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3 CHAPTER VI



3.1 "One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,"

3.2 J.R.R. Tolkien



Once the door at the top of the stairwell had been firmly shut, Aragorn collapsed against it. He let his chin fall against his chest. Taking a deep breath, he released it in a trembling sigh. He'd surely be dead if it weren't for Legolas' protection after he'd stumbled. The Orc had been close on his heels and only the single arrow had saved his life.

He pushed himself away from the door, staggering briefly until a steadying hand caught his shoulder. Aragorn's head rose, eyes searching for his benefactor. He found himself staring into Legolas' overly bright blue eyes. Before he could gather the breath to speak, dry lips pressed against his own. The elf pressed him back against the door. The slender hand on his shoulder slid up into Aragorn's hair. His eyelids fluttered shut and he parted his lips in invitation.

The contrasts between the hard, muscular body pressing against him and the soft, mobile mouth tentatively moving with his, was mind numbing. He'd never felt anything like it in all his life.

Finally, with a gentle swipe of his tongue, Legolas pulled away. Opening his eyes, Aragorn raised a hand to caress the drifting strands of hair back behind the elf's delicate ears.

"My heart will sing of nothing else." Legolas whispered.

Leaning forward, the Ranger stole another kiss from the swollen red lips. Once the pair separated, Aragorn pulled the elf close. Embracing Legolas tightly, he brushed his lips against a sharply pointed ear.

"Where are the others?"

"In the citadel." The elf's soft voice was husky with pent up emotion.

Aragorn reluctantly released his hold on the Prince. Tenderly running his fingertips across one angular cheekbone, the Ranger stepped back.

"Shall we join them?"

"Aye."

"Things go ill, my friend," Aragorn said, wiping the sweat from his brow with his arm.

The pair continued speaking as the walked across the Rock. As Saruman's forces drew closer to victory, Aragorn could only pray to Elbereth -- the Sindarin Goddess of the stars – that he and Legolas would get the chance to explore their newly discovered feelings.