Notes: None of these characters belong to me except for Sarag. The rest are
J.R.R. Tolkien's! This chapter is in Aragorn's POV. Elvish words are in '
'. Shounen ai between Legolas and Aragorn! I hope I'm right about where
Éomer rules. Tell me if I'm not.
Rekindling Friendship
Part 7
A.J. Matthews
I could see that something was on Legolas's mind as we set off for Éomer's castle in Rohan once more.
Sarag had taunted both of us, claiming that he and Legolas had a secret that I did not know. It troubled me.
But Legolas had said that it was nothing, and I was inclined to believe him. It didn't seem to affect him at all, whatever it was.
Legolas took my hand suddenly and looked at me seriously.
"Think naught of what Sarag says, for he is a known liar, Aragorn," he told me. "Sarag twists things to use them to his advantage."
I nodded slowly, feeling guilty for having a tiny speck of doubt within me.
Legolas kissed me firmly, driving away all of my doubts. I moaned softly and put my hands behind Legolas's head. I tilted his face up for another kiss. After a few moments, the sweet kiss was broken.
Warmth showed in his eyes, as we began walking again. But our hands stayed together.
This time, he told me of what Éomer had been up to the last time he'd been there.
I liked seeing Legolas happy again. He was too solemn now, for my liking. And I had only seen him smile twice, which hurt. He had such a wonderful smile that lit up his face and made him shine with happiness.
I listened to him, asking questions over the next few hours, until we arrived at our destination.
Éomer himself came out to greet us, flanked by guards.
He genuinely smiled at Legolas and took him in his arms. "You look well, my friend. Better than you did the last time you were here. It's been far too long."
Legolas smiled, but it wasn't as full as it usually was. "Tis good to see you again as well, Éomer." I could see Legolas was nervous.
Éomer then turned to me and nodded stiffly. He didn't look too happy about seeing me again.
I met his gaze steadily. "It's been a while, Éomer," I said neutrally.
"Indeed. Come inside- both of you," he said. He led the way inside his castle silently.
I followed Legolas slowly, keeping up with him as he inquired about Éomer's family and health.
When we reached the Council Room, Éomer turned to Legolas.
"I believe my Healer should see to that nasty gash on your face, my friend," Éomer said, concerned.
"Very well, Éomer. But only because you would both fuss if I didn't," Legolas replied. "Just don't kill each other." He hesitantly walked out of the room to find the Healer.
As soon as he was gone, Éomer turned on me.
"What game are you playing this time, King Elessar?" he said suspiciously.
"Tis no game, Éomer. Legolas and I have uncovered the truth about what truly happened that day, years ago," I said.
He frowned at me. "Do you know what he went through, Elessar! I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy, let alone Legolas." His voice softened slightly. "I saw it with my own two eyes, Elessar. Imagine how I felt when I walked into the room where he was being held prisoner- and saw him being violated. No one deserves that. "
"He told me enough so that I understand now. I am glad that you rescued him from where he was held prisoner. I would have done the same if I'd known, Éomer," I told him, but I was horrified to realize that Éomer had seen for himself what had been done to Legolas. "Twas a traitor who wrought this about, Éomer, not I."
"I warn you, Elessar, do not toy with the elf again." Éomer was deadly serious. "It took him four years to recover- and one year to stop wishing for death. If you hurt him again, I will have to repay you in kind."
"I have no intentions of hurting him, Éomer," I said quietly. "For I love him, as I always have, and we will not be separated again."
He nodded slowly, as Legolas re-entered, and breathed a sigh of relief to see that we were both still alive. His cut had been bandaged, and he walked over to me. He took my hand in his smaller one and looked at Éomer.
"Aragorn is telling the truth, my friend. Tis Sarag who is to blame, not Aragorn." His green eyes flickered with an unknown emotion. "Aragorn discovered Sarag to be a traitor a few months before you found me."
Éomer nodded slowly. "I do not doubt you, Legolas." He looked at me. "I am sorry for my actions in the past, my king. But after seeing Legolas like that and hearing his story-"
"I understand completely, Éomer," I replied.
Legolas looked at Éomer solemnly. "There may be trouble while we are here, my friend. Sarag attempted to ambush us on the road here."
