Setting: Rivendell.
Year: Who knows? Both Legolas and Aragorn (aka Estel) are young boys in this fanfic. I don't know exactly how Tolkien planned the ages out, but it seems to me that Legolas and Aragorn wouldn't be that far apart if you made the years equivalent (as in elves are much older, but in appearance, they grow about the same speed as humans). So Legolas and Estel are both the same again in this fanfic...about 11.
Summary: When the Fellowship first meets, Legolas seems to be Aragorn's little defender...but Aragorn doesn't seem to enjoy that very much. What's the real story behind it? This starts in their childhood, taking you through their original feelings for each other all they way up to the time of the books, showing you how they change in more ways than one before this is all over.
Title: Never Any Place. This title is from the song "Cavanaugh Park" by Something Corporate. The chorus is supposed to symbolize both Legolas and Estel's thoughts, but the song lyrics are more of an Estel sort of thing. I know they don't make perfect sense, but I thought they were nice and angsty and Aragorn-like.
// is for thoughts
"Cavanaugh Park"
At Cavanaugh Park
Where I used to sit all alone in the dark
And dream about things that I cannot say
You always said destiny would blow me away
And nothings gonna blow me away
At Cavanaugh Park
Where you used to take me to play in the sand
And said to me "son, one day you'll be a man
And men can do terrible things"
Yes they can
And there was never any place
For someone like me to be totally happy
I'm running out of clock and that ain't a shock
Some things never do change
Never do change
At Cavanaugh Park
Where I used to think that this life would be good
And I would do things that I thought that I should
And no ones gonna tear me down
And there was never any place
For someone like me to be totally happy
I'm running out of clock and that ain't a shock
Some things never do change
Never do change
"Bet I can shoot a bow and arrow better than you!"
The high-pitched voice of a young boy rang through the forest. The source came from a small clearing barely beyond the forest's boundaries, but the sound of it carried much farther, into the edge of Rivendell's beautiful landscape, just a few yards away from the forest.
A derisive laugh. "You couldn't hit a full grown cave troll."
"I could too!" The voice was indignant. "I've been living with elves for as long as you have-"
"You have NOT." the second boy interrupted. His voice was slightly higher than the first, but it was easy to detect a musical undertone in it. It was obvious listening to him that that there was something special about him. His voice sounded as if, one day, he would be able to charm stones just by speaking. That was the true beauty of his voice. At the moment, however, there was nothing magical about it at all. He continued speaking, his voice filled with an air of exasperation as if he had related the following truth to the other boy one too many times. "Need I remind you again, Estel? Elves are the oldest and wisest of all living creatures-"
As the boy spoke, the boy called Estel mimicked the other, mouthing the words as he spoke them. Apparently, Estel had heard this speech many times.
"-That we are immortal, and that we age differently than mere humans. Therefore, I am much older than you are, indeed, than you ever *will* be, and *therefore*, I am much more skilled than you. Although..." he snickered, "I would undoubtedly be more skilled without the extra years."
"Shut up, Legolas. You're equivalent to me in human years. And I've heard your dumb spiel only too many times. I already know all that stuff." Estel's voice took on a mocking quality. "That elves are the most skilled, the most beautiful, with their prissy blonde hair that they can't leave the house without washing-"
Legolas' hand flew to his long blonde hair. "Just because we're not dirty like you, you disgusting human-"
"I'm not disgusting! Just because I'm a little dirty...At least I'm not afraid to get dirty, like you!"
"I'M NOT AFRAID!" Legolas snapped. "Just because they dive on me every time I come in, washing my face and dragging me off to give me another bath-"
At this, Estel's jaw dropped and Legolas instantly realized that he had said the wrong thing.
"They bathe you? They actually bathe you?! You have other people wash you?!" When Legolas didn't respond, Estel burst out laughing, falling onto the ground and clutching his stomach with one hand.
Legolas glared down at him. "Just because I have to look good and you can look scummy...I have a reputation to uphold! I'm a Prince of Mirkwood! What're you? You're a no account, lowly brat who once had a royal title...and a father!"
Legolas knew immediately that he had gone too far. At the mention of Estel's deceased father, all laughter stopped. Before the elf could register what was happening, Estel dove at Legolas, punching him in the eye. Completely shocked, Legolas fell over backwards. Estel pounced on top of him, straddling his waist and continuing to punch him in the face.
"You no good son of a BITCH!" Estel screamed. "I hate you!"
Legolas wasn't usually one for fits of anger and he rarely ever engaged in fistfights. He considered them beneath him. Today, though...today seemed the day to make an exception. Legolas drove his fist forward into Estel's face. As Estel reeled backwards, Legolas swung his leg sideways, upsetting Estel's already shaken balance and knocking the boy off of him. Estel quickly clambered to his feet, reaching for Legolas again. Legolas merely ducked Estel's arm, moving behind his opponent, kicked out one leg and with one swift motion, swiped Estel's legs out from under him.
