Read AND Review, ok?
********************************************
I'll devote this first part to simple replying to all reviews (cos they mean a lot to me)
silvertoekee: Yep, there certainly is a band of elves who loved mortals but dare not admit cos there is a difference in the race but will Legolas be one of them? You're the very first reviewer - so thank you, cos you made a real big difference in my confidence to write LOTR slash.
The: Thanks for the comment about my grammar - I share your sentiments cos I have realized that stories with not-quite-satisfactory grammar are hard to read, especially after a long day.
Lolita: Hmm - seems like I failed to make you go on reading, huh? If you ever see this, just go and read, ok?
Amethyst Bubble: That's one cool userid you have. Where did you get the inspiration from?
IMTrinity: You bet I will continue - this is one real chance for me to attempt writing LOTR slash - will I ever give it up?
Sillie: Poor Legolas indeed - but we mustn't forget Aragorn.
Rock-Howard-17: Another cool userid. Well, I've updated - where's your review? ^-^
Oogabooga: Thanks for the three words. They mean a lot, ok?
Yami Meji no Minaraikou: Japanese nickname.- I keep looking at interesting nicknames. . .thanks for the vote of confidence. Really appreciate it.
Lady Jade: Thanks for the review.
ShadowSpirits: I always think of the Mines of Moira when I see your nickname. Anyway, thanks for that review.
MusumeMarron: I hope I spelled your nickname correctly. Hm.thanks for the two reviews.
Michelle: I will certainly *try* *winks winks* to give them a nice little kissing scene, but no promises, ok?
Orlandos_angel: Ok, I'll add the slash part into the summary (I thought it had been obvious cos I mentioned the mate thing with Legolas and Aragorn. Thanks for the review though.
ElvenQueenSelenity: Me too. I love that pairing too. So nice, isn't it? One so fair, the other so dark-haired and rugged.
Spellcastre: Nice nickname. I read your long profile. I hate Cho too, cos she's too sensitive. Thanks for those super long reviews. They made my day!
azn*pryd: Yep, I am from Asia. Southeast asia in fact. Which part of asia are you from?
silverdragon_0120: I will continue but you must promise to continue reviewing then it's fair, ok?
X-shadowcat: I will be updating soon.
********************************************************
'So it really was the leaf I saw in the light,' Legolas said light- heartedly as he extracted a leaf from Aragorn's hair.
Aragorn was motionless, dumbly staring at Legolas for a few seconds before Legolas waved the leaf in front of him, saying, 'Hail King Aragorn, this is a leaf, you know,' Aragorn could not repress the stunned hurt for a minute as he thought of how Legolas had rejected him.
'Yeah, right,' Aragorn slapped Legolas' hand down lightly, craving the smooth shimmering skin of the elf. Legolas appeared to have not noticed the impending kiss and Aragorn was sure for a second that the rejection and backing away had been deliberate, and then he thought again.
How stupid of him to think Legolas had known he was about to kiss the elf! He was sure now that Legolas truly had wanted to check the leaf in his hair out. How very like Legolas - to be innocent!
Meanwhile, Legolas was trying to still the flutterings in his heart as he put on a calm, unruffled demeanor, tossing the god-sent leaf to the ground. Thank god for the leaf or Legolas had been quite prepared to slap Aragorn and then say there was a fly near the mortal. He had at last moment stopped his hand from falling on the king's cheek in a hard slap, to move his hand upwards and extract a leaf instead.
I must really watch myself around Aragorn or I might just lose self- control, Legolas admonished himself as he entered the grounds of the castle with Aragorn, trying to ignore the fact that there was a rough arm brushing against his occasionally.
*********************************************************
15 Mins later
Legolas was so distracted by the repeated flutterings of his heart that he failed to see Aragorn looking curiously at him through dinner when he pressed a hand against his heart, ignoring the food on his plate, keen to stop the flutterings.
'In all my years with the elfish people, Legolas, I must say I haven't seen this way of saying prayers before meals before,' Aragorn commented as he looked pointedly at Legolas who was pressing a hand very hard against his heart, trying desperately to calm his heart down. His remark caught Legolas off-guard and the elf prince blinked for a few seconds before getting the meaning.
'Oh, *oh*,' Legolas felt a blush spread to the very roots of his hair as he hastily removed his hand from its place. 'No, no. It's just these flutterings - nothing, really,' Legolas muttered as he tried to concentrate on drinking the wine on the table without blushing too hard. He tossed the entire goblet down in a gulp in his nervousness and embarrassment.
