'lo everyone. I'd like to start off by saying that you all can stone me now. I'm sooooo sorry for not updating for such a long time. But I have some ready made excuses if you'll hear them. One was that I had a major writers block because one person asked why Legolas and Aragorn are staying in the town this long and why didn't they just book it on home. Well…I don't know why they didn't, but I had to find a way that didn't sound too cheesy but well formed and realistic. Also the second reason was that I got a cold…twice…But that actually helped in the long run 'cause while I was sleeping the fever off I had a fever dream about writing this chapter. Almost this entire chapter was what I dreamed. That's why there's a really weird kind of structure. I have the best dreams! Anyhoo…that's all my explanations…so see ya next time. And don't forget, Kris loves review as much as I do. He deserves the credit it theses chapters are starting to look better. I am a failure an punctuation.

*SPECIAL ANNOUNSMENT* I will be leaving for Hawaii this following Saturday and I will not be back for two weeks. Hopefully I get a chance to update before then…But if not I'll try and write some there. I have an access to a computer there, but I don't know what kind.

See first chapter for disclaimer and all of that other fun stuff.

Chapter five

Border Control

Legolas kept his head up as they walked through the town. He stared into the eyes of any who were bold enough to glare at the elf with a mixture of hate and fear. The elf's stormy gray eyes bored into theirs, none held his gaze for long.

Even though Legolas had seen sights in Middle Earth beautiful enough to take away your breath, this town was certainly a strange site to behold. Half of the building and houses were bordering the town as they normally do in most, but in the center of town there was an enormous wooden structure that took up a vast amount of space. It had a bottom and top platform with two flights of wooden stairs on opposite sides of each other. The top platform had shops and houses in random patters. They made a sort of smaller town on top, complete with allies that you could lose your way in. The bottom was much the same. Huge wooden beams were amongst the houses and shops on the bottom so as to hold the top platform up.

He could see Aragorn staring at the strange structure as well. The ranger nudged Col with an elbow and whispered to him "what purpose does this serve?"

Col smiled, he had noticed that both Aragorn and Legolas were puzzling over the two storied construction, although Legolas had concealed his wonder better than Aragorn.

"This has been 'ere for as long as I can 'amember. I think its to save space, but my da knows. It was built when 'e was Dal's age."

"It is clever, and well made. I do not think I have ever seen something like this in any other town." Aragorn nodded his admiration of the intricate formation.

Legolas would have praised the idea as well, were it not for the ruse. As is were, he kept silent and was also wondering where exactly Col's house was. He could not, however, voice his question aloud. He was supposed to play the part of a highly dangerous and barbaric elf. He suppressed a smile at the thought.

Col led them out off the center ring of houses and shops and into the part of town on the edge of the forest, there were trees growing in between houses and people didn't live so close together here. There was no one walking out here, unless is was the occasional woodsman. Col directed them to a small house hidden behind a large tangle of blackberry bushes growing amid a few maple trees. A sizeable stack of firewood was stacked against one side of the house. No smoke rose from the chimney, there wasn't any need of a fire when the days were so warm. There was a small porch with three chairs lining the wall, obviously meant for the boys and their father. A small rocking chair also occupied the deck.

The sun had fully risen by this time, the day was not as hot as yesterday and the sun shining through the trees overhead made the house look stunningly picturesque.

Dal and a tall muscular man strode out of house and stood smiling at Col and Aragorn. A small petite woman followed slowly after the man and boy. She wore a dress and an apron over that, her hands were wet and wrinkled from water, she was drying a bowl with the apron. She had a kindly smile, but it was only directed at Col and Aragorn.

Dal and his father greeted Aragorn and Col, but kept clear of Legolas. Col embraced his mother warmly and planted a kiss on her forehead. She swept his shaggy hair from his face with dishwater damp hands and patted his shoulder.

Next, she greeted Aragorn with a friendly smile and invited them all in to get settled down.

"Now you can just make yourself at home, it's welcome to you as long as you want."

She grimaced slightly when Legolas stepped into her house. She whispered something to her husband and he nodded.

"Strider, my wife was wondering if the elf shouldn't sleep out back. We could give 'im a bit of hay for some bedding."

Aragorn frowned in mock thought, after a minute he said slowly "No…I think that I would keep an eye on him, so unless I sleep out there with him, he should probably stay. He won't cause you any trouble, I promise you that."

