Disclaimer: They still don't belong to me. And after all my hard work, too. pouts

Warnings: In case you didn't read the prologue, or are one of those people who like to have things repeated, this story will have slash and an OC romance. Don't like it, don't read it. Nuff said.

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World's End

Chapter 1: We Whisper Together

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The Man stood on a rocky hill, eyes shaded as he stared up at the towering mountains before him. At one mountain in particular.

Caradhras. Cruel Caradhras.

Tomorrow, he thought grimly. Tomorrow we start the climb for the Redhorn Gate. It will be a difficult climb, especially for the hobbits. At least it is better than the other path we could have taken...

A shudder rippled his frame. Weather from the whispering wind or his dark thoughts, he was not sure.

"Aragorn?"

That voice, soft and tinged with music, brought the Ranger back to his present situation. Turning, he smiled a greeting to the blond, blue eyed creature that was approaching him on silent feet. "Greetings, mellon-nin. (1) I trust that all is well with our companions?"

Legolas Greenleaf smiled in return, his eyes sparkling. "Aye...if you call the Dwarf's grumbling of the cold weather well."

"I heard that, ya stinkin' faerie!" came a gruff voice from behind the two.

Aragorn had to laugh, causing Legolas's smile to widen. It had been too long since they had had any amusement, and he would gladly use any excuse to taunt the Dwarf.

"I would not use the name of the Faerie so lightly, Master Gimli," came yet another voice. It was as soft and musical as Legolas's, but possessing a lightness that clearly marked it as female. "They do not like their name to be slandered, and I can assure you that you do not wish to call the wrath of the Faerie down upon you!"

Gimli the Dwarf let out a snort, but Aragorn noted that it was softer than the one reserved for Legolas. "I am sure I would, my Lady, if the Faerie were something more than children's tales."

Both Elf and Man turned just in time to see yet another etheral being---this one a female with long dark hair and silver eyes---come to stand at the Dwarf's side.

Ylana Fairylight of Rivendell---one of the few female Elven warriors of Middle-Earth---lifted a cool eyebrow. "Can you be so sure of that? After all, hobbits, if I am not mistaken, are known only as children's tales in nearly every corner of the world. Yet there are four of them that sit around you at this very moment."

Gimli blinked as a deep shade of red began to spread across his cheeks. "Well...I..."

This time, Ylana's musical laughter mixed in with that of Aragorn and Legolas's. The Dwarf, muttering to himself, went back to the business of smoking his pipe. The four creatures that sat around him, also smoking, were too involved in a game of stones to even realize that they had been mentioned.

Off from the others sat an elderly man clothed in grey robes and a tall, pointed hat. he was chatting amiably with a younger Man, who was dressed in Gondorian finery. They, too, were enjoying their pipes.

Ylana was still chuckling as she made her way to her two companions. "While I do hate picking on the poor Dwarf"---here she shot a pointed look at Legolas, who had enough good graces to look down---"I never pass up a chance to put someone in their place."

"You haven't changed a bit since I last saw you," Aragorn said, grey eyes twinkling.

"And might I remind you that you took quickly to the habit yourself?"

"Yes, but I didn't go around doing it on purpose," the Man shot back in his own defense. "I mainly used it as a way of revenge. Especially on the twins."

"Oh, really? Well, I seem to remember a time when you..."

Legolas tuned the voices out as he stared up at the mountains. He always hated these situations, for it caused of jealousy to appear in his stomach when the two spoke of their time together.

Legolas and Aragorn had been best friends all of the Man's life, seeing themselves more as brothers than simple comrades. But Legolas had dwelled in Mirkwood while Aragorn was being raised in Rivendell. While the two spent as much time together as possible, Legolas was not there to take part in many of the pranks the young human had played on his foster brothers. Ylana, as Arwen's best friend, had been there to witness them all.

A slight sigh escaped his lips, one that not even an Elf could hear. Aragorn is so lucky. He has a wonderful home and family to return to when this is over. That is, if he doesn't take the throne of Gondor and marry Arwen right away.

There was a violent twisting in his stomach at this thought, but he stubbornly ignored it, keeping his mind on the problems he already faced.

Where will I go once this Quest has ended? Certainly not to Mirkwood...

This saddened the young prince immensely, for he loved the woods of his home greatly. But he couldn't bear the thought of seeing him again. Especially not so soon.

