Note: All unknown characters are mine, except for Miat! The rest belong to J.R.R. Tolkien. Miat = Legolas. = Different language (other than English and Elvish), " " = Basic English, and ' ' = Elvish. Sorry, but I have not found a beta-reader yet. Any volunteers? I'm looking for one per story. Email me if you are interested! Contains A/L shounen ai! I changed a bit of LOTR in this chapter, but not too much.

Forgotten Secrets

Part 5

Miat reluctantly stepped back from Aragorn, as he remembered one of the most important rules of all. The elf shook his head when the human reached towards him once more.

Nekare, Aragorn, Miat said softly.

Aragorn frowned slightly, for he could see pain in the blue eyes that looked at him. "What is wrong, 'Miat'?"

Miat stammered, "Not… allowed…"

"Not allowed? You're not allowed to kiss another?" Aragorn questioned.

"No…touching…" Miat closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "A… rule…"

Aragorn disliked the rule intensely, but the figure who watched them was pleased when Miat stopped the human from kissing him any longer. At least the elf had not forgotten all of the rules.

"All right, 'Miat'," Aragorn said. "No touching." It hurt him to say that, but again, he did not want to push Legolas too far.

Miat was relieved and released the breath he'd been holding. His gaze drifted over to the plate of food hungrily.

Aragorn followed Legolas's gaze and smiled. "Do you want some?"

Hai, douzo, Miat answered.

Aragorn picked up the plate and moved it to the wooden table. He sat it in the middle, before sitting on one side of the table. He gestured to Legolas, who sat on the other side.

The two began to eat silently. Their hands occasionally brushed together.

Miat glanced up and looked at Aragorn, who was looking straight at him. "Why… look?"

"Why do I look at you?" Aragorn said, a slight smile on his face. "You are very pretty to look at."

Miat only understood 'I', 'you', 'pretty' and 'look'. He tried to figure out what Aragorn was saying, but shook his head.

Aragorn sighed, as he finished eating. He stood and walked over to his pack. He began searching through it, and took out a wrinkled and folded piece of paper.

Miat watched curiously, as he nibbled on some fruit.

The human crossed the room again, and sat down in his chair, holding the paper. "If you are not Legolas, 'Miat', you certainly bear an amazing likeness to him." Aragorn unfolded the paper and showed it to the elf. Then he watched to see Legolas's reaction.

Miat took the paper in his hands, and brought it closer. Aragorn was on there, along with his two companions. But there were some other people on there as well. A tall figure in a pointed hat; another human; three more children; and a figure who stood next to Aragorn, with holding a bow with one hand. His other hand rested on Aragorn's shoulder. Miat stood and gaped at the picture.

Ware! he exclaimed, as his face went pale. The elf looked for a mirror, and went over to it, comparing his own features to the smaller ones on the drawing. Miat looked at Aragorn. "Why…I… here?" The blond elf pointed to the drawing of himself. His hair was much shorter there, Miat noticed.

Aragorn stood and crossed the room, to stand beside the elf. "That is Legolas Greenleaf."

Miat shook his head. "Is… me!"

"No, 'Miat.' It truly is Legolas, along with the rest of the Fellowship of Nine, who went out on a Quest to destroy the One Ring. It was drawn before we left Rivendell. I kept it close, especially after he disappeared." Aragorn sounded sad.

Miat looked at Aragorn, confused. He was certain that it was him. "What…happen to… him?" he questioned.

Aragorn sighed. "I don't know. Legolas was on his way home when something happened. He was never seen again. Legolas was my best friend."

Another memory coursed through the blond elf.

**************

Flashback

**************

Aragorn and himself were standing on the balcony in Rivendell.

'I do not know if I can be the King that Gondor needs, Legolas,' Aragorn said quietly. 'I turned away from that long ago. How fit am I to rule, when Isildur's blood flows in my veins?'

Legolas gave his friend a wise smile. 'You are a great leader, Aragorn. You have not seen it for yourself. But I believe in you, for I know that you will be a just and noble King. You are not Isildur, but Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You are yourself.'

Aragorn chuckled quietly. 'When did you get so much older and wiser than me?' he teased.

Legolas frowned. 'I've always been older than you, Aragorn. Wisdom comes with the passage of time.'

'I was joking, Legolas,' Aragorn said, a twinkle in his eyes.

'Oh…' Legolas brushed a strand of hair out of his eyes. He could see that his friend was still troubled, however much he tried to hide it. The elf tried to resolve his friend's pain gently. 'Aragorn, do not think badly of yourself. Boromir spoke out of ignorance and fear, for you will be the leader of Gondor, instead of him.'

