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

Warning: None

Nin Calan

Chapter Eleven

Frantic to escape Legolas, Aragorn quickly ran into the maze of trees that made up the surrounding forest. He didn't stop running until he came upon a dark cave. Suddenly hearing a sound coming from behind him, he glanced over his shoulder then sprinted into the cave. Aragorn finally stopped to catch his breath once he was safe inside the cave. Looking around, he finally realized that it was dark. Completely dark. Aragorn spun around his circles; his eyes frantically searching the darkness. A fear that no one, except for Lord Elrond, knew about crawled up Aragorn's spine.

His parents were murdered in the darkness, and ever since Aragorn has been terrified of the dark. More than not, Aragorn could be found—during his childhood--huddled against Lord Elrond, seeking protection from horrifying nightmares. But even as he matured into adulthood, the nightmares never completely left him. There were still nights that he would awaken—a scream upon his lips, limbs tangled in the blankets, and sweat coating his body.

Aragorn was in a living nightmare.

He jumped in fright when a bat suddenly flew above his head. Gasping for breath, he recklessly ran deeper into the cave. Suddenly Aragorn felt himself falling. He abruptly hit hard ground, but he continued to tumble in a downwards direction. Rocks jabbed and cut into his body. Finally he landed on flat ground, the sharp edge of a rock stabbing into his back. Aragorn was only able to emit a single grunt before he became unconscious.

*****

Aragorn's eyes slowly fluttered open. Confused, he realized that a light was hovering far above him. He believed that his mind was tricking his eyes; he quickly shut his eyes, but when he opened them once more the light was still there. Where is that light coming from? he thought to himself. Well at least it is not dark any longer?

For some strange reason the memory of the time he was locked in the cellar with Legolas flooded his mind. He could remember laughing at the blond elf when he had said that he was afraid of the dark. It was all for show of course--the laughing. Having Legolas know that he was terrified of the dark as well would do nothing but hurt his pride. So he had laughed at the blond elf, but Aragorn had to admit--the fact that Legolas was terrified of rats and bugs was kind of funny.

Aragorn could remeber a time when a rat had found it's way into Arwen's bedroom and he was forced to kill the little rodent.

Arwen...

He loved her like a sister but right now he only hated her. Legolas had kissed her. Aragorn was jealous, but yet he was hurt as well. Deep down he had wished that Legolas would love him; he was just to frightened to admit it to himself until now. But now it's too late. It seems Legolas wasn't saddened at all by the broken engagement like he was.

Legolas...I...lo...

Aragorn lost conscious again.

*****

Legolas kneeled down on the edge of the drop-off. Not wanting to fall, he cautiously leaned over the side and held out the lantern. With the help of the light, his keen sense of seeing was able to make out the shape of body sprawled out upon the ground. Legolas inhaled a shallow breath as he realized that the body was Aragron.

'Aragorn!' Legolas yelled into the silence, but the half-elf gave no sign that he heard.

Without worrying about his own safety, Legolas jumped from the edge of the drop-off. He landed with bent knees upon the solid ground. Straightening up, he quickly ran over to Aragorn's immobile form.

'Aragorn, wake up,' Legolas demanded as he gently shook Aragorn's soulder. 'Please, wake up.'

'Aragorn, I beg of you, wake up,' Legolas once again pleaded of the still half-elf. The blond elf sighed in frustration when Aragorn stayed inanimate. Holding the lantern above his head, he glanced back up to the edge of the drop-off. It would be difficult to get himself back up there, but it would be impossible for him to get Aragorn up there as well.

Setting the lantern down by Aragorn's head, Legolas gently checked Aragorn's body for any injuries. He was so caught up in his worry for Aragorn that he did not notice that the half-elf was awakening.

*****

Aragorn once again slowly opened his eyes, but he quickly shut them in pain. A bright light was shinning not too far from his head. Carefully peeking out from under his eyelids he was surprised to see a lantern placed upon the ground. Maybe it is what I saw before. he thought to himself.

A shuffling noise quickly drew his eyes away from the lantern. His breath caught in his throat. Legolas was kneeling next to him--his hands roaming up and down his legs.

'Legolas?'

Legolas' headed quickly shot up, pink and blond hair swirling; his hands stopped their exploration.

'Aragorn? Oh, praise the Valor!' Legolas exclaimed. He gently placed his hands on either side of Aragorn's head and peered down into his eyes. 'Are you hurting anywhere? I checked but I couldn't find any injuries past cuts and bruises. Are you dizzy? What happened? How many fingers am I holding up?'

Lost in the bombardment of words, Aragorn stared up at the fingers being held up in front of his face.

'Three.'

Legolas sighed in relief. 'I am relieved that you are fine. I was worried that you were injured.'

However Legolas' relief lasted for only a short time. He quickly became angry. 'Why did you run away from me? And into this cave I must add?' Without a pause his anger turned into worry. 'Why were you crying earlier? Was it something I had done? What is wrong? Are you sure that you are not injured? How come--'

'Legolas!' Aragorn yelled, cutting of the elf's tirade of question. 'Please...cease asking questions.'

'Fine, but only if you answer one question.' Legolas waited until Aragorn gave a silent nod in consent. 'Why were you crying?'

Aragorn turned his head away from Legolas' prying eyes. Tears soon formed in his eyes, but he willed them to not fall. He would not let Legolas seem him crying like an infant again.

'Aragorn, look at me.'

Aragorn felt a warm hand gently turn his head towards the elf.

'Answer me.'

Swallowing deeply, Aragorn realized that he had no alternative but to answer Legolas' question. 'Arwen told me earlier today something that upset me. It is nothing that you should worry about.'

'Aragorn, I do have to worry about it. I do not like to see you upset. What did she tell you?'

'Why do you--'

'What did she tell you?' Legolas insisted.

Aragorn closed his eyes in defeat. 'That you kissed her,' he softly whispered. Fearfully opening his eyes, he found Legolas staring down at him in shock.

To be continued...