Author's Notes: I'm so incredibly sorry about the amount of time this one's taken to write. Had a pretty severe case of writer's block, not exactly helped by the amount of homework that I've had due in. Anyway, it's the holidays now, and the block has lifted somewhat, so I've had no excuse not to finish this chapter. It's a bit shorter than normal, and nothing much really happens, but it's better than nothing, I hope. Lots of reviews will lift the writer's block completely, I expect. Just a hint.
To the anonymous reader who reviewed telling me, oh so politely, to use a spell-checker, I'd just like to say that I always do, and the error you pointed out was obviously a typo, as my spell-check recognises 'mater' as a real word, rather annoyingly, as I've never heard of it. I'm sorry that one slipped through the net; I don't have a Beta reader (even though I probably should) and for the sake of one letter, I don't think it's really a big deal. Still, thanks for pointing it out.
Disclaimer: Not even Bill the pony is mine.
Chapter 7
//The weeks before the fellowship departed for their quest passed quickly; quicker than Legolas would have liked. Inevitably, he spent the most part with Boromir, whether he wanted to or not. Boromir rarely left his room, and silently disapproved if Legolas chose to do otherwise. However, he had been much more caring towards the Elf ever since the night after the council of Elrond, and Legolas knew better than to complain. Now he knew Boromir's fears, he also understood his insecurities, and his thoughts on Aragorn, if not justified, were understandable. Therefore, Legolas accepted Boromir's need to be alone with him, and spent many days, and every night, in the company of the man.
On one such night, the two lay entwined in each other's arms in Legolas' room, silent for a long while as they enjoyed the silence and the intimacy of the situation. Occasionally, Boromir would run his hand over Legolas' hair, but other than that they were completely still. The intimacy felt right to Legolas, far more satisfying than the sex that usually filled their time alone together.
"Does the thought of the quest frighten you?" Boromir asked him, breaking the long silence that Legolas had only just adapted to. The elf stirred comfortably.
"Not the danger that it might hold, no. The thought of being away from Mirkwood for so long, though, is something I do not wish to think of." He lifted his head up to look at Boromir. "And you?"
"If I felt any fear, the thought of you by my side has conquered it."
"Boromir," Legolas frowned, wondering how the man would respond to his next words, "we cannot let our relationship get in the way of our task. I do not think it would be wise to bring it to the attention of the members of the fellowship that do not know about it."
"You wish to keep us a secret?" Legolas felt Boromir's chest harden underneath him. Legolas sighed.
"Not keep us a secret, no. I am not ashamed of our love and you know that. But our feelings for each other are something that should be kept for when we are alone together. Should we encounter any danger, which will be inevitable, we cannot allow our love to hinder the fellowship in any way; we have promised to protect Frodo, remember?"
"So if you are in mortal danger, I may not protect you?" Boromir snorted. "Forgive me, my prince, but I have sworn to aid the entire fellowship, not just one of the little ones."
"Yes, but..." Legolas started to protest but was silenced by Boromir placing his lips on the Elf's mouth. After kissing him deeply, he pulled away, smirking.
"You think too much, Elf. I promise our love for one another will not affect the quest, if you in turn promise that we will not have to hide our love if one of the fellowship should question our relationship."
"Done." Legolas kissed him. "But we will not make a show of it. Our relationship is our business, nobody else's." He kissed him harder, with much more passion. Boromir pulled away, breathless.
"I like this new-found aggression, sweet prince. Now let's see if we can put that to a better use."
***
The day that they were due to leave Rivendell soon came round, and as Aragorn prepared his belongings his heart was heavy with troubled emotions. He had barely seen Legolas since he had first arrived, and although his heart had pined for him he knew that the absence would be easier to cope with than the quest that lay ahead of them. He would see Legolas every day now, but he would also see Boromir... fellow man, bitter rival. The thought brought him only fear. Would be able to control his feelings? He would have to, of course, for the sake of the fellowship. His feelings were of no importance compared to the immense task at hand. When... if... they completed the quest, he would tell Legolas his feelings, however the Elf's relationship with Boromir stood. It was only right that he knew, so he could make up his own mind. If he chose Boromir, so be it. At least Aragorn would finally know.
He strode outside to where the Hobbits and Gandalf were already waiting. Gandalf stood serene, poised, as he always did. The little ones were chattering nervously, in quiet, hushed voices that betrayed their fears.
