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 Fourteen

'I think I see something up ahead,' King Thranduil called out to the other elves. Pointing off in the distance to their right, he said, 'It looks to be some kind of hole in the ground.'

'Lead on, my friend,' Lord Elrond responded.

As the party of elves grew closer they were able to see that the hole was an orc trap. Tranduil jumped off his horse and cautiously neared the hole. Looking over the side, he saw that no orcs were trapped in the muddy ditch, but someone had recently fallen into it.

'Elrond, have your guards caught sight of any orcs around this area?' he asked as his eyes roamed over the surroundings.

'There have been no reports of orcs in at least two full moons,' Elrond replied, still sitting upon his horse.

'Someone has been here.'

Elrond dismounted from his horse and stood beside King Thranduil. He could see that the mud layering the bottom of the trap was disturbed. A few paces away from the hole a thick vine, covered in mud, lay discarded. Leading away from the ditch were two sets of footprints, too light to be anything but ones belonging to elves--or in Aragorn's case, a half-elf raised by elves. 'Do you think our sons might have been here?'

Thranduil looked at the faint footprints as well. 'Let us follow these prints and see where the lead to.'

Remounting their horses, they followed alongside the trail.

*****

'Finally...home,' Aragorn exclaimed as he raced up the stairs that lead to the front doors of the last Homely Home.

Legolas followed at a slower pace. 'Good, now I can wash off this mud.'

Aragorn laughed at the sour look upon the elf's face. 'But you look so exotic all covered in mud.'

Legolas blushed before replying hotly, 'Fine then, next time you can be the one to fall into an orc trap.'

'I am afraid that I am not as graceful as you are, my prince.'

Legolas glared at the smiling half-elf. 'You-'

Before he could reply, Legolas was cut off by one of the guards, who were stationed in front of the main entrance door.

'Aragorn! Your father and King Thranduil have gone out to search for you; they are out in the forest as we speak.'

Aragorn and Legolas looked at each other in worry.

'Did you by and chance notice if they were angry?' Legolas addressed the guard.

'No, but they did seem to be deeply concerned.'

Aragorn gulped. 'We are so dead.'

Legolas nodded solemnly.

*****

'Do you mind?'

'No at all.'

'Aragorn!'

'What?'

'Stop doing that?'

'I do not want to.'

Legolas glared at Aragorn over his shoulder. 'How do you expect me to come up with an excuse for our fathers if you keep doing that.'

'What am I doing?'

'That!'

Aragorn nibbled the back of the elf's neck. He smirked as he felt Legolas shudder in his arms. 'Think of an excuse later. I want to play.'

Legolas sighed in exasperation and pulled out of the brunette's hold.

'Aragorn, in case you have forgotten, ours fathers have been searching for us all morning. Most likely they are tired and worried about us. When they come back and find us here they are going to be more than just a little bit angry.'

'I know, that is why I want to play.'

'Aragorn, how many--'

'When they arrive we are going to be in a lot of trouble and will not have any time to ourselves later.'

'Aragorn, I really need to think of an excuse right now.'

The half-elf wrapped his arms around Legolas, allowing his bottom lip to protrude out.

'Pouting at me will not change my mind.' Legolas crossed his arms in front of his chest and looked off to the side.

'Not even a little?'

'No.'

'Please?' Aragorn knocked the pout to the next level.

'That is not going to work.'

'I promise you will like it.' Aragorn threw in large, moist eyes to complete the irresistible look.

Legolas's eyes darted to look at Aragorn' face before looking back at the far wall. 'It is not working.' Legolas glanced at the half-elf's face again. And cursed. Sighing, he wrapped his own arms around Aragorn's torso. 'Fine, but only for a short while.'

'Fine by me,' Aragorn whispered as he touched his lips to the elf's.

To be continued...