Chapter 12
Legolas was nudged awake hours before the sunrise. He was so deep into his tormenting thoughts that he had not heard the footsteps behind him nor saw the shadow of his harasser.
"Your reflexes are worsening, my friend." Aragorn's soothing voice was murmured.
"I have much on my mind." Legolas replied absently.
"Have you the mind to speak to an old friend?" Aragorn whispered and Legolas stood as a reply. They walked to a crevice that no light entered and once confirming that they were indeed alone, Aragorn expressed his troubles.
"Legolas, no matter the vote tomorrow, I will go to find Elrond. I need to know if you will follow." He told the elf.
"I followed you through the path of the dead, Aragorn, I will follow you now, without a doubt. What truly troubles you?"
To this Aragorn laughed, "I am not troubled, but curious to your behavior. You have not been yourself."
Legolas was highly annoyed to this. Embarrassed perhaps; he had acted foolish, worse yet; he was caught acting that way.
"I have not done anything strange," he growled
"Yet you are embarrassed by my questions." Aragorn chuckled, "If I did not know you well, I would say that you are smitten by a lady!"
No matter the teasing, anger could no stay in Legolas' heart and laughter filled the air.
"Not only am I smitten, but with an aggravating woman!" Legolas exclaimed.
"Could it be the beautiful Aura?" Aragorn teased more.
"How did you know?"
"Sometimes you need not be an elf to read a mind," he laughed. "It is in your eyes, I believe. And I know you better than you think. It looks as if you followed in my footsteps. Break not her heart, it is fragile although she leads on to be so strong."
"I know not much of her, but that, I see. She has been hurt and I wish not to be the cause of hurt again. I do not think that I can do much harm, however, for there is no place in her heart for me." Legolas whispered a response, but as they walked back to the camp, Aragorn held much doubt to Legolas' last statement.