Author's notes: wow, lotsa explaining to do… =P

Okiez…bout lego sounding like a pathetic little girl who has nothing to do but faint in his lover's arms… ermm… yeah… I wasn't meaning to develop him that way…but he just kinda TURNED OUT THAT WAY. =X he gets all rough and tough later on though. I think… *trying to remember* n/e waize if not, I promise to change it to make him more macho-man. He'll be so macho, he'll be able to bend metal and balance a huge ass monster truck on his pinky finger! and y would lego allow wormtongue to do these horrendous acts? Ahh~ it makes revenge SO MUCH SWEETER. Umm, no. u have to remember that lego is still really weak and he isn't allowing the greaseball to do n/e thing to him. He just can't stop it. Accept the explanation? If not, *shrug* that's probably the best I can give.

To Dreamy-eyes and Midnight: maybe I shouldn't have made this into slash…but wut can I say? I'm a slash addict…especially when it comes to lotr… actually, only when it comes to lotr… o.O

 (But seriously, I dont think the real Aragorn would act like that.)

Seriously, I don't think Aragorn would act like that either. I mean, DUDE, he's like the coolest man EVER! (omg, I sound like my teacher when she's imitating this one guy =X) but n/e waize yeah… this is my story and I can make Aragorn into a prancing fairy if I wanted to! *slams fist on table* hmm…that's an idea…

To Faith: =D all right first off, yes I am lazy. I am EXTREMELY lazy. And when I read books, things tend to leak outta my head. I should really go reread the book but I haven't had the time to, yet. I musta skipped the parts of everyone's locations. =\ and yeah saruman's hand is white, but I tend to think it's black now…cuz…it shouldn't be white n/e more…cuz like, DUDE, he's not WHITE n/e more…like, get wut I mean? Damn, I say "like" a lot..even when I TYPE. N/e waize, yeah, like I've said before, I don't pretend I'm some great genius when it comes to tolkien becuz obviously, I'M NOT. But yeah, I always appreciate it when people point out discrepancies in my stories so I can store them in my knowledge for the future.

"if even an Elf can run from a knife when bound hand and foot."

Hmm, I'm not sure if yur confused by the wording or wut I mean by it… ?

N/e waize thx for reading even if I have like (there I go again) EXTREME errors… and yes, I do need a beta reader… but yeah, thx for reading again…and thx for the criticism… =D

Chapter 14:  Back to Friendship

The Fellowship prepared to set out the next day. Legolas, Aragorn, and Frodo all said nothing of the other day's events but Frodo stared reproachfully at Aragorn. Aragorn turned away as they saddled their horses and stood there as Elrond approached with Arwen at his side.

"My dear friends," began Elrond, "once again you are united to embark on yet another grave journey. Our Enemy gains power quickly. The fate of Middle-Earth lies with you just as it did so many years ago. This time, though, I send my sons Elladan and Elrohir to join you. They shall prove valuable in battle." As Elrond finished, two Elves appeared behind him, both identical in appearance with dark hair and attractive looks. They were both equipped with swords as well as bows and quivers full of arrows. "I bid you farewell."

"And I," Arwen started, "only say that where you go will be dark but do not lose hope. You are with friends. Your most important asset is the bond you have with one another. Let no fracas divide you for when you stand alone is when you are most vulnerable." Arwen looked at both Legolas and Aragorn pointedly as she spoke. She came down and kissed everyone softly on their foreheads. As she came to Aragorn, she whispered, "Make amends with him."

***

The Fellowship walked along silently. Legolas walked as gracefully as possible but he was still weak and it showed in his gait.

"Legolas, you should ride upon a horse." Aragorn suggested.

"I can walk." Legolas replied bluntly. He refused to look at Aragorn. "I shall walk as much as any of you. I refuse to ride a horse while the rest of my Company suffers on foot."

"Though your intentions are noble, prince of Mirkwood," Elrohir said, "King Elessar gives sound advice. You are still weak and we could go further distances should you ride."

Legolas gave Elrohir a disgusted look when he called him the "prince of Mirkwood." Elrohir and Elladan were both good friends and it disturbed him when they titled him "Prince" though he knew it was in mere jest. But he knew Elrohir was talking sensibly and he reluctantly hopped onto the back of a horse. They continued on their way and Legolas ignored the looks Aragorn was throwing at him. He had caught Aragorn looking at him once. What was that in his eyes? Guilt? Legolas almost laughed at the thought. Aragorn was an arrogant man who did not apologize easily. Nor did he ever blame himself for anything. Legolas concentrated his energy on talking with the Hobbits and arguing playfully with Gimli. Soon, day turned into night.

"We should set camp." Gandalf announced. "We are all weary from the trip today." The Company agreed and efficiently set up the campgrounds in a small clearing by a grove of trees. Elrohir and Elladan pitched a fire and they all sat around the fire, enjoying its warmth while eating their dinners.

"I shall take first watch." Legolas announced. "You are all waery from walking. It is only reasonable that I take first watch."

"Legolas, you are in no state—" Aragorn started but stopped when Legolas glared at him menacingly. Aragorn grew angry, despite himself at Legolas' incredible stubbornness. "Then will you wake whoever takes second watch this time?" he asked in an annoyed tone. He was referring to the many incidents when Legolas had taken his watch only to guard the camp the whole night, not wishing to wake the next guard.