Col and Dal's father nodded and so did their mother. Aragorn set down their packs on the space of floor in the sitting room. But he had to pick them back up again as the boy's mother led him and Legolas to the bedroom they would be sharing.

After their things had been put into place Aragorn wiped his hands on his pants and held one out for the man to shake. Then he bowed elegantly to The boy's mother.

"I am grateful to you, my name is Strider."

The boy's father shook Aragorn's hand with gusto. "I am Daren, and this is my wife Marian. Nay, it is you we should be grateful to. If you 'haden't 'ave been there then Dal and Col might've been slain by that vicious elf. "

Aragorn nodded and agreed "yes, vicious."

Legolas had to use all of his will power to keep from smiling. But when Dal, Daren and Marian turned to go into the kitchen Legolas raised an eyebrow an mouth the word "vicious" Col and Aragorn an amused smile that caused Col to giggle and Aragorn to smile mischievously.

Dal an his parents turned to find Aragorn and their son talking together and Legolas standing quietly.

Daren went back to the three and nudged Aragorn, "are you gonna take that beast everywhere? It might frighten the children."

Aragorn had not though of that, but he schooled his face and replied, "No…I suppose not. Where do you suggest I leave him?"

Daren was a bit surprised at the answer, "Don't leave it anywhere. If you have to go alone then tie it up good and tight.

Aragorn fought the urge to scowl and replied to Daren, "When or if I leave him It will be my decision."

Daren gave a slightly frosty nod and gestured that he should come into the kitchen. Aragorn nodded and told him to go ahead. He went back to the guest room he shared with Legolas and tied his end of the rope to the bed post.

"I am sorry about this. Tonight I will find out if we are able to leave soon." He held a whispered conversation in elvish; Aragorn nearly spoke elvish better than Westron.

Legolas nodded his accent and also whispered in the gray tongue. "I wish not to be like this for long Estel, you will pay for this later my friend." Legolas smiled nudged Aragorn as a signal to get moving.

Switching back to The common tongue, Aragorn murmured one last farewell to The elven prince "Take care and keep watch, mellon-nin."

Aragorn closed the door and nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt a tap on his shoulder.

Col was just as frightened as Aragorn. When the ranger saw that it was just the boy he sighed, inward and well as outward.

"Goodness Col, you frightened me. You'd best not sneak up like that." Aragorn patted Col's shoulder and steered him don the hall to the sitting room.

Aragorn took his into the kitchen and sat at the table with his family. They were about to be served dinner, but Aragorn had other plans. Ignoring, the dubious glance from Daren, no doubt concerning the whereabouts of Legolas, Aragorn asked rather politely if Col wouldn't come with him to look around the town a bit. Daren thought a moment before pausing.

"I suppose, I'll wrap up dinner for you to take along." Daren's chair scraped across the floor as he rose from the table and began to package Aragorn and Col's dinner.

Before they left Aragorn went up to his and Legolas's room. He was going to leave him here to rest, but the ranger was hesitant to leave him with Dal. Aragorn was a bit uneasy around the older boy. He was stronger than his father and taller too. Years of wood cutting had built muscle around his lanky form and Aragorn knew that he might cause trouble for the elf.

Aragorn crept into he room, half hoping that Legolas might be asleep. He needed the rest. Legolas, however, did not intend to sleep unless Aragorn was in the room with him. He too knew the Dal might become a threat to him.

Aragorn started to untie the rope from the bedpost but Legolas stopped him. "No Estel, I would only slow you. And I do not wish to be gawked at as if I were an orc." Aragorn complied to the elf's wish, but he was uncertain upon doing so, but he ranger did not want to burden his friend with the unease of the people's stares. He touched Legolas's shoulder before walking from the room repeating his warning "take care."

Aragorn walked the hall to where Col was standing with their dinner. "Let's be off then." he said distractedly. Aragorn's intentions weren't actually to look at the town. Instead he took Col on a winding path through the forest until he judged that they were about the same radius away from the village that the wargs were likely to come. It wasn't far enough for Legolas and Aragorn to leave the village. If the wargs still lingered in the area, they would be trapped in the town.

The ranger walked through the wood on silent feet. He was surprised that Col was nearly as quiet as himself. He questioned Col, but the boy only shrugged and commented that it came from always walking in the forest.

