Finally... I'm sorry that it took me so long to write a new chapter! But normal life has its things to do and so I didn't have time...

I am not sure, if this chapter can still be rated ‚R' so take this as a warning, it could be NC17 as well...

I got sick of Helm's deep, so the guys are in Isengard now, if you want to read how they got there, it's mostly the chapter ‚The road to Isengard' in the second book.

Well, please let me know what you think! It's a somewhat plotless chapter... Please R+R

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"Welcome, my lords, to Isengard!" the small man said. "We are the doorwardens. Meriadoc, son of Saradoc is my name; and my companion, who alas! – 'is overcome with weariness' is Peregrin son of Paladin, of the house of Took. Far in the North is our home. The Lord Saruman is within but at the moment he is closeted with one Wormtongue or doubtless he would be here to welcome such honourable guests."

"Those are the hobbits whose tracks we were following." whispered Gimli and the two immortals smiled understanding why everybody spoke of halflings. The dwarf who saw their smile continued. "However do not judge them by their height, as they are brave in battle and loyal as friends." Methos smiled again. "Do not misjudge us Master Dwarf, we know better than to measure people by their looks. Appearance can deceive the mind, but never the heart."

Even though those words were silently spoken Gandalf had heard them. The old wizard was well aware of the battles this man had fought in his life and he knew that many more lay ahead. 'And he will only be able to fight them if he can overcome his own demons.' Since they had left Helm's Deep Gandalf had watched Methos, knowing that in many ways their quest was in his hands. Boromir had been the weak link, the one member of the fellowship that Sauron had tempted, but Boromir was dead and the dark lord had chosen a new member. A man that had seen darkness and its lure and the dark lord knew that this man would be a perfect partner in this war.

Those were dark thoughts that disturbed Gandalfs mind, but as if he had read his thoughts, Methos turned and met his eyes. "You are right in all your considerations, but forgot one thing. One thing that Sauron has not taken into account for he cannot understand it. I am here because I love. And as long as this love is in my heart, darkness will not succeed."

Aragorn had dismounted and started to introduce the hobbits to the immortals, careful not to mention their immortality as he knew that the time for this relevation was not now with Theoden's men so close around. Merry invited them into the small house for some food and he even had tobacco. So the members of the fellowship sat down on the table and for the first time in what seemed ages enjoyed a proper meal. As they started to smoke Legolas got up, declaring that he wanted to be in the fresh air and watch the stars, walking away from the destroyed place to a rock where he could see the others yet would not be seen. To the hobbits surprise everybody snickered as Aragorn followed the elf after a moment taking his pipe with him. "Why are you all laughing?" Pippin wanted to know and so it was up to Gimli to explain the new and 'secret' relationship between the man and the elf.

Legolas watched Aragorn as he sat next to him, wrapping his grey cloak around him and strechting his long legs. The man was tired and it showed in his features as well as in his movements. Feeling the elf's stare he opened his eyes and sent a thin stream of smoke from his lips. "I feel such a weariness that I have seldom felt before." he admitted to the unasked question in the beautiful eyes. Without another word Legolas came closer and tangled his fingers in the others hair. "You are exhausted as we all are, let go your control and give into this feelings for fighting them will only make them stronger." He slowly began to unbutton the man's coat as he felt a hand on his, effectively stopping his movements. "Legolas, what are you doing?" Longing cursed through Aragorns veins as he saw the love and desire in the pale face. 'Do you have any idea how much you affect me? That I would give up everything just to be with you? Do you know that in all this darkness you are the reason to go on even if my feet refuse to carry me any further?'

"I want you!" The words were but a mere whisper in the night and all Legolas could do was to answer in the one way his heart told him to. "I am yours."

Aragorns mouth covered the silk lips of the elf and he moaned softly as those lips opened for him. Far from needing to be coaxed, Legolas tongue met his in a duel as old as mankind, darting and tasting in all corners of the rangers 's mouth.

Legolas moaned and pressed himself deeper into the pliant man beneath him. A torrent of sensation began to rage as the heat rose in them both. In the last eddy of peace before the storm broke, Aragorn looked into Legolas eyes and the passion and longing in them answered every question.

Tenderly Legolas removed first the rangers mail-shirt and then the linen one openly admiring the beauty of the man beneath him. Aragorn didn't move as the elegant fingers opened his leggings and stripped him of his last clothes. A shudder went through him as the cold wind caressed his hot body as if Legolas had found a invisible partner in his caresses. The elf kissed his chest and let his lips trail further down in a slow exploration of the man he loved. His fingers found their way down and touched the tip of Aragorns cock just to retreat again and stroke the inner tight, leaving the man moaning in frustration.

Quickly he began to undress himself only to be stopped by Aragorn who looked at him with passion glazed eyes. "It's my turn, love" he whispered hoarsely began to open the elven tunic.

The world seemed to spin around Legolas as his feelings grew stronger with each of Aragorns touches. Almost desperately he tried to keep a grasp to reality not giving in to the emotions that cursed through him. Sensing the elf's attempt to keep control of his feelings, the ranger softly placed a kiss on the others chest and in the same moment bit him hard. "Ai!" Legolas didn't even realise that he had cried out loud as pain and passion stirred the fire in his body and his control crumbled.

The thunder of Legolas' pulse clamoured for Aragorns's attention like light in the darkness as he buried his face in the elf's neck. A tide of colour spread from the contact point and flowed down Legolas' chest. When Aragorns 's lips began to follow down once more, he felt the elfs fingers in his

hair and looked up. The pale face was flushed and he had his eyes closed. "Look at me, beautiful one, the love in your eyes is my light."

Obligingly, Legolas opened them and the fire in them made Aragorn shiver. "I love you!" He whispered as he began to stroke the secret entrance and slowly moved one finger inside his lover. Gently preparing the elf he watched the beautiful face for any signs of pain as he moved between the thights and impaled himself into the tight entrance.

The exquisite, painful ecstasy of it had Legolas shuddering as Aragorn was inside him. He began to move and as if they were one both men lost control over their passion.

Aragorn was replete, satiated, at peace. He could feel Legolas' pleasure as surely as he felt his own. Raising his head, he wanted to tell the elf that it was true, that they were connected, that he was loved, but the other spoke first, "I know, Aragorn. I know. I love you too."

Lowering his head back onto the smooth expanse of the elf's chest, the ranger smiled to himself and drifted off to sleep with the steady thrum of his lover's heart beating a soft cadence with his own.