Beyond Borders

Summary: Gondor rules over all of Middle Earth save for one large forest in the North-Western area, Mirkwood. As he tried to unravel its mysteries he comes across a strange discovery, about himself and the world around him. What happens when he meets the Commander of the Elleselsian army? Read and find out. A/L and many other pairings.

Any dream bits will be in italics for this chapter. Just so you know. For anyone who is reading Maniacal Laughter, I promise I'm not stopping it but I'm having severe writer's block and I can't seem to make Legolas do what I want, so it'll be a week at least before I get it up maybe more, maybe less, depends when Legolas decides to listen to me. cries sorry. Please make sure you read the end of this, especially if you're a 'Maniacal Laughter' fan. Thanks so much.

It was halfway through their breakfast and Aragorn was becoming more and more uncomfortable. Etine and Legolas kept talking quickly in the Elleselsian tongue and would occasionally shoot a glance his way. After their plates were cleared, Aragorn stood as Etine left the chamber, followed by the rest of the noble men and women. He was ready to head for the door when a cool hand settled upon his wrist. "Not go," a small voice whispered and a thin frame pressed against his back…

Aragorn looked back over his shoulder in shock. "Legolas…" The blonde Elf shook his head and buried his face against his face.

"Not go," he whispered. "Please… not –"

"Legolasion, Irhanion ikana eun monome tioun chie. Legolas, Irhan wishes to speak with you." Legolas nodded and stepped around Aragorn and out of the door. Etine smiled from beside a large planted flower. "I hope he does not bother you," she said, her tongue stumbling over the unfamiliar words.

"Nay, I do not find him a distraction," Aragorn took a step towards the door but was stopped by a hand on his chest.

"Do you find something else… distracting?" Blue eyes gazed up at him and a confident smile played across her lips. Aragorn swallowed, finding his throat suddenly too dry.

"I would not call you anything of that nature, my Queen. Do you think so shallow of my intensions?" Etine smiled and stepped back, allowing the man some room to breathe.

"You are an intelligent man, and I can recognize a touch of your father in you… yes, it is no wonder Legolas is infatuated with you," Aragorn looked at her, puzzled.

"What riddles do you hide in your words?" he asked. Etine smiled and headed for the door.

"Do you not wonder how your father disappeared? Or how it is I know your language? Many questions have been withheld from you. I think it is time I answered them." She passed through the large golden door, Aragorn following her closely.

Etine lead him through the vast hallways, until they reached a small black marble door. "Remove your boots," she commanded, already pulling off her green slippers. Hesitantly, Aragorn removed his boots and allowed a servant to take them from him. The young girl, draped in a soft yellow gown that was almost transparent, scurried over to her Queen and took her slippers as well. "I'niteay, Ochealle. No biea en sil Irhan. Thank you, Ochealle. Your father is with Irhan." The girl bowed, her green eyes shinning.

"I'niteay, nan Ondonae. Thank you, my Queen" she whispered and turned on her heel, her blonde hair falling from its bun slightly.

"Shall we?" Etine asked, motioning to the locked door. At Aragorn's questioning stare she produced a small emerald vile from her necklace, what Aragorn had thought was a jewel, and opened the bronze top. The sweet scent of vanilla and lavender filled the air and she poured two small droplets of blood red liquid on the door. The black marble shifted and pulled itself apart until it was a melted mass against the walls beside it. Grabbing the nearest torch from the wall, Etine bowed her head and walked down the stairway beyond the darkness, a reluctant Aragorn following close to her back.

They reached the bottom of the stairs in five minutes, the air already cold in the windowless room. Etine left Aragorn in the dark chamber while she scuttled around its perimeter, lighting a series of twenty eight torches along the walls. Aragorn's eyes widened as the room lit up. A stone table sat in the middle of the room, covered in parchments and small treasures. A pillar stood next to Etine and Aragorn noticed she looked completely unaffected by his wonder. "This is where our people came when they skies darkened with winged beasts and soldiers spilled blood along the roads. This is where they could not enter… this is the home of the Valar." Her eyes glazed over and she pulled off her crown, setting it on the tall stone pillar. "Do not be afraid, son of Arathorn. None will harm you here." She smiled and walked passed him to the opposite wall. It was your father who made this," she said as she ran her fingers over a carving in the stone wall. "When we were trapped, he carved this. He left you everything." Aragorn looked at the drawing, puzzled. The swirls and lines shaped into a rendition of a young boy, not much older than twenty, smiling brilliantly. "This was Legolas, the way your father saw him, before he was commander… before he became the man he is now.  He was such a brilliant child, always smiling, always having something to laugh about. If I had known what effects war would have on his soul, I would not have accepted his oath." Etine smiled and ran her hand longing down the picture's cheek. "They hid here, during the first war. Arathorn had stayed after he tried to win my allegiance," she laughed. "He threatened that his people would not allow me to stay my distance for long," she paused. "Then he met Legolas Margarsion, most likely the finest of our kind… his father was the commander of my flight unit, and as such, left Legolas in line for his command once he was older. They fell in love and it was enough to persuade Arathorn to stay. But his people grew restless, waiting his return. They sent the Nine and ten thousand foot soldiers to attack, which they did a great deal of. Nobles and anyone else we could fit hid here while all men and women in my command died. Arathorn promised Legolas they would stay together always, no matter what trials they faced. I begged them not to leave this chamber, but both being young and impulsive, climbed the stairs and opened the gate, your father hoping his men would leave once they saw him. As they emerged, I could hear shouting… most I could not understand as your father had not finished teaching me. A scream was heard, followed by a clatter, and booted feet left the palace. I went to see… and Legolas… he was crying over Arathorn's corpse. They had tried to kill him, but your father got in the way and a clumsy young man stabbed him instead. That was when Legolas gave me his oath. He would not leave my service until he could ease the pain of his lover's passing. I only regret letting him make that oath. He has lost his youth, Aragorn. The young bundle of joy I once knew is gone." Etine stopped speaking and looked to Aragorn whose eyes had filled with tears. "I see so much of him in you… so many similarities. Yes, it is no wonder Legolas looks to you as he did your father." She slowly walked to the table and picked up a small piece of parchment. "This is for you… and this," she held up a golden sheath with a hilt encrusted with rubies protruding from the top. "Enyara, the light of the Elleselsian Guard. Legolas passed it to your father, and he wished it be given to you." Aragorn nodded and took the sword and letter. He turned to head back to his chamber when a hand on his shoulder stopped him. "Do not allow your heart to linger in unhappy memories or doubts. Free yourself and you shall find what He wished you to." The man ran up the stairs, slid on his boots and hurried to his room, shutting the door tightly.