Aragorn cocked an eyebrow in slight amusement and suspicion, 'Are you really alright, Legolas?'
Legolas swallowed and muttered, embarrassed at being treated like an ignorant child, 'Yes, I am fine, thank you,'
There was silence as Aragorn poured more wine for Legolas before Aragorn said, 'You are early - the rest are not expected till tomorrow night or perhaps the morning after,'
'Yet you still knew of my arrival,' Legolas said, raising his goblet in a toast. Somehow, his voice was a bit more - more slurred. Aragorn recognised the effects of wine on the slightly-tipsy elf. He mentally checked the type of wine he had taken out and was alarmed to find that it had tipsy effects on elves and other races except mortals.
In his excitement at Legolas' arrival, he had taken the wrong bottle!
'Yes, I did. I happened to be riding nearby,' Aragorn was still in the right frame of mind as he nodded and then tried to stop the elf from further drinking only to get his hand pushed away by a soft, tinkling, 'Nonsense, Estel,'
Then, the elf did something that made Aragorn get taken aback slightly. Legolas, probably influenced by the wine into blunt truthfulness, had leaned forwards, so that his breath, filled with sweet wine, touched Aragorn's face lightly. The elf's blue eyes, like the shimmering sapphires, burned into the king's as Legolas smiled while asking, 'Are you sure it was a coincidence? Or were you waiting for my arrival?'
Aragorn had felt alarm surge through him, but it was soon replaced by a sudden tranquility as he answered honestly, 'I had been waiting for you, Legolas,'
'Ah-hah, I just knew that,' the elf's laughter was like silver bells tinkling in the wind as Legolas smiled prettily. Was he flirting, Aragorn wondered mildly but he was not concentrating on that. Instead he was mentally tracing out the outline of the elf's jaw, the smooth curves of the lips and the way Legolas tilted his head.
Legolas now moved closer, his warmth was slightly unsettling in the dining room.
'Did you really?' Aragorn murmured as he tried to back away from the drunk elf. He might have been attracted to Legolas but he knew the limits and now, he was trying to discourage the elf. Legolas looked visibly affronted for a second at Aragorn's backing away before the elf said, in a tone too husky, 'I thought you wanted to kiss me just hours ago?'
Shit, he knew, Aragorn swore as he tried valiantly to get away from the drunk Legolas, wondering for a second if he should have got Gandalf to sit through dinner with them instead of retiring to bed that early. A drunk Legolas could prove tempting and reckless.
'You were mistaken,' Aragorn laid a hand on the elf's shoulder and tried to seat Legolas back properly only to be forced backwards by Legolas. 'Honestly, Prince of Mirkwood, what do you think you are doing?' Aragorn kept a stern tone as he tried to force the elf back.
'Just giving you what you want. . . . . .and what I want,' the elf prince murmured as his long slender fingers reached down to intertwine with Aragorn's dark tresses as he pulled the young king in for a kiss, only to find Aragorn holding back.
'And what exactly do you assume we both want?' Aragorn boldly asked as he stared into the elf's eyes.
In response, Legolas knocked all the goblets and plates off the table with a sweep of his arm and leapt onto the table like a cat. In the swirling lighting, Legolas looked mystical, misty, beautiful and hazy. His hair was catching the light now and then, making him look angelic.
But Legolas was only giving Aragorn seconds to admire the beautiful male elf for Legolas bent down lightly and pulled Aragorn so close their lips touched. The elf's lips were thinner than a woman's but surprisingly as soft. Like the rose petals in spring and the tender leaves in summer.
There was an alluring scent of leaves and flowers crushed together on the elf's body as the elf pushed his tongue against Aragorn's lips, seeking entrance. With a gentle push, Legolas' tongue playfully entered Aragorn's warm mouth just as Aragorn pulled the elf's lithe body onto his lap.
Straddling Aragorn, Legolas tightened the fingers in Aragorn's hair as he finished the kiss.
As Legolas pulled backwards to get enough space between them for staring, he said, 'This. You want this,'
******************************************************
3 hours later
Gandalf smiled at the piece of paper lying before him - this was perfect. A latest military strategy had been devised in the past half an hour. Gandalf hardly knew any weariness and he now peered outside the curtained window. It was dark now.
