Ok, here is my first dip into slash. I hope it's not too bad,lol. Anyway, it's definitely A/U (because m/m is accepted among all races), so if you aren't into m/m or A/U, you should probably click your 'back' button out of here. I'm not sure where I'm going with this…I will be as surprised as you, so if you enjoy it, leave me a little note letting me know if I should continue. Thanks, and love to you all! Rating will probably change to as high as FF will allow, so if I continue, that's something to look forward to. Nothing too slashy in this chapter, but it will come.

How long had it been since he last looked upon the fair face of the elf prince, Legolas? Days, weeks had gone by, and still there had been no word on his lover's whereabouts. Their parting had been done in haste and anger; a parting Aragorn soon came to regret. Legolas was out there, somewhere, alone or perchance with another. The thought of it burned an angry brand into his heart, and the heir to Gondor's throne felt his jaw clenching tightly. He was no stranger to jealousy, but alas, things were different this time. Legolas of the woodland realm of Mirkwood was more than just his bedmate, he was his friend and as close to family, save Elrond and his kin, as no other.

More fair than any being on Middle Earth, the elf was, So much so that merely gazing at his beautiful face would bring Aragorn to the edge of tears. Simply thinking on it now was bringing him to the brink of insanity. Should he pursue the elven prince, or retain what little pride he had left and allow Legolas to return to him? Whatever choice was made, Aragorn would still be in misery, for he knew not the whereabouts of his fair one.

"Are things not well with you, my friend?"

The voice of Elrohir came out of the darkness, and soon the figure of Elrond's son appeared in the light of the fire.

"Elrohir. Come, join me by the fire that I might have company to aid in chasing these shadows from my mind."

Elrohir forced a smile on his lips to comfort his friend. In truth, he knew what ailed his comrade but had not the heart to give voice to Aragorn's ache.

"You have not been yourself for some time and I fear that being in the wilds has brought to you no comfort. Will you not go to Rivendell? My father would welcome you home and give end to your suffering."

"Nay, Elrohir. I will find comfort in no part of the earth. My troubles stem from my parting with Legolas and until we are reunited, I will find no solace."

Elrohir placed a heavy hand on Aragorn's shoulder and smiled with genuine empathy. He considered Aragorn to be as a brother, and his sorrows were shared. It pained him to see the once proud ranger reduced to a lovesick mortal.

"I thought as much. Would that you had not become angry at seeing Legolas and Haldir of Lorien embrace, your sorrow would be absent. You know that they are little more than acquaintances and have no desire for one another."

"Know it well enough, I do. Still, the angry beast that is jealousy will not be quelled at the sight of that which is fairest to me in the arms of another. No matter the reason."

Aragorn became quiet as Elrohir began to sing a song of comfort for him. He knew it would only be a temporary relief that would be gone by the light of the morning; however, it would bring a much-needed rest. The sweet sound that came forth from Elrohir's lips lulled him and made his eyelids as heavy as a cave troll's mallet. Sleep would soon find him and carry him into dreams: dreams that would allow him another sweet embrace with Legolas Thranduilion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The first light of dawn illuminated the sky, and the sounds of shuffling feet could be heard about the camp as the twin sons of Elrond gathered their things and made ready to depart.

"How fare you this morning, Thorongil?"

Elladan queried in a voice that rivaled the songbirds in the trees. Aragorn smiled, he was glad that Elladan and Elrohir had been in Lorien at the time of his downfall and at their insistence on departing with him as he took refuge in the wilds of Middle Earth. He was truly fortunate to have such loyal friends as these, and thanked the heavens that he would not have to face the long days alone.

"I am well enough. I trust you slept well brothers."

"Well indeed. I had such dreams that I prayed I would never rouse from them."

Elrohir smirked at his brother's remark and slapped him on the back as he walked out from behind.

"I think, dear Aragorn, that our Elladan has been dreaming of that delicious protector of Lorien's border, Rumil. You spent time with him in Lorien, did you not, Elladan?"

Elledan felt a flush of heat rush to his cheeks as he lowered his dark head. His secret had been revealed and he felt the embarrassment filling his body and showing itself in his gray eyes. He preferred that his liaisons remained private; he demanded that it be so, but Elrohir continually reveled in bringing his brother to the point of fury. It was a task not easily accomplished by another, save the Orcs he slain in battle, yet Elrohir had mastered the art of it. Having learned over the years that the only solution to his brother's lack of tact was to simply turn and walk away, Elladan did so.

"I think you have injured your brother with your words, Elrohir."

"He will be fine. It is a game we have become accustomed to. I will say my part, and he will do his, after which all will be forgotten."

Aragorn chuckled slightly and rose from his nap sack. Elrohir had a way of making him feel better, even if it was at the expense of his twin brother.

When a few moments passed and Aragorn had risen and made ready his things, he spoke to the brothers who were then embracing one another in forgiveness.

"You are both anxious to return home, are you not? I think the healing powers of Imladris to be exactly what I need. There we will remain until I have had time to think on things and come to a plan that will benefit me."

The twins turned to face Aragorn and Elladan shook his head in disagreement.

"Aragorn, you know well that our sister, Arwen is in Imladris at this very moment. Do you not worry that she will make unwanted advances toward you? You are in no state to deal with such things."

"Ready or no, I will have to face her. It is the least that I owe her."

Aragorn knew well that he would have to confess his darkest desire to Arwen, and it would bring much sorrow to her. He loathed the fact that her heart would be broken, but knew well that it would be damaged beyond repair if she discovered the love he and Legolas had shared from the lips of another. He would ride to Rivendell with the sons of Elrond and face the Evenstar. He would confess everything, whether things were resolved between he and Legolas or not.