Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. The talented J.R.R. Tolkien owns the characters and Peter Jackson owns the movie from which I got the idea for this fic.
Author's Notes: Okay, I have time to thank people!!!! I've decided I am going to continue with the pairing into The Two Towers and Return of the King. Apparently many people enjoy the fic because everyone wanted it and no one said, "Don't continue even if your life depended on it!"
Thanks for reviews to Chapter 4:
To [blank]: I'm glad you like the fic! I'm hoping to finish it within the next few weeks. I just started high school and it's a bit of a change for me. Lol.
To VaniaHepskins: I'm glad you like the fic and my style of writing! That's a huge compliment for me! Here's the next chapter; hope you enjoy it!
To Forest Bonevene: Haha, isn't it the insult of the century, though! I'm glad you started reading the fic! And Legolas and Aragorn are definitely a wicked cute couple!
To Legolas19: Enjoy this chapter!
To Nyctophobia: I'm so glad you want me to continue! Wasn't the flame hilarious? It totally made my day, which is really weird, 'cause usually people get sad and depressed when they get flames . . . Anyway, sorry about the tenses. I have a beta now, so hopefully she'll be able to catch the stupid little mistakes I make. Enjoy the chapter!
To Anthem: I'm so glad you like the fic!
To Leandra: I'm so glad you like the story and here's the next chapter!
To Elf-Formally-Known-as-Legolas: I'm happy you think I don't need to put much A/L into each chapter to keep the story fresh.
To Lady-of-Lorien1: Thanks sooo much for your review. I'm always trying to add in non-movie scenes as often as possible but usually I can't find the right place to put them in. I'm working harder on that fault, however. I actually never thought of using flashbacks . . . wow, I'm thick! Okay, thanks for the idea! And I sent you an email about beta-ing a few weeks ago, but you never emailed me back!
To MoroTheWolfGod: I'm so glad you want me to continue!
To Shaan Lien: I'm always trying to add in non-movie scenes whenever I get a chance.
To The girl from Oz: ::squeals:: You like me – er, my story! You really do . . . right? Lol. I figured that Galadriel wouldn't be biased or prejudiced towards anyone, no matter what their sexual preference/color/race/religion, etc. All the things people are stupidly biased and prejudiced about today. And about anyone in the Fellowship ever finding out about our favorite LotR slash couple . . . well, you'll just have to keep reading the fic to find out! (As if that doesn't just shout the answer anyway!) I think that I am going to continue their relationship through the trilogy. That's what everybody seems to want, anyway. ::shrugs::
Thanks for reviews to Chapter 3:
To Elf-Formally-Known-as-Legolas: Got it about the lemon. Definitely got it. I'm not totally sure how the fic is going to end up, whether or not it's going to be a lemon. And I'm glad you like the whole Lothlórien scene. I worked very hard on it and I've gotten nothing but compliments for it, so I'm glad everyone likes it! P.S. Your word, homoism: very nice. Lol. And Legolas Greenleaf, William Turner, and Todd Blackbird are all very . . . ::drool::.
To Shadow Dreamer1: Lol, flames are all definitely worth the laugh. Why would anyone waste their time writing a flame if they didn't like the fic? Just click the back button and don't read it anymore. Duh! Okay. Anyway, I'm sooo happy you liked the fluff scene. I was dying to put one in. I'm also glad you liked that Galadriel was in it. Anyway, I hope you'll continue to read and beta the fic!!!
To Shaan Lien: I read the books again! So hopefully, the characters will be better well rounded, but please, please, please let me know if they aren't and my writing hasn't changed in the least.
To leandra: Thanks for your review! I am continuing in the Two Towers and Return of the King so I hope you'll continue to read through the trilogy!
To Maniac: I'm glad you like the fic! Enjoy the chapter!
To Shadow41: I'm glad you like the way Legolas and Aragorn got together! Hope you enjoy this chapter as well!
Chapter 5: Shadows of Danger
The three boats of the Fellowship slipped silently through the river beneath sheer cliffs. Legolas felt a darkness fall upon him and, on a guess, whipped his head around to the left. His heart dropped down to his feet at what he saw. A leering Uruk-hai snarling back at him. Few minutes later, a screeching cry reverberated through the surrounding woods. Legolas glanced over and saw Aragorn and Boromir looking uneasily around, trying to find the source of the unnerving sound.