Aragorn gave his friend a smile. 'You always know what is on my mind, Legolas.'

'Not always,' Legolas said, smiling back. They looked at each other.

The two maintained their composure for a few moments, before they burst into merry laughter.

The elf's laughter was like the tinkle of bells, while the human's hearty laughs rang out. But the two laughs blended together in harmony.

They clapped each other on the shoulder, grinning, before they were called down to get the picture sketch drawn.

The elf and human went down, and took their positions.

As always, Legolas stood beside Aragorn, for he would always support his friend. He held his bow in one hand, and his other was on Aragorn's arm, a gesture of friendship.

Nothing could separate them, Legolas thought. Not even Saruman himself.

*********************************************************************

Miat cried out in pain, loud enough to awaken Gimli and Frodo. He nearly fell over, blinded with throbbing inside of his head.

Aragorn caught the swaying elf in his arms, and saw the confusion and agony in his blue eyes. Legolas began to tremble violently, and shut his eyes.

Gimli jerked awake and grabbed his axe. He brandished it threateningly, and stopped when he saw Legolas shaking like a leaf, his eyes closed in agony.

Frodo awoke, and grabbed for Sting, until he realized who was crying out.

"What's wrong?" Aragorn questioned, as he supported Legolas.

He whispered, "Head…pain…hurts…" Miat took a shaky breath. "Need…potion."

Aragorn quickly answered, "I do not have your…potion, but I have some herbs that may help. Gimli, grab some herbs from my medicine bag."

The dwarf did so, and brought them to Aragorn. The human took the ones he needed, and split them.

Miat kept his eyes closed, breathing with the pain.

"Eat this," Aragorn said, as he pressed the herbs to the elf's mouth. The mouth obediently opened, and the herbs entered it.

Miat chewed and swallowed. He softly moaned. Sono kushin…

Aragorn held the elf, until the shaking ceased. "Are you all right?" he whispered.

Sayou, Aragorn. Arigatou. Miat took another deep breath. The vision was gone.

Aragorn looked at Legolas carefully, to make certain. "Are you certain?"

Miat enjoyed being in the human's arms, and wistfully sighed as he began to speak quietly. Sazo. Douzo houmen ware.

Aragorn reluctantly let go, and watched Legolas as he stood.

"What happened?" Frodo questioned. He stood and walked over to Legolas.

"Head… hurt…" Miat explained.

"How often do you get such headaches?" Aragorn questioned carefully.

Miat thought for a few moments. "Not…often…till…now…"

Aragorn nodded slowly. He'd expected an answer similar to that. Legolas's subconscious was trying to awaken his memories, but something was blocking it.

Gimli grumbled, "Is everything ok now?"

Frodo nodded. "He's ok, Gimli."

The stranger who watched them had had enough. He began making his way down, intending to take Legolas away from that room. By force, if necessary.

Another figure had watched him, however, and entered the inn before the spy could. He made his way up to the room, and knocked on the door. This one had known where the strangers in town were staying, and where their room was.

Aragorn and the others tensed when a knock sounded on the door.

"Who is it?" Aragorn questioned.

Miat knew that if it was Shira or Tsuku he would be in big trouble. The elf was not sorry that he had come, even if he was in trouble.

"My name is not important. I have come to see Miataru," a soft voice said.

Frodo frowned. "What do you want with him?"

A soft laugh could be heard through the door. "Miat, tell them to open the door before I break it down."

Miat's face lit up in a smile. Meiyuu? he questioned.

Sayou, Miat, Meiyuu said.

Miat turned to the others. "It is… my…friend…"

Aragorn opened the door slowly, and a hooded figure stepped inside.

Meiyuu went directly over to Miat. A grim expression was on his face, as he stood beside his friend and faced the others. He did not remove his hood, as he took a deep breath.

"Someone was watching you tonight. All of you," Meiyuu said.

Aragorn, Gimli, Frodo, and Miat turned to look at the hooded figure in shock.

Meiyuu paused, before continuing. "He's on his way here, right now, to take Miataru away."

To be continued

******************************************************

Nekare, Aragorn = Do not, Aragorn

Hai, douzo = Yes, please

Ware = Me

Sono kushin = The pain

Sayou, Aragorn. Arigatou = Yes, Aragorn. Thank you.

Sazo. Douzo houmen ware = I am sure. Please release me

Sayou, Miat  = Yes, Miat 

******************************************************