Legolas narrowed his eyes slightly. "I shall stand watch until I feel incapable to do so, King Elessar." The Elf replied, a note of hostility in his voice.

"Elessar, I wish to have a word with you." Elrohir cut in before Legolas and Aragorn could continue to bicker. "May we take a walk in the woods privately?"

"Of course." Aragorn stood up, eager to leave Legolas. He did not wish to argue with Legolas when Legolas was in such a mood. Aragorn and Elrohir walked through the trees. Aragorn's feet crunched over the leaves though he was very quiet, almost as quiet as Elrohir who walked silently. Finally, Elrohir stopped and turned to Aragorn.

"Elessar, I have known you since you were but a babe." Elrohir began. "In all those years, I have never known you to stray from Arwen's side. Now that it has happened, I do not despise you, yet I know not while you continue to hurt your true love."

Aragorn fidgeted. "I do not understand you, Elrohir."

Elrohir raised his eyebrow slightly. "Do not lie to me, Elessar. Why do you argue with Legolas so? You know just as well as I that he despises being treated like a child and he is perfectly capable of taking care of himself regardless of how feeble his state may be." Elrohir sighed as he looked up into the black night. "Though I resent you for hurting my sister, I would resent you more should you continue to fight with Legolas. He is a dear friend to me and I treasure him as though he were my brother. I know it must have pained him much to watch you wed Arwen but I can only imagine how difficult it is for him now that he faces what is the greatest peril of his life while battling with his feelings for you and his loyalty to Arwen."

Aragorn nodded. "I know, Elrohir." He said softly. "But I cannot seem to please Legolas no matter what I do. I try to protect him though I know he can fare alone well, possibly as well as I or better."

***

Frodo crept down the path where he found Legolas sitting up in a tree, staring at the stars. Legolas looked down when he heard Frodo approaching.

"Frodo!" Legolas grinned from his high branch. "Have you come, too, for a stroll underneath the stars?"

"No," Frodo admitted, "though now that you mention it, the stars are indeed beautiful to look at." Frodo looked down at the ground and then back up at Legolas. "Legolas, must you act so harshly towards Aragorn?"

Legolas stiffened. "It is he who aggravates me first. I only return his hatred."

"Oh Legolas, is that what you think?" Frodo asked sadly as he watched his friend. "You feel that Aragorn hates you? I assure you, he does not. He loves you dearly."

A long silence ensued. Frodo could see Legolas slowly turn his head back up to the sky.

"It is of no matter." Legolas replied finally. "We are over, a thing of the past."

Frodo opened his mouth to argue but changed his mind. He only sighed and said, "Come down, Legolas. We should return to the camp." Legolas hopped out of the tree and walked with Frodo back to the camp. He ignored Aragorn who was already there. He looked to Gandalf instead. "You should rest." He said. He grinned as he looked at Merry and Pippin who were resting their heads agains each other to avoid falling onto the ground as they snored quietly. "I see our two Hobbits have already done so."

"Yes Legolas, I suppose we should all get some sleep." Gandalf agreed. He looked around to see that Elrohir and Elladan were already setting up their own bedrolls. "Take care as you watch, Legolas for all danger that comes our way comes for you."

Legolas rolled his eyes but turned away to look out at the stars as everyone got into their bedrolls. He stiffened when he felt Aragorn approach. "Are you here to make certain I do not mess up on my watch?" Legolas asked stonily.

Aragorn shook his head. "Legolas, I wish not to offend you. I…I wish to apologize for the way I have been treating you."

Legolas looked at Aragorn in surprise. "You? Apologize?" He snorted. "It is unheard of!"

"Unheard of but not impossible, Legolas." Aragorn replied. "I know you have been in much pain for many years. I have just come to realize all the pain I must have caused you. But now I wish to make amends. Can we not go back to how we used to be?"

Legolas' lips stretched into a smile. "Of course, Aragorn. Of course we can return to being friends."

Aragorn shook his head." I wish not to be only friends with you." He whispered huskily. He brushed his hand over Legolas'. Legolas jerked his hand away. "I know you cannot have forgotten what we had."

"You are much more arrogant than I had thought." Legolas said, turning away again.

"If you believe me to be arrogant, so be it." Aragorn replied. "I do not need your word to know you still love me."

"Go rest, Elessar." Legolas said. "You are clearly tired."

"Legolas—"

"Is it not enough for you to have hurt me so much in the past? Must you continue to torment me?" Legolas asked coldly. "When you pass, that will also be the day I wither away in grief. Is that not enough for you?"

Aragorn opened his mouth to reveal his long-guarded secret but closed it again. He sighed and nodded his head. "I will do as you wish but I will never stop loving you. Though I wish not to hurt you, if loving you pains you so, then I am sorry. You cannot stop me from loving you as much as I cannot stop myself from loving you. But if you wish to be friends, I will do so and keep my emotions hidden." He smiled melancholically at Legolas. "Good night, friend.

"Good night, Aragorn." Legolas answered. Aragorn went back to his bed and slept, ignoring the pain that seared through his heart.

Author's note: still working on legolas' "macho-man" attitude or wutever u call that. WOO HOO!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING Y'ALL!!!