"Legolas! Estel!"
At the sound of the stern voice, Legolas began to turn towards its source. Estel seized the opportunity. Kicking out, he in turn kicked Legolas' legs out from under him- hard. Legolas felt his feet fly out from under him before he landed hard on his back.
Lying still for a moment, Legolas paused to let each wave of pain sweep over him. "Ugh." he grunted, closing his eyes against the throbbing pains that swept through his entire body. He could feel blood dripping slowly down his face.
"If you're quite done trying to kill each other...." The voice sounded exasperated, but there was also a slight tone of amusement hidden behind the irritation. Legolas sat up abruptly, wincing slightly as another wave of pain hit him full-force. Standing in front of him was Elrond, the master of Rivendell. His arms were folded across his chest, and a look of extreme aggravation was written across his face.
"On your feet, Master Legolas." Elrond grabbed a hold of Legolas' hand and yanked the boy to his feet. Indignant at being hauled about like a sack of potatoes, Legolas made a great show out of tossing his golden hair over his shoulder and adjusting his clothing, eyeing Elrond in a rather miffed way. Elrond raised an eyebrow at the young elf in response, and then moved on to Estel. "Up you get, son." He pulled Estel up with a bit more gentle an attitude than he had shown towards Legolas. Not that one could blame him. Estel had been living with Elrond for many years; he was like a son to the great elf. Estel kept his head lowered, refusing to look up, but he didn't seem angry any more. Legolas stared at the human boy curiously. //What's wrong with him?// Quietly, sounding as though he was trying to disguise it (and failing), Estel sniffled. //He's crying!// Legolas realized in shock. Deep inside him, underneath layers of hate he had previously felt for this boy, he felt a twinge of sympathy and guilt for what he had said.
"Now," Elrond spoke up, looking back and forth between the two boys, "I would like to hear just...what...happened here."
Legolas stared resentfully at Estel. All pity he had felt for the boy a moment ago vanished (well...almost). He was now positive that Estel would tell Elrond what Legolas had said, and Elrond would punish the young elf while Estel got off scot-free. Estel sniffled again.
"Look at me, son."
Slowly, Estel lifted his head, fisted hands scrubbing at the tears on his cheeks, attempting to rub away the evidence. "Nothing," he mumbled. "Nothing happened." Lifting his gaze, Estel glared at Legolas. The Mirkwood prince stared at Estel in obvious shock. //He didn't tattle on me?! Why?//
Unconvinced, Elrond turned his gaze on Legolas, silently observing the glare Estel wore and the surprised look on Legolas' face. "Well, Legolas? What do you have to say to this?"
"It was.... we were just...." Legolas stammered, stunned at what had happened. "...Nothing." he muttered, but as he said the word, he felt the heavy weight of guilt settling in his stomach. Elrond merely raised a skeptical and eyebrow and went to turn back to Estel. Legolas didn't want Elrond to turn away. He fish mouthed for a moment before something came out of his lips that he hadn't planned on, but felt right.
"I was teasing him about his father." The words burst from Legolas suddenly, unplanned and surprising even to himself. Elrond spun about to face the young elf, a look of shock on his face, and Estel looked as if he had been told that Elrond was engaged to the Dark Lord himself. Legolas stared back at them, anger in his eyes and resenting the way they stared at him.
"And why would you do that?" Elrond questioned softly. Legolas glanced sideways at Estel; the angry look in the young elf's eyes became scornful.
"I hate him." The words were spoken distinctly, as if Legolas wanted to be sure there was no mistake in what he said. Estel leaned back from Legolas as if he had been physically hit, and he looked back at Legolas with wide, hurt eyes. Elrond appeared shocked. Legolas stared at Estel in confusion. //He actually seemed hurt by that.... why? He hates me too.... doesn't he?// But something had changed. In the moments before Legolas had spoken those three words, just after he had confessed his mean, teasing comments to Elrond, the human boy had worn a look on his face that Legolas hadn't recognized. It was a look of almost ...hope. It couldn't be. Estel didn't want to be friends with Legolas.... did he? Now, as Legolas looked at Estel with confusion written plainly on his face, Estel's gaze changed. The hurt in his eyes melted into a look of pure hatred.
"I hate you too." Estel replied, his voice filled with anger, and something else...he still sounded hurt...why? Legolas continued staring at Estel, trying to figure out what Estel was so upset about, what he was feeling. The way he had spoken before, it sounded almost like he was truly surprised and upset at the thought of Legolas hating him. //But he couldn't be hurt by that...he's never liked me!// Elrond looked at Estel, clearly shocked that his "son" would speak like this. ""I hate you too." Estel repeated. Swiftly, the mortal boy turned on his heel and began walking away.