That night, the Fellowship stopped at a small island to rest. Legolas stood watch a few yards away from the group, the cool night breeze blowing gently around him. He glanced behind him and saw Aragorn and Boromir whispering together. He looked around and saw also Sam and Frodo talking quietly, Frodo with a sad look in his eyes. Legolas closed his eyes, unable to imagine the immense pressure Frodo must feel, and turned his gaze back onto the water. He saw a log floating along in the current, grimy hand clutching it tightly. Oh, not again, Legolas thought to himself with a sigh. Suddenly, he felt a pull on his tunic and, upon looking down, saw Pippin smiling back up at him.
"Yes, my friend. What do you need?" Legolas asked, kneeling down.
"Oh, we don't need anything, really," Pippin replied in his endearing lilt. "Merry and I were wondering if you needed anything to eat. We noticed you haven't had anything since we left Lothlórien this morning."
Legolas smiled.
"I would very much like some," Legolas told the little hobbit. Pippin grinned.
"Hold on, I'll bring you some because I know you can't leave your post when you're keeping watch!" Pippin shouted over his shoulder, hurrying away to where Merry sat even as he was speaking. A few minutes later, Pippin carefully made his way back to Legolas, carrying a wafer of lembas bread and a large piece of fried fish.
"Thank you, Pippin," Legolas said, taking the food from him.
Pippin smiled in reply and hurried back to the fire. Suddenly, there was an outburst of angry words coming from where Aragorn and Boromir were standing. Legolas dropped a piece of fish and looked behind him, alarmed.
"You're afraid! All your life, you have hidden in the shadows!" Boromir accused, holding Aragorn's arm in a vise-like grip. Legolas felt a familiar flame of anger flare in his heart. "Scared of who you are! Of what you are!"
Aragorn shook himself free and turned away. He whipped around after walking not even a step.
"I will not lead the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city," the Ranger hissed before turning once again and walking away.
The next day, the boats passed silently through a canyon, everyone talking in quiet whispers. Legolas and Gimli were in deep discussion about their respective cultures and traditions when Aragorn spoke loudly.
"Frodo, the Argonath! Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old," Aragorn said, gazing with reverence at the massive statues on either side of the river. "My kin."
As the boats slipped through the waters, the Fellowship stars in wonder at the majestic statues. When they three boats came nearer to them, the eight companions could hear Elvish voices singing out.
"Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambarmetta!" (Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place I will abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world!)
They sailed on past the structures and came to a gravelly beach, upon which they disembarked. They began to make camp as Aragorn explained what their plan was.
"We cross they lake at nightfall," the Ranger told them all. "Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north."
"Oh, yes?! It's just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil?" Gimli challenged from his seat on the ground. "An impassable labyrinth of razor sharp rocks! And after that, it gets even better!"
Legolas saw Pippin look up at the dwarf, alarmed.
"Festering, stinking marshlands, far as the eye can see!"
"That is our road," Aragorn replied, in a calm, even tone. "I suggest you take some rest ad recover your strength Master Dwarf."
"Recover my –?! Phrrrrr . . ." Gimli growled, while at the same time settling himself in. Legolas glanced around and felt the knot of unease growing in his stomach tighten. He turned and walked quickly to Aragorn.
"What is it, my love?" Aragorn asked quietly, a smile in his eyes.
"We should leave now," Legolas replied, looking at Aragorn earnestly.
"No," Aragorn disagreed, glancing around. "Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for cover of darkness."
"It is not the eastern shore that worries me," Legolas murmured, causing Aragorn to focus all his attention on him with a worried look. "A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near . . . I can feel it!"
Legolas allowed his gaze to wander over the woods, spotting dark, threatening trees and also a brooding statue nestled among the pine needles of the trees.
"No dwarf need recover their strength!" Gimli remarked, sounding insulted and still raving over Aragorn's earlier comment. He turned to Pippin. "Pay no heed to that, young hobbit."
Merry walked into the camp, his arms full of firewood. He looked around over the top of his pile for a moment before looking at Aragorn and Legolas.
"Where's Frodo?"
Legolas and Aragorn looked at each other, alarmed, as Sam arose from his half-slumber with a start. They looked around the camp for a moment before Aragorn lightly touched Legolas's arm. Legolas followed his love's gaze to where Boromir's shield lay with his baggage.
"Boromir," Aragorn whispered before racing off into the woods. Legolas opened his mouth in surprise but Aragorn disappeared before the Elf could say a word. He looked at the other three hobbits and the dwarf before yanking Gimli to his feet.
"You three stay here by the boats!" Legolas shouted as he snatched up his quiver and bow and Gimli grabbed his ax. "Gimli, follow me!"
