Disclaimer: I own nothing of LOTR. I will probably have no OC's in this story, unless I have to. This was a dream I had so it'll probably be really weird. But then again, it made perfect sense to me. (However we all know how weird I am. shrugs) You'll just have to read and review and tell me.
These bonds that bind us
Chapter one: Into the night
The dry leaves crunched audibly as the figure shifted his footing. The already vanishing sun was casting its dimming light on Middle-earth. The wind was picking up, sending the calm leaves spiraling through the air, creating an illusion of colorful dancers twirling in the sky.
All was right in Gondor. The city of Minas Tirith was happily asleep in their rebuilt houses, praising their new king. But, maybe that wasn't whom they should be thanking. Oh, he had most of the credit, but not all.
There was one, working even now for the people who didn't even acknowledge him.
Aragorn stood on his balcony, arms hung loosely over the side, his chin on the railing. His thoughts were elsewhere so it wasn't until a light hand touched his shoulder did he realize someone was behind him. He started, but had long ago been broken of the reflex that involved turning and killing the one behind him. And it was a good thing too. He was married now and his wife had a habit of sneaking up behind him. She was the sister of Elrohir and Elladan after all.
"Meleth?" Arwen wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her body against her husbands. "Are you alright?" (Love)
The king of Gondor sighed, "No." He straightened and rubbed his bare arms. It was beginning to get rather cold. "I wish I could get him to stop and rest. He'll over exhaust himself."
The elf didn't even need to ask whom it was he was referring to. "He does what he wants. Always has and always will."
"He is very stubborn."
"Only matched by you, meleth." Arwen chuckled as her husband stiffened. She stepped up beside him and leaned over the rail. "See? What did I tell you?" (Love)
Aragorn too leaned over, and immediately cursed as he nearly lost his balance. However he could clearly see the figure who was fixing something on the grass so far below. "That stupid elf!"
"STUBBORN HUMAN!" A voice yelled from below, "HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU NOT TO LEAN OVER LIKE THAT?!"
"Hello to you too, Legolas!" The king grumbled, leaning against the glass doors with his arms crossed. "And may I inquire to what you are doing out at this time?"
The elf, who too had his arms crossed, looked up with a glare. "Working. Do you mind?"
"Would it matter?"
"No."
"Then why ask?"
"Why does it matter?"
"Because it does."
"Does not."
"Does too."
"Does not."
"DOES TOO!"
"DOES NOT!" An arrow slammed into the balcony's railing with this last statement.
"LEGOLAS! NO SHOOTING ARROWS AT MY HUSBAND WITHIN THE PALACE WALLS!"
The silvan elf bowed, "Of course, Queen Arwen. I will try and refrain from doing so."
"Try?" Her eyebrows were raised as the warrior below chuckled. "Why 'try'?"
"Well because I am not entirely sure your husband will be able to shut up long enough for me to get him outside the palace walls." Legolas leaned on his bow and watched with amused eyes as his best friend attempted to leap over the balcony and fail miserably.
"ESTEL!" Arwen shouted, smacking him upside the head, "STOP IT RIGHT NOW!"
Legolas laughed as he walked off, leaving his best friend and sworn brother in the hands of his peredhil wife. He laughed even harder as Estel shot him a glare that rivaled that of Lord Elrond. "Have fun, mellon-nin!"
"LAUGH WHILE YOU CAN, PRINCE OF MIRKWOOD!" Arwen yelled at him, "YOU'RE NEXT!"
The silvan elf ran, soon disappeared from sight. He just wasn't up to facing the wrath of Arwen Evenstar, daughter of Lord of Elrond of Rivendell, younger sister of Elladan and Elrohir, the two elves most feared by the orcs, (closely followed by the Prince of Mirkwood of course,) and wife of Aragorn, king of Gondor.
He ran, not noticing where he was going. Suddenly he crashed into someone and tumbled to the ground, twisting his ankle and letting loose a cry.
The dwarf shifted the pack on his back and once again began to walk the rough trail up to the white city, Minas Tirith. He sighed in relief as he reached the gates and answered the guard's questions. A minute later he was let in the city and he was off toward the palace, eager to see some old friends.
He whistled as he saw the rebuild homes and businesses, immediately recognizing the workmanship. He knew the way the trees flourished and grew that it could only be the work of one person. He shook his head in surprise. What, had Legolas been working nonstop for a year and a half?
"LAUGH WHILE YOU CAN, PRINCE OF MIRKWOOD!" A voice drifted over to him as he neared the palace, "YOU'RE NEXT!"
The dwarf cocked his had, recognizing the voice. He chuckled, wondering what the blonde elf could have done to get the usually collected Arwen yelling. He wouldn't have to wait long, however.
Hearing someone approaching he turned, only to be crashed into and sent to the ground. He felt someone land hard next to him and cry out in pain. Grumbling he glared at the person, ready to give them a good lecture when he recognized the figure next to him.
"Legolas?"