Aragorn took a moment to ponder about the boy. He wasn't as…well…bold as his father and brother appeared to be. He was quiet and courteous. For all of his lankiness, Col was quite graceful. He glanced at the boy who had padded softly to his side. Yes, Col was turning out to be a very welcome friend during their time in the town.

Col tapped Aragorn on the shoulder "Strider, there's something there." and indeed there was. Aragorn quickly grabbed Col and pushed him down behind a tree. He crouched besides him and peered out from them to look upon the creatures.

The wargs were still roaming the area. Aragorn cursed softly in elvish. Why had he not seen that. The wargs would stay in the vicinity for weeks, they elf and ranger had given them enough food to last them for a long time. The corpses of their own.

One warg stopped and sniffed the air. A growl started low in his throat. It had caught Aragorn and Col's sent. It began to sniff the ground and air for traces of their smell. It started to creep slowly to their hiding place. Aragorn had his sword with his , but he couldn't fight off them and watch out for Col at the same time. So he yanked Col up from his crouched position spun him around and gave him a little push to get him started.

"Run!!" he yelled and Aragorn took off pulling Col along. They would hopefully startle the warg a bit, and give them time to get a head start. More shapes darted from the trees and set after them. Aragorn and Col's feet pounded the ground frantically. They had to be just a little ahead of the wargs or they would be surrounded. They kept running at a breakneck pace until one by one the wargs stopped their chase. Aragorn and Col had finally reached safety. They were close enough to the town that the wargs would not follow.

They threw themselves to the ground, exhausted from their run. Panting heavily and smiling in relief. Aragorn got to his knees and sat back on his heels, "That was too close. I should have seen them coming."

Col was still too winded to do anything but nod and gasp for air. They sat there for a bit until they caught their breath. When Col stopped shaking from the panic of nearly being caught by the wargs, he grinned ad held up their dinner which he hadn't dropped in flight.

Aragorn laughed uproariously and ruffled Col's hair. Col started to giggle and soon both were rolling on the floor with tears of mirth streaming down their faces.

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Legolas was determined not to sleep. Too much might be at risk if he let himself drift off. But against his will, Legolas was nodding. He tried to stay awake by singing to himself, although softly so that the others wouldn't hear him, but that just succeeded in lulling him into a doze. Legolas woke with a start when his head hit his chest. The elf blinked his eyes a few times to focus them. He tapped a rhythm on the wooden floor he was sitting on to give his mind something to do.

He wished Aragorn would come back soon. The ranger probably needed sleep too. With out realizing what he was doing, Legolas started to nod off thinking of Aragorn. His fingers gradually ceased there tapping. The door slowly opened with a creak. Legolas, suspecting it was Aragorn let his head rest on his chest fully.

"Gohena nin…(forgive me) ." Legolas was too far gone to do anything except mumble the words to Aragorn.

"Don't spit your filth at me elf." The words were not Aragorn's. Legolas raised his head to meet the gaze of Dal sneering back at him.

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Lauranna Starbreeze: Hope I haven't kept you waiting so long. I'm so embarrassed that I waited this long. You get to finally see what happens and thankfully I don't have the block anymore and I have an idea for the next chapter.

Randomramblings: I try an make it realistic enough so that you can have a clear picture in your mind instead of a black and white 60's movie screen staring back at you…what does the "ouch" mean. What did I do! I'm trying to write as fast as I can.

Raven Usher: YAY!! I'm descriptive. Love the review thanks a bunch.

Legylover03: You caught my fault. I guess I should hug you and strangle you. It was a big help thanks. I want to make this as realistic as possible considering that this is a fantasy story (but you'll never catch me denying that it's real) and I have only so much reality to work with. But, on the other hand, I had to think a whole bunch about this chapter, 'cause I have no idea why they were staying. But I do now. So thanks again.

Rainydayz: I love your story, and hopefully I'll be the first to review on the next chapter that comes out after your block is broken. Thanks a bunch for the review, they make my day.

Heiwen: You get to find out what happens YAY!! Glad your with me. I hate the slash stories, they ruin the magic that Tolkien created and the special bond of friendship that so many others have built between characters. If your at all interested I have another story on fiction press. I'm under the same pen name and my fics called honor among thieves. It's a friendship story too…an not a romance. At all.