Disclaimer: All the characters belong to Tolkien. I just like to play with them.

Summary: Aragorn and Legolas meet for the first time, but they aren't too happy about it.

Pairing(s): Aragorn/Legolas

Warnings: None

Nin Calan

Chapter Eight

One day later...

'All of that planning...wasted!' King Thranduil ranted as he paced the length of his bedroom. 'How could Elrond refuse the agreement? The combing of Mirkwood and Imladris is imperative for the continuing of the freedom of Middle-Earth.'

Thranduil heaved a great sigh then sat down in a cushioned chair. Leaning an elbow on the armrest, he propped his head with his hand. 'There has to be a way to change Elrond's mind.'

His musing were cut short when he heard his son's voice, along with Aragorn's voice, emitting from the garden below his window. Standing up, he walked over to his balcony and rested his hands upon the rail. Below him Legolas and Aragorn were arguing.

*****

Legolas was walking with his head bowed through the gardens of Imladris. He was unaware of his surroundings as he contemplated his feelings for Aragorn. Coming upon a large rock, he absently sat down, propping his head with his hand. He frowned as he said to himself, 'How can I can I love him? He is an obnoxious, swindling, blockheaded half-elf.' But even as he said it, the words didn't hold the venom that they once did. Sighing, he dropped his head into his hands.

'Keep frowning like that and you will have wrinkles.' A familiar voice interrupted his sad reverie.

Jumping up from the stone in surprise, he exclaimed, 'Aragorn what are you doing here?'

Aragorn raised one eyebrow at the blond elf. 'Last time I check this was my home.'

'Oh, right.' Legolas nervously played with the front of his tunic. That was until he realized something. 'Why would you care if I got wrinkles?'

'I do not care! I was just making a statement,' Aragorn stuttered.

'Sure,' was Legolas's sarcastic reply.

In a desperate attempt to change the topic of discussion, Aragorn cleared his throat and asked, 'Why are you still here? Shouldn't you and your father have left already?'

'Why? Are you that desperate to get rid of me?'

'I am not desperate. I just do not want to see your face when I do not have to.'

Legolas stared at Aragorn hard. 'Why can you not just say it?'

Confused, Aragorn asked, 'Say what?'

'That you like me.'

Aragorn stared open-mouthed at the elf. 'I do not like you!' he protested, blood rushing to his face.

'Then tell my why your face is becoming red?'

'You are wrong! I could never like someone that is such a block-headed, pink-haired, idiot.'

Legolas gasped.

Aragorn ignored him and stated, 'I could get any elf in the whole of Imladris. Why would I want to like you?'

'Since you are so confident that you could get any one, I challenge you to a competition. Who ever can get someone to love them wins.'

'Fine!' Aragorn smirked. 'I hope you are ready to eat my dust.'

'We will see who is eating the dust of whom.'

Without another word Legolas turned and walked off. Aragorn followed Legolas's back until the elf was out of sight. He sighed and shook his head.

'Why did you do that?' he said to himself. He knew that Legolas was right. He did like to elf, and he knew that he could not bring himself to chase after another. With his head bowed, he walked off in the opposite direction that Legolas had gone.

*****

Thranduil smiled as he watched the two youngsters walk off.

'Elrond was wrong. Those two are already learning to love each other. They are just not aware of it yet.'

Walking back to his chair, he sat down and thought about how to make Legolas and Aragorn realize their blossoming feelings. With a slight nod, he made a decision. He and his son would not leave Imladris until his son was married to Aragorn.

*****

One week later...

Arwen was walking through the beautiful gardens of Imladris. Humming to herself, she picked up a fallen leaf from the ground and twirled the stem in between her fingers. She arrived at the river and kneeled down to glide the leaf in the clear water. Turning her head to the left, she caught sight of Legolas sitting on the river's bank. The other elf didn't seem to have noticed her arrival. She stood up and walked over to where Legolas was sitting, staring into the flowing water.

'Legolas?' she called.

With a jerk, Legolas broke away from his trance and looked up at the dark haired elf.

'Arwen? What are you doing here?'

'I was walking around when I saw you sitting here.' Legolas simply nodded and focused his gaze back unto the passing water. Arwen, noticing Legolas melancholy expression, sat down beside him. 'What is troubling you, my friend?'

'Nothing,' Legolas replied with a slight shake of his head.

'Are you sure?'

'I am sure.'

'Okay, but if you eventually want to tell me what is wrong I will listen.'

'Thanks.'

The two elves sat in silence, watching the river. Arwen was about to once again inquire about what was troubling Legolas when the latter started to talk.

'Arwen, have you ever fallen for someone that you did not want to fall for?'

'You mean like an enemy?'

'Yes, I suppose so.'

'Once, a long time ago.'

Legolas looked at Arwen in interest.

'When I was only a child I fell in love with someone. He was a little older than me and would always tease me because I was smaller than he was. We hated each other so much.' Arwen laughed. 'As time went by and we grew older, reaching adulthood, our hate for each other lessened. We soon realized that we had fallen in love.'

Arwen stopped talking and looked down at the water. When she didn't continue, Legolas asked, 'What happened?'

'He became entranced by the sea,' was her solemn reply. They relapsed back into silence.

It wasn't until some time later that Arwen turned to Legolas, 'Why did you ask me that?'

'No special reason.'

'Those kind of questions just does not come from nothing.'

Legolas sighed and glanced at Arwen. He could never tell her about Aragorn. He wouldn't know what to say. He still wasn't certain that he had fallen for the stubborn half-elf. There is a way to find out, he thought to himself.

In an attempt to clarify his feelings he said, 'You are beautiful.'

Shocked, Arwen stared at Legolas. 'Excuse me?'

'You are beautiful,' Legolas repeated.

'Legolas...'

Before Arwen could finish, Legolas leaned towards her and gently brushed her lips with his.

To be continued...