Note: None of these are my original characters, except for the unknown betrayer. Aragorn's POV. This is a song fic to Celine Dion's 'It's All Coming Back to Me Now'.

Revelations,

Part 1

A.J. Matthews

I could see that the elf was wary of me, though I didn't know why. At first, he seemed to dislike me, then he cared enough to treat my injury. It had occurred because I had been careless, which he had known as well. After he wrapped my wound, I had put my shirt on again.

It was strange, but somehow I knew instinctively that he would do me no harm. He'd a chance to do so, and I still felt like I knew him from somewhere.

A stranger, by the name of Rogue, who'd appeared out of nowhere to save my life.

His eyes were so empty, as if he'd seen and been through things that no gentle elf should ever have to. I wondered if Legolas would be like this when I found him finally. Cold and empty, without hope.

God knows that I had made a terrible mistake years ago, and before I could explain, Legolas simply disappeared. I'd only found him once, and we'd had a terrible argument, which I still regretted. He'd vanished again, and I hadn't found him since.

I was too tired to argue with Rogue about him taking the watch, so I reluctantly lay down on his blankets, intending to take the second watch. I closed my eyes and lay there, breathing deeply. I was almost asleep when it happened.

Rogue returned from the entrance and walked over to me. After gently covering me with a blanket, he touched my face so softly that I wondered if I had imagined it. I was confused, and stayed motionless until he turned and walked away.

Then I opened my eyes and watched him as he sat down by the cave entrance again.

Rogue seemed lost in thought.

I watched him brood for a little while, as if he was lost in memories. I crept over silently, though I have no doubt he would have noticed, had he not been distracted. Then I saw something that horrified me.

He pulled his sleeves up and rubbed the shiny, thick scars on his wrists. I focused in on them, and realized that they were self-inflected wounds. What could Rogue have gone through that he would try to kill himself like that? No elf could ever be that unhappy.

I couldn't help gasping as the fire crackled loudly behind me.

He whirled around and looked at me. His eyes were so dull, as if he had no reason to continue living, and yet he did so anyway.

"Why, Rogue?" I asked him quietly. "Why did you hurt yourself?"

"I-" Rogue didn't seem to know what to say and cleared his throat. "After years of being trapped as a slave, would you not try to find some way to end it?"

"A slave?" I inquired. "You mean, like cleaning a house?"

He shook his head. "No."

"What do you mean, then? Where were your friends?" I was confused, now.

"I had and have no friends." His tone was matter-of-fact, as he stood and faced me. "I was taken from them long ago when I was betrayed and sold into slavery by one whom I thought was a friend."

I was horrified. Who could do such a thing? Then again, I had unintentionally betrayed Legolas. Rogue's eyes were so listless. For some reason, I wanted to make him happy. Just like I had once done for Legolas. I frowned suddenly and took a closer look at Rogue

He was the same height and had the same skin coloring of Legolas, judging from his hands. Empty green eyes looked out of me from under the hood of his cloak.

I surprised both him and myself by reaching over and yanking the hood off. Long blond hair framed a face that was weary. He averted from looking at me. It was too late. I'd know the elf anywhere.

"It's you, Legolas! Why did you lie to me?" I asked, angry now.

'Legolas is dead and gone, Aragorn,' he whispered to me in Elvish. 'He died in the night as a slave, when he pleaded and screamed for it to stop. It never did. He died and so did the best part of me.'

So he hadn't been lying about being a slave. I stepped closer and took his face in my hands. I then turned it towards me.

Legolas had a scar on his face, as well. I touched the scar ever so softly. It stretched from his eyebrow directly across left eye. It was amazing that he could even see with that.

He licked his lips softly as he gazed at me.

Old needs and longing surged in me.

I kissed him hard, fueling my longing into the kiss, which was as sweet as it had always been. My hands cupped his face gently, as he froze first and then slowly relaxed, responding just as he used to. Fire met fire.

Legolas whispered my name softly.

We were both lost in old memories. Soft lips and warm kisses. It was all so familiar.

I saw slight fear in his eyes as the kiss deepened.

