Note: None of these characters are mine, etc, etc. Elvish words are in ' '.

Finding Love

A.J. Matthews

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Aragorn

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I sat on a rock, watching the woods around us for any sign of trouble. Two nights had passed, and we had found no trace of Merry and Pippin. Legolas's wounds were healed, except for the gash on his forehead, and his spirit.

Legolas seldom smiled any more, and still jerked away from most physical contacts. But he was not totally distraught anymore. That was a good sign.

Gimli still didn't know what had happened to my beloved Elven friend. He thought the orcs had been the ones to do it. Legolas was not ready to tell his story yet, so I respected his wishes.

I do not know when I first fell in love with Legolas. It seems that I have always loved him, as long as I have known him. I was afraid to say so, and now I fear it is too late. Part of me despairs at his pain. Knowing that he was still haunted by what Boromir had done, I had kept my feelings hidden for a while longer. I didn't think he was ready for love yet.

Then I heard it. I sighed and stood up.

Legolas was crying out in his sleep again, the same words each night in Elvish.

'Please, let me go,' he cried, tears running down his face as he thrashed about. 'Stop!'

I walked over to him and knelt beside him. I gently placed my hands on Legolas's shoulders.

'It's ok, Legolas,' I whispered. 'You're having a nightmare.'

Gimli opened his blearily. "What's going on?" he asked, sounding grumpy.

"He's having another nightmare," I explained. 'Wake up, Legolas,' I said in his ear, a little louder.

Legolas's green eyes jerked open. 'Aragorn?' he asked, looking at me.

"You had another nightmare, Legolas," I said quietly. I reluctantly let go of his shoulders and stood.

"And woke me up, too," Gimli grumbled.

Legolas lowered his gaze. "Sorry, Gimli." His skin glowed softly, as he wiped the remaining tear streaks away. He stood and looked at me. "Thanks for waking me, Aragorn."

I watched the beautiful elf as he walked over to his bag. He took out a leather-bound book, which I recognized as his diary, and wrote something in it, using mashed berry juice as ink, and a feather to write with. When he had written a few lines, he picked up his water bag and began to drink.

"Nightmare about them orcs, eh?" Gimli asked. "Seems strange to me that he couldn't handle them by himself, it does."

I turned a glare on Gimli and looked at Legolas.

His face was ashen. He dropped the water bag and his diary as he stood. He lowered his gaze. I thought I saw him wipe tears out of his eyes.

Gimli continued, unnoticing. "Strong as he is, orcs shouldn't be no match for him." He looked at me then. "But why didn't Boromir help him out, Aragorn? Is that how he betrayed Legolas?"

Legolas let out a choked sob before bolting away.

I silently cursed Gimli as I tore after him.

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Gimli

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As Legolas bolted into the forest, Aragorn shot me a glare before he ran after him.

I hadn't meant to upset the elf; I was only teasing him.

I stood and walked over to Legolas's water bag, and retied it before all the water spilled out. His diary lay open on the ground next to it. I glanced at the page curiously and read a few lines.

I dropped the water bag myself when I read those lines. I sank to the ground and continued reading.

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Legolas

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I heard Aragorn calling my name, as I climbed up a tall oak tree. I sat on one of the higher branches and looked down. I knew Aragorn would be following me, like always.

I sighed and closed my eyes. Did he only care for me as a friend, or something more? I couldn't figure that out. Sometimes I thought he did, but then he pulled away. Like when I was bathing. He'd helped me up when I tripped. I'd seen the longing in his eyes, but he'd let go and returned to the shore.

Would he never want me, in spite of everything? Sometimes I thought I was unworthy of him. Especially compared to Arwen.

'Legolas," Aragorn's voice said quietly. I opened my eyes and saw that he was sitting in the tree next to me. His dark eyes looked at me compassionately. 'Gimli didn't know better, Legolas,' he said quietly.

I nodded. 'I know I am starting to feel better, but it still hurts. Will it ever go away, Aragorn?' I asked him. Tears were threatening to spill from my eyes.