He estimated it to be around twelve midnight - well, he was sure Aragorn was still awake. That boy hardly slept at all, Gandalf could normally enter his chambers at three in the morning and Aragorn would still be up and probably racking his brains over some new policy for the kingdom.
Gandalf got up, stretched, and then gathering the military strategy, he began the long walk to Aragorn's chambers.
He was greeted with darkness when he entered the exterior chambers of the King. Now, this was unusual, Aragorn usually was seated by the window overlooking the outskirts of the kingdom in the exterior chambers. But he wasn't today. Arching a white eyebrow, Gandalf shrugged and pushed past the beaded curtains to go through a corridor to enter the inner chambers.
As Gandalf neared the King's bed, meaning to lay the strategy by the table near the bed for Aragorn to see when he awoke during the night or sometime, he stopped in mid-tracks, his eyes widening slightly as he stared hard at the shadows in the darkness.
Oh god, Gandalf had just realised that Aragorn was not sleeping alone. There were two figures on the bed! And the larger one was holding the smaller one close as they slept. Gandalf stared, dumb-struck for a few more seconds before he recomposed himself - of course, Aragorn was no monk, he had his share of sexual pleasure too!
I will question Aragorn later during breakfast about his lover, Gandalf thought, trying to recover from the shock at finding Aragorn in bed with another person.
*********************************************************
The next morning
Something was tickling his cheeks, Legolas realised as he stirred in the cool morning air which seeped through the curtains to chill him awake. Legolas' eyes fluttered open, his bright blue eyes blinking for several seconds before he registered his surroundings. He was lying on some comfortable material - a bed. And in someone's arms.
That point alarmed Legolas greatly and he shifted slightly to see, to his greatest horror, Aragorn. The man was stirring in his sleep, long dark locks of hair falling lightly over his eyes as he felt Legolas move in his arms.
What in the name of Valar was he doing in Aragorn's bed? Legolas thought valiantly, trying to piece together memories of the previous night. Only to realise that he had somehow gotten drunk and had vaguely said some things which were meant to be secret and then kissed Estel, following which they had engaged in some tongue-fighting things before he had eventually fallen asleep.
'Le-Legolas?' Aragorn murmured, also trying to remember what had led to the both of them sleeping together for a night.
'Aragorn, this is some mistake - we weren't meant to end up in bed together. I-I must go,' with that, trying to force the alarm and panic back down to the bottom of his heart, Legolas fled the room.
'Wait, Legolas!' Aragorn got to his right senses just in time to see the lithe form of the elf flee through the door.
Damn it, what had he done?
***********************************************************
Breakfast
Aragorn cast slight glances over to Legolas many times as the elf silently took breakfast. The paleness of the elf's cheeks was increased as a result of alarm and panic. Silently tearing at the bread, Legolas was determined to pretend nothing had happened.
'Aragorn,' Gandalf's voice made Aragorn get startled and look up from his glass of water. 'Did you sleep well last night? You appear exhausted and restless,' Gandalf sharply said. Aragorn's wince confirmed his suspicions.
'It's just that I feel slightly listless today - perhaps it's due to the drop in the warmth outside,' Aragorn made up an excuse as he noted how Legolas clutched his napkin so hard that the elf's knuckles stood out as white flecks of snow against the dark green napkin.
'I need to speak to you, regarding some soldiers,' with a meaningful stare, Gandalf got Aragorn to leave the table for the garden.
Gandalf led Aragorn to a particular desolated place in the garden.
'Now,' Gandalf started, unable to hide the curiosity in his voice, 'Who was it you slept with last night?' The old wizard peered at the young king who was trying to concentrate on counting the number of petals on a flower. Aragorn could not keep a dark flush from creeping up his face as he gulped nervously.
'L-Wait a minute, how do you know and what right have you to question me, Gandalf the Grey?' Aragorn defensively asked as he drew himself to his full height, hoping to intimidate the wizard into silence but failing. Memories of the passionate night and Legolas' slender body flashed through his mind as he focused hard on the wizard's face.
'I was about to bring you the latest military strategy. And also, as your close friend and advisor, I have all the right to question your life - now, speak! Or I shall have to use some forms of magic to force you,' Gandalf shook his staff threateningly as he stared hard at the young king.
