We will continue our journey at dawn. Two archers are doubling up so you can ride together.' He started walking away, and then looked back. 'Get some sleep after you eat. Or you'll wear yourselves out.'

Aragorn took the food and thanked the elf. He turned to Legolas as he opened the leather bag.

Legolas took the berries and bread that Aragorn handed him.

As they ate, they tried to stop looking at each other, each with flushed faces.

And as they did so, Elrond watched them quietly, shaking his head with amusement. Why were the young so foolish, he wondered. In his day, if you liked someone, you simply told them.

After they finished eating, Aragorn stretched out next to Legolas. A blanket had been placed there by another elf. Legolas lay on one as well. They talked for a while before drifting to sleep.

Aragorn was startled awake by a cry of pain a few hours later. He looked at Legolas. 'What's wrong?'

Legolas admitted, 'My back burns when I lay on it.'

Aragorn smiled. 'Need a pillow?' he joked.

'Probably,' Legolas said, laughing a little. 'I'm cold, as well.' Legolas was shivering.

In response, Aragorn moved closer to Legolas. He now lay next to the feverish elf. 'Better?' he asked, glad Legolas couldn't see him blushing in the dark.

Legolas still shivered. 'The fever is making the night wind cold to me.' He inched closer to Aragorn, stopping when their sides touched.

Aragorn froze for a few minutes. Then he reached out and gently touched the elf's shoulders. 'Can you sleep now?'

'I think so?' Legolas's voice was muffled. He drifted off to sleep.

Aragorn did as well, his hands still on Legolas's shoulders.

Both were so weary that neither awoke until the next morning.

Lord Elrond had come to wake them, when he saw a most charming sight.

Legolas had his face pressed against Aragorn's chest. They were snuggled together, with Legolas facing Aragorn, who had his arms around him.

He coughed loudly.

Aragorn opened his eyes slowly. 'Time to leave already?' he asked. Then he realized that Legolas was halfway draped on him.

'Yes, elf-friend.' Elrond's voice had a hint of amusement in it.

'I.' Aragorn gently touched Legolas's face. 'Time to get up, Legolas. It's dawn.'

Legolas blinked his eyes open and froze when he realized where he was. 'Sorry, Aragorn.' Legolas moved quickly, embarrassed. His face was beet red. Aragorn's face was, as well.

'Come on, we don't have all day,' Elrond finally said. 'Let's go.'

Aragorn stood up. He was supported by two elves, as he made his way over to the horse that he and Legolas were to ride and mounted.

Two elves half carried Legolas over to the horse. He was assisted on, seated in front of Aragorn, who placed an arm around him to help him keep his balance.

The rest of the elves mounted, and they began to gallop again, riding hard and fast for the borders of Rivendell.

Aragorn and Legolas were still blushing.

'I'm sorry, Aragorn,' Legolas said finally. 'I must have moved in my sleep.'

'It's ok, Legolas,' Aragorn said reassuringly.

Legolas saw that Aragorn was blushing as well. He knew he was. But he'd liked the feeling of being in Aragorn's arms last night. And having his face resting against Aragorn's bare chest. Legolas felt a strange emotion flowing through him. He didn't understand what it was, yet. He leaned back slightly, to relieve the pain in his back.

Aragorn tried not to stare at the beautiful elf sitting in front of him, with his head resting against Aragorn's chest. He wasn't sure what had happened last night, but he'd liked it. It felt right for Legolas to be in his arms. When he thought of the elf, a strange feeling came over him. And he didn't know what it was.

Elrond glanced back, and saw the way the two were looking at each other as they spoke. A rueful smile crossed his face. 'Guess Arwen won't be marrying the DĂșnedan, after all,' he murmured.

To be continued