Disclaimer: I do not own LotR, no matter how much I wish.
Warnings: Slash, A/L…
Sorry 'bout all grammar and/or spelling mistakes.
Don't worry peoples. I know I freaked some of you peoples out... or worried you, at least. But I will never leave a fic unfinished... unless I have no choice. I may be having some issues with it, but will never abandon it all together.
Not too bad of a wait, hm? I have had the actual story part typed up for a couple of days but I haven't been able to go back through and fix the typos and whatnot 'til today. My bro keeps staying on forever. And then volleyball… ..:sighs:.. Not even going to go into that. And school… No, just no. Let's just say that this year is going to be a looong year. Extremely long. Crazy long. Yes, yes, I'm done.
Hope you all enjoy this chapter, though. Please let me know what you think when you're done. n.n
Heart's Truth
Chapter Fifteen: River
Aragorn was right in his assumptions. Thranduil had returned to his usual self in the morning. The human didn't even try to approach the elf king seeing the death glares being sent his way. He had no idea why Thranduil felt this way and acted like this towards him. Last night it had seemed like they had come to an understanding or so Aragorn had thought. Apparently he had been reading into it too much.
The human sighed deeply, staring straight ahead. They were now on their way back to the Mirkwood palace. After Legolas had convinced his father to give his lover another chance there was no need for them to stay in the forest. Aragorn was also hoping that the sooner they got back, the sooner Legolas would get some sleep and start eating.
The heavy sigh attracted Legolas' attention. He looked to his left at his lover and found him to be staring ahead of them sadly. He knew why he was sad, but why was Aragorn?
The blonde elf steered his horse closer to the human's. "What is it, love?" he asked quietly, caringly. His father was on his right side, though now farther away. He knew the elf king didn't appreciate – to say the least – any terms of endearment exchanged between them, especially not right in front of him.
Aragorn looked over to the archer and shook his head. "Nothing," he said, not wanting to worry his lover, he already had enough of his mind as it was.
"Estel," Legolas stated, almost threatening the human. It was all too clear that something was greatly bothering his lover and he was determined to find out what it was. Aragorn had been doing nothing but help him recently; he wanted to return the favor. Come to think of it, had he even thanked the ranger yet? He'd have to think of something to do for him… when he was sure it was safe to do so.
"I shall tell you later," the human said with a quick glance at the elf king. He did not wish to speak of their conversation with him present.
Legolas looked at his lover puzzled. What could he possibly say that had to be away from Thranduil? Well, there were a lot of things, but those were hardly appropriate under the circumstances in the first place.
"Later," Aragorn said sternly, ending the discussion.
The archer sighed and watched the human for a moment before looking ahead again. He was upset that his lover wouldn't tell him what was wrong; however, he would get the information later. He could deal with that.
The elf king shifted his gaze back and forth between the human and elf when their conversation had ended. He could tell that his son was worried and that the ranger was anxious to get something off his chest. He had only been able to hear parts of their conversation, though not enough to know hat was going on. He had a feeling they were doing it on purpose too. This made him irritated. Why was his son trying to keep something from him again? Hadn't he learned from last time?
He let it go, trying to calm himself by focusing on their destination.
A few hours later Legolas heard running water to their right and perked up, looking in that direction. There was a river nearby. He jumped at the opportunity to see the water rush by, singing against the stones as fish swam in its path.
The others were surprised to see the prince suddenly lurch forward, kicking his horse into a gallop as he raced off to the right side of them, weaving through trees and around bushes.
Aragorn was the first to break through his startled state. "Legolas!" he shouted, having his horse chase after the impulsive blonde.
Thranduil was next in line, a frown covering the lower half of his face. What could his son possibly be thinking? Everything was so confusing as of late. When Legolas had returned he hadn't expected things to go this way at all. It was surprising enough to find the human with him, but then to learn they were lovers! That had been the most shocking thing he had ever heard in his immortal life. And then Legolas running away… Nothing made sense.
When Aragorn turned around a huge tree he saw his elf stopped in front of a river. The horse was turned towards it, drinking the water. Legolas was also facing the shimmering river as the sun reflected off its clear surface. However, upon hearing a horse's approach, he turned his head around to see none other than his lover. And he smiled widely.
Aragorn gulped back a lump that had formed at the sight. It was extremely alluring. The way his elf looked back at him, smiling broadly, the sun catching his golden hair and making his crystal-blue eyes shine brightly, their mirth as clear as his smile, and then the beautiful nature surrounding them.
The human shifted uneasily on his horse. Why now? he thought frustrated. He knew Thranduil would soon be beside them, for they had not gone far.
He swore under his breath, shifting again.
"What's the matter, love?" the elf asked, feigning innocence, though he was smirking.
"I believe you know exactly… All too well in fact," the ranger ground out.
"Hmm," the blonde started thoughtfully, going closer to his lover, "I could take care of that." Eyes filled with lust and a mischievous glint, Legolas ran his gaze down Aragorn's body, tantalizingly slow.
