Discovered



Legolas whips around to meet his speaker. He had bright silvery hair, soft hazel eyes, and pearly skin. A fine bright eyebrow arches promptly, waiting for a response. Legolas could do nothing but look on in shock. Could this be...could it possibly be?

` Looks like you've seen a ghost, dear Legolas,` comes a female voice, definetely distinguishable. A woman clad in white with raven colered hair steps forward at Legolas's captor's left. It is Lady Arwen from Rivendell. She looks as lovely as ever, and no one could tell of the speck of sadness in her clear blue eyes.

Legolas smiles upon seeing the Fair Lady, and his previous thoughts left his mind. ` This morning is full of surprises, yet, I dare claim this to be the best.` He looks back curiously at his captor. He recognized him from many centuries ago, as a childhood friend, a best friend. He suddenly realizes this to be Vahn, Son of Vathsel, General of Mirkwood, and embraces him impetuously. He could feel a jealous glare, a disappointed emotion, and happy smile as a hand securely pats him on his back.

" So you do remember me, Legolas," says the man in westernesse. " I have feared for a moment that you have not. What made you change your mind?" Legolas steps back and smiles heartily at his long lost friend. They have since been apart after the Battle of the Five Armies, but all those years have not changed him at all.

" I could never forget such a genuine face such as yours, Vahn," replies the Prince and gives him a quick reassuring hug. " I don't believe it. What brings you out here?"

Vahn crosses his arms in feigned annoyance. " What doesn't? Other than my most favorite Elf in the whole of Middle-Earth?" Legolas laughs gently as his forgotten additude picks up at his friend. He is now carefree, and as young as a teenager unharmed by hard millenias.

" You're right, what is better than seeing me?" He turns to Arwen and pauses, remembering the present, but never forgetting his manners. He embraces her gently and kisses her on the cheek. " Forgive me, my fair lady." Arwen smiles softly.

" 'Tis alright, my good friend, Legolas," responds the elven lady, her voice ringing with beauty as it always did. " I understand your enthusiasm."

" Too well, I suppose," chimes in Reinin's voice, nearing the trio. " You have forgotten of my King's and my presence." He shoots an innocent accusing look at Legolas for a split second. For standing next to Aragorn through the whole reunion, he wouldn't be surprised if some of the radiance of jealousy and anger were on himself. The waves were so strong coming form the King as he watched Legolas hug Vahn, and smile beautifully each time he did. Reinin just felt pity, and took some action while he could.

" Yes, too well," Vahn holds out his hand to Reinin. " I'm Vahn, Son of Vathsel. It is nice to meet you, Reinin, Son of Rainsel." Reinin was shocked that he knew him, but takes his hand in a nice handshake. Arwen must have told him such things.

" Vahn and I go far back," says Legolas, trying to explain as Aragorn slowly walks toward them, but unoticeably. " We have played together at very young ages. It amazes me how we have been apart for most of our lives. We were practically insepereable!"

" Your father would yell at our mischiefs, and then laugh at the result," adds Vahn. " Or when we would play out in the rain and then pretend to be sick the next day. He looked as though he had aged three centuries after the way he took care of us."

" He was always yelling left to right at the healers to find a cure, for it is very rare that Elves do get sick, and they had none to spare. The next day we were lectured and then bound from leaving our rooms."

Vahn chuckles. " Those were the good days, and the future seemes to hold none for us." He looks at Aragorn behind him, and bows slightly. " King Elessar," He looks at him fully. " Are you well?" It wasn't only courteous to ask, but something in those grey eyes of his told him of other things. Aragorn felt like telling it all then, but stops himself. It wasn't worth it. Legolas would walk away forever, and Vahn would follow him.

" I am well, thank you," he responds with the power of a rightful King. " And you, Son of Vathsel?" Yeah, like I care...>

" I now fare as well as ever, my King." Vahn looks quite serious now, as he sets his gaze upon Legolas. " Lady Arwen and I were really sent to look for both you and Aragorn, Legolas. Elrond orders another council, for something has yet gone astray." Legolas returns his serious gaze and nods.

` I have felt them as well, ` says Legolas in response. ` I would have eventually ridden to Rivendell, if anything had gotten worse.` He set his gaze upon Arwen. " How does young Ardulan fair? 'Tis been a while since I last saw him." Awren's eyes sparkle as she responds.

" He misses you dearly, Legolas. On his knees he practically was when I was sent to search for you. He wanted to come along so badly. His great grandfather had to literally hold him back back in Lorien." The Elven Lady loves seeing Ardulan and Legolas together. It were as though they fit like a family. Whenever Legolas would hold him, Arwen could swear that he was the child's father. She knew Ardulan wasn't hers, but she loves him as her own.

Aragorn wishes that he would have been able to see his son and Legolas together. He wanted to see if they did look like a family. All three of them...

