Note: None of these are my characters! This is the end of the prequel to `Not Worth Dying For'. Contains hints of shounen ai between Legolas/Aragorn, but there is also Arwen/Aragorn in this fic. Elvish speech is in ` '. Takes place a few moments after the previous chapter. If you want the sequel, tell me. I won't write it without at least ten reviews requesting it.
Pain And Suffering
Part 3
Legolas walked painfully down the hall, praying that the Healers' room was where it had been the last time he'd been here. That had been over a year ago.
The blond archer was miserable, both physically and emotionally. Maybe it would be better if he left and went home early. But Legolas had promised to be here for the anniversary of the day that the Fellowship had first set out from Rivendell to destroy the One Ring. The elf continued down the hallway
Aragorn was returning to the meeting he'd left, for he had only taken enough time to say good morning to everyone before he went back to work. But on his way, he wanted to find Legolas, for he had found his friend's bow in the bathing room, along with his quiver. His sharp eyes caught a slow-moving figure ahead of him, and as he got closer, he could see that it was Legolas. The blond elf was walking slowly, holding his right shoulder.
Aragorn was overwhelmed by the rush of emotions that he felt when he looked at this elf. So like Arwen, and yet not at all like her. That was how Legolas was. Graceful and beautiful, loyal and brave. A fierce warrior, yet gentle and patient. There were so many appealing characteristics that Legolas possessed, in Aragorn's opinion.
A small rift was forming between Arwen and himself, the king knew. They were in love, yet the love seemed to be changing each day. Now and then he caught a strange look in Arwen's eyes when she looked at him. Sorrow and pain should never be in her eyes, Aragorn thought. He didn't know when things had started to change. Sometime after Legolas had attempted to break off contact, which had lasted for nearly a year, before the blond elf had come to Gondor and apologized profusely, saying that he had only been trying to give Aragorn and Arwen some space, for he did not want to intrude on them.
Legolas half turned, and saw Aragorn walking behind him. He briefly wondered if this most special human could ever return the love Legolas had for him within his Elven heart. But fate had made it impossible to determine what-might-have-been.
The elf then realized that he was at the room he sought, so he entered it quietly.
The Healers immediately came over, and Legolas explained that his shoulder was injured and that the wound had been reopened inadvertently. The elf was admonished to take off his shirt and tunic, which caused a flinch to cross his face.
Unknown to him, Aragorn stood in the doorway and watched silently, admiring the inner strength that Legolas possessed, which kept him from crying out. The bandages were removed, and the King of Gondor bit back a sharp cry of outrage.
The wound looked worse, from what he could tell. Legolas was forced to lied down face first on a bed, with his arms crossed and his face pressed against one side of the bed, facing away from Aragorn.
The king entered the room and walked over silently, gesturing for the Healers to keep working, as he inspected the gash closer. More bruises had flared up around it, and blood seeped out from the now gaping wound.
Aragorn narrowed his eyes. He knew full well that Legolas's Elven healing ability should have prevented the wound from getting worse instead of better. Typical, he thought with a sigh. Legolas would hide it, as usual, to prevent a fuss from being made over him.
Legolas groaned softly as he tried to get comfortable, but it wasn't easy with his right shoulder throbbing each time he moved his arm.
Aragorn caught the groan, and silently went to work. He bade the Healers to leave silently, before he grabbed the supplies and went to work on the elf himself. The door closed (and locked) behind the Healers as they left.
Gentle hands touched the wound, before a warm cloth was placed on it, gently cleaning away the dried and fresh blood. Legolas closed his eyes and relaxed a little as the hands poked and prodded for bit, before he heard a faint sound.
"Hmm..." Aragorn muttered, as he split the herbs and began applying them the wound, enjoying the feel of the smooth, mostly flawless skin on Legolas's back. It was soft, as Aragorn remembered from last night, when he'd bandaged the wound. A few locks of the elf's silky hair drifted over his hands, and the human gently moved them aside, as he rubbed the medicine in.
Legolas didn't understand how relaxed he felt, as he let the Healer work. His eyes were still closed as he wondered what Aragorn was doing right now. If the elf hadn't been in pain, or so distracted, he would have noticed that Aragorn was standing over him. As it was, his thoughts were focused on the human he loved.
