Title: Dark Secrets

Author: Combined fic with AJ Matthews and kitty

Disclaimer: I do not own anything it all belongs to Tolkien

Warning: If you do not like male/male relationships I suggest you press the back button on your browser

A/N: Don't worry, the slash comes soon.

"Who do we send to Mirkwood?"

"Haldir of 'Lorien for certain, and I have chosen some other elves to go."

"What of Aragorn? Will you send him there as well?"

"I plan to. He is one of the best. Even if he needs to learn more discipline, and the virtue of patience."

"So those two go. Any others?"

"I am considering Gimli, son of Gloin, but I am not sure if he could do the most good in Mirkwood."

"You know that he will be upset if he does not get to see his friend again?"

"Sacrifices must be made in wars. Personal feelings cannot be allowed to interfere."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Aragorn was pleased when Gandalf confirmed his belief. He would be going to Mirkwood to help Legolas- and the other elves, he hastily amended. But Aragorn was not happy when they announced that Haldir of

'Lorien was going as well, along with some other elves.

Haldir merely nodded, as did the other elves. They turned to look at him, and Aragorn nodded back, to be polite.

Aragorn knew that Haldir and Legolas were close friends, and he'd hoped to be able to speak with Legolas without having to compete for his attention. Unfortunately, it was not to be so. But Aragorn decided to make the best that he could of it.

As soon as the meeting was over, Aragorn returned to his room. He angrily wondered why Lord Elrond had purposefully embarrassed him.

True, his thoughts had wondered, but still… Why did the Elven lord have to act as if Aragorn was going to mess everything up?

Arwen entered the room quietly and walked over to him. "So you are going to Mirkwood to help?" she inquired softly, hoping Aragorn was in a better mood now.

Aragorn said, "Yes. We leave at dawn, so I have to pack and get some rest first, Arwen."

Hurt shone in her eyes, before she placed a hand on his arm. "When will we see each other again?" she questioned.

"I don't know," Aragorn said honestly. "No-one will return until the war is over."

"Be careful," Arwen whispered, before she kissed him softly. She then turned and walked out of the room.

Aragorn resisted the urge to wipe his lips off after Arwen left. He shook his head, and quickly began packing everything that he would need for the trip. He then laid down on his bed, and tried to get some sleep.

It seemed that Aragorn had just fallen asleep when it was almost time to leave. He quickly changed into fresh clothes, brushed his hair, and splashed water on his face.

Aragorn then put on a cloak, grabbed his pack, Anduril, and his bow and arrows, before he went out to meet Haldir and the others. The elves were waiting for him with Lord Elrond.

"About time," Lord Elrond said testily. They'd been waiting for nearly ten minutes.

Aragorn cocked an eyebrow slightly, but refrained from saying anything.

The Elven lord looked at the group around him. "Ride long and hard for Mirkwood, and be careful. The forest is not as safe as it usually is."

Aragorn rolled his eyes. There was a war going on in there; of course it wasn't safe. Any idiot would know that.

Elrond glanced at Aragorn sharply. "Guard yourselves well. " he said to the group as a whole, then mutterd "And don't try anything foolish." before the Elven lord walked away.

"Let's go," Aragorn said, eager to be on the way.

Haldir nodded his agreement. The group turned and headed towards the stables together. Each mounted a horse, and pulled their cloaks around them tightly. They then galloped off towards Mirkwood.

Aragorn's thoughts were mostly on how Legolas was faring in this. He knew the blond archer could easily defend himself, but not against overwhelming odds. And Legolas' father was the target of this attacks. Well, he would give their enemies a fight they would never forget, Aragorn thought grimly.

It took a few days to get to the borders of Mirkwood, and the group was at a loss as to who the leader was; either Haldir or Aragorn. So they were mostly silent, while Aragorn and Haldir took turns directing the others.

"We should heed Lord Elrond's warning when we enter," Haldir told Aragorn.

"I guess," Aragorn replied. "But things have been very quiet. We didn't even get attacked on the way here."