Legolas chuckles softly. " I miss him as well, my fair lady. His company is sorely missed." He turns to Vahn. ` What is this danger you come to warn me about, friend.` The topic of their conversation changed back to the one more concerned at hand. Vahn takes his wrist and gently leads him out of the Inn. The others follow along silently.

As they come out into the open, there were already four horses in a fine line. A beautiful white stallion was first from the left, a midnight stallion next up, a chestnut one at the right, and the last with a reddish hue. Vahn lets go of Legolas and walks to the last stallion, petting it lightly.

' Lord Elrond expects us in Rivendell. Hopefully, everything will be explained there.`

What could be so urgent?>wonders Legolas as he sees Arwen mounting the white stallion.

` Come,` her elven voice rings out. ` We will ride hard to my Home now. Our time is short, and it would be best if we leave now, and only be cautious of a week's nights out in the wilderness. I fear that our Enemy knows of our plan.` Reinin nods and mounts on his chestnut stallion quickly.

` But who will bare Legolas?` he asks not unkindly. ` He has traveled on foot, and has no horse. Are there no spares?`

" Nay," responds Vahn, and extends his hand. " Would it be alright, Legolas, if you rode with me? I think Dawnhal can manage us both." Aragorn shoots Vahn a glare and silently grunts to himself as he approaches the midnight horse next to Arwen's. The Elf just came out of no where and swoops his Legolas away. Who did he think he was?!

" Thank you," Legolas takes the hand up onto Dawnhal and secures himself behind Vahn. The other Elf was slightly taller than he. After all, he was older.

" Let us ride, for the sun is rising into the sky. In these days her rays keep out little darkness." Vahn then slightly squeezes the sides of his horse with his heels, and they take off into the east towards Rivendell.




~~*~~




Aragorn was getting frustrated very quickly. The heat was somewhat unbearable that noon, and his gaze was set on Vahn and Legolas together. He was so busy torn between jealousy and anguish that he almost got unseated by a large branch, if it were not for his Ranger senses. Reinin was a bit concerned for his friend as well, and so was Arwen, for she knew some of what Aragorn felt.

The Mortals' King did not know what to do. Legolas was so unfuriated with him, and told him to never come near him. He wasn't even able to explain himself. All he wanted was to be near and with the Elf. Reinin was used in no way. Aragorn just needed some help, and asked him. But, why was Legolas so mad anyway? Surely the thought of using Reinin wasn't all. Did Aragorn do anything wrong to him in any way? Or did the Elf already know of his feelings, and was disgusted already?

That could have been it, and Legolas was so revolted that he wanted to distance himself. He didn't even want to be his friend anymore! Aragorn knew it would come to this if he was too easy to read, and now he lost his friend. But he loves him. Did Legolas know that? Did Legolas know that Aragorn loves him? And it was just not lust?

The King just sighs inwardly. It doesn't matter now. Legolas wanted nothing to do with him, and that was that. But still, if only he could just explain...maybe he could capture him, and just hold him there until he understood.


In a small clearing in a forest, Vahn stops and turns to the rest of his friends. " This seems far enough for the time of noon. Let our horses rest and drink in a nearby river, and let us gather some refreshments nearby as well." He unmounts Dawnhal, and helps Legolas down. Arwen, Aragorn, and Reinin do the same.

" I will lead the horses to the lake," says Arwen, " and I will retrieve some water for us as well." She gathers the horses by their reigns, and walks off to the right. Reinin sighs and looks around.

" I will be on watch, incase anything comes up." And he leaves path to the path in which they came. Vahn looks up into the sky. Grey clouds were coming down towards them from the north, and seemed to get darker by the minute.

" A storm is nearing. It will catch us by mid afternoon-being the latest. I will hurry to gather some apples nearby. When we are done, we shall set off again as soon as possible." He turns to his friends. " I won't be long."

" You don't need help?" asks Legolas, almost pleading to get away from Aragorn. He just feels uncomfortable, especially if they were alone; for he could feel his emotions changing at the sight of the King.

" Nay, Legolas. I will be fine. Keep watch along with Reinin." He smiles warmingly at Legolas, and then hurries off to find some apples.

Aragorn arches a defiant eyebrow at Vahn's reteating back. What was he doing? Flirting? And with his Legolas to say the least. That Elf has no morals at all...> Aragorns mutters to himslef. ...trying to take my Legolas...> He turns to the beautiful Prince beside him, who was looking at the direction his friend left. His face was impassive, but his eyes held something else. Aragorn grunts defiantly inwardly and turns away. His eyes were too distant to read, but one thing was for sure: they held no sign of a lover's affection or admiration.

This fact somewhat eased Aragorn. At least the Elf wasn't attracted to Vahn. The King be damned if he were, though. But he wonders if Legolas was still angry with him.

` Legolas,` he whispers in Elvish and turns towards the Prince.