Aragorn gently tapped on Legolas's arm, a gesture from him to rise long enough so that the wound could be re-bandaged. The elf did so, without opening his eyes. Aragorn wrapped the bandages around the shoulder, as he tried to concentrate on the bandages instead of the feel of Legolas's bare chest. When he was done, Aragorn snuck a glance at the elf's face, and saw that his eyes were closed.
A thoughtful look resided on his face, and the King of Gondor wondered what Legolas could be thinking about. Without thinking about it, he leaned over until his face was just a few inches from the elf's. He gently blew warm breath onto the elf's face. But he did not expect the elf to lean forward and accidentally press his own face against his. Forehead, noses, and lips had met.
Legolas leaned forward because he'd felt something warm blowing on him. Now, he suddenly felt the strangest sensation. A heady warmth was spreading through him, as he felt something warm against his lips. Legolas attempted to lick his lips, but was surprised when his tongue entered someone else's mouth. He opened his eyes and gasped softly. Aragorn's grey eyes were looking directly into his, with desire and longing in his own green eyes. Legolas was instantly embarrassed, when he realized just what had happened. He removed his tongue from Aragorn's mouth and flushed a bright red. The elf sat there in shock, staring at his friend. Their lips were still together, which Legolas now knew that he had done, when he'd leaned forward.
Aragorn enjoyed the taste of the elf, and the shock in those emerald eyes. He also noted the fear in Legolas's eyes, and reassured him by cupping the elf's face in his hands, before he gave him a real kiss.
A moan escaped from Legolas, as blazing emotions swept through him. His mouth chased Aragorn's hungrily, pleading for more, which he got instantly, as Aragorn placed his own tongue into Legolas's eager mouth, while the elf's tongue returned to the human's mouth. They stayed together desperately, neither wanting this to end, as the kisses went on, until both were gasping for air and flushed. Their lips were swollen, as they looked at each other.
Legolas tried to control his labored breathing, as he sat there, trying to understand what had just happened. Aragorn had kissed him back, which meant that the human felt something for him. But what, exactly, the elf wondered.
Aragorn had never expected Legolas to kiss him. He was confused, for the elf had never acted like he cared for him as more than a friend. God, Legolas tasted so good, like wild honey. Arwen became a distant memory temporarily, as Aragorn crushed Legolas's lips with another fiery kiss.
The elf returned it, matching passion with passion. They broke apart again.
`And how long have you felt like this, Legolas?' Aragorn whispered, panting.
Legolas stiffened a little. `Felt like what?' he inquired.
`Wanting to kiss me,' the human said bluntly.
`Twas an accident the first time, Aragorn,' Legolas said defensively. `And you kissed me, he pointed out.
God, I want him, part of Legolas shouted. A voice taunted his thoughts, though. What of Arwen, it whispered. Torment went through Legolas, as he tried to figure out the right thing to do.
Aragorn saw the fire in Legolas's eyes dim a little, as the elf pulled away from him.
`I was curious,' Legolas finally said, holding back tears of pain, which the human didn't see, as he lied for the sake of the one he loved... and for his gentle friend.
Hurt soured through Aragorn. `Curious?' he repeated in disbelief.
Legolas nodded, as he gazed at Aragorn. `I have never kissed by a Man before.'
`I see,' Aragorn said in a clipped voice. `And did you figure Arwen into this?'
`You didn't seem to mind,' Legolas pointed out, as he turned his face away from Aragorn, as a single tear ran down his face.
Aragorn said coldly, `In the future, please do not use me for experiments, Legolas. And why don't you tell me something else? Like why your healing ability didn't help you.'
Legolas frowned. `I am not a child that has to account for my actions to you, Aragorn. I thought we worked that out a long time ago.'
`Not when you lie directly to my face about how serious your injury is,' Aragorn snapped. `Did they use a poison or something to slow down your ability to heal?'
`It's none of your concern why I no longer have my healing ability,' Legolas said harshly. He was not going to tell Aragorn the reason.
Aragorn reached out to grab the elf by the shoulders, but remembered Legolas's injury. Instead, he grabbed him by the arms and pulled him forward, careful not to harm the wound further.
Legolas glared at Aragorn, who glared back as the elf was brought as close to the human as he could be. They scowled at each other, both stubborn and set in their own ways. But they forgot their anger as their faces drew together and they kissed once more, hard and demanding. It lasted for several moments, as warmth spread through them both, before they jerked apart. Legolas was now standing, and he licked his lips, before forcing himself to get a grip of his emotions, for he had to remember Arwen, even if Aragorn didn't seem to right now.