"Legolas," the human hissed, "you are not helping!"
The archer chuckled, seeing his lover's panic. Unfortunately, he had to put a leash on his teasing. It was very cruel indeed for him to do this to the human. His father would undoubtedly be there any second; with the warriors right behind him, too. They couldn't even share a quick kiss.
Sure enough, only seconds after that thought had even processed, the elf king came bursting into the clearing, obviously not happy when he saw there was no danger.
"I'm sorry, Ada. I just wanted to see the river… and thought we needed a little excitement," Legolas said with a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his head.
Aragorn put his hand over his mouth, stifling his laughter. How he loved his elf!
Thranduil frowned at his son and the human. However, he let it go, riding to the front and continuing on the way without a word.
Some of the warriors smiled at their prince's antic, and even laughed. Legolas had been right: they had needed some excitement. It would take them almost a week to get back to the palace. It had taken them almost a month to find them because of the pace they had set, not wanting to miss any signs of the two; not because of how far they had been. It would be a really long ride if things continued how they were. They were grateful for Legolas' humor.
The archer looked over at his lover to see the ranger smiling at him and he laughed lightly at the human.
They followed the elf king, warriors in front and behind them.
The archer was riding beside the river, his lover on his left. He watched with contentment as the water flowed past them.
They went on their way, their moods lighter than before.
An hour passed in silence until Legolas spoke up again. Now that there were warriors in front of them, the elf king shouldn't be able to hear them. So he asked what the human was going to say earlier.
Aragorn sighed. "It's nothing."
"Estel," the elf warned.
"Alright, alright." He didn't want his lover to get angry with him. Besides, he had told the elf that he would tell him later so he would.
"Last night your father and I had a conversation. Nay, not bad at all," he assured seeing the fearful look the blonde gave him. "It was actually a really good one; he's acting the exact opposite as last night, in fact. I only wished it could have lasted. He treated me normal."
It was all too apparent how sad the ranger was because of this, and he felt bad for him. If he hadn't been so intent upon returning so quickly they wouldn't be in this mess.
"What exactly did he say?" Legolas asked, wanting to hear more about his father's strange behavior.
Aragorn repeated the elf king's words as best as he could remember.
"Do you think he has changed his mind?" the archer questioned when the human had finished. To say he was surprised by his father's words would be an extreme understatement. He had no idea where the words had come from.
"Nay; look at him today," the ranger answered quietly, bringing his gaze up to Thranduil.
Legolas sighed dejectedly. "You are right."
Aragorn hated to see his lover so sad and wanted to reassure him, however, the words would not come. He didn't even know what to say, for he was unsure of the elf king's erratic behavior. One moment he was understanding; the next he was rude and even obnoxious. He had no idea what to say or do anymore.
The two rode on in silence, both deep in thought.
Hours later, when the sun no longer ruled the sky and they began to think about a place to camp, the elves suddenly stopped speaking; most turning their heads to the left and to an area by Aragorn and Legolas.
Aragorn hated the fact that his human hearing made him deaf to the sounds that had attracted their attention.
"What is it?" Aragorn whispered to Legolas.
"Something foul approaches," the elf answered softly, knowing his lover couldn't hear yet.
Suddenly, the 'something' showed itself and they all found out that it was a pack of wolves.
The horses reared in fright, most warriors able to keep a hold of their horses, staying mounted; only few fell. However, one of the few ended up being Legolas, who was too exhausted to stay on.
Aragorn watched in horror as his lover was bucked off and into the river. "Legolas!" he yelled.
Ignoring everything around him, he quickly jumped off his horse and stood near the edge of the river, searching for the golden head in the darkness.
He spotted the light hair as it stood out in the darkness above the water. Seeing it go under again, he jumped into the river without a second thought.
Thranduil looked back at the shout of his son's name, just in time to see the human jump into the water without hesitation. He had heard a splash earlier. Had Legolas fallen in? Had he been hurt?
The pack of wolves attacked viciously, biting and snarling at the elves as they fought back.
Fortunately, the warriors far out-numbered the wolves and the victory was fairly quick.
Thranduil frantically scanned the river for his son and the human.
Panic gripped his heart like a screw turned too many times.
Where were they!
"Spread out and find them!" the elf king commanded his warriors, who didn't hesitate to obey.
How could they have gotten so far? he thought in fear as he looked for the two.
Sooo? What do you think? Was it a bad idea to do that? Or should I have just made it different, or what? Let me know, please. I'm thinkin' I'll be able to write the next chapter up pretty soon… so long as volleyball doesn't keep getting in the way. ;-; Good and bad there. Volleyball is awesome, though I'm questioning this year, but I can't write with the games and ish goin' on.
Once again go here (http/ www . geocities . com / indeath666 / rr . html ) for the review responses. Don't forget to remove the spaces and add the colon. And thank you everyone for the reviews! I almost got up to 100 with that. Only one off. Thanks again, and please keep them coming. n.n
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Ja ne