"Estel!" Nothing could have stopped Estel at that moment, so strong were his feelings. Nothing...short of the respect and love he had for his foster father. He stopped, but did not turn back to face the other two. "Estel...turn around." There was a pause, then the boy slowly turned, refusing to look at either of them; his arms were folded in a manner that much matched Legolas' stance. The resemblance hit Elrond hard. The elf lord looked back and forth between the two boys. They had a sort of aura around them at that moment...one that Elrond had never noticed before, but wondered immediately how he could have missed it. The two boys looked as if they belonged together. They were darkness and light, the moon and the sun. Estel with his tanned skin and his shaggy mop of brown hair somehow seemed to match Legolas, with his alabaster skin and long, straight golden locks. Both stood with their arms crossed and their heads averted. As Elrond turned his gaze on Legolas, the elf seemed to sense the look. He immediately raised his head and met Elrond's gaze in what was supposed to be a defiant manner, the look he always gave anyone who he thought about to yell at him, but this day, it was different. It wasn't hard for Elrond to look past the defiance to see the confusion and disorder that was oppressing the young elf's mind. //Somehow...// Elrond realized, //in some way...something has changed.//
"You two..." he began, looking to where Estel stood, then back to the defensive Legolas, "are beginning to try my patience. You are both dear to me.... you, Legolas, as true kindred. You, Estel...you are as dear to me as my own blood children. I would not for the world see either of you hurt. Therefore, this terrible fighting must stop. And it must stop NOW."
Estel glanced at Legolas, who met who turned to look at Estel, and their eyes met. Immediately, both turned away. Elrond sighed. Then, an idea occurred to him. A smile slowly curved across the elf lord's lips.
"All right..." he said in resignation. "If you will not make peace on your own, as it seems it would be, then I suppose I must do it for you." Both heads immediately snapped to face him, but Legolas turned away again as soon as he saw that Estel had also turned around.
"What are you going to do to us?" Estel asked, his voice filled with curious alarm. Elrond let the question stand for a long moment, enjoying the fear he knew that was gripping both boys.
"From now on, you two boys will do everything together. You will be together morning, noon, and night. You will share a room, you will share your daily activities..."
Estel's jaw had dropped, Legolas' head had snapped around to stare at Elrond again, horror clearly written on both faces. Elrond strongly fought the urge to laugh, but managed to fight it down.
"...And from this moment on, you will not be permitted to sit at the main table. You will dine in the kitchen, at a private table of your own. You will not be attending many of the community events. The events that you do attend, you will be separated from the rest of the community. From this moment until I say it shall end, the two of you are a pair."
There was a moment of silence. Then, the silence was broken.
"He and I a pair?" Legolas demanded indignantly. "The thought is sickening itself, to actually contemplate doing it is horrific!"
"My thoughts exactly!" Estel cut in, desperation on his face. "Please, sir, how can you even think of making me spend every waking hour with him?!"
"Nothing's wrong with me!" Legolas shouted. "You're the disgusting, dirty human-"
"Just because you're too prissy to ever get your precious hair dirty-" Estel hollered back. "-It doesn't mean I'm disgusting! If you ask me-"
"Well, I think-" Legolas chimed in, and in the next instant, both voices ran together.
"-you're a perfect beast!" Both boys spoke the final insult in unison. When they realized that they had just uttered the same exact words at the same time, each boy clamped a hand over his mouth in shock. Elrond's eyes widened and a small, pleased smile spread across his face.
"See?" he prodded. "You're already speaking in unison.... just imagine what the next few months will bring!" The boys looked up at Elrond with wide eyes as the older elf walked off, laughing. After he reached the edge of Rivendell, the two boys turned and looked at each other with the same wide-eyed look, at a complete loss for words. Legolas uncovered his mouth, and Aragorn followed suit. The Mirkwood prince fish mouthed for a moment, trying to come up with something to say, but to no avail. Suddenly, Elrond's laughter carried back to them.
"I'll have your things moved into another room...a room to share. Don't worry, I'll make all the right preparations!" Elrond continued on his way, laughing louder than he had before.
Once Elrond was out of sight, the boys turned to look at each other again.
"This is all your fault!" both of them hissed, once again speaking in perfect unison. Like a perfect mirror image, their eyes opened wide in shock, and their hands flew of their own accord to cover their mouths. After a moment, they uncovered their mouths but, unwilling to speak again, they turned to leave side by side. Neither of them would ever want to admit it, but as they walked towards Rivendell, all thoughts of their punishment were overcome by the sound of Elrond's strong laughter echoing through their heads, following them all the way back home.
A/N: This is for Erika. My buddy Erika, the only person I know personally who truly appreciates Lord of the Rings AND slash fanfic. WHOO HOO MOO for Erika!
I hope you all like this, because even though I've read the books a ton of times, most of those times were when I was younger, so my memory isn't as good as it used to be. If I made any major mistakes, pleeeeeaaaaase let me know so I can fix them. Many thanks!