"Do not concern yourself with that, Legolas," Éomer said firmly. "It will give my guards something to do besides standing around all day. Relax for a while. Take Aragorn on a tour." He sighed. "I would join you, but I have a meeting I must attend to. And Elessar, you may want to send a message to Faramir, for he is greatly worried about you."
Legolas and I both nodded, before exiting the room.
He turned to me with a gentle smile. "Sorry about that, my love," Legolas whispered. "Éomer is very protective of me."
I grinned at him ruefully. "I noticed. Just remember that you're mine, elf."
"Always," he murmured, before covering my lips with his soft, sweet mouth. We stayed like that for a few moments, enjoying the warmth that spread through us.
A servant coughed discreetly behind us, so we reluctantly broke apart.
"Master Legolas, dinner will be served in an hour. Will you and your… friend be joining us?" the servant inquired.
Legolas nodded and then looked at me.
I shrugged and nodded as well.
"Very good, sir. I shall have the preparations made." The servant walked away.
Legolas led me out to a training ground.
"This is where I relearned my skills, Aragorn," he said neutrally and then grinned at me. "Care for a spar?"
I nodded and drew Anduril. Legolas drew his own sword.
I admired the sword he held. It gleamed in the light, pure and strong. A few jewels were in the hilt.
"Where did you get such a sword?" I asked curiously.
"Twas a present from Éomer when I left five years ago." Legolas still looked impassive, as he gently touched my sword with his.
Without any further words, we began to spar.
Legolas's fleetness and agility kept me from being able to disarm him quickly. Éomer had been a good teacher, indeed.
I slashed and sliced; he dodged and countered. Neither of us overpowered the other as he took the offensive.
Legolas's eyes twinkled as our swords clashed again. He leapt forward gracefully and struck out with his sword.
I deflected it as he ducked down low, then came up swinging. His movements were precise and accurate, as well as confident. He trusted himself not to hurt me and for me to be able to block his moves.
We stayed there until dinnertime, when we sheathed our swords and headed inside.
We were both breathing hard.
"Twas a good workout, Legolas," I said. "We'll have to do it again some time."
He nodded. "Perhaps on the morrow. I want to see if you've gotten better with your archery."
I grinned at him. "I'm a king, Legolas. I should hope I got better. My subjects might see it as weakness if I didn't."
He chuckled softly and grinned back. "Yes, indeed," he teased slightly.
I frowned slightly when I saw his wrist. It was still too thin for my liking. I took it in my hand and frowned at Legolas.
"Why are you so thin?" I asked him carefully.
"Don't start with that too, Aragorn. Éomer says the same thing every time I'm here. I eat whenever I'm hungry, but I will not force-feed myself," Legolas said, half joking.
"Very well, Legolas." I released his wrist as he led me into the dining hall.
Éomer looked up and smiled. He gestured for us to sit down, which we did.
"Legolas, you are still far too thin," Éomer protested. "Are you eating right?"
"I told you," Legolas said with a wry smile as he looked at me.
Éomer looked surprised to see Legolas smiling. He looked into Legolas's green eyes, as if searching for something. He must've seen it, for when he looked away, he looked happier than he had looked a few moments ago.
As the food came out, we began to eat.
I ate heartily, for a good battle and sparring makes one hungry.
Legolas took just enough to fill himself.
Éomer shook his head. "Some things never change, do they, Legolas?" he asked with a grin. He had also filled his plate.
Éomer looked at me. "I'm counting on you, Elessar, to get him to eat properly. The food here is actually quite good, but you'd never know it from the way Legolas eats."
I shrugged. "Legolas has always been stubborn, Éomer. I mentioned the same thing to him, and he said that he eats enough."
Legolas frowned at us both. "If you please, stop talking about me over my head. You aren't always there when I eat, Éomer. I am over three thousand years old. I hope I know how to eat properly by now."
I squeezed his hand in apology.
He squeezed back.
Éomer shook his head. "Just like old times," he murmured. "The two of you trying to hide your relationship from watching eyes, until Elessar became King."
That broke forth a chuckle from me, and Éomer joined in. Legolas laughed, a merry laugh that caused both us to turn and look at him in surprise.
"I can laugh if I wish," Legolas said, his emerald eyes glowing with mischief.
