After Aragorn had realized that he would have a chance, he looked questioningly at Elrond. "Is there something special I can do?" Elrond smiled, lucky to see Aragorn's courage returning. "I can give no perfect advice to you. But Legolas is an excellent hunter and rider. If you take part of the hunt tomorrow perhaps you can impress him with your own abilities. Especially if you can win the race back to Rivendell, this should not be without effects." Aragorn smiled brightly. Riding and hunting, two things he was very good in. This would be easier than he had thought. He embraced his foster father thankfully and left for his own chambers to take some rest. It had gone late and he had only three hours left to sleep. So Aragorn was still slightly tire as he went down to the stables in the early morning to look after his horse. Walking over the court he suddenly heard the soft sound of hoofs on grass behind and turned around. He nearly forgot to close his mouth at the sight. It was no one else than Legolas, who came along on his snow-white stallion fast as the wind. Instead of riding through the main-entrance he let his horse simply jump over the high wall surrounding the court. Aragorn rubbed his eyes in complete disbelief. Dust raised beneath the hoofs as the horse reached the ground without visible exhaustion. The man stood spellbound, hoping that he was only dreaming. His courage, rebuild only hours ago, seemed to vanish again. He barely noticed Legolas riding towards him and made no try to back away. The elf stopped his horse in front of Aragorn, only an inch away from his feet, with an angry look. "Do you wish to get hurt? Why you keep standing right in my way?" The man was so confused that he simply answered with the truth. "I was on the way to look after my horse as I heard you behind me. I was surprised to see another out here so early and I was impressed watching you." Slowly he managed to get his thoughts in order again and he silently cursed himself. Surely it had not been wise to say these words. If he was willing to show strength towards the elf he should hide his emotions and try to stay cool as Legolas himself. The elf's condescending smile told the man that he was right. "We are not so weak as mortal men. I could stand several days without any sleep, while you need rest each night. And I think that you should go back to bed until your eyes will no longer be too tire to see anything." This time Aragorn managed to stay calm. "I really wish I could do so. But the hunt will begin soon and I need some time for preparation." Now it was Legolas who looked surprised. "Will you tell me you will be among the hunters? You are jesting. All the others will be elves. You could not honestly think to have any chance." Again Aragorn could hide any emotion. "You forget that I was raised up among the elves here in Rivendell. This will not be my first hunt with elven companions." Legolas only shook his head. "If it pleased you to lose a fight, you may have your will. But don't tell me I've not warned you." The man showed a friendly smile and looked straight in Legolas' eyes. "Thank you for your concern. But I can take care of myself. We will meet again when the hunt starts." This innocent and friendly answer angered the elf visible. He abruptly turned his horse and rode away towards the stables. Aragorn kept his smile until Legolas was out of sight. Then he let out a deep sigh. How could he manage to win the hunt that would be more like a race? Surely his black stallion was strong but clearly not strong enough to defeat the elf. Fastness would be all that matters. The aims at this special hunt were not any animals. There were marks along the way which must be touched by the weapons of the hunters, no matter if sword or arrow. The one who had reached all aims and was the first back in Rivendell would be the winner. Aragorn closed his eyes for a moment, but then led his steps towards the stables with determination. He would try his best and in no way giving Legolas the satisfaction of giving in. As he had nearly reached the stable-gates he was called by his name. Turning around Aragorn saw Glorfindel walking up to him, leading his own beautiful elven-horse Asfaloth. Glorfindel smiled friendly. "Aragorn, nice morning for the hunt isn't it?" Aragorn bowed his head slightly. "Yes the morning is nice ..." "But your are concerned that your horse will be not equal to Legolas', right", Glorfindel interrupted, still smiling. Aragorn met the fair elf's gaze. "You are right. But I will try anything. Perhaps there will be a chance at all." Glorfindel placed a hand on the man's shoulder. "I have expected nothing else from you. You are brave as ever. But I think you should have the best chance. I was always your friend and so I offer you my help as Elrond did before." Aragorn smiled warm at the elf and covered his hand with his own. "Thank you. But I see no way that you can help me, except giving me your best wishes. I must do this alone." Glorfindel shook his head. "But I think there is some little thing I can do. You may have Asfaloth for this race." Aragorn looked at the elf in disbelief. He knew, that Glorfindel would ever be on his side. But he loved his horse very much and it was a rare thing that he would even allow any other to ride on Asfaloth's back. And now he would give Asfaloth to him for a race that was not without danger? "Are you serious? You know I would never ask you of this. I mean if Asfaloth get hurt ... You know there will be no time to be careful." Glorfindel looked straight in Aragorn's eyes. "I'm absolutely serious. Elrond told me the whole story. For you it means much more than simply winning a race. And it would not be the first time Asfaloth would get hurt a little. You know the many fights he went through with me in the past. I trust you completely and he will too. If there is any chance he will bring you back as winner." Aragorn