'If you promise not to tell others,' Aragorn relented but waited for the wizard to nod in promise, 'I-It was just a fling, honestly! We were both drunk - he flirted with me and I somehow gave in!'
Gandalf sighed irritably, half curious and half exasperated, 'Am I supposed to fill in the blanks? Your explanation is vague, Estel! Whom did you sleep with? And who flirted with you? And to whom did you give in, my young lad?'
'It was Legolas - he somehow got drunk and we just slept together!' Aragorn was flushed red with memories of the pleasure the night before.
Aragorn felt Gandalf's stunned silence unbearable and ranted on, 'And just now he told me it was all just a MISTAKE! A mistake! I tell you even though he was drunk it was not a mistake which must be ignored - he knew I already liked him and he just brushed me off!'
'Aragorn, listen to me, child - calm down. I need to think,'
*********************************************************
2 hours later
The knock which Legolas had dreaded echoed through the guest room he had been given. He was in the midst of braided his hair. Standing up, Legolas composed his frantic self before he walked over to the door and opened it.
'Good day, Estel,' Legolas stiffly said as he masked his panic with cool detachment.
'The same to you, Legolas. I need to speak to you,'
'What about - I am busy braiding my hair,'
'Last night,'
'Oh,' Legolas muttered softly as he let Aragorn enter and watched warily as the king settled himself on the bed.
'So. . .,' Legolas trailed off.
'Look, I am perfectly happy with your friendship as a fellow hunter - so, I think last night was simply a result of too much wine. Friends?' the king stuck off a hand and Legolas shakily took it. Had Gandalf said something that made Estel change his mind about forcing Legolas to confess?
'Yeah - always friends,' Legolas said.
Less than a second later, as they stood staring at each other, their hands still clutched tightly, a messenger burst through the door and said, 'Beg pardon, my King, but Master Gimli and the three master hobbits have arrived,'
******************************************************
Ok, so what happens when more are added to the castle? I love all your reviews as proved by my replying to all I could. If I left anyone out, sorry, ok? Someone asked for a kiss between our two leading men, so I granted the wish - but with adverse effects.
And what did Gandalf tell our dear young king? And will the additional five be of help or hindrance to their showing of their feelings? *oops, I let slip some info*
Please review this chapter!!!
********************************************
I'll devote this first part to simple replying to all reviews (cos they mean a lot to me)
silvertoekee: Yep, there certainly is a band of elves who loved mortals but dare not admit cos there is a difference in the race but will Legolas be one of them? You're the very first reviewer - so thank you, cos you made a real big difference in my confidence to write LOTR slash.
The: Thanks for the comment about my grammar - I share your sentiments cos I have realized that stories with not-quite-satisfactory grammar are hard to read, especially after a long day.
Lolita: Hmm - seems like I failed to make you go on reading, huh? If you ever see this, just go and read, ok?
Amethyst Bubble: That's one cool userid you have. Where did you get the inspiration from?
IMTrinity: You bet I will continue - this is one real chance for me to attempt writing LOTR slash - will I ever give it up?
Sillie: Poor Legolas indeed - but we mustn't forget Aragorn.
Rock-Howard-17: Another cool userid. Well, I've updated - where's your review? ^-^
Oogabooga: Thanks for the three words. They mean a lot, ok?
Yami Meji no Minaraikou: Japanese nickname.- I keep looking at interesting nicknames. . .thanks for the vote of confidence. Really appreciate it.
Lady Jade: Thanks for the review.
ShadowSpirits: I always think of the Mines of Moira when I see your nickname. Anyway, thanks for that review.
MusumeMarron: I hope I spelled your nickname correctly. Hm.thanks for the two reviews.
Michelle: I will certainly *try* *winks winks* to give them a nice little kissing scene, but no promises, ok?
Orlandos_angel: Ok, I'll add the slash part into the summary (I thought it had been obvious cos I mentioned the mate thing with Legolas and Aragorn. Thanks for the review though.
ElvenQueenSelenity: Me too. I love that pairing too. So nice, isn't it? One so fair, the other so dark-haired and rugged.
Spellcastre: Nice nickname. I read your long profile. I hate Cho too, cos she's too sensitive. Thanks for those super long reviews. They made my day!
azn*pryd: Yep, I am from Asia. Southeast asia in fact. Which part of asia are you from?
silverdragon_0120: I will continue but you must promise to continue reviewing then it's fair, ok?
