A/N: Oh, shit, the fluff..

Part 43

Aragorn returned late from supper and empty handed.

" Legolas, I am sorry, but nothing would have been really

good to bring back for you ", he began as he shut the door.

And a small smile spread across his face as he saw Legolas sleeping soundly on the edge of the bed, his silvery blonde hair hanging over the side. Aragorn carefully moved his still form over nearer the wall, leaving space for him to take rest. Though Elves were usually light sleepers, Legolas did not wake.

Aragorn sat on the bed, watching Legolas sleep.Everything was quiet except the very faint crackle of the fire. The Elf prince slept peacefully, his chest rising and falling slightly as he breathed. Aragorn moved a stray lock of hair from the Elf's face, looking down upon his best friend with love.

He then noticed that the prince wore his vambraces for some reason. Aragorn took one arm and began to free it of the brown leather guard. He set it aside and undid the other until Legolas no longer wore them. The Elf's hand fell unconsciously to his stomach as the ranger let it go.

Aragorn laid his hand on the Elf's stomach gently. It should be close to healed by now, though not quite. It rose beneath his hand when Legolas breathed. Instead of moving, Aragorn remained as he was, his hand upon Legolas' stomach as he gazed upon the fair face of the Elf.

Legolas. He had known him ever since he was the smallest of children. The Elf had been there his entire life, taking him under his wing when he was a child, then treating him as an equal as he grew up. Aragorn had lost count of how many times Legolas had saved his life. He was so - unselfish, loyal, and more fearless than anyone else he had ever known. He was one hell of an archer and warrior, yet amazingly graceful as he was precise and fatal. He was gentle and caring, regal in his own way. He was beautiful, with the most courageous, tender heart of anyone he knew.

Legolas was his comrade. His best friend. His brother. For Aragorn who had lost his father in his infancy and had been adopted by the Elves, Legolas truly had been all of those things to him and more. He had always admired the Elf prince of Mirkwood, revered him in his own youth. Then he had grown to love him more and more intensely as the years went on and they grew closer and their bond strengthened.

Aragorn loved him. He always had and always would until he died an old being. Arwen was first in his heart, above all other things and people of the earth. And Legolas was a very close second, who had once been first until the ranger had been smitten by the lovely Evenstar. He would be the most content of Men in all the world if he lived out the rest of his life with his lady and his best friend by his side.

" Eden Estel ", Legolas murmured as he woke. "New Hope" in Elvish, one of his many nicknames for the ranger.

" Nim Alfirin ", Aragorn called him with a smile as he remembered Legolas' old nickname that only he knew and called the prince of Mirkwood. It had been a long time since he had called Legolas "Pale Immortal Flower". Legolas smiled as his best called him his secret name.

" Hen ennas naeg no nin dalv? " Aragorn asked, meaning

" Is there pain under my palm?"

Legolas shook his head with a faint smile.

" Nay,mellonin. The warmth of your hand feels good upon my wound. You have the hands of a healer ", Legolas answered.

" I just don't want to pain you ", Aragorn said.

Legolas chuckled. " I'm not as fragile as you think."

Aragorn grinned and looked down, his hand still resting on the Elf's stomach. He gently stroked Legolas' stomach as he thought, and the Elf prince smiled.

" Im mel le, mellonin a nin gwador ", the ranger said in Elvish. " I love you, my friend and my brother."

" A Im mel le, nin muin gwador. Nin Estel ", Legolas replied. " And I love you, my dear brother. My Estel."

" Nin calad ", Aragorn whispered as he leaned close to the fair face of his best friend. " My light." Legolas smiled.

" Im adae ur le ", the ranger added wistfully. " I miss you."

" Im sinome ", Legolas said softly. " I'm here."

Aragorn simply lay down beside the Elf and the two stared at each other, their bright eyes locking just as if they were two young boys. After a few moments,both closed their eyes, and Legolas moved nearer to Aragorn, into his arms and buried his face in his best friend's chest. They curled up near each other and shared the warmth of their bodies as well as the love between them.