The two warriors darted into the forest, leaving Merry, Pippin, and Sam behind. Soon after entering the forest, they were split up by a thick patch of trees. Legolas hurried through the woods, calling out both Aragorn's and Gimli's names. He stood still for a moment and listened. All he heard was the chirping of insects. He sighed, closing his eyes, and turned around to continue searching. He opened his eyes to see Aragorn staring intently back at him. Legolas started and fell against a nearby tree.
"Aragorn!" he whispered breathing hard. "What are you doing?"
"Shhh, Legolas, keep your voice down," Aragorn warned, moving towards Legolas and gripping the Elf's arms.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Legolas asked, looking around.
"I cannot find either Boromir or Frodo and I just saw evidence of Orcs nearby," Aragorn told him softly, brushing a stray lock of hair away from and allowing his hand to rest on Legolas's face. Legolas stared deeply into Aragorn's eyes as he struggled with whether or not to tell his love about what he had seen earlier.
"Aragorn, before we disembarked, I looked over to the shore and saw an Uruk-hai warrior," Legolas told him urgently. Aragorn looked at him. Their eyes widened as they both heard a crash in the distance.
"The Orcs," Aragorn said, his eyes turning steely. "I must go find Frodo."
He turned to race off to find the elusive hobbit, but before he could, Legolas grasped the Ranger's arm and pulled him back into his arms.
"I know there's nothing I can say to keep you from running off away from me and nearly getting yourself killed, but I hate that you have to," Legolas mumbled as he buried his face in Aragorn's chest.
"It's all right, my love," Aragorn soothed as he kissed the top of Legolas's head. "I promise you, I won't die until you're ready for me to go."
"Then never," Legolas whispered, almost inaudibly, tightening his grip around Aragorn as the Ranger pulled away a bit. Aragorn stared into Legolas's eyes before kissing the Elf deeply. After a moment, Legolas was released, much to his dismay.
"If you are never ready for me to leave you, then I will always be at your side," Aragorn promised, placing a chaste kiss on Legolas's lips. "I love you."
A tear slipped down Legolas's cheek as Aragorn backed away slowly, then turned and ran in the direction of the crash. Legolas took a moment to compose himself before running off in another direction in search of Gimli. After a moment, Legolas found the dwarf leaning against a thick tree trunk, panting heavily.
"Where've you been, lad?" I've been searching everywhere for you!"
"Sorry, Gimli," Legolas muttered, casting his eyes to the ground and thinking of an excuse. "I had to clean up a few Orcs I ran across."
Gimli adopted an eager look upon his bearded face.
"Really?" Gimli asked, trying not to seem too enthusiastic. "Do they need any more help cleaning up?"
Legolas smiled slightly.
"No, Gimli, I finished off the small group that I came across."
"Oh." Gimli's face fell. "Well, let's continue on. Who knows? Maybe we'll find another rogue band of Uruk-hai in need of our assistance!"
The dwarf started off in a northernly direction, Legolas following after a moment. After several minutes of silent running, they stopped and listened around them. From an area hidden by trees, they heard a cry.
"Run!"
Legolas immediately recognized the voice as that of Aragorn and, when he looked at Gimli, he could tell the dwarf knew, too. Without a word, Legolas and Gimli sprinted in the direction of the cry. When they pushed through the last of the trees, they found themselves on a high hilltop, with a massive stone structure topping it off. Legolas spotted Aragorn striding near to the Uruk-hai massing below him. Legolas's heart stopped as he saw Aragorn jumping in front of the horrifying creatures with a shout.
"Elendil!"
"Let's go, lad!" Gimli urged, tugging on Legolas's arm even as he started forward. Aragorn was leading the Uruk-hai up the stairs of the ruin. Legolas forced his legs to move even as he let the 'lad' comment slide. They ran from behind the ruin to where Aragorn had been fighting fiercely just moments before. Legolas unleashed several arrows into the Uruk-hai as Gimli swung his ax again and again, raining blows on Saruman's creatures.
"Aragorn!" Legolas shouted. "Go!"
And be careful, my love, he thought to himself even as he stuck another arrow into the chest of an Orc.
To my beta, vShadow Dreamerv You are the BEST!!!! Thank you sooo much for remembering about the fic when you hadn't heard anything from me for like a two months!!! Thanks for you help with everything and with the chapter title!!!!!!! You the BEST!!!!!!!
Author's Notes: Whoo-hoo!!!! Okay, finally finished this chapter! Sorry it took so long. I just started high school, so it's a bit of a change for me. On top of homework and everything, I made my school's freshman cheerleading team (go Cardinals!) and I joined the dance club and Latin club. But I promise I will have the next chapter finished and updated sometime in the next few weeks (hopefully before Thanksgiving). Namárië!