X-shadowcat: I will be updating soon.
********************************************************
'So it really was the leaf I saw in the light,' Legolas said light- heartedly as he extracted a leaf from Aragorn's hair.
Aragorn was motionless, dumbly staring at Legolas for a few seconds before Legolas waved the leaf in front of him, saying, 'Hail King Aragorn, this is a leaf, you know,' Aragorn could not repress the stunned hurt for a minute as he thought of how Legolas had rejected him.
'Yeah, right,' Aragorn slapped Legolas' hand down lightly, craving the smooth shimmering skin of the elf. Legolas appeared to have not noticed the impending kiss and Aragorn was sure for a second that the rejection and backing away had been deliberate, and then he thought again.
How stupid of him to think Legolas had known he was about to kiss the elf! He was sure now that Legolas truly had wanted to check the leaf in his hair out. How very like Legolas - to be innocent!
Meanwhile, Legolas was trying to still the flutterings in his heart as he put on a calm, unruffled demeanor, tossing the god-sent leaf to the ground. Thank god for the leaf or Legolas had been quite prepared to slap Aragorn and then say there was a fly near the mortal. He had at last moment stopped his hand from falling on the king's cheek in a hard slap, to move his hand upwards and extract a leaf instead.
I must really watch myself around Aragorn or I might just lose self- control, Legolas admonished himself as he entered the grounds of the castle with Aragorn, trying to ignore the fact that there was a rough arm brushing against his occasionally.
*********************************************************
15 Mins later
Legolas was so distracted by the repeated flutterings of his heart that he failed to see Aragorn looking curiously at him through dinner when he pressed a hand against his heart, ignoring the food on his plate, keen to stop the flutterings.
'In all my years with the elfish people, Legolas, I must say I haven't seen this way of saying prayers before meals before,' Aragorn commented as he looked pointedly at Legolas who was pressing a hand very hard against his heart, trying desperately to calm his heart down. His remark caught Legolas off-guard and the elf prince blinked for a few seconds before getting the meaning.
'Oh, *oh*,' Legolas felt a blush spread to the very roots of his hair as he hastily removed his hand from its place. 'No, no. It's just these flutterings - nothing, really,' Legolas muttered as he tried to concentrate on drinking the wine on the table without blushing too hard. He tossed the entire goblet down in a gulp in his nervousness and embarrassment.
Aragorn cocked an eyebrow in slight amusement and suspicion, 'Are you really alright, Legolas?'
Legolas swallowed and muttered, embarrassed at being treated like an ignorant child, 'Yes, I am fine, thank you,'
There was silence as Aragorn poured more wine for Legolas before Aragorn said, 'You are early - the rest are not expected till tomorrow night or perhaps the morning after,'
'Yet you still knew of my arrival,' Legolas said, raising his goblet in a toast. Somehow, his voice was a bit more - more slurred. Aragorn recognised the effects of wine on the slightly-tipsy elf. He mentally checked the type of wine he had taken out and was alarmed to find that it had tipsy effects on elves and other races except mortals.
In his excitement at Legolas' arrival, he had taken the wrong bottle!
'Yes, I did. I happened to be riding nearby,' Aragorn was still in the right frame of mind as he nodded and then tried to stop the elf from further drinking only to get his hand pushed away by a soft, tinkling, 'Nonsense, Estel,'
Then, the elf did something that made Aragorn get taken aback slightly. Legolas, probably influenced by the wine into blunt truthfulness, had leaned forwards, so that his breath, filled with sweet wine, touched Aragorn's face lightly. The elf's blue eyes, like the shimmering sapphires, burned into the king's as Legolas smiled while asking, 'Are you sure it was a coincidence? Or were you waiting for my arrival?'
Aragorn had felt alarm surge through him, but it was soon replaced by a sudden tranquility as he answered honestly, 'I had been waiting for you, Legolas,'
'Ah-hah, I just knew that,' the elf's laughter was like silver bells tinkling in the wind as Legolas smiled prettily. Was he flirting, Aragorn wondered mildly but he was not concentrating on that. Instead he was mentally tracing out the outline of the elf's jaw, the smooth curves of the lips and the way Legolas tilted his head.
Legolas now moved closer, his warmth was slightly unsettling in the dining room.
