Note: Alternative universe, none of the elves are allied with each other. The petty reasons for this may or may not actually come out in the story. I do not know how long before Fellowship orcs existed. I apologize for my lack of knowledge of Tolkein.
Summary: The first meeting of Aragorn and Legolas is not quite what one would hope for. Legolas is suspicious, and Aragorn is closed-minded. Can they bring together the elven lands or will they suffer death at each other's hands. (note: does not follow the books pre fellowship)
Chapter 9
For the first time in Legolas' life he found himself willingly riding close to enemy territory with no army behind him and no particular mission to accomplish, besides bringing an enemy back to his people. He glanced over his shoulder at the filthy human. It was hard to believe this man was supposed to be a king one day. He was sitting his horse in what finally resembled a normal manner.
It had taken days for him to get to the point he could sit up properly. Of course the stubbornness of humans had shown itself again as he refused to rest in the evenings when Legolas prepared food and instead took special care to see that his horse was taken care of. That was really the first positive thing he had noticed about the man. For a race so known for their selfishness, Aragorn watched over that horse more like an elf.
Legolas broke himself away from his thoughts. I am only taking him as far as the borders of Rivendell and then I will turn back. He decided to forget that he had planned to turn back as soon as he could see that the human was healed enough to wield his sword. That had been 2 days before and still he found himself drawing closer and closer to the enemy.
Aragorn watched the elf ride with some interest. All of the elves he knew could ride of course, and all seemed to have an instinctive ability to ride. This elf though rode with an elegance he had never known before. He wondered again at this elf's identity. He had spent many hours riding behind him running the elf Legolas for many miles and still he was confused as to why he was making this journey. Surely any debt he felt for Aragorn saving his life was repaid by his week of healing. He shook his head he would never understand elves. Even Elrond's people still bewildered him and he had grown up in Rivendell.
"We should stop here for the night."
Aragorn jumped a little when the elf spoke. Not all elves were quiet but he could count on one hand the number of times the elf had spoken to him as they rode. He glanced around at the trees and realized they were very close to the border of Rivendell. He hadn't even noticed that they were getting this close. The woods were strange, things were not quite as he had left them.
"You should most certainly stop here. I must continue, there are many hours of daylight left and I must return as soon as possible."
Legolas stepped down from his horse. He turned to look at the sun as it traveled. Yes, it was still several hours until dusk and he really should not stop here, it was too close. Something bothered him about them splitting up though. As if he were supposed to be riding with this human. Nothing he could think of made this logical though. "Yes, that would be best."
Aragorn stepped down from his horse to face the pale elf. "I thank you for your trouble el…Legolas." He wanted to say something more. He remembered the vision in his dream. Saying 'you must work together' but on what? Why would he and this elf work together. Neither people would aunderstand a union between such hated enemies. It didn't make sense.
The elf and the human shared a strong handshake and returned to their horses departing in opposite directions. They were both struck by a sense that they had made the wrong choice, even though they were heading for the proper destination.
A figure in the shadows watched the departing figures with a sneer.