The 'him' in question was Annolir Lightbringer, the Crown Prince of Mirkwood and Legolas's older brother.

Thinking about the other Elf who was so alike him in appearance made Legolas shudder. He didn't want to think about the person who had once been his beloved gwanur. (2) Not after what he'd done.

Almost unconsciously, he lifted a pale hand to touch a slender throat. At least I got my voice back. And it no longer hurts to talk. I only wish the rest of me would heal as quickly.

His hand fell away from his throat and he began to absently pluck at the silver tunic he wore. It was not as comfortable as his Elvish clothing, and it was much too large for him. His own clothing had been shredded beyond repair, so he had had no choice but to take what was offered him in the human city of Terin. He didn't care, really. As long as they covered his scarred body and, more importantly, his scarred soul.

Behind him, the banter had ceased as Aragorn and Ylana watched their companion in concern. They were always afraid when Legolas lapsed into these silences, fearing that he was turning in on himself once more after they had worked so hard to bring him out of his shell.

"Legolas?" Aragorn called softly. "What is troubling you, mellon-nin? And don't you dare say that it is nothing. You have promised not to play that game with me any more."

The blond-haired Elf turned and offered a smile. "Do not worry, Estel," he said quietly as Ylana walked away, sensing that the two wished to be alone. "I was merely thinking of home, wondering what it would be like if I ever was to return. I wonder what Ada would think when he saw me? (3) Would Annolir have tried to despoil me in my father's eyes? Would Annolir himself be there? If he was, what would I say to him?"

The Ranger placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, taking a moment to marvel at the tingling sensation he go when they two of them touched. "I may not know your father all that well, but I do know that he loves you. My own Ada tells me of how often he speaks of how proud he is of you. As for Annolir... I would great him with a knife through his heart."

Legolas chuckled. "You have become much too violent to be Eldar-raised." Here he shook his head, sending his golden-blond hair flying. "Try as I might, I cannot find it in my heart to hate him. He acted out of desperation, and for that I pity him."

Aragorn bowed his head, respecting his friend's feelings. But his heart lay along a different path. The Ranger had already promised himself that, next time they crossed paths, Annolir Lightbringer would not escape without first feeling Aragorn's fingers around his neck. "Then you are stronger and more forgiving than I, my friend."

Legolas lifted an eyebrow at these words. "Are my ears deceiving me? Or did you just admit that I'm better than you at something?"

"Absolutely not!" Aragorn protested, eyes glittering. "I merely said you were stronger, not better. You'll never best me in anything, Elf!"

Legolas laughed, and Aragorn felt a warm glow spread throughout his body. It had been too long since he had heard that sound.

It was not without justification that Aragorn desired to see the elder Prince of Mirkwood dead. He had hurt his brother, betrayed him in the worst possible way. And it had nearly destroyed Legolas.

Aragorn still wasn't sure it hadn't.

When the two gwador had again crossed paths some months back in Rivendell, Aragorn had noticed something different about Legolas. (4) Elrond, his foster-father, had told him of the attack on the younger prince. Aragorn had been horrified by the news, but that wasn't what was bothering him. Something troubled Legolas, and it troubled him greatly.

When they had set off with the rest of the Fellowship for the Quest for Mount Doom, Aragorn had watched as Legolas retreated from them more and more each day. He rarely spoke, didn't smile and would become unnaturally aggressive. It made Aragorn feel utterly helpless. His best friend was slipping further and further away from him, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Then they had hit upon a stroke of good luck. Ylana Fairylight, Aragorn's childhood friend from Rivendell, had appeared with a warning. Strange Orcs were spewing from Isengard in search of Legolas Greenleaf. When Aragorn's betrothed, Arwen had heard this, she had begged her father, Lord Elrond, to call her best friend back from patrol duty and send her to warn the Company. Thus did Ylana meet with them, swearing to stay by their side as long as she was needed.

Aragorn was overjoyed. Not only was getting to spend time with a friend he had not seen for some time, but it seemed as though the she-Elf was beginning to pull Legolas out of his cloud.

One day, however, Legolas had been plagued by some spell. Ylana, trained in the ways of the mind, had offered to his shield his thoughts from those that would exploit them. Legolas agreed. But while working her natural magick, she had hit on a touchy subject and Legolas had withdrawn even further. For the next few days, the male Elf was colder than ever. He rarely spoke to Ylana, and even then simply addressed her by her title, never by name.