'Did you really?' Aragorn murmured as he tried to back away from the drunk elf. He might have been attracted to Legolas but he knew the limits and now, he was trying to discourage the elf. Legolas looked visibly affronted for a second at Aragorn's backing away before the elf said, in a tone too husky, 'I thought you wanted to kiss me just hours ago?'
Shit, he knew, Aragorn swore as he tried valiantly to get away from the drunk Legolas, wondering for a second if he should have got Gandalf to sit through dinner with them instead of retiring to bed that early. A drunk Legolas could prove tempting and reckless.
'You were mistaken,' Aragorn laid a hand on the elf's shoulder and tried to seat Legolas back properly only to be forced backwards by Legolas. 'Honestly, Prince of Mirkwood, what do you think you are doing?' Aragorn kept a stern tone as he tried to force the elf back.
'Just giving you what you want. . . . . .and what I want,' the elf prince murmured as his long slender fingers reached down to intertwine with Aragorn's dark tresses as he pulled the young king in for a kiss, only to find Aragorn holding back.
'And what exactly do you assume we both want?' Aragorn boldly asked as he stared into the elf's eyes.
In response, Legolas knocked all the goblets and plates off the table with a sweep of his arm and leapt onto the table like a cat. In the swirling lighting, Legolas looked mystical, misty, beautiful and hazy. His hair was catching the light now and then, making him look angelic.
But Legolas was only giving Aragorn seconds to admire the beautiful male elf for Legolas bent down lightly and pulled Aragorn so close their lips touched. The elf's lips were thinner than a woman's but surprisingly as soft. Like the rose petals in spring and the tender leaves in summer.
There was an alluring scent of leaves and flowers crushed together on the elf's body as the elf pushed his tongue against Aragorn's lips, seeking entrance. With a gentle push, Legolas' tongue playfully entered Aragorn's warm mouth just as Aragorn pulled the elf's lithe body onto his lap.
Straddling Aragorn, Legolas tightened the fingers in Aragorn's hair as he finished the kiss.
As Legolas pulled backwards to get enough space between them for staring, he said, 'This. You want this,'
******************************************************
3 hours later
Gandalf smiled at the piece of paper lying before him - this was perfect. A latest military strategy had been devised in the past half an hour. Gandalf hardly knew any weariness and he now peered outside the curtained window. It was dark now.
He estimated it to be around twelve midnight - well, he was sure Aragorn was still awake. That boy hardly slept at all, Gandalf could normally enter his chambers at three in the morning and Aragorn would still be up and probably racking his brains over some new policy for the kingdom.
Gandalf got up, stretched, and then gathering the military strategy, he began the long walk to Aragorn's chambers.
He was greeted with darkness when he entered the exterior chambers of the King. Now, this was unusual, Aragorn usually was seated by the window overlooking the outskirts of the kingdom in the exterior chambers. But he wasn't today. Arching a white eyebrow, Gandalf shrugged and pushed past the beaded curtains to go through a corridor to enter the inner chambers.
As Gandalf neared the King's bed, meaning to lay the strategy by the table near the bed for Aragorn to see when he awoke during the night or sometime, he stopped in mid-tracks, his eyes widening slightly as he stared hard at the shadows in the darkness.
Oh god, Gandalf had just realised that Aragorn was not sleeping alone. There were two figures on the bed! And the larger one was holding the smaller one close as they slept. Gandalf stared, dumb-struck for a few more seconds before he recomposed himself - of course, Aragorn was no monk, he had his share of sexual pleasure too!
I will question Aragorn later during breakfast about his lover, Gandalf thought, trying to recover from the shock at finding Aragorn in bed with another person.
*********************************************************
The next morning
Something was tickling his cheeks, Legolas realised as he stirred in the cool morning air which seeped through the curtains to chill him awake. Legolas' eyes fluttered open, his bright blue eyes blinking for several seconds before he registered his surroundings. He was lying on some comfortable material - a bed. And in someone's arms.
That point alarmed Legolas greatly and he shifted slightly to see, to his greatest horror, Aragorn. The man was stirring in his sleep, long dark locks of hair falling lightly over his eyes as he felt Legolas move in his arms.
What in the name of Valar was he doing in Aragorn's bed? Legolas thought valiantly, trying to piece together memories of the previous night. Only to realise that he had somehow gotten drunk and had vaguely said some things which were meant to be secret and then kissed Estel, following which they had engaged in some tongue-fighting things before he had eventually fallen asleep.
