Chapter 15: Lucky and Unlucky

Just as Aragorn had predicted, Legolas stood watch the whole night. When Aragorn awoke, the sun was just beginning to peek out over the horizon. He sat up and watched Legolas, who sat unmoved from his spot from the night before. Aragorn stared at the sight of the pale sunlight glinting off of Legolas' white-blonde hair. Legolas was fingering the necklace around his neck and Aragorn realized that he was still wearing Frodo's necklace. Aragorn tore his gaze away as Gimli stirred. The Dwarf yawned and blinked blearily.

"Hullo, Aragorn," he said sleepily. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. He looked over and saw Legolas. "Did the fool stand watch all night?" he asked Aragorn. Aragorn nodded. "Blasted idiot!" Gimli grumbled. "You will not scold him, will you?"

Aragorn shook his head. "No, Gimli, I think I shall let him go unnoticed this time."

Gimli grinned. "That is good to hear, my friend. Does this mean the two of you have made amends?"

"We shall fight no more than necessary if that is what you ask." Aragorn replied. "'Tis the best answer I can give you."

"And that answer is good enough for me!" Gimli responded cheerfully. "You two were perhaps the best team during the Fellowship besides Sam and Frodo."

Aragorn frowned. "Nay, Gimli, the Fellowship was all a team. We all worked together."

"Perhaps so. What I mean is that you and the Elf had the best connection. You both knew instinctively when to defend each other and where to block blows. He was your eyes and you his ears. And then he would become your ears and you his eyes. I envied your connection at times, especially when just the three of us traveled together. I knew well you were in love but the knowledge also made me uncomfortable. Where did the Dwarf fit into the Man's and Elf's love?"

"I am sorry we made you feel that way, Gimli." Aragorn said sincerely. He shook his head and looked towards Legolas again. "But all that is in the past now."

Gimli looked skeptically at his friend. "Are you sure?"

Aragorn nodded and turned back to Gimli. "It is what he wants."

"Oh, what does the Elf know!" Gimli exclaimed. "He is a fool!"

"Excuse me Gimli, but I take offense to your words." Legolas said in mock anger as he slid down next to them, unnoticed.

"Nothing I have said is untrue." Gimli answered haughtily.

"I am not a fool." Legolas replied simply. "I hold more wisdom in my fingers than you do in your brain."

"Ho! Would you like to test that theory?" Gimli challenged.

"I do not like fighting ballets I know I can win." Legolas replied superiorly.

"Ah, such confidence. One could almost mistake it for conceit, Elf."

"Much as one could mistake your head for a rock, Dwarf." Legolas teased.

"Then was it Gimli's head I slept on?" Gandalf asked as he and the rest of the group awoke. "Must you two pester one another so early in the morning? And if you must do so, have the courtesy to wake the rest of us first. And Aragorn, what were you doing while these two bickered?"

Aragorn chuckled. "Listening to these two argue is a pastime I have always enjoyed, Gandalf."

"Yes, well, the time for us to continue on has come. Hurry! Let us pack and continue on our way." They all gathered their things and quickly moved along. They moved quickly and Legolas took a horse once again. This time, he gave no arguments for which Aragorn was grateful. As they rode into the valley, however, the Elves suddenly stopped. They looked into the distance.

"What do you see?" Gandalf asked.

"An Elf is coming." Elrohir replied. "He appears to be coming from Lothlorien."

"Then we shall wait for him." Gandalf announced. They waited as the figure galloped swiftly towards them, his face and head hidden by his hood. He led another group of horses with him. Finally, he reached them and took off the cloak, revealing long, flowing blonde hair.

"Haldir!" Legolas exclaimed excitedly.

"'Tis good to see you, old friend." Haldir greeted kindly. He nodded curtly to Aragorn. They had never liked each other. "The Lady of the Elves requests I bring you to 'Lorien before you continue on to Mordor. Will you come with me?"

"If Lady Galadriel requests our presence, then we shall come." Gandalf answered. "Lead us, Haldir." Haldir nodded and turned his horse to go in their direction. He waited as the rest of the group mounted the spare horses he had brought and then he went beside Aragorn.

"Well, King of Gondor," he said softly so only Aragorn could hear, "we meet again though I cannot honestly say I am honored."

"Nor I, Haldir." Aragorn replied shortly.

Haldir's lips twitched into a smile. "I have always wondered, though, why you dislike me so." Haldir continued. He looked at Aragorn. "Perhaps you felt I was a threat?"

Aragorn looked startled but quickly regained his composure. "I know naught of what threat you speak of."

Haldir chuckled. "I am not a fool, Aragorn. You felt threatened by my intimacy with Legolas. I do not blame you, though. He is a beautiful creature." Haldir thought for a moment. "Certainly, had he been free to take, I would have done so." He looked into Aragorn's eyes. "Mind you, I said only if he were free to take. I am not so dishonorable that I would try to win away someone from his lover. And so I contented myself with his friendship."

"So do you admit you loved him?" Aragorn asked. At least part of his suspicion could be proven true.

"Yes, I did. Perhaps I still do, Aragorn. 'Tis the reason I disliked you so much. You were the one who had captured his heart. I envied you for having the love of such a glorious creature. And to know you also held the affection of Arwen Undomiel! You disappointed me, Aragorn. I would have thought you knew well the race of Elves. We do not betray anyone so easily. We are rumored to be promiscuous, I know and I suppose I cannot contest that. But once we give our love, we do not easily take it back. So it is with Legolas. He gave you his heart and I suspect he has yet to take it back." Haldir grinned. "You are a lucky Man, Aragorn, but an unlucky Man at the same time. You are lucky to have the love of two such great creatures as Legolas and Arwen. But for this same reason you are unlucky. Both are such glorious Elves that it is hard to leave one completely, is it not?"

Aragorn grinned and shook his head. "You know well, Haldir. Have you been in such a position before?"

"Aye," Haldir nodded his head. "But not with such Elves as Arwen and Legolas."

"Which partner did you choose?" Aragorn asked, eager for a solution.

Haldir gave Aragorn a sorrowful grin. "I did not choose. I let them both go. However, I bid you not do as I did, Aragorn. Arwen and Legolas both love you and whomever you reject will gladly release you. Both only wish to please you."

"Thank you, Haldir." Aragorn said graciously. He and the Elf shared a secret smile, finally having made amends. But, Aragorn thought to himself, he had already made his decision. He already knew which Elf he held in his heart.