The elf opened his eyes and blinked, "What in the name of Elbereth are you doing here, Gimli?"
The dwarf got to his feet and stared down at the prince, "Have you forgotten you promised me something?"
Groaning, Legolas fell back, his eyes closed. "Ai! You remembered!!" He grumbled in good nature.
Gimli kicked his good leg, "Aye, I remembered! We dwarves have outstanding memories, thank you very much!"
"Yeahm, unless you count the time you 'forgot' we were fighting a cave troll. I saved your life if you recall." Legolas opened one eye and smiled, "Or the time you-"
"I GET IT!" The irritated dwarf bellowed, "I GET IT YOU STUBBORN ELF!"
Legolas swept Gimli's legs out from under him, causing the cursing dwarf to fall to the ground again. "I know. I just love reminding you."
"Elves." Gimli grumbled, standing and looking at his friend, "So are we going to go to the palace or are we going to stay here and discuss the hardheadedness of our races?"
Legolas stood, grimacing as he put his weight on his ankle. "I don't really want to go back so soon, but it can't be helped."
"Are you alright?" Gimli asked, concerned. "Do you want to stay here?"
The elf shot him a glare, "I am fine. Let's just go." To prove his point he began to walk back to where he had come from, barely limping. In truth he would be healed before they reached the palace, but...
"Stubborn elf." Gimli growled under his breath but caught up, staying by his friend's side in case he did need help. "So, Legolas." The elf looked down at him, "Why was Arwen yelling at you?"
Laughing, the blonde warrior told him exactly why.
Aragorn was in his throne, watching his wife with one eye and the door to the hall with the other. Arwen had already told him she was going to shoot Legolas as soon as he entered the door. He didn't doubt her.
The hall was empty on account of the king giving everyone but the waiters the day off. Plus, no one wanted to be there when a shoot out erupted between the Queen and the greatest archer ever seen.
The door opened and Arwen's hand tightened around the bow. A golden head appeared and she fired, the arrow slicing through the air toward the arm that slowly came into view. Legolas twisted into the hall, grabbing the arrow and shooting one of his own, which struck the wall behind the Queen. "I would advice you, Queen Arwen, to NOT shoot at your guests." He chuckled, kicking the door back to reveal Gimli, who was beginning to regret his visit. "They usually will stop wishing to return."
"Gimli!" She cried, throwing the bow to the floor, "I am so very sorry!"
Gimli waved it away, leaving it to Legolas to make the smart comment that always followed whenever the dwarf, elf and human were in the room. And make it he did.
"Ah, Arwen, it would seem you are quickly outmatching your dear husband with the bow. I regret having not noticed."
"And what exactly does THAT MEAN?!" Aragorn, right on cue.
"It means, mellon-nin that even an elven female can outfight you when it comes to archery." This from Gimli, who had learned some elvish during the war of the ring.
Arwen shook her head and got up to retrieve her bow, stringing an arrow and aiming...
Aragorn leaned back in his chair, letting the fork fall from his fingers and land with a clatter on the empty plate. "So, what brings you out here, Gimli?"
The dwarf scratched at his beard thoughtfully, "I've come to steal the elf." He chuckled as Legolas glared at him from across the table. "We have something to do."
Arwen raised an eyebrow, "And what would that be?" She was shocked when Gimli refused to answer, saying something about a secret promise.
"Well, I do hope you warn us before you go." She said as they all broke up to retire for the night. "Good night, Gimli. You too, Legolas."
"Good night, Queen Arwen." They answered in unison before bowing mockingly in Aragorn's direction and running off.
"I thought I had escaped it all when I left El and Ro behind." The king sighed, "Obviously not."
Arwen chuckled and hugged her husband, "Of course not!" She turned to leave and stopped suddenly, "Oh, by the way, they will be stopping by in a month or so."
Aragorn groaned and followed after her slowly.
"You almost let her SHOOT ME!" Gimli yelled the minute they were alone.
"YOU stole my bow!" Legolas shouted back, "What was I suppose to do?! Jump in FRONT OF IT?!"
"YES!"
The elf tackled the dwarf and they got into a small brawl on the floor of Legolas's room. The elf pinned Gimli and had the dwarf hog-tied before their yelling could wake the royalty residing in the palace.
"LET ME GO!"
"No." Legolas lay on his bed with his arms folded, "So, when do you plan on leaving?"
"As soon as you UNTIE ME!" Gimli grumbled. Chuckling the elf untied him and the two lay aside their joking to gather what it was they would need. Two hours later they left the palace and the city of Minas Tirith, heading back down a familiar road. Backtracking to the Mines of Moria wherein lies a promise just waiting to be kept.
But the prize to be paid for such a promise would be more than either warrior would willingly give.
Afterword: How was it?? Was it good?? Funny?? Bounces in place I HAD SUGAR!!! IM HYPER TODAY!!! YAY!! Anyway, make sure you review and tell me what you think, okay?? YAY!! See ya'll in the next chapter, alright?