'Le-Legolas?' Aragorn murmured, also trying to remember what had led to the both of them sleeping together for a night.
'Aragorn, this is some mistake - we weren't meant to end up in bed together. I-I must go,' with that, trying to force the alarm and panic back down to the bottom of his heart, Legolas fled the room.
'Wait, Legolas!' Aragorn got to his right senses just in time to see the lithe form of the elf flee through the door.
Damn it, what had he done?
***********************************************************
Breakfast
Aragorn cast slight glances over to Legolas many times as the elf silently took breakfast. The paleness of the elf's cheeks was increased as a result of alarm and panic. Silently tearing at the bread, Legolas was determined to pretend nothing had happened.
'Aragorn,' Gandalf's voice made Aragorn get startled and look up from his glass of water. 'Did you sleep well last night? You appear exhausted and restless,' Gandalf sharply said. Aragorn's wince confirmed his suspicions.
'It's just that I feel slightly listless today - perhaps it's due to the drop in the warmth outside,' Aragorn made up an excuse as he noted how Legolas clutched his napkin so hard that the elf's knuckles stood out as white flecks of snow against the dark green napkin.
'I need to speak to you, regarding some soldiers,' with a meaningful stare, Gandalf got Aragorn to leave the table for the garden.
Gandalf led Aragorn to a particular desolated place in the garden.
'Now,' Gandalf started, unable to hide the curiosity in his voice, 'Who was it you slept with last night?' The old wizard peered at the young king who was trying to concentrate on counting the number of petals on a flower. Aragorn could not keep a dark flush from creeping up his face as he gulped nervously.
'L-Wait a minute, how do you know and what right have you to question me, Gandalf the Grey?' Aragorn defensively asked as he drew himself to his full height, hoping to intimidate the wizard into silence but failing. Memories of the passionate night and Legolas' slender body flashed through his mind as he focused hard on the wizard's face.
'I was about to bring you the latest military strategy. And also, as your close friend and advisor, I have all the right to question your life - now, speak! Or I shall have to use some forms of magic to force you,' Gandalf shook his staff threateningly as he stared hard at the young king.
'If you promise not to tell others,' Aragorn relented but waited for the wizard to nod in promise, 'I-It was just a fling, honestly! We were both drunk - he flirted with me and I somehow gave in!'
Gandalf sighed irritably, half curious and half exasperated, 'Am I supposed to fill in the blanks? Your explanation is vague, Estel! Whom did you sleep with? And who flirted with you? And to whom did you give in, my young lad?'
'It was Legolas - he somehow got drunk and we just slept together!' Aragorn was flushed red with memories of the pleasure the night before.
Aragorn felt Gandalf's stunned silence unbearable and ranted on, 'And just now he told me it was all just a MISTAKE! A mistake! I tell you even though he was drunk it was not a mistake which must be ignored - he knew I already liked him and he just brushed me off!'
'Aragorn, listen to me, child - calm down. I need to think,'
*********************************************************
2 hours later
The knock which Legolas had dreaded echoed through the guest room he had been given. He was in the midst of braided his hair. Standing up, Legolas composed his frantic self before he walked over to the door and opened it.
'Good day, Estel,' Legolas stiffly said as he masked his panic with cool detachment.
'The same to you, Legolas. I need to speak to you,'
'What about - I am busy braiding my hair,'
'Last night,'
'Oh,' Legolas muttered softly as he let Aragorn enter and watched warily as the king settled himself on the bed.
'So. . .,' Legolas trailed off.
'Look, I am perfectly happy with your friendship as a fellow hunter - so, I think last night was simply a result of too much wine. Friends?' the king stuck off a hand and Legolas shakily took it. Had Gandalf said something that made Estel change his mind about forcing Legolas to confess?
'Yeah - always friends,' Legolas said.
Less than a second later, as they stood staring at each other, their hands still clutched tightly, a messenger burst through the door and said, 'Beg pardon, my King, but Master Gimli and the three master hobbits have arrived,'
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Ok, so what happens when more are added to the castle? I love all your reviews as proved by my replying to all I could. If I left anyone out, sorry, ok? Someone asked for a kiss between our two leading men, so I granted the wish - but with adverse effects.
And what did Gandalf tell our dear young king? And will the additional five be of help or hindrance to their showing of their feelings? *oops, I let slip some info*
Please review this chapter!!!