could not hide the tears as he embraced the elegant elf. "I will never forget this, Glorfindel, no matter if I may win today or not." He whispered in the elf's ear. Glorfindel returned the embrace, then pulled Aragorn's face up and wiped away the tears. "I wish you the best." With these words he handed Asfaloth's reins to the man and went back to the house. Asfaloth placed his soft nose lightly against Aragorn's chest and snorted. Aragorn embraced the strong neck and whispered softly in one ear "We will make this together, Asfaloth. I'll trust you like you trust me. We will win." The horse snorted again as if understanding every word. Suddenly Aragorn felt the urge to prove his own abilities towards the proud prince. He mounted and rode through the entrance, a little bit over the green grass behind and turned. From his position on a small hill he could easily see when Legolas came back and in that very moment he let the horse gallop toward the wall, the same over which Legolas had jumped minutes earlier. The man knew full well that even the little noises of hoofs on grass would surely catch the interest of the keen elven senses. As the wall came near, Aragorn used all his courage to hold true to his plan. He bowed forward and whispered some encouraging words in elvish in Asfaloth's ear. Then the wall was reached, for a split second beneath them and Asfaloth's hoofs touched the ground. A few more steps and the two stopped. Aragorn's heard pounded in his chest as if to win a race of it's own. But then he saw his price and could barely stop a loud amused laughter. Legolas stood in front of the stables, spellbound as Aragorn had earlier, and with exactly the same disbelief written over his face. This was priceless. Aragorn could not help himself, he must enjoying this a little more. So he led Asfaloth at a leisurely pace towards the elf, who fought desperately to hide his surprise and even more his impression. Aragorn smiled at him ever so friendly. "Why do you look so confused? Did I not tell you that I want prepare myself for the hunt?" The elf avoided his gaze and his voice trembled slightly as he answered: "I was just surprised to see you on an elven horse. Are you really sure you can handle this?" Even now Legolas would not simply admit his impression, he tried again to make the man feeling unsure. But Aragorn had seen enough to stay calm and steady. So he said simply "I think, I have shown you that I can handle it. Asfaloth and I are a strong team and you can be sure that we are willing to win." With this he left the proud prince to his thoughts. To put it right he could no longer hide his amusement and was forced to turn his face away. Otherwise Legolas would surely take it as an insult and this was not Aragorn's intention.
A little distance away Aragorn thanked Asfaloth for his bravery and let the horse run free. He knew it would return to him when the time was right. Suddenly he heard applause behind. Turning he saw Elrohir and Elladan, his brothers. Both of them congratulated for what man and horse had shown before. "We've heard that you should ride Asfaloth today", said Elladan, "and it seems to be a very good choice." "Yes", agreed Elrohir, "You will hardly have any true rival. Besides the Prince of Mirkwood perhaps." At this Aragorn remembered clearly of Legolas' stunned face and now he did not control his laughter. The elven twins looked at him slightly irritated. "What's so funny about this?" Elladan asked confused. The man managed to catch his breath enough to telling them the whole story. "So you did it only to impress Legolas?" asked Elrohir disbelieving but then he also started laughing, if for the story or the absolute innocent look on Aragorn's face was hard to say. Soon Elladan joined the two. Finally Elrohir had to brace himself against Aragorn's shoulder to catch his breath. Aragorn patted his brothers back to calm him and Elladan embraced the two, still smiling, sharing their closeness. The sun rose slowly and cast a warm and friendly light over the three, who were happy and contented together. It felt so good to be accepted and loved. And for a few moments the man forgot his troubled thoughts about a special blond elven-prince.
The same time Legolas stood on a balcony high above the courtyard. He had gone there in an attempt to get his thoughts and more important his feelings under control again. Now he was an involuntary witness to the scene below. To see Aragorn with his brothers, to hear their laughter ringing clear thru the still cold morning air, to feel the joy and family love radiated so obviously from them brought a stinging pain to Legolas' heart. In the depths of his soul the elf could no longer deny his wish to be closer to the man who impressed him against his will and let the picture of his betrothed vanished more and more. Legolas knew full well that something had already changed in that night when Aragorn had disturbed his singing. This soft touch on his face and the look in Aragorn's eyes so full of true sympathy. The elf had felt it in his heart and soul and all the later insults and coldness towards the man were only caused by fear above these strange emotions. And even if his pride still tried to ignore it the feeling grew stronger and there was no way to stop it. It was the very first time in his whole life that Legolas felt jealousy. Jealousy against the twins, who had the right and the freedom of being so close to Aragorn, to touch him, to share their feelings with him. The elf sighed deeply, closed his eyes and tried to banish thoughts of softly touching the man, being as close to him as possible from his mind. But his heart was no longer under his control.
TBC.
Thanks for the reviews. And again sorry for the very late update. I have so much to do at the moment, I've even thought of not bringing this story to an end. I can make no promise how soon the next update will be. But I'll try my best.