Haldir nodded. "But do not let your guard down, for these woods are far too still. I cannot even hear the birds."

They proceeded into the forest, and were greeted by a small battalion of enemies.

"Greetings from Mordor!" the leader snarled, before the evil foes began charging towards them on their own horses.

As one, the group on their horses drew their bows and began firing arrows. Their enemies drew their own bows and fired back, causing the group to scatter slightly.

Aragorn notched an arrow and fired it, killing his pursuer. Haldir was doing the same, as he calmed his horse in Elvish.

The other elves were faring well, as they cut down their opponents. The minions of Mordor fled to regroup.

"That was easily done," Aragorn said.

Haldir glanced around. "Someone is watching us," he informed Aragorn, as a solitary figure emerged from the trees, wearing a dark green cloak over a blue shirt and brown leggings. Most of the elves immediately notched arrows and pointed them at the person.

Aragorn was struck at the vision who approached them silently. Golden hair hung down his shoulders, and piercing blue eyes met theirs. His skin was pale, and he seemed a little weary, as he stood before them, holding a bow, with a quiver on his back. A sword hung as the figure's waist, as he fearlessly met their gazes. His pointed ears told Aragorn that this was an elf of Mirkwood.

Legolas Greenleaf looked at the group, before addressing them in Elvish. "Seeing as how you are not wearing the colors of Mordor, and how you killed most of them, may I assume that you are the ones who were sent to aid us by Lord Elrond?"

"You may," Haldir said, recognizing the calm and stoic Prince of Mirkwood.

Relief flashed through the elf's blue eyes, before calmness appeared. "I shall escort you to the castle, then, for there are many traps that we had to set for opponents."

"But you have no horse," Haldir pointed out. "How will you keep up?"

Legolas slyly looked at Haldir, recognizing his friend. "I will keep up easily." He then looked at Aragorn. Legolas had known that Aragorn would probably be sent to Mirkwood to help, but the blond Prince was not sure how he felt about it. "Shall we be off before any other opponents show up?"

Aragorn finally nodded, unfrozen. The blond elf was the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen. But he looked away when he saw the elf give him a puzzled glance, which meant that he'd noticed how Aragorn had been staring at him. This elf had courage, he mused.

Haldir nodded. "Let's go." The group on horseback were surprised at how easily Legolas kept up, leaping up into the trees, but remaining visible as he easily jumped from one branch to another.

Aragorn's horse suddenly refused to go any further, and Aragorn didn't know why. He kept urging it forward, but it wouldn't budge.

"Stop!" Legolas called down in Elvish, as he sprang down from the tree to prevent Aragorn from going any further. The Elven Prince positioned himself in front of the horse.

"What are you doing?" Aragorn asked, slightly irritated as he looked at the blond elf. He gestured for the elf to move aside.

Legolas met his gaze calmly. "I wish only to save your life, son of Arathorn." He reached down and picked up a stick, before turning. He brushed the stick in the air directly in front Aragorn. The stick was instantly sliced into numerous pieces.

Haldir let out a soft whistle of surprise. "Pray tell, in what matter was that designed?"

"Tis thread, spun so fine that it is nearly invisible. A thin layer of metal coats it, and it can slice nearly anything to pieces," Legolas said. He looked at Aragorn. "I suggest you be a little more careful the next time your horse does not wish to go forward."

Aragorn grabbed the elf's arm firmly as he turned to walk away. "Don't make a fool out of me," Aragorn said testily.

"Release him at once, Aragorn," Haldir ordered. "Do you not know who he is?"

"How should I know? He never introduced himself," Aragorn pointed out.

"You honestly do not know who I am, Estel?" Legolas questioned, a bit amused.

Aragorn scowled. "No, I don't. Should I know?"

"Tis I, Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Mirkwood," Legolas said calmly, eliciting gasps from the other elves, save for Haldir. "And I suggest you let go of me, for my father's archers are taking aim at you, Aragorn."

Aragorn was incredulous.

To be continued