"Where are the others?" He asked Gandalf. "We are due to leave soon."
"Gimli is collecting Bill from the stables. Boromir and Legolas have not been down yet."
Of course they hadn't. It was the last chance they had to be alone together. Aragorn frowned at the thought of what they were doing this very minute, and quickly tried to collect himself before Gandalf noticed. Too late. The Wizard raised a questioning eyebrow. "You seem troubled by this?"
"I..." Aragorn shook his head. He wasn't going to betray their relationship, not even to Gandalf. He would work it out, anyway. He was far too receptive to let such an important thing go unnoticed, "...I am just eager to set out."
"You may be the only one." The Wizard smiled warmly, but he had not been fooled. It was impossible to hide any feelings from Gandalf.
They waited under the cover of the fast-approaching morning sky for what seemed like a long time. Gimli came with Bill the pony, and they saddled their belongings to him carefully. Finally, Boromir and Legolas arrived, both looking calm and grounded. The Hobbits stared up in awe at Legolas, who barely noticed as he strapped his bow to his back. Aragorn smiled at the little one's faces. Although they had grown used to seeing Elves now, few compared to Legolas' beauty and grace. Aragorn had grown up surrounded them, and he had yet to find one fairer. Aragorn felt eyes bearing into him, and he looked round to see Boromir's eyes narrowed as he glared at the man. Aragorn turned around, shutting out the image of that face. He would have to make peace with Boromir if the fellowship were to remain strong. He would not be the cause of its undoing.
As they were ready to leave, Elrond came to wish them all luck one last time. Aragorn was secretly thankful that he had said his farewell to Arwen last night. He did not want the sight of her waving him off to be his last memory of Rivendell. It was too painful a thought.
Elrond spoke to all of them individually, his words to Aragorn fleeting but full of hope. Last of all he approached Legolas and the two embraced tightly. The sight was so beautiful that Aragorn had to look away, for fear of his eyes betraying his emotions. He looked to Boromir, who was staring directly at them, a hint of possessiveness in his eyes. Finally Elrond whispered something into Legolas' ear, earning a faint smile from the younger Elf, before he pulled away.
"Take with you all the luck in Middle Earth." Elrond told them all. "You will be in our hearts every second of every day." And with those words, the fellowship walked silently out of the protection of Rivendell, their minds filled with unease as to what lay in store for them.
To the anonymous reader who reviewed telling me, oh so politely, to use a spell-checker, I'd just like to say that I always do, and the error you pointed out was obviously a typo, as my spell-check recognises 'mater' as a real word, rather annoyingly, as I've never heard of it. I'm sorry that one slipped through the net; I don't have a Beta reader (even though I probably should) and for the sake of one letter, I don't think it's really a big deal. Still, thanks for pointing it out.
Disclaimer: Not even Bill the pony is mine.
Chapter 7
//The weeks before the fellowship departed for their quest passed quickly; quicker than Legolas would have liked. Inevitably, he spent the most part with Boromir, whether he wanted to or not. Boromir rarely left his room, and silently disapproved if Legolas chose to do otherwise. However, he had been much more caring towards the Elf ever since the night after the council of Elrond, and Legolas knew better than to complain. Now he knew Boromir's fears, he also understood his insecurities, and his thoughts on Aragorn, if not justified, were understandable. Therefore, Legolas accepted Boromir's need to be alone with him, and spent many days, and every night, in the company of the man.
On one such night, the two lay entwined in each other's arms in Legolas' room, silent for a long while as they enjoyed the silence and the intimacy of the situation. Occasionally, Boromir would run his hand over Legolas' hair, but other than that they were completely still. The intimacy felt right to Legolas, far more satisfying than the sex that usually filled their time alone together.
"Does the thought of the quest frighten you?" Boromir asked him, breaking the long silence that Legolas had only just adapted to. The elf stirred comfortably.
"Not the danger that it might hold, no. The thought of being away from Mirkwood for so long, though, is something I do not wish to think of." He lifted his head up to look at Boromir. "And you?"
"If I felt any fear, the thought of you by my side has conquered it."
"Boromir," Legolas frowned, wondering how the man would respond to his next words, "we cannot let our relationship get in the way of our task. I do not think it would be wise to bring it to the attention of the members of the fellowship that do not know about it."