"Yes, indeed," Éomer said before he started laughing as well.
My heart was glad to see Legolas laughing again. I joined the laughter.
It was just like old times.
To Be Continued
Rekindling Friendship
Part 7
A.J. Matthews
I could see that something was on Legolas's mind as we set off for Éomer's castle in Rohan once more.
Sarag had taunted both of us, claiming that he and Legolas had a secret that I did not know. It troubled me.
But Legolas had said that it was nothing, and I was inclined to believe him. It didn't seem to affect him at all, whatever it was.
Legolas took my hand suddenly and looked at me seriously.
"Think naught of what Sarag says, for he is a known liar, Aragorn," he told me. "Sarag twists things to use them to his advantage."
I nodded slowly, feeling guilty for having a tiny speck of doubt within me.
Legolas kissed me firmly, driving away all of my doubts. I moaned softly and put my hands behind Legolas's head. I tilted his face up for another kiss. After a few moments, the sweet kiss was broken.
Warmth showed in his eyes, as we began walking again. But our hands stayed together.
This time, he told me of what Éomer had been up to the last time he'd been there.
I liked seeing Legolas happy again. He was too solemn now, for my liking. And I had only seen him smile twice, which hurt. He had such a wonderful smile that lit up his face and made him shine with happiness.
I listened to him, asking questions over the next few hours, until we arrived at our destination.
Éomer himself came out to greet us, flanked by guards.
He genuinely smiled at Legolas and took him in his arms. "You look well, my friend. Better than you did the last time you were here. It's been far too long."
Legolas smiled, but it wasn't as full as it usually was. "Tis good to see you again as well, Éomer." I could see Legolas was nervous.
Éomer then turned to me and nodded stiffly. He didn't look too happy about seeing me again.
I met his gaze steadily. "It's been a while, Éomer," I said neutrally.
"Indeed. Come inside- both of you," he said. He led the way inside his castle silently.
I followed Legolas slowly, keeping up with him as he inquired about Éomer's family and health.
When we reached the Council Room, Éomer turned to Legolas.
"I believe my Healer should see to that nasty gash on your face, my friend," Éomer said, concerned.
"Very well, Éomer. But only because you would both fuss if I didn't," Legolas replied. "Just don't kill each other." He hesitantly walked out of the room to find the Healer.
As soon as he was gone, Éomer turned on me.
"What game are you playing this time, King Elessar?" he said suspiciously.
"Tis no game, Éomer. Legolas and I have uncovered the truth about what truly happened that day, years ago," I said.
He frowned at me. "Do you know what he went through, Elessar! I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy, let alone Legolas." His voice softened slightly. "I saw it with my own two eyes, Elessar. Imagine how I felt when I walked into the room where he was being held prisoner- and saw him being violated. No one deserves that. "
"He told me enough so that I understand now. I am glad that you rescued him from where he was held prisoner. I would have done the same if I'd known, Éomer," I told him, but I was horrified to realize that Éomer had seen for himself what had been done to Legolas. "Twas a traitor who wrought this about, Éomer, not I."
"I warn you, Elessar, do not toy with the elf again." Éomer was deadly serious. "It took him four years to recover- and one year to stop wishing for death. If you hurt him again, I will have to repay you in kind."
"I have no intentions of hurting him, Éomer," I said quietly. "For I love him, as I always have, and we will not be separated again."
He nodded slowly, as Legolas re-entered, and breathed a sigh of relief to see that we were both still alive. His cut had been bandaged, and he walked over to me. He took my hand in his smaller one and looked at Éomer.
"Aragorn is telling the truth, my friend. Tis Sarag who is to blame, not Aragorn." His green eyes flickered with an unknown emotion. "Aragorn discovered Sarag to be a traitor a few months before you found me."
Éomer nodded slowly. "I do not doubt you, Legolas." He looked at me. "I am sorry for my actions in the past, my king. But after seeing Legolas like that and hearing his story-"
"I understand completely, Éomer," I replied.
Legolas looked at Éomer solemnly. "There may be trouble while we are here, my friend. Sarag attempted to ambush us on the road here."
"Do not concern yourself with that, Legolas," Éomer said firmly. "It will give my guards something to do besides standing around all day. Relax for a while. Take Aragorn on a tour." He sighed. "I would join you, but I have a meeting I must attend to. And Elessar, you may want to send a message to Faramir, for he is greatly worried about you."
