Note: None of these characters belong to me, except for the unknown foe, the dark elves, and Aradia. The others all belong to J.R.R. Tolkien. The Ring of Light is also my creation. Legolas will be OOC for most of the fic now, except for the last two chapters. I'm still taking ideas for the name of the unknown foe. I need the name after the next two chapters, so if you have any good ones, tell me in a review.

Return of the Fellowship,

Part 7

A.J. Matthews

"You've been avoiding me, Legolas," Aragorn said to the elf quietly. He'd followed Legolas when he went to refill the water bags, after they had stopped for the night. Gandalf had already departed once more.

"And here I thought we were traveling together, Aragorn," Legolas told him calmly. He turned to face Aragorn. The light Aragorn had seen before was no longer shining in Legolas's green eyes.

Aragorn walked towards him. "You are withdrawing yourself even more from my company, Legolas. When we stopped for rest earlier, you climbed a tree. And when Gandalf came, you avoided being near him. What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Legolas said.

"Something about you has changed, Legolas. I want to know what it is." Aragorn grasped Legolas's shoulders and looked directly in his eyes. God, the elf was so beautiful, Aragorn thought. He leaned forward, forgetting why he'd come here in the first place.

"I-" Legolas was cut off when Aragorn suddenly kissed him. The kiss was sweet and hard. Legolas had yearned so much for this in the past few days. He responded in kind, while Aragorn's hands came up to cup his face.

They stayed like that for a few moments, until Legolas pulled back suddenly, with a gasp.

Aragorn didn't know why he'd kissed Legolas like that. This whole thing was driving him crazy. "Legolas, I'm sorry," he said finally. He didn't want to drive him further away.

"Tis all right, Aragorn," Legolas said. "It was just a kiss." And he wanted more than a kiss.

Legolas sounded so nonchalant that Aragorn wanted to shake him. But there was a strange look on the elf's face as he looked at Aragorn. Yearning and longing were in his eyes.

"Ah, the hell with it," Aragorn muttered. He kissed Legolas again, who kissed him back. Their lips chased each other, as Aragorn's hands found their way behind Legolas's neck. He tilted the elf's face towards him as the kisses became deeper and stronger.

"Crazy elf!" Gimli called. He had been looking for the two of them for quite a while. "Aragorn!" He hoped that they had not been beset by the dark ones again. But Aragorn had made it clear to Gimli that he wanted to speak to Legolas alone for a while.

He turned a corner and stopped cold. Aragorn and Legolas were kissing next to the small pond. The water skins lay on the ground, forgotten. Gimli sighed and started to head back the way he'd come. They were obviously going to be busy for a while, so someone had to watch the camp.

Then the attack began. Screeches and hisses could be heard all around them.

Legolas and Aragorn broke apart, gasping slightly.

"It's them, Aragorn," Legolas said. He prepared his bow and arrows.

"How are you so sure of that?" Aragorn asked. He drew his Anduril.

"I just know it." Aragorn looked at the elf, whose face was slightly flushed from the kissing. A bright light gleamed in his emerald eyes.

"If you say so," Aragorn said.

The creatures appeared from the shadows, as always. Gimli ran over and stood next to them, brandishing his axe. Thank goodness he hadn't left it back in the camp.

Legolas began firing arrows. Aragorn and Gimli leaped forward and began slashing their foes.

Legolas was obliged to duck and dodge blows as he shot arrows at the lead dark elves. He didn't realize that they were leading him directly into a trap.

"They seem to be trying to separate us from Legolas," Gimli shouted.

"I know. Fight your way over to him," Aragorn said. "I think he can handle himself fairly well."

Legolas's silver cloak was a blur as he ducked low and fired an arrow. Most of his targets were dead. But there were plenty left.

He couldn't see Aragorn or Gimli anymore.

Suddenly, a dark shadow fell over him. He whirled and saw a giant shadowy figure approaching him.

Legolas fired arrows at it. Only a few stayed embedded in its skin. And Legolas was running out of arrows. He dropped his bow and drew his short sword.

The creature grabbed him by the waist. Legolas struck it with his short sword. It dropped him in pain and he fled.