Aragorn found it erotic, but saw the mask slide over the elf's eyes again. `And I suppose that was for your curiosity as well, Legolas,' the human said bitterly. He resented the elf for using him like this, and playing with his heart.
`Of course,' Legolas said haughtily, lying once more. `You are only a friend to me, Aragorn.'
Aragorn seethed in anger at those callous words. `Whore,' he hissed, and was stunned when Legolas slapped him hard across the face with his left hand.
`I am not the one who is married and kisses another willingly,' Legolas hissed back, wanting to cause Aragorn as much pain as the human had just given him. He grabbed his bow and quiver in his sore left hand.
To Aragorn's surprise, tears were glimmering in Legolas's green eyes, before anger replaced them, as the elf bolted, and leapt out of the open window, forgetting completely that
The human then realized just how much he had hurt the elf, and knew that something was bothering him. The door to the Healers' room opened.
Arwen entered softly, and walked over to her husband. `We should go after him,' she whispered in Elvish.
Aragorn looked at her in shock. `Arwen... I...'
His wife silenced him by kissing him sweetly. `Legolas did a very unselfish thing for us once, Estel, and I would like to repay him for it.'
Aragorn nodded, though he did not fully understand, and the king and queen left the castle quickly. In their haste, they told the rest of the Fellowship that they would be back soon, and ran off before the guards could come with them.
Legolas was sitting beside a tree, crying as if his heart would break, when he heard the sounds of Arwen and Aragorn approaching. The usually calm and stoic archer quickly began wiping his tears away, as he stood.
Arwen and Aragorn saw the tear streaks on Legolas's face, however. Arwen left her husband's side, and approached Legolas.
`Legolas, I need to tell you something,' she began, right as Legolas's Elven senses told him that someone was watching them. He immediately looked around, trying to determine where the person was.
The sound of an arrow being released was heard by only Legolas, as he turned to listen.
Oh god, Legolas thought. It's heading for Arwen, and she doesn't even know!
He remembered Aragorn's words from the night before: `What would I do without you, Arwen?'
There was no time and no choice, as Legolas did the only thing he could do for the one he loved.
The End
Pain And Suffering
Part 3
Legolas walked painfully down the hall, praying that the Healers' room was where it had been the last time he'd been here. That had been over a year ago.
The blond archer was miserable, both physically and emotionally. Maybe it would be better if he left and went home early. But Legolas had promised to be here for the anniversary of the day that the Fellowship had first set out from Rivendell to destroy the One Ring. The elf continued down the hallway
Aragorn was returning to the meeting he'd left, for he had only taken enough time to say good morning to everyone before he went back to work. But on his way, he wanted to find Legolas, for he had found his friend's bow in the bathing room, along with his quiver. His sharp eyes caught a slow-moving figure ahead of him, and as he got closer, he could see that it was Legolas. The blond elf was walking slowly, holding his right shoulder.
Aragorn was overwhelmed by the rush of emotions that he felt when he looked at this elf. So like Arwen, and yet not at all like her. That was how Legolas was. Graceful and beautiful, loyal and brave. A fierce warrior, yet gentle and patient. There were so many appealing characteristics that Legolas possessed, in Aragorn's opinion.
A small rift was forming between Arwen and himself, the king knew. They were in love, yet the love seemed to be changing each day. Now and then he caught a strange look in Arwen's eyes when she looked at him. Sorrow and pain should never be in her eyes, Aragorn thought. He didn't know when things had started to change. Sometime after Legolas had attempted to break off contact, which had lasted for nearly a year, before the blond elf had come to Gondor and apologized profusely, saying that he had only been trying to give Aragorn and Arwen some space, for he did not want to intrude on them.
Legolas half turned, and saw Aragorn walking behind him. He briefly wondered if this most special human could ever return the love Legolas had for him within his Elven heart. But fate had made it impossible to determine what-might-have-been.
The elf then realized that he was at the room he sought, so he entered it quietly.
The Healers immediately came over, and Legolas explained that his shoulder was injured and that the wound had been reopened inadvertently. The elf was admonished to take off his shirt and tunic, which caused a flinch to cross his face.
