Chapter 2: Truth in Deep Waters
The three friends stood in a small clearing in the woods. They could hear the tranquil waves splashing softly in a lake nearby. Aragorn dropped his pack and looked around.
"We will stop here for the day." He announced. The light of the day was growing ever so dimmer and nightfall was fast approaching. "You two set up camp and I shall go look for wood to kindle a fire." He quickly disappeared into the trees without waiting for a response from his other two companions.
Gimli dropped his pack onto the ground and began rummaging through it. Legolas watched him for a while.
"I shall go wash in the lake."
Gimli snorted. "Do you expect me to set up camp alone?"
"Are you scared to be alone?" Legolas taunted.
Gimli rolled his eyes. "Go, Elf. Do what you need to do."
Chuckling softly to himself, Legolas quickly left the clearing and headed towards the sound of the lake. He came to its edge and dropped his pack by the border of it. He swiftly stripped out of his worn clothes and waded into the clear waters of the lake. There seemed to be no end to the depth of the pool, Legolas mused, as he stopped when the water had reached up to his waist. He gave it no more thought as he dunked his head into the crystal-clear waters. The water felt refreshing on his skin and was indeed a much-needed change from the dirt and grime that climbed up his body during their travels. With a sigh of relief, he stood in the waters with his eyes closed, relaxing his body and mind.
Gimli rolled out the last bedroll and as he did, Aragorn reappeared through the trees and dropped branches of trees in the middle of the clearing. He looked at the Dwarf and around the perimeter of the camp.
"Where is Legolas?"
"Bathing," grunted Gimli. A mischievous glint twinkled in his eye as he glanced at Aragorn. "Perhaps you should go fetch him. It's not safe to go wandering around these parts alone."
Aragorn hesitated. He wished Gimli had not suggested he go to the lake. The last thing he needed to see now was Legolas stark naked with water dripping down his body. Surely such a sight would arouse his emotions.
"He can handle himself." He said finally.
Gimli raised an eyebrow. "Without his weapons?"
Aragorn's eyes traveled to where Gimli was staring at and saw that Legolas had left his bow and arrows as well as his daggers and sword. He sighed and turned to leave the camp again.
"Start the fire, Gimli. I'll be back soon." He quickly disappeared into the darkness of the trees. Gimli smiled victoriously to himself. This was a good start for his plan.
Aragorn crept up silently beside a grove of trees and watched in a trance as the Elf in the center of the lake waded around, washing himself. Legolas' skin was pale and shone softly in the moonlight. His chest was fit and delicate muscles rippled through his body. Though damp, his hair still shone brightly in the dim moonlight.
Legolas sensed someone watching him and turned. His Elven eyesight enabled him to recognize Aragorn crouching down beside the trees around the lake.
"Aragorn?"
Aragorn stood from his spot. He smiled shakily. "Gimli…He wanted me to come see if you were all right." Why was he trembling?
Legolas rolled his eyes. "Stupid Dwarf." He sighed then turned his attention back on Aragorn. "As you can see, I'm quite fine. But now that you are here, do you also wish to bathe?"
Aragorn's eyes almost popped out of his head. Was Legolas inviting him to bathe together? No, Aragorn decided. He must restrain his desires.
"No, I'm fi-"
Suddenly a wave of water splashed up from the lake and drenched him. He stood there, dripping as Legolas laughed at him. Aragorn raised his eyebrow.
"Legolas~" he called out warningly. The Elf stuck out his tongue and dove back into the depths of the water. Aragorn sighed and began wading into the lake, not bothering to take off his own clothes. They were already wet; there was no point in taking them off. He looked around, searching for the blonde Elf. He was nowhere in sight. "Legolas," Aragorn called. He received no response. By now, panic was beginning to seize Aragorn. "Legolas!" Suddenly, he was yanked underwater. He sputtered as he swam back up to the surface. He searched for the mischievous Elf and saw him a few feet away, an impish look on his face.
"For one who was raised by Elves, you truly did not inherit their grace." Legolas taunted.
"For one who is more than two thousand years old, you act like a mere child." Aragorn replied. Legolas giggled in response. Aragorn grinned and swam over to Legolas. "The waters are deep," he commented as he reached Legolas, glad the Elf did not try to swim away.
"Hmm," Legolas murmured. He yawned and dove back into the water. He came back up a second later and spit out a fountain of water at Aragorn.
Aragorn playfully grabbed the Elf and wrestled with him. He began to tickle the sensitive Elf who squirmed around, laughing loudly.
"Stop, Aragorn," he panted.
"Will you stop being such a devil?"
"Yes, yes." Legolas gasped. Aragorn ceased his torture and watched amusedly as Legolas caught his breath. The Elf was beautiful even when roguish. He found himself moving forward to claim Legolas' succulent lips with his own. Legolas gave a small yelp of surprise but the cry was stifled. Slowly, he closed his eyes and responded to Aragorn's kiss. They floated in the water, locked together in a deep passionate kiss, in a world only of their own. All else was blocked out, as they tasted each other. Finally, they pulled away from one another, out of air. Legolas stared wide-eyed at Aragorn, not daring to hope. "…Aragorn…?"
Aragorn almost turned away when he realized what he had just done. He had just betrayed both Legolas and Arwen! The shock in Legolas' eyes was evident. The Elf did not feel for Aragorn as he did for Legolas. But perhaps that had been too much for him to hope for. Of course Legolas would not return his feelings! How foolish he had been to think that so great a being as Legolas would actually like Aragorn, a weak Mortal! Aragorn began backing away from Legolas, too embarrassed to speak with the Elf, much less be face to face with him.
"I'm sorry, Legolas," Aragorn murmured softly. "Let us pretend none of this ever happened…" Had Aragorn been an Elf, he would have seen the plain hurt that shone deeply in Legolas' eyes. But alas, he was only a Mortal Man and his eyesight was not capable of deciphering the emotions on Legolas' face in the faint moonlight.
"Of course, Aragorn," Legolas mumbled, looking away. "Whatever you wish."
Aragorn quickly came out of the lake and almost stumbled over himself as he returned to the camp. He could see the weak glow of the fire Gimli had made. As he burst into the clearing, Gimli gave him a startled look. Gimli stared at Aragorn's drenched garments.
"What happened to you? Where's Legolas?"
"He is still bathing." Aragorn replied. "I-I fell into the lake…"
Gimli raised an eyebrow but did not have the time to question Aragorn's answer for Legolas also appeared just then. He frowned when he saw gloom and despair etched into the fair Elf's face. Legolas did not look at either Gimli or Aragorn; he only went straight to his bedroll and plopped down. Gimli scowled. What had happened between the Man and Elf by the lake? Certainly, what he had been hoping to happen had not. Gimli sighed and lied back down onto his own bedroll.
He would have to think of a new approach.
Umm yeah….i really liked the scene in the movie where arwen cast a spell on the water to make it rise and charge at the ringwraiths so I added that part in for legolas… =P