The giant dark one followed him, as Legolas ran inside a small chasm. It was too small for the creature to enter, so it began attacking the doorway.

Legolas backed into the small cave he'd entered. He looked around and saw that it was a tomb. An Elven tomb, from the looks of the writing on the wall. He gazed around at all of the treasures.

A solitary silver ring called to him. Legolas walked over to it and picked it up. It was nothing fancy; no gems or anything was on it. Yet, he knew instinctively that this Ring was what had called to him earlier.

Elvish words were written on it. Legolas had to rub it with his cloak so he could read what it said.

'The Ring of Light,' Legolas said softly in Elvish. There was also a small diary. He picked it up and began reading what it said about the Ring of Light.

'One Ring, forged by elves, to counter the darkest night. Forged in the light, power in the soul. Used to unite the Kingdoms whole. Belongs only to the bearer of Eärendil's light,' Legolas murmured, still speaking Elvish.

Then he heard Aragorn and Gimli shouting his name. Legolas slid the Ring onto the index finger of his right hand, and returned to the entrance. It was still being blocked by the creature.

"Aragorn! Gimli!" Legolas shouted.

"Over here," Aragorn said. He followed Legolas's voice to where the giant shadow blocked the chasm. Gimli followed directly behind him.

"Are you injured," Aragorn shouted.

"No! The creature has me trapped," Legolas shouted back. The Ring felt warm suddenly. He walked forward slowly and the Ring grew warmer.

Aragorn sliced at the creature with Anduril. It roared in pain and swung at him. Aragorn dodged the blow and looked at Gimli. "This is not good," he said. The creature was attacking them now.

Legolas had a strange feeling. Something compelled him to walk out of the cave while the creature attacked Gimli and Aragorn. The creature whirled and rushed at him once more.

"Legolas, get out of the way!" Gimli yelled.

Legolas didn't hear him. As the creature grabbed him again, and held him over its head, Legolas touched it with his right hand. The Ring flashed.

Aragorn and Gimli had to shield their eyes as a bright light suddenly shone. It faded after a few moments. The creature was gone as well.

Legolas fell. Aragorn ran forward and caught him.

"What did you do?" Aragorn asked in amazement. He looked at the elf.

"It was the Ring," Legolas murmured. He was suddenly exhausted.

"Hey, crazy elf, are you ok?" Gimli asked him as he walked over.

Aragorn was busy looking at the Ring on Legolas's finger. It was silver, with little designs on it.

"Put me down, Aragorn," Legolas said stubbornly. Aragorn did so and Legolas nearly fell. "I'm fine, Gimli," Legolas told him. He frowned. "Why do you call me crazy elf?"

Aragorn and Gimli turned as one to stare at Legolas, who looked back. The elf looked regal and wiser now. A strange aura of light was around him. As they continued to watch, Legolas fainted.

"I knew it," Aragorn muttered. He picked the elf up. Legolas looked normal again.

Gimli and Aragorn silently made their way back to the camp. Gimli kept giving the unconscious Legolas strange looks.

Aragorn gently placed Legolas on his blankets, covered him and looked at Gimli.

They both sat down, thinking quietly. A few hours drifted by in silence.

"I didn't want to believe you, Aragorn," Gimli said. "He has changed."

"I know. I've never seen anything like that," Aragorn said, referring to how the creature had suddenly vanished. "Gandalf and Galadrial were both right. Legolas is changing, and I don't think he realizes it yet."

Gimli nodded. "But we can support him through this." He looked at Aragorn. "You most of all."

"I know. You'd better get some rest now, Gimli. Your watch starts in a while. I will take Legolas's watch tonight," Aragorn told him.

"No, you won't," Legolas's voice said. He looked over at Aragorn. "I will take my watch." Legolas was still tired, but not nearly as much as he had been earlier. He sat up carefully.

"So you're awake, crazy elf?" Gimli asked, testing him slightly.

"Yes, stupid dwarf," Legolas said.

"You won't begrudge me if I sit up with you then, Legolas?" Aragorn asked him quietly. "I am too awake to sleep this night, I fear."

Legolas agreed with a nod. Gimli bid them good night, and went to bed.