Then Aragorn had confronted him. When he had begged Legolas to let him help, it ended in an argument that led to Legolas pushing him away.

But all that changed when the Wargs attacked. Legolas had been injured in that skirmish and, despite the way he had been treating her, it was Ylana who had come to his aide. While Aragorn sat by his side, Ylana had tended to the prince's wounds. Friendships were saved and hope was restored.

Unfortunately, hope alone could not kept Legolas from being taken from them when the Uruk-hai had attacked the next morning.

While at Orthanc, Legolas had been tortured and had his voice stripped away. And all because of his jealous brother.

Aragorn shook his head, driving the thoughts away. Now's not the time. Legolas is back with us, and he's all right. We have more pressing matters than Annolir to deal with at the moment. Like getting up this mountain!

"Come!" he said, giving his friend a bright smile. "I believe that we will be having dinner shortly, and I wish to eat before these ravenous hobbits devour it all!"

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Dinner was a lively event. Merry and Pippin were singing at the tops of their lungs, and were dancing so close to the fire that Ylana was afraid that they would singe their foot hairs. The rest of the Company, their bellies full of the delicious stew that Sam had prepared, were laughing at the antics of the two hobbits. Boromir even made an attempt to join them, which made the others laugh all the harder.

When the laughter had finally died down, everyone began to drift away. Some went to talk, others went to wash themselves in the nearby stream. And so it was that Gandalf was sitting alone when Ylana approached him.

"Gandalf?" she said quietly, folding her legs underneath her so that she could sit at his side. "May I speak with you?"

The wizard offered her a kindly smile. "Gladly! You know that I always enjoy pleasant company."

"I'm afraid it might not be so pleasant," she said with a sigh. "It's about the girl I saw at Terin, the one from Angmar. When Legolas said that her name was Aislyn, you spoke of knowing something about her. Who is she, Gandalf? And what does she have to do with all of this?"

Gandalf was silent. Ylana was beginning to fear he wasn't going to answer her question when the wizard let out a sigh. "How much do you know of Angmar, Ylana?"

She shook her head. "Not much, I'm afraid. It was destroyed before I was born. I do know that the entire population was basically evil, and that everyone possessed magickal skills of considerable strength. Also, Sauron's lieutenant---the lead Ringwraith---was once the Witch-King of Angmar. That's about it."

"That is enough," he assured her. "What I have to say involves the Witch-King. Or so I think it does."

The Elf frowned. "What do you mean?"

"When Angmar still stood, the Witch-King had a family. A wife, three sons and a daughter named Aislyn. Despite what some may think, the Witch-King was very close to his family. Especially his daughter. It was even rumored that, when the Witch-King fell under Sauron's shadow and became a Ringwraith, she used her magick to bind herself to him so that they would be together for all eternity." He shook his head. "I had thought them to be nothing more than rumors, but now it seems as though it is true after all."

"But why? Why wait until now to come back and make her presence known?"

Gandalf shrugged. "Revenge, perhaps?"

If so, why is she allying herself with Saruman, who is so closely linked with the one who made her father what he is?"

He sighed. "I'm afraid that I have no more answers for you, Ylana. I wish I did, for I fear she has some part yet to play."

"So do I," she replied grimly. "And that's what worries me."

'Well, there's nothing we can do about it at the moment, and I'm more worried about how we're going to get up that mountain." That kindly smile was turned to her once more. "Get some rest, my dear. Boromir's offered to take watch tonight, and you will need your strength. Tomorrow we shall begin the climb, and hope that the mountain doesn't not seek to destroy us."

"Is there no other way?" the Elf asked softly. "Aragorn spoke of another Road, though he seems to be afraid of it."

"And with good reason. It is a dark path, and I do not wish to take it unless we absolutely have to. Though I'm beginning to wonder if it would not have been the better route."

"I understand. And now I shall take my leave of you." Ylana gracefully climbed to her feet. "Idh mae, Mithrandir," she murmured softly, offering a bow before moving away, leaving the wizard to his thoughts. (5)

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(1) mellon-nin-------------------my friend

(2) gwanur----------------------brother

(3) Ada-------------------------father

(4) gwador---------------------sworn brothers

(5) Idh mae----------------------rest well