" What is it?" Legolas was a bit agitated. He was left with someone who used Reinin to find him. That was just so pathetic. He was still also upset that he married Arwen. The anger was just mutual he guessed.

` Why are you angry with me, Legolas.` Aragorn's usual deep voice was soothed and soft. It held a pleading tone that, hopefully, Legolas will comply to.

There is a slight pause and Legolas turns around to face the King. His expression was defiant and disappointed, but as he looks into grey eyes, his features soften alittle. The once proud eyes were filled now with an imploring blaze. They were asking what Aragorn's voice could not.

Legolas sighs. He guesses that he over reacted in the Inn, and hurt Aragorn alot. " About this morning, I'm sorry. I over reacted and embarrassed you. It was just that you caught me at the wrong time. I didn't mean to hurt you, Elessar, or mislead you."

Aragorn merely just nodded. This Elf was so unpredictable, and he really can surprise you. But..." You haven't answered me, Legolas. What made you so angry with me? It couldn't have been just your mood."

The Elf Prince pauses for a moment. He knew he shouldn't tell Aragorn that it was just unnecissary mutual anger. And it was caused when Aragorn chose to marry Arwen. That would ruin things far worse, but Legolas felt sorry for the man. He needs an explanation. Legolas hadn't seen him for a decade now, and the least he could do was be honest and start off with a clean slate.

He thought of something to say, which was partially true. " You just didn't trust me enough to know that I'd return to you. I gave us space so that you may focus on your Kingdom and wife, and I may continue on things that I never did." Legolas turns away so that he may not see the pained look on Aragorn's face.

" You are a dear friend, Legolas. It is hard to concentrate when I have a feeling that I have lost you." The King runs a glove clad hand through his hair. It was true. In his Kingdom he would be restless and frustrated without knowing that Legolas would be there. He was frightened that the Elf might have sailed on the Sea to the land of immortality, and he would not see him ever again. He couldn't bare it, and he needed to see his love again, even for just one minute. That was all he needed to know why...why he had avoided him all these years. But now as the time was here, Legolas gave him a dishonest answer.

" I never meant to cause you pain, Elessar. It just thought it was in your best interest." And mine>.

" Why do you call me Elessar, Legolas? Aren't we friends? Surely you can call me what you used to: by my real name?"

" You are King of Gondor, Elessar Telcontar. You are no longer the Ranger you used to be. Your have taken claim to your heritage, and you should be called by your rightful name, Elessar" Legolas turns to the man and looks deep into his grey eyes, preparing to stare him down and show that he had made his point. But the Gondor King did not say anything.

For long moments, cerulean and grey never left each other as they tried to read the other's thoughts. Aragorn could find inner sorrow, grief, and anger within the Elf's soul. It was unnerving. What could have the Prince so upset? He did not understand these feelings and what or who they were centerly directed at.

Legolas saw confusion, pain, and hurt flickering like a bright flame in Aragorn's dismay eyes. The King was happy. Why should he be in a state of a lost orphaned child? That's what he was. wasn't it? He was happy, isn't he...? He has a wife, an heir, and a bright kingdom who has a future. As for Legolas...he has nothing. He lost everything the day Aragorn promised himself to Arwen...




~*~




Evening falls upon the Company as they reach the mountain Weathertop. The sky was quickly shading to midnight in color, as they settled inside one its of shallow caves. Arwen had in her bag, rations of menthas, the Elven bread that was like elixier, and gave them out to her friends, who all ate gratefully. The rest of the night was thus spent in silence, until it was time for sleep.

" I'll take watch, for I seem to not find rest," says Legolas as he stands and walks to the edge of the cave. His bow and quiver were at his side and he sits hugging his knees on the ground. This earns several worried looks, but they said nothing.

` Good night, Legolas,` says Arwen as she lays on her bag and cloak. ` May you find rest in the stars.`

` Sleep well, fair lady. And thank you.` Legolas's spirits rose as she spoke in soft musical elvish, and it soothed him at once.

" I'll take second watch," mumbles Reinin as he gets comfortable on his bedroll. " I trust you to wake me, Legolas?"

" I will if I seek for rest, yes. You can trust me. So good night, for now."

" Good night, Elf."

Aragorn and Vahn were left, and neither of them moved. Vahn, because he wanted to catch up on things with Legolas, and Aragorn because he wouldn't let Vahn do so.

They all sit there in silence. The embers of fire were dimming as no one cared to prod at it to keep it alive. Neither of them dared to persuade rest among the other, nor communtication were it was not much welcomed. Only the breeze could be heard, and the soft snores of Reinin, and the peaceful even breathing of Arwen. Legolas closes his eyes and basks in the simplicity of that night...

the first night in which he was not burdend by grief of Aragorn's absence, for he was there. And as much as Legolas hates to admit it, he still did needs the Man, even after all these years...

...and he found himself wanting him as well.