WOW, over 100 reviews for only 2 chapters! You people are so wonderful! *dances a merry jig* How can I thank you all enough? I'm thrilled that you're enjoying this story so much! :) Wait till you see what I have in store for our favorite elves and ranger! ;)
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The morning dawned cloudy, the chill in the air remaining.
Aragorn stayed wrapped up in his blankets, enjoying the opportunity to simply lie there and do nothing. He and Elladan had decided that since this trip was intended for relaxation, that they would simply stay where they were for the day, rather than doing more traveling.
Legolas was still asleep—his eyes open. It was such a wonderful sight to Aragorn that he couldn't stop smiling.
"You are easily amused," he suddenly heard, startling slightly.
Legolas had awoken, and returned the human's smile.
"You slept with your eyes open," Aragorn told him, happily.
Legolas feigned surprise. "Is that so? I did not notice," he joked, pushing back the blankets.
"Not very observant, for an elf," Aragorn answered, chuckling. "How does your wound fare today?"
"It fares well," Legolas told him, as he stood. "Where are your brothers?"
"Hunting."
"Let us hope that they bring us back something edible!" said Legolas, as he took some fruit out of his pack and moved past his friend, to sit on a fallen log.
Aragorn dozed off for a few minutes, abruptly waking when he noticed how quiet it was. Wondering what Legolas was doing, he turned over to see his friend fletching arrows.
With a sly grin, Aragorn quietly rose and slowly started walking in the elf's direction.
Legolas pretended that he didn't hear Aragorn coming. If the human wanted to sneak up on him, he would let him try.
Aragorn's boots made no noise as he walked, and he grinned at the knowledge that the elf didn't realize his plan.
Legolas continued what he was doing, sensing Aragorn getting closer and closer. Suddenly he sprang up and turned around…but unexpectedly felt arms encircle him and pull him towards the ground, where he was deposited rather gently.
Aragorn stood over him, grinning like a fool, the tip of his sword resting against the elf's throat.
Legolas was completely stunned. Aragorn had never succeeded in sneaking up on him in all the years that they'd known each other. "H-how?" he stuttered.
Aragorn laughed loudly, removing his sword and holding out a hand to help his friend stand. "It seems that I have finally bested you, mellon-nin! Oh, how long have I waited for this day to come! You are fortunate to not be in perfect health, or else your landing would have been much rougher!"
Legolas was so surprised at the situation that he didn't even notice Aragorn's comment about his health. Frowning—not in anger, but in shock and dismay—he could think of nothing to say. An elf's reflexes cannot be surpassed by those of a human…what did I do wrong? Has my injury caused me to lose skill?
Aragorn saw the look on his face, and his expression changed as he flicked a leaf out of his friend's golden hair. "Forgive me, my friend; I cheated."
Legolas' frown changed to a look of surprise.
Aragorn smiled. "You believe that I literally caught you off guard. No. I knew that you sensed my presence, so I merely waited for you to make a move before I did."
Legolas' jaw dropped. "You…human!" he exclaimed, playfully shoving him. Shaking his head, his voice dropped to a whisper. "I trust that you will not tell your brothers of this," he said sternly, though his eyes twinkled. "They would enjoy the story far too much, and then I would be forced to take revenge."
Aragorn laughed. "I will not tell them," he said. When you're in the same room, that is.
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As the day wore on, the sky remained cloudy and the temperature didn't improve much. It looked as if it might rain, and they were glad to be sheltered by the thicket; the dense trees would block much of the rain if it truly did fall.
Afternoon came quickly, and the four friends occupied time by telling stories of each other.
"Tell me an old story about Legolas!" Aragorn said.
"I have one that would amuse you!" said Elladan.
Legolas shot him a wary look.
Elladan pretended that he didn't see it. "One day, Thranduil and Legolas were coming for a visit. It had been nearly a year since we'd seen each other—"
Elrohir chuckled and Legolas groaned, knowing what was coming.
"Legolas was still very young…I believe he was not even as high as my chest. Apparently, he was very eager to arrive, and kicked his horse into a faster gallop."
Aragorn sat forward, hanging on every word.
"His horse was a very fast one, and our poor little prince was not quite able to manage it…"
Legolas gave an undignified snort, even though he knew Elladan's words to be true.
Elladan couldn't resist chuckling. "We were all standing outside, waiting for their arrival. We suddenly heard galloping hooves, and were quite surprised to see a horse shoot into Rivendell like a flying arrow, with Little Legolas hanging on for dear life!"
Legolas sighed loudly. "Elladan! You exaggerate!"
Elrohir shook his head. "He underestimates, you mean!"
"And I was not that 'little'!" Legolas muttered.
Aragorn was laughing by now, highly amused by the embarrassment in his friend's voice.
"Before we had a chance to do anything, the horse abruptly stopped and Legolas flew through the air."
Aragorn stopped laughing, his face taking on a look of shock. "It threw you?" he said to his friend.
Legolas sighed again. "I'd been pulling back on the reins the whole time, and it chose that moment to finally obey me. Its stop was too sudden, and I was unprepared."
"Not to mention that Legolas hardly weighed anything," said Elladan.
"He still doesn't!" said Elrohir, ducking from the slap that Legolas aimed at him.
"As I was saying," said Elladan, still laughing. "Poor Legolas flew through the air, landing rather hard and rolling a few times. We were shocked at the sight; sure that he had been badly injured, but Legolas sat up before we even reached him. He was bruised and scratched, but miraculously had no serious injuries."
"You were very fortunate," said Aragorn, shaking his head in amazement. "You could have been killed!"
Legolas nodded, solemnly.
"So we urgently asked him if he was all right," Elladan continued. "His reply to us? 'Dim-witted horse'."
Aragorn started laughing again, winning a smile from Legolas. "Do you have any other stories?"
The twins thought for a minute, but before either of them could answer, Legolas suddenly jumped to his feet and pulled an arrow from his quiver, notching it to his bow.
The other three each thought that he was playfully threatening them against telling more embarrassing tales, but the fair-haired elf was aiming the arrow away from them.
"Orcs!" Legolas exclaimed.
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And now the danger begins! BWAHAHAHAHA! lol ;) How'd you all like the tale of 'Little' Legolas? LOL! I had a lot of fun writing that scene! :)
