Note: None of these are my characters, except for Rutan. The rest all belong to J.R.R. Tolkien. Contains shounen ai between Legolas/Aragorn. Takes place two days later. Elvish speech is in ' '. The fight between Aragorn and Rutan is next chapter!

Wine and Wagers

Part 11

Aragorn opened his eyes the next day, surprised to discover that he'd fallen asleep with Legolas in his arms. He removed his hands from the elf's waist, and leaned over him.

Legolas was still asleep, which slightly worried Aragorn. He was going to pay Rutan back for drugging his blond lover. Though Legolas was adorable when he slept, for he looked so vulnerable and innocent in Aragorn's eyes. He caressed Legolas's face softly, tracing his delicate features.

A whimper came out of Legolas's mouth as he slept. Aragorn smiled. Even while the elf slept, he still responded to Aragorn's touch. The human reluctantly took his hand away from Legolas's face. Aragorn knew he'd be no better than Rutan if he did anything while Legolas slept, even if his lover wanted him.

A knock on the door took Aragorn's focus away from Legolas. 'Who is it?' he asked, using the Elvish tongue.

'Tis I, Haldir,' another elf replied. 'Lady Galadrial sent me to see how Legolas fares.'

'Enter,' Aragorn said. He sat up, glad that he had not removed his shirt or tunic after what had happened yesterday. He'd been too worried to care about such things.

Haldir opened the door, and entered the room silently. He walked over to the bed, and gazed down at the drugged elf. 'So he has not awakened yet?' Haldir questioned.

Aragorn shook his head. 'He's been asleep for over a day now. Does Lady Galadrial have any idea of how long it will take for the potion to wear off?'

'Rutan refuses to say just what particular potion he used,' Haldir said. 'Did you see the potion at all?'

Aragorn shook his head. 'I came after Legolas had already been struck.' He gasped suddenly. 'But Frodo was there. He might know something.'

Haldir nodded, as he looked down at Legolas. 'I shall fetch the Hobbit. I hope for Legolas's sake that he saw something of the potion.' Amusement showed in Haldir's eyes, as he looked at Aragorn. 'You do realize that Legolas will be most unhappy to find out just how much he has slept?'

Aragorn felt some of his tension and fear slipping away as he ruefully smiled. 'Yes, Haldir.' The human then turned to a more serious matter. 'What is to become of Rutan? Lady Galadrial said he was to be punished.' He could not hide his hope that it would teach the dark-haired elf a serious lesson.

Emptiness filled Haldir's eyes, as he spoke. 'Elves rarely kill elves, heir of Isildur. But Legolas is a Prince of Mirkwood, and the attack was completely unprovoked by. Lady Galadrial has not yet come up with a punishment severe enough for him. But Rutan will never be allowed to make potions again, and that is the least of his punishments.'

Legolas moaned softly on the bed, as he struggled to wake up. But he couldn't. Part of him could hear Aragorn's voice. 'Aragorn…' he whispered. 'I want…'

Haldir looked at Legolas, a hint of surprise in his eyes. 'Legolas? Are you awakening?' the elf questioned.

Aragorn tensed, as a look of pain crossed Legolas's face. He grasped one of Legolas's hands in his own. 'Relax, Legolas, for I am here.' The sleeping elf clung to Aragorn's hand, and relaxed.

Haldir watched the two for a few moments, showing neither approval or disapproval. 'Perhaps you should speak to Rutan, Aragorn. You may be able to get him to say what we cannot. You have a sufficient reason to get the information that we need, and I daresay an equally strong way of persuading Rutan.'

Aragorn met Haldir's gaze and nodded. 'I will do whatever it takes to bring Legolas out of this false sleep.' He reluctantly let go of the elf's limp hand, and when Legolas murmured a faint protest, Aragorn held his hand once more. 'Haldir, could you please ask the other Hobbits to come here to watch over him while I… speak with Rutan?'

Haldir nodded and left. He returned shortly with Frodo, Merry, Sam, and Pippin.

Aragorn had put on his shoes carefully with his other hand and was running his fingers through Legolas's golden hair when they entered. He looked at them squarely. "Sam, Pippin, and Merry, would you please stay here with Legolas? I have a little 'business' to take care of for a little while."

Sam nodded immediately. "You can count on me," he said proudly. "I won't let anything hurt him."

"Neither will I," Pippin vowed.

Merry nodded. "We'll take good care of him, Aragorn."

"Thank you," Aragorn said quietly, as he let go of Legolas's hand for a second time. He gestured for the Hobbits to come over and take his place. They did so, and Haldir, Aragorn, and Frodo bid them farewell as they headed into the middle of Lothlorien.

Aragorn was shown to a small room. Haldir touched his shoulder, and the heir of Isildur looked at him.

'Do not let down your guard, for Rutan is sly and tricky. He had to be bound hand and foot once he awoke,' Haldir cautioned.

'Could you not lock the door and windows, and untie him?' Aragorn questioned. If he was going to get some answers out of Rutan, he did want the elf tied up. 'I thought his weapons were removed, as well.'

Haldir looked at Aragorn, comprehension in his eyes. 'His weapons were taken from him, and I suppose we could lock the door behind you. Give three taps when you want out, Aragorn.'

Aragorn nodded. He unsheathed Anduril and handed it to Haldir. 'Please hold this for me, for I do not think this will take more than a few hours.'

Haldir wondered if Aragorn was being overconfident in his abilities. The human, Legolas had told him, was a very good fighter. But Haldir found it hard to believe that Aragorn could possibly beat Rutan, heir of Isildur or not. 'Be careful, Aragorn, and do not get either yourself or him killed. Lady Galadrial would be most unhappy if you did, as would Lord Elrond.'

Frodo had no such thoughts, for in his opinion, Aragorn was the best fighter in the world. "Have fun, Aragorn," Frodo said, as his protector entered the room. The door was locked behind him by Haldir.

Haldir shot a puzzled glance at Frodo. "Why are you telling him to have fun?"

"Aragorn can take Rutan down, no problem," Frodo said confidently.

Boromir and Gimli entered the area, looking for Aragorn. When they saw Frodo, they immediately walked over to the Ringbearer.

"What are you doing here, Frodo?" Gimli asked gruffly.

"Aragorn's getting ready to fight Rutan," Frodo told them.

Haldir looked at the other human and dwarf. "Frodo believes that Aragorn can win."

Boromir frowned slightly. "I don't know, Frodo. Aragorn is a good fighter, but I have never seen him against an elf before."

"Bah!" Gimli said. "Aragorn will defeat Rutan, for what he did to Legolas."

Haldir smiled suddenly. "Care to make a wager on that, dwarf?"

Gimli nodded. "Six bottle of wine to win."

"And ten to lose," Haldir countered. Other elves joined in, each adding their own bets for and against Aragorn, when a young voice chimed in.

"Fifty to win," Frodo said.

The others turned and stared at the Hobbit.

"Just where are you going to get fifty bottles of wine, little one?" Gimli asked.

"From Merry and Pippin," Frodo told the dwarf. "They always know where to get wine."

He turned, as did everyone else, when the sounds of a fight began inside the room.

To be continued