"You wish to keep us a secret?" Legolas felt Boromir's chest harden underneath him. Legolas sighed.
"Not keep us a secret, no. I am not ashamed of our love and you know that. But our feelings for each other are something that should be kept for when we are alone together. Should we encounter any danger, which will be inevitable, we cannot allow our love to hinder the fellowship in any way; we have promised to protect Frodo, remember?"
"So if you are in mortal danger, I may not protect you?" Boromir snorted. "Forgive me, my prince, but I have sworn to aid the entire fellowship, not just one of the little ones."
"Yes, but..." Legolas started to protest but was silenced by Boromir placing his lips on the Elf's mouth. After kissing him deeply, he pulled away, smirking.
"You think too much, Elf. I promise our love for one another will not affect the quest, if you in turn promise that we will not have to hide our love if one of the fellowship should question our relationship."
"Done." Legolas kissed him. "But we will not make a show of it. Our relationship is our business, nobody else's." He kissed him harder, with much more passion. Boromir pulled away, breathless.
"I like this new-found aggression, sweet prince. Now let's see if we can put that to a better use."
***
The day that they were due to leave Rivendell soon came round, and as Aragorn prepared his belongings his heart was heavy with troubled emotions. He had barely seen Legolas since he had first arrived, and although his heart had pined for him he knew that the absence would be easier to cope with than the quest that lay ahead of them. He would see Legolas every day now, but he would also see Boromir... fellow man, bitter rival. The thought brought him only fear. Would be able to control his feelings? He would have to, of course, for the sake of the fellowship. His feelings were of no importance compared to the immense task at hand. When... if... they completed the quest, he would tell Legolas his feelings, however the Elf's relationship with Boromir stood. It was only right that he knew, so he could make up his own mind. If he chose Boromir, so be it. At least Aragorn would finally know.
He strode outside to where the Hobbits and Gandalf were already waiting. Gandalf stood serene, poised, as he always did. The little ones were chattering nervously, in quiet, hushed voices that betrayed their fears.
"Where are the others?" He asked Gandalf. "We are due to leave soon."
"Gimli is collecting Bill from the stables. Boromir and Legolas have not been down yet."
Of course they hadn't. It was the last chance they had to be alone together. Aragorn frowned at the thought of what they were doing this very minute, and quickly tried to collect himself before Gandalf noticed. Too late. The Wizard raised a questioning eyebrow. "You seem troubled by this?"
"I..." Aragorn shook his head. He wasn't going to betray their relationship, not even to Gandalf. He would work it out, anyway. He was far too receptive to let such an important thing go unnoticed, "...I am just eager to set out."
"You may be the only one." The Wizard smiled warmly, but he had not been fooled. It was impossible to hide any feelings from Gandalf.
They waited under the cover of the fast-approaching morning sky for what seemed like a long time. Gimli came with Bill the pony, and they saddled their belongings to him carefully. Finally, Boromir and Legolas arrived, both looking calm and grounded. The Hobbits stared up in awe at Legolas, who barely noticed as he strapped his bow to his back. Aragorn smiled at the little one's faces. Although they had grown used to seeing Elves now, few compared to Legolas' beauty and grace. Aragorn had grown up surrounded them, and he had yet to find one fairer. Aragorn felt eyes bearing into him, and he looked round to see Boromir's eyes narrowed as he glared at the man. Aragorn turned around, shutting out the image of that face. He would have to make peace with Boromir if the fellowship were to remain strong. He would not be the cause of its undoing.
As they were ready to leave, Elrond came to wish them all luck one last time. Aragorn was secretly thankful that he had said his farewell to Arwen last night. He did not want the sight of her waving him off to be his last memory of Rivendell. It was too painful a thought.
Elrond spoke to all of them individually, his words to Aragorn fleeting but full of hope. Last of all he approached Legolas and the two embraced tightly. The sight was so beautiful that Aragorn had to look away, for fear of his eyes betraying his emotions. He looked to Boromir, who was staring directly at them, a hint of possessiveness in his eyes. Finally Elrond whispered something into Legolas' ear, earning a faint smile from the younger Elf, before he pulled away.
"Take with you all the luck in Middle Earth." Elrond told them all. "You will be in our hearts every second of every day." And with those words, the fellowship walked silently out of the protection of Rivendell, their minds filled with unease as to what lay in store for them.