Opening the parchment, he ran a finger over the rough scrawl and smiled. "Father," he whispered and read.

My dear boy,

I do not know when you shall find this, or if. But mayhap there shall be no need. I long to see your face as you grow, to hold you on my knee, but as I hold another here, I am unable to visit you. If this letter receives you in good health, when you are old enough, come to the Elleselsian's forest. You may not find me easily, but I hope you do. The land is more lovely then the gardens of Minis Tirith you adore so.

I can only imagine the young man you have become. Are you off courting young ladies at masques and councils? It would not amaze me. Many have said how you are like me in every way, I only hope it true.

Please find your way to me. I wish you to know what has kept me here. It is not lack of love for you, my son, as that is impossible as Eru being greater than the Valar. That is more you must learn. There are forces greater than Eru. In the time spent here, I have felt the presence of the Valar, and hold it to my soul. I hope to see you soon.

Love always,

Your father.

Aragorn smiled and bent his head. "Father, if only you could see me now," he whispered. He placed the letter on his bedside table and allowed the sword to rest on the floor. He pulled off his shirt and, lying back, fell into an easy sleep, with thoughts of his father fresh in his mind.

He woke to a soft voice murmuring at his side. "Dar ú chie lotar, nan oudoir? Where do you hide, my love?" Aragorn opened one eye and tried to gaze at the figure pressed to his chest, but couldn't. "Chie tev nin sil kiy mitionae tha no ginoar… nan oudarn mitionae. You left me with an angel of your blood… my lovely angel." A sob caught in Legolas' throat and he snuggled into Aragorn's body further. "Chie ellei nin ckan eun aduer, valde ni oten ind chie auntoe. You told me not to cry, but I cannot let you go." Aragorn wrapped an arm around the sobbing Elf's shoulders and pulled him closer against his body.

"Do you weep for him?" Aragorn asked. Legolas nodded against his chest and sniffed. "Do not shed tears over someone long gone. I would that you not ruin your lovely face with sorrow." Aragorn bent his head and hesitantly kissed the pale lips below him. Pulling back, he saw Legolas smile shyly up at him. "You are lovely," he whispered, kissing away the diamond tears that glistened on the Elf's porcelain cheeks. "Come, let us rest until the sun rises." Legolas curled up to his side, burying his face on Aragorn's shoulder, one arm thrown over the man's stomach. Aragorn wrapped his arms around the Elleselsian and turned his head to the side, resting his chin on top of Legolas' golden hair. "Sleep well," he murmured and kissed the sun bleached locks, closing his eyes and allowing sleep to take him.

"Cieda ouna, nan ikdoir. Good night, my beloved." Legolas smiled as he drifted off into a light nap, curling himself tighter into Aragorn's side as if to save them both from an unseen terror lurking in the shadows.

A.N.: Foreshadowing or just a writer's whim? Who knows except for me! Muahaha!

Well, there's yet another chapter. I hope it was okay, because I'm not sure if I like it or not. It was subjected to so much change it turned out nothing like my original idea for it. Please let me know what you think. Reviews are super cool and I love them so much.

As for 'Maniacal Laughter', I'm not sure if I want to continue it. Legolas is being a bitch and he won't listen to me. It's depressing. I'm trying to figure out what to do next but if my writer's block doesn't pass by the end of June, 'Maniacal Laughter' may end up in the recycle bin. I'm really sorry, but it's starting to play havoc on my nerves. It's keeping me up late trying to write and getting me in trouble at school while I'm trying to brainstorm.

I bet some people thought I was going to through in some smut here huh? Guess again! I'm saving it for at least one chapter, if not two. But I promise it will be well worth the wait. Muahaha! Stick around and please leave a review, even if it's just one word! PLEASE!

Luv,

Kiava

Thanks to:

Gillian: OMG! Are you serious!? I've always wanted to but my brother always teased me when I wanted to be a princess! He said I should have been a pig. Ah well. I hope this was soon enough for you. As you know in my before update, I may be canceling 'Maniacal Laughter' and I'm really sorry, but it's just not working anymore. I will be starting a new one though as I have a HUGE plot bunny that is demanding to be written.

greenp4lm: I'm sorry. They were getting in the way so I had to. You like Elrond though? He's always so… hardcore. Never really fancied him but, to each his own right? Lol, well I'm glad you like it and I hope this was a little more Legolas/Aragorn for you.