Unknown to him, Aragorn stood in the doorway and watched silently, admiring the inner strength that Legolas possessed, which kept him from crying out. The bandages were removed, and the King of Gondor bit back a sharp cry of outrage.
The wound looked worse, from what he could tell. Legolas was forced to lied down face first on a bed, with his arms crossed and his face pressed against one side of the bed, facing away from Aragorn.
The king entered the room and walked over silently, gesturing for the Healers to keep working, as he inspected the gash closer. More bruises had flared up around it, and blood seeped out from the now gaping wound.
Aragorn narrowed his eyes. He knew full well that Legolas's Elven healing ability should have prevented the wound from getting worse instead of better. Typical, he thought with a sigh. Legolas would hide it, as usual, to prevent a fuss from being made over him.
Legolas groaned softly as he tried to get comfortable, but it wasn't easy with his right shoulder throbbing each time he moved his arm.
Aragorn caught the groan, and silently went to work. He bade the Healers to leave silently, before he grabbed the supplies and went to work on the elf himself. The door closed (and locked) behind the Healers as they left.
Gentle hands touched the wound, before a warm cloth was placed on it, gently cleaning away the dried and fresh blood. Legolas closed his eyes and relaxed a little as the hands poked and prodded for bit, before he heard a faint sound.
"Hmm..." Aragorn muttered, as he split the herbs and began applying them the wound, enjoying the feel of the smooth, mostly flawless skin on Legolas's back. It was soft, as Aragorn remembered from last night, when he'd bandaged the wound. A few locks of the elf's silky hair drifted over his hands, and the human gently moved them aside, as he rubbed the medicine in.
Legolas didn't understand how relaxed he felt, as he let the Healer work. His eyes were still closed as he wondered what Aragorn was doing right now. If the elf hadn't been in pain, or so distracted, he would have noticed that Aragorn was standing over him. As it was, his thoughts were focused on the human he loved.
Aragorn gently tapped on Legolas's arm, a gesture from him to rise long enough so that the wound could be re-bandaged. The elf did so, without opening his eyes. Aragorn wrapped the bandages around the shoulder, as he tried to concentrate on the bandages instead of the feel of Legolas's bare chest. When he was done, Aragorn snuck a glance at the elf's face, and saw that his eyes were closed.
A thoughtful look resided on his face, and the King of Gondor wondered what Legolas could be thinking about. Without thinking about it, he leaned over until his face was just a few inches from the elf's. He gently blew warm breath onto the elf's face. But he did not expect the elf to lean forward and accidentally press his own face against his. Forehead, noses, and lips had met.
Legolas leaned forward because he'd felt something warm blowing on him. Now, he suddenly felt the strangest sensation. A heady warmth was spreading through him, as he felt something warm against his lips. Legolas attempted to lick his lips, but was surprised when his tongue entered someone else's mouth. He opened his eyes and gasped softly. Aragorn's grey eyes were looking directly into his, with desire and longing in his own green eyes. Legolas was instantly embarrassed, when he realized just what had happened. He removed his tongue from Aragorn's mouth and flushed a bright red. The elf sat there in shock, staring at his friend. Their lips were still together, which Legolas now knew that he had done, when he'd leaned forward.
Aragorn enjoyed the taste of the elf, and the shock in those emerald eyes. He also noted the fear in Legolas's eyes, and reassured him by cupping the elf's face in his hands, before he gave him a real kiss.
A moan escaped from Legolas, as blazing emotions swept through him. His mouth chased Aragorn's hungrily, pleading for more, which he got instantly, as Aragorn placed his own tongue into Legolas's eager mouth, while the elf's tongue returned to the human's mouth. They stayed together desperately, neither wanting this to end, as the kisses went on, until both were gasping for air and flushed. Their lips were swollen, as they looked at each other.
Legolas tried to control his labored breathing, as he sat there, trying to understand what had just happened. Aragorn had kissed him back, which meant that the human felt something for him. But what, exactly, the elf wondered.
Aragorn had never expected Legolas to kiss him. He was confused, for the elf had never acted like he cared for him as more than a friend. God, Legolas tasted so good, like wild honey. Arwen became a distant memory temporarily, as Aragorn crushed Legolas's lips with another fiery kiss.
The elf returned it, matching passion with passion. They broke apart again.