Legolas and I both nodded, before exiting the room.
He turned to me with a gentle smile. "Sorry about that, my love," Legolas whispered. "Éomer is very protective of me."
I grinned at him ruefully. "I noticed. Just remember that you're mine, elf."
"Always," he murmured, before covering my lips with his soft, sweet mouth. We stayed like that for a few moments, enjoying the warmth that spread through us.
A servant coughed discreetly behind us, so we reluctantly broke apart.
"Master Legolas, dinner will be served in an hour. Will you and your… friend be joining us?" the servant inquired.
Legolas nodded and then looked at me.
I shrugged and nodded as well.
"Very good, sir. I shall have the preparations made." The servant walked away.
Legolas led me out to a training ground.
"This is where I relearned my skills, Aragorn," he said neutrally and then grinned at me. "Care for a spar?"
I nodded and drew Anduril. Legolas drew his own sword.
I admired the sword he held. It gleamed in the light, pure and strong. A few jewels were in the hilt.
"Where did you get such a sword?" I asked curiously.
"Twas a present from Éomer when I left five years ago." Legolas still looked impassive, as he gently touched my sword with his.
Without any further words, we began to spar.
Legolas's fleetness and agility kept me from being able to disarm him quickly. Éomer had been a good teacher, indeed.
I slashed and sliced; he dodged and countered. Neither of us overpowered the other as he took the offensive.
Legolas's eyes twinkled as our swords clashed again. He leapt forward gracefully and struck out with his sword.
I deflected it as he ducked down low, then came up swinging. His movements were precise and accurate, as well as confident. He trusted himself not to hurt me and for me to be able to block his moves.
We stayed there until dinnertime, when we sheathed our swords and headed inside.
We were both breathing hard.
"Twas a good workout, Legolas," I said. "We'll have to do it again some time."
He nodded. "Perhaps on the morrow. I want to see if you've gotten better with your archery."
I grinned at him. "I'm a king, Legolas. I should hope I got better. My subjects might see it as weakness if I didn't."
He chuckled softly and grinned back. "Yes, indeed," he teased slightly.
I frowned slightly when I saw his wrist. It was still too thin for my liking. I took it in my hand and frowned at Legolas.
"Why are you so thin?" I asked him carefully.
"Don't start with that too, Aragorn. Éomer says the same thing every time I'm here. I eat whenever I'm hungry, but I will not force-feed myself," Legolas said, half joking.
"Very well, Legolas." I released his wrist as he led me into the dining hall.
Éomer looked up and smiled. He gestured for us to sit down, which we did.
"Legolas, you are still far too thin," Éomer protested. "Are you eating right?"
"I told you," Legolas said with a wry smile as he looked at me.
Éomer looked surprised to see Legolas smiling. He looked into Legolas's green eyes, as if searching for something. He must've seen it, for when he looked away, he looked happier than he had looked a few moments ago.
As the food came out, we began to eat.
I ate heartily, for a good battle and sparring makes one hungry.
Legolas took just enough to fill himself.
Éomer shook his head. "Some things never change, do they, Legolas?" he asked with a grin. He had also filled his plate.
Éomer looked at me. "I'm counting on you, Elessar, to get him to eat properly. The food here is actually quite good, but you'd never know it from the way Legolas eats."
I shrugged. "Legolas has always been stubborn, Éomer. I mentioned the same thing to him, and he said that he eats enough."
Legolas frowned at us both. "If you please, stop talking about me over my head. You aren't always there when I eat, Éomer. I am over three thousand years old. I hope I know how to eat properly by now."
I squeezed his hand in apology.
He squeezed back.
Éomer shook his head. "Just like old times," he murmured. "The two of you trying to hide your relationship from watching eyes, until Elessar became King."
That broke forth a chuckle from me, and Éomer joined in. Legolas laughed, a merry laugh that caused both us to turn and look at him in surprise.
"I can laugh if I wish," Legolas said, his emerald eyes glowing with mischief.
"Yes, indeed," Éomer said before he started laughing as well.
My heart was glad to see Legolas laughing again. I joined the laughter.
It was just like old times.
To Be Continued