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

If I kiss you like this

And if you whisper like that

It was lost long ago

But it's all coming back to me

If you want me like this

And if you need me like that

It was dead long ago

But it's all coming back to me

It's so hard to resist

And it's all coming back to me

I can barely recall

But it's all coming back to me now

But it's all coming back

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

Before I could do anything, Legolas jerked away from me. I didn't understand his response.

"I want naught to do with you, Aragorn," he said. His eyes had gone dull again.

"Legolas, I need to tell you something," I told him. "I found out that you were right. He betrayed us both. And I could never tell you how sorry I am for not believing you."

I touched his face gently. "I was blind to him, Legolas. I wanted to believe in him."

"I know." Legolas stepped back again, once more out of my reach.

"Why do you flinch when I touch you, Legolas?" I asked.

A strange emotion flickered in his eyes. "The last time I was touched, I was being beaten. I have not been touched since then, and I do not want you to do so now."

I frowned. "Why didn't you tell me you were trapped as a slave, Legolas? I would have gotten you out."

"You put me in there," Legolas said neutrally.

"I did no such thing!" I snapped angrily. "I loved you."

His face never showed any emotion as he told me something shocking.

"That day, I received a note from you, asking you to meet me out beyond the borders of your kingdom, so we could enjoy the first snow fall," he said. "Only you never came. He did, with an entire battalion of soldiers."

I gasped. "I sent no note, Legolas. In fact, I received one from you, telling me you were going to be busy the entire day."

He shook his head. "I deliver my messages in person, Aragorn. You know that."

"What happened after he arrived?" I asked, fearful of the answer.

"We fought. My arrows were quickly expended, and I killed many with my sword. Yet even an elf cannot defeat an army of such strength. They eventually defeated me and stripped of my weapons."

Legolas closed his eyes, as unwelcome memories coursed through him. He would not tell me what he was remembering, though I asked.

"I was taken to a slave-house, where I stayed for over a little over fifteen years, Aragorn. For fifteen long years I was whipped, beaten, and starved."

"Legolas," I whispered. "How did you survive it all?"

"I nearly didn't." Legolas looked at the scars on his wrists. "I tried to kill myself, finally. I couldn't handle it any more."

My face was pale now. "How did you survive?"

"I was fortunate that I was found and my wrists were bandaged quickly, for I was the best-looking slave in the house, Aragorn."

I swore softly, "They didn't." Horror filled me, as he didn't respond.

He never showed any emotion, as he continued. He pretended I had said nothing at all. "A friend happened to come to the slave-house, asking if he could borrow the strongest and fastest 'servant'. He had had no idea that every 'servant' was actually a slave. The master, unknowing that he was a friend, brought him to me. It was Éomer."

"So he knew you were alive," I said. "What happened?"

"Éomer recognized me immediately, even with the scars and bruises. He turned on the master, telling him that I was one of his friends and should be released immediately. The master, knowing that Éomer had an entire battalion of troops waiting for him, gave me into his care. Thus, I was freed, albeit nearly dead." He closed his eyes again.

I was uncertain of what to say. "How was it, then, that I found you a year or two later, Legolas, if you were trapped in that slave-house?"

"I managed to run away only once, and I paid dearly for it. I ran into you, who I thought had betrayed me. That is why I was bitter and angry, Aragorn."

I nodded and sighed. "We hurt each other terribly, Legolas. Then you ran away, slamming the door in my face. I longed to find you again, after I learnt ten years ago of the lies that were spread."

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

There were those empty threats and hollow lies

And whenever you tried to hurt me

I just hurt you even worse and so much deeper

There were hours that just went on for days

When alone at last we'd count up all the chances

That were lost to us forever

But you were history with the slamming of the door

And I made myself so strong again somehow

And I never wasted any of my time on you since then

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

Legolas looked at me. "I should have asked you for help, Aragorn. But I thought you were the one who put me in there." He bit his lower lip. "Anyhow, I didn't stay free for long. I was recaptured and during the struggle, I received the scar across my eye."

"Legolas, why didn't your healing ability heal your wounds?" I inquired.

He shrugged. "Probably because I longed for death, Aragorn."

"And while you were going through all of that, I was busy listening to a traitor who had his own plans."

"Do not blame yourself, Aragorn. You could have done naught to help me."

My grey eyes met his lifeless green eyes.

To be continued