`And how long have you felt like this, Legolas?' Aragorn whispered, panting.
Legolas stiffened a little. `Felt like what?' he inquired.
`Wanting to kiss me,' the human said bluntly.
`Twas an accident the first time, Aragorn,' Legolas said defensively. `And you kissed me, he pointed out.
God, I want him, part of Legolas shouted. A voice taunted his thoughts, though. What of Arwen, it whispered. Torment went through Legolas, as he tried to figure out the right thing to do.
Aragorn saw the fire in Legolas's eyes dim a little, as the elf pulled away from him.
`I was curious,' Legolas finally said, holding back tears of pain, which the human didn't see, as he lied for the sake of the one he loved... and for his gentle friend.
Hurt soured through Aragorn. `Curious?' he repeated in disbelief.
Legolas nodded, as he gazed at Aragorn. `I have never kissed by a Man before.'
`I see,' Aragorn said in a clipped voice. `And did you figure Arwen into this?'
`You didn't seem to mind,' Legolas pointed out, as he turned his face away from Aragorn, as a single tear ran down his face.
Aragorn said coldly, `In the future, please do not use me for experiments, Legolas. And why don't you tell me something else? Like why your healing ability didn't help you.'
Legolas frowned. `I am not a child that has to account for my actions to you, Aragorn. I thought we worked that out a long time ago.'
`Not when you lie directly to my face about how serious your injury is,' Aragorn snapped. `Did they use a poison or something to slow down your ability to heal?'
`It's none of your concern why I no longer have my healing ability,' Legolas said harshly. He was not going to tell Aragorn the reason.
Aragorn reached out to grab the elf by the shoulders, but remembered Legolas's injury. Instead, he grabbed him by the arms and pulled him forward, careful not to harm the wound further.
Legolas glared at Aragorn, who glared back as the elf was brought as close to the human as he could be. They scowled at each other, both stubborn and set in their own ways. But they forgot their anger as their faces drew together and they kissed once more, hard and demanding. It lasted for several moments, as warmth spread through them both, before they jerked apart. Legolas was now standing, and he licked his lips, before forcing himself to get a grip of his emotions, for he had to remember Arwen, even if Aragorn didn't seem to right now.
Aragorn found it erotic, but saw the mask slide over the elf's eyes again. `And I suppose that was for your curiosity as well, Legolas,' the human said bitterly. He resented the elf for using him like this, and playing with his heart.
`Of course,' Legolas said haughtily, lying once more. `You are only a friend to me, Aragorn.'
Aragorn seethed in anger at those callous words. `Whore,' he hissed, and was stunned when Legolas slapped him hard across the face with his left hand.
`I am not the one who is married and kisses another willingly,' Legolas hissed back, wanting to cause Aragorn as much pain as the human had just given him. He grabbed his bow and quiver in his sore left hand.
To Aragorn's surprise, tears were glimmering in Legolas's green eyes, before anger replaced them, as the elf bolted, and leapt out of the open window, forgetting completely that
The human then realized just how much he had hurt the elf, and knew that something was bothering him. The door to the Healers' room opened.
Arwen entered softly, and walked over to her husband. `We should go after him,' she whispered in Elvish.
Aragorn looked at her in shock. `Arwen... I...'
His wife silenced him by kissing him sweetly. `Legolas did a very unselfish thing for us once, Estel, and I would like to repay him for it.'
Aragorn nodded, though he did not fully understand, and the king and queen left the castle quickly. In their haste, they told the rest of the Fellowship that they would be back soon, and ran off before the guards could come with them.
Legolas was sitting beside a tree, crying as if his heart would break, when he heard the sounds of Arwen and Aragorn approaching. The usually calm and stoic archer quickly began wiping his tears away, as he stood.
Arwen and Aragorn saw the tear streaks on Legolas's face, however. Arwen left her husband's side, and approached Legolas.
`Legolas, I need to tell you something,' she began, right as Legolas's Elven senses told him that someone was watching them. He immediately looked around, trying to determine where the person was.
The sound of an arrow being released was heard by only Legolas, as he turned to listen.
Oh god, Legolas thought. It's heading for Arwen, and she doesn't even know!
He remembered Aragorn's words from the night before: `What would I do without you, Arwen?'
There was no time and no choice, as Legolas did the only thing he could do for the one he loved.
The End