As soon as Gimli began snoring, Aragorn beckoned to Legolas for him to sit beside him. Legolas did so, looking slightly puzzled.

"Are you all right, Legolas?" Aragorn questioned softly.

"Yes-" Legolas sighed, and glanced over at Gimli to make sure he was still sleeping. Then he looked back at Aragorn. "I don't know," he admitted. "I feel like something inside of me is growing stronger. And I don't understand what that something is." He sounded frustrated and a little scared.

Aragorn nodded. "I've noticed changes in you as well, Legolas." He touched Legolas's shoulder. "But I will support you through this."

"Thank you, Aragorn," Legolas whispered, looking relieved. He leaned slightly against Aragorn. "Will I be like this forever?" he asked.

"Lady Galadrial did not think so. As soon as we defeat the darkness for good, your own soul should return to you. All of the Elven souls that were taken will be freed as well," Aragorn said.

"Eärendil's light is both a blessing and a curse," Legolas said softly. "I am grateful to be alive, but I feel like part of me is missing, Aragorn. I want to find it again."

Aragorn smiled at the forlorn elf. "You will, Legolas. Of that, I have no doubt." He brushed Legolas's blond hair out of his eyes, which were normal.

Legolas gasped softly and turned towards Aragorn. His Elven senses were much more sensitive now.

"Legolas," Aragorn whispered. He leaned over and kissed the elf softly. Fire soured through both of them as Legolas returned the kiss hard, moaning softly. Aragorn's hands caressed Legolas's face, as they traveled downwards and unfastened his Elven cloak. Legolas had already removed Aragorn's cloak and whimpered against Aragorn as his hands began removing Legolas's shirt.

Gimli jerked awake and cocked an eye over at Legolas and Aragorn. He cursed softly. This was not the time and place for that and he did not want to be here right now. He closed his eyes again as he heard the rustle of clothing again. The dwarf was really not comfortable with this. He muttered, "Crazy elf."

Legolas froze and looked at Aragorn, who was on top of him. "Aragorn," he whispered between kisses.

"Yes?" Aragorn moaned.

"Gimli is awake." Aragorn froze at that as well, and glanced over at Gimli, who was muttering with his eyes closed.

"You're right, Legolas," Aragorn said quietly. He still had the elf pinned beneath him. He looked into Legolas's eyes. "We should start getting a room," he said, half-joking.

"Yes," Legolas told him, his eyes glinting with amusement. "But I think this will have to wait until later, Aragorn," he whispered softly.

Aragorn nodded. He reluctantly sat up and began to put his shirt on again.

Legolas sat up as well, and re-buckled his belt. He pulled his shirt over his head and refastened his cloak.

Aragorn watched Legolas. His skin didn't seem to glow at all; the Ring was the only thing that shone with light, besides the fire.

Gimli breathed a sigh of relief, as he relaxed and managed to go back to sleep.

*********************

The Shadowy Fortress

*********************

"The Elven King destroyed my greatest creation?" the evil being hissed at the shadows. His eyes glowed even redder. "How can this be?"

He has found the Ring, the shadows whispered. And its Light protected him.

"He is stronger than I would have imagined," the evil ruler mused. "We must adjust our plan then. Capture the human and the dwarf. I'm sure the noble Elven King wouldn't hesitate to trade himself for their lives."

Deep inside the dungeon, Frodo and the Hobbits looked at each other.

"There is still hope, then," Sam said. "Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas are still free. Gandalf is, as well."

"What if Legolas does trade himself for us?" Frodo asked. "Lothlorien will fall."

"Aragorn won't let him, Frodo," Merry told him reassuringly.

"Legolas would definitely trade himself to protect us," Pippin said. "That is what I am worried about."

"Please, Frodo," Sam pleaded. "Calm down."

"I can't. If Legolas surrenders himself, he will save us. But Lothlorien and its people will fall. But if he doesn't surrender himself, Aragorn and Gimli will be captured. Legolas would not hesitate to give himself up for Aragorn," Frodo said.

Sam put an arm around his friend. "Light will always prevail, Frodo. Gandalf told us so."

Frodo nodded and looked out of the bars. A single tear ran down his face.

To be continued