'I pray that it will, in time,' he said. His voice had a strange note in it. 'Do you still blame Boromir?'

I saw the longing on his face again. 'No. It was the Ring, not him.' I truly no longer blamed Boromir. It was the physical act itself which had me so distraught. I had wanted to save myself for Aragorn. I felt myself relax slightly as Aragorn reached out and took my hands.

I licked my lips and looked at him.

He smiled. 'Me, neither.'

I smiled back, and was surprised when he hugged me tightly.

'It's good to see you smile again, Legolas.' Again, that strange note was in his voice.

And before he could turn away, I surprised myself.

I kissed him.

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Aragorn

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Legolas's warm lips covered mine. I responded, with the love I held in my heart for him. The kiss deepened, and I found my hands were cupping Legolas's face up towards mine. At last, breathless, I gasped for air.

Legolas looked at me. His face was flushed, which meant the kiss had affected him too.

'Aragorn?' he asked me silently. He licked his lips again, which I found erotic.

'Yes, Legolas?' I whispered. My hands still cupped his beautiful, smooth face.

'I love you,' he said, so quietly I barely heard him. "I'll understand if you don't love me as well.'

'You do?' I asked, feeling joy shooting through me. Then I saw that he had lowered his gaze, afraid. I turned his face towards me. 'Legolas, I have loved you for a long time.'

I covered his lips again, savoring the moment when his lips melted against mine. He kissed shyly, so I encouraged him by kissing him back harder. Our tongues began to chase each other's. as his hands found their way into my dark brown hair.

My own hands left his face and touched his soft, silky hair. The kiss finally broke, as we panted for air.

'Why didn't you tell me sooner?' I asked gently.

'I was scared to at first and then-' His soft voice broke off.

'You felt unworthy, Legolas?' I whispered. He nodded. 'It wasn't your fault, Legolas.'

In response, he leaned against me as best as he could, since we were in a tree.

'Why didn't you tell me sooner?' he asked, repeating my earlier question.

'I was afraid to, as well, and then I thought you weren't ready, Legolas. I was waiting until I thought you were ready. I would have made my move, sooner or later,' I reassured him.

His green eyes shone with happiness. There it was- the light that had been missing for days. And I would do every thing I could to keep it there.

'What of Arwen?' he suddenly asked.

'I love her as a friend, Legolas. I once thought I truly loved her, until I met you. You are the one I love."

When I said that, Legolas kissed me again. Fire crept through both of us.

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Gimli

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Tears ran down my face as I placed Legolas's diary on the ground again. No wonder the elf had been so upset when I said that. I wanted to kick myself. Talk about rubbing salt in wounds, I thought.

I stood and decided to go make sure Legolas was ok. I was fond of the elf and even I had missed his cheerfulness and laughter these past few days. I also needed to tell him I was sorry.

I walked off to where I had seen Aragorn heading, but there was no sign of them. Then I saw something glowing and looked up. I gasped.

Legolas and Aragorn sat in a tree together. They were talking, and as I watched, they kissed. The kiss lasted for more than I can say.

I averted my gaze and considered my options. I didn't want to leave the camp alone for too long. I also wanted to apologize to the elf so I could return to my bed.

"Legolas! Aragorn!" I shouted, pretending I hadn't seen them. "Crazy elf!"

"Stupid dwarf," I heard Legolas mutter.

"I agree," Aragorn murmured.

I chuckled. "Where are you, elf?"

"Up here," he called.

He and Aragorn climbed out of the tree carefully and stood before me.

"Elf, I'm sorry," I said. "Legolas, I didn't mean to upset you."

"It's all right," he said quietly. Then I realized Aragorn was holding his hand.

"Indeed, Gimli," Aragorn said. "Everything is quite all right."

"Well, I'm heading back to camp. It's still your watch, Aragorn," I reminded him as I started to walk away.

I peeked behind me and saw that they were kissing again. I sighed and shook my head and grinned.

"You know, there is a time and place for everything," I shouted as I began to run back to the camp.

"Gimli!" Aragorn shouted. He and Legolas turned beet red and